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Happy Ever After
Naomi seems to have everything. A beautiful daughter, a gorgeous house, a perfect life. Behind the scenes, though, she and her husband are drifting from one another and struggling to conceive their second child.
Then Naomi meets a parent at her daughter's nursery. Sean understands her, or so she thinks. Looking for a connection, for a friend, she joins him at a swimming lesson with their children. That day, Naomi makes a terrible mistake.
Weeks later, when Naomi attempts to contact Sean, he has disappeared without a trace. But as she begins to piece her life back together, it becomes clear that someone else knows her secret. Someone who wants to make sure she never forgets what she did at the pool.
An intelligent, searing and addictive thriller about family, desire and the lengths people will go to for the ones they love the most.
Then Naomi meets a parent at her daughter's nursery. Sean understands her, or so she thinks. Looking for a connection, for a friend, she joins him at a swimming lesson with their children. That day, Naomi makes a terrible mistake.
Weeks later, when Naomi attempts to contact Sean, he has disappeared without a trace. But as she begins to piece her life back together, it becomes clear that someone else knows her secret. Someone who wants to make sure she never forgets what she did at the pool.
An intelligent, searing and addictive thriller about family, desire and the lengths people will go to for the ones they love the most.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2020
41 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
November 30, 2019
This is a convoluted and suspenseful psychological thriller from CC MacDonald featuring Naomi, a mother and wife who on the surface appears to have the perfect life. She is married to Charles, an inventor with mental health issues, suffering from depression, issues that elicit very little in the way of sympathy from her and there is a growing distance between the two of them. She has a two year old daughter, Prue, but Naomi is desperately obsessed with getting pregnant again so that Prue is not an only child, but so far this goal has proved to be elusively out of her reach. Upon meeting the good looking Sean at Prue's nursery, she joins him for a swimming lesson with their children. In the shower, Naomi makes an error of judgement that she is going to live to regret. The story includes texts, client therapy notes, and details of internet searches. As Naomi's life spirals out of control, Sean disappears, there is a deranged stalker, and a series of odd and terrifying events begin to plunge her into a horrifying nightmare. In a narrative of twists, secrets and lies, there are plentiful descriptions of everyday domestic life, and none of the characters are even remotely likeable. This felt like an average psychological thriller, although others might enjoy this more. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.
July 31, 2020
This entertaining psychological thriller is such an oddball, the first half starts pretty predictably and just when you think you know exactly what is happening. It then throws some great outlandish plot twists, which I actually quite liked that the author was bold enough to attempt.
Naomi and Charles are trying for baby number two, the couples struggle conceive is adding a real toll to their marriage.
The regimental sex life as dictated by a phone app for when Namoi is most fertile is really taking the 'pleasure' out of the relationship.
As the couple become disconnected from each other Naomi finds fellow parent Sean's friendly approach welcoming.
Inevitably one quick encounter in the showers during their children's swimming lesson obviously leads to one outcome...
This was an easy fun read where the inclusion of various internet sites posts added an extra layer of detail to the plight of trying to and then eventually getting pregnant.
Sean soon vanishes after the brief encounter and Naomi worries that the scan measurements don't match with what her Charles believes is the date of conception (because of the apps!)
It kept me wanting to know if the secret would be revealed and if Sean would make a reappearance...
Naomi and Charles are trying for baby number two, the couples struggle conceive is adding a real toll to their marriage.
The regimental sex life as dictated by a phone app for when Namoi is most fertile is really taking the 'pleasure' out of the relationship.
As the couple become disconnected from each other Naomi finds fellow parent Sean's friendly approach welcoming.
Inevitably one quick encounter in the showers during their children's swimming lesson obviously leads to one outcome...
This was an easy fun read where the inclusion of various internet sites posts added an extra layer of detail to the plight of trying to and then eventually getting pregnant.
Sean soon vanishes after the brief encounter and Naomi worries that the scan measurements don't match with what her Charles believes is the date of conception (because of the apps!)
It kept me wanting to know if the secret would be revealed and if Sean would make a reappearance...
December 26, 2019
I really did struggle with this book. It was not what I was hoping for when I read the blurb.
The characters were awful and the story jumped all over the place and I lost interest early on. It wasn't realistic at all and I really didn't care what happened to any of the characters. A shame as I was looking forward to a thrilling read but it was not that for me at all.
Thank you Random House UK, can't love them all
The characters were awful and the story jumped all over the place and I lost interest early on. It wasn't realistic at all and I really didn't care what happened to any of the characters. A shame as I was looking forward to a thrilling read but it was not that for me at all.
Thank you Random House UK, can't love them all
March 27, 2020
This starts out as your garden variety drama them slowly morphs into something entirely more interesting and suspenseful.
So the first half of this was slow and plodding and Initially, I was worried this was going to be a DNF but it surprisingly managed to pick up and then took off in the second half.
It then became much more interesting and I wanted to finish just to discover what the heck was occurring.
So character-wise nobody was very likeable here not Naomi herself or her husband Charlie or even her new dad friend Sean.
Everyone seemed to be out for themselves and working to there own individual agendas.
So let's start with Naomi she controlling and judgemental especially in regards to her husband Charlie.
If things don't go her way or seem out of her control she plays the blame game and even her not getting pregnant to her schedule is something she punishes her husband for in passive-aggressive ways belittling him whatever chance she gets.
On the surface, her husband charlie seems the nicer and more reasonable of the two.
A man put upon and overshadowed by his controlling spouse but if you look beneath that surface he is actually not that nice of an individual either and as this progresses it becomes apparent that Charlie is actually rather shallow placing importance on things and stuff and appearances.
These two are actually a match made in heaven.
Then add Sean into the mix he is the wrecking ball that has entered their life a shadow from the past that wants to destroy there picture perfect illusion and he is the question mark hanging over everything.
So I did find the timeframe here somewhat confusing initially, though it did start to become clearer as this progressed.
Also nobody actually really redeems themselves here though I was happy with the resolutions we eventually arrived at everyone involved with this was still as bloody horrible at the finish line as they were at the start.
This was well written just initially rather slow and the second half of this is much better than the first.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Happy Ever After.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
November 8, 2019
A story about a couple trying to conceive their second child.
I could not relate to the characters and really struggled to keep reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I could not relate to the characters and really struggled to keep reading this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2020
A very interesting debut, in fact billed as ‘2020’s most addictive thriller’
And after the first maybe 6-7 chapters I would agree, it really was addictive, however I almost gave up reading it in those first chapters as didn’t ‘feel’ the book and didn’t like the characters but am glad I didn’t as I soon began to zone in to what was happening and although never really gelled with any of the characters it is one of those books where it doesn’t matter, the story is the focus and the story makes the characters what they are ( if makes sense!)
Naomi and Charlie are desperate for a 2nd child, they are ruled by app’s that tell them, to the hour, the best time to conceive, it’s just not happening though, Naomi takes solace in the arms of Sean, a ‘dad’ who drops his ‘son’ off at the same Nursery their daughter goes to....
And then the book really starts, and once it does there is really no stopping it, I would say it was compulsive reading after that!
Some of the writing is brilliant, the authors descriptions of people’s feelings at things that happen in day to day life are spot on and at times even humorous, saying that there is also a horrific paragraph that I wish I hadn’t read!
The ending is a bit confusing ish and in a few parts and still not sure I fully get one of the parts and the daughter’s name being Prudence had me singing ‘Dear Prudence’ ( Siouxise and the Banshees version ) in my head every time saw it, that aside a really good thriller debut that made me excited to read further books by the author when they appear
8/10
4 Stars
And after the first maybe 6-7 chapters I would agree, it really was addictive, however I almost gave up reading it in those first chapters as didn’t ‘feel’ the book and didn’t like the characters but am glad I didn’t as I soon began to zone in to what was happening and although never really gelled with any of the characters it is one of those books where it doesn’t matter, the story is the focus and the story makes the characters what they are ( if makes sense!)
Naomi and Charlie are desperate for a 2nd child, they are ruled by app’s that tell them, to the hour, the best time to conceive, it’s just not happening though, Naomi takes solace in the arms of Sean, a ‘dad’ who drops his ‘son’ off at the same Nursery their daughter goes to....
And then the book really starts, and once it does there is really no stopping it, I would say it was compulsive reading after that!
Some of the writing is brilliant, the authors descriptions of people’s feelings at things that happen in day to day life are spot on and at times even humorous, saying that there is also a horrific paragraph that I wish I hadn’t read!
The ending is a bit confusing ish and in a few parts and still not sure I fully get one of the parts and the daughter’s name being Prudence had me singing ‘Dear Prudence’ ( Siouxise and the Banshees version ) in my head every time saw it, that aside a really good thriller debut that made me excited to read further books by the author when they appear
8/10
4 Stars
March 11, 2020
I thought this book was only ok. First of all I didn’t like any of the characters especially the main character Naomi. She was so irritating and so self obsessed and I couldn’t stand her. Charlie was just as irritating. He came across so weak and oblivious to anything happening around him. The story was ok but some parts were so confusing I didn’t have a clue what was going on. There were some good bits and the ending was good but I just don’t think this book was for me.
November 28, 2019
Great cover but a plot we've seen hundreds of times before as a mad psychopath waits 20 years before insinuating himself into the home of an unpleasant couple (husband with "two flat floury baps for an arse") to ruin their lives. Masses of filler comprising domestic minutiae, another of those baby-obsessed women with an ovulator app always within reach, and some unintentionally hilarious lines: "he had been so genial and friendly even though he had a dog-murdering python waiting in his car" - hahaha 🐍. It would have been one star but the python gave me such a laugh I had to make it two, even if for the wrong reasons 😏.
Read
January 26, 2020This was an okay read for me as I struggling connecting to the main protagonists and the style of writing which felt staccato.
The story had Naomi wanting more instead of finding happiness with what she had. A wrong decision at a vulnerable point, and she landed in a pickle.
My first book by this author, my emotions weren't evoked. The story didn't cause the excitement which every line of the thriller should have caused.
I had to hop, skip, and jump to get to the end. An okay read, only for a niche audience.
The story had Naomi wanting more instead of finding happiness with what she had. A wrong decision at a vulnerable point, and she landed in a pickle.
My first book by this author, my emotions weren't evoked. The story didn't cause the excitement which every line of the thriller should have caused.
I had to hop, skip, and jump to get to the end. An okay read, only for a niche audience.
February 27, 2020
Naomi is fighting a feeling of dissatisfaction. She finds herself drawn to one of the parents at her daughters nursery. Naomi and her husband, charlie are trying for another baby. There are other problems that are putting a strain on their marriage.
At the beg5of the chapters, there is a text message. These are quite confusing s the people sending the texts haven't been introduced to the story. It does make sense though by the end of the book. There's also a few paragraphs that didnt need to be there. It was as if they were written just to bulk the book out. This is another slow burner that I found hard to get into. I didnt like any of the characters. The last third of thenstory was by far the best bit.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author C.C. MacDonald for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At the beg5of the chapters, there is a text message. These are quite confusing s the people sending the texts haven't been introduced to the story. It does make sense though by the end of the book. There's also a few paragraphs that didnt need to be there. It was as if they were written just to bulk the book out. This is another slow burner that I found hard to get into. I didnt like any of the characters. The last third of thenstory was by far the best bit.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author C.C. MacDonald for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2020
This book gave me the most difficult time, so much so that I left writing my review until I was completely decided. I’m normally so sure of my opinions but this one is like a crappy old b movie that is so bad you can’t stop watching and it ends up being good (anyone who has recently watched the film Little Monsters you will understand).
I read this on pigeonhole where a stave of a few chapters are released daily and you can interact with other readers by commenting throughout. Quite a few of us were ready to give up and were not enjoying it, really unlikeable characters Naomi the main one being the worst culprit. If I behaved as she did my friends would pull me up on it and say Mel stop behaving like an arse and get over yourself.
As for having “the so called perfect life” that isn’t how big your house is and no wonder her husband is such a drip having to kowtow to her demands. He really needed to grow a pair and communicate with his wife rather than a therapist.
Enter Sean and this is where things finally got interesting but also bloody confusing. I can’t say too much as his identity could be a major plot spoiler. But things start to go very wrong and turn sinister and a tad complicated.
The first half of the book was a 1 star for me but if you are willing to persevere you will get all the answers and a few surprises. I really liked the last few chapters and I’m really annoyed that I didn’t love this book as it had all the elements to be great.
I read this on pigeonhole where a stave of a few chapters are released daily and you can interact with other readers by commenting throughout. Quite a few of us were ready to give up and were not enjoying it, really unlikeable characters Naomi the main one being the worst culprit. If I behaved as she did my friends would pull me up on it and say Mel stop behaving like an arse and get over yourself.
As for having “the so called perfect life” that isn’t how big your house is and no wonder her husband is such a drip having to kowtow to her demands. He really needed to grow a pair and communicate with his wife rather than a therapist.
Enter Sean and this is where things finally got interesting but also bloody confusing. I can’t say too much as his identity could be a major plot spoiler. But things start to go very wrong and turn sinister and a tad complicated.
The first half of the book was a 1 star for me but if you are willing to persevere you will get all the answers and a few surprises. I really liked the last few chapters and I’m really annoyed that I didn’t love this book as it had all the elements to be great.
June 8, 2021
Três estrelas fracas. Terminei este livro com a sensação de que o vou esquecer facilmente. Achei a história confusa e pouco verosímil. Não estava a ver as coisas desenrolarem assim na vida real e a justificação do mistério soube-me a pouco. Levei o livro todo a querer chegar à parte da revelação e levei com um balde de água fria. O livro entretém de facto mas não fica conosco infelizmente.
March 29, 2020
An interesting premise that sadly failed in delivery. I really struggled with this book and whilst the title may be HAPPY EVER AFTER, it left me feeling anything but.
Naomi and Charlie are struggling to conceive their second child. Their sex life is timed to temperatures and ovulation charts whilst in the midst of their perfect life with their beautiful daughter and their lovely home, they begin to drift apart.
One day when taking daughter Prue to nursery, Naomi meets one of the other parents, who she refers to as "the lumberjack", and instantly there is a connection. She soon learns his name is Sean and they got for coffee together and Sean invites her to bring Prue to swimming lessons. But after the swim, Naomi makes a mistake.
Then Sean seemingly disappears. She tries contacting him but there is no reply. He appears to have vanished into thin air. Who was he? Is there more to him than meets the eye?
As Naomi tries to settle back into the normality of life, she discovers she is pregnant...at last. And that's when strange things begin to happen.
Things in the house are moved around, items turn up that don't belong to them, noises in the loft, the front door left wide open, Charlie is constantly away and she can't sleep. Naomi is going out of her mind, becoming tired carrying the baby and feeling as if she can't cope. What is going on?
It appears somebody knows her secret.
And then she meets Charlie's friend Sal. It's him and he is as gorgeous as ever...
A somewhat bizarre book, HAPPY EVER AFTER is complex, confusing and convoluted. What made it even harder was the totally unlikable characters. Naomi always appeared to be griping or moaning about something. She is completely dissatisfied with life and decides she wants more instead of being content with what she had. She is irritating, self obsessed and I couldn't stand her. I didn't much like Charlie either. Added to that a demanding child ("spoon, spoon, spoooooon!!"), and I felt like tearing my own hair out.
HAPPY EVER AFTER is anything but. It is slow moving, despite the short snappy chapters that were all about Naomi and her need for something more. And the writing? Husband with two flat floury baps for an arse"...really? What the hell?
A sadly boring and convoluted story about an unlikable couple and their perfect lives that is just too mundane for some. HAPPY EVER AFTER did nothing for me but long for my next book. I couldn't finish it as it was going nowhere.
Definitely not the addictive thriller it was billed as.
I would like to thank #CCMacDonald, #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUK and #VintagePublishing for an ARC of #HappyEverAfter in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Naomi and Charlie are struggling to conceive their second child. Their sex life is timed to temperatures and ovulation charts whilst in the midst of their perfect life with their beautiful daughter and their lovely home, they begin to drift apart.
One day when taking daughter Prue to nursery, Naomi meets one of the other parents, who she refers to as "the lumberjack", and instantly there is a connection. She soon learns his name is Sean and they got for coffee together and Sean invites her to bring Prue to swimming lessons. But after the swim, Naomi makes a mistake.
Then Sean seemingly disappears. She tries contacting him but there is no reply. He appears to have vanished into thin air. Who was he? Is there more to him than meets the eye?
As Naomi tries to settle back into the normality of life, she discovers she is pregnant...at last. And that's when strange things begin to happen.
Things in the house are moved around, items turn up that don't belong to them, noises in the loft, the front door left wide open, Charlie is constantly away and she can't sleep. Naomi is going out of her mind, becoming tired carrying the baby and feeling as if she can't cope. What is going on?
It appears somebody knows her secret.
And then she meets Charlie's friend Sal. It's him and he is as gorgeous as ever...
A somewhat bizarre book, HAPPY EVER AFTER is complex, confusing and convoluted. What made it even harder was the totally unlikable characters. Naomi always appeared to be griping or moaning about something. She is completely dissatisfied with life and decides she wants more instead of being content with what she had. She is irritating, self obsessed and I couldn't stand her. I didn't much like Charlie either. Added to that a demanding child ("spoon, spoon, spoooooon!!"), and I felt like tearing my own hair out.
HAPPY EVER AFTER is anything but. It is slow moving, despite the short snappy chapters that were all about Naomi and her need for something more. And the writing? Husband with two flat floury baps for an arse"...really? What the hell?
A sadly boring and convoluted story about an unlikable couple and their perfect lives that is just too mundane for some. HAPPY EVER AFTER did nothing for me but long for my next book. I couldn't finish it as it was going nowhere.
Definitely not the addictive thriller it was billed as.
I would like to thank #CCMacDonald, #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUK and #VintagePublishing for an ARC of #HappyEverAfter in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 18, 2019
Happy Ever After was an entertaining psychological thriller but unfortunately I didn't really relate that well to the characters- a bit entitled, a lot stupid and yet there was something compelling about it as the story played out.
A mistake and a baby, some strange goings on and lots of lies make up the centre of this one- it is a page turner for sure and there are plenty of twists to keep you happy.
Overall an enjoyable read but I didn't really root for anyone or care what happened to them. If Charlie was my husband I'd probably just have divorced him to be honest...
Recommended though for psych thriller fans. There's a lot to enjoy.
A mistake and a baby, some strange goings on and lots of lies make up the centre of this one- it is a page turner for sure and there are plenty of twists to keep you happy.
Overall an enjoyable read but I didn't really root for anyone or care what happened to them. If Charlie was my husband I'd probably just have divorced him to be honest...
Recommended though for psych thriller fans. There's a lot to enjoy.
didn-t-finish
November 29, 2021I started this one, but it didn't grab me, so on to the next one.
March 26, 2021
Jak strasznie rozdarta jestem......moja ocena waha się między 2.5 a 3/5...
Byly momenty, przy których mialam ochotę odłożyć książkę i do niej nie wracac bo była bardzo rozwleczona.....ale potem pojawiała się taka sprawa, że mnie zaciekawiała.....sinusoida przyciągania do i odpychania od ksiazki....Główny wątek ciekawy, otwarte zakończenie tez intryguje, ale no.... :)
Byly momenty, przy których mialam ochotę odłożyć książkę i do niej nie wracac bo była bardzo rozwleczona.....ale potem pojawiała się taka sprawa, że mnie zaciekawiała.....sinusoida przyciągania do i odpychania od ksiazki....Główny wątek ciekawy, otwarte zakończenie tez intryguje, ale no.... :)
February 27, 2020
Natalie is fighting a feeling of dissatisfaction. She finds herself dren tomone of the parents at her daughters nursery. Naomi and her husband, charlie had been trying for another baby. There is other problems that are putting a strain on their marriage.
At the beginning of the chapters, there is a text message. These are quite confusing as the people sending the texts haven't introduced to the story. It does make sense though by the end of the book. There's also a few paragraphs that didn't need to be there. It was as if they were written just to bulk the book out. This is another slow burner that I found hard to get into. I didnt ,like any of the characters, The last third of this story wa by far, the best part.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Penguin House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author C.C. Macdonald for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At the beginning of the chapters, there is a text message. These are quite confusing as the people sending the texts haven't introduced to the story. It does make sense though by the end of the book. There's also a few paragraphs that didn't need to be there. It was as if they were written just to bulk the book out. This is another slow burner that I found hard to get into. I didnt ,like any of the characters, The last third of this story wa by far, the best part.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Penguin House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author C.C. Macdonald for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2020
I was lucky enough to win this book in a competition and have enjoyed it. Whilst not overly thought provoking or complicated, it was actually nice to have a psychological thriller which was such an easy read rather than having to analyse each chapter. Yes the characters did lack some depth but personally this was made up by references to my local area, Colchester, Ipswich, Aldeburgh. I would be happy to read another book by C.C. MacDonald.
June 27, 2023
3/5 stars!
This book contains: pigeons, babygrows, renovations, nurseries, Internet searches, swimming pools and a lot of lies.
I don’t have a lot to say about this book. For me, it wasn’t a bad reading experience, but it wasn’t a very memorable one either.
In this story we follow Naomi, who appears to live a perfect life. She has a husband, a nice house, a nice job and even a cute two-year old. She then meets a good looking man named Sean at Prue’s nursery, and makes a terrible decision. Her life quickly spirals out of control and a series of bad events start to happen.
The characters weren’t likable - all of them, to be exact - and I struggled with caring about them. Naomi was annoying and too demanding, and Charlie was always trying to run away. I still felt sorry for him at times, but I still think he should step up as a father.
The writing was okay. It was an easy book to go through for the most part, but there were a few confusing moments here and there - and I don’t think I understood the ending? The start was a little slow, but the pace picks up a little going forward. And even though there’s a creepy guy in this story, there weren’t a lot of creepy moments - I was expecting a little more. There were also a few twists here and there, but I was only surprised by one of them regarding Uggy and her relationship… if you read the book, you probably know what I’m talking about.
I would say this is more of a soft psychological thriller. To be honest, if I were to recommend a thriller, I wouldn’t even think about this one. For a mystery/thriller, it was a little underwhelming.
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This book contains: pigeons, babygrows, renovations, nurseries, Internet searches, swimming pools and a lot of lies.
I don’t have a lot to say about this book. For me, it wasn’t a bad reading experience, but it wasn’t a very memorable one either.
In this story we follow Naomi, who appears to live a perfect life. She has a husband, a nice house, a nice job and even a cute two-year old. She then meets a good looking man named Sean at Prue’s nursery, and makes a terrible decision. Her life quickly spirals out of control and a series of bad events start to happen.
The characters weren’t likable - all of them, to be exact - and I struggled with caring about them. Naomi was annoying and too demanding, and Charlie was always trying to run away. I still felt sorry for him at times, but I still think he should step up as a father.
The writing was okay. It was an easy book to go through for the most part, but there were a few confusing moments here and there - and I don’t think I understood the ending? The start was a little slow, but the pace picks up a little going forward. And even though there’s a creepy guy in this story, there weren’t a lot of creepy moments - I was expecting a little more. There were also a few twists here and there, but I was only surprised by one of them regarding Uggy and her relationship… if you read the book, you probably know what I’m talking about.
I would say this is more of a soft psychological thriller. To be honest, if I were to recommend a thriller, I wouldn’t even think about this one. For a mystery/thriller, it was a little underwhelming.
Blog | Bookstagram | BookTok | BookTube
February 5, 2020
Smart, devious, and cunning.
Naomi and her inventor husband Charlie seem to have it all: a beautiful daughter, a lovely house, and a perfect life. But the couple are drifting apart from one another and struggling to have their longed-for second child. When Naomi meets Sean, a parent at her daughter's nursery, Sean understands her, or so she thinks. Naomi joins him for a swimming lesson with her daughter, Prue, and his son, Greg, but on that day, Naomi makes a dreadful mistake.
Later, when Naomi attempts to contact Sean, he appears to have vanished into thin air. As she starts to strive for some normality in her life, it becomes evident that somebody knows her secret.
In a narrative of twists, secrets and lies, there are abundant descriptions of everyday domesticity. The plot was cunningly crafted and brilliantly executed, grabbing for me when I least anticipated it.
Even though the characters weren't particularly likeable, I still enjoyed their specific contributions to the story. There was more going on than I first assumed and I loved trying to guess how Happy Ever After was going to end, though that just didn’t happen as I thought it would.
This was not the most sensational psychological thriller I have ever read but all in all, it was a very good début for me, and I will be looking out for more from C.C. MacDonald.
Thank you to C.C. MacDonald and Pigeonhole for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Naomi and her inventor husband Charlie seem to have it all: a beautiful daughter, a lovely house, and a perfect life. But the couple are drifting apart from one another and struggling to have their longed-for second child. When Naomi meets Sean, a parent at her daughter's nursery, Sean understands her, or so she thinks. Naomi joins him for a swimming lesson with her daughter, Prue, and his son, Greg, but on that day, Naomi makes a dreadful mistake.
Later, when Naomi attempts to contact Sean, he appears to have vanished into thin air. As she starts to strive for some normality in her life, it becomes evident that somebody knows her secret.
In a narrative of twists, secrets and lies, there are abundant descriptions of everyday domesticity. The plot was cunningly crafted and brilliantly executed, grabbing for me when I least anticipated it.
Even though the characters weren't particularly likeable, I still enjoyed their specific contributions to the story. There was more going on than I first assumed and I loved trying to guess how Happy Ever After was going to end, though that just didn’t happen as I thought it would.
This was not the most sensational psychological thriller I have ever read but all in all, it was a very good début for me, and I will be looking out for more from C.C. MacDonald.
Thank you to C.C. MacDonald and Pigeonhole for giving me the opportunity to read this book. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 19, 2020
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
Happy Ever After is an entertaining psychological thriller that focuses on Naomi and her husband Charlie. They have a baby, Prue, but Naomi is evidently feeling a little bored with her life and ends up doing something very stupid with someone who turns out to be nothing like what they seem.
The characters were not likable for me – I struggled to identify or empathise with the demanding Naomi, though I felt sorry for her at times, and her husband Charlie was irritating in his own way! Despite this, I wanted to know exactly who certain characters really were, and there are sections of the book which seem to feature teenagers talking, and it added an extra sense of mystery – I wanted to know who these people were ands how they related to the story.
There were lots of predictable elements to this book, and some you could see coming a mile off, but despite this I found myself racing through it. There are certainly parts which felt unrealistic, but then again, that just adds to the entertainment value.
Naomi has plenty of faults, but at the end of the day I wanted to know what would happen to her and her family, so I kept reading on, and the book certainly provided entertainment, so I’d recommend it if you fancy something easy and fun to read.
Happy Ever After is an entertaining psychological thriller that focuses on Naomi and her husband Charlie. They have a baby, Prue, but Naomi is evidently feeling a little bored with her life and ends up doing something very stupid with someone who turns out to be nothing like what they seem.
The characters were not likable for me – I struggled to identify or empathise with the demanding Naomi, though I felt sorry for her at times, and her husband Charlie was irritating in his own way! Despite this, I wanted to know exactly who certain characters really were, and there are sections of the book which seem to feature teenagers talking, and it added an extra sense of mystery – I wanted to know who these people were ands how they related to the story.
There were lots of predictable elements to this book, and some you could see coming a mile off, but despite this I found myself racing through it. There are certainly parts which felt unrealistic, but then again, that just adds to the entertainment value.
Naomi has plenty of faults, but at the end of the day I wanted to know what would happen to her and her family, so I kept reading on, and the book certainly provided entertainment, so I’d recommend it if you fancy something easy and fun to read.
December 26, 2019
2,5/5
Mam spory problem z oceną tej książki. Podobał mi się pomysł na fabułę, ALE mam wrażenie, że można było z niego wyciągnąć coś więcej. Poza tym, styl autora jest (niestety) dość toporny i męczący, żeby nie powiedzieć nijaki, od razu można wyczuć, że mamy do czynienia z debiutem. Na każdej stronie musiałam walczyć z opadającą powieką, gdy ciągle widziałam przed oczami zdania typu "Naomi zrobiła to, a potem Naomi powiedziała tamto".
Kompletnie nie przekonała mnie też kreacja postaci: główna bohaterka wkurza swoją naiwnością i bezdenną głupotą, jej mąż to natomiast typ z gatunku "podpantoflik niejadowity", czyli miękka buła bez wyrazu. Najbardziej intryguje Sean - osobnik, który wskakuje Naomi pod prysznic (dosłownie!), nie pojawia się on jednak często na kartach powieści, więc momentów, podczas których czułam się w jakiś sposób zainteresowana fabułą, jest dość niewiele.
Lektura odrobinę mi się dłużyła, pod koniec w końcu coś drgnęło, ale trzęsienia ziemi nie ma się co spodziewać. Jest to przeciętny thriller obyczajowy (brawa dla wydawcy za użycie tego określenia na okładce i nie mydlenie czytelnikom oczu hasłami o historii mrożącej krew w żyłach), który raczej nie zagości na długo w mojej głowie.
Mam spory problem z oceną tej książki. Podobał mi się pomysł na fabułę, ALE mam wrażenie, że można było z niego wyciągnąć coś więcej. Poza tym, styl autora jest (niestety) dość toporny i męczący, żeby nie powiedzieć nijaki, od razu można wyczuć, że mamy do czynienia z debiutem. Na każdej stronie musiałam walczyć z opadającą powieką, gdy ciągle widziałam przed oczami zdania typu "Naomi zrobiła to, a potem Naomi powiedziała tamto".
Kompletnie nie przekonała mnie też kreacja postaci: główna bohaterka wkurza swoją naiwnością i bezdenną głupotą, jej mąż to natomiast typ z gatunku "podpantoflik niejadowity", czyli miękka buła bez wyrazu. Najbardziej intryguje Sean - osobnik, który wskakuje Naomi pod prysznic (dosłownie!), nie pojawia się on jednak często na kartach powieści, więc momentów, podczas których czułam się w jakiś sposób zainteresowana fabułą, jest dość niewiele.
Lektura odrobinę mi się dłużyła, pod koniec w końcu coś drgnęło, ale trzęsienia ziemi nie ma się co spodziewać. Jest to przeciętny thriller obyczajowy (brawa dla wydawcy za użycie tego określenia na okładce i nie mydlenie czytelnikom oczu hasłami o historii mrożącej krew w żyłach), który raczej nie zagości na długo w mojej głowie.
January 11, 2020
I feel so mixed about this book even though towards the end I couldn't wait to find out what happened. The problem for me is that both main protagonists are unlikable. Bit like Gone Girl. Charlie is a total prat but I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him when Naomi was upset because they couldn't afford the 5-bedroom house by the sea she'd told all her posh London friends she was buying. You're in your thirties with one child! Most people of your age are lucky to get on the housing ladder. She's greedy and needy and is putting too much pressure on him. They've bought a stupid house that needs too much renovation. She doesn't seem to do anything to help apart from moan about the pigeons. She can't even spend a day with her daughter without getting in a tizz. Get real Naomi. I almost gave up half way through but then the plot got really clever and twisty and the second half of the book was brilliant. I think the annoying slow start may put people off but stick with it. It's edge of the seat stuff at the end.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for allowing me to read along with the other Pigeons and the author.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for allowing me to read along with the other Pigeons and the author.
November 8, 2019
Well I am really sad to say I struggled with this book, I think the main problem was I just didn’t like the characters especially the main protagonist Naomi. The storyline didn’t really grab me but I did continue to the end and I can’t say the book wasn’t well written because it was maybe it was just me as sometimes domestic thrillers just get stale and a bit samey and this seemed to be the case for me here. Others may find this book better but for me it was just a 3 star read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Harvill Secker for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Harvill Secker for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 23, 2020
This book was difficult to read at first as it is confusing in places but persevere - it will be worth it. As the characters become more rounded, the story gets more interesting and I couldn’t wait to read to the end. The final twist is genius!
April 20, 2021
An enjoyable thriller. Not really shocking. A few good twists but nothing spectacular.
Well written. Nice short chapters.
I did enjoy this but finding it harder to be shocked by thrillers now a days.
Would read more from this author though as was well written and did enjoy the characters.
Well written. Nice short chapters.
I did enjoy this but finding it harder to be shocked by thrillers now a days.
Would read more from this author though as was well written and did enjoy the characters.
July 14, 2020
Loved the main character and the fact she was strong, intelligent and no one's fool. Not a typical female character who needs to be rescued or is eaten up with guilt. So refreshing! Good book with unexpected twists.
June 26, 2021
A bit silly. I didn’t really care about the characters. Was hoping for something better
February 22, 2024
Pretty good read! Had an idea where it was going but still really enjoyable.
February 12, 2020
Loved this book from beginning to end, I didn’t think it was a hard read at all and actually really enjoyed the parts of the book that created new scenes that we hadn’t heard about yet as it had me gripped wanting to know more! I also found the characters very relatable and felt like I could feel both sides of their relationship, they were so in love but they both had struggles and it was creating distance between them, something that happens in real relationships, I loved the plot twist. Best book I’ve read in so long!!
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