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The Perfect Sister
Claire always wished for a sister. But should you be careful what you wish for?
Claire has spent her whole marriage trying to be the perfect wife and mother – supporting her husband as he goes for promotions and always making sure she’s there to tuck her daughter into bed each night. But little does she know that almost everyone around her has been keeping secrets that could ruin the life she’s worked so hard to create.
Growing up with warring parents and an often absent father, Claire has always wanted to give her daughter Ella the dream childhood she wishes she’d had. So, when she discovers her husband Luke has been having an affair, Claire is left wondering how she can possibly keep her daughter’s world from crumbling.
Then Claire receives a text message from someone called Sophie that simply reads – ‘You don’t know me, but I’m your sister’. At first, she’s shocked. And Sophie’s appearance raises questions Claire would like to put to her elderly father before it’s too late. But as she gets to know Sophie – who is so like her in so many ways – she can’t help but be delighted to finally have the sibling she always dreamed of.
As the two women become inseparable, Claire leans on her new sister more and more, ultimately asking her to move into the family home and trusting her with Ella. But when the unthinkable happens and Claire fears for her daughter’s life, she starts to wonder whether her new sister is exactly who she says she is.
One thing Claire knows is that telling the perfect lie seems to run in the family.
If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train, My Lovely Wife and Lucinda Berry’s The Perfect Child, you’ll love this heart-stopping psychological thriller from bestselling author Sheryl Browne.
Claire has spent her whole marriage trying to be the perfect wife and mother – supporting her husband as he goes for promotions and always making sure she’s there to tuck her daughter into bed each night. But little does she know that almost everyone around her has been keeping secrets that could ruin the life she’s worked so hard to create.
Growing up with warring parents and an often absent father, Claire has always wanted to give her daughter Ella the dream childhood she wishes she’d had. So, when she discovers her husband Luke has been having an affair, Claire is left wondering how she can possibly keep her daughter’s world from crumbling.
Then Claire receives a text message from someone called Sophie that simply reads – ‘You don’t know me, but I’m your sister’. At first, she’s shocked. And Sophie’s appearance raises questions Claire would like to put to her elderly father before it’s too late. But as she gets to know Sophie – who is so like her in so many ways – she can’t help but be delighted to finally have the sibling she always dreamed of.
As the two women become inseparable, Claire leans on her new sister more and more, ultimately asking her to move into the family home and trusting her with Ella. But when the unthinkable happens and Claire fears for her daughter’s life, she starts to wonder whether her new sister is exactly who she says she is.
One thing Claire knows is that telling the perfect lie seems to run in the family.
If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train, My Lovely Wife and Lucinda Berry’s The Perfect Child, you’ll love this heart-stopping psychological thriller from bestselling author Sheryl Browne.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2020
703 people are currently reading
1823 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Browne
38 books887 followersHi, I’m Sheryl Browne writing psychological thriller. My latest psychological thriller MY LOVING HUSBAND is published by fabulous BOOKOUTURE. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I have several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where I completed my MA in Creative Writing. I live in Worcestershire with my partner and a variety of disabled dogs. According to readers of my thrillers, I also apparently make an excellent psychopath. ;) Follow my @Bookouture Mailing List and grab a FREE short: https://t.co/bIigwwALCs
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
January 31, 2020
So many secrets...so many lies...this family is seriously dysfunctional! Sheryl Browne's latest book is a domestic thriller that left me trusting...nobody!!!
You find out you have a sister. Surprise! Yet it is as your father is falling victim to Alzheimer's disease. He said he doesn't know about her. Is he lying or is it really that the disease is robbing him of this memory? I found myself questioning the mysterious and convenient timing of Sophie showing up. I couldn't believe how accepting Claire was of her newly found sister. She literally had no evidence other than Sophie's word. Was Sophie legit or just trying to get her piece of the inheritance?
As if there wasn't enough stress, add to the fact that Claire's marriage is slowly falling apart. The finely protective shell she has so carefully built around her daughter Ella is burst into a million pieces. Does Claire not see this??!! I wanted to scream OMG Claire open your eyes!!!
Meanwhile...her husband Luke is leading a secret life. Even though Luke evokes a great deal of disgust from me, I have to agree with him on one point...what do we really know about the newly found sister Sophie?
These characters were really well developed and not very likeable. Yesss! I always like a bunch of unfavorable characters. I wanted to give everyone a lie detector test, except for dear little Ella!
You find out you have a sister. Surprise! Yet it is as your father is falling victim to Alzheimer's disease. He said he doesn't know about her. Is he lying or is it really that the disease is robbing him of this memory? I found myself questioning the mysterious and convenient timing of Sophie showing up. I couldn't believe how accepting Claire was of her newly found sister. She literally had no evidence other than Sophie's word. Was Sophie legit or just trying to get her piece of the inheritance?
As if there wasn't enough stress, add to the fact that Claire's marriage is slowly falling apart. The finely protective shell she has so carefully built around her daughter Ella is burst into a million pieces. Does Claire not see this??!! I wanted to scream OMG Claire open your eyes!!!
Meanwhile...her husband Luke is leading a secret life. Even though Luke evokes a great deal of disgust from me, I have to agree with him on one point...what do we really know about the newly found sister Sophie?
These characters were really well developed and not very likeable. Yesss! I always like a bunch of unfavorable characters. I wanted to give everyone a lie detector test, except for dear little Ella!
January 31, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
‘Don’t forget your helmet, Jimmy,’ she called after him. ‘Wouldn’t want you damaging your one brain cell, would we?’
Was it her fault she’d had nobody interested enough in her to show her the basics in the kitchen? Her gran’s idea of haute cuisine was to pour curry sauce on her chips.
My Review:
Secrets, lies, betrayals, infidelity, mistrust, cons, revenge plots, chilling mind games, and a ton of prickly and complicated family drama were heavily featured in this twisty brain itching tale. The characters were untrustworthy, more than a bit frustrating, and not all that likable, but I pitied the poor husband, too bad he couldn’t seem to get his tongue to work and I periodically wanted to give him a swat to the back of the head to knock it loose.
My own wild theories were mostly, well, partly correct. I would doubt the veracity of anyone claiming that had it all figured out, as there is just no possible way to have unraveled or predicted all those deviously tangled and perplexing plotlines without psychic abilities. This was my first visit into the devilishly clever mind of Sheryl Browne and I enjoyed her wily written and intriguing tale while feverishly bumping around in her oddly compelling characters’ zigzagging reasoning. More, please!
‘Don’t forget your helmet, Jimmy,’ she called after him. ‘Wouldn’t want you damaging your one brain cell, would we?’
Was it her fault she’d had nobody interested enough in her to show her the basics in the kitchen? Her gran’s idea of haute cuisine was to pour curry sauce on her chips.
My Review:
Secrets, lies, betrayals, infidelity, mistrust, cons, revenge plots, chilling mind games, and a ton of prickly and complicated family drama were heavily featured in this twisty brain itching tale. The characters were untrustworthy, more than a bit frustrating, and not all that likable, but I pitied the poor husband, too bad he couldn’t seem to get his tongue to work and I periodically wanted to give him a swat to the back of the head to knock it loose.
My own wild theories were mostly, well, partly correct. I would doubt the veracity of anyone claiming that had it all figured out, as there is just no possible way to have unraveled or predicted all those deviously tangled and perplexing plotlines without psychic abilities. This was my first visit into the devilishly clever mind of Sheryl Browne and I enjoyed her wily written and intriguing tale while feverishly bumping around in her oddly compelling characters’ zigzagging reasoning. More, please!
December 17, 2019
Be careful what you wish for!
Claire is struggling, her Dad has Vascular Dementia so she and her hubby Luke and daughter Ella have moved back in, its hard going..
Luke then finds himself in a compromising position with a stranger and Claire is heartbroken, she wishes she had someone to confide in....as said be careful what you wish for
As for Luke he will regret the second he met the stranger
All the above comes together in a wonderful tense domestic ish psychological thriller that hits ALL the buttons that make a good one, a very good one
I did guess the twist in the tail but that didn’t matter as it made me more ‘NOOOOOOO, don’t be fooled’ etc
The author writes from the heart and soul and draws you into the story and characters and keeps you there
A great read, enjoyable, taut and exciting
10/10
5 Stars
Claire is struggling, her Dad has Vascular Dementia so she and her hubby Luke and daughter Ella have moved back in, its hard going..
Luke then finds himself in a compromising position with a stranger and Claire is heartbroken, she wishes she had someone to confide in....as said be careful what you wish for
As for Luke he will regret the second he met the stranger
All the above comes together in a wonderful tense domestic ish psychological thriller that hits ALL the buttons that make a good one, a very good one
I did guess the twist in the tail but that didn’t matter as it made me more ‘NOOOOOOO, don’t be fooled’ etc
The author writes from the heart and soul and draws you into the story and characters and keeps you there
A great read, enjoyable, taut and exciting
10/10
5 Stars
January 29, 2020
Claire has a lot on her plate. Her father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and he's very difficult to look after. Her young daughter, Ella, is a hemophiliac and bears watching all the time. Her husband is not happy, and he spends a lot of time in the local bar. Claire suspects he's cheating on her and has a friend follow him one night. What the friend sends her is a picture of her husband kissing a very pretty woman.
Shortly before she throws her husband out, she receives an email from a woman purporting to be her half sister. She knows things that she shouldn't unless what she says is true. Actually, Claire is kind of happy to find a sister she never knew she had .... she's always been short of friends and now that hubby isn't there all the time, this gives her someone she can bond with, talk to.
But is the sister who she claims to be? Yes, she is sympathetic to Claire's problems, but how helpful is it to keep telling her that she needs to keep her daughter away from her father because he might be dangerous? And now she's bonding with Ella .... and Claire isn't too crazy about that, either.
But why would Sophie want to hurt Claire’s precious daughter? Was trusting her new sister with Ella the biggest mistake of Claire’s life?
Although I knew early on most of what was going on, there were still some surprises waiting for me at the unexpected ending. This is a well written psychological thriller. It's nicely paced from beginning to end.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this domestic psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 17, 2020
This was a book that I just could not get into. I found the storyline quite weak, and the characters were ones I could not sympathize with at all. A book that was not one for me at all
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my early copy for my review
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my early copy for my review
July 27, 2020
Claire has her hands full taking care of her dad who has Alzheimer's . On top of that she suspects her husband Luke is cheating on her. When she is contacted by her half sister Sophie, Claire is happy to have someone in her life to talk to … but does Sophie really have Claire’s best interest at heart or an ulterior motive in contacting Claire
The Perfect Sister by Sheryl Browne is a dark domestic thriller . It is a fast paced well written book full of secrets , lies and deceit which is made even more interesting due to the unlikable characters and a surprise ending that I didn't see coming
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The Perfect Sister by Sheryl Browne is a dark domestic thriller . It is a fast paced well written book full of secrets , lies and deceit which is made even more interesting due to the unlikable characters and a surprise ending that I didn't see coming
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 27, 2020
Claire and Luke's marriage is crumbling. Parents to daughter Ella rather takes second place to Claire's need to care for her father. He is suffering from Dementia and needs near constant care. Luke basically checks out of the marriage.
Meanwhile, Luke runs into a woman who apparently needs his help. Oh how he wished he had just walked away. With a photo taken at a right time and delivered to Claire, she is certain Luke is having an affair. At the same time, a woman comes into Claire's life as well. She claims that she is her sister. With her father's ailment, Claire is unable to get the answers she needs. Claire all but falls apart. No worries. Her new friend, her sister, Sophie, is there to prop her up.
So there you have it. Did he or didn't he? Are they really sisters? Well, The Perfect Sister is far more than that. It is a book full of lies, twists and turns as the book progresses. This is a book that will have you wanting to slap the main characters - Luke for falling into a woman's trap, Claire for believing a total stranger. Again, it is more than that. It is a convoluted story that dares the reader to put the book down for more than a few moments because you simply just do not know what is going to happen.
The reader can quickly guess that Luke's stranger and Claire's sister must be one and the same. The fun part is watching them come to this realization. Can things be salvaged before it is too late? No doubt you will not be able to wonder as to what the end game is. And oh, what a conclusion!
This was yet another excellent book by Sheryl Browne. I found it interesting that when I perused the previous books by Ms. Browne - The Second Wife, The Marriage Trap and The Affair - albeit different, I was reminded that they are all domestic thrillers. She has a very good formula, one that I look forward to partaking more of at the very next opportunity.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Meanwhile, Luke runs into a woman who apparently needs his help. Oh how he wished he had just walked away. With a photo taken at a right time and delivered to Claire, she is certain Luke is having an affair. At the same time, a woman comes into Claire's life as well. She claims that she is her sister. With her father's ailment, Claire is unable to get the answers she needs. Claire all but falls apart. No worries. Her new friend, her sister, Sophie, is there to prop her up.
So there you have it. Did he or didn't he? Are they really sisters? Well, The Perfect Sister is far more than that. It is a book full of lies, twists and turns as the book progresses. This is a book that will have you wanting to slap the main characters - Luke for falling into a woman's trap, Claire for believing a total stranger. Again, it is more than that. It is a convoluted story that dares the reader to put the book down for more than a few moments because you simply just do not know what is going to happen.
The reader can quickly guess that Luke's stranger and Claire's sister must be one and the same. The fun part is watching them come to this realization. Can things be salvaged before it is too late? No doubt you will not be able to wonder as to what the end game is. And oh, what a conclusion!
This was yet another excellent book by Sheryl Browne. I found it interesting that when I perused the previous books by Ms. Browne - The Second Wife, The Marriage Trap and The Affair - albeit different, I was reminded that they are all domestic thrillers. She has a very good formula, one that I look forward to partaking more of at the very next opportunity.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 31, 2020
Claire's perfect life is crumbling around her faster than the memories that are leaking from her poor beloved father's brain. She has separated from her husband Luke,their four year old daughter Ella is haemophilic and Claire's father Bernard's vascular dementia is getting worse with each passing day. Claire is lonely,confused,exhausted and in desperate need of someone to talk too so she is equally suspicious and overjoyed when she is contacted by someone called Sophie who insists that she is Claire's half sister.
Completely disregarding.the advice and warnings from Luke and her best friend Emma and despite the fact that Ella was involved in a life threatening incident whilst in Sophie's care, Claire welcomes the young woman into her life and home,besides Ella loves her Auntie Sophie. But then Claire starts experiencing intimidating incidents and as time passes she begins to wonder if she has made a massive mistake in trusting the mysterious stranger. But Sophie is family,isn't she? She loves Ella and wouldn't do anything to harm Claire and her beloved daughter,would she?
The chapters of this utterly compelling thriller alternated between Claire and Luke, plus there was also a couple of chapters that were voiced from Bernard, Gemma and Sophie's perspectives. Despite everything that Claire was being subjected too,I honestly struggled to feel any sympathy or empathy for her. I thought she was a rather unlikable character for various reasons,I also didn't like Luke very much either. I felt so sorry for poor Ella being lumbered with these two selfish people for parents. Poor Bernard hadn't been the nicest person when he was younger but despite what he had done in the past, you would need to have a heart of stone not to feel your heart strings being pulled as you read his struggles with his confusion and loss of memories. I think everyone when they reach a certain age lives in a certain amount of fear that they will develop Alzheimers or Dementia,I know I do. The author's portrayals of Bernard's mental decline were scarily authentic and caused me to have a lump in my throat more than once. I really liked Claire's friend Gemma and as for Sophie, if you want to discover the truth about her character then you are just going to have too read this brilliant thriller and find out for yourself.
Wow,just wow and wow again. You can always rely on Sheryl Browne to mess with your head with all the twists and turns that she packs into her outstanding thrillers and The Perfect Sister is no exception. The chapters were short and snappy giving the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. You think you know everything about the vivid,diverse characters and then she throws in a couple of totally unexpected,jaw dropping twists that leave you sitting in your comfy chair in total shock. Sheryl Browne is a very talented author and I really really love her books. Worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
Many thanks to Sarah Hardy,Lesley Sanderson and Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley
Completely disregarding.the advice and warnings from Luke and her best friend Emma and despite the fact that Ella was involved in a life threatening incident whilst in Sophie's care, Claire welcomes the young woman into her life and home,besides Ella loves her Auntie Sophie. But then Claire starts experiencing intimidating incidents and as time passes she begins to wonder if she has made a massive mistake in trusting the mysterious stranger. But Sophie is family,isn't she? She loves Ella and wouldn't do anything to harm Claire and her beloved daughter,would she?
The chapters of this utterly compelling thriller alternated between Claire and Luke, plus there was also a couple of chapters that were voiced from Bernard, Gemma and Sophie's perspectives. Despite everything that Claire was being subjected too,I honestly struggled to feel any sympathy or empathy for her. I thought she was a rather unlikable character for various reasons,I also didn't like Luke very much either. I felt so sorry for poor Ella being lumbered with these two selfish people for parents. Poor Bernard hadn't been the nicest person when he was younger but despite what he had done in the past, you would need to have a heart of stone not to feel your heart strings being pulled as you read his struggles with his confusion and loss of memories. I think everyone when they reach a certain age lives in a certain amount of fear that they will develop Alzheimers or Dementia,I know I do. The author's portrayals of Bernard's mental decline were scarily authentic and caused me to have a lump in my throat more than once. I really liked Claire's friend Gemma and as for Sophie, if you want to discover the truth about her character then you are just going to have too read this brilliant thriller and find out for yourself.
Wow,just wow and wow again. You can always rely on Sheryl Browne to mess with your head with all the twists and turns that she packs into her outstanding thrillers and The Perfect Sister is no exception. The chapters were short and snappy giving the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. You think you know everything about the vivid,diverse characters and then she throws in a couple of totally unexpected,jaw dropping twists that leave you sitting in your comfy chair in total shock. Sheryl Browne is a very talented author and I really really love her books. Worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended.
Many thanks to Sarah Hardy,Lesley Sanderson and Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley
January 24, 2020
Sheryl Browne wrote a twisted, quite a familiar tale, which was enjoyable purely on the basis of the author’s words. I was sure she was one of the authors who had dark synaptic brain waves when she sat down to write.
Claire had a somewhat loving husband, a daughter with hemophilia minor trait, and an unknown sister who contacted her via Facebook (the mention of that social media raised my antenna, and I knew the story line). Without thorough investigation, she started trusting her until things became intolerable. Husband’s infidelity and father’s slow decline of mental facilities led her to make poor decisions. But was Claire really so naive and was the sister so perfect?
Having read many of the books by this author, I was eager to get my claws…err hands into this one. And the winding roads that the characters took made me realize I was the most sane amongst them… The book kept me flipping sides at all times. Were the characters innocent or guilty? Were they guilty of the expected or the unexpected?
The ending line twisted the plot and made me shake my head at the antics of the human psyche… I meant the author’s, not her characters’. After all, it was she who wrote about that twisted lot. Barring the child, they were all weird, their reactions went into a hyperbole at all times… At one point, I had to tell them to stop reacting and start thinking… But nah they never listened to me. I was sure they didn’t listen to the author, just went about their merry ways, doing irrational stuff.
The writing kept me on the edge as I didn’t know how the author would turn the plot… Characters were unlikable, not really sure if any of them were intelligent. None of them went to work… (how did they manage their bills?) The story was entertaining purely because the author kept me guessing if she would twist the plot where I expected her to.
Claire had a somewhat loving husband, a daughter with hemophilia minor trait, and an unknown sister who contacted her via Facebook (the mention of that social media raised my antenna, and I knew the story line). Without thorough investigation, she started trusting her until things became intolerable. Husband’s infidelity and father’s slow decline of mental facilities led her to make poor decisions. But was Claire really so naive and was the sister so perfect?
Having read many of the books by this author, I was eager to get my claws…err hands into this one. And the winding roads that the characters took made me realize I was the most sane amongst them… The book kept me flipping sides at all times. Were the characters innocent or guilty? Were they guilty of the expected or the unexpected?
The ending line twisted the plot and made me shake my head at the antics of the human psyche… I meant the author’s, not her characters’. After all, it was she who wrote about that twisted lot. Barring the child, they were all weird, their reactions went into a hyperbole at all times… At one point, I had to tell them to stop reacting and start thinking… But nah they never listened to me. I was sure they didn’t listen to the author, just went about their merry ways, doing irrational stuff.
The writing kept me on the edge as I didn’t know how the author would turn the plot… Characters were unlikable, not really sure if any of them were intelligent. None of them went to work… (how did they manage their bills?) The story was entertaining purely because the author kept me guessing if she would twist the plot where I expected her to.
April 18, 2020
★★★★ 3.5 to 4 stars
Sheryl Browne certainly wrote one twisted tale with THE PERFECT SISTER (formerly titled THE FAMILY SECRET ) and I wasn't sure how I felt about it all, even right up to the end. It's twisted, it's disturbing and yet it is still compelling. It's like a car crash...you just can't look away. Although I would have put this handful of characters down (yes, I would have loved to have put them down!!) and the story to being a train wreck...because honestly? Who would even do such a thing?! But Sheryl Browne has a knack for bringing out the dark side of human nature in her twisted tales.
Claire's life is crumbling and she is struggling to keep her head above water. Her father Bernard has Vascular dementia so she, hubby Luke and daughter Ella move into his house to help care for him. But it's getting harder and he is becoming more difficult to look after. Claire and Luke argue over her father going into full time care but, despite the fact that the two men have never really gotten on, Claire feels that Bernard is her responsibility.
Luke isn't happy with their living arrangements. He and Bernard have never liked one another, a fact that is only made worse now that Bernard very often forgets who Luke is leading the two men to butt heads even more. Claire doesn't seem to understand though to be fair he is her father. Still, in Luke's opinion Bernard's behaviour is becoming more volatile and they have to think of, not only their safety, but that of their daughter Ella's who suffers from haemophilia.
After yet another argument with Claire Luke storms out of the house and ends up at a club where he meets the very attractive Anna. He hardly gives her a second look until he sees her in a tussle with a man who is obviously bothering her. Anna is extremely upset so Luke, being the gentleman that he is, escorts her home. Anna claims the man is her ex-boyfriend who has been stalking her and has been violent with her. After ensuring that she is safe, Luke leaves to stay at his best mate's place to give Claire a chance to calm down.
Meanwhile Claire suspects Luke is cheating on her given that he spends so much time away from home. On the night he'd stormed out, a friend sees Luke with a very attractive woman and snaps a photo of them kissing before sending it to Claire. That is all the evidence Claire needs so when Luke returns the following morning, she throws him out. I could have slapped her then and there - she doesn't even give him a chance to explain or to discuss it like the two adults they are meant to be.
But Luke has other problems now. Anna, it seems, has latched on to him seeing him as some kind of saviour and keeps texting him. Luke doesn't know what to do. Nothing happened between them and yet Anna is alluding to a relationship that doesn't exist. Her texts become more demanding and aggressive that he has realises he has no alternative but to confront her. But when he arrives at her apartment, he discovers blood throughout the place and no sign of Anna. The next thing he knows is he has been arrested for harming her and possibly killing and disposing of her. He pleads with Claire for her help but she doesn't know what to believe anymore.
In the meantime, Claire has been contacted by woman on Facebook claiming to be her half sister. Bernard, it seems, had a long standing affair with this woman's mother resulting in fathering a second daughter. Luke was understandably wary but Claire had always longed for a sister so she was thrilled to discover her existence, dismissing any nagging doubts she may have had. The woman, Sophie, knows things she shouldn't unless what she says is true. And she could really do with a sister right now. Especially with the problems she is facing with Luke, who is becoming increasingly aggressive. She knows he is desperate but can she risk Ella's safety?
Claire is thankful to have someone on her side who is sympathetic to her problems. But how helpful is it to keep telling her that she needs to keep Ella away from her father because he might be dangerous? Why would Sophie want to keep them apart? And now she's bonding with Ella, who adores her new aunty.
But is Sophie really who she claims to be? And is trusting her new sister with her daughter her biggest mistake?
So did he or didn't he? And is she or isn't she? THE PERFECT SISTER is seriously a train wreck not because of writing or the story, but because you just want to slap the main characters throughout the entire thing! Luke for being so trusting and naive falling into a beautiful woman's trap and Claire for believing a total stranger over the man she has shared years together and a daughter with. Who does that? How quickly she was to believe the worst of Luke without even a second thought or even hearing him out. And when she begrudgingly does, she refuses to believe a word...trusting instead a total stranger who claims to be her half sister. What proof does she really have? Her father is now in residential care and his memories are dwindling fast, so she can't rely on whatever answers he gives her. So instead of weighing up all options, she goes with ditching Luke and trusting Sophie. I wanted to slap her!
Secrets, deception, lies, mind games and family drama combine to create a toxicity so poisonous that will have you turning the pages of THE PERFECT SISTER long into the night. And yet I still couldn't decide how I felt about it... In all honesty, the characters were unlikable and clearly stupid. And despite Bernard's role in this huge debacle, I felt a sadness for him as he now is. Dementia is a cruel disease and his story tugged at my heartstrings.
A cleverly woven story, the reader can quickly guess that Anna and Sophie must be one and the same. But the fun part is clearly watching them come to this realisation. I wondered how long it would take them to get there as I figured it out quite early on. But no matter how predictable the story appears, you will not be prepared for the end game.
Another twisted tale from the queen of dysfunctional family plots, THE PERFECT SISTER is an entertaining read for fans of domestic thrillers.
As an aside, the title was changed from THE FAMILY SECRET to THE PERFECT SISTER before publication. I personally think THE FAMILY SECRET works better for this story...but that's just my opinion.
I would like to thank #SherylBrowne, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ThePerfectSister in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Sheryl Browne certainly wrote one twisted tale with THE PERFECT SISTER (formerly titled THE FAMILY SECRET ) and I wasn't sure how I felt about it all, even right up to the end. It's twisted, it's disturbing and yet it is still compelling. It's like a car crash...you just can't look away. Although I would have put this handful of characters down (yes, I would have loved to have put them down!!) and the story to being a train wreck...because honestly? Who would even do such a thing?! But Sheryl Browne has a knack for bringing out the dark side of human nature in her twisted tales.
Claire's life is crumbling and she is struggling to keep her head above water. Her father Bernard has Vascular dementia so she, hubby Luke and daughter Ella move into his house to help care for him. But it's getting harder and he is becoming more difficult to look after. Claire and Luke argue over her father going into full time care but, despite the fact that the two men have never really gotten on, Claire feels that Bernard is her responsibility.
Luke isn't happy with their living arrangements. He and Bernard have never liked one another, a fact that is only made worse now that Bernard very often forgets who Luke is leading the two men to butt heads even more. Claire doesn't seem to understand though to be fair he is her father. Still, in Luke's opinion Bernard's behaviour is becoming more volatile and they have to think of, not only their safety, but that of their daughter Ella's who suffers from haemophilia.
After yet another argument with Claire Luke storms out of the house and ends up at a club where he meets the very attractive Anna. He hardly gives her a second look until he sees her in a tussle with a man who is obviously bothering her. Anna is extremely upset so Luke, being the gentleman that he is, escorts her home. Anna claims the man is her ex-boyfriend who has been stalking her and has been violent with her. After ensuring that she is safe, Luke leaves to stay at his best mate's place to give Claire a chance to calm down.
Meanwhile Claire suspects Luke is cheating on her given that he spends so much time away from home. On the night he'd stormed out, a friend sees Luke with a very attractive woman and snaps a photo of them kissing before sending it to Claire. That is all the evidence Claire needs so when Luke returns the following morning, she throws him out. I could have slapped her then and there - she doesn't even give him a chance to explain or to discuss it like the two adults they are meant to be.
But Luke has other problems now. Anna, it seems, has latched on to him seeing him as some kind of saviour and keeps texting him. Luke doesn't know what to do. Nothing happened between them and yet Anna is alluding to a relationship that doesn't exist. Her texts become more demanding and aggressive that he has realises he has no alternative but to confront her. But when he arrives at her apartment, he discovers blood throughout the place and no sign of Anna. The next thing he knows is he has been arrested for harming her and possibly killing and disposing of her. He pleads with Claire for her help but she doesn't know what to believe anymore.
In the meantime, Claire has been contacted by woman on Facebook claiming to be her half sister. Bernard, it seems, had a long standing affair with this woman's mother resulting in fathering a second daughter. Luke was understandably wary but Claire had always longed for a sister so she was thrilled to discover her existence, dismissing any nagging doubts she may have had. The woman, Sophie, knows things she shouldn't unless what she says is true. And she could really do with a sister right now. Especially with the problems she is facing with Luke, who is becoming increasingly aggressive. She knows he is desperate but can she risk Ella's safety?
Claire is thankful to have someone on her side who is sympathetic to her problems. But how helpful is it to keep telling her that she needs to keep Ella away from her father because he might be dangerous? Why would Sophie want to keep them apart? And now she's bonding with Ella, who adores her new aunty.
But is Sophie really who she claims to be? And is trusting her new sister with her daughter her biggest mistake?
So did he or didn't he? And is she or isn't she? THE PERFECT SISTER is seriously a train wreck not because of writing or the story, but because you just want to slap the main characters throughout the entire thing! Luke for being so trusting and naive falling into a beautiful woman's trap and Claire for believing a total stranger over the man she has shared years together and a daughter with. Who does that? How quickly she was to believe the worst of Luke without even a second thought or even hearing him out. And when she begrudgingly does, she refuses to believe a word...trusting instead a total stranger who claims to be her half sister. What proof does she really have? Her father is now in residential care and his memories are dwindling fast, so she can't rely on whatever answers he gives her. So instead of weighing up all options, she goes with ditching Luke and trusting Sophie. I wanted to slap her!
Secrets, deception, lies, mind games and family drama combine to create a toxicity so poisonous that will have you turning the pages of THE PERFECT SISTER long into the night. And yet I still couldn't decide how I felt about it... In all honesty, the characters were unlikable and clearly stupid. And despite Bernard's role in this huge debacle, I felt a sadness for him as he now is. Dementia is a cruel disease and his story tugged at my heartstrings.
A cleverly woven story, the reader can quickly guess that Anna and Sophie must be one and the same. But the fun part is clearly watching them come to this realisation. I wondered how long it would take them to get there as I figured it out quite early on. But no matter how predictable the story appears, you will not be prepared for the end game.
Another twisted tale from the queen of dysfunctional family plots, THE PERFECT SISTER is an entertaining read for fans of domestic thrillers.
As an aside, the title was changed from THE FAMILY SECRET to THE PERFECT SISTER before publication. I personally think THE FAMILY SECRET works better for this story...but that's just my opinion.
I would like to thank #SherylBrowne, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ThePerfectSister in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 31, 2020
Once again Sheryl Browne proves she is the QUEEN of suspense and mindf*ckery! In her newest story, The Perfect Sister, Browne will make you think you have it all figured out. Oh, so wrong you will be! This book just ticked off every single thing for me. It is full of family drama, revenge, murder, distrusting characters and well...quite a lot more. Wow! What did I just read? I think I am still in shock.
Honestly, within the first few chapters, I was like “huh? I already figured it out! Hah! You couldn’t get me this time Sheryl Browne and then as I kept reading, I was more like “What the...what is this trickery! I should have figured it wouldn’t be that simple. I am going to hang my head in shame for ever doubting your brilliance.
Claire is thrown a rough patch in her life, when her father is deteriorating due to his dementia, her marriage is on the rocks, and she worries quite often over her four year old daughter who is a hemophiliac. The last straw for Claire is when she thinks her husband is cheating on her and throws him out. She is not alone for long though when she gets a message from Sophie claiming to be her half-sister. But is Sophie all she is cracked up to be?
I can’t tell you how much I really enjoyed this book. I was sucked in right from the start, but that always seems to be the case when I read a book from Sheryl Brown. Brown has this easy knack of sucking you right in and holding your attention until the last page is read. Browne throws in these little hints throughout the story and you might not realize it at first until it really hits you. There are a lot of twists I didn't see coming. I kept going back and forth between the characters, especially with Sophie and Claire and trying to figure out what was going on. Although, I admit I kinda felt bad for Luke, Claire’s husband. What a sucker!
The Perfect Sister is a complex and clever take on family relationships with many twists and turns it will make your head spin. I LOVED it. A definite five star read for me and one I highly recommend to all thriller fans. Get ready for a crazy ride!
Honestly, within the first few chapters, I was like “huh? I already figured it out! Hah! You couldn’t get me this time Sheryl Browne and then as I kept reading, I was more like “What the...what is this trickery! I should have figured it wouldn’t be that simple. I am going to hang my head in shame for ever doubting your brilliance.
Claire is thrown a rough patch in her life, when her father is deteriorating due to his dementia, her marriage is on the rocks, and she worries quite often over her four year old daughter who is a hemophiliac. The last straw for Claire is when she thinks her husband is cheating on her and throws him out. She is not alone for long though when she gets a message from Sophie claiming to be her half-sister. But is Sophie all she is cracked up to be?
I can’t tell you how much I really enjoyed this book. I was sucked in right from the start, but that always seems to be the case when I read a book from Sheryl Brown. Brown has this easy knack of sucking you right in and holding your attention until the last page is read. Browne throws in these little hints throughout the story and you might not realize it at first until it really hits you. There are a lot of twists I didn't see coming. I kept going back and forth between the characters, especially with Sophie and Claire and trying to figure out what was going on. Although, I admit I kinda felt bad for Luke, Claire’s husband. What a sucker!
The Perfect Sister is a complex and clever take on family relationships with many twists and turns it will make your head spin. I LOVED it. A definite five star read for me and one I highly recommend to all thriller fans. Get ready for a crazy ride!
February 27, 2020
Claire's father, Bernard, is losing his mind and she has moved into her childhood home to take care of him. Her husband, Luke, is not happy with this decision although their 4-year-old daughter, Ella, is doing well enough with the situation despite the fact that her mom is overburdened and trying to deal with Bernard's increasing dangerous and aggressive behavior. In addition, Ella, is a hemophiliac and her parents worry that she's not safe. After an argument one evening, Luke storms out of the house, gets drunk at a bar, and ends up embroiled in a huge mess with a woman he meets that night. To top it off, considering that Claire is already at wit's end, she gets a text message from someone who claims to be her half-sister. And that's when the whole thing kicks off. NO SPOILERS.
I read this ARC titled as THE FAMILY SECRET -- which actually is a more apt title than the new one. This is a domestic drama about the effect that a parent's secrets and lies can have on their child. The unfortunate aspect is that this sort of trope has been done to death. I intensely disliked all the characters in this novel so much that I almost had to mark it a DNF. I don't know any woman who would act like Claire and I can't imagine how most of the events that transpired would ever take place as they defy even my imagination. I have read far too many similar books to be shocked or surprised by anything that happened and the conclusion was quite disappointing. I'm sorry to report that this just didn't work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
I read this ARC titled as THE FAMILY SECRET -- which actually is a more apt title than the new one. This is a domestic drama about the effect that a parent's secrets and lies can have on their child. The unfortunate aspect is that this sort of trope has been done to death. I intensely disliked all the characters in this novel so much that I almost had to mark it a DNF. I don't know any woman who would act like Claire and I can't imagine how most of the events that transpired would ever take place as they defy even my imagination. I have read far too many similar books to be shocked or surprised by anything that happened and the conclusion was quite disappointing. I'm sorry to report that this just didn't work for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
January 9, 2020
I went into this read very much anticipating a fast, detailed mystery based on the description I read. I cringe to admit I was highly disappointed.
Claire - a devoted mother, wife, and daughter - has relocated her family to live with and care for her father who has been diagnosed with early onset alzheimer's. This move proves to be a heavy stressor on Claire's emotional wellbeing as well as her marriage. When Claire discovers her husband is having an affair, her entire life begins to crumble. Timely, this is when a woman enters Claire's life disclosing that she is her long-lost half sister. With secrets that start to unravel the reader frustratingly battles who to trust and what everyone's honest motives are.
While I greatly appreciated the concept and ideas of the story, the "mystery" was disappointingly predictable from the start. "Hint" (not so subtly) were dropped and then unacknowledged; details seemed to be missing to create a stronger sense of relationship with the characters, and overall there just wan't enough "juice" to keep this story riveting.
I debated for a while rating this book 3 stars, but settled on 2 purely for not feeling this to be a memorable read.
Claire - a devoted mother, wife, and daughter - has relocated her family to live with and care for her father who has been diagnosed with early onset alzheimer's. This move proves to be a heavy stressor on Claire's emotional wellbeing as well as her marriage. When Claire discovers her husband is having an affair, her entire life begins to crumble. Timely, this is when a woman enters Claire's life disclosing that she is her long-lost half sister. With secrets that start to unravel the reader frustratingly battles who to trust and what everyone's honest motives are.
While I greatly appreciated the concept and ideas of the story, the "mystery" was disappointingly predictable from the start. "Hint" (not so subtly) were dropped and then unacknowledged; details seemed to be missing to create a stronger sense of relationship with the characters, and overall there just wan't enough "juice" to keep this story riveting.
I debated for a while rating this book 3 stars, but settled on 2 purely for not feeling this to be a memorable read.
December 18, 2019
The Family Secret by Sheryl Browne is a fast-paced domestic thriller from an author who simply does not disappoint. This one had me racing to the end, and kept me fully engaged throughout with lots of twists and gasps thrown in along the way.
Claire is caring for her father, who suffers from Alzheimer's, at home when her husband Luke, having reached his limit with the challenging domestic circumstances, is lured away one night by the charms of damsel in distress Anna. Feeling quite alone, Claire responds to a woman claiming to be her half-sister, Sophie, and invites her into her life. But at what cost to her already fragile family unit?
This is a character-driven domestic drama that ticks all of the boxes. I was gripped from beginning to end, and now consider Sheryl Browne a must read author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Claire is caring for her father, who suffers from Alzheimer's, at home when her husband Luke, having reached his limit with the challenging domestic circumstances, is lured away one night by the charms of damsel in distress Anna. Feeling quite alone, Claire responds to a woman claiming to be her half-sister, Sophie, and invites her into her life. But at what cost to her already fragile family unit?
This is a character-driven domestic drama that ticks all of the boxes. I was gripped from beginning to end, and now consider Sheryl Browne a must read author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
January 27, 2020
First, I want to thank Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
WOW! Another incredible story from Sheryl Browne! This time she is back with some tough issues that pulled on my heart strings in The Perfect Sister.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t grasp my attention quite as fast as others I have read from Sheryl. However, there was a turning point in the story towards the beginning and then I was hooked. Better late than never.
As I stated earlier there were some difficult issues dealt with in this book such as infidelity, father with dementia, being his caregiver until it was time for him to go into a nursing home, and a daughter with hemophilia (she was my favorite character who made me smile)
Sheryl did an incredible job putting a lot of heart and compassion into a lot of her characters. You could tell that many of the storylines hit home and close to her heart. However, at times I would think some of the Father Daughter scenes would be hard to write as they were hard for me to read emotionally.
Claire is an incredibly strong character in this book for everything she has going on her plate! I wanted on so many occasions to jump into the book and just hug her.
Of course, there is a twisted storyline about a secret sister named Sophie. The mystery is who is she really and what secrets are her Dad hiding from her? What drove me batty is you don’t find out til the very end of the book!! But it was so worth the wait!!
WOW! Another incredible story from Sheryl Browne! This time she is back with some tough issues that pulled on my heart strings in The Perfect Sister.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t grasp my attention quite as fast as others I have read from Sheryl. However, there was a turning point in the story towards the beginning and then I was hooked. Better late than never.
As I stated earlier there were some difficult issues dealt with in this book such as infidelity, father with dementia, being his caregiver until it was time for him to go into a nursing home, and a daughter with hemophilia (she was my favorite character who made me smile)
Sheryl did an incredible job putting a lot of heart and compassion into a lot of her characters. You could tell that many of the storylines hit home and close to her heart. However, at times I would think some of the Father Daughter scenes would be hard to write as they were hard for me to read emotionally.
Claire is an incredibly strong character in this book for everything she has going on her plate! I wanted on so many occasions to jump into the book and just hug her.
Of course, there is a twisted storyline about a secret sister named Sophie. The mystery is who is she really and what secrets are her Dad hiding from her? What drove me batty is you don’t find out til the very end of the book!! But it was so worth the wait!!
February 8, 2020
Thank you @NetGalley and @Bookouture for my copy of The Family Secret by Sheryl Browne in exchange for an honest review. This book is about Claire, who is contacted by a woman named Sophie claiming to be her half-sister and father's love child. Claire is going through a lot in her life at the time. She has been caring for her deteriorating father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, watching after her four-year-old daughter with a life-threatening illness, and grappling with a broken marriage - all of this at the same time. Claire can use a sister, so although she is a bit apprehensive about the idea of a mysterious new sister coming out of the woodwork, she welcomes the idea and invites her into her life.
Sophie and Claire’s daughter, Ella, get along perfectly and Sophie is everything that Claire could have ever wanted in a sister. One day, they are at the beach and Claire has to step away to call her husband. She leaves her daughter with Sophie, only for an accident to happen that shakes Claire to the core, causing her to start doubting Sophie’s real intentions. Claire goes down the rabbit hole and starts probing into the family’s history.
Unfortunately, although the premise sounded so promising, this book was a pass for me. I read the synopsis thinking it would be the perfect, all-consuming story, however, it was anything but that for me. I figured out the main twists right in the beginning of the book, as well as other twists and turns throughout the book. I don’t feel they were concealed at all. They were blatantly obvious.
The characters fell flat for me, as did the storyline which was predictable and has been done to death before. I couldn’t stand Claire for the life of me. Sophie also grated on my nerves. I would also say there was nothing really happening in most of the book. It was just a series of repetitive events all establishing the same idea. I wanted the plot to catapult forward and surprise me in some way, but it never did.
The book has generally decent reviews on other websites, so please don’t hesitate to check it out for yourself before writing it off. These are my humble opinions.
Sophie and Claire’s daughter, Ella, get along perfectly and Sophie is everything that Claire could have ever wanted in a sister. One day, they are at the beach and Claire has to step away to call her husband. She leaves her daughter with Sophie, only for an accident to happen that shakes Claire to the core, causing her to start doubting Sophie’s real intentions. Claire goes down the rabbit hole and starts probing into the family’s history.
Unfortunately, although the premise sounded so promising, this book was a pass for me. I read the synopsis thinking it would be the perfect, all-consuming story, however, it was anything but that for me. I figured out the main twists right in the beginning of the book, as well as other twists and turns throughout the book. I don’t feel they were concealed at all. They were blatantly obvious.
The characters fell flat for me, as did the storyline which was predictable and has been done to death before. I couldn’t stand Claire for the life of me. Sophie also grated on my nerves. I would also say there was nothing really happening in most of the book. It was just a series of repetitive events all establishing the same idea. I wanted the plot to catapult forward and surprise me in some way, but it never did.
The book has generally decent reviews on other websites, so please don’t hesitate to check it out for yourself before writing it off. These are my humble opinions.
February 28, 2020
I have loved some of this author’s previous works. This one not as much.
Overall, it was well written but predictable. There were still some surprises but they were not as exciting as I wanted them to be. The ending was a bit crazy and somewhat confusing, causing me to reread it. It was not all that satisfying.
The premise was interesting. The story grabbed me from the start. The switch in narrators was well done. But the characters, as a whole, are unlikable. It was hard to root for anyone other than poor fragile Emma.
I do really like how this author writes and this did provide some entertaining moments but wasn’t my favorite. I still think it’s worth a go and will look forward to the next by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.
Overall, it was well written but predictable. There were still some surprises but they were not as exciting as I wanted them to be. The ending was a bit crazy and somewhat confusing, causing me to reread it. It was not all that satisfying.
The premise was interesting. The story grabbed me from the start. The switch in narrators was well done. But the characters, as a whole, are unlikable. It was hard to root for anyone other than poor fragile Emma.
I do really like how this author writes and this did provide some entertaining moments but wasn’t my favorite. I still think it’s worth a go and will look forward to the next by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.
January 22, 2020
This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning until the surprising end. Claire and Luke are married and have a 4-year-old daughter, Ella. Claire's widowed father Bernard, who has dementia/Alzheimer, lives with them and she is his caregiver. Luke is out to the bar with his friends one night and meets Anna and the trouble begins. Claire receives a text from a woman named Sophie who claims to be her half-sister. This books takes on a lot of twists and turns and is told from different POVs. I did enjoy this book but I found the characters to be all very unlikeable. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting book in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2019
Wow this really is a book full of family secrets just as the title suggests and another sure fire winner from Sheryl Browne. Dark and twisted, full of revenge it’s a fast paced thriller that certainly keeps you reading and leading to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. It’s a well crafted plot that I’m not going to rehash so as not to spoil the surprises, it has some excellent characters and keeps you on your toes as the twists keep coming and is a book I thoroughly enjoyed and can recommend if you love a good domestic thriller, this one is definitely for you.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 23, 2019
The Family Secret is billed as being absolutely unputdownable and I totally agree.
I was captivated from the very first page and the tension slowly builds throughout the book. There’s twists and turns along the way to keep you entertained and also keep you slightly on edge throughout. 4.5 stars.
Brilliantly written, I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
I was captivated from the very first page and the tension slowly builds throughout the book. There’s twists and turns along the way to keep you entertained and also keep you slightly on edge throughout. 4.5 stars.
Brilliantly written, I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
January 7, 2020
I've enjoyed Sheryl Brownie's past books, so I was eager to read her newest release. Unfortunately I didn't like this one quite as much as her previous books, so I'm rating this one a 2.5 stars. I guessed the main twist the very moment a certain character stepped into the scene so it made the book frustrating to read rather then suspenseful. Also, there were some loose threads that were never tied up.
February 2, 2020
As followers of my blog will be aware I am a dedicated fan of the wonderful Sheryl Browne. This is another totally awesome five-star psychological thriller. The gripping story is exciting with well-rounded characters. I did not read the synopsis as, of course, I know it will be a good book and I enjoy story unfolding as the author writes rather than the clues from the back page.
This gripping domestic noir is told in alternating chapters of exceptionally developed characters. The story held my attention from the first page and I read it in a single day as it was such an easy read, well developed and planned with trademark curveball twists that Sheryl is an expert in!
Sheryl writes such fantastic gritty thrillers it's almost worrying - but she does have a sweet loving Jack Russell at home so I know this side of her is all author talent rather than a lifestyle! Well, in my mind, you can't be a bad person if you are owned by a Jack Russell!
If you are looking for a first book of 2020 then I sincerely advise you not to miss out on this - make it your first and you will get your reading year off to a great start.
My sincere thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of ‘THE PERFECT SISTER’ by SHERYL BROWNE.All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway. All my reviews can be found on my blog momobookdiary.com
This gripping domestic noir is told in alternating chapters of exceptionally developed characters. The story held my attention from the first page and I read it in a single day as it was such an easy read, well developed and planned with trademark curveball twists that Sheryl is an expert in!
Sheryl writes such fantastic gritty thrillers it's almost worrying - but she does have a sweet loving Jack Russell at home so I know this side of her is all author talent rather than a lifestyle! Well, in my mind, you can't be a bad person if you are owned by a Jack Russell!
If you are looking for a first book of 2020 then I sincerely advise you not to miss out on this - make it your first and you will get your reading year off to a great start.
My sincere thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of ‘THE PERFECT SISTER’ by SHERYL BROWNE.All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway. All my reviews can be found on my blog momobookdiary.com
February 7, 2020
Claire is having a hard time. Her father is suffering from dementia & moving the family in with him so she could be his carer is taking its toll. Her daughter,Ella, has haemophilia & do great care has to be taken to get any bump or knock treated & Luke, her husband is finding dealing with her father difficulties very trying & is going out more. How she wishes she had someone with which to share the burden- be careful what you wish for as into her life comes Sophie- a result of a long ago fling her father had. When Luke's attempt to be gallant in a nightclub goes disastrously wrong Claire tells him to leave & Sophie seems to have arrived at a perfect time in her life!
This was a read that made you want to shake the main character. I could understand that Claire was under enormous strain but the person I felt really sorry for was Luke who just seemed to dig himself into a bigger hole! It described the agonies of dementia very well and it kept the reader hooked to the page. I found Sophie a bit too predictable which is why I only gave this four stars. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
This was a read that made you want to shake the main character. I could understand that Claire was under enormous strain but the person I felt really sorry for was Luke who just seemed to dig himself into a bigger hole! It described the agonies of dementia very well and it kept the reader hooked to the page. I found Sophie a bit too predictable which is why I only gave this four stars. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
January 10, 2020
This thriller grabs the readers attention from the very first word and never lets up. Our story starts with out main character Claire caring for her father who suffers from Alzheimer's. Things are hard but she is doing her best to make it work. Suddenly out of the blue Claire finds out that her husband is having an affair and her life and her mental health start to fall apart. Around the same time Claire gets a message from a girl named Sophie who claims to be her half sister. Being a good human being and since family means a lot Claire invites Sophie into their lives and that is when things start to go wrong. I was very invested in this story and couldn't put it down as soon as I picked it up. The characters were very interesting and I enjoyed even the ones I didn't like so much. There were so many twists in this book that every time I thought I knew what was going on or what was going to happen something else would chance it really kept the reader on their toes. This was the first book that I've read by Sheryl Browne but if they are all like this one then it won't be my last.
January 22, 2020
First I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sheryl Browne for this advanced copy.
3.5/5
I was really excited when I was approved for this ARC because this is the first book of Browne's I have read, and who doesn't love to find a new to them author? What I found was an extremely well written book, with great character development. To me, this was more family drama than a psychological thriller. I was able to pick up on the mysterious Anna, and what her involvement in the story was going to lead to.
What I really enjoyed in The Family Secret:
- I loved the alternating narratives. It was enjoyable to read different viewpoints and it made it a quick read.
- I did really enjoy the ending. The last few pages seemed a bit rushed, but Browne was able to throw a curveball in there.
- I really enjoyed Lukes character. He was handed a difficult situation with his father in law,and with trying to be a good person and help Anna out ( yes he made a mistake), his life rapidly went out of control.
I look forward to reading more from Sheryl Browne.
3.5/5
I was really excited when I was approved for this ARC because this is the first book of Browne's I have read, and who doesn't love to find a new to them author? What I found was an extremely well written book, with great character development. To me, this was more family drama than a psychological thriller. I was able to pick up on the mysterious Anna, and what her involvement in the story was going to lead to.
What I really enjoyed in The Family Secret:
- I loved the alternating narratives. It was enjoyable to read different viewpoints and it made it a quick read.
- I did really enjoy the ending. The last few pages seemed a bit rushed, but Browne was able to throw a curveball in there.
- I really enjoyed Lukes character. He was handed a difficult situation with his father in law,and with trying to be a good person and help Anna out ( yes he made a mistake), his life rapidly went out of control.
I look forward to reading more from Sheryl Browne.
June 28, 2020
Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. Omg Sheryl Browne has blown me away again with yet another great thriller. This one kept me up until the early hours of the morning I literally couldn't put it down. Claire has always wished she had a sister. Then one day she receives a text message from Sophie saying 'You don't know me, but I'm your sister'. Claire ends up meeting up with Sophie and bonding with her very quickly both of them are surprised by how much they have in common and how alike they are. For a while everything is great between them but then Claire starts to doubt that Sophie's motivations for contacting her after all this time. Was her wish for a sister something she will come to regret? A great thriller that left me breathless as I couldn't wait to see how it would all conclude. A spellbinding read. #sherylbrowne #theperfectsister #netgalley #goodreads #tea_sipping_bookworm #litsy #bookstagram #bookqueen #greatreads #thriller #amazon#kindle
January 24, 2020
I love Sheryl Browne’s books and this is a great read.
Claire and Luke are struggling to cope with her father who has dementia and Luke spending a lot of time at the pub isn’t helping.
Claire is sent a photo of him kissing another woman so asks him to leave.
She then gets a message from a woman who says she’s her half sister and her once simple life, becomes very complex.
Her daughter Ella immediately loves her new Auntie Sophie but something is definitely off about Sophie.
Luke is under investigation as the woman he was staying with has disappeared and there was blood left behind.
I did feel like shaking Claire at times and Luke just drove me mad.
The story had me hooked but I guessed what was happening and was then just waiting for it to all come together.
This is a great read if you like a gripping psychological thriller.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Claire and Luke are struggling to cope with her father who has dementia and Luke spending a lot of time at the pub isn’t helping.
Claire is sent a photo of him kissing another woman so asks him to leave.
She then gets a message from a woman who says she’s her half sister and her once simple life, becomes very complex.
Her daughter Ella immediately loves her new Auntie Sophie but something is definitely off about Sophie.
Luke is under investigation as the woman he was staying with has disappeared and there was blood left behind.
I did feel like shaking Claire at times and Luke just drove me mad.
The story had me hooked but I guessed what was happening and was then just waiting for it to all come together.
This is a great read if you like a gripping psychological thriller.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
January 29, 2020
From the very first book I read by this author, I was thrilled. Now, a few books later, I still am! She does not disappoint. I would even say more : she comes back stronger each time!
Claire always wished for a sister ... Maybe she should have wished for something else ;)
The beginning of the story was a good warm-up. It leaves you wondering what it is all about and who did what.
Little by little you find out that appearances can be deceiving, but who deceives who and who tells the truth?
I love the way the author describes the emotions. That's one of the things her books are so brilliant. I wonder whether she ever considered writing a different genre? I am convinced that she would write a great sentimental tearjeaker as well.
Anyway, an amazing story. This might even be my favourite up till now. 5 stars.
Thank you, Sheryl Browne and Bookouture.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
Claire always wished for a sister ... Maybe she should have wished for something else ;)
The beginning of the story was a good warm-up. It leaves you wondering what it is all about and who did what.
Little by little you find out that appearances can be deceiving, but who deceives who and who tells the truth?
I love the way the author describes the emotions. That's one of the things her books are so brilliant. I wonder whether she ever considered writing a different genre? I am convinced that she would write a great sentimental tearjeaker as well.
Anyway, an amazing story. This might even be my favourite up till now. 5 stars.
Thank you, Sheryl Browne and Bookouture.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
June 19, 2020
My thoughts
Would I recommend it? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes, in fact this is my 4th psychological thriller by since I've started reading her.
This sin't my first time reading this author as I said up above this this my fourth time reading her , so far I've read and loved.
The Babysitter
The Second Wife
The Marriage Trap
And all has been 5 stars for me, and now this one , it seems that I like going for her psychological thriller, and the darker the better. Man this didn't let me down at ll, it was everything I was hoping it would be and more. It was dark, and twisted, and the characters seemed to jump right off the page at you. Plus it also brought up some topics about dementia and Hemophilia,as for the story itself it had everything in that I love in a good dark and twisted thriller: Secrets, lies, betrayals, infidelity, mistrust, cons, revenge plots, chilling mind games, and by the time you get to the end of you won't be trusting anyone of them or even wanting to know them . With that said I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read and review it .
Would I recommend it? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes, in fact this is my 4th psychological thriller by since I've started reading her.
This sin't my first time reading this author as I said up above this this my fourth time reading her , so far I've read and loved.
The Babysitter
The Second Wife
The Marriage Trap
And all has been 5 stars for me, and now this one , it seems that I like going for her psychological thriller, and the darker the better. Man this didn't let me down at ll, it was everything I was hoping it would be and more. It was dark, and twisted, and the characters seemed to jump right off the page at you. Plus it also brought up some topics about dementia and Hemophilia,as for the story itself it had everything in that I love in a good dark and twisted thriller: Secrets, lies, betrayals, infidelity, mistrust, cons, revenge plots, chilling mind games, and by the time you get to the end of you won't be trusting anyone of them or even wanting to know them . With that said I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read and review it .
January 29, 2020
A good domestic thriller. The story is told by Claire, her husband Luke and her newly found half sister Sophie. Claire is leading a stressful life with a young child, a father with dementia and a marriage in trouble. Both Claire and Luke meet new people who change their lives. I enjoyed the book without loving any of the characters but that that just adds to the story. A few twists and turns and a good ending.
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