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The Younger Woman
She knows him better than anyone.
She doesn’t know him at all…
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
She doesn’t know him at all…
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2023
15 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Byatt
2 books39 followersMandy Byatt lives in Cheshire and has recently completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. She has been shortlisted in the Gransnet/HQ novel competition and Woman & Home short story competition as well as longlisted in the HWA/Sharpe Books Unpublished Novel Award and Orange Pathé screenwriting competition. She was also a winner of a Radio 5 Live monologue competition. Just Another Liar is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 10, 2023
A flurry of characters, a cleverly weaved plot and a story that will make you assess and re-assess who you believe and who you don’t….
One particular character had me fuming, the author created a monster, single minded, narcissistic and well I will say no more on her or anything that happens, it’s one of those books that will keep you guessing and pondering but any slip of the story could give something away
Really explosive psychological thriller with the ability to shock and surprise and as many of us hardened PT lovers will know it’s not always an easy thing to do.
10/10
5 Stars
One particular character had me fuming, the author created a monster, single minded, narcissistic and well I will say no more on her or anything that happens, it’s one of those books that will keep you guessing and pondering but any slip of the story could give something away
Really explosive psychological thriller with the ability to shock and surprise and as many of us hardened PT lovers will know it’s not always an easy thing to do.
10/10
5 Stars
March 25, 2023
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
"You shouldn't play around with people..."
What a delightful tension-filled twisted thriller THE YOUNGER WOMAN is! And definitely not what I expected at all. The author has cleverly constructed a complex plot that will have even seasoned readers like me fooled with each turn of the page, leaving us more stunned than Nick with Lottie's anniversary surprise.
Forty-somethings Nick and Lottie are off to Fairview, his parent's holiday cottage (which is anything but a cottage, I might add), to celebrate their tenth anniversary and Nick's birthday the following day. After several years of failed IVF attempts and their desperation to have a child, nothing has worked and Lottie's biological clock is ticking. But now Lottie has a big surprise for Nick...however, she is in for an even bigger surprise of her own.
Filled with excitement at Lottie's news, Nick braves the lashing rain and heads to the village for some champers. But an hour later and he still hasn't returned and Lottie is getting worried. Even more so when the storm cuts the lights in the cottage and she must use her mobile phone's flashlight (with its failing battery) to brave the cellar and its feisty inhabitants of the rodent kind in search of the fuse box (and hoping it is just a tripped switch). Of course she clocks a bottle of champagne on the shelf down there, but Nick claimed not to have known where the key to the cellar was. Yet Lottie found it on his own key fob. Strange? Or had he forgotten about it?
When she tries to retrieve the bottle, she unintentionally discovers the body of a young woman. A woman with red hair, like her own. Like Nick's new PA. Surely not?
Lottie's head is filled with questions. All those text messages; all those late nights "at the office"; his moodiness and snappiness; the lies she has uncovered and questioned him about...all of this and more. How did she get here? Why is she here? Did Nick meet her here? Were they having an affair?
But nothing will prepare Lottie for the answers when they are eventually revealed. Skeletons buried so deep, uncovering the lies and deception as the secrets of the past begin to resurface. And at the end of it all...what does it mean for Nick, Lottie and the baby they so desperately wanted?
With a handful of characters, a cleverly woven plot and a twisted tale that will keep you guessing who to believe and who not to, THE YOUNGER WOMAN is a psychological thriller that will have you second guessing everything. Even the characters all seem a little untrustworthy. One in particular is just deviously nasty. But the story as a whole is just really well-plotted and by the end you will be left pondering what exactly you've just read. Because it will make you second guess how you perceived everything. Not confusing, when really you think about it, just complex and very cleverly done.
THE YOUNGER WOMAN was nothing like I expected and I enjoyed every minute of it! Figuring out the twists and reveals never spoils the story for me, but when you get one that comes along and still has the ability to surprise and shock you, then you know you have a winner! I love the complexity of the story and its subplots that when I look back at it and see just how cleverly the author has woven the tale, I am just so impressed I'm speechless.
Overall, a thoroughly twisted tale and an enjoyable psychological thriller with plenty of tension and an abundance of secrets that are so cleverly hidden not even the seasoned reader will pick them!
I would like to thank #MandyByatt, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #TheYoungerWoman in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
"You shouldn't play around with people..."
What a delightful tension-filled twisted thriller THE YOUNGER WOMAN is! And definitely not what I expected at all. The author has cleverly constructed a complex plot that will have even seasoned readers like me fooled with each turn of the page, leaving us more stunned than Nick with Lottie's anniversary surprise.
Forty-somethings Nick and Lottie are off to Fairview, his parent's holiday cottage (which is anything but a cottage, I might add), to celebrate their tenth anniversary and Nick's birthday the following day. After several years of failed IVF attempts and their desperation to have a child, nothing has worked and Lottie's biological clock is ticking. But now Lottie has a big surprise for Nick...however, she is in for an even bigger surprise of her own.
Filled with excitement at Lottie's news, Nick braves the lashing rain and heads to the village for some champers. But an hour later and he still hasn't returned and Lottie is getting worried. Even more so when the storm cuts the lights in the cottage and she must use her mobile phone's flashlight (with its failing battery) to brave the cellar and its feisty inhabitants of the rodent kind in search of the fuse box (and hoping it is just a tripped switch). Of course she clocks a bottle of champagne on the shelf down there, but Nick claimed not to have known where the key to the cellar was. Yet Lottie found it on his own key fob. Strange? Or had he forgotten about it?
When she tries to retrieve the bottle, she unintentionally discovers the body of a young woman. A woman with red hair, like her own. Like Nick's new PA. Surely not?
Lottie's head is filled with questions. All those text messages; all those late nights "at the office"; his moodiness and snappiness; the lies she has uncovered and questioned him about...all of this and more. How did she get here? Why is she here? Did Nick meet her here? Were they having an affair?
But nothing will prepare Lottie for the answers when they are eventually revealed. Skeletons buried so deep, uncovering the lies and deception as the secrets of the past begin to resurface. And at the end of it all...what does it mean for Nick, Lottie and the baby they so desperately wanted?
With a handful of characters, a cleverly woven plot and a twisted tale that will keep you guessing who to believe and who not to, THE YOUNGER WOMAN is a psychological thriller that will have you second guessing everything. Even the characters all seem a little untrustworthy. One in particular is just deviously nasty. But the story as a whole is just really well-plotted and by the end you will be left pondering what exactly you've just read. Because it will make you second guess how you perceived everything. Not confusing, when really you think about it, just complex and very cleverly done.
THE YOUNGER WOMAN was nothing like I expected and I enjoyed every minute of it! Figuring out the twists and reveals never spoils the story for me, but when you get one that comes along and still has the ability to surprise and shock you, then you know you have a winner! I love the complexity of the story and its subplots that when I look back at it and see just how cleverly the author has woven the tale, I am just so impressed I'm speechless.
Overall, a thoroughly twisted tale and an enjoyable psychological thriller with plenty of tension and an abundance of secrets that are so cleverly hidden not even the seasoned reader will pick them!
I would like to thank #MandyByatt, #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #TheYoungerWoman in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 7, 2023
Well halfway done with this book I started reading reviews to see what others thought of this gradebook… Because I thought wow this is a great book! And while reading reviews and seeing everyone’s ambivalent opinion about it I thought well my opinion Jews leave the odd man out so no worries because at that point I loved the book but then I finished it and what a colossal thought this author has played on her readers. I will not give any spoilers away but OMG for one thing who the Hell is Ruth‘s sister because in the book it was said that she was too totally different people sister one of them being loddy but then at the end of the book they say she’s someone completely different sister and it’s no way she could be both these people sister. Then throughout the whole book you’re like oh this person is it what a nasty person OMG I can’t stand her only to find out no oh there’s nothing wrong with that person she’s totally nice and completely dating someone else!! Then I thought well wait maybe I thought bad of that person because of all of Lottie‘s paranoia… So I went back and read a whole chapter about how this person was basically a nasty person. The saddest thing is this would’ve definitely been a five star read because I was so consumed with this book until the frauds the author perpetrated on me and other readers was revealed. You can’t call Beth a twist because throughout the whole book you thinking one thing not because of great writing oh no it’s because of all the NU window and the the time lapse and a whole new story line came up I just I’m over it I’m so angry. Every author could put such twists in their books if they would just make some innocuous character into a devious manipulative dysfunctional person in the last chapter of the book and then give everyone involved five different names so you can make the scenario fit at the last moment. This was a fraud and totally disappointing. I feel this book is so upsetting it’s just makes me so angry I feel like the The author tried to pull a fast one but you cannot create a scenario out of whole cloth and then sit there like look at it isn’t that brilliant look at the brilliant twist I put in the book that is not a twist that’s a whole new scenario. I am so angry what a waste of my time. I received this book from Net galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
November 20, 2022
Lottie and Nick are having marriage problems and they go on a getaway trip to a cottage. Nick leaves for wine and Lottie goes into the basement and finds a woman’s dead body that looks like her. This book is full of twists and secrets and the first I’ve read by this author. I hope to read more. Thanks NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this book!
December 30, 2022
This book starts out great but somewhere midway it slows way down and I was ready to throw in the towel. Lottie and her husband Nick plan a vacation for his birthday and Nick leaves and she finds a “body” in the basement. Let’s add multiple characters and I found myself totally confused who was doing what but about 75%, it picked up speed again and then I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published February 2023.
December 23, 2022
Lottie and her husband Nick Moore are in Fairview, Nick’s parents’ holiday cottage to celebrate Lottie’s and Nick’s ten-year anniversary.
Soon after they arrive at the cottage, Lottie breaks the news to her husband that she’s pregnant. Filled with excitement Nick heads to the village for champagne 🍾. An hour later and Nick is not back yet from getting the champagne. Lottie is frantic with worry.
While waiting for her husband to get back, the fuse blows up and the house is plunged into darkness. Lottie heads down to the cellar to look for the fuse box. She sights a bottle of champagne 🍾 sitting on one of the shelves in the cellar.
When she goes to retrieve the bottle, she discover a body of a young woman hidden under a tarpaulin. The young woman looks just like Lottie. How did she get there and was she murdered?
Overall an interesting thriller. Would recommend.
Thank you to Mandy Byatt, NetGalley and Avon for the arc of this book.
Soon after they arrive at the cottage, Lottie breaks the news to her husband that she’s pregnant. Filled with excitement Nick heads to the village for champagne 🍾. An hour later and Nick is not back yet from getting the champagne. Lottie is frantic with worry.
While waiting for her husband to get back, the fuse blows up and the house is plunged into darkness. Lottie heads down to the cellar to look for the fuse box. She sights a bottle of champagne 🍾 sitting on one of the shelves in the cellar.
When she goes to retrieve the bottle, she discover a body of a young woman hidden under a tarpaulin. The young woman looks just like Lottie. How did she get there and was she murdered?
Overall an interesting thriller. Would recommend.
Thank you to Mandy Byatt, NetGalley and Avon for the arc of this book.
December 10, 2022
"You shouldn't play around with people."
Despite Lottie's reproductive issues, which cause her to doubt her own femininity, Nick and Lottie seem to enjoy a happy marriage. More concern is brought on by the hiring of a new young female employee at Nick's company.
Finally, Lottie learns she is pregnant, but when she goes to the cottage in the country to celebrate Nick's birthday with him, she unintentionally discovers the attractive woman's dead body in the basement. a female who remarkably resembles Lottie.
Who is the killer, and what does this mean for their marriage? Can it still be saved?
The author skillfully maneuvers between different protagonists and periods, leaving the reader in constant tension until the end of the book.
Excellent reading!
Despite Lottie's reproductive issues, which cause her to doubt her own femininity, Nick and Lottie seem to enjoy a happy marriage. More concern is brought on by the hiring of a new young female employee at Nick's company.
Finally, Lottie learns she is pregnant, but when she goes to the cottage in the country to celebrate Nick's birthday with him, she unintentionally discovers the attractive woman's dead body in the basement. a female who remarkably resembles Lottie.
Who is the killer, and what does this mean for their marriage? Can it still be saved?
The author skillfully maneuvers between different protagonists and periods, leaving the reader in constant tension until the end of the book.
Excellent reading!
February 16, 2023
The Younger Woman by Mandy Byatt was brilliant explosive psychological thriller from start to finish with a brilliant ending! WoW didn't see that coming. Superb! All the characters were excellent I love a great villain.
This book would be great as a holiday read.....But, once you start you wont want to put it down.
I highly recommend this book I loved it.
This book would be great as a holiday read.....But, once you start you wont want to put it down.
I highly recommend this book I loved it.
July 26, 2024
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 400
Publisher - Avon
Source - Netgalley (& bought treebook version)
Blurb from Goodreads
She knows him better than anyone.
She doesn’t know him at all…
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
My Review
Lottie and Nick are celebrating, it has been rough going, failed attempts at getting pregnant, infidelity, stress. Now they are heading to Nick's family cottage, secluded, it is almost Nick's birthday and Lottie has a surprise for him. When Nick nips out to get supplies Lottie finds the key to the cellar and discovers a body, a female who not only looks like Lottie but she recognises. Can you ever really know your other half and is Lottie safe, alone with Nick and a dead body!
The book jumps in time, from present day to Lottie/Nick and the shocking discovery to going back in the past (then) and between characters. Mainly we follow Lottie, Nick, the beautiful PA who wants Nick and will stop at nothing to get him and Ruth, family and worker of Nick. Oh what a twisted web we weave. Nick's PA is shocking, like her chapters she is very honest with us and herself about her intent, she sees Nick, she is love struck, she knows he is married and she will move heaven and earth to get him because she knows he wants he. So for people who hate infidelity, cheating, marital stuff this book is weaved with it, brace yourself. However karma they say is always around the corner so dun dun duuuuuuuh.
I did feel a wee bit out of sorts as there are so many view points and it took me a bit into each chapter to figure out who was who and what was going on. I would say when you have characters like that putting names headers on the top can be helpful however with so much twisty paced stuff I get why that would' exactly work with this one.
I was so annoyed with how shady one character was and how they played with peoples feelings, I was rooting for her comeuppance. I wasn't sure where it was going to go and play out on and I think books that keep you on your toes. Chapters are relatively short which always gets a thumbs up from us. A delvy dive into relationships, infidelity, ivf, marriages, the stress and strains of trying to get pregnant and struggling, work environment, family, blatant plays for married men, secrets, lies and more, it has a dark theme and shows some unsavoury aspects of humanity. It also has the reader questioning almost everyone and who they can trust, 4/5.
Pages - 400
Publisher - Avon
Source - Netgalley (& bought treebook version)
Blurb from Goodreads
She knows him better than anyone.
She doesn’t know him at all…
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
My Review
Lottie and Nick are celebrating, it has been rough going, failed attempts at getting pregnant, infidelity, stress. Now they are heading to Nick's family cottage, secluded, it is almost Nick's birthday and Lottie has a surprise for him. When Nick nips out to get supplies Lottie finds the key to the cellar and discovers a body, a female who not only looks like Lottie but she recognises. Can you ever really know your other half and is Lottie safe, alone with Nick and a dead body!
The book jumps in time, from present day to Lottie/Nick and the shocking discovery to going back in the past (then) and between characters. Mainly we follow Lottie, Nick, the beautiful PA who wants Nick and will stop at nothing to get him and Ruth, family and worker of Nick. Oh what a twisted web we weave. Nick's PA is shocking, like her chapters she is very honest with us and herself about her intent, she sees Nick, she is love struck, she knows he is married and she will move heaven and earth to get him because she knows he wants he. So for people who hate infidelity, cheating, marital stuff this book is weaved with it, brace yourself. However karma they say is always around the corner so dun dun duuuuuuuh.
I did feel a wee bit out of sorts as there are so many view points and it took me a bit into each chapter to figure out who was who and what was going on. I would say when you have characters like that putting names headers on the top can be helpful however with so much twisty paced stuff I get why that would' exactly work with this one.
I was so annoyed with how shady one character was and how they played with peoples feelings, I was rooting for her comeuppance. I wasn't sure where it was going to go and play out on and I think books that keep you on your toes. Chapters are relatively short which always gets a thumbs up from us. A delvy dive into relationships, infidelity, ivf, marriages, the stress and strains of trying to get pregnant and struggling, work environment, family, blatant plays for married men, secrets, lies and more, it has a dark theme and shows some unsavoury aspects of humanity. It also has the reader questioning almost everyone and who they can trust, 4/5.
December 27, 2022
The Younger Woman is suspenseful and tense as you would imagine from the title. Forty somethings married Lottie and Nick go to a secluded country cottage to celebrate Nick's birthday. Their greatest desire is to have a child but nothing has worked, even IVF treatments. But Lottie has a big surprise for Nick. However, she is in for a surprise as well. Down in the cellar she makes a discovery, one which dredges up the past. Nick's new assistant at work is like Lottie looking into a mirror twenty years ago which causes Lottie to start asking questions. Skeletons which had been buried deep into closets start popping out, some in the form of deception. In fact, there is a lot of deception going on.
Mandy Byatt writes many twists into this sharp and snappy novel. Most of the characters are unlikeable so though I wasn't emotionally invested, the writing and tension roped me in. The ending left me a bit befuddled as to who was really who but I do enjoy surprises!
Those Thriller/Suspense readers who appreciate anxiety-inducing novels ought to read this one.
My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this arresting book.
Mandy Byatt writes many twists into this sharp and snappy novel. Most of the characters are unlikeable so though I wasn't emotionally invested, the writing and tension roped me in. The ending left me a bit befuddled as to who was really who but I do enjoy surprises!
Those Thriller/Suspense readers who appreciate anxiety-inducing novels ought to read this one.
My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this arresting book.
December 25, 2022
This book gripped me from the first page! When Lottie and her husband have a getaway to celebrate his birthday and their anniversary, she discovers the body of a woman in the basement who looks like the beautiful young woman who recently started working for her husband. The backstory to this has lots of twists and turns - did he cheat? Can their marriage be saved?
The twists in this book were ones I did not see coming, and for that reason I give this 4/5 stars ⭐️
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!
The twists in this book were ones I did not see coming, and for that reason I give this 4/5 stars ⭐️
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!
January 28, 2023
I was intrigued from the start with this book and days after finishing it I was still thinking about it! It dew me in hook, line and sinker. I was convinced I knew where the story was going and how it would end. I cant say any more for fear of giving a spoiler. All I can say is I assumed too much !
November 21, 2022
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure about this book at first. A big issue I had with the author's first book was the incessant fat shaming and reducing women to how they look, and again this was rife in this book. The book plodded along well enough, I was quite interested in the storyline and wanted to see how it would all pan out but the writing style wasn't really for me.
I was all set to mark the book as an average read but then THE TWIST. I am never shocked anymore, I read so many books that I can usually spot twists a mile off but I will admit to being well and truly duped by this book.
I really don't know if I would recommend the book - I really did think the ending was fantastic but can I overlook the fact that I didn't really like the writing? I'm not sure.
I was all set to mark the book as an average read but then THE TWIST. I am never shocked anymore, I read so many books that I can usually spot twists a mile off but I will admit to being well and truly duped by this book.
I really don't know if I would recommend the book - I really did think the ending was fantastic but can I overlook the fact that I didn't really like the writing? I'm not sure.
October 3, 2023
I honestly feel like I’ve gone mad. There’s so many reviews praising this book to the high heavens but the ending left me muddled, disappointed and honestly beyond confused. I feel dumb and I feel stooged by the author and not in a fun way. I feel a bit like the entire thing was such a cop out. It has very “and then she woke up and it was all a dream!” vibes. An interesting book to say the least but not the best. I wouldn’t read it again for fun because honestly, the confusion was baffling and I feel as if I wasted a fair chunk of my time getting invested in a few of these characters.
November 28, 2022
Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for an early copy of The Younger Woman. This was such a captivating read, I couldn’t stop reading it but then what happened??????? That was the most confusing last chapters of a book I have ever read. My head is still spinning!!! Why did it end with sooooo many confusing parts when it was sooooo good for about 80%???? Not happy how it turned out, sooo confused.
August 9, 2023
The Younger Woman has this very neat trick of looking like it's piling up all the typical thriller tropes and then knocking them all down.
We witness Nick and Lottie arriving at a cottage and find Lottie to be pregnant after a 5 year battle to become so. There's teases of uneasiness in the marriage over this stressful time and a tense mention of a Young Ex PA...and suddenly Lottie finds a body in her basement.
It's a very tense book with multiple perspectives and the emotions it pushes you to feel really do sit in your chest as you watch Lottie's anxiety ramp up even as she tells herself there was no need, and meanwhile seeing a perspective that conveys that no she really SHOULD be paranoid, and how dare this PA do what she is doing! It gives this very claustrophobic feeling that you just almost felt like an intruder to the story, having so much close up knowledge but then some characters having no knowledge. The book starts quite fast paced though truthfully slows in the middle somewhat but does pick up again towards the end but even through the slow pace it was gripping and kept that uneasy atmosphere so it gave a "calm before the storm" vibe which made it easy to continue. We quickly see many unreliable characters and secrets that they gloss over or manipulate and it quickly shows that things are not what they seem nor are they to be trusted.
I have to say some twists did throw me by surprise which isn't always easy to do! I was suspicious of some especially when I kept in mind certain details but some I still got blindsided by even so which also added to my enjoyment.
Where the book faltered for me somewhat is...there was a lot of characters very quickly chucked at you but not a lot of them to keep track of who was who or why. Eventually it did become easier but there were times I was like "wait what's the significance of seeing this person who is that" and having to remind myself, and this stemmed I think from having introductions that were brief/ passing and not a lot of appearance or personality insights when you saw them, and could have done with more, or with some characters not even being mentioned at all (). Another thing is as I mentioned we have unreliable characters all for various reasons which in itself is NOT bad but when secrets were revealed things became a bit more dubious. To have so many different secrets/ Ideas relate to one person felt like the most unrealistic thing in the story, and I guess it was to create this web of secrets but still felt a bit...hammy after the reveal I guess.
Overall it was a good and enjoyable read with some good twists and delivered on actual thriller vibes.
We witness Nick and Lottie arriving at a cottage and find Lottie to be pregnant after a 5 year battle to become so. There's teases of uneasiness in the marriage over this stressful time and a tense mention of a Young Ex PA...and suddenly Lottie finds a body in her basement.
It's a very tense book with multiple perspectives and the emotions it pushes you to feel really do sit in your chest as you watch Lottie's anxiety ramp up even as she tells herself there was no need, and meanwhile seeing a perspective that conveys that no she really SHOULD be paranoid, and how dare this PA do what she is doing! It gives this very claustrophobic feeling that you just almost felt like an intruder to the story, having so much close up knowledge but then some characters having no knowledge. The book starts quite fast paced though truthfully slows in the middle somewhat but does pick up again towards the end but even through the slow pace it was gripping and kept that uneasy atmosphere so it gave a "calm before the storm" vibe which made it easy to continue. We quickly see many unreliable characters and secrets that they gloss over or manipulate and it quickly shows that things are not what they seem nor are they to be trusted.
I have to say some twists did throw me by surprise which isn't always easy to do! I was suspicious of some especially when I kept in mind certain details but some I still got blindsided by even so which also added to my enjoyment.
Where the book faltered for me somewhat is...there was a lot of characters very quickly chucked at you but not a lot of them to keep track of who was who or why. Eventually it did become easier but there were times I was like "wait what's the significance of seeing this person who is that" and having to remind myself, and this stemmed I think from having introductions that were brief/ passing and not a lot of appearance or personality insights when you saw them, and could have done with more, or with some characters not even being mentioned at all (). Another thing is as I mentioned we have unreliable characters all for various reasons which in itself is NOT bad but when secrets were revealed things became a bit more dubious. To have so many different secrets/ Ideas relate to one person felt like the most unrealistic thing in the story, and I guess it was to create this web of secrets but still felt a bit...hammy after the reveal I guess.
Overall it was a good and enjoyable read with some good twists and delivered on actual thriller vibes.
January 6, 2023
Rating: 3.5/4
Having been impressed by Mandy Byatt's debut novel, "Just Another Liar", I was always going to make sure that I came back for book two - and I am glad that I did.
I will deliberately avoid going into detail about the plot. The author has clearly been at pains to construct the novel and make use of certain literary devices in order to achieve a certain effect. That being the case, it would be churlish of me to undermine that by not allowing other readers to go on the desired voyage of discovery themselves. However, what I can say is that Mandy Byatt once again displays her ability to create effortlessly readable fiction. As had been in evidence in her debut novel, the writer once again excels with her characterisation. The protagonists are consistently well-painted and believable, as well as being suitably distinct from one another. This is supported and enhanced by well-penned dialogue that is very natural and appropriate for the characters in question.
Although Mandy Byatt already seems very much at home with these aspects of her writing, I sense that she is still experimenting with other stylistic elements while she seeks to find her own clear identity. "Just Another Liar" demonstrated influences of noir fiction, whereas facets of the plot progression in this one put me in mind (at different points) of 19th century dramatic fiction and (particularly towards the end) the style of Adele Parks. I have a feeling that Mandy Byatt's best work is still to come as she finds a fully rounded writing identity of her own.
In the meantime, "The Younger Woman" has plenty of enjoyable content for regular readers of the genre. There are twists, that you may or may not see coming and some well-handled misdirection. The plotting has been properly thought through and the various threads are neatly tied by the time the novel comes to its conclusion. That said, I felt that certain elements were a bit close to the mark with regard to stretching credulity. Personally, I think that Mandy Byatt's first novel was a little stronger overall than this one, but this is still very enjoyable, with much to recommend it and I have no doubt I will be back for book three.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Having been impressed by Mandy Byatt's debut novel, "Just Another Liar", I was always going to make sure that I came back for book two - and I am glad that I did.
I will deliberately avoid going into detail about the plot. The author has clearly been at pains to construct the novel and make use of certain literary devices in order to achieve a certain effect. That being the case, it would be churlish of me to undermine that by not allowing other readers to go on the desired voyage of discovery themselves. However, what I can say is that Mandy Byatt once again displays her ability to create effortlessly readable fiction. As had been in evidence in her debut novel, the writer once again excels with her characterisation. The protagonists are consistently well-painted and believable, as well as being suitably distinct from one another. This is supported and enhanced by well-penned dialogue that is very natural and appropriate for the characters in question.
Although Mandy Byatt already seems very much at home with these aspects of her writing, I sense that she is still experimenting with other stylistic elements while she seeks to find her own clear identity. "Just Another Liar" demonstrated influences of noir fiction, whereas facets of the plot progression in this one put me in mind (at different points) of 19th century dramatic fiction and (particularly towards the end) the style of Adele Parks. I have a feeling that Mandy Byatt's best work is still to come as she finds a fully rounded writing identity of her own.
In the meantime, "The Younger Woman" has plenty of enjoyable content for regular readers of the genre. There are twists, that you may or may not see coming and some well-handled misdirection. The plotting has been properly thought through and the various threads are neatly tied by the time the novel comes to its conclusion. That said, I felt that certain elements were a bit close to the mark with regard to stretching credulity. Personally, I think that Mandy Byatt's first novel was a little stronger overall than this one, but this is still very enjoyable, with much to recommend it and I have no doubt I will be back for book three.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
February 1, 2023
This is my first read by Mandy Byatt and I enjoyed the novel. The blurb reads
"Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…"
This is a thrilling read and I enjoyed reading about Lottie and Nick and their major marriage problems.
After many failed attempts at getting pregnant Lottie actually happily discovers she is expecting her and Nick's child and they could not be happier. Nick and Lottie go away to an idyllic cottage and whilst Nick is out Lottie has to go into the cellar and this is where she finds something awful in the cellar.
I mean it could not get much worse could it - well yes it does, the woman who is in the cellar is basically a younger version of Lottie and this is a major issue.
So Lottie is now in a very awkward situation as the big question is who killed this woman and is Lottie safe in the house...with her husband!!
I enjoyed this novel and the thrills it brought, I did find some parts quite repetitive and slow moving but apart from this I would recommend to all who enjoy a phycological thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
"Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…"
This is a thrilling read and I enjoyed reading about Lottie and Nick and their major marriage problems.
After many failed attempts at getting pregnant Lottie actually happily discovers she is expecting her and Nick's child and they could not be happier. Nick and Lottie go away to an idyllic cottage and whilst Nick is out Lottie has to go into the cellar and this is where she finds something awful in the cellar.
I mean it could not get much worse could it - well yes it does, the woman who is in the cellar is basically a younger version of Lottie and this is a major issue.
So Lottie is now in a very awkward situation as the big question is who killed this woman and is Lottie safe in the house...with her husband!!
I enjoyed this novel and the thrills it brought, I did find some parts quite repetitive and slow moving but apart from this I would recommend to all who enjoy a phycological thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
November 24, 2022
Having read and very much enjoyed Mandy Byatt’s debut, Just Another Liar, I was very excited to read her next novel The Younger Woman and it certainly did not disappoint. The Younger Woman is just as tightly plotted as Byatt’s debut and had a twist that had me scrapping my jaw off the floor. Fans of physiological domestic thrillers will not want to miss out on this.
The Younger Woman is the kind of book that once finished you want to pick up and start again to see if you can find all the little clues that lead to the explosive twist. It’s really hard to say much about this book as it deserves to be read with as little prior knowledge as possible. It is, however, fair to say that this story starts with a bang, wherein which our female MC finds the body of a younger woman, who looks alarmingly like her, in the cellar of the holiday cottage she’s at with her husband.
As with her debut, Byatt has written The Younger Woman in such a way that it is impossible to put down. The chapters alternate between third person and first. In the third person chapters we follow Lottie, our female MC as she grows more paranoid about what’s going on with her husband Nick and why he is often never around. Whilst the first person chapters are from the perspective of the younger woman, who has her sights firmly set on seducing Nick. As prior noted, there is so much I’d love to say about this book, but I don’t want to give anything away. That said I can’t wait for others to read it so I can have a good discussion with them about it.
It’s fair to say that Mandy Byatt will be an autobuy author for me now for whenever I want an absolutely compulsive thriller.
With thanks to Netgally and Avon for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
The Younger Woman is the kind of book that once finished you want to pick up and start again to see if you can find all the little clues that lead to the explosive twist. It’s really hard to say much about this book as it deserves to be read with as little prior knowledge as possible. It is, however, fair to say that this story starts with a bang, wherein which our female MC finds the body of a younger woman, who looks alarmingly like her, in the cellar of the holiday cottage she’s at with her husband.
As with her debut, Byatt has written The Younger Woman in such a way that it is impossible to put down. The chapters alternate between third person and first. In the third person chapters we follow Lottie, our female MC as she grows more paranoid about what’s going on with her husband Nick and why he is often never around. Whilst the first person chapters are from the perspective of the younger woman, who has her sights firmly set on seducing Nick. As prior noted, there is so much I’d love to say about this book, but I don’t want to give anything away. That said I can’t wait for others to read it so I can have a good discussion with them about it.
It’s fair to say that Mandy Byatt will be an autobuy author for me now for whenever I want an absolutely compulsive thriller.
With thanks to Netgally and Avon for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
February 9, 2023
Lottie and Nick have been married for some years now and have been met with numerous unsuccessful IVF treatments. As she is now 45, she knows time is running out.
Nick’s birthday is coming up and she and his parents have planned a surprise birthday party for him at his parents’ holiday cottage. It’s also Lottie and Nick’s 10th anniversary so they head to the cottage a day before everyone is to arrive to celebrate their special day. Lottie’s big surprise for Nick is that she is finally pregnant. He is ecstatic. Even with a storm raging outside, he is determined to set off to get a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Lottie is alone at the cottage when the electricity goes out. As much as she hates the basement, she heads down to check the fusebox. When the lights come back on, she finds a dead woman under a tarp on the floor. She is shocked and wonders if Nick has been having an affair and could he have killed the woman.
I so wanted to like this book and felt that surely it had promise. The characters didn’t grab my sympathy for or real interest in them. The way the story is told is purposely twisted to make the reader think that timeline is different from what it truly is. In addition, the flurry at the end of the book to try and tie up all the ends was downright confusing. Those were my big gripes about this book. I’ve not read this author before so I have nothing to compare this one to. I’m sorry, but I didn’t really care for this one.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Nick’s birthday is coming up and she and his parents have planned a surprise birthday party for him at his parents’ holiday cottage. It’s also Lottie and Nick’s 10th anniversary so they head to the cottage a day before everyone is to arrive to celebrate their special day. Lottie’s big surprise for Nick is that she is finally pregnant. He is ecstatic. Even with a storm raging outside, he is determined to set off to get a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Lottie is alone at the cottage when the electricity goes out. As much as she hates the basement, she heads down to check the fusebox. When the lights come back on, she finds a dead woman under a tarp on the floor. She is shocked and wonders if Nick has been having an affair and could he have killed the woman.
I so wanted to like this book and felt that surely it had promise. The characters didn’t grab my sympathy for or real interest in them. The way the story is told is purposely twisted to make the reader think that timeline is different from what it truly is. In addition, the flurry at the end of the book to try and tie up all the ends was downright confusing. Those were my big gripes about this book. I’ve not read this author before so I have nothing to compare this one to. I’m sorry, but I didn’t really care for this one.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book but felt I couldn’t give it any more than 3 stars because I remain confused and unsure about some aspects of it.
I liked the main character Lottie. The book flipped between chapters covering Lotties situation, including her attempts at IVF and her longing for a baby and that of another character. I assumed this other character to be Tasha (Nick’s assistant), whom Lottie was concerned about her husband, Nick, having an affair with. But at the end of the story I realise I may have assumed this wrongly and it was actually Nuala narrating those chapters, who did have a fling with Nick a long time ago. Or maybe the author cleverly wrote it to trick me into believing that? However, I remain unsure whether I’ve got that right!
I also assumed that Ruth was Lottie’s sister, as she referred to Nick as being her brother in law, but in the end I realise that she was Nick’s first wife’s sister.
I really feel like I want someone else I know to read this story so we can discuss our interpretation of it! I googled some questions I have about this book, but I couldn’t find the answers, so I’m still in the dark!
There were rather a lot of characters in this book, so I did find it tricky keeping on top of the story. I felt the story could have been made slightly simpler and still be a good plot.
I was also disappointed in the last chapter that Lotties husband turned out to be the character he was.
I will seek out the authors other book to read.
I liked the main character Lottie. The book flipped between chapters covering Lotties situation, including her attempts at IVF and her longing for a baby and that of another character. I assumed this other character to be Tasha (Nick’s assistant), whom Lottie was concerned about her husband, Nick, having an affair with. But at the end of the story I realise I may have assumed this wrongly and it was actually Nuala narrating those chapters, who did have a fling with Nick a long time ago. Or maybe the author cleverly wrote it to trick me into believing that? However, I remain unsure whether I’ve got that right!
I also assumed that Ruth was Lottie’s sister, as she referred to Nick as being her brother in law, but in the end I realise that she was Nick’s first wife’s sister.
I really feel like I want someone else I know to read this story so we can discuss our interpretation of it! I googled some questions I have about this book, but I couldn’t find the answers, so I’m still in the dark!
There were rather a lot of characters in this book, so I did find it tricky keeping on top of the story. I felt the story could have been made slightly simpler and still be a good plot.
I was also disappointed in the last chapter that Lotties husband turned out to be the character he was.
I will seek out the authors other book to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
Having read and enjoyed Just Another Liar in 2022, I was looking forward to reading Many's second novel: A Younger Woman.
Cleverly written and with a number of twists at the end, A Younger Woman centres on Lottie and Nick, a forty something couple who have been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby. The opening chapter, set in present day, deals with the good news that Lottie is now expecting, The event also coincides with the discovery of a body in the cellar of Nick’s parents’ holiday cottage in the Lake District. A body Lottie is convinced is Nick’s PA Tasha.
Told from Lottie and Tasha’s perspectives, the main story returns to the time when Tasha first joins Nick’s architectural practice as his PA. Lottie, a former actress who runs a drama group, is desperate to have a baby, but so far, even with IVF, this has not happened. She’s vulnerable and with the arrival of Tasha soon begins to suspect her husband is taking more than a professional interest in his new PA.
The story is carefully woven between Lottie’s growing concern and the brash, confident Tasha, determined to make Nick hers. It’s difficult to say any more without giving the plot away, but I found the twists and turns gripping and totally absorbing. Be prepared for the unexpected, as no one in A Younger Woman is quite what they seem, and there's a huge plot twist at the very end that I didn't see coming. A tale of deceit, manipulation and murder. I was hooked from the very first page. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Mandy Byatt, Avon Books and Netgalley for an ARC of The Younger Woman in exchange for an honest review.
Cleverly written and with a number of twists at the end, A Younger Woman centres on Lottie and Nick, a forty something couple who have been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby. The opening chapter, set in present day, deals with the good news that Lottie is now expecting, The event also coincides with the discovery of a body in the cellar of Nick’s parents’ holiday cottage in the Lake District. A body Lottie is convinced is Nick’s PA Tasha.
Told from Lottie and Tasha’s perspectives, the main story returns to the time when Tasha first joins Nick’s architectural practice as his PA. Lottie, a former actress who runs a drama group, is desperate to have a baby, but so far, even with IVF, this has not happened. She’s vulnerable and with the arrival of Tasha soon begins to suspect her husband is taking more than a professional interest in his new PA.
The story is carefully woven between Lottie’s growing concern and the brash, confident Tasha, determined to make Nick hers. It’s difficult to say any more without giving the plot away, but I found the twists and turns gripping and totally absorbing. Be prepared for the unexpected, as no one in A Younger Woman is quite what they seem, and there's a huge plot twist at the very end that I didn't see coming. A tale of deceit, manipulation and murder. I was hooked from the very first page. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Mandy Byatt, Avon Books and Netgalley for an ARC of The Younger Woman in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2025
Wow this book will have you whirling. Great characters and an absolutely clever plot!!
Lottie and Nick are a married couple that are going through the trials and tribulations of IVF. After the latest failed attempt Lottie is not sure whether she wants to continue. However suddenly Lottie discovers she is pregnant and whilst away at the family cottage for Nick's birthday she tells him the good news. Absolutely elated Nick decides they need Champagne to celebrate but the cellar in the cottage is locked and they can't find a key so Nick insists that he will take a quick trip to the village to get a bottle. He has been gone mere minutes when Lottie suddenly remembers that there is a cellar key on their keyring, she ventures down to see if she can find some champagne but instead she discovers a dead body, a young woman's body and it looks just like Lottie ........ who is it and how did they end up in the family cottage's cellar!!!!
This is a book full of twists and turns, who do you believe and what is actually the truth? There are some great characters, some you will love but some will frustrate you no end!!!! This will have you questioning everything. I great twisty psychological thriller with a brilliant plot and expertly written.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.
Lottie and Nick are a married couple that are going through the trials and tribulations of IVF. After the latest failed attempt Lottie is not sure whether she wants to continue. However suddenly Lottie discovers she is pregnant and whilst away at the family cottage for Nick's birthday she tells him the good news. Absolutely elated Nick decides they need Champagne to celebrate but the cellar in the cottage is locked and they can't find a key so Nick insists that he will take a quick trip to the village to get a bottle. He has been gone mere minutes when Lottie suddenly remembers that there is a cellar key on their keyring, she ventures down to see if she can find some champagne but instead she discovers a dead body, a young woman's body and it looks just like Lottie ........ who is it and how did they end up in the family cottage's cellar!!!!
This is a book full of twists and turns, who do you believe and what is actually the truth? There are some great characters, some you will love but some will frustrate you no end!!!! This will have you questioning everything. I great twisty psychological thriller with a brilliant plot and expertly written.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.
October 14, 2023
She knows him better than anyone.
She doesn’t know him at all…
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
She doesn’t know him at all…
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention…
But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship.
Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 20, 2023
The Younger Woman was a tensely written psychological thriller that I read in a day.
Lottie and Nick are at his parents holiday home, they are celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. They have struggled to have a child going through many rounds of IVF, all being unsuccessful but Lottie has found out that she is pregnant naturally and tells Nick who is overjoyed and runs out to get champagne. Nick is gone over an hour and the fuses trip, Lottie heads to the cellar and once she’s sorted the fuses making everywhere light again she spies a bottle of champagne, she grabs it but on doing so sees there is a dead body under some sheeting, the body looks just like her! What is she doing there and has she been murdered and if so who by?
This was a great read, the characters play their parts well and the twists were good, I was less up the garden path very well in this book. I have read books before by Mandy Byatt and this one was just as good in making me question everything I’d been reading.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Lottie and Nick are at his parents holiday home, they are celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. They have struggled to have a child going through many rounds of IVF, all being unsuccessful but Lottie has found out that she is pregnant naturally and tells Nick who is overjoyed and runs out to get champagne. Nick is gone over an hour and the fuses trip, Lottie heads to the cellar and once she’s sorted the fuses making everywhere light again she spies a bottle of champagne, she grabs it but on doing so sees there is a dead body under some sheeting, the body looks just like her! What is she doing there and has she been murdered and if so who by?
This was a great read, the characters play their parts well and the twists were good, I was less up the garden path very well in this book. I have read books before by Mandy Byatt and this one was just as good in making me question everything I’d been reading.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2023
This is a book about Lottie and Nick, who haven't had an easy marriage lately... but when Lottie finds out she's pregnant (finally) she plans a getaway to surprise him with the news on his birthday. However, when she wonders into the basement in search of some champagne to celebrate she stumbles onto the dead body of a young woman who looks very much like her... the striking resemblance is uncanny and Lottie needs to figure out who murdered this woman - and why.
It had such a strong start that gripped me fully, I'm always a bit of a sucker for a good domestic thriller - and the storyline of fertility struggles and a surprise pregnancy was really intriguing to me as I'm currently 15 and a half weeks pregnant myself.
It's a book full of tension and deception that keeps you on tenterhooks. There's lots of different plots involved to weave together a very addictive story from the psychological aspect, the IVF element, the worries about the husband cheating and an obsessive woman... there's many layers to this story that may surprise you and excite you!
It had such a strong start that gripped me fully, I'm always a bit of a sucker for a good domestic thriller - and the storyline of fertility struggles and a surprise pregnancy was really intriguing to me as I'm currently 15 and a half weeks pregnant myself.
It's a book full of tension and deception that keeps you on tenterhooks. There's lots of different plots involved to weave together a very addictive story from the psychological aspect, the IVF element, the worries about the husband cheating and an obsessive woman... there's many layers to this story that may surprise you and excite you!
February 6, 2023
This book has a gripping start and a great plot. However somewhere around the middle the story begins to fall a bit flat and veers into the confusing. Luckily the last few chapters really ramp up the action and thrills again, which lead to a good ending.
A family drama with a beautiful couple who are beginning their 40’s trying to start their own family. Sadly there are issues and this leads to suspicion and guilt. In the counter story, we hear from a younger woman, who plots in a devious way to ensnare the husband and lure him away from his wife with the prospect of giving him his own child.
Clever and a good read, although there were, I felt, a few too many characters which became confusing in the mid section.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
A family drama with a beautiful couple who are beginning their 40’s trying to start their own family. Sadly there are issues and this leads to suspicion and guilt. In the counter story, we hear from a younger woman, who plots in a devious way to ensnare the husband and lure him away from his wife with the prospect of giving him his own child.
Clever and a good read, although there were, I felt, a few too many characters which became confusing in the mid section.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2022
I was quite excited to try this, I've heard good things about Mandy Byatt's debut Just Another Liar.
The Younger Woman is a domestic thriller starring Nick the husband , Lottie his loving wife, and Tasha, The Younger Woman. No spoilers, early in the book the wife finds a dead body in the family holiday cottage. Whodunnit and why?
It's fairly entertaining, good character writing and plenty going on. I liked the 'will they, won't they?' tension - will Nick commit the infidelities that Lottie suspects him of?
There are some big twists which are well set up, though for me it veered off course a little bit towards the end.
Not bad at all, but not one for me to get too excited about.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK
The Younger Woman is a domestic thriller starring Nick the husband , Lottie his loving wife, and Tasha, The Younger Woman. No spoilers, early in the book the wife finds a dead body in the family holiday cottage. Whodunnit and why?
It's fairly entertaining, good character writing and plenty going on. I liked the 'will they, won't they?' tension - will Nick commit the infidelities that Lottie suspects him of?
There are some big twists which are well set up, though for me it veered off course a little bit towards the end.
Not bad at all, but not one for me to get too excited about.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK
November 20, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Mandy Byatt for the opportunity to read an advance copy of THE YOUNGER WOMAN, to be published 2 February 2023. It started out strong, with a body early on, but then slowed down a bit while describing the backstory. This novel was presented from various POVs which were not clearly delineated as I read through the chapters. I had to discern who was presenting their case which was obviously meant to be mysterious. The characters were varied and I particularly wanted to hate the younger woman, a despicable person. By the end of the book, it was clear there was much more to the backstory than had originally been told and it seemed many of the character’s pasts were coming out of the woodwork so to speak which made the end a thrilling ride.
January 23, 2023
The book starts with a body being found in the cellar by Lottie, she thinks it's the woman who might have been having an affair with her husband. The storyline goes back in time until it reaches this point again. I was enjoying the book, it was a slow burn read but very enjoyable.
Once the twist was revealed I ended up quite confused with the plot. I'm not sure if it was the many characters thrown together at the end or trying to work out who had done what but I couldn't make sense of it all. Not being sure who's point of view was being told at the beginning of the chapters didn't help either. I really wanted to love this because I loved the author's previous book.
Once the twist was revealed I ended up quite confused with the plot. I'm not sure if it was the many characters thrown together at the end or trying to work out who had done what but I couldn't make sense of it all. Not being sure who's point of view was being told at the beginning of the chapters didn't help either. I really wanted to love this because I loved the author's previous book.
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