Challenge Corner discussion

From #1 New York Times bestseller Lisa Jewell—three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

“Who are you? Who are you really?”

Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

“Because there are things that don’t make sense, and I’ve been so patient, so very patient…”

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn't right.

“You know that’s mad, don’t you? I’m your husband. We know everything there is to know about each other.”

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

I plan to start tomorrow!

Through Part 1 & Part 2 / 25 chapters / 29%

so interesting idea - for her to include the pov of the horrible husband. he's a creep but it also means that I dislike reading 1/3 of the book so far! lol

(view spoiler)[ Ash, I love her. she's going to get down into his business and start to figure out who he is but he's so gross - scaring those woman like he did- that I worry he might hurt her for figuring it out

and honestly, Nick / Al / Damien - he's so slimy, I love that Ash sees it. I love that Tara got her backbone back and is kicking him out.

Martha, I feel bad for her. She seems to feel like she's let him in this far, she needs to keep putting up with his crap but oh girl, you don't!!

I love Jane too! she's just unhinged and wild enough - I truly hope she helps Ash

and losing their husband / father to being pushed - that was just awful. I can't believe Nick preyed on them like that! But he delivered the flowers right? From Martha's flower shop! Ash has got to figure that out soon! (hide spoiler)]

through Part 3 / 44 chapters / 56%

(view spoiler)[ wow, Nick/Jonathan/Al/Damien just gets worse and worse
how may women have their been? and now he's killing them?

I hope Ash gets him. I hope Martha manages to get away while still having a company.

I hope Ash's mom gets away from him in time

how does this guy just keep winning? (hide spoiler)]

through Part 4 / 69 chapters / 89%

(view spoiler)[
wow, I'm surprised the different versions of Nina we saw
the things she said about her daughter were awful. she didn't seem to be sad that her daughter was going through something - or if that was just Nick twisting what she said.

but I was glad that Ash was able to go to her with evidence and more people. I'm glad she's believing her

but wow, AND he is the reason her dad is gone. that is just awful. will the police be enough?

I mean, if they made him disappear, who would miss him? Martha? probably not anymore. . .everyone else - he goes by different names.

hmmm I wonder how this will end (hide spoiler)]

and done!

I was really worried (view spoiler)[ he was going to get away with it. If he'd been able to live out his days I would have been so mad!

wow, the ways he messed with Nina and Ash's life. The way that he messed with Luke and the restaurant - just because they didn't want to work with him. Yikes, he really was unstable.

I was so glad they got him in the end. when he ran from everyone I was worried she wouldn't fully end it. (hide spoiler)]

Finally starting this one in the morning! I'm so behind -- many apologies. I'll keep trucking along! LOL

To Ch 12: I'm so glad Ash is (view spoiler)[sus of this guy. Clearly, her Mom isn't thinking straight right now...<_spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

To Ch 42: Wow, this one is hard to put down. I always love Lisa Jewell's short, punchy chapters. Each one leaves me wanting more. This one is crazy. This (view spoiler)[guy, don't even know which name to call him, is an absolute d-bag. I'm so happy Ash is on it. Maybe she can save her mother from the hell the other women have ended up with. I like that lady, Jane, I think, that she paired up with to look into Nick. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Through Part 1 & Part 2 / 25 chapters / 29%

so interesting idea..."

Yeah, totally agree! I'm loving this, but (view spoiler)[his perspective is brutal to read. The uncomfortable part to me is, there are really people like this out there. Did you read Invisible Girl by her? There was a d-bag guy in that one too that was equally, maybe even more cringey, in the way he thoughts. I love Ash and Jane working together too. Jane is great! I feel bad for Martha too. She had everything she needed and now her career, everything she had built for herself is in jeopardy because she let this guy into her life. I can't wait to see what's gonna happen here! (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "through Part 4 / 69 chapters / 89%


wow, I'm surprised..."

I'm so glad that (view spoiler)[Nina believed Ash when she opened up to her about the evidence she had collected. I was so afraid that she wouldn't and I was ready to riot!! (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "and done!

I was really worried..."

I love how this ended -- it really felt like (view spoiler)[sweet justice. I was shocked that he was the one who wrote the letters to Ash that she thought were from that man she worked with. He really did set out to ruin Patty's life, anyway he could. He was so twisted too -- he made up excuses to himself where he wasn't even a bad guy.

This was really well done -- the use of short chapters and multiple perspectives kept it constantly engaging. I did not want to put it down. One her Jewell's best, IMO. (hide spoiler)]

...oh, and DONE!!! Loved it. What a gripping, twisted Domestic Thriller. I was glued to this, with my popcorn, flipping pages, wondering how it was gonna end. Ultimately, I loved the conclusion!

YAY! I'm so glad you loved this one too!!

it was so good! I agree, his POV was rough lol

I loved Ash!!

megs_bookrack wrote: "Finally starting this one in the morning! I'm so behind -- many apologies. I'll keep trucking along! LOL"

oh no worries at all!! I totally know how it goes, just working through the piles! lol

Trisha wrote: "YAY! I'm so glad you loved this one too!!

it was so good! I agree, his POV was rough lol

I loved Ash!!"

I loved Ash too. If it wasn't for her determination, things could have turned out much differently.

I plan to read this sometime in the next week.

this book was so good! I read it a week or so ago and didn't even know there was a BR lol.

Still planning to read this soon.

I'll get to this soon.

Hoping to read this by the end of the month.

Melanie wrote: "Hoping to read this by the end of the month."
I would be happy to read it with you Melanie?

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2025


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through 10-(view spoiler)[absolutely hate this guy, I think he is a sociopath! If not, he is very cringy! (hide spoiler)]

just a thought throughout, once I "met" Nick"-(view spoiler)[Did he push Mr. Swann in front of the train so he could come into his life? (hide spoiler)]

through 20-(view spoiler)[I am so glad that Ash seems to be on to this ass! Hopefully, Jane's "people" will be able to find something fast! I know there is something. I agree with Ash, wtf would you carry a poop bag and a pacifier holder if you have no dog or kids? Why would you have in your pocket even if you did, lol? (hide spoiler)]

In Chapter 68-There is so much to say, I am going to write it at the end!So much, but this had to say now!(view spoiler)[OMG it was Nick/AL who paid the homeless man to push Paddy Swan in front of train. He is the Silver Man that they thought was a hallucination! Ithought that might be it. How is Ash going to deal with this. She has to be soooo pissed, angry, sad, hurt, etc and she HAS to tell her mom NOW! (hide spoiler)]

finished-(view spoiler)[ok that was weird. Did she have a page limit? She went through every scam available throughout the book and then just ended it like that. I guess it was wrapped up for everyone but Amanda, but geez. I liked the book overall and loved the plot twists and suspense. I hate to think that there really are lying sociapaths out there like this, but I hear about them daily on podcasts and such, scamming people out of their money and such. Its crazy. I knew "Nick" was a bad guy from day one, but did not expect where the story took us. Like I said, overall, I think this was a good book, maybe a little long winded but then the ending was just flat! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

one question at the end...(view spoiler)[so he DIDN'T really drown? And is back with Amanda, or was? until he left her AGAIN and disappeared to do it all over again? Or was the epilogue where we started at the beginning? Just wanted to clarify and reconcile my brain and what I just read. lol (hide spoiler)] can't wait to hear what your thoughts are on this one @Melanie and whomever else is reading it right now!

I am still planning to read this! Just got behind.