Title: The Housewarming
Author: S.E. Lynes
Publication Day: Oct 23rd 2020
Description:
Everyone is going to the housewarming party.
All the same people who lived on the street the day Abi vanished…
Will her mother finally learn the truth?
Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone – she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods’ house, and was never seen again.
A year later, the Lovegoods are planning their long-anticipated housewarming party. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Her husband Matt persuades her: he’s worried about her. A night out might do her good.
But as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything.
Ava thought she knew every last detail of that day.
She’s about to find out she was wrong…
Brilliantly dark and moving suspense fiction for fans of Gillian Flynn, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell, The Housewarming will have your pulse racing and your heart in your mouth from start to finish.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Housewarming' by S.E. Lynes.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 26th October 2020
This is the second book that I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its bold cover and intriguing sounding blurb. The blurb also suggests that this book will have fans of Lisa Jewell pulse racing. I am a big fan of Lisa Jewell so am intrigued to see if this book lives up to thay statement. I have also previously read a book by this author which I enjoyed so am looking forward to this one. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 48 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, UK 🇬🇧 . I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.
This book is written in first person and third person perspective with the main protagonists being Ava (first) and Matt (third) I enjoy books written in first person perspective as as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. It's even more enjoyable when there are 2 main protagonists as you get to see even more of what is going on and how they are feeling about everything. It's unusual for a book to use both first and third person perspectives but when it works it works great as it gives a much larger picture of everything going on.
This book is very well written and the descriptions are fantastic. The first chapter is captivating and really pulls you in. The cover and blog really suit the storyline.
THE storyline is absolutely heartbreaking especially for a parent which I am, it really sets your heart pacing. It is more of a slow burning psychological drama rather than a thriller. Packed full of loss, deceit, secrets and lies. The end has several shocking twists which I didn't see coming so well done to the author there!! I have read many psychological books and it's getting harder and harder to shock me but I didn't see them twists coming!! There are several changes in time lines throughout the book and these did confuse me at times. The past storylines were slightly repetitive at points but I think this was more so to see the reality of how Ava was coping, or more so not coping. Congratulations for bringing Angelman syndrome into the book. This is a disability that is not very well heard of and I encountered a young adult with it while working in care many years ago so it was nice too see awareness being made in a book as prior to working in the care home I had never heard of it either.
The characters all have different personalities and are very strong and believable. I enjoyed reading how the relationships changed throughout the book and I think these changes were realistic to the storyline also.
Overall an emotional filled family drama that will keep you guessing and hoping throughout.
Genres covered in this novel include Suspense, Mystery and Psychological Fiction among others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of drama and S. E. Lynes
350 pages.
This book is 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
@SELynes @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Former BBC Producer, S.E. Lynes is the Amazon best selling author of 'intelligent and haunting', 'beautifully written' psychological thrillers, VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE PACT, THE PROPOSAL, THE WOMEN, THE LIES WE HIDE, CAN YOU SEE HER? and her latest novel, THE HOUSEWARMING, available for pre-order NOW.
After completing her MA, Lynes taught creative writing at Richmond Adult Community College for over ten years. She now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing.
She has also published three children's books in Italy: IL LEOPARDO LAMPO, LA COCCODRILLA INGAMBA, and the bilingual LA SCIMMIA SPIRITOSA/THE FUNNY MONKEY, all available at Amazon.it
Author Social Media Links:
Facebook: S E Lynes Author
Twitter: @SELynesAuthor
Instagram: @S E Lynes Author
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B08F273DPRSocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/31x350AQ3EL
Kobo: http://ow.ly/Xo0h50AQ3CV
Google: http://ow.ly/gIK950AQ3Hg
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