Title: The Marriage Lie
Publication Day: 28/05/21
Author: Ali Mercer
Description:
My husband is asking me to do the impossible. But if I don’t do what he wants, he will tell our daughter everything…
Stella follows her handsome husband Rob to the beautifully laid-out table in the restaurant he’s chosen specially for her fortieth birthday lunch. As the waiter pops the champagne, Rob proposes a toast and their crystal glasses clink together in celebration. Stella knows how they must look to anyone watching. Two people very much in love, with the perfect marriage and the perfect life.
But Rob is about to drop a bombshell on Stella. He wants a divorce.
If she doesn’t give him exactly what he wants – the house, the money and full custody of fourteen-year-old Georgie – he will tell their precious daughter the one secret Stella has worked so hard to protect her from.
Stella has a choice to make. To fight for her daughter, there is only one person she can turn to for help. Someone she hasn’t spoken to in over a decade. If she doesn’t, Rob will win. But to do it means facing up to her biggest regret, and risks losing Georgie forever, once she learns the truth…
An absolutely heart-breaking and gripping novel about the price of keeping a secret. Fans of Amanda Prowse, Kate Hewitt and Susan Lewis will be gripped by this emotional family drama from the very first page.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Marriage Lie' by Ali Mercer.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Ali Mercer, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 28th May 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching beaitiful cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated 'Fans of Amanda Prowse, Kate Hewitt and Susan Lewis will be gripped by this emotional family drama from the very first page'. I am a huge fan of Kate Hewitt so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. 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 33 chapters and an Afterword. The chapters are short to 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 Oxfordshire, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited Oxfordshire on several occasions so am looking forward to see if I recognise anywhere.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Stella. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are 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 is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
This book is very well written and the insights into the past let's the reader piece together what is going on. The descriptiona are vivid and help to set the scene. The cover and synopsis worked well with the storyline.
The storyline itself is intriguing and keeps the reader guessing what the big secret is. Unfortunately I managed to work it out pretty quickly but I was thrown by the explosive revelation which I was not expecting. Although I worked it out please don't let this out you off as I read loads of psychological thrillers and it's getting harder and harder to be surprised. It definitely shows how quickly things can change when you least expecting it. Although I had figured out what the big secret was it was still an enjoyable read which had me on the edge of my seat on a few occasions. The storyline was filled with deceit, lies and secrets.
The characters are strong and realistic. Unfortunately I just didn't click with any of the characters. I felt like screaming at Stella on several occasions and just felt that she was very weak but she did pull through in the end and I am glad how it ended. I couldn't stand Rob from the start no idea what she saw in him and her mother absolutely disgusted me with her attitude. On several occasions I did feel sorry for Stella. I did like Tony and would have liked to see more of him. I also really liked George and thought she was very mature for her age and a very likable character.
Overall a suspense filled novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing.
Genres covered in this book include Saga and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
364 pages.
This book is just £1.99 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
@AliMercer @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Ali decided she wanted to be a writer early on and wrote her first novel when she was at primary school. She did an English degree and spent her early twenties working in various jobs in journalism, including as a reporter for the showbusiness newspaper The Stage. She started writing fiction in earnest after getting married, moving out of London to the Oxfordshire market town of Abingdon and starting a family. She has two children, a daughter and a son who is autistic and was diagnosed when he was four years old.
Ali is fascinated by families, their myths and secrets, and the forces that hold them together, split them up and (sometimes) bring them back together again. She always travels with tissues and a book and has been known to cry over a good story, but is also a big fan of the hopeful ending.
Author Social Media Links:
For updates and pictures, follow Ali on Twitter (@AlisonLMercer) or Instagram (@alimercerwriter), or on her Facebook page (AliMercerwriter)
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B08Y8JLVPQCover
Apple: http://ow.ly/brCe50DTSfl
Kobo: http://ow.ly/Qzkf50DTSdG
Google: http://ow.ly/iUQu50DTZao
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