I enjoyed this book. Sam and Merry have moved from the US to live in Sweden. They have a baby son and an apparently idyllic lifestyle. However, it soon becomes obvious that things are not quite as rosy as they appear. Sam and Merry are keeping their own secrets, and Merry is struggling with new motherhood. When Merry's closest friend comes to stay, and tragedy strikes, their lives very quickly begin to unravel. This is a story of friendship and betrayal, which will keep you guessing til the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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I really loved this book. It had a perfect blend of friendship, love, motherhood, loneliness and the steps we take sometimes just to make life work. Everyone’s lives may look so perfect from outside but when you peel away the layers , you get to see the true picture. Superb read.

The scene is heavenly... far away from events that shrouded their previous life in New York, Merry and her husband Sam are creating their new dream life with their baby, living in a perfect house in the Swedish countryside. Of course they’re delightfully happy...why wouldn’t they be?

When Merry’s childhood friend Frank comes to visit, she can hardly recognize the new Merry. Slowly but surely though, disturbing fissures become all too apparent in their carefully plotted tale of bliss, ultimately leading to horrific tragedy.

With the story being told by Merry, Sam and Frank, the reader gets to scratch the surface of this idyllic facade, slowly but surely discovering how disturbed, manipulative and destructive these unlikeable characters truly are, leaving me captivated, wondering where their toxic, self destructive relationship was headed.

A well written debut novel, with its twists and turns and fully fleshed out characters. Although I battled to connect with them, as not one of them had any redeeming qualities to speak of, I was also mesmerized by them, eagerly anticipating where and how the author would take these characters to the books conclusion.

A disturbing, dark domestic psychological thriller, focusing on love, friendship, jealousy and the credo of a perfect life, that will leave you with a sense of unsettling unease until the final chapter.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Michelle Sacks and her publishers HQ, for granting me an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review of this book.

A compelling but difficult read. Disturbing in the way of an original fairy tale, dark and creeping. Toxic relationships and pure Scandinavian lifestyles. This is the first book I think I have ever read that has 'triggered' me - maybe because I am a relatively new mother to a little boy not much older than the mistreated baby in this story - and (trying to avoid spoilers) parts of the book left me feeling physically sickened. Yet somehow I was compelled to read on. Recommended if your thing is Nordic Noir, unsympathetic characters and slow burn pacing.

Although this is apparently a debut, I could've sworn i've heard the name Michelle Sacks in reading circles before this. Maybe it's just me, must be. One of the aspects that drew me to the book was the setting - the Swedish countryside, somewhere I would love to visit, sets the scene for this dark and disturbing read.

Merry and her husband and young baby, are creating their dream life in Sweden, far from the events that clouded their lives whilst living in New York. Then Merry's childhood friend, Frances, comes to stay but Frances finds that she hardly recognises her friend. Soon cracks begin to appear in Merry's carefully constructed fairy tale. And Frances starts seeing things that may not be so apparent to others, treacherous things. And then a terrible tragedy unfolds.

"You Were Made For This" is a difficult book to rate as there were both good and bad parts to it. It is slow to build, exploring the relationships between the three main characters - Sam, Merry and Frances - and is told from those three points-of-view. The synopsis really only gives you a slight glimpse of what might be involved in the novel, you are in for a shock! If you don't like disturbing, dark, and oppressive stories then I would advise you to avoid this one. I also found the writing style pretty hard going, it was sometimes hard to follow, something I don't usually have an issue with. The characters are incredibly unlikable, but I don't mind that if it adds to the narrative, as here.

If you enjoy thrillers overflowing with lies, secrets, murder, abuse, and unhealthy relationships, you'll likely appreciate this. But be warned - this is far more chilling than the blurb indicates!

Many thanks to HQ for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

It's been a while since I read anything so penetratingly dark and disturbing. I can still feel the heavy emotions at work as this is a book that will linger with me for some time. No, this isn't a slasher thriller but a more subtle, painful exploration of what lies in the darkest parts of the human heart.

You Were Made for This begins with an idyllic family of husband, wife and baby who relocate to rustic Sweden, from the U.S., for a simpler life. On first glimpse, one might think Merry, the devoted mother and wife, is the perfect Suzy Homemaker but that couldn't be further from the truth. Look now at mildly overbearing father and husband, Sam. He seems a good enough chap but that too is a fiction. Ah, here is Frank, close childhood friend of Merry, who has come for a visit. A beautiful good time girl with a career and a busy life but what is her truth? This book explores what happens between these three characters and their deepest darkest secrets. We learn far more than we might wish as we plumb the hidden feelings to find the source of the strong resentment present in all.

This book is thoroughly depraved and disturbing in a quiet, sneaky way. Though it may seem civilized and friendly, in actuality Sam, Merry and Frank are more like caged animals unhappy with their lot in life. What builds up and transpires from this is heartbreaking and honestly soul crushing. Sadly, the reader can see this event unfold - thanks to the intelligence of the writing - yet hoping it will not come to pass.

This novel is shocking in its ability to expose the reader to unvarnished dark thoughts and deeds. So well crafted and both sympathetic and pointedly honest to the weakness in people, it is a terrific study of human nature. Difficult to read, at times, but worth the effort.

I found this novel compelling in a dark and sombre way. The characters were not ones I could empathise or sympathise with and I had a hard time connecting with them. I struggled initially with 3 different first person narrators and the lack of speech marks sometimes led me to reread sections to work out what was being said and what was just thoughts. The twists were easily foreseeable, however the story was dark and intriguing and held my attention to the end.

Darkly disturbing and brilliant physiological thriller!

You were made for this is a debut novel about a couple who seem to have it all! To outsiders it may seem that Merry, her husband Sam and their baby live an idyllic life in Sweden, but scratch the surface and you'll find nothing is as it seems. When Merry's best Friend (from childhood) comes to visit things take an even more disturbing path and tragedy occurs.

A brilliantly written psychological thriller fill with many twists and turns to keep you on your feet and your emotions running high. Some of the characters are so disturbed that the subject matter (miscarriages, physical child abuse, depression etc), at times makes for hard reading but it's also hard to put down. This also makes this novel not for everyone.

The story is told using Merry, Sam and Frank as narrators and through this we get to see how toxic, manipulative and destructive they really are. The three main characters (who are all well fully fleshed out) are terribly unlikable, but rather than that taking anything away from the plot, it makes for better and more realistic story-telling (not everyone is redeemable). I would compare the fast pace of this story to being on a roller-coaster ride where you hang on for dear life and just when you think the ride is coming to an end it picks up at full steam again. I did wonder how the book would end because it was clear there was to be no happy ending, but it stayed true to the characters essence of self (rather than shy away from them) and was so cleverly done.

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and Michelle Sacks for the ARC.

Never before have I read a book where I disliked the characters so much, The book focuses on three main people Merry and Sam who have left America for Sweden and a new life with their young son Conner and Merry's friend Frank who comes to Visit. At first glance everything seems rosy Merry dotting wife and mother, Sam an attentive husband but all of them have their secrets and if you look carefully you'll see the cracks. It sounds a great idea and story but the characters are all so wrapped up in themselves, they do horrible things and it leaves an unsettling feeling with in. Not my favourite read.

I found this a strange story to read. I found the storyline and writing style addictive and impulsive to read however I really disliked the characters. The relationship between the characters is toxic. It is unusual for me to enjoy a book that includes so much jealously and deceit whilst I am obviously disliking all the characters.

From the very first page of this book, you sense that all is not well, but you're not quite sure what, or why. The chapters are slow-building but short and they give you just a little bit more to keep you going back for "just one more chapter".. There are only three main characters in the book and each chapter is told from one of the three perspectives. The characters are developed well and are convincing, but none are particularly likeable.

This is Michelle Sacks's debut novel but it doesn't feel like a debut as it's very well written with intrigue and mystery. It's psychologically disturbing and sinister, all while being set in the beautiful Swedish countryside.

It poses questions about friendships, love, the ideology of having a perfect life and motivations for life choices that cannot be taken back once they're set in motion. It's easy to read but its sinister edge with continue to haunt you long after you finish the final chapter.

An unsettling novel - from the outside, the coulple at the heart of this story appear to have a picture-perfect life, so it’s with a sense of unease that you gradually realise just how wrong that surface depiction is. Great for fans of Gillian Flynn!

This is such a dark, twisted, well crafted novel. The tone and themes reminded me a lot of the movie Match Point, if you enjoyed that, you will love this book!

The story unravels from three points of view. Merry and Sam have recently moved to rural Sweden, living the most idilic life with their young son. Frank, Merry's oldest, closest friend is about to pay them a visit. The three characters were utterly wicked. You will find yourself occasionally sympathising, but generally detesting them all. Their interwoven lives had me captivating, waiting to see what would happen next.

I won't say too much on the plot, as its best entered into blind. But the writing was wonderfully done. There are hints at terror, murmurs of awful things that have happened in the past. As I said at the beginning, Sacks does a wonderful job of crafting a plot that is slow burning, with plenty of curveballs to keep you interested.

The only downside is the somewhat lack of ending. You are left wanting more, closure isn't forthcoming. However this in itself does contribute to the idea that these people are in full blown self-destruct mode, with little care for anyone else.

This is a strange mix of domestic thriller, psychological drama, with a Swedish noir setting. I really do not like novels written in the first person but persevered for a while then skipped lots to find out what had happened. Sadly I wish I hadn’t, these are three unpleasant and selfish people locked in toxic relationships. I ended the novel grateful that I didn’t have to live with these unpleasant people for a moment longer and depressed and worried.....not the way I wanted to end the day....just grateful at least England won their match!
However, the author did make me need to find out what had actually happened, although I wish I hadn’t, and as the purpose of art is to make you feel emotion, then this novel did succeed.

You Were Made For This is a very dark domestic thriller that to be honest the first couple of chapters I struggled with, I couldn’t understand the great reviews as it just went on and on (or it appeared to) about Merry the mother and wife and one of the main characters just go on and on about how lovely her life was, the vegetable patch, the homemade baby food and then boom it totally changed direction and I couldn’t read this fast enough!!
I’m not going to go into the storyline as I feel this one is best coming in blind but all I will say is you won’t be able to put this down despite hating all three of the main characters, and this is a first for me to actually enjoy a book that is consumed in so much deceit, secrets and jealousy and finding the characters so unlikeable!!
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This novel started out well, creepy by what it didn't say. The perfect lifestyle, the perfect relationship, set in the perfect Swedish countryside. Merry, her husband Sam and their baby boy have left the race race behind to live in the rural Swedish countryside. With a fridge full of homemade baby food, natural lakes to swim in and lovely friends round the corner, Sam and Merry have it all. But the cracks are there and the arrival of Frank, Merry's best friend sets in motion a series of events that will change all their lives forever.

I loved Sacks' writing style, the slow dreamy prose, the soothing start to the novel with the just the odd implication - throw away remark or description that makes the reader aware that something isn't quite right. Sam and Merry's relationship is fraught with tiny rifts - is he being unfaithful? Why did he leave his job? And Merry, for all her book-perfect mothering - why does she leave her baby to cry? What happened when he fell off the bed? What does she do with him on her long runs?

*but* I felt with the event that happens, the novel lost it's way a bit, despite the beautiful writing and excellent handling of multiple POV. The complexities of their relationships, the creepy history alluded to between Sam and his mum and Frank and Merry and their mothers - I wanted to know more, to go richer and deeper.

So I did enjoy this book but was left a little disappointed. I'd definitely read something else by this author though,.

Hard to rate this book. I couldn't connect with anyone and everything felt just horrible. The only thing that I liked about this book were the setting. Sweden made for a beautiful scenery and the description of the lakes and nature was really good.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and HQ!

I give this book 5 Stars but I find it impossible to say I enjoyed it!!

A brilliantly written debut novel - yes. Very cleverly plotted - yes. Told from three points of view - Sam, Merry and Frank. But oh so dark and chilling. I was mesmerised and horrified in equal measures. Domestic noir at its best (worst?), Be prepared to be shocked.

Many thanks to Netgalley/Michelle Sacks/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A slow starter but I just had to keep reading, had to know what was really going on under the facade of a perfect life.

From lightness to dark....an upclose look of three lives so intertwined as to be heady and glorius in the worst way imaginable. Written in the first person....by three people the story comes alive even if the reader does not wish it to be so....and then can't wait for the next turning point in the story to be revealed. A daring portrait.....a sad conclusion...a wonderful book.