This is a fast-paced enjoyable novel which centers around revenge. There isn't a huge amount of the 'unknown' in this novel (although some circumstances from the past do come back into question, which did add a good dose of mystery to the story)  because you know how Imogen, Naomi and Ruby are involved; it's more a case of following them as they try to work out the best way to deal with the tricky situation they've ended up in.

The characters in this novel really provoked some strong reactions in me. I empathised with Imogen and really warmed to her, and definitely became more fond of certain other characters. Philip, however, is another matter... such an awful, horrible person. I think you need to feel this way about him, though, to understand why Imogen does what she does.

There are some parts which feel perhaps a little too crazy, and at some points I did question whether anyone like Imogen would really do 'that', but I enjoyed reading Sticks and Stones; it's a great debut novel and, in many ways, focuses as much on friendship and loyalty as the actual actions these women take against this horrible man, and I liked that. Instead of all-out-action, the plot highlights what desperation can do to someone, and how, as a shared feeling, it can unite even the most unlikeliest of allies.

Imogen is still reeling after the death of her husband when we meet her at his funeral. However it quickly becomes apparent that all may not be as it seems. Imogen and Phillip are going through a rather messy divorce, and Imogen is Mrs. Rochester in name only; the two having been separated for some time.

Phillip Rochester's first ex-wife Ruby and his girlfriend Naomi are also present, at his funeral, none of the three women are particularly upset by the departure of Phillip, more shell shocked if anything at his sudden death.

Phillip Rochester was a well respected Policeman, concerned only with his reputation, as he was a very different man in the force to the man he was at home. All three of the women in his life, saw the different side to Phillip to some extent but Imogen and Naomi bore the worst of his behaviour.

For Imogen, it was one of the drivers behind her divorce, the other finding out about Naomi, and realising finally that another woman was more than welcome to him, if she wanted him. Following the funeral, we are taken back in time to the days and months leading up to the funeral.

I can’t say much more without giving anything away, so I’ll just say that Sticks and Stones is a rather dark, but brilliant debut and I look forward to the author's next novel!

I really enjoyed this one, there was plenty to keep me entertaining and gripped as the plot developed and the story unravelled.

I loved the characters in the book, they were strong, well developed and I loved their interaction – it was very well written and for me that added an extra depth to the story. The whole story was great, it had twists and turns and a few surprises too!

I understand that this is the author’s debut – it was wickedly dark and captivating and believe me when I say that it is an excellent debut and I will definitely be looking out for more from Jo!!

4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads – I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!!

Some people are just too damaged and there is no rescuing them, however much the heart bleeds for them

Three ladies at different parts of town in different age groups in a different lifestyle have only one thing in common —THE MAN

The man who manipulates them, who undermines their confidence, who can create an aura of pathos in such a way that he is believed to his last lie, a man who can physically and mentally abuse and yet they seem to want to give him one last chance.

One has to admit the man is like the cat with nine lives who lands always on his feet, and in most of the book these ladies seem to be like the waves, drawn to the man yet repulsed by his actions. The author Jo Jakeman has etched out Philip's character in such a way that there are needles beneath the skin waiting insidiously, drawing blood silently all the while when Philip manipulates the three women.

Initially imprisoned by Imogen in the cellar till he agreed to her demands, it is the first wife Ruby, whose bleeding heart caused the others Imogen and Naomi to release him. That was like releasing an injured tiger, and there was no stopping him.

His acts of revenge showed me the kind of man he was and the women's actions showed me the kind of hold he had. It is only at the end, that these ladies find their strength and their way out!! Seeing them leave made me realize he had no hold on them, and how fear can play the trick!!

Narrated from Imogen's viewpoint, a glimpse into the past if you will, the story takes its twists and turns to reach the expected climax. A brilliant way to spend a cozy lazy morning!!

"I expected to feel free, unburdened, but when the curtains close around Phillip Rochester's satin-lined coffin, all I feel is indigestion."

The opening lines of Sticks and Stones grabbed me – and I was enthralled until the very last page!

Phillip Rochester was a policeman; his reputation was everything to him. But he had more than just the guns he carried for weapons – his words and the menace they carried; and his fists. And his ex-wife, his wife and his new girlfriend had all felt the lashings of his tongue, and the might of his strength. He was evil – but only showed it at certain times. Phillip came across as a genuine, compassionate and caring guy – when he wanted it to show…

Imogen – Phillip’s wife, currently trying to obtain a divorce – wanted nothing more to do with him. She and their six-year-old son Alistair were better off without him, but the problem was they would always be connected because of Alistair. Ruby was the ex-wife and Naomi his new girlfriend whom he supposedly wanted to marry. Because Phillip was a well-respected cop, Imogen wasn’t believed when she reported him – he glossed over it and it was pushed under the rug. Then she was punished…

Revenge – it was sweet wasn’t it?

What a brilliant debut! I didn’t realise it was author Jo Jakeman’s debut novel until the end in the acknowledgements – it was that good! Domestic violence is horrendous in all its forms – and it is well and truly alive in Sticks and Stones. Jakeman has done a great job with the settings, the emotion, the evil, the terror, the blame (now look what you made me do!); my heart was pounding, and I couldn’t put the book down. But for all that it’s not hard to read – Sticks and Stones is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.

Ooh I do love a good revenge story and Sticks And Stones is definitely that and much more.

The ex husband is a nasty piece of work and well deserving of everything that happens to him in the book. His demanding, manipulative, controlling behaviour is quite hard to read about at times and made for some quite hard reading. It’s was amazing and chilling to me how he was able to hide his violent behaviour from other people who thought he was a lovely man. It really makes you wonder.

The story started off slightly slow for me but soon picks up pace as things take a surprising turn and then things get murkier and murkier. Through a series of flashbacks the reader becomes aware of exactly the sort of man Phil is, how manipulative he’s been and how much the women have suffered at his hands. The story slowly unravels to reveal lots of quite emotional incidences in the women’s lives and lots of secrets and lies in Phil’s as we discover exactly what is going on. I thought this was brilliantly done with the slow reveal ensuring I was unable to read fast enough as I hung onto every word, devouring the pages.

The relationship that develops between the women was quite touching to witness and I liked how they all came together to defeat a common enemy. I felt like I was along for the ride with them, feeling their fear and enjoying their elation as they continued to gain power over Phil. I seriously couldn’t have guessed how it was going to end as it was such a brilliant, wild ride but I felt it ended very satisfyingly.

This is Jo Jakeman’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her. If you like psychological revenge thrillers then you’ll love this one, though if you do read it on that beach ensure you apply lots of sun cream first as you’ll definitely be gripped.

Huge thanks to Mia at Harvill Secker publishers for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour.

This was a great debut novel by Jo Jakeman. The story begins with the funeral of Philip and attending in the congregation is his first wife, his second wife and his current girlfriend. A start that makes you wonder what on earth is going on. From then the story back tracks, weaving a superb story covering what haD gone on beforehand. Jo has addresed the subject of abusive men and very delicately wrote this twisted psychological thriller around it. An excellent read with a macrame element but also many comical events that bring a light hearted approach to such a topic.

How far would you go for revenge on your ex? Imogen's husband is a bad man. And now he's given her an ultimatum: get out of the family home in the next fortnight or I will fight you for custody of our son.

This book starts with the funeral of Philip Rochester, a policeman who was not a very nice person. Present at his funeral are three women who all have something in common, they have all been abused by Philip Rochester. Ruby is his ex-wife, Imogen is estranged from him and Naomi is his current girlfriend. Then the story goes back in time to explain what happened before Philip died.

*warning* This book night upset some readers as the secnes of abuse are quite violent. Even though I knew Philip Rochester had died, I found myself caught up quickly in this storyline, rooting for the women. This is a well written, page turning, tense, gripping, edge of your seat read. A great debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author in future.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Vintage Publishing and the author Jo Jakeman for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A decent debut novel from Jo Jakeman. Not the best thriller I've read this year but there's so many of these types of books about at the moment competition is tough. The writing was good but didn't have me on the edge of my seat!

Thank you NetGalley.

I did enjoy Sticks and Stones by Jo Jakeman. It tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence and ultimately a woman seeking revenge on her ex husband. It’s well written and the story flows at a steady pace.

It’s billed as a deliciously twisting psychological thriller and did live up to some of the hype however a few parts I found a tad far fetched.
I can’t name them as I don’t want to give anything away.

On the whole a good book that I would rate 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and the author for the chance to review.

The following is a review as posted on Goodreads. Thank you very much for my copy.

Sticks and Stones is an engaging debut from the pen of Jo Jakeman. Billed as a psychological thriller it begins with the funeral of Philip Rochester, a police officer with a nasty streak. Rochester has two ex wives and a current partner who eventually come together to fight a common cause. The storyline more than touches on domestic violence and is predominantly told by ex wife, Imogen, who is trying to forge a life for herself and her son, Alastair.

But Rochester is having none of it and is portrayed as a self centred nasty piece of work who will do pretty much anything to ensure he gets what he wants. It's a emotional rollercoaster of a read which picks up speed as the book goes on. Yes, occasionally it felt a little over the top with some questionable decision making but overall it's a very readable tale that had me hooked throughout the latter half.

Sticks and Stones is a terrific debut and more than fulfils its 'psychological thriller' billing. Recommended.

The book opens at Philip’s funeral – Imogen, Naomi and Ruby are all there. Two ex-wives and the current girlfriend. Tears are shed but for who and why?

Imogen takes us through the days before the funeral and we learn that all was not what it seemed in Philip’s world – a police officer, a father, a husband, ex husband and partner. Imogen see’s him as he really is – an abuser who needs to control, who craves admiration and attention. They are going through a torturous divorce, Philip wants everything his own way and he’s a master manipulator.

Imogen goes to see Philip to move the divorce along but he’s not home, Naomi’s there and Imogen realises all is not well with this new relationship. Then she bumps into Naomi again at the hospital and see’s how bad things have become.

Philip turns up at Imogen’s laying down the law, threatening until Imogen breaks and locks him up in the ‘cinema room’ – the cellar…

Jo Jakeman has written a terrific book which is well paced and almost borders, at times, on dark humour but this is too serious a subject for that. There is some difficult reading, it’s tense and moving. She writes it so well you cannot but become engrossed – to read about what Imogen does, what Philip does, what Naomi does and whether Ruby will ever see the truth. You will want to know because the characters are drawn so well and engage you throughout the book. You will be hooked and the final chapters…..

A really good book which addresses abuse in the home, physical and mental, and the long term effect that it can have even when the marriage breaks up, even when he has moved in with someone else, even when you’re supposed to be free in a distinctive, compelling and, dare I say, rather satisfying way.

With thanks to Harvill Secker via NetGalley for an eARC in return for an honest opinion.

Rating: 4*

I wasn't too sure about this book when I started reading. However it picked up the pace and became non stop action. We start at the funeral of Philip and then we go into the past. The story goes on a countdown to that day. Our three main character's are Immie who is Philips wife. Naomi who is Philips girlfriend. Ruby who is Philips ex-wife. They are all involved in Philips death! How? Read on!

What a fabulous debut book ! This is a psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat .It is about domestic violence but is so well told that it isn't uncomfortable to read.The story starts with the Funeral of Philip Rochester a nasty piece of work and goes back in time telling the story of how he ended up dead ! This is a fast paced emotional roller coaster of a story and the main characters Imogen .Naomi and Ruby are very well drawn and believable .I loved the ending it made me laugh ! Altogether a cracking good read .
Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in return for and honest review .

Dealing with the serious issue of domestic abuse, this well-written and well-structured debut psychological thriller is both heart-breaking and at times funny. The story begins with a flash-forward of Imogen’s not quite ex-husband’s funeral, so right from the start you know how this sorry excuse of a man ends up. Also present at the funeral are Ruby (Phillip’s first wife), and Naomi (his girlfriend) who are also main characters. The author does a brilliant job of portraying Phillip as abusive and controlling, which makes you want to read on and find out how he meets his maker all the more.

The narrative then flashes back in time to the days (and for certain scenes, years) to reveal Phillips treatment of the three women, and how they exact their revenge. When Imogen acts on impulse and locks him in the cellar you can’t help but cheer her on. Imogen has been characterised as having quite a dry wit. When Phillip is in the cellar she asks if he would like a drink. He asks for tea, so she makes him coffee. And then she makes him marmite on toast: ‘Is that Marmite?’ he asked…. ‘Yep’…’I hate Marmite.’…’Do you? I must’ve forgotten.’ Phillip has controlled Imogen for years, now the tables are turned.

The story is also about women who were once rivals, standing together. However, true to its genre, the plot is full of red herrings and half-truths and you’re never quite sure if the women are as honest as they make out.

At first, I assumed Phillip would be killed off in the cellar but Imogen isn’t the only one he’s lied to and before long something else crops up that might be what kills him. I don’t want to spoil things by saying by how he finally dies, but let’s just say he gets his just deserts, and the author has done a great job with this final twist.

Under Literature Love’s rating scheme, this book has been awarded four stars.

Four stars means I really enjoyed this book. This book is highly recommended. A well-structured narrative with three-dimensional characters (not necessarily likeable). Plot is intriguing with twisty hooks.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an Advance Review Copy of this book.

Oh my goodness, what a book! We start at the funeral of well renowned police officer Phillip Rochester; attended by his current girlfriend Naomi, his estranged wife Imogen, and his ex-wife Ruby. You know right from the start that there are dubious circumstances surrounding his death, and that there is something that binds the three women together. We then rewind to the days leading up to his death and follow the action there as it unfolds with each of the women's pasts with the man being told in flashback to flesh out what is happening in the main narrative. And its a very hard hitting and harrowing story. And sadly, one that is all too prevalent in this day and age. Phillip is a bully, an abuser, but also a cop, and a well respected one at that. One with friends who will believe him over a woman. Things are coming to a head in his life with him wanting to get Imogen out of his house and indeed his life, so he can make a go of it with Naomi. But a chance meeting without Phillip present has Imogen recognising things in Naomi that she remembers all to well from her own relationship with Phillip. Things take a very dark turn then as the women come together to take back the control in the only way they know how as they seek the revenge that is well overdue.
What follows next is one of the most tightly plotted, action packed stories I have read in a while. In Phillip, I have found the worst character, the most evil, I have read about in time. Even though the women crossed the line, it didn't really matter to me, as long as he got his comeuppance. Just when I thought he couldn't get any worse, the author hit me with yet another completely despicable and heinous act that simply took my breath away. Admittedly, there were a couple of things that I did have to suspend belief for but, you know what, I gladly did so as the rest of the book was so brilliant that I could easily forgive the author the odd indiscretion.
I experienced the full gamut of emotions whilst reading this book too. There was even a healthy dose of humour, mostly of the black variety, to be found throughout. This offered some well needed respite from the horrors being described, without which, the book would have been too dark and heavy. Instead, the author managed to keep it all very well balanced.
So, as I do when I find a new author, I go to check out their back catalogue. Well, blow me down. This is a debut book. Wow! I would never have thought that whilst reading it; everything about it was so mature and professionally done. So, without more books by the author to devour now, I will just have to be patient and wait to see what she serves up next time.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I liked the writing style and the odd glimpses of humour, it lifted what could have been a very dark read.The subject matter was indeed very dark,domestic abuse,not an easy subject to write about,let alone make interesting to read, but the author managed it.This still wasn't an easy book to read but I thought the story was well told and while it wasn't a page turner for me it was an ok read , I can't rave about it but I wouldn't want to put anyone else off from reading it either.thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.

Sticks and Stones tells the story of a woman in an abusive marriage who is seeking a divorce from her controlling husband. I enjoyed the short chapters that took the reader back to before the divorce and the way the 3 main women; wife, ex-wife and girlfriend, get together to exact their revenge.

What didn't work so well for me was the slow, repetitive pace of the writing. Also, it's marketed as a 'twisting psychological thriller' and I don't think that's accurate. It's more a tale of female revenge and for those of you who enjoy this genre, think you'll really like it. Overall though, not for me.

For me personally If there’s a book that’s guaranteed to make for an disquieting read it’s one that deals with domestic abuse and Stick And Stones tackles this uncomfortable subject head on. As this seems to be one of the most written about subjects in psychological thrillers, for me the book has to stand out for the right reasons and that doesn’t necessarily mean I need to read every minute detail of a violent relationship to get the picture. Thankfully the author doesn’t set out to shock, and although it’s clear what happened to Imogen during and after her marriage it never felt gratuitous

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Three women linked by one horrific man. A brute who terrorises women, his ex wife, his current wife and his current bit on the side he wants to marry. These three continue to be linked throughout a rollercoaster of a book!

Wow this was such an amazing read. I kept picking it up and putting it down before succumbing to hours devouring it! Definite book club material!