This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

A very well written novel with an interesting plot and great cast of characters. The book is in four parts which some people might not like but I liked it.

I would say this is worth a read but it didn't grip me as much as other books written by Michelle Frances.

The Temp is the first novel from Michelle Frances that I’ve read. I received an ARC from @panmacmillan via @netgalley. Mystery/thrillers are definitely out of my comfort zone however having said that I’m definitely intrigued by them. I’ve been trying to read more recently with the likes of ‘Blood Orange’ by Harriet Tyce and ‘The Night Swim’ by @megangoldinauthor. I’ve had this one on my TBR shelf for a while so I decided to pick it up.

The Temp is set in the British TV industry and focuses on three main characters - husband and wife producer/writer combo Carrie and Adrian and Emma the temp hired to cover Carrie’s maternity leave. The detail the author goes into around the production of the TV show was just enough to make me want to know more without being overly descriptive.

The book is split into four parts. Each having more of a focus on the character its named after. Carrie and Emma narrate the majority of the story. In the beginning I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. At first the signs of what I thought might happen were showing but it swiftly took a turn into the unexpected for me. There are a few reveals throughout that keep you hooked with one corker right at the end.

I am definitely looking forward to reading Michelle’s other titles including her latest release Sisters.

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A definite step-up from this author's first book, The Girlfriend. I didn't hate it , don't get me wrong, but The Temp was a twisty, compulsive read that was juicy from start to read. The story unravelled differently then what I had originally suspected... revealing an unpredictably sharp, and addictive read of betrayal, lies, ambition, and deception. The big reveal was enclosed a little earlier than expected, but this one was still a read that I thoroughly enjoyed!
Can't wait to read more from this author!

Michelle Frances follows up her debut release, The Girlfriend, with another mediocre psychological thriller that focuses more fully on the insidious and ultra competitive world of television. Despite striking a few overfamiliar notes and the usual descent into implausibility that mars much of the genre, this is an entertaining and undemanding look at a successful TV producer, Carrie Kennedy, her later life unexpected pregnancy at the age of forty-two and the whippersnapper stepping into her shoes as temporary maternity cover.

But before Carrie drops the bombshell pregnancy news on husband and script writer supremo, Adrian Hill, she is there to see him pick up a BAFTA for his work on smash hit TV sensation, Generation Rebel, and celebrate their commitment to working exclusively together by shackling Adrian’s screenwriting prowess with Carrie’s eye for production. Having made a decision early on in their relationship not to have children, Carrie is surprised to find herself warming to the idea but the timing couldn’t possibly be worse with her and Adrian’s careers in the ascendancy. Despite Adrian’s lack of enthusiasm Carrie decides to go ahead with the baby and at thirty-six-weeks pregnant she meets her new maternity replacement at Hawk Pictures, energetic and enthusiastic Emma, who seamlessly transitions into Carrie’s role.

But for Carrie, who for years has so been so integral in supporting and assisting Adrian and established a well-respected industry presence, the sudden loss of control is overwhelming. Feeling cut adrift from her career and passed over by Adrian, her experience suddenly seems to count for little and she galled to watch ambitious Emma almost immediately make herself indispensable to Adrian and Hawk Pictures’ MD, Liz. When Carrie gives birth and is forced to hand over the reins on the TV show under production it gives rise to her insecurities and suspicion that Emma is after not only her job but her husband. As Adrian neglects her and shows little interest in his newborn son, Rory, Carrie’s distrust of Emma, whose obsequiousness soon grates, multiplies and the shifty behaviour and sketchy excuses of husband, Adrian, do nothing to alleviate her worries as she sets out to establish the truth. And whilst Emma clearly has an agenda, does she really have her sights set on slippery Adrian and sleeping her way to the top? Carrie might be surprised and as crossed wires and a lack of head-on confrontation muddy the waters, she begins to wonder just who can she really trust? Is Emma the threat that Carrie perceives or might the problems be far more fundamental?

A shifting perspective, primarily moving between Carrie and Emma, allows the reader to empathise with both of their predicaments, from Carrie’s suspicion and insecurities to Emma’s misguided attempts to make her mark in the industry. Despite a slow start with Frances taking a while to set out her stall and get some meat on the bones of the story, it pays dividends and makes for an engrossing tale albeit with the necessary suspension of disbelief. At nearly 450 pages the story feels slightly overextended and the pity is that the novel tails off into the usual descent into psychological thriller incredibility leaving a web of unresolved questions. Despite Frances making some excellent points on a woman’s later life decision to have a child and the difficulty when one half of a solid partnership reverts on a long-standing decision to start a family, the narrative is not at all preachy. Although Michelle Frances bogs down her story with unnecessary complications, most notably with the inclusion of gossip monger producer, Elaine Marsh, and a rushed denouement where common sense gives way to silliness detracts, for the most part this is a solid novel.

Anyone who has read a Jane Fallon novel may well feel that Frances has borrowed heavily from her exploration of rivalry in the television industry. However, for all its faults, this is an reasonably entertaining, if not highly memorable psychological thriller. Suspense and surprises might be limited, but Michelle Frances deserves credit for broaching the issue of whether women can really have it all, although I doubt the final twist will contain much of a shock for regular readers of the genre.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC of this thrilling read. I am really sorry I'm only getting around to it now, because I've really lost out. The book had a Single White Female feel to it, but I didn't see the ending coming,and that was worth it!! Really entertaining and worth the effort. Recommended.

Omg this was such a good book it really keeps you turning the pages wondering where it’s going to

New mum Carrie is completely overwhelmed with life her husband Adrian is an utter moron

Enter Emma the temp to throw the who story into chaos

Loved it

Absolutely loved this novel.
Held my attention the whole way through the book , the plot was fantastic the suspense was immense .

A great thriller. Super entertaining with great twists. Less character development than I was expecting but a great read nonetheless.

Well I really enjoyed this book it had me hook, line and sinker as did her other book “The Girlfriend” i loved the ending and the book had lots of twists and turns in it to keep you guessing!

Emma is such a creep hahaha! Loved it, go read the book you won’t be disappointed!

This is a brilliant modern fiction story. I enjoyed it very much. Carrie is unexpectedly pregnant. She has a great job and loving husband but her life changes from the day she finds out she is due a baby.

This book gives insight into the life of a successful tv producer. This book tells the story of Carrie, who becomes unexpectedly pregnant, and her team to cover her whilst she is on maternity. It tells the story of the suspicions between Emma and Carrie.

I found this to be a slow burner and it was far too long. The story was stretched out over 450 pages and i lost interest.

But it has the makings of a great novel and i did enjoy it.

hank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I previously enjoyed The Girlfriend and so had high hopes for the follow-up book. I was not disappointed with Michelle Frances's latest offering. It certainly has a similar feel to the previous book but is also completely original too. There were aspects of the story which I felt were far-fetched or just a little too convenient, but all in all, it was a very enjoyable read.

Oh yes, yes please! This one was totally my cup of tea. A slow burn of a psychological thriller, one that had me turning the pages at a rapid rate. This author’s debut novel, The Girlfriend, was one of my favourite reads of 2018 and so when I heard that she had published another novel, I knew I had to get my hands on it. And she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. She writes books that I love to read – her novels are engaging, absorbing, full of very distinct characters, twists and turns abound, and they tend to be page turners.

I’ve heard some people say that they found this one a little slow, and yes, I can see how they would say that because it was fairly long and perhaps could have done with being about 50 pages shorter. But I didn’t find the read specifically slow, in fact I was quite gripped. The author took time in setting the scene, allowing the reader to understand and bond with the characters, and get to grips with the plot, but I wasn’t bored. In fact, this was a book that I couldn’t wait to get home and read every day. This novel is a psychological thriller and for those of you that are fans of this genre, you’ll understand that they take time to build, and it’s those building blocks that are often so intriguing. And that’s why this one gets 4 stars from me. I really enjoyed it.

After enjoying The Girlfriend I couldn’t wait to read The Temp, I was not disappointed, it is equally brilliant. Carrie and Adrian seem to have it all, then along comes Emma (the temp) to cover Carrie’s maternity leave, everything changes. Great ending, highly recommend.

This novel is an excellent exploration of the fear of being replaced when on maternity leave even with a perfect replacement - or perhaps because there's a perfect replacement. Twisty and tense.

What happens when you find yourself unexpectedly pregnant and you decide to keep it despite your partner’s lack of enthusiasm? Even worse when you work with him in the fickle world of TV. Emma is much younger and talented but always seems to be there, much to Carrie’s dismay. Very much a slow burner, with much too much about the seemingly shallow environment of TV scriptwriting/producing which I found dull. None of the characters, even the hard done by one, came out well in this book. I did enjoy the Broadstairs parts which were interesting. I did expect this story to have a few creepy undertones judging by the description. It was better when the pace picked up later on as the reader discovers the true mettle of the characters and why they behaved as they did.

Far fetched, slightly silly but a rollercoaster of a read that you know is bizarre but you have to devour. An easy read twist and turn of a book