Cover Image: The Temp

The Temp

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Member Reviews

Definitely a book that stays with you! Could not put it down!

Highly recommended if you enjoy suspense genre! Thank you for my review copy, which I received through Net Galley.

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I absolutely adored Michelle's first book, The Girlfriend so was looking forward to what she came up with next said. It certainly wasn't the book I anticipated and while I appreciated Michelle was potentially trying to steer clear of what might seem an obvious storyline for a book called 'The Temp,' I still think she missed the mark and that there was a lot of scope for something much better. Of all the characters, Emma was the only one I felt a fleeting connection to and there's no denying Michelle can write well. But unfortunately I like my thrillers full of twists and turns and this severely lacked anything remotely exciting, in fact, I'd go as far to say you can guess the one 'twist' it pretty quickly. A quick, easy read just not one that will be particularly memorable for me personally.

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This is one of those books where you are kept guessing all the way through. It’s rollercoaster of a read with ups and downs, full of twists you really don’t see coming!
Michelle Frances’ writing style keeps you turning the pages with ease and is definitely a “one more chapter” unputdownable read. The characters are well thought out and you really can feel for Carrie as she struggles to balance motherhood and work.
I don’t want to spoil the plot line by adding too much detail about the story, but if you like a book where you are totally engrossed in the plot and can feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up then this is definitely a must read book!

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Carrie and her husband Adrian are in the tv business and both have high flying careers. Carrie discovers she is pregnant and a very capable temp called Emma is employed to cover her maternity leave and work alongside Adrian. Emma seems to have an unhealthy interest in Adrian. Carrie feels uneasy and can't quite figure out whether Emma wants her husband or her job and she returns to work much earlier than planned! Now the story begins to unfold!

This book has a good plot and well developed characters. Adrian is not a very likeable character and I found myself rooting for Carrie all the way through the book. I loved how her bond with her son continued to develop and she starts to realise just what kind of a person Adrian is. As the story unfolds there are many twists and turns which will keep you guessing. The twist at the end was a little far fetched but did not detract from making this an interesting and enjoyable read.

All in all this is a well written, entertaining story which I can recommend if you like fast paced thrillers.

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

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Loved this authors previous book do had high hopes for this one. Was not disappointed! A well deserved 5 stars!

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I loved Michelle Frances’s debut, The Girlfriend, so was excited to read The Temp and it did not disappoint.
The Temp starts with Adrian, a screenwriter, winning a BAFTA, and later discovering his wife, Carrie, also the producer for the company Adrian works at, is pregnant. Carrie is 42-years old, a career woman. A baby had never been on the cards but now that she finds herself pregnant she realises this is her last chance to have a child. Her company hires a temp, and enter Emma. Emma is a 24-year old, determined to get her foot through the door...also a little obsessed with Adrian...
I won’t say anymore. Even though this started off with a typical ‘will the young thing ensnare the older woman’s man’ vibe, but I had to say I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this book went in, and did not see the twists and turns coming. This was to be gulped in one sitting read. I did find though that the twist revealed in the last 5% was one twist too many and I could’ve done without, however overall this was an addictive, and satisfying read. If you’re looking for an easy, summer read this is highly recommended as a fun, gripping thriller.

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Claire and her husband Adrian work in the cut throat world of television, where you can’t even have a morning off for a dentist appointment without the next up-and-coming talent breathing down your neck. When she finds herself pregnant, she’s reluctant to give up everything she’s worked for, and finds her replacement Emma overbearing and just not quite right. But what does Emma really want - her job or her husband? What happens next is an amazingly intriguing novel which will keep you guessing until the last page.

(Thanks to the publishers who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

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Carrie has it all, a great marriage and a great high flying job. Then she discovers she is pregnant, it wasn't planned and her husband is not happy. She decides to keep the baby regardless. Reluctantly her job will be covered by a temp in her absence who will as a result work side by side with her husband.

This is a well written fast paced intense thriller that I would recommend

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I was slightly disappointed in this book, although it was a enjoyable read, certain aspects of it seemed to be slightly far fetched, and the big twist towards the end i had worked out within the first couple of chapters. The books ending was a bit of a let down, and seemed to be uncharacterisic of the characters.

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I really enjoyed this book. The character of Adrian was so unlikable. The final twist was perhaps unnecessary and so farfetched it made me cringe, but otherwise a fast paced well written story

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‘The Temp’ by Michelle Frances published by Pan Macmillan on Sept 20th

Sooo if you like psychological thrillers and you see the title of ‘The Temp’ and wonder if this will be a ‘comfort food’ of thriller reading...you would be right....the plot, characters, sub and back plots are all there and the story pans out as you want it to and its a nice warm fuzzy feel when you settle to read it as you, well know what is coming, kinda.....there are surprises and the book does take a few unexpected turns and the ending has a ‘twist’, sorry but it does!!! ( I guessed it but not until about 2/3’s of the way through)
The book is based around TV and writers and producers and Emma the ‘temp’ who goes to cover for Carrie who is having a baby....Carrie works with her husband Adrian....Emma though has her own reasons, 2 main ones for wanting the temp position and to be near both Adrian and Carrie and this becomes apparent through the book......
Its a good, really good read and I enjoyed it and as I say a great comfort read if you love the genre and know exactly what you want from a psychological thriller
A worthy 8.5/10 and 4 stars

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Not the firs that i've read from this author and again perfect perfect perfect!
So many twists in this one making it a cant put down kinda read.
I hope others enjoy it as much as i did.




Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book.

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The blurb of this book was very promising but I also found it a bit misleading.

The main point of conflict in this book could have easily been resolved if people just talked to each other. Instead, they keep moaning about the other, letting everything go wrong.
The final conclusion of the story felt weak and unfulfilling. It ended on an Anticlimax for me, where I was more hoping for a story with a lot of intrigue and drama.
Not a bad read, but not fantastic either.

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