A spine chilling domestic set psychological thriller. Like the previous novel ‘Her Name was Rose’, the plot is believable and therefore menacing. The plot has many twists and you understand how Eli cannot trust anyone in her life.

Told from three points of view, there is a sense of dramatic irony, as you as the reader know more than the main protagonist. However can you believe what you read, or are you being misled?

Addictive, Authentic and Audacious and worth reading.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If you want an intense page turner, then look no further. I could not leave this book down. It's completely addictive...
We meet Eliana, Eli for short. Eliana works at a hospice. She loves her job.
She is married to Martin and they have a baby on the way.
She should be at her happiest in life. But she's not.....
Along comes Louise in the story.
Louise is grieving the loss of her unborn babies and isn't in the right frame of mind.
What happens when a person wants what someone else has.....
Doesn't make for a happy ending does it?
And who is Louise, how does she know Eli and her husband Matthew?
I really enjoyed Claire's storyline, her characters I took to immediately and she had me guessing the whole way throughout the book..
Highly recommend you put it on your to be read pile....
Thank you so much to author Claire Allan and the lovely Sabah at Avon Books UK for my copy of this wonderful book.

I would like to thank Avon for asking me to review this book and organising the blog tour. I loved Her Name Was Rose so knew this was a must read.
Eli is pregnant and is not having the best of pregnancies when she starts to receive letters telling her her husband is cheating. Already vulnerable she turns to her mother. Louise is a mother who is grieving and she gets to tell her story alongside Eli. In a very clever way Eli and Louise's stories come together and it is thrilling and twisted. I could not stop reading this one.
Claire Allan writes with passion that creates a brilliant and thrilling read with twists and great understanding of her characters thoughts and emotions.
Apple of my Eye is Amazing!

Eli is seven months pregnant and feeling very vulnerable. She has suffered with sickness all through her pregnancy, feeling full of self doubt and her relationship with Martin, her husband, has not been easy. To make things worse she starts receiving anonymous notes saying that Martin is cheating on her and not to trust him. As tension and jealousy builds, Eli becomes suspicious of everyone. She turns to her overpowering mother, Angela and goes to stay with her. The book is told from the point of view of Eli, Angela and the mysterious Louise who is suffering after the death of her baby. The author then brings the story together in a dark and siniister way. This book was a fabulous read, with brilliant characters, full of suspense and deceit and moves to a powerful climax. A riveting read, one I will remember for some time. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

If you liked Her Name Was Rose you’ll LOVE this. Best twists and turns and shock factor ending you will read this year!! No spoilers, go in this book without knowing anything. You’ll thank me later! Top read of 2019 so far!

The twists and turns in the novel kept me hooked as Eli is taunted by anonymous notes which lead her to question every relationship. The real threat is slowly revealed towards the end. Gripping and enjoyable.

Oh my goodness another brilliant five-star read!
The whole way through I was trying to guess what the outcome would be. Who was Louise and who was sending Eliana the nasty notes!? I was like oh it could be them, that or this and I did guess correctly in the end with one of my options!
It was such a heartbreaking ending learning the truth, and my heart was racing toward the end as I was genuinely scared for Eliana. I can’t say she was the nicest protagonist to feel empathy for as she seemed so weak. However, my sister had Hyperemesis so I know how that can affect you to this extreme during pregnancy, so I forgave her this short falling and put it down solely to her being ill.
This was a superbly written true psychological thriller that kept you guessing the whole way through. Once again I have devoured a book in no time! This was the first of Claire Allan’s books that I have read, and I’m going to go and hit down ‘Her name was Rose’ now!

After reading and loving "Her Name Was Rose" I wondered whether I could love another Claire Allan book as much. I needn't have concerned myself, this one was every bit as good, every bit as intriguing and every bit as diabolical. Its a tense, gripping and addictive read with a few unexpected twists along the way. I do recommend this book.

I loved this second book by Claire Allan, even more than her first (which was excellent) It is an addictive page turner with well described, believable characters. It isn't until the end when all the questions are answered. A very satisfactory ending. Highly recommended. .
I cant wait for book number three from this talented author

a relationship is solid, would doubts crack that firm foundation?
Eliana should be happy. She's married to Martin, but he's just gone so often on business. And she's pregnant, but she just can't seem to feel a bond with her unborn baby. She's never had reason before to doubt Martin's love for her until the notes start arriving. Notes, that indicate that when Martin is sometimes away on business, he isn't alone. Notes that indicate that she can't trust people she's close to. As more messages come, Eliana feels her happiness slipping away and doubts creep in, chipping away piece by piece at her relationship with Martin. Little by little, she feels her life shifting; she's so tired and she isn't feeling well. She can't focus on her relationship or on work. She suspects everyone is lying to her and she can't find solace in the prospect of being a new mom. She turns to the person who has always been there for her and lets her mother Angela, the only person she feels she can trust now, take care of her.
For me, I don't know how many times I said"just one more chapter and I'll get ready" or "just one chapter and I'll go to bed". Except I couldn't. Like an onion peeling away layers and we were given little hints with little clues gradually revealed. My mind was frantically darting here and there trying to figure it all out and guess where it was all going. Was the person I suspected to be evil really that way or is it someone else entirely? Are the characters as they seem? Who is wearing the mask? As more came to light, I did put the pieces together before the reveal, but this book was quite cleverly written with lots of elements of surprise.
This book is an interesting study of character and relationships. What is it that makes relationships work and what stresses and battles make them topple. Can a strong relationship withstand doubt and suspicion? What about people? How much can they withstand before they themselves start to crack a little? I couldn't help but feel empathy for all of the characters regardless of what they had done or who they were. We become who we are often because of what we have lived. Whether people are good or bad may depend on the hand they were dealt and it isn't always black and white.
I really enjoyed this psychological thriller; the genre that has become my favourite. With so many books like these out, it is getting harder to surprise me but this book took me in a direction I didn't originally expect. I found it to be a quick read and hard to put down. 4 1/2 stars for me.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book by sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Eliana is not having an easy time. She is seven months pregnant & has suffered from sickness throughout. She loves her job as a palliative care nurse and is good at it. Her husband Martin, is an architect.They have a good marriage & are both delighted about the arrival of their baby but Martin has had to work away a lot which Eli is finding hard at the moment. When nasty notes start arriving suggesting that her husband my not be what he seems she is glad her is nearby.

The story is told through three viewpoints; from Eli's, from someone called Louise and later from Eli's mother. As poor Eli's troubles increase the reader wonders what to believe. It certainly kept me turning the pages!

This was a five star read & I look forward to the next Claire Allen book. Thanks to Netgalley & the publishers for letting me read & review this book.

<b> Short Summary</b>
A suspenseful, twisty and well-written psychological thriller! The final twist is AMAZING!

<b>My thoughts</b>
This is the second book I’ve ready by this author and she’s one I recommend. She has a wonderful way of pulling you into her stories. I was on the edge of my seat—my mind spinning as I tried to guess the next twist.

The story is told by the POV of three very interesting characters:

Eli (Eliana)—Seven months into a pregnancy that’s draining the life out of her. Exhausted and constantly nauseated, she doesn’t feel bonded to the baby growing inside her.

Louise—She desperately wants a baby after several heart-wrenching miscarriages that have left her mentally unstable.

Angela—Eli’s mother. Eli is her only child and she will do anything to protect her.

<b>Likes</b>
I loved all the emotional turmoil that was thrown into this book and felt connected to Eli.

<b>Dislikes</b>
None!

<b>Recommend:</b> YES!!!

<b>My Rating: </b> 4.5 ⭐️’s

<b>Published:</b> January 24th 2019 by Avon
<b>Pages:</b> 400

<b>Excerpts/Phrases/Words I loved: </b>
<blockquote>”Every one of my friends was firing out babies like they were shelling peas. A baby in their belly, another on their hip and a tribe around their feet.”</blockquote>

Thank you to NetGalley / Avon Books UK / Claire Allan for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
#NetGalley #AppleOfMyEye

<b>Book Blurb
Just how far is a mother willing to go?

When a mysterious note arrives for seven months pregnant nurse Eliana Hughes, she begins to doubt every aspect of her life – from her mixed feelings about motherhood to her marriage to Martin, who has become distant in recent months.

As the person behind the note escalates their campaign to out Eli’s husband as a cheat, she finds herself unable to trust even her own instincts, and as pressure builds, she makes a mistake that jeopardises her entire future.

Elsewhere, someone is watching. Someone who desperately wants a baby to call their own and will go to any lengths to become a mother – and stay a mother…

Apple of My Eye by Claire Allan is a psychological thriller that delivers, and will keep you guessing until the end. I had high hopes for this book after reading numerous raves, and I was not at all disappointed. Wow!

This novel is told in three alternating first person narratives, those of Eli, Angela, and Louise. Eli's, however, is the narrative that dominates, and anchors, the story. Heavily pregnant with her first child, Eli is experiencing constant nausea and general malaise. While working her nursing shift at the local hospice, Eli receives a note, warning that her husband is being unfaithful. The notes continue over the next weeks, escalating in their accusations, and Eli's paranoia mounts. She even begins to suspect a friend from work of being involved with her husband, Martin. Eli calls on her mother, Angela, to help soothe her nerves, which only seems to exacerbate the problem. And who, in fact, is Louise, an ominous presence who observes all?

This is a gripping and suspenseful plot about mother/daughter relationships, marriage, and familial bonds. The ending is wholly satisfying, and I remained riveted from the first page. I would heartily recommend this to anyone looking for an addictive and compulsive read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this fabulous ARC.

Eliana is heavily pregnant with her first child, and working in a high pressure job as a nurse. When she receives a note out of the blue which suggests her husband has been unfaithful, life starts to feel a little out of her control - and it really starts to spiral from there.
This story has lots of twists and turns to keep the reader enraptured, and I didn't see the twist coming. Who can Eliana really trust? Excellent page turner.

Apple Of My Eye

One thing this book has taught me is that I can't read fast enough. The book was set at a great pace but I just wanted to devour it and find out what happened. I was so caught up in the story and the intensity of it all.

The story revolves around 3 main characters, Eliana who is 7 months pregnant with her first child, Eliana's mother Angela, and Louise who has been through many miscarriages and a devastating still birth that has left her unable to have children of her own.

Eliana is struggling to bond with her unborn child due to persistent morning sickness when she receives a note at work that infers her husband is cheating on her. More notes follow and Eliana's perfect life starts to crumble so she turns to her mother Angela for support.

Angela however has her own cross to bear and secrets to keep.

Meanwhile Louise is watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to have the baby she so desperately desires.

A riveting page turner, creepy at times with a great twist. This book had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Claire Allan has done it again!

This was a good book that grabbed my attention from page one. It had lots of twists & turns, thrills, and chills and was written in a way that made sure that I was able to engage and enjoy it!
I’m going to be recommending, using in a challenge, and buzzing it up in Chapter Chatter Pub!

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Told through the voices of three characters: pregnant hospice nurse Eliana Hughes, her doting mother Angela, and the stranger Louise, Apple of My Eye is a delicious tale of loss and motherly love.

Poor Louise who has lost a multitude of babies whilst pregnant is the one who seemingly threatens the happiness, but it was hard not to feel some heartache for her. To miscarry one baby is horrendous enough, and it’s easy to see why she became quite mentally unstable, especially considering she could no longer conceive and the breakdown of her marriage. To the extent that she is prepared to steal a baby to replace the one she lost so late in pregnancy; awful yes, but understandable.

Eliana then seems to have it all: a pregnancy, a job she loves working at a hospice, and a devoted husband and mother. She’s a very likeable character, obviously caring; and so the unravelling of her happy bubble is one that is sure to keep you hooked throughout.

It didn’t matter that I’d worked out the various strands by halfway through for it is really well written, and by this time I was invested in the characters and I wanted to know how events concluded, especially Louise’s marriage which is very much threatened by an unknown person. The relationships are developed and examined in a very interesting way, primarily the one that Louise shares with her mother Angela; the strength of a mother’s love and the consequences of sacrifices made. There are bound to be elements that we can all identify with and for me that’s what makes Apple of My Eye so engaging.

I won’t go any further into the plot for fear of spoiling it, but I do heartily recommend grabbing yourself a copy and snuggling down for a good read.

Apple of My Eye is out now.
I thank Avon Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book, in exchange for an HONEST review.

This book is 'impressive! I was enamoured the whole way through and found myself on the edge of my seat , page turning late into the night.

A tragic and sorrowful tale with a big twist. A mothers love and what she would do to keep her child close. A gripping story.

Apple of My Eye is the follow-up to 2018s Her Name Was Rose, which was a fabulously gripping experience, and it turns out that this is a pretty decent read. The characters are believable and relatable, and many of them are devious with much to hide. The big twist of the story was unfortunately obvious from very early on, so I would've liked a little more action and unpredictability. That said. It is well written, and I feel it will be enjoyable to those who haven't read a great deal within this genre, but for those who have, it'll be relatively easy to work out what is going on.

Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.