Well I certainly didn’t see that ending coming!
The Sting is an absolutely incredible tale, Tommy and Scratch grow up together in Maylands, a children’s home after traumatic events within their families. There friendship is intense, with an instant bond which soon develops into more than just friendship. When Tommy turns 16 it’s time for him to leave and make his own way in the world but promises he will return for Scratch on her 16th birthday.
Life has other ideas for the pair though, and they find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Neither has any idea of the devastating consequences ahead, and neither did I!!
All in all, this is another absolute belter by Kimberly Chambers. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to beat this!

The new, explosive, gritty read from one of my all time favourite authors. This book is one I have been looking forward to since I closed the pages on the last book this author wrote.

OMG.... Well worth the wait, but come on! Did I really expect anything other than perfection.
What an OH my GAWDDDD read.....
Loved it from the opening pages. I was fooled for a page or two as I thought this was going to be quite a tame read, It wasn't. It was what we have all come to know as ' typical Chambers'

Put your feet up, clear your diary and get ready for the ride of your life.

​Tommy Boyle didn't have the best start in life, losing his mother early in his life set a path for Tommy. A path in which he'd grow up having to make his own choices and take on the world.
When Tommy is forced to live in a children's home it's hard to see how life for a young boy can be. The troubles that a young life has to go through. Yet no matter what troubles Tommy seems to have friendships, yet can friendship hold the test of time?
This book is packed with some amazing characters, Tommy was certainly one of my favorite, a character that was not only likeable but also believable. His childhood girlfriend Scratch was another brilliant character, following their mixed up lives took me as a read on an emotional roller coaster.
What Danny Darling becomes friends with Tommy, neither of them know what their future is going to hold. If they'd had a glimpse of it, would they have lived their lives so differently.
It's such a brilliant book, but such a difficult book to write down your thoughts about. There is so much I could, and want to say but I can't risk spoiling anything for other readers, so this is where the waffle stops. BUY IT, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!
A first class page turner for sure, any KC fan will love this book.
Why did I keep expecting one of the Butlers to pop up somewhere. lol

Life is what you make of it

Another brilliant book from Kimberley Chambers. I like all her books but I think this is the best one to date. Likeable characters, particularly the lovable rogue Tommy and quite emotional in places. A gritty storyline that will hook you from the first page and you won’t want to put it down hence I read it in two sittings. Tommy has such a difficult life I just wanted to help make him feel better but things just seemed to go from bad to worse for him. I wasn’t expecting the ending which is a sign of a great book. I highly recommend this book and author.

Another brilliant read from Kimberley Chambers the characters in this book are so likeable you just want things to go right in their lives .............but that’s not likely to happen now is it?
The author is one of my favourites , but I think this is one of her best books yet, I read another review who said she is getting better with each book and I must agree.
From the start you are drawn in to family life and how circumstances can change beyond anyone’s control and turn kids worlds upside down changing the whole coarse of their lives. The characters are so nice and you really feel that you know them. A great read.

So worth the wait.
I Loved this book. A gripping story that will capture you from the very first chapter.

What I love about this story is the author lets you live your characters’ lives, and find out what made them the people they are, before launching into the present day story.

Set in the seventies and eighties, Tommy and Scratch’s lives are full of tragedy, finding each other is the only light in their dark, young lives. Then events take over and instead of them against the world, they find they’re pitted against each other.

The characters are believable but not always likeable. The motivation for their actions is always clear. This story does highlight the horror of child abuse, which is never an easy subject to read, but it is dealt with sensitively. The abuse the two main characters suffer is integral to their future character development and initially defines the adults they become.

‘The Sting’ is cleverly written, with a unique mix of poignancy and violence. Tommy is an anti-hero and a victim of abuse. The story doesn’t end well, it couldn’t with such a believable plot, but there is hope for some and a lovely twist at the end.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Fiction- Harper Collins UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Another fantastic read from one of my favourite authors. I'm a huge fan of Kimberley's books and I was eagerly anticipating this latest release – The Sting.
I was hooked from the start and quickly drawn in to the story, I raced through it as I was always desperate to reach the next chapter.
The characters and settings are so well written that everything just seemed to come to life and jump right out of the pages. The Sting is a gritty captivating story full of tension and a brilliant plot line which will draw you in and keep you hooked until the end. Highly recommended to fans old and new!

Loyal fans of Kimberley Chambers will be delighted by The Sting, and I really hope that new readers are tempted to pick up this gripping book too.

Brilliant! Brilliant and Just Bloody Brilliant The Sting was by Kimberley Chambers. This author just gets better and better and this is her best book so far. From the very first page till the last page I was hooked and ended up starting this book just before I went to bed and ended up staying up all night reading it! So glad I didn't need to go to work today.

Set in the nostalgic 1970 and 1980's it reminded me of my childhood and growing up in this time.
Best friends Tommy Boyle and Scratch always had each other’s backs. Dragged up in care, and cruelly betrayed by everyone they trusted, they made a pact to fight their way out of the gutter – together. I loved the main characters Tommy and Scratch were just brilliant
The ending to this book was superb and I was in shock and shout OMG!!! out loud!

Excellent read throughout.

I would Highly recommend Kimberley Chambers books. She is one of the Best authors out there and so down to earth.

Massive 5 stars for this wonderful book and looking forward to her next one.

Big Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

PS Kimberley Chambers - I would love you to write a book about your life.

Tommy Boyle loves his life, it’s Christmas Eve his mother Valerie always tried to make the occasion special for her children Hazel the eldest, then Tommy and Linda was the youngest, even better dad Alexander was coming home from the oil rigs to celebrate with them for ten days. Thankfully Alexander wasn’t home often sometimes with a drink on him he could be a bit messed up.
This is when disaster strikes in an instant the family are torn apart, the children are split and sent to different family members. Tommy is sent to live with his mums brother Ian and his wife. He hated living there he missed his family and his aunt and uncle were weirdos. The only good thing about living there was he met and became best friends with Danny Darling. Danny was the brother he’d never had and his family made him feel so welcome Tommy spent a lot of time around their home.
It was on 17 March, his thirteenth birthday, that Tommy was told by a magistrate he would be sent to live at a children’s home in Dagenham. It was here he met Scratch having been betrayed by everyone they had trusted, they made a pact to always have each other’s backs.
On Tommy’s sixteenth Birthday he leaves the Children’s home promising to keep in touch and meet Scratch on her sixteenth birthday and face the future together. So what will the future hold for Tommy and Scratch will it be a happy ever after or will circumstances change the course of their lives?
I love all Kimberley Chambers books but The Sting is different unique is grabs you from first page and doesn’t let you go. It has number one written all over it. Brilliant book definitely recommend.

I have read all of Kimberley Chambers books and was looking forward to reading this one, and once again it doesn’t disappoint.

Tommy Boyle life was happy until his mum died when he was 12. He is separated from his family and eventually ends up in a care home where he makes friends with Scratch, an unhappy teenage girl with whom he has a lot in common. On leaving the home, Tommy promises Scratch he will be waiting for her when it is her turn to leave but he doesn’t keep his promise leaving her devastated.

Danny Darling belongs to the notorious Darling family from South London. Danny and Tommy become friends and Tommy is welcomed into their family. Tommy hopes his life will now take a turn for the better, but when he discovers he has been lied to the consequences are far reaching.

The story is set in the 1970/80’s and is told from Tommy’s point of view, it is the heartbreaking story of a boy who has lost everything and the up and downs of his young life. It is a gritty fast paced read with an ending I didn’t see coming. A five star read which I would recommend.

Oh my word where do I even start reviewing this book. It wasn’t just brilliant it was amaze balls brilliant . I’m a massive fan of Kimberley Chambers books but I think this is her best yet . From page one to the final page this book had me glued to every page . A massive massive 5 star read for me .

I have read all of Kimberley Chambers books and have loved each and every one of them. This one is no exception! The Sting is the story of Tommy Boyle and how his life is torn apart at a young age by the death of his mother. Tommy is sent to live with an abusive uncle before ending up at a children's home. Tommy has made some good friends at the childrens home - especially Scratch who he becomes romantically involved with. Upon leaving the home he goes to live with his best friend Danny and the notorious Darling Family where he is taken under their wing and introduced into a life of crime soon becoming a force to be reckoned with.

We see how this life has an impact on Tommy and the consequences of Scratch coming into his life again, the girl he became involved with at the children's home.

The book is set in the 70's and 80's and I loved the references to the music and old tv shows as it brought back lots of childhood memories. I particularly enjoyed Tommy's narrative in parts of the book as he was telling his story. Tommy is a very likeable character and you find yourself rooting for him throughout. I can highly recommend this book. Once you start reading it you won't want to stop. Another great read from Kimberley Chambers.

Excellent work once again !!
This book grips you from the very start and you just can't put it down
The story is one of the best yet , following tommy and his journey with his friends and enemies , loved it
I honestly would highly recommend this book
Well written , real page turner , be prepared to be engrossed

this author never disappoints her readers a brilliant read but I think this is the most emotional book Kimberley chambers has ever wrote this story is gritty emotional a lovable roughe named Tommy who had an awfull life who trys to make somthing of himself and his story is so sad and i love scratch not going to say no more a blinder of a book so recommended

Tommy lives with his mum and his two sisters Linda and Hazel. His dad works on an oil rig and is away for long periods of time. When tragedy strikes and their mum dies in a car crash, the family are torn apart. Tommy goes into a children’s home where he meets Dumbo, Smithy, Benny and Skinhead Girl Scratch they become best of friends. But, there are always getting into scrapes. So to get himself out of trouble, Tommy starts to go boxing where her meets Danny Darling and his family and he is introduced into the criminal underworld. His life changes dramatically and leaves his friends at the children’s world behind.
Years later, Tommy has doubts with the future being with the Darling family after certain events. When a chance meeting with Scratch he starts confessing all, only he doesn’t know that Scratch is an undercover copper and is part of Operation Sting to take him and the Darlings down.
I loved this book from the very first page. It was so engaging that I didn’t want to put it down. Told mostly by Tommy’s point of view we learn about his life in the Children’s home and the abuse and the dealing with the Darlings. All he wanted in life was to fit in somewhere in life and be loved. In some ways, your kind of felt sorry for him in what he went through. I also like the time setting of story and the mentioning of music in the story, especially the Bay City Rollers. It brought memories to me of when I was a child. This is another 5 star read from Kimberley Chambers. She doesn’t disappoint. I highly recommend
Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Wow loved this new novel from Kimberly chambers finished it in two sittings.
Was really nice to meet some new characters really liked Tommy and scratch and their stories and a great twist at the end.

Tommy Boyle lives with his Mum and two Sisters. His Dad is around when on leave from the oil rig, but these times are not enjoyable for any of the family. Following a tragic accident, the family are torn apart and Tommy eventually arrives at a children’s home where he meets Scratch, a girl with whom he has very much in common. When Tommy later meets Danny he is taken under the wing of the whole Darling family and is drawn into their world. Eventually the family’s way of life has a hugely destructive impact on Tommy and the return of Scratch into his life has devastating consequences.
This story has a different feel to it compared to Kimberley’s previous books. Tommy’s narrative at certain points adds to its’ charm. Kimberley Chambers is most definitely my ‘go to author’, if her name is on it, then you know it’s going to be brilliant. This book is no exception to that rule. I thoroughly loved it, it hooked me in from the first page and I didn’t stop until the final page, where the superb ending had me sat in shock and has left me with a severe book hangover.

I was totally captivated while reading The String, I straight t away fell in love with Tommy,

Tommy has had such a difficult life he lived with his abusive father, his mother died when he was young, then had a grow up in a care home, without giving too much away, Tommy life is turned upside down, I loved every single minute of this book, Kimberley is such a hughly talented author, her book never ever fail to disappoint. I highly recommend this book.

Tommy Boyle met Scratch when they were in the care home called Maylands together. They made a pact, to fight their way out of the gutter - together. But when they leave the home, Tommy and Scratch's paths have went their separate ways. Tommy has joined the notorious Darling family for a life of crime. Scratch, now known as Kim, has reinvented herself and is now a policewoman. She is part of Operation Sting, a police operation set up to rip the heart out of the Darlings. But will she let Tommy mess with her heartstrings again?

The book is set in the 1970/80's and is mostly told from Tommy's perspective. He's quite a vunerable character who you can't he
P but like and feel sorry for. Quite a lot of bad things have happened to Tommy. When Scratch arrived at the care home her life experiences were similar to Tommy's and a very close friendship develops. But things don't work out the way the youngsters promised and that's what makes this an excellent read. It's written in a different style/format to the authors usual genre., and I really liked it, it made a nice change. This book has now jumped to my favourite standalone by Kimberley Chambers, and I highly recommend this book. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Kimberley Chambers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Plus Gritty Stars

Tommy Boyle, was on the way up in the world. So sit back and enjoy the ride
Tommy Boyle is a kid thats had it hard. Brought up in a care home for most of his teenage years, he dreams of becoming a boxer.
A chance encounter with a boy called Danny will change his life forever.

Life in a children’s home ain’t no bed of roses let me tell you, but thankfully I managed to settle in fairly quickly. The staff were OK, so were most of the lads, and I bonded with three in particular. Benny, Dumbo and Smiffy

He starts a friendship with a girl called Scratch herself being let down by her family.

The Darlings love Tommy like their own and now he's part of their family.
Unfortunately for Tommy being part of this family will have consequences.
Scratch alias Kim has a new life now. Career, boyfriend and family.
Meeting up again with Tommy could have consequences.


My thoughts
The story is told mainly from Tommy's perspective. I loved Tommy his vulnerability at times hits you.
Set in the nostalgic 70s and 80s and full of colourful younger characters its another outstanding hard hitting book.
She is the Queen of gritty London thrillers and this one has still got me thinking about it a day later.
Fans of Kimberley Chambers books will not be disappointed.