Well, they say you don't just marry your spouse, you marry their whole family... Boy, did that turn out poorly for Elliott Foster!

Elliott Foster has the perfect life.  The perfect job: teaching science to school districts in need, and making the big bucks doing it.  He has the perfect house: a large Victorian he has painstakingly restored.  All he needs is someone to share it with... Cue Gemma Robinson.  

Apparently Elliott's biological clock is ticking because he and Gemma are quickly caught up in a whirlwind romance that results in their marriage shortly after.  Or perhaps everything else he touched had turned to gold so he thought his marriage would follow suit?  Or perhaps he was just lonely and (slightly) desperate?  He really was a likeable character.  But clearly, Elliott forgot about the aforementioned caution about in-laws.  Soon after their marriage, Gemma's parents come to stay... and stay... 

Poor Elliott.  It is amazing the degree to which these people destroy his life.  It was one of those things where you're in a game you can't win because your opponent doesn't play by the rules of common decency.  Similar in vein to Louise Clandish's books.  Which I also loved.  Anyways, it made for a great quick read.  Elliott was a great character (I pictured him as Neil Patrick Harris for some reason...). I felt infinitely sorry for him and I felt infinite disgust and dismay at his situation.  I loved the ending, which I maybe should have seen coming, but I found it very satisfying! 

4 holy-schmoly-these-people-are-nuts stars!

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!</i>

Mark Edwards has done it again, in my opinion this is his best book since The Magpies (A favourite of mine) 
I didn't think anything was going to compare, and then along came Here to Stay. 
Full of tension, and not your run of the mill ending. 
Mark Edwards isn't afraid to take risks with his writing and it shows.

Wow...never expected this book to be that good. This one is a thrill ride that I was happy to take. Reading this, makes you wonder how rude people have become. It was like watching a really good lifetime movie. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent psychological thriller! Talk about in-laws from hell, this poor guy has them. Emma and Elliot meet and it’s love almost immediately. After a two month whirlwind romance they marry and settle into Elliots beautiful large home. Enter Emma’s crazy family, and chaos ensues. The arrangement was for Emma’s parents and sister to stay with the newlyweds for a week or two while they checked out some rental properties in the area. What Elliot soon learns is the family’s plan doesn’t match up with his and they will do anything to stay. Well written, almost impossible to put down diabolical thriller. I have read Mr. Edwards books in the past and loved them and this one did not disappoint.

Guy meets girl, they fall in love, marry, and move into the guy’s beautiful home---the one he’s spent all of his time and money to refurbish.  Then the girl, now his wife, asks if her in-laws can come and visit…stay with them awhile.  But of course---they should come and since they are family, they should stay for however long they’d like.  But when they are finally settled in, the in-laws take the invitation a bit too far, with all sorts of awful repercussions to follow.  I flipped through the pages of this book like they were on fire, simply shocked at how awful some people can be (even though it’s fiction, I’m sure there are people like these in-laws out there!).  I loved everything about this book, except maybe for the very end – but I’m not going to that against it too much.  Still a great read, with lots of great suspense.

NOTE:  A special thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Gemma Robinson saves Elliot Foster’s life it was love at first sight for him . After two months of whirlwind romance they get married and settle down at Elliot’s newly renovated home. Shortly after Gemma’s parents along with her  younger sister, Chloe move in with them until they have a place of their own. He soon realizes that they have no intention of moving out and he might have to take extreme measures if he wants to save his marriage . 

 Mark Edwards has  written another gripping fast paced psychological thriller  with unexpected twists and turns and an explosive ending that makes it a highly entertaining read . Definitely recommend!

I would like to thank Thomas Mercer & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

Gemma Robinson comes into Elliot’s life like a whirlwind, and they marry and settle into his home. When she asks him if her parents can come to stay for a couple of weeks, he is keen to oblige – he just doesn’t quite know what he’s signing up for.
The Robinsons arrive with Gemma’s sister, Chloe, a mysterious young woman who refuses to speak or leave her room. Elliot starts to suspect that the Robinsons are hiding a dark secret. And then there are the scars on his wife’s body that she won’t talk about . . .
As Elliot’s in-laws become more comfortable in his home, encroaching on all aspects of his life, it becomes clear that they have no intention of moving out. To protect Gemma, and their marriage, Elliot delves into the Robinsons’ past. But is he prepared for the truth?
From the two million copy bestselling author comes a tale about the chilling consequences of welcoming strangers into your home.

What a rollercoaster of a ride I was just on reading this book.
So many twists and turns in this one and the suspense just keeps building.
Well written plot and story line that just keeps you gripped from the very start.
Characters are so well written and keep you guessing til the end.
This is one of the best yet from this author.
Highly recommend reading.

Thank you to Mark, Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Big thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing a copy of this e-book. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Great book, love Mark Edwards books never disappoint. Hated his in-laws and wanted to see them ousted..Could not put this book down .thats the reaso for 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of Here to Stay.

I found the first half of this book seemed to be repetitive to me.  About half way through things started to pick up.  It was an enjoyable read,  but I could see how it was going to end early on.

Elliot’s life was turned upside down when he met Gemma. A fun, bubbly person with whom he had a whirlwind romance and wedding. Now the in-laws want to come & stay – of course. How bad it be for a couple of weeks?

I have read a number of Mark Edwards books and, without fail, they have been well written, excellent psychological dramas. They have kept me on the edge of my seat & unable to put the book down. This book lived up to its predecessors and possibly even surpassed it. I got so tense reading this. Had it been a film I would have been on the edge of my seat. There were chapters which seemed to almost go in slow motion – you can see what is going to happen & it plays out in front of you whilst you are unable to stop it. To say I got involved with this book would be an understatement.

This is not a run of the mill book. It is unusual with a high degree of suspense. The plot is fantastic & the characters great. There are twists and turns all the way along, including the ending.

So, if you like an adrenaline rush whilst you read, sit back & enjoy the ride.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

OVERALL RATING:
7 out of 10

PLOT:
8 out of 10

CHARACTERIZATION:
7 out of 10

PRIMARY ELEMENT:
6 out of 10 for its thrill

WRITING STYLE:
7 out of 10

PART OF A SERIES: 
No.

HIGHLIGHTED TAKEAWAY:
Like with all other books by Mark Edwards, the highlighted takeaway is the end. There are very few writers who can conclude a thriller with a real surprise, but Edwards manages to do so consistently.

WHAT I LIKED:
The story doesn’t slow down for a single moment, in spite of being based on such a simple premise.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
Oddly enough, Elliot. Although his character was developed well and a lot of his behavior made sense because of that arc, he seems too submissive to be real. It made it a little hard to associate with him because I genuinely could not imagine any person being the way he was.

WHO SHOULD READ IT:
Anyone who enjoys thrillers. This is a different style of thriller, but definitely keeps the pages turning.

WHO SHOULD AVOID:
Anyone who does not enjoy psychological thrillers, or stories based on characters who are just plain sociopathic.

READ IT FOR:
An interesting and not-too-commonly-done take on the thriller genre. With so many thrillers out there, this one is a fresh (albeit slightly disturbing) read.

Here to Stay was published on 1st September 2019. If you haven’t tried Mark Edwards yet, this is as good a place to start as any.

So deliciously creepy.  An excellent example of how when you marry someone, you marry their whole family.  And when they start to take over your life and your home, what do you do?  Really interesting premise and a very good read.

Here to Stay by Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards has an amazing way of sucking me into his novels so quickly that I’ve devoured half of it in one evening. I became so invested in Elliot’s life, that I almost need therapy afterwards! 

Elliot is a self-made man, with a business promoting science within schools and a house he has worked on till it’s perfect. He loves his neat, well-ordered, existence. It’s just him and his cat Charlie, and he is friends with Amira his business partner and George his next door neighbour. Gemma comes into this quiet existence like a whirlwind and although Elliot doesn’t know much about her, he does know he loves her. They get married only eight weeks after meeting and although friends worry they have rushed into it, they are happy. Soon after, Gemma’s parents come back into her life. They have been living in France with Gemma’s sister Chloe and seem to be leaving in a hurry. Gemma says it will only be a couple of weeks till they find their own place. Elliot lets them stay, but they arrive with Chloe seemingly in a fever and immediately start treating the place as if it is their own. Lizzy is allergic to Charlie and Elliot suspects she has been locking the cat flap to stop him coming in. Jeff is loud and messy, leaving dishes everywhere and having the TV on too loud. But Elliot has been alone for a long time since the death of his parents so he does find it hard to share space and it’s only for two weeks isn’t it? 

Even though I’d expected some of what transpired, the book still kept me gripped. I hated Lizzy and Jeff with a passion that could only come from someone who’s lived alone for six years and now shares a bathroom with four people. It becomes claustrophobic as every ones of Elliot’s senses are invaded; the noise is intolerable, the smell of Lizzy smoking out of the window, the piles of mess everywhere and his constant worry about the welfare of his cat. I felt the panic and his feeling that his haven is being invaded and will never seem the same for him again. I suspected Gemma, her brother Stuart and even Chloe who seems stuck on her sickbed in a catatonic state. It’s clear from very early on that the mystery of why the family are here hinges on Chloe’s testimony, but so far she can’t or won’t speak.

Disturbed by the feeling of having someone in his house he’s still not met, Elliot tries to talk to Chloe. He is so worried about her physical state he asks his neighbour George if he would pop round and check on her. George is a retired GP and he manages to pop round at just the right moment to see Chloe. Unfortunately, they are discovered and while Jeff shouts and wakes the rest of the house, Elliot notices that Chloe whispers something to George. Elliot is still unsure about exactly what is wrong in the family and wonders if he’s jumping at shadows, but there are tiny clues. Why does Gemma have scars across her stomach that she never talks about but touches every time she’s nervous? Why does no one talk about their life in France and why did Chloe’s parents follow her out there? One evening the four of them go out for a meal and Gemma chokes slightly, but cowers as her father gets up to help her. Little does Elliot know that when they return, he will make a discovery that changes everything. 

There were moments of this book when I found myself livid about Gemma’s parents. Every time Elliot thinks of something that will get rid of them I felt so relieved, then so frustrated when he realises it won’t work. It’s as if what Gemma says is true - in her parent’s world everything is upside down and the normal rules don’t apply. They are like whirlwinds and everything that gets sucked in is destroyed. I won’t write more for fear of ruining all the twists and turns to come. This is a book where you have to know the ending and you’ll keep reading till 3am to find out. I believed in the characters, even when their behaviour was completely unbelievable. Be prepared to shake with rage as these cuckoos carry out their awful plan and Elliot desperately tries to find a way out.

What a brilliant book. Gripping from the start, and totally believable, which made it all the more dark. Couldn't put it down, and would have read it much quicker was it not for work! This will stay with me for a while! 
Highly recommended!

I’ve read a lot by this author and always thoroughly enjoy his work.  This current offering is no exception.

Elliot meets the love of his life, Gemma, and after a near death experience decides to propose early on in their relationship.  Marriage appears blissful until Gemma invites her parents and sister to stay with them upon returning to England from years of living in France.  The arrangement is loosely made for a few weeks until alternative accommodation has been sought however, the in-laws don’t appear to have any intention of moving out and sinister events start to occur.

I could envisage this book being made into a film with Colin Firth playing Elliot!  Most definitely a book to read.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Mark Edwards books and this one really did not disappoint. 

Talk about gripping and edge of your seat psychological thriller. 

This book was devoured in one sitting, only moving to refill my coffee cup!

I absolutely loved it and have recommended to others already!

I have come to the conclusion after reading this book and The Magpies, that Mark Edwards is definitely one of the most underrated authors in fiction today. I read a lot of thrillers as they are my favorite genre of books and this one was my favorite of the year. My love for this book wasn't because of the twists (because I guessed most of them), but even with guessing them, I wanted to see how everything played out. This book was written extremely well, the words flowed quickly and the story progressed at a fast pace. The characters in this story were some of the most despicable that I have seen...it made me very thankful for the in-laws that I have. I've been hard-pressed to find an unputdownable book recently, but this one fit the bill...when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and talking about it to others and eagerly awaiting when I could pick it up again. I highly recommend this one!

I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a crazy ride this book was!  

Elliot marries Gemma only to have her parents move in with them. Talk about the in-laws from hell. The entire book, I loathed the parents and was disgusted with the things they did to make Elliot and Gemma's life miserable. It was a book that I couldn't put down. The twist at the end was fabulous...did not see that coming. This is my first read from Mark Edwards, but it definitely won't be my last!  Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy for an honest review.

Yikes! I found this a hugely uncomfortable read. It made me feel angry, disgusted and horribly uneasy. The writing is great, the plot gripping, there are loads of real shocks along the way and in typical Mark Edwards style, everything is not quite as it seems…
What an awful scenario. Elliot’s ghastly in-laws are absolutely shocking and it’s difficult to understand how they produced his wife, Gemma. What’s worse, they have moved in with them, into the childhood home Elliot so lovingly restored - and he can’t get rid of them. (I loved the irony of the street name!) I could barely read some of the scenes, so insensitive, crass, depraved and awful were they. And Gemma’s very odd sister, Chloe, was not much better, although in a totally different way. What on earth was wrong with her? 
This is a sinister, blood-curdling, unsettling book, peopled by a bunch of unlikeable characters. If you need to like the lead characters, this book is definitely not for you! In-laws Jeff and Lizzie are almost caricature-like in their awfulness. Gemma remains a bit of a mystery. I wanted to shake her for not dealing with her parents. Having started as a fun, strong, likeable character she turns into a useless, shrinking violet in their presence. Elliot isn’t much better. Far too nice and polite, he keeps on second-guessing himself. By the time he actually starts to try to get rid of the in-laws from hell they’re already wrecking his life and marriage.

Usual Mark Edwards fashion, this was great. It was fast paced, filled with unexpected twist. A real fun read.