The Lies We Hide is an intense, heart-breaking and cleverly observed story of the impact domestic violence has on a family. Carol is married to Ted and they have a son Graham and daughter Nicola. One night after a particularly awful near death attack, Carol gets up the courage to leave with the children and escapes to a women’s refuge. The family struggle on but Graham is deeply affected and his whole character changes and as he becomes a surly drug smoking adult Carol is terrified that he is becoming his father. The story unfolds both in the past and present through Carol, Nicky and Graham’s voices and with each voice the reader is immersed deeper and deeper into a family held together through secrets, lies and unconditional love.

This is yet another wonderful novel by this great author . Each book so incredibly well written and deeply moving to read .

A good read, which kept my attention throughout. I would recommend this as a good holiday reading book. Very enjoyable.

I will admit I was slightly apprehensive going into this asa change of genre for this author but WOW I was transfixed.
The Lies We Hide is a family drama involving domestic violence and what a person would do to keep their children safe, it makes for an emotional read.
Lots of twists and turns, excellent story.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my advance copy.

This one snuck through on my kindle and I forgot to read it until recently and I was hooked. Different style for this author who is one of my favourite authors and this was superb. Domestic violence and survival are the focus for Carol and her children. Told through different times it’s a fantastic book. Nothing less than I expected! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this in exchange for my honest review

This was a really hard book to read. I have found that I have a lot of trouble reading domestic abuse stories and the aftermath of these attacks. I really don’t have words to say.

Loved this book. Great characters and a lovely writing style. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

There has never ever been a book written by SE Lynes that we have not loved - this one is no different. Her characterisation and pace are second to none and she has become a firm favourite in The Glass House.
We very much look forward to reviewing more of her books on The Glass House Book Club - in the mean time, this book picked up one of our Top 5 Books of 2019

I have not read a book by S.E. Lynes that I did not love! This book was no different. I especially love the way S.E. Lynes alternates between perspectives and time periods giving the reader a chance to learn along side the characters. In this story, Carol, mother of Nicola and Graham, makes a life changing decision to wake in the middle of the night, grab her kids out of bed, and leave her house not knowing where her decision will take them. Flashing back to the beginning of Carol's story and learning about the heart pounding events that led up to that fateful night was the reason behind the furious page turning that resulted in me finishing this book lightening fast. Truth be told though, as with any heart-pounding thriller, I didn't want it to end. S.E. Lynes has managed to write another story with multiple layers and plot twists and unforgettable characters! 5 stars!!!

I tried to read from beginning to end, then end to beginning and just could not connect with this book. SO am going to give this book a miss and DNF. If it does not expire in my "library" might give it another try but otherwise...thank you.

If I could give this book more stars I would. What an emotional rollercoaster I have been on with this! Absolutely beautifully written, capturing the thoughts, fears, anger and all the other feelings of the characters. Really gripping and literally held me from the first page. This is my first book by this author and it certainly wont be my last. Fantastic.

I would especially like to thank Bookouture Editions and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book.

Nicola Watson lived thirty years ago with her parents and older brother in a respectable suburb. At the age of ten she could not understand why her stomach would get knotted when her father approached her, why her brother stuttered more and more, or why one night her mother took them away from home. Nicola is now a lawyer and is returning home for her mother's funeral. She feels sorry for leaving her family behind. She believes that it is her fault that her brother Graham was put in jail.

All her mother Carol wanted was to protect them until the day her father escaped from jail. And then Nicola will learn the truth about what her mother did at the time and it will change the way she feels about her and her family.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving at certain passages, addictive, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with very endearing characters.

I've read this author before and really enjoyed this thrilling book just as much as the previous books. The book deals with a lot of social problems society has to deal with these days, like domestic abuse, drug and alcohol addiction. I loved the book and can't wait to read some more by this talented author.
TB

This is a well written family drama that talks about abuse. There is alot going on in this book to keep you on your toes. This book was extremely thought provoking. I highly recommend.

Amazing writing style & characters. Different to books I’ve previously read by this author but still as good. Really enjoyed this addictive read & would recommend to anyone.

Firstly I love this author, always a great read and this story did not disappoint.

The tale is of a desperate mother and her children escaping domestic abuse so may have done triggers.

The story kept me reading and the twists and turns kept it interesting.

Would recommend.

I've read this author before and really enjoyed the book - this one, however, was much different than the others. This story revolves around domestic abuse and how it truly effects the family; not just the the abused and the abuser, but the children as well. It also deals with drug addiction and alcoholism. At the core of this book though is the power of love, healing, and the unbreakable ties that hold families together through thick and thin.
I enjoyed this book although it did drag a bit here and there.
Thanks to S.E. Lynes, Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

The story revolves around Nicola Watson, and her brother Graham. She has just returned from her mother’s funeral. As she spends time in her mother’s house, clearing up her stuff, she remembers the woman who sacrificed everything for her children. And she is guilt-ridden for leaving her family behind when they needed her. She also partially blames herself for Graham’s indictment for murder.

As a child, she was oblivious to why her mother, Carol, woke them up in the middle of the night and decided to leave her husband. Carol wanted to save herself, and her children – but escaping her abusive husband was just the start.
What happens to them? Where do they go? What’s the effect on the kids? Does Carol manage to keep themselves hidden?

Told from alternative view-points, between the then and the now, this is a gripping family saga which highlights the impact domestic abuse has on the mental and physical well-being of the entire family. How quickly can one apparently functioning family be jettisoned into disarray?
The story unfolds beautifully – and will leave you guessing till the end.

When eventually Nicola learns the truth of what her mother did, will it change everything she thought she knew about herself and her family? Will she be able to forgive?
Without forgiveness there is no freedom, inside or outside – not in any real sense.

4.5/5 for me

A new genre from this fantastically talented author, I had absolutely zero reservations about trying something new by her as (imo) none of her previous work fits solidly in any one genre but is always challenging, thoughtful and thouroughly engaging.

Although a different theme (more family drama/domestic noir than psychological thriller) her wonderful writing style, emotional intelligence and empathy meant that the tough subject of domesic violence and the resultant psychological fall out were managed superbly.

The characters felt oh so real, the greif, fear, kindness and unconditional love between the escapees was evident throghout the story, and the secrets held by and the consequences of these secrets on all three victims of this abuse made for a compelling and extremely moving read. I confess to actually weeping when reading this.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this fabulous book - an unreserved 5 stars :)

I love her books and I was so excited to get my hands on this book and it didn't disappoint.

One of my favourites this year so far, a great build up and storyline. I love a book that makes me want to keep reading and gives me the need to pick it up whenever I have a spare 5 mins.

The first chapter reeled me in and I was hooked and the story kept me entertained throughout.

A book that holds your attention and makes you hold your breath as the direction changes loved the twists and turns as I flew through the book.

A story about a complex family....a battered mum and 2 kids with their own stories to tell....told from the perspective of the wife and two children and a visitor....it unravels and draws you in and I loved reading about the characters progression. A fab book