With #MeToo firmly in its sights this is an interesting, timely novel about loyalty and telling the truth.
I found it very fascinating reading as I think most of us would like to say we'd speak up straight away but realistically are more like Becky than we'd really like to admit.

This was a surprisingly great novel. It's a very interesting topic as the protagonist is faced with a huge moral dilemma that might just ruin her career. I found it to be a quick read, and throughout the book I wasn't sure how it would end. It was written brilliantly, and I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this E-book to review via Netgalley.

An interesting read about a powerful topic although I felt the characters lacked depth and likeability.
The story felt hurried in places although at other times gripping and made me want to keep reading. An enjoyable read but couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't quite as good as it could have been!

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this arc. I was intrigued by the timely premise of this, so excited to delve into Blurred Lines.
Blurred Lines is told from the POV of Becky, narrated in a close three-person narrative. Becky is 32-years old and working for Matthew Kingsman, a successful film producer. The opening scene of this novel is a superb one with Becky buying a £65 bottle of wine that she can't afford for her boss - Becky has worked has his assistant for years and her dues are about to pay off big-time when she pitches Matthew her idea of retelling Medea in a contemporary #Metoo era which he greenlights and plans on taking her to Cannes for some meetings so she can start putting her project together - being judged silently by the cashier. Her fortunes could potentially change if everything goes alright with the movie. At his house Becky can't find anyone, so she leaves the wine on the kitchen counter when she hears a muffled scream. Worried someone might be hurt she follows the sound to the living room where she sees Matthew having sex with a woman who is not his wife. She can't tell if the expression on the woman's face is of pleasure or pain, and when she lifts her arms and Mathew pins them down if this is just how they like to have sex, a little rough. Before Matthew sees her Becky quickly leaves, not without making a brief eye contact with the woman. Becky is torn about Matthew's infidelity, but she nonetheless decides to keep quiet. After all it's not any of her business and speaking out will jeopardise her movie.
Becky lives with her 15-year daughter, Maisie. Becky co-parents with Adam, with whom she has a lovely relationship. Becky got pregnant as a teenager when she went to a party. But through her flashbacks we see that something isn't quite right and something traumatic happened to Becky, the effect ripples into her adulthood with her self-harming and not dating anyone.
So when the woman, Amber Heard, whom Matthew slept with comes forwards about her rape Becky's own old trauma resurface and she's torn between doing the right thing or risking everything she's worked hard to build...
This was an interesting novel, perfect for a book club. There's so much to discuss with this one. I enjoyed the writing, although I did feel the choice of using third-person kept the reader at a distance from Becky, which considering the POV follows exclusively her, felt a first-person narrative would've lent it an immediacy. Nonetheless I did quite enjoy the behind-the-scenes of Cannes parts of this, and the intricacies of being a film-maker, and all the office politics.
My only gripe was that the first half of this book was quite slow and it took the first 50% to set the story up. Also I felt the flashback scenes slowed the narrative down, and for me specifically I could guess what had happened, so for me it lacked suspense. I think had these flashback scenes been set up differently then this subplot could've worked. Overall this was the weaker element of the story and I did find certain actions of the characters, such as Adam's decision to lie for Becky when they were young, implausible and had the story been set-up differently with Adam's character fleshed out more earlier, and it being more apparent that he was in love with Becky, on it would've been more believable. Also, I wanted to see more of their co-parenting. How did it work, and how did their relationship evolve because of it.
The Matthew-Amber story-line, once it kicks off, in the second half was gripping and I thoroughly found the wrapping up of this plot quite satisfactory and moving. This was the stronger aspect of the story and I wanted more of it.
Nonetheless, this is a provocative novel that explores the messy and more grey elements of rape and feminism through a protagonist who could be any one of us, torn between doing the right thing which comes at a cost, and what is 'right' for her family and career that she's worked hard to build and risks losing.

Becky sees her boss having sex with someone who is not his wife. Then he is accused of rape and she isn’t sure what she saw. Should she come forward to give evidence? Her choice is determined by something that happened to her in her teens.
I’m not sure what I think about Becky. I switched between thinking her a survivor to her being quite selfish.
I did however find it a compelling read.

I found this book too slow. The premise sounded amazing but it was just not gripping enough for me and I expected more from reading the reviews

I warmed to the characters from the start of the book and although initially I wasn’t clear on the role or relevance of Becky’s chosen career it became more essential to the plot as I read on. This book has some great twists and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. Whilst it may not finish as neatly as some might expect or want it does feel authentic as an ending. The book has some real messages weaved through about truth, strength and women and I really enjoyed reading it.

I really couldn’t get into this book , I got as far as I could but the characters weren’t interesting enough and the story didn’t grab me . Maybe it was me as the book had some great reviews .

This book is fantastic. I'm so surprised that I haven't seen more publicity/reviews about this one.

This is a story we have all heard before, younger woman in the film industry surrounded by older more powerful men, trying to make the right choices. However, this feels new and fresh and I was engrossed within the first chapters.

The author, Hannah Begbie, has created characters you can't help but care about and a story you will want to race through

The only thing to note is that there are some really tough themes in this book, including rape and self harm, so go into this one aware of that.

Loved this book. It focuses on Becky and the fact that she has seen her boss on the kitchen floor with a woman who isn't his wife. What has she just seen? Was it consensual or was it rape? She owes Matthew a lot, but will she confront him about it? Becky has a past and this doesn't help her mental health at all. How much can you trust one person? How much should you trust o n e person? Can you even trust what you see? It keeps you guessing until the end.

Loved this book and will recommend to friends, colleagues and family. Thank you HarperCollins for letting me read this and to Hannah Begbie for writing such a fantastic story.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I liked this book but did not like it (if you understand what I mean). I found the characters rather annoying as well as the storyline.

I read this book in one sitting - late into the night, last night as I was hooked and on this compelling story.
The story and the characters and engaging and by the end i was stunned by the ending. Its a great story, it kept the pages turning for me and was a thrill of a read. Would recommend this without a doubt.

This was an excellent mystery novel that I enjoyed reading. The character was presented with a dilemma, and she faced it head on. I can’t recommend the book enough!

Great book, engaging and impossible to put down. I have really enjoyed reading this one. I have devoured this in just one sitting. Highly recommend this one.

Blurred Lines is a fantastic read. It makes the reader question our own perceptions of things we think we see. It's a fast paced page turner with enough twists and turns in the plot it keeps you guessing. Very hard to put down once you start it.

#BlurredLines #NetGalley
An edge of your dear suspense thriller with an ending you won't see coming I bet, I didn't see it coming, loved it.
Blurred, means not clear. This title is perfectly suitable for this story because everything here is twisted in a sinister way.
Sometimes it's not what you see from your eyes and sometimes it's there what you can't see from your eyes.
Becky walks in on her boss with a woman who isn’t his wife, she’s horrified, but says nothing. She owes Matthew too much.But when the same woman accuses him of rape, Becky is trapped in a nightmare. Was what she saw rape – or is Matthew, her trusted mentor, telling the truth? Becky must try to ignore her own traumatic past and its terrible hold on her.
What happened next?
I'm not going to ruin it's suspense here so go and give it a read.
It's narration is it's strength.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.