Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a man on his doorstep, Miles Lambert, with an announcement that will change his life forever. Pete’s two year old Theo isn’t his biological son; his and Miles’ sons got switched at birth! The two families - Pete, and his partner Maddie, and Miles and his wife Lucy meet and agree that they will find a way to share their children, Theo and David, in a flexible way, without changing the lives their two sons are already used to. But with Miles suggesting a plan for Pete and Maddie to join his case to sue the hospital, and Theo no longer allowed to attend his nursery after hitting other children, how far will things unravel for these families? How far will Pete and Maddie go to protect their son and what secrets are lurking in the Lamberts’ seemingly idyllic life? Who can be trusted and what role will nature/nurture have to play when things take a sinister turn?

Pete was my favourite character, and I liked how the chapters would alternate from his perspective to his partner Maddie’s, interspersed with various exhibits from a legal case. The first exhibit we get to read shows a write up following Miles’ initial visit to Pete, alongside the detective he hired to track down his biological son and his parents. It does not reflect Pete’s manner of handling the news at all though and we as the reader are immediately given a glimpse that Miles may not be as trustworthy as he first seems. I had my own suspicions about how the exhibits would play a part in the story but I could never have predicted just how they became relevant; it was such a clever twist!

There are some really difficult and emotional topics explored throughout this book but they are interwoven so seamlessly and it makes these characters all the more interesting and complex. There is so much suspense throughout and the twists and turns make this such an addictive read. I could really feel myself there with Pete and Maddie as they were living this nightmare. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what I would do in their position as everything unravels. This is such a fantastic story that I just couldn’t put down. I would recommend this book to everyone!

Very interesting book on an equally interesting story. Loved all the characters especially Lucy , being sucked in by a psychopath . I could tell this was well researched especially on the subject of marriage to a psychopath. Great ending, couldn’t be any other way really . Highly recommend this book , well worth a read

A stranger comes to your house and tells you that the child you are bringing up is not yours and was exchanged in NICU.
For Pete and Maddy, this is their reality, and they are shocked and disturbed by this revelation. They agree to meet with Miles and Lucy, the parents of 'their' child to try and work out what would be best for both children. The parents try to come to an amicable agreement, but as time passes, it seems that someone might be applying undue influence on associated parties to assist their plan.
Miles' smooth exterior hides a psychopathic nature, he gets what he wants, and that is to have his biological son at home with him at any cost.
Marvellous read, with great characters. Difficult subjects are addressed encompassing a heart-wrenching story.
I want to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and author JP Delaney for a pre-publication copy to review.

This was my first Delaney book and I had great hopes. The premise was good - and very real. Switched babies happens. At first I wasn't sure about the multiple POVs, with each chapter a different perspective, Howveer it grew on me. Especially since the attitudes were distinctive. So in that regard the writing was top-notch. But I gave up about 40% of the way for two reasons. 1. I didn't care about the outcome - and this may relate to the second point, but I didn't feel any affinity with the plight of the characters - maybe there was a mystery or twist, but it was taking too long coming. 2. My God if someone knocked on my door and said my child was theirs, I'd be in a panic. My wife would be hysterical. I sensed none of this in the story and so, as a parent, it didn't feel realistic. The reactions felt wooden rather than emotional.

As usual JP Delaney throws us an amazing book full of twists and turns and thought provoking situations

This is the fourth book I have read by this author who is publishing under the pseudonym of J. P. Delaney to avoid comparisons with his other writing genres. The previous three books were fast paced and written to a very high standard so I was hoping for more of the same. Well I got it, this is another fabulous book that kept me frantically turning pages to the very end.
When Pete Riley answers the door his worst nightmare is about to begin. His visitor is Miles Lambert, a stranger who informs Pete that their sons were switched at birth accidentally by over stretched hospital staff. Pete is left reeling with the shock that Theo, the child they have been raising for the last two years is not theirs.

Everything appears amicable and after the initial shock both sets of parents try to adjust to this life changing news. Miles is keen to sue the hospital, which unearths some disturbing questions about the night their children were switched. How much can they trust the other parents and what secrets have not yet been uncovered. Emotions become heightened and Pete and his wife Maddie discover they will both go to any lengths to keep their family safe.

This is a fabulous thought provoking read, how would we all react if we found out the child we had raised for the last two years was not blood related and the son we had given birth to lived with complete strangers. The characters are expertly written and the suspense builds and builds creating a psychological nightmare.
Highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Quercus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the book completely.
It kinda felt bit dragging during start until every character was explained and all. Once the case was filed, it got very intresting. I loved Pete's charactern specially. In general, character study done for this book is outstanding.
Thanks for the ARC

I received a copy to review from Netgalley and here is the blurb:

Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a parent's worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, who breaks the devastating news that Pete's two-year-old, Theo, isn't Pete's real son - their babies got mixed up at birth.
The two families - Pete, his partner Maddie, and Miles and his wife Lucy - agree that, rather than swap the boys back, they'll try to find a more flexible way to share their children's lives. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an investigation that unearths disturbing questions about just what happened the day the babies were switched.
And when Theo is thrown out of nursery for hitting other children, Maddie and Pete have to ask themselves: how far do they want this arrangement to go? What secrets lie hidden behind the Lamberts' smart front door? How much can they trust the real parents of their child - or even each other?

Wow this was one of those books that I couldn't put down and really enjoyed it. Pete and Maddie are far from the perfect couple but love their son who appears to be a bit of a handful. But when Miles and Lucy turn up with the news that their babies got switched in hospital things get sinister. The bad news just keeps mounting up for Pete and Maddie and you just can't see how things are going to end well for them. It wasn't a hard read and the chapters switch about between the characters Maddie and Pete as well as snippets from court evidence. Great book and will look out for more from this author

I really enjoyed this book. The premise – someone turns up on your doorstep one day, claiming that your child and theirs were accidentally swapped at birth – is enough to strike fear into any parent's heart. And the tension only ramps up from that point as Pete and Maddie begin to realise exactly what kind of people the other parents are and what they might be set to lose. It's very well written – I could feel my heart pounding with fear as I read. Both Pete and Maddie are sympathetic characters with realistic flaws and I really wanted everything to end well for them.

The only thing that stopped it from being a five star read, for me, was Pete and Maddie's lack of interest in David (their biological son). All the focus is on Theo, the swapped baby. If I found out my child had been swapped at birth, I would feel so desperately torn: wanting to keep the child I'd raised and loved, but also terrified in case my biological child wasn't being taken care of. There is a point in the story when Pete and Maddie decide they'll fight for David as well, yet they're willing enough to let him go at the end without any noticeable heartache – despite, by that time, knowing exactly who he's living with. It just seemed callous to me, and a bit like David didn't really count because of his brain damage – like the contest that mattered was Theo. That left a nasty taste in my mouth and spoiled what would otherwise be a perfect thriller.

Still, I was pleased with the ending, and I would definitely recommend the book.

Finally!!!! I LOVE the writing style of JP Delaney and have loved all of his books... except that I don’t always love the endings. I LOVE the ending of Playing Nice. I feel totally satisfied.
These characters are all relatable in some way, shape, or form. Not always in a way we want us to look to the outside world.
I loved reading every single page.
This is JP Delaney’s best book to date and now I’m already craving the next one!!!
5 stars from me and I’ll be recommending this book for years to come!

Massive thanks to Quercus Books/Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advance!

Excellent.

I've read all this author's books so far. I loved his first book. The second was also very good. I was a bit disappointed in the third, just because it unexpectedly had elements of sci-fi; a genre I don't read. It was still a good read, yet not really my genre. This new book, 'Playing Nice' seems back to top form, even from the first chapters, and I was glued to it all the way through. It was all believable, not far-fetched, and everything tied up, producing a satisfying ending-you weren't left thinking, what happened there, after all that.

The book is set in London and involves two families. Both had premature babies. Two years later, it came to light there had been a terrible mix-up at the neonatal unit. After a friendly start, things become very difficult, and soon there is suspense and unease.

This was such a good book. Fast-moving, told in brief chapters. So easy to get straight into. And so hard to come out of! JP Delaney has excelled himself with this cracking read.

I loved this totally addictive psychological thriller, an original and heart wrenching storyline.
Pete and Maddie have an adorable but sometimes troubled two year old called Theo. They have all had a difficult two years, Theo was born prematurely and Maddie suffered severely from post natal psychosis. Pete was made redundant and has become the main carer for Theo, a role he has wholeheartedly taken on board. Life is getting better for them.
However things are about to spiral out of control. That receive a visit from Miles Lambert who has absolute proof that Theo is his son. This starts a chain of events whereby Pete and Maddie’s whole world is about to crumble. Miles appears to be genuine, he has a high powered job, a good looking wife called Lucy, plenty of money and a persuasive way about him. The two families look for a solution but things are about to get complicated. Who is telling the truth about past events?
Whilst there was an inevitability about the ending, of only in part.I found the whole story thourghly engaging.

This was one scary read. I found the whole situation of your child being taken away from you appalling and really frightening. Being a mother myself, I could identify with what the characters were going through and of course JP Delaney has done an excellent job to bring the characters and their emotions to life. This book is a page-turner and really hard to put down once you start reading. I would say this is probably JP Delaney’s best book till date. Kudos to the author!

I really enjoyed this book. Pete was a great character.
Both Pete and Maddie were quite naïve early on in the story.
Towards the end I couldn't put it down.
I would recommend this book. I always really enjoy JP Delaney books, great writing style.

A tricky subject to tackle,babies swapped at birth and what should you do when it is discovered. I felt Peter and his partner where a bit naive and just allowed things to happen.. The story however progressed with lots of twir.

Imagine what you would do if a man came to your door and said that your babies had been switched at birth? Ive seen a movie about this which was a true story and this too, could be true. That's what makes this so scary and real. Miles is the main who comes to the door stating that the sons were switched.

David and wife Lucy tell us their version of the story and it's gripping reading. What starts off as a worry for them all and a desire to sort this out in a way that is best for the children soon ends in tears and a whole lot more. No one is playing nice here! One of the boys is also known for that.

I am very keen to read more from this author now as he has a unique way of grabbing your attention.

Pete Riley, a stay at home dad, opens the door one morning to Miles, a man who claims their children have been swapped at birth. At first everything looks as though it's going to be very civilised. The two families will be close, They'll have easy access to each child, no-one is going to be taken away from anyone. But then gradually doubts start creeping in. Miles turns up unannounced at Pete and Maddy's, he questions Pete's parenting style, he wants to make decisions about education. Then the court papers arrive and Pete and Maddy look certain to lose everything.

I enjoyed this book, raced through it in a day. It's not perfect though. Some of the things that happen are not believable most forcibly Pete and Maddy's reaction to being told Theo was not their son. Shortly after the birth of my first child i had a dream that she was not mine and that her real parents were coming to take her away. I was devastated and it was only a dream! Forty years on I remember it clearly so Pete and Maddy's chat and going to meet the other parents unprepared doesn't ring true to me. And the ending was a tad melodramatic. But as a way to spend an afternoon in lockdown it was as good as any. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Another fantastically written and unputdownable book from JP Delaney. Pulls at the heart strings as well as providing drama, twists and an end to die for! Imagine being told your two year old is not actually your biological child because of a mix up at the hospital...? Then see how your world crashes around you and spirals out of control. There are plenty of surprises to keep you guessing and you will just have to keep reading till the end.

For Pete Riley, freelance journalist and stay at home dad and partner Maddie who works in advertising, it’s just an ordinary day getting their boisterous son two year old Theo ready to go to nursery. Theo has difficulty ‘playing nice’ if he’s doesn’t get what he wants. Then their world is turned upside down, so much so it’s like they’ve fallen into some alternate universe following something as everyday as a knock at their door. Standing there is smugly arrogant, wealthy Miles Lambert who claims that their premature babies are swapped in the NICU and that Theo is his son and David, who he and wife Lucy have been raising is theirs. What starts as something friendly in order to sort this out, descends into a dangerous court battle with Miles having no intention of playing nice. The story is told in alternating perspectives by Pete and Maddy which works extremely well and is interspersed with evidence gathered for the court case.

This is addictive, brilliant, compulsive and gripping reading. Although none of the characters are perfect (who is?) I did like Pete and Maddy with Maddy in particular being honest about her feelings. If ever a character deserves a sock on the jaw it’s Miles. He made me so angry at times my fists clenched and the odd naughty word might have popped out of my mouth! Oh boy is he odious. Theo is, shall we settle for a live wire? He presents us with a good discussion on nature versus nurture, is he indeed like his biological father or can nurture reduce some of his less desirable instincts? This is a fascinating part of the story which is engrossing from start to finish. There are bombshells, shocks and twists along the way which make you gasp and there’s so much tension at times, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. I think the end is clever too and works extremely well.

Overall, J P Delaney has done it again. The Perfect Wife was a brilliant read in 2019 and he’s provided us with another in 2020! The premise is fantastic, it preys on every parents nightmare and fears and keeps you interested and invested throughout. This is without doubt a best seller. Highly recommended.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC and to the author for the entertainment!

A very cleverly written book that covers quite a unique story. All of the characters are well developed - although not all of them are likeable! Lots of detail of courts, social workers and other legalalities gave this book plenty of depth without being boring. Thoroughly enjoyable.