The subject matter was women competing in a male dominated workplace, and deviant sexual predators who happen to be plastic surgeons. A chilling thought. 

For me this was too slow and I had to suspend disbelief more than once. It took me days to get through it. Albeit I was trying to read this in the midst of political upheaval news and Covid updates and it was hard to stay focused. Not an edge of your seat novel, at any rate. Even the end didn’t win me over. 

I just couldn’t warm up to the characters and that surprised me because I’ve enjoyed Dawson’s work in the past. That’s why I requested the ARC. Thanks to:
#netgalley
#lucydawson
#bookouture

No! Just no.

I know my thoughts will be contrary to the majority. I normally enjoy a Lucy Dawson book so I was very surprised that this one did not grab me. Oh I know it was supposed to be all women fighting for recognition in male dominated workplaces, but I found the characterisations too stereotypical, men - bad. Ex husband - bad. Brave woman fighting workplace injustice - good. And I know Nathan was insufferable and Hamish was pure evil.

Frankly I found it slow, dreary and boring. The book took a long time to go anywhere. I gave it two stars because I did finish reading it to find out how it ended - but even the ending was a fizzier for me. Julia was a good character and the kids seemed like a good bunch. But the other adults, I just couldn’t find it in me to care about any of them. The plot started ok and could have had some potential but then it veered into the ridiculous with the kidnapping. Nathan would been a better character if he had just been a sexual predator, but trying to portray a sexual predator who has a desire to better himself...it didn’t work. Thanks to Netgalley for my copy for review. My opinions are my own.

I chose this book to read and review. The publisher gave it to me.through Netgalley.
This is a psychological thriller. The people in it are, for want of a better word, crazy. What you do learn is that keeping your friends closer should be what you need to do. Our friends know us. They know all about us. Our habits, likes and dislikes are common knowledge to our friends. Knowledge is power. And with power we can be hurt.
Great story, leaves you shaking your head!

I am sorry but this book was not my cup of tea. I didn’t like most of the characters which made it hard to keep reading and it was hard to stay interested in the story. Sorry. 

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy.

A wonderful main character: A strong determined female working in a male dominant role. 
Such an important topic covered within this book (gender inequality within the workplace) and  was so refreshing to have a character not afraid to stand up to her beliefs and the over bearing dominance of her male counterparts! True Girl Power! 

Its clear to see that Lucy has done her research this was also clear to see in the in-depth way she explored the role of a consultant plastic surgeon.  

Was a great read that gives me hope for a more equality within the workplace!

Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author. 
Full review to follow on publication.

Nathan is a smooth talking,good looking plastic surgeon who has all the nurses swooning after him,but when Julia arrives on the team having moved from her last job after whistleblowing Nathan is thrown a new challenge to get to know her better.But when Julia rebuffs his advances things start to take a dark turn for her and she finds out just what kind of man Nathan really is.He is also backed up by his best friend and colleague Hamish who also shares Nathan's ideals about women.With twists and turns aplenty this a well written psychological thriller once again from Lucy Dawson who seems to excell in this genre and with a surprise ending this book has it all,,a great 
 5 star read.

Julia Blythe is a plastic surgeon forced to leave her job following a much publicised whistle blowing case against male colleagues. To her surprise, she easily lands a job at Exeter Memorial Hospital and so the family relocate. Why do the surgeons want her there so badly especially Nathan Sloan? The story is told in alternating perspectives by Julia/Nathan and colleague Hamish which works well, providing good contrasting attitudes. 

First of all, I really like the examination of gender roles in the workplace as a central theme. The characters of Nathan and Hamish are well portrayed in their creepy sleaziness and their attitudes to female members of staff especially those in a lesser role. Nathan is way too smooth an operator in a multitude of ways and it is interesting to see how female patients respond to this rather than the competent directness of female staff. There is plenty of underlying sexism in the hospital (who fetches the coffee?) as well as being evident in the surgeons marriages with some wives careers forgone. When it becomes apparent what some of the men are up to at the hospital it leaves a nasty taste in your mouth as their attitudes are simply  appalling. They really do believe that surgeons are tinged with divinity. However, Nathan takes it to the next level, he’s obsessive, very controlling, extremely manipulative and immoral. His character is well portrayed though he makes your flesh crawl and it’s fair to say that the characterisation is a strong  feature of the book. The author has clearly researched well as there’s a lot of detail about plastic surgery and I like how this becomes an intrinsic and integral part of the plot. The premise is good, relevant and a bit different which I like. The novel starts quite slowly but builds well with tension, suspense, some good twists and turns in a rollercoaster read. 

However, although I like the book a great deal there are some parts that are overlong, with detail that isn’t entirely necessary and without these sections I think the pace would have been brisker and sharper. 

Overall though, this is a well written book which highlights valid issues and keeps you interested. The end is good and leaves you pondering. 

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc for an honest review

I love Lucy Dawson’s books and ‘The  Letter I Wrote’ is still one of my fav books ever so its no surprise that I loved this
Literally from the first sentence you know you are in the hands of a great story teller and that a fascinating book is starting
This is a story of a Dr, Julia, starting again after a recent scandal and all she faces in her new role/town, now I meet some real narcissist’s in my reading life but the 2 in this book, Nathan and Hamish, also Dr’s, that cause her misery top all recent encounters, they are the worst ( and best ) characters and you will be fuming as you read what they are up to and their entitlement and how they think they are untouchable, I cant stress enough how vile they are...and when Julia takes them on she is opening herself and her family up to more problems that she could have ever imagined
The book keeps its pace throughout, no wasted paragraphs and just when you think the story cannot get any more WOAHHHHHH, it does, it ends as it begins, brilliantly
This is a book you will find hard to put down once started and you will invest in Julia and be rooting for her throughout
Fabulously well told, involving yet easy to read and one of those books that make you really pleased you read

10/10
5 Stars

Thank you to Net Galley for approving me to read and review this book. 

Julia is a plastic surgeon and has moved to Devon, with her family, for a fresh start after she took the hospital to court where she used to work.  She has wondered if she would ever get another job in a hospital but she is thrilled when she is offered a job at a hospital in Exeter.

There are 3 male surgeons working in Julia’s department, one of whom has quite the reputation as a ladies man. His name is Nathan Sloane. Julia is unaware of his reputation and meets him for the first time at the school gates when she’s collecting the children from school and discovers that Nathan has a child at the school too. While they are stood at the gates, Julia’s ex-husband, Dominic, arrives and is very drunk. Julia is mortified but Nathan manages  to diffuse the awkward situation and puts Dom back on the train to London, with £100 cash in his pocket.

Nathan becomes obsessed with Julia and it seems he will go to any lengths to make her love him back. At times, I thought some parts of this were a little far fetched but thinking about it, I would imagine that when you are completely obsessed with someone and appear to be slightly mentally unstable, you will go to any lengths to prove your love. 

Clearly a lot of research has gone into writing this book. This can be seen from the in depth details around the plastic surgery industry. It is well written and leaves you wondering what Nathan will do next.  I expected the disappearance of Alex to have happened sooner but can see why there had to be a significant build up. 

I really enjoyed this book and screen shot the list of other books the author has written as I will definitely want to read more from this author.

Definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read from me.

This one gripped me from the beginning. Very easy fast read that flowed well. It starts of with a bang and never lets up. It’s the type of storyline that you don’t know where it’s going or how its going play out. Loved Julia’s character, shes a strong female character who stands by her beliefs and really stands up for what’s right and takes no prisoners. Really liked how the author portrayed the gender role dynamics within the medical industry. This one has lots of twists and some loveable characters along with detestable ones that may make your skin crawl. Loved it and would definitely recommend.

Past secrets come to haunt the heroine of this exciting tale, resulting in the disappearance of one of her children. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.

The Secret Within by Lucy Dawson is another gripping thriller from a talented author who has quickly established herself as a personal favourite.  This is a fast-paced, insightful read that promises to keep you turning the pages.

Julia Blythe is a plastic surgeon who has just relocated with her family in response to the fallout that came from being a whistleblower in her previous position. When history begins to repeat itself at her new hospital, Julia finds herself plunged into a scenario that will put not only herself at risk, but also the lives of those around her.  

I very much enjoyed this latest offering from Ms Dawson, and was quickly able to immerse myself in the sometimes sinister side of human nature as it pertains to modern medicine.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

The secret within is a tense rollercoaster of a read, that tackles gender inequality in the workplace,whistleblowing and being the patients advocate!
Julia a plastic surgeon is looking for a new start after a traumatic time at work so together with her husband, son and stepdaughter they relocate to Devon.
Julia’s new start is fraught with problems joining an all male team of established surgeons and with her history known to all its not long before she is speaking up about the Practice of the enigmatic, dashing fellow colleague Nathan! We are then taken on an addictive, chilling , twisty thriller of a read that keeps you guessing until the end! Malpractice,sexual gratification, bribery, corruption and abduction are rife as we discover the depths Nathan will sink to aided and abetted by his friend/ colleague Hamish.
A great read that I would thoroughly recommend
Thankyou netgalley for this early read.

The Secret Within was a long, crazy, head-spinning ride where I had no clue what would be awaiting on the next page. 

Plastic surgeon Julia Blythe relocates to the small town of Devon with her family after turning whistle-blower at her previous workplace. What she hopes would be a new beginning for her family and her career, turns into a sick manipulative game orchestrated by the delusions of a narcisstic, obsessive mind. 

The plot is revealed through the POVs of Julia and her two co-workers Hamish and Nathan. Julia is portrayed as a headstrong woman who voices out against any injustice before her. While Hamish is your regular narcissist, it is the character of Nathan that was truly a revelation. I couldn't figure out  if he was a pure psychopath or just plain mental. 

The story was extremely tense and gripping. However I would have loved it if it was a tad shorter because after a while I kept thinking 'When will this end?'. 

Overall, an enjoyable read. A big thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I was going to enjoy this book after reading the premise but I am afraid it sadly fell short for me. It was way over the top and implausible and most of the characters were unlikeable . Just not to my taste Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I really enjoyed this book by Lucy Dawson. It kept me hooked from beginning to end.  I particularly liked how she wrote from multiple perspectives.  A young consultant is eager to start over in a new job after leaving her old post after whistleblowing in old role. She settles into her role and her and her husband , a teacher in the local school is happy for a while. History unfortunately seems to repeat itself when she becomes suspicious about one of her colleagues,  a handsome successful consultant that appears to be manipulating women. She becomes emotionally entwined with him when he tries to manipulate her too. This book has lots to keep you engaged and the fact that it is told from many sides gives it the edge. Totally recommend

After reading "The Girls Are All So Nice Here" this was just ok-ish. I did like the different POV between Julia and Nathan and some of the twist; however I was just not into this. I also did not get how the cover has anything to do with the story. Maybe because the sky is dark and threatening and that is Julia on the cover. IDK. Still recommended but among the mediocre for me.

Thanks to Netgalley, Lucy Dawson and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 1/26/21

Overall a well written book with a good story line, although I didn't particularly like the characters but apart from that a good read which I would thoroughly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I have loved Lucy's previous books however I just couldn't gel with any of the characters in this book. I found the plot a bit far fetched. However there were some gripping moments that kept me turning the page.