Cover Image: The Forever Home

The Forever Home

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Member Reviews

This is the first book by Sue Watson I read, but I enjoyed it so much that I bought one of her previous ones. It's a cross between a family drama and a psychological thriller, but it worked quite well and kept me guessing until the end.
The story is about a couple, Carly and Mark, with two grown-up children about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Everything looks great; they are well off living in a house on a Cornish cliff. Mark is actually quite famous as he turned, with Carly's help, his home improvement business into a TV show. But straightaway, we realise things are not what they seem.
This is a book where every character acts suspiciously; you really don't know their agendas and motives, and there are a few twists. It's a book that most people can read in a day or two, I found it a bit slow initially, but once I got involved in the story, I couldn't stop reading. The only thing that didn't convince me was that Mark didn't have any redeeming qualities, the more you read and the more despicable he seems to be. I suppose there are people like him and it's better not to meet them!

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Sue Watson is one of my favourite authors, she never ceases to deliver and this book was no exception. Carly and Mark have what seems to be the perfect relationship but looks are deceiving , great kids a beautiful home but then Mark does something unforgiveable. How does one come to terms with the deceit and lies from a partner? what seems to be the envy of your friends can become a living nightmare. I really wasn't sure where this was going at times or how it would be end but it was pure enjoyment going through the process. If you have not read any of Sue's books you need to give them a try, I am sure you will not be disappointed. Than k you a gain to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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"Let's face it, anyone who's been married more than a few years knows it isn't the romance, the passion or even the kids that keep two people together- it's sheer bloody determination."
The Forever Home by Sue Watson is exactly as it is described, gripping from the first page right up until the last sentence of the last page. It takes you through the life of Carly, Mark, their children and the people who surround them. Twists and turns are around every corner in this psychological thriller that you will not expect. Just when you think you know a character, you realize that you are not sure if you should trust them. "As Ryan said, with friends like that, I don't need enemies."

"But what really held us together, for better or worse, were our secrets." Just what are those secrets, you will need to read to find out. Parts of the book had me crying, parts had me wanting to grab my own baseball bat and parts had me laughing out loud. ""No honestly, I'm genuinely sorry that my children make your woman-child feel so insecure."

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An excellent psychological thriller with plenty of intrigue. Finding out that your husband is cheating on you at your 25th Wedding Anniversary party is an absolute nightmare,even more so when you live your life under he microscope as a celebrity couple with an enigmatic husband who can seem to do no wrong under the limelight but finding out it’s with someone you know and is so much younger is even worse. The story pivots around a stunning family home which has been in Carly’s family for years but it is also the source of her husband’s fame as he’s the star of a TV show which centres around doing it up and the goal,of his mistress to live in it. This is quite a dark and twisty tale and I raved to the end to see how it’d all pan out. Recommend!

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Omg what a book! Sooo good! I couldn’t put it down and once I did I would grab it for just one more chapter or so I would say one more. I highly recommend this awesome summer read!

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The Forever Home is a credit to the author. The plot developments and twists were perfectly linked and threaded through the story. A masterclass in keeping the reader guessing and sticking with the book. One of those books I'd read in one sitting it's so good. I can't praise this highly enough. A definite read.

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Carly and Mark have it all! Beautiful family and Mark’s career as a DIY TV presenter had opened the market for him to branch out in America. Until the day of their 25th wedding anniversary.
Carly’s life crumples and she has to prove that their marriage was far from the perfection shown on tv but to what cost? Oh yes this is Sue proving she is the queen of domestic thrillers. Her characters are always fantastic and the story never fails to deliver.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

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To everyone Carly and Mark are the perfect couple they have it all a beautiful home,two lovely children and a hit reality show.Secrets can bind you together but in the end they tear you apart.
At their 25th wedding anniversary party Carly finds out Mark has been having an affair with her best friends daughter who is young enough to be his daughter. .His been having affairs for most of their married lives but this time his gone to far and things have to change.
Carly's life now becomes full of arguing about money and who's getting the house as well as having to put up with lies being told about her.
Carly won't give up her Forever Home without a fight.
I loved that Carly stood up for herself no matter what was thrown at her.I didn't know who to trust throughout the story.Loved the ending and would recommend this book very much.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

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Forever Home is a show based on Carly’s family home. She married Mark, who shares this home with her. They started the show about renovating together, but Mark took over most of the fame and was a star. What role did Carly play in all this?

She is behind the scenes. On 25th marriage anniversary they split beacuse of an affair. And the some kind of fight for the house begin. It’s really hard not to reveal much and say what my feelings are for this novel. This is my third novel and they are all very well written. Keep turning the pages until late at night.

I was really excited about what all happened to Carly and what secrets she was hiding. And it is so strong, but at the same time so fragile. I would love to go there and help her. It is always easier to judge from the outside. But all of this could really happen and that’s why it’s really interesting for the reader. I love heartiness and mystery. I also love the romance that was involved in the story. Above all, he rejoices in the justice that is finally coming to an end.

I received a free copy from Bookouture and Netgalley.com in echange of an fair review. Published June 4, 2021

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The Forever Home is the first book by Sue Watson, which I have read, and now I’m desperate to catch up on her other psychological thrillers. The tension gradually builds, and I raced through those final chapters to find out what was going to happen.

Mark and Carly Anderson have become celebrities following the success of their reality television show, The Forever House. They have lived the past twenty five years of their life in the spotlight. But now, their marriage is about to come to a bitter end. On their twenty fifth wedding anniversary, Carly discovers that Mark has been having an affair with her best friend’s daughter, Erin, who is twenty four. I really felt for Carly as I was reading this scene. Sue Watson paints a vivid picture of what a terrible person Mark is, and I really didn’t like him. And my intense dislike for him grew and grew as the novel progressed.

As Carly and Mark begin to work through the divorce proceedings, it is clear that there are parts of their lives which they would both rather keep private. I really wanted to know what had happened to them in the past and what secrets they were keeping. Sue Watson did a brilliant job keeping my intrigue piqued. The tension begins to gather pace here, and I couldn’t believe how Carly was being treated. It made me feel really angry, and I especially didn’t like, Erin the woman Mark left her for. There was one scene in a café, in particular, which made my jaw drop. I couldn’t believe what was being said.

We also have the introduction of Ryan, who Carly begins to grow attached to after her split from Mark. As I was reading, I felt I could never quite trust Ryan. This added to the tension as I wondered if Carly was doing the right thing here in letting him into her life.

The ending was so well done, and I thought the book had a really satisfying ending as well. Everything was pulled very neatly together. The Forever Home is so twisty. I’m sure if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, you will devour it. An excellent read!

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This was a spectacularly fun & bumpy ride! I have read a few books from Sue Watson before, so I knew I would enjoy this one but I didn’t quite realize just how much I would.

We begin at Carly & Mark’s anniversary party, which as it turns out has more then a few surprises awaiting. The landscape that’s described in this book is so delicious you can almost picture the seascape in the background. You’re quickly immersed into this story, through the voice of Carly, who is very easy to empathize with. There were a few times where I had to stop myself & ask how this could all be happening to her, for more then one reason, but I don’t want to give too much away. This kept me wondering until the very last page, I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller!

A huge thanks to Netgalley & Bookouture for this eARC, this will be published June 4th!

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I am a fan of Sue Watson books having previously enjoyed The Sister in Law, First Date and Our Little Lies.
The Forever Home is about the Anderson’s. Carly, Mark and two grown up children. Living in an idyllic renovated home overlooking the Cornish coastline. Mark was the face of their brand, Carly had always been in the supporting role, raising the children and standing behind her husband. Their perfect lives were the envy of the town.
At a party in their enviable home to celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary Carly discovers that Mark is leaving her for a much younger woman.
This book is the definition of not judging a book by its cover and never really knowing what goes on behind closed doors.
I mostly felt sorry for Carly - Sue Watson drip feeds the readers with information about Carly and Marks relationship throughout the book. Mark is quite clearly a narcissist (among other things) but Carly allowed Mark to continually make a mockery of the family, specifically their marriage. She should have put her big girl pants on at many times in the present and the history of their relationship.
This book was a slow burner. I felt like there were chapters that either went back over old ground or where nothing happened. Has this not been a Sue Watson book it would definitely have ended up as a “did not finish”
If you enjoy a slow burn then this book is for you. I don’t. There are other book by Sue Watson that are better than this one.

Thank you to Sue Watson, Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

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What. A. Delight.
I read First Date by Sue Watson last year and it was a top fave for 2020. I was fortunate to get an ARC for The Forever Home (my first one ever!)

I loved this book! Everyone was suspicious at some point throughout the book. Things started getting “answered” at around 80% - which made me more suspicious - and then the wild ride just continued!

I love domestic thrillers and this one is just as memorable as First Date. 5 stars!

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Another fantastic read from one of my favourite authors which held my interest from the beginning until the brilliant ending, I just didn't know who to trust and I had got it all wrong personally. All the characters were described well and the storyline was just perfect, I cannot speak highly enough about this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this great book which I can definitely recommend.

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Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read the arc of The Forever Home. The book started out great! We get to meet the characters and they were great too. As the book went on though, I didn't really like any of them though. The writing was good, but the characters and story were just ok for me. The book is worth reading though because it will really keep you guessing!

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Soooo good this book!!!
The author always is amazing 👏
What a gripping mystery.

This was a very disturbing but good read.

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and could not get enough of.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension -  impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

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Never judge a book by it's cover... we've all heard that before and we know appearances can be deceiving. Carly and Mark have been married 25 years and are the envy of everyone they know. A beautiful home, 2 beautiful children, the perfect couple. At least that's we're supposed to be believe!
This was a great read that had me from the very beginning! It was so hard to put down and kept me guessing throughout. Alot of family drama and more suspenseful than thriller, I think, but nonetheless I loved it. Great character development, easy to follow story line and enough twists to keep you engaged!

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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Sue Watson knocks it out of the park -- AGAIN with this book! This was such a great read! Just when you think the story is almost over, another twist comes happens and shocks you! I couldn't put this book down! I highly recommend!

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Carly and Mark appear to have a charmed life – perfect marriage, perfect house, celebrity status – but just like the façade of Carly’s forever home, it’s meaningless if the foundation isn’t strong. And the foundation of Carly and Mark’s marriage is cracked beyond repair. Now Mark wants a divorce, and Carly wants nothing more than to stay in her forever home... but it seems someone is determined to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Although billed as a psychological thriller, this is more of a family/divorce drama with some suspense elements thrown in. I enjoyed the story overall, and you can’t help but feel for all the heartache and fear that Carly is going through. I wanted to punch Mark (and a few others) on her behalf!

I did find the story a bit slow to start, with a lot of internal musings from Carly to tell the reader about the characters rather than developing them through dialogue and interactions. Things do get a bit repetitive with the back and forth between Mark’s gaslighting and Carly’s angry phone messages. The story does pick up; once the action really got going, the twists come fast. Just when you think it’s all resolved – bam! – there are still a couple more unexpected twists in store.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Many thanks to Sue Watson, Bookouture and NetGalley for offering this ARC in exchange my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and Sue Watson never let you down. This book is hardly to be said a psychological thriller, it seems to be domestic mystery more. It's a brilliant twisty book with solid storyline which was amazing and fantastic. It's a turn when you guess it's the end. More twists came to make you shock and surprised. Excellent written and fast paced. I couldn't put it down that I was hooked from the first page. There were lots of surprises and unpredictable twists coming along with page by page. Author is very genius to shock you at the brilliant ending. It was an incredible book that you must read, esp. in time of lock down. Definitely it would keep you on your toes when you found a lots of deceits, lies, secrets...etc. It deserves ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I'm certainly looking forward to more books by Sue Watson.

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