Why haven’t I read more books by Natalie Barelli? This one kept me guessing till the very end. When I thought I figured things out, nope, I was wrong. Bronwyn drove me crazy!!! She was a piece of work! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published July 2022.

Entertaining, but nothing new here in the land of psychological thrillerverse.

Laura is an art curator who is engaged to Jack, who recently lost his job. They’re raising his young daughter, Charlie, together. Charlie’s mom, Bronwyn, left Jack and Charlier a few years ago and only makes sporadic visits…until now.

Suddenly Bronwyn is back in the picture. She decides to visit and stay in the family home and show her love to her daughter. Laura isn’t buying it, and knows Bronwyn isn’t the sweet woman people perceive her to be. They have a shared past…which wasn’t pretty. Laura also thinks that Bronwyn wants to get back together with Jack.

Laura will do anything to protect her family.

If this sounds like standard fare, it’s because it is. However, I wouldn’t let that deter you if you’re looking for a few hours of entertainment and fantastic writing.

Author Natalie Barelli is one of my faves, and I always pick up her books as soon as I see them available. This one doesn’t quite measure up to her others because it’s really not shocking, and follows the standard thriller formula for the most part. However, the writing is top notch and the characters are intriguing from start to finish. Even if I wasn’t completely blown away by the time I reached the ending, I can’t pretend that it wasn’t a fun ride.

If you are new to the work of Natalie Barelli, I highly recommend the two books in her Emma Fern series. They are darkly humorous and deliciously wicked. I know I’ll be wowed by her again, and I can’t wait!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 7/26/22.

3.5 stars rounded up. Laura is an art exhibition director who is looking forward to marrying her fiance, Jack, and becoming a stepmother to seven year old Charlie (Charlotte). Jack's first wife, Bronwyn, is an absent mother who has been living in Italy. In Bronwyn's absence, Laura has stepped up to become Charlie's "mama" and treats her like her own. However, Bronwyn returns home to sign the divorce papers, lives in her martial house, and decides she wants to be Charlie's mother again and push Laura out. So begins the tension...

The beginning was a little bit slow, but then it really picks up. For much of the story, you'll be unsure of who to trust. The ending gets a little nuts, but if you're willing to suspend belief, it is overall a fun thriller!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my advance copy.

Reading Between the Wines book review #59/135 for 2022:
Rating: 4.5 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷1/2
Book 🎧: Unforgivable
Author: Natalie Barelli
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
RELEASES July 26, 2022!!! Get your copy today!

Sipping thoughts: Wooh this one took me for a ride!! I did not like any of the characters but sweet, impressionable Charlie. Charlie who was being pulled between her new stepmother, Laura, and her biological mother, Bronwyn. When Laura wasn’t being whiney and neurotic, she was worrying about her relationship with Jack and about losing Charlie’s love. But then I got to thinking that I would do whatever in my power to keep my stepdaughter safe as well. Only thing as a reader you don’t know who she is keeping Charlie safe from. As you read you will not know who or what to believe and isn’t that the best type of book to read! I absolutely loved this book and even though these characters dumb moves made my blood pressure rise, I could not get enough! Barelli has done it again!

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for an advance copy of @Unforgivable.

#Unforgivable #NatalieBarelli #Bookouture #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

To be honest, at first I was getting frustrated with this story as I kept thinking who in their right mind would allow this to happen and would put up with everything that was going on under Laura's own roof. However, I stuck with it because the actual storyline had hooked me and I absolutely needed to find out how everything would come together in the end.. I am so glad I continued reading as the story and the characters continued to grab my attention and I could not put this book down, I just sat there and read and read until it was done. Loved the story and the characters and the WOW moments each time more information was shared throughout the story.

Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!! 4.5 Stars from me!!

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. Laura is in love with Jack and his stepdaughter, Charlotte (Charlie). They are planning their wedding and life is going well until Jack's ex-wife (Charlie's mom) comes back into the picture. Bronwyn claims she is visiting for a few days until their divorce papers are signed but actually is living in Jack and Laura's house for weeks. Laura grew up with Bronwyn and lived through a nightmare caused by her. Things start getting crazy in their house and Laura swears that Bronwyn is back to get Jack. This is a really good book with alot of twists and highly recommend.

I love the premise of this book in which a woman will do whatever it takes to protect her step-daughter. However, it’s a slow build-up and during the first part of the book, it seems as if everyone is taking advantage of Laura at work and at home. She is walked on by both her partner, Jack, and his ex-wife, Bronwyn, and seems afraid to stand up for herself. Unfortunately, it’s often the child, Charlotte, that suffers because of this. It was hard to connect with or even understand the actions of any of the characters, especially Jack and Bronwyn, because of the decisions they make and the things they do.

Things improve in the latter part of the story and although she’s not always a reliable narrator, I grew to like Laura more. All of the main characters are keeping secrets and the story gets more interesting as they start to come out. Although she doesn’t always do the right thing, Laura’s love for “Charlie” remains constant. There is a very intense and dramatic confrontation near the end that reveals even more twists. I was pleased with how the book ends overall and would rate this psychological thriller 3.5 stars.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Bookouture. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

I couldn’t put Unforgivable down and finished in an afternoon!

Laura is living with her fiancé and is the primary caretaker of his daughter, Charlie. They are not without their problems, but Laura wouldn’t change a thing… Until her husband’s ex, and Charlie’s real mom decides to come back to town.

The twists and turns, and figuring out what is real and what is not make for a really fun read. Every time I was certain I had figured out what was happening, something changed.
This is definitely a fun read, and I’ll be checking out Natalie Barelli’s backlist.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review.

I have not found a Natalie Barelli book that I haven’t enjoyed. I always jump at the chance to read her books and Unforgivable was another binge worthy read. I read the whole thing on a rainy Sunday afternoon. My head was spinning, my thoughts in the characters changing with almost every new chapter. I love not knowing what is going on and who can be believed.

Laura is happy with her fiancé Jack. She loves being step mother to Charlie and would do anything for her. Charlie’s mother Bronwyn announces that she is coming to see her daughter for her birthday and would be staying with them. Laura and Bronwyn have a history and tensions is high in the household. Laura knows that Bronwyn has an hidden agenda. Why is is her new partner not with her? Why is she hesitant to sign the divorce papers? Laura is convinced that she wants Jack back and does everything she can to stop her.

Now, you really need to just go with this one. The characters make a lot of questionable decisions that will have you shaking your head. It is hard to know who to trust, who’s truth do you believe, the ending was 🤯🤯🤯

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published July 26th.

I almost stopped reading at the very beginning bc I found the characters obnoxious, Laura’s tolerance of things was painful to read. But I am so glad I kept going! This book was suspenseful and had me thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. I definitely recommend to fellow domestic- thriller lovers!

Laura is a curator of an art gallery and a doting stepmother to Charlie, the school age daughter of her fiancé, Jack. Everything is going well until she hears that Charlie's mother, Bronwyn, who has been living her new best life in Italy, is coming back to visit. Bronwyn had left Jack and Charlie to be with her rich boyfriend and it devastated her family, but especially Charlie. Laura has spent the last two years helping Charlie cope with the abandonment and she has been making great improvements. But now it feels like it's all going to be for naught. with Bronwyn sweeping back into Charlie's life, staying in their house, and acting like a mother who didn't throw her family away. Laura, of course, is the only one who sees this as a bad situation and one that will harm Charlie more than help her.

At the same time, there's drama at Laura's workplace. She hires an assistant, Summer, who wasn't her first choice due to lack of experience. But the owner was enamored with her, so Laura went along with his choice to keep everyone happy. Summer worms her way into Laura's new exhibit even though her work isn't at the same level, but again, Laura just lets it happen. An artwork goes missing due to some carelessness on Laura's part and now she's worried about losing her job on top of all the stress at home with Bronwyn.

She spends most of the book being a weak pushover who everyone clearly takes advantage of and it gets old pretty fast. There's a big difference between being amenable and being stepped all over. And Jack just lets Bronwyn act however she wants and treat Laura however she wants even though he should be telling Bronwyn to get lost, treat Laura better, etc. That's why none of the characters were remotely likable for me, unfortunately. Anyone else in Laura's place would have told Jack where to shove it and that he needs to put her before his soon to be ex-wife. Yes, they're not even officially divorced.

I had higher hopes for this book because the author's other stories were not as generic and the characters not so stereotyped. It's hard when you can't really root for anyone and you spend most of the story wondering how anyone could be such a pushover (Laura), so oblivious (Jack) or so incredibly fake and manipulative (Bronwyn). I know it's fiction, but come on!

The story starts with a dead body and ends the same way. Its a roller coaster ride to figure out whose body it is.
Is it Laura - the engaged art curator who is soon to be step mama to Charlie?? Is it Bronwyn the soon to be ex wife of Jack - Laura's fiance and and mother of Charlotte (Charlie) or is it Summer Laura's newly hired assistant who mysteriously appears and becomes Laura's accomplice?? There is a break in at the gallery, stolen artwork, and secrets and lies divulged. Once you're sure you know what will happen the page turns the story on it's head.
It also has a lighthearted air about it as all of Laura's thoughts are quite humorous. But it becomes a real page turner as it nears it's very satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed the book.

A fantastic domestic thriller that I couldn't put down and read in one sitting. Twisty, unpredictable and gripping.

This was my first Natalie Barelli novel, and it won't be my last! Wow, what a crazy, emotional ride!

At the very beginning, I couldn't really picture the suburb that was being described. I was glad when the scene moved to the art gallery, as I could picture it much better in my mind. Also, I must not understand the art world. I mean, why put on a show or exhibition if nothing is for sale, and the gallery doesn't make any money? What's the point then?

Anyway! The story was really well written, everything tied up beautifully at the end which I always love, and great characters! Though I do think that the main character was kind of dumb and naive at times, when I thought things were obvious.

As I said earlier, I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Barelli's work!

LOVED this domestic thriller. Gobbled it right up. What happens when your husband's ex-wife moves into your new home. Yikes! Full of suspense and helping twists. Excellent read.

Unforgivable is a gripping, can't-put-down, domestic thriller about the lengths that one woman will go to protect her family. Laura has a great life; she's married to a loving husband, stepmother to a wonderful 5-year-old, and curator of a local art gallery. But Laura's happiness is soon challenged when Jack's ex-wife and mother to Charlie comes to stay with them. The book is action-packed and full of untrustworthy characters. There are lots of twists and exciting reveals. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

Title: Unforgivable
Author: Natalie Barelli
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 26, 2022
My Rating: 4.= Stars

Laura an art exhibitions director with the hopes of being a curator; she is also looking forward to marrying Jack Blackman and being the stepmother to his seven year old daughter Charlotte ~ nicknamed Charlie.
Jack’s first wife Bronwyn, an uncaring as well as an absent mother, is now engaged to a Plastic Surgeon and decides it is time to sign the divorce papers. She arrives at the home of Laura and Jack (which was also her home when she was married to Jack) and for some reason feel she is entitled to stay in the guest room. While there she showers little Charlie with gifts and promises we doubt she will keep. She acts like she is on vacation while Laura is her servant.

Hmmm ~ Turns out that she and Laura have history ~ they were actually friends in middle school when a nasty thing happened. Now it seems Bronwyn believe Laura stole her husband and it out to punish her.

Another Hmmm . . . . . I love psychological thrillers ~
I know/expect
 There will be secrets and
 There will be twists and turns!

Yep! I the twists & turns kicked in and secrets were revealed!


This psychological thriller is great! Author, Natalie Barelli does a great job of messing with us. She creating a suspicion that seems clear-cut and then it doesn’t.
Who is the real Psycho ~ Bronwyn or is it Laura?
Awww you need to read this story and find out!

As always I enjoy the author’s notes and/or Acknowledgements. In this case ~ 'A Letter from Natalie'.
She tells us that when she started this story she has a completely different plot in mind but the characters had a different idea!
BTW: Natalie rides motorcycles, knits and spends far too much time on her computer. She lives in Australia.

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley. Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 26, 2022

4.5⭐️

This is my first book by this author. I had to give it a try after Daniel McBreakneck raved about it.

Laura is engaged to Jack, only life isn’t going so well for them. Laura loves Charlie her step daughter, and has worked hard to help her overcome her emotional and behavioural problems. You can feel how much she loves this little girl. Suddenly Bronwyn who is still married to Jack visits from Italy supposedly to visit Charlie and insists on staying with them.

The characters are well portrayed with their insecurities and faults. We get to see this family domestic drama unfold. It has a similar vibe to Sally Hepworth

I loved the twists and turns coupled with some poor decision making adding into the mix of conniving and manipulative behaviour. It’s very compelling reading as things unfold. It maintains a good pace throughout.

The author fulfilled her aim for me it kept me entertained and surprised me. I heartily recommend this book.

There were lots of twists and turns in this novel and I wasn’t really sure who to trust – everyone seemed to be keeping secrets and lying about what they were up to. There were several red herrings and some misdirection that had me suspecting all kinds of things! I was trying to guess what was happening and kept changing my mind. This was definitely an intriguing and absorbing read. I really enjoyed this book and it will appeal fans of thrillers.

After reading this domestic thriller, I am certain that I will be looking for more Natalie Barelli reads!

Laura is engaged to Jack and for the past two years, she has been taking care of Jack’s daughter, Charlie, attempting to help her cope with Bronwyn’s absence in her life. Bronwyn is Charlie’s biological mother; she flew to Europe and moved in with a rich man, leaving both Jack and Charlie behind in Seattle. It took a long while but things already started to progress with Laura and her stepdaughter, until Bronwyn announces that she will be flying back for Charlie’s birthday, with the intention to stay in Seattle for a few weeks.

Laura’s life starts to crumble after Bronwyn’s arrival. She feels that Charlie and Jack are starting to drift away from her due to the alluring pull of Jack’s ex-wife. Laura’s pangs of jealousy will eventually lead her to do things that she otherwise would not have done. This, we need to understand: Is Bronwyn sabotaging Laura’s family life, or is this just paranoia that’s coming from Laura’s mind?

I really didn’t know what to believe in - and this makes Unforgivable so exciting!

Aside from the twisty plot that this novel offers, these are some other things that I enjoyed:
- Smooth story flow - I enjoyed the simplicity of this novel which was entirely narrated by Laura and had a single timeline. There were a few references to the past but these were part of Laura’s first person recollection.
- Laura’s relationship with Charlie - One thing remained certain all throughout the novel: Laura loves Charlie deeply.
- Laura’s work life - While being a stepmom to Charlie, Laura is also working as an art gallery curator. Her career isn’t just a backdrop for the story; it was weaved well into the plot.
- The wild ending!

This novel was extremely satisfying. 5 SOLID STARS! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me access to an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.