I very much appreciated the opportunity of reading an advanced copy of this book. However, it was just not for me despite persevering and hoping it would get better.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I really enjoyed this book, interesting concept from a brand new author to add to my list. Definitely recommend.

How to kill with kindness literally starts with a bang. The first chapter sets the disturbing tone for the book, full of shocking dialogue and scenes that leave the reader thinking ‘did that really just happen?!’

From there we switch characters but it leaves you with the impression that all is in fact NOT well and things won’t at all be what they seem.

You spend the next while waiting for the other shoe to drop and for chaos to ensue, there is definitely something very wrong with this small village and the community that lives within.

This was very much a unique read with an interesting plot and I was very intrigued to see where the author was going with the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, S. R. Masters, Harper Collin’s UK and One More Chapter for this ARC

The jury is still out on this book. I think I liked it (I certainly could not put it down) but I am not sure. It was rather far fetched but, considering the strange things I read in the newspapers these days, maybe it wasn't! It certainly made me think and that is a good thing.
I apologise for my disjointed review.

I thought this highly original and a unique masterpiece. The central theme is kindness and there are two unnamed characters in the opening chapter who the reader has the puzzle of identifying. It has a fairytale quality which is intriguing and gripping, but also has a touch of menace and darkness.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.

There is alot going on in this book lots of characters that have their own personalities etc Its an intetesting concept i like the idea of a kindness village jist with less people fuing i think the main Character Tessa is really easy too understand and you get a bond for the character the same with Jayden and Kath and am glad they all came together.
From the beginning you obviously know something is going on with one of the characters and having the background and thoughts of that character in between whats going on in the village gives u an insight into how they are the way they are. Its obvipusly one of the characters in the village bit i was surprised too find out which one though it all made sense when revealed.
i enjoyed this nook though will admit i dod skim read a few bits as it got a bit slow on the middle bit other than that i would reccomend

Reading this book, you can’t help making a comparison to The Stepford Wives. A seemingly picture-perfect town that hides ugly secrets beneath its beauty. Tessa and her partner Andy make a slightly impulsive decision to move there for a change of pace after coming upon the village one day. They like the vibe and are looking for a fresh start, so they apply for a rare open property. After an unsettling interview with the Kindness Committee, they are approved and move in shortly afterward. The Kindness Committee pretty much runs the town, promoting their values, and encouraging participation from the residents. It’s just as weird as it sounds and it just gets weirder.

You know where this is headed – it starts out wonderful but there are little signs that everything’s not as it seems. Because of the reduced rent Tessa and Andy are offered, they’re expected to offer their assistance for free based on their particular skills. The few residents that aren’t as engaged and proactive are seen as outsiders and Tessa is encouraged not to spend time with them. It becomes clear to Tessa that if you don’t follow the rules of doing what they want you to do, then there are consequences. Terrifying consequences in some cases.

And when she turns to Andy for support, he surprises her by disagreeing and blowing off her doubts as ‘her typical cynicism.’ The village is widening the gaps in their relationship and she begins wondering if England’s Kindest Village is going to become her biggest regret.

I enjoyed the book, waiting to see how bad things were going to get, and wasn’t surprised by how far the villagers would go. There are some good surprises thrown in, others you will see coming. What I didn’t like was how such a seemingly close and secure relationship like Tessa and Andy’s unraveled so quickly based on the manipulations of others. That’s not a spoiler, it’s plainly obvious from the start. They’re not your typical stagnant married couple that’s grown apart. They’re the type that would have both come to the same realization and gotten the heck out of Dodge while they still could. Otherwise, it’s a fun story for anyone, especially fans of the old cliché that the grass is always greener, etc. This book will change your mind right quick!

Next!
What on earth was that? A new author to me and it looked intriguing, but before i finished the first chapter. I had my doubts. Very unlikeable characters, weird story line and the chapters are all over the place, Quite a bit of swearing in there too,
I don't DNF many books, think its 2 maybe 3 years since last time. Reading the other reviews I gather i am in the minority, but this is not for me. I almost gave up at 5%, but struggled onto 15%,

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this. I couldn’t put it down because I was so invested.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Tessa and Andy are having a tough time. There last attempt at IVF has just failed, they need to make a change. Ona. Random road trip they come across a village, a village with a kindness committee. Against the odds, a house becomes available and they move there. Everything starts to unravel. Can everyone really be as kind as they say.

This one was nearly a dnf. It started really slowly and I worried it was going to be sickly sweet and all lovely. How wrong I was. Once the story really got going it was exciting with twists galore. I had no idea who could actually be trusted and desperately turned the pages trying to get to the bottom of things or to prove my theories correct. None were! The tale is told from the point of view of Tessa and at points I wondered if she was imagining it all. Other chapters were told by a mysterious other character. The puppet master of the tale. The identity of this person is revealed very late on, but their ramblings about Saints etc are hilarious confusing, definitely reveal a lot. M


Highly recommend!

This is one of those oddly fascinating novels that keeps you in a labyrinth until the bitter end! Tessa and Andy move to Nether Appleford as it's a quaint village that promises kindness to all inhabitants; they discover there is actually a Kindness Tree where the locals thank each other by hanging notes from its branches. Initially they are impressed but as they meet each of the villagers they notice there are so many anomalies and odd things happening that it becomes clear nothing is as it appears! It's such a weird and wonderful look at a community that believes it's doing good, when in actuality it's doing the opposite. Hang on for the ride of your life1
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Nether Appleford is England’s kindest village, run by a kindness committee, where just be kind is the community motto. But what is kindness and what if being cruel to be kind is the kindest thing?

When I read the storyline for this one I thought it sounded really intriguing so was grateful to get an early copy. After reading I can say I was right to be intrigued. The story takes a unique spin on the cult thriller and really makes you question what the meaning of kindness is, which would be good for a book club discussion. The story is told in varying viewpoints, with Tessa being the central character. There were a large number of characters but it was never confusing and I really enjoyed the crazy bunch of character’s views and personalities - even if some of them made me angry at times.

The overall story was suspenseful and dark in places, with a very clever concept. There are twists and turns and I never knew who to fully trust. There are some far fetched moments but these helped to keep the story entertaining. The ending was slightly sudden, although I was happy with how it turned out. S.R. Masters is a new author for me but after reading this I will definitely be looking at his other books, recommending and reading new ones that come out. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.

It is all in the perception, you can spin anything to mean what you want it to mean. Takes killing you with kindness to a new and almost claustrophobic level, like zealots that see death as a reward. Somehow kept humming "Cruel to be Kind" as I was reading! Solid mystery with a cult-like feel.