“But more than any proof she has, is a feeling. She’d once heard them described as the whispers—the moments that are trying to tell you something isn’t right here. .”

My thanks to Penguin Random House Michael Joseph for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Whispers’ by Ashley Audrain.

As with her 2021 debut, ‘The Push’, Ashley Audrain’s second novel focuses upon the experience of motherhood.

The story is told from multiple points of view, indicated at the head of each chapter. Before that the main characters are introduced during a garden party. Finding myself a bit overwhelmed by all the names, I made myself a quick list of who’s who and their connections. This proved handy until I became familiar with them.

The plot focuses upon four women living in a recently gentrified neighbourhood of an unnamed American city. The host of the party is Whitney Loverly; she is married to Jacob and is the mother to ten-year-old Xavier and three-year-old twins. She runs her own successful consulting firm with her children being raised by nannies. Blair Park is married to Aiden and gave up her career in advertising after the birth of now six-year-old Chloe.

Rebecca Goldstein is an emergency room doctor and is married to Ben. They have no children. Finally Mara Alvaro, who lives next door to the Loverlys, is in her early 80s and married to Albert. They had emigrated from Portugal many years ago. She recalls the vibrant Portuguese community that has been replaced by people “salivating for signs of the last import grocers going under. They all want that … mermaid coffee chain within walking distance.”

At the party Whitney loses her temper with Xavier unaware that his bedroom window is wide open. Her angry words were heard by everyone’. Oops. Flash forward nine months and Rebecca is working a night shift when a critically injured patient is brought in. She is shocked to see it’s someone that she recognises. The story then unfolds over a few tense days. No further details to avoid spoilers.

While I am not the target audience for this novel, I was able to appreciate the intricacies of the relationship dynamics and the choices made by its characters. I admit that I was a bit disappointed that rather than being child free, Rebecca was desperately unhappy about not being a mother and had suffered five miscarriages to date.

I found some scenes rather disturbing including graphic descriptions of miscarriages and Blair’s snooping around in Whitney’s drawers. This felt invasive and icky.

While I didn’t find ‘The Whispers’ as powerful as ‘The Push’, I felt that it was an engaging family drama that flowed well between its various characters. Rebecca was my favourite though wanted to sit her down for a chat about finding fulfilment in other aspects of life.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

4.5 stars.

After reading and loving The Push, I was so excited to get stuck into this one!

Ashley Audrain just writes people incredibly!! I don’t know how she does it but she gets right into their psyche and it makes for the most interesting characters.

The development of the characters have me hooked from the get go and I was totally enthralled.

It was different to The Push, which psychological thriller aspects had me hook, line and sinker. This felt more domestic suspense to me and I adored every second.

I don’t know what else to say really, other than I loved it and I absolutely cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

I adored The Push which was this authors debut novel and this one was just as fabulous.

I started a while ago but at the time I wasn’t able to grasp the characters so tried again while on holiday and made sure to make notes.

The character development was excellent and with it being a slow burn novel you really got to know the characters well so when the plot moved forward you felt their plight and connected with what they were going through.

The storyline had several stories going on which I loved as they all interwove and connected the dots.

A really fabulous book and looking forward to her next.

I really enjoyed Ashley’s debut novel The Push (see my review here) which left me reeling and emotionally disturbed, so I knew that her second novel The Whispers had a lot to live up to.

The story is set in an affluent neighbourhood and is based around 4 families. Whitney and Jacob Loverly, who are successful, rich and at first glance appear to have it all. A 10 year old son, Xavier and gorgeous toddler twins Sebastian and Thea. Blair and Aiden Park are parents to Chloe. Blair is a stay-at-home mum and Whitney’s best friend. She’s convinced her husband is having an affair and secretly envies Whitney’s life and marriage. Rebecca and Ben Goldsmith are new to the neighbourhood, she’s an ER doctor, and are desperate for a child, however after countless miscarriages (could be a trigger for some readers) the failure to carry a child to term is affecting their marriage. Finally there is Mara and Albert, an elderly couple who have lived on the street for decades. Originally from Portugal Mara loves to spend her time watching her neighbours.

The blurb above tells you that an incident occurs at a BBQ hosted by The Loverly’s which starts the “whispers” around the neighbourhood. Rumours start to spread about Whitney’s behaviour towards her 10 year old son Xavier, but it’s when a terrible accident happens several months later and Xavier falls (??) out of his 3rd floor window leaving him in a coma, that the rumour mill goes into overdrive.

If you have read The Push and thought that was uncomfortable, then let me warn you now.. this is almost unbearable. We are taken on a brutal and often raw journey with these 4 different families, finding out their inner most secrets and thoughts, seeing them fall apart when their worlds are turned upside and it’s a really uneasy story.

There were certain chapters when I just felt “dirty and voyeuristic” and almost wanted to skim read as they were so dark and disturbing. Overall, The Whispers is a very dark and brutal look at friendship and motherhood, love, grief and fear.

Three couples all with differing lifestyles. One couple disappointed time and time again at not being able to have a child. One stay at home mum with one child and one mother of three with a career. Their lives become intermingled. Brilliantly portrayed characters and a compelling storyline. I really enjoyed this book

The Whispers by Ashley Audrain centres on whispers - gossip in a small neighbourhood. The book opens at a party hosted by Whitney - Whitney is the envy of every woman - she has a beautiful home, a perfect husband, and children. Posting on social media how perfect her life is does not please everyone - in fact it angers another long time resident Mara.
The characterrs in the story - Mara, Whitney and another resident - Rebecca - all of their stories intertwineuntil the story comes to a climatic end - it's a story of intrigue, lies, deciet and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Whispers
Ashley Audrain
Puplication date: 20th July 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off, thank you so much to Netgalley and the Author Ashley Audrain for an advanced reading copy of this highly anticipated follow up to her 2021 best seller runaway success 'The Push'. I was so excited to be approved a copy of this one and it moved straight to the top of my TBR list.

It was everything I knew it would be and I absolutely loved it.

I can't fault a single thing about it, it was an easy 5 stars from me.

The Whispers is a dark character driven family drama.

Just like with 'The Push', I was hooked from the very first page.

The book follows four different women who live in the same neighbourhood. The plot revolves around the event at the centre of the storyline - Whitneys son is fighting for his life in hospital after a fall from his bedroom window.

Audrain writes in such a raw and honest way. Every character, every experience of motherhood and each individual family dynamic is so vastly different - the characterisation is so well developed and theres such a mix, some likable, some unlikable, all with their own flaws and secrets yet you really get hooked on their storylines. This depth to the characterisation is what makes the book stand out in my opinion.

As the story progressed there were some shocking revelations - everyone had their own theory about what happened and all have their own secrets they are hiding themselves.

There were a few surprises in store and THAT ENDING!!!! That last line was EXPLOSIVE!!!

Audrain has definately created a niche with these two books 'The Push' and 'The Whispers' and I already cannot wait for her next book.

This book touches on Motherhood, Womanhood, Jealousy, Deception and Miscarriage/Infertility - to name a few.
It was perfectly paced, the writing style just flowed, it had a well developed storyline with supurb characters.

It was Gripping, intense, hard to put down and just an utterly fantastic read!!!

I couldnt rate it higher if I tried.
It was flawless.

Defo one not to be missed guys!!
Enjoy ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After reading 'The Push' a couple of years ago, I was so excited to read this one! Audrain's the Push was in my top books of the year - unfortunately I cannot say the same for 'the Whispers'

I struggled to get into this book. I found the female characters to be similar, so I struggled to keep up whenever I picked up this book again. I had to keep reminding myself as to who was who.
The premise was exciting, but it didn't grip me throughout. I wanted to know what had happened, but I was still slightly confused.

I enjoyed reading, but barely compares to 'the Push' for me!

I really enjoyed The Push so was excited to read her second novel. This was a slow read that I flew through on the first day of my holiday. I thought it was a good read but it lacked some depth in the characters because of how many there were or it lacked that tenderness that I felt when reading her first novel. I do enjoy a multiple POV though.

A dark and suspenseful neighborhood drama!

Thanks NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC!

Audrain pulls us into the depths of motherhood just like in her renowned debut – The Push. Her character portrayals have that sinister edge to them and it’s no different here.

Synopsis -

Following Whitney, Rebecca, Blair and Mara - neighbors on Harlow lane, we understand their family lives and journeys of motherhood in all its colors and flavors. The narrative keeps flashing back to one eventful afternoon of neighborly gathering in September at Whitney’s place, where - an incident triggers a domino effect leading to a fateful morning when Whitney’s 10 year old son Xavier battles for life in a hospital bed.

Audrain explores the various aspects of what it means to be a mother with 4 very different women and what happens when they are pushed to their emotional limits -

Whitney, who has it all – a thriving career, beautiful home and three precious children, but she is someone who struggles in her own way with motherhood.

Meanwhile Blair, is the doting stay at home mom to Chloe, but is far from feeling happy about her life or even good about herself.

Mara, the elderly woman, is busy silently people watching from her porch as she battles with her own demons and guilt, hardships and loss of her past, while she also harbors a fair share of secrets.

Rebecca’s character is perhaps the most hard hitting. As a doctor, she is struggling with multiple miscarriages and its trigger warnings galore when it comes to her story. The enormity of her grief and loss have rendered her heart as cold and hard as stone – the hopelessness and despair unbearable. The descriptions were agonizingly graphic and my heart truly broke for her.

The mystery of the events leading up to Xavier’s fall slowly builds, and finally crescendos into an explosion of excruciating lies, malice, betrayals and desperately hidden secrets revealing the hard naked truths.

The ending felt slightly inconclusive, but had a sucker punch of an impact nonetheless. It left me wanting justice served as well as for the remorse and indignity to be felt by the wrongdoer.

SO good. Dark domestic noir, flawed characters, frenemies all over the place.
Definitely recommend.

I tried so hard to get into this book. The hype and advance reviews seemed to really sell this as a gripping novel. I could not follow the many characters introduced in the first chapter, Each character seemed to blur into another. I didn’t like the short, choppy paragraphs breaking up the flow of the story. It was almost discombobulating.

I had just finished 2 brilliant thrillers which I reviewed in the days prior which were both engaging from the first chapter. This confused me and despite the dramatic incident happening really early on I had no desire to push on. The writing style was all over the place and extremely hard to follow. Nothing endeared me to this novel.

I thought maybe I was just unable to focus so set it aside and started another book to review. Gripped from the first page, easy to follow, making me want more. So, two books prior and one tester nailed it for me that this wasn’t a book I was going to either enjoy or be able to get into at all. I’m disappointed as it’s really hyped up. I had read The Push and enjoyed it, this didn’t seem like the same author.

I rarely put down a book very early on but I knew from thousands of books and over 40 years of reading that if it wasn’t clear now it wasn’t going to get better.. So a rare DNF for me. If you read it you may love it. Just wasn’t doing it for me.

I loved the ending.

Ashley Audrain has authored a novel where a child’s accident brings out the truth of what’s happening in a small enclave of neighbouring houses.

I had a very strange reaction to the novel. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters but carried on reading till the end. However, I couldn’t get the storyline out of my head. Then I was in a coffee shop enjoying some “me time” but found myself eavesdropping on a table of women with school going children sitting next to me and realised that this book, is going to be a huge talking point not just among women but even men. It truly had quite the most extraordinary affect on me. Also, it brought back memories of being newly married and watching our neighbours all partake in key-swopping parties and the consequences of their behaviour.
Ashley Audrain, I must congratulate you for making me relive a period in my life. A period that I’d conveniently forgotten until today.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

Wow, this is a tense and suspenseful read.
There are some fascinating and complex characters, friendships, and relationships throughout this story. I can’t say I found any of the characters particularly likeable, except for Rebecca. My heart went out to her. I was equally engrossed in all their stories and the relationship dynamics.
Whitney isn’t what you’d call a natural mother. Her friends are witness to her losing her temper with her son during a party, leaving them wondering what might happen behind closed doors. Soon after, a terrible accident leaves her unable to leave his hospital bedside. It seems to have changed her whole perspective on life and made her want to be the mother her children deserve. There are secrets though that, if discovered, could change her life forever.
I was desperate to find out what these secrets were and where the story would lead. OH. MY. GOODNESS!
It’s an uncomfortable read at times but entirely compelling.
That ending!!
Just brilliant!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**

If you like domestic drama crossed with psychological thrillers, with a touch of mystery, this is the book for you!

More domestic suspense vibes than thriller, this was gripping, full of drama, intense— combined with a LOT of characters and individual plot lines, this was a PAGE 👏🏽 TURNER 👏🏽. Following four women, their relationships, and the way their lives entwine in one way or another, this book is full to the brim with secrets and little plot twists, and was thought provoking, dark + emotional; everything I love in a book!

The blend of disturbing narrative with unreliable narrator was addictive and although I’d describe the pacing as slow burn, the confronting matter in each chapter was captivating. The last sentence gave me CHILLS 🤌🏼😮‍💨

Audrain does not hold back on the sensitive + deep topics and explores, in depth, the darker complexities of motherhood and marriage, as well as infertility, infidelity and parental guilt to name a few. Definitely check the content warnings for this: miscarriage in particular is quite graphically described.

I still need to read THE PUSH but am super excited to after finishing this one. A gripping, engaging and well written novel that I’d definitely recommend picking up!

[𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 @𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 (𝘐𝘎), 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩.] —— 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒚 @ 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 🥀

I really enjoyed this book….it told the story of neighbours from different perspective and how the dramas of their lives links and tangles….really great read

Even better than the push and I loved that novel. Once again Ashley Audrain perfectly captures what is going on in a women's mind and especially the thoughts we have as mothers the thoughts we don't think anybody else has. I had chills reading the whispers and I literally couldn't put it down. Truly excellent.

A domestic thriller focusing on four women and their experiences of marriage and motherhood and uncovering all their dirty secrets.
It’s disturbing and uncomfortable and hated most of the characters, but couldn’t stop reading.
The most thought-provoking book I’ve read in a while.
It’s a novel about what happens when we put our needs ahead of our children’s.
Would make the perfect bingeable mini series.
Thanks @ashleyaudrain, @michaeljbooks & @netgalley for the eARC

I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of 3 women, Whitney, Blair and Rebecca who are very different but are neighbours. One night there is a terrible accident involving a child. But what really happened? The whispers begin...... The characters are very interesting and I was kept guessing to the end, where there is one final twist. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This book is going to live in my head for some time… The Whispers is an intense and raw depiction of various aspects of motherhood; the one who has it all, the one who appears “perfect”, the one who has lost a child, and the one so desperate to become a mother.

This was a different type of “dark” that I’m used to and boy did parts of it break my cold heart 💔💔 I purposely avoided The Push as I was right in the throes of raising a toddler when it came out… I’ll read it one day 😉😉

I empathised with all four characters. Some were more likeable than others, which was intended, but Audrain writes in such an evocative and powerful way that I couldn’t help feel for each of them. Some I could relate to in parts, and some I just wanted to wrap my arms round and protect 🖤🖤

There are some aspects which are quite detailed, particularly to do with pregnancy loss. I was aware from other reviews of how graphic these parts of the book were, and was a tad apprehensive… but Audrain wrote them sensitively and emphatically and, although difficult to read, I feel they were a vital part of the book.

A domestic drama with more of a thriller element towards the end, Audrain knows how to write a book that will pack a punch 🤛 🤛 And certainly an eye bulge, if not a jaw drop, at the very end… 👀👀

I was consumed by this book and I certainly look forward to more of Audrain’s in the future.