I really enjoyed this fantastic thriller. It held my interest throughout it was fast paced thriller with well developed characters. First book I have read from this author and it certainly won’t be my last. I loved the writing style and how the story just flowed throughout. Can’t wait to recommend this excellent thriller. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

This was a brilliant read that had me gripped all the way through and, having now read four of her books, Helen Cooper has become one of my favourite authors.

Chrissy and Alice are best friends, as are their respective sons, Leo and Robbie. Chrissy, a few years widowed, owns the village pub and everyone’s there for the New Year’s Eve 2021 celebrations. The two women are down in the cellar having an argument when there are several huge crashes from above them, and then voices frantically calling them back upstairs. Leo and Robbie were also arguing, there was pushing and shoving, and now Robbie is lying dead on the floor.

Fast forward to two years later, when Leo is released from prison. Chrissy waits outside the prison for him for ages and then discovers that he’s already left. Villagers are very hostile towards both Chrissy and Leo, and now Leo has disappeared. Then all the secrets and lies start to come out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Interesting book with enough material to keep one engaged. Some questions were left unanswered and some [arts were predictable but it was a good read and would recommend it as a quick summer read.

This is my first book by this author and will not be my last read.

I was totally engrossed from the first page to the last page

Thank you for the opportunity to review

A new author for me, a fast paced thriller which was well written with good characters and I did get involved in the storyline.

For me, personally, it wasn't an 'edge of seater' but a good enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

This was a fast paced thriller and well written.

I enjoyed the dual timelines, as well as the different POVs. I didn’t see the twist coming and I was surprised.

The whole story revolves around a mother’s love and a terrible crime that has been committed.

I would recommend this.

When a New Year's Eve party results in the death of one young man, Robbie, as the result of an unexpected argument, the fallout reverberates through the entire community.

It results in a custodial sentence for other young man, Leo, who is devastated by what has happened, signals the end of a close friendship between their two mothers, and initiates hostility from some within the locality at the prospect of the offender's release.

And if all that weren't bad enough, Leo's mother - who is already facing isolation thanks to her son's actions - finds out when she goes up to pick him up when he's released from prison that he has actually left the place and disappeared. What on earth is going on...?

This is a well written related thriller which demonstrates that everyone has secrets, sometimes ones you least expect, and in a small community that can have major consequences. Key themes include maternal love, family secrets and judgemental societal attitudes. It gets 3.5 stars.

NYE party at pub - someone dies. Someone goes to prison. Was it a punch or a push? Fast forward a few years and the culprit is released from prison. His mum goes to pick up but he’s already walked out a free man and now he’s vanished. Secrets and lies &a friendship fractured and blown apart.

Perfect read for those who enjoy fiction about:
- Village life
- Crime
- A mothers love
- A missing person
- Dual timelines

With thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

This was a highly emotive and highly engaging novel about family secrets and trust. When one boy is dead his friend is put in an awful position. Lots of twists and turns. Really enjoyed it.

This book definitely puts you in a predicament of not only with who to trust but the fact it is your son that you're questioning. I got into this book really quickly as i just had to know the truth.

As a teenage boy's mother, I found ‘My Darling Boy’ to be highly realistic and relatable. The story revolves around two mothers, and I empathised with them both. I enjoyed how the author portrayed both women's anguish, making them equally likeable.

The plot was fast-paced, and I was engrossed from the first page. I couldn't put the book down and finished it within two days. The storyline flowed well, and I thought the different points of view of the women added depth to the story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. It perfectly balanced suspense, drama, and plot twists, keeping me hooked until the end. I can’t wait to read more from this author!