Ever since I read The Herd (wow, almost 3 years ago now), I've been eagerly awaiting more from this author.

I absolutely loved everything about that first read and as soon as I spotted this new release heading our way, I knew that I had to have it asap!

 

Once again, we are sucked right into the story straight away.

Being introduced to our characters lives and that of the close knit community around them.

 

I love that the setting is so familiar - I actually live on the south coast so this really felt as though it could have been set on my doorstep!

And as such, that insular feeling that you get with a community like this, where everyone knows everyone else - everyone's lives are public - and the gossips are rife.

 

We follow this through a couple of povs which switch up throughout, meaning that we really get to know everything about them and the events as it's all happening.

 

Abi is new to the village and of course this causes a stir.

But the trouble really starts when Abi meets Seb, the village school's headmaster.

 

I loved the dynamic between the characters and the way this keeps shifting and evolving as more of the story unfolds.

 

The whole thing lends itself well to the exploration of the themes here.

Relationships and friendships are tested and we see how certain decisions can really impact not only the character themself, but also those around them and the wider community.

 

This was another thought-provoking read and there were numerous times I stopped to just think about the implications and how I would react in similar situations.

 

Such a great read and I really hope that it won't be 3 years until my next read from this author - I already cannot wait!!

I was really intrigued by this one and whilst I liked the story I did find it very slow to get started. I struggled to find any of the characters likeable and felt they were all quite childish in their mannerisms and attitudes. On the plus side there were some twists that I hadn't seen but it took a while to get there.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It portrayed so well how gossip gets out of control and simply becomes the narrative. In different ways, I felt for all/most people involved in the scandal. It showed really well how fragile the life we take for granted really is. We all make mistakes but when other people get involved, on the background of their own experience, it can have catastrophic consequences. I couldn't put it down.

I found this a slower burn at first and a little tricky to get into with the similar character names, but once it clicked I was completely hooked. Full of secrets, drama and small-town intrigue, it kept me turning the pages and left me thinking about the characters long after. A great holiday read I’d definitely recommend.

I stand by my take that Emily Edwards is the perfect author to bring to book clubs. She writes things that warrant discussion, daring to edge into both sides of an argument on subjects that evoke deep emotional, almost irrational responses from us - paired with excellent writing, exciting pacing and characters that are so complex and complicated they feel very real.

I really enjoyed The Herd so was excited to read Emily Edwards' new book and Private Lives did not disappoint! Another plot that makes you think and consider what you know and what you belief in.

A very believable story showing how lives can be destroyed by gossip and guesswork. Social media has a lot to answer for and not always in a positive way. Well worth a read

I loved the premise behind this book - Rosie and Seb Kent are 'happily married', living in the sleepy seaside town of Waverly. Seb has achieved his dream of becoming headmaster of the local school.
Abi, a young, single mother, has come to Waverly for a fresh start. She plans to reinvent herself and give her children a new life. But then she sees Seb. Seb and Abi's complicated hidden past threatens to destroy them both. They try their hardest to keep it contained but soon, what should be their private business becomes a very public scandal.
This book did a good job of exploring the difficulty faced by individuals in maintaining a private life in a world of viral social media - where allegations can spiral, even when there is no actual evidence to back them up. The positive ending was what one would hope be the outcome but I fear that the reality may not be so neatly reached. Overall though a well-written, thought-provoking read and I give thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gripping with good characters and a great plot. Seb and Rosie appear to have a perfect life until a new person turns up with secrets that reveal what Seb has really been up to. Very believable.

An insightful, thought-provoking novel about the judgements people make and the havoc that can be wreaked by gossip and supposition. I thought it was an excellent read.

Rosie and Seb have a busy life, bringing up 3 children and both working, him in a new role as the Head Teacher of the local secondary school. With a lack of intimacy, Seb turns to an alternative way to meet his sexual needs, leading to him confessing all to his best friend Eddy. When Eddy and his wife Anna chat and out 2 and 2 together, the fall out is bigger than anyone could imagine.
I enjoyed this book, despite having to overlook many things that would not and could not happen in schools, due to the level of internet security. I liked how it showed that interfering in the lives of others and speaking for others when you have no idea of their views can be destructive. All of the characters were well formed and many gained my sympathy, to my surprise. A well written and engaging book. Highly recommended.

A great book, it was a slower burn for me, I didn’t get into it straight away, but after the first couple of chapters it got better and then I was into it. Initially I didn’t get the characters, I found it hard to distinguish between them, plus two of the main characters have similar names (Abi, Anna) and I found this a bit confusing. However once I got past this the story really captured me and I wanted to keep picking it up to see what happened. If it had had better characterisation at the start then I would have loved it more, but I would still recommend as a great holiday book!

Evoking the thought process once again, Edwards gives us Private Lives. It's a nuanced story full of drama, deceit, and hellbent on destruction.

Whilst the story may be moderately paced found myself racing through the pages. It came surrounded with so much intrigue and controversy that I fast became addicted to the messy lives of the Kents.

Emotionally charged with a hefty dose of credibility.

What a page turner. Emily Edwards is fast becoming a favourite writer. The characters are all so believable, gripping story from first to last page. Rosie and Seb have a perfect life, living in a small quiet seaside town. They have good friends, good kids and a very good life. When Rosie befriends single mum Abi little does she know that her perfect world is about to explode. It is obvious when Abi first meets Seb that something is wrong. Abi can’t leave Rosie’s house quick enough.
This book is about secrets and lies, friendships and family destruction. It’s thrilling, emotional and very uncomfortable for the reader.
I would highly recommend this and look forward to Emily’s next novel.

Small towns, big secrets. This trope is starting to feel over used in thrillers but this one does a decent job of holding your interest throughout. It's a good choice for a week at the beach and will keep your interest even as you begin to wonder what secrets everyone around you may be keeping...

Private Lives is set in a small seaside town where everyone appears to know everybody's business but where secrets also lurk.and people will go to extreme lengths to protect them from coming out. Rosie and Seb Kent are on the surface a happily married and popular couple in their community where Seb is headmaster at the local school. When Rosie confides something about Seb to her best friend, Anna,she is devastated when it becomes public knowledge. This is a pretty true to life story of friendship, marriage woes and loyalty that many readers can relate to. It certainly kept me enthralled and left me thinking about the characters long after I finished the book. Private Lives is a great domestic noir to lose yourself in. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK/Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Secrets Lie Festering,,
Domestic drama, sleepy town set, where beneath seemingly perfect facades secrets lie festering. As the past begins to emerge, secrets and lies will out. Nicely written with a cast of credible characters and authentic dialogue. Thought provoking and intriguing.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with this genre of book but maybe it’s overdone now. So many issues and yes they should be taken seriously but then it feels as though I have to be judging all the time.
If this was a relationship I would most likely be saying ‘ it’s me not you’ as the local drama is still popular but not with me.

In the seaside town of Waverley, where usually nothing happens, drama begins to unfold
Rosie and Seb are happily married, Seb is the headmaster at the local school, his dream job, he is popular with both staff and pupils. Then Abi arrives in town, wanting a fresh start for herself and her two daughters, Abi has become friendly with Rosie, however when Abi discovers who Rosie’s husband is things start to go wrong, It is not the first time Seb and Abi have met, what secrets are they both hiding, The story is full of drama, secrets and lies, the past is threatening to destroy Seb and Rosies’s marriage, Seb’s career, Abi’s new start and Rosie and Sebs relationship with their friends.
This is a great 2nd novel from Emily Edwards, a perfect book for book clubs, so many topics to discuss, sexworkers, infidelity, marriage, the power of social media and the internet and forgiveness.
A controversial, addictive read which I highly recommend.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

An insightful portrayal of small town intrigue, exploring relationships and prejudices, as well as obsessive motivations that can shatter social ties and friendships. I don’t want to reveal too much of the plot - just to say that this is an immersive and believable story that you can easily imagine taking place in this type of place. The author has created a highly believable scenario and turned it into a compelling read with characters you can root for.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book to review.