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Private Lives follows Rosie and Seb who are married but are in a bit of a rough patch. They have 3 gorgeous children and Seb has finally achieved his lifelong goal of becoming head teacher of the local high school. But soon, a newbie arrives to this sleepy town and with her she brings secrets and a scandalous history with Seb which of course, in a small town like theirs, won’t stay secret for very long.

Emily Edwards has done another great job with her latest novel, Private Lives. Taking a controversial topic and inserting it into the lives of her characters makes her books such great topics of conversation as there is never a clear cut answer. In Private Lives, we are left thinking about how much someone’s private life should impact their ability to do their job.

If you’re a fan of people who live in small towns and have nothing better to do than make other people’s lives their business, you’re going to love this one. I can’t wait to see what topic Emily Edwards is going to get us talking about next.

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It’s another hit for Emily Edward’s whose last book, The Herd, I devoured. She has really come up with another very interesting moral dilemmas that make readers question their views. Should someone’s private life and mistakes affect their ability to do their job? Maybe when that job is one where young people can be influenced? Read it and make your mind up.

My thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Private Lives.

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This book is absolutely brilliant. What a storyline with a really important message to us all beneath it. seb and Rosie are married and like a lot of married couples there are difficulties. This book tells the story of other people getting hold of the story and jumping to conclusions , making g assumptions and through social media etc hounding the family. This is a time when you find out who your friends are and who has your back. This is an absolute must read.

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This is a fabulous book, once I had read a few pages, I was soon addicted. What started as a nice-sounding area, Waverly soon changed, well, not the place, but the people!

Abi has recently moved from London to Waverly with her friend Diego, and they are starting in a new restaurant business. They know each other and what their lives are like. One of the reasons for moving is to start again, new faces, a new place and no expectations.

Anna and Eddy have had a bump in the road, but they seem to have got over it now, and things are moving on nicely.

All are friends with Rosie, she is a mother and also the wife of Seb, the new head teacher of the school. He has responsibilities for those in his charge as well as his family. Home life isn't great, but they seem to bumble along nicely!

It is a chance encounter that throws everything out of balance. To be honest, the event was going to happen at some point given the geography and also the friendship base those involved share. If things could have been left, it would have been better. You know that thing about what goes on behind closed doors is their own business and not yours? Well, this story has that as its base, and then the author builds on it, and boy does she build.

Using expectations and perspectives of others, the author trolls those involved in a situation that has nothing to do with them. But like the trolls on the internet, some troll in person, but they have a backhanded way of doing it. Seemingly being supportive, but at the same time relishing in the misery and circumstances of others.

An opinion is something we are all entitled to, but when that opinion is pushed into someone else's face or their lives and it impacts those around them, then it is no longer an opinion. The various emotions and also how people react or respond are very interesting in this story, and I do think this story gives a good snapshot of society. There will be people who stand by and watch the others, either those who think they are justified or those who try to provide a calming effect. Whether it is something you may have seen or experienced in real life, on social media or on TV, there is a chance that you will find this story to be relatable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is a contemporary fiction story that has family and friendship at its heart. Trust, loyalty, respect, and the truth are tested, and the author has done a fabulous job of showing the impact one event could have in the future. Brilliant story and a good array of characters, and I would definitely recommend this book.

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This was an interesting read about a family, Seb, and Rose are happy until Abi the single mother arrives. Then the lies and twists begin. It feels like you are watching them while reading which I think the author wanted. Another great book by this author. A 4 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

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Private Lives is a real page turner. Believable characters and a pacy plot. Themes of marriage, trust, moral choices. Would work well for book group discussions. Recommended

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Emily Edwards clearly has a talent for finding a controversial subject to write about. Her first novel, The Herd, tackled immunisation and its impact on a community, and this novel is about infidelity, communication, and whether people in a position of authority can survive a scandal.
Seb has just become headteacher of the high school in the town where he grew up. He’s professionally just where he wants to be, and life seems good. He and his wife have a group of friends, he’s living close to his oldest friend and his godson. He seems to have it all. Seb isn’t happy though, and his relationship with his wife is not happy. When his wife makes friends with a woman newly arrived in their community, Seb’s life implodes in an unexpected way.
It’s hard to write about without spoilers, but this book would make an excellent book group read. Thought provoking and very believable.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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Seb and Rosie live in a small town in the south of England. They seem to have it all. Seb is head teacher of the local high school, pinnacle of his career, whilst Rosie takes care of their home and children. They have a social group which I clues Eddie (his best friend from school) and his wife Anna.
Then one day, a new face comes to town and nothing will be the same again. Why is she here? Will she threaten Seb's family?
I loved this story. Anyone who works in a school community knows the rules about behaviour. They also know how the parents' rumour mill works.
Thought provoking, exploring the herd mentality. After all, non of us are perfect!

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The Herd’ the authors debut was a favourite read of mine so was keen to see what this next book would offer

Once again we are thrust into a neighbourhood, wealthy, aspiring, showy and all ‘oh so friendly’….until one of their own has a secret he has managed to keep from everyone unexpectedly appears ( no not a secret child ) it’s delicate, seen by some as immoral, not illegal but very high on the ‘tut, how shocking’ scale

As the secret becomes commoner knowledge naturally the knives are out and so called best friends turn their backs and a petition is started to rid the town of him ( makes sense when read it )

It is a fascinating look at how different people react to the exact same situation,
the innocent ( depending on your views ) start to suffer, the visceral hate of some is a shock, the placid care and no nonsense resolution of others a relief

Very much dependant on your standpoint is how this book will affect and polarise you, I liked how all sides were clearly shown, discussed and then we saw how the various decisions made went on to affect those involved

The author writes non judgementally giving everyone a fair ‘airing’ and I loved all aspects of this unshying from reality read

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Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Private Lives by Emily Edwards is a beautifully written novel—just as I expected from the author of The Herd. Edwards is a phenomenal writer, and I really enjoyed this book. The story is full of drama and emotion, set against the backdrop of the quiet seaside town of Waverly. It explores what happens when a long-buried secret resurfaces and begins to unravel everything.

We follow Rosie and Seb Kent, a seemingly happy, settled couple. Seb has just achieved his dream of becoming the headteacher at the local school, and life looks perfect. That is, until Abi arrives in town with her two daughters, hoping for a fresh start. But when she crosses paths with Seb, their shared past threatens to destroy everything he’s built. And in a small town, secrets don’t stay hidden for long especially when the entire community starts weighing in.

I was surprised by some of the subject matter, as I hadn’t realised these kinds of situations even occurred. The novel explores complex moral territory in a sensitive and thought-provoking way. I found myself really questioning how I’d react in the same situation. Does one bad choice mean someone deserves to lose everything?

The characters were likeable even Seb, despite his huge mistake. I appreciated how human and flawed they were. One of my favourite lines from the book was:

"Shame loses its power when it's not hidden away, but brought out into the light."

It’s a powerful reminder of the weight secrets carry, and how healing begins with honesty.

This is a book that lingers after the final page. Thoughtful, timely, and very readable I would absolutely recommend it.

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Rosie and Seb Kent are a married couple with three children, living in a small town of Waverly. On the surface, their lives appear perfect: he’s recently become a headmaster of the local secondary school, and they enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

However, underneath, there are cracks. Rosie isn’t sure of her body anymore, especially after bearing three children. Every time Seb moves closer to her and initiates physical contact, she pushes him away.

Abi is a single mum of two daughters who recently moved to the area. She and Rosie become acquainted, with Rosie hoping that it will blossom into a friendship. When Rosie invites Abi to her house, something strange passes between Abi and Seb. It appears that they may know each other from before…

I really enjoyed this tense, community-based drama.

I was appalled at Anna’s actions, who took it upon herself to air Seb’s dirty laundry for everyone to know and judge.

I was desperate to uncover Seb’s secret, and when it became apparent what it was, I was left wondering if a person with great authority is allowed to have a private life. If you’re a person in charge of impressionable and vulnerable young adults (who legally are still children), are the lines blurred, or black and white? Lots of food for thought!

I definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to Transworld Books for the NetGalley widget.

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This is an excellent second book from this author and equally as interesting and enjoyable as The Herd. As with the previous novel this would make an excellent book for a group read and discussion and I will definitely be recommending this to friends and fellow readers.

Told from different perspectives this book is set in an English village and starts with introducing the reader to two couples, the men of each couple have been friends since childhood. One of these has become the headteacher at his local school and we see an insight into the issues he is having at home with his wife, which lead him into making a decision he comes to regret. The other couple have had marital problems and the wife starts a chain of events which leads to a landslide in the lives of both families.

Ultimately this book left me wondering what I would do in each of the situations the characters found themselves in and asking why they made those choices. The plot was tense and at times difficult to see where any resolution would come, but the author has successfully brought the conclusion together masterfully. I loved the characters, even the smaller ones had real depth and time spend on their development.

One to be recommended to all.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Awesome book! This tackles parenthood and relationships with real depth and insight. It’s definitely a lesson in waiting before judging people and situations. The characters are all so real and as perfectly flawed as people are. I think this is one of those books where I’m going to miss the characters now that I’ve finished reading. I’ll be on the lookout for more books from this author!

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I really enjoyed this authors previous book, so was looking forward to this one. Private Lives is a thoughtful novel which digs into the grey areas of truth, reputation, and the stories we keep hidden. Written with sensitivity and sharp insight and with characters who feel real and morally complex, this is a thought-provoking novel that I recommend for a darker domestic drama.

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Emily Edwards delivers another compelling domestic drama in Private Lives, a novel that burrows deep into the tension-filled world of secrets, loyalty, and the delicate boundaries between public image and private truth.

With the tagline, “What happens behind closed doors stays there. Doesn’t it?”, Edwards sets the tone for a story that probes the facades we maintain and the cost of keeping—or exposing—the truth. In the vein of her previous work The Herd, Edwards continues to explore moral gray areas, especially around personal freedom, societal judgment, and the ripple effects of hidden choices.

The novel centers on complex characters whose lives begin to unravel when carefully guarded secrets come to light. Edwards excels at creating emotionally rich, believable characters who make difficult, often uncomfortable decisions. The writing is sharp and observant, with psychological depth and a knack for quiet suspense that builds steadily.

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This is another novel from Emily Edwards that will leave you thinking, what would I do?

Seb and Rosie live a happy-ish middle class life in a nice small town. They have three children, Seb has just got the job of his dreams as headteacher of the local school, they have a great group of friends, life is pretty sweet.
Their intimate life isn't everything that Seb wishes it was though, Rosie keeps pushing him away.
A new family move to the town, Abi and her two children. She's a breath of fresh air and seems to settle in well. But as soon as Seb spots Abi, everything changes. The two of them have met before, but not in a situation that anyone can ever know about. But the secret soon seeps out, and rumours spread around the close knit community, rocking everything to its core.

This is a great thought provoking novel which gives every character time to explore what the revelations mean for them and how they are going to live their lives now. I would recommend this and look forward to seeing what moral conundrum Emily Edwards comes up with next!

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I loved The Herd so couldn't wait to read Private Lives. I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint. It is an insanely addictive read. I couldn't put it down.

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Private Lives by Emily Edwards is a fascinating story about how a public figure is victimised after making a wrong decision in his private life.
Seb is the head teacher of a secondary school in a small and community driven town. He’s proud of where he is. His wife Rosie and Seb have very close friends and neighbours Anna and Eddy (his childhood friend). They are all very close and spend a lot of time together, but someone has a secret….
Abi, arrives in Waverly, looking to make a new start for her and her girls. She is involved in “the secret”.
Seb sees her and everything gets worse for the pair, as the people they trusted to contain their secret, let them down.
This subject matter was intriguing, the reader has a lot to think about, as friendships are strained and the public take sides as their head teacher’s private life becomes their business and his life isn’t his own anymore
Fantastic writing, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!
Many thanks to Random House Uk for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #RandomHouseUk, #EmilyEdwardsWrites.

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This is one of those novels where you are literally holding your breath and willing characters not to make a decision or comment! You just know someone is about to blow up someone's life and it's going to be awful...
Emily Edwards writes brilliantly about small towns where everyone knows everyone's business. It's fascinating to watch how friendships can collapse under the weight of a secret or confession, and how a whole community can quickly get involved.
The problem within Seb and Rosie's marriage is one that you can easily relate to and it's impossible not to feel sympathy for them and Abi as she inadvertently gets caught up in the spiralling drama. The villains aren't one dimensional either. They make some terrible decisions but you can mostly understand why they do what they do even thought it's ruining people's lives.
Private Lives is a great book that really makes you think and breathe a sigh of relief that it's not you that it's happening to!

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Private Lives is a sharp, thought-provoking novel that explores the fine line between public image and personal truth. Emily Edwards delivers a timely and compelling story about two women entangled in a media storm, grappling with ethics, secrets, and the consequences of past decisions. With smart writing, layered characters, and a plot that feels both intimate and socially relevant, this book is a gripping exploration of privacy, power, and the cost of exposure. A must-read for fans of contemporary fiction with a psychological edge.

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