Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC of The Funfair.

This was an enjoyable and quick read to pass the time while I was in hospital. Easy to pick up the story again after being interrupted for physio and medication breaks!

The writing was simple to follow and the storyline comprehensive, yet not too complicated. I thought the fun fair setting could have been used more as the book is named after it, but can see how it fits in.

I liked the twist, and hadn’t seen it coming! My first book by this author, now off to search out some more for my TBR! A solid 4 stars.

3.5⭐️ ARC Review – The Funfair by Leah Pitt
Rachel once loved the funfair. Now, she avoids it.
THEN: It’s the last night before uni. Rachel and her close-knit group of high-flying friends are ready to celebrate. But something happens that changes everything.
NOW: Rachel still lives in the same town, stuck in the shadow of that night. When the old gang returns, she’s forced to face what she’s been trying to forget.

I loved the concept of this book—the seaside town setting, the creepy nostalgia of the fairground, the idea of a past that won’t stay buried. The line “We all love a ride. Because we all love to be afraid.” was a standout. But I do wish the fairground had played a bigger role in the story—it started strong, then faded.

Rachel’s story really hit me. She lost her whole future in just days, and none of it was her fault. Her pain felt raw and real. But the pacing dragged, and some characters felt a bit flat. Conor had potential, but was mostly just used as a plot point. Penny? Honestly, awful. Rachel forgiving her didn’t sit right with me.

I also didn’t understand why there was one flashback to Year 8 and then a massive time skip. It needed more in-between to work.

The twist wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t a fan of how neatly everything wrapped up—it clashed with the mood of the story. Still, I enjoyed the tension and atmosphere, especially early on. Pitt has a talent for writing haunting small-town mysteries.

Thank you to Leah Pitt, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At first, I was liking it very much, the past chapters more than the present ones, but then it dragged. I lost interest, and the mystery was not what I was expecting.
Even more, most of the characters were trash, at times I even disliked the main character.

Wow I could not put this book down as it had me hooked from the first page.

Rachel’s life has not turned out how she had planned. She was all set for a new life in London after passing her A Levels but things didn’t go to plan and she is still living with her Mother with the past hanging over her. When her old friendship group arrive back in town things start to unfold.

I loved how this book flipped between the present and when Rachel was young as I felt this added to the suspense. The book was full of twists and turns and I didn’t guess the truth until right at the end of the book.
A brilliant read I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Leah Pitt, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

wow.
poor Rachel. well kind of. because things like this must seems so scary not least because you are faced with something you feel you can do nothing about. but know something or someone is wrong. and that person is now hear. in your life. after nearly destroying it. so what do you do?
Rachels life changed forever the year her and her friends were to go their separate ways for university. then one night at the funfair changes everything.
Rachel has spent years trying to start her life again. but the past is coming back. the past is definite coming back and everything feels so very wrong with the whole situation.
this is a brilliant book. the twists. the pacing. the plot and characters within it was just fantastic.

Flew through this!
A group of friends all ready to go off to uni and then things go horribly wrong.
Great storyline with well written and interesting characters.
Loved the twists.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Rachel’s life changed forever the summer of her A levels, when the fun fair came to town. The boy she was in love with ended up destroying her and her entire family. Now years later, he gets a job at her law firm. But why? Something isn’t right about this whole situation. As Rachel hangs out with these people again, she starts to remember things from the past and uncover hidden secrets. Pretty good book.