Member Reviews
This is a family story which I feel fits into the holiday reading category. The betrayals that members of the two main families manage to fit into the story are numerous. It is hard to believe that any group of people could achieve such disasters. It did make me feel that the author wrote the story around the ideas for wrong decision making.
I'm really not sure how I feel about this book. It took me a while to get into it. It's quite a complex story involving two dysfunctional families.
Rosie's husband Nick had an affair with her best friend Lisa some years earlier and Nick and Lisa now live together. Rosie is a cancer specialist and Nick is an academic who specialises in the nature of memory formation. Rosie's daughter Daisy suffers from a very severe form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Daisy's brother Max is a medical student.
When a letter arrives for Rosie from Lisa, Daisy intercepts it and it seems to trigger the worst of her OCD symptoms.
A terrible past event/incident is alluded to which led to Daisy's OCD. Max feels guilty and blames himself for everything that happened and Nick has his version of events. After that last holiday together the two families were ripped apart and friendships severed. The couples divorced, Rosie and Lisa never spoke again although they had been friends since school and had had their babies around the same time, there was no more contact between the families' children.
The story is narrated by four people, Rosie, Nick, Daisy and Max, each with their own version of what happened that summer. But are their memories reliable? The story is full of secrets, lies, guilt, betrayal. Now this is where I am a bit conflicted. The story is told from four different points of view. It's quite complex but generally well written and the different threads do come together and there are expected and unexpected revelations. I just didn't love the book.
My problem was that I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I just didn't like them. Sometimes you can come across a flawed character but you feel something for them. That didn't happen in this book.
At times I felt it did get better and nearer the end I felt there might be some resolution but I didn't enjoy the actual ending. Usually I don't mind a bit of an open ending. If I've enjoyed a book that might indicate there could be another one in a series. I was disappointed with the ending.
This was an absorbing psychological story told from the viewpoints of all four members of a family, the mother (Rosie), father (Nick), daughter (Daisy) and son (Max).
All the angst and heartbreak seemed to crystallise from the events of one traumatic summer holiday which they shared with another family in crisis.
There were so many betrayals. Rosie was betrayed by her childhood friend, who became involved in an affair with her husband Nick. Nick not only betrayed Rosie but also Max and even his second wife. Daisy concealed information and betrayed other members of the family. Everyone had secrets to hide. Everyone interpreted reality in their own way and it was not easy for the reader to distinguish between what really happened and what were false memories.
The writer gives such a clear portrait of someone suffering from severe OCD and how it effects a family. It is interesting also how each participant tries to cast themselves in the best light and with the purest motivation in their narrative and it is only later when the picture is complete that the reader can see events objectively. An unusual book and I one I would certainly recommend.
Multi unreliable narrator tale of the tangled web of family strains and infidelity. Well plotted, good characterisations and with nicely handled reveals to keep the suspense to the end. Recommended.
When even the thought of potentially being betrayed, (especially by our nearest and dearest) makes our heart palpate, then this book creeps into all the insecure corners of our minds with a whispered what if? What if it happened to us? We all fear the pain, crushing disappointment, breaking of faith and trust that would ensue from such a scenario.
This story, told through the eyes of mother and oncology specialist, Rosie, philandering psychologist father, Nick, OCD sufferer and part-time private tutor, Daisy, insecure son and trainee doctor, Max, skillfully gathers the twisted threads of reality, distorted memory, hurt, pain and betrayal together as the warp and weft tugging their lives out of control.
Neill presents us with far from loveable or perfect characters, though none of them are as bad as the others perceive them to be. All are broken in some way, with Daisy's OCD being the clearest sign of her inner distress. Relationships are strained throughout. Issues of flawed memory, prejudice, physical and emotional illness, jealousy and unforgiveness are dealt with humanely, with scientific research and medical information enriching the plot.
When friendships spanning several years are severed by Nick's actions during a shared family holiday, a new dynamic emerges when forgiveness and reconciliation is requested. Questions arise, grievances are aired and each person is confronted with their own take on things, how to accept conflicting realities, move on and forgive the seemingly unforgivable. No spoilers here. But the author has woven a cleverly complex domestic drama out of these wounded, disparate lives.
Two present day families seem fractured beyond repair. Lisa is now married to her former best friend, Rosie's, husband and has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Rosie, herself, is overwhelmed with work and attempting to piece her family back together again after her husband, Nick's, betrayal. Nick feels distanced from his children's life and wonder if his previous mistakes will ever be forgiven. Their daughter, Daisy, has severe OCD and their son, Max, blames himself for his fissured domestic life. The only way to return these individuals to their once happy state is to return to the summer that ruined everything. No matter how painful it may be.
With four sides to the truth of this story, this was a read sure to contain a few unreliable narrators. I adore the concept of figuring out the truth, when the protagonists can't be relied on to provide it for you, and was eager to venture into the past in order to do so.
About a third of the way through, the reader was provided the opportunity to do just that. The four narrators remained and they relived the events that occurred to bring them back to their present unhappiness. There are stark dissimilarities between the tales, which allowed this not to feel stale and repetitive.
Whilst I did find this a thrilling concept, I found this to, overall, not engage me as I had been hoping. I believe this is more to do with the slew of thrillers I have been reading, recently, and perhaps I have burned myself out on this genre. A totally unfair assessment on this book, as it did nothing wrong that I can discover. I did like the narrative style, the characters (unreliable or otherwise), and the multitude of subject matters it handled, but it failed to deliver a little on the edge-of-your-seat suspense I was craving.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for a copy of this book.
Rosie Rankin’s best friend Lisa from childhood had affair with her husband Nick and they have now divorced. Lisa is now they are getting married. Because of what happened, her daughter Daisy is suffering from OCD and Lisa has been diagnosed with Cancer. Lisa’s ex-husband Barney is an alcoholic. The story is narrated between 4 people so, so you get all sides of the story.
Although well written. I struggled through this whole book. I didn’t like or relate to any of the characters. I didn’t really care what happened to them and the ending was very disappointing. To be honest I found this book quite boring. This book wasn’t for me.
I was hooked by this book and the characters within it. It tells the unfolding story of the impact on the families lives following the actions of the adults in two families. Friends for years, the actions of the adults over one summer have consequences on the teenage children that reverberate for the next few years. Each chapter follows a different character, reflecting on how their current behaviour has been impacted by the memories as they know them. It is an interesting study on how we remember the same events from different perspectives.
Daisy's character evoked great sympathy but more so Max, because he is at first recruited in to helping her, then living with the guilt and turmoil of trying to avoid being sucked back in.
I found Rosie's decision to spend so much time on Tinder dates confusing, as Nick remembers their marriage as being anaemic and lacking in affection.
But the final couple of chapters were the most frustrating. The last act of Lisa in the novel brings up so many more questions it feels like the novel is finished only half way through. Unsatisfying ending.
This is not my usual type of book but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book deals with a lot of different topics all which I felt were well written and researched. I can't say I liked any of the characters in the book, not one of them was very endearing!
I did enjoy that the story is told by each character and so we see the story told from every point of view. It just goes to show that everyone can see a reality very differently.
This is my first book by this author and I can't wait to read many more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Betrayals is a strangely compelling read. Failing marriages, lies and deceit are explored from four different points of view. Fiona Neill tackles very sensitive topics as she depicts a family in crisis. She weaves an emotional storyline with sharply defined characters, who are not very likeable but written with skill. An enjoyable novel but the ending is a little disappointing.
My thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my review copy.
I really wasn't sure about this book to begin with, it seemed very medical, technical and scientific with the focus being on Daisy, a severe OCD sufferer. However once you start to learn the back story of why Daisy is the way she is the book became a lot more interesting and I was willing to give it a chance.
I really enjoyed learning the history of the two families and the reason for the distance between both parents and children.
The ending I found to be quite abrupt, I understand why Max did not step in but there was nothing about the repercussions of Lisa's decision. It left me wanting a final chapter or a 12 months later.
In all a good read, but unfortunately I've read better recently
An excellent book about families, relationships, and the consequences of an affair! It looks at what happens when an affair becomes known, a marriage is over and the families’ friendship is destroyed.
It grabbed my attention right from the start with Daisy’s opening words:
'Three is a good and safe number. I close my eyes and whisper the words three times so no one can hear. The sound like a sweet sigh. If Mum notices she might worry and the days of worry are over. I say this three times too, just to make triple sure, remembering how the words have to be spoken on the out breath.'
Whatever Daisy says her days of worry are not over and her OCD goes into overdrive when she opens Lisa’s letter to Rosie. The novel is narrated in the present tense, often a bit of a stumbling block for me, but not so in this book, told from four different viewpoints – those of Daisy, her mother Rosie, father Nick and brother Max. Each one casts a different light on events and shows how easy it can be to interpret what happens in differing and often mistaken ways.
As I read the book I often couldn’t decide whose version to believe, especially when they were so contradictory. It explores the reliability of memory, the nature of mental illness and the devastation of friendships and family relationships through deceit and betrayal. What stood out for me was the portrayal of what it’s like to struggle with OCD and cancer. The book as a whole is an in-depth study of character and the terrible effects of suppressed memories and secrets. I loved it.
My thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a review copy.
Do you ever read a book that you enjoy until the ending and then have mixed feelings about it? This is one of those books.
It is very well written, and well researched, the dysfunctional family card was played perfectly and it held my attention all the way through but the ending was an anti-climax.
An interesting story following 2 families that were once close but then blown apart. The story is told from varying viewpoints and as the story unfolds it becomes obvious each of the narrators has a different view about what happened. It felt very realistic. One of few books I could truly call a compulsive read.
If I said, "Couples as best friends", you'd probably guess where this is heading and you'd be right. Not the first in this genre where the perfect friendship takes a dive when boundaries are crossed. However, it's very well written, has some great humour at some very dark moments and a lot of mantra which represented an OCD. Three was never my favourite number (possibly because I never really liked the threepenny bit - that dates me!) and it certainly isn't now after reading about it repeatedly! I was really surprised Rosie took to Tinder, it seemed out of character as indeed was Nick's flirtation after finding the light of his life. A fitting ending all things considered (bearing in mind the final email from Lisa).
The Betrayals, indeed. How many can you comfortably fit in one book?! Quite a few, is the answer, as ably shown by this clever novel. Whew! Let me catch my breath. I didn't see that ending coming and I'm still processing. Ok, let's dive in...
The Betrayals is narrated by four members of a seemingly normal(ish) broken family and covers various key events from the perspective of each. They include: Mom - Rosie, dad - Nick, daughter - Daisy and son - Max. This might seem perplexing but it isn't in the least. In fact, it provides access to each character's detailed, intimate thoughts allowing us an unfettered view into their collective world. As the reader, you are able to foresee a number of interesting developments whilst others catch you completely off guard.
Of the lot, Daisy is my favorite character. She suffers from OCD and her fractured thought process displays best the fantastic skill of our authoress to capture such a debilitating disorder. There is so much here that pulls on the heart strings. A lot of hurt, confusion and upset all from betrayals, well-meaning and otherwise. A great read that won't disappoint.
Interestingly book capturing the wider impact of affair and when relationship dynamics change. I thought it was an accurate reflection of mental health and the long lasting, wide reaching impact this can have. Themes around forgiveness and the accuracy of memory added to an overall enjoyable book.
Many thanks to Penguin - Michael Joseph and Netgalley for my preview copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a tale of complex family relationships and drama and it's so well written. Each chapter is the telling from a different perspective and the characters are well constructed, such that, I felt I knew them. It's really well told and I found it sad, emotional, funny and interesting. In summary, I'd highly recommend.
Rosie and Lisa have been best friends since school, now both married, Rosie to Nick and Lisa to Barney, with children thrown in too life is going along as it should. Until the ultimate betrayal happens, Lisa and Nick fall in love and break up the life long friendships. The Betrayals tells the fallout story that follows and the effect it has had on both the families even now eight years down the line.
The Betrayals is divided, by chapter, into the characters viewpoints. Whilst sometimes that can be off putting in this instance it was far from that. It kept the story intriguing and wondering how it was going to finish when it all came together at the end.
I enjoyed reading this book, despite not feeling any real empathy to any of the characters. The author Fiona Neills writing style flowed nicely making it easy to read and I am looking forward to seeing what Ms Neills gives us next.
I found The Betrayals a strangely compelling read; although I didn't really warm to any of the characters, I was keen to find out what had happened to cause such dysfunctional relationships and behaviours.
The setting is introspective and quite claustrophobic with the narrative moving between each of the main characters. Husband and wife Nick and Rosie have two children, Daisy and Max. Their friends Barney and Lisa also have two kids, Rex and Ava. Relationships and friendships are interwoven but the veneer of respectability is soon peeled away to expose the truth of failing marriages, lies, deceit and of course various betrayals. Fiona Neill explores a number of interesting themes in a plausible and convincing way. OCD and the affect on the individual and those close, living with a functioning alcoholic, a creepy adult with a devastating secret and in particular, the nature of memory are all considered in a plot which moves back and forth between the main characters.
The frequent witch in view point keeps the pace tight and towards the end of the book, I was wondering how it was all going to implode. The ending was sudden and surprising.
I enjoyed this and my thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.