Good. Not my usual type of book but it was enjoyable story even though if I did suffer from anxiety and OCD it would certainly be triggered as the main focus of the story is how a certain event can trigger this illness and the effect on the family and surrounding friends.

A great read from the start. Strong characters written in the first person, chapter by chapter for most of them (although it’s interesting that you only hear from Daisy’s family not Lisa’s). The writing is modern with lots of up to date references. Fantastic to see mental health being written about so well and shedding educational light on the complex issue of OCD. A good read for most age groups I would think. The twists and turns are clever and leave you wondering from chapter to chapter. I just felt that there were some unfinished parts to do with the relationship between Daisy & Rex and Daisy & her Dad. Maybe the optimist in me wanted things to come good there, I thought the end could have been stronger and that was a shame as otherwise it was a brilliant read.

I couldn't wait to read The Betrayals knowing it is a Richard and Judy book club pick 2017

First of all I have to say that this isn't my normal fast paced read... the author grabs you from the start and doesn't let you go until the end weaving a story told from four peoples POV telling the story of friendship and betrayal with fours to the story who will you believe?!

This is a very well written story with plenty of character build up but
I have to say the story has such a big build up and has it unfolds I was expecting something more that the end. And now I feel totally let down by the ending which has gutted me. Giving it 3.5 stars

Thank you to Penguin UK and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review

A novel about how betrayal, mis-remembering and even innocent tricks can destroy families and wreck lives. Two families who regularly holiday together each suffer differently as their friendship/love for each other disintegrates. over what turns out to be their last holiday together. The novel explores how not talking honestly about things can cause unbridgeable gaps to open up, even within families, and, as a result, dreadful unintended consequences can always arise. If I say OCD, alcoholism and divorce all feature in this novel you'll appreciate it's not a light read but Fiona Neill's writing certainly holds your attention.

4 Stars

Thank You to all at Netgalley and Penguin for giving me a copy of this book.

Well I am slightly confused by this book, I did like reading it and I was totally gripped when I got into it. Having just finished reading this I find myself thinking that there could of been more to the story, it felt like Fiona Neil left the story open.

This is the first book that I have read by Fiona Neil and I am quite interested to read more of her books when I come across them. This story is gripping from a few pages in and it will leave you emotional at times when you find yourself right there on the page. Many people have already said in their own words what the story is about.

Like many other books it took me a while to read this one so I think it is best read in just a few sittings.

I would recommend you read this book if you like romance with a slight dark twist.

I loved this book. It centred around events of the past and how these affected the lives of two families. It's an emotional read full of secrets and deceit. I thoroughly recommend it and will watch out for more by Fiona Neill.

Overall a decent book, well-written and a nice easy read that I finished in a day. It kept me captivated, which is a sign of a good book!

4 stars from me for this one.

A twisted tale of secrets, lies and relationships. Engaging but not outstanding

Rosie and Lisa were best friends, raising their children together and sharing everything. But one summer everything changed. Lisa had an affair with Rosie’s husband, Nick, destroying Lisa and Rosie’s relationship, and tearing apart the rest of the family. Years later, Rosie receives a letter from Lisa asking for her help. As the rest of the family recall their version of what happened that summer, who should you believe?

What I liked about The Betrayals was getting the story from four sides. Rosie, Nick, Daisy and Max all remember the past differently, and it was really interesting to see what aspects some of them remember and others leave out. It was also interesting to see how what happened effected each of them.

What I didn’t like about the book was the characters. Like, any of them. Rosie was okay, but a bit bland. Daisy and Max were just really annoying and unlikeable. Nick was an absolute bastard and I can’t even with him. I hated every chapter written from his point of view because I just wanted to hit him. And don’t even get me started on Lisa and Ava; selfish, nasty people. Rex was actually alright but we didn’t get to hear that much about him.

The story itself was quite good, well-written and unpredictable. Unfortunately, the characters were all just so awful that I couldn’t enjoy it properly.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I started this book not knowing quite to expect after perusing the mixed reviews on Goodreeds. It took me a little while to get into it but when I did, I couldn’t put it down.

Rosie Rankin’s husband Nick leaves her for her best friend, Lisa. The book deals with the consequences of this betrayal for Nick, Rosie and their two children, Max and Daisy. The story is narrated by these 4 characters, going back and forth in time and I appreciated the way the author gave each of them a distinctive voice. Some of the reviews I’ve read mentioned that none of the characters are likeable. In my view, likeable or not, they certainly are portrayed as very real, flawed human beings and this is one of the greatest achievements of the book.

I very much enjoyed the way the story unreveled, especially the part set in the past, and in particular how the writer peels back multiple layers one by one in order to reveal many betrayals - either actual, authentic ones or perhaps just perceived ones - that span over a number a years.

The foray into the world of OCD was fascinating as was the way the author explored the different paths people choose to take when dealing with the devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer and also the play on real / false memories.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest and impartial review.

An exciting read that gives a fresh take on a family torn about by betrayal. Neill's writing is excellent and engaging from the start.

This was a very average story which I found to be far fetched.
Not for me.

I always find books recommended by The Richard and Judy Book Club are worth a read.
This is from the 2017 pick.
Not fast-paced like I usually read, but steady. I felt like it was real life rather than fiction. It flicked between the present and eight years ago.
The story is told by four members of the same family, and it's good to see people's versions of events and how they differ and affect them in different ways.
It deals with divorce, illness, friendship and family and the effects on two families that were once so close.
It takes you to a lovely beach house in Norfolk where the descriptions were so real I was almost there with them.
The OCD of one of the family made me realise that I knew nothing about the illness and the impact it has on everything in day to day living.
I would recommend this book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.

This book was undeniably well written with plenty going on (which is why I've given it 3 stars) however for some reason, it just didn't engage me. So whilst I didn't particularly enjoy it, I'm sure others very much would.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

This is the story of two families that were torn apart from a sequence of events that happened on a hot summer holiday. A series of topics are covered throughout the book, from cancer, OCD, divorce and Fiona Neill covers each of these in a competent manner.

I did enjoy reading this book and was drawn to the character of Daisy who suffers from OCD. Overall an interesting read.

This is an absorbing story about the relationships between two families and how what happens has a detrimental affect on the various members. Brilliant descriptions of OCD and how it impacts on their own and others lives. The conclusion was very apt and a fitting end to these complicated family dynamics.

This was an entertaining story about two families and the impact on each when one of the husbands has an affair with the other's wife. The story is set both in present day and several years ago at the time of the betrayal, and it flits between both time periods. It also alternates between different characters, told through their own perspectives.

It was a very clever and emotional story and though none of the characters were particularly likeable, each of them were well constructed and believable. I have already recommended this novel to friends and family.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an advance copy in return for my honest opinion.

This book is a very close look at one betrayal and its impact on each family member. It's cleverly and not-too-quickly done. It's not a fast suspense read, but rather an examination of how a change in perspective can skew everything, done character by character.

Many years ago, Rosie's husband had an affair with her best friend, leaving her children devastated. Today, daughter Daisy receives a letter from the 'other woman' that threatens to bring all that grief and despair back into the open again.

Daisy's OCD (and memories of how it started) resurfaces. Her brother Max worries he's going to have to take on a caring role again. Rosie is just trying to get on with her life, whereas her ex is still pretty sure he did everything for a very good reason.

I would suggest don't read it waiting for the 'big reveal' around the corner. The reveals are not as big as you might think nor particularly shattering. Still a worthwhile read, though.

Thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
After forcing myself to persevere reading the first 100 pages, I gave up - I did not like, or empathize with, a single one of the self-obsessed characters and found the plot really drab.

Rosie and Lisa's families have always been the best of friends. That is until one final holiday at Rosie's childhood home on the Norfolk coast when Lisa has an affair with Nick - Rosie's husband. The repercussions blow the two families apart. Eight years later Rosie receives a letter from Lisa and once again, painful memories resurface.

The Betrayals is told through the perspectives of four people - Rosie, Nick, their son Max and daughter Daisy. What a wonderfully tangled web it is! Lisa's affair with Nick sets off a whirlpool of ripples that have far-reaching and lasting effects for both families.

Not having read a lot of contemporary fiction, I wasn't sure if this was going to be my 'thing' - but by golly, I loved it! By the end I really cared about these people and what was happening to them.

The book is centered around adult themes of friendship, love, adultery, divorce, health and loss. At times it was desperately sad and touching; yet nicely balanced with uplifting moments of happiness. It was beautifully written and delightfully enchanting. I enjoyed every moment.