Member Reviews
Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. As a light, non-taxing read to unwind with after a long day, it is fine, and I think plenty of people will enjoy it, but I was just hoping for more. Whilst I enjoyed the way the book was written from multiple points of view, so different parts of the story emerged depending on who was telling it, I found that on the whole it was completely predictable and nothing that happened really came as a shock to me. I found it difficult to like either Mel or Abi, although I guess with Abi that was kind of the point, but I was fond of Ben and Liam - the world needs more men like them - and I loved impetuous Tanya.
I'd not read anything by Adele, however I will be looking up all of her previous books having read this one. A well written story that kept me intrigued. until the end.
This is not the sort of book I would typically read but I liked the description and decided to give it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I empathized with Mel straight away and was fascinated to see her journey unfold. Whilst I didn't think I was really enjoying the book, I read it in just a couple of days so I clearly did. Highly recommended.
Mel and Abi are old university friends but they have gone on to lead extremely different lives. Out of the blue Mel gets a message from Abigail asking if they can meet up. Mel is slightly starstruck by her glamorous tv presenter friend and invites her into her home.
There is no doubt that I Invited Her In is well written but my feelings towards it are a little lukewarm. Both female characters were flawed and I found Mel a little irritating. The second half is a definite improvement, the short chapters appealed to me and I would like to read more from this author. There are secrets and twists, but on the whole, the book is sadly predictable
The dangers of being too generous a host are sharply highlighted in I Invited Her In.
Melanie is initially delighted when her old university friend Abigail gets back in touch after 17 years.
Childless Abigail is a glamorous, successful television presenter, recently separated from her even more successful husband she has returned to Britain after years of living in America.
Meanwhile working mum Melanie feels dowdy and boring in comparison.
She’s been happy enough with her suburban life, three children and a handsome, devoted husband but, pregnant as a teenager, she dropped out of university and missed out on the partying years her peers enjoyed.
She’s surprised but more than happy for Abigail to come to stay when her old friend asks to visit.
Melanie initially enjoys having her visitor around and makes up for lost time by sharing plenty of wine fuelled girly evenings with Abigail... to the neglect of her family.
But as the days stretch in to weeks and Melanie struggles with maintaining her marriage, work and domestic duties along with her friendship, the situation becomes strained.
And – of course – there’s plenty worse to come.
The title of Adele Parks’ latest novel makes it clear from the start that devious Abigail is not the long lost friend Melanie hopes for and her life is about to be turned upside down.
But the lack of surprises from the fast-paced plot – the reader is likely to put two and two together long before Melanie does – does not make this novel any less enjoyable for those seeking a fun, easy read.
Melanie, who has secrets of her own, and her family are believable characters and, while Abigail is larger than life, she never quite falls into the trap of becoming too much like a panto villain.
A fun and entertaining read.
Mel dropped out of uni due to an unplanned pregnancy & Abi went on to be a TV star in the US. Mel & Abi had been very close but lost touch when she left. When she got a message out of the blue asking if Abbi could come & visit she is delighted, although she wonders what she will make of her happy but shabby life with husband, son & two daughters. At first everyone is rather starstruck at the appearance of this glamorous guest but the longer she stays the more the cracks begin to show to all but the besotted Mel.
I nearly gave up on this one about 40% in. I was so fed up with the way Mel let Abi walk all over her & expected Mel to thank her for being a doormat. I'm glad I persevered because the second part to a distinct change of direction & I was riveted to the page.
In the end this was a good read.Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review it.
I really enjoyed it, although I did think that at times it took a long time to get where it was going. I wanted to know what happened next but I thought I was never going to find out!
Some great characters, and some unexpected twists.
Adele Parks is always a good read, and I will continue to look out for her novels.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy.
This tells the story of two old friends from university. They have been out of touch for years and then Abigail suddenly gets in touch with Mel, after finding out her husband cheated on her. Mel thought Abi had everything going for her. Mel invites her to stay, not knowing the disruption Abi was going to cause.
I could not put this book down. Both Abi and Mel have their secrets they have kept and both have made mistakes. in life. It tells the story of two friends, jealousy and wanting what you cant have. This is a thriller of a book but it also delves deeper than that, into friendship and revenge.
I would highly recommend this book. It is a must read
I invited her in is a contemporary drama about two college friends who reconnect after leading very different lives for eighteen years. Sharp and polished Adele Parks has created very believable characters and a story that will keep the reader guessing til the end
A tale of betrayal, friendships won and lost with more than a hint of social commentary thrown in.
This was my first time reading an Adele Parks novel, I've been tempted before but always thought that she'd be a little too mainstream for me. Many have said that the plot is predictable but I'd counter that. It's predictable but only as a result of superb narrative that leads you to the inevitable conclusion. To say that you could predict the plot at the outset seems, at least to me, a little far-fetched,
The detailed narrative, whilst in the main, excellent also means that it takes a little while for the story to really go anywhere whilst the author builds up the characters and back-story in a piecemeal fashion. In many ways, I'm reminded of Thomas Hardy about whom I always joke that it takes 4 chapters for his characters to walk 100 yards down the road!
As I got further into the book I enjoyed it more and more and it was not spoiled by the author-led predictability that inevitably ensued.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fairly light read, the short chapters lending themselves perfectly to a bedside book. It's probably more of a female novel but suited to those who want a little more from their chick-lit.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I enjoyed this book and appreciated the well drawn characters, particularly Mel and Abi. I also liked the ambiguity of who Abi had set her sights on and once that was revealed I thought the rest of the story may go downhill, but I was pleasantly pleased that it didn’t. I don’t want to give away any plot details but was I also found the ending most satisfactory.
A gripping story of friendship and betrayal from international best-selling author Adele Parks
‘I invited her in… and she took everything.’
What a twisted yet predictable tale! The book had a big build up but it took about half of the story to actually get some proper drama. I felt like at each twist and turn I knew what was already about to happen and nothing surprised me.
The main characters are both strong woman in their own right but their friendship is torn apart by betrayal, jealousy and revenge. Abi reminded me quite a lot of the main character from Gone Girl.
Although lacking in unpredictably, I really enjoyed this, particularly once we were past the half way mark. At that point, it kept my attention & I couldn't put it down. It was my first read by Adele Parks and I'm sure I'll read more.
A chilling tale that warns you to beware of long ago friends and guests that over stay their welcome.
A story that had me hooked up until the last couple of chapters. Excellent writing and and characterisation but I felt that someone had tried out different story endings (like they do in flims sometimes), and had settled for one that could be considered happy.
It rolled up all the loose ends neatly.
Too neatly for me.
I was going to give this book 5 stars but the ending downgraded it to 4. sorry.
Melanie Field was only young when she fell pregnant after a one night stand whilst at University. Her own shame and embarrassment caused her to decide to leave Uni and all her friends behind. Liam is now 17 years old and suddenly her Uni best friend, Abi Curtiz contacts her out of the blue and wants to catch up. Melanie, now married to Ben with two other children invites Abi to stay with them. She moves in and Melanie's life slowly starts to fall apart with Liam turning against her and moving out.
It flashes back to their University days which makes the plot of the story predictable and evident from early on but the manipulation from Abi and the confusion and frustration of Melanie still makes a good story.
A gentle story of guilt and revenge and betrayal.
This is a dark tale of lost friendship and revenge. A good read but the plot left me wanting.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book. Adele Parks is a brilliant author in fact a best-selling author so I was really pleased to have an advanced copy to read and review. This is a very dark sinister story but also extremely enjoyable, with lots happening. Long lost friends reconnecting, what could possibly go wrong? Secrets and lies always come out eventually ready to destroy lives.
Mel dropped out of uni when she fell pregnant and lost touch with her friends. She went on to eventually marry then having another two children who her first-born son adored. So when Mel has an email from Abi saying that her husband wants a divorce and can she come and see her, Mel wonders why after all this time.
Of course Abi has an ulterior motive and the trouble she causes them all is planned by herself. Wanting Mel to suffer is what Abi wants and she almost succeeds before the truth comes out. I did guess the final twist but its all written so well and I am sure this will be another best seller for Adele Parks.
I liked it, but it was all a hit cliched and i felt it had been done many times before - sometimes better, sometimes not, but everything felt a bit tired and unremarkable
Absolutely loved this book. It’s hard to gage who the villainess is really gunning for and why but it works so well. She’s a scary character whilst the other main character is lovely. This is my favourite Adele Perks book so far.
I Invited Her In was a psychological thriller that was packed with twists aplenty, although I did guess what was going to happen it was still a solid read.
Mel and Abi were best friends at uni from the first day but Mel fell pregnant after a one night stand so has to drop out. They loose touch until Abi contacts Mel when her marriage falls apart and needs a friend in England because whilst Mel has been bringing up three children Abi has gone on to have a successful career in America.
Mel for me was a weak character and got on my nerves at times with all the simpering to Abi she did, whilst Abi was the queen of manipulation, planning and revenge. There were a lot of twists along the way and although I guessed them all I didn’t guess the ending and it couldn’t have been any better!!
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
In 'I Invited Her In', Mel, a happily married mum of three, receives an email from an old university friend, Abi, after many years of silence. Abi then causes havoc in attempt to take revenge on Mel for a long-held secret.
This was an enjoyable book. I definitely would not class this as a thriller or a suspense novel - more like chick-lit or a trashy, beach read. The storyline is a bit slow moving and frankly, ridiculous, but it was a fun, forgettable book!