I think this books stroryline is much better than the blurb (which doesn’t seem to me to quite sum up what the story is about). Definitely worth a read!

Thoroughly engrossing, rollercoaster of a read! Is Emma she trying to steal Carries life????? Read it to find out!

This story tells of Carrie and her Husband Adrian. They are both flying high in their careers at the top of the TV industry, as a producer and screenwriter. Along comes Emma who wants to be part of it all. Initially covering for Carrie at work, Emma weaves her way into their lives, both at home and professionally. As the story unfolds we find out just what Emma is after.
Having read and really enjoyed The Girlfriend by Michelle Francis, I was keen to read her next book. Unfortunately, for me this book didn’t stand up as well as her first. I found the lead characters difficult to engage with and I didn’t particularly like them. I though the plot was unique, but it just dragged on for too long and in the main was rather flat. I struggled to finish it and found myself skimming over some pages.

If you enjoy a slow paced psychological thriller then The Temp is for you. It’s a good read and a book of quarters. The first three a slow burner and the last fast paced.

I was a bit disappointed in this book. The blurb had me intrigued, but I don't feel that it lived up to its potential. Although it was a enjoyable read, certain parts were a bit far-fetched, and I had worked out what was going on within the first few chapters.

Another great read from Michelle Frances. From the synopsis I thought I knew where the story was going but it kept me guessing and had a twist I didn't see coming. Loved it and can't wait for the next one.

Having adored The Girlfiend, I couldn’t wait to read The Temp. Carrie is a high flying tv producer, who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant and realises she is happy and wants to continue with the pregnancy. However, she has worries about her career stalling due to maternity leave. Her temporary replacement, Emma the temp, steps in and everybody loves her. It seems she is talking over Carries life, but is it all in Carries head? A brilliant twisting tale that really keeps you guessing.

This was OK, I did finish it but by the end I was skim reading really, since I'd figured out the 'twist' half way through and found that I wasn't really feeling any empathy for any of the thoroughly unlikeable characters. The setting wasn't overly appealing and the style a little superficial. Have read far better.

A first for me by this author but will be looking for her other title.

This book has a good plot and well developed characters. Adrian is not a very likeable character and I found myself rooting for Carrie all the way through the book. I loved how her bond with her son continued to develop and she starts to realise just what kind of a person Adrian is.
As the story unfolds there are many twists and turns which will keep you guessing.

It’s rollercoaster of a read with ups and downs, full of twists and turns you really don’t see coming!

A well written, entertaining story which I can recommend if you like fast paced thrillers. I particularly liked the character of 'Carrie. I didn't see the end coming and thought it was a great twist.

Thoroughly gripping story that by the last quarter had me on the edge of my seat while I saw how everything unfurled.

To start with this feels like a nice reasonably gentle women's fiction novel, about a couple who are having a baby, but the father is rather reluctant, and the mother is fearing for her job while she is on maternity leave. All issues that people face on a regular basis.

However it soon becomes apparent that there is something just isn't quite right with Emma, the temp, yes she is amazing at her job but I found it hard to warm to her. I wasn't too keen on her parents either who just didn't understand their daughter.

As events unfold, the tension ramps up, and its becomes a more compelling read, and slightly unsettling, as everything was a bit too realistic and easy to believe!

With each chapter, the focus was on a different character, so we did get to know all the main protagonists, especially Carrie and Emma very well. I'm not sure how much I particularly liked anyone apart from Carrie who I did enjoy but the others weren't horrible, they were just harder to like, and the reasons do become apparent as you read.

This was the first book I have read by the author and I would be tempted to read more. The writing really drew me in and I'm sure accounted to my disturbed sleep, last night!

This was a very good book, which for most of the first half I wasn't too surprised by but then the second half ramped it up a notch and I was completely wrong footed with the outcomes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I absolutely loved the author's first book The Girlfriend, and while I enjoyed The Temp, I felt it didn't quite live up to her first book. The Temp is well written and keeps you reading and I would certainly recommend it if you enjoy twisty thrillers. However, it was perhaps the subject matter, that of the world of television writing and production that didn't engage me as much as other settings might. The main characters were all pretty flawed which always makes for an interesting story, but I felt if they had just spoken to each other and admitted their true feelings and motivations, things could have been resolved an awful lot quicker!
I thought the character of Carrie, struggling with an unexpected pregnancy in her 40s, was extremely well written, I really felt for her when she was expected to cope with a newborn baby basically on her own, at the same time as keeping her career afloat. I would certainly read more from this author.

I'm sorry but this book just didn't do anything for me at all. I read it to the end but it was a struggle. I found myself turning the pages in the hope it would take off. But nothing really happened until three quarters of the way through. Too slow for me.

I read Michelle's first book The Girlfriend last year and loved it. I was really pleased to see that she had a new one out and couldn't wait to read it.
I really enjoyed The Temp, it kept me reading any spare moment I had and was pretty gripping till the end.
It's a chilling psychological thriller with several twists in the tale and fabulously flawed characters, just the kind of story I love.
I was completely wrapped up in this book and if you like psychological thrillers I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one. After two brilliant books, I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

Thank you!

I loved The Girlfriend so was keen to read Michelle's new book.. It is a completely different kind of story but equally good. Highly recommended

The Temp by Michelle Frances was a thriller about the makers of a television show. The writer with a big ego, his wife the producer who has just had a baby and is jealous of the temp who is very ambitious and has taken her place. It has a few twists and turns in the story.
I found this story very slow moving and I didn't like the characters at all.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent story. Wonderful characters and plot line. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book.

Definitely a book that stays with you! Could not put it down!

Highly recommended if you enjoy suspense genre! Thank you for my review copy, which I received through Net Galley.

I absolutely adored Michelle's first book, The Girlfriend so was looking forward to what she came up with next said. It certainly wasn't the book I anticipated and while I appreciated Michelle was potentially trying to steer clear of what might seem an obvious storyline for a book called 'The Temp,' I still think she missed the mark and that there was a lot of scope for something much better. Of all the characters, Emma was the only one I felt a fleeting connection to and there's no denying Michelle can write well. But unfortunately I like my thrillers full of twists and turns and this severely lacked anything remotely exciting, in fact, I'd go as far to say you can guess the one 'twist' it pretty quickly. A quick, easy read just not one that will be particularly memorable for me personally.

This is one of those books where you are kept guessing all the way through. It’s rollercoaster of a read with ups and downs, full of twists you really don’t see coming!
Michelle Frances’ writing style keeps you turning the pages with ease and is definitely a “one more chapter” unputdownable read. The characters are well thought out and you really can feel for Carrie as she struggles to balance motherhood and work.
I don’t want to spoil the plot line by adding too much detail about the story, but if you like a book where you are totally engrossed in the plot and can feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up then this is definitely a must read book!