Lies Behind The Ruin is a riveting and engrossing story about Emma and her idyllic life comes crashing down when a fatal accident at her second husband's job points the finger at him.

On holiday in France, trying to leave his problems behind, Paul's behaviour turns erratic. On impulse, he buys a cheap, dilapidated property and, to Emma's dismay, persuades her they can renovate it into a holiday home. As the couple strive to renovate their marriage, and their French ruin to open a small business, shadows from the past threaten their happiness and safety.

Lies behind the Ruin is a new, contemporary look at the time-old case of 'fatal attraction'. This is the story of Emily and Paul, a couple who have been together for a few years, have two kids and seem happy in every possible way in their British home. However, an ill-fated accident at Paul’s work leads to the complete unraveling of the domestic fabric of their lives as Paul begins to make one mistake after another in order to get himself out of increasingly dicey situations.

To begin with, one must  take a minute to appreciate the title once the you have read the book because it is an absolutely genius play on words, for it could apply to the actual physical 'ruin' in the book as well as to the ruin of a marriage. The cover of the book is very modernistic and monochrome and sort of French in design when  you come to think of it. It gives you a clue that what you are about to read is not going to be romantic, mushy stuff but hard, hurt-your-eyes kind of glaring truths.

While the concept appears simple enough at first glance, in the hands of Helen Mathews it becomes a story that is engrossing and entertaining. The author manages to create an atmosphere that is full of suspended tension and the gruesome vibes of lies being told to cover for guilty secrets. The story moves between Britain and France (with the major drama occurring in France and more in-depth descriptions of the French countryside and way-of-life than the British side) and the author also brings in fleeting mentions of Brexit to round off the entire experience. The narrative alternates between the point of views of Emily and Paul. While Paul is unlikable from the beginning, Emily begins to grow on you after a time. 

The ending of the book was something that I truly appreciated, mainly for the way that Emily takes blow after blow to her psyche and still manages to soldier on and fight for her kid. And just when one thinks that matters are going to spin completely out of control, the author adds a twist that mires things in the reality of everyday life.

There doesn’t seem to be much one can say about the book without giving away the plot, but it is certainly a good read for lovers for Danielle steel and contemporary middle-age dramas. May be a tear-jerker for some.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I really didn't enjoy this: Emma's husband Paul buys a ruined house in France for them to renovate without asking her first. He then tells her he has lost his job and they will have to sell their house, move to France, and live in their property in a caravan. Emma therefore allows her first husband custody of their son (without taking legal advice) because she believes she is not entitled to take him to France. Paul later claims he has to return to the UK to work, leaving Emma and their daughter in the caravan trying to get a bar business off the ground. And so on and so on.

It was all so depressing (there was not one moment of humour in the whole book). Emma put up with totally unreasonable behaviour from Paul, who course, is lying to her right left and centre. For a while not much happened apart from the author employing unnecessarily complicated switches in viewpoint and time frame, but then towards the end all hell broke loose. I didn't like anyone, couldn't believe in any of their behaviour and I think the author might come to regret focussing so much on the Brexit angle.

Thank you to Hashtag Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story of love, lies, deceit, betrayal and triumphing over the odds is told in the voices of a married couple slowly drifting apart, Emma and Paul. While I found both Paul and Emma's first husband completely unlikeable sh!ts who were only out for themselves, I didn't find it easy to like Emma either. How can anyone be so blind, and oblivious to the clear messages being sent by their partner? Not to mention to the issues of the day, that could well have a major impact on one's life?

All in all, a fairly quick and enjoyable read, although the ending was rather foreseeable.

A good book: it's fascinating, engaging, and entertaining.
I appreciated the style of writer, the character development, and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.