"A relationship between a mother and son was a very special bond, but that bond was beginning to show signs of strain and I would do anything to keep it from breaking and to make sure nothing or anyone came between us."

The Daughter In Law is the debut thriller novel by Nina Manning. Annie is a single mother - it has always been just her and her son, Ben. But once he's grown up, he meets a woman called Daisy and moves in with her. Annie is shocked to find out that they are married and expecting a child after 5 months together. Ben and Daisy end up having to move into Annie's house in the middle of nowhere, where Annie can make sure that her son doesn't get taken away from her. When Ben goes missing it becomes clear that Daisy and Annie only have each other to rely on now...

I'm getting more into reading thrillers recently and this is one I really enjoyed. It's hard to describe the book without giving spoilers but it's great - full of twists and turns.

The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning is a début, first rate thriller that ticked all of the boxes for me. An uneasy feeling made its presence early and did not release me until the final shocking twist.

The story was told from three alternating perspectives - that of Annie, the mother-in-law, Daisy, the daughter-in-law, and Grace, whose part in the plot was unknown throughout the narrative until all was revealed. This novel was incredibly well put together and so well thought out for a début and I was mightily impressed. Not a single clue was given to me as the reader and I found myself living as if I were Daisy, not knowing what was going to happen next. This was an incredibly compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I look forward to reading more contributions from this fabulous new author, Nina Manning.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I am unsure if the mother in law is named for infamous psychopath Annie WIlkes, but I bet they would have got along like a house on fire(pardon the pun)

We all might think we have the in-laws from hell, but in Daisy's case, she really and truly does. The journey through 'The Daughter In Law' is a neat story of self discovery, forgiveness and how far a mother will go to protect her child.

Whilst trying to be super careful not to give away any spoilers, I can say it is a book which gives up its' treaures slowly and even if you guess what happened and where it is going, it's so well written that it really doesn;t matter, you are happy to be along for the ride. The same with any plot inconsistencies, when a writer does such an impassioned job, you can overlook themand not be picky.

The basic storyline is-boy meets girl, they fall in love, they have to move in with the in law when he goes off to earn money to provide for their new baby, pregnant wife is trapped by evil m.i.l from hell.

However, what is important to note is that threaded through this tale of psychological suspense, are themes of grief, loss, societal expectation on women to reproduce, infertility, and abuse.

Annie may be a complete wrong'un but I defy readers not to finish the book without some empathy for her despite what she has done-undiagnosed trauma and loss can completely affect the trajectory of a person's life. But Annie and Daisy together are like the immovable object and the unstoppable force. Which one will come out on top? Read this fantastic debut thriller to find out for yourself!

Five out of five stars for The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning!

This title was a great read - if the book looks good to you from the description, go for it!!!

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley, who provided this free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Gosh, where do you start with a book like this! Unreliable narrators and crazy-ass women complete check in this book! The Daughter-in-Law consists mainly of two characters, Annie and Daisy, the daughter-in-law. When I cracked this open, I didn’t have a clue where I was going to be taken. I felt the blurb was ambiguous and I read it a couple of times to try and tease out new information but got nothing. Instead, the book just enveloped me.

Ben and Daisy have a rather whirlwind relationship which leads to a “shotgun wedding”, Ben brings Daisy home one day to meet his mother as he’s been avoiding her for months and to say that Daisy got a frosty reception is an understatement. Annie takes smothering a child and mummy boys phrases to an entirely new playing field. Something didn’t sit right with me with her.

However, what I have always loved is an unreliable narrator stance, so when you view things from Annie’s chapter it makes you wonder if Daisy is everything that Annie says she is. Then when you read Daisy’s chapter it’s completely different. So what is the truth?!

I spent a lot of the time shaking my head at the book, and getting a bit irate from the behaviour of these women as the book focuses mainly on the two of them living in Annie’s house during the run-up to Daisy giving birth. Daisy at times was very submissive with Annie, she did as she was told, took her pills and played a quiet little mouse well. I got annoyed as I wanted her to question everything I had been. Granted I know when suffering from depression it’s very easy to hide away in that hole, I do, but I hated not knowing too! Annie is a complete control freak and also very damn right rude at times with her snipes. Not sure I would be able to hold my tongue, let alone smile and try to enjoy lunch. Her world starts and finishes with Ben.

Slowly, so very slowly we learn new information from throwaway comments and I lapped everything up trying to piece the puzzle together. I suspected one thread but I hit my head hard when Manning pulled the rug out from under with a reveal. Didn’t see it coming and that is something I loved!

The book is intense, although it doesn’t feel like much is happening. the chapters are short and snappy and I found myself at times holding my breath waiting for something to happen. I love a book grips you like this, creating a huge black cloud of foreboding, making you crave the next page, next chapter to find out what the frick is going on.

My head is buzzing from this book and where I was unsure of where I was going it knocked the wind out of me. Gah, you have to read it! I can’t explain any more of the plot it would just ruin it, but always go with your gut feelings! I know I did and it paid off!

Seriously I have to add, this is a blinking debut! How!! This book is so well crafted already, the writing flows and grabs your attention from the get-go. Manning knows how to pull you in and keep you glued to the pages of her book. She knows how much information to give you in each chapter, just enough to keep turning the pages. It has unnerved me, not many books can rattle me by the end and only a few have. This one has done something to my brain, it has got me a bit on edge, I can’t trust anyone now!!!!!!! Writing like this is why I love reading. With a story that packs in different subjects that truly hit home upon reflection and crafted the way Manning has done in her book tells you a lot! I am so excited to see what she does next.

The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning is a top-notch thriller that ticks all of the boxes for me. An unease settles in early, and does not let go until the final shocking twist. This is a brilliant debut.

The novel is told from the alternating perspectives of Annie, the mother-in-law, Daisy, the daughter-in-law, and Grace, whose relationship to the plot is unknown throughout the narrative. Ben is Annie's son, and has always been the centre of her world. When Ben meets Daisy, they marry quickly and have a child on the way, all before Annie knows of Daisy's existence in her son's life. The tension between the two women is palpable from their first meeting, and only intensifies when Ben goes missing. The women realize that they only have each other, and must find a way to coexist for the good of the unborn child. But just how far can each woman trust the other?

This one kept me up late into the night, rapidly turning the pages in an effort to unravel it all. This is a compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Wow, what an incredible debut novel! Nina has created a physiological thriller that stands out from the crowd and I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

The book begins with Annie meeting her her daughter in law, Daisy for the very first time. However it turns out that Daisy is already married to Annie’s precious son Ben and they are expecting their first child together, none of which Annie was aware of, or involved in.

This is another book where the author has decided on alternating chapters between protagonists Annie and Daisy. We hear from both points of view which paints a clear picture of what they are thinking, whilst still holding back enough details to keep us readers guessing until the very end.

Once I started reading The Daughter In Law, I struggled to put it down. I was reading in bed, in the bath, on the loo and even at my desk in secret! My heart was pounding, I was holding onto the edge of my seat and my mind was in overdrive trying to figure out the what, when and whys!

From the very first chapter I was hooked. I was instantly drawn to Daisy even though it slowly become obvious she had some hidden secrets. I was also very suspicious of both Ben and Annie, but for very different reasons.

I really enjoyed how I was completely in the dark until the very last chapter or two. I had no idea how Nina was going to wrap everything up, and honestly think I would never have been able to guess the ending.

A fantastic debut novel, and I cant wait to read more by Nina!

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The Daughter In Law is about a crazy mother in law who seems to think no one is good enough for her baby boy. The crazy mom trope seems to be pretty popular lately. With that said, this book was definitely good. It was predictable at times, but still entertaining enough to hold your interest.

I'll definitely be reading other books by this author.

The Daughter In Law was a somewhat predictable thriller. Don’t get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read, it just wasn’t as exciting as I had hoped. The book starts off well however towards the middle of the book, the pace slows down and I found myself waiting a long time for something exciting to happen. ⁣
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Not a bad debut from this author, she definitely has promise. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
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I've been reading a lot of the "mother-in-law is bonkers" books and was hoping this was going to check all my boxes for this type of book. It actually exceeded any expectation and I was surprised beings this is the author's debut book. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more by this author.

Annie has had her son Ben to herself for his entire life. But then Daisy appears on the scene. Daisy & Ben marry quickly and are expecting a baby, and Annie's life has been turned upside down.
The first 1/4 of the book was slow for me and hard for me to get in to. I am glad that I persevered, because once I commuted myself to the story, it picked up. Strange events started to happen, and I braced myself for twists and turns. I didn't see the full ending coming, and enjoyed the surprises.

This was a well thought out plot which focused on the desperation of childlessness as well as the trauma of rejection. I liked the way Manning ~almost~ over played her hand when dropping hints only to reveal later that “so much worse” was, in fact, the truth. And I think that by giving the reader a bigger hint than was expected, she actually created a greater surprise in the end. No, she didn’t use red herrings … she kept the reader on the right path, just with the wrong expectation.

The character development was excellent and the action was straight forward. The story was told in alternating chapters using first person accounts from different characters, but it wasn’t re-telling the same scene, but rather moving the plot forward simply using a different point of view. I appreciated having each chapter headed by the name of the character speaking.

This was a fast read suspense novel with a most satisfactory conclusion. I highly recommend it and will look for others by Nina Manning.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Annie inherited her violent, drunken father’s seaside home when he passed away. This is where single mother, Annie, brought up her son, Ben. Annie has always kept him close and loved their life together - just the two of them. Now, Ben has secretly married a woman named Daisy who became pregnant early in their relationship. When Ben brings Daisy to meet Annie, it’s not a warm meeting.

Ben is a musician working small gigs here and there. When he gets offered a job in Scotland to record an album with a band, he is thrilled. The problem is he will be away for several months, but hopes to be home be the time the baby is born. Ben wants Daisy to stay with his mother while he is gone. Daisy doesn’t like it but ends up agreeing.

A gas explosion at the apartment that she had shared with her best friend killed her friend and destroyed all of her belongings. Now, she definitely must stay with Annie.

Tortured with grief at the loss of her friend and the absence of her husband, Daisy spirals down with only Annie to care for her. Daisy soon realizes that Annie may not be who she thinks she is, but the woman is very overpowering and Daisy finds herself falling down the rabbit hole.

The story has flashbacks to Annie’s earlier life and Daisy’s earlier life. What did each of them do that they are trying to keep secret?

I enjoyed this book very much. It dragged a bit for me in the beginning, but that’s probably because it was setting the stage for Daisy’s depressed feelings. However, it certainly picks up quickly and is a story that will keep readers glued right up to the last page.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A n author to follow tense chilling novel so well written characters tharpt drew me right in.Ipicked up the book to read a few pages& found myself reading late into the night highly recommend,#netgalley#boldwoodbooks,

I absolutely loved this book! I definitely recommend it! I could not put it down! I loved how the book went from Annie's perspective to Daisy's perspective.

This starts off as a very fast love affair between Ben and Daisy with marriage and pregnancy happening within months. Then comes the visit to meet Ben’s mother Annie. Mother in law from hell, who still seems to see Ben as a young boy and not the man he has become, sees Daisy as a threat to their relationship.

Alternating chapters are narrated by Annie and Daisy, both hiding secrets so you have no idea who to trust. I do love an unreliable narrator and with this you get two woo hoo. Then the occasional chapter is told by Grace, who is she? What does her story have to do with Annie or Daisy? No spoilers here!

Annie is a master manipulator who is determined to get her own way then Ben goes missing so Annie is all Daisy has left. I love a good baddie and Annie is as wicked as they come. Her idea of love is warped and I eagerly devoured her chapters as the characterisation is spot on. She totally justifies her actions to herself with a misplaced sense of her love for Ben.

This has a palpable tension as it builds to a dramatic conclusion. I gave this four stars as I saw some of the reveals coming too early but this is a great debut and I look forward to her next book.

Here’s another great book, The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning. I swear, 2019 has been the best year ever for books. The good ones just keep coming out and I can hardly keep up!

Plot:

As a single mother, Annie has an especially close relationship with her son, Ben. They have always been together. Just the two of them. So, when Ben brings home his mysterious beautiful new wife, Daisy, immediately Annie doesn’t trust her. Who is this woman who has taken her son away from her? And what is she hiding?
She’ll protect him with her life…

When Ben disappears, suddenly Annie and Daisy are all the other one has. Alone in Annie’s big, remote house, just the two of them, the tension is rising. And like any protective mother, Annie will stop at nothing to expose her new daughter in law, and the secrets she is hiding…

The book alternates chapters between Annie and Daisy, who do you trust? (Spoiler- one of them is crazy) There are lots of great scenes and the ending..WOW. A fantastic debut novel. I will keep my eyes open for anything else the author writes!

FREE on Kindle Unlimited! Get it today.

Annie fought her son, Ben up single handed. Her love for her son is unconditional. But Ben is all grown up. He's a musician and he meets Daisy. Daisy and Ben secretly marry as she is also pregnant. She is five months when Ben finally takes her home to meet his mother.

Oh wow. Be prepared for Annie to get under your skin and stay there long after you finish the book. There is quite a lot going on in this book. There were a few things that were not made quite clear, like who one of the characters was that we had not heard about throughout the book, I think I know who she was though. There are random characters told by Grace. At first they confused me, then it all slotted into place. I did get a bit wrong but I can't tell you what it was as it would spoil it for you. I couldn't read this book quick enough. My only criticism is the last 25% felt rushed. As if the author couldn't wait to tie in the loose ends. If the story had played out a little longer this would definitely be a 5⭐️ read.

I also need to thank my friend, Stina for recommding this book to me.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Boldworld Books and the author Nina Manning for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For a debut novel this gets 3.5 stars. For a seasoned author this would get 3.
The book is told in 3 voices Annie (mom), Daisy (DIL) and Grace(unknown). It starts off slow never really picking too much pace. The characters all have their secrets and that is interesting. But while the plot is interesting the lack of buildup. There is a lot of focus on Daisy and her pregnancy, not all of which really adds to the plot. If you read a lot in this genre you will figure it all out pretty quickly. Overall its a good book to read but nothing about it sets it apart from other books in this genre

Out today: 8/1/19!

I'm always a sucker for a psychological thriller and a family drama, but this time we have a bonus character: the daughter-in-law! Definitely a page-turner and an incredible thriller.