I’ve read Louise Jensen’s previous books so was looking forward to this one. An easy to read thriller, this is exactly what you would expect from this author. This is not my favourite of her books but still an enjoyable read for fans of the thriller genre.

Who is your family? The group linked by blood ties and memories shared over many years. Or those people who are there for you when tragedy strikes and you feel in the depths of despair with nowhere to go and nowhere to turn. What do we know about a commune or the events and reasons why people seek this form of existence; suddenly relying on an existence totally alien to everything they know and understand. And most importantly when you find yourself on rock bottom and desperately need a friend who can you trust. This is the dilemma in which Laura finds herself. Catastrophic events in per past, long buried deeply behind lies and untruths, a young daughter dependent upon her and post traumatic stress caused by a sudden bereavement leave her unable to rationalise her current situation and adrift in panic mode, Choices are made which destabilise both their lives, putting them at serious risk of harm and in danger. We the reader travel her journey with the same frustrations not knowing or understanding who or why the perpetrator is focussed on destroying this family . When her back is against the wall and there is nothing to lose and everything to play for who can Laura turn depend upon. Who is totally trustworthy family in the true sense of the word. Her life and that of her daughter relies on the answer.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Laura finds herself in a financial mess when her husband dies in an accident and she is left to fend for herself and her 17 year old daughter. Making matters worse, her husband’s housing development business was thought to be responsible for a girl getting sick with leukemia after her home was built on a former toxic dump. A boycott against the family effectively puts Laura’s florist shop out of business. Due to her inability to pay her rent while waiting for life insurance check, Laura ends up taking her daughter to live in a self sustaining community and of course that doesn’t go well.

This was another pretty good read from Louise Jensen. You knew both Laura’s and her daughter were hiding something and you knew there was going to be trouble in the community they moved to. I thought the ending was pretty interesting despite the fact that there were a lot of coincidences. I look forward to Louise Jensen’s next book.

A very intriguing addictive read
This is a clever plot and has many twists and turns along the way
Very well written and enthralling
A brilliant book

I wanted so much to like this book. I'm a big fan of the author but the plot was just so contrived and the triple narration made it feel like wading through treacle. Sorry.

This is one of those books which I cannot quite decide how to review. The story line and uncovering of the past made the reading suspenseful, however it was a long haul to get to the point when much was given away and then it all came out quite quickly. If I was to offer advice to the author from an avid reader of psychological thrillers, then I would suggest that she 'drip feeds'information more steadily throughout the writing to keep the reader engaged. Some of the characters appear unrealistic, ie they start off seeming to have a particular personality and then it changes. Whilst I realise that this is part of the nature of this genre of writing. I still didn't believe in some of the cast especially Alex. I nearly gave up 60% through. In the end I was pleased to have finished it, rather than delighted by the conclusion.

This book kept me guessing to the end, I enjoyed the twists and felt for the main characters. I would read more of Louise Jensen’s books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The descriptive writing was great, it really painted a picture in my mind of the place and characters. I could really envision it as if a film was playing in my mind.
The storyline was great and I felt she explained and tied up the story at the end too, so I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.
A great read which I’ll happily be recommending to my friends!

Good book I have never read this author before but just found a lot of the book was repeated so did get a bit boring but it is worth a read

A chilling, suspenseful read. I have not read a book by this author before but I will be seeking more! I enjoyed following Laura and Tilly and their lives after Gavan Laura's husband died. I would recommend to anyone who likes a thrilling fiction tale.

I'm sorry to say that I really didn't enjoy this book. I found the story to be very convoluted and far fetched, and I didn't like the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

Wow!
This book hooks you in right from the very beginning. The dire straights that Laura finds herself in following the death of her husband leave her extremely vulnerable and she is preyed on by a community that become ever more cult-like in behaviour as she and her daughter join them.
Every character at Oak Leaf organics has a creepy aspect to them, at least in Laura's mind, and she is keen to leave but Tilly wants to stay.
As truth upon truth are revealed the anxiety level increases and as situations are explored from the 3 main viewpoints of Laura, Tilly and Alex the plot well and truly thickens.
A great read that will leave you willing them not to join the commune from early doors and then desperate for them to leave!

Laura’s husband dies, Gavan, dies unexpectedly. This leaves herself and her seventeen year old daughter, Tilly, in a world where nothing feels the same. Financially struggling and ostracised from Gavan’s brother, wife and niece, she accepts an invitation to stay at Oak Leaf Organics to help her back on her feet. Will this be the making, or breaking of the two-strong family unit?

I enjoyed the differing viewpoints in the novel and the variety this gave, although it felt like one in particular was a little under explored. These perspectives provided a lot of strands, however, and these got a bit confusing towards the end. I also felt the cult-style theme was just a little too much for me, and it reached the point of being unbelievable.

Louise Jensen writes well, however, and I will definitely be checking out some of her other books!

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A really good spine chilling read. I was hooked from the start. This is a complicated story full of secrets and lies right up until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Wasn’t at all sure about this book - during the first half, I wondered about continuing to read if I’m honest. Dark, unrealistic and I just wasn’t feeling the story line at all. I’m glad I did persevere as the second half flowed better and I was more pulled into the story but overall, this just didn’t really deliver for me.

This is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last.

The story follows Laura as she struggles to come to terms with the death of her husband, and her daughter Tilly, who discovers a devastating secret about her dad.

A compelling storyline; with everyone hiding secrets, there is an unexpected twist at the end.

A very intense read about family, the secrets, the lies, kept me hooked from start to finish, a great read

I had a good feeling about this book within the first 5 minutes of reading and it certainly didn't disappoint. The story followed Laura and Tilly and their life after Gavan Laura's husband died tragically. Laura just wanted to get life back on track for herself and Tilly but what happened over the following weeks would change their lives forever. Lots of twists to the story that keeps you hooked from start to finish

The book started well with the main characters Laura and her daughter Tilly dealing with the emotional and financial fall out after Laura's husband dies. In this vulnerable state, it is easy to believe that Laura and Tilly could be drawn into living at Oak Leaf Organics, a commune where everyone helps each other. All the characters have secrets and you are left wondering who to believe.
The book is written in the first person POV for Laura, Tilly, and Alex who runs the commune. This is done so the reader can see the different reactions the characters have in the same situation. However, all it does it repeat the storyline so as a reader I was sometimes left skimming pages and I decided that I didn't miss much by doing this. Some chapters were just a few sentences long. Why? This did not give me time to get into that character's mind and all it did was interrupt the flow of the story.
The plot had the promise of twists and multiple secrets, but in the end, I was underwhelmed. Too contrived and the author tried too hard to convince me that certain characters were flawed.
This book was not for me but I can understand that others will like it. It was easy to read and understand. I would have preferred more depth to the characters, but that's just my preference. So if you want an easy read with plenty of secrets and twists then try it, you might like it.

A great read about love, loss and obsession. Theres nothing to go back to when everything falls apart, is there?