My Darling by Amanda Robson was such fun to read. The writing style was of brief chapters showing an individual character's perspective. It was as fast as the ping-pong matches from Nixon's ping-pong diplomacy era. Whilst fun to read, the subject matter was rather serious. From violent coercive control to murder most foul. The plot had more twists than a rattler on a fire pit. The less than subtle dialogue between the neighbours at the beginning of the book gave me cause to worry about the rest of it but that was an unfounded fear. Surprised though that it wasn't reworked as it lacked credibility. Other than that little niggle it was a hoot.

I’ve come to realise from Amanda Robson’s previous books she loves an obsessive and paranoid character and so do I. My Darling is all systems go with untrustworthy characters and plot twists that are clever. It’s very fast paced so hard to get to know the characters too deeply but enjoyable all the same.

Emma is a dentist in a lovely house, with a lovely boyfriend, Alistair, who stays with her on the weekends. She's got a perfectly lovely life.
Then Jade and Tomas move in next door. Upon meeting Emma, Jade immediately suspects that she's a homewrecker out to steal Tomas, despite Tomas's repeated attempts to assure her the affair is not real.
When Tomas is found dead, Jade's story about a torrid love affair between Tomas and Emma makes Emma the lead suspect. However, Alistair is a part of the crime scene unit, and he's willing to do anything to prove Emma couldn't have done it, because he loves her and he knows she's the key to his lifetime of happiness.
This is one of those books that has you asking WTF is going on almost constantly. It was a guilty pleasure that I finished in a day. We might have had to have takeout, but I needed to know just exactly how crazy the plot twists could get, like my beloved Lifetime movies (this would be an amazing Lifetime movie.)
This was my first book by Amanda Robson, but if the others are anything like My Darling, this will not be my last.
4/5
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

What a cast of characters:
Jade: the paranoid, suspicious wife
Tomas: the husband, serial cheater?
Emma: the abuse victim?
Alastair: Emma's secret boyfriend
Heather: Alastair 's ex wife

Not a so called normal person in the book. Lots of twists and turns. I couldn't wait to see what happened in the end.

Thanks to netgalley, Avon Books UK and Amanda Robson for the arc.

My Darling by Amanda Robson is an absorbing contemporary psychological thriller that I read in just one sitting.
The action is suspenseful and fast paced as suspicion points this way and that. There were multiple narrators enabling the reader to have insight into several minds. My heart raced as I longed to see justice served.
Everyone has a past. We need to learn from it and move forwards into the future.
There are the difficult topics of mental illness and abuse. It is always important to seek help.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. My responses to them varied from character to character, being guided by the action.
Amanda Robson produced a well thought out and executed plotline. I read with baited breath as everything played out. My Darling was a fantastic read and would make a marvellous, if rather scary, movie.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I really don't know what to say about this book, it was twisted and full of drama which I love, but at the same time it went way over the top and really lost me. Amanda Robson has been a hit or miss author for me, the last one a hit so I was excited for this one. I enjoyed it but I didn't love it. I have seen so many great reviews so I feel that I am in the minority here.

2 couples, 4 messed up and crazy people. From the very beginning these characters were unlikeable and that did not change throughout the whole book. Murder, betrayal, revenge, jealously - it is all here.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read.

This is the first book I read from this author and I really enjoyed it. The story is fast-paced and the amount of despicable characters makes the reader keeps reading and wondering what will happen to them. It reminded me of the B.A. Paris writing style and I loved it. I would definitely recommend this book and will read other books from Amanda Robson.

This is my first novel by this author and it won’t be the last. It galloped along at a fast pace and I was reading well in to the wee hours.

A fabulous psychological thriller with well drawn characters some of which you wouldn’t want to meet at night in a dark lane.

A suburban psychological thriller where two couples are neighbours of each other. Jade and Tomas move next door to Emma and Alastair. Jade has doubts that Tomas fancies Emma from the very start. To Jade, Emma is a stereotype and possibly Tomas's type.

This may seem a familiar setting, but what Ms Robson gives us is some exciting, entertaining and sometimes brutal characterisations. Do we fell sorry for Emma? Are there people like these four out there?

Super stuff, but not five stars as I am not a fan of each POV chapter and another book with a controlling, violent father in the background. A little more humour may have also helped.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read and review.

Wow! I couldn’t put this book down- what a roller coaster. How would it turn out for all the characters? as it just kept the police guessing who did what with the characters constantly changing their statements.

Wow! What a ride! This book has everything! Deceit, lies, betrayal! I could not put this book down! A twisty, shocking, and crazy read!

#NetGalley #AmandaRobson #AvonBooksUK
My Darling by Amanda Robson is a very well written psychological thriller. It was certainly hard to put down and with a refreshingly different theme than I have been reading lately. It was told from three POV's: Emma's, Jade's, and Alistair's.

What I really liked about the book was that each character had distinct personalities, of whom you did not know from one minute to the next if they were a good guy or a villain. I liked that Jade's character was instantly recognizable as crazy asf from her introduction. I also enjoyed getting to learn something about forensic science, which is relied on heavily in the book.
Although there were many things I loved in the book, there were a few things that I did not. 1) Sometimes I was confused about who was narrating because the author, or the editor had left off the name heading when the POV changed. 2) The characters narrations were told in, first person? I think. Following is an example:

You sit down and place your elbows on the table, head cupped in your hands, still watching me. Tapered blue nails to match your dress tapping together as you watch. You have curled the ends of your hair and it looks prettier than ever this evening.

Overall, the negatives were outweighed by the positives in the book and I did find it a lot of fun to read. My head is still reeling because of all the twists and turns the plot took!
I would definitely recommend My Darling by Amanda Robson to most of my family and friends, as well as anyone else looking for a fast paced trip to crazy town! I really enjoyed this book!!!!

TW - domestic violence

Let me start by saying WOW. This book had all the components of a thoroughly enjoyable, suspenseful thriller.
It's told from the perspective of three people. Jade; a mentally unwell woman who suffers from severe paranoia, Emma; a beautiful dentist who seems beyond perfect, and Alastair; a forensic scientist. I will admit that the constant jumping between the three annoyed me a little at first and at times it became a little confusing keeping up with who was speaking. But I still found it a great read.
In this book of unreliable narrators, everyone is a suspect and everyone is a victim. With plot twists at every turn, it was easy enough to become very invested in this story.
My first from this author but I'll definitely be reading more.

This book has it all:
1) Secrets
2) Betrayal
3) Backstabbing

I mean.. that sounds like a recipe for success.. doesn't it? It's certainly a book I want to read! And I'm glad I did. Now.. what are you waiting for? Just click the 'request' button, and fingers crossed, you'll get approved!

A fantastic and thrilling read! I enjoyed every moment of the story and would recommend it to anyone interested in fast paced thrillers

Gripping is an understatement
This is the second book I have read by Amanda Robson I loved Obsession and this one is even better. I will admit the start is somewhat confusing but once it gets going it is an amazing book. I will not say too much as it will totally give everything away but it is very cunning in its thought process and is well written.
I certainly did not see a lot of what happens coming and by the end you will close the book and be amazed by the story line that got one of the characters to that point!

This really is a roller coaster of a read. One you don't want to put down until you've turned the last page.
Paranoia, murder, deception and lies and some really scary moments in between take you through from beginning to end..

Slickly written, with attention to detail in regard to forensic procedures there are so many twists and turns. Filled with drama and some pretty edge of the seat moments, My Darling is one of the best psychological thrillers I have read so far this year.

I love this author, I think her writing style is suspenseful, fast paced, and chilling! It may not appeal to all, as it is a bit different style than you’ll normally see, but if you enjoy it, you’ll love it! This book was chilling, thrilling, shocking, and unputdownable! Would I say it’s 1000% original concept; no, but will say it’s definitely unique! Don’t delay, preorder today, it’s not one you’ll want to miss!

This thrill ride of a story made my head spin, wow! Fabulous read. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review

A strong psychological thriller that is fast and succinct from the start. There are 5 main characters, all interlinked via their romantic relationships/living in the same neighbourhood. Amidst twisted minds, distorted view points, this ratchets quickly into a very sinister, devilishly warped and well manipulated murder. The chapters are so short you just jump onto the next to find out what happens next. Each character has a dark side, an edge you cannot see. Each has a compelling view of their own world. Whose vantage point can you trust? How much of their true character has been revealed? Two characters dwell in the world of forensics, which adds to how compelling this is.
My prediction is that most people will be compelled to read it in one sitting. My advice don’t start this late at night when you have work the next morning. Cracking, barbed fiction to curl up with.