Wow. A fast-paced psychological thriller that doesn’t let you pause for breath.

One day there’s a knock on the door, when you open it, the stranger on the doorstep tells you that there was a mix up in the hospital and your child isn’t actually yours....

Playing Nice by JP Delaney
I am fast becoming a big fan of this author. I enjoyed every minute of this book. You are straight into the baby swap storyline, and quickly get to know the characters. I was suspicious of them all!
Well written, with great characters, I especially liked his well Miles was written, I felt the right amount of love, hatred and pity for the characters.
I read this book in two sittings, and just had to keep going to find out the conclusion, which had my head spinning!
Loved it, loved it, loved it.

This is a fast-paced thriller that asks the question – what would you do if you find out your child is not actually yours? I thought the book handles the idea deftly, balancing the seriousness of the issue with enough juicy drama to keep the plot moving. It brings up questions of nurture vs nature, and the legality and morality of taking away a child from his family based on biological reasons.

Pete and Maddie are interesting protagonists who are hiding secrets from each other, but they are united in their fight to keep their son, Theo. Miles Lambert and his wife Lucy are the other couple who have raised Pete and Maddie’s biological son, David. The book shows both couples dealing with the painful possibility that they might lose the only child they have ever known. The book feels plausible for the most part and it’s obvious that the author has done his research. However, I thought the ending is too neat and wishful. There’s a psychological aspect to the story that I didn’t find thoroughly convincing.

Overall, Playing Nice is a thrilling family drama that asks interesting questions on what it means to be a family.

The biggest fattest five shiny starts from me! This was a fabulous book, the story-telling so compelling as we get to know and understand the four main characters. And what a gob-smacking premise - your premature child was swapped with another at birth and you only find out when the child is two. How on earth could this situation be handled? Not well is the answer! It's a complex and shocking story that had me gasping at the outrageous behaviour, not only of the couples but of the legal justice system as well.. Completely gripping and one of my top reads of the year!

A brilliant storyline and characters. I raced through this book in one day. It had me wondering what I would have chosen. Keep the son I’d brought up for two years or exchange for the one I gave birth to? I THINK I know but ......

The premise of this book is that Pete and Maddie discover a parent's nightmare - that their baby was mis-labelled in the hospital and given to another couple. But their initial efforts to work amicably with the other parents to resolve the issues over the two children's future disintegrate as it becomes clear that the other father is a seriously disturbed person.

Their situation spirals as simple incidents are blown out of context and used as evidence of their poor parenting and unsuitability to be the best parents for Theo. It is chilling how quickly the evidence mounts, and the reader is made uncomfortable by the manipulations of Miles.

I could not put the book down, its a really gripping read. Really enjoyable, in a car crash sort of way! A great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story of two couples, whose two year old sons turn out to have been mistakenly swapped at birth, was an interesting premise. However, there are too many implausible courses of action, and omissions of actions, which in my personal view, most parents would not have followed unquestioningly.
Pete and Maddie appear to accept whatever Mikes and Lucy tell them, without any investigation of their own. This would be a devastating revelation for any parent, but Pete and Maddie just accept it.
This scenario did not ring true for me, and I found the narrative slow and plodding, and the characters not very appealing. Disappointing, as JP Delaney is an excellent writer.
Sadly this one was not for me.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I rate books very highly but this has been the first book to have me actually mutter "what the..." as it hits its peak. What an incredible book this was.

It follows Maddie and Pete and their son Theo as they navigate through modern parenting with a two-year-old. Pete is the primary parent which already had me relating to it so much as I have taken on the role of Working Mum in my own life, as well as experiencing a traumatic birth and experiencing a mental health breakdown in the weeks and months following my daughters birth. To say I related to Maddie is an understatement. It was like I was reading my biography. I found this fairly tricky to read in the beginning as it was so similar to my real-life experience and it triggered a lot of emotions in me.

To say I am glad I stuck with the book is an understatement. It is a parent's worst nightmare to think two babies are switched at birth and then to have said other parent knocks on your door and tell you this. It is earth-shattering.

My heart was beating out of my chest and my stomach in knots by the end. I am so so happy with the ending and I won't reveal it. This is a MUST READ for 2020. Well any year. If anyone stumbles across this book, read it.

Thanks Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this and thank you for JP Delaney for another fantastic thriller.

Pete and Maddie have a two year old son, Theo. Born prematurely, he is now 2, and life seems fairly ordinary. Perhaps he's not very good at sharing, and perhaps he's being threatened with expulsion from nursery for hitting other children - but he's 2 so it's not that big a deal is it? Pete is a stay at home dad, and there is nothing that could have prepared him for the knock on the door that is about to throw his whole world upside down.

Enter Miles Lambert. He has a 2 year old son David. Born on the same day and at the same hospital as Theo. And he's come to tell Pete that somehow their two boys got mixed up and Theo is not Pete's son. David is. In shock and reeling, the two families initially agree that they will work together to ensure the best outcome for their sons. But it soon becomes clear that Miles is a cold-blooded control freak who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. As he twists and manipulates every conversation in an attempt to take Theo away from Pete and Maddie, it's clear that playing nice isn't going to cut it.

As Pete and Maddie work together to get to the truth, it's clear there is only one person who can help them - Miles's wife Lucy. When she reveals a hidden secret, it's the answer to all their prayers, and there is finally hope that justice may be served. But not by playing nice.

An interesting concept, brilliantly executed, this is a thriller that grips the reader from the outset. How far would you go to protect all that you hold dear?

This is a gripping psychological thriller with family at it’s centre.
Pete answers the door to two strangers but little does he know, this visit will change his life for good.
The visitors tell him that he is not his little boy’s biological father and his son was swapped whilst in NICU when he was born prematurely. His actual biological son is being raised by one of the visitors, Miles.
Miles says he’s done a DNA on Theo and he’s definitely his son and not Petes. Pete’s partner Maddie is gobsmacked by the revelation and doesn’t know what to do next.
Miles is keen for the two families to meet with the children both present but it’s a strange meeting.
Things start off ok but soon Miles is overstepping the mark and Pete doesn’t know what to do.
Soon it’s clear that Miles has his own agenda and a custody battle for the two boys ensues.
I can’t say any more as it would spoil it but trust me, this is a gripping drama that definitely has the psychological thriller elements in it too.
A great read.
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Totally loved this book and raced through it in a few days. A couple experience the ultimate nightmare of another couple turning up on their doorstep to tell them that their two premature babies were switched at birth. Excellent - you won't want to put it down.

Pete answers his door one morning, to a stranger telling him his child is not really his! There was a mistake at the hospital which resulted in two pre-mature babies being mistakenly tagged and sent home with the wrong parents.
It can’t get much worse right? But it quickly takes a turn for the worse when the two couples agree to try for an amicable relationship for the sake of the two children. What starts off as an unlikely friendship soon turns into an absolute nightmare.

This book touches upon the many questions of nature versus nurture and how parenting can maybe define a young child’s life. It is a real thought-provoking thriller, full of suspense that had my totally gripped.

I am quickly becoming a huge fan of J.P Delany, it is a while since I dipped into a thriller and this one certainly kept me guessing.

*Thank you to Netgalley & Quercus Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read and enjoyed all of JP Delaney's books thus far and i was very pleased to discover that this novel also held up.
The premise of Playing Nice is just as interesting and unique as its predecessors and was executed really well.
This story was thrilling and captivating throughout.

Thank you to the publisher, author and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow where to start with this cliffhanger of a story. I have devoured it in one day.
So what would you do if you were taken into a private hospital many weeks before the birth of your child as they were due to arrive too early. Things are confused and you are went to A&E at the NHS hospital and your baby sent to NICU. Would they survive? What is another mother arrived the same day?
This is the situation that two couples find themselves in. Each arrive at A&E and their boys are very ill. Neither appears to have a name tag.
Two years later Miles Lambert appears at the door of stay at home dad Pete to tell him that his son is not his and the boys were switched at the hospital.
Initially the two families appear to get along and are trying to form bonds, but something or someone malevolent brings terror and disruption to all of their lives. The couples are done playing nice.
What a fabulous and intriguing story. It plays on the heartstrings and showcases how families suffer from mental illness, alcoholism, cruelty and love and ultimately just how far we will go to protect our children.
5 stars for an amazing book.

This book had me wanting to read page after page the more I read.
Pete Riley answers the door one morning and unleashes his and his partner Maddie’s worst nightmare, they are not the parents of their beloved son Theo. Miles Lambert and his private detective deliver the news that 2 babies were swapped in the neonatal unit and for the last 2 years they have been living with the wrong family. How will this resolve, are both families the perfect families for either child? How did the babies get swapped?
This book unfolds in the form of chapters from both Pete and Maddie from now and when Maddie 1st went into labour prematurely. Interspersed with court transcripts.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this I found the characters and their actions to be wholly believable.
I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Pete and Maddie find themselves in a very difficult situation when they discover their 2 year old son, Theo, is not actually their biological child. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more by this author.

JP Delaney delivers another exceptional thriller with “Playing Nice”. Capitalising on every parents most deep-rooted fear, this is a breathtakingly plausible tale that sent chills through my very core...

When the charming and affable Miles turns up on Pete and Maddie’s doorstep with the devastating news that their son was mistakenly switched at birth in hospital with his and his wife Lucy’s son, the news triggers a series of events that will change both families forever. What starts as an amiable relationship that allows both couples access to their birth son soon spirals into a bitter custody battle, where Miles and Lucy are not playing fair. As it becomes increasingly likely that Pete and Maddie will lose their son, they will have to take every action within their power to fight for him. But secrets will be spilled and shocking truths revealed...how far will Pete and Maddie have to go to keep their son?

“Playing Nice” is one of the most gripping thrillers I have read this year. As a father myself, this novel spoke to the very core of my deepest fears as a parent. The thought of finding out my child isn’t mine quite literally sucks all of the air out of my lungs and causes my heart to palpitate, so I was on the edge of my seat from the moment I commenced chapter one. The suspense and the heart aching agony of the narrative did not let up until the final page was turned either. This really is the definition of a page-turner. What I found so mesmerising about this though was that all of the tension and unease felt throughout was not down to big, flashy moments of action or drama, but from the relentless build up of small, plausible and exasperating assaults against Pete and Maddie. There’s no bunny boiling moments a la Fatal Attraction here, which there easily could have been, risking making the narrative farcical. Therefore, whilst reading “Playing Nice” I could so easily believe how this situation developed and built to its thrilling climax. The fact that it is so believable and authentically created is precisely why it is such a top notch thriller. JP Delaney does domestic suspense with an effortless aplomb and is continually delivering.

I found Pete to be a very relatable character and I instantly liked him, which very firmly put me on his and Maddie’s side. I really liked the fact that whilst this is certainly the intention, neither Pete nor Maddie are without flaws and both have questionable traits. This makes them very human and all the more likeable, but also cleverly plants seeds of doubt as to the likelihood of them retaining custody of their son, Theo. Miles is a brilliantly constructed villain, who is able to blend seamlessly into society and hide the majority of his deplorable traits from plain view. He’s deceptively cunning and I found myself practically shaking my fist at my Kindle in frustration and outright anger at the actions he takes. I haven’t hated a fictional villain quite as much as Miles for a very long time - he literally made my blood boil! This, in part, is the power of Delaney’s writing and he perfectly creates an entirely detestable character in Miles. Miles’s wife Lucy is more of an enigma and Delaney very cleverly creates an air of mystery around her that helps propel the plot and ultimately becomes increasingly significant. She is initially understated in events, which helps readers to form less of a decisive opinion on her and leaves her involvement in proceedings unanswered until the final pages. Delaney’s style also helps to cement the tension and I enjoyed reading from different viewpoints (Pete and Maddie’s), which meant that things could be revealed to the reader without being public knowledge in the fictional world. The case notes that are interspersed between Pete and Maddie’s chapters also helped to form a likely conclusion to the custody case as the narrative progressed, but turn out to be altogether more surprising and I found the misdirection a clever ploy. I couldn’t guess the concluding chapters of the novel and I found them full of breathtaking suspense and a spine-tingling desire for things to work out for Pete and Maddie. Delaney does not disappoint on any level with “Playing Nice”!

This is a must read for 2020 and I highly recommend “Playing Nice”.

Really enjoyed this book from start to finish and could not put it down as I just had to find out what was going to happen next. With its ability to draw you in, this book is great for one of those days where you don't want to do anything but curl up with decent coffee and a good story to while away the day. Highly recommended.

I've been meaning to try JP Delaney's writing for a long time now, and even bought a physical copy of The Girl Before last year so I would finally do so... But somehow his titles have always slipped through the cracks so far. I was delighted when my request for his newest title Playing Nice was approved, because it ment that I now had the guarantee I would finally do so as I'm a sucker for sticking to deadlines... And I most definitely enjoyed my first experience with his writing. Well written, suspenseful, intense, shocking... Playing Nice is a more than solid psychological thriller.

The premise of this book is absolutely fascinating and without doubt the ultimate horror situation for new parents. Imagine not only having your child being born early and facing such difficulties, but then discovering two years later it isn't actually your child you've been caring for all this time? Babies switched at birth sounds like a Hollywood script, but sadly it still does happen in real life and it sounds terrifying. Especially if you have to deal with a person like Miles afterwards... It was fascinating to see both Pete and Maddie to react to the shocking news that Theo wasn't really their child, and seeing the resulting situation develop definitely had a lot of nail biting involved.

Playing Nice is psychological thriller at its best, where the suspense is build up slowly but steadily and the situation starts spinning out of control. That ominous feel is always present, and you keep wondering just how far things will go... Miles is the perfect villain and his character is very well developed. He is despicable of course, but his development and role in the plot really make this story. The story is told alternating between Pete and Maddie's POV, and we get to see the situation through both their eyes. Pete and Maddie's characters are both well developed too; they have their flaws, secrets and their development in general felt realistic. I wasn't sure if I actually liked them, or at least I wasn't really a fan of Maddie, but their situation is fascinating enough to keep you on your toes even if you are not able to connect to them fully.

What seems like an ordinary psychological thriller at first, soon turns into something a whole lot more intense after you realize the extent of the problems Pete and Maddie now face. Your inner alarm will sound straight away, and this will keep you on your toes as you keep reading and try to read the signs. When the situation starts spinning out of control, the level of intensity and suspense cranks up and there are quite a few plot twists bombs placed in convenient places. Playing Nice will go out with a bang as well, and if you enjoy the genre you will most likely enjoy your time with this one.

Another brilliantly twisted and twisty thriller from one of my favourite authors. A nightmare scenario of a story, and a great cast of characters - I couldn't put it down.