Are we all psychopaths to one degree or another? Children are often told “to play nice” but does this also apply to adults even when it’s clear the other isn’t playing by the same rules as you? What happens when you discover your baby has been swapped for another and the other parents comes to claim their now two year old child who happily calls you mum or dad? Highly addictive thriller playing with nature versus nurture, right against wrong, secrets and lies and the power of true love. Highly recommended.

I requested this book because of both the author and the description. Having already read The Girl Before and enjoyed it I knew I was going to enjoy Playing Nice too. 
This book has got to be every parent's worst nightmare, having their babies switched at birth and not knowing about it until they are two years old. This book really gets you thinking and honestly I found myself imagining myself in Maddie and Pete's shoes and wondering what I would do and how I would deal with the situation. 
This book was a very interesting read, I've never come across a book with a plot anything like this. It really kept me glued to the page which meant it only took me a day and a half to read it. 
I love JP Delaney's writing style and the way he tells his stories. He puts plots together very well and honestly I don't find myself getting bored or distracted reading his books. 
I really found this book unpredictable in places and as much as I had my own theories on what would happen I still found myself second guessing and wondering who really was the real bad guy in this story. 
I really liked the characters in this book, especially Pete, he seemed to be a really good Dad and it was nice to read a book about a stay at home Dad for a change. Although I do wish we got a little bit more backstory from Lucy's character (Miles' wife) as she was a little vague. 
Overall this was a great page turner that was very enjoyable and hard to put down!

From the initial turn of a page this story grabs you into the twists and tricks tricks of its plot. If you like a thriller that makes the hairs on your arms stand on end then I'd recommend this book!

I absolutely LOVED this book. It had me hooked right from the start. The story is very original and the suspense kept me flying through right until the very end.

One morning Pete answers the door to a stranger who claims Theo, his two year old son isn’t biologically his and their babies were actually switched at birth.

The two families, although horrified at this revelation decide to be amicable and enable each other to be in their biological child’s lives.

But things go wrong. People aren’t who they seem and things get very mysterious. It’s up to the courts to decide the best interests of the children but no one will give up without a fight.

The story is told from both Pete & Maddie’s point of view interchangeably. It is also interspersed with official evidence documents, letters and emails, which help move the story along as well as providing more questions.

I felt so frustrated for Pete & Maddie, it seemed absolutely everything was against them. I can’t reveal any more without spoiling the story but just believe me this book is unputdownable.

Thanks to NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author J P Delaney for letting me read and review an advance copy of this book.

Now this is a page turner with no idea of what twists and turns that are in store. Couldn’t put it down. You can really put yourself in Pete and Maddie’s shoes and feel every emotion. It’s hard to believe the acceptance and naivety when it comes to the situation there all faced with if a little on the unbelievable. There is so much going on in this book from one set of parents to the other but also within there relationships. There is definitely a psychological thriller aspect to this read and it’s not one to be missed. Definitely recommend even if for me the ending fell a little short.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the chance to read this ARC and review thats due to be published on the 6th of Aug...

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed JP Delaney’s previous books and, as anticipated, this did not disappoint.

What a rollercoaster of a journey. The book had me hooked from the outset & I devoured this in a day.

I’ve not read anything with a similar storyline so that added to the intrigue.

4.5 stars

What a riveting read. Delaney never fails to mesmerise me with his many talents. He knows how to take an unconventional storyline and turn it into the most real thing using language, settings and characters that keep your eyes glued to the page.

I got quite emotional in places too, having had a child spend time in NICU so those sections brought back my own memories. Moving on though, the humdinger that’s thrown at you half way through was gobsmacking. I should have known to expect something like that, but I just didn’t.

‘Playing Nicely’ is a book filled to the brim with twists, full of pace and nail-bitingly brilliant to read.

Bravo to Delaney for doing it again with another exquisite psychological thriller.

This is an absolute page-turner that will keep you gripped and guessing until the end. Two families have premature babies being cared for in the same acute ward. Two years later, one family has a knock on the door. Their son is not who they think - the babies were swapped in the ward. At first things are quite amicable and solutions sought but quickly it all descends to chaos. Its a thriller so suspend believe as usual, don't expect too much subtlety but do expect a really good read, interesting scenarios, action and plot.

Three stars. While this book was well written, i felt it was a tad bit longer than i would have liked. Also, i didn't know (and perhpas this would be a spoiler) that this was about a psychopath in such a great measure. Somehow, books with such characters aren't my favorites.

The book began very well and we were prepared right from the beginning for some action. Hints were dropped throughout the book and at a point i was pretty sure it was going to be tough for Pete and Maddie to save their son from the way Miles had created a noose around them. Given all that he had done, the solution seemed a little simplistic. I would have really liked to know more about David as well.

Overall, this was a gripping and fast paced book that is bound to be loved by readers who enjoy novels with psychopath and domineering characters who are ultimately beaten by the same regular, everyday people they have dominated and toyed with for so long. Many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for the ARC in return of an honest review.

This book is about two babies that get mixed up at a hospital and end up going home with the wrong family. I found the story a little unbelievable at how quickly the two couples began to see each other so often.

J. P Delaney’s latest offering Playing Nice is another big hit as far as I am concerned. I have read all their books and this one also does not disappoint.
Peter Riley a freelance Journalist, is at home with his two-year-old son Theo. He is the main carer while his girlfriend Maddie is at work. It is just an ordinary day. When he gets a knock on his front door. He answers it to find Miles Lambert at the door. Giving the shocking news that Theo is not his son. Theo is his son. They were accidentally switched at birth at the hospital. Peter doesn’t believe it at first. He thinks he has been set up. But Miles confesses that he has already done a DNA test that proves that Theo is his son. But closer look, you can see the similar characteristics as Miles, were as David the son that Miles and his wife has brought up has more similarities to Peter and the caring person he is.
Both parents agree amicably that they shouldn’t switch the boys back but have equal access and first it works but then things start to go wrong and then Pete and Maddie find out that Miles is secretly investigating them to compile a case for full access of both boys.
Wow I loved this. J. P. Delaney goes that extra mile in a story that others fear to tread. This is a tense gripping thriller and a nightmare for parents out there that have gone through similar situations and go through a custody battle for their child. The way the parent’s lives are stripped bare for all to see. This is a great story and realistic storyline and the author is great at depicting the pure emotion that is going through their minds. There is also a surprising twist at the end.

Wow! This is one of those books that has you guessing all the way through!
Great storyline, credible characters and a plot twist that meant I didn't want the book to end!

Two males are having a serious chat
It is because their babies have been swapped at birth
They plan to get them back
But Theo is getting lairy
And then it becomes hard to swap them back
I had an ARC

After enjoying The Girl Before and loving The Perfect Wife this story had me interested before I’d even started on seeing it was from the same author. It was an interesting premise but unfortunately I felt my interest peaking and then waning quite alot and the end fell rather flat with little suspense. For that reason I would give this book 3.5 stars.

I was completely enthralled with this book. A couple learns the son they have been raising was switched at the hospital. What follows is the raucous ride of the fallout of that discovery. At first the parent of the other boy seems like the best possible couple to face the situation with. Quickly things begin to change however and the situation soon becomes even more of a nightmare. Quick read, and thoroughly enjoyable!

JP Delayney has written some wonderful books and quite wrongly every time I pick up a new one I worry if won't live up to that standard. But I needn't. His books are wonderful, great storyline, great characters and twists to the end. Really recommend

OMG this book is absolutely brilliant and I read it in about 3 hours! Spent most of it saying OMG on a regular basis. Taking one couple’s story of how their premature baby turns out to have been swapped at birth and the impact of two families trying to get what they want. Absolutely gripping and horrifying in equal measure, the lengths a psychopath will go to to get their own way. Fantastic read, thank you for letting me review this book. Definitely JP Delaney’s best book yet.

I read this is one sitting. It was totally gripping and the short, pacy chapters drew you in. The main characters are dynamic and supported by a wider cast that all have their place in the story. The clever use of different voices to progress the plot works brilliantly and means that you just keep wanting to turn the pages until you finish. That was me - at 0200 this morning!

The Perfect Wife was the first book I ever read through NetGalley and it still stands out as one of my favourite books. When I saw the opportunity to read Delaney’s newest release I jumped at the chance.

JP Delaney is the king of thrillers and Playing Nice is no exception. This is a domestic thriller following the lives of Pete and Maddie when they discover their boisterous two year old, Theo, is not their biological son and that their biological son has been raised by another family after a mix up at the hospital. Luckily for them, the other family appear to be friendly and they mutually agree to leave the children with who they believe to be their family whilst allowing the biological parents access for regular visits with their biological children.

Things soon turn sour when the other couple tries to insert themselves into Pete and Maddie’s lives but when Peter and Maddie begin to resist the overbearing couple, the threats begin.

The story alternates between Pete and Maddie’s perspectives and is interspersed with letters, emails, and documents to add more context. The chapters are short and punchy and make this a deeply addictive and enthralling read. I struggled to put this book down and kept telling myself “just a few more pages”. I cannot recommend this book enough and I have just downloaded Delaney’s first two novels and I can’t wait to start reading them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've only read one other novel by JP Delaney - Believe Me - but I enjoyed it enough to take notice of this one and once I'd read the blurb felt sure this one would be right up my street. I was right: after the first couple of chapters I was hooked and devoured it, finding it especially enthralling once things had started to turn sour. This was, at least in my opinion, a fairly original plot, or at least the portrayal was, and although this wasn't the type of thriller that kept throwing twists and turns at you, it certainly keeps you interested and wanting more. This was played out very well; the characters and storyline persuasive and absorbing. I found the legal pursuit to be a highlight, with factual use of the legislation and potentially terrifying prospectives for those in this situation. One of the only things I didn't entirely love were the two main characters; though convincing, I often found their actions exasperating, but I do think this was intentional and admittedly there is hardly a right way for a couple of deal with such circumstances (even if I do question how the two of them ever lasted long enough to have a child). This did not hinder my enjoyment for this story and confirms to me that I need to make an effort to read more of Delaney's work. 5 stars for this one, a definite must read.

*I received an advance review copy of Playing Nice from the publisher through NetGalley.