THIS WAS SO STRESSFUL TO READ!

Peter and Maddie have a perfectly ordinary life with their rambunctious toddler until another couple turns up on their doorstep, revealing they think their children were swapped shortly after birth.

It soon becomes clear (part of the premise, so not a spoiler), that their adored child Theo is actually someone else's. That the other couple have been raising their biological child.

Luckily for them, the other couple is also super welcoming and friendly.

But can their motives be trusted? What do they really want...? How long will it be until things turn nasty?

Not long at all, you'll be glad to know. The more the other couple tries to insert themselves into Peter and Maddie's lives, the more they start to resist. And when they resist, the threats start...

It's so easy to put yourself in the characters' positions (especially, I think, if you have children), that I became super frustrated that I was reading on Kindle and couldn't flick ahead to the end to check for a satisfactory ending! The pacing is pretty good and I read this in a day. You just need to get past the 'couples being nice to each other' section and then the plot will carry you forward.

A strong thriller that touches upon what makes a good marriage - and even harder to judge, what makes a good parent.

Another great read, I do like this author. This is a book I’ve devoured in just one sitting. Definitely one I will be recommending.

I always look forward to a new book from JP Delaney and this was no exception. Even the title “Playing Nice” has layers of meaning for this story of swapped babies and the wisdom of King Solomon. The main characters Pete and Maddie are real and likeable, even their flaws, helpfully documented as evidence against them as the story progresses. The ending as usual was a surprise I didn’t see coming!

I enjoyed JP Delaney’s debut novel so was very excited to read Playing Nice and it didn’t disappoint. While it didn’t grab me as instantly, as a parent it was a scary read but very enjoyable- I raced through it!

This is a compulsive read that tackles difficult issues faced by the characters.

The situation so unusual and I loved reading about the characters and the relationships between them. The characters are well written and diverse which makes for an interesting read.

I love JP Delaney and this is the second book I have devoured. First of which was The Girl Before which I read in one sitting during a sunny Australian day. Play Nice did not disappoint as a follow up novel, the character development and twists kept me engaged and gripped throughout. Crime mysteries have always been a favourite of mine and JP makes it very difficult to predict an ending preemptively. The characters go through every parent's worst nightmare and how they navigate their next steps is addictive from the first word.

Absolutely brilliant! Heartbreaking and I really didn’t know how this was going to end. Characters that you really feel for and a situation that could really happen. 5 stars. Highly recommended. Read it right now!!

Thank you for the ARC!

What a thrilling ride this was!

This was quite the unputdownable book with intriguing characters and a gripping plot.

I kind of expected a bit more from the ending but all in all, I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it.

I would like to thank the Publishers, NetGalley, and the Author for sending me a copy of this book.

It was just an ordinary day.
Until it wasn't.

What would you do if someone showed up at your door and told you that the child you've been raising for the past two years isn't biologically yours? That there was a mix up in the hospital at birth, and your 'real' child went home with another couple?

This is what happens to Pete and his partner Maddie.

At first, their son Theo's 'real' parents Miles and Lucy Lambert seem to have good intentions. But how much can they really trust each other? And what secrets are hiding behind the Lamberts' glossy front door?

This book started off strong and continued that way, with plenty of drama to keep me engaged right until the end. I couldn't put it down!

I'd describe it as a 'suspenseful' thriller, rather than a thriller with lots of surprising twists.

The story alternatives between Pete and Maddie's POVs and is interspersed with letters, emails, and court documents to add more context.

I liked how it explores nature vs. nurture and whether genetics or environmental factors have a bigger impact on a child's development.

Unfortunately, I did feel that the ending was a little rushed, but I'd still recommend this to anyone who enjoys domestic thrillers.

TW: post-natal depression

Imagine waking up and going about your day as normal. You have your breakfast and drop your kid(s) to nursery or school. Then you come home and there’s a knock on the door.

You’re confronted with the evidence that the child you’ve raised for the last 2 years, isn’t actually yours.
What do you do with that information? This is a child you love, YOUR child. Does the biology matter?

Well that’s exactly what happened to Pete Riley and his partner Maddie, when a man called Miles comes to the door and says that the child they’ve raised is actually his biological son, while he’s been raising their biological son. The two were swapped at birth.

Things begin amicably between the two sets of parents, almost in a way that is too good to be true. They love the son they’ve raised but are also drawn to the son that’s genetically theirs. The story develops as they muddle their way through what is the best course of action for their sons, leading to disagreement and conflict between the parents.

Delaney entices the reader from the beginning with a fast paced, easy read from the POV of Pete and Maddie. Covering their complex range of emotions for each other and the situation they’ve found themselves in. They watch their worlds turn upside-down, as they try to figure out how it all could possibly have happened.

A thoroughly enjoyable book which I read in a single sitting.
Thank you to Quercus and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

This is the first JP Delaney book I've had they pleasure of reading, and it certainly won't be the last!

I found the writing style to be one that I really enjoyed and engaged with, nice short and snappy chapters work from multiple POVs meant that I got through this book in just a matter of hours, after constantly telling myself "I'll just read one more chapter as they are so quick!"

I found myself changing my mind the whole way through the second half of the book as to what the outcome of the case would be, and I certainly didn't foresee the ending twist.

I would give this book a solid 4.5 ⭐, with my only niggling criticism being the reaction of Pete and Maddie to the whole situation. For me they seemed just a little too accepting of the news the strangers brought to their front door, I would have expected them to challenge and have their own tests done, but I fully accept that I'm being super picky here!!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Quercus and JP Delaney for giving me the chance to read and review Playing Nice.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus books for the advanced review copy of Playing Nice by JP Delaney. Having already read The Perfect Wife, I was excited to read another book by this author and Playing Nice did not disappoint one bit. I was drawn into the story of two families who were thrown into an impossible situation. At every turn I wanted to shout don’t fall for it in frustration at how nice Peter Riley was. I absolutely loved this book and read it far too fast so my only disappointment is that it has ended too soon. I look forward And am eager to read the next book by JP Delaney.

This book had a slow start but a few chapters in I literally couldnt put it down! I was so engrossed I finished it in one sitting. This is a fab psychological thriller and highly recommend.

This started a bit slow and I thought, am I going to like this book. Before I knew it I was engrossed by the story and the different characters. I like the way it’s told from the viewpoints of both main characters as the style works very well for this book. Very well written, I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see what happens, yet at the same time just wanted the story to keep on going. A definite 5 stars.

Playing Nice is a domestic thriller following couple Pete and Maddie as they find out that their son, Theo, is not biologically their son and was in fact swapped at birth with another child, David. Pete and Maddie get to know the other couple involved, Miles and Lucy, but all is not quite as it seems and soon their amicable agreement about sharing the children goes awry.

At points, I found this book dragged slightly towards the start as the anticipation built and I waited for something dramatic to occur, but once this book got going it didn't stop. This book really built the tension so that I was sitting on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what was going to happen next, and how Pete and Maddie were going to figure their way out of this situation. I think she short chapters and the dual perspective worked really well for this as I was always desperate to keep reading.

I also found the storyline quite unique and very interesting. The question of whether the babies had been swapped by accident or whether it was done on purpose followed me throughout the book, and while I called it quite early on I spent the majority of the book second-guessing myself and whether I had really got it right. The author also weaved in so many other storylines and I felt the use of flashbacks was useful and contributed well to the plot but wasn't overdone as can sometimes be the case.

My main issue with this book is that I wasn't 100% a fan of the ending. The resolution of the course case was somewhat unexpected and felt wrapped up almost too perfectly, I almost wish we had spent more time on the trial even if that would have meant the book was 100 pages longer. I also found the aftermath of the trial somewhat surprising and that there wasn't enough build-up to the final climax to make me enjoy it.

Overall though I found myself unable to put this book down. It kept me hooked and delivered a pretty much perfect story.

The Review
This book follows the lives of Pete, Maddie and their son, two-year old Theo after they find out he is not their biological child. A terrible mix-up at the hospital, where two premature baby boys arrive at the same time, has led to a parents’ worst nightmare.

Alternating between Pete and Maddie’s perspectives, we go from the initial discovery, to meeting the other family, trying to find a resolution and then all manner of crazy being unleashed on this unsuspecting and naïve couple.

It would be too easy to give everything away on this particular read, so I will limit my comments to simply saying this was brilliant. Totally the type of book I could have read in one sitting – if it wasn’t for life conspiring against me at every darn turn! With short chapters, this is a very pacey read – with no opportunity to get bored or want to skip read parts.

Frankly, it’s exceptionally well put together, the storyline is gripping, the characters are charming, or despicable depending on who you’re dealing with. You pick a side, you want a resolution and … well, you’re just going to have to read it.

The Stars
Having previously read The Girl Before and found it to be over-hyped (in fact, I gave it 1 star it annoyed me so much), I was looking forward to seeing how this book compared. It is a massive testament to the quality of writing, the storyline and the way the author brings everything together to say that this is a very worthy 5 stars for me!

Absolutely ruddy brilliant.

My thanks to Netgalley and Quercus fir a copy of “ Playing Nice” for an honest review.

After being a little disappointed with the last novel “The Perfect Wife” by J P Delaney , being more sci-fi based, I was pleased to find Playing Nice “ was a return to the high standard of Delaney’s previous books.
I found this to be a tense, fast paced novel that had me gasping at times with the injustice of the situation Maddie and Pete are in.
An excellent psychological thriller, with the perfect ending.
I thoroughly recommend 5 stars !

I received this as an ARC copy through Netgalley and it was amazing.

After a traumatic birth Pete and Maddie have spent 2 eventful years raising their son Theo. One day there world comes crashing down when Miles Lambert comes knocking on their door. Apparantly there was a mix up at the hospital and Theo is really the son of Miles and Lucy while they are raising David, the son of Pete and Maddie. What ensues is a rollercoaster of emotion (for you and the families) along with some sneaky twists and turns. How did the swap happen? And for what reason? Or was it a simple, tragic mistake? With so many secrets and lies who can be trusted?

This was such a great read on such an unusual subject matter but, as always, JP Delaney smashed it. I constantly found myself asking, what would I do?

Highly recommended 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the arc of Playing Nice by JP Delaney,

Thank you to JP Delaney for writing another great book, i have previously read The Girl Before, Believe Me and The Perfect Wife, so this is my fourth JP Delaney book.

I was very excited when I got approved for the arc of this book.

Imagine there was a knock at your door during the day to open it to find out it is a grown man who looks exactly like your son... 😱😱😱

This follows Pete and his wife Maddie, Maddie is within the advertising sector and Pete is a stay at home dad to their two year old son Theo. It is was just a normal day, when Theo gets ready to go to nursery he is a biostorus boy. He has difficulty playing nice, if he don't get get what he wants in reality.

Their worlds gets tipped right over when there is a knock at the door, and there is an arrogant man named Miles at the door, who looks exactly like their son Theo. He is claiming that their babies who were premature were swapped at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and that Theo is actually his....😱😱😱😱😱😱 and that Miles and his wife is raising their baby.

This starts out as a friendly conversation and ends in a nasty court battle as Miles don't want to play nice.

I love this book so much, I loved all the thrilling elements, gripping and how it engulfed you in and I couldn't put it down I read this so quick within 1 day. It is told between 2 different perspectives of Pete and his wife Maddie. I love all the twists and turns and i love the bombshells within this book.

Definitiely recommend- Well done a very well done JP Delaney
5 Stars!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh my word once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Was a perfect read for in the garden at the weekend. Such a gripping read. The story was compelling and had my attention all the way through and I was riveted to my chair as I turned each page as right up until the end I didn't know how this story was going to end. I have read other books by this author and this one certainly disappoint such a brilliant domestic psychological thriller.