Wow!

I think that is probably the easiest way to describe this book! Every parents worst nightmare and it just keeps getting worse.... But who do you believe?!

I really like the characters in this book they are complex, interesting, and although often hidden very self absorbed. The narcissistic traits of miles automatically make you not want to trust him but sometimes the truth isn't so obvious. Ironically, I started reading this book whilst I was sitting in my local a A&E after I'd crushed my finger, I needed something to distract myself from the pain add and where I was. Although this book starts off being based in medical facilities I was completely engrossed I'm not really aware of what was going on around me. That to me is the sign that this book is compelling and easy to get into. Often the hardest part of a new book are the first couple of chapters - this draws you in and keeps you guessing right until the end.

This had me hooked from the opening sentence. Great storyline and convincing plot throughout . You won’t be able to put it down if you love the psychological genre .

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC copy of this book.

WOW is all I can say. Didn’t think this would be a book for me but I was very mistaken. All the characters were excellent. Pete and Maddie with Theo and Miles and Judy with David. An intriguing story which unfolded brilliantly. Miles was a typical bombastic male and he only appeared to want to get Theo almost as an”trophy “ son. Wonderful ending.

Psychological Manipulation at its Finest!

JP Delaney has expertly crafted a nightmarish domestic situation in his latest tense and twisty dramatic thriller. What if when your child was two years old you discovered he had been switched at birth? And, as if that wasn't bad enough, what if the seemingly nice, charming, easygoing birth parents (who have been raising your biological child) soon become pushy, overbearing, weird, and inappropriate.

It all begins for Peter Riley and Madelyn Wilson when a stranger, Miles Lambert, knocks on their door with the earth-shattering news, But relief sets in when they realise the Lambert's feel the same way they do – they both love the son's they've raised and have no intention of switching them back – are content for both families to get to know each other and be involved in each other's lives. But how involved is too involved?

The sneaky ways the Lambert's tried to undermine Pete and Maddie's parenting style and subtly make them out to be unfit parents definitely increased the suspense and made for nail-biting reading. A campaign of hate designed to break them down and turn the couple against one another. Pete and Maddie were fairly naïve and easily influenced and exploited but it made sense given that Miles and Lucy had had time to adjust and plan while Pete and Maddie that been thrown for a loop with no time to grasp or process the desperate, emotional and potentially dangerous circumstances they found themselves in.

Playing Nice reminded me a lot of Mark Edwards, both in style and content, except instead of Neighbours from Hell or In-Laws who won't leave, Miles and Lucy had the ultimate hold over Pete and Maddie – access to their biological son, David, as well as the underlying threat that they could file for custody of Theo, so they were unwittingly connected to these strangers, and couldn't have walked away if they tried. POV's alternated between Pete and Maddie, with snippets from Case No. 12675/PU78B65 via official documentation, emails, texts, and forum posts, where the often contradictory accounts added an extra layer of suspicion and foreboding.

JP Delaney impressed me so much with Playing Nice, and I for one would be thrilled to bits if he wrote more in this vein in the future and steered clear of artificial intelligence and science fiction. Mark your calendars for early August because this is my top read by him so far.

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Quercus Books, and JP Delaney for the e-ARC.

Publication Date: 6th August, 2020.

* Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for sending the ARC in return for an honest review.

What would you do if one day there was a knock on the door and you found out that the child you’d been raising as your own for two years was not your biological child but someone else’s after a hospital mix-up at birth?
Pete Riley is a nice man. He plays fair and lives his life solving problems through open dialogue and reasonable behaviour. But not everyone plays as nicely as Pete Riley.
And what happens when 'nice' comes up against a stone-cold, emotionally dead, narcissist like Miles Lambert? This sociopath/ psychopath actually makes Hannibal Lecter seem cuddly. Don't expect cannibalism or a murderous gore-fest though - this is mental torture at it’s most terrifying and it’s consequences are devastating.

You just know that things are going to get ugly when case notes start to feature more frequently in the book.
I can't remember the last time when reading a book that I felt physically nauseous with apprehension, disbelief, rage and shock.

Halfway through the book and you’re into a free-fall of horror watching as Pete and Maddie hit every worse-case-scenario that could possibly happen - and then more than you couldn’t even imagine in your worst nightmares.

No spoilers, but be satisfied that the ending comes with redemption - just not in the way that you think it'll be though!

Playing Nice is a psychological thriller but I think that it should also be listed under 'Horror'. I don't mean killer clowns living in storm drains type of horror either, but Playing Nice has surpassed anything from the horror genre that I’ve read in recent years.

It's a Jaw-droppingly thrilling read!
Do not start this book when you’ve got something important you need to do as you will not be able to tear your eyes away from it for a second!
Easily one of my favourite reads this year.

I was completely gripped by this book, and couldn't put it down. Yes, it was a little unbelievable at times, but it is a cracking story with great characters, and a satisfying ending. I loved it, and can't wait to read more from this author.

I’ve read a few of Delaney’s books and enjoy how he can change genres slightly - Playing Nice is totally different to The Perfect Wife, although they are both thrillers. As well as being throughly gripping, original and full of suspense his books are also incredibly thought provoking, so a good read is virtually guaranteed.

The story is basically about a couple who discover their toddler was somehow swapped at birth, and their biological child is being brought up by another couple. I won’t say much about the rest of the plot, as I don’t want to risk spoiling anything for anyone else. It’s far better to read “blind”.

From the moment I picked this book up, I could not put it down. It’s the blue print for exactly how a psychological suspense/thriller should be. All the characters seem to be telling lies or are possibly hiding something and slowly, the secrets are disclosed by the author. I loved this book and can highly recommend it.

With many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read this ARC, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a man on his doorstep, Miles Lambert, with an announcement that will change his life forever. Pete’s two year old Theo isn’t his biological son; his and Miles’ sons got switched at birth! The two families - Pete, and his partner Maddie, and Miles and his wife Lucy meet and agree that they will find a way to share their children, Theo and David, in a flexible way, without changing the lives their two sons are already used to. But with Miles suggesting a plan for Pete and Maddie to join his case to sue the hospital, and Theo no longer allowed to attend his nursery after hitting other children, how far will things unravel for these families? How far will Pete and Maddie go to protect their son and what secrets are lurking in the Lamberts’ seemingly idyllic life? Who can be trusted and what role will nature/nurture have to play when things take a sinister turn?

Pete was my favourite character, and I liked how the chapters would alternate from his perspective to his partner Maddie’s, interspersed with various exhibits from a legal case. The first exhibit we get to read shows a write up following Miles’ initial visit to Pete, alongside the detective he hired to track down his biological son and his parents. It does not reflect Pete’s manner of handling the news at all though and we as the reader are immediately given a glimpse that Miles may not be as trustworthy as he first seems. I had my own suspicions about how the exhibits would play a part in the story but I could never have predicted just how they became relevant; it was such a clever twist!

There are some really difficult and emotional topics explored throughout this book but they are interwoven so seamlessly and it makes these characters all the more interesting and complex. There is so much suspense throughout and the twists and turns make this such an addictive read. I could really feel myself there with Pete and Maddie as they were living this nightmare. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what I would do in their position as everything unravels. This is such a fantastic story that I just couldn’t put down. I would recommend this book to everyone!

Very interesting book on an equally interesting story. Loved all the characters especially Lucy , being sucked in by a psychopath . I could tell this was well researched especially on the subject of marriage to a psychopath. Great ending, couldn’t be any other way really . Highly recommend this book , well worth a read

A stranger comes to your house and tells you that the child you are bringing up is not yours and was exchanged in NICU.
For Pete and Maddy, this is their reality, and they are shocked and disturbed by this revelation. They agree to meet with Miles and Lucy, the parents of 'their' child to try and work out what would be best for both children. The parents try to come to an amicable agreement, but as time passes, it seems that someone might be applying undue influence on associated parties to assist their plan.
Miles' smooth exterior hides a psychopathic nature, he gets what he wants, and that is to have his biological son at home with him at any cost.
Marvellous read, with great characters. Difficult subjects are addressed encompassing a heart-wrenching story.
I want to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and author JP Delaney for a pre-publication copy to review.

This was my first Delaney book and I had great hopes. The premise was good - and very real. Switched babies happens. At first I wasn't sure about the multiple POVs, with each chapter a different perspective, Howveer it grew on me. Especially since the attitudes were distinctive. So in that regard the writing was top-notch. But I gave up about 40% of the way for two reasons. 1. I didn't care about the outcome - and this may relate to the second point, but I didn't feel any affinity with the plight of the characters - maybe there was a mystery or twist, but it was taking too long coming. 2. My God if someone knocked on my door and said my child was theirs, I'd be in a panic. My wife would be hysterical. I sensed none of this in the story and so, as a parent, it didn't feel realistic. The reactions felt wooden rather than emotional.

As usual JP Delaney throws us an amazing book full of twists and turns and thought provoking situations

This is the fourth book I have read by this author who is publishing under the pseudonym of J. P. Delaney to avoid comparisons with his other writing genres. The previous three books were fast paced and written to a very high standard so I was hoping for more of the same. Well I got it, this is another fabulous book that kept me frantically turning pages to the very end.
When Pete Riley answers the door his worst nightmare is about to begin. His visitor is Miles Lambert, a stranger who informs Pete that their sons were switched at birth accidentally by over stretched hospital staff. Pete is left reeling with the shock that Theo, the child they have been raising for the last two years is not theirs.

Everything appears amicable and after the initial shock both sets of parents try to adjust to this life changing news. Miles is keen to sue the hospital, which unearths some disturbing questions about the night their children were switched. How much can they trust the other parents and what secrets have not yet been uncovered. Emotions become heightened and Pete and his wife Maddie discover they will both go to any lengths to keep their family safe.

This is a fabulous thought provoking read, how would we all react if we found out the child we had raised for the last two years was not blood related and the son we had given birth to lived with complete strangers. The characters are expertly written and the suspense builds and builds creating a psychological nightmare.
Highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Quercus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy to review from Netgalley and here is the blurb:

Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a parent's worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, who breaks the devastating news that Pete's two-year-old, Theo, isn't Pete's real son - their babies got mixed up at birth.
The two families - Pete, his partner Maddie, and Miles and his wife Lucy - agree that, rather than swap the boys back, they'll try to find a more flexible way to share their children's lives. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an investigation that unearths disturbing questions about just what happened the day the babies were switched.
And when Theo is thrown out of nursery for hitting other children, Maddie and Pete have to ask themselves: how far do they want this arrangement to go? What secrets lie hidden behind the Lamberts' smart front door? How much can they trust the real parents of their child - or even each other?

Wow this was one of those books that I couldn't put down and really enjoyed it. Pete and Maddie are far from the perfect couple but love their son who appears to be a bit of a handful. But when Miles and Lucy turn up with the news that their babies got switched in hospital things get sinister. The bad news just keeps mounting up for Pete and Maddie and you just can't see how things are going to end well for them. It wasn't a hard read and the chapters switch about between the characters Maddie and Pete as well as snippets from court evidence. Great book and will look out for more from this author

I really enjoyed this book. The premise – someone turns up on your doorstep one day, claiming that your child and theirs were accidentally swapped at birth – is enough to strike fear into any parent's heart. And the tension only ramps up from that point as Pete and Maddie begin to realise exactly what kind of people the other parents are and what they might be set to lose. It's very well written – I could feel my heart pounding with fear as I read. Both Pete and Maddie are sympathetic characters with realistic flaws and I really wanted everything to end well for them.

The only thing that stopped it from being a five star read, for me, was Pete and Maddie's lack of interest in David (their biological son). All the focus is on Theo, the swapped baby. If I found out my child had been swapped at birth, I would feel so desperately torn: wanting to keep the child I'd raised and loved, but also terrified in case my biological child wasn't being taken care of. There is a point in the story when Pete and Maddie decide they'll fight for David as well, yet they're willing enough to let him go at the end without any noticeable heartache – despite, by that time, knowing exactly who he's living with. It just seemed callous to me, and a bit like David didn't really count because of his brain damage – like the contest that mattered was Theo. That left a nasty taste in my mouth and spoiled what would otherwise be a perfect thriller.

Still, I was pleased with the ending, and I would definitely recommend the book.

Finally!!!! I LOVE the writing style of JP Delaney and have loved all of his books... except that I don’t always love the endings. I LOVE the ending of Playing Nice. I feel totally satisfied.
These characters are all relatable in some way, shape, or form. Not always in a way we want us to look to the outside world.
I loved reading every single page.
This is JP Delaney’s best book to date and now I’m already craving the next one!!!
5 stars from me and I’ll be recommending this book for years to come!

Massive thanks to Quercus Books/Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advance!

Excellent.

I've read all this author's books so far. I loved his first book. The second was also very good. I was a bit disappointed in the third, just because it unexpectedly had elements of sci-fi; a genre I don't read. It was still a good read, yet not really my genre. This new book, 'Playing Nice' seems back to top form, even from the first chapters, and I was glued to it all the way through. It was all believable, not far-fetched, and everything tied up, producing a satisfying ending-you weren't left thinking, what happened there, after all that.

The book is set in London and involves two families. Both had premature babies. Two years later, it came to light there had been a terrible mix-up at the neonatal unit. After a friendly start, things become very difficult, and soon there is suspense and unease.

This was such a good book. Fast-moving, told in brief chapters. So easy to get straight into. And so hard to come out of! JP Delaney has excelled himself with this cracking read.

I loved this totally addictive psychological thriller, an original and heart wrenching storyline.
Pete and Maddie have an adorable but sometimes troubled two year old called Theo. They have all had a difficult two years, Theo was born prematurely and Maddie suffered severely from post natal psychosis. Pete was made redundant and has become the main carer for Theo, a role he has wholeheartedly taken on board. Life is getting better for them.
However things are about to spiral out of control. That receive a visit from Miles Lambert who has absolute proof that Theo is his son. This starts a chain of events whereby Pete and Maddie’s whole world is about to crumble. Miles appears to be genuine, he has a high powered job, a good looking wife called Lucy, plenty of money and a persuasive way about him. The two families look for a solution but things are about to get complicated. Who is telling the truth about past events?
Whilst there was an inevitability about the ending, of only in part.I found the whole story thourghly engaging.

This was one scary read. I found the whole situation of your child being taken away from you appalling and really frightening. Being a mother myself, I could identify with what the characters were going through and of course JP Delaney has done an excellent job to bring the characters and their emotions to life. This book is a page-turner and really hard to put down once you start reading. I would say this is probably JP Delaney’s best book till date. Kudos to the author!