JP Delaney has always been great for his unique storylines and Playing Nice is no exception. The chapters alternate between Pete and Maddie which I think lends itself really nicely to the story as despite being married, both characters are very different with their own thoughts and experiences (some of which the other does not know!). While I found Pete to be too perfect at times, the author ensured this wasn't the case as after all, we all have our flaws. The thrills in this novel are nothing particularly huge or shocking but there is enough to keep you on your toes and the story moves at a great pace, so much so that I finished it in just over 24 hours. It's one of those stories which makes you ask yourself what you would do in the same circumstances as well as raises lots of questions, most notably on the nature vs nurture debate which has always been an interesting one. You really do warm to Pete and Maddie and I really enjoyed discovering the outcome of their rollercoaster journey.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

Imagine a stranger coming to your house telling you that the child you are raising is not your biological son and was swapped in NICU. This is what happens to Pete and Maddy and they are shell shocked by this revelation but agree to meet with Miles and Lucy the parents of the other boy in order to try and work out what would be best for both of the children in the future. What they don't realise is that under Miles' charming exterior lurks a psychopathic nature which will stop at nothing to get what he wants and that is to have his biological son living with him at any cost. I was absolutely gripped by this book from beginning to end. I've read all of J P Delaney's books and this is one of his best.

Another fantastic read, I can not get enough of this author.
Edge of the page stuff. Very good characters. Addressed some really tough issues and a heart wrenching story to boot.
Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very, very interesting book with a unique angle regarding the swapping of babies Theo and David. Part way through I did become a little annoyed as I thought it was going to be purely a massacre of Maddie and Pete by the ogre, Miles. To be honest, I certainly would not have told him that you'd just come back from A & E because Theo ate some salt, they were just too open minded, with this incident and several others. Naive and trusting towards someone who was basically a stranger.. It certainly kept me on my toes all the way through as well as finding some chapters quite hard to read due to the appalling interrogations by the police, CAFCAS, the courts and psychologists, all instigated by Miles in his quest to keep both boys. and destroy Maddie and Pete's reputations. I also couldn't understand why neither of them went to the police with their suspicions behind several major accidents happening to innocent people who crossed Miles or his family. Surely by the time it got to number 3 there must have been at least one witness or a proper investigation, this was, I'm afraid, beyond reality. Similarly with the ending, which surprised me.. Nevertheless I love Delaney's books and look forward to the next. You certainly learned a lot with this one.

This was a really good read, it was a well written psychological storyline that hasn’t been over used as I find some storylines do these days. A story of mistakes, deceit or just a terrible tragedy that turns two family’s lives upside down. I won’t write too much about the storyline as that is what the blurb is there for. Half way through I got a little frustrated but not with the book but with thinking what more could possibly go wrong for one of the families involved, where as the other family especially the dad he could have fallen in the biggest pile of poo and come out smelling sweet. Two family’s fighting for what’s right and how being a parent makes us do absolutely anything for our children, regardless the consequences. Highly recommended

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very much on a par with previous books by this author. Two sets of parents are locked into an impossible dilemma when it is discovered that their children were swapped at birth. The age of the children means that they fall into a grey area about whether or not it is better for the child to keep them with the family that they know, or change them back to their correct birth family. The parents try to come to an amicable agreement, but as time progresses, someone might be applying more pressure in order to win on their own terms..

This is a great book, a proper enthralling read, I read it in two sittings. The characters are good and the situation, although (hopefully) rare, does have the potential to happen as described. I think this book will be a big summer hit, as there’s plenty to discuss about it and it’s quite a difficult position, people will have very different opinions about what they would do in this situation and why. Well written and well paced, a great read, I really enjoyed it!

The story begins with Pete who looks after his two year old son Theo wondering why Theo is being a bit violent at nursery. He is then visited by Miles and his lawyer who tell him that their sons got mixed at birth and they have been bringing up the wrong children. Pete and Maddie’s r3al son, David, has learning difficulties and it is quickly clear that Theo has inherited many of Miles’ qualities. Throughout there are excerpts from a court case that alert you to the fact that the amicable arrangements out in place by the two families at the beginning are not going to last. The end becomes very dramatic and sensationalist but this is an interesting story with hints of nature/ nurture and it definitely gets you tense. I recommend this book.

The nightmare of realising your child was swapped at birth, the nightmare of the justice system and the nightmare of a cold-hearted opponent are what makes this novel compelling. I wanted to shout out loud at some of the injustices. I felt the pain. This novel is a thoroughly original storyline which quickly reels you in and keeps your focus. Scary and unfortunately not outside the realms of possibility.

I'm a fan of JP Delaney but I really struggled with this unfortunately. I just couldn't get past the calmness and instant acceptance of the parents of what would be a life changing and devastating discovery. Not for me this one.

This book really makes you think!! What would happen if someone turned up on your doorstep and said your two year old child wasn't yours but theirs!! After a supposed mix up in the neonatal unit Pete's and Maddie's baby is now with Miles and Lucy and vice versa.
They all start off trying to come up with a compromise and all getting along until Miles doesn't get his own way, his true colours are quickly revealed and how dirty he'll play to get Theo but to also keep his son he's bought up.
Maddy and Pete find themselves on a rollercoaster and fear they'll lose Theo, they decide if they want to keep him they'll have to play dirty like Miles!!
You never know what is coming next and keeps you guessing right until the last page!!

This starts off all nice and you think you know where it's going, but believe me, you don't. Two couples, two children swapped at birth. Nature or nurture? How far would you go for your child that is not really your child? It gradually spins out of control. I was drawn in from the first page and really enjoyed this all the way through the end, though I did questions the final a little bit. Anyway, don't let it stop you. This is an excellent beach/summer read.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

My favourite JP Delaney book (so far!)

I was gripped from the first page and became more and more horrified as the story unravelled - initially the naivety and trustworthiness of one of the couples and their slow reactions to seeing what was happening. The 'villain' of the piece is masterfully drawn and unfortunately only too believable. The main characters are all flawed to a degree which actually makes them more interesting than they might otherwise be.

All in all a thrilling read with some "gasp out load" moments.

Highly recommended.

** 3.5 stars


Truly every parents worst nightmare,to have someone on your door telling you that your child isn't actually your child.

As a reasonable person,you decide to play nice,and try sort out the mess.... unfortunately not everyone is reasonable or nice.

Scary to see how things are easily twisted and the courts,fighting for best interest of child,aren't always on the right side.

Plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages right to the end.

If holidays were still a thing,I'd be recommending everyone take this in their suitcase for a great beach read.

I read it in one sitting. It's a great page turner with an unexpected end. The characters all have flaws and nothing is black or white which makes it a really satisfying read.

Another clever and fast paced thriller from JP Delaney. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day.

I enjoyed that the novel was written from both the perspectives of Maddie and Pete and felt this added to the story by creating more depth and drama alongside the chapters which read as various court documents which helped to flesh out parts of the story.

The characters are very well-written, I felt empathy for Maddie and Pete despite the fact that they are both so naive and gullible - frustratingly so - and hated Miles' character but as a villian he is perfect.

Overall, a thrilling unputdownable read. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved and hated #PlayingNice at the same time, I think it’s so well written, I made notes throughout reading with my guesses and I got them all wrong!
When I say I hated this book that’s only because I couldn’t read it fast enough and I was being impatient wanting to know what happened!
I have read quite a few of J.P. Delaney’s books now and honestly so far this is the best one, they just keep getting better and better.
I read this in two sittings and even stayed up until 2am one evening to read (this also happened to me with believe mr by J.P. Delaney too but it was so worth it !!
I loved all the different personalities and way the characters really came to life.

Thank you to J.P Delaney, Random House Publishing and #Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is a really good, fast paced thriller but I really struggled with the dialogue when talking about/to Theo. It just didn’t fit with him just turning 2, in terms of understand and development, being expelled from nursery etc. If Theo had been older it would have made more sense.

Wow! Could NOT put this book down, even though my anxiety was rising with every page. SO clever, intricately planned out and excellent characters! Will definitely be reading more from JP Delaney! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher!

Thank you to Netgalley for the loan of this book and to Quercus.
I absolutely LOVED this book, what a thrilling adrenaline fuelled ride. JP Delaney has excelled herself with this book. Having read all her other books I was excited to read this, and wow did it exceed my expectations.
Imagine being a stay at home dad, while your wife works, playing with your son and living a normal, albeit humdrum life, when theres a knock on the door from a man claiming you have his son, and he has yours. Your whole life turned on its head in an instant when he proves this shocking revelation! How do cope with this news? How did it happen? Was it the hospitals fault? What will be the outcome? How do you deal with the fallout from such news? These questions and more went through my head and I read this at lightening speed as I needed to know how Pete and Maddie, the parents of the child in question managed to keep it together. The couple who have their biological child, Miles and Lucy seem so accommodating initially, but things soon turn sinister........
Throw in several court cases, people involved in the case mysteriously ending up hurt, and a lot of underhand tactics being played and you have a mind blowing, sensational story. It's rare my emotions are so heightened reading a book, but I felt shock, devastation, horror, anger, sadness, hopelessness and happiness throughout this book. It is simply awesome. I urge you to read this, i promise you'll be taken on an emotional ride of your life. Fantastic!

Thanks netgalley for allowing me to read this excellent story, that could really happen to two babies.
Two babies were born and both were taken to ICU.
One baby was fine, but the other had brain damage.
Somehow by accident or intentional they had their name tags swopped, and each baby was given to the wrong parents.
I could imagine this story actually happening, if it has already not happened.
The mystery into how the babies were swopped and the.court case leading up to who should have the children two years on was very interesting and really enjoyed it.
Great book waiting for the next one from this great author.