So I couldn’t put this down and finished it at 2am. That tells you all you need to know about this book! A brilliant read, totally absorbing with great characters and twists and turns at every page. A story of domestic abuse, friendships and aging parents. Utterly absorbing, fantastic read

Loved it!

This was a really good read. A book where you wanted to keep devouring it……when you should have been doing something else. It was so difficult to put down, because there just weren’t any boring bits.

The book centres on Lucy and her family. Michael and Lucy had been married 28 years, and had 2 grown up children. Lucy is an author. She escapes into her writing, as things aren’t all they should be with her husband, and haven’t been for quite some time.

I was initially pulled by the lovely cover of this book. It looked like a nice cosy read. It starts out as a seemingly light family drama; but it takes you completely by surprise, and becomes so much more. Cleverly written, and keeps you guessing. It seems like it will be a feel-good, family saga, a romance perhaps, chic lit-and it does have those elements. But it's so much more than that. A powerful and involving story.

I've read a few of this author's books. Her last book, I didn't feel was as good as some of her others, but with this one, she's right back to top form. I loved it!

I was thrilled to be invited to read and review this book, by Penguin Random House and Netgalley, as Catherine Alliott is one of my favourite authors, and I wasn’t to be disappointed.

I was enthralled by every part of this book, the main story (no spoilers here!) and the love interest - I had no idea of how it was going to end, which man Luce was going to end up with...if either, how the other problems would pan out. But for a story that’s so dark at times, to have such hope too...well, that’s love, family, and friends.
I absolutely loved it.

A very strong new novel from Catherine Alliott which totally holds the reader's attention. The book addresses the hidden domestic abuse that goes on behind seemingly normal happy lives. Totally refreshing to have a more mature main character in Lucy who is trying to protect grown up children and elderly parents from the truth all of whom are trying to hold their tongues for Lucy's sake. The story as many twists and turns, some totally unforeseen and brilliantly executed.. Despite being a totally serious subject dealing with some horrendous issues there is more than a touch of humour in Lucy's elderly parents who are muddling along together with their similarly aged friends pretending all is well. I'd have loved to know more about Lucy's sister-in-law, Amanda as I feel she could well disrupt Lucy's future new found freedom and happiness.

Behind Closed Doors is a lovely entertaining read though for me it did take a while for me to settle into the story and characters. I felt Lucy our main character was portrayed as a weak person who has put up with her husband’s bullying and affairs, but my word was I mistaken.
Slowly the awfulness of her marriage is revealed and her husbands manipulation of not just Lucy but her son, daughter and parents.
A cast of wonderful characters, Lucy’s aged parents are awesome and with their neighbours as well, this story really gets going. As everything unfolds so much is revealed, which is why I’m trying not to give any spoilers, this is a really enjoyable book as you end up cheering Lucy on to a lovely finale. Personally I would of loved a small epilogue just to have a glimpse of her much happier future but that’s not in doubt.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

following the death of her husband, Lucy rents out her London home and moves in with her elderly parents to look after them. Slowly the truth about her husband's death and the domestic abuse she suffered come to light. An insight into the effects of domestic abuse on the whole family, how will Lucy cope in her future life?

Catherine Alliott has created a wonderful cast of characters for "Behind Closed Doors". I especially love Lucy's parents who are not prepared to give in to the limitations of old age. This is a story, as the title suggests, about what happens in people's private lives, as opposed to the facade of their public lives. There is a difficult barrier however between showing compassion and being too intrusive. Some people are very protective of their private life, which may be a choice or could be forced on them. Even close friends and family may not be fully aware of everything which is happening, which may be down to embarrassment on the part of either the insider or the outsider. This is a story about all the nuances of such situations. It is good to have a more mature "heroine" as we are not all 20 or 30 something any more. Well done Catherine for this thought-provoking read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

This is an absolutely delightful book. It gradually explores a form of wife abuse, and gives a very caring view of looking after elderly parents - who are delightfully naughty! The characters are all strong in their own right, and the descriptions of homes made me want to redecorate. I can’t wait for the next book by Catherine Alliott.

Warm And Satisfying....
A warm and satisfying read from Catherine Alliott. Having read through the whole of this author’s catalogue of old there were no doubts that this would be a treat. Protagonist Lucy Palmer has it all - a perfect life. Or does she? When that seemingly perfect existence comes crashing down Lucy seizes an opportunity for change. The author tackles some serious themes but always with empathy, warmth and her trademark humour. A great read.

Having read this author’s previous books I was looking forward to this one and it doesn’t disappoint.

When Lucy Palmer’s marriage ends abruptly, she returns to her childhood home to live with her elderly parents and become their carers. After a tumultuous marriage, Lucy hopes to live a quieter life but with badly behaving parents, it doesn’t look likely. Lucy is also hiding secrets about her marriage from those she loves but a hasty decision she made might just come back to haunt her.

Although this book deals with some difficult subjects it also has some nice touches of humour which gives the story a nice balance. A great read from start to finish.

I have long since been a fan of Catherine Alliott, so was so pleased to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I’ve read every one of her novels, The Old Girl Network being one of my go to pick me ups!

In a nutshell, I loved this book, it was Catherine Alliott at her very best, reminding me of some of her earlier novels, very much in the same vein as ‘Rosie Meadows Regrets’.

Lucy is very unhappily married but sees no way for things to change, due to the actions of her controlling husband. But when a burglary goes wrong, she finds herself moving in with her elderly parents as she picks up the pieces of her life.

Mystery and drama unfold as she pieces together the events of the burglary and eventually finds the real Lucy once more.

This book delivered some laughs, and some tears as revelations are made and the main character recovers from her unhappy marriage. I enjoyed every minute and couldn’t put it down.

Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC. Wholeheartedly recommend!

What a wonderful and life-affirming read! I very much enjoyed the story of a woman whose steadfast life comes to a screeching halt in the face of her husband’s decision. Her decision to seek solace at her parents’ place is the catalyst to her finding out that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

What can I say? I absolutely loved this book! I’ve read all of Catherine Alliott’s book and she never disappoints and Behind Closed Doors was no different - I was gripped from the first page and ended up devouring it in one day. This is Lucy’s story and we meet her when she is married to a emotionally controlling, abusive man, Michael...... the book deals with difficult subjects such as controlling relationships, having older frail parents and death, however they are dealt with sensitively and have obviously been thoroughly researched. Despite the underlying difficult story line I really enjoyed following Lucy’s story and that of her wonderfully written family - her mum, dad, sister and grown up children, Imo and Ned, as well as a couple of new male friends in her life. Her Mum and Dad provide some warmth and humour into the book. I don’t want to give anything away but I can highly recommend this book and I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did....... an absolute page turner.