Wow - this book really has a lot of twists that really keeps you turning pages - Several times I thought I knew how it would turn out, but then another twist would pop up and things would move in another direction. I really enjoyed seeing how everything kept moving at a really brisk pace. This ok is full of action, right from the beginning!

The main characters are all well drawn, and I don’t want go I’ve too much away, but you really get to know them all and see where they are coming from in their individual difficult situations. Each of the main women in the story has been drawn onto their path through various means and this book does a great job of illustrating how and why that happened. That’s all I’m going to give you on that, lol.

I really loved the ending and thought things fell into place perfectly. I enjoyed this book greatly and I liked that the ending was satisfying and felt really complete.

I would recommend this book for fans of thrillers, particularly domestic thrillers, or anyone looking for a twisty read to spend their week with. It’s well worth it!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

Gemma has the perfect life on social media. Perfect husband, her own business, a brand new home with a nursery. A baby due any day.

Scarlett imagines her life with Cole. Completely in love, until he decides to end it and Scarlett seeing him with his very pregnant wife.

2 POV, 2 stories connecting each other.

I have to admit it took me awhile to get into this book. Once the author started to reveal more in each individual’s chapter I couldn’t put it down.

This is the first novel I have read by this author….very well done!!

I love Ruby's books, I've been fortunate to read and review a couple of her books and this was another 5⭐ read.

There are some difficult scenes to read in this book as Ruby explores domestic abuse in a really tactful and sensitive way.

I really warmed to Gemma and it made me sad how she trusted everything that Nick said and did but that is the hold that abusers have over you.

The twist at the end really left me reeling and I'm really looking forward to reading more from another of my instant buy authors.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really have mixed feelings about this book. Even though I was completely entertained some of the situations didn't feel realistic The situation with Scarlets parents was the most glaring example of this and the twist at the end was pretty incredulous. However in spite of this I did enjoy the story. The writing style was good and I couldn't wait to see what was next.

Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me read this arc for my honest review.

The Face at the Window is the first book by Ruby Speechley I’ve read, and now I definitely need to catch up on her previous books. This is a very fast paced read. I thought the plot was utterly compelling, although none of the characters are particularly very likeable. Ruby Speechely brings them to life so well, and they really drive the story forward.

Gemma is relieved when a young woman she thinks she can trust offers to look after her baby for a brief moment. It’ll only be for a few moments. But a brief moment is all it takes. Soon, her baby is nowhere to be found, and the nightmare begins. And she soon begins to understand that the woman who took her baby isn’t the woman she thought she knew.

I have read a few missing child novels, and I really liked Ruby Speechley's ideas in this one. It makes for a very chilling read, particularly when she begins to reveal what was happening in the run up to Gemma’s son being taken. We begin to understand why the kidnapper did what they did.

I struggled to warm to Gemma when Ruby first introduced her. She did seem self-centred at first, with her focus on her online presence. She is known as @HappyWife on Social Media, and this is something Gemma has to portray to the outside world. But things are very different to what she makes them out to be. The story is also told from the point of view of Scarlett. Scarlett is a young woman who we know is having an affair with a married man. I was really interested in Scarlett’s character. She is desperate to track down her birth father, who her mother refuses to talk about. Scarlett’s backstory, and the disappearance of Gemma’s baby, does mean a lot going on in this book, but for me, it’s what made it so tense. My opinions of each character kept changing, and they were very different at the end of the novel from what they were at the start.

I wanted to know what was going to happen, particularly to Gemma’s baby. I thought how Ruby Speechley revealed more of what was going on in her characters’ lives was done very well. It added extra layers to the story, and the reveals made the book all the more chilling. If you’re looking for an entertaining, utterly addictive psychological thriller, then you should definitely add The Face at the Window to your TBR pile.

TRIGGER WARNING - Domestic violence. This topic is heavily featured in this story, so please be aware before searching out this book and reading my review.

This book was just not it for me, it didn't do anything wrong as such it just wasn't as good as I was expecting... Individual aspects of this story were brilliant, but as a whole book it just missed the mark. The Face At The Window was good, but it just wasn't good enough.

The plot could have worked so well, if the author just focused on the idea of a woman scorned and the baby being taken from his Mother, but it kind of drifted away from that as we got deeper into the story. To the point where I felt the ending could have been a completely different book, it added no value whatsoever to the rest of the story.

There was a point far earlier where the book where it could have naturally been concluded, that I thought would have made the book better.

I also guessed pretty much the entire basis for the plot within the first couple of chapters, it was glaringly obvious and I felt really disappointed by how easy it was to figure out where the story was headed.

I just wasn't intrigued by this book, in the way I thought I would be, but I think that comes from having guessed the basis of the story early on. If that was hidden better I think I would have felt differently.

The writing style did elevate my feelings towards this book though, the author clearly has a flair for building up the atmosphere and the tension. I did feel anxious reading this book, and it really pulled at my heartstrings when I thought about everything that Gemma was going through.

Plus,. the two POV did add an extra layer to the story that I enjoyed, it did prevent the book from becoming stagnant, which it could easily have done, given that in Gemma's POV there wasn't a lot going on.

Character wise, Gemma was possibly the only character that I warmed to throughout the story, she felt real and relatable. But the others, Nick especially, were just irritating and in Nick's case, downright dickheads. Because the book was split between two POV it did mean I didn't enjoy the book that much, as I found Scarlett's chapters to be far less enjoyable.

I thought that the author could have also introduced the minor characters more as well, we were left to fill in the gaps a lot with Becca (Gemma's friend) and Amy (Scarlett's friend). The author could have focused more on introducing them to the story than other aspects.

Especially as towards the end of the story it started to feel like it was two separate books, almost as if the author was trying to justify the way Scarlett behaved... It just felt like it didn't fit with the rest of the story, or the blurb for that matter.

I wanted so badly to love this book but I just couldn't. The writing of the main story was good, but with the whole plot being given away early in the story and annoying characters it definitely had areas to improve.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

A well written page turner about perceived love and relationships. Gemma is the young wife and Scarlett is the jealous young mistress of Cole or is it Nick. Scarlett cannot see this man for what he really is and decides to hatch a plot to take from Gemma what is most precious to her and Nick. Read this book you will not be disappointed

Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gemma's newborn disappears after she leaves her with Rosie, an employee from the restaurant that she owns. Turns out that Gemma's marriage isn't as great as it seems and Rosie has a reason to want revenge.

I like this author but don't think this was her best. It was readable but after reading I am still really wondering how Nick afforded their lifestyle with his job situation. Also I didn't think we had any shocking twists or turns that we didn't see coming or were really engrossing. It was fine. Hoping for better next time

This is my favourite so far of Ruby Speechley's books. The tension in The Face At The Window kept me reading non-stop.

Twenty-year-old Scarlett falls for Cole, an older married man who once was her teacher. She has daddy issues because her single mother refuses to tell her anything about her father. Cole's wife Gemma is pregnant but a few days after baby Thomas is born he is abducted by a girl who works in Gemma's restaurant.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story which I enjoyed very much. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera for the opportunity to rad and review The Face At the Window.

Gemma has the handsome husband, the adorable new baby, Thomas, and a beautiful home. She should be a happy wife.

But no one knows the secrets in her marriage, and the hurt caused by her husband.

After her baby is taken, Gemma must ensure his safe return.

Told from alternating viewpoints, The Face in the Window has a captivating storyline. I was hooked and loved the concept behind it. However, there was certainly a fair share of unlikable characters and I felt like the ending did not meet the quality of the beginning of the book.

It was almost as if the main storyline took a sharp turn and got lost along the way.

I would still recommend this one to fans of thrillers, and overall, it was well-written. I just would have preferred a more relevant ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book but I did not. I didn’t find the characters likable or relatable and I had a hard time staying interested in the plot line, it felt very convoluted at times. I’m sure others will love this one but it wasn’t for me.

I am so sorry but I was really disappointed in this book. It read like a YA book, it was too long and repetitive. The premise was brilliant - they are in your house ... now they want your life, but it was totally misleading. This book could have been so much better but it didn't delve deep enough into the characters to help us relate to their lives. The main character seemed to own a restaurant - she was 22 and her parents had disowned her so how did that happen? The coercive control element is an important one but I don't feel it was properly explored. The female characters were portrayed as child like and there was far too much coincidence with the main story and the back story. I enjoyed the book to the extent that I wanted to know what had happened and why but the final twist just took things too far into incredulity. The title - The Face at the Window - made no sense either. The talk about mobile phones didn't ring true either, in the mid 90s it wasn't common to own a mobile.
Because this isn't a very positive review I won't post to Goodreads or Amazon. but thank you for the opportunity to review.

The life of the two women is a nightmare. The first was taken by her child and the second was left by her boyfriend. They know each other, but one knows and the other does not. It’s a green story of taking and giving. What we do for love and what we support for love. Everything is connected and all actions have consequences. Sonner or later, justice is found.

I liked the story and I was really interested in how things were going and how the things were revelt. The end is the heartbreaking, but fair.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for an ARC in echange of an honest review

3.5 Stars
Naivety is one characteristic sociopathic sexual predators simply can’t resist, and no better evidenced than in Speechley’s, THE FACE AT THE WINDOW. The following is a straightforward review, written in exchange for a complimentary ARC. Thank you, Ruby Speechley, Hera Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity.

While obsessed with discovering her father’s identity, twenty-one-year-old Scarlett falls for married man, Nick, who convinces her that he and his wife, Gemma, are estranged. Madly in love, credulous Scarlett seeks to destroy whatever feelings Nick has for his wife by kidnapping his newborn son while the baby is in Gemma’s care. But Scarlett eventually comes to realize good ole Nick has been less than honest about his marriage and his feelings for her. Her intended retaliation now directed at Nick, the novel picks up speed before revealing a nice little twist many may not see coming.

Although the book blurb suggests a suspenseful thriller, the novel may fall short for diehard thriller fans in that regard. And while the dialogue and narrative often seem better suited for young adult readers, those appreciating a fast-paced and uncomplicated read will likely enjoy THE FACE AT THE WINDOW.

Gemma and Nick have a perfect life... Or so it seems on social media. Behind the curtain, things are bad. The only ray of sunshine is Thomas, their newborn baby.

Scarlet is a carefree 20-year-old in love with Cole, a man twice her age. He seems like the perfect boyfriend, but she soon finds out it's not the case.

When Thomas is abducted, Gemma and Nick find their world shattered. Will they come out of this in one piece?

I enjoyed this book. Really hard on a mama's heart, but quite gripping. The POV switches between Gemma and Scarlet, and between the present and the past. It's really well done. Solid work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC. I offer my review freely.

Publication date : 28 July 2021.

This was an overlong and silly story about abusive relationships.
The story was not for me,
A teacher who finds female students at school and starts relationships with them.
One girl was so obsessed by him she stole his baby yo make him suffer. Oh dear.

This was a very good page turner, I enjoyed everything about it… it’s full of twists and turns throughout, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters were interesting, the plot was great and the style of writing was perfect. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading this genre. I’ll continue to keep an eye out for more books in the future by this author.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

To the world, I'm @HappyWife. Online. people only see my picture perfect home. my handsome husband, Nick, and my beautiful baby, Thomas. They don't see the real Gemma Adams. They don't see my past, the dark secrets I'm hiding in my marriage. They don't see the fear I live in every single day. But I know someone is watching me. And now they've taken Thomas. I will stop at nothing to get him back. Even if it destroys everything.

What an emotionally chilling read this is. Baby Thomas was taken by a girl who worked for Gemma.

I didn't like any of the characters and I felt the ending was a bit rushed. It did take me a few chapters to get into the book, and then I was hooked. Filled with secrets and lies but it was also a bit predictable. The pace is fast in this suspense filled read. There's a lot going on in the book bit it's still easy to follow.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeraBooks and the author #RubySpeechly for my ARC of #TheFaceAtTheWindow in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was just OK, though clearly I am in the minority. The story centers on Gemma, a young new mom whos 5 day old baby disappears, and Scarlett, who is having an affair with a married man. The book alternates between the 2 POVs. Though the story centers on the baby being abducted, there is a lot more going on here, and I didn't think the synopsis accurately portrayed what the book was really about. Spousal abuse is the thread that ties the stories together (this is not a spoiler- you find this out immediately) and the author does a good job describing the various ways this manifests itself across both women's stories.

The book is very fast-paced and mostly takes place over the course of a short period of time. That being said, I didn't feel like much of what happened was a surprise- it felt like it was roaring towards a conclusion that I clearly anticipated happening. Also, while Scarlett and Gemma have well-developed characters, I wish I could have learned more about their relationships with their parents and other friends, which were not built out as much. And lastly, the ending of the book also caused me to have to suspend my disbelief a bit.

Overall, a fast-paced read that held my interest but I didn't love it because I felt like the twists were predictable. I enjoyed the narration style with the POV bouncing back and forth from one character to another, and thought that the storyline was cleverly woven together, though. Sounds like most other reviews were more positive, so I think folks should give the book a chance. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When you meet someone, first impressions are important. When they are friendly, helpful and kind, you never doubt their intentions. What you see, it what you get, right? Well, not always unfortunately. Some are really good actors in order to achieve what they are after. Once they show their true colors though, that's when everything starts to go topsy turvy.

At first you might not be convinced that something is wrong, you find excuses for them and you know for sure that it was only a blip. But is it...? 

For some this means run while you can. For others it means time for revenge.

Some people really have no shame. It does not matter who they hurt in the process, as long as they get their way. But what suddenly the glove is on the other hand? Are they prepared to face the music?

This is my first book by this author and it was an excellent read. Some might think: how is it possible to be so naive? I think maybe if we were in their shoes, we would fall for exactly the same things. 

The story is told from Gemma's point of view on the one hand and Scarlett's on the other hand which I like a lot. The chapters are rather short and that's something I applaud too.  

So there is only one thing left to do and that's checking off the 5 star box.

Thank you