I received an ARC of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority with a not stellar review. I thought this book moved really slowly and was repetitive. We know Caryn was worrying and feeling bad about her family situation, but it was repeated on basically every page. I also did not find the big reveal of the villain very plausible. On the positive side, it was interesting reading about Wales. This is only the second book I have read that is set there, but I am getting a clear picture of small, insular Welsh villages, which is interesting. I also liked that in the chapters from the villain's point of view, the author was very careful not to use gender pronouns so we really had no clues as to the person's identity.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review. As a mother this book is heart breaking. It was not only heart breaking for the parents but for Caryn when her little brother went missing. She has dealt with this trauma for 20 years when she receives an anonymous note saying she must come back to her home town to learn the truth. It is full of twists and the ending was definitely a shocker!! You will love this book.

This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author, but after devouring this book, I’ll definitely be looking out for future releases!

Set in rural Wales, this is a psychological crime thriller with an abundance of suspense and plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing how the series of events panned out right until the end.

I found Caryn’s character fascinating, especially as her memories resurfaced over the course of the chapters. Her treatment by the locals at ‘The Prince of Wales’ pub was depicted exactly as you’d imagine an old-school rural community to react, with gossip, resentment and ostracising in abundance. It certainly makes the reader empathetic to her situation!

The portrayal of Caryn’s mother and the development of her story across the narrative was also cleverly woven and while there were hints at the truth throughout, the true picture added real perspective as to how and why events had taken the turns they did.

As for the rest, you’ll have to read for yourself as it’s difficult to reveal more without giving too much away!

A gripping read and highly recommended!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Well Diane Saxon is an author that really doesn’t disappoint. This is a book I have been excited about since I saw it announced.

I have devoured this in just one sitting and this is quite possibly my favourite book by Saxon yet. This is gripping and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This is perfectly paced and well plotted, definitely a book I have been unable to put down. This is unlike anything I’ve read previously.

I loved this one, I cannot say anything negative about this one- it’s gripping, will send chills down your spine and keep you on edge. I have devoured this and already eagerly excited to see what might be coming next.

This is a superb read and a must for the TBR.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of My Little Brother by Diane Saxon from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Buckle up as this is another thrilling read. I could NOT put this book down and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. Absolutely full of suspense and so many surprises! I promise the ending will leave you speechless! Do yourself a big favor and read this ASAP!

Wow as a fan of
This authors books I couldn’t wait to read
This was a fabulous psychological thriller which kept me guessing all the way through. This was a story of secrets and lies and how the truth always comes out in the end.

This would make a fabulous tv dramatisation

Wow, this is an outstanding psychological thriller, I just couldn’t put it down!

Caryn returns to the small town where she grew up, and right from the start the creepy atmosphere is set. The weather is awful, and the locals are very suspicious of her.

There are so many mysteries to unravel in this book. Who has written to Caryn to call her back here and who is the mystery narrator who is clearly up to no good?

With a dual timeline and a fast paced narrative, this book had me totally hooked. I really needed to know what had happened to Lloyd all those years ago, and who now means to harm Caryn.

There are some shocking twists and turns in this book, and it’s completely compelling reading.

Anyone who loves a good psychological thriller that will make your heart pound will love this, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you #NetGalley, #MyLittleBrother and Publisher, #Boldwood#Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by author, Diane Saxon and if her other books are all as good as this it certainly won't be the last. I found it totally compelling, suspenseful, mesmerizing a truly addictive thriller!

A fantastic plot full of twists and turns, complex characters with one shocking ending! If you love psychological thrillers you will LOVE this 5 star read.

Reading Between the Wines book review #63/135 for 2022:
Rating: 4 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book 🎧: My Little Brother
Author: Diane Saxon
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: This was a sad, tough, emotional but thrilling read. Caryn’s brother goes missing when he was in her care. She has been the one to blame for the last 20 years. The book jumps back and forth to a current vs. 20 years ago timeline. In the present, the mystery of missing 6-year-old Lloyd is solved and boy did I not guess what really happened to Lloyd. To say it was a sad reveal is an understatement. As an educator, I really appreciated Saxon’s true depiction of Asperger’s and the struggles family and friends go through when a loved one is diagnosed. This my first book by this author but I do not expect it to be my last.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @BoldwoodBooks for an advance copy of @MyLittleBrother.

#MyLittleBrother #DianeSaxon #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Switching from twenty years ago to now, this book tells of the day Caryn's autistic brother disappeared without trace, how she was blamed, and finally what actually happened that day. Lots of dark moments, nasty locals, and unexpected revelations. Sadly I found it all quite depressing with very few lighter or happier moments to balance out the bleak.

Caryn was 10 years old whet her younger brother, Lloyd, 6 years old Asperger, disappears while he was under her care. Ten years old when her aprents sent her away, unable to even look at her for loosing their son. Now, 20 years later, Caryn is summoned back to her hometown by a mysterious note saying thew know wherer Lloyd is.
This thriller is told in a dual time line that is easy to follow. However, it pained me to read entire chapters in italics. There are other less annoying ways to mark that the chapter is in the past. It was super predictable, and there were too many detours. I also couldn't relate to the characters. The premise was really good, and if you don't read as many thrillers as I do, therefore can predict most of the twists, maybe you will love this dark and twisted psychological thriller.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Boldwood Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was tragically heart-breaking - 20 years ago when Caryn was 10 years old her younger brother went missing whilst she was supposed to be looking after him, everyone blamed her for losing sight of him and when her mother basically gave her the cold shoulder her father sent her away to live her grandmother. She hasn't been back home to Wales since she was sent away, but now she has been drawn back on the 20 year anniversary with an anonymous note saying that the truth must come out.

I loved the authors use of flashback chapters for Caryn as she struggles to unlock memories from that dreadful day, there were little fragments floating just out of her reach, but as the book progresses the puzzle pieces start to click into place and when Caryn finally makes the last piece fit her whole world comes crashing down for a second time!

Wow that moment when it all came together I was just shocked and I really felt for Caryn, she went through so much the day her brother went missing but to live through the truth of what happened that day just broke my heart.

 Brilliant 5 star read!

I love this authors books anyway

This was another easy to read that had me gripped to the edge of the seat from the beginning.

Loved it

Caryn is reeling from the loss of her brother. When she was 10 and he was 6, he disappeared when she turned her back for a second. She was cast out of her home and made to live with a grandma she didn't know, never having contact with her parents again.
One day she receives a secretive letter calling her home. Caryn wonders if its finally time to reconcile with her parents and wonders if she'll finally find out what happened to Lloyd.
This is quite an emotional rollercoaster, so much hurt and hatred, especially by those that are supposed to love you most.
There is the small town mistrust, ignorance and long held beliefs clouding sense.
As the secrets start to be revealed its clear someone doesn't want the truth coming out.
There are some brilliant tense moments, that made my heart pound.
The last third of the book is full on, as secret after secret is uncovered and Caryn finally starts to remember details of that fateful day, until bam, you get thrown sideways.
It was lovely to read that after being disowned by her own family, Caryn had a family in Dylan, Beryl and Tom, a place you can call feel comfortable even though it's not home. I love that. (The fact the characters are named after my grandparents made it a little more special, they are exactly like that, something Diane didn't know when she wrote the book)
Dylan sounded amazing, wanted to reach in the book and shake Caryn and say for goodness sake this guy loves you, can you sort it out lol.

AWESOME psychological thriller with great characterization in a well written story line & keeping the suspense high.. RECOMMEND totally for a thoroughly satisfying read. Thanks to #Boldwood Books & #NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Whenever I see a new Diane Saxon book, I just know I need to read it. A psychological thriller that kept me guessing. Again Diane Saxon has written a cracker of a book. Packed with suspense and tension I didn't wnt to put it down.

Almost twenty years ago Caryn's brother went missing and ten year old Caryn was left with the blame from her parents. They sent her away to live with her Grandma. A doctor now, she receives an anonymous letter saying they know where her brother is, meaning Caryn has to return to a place she has never been back to since that fateful event. But will she find her brother or is it just a vicious game?

Caryn is a character I could really get behind. The fact that she could have gone down a totally different path in life and she didn't was enough for me. The depiction and details of a small town brought it to life. The mistrust and ignorance that you can find there were very clear too.

I found it to be quite an emotional read, the amount of hatred and so much hurt, all from the parents who are supposed to treasure their children. I found this so hard to read about. My heart went out to Caryn totally. Then the secrets start to be revealed and it seems that someone is not wanting them out there.

As always with a Diane Saxon book, I thoroughly enjoyed this. As the story unfolds, the tension rises and Caryn begins to remember events. Well, I leave it there and if you want to know more - pick up this book. The fact I couldn't get it right no matter how many times I guessed, made me read this in one go. A psychological thriller with all the ingredients to tick every box for me. I loved it.

Two siblings, both missing for 20 years turn up within one day of each other. One dead. One alive.
It was an ordinary school day, the day I lost my little brother.
One moment he was on the roundabout and then was gone. Gone. Missing.
They all blamed me. I was in charge. Even though I was only ten years old.
They sent me away. The hurt, the shame, the questions. The not knowing.
I tried to move on.
It’s been nineteen years in exile and now somebody wants me back.
Someone with a dark secret. They hold the keys, they know the truth.
So, I need to return to the Welsh village of my childhood to find out who, because I have a secret, too…
I did something bad.
Caryn Peeke has arrived home after 20 yrs. She has received messages about her brother. He was 6 when he went missing from the school playground. Caryn was blamed and sent away to a boarding school. This book is an unbelievable roller coaster. The characters are unique and the plot is such that keeps you reading until the very end. The murderer is a complete surprise that I did not see coming. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a copy for an honest review.

I spent a few minutes looking for another title on My Little Brother to no avail. I have experienced the story prior to this reading. The last 15 minutes or so were the only exception. While reading, I realized that portion of the story was off from my memory.

I'm not going to repeat the synopsis or give spoilers.

Basically, one child dies and one is guilt-ridden for twenty years. The story is plausible. The family dynamics and town's people are book typical. The story makes sense and comes full circle.

The narration was good. I have no complaints.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for accepting my request to read and review My Little Brother.

I would give this 3.5 stars without rounding up. I was distracted reading trying to remember.

What a brilliant read!
Had me hooked from the first page, up until the end.
So many twists and turns, with each character having their own secrets, so plenty to keep your mind whirring and working overtime.
If you like your books fast paced then this is the book for you.
Can't wait to read the backlog of this authors books too.

My Little Brother by Diane Saxon surprised me around every corner. This is one of those books where you finally think you’ve put the pieces together, just to have a curve ball thrown at you. Impressive writing here. I was glued to the pages, desperately trying to figure out what was happening.

The characters are well written. I think they were interesting. I found Caryn compelling. She is in a rather stressful position and I found her very intriguing to watch as she navigated this plot.

I really enjoyed My Little Brother. I was surprised quite often and it kept me flipping the pages. I would definitely recommend giving this a read if you enjoy thrillers that take you on a puzzle of a journey.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Netgalley for the free review copy and tour invite. All opinions are my own and unbiased