A very accomplished psychological thriller from a debut author to watch! I think 2023 is going to be the start of something big for Mira Shah

Rina is a young mother to two lovely girls, her dreams of being a journalist put on hold whilst she raises her young family. She dreams of living in the luxurious North London townhouse that's vacant opposite her rented flat, but knows that the £3 million price tag is a pipe dream for her. When the glamorous and polished Natalie moves into the house with her wealthy and adoring banker husband Charles, their worlds couldn't be further apart.

But the two women envy each other's lifestyles - Rina would love the luxury and comfort that Natalie's husband and job bring to her, whilst Natalie admires the emotional freedom that Rina has to express her disappointment in how her life has turned out. The bond between them grows, and as they share their secrets and fears with one another, buried truths start to emerge as they can no longer be buried deep any more. I had an inkling about one of the plot twists but not until a long way into the story. I loved the character of Luella, Natalie's mum, and would love to know more about what makes her tick.

I loved the relationship between the two protagonists and the sense of 'the grass is always greener on the other side' came through so strongly. It was a real page-turner and I devoured the story in two sittings. I even dreamt about it inbetween!

Wishing Mira all the best luck for her debut novel - I am intrigued where she will go next with her writing.

Her is remarkable debut thriller featuring a set of intriguing protagonists you can't help but root for despite their flaws. Rani and Natalie both have distinctive voices, and their intriguing secrets are woven into the narrative, pushing this twisty narrative to an explosive end you won't see coming. I particularly adored Rani's wrenching feelings about her own family situation – it was done with the lightest of touches and felt very real. Set against a backdrop of monied, status-driven London, and with taut tension throughout, this is a must read for 2023.