A domestic physcological thriller with a ending that will blow your mind. The twists and lies in this are absolutely shocking but in a surprise way.

Unfortunately this felt clunky and choppy for me. The last 15-20% saved it but until that point I felt like nothing was happening and it didn’t give the thrill I expected.

The premise of Toxic People was good, the storyline was solid - but something about the presentation of it fell short for me. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable and felt as if the author overly emphasized stigma of certain aspects, but don't want to offer detail and include spoilers. #Netgalley #ToxicPeople

I can't do it. I made it 25% ... and I just couldn't do it anymore. The characters are horrible. I didn't even care to know what Jenny's secret was. I believe I somewhat figured it out, but like I said at that point I didn't care. I believe it all went down hill for me when they kept describing the burgler who tried to kill Shane as beautiful, and that's why it was sad she died. It was portrayed that being beautiful gave you a pass at life (a pass at robbing someone and trying to kill them) ... sorry beautiful and rich. (That was also at 10% of the book..) So I gave it until 25% since it was an ARC and I was really trying to give it a chance. It's a no for me. Good luck to those who attempt it!

This book was okay nothing about it really gripped me and some of the twists had me rolling my eyes.

Not sure who was the most toxic! Shane and Jenny have been married 17 years, first together when they were at college. Back then both had secrets that affected the rest of their lives and they haven't shared them. Suddenly both are receiving messages, a burglary of their house goes tragically wrong, and they both come into contact with a bearded stranger with a bald head. We're left wondering how it all ties together. Add into the mix Vera, Jenny's toxic, narcissistic mother and anything could happen. Flashbacks gradually introduce what happened in the past. Tragedy is always round the corner. I really enjoyed this read despite the toxic characters. #netgalley #ToxicPeople

This book started off quite well however it went down hill towards the midway mark. I wanted pure toxicity and a chaotic storyline, however it really must wasn't for me. I'm sure others will definitely enjoy this though!

Thank you to @netgalley, @lumebooks, and the author, #sdmonaghan for the opportunity to read this #eARC in exchange for my #honestreview.

❗️Please note the TWs contain some spoilers! ❗️

On the outside, Jenny and Shane seem like they have it all. He’s followed his dreams of becoming a published author and she is a popular social influencer and designer whose star is rising. To top it off, the couple lives in one of her family homes she’s always had her sights set on with plans to buy the home outright anonymously from her mother. But her relationship with her mom and sister is like walking across a minefield. Her mother has the ultimate showdown in store - who will survive it?

Okay the setup for this was pretty solid. You have family drama; you have a stalker; you have a host of insufferable characters. But somewhere it just fell flat for me. The secrecy seemed a little implausible to keep under wraps for that long. The plot twist was too elaborate. And the callousness and childish cattiness of these characters just straight took me out. I think for a different reader, this could be solid but it just didn’t hit right for me personally.

TW: drug abuse, kidnapping, blackmail, abortion, adoption, abandonment, sexual assault, gaslighting, surprise pregnancy, violence, alcohol abuse

⭐️⭐️💫 - 2.5/5

This was my first book by S.D. Monaghan. It ended up not being for me. The book begins with married couple Jenny and Shane receiving threatening notes that their lives would be destroyed by that evening. A lot of time is spent on the dysfunctional relationships between the members of Jenny’s family. I thought all of the characters were very unlikeable. Usually that doesn’t bother me in a book but it did in this case.
The beginning of the book started off really well by drawing the reader in. I did enjoy the book; I was just a little disappointed by the lack of dialogue in the book. I did like the idea that the book took place over the course of the day, with flashbacks to the past. What I didn’t like was that the past had way too many needless details. Flashbacks to the past are necessary in this book because it explains how Jenny’s family dynamic became toxic. But I just wish it would have stuck with the need to know details for understanding. I caught on to one twist pretty early, but didn’t not catch on to the other at all. I was shocked at the reveal because I just didn’t see it coming! Unfortunately, that was the only surprise for me.

I was actually invested in the mystery of why Jenny and Shane were receiving threatening notes and texts. However, I found the conclusion to be disappointing and a bit implausible.

At times I really enjoyed this book, and at times I found it a bit of a struggle to go on. All In all a good read, but it just was not for me. I would definitely read another S.D. Monaghan book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author S.D. Monaghan, and the publisher Lume Books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book.

A gripping domestic thriller! Setting is in ireland and revolves around a married couple. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finding out all the twists in this book! Immersive, edgy book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Jennifer and Shane fell in love in college and are still in love. They live in one of the most storied neighborhoods she is an interior designer and Instagram or and he is a true crime writer when he arrived home early one day it was the find someone had broken in his house when he decides to chase the culprit in an attempt to get away they ran the car into Shane’s in the driver a young girl wild up dead. He insists there was another guy at the scene but the police and Jennifer act as if they don’t believe him and even when he gets flowers and a note that says the same thing the guy at the scene said the police said you have to be careful when things like this happen there’s screwballs that come out of the woodwork and essentially blow him off once again. Shane also start seeing a bearded guy in a leather coat once staring at his house and begin when he goes to retrieve a check that Jennifer gave to his nemesis Auto this isn’t his only problem though Jennifer is keeping a secret from him and when her sister Joan shows up alluding to it, Shane insist Jennifer tell him but the secret she divulges although bad isn’t even close to the one her mom and sister want her to tell him. They have never liked Shane but that’s something he’s never let bother him. who is the guy in the leather jacket and what is the secret Jennifer has to tell and will her and Shane be together when it’s over? Trust me when I say this isn’t even half the story this was such a great story and one you would definitely not want to put down. I know a lot of reviewers say that and they put it in the summary so often but in this case it is absolutely true this is a great book the cat the beach or interest and hold it until the finale. I wish all books were as good as Toxic People by SD Monahan because if they were everyone would love reading. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

DNF @ 60%

I stuck it out until the 25 years ago chapter when the “deep dark secret” that caused Jenny’s family to hate her happened and was very annoyed that it read like a Catholic propaganda poster. I guess for a book called Toxic People that every single person was toxic, but Jesus Christ.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a great book and a first time author. I really liked this book. It grabbed me at the start and I was let go at the end. It was very Interesting and I think that was why I liked it.

Thank you netgalley for this opportunity to read this book

Toxic People S D Monaghan

4 stars

This was a book about a couple’s marriage and in fact their whole life being dominated by the main toxic person in this book. Shane, an author is married to Jenny, an interior designer and they are very happy together. However their whole lives have been dominated by Jenny’s mother, Vera. She has ruled the family her whole life and her daughter, Joan, is almost like a servant to her. Joan’s own marriage has been unsuccessful and her children do not want to know her. Her life now consists of following her mother around, and doing whatever she is told.

Jenny and Shane have never had children even though Shane has always wanted them but are happy enough living in their beautiful house in Dublin. However it has only been rented to them by Vera and their lives are shattered when she gives them notice. Jenny’s father had always promised the house to her but it turns out that Vera has another person in mind and it is this person which is the basic hub of the book.

I enjoyed the way Shane and Jenny’s story is built up over the course of the book. We learn about how they met, were driven apart and finally came together again. But it is soon clear that what happened during their separation defines the whole story.

Although I did guess some of the story the ending was totally unexpected and shocked me, which, for me, is always a plus in this sort of book. Unfortunately I do know someone who has been like Vera all her life and the character is very well-written and believable. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story although I dropped a star because I found some of the story slightly unbelievable.


Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

This isn’t an easy review to write, as whilst I didn’t dislike the tale, I didn’t love it. The title is perfect as everyone featured in the book is toxic, in their own way, and I found that the sheer number of dislikeable characters made it hard for me to become invested and interested in any of them to any great extent.

A lot of the book covers a secret from Jenny’s past - whilst vital to the tale, I felt it was drawn out in places, particularly as I found Jenny’s secret was obvious. Furthermore, I found it hard to sympathise with her plight at all as she only really cares for herself. These points aside, the book is well written and the language flows well.

Jenny is a member of a rich and influential family. One day, her husband, Shane, is almost killed in a car accident after trying to catch a burglar, and he only has a vague recollection of the accident, but something bothers him. Until he remembers the other man. And his threat. When they start receiving more threats, they don't know which one of them they are addressed to. Who is the real villain in this story?
Wow. I'm so sorry to have to say that I agree with all the other reviews I have read about this. This book was so promising, but it was clearly not for me. I found it boring and I didn't care about any of the characters (who are unlikable and toxic) nor did I care about what was happening. The writing was wonky and choppy, there was too much foreshadowing (which I really dislike). The only positive thing I can say about this is that I liked the format, the "real-time" chapters device was an interesting way to come at it (sadly, it failed).
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A difficult book for me to review as I didn't dislike it but I didn't love it. Jenny, daughter of the wealthy Donaldson family, was promised her house by her Father but sadly when he died her mother decides she's going to sell from under Jenny and her husband Shane. Their marriage is already in difficulty as Jenny wants to invest their savings into a "foolproof" offer from her accountant. But after a failed burglary in which Shane is nearly killed and the burglar dies their lives unravel even more.
The title is very apt as all the characters are unlikeable and toxic, lots of secrets written about but then chapter changes and secret is drawn out, but to me as the reader it seemed pretty obvious what the secret was.
But the book was a quick read and I like how it was all set in one day with references to 25 years previous

I was intrigued by the premise and couldn't wait to read it.
I'm afraid to say that, sadly, this book didn't really work for me and I just couldn't get into it.

The beginning of the book started off really well by drawing the reader in. I did enjoy the book; I was just a little disappointed by the lack of dialogue in the book. I did like the idea that the book took place over the course of the day, with flashbacks to the past. What I didn’t like was that the past had way too many needless details. Flashbacks to the past are necessary in this book because it explains how Jenny’s family dynamic became toxic. But I just wish it would have stuck with the need to know details for understanding. I caught on to one twist pretty early, but didn’t not catch on to the other at all. I was shocked at the reveal because I just didn’t see it coming! The language flows nicely, and this is an easy-to-read book. It is enjoyable, especially if you don’t mind that it isn’t dialogue driven and it’s mostly telling instead of experiencing.

I had such high hopes for this book. Needless to say, the only toxicity I got from this was how I felt gaslit by the author. I felt like I was reading the second book in a series where the first book had all the information. To sum it all up…i truly can’t as I’m still not sure what happened and why 😒