Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Audrain is fast becoming a master of tense psychological dramas about motherhood. The Push was enough to put me off having a child, and The Whispers runs along a similar vein but with more perspectives. Does feeling your personhood slip away justify any actions to get it back? And do we ever really know what is going on in a marriage? Through 4 different families, Audrain explores these questions and more, and really leaves you guessing as to what actually happened on the night that Xavier fell.

I loved The Push by this author was so very keen to read her new one. The Whispers is such a compelling read and I found it so hard to put down. It predominantly follows four women who all live close to each other on the same street. They each have their own problems and issues and they all seem to like to keep an eye on what the neighbours are doing. It seems very much a case of them being frenemies rather than friends. The novel focuses on Whitney whose young son is found in their garden having fallen three stories from his bedroom window. He's unconscious in intensive care and they don't know if he'll survive. No one is particularly likeable in this novel, which I really liked. Everyone has something about them that just put me on edge and I wouldn't have wanted to be friends with any of them, except maybe Mara. This is a hard novel to put down, I recommend it!

This book is difficult to review. Although I finished it and it largely held my interest, I must acknowledge that certain sections were rather unsettling. The author's penchant for vivid, albeit unnecessary, descriptions sometimes felt excessive. Furthermore, the handling of sensitive subjects lacked the requisite sensitivity, and it appeared that the author aimed for shock value at times. Consequently, the overall impression it left was somewhat unpleasant.

Absolutely captivating, I devoured it. Raw, honest and terrifying, I couldn't out this book down. I loved it

‘The whispers started long before the accident on Harlow Street . . .
Because there's no smoke without fire.
No friendship without envy.
And no lie that does not conceal a devastating truth.

The story is told from the perspective of 4 women, each with a very different view of motherhood, and I’m not sure if it’s just me or the author’s clever writing, but I could find something to relate to in them all.

I really loved this no holds barred look at motherhood, it’s been my first 5 star read in a while so would highly recommend you picking it up, but be warned there are quite a few TW, especially concerning miscarriage

I found parts of the story gripping and I needed to know how it ended, however unfortunately the writing style wasn't for me

This story centres around a group of neighbours and a terrible accident which happens to one family's son. Soon we're getting into the whispers of the title, and you'll feel like you're one of the neighbours, having a good poke around in other people's business and working out everything that's going on.

The characters in this are great, the relationships are interesting, and as for the ending to this book - five stars alone for one of the best endings I've read in a long while, loved it!

An excellent novel that is narrated by four women who are neighbours. When a child falls from a window is it an accident or something more sinister?
The four main characters and their marriages and the type of mother they are (or would be) comes under the microscope as this novel slowly builds, secrets are exposed, and the truth of Xavier’s fall from the window is revealed in a brilliant end to this gripping novel.

The Whispers is the thriller I've been searching for, for so long. Utterly exhilarating, written quite brilliantly! - and with an ending that couldn't have been more perfect, I'm a happy reader.

There's so much to talk about, but as always, I don't think it's apt to discuss the plotlines too much when it comes to thrillers. I think the fact that I gasped, held my breath and could visualise everything is a testament to the skill of this writer. A five star read for me.

I didn’t really enjoy this, it was so slow to get going and I found it quite boring I really struggled to keep going. Such a shame as I’d heard so much good things about this authors first book.

I loved The Push and I loved this one even more (if that’s even possible) what a true talent the author has for writing and I’m not sure I ever come across books like these, love them can’t wait for the next one

The Whispers is a dark, unsettling and emotional read that will stay with me for a long time.

The story is told from the point of view of four women, neighbours that have lived next to each other for years. Each women represents a different type of mother and I found it interesting to explore these through the characters, seeing not only how they viewed each other but also how society viewed them. In this book we meet the stay at home mother, the working mother, a grieving elderly mother and a woman who desperately wants to be a mother. Each story is very different and I liked how each woman gets to narrate the story as it helped me to understand them better.

I thought it was very interesting how the author explores the concept of motherhood and the pressures that woman can place on themselves to be perfect. As a mother myself I found this very intriguing and felt a lot of sympathy for some of the things the mother’s were going through, though this did change as the story continued. Out of all the mother’s the one I felt most sorry for was Rebecca and Mara. I’ve sadly experienced the loss of a child and the author doesn’t hold back in some of her descriptions of this which was hard to read about at times.

Overall I thought this was a great read which gripped me from the start. It was fascinating to have a fly on the wall glimpse into these women’s lives and I soon found myself engrossed, unable to put the book down as I wanted to see how it was all going to end. There were some incredibly emotional moments that brought a lump to my throat and some scenes that made me so angry I had to put the book down for a minute. I had lots of theories about what was going on but I was wrong about all of them which I always like. The ending was brilliant and I gasped out loud with the twist at the end. I was lucky enough to read this with a friend and I’m glad I had someone to discuss this incredible book with. I think it would make a great bookclub read as there’s lots to discuss but do check the trigger warnings as it might be a difficult read for some people.

This did not have the ultimate wow of her previous novel but is a great read. It’s a slow build that engages you every step of the way, followed by dramatic reveals that leave you gobsmacked.
It is definitely an emotional rollercoaster with your response to the characters. As more is revealed your emotional response to them changes.
It’s written in alternating chapters of the four main female characters. Told over different timelines. The basic premise is a small seemingly close neighbourhood where a tragedy occurs which results in revelations being made.
I would highly recommend and prepare for some gasps along the way.
Thanks to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheWhispers #NetGalley

This is a complete page turner of a story. What seems to be a gentle, middle-class Street turns out to be full of dark secrets, dangerous goings on completely compelling from the very beginning, or Ashley Audrain, does not disappoint. This is easily a five star read and full of shocks.

“But more than any proof she has, is a feeling. She’d once heard them described as the whispers—the moments that are trying to tell you something isn’t right here. .”

My thanks to Penguin Random House Michael Joseph for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Whispers’ by Ashley Audrain.

As with her 2021 debut, ‘The Push’, Ashley Audrain’s second novel focuses upon the experience of motherhood.

The story is told from multiple points of view, indicated at the head of each chapter. Before that the main characters are introduced during a garden party. Finding myself a bit overwhelmed by all the names, I made myself a quick list of who’s who and their connections. This proved handy until I became familiar with them.

The plot focuses upon four women living in a recently gentrified neighbourhood of an unnamed American city. The host of the party is Whitney Loverly; she is married to Jacob and is the mother to ten-year-old Xavier and three-year-old twins. She runs her own successful consulting firm with her children being raised by nannies. Blair Park is married to Aiden and gave up her career in advertising after the birth of now six-year-old Chloe.

Rebecca Goldstein is an emergency room doctor and is married to Ben. They have no children. Finally Mara Alvaro, who lives next door to the Loverlys, is in her early 80s and married to Albert. They had emigrated from Portugal many years ago. She recalls the vibrant Portuguese community that has been replaced by people “salivating for signs of the last import grocers going under. They all want that … mermaid coffee chain within walking distance.”

At the party Whitney loses her temper with Xavier unaware that his bedroom window is wide open. Her angry words were heard by everyone’. Oops. Flash forward nine months and Rebecca is working a night shift when a critically injured patient is brought in. She is shocked to see it’s someone that she recognises. The story then unfolds over a few tense days. No further details to avoid spoilers.

While I am not the target audience for this novel, I was able to appreciate the intricacies of the relationship dynamics and the choices made by its characters. I admit that I was a bit disappointed that rather than being child free, Rebecca was desperately unhappy about not being a mother and had suffered five miscarriages to date.

I found some scenes rather disturbing including graphic descriptions of miscarriages and Blair’s snooping around in Whitney’s drawers. This felt invasive and icky.

While I didn’t find ‘The Whispers’ as powerful as ‘The Push’, I felt that it was an engaging family drama that flowed well between its various characters. Rebecca was my favourite though wanted to sit her down for a chat about finding fulfilment in other aspects of life.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

4.5 stars.

After reading and loving The Push, I was so excited to get stuck into this one!

Ashley Audrain just writes people incredibly!! I don’t know how she does it but she gets right into their psyche and it makes for the most interesting characters.

The development of the characters have me hooked from the get go and I was totally enthralled.

It was different to The Push, which psychological thriller aspects had me hook, line and sinker. This felt more domestic suspense to me and I adored every second.

I don’t know what else to say really, other than I loved it and I absolutely cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

I adored The Push which was this authors debut novel and this one was just as fabulous.

I started a while ago but at the time I wasn’t able to grasp the characters so tried again while on holiday and made sure to make notes.

The character development was excellent and with it being a slow burn novel you really got to know the characters well so when the plot moved forward you felt their plight and connected with what they were going through.

The storyline had several stories going on which I loved as they all interwove and connected the dots.

A really fabulous book and looking forward to her next.

I really enjoyed Ashley’s debut novel The Push (see my review here) which left me reeling and emotionally disturbed, so I knew that her second novel The Whispers had a lot to live up to.

The story is set in an affluent neighbourhood and is based around 4 families. Whitney and Jacob Loverly, who are successful, rich and at first glance appear to have it all. A 10 year old son, Xavier and gorgeous toddler twins Sebastian and Thea. Blair and Aiden Park are parents to Chloe. Blair is a stay-at-home mum and Whitney’s best friend. She’s convinced her husband is having an affair and secretly envies Whitney’s life and marriage. Rebecca and Ben Goldsmith are new to the neighbourhood, she’s an ER doctor, and are desperate for a child, however after countless miscarriages (could be a trigger for some readers) the failure to carry a child to term is affecting their marriage. Finally there is Mara and Albert, an elderly couple who have lived on the street for decades. Originally from Portugal Mara loves to spend her time watching her neighbours.

The blurb above tells you that an incident occurs at a BBQ hosted by The Loverly’s which starts the “whispers” around the neighbourhood. Rumours start to spread about Whitney’s behaviour towards her 10 year old son Xavier, but it’s when a terrible accident happens several months later and Xavier falls (??) out of his 3rd floor window leaving him in a coma, that the rumour mill goes into overdrive.

If you have read The Push and thought that was uncomfortable, then let me warn you now.. this is almost unbearable. We are taken on a brutal and often raw journey with these 4 different families, finding out their inner most secrets and thoughts, seeing them fall apart when their worlds are turned upside and it’s a really uneasy story.

There were certain chapters when I just felt “dirty and voyeuristic” and almost wanted to skim read as they were so dark and disturbing. Overall, The Whispers is a very dark and brutal look at friendship and motherhood, love, grief and fear.

Three couples all with differing lifestyles. One couple disappointed time and time again at not being able to have a child. One stay at home mum with one child and one mother of three with a career. Their lives become intermingled. Brilliantly portrayed characters and a compelling storyline. I really enjoyed this book

The Whispers by Ashley Audrain centres on whispers - gossip in a small neighbourhood. The book opens at a party hosted by Whitney - Whitney is the envy of every woman - she has a beautiful home, a perfect husband, and children. Posting on social media how perfect her life is does not please everyone - in fact it angers another long time resident Mara.
The characterrs in the story - Mara, Whitney and another resident - Rebecca - all of their stories intertwineuntil the story comes to a climatic end - it's a story of intrigue, lies, deciet and it keeps you on the edge of your seat.