My experience with books from this author have been two polar opposites. The first book I read I gave 4 stars, the second I gave 2. So I thought by picking a third one, I could settle my feelings and decide if they were weren't for me. More fool me! Landed in the middle.

I knew that the subject matter in this story had the potential to be unsettling and uncomfortable and it was, but I think it could have been done slightly better. The horrendous things that Eve and her children went through were harrowing and should have been soul destroying, however it felt a little bit surface level to me and I didn't get a full grasp of how these characters were truly feeling. I'm not saying that it should been dramatised at all, but I would have liked to have had some more depth.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this book. Although I didn't feel genuine pain from the characters, I wanted them to succeed. I wanted them to rise above their difficult start and grasp their own futures, so I was rooting for them and ploughing through the chapters.

I didn't hate this book but I didn't love it. It was middle of the road for me and I had a relatively good time with it. Looks like my master plan of third book's the charm has backfired and now I need to read more from this author.

*Betrayal* by Lesley Pearse is another captivating read that showcases her talent for weaving intricate and emotional tales. Right from the start, I was drawn into the lives of the characters and the compelling storyline.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing. The theme of betrayal is explored in such a raw and honest way that it really tugs at the heartstrings. Pearse has a knack for creating characters that you can’t help but become emotionally invested in, and this book is no exception.

The pacing is well done, with just the right amount of suspense and drama to keep you turning the pages. I loved the way Pearse delved into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of secrets and lies.

While there were a few moments where the story felt a bit predictable, the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable. The resolution was satisfying and wrapped up the story nicely.

If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven novels with a touch of suspense, *Betrayal* is definitely worth picking up. Lesley Pearse delivers once again with a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

“Betrayal” by Lesley Pearse is a poignant and gripping tale that delves into the harrowing realities of domestic abuse and the resilience of the human spirit. The novel follows the life of Eve, a woman who finds herself trapped in a marriage with Don Hathaway, a man who is not only a bully but also physically abusive. Despite the love for her two children, Olly and Tabitha, Eve’s life is overshadowed by the fear and pain inflicted by her husband. The plot thickens when, after enduring one too many drunken rages from Don, Eve musters the courage to leave him. This decision, while liberating, sets her on a challenging path as she strives to provide a hopeful future for her children. However, Don’s bitterness and inability to let go make complete escape an impossibility. The tension reaches its peak when Eve attempts to teach Don a lesson, leading to disastrous consequences.

Lesley Pearse’s writing is evocative and compelling, masterfully weaving a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The novel’s portrayal of domestic violence is handled with sensitivity and realism, shedding light on the struggles that many women face in silence. “Betrayal” is a powerful and thought-provoking novel.

What a great read from a brilliant author. Such a powerful storyline that keeps you involved. Can't wait for the next one

Betrayal by Lesley Pearse. . Eve is in a violent marriage with her husband Don, they have 2 children together Olly and Tabitha. Eve reaches a point that enough is enough and finds the courage to leave Don. This is a brave decision one that Eve will carry the burden of for a very long time. WOW what a book, I loved every page, I wanted to know what happened but didn’t want it to end all at once! I found this to be slightly different to the authors other books that I’ve read, in that it’s set between the 1990’s and the 2000’s, however if you love this author it won’t disappoint. It tackles some tough subjects such as Eve’s violent marriage with a rawness and honesty and it’s full of suspense and surprises and there’s not a dull moment. At the beginning I thought Eve was slightly naive, in that (without giving anything away) her actions wouldn’t result in actually what happened, as a reader it seems obvious. However Eve is a great character, she’s headstrong, determined , strong, loving, she’s scared and scarred and her marriage to Don makes her fearful and unable to trust other men completely and she loves she children with the biggest heart. Eve although finds it hard to trust other men, she also wants to be loved but is scared to be loved again. Hope that all makes sense. This book is anything but predictable and there are some great Wow moments, that will stop you in your tracks, wondering if what you read had really just happened. I’ve read a few of this authors books and this is probably my favourite, I didn’t want it to end. I will be recommending this book to anyone that will listen, one of the best books I’ve read this year, it was simply a really easy read, that from the first page read so well, that you instantly knew that you were reading something special. I have a book hangover now and can’t wait to read more from this author in the future. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping novel

I would highly recommend this to all my friends

5 stars from me

Such a heartwarming story of Eve who was a battered wife who managed to escape and become an inspiration to her children, not without drama following her though! Fabulous characters and beautiful storytelling as Lesley Pearse does best

My goodness, Lesley Pearse delivers yet another great read! Have read most of her previous novels which I enjoyed.
Betrayal starts so well and creates such an interesting and intriguing story about a physically abused wife and how she made a new life for herself and her children Not quite as forward as that though!
Loved this book!
Many thanx to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

"Betrayal" by Lesley Pearse is a gripping historical novel that delves into the complexities of love, loyalty, and wartime secrets. Pearse's storytelling is emotional and vivid, offering a moving and compelling read.

I have always enjoyed Lesley Pearse books way back when I was pregnant with my first child and on maternity leave 40 years ago now. I also got to meet her. That was exciting.

This book didn’t disappoint me either, I do love how how this author has brought her stories and plots upto modern age. What I mean by that is, some suspense and grit into them.

Having a “happy marriage “ is all anyone wants, but that wasn’t the case for Eve who married Don.

From the loving husband turned into an abuser and hurt her.

She finally escaped but did or could she get away from him forever?

The twists in this story was excitedly sublime.

The ending was very warped but conclusive.

Loved it!

It's been a long while since I've read a book by this author, despite reading so many of her early books and loving them. In this book we meet Eve. She is a mother to Tabby and Olly and wife to Don. Don is an abusive husband who has, since they married, subjected Eve to domestic abuse. One day, after a particularly vicious beating, she decides to take her children and leave him. We follow her story after this, and right from the very first page this book had me hooked. Obviously a word of warning should be said as this book does contain some situations which might be a trigger for some, and if this is the case, you may want to avoid reading it.

I loved reading this. I won't say I loved the topic, or the situations some of the characters found themselves in, but I loved how it was written and found myself unable to put it down. I have mixed feelings about Eve however. I initially felt for her and her children, no woman should have to be in a violent and toxic relationship. As the book moved on though, I found myself disliking her slightly due to reasons I won't mention for fear of spoilers! There was no doubting though the lengths Eve would go to to protect her family and for that I admired her throughout.

The storyline was gripping and once started it was a real page turner. The author has written the book so well and made the characters so relatable that you felt like you'd known them for years. There were lots of storylines within the book which affected the main characters and whilst I initially thought it would be too much, it wasn't at all and I found myself so sad for Eve and her family who were going through so much. An emotional and dramatic read which tugged at the heartstrings and posed the question as to what I would do if in a similar position to Eve. This book has now reinvigorated my taste for more books by this author and I will be catching up on the books I have missed.

I was a bit wary of reading this one as the previous few books I’ve read by Lesley Pearse I must admit to struggling with. However as I’ve loved all her other books I really wanted to give this one a chance and I’m really glad I did.
Eve is married to Don and they have two children however not everything is as it seems and after she divorced him Eve hopes she and her children can get their life back however things don’t exactly work out and Eve could be in serious trouble . It’s difficult to say any more for fear of spoilers. What I will say is that book hooked me right from the very beginning . There are some upsetting chapters that deal with underage sex, domestic abuse and suicide which may be triggers for some readers . A well written book that I really enjoyed . Great to see Lesley Pearse back on form .

Whenever i pick up a book by Lesley Pearse I know I'm in for a treat. this one was brilliant.

The story follows Eve and her children. Tabbie and Olly. Her husband Don is a bully who constantly beats her black and blue, a real domestic violence and physical abuse story.

Beautifully written and engaging for the reader. This book had me glued.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review another brilliant story by Lesley Pearce. x

Back to form, a very enjoyable read.

This new book from popular author Lesley Pearse has all the right ingredients. Eve’s husband Don drinks, and he's violent to her. She says to herself she never should have married him. But they have a girl Tabitha (Tabby), and a boy called Oliver, the children are a joy. Don says he’ll turn over a new leaf, but he'll never change. At one point things become better…. then go bad again so that she starts to think, could she get away?

This is a mix of family saga, an abusive relationship, crime. A quick, easy read; sort of like classic Catherine Cookson, but more modern. A good yarn which gets you involved in the story, and you can’t put it down until you’ve finished it. This is the first book in a while where I’ve just read and read for quite a long stretch.

I really liked this. I liked it much better than ‘Suspects’, and ‘Deception’, the last 2 books from Lesley Pearse. This is more like her earlier novels e.g. ‘Rosie’, and ‘Father Unknown’, which I loved. I really enjoyed it, and was eager to read on to find out what would happen.

A nice, cosy read, moved along well by the characters’ dialogue. Just marred for me by the surprising number of mistakes in the ARC copy I read, which is not usual from this publisher, hence 4 stars rather than 5. I read it continuously and avidly, but things like getting the wrong person, changing spellings of a character’s name etc. spoilt it a bit for me.

Lesley Pearse is my ultimate comfort author, one I’ve returned to time and time again since I was a teenager because her stories pull me in at lightning speed and I am rarely disappointed.

Betrayal is another fine addition to my collection and I, as per usual, raced through it at a great pace. With themes of domestic violence, abuse and rape, it’s by no means an easy read. But that’s what I love about Lesley Pearse. Her ability to weave substance and tough themes in amongst characters you love (or love to hate).

4.5 stars

Is it actually possible for Lesley Pearse to write a bad book?

Betrayal tells us the story of Eve and the lengths she will go to to save not only her family but also herself.

Thank you to netgalley and Lesley Pearse for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review

Eve Hathaway is in a violent marriage until one day she has enough and decides to leave.
From there life isn't always easy for her and her 2 children and there are moments of heartbreak!
This book was a great story, easy to read and had was it really felt like the old Lesley Pearce was back. I highly recommend it.

Once again Lesley Pearse has written another fantastic story of the length that Eve will go to protect her children Tabby and Olly from her bully of a husband Don.
Taking things into her own hands and changing their whole life.
I loved this book and Lesley always makes me feel like the characters are my friends. Although the twist towards the end I definitely didn’t see coming.
A definite 5 stars from me.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC of this book.

I've read each and every one of Lesley's books because I know each time I am in for a brilliant and emotionally charged read.
I read this in pretty much one go, it's an absolute page turner that I couldn't put down. As always, Lesley writes in such a way that you are instantly invested in the characters. There are some tough topics covered in this book which were so well written.
Beteayal is a book that I couldn't wait to finish for the outcome but equally didn't want to end.

Another fantastic read by Lesley, couldn’t put it down and read in it one sitting leaving the family to fend for themselves for a change !
After another severed beating Eve finally takes her 2 children and leaves her abusive husband after reporting him to the police. After being placed into a refuge in Devon she begins to slowly rebuild her confidence until she gets the go ahead to return to the family home as her husband has been told to leave.
Without going into too much detail and ruining the story there is a fire and her ex husband dies so Eve and the children decide to move back to Devon where she believes they can start again.
Unfortunately it isn’t plain sailing there either with plenty more twists and turns to keep you reading until the end