The Due Date by Niki Mackay
Pub date 26.10.2023

Thank you as always to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.

What a brilliant psychological thriller! I'm always excited to read books in this genre. I knew from the first page I was going to love this book. Super fast paced thriller. I stayed up all night to finish this one, I just couldn't put it down or sleep after it! It had me constantly (incorrectly) guessing where it was going.

I highly recommend you read this book. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future. I think this would make a fantastic TV series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#TheDueDate. #NetGalley

"The Due Date" by Niki Mackay is a gripping and emotionally charged psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The story opens with a seemingly innocent encounter between two pregnant women, Ali and Rebecca, who share an instant connection. Mackay skilfully explores the complexities of friendship, motherhood, and identity as the narrative unfolds.

The author's writing is both immersive and evocative, drawing readers into the lives of the two women and their intertwining fates. As the due date approaches, tension mounts, and the story takes unexpected twists and turns that will leave you guessing at every corner. Mackay expertly builds suspense and keeps you guessing about the true nature of Rebecca's secrets.

The character development in "The Due Date" is superb. Ali's vulnerability and desire for connection are palpable, making her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. Rebecca, on the other hand, is enigmatic and multifaceted, leaving readers questioning her true motives.

One of the strengths of this novel is its exploration of the blurred lines between reality and perception, and how our own desires and insecurities can cloud our judgment. The psychological depth and the exploration of the theme of identity are thought-provoking and add layers of complexity to the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Due Date" is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that combines a compelling mystery with rich character development and thematic depth. Niki Mackay's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a must-read for fans of the genre. Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns of this riveting tale of friendship, deception, and the power of secrets.

I often wonder if I'm doing the author an injustice when I say I've read their book in a day as obviously they put lots of work into their research and writing. But when a book is as good as The Due Date by Niki Mackay is there can be no other option. I literally could not stop reading, I was totally engrossed in Ali's story and her confusion around her friendship with Rebecca.
One of my top books for 2023.
I was thankfully gifted this advanced copy from Netgalley and Headline publishing with no obligation to leave my review

I really didn’t want this book to end but I also needed to know the ending. A brilliant page turner which I struggled to put down once I had started it. I really need to read some of the authors other books as well!

This book had me constantly guessing at everything. What was Rebecca’s secret and why was she lying to Ali. At the same time as wondering if Ali could have gotten it all wrong and Rebecca wasn’t who she thought she was.

Ali is heavily pregnant when she meets Rebecca one day, Rebecca is also pregnant and due at the same time. They strike up a friendship, of which Ali is heavily invested in.
Then Rebecca goes cold and disappears, she denies ever knowing Ali and there’s no sign of a baby or partner.

Truthfully I imagined all sorts and I’m pleased to say that I never worked it out, who actually could! It was slightly bizarre in the end. A very twisted tale with some very twisted conniving people involved.

I really enjoyed it and flew through it as it was so easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC in return for an honest review.

The Due Date by Niki Mackay

This book takes hold of you from the first page and doesn't let go until the last . Wow a true page turner.
You think you have it sussed , but no it takes you in another direction.
Lots of twists and told from different points of view just adds to the tension and intrigue.
Perfect.

I've Finished reading The Due Date by @nikimackaywriter and I rate it 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Soon to have her new Baby Ali meets another mum to be Rebecca in the park, the pair soon become fast friends talking about their babies due the same time they seem to have a strong connection to each other until after not hearing from Rebecca, Ali gets worried but when she finally bumps into her new friend, Rebecca denies ever knowing or meeting Ali.

shocked and upset at The sudden change in Rebecca, Ali sets out to find the truth about her new friend but will the truth lead her to danger?.


OMG! this has to be the best @nikimackaywriter book I've read and this author has written some good books. the story was totally brilliant and different from what I thought it would be about and that's great, its sharp and original with twists and turns galore, the characters where clearly written and plotted. we get to know both Ali & Rebecca and what leads them to be the women they are today..

I love how the story came together and the brilliant, fantastic twist at the end, I Absolutely Loved it! I highly recommend you read this book.

I really didn’t want this one to end! A real page turner, full of twists and surprises. I read it in a day, it was that good!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book captivated my attention right from the first chapter. The character building of Rebecca instantly has you trying to guess, from their first encounter, why the character is going to switch. All of the characters involved in this story are so well written that there are points in the book where you don't know who or what to believe, which I think is perfect for thriller books.

As well as the character building, the story itself is well written and keeps the perfect pace for me from the start. I didn't feel a drop in momentum and leaves you with enough questions to continue reading.

I started this in the morning and was finished with it by the afternoon as I just couldn't wait to find out what happened.

Definitely will be recommending this to friends looking for a thrilling read!

Excellent book really really enjoyed it will read more books by this author!!!! A*!!!! Twists and turns make this an absolute favourite:)

I love these authors books. Always an addictive read. Alison and Dan are expecting their 1st child they have moved to. and Dan is always busy with work Emily does not have a close friend as she betrayed her. Emily is lonely. Then one day while out she meets Rebecca who is pregnant also, they due the same time. they form a friendship. Emily has a little girl but then Rebecca. Ghosts Emily and she wants to get to the bottom of it a very twisty read.

I loved how this story unfolded, I got part way through and thought I had it all worked out. Boy was I wrong!! Our main characters Ali and Rebecca are definitely intriguing and it had me wondering what exactly was going on! Ali was almost a full blown stalker at one point - despite promising her husband that she was 'forgetting all about it'

Twists and turns up until the very end, really well written and I just couldn’t put it down! I will defiantly be on the look out for more from Niki as I just loved the writing style - and the suspense!

I really enjoyed 'The Due Date', being intrigued by the descriptor, which invoked a meeting of 2 heavily pregnant women in a park, the women strike up a close friendship, but one not only 'ghosts' the other, but goes so far as to deny they have even met! Being betrayed by her previous best friend, the 'ghostee' Ali, is not willing to let the friendship go without some answers, and works tirelessly to borderline stalk Rebecca to get to the truth - answers she gets, but not without some drama along the way!

This descriptor sold me on a great, twisty and secret filled psychological fiction. I was not disappointed, those twists just kept coming, the final twist being utterly genius and throwing every assumption I had made totally on its head!!

Im not going to say much as regards the plot, as I absolutely do not want to unwittingly provide spoilers for other readers, I will just say read/devour and enjoy!! It is a cracking read!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

This is a true page turner that had me hooked from page 1.
It’s a great domestic thriller with plenty of twists throughout, and has a unique and intriguing plot. A must read and I’ll be looking out for more from this author in future.

This book is different to what's out there (in the best way possible) This was one of those novels where I though I knew what was going to happen but admittedly the twist is very surprising!! The characters were well-written, the stoy was told from the POV of three different women and also jumped between timelines. Everything was very cohesive and easy to follow. This was my first book by this author but won't be the last. I can't wait for Niki MacKay's next novel!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! The publication date is the 26th October. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it won’t be the last! The plot had me constantly guessing about what would happen next it was definitely a page turner! I enjoyed the twists and turns this book presented. I would definitely read other books from this author.

Soo many questions! This had me second guessing what was going on the whole way through. There was absolutely nothing predicable and nothing was what I thought it was going to be! There are some really well written twists snd turns and I just loved how blindsided I was every time! The characters were well written and well rounded, I was so invested in their stories and what was happening in their lives. Its also just really written with such an easy writing style that it all flowed perfectly and I didn't even realise that I'd flown through half the book without stopping. A must read!

When Ali meets Rebecca who incidentally is pregnant, they are both due on the same date, they feel instantly connected. Ali is feeling vulnerable after being betrayed by a friend and is hoping Rebecca and her will be able to bond together over their new babies.

After Ali gives birth she is worried as she hasn't heard from Rebecca in weeks. But when she tracks her down all is not what it seems!!!

I loved this book, I knew from the 1st page I was going to be hooked and boy I was!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ali and Dan have moved into a house in the suburbs, a move that should make Ali happy. She can work from home, she has her first house and her baby is due in a month. However, she feels isolated and lonely. So when she meets Rebecca in the park, she’s thrilled. She has a new friend who is also having her first baby in a month. But then Ali has her baby three weeks early and after a few phone calls and texts, Rebecca ghosts her. When Ali finds Rebecca, her friend denies knowing Ali and tells her she has never been pregnant. What Ali does next will put her and her new baby into great danger.

Suspense build slowly in The Due Date and then moves quickly to a somewhat unbelievable conclusion. By then you are so invested in these characters that it all seems possible. Niki Mackay accurately describes the long days and nights of early motherhood, the days that leave Ali confused. Rebecca is a strong, determined character at first so her behavior is hard to understand. The Due Date will keep you guessing. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and Niki Mackay for this ARC.

This is my first read of Nikki’s book and I quite enjoyed it. The storyline had me continuously guessing, trying to work out how the book would continue and there was many occasions when I ended up changing my mind because something else would happen. It made me want to continue reading to the end- I quite liked the twist at the end of the book as I did not see it coming.