Ann meets Justin and they are drawn to each other, fall in love and she moves in to his home. Justin, however, is married, but his wife is in a coma and does not have long left, therefore what they are doing is justified. That is until Justin’s wife suddenly gets better. What will they do?

I really liked the sound of this and it seemed like an intriguing, original storyline. I found that I enjoyed the majority of the story, although parts were far fetched. There were moments of suspense and some twists I did not see coming. The characters were well written, although I didn’t fully connect with them. I found the pacing to be up and down, at times I found myself skimming but others I was really involved in the story. Overall a fun, easy read. 3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Well written and a few good twists thrown in, it took a while to get going but the 2nd half was much more engaging. A satisfying conclusion. Recommended.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Wow, this thriller completely threw me for a loop! I was not expecting the twists that came along the way, or the manner in which the two main female characters chose to handle the predicament at hand. Highly recommended!

In Her Place follows Ann who is at a bit of a loose end following a narrowing of her world whilst caring for her mother until her death. She meets Justin who is in limbo as his wife Deborah is in a coma with little chance of recovery.

The story that follows requires quite a bit of suspension of belief but despite that is readable. My issue with it was I found I cared little for the characters, especially Ann so I wasn't invested in the outcome as I had been in the author's previous book.

Ann and Justin are drawn together by their mutual loneliness which stems from years of caregiving to, respectively, Ann's mother - who has now passed away - and Justin's wife, Deborah, who is not expected to recover.

Except that she does. And now, well after Ann has moved in with Justin and his daughter, Deborah is expected to come home. So what will these two people, deeply in love with each other, now do?

Because Ann, at least, feels that she has sacrificed more than enough in her life to date...

This is a gripping and somewhat harrowing story that holds the reader's attention quite effectively. Because in a way, Ann, Justin and Deborah are all victims. But who will be the victor?

The book is a good choice for anyone looking for a suspenseful, unpredictable domestic thriller with an original premise. It gets 3.5 stars.

I didn't get into this book as much as I had hoped, some points felt slow and predictable which stopped me enjoying.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I enjoyed the author’s previous book Breaking Point so I was really happy to be able to read and review her new book. I have to say that I was immediately drawn into this complex and intriguing story. The characters were really well developed and interesting. The plot had depth and a few interesting twists that came as a surprise. I have mixed feelings regarding Ann, initially I liked her but then I found myself not liking her so much but routing for her towards the end. A really good suspenseful domestic thriller that I would definitely recommend. 5 stars from me.

‘In Her Place’ by Edel Coffey is a thought-provoking domestic drama which is a worthy follow up to her debut novel ‘Breaking Point’. This novel examines how far people will go to build and maintain an outwardly perfect family lifestyle and the pressure women in their late 30s or 40s feel to have hit all the right milestones.

The book follows Ann, a freelance writer trying to rebuild her career after sacrificing opportunities to care for her sick mother who recently passed. When she ventures out of Brooklyn for a work assignment in Hudson she meets handsome, older Justin and their connection builds. The problem? Justin has a wife - Deborah, the mother of his child - but she is in a coma and medical professionals have advised that she will slowly fade away and has no chance of regaining quality of life. Against her better judgment, Ann begins a relationship with him. Just when things are going well, a miracle cure prompts Deborah’s recovery leading to difficult choices, necessary lies and corrosive secrets.

The reader definitely needs to suspend disbelief about the possibility of Deborah’s miraculous recovery, which is obviously a cornerstone of the plot. Certain characters also make some questionable decisions - I wanted so badly to shout at Ann for one particular choice.

However, the book feels raw and real overall. With sections narrated by both women, their thoughts and reactions to the frankly ludicrous situation are believable. The thought-provoking question of which of them is the “other woman” comes up throughout, and an undercurrent of wealth, judgment and haves vs. have-nots permeates the novel.

Overall, I would recommend this one to fans of slow burn domestic drama - the kind of thrillers that build a deep sense of tension and discomfort without necessarily setting your heart racing. I’m giving this four intriguing, provocative stars.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy from the publisher Little, Brown Books UK via NetGalley but the opinions in this review are my own. This review is currently posted on NetGalley only and will be shared on socials at a later date in line with publisher preferences.

Loved the premise of this book, it took a while to get into it, but it did pay off in the end so I'm glad I stuck with it. An intriguing situation with interesting characters and complex moral decisions. What more could you want?

Such a good book, very fast paced, easy to read. Literally read this in one sitting. Could not predict the plot twist either!! Also loved the New York setting.

3.5⭐️


Ann is fast approaching 40, unmarried, struggling for work and virtually homeless, and grieving her mother’s death. She sees how her friends have married up and are doing well. Then she meets Justin. Problem being that he is married, only his wife is in a coma not expected to survive.
Ann makes herself cosy fitting into Justin’s life when the sky metaphorically falls in.

I must say I went for this book without reading the blurb as I really enjoyed breaking point. However the whole married with complications trope isn’t a favourite for me. It worked for Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester, but …

The whole Ann meeting Justin felt very clichéd, then the storyline progressed to an improbable, but a real turn the upside down world moment. It certainly added some excitement to the storyline. Then things took a darker turn. This is where the story improved for me, having a stronger ending, but it wasn’t really one for me I’m afraid, I’ve read books in this trope that managed to grip me more.

I thought at first that I knew where this book was going, and I didn't. There was a real "omg" moment which was when the story really got going after what seemed like a very long set-up. The second half of the book seemed if anything a bit rushed at times, particularly the final outcome. It became a bit confusing who had done what to whom and when. I liked that the book raised a lot of moral questions and that it had mostly good characters contemplating
doing very bad things. Overall I thought this was a good read. It was always going to be hard to follow the emotional kick in the teeth that was Edel's first novel Breaking Point, and this does a pretty good job.

It needs a bit more editing, though. There were a fair few mistakes still in it, including a few plot/fact inconsistencies which hopefully will be ironed out before publication in March.

Despite being chock-full of plot holes, inconsistencies and errors, this is a readable book with a likeable, authentic-seeming protagonist. I felt that this book could have been so much better with more thorough editing.

I really appreciated the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.
An interesting read, with well-outlined characters and a different twist on a practised plot. A weak but manipulative man, a wife who can not provide what he desires, and a woman who is desperate to be loved and appreciated. Edel Coffey manages to keep her reader engrossed with the twists presented, and also the interplay of the relationship that the lead character has with her own Mother, siblings and the new environment she finds herself. I am disappointed that the ending did not reflect the detail that the author had so brilliantly woven into her novel in previous chapters, and found the ending predictable and rushed.
I would recommend "In Her Place" to others though, as the different twists do keep the reader entertained.

Thoroughly enjoyed this up to the last couple of chapters, where the ending felt rushed, as if the author had reached their word count!
The characters are extremely well written and both Ann and Deborah court empathy throughout the story. I did get cross with Ann on several occasions for being so trusting, but I suppose that is precisely how such a relationship works!
The plot is excellent- I could have just done with a little more around the ending to really finish off the story!

In Her Place by Edel Coffey is a fascinating story and features two women, Ann and Deborah, who are both in love with the same man, Justin. Deborah has been in a coma for years and suddenly the trial that she has been on brings her back to life.
Unfortunately Ann has moved into the family home and is in love with Justin and Sophie, their daughter. They even both end up pregnant at the same time by Justin. Deborah’s health deteriorated during her pregnancy and she is struggling to recover and Ann has an early birth , with her daughter spending weeks in hospital.
It is a very complex story and tangled relationships, truth and lies all make the reality very difficult to resolve.
Highly recommended

So I really liked this book, but I don’t think it’s a very realistic storyline. Ann loses her mom and then finds Justin at a bar. They begin sleeping together and she finds out he has a daughter and wife dying in the hospital. They begin a relationship, her sisters don’t agree, she finds out she’s pregnant, and a miracle drug makes his wife’s tumor disappear. Now they are all living under one roof and keeping secrets from each other. Who will Justin choose? Who is to be trusted? I really like edel’s books and can’t wait for another!

A bit of a sad story, although well written and with mostly believable characters. Not a five star rating, as there were too many times when I wanted to shout at my kindle 'oh come on, don't be so gullible'...
I found the ending somewhat predictable, but I am sure that many readers will like this book.

Very well written, with relatable characters and well-constructed dialogue resulting in a very disturbing — but also satisfying — storyline ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A rattling good tale with twists and turns aplenty.

In Her Place is Edel Coffey's second novel and I really enjoyed this one.

The book begins with Ann, who we meet when she is largely down on her luck. She has been caring for her mother who has recently died with very little help and assistance from her two more successful and richer sisters. Whilst away on a work assignment, she meets Justin and whilst she initially considers this to be a one-night arrangement, Justin is clearly keen to take things forward.

The problem I hear you ask? Justin is married....well that complicates matters somewhat. But rest assured, its not an issue as his wife is currently in a long-term coma and is not expected to live much longer. Ann then moves in with Justin and his daughter, pretending to be the nanny at first before being introduced more widely as his new partner.

Well, what do you know? Justin's wife, Deborah, has now undergone a major new medical trial which has miraculously shrunk her tumour and she has made a full recovery.....

Okay, so from the synopsis, there is definitely an element of suspending belief and taking things as you are told them. If you are able and willing to go along for the ride, then you will enjoy this sometimes dark, sometimes twisty novel where you end up rooting for absolutely no-one.....

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.