This Mistress was a gripping read and the topic was interesting. I thought the book had clever elements and it was a slow burn. I enjoyed collecting the information for myself and trying to work out how the book was going to end. I also found the characters were interesting.

I found myself feeling bad for Hannah towards the end as she spoke about her life story and how she struggled with her attachments to male figures in her life. Susan was a character who I didn’t initially like but she grew on me and she developed as a strong character and proved everyone wrong.

The book was written in a way which went on a different path to the other cheating husband troupe. It was refreshing to read something so unique in a genre that is overpopulated. At times, the chapters would end on a cliffhanger but I realised they were a thought the character had rather than an actual situation that happened, this kept me hooked and wanting to read on. It also made me think of intrusive thoughts and how people could act on them easily.

At the start, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book due to the cheating husband group but it was quite reflective and the ending was shocking.

This was my first time reading a Valerie Keogh novel and I did enjoy it. The female leads are both fairly unlikeable and while the husband initially sounds like a wonderful partner, it soon becomes clear that he's not. The reasons for Hannah's behaviour come clear in the best section of the novel towards the end. It moves quite quickly and the ending is actually quite an unexpected surprise I definitely didn't see coming. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC, I look forward to reading more Valerie Keogh again!

This suspenseful, dark, and twisted story gripped me from the start and kept me reading until the end. The plot was well written and characters were so easy to love or hate and that is how good the author did her job in building them for us. I was so taken by the story that had to finish it as fast as I could. Thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for an advanced copy

This is the first Valerie Keogh book I’ve read, and it’s told from the perspectives of two women, Hannah and Susan, both with their own set of baggage and problems. I would say the next major character is Mark, who is not lovable in any way, shape or form. I was entertained while reading, but I wasn’t wowed in any way. Unfortunately, I found it somewhat predictable - except for the last couple of chapters. It was such an abrupt and random ending, I found it almost odd? I felt like there could have been some real good twists thrown into the mix, but it read (for the most part) like a typical “cheating husband” trope.

This book could have easily been like the many others that focus on “the other woman “, but I found this to be riveting and different. Hannah and Susan were both intriguing characters and love to see their character progression.

Oh my goodness! What a brilliant story, I was totally hooked from page one and neglected everything else until the very last page. Love, love, love this book! I now have a new favourite author.

As a big Valerie Keogh fan, it pains me to say this isn’t my favourite story by her.
It had the potential to be incredible, but the characters didn’t suit well for me. Susan, in particular, was highly unlikable and often seemed unrealistic. However, the story did have some intriguing twists, and I enjoyed the contrasting perspectives of Susan and Hannah, two women with different outlooks on life.
Unfortunately, the ending felt sudden, leaving me with unanswered questions that I would have preferred to see resolved.

"The Mistress" delves into the chilling world of manipulation and desire as Hannah Parker sets her sights on reclaiming a past love despite his current marital status. With a calculating and relentless demeanor, Hannah's determination to win back Mark Shepherd leads to a web of deceit and betrayal. As the narrative unfolds, themes of obsession, power play, and moral ambiguity take center stage, showcasing the darker edges of human nature, I really enjoyed this book

You can’t always get why you want, can you?? Another very clever story from Keogh. Hannah sets her sights on an old flame, without any consideration for the consequences. Fast paced and gripping. A strong exploration of narcissism and entitlement.

When Hannah's sugar daddy turned husband shows her his true colours, she starts to reminisce over Mark, the one who got away. Well, the one who she carelessly discarded. He might be married with a child, but... details. His wife however, has no intention of letting her husband go without a fight.

I loved that this story focused squarely on the two strong women in Mark's life with him acting more as a backdrop to their own journeys and growth than someone you particularly care for. Both Hannah and Susan are highly flawed but very interesting, especially with Susan's strange feelings around her only child leaving home, which isn't a topic often addressed.

3.5 stars rounded up for that jaw-dropping ending!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and raced through it in one sitting. I liked the story being told from the perspective of both women and felt that this really gave the story added depth. The story is great and the characters very authentic.

Valerie Keogh’s thriller The Mistress is the story of Hannah Parker. Hannah’s past has affected her present; she has never trusted anyone to love her. Since her marriage to Ivan isn’t a happy one, she decides to return to a time that she was happy with Mark Shepherd, a man from her past. I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this suspenseful book with a surprise ending!

Hannah is gorgeous and used to getting exactly what she wants. When her current marriage fails, she decides to go for her old college boyfriend from twenty years prior. The fact that he is married is no issue for her, she will do whatever it takes to steal him away…. However, Hannah does not anticipate that his wife might be willing to fight back.

This was my first book by Valerie Keogh and it will not be the last! This gripping psychological thriller had me staying up way too late to see how it ends. And this one was just soooo messy with all the drama! Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

There’s something about this author’s work which is absolutely addictive and each time I finish one story I am already looking forward eagerly to the next one.

Hannah Parker is a woman who is used to getting what she wants and with a distasteful relationship behind her, Hannah is ready for her next adventure. When a photo of an ex-boyfriend slips from the pages of a book, Hannah knows who her next conquest will be and is determined to go after what she wants. After all, she never fails…

This is one of those books which you want read in one sitting so be prepared to get nothing done until Hannah’s story is told. And what a story it is, I found that I was gripped from the start, turning the pages faster and faster in the hope that all would be resolved but like all these books there are twists and turns galore and an ending I didn’t see coming, but which left me with a wry smile on my face.

Perfectly done as ever The Mistress is sheer escapism from start to finish, beautifully done and stylishly executed, I absolutely loved every word.

Hannah needs to escape from her older, wealthy husband who is becoming more violent thanks to her lies and deception. While planning her next chapter, Hannah decides to go after an old boyfriend, one who was deeply in love with her back in college. Mark is married now but that doesn’t matter it’s not like the wife can stop Hannah or can she? This was an entertaining domestic drama. I thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I devoured this book! I love a twisty thriller. This book is not to be missed. I was on the edge of my seat and could not stop reading The Mistress. Keogh never disappoints. I recommend this one.
Many thanks to the authorand NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

This book starts out with Hannah being abused by her 70 year old husband. Kind of old for an abusive hubby but we’ll roll with it. It had me hooked from page one buuuuut it slowly declined from here. Hannah had made her way sleeping with men for gifts and money. She comes across a photo of her and her ex Mark and decides she’s going to track him down. He said he’d always love her, right?!
Susan is now married to Mark and has a son named Andrew (Drew) who is going off to college. She is a helicopter mother who can’t bare the thought of him not being around. It became quite annoying to the point that I had to DNF. I feel like if the story wouldn’t have been side tracked by Susan’s constant need to miss her son, it could have stayed more on task.
Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood for the chance to read this for a honest review.

The Mistress delves into the intricate web of psychological manipulation woven by its protagonist, Hannah Parker. With a relentless determination, Hannah embarks on a perilous journey, targeting married men and orchestrating the dissolution of their families. However, when her deceit is uncovered by her latest husband, Hannah redirects her focus towards Mark Shepherd, a former flame now leading a contented life with his family.

As the plot unfolds, Hannah's calculated maneuvers and relentless pursuit of Mark thrust both him and his loved ones into a perilous game of psychological cat and mouse. With tension escalating and secrets unraveling, the novel explores the depths of obsession, deception, and the devastating consequences of crossing moral boundaries.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Valerie Keogh's latest fast-paced thriller, *The Mistress* is a rollercoaster of a story. With unexpected twists and a gripping ending, Keogh keeps readers hooked from the getgo.
The tension between desire, deception, and consequences drives the narrative, making it a fantastic read!

The story follows Hannah Parker, a woman who is determined to get what she wants, no matter the cost. Hannah is a complex and intriguing character who is not afraid to go after what she desires. Her determination and cunning nature make her both fascinating and slightly terrifying. As she sets her sights on rekindling a romance with an old flame, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions as Hannah manipulates and schemes to get what she wants.

Keogh's writing is sharp and engaging, drawing the reader into Hannah's world. *The Mistress* is thought-provoking and an entertaining read that will leave you questioning just how far you would go to get what you desire.

Overall, *The Mistress* is a must-read! Keogh's storytelling is masterful, and prepare yourself for a wild ride with this one!

One day you meet the one, but you let him go because at that moment you don't realise what you have and your focus is on something entirely different. 

You decide to follow that path, but the life you thought you were going to get because you thought you were the clever one, suddenly blows up in your face. Or that how it seems at that moment in time. 

It's pretty clear life is not predictable and the next day, it can smile at you again. You have to have patience and what better to do whilst waiting than trying to take back what you threw away all those years ago. 

Do you still have what it takes to manipulate the world around you? And will 'getting what you deserve' mean what you had envisioned...?

An enjoyable book where the saying 'the flesh is weak' is written all over in capital letters. 4,5 stars

Thank you