Just like tornados wreck homes, this home wrecker is a doozy of a 'twister', with a real whirlwind of an ending.

Sophie and Scott have the perfect lifestyle with two attractive children, a beautiful home etc. Perfect, that is, if you leave out possible infidelity, recurrent suspicions, a problematic child who gets suspended from school - and the list goes on.

When they bring Deanna into their home in the hope of finding out what is going on with their daughter Katie, Sophie soon finds that she is instead wondering what is going on with Deanna.

Why is the woman constantly sneaking around, sharing conspiratorial secrets with Katie, and appearing to flirt with Scott? Because if Deanna thinks Sophie's going to roll over and let her take over the life she's worked so hard to build, she has another think coming...

This story uses dual narratives well, but the pacing was a little uneven - some judicious editing was definitely in order. But the writer does do a great job of casting suspicions in all directions and delivering an unexpected ending.

Really great narration, it was like I was listening to a tv show or movie. The story maintained suspense. However I personally found the story to drag on, and be a bit tedious. I don’t think that the parts came together smoothly.

I love the narration with this one. I love the drama. I did not love the characters at all.
I hated Scott and I love books where I hate the husband. Sophie is dealing with issues with her daughter, an absolute mess at work, and this terrible husband, as well as guilt over a secret she is keeping.
Diana's perspectives added another layer of mystery.

I love the dramatic ending.
I especially liked the epilogue.

Well I thought it started quite well. Interesting enough premise and I liked the way it was written but I soon got a little bored.
Not enough was happening over too short of a time and I did not like the ending at all. I know we all stretch reality a bit when reading but none of what happened rang at all true for me in any way (without giving spoilers).

Scott and Sophie lead successful lives. They have a lovely home, good jobs and two children. Life is disrupted when twelve-year-old Katie's behavior becomes problematic at school, leading to her suspension. Scott hires a tutor, Deanna, to assist Katie. While Deanna proves to be effective and forms a bond with Katie, Sophie begins to notice significant changes within the household. Can Sophie restore harmony within her family and set things back on course?

Special thanks to NetGalley for advanced access.
Publication date is August 8, 2024

This is fast-paced, addictive and a good read for the weekend. Expect the unexpected with this one.

Deanna is brought in by Sophie to help her young, troubled daughter Katie with her schoolwork, but as quickly as she moves in, it seems she is there to start something… Every family has secrets and this family are no exception. Sophie quickly unravels as her family, her home and the newcomer slip out of her control, but what does Deanna really want, and what did Sophie do that all this is happening to her?

I was hooked from the sample and the audiobook narrators were brilliant. This book flew by and with each chapter ending making you beg for more, it was done before I knew it.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I read a ton of domestic thrillers so I absolutely knew the plot and ending of Homewrecker.....until the end. Nope, didn't guess ANY of it correctly. And, truly, as a reader, that's the best kind of book.

J.M. Dalgliesh penned a novel that reads like a Lifetime movie, in all the best ways for a beach read. A marriage with an over the top good looking husband, a career driven wife, an off the rails teen, a suspiciously present college son and TA-DA an easy on the eyes tutor who swoops in to save the day. As a student of these movies, this mom and wife understood immediately you NEVER bring into your home a gorgeous young woman with "attributes" your husband may enjoy. And, big red herring, the work schedules of the spouses require they each have their own bedrooms........

Lol, you know what's going to happen, but J.M. Dalgliesh didn't write that typical ending and I was pleasantly surprised.

I'll be looking up any other books J.M. has written. Give this one a go.

I enjoyed Homewrecker, but I have to be really honest and say that I’m a bit over the mental health trope that is played out in so many psychological thrillers. However, if you feel the same way, stick with this one until the end where it suddenly all takes a turn and becomes a much more worthwhile read!

I wish I hadn’t been so distracted by the fact that our protagonist was mentally unstable and unravelling and being a bit annoyed at that typical trope, I may well have seen some clues to the unexpected twist, and generally I might’ve enjoyed it a lot more.

The dual narration was very well executed.

Thank you to bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ELC