My guilty pleasure is simple thrillers like this one with little twists and women being a little off. This was okay. It held my attention.

A sweet read by Shelia but , also sad. Anything to do with children can be quite a sad read at times. I enjoyed this one as I always do by this author. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Not Your Child’ written by Sheila Norton in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Gemma is distraught when she learns that her partner Jack, and father of their two-year-old daughter Poppy, has abandoned them and moved to Australia. She’s befriended by work colleague Crystal and they form an immediate connection although she’s secretive about her own life. She gets concerned when Crystal becomes obsessive with Poppy, making people believe she’s Poppy’s mother rather than Gemma, and senses there’s something not quite right.

‘Not Your Child’ is a well-written story of secrets, trust and friendship and the confusion that arises when there’s a lack of truth. It’s fast-paced with characters who are nicely described and enough suspense and twists to keep me involved in what’s happening. The final twist is a surprise though not as great a surprise as I’d expected, but it’s a fitting conclusion to this enjoyable and absolutely readable story.

When Gemma breaks down at work after receiving a devastating message Crystal finds her and tries to comfort her. They become friends very fast and when Crystal meets Poppy, Gemma’s little daughter, they had a connection right away. But something isn’t totally right….
I enjoyed the first part and the last part but the middle part was a little too long, much of the same, for me. The conclusion of the story was good but I was hoping for an epilogue. I’v read a couple of books by this author but I liked this one a little less.

A psychological thriller is what I think the author was going for in this novel. I did enjoy the story; I went back and forth from liking the two main characters. Two women who work for the same company, meet when Gemma has just been delivered an awful blow by text. She's sobbing in the bathrooms, and Crystal hears her. She sticks around to see if she can help and it's the start of a friendship between the two women. As we move through the story, Crystal seems to develop a weird and unusual attachment to Gemma's daughter. Gemma's parents warn her that something isn't quite right with the situation, but Gemma wants to believe the best in Crystal and her intentions. The story does have some twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sheila Norton and Boldwood Books for allowing me this eversion arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved every minute of this book, I didn't have a clue what to expect or where the story would go, and that made it even more exciting for me, a brilliant twist, a highly recommended read.

A well written book that pulled me in from the start. Gemma and Crystal were both well described characters although I did have my suspicions over some of Crystal's actions. The big reveal was a surprise but did answer all the questions.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, which I thoroughly enjoyed, in return for an honest review

Gemma's boyfriend, Jack leaves for Australia, leaving Gemma with their two-year-old daughter. Crystal is Gemma' new friend, but she seems obsessed with Gemma's daughter.

The twists are brilliant and not what you expected.
Gemma is at work when she gets a message from her partner`s brother to say that he has left her and not coming back when she thought she would be joining him in Australia with her three year old daughter Poppy.
Crystal from another department at work comforts her as her partner had also left her and they become more involved, but she seems to be more interested in Poppy than Gemma and Gemma`s parents are not happy with this and are suspicious of Crystal.
You wonder if Crystal has an ulterior motive, and I totally guessed wrong, all Gemma and Crystal are both likeable characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

I thought it was a good premise but took too long to tell us Crystal’s secrets. I was expecting there to be more information about Jack and getting closure on him. The friendship was not typical between Crystal and Gemma but at then end you finally figure out the truth. I wish there had been an epilogue to see where the characters were at and whether they would ever get what they wanted from Jack.

All it takes is one message for Gemma's life to fall apart. A confirmation of all she's feared these last few months. Jack was supposed to be preparing for their new start in Australia, building their home, building their life together. And now this. Gone. Without a trace. Leaving their perfect world - all that their two-year-old daughter Poppy knows and cherishes - shattered. Crystal comes into Gemma's life at the opportune moment. The new friend who'd been through it before, who knows how it feels for all your hopes and dreams to suddenly implode, who wants to help and will do anything.

When someone seems too good to be true, trust that gut feeling. That's what Gemma should have done when she met Crystal. But Gemma wasn't in the right frame of mind, she was having a breakdown at work. The pace is fast, and the more you read, the more interesting the book becomes. It's not long before Crystal is taking over Gemma and her daughter Poppy's lives. Everything was explained and tied up by the end. The ending was a surprise.

Published 23rd September 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #SheilaNorton for my ARC of #NotYourChild in exchange for an honest review.

Read this in one day! Gemma has just found out that her daughter Poppy’s dad has abandoned her. Whilst crying in the toilets at work; she is befriended by Crystal; who very quickly becomes a great support to her. Gemma’s parents are both concerned but Crystal and Poppy seem to adore each other and she’s an amazing friend to Gemma. After a while Gemma starts to be concerned with Crystal; who has by now disclosed some of her personal life. An explosive showdown brings a link that Gemma never could have imagined.

I loved this book! Emotional rollercoaster which flowed so well. Gemma and Crystal's friendship is a bit full on and often Gemma is uneasy - its funny how as women we don't always trust our gut when we know something isn't right. What happens when you find out your husband has been having an affair and you know the woman involved.

Sheila I loved all of your books but for me this was the best one so far!

Not Your Child by Sheila Norton is a tilt-a-whirl of of confusion for Gemma, the main character dealing with her new best friend from work Crysal. Crystal has become quite taken with Gemma’s daughter Poppy and loves helping take care of her after Crystal's partner leaves her.
But things are never as they appear and this storyline is shocking..
Brilliantly written dramatic mystery.
#NotYourChild
SheilaNorton
#NetGalley

My first Sheila Norton book but definitely not my last. I look forward to reading more from this author. What a great cast of characters that kept me flipping pages long into the night. Great tension, lots of secrets and really big creep factor. Really enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley, Sheila Norton and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book

A psychological thriller, with a lot of twists and turns, made more so thrilling because of little Poppy in between 2 women, Gemma and Crystal.

When Gemmas life falls apart after her boyfriend abandons her, Crystal offers support. But soon, it seems like Crystal is overtaking Gemmas life as mother in Poppy's life.

Well written, fast-paced, with a short but surprise ending.

#netgalley #NotYourChild

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Gemma feels like her personal life is falling apart. She befriends a woman at work who seems to good to be true. I liked this book.

Gemma gets a message on Instagram and then the person sending it disappears it rocks her whole life. Her boyfriend Jack was supposed to be in Australia paving the way for her and their daughter to join him not finding someone else .
Crystal finds her upset at work and quickly makes herself indispensable to Gemma forming a close relationship with Poppy. But Gemma’s parents are worried that Crystal may not be all that she seems.
Gemma feels Crystal is becoming obsessed with Poppy and is hiding things from her.
Brilliant physiological thriller that keeps you on your toes well written.

What a brilliant read. I couldn't put this book down I read it in a day.When Crystal finds Gemma weeping at work they quickly strike up a friendship but it soon becomes apparent that she seems to be more interested in Gemma's daughter Poppy so much so that her parents become concerned that its becoming unhealthy and also what is the secret she is keeping from them all .I really loved the two characters and the story is beautifully written and the ending which keeps us guessing right to the end is well worth waiting for. A great 5⭐read

Great story, it kept you guessing throughout the book. Characters were interesting, especially the mysterious Crystal. A real page turner. Well worth reading.