A fabulous domestic tale. I cried at parts of this book as it was so well written and beautifully told. A must read x

Another excellent book from Susan. This one covers very topical issues - drugs, homelessness, Universal Credit and debt. After her husband's death Angie hits rock bottom believing she has no way out until Martin Stone enters her life. He makes it possible for her to rebuild her life and family. Great story. Susan Lewis does it again !!

What a brilliant book. This book has a fantastic story line, excellent characters and is just wonderful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I enjoyed it immensely.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
Oh My! It's extremely rare when reading a novel, for my eyes to well-up with tears. This one managed to elicit that reaction.
This story exemplifies the saying that "bad things can happen to good people".

Angie has 3 children and husband Steve is a hard-working and well-respected housing decorator. Her oldest, Liam, has 'gone off the rails' into a world of drugs, and to the extent that his activities are now affecting her youngest son, Steve goes to find him amid a sink-estate. He is murdered.

Angie Watts is a good person; she works with her sister supervising placements at a Church-run housing project for men who have hit rock-bottom but are determined to climb their way out of the gutter. She also volunteers at a local food bank, trying to mitigate her 'clients'' embarrassment of having to be there.
Since Steve's murder Angie tries to manage her reduced income - with devastating consequences.
Money is a problem and Angie's daughter tries to help, hoping to make money from You Tube appearances showcasing her acting ability - this leads to another dreadful consequence.

There is social comment regarding Universal Credit and difficulties experienced when benefits are delayed, but the story here is just how quickly fortunes can be changed. Angie will protect her family at all costs, alongside trying to find out what happened to Liam since his father's funeral. The irony of it all is that amidst all of Angie's own problems, she never once neglects her responsibilities for those she is helping.

Steve was always held in high regard by those who employed him and, once Angie's reduced circumstances are admitted to, those colleagues and friends are there to help.

This is an excellent, well-written story; emotional and heart-wrenching, as well as uplifting.

Thoroughly recommended.

Absolutely loved Home Truths, i am a big fan of Susan Lewis anyway but this one was fantastic. It was a great storyline which i am sure a lot of people can relate to when they end up in hard times. And as for the ending, it kept me smiling and very thoughtful.

The are various types of thrillers this is one of those that in real life could happen to any of us and it has state sponcership well of sorts. Angie had the life she wanted and then it went bad before it really went bad her incredible life partner being Steve who was also her husband gets killed after a reaction caused by their eldest Liam who was lead by the gangs from that estate in to drugs and the hell that brings.
Well as Angie true to keep her head above water as well as track down her now vanished and vulnerable son (Liam) she gets the switch to universal credits which push her under and before she knows it her deates have appealed beyond control and she and her remaining kids Grace and Zac are being evicted from their home. Like many Angie sure on it till it is too late to escape from and when her sister Emma finds the red mail with final demands and court orders her only course of action is to tread water whilst a plan is being searched for but all she can see is smoke and fog.
This is a very real thriller lived by far too many in what is a wealthy country and there are far more in a wide state that Angie find her self in some have no family or household lost theirs whilst things just go from direr to direr. But this doesn't help Angie or even Emma as she looks on and see the pain not just of her sister but of Grace the teenageer who wants to help but feels well how can anyone describe how a 15 year old feels having lost her Dad whom she loved and now looks to be losing all she had known on top of that .
There are some good things Emma and Angie have jobs they are administrators in a charity that helps others who have hit rock bottom find a way back but it does pay anything like as much as she needs but it is a job and she is doing a good thing for others and making a real difference. But even the future here is a unknown as events continue to unfold.
This thriller is different to what you may be used to and as in life others may not find the same path but then no two people or situations are ever fully the same and this is what makes this unique some may not describe it as a thriller and may be it isn't but if it relates to you or people you know it is far more scary than most thrillers you will have read. Well that's is my take on it but you will need to read it for yourself and I think you should because it's a story that needs to be read and the end may sick you more than you expect like life the twists are not always as clear as you think.

Angie's life is pretty much rock bottom....son Liam has disappeared and husband Steve has been brutally murdered. She's in spiralling debt and has to keep going for the sake of her two other children Grace and Zac. She didn't think it could get any worse, but escalating debts followed by eviction from the house she has always loved leads her to sleeping rough whilst her children stay with sister Emma. All she needs is a break....she is working every hour she possibly can but still has no way of keeping the roof on their heads. An encounter with Martin, a former work colleague of her husband leads to some security and help. Susan Lewis books are wonderful, but this is one that really really pulled at my heartstrings,.... a heartbreaking situation anyone could tragically find themselves in. I read this book over two days, highly recommend.

As usual Susan Lewis has written a powerful, emotional novel which is difficult to review without giving away spoilers. Angie Watts and her children are left devastated by the horrific death of husband and father Steve which happened as the result of his search for Liam the eldest son. Liam had fallen in with a drug addicted crowd on a notorious estate. From their happy carefree existence Angie struggles to keep a roof over the heads of her two younger children Grace and Zac. She is eventually made homeless and relies heavily on her sister Emma to help with accommodating her children. It seems as if everything is against Angie as she rolls from one devastating problem after another. No money, no home. There’s definitely a feel of ‘there but for the grace of god’ in this story. Couldn’t put it down staying up very late one night to finish. Susan Lewis at her best! Many thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read.

Another great Susan lewis book! This book read differently to previous Susan Lewis books but tackled so many difficult subjects sensitively and compassionately! How one person can cope with death of a husband, eldest son being coerced into gang culture, daughter being groomed, losing her house and running up debts to sleeping rough to name but a few! However this isn’t a tale of doom and gloom but one of kindness and compassion and friends and family pulling together in difficult and trying circumstances. Lovely to be back in kesterley with familiar names and characters, a great read!

Such a powerful story. Based on a situation that anyone of us could find ourselves in, with just one bad hand from life. It was heartbreaking following Angie’s story and at times my heart ached for how her life was spiralling around her. The author has written with real insight into how low someone can fall when caught up in bad situations - with no idea on how to recover.
A moving book with hope as well as despair showing us that life really can be a tale of two halves - all it takes is for there to be some good come your way to help turn it all around. Needs to be read with a box of tissues to hand.

This is a beautifully written, poignant book with characters you root for from the very first page. There were a few signposts regarding the direction the story might go but that didn't matter,  in fact it made for feelings of hope when things seemed very bleak.

Angie Watts has three children, a home she loves and a job which gives her great satisfaction. She is also a widow, still coming to terms with the death of her soulmate, Steve, and the subsequent disappearance of her eldest son, Liam.

Although this is the story of one close family, Angie, daughter, Grace, youngest son, Zac, and her sister Emma and her boys, it is also so much more. Ms Lewis provides a damming indictment of England today and how those who work and provid for themselves can still find they are at the mercy of the benefits system when things go wrong. She also shows however, that there are good people everywhere, just as there are bad, and my emotions were all over the place as I read this excellent book.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this author's work or family dramas of the highest quality.

what a heart-breaking story. but true for so many people in our lifetime.
superbly written and sucks you right in from the get go.
always enjoy reading this author and she never lets you down. the story flows and never makes me want to skip ahead.
for me this is one of the best books I have read this year, and i would give it a lot more stars than 3!

cant wait to see what Susan writes next

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, and thinking it was my usual genre of crime, and was all about revenge for her husband, who had been murdered, I was very surprised at the story. This is written from the victims viewpoint.

It is a powerful heartbreaking novel, of how life can just change in an instant and with no fault of the people who are left behind. The author deals with this and brings matters to the fore of lack of support from government departments, whom, these days appear to support folks abroad than our own people who are born and bred here. It is true especially with the DWP that very little compassion is shown and more and more people are reliant on food banks and handouts. It really broke my heart to see Angie suffering, working all hours God sent, and still being penalised by the system. How I despise officious civil servants, MPs and the like who get everything for nothing and have no idea how ordinary people suffer.

This book has to be one of the best books I’ve read this year, it is grim for Angie but it also shows that despite the faceless non entities there are people out there who have a good heart. I really really enjoyed reading this and it did bring a tear to my eye, but I was heartened by all the help she received. If I could I’d give it 10 🌟 stars.

My thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

This is a beautifully written book that delves into the world of existing on benefits, dodgy landlords, the daily struggle to stay afloat whilst ramping up great debt and the dangers children on the edge face daily..
It is a sobering read from that aspect as it is no secret that there are so many in those dire situations today, with precious little meaningful support.
However there is an element of joy in the book as Angie struggles following the death of her husband and the disappearance of her eldest child and is evicted. However, ever the fighter she picks herself up, continues to support those who need her and keeps her life on track as best she can.
The characters in the book are so well written they feel like friends (or in some cases enemies) early on. I particularly liked the way that Angie was happy to seek revenge and retribution...it made her so much more real.
A great read, in some parts distressing and very thought provoking.

OMG.
This is honestly the best book I have read in a while. I devoured it in a very short time.
The way life spirals out of control and how quickly and devastatingly the actions of others have an impact.
Angie and her family have been dealt a devastating blow when her husband is killed in a violent attack. The story deals with homelessness, financial poverty, despair but it turns around in the end to show hope, courage, forgiveness and happiness.
Definitely recommend this book. Be prepared to shed a few tears.

What a book!! I found it to be so real. The characters were amazing. Angie certainly had a rough time and oh,my heart went out to her. I don't like to give much away in a review as you have to read it yourself.
Sadness,heartache,devastation, happiness and everything in between.
I must admit I cried though at certain points. A must must read!!!

I read this in one sitting - just couldn’t put it down! A fascinating story about how lives can change in a split second. Add in to this drugs, county lines, homelessness, debt, universal credit and a sprinkling of romance then you have the perfect novel for today’s world.

Home Truths by Susan Lewis
What a shocking opening! This book was brilliant. So many social issues were well tackled from poverty (our working poor with accumulating debts) the rise of sexual exploitation and use of social media to control, and the vulnerabilities of those young people who have learning challenges. The underpinning thread of menace throughout alongside the possible fairytale potential was a good hook and kept me reading longer than I’d planned to. I really enjoyed the book but was disturbed throughout by the social issues raised. I already have a very active social conscience but well done Susan for sharpening that up and making the issues and impact of Steve’s sudden death on the family highlight the challenges and vulnerabilities of those left behind and also giving really sound direction for folk who find themselves in these difficulties to work with debt counsellors and get legal advice from an early stage. A great blend of real uk society but with well developed characters and storyline. Definitely recommend

A grim read for the most part, but so well-written I was hooked. I read it on my Kindle and it wasn't until around the 60% read mark (so over half-way) that things started changing for Angie. I did feel a bit depressed reading it -anxious even. It's scary how quickly things can go downhill.. I wanted a change from what I normally read, and I certainly got that in this book. You always know you're going to get a good story from Susan Lewis.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my!!!!! This book just proves as we all know, that bad, sad, & hard times can happen to anyone!!
I found my heart pumping loud and hard at every page I read!! It was a heart rending story, that I just couldn't, or didn't want to put down, as there was something happening on every page!!
I have never read a Susan Lewis book before, but I certainly will from now on!! Such an exciting writer!! I enjoyed every moment of it!!
Thank you!!!!!!!

Another fabulous book by Susan Lewis, well written and so emotional.
This book covered many issues that so many people can relate to that at times it was hard to remember that it is fiction.
I would highly recommend this book and I’m so glad that I was selected to preview it.

This book is about a family who lose a son and a father in different ways and how life spirals for them afterwards. Susan Lewis is a fantastic author who describes the situation with enough detail for you to feel empathy and sympathy for the characters, it not so much that you are drowning in despair and too much information. This is a lovely story about family and community pulling together whilst giving a real insight in to how someone’s life can change in a moment, making you realise it could happen to anyone in a blink of an eye if the unthinkable were to happen. It is realistic about how debt could spiral and how easy it is to stick your head in the sand and the appalling situation this countries benefit system has turned into. I would highly recommend this book and Susan Lewis is one of my favourite authors.

A powerful, well researched and beautifully written book. It highlights the inadequacies of our social care system in the U.K. Having said that it is not a depressing read. I am not going to give any spoilers away about the ending, you will just have to read it for yourself. Definitely going to read some more Susan Lewis.

What a sad but realistic story showing how easy it is to become homeless and have your children fall in with the 'wrong crowd'. The plight of the family and the disinterest from government and council bodies rings true. As this is a work of fiction there is a 'fairy godmother' but real life does not have this luxury.

A new author for me but liked the sound of the book so thought I would give it a try. Although it was sad and emotional in places it was a cracking read that was so well written and told. The characters were believable and it just made for a fantastic read. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to netgalley for a pre release copy of this book.

Following her husbands murder Angie runs up debts that she is unable to pay. Things spiral out of control and she sees herself evicted with two children. Can Angie get her and her families life back on track? When Martin Stone enters her life she begins to rebuild her life and her family.

Brilliant book would recommend.

I have read a lot of Susan Lewis's earlier books and was so pleased to be given a chance to read Home Truths as I have always loved her gritty yet realistic storytelling.
And I was definitely not disappointed.
We follow the story of Angie Watts, a woman who is thrust into the life of a widowed mother of two after the tragic murder of her beloved husband.
The loss of her husband is heightened by the subsequent disappearance of her eldest son who has been swallowed up by gang culture and drugs.
Spiralling into debt, Angie is faced with hard decisions, whether to feed her family or to pay those who are biting at her ankles for their money.
Losing her home, the home her husband had lovingly created for their family, is the last straw.
Until a saviour, or several saviours, enter her life, and help her rebuild her home and life.
It sounds like a total fairytale, but it really isn't.
This story deals with gang culture, drug addiction, homelessness, mental health issues, grooming of young girls for sex work and loss.
I was gripped.
And I can admit to sitting on my sofa reading, and having to message a book group I am a member of, to say how that moment when you feel your lips turn up slightly, at the prospect of all the downs turning to ups, in a book your reading is my #perfectreadingmoment.
And there were tears in my eyes at moments, of both sadness, but of happiness too.
A must read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have no idea why it has taken me so long to discover Susan Lewis... viaiting my gran today I noticed she had one of Susan's older titles on her bedside cabinet, I have clearly been missing out for sometime.
This book started dramatically and the trials and tribulations faced by the main character Angie are harrowing and heartwrenching. Thank you to Susan Lewis and netgalley for the advance copy. I loved it!