The Marriage Trap by Sheryl Browne
Publication Date 30th July 2019
Published by Bookouture
Psychological Thriller
My huge thanks go to publisher Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book and be a part of the promotional blog tour.
Book Description:
My husband has been keeping secrets for a long time. He thinks I don’t know what he does outside of this house. But I know everything… Karla watches silently as Jason hurriedly packs his belongings into a suitcase. She knows that her stillness is unnerving him as she watches his every move from the doorway of their bedroom.
Clothes are screwed up and packed into the case, along with a watch she bought him for his last birthday and his precious laptop. He takes everything from his bedside table. Everything except the framed wedding photo, which now stands alone. Karla strains to see the smiling faces in the photo. If only she knew then what she knows now.
‘I’ve fallen in love with someone else,’ he’d said to her, just moments earlier. The brutality of those words hit Karla hard and she struggled to breathe as she took in each word in turn.
You may think you know what Karla will do next. But you’ll be wrong. Because Karla isn't who you think she is. Only she knows what's about to happen. And you will never see it coming.
Clothes are screwed up and packed into the case, along with a watch she bought him for his last birthday and his precious laptop. He takes everything from his bedside table. Everything except the framed wedding photo, which now stands alone. Karla strains to see the smiling faces in the photo. If only she knew then what she knows now.
‘I’ve fallen in love with someone else,’ he’d said to her, just moments earlier. The brutality of those words hit Karla hard and she struggled to breathe as she took in each word in turn.
You may think you know what Karla will do next. But you’ll be wrong. Because Karla isn't who you think she is. Only she knows what's about to happen. And you will never see it coming.
My Review:
This is one of those books which appears to begin at the end of the story then goes back to fill in the gaps. But this one is different.
Jason and Karla's marriage is on the rocks. Jason feels he has no option but to leave but Karla knows more than he thinks she does. Karla's father has never got along with Jason, ever since she fell pregnant at a very young age. Instead of being impressed by Jason standing by his daughter, Robert Fenton has taken every opportunity possible to insult and demean him. But Jason has had enough of Robert's arrogance and decides to make a stand. Sadly he doesn't realise how low Robert will stoop to remove Jason from his family and is left reeling from the comments his father in law throws at him. The implications of his words have far reaching effects which shock the whole family and even long suffering wife Diane decides that Robert has gone too far this time.
Skeletons come tumbling out of closets and the guilt which Karla has been carrying inside herself for her entire adult life can finally be addressed.
The conclusion to this book certainly took me by surprise - I thought I had everything neatly explained and packaged up but the author hadn't finished with me yet and threw a final bombshell into the mix to leave me stunned by the cleverness of her plotting. I shall say no more other than this book ticked all the boxes I need in a novel; there's bullying, misogyny, deceit, greed, guilt and infidelity but all of these nasty traits of human nature are slotted into the story and dealt with in a satisfyingly appropriate manner.
I recommend this book whole heartedly if you like trying to work out the secrets and lies which are hidden within a tale.
Jason and Karla's marriage is on the rocks. Jason feels he has no option but to leave but Karla knows more than he thinks she does. Karla's father has never got along with Jason, ever since she fell pregnant at a very young age. Instead of being impressed by Jason standing by his daughter, Robert Fenton has taken every opportunity possible to insult and demean him. But Jason has had enough of Robert's arrogance and decides to make a stand. Sadly he doesn't realise how low Robert will stoop to remove Jason from his family and is left reeling from the comments his father in law throws at him. The implications of his words have far reaching effects which shock the whole family and even long suffering wife Diane decides that Robert has gone too far this time.
Skeletons come tumbling out of closets and the guilt which Karla has been carrying inside herself for her entire adult life can finally be addressed.
The conclusion to this book certainly took me by surprise - I thought I had everything neatly explained and packaged up but the author hadn't finished with me yet and threw a final bombshell into the mix to leave me stunned by the cleverness of her plotting. I shall say no more other than this book ticked all the boxes I need in a novel; there's bullying, misogyny, deceit, greed, guilt and infidelity but all of these nasty traits of human nature are slotted into the story and dealt with in a satisfyingly appropriate manner.
I recommend this book whole heartedly if you like trying to work out the secrets and lies which are hidden within a tale.
About the Author:
Sheryl Browne writes psychological thriller and edgy contemporary fiction. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association, Romantic Novelists’ Association and awarded a Red Ribbon by The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, Sheryl has several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where she completed her MA in Creative Writing.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing The Marriage Trap so amazingly, Sandie! Sorry about the bombshell ... possibly! :) I Love it! So appreciated, lovely! (Sheryl) xx
ReplyDeleteI love this book Sheryl! I have your backlist downloaded to my kindle to get settled in with as I enjoyed your writing so much. I do like a good bombshell lol
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