Sunday, 6 August 2017

Beware the cuckoo by Julie Newman


Published 1st June 2017

Book description:
Two women. One man. A buried secret. They were reunited at his funeral, school friends with a shared past. A past that is anything but straightforward. A past that harbors secrets and untruths. Karen has a seemingly perfect life. An adoring husband, two wonderful children and a beautiful home. She has all she has ever wanted, living the dream. She also has a secret. Sandra's once perfect life is rapidly unravelling. The man who meant everything to her had a dark side and her business is failing. To get her life back on track she needs to reclaim what is rightfully hers. She knows the secret. As the past meets the present, truths are revealed—and both women understand the true cost of betrayal.

My review:
First of all I have to say what a gorgeous cover design! It was this stunning artwork which drew me to the book initially then once I had read the book I understood how the artwork very cleverly linked to the storyline. 
Secondly, I do think there should be a warning to readers who are sensitive to the subject of grooming and paedophilia as this is a strong component of the story.
The book centres around the friendship between 3 young girls who are thrown in to more of a friendship of convenience and circumstance rather than a close bonding.  The lives of them and their families are entwined throughout the girls' formative years as they are tested by peer pressures and the need to fit in with the crowd.  Their friendship finally hits a huge stumbling block when tragedy strikes, and the girls go their separate ways.  Years later, two of the three are once again forced to meet when events and secrets from their youth rear their ugly head.  Years of pent up jealousy and resentment come to a head and the story takes an even more sinister turn.
My only criticism of this book is that the conclusion could have been longer and more detailed to make for a more satisfying finish, hence I award this excellent book a strong 4 out of 5 stars

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