Published by Bookouture
Publication Date: 9th May 2023
Book Description:
One loving couple. One surprise guest. One week to destroy everything…
When the doorbell rings, I take one last look round the villa. The nuts and olives are in bowls; the white wine is chilling in the fridge; everything is ready for my old college friend, the guest I’m dying to impress.
When I open the door, Coco steps from the dusty street into the cool tiled hall, as effortlessly beautiful as ever. But then her face freezes in horror, her mouth falling open. I turn to see my husband Jeff behind me, his eyes wide, his cheeks pale.
After a moment, they both smile, pretending nothing happened at all. But I know what I saw.
This holiday was meant to rescue my marriage, not ruin it.
But the connection between my friend and my husband isn’t what I thought.
All three of us have something to lose, and something to fight for.
And when the truth comes out, not all of us will survive…
My Thoughts:
If ever there's a cautionary tale which reinforces the saying "Be careful what you wish for" this would be it. With husband Jeff ploughing all his efforts into his career, and wife Kate setting up her own business in catering which she started from home while their daughter was growing up, their marriage has very much taken a backseat over the years. Kate is hoping a fortnight away at the villa they own in Spain will be the chance to press the reset button and get their relationship back on track. The prologue of this book tells us that Kate's hopes probably aren't going to be fulfilled, but which of the women featured in the book will prove to be the one running barefoot down the road remains to be seen.
The setting for this book is stunning, and the photographs featured on the author's social media pages recently really helped me set the scene in my head. The beaches, bars, and cafes are a perfect backdrop for Kate's planned holiday. Then as she strolls along the beach one day, Kate can't quite believe who she's seeing: one of the most popular students in her year group at Leeds University, the sassy Coco Moss, sitting with her family at a bar. Kate always craved to be part of Coco's clique of friends back in the day - maybe she can make that a reality now she and Jeff have a far more desirable lifestyle than they did back in Leeds?
Personally, I wanted to shake Kate as she tried her best to impress Coco. She seemed to revert back to a silly teenager trying to impress the cool kids at school - and Jeff wasn't much better either. Coco represents everything I dislike in people who seem to think they are better than others. They just make me prickle! We quickly see from the chapters written from Coco and Jeff's points of view that there are many layers to be peeled away in order to get to the truth of just who Coco Moss is, and how she coasts through life. I was silently screaming at Kate that she really would be better off in blissful ignorance and not getting involved, but that wouldn't make for the gritty story we are left with once the bomb goes off and all three of them are left picking up the pieces.
Was I happy with the ending? Hell, no! I was not impressed with where everyone ended up but I do love that the author has made me so mad! I'm genuinely looking forward to reading people's opinions on this book and how things pan out for the various characters. This could be an interesting choice for book clubs with its selection of moral dilemmas to discuss.
About the Author:
Formerly a BBC producer, S.E. Lynes turned to writing following the birth of her third child. After completing an MA in Creative Writing, she became a tutor at Richmond Adult Community College, where she taught creative writing for over ten years. She now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. Her debut, Valentina, was published by Blackbird Digital Books in 2016. Her next book, the dark and twisting best seller, Mother, was published by Bookouture in November 2017 and Susie has gone on to publish gripping psychological thrillers with them ever since.
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