I have to confess that I was given an advanced review copy of this by NetGalley – but it sat on my Kindle unread for months and months.  Not because I didn’t want to read it – but other stuff took priority.  However this has worked out for the best as it ended up a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for 2017 – and so it can knock off the ‘celebrity book club’ category on my 2018 Reading Challenge!

Here’s the blurb:

“None of them would forget that week on the wild Norfolk coast.
Best friends Rosie and Lisa’s families had always been inseparable.
But that summer, Lisa had an affair with Rosie’s husband Nick.
And now, after years of silence, she sends Rosie a letter begging for help. A letter that exposes dark secrets.
Daughter Daisy’s fragile hold on reality begins to unravel.
Teenage son Max blames himself for everything that happened that long hot summer.
And Nick must confront his own version of events.
There are four sides to this story.
Who will you believe?”

So the book is told by each of the family members in turn – the parents, Rosie and Nick, and their children Daisy and Max.  Some of it is present day – and some of it is 8 years ago when their lives imploded.

It is VERY clever – and the way it weaves in Rosie and Nick’s careers is well thought through and plotted.

I can totally see why it makes a good book club choice as it’s so intricate – and you’re rooting for different people at different times, so there would be lots to discuss.

The term OCD is thrown about just because someone is a bit anal about you not wearing shoes in their house, or if people like their light switches all facing the same way (both of these could possible be referencing myself!) – but this shows just how debilitating proper OCD can be – with rituals, phrases and other behaviour patterns that can destroy a normal life.

There were a number of times when I shouted at my Kindle, as the characters just needed to discuss matters together and be honest with each other – but clearly that would have made for a less interesting book!

The betrayals are varied – the standard husband / wife betrayal, but also between best friends, siblings and family friends – it’s all riddled with it!

Overall I enjoyed the book – and am glad I have FINALLY got round to reading it.