Emily Edwards

Book Review: Private Lives by Emily Edwards

Posted on by Libby Price

I thoroughly enjoyed Emily Edwards’s previous book The Herd – so when I saw she had a new book out I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy. It actually came out in June 2025 (I’m just behind in my reading and subsequent reviewing) but at least that means if you like the sound of it you can order it immediately! Here’s the blurb:

“I thought I was inviting a friend over for a cup of tea. I had no idea I was opening the door to my worst nightmare.
The moment my husband saw her, it started. The look on his face. The silence that followed, before she hurriedly left. Signs that told me more than words ever could.
Then came the whispers. The whole town watching. Judging.
But it’s not what you think it is. It’s worse.
Because it’s not just my family with everything to lose here. And it’s only a matter of time before one of us does something we’ll regret. . . the question is, who’s going to get hurt first?
Some secrets end a marriage. Some ruin a reputation. Some bring a whole town crashing down.“

This book is EXCELLENT! Like The Herd it’s set in a comfortable middle class area – and all of the judgement that comes with that. The blurb doesn’t give much away – and I think you need to read it blind so the twists and turns come to you throughout. (This is not just an excuse for me not to write a detailed review, no, absolutely not at all!!!)

The lives of the families who are ‘friends’ and are intertwined with the local community are central to the story – and the characters are a real mix – some are likeable, some aren’t – but some change during the book. It’s so easy to see how it could unfold in real life – and I suspect most people can identify a friend or acquaintance who could take each role.

I’ve seen other reviews say this would be great for a book club to dissect – and I can completely agree with that – there’s a lot to discuss.

I would definitely recommend this as a real page turner to everyone. A huge thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.

Book Review: The Herd by Emily Edwards

Posted on by Libby Price

The Herd is on many a ‘books to look out for in 2022’ list. Whilst it was written before the pandemic – it is even more relevant now as it’s about whether or not to vaccinate your children. In the book the vaccine in question is MMR – but could equally be the Covid vaccine. Some of the reviews, included that quoted on the cover by the brilliant Clare Mackintosh, says that it will bring about debate – which seems to be already true as some of the reviews already on NetGalley are totally contradictory! Some implying it’s totally pro vaccination – and others that it is totally anti vaccination. I therefore suspect it possibly depends on your own beliefs and thoughts on vaccinations as to what you interpret from the FICTIONAL book.

Here’s the blurb:

“You should never judge how someone chooses to raise their child.
Elizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They’re the best of friends, and godmothers to each other’s daughters – because they trust that the safety of their children is both of their top priority.
But what if their choice could harm your own child?
Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child’s birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined . . .”

You know early on that there is a Court Case – and so something bad is going to happen – but the chapters about the court case – written by many different characters who you don’t fully meet (which was very clever) are interspersed with events from earlier in the Summer.

Some elements of the story are told from Elizabeth’s point of view – and some from Bryony’s – as it builds up to the court case itself. I don’t want to ruin too much of the story line – as I think you need to watch it unfold yourself. There are some red herrings (or pink flamingos!) along the way – so you’re never quite sure how everything is going to pan out.

I have to say I saw elements of myself in Elizabeth (it must go with the name!) being a control freak in general – but also being concerned for the health of a child with underlying issues (when our youngest was first diagnosed with a chronic health condition, I did myself worry about her mixing with unvaccinated children).

As well as Elizabeth and Bry, there is a supporting cast of family, friends and neighbours – all of whom add to the community feel of the book and the street where the two families live. It’s interesting to see the various allegiances – and how these change over the course of events.

One thing I would say, is that I’m not sure it would be a good book for a book club – but purely because vaccines are such an emotive subject, I fear that any discussions on the book would descend into a debate on vaccines in general and people often hold very strong and intransigent views on these – and I suspect this would over shadow talking about the book itself (which I think is written and edited brilliantly).

A massive thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for my ARC. The Herd is out in February 2022 and can be pre ordered now.