A really good thriller read, I enjoyed reading this as the colder weather came in. I feel this genre is saturated so it’s hard to stand out, however it was a fun read that kept me interested

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

RATING: 3.5 STARS
2018; Head of Zeus
(Review Not on Blog)

I enjoyed this novel but it was more of a domestic suspense than a straight out suspense. While there is a mystery there is no real edge of your seat moment. This is more of an emotion driven plot. If you go in knowing it is more of a domestic suspense novel, I think the reader will enjoy it more.

***I received an eARC from the AUTHOR/PUBLISHER via NETGALLEY***

Eva and Neil are desperate to adopt as they cannot have a family of their own. Millie comes in to their lives and everything is going well. Eva's mum is desperate to show her support of her daughter but she hates Neil. She accuses Neil of something that puts the whole adoption in jeopardy. So this book was readable in the sense that I finished it. However, I felt it was very long-winded with a quite a bit that was repetitive. Loved Eva's mum's character who actually was quite scary!

A chilling read. What made it so enjoyable was that it seemed so real.
It made me want to hug my children a little tighter.

Horrifying! in the best sense of the word, this kept me on the edge of my seat, it was so tensely written!

Oh my god firstly Eves mums a psycho lol secondly what a book and a half!!!!

Totally loved it and didn’t get any sleep at all until it had finished and even then I struggled as was thinking about the book haha!

That’s when you know it’s a corker, I’m off to look for more from the author as I seriously couldn’t get enough of this one! Chilling and crazy and unsettling and downright creeepy in parts, fantastic read!!!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Head Of Zeus and the author Zosia Wand for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Accusation.
This is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the start. It was fast paced with twists and turns that will have your emotionson a rollercoaster.
Definitely a book that should be on your "need to read" list.

My second book by this author both with similar themes. Trust, abuse and manipulation.
The Accusation was a very readable book. A nightmare story about a very controlling Mother.
Why did it take Eve so long to realise though? Eve’s Bulimia was mentioned throughout the book, that was obviously caused by her Mother when Eve was a teen.
Her Mother made me so angry and Eve was so weak at times. Entirely believable characters and well worth a read.

This review is dedicated to all you wonderful mothers who love and protect your kids and who would sacrifice their entire life for them!!

You ask me – why this sudden dedication on a book review? Am I so sentimental? No!!

I am scared stiff!! This book had a mother who was psychotic, who wanted a daughter to control, keep her forever as a pet!!

I shudder and shiver and I thank the author Zosia Wand for this. I have envisioned the entire book, and I am writing this review with gritted teeth, just to stop myself from screaming and knocking some sense into these characters. Communication is the key, you idiots!! (That’s me communicating to the characters of the book!!) (At this rate this review is going to have a lot of exclamatory points!!!!)

The characters are neither strong nor weak, they are manipulated, and they are manipulative. They are cunning and yet they are innocent. They know everything but yet do not want to admit anything. They can be strong, yet they choose to be weak.

Did I like any of them? Nooo!!

Did they bring out intense emotions? Yessss!!

My friend Nicole (🐻) says any book which brings out emotions is good. Then this book must be good.

Did I think this book is good? Noo!!! Because the manipulator was manipulating till the last page, and everyone seemed to be twiddling their thumbs. The characters should have growth.

Did they grow here? Yesss!! They grew from manipulators to physical abusers!!! Sheesh!! And there was still a doubt “was I really hit?” NOOOO, YOU JUST WANTED TO TEST THE STAIRS BY ROLLING DOWN THEM AND BREAKING YOUR ANKLE!!!!

At the end of this book I can say only one thing -— I want my mommy because this one was horrifying, she scared me totally, and I am going to have nightmares the entire night!!!

All in all a good book, it made me to go to my mother and hug her tight and thank her for loving me.

I don’t think I ever knew the meaning of the term ‘overprotective mother’ until after reading this book! Twisted, smothering and tense, this book really took a scalpel to family relationships, exploring just what it means if a mother doesn’t want to let go of her child.

The story centres around Eve, a woman who’s been struggling to conceive a child. When she adopts Milly with her husband Neil, they’re over the moon. But things soon take a dark turn when Eve’s mother shows up. Estranged for years, Eve’s mother soon starts to insinuate herself into her life again- and starts digging up old wounds as she goes. Who’s to blame for the tension? Eve’s mother? Milly? Or Neil- the husband that her mother alleges is responsible for a devastating crime?

For a book with such a specific premise, Zosia Wand does an amazing job of teasing out every inch of tension and claustrophobia from the situation that she can. Eve’s anxiety about being a good mother to her new child are presented to us from the start, so we feel every twist and turn in the story of her relationships with Milly and her own mother.

Though she can at times feel annoying- too attached to her mother, too uncertain about what’s really happening, too paralysed by guilt- everything she does is understandable because we’ve all been there- to a lesser degree. Who hasn’t felt resentful of their overbearing parents- but also hamstrung by your love for them? The result is a nerve- shredding read that had me chewing my fingernails compulsively as the story drew to its close- a bit like watching a car crash in slow motion.

The Accusation really explores this dynamic. At it’s heart, this is a story about what it means to be a parent. Does the way in which you’re raised affect the way you parent? How do your parents affect your personality- and does that change if you’re adopted? Wand really takes a scalpel to these intricate relationships, exposing Eve and Neil’s feelings and insecurities and seeing how they act as their own marriage is frayed by the poisonous influence of her mother. The plot really dives into this, taking us on a whirlwind tour of all sorts of families- Eve’s friend Naz, who gave up her future to care for her disabled son; Neil’s family, who adopted him too, and Milly’s family, whose mother was a drug dealer.

Is there such a thing as the perfect family? Perhaps. Turning the thumbscrew on every page, Wand takes us behind closed doors into the messy lives of her characters. Eloquently told and devastatingly laid out, this is an intricate exploration of family.

Three word review: smothering. Tense. Intimate.

Neil & Eve are in the final stages of adopting little Milly who is almost 5. They live in the beautiful Lake District where Eve manages community projects and a local park and Neil heads sixth form at a local college. Just some box ticking & their family will be complete. Then there is Joan. The mother-in-law from hell.

I very much enjoyed this book. It dealt with the very tricky topic of difficult mothers. Eve's mother Joan is focussed on her daughter - to the exclusion of all else. Neil has never been good enough and nor have Eve's friends. Will Joan stop at nothing to get Eve back under her roof being a dutiful daughter looking after Joan for ever?

The relationship between a mother and child can be tense. However it is generally felt that a mother will do what is best for their child. Society doesn't tend to talk about mothers who want what is best for themselves regardless of the effect it has on their child's life - even when they are adults. Joan is a well written, self-centred manipulative woman. She wants Eve to herself. She is also not a very bright woman despite her ability to twist people to do her bidding. She has no comprehension as to how the adoption process works and thinks she can twist the social workers to do her bidding. Eve is a woman who can be strong but not where her mother is concerned. Once her mother is on the scene she automatically goes back to being the dutiful and obedient daughter to the detriment of everything else. I am sure many women readers (and maybe men too) will see themselves in Eve's character.

I thought the book was well written with very clear insights into Eve & her mother's relationship. The supporting characters including Neil, Naz (Eve's childhood friend), local friends and Neil's family are also excellent. I particularly enjoyed Naz - what would Eve's childhood have been like without Naz?I wonder if the ending was slightly over the top? Maybe but it did make for an interesting read. I would happily read other books by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

Great book!! With twists you wont see coming.. a family journey and what a journey it takes you on. Was an enjoyable read.

Loved this book. Powerful stuff. Strong story line with strong believable characters. Fab subject with loads of twists to keep you hooked.

Chillingly authentic, this story of adoption and family conflict shows that domestic abuse manifests in many ways and sometimes so subtly the victim is unaware of it until they have lost themselves completely.

Eve describes herself as a 'glass half full' person but she is always waiting for her happiness to be destroyed, something has made her this insecure and being under the spotlight as the adoption process draws to a close makes her seek support from an unlikely source. Neil loves Eve and their new daughter Milly, but he has secrets and areas of his life he can't share this makes him vulnerable. Joan appears harmless, but she is manipulative and dangerous, blinkered she only sees one version of events, hers and makes a complex, sinister antagonist, a wolf in sheep's clothing perhaps? The social workers Shona and Helen and the extended family and friends are all believable characters that enhance the story.

Eve is a strong, decisive person in her work life, but in her personal life, she feels inadequate, leaning first on her mother and then her husband for emotional support. Her weakness is a crucial flaw and one she cannot escape until she has someone to fight for. Her character shows the most development in this story told from her point of view. She is frustrating, many times during the story I wanted her to be stronger and assert herself but she is a wholly convincing character who grows with each setback and becomes even stronger as she fights for her daughter and her family's happiness.

An absorbing, realistic story, which sends chills down your spine because this could happen. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with a sinister twist, this is one to read.

I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book that has a little bit of everything you could ever wish in a book.

The characters were deep and had a lot of passion which I truly love about the story.

Excellent story line which was gripping from start to finish. Great characters. I would highly recommend this book.

This novel sets off at a dizzying pace and, by the end of the short prologue, you are thrust into the panic and desperation experienced by the central character, Eve and her husband, Neil.

Eve and Neil are desperate for a child and family of their own. Unable to have, they decide to adopt and soon fall in love with a four year old girl, Milly, who completes their family. Suddenly, their dream of having their own family is about to be realised and their plans for building an idyllic life in Cumbria, far away from Eve’s estranged mother, are close to becoming a reality. The adoption process is progressing well and fast approaching a conclusuion and Eve is at last about to enter the future she has long dreamt of. Eve is so happy that she feels able to bridge the divide between herself and her own mother by sending a photo of Milly.

Then Eve’s world collapses when Neil calls and says that Milly is missing.

The fear, bewilderment and rising panic from Eve is tangible; the author, Zosia Wand, really punches home these emotions and doubts. The early chapters are gripping the search for Milly is launched. The following tale is a tense, psychological thriller about families and the lies they tell and the dark secrets they harbour from each other. This is a tale that focusses on Eve’s fears and her own perceived inadequacies about herself as a daughter and her ability to be a good mother, and on her doubts and suspicions about Neil; suspicions that have been raised by her own mother’s terrible accusations against him. Soon the future that Eve has longed for and her happiness with Milly and Neil is in danger of crumbling away from her.

After the breath taking early part of this story, I felt that it relaxed a little and I wondered where it was going for a little while. Then, at just under half way through, the tension and pace rises dramatically and the book builds to a satisfying and page turning ending - I was up until 0245 reading the final 50% of this book. My wife and out two dogs were fast asleep beside me as I devoured the pages.

Eve is a complex character full of insecurities, fears and conflicting desires; I quite liked her. Her friend, Naz, is ballsy, direct and strong. Milly is interesting too, she may be only four years old but she displays a keen sense of judgment. Zosia Wand has created one especially satisfying and truly horrible character - one that I am sure you will all be delighted to hate - but I won’t spoil your reading by saying which one. You’ll know soon enough!

I enjoyed this book. I found it exciting and intriguing with characters that I cared for and enough twistyness of plot to keep me hooked. This is a very good read and one that I am sure many readers will enjoy.

Book blurb...
Eve lives in the beautiful Cumbrian town of Tarnside with her husband Neil. After years of trying, and failing, to become parents, they are in the final stages of adopting four-year-old Milly. Though she already feels like their daughter, they just have to get through the 'settling in' period: three months of living as a family before they can make it official.
But then Eve's mother, Joan, comes to stay.
Joan has never liked her son-in-law. He isn't right for Eve; too controlling, too opinionated. She knows Eve has always wanted a family, but is Neil the best man to build one with?
Then Joan uncovers something that could smash Eve's family to pieces…

My thoughts…
The Accusation is a compelling story about love and control, with a mother and daughter as the lead characters.
I found myself swinging between feeling so much for Eve (the daughter) and her husband, Neil, and then wanting to shake both of them until they realised what was at stake.
The Accusation begins as one of those stories that just cruises along and then - BAM! The plot jumps into another gear.
A good read that may make you think twice about the people and their motives, and question what those who love you really want from your relationship.

Overall this is a good read. Eve and Neil are trying to adopt Molly when an accusation changes everything. The plot was good and I liked the ending. I did not like some of the characters. I thought that Eve's mothers behaviour was unbelievable towards the end. It was really extreme behaviour. I gave this book three stars because of this. I would however like to read another book by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.