Cover Image: The Affair

The Affair

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The Affair by Sheryl Browne is good psychological thriller based around AliciaJustin and their daughter Sophie.They have a great family life until one day their lives begin to fall apart,after an accident an old boyfriend of Alicia's returns and is determined to wreck the family by any means possible.Alicia's past comes back to haunt her and the secrets and lies she has kept from her family start to tumble out,what follows is a good book which leaves you hoping that they all come through the turmoil intact as you learn just what Alicia went through years ago,a good read which for me just dragged a little in the middle but still a great book with a terrific ending ! 4 stars.bordering on 5 !!

Was this review helpful?

The Affair by Sheryl Browne is described as a compelling and gripping psychological thriller but I’d say this one falls more into a suspenseful drama. The story has multiple points of view with the majority being Alicia, her husband and her teen daughter.

Along with a teenager the couple has a newborn and as the whole family heads out in the car a horrific crash occurs and they lose their son. As the funeral takes place an old colleague of Alisha’s shows and her husband becomes suspicious of the relationship.

Now of course the idea that a wife had an affair and had been lying about it would cause some major family drama and that is the center of the entire book. The suspense lies in the fact that when the daughter finds out she runs off and the couple cannot find her for days and days.

Last year I had read The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne and absolutely loved it and in a way I could use my same words from my review there with this book in the fact that the story to me was one that was fairly straightforward instead of full of shocking twists and turns. The difference really between me absolutely loving The Babysitter and coming away a bit meh with this one is that in the first it was a matter you just know things are going to ramp up more and more and with this it was just hashing out an affair which wasn’t as exciting. The daughter missing gave a slight bit of suspense but the action wasn’t quite as over the top. In the end it’s not a bad read I just know that I was way more engaged with the other and wanted a bit more.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this book through net galley.
A trilling read with an unexpected twist at the end,could not put the book down,a real page turner.
Characters true to life,but did not really understand Jessicas role in the story it was not too clear her association with one of the characters but otherwise a real good read.

Was this review helpful?

If you enjoy Lifetime network movies you will love this book. It’s a very quick read.....finished it in one day. There was not much mystery here and it felt a little been there/done that. There was certainly no shocking twist at the end but it was an enjoyable summer read of a very lightweight mystery.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable read with enough twists and turns to keep me entertained throughout.
It was a little far fetched at parts of the book but likeable nonetheless.

Was this review helpful?

Great read!!! Justin (an A&E doctor) and Alicia(a social worker) are married with two children; Sophie (15) and Lucas (6 months). They seem to have a happy family, although there has been tragedy and there still are secrets. One, being that Alicia had an affair a while back with Paul (who could possibly be Sophie's biological father).
One day, Justin drives his family to work/school with Lucas, too. They were hit hard when another vehicle ran a red light. As a result, Lucas died.

Justin is mentally unsettled by all of this. He asks Jessica (Alicia's sister) on the day of Lucas' funeral, if Sophie is really HIS child. Unfortunately, Sophie hears this and reacts in a drastic manner. Meanwhile, Paul has been escorting Alicia to post-funeral events and to her home. After Sophie takes a runner, Justin, Alicia (who Justin is now not talking to) and Jessica search for Sophie.

Paul finds out where Sophie is, and charms her into thinking he is her "real" dad and she goes home with him. After awhile, Sophie realizes that Paul is a controlling person who has secrets of his own. (Is he also drugging Sophie?)

DI Taylor, the officer who always seems to be on the scene is there when Justin assaults Paul, assaults a stranger and whenever Justin becomes unhinged...

Eventually, Justin realizes that Allison has been blackmailed by Paul and also comes to the realization that Jessica wants to be with him (Justin). He does not want to be with Jessica. He wants his wife.

Things move quickly. Justin and Alicia both confront Jessica, find Sophie, and celebrate Sophie's 16th.

So you think all is well..... until DI Taylor calls again...


Wow! Just as you think everything is settled, it isn't!!! This book not to be missed! Recommend!!!

Many thanks to Bookouture and NeGalley for a quick read with a surprise ending!

Was this review helpful?

Excellent storyline. Wonderful main characters. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly.

Was this review helpful?

I finished this over the weekend and had a throroughly good time with it. It wasn't too taxing on the brain which is ideal when you read to relax as I do. "The Affair" is a compelling psychological thriller and part of a three book deal Browne has with publisher Bookouture. Her previous book "The Babysitter" was also published by Bookouture in March 2018.

"The Affair" explores whether a lie can ever be told for the good of your family. Be prepared to question your morals whilst reading this book. The characterisation is great and the writing style worked well for me. I'm going to keep this short and sweet as this is a difficult book to review without giving away details that will spoil it for future readers. Let's just say that there are many twists and secrets and lies aplenty.

This was my first book from this author so I definitely need to try some of Browne's previous books having loved this thrill ride so much. The standout aspect of the book for me was the writing style - it was so readable and the style pulls you into the story and holds you there until the end!

Publication Date - 10th August 2018.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

How many things can go wrong in Justin's life? He is a dedicated husband, father and respected doctor. He was on the brink of a nervous breakdown after he walked into a crime scene at his parents home. His mother, father and sister were brutally murdered. Understandably he fell into a state of depression, finding it hard to function in daily life.

Then Justin meets with tragedy again. The unthinkable happens. You will get no spoilers here, so I will leave it unsaid, just know it is a big one. As he is trying to move through this latest life tragedy, he is comforted that he has his wife Alicia at his side. Or does he? It comes to light that Alicia has been having an affair. He begins to question if his daughter Sophie and son Luke are even his biological children.

Up until this point this seemed like a story of a family faced with many tragedies. Then the twists begins...Sophie disappears, did she leave on her own or did someone take her? The first few pages in the book had opened up with a person struggling with the decision to end someones life. Who is this person? Is the kind family man and doctor capable of killing someone? Even for revenge? The Affair ends with a bang and all your questions will be answered. You may be surprised as to what people are capable of when being put to the test.

Wow this book caught he a bit off guard. I was expecting a domestic thriller-which it ended up being in the second half, but the book touched on so many other subjects. Obviously, someone had an affair, hence the title of the book. It delves into the ways an affair can literally shatter the entire family dynamics. It takes you through the challenges that each spouse and child face in this situation. This book is about love, loss and the strength of a family put to the test.

Can we talk about this cover? This cover is fabulous. It is actually what initially drew me to this book. It defiantly has curb appeal. If you pay close attention towards the end of the book, you will grasp the importance of this cover. "The rose bush symbolizes immortal love, even through time or death." It will make sense to you after you read the book!

A big thank you to Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Sheryl Browne is an author whose work I will watch out for from now on! The Affair was, I believe, my frst book by her, but it won't be my last. It starts off with a bang and never quite lets up. The characters are multi-dimensional, the story gripping and emotional. Recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This was an easy reading book. Between the title of the book and the first chapter I was a bit hesitant to read as I already knew someone had an affair and the first chapter tells you how the book will end. That being said I delved right in. I liked the characters and I liked the twists - who was lying who was telling the truth, but mostly how did everyone get to where they were at the time of the story. The story is about Alicia, Justin and Sophie. Alicia and Justin have been married for some time without their share of heartache and problems. Years ago Alicia had an affair (hence the book name) but never told Justin, although he was suspicious. Alicia just gave birth to their son Lucas but a tragedy cut his life short throwing the family into heartache. In the middle of their loss, in strolls Paul Radley, 16 years later to cause more issues between Alicia and Justin. Coincidentally, Sophie, is juts about to turn 16 herself.....and this is where the story gets really good. For me personally, I think the beginning of the book was a bit slow and repetitive, that's why I am giving a 3 start rating, otherwise, I did enjoy this book and would certainly recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed reading this book and the storyline was good. Although I didn’t find it quite as tense as other thrillers that I have read. There were some twists but nothing I didn’t really see coming.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this book, even when I was not reading it I kept thinking about it and couldn’t wait to pick it up again and I finished it in a day. Would definitely recommend to others and can’t wait to read other titles from this author.

Highly recommend!!

Was this review helpful?

If a book is described as a “psychological thriller with a shocking twist” you bet I’m going to look twice! The Affair by Sheryl Browne is up next on my reading list.



Here’s what you need to know:

Alicia’s been telling lies. And now they’ve come back to haunt her. When an old colleague turns up at a party, Alicia comes face to face with the man who has the potential to ruin her perfect family life. He wouldn’t, would he?

In order to keep her secrets, Alicia has to tell yet more lies and when a devastating car accident makes the situation even more dangerous, it’s only a matter of time before everything falls apart. Can secrets really stay hidden forever?

Lies upon lies? That sounds like my novel, I Am Haven Blackmoore (I posted a few chapters recently on this blog). I especially like when the author is British and the story takes place in England, there’s just something about the way British authors write that I love.

This book is getting great reviews and I can’t wait to clear my schedule and spend the weekend reading!

Was this review helpful?

This was a really really good book. Well developed characters and twists on twists!
I did find it a little slow moving in the middle but all in all this was a 4 Star read!!!!
The ending was awesome!!!!!

And love the cover!


Thank you to #NetGalley, the author and publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Affair Sheryl Brown

I have to say I have read some mixed reviews of this book, it seems to divide people, and everybody is entitled to an opinion.

My Opinion?

It’s a great story

But it’s going to be hard to review it without giving anything away in the way of spoilers.

The story, a bit like life itself, is a like a domino rally. In this case one of those where two different dominos are tipped over in different strings, at the same time, and start a chain reaction that culminates in that final slab falling, with one hell of a bang.

The first domino in the first string. Alicia has been telling a lie for a while now. It’s not a malicious lie, more the type of lie that involves not telling your family about a piece of your past which is a bit murky.

But when somebody from that past turns up in the present, and has a malicious streak about them, then things start to go wrong.

More lies are told to try and cover up the past, and the tumbling dominos gather speed.

Alicia’s husband is shattered after finishing a long night shift at the hospital. Because she’s been distracted Alicia has forgot to fill her car with fuel, and when it doesn’t start her husband piles Alicia, and their two children, into the car to drop them off to work, school, and the child minders.

And so the first domino of the second string is toppled.

Together the two strings gather pace, weaving across each other until the traumatic culmination of the book.

This book really plays with the emotions, there are times when I empathised with the main character but hated her. There were other times when I hated what she was doing but loved her.

I really liked it.

Pages: 351
Publishers: Bookouture
Publishing date: 10th August 2018.

Was this review helpful?

I gave this book 2 stars due the story line and characters. I didn't like the story line nor the characters, they fell flat and were fake.

Thank you Net Gallery and Bookouture anyways for the ARC for my honest review.

Cherie'

Was this review helpful?

What can I say? This is my first book by Sheryl Browne, I read a lot of thrillers and the generic title of the book didn’t get me excited. I’m so happy I read this anyway! Honestly, this is one of the best thrillers, it leaves you completely emotionally involved! You may not like all the characters which is a talent for an author to have... but my best advice is to just go into this book blind! Don’t read reviews or spoilers, just read it now!

Was this review helpful?

Wow! That’s all I can say! It started off a little slow, but it made up for it as it went along! Chilling at times and with some really tragic bits, you are taken on a rollercoaster of a journey! Is Alicia a lying adulterer? Is her sister Jess as kind and supportive as you first think? I can’t say any more for fear of spoiling it - but by far the best read of the year for me! Loved it!

Was this review helpful?

‘The Affair’ by Sheryl Browne published by Bookoutre on Aug 13th

Hey, I imagine having such a fantastic response as this author did with ‘The Babysitter’ a bit like a number 1 in the ‘hit parade’ ( showing my age ) leaves you thinking ‘how do I replicate that’ and ‘will it be as good’.....well ‘The Affair’ manages to do that....I was almost worried to read it in case it didn’t....but the tension, drama and story telling is back in this emotive story....
It is ( without giving any plot away ) a very shocking story about a family that is wrecked ( in more ways than one ) by ‘an affair’...to say more would be giving things away, however I will say that the story starts with a big shock, BAM, in your face and it carries on from there until the very last sentence.....
The characters, although not all likeable, are strong and all too real and the ‘The Affair’ impacts these people in many ways and with deep consequences
I LOVED it, a great read, told in this authors special easy to read style that brings you in and keeps you there through, what is, a living nightmare.......
10/10 5 stars

Was this review helpful?