This is a gripping psychological thriller which stands out in an overcrowded genre; although it includes most of the usual tropes, it is well written and keeps you guessing until the very end. Sinister characters, unpredictable turns of event and a satisfying read from a fine writer.

My favourite from K L Slater yet! How cleverly written novel with heart-stopping ending.

K L Slater builds the suspense slowly, you don’t even know when it happens but you become totally addicted to the story. With every page I was hungry for more.

The person I cared about the most was Maisie. Change in her life was so big and it started to affect her so deeply, I just wanted to help her. Maybe it was the topic of the book or simply K L Slaters talent in waking up those feelings in me, but I felt totally invested in Maisie’s story and didn’t want to leave her. Not even after the last page. That ending! It wasn’t about how many twists we got, it’s about how powerful blows they delivered.

I became a big fan of K L Slater’s novels and I’m always on the lookout for more. I’m already excited about reading next one!

Closer is a tense psychological thriller set in Nottingham, which expertly plays with the reader's emotions. Two women, each with a troubled past, who will stop at nothing to ensure their daughters' happiness, no matter the cost.

Emma and Shaun's marriage is over, but they have agreed to continue living together for the sake of their 10 year old daughter Maisie, a happy girl who loves dancing. Unfortunately, however, Shaun has fallen in love with Joanne, who just happens to be Emma's boss at a prestigious legal firm, and is determined to make Maisie become friends with Joanne's spoiled brat Piper.
Her life unravelling, Emma has to watch helplessly as Maisie is ruthlessly bullied, becoming a shadow of her former bubbly self, but how can she stop it when everyone thinks she's losing her mind...?

Told from multiple POVs, this cleverly constructed novel shows how the same events can be interpreted so differently depending on your prejudices. None of the characters are at all likeable, from insecure scatty Emma, her emotionally distant mother Val, cool manipulative Joanne, selfish oblivious Shaun, and obnoxious little madam Piper. Even Maisie, who I had sympathy for of course, is not actually a nice child. Despite this, I was drawn in to the mystery of who was actually in the wrong, and blown away by the ending - well done Ms Slater, I did NOT see that coming!

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review.

Fast paced and fabulous. Great story which pulls you in from the very first page. Gripping and intense. Such a great read

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and KL Slater for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - another great one! 4.5 stars for this easy to read, hard to put down book.

Emma and Shaun's marriage isn't working out but they are both committed to keeping life stable for their 10-year-old daughter, Maisie. They develop a plan to keep their lives separate yet live in the same house, developing schedules. split time with Maisie and do household chores. It's all fine until Shaun falls in love with Joanne, Emma's boss, and mother to 10-year-old, Piper. Suddenly, Maisie drastically changes and Emma is concerned. But is Emma paranoid and falling back into issues she had stemming from a work incident years ago?

The ending will surprise you and won't tie everything up in a neat bow. Great read!

I thought that this was a very good book. The action drew me in right away and had me gasping with more than a few “no way” moments. The first ¾ of it were well-paced and tightly written. I liked the slow roll out of hinting at past events that were still affecting both Joanna and Emma. Those dovetailed nicely with each other, and served to ratchet up the tension. The author did a good job of providing some twists and turns as well. I also appreciate when an author writes a character or two who I have actual emotions about, as in, I really wanted to be able to slap a couple of them for how nasty they were to people. All of that being said, I thought that the last quarter of the book seemed disjointed. There were a few interspersed chapters that made me think the author was going one way, but then went another, and those were fine. But the climax kind of came out of nowhere, as did a couple of twists near the end. Unfortunately, it kind of left me saying, “wait, what,” and not in a good way. For that reason, I can’t give it a full 5 stars, but it came very close. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed K.L.Slater's previous books so I was looking forward to getting my teeth into this one & it didn't take long for me to read it as I wanted to know what happened.

Emma & Shaun have drifted apart. The only thing they have in common is their beautiful happy daughter Maisie. In order to keep things as 'normal' as possible they agree to end their marriage but stay together in the same house with Shaun sharing the household chores & the childcare. For Emma this starts off very well as she is struggling to make way in her career & her new job as a paralegal, especially as she left her previous post under a cloud. Maisie seems to be enjoying having more quality time with her dad. All goes well until Shaun finds a new lady. Joanne is not only Emma's boss but the mother of spoilt brat Piper, who Maisie cannot stand!

As Shaun becomes more involved with Joanne, Maisie withdraws into herself, losing weight, her sparkle & her friends. My heart went out to this poor lass & I found it really hard to understand how things got so out of hand.

There are sub-plots & red herrings galore & the ending came as a complete & somewhat unsatisfying surprise. It is the mark of a good story which leaves you wondering what's next for these characters & with some unanswered questions. For me the ending left too many of those questions for it to get five stars but it is still a very good read.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I thought I had read books by K.L. Slater before, but I guess I hadn't. I would give this a 4 1/2.

This book was good, a little slow moving at the beginning. I enjoyed reading it and trying to figure out the story. These types of stories are hard to write reviews for, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else. The mark of a good psychological thriller is that it keeps you on your toes guessing, and this one did that for me.

I received an advanced copy of this from NetGalley.

Holy moly!!! I just wrapped up Closer and the ending completely shocked and delighted me!!! K. L. Slater certainly knows how to leave me paging backwards, trying to make sure I read what I thought I just read. This ending is deliciously twisted and shockingly salacious--I love the way the best writers in the psychological thriller genre keep a seasoned reader like myself on my toes. I never in a million years would have guessed the story would wrap up this way. To say I loved this ending is an understatement! My jaw is still on the floor!

About the Book
My ex-husband Shaun and I are still friends.
We would do anything for our beautiful little girl, Maisie.

Emma and Shaun were happy once. But somewhere along the way, things fell apart. Sure, they still love eachother, but they aren't in love. They've become ships passing in the night, trading off care of their beautiful, precocious daughter Maisie. Emma is a bit too focused on her career goals, and Shaun is a bit to unreliable. And then there is that terrible incident from the past... Best not to think about that though.

But now Shaun has moved in with someone and suddenly, Maisie has a brand new family.
And there’s something not quite right about it…

An arrangement that is best for Maisie, they say. Shaun and Emma stay in the house separated, keeping things as consistent as possible. But things aren't working. Shaun has met someone else and he is moving in with her. And then the trouble really begins... Emma is sure that something is off about Shaun's new girlfriend. Everyone says she is being bitter and paranoid, but Emma can't shake the feeling she gets about this new woman in her daughter's life.

I need to discover what she’s hiding.
Because if I don’t, my daughter will be in terrible danger.

Alone and with everyone turning on her, Emma must uncover the truth. She sees Maisie, and sees her daughter changing slowly. She isn't the young girl she was a few months ago. And Emma is certain it has to do with her. With things spiraling out of control, Emma needs to protect Maisie. But how does she prove it?

I know my daughter better than I know myself and if there’s one thing I know for sure at this moment: it's that Maisie is not ok.

Reflection
I want to absolutely gush about this book! How is this my first K. L. Slater read? I've been following her work since I became active in the book community about a year ago. But this is the first book I of hers I read and it absolutely will not be the last. I already added three more to my Amazon shopping cart! This book is a slow burning build to a conclusion that will absolutely leave you breathless. This ending was audible-gasp-out-loud good!

I hate when reviewers say they can't talk about the book because of spoilers, but honestly I feel that way with this one. This one really should be experienced with little knowledge of what to expect! Of course, there are plenty of non-spoiler things I want to say, so let's focus there. What is so masterful about this book is that if you didn't know the genre outright, you actually might forget this is a thriller when reading it. The story captivated me, but the suspense and twists creep up on you. You'll find yourself reading a book about a mother and her worry for her daughter. You'll find yourself frustrated with her ex-husband for not prioritizing Maisie the way he should. You'll find yourself outraged on Emma's behalf.

And then when you least expect it--when you have entirely forgotten you are in the middle of a thriller--BAM!!! Slater will knock you off your reading chair! It was a true delight to be surprised in this way. This book is a study in the slow unraveling of a life. It shows the way everything can be completely different before you even realize it has begun to change. I cannot wait for readers to experience this book! I loved it!

If you want a quick read with a few twists that will leave your jaw dropped open well then this is the book for you!

As all great psychological thrillers the whole time you are wondering is the main character crazy or not?

Slater writes a great story and gives you all the goodies you want in a book. The jilted wife the daughter who is traumatized over the separation, the jealous new girlfriend but the major plot twist is just unexpected and completely perfect.

My second book by K. L. Slater and it was as enjoyable as the last one!

I liked this book. The first half felt like a likeable but uneventful read. The. BAM! The book picked up and wow! The ending was one at will have me thinking for a while!

When I began reading this one, I was uncertain. Our main character seemed like a door mat – and woman as door mat is NOT my favorite sub-genre.

If you begin reading this and feel the same way, stick with it. Our door mat turns out to have a spine – she’s even got a few claws.

This turned into an absolutely compelling thriller with a couple of very devious twists. And as for the ending? Oh, our author is pure evil! That was so deliciously mean.

A very good read!

*ARC provided via Net Galley

OH! MY! GOD! Wow! Holy poop. Let me start by saying this was going to be a four star review but those last eight chapters made this a five star review and the book a place into my top twenty reads of 2018!

My heart is still pounding as I write this review. Breathe… I’ve also got very sweaty palms after reading this story! Phew. Gets your heart pounding towards the end. Very very tense, edge of your seat action. Amazing. Outstanding… This book will mess with your head completely.

Closer has one of the most unexpected, twisted outcomes ever and I don’t say that lightly as all thrillers claim to have that these days, but this one has to be the best one I’ve endured yet.

I don’t want to talk to too much about the actual story as I would really urge you to read it and don’t want any spoilers popping out! But this is brilliantly written, contains short chapters and is fast paced! I felt so sorry for poor Maisie and Emma from the beginning. The ending has one massive cliffhanger leaving the reader wanting more, answers and open to interpretation!

Highly recommend! A must buy. A must read. A must have. But you’ve been warned you’re in for a massive shocker. This book blew me away. Very impressed. Brilliant.

Ending a marriage, especially when you have a 10-year-old daughter, is difficult. It's hard to see your former spouse moving on, and moving IN with a new woman who has a daughter the same age. And even more so when your man's new love is YOUR BOSS. Emma is finding the separation difficult, even though she wanted it, but she is becoming increasingly concerned for the safety and welfare of her daughter, Maisie. Soon-to-be ex husband Shaun and Joanne are playing happy family with Piper now. So what does that mean for Maisie? Emma is absorbed in her job and making her own adjustments but eventually she does notice the changes in Maisie. But what can she DO to get Shaun to see what is obvious to her. Joanne and Piper are not good for Maisie. How will this end? NO SPOILERS.

Psychological thrillers tend to focus on a lot of internal angst, and this novel is no different. The characters often seem oblivious and either take action that most people would never attempt or they ignore huge red flags that scream out for immediate intervention. I can't say that I could relate to any of the characters or their behavior within the pages of this story, but I had enough questions about how everything was going to be resolved that I kept reading. There were several characters who I actually despised (can we say Emma's mom talking about her to Shaun behind her back?) and of course the villains because we were suspicious about them from the start anyway given the setup. There were some surprises and a twist but you know it's coming even if you don't know specifically what it is. I like to play a game with myself to see how far off I am as I sort of lay it all out mentally before I start a book. Even in its attempt to be shocking, the conclusion came as no surprise after all said and done. Sure it's set up to be ambiguous and some may feel let down without a concrete finale.

I think this book was meant to focus on mother-daughter relationships and a few other issues that I won't list out here in case some would consider naming them to be spoilers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I've read most of the books by this author and will continue to look for her new titles.

Closer is another compelling psychological thriller from the powerhouse that is K.L. Slater.

It’s got everything you could possibly want, from domestic noir, pre-teen angst, a potentially wicked stepmother, secret dark pasts, multiple viewpoint chapters and creepy, anonymous flashbacks.

After a mysterious prologue it does take a while for the main mystery/thriller part of the story to really get going, but Slater’s writing is so very readable that the individual chapters still fly by.

Emma, our protagonist, is believable and can be at times both heart-breaking and frustrating. Character support comes from ‘ex’-husband Shaun, mum Val, daughter Maisie and boss-slash-ex-husband’s-new-partner, the mysterious Joanne, all of whom are fleshed out and have their own voice.

Several engaging subplots, from past and present, entwine to maintain the tension, and there is a good reveal and a great final twist. This is a highly recommended read, from its stark opening to its bold and brutal ending.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of Closer and for my spot on my first Bookouture blog tour!

I know my daughter better than I know myself and if there’s one thing I know for sure at this moment: it's that Maisie is not ok.

My ex-husband Shaun and I are still friends.
We would do anything for our beautiful little girl, Maisie.
But now Shaun has moved in with Joanne and suddenly, Maisie has a brand new family.
And there’s something not quite right about it…I know Joanne isn’t everything she says she is. Yet no-one will listen.
I need to discover what she’s hiding.
Because if I don’t, my daughter will be in terrible danger.


K L Slater is a fantastic author. Her characters always feel so real. This book is no different. You get pulled into Emma's world and can really feel Maisies pain. It's totally addictive. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it. Can't recommend it enough. Easy 5 stars.

This was a riveting and addictive read, that left my head spinning and my heart pounding.....

K.L. Slater that ending! That was pure torture! or pure genius!?!? Seriously! I’m still looking for the missing pages from my book, the ones that tie it all up neatly! Surely you cannot be that cruel? My mind is still reeling and my imagination is going crazy! Nicely played Miss Slater!

This book is a slow burn that ends in a blaze of glory.... Emma and Shaun are separated, but still living in the same house for the benefit of their daughter Maisie... that is until Shaun starts dating Joanne, who just so happens to be Emma‘s boss.... and if that wasn’t bad enough she’s also the mother of Piper a spoiled rotten brat who dances at the same studio as Maisie, and is definitely not Maisie’s favorite person.... at first Emma tries to put on a happy face for the benefit of her daughter... but, as she begins to see her daughter’s personality morph into a person she does not recognize she becomes very concerned... convinced that her daughter’s changed personality has something to do with Joanne and her brat daughter... Emma begins to look into Joanne’s mysterious passed....

A crazy, uncomfortable, mind blowing, and Page turning story full of unlikable characters... The only characters I liked in this book were Emma and Maisie.... Emma really did all she could to make this situation as tolerable as possible and my heart broke for her as she watched her daughter deteriorate... Maisie was such a sweet child I just wanted to reach through those pages and give her a big hug, what was done to her was unforgivable.... The rest of the characters were just plain despicable... with Shaun winning the prize for being the most despicable.... he was so blinded by love or lust or something that he couldn’t see what was going on with his daughter, instead he chose to believe that Emma was making things up... I really wanted to reach into the pages and shake him into reality, not sure what was up with him! Joanne and her daughter were just straight up obnoxious from the very first page....

This is one of those stories wear your pretty certain of who is the good guy and who is the bad guy, but not so fast.... as in all good psychological thrillers this book takes everything you think you know and turns it on its head.... A powerful story about a mother’s intuition and her determination to find out the truth... A thriller that slowly draws you in and then won’t let you go until the, very. final. word.

Absolutely recommend to all fans of the psychological thriller genre, this is one not to miss!

*** A huge thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

K.L. Slater is another author that is on my automatically grab list that I don’t bother waiting precious minutes reading a blurb. I’ve read most of her books already and have loved each so I figured Closer was a safe bet and obviously by my rating I was spot on in my assumption.

Closer is told from multiple points of view with most every character having a voice in the story including an unknown. Emma is the main character that the story revolves around, she and her husband have agreed that their marriage may has well be over but decided to stay living together for the sake of their daughter Maisie.

While the arrangement between Emma and her husband worked for a while it inevitably came to a halt when he began a new relationship, with Emma’s boss no less. After this new relationship came to light Emma could see her daughter becoming more and more depressed and points all the blame over to the new woman.

As usual with a book from this author I found myself pulled right into the story as soon as I began reading. It was quite intriguing watching the domestic drama unfold that then was slowly peppered with the psychological element of the book. With each turn of the page the suspicion grows as the secrets are uncovered until the final twist. Still a fan after this book and will be awaiting her next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Emma’s just trying to hold things together. With a marriage that’s over in all but the paperwork, a demanding new job and a daughter who needs and deserves her attention, the last thing she needs is her not-yet-ex husband to start dating her boss - whose daughter Piper is just the same age as Emma’s own daughter.

Emma’s 10-year-old daughter Maisie is the real victim in this book, and as a victim of psychological bullying at high school myself, my heart went out to her. Her nemesis, Piper, is a spoilt brat expert in playing the victim, and Piper’s mother Joanne has apparently no interest in reigning in her daughter. Joanne came across as an absolutely selfish bitch and Piper is clearly following in her footsteps, with Emma’s ex Shaun blind to their faults and siding with them against Maisie.

Because of the bullying she is suffering, Maisie is heading fast towards anorexia, and Emma just doesn’t know how to help her. It’s clearly a case of the straw breaking the camel’s back when strange things start happening - three punctured tyres in a couple of weeks can’t be a coincidence, surely?

The author does a masterful job of building the tension throughout the book, increasing the stakes with every chapter. I was gripped and read the book in one sitting, dying to see Joanne and Piper get their comeuppance and hopefully Shaun coming to his senses.

And that’s where things fall down. An unexpected villain is revealed in the last chapter - a twist I didn’t see coming, even though there were plenty of clues laid to set it up - and ONLY that villain gets their comeuppance. All the other horrible people walk away scot-free, and the book ends on a massive cliffhanger with no plans for a sequel or a ‘fixit’.

Though I enjoyed most of the read, I’m afraid I like a satisfactory conclusion to my stories. I like things put away neat and tidy, our heroes and heroines safe and happy, all the bad people paying the price for their behaviour, and I really didn’t get it with this book. Despite all the good things about it, I walked away angry and frustrated, and that’s not the feeling I want from books.

You can judge for yourself whether you’re happy to read a book with an inconclusive ending. If you are, you’ll probably love this. I didn’t. Three stars.

Cracking good read. A brilliant physiological thriller. Twisty and turny it pulls you along. I really didn’t want to put this one down
#Closer #NetGalley