Sally Hepworth, well done!

This book has many twists and turns up until the very last page. Throughout the novel, you think you have an idea of "who do it" but Hepworth does a great job of throwing in so many theories, it keeps you on your toes! I enjoyed each chapter being told from a different characters point of view. You were able to really connect with their past and present situations. This book has drama, love, and a thriller component, a very well rounded read!

This was the best book!! I could not put it down. I loved reading the layers of the different relationships between the characters. I fell in love with many characters. The mystery of Diane's death made the book a great page turner. I am going to start reading Hepworth's previous novels. I cant wait for my patrons to get a hold of this book!

If you're a mother in law, have a mother in law, or FEAR a MIL, this is for you! (JK, Most mother in laws ARE AMAZING, ) This is so well written and exciting, you won't know how things have twisted around and how bad the characters lives have gotten, until you catch your breath. Just the right amount of scary, family and mystery. Well written and fun to read. One of my top ten favorite's this year. Appreciate Netgalley giving me the chance to read this for my honest review.

I loved this book! HIGHLY recommend it. The Mother in Law by Sally Hepworth was really good and I’m excited for my fellow book lovers to read it. The chapters alternate between characters and you can see their points of view which made the death of Diana even more bizarre. The author did a fantastic job of creating sympathetic characters and a plot that kept me reading past my bedtime every night.

Synopsis:

From the moment Lucy met her husband’s mother, Diana, she was kept at arm’s length. Diana was exquisitely polite, and properly friendly, but Lucy knew that she was not what Diana envisioned. But who could fault Diana? She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice who helped female refugees assimilate to their new country. Diana was happily married to Tom, and lived in wedded bliss for decades. Lucy wanted so much to please her new mother-in-law.

That was five years ago. Now, Diana has been found dead, a suicide note near her body. Diana claims that she no longer wanted to live because of a battle with cancer.

But the autopsy finds no cancer. The autopsy does find traces of poison and suffocation. Who could possibly want Diana dead? Why was her will changed at the eleventh hour to disinherit both of her adult children and their spouses?

With Lucy’s secrets getting deeper and her relationship with her mother-in-law growing more complex as the pages turn, this new novel from Sally Hepworth is sure to add to her growing legion of fans.



I know this one is going to be extremely popular! Due out April 2019.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth— Out April 23, 2019
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free advanced copy in exchange for a review!
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Lucy has a complicated relationship with her MIL. In fact everyone has a complicated relationship with Diana. The Diana ends up dead. And that cancer she said she had? Not real. Told in alternating views and time frames, Diana and Lucy’s stories show us this complicated relationship and how it could have ended up with someone being dead.
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So much yes! I read this book in two sittings. I loved the dynamics of each relationship in this book because it made me think of all the murder motives. Hepworth doesn’t do anything overly dramatic. She takes a plot of runs with it in the most perfect way. No outlandish twists. Everything is right in front of you, the question is if your guess is the right one. Which is why this was truly a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. So many suspense novels are beginning to drop in ridiculous plot lines. Not one plot line here was ridiculous! Loved this book!

Sally Hepworth brings to life an incredible family saga of greed and betrayal with The Mother-In-Law. This novel follows on the heels of The Family Next Door.

Diana is found dead. And she left a note.

The Mother-in-Law centers around Lucy's twisty relationship with her husband's mother Diana. Lucy has married Ollie, and into a wealthy family dominated by the matriarch.

"Were you close to your mother-in-law?" ........"It's complicated."

In the first chapter, Lucy is greeted at the door by the police. The somber news of Diana's passing is given. But because of some items found at the house, the death is being treated under suspicious circumstances. Diana has left her last note, tucked in the top drawer of her desk. But what potentially looks like suicide has become something more deceiving. Like all the relationships in this family. Diana, a stoic widow, is survived by her son Ollie and daughter Nettie with husband Patrick. And a sizeable estate. All could use a piece of the pie. But all eyes are on Lucy. After all, there was no warmth in Lucy and Diana's relationship and there was even shared a moment of violence.

The story unfolds in alternating voices, Lucy and Diana's in the past and present. When we first meet Lucy "past", we see a young woman trying to bond with her boyfriend's mother. As a bride, we see her trying to please her future mother-in-law. But the harder Lucy tries to be the exemplary future daughter and wife, the more obstinate Diana becomes. But there is more to Diana that meets the eye. She is a woman with a long history and a past not known to many. And as we grow to see the true Matriarch, the fractures in the children's relationship with Diana also start to show. As the "past" starts to merge with the "present" it becomes clear that nobody in the family really knows each other.

What a well-crafted story. And nothing you imagined.

One of my favorite aspects of reading a novel is the fluidity of the writing. Hepworth provides details and twists of the plot without muddling the atmosphere of the storyline. What sets this novel aside from other stories about in-laws is Hepworth giving depth to Diana's voice. We see Diana as an emotional statue in Lucy's chapters, but in Diana's "past", we see a young woman faced with many challenges she's often faced alone. Diana is complex and a paradox. She is ambivalent to her own family but extends a helping hand to an impoverished one. There is a hint of an unreliable narrator, as she twists ill-will into kindness. Diana's history is layered with sadness and triumph, solidifying her character. In Lucy's chapter, we see a mother and wife growing weary from trying to please her mother-in-law. And she starts to unravel. Each chapter leaves you with a feeling that compels you to read further. Towards an unforgettable ending.

The Mother-in-Law is a story of suspense but also of reflection. It makes you dig a little deeper into your own family relationships and dynamics. This novel definitely leaves you thinking well after the story has ended. I highly recommend this novel and I am excited to see what Hepworth's future work.

"And nothing makes us so lonely than our secrets."

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was hooked on this book from the start. I could not put it down and stayed up way past my bedtime to get through as much as I could every night. The writing was incredible and I had no idea where this story was going- or who committed the murder. The flashbacks were such incredible insights into how you sometimes don't really know the whole story. The characters were strong and the pace was fast where it kept me wanting more.
This is a must-read for 2019! Another excellent read by Sally Hepworth- she is one I will continue to watch.
I wish to thank St. Martins’s Press, NetGalley and Sally Hepworth for this incredible ARC.- I highly recommend it!

I admit, I started reading this book not thinking I’d like it too much...the whole mother-in-law/daughter-in-law theme. Boy was I wrong! The story was well written, and really described how things left unsaid can be misconstrued. Highly recommend!

I just adore Sally Hepworth! This is another great novel that involves great family drama, but allows an underlining theme of loss, infertility, compassion and connection. This book was almost impossible to put down. Some parts had me laughing out loud, thinking of my own awkward family moments, while other parts of the novel had me in tears. This book was fantastic and I can't wait until everyone is able to read The Mother-in-Law, so we can talk about it!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this book!

This is my first book by Sally Hepworth. I've been eyeing her books for awhile and happened to get an ARC from NetGalley. I love mystery/suspense so I decided to read this title before her others. The chapters alternate between past and present and from the POV of Lucy (the daughter in law) and Diana (the mother in law). Lucy and Diana's relationship has been complicated from the beginning. Diana has always been polite with Lucy, but very reserved and kept her distance. All Lucy wants is to have a close relationship with Diana, especially since she lost her own mother at 13. The mystery starts in the beginning. Diana is found dead. At first glance it appears to be a suicide, but as more details are revealed the suicide seems like a cover up. Who would want Diana dead? I loved the alternating chapters and seeing the events in the past and how they shaped the future. I definitely wanted to keep reading to see what really happened to Diana. I'm looking forward to reading more of Sally Hepworth's books.

I read this book in 24 hours and am sad that it’s now finished. It will definitely be one of my top ten books of 2018. With the title and description being what they were I assumed that I would hate the character of the mother-in-law. But Ms. Hepsworth did an amazing job of making all of the characters layered. I loved loved loved this! Only question that remained for me is how did the MIL end up so wealthy?

I love all of Sally Hepworth’s books. Surprises and great characters are everywhere. They flow clearly and are never easy to put down, even to get a bite to eat. She is a fabulous writer and satisfies me with every book I read of hers.

Loved, this was a page turner but not in the sense that it was a thriller. I never thought that the daughter in law had done it...

This book is written well, and I look forward to her next book!!

I found the book hard to put down for the first half both plot and characters held my interest then something shifted and I didn’t feel so compelled to find out what happens. Overall I loved that Sally Hepworth would take on the mother in law myth at this particular cultural
moment. fun read, not deep
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Really enjoyed this book. A great read exploring the complex relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. With a mysterious death thrown in, this book will keep you gripped to the end.

I received this book "The Mother In Law" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. What an awesome book! The words flowed smoothly and I liked the characters, yes, even Diana. I couldn't wait to read this book each day. Family drama, a bit of a thriller, a page turner for sure.

I love Sally Hepworth and was so excited to get the opportunity to read The Mother-In-Law and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed how so many different relationships were explored in this book...Mother/Husband, Mother/children, Mother-in-law/Daughter-in-law. Part thriller and part family drama, this story pulled me in from the beginning .

I enjoyed The Mother in Law, but I definitely liked The Family Next Door better. This novel is in large part a character study and unfortunately I wasn't completely invested in either Lucy or Diana. Perhaps because of my lack of investment (which might have been due to my own mood, I'll admit) the novel dragged a bit for me. Don't get me wrong, I still wanted to know what happened to Diana, which was compelling. And Hepworth deftly handles the back and forth movement in time. But overall I never felt that pull to get back to my Kindle that I often find when I'm reading a great story. Nonetheless The Mother in Law is a sure bet for fans of thoughtful women's fiction, especially if you're interested in seeing how different people can interpret the same scenario in disparate ways.

Sally Hepworth has earned a spot in my favorite authors to read with this one. This is my first read by Sally and I can guarantee you it will not be my last. Such brilliant writing all the way to the end. Sally Hepworth keeps you guessing as to what will happen and then my whole idea of how it is going to end is blow clear out of the water. Very well thought out and planned for sure.

Lucy is a young lady that we soon find out has lost her mother early on in her life. Lucy's dad has stepped up and tried to fill both roles for her, but we all know that there are just times when a mom is needed. When Lucy falls in love with Ollie, she thinks that his mother may be able to fill in for some of those times when a mom is needed, but boy was Lucy wrong about that one.

Diana is a woman that has very little to say, but has a way with what she does end up saying that makes it cut clear down to the bone. We learn that Diana has a fondness for women and babies from other countries that are trying to make a living in the US. Diana has a foundation that helps with baby necessities and clothes for mother and baby. You would think that a woman like this would also have a big heart for her new daughter-in-law, right? Well, not so much.

Diana and Tom have been married for years and are very well off. Diana is not one to give her kids money for what they need or want though, and that is where some of the problem comes in with the family. Nettie (Diana and Tom's daughter) has been battling infertility issues for years and has been out lots of money on all the treatments. Tom is willing to help and ends up doing so behind Diana's back a lot. Ollie (Diana and Tom's son and Lucy's husband) has started a business with a longtime friend and things have not been going good for them in that aspect.

There are so many lessons to be learned in reading this story. I fell in love with all the characters and was heartbroken when I got to the end and found out what all had happened to each one of them and the way it all ends. Sally Hepworth pulls at your heart strings for sure with this read. This is not your typical murder mystery, but one that will leave an impression on your heart for awhile after you get done reading. I cannot wait to read more from Sally Hepworth. Definitely a favorite of mine now!

Thanks for Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own!

What a fantastic read! There is a mystery here but so much more. This story is told by alternating narrators (Diana the matriarch and Lucy the daughter in law) and switches from past to present. It flows seamlessly and serves to give all the characters such dimension.

The writing was so clever. We see numerous times how one scenario can be interpreted so differently between two people. The relationships were so deliciously complicated and surprising! The reveal was a good twist and the conclusion was extremely satisfying, highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for a copy in exchange for a review.