Wow - not where I thought this book was going! Total surprise - still trying to capture it all! Since it wasn’t the book I was expecting, I had some difficulty getting through it -

I am afraid, its going to be more like a rant post.. I did not like the book at all.. It disgusted me. I felt like I have been mislead (or more like there were “failed” attempt to mislead the readers). When it was supposed to be an mystery, to me, there was no mystery at all. I could see whats happening even before it started to happen. There was attempts to make it complicated/confusing which did not work at all and made me even more irritated.

None of the characters felt good or relatable. I could understand that Abi’s character is meant to be hated. But Mel? I hated her even more than Abi!! Girl!!! When your husband is saying that your attractive friend needs to leave the house, take the hint and make the arrangement!! I felt like entering the story and give her a good slap like Abi did way before it started -__-

A total disaster this book was and thank you very much.. I am in a reading slump now!!

I feel like I should rate this book higher purely because of the intensity of the anger/disgust it made me feel but overall the book did not work for me. This book was annoying and it made me angry. Neither of the leads are characters that you will feel deeply about. The books starts slowly but picks up pace mid way. The plot is interesting but needs a lot of editing. Had the story been crisper it would have worked better. The dynamics between Mel and Ben as parents made me fee they are very disconnected and that did not work for me. Overall, if I have to treat this as pure fiction and something that’s not likely in the real world then it means the book is not believable and is more fantasy than fiction. That does not work for me and hence I rate it the way I do.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! Twisted revenge thriller that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Who needs enemies when you have a friend like this. Extreme betrayal by someone she thought was her closest friend turns Mel Harrison’s life upside down and nearly destroys it. Excellent plot, very detailed and well written, difficult to put down. This was my first book by Ms. Parks, but it will definitely not be my last.

I Invited Her In is the first title I have read by Adele Parks. I found the book to be a bit slow moving with a slightly predictable storyline. With that said, I enjoyed Parks’ writing style and the book overall was a great cozy read. I am interested in ready more from Parks.

Wow!!! This book is superbly written courtroom drama that examines Life's Big Questions with empathy and leaves you spinning. Trust me, this is one you don't want to miss—it's going to be huge!! Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly don't know for sure how to rate this book. The positives are that the writing style and the story kept me hooked. I did not want to put it down. One of the negatives is that the main character, Melanie, was so frustrating. I did not understand her motivation at all. I did not buy into the reason why the plot was progressing. Even with the explanation given I did not think that anyone would invite someone into their home after so long and completely neglect their family in the process. I do have to say that the twist in the middle got me. I feel silly, because I completely should have know what was going to happen but I think my mind couldn't even go there. I was literally shocked. The ending twist was just frustrating and felt a little like an afterthought. Overall this book was a good read just a little implausible.

I Invited Her In by Adele Parks was well written, but the premise has been done before. With that in mind, I gave the book a chance, but wouldn't say that this wowed me at all.

Hmmm well... where do I start with I Invited Her In?

With having read MANY thrillers.... it takes a lot to impress this girl right here :). I have read some amazing thrillers this genre but unfortunately this one fell super flat for me.

The premise sounded promising with inviting a long lost girlfriend into your home and her taking everything. But, I was hoping that the author would take a fun spin with this on that tagline. In my opinion, these stories have to have twists, edginess, and keeping you on your toes and then leave you picking up your jaw due to that bang of an ending. This book had ZERO of this.

For starters, the story was WAY too long and dragged on. I keep seeing this pattern of having authors write these long ass books and the story just doesn't hold up? I don't get it? Are they thinking the longer the length... the better the story? Well.. that definitely isn't the case... you either have the charm or you don't.

The story was predictable and I knew what happened before it happened. I think the author could have taken such a thrilling ride with this one and she missed the mark completely on this one. The characters were too cliche and come on Abi? You need to add some umph to this character... if the story was supposed to play out as it did.

After I finishing this book... realized I didn't like it at all. I would not recommend this... and figures I see all these high reviews and I always tend to be the outlier. But, did you expect anything different ;).

2 stars

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Mira for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date: 2/5/19
Published to GR: 12/13/18

Very predictable and slow moving. I felt like I’d read it before, even though I hadn’t. Skipped a few pages because lots of excess dialogue that wasn’t needed.

Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy.

I’m going to start off by saying that I have such mixed opinions about this book. While the plot sounds super interesting and is definitely disturbing but also compelling, the first half of the story gripped me way more than the latter half did. It got more and more predictable and felt more and more like a plot to a bad made for TV movie

The first half built all the tension and suspense as well as introducing the characters and establishing their back stories. We learn about the past friendship between Mel and Abi and how they drifted apart over the years, until present day where they reconnect and thus begins the story!

I couldn’t relate nor connect to any of the characters unfortunately, I felt like Mel was quite pathetic and way too easily manipulated. It just didn’t make sense to me as to how she could possibly be that enthralled by Abi that she ignores all the warning signs and her partners feelings on the situation. Like her so called friend is scantily clad and walking about her house, ignoring all boundaries and making her feel uncomfortable yet Mel is still simpering and panders to Abi?? What!?? Both Mel, her husband Ben as well as most of the characters in the novel act SO BIZARRELY, I was utterly confused. Like I don’t know how this is remotely realistic characterisation???

Abi is a real piece of work, and that’s putting it lightly – from her distorted view of the world, to her manipulative personality, there’s just nothing positive or likeable about her. While I get that Abi isn’t meant to be likeable – and characters don’t always have to be likeable in order to be interesting, Abi was just unbearable to be honest. Besides all her behaviour, there’s a major plot point which happens in the second half of the novel which I was honestly disgusted by. This was most likely intentional – but it was just too much for me.

The one thing which kept me reading was Adele Parks writing style, despite my problems with the characters, the way the story was written was what kept me reading till the end. Perhaps I’ll try a different book from Parks as this one clearly wasn’t for me.

Overall, while I really expected to enjoy this book, unfortunately I just couldn’t get into the story. I really don’t like leaving negative reviews but I have to be honest and up front. I will say that if you enjoy psychological thrillers in a domestic setting with many twists and turns, then this may be the read for you. Give it a chance and see what you think.

The plot was really good but the style of writing was a disappointment. This book would have been more enjoyable if it had been shorter. It felt at times that the author was trying to make the book longer for no reason

When Abi needs her most, Mel invites her into her family home and shares, supports and indulges her, showering her with love and concerned friendship, despite the fact that they have had no contact for 17 years, since Mel left Uni after falling victim of a one night stand and electing to keep her resulting baby, a son, facing life as a single mother. She never regretted her decision and bravely reared a considerate, polite and welcoming son.
Meanwhile Abi has married her long time boyfriend and moved with him to Los Angeles. She’s made a name for herself nationwide as the hostess of a TV chat show. She is a real celebrity back in the USA, still as bewitchingly gorgeous as ever, very wealthy but very needy, after finding her husband in their marital bed with a younger model. Mel and Ali rekindled their once close friendship, taking it on from where it had stalled all of those long years ago. Mel is now happily married to Ben and a mother of three, her 17 year old son and two young daughters fathered by Ben after their marriage. Everyone is starry eyed about Mel’s new houseguest and their friendship flourishes.
However secrets have a way of revealing themselves at the most untimely point and also of having the power to totally spoil things, and in this story full of deceit, revenge, point scoring, jealousy and revenge, that’s exactly what happens. The pace of this novel is dynamic and furious. There is no way to predict what will happen in the end, because everything runs away most unexpectedly and the story is forever changing its way. Trust is broken and a family is fractured almost beyond recognition. Adele Parks has littered her story plan skilfully with a plethora of suspense, thrills and spills and a truly fantastic ending.
The character development in her story is wondrous and beautifully diverse. The story is character led and full of anger, love, family life and an unreliable and merciless wolf in sheep’s clothing. Wherever will the betrayal and suspense end? With punch after punch, it is anybody’s guess. The last person standing may just reap the rewards.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher HQ through my membership of NetGalley in return for an honest review. These are my own honest opinions without any outside influences. I thought this novel was very good indeed. The plot was interesting, complex and uniquely twisted. The writing was very engaging and this author really understands what the reader wants from a novel within this genre and once again has delivered. I’ve read a few of her novels in the past but this one is definitely my favourite.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It has been a while since I've read Adela Parks' books. Her books are never a disappointment. The characters are bold and very much alive. Mel and her family is like any other family you would meet. Abi is so far fetch that you hate her and yet love her at the same time. Well I wouldn't go as far as love but more pity. She has a facade of a person who has everything and yet she's borderline crazy and unsettling. Every one as has something in their life that they struggle to overcome. Mel's husband is not very self aware and that can be said for about a million man on this planet. This was an intriguing read.

I have read Adele Parks before and enjoyed her books immensely. This one was a little “slow going”. It took a bit for the plot and characters to develop and when they finally did, I was slightly disappointed and somewhat disgusted. As the mother of a teenage boy, I saw the overall plot as more than victimization. An adult woman having a relationship with a boy under 18 is illegal. Overall, not my favorite Adele Parks book.

Imagine the worst thing a friend could ever do.
This is worse.

When Mel receives an unexpected email from her oldest friend Abi, it brings back memories she thought she had buried forever. Their friendship belonged in the past. To those carefree days at university.
But Abi is in trouble and needs Mel’s help, and she wants a place to stay. Just for a few days, while she sorts things out. It’s the least Mel can do. After all, friends look out for each other, don’t they?

This was an intense, interesting read about jealousy, betrayal and revenge. At first it was a little slow to start but once the story got going it really took off!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #IinvitedHerIn
Pub Date: 05 Feb 2019

I found this the first part of this book to be engaging. However, I couldn’t say the same about the second part. I found the plot too confusing to follow and I found myself mad and frustrated with the characters. I read on to see what other devious schemes Abi would come up with besides her cradle snatching. I couldn’t warm up to the characters. I found them shallow and self-absorbed. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Liam. I’m glad Mel’s husband, Ben, was wise enough to stay out of the Mel-Abi drama.

Mel was so desperate to relive her carefree days at university that she was willing to ignore all the red flags and remain deaf to her husband’s complaints about Abi’s overdue stay. She compromised her family values, jeopardized her relationship with Ben just to impress Abi. To make matters worse, she even tried to justify her actions. Was it really worth it?

The book left me feeling underwhelmed and I couldn’t sympathize with Mel; she should never have invited Abi back into her life in the first place.

Overall, a good read. I did finish the book because Adele Parks was very good at keeping my attention and interest.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Mira Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Good book, really enjoyed it. Will recommend this book to others. And will read it more than one 5******

Unfortunately, the book didn't grib me. I tried but gave up after a while. It just feels that it's not mine, at least not now, so I won't post any review outside of Netgalley, as it doesn't seem fair.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Adele Parks for allowing me the opportunity to read this book for giving a honest opinion.

Let's talk about the guest that would never leave not to mention that same guest being the one from hell.!! Here you have a best friend open up her home to her college best friend only to get betrayed by her in the worst way possible.
This best bud takes advantage of her friend like nothing else. Mel is thinking that she is helping Abi because Abi is going through a hard time (divorce). Mel is asking for nothing in return, in fact she is excited to have her old friend there.
However Abi does not pick up after herself, does not contribute to the household, makes unjust demands, and makes it appear that she has no money.
I love the kind of books that I can pretty much figure out what is going on but this one tripped me up. I did not see it the ending coming.. I have never been so angry with so many people in one book before.. LOL..