Ella Rutherford has just returned home after a spa weekend gifted to her by her husband, Chris. He has seemed a bit distant lately, but it could just be his busy work. The house is quiet and neat. As she goes through the post, she finds an envelope with just the address written on it. Inside, a note says, “Your husband is having an affair.” Shocked, Ella can’t believe this could be true. Yet, when she checks the credit card bill, she finds charges for dinners and drinks that had not included her. When confronted, Chris confesses that it’s true and that he and the other woman want to be together.

Ella and Chris took care of his mother, Nancy, until she passed away some months ago. Now, Chris has given Ella six weeks to find another place to live.

Ella had grown up living with foster parents after her mother gave her away when she was six-years-old. Ella had dearly loved her mother-in-law, Nancy, who had been like a real mother to her.

Ella runs her own small business. The day after Chris leaves, she gets a call saying that the mortgage payment is late. Chris always pays it from his account and Ella gives him half of the amount. Now, with a maxed-out credit card and a late mortgage, Ella is really frightened. To help with the mortgage, Ella decides to get a lodger. She met Alice last year at yoga class and she finds she’s perfect.

1976

Nancy and Edward moved to 46 Heath Street. Nancy loves her new home and has made friends with her neighbors, Doris and Fred. One day after Nancy and Doris had spent the afternoon chatting, Nancy comes in the house to start dinner. Edward is waiting for her. He is angry that she was not there fixing his dinner when he got home. That’s when the abuse began and when Nancy started writing her diaries.

This book switches back and forth from present day to the 1970’s. The author slowly reveals clues from the past that affect what is happening today. It is a great story with good characters. However, I felt that Ella needed to get a grip on life and stop being so whiny. The character of Nancy is my favorite and her revenge in spot-on. Go, Nancy! Come put this puzzle together and enjoy the stories. The house itself gave me the creeps and I would gladly have moved away. I wonder if other readers feel the same.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"The Woman at 46 Heath Street" by Lesley Sanderson.

4 stars.
Really good.
Well written, good pace. I loved the prologue and knew I was going to love the story.
It's about revenge, secrets, death, and abuse.

Ella thought she had a happy life with a good husband. Then she receives a letter saying that her husband is having an affair. To her surprise he doesn't deny a thing, she's shocked! And he gives her a few weeks to move out! She finds herself alone and thinks the solution is to find a lodger.
WORST. DECISION. EVER !
"BE CAREFUL WHO YOU INVITE IN" as it says on the cover.

There are parts of old diary entries to explain the past and it's great to connect events and understand things...

I must say "Lady" is a cat name I never thought of.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

First of all, What A Prologue!. It was so enticing I defy anyone not to want to jump straight into The Woman at 46 Heath Street. I did and I was still there many hours later. Make sure that you feed the cat, empty the dishwasher and settle down with plenty of snacks because you won’t want to leave this book once you get started.

Ella is devastated when her marriage ends suddenly after she receives a note, stating that her husband Chris is having an affair. Not only that, he gives her just a few weeks to move out of their shared home. The home in question is 46 Heath Street, a house previously owned by Chris’ mother who recently passed away. It was the only real home that Ella had ever known. She grew up in care, being passed around foster families, and her childhood had left her feeling fragile and insecure.

She comes up with a plan to rent out part of the house to Alice, someone she hardly knows. They become friends but there is something about Alice, a feeling that she can’t be trusted.

The book alternates between the narration of both Ella and Alice with an interesting past timeline interspersed between the chapters. The writer of these diary entries becomes clear as the book progresses. There are some scenes of domestic violence and something which I found upsetting and wasn’t hugely significant to the storyline.

There is no doubt that 46 Heath Street holds many secrets and there is an aura of suspense throughout the book as to what these secrets are. It is well written with believable characters and a storyline which just pulls you in. I’m sure that fans of psychological thrillers will have fun trying to unravel the plot, but be careful because all is not what it seems!

This book is seriously addictive! I was gripped right from the very first page.

The plot is clever, with twists and turns, and little glimpses of secrets revealed over time. I really liked the way we got extracts from Nancy’s diary, which helped to reveal what went on in the past.

Slow, enticing and gripping, the story builds and builds, to keep you engrossed right up until the last page. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a good psychological thriller

This is the second book which I have read by this author. The first book, The Orchid Girls, was a tense thriller which sets your nerves on edge, and this book was no different! In this story, we meet Ella. Ella is having problems with her husband Chris following the death of his mother. They all lived together in Chris’s family home, but when Ella receives an anonymous note saying her husband is having an affair, Chris has no choice but to admit it. He also says that he wants Ella to leave so he can sell the house. Not willing to accept that, Ella asks her new friend, Alice to move in with her to help her with the bills. But is Alice everything she seems to be?

Having read the author’s previous book I was interested to see whether I enjoyed this book as much as the first. Happily I did, and it was certainly as tense and full of nerve wracking moments as the previous book was! I found Ella’s character difficult to work out though. On one hand I felt so sorry for her – her husband leaving her and then faced with the prospect of losing her home. She was also still obviously grieving for her husband’s mother, Nancy, who Ella thought of as her own mother. On the other hand, I thought Ella was so naive when it came to choosing her new lodger, quite happily inviting some woman who she barely knew to move in with her. My inner voice was screaming at her to at least check some sort of references or something before letting her have a key!!

Ella’s husband Chris was a complete idiot and I really didn’t like him. There was obviously a lot more going on than what met the eye, and as the book moved on all was revealed! Now, Alice was a completely different story! It was plain to see that she had an ulterior motive for being in Ella’s house, but again we weren’t told what that was until the big reveal at the end, and to be honest whilst I guessed something was going on, I didn’t work out what it was!

The whole story sent shivers up my spine and had me biting my nails in anticipation of what was happening. It definitely played on my emotions and had me not knowing who to trust as none of the characters appeared to be quite as they seemed. Told from different characters perspectives, and with diary entries from Nancy’s earlier years, the story kept a strong and steady pace throughout the book right through to the big reveal at the end.

This was definitely an enthralling thriller and as it was a relatively short book it kept me hooked for a few hours until I’d finished it. Full of secrets, lies and betrayal, this book will have you not trusting anyone, not even those close to you! Would definitely recommend!

Plenty of twists and turns in this all nighter! Kept me up later then it should have...oops, guess its a coffee pot I of cup kind of day.

What a great book! A lot going on and keeps you very interested. Didn't take me long to devour this book. Wont be my last from this author

# The Woman at 46 Heath street # Netgalley
I know this book is clsssed as a mystery thriller, however after reading the synopsis I wasn’t to sure about the book, especially with love having a big part of the book. Surprising myself above all, I have to say I had better start reading more books that have a love angle to them. In truth I have never been a big fan of any type of love story, I have headed more towards serial killers or one off murder and police procedures, along with psychology twists in. Yet once I started the book I couldn’t or didn’t want to put it down, I found reading Elle’s story, then. Flipping to the next chapter of Alice's story, not only where they two totally different versions of the storyline, I was so impressed how different each person explained thier friendship, tears and pain, I have said many a time if two people saw the same event in life you always will have a different version, yet this wasn’t just a slight variation on Ella’s note anot her husband having a affair, it was like reading two separate books at the sane time, I had suspected Alice was in love with Ella’s husband, yet no way did I see the end coming at all, normally I I have a pretty good idea which ways things will go, oh boy oh boy not a clue whatsoever, I genuinely do recommend you read this book don’t ever make a misconception of any book. You never know what a surprise your in for, I know I will just assume it’s baded on a love story again, can’t wait for the next book

A Fast Paced, Captivating Read!

"The answer to my question, of how to carry out the perfect revenge, was to be found in the library. Within the pages of none other than a thick medical textbook , would you believe, in the reference section: Not To Be Taken Away. I had no intention of absconding with the book, only with the information inside, which I pored over, squirrelling the contents away in my memory. After many hours of research, I found the perfect answer.
The perfect answer for perfect revenge. Revenge for tainting the house that I once loved. Revenge for robbing me of the best friend I ever had. Such wicked things have taken place within the walls of my home and can never be undone.
Oh yes, it was the perfect answer. I laughed out loud in the middle of the fusty old reading room, causing an inebriated man with tattered clothes and a dubious smell to rouse from his slumber and stare at me with bleary eyes before returning his head to the desk.
The solution had been in front of me all the time. Within view of my kitchen window, in fact, and it required no alteration of my daily routine or behaviour that might arouse suspicion. Everything I needed was out there on Hampstead Heath, that magnificent space that lay behind my house in Heath Street, giving a stunning view that could be seen from any north-facing window. All I needed to do was to go and collect it, and then exact revenge."

********
I raced through The Women at 46 Heath Street by Lesley Sanderson! The characters and storyline had me hooked from page one and held me completely absorbed throughout as I tried to work out how it would turn out in the end. I did put many of the pieces of the puzzle together correctly but I was still pleasantly surprised by the tidbit I didn't see coming at the conclusion. This is my first novel by this author and I will be reading more of her books in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Lesley Sanderson, for the advanced digital copy of this book for me to read and review.

This is a great psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the first few pages.
Ella receives a letter that simply says “Your husband is having an affair.”
This comes as a complete shock to Ella as in her mind, she has a happy marriage.
She confronts Chris and he openly admits to the affair which leaves Ella devastated.
Chris leaves to give her some space but Ella doesn’t like living alone so asks a friend she recently met to move in with her.
Alice loves the house as much as Ella and soon they are getting on well together and make plans for the house.
It soon becomes clear to Ella that Chris is having money problems and whilst she sympathises with him, she doesn’t want to lose the house.
Someone starts leaving more messages for Ella and she assumes it Chris’ new woman and becomes more and more frustrated.
Events soon come to a head and secrets are revealed, leading to a breathtaking conclusion.
This is a great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ms. Sanderson has brought to life a powerful tale of domestic abuse. How it affects every member of the family and not just in the moment but for years, possibly generations down the line.

It all starts with a letter arriving that has no stamp and no return address just Ella's name in a woman's swirly handwriting. The message in the envelope says that her husband Chris is having an affair. This one simple letter destroys what Ella perceived to be her perfect life and her perfect marriage.

Chris wants to sell his childhood home but Ella is deeply attached to the only house that has been a home to her. Growing up in the foster care system she was never anywhere long enough to have a real home. Since she owns half of the house - she has been paying half the mortgage - she is not going to budge on this. She takes the drastic step of changing the locks to keep Chris out of the house.

Her friend and employee Jamie suggests that she take in a boarder to help with expenses and to keep her company in the big old house. He suggests a woman named Alice. Ella met Alice at her yoga class. Ella likes Alice right away and Alice is eager to move into 46 Heath Street.

As strange things start to happen at the house, Ella feels that someone (and she suspects the other woman) is trying to drive her out of the house.

The story of Ella and Chris is interwoven with the story of Nancy and Edward - Chris' parents, along with his sister Melissa. Nancy wrote everything down in a diary, what Edward was like when he was drinking, when the slightest thing set him off and he'd beat her senseless. How he isolated her that she wasn't even allowed to talk to their neighbours Doris and Fred. Things get worse when Kit (Christopher) runs off from home. Melissa wishes that he's taken her and their mother with him but he left them to the mercy of Edward.

So many secrets in the family. Nancy manages to get a letter to Doris detailing what was going on in the house should something happen to her. A tiny sampler, a baby blanket and a diary hold all the answers for Ella. But how is Alice involved...... Will Chris do anything to regain ownership of the house that holds only horrors for him?

This book was a struggle to read. Not only did I pretty much have the whole darn thing figured out less than a fifth of the way into the book, but there was also a LOT of domestic violence! No one did anything about it. No one called the police, stepped up to try and stop it. And this book was set in the 1970s, not the 1870s! The writing wasn't bad, just a bit obvious. And someone else might be able to handle the abuse and enjoy the rest of the story. Just not me.

My second book by this author and I was even more convinced about the ability she has to capture my attention and to make me forget about everything around me because I am too engrossed in her story.

From the start until the finish the writer has created a kind of creepiness mixed with a very big dose of different emotions. Once again I am confronted by some people's viciousness. Nobody's life is a bed of roses, but jeez some really got the short end of the stick

.I applauded Nancy for what she did. Maybe she should have done it a lot sooner. :) I liked every character. By this I mean I loved the way the author created them because they were perfect for the role they had to play.

I was as intrigued by what happened in the past as I was by what was going on in the present.This story made me feel like my senses were on a trampoline : heartbreaking, heartwarming and back again and again.

There is only one thing left to say : I absolutely enjoyed it.

Thank you, Lesley Sanderson, Bookouture and Netgalley.

This book was another good read from Sanderson. It was completely gripping from page one, so I thought for sure we would have another like her last, but unfortunately it slowed down and remained at that slower pace after about the first 1/3. It was still a great chilling read, with things happening many would definitely find twisty!! What would you do with a note telling you that your spouse is cheating?! Read this to see if Sanderson did a good job of answering what some may do! I think it was definitely an appealing case! Chills, thrills, suspense, and anger are bound to be found in this book!
I will be using in a challenge and recommending to those in chapter chatter pub!

I have reservations about this novel. It started so well and appeared to be compelling, but just over half way through it drifted into a less credible state and the plot became too involved. It became muddled and confusing in places. The build-up of tension was well executed. It’s a story of deep-rooted historical revenge. Ella is so self-absorbed and wrapped up in the problems that she fails to absorb what is going on around her and the dangers of her situation. Initially, I thought she was stupid, lonely and needy. By the end, I thought she was pathetic. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t register the strange behaviour of those surrounding her. Indeed she’s endured a challenging life, and as the story opens, she’s having an acrimonious separation from her husband, Chris which understandably unbalances her security. There are a lot of strange things happening to her, and in her position, you wouldn’t see me for dust!!! Very spooky. The demise of Lady was an unnecessary sub-plot which I found extremely distressing. I wish authors would refrain from using animals as victims of revenge. There was a further sub-plot I found distasteful, but it would be politically incorrect to comment. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

What on earth is going on at 46th Heath Street? A lovely home that has been owned by the same family for years may have some secrets hiding behind it's doors.

It took me a hot minute to figure out that the story was revolving around the residents of this address. When I realized this, my first thought was wow this is such a unique approach and it really worked! We get to live in the present with Ella struggling to cope with her marriage falling apart. We also get to live in the past with Nancy's diary entries that had me dying to know what the connection was.

I felt my heart strings being tugged on as Ella tried to understand why her husband Chris had suddenly changed in every way. He had a drastic personality change and suddenly wanted to force her out of the home that she loved. Was there another woman? As things started to spiral out of control, Ella tried to hang on to 46th Heath Street with all her power.

I loved the past and the present aspect of this story. It made me ponder how each home has a story to tell. If only those walls could talk. There was an added bonus of a creep factor woven into the story that I loved! As Ella received creepy notes, things left on her doorstep and visitors in the night I felt a growing concern for her safety. I found myself wanting to scream at Ella as she would want to investigate the late night noises in the dark overgrown garden. No Ella, do not go outside!

A shocking ending that managed to bring past and present together. This book not only told a story of the woman living at 46th Heath Street, but in fact all the women that had lived at that address. A fascinating story that kept me flipping the pages late into the night. Find out what secrets are hiding within the walls of 46th Heath Street!

The Woman At 46 Heath Street is a psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat, yes by half way I’d sussed it out and even if the main character Ella was a bit too scaredy-cat for me I still loved this and read it in a day.
We start of with Ella having come back to 46 Heath Street from a weekend spa break to a letter that says your husband is having an affair and watching her life spiral into despair until she gets a lodger, Alice, who supports and helps Ella through this traumatic time but what is her ultimate goal, why is Alice really there?
I liked the way the book was split into chapters from Ella, Alice and Nancy (Ella’s mother in law) from years ago giving you an insight into Ella’s husbands childhood and the pain Nancy went through as at times this is a harrowing read so be warned.
I loved the orchid girls and loved this also for very different reasons.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Ella cared for her mother-in-law Nancy and lives in her house with her husband Chris until Chris is caught out on cheating on her and decides he wants to sell the house. Creep. In order to make ends meet while things are being negotiated, she invites Alice, a friend from yoga, to move in. Regular readers of the genre know that not all is what is seems. Told through the alternating voices of Alice, Ella, and Nancy's diary, this has a twist or two. It's well written and plotted. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This one is a quick, easy and totally engrossing read. There are edge of the seat scary moments and very few occasions when you feel able to put the book down - in my mind I kept saying "just one more chapter, just one more...."

Ella is an interesting main character. Although she stresses out totally when she discovers her husband's affair and goes on wishing to get him back long after she should have written him off, she still has a back bone and manages to deal with him in a satisfactory way. She also copes better than I think I would with scary nights on her own and numerous nasty little events.

The story is good if a little predictable. Even though I guessed what was going to happen it did not spoil my enjoyment at all. I can recommend this totally to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller.

Having read Ms Sanderson's previous novel, The Orchid Girls (TOG), and not being particularly enamoured by it I was apprehensive about trying this, her standalone follow-up. Luckily, I liked it much more and found it immersive and compelling. Again it was a little slow and repetitive, but the plot is better crafted than TOG. The characters are developed well enough to be party to both their good and bad personality traits, and although the conclusion is predictable from early on it didn't totally spoil my enjoyment. I found myself living every moment alongside the characters - the highs and the lows - making it an emotive, intense read.

Sanderson has woven a thrilling, excitement-filled story with multiple threads that are all tied up perfectly in the end. Like many other books, the setting becomes a character in itself and the descriptions were vivid and alluring. This is a quick, easy read that sadly was missing something that would make it shine in the overcrowded market for these type of novels. All in all, this is an entertaining way to pass a few hours and escape reality. Recommended to fans of psychological thrillers and domestic noir/family dramas.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.