WOW. This book was AMAZING and filled with so many thrilling twists and turns I could not put it down. The caption and cover had me. But when I started turning the pages I couldn’t put it down! This suspense filled psychological thriller will keep your eyes open wide right until it’s amazing end you won’t see coming! Elsie thought she had it all and once her life takes an unexpected twist the domino effect keeps coming. A first by me by this author won’t be my last! Thank you Netgalley and the author and publisher for the ARC for my honest review. I look forward to reading ALL this author writes! A must read!

I’ve truly enjoyed A.J. Banner’s last book but was disappointed in this one, I felt it to be too unbelievable with very unlikeable characters, sorry, this one wasn’t for me. Thank you to netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

I received an advance digital copy of this book from the author, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really wanted to like this book. I was sadly disappointed. The prologue hooked me, the book lost me. The writing was fine, but the suspension of disbelief was pushed to the breaking point. Too many twists and turns, completely unbelievable circumstances and unlikable characters.

2 out of 5 stars.

EXCERPT: I tried to cry out, but his fingers were crushing my neck. Spots danced in front of my eyes. Only a gurgling sound came out - I couldn't breathe. My baby! I wanted to scream.

'I had to protect you,' he said. 'I had to-'

I choked, pinpoints of light bursting through my vision as I gasped for air. This is how I'm going to die, I thought. My baby, too. The both of us.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Elise Watters seems to have it all—a blissful marriage, a gorgeous Victorian home surrounded by lush gardens, and a dream job running her late mother’s herbal boutique.

But on the eve of her first wedding anniversary, Elise makes a shocking discovery that turns her life upside down and casts doubt on everything she thought she knew—about her marriage, her friends, and even herself. As she treads into dangerous territory, Elise is forced to wonder: Is her whole future at stake? Or is paranoia getting the best of her?

If she is to believe what she sees, Elise has every reason to fear for her life…

MY THOUGHTS: Having read the majority of this author's previous books, and enjoyed them, I was looking forward to The Poison Garden, enticed also by that beautiful cover.

I was disappointed. Very disappointed. The characters have no depth. The plot, while fast moving, lacks cohesion and believability. I didn't feel any suspense at any point during the read, and largely skimmed the last third. Nor is there anything remotely 'psychological' about it.

It is a quick read, but not one I will be recommending. The Poison Garden could have been a good, creepy, suspenseful psychological thriller, but fails on all fronts. I expected more from this usually excellent author.

Reading is a personal and subjective experience, and what appeals to one may not please another. So if you enjoyed the excerpt from The Poison Garden, and the plot outline appeals, please do go ahead and read it.

😕😖

THE AUTHOR: A. J. Banner grew up reading Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, and other masters of love and mystery. She enjoyed sneaking thrillers from her parents' library, which gave her excellent fodder for her novels of psychological suspense, The Good Neighbor, The Twilight Wife, After Nightfall, and her upcoming release, The Poison Garden. The Good Neighbor was a #1 Kindle bestseller for 34 days in a row, and The Twilight Wife became a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller. After Nightfall has been a Kindle bestseller in several categories. Born in India and raised in North America, she always dreamed of writing gripping stories in which nothing is what it seems. She's hard at work on her next novel in her home office overlooking a Pacific Northwest forest.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Poison Garden by A.J. Banner for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage

I was not a big fan of The Poison Garden, it just wasn't for me. I enjoy psychological thrillers, but I tend to prefer ones that have realistic characters and plots, which is not the case with this novel. I was not able to relate to the characters, and the plot and twists and turns were just a little too much for me. That being said, I was intrigued enough to want to continue reading to see what would happen next. I would read another book by the author.

This is my second book that I have read by A.J. Banner and I have to admit I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. The writing was good and I enjoy A.J. Banner’s writing but Elise is just not the best main character. I can’t relate to whiney main characters who almost give up on themselves. It was hard to focus on trying to figure out what was going on with how much she was feeling sorry for herself.

🌟🌟🌟✨(3.5 out of 5 stars) This story was not for me. Others may really like it but I have a very strong personality and so weak personalities really just rub me the wrong way in books. With that said I am looking forward to more books from A.J. Banner because I think she is a very good story teller.

Another one of my favorite books by A.J!!! Fast paced read and had me questioning to the end. This book will definitely have to on the edge of your seat!

The poison garden is such a Fantastic book
I had such a hard time putting it down.
Elisa is newly married and one day before her 1 year anniversary, she finds her new husband in bed with Diana, shes totally blown away. Tells her new husband get out with knife in hand...
Asked her ex husband to change the locks so the husband can no longer get in....Elisa has bigger problems coming...
This book is Fabulous. A Must Read .
So Excited That I Got To Read Early..
Thank you .Netgally for this early read it was amazing..

Damn! I couldn’t put this book down, and it’s A. J. Banner’s fault! Like her previous three domestic psychological thrillers, this newly-published novel is tight and compact. Set on one of the islands of the Pacific Northwest, it has more twists and turns than a mountain road. In under 200 pages, she manages to draw in the reader with a grip that never releases until the last page. If you’re looking for a read that has creepy and shadowy overtones – perfect for Halloween reading without ghosts and goblins – this should be at the top of your list. And oh, yes…I’d be careful of what may be in your coffee.

When your life is a lie, the truth can kill.

So... so... I don't know what to write about The Poison Garden... that would be favorable, besides that, the read went QUICKLY and the beginning. And with that, I can end anything good I can say about that book.
Elise has an ideal life and future, one word - had it ALL. But coming home earlier destroys everything, and her dream is falling down, fast. What is true, what is fake? Nothing will be reliable for Elise and how can she trust anyone when she can't trust herself?
I had not felt ANY of the characters, that was here or even understood. Their motives or plot twists were coming too fast or out of nowhere, and made me reread past scenes, which had not helped me understood at all.

Elise is living her dream - living in a beautiful big house on an island in the Pacific Northwest and married to a handsome doctor.  Her world is shattered when she arrived home early on her first wedding anniversary.  What follows is a psychological letdown of a book.  Despite having the potential to be a great story, there are just too many impossible aspects to the plot.  2 stars.

(NetGalley ebook -  I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I am no longer interested in the content of this book. So, I'm DNF'ing this book for now. I may circle back around to this book one day.

I really loved A. J. Banner’s last book, so I was excited to hear about her newest novel The Poison Garden. She has a way of writing about that niggle of doubt in a relationship that can tear it wide open.

Elise runs an herbal boutique she inherited from her late mother. Elise’s mom died a few years earlier, and in the wake of her grief her mother’s physician is there for her. And soon the handsome doctor becomes more than just a confidant, he becomes her husband.

On the eve of her wedding anniversary, Elise is adding her husband to her will and her finances. She inherited quite a bit from her mother passing and it’s time to move on. But when she arrives home early and finds her husband in a compromising position, everything Elise thought she knew is turned on it’s head.

And thus begins a terrible time in Elise’s life. Not only is she dealing with the destruction of her marriage, but it appears that her life may be in danger. Though is it from someone with nefarious intent, or is she losing it?

A.J. Banner played with memory a lot in this book, as well as sleep. Elise has a sleep-walking habit which I found to be an interesting element. She was never entirely at grips with herself and what she has done, which led to that unsettling feeling that permeates the story.

I wish I could say more about the ending but this one has some great twists so I don’t want to risk spoiling. I hope you enjoy it!!

Thank you to Kathleen Carter and Lake Union Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.

Elise is excited, can’t wait to surprise her husband for their anniversary. He also has a surprise for her. From there, this book takes off on a roller coaster of a ride! This book was a fast read for me, finished it before I knew it. So many twists and turns. Some you expected, others...not so much. Perfect read for a fall day, but make sure you have nothing planned, you just might not want to put this book down!

This author is so descriptive, almost like reading a movie. I’ve enjoyed all her previous books and, for me, this did not disappoint. Characters are flawed. Some made me uncomfortable, some down right scary, while others were completely narcissistic.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

⭐️Book Review ⭐️
The Poison Garden by AJ Banner
3.5/5 Stars

The main character Elise is about to celebrate her first anniversary when she comes home to find her husband, Kieran, cheating on her. Her life now is disarray, she finds telltale signs of his disloyalty from their entire relationship. And to boot- Kiernan was the doctor that took care of her mother right up to the day of her death.

Elise begins unraveling the unsettling truth that Kieran May have married her not for love, but for something else entirely.

The book begins all over the place and really doesn’t tie together until about 2/3 through. As it is only just over 200 pages, it is a quick read. It is filled with so many twists that will absolutely keep you guessing til the very end. Don’t look for the spoilers, allow yourself the mystery and enjoy the book.

Let me start this review by saying this is one of those books that you can’t get into much detail without giving to much away.
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Elise has the perfect life. Happy marriage, a job she loves and wealth. With her first wedding anniversary coming up Elise decided to return home from her trip a day early to surprise her husband and get their celebration started however upon her arrival home her world is turned upside down. With the world spinning around her Elise is trying to determine what to do and where to turn but she is thankful to have the support of her friend/ neighbor and her ex husband who is working next door. Murder, lies and unpredictability will have you wondering what is going on.
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The characters in this one are super unlikeable and there were many times I was frustrated with them. Overall this was a quick read that grabs your attention 3.5 ⭐️ thank you @netgalley for my copy!

This was such a good book to read, I read it so quickly because I just couldn’t put it down. It had all the elements I love in a thriller, twisty and exciting and sometimes creepy.
It was a little bit different to a lot of the thrillers I’ve read in the past but it kept me guessing right down to the end.
I would certainly read this author again and recommend this book to my friends.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Returning from a trip to the city to spend her anniversary weekend with her husband of a year Elise's life is plunged into disarray.
everything Elise thought she knew about her perfect existence is brought into close scrutiny and question and as she further investigates to get to the hidden truths, her eyes are then further opened as her world crumbles around her.
Not knowing who she can trust or even believe Elise has only herself to rely on.
So this was mainly told from Elise's POV with some slight input from her neighbour Chantel who also seems to have her own personal hidden agenda concerning Elise.
This was such an easy page-turner captivating and intriguing with a deep vein of mystery running through its narrative.
Despite appearances, this was so far from the obvious I was expecting and this changed directions on me constantly blind-siding me along the way.
I was suitably impressed with the masterful story-weaving skills of this author.
If psychological thrillers are your genre of choice I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one not only was it such an enjoyable read its a bloody good one definitely keeping me on my toes throughout.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Poison Garden.

I think there might have been one twist too many in this novel. The writing was fine and the author really made me care about the narrator when she caught her husband cheating, but after that the emotion seemed to fizzle out.

When I look at my notes on the plot, the story feels a little convoluted. Elise is an easily paranoid person who quickly grows to distrust and fear her husband, Kieran, who has lied many times to her. Her ex-husband is working on a project for her next door neighbor and seems to be a bit of a protector to her, but he has his own dark agenda. At one point, it became impossible to determine which husband was manipulating her and which was protecting her. And then there was her friend, her next door neighbor. A slim part of the story was told by Chantal, which didn't make much sense until the very end.

When I think about how I felt while reading it, and when I ruminate upon it long after reading, I'm awed at what a fast-paced thriller it was. I loved not knowing who to trust, who to believe. I hated that Elise was so easily manipulated, but, were I in her shoes, I think my psyche would be more than a little fragile. But she clearly had bad taste in men. As for Chantal, I was so confused about her chapters as they felt like they intruded on the story Elise was telling, but it really came together at the end, and I can't help but feel a bit impressed. This may be a thriller focused on the easily manipulated Elise, but I also think of it as really being Chantal's story and the lengths she would go to for a friend.

The characters were so insanely well-done. I kept going back on forth on Elise's husband, Kieran, and ex-husband, Brandon, and whether to trust them or not. In some books, this comes off more as the author not really feeling sure about their characters. This wasn't the case here. I felt like the author knew exactly what she was doing, and was purposefully twisting the reader's mind around with Elise's. As helpless as I felt Elise was, and as much as I wished Chantal had told more of the story, it really had to be Elise's. Her character and the story fit perfectly together. Easily manipulated, increasingly paranoid, and longing to trust someone, this thriller depended on her perspective.

Let's discuss the setting a bit. It takes place on an island off the coast of Washington. It's remote and idyllic with a small population. It's seemingly cut off from the rest of the world, so is its own microcosm. At the beginning, I really loved the island. It really did feel idyllic and picture perfect and, gosh, I wouldn't mind living there. But, as the story went along, that remoteness came into play with absolute perfection. The island began to feel sinister, as though it were wrapping itself around Elise and choking her.

The Poison Garden tells a really twisted story. It asks whether you truly know someone. I loved not knowing what was going on and where the story was going. I felt as helpless as Elise did. I found it really easy to be swept up in this story. Overall, this was an excellent thriller where the story, characters, and setting worked together with near flawlessness to tell a truly dark and twisted story.


Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
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