Wow! This is such a fantastic psychological thriller that it is hard to believe it is the author's debut. THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW had me glued to each page and devouring every word that I could not put down until I finished! So full of twists it will leave your mind reeling and your head spinning!

When I first read the premise for the book, I thought it would be something like Kim Slater's "Liar". I was wrong. This was so much more and then-some!

The story begins with Annie who lives in an isolated seaside cottage she inherited from her drunken father many years ago. As a single mother, she thought it was the perfect place to raise her son Ben and always kept him close, loving their life together. It had always been just the two of them - Annie and Ben. They needed no one else.

Until Ben met Daisy.

After a whirlwind affair and discovering she was pregnant, Ben and Daisy married in a quiet ceremony within months of meeting. He adores her and she is utterly in love with him and together they complete each other. They share a flat with Daisy's best friend Eve and are incredibly happy. Life is good within their little bubble...what could possibly go wrong?
Enter Annie, stage door left.

As it had always been just the two of them, Annie seemingly struggles with the concept of Ben finding love beyond his mother. She doesn't believe they need anyone else but each other. The fact that they married in secret without telling anyone - especially Annie - doesn't help nor thrill her one bit. So when Ben brings Daisy to his childhood home to meet his mother, it is not a warm or welcome meeting.

It begins with just little things that Daisy thinks she imagines them. The dismissive look. The accusatory glance. The smile that doesn't reach the eyes. Her hand pressed against the scalding hot teapot. The refusal to acknowledge her pregnancy. And the constant chill in the air of what should be a cosy home. Daisy doesn't know what it is but it's clear that Annie doesn't welcome her. Her appearance is an obvious intrusion into what Annie perceives as her's and Ben's lives. The image she had envisioned of a warm and fluffy woman from the photo Ben had shown her of his mother was merely just wishful thinking. Annie does not want her here.

Ben is caught in the middle of his mother and his wife. A musician whose work comes in fits and spurts, Annie makes it abundantly clear that they would struggle to rely on Ben's income. Daisy is confused - is she proud of her son or not?

Then Ben gets offered a huge gig in Scotland to record an album with a band - but it means leaving Daisy for several months. He is excited at the prospect and Daisy encourages him to take it as it would mean experience for him and money for them and the baby. While he doesn't need to leave until after Christmas, he hopes to be back before the baby is born.

When the flat they share with Eve erupts in a gas explosion, killing her best friend and destroying all their belongings, Ben and Daisy have no choice but to move in with Annie. But grieving the loss of Eve, Daisy is uncomfortable in Annie's house, as Annie obviously doesn't welcome her presence. Still she tries to make the best of it for Ben's sake and soon wonders if this could be a good opportunity for the women to bond.

But Annie has other ideas. She recognises Daisy's face from somewhere and has racked her brain from the moment she met her. Until it came to her. Searching the internet for information, she finds what she needs and prints it out to confront Ben with the truth about his wife.

Ben then confronts Daisy. They have words and Ben storms out the house and disappears to Scotland for this big job he had lined up. Daisy regrets their row and messages Ben constantly her apologies but receives no response. And as the days roll into weeks and months with still no word from Ben, Daisy must resign herself that he may not return.

Tortured with grief at the loss of her best friend Eve and now with the absence of her husband, Daisy spirals into a deep depression and finds that Annie is all she has now and that she must rely on her mother-in-law to care for her. Still she questions why Ben doesn't respond and after weeks of silence from him Daisy finds herself complying with Annie, believing that she probably knows best. But does she really?

From the beginning we know that something about Annie is off. Although the bond between a mother and child is strong, Annie's obsession with Ben and their "secret party of two" is not normal. Does she truly want what's best for her grandchild? Or are her motives more sinister? But then is Daisy all that she appears to be? What is her terrible secret that she feels she is unworthy of motherhood? What does Annie know about her that drove Ben away in anger? And why is Ben different? Why does he have memories that don't correlate with the upbringing he's had? And why does Annie insist that he loves his mum while Ben appears indifferent, reluctant to talk about her? So many questions as we turn the pages at a brisk pace in search of the answers.

Annie and Daisy tell their stories in alternate chapters in the first person, bringing a personal perspective to the plot. Their thoughts draw us into the abyss of their confused minds with their equally complicated narratives. And then there is Grace, who shares her own remarkable story. Who is she? And where does she fit in?

With each chapter the story unfolds delivering new revelations so shocking that make THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW a compelling and intriguing read you cannot put down. The characters are complex, emotionally damaged in their own ways, but entirely believable. It is easy to feel empathy for Daisy in her predicament from which she cannot escape. She is grieving and she is missing her husband, added to that her hormones are playing havoc with her emotions making her easy prey for the mother-in-law from hell.

But almost from the start we know Annie is someone we just love to hate. She is a master manipulator determined to get her own way, with an overpowering dominance and a warped idea of love. The way she totally justifies her actions in her narrative just made me devour her chapters even quicker. The woman is a sociopath. She cannot feel love, only a misplaced sense of love, nor is she remorseful for anything she does or has done.

But mark my words, be prepared for Annie to get under your skin and stay there long after you have finished the book. She told us herself - "When I feel unhinged, who knows what I'm capable of?!"

THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW is twisted with a capital T. Clever, but oh so twisted! The psychological rollercoaster ride we are taken on is fast-paced and thrilling as the story progresses, keeping us guessing who is hiding the biggest secret?

With a Hitchcockian tension that is palpable from the start, THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW is filled with suspense so compelling that part of you will want to savour the sheer brilliance of such a twisted tale while the other wants to race to the finish just to escape Annie, who will both terrify you and infuriate you.

As the penultimate climax builds so does the tension unfolding to a dramatic conclusion that will keep readers glued to the very last page. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little rushed which could be due to the building tension throughout the entire book. Still, I had hoped for more karma at the end.

While there was plenty of confusion throughout, I did piece some of the puzzle together quite early but that never deters from my enjoyment of a good story. I had my suspicions and at other times I was completely baffled. A brilliant thriller, THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW - which should really be called THE MOTHER-IN-LAW - was creepy, sinister and completely twisted. The more disturbed, the more delicious!

I cannot believe this is Nina Manning's debut. She excels in this genre so brilliantly and is an author to watch out for. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Highly, highly recommended, deserving of more than the 5 stars I can only give.

I would like to thank #NinaManning, #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheDaugherInLaw in exchange for an honest review.

"A relationship between a mother and son was a very special bond, but that bond was beginning to show signs of strain and I would do anything to keep it from breaking and to make sure nothing or anyone came between us."

The Daughter In Law is the debut thriller novel by Nina Manning. Annie is a single mother - it has always been just her and her son, Ben. But once he's grown up, he meets a woman called Daisy and moves in with her. Annie is shocked to find out that they are married and expecting a child after 5 months together. Ben and Daisy end up having to move into Annie's house in the middle of nowhere, where Annie can make sure that her son doesn't get taken away from her. When Ben goes missing it becomes clear that Daisy and Annie only have each other to rely on now...

I'm getting more into reading thrillers recently and this is one I really enjoyed. It's hard to describe the book without giving spoilers but it's great - full of twists and turns.

The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning is a début, first rate thriller that ticked all of the boxes for me. An uneasy feeling made its presence early and did not release me until the final shocking twist.

The story was told from three alternating perspectives - that of Annie, the mother-in-law, Daisy, the daughter-in-law, and Grace, whose part in the plot was unknown throughout the narrative until all was revealed. This novel was incredibly well put together and so well thought out for a début and I was mightily impressed. Not a single clue was given to me as the reader and I found myself living as if I were Daisy, not knowing what was going to happen next. This was an incredibly compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I look forward to reading more contributions from this fabulous new author, Nina Manning.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I am unsure if the mother in law is named for infamous psychopath Annie WIlkes, but I bet they would have got along like a house on fire(pardon the pun)

We all might think we have the in-laws from hell, but in Daisy's case, she really and truly does. The journey through 'The Daughter In Law' is a neat story of self discovery, forgiveness and how far a mother will go to protect her child.

Whilst trying to be super careful not to give away any spoilers, I can say it is a book which gives up its' treaures slowly and even if you guess what happened and where it is going, it's so well written that it really doesn;t matter, you are happy to be along for the ride. The same with any plot inconsistencies, when a writer does such an impassioned job, you can overlook themand not be picky.

The basic storyline is-boy meets girl, they fall in love, they have to move in with the in law when he goes off to earn money to provide for their new baby, pregnant wife is trapped by evil m.i.l from hell.

However, what is important to note is that threaded through this tale of psychological suspense, are themes of grief, loss, societal expectation on women to reproduce, infertility, and abuse.

Annie may be a complete wrong'un but I defy readers not to finish the book without some empathy for her despite what she has done-undiagnosed trauma and loss can completely affect the trajectory of a person's life. But Annie and Daisy together are like the immovable object and the unstoppable force. Which one will come out on top? Read this fantastic debut thriller to find out for yourself!

Five out of five stars for The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning!

This title was a great read - if the book looks good to you from the description, go for it!!!

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley, who provided this free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Gosh, where do you start with a book like this! Unreliable narrators and crazy-ass women complete check in this book! The Daughter-in-Law consists mainly of two characters, Annie and Daisy, the daughter-in-law. When I cracked this open, I didn’t have a clue where I was going to be taken. I felt the blurb was ambiguous and I read it a couple of times to try and tease out new information but got nothing. Instead, the book just enveloped me.

Ben and Daisy have a rather whirlwind relationship which leads to a “shotgun wedding”, Ben brings Daisy home one day to meet his mother as he’s been avoiding her for months and to say that Daisy got a frosty reception is an understatement. Annie takes smothering a child and mummy boys phrases to an entirely new playing field. Something didn’t sit right with me with her.

However, what I have always loved is an unreliable narrator stance, so when you view things from Annie’s chapter it makes you wonder if Daisy is everything that Annie says she is. Then when you read Daisy’s chapter it’s completely different. So what is the truth?!

I spent a lot of the time shaking my head at the book, and getting a bit irate from the behaviour of these women as the book focuses mainly on the two of them living in Annie’s house during the run-up to Daisy giving birth. Daisy at times was very submissive with Annie, she did as she was told, took her pills and played a quiet little mouse well. I got annoyed as I wanted her to question everything I had been. Granted I know when suffering from depression it’s very easy to hide away in that hole, I do, but I hated not knowing too! Annie is a complete control freak and also very damn right rude at times with her snipes. Not sure I would be able to hold my tongue, let alone smile and try to enjoy lunch. Her world starts and finishes with Ben.

Slowly, so very slowly we learn new information from throwaway comments and I lapped everything up trying to piece the puzzle together. I suspected one thread but I hit my head hard when Manning pulled the rug out from under with a reveal. Didn’t see it coming and that is something I loved!

The book is intense, although it doesn’t feel like much is happening. the chapters are short and snappy and I found myself at times holding my breath waiting for something to happen. I love a book grips you like this, creating a huge black cloud of foreboding, making you crave the next page, next chapter to find out what the frick is going on.

My head is buzzing from this book and where I was unsure of where I was going it knocked the wind out of me. Gah, you have to read it! I can’t explain any more of the plot it would just ruin it, but always go with your gut feelings! I know I did and it paid off!

Seriously I have to add, this is a blinking debut! How!! This book is so well crafted already, the writing flows and grabs your attention from the get-go. Manning knows how to pull you in and keep you glued to the pages of her book. She knows how much information to give you in each chapter, just enough to keep turning the pages. It has unnerved me, not many books can rattle me by the end and only a few have. This one has done something to my brain, it has got me a bit on edge, I can’t trust anyone now!!!!!!! Writing like this is why I love reading. With a story that packs in different subjects that truly hit home upon reflection and crafted the way Manning has done in her book tells you a lot! I am so excited to see what she does next.

The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning is a top-notch thriller that ticks all of the boxes for me. An unease settles in early, and does not let go until the final shocking twist. This is a brilliant debut.

The novel is told from the alternating perspectives of Annie, the mother-in-law, Daisy, the daughter-in-law, and Grace, whose relationship to the plot is unknown throughout the narrative. Ben is Annie's son, and has always been the centre of her world. When Ben meets Daisy, they marry quickly and have a child on the way, all before Annie knows of Daisy's existence in her son's life. The tension between the two women is palpable from their first meeting, and only intensifies when Ben goes missing. The women realize that they only have each other, and must find a way to coexist for the good of the unborn child. But just how far can each woman trust the other?

This one kept me up late into the night, rapidly turning the pages in an effort to unravel it all. This is a compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Wow! Absolutely loved this one! Flew through it in just over 24 hours and couldn't turn the electronic pages fast enough!
There are only a few characters but my goodness are they fleshed out - amazing development and depth, especially with Annie (the mother-in-law) and Daisy (the daughter-in-law). A twisty, turny, sinister thrill-ride which will have you holding your breath as you turn the page. I hated a character that deserved only sympathy and I almost empathised with one who deserved what they got in the end, which was wholly due to the fantastic writing. I can't believe this is a debut novel!
My only criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed. I needed to know more of the intricacies of this dark relationship between Ben and his mother and what happened to them both after the explosive build up to the ending which then fell a little flat with its 'happy ever after' vibes.
A stunning first novel. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more by Nina Manning!

Wow, what an incredible debut novel! Nina has created a physiological thriller that stands out from the crowd and I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

The book begins with Annie meeting her her daughter in law, Daisy for the very first time. However it turns out that Daisy is already married to Annie’s precious son Ben and they are expecting their first child together, none of which Annie was aware of, or involved in.

This is another book where the author has decided on alternating chapters between protagonists Annie and Daisy. We hear from both points of view which paints a clear picture of what they are thinking, whilst still holding back enough details to keep us readers guessing until the very end.

Once I started reading The Daughter In Law, I struggled to put it down. I was reading in bed, in the bath, on the loo and even at my desk in secret! My heart was pounding, I was holding onto the edge of my seat and my mind was in overdrive trying to figure out the what, when and whys!

From the very first chapter I was hooked. I was instantly drawn to Daisy even though it slowly become obvious she had some hidden secrets. I was also very suspicious of both Ben and Annie, but for very different reasons.

I really enjoyed how I was completely in the dark until the very last chapter or two. I had no idea how Nina was going to wrap everything up, and honestly think I would never have been able to guess the ending.

A fantastic debut novel, and I cant wait to read more by Nina!

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The Daughter In Law is about a crazy mother in law who seems to think no one is good enough for her baby boy. The crazy mom trope seems to be pretty popular lately. With that said, this book was definitely good. It was predictable at times, but still entertaining enough to hold your interest.

I'll definitely be reading other books by this author.

The Daughter In Law was a somewhat predictable thriller. Don’t get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read, it just wasn’t as exciting as I had hoped. The book starts off well however towards the middle of the book, the pace slows down and I found myself waiting a long time for something exciting to happen. ⁣
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Not a bad debut from this author, she definitely has promise. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.
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I've been reading a lot of the "mother-in-law is bonkers" books and was hoping this was going to check all my boxes for this type of book. It actually exceeded any expectation and I was surprised beings this is the author's debut book. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more by this author.

Annie has had her son Ben to herself for his entire life. But then Daisy appears on the scene. Daisy & Ben marry quickly and are expecting a baby, and Annie's life has been turned upside down.
The first 1/4 of the book was slow for me and hard for me to get in to. I am glad that I persevered, because once I commuted myself to the story, it picked up. Strange events started to happen, and I braced myself for twists and turns. I didn't see the full ending coming, and enjoyed the surprises.

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

This was a well thought out plot which focused on the desperation of childlessness as well as the trauma of rejection. I liked the way Manning ~almost~ over played her hand when dropping hints only to reveal later that “so much worse” was, in fact, the truth. And I think that by giving the reader a bigger hint than was expected, she actually created a greater surprise in the end. No, she didn’t use red herrings … she kept the reader on the right path, just with the wrong expectation.

The character development was excellent and the action was straight forward. The story was told in alternating chapters using first person accounts from different characters, but it wasn’t re-telling the same scene, but rather moving the plot forward simply using a different point of view. I appreciated having each chapter headed by the name of the character speaking.

This was a fast read suspense novel with a most satisfactory conclusion. I highly recommend it and will look for others by Nina Manning.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Annie inherited her violent, drunken father’s seaside home when he passed away. This is where single mother, Annie, brought up her son, Ben. Annie has always kept him close and loved their life together - just the two of them. Now, Ben has secretly married a woman named Daisy who became pregnant early in their relationship. When Ben brings Daisy to meet Annie, it’s not a warm meeting.

Ben is a musician working small gigs here and there. When he gets offered a job in Scotland to record an album with a band, he is thrilled. The problem is he will be away for several months, but hopes to be home be the time the baby is born. Ben wants Daisy to stay with his mother while he is gone. Daisy doesn’t like it but ends up agreeing.

A gas explosion at the apartment that she had shared with her best friend killed her friend and destroyed all of her belongings. Now, she definitely must stay with Annie.

Tortured with grief at the loss of her friend and the absence of her husband, Daisy spirals down with only Annie to care for her. Daisy soon realizes that Annie may not be who she thinks she is, but the woman is very overpowering and Daisy finds herself falling down the rabbit hole.

The story has flashbacks to Annie’s earlier life and Daisy’s earlier life. What did each of them do that they are trying to keep secret?

I enjoyed this book very much. It dragged a bit for me in the beginning, but that’s probably because it was setting the stage for Daisy’s depressed feelings. However, it certainly picks up quickly and is a story that will keep readers glued right up to the last page.

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

A n author to follow tense chilling novel so well written characters tharpt drew me right in.Ipicked up the book to read a few pages& found myself reading late into the night highly recommend,#netgalley#boldwoodbooks,

I absolutely loved this book! I definitely recommend it! I could not put it down! I loved how the book went from Annie's perspective to Daisy's perspective.

This starts off as a very fast love affair between Ben and Daisy with marriage and pregnancy happening within months. Then comes the visit to meet Ben’s mother Annie. Mother in law from hell, who still seems to see Ben as a young boy and not the man he has become, sees Daisy as a threat to their relationship.

Alternating chapters are narrated by Annie and Daisy, both hiding secrets so you have no idea who to trust. I do love an unreliable narrator and with this you get two woo hoo. Then the occasional chapter is told by Grace, who is she? What does her story have to do with Annie or Daisy? No spoilers here!

Annie is a master manipulator who is determined to get her own way then Ben goes missing so Annie is all Daisy has left. I love a good baddie and Annie is as wicked as they come. Her idea of love is warped and I eagerly devoured her chapters as the characterisation is spot on. She totally justifies her actions to herself with a misplaced sense of her love for Ben.

This has a palpable tension as it builds to a dramatic conclusion. I gave this four stars as I saw some of the reveals coming too early but this is a great debut and I look forward to her next book.

Here’s another great book, The Daughter In Law by Nina Manning. I swear, 2019 has been the best year ever for books. The good ones just keep coming out and I can hardly keep up!

Plot:

As a single mother, Annie has an especially close relationship with her son, Ben. They have always been together. Just the two of them. So, when Ben brings home his mysterious beautiful new wife, Daisy, immediately Annie doesn’t trust her. Who is this woman who has taken her son away from her? And what is she hiding?
She’ll protect him with her life…

When Ben disappears, suddenly Annie and Daisy are all the other one has. Alone in Annie’s big, remote house, just the two of them, the tension is rising. And like any protective mother, Annie will stop at nothing to expose her new daughter in law, and the secrets she is hiding…

The book alternates chapters between Annie and Daisy, who do you trust? (Spoiler- one of them is crazy) There are lots of great scenes and the ending..WOW. A fantastic debut novel. I will keep my eyes open for anything else the author writes!

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