The Sister-in-Law is a domestic thriller and an engrossing story, set on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. When Clare and Dan Taylor head to an Italian Villa for their summer holiday with Dan's family, Clare really hoped she could get some much needed relaxation time. She's had a hard time of it lately and is looking forward to putting her feet up for the next few days. For Dan, he has been suffering from a roving eye but now thinks he has put all that behind him. However, Dan's well travelled, younger brother Jamie, rocks up but he is not alone... he has brought his beautiful new wife, Ella. A wife no one else knows because they have just got married and intend to use this time as their honeymoon, thwarting everyone's plans.

I loved this fantastic, juicy thriller by Sue Watson! It was a thoroughly riveting and compulsive story with a sound plot, perfect pacing, and this talented author's writing style suited me well. I appreciated the way Sue Watson created a subtly oppressive atmosphere and a sense of foreboding, surreptitiously notching up the tension until everything eventually reached crisis point. Family dynamics and toxic relationships were deftly described and the characters so well drawn and portrayed with an interesting, authentic cluster of layers that I regularly found myself shouting at my e-reader! Joy was especially odious and I frequently felt incensed on behalf of protagonist Clare.

The Sister-in-Law was a story of secrets, relationship tensions and struggles, duplicity, jealousy, deception and power to name but a few. There was absolutely no room for boredom and I was held in its thrall from the very first page.

This was an excellent and exhilarating novel, complete with an unforgettable resolution. Very highly recommended and well worth reading.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

The peaceful setting of an Italian villa on the Amalfi Coast belies the tension in the family inhabiting the villa. This contradiction adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere. The author did a good job of creating characters that were real enough that their actions were natural. There were a few worthy twists (like when Clare fought fire with fire (no spoiler)) and some of my suspicions were proven true, but they were still good reveals. It felt like it lagged a little bit in the middle, but overall, it was good, quick psychological thriller. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.

Clare and Dan plus their 3 young children are spending a summer with Dan's parents and his younger brother, Jamie.

Jamie is back after spending years meandering around the world. But he has a surprise in store for the family. He's brought his brand new wife, Ella.

Ella is everything Clare is not... young, beautiful, alluring, stylish. She knows a secret about Clare ... a secret that will tear this family apart if it becomes known.

Someone wants this secret to stay in the shadows ... forever.

This is the most dysfunctional family ever. Dan is a serial cheater. And he is certainly attracted to his brother's new wife. Clare is the ever-suffering wife, putting up with her husband's affairs time and time again in order to maintain her family. Dan's mother is the queen bee. She's a bit on the bossy side and no one seems to want to ever get on her wrong side. Dan's father is quiet ... and he will do anything to keep his wife happy. And then there's Ella. She has her own agenda and she's determined to get her own way. But what...exactly.. is her agenda? She's manipulative, sneaky, and calculating ..and she really, really doesn't like Clare or her 'brats' as she calls them.

This is well written with skillfully drawn characters and a tightly woven plot filled with twists and turns that leave the reader riveted to each and every page. The conclusion is explosive ..and unexpected.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Another really good read by Sue Watson. The Taylors are not likeable people. They all have secrets. The twists in this story are really cleverly written. The characters are so well described I could imagine them. This is not an idyllic summer holiday. Secrets and lies and infidelities are all laid bare and lives are changed.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The Sister in Law

Clare, her husband Dan, and three kids join Clare’s in-laws for vacation each year. This year will hopefully help them mend the marriage they are working to mend after Dan’s past affairs. Dan’s brother shows up with his surprising new wife, Ella. Ella is model gorgeous and everything Clare isn’t. Right off the bat Ella is out to get Clare. She makes snide remarks, manipulates, and flirts with Dan. Clare tries to defend herself, but everybody seems to think she is just jealous of beautiful Ella.

I flew through this one. It was so well written that you feel like you’re right there in the story with Clare and Ella. I was on edge while reading it, waiting for Ella’s next evil plot. Ella is such a manipulative and ill-meaning person, it was so frustrating as more and more kept happening. Lying to cover up lies! Loved the ending as well.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was given an early copy of The Sister In Law in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to all involved - all opinions are my own.

This was my read by Sue Watson but it won’t be my last. I binge read this is 24 hours and loved every page. Just when I thought it was going to end predictably, there were more twists. I went from really disliking the two main characters (Ella & Clare ) to loving them both (mostly) and feeling empathy. This is an amazing family domestic thriller that left me wanting more. I highly recommend this one. Perfect quarantine reading!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars from me. I will be going to kindle to purchase Sues previous books also! I can’t wait to dig in!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sue Watson for the opportunity to read her latest novel - loved it! 4.5 stars for an entertaining book that was hard to put down!

Clare and her husband, Dan, and their three children are at an Italian villa with his parents for their annual vacation. It's been a tough time for Clare and Dan and she is looking forward to reconnecting and working on their marriage, plus getting some needed relaxation. All that changes when Dan's younger brother, Jamie, the spoiled prince of the family, shows up with a wife, Ella. Ella is young and beautiful and seems bound and determined to cause issues between Clare and Dan's family. Worst of all - Ella apparently knows Clare's deepest secret and is threatening to expose her.

This book was like watching a train wreck - you just couldn't look away from the drama! And that was the fun of it. A quick read that will make you thankful for the lesser dramas in your own family!

The Sister-in-Law had me up way past my bedtime last night trying to finish this gripping thriller!!

Clare and Dan are on holiday with their 3 children and Dan's parents. Dan has been unfaithful, so it's a perfect chance to reinvigorate their marriage. Jaime, Dan's brother, finally arrives and to everyone's surprise, brings his new, gorgeous wife, Ella.

Ella is just a terrible little witch to Clare. Unfortunately, the rest of the family is enamored with her and don't see who she really is or how she's treating Clare.

If you love a good family drama, filled with amazing characters and shocking secrets, you will love this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sue Watson for providing me with an ARC.

For the majority of the book, 'The Sister-in-Law' was intriguing enough to keep me engrossed in the story. Although, at times, I felt the book was repetitive and the pacing seemed to stall the story's progress.

It was evident from the onset of the roles that each character would play: Clare-the walking wounded; Joy-the walking martyr; Ella-the walking succubus; Jaime-the walking foil; and Dan-the walking appendage.

It was also clear that the story would unfold as expected. I thought the epilogue was unnecessary. 'The Sister-in-Law' was maybe somewhat subdued for the genre but still a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sue Watson for an ARC of 'The Sister-in-Law' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

This is the first book I’ve read of Sue Watson. I enjoyed the writing style and imagined the setting of the villa from the description given along with all the characters. Thankfully I don’t know anyone like Ella. I’ve come across men like Dan and Jamie and see the bond with their mother Joy.

The main character, Clare however really frustrated me. I couldn’t put the book down but there were so many occasions when I was talking to the book telling her what she should do! I was interested to see if Clare would ever do anything that I would do if I was in that situation, but she didn’t......until the end!!

The ending was bittersweet however I did predict it.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for my honest review.

First, I want to thank Sue Watson, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

WOW! Sue Watson is back with a jam packed twisted and gripping thriller in The Sister In Law. As always she gifted us with her amazing yet unique storyline. Another must read form Sue.

From the very beginning Ella (one of the main characters) rubbed me the wrong way. I Was not the only one that mentioned her dislike of her in the book. Claire didn’t care for her either.

Sue did an awesome job with the characters. Each of them brought something unique to the storyline.

Being into pop culture I enjoyed reading the fact that Ella was into everything stardom on Instagram

This book discusses topics such as Infidelity, secrets, lies, etc.

One thing I loved about the book was how Sue brought up and educated her readers on Vegetarianism. I laughed about the jokes saying Claire loved meat.

The twists and turns at the end totally blew me away. Never saw that coming!

If you know me you know that I am a huge fan of the Royal Family. So the fact that this book was based on Megan Markle joining the Royal Family made me love this story even more.

The Taylor family are all set for their annual family holiday. This year they are visiting the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Italy and for Claire the holiday is a much needed break. Things between herself and her husband Dan have been strained, to say the least, so she is hoping the two weeks away with babysitters in situ will allow them the time they need to start to mend the rift between them.

When Jamie, Dan’s brother, arrives he brings with him a very unexpected plus one - a new wife called Ella! While Ella seems to be settling in well and ingratiating herself with the rest of the family Claire and her just don’t hit it off - and things only go downhill between them from there. Ella reveals she knows a big secret of Claire’s... and no one wants it to be revealed!

Really tense psychological thriller with so many twists and turns I could hardly keep up. Had me reading ‘just one more chapter’ on too many occasions as I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Had me hooked right to the end. A great book to add to your reading list.

Thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley & Sue Watson for the ARC of this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the variety of characters in it. It had a good story to it. It was a well written book. I hope to read more books by this author.

The Sister-in-Law was an absolutely thrilling story about a family and all of their secrets. Ella came into the family harbouring her own share of secrets that would remain hidden for as long as possible. I spent the duration of the story trying to determine who I could trust, who was lying, and who had secrets that were bound to be revealed. I loved this page turner and hope to read more thrillers by Sue Watson. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this title.

Secrets. Lies. Deception. Betrayal. #TheSisterinLaw just about covers it all. Clare and Dan needed this family vacation. Dan and his wandering eye have put a strain on their relationship. Can. Family trip to Italy fix it? Dan's little brother and new wife come to put that to the test. So many questions you just can't stop reading. I was hooked the moment wee met Ella, because I instantly hated her. But were my feelings valid? Was Ella the poison? This is a must read! Make sure you've got time to do it too, as I read it in one sitting!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC

Another atmospheric page turner from Sue Watson! I enjoyed this story and didn't see many of the twists and turns coming. The plot wasn't wholly original, but entertaining and I would happily read more by this author in the future!

First of I have to say I loved this book !!!! A perfect summer read, although not if you’re on a family holiday in a villa !!

Clare is ready for a family holiday and is relieved to arrive in Italy with her husband, Dan, and their three children. They arrive at the villa where Dan’s parents have everything ready for their two week stay. What could be better than a relaxing holiday in the sun with babysitters on tap.

But then Jamie, Dan’s brother, arrives with a mystery girl in tow. Jamie has always been a traveler and hops from girlfriend to girlfriend but Ella is different, they are married !!!! Clare welcomes Ella into the family and hopes they can be like sisters but Ella makes it perfectly clear that is not going to happen. Suddenly Clare’s holiday isn’t quite as laid back and relaxing as she thought. Is there a reason behind Ella’s hostility towards Clare ?

This was a fantastic psychological thriller that I just couldn’t stop reading, although I didn’t want it to end either !!!! The twists are plentiful and just as you think you have it all worked out something else happens and you are back to having no idea. This is definitely a great book that you have to add right to the top of you TBR pile !! One not to be missed.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

Family holiday with the in laws to a villa in Italy, Clare is looking forward to some relaxing time with her husband and children and to spending some time with the in laws and seeing her brother in law Jamie again. However Jamie turns up with a surprise, his new wife Ella who takes an instant dislike to Clare, her behaviour is really quite vile towards Clare but why ? A must read to find out why Ella is behaving the way she does, who Clare's family side with and the many secrets that are hidden deep within the family. Lies, infidelity, tears, tantrums and a twist at the end you don't see coming!

TERRIBLE HUMAN BEINGS MEET OTHER TERRIBLE HUMAN BEINGS! BOOM

Wow! This was a cast of terrible people, and I didn't like any of them at all! But did I like watching them all squirm around each other...absolutely! Does that make me a terrible person? (don't answer that;)

We follow a woman who is a bit weak and needs a backbone, as she is leaving town for her families summer vacation to Italy. With her is her three children and her cheating womanizing husband. They will be spending the vacation at a villa with her in-laws and her brother in-law as they do every summer. Except this year, the brother-in-law has a huge surprise for everyone! He's brought along a female companion. And not just any woman, she is officially his wife as of that week! Surprise!

As the vacation continues, the new sister-in-law starts to make it clear she is not a fan and lays into our main character every chance she gets. Snide comments about her weight, about her parenting, about her cooking and so on and so on. I was so uncomfortable just reading it, I can't imagine being on the receiving end. And of course her in-laws, nor her husband are any real help. So she feels all alone and is left to endure this on her own. And then the big comment comes..."I know about your big dirty secret"....!

The rest of the story is told on pins and needles as the main character is frantic with worry over what her new sister in law may or may not tell everyone. What can she do? what should she do? What will happen if she does nothing? And more importantly....what is her big secret?? Oh the tension and suspense! This book does not disappoint! I only wish the ending had more fall out for some characters and we got to see more action from it.

Overall a solid suspenseful read!

*Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing the digital review copy.

Clare is married to Dan and they have 3 young children, full time jobs and a busy life. Every year Clare and Dan holiday with Dan's parents - an event that Clare looks forward to enormously as she has no close family of her own. Right from the start, as the family arrive in glorious Italy to holiday in a beautiful private villa, it is apparent that Clare craves approval and has an overwhelming desire to enjoy a close relationship with her domineering and judgmental mother in law Joy and mostly silent and completely hen-pecked father in law Bob. It is also apparent that Clare and Dan have some issues within their relationship and are attempting to work through some problems.
As the family settle in to their longed-for holiday their peace and harmony is rocked by the arrival of Dan's globe trotting younger brother Jamie - AND his brand new wife Ella, a woman the family have never heard of until now.
Ella is stunning - a young, beautiful 'social influencer' who appears to have it all and both her and Jamie seem head over heels in love. Very quickly however Clare realises that Ella may well be her new sister in law but is most definitely not going to be her friend. On the face of it - and in front of everyone else - Ella is charm personified but her interactions with only Clare reveal a very different Ella. Worse than that, Ella makes it known that she knows Clare's secret - a secret so devastating that it could blow her treasured family apart.
But what is the secret? And who is Ella really?
All good questions and all answered in outstanding style by the author!
I absolutely loved this book and all the characters were amazingly well-written if unlikeable and downright detestable at times.
A massive 5 stars and huge thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - it was a pleasure to read!