Incredible, I cannot recommend it enough.

The plot introduces us to three women whose lives converge and impact on one another with devastating consequences.

Veronica and George are moving into their new house in Primrose Hill – a new start following the miscarriage some time before. Sarah is a school teacher and she is aware that there is tension in her marriage – as they focus on trying to get pregnant again. The first night in their new home is ruined by the excessive music and noise of physical violence, and a baby crying bleeding through the dividing wall into their bedroom.

Next door Simone and Terry who have taken over a Council flat are seriously dysfunctional, drugs, alcohol, violence, coercive control plus their daughter and Simone’s son. Their new neighbours are everything that Terry despises – posh, shiny new, respectable.

Sarah and Dave happily married, also have two children, Amelia and Henry. Dave is the primary carer of the children whilst Sarah is a lawyer. It transpires that Veronica is to be Amelia’s teacher and so their lives connect. On the first morning they meet Veronica is keen to remind Sarah that they were friends at school, not only friends, but for one summer best friends.

This is brilliantly written with a great plot that covers addiction, violence, child neglect, abuse, physical and mental abuse, rape, sexual harassment and death. A really tense psychological thriller with great characters.

This would make a brilliant film and I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Did not engage with this book at all. Very slow. Unlikeable characters. Struggled to get to the end. Sorry fell flat for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

A really heavy read but one that I really enjoyed. Touched on very sensitive subjects such as rape, child abuse, domestic violence etc. Very surprising and twisty ending, looking forward to reading more by this author!

We start this story with Simone. Sad, poor, Simone with her children, 11 year old Dominic and baby Jasmine, and her controlling, abusive husband, Terry. Domestic abuse really triggers me so her chapters really made me feel grimy and uncomfortable, but ultimately, I just felt so sad for her, especially as we delve into her past and learn how she wound up where she is. Drug addict and a drunk, turning against her parents, neglecting her kids... But she's just trying to do her best, really.

Veronica is Simone's new neighbor, along with her husband, George. Veronica is stuck in an unhappy marriage with her husband. They're going through a bit of a rut - he's distant and uninterested and the only time they have sex is when she is ovulating as they are stuck in the sex schedule that comes with trying to be get pregnant. She's also a teacher - and funny enough, one of her students is the daughter of her old friend, Sarah, who has everything Veronica wishes she had. Perfect husband, perfect daughter, perfect life.

Then, we have Sarah - the link to Veronica and some childhood trauma - as we learn through flashbacks. Sarah isn't so happy that Veronica is around. She doesn't want to reconnect. And yet, she ends up playing the role in order to meet her own needs...

These three women are intertwined in a gritty, delightful story that doesn't end up where you think it will. Each character is so well developed and each of their journeys comes to a satisfying conclusion - for the most part. But I won't tell you many details because the twists and turns along the way make the story so much more interesting. Let's just say, you'll be very invested in each of these characters!

4.5 Stars

I have rarely discovered a new writer whose talent is so evident from the very first words of her book. It is both gritty and delicate; sad and joyful; filled with life’s dark truths yet brimming over with the luminosity of love. The characters are now real to me, and I won’t forget them. This was a hard book to get through; it’s subject matter often so grim and shattering that I had to step away for awhile because of how effectively it was portrayed. Well done, Jemma Wayne.

Heartbreaking in its authenticity, purely developed characters whose every emotion is compassionately depicted. A masterpiece of heartache and resilience and love. This is an incredible novel full of vivid, unforgettable characters. The story is heartbreaking and bleak, the writing lyrical and rich. Simone and Terry are the most compelling characters I've come across. Simone especially, her story (and her children's) is utterly devastating. The relationship between Simone and her son Dominic is nuanced and beautifully told as is the history of Veronica and Sarah. The stories rang true. I had no idea what would become of the characters and they kept me engaged the entire time. Such a great read, indeed.

This is my first but certainly not my last read by this author.

Three women, three different personalities, three lives entwined. You need to go into this blind so I’m not going to rehash the story.

I felt the storyline was well thought out and put together. It’s not a light read so be warned.

The topics are heavy reading but I do believe stories with topics like this need to be told. Having said that I inhaled this story. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and legend press for providing me with a e-copy of this book to read.

The story revolves around three women, two childhood friends and a neighbor of one. I had a bit of a problem getting into the book but then was hooked. Th ebook deals with domestic violence, jealousy, and forgiveness. Having suffered with infertility issues for many years I really related to one off the women's 'baby envy'. The author gets those feelings right. I especially liked how the two friends were each jealous of the other but for different reasons. It's easy to think from the outside that no one struggles with angst but they do. The book was a nice reminder. I liked the nice easy ending to the book with things mostly working out. I'll definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.

This book tells the story of 3 women.

Veronica is our central character. She’s a bit of an odd one and you are torn between feeling sorry for her and contempt for the poor decisions she makes.

Sarah is an old friend of Veronica and they are reunited when her daughter, Amelia, ends up in Veronica’s class.

Simone lives next door to Veronica. She has by far the most interesting back story and character arch and is the most realistic and well rounded character in the book.

It’s quite hard to describe the plot of the book. There almost isn’t one- it’s just a description of a year in the life with some flashbacks thrown in to flesh out the story. Veronica grows up, Sarah learns she too is capable of bad things and Simone breaks free.

I did enjoy this book, but I could see where it was going from the moment the author carefully laboured the bit about the door latch not working properly. I think once would have been enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

This was a dark story about the lives of three women and how they intersect. I found it a bit difficult to get through at times, but all in all, a good debut.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Two women reconnect after 20 years apart. They remember their childhood friendship differently and their relationship is awkward.

I enjoyed this book, its not that I didn't, but I feel a bit 'empty' after it.
I felt there were a few parts of the story that perhaps didn't need to be there (the long winded flashbacks, for example - perhaps, these could've been better to set the history at the beginning of the story) and it kind of irked me a little how all these bad things were happening - but yet they all got their Disney-esque ending. As I said, I didn't not enjoy it, I just didn't LOVE it.

Wow...I was not expecting this. It's not your typical thriller which is why I loved it so much. It was a very interesting read with great characters. I dont want to say too much cause it's that good but you'll definitely enjoy this one. It's so good. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed it, its not your fast paced edge of your seat thriller but more a dark domestic tale, which is nice sometimes isn't it to take a little break from the more intense 'who done it' reads?....
A female led novel taken from Veronica a former school bully who longs for a child of her own.
Sarah who suffered at the hands of Veronica all those years ago and is far from thrilled to find her back in her life, teaching her daughter.
And Tortured Simone, existing next door to Veronica, beaten and bullied by her Boyfriend Terry. Terrified for herself and her children, what will she do to survive?
Like I said, a very domestic tale. But certainly not boring. An author who can keep you on your toes in stories such as this is an author I want to keep looking out for.
Well done Jemma! Would definitely recommend your book to others! And look forward to seeking out more!

I haven't previously read any of Jemma Wayne's books, but I have to say after reading this book all of her future books will be fast forwarded to the top of my reading pile!
This book was definitely a 5 star review for me and I recommend everyone to get a copy so they can experience this amazing piece of literature for themselves.
I have to admit, at first I was sceptical and it took a while for me to become engaged in the book; but after a while, I could not put this book down. Jemma Wayne, you should be so proud of yourself, this book is incredible and I'm so glad I requested to read it.
The description and vocabulary alone is phenomenal and the book was written from 3 perspectives: Vanessa, Sarah and Simone. I think this definitely exaggerated the most intense moments in this book.
In the book, we see Vanessa struggling with her previous miscarriage and how to regain the relationship she once had with her husband. They have worked hard to move into their new home, with Simone living next door. Through the sleepless nights caused by the noise of Simone's abusive husband, they struggle to reconnect, will anything ever be the way it was before? Vanessa also starts her new teaching job at the local primary school, where she reunites with her childhood best friend, Sarah. Though Vanessa doesn't remember, Sarah and herself did not have the best of partings, will old memories stir up the truth?
Simone, while treading on eggshells, scrambles to keep up with being a mother to her 2 children, Jasmine and Dominique and how will she tell her husband Terry about her new job....will she ever be truly happy again???

Thanks so much to net galley, legend press and the author for sending me an advanced copy of 'To Dare'. It certainly didn't disappoint!

And here I thought I was picking up a popcorn popping psychological thriller but this wasn't that at all. This book is heavy. We follow the trials and tribulations of three woman, separate from one another yet soon to connect.

Veronica - an elementary school teacher, former bully in youth, married, and yearning for children after a recent miscarriage.

"Sometimes into these ponderings would seep a toxic feeling of injustice: how unfair it was that parents like some of these, like her own, were gifted with children they rarely seemed to desire; how unfair that the dreadful man who lived next door was able to spawn a baby whose cries he willfully ignored and she had to listen to each night, in mockery; how unfair that her childhood friend, the same age as herself, had been granted not one but two children already."

Simone - Neighbor to Veronica. She has battled drug and alcohol addiction most of her life and lives with her husband Terry who is also a drug addict, alcoholic, and is physically and emotionally abusive to her and her son from a previous relationship. They do have a child together and it is she that Veronica can hear crying endlessly, untended to and neglected by everyone around her.

"These were the people that Simone knew, that Simone saw. United not by money, or lack of it, not by ethnicity or religion, not by the estate, but by just one thing: the way they hurt each other, generation after generation, round and around. They kept each other bound by that, like an inescapable magnet. Hurt people hurt people, don't they?"


Sarah - Veronica's childhood friend. Happily married with two lovely children. She and Veronica have recently become reacquainted because Sarah's daughter is in her class. Sarah doesn't hold fond memories of Veronica but Veronica insists they get together at Sarah's reluctance.

"When Veronica was looking at you, listening to you, loving you, you felt like queen of the world; but you weren't queen, because she was the queen."

This book tackles a lot of issues. I felt anger, sadness, frustration, but also hope. All three of these women infuriated me at one time or another but by the end I was growing to care for each of them. Jemma Wayne is a wonderful storyteller and her writing was just beautiful. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Legend Press and Netgalley for this ARC copy of To Dare. This book is a whirlwind of lives, thrust together and interwoven with beautiful mastery. I enjoyed this book and everything it had to offer. Bravo!

This book follows three British women who are inextricably bound up over the course of the novel.

Simone lives trapped with her two children and her abusive, homicidal boyfriend. At the outset of the book, she has decided to take a part-time job, even though she knows this will anger Terry, her boyfriend and the father of her baby, Jasmine.

Veronica and her husband George move in next door to Simone and notice instantly that something is not right on the other side of their shared wall. Veronica recently suffered a miscarriage and they are struggling to conceive another child. Her obsessive nature leads her to form a protective relationship with Simone’s son, Dominic, despite her fear of Terry. She has started a teaching job at the local school, and soon discovers that one of her students is the daughter of her childhood friend.

Sarah, whom Veronica refers to as her childhood best friend, is instantly uneasy when Veronica approaches her. At 12 years old, her and Veronica spent a summer together, and the way it ended has damaged her irrevocably. As the novel progresses, Veronica’s obsessive and manipulative nature drives Sarah to act completely out of character.

This novel examines class divides in the modern day UK. While the set up was intriguing, the writing style just did not work for me. I wish I had DNF’d this in the end. I usually love plots driven by secrets, but this one fell flat for me. Of course, this might be different for everyone!

This book for me was a slow burner and I really enjoyed this book told from the perspectives of the three main characters - Simone, Veronica, and Sarah which I think makes for a really good read.
Simone is a woman with two children, a boy to a previous partner and a younger girl to Terry - a loathsome, abusive, and vile character. Her new neighbours are Veronica a teacher who is happily married but is desperate for a baby and from her backstory she appears to have been a bit of a bully to her childhood friend. Sarah is her childhood friend, a lawyer who is happily married with two children and is the mother of one of Veronica's present-day pupils.
I loved the telling of the story from the perspectives of these three different women.
Simone is trapped in an abusive relationship and the circumstances and choices she has made previously mean that when we meet her she is accepting of what her life has become and is powerless to protect herself and her son from her abusive partner. She was an intelligent girl in her youth but is now estranged from her parents and the mother of her previous partner. She has no support network at all but through the book we see that she has resilience, she secures a job in a local gym and this propels her to try and make changes to her life for herself and her children.
Veronica has found herself in a beautiful new home, desperate to have a baby and as a result, has grown apart from her husband. As we learn more of Veronica's childhood we come to see that she was an unpleasant young woman and was manipulative and controlling. For me, her actions in the present-day felt a bit like she was trying to cancel out her behaviours from the past in some way but the author's skill in writing her character did make me question many times this perspective. Was she still as controlling and mean as she previously was? Her complex character writing had me gripped.
Sarah, we come to understand felt used and manipulated in her childhood friendship with Veronica. She has her suspicions about present-day events but feels unable at times to address what she thinks is going on. Is it still in her head? Is she really being manipulated again?
It was not until the end that I really made up my mind but even then the twists and turns had me turning the pages.
There are triggers in this book - mentions of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, mental abuse, child abuse, child neglect, miscarriage, and sexual harassment,
It was a 4.5 stars read for me - a really well-written book, told from the perspectives of three main characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend if you like a gripping, twisty psychological thriller.
Thanks for the author, the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This one has a little bit of everything - friendship, love, jealousy and revenge.

Veronica and her husband George have just moved into their newly renovated home. Their neighbour, Simone, is struggling to care for her two children under the watchful eye of her controlling husband, Terry. Veronica’s childhood friend, Sarah, has just unexpectedly reentered her life and the memories of their past friendship are brought back to to the surface.

The story is told through 3 perspectives - Veronica, Simone and Sarah.
The first half of the book was a bit slower, introducing you to the characters and giving you their back story. It took a while to really get into it, but by the 60% mark I was hooked - I had to find out what would happen to these women. I loved the alternating perspectives that this story was told through. I found myself drawn more to Simone’s perspective, which involved more of her relationship with her children and her overly controlling husband. Overall, I would recommend this one. A slower paced thriller with some strong female characters.

I enjoyed To Dare a female driven psychological thriller involving Veronica, a middle-class teacher who seems to have it all apart from a child of her own, her next door neighbour, Simone, who is living with a man who is the neighbour from hell, and Veronica's childhood best friend, Sarah.

it was a well plotted story and the characters realistically portrayed. To Dare will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty, Gillian McAllister and Jane Corry. Thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for the opportunity to read and review it.