Cover Image: The Child Who Never Was

The Child Who Never Was

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Member Reviews

This book started of good but lost its way half way through, I sort of guessed what was going to happen, I struggled reading it.

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I was intrigued from the very first page
All of the characters were completely unreliable
This is a slow paced book but it works.
It’s a very well written book
It’s an enjoyable book

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An intriguing family drama which leaves you wondering who to believe. Full of twists and turns, it was great to delve into Sarah and Evie's lives.

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This book started out seemingly great, but I solved the mystery about halfway into the book and from there, and things just fell apart. As soon as you solve what’s going on, you realize how completely and ridiculously far-fetched the concept is. After that, the story just falls apart seems rushed and unfinished not quite rounded out as a story, but more it reads like an outline. i’ll try to always find at least one nice thing to say about the book or the authors writing but in this case, all I can say is the start of your idea was fantastic, but ultimately the mystery ends up being too far-fetched. Perhaps if it had been taken in a different direction, it would have played out better.

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This was a thriller with a well used missing child trope however this was done very well and had an engaging plot and some great twists!

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The writing of this book was so easy to follow, and I finished it within a day. I don’t know what writing style it is, but this is my favorite. One thing that is making the book lose a star is that I couldn’t find any character development or feel sympathy for characters.

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This was an easy enough read but felt the sisters relationship was a little forced and were both unlikeable. If have like to know more of the back story of the parents rather then a rushed bit part at the end same with the doctor Lewis and is relationship with The sister. I enjoyed this book but it wasn't amazing as the twists were easy to guess.

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Nothing is as it seems with this book, and just as soon as you think you have the plot figured out, it surprises you again. It is a thrilling read, and worth your time and effort. Recommended.
TB

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This book was just ok. The premise was good but the writing and execution was off. Certain words and phrases were repeated often and that pulled me out of the story. The first half of the book was also kind of repetitive and I found it hard to pick it back up. Certain key elements of the twist I was able to pick up on early in the story.

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I haven't read Jane's first book but I definitely will after reading this. I put off reading this book for a long time as I'd just had a baby and imagined myself in Sarah's shoes. I really regret putting it off now as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A really page turner, kept me guessing, plenty of twists and an unexpected ending. Brilliant.

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The book opens with Sarah's frantic search for her eighteen-month-old son, Oliver. Everyone insists that Sarah has never given birth, that the child she remembers and insists is her own is actually the son of her identical twin, Evie. Everyone insists that his name is James. The official records states that James is Evie's son. But Sarah remembers giving birth and refuses to believe that it's all a delusion brought on by her agoraphobia and fragile mental state. Watching this unreliable narrator try to reclaim the life that she believes is hers had me holding my breath until the very end, wondering what was actually the truth.

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I really enjoyed this engaging read which keeps you guessing and is well plotted.

Sarah and Eve are twins who obviously have a strong bond. I liked the childhood nicknames- Rah-Bee and Vee-Bee. When Sarah has a mental health episode, she is taken into a facility, convinced someone has stolen her 18 month old boy Oliver. However, it transpires that the little boy, James actually belongs to Eve. Sarah has just created a delusion about the child being hers.... or has she?

I thought the read was very well paced and the reveals were cleverly executed. The characters were vividly painted and the dialogue was authentic throughout.

I will definitely be recommending this book and looking out for more work by Jane Renshaw.

Thanks indeed to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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I love any books involving twins and this is up there with the best.

This is such a gripping and exciting psychological thriller. There are so many twists and turns, I was second guessing all of the characters and what their motives were.

I will be adding the authors other books to my list and highly recommend this book to all thriller fans.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for this review copy in exchange for an honest

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This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the plot twist at the end.

This book was really hard to get into. It was a very slow build that did pick up towards the end.

With one sister afraid to leave the house and the other living her life to the fullest, joined in a business endeavor, and a young child in between, it can only mean disaster.

The characters were well built, but not very relatable. I found it hard to connect with them at times.

I did enjoy the ending and the most of the build up.

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New author to me, but I'll definitely be reading more. This book pulled me in from the beginning and kept me captivated until the very last page! What a page turner! Highly recommend!

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WoW!!!! If you want a book that will keep you up to the early hours in the morning and thats full of twist and turns this is a book for you!!! The Child Who Never Was by Jane Renshaw was an excellent read and I was hooked from the very first page.

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I really enjoyed this book. The flow of the story kept my attention. The conclusion was great and I look forward to reading more by this author.

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This was def an intriguing tale that had me hooked from the start. The characters were interesting and layered which added to the overall story. I wouldn't say this was an amazing thriller, but def worth reading. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Child Who Never is an engaging and exciting psychological thriller. There are so many twists and turns, leaving the reader guessing the motives of the characters and suspecting everyone. Throughout the narrative, past tragedy is referred to and the author very skilfully leads us to the conclusion while dropping hints of the actual truth along the way. I thoroughly recommend it.

The author, Jane Renshaw is new to me and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Inkubator Books.

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A very interesting read, kept me hooked from start to finish, loved all the twists and turns, came to a very satisfying conclusion

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