Victoria Jenkins can sure write a good, twisty, psychological thriller!

This one is about two young moms who meet at a playdate. They’ve both made poor decisions earlier in life, but when it comes to their children, they only want the best and are willing to do what it takes to provide a loving home for them. Both women are suffering the consequences of their mistake and are looking for companionship, friendship and a sense of belonging. Dani is young, single and flawed. She has the best intentions, but doesn’t always get it right. One thing about Dani, she always goes the extra mile in sorting out any misunderstandings and in giving encouragement. From the start, we know something is not right with Adele’s marriage and home life. We see that she’s capable of kindness and compassion, though it isn’t coming from the heart. Because of her situation, everything Adele does is calculated. The mystery and the twists kept me reading and the ending surprised me.

I don’t have children, but I’ve spent many days during lockdown looking after my niece and nephew. I have an inkling what moms have gone through this past year as they’ve had to balance working from home, homeschooling and keeping children occupied at home. I noticed that when we are stuck to socializing with people in our bubble and spending days on end indoors, we become absorbed in our own circumstances. The characters in this book weren't on lockdown, but there's no doubt the feeling of being cut off and craving social interaction is the same for the moms in this story and the majority of us after a year of pandemic restrictions. I realized that there will be many who are in unsafe situations during lockdown and it made my heart break. This story explores the lengths we’ll go to temporarily escape guilt and responsibility and draws home the familiar warning that things aren’t always as they seem.

I was gifted this advance copy by Victoria Jenkins, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Publishes May 21, 2021.

Once I started reading this, it was difficult to leave down and while I was at work I wanted to go somewhere quiet and read some more. The story brings you along in a few directions and I tried guessing who was behind Dani’s torment, while I did think Adele wasn’t all she seemed I never would have seen that ending. An absolutely brilliant read and I definitely will be adding Victoria Jenkins to my list for go to authors. I just wish I could give it more than five stars.

#ThePlaydate #NetGalley
Clever and Witty.
Arranging the playdate was easy. Child’s play. Preparing the house was more difficult. It was only now she realised how many photographs there were. Wife, husband, child: the picture-perfect family unit. All of it a lie.
I made a new friend at playgroup today. She’s different from the other mothers. She feels like someone I can trust. Someone I can confide in.
But there are some things I can’t tell her. Things I can’t tell anyone.
Because I have a secret that no one else knows. One that still haunts my dreams, wakes me up in cold sweat at night.
Your best friend or your worst enemy?
Read this to know more.
I loved the characters and narration.
I'm doing more promotion on its release date among my fellow Authors Bloggers Family Friends and followers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advanced copy of this psychological thriller.