This is the first book I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A believable storyline that hooked me from the first page with some twists to keep me reading. Although I guessed who the villain was earlier on in the book it didn't take away my enjoyment of the book. I will look to read more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy of The Baby Shower. I LOVE these types of books but this was too young adult. It was obvious who the villian was in the beginning, disappointing. The characters acted juvenile and the title really had nothing to do with the book. I will say the cover was Wonderful! I'm sorry but I'm giving my honest review.

4+

It all starts when Janes husband Frankie buys an expensive watch that makes him feel invincible. They both work their socks off, Frankie at his plumbing business and Jane at the successful café she owns in Wimbham. They’re happy though there’s also some sadness at what they can’t have. Jane has a small but good circle of friends, that is until Sophie introduces Lexie to the group. The watch, the baby shower for Sophie, and other unsettling events leads to everything catastrophically spiralling down and down into depths Jane never thought she and Frankie would sink into.

I knew I’d enjoy this one as SE Lynes rarely lets her readers down . It’s very well written, wry in places with some good touches of humour (usually Jane) that is until it’s not the least bit funny anymore and then it becomes intense and dark.

The novel has some very relevant themes such as true friendship versus the betrayal of it and how this can become something unbearably toxic from which relationships may never recover. It also features some gaslighting and bullying and demonstrates the impact they can have on self and those in your wider circle.

The dynamics are extremely well done both within marriage and in the friendship groups. The events really do make you feel something especially when Lexie is about, she is so easy to picture with all her materialism and masterful manipulation. Her Instagram account will tell you all you need to know about her.

As for the baby shower that really is something else and I’m sure I read those bits with my mouth attractively hanging open and probably with my fist clenching too. There is such of a range of emotions that are on display here from resentment to despair to hatred and back along to the opposite end of the spectrum. Frankie is a fool but he’s a likeable fool and though at times Jane’s mouth runs away with her, she too is very likeable.

There are some very good twists and turns a few that make your eyes pop although I did figure out what’s behind it all, it in no way impairs the enjoyment of this deliciously dark tale that is very hard to put down. Overall, this has a lot more meat and substance to it than other books in this genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

kept me hooked from the first page. a brilliant story that left you guessing. everytime I thought I'd worked out the twist I was thrown another curve ball. brilliant characters that u can really relate to and story line that believable and creative.

Several themes are expired in this book. Betrayal, bullying, loss, and lies. My heart went out to Jane. She was initially betrayed by toe of the people who were the closest to her. Being sidelined by your best firmed who has found a replacement is so hurtful. Jane is a tough cookie. I loved the scenes where she gave Sophie the what for. She did it in a classy way and I cheered her on. As for the other betrayal, there’s more than meets the eye. I gasped, cringed, and cheered, while reading the book. It will take you for a ride.

Everything always stops when I get to read a new book by this author and this one was no exception once I had started reading it I couldn’t put it down.

This was a twisty turney domestic drama which really draws you in and the characters are believable and also gets to deep down real issues that are very relatable.

This book had me gripped from start to finish.

I received an e-ARC version of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

“The Baby Shower” by S. E. Lynes is a psychological thriller. This story begins with a hospital scene, then goes into telling the background story. In this book we mainly follow Jane (though a few chapters do follow her husband, Frankie). Jane runs a cafe and Frankie runs his own business. At a girl’s night out, Jane’s best friend, Sophie, brings along a new girl, Lexie, to join the group - and that’s where things become confusing, troubled, and mean girl-like between Sophie and Jane. Additionally, Frankie starts acting oddly - further creating stress for Jane (and, obviously, her marriage).

I’m going to be an outlier with this review in saying that this one didn’t check all the boxes for me. This story “shot the sheriff” in the first chapter (grabbing my interest), but it moved rather slowly for a long time afterward for me. I figured out most of what was happening early on (not a deterrent to the story) but it just didn’t work for me. While Jane was likable, I felt that a number of the other characters either weren’t developed enough for me to care about them (some of Jane’s other friends and co-workers) or they just weren’t interesting (even the motivation behind the big twist I felt was odd/disappointing). I’m not a fan of “mean girl high school” and Sophie’s “love me, love my dog” attitude didn’t work for me. This will not deter me from reading another book by Ms. Lynes, but this one wasn’t it.

Just love this author and this book did not disappoint! I had so much fun reading this book! Lexie is the girl you love to hate and she really brings it. I loved the premise and the book and flew through it in one sitting! I cannot wait to read more by this author. This author has now become a go-to author.

I am always excited when S E Lynes writes a new book as I love her writing style and characterisation. This one did not disappoint!

Jane Preston and Frankie have been happily married for seven years and yearned for a baby. Due to the onset of early menopause, Jane is unable to conceive. They are both content in their working lives: Frankie is a heating engineer and Jane owns a successful cafe. Jane has a small group of close friends whom she goes running with and has regular Friday nights out. Things start to change when a new person is introduced to their group, Lexie Lane. At first meeting Jane feels there is something ‘off’ about this newcomer but little does she know what she is really like.

This is a tale of friendship, loyalty, deceit and revenge. It drew me in and I was embroiled in the characters. Another excellent read from this author.

An unputdownable thriller that explores the dynamics of friendship while doling out the suspense.

For Jane Reece, her friends, Kath, Hils and Sophie are her safety net. Apart from her husband Frankie, they are the ones who know how hard she has worked to build up her cafe business from scratch. So when a newcomer barges into their circle, trying to oust Jane from the group and cause irreparable damage to her family life, Jane decides she isn't going down without a fight.

Right from the outset, the plot draws you in with an air of dread that creeps in through the alternating POVs of Jane and Frankie. Jane's self-deprecatory tone makes her likeable and familiar even, while her struggles with infertility which are described in detail makes her pain quite tangible. From the blurb, the identity of the antagonist is evident, and yet you tend to not be prepared for the level of hate her character garners.

Though parts of the story are predictable, the plot has two things going for it - 1) the relatable camaraderie between Jane and her friends, and 2) it tackles the topic of abuse and exploitation from a different angle that honestly, I hadn't previously considered. The blurb does give up a major spoiler but the author's compelling writing keeps you reading anyway.

Overall, an engrossing read with a shocking plot twist. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Baby Shower by S. E. Lynes is a psychological thriller that sucks the reader in from the beginning for a shocking ending. A story of abandonment, betrayal, and revenge builds momentum where good and evil are blurred.

Jane owns a café in South London, and her life is perfect with her husband Frankie of seven years, a successful business, and a group of close friends. Her philosophy is most people are good, and she's lucky to have good customers, reliable staff, and her friends. But all that comes to a halt when her best friend Sophie brings Lexie Lane to the Runner Beans group and Friday night drinks. The lifestyle guru and social influencer Lexie wreaks havoc in Jane's world with false accusations, gossip, and lies. Not until the baby shower does Jane realize that Lexie is a fraud.

In the meantime, Frankie is riddled with guilt after secretly buying a Breitling watch and a brief encounter with a woman named Natasha in a bar, giving her his business card. The woman lures him to her home with promises of a remodeling job and then seduces him. But the situation grows direr as she blackmails him, saying he's the father of her child and demands money. When Frankie confesses it to Jane, she kicks him out.

Jane questions her marriage, friendships, and values as she digs deeper to find out the real story. The novel culminates with an accident, and Jane discovers that her past unlocks the truth. I enjoyed this story's English characters, setting, and twisty plot. I thank Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Baby Shower. #TheBabyShower #NetGalley

I was over the moon to receive the ARC of this book and I new right from the get go I was going to love it, I mean it’s Susie Lynes and I have all her books and gave them all 5 stars so of course it was going to be amazing and yep it was so you did it again girl another 5 star read !
The story starts slowly building an intriguing plot of lies, deception and downright nastiness making it an impossible book to put down. The characters are all as you would expect from this author all so well written and I absolutely hated Lexie with a passion and I loved that I did !
There are twists some of which I did guess but that never spoilt the book for me as I got so involved in the story and characters I just wanted to know how the end would play out and I wasn’t disappointed it was just perfect so don’t miss reading this it really is so good.
I have to say that this is an author who really can tell an amazing story and always makes you care about you characters and this one is no exception it was my favourite so far but then I say that after every book and I’m sauté I will say it once more with the next one, keep writing girl you are a wonderful author !
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

As always, a fantastic read from S.E. Lynes.

The basic concept of a stranger arriving on the scene and worming their way into an established group - in this case, a group of women who met at their running club - and immediately setting about laying waste to everyone's relationships is not that original in itself; however, it makes for an incredibly enjoyable read. The interloper here is Lexie Lane - young, glamorous and intensely materialistic - who sets her sights on newly pregnant Sophie, showering her with costly gifts and affection, and energetically undermining her friendship with main character Jane.

Jane, owner of a coffee shop, is a likeable character, happily married to Frankie despite various troubles - they have been unable to conceive a much longed for baby, and finances are always a bit precarious. When awful Lexie comes on the scene, though, Jane's life is upended in upsetting ways. But she could never have imagined quite how far things would go...

While the plot is a little far fetched, it's never less than highly readable, even though it's pretty obvious we're being led up the garden path in certain respects. It also addresses an issue which is rarely spoken about but does happen, albeit rarely, and its effects. The ending is, perhaps, a little too pat in one particular aspect.

Overall, a highly enjoyable read from an author who never disappoints. Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy and provide an honest review.

This is another fantastic psychological thriller by S.E Lynes. I found I couldn’t put it down and I raced through it in one sitting.
It’s a great read and one I’d recommend.

Toxicity Abounds…
Muscling in on an already firmly established friendship will probably not end well in this very readable suspense where toxity abounds and nothing is quite as it seems. An intriguing premise, credible characters and a, perhaps, not so outlandish storyline provide a solid and compelling suspense. What ripples under the surface?

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with a digital arc. I read this in one day and honestly didn’t enjoy it at all. The story took to long to be set and by the time it picked up I wasn’t interested anymore. None of the characters were likable or interesting, the writing felt flat and the « twist » didn’t shock me or bring back any interest whatsoever. Truly disappointed as I was really excited for this one but oh well. It just wasn’t for me.

Could not put this down. It was intriguing it pulls you right into the characters and the storyline.
For sure a book to pick up this year. Love this author.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

I loved this from the off! I felt so sorry for Jane as Lexie wormed her way in! A great read with a twist!

I read this in half a day, and despite it being a little far fetched, I absolutely loved it!! Jane is a hardworking coffee shop owner with an equally hard working husband! She enjoys running and spending time with her select group of friends! Until friend Sophie introduces Lexie! Suddenly Sophie and Lexie are doing everything together and Jane is left out! But is she all she seems?
I did guess early on what the big twist was - but it didn’t take away anything for me / it was still just as enjoyable!!
Great read!

"There is no baby..."

What. A. Book.
I couldn't put it down.

I went down a rabbit hole of twists and turns at every corner. When I thought I had it figured out, I was glady mistaken as I went further into the book.
An emotional ending.

Highlights issues being faced in today's society, something that isn't spoken about enough, but unfortunately does happen.

Bravo S.E Lynes.