Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a great read! The story kept me wanting more after every chapter. Suspenseful and quite a mystery that I highly recommend

Another creepy-good novel revolving around Ruby and her mother, Ida. Ruby was raised with her grifting con-artist mother who conned people out of thousands by "seeing" their futures through visions using Ruby as her pawn. Vacillating between the past and present, the book shows us Ruby's current life in England until she is called back to her small town when remains found suggest Ida may be dead. And so begins an incredible tale of who's who and who is responsible for all the crazy things that have transpired since their "fortune telling" days. It's a whirlwind and kept me breathless until I finished!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was such a sneaky slow build surprise that led to a final 1/3 of a book that I couldn’t put down.🤩

I’m always intrigued by a story involving psychics. My mom told me some wild stories growing up that have me fully believing that there are people who are more sensitive to other worldly phenomenon. I also believe that there are a lot of folks out there who can successfully read others in a way that allows them to prey on those who are seeking some connection to other realms. That being said, this book throws in a little bit of both, and an ultimate question about which of those categories one of the character falls into with regards to her abilities.

This isn’t my first book by the author (see my much earlier review for The Savage Instinct - which I highly recommend if you’re into historical thrillers) and I’m reminded why I enjoy her writing so much. Her character development is so layered and authentic, and even when highly unlikable, you’re interested in a character’s story. I really liked Ruby, and her complex relationship with her past, and the growth she demonstrated. I also appreciated that for all that felt unlikely in her story, she felt very real, and made decisions that felt believable.

I’ve had The Perfect Family Man on my TBR for a while, and I definitely have to move it up the list after this gem.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes you can come home and it's a nice welcome but for Ruby, this was not the case. Twenty years after leaving, Ruby's mom is now missing and presumed dead and Ruby now has to clean up her mother's mess although she vowed to be done with that part of her life. Although she was just a child and her mom made her a part of her scams to people, others still think Ruby had a say in what she did. They don't realize that Ruby had the worse scam done to her with her mom using her in all that she did.

I really enjoyed The Night Side by M.M. DeLuca. Just like all mysteries, I try to figure out what could of possibly happened and was shocked to find out I was so far from the truth! The timeline does go back and forth from Ruby's childhood and to the present time as an adult but it's needed as the story progresses and not only do we learn more about how things unfold but so does the main character, Ruby as well because not all is as true as it seems.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House the ARC. Also thank you to the author, M.M. DeLuca for the amazing writing and great read! Looking forward to reading some more of your books!

I found myself entangled in a web of mystery and suspense that didn't loosen its grip until the very last page. This fast-paced narrative unfolds like a tightly wound coil, each revelation adding another layer of intensity.

The protagonist, Ruby Carlson, pulls you into her world with a narrative that is both haunting and captivating. Her return to the small town of Stoneybrook, after two decades, unravels a tapestry of secrets and deception, centering around her enigmatic mother, Ida. The atmosphere is thick with tension as Ruby delves into the shadows of her past, uncovering a truth that is as chilling as it is unexpected.

DeLuca masterfully navigates the complexities of family dynamics and the long-reaching consequences of deceit. The small-town setting becomes a character in itself, with every alley and hidden corner harboring secrets that keep you guessing. The author skillfully intertwines the past and present, creating a narrative rhythm that mirrors the beating of a heart in suspense.

"The Night Side" doesn't shy away from the darkness that resides in human relationships and the consequences of buried secrets. The atmospheric storytelling, combined with well-crafted characters and unexpected twists, makes this a standout thriller. The sense of urgency and the need to unravel the truth mirror the pulse of the narrative, creating a heart-pounding experience that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Reading Between the Wines book review #2/130 for 2024:
Rating: 3 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: The Night Side
Author: M.M. Deluca
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: So many secrets, lies, deceit, and evil. Ruby’s childhood was not the loving one that we all dream of. Her scamming mother made her do things that she did not want to. But twenty years later when Ruby returns, she cannot recall what memories and feelings are real or just dreamt. After her mother goes missing and all the ghosts of her pasts return, Ruby realizes she has to face them and figure out what happened so that she can move forward. There were a lot of surprises in this book and some things you can sense coming. I really enjoyed reading this!

Cheers and thank you to @SevernHouse and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @TheNightSide.

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A dark, twisty and disturbing thrilller that kept me hooked and reading even if I found a bit too slow at times.
Well plotted, poignant and gripping
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

"Twenty years of secrets. One deadly truth." This gripping premise sets the stage for Laurie Anne Forest's psychological thriller, "The Night Side." A tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, the story centers around Ruby Carlson, who made a decisive escape from her manipulative and deceitful mother, Ida, two decades ago, vowing never to return to her hometown of Stoneybrook, Montana.

When Ida goes missing and is presumed dead, Ruby feels compelled to return home to settle her mother's affairs. What ensues is a captivating narrative of mystery and intrigue as Ruby delves into a complex web of lies and secrets.

Laurie Anne Forest skillfully crafts a story filled with chilling memories, intricately drawn characters, and unexpected twists. "The Night Side" promises to be a riveting psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Ruby returns home when her estranged mother is reported missing. the story is told in a dual time line that explains why Ruby has made the choices she has. A slow start for but overall, a well told story.

I had a hard time getting into this book but once I did I enjoyed it. The story centers on Ruby, who returns home to her small town in Montana when she receives word that her estranged mother, Ida, is missing. Ida was a manipulator who made Ruby’s life hell, prompting her to run away as a teen and leave the love of her life, who of course also lives back home in that small town and is now a police officer investigating Ida’s disappearance.

The story takes place in dual timelines between Ruby’s teen years and the current time. The flashback chapters give good insight into the ways that Ida manipulated and cheated those around her, as well as Ruby’s reluctant involvement. I understood why Ruby did the things she did and felt like she really had no choice but to flee. In the recent timeline, lots of secrets were exposed, which is when I really got into the story. I thought the ending was really well done and liked how it turned out.

Overall, I thought this was a good book despite the slow start and would recommend to those who like psychological thrillers and mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a dual timeline format The Night Side tells the story of a young woman who escapes from her controlling mother who is a manipulative schemer. Although Ruby did not want to be involved in her mother’s schemes, she was forced to participate until she left. I found the switching time periods to be distracting, forcing me to leave an interesting episode to something I thought was less important.

Ruby Carlson escapes her childhood home leaving behind her conniving deceitful mother, as well as her true love Aiden, fleeing all the way to England where she lives a simple content life. This all changes with a phone call from home informing Ruby that she needs to come home as something has happened to her mom. Returning home it’s clear that others have not forgotten what she and her mom did so many years ago. Ruby is torn in returning to the life she is comfortable with in England or staying to find out what happened to her mom. This will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I’m not a fan of @nything about the paranormal so this was. Leary not one I should have requested. It didn’t hold my interest and I also wasn’t keen on the writing style which seemed to jump about too much.

The night side by M.M. DeLuca.
Ruby thought she had escaped her mother who was a
self-styled medium and psychic scammer. But after 20 years she is to go back after her is said to be missing presumed dead. But is she. Ruby thought she knew all her mothers secrets. But the worst is yet to come.
I really enjoyed this book. Couldn't put it down. I loved the cover. It goes from past to present. I did like Ruby and Aiden. I never expected that to happen. Grippingandtwistyandtense. 5*.

I want to thank Severn House and Net Galley for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review. Ruby fled her home town years ago despite leaving behind the love of her life Aiden ever since she can remember her mom either was abusive except for those times she needed ruby to be in on a scam she also had Ruby pretending to be clairvoyant in charging people money to get rid of the ghost that haunts in their homes but when she wanted to offer up Ruby to an old man just to get to his money this is when Ruby knew she had to save herself and leave town. It’s now years later she is an archaeologist and living in England when she gets the call that Ida is dead although Ruby is dreading going back because she knows this could very well be another one of Ida scams she goes back anyway before it’s over Ruby will have answers to questions she didn’t even know she needed to ask her family tree will look much different and she will see Ida in a whole new light and not a better one. This was a really good book and even though there were a few things I questioned throughout the book I still enjoyed it very much. The surprises start early on and do not let up until the book is over and despite the dysfunction I thought it ended with a happy ending and I’m not giving any key plot points away by saying that but for those who love a good thriller with a great happy ending you definitely enjoyed the book. Ida is a mess and ruby is definitely someone the reader will want to root for.

I enjoyed this title by M.M Deluca.. It was an easy read but I did feel from time to time because it want past to present chapter by chapter sometimes i did get a bit confused.. But that could just be me..

Thankyou to NetGalley and Severn House for sending me this to read and review.

Ruby Carlson lives in the Durham area of England. She works on archeologist digs around the country. She has a good reputation for locating buried treasure. She is nearly forty years of age. Twenty years ago she fled her homeland, Stoneybrook in Montana, America.
Her mother Ida had made her an accomplice in her clairvoyant scams The problem for Ruby is she could often get flashes of knowledge from the people, as though she could really see into their lives. Ida would persuade neighbours to part with their hard earned cash. Eventually Ruby takes her chance in dramatic fashion and leaves Ida and her old life behind, including her lover Aiden.
Now she has been contacted by the Montana authorities. Ida had been arrested but she then vanished and is believed dead! They need Ruby to return to help them locate her mother and sell the house that was their home.
Ruby mainly wants to see Aiden again now a local detective, to try and explain her disappearance. However she is wary that Ida's suicide is another scam. When she is home she feels the locals animosity towards both her and Ida.
Ruby realises that a young girl Marion, who was deformed at birth, has been groomed by Ida to take over Ruby's role.
Ruby wonders if coming back has been a good idea. Aiden has been taken off Ida's case. and the police seem to be suspiious of Ruby. Also Ida's presence seems to be all around her.
The story is told both in the present day and goes back twenty years when the eighteen year old Ruby was planning to escape.
The author maintains the suspense and keeps you reading to find out what happens. Recommended.

The Night Side by M.M. DeLuca was one intriguing mystery I couldn’t put down.
This is my first time reading this authors work and now it’s on my list to read her backlist.
The storyline was brilliantly written and kept me hooked the whole way through.
With her excellent writing and the well-drawn characters, and all the details that come with a cleverly thought out plot made this story so entertaining.
The descriptive language was captivating and intriguing, meaning I couldn't put the book down.
The author builds tension that grows throughout the book and you find yourself unable to stop reading.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

This one would get a 5 star, if it didn't take me forever to get into it. I would read a chapter at a time and I would feel like it was never going to get to the good part. All of a sudden, one night I was lying in bed reading and bam, there it was. It has mystery, romance and thrills. Ruby leaving the small town she was from and then having to come back to face the past was part of what kept me reading. Besides the slow start, I would read more from this author.

20 years ago, Ruby Carlson ran away from home to escape her abusive mother who roped her into scamming people out of their livelihoods. Now the notice of her mother‘s presumed suicide draws Ruby back to Montana, to the town she vowed never to set foot in again. But once there, Ruby is quickly reminded that you can never truly leave your past behind.

This was a solid, twisted thriller with a touch of the supernatural (but nothing crazy, like I was afraid it might be after the first chapter). There are some minor inconsistencies - the past storyline skips from the 1990s to the 2000s and back again even though the story is told chronologically; certainly, online shopping wasn‘t much of a thing yet at the beginning of the 21st century; and while Ruby doesn‘t drive her boyfriend to the hospital because she doesn‘t have a license, she has no qualms about driving her passed-out mother home in the next flashback, which takes place one day later - but overall, the story weaves seamlessly between Ruby‘s childhood until she finally left Montana behind and the present day.

My main criticism stems from the stereotypical descriptions of rather useless and annoying law enforcement (for whom DNA results nevertheless take no time at all and who are willing to believe that someone who was shot point-blank in the face not only bleeds out slowly, but also fired off a shot of their own after being mortally wounded), and completely unethical psychiatrists (who let their patient‘s daughter sit in on a hypnosis session, and are also in a relationship with a member of law enforcement). Even more annoying is present-day Ruby, who cannot make up her mind about whether to stay in Montana or leave, going back and forth so much it had me dizzy, and who, despite presumable being an accomplished, successful woman, lets her childhood crush treat her like crap for most of the book. Finally, the showdown at the end was ridiculously over the top (which probably bugged me the most - not sure what that says about my priorities).

Despite these flaws, this was an enjoyable read that kept me hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.