Homewrecker is a psychological mindf&ck thriller following Sophie who has the perfect family. A successful husband and two perfect kids. But behind closed doors the family are trying to deal with their 12-year-old daughter Katie who is rebelling dangerously and they are concerned about her future. Luckily Deanna a tutor swoops in to help Katie better herself but is that all Deanna is trying to do? Sophie does not trust her and will do everything it takes to stop this homewrecker from trying to break her family apart.
If you are a lover of slow burns, then this book is right up your alley. For me the first quarter of the book was cementing and fleshing out the characters. We get overly familiarized with each family member and get an idea of how cracks are forming in the home.
Our main character Sophie had me stressed out! I kept shouting for her to ‘do this or do that’ and as much as I was rooting for her she at times grated on my last nerves. But I cant be too mad at her because babygirl was being GASLIGHTED like no other!
Just as I was trying to digest one information… BOOM a whiplash twist came out of nowhere! I was being bamboozled left right and centre. I did not predict the ending and I love that, but I am also slightly peeved because it was extremely far fetched and ludicrous that it kind of ruined the semi ‘realistic’ aspect I had originally felt from the book.
Minus the implausible ending I really enjoyed the flow of this book and it was so hard to put down. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book had me seesawing between 3 & 4 stars. Overall, it was good, and the twist at the end was surprising, but it never had me truly pulled in. The beginning was slow. The characters felt flat & unrealistic. The pace picked up around 40% & I became more interested. From 40%-75%, I was entertained, but something was still off. I kept thinking, "Would any real person do this?" or "We're really going to forget that happened & not question further?" The video call incident & how it was handled - or not handled - irritated me the most.

The ending, while surprising, was absurd. I rolled my eyes several times with a sarcastic "Okay, suuuure." My last paragraph, past the spoiler warnings below, will obviously contain spoilers. Before I get to that, let me first say that, because I really had no idea how this would end, and the majority of it was entertaining, I would read another book by this author. This one just wasn't for me. Now, SPOILERS TO FOLLOW...

SPOILERS COMING
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DO NOT READ PAST THIS IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS!

What absolutely killed me about this ending was how the children were involved. It was already hard to believe Sophie was so unaware of the fact she was being drugged, that the "dead" women, along with one's sister (so she never met Scott & he didn't see a pic of her or even hear her name mentioned when he and Cecilia were married??), came up with this idea for revenge, after waiting YEARS without their own children.

Even with those details, it could've worked, but having the mothers involve the kids ruined it for me. I could even SLIGHTLY believe the son being involved, based on his age, but no way would that work with a 12-year-old, especially with her only knowing the 2 parents she's grown up with. She wouldn't be so easily swayed into believing a stranger is her real mother or that her father is not her real father, much less go along with the whole, ridiculous plan. And bludgeoning the man to death, right in front of her?? No fucking way.

Sophie and Scott are living the dream—a beautiful house, successful careers, and two children. But trouble is brewing beneath the surface.

Their daughter Katie hates her mom, their daughter's tutor Deanna has secrets, and Scott isn't as charming as he seems. Sophie is struggling with memory loss and strange sightings, and it's clear that something sinister is at play.

While I was eager to solve the mystery, the middle part was lengthy, and I considered skipping ahead. It was a wild ride! I'm glad I didn't skip any parts. However, I didn't enjoy the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free ALC.

A slow burn but I could not put it down. I was not expecting that twist at the end. Not even close to what I thought was going to happen! Fantastic book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+⭐
Homewrecker by J M Dalgliesh, an audiobook narrated by Alison Campbell and Tamsin Kennard is an absolutely heart-pounding and suspenseful psychological thriller with, for shore, a gasp-out-loud twist! I was not expecting this ending at all! Seriously, I literally stopped what I was doing with a loud "NOOO"! The suspense at the end probably rocketed my blood pressure sky-high!
All the way through I thought I knew where all this was going. I was positive that I saw that twist coming! I was so wrong! I was so, so wrong!
Oh my, oh my, oh my!
This was twisted so nicely, so unexpectedly! Everything finally made sense!

Sophie has a great career as a morning TV presenter, has gorgeous children, twelve-year-old Katie and first-year uni student Chazz, and a successful husband Scott. They live in a perfect house in London and from the outside looks like their life is absolutely perfect. But we know that nothing is perfect!
When Katie gets in trouble in her school, again, no options are left, just homeschooling. Unfortunitelly with both busy careers, this is not an option so they need outside help.
This is where Deanna arrives - young, smart and charismatic. She captures Katie's attention straight away and it's evident that Scott adores her.
Sophie tries to find a replacement but has no success so she must save what's hers no matter what! Unfortunitelly things get complicated when Deanna moves in! Now Sophie is on her own...

I am happy to give 5 stars when I love the book but when I am blown away, this is the time to give 6 stars! And I know it's a made-up thing but it's my thing and if you follow me you know, I am blown away or emotionally destroyed to give out 6 stars!

I am truly grateful to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this book! It made my day!

Just like tornados wreck homes, this home wrecker is a doozy of a 'twister', with a real whirlwind of an ending.

Sophie and Scott have the perfect lifestyle with two attractive children, a beautiful home etc. Perfect, that is, if you leave out possible infidelity, recurrent suspicions, a problematic child who gets suspended from school - and the list goes on.

When they bring Deanna into their home in the hope of finding out what is going on with their daughter Katie, Sophie soon finds that she is instead wondering what is going on with Deanna.

Why is the woman constantly sneaking around, sharing conspiratorial secrets with Katie, and appearing to flirt with Scott? Because if Deanna thinks Sophie's going to roll over and let her take over the life she's worked so hard to build, she has another think coming...

This story uses dual narratives well, but the pacing was a little uneven - some judicious editing was definitely in order. But the writer does do a great job of casting suspicions in all directions and delivering an unexpected ending.

Really great narration, it was like I was listening to a tv show or movie. The story maintained suspense. However I personally found the story to drag on, and be a bit tedious. I don’t think that the parts came together smoothly.

I love the narration with this one. I love the drama. I did not love the characters at all.
I hated Scott and I love books where I hate the husband. Sophie is dealing with issues with her daughter, an absolute mess at work, and this terrible husband, as well as guilt over a secret she is keeping.
Diana's perspectives added another layer of mystery.

I love the dramatic ending.
I especially liked the epilogue.

Well I thought it started quite well. Interesting enough premise and I liked the way it was written but I soon got a little bored.
Not enough was happening over too short of a time and I did not like the ending at all. I know we all stretch reality a bit when reading but none of what happened rang at all true for me in any way (without giving spoilers).

Scott and Sophie lead successful lives. They have a lovely home, good jobs and two children. Life is disrupted when twelve-year-old Katie's behavior becomes problematic at school, leading to her suspension. Scott hires a tutor, Deanna, to assist Katie. While Deanna proves to be effective and forms a bond with Katie, Sophie begins to notice significant changes within the household. Can Sophie restore harmony within her family and set things back on course?

Special thanks to NetGalley for advanced access.
Publication date is August 8, 2024

This is fast-paced, addictive and a good read for the weekend. Expect the unexpected with this one.

Deanna is brought in by Sophie to help her young, troubled daughter Katie with her schoolwork, but as quickly as she moves in, it seems she is there to start something… Every family has secrets and this family are no exception. Sophie quickly unravels as her family, her home and the newcomer slip out of her control, but what does Deanna really want, and what did Sophie do that all this is happening to her?

I was hooked from the sample and the audiobook narrators were brilliant. This book flew by and with each chapter ending making you beg for more, it was done before I knew it.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I read a ton of domestic thrillers so I absolutely knew the plot and ending of Homewrecker.....until the end. Nope, didn't guess ANY of it correctly. And, truly, as a reader, that's the best kind of book.

J.M. Dalgliesh penned a novel that reads like a Lifetime movie, in all the best ways for a beach read. A marriage with an over the top good looking husband, a career driven wife, an off the rails teen, a suspiciously present college son and TA-DA an easy on the eyes tutor who swoops in to save the day. As a student of these movies, this mom and wife understood immediately you NEVER bring into your home a gorgeous young woman with "attributes" your husband may enjoy. And, big red herring, the work schedules of the spouses require they each have their own bedrooms........

Lol, you know what's going to happen, but J.M. Dalgliesh didn't write that typical ending and I was pleasantly surprised.

I'll be looking up any other books J.M. has written. Give this one a go.

I enjoyed Homewrecker, but I have to be really honest and say that I’m a bit over the mental health trope that is played out in so many psychological thrillers. However, if you feel the same way, stick with this one until the end where it suddenly all takes a turn and becomes a much more worthwhile read!

I wish I hadn’t been so distracted by the fact that our protagonist was mentally unstable and unravelling and being a bit annoyed at that typical trope, I may well have seen some clues to the unexpected twist, and generally I might’ve enjoyed it a lot more.

The dual narration was very well executed.

Thank you to bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ELC