I started this thinking that it would be similar to a few I have read recently about a dysfunctional relationship with a mother in law that wasn't necessarily as it may seem , this book was brilliant . To start you think that Lucy's mother in law is cold ,unfeeling and unpleasant but as the story is told from both Lucy's and Diana's point of view you hear from them both in the past and the present you see how a lot of the animosity is just plain misunderstanding . I really warmed to both women and I found myself very emotional at parts of the book , especially towards the end . One of the best I've read in a long while , absolutely 5 stars , would award more if I could . Thank you

Does any woman ever measure up, is she ever good enough for her mother-in-law? Lucy has always known that she wasn’t what Diana wanted for her son, but that didn’t stop her from trying. Now, Diana is dead, a suicide note found nearby stating she no longer has the strength to fight the cancer riddling her body. There’s only one problem – Diana does not have cancer. As her death begins to look more like a murder., the question arises – who would want her dead, and why? Does it have anything to do with the fact that her will was amended to disinherit her children and their spouses? I got such a kick out of this novel, as a woman who has had two mothers-in-law (two too many) and I loved seeing the layers of Lucy and Diana’s relationship peel back to reveal the truth

Thank you St Martin's Press and NetGalley.

Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana, have a complicated relationship. Now, Diana has been found dead with a suicide note. The autopsy comes back and it's clear that someone wanted Diana dead.

At first, this book reads like a thriller. There definitely is a whodunit? type feel during some parts. However, the highlights of this book involve the relationship between Diana, her children, and her daughter-in-law. She is a complicated person, and there are layers and layers under her appearance that explain why. This is where Sally Hepworth shines as an author. The whodunit? part is a little bit predictable, but keep reading for Diana's story. Strong read.

How have I never heard of Sally Hepworth before?
The Mother - in - Law was awesome!
Hooked from the first page, and didn’t let up until that last....I finished this book in one day it was that good!
This book was so well written...the story flowed perfectly....I’m going to check out her other books...literally right now!
Buy this book....you will be so glad to did!

24 hour read! I could not put this book down! The story of a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship, with the intrigue of a murder and told by alternating from past to present! Both MIL and DIL are flawed characters which makes their relationship with each other that much more real. The supporting cast of characters helped to portray the complicated family dynamics as well! The only reason I will not be giving this book a 5 star review is in disappointment in the conclusion. I found it far fetched and not as plausible as other endings could have been.

Sally Hepworth certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is perfect for the beach, a lazy afternoon or a long flight. Its a good mystery that keeps you turning the pages, wondering what will happen and sorry to see it end.

The Mother -in-Law drew me in from the opening pages.A family inside their home enjoying a normal evening. When suddenly the woman of the house notices a police car outside a feeling of doom she waits a few minutes before alerting anyone.When the reason for the policeman’s arrival the tragedy he shares.We are drawn in to this families history relationship especially that of the Mother-in-law & daughter-in-law.
A tense thriller a true page turner another well written compuksive read by Sally Hepworth.Thanks to #netgalley #st.Martins,

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This was better than average women’s fiction. I really enjoyed it and I felt like I saw part of myself in all of the female characters, even if it got a little melodramatic and trope-ish at the end. You’ll enjoy spending time with these women
3.5 rounded up

I really enjoyed this book and read it in two days! I thought the writing style was amazing and I loved that it was told from the Mother-in-Laws perspective too! I went in thinking I knew what was going to happen and I was very surprised! If you enjoy a fast paced story that leaves you wanting to know what’s next - then this book is for you!

I gave this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars it’s the second book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth and I now want to read them all!

Thank you to St. Martins’s Press, NetGalley and Sally Hepworth for the free advanced digital copy!

I loved this book! It was told from alternating points of view and the end was definitely a plot twist. I loved the struggle between the daughter in law and the mother in law. It seems everyone has some sort of issues.
I would highly recommend this book to others.

What a fantastic book!!! I’m sure most wives can relate to some, if not all, the characters in this book. I could not put this down. By the middle of the book the mother in law is a real person with real feelings. By the end you can relate to the the mother in law.

I have loved all of Kelly's books,but this one just might be my favorite! So many twists and turns. I hated for the book to end! Keep 'em coming,Sally!! # netgalley #themotherinlaw

Everybody in Diane's life has reason to want her dead, including Diane herself.

There seems to be an influx of cliché evil mother-in-law stories right now but this one really stands out from the crowd.

Diana, mother-in-law to Lucy, is found dead in her home of what initially appears to be a suicide. What ensues is a clever whodunnit with an array of characters, each one fleshed out perfectly, all so relatable that at times I could imagine myself sitting down to dinner with them.

With the number of suspects combined with alternating chapters from the POV of Lucy and Diane, jumping from the past to the present, one would think that the story would be difficult to follow. Somehow Sally Hempworth, through her easy breezy writing style, is able to pull it off flawlessly.


I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A very enjoyable family drama with a whodunit ending that leaves you guessing until the very end because of the multiple points of view being represented. Highly recommend!

This was one of those books that I just couldn't put down. I always enjoy Sally Hepworth's writing but this was especially addicting. It's part psychological thriller, part mystery and also a terrific family drama. It has the relationship conflicts and murder/suicide mystery along with the everyday life of this family that kept me drawn in. Hepworth does an amazing job with portraying motherhood so accurately and vividly. I also loved the evolving relationship Lucy has with her mother-in-law, Diana. Seeing the layers pulled back from this family was fascinating and while the ending did seem a little far-fetched, it was a page turner through and through. I also loved the last section that shared about the family 10 years later, which really helped tie up the book in such an enjoyable way. Thank you St Martin's Press and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had my attention from the first page, finishing it in just over a day! I did not know what happened to Diana in her final moments until the final pages of the book. It was a fun and complicated story of a family’s deep secrets.

But beyond the mysterious death of Lucy’s mother-in-law, I found all the family issues fascinating and, as much as I would have liked to have disliked Diana(the mother-in-law), she really grew on me and I respected her views of her adult children and her love for her husband Tom.

Diana and Tom(the in-laws) were fairly wealthy and were “expected” to bail their children out of whatever financial troubles they came across. This never sat well with Diana and caused tension in the family. I could relate to Diana’s feelings of wanting her children to be independent and fight their own battles.

Anytime I finish a book and the characters sit with me for a while, making me reflect on my own life, that is a great book! I love the character developement in this story, and even though there was a mysterious murder, this story for me was ultimately about family, and the relationships we leave behind when its time to go.

I received this advanced copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. This book was published April 23rd, 2019. I hope you will check it out!

Wow! This was a compelling story. Diana had some secrets didn’t she? I was engaged immediately and when a book does that for me I am hooked. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Although it is a mystery, this novel explores some very large life issues. The writing skillfully moves the reader through several narrators and a period of several decades.

We are made to think about the horror of being an unwed mother and forced to give up a child, the ethics of euthanasia and the fertility issues which haunt so many women.

So, wrapped within this mystery, there are so many topics that a reading group will enjoy discussing. Amazing how Hepworth has turned what could have been an ordinary “who done it” into a thoughtful study of a family in crisis.

Enjoy!

This was the first book of Sally Hepworth's that I have read. I didn't know what to expect but enjoyed getting to know the characters in The Mother-in-Law. I was hooked fairly quickly and found myself looking forward to each character's storyline. I would like to have known more of Diana's story. This book explores the relationships between family members and made me wonder how I fit in my "in-law" story. A good read.

The Mother-in-Law was a great read. It kept me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the way the book is told from two different perspectives. I was able to relate to both characters. I even found myself cheering on the mother-in-law. This is another great book from Sally Hepworth!

I love Sally Hepworth's books and was very excited to get an ARC from NetGalley. I enjoyed this book - it had a good family drama with a little mystery and humor mixed in. The chapters alternated not only between Lucy, the daughter-in-law's and Diana, the mother-in-law's points of view but also between the past and the present. Their relationship was very believable and authentic. I had the hardest time with Nettie - her change throughout the book was so dramatic and none of the family seemed to notice what was going on. It was a great book and I highly recommend anything by SallyHepworth.

I was really intrigued by this book to see how the author would portray the mother-in-law. I have to say she did it perfectly! In the beginning I really did not like Diana, the mother-in-law. How could she be so cold and distant, even to her own children? But the way this book plays out with dual perspectives from Lucy, the daughter-in-law and Diana, through past and present, helps us to understand both truly and honestly. Even though I didn't agree with Diana's actions, you learn why she is the way she is and you soon come to appreciate her reasons. I couldn't put this book down! After Diana is found dead, the question is was it a suicide or a homicide? I was so absorbed into who could've killed Diana and why?! I mean there were plenty of reasons why, but who would actually go through with it? This is definitely a page-turner and I loved every minute of it. This was my first Sally Hepworth book and I look forward to reading more!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderfully different approach to family dynamics... Lucy has always had a strained relationship with her mother-in-law, Diana and when Diana is found dead under suspicious circumstances, everyone’s involvement is called into question - from Lucy to her husband Ollie, sister in law Nettie & Nettie’s Husband Patrick. Told in alternating perspectives from Lucy & Diana, the plot begins to unravel and shocking secrets come to light.

In my humble opinion, this is Hepworth’s best yet and I found this book entirely un-put-downable!

This was a fantastic read! The author did a fantastic job of weaving together various storylines that make you both love and hate the characters.

When a story unfolds by revealing a character's perspective, it's always an interesting journey. Sally Hepworth lays out the path from three points of view within a family, and no doubt many readers will see some similarity between snippets of this story and their lives. The family dynamics are all here, both good and bad, and yes some ugly moments too, but that's what families are really about.

The distinct parallels between my life and what I was reading was stunning. Sally Hepworth nails them spot-on. Parents want to spare their children the pain they experienced growing up, but so often those one-sided intentions lack the clarity of insight into other's lives. Unless one feels the pain, they can't appreciate being saved from it. The pain is what makes us, not its absence.

The Mother-in-Law has good twists that will keep you turning the pages, and provide reading groups with plenty to discuss.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the egalley of this book in exchange for an honest review. My review is entirely my own genuine review of this book.

"You're a bit of a hero around here.Everyone's wanted to give their mother-in-law a head injury at least once in their life."

Thank you #netgalley ! The Mother-in-Law tells the story of Lucy, and her mother-in-law, Diana. Goodreads calls this a "twisty thriller about one woman's complicated relationship with her mother-in-law that ends in murder." Lucy is married to Ollie, Diana's son. Diana and Lucy seem to have a strained relationship from the beginning. Although Lucy hopes to have a great relationship with her mother-in-law, Diana always seems to keep her at a distance. When Diana ends up dead, the police cannot determine if it's a suicide or a homicide. This begs two questions. 1.) If it is suicide, why would Diana kill herself? And 2.) If it is homicide, who hates Diana enough to want to kill her?

This was my second novel by Sally Hepworth that I have read. (If you haven't read The Things We Keep, I highly recommend it.) The Mother-in-Law was an intriguing read that hooked from the very first page. Hepworth put a refreshing twist on the classic "hated mother-in-law" stereotype. The story alternates between Lucy and Diana's perspective, both past and present. Their stories were woven together seamlessly. The fact that we got the mother-in-law's side of the story left me feeling sorry for Diana. Rather than seeing her as dreadful, I was left feeling like she was simply misunderstood. She undoubtedly had her flaws, but I couldn't help but feel like she had the best intentions at heart. This story was also a good reminder that our parents are people, dealing with their own emotions and issues. The tension between Lucy and her mother-in-law was palpable. Hepworth made me feel for both Lucy and Diana; rather than siding with one of them, I found myself rooting for both of them. Besides the characters, the mystery of what happened to Diana kept me wanting to read more. I kept trying to piece together the details, and just when I thought I'd figured it out, there was a new revelation that threw prior assumptions out the window. You'll definitely want to put this on your TBR for 2019! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I wanted to read this book for a few reasons. Not only did the synopsis intrigue me but having a mother-in-law for the past 37 years and becoming a mother-in-law to my son's wife 5 years ago, I was curious if there would be any similarities to my real life relationships, and there were some.

Lucy lost her mother at the age of 13 so when she married Ollie she was hopeful that she would win his mother, Diana over and have a warm and loving relationship with her. However, Diana was a bit standoffish, some would even say she was "frosty" and as the years went by, the relationship turned volatile at times.

The story alternates between Lucy and Diana's perspectives both past and present but opens with the discovery of Diana's death. At first, the police felt it was a suicide but there were items at the scene that might lead in another direction.

The suspense was ongoing throughout the story, which made it hard to put this book down. The characters convincing. Not only was the mystery of Diana's death gripping, I also found the personal dynamics captivating.

Mothers of sons usually have to walk a fine line so as not to get the evil mother-in-law status, but in this case, Diana's past had such a bearing on her personality that I felt for her.

In the end, a letter was found in her desk with the following words of wisdom that Lucy now lives by:
I worked hard for everything I ever cared about. And nothing I ever cared about cost a single cent.


An outstanding read! I am looking forward of reading more books by Ms. Hepworth.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Not one of her books has disappointed me. In fact, they just keep getting better. This is a compelling story of a family with secrets, regrets and deep love for one another even if they do not show it. Diana is a great character. She is complex and tough, but she has her reasons for her tough exterior. This is a great story!

The story unfolds through alternating chapters told by Diana (the mother-in-law) and Lucy (the daughter-in-law married to Diana's son, Ollie), and from the present and the past. Towards the end, Nettie, Diana's daughter, is heard from as well as loose ends are tied up. This was my first book by Ms. Hepworth and has inspired me to check out some of her earlier titles.

The book kept my interest during a series of long flights with its unique storyline and interesting characters. Diana turns out to be more complex than I originally expected although I don't think all the threads of her story were fully developed.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the introduction to Sally Hepworth and the opportunity to read The Mother-In-Law!

Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana, do not see eye to eye and do not get along. This story is told from each of their perspectives and is compelling from the very first page. Lucy and Ollie, Diana’s son, are married with three children. Diana appears cold and unloving, except towards her husband Tom. Diana is bereft after the death of Tom and when she is found dead, it appears that she may have taken her life. Throughout the story we learn more of Lucy and Diana and their past history. Things are not always what they appear to be. This is an excellent story of domestic drama, family struggles, greed and also love.

From the Title, there is an immediate assumption that there is conflict and the mother-in law is the villain. In a delightful twist, I found myself liking both characters. The author was able to effectively switch time frames and characters in an easy to follow method. There is conflict, of course but the reader is able to see both sides. I found myself reading way beyond bedtime because I was just so interested in the story line. It takes great talent to lay out personalities and values so different and let the reader make her own conclusion or identify with both characters. This is a must read next spring! Completely enjoyable
Netgalley #sallyhepworth

What a twisting, compelling, insightful and addictive novel The Mother-In-Law turned out to be! Full of pockets of grey, nothing is as it seems and no one is truly good or bad. By telling the story from the perspectives of both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, Sally very much shows us that there is always two sides to every story.

‘If you ask me, everyone is a little too interested in their children’s happiness. Ask anyone what they wish for their kids and they’ll all say they want them to be happy. Happy! Not empathetic contributing members of society. Not humble, wise and tolerant. Not strong in the face of adversity or grateful in the face of misfortune. I, on the other hand, have always wanted hardship for my kids. Real, honest hardship. Challenges big enough to make them empathetic and wise. Take the pregnant refugee girls I deal with every day. They’ve been through unimaginable hardships, and here they are working hard, contributing and grateful. What more could you want for your kids?’

With clever wit and a plausible plot, Sally walks us through a myriad of family dynamics that were entirely relatable. There is a high level of suspense sustained throughout, not only with regards to how Diana died, but also about the secrets various family members were harbouring and the past grievances that were yet to be revealed. The chapters are delivered in short bursts, solidifying this novel as a real ‘page-turner’. Highly recommended!

‘It occurs to me that only a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law can have an all-out war without anyone so much as raising their voice. The funny thing is, if any of the menfolk were here, they wouldn’t have a clue that anything other than a pleasant conversation was going on. If Ollie were here, he’d probably comment on “what a nice afternoon that was with Mum.” In that way, menfolk are really quite simple, bless them.’


Thanks is extended to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Mother-In-Law for review.

Review posted to my blog on 28/01/2019 in line with Australian release.

A little slow at times but still a very good book. Some of the characters are very hard to like but redeem themselves at the end of the book. There are a couple of possibilities as to who might be the killer , if you think you know who did it, I can pretty much guarantee that you don't ! I did like the book very much but I did not love it. And I am still not sure why.

This book opens with the death of the mother in law of the primary narrator, Lucy . Although it appears to be a suicide, the police almost immediately are able to see it was actually a murder. Although I was able to figure out the "mystery" of the murderer relatively quickly, I still found this novel to be incredibly engrossing. I would qualify it much more as a family drama than as a mystery or thriller, so if you're looking for that, you'd be better served to look elsewhere.
The author did an amazing job of not losing her audience, even though chapters alternated between past and present, as well as alternating between narrators (the aforementioned Lucy, and the titular mother in law). Hepworth also made great use of cliffhangers, and I found myself racing through chapters on several occasions so I could read the outcome of the previous chapter's cliffhanger. I felt this book had the perfect amount of characters, which is something I haven't been able to say about many of the books I have read in recent months. There were just enough to keep you entertained and not so many you lose sight of their part in the plot.as strange as that sounds, that small point made this book THAT much more readable and enjoyable.
All in all, I was really impressed with this book, and with the author. I absolutely believe it will appeal to a wide audience, and will be an easy sell.

What a compelling story. I think most women can relate to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. That relationship is hard enough, without the sweet expectations that are quickly proven wrong. I love that in the end that relationship comes full circle. This book is full of twists and turns and I cannot fathom my family going through all the trials at once. It was a great book that caught my attention quickly, was riveting, and hard to put down. I highly recommend this book!

Sally Hepworth rocks, and she has raised the bar with her newest. The Mother-in-Law kept me glued to the page from word one. Differing points of view written brilliantly. I love this book!

I received an ARC of this ebook from Netgalley. This isn't my first ARC of a Sally Hepworth novel. I absolutely requested it because I know will really enjoy the book. I love the depth in Sally Hepworth's books. The characters are well developed and the stories draw me in. I don't want to put the book down or have the story end. That is the case with this novel. I came to care for all of the characters and I really didn't want anyone to be guilty of murder. But as always I felt good about the ending and was not let down.

It's rare that two points of view are so successfully and diametrically opposed as they are in Hepworth's well-done domestic thriller.

The Mother In Law was a twist and turn book. Lucy the daughter in law and Ollie the son to Diana and her husband and family. Lucy wants to be close to her mother in law but can’t seem to whatever she seems to do. Lucy has 3 small children with Ollie. Nettie is Diana’s daughter and she has a husband. Suspenseful page turning novel.

My obsession with Sally Hepworth began through her novel The Family Next Door. I was so intrigued by the plot that I raced through it. I thought surely, Sally can't continue this kind of genius work? Well, folks, she can. The Mother-in-law was compulsively readable. So fascinating that I found myself setting it up while I washed dishes, reading it while I brushed my teeth. A family drama surrounding deep but complex relationships. The family matriarch has died from an apparent suicide. But it may not be as apparent as previously considered. It is written in alternating perspectives which enriches the plot and pulls the reader in. Sally creates characters so deceptively charming, so warm but mysterious. They could easily be your sister, cousin, mother-in-law. I read many domestic suspense novels and I truly believe Sally Hepworth is in a class all her own. I HIGHLY recommend.

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* I can't tell you how excited I was to get my hands on Sally Hepworth's latest offering, 'The Mother-in-Law'. I had high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint. Not at all. I devoured this book, reading voraciously to find out the next twist in the tale. Like Hepworth's equally addictive 'The Family Next Door', MIL is set in my hometown, Melbourne and a number of the scenes take place just a few suburbs away from where I live. This just added to the appeal of the novel. The story starts with the death of the protagonist, Lucy's MIL, the rather intimidating Diana. What has happened? How has she died? Why has she died? Was it suicide, natural causes... or does someone have metaphorical blood on their hands? Hepworth has such a talent for creating characters that are so true-to-life. The book is not out for a few months, but once it hits the shelves, I highly recommend scooping it up.

*Thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own*

This is my first Sally Hepworth book and I can't wait to pick up another one! It took me a few chapters to get into the flow of character and time changes but once I did I could not put the book down.

The Mother-in-Law is a story of secrets, lines crossed, and twists and turns throughout the story. I won't say much because I do not want to spoil the story. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the storyline and the quick short chapters that kept me intrigued.

I was so excited to receive a review copy of "The Mother-in-Law" from NetGalley! This was my first Sally Hepworth novel, and I absolutely loved it, and can't wait to read her others.

The first few chapters, I was prepared for a standard murder mystery...the "Mother-in-Law," Diana, is found dead, with a suicide note. However, the police begin investigating the possibility of a homicide.

The book alternates between the point of view of Diana and Lucy, the daughter-in-law. Their relationship is not a close one, as Diana keeps her guard up, even with her own children.

I found Hepworth's writing style fun, witty and punchy - but also endearing and full of emotion. Her style reminded me somewhat of Liane Moriarty, but perhaps even more enjoyable!

About halfway through, I had a theory of who may have killed Diana, and a possible motive. However, by 3/4 through, my theory was challenged, and couldn't believe all of the twists! I had so many questions about who Diana really was and what was going on with her daughter, Nettie, and Nettie's husband Patrick. Everyone felt like a suspect at some point!

I loved the telling of Diana and Lucy's relationship, although some of the conversations were completely cringeworthy. If my MiL said some of the things to me that Diana did, I would be horrified and hurt! Diana comes across as controlling, emotionally guarded, and serious, but we learn about a difficult past that helps explain her stony exterior.

My initial expectation of a lighthearted, thrilling read was surpassed by a novel rich with complexity. Hepworth covered so many tough topics is a real way, which I just loved. One of my favorite interwoven themes was one of feminism - there are discussions of women being paid less than men for the same work, and the unrealistic expectations around women's roles as mothers and providers. I highly recommend "The Mother-in-Law" for a gripping read!

The Mother In Law by Sally Hepworth was a phenomenal read. Y'all, this one had so many twists and turns, but they happened in an emotional and completely unexpected way. This book focuses on the relationship between a mother in law and her daughter in law. The relationship is explored in alternating chapters told from both of their perspectives. The added dimension is it's told in both the past and present. The present involves the death of the mother in law that may be a suicide, however the story quickly reveals that the story is far more complex than this. It was so captivating to learn the secrets that these women (and others in the family) had from each other, as well as the lies that were being told. Having the varied perspectives and timing in chapters made a story that kept me reading. There were lots of feels as multiple perspectives of how things went down were revealed. This one doesn't come out until April of 2019 (another book I received thanks to NetGalley), and when it does, y'all are going to need to check this one out.

Overall, this is a good read. The beginning really sucked me in and kept me guessing. At about the 80-90% mark however, I started losing steam. It started to feel like the characters were more written to trick you than actually deeply characterized and I was frustrated with some of their decisions. My biggest frustrations were things that seemed to be brought up for no reason, we spend a lot of time on flashbacks and memories that don't fit that seamlessly into the bigger picture. A lot of characters were introduced and then just kind of faded away with no further mention.

I would recommend it though, it's a fun read and interesting overall. A bit of a different side to the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law tension.

#The Mother-in-Law# NetGally#

This is one of Sally Hepworth’s best. A very thought invoking study of the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and their families. As everyone who has ever been married knows, we can all recognize the competitive nature of the MIL and the DIL. In this book, the reasons for discord are not clear in the first part of the book, but they are made clearer in the second half. I was not feeling the love for any of the characters at first, but grew to respect Lucy and Diana’s relationship. There is much misunderstanding about the relationships among all the characters. The book does bring up some controversial issues that are difficult to read. All in all, a very enjoyable book to read. Will definitely recommend this book to all my friends and family. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for an advance read copy in return for a fair and honest review.

The MOTHER-IN-LAW by Sally Hepworth is a suspenseful domestic thriller that kept me guessing right up until the surprising ending. It is a clever and original story that explores a lot of different family dynamics, but especially the complicated relationship between daughter-in-law, Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana. It is written from the points of view of both characters and also alternates between the past and present. I really enjoyed how the author slowly revealed the complexity of the characters and their relationships to one another while building up the mystery of what might have happened to Diana. Filled with intrigue, secrets and plenty of family drama, I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommend it! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Sally Hepworth, well done!

This book has many twists and turns up until the very last page. Throughout the novel, you think you have an idea of "who do it" but Hepworth does a great job of throwing in so many theories, it keeps you on your toes! I enjoyed each chapter being told from a different characters point of view. You were able to really connect with their past and present situations. This book has drama, love, and a thriller component, a very well rounded read!

This was the best book!! I could not put it down. I loved reading the layers of the different relationships between the characters. I fell in love with many characters. The mystery of Diane's death made the book a great page turner. I am going to start reading Hepworth's previous novels. I cant wait for my patrons to get a hold of this book!

If you're a mother in law, have a mother in law, or FEAR a MIL, this is for you! (JK, Most mother in laws ARE AMAZING, ) This is so well written and exciting, you won't know how things have twisted around and how bad the characters lives have gotten, until you catch your breath. Just the right amount of scary, family and mystery. Well written and fun to read. One of my top ten favorite's this year. Appreciate Netgalley giving me the chance to read this for my honest review.