Here To Stay

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Pub Date 01 Sep 2019 | Archive Date 29 Sep 2019
Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer

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Description

“Mark Edwards always delivers! Taut, gripping, scary and original - a fabulous read!”—Robert Bryndza, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author

A beautiful home. A loving wife. And in-laws to die for.

Gemma Robinson comes into Elliot’s life like a whirlwind, and they marry and settle into his home. When she asks him if her parents can come to stay for a couple of weeks, he is keen to oblige – he just doesn’t quite know what he’s signing up for.

The Robinsons arrive with Gemma’s sister, Chloe, a mysterious young woman who refuses to speak or leave her room. Elliot starts to suspect that the Robinsons are hiding a dark secret. And then there are the scars on his wife’s body that she won’t talk about…

As Elliot’s in-laws become more comfortable in his home, encroaching on all aspects of his life, it becomes clear that they have no intention of moving out. To protect Gemma, and their marriage, Elliot delves into the Robinsons’ past. But is he prepared for the truth?

From the two million copy bestselling author comes a tale about the chilling consequences of welcoming strangers into your home.

“Mark Edwards always delivers! Taut, gripping, scary and original - a fabulous read!”—Robert Bryndza, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author

A beautiful home. A loving wife. And in-laws to die for.

...


A Note From the Publisher

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people.

He has sold over two million books since his first novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013, and has topped the bestseller lists several times. His other novels include Follow You Home, The Retreat, In Her Shadow, Because She Loves Me, The Devil’s Work and The Lucky Ones. He has also co-authored six books with Louise Voss.

Originally from Hastings in East Sussex, Mark now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife, their children, two cats and a golden retriever.

Mark loves hearing from readers and can be contacted through his website, www.markedwardsauthor.com, or you can find him on Facebook (@markedwardsbooks), Twitter (@mredwards) and Instagram (@markedwardsauthor).

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people.

He has sold over two million books since his first novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013, and has...


Advance Praise

“A tense, twisted thriller with a fantastic main character and a nerve-shredding story line that will completely mess with your head. Brilliant.” —Susi Holliday, author of The Lingering

“A tense, twisted thriller with a fantastic main character and a nerve-shredding story line that will completely mess with your head. Brilliant.” —Susi Holliday, author of The Lingering


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781542006613
PRICE $24.95 (USD)

Average rating from 363 members


Featured Reviews

Well I'm certainly feeling rather lucky to have great in-laws, especially after this thrilling read! And I wish I could give this more than 5 stars, it's worth a hundred more (at least!).

Not only were the characters exceptionally well put together, but the storyline itself with superb. It has the twists, the turns and the emotion that every psychological thriller NEEDS to have to be successful. And Mark Edwards has nailed it on the head. I thought The Lucky Ones and The Retreat were my favourites but this one has topped them all. I actually think this might be the best book I've ever read.

The main character, the Alpha let's say, Elliot, was written to perfection. His emotions, his thought ethics, his smartness in Science, his intelligence and his whole persona made him such a likeable character. I'm actually concerned with how much this author knows in chemicals and science himself. But Elliot was the likeable one, the one we can all relate to. Gemma? I DID like her but... you'll have to read for yourself as to why I ended up loathing her. Jeff and Lizzy made the PERFECT NIGHTMARE neighbours; they were crude, messy, unbearable, intolerable and master-manipulators, among many other things, but they were written incredibly well. Jeff's temper was on point and Lizzy's aloofness was pretty great. Chloe was a mystery throughout but she was quite likeable... I mean, she was the quietest of the in-laws that's for sure.

And that ending? Whoa, I really DIDN'T see that coming, I had suspicions of course, but when I thought 'WHO', it was crushed into smithereens... it was someone completely different, something I didn't really see coming.

The revelations, the drama, the epic-ending? All AMAZING. Well thought out, researched and planned... you can't get a much more perfect psychological thriller than this one.

Extraordinarily gripping, enticing and energetic with a whirlwind of extreme drama and twists. You don't want to miss this one, guys. Honestly, best book I've EVER read!!

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Another fantastic read from Mark Edwards, had me feeling sick with tension throughout (in a good way!) - great characters, even the most hideous ones - and clever, twisty storyline. Loved it.

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Wow. Where to begin. To start, I am a big Mark Edwards fan. Previously, my favorite book of his had been Follow You Home. I can now say this book has taken its place. From start to end- utterly gripping. I love a book that appeals to all emotions, and this is one of them. I couldn’t help but to feel anger towards the antagonists ( Lizzy and Jeff) and put myself in Elliot’s shoes. I also found myself liking Elliot and even Gemma despite her role in Elliot’s terror. I really enjoyed how descriptive the book was as well. I could easily picture the characters and the settings described in the book almost as if it was a movie. I found the book was hard to put down, and just when you think you know what’s going on, BAM a twist. It was a very enjoyable read, I would highly recommend reading!

Without giving away spoilers, I would have to say my favorite part of the book was the end and how the book left us to use our imagination on what could happen next. Don’t get me wrong, it has a very satisfying ending, however we can only imagine what other shenanigans Elliot will get himself into.

I look forward to more books written by Mark Edwards as there hasn’t been a single one that I haven’t enjoyed. This one just happens to be my new favorite.

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You know a book is good when it makes you feel ALL the feelings on the emotional spectrum from shock to disbelief to frustrated rage and back. Then you stay up way too late on a work night trying to finish it because it makes your made up word unputdownable seem insufficient for the situation.

Elliot meets Gemma during his open garden event. He has the misfortune of discovering that he's allergic to bees in front of her, but she races to save his life, and in the whirlwind that follows, he decides he's not wasting another minute of his life. In record time, they've gone from dating to married, and between his perfect gig helping impoverished school kids learn about science, his gorgeous wife, and his beautifully restored huge home, life is perfect.

Until the in laws from hell move in with their virus stricken daughter, after his new wife seems to unwillingly persuade him into letting them stay with them. Life goes to hell in a handbasket FAST. These people are truly awful. Mark Edwards has created characters that will make your knuckles clench white, will make your shoulders begin to inch up toward your shoulders, you'll find yourself getting angry on behalf of the protagonist; these characters fairly leap off the page and they are gross, gross, gross in the best way. Once Elliot and her parents truly begin to take action against each other, the tension ratchets up to a truly climactic ending. Edwards is the literary king of twisty endings and I absolutely love reading his books for that thrilling twist, not knowing where it's going to come from. This did not disappoint. My favorite by far to date, out of so many great books!

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Elliot has an almost perfect life. He is happy in a career which has led to him running a successful business teaching science to underprivileged children, and content to come home to just his cat Charlie in the house that he worked hard to lovingly restore.
Then along comes Gemma who visits Elliot's house on an open garden's weekend, and the two fall head over heels in love with each other and marry within two months. Gemma's parents, Jeff and Lizzie come to stay for two weeks along with Gemma's strange sister Chloe. Elliot who was orphaned after his parent's died in a tragic accident, was more than happy to become part of a family again and naturally welcomed them. However, it soon became apparent that this was the family from hell who had no intentions of leaving. Jeff was physically a big man and a force to be reckoned with, and Elliot who was non-violent by nature was soon to go out of his mind.
Having your home taken over by people who have no respect for you or your property would be most people's worst nightmare.
Written in the first person as Elliot, in the three days it took me to read this I had become Elliot, taking on his stress, fear and anger. The master of psychological thrillers, Mark Edwards who wrote 'The Magpies' has excelled himself with 'Here to Stay.' If I had to choose one word to describe this book it would be Nightmare, which in psychological thriller terms is meant in a good way.

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You know when a book is fantastic when you stay up until the early hours of the morning to finish it.
Elliot's life is almost complete, beautiful house, own company teaching unprivileged children science.
Only thing missing is someone to share it with.
Gemma comes into Elliot's life after he hosted a open garden event and after having a allergy to a bee sting Gemma rushes Elliot to hospital.
After a couple of months together they decide to go to Vegas and get married. Everything was perfect until Gemma asks if her parents and sister can come to stay for a few weeks.
The end of a perfect marriage?
The In-Laws obviously have problems and the sister Chloe really isn't the full ticket.
This book has so twists and turns to the story line you never know what's coming next.
An absolute must read, one of the best this year by far.

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Here To Stay was my first book I read by Mark Edwards. Definitely not my last.The character's were perfect. I couldn't put it down from the minute I downloaded. The whole story was a page turner. Very well written. I was surprised with the ending. Definitely a must read

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Another fantastic book by Mark Edwards who is trying ( and succeeding) to become my new favorite author! The writing just gets better and better with each new book!

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I have been a fan of Mark Edward’s books since I read my first one, Follow You Home. He has a way of drawing you in to the point that you can’t put the book down. I’m always amazed how how far I have read when I finally look up from the book. It takes me a minute or two to remember that it’s a story, and not my real world. I will warn you, if you start this book, you need to be sure you can read it all in one sitting as it will haunt you until you can get back to that world.

Who doesn’t have an in-law that irritates them to no end. That’s the premise behind this book, pain in the ass in-laws who are making life miserable. Mark slowly builds up the animosity and tension between Elliot and his in-laws. He is excellent at that, and I found myself wanting to jump through my kindle screen and smack the shit out of his in-laws. I kept wanting to slide to the last chapter to be sure they got their dues. I did not though, and I was very happy I didn’t give in to my urges, because the ending is absolutely worth the wait.

I thank Mark for offering to let me read an early copy of Here to Stay in exchange for an honest review. His writing gets gets better and better with each book. I’m excited to see what he writes in the future. A well deserve 5 stars.

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I have been a fan of Mark Edwards for a while now and have read all of his books. What has bemused me is why not even more people are reading his books and why they're not being turned into TV dramas or movies. Perhaps people have been waiting for the "right one". Well, the wait is over. "Here to Stay" is a masterpiece and Mark's best book to date. Although "The Magpies" series may be what he is best known for, "Here to Stay" is clearly the natural product out of ideas, ways of writing and characters that have been developed in that series and other books. If were to recommend any novel, it would be "Here to Stay". If I were to recommend a Mark Edwards book to read, it would be "Here to Stay"... but don't stop there. Read this one, and then go and read all of his other books, you won't be disappointed.
Whilst many books allow a degree of escapism and may sometimes stretch was is believable - the strength of "Here to Stay" (and Mark's other books) is just how scarily believable it all is. You can imagine yourself being drawn into situations like this or behaving like the characters do. At times that realisation provides a tension when reading the book which can be quite stressful. But don't give up. Mark's writing and story telling makes it all worthwhile in the end.
Can't wait to see this book on the big screen one day.

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Mark Edwards has outdone himself once again! Here to Stay was amazing! It's full of twists and heart pounding mystery! Loved the ending!
#HeretoStay
#Netgalley

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I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and I read it in a day- finally finishing at 2.44am! Definitely a book you can’t put down. My only warning is that you will be so disturbed and full of adrenaline when you finish that you won’t be able to sleep!

The book is about Elliot, who has managed to buy and decorate his perfect house on the appropriately named Cuckoo Lane. He loves the house but would like someone to share it. When the very beautiful Gemma turns up at his house for an open gardens day, and then saves his life, he realises life is too short to waste, and he asks her to marry him very quickly.

Elliot’s life seems wonderful until Gemma’s parents ask to move in for a couple of weeks with Gemma’s sister Chloe. Elliot is happy to agree until he realises he has invited a family of the worst type of Cuckoos into his wonderful home, and life will never be the same again!

If you liked The Magpies, you will LOVE this book. Mark Edwards at his very best.

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This is a riveting story. It was hard to put down. Hints were given along the way, but the ending is a total shock. Love it when you don't see it coming. Mark Edwards is very good at these kinds of surprises and I would recommend all of his work, but this is the best one yet.

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Elliot is happily single and living with his cat, Charlie. He thinks he is happy until he meets Gemma, who comes to visit on an open garden weekend. After a whirlwind romance, they get married.
Then the in-laws, Jeff, Lizzy and their younger daughter descend on them, just for a couple of weeks. Before long, Elliot realises that they are the in-laws from hell and they have no intention of moving back out of his and Gemma’s home. They leave the house dirty, are rude to Elliot and put Gemma down all the time. Elliot’s home has been taken over.
This is a fantastic psychological thriller that had me gripped. Just as you think you know what is going on, another twist is thrown in to show you actually have no idea! The book is so intense, my heart couldn’t stop pounding. Without a doubt, this is Mark Edwards best book to date. I highly recommend it.

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I have read every one of Mark Edwards' books, and this one is my favorite. I've never been so emotionally invested in a book, nor have I ever felt so angry at characters! Mark brought each character to life, and I felt as though I knew them. The book was so well written, and so hard to put down. I am looking forward to his next book!

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Wow what a book and what an ending! I was hooked on this book just from reading the blurb! How does Mark come up with these ideas? The story was a rollercoaster of emotions from excitement of a new life and love to outrage of injustice. Loved the feeling of "who can you trust?" as you examine the characters speech and actions! Full of twists and turns making you want to stay up all night to finish it! Can't wait for Mark's next book!

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Remember when you read The Magpies for the first time? That is the exact feeling I got again reading Here To Stay. The tension in the book is there almost from the first few pages and just does let up. It's a juggernaut of a story. You will find yourself yelling at the book in frustration. The characters are all well developed and very vivid. It's a book full of people you love to hate! I highly recommend!

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Mark Edwards is one of those authors that every time I see he has a new book, I know it is going to be an amazing read. HERE TO STAY did not disappoint!! I had a hard time putting the book down. I loved the development of the story. All the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. Seeing Elliot’s mind state as it got further into the story really gripped me. This book was quite the page turner with a shocking ending. I think I felt just about every emotion there is while reading this!! Thank you for such a great book!

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The last time I read a book in one sitting was back in high school. My favorite author, Mark Edwards has outdone himself with this book. His best one yet. The story, the character development and the twists and turns are incredible. You feel every emotion that the main character, Elliot experiences - joy, concern, frustration, sadness, contempt, guilt, rage, defeat and finally, acceptance. His beloved happy home is turned into chaos when his new in-laws, Jeff and Lizzie and Chloe move in indefinitely. As the story developes, the reader instinctively knows that this is going down a dark path and you are helpless to stop it. You are screaming internally, "Elliot, No, No No! Please do yourself a favor. Find a comfortable chair, pour a cool drink, turn off your phone and carve out some time for no distractions. This is a thriller you do not want to miss. Thank you, Mr. Edwards for doing what you do - scaring us to death and making us love it!

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'A beautiful home. A loving wife. And in-laws to die for'


Elliot Foster has it all; a fabulous home, a job he loves and his cat, Charlie but then Gemma Robinson enters his life and sweeps him off his feet, within months they are married and living together in his house. When Gemma asks if her parents and sister Chloe, who are moving back to England from France, can come to stay for a couple of weeks, he is only too happy to open his home to them, but it's not long before he's wishing he hadn't, when they declare they have no intention of going anywhere. Elliot believes there's more to their sudden return to the UK and decides to look into their past, but will he like what he hears and how will it affect the life he has built and his future with Gemma?

I adored Elliot, his character was so likeable and to begin with I thought Gemma was lovely and just what he needed, but you know what they say about first impressions.... The Robinsons were the in laws from hell and I frequently inwardly screamed at my kindle for Elliot to 'man up' and sort them out!! If you've read The Magpies by this author and thought that was twisted you really need to read this one, it's off the scale!! I thought Mark Edwards had thrown every twist he could in this book until he hit me with the final, very unexpected one which was like a sucker punch to the gut, where the hell did that come from?? Pure genius Mr Edwards, you didn’t just smash this one, you knocked it right out of the park! This has just become one of my top ten books of 2019 so far.

I'd like to thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.

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Mark Edwards has done it again. He's quickly become one of my favorite authors. This book was so engaging and the characters were very well developed. I still keep thinking about how much I hate the villains and my heart still aches for the protagonist. There are many twists and turns so hang on tight, and the ending is horrifying. This is a book full of mystery, horror and fear, it shows the ugliest side of humanity. Thank you to Mark Edwards for the chance to read and review an advanced copy.

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Wow, I didn't think Mark Edwards could write a book that would make me think about bumping The Magpies out of my favorite book spot, but I think he's done it with Here To Stay!

This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions while reading it...happy, sad, maddening, frustrated, and downright angry. My heart was racing, and it even felt like I was having heart palpitations a few times, and I definitely wanted to throat punch these fictional characters more than a couple of times. It made me realize how nice it is to have great in-laws, and not ones like Lizzy and Jeff...they truly are the in-laws from hell.

I'd like to thank Mark Edwards and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an ARC of this.

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Another nail-biting, chilling tale of domestic noir from the man that Jennifer Hillier has rightly crowned "The King of domestic horror".

Elliot Foster and Gemma Robinson meet one summer afternoon. She saves his life after a near-fatal bee sting and they fall hard and fast, marrying just two months later in Vegas. Elliot couldn't be happier.

A few weeks after their wedding Gemma tells Elliot that her parents are moving back to the UK and asks if they can stay with them for a few weeks? Wanting to make his new wife happy, and to meet his new in-laws, Elliot agrees. It will be the biggest mistake he ever makes.

This book is AMAZING! It started off slowly and while I was enjoying it, I didn't foresee just how horrifying, mind-blowing and simply incredible it would become. Though this being Mark Edwards I am also not surprised. Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of this author. Ever since I first read The Retreat last summer , which I loved the nod to in this novel, I haven't been able to get enough of his books. The Magpies trilogy is considered his greatest work, and it's antagonist, Lucy Newton, is one of the greatest villains I've read. But this story and it's villains give them both a run for their money.

Do you think you've got the in-laws from hell? Well Elliot's are probably worse. I know I'd happily take my awful ex-mother-in-law over them any day! Jeff and Lizzy Robinson are two of the most despicable, repulsive, noxious, contemptible, foul and vile people I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. They turn Elliot's world upside down and inside out. They seem determined to not only take his home but destroy his entire life. It got me so angry reading how they behaved.

Elliot is the all-round nice guy. He's worked hard and made a good life for himself, runs a non-profit working with underprivileged kids, thinks of others, is kind-hearted, and has finally met the woman of his dreams. Then the Robinsons threaten to take it all away. He gives them the benefit of the doubt over again, tell himself his suspicions are crazy and finds rational explanations for things. And every time they do something even worse. I didn't judge Elliot for some of his fantasies about what he'd like to do to them. I understood. How could you not loathe such toxic people.

The Robinson siblings are the mysterious characters, especially Chloe who is deathly ill and locks herself away when they first move in. They all seem frightened of their parents are secretive about their childhood and what exactly has happened to make them all so scared. Though Gemma and Elliot are married it was all so fast he barely knows her, or her past, and as the story unfolds he realises just how little he knew before making such a big commitment and inviting her family to stay with them.

I don't want to give any details away as the shocks add to the escalating horror and brilliance of this book. I highly recommend this edge-of-your-seat thriller; just be warned that it's a turbulent ride. And another thing...be careful who you invite to stay in your house. They just might never leave...

Thank you to Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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Mark Edwards does it again! Blinding storyline, real page turner. What would you do if the in laws came to stay? Murder, mystery, spine tingling anticipation from every page. This is definitely a must read!

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This book was something, just wooow!
I had read almost every book from the author, and this one, I think was THE BEST!
I felt so many emotions while reading it... it was impossible to put down!
The book was so well written, and so hard to put down, thank you to Mark Edwards for the chance to read and review an advanced copy. It was amazing!

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I have loved all of Mark Edwards books and just as I think he can’t get any better he comes up with Here to Stay and has excelled himself. It was difficult to pick my favourite book by him but I think this one has the edge.
I picked it up and didn’t want to put it down. I was on the edge of my seat shouting at my kindle. It was gripping and fast paced and I don’t know what more I can say I was left speechless (that doesn’t happen often)
Elliot is living a quiet life and is happy, Gemma comes into his life and like a whirlwind they get married.
Then he meets his in laws....
This is a definite must read
If I could give more than 5* I would.
Best book I’ve read this year

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Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! I knew what to expect having read many of Mark Edwards books before and I was in no way disappointed.

I was completely hooked right away and finished in record time. The story is so beautifully and creepily done and it keeps you guessing until the end. It made me angry at times, creeped me out, made me uneasy and I'm pretty sure I even cheered at one point. The characters are so well written and Mark tends to have the ability to take ordinary people and situations and turn them into complete nightmares that keep you turning the pages!

I don't want to put any details of the book because I think it's more fun to make discoveries of each character as you go through but this is a must read!

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I have read Mark Edwards' books since the publication of The Magpies in 2013. It has been a pleasure to watch his writing evolve and Here To Stay is his finest work to date in my estimation.

A book that is easily relatable to anyone who has been stuck with a problem (in this case the in laws who won't leave) where the legal remedies are cumbersome and unfair. The suspense ramps up as the in laws go from just being annoying to totally evil. The ultimate resolution surprised me but I could understand the course of action that was taken.

I highly recommend this book and also The Magpies trilogy while we anxiously await Mr. Edwards next book in 2020.

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Nail biting and gripping. I couldn't devour this book quick enough. I'm a huge fan of Mark Edwards and this has definitely become one of my favourite books. This kept me up until the small hours. So cleverly written. How easily we all take life for granted and how easily it can all come tumbling down. Well done Mark. A fantastic read!!!

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I've read books that claimed they would be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but none of them have truly delivered that until Here to Stay.

There were times my heart rate would rise (verified by my Fitbit!) from the anxiety the characters caused. There were times I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room from anger. There were times I was confused and wasn't even sure what to feel!

I won't recap the description of the story since it is already out there, but if you read this and don't get wound up, I want to know how on earth you keep your head about you. Just put yourself in the main character's shoes and buckle up for an emotional ride.

Mark Edwards is by far one of my favorite authors. His writing style is fast paced, lots of dialogue and always a pleasure to read.

I can't wait to get this one in print.

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Wow! Mark Edwards does it again. This was a fantastic read from the first page, I was engrossed, the characters are equally likeable and hateful. The ending completely threw me, and gave me a book hangover that I haven’t had for a while.

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Amazing book. Thoroughly engaging. Clever and an excellent twist. Mark Edwards at his best! Can't wait for the next book. Please keep them coming!!

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I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards so I was delighted to have the opportunity to read his newest book as an arc. This one is just as good as all his others, I certainly wasn't disappointed.
The Robinsons are the in-laws from hell. Elliot and Gemma have a whirlwind romance with Gemma quickly moving into Elliot's large, well ordered bachelor pad. When Gemma's parents and sister need a place to stay for a short while, Elliot suggests they move into his house temporarily. However, things do not go as planned!
This book has a continuous feeling of dread, things get darker and darker and you wonder how bad things are going to get. Your home is supposed to be your safe place, your sanctuary, and the threat of that security being disrupted is extremely unsettling. I would say this is fairly reminiscent of the author's excellent debut, The Magpies as the themes are quite similar.
Fantastic book, very unsettling and sinister, I would certainly recommend it.

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Which of these characters is here to stay?
In typical Edwards fashion, the reader has no idea until the last page. Elliot shares his story. He is the main character, though not my favorite. His bride, Gemma, is more likable to me, despite her flaws. However, her flaws dim in comparison to those of her family. Once you meet the Robinsons, you become entrenched in the story, unable to put the book down. This will be one of the quickest reads of the summer. This book may even be my new favorite by Edwards. I cannot wait for more to catch on to Edward's books and start making films.

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I was fortunate enough to receive an eArly copy of Here to Stay, by Mark Edwards, and was I glad I did!. Arguably, in my opinion, his best so far. It starts off innocent enough, when Elliots in laws come to stay, then Mark does what his great at, gives us characters we love and ones we grow to hate as he racks up the tension to breaking point. At times I really felt for Elliot and at others I hated his in laws and wanted to scream at them as I read. This is psychological thriller writing at its best and I highly recommend it to all, you won't be disappointed. The book comes out in September, so order your copy now

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Absolutely loved the book. The protagonist Elliot is very likable and as he goes through a array of emotions, I did too!
The plot is excellent, kept me guessing, I read a lot of books and all the guesses in the world wouldn't have brought me to the same conclusion as the book does.
I literally couldn't put the book down so well done to Mark Edwards, the author!

If you enjoyed the magpies then you will LOVE this one too...!

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I am a HUGE fan of Mark Edwards. He is one of those authors that when I see he has a new book coming out, I pre-order it because I know it's going to be amazing! His latest novel is no different, just excellent, and has definitely become a favorite! This book brought about a roller coaster of emotions for me and the tension I felt during some parts of this book was crazy! This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down and stayed up all hours to read! Thank you, Mark for another amazing read!!

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Mark Edwards had me book hooked again! Gripping, edgy, psychologically teeth grinding, gave me jaw ache, a must read. The Robinson’s could be living in your street, be afraid #Heretostay #MarkEdwards #Netgalley

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I was very lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book to review.
Mark Edwards has outdone himself with this book, his best book so far.

From the first page to the last you are feeling the emotions and frustrations that Elliot the main character is feeling, especially with his in-laws from hell. At one point in the book I wanted to scream at Elliot to do something. The twists and turns in the book could happen in real life so not far fetched.
The way Mark brought each character to life, it feels like you knew them all personally.
As you get closer to the end of the book you think it will end there BUT the ending is not what you would have expected.

Would definitely recommend that you read this book as you will not be disappointed.

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I have read all of Mark Edwards' books, and they get better every time. There was never a boring part and once I hit about three quarters of the way done, there was no way I could put it down! I got so entrenched that it felt like I was the protagonist. The characters are meticulously thought out and the setting is perfect. I can't imagine a way he could have improved this book.

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#heretostay netgalley Mark Edwards has done it again!! Another riveting psychological thriller!! I always think I can predict the ending but never with a Mark Edwards book. A definite page turner that will have you racing to the end! So many twists and turns that it keeps you on the edge of your seat!

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This book was exceptionally well written and I love the non-stop roller-coaster of emotions it took me away on. The best books are the ones that make you feel something- and this one definitely makes you feel eerie/scared/angry/weepy/horrified right up until the jarring end. Mark Edwards is a great author and I would recommend any of his books. I am always on the lookout for anything he writes with eager anticipation. Read it. You won't be disappointed.

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I've read a few books by Mark Edwards before this, but this one quickly became my favorite! There are so many authors that try to add a twist to the ending and fail horribly, but that is definitely not Mark. He never fails to deliver on a twist that I never see coming, and this book held true. I never saw the ending coming and was left with a horrible feeling about what was left to come after the book ended. I highly recommend this book, well worth the read!

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Once again, Mark Edward's has written a gripping psychological thriller that pulls you in immediately. 'Here to Stay' is an emotional ride from start to finish. The characters are expertly developed, fully immersing the reader in their world. I felt like I was going through the anguish, shock, and anxiety with them every step of the way. I knew there would be twists and turns, but I never suspected where this story would end up. If you're looking for a fast paced, exciting read, full of unimaginable twists and turns, 'Here to Stay' is the book for you and Mark Edwards is the author!

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I have loved every Mark Edwards book I've read, so I went into this new book anticipating another great experience, and "Here to Stay" didn't disappoint! From the 1st chapter, I was hooked! I judge a great book on how much I'm truly looking forward to continuing it...am I excited to pick back up from where I had to put the book down...like having to actually do housework, go to my job, etc.? I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next, I cared about the characters, I felt like I knew them, I had each person pictured in my mind as I read. Mark Edwards has a way of drawing the reader in, setting a tone of impending doom, hurtling down a highway to hell, with no way to stop it. From the beginning, I am strapped in tight, watching the story come to life as Edwards has imagined it and I enjoy every mile! Without spoilers, "Here to Stay" is about in-laws, ...this is established early on...something about them is "off". This is what draws you in. You know they're a little different, you're just not sure how they're different. Are they a mother a father-in-law we'd all like to have? Are they family members we can't wait to have over, are excited to engage with, don't want to leave? You'll find out, page by page, and if you enjoy thrillers, this is a thrill ride you're going to love! Mark Edwards has done it again!

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Get ready for a good read! Make your pot of coffee (or tea) and get comfortable, as you will not be able to put this book down. Mark Edwards has created another exceptional domestic horror story! Our hero, Elliot, has made a fine living for himself as a respected science teacher and recent entrepreneur. Gemma unexpectedly comes into his life and sweeps him off his feet. He is ready to share his life with this beautiful and seemingly perfect, young woman. They have a whirlwind courtship and marry within a few months. Now his life is perfect with the woman he loves. Or so he thinks. Her parents, the Robinsons, with dysfunctional sister Chloe in tow, arrive for a two week visit. Two weeks come and go. That’s the least of his problems! There are a lot of things that just don’t add up, and the in-laws are quickly becoming intolerable, encroaching on every aspect of their lives. His life becomes an unimaginable tragedy as he tries to make sense of everything and stay true to his code of ethics. You will find yourself screaming in frustration at Elliott! The character development is exceptional. One can easily identify with Elliot resisting to think the worst of his new family. There are so many twists and turns, you won’t know who to trust. You have to wonder if you could fall prey to such deception and ruin!

Thank you Mark Edwards for such a mind-blowing read!

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Elliot had the perfect home and it seemed the perfect life until he met Gemma and then life became anything but perfect when he allowed her to have her parents and sister come for a short stay. This book had me from page one, could not put it down. Mark Edwards is a brilliant author

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Traditionally it’s everyone’s nightmare having the in laws to stay but it’s even worse when they refuse to leave!!
Eligible bachelor Elliot is pleasant, has a great sense of humour and when he experiences a life threatening event it makes him realise that all he wants is to meet a partner and settle down for life. His dreams come true when Gemma walks in to his life.
Very soon , coincidentally or not, Gemma’s parents and Sister Chloe become homeless and in need of a place to stay and soon they move in with this newly married couple. And then they use excuse after excuse not to leave.
As a massive Magpies fan it pains me to admit that this is Mark Edwards best book ever and the creepy way it is written brought all the old Magpie feelings back.
This book is dark with some gasp out loud moments and a very satisfying ending. The short chapters kept me turning the pages and I loved how the story was built up over 3 sections , each giving us a taste of what happened in the past. The story builds as it moves along until a shocking , totally unexpected and brilliant ending.

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If you have not read any of Edward Marks books get to it. This book #HereToStay will have you on pins and needles and you will want to seriously look for these fictitious characters and want to hurt them 🤣🤣. Just being honest.
This book has so many twists, turns and clifhangers you will be shocked by the ending.
If you are into mystery/thriller novels read this one and go look for other books that Mark Edwards have wrote. Trust me you won't be sorry! #Netgalley #MarkEdwards

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Bestselling author Mark Edwards has out done himself again in his newest psychological thriller. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. Here to Stay is a must read and by far one of the best books that I have ever read!

In the story , our main character Elliot marries a woman named Gemma - in a whirlwind marriage. Shortly after getting married , Gemma announces that her family will be returning to England and would like to stay with Elliot and Gemma until they are able to find a place their own. Elliot soon realizes that his in-laws are very odd and don’t have any intentions on leaving. When strange events and murders begin to happen - Elliot begins to believe his in-laws are responsible.

Here to Stay takes readers on a thrill ride from start to finish. A cleverly written modern day who-done-it story with captivating twists and turns that is sure keep readers engaged for a long time .

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Another fantastic book by Mark Edwards, this book will have you gripped right from the start.
It will have you guessing at every turn of the page and the ending will leave you staring at the book with your mouth open.
I highly recommend reading this book, it won't disappoint.
Beware of your in-laws !!!!!!!!

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Mark Edwards is a wonderful up-and-coming writer who explores many different styles of writing. I've enjoyed many of his books, including this one! Here To Stay has a great storyline full of surprises. Some of it I found to be a little predictable, but nonetheless, it was very exciting when it happened! I found myself overwhelmed with emotion many times, and I kept forgetting that I was actually reading. There were parts that could have felt a little more realistic when it came to characters becoming angry, or losing their cool. The main character seemed to hold back just a little too much, but that's another thing that made him so likeable. The twist at the end was unexpected, and that is very hard to do! Overall, this book was very good! I would absolutely recommend to those who enjoy thrills!

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Mark Edwards has done it again!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book so quickly but these characters we’re so perfect and the story so intense! I felt so many emotions while reading this that it was near impossible to put down! What a wild ride with some crazy in-laws!

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Mark Edwards does it again! With two young boys I never finish a book in a day except when I am reading one of his.

Here To Stay will make you appreciate your family. The characters are well developed and so interesting that you want to learn more as fast as you can but you don’t want the book to end.

I never saw the ending coming and I couldn’t stop thinking about it days later. Don’t miss this book.

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Absolutely loved this book. A great tale with a frightening realism and twists in all the right places

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If you aren’t a Mark Edwards fan, then you haven’t read any of his books. His latest lives up to his other works and he continues to truly surprise his readers. “Here to Stay” gave me everything I could hope for - a connection to the protagonist, a ton of suspense, and (YES!!!) an unexpected journey with lots of twists. This book was like reading my worst nightmare - how do you deal with family that overstays their welcome?? The situations were uncomfortable, but you are hooked to keep reading because you really just don’t know where the story will take you next.

I am literally sad every time I finish one of his books because I know I have to read something that won’t as gripping! I am looking forward to reading a lot more from Mark Edwards!

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Mark has done it again! Here to Stay is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked from the beginning. Some are blessed with wonderful in-laws, but Elliot has inherited the in-laws from Hell. Mark’s way of taking typically ordinary circumstances and perverting them into something diabolical always keeps me reeling and wanting more. I always think I’ve figured out what’s going, just to find out I’ve had it wrong the whole time!

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How do you get rid of your in-laws after they have moved in, wreaked havoc on your life and refused to leave? That’s the question Elliot faces in this intriguing, suspenseful psychological thriller by Mark Edwards. He creates memorable characters and unusual situations and takes the reader along for a wild ride! With the fast-paced narrative, manipulative characters, and growing anticipation for what happens next, this story will keep you reading to find out more! I really enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who likes reading psychological thrillers!

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Danger Will Robinson. No wait, different Robinson family but trust me you’d far rather be lost in space with those Robinsons than you would be down on earth with Mark Edwards latest creations- a family from hell and no mistake, poor Elliot.

Elliot falls in love, gets married, settles down into wedded bliss then BOOM the in laws arrive and everything takes a darkly horrific turn…

This is definitely a book you read with mouth hanging open as this couple and their strange family take over everything in sight, refuse to leave, create chaos and generally behave like lunatics. The longer they stay the worse things get with death, dark deeds and hidden secrets around every corner.

Mark Edwards is one of the best purveyors of domestic noir in the business, his characters are all out loud and endlessly compelling, never easy to predict and always as a reader I obsess over them when I’m away from the story. I read Here To Stay in two big gulps and at the end I really felt like a large gin was my only way back to sanity.

I do love that all these stories refuse to take the path of least resistance and never tie things up in neat little bows – the good guys sometimes win sometimes not and none of them end up where they start. It is that edgy, uncertain, ever more menacing vibe that keeps me reading them so I’m on board for as many as arrive.

Brilliant. Recommended.

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This book should be made into a movie!!
I have been a fan of Mark Edwards for quite a few years now. Previously My Favourite book of his was follow you home.
This book has definitely taken its place!
From start to end this book is utterly gripping!! And there is so many twists and turns.
You can actually picture the characters and how they must be feeling as mark describes Every single detail
Thank you mark for giving me the chance to read an early copy
I would recommend you read this book right now!

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Elliot's has spent lots of time and money restoring his house and he is very proud of his home. When he meets Gemma he falls in love with her and they marry a few months later. After the wedding Gemma asked if her family can come to stay for a few weeks. Her mum, dad and younger sister arrive and it's clear from the start that this is not an ordinary family. This situation is about to get out of control and Elliot will live to regret his recent decisions.
I enjoyed most of this book although the story became quite far fetched at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This was an amazing psychological thriller that kept me reading way longer than I wanted to. I had so many things to do, but kept reading because I needed to know what happened next! I am definitely seeking out more of this author's books.

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I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Wow
This one kicks off with the protagonist marrying a stranger he’s known a few months and then allowing her family, whom she hates, to move in rent free. What could possibly go wrong?

You know from jump something horrible is going to happen and it will be the natural consequences of this horrible lapse and judgment. The details and minutia of who does what do not entertain beyond the bafflement of the protagonist being TSTL.
Wow.

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After a whirlwind romance (2 months) Gemma and Elliot marry in Las Vegas, A month later, Gemma's parents and sister come to "visit" for a couple of weeks. They are crass, overbearing slobs. They obviously have no money so decide to stay there. Time passes. (Actually, the house is Elliot's from before the marriage.)

Mark Edwards does a brilliant job of making the reader abhor Gemma's parents, Lizzy and Jeff. They feign sickness, anything, to not look at houses or apartments. Eventually, Elliot visits the area where Gemma was raised. Two men in a pub tell Elliot what a total jerk Jeff is - and a shady one at that.

What happens next will have you turning the pages really fast!

A superb read - do not miss this one!

Many Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for a wonderful domestic thriller!

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I am a big fan of this author and have absolutely loved each and every book he has written so I was quite excited by the buzz that this, his latest offering, was causing. Sadly though, it didn't quite hit the same dizzy heights as his previous. For me it was a bit too similar to other books, a bit predictable, and also had the feeling at the end that it was not completely stand alone and that, like Magpies, would spawn future books. Too much was left open and not explained to my satisfaction. Hence not leaving me with that warm and fuzzy feeling when I finished it. That said, it did hold my attention nicely throughout - I read it in a day, only breaking off to go have me my Sunday roast - and it was extremely readable.
Oh and I also wanted to grab Elliot by the unmentionables and tell him to open his eyes and man up throughout!
I also said that it was a bit predictable and I did guess the end quite early on. Well, I do read oodles of this genre book per year so that could be more down to me than the author but a couple of key things stood out a mile to me and also I could see the set-up of several future scenes coming. This also marred my enjoyment a tad. But, again, could be more me than him...
So Gemma meets Elliot at an open garden event and, after a whirlwind romance, the two of them marry. But then comes a bit of news. Gemma's parents and younger sister are coming back from France and don't have anywhere to live. Long story short and they soon become the lodgers from hell for Gemma and Elliot. So much so that parts of the book had me squirming and feeling quite uncomfortable. Long story short. People die, there are false accusations, secrets in the past, lies and deception, and pretty much the rest of the whole gamut of things you'd expect in a book of this genre. It really was quite busy. My initial thoughts on finishing the book was that maybe the author could have cut down the number of incidents and made those that made the cut a bit more in-depth. There were so many unanswered questions, and a few plot queries at the end that, as already mentioned, this book screamed sequel to me at the top of its voice! But, despite the misgivings this book gave me, I'd probably be up for reading that too!
All in all, a solid read that just didn't quite do it for me as much as his previous books. But, I hasten to add, it will not put me off snapping up the next one. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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Brilliant. This book has a lot of strong characters and is full of suspense and surprises right up until the end. I read this book in one sitting. I had to know what happened.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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Beware the Robinsons….they are the in laws from hell!! I have checked my friendship and acquaintance circles and I don’t think I know any Robinsons… (apologies if I’ve missed anyone)….

The Robinsons were a weird family. Gemma seems the most normal of the foursome. Jeff and Lizzy, the parents were the weirdest of them all. They were so secretive about everything and the most snide people I’ve experienced this year. You’d have thought that they would be eternally grateful to the man who’s opened up his home and welcomed perfect strangers into his home. But no….as you’d expect from Mark Edwards, this family proceed to turn Elliot’s life upside down.

And then there is the sister Chloe – I questioned throughout was she really ill??

I can’t not mention #poorpoorCharlie !!! Oh bejeezus that poor cat!!! What a contentious issue….I feared for Charlie’s safety!!!!! Lizzy’s attitude to Elliot’s pet was awful

Mark Edwards is on form with Here To Stay. I finished the book feeling stunned and seriously unnerved (though I felt unnerved for most of the book). This is another excellent psychological thriller from Mr Edwards that I loved from beginning to end!!

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In most suspense/thriller stories the female is the character with something to fear, but in this story the male protagonist is the one looking over his shoulder. Elliot can hardly believe how quickly his life has changed, he’s met and married Gemma before he can even catch his breath. He’s not thrilled when she asks if her parents can stay with them for a while, but he reluctantly agrees. The Robinson’s bring Gemma’s sister Chloe with them and they all get a little too comfortable in Elliot’s house. Gemma has scars on her body she won’t discuss and Elliot becomes increasingly worried about his in-laws and the secrets they are hiding. Edwards is a master at domestic suspense (just the idea of my in-laws moving in with me is enough to put the fear of god into me)

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The saying you can choose your friends but not your family is oh so true in this novel.

When Elliott meets Gemma he feels his life is complete, after they marry he agrees his in laws can come stay for a short while .... he soon begins to regret that decision.

A very good read that leaves you exhausted with his in laws

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Marry in haste...repent at leisure.

Elliot is a scientist, independent, solvent and with a beautiful Victorian house that he has renovated from scratch, and which is now worth a cool £1m in today's market. He meets Gemma and they have a whirlwhind romance, marrying after just two months, they settle into Elliot's home. Shortly after, Gemma's parents and younger sister come back from France to stay with them for a couple of weeks while they look for a place of their own. It soon becomes apparent however that the Robinsons harbour secrets and are not actively looking to move out... Elliot soons finds himself nearly an intruder in his own home.

WOW WOW WOW - this is the most gripping, claustrophobic and menacingly frightening book I've read this year. It is incredibly suspenseful and fast paced with twists and turns galore. Completely unputdownable, I HAD to find out what happened next and read it in 36 hours, mostly with one hand over my eyes!

This book is not to be missed - it is domestic noir at its very best. A whopping 5/5*

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Jeff and Lizzy probably have to be my favorite, seediest, creepiest in-laws to date. From ingrates, to moochers, to murderers—they were so calculating yet unpredictable. Poor Elliot. Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed the character development in this tale, around Ch. 33 (~50% mark) I skimmed the rest of the novel. At this juncture, the narrative's pacing decidedly turned to repetitive trudging. Elliot was still attempting to get rid of his in-laws by way of complaining—and this was only the beginning of Part II of a 3-part book. At some point in the future, I may possibly go back and finish the rest of the story to find out the mystery surrounding Chloe... It just did not hold my interest at this point.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Mark Edwards for an ARC of 'Here To Stay' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

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WOW WOW I’m still reeling from this book, Mark Edwards can seem to do no wrong when it comes to writing psychological thrillers and this one is no different.

Elliot falls hard for Gemma Robinson and after a whirlwind romance and a dance with death, he throws caution to the wind and they marry in Vegas, then home to domestic bliss in his recently restored Victorian house. Not long home from honeymoon… Gemma announces that her family are coming home from France and need somewhere to stay as a stop gap for two weeks while they find somewhere to live…… what was an idyllic life for Elliot all goes down the pan the minute the Robinson’s show up on the door step…… His father in law Jeff and mother in law Lizzy are a force to be reckoned with, Elliot doesn’t know what he let himself in for but strap yourselves in and get ready for the ride because you will be left breathless after this read.

This book will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions, sympathy for Elliot and Gemma whilst at the same time wanting to kill the in laws….. so many secrets and lies and twists and turns, a dark chilling read that you will not be able to put down and OMG what an absolute belter of a twist at the end…. Did not see that coming!

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Elliot is single, good career, lovely home in Dulwich, fairly well off and happy ( he also still likes Eau Savage which I used to love in my youth!)
But he is lonely
Enter Gemma, she appears at an ‘open garden’ event
Its instant ( fatal ) attraction
They Marry in Vegas
Its all perfect, just perfect

Then Gemma’s parents and Sister arrive for a visit, they want to ‘put down roots’, locally and so of course Elliot obliges, welcoming them

And its literally the worst thing he has ever done in his life!!

I read a lot, ( understatement ) and I can honestly say I have never detested 2 characters as much as I did Lizzie and Jeff ( the in laws ), really they are vile, obnoxious and uncouth, and thats on a good day
The portrayal of this couple is just so good I literally wanted to go round to Elliot’s house and help him get them out
It was powerfully emotive reading and I loved it
The only thing I found annoying was me sometimes hurtling forward in a paragraph such was my keenness to see what was happening
The story progresses and more and more comes to light regarding this evil couple and the family that they really are.....I will say no more on plot as to not spoil it!, but the things they did and put Elliot through were devastatingly cunningly wonderfully terrible!!!
The writing was spot on and the tense atmosphere the book gave off was real, well it was to me
Great ending that finished a ( imo ) book that will deffo go in my top reads this year

10/10
5 Stars

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I loved Here To Stay! It’s one hell of an infuriating read about in-laws from hell! The characters felt very real although I had to suspend belief for the storyline BUT if you do that it’s enjoyable, addictive menacing story!

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Here to Stay by Mark Edwards
Thanks @markedwardsauthor @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for my Arc *Out Now*
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Hands down this is the best book I’ve read this year and I read a lot of books 😊. Mark Edwards is definitely in my top five favourite authors, one of those authors who you get super excited about and stop all your plans when they release a new book. And what a book this is.
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Here To Stay is a psychological thriller about a newlywed couple whose life spirals out of control when their in laws move in for a ‘short stay’. The storyline was fantastic and as always Edwards writing was exceptional. One of the things I enjoy most about this author is his characters. They are real and relatable, extremely lovable or in some cases extremely terrifying. I loved Elliot, the main protagonist whose emotions were so well written I really felt for him. As always this book was filled with twists and turns galore. The story was so menacing and suspenseful I felt like I held my breath the whole time.
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An absolute masterpiece, yet still holds all the classic suspense and menace that every Mark Edwards story has. As always I came away thinking ‘terrifying things can happen to ordinary people’. That’s the scariest part. And oh my word the end. I did not see that coming. Amazing. Five big stars. Highly, highly recommended.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

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Wowww!!! "Here to stay" is such an awesome psychological thriller. After a whirlwind romance of two months, Elliot marries Gemma Robinson and settle into his gorgeous home. When she asks him if her parents can come to stay for a couple of weeks he agrees, and soon he find his life is in tatters. The Robinsons a.k.a "the in-laws from hell" must be one of the most hateful characters I've found lately. In every interaction they had with Elliot I found myself shouting to my kindle device "NOOO, do this!, don't do that!, don't believe them!". And me shouting while reading is a good sign. I got so invested in the story that I felt anxious throughout the book. You could feel the tension building till that surprising ending. Hopefully a second part is in the works cause Mr. Edwards is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Thanks to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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First time I’ve read a book by this author, and I was impressed. Taking the written words to create emotions in the reader is a remarkable skill, and Mr. Edwards was able to create a strong animosity for the in-laws from ‘heck’. Like fish, house guests begin to “smell” after three days. But moving in with no plans to leave really stinks.. The more one learns about these “guests” the worse the situation. Excellently developed characters and plot.

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Back on form for mark edwards
I loved the magpies and have read all this guys books ,they have been ok but for didn’t match his first .I am glad I continued reading as I thoroughly enjoyed this and it’s my second fave he’s written ...magpies tops it ,or matches it oh I not sure !
It’s a great tale a easy page turning read ,I thought mmm maybe a bit cliche reading the blurb house taken over and series of events blah blah but though yes there are those elements yet you always seem to think where will this go next ....as things get very messy very quickly and his life as he knew it spirals
I did feel at times stand up to them and he does try but they always appear to outsmart or threaten him and I could sense the threat .what would you do ?
The ending was good ,u may suspect but it doesn’t matter as the ending I liked as felt right for the situation he is in and somewhat deserved but his intentions were good he just lost his way and rationale
Oh boy how our lives can change by impulsive decisions ,rushing in feet first and hitting the bottom hard
Enjoy the ride as it’s a good page turner four stars as this is a better story for me than previous works

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Elliott is a 38 year old scientist that lives a regimented life with Charlie his cat. One day, during a public viewing of his garden, he meets the lovely Gemma and they seem to hit off. Within two months they are married and she is living in his very well-to-do home. Not long after and it seems her parents and younger sister are relocating from France and are coming to stay for just a few days until they can find a place of their own.

A few days turns to into a few weeks turns into an absolute nightmare.

If I could describe this book in one word it would be: Preposterous.

If Elliott is a scientist then he may have been blessed with brains but he was clearly not blessed with any common sense or a backbone for that matter. How he let this situation escalate to the level he did is beyond ridiculous. And the in-laws, they are a nasty bunch, but they were almost comical in their depiction. My reading experience is best described as roll my eyes, skim, roll my eyes, skim which isn't a very satisfying experience. In my opinion it took far too long to tell this story and I had already figured out the twist so getting to the end was a chore at best. This is my 2nd book by this author and I think it is safe to say he isn't for me. I am happy to see that so many do love his work and I do wish him continued success in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Mark Edwards is quickly becoming one of the best authors of psychological thrillers in the UK. I received this book yesterday and I’ve already finished it. I loved it and couldn’t stop reading it once I had started. I’d definitely recommend this book.

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Mark Edwards is a really good writer of this type of fiction! His books get better and better! Creepy, twisty and a feeling that nothing is as it seems! I really loved this one!

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Loved this one to bits! I stayed up all night reading it. I loved Mark Edwards stories - they are always gripping, thrilling, and unputdownable. This latest one was just such a fun on to get caught up in. A man named Elliot falls in love, gets married within three months and winds up with a house filled with "family". Except, his new "family" don't want to leave and their behavior is rather unsavory. In fact, his new "family" is rather psychotic...or is he just losing his mind? Either way, things are not looking good for Elliot. Suffice it to say, Edwards has once again weaved another fantastic thriller chock full of twists and turns that will have you reading faster and faster to find out what happens next. Such a great book!!

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Thank you Net Galley and Amazon Publishing for an early copy of this book. Very Frustrating!!! I wanted to be rid of these inlaws immediately. I couldn't put it down, very twisted ending. Loved the book.

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Elliot owns a lovely large house and garden bought with the proceeds of a successful website sale. Being community spirited he opens his garden on the local open garden day and seemingly unwittingly meets Gemma who proceeds to save his life when he has an anaphylactic reaction to a sting. Their relationship progresses to the point of marriage. He knows little about her family only having met her brother who lives a short drive away. Her parents and sister Chloe are in France. We get occasional chapters about a couple doing something, we know not what, rather cloak and dagger. When Gemma asks if her parents and sister can stay “just for a couple of weeks” until they find somewhere, Elliot is pleased to help and to finally meet them. However it soon becomes clear that they are far from a normal family. Chloe is very withdrawn and possibly ill and Gemma’s parents have their own very odd agenda. Oooh!! Mark has done it again. Making me sit on the edge of my seat with that anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach that something, just something is amiss and just around the corner to keep me turning the pages. I felt for Elliot and his naivety in not asking Gemma more about her family before they arrived and about the scars that she is careful to hide. OMG the ending!!! I won’t spoil anything. Hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride!
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
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(rest of links to follow once published on blog- 12th)

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Edwards has great skill as an author to tell a spell binding adventure of the psychological nature. I will say that at first this was a 3 star read for me but considering the story and all of its detailed characters I had to up this at first sight assessment. It is a story of Elliot who is a nice guy who should have had someone watching over him. I will admit I had figured out the Baddest person of the many that Edwards wrote about. "A copy of this book was provided by Amazon Publishing UK via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."

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A beautiful home. A loving wife. And in-laws to die for.

Gemma Robinson comes into Elliot’s life like a whirlwind, and they marry and settle into his home. When she asks him if her parents can come to stay for a couple of weeks, he is keen to oblige – he just doesn’t quite know what he’s signing up for.

The Robinsons arrive with Gemma’s sister, Chloe, a mysterious young woman who refuses to speak or leave her room. Elliot starts to suspect that the Robinsons are hiding a dark secret. And then there are the scars on his wife’s body that she won’t talk about . . .

As Elliot’s in-laws become more comfortable in his home, encroaching on all aspects of his life, it becomes clear that they have no intention of moving out. To protect Gemma, and their marriage, Elliot delves into the Robinsons’ past. But is he prepared for the truth?

*****

Wow wow wow!!! I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in 24 hours!!

I first discovered Mark Edwards in 2014 when I read The Magpies and have followed him ever since. The Magpies was a spectacular book and it is still one of my 'go to' books to recomend. However, I've felt that his further books just never quite lived up to The Magpies. Until this book, which is easily on a par with it.

This book brought back all the old feelings. Tension. Nerves. Claustrophobia and those good old sweaty feet I get when I'm stressed! That is exactly what I want from a book.

Highly recommended by me. 5+ stars.

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This book was really stressful to read. I mean that in a good way. It built the tension really well and left me anxious as to what was going to happen next. Probably one of this author's best books. I would give it 6 stars if I could.

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Author Mark Edwards describes his psychological thrillers as stories “in which scary things happen to ordinary people”. No kidding! I actually had nightmares about this book and felt so stressed throughout that it gave me a tension headache. This is the third book this month where ordinary people have had their homes taken over by evil houseguests, and I don’t like it! It freaks me out!!!!

After a whirlwind romance followed closely by marriage to the gorgeous Gemma, science teacher Elliot feels like his life is complete. He has everything he can ever want: a loving partner, a beautiful home, a job he loves and an adored cat who is like a child to him. That’s until his in-laws come to stay for two weeks – and never move out. Which in itself is terrifying, except that you have no idea how bad it can get, because these are not your average family but a bunch of utter psychopaths! Sweet Elliot, whose own parents are long dead, has no chance against the destructive force that is about to be unleashed on his life.

This is my third book by Mark Edwards, and he is becoming a go-to author for me when I want a truly terrifying domestic noir thriller that messes with my mind. His stories are never predictable, and neither do they always end the way I would like, i.e. the good guys win, the bad ones get punished, or swallowed by a black hole, or incinerated by the breath of an avenging dragon. Instead, there are crazy twists at every turn, some so hair-raising that if this was a scary movie I would have to turn the volume on low and peek through my fingers. No such luck here, though. The story slowly unrolled in all its horrifying glory, and I felt like I had knives thrown at my heart. I am relieved to hear that this story has not been inspired by the author’s own in-laws, who apparently are lovely (really????).

As I am sitting here writing this review, I still feel the remnants of tension in my gut, the sort that only a stiff drink and a night off the thrillers can fix. At this stage I am determined that I am never going to have houseguests ever again!

Phew, deep breath! In summary, if you like a tense, nightmarish thriller that will take over your dreams like the evil houseguests in Mark Edward’s latest story, then go for it! Disclaimer: if you suffer from high blood pressure, anxiety or poor impulse control (i.e. book throwing), do not enter into this without consulting your doctor first. Also, this book is like reading about a plane crash before embarking on a long-haul flight, so if your in-laws’ visit is imminent, I recommend skipping it for now. Who am I kidding? This book is pure hell!!!!! Enter at your own risk! And don’t say I didn’t warn you ....

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I received an advanced reader’s copy of Here to Stay by Mark Edwards in exchange for an honest review I like to thank Netgalley and Amazon reads.

My first Mark Edwards book and what an introduction "WOW" this was an emotional rollercoaster ride from start to finish this is an Psychological thriller of the highest order.
We meet Elliot living the good life in suburbia he has good job, good home fairly well off but just one thing is missing someone to share it all with introduce Gemma a charming pretty lady and bang fireworks explode love at first sight what could go wrong?
To say anymore would spoil this book but I was hooked from the first page until the last It was a powerful emotional journey and I loved every second of it.
The book is written so well and Edwards creates such a tense atmosphere that you have to keep turning the page to see what happens next he puts you in the "what would I do in that situation" so well.
All the characters that reside in this world are well fleshed out and believable.
This book is a triumph in the Psychological thriller genre and Edwards is a Author I shall read again.
Stunning read I could not put it down will be on my best of 2019.

Well worth your time and hard earned cash.

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I’ve previously enjoyed books by this author. Unfortunately, this one, not so muchI

Elliott meets and speedily weds a beautiful woman. What follows is the stuff of nightmares, when she invites her family to stay. Overall, I found the storyline obvious and somewhat boring with characters being either pantomime ‘baddies’ or sweet, obvious ‘goodies ‘. The characters were mostly unlikeable and the lead character of Elliott, the most frustrating of all.
There are some shocks, but, I found the plot to be thin and although there are a few twists, the entire book did nothing for me I’m afraid.

I’m glad many appear to be enjoying it, just, not me. Sorry!

I do appreciate the opportunity to preview, thanks to Netgalley and the publishers.

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Mark Edwards does it again. I was unsure if I would enjoy this book as much as the Magpies series but I was not disappointed. This book surpassed my exceptions. This whole family that get mixed up in the life of bachelor Elliot’s life are horrific and this story just does not let you go from the start. I loved it.

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Another fantastic book from Mark, I have been following him since The Magpies in 2013 when I first got my Kindle and was one of my favourite reads and this one is up there in my 2019 best reads.

It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and was a gripping page turner from beginning to the end with a great ending that I didn't guess.

Well done Mark, I look forward to your next masterpiece, you have a lot to live up to now after this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this brilliantly addictive book.

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Mark Edwards first achieved success with The Magpies, the quintessential neighbours-from-hell story, and Here to Stay is very much in the same mould, and has a number of echoes (the protagonist even lives, appropriately, on “Cuckoo Lane”). Here, though, the monsters are actually living with the protagonist, in the shape of the in-laws from hell who just won’t leave. It’s a natural progression, I guess.

Nice guy Elliot - a scientist and teacher who’s done well for himself - thinks life has taken a turn for the (even) better when he meets and quickly marries the lovely Gemma. He hasn’t bargained on her awful family, though. Jeff and Lizzy Robinson, just returned from abroad and moving in for a “couple of weeks” with younger daughter Chloe, soon reveal some unpleasant habits, but that’s not the half of it. Chloe, meanwhile - apparently ill, perhaps seriously - immediately disappears into her bedroom and isn’t seen again for ages. Clearly, this is not a normal family.

I’ve had some mixed feelings about Mark Edwards’ books in the past, but there’s no denying that he writes incredibly readable stories. He’s really good at how things escalate from apparently small annoyances to all-out mayhem, and even if it’s often possible to guess how things are going to go (and I did see the twist coming) it’s unquestionably entertaining.

The Robinsons are horrible, amoral, toxic people with zero redeeming features. They’re well drawn - I could picture Jeff and Lizzy all too clearly - if a bit extreme. We never find out their backgrounds or why they’re the way they are.

A good escapist read.

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This was a great psychological thriller about the in-laws from Hell whirlwind romances, lots of dishonesty and trust issues. Shows just how deep out family secrets run, and what we would do to either understand them or go to great lengths to break all ties.
Well developed characters that were easy to either really like or just despise.
Lots of great twists and turns with a crazy surprise ending.
Very intense! Highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This book was unbelievable. Riveting, frightening, well written and unbelievable plot. I was glued to each page, literally holding my breath. An absolutely shocking ending as well. Ten stars to this author and I can't wait to read more of his books. Don't miss this one. Incredible!

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Wow, this book will really make you appreciate your in-laws!

I so badly wanted to see these characters get what they deserved! Mark Edwards did a great job of creating truly despicable characters in Lizzy and Jeff, as well as sympathetic ones, although I do think Elliot made some stupid decisions and realistically would have had more of a backbone if this situation happened in real life. However, the twists and turns made for an entertaining read. I did find the ending too abrupt and would have liked to have a little more, given the twist in the last few pages. But, I will definitely be reading more of Mark Edwards after enjoying Here to Stay as well as his previous book The Magpies.

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Another great book with a great storyline, great characters choice, lot of unexpected twists and turns. Would highly recommended this book to all my friends.

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I have read several of Mark Edwards books and I have to say they just get better and better. Just reading the blurb gave me goosebumps and I couldn’t wait to plunge into this story!!!

Elliott and Gemma meet when he opens his garden to the public, theirs is a whirlwind romance and after 2 months they marry in Las Vegas.

When Gemma’s parents say they are returning from living in France but have no where to live, Elliott offers them a temporary place to stay. Where’s the harm in being charitable?

Gemma’s parents Jeff and Izzy arrive with their sick daughter Chloe , but after a few weeks they are not making plans to move out and are taking over the house and Elliot’s life with dangerous consequences!!

This book had me hooked from the start with its twists that kept me guessing. The in laws were very clever, they kept on the right side of the law.They were despicable with their messiness, rudeness and both so manipulative, they made my blood boil and I was planning on how I would get rid of them!!!

Loved the twist at the end. A must read book but be warned once you have read one Mark Edwards book you will be hooked!!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

The

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Another brilliant book by Mark Edwards. I just love all his books and this was no exception. It was the usual good storyline with the twists and turns we expect from his writing. I was so gripped I read it in 24 hours as I just had to know how it ended up. I was also really sad to finish it which is the sign of a great book. I would highly recommend this book and author.

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Visitors are like fish. No matter who they are they go off after three days

What I love about Mark Edwards is his ability to write about ordinary people, living ordinary lives & something happens. It could happen to you the reader, me, neighbour, anyone. And it’s terrifying. It is also every book he writes

No visitors need ever ask to stay in my home again

A brilliant read

With thanks to the publishers and author for ARC in return for an honest review

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I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Great characters and a great plot line. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

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I think I have read all of Mark Edwards previous novels and have enjoyed them all. They are a good easy reading psychological mystery and "Here to Stay" was no different. This was a wonderfully chilling mystery that is surely will make you realise that your in laws are not that bad! Lots of twists, lots of suspects, a satisfying ending! What more do you need on a rainy afternoon.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 easy to read stars

I’ve read all of the author’s previous books and Follow You Home remains one of the creepiest and suspenseful books I’ve ever read.

However I do find Mark to be a bit inconsistent with his books - you will read one that blows you away and then the odd one sneaks in that falls a bit flat.

Unfortunately this was a disappointing book, it lacked suspense and the characters were all so annoying/unlikeable/comical that I kept reading just to see how much sillier it got.

It was so implausible- how Gemma and Elliot meet, the whirlwind development of the story line - isn’t Elliot an intelligent scientist?!

However if you want a quick easy read this is one for you.

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Really good story reminded me a little of the magpie which is when I fell in love with Mark Edwards novels, keep them coming!

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This was a great read. I couldn't stop readinv the entire time.

The story begins with a very likeable character Elliott. Elliott is a picture perfect catch. Well rounded, caring and the owner of a beautiful home. Elliott live changes forever when he meets Gemma. Gemma seems like a good catch until Elliott's life is changed when he meets Gemma's family. His welcomed visitors slowly start to take over his life anx everything/anything he ever cared for.

Mark Edwards did a fantastic job creating characters that made you feel everything you were feeling. I really enjoyed the character development and the twist at the end. I really enjoyed reading this. The plot became alittle strange sometimes but I did enjoy reading this thriller.

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Mark Edwards is one of my favorite crime fiction authors and I try to stay always alert in order to check out his new books. "Here to Stay" was not an overall disappointing reading experience, but it certainly lacks the brilliance of many other books written by Edwards.

Everything begins, like in a fairy-tale, with Elliot, a science teacher, meeting beautiful Gemma and marrying her in a course of just two months. As it is obvious, Elliot is madly in love with Gemma and ready to do anything in order to keep her by his side. The problems begin when Gemma's parents, Jeff and Lizzy, arrive at Elliot's household supposedly for a brief stay of just two weeks. After that, Elliot's life quickly begins to fall apart as it seems that his in-laws are one of a kind and perhaps even dangerous. Things escalate at a rapid pace and finally, Elliot and Gemma will have to face the ultimate decision in order to get rid of them once and for all.

As in every M. Edwards novel, the plot evolves in a relatively fast pace and there are some nice twists near the ending that make the reader reconsider everything he thought he knew until then. Furthermore, Edwards uses a rather simple, nevertheless effective, prose that upgrades his storytelling. The narration is divided into four parts and we see things through the first-person narration of the protagonist, Elliot. "Here to Stay" is not the crime/thriller that you will remember for a long time after reading but this doesn't mean that it's not an entertaining read. Personally I've enjoyed other M. Edwards' novels more and I think that his fans will agree to that point.

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This is the fifth book by Mark Edwards that I've read in the last few months and I've become quite a fan of his! This didn't disappoint! Read in one sitting, Here To Stay is a gripping page turner that had me intrigued and second guessing all the characters right from the start! A great psychological read!

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I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards having read all of his books including the one's he has co written with Louise Voss and yet again i have to say he has written another gripping psychological thriller which is a winner all the way from page 1.Elliot meets Gemma and they get married after a whirlwind romance and all is well at first but when Gemma gets an email from her parents asking to come and stay Elliot readily agrees as he thinks it will only be for a few weeks.So Jeff,Lizzy and their other daughter Chloe arrive from France and that is when Elliot's and Gemma's lives start to get worse by the day as they quickly turn into the in laws from hell,and when it becomes clear they have no intention of leaving any time soon Elliot is forced to face the possibility that Jeff and Lizzy are also responsible for much more darker happenings that are taking place in his life.From the first page to the last this superb thriller had me gripped and also with an ending which i never saw coming it really is up there as one of the best psychological thrillers i have read this year which is no surprise really as Mark Edwards is at the top of his game when it comes to this genre of book.A massive 5 star read and,i can't wait for Marks next book as they never disappoint.

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Fantastic novel as always. Really like the style of Mark Edwards and this novel didn’t disappoint. Great build up of tension throughout.

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After reading a gazillion psychological thrillers with a female protagonist I picked up this novel to read from the male perspective. Gemma and Elliot have a ‘meet-cute’ beginning, a fairytale romance. marriage and a beautiful life and home. Along comes a text from Gemma’s parents that they are coming back to England from France and would it be okay to stay for a couple of weeks? Everything goes spiraling down as soon as the Robinson’s arrive with a daughter who looks like death warmed over. Elliott discovers that the family has hidden secrets and motives and he spends half the book thinking of ways to make them move. After a rash of really disturbing incidents Elliott reaches his breaking point and changes from a loving, kind, professor into a man willing to do anything g to save his wife and home. Nothing is as it seems. Great read. My first by this author.

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For some reason or another it is a while since I read a Mark Edwards’ book. What was I thinking! Here to stay is a well thought out story about how one man’s life can change from a “chance meeting”.

Elliot lives in a beautiful house which he has lovingly restored. When he opens his garden to the public, he meets the gorgeous Gemma Robinson. Within months they are married and she has moved into his home.

When Gemma asks if her parents and sister can come and stay for a couple of weeks while they find somewhere to live after living in France, Elliot readily agrees, not realising from that moment on his nice sedate life will never be the same.

Mark Edwards, you had me jumping at every noise, checking over my shoulder and listening out for footsteps. The creeping sense that something was amiss followed me everywhere until I had reached the superb ending and then I could BREATHE again!

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Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy. Elliott and Gemma meet and in a couple months they end up getting married. Soon after they are married her parents and sister come to stay a few days but it just seems like they are never leaving. A dragged out story which the ending just doesn't seem to make sense. Maybe just not the type of story for me.

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This novel was ICKY and uncomfortable and YUCK. In all of the best ways possible. To me, it read more of a horror for the first two thirds. And I liked that, but maybe it says more about what I find scary than anything else :) I loved this book and have enjoyed all books I’ve read my Mark Edwards. Devoured this one in a couple days and am already wondering which of his books to pick up next.

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Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I don't say much when it comes to thrillers due to spoilers, but this was amazing in my opinion! I love the author's writing anyways so I knew it was going to be good, but this was great! Will read more from this author in the future.

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Wow what a story!
I loved this book and just had to finish it tonight to find out how it ended.
Gemma and Elliot get married after only a few weeks together after a life affirming event makes Elliot seize the moment.
Life is good at first, until Gemma asks if her parents and sister can come and stay. Elliot gets the impression that Gemma doesn’t really want them there, but agrees anyway.
As soon as he meets them, Elliot knows life is not going to be the same again and gradually his life is made a misery.
Jeff and Lizzy are untidy, rude and inconsiderate and Chloe has some mysterious virus which means she doesn’t venture out of her room.
After a few weeks Elliot builds up the courage to ask when they’re going to find somewhere to rent and does not like the answer.
Elliot has restored the house and created a beautiful home, but day by day it’s being wrecked. The murder of his neighbours nearly sends him over the edge as he suspects Jeff was somehow involved.
Soon Elliot’s life crumbles around him and he struggles with how to move on until a plan is formed...
This is a fantastic psychological thriller and I loved every minute of it.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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In Mark Edwards newest book, we meet Elliot and Gemma. Elliot is a scientist who teaches young kids, he lives alone in a renovated home with only one friend. He's happy but a little lonely living with just his cat. Until he meets Gemma, who just happens to enter his garden when he opens it up to the neighborhood to explore. After a whirlwind romance--everything happens within a few months--they get married. Shortly after they are married, Gemma asks if her parents can stay for a couple weeks, as they are returning home to England. From there Elliot's seemingly quiet life becomes hell. Something is seriously wrong with Gemma's family! Strain becomes part of their marriage and life.

Edwards can write about f'd up people, whether its neighbors or in-laws! I was rooting for Elliot and screaming at him to run from this family! I knew something wasn't right with Gemma and I worried the moment Elliot met her. I felt bad that these things were happening to Elliot, a nice guy that had to be someone he's not. This was definitely a page turner. I really liked the ending:)

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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One of the best Mark Edwards and I must say his last 2 novels had been a let down to me. This made me curious and reading non stop.
There was a far fetched aura to the whole idea, for sure but somehow it worked. Edwards has a way of creating these naive, good hearted, wronged men that I've never encountered in real life but his stories would never work if not for this. And here again we see a poor soul that is dragged into hell for being too trustworthy, too good a person.
This novel feels claustrophobic. As the days progress and Elliot's situation goes further down the drain I experienced such discomfort that I only wanted for him to be free again. We can't help but feel truly sorry for the guy.
And then...that ending. It was surprising, that's for sure.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange of my honest review.

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You may have heard the expression, “the in-laws from hell” before, but I can guarantee you’ve never heard a story about in-laws as awful as Elliot’s. When Elliot meets Gemma, he falls madly in love and within months the two marry. Shortly after the wedding, Gemma’s parents return from England and need a place to stay. The newlyweds open their home to them not knowing that they never plan on leaving.

Elliot’s house and life are both soon taken over by Gemma’s parents and Elliot is forced to decide how to handle his in-laws from hell.

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In The Magpies we had the neighbours from hell but in this book Mr Edwards brings us the in-laws from hell and the scenario is so scarily believable. He always writes such memorable characters but what a nasty, vile pair Lizzie and Jeff are! Elliott, on the other hand, I loved. As a scientist he is obviously intelligent but also hard working, charming and just lovely. And he's a cat-lover! And his house, which he has renovated with love sounds wonderful, though it is situated on Cuckoo Lane!

The book hurtles along, and I didn't want to stop listening. There is a claustrophobic, menacing feel to it which builds throughout the book. There are all the usual twists and turns, and a terrific ending …. that last sentence!!

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Wow talk about crazy in-laws . Here to stay is a crazy read , it kept me thinking what would I do. 4.5 stars . Thank you Netgalley for an early copy.

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Fast paced and engaging. Shows that all humans have innate evil and survival instincts supersede the good within us.

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I've now read a few Mark Edwards books and each one keeps getting better and better. He write...what I would consider 'domestic thrillers'. It's not a haunted house, there's no boogie man in the shadows. It's more about the people around you - and who they truly are.

Elliot and Gemma have a whirlwind romance that starts when he nearly dies from a bee sting and two months later they get married in Las Vegas.

Once they return from Vegas, Gemma breaks the news that her parents are returning to England and just need a place for a few weeks. Elliot, eager to help - even with a nagging voice in his head signaling something is wrong - offers to let them stay while they get back on their feet.

What was should have been a family reunion quickly turns into a nightmare as Gemma's parents have zero plans on moving out and instead start to bully Elliot.

This is a story about a family of awful people who do awful things and treat people as objects for their use and abuse. There are twists, there are questionable characters and above all, there is Elliot, who was just a lonely man who thought he found love.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Elliott’s life is good, he’s renovated his gorgeous house to perfection and he has a great career. The only thing missing is someone to share it all with. Enter Gemma, after a whirlwind romance they get married and things are so perfect Elliott happily obliges when Gemma asks if her parents can stay for a couple of weeks. Jeff, Lizzy and Gemma’s sister Chloe turn up after being in France for several years and it doesn’t take Elliott long to realise what a huge mistake he has made. Fantastic twisty story. Highly recommended.

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As the note from the publishers state "Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people" and nothing more scary can be imagined than the events that in a small span in time are encountered by mild mannered Elliot Foster. At the beginning we find Elliot living what appears to be a great life. Successful, financially secure, doing work he loves and living in a house in a disarable part of South London that he has lovingly restored. However never married 38 year old Elliot is lonely. Then during a gardens open day held at his house he meets the enigmatic Gemma Robinson and his life will never be the same again.

Following a whirlwind romance they marry in Las Vegas and everything looks set for Elliot to enjoy the perfect life but never will this be further from the truth. We know from the opening chapter that other members of the Robinson family are fleeing France after what appears to be a death and it is not long before Jeff, Lizzie and their daughter Chloe arrive at their other daughter's Gemma new residence to stay a "couple of weeks". However it becomes clear that this couple of weeks may be an illusion and a longer stay is envisaged from the ultimate in laws from hell.

The longer the book goes on the more darker and chilling it becomes. Told from Elliot's first person narration we see how his life slowly unravels and the Elliot at the end is a far different person from the one we met at the beginning. I will not give the plot away but I was not expecting the chilling twist at the end. If you like a well plotted thriller with that unputdownable appeal and characters that stay long in the memory then this is well worth a read.

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Mark Edwards has another winner on his hands with this delightful psychological thriller featuring the in laws from hell! A very entertaining read, not to be taken too seriously. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

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I loved “Here to Stay” the latest by Mark Edwards. This is only the second book I have read by him but he has long been on my TBR list.
Elliot Foster is at the end of an Open Garden day in which he allowed his garden to open to the public to raise funds for a nearby playgraoynd when an attractive young woman Gemma Robinson, stops and asks it is still open. Elliot ends up being stung by a bee and unknown to him he is allergic and she rushes him to the hospital saving his life. This brush with death causes him to think of the things in his life that were missing and leads to a whirlwind romance and marriage with Gemma within two months.
Shortly after their marriage Gemma tells him she had heard from her parents and they were returning to England and they had nowhere to stay. He offers to let them stay with them for a few weeks while they look for their own place. From their arrival though Elliot senses something is not right- Jeff the father just sits and watches tv all day, Lizzy the mother makes crude, inappropriate remarks and Chloe has been hiding in a room unseen. When Elliot finally confront them about moving out they inform them they have decided to stay.
What can you do when you invited evil in?

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Elliot and Gemma meet unexpectedly and fall in love. It’s a whirlwind romance followed by a wedding shortly after. When Gemma asks Elliot if her parents and sister, Chloe, can stay with them for two weeks, Elliot is agreeable. But, then it becomes apparent that they have no intention of leaving. And the real problems begin.

Written from Elliot’s point of view, this novel takes the term “psychological suspense” to a whole new level. As the tension builds the reader will find himself drawn into Elliot’s nightmare world. This is one book that you will need to clear the decks for. Cancel all appointments and get ready to read well into the night (with the lights on, of course). It’s scary, it’s believable, and you won’t be able to put it down until the last page. If you enjoy psychological thrillers then Here to Stay won’t be a disappointment.

Many readers have praised Mark Edwards’ books and now I can see why. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

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One of the best psychological thriller writers around. Mark has not disappointed again. Fast paced and exciting. Loved it

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I was hooked to this book from the first page, and definitely enjoyed it. It's a fast pace good-old fashioned thriller that'll make you switch off and read this quickly. It's very gripping and entertaining.

Thanks a lot to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Oh my giddy aunt just finished this fantastic book and I can't shout loudly enough about it. I was absolutely hooked from the first page. The build up of the relationship between Elliot and Gemma and then the introduction of the family was just brilliant. Fantastically tense and a brilliant page turner. I have to confess I guessed a couple of things but this did absolutely nothing to change my opinions on the book. Easy 5/5, fantastic!!!

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Here To Stay
Elliott has done well for himself in life, after a whirlwind romance he married Gemma Robinson. A short while later Gemmas family arrive into the country and they have no where to stay, so Gemma invites them to stay with her and Elliott.
Jeff Lizzie and their mysterious daughter Chloe move in, and it's not long before they begin to wreak havoc.
I read this book in a day and a half. I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards, and enjoyed this book as much as his other books. I found myself waking early this morning (Sunday) just to finish it, desperate to know what was going to happen. This book drew me in from the first page.
I enjoyed every page of this book, and found it an easy and quick read. Well done Mark, you have done it again.
Thank you to @netgalley for the arc of this book, although I would have read this book anyway.

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This is a fun and fast paced thriller
It has some completely unexpected twists and turns. The author has a very clever writing style
A great book

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Wow. This is a gripping read from the off. Even though the story and the characters are fictional I found myself so on the edge, hating these awful in-laws and the way they behaved and spoke. They really riled me up, which just shows how vivid the writing was. It's tense throughout, told from the point of view of Elliot, who I just felt so sorry for throughout the whole thing. There's twists at every moment, especially the end. Some of the events towards the end did seem a bit much for me, hence four stars instead of five. However this is a fantastic read from an author I've been meaning to read for a long time. I look forward to going back and trying more of his novels.

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Thanks Netgalley for this ARC. Loved this book. Read it over a weekend. I rarely use the word unputdownable but in this instance, yes, I couldn't put the book down. None of the cleaning I had planned for this weekend is done. My house is a mess, but it's so worth it.

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3.5 Stars

Upping the ante from The Magpies where the enemy was next door, Here To Stay looks at what happens when the unexpected enemy takes root inside your house.
After a whirlwind romance, Gemma asks Elliot if her estranged parents could stay with them for a few days on their return from France. He instantly agrees, but it is a decision he is going to regret for a very long time.
I didn't think that I could despise a character more than Lucy from The Magpies, but Jeff and Lizzie are definitely up there!
I did find it difficult to feel for any of the main characters though. I really wanted to shake Elliot at some points as I think that he could have handled some of the situations much better. Also, I struggled with understanding the parents actions once the twist was revealed at the end.
All in all, this was a well written, fast-paced paced read.

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My my my...... This was sooooooooooo super good a storyline! By far one of the best Physcological Thrillers that I have read in 2019.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

I had never read a novel from Mark Edwards before "Here to stay" and I was not dissapointed in the slightest!
Mark has a way of getting you guessing, second guessing....then airing himself those guesses throughout the book- which then puts you back at square one as you realise that is probably not the way the storyline is going to go.

The storyline had me feeling awkward, frustrated and a feeling of dread as if I was to be in the situation myself!. What would you do!?!?.

The final plot twist was very, very clever, I could not have even seen that coming, I didn't even entertain that plot at any time throughout the story.

Great detail and knowledge has been put into the research for some of the ideas in the storyline and with that comes a great, gripping storyline. This will have you held in suspense and make you want to keep page turning with every chapter that rolls on by!
More than 5 stars from me..... Totally recommend reading this!

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Here to Stay is a fantastic physiological thriller that is so full of twists and turns I was never sure of exactly where it was going. Great writing and great character development. I just couldn’t put it down!
Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review

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Mark Edwards books just get better and better. This is my favourite. We all know someone who doesn't get on with their in-laws, in my case it's myself! Here to Stay takes it to a whole new level. These in-laws are an absolute nightmare. Brilliant, I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley for my copy.

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This book was fast paced. Hard to put down. It flowed well and it was very well written. It caught hold of me and had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.

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Thanks net galley could not put this book down.
The in-laws from hell really means that.
This was a nasty story about nasty people and I could not put it down, did not want to,finish this book.
Does it make me the sort of person who likes nasty people, maybe.
This was an amazing story Mark Edwards has done it again.
Here’s to the next book you write, keep them Coming.

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I’m a big fan of Mark Edwards, but I didn’t really enjoy Here To Stay. It felt very drawn out and the characters & story were just not believable. I wouldn’t say it’s a bad book, but it’s definitely not one of his best.

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This is my first Mark Edwards book and I'm wondering where I've been and why this remarkable author has passed me by! Here To Stay is, unquestionably, a brilliant read.

Not only were the characters exceptionally well formulated, but the story-line itself was outstanding. It has the twists, the turns and the emotion that every psychological thriller must have to be a winner and Mark Edwards has accomplished exactly that. The main character, Elliot, was written to perfection. His emotions, his morals, his thought processes, his intelligence and his whole persona made him such an appealing character.

The drama, the revelations and the stellar ending were all really amazing. So well planned, researched and executed, you couldn't read a more flawless psychological thriller than this one.

This is one of the bests books I've ever read and I must now grab copies of The Lucky Ones and The Retreat.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

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This is my fourth or fifth(can’t remember) Mark Edwards book, and did not disappoint. It was suspenseful and thrilling and kept me interested throughout. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.


4.5/5 stars

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This was the first book I read by Mark Edwards. Not terribly impressed. It was unrealistic as far as the plot went. All those crazy people taking over his house. The many murder scenes throughout the book? It just seemed very hard to believe that there would be little or no investigation to all the middle-class people getting murdered that were in his circle of friends. I had to struggle to finish this book it did not hold my interest. Thank you for my advanced copy.

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This is Mark Edwards at his best yet. The book details a nightmare scenario, told in such a gripping manner that as the reader I kept on wondering what on earth was going to happen next. The suspense throughout was amazing, the characters so well described with an extremely convoluted, devious plot. I felt very sorry for the main character Elliot as he tried to do his best all the time and every which way he turned things seemed to get worse culminating in his final attempt turning into the biggest failure ever. The ending was to say the least twisted and mainly unexpected.

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I had thought all of the permutations of domestic noir had been exhausted but Mark Edwards has managed to come up with a new twist! This story of in laws from hell is scary simply because it is believable. You read it, seeing the problems emerging but powerless to stop them. A great read.

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This is a well-written book that draws you in from the start. The storyline was easy to follow and full of well-drawn characters. Would recommend.

Thank you to Mark Edwards, NetGalley, and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

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I couldn’t put this book down. There were so many twists and turns that I felt quite tense
reading it! I just didn’t know what was going to happen next. This is by far Mark Edwards best book.

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Elliott has his whole life in order. Everything was going smoothly. He had everything he needed except a family. When Gemma stopped by his open garden, he had no idea how his life was about to change. After a quick marriage her parents came for supposedly short visit. “Everything had been fine before her parents and sister turned up. And everything would get back on track when they were gone”. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly how things turned out. Things begin to spiral out of control as the visit lasted longer than expected. This book had me hooked! With a sense of foreboding throughout leaves the reader on edge. Even when you think you know what’s what, you are in for some twisty surprises! Nothing is exactly what it seems leaving the reader in suspense until the very last word!

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I am a BIG fan of Mark Edwards, so I had high expectations for this book. It did not disappoint! It’s been days later and I’m still thinking about this book, I can’t get it out of my head, just how annoying that family must have been to live with. It was irritating me and I wasn’t even there! Elliot was a trooper to last as long as he did. They do say you can’t choose your family! Such a sinister read, with a big twist at the end. I felt satisfied with the ending, which is rare for me and psychological thrillers at the moment. 5 stars!

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Elliot Foster has it all; a job that he loves, a comfortable lifestyle and the love of his life, Charlie his cat. Then a chance meeting with Gemma, sweeps him off his feet. He's head over heels in love and they marry after a few short months. When Gemma asks Elliot if her parents and sister, Chloe can come to stay for a couple of weeks as they are moving back to England from France, Elliot is happy to let them stay. Ut it's not long before Gemma's parents feet are firmly under the table and that's where they intend to stay, Elliot believes they ran away from something in France and vows to fi d out what.

When Elliot married Gemma he did not realise he was getting her sister and pare it's as well. What else he didn't realise was that they were the family from hell. There quite a lot goes on in this book but the loose end are tied up. There are parts when I did question what I had just read. Some parts did not seem to ring quite true. I did enjoy the story. There were plenty of red herrings and I never saw the final twist coming.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Mark Edwards for my ARC in exchange for an honest.

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Interesting thriller. I’m glad I decided to request this book because it wasn’t what I expected. If you need something to keep you on edge, pick up this book.

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In-laws from hell!

Elliott Foster decides to opens his garden to the public. Gemma Robinson is the last person to visit on the open day, and possibly Elliott should mark this day as his last "normal" day! They fall in love very quickly, and five weeks after meeting, they marry in Vegas.

A few weeks later, Gemma asks if her parents and sister can visit for "a few days". They have lived in France for years and want to return to be closer to both Gemma and her brother, Stuart and his family.

I would be breaking all the laws of reviewing if I tell you more! I could not put this novel down until I’d reached the last page. It’s brutal, exciting, totally different to anything I’ve read before and the ending sent me into shock.

Mark Edwards is a brilliant author. I’ve loved his writing and originality in each story he's written. However, I think that this is going to be one of his most exciting and talked about ever!

I closed the book, thinking, "Thank God, my in-laws weren't this bad!"

Imbali

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

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Rarely do I read an entire book in 24 hours, but this was an exception. I wasn't able to put down this story of a man who marries quickly and finds himself hosting his in-laws. Anyone who's married or in a committed relationship knows that your relationships with your in-laws can be complicated, but this is everyone's worst nightmare.

The character development was fantastic and believable - you'll find yourself wanting to jump into the book and beat the daylights out of a few characters. The pacing was fast and furious. The premise itself was enough to make you have anxiety attack. This is one of the best thrillers I've read this year.

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What can I say but, Wow. I have loved each and every one of Mark Edwards novels, they just seem to get better and better

Elliot is single and lives with his cat. He meets Gemma and soon they are married, Before they have gotten the chance to get to know each other properly Gemma's parents and her sister come to stay. They are simply the in-laws from hell and soon Elliot' s life has become one nightmare after another

I inhaled this book and it's conclusion was simply cracking. A great read, I'd highly recommend.
Thanks to Mark Edwards and Netgalley for my copy of Here To Stay
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I started off the summer with book after book from @amazonpublishing because I had free kindle unlimited for 3 months. That meant, free books but most all of them were published by amazon. Can I tell you a secret? Well, what I thought was a secret? They've all been REALLY good books. Here to Stay by Mark Edwards was no exception.

5 stars for Here to Stay. And, since the last book I read was The Testaments, also 5 stars, you'd think I'd be maxing out at 3 stars for awhile. It's a good thing I flew through this one because I have chewed all of my nails off now. (I wonder the percentage of book reviewers and bloggers that have acrylic nails vs not?)

I really fell in love with Elliot, the main character in Here to Stay. He was such a likable guy, doing all the right things in life, teaching at risk kids about science, refinished his house, GARDENING, for goodness sake! Well, I was skeptical of Gemma from the beginning. It all seemed too good to be true. And, when the in-laws move in and won't leave, the author does a great job of showing how slowly even a nice man like Elliot can lose it. Well, let's just say they are the in-laws of all in-laws. And, just when I had the bad guys pegged, Mark Edwards flips the script at the end and wow, I knew something was coming but didn't expect THAT!

I recommend this one. It was long but I made my husband drive everywhere tonight so I could fit in the time to finish it by the time we got home tonight.

I was provided the book for free in exchange for an honest book review. Thank you @netgalley and @amazonpublishing #heretostay was a nailbiting #thriller #intense #bookblog #mustlovebooks #bookreview #5stars @markedwardsauthor

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This was an absolute cracker of a book which had me hooked from the very first page. It was full of twists and turns that I certainly didn’t expect or see coming. Brilliant ending as well. I loved this book

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My Thoughts
Elliot is in a word, nice. He enjoys his job and has purchased and restored a beautiful Victorian home. He opens his garden gates to support the local community on Open Gardens Day and finds the one thing that has been missing from his life, a partner to love. Gemma, a veterinary nurse, tours his garden, saves Elliot from anaphylactic shock from a bee sting, and soon after they marry and live happily ever after....not.
You see, Gemma's parents and sister are relocating from France and they need somewhere to stay. It will just be for a couple of weeks, and Elliot is thrilled to meet Gemma's family and gladly invites them to stay. But there is much more to Gemma's family, and soon Elliot will be fighting for his sanity, as well as his house.
If you have ever had a less than stellar interaction with your in-laws, this is the book to make you realize it wasn't that bad. I have to say I was quite surprised with all the twists and turns, and especially, the ending. On one hand, I couldn't believe how quickly the story went off the rails, and Elliot's solution felt a little off to me. But, after thinking about Here to Stay, I realized that it was a reaction to an unbearable situation, and who knows how someone would react. Ultimately, I enjoyed almost all of the read, and as this is the first book I have read by Mark Edwards, I am looking forward to seeing what else he has written.
I received a DRC from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley.

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This was so typically Mark Edwards and I loved it . There is always some thoroughly unpleasant characters a few twists you see coming and a few you don't . This was no exception for me . Elliott meets Gemma and after a whirlwind romance they marry quickly . They are really happy until Gemma asks one day if her family can come to stay for a few weeks ... As you can guess form the title they have no intention of only staying a while . With their behavior questionable at best and a younger sister who refuses to leave her room , Elliott has his work cut out for him getting them to move on .... Throw in a few murders , and horrible accusations , its only when Elliott starts his own investigation into them does his trouble really start .
An excellent , fast paced read and I really enjoyed it .

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The Magpies is one of my favourite books so it’s nice to see that Mark Edwards still has the power to scare the bejesus out of me with his new novel that once again puts hardworking, everyday people in peril through no fault of their own. They say you can’t pick your family, but unfortunately you can’t pick anyone else’s either, so when Elliot marries Gemma he is also marrying into the Robinson clan…and a very strange one it is too! When Gemma’s parents return to the UK from France with her younger sister Chloe in tow, they don’t have an immediate place to stay so Elliot agrees to let them stay in his beautiful home. Big mistake!!

Mark Edwards builds the terror slowly here so that I was constantly seconding guessing myself as to what the hell was going on! Are the Robinsons the evil parasites that Elliot suspects they are or are they just a rather classless family down on their luck? What happened to them in France and why have they returned back to the UK without having planned ahead? What are the marks on Gemma’s body and why does Chloe hide herself away in her room all the time? I was desperate to know the answers to all these questions and more but even so, I was shocked at how far Elliot was prepared to go to get his home back to “normal”!

This book is creepy as hell and made even more so by how realistically the situation was portrayed! They say an Englishman’s home is his castle and there’s many a time you want to raise that drawbridge and just relax in your own homes so imagine the horror of visitors who arrive and then NEVER LEAVE! I’m having palpitations just thinking about it! Here to Stay is just so gripping due to the portrayal of normality that develops into something so much more shocking than I could ever have imagined. The compelling narrative was tough to read towards the end but, oh my word, what an ending!

I absolutely loved Here to Stay even though it gave me goosebumps! It’s a terrifying but enthralling thriller that is a must read for fans old and new. Highly recommended!

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This is the first book I have read by the author and having read the synopsis of this book, I was really happy to have an advanced read.

This is a great thriller based around a character called Elliot, a popular scientist who helps disadvantaged children in schools, he is also a batchelor with a stunning home who lost his parents at a young age. Elliot’s life is turned upside down when he meets Gemma and after a whirlwind romance, they marry and move in together. Things start to go horribly wrong for the couple when Gemma’s parents and her sister come to stay..... and don’t end up leaving. Some sinister things start to happen in the home, having a huge impact on Elliot’s marriage, work and life in general.
The story tells of the lengths Elliot goes to, trying to evict his in-laws who refuse to leave his house.

I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this book, it was gripping and dark in places and truly hard to put down. I did find that towards the end, the book became a bit unrealistic and a bit far fetched for my liking which was a little disappointing.

That said, overall it was a great read, well written and would recommend!

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Mark Edwards ALWAYS writes a great story and this certainly didn't fail to impress. I read this in 2 sittings as I wanted to find out exactly how they were going to deal with their unwanted house guests! Brilliant. I recommend this and all of Mark Edwards books.

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Brilliant! Mark Edwards has done it again. Fantastic book, a real page turner, I devoured it in one sitting, the right amount of creepy n a great little twist which I did not see coming.

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One of those books that you simply can't put down because you NEED to know what's going to happen and how it's all going to end. A pleasantly uncomfortable and gripping read from start to finish.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

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Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When overbearing and rude in-laws stay longer than expected, what are you going to do? What follows is a bit unrealistic, but I kept reading. I needed to see how it would play out even though I knew how it would end.

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Thank you to Netgalley, Mark Edwards and Amazon Publishing for my arc of Here to Stay in exchange for an honest review. 

Synopsis: After losing his parents at a young age Elliot has built a life for himself as a successful scientist teaching underprivileged children the 'fun' in science, he has good friends, a lovely pet cat and a beautiful Victorian home that he lovingly restored himself, there's only one thing missing. That is until Gemma Robinson walks into his life and quite literally saves it. Before he knows it Elliot is embroiled in a whirlwind romance and marriage, the happiest he's ever been with his beautiful wife completing his perfect life. That is until Gemma asks if her parents can stay for a few days, eager to meet her family, Elliot says yes. Not knowing the huge mistake he has made. The Robinson's arrive with Gemma's younger sister chloe in tow and soon begin to make Elliot's life a misery. Desperate to get them out, Elliot begins investigating their past, trying to find out just why they left France. But Elliot is treading on dangerous ground....
I can't remember where I first came across Mark Edward's books but wherever it was I'm grateful as it turned me into an eternal fan. Mark is by far one of the most superior thriller writers I've ever come across. It's easy to devour his books in a matter of hours and I'd recommend making sure you have time to go cover to cover because trust me you will not be able to put them down. Here to Stay is no different, it reminded me very much of one of Mark's other books The Magpies it has the same psychological mind games that leave you as frustrated and desperate as the central character. It was impossible not to finish this book in one sitting as each chapter left me desperate for more. Another fantastic read.

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Enjoyed this book. One of the best by the author (to date) and certainly kept interest and suspense in this quite creepy and well structured plot.

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Book Review: Here to Stay by Mark Edwards

The Robinsons. A family of survivors. It was what they did, whatever the world threw at them. They had been doing this for years. And they would survive again.

They would be houseguests from hell. They'd lie. They'd steal. They'd wreak havoc in the home - and in the neighborhood. It would take years to get rid of them. The law would be on their side. It always worked. And they have a secret weapon. A most sinister weapon...

With the odds and the system stacked against him, what does the mild-mannered, genteel science teacher and homeowner Elliot Foster do?

He uses science, of course, then makes sacrifices. Huge sacrifices. And gets more than what he bargains for.

As he finds out in horror!

What is remarkable about Mark Edward's psychological thriller "Here to Stay" is that it will invariably evoke a whole gamut of emotions and strong reactions from every one who reads the novel - every one!

The emotional response of the autonomic nervous system kind - the cringe and shudder, the utter disbelief, the holler and punch yourself on an open fist kind.

Either in empathy in the shoes of the overmatched and outwitted Elliot, or in vociferous disgust against his pathetic and gullible self. Or both.

The book will make the reader think: First, how lucky they don't have "Robinsons" in their own lives. So very lucky.

And, then, how they'd proactively deal with "Robinsons" - lock them out, run them out, even "stand your ground". Whatever it takes!

Subconsciously, readers will demand one condition as they plow through chapter after unputdownable chapter: that the author better come up with an explosive, fitting and unexpected ending.

And Mark Edwards delivers!

Review based on a complimentary Advance Reading Copy from Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley.

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Elliot has it all, a new wife, a gorgeous home, a successful career. But a visit from his new in-laws is about to turn his world upside down.

A whirlwind romance saw Elliot and Gemma tie the knot, and the first few months of married life is going well. Gemma's parents come to visit with her younger sister, and whilst Elliot is keen to welcome and get to know them, he cant ignore the change in his wife.

When the in-laws appear to be getting a little too settled into his home, Elliot not only becomes concerned for himself and his marriage, but at the sister in law who locks herself away in his house that he isn't allowed to see.

Soon, Elliot finds his world is blown apart by this family he has married into. Shocks, twists and truths become exposed as Elliot struggles to get to grips with the realisation that they really are the in-laws from hell, but that his wife may not really be the woman he fell head over heels for.

This book will have you reading into the wee small hours, its gripping, clever, and an enthralling story that will make you thankful that your in-laws aren't that bad after all!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me a copy of this book

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Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the ARC of this book which is another great read like all of Mark Edwards’ books.
I’m so lucky to have normal in-laws! This really was about the family from hell. You knew from the beginning something wasn’t right but what a great twist. I had real trouble putting this down and have literally just finished it.
I would highly recommend this book and once again Mark has written another great book, keep them coming as I’ve now read them all and need another one.
Review also posted on Amazon.

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“Here to Stay” by Mark Edwards is a psychological thriller about the in laws from hell

Elliott is a single, middle aged average Joe who meets and marries the girl of his dreams, Gemma, in a whirlwind romance. Soon after, her parents come to visit and the nightmare begins.

I really enjoyed the first few chapters and the pacing, but then everything went downhill. The plot started off strong and then became sillier and sillier and then absolutely ridiculous.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Here To Stay started out a little slow for me and the writing style was not as rich with description as I prefer. However as the story progressed, I became invested in the turmoil that the protagonist, Elliot was experiencing, in-laws overstaying their welcome and turning into squatters in his home. I was shocked to learn that in London, you can have someone come and visit and if they don't want to leave it can take months even over a year to get them out of your home. I found myself feeling overwhelming frustration and a sense of suffocation on behalf of this poor man. Once I was halfway through the book, I read the rest of it in one sitting.

I really enjoyed this thriller. This is the first time I've read anything by this author and I will definitely go on to read more of his books.

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I want to start by saying that the quality of Psychological Thriller novels I’ve read this year has been astounding! Here to Stay is no different!

It is packed with intrigue and suspicious characters. It has a great mix of spooky and thrilling scenes as well as a storyline that had me gripped from the start and throughout the four parts of the book.

It progressed at a fast pace and had the feeling of a very dark psychological thriller. This is something that makes a book rememberable to me as all his other books have done previously.

I’ve read many of Mark Edwards novels and what I love about his books especially the later ones is the slightly darker side to his storytelling. The little hints to creepy suggestions of something sinister. This draws me in every time and has me gripped wondering what will happen to the seemingly innocent characters in the book.

I’m very excited to read Marks next novel to see what he has in store for us next!

Thank you to to Mark Edwards, his publishers and Netgalley for an ARC of Here to Stay.

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This is the first book from Mark Edward's I have ever read, so I requested it blindly with no preamble and no expectations. I can safely say, that this is going to be the first of many!

This is the tale of Elliot and his quick blossoming romance with Gemma. All seems to be going well until the in-laws arrive from France. When people tell you they have awful in-laws never believe them and read this book instead!

A lot of thing start going wrong for Elliot and his new bride and a lot of suspicion is aimed in alot of directions. I dont think there was one person I didnt suspect.

I felt like I was on a carousel going round and round and up and down with every single twist and smallest bit of information. It changed my train of thought so much. But my oh my what an ending. Absolutely fabulous and I will be looking into a lot more books written by Mark Edwards

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This story is about Elliot who meets Gemma falls in love and marries her very quickly. All is going well until Gemma announces that her parents and sister will be coming to stay for a couple of weeks. The In-Laws quickly make themselves comfortable and decide that they are not going to move out. Elliot’s life starts to spin out of control.

I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards and have read nearly all his other books. I didn’t love this book quite as much as I have loved some of his other books. I enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book but I didn’t enjoy the rest. I thought that Elliot made some stupid decisions. I was annoyed with myself that I didn’t guess the twist. I am looking forward to Mark‘a next book.

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Wow! What a great story! This is my first time reading a Mark Edwards book and I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the suspense, and the twists in the story. Very well thought out book which keeps you hooked until the end

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A beautiful wife and in laws to die for .
Gemma Robinson’ meets Elliot and they marry.
The Robinson clan with Gemma sister called Chloe stay with them for a couple of weeks .
The only thing Chloe will not leave her room
Plus the Gemma has got scars on her body
But she doesn’t talk about it
I had an ARC

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If you can cast of your thoughts of what you would do in Elliots situation then you will enjoy this book.

The story is particularly outlandish which makes it stand out but it’s fiction so just enjoy the story telling and you will enjoy.

I liked the main character and felt for him as I’m sure you will too.

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I have been meaning to try Mark Edwards‘ books for a while now and there is no doubt that this book was everything I hoped for and more. I basically felt uncomfortable and threatened during the whole book, feeling what the main character feels while also just wanting to shake him and tell him to ‘man up’ and do something about his situation. It’s hands down one of the most frustrating stories I’ve had the chance to read this year, but strangly enough this feeling only made me appreciate this story even more.

I’ve had my thoughts marinating for a few days now, and I still can’t wrap my head around just how brilliant the premise and its execution are. The main topic of Here To Stay involves what you can call everybody’s worst fear: meeting/marrying someone you love, only to discover in-laws from hell come with the package. I lucked out with mine, but I can’t even imagine what it would be like opening your door and seeing the Robinsons on your doorstep and having them invade your haven… The main character Elliot is an easy character to connect to and the perfect good guy, which only serves as a bigger contrast with the Robinsons. Dear oh dear, what can I say about them without giving too much away? Let’s just say that I wouldn’t want to have them living in the same town, let alone have them in my own house… They will have you pulling your hair and making sounds out of sheer frustration sooner than later, and that uncomfortable feeling was never far away. This negative feeling should have put me off reading Here To Stay, but somehow in this story it had the opposite effect and I couldn’t resist picking up my kindle to discover how far the Robinsons would go. I have to say that making you hate characters so profoundly, and despite generating those feelings of intense frustration still being able to deliver us a story that is essentially irresistible, is without doubt a truly remarkable achievement.

The plot itself is complex and well constructed, slowly building up that suspense and tension until things are spinning slowly out of control. Plot twists, secrets and the escalating situation are all working together to keep you on your toes and will make it very hard to stop reading before you discover how it will all end. This is despite the fact that this story will make you feel very uncomfortable and frustated, because there is no doubt that Here To Stay has that je ne sais quoi that turns this story into something special. The development of the characters is well handled and feels quite realistic despite the fact that things can be said about some aspects being a bit cliche. I also loved the history of the Robinsons and those chapters set abroad and set in the past… And the crime aspect of Here To Stay was such a surprising angle as well! I don’t want to give to much away, but there are so many elements incorporated into this story and somehow it all combines to create the perfect thriller cocktail. There is no doubt that Mark Edwards has a new fan!

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I liked this book- it was one of those stories that made you feel uncomfortable to read and had you thinking what you would do a similar position. It focuses on Elliot, who meets and marries Gemma in a very short period of time and has never met her family. he knows they aren't close and is surprised when she asks if they can come and stay with them in his house- lo and behold, once they show up, they don't seem to be planning on ever leaving. There was a creepy vibe to the story as well as some fully crazy things that happen. The ending had a great twist that I did not seeing coming (which is rare for me).

My small nit is that I didn't really feel like I understood Gemma's character or what made her tick. The author did a great job letting the reader into Elliot's character and I could understand and empathize with him, but he could have let us know more about Gemma through Elliot's internal dialogue.

Overall, this is a fast paced and creepy read and I would recommend it.

Netgally provided me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The normally ordered and restrained Elliot has an allergic run in with a bee that changes his whole view on life. And it’s this realisation that makes him be more adventurous and take a chance with Gemma. Gemma who he falls in love with and marries after a whirlwind engagement. Gemma who brings with her the in-laws from hell. Gemma whose in-laws move in “just for a couple of weeks”. And then things start falling apart. Never have I met a more horrid and vile couple of characters in my reading life. Everything about the in-laws makes you want to scream at them (and throw the book in disgust). And poor Elliot on his journey of realising that life is short, to finding Gemma and falling in love, to looking forward to meeting his new family, to realising that his new reality does not meet his expectations is so sad. The books throws many twists and turns at you. It’s very gruesome, covering some really dark themes (self harm, suicide). It’s not an easy read, but for the hardcore psychological thriller fans out there - enjoy!

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The In-Laws are usually a nuisance and a pain in the neck but they do tend to, eventually, go home. Not those in this book.

Elliot has only recently met & married Gemma so when her parents and younger sister ask to visit he is more than willing however they refuse to go and Elliot's life descends into hell.

Here to Stay is the first book by Mark Edwards that I have written and I see why he is a very popular author as he writes a fast paced story wth numerous twists and turns that keel you guessing until the very end.

Recommended

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Holy Cow!! Thanks, NetGalley for helping me discover another new author! I am a now a new fan of Mark Edwards! While several parts of the In-Laws From Hell storyline stretched credibility, it was still a blast to read! Great fun!! Twisty and fast-paced, Jeff and Lizzy are super-fun to read about, even though they are absolutely horrible. What are they going to do to poor Elliot next? You definitely need to read this one!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Mark Edwards and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!

My review is also on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Twitter and Linked In.

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Brilliant book by Mark Edwards as always. He never lets his fans down.
Loved the story, the twists and turns in the books, kept me gripped to the end, as always I couldn't put the book down and read in one go

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I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it and honestly, could not even get through it.

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A tense, chilling thriller about the in-laws from hell, with a terrifying twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. I’ve read several novels by the same writer and continue to enjoy his books. Here to Stay is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining book that I couldn’t put down.

The plot centres around the protagonist, Elliot, a scientist with a successful career and a not for profit business that provides science education for children. His life is pretty ordinary, and he lives in a house in London with his cat, Charlie. He meets Gemma, his future wife and after a brush with death Elliot wastes no time in marrying her after a romance. Then Gemma’s parents and sister come to stay and life will never be the same again. In Lizzy and Jeff, Mark Edwards has created a horrible pair of characters who cause misery to people’s lives where ever they go. They wreak havoc on Elliot’s life, and refuse to leave his house. At first their behaviour is weird and creepy, but it’s not long before they are violent and manipulative. They even get Charlie the cat on their side. Yet no-one is able to prove anything, so Elliot turns investigator. A shocking crime about half way through really ramps up the stakes, and things just keep getting worse.

Jeff and Lizzy really got under my skin, and the novel works well in building up a real sense of how they are closing in and trashing Elliot’s life. It felt like nothing would make them stop. Just imagine the worst kind of people invading your home, refusing to leave, and there’s nothing you can do about it. I got a real sense of this when reading.

Another thing I really liked was how the novel starts off with Jeff and Lizzy in a car in France. All we know at that point is they are running from something that happened involving a dead boy, and there’s a hint they will get away with it like they have before. This created suspense throughout and a sense of ever increasing danger about the situation Elliot is in. Later chapters build on this, and it worked well alongside the London storyline.

Towards the end there were parts of the plot that seemed a little far-fetched, but it worked with the overall pace of the novel and the ever worsening situation that Elliot had to deal with.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of Here to Stay in exchange for my personal review.

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I am not going to waffle on about this book because only one word really matches it, and that is WOW

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Here To Stay - Mark Edwards

I'll start this by saying that I always enjoy this authors work, I have yet to come across one that I haven't enjoyed and this ones no different. This is a more of a drama than a psychological thriller but its certainly enjoyable. It certainly gives rise to the saying 'look before you leap'.

This is a really good thriller one that introduces us the readers and the main protagonist into a form of cuckooing and a whole new breed of in=laws. When a conservative gent has a whirlwind romance and marries in a hurry a whole world of poop can land in his lap and that's what happens to Elliot. Marrying Sophia within three months without meeting the 'rents' was a bad move on his part.

There were times that I was frustrated with Elliot's naivety. I couldn't understand why so many things that happened went over his head or was he really as gullible as he seemed. When Elliot's in-laws come to stay is where we see an element of cuckooing, although it wasn't cuckooing in the sense of taking over your house for the purpose of selling drugs, this time its to take literally everything from him.

What follows is a complex tale of connivance, duplicity and revenge not to mention kindness and a large slice of gullibility.

Mark has a sense of how to pull the reader in giving us just enough to keep us hooked and turning the pages. The short snappy chapters make me fly through a book as my infamous 'just one more chapter' lets me sneak in a couple at least lol. If you've never read anything of his you are a lucky reader as he has quite a back catalogue to get your teeth in to.

Read for an honest review. Thank you Mark Edwards, Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK

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And you thought your in-laws were bad. Lol You have to read this book to see that it can be much worse dealing with the in-laws from Hell. Here to Stay is a psychological thriller where a newlywed couple allows their in-laws to stay thinking it will be for a short while and how bad could it be. It causes their marriage to spiral into the depths of Hell.This is my first read by Mark Edwards and I like his style of writing. I will definitely read more of his books. This is a fun and fast paced thriller with some unexpected twists & turns.I did not figure out the entire ending and love that in a thriller. Simply preposterous but in a good way which this book was.

Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Well I devoured this book in one sitting.!

Loved it. So much going on to hold your attention. I felt it became a little fraught towards the end but it was an absolute rollercoaster of a journey.

4.5 stars

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Oh....My.....Goodness! Readers, take a breath before picking this book up and plunging yourself into one hell of a storyline!
The whole story is set up fairly early on in the book, and gets you ready for a wild and gripping read. Full of characters that you really wouldn’t want to meet in the street, for many different reasons. I can virtually guarantee that the book will illicit from you both pity and loathing.
An excellent storyline, and a gripping read full of surprises. I didn’t know which way was up by the time I’d finished!
The only thing I will say to you is this .....remember, the book IS fiction, and as we all know, in fiction anything can happen. So read the later part with a willing suspension of disbelief and just embrace it, it’s more than worth. I see this as yet another success for Mark Edwards. Well done to that man.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my arc. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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What an amazing book. I loved everything about it. After reading and reviewing hundreds of books I can usually guess the ending. This one surprised me. Loved it!!
This book has characters you love to hate. Some you want to pummel and some you feel sorry for. At the end you don't know what to think!

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Another amazing book by Mark Edwards, Here To Stay was an absolute gripping story of Edward, who I really felt so sorry for, when he meets Gemma and her parents, life will never be the same again! An un-putdownable book that had me gripped all the way through.

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I was not a fan of this book which was a shame. The idea of parents staying forever sounded terrifying (ha ha) but I found way too much in the story hard to believe and it was way too long. It was beyond suspension of disbelief. The secrets and plot twists became ridiculous and frankly came at odd times. I was all over the place and sometimes confused. I think the cat Charlie was the one victim I cared for most, and I don't like cats.

After the beginning, where the set-up was done well, I had to put this book down a few times because it was so hard to care. There are parts that I skipped because it was completely dull with no action or thrust. If one character is over the top, it's one thing, but when all of them become unhinged oddities, I can't grab on to their motives. And I have to say a scientist is supposed to be smarter than this, but there were so many unbelievably dumb moves that I wanted to stop reading. I finished out of a commitment to the author's efforts, but I would not recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read for my honest review.

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Once again Mark Edwards has written a scarily believable book, for me the authors strength lies in his ability to takes the must ordinarily situations and turns them into something extraordinary, something horrifying, something chilling, but they make for the most brilliant reads. Here To Stay is the perfect example, in-laws moving in with you for a couple of weeks, ‘where’s the harm in that’? You might think but however much you love your in-laws I guarantee you will think twice or ban them from overnight visits for ever after reading this book!


Elliot appears to have the perfect life. He runs a successful business teaching science to underprivileged children, married to Gemma Robinson who he adores. But when life appears to be perfect, there’s always a chance that fate will throw a curve ball, and that once perfect life becomes a distance memory. Everything changes for Elliot when he agrees to let Gemma’s parents stay for a few of weeks, unfortunately for Elliot his in-laws are the curve ball that turn his perfect life into his worse nightmare!


The Robinsons what a family! Perfectly depicted by the author. At first they appear slightly odd, crass, bordering on the annoying, but within a few of chapters of being introduced to them, the hairs on the back of my neck to stood up! It turns out the Robinson’s are the in-laws from hell, their conniving, secretive, parasites, and despicable. There’s something strange about the family, their behaviour, their actions and reactions all hint at the fact the family are hiding some terrible secret.

Mark Edwards teases the reader, just revealing enough to leave the reader feeling an overwhelming sense of trepidation that is palatable throughout Here To Stay, you know something dreadful will happen, but to the what? Well, let’s just say you will race through the pages to find out! As the animosity and tension between Elliot and his in-laws increases I found my intense dislike of the Robinson family growing by the second, at the same time I had a great deal of sympathy for poor Elliot, a man who's pushed to the limits by his in-laws behaviour.

By the time I got to the second half of Here To Stay my nerves were frazzled, as the plot progresses Elliot’s home becomes a smouldering pot of mistrust, resentment and paranoia. As Elliot tries to take back control of his life and his home, the story takes an ominous turn, at this point I was reluctant to put this book down even for a few minutes. Like any good psychological thriller Here To Stay has more than its fair share of twist and turns, some are more obvious than others, but there were still enough surprises to keep me captivated. As psychological thrillers go this has to be one of my all-time favourites this year, and thanks to Mark Edwards my reading mojo has been found, hallelujah

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

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Wow! What a read! This is an absolute page turner. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters and the story was believable and had you eager to know more. Would definitely recommend this book to others and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you Net Galley.

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Ok I feel super conflicted about this book! I LOVED how it started out and was immediately sucked in. The premise was so unique and unnerving I was really into it. Then like a lot of the psychological thrillers being published lately it just goes completely off the rails in the second half. I feel like it would have been so much better if it was more nuanced and less in your face blatantly bad behavior. It wasn’t a fav but I did keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen.

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I think this could be my favourite Mark Edwards book to day. A fantastic, gripping page turner that I didn't want to end. Already wondering if there will be a sequel

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Recently finished reading this psychological thriller about a newlywed couple whose marriage is shaken to the core after their in-laws from hell move in and he whole situation turn into a nightmare. The character of the mother and father in law is un-believable and I just wanted to throw away my e-reader in frustration at multiple times. Thus the anger, pain and frustration of Elliot- the husband and main character were completely understandable. However, I found myself turning the pages to find out how this all will wrap up and to be honest, I could see the final twist coming. Overall 3.5 stars.

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Amazing twists and turns, I never knew where this story was going! This story recieves my very highest compliments..... I actually yelled "Noooooo!" aloud and inhaled loudly a couple of times. One of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time.

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Oh, what an extremely unnerving book! I read this all in one day, feeling interested to keep learning what was going on and what the big old deal was with these people!

Charlie was such a nice cat, and I think a cat mellows out a story very well. Unfortunately, the rest just wasn’t for me!

Thank you so much for a copy of this book! I appreciate having the opportunity to read it!

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Love it. Classic Edwards with the suspense and the stings in the tail. Lots of twists and turns when you're begging poor Elliot to make a different choice but then there is nothing else that he can do, really. I really like the little twists, like the name of the street being Cuckoo Lane. Totally recommended.

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Bloody hell! Mark Edwards knows how to f**k up your mind. His books just get scarier and creepier and I'm actually quite glad I don't live next door to him, cause where does he get his ideas from?
This is a brain-numbingly intense read, that creates the inlaws from hell, brings them into your beautiful posh house and when you're ready to scream with frustration the bloodshed begins.
It begins with a lovely romance, Elliott meets a beautiful woman and after falling head over heels proposes quickly and the pair get married, who cares they haven't known one another very long - they have the rest of their lives to get to know each other.
But the lovely Gemma comes with a family in tow, Mum, Dad and younger sister Chloe and when she invites them to stay he can't say no, (please say No, Elliott) after all his gorgeous house is plenty big enough for them all to not get under each other's feet.
But they prove at first to be mildly annoying, and I'm reading it thinking, well they aren't really THAT bad! But they get worse and his life begins to spiral terrifyingly out of control and they're in his house and he can't get shot of them and what is Gemma hiding? What is wrong with Chloe? WHY did he let them in and most importantly how the hell is it going to end??
A must-read for fans of this wickedly clever author and anyone who loves a twisty macabre domestic Noir thriller.

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#NetGalley
#HereToStay

The setting of this book is 26 Cuckoo Lane! Honestly, who would you expect to find at this address?? If you guessed the in-laws-from- hell, you would be right. Mark Edwards has written a twisty psychological thriller, with a cast of characters that are so well defined that they almost jump off the pages!!

Elliot, the somewhat naive newly wed husband, feels like he has been hit by a category five hurricane when he meets his in laws, the Robinsons! His wife, Gemma, doesn't let Elliot in on the fact that when her parents come for a "visit" that they are there to stay. As Elliot becomes more and more desperate to rid himself of these unwelcome visitors, the action heats up. His despair eventually turns to anger and fury at the despicable Robinsons, who not only are ruining his relationship with Gemma, but are also destroying his beautiful home and his perfect live! I could actually feel Ellliot"s pain and anguish as the plot progressed! I can also honestly say that the antagonists, the vile Robinsons, are characters that the reader hates more intensely as each page is turned.. Gema is an interesting character that causes both sympathy and anger to be felt by the reader. I found that my feelings changed back and forth throughout the book.

The tension ratchets up to a climatic ending as red herrings and dead bodies abound. I have never been more surprised at an ending! Wow, what an explosive and satisfying conclusion this book has. I have given this book a five star rating because the plot and characters were original, and I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting and fast paced read! I highly recommend this book to those who love thrillers, red herrings, surprise endings, and an original plot. Put this book on your To Be Read List!!!

A big thank you to the author, Mark Edwards and to the publishers, Amazon Publishing UK. I received an advanced digital copy of Here to Stay in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

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This may well be Mark's best work to date, and going by previous books, that's high praise indeed!

Here to stay is a bit like being on a roller coaster, in fact, there are probably less twists at the fairground than in this cleverly crafted thriller! Maybe this should serve as a cautionary tale before letting the in-laws come to stay!

Highly recommended!

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I've always enjoyed Mark's books, but have felt the last couple were slightly below previous high standards. Well, this one is right back on form. A real life setting, some very nasty characters and some solid twists in the plot along the way. The pace was great

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy

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This is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! I have never read one of Mark Edwards’s books before but this is definitely not going to be the last one of his I will read! A lot of books lately promise to be psychological thrillers but this truly is one. It sucks you in from beginning to end and I don’t think many will anticipate the ending.
The main character Elliot at times gets you so frustrated that you just want to shake him but at the same time you are rooting for him because who could ever expect in-laws like his! It is terrifying what squatters rights can do to the unsuspecting victims.
The basic story is that of a well to do young man who meets a beautiful woman and marries her within months. Her parents and sister move in for a supposedly short visit while looking for a place of their own.
From then on everything goes wrong for Elliot and his well-ordered life totally crumbles.
Thanks to NetGalley and especially to Mark Edwards for the free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Elliot has everything a man his age could want: a successful career helping underprivileged children, financial security, and a beautiful home that is his pride and joy. The only thing he's missing is someone to share it with. So when Gemma blows into his life like a whirlwind, Elliot feels like his life is finally complete.

But what Elliot hasn't considered is that whirlwinds often leave destruction in their wake. When Gemma asks if her parents and sister can stay for a while until they've found suitable accommodation, Elliot readily agrees. But it soon becomes clear that the Robinsons have no intention of leaving, and Elliot's beautiful home, once his place of safety and retreat, is now somewhere he dreads returning to each day.

But how can you make someone leave when they refuse, when even the law is not on your side? Elliot must delve deep into the Robinsons' past to find out who they really are and what they are hiding. But he must be careful. Because if the Robinsons find out he's digging, Elliot may be the one who ends up buried...

Firstly, let me just say: I love, love, LOVED this book. Psychological thriller at its best, this is terse, tense, and brilliantly paced, with the drama ratcheting up wonderfully throughout. I love a good psychological thriller, and my favourites are this kind, where a normal, well-intentioned character finds their very ordinary life turned on its head. The characters were wonderfully drawn and realistic, too, even the lesser characters, which I really enjoyed.

The tension starts almost immediately, and only increases throughout the book - it's not an exaggeration to say that this book is nailbiting; I was literally biting my nails at some points! I was genuinely stressed out for Eliliot, didn't trust anyone in the Robinson family, and just kept expecting the worst.

I was praying the ending wouldn't be a let down (I really hate when I'm reading a fantastic thriller and then the ending lets it down) but this one is PERFECT. The twists keep coming, and I won't say anything other than that so as not to spoil it, but this one definitely had me sweating.

I've enjoyed all of Mark's books, but this one is the best yet. A definite five star read from me!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Everyone's familiar with the stereotypes about overbearing in-laws, but in "Here to Stay" Elliot's new in-laws will make you thankful for the ones that you have, no matter how bad you thought they were! During a community showing of his garden at his old Victorian home that Elliot has painstakingly remodeled and brought back to life, he meets Gemma, a visitor to his property. Elliot falls for Gemma after she saves his life after being stung by a bee (turns out Elliot is allergic to bee stings), and after a short, whirl-wind romance, they decide to marry. Elliot is aware that Gemma must have had a difficulty in her life prior to meeting him- after all, he's seen all the scars from cuts on her stomach that she tries to hide, but he has never brought it up. Just after arriving back from their wedding, Gemma informs Elliot that her parents, Jack and Lizzy, along with her sister Chloe, are arriving from France back to England, and have nowhere to stay. Having lost his own family in a freak accident when he was younger, Elliot sees this as an opportunity to once again have a real family, as is more than happy to have them come stay at his home until they can find a place of their own. However, little does Elliot realize that once Jack and Lizzy move in, they have no intention of leaving, and all aspects of his life start to unravel- his marriage, his job, and his home.

Is this book unbelievable? Absolutely! But is sucked me in, just waiting to see what form of hell Jack and Lizzy bring to Elliot's life next! If you didn't appreciate your in-laws before reading this book, you will after! This was the first book I've read by Mark Edwards, but looking forward to check out more of his novels.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with and advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Ok, so a guy meets a girl, they fall in love and after 2 months decide to get married; her parents are moving back to the UK but are in between houses, so they invite them to stay. No big deal eh?
Well no big deal apart from this is a Mark Edwards book and he is the master at taking the ordinary and twisting it into something terrifying.
My skin was crawling as soon as Lizzie and Jeff Robinson entered the picture and I didn’t even know why! Reading the book, for me, was such a visual experience, I watched as each page played out like a movie in my head and all the time I was screaming at Elliot to get out and run!
A cast of unreliable narrators spin a twisted plot line and left my head turned! I didn’t know who was telling the truth or indeed what the truth was anymore! Full of expertly plotted twists and turns turned an ordinary everyday situation into a nightmare from hell. I read this in two sittings but could easily have pulled an all nighter to finish it off in one sitting!
Magpies was the very first book of Mark Edwards I read and I didn’t think anything he could write would ever trump this but I have to say Here to Stay is right up there with that one!
If you are reading this book and you are thinking about inviting your in-laws over to stay you may want to think again!
This review will also appear on my Blog over at Chapterinmylife

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I really liked the cover. It is very appealing designed. The writing style is pleasant and very fluently to read. The characters are very well described and look well thought out and consistently interesting. The tension is always present. The descriptions of surroundings, feelings and scenes were also very good. The story is told pleasant and it succeeds from the first pages to dive directly into the story. The storyline as a whole is very coherent and it seems very understandable and authentic. A very fascinating story that you won't like to stop reading.

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Here To Stay by Mark Edwards is a novel about in-laws and all the trouble they can bring. When Elliott meets Gemma, they quickly fall madly in love and get married. Everything is going smoothly until her parents arrive to stay along with her recluse of a sister Chloe.

Slowly and bit by bit, things begin to unravel. Who are Gemma's parents and why won't they leave?

I really enjoyed this book as it was a different take on the psychological thriller genre. I especially loved the ending. You should read this if you like psychological thrillers and are looking for something a little different.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

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I received a copy of Here To Stay by Mark Edwards from Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I give this book 4 stars! Here To Stay by Mark Edwards was a suspenseful read and I highly recommend it. Although the main character seems a bit aloof to his in-laws , it's overall a great dramatic story.

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This book was just ok to me. Partly predictable as it starts off on the whirlwind romance & marriage & along come the in-laws that you know aren’t going to leave. I don’t think this was one of Mark Edwards best .

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This was my first book by Mark Edwards, but it certainly will not be my last.

The story follows the life of Elliot and his whirlwind marriage to his wife Gemma. Life is blissful until his in-laws, Jeff and Lizzy, come to visit with their youngest daughter, Chloe, and the story quickly descends into a living nightmare! His in-laws, refusing to leave, become the least of Elliot's problems as Edwards delivers twist after unexpected twist. I read this gripping book in one heart-pumping adrenaline-fuelled day and it was fantastic! It has been a while since I have absolutely loathed a character and Jeff and Lizzy were unbearable!

Then, just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was one final massive plot twist that left my jaw on the floor. An easy 5 stars, I highly recommend this book!

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This book was not even close to what I expected since I read the synopsis. It started as any good quality thriller and turned very dark very fast.

It all starts with The Robinsons. Selfish, unrepentant and wicked family, that brings atrocity and misery anywhere they go. This time, their victim is Elliot - Gemma's, the eldest Robinson's daughter, new husband.

Since the moment the Robinson's stepped their feet into Elliot's beloved old Victorian house - his life as he knows it starts to shatter with a rapid speed. It takes a matter of days for the family to show their true colors and for Elliot to regret the day he met his wife. He finds himself in an ineluctable position, with his personal and professional lives on an edge of ruin.

How far the person can go to get their life back... While reading the novel, I kept thinking: what would I do if I were to find myself in a similar situation? Phenomenal read, with a spine chilling ending. I undoubtedly recommend this book to any suspense/thriller lover. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer publisher for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

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I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

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A really cleverly written book. This had me raging with emotions. Frustration at Elliot and Gemma and pure dislike for the in-laws who have infiltrated themselves in to Elliots beautiful home. The story moves cleverly from a love story to a dark and disturbing situation. A really gripping read with some awesome twists.

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What a mind-blowing read! I expected this to be a brilliant read since I have enjoyed all previous titles by Mark Edwards. In the end, Here to Stay ended up surpassing my expectations.

Elliot and Gemma got married after only 2 months of knowing each other. That isn’t the crazy part. What had my head spinning was the fact that Gemma’s family soon moved in with them and simply refused to leave. Can you imagine your new in-laws doing that? I think I’d have disappeared. Simply walked out of the home and left everyone behind. Luckily, Elliot didn’t do that. If he had, then we would have missed out on one helluva read.

This book is twisty. There was something ominous in the atmosphere from the first to the last page. I could see the storm coming but couldn’t look away. I wanted to witness the destruction but didn’t know just how bad it would get. My mind was reeling with questions. As the dangers heightened, so did the suspense.

This was a shocking read. It was tense, twisty, captivating, very well-written. I lack words to explain just how good a read it was. I was so hooked to the narrative that I did something I haven’t done in years. Read under the desk! Yeah, I used to do that in school while lessons were going on and now in my 30s, I found myself unable to put the book down and so I had to find creative ways of reading it a work. Good thing I didn’t get caught, Mark Edwards would owe me rent money now 🙂

Captivating, terrifying, definitely a page-turner not to miss!

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Well author Mark Edwards has done it again, another outstanding book that left me shocked and a little bit speechless.

What a story this was, it literally swallowed me up whole. Just absolutely brilliant and I was gripped from start to finish. 

All of the characters were well written, so much so that there are times when you question as to who really can be trusted abd who can. I really liked the character of Elliott but he even surprised me by the end, in a good way.

As always with Mark's books, they are always gripping, fast paced, edge of seat in eager anticipation as to what would happen next and a couple of twists thrown in for good measure.  So can definitely highly recommend this one.

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This was a first read for my from Mark Edwards and I have to say that I am still digesting this one! I thought that the characters were well developed and that the story line flowed really well. Once I started this book though it was hard for me to put it down!

Elliot has lead a very conservative life. It has just been him and his cat, Charlie, for al long time. He has worked hard fixing up his Victorian home that he lives in and runs an educational non-profit. One day when Elliot is having a public viewing of his garden, he meets Gemma. Once Elliott and Gemma start taking, things progress very quickly. Elliot has been dating Gemma for about 3 months when he has a near death experience. Having made it through that experience he decides to embrace life and live it to the fullest. He asks Gemma to marry him.

With things moving so fast for Elliott and Gemma, they have not had time to introduce Elliot to Gemma's parents. When Gemma asks if her parent's and younger sister could move in for a little bit while they look for a house in transition from France, Elliot agrees to the arrangement to keep his new bride happy. Little did Elliot know that this was going to be the beginning to all his problems. These are the in laws from you know where!!

When Gemma's parents fall in love with Elliot's house, they tend to stay around for way too long. You have heard of people overstaying their welcome, well these in laws sure did! You will never guess some of the things that go on while Gemma's parents and sister stay with Elliot and Gemma. It will keep you on the edge of your seat for sure and make you want to hurry up and read to find out what is going to happen next.

I highly recommend this book for those that like the suspense and psychological books that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

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As expected, I absolutely loved this book! Mark is an incredible author. He really knows how to draw his readers in. From page one I was on the edge of my seat excited to see what happened next. I love trying to guess and I had worked part of it out. But there was still so much I did not see coming. Mark clearly loves a twist!

The characters were very believable. It was very easy to fall in love with some of them, but also to feel pure hatred for others. I really sympathised with Elliot and shared all his frustrations. It's one of those books you just want to scream at and must resist the urge to throw across the room. The Robinsons really are the in-laws from hell!

This is a must read for any fans of psychological thrillers. An easy five stars!

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This was great - when a book compels me to keep reading rather than do anything else that was needed to be done in the house today.
Elliott and Gemma have a whirlwind romance and spend a few blissful months together. This is - until her parents need somewhere to stay for 2 weeks. The problem is they won't leave. They like Elliott's house and they plan to stay. Whether Elliott and Gemma like it or not.

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Here to Stay by Mark Edwards .
Elliot was having a good life then fell in love with Gemma , they married very quickly.,
everything changed for Elliot when the in-laws arrived to stay .
Sorry I stopped reading the book as the storyline not my sort of read .
Give three stars.

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And I thought my in laws were bad!!
I’ve read several Mark Edwards books with a mixed bag of reviews, from absolutely loved to not for me.
This one I really liked, I like Marks writing style in all his stories as it’s non pretentious which I feel adds to the ‘real feel’ of all of his thrillers.
What would you do if someone wouldn’t leave your house!?

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Hmm, I’m on the fence about this one. I have now read a few of Edwards’ books with mixed results - generally 3 to 4 stars, finding them suspenseful, clever and generally unpredictable, but with unlikeable characters and preposterous plots. None have elicited from me the glowing 5 star reviews that I’ve seen frequently in my feed. This one returns to the same themes as his Magpies trilogy - an innocent man terrorised in his own home by people he cannot defend himself against - but this time it’s his in-laws!

Lonely Elliott Foster, 38, lives with his cat Charlie in a beautiful Victorian house in the London suburb of Dulwich, that he has painstakingly restored, and runs an NGO in schools teaching kids about science. When a beautiful young woman enters his life, and after a near death experience, he vows to make the most of life and, after a whirlwind romance, marries Gemma in Las Vegas.
Not long after, she asks if if her parents and teenage sister can stay a few weeks while they look for a new home after moving home from France. Desperate to keep his new bride happy, Elliott agrees, but soon discovers that his new in-laws are less than ideal house-guests, and getting them to move on is harder than he imagined...

I found this a stressful read - as soon as Charlie was introduced I began fretting about him, and around the 18% mark actually had to stop to check reviews to make sure nothing happened to him (spoiler alert, there are some threats but he survives; there is mention of other characters’ cats having been poisoned but we don’t see anything of this happen.) Even with this reassurance, as the book progresses and poor Elliott’s happy life is taken apart by a couple of truly dreadful people, I found my blood pressure rising as I pictured how I would react under the same conditions. This is a marker of the author’s skill, but I couldn’t say I enjoyed the experience.

Quite a few elements here were hard to believe - in particular Elliott’s passivity and how much the Robinson’s managed to get away with. If you can suspend disbelief the ending was satisfying and the events of the epilogue unexpected.
Unlike some of his other books, this doesn’t have any supernatural elements.
Fundamentally, if you enjoyed The Magpies, you should read this, but I am coming to the conclusion that while Edwards is a good storyteller, his books are not really for me - although I do have Follow You Home downloaded so probably will still read that at some point.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc which allowed me to give an honest review, and apologies that it’s a few weeks past the publication date.

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I absolutely loved Here to Stay! Mark Edwards' writing is so addictive, and throughout I constantly wanted to discover more. This is a story where once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down. I was up late at night reading because I wanted to find out what was going to happen..
I loved that Mark wrote this in such a way that I was constantly engrossed in the story and had no idea how the it was going to end. Here to Stay is a story with dark and chilling moments and it will have you gripped to the pages.

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3,5 Stars

Elliot is a nice and polite British guy. He is really a good man and life had been good to him mostly besides losing his parents in his teens. So he always dreamt of being part of a bigger family. One day he meets Gemma and he is immediately enchanted. They have a whirlwind romance and within a few months they are married. But when the honeymoon is over Gemma tells him that her parents are coming back from France where they lived for the last years. Elliot, all polite and willing to help invites them so stay in his beautiful home until they sorted themselves out. But his in-laws are not as charming as he hoped. They are weird and Elliot soon finds himself feeling like a stranger in his own home. Gemma is not a help at all and seems to hide some important information about her family.



I loved all of Mark Edwards’ books. This man can write and create atmospheric settings. Here we can see how Elliot finds himself trapped with the in-laws from hell and how things escalated further and further. Elliot is a naïve character but I can easily imaging him as a real person. He has a job he loves and fulfills him but he is in lack of a person to share his life with. So he falls for Gemma very quickly and he wants to do everything to make his wife happy. Gemma’s character is a different thing. She is hard to read and I kept guessing all through the book what her real motives were. Towards the end things escalates quickly between Elliot and Gemma’s parents. They are playing in a totally different league than Elliot and he makes a lot of stupid decisions because he never encountered people like that. There are some twists and not all of them are really surprising. I would not say that the story is very believable or realistic but Elliot feels like a real character and the pace is quick. You can fly easily through the book and its short chapters with cliffhangers. It is not Edwards best book but still entertaining.



I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest reveiw

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You fall in love in a whirlwind romance.
Your In-Laws come to stay for a couple of weeks while they search for a house.
This turns into a nightmare.
Strange things start happening have the in-laws got something to do with it.
Why did they leave France ?
Have they got something to hide?
How will Elliot get them to leave his house?
I really enjoyed this book
Thanks NetGalley

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omg this book! i could not stop reading it from page one straight through! fantastic story line never got boring and i really could not figure out who it was and i did not see the ending! fan bloody tastic well done to the author i can't wait to read more from them

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I think Mark Edwards writes some of the creepiest stories. They make you cringe and feel so bad for the main character... you can just imagine yourself in their shoes. Elliott meets Gemma when he opens his home's garden to the public and when she shows up, there is immediate chemistry. After their instant connection, they are married 2 months later. Shortly after, Gemma hears from her parents and they are moving back from France with Gemma's younger sister Chloe and have nowhere to stay. Elliott offers his (their) home for them to stay until they find a place. After a few weeks, he realizes that they have no attention of moving out and start really making life miserable for Elliott. A true nightmare!!!

There are so many things wrong with Gemma's parents, Jeff and Lizzy. Poor Elliott tries so many things, but nothing goes his way. As the reader, you start to imagine ways you could get rid of these people living in your house. Ugh! Loved the twist at the end!

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I have read multiple books by Mark Edwards and every time he shocks me with his writing and plot twists. This book is chalk full of suspense, family issues, and pain. Physical and mental abuse can cause one to do unthinkable acts but the plot twist in this book was definitely unexpected. Definitely a well written book with a great storyline.

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*Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*Wow, just... wow! What a deliciously creepy booking, full of twists and turns and mysteries to solve. You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family... and you certainly can't choose your in-laws. I have been a fan of Mark Edwards for some time and those that have loved his previous novels, such as 'Tha Magpies' and 'The Retreat' will not be disappointed. The book starts with an idyllic scene in an English garden and then just ramps up the action from there. Elliot falls in love with Gemma after she helps him out during an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting and it seems to be love at first bite (see what I did there), because not much later, Gemma is moving in with Elliot and his beloved cat Charlie. Next thing, Gemma's parents and sister have come to stay and Elliot and Charlie's life has been turned upside down, as they are confronted with the in-laws from hell... who won't leave. I shan't write any more for fear of spoiling the plot, but what a great story. I can't wait to read what Edwards writes next.

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I really liked the writing and the story kept my attention until the very end, but there were many many plot holes, in addition to too many cliches for me and too many convenient coincidences and predictable plot twists. This felt at times as if the story was a first draft, badly in need of editing. Sudden flashbacks that made no sense and were in a different point of view. Plot lines that went nowhere. People dying that didn't need to be dying. The ending got so out of control, I almost stopped reading. I would read this author again, but I hope his other stories are tighter, better plotted.

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Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for granting me early access to "Here To Stay".

This book did top my favorite reads this year, however I'm currently in the middle of a major move, and will definitely come back at a later time and write out a full review and rating.

Thank you so much!

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This was a very entertaining read from this author. The author did a great job telling the story of the in-laws from hell. I could feel Elliot's frustration slowly building throughout the story. He was such a relatable character. I loved his sensitivity and his desire to make his new wife happy. I loved the way he wanted so hard to make things work. And Lizzie and Jeff gradually became more and more intolerable. There was a lot of suspense in this novel and many twists and turns that surprised me along the way. Great read!

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I don't normally use the phrase, but this book was a really good page-turner! I find a lot of contemporary thrillers to be fairly "meh" but this one got to the core of something that I think many people find terrifying...invasion of personal space.
Edwards paces the story really well and I found the short chapters encouraged me to read "just one more chapter". Jeff and Lizzy are such a nightmare and their actions had me cringing and feeling so uncomfortable (the incident with the bed stands out as something small but infuriating!). The general idea of opening your house up to extended family out of kindness and having it backfire so severely means this book is both down-to-earth but also heightened. The events are something that many people will find horrifying and yet it's exciting and dramatic enough for a novel.
The tension builds and there were a few twists and turns I tried to guess, but ultimately ended up being wrong about all of them! This book keeps you guessing and there's a lot of confusion throughout the book that means the reader and the protagonist Elliot don't know who to trust.
Overall, a really good book that kept me interested!

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An ingenious plot. Scintillatingly creepy, sinister and oozing with suspense and undercurrents which is the hallmark of Mark Edward’s dark psychological thriller novels. The ending made my toes curl. The content instantly made me think of the theory that there’s a murderer in all of us if we are pushed too far. I relish the fact that I had inlaws that weren’t outlaws. Elliot, an intelligent, married man who has built up his future with a blossoming high-flying career, a beautiful wife and home, finds himself lumbered with his inlaws and sister-in-law who overstay their welcome even on the first day. Dysfunctional with low mentality doesn’t quite describe the family – skilfully drawn characters that you detest. They are definitely an odd bunch of people, and I didn’t comprehend their motives for their actions fully until the end. I thought it was regrettable that Gemma used religion as a prop in an earlier time rather than find the necessary strength to cope inside herself and compensate for the past. Later. I decided that it might be simplistic thinking on my part. I became fond of little Charlie. He was the pure and sweetness amongst the evil. I just might try producing elephant toothpaste, but not the other Scientific experiments. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK.

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The first book I’ve read by this author, I was really looking forward to reading it as it has a lot of positive reviews but to be be honest I was a bit disappointed. I read a lot from this genre and this was a middle of the road thriller.

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I am a huge fan of Mark’s first psychological thriller The Magpies and it’s still one of the only books that gave me the goosebumps and got right under my skin, so when I heard he had a new book out which was just as good (if not better) I immediately downloaded the book and got stuck in.

Mark Edwards has a definite theme in his books – The Magpies was about the neighbours from hell, The Devil’s Work was the job/office co-workers from hell, Follow You Home is an adventure from hell, Because She Loves Me – girlfriend from hell and so on… so it’s no surprise that Here to Stay features something or someone from hell and this time it’s… IN LAWS and boy oh boy these in-laws are not just from hell – they are from another planet (not literally that was What You Wish For).

So let’s Meet The Robinsons – or rather let’s NOT. Poor Elliott, a 38 year old geek (sorry scientist) who lives on his own in a beautiful house with his cat when Gemma comes into his life (actually she saves it) and two months later after a whirlwind romance they are married and living together. So far so good and then Gemma’s parents and younger sister are returning to the UK after living in France for the last few years and have nowhere to stay – good old Elliott sees it as the perfect opportunity to get to know Gemma’s family and offers them a place to stay for a couple of week. What could possibly go wrong? Well if you leave it to Mark Edwards then absolutely EVERYTHING can go wrong!

I’m not going to give away the storyline but it’s safe to say The Robinsons make my in-laws look normal (and if you know my in-laws then you’d realise how f*cked up The Robinsons are!). This is a story you read with dread in your stomach and find yourself turning those pages almost with your eyes closed because you can’t believe how truly awful these people are and your heart breaks for the situation Elliott finds himself in.

Is this as good as the Magpies? I think so! Highly recommended for lovers of twisted psychological thrillers. 5 stars.

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Oh my word, this book! It takes alot to creep me out or scare me but this book worked a treat, it was actually terrifying. If you want to read a book that keeps you guessing the whole way through and scares you a little, this is it! You guys know I love a book with twists and turns and this totally hit the spot! Gripping, tense and thrilling. Thank you Netgalley, Mark Edwards and Amazon Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.

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At the outset we meet Elliot- an unassuming nerdy nice-guy scientist living in a mansion in Dulwich worth over a million pounds. He can't quite believe his luck when he meets Gemma who has it all, looks, personality and to top it off she saves his life on the day she meets him. So taken with her, he marries despite only knowing her for just two months. Life is good until the in-laws come to stay a few weeks after the wedding! Elliot's life is about to change drastically!

The author takes us on a rollercoaster ride, with a gripping storlyine with fascinating believable characters with thrills galore. Never a dull moment - I was shocked and surprised at how this man's life could change so very quickly.

Whilst I could not put this down (I read most of it in one sitting), I think the author could have pulled back a little bit on the body count and storyline as I found it got a little bit unbeliavable towards the end. For this reason, I will take off a star, four stars.

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Mark Edwards has done it again. I love his books and this one is one of his best..
The main character,Elliot, has a good life with a nice house and a job that he loves but there is something missing. Then Gemma comes along, he falls in love and they marry within months of meeting. Their life is idyllic until Gemma’s sister and parents move in on a “short term “ basis. That is when Elliot’s problems begin and his life begins to fall apart.
The really frightening aspect of this book is that I could see myself doing exactly the same thing, “Of course your family can stay, they must have our bedroom.” The story was so believable and I felt such empathy for Elliot.
This was a well written book with many twists and turns and the ending was totally unexpected.
I don’t feel that my review does this book justice but suffice to say I loved it and would thoroughly recommend it.
My thanks to Mark Edwards, Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to write my unbiased review( well, a little biased to the extent that I love Mark Edwards!).

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Here to Stay by Mark Edwards is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

  My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Elliott has been a bachelor for a long time.  When he meets Gemma, he falls hard.  Soon they are married, and all is good.  That is, until her parents and sister return from France, and move in to Elliott's home with no clear signs of ever leaving.

The antics of Gemma's family quickly prove to Elliott that he may have made a mistake.  That mistake may have been the quick marriage to the love of his life.  He went into this marriage without any knowledge of her past, and that is coming back to haunt him in a big way.

 
My Opinions:  

I have read a number of books by this author, and they are always a 4 or 5 star book.  This one...I cringed through.  Around the 30% mark, it improved....but not enough.  For a while I seriously considered giving it 1 or 2 stars.

I think it was the plot that disappointed me.  This book was just another "innocent man terrorized by someone", this time the in-laws.  His weakness allows him to be at the mercy of her family.  It was just very frustrating.  Elliott is a scientist, therefore he should be fairly bright....that intelligence did not appear.  The plot seemed preposterous, and the ending was inevitable, and fore-shadowed a little too much, so there was no real surprise.  I didn't like any of the main characters, feared for the life of the cat, and wouldn't have minded if the whole family (Elliott included) ended up jailed or dead.

I think it would be a fast read, but I kept putting it down and going to something else that would not aggravate me....so it took me days of agony....should have just ripped off the bandaid and got it over with.

However.....I absolutely loved the last 10%, when Elliott finally stood up for himself.   The writing of course, was great, typical Edwards style.  I can't complain about that.  I also realized, after I was done, that although I hated the majority of the book, it produced real emotions in me....yes, it was anger and frustration, but it was emotion....so it can't have been a really bad book.

Anyway, I am sure there are others that will love it...this one just didn't do it for me.

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OMG.... What a Book... Mark Edwards Best Book.

Compulsive, gripping, tense, heart pounding, dark twisted story, that will shock to the root !!

A beautiful home. A loving wife. "And in-laws to die for."

Gemma Robinson comes into Elliot’s life like a whirlwind, and they marry and settle into his home. When she asks him if her parents can come to stay for a couple of weeks, he is keen to oblige – he just doesn’t quite know what he’s signing up for.

The Robinsons arrive with Gemma’s sister, Chloe, a mysterious young woman who refuses to speak or leave her room. Elliot starts to suspect that the Robinsons are hiding a dark secret. And then there are the scars on his wife’s body that she won’t talk about . . .

As Elliot’s in-laws become more comfortable in his home, encroaching on all aspects of his life, it becomes clear that they have no intention of moving out. To protect Gemma, and their marriage, Elliot delves into the Robinsons’ past. But is he prepared for the truth?

From the two million copy bestselling author comes a tale about the chilling consequences of welcoming strangers into your home.

This is a book I will recommend to everyone, this is so compelling, so gripping, tense, in my head I kept guessing how this book was too unfold, but I kept changing my mind...

Who is guilty, how this going to end, what is going to happen to our main character...

A book that keeps you guessing, makes your heart beat twice as fast, makes you feel tired for lack of sleep as I had to get to the end...

That is when you know the book is good....

Loved this book, chilling and brilliant.. Loved all the characters, good and bad...

Keep guessing....

Five stars

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I loved Here To Stay. For me, this is probably Mark Edward’s best book since The Magpies. I was completely hooked and could never work out where it was going next.

After a fairly uneventful life in his beautiful Victorian house on Cuckoo Lane Elliott meets Gemma and, following a whirlwind romance, marries her. When Gemma asks Elliott if her parents can move in with them for a couple of weeks he has no idea what he is letting himself in for.

A chilling, tense psychological thriller, full of twists and turns, with a number of unlikeable characters, particularly Jeff and Lizzy Robinson, for whom the term ‘in-laws from hell’ was coined!

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Mark does it again! Always love Marks books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Loved the characters and didn’t expect the twist at the end. Excellent page turner and 100% recommend

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Well that turned dark pretty bloody quick.

Poor Elliot believing he had finally found his happy ever after quickly realises his dream is becoming a nightmare.

For someone who has a neat and orderly home inviting his in-laws (who funnily enough reminded me of psychopathic versions of Wayne and Waynetta Slob) was not a wise idea.

I was completely absorbed as Elliot was pushed to the brink of insanity by their rapidly increasing mental torture.

They say a man’s home is his castle. Well this castle is now plagued with cockroaches in human form.

This is my second of Mark’s books and I’m becoming a huge fan. He takes nice and normal and makes it dark and nasty, and that to me is a big selling point.

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Overall an enjoyable and thrilling read. I enjoyed the ending however I did slightly lose interest throughout the middle part l. All in all a good thriller though.

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This book is about Elliot, a scientist, who lives with his cat, Charlie, in a beautiful Victorian house in London and runs an NGO. The story starts when Gemma dramatically enters his life. After a whirlwind romance (just two months) they get married.
The problem begins when Gemma's parents, the Robinsons, and her sister, Chloe, come for a brief stay. Days turn to weeks but they don't leave and Chloe refuses to speak or to leave her room. Elliot suspects something is wrong with them. And his wife refuses to talk about the scars on her body. To protect her, he starts to look into the Robinsons' past and what he finds is shocking.
I had some issues with this book. First is the protagonist, he's supposed to be very intelligent, a self-made man, but he comes across as foolish. I felt the urge to scream at him at many points. The inlaws are a real nasty bunch and the way they were able to get away with so much seemed so unrealistic.
Overall, an okay read with some twists and turns but does not match upto all the rave reviews.
This is my first book by this author. Though I didn't like it that much I'll still be checking out his other books. I've already bought The Retreat and I hope I have a better experience reading this one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

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This book is definitely the answer to what “that” to Meatloaf’s song. This book did not disappoint. I think is my 4th book I have read by Mark Edwards and I loved it. Especially the ending! So twisted and manipulative. Loved it!

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This is my first novel by Mark Edwards and I have to say I really enjoyed his writing and will be checking out some of his other novels.

Here to stay was a great psychological thriller with unexpected twists as well as fast-paced and intriguing.

I loved the plot and thought the concept of the story was fun and makes you really think about in-laws in a different way.

I highly recommend reading here to stay .

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Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the ARC of here to stay by Marc Edwards. Marc Edwards is one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. The first book I read by him was follow you home and I was so engrossed in that book I couldn’t put it down. I’ve read every one of his books now and none have disappointed. I was so excited to read this and like all the others it was amazing. Seriously kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, I most definitely recommend this one!

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A truly hypnotic psych thriller that we couldn't stop talking about in the office. This is one of those books you pick up on a Friday afternoon and ignore your entire family all weekend so you can get to the end. Edwards is an expert at tension, mystery, and building suspense to a masterful payoff.

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Wow just wow. Absolutely loved this book. Another amazing thriller I just had to read as soon as it came out. Being a big fan of Mark Edwards books, I couldn't wait to find out more about in laws from hell. And god I definitely didn't see it coming. With every chapter I was asking myself, can they get any worse? It was too much to even imagine what life with them must have been like for Elliot. And the ending... Well find out for yourself.

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I was excited for this one - love the cover! Wasn’t my favorite though, fell a little flat. I read a lot of thrillers, though, and found this one a little repetitive.

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Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elliot meets Gemma when she visits his house in a garden walk. He gets stung by a bee, finds out he is allergic and Gemma saves his life. Following a whirlwind romance they get married and shortly after Gemma’s parents come to stay with her apparently ill sister. They are the in-laws from hell and though they were only supposed to stay for a couple of weeks they end up being almost impossible to get rid of.

This was a solid book. I don’t think I have ever hated characters more than Jeff and Lizzy, Gemma’s parents. They were awful! I really didn’t know where this one would go and it ended up going somewhere totally unexpected at least to me. I was surprised by the ending and enjoyed the book overall. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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Review
This is the first time I’ve read any of Mark Edwards’ books and I really enjoyed it. I’ll certainly be looking to read more of his books now.

Written in the first person, Elliott is happily living in the house that he has lovingly refurbished. Along comes Gemma, they fall in love, get married and life is sweet.

That is until Gemma’s parents ask to stay for a couple of weeks until they find their own place to live. Jeff, Lizzy and Gemma’s sister Chloe move in and then the problems start. Gemma starts drinking more, Jeff and Lizzy treat Elliott and his house with disrespect and despite their promises to look for a home of their own, they refuse to budge.

Elliott tries to get them out of his home but to no avail. He is pushed to his limits and needs to come up with a plan to get rid of them.

I really liked Elliott, though he was a bit weak and wanted roses around the front door type of person. But he basically wants love and a family life that he had taken from him.

I liked the way the book was written, it was easy to read, the characters weren’t complicated and the story was well executed. I didn’t find any anomalies which is one thing I really dislike. It’s a good read and I didn’t suspect the final ending at all.
I would certainly recommend this book and rate it 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks
Thank you to the author Mark Edwards and publishers Amazon Publishing for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an independent review.

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Here To Stay by Mark Edwards is my first read from this author and I was nothing short of blown away. What a fantastic story! For me, nothing gets under the skin more than when pure evil enters into a seemingly ordinary life, and this one repeatedly gave me chills.

Elliot is living a solitary but contented life when he meets Gemma Robinson. The attraction is instantaneous, and after Gemma saves Elliot's life following an anaphylactic shock, he decides that he must take some risks in life and proposes to Gemma after a whirlwind courtship, Shortly after arriving home from the honeymoon, Gemma announces that her parents and sister are coming to stay, and Elliot is initially gracious and hospitable, welcoming the chance to bond with his new in-laws. But when the guests begin to show their true colours, and stay long after the welcome has expired, Elliot starts to realize that his perfectly ordered life will never again be the same.

This is a truly addictive read that I could not put down. The adage 'marry in haste, repent at leisure' played on a continuous loop in my head, and I was well and truly unsettled throughout. This is brilliant storytelling, and I would recommend this book most highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Thomas & Mercer for this fabulous ARC.

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I loved this book! I can't say enough good things about it. Elliot is such a likable protagonist and you feel terrible watching his life unravel around him. This book plays upon everyone's worst nightmare: horrible houseguests who won't leave...and who just might be homicidal maniacs! This book is full of twists and turns and will keep you up late reading "just one more chapter." As a bonus, it doesn't feature all of the graphic and explicit content that many thrillers do these days. I haven't read anything else by Mark Edwards but now I'm definitely going to check out his other books!

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I love Mark Edwards' writing and always find his books an easy but gripping read. A newly engaged couple are tested when Gemma's parents come to stay in their house while they look for somewhere else to live. I was hooked into this instantly and read it in one sitting so it really is the definition of 'can't put down thriller'. Brilliant book and I would thoroughly recommend.

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The new standalone novel by Mark Edwards who writes excellent psychological thrillers.
When Elliot Foster and Gemma Robinson meet one summer afternoon, she saves his life from a life threatening bee sting. It is love at first sight and marry two months later in Las Vegas. In the weeks following their marriage Elliot could not be happier but all that changes when shortly after the wedding Gemma announces that her family are moving back to the UK. Elliot in an effort to please Gemma suggests that her family move in with them until they have a place of their own. He soon realises this is possibly the biggest mistake of his life.
The Robinson's arrive with Gemma’s sister, Chloe, a mysterious young woman who refuses to speak or leave her room. Elliot starts to suspect that the Robinson's are hiding a dark secret. Gemma's family settle into Elliot and Gemma's home and they appear to have no intention of finding a home of their own. Elliot decides to delve into the families past but is he ready for what he uncovers.
A gripping read that I found really entertaining, another excellent novel by Mark Edwards.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Thomas Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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I’ve read a lot by this author and always thoroughly enjoy his work. This current offering is no exception.

Elliot meets the love of his life, Gemma, and after a near death experience decides to propose early on in their relationship. Marriage appears blissful until Gemma invites her parents and sister to stay with them upon returning to England from years of living in France. The arrangement is loosely made for a few weeks until alternative accommodation has been sought however, the in-laws don’t appear to have any intention of moving out and sinister events start to occur.

I could envisage this book being made into a film with Colin Firth playing Elliot! Most definitely a book to read.

Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I absolutely love Mark Edwards books and this one really did not disappoint.

Talk about gripping and edge of your seat psychological thriller.

This book was devoured in one sitting, only moving to refill my coffee cup!

I absolutely loved it and have recommended to others already!

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I have come to the conclusion after reading this book and The Magpies, that Mark Edwards is definitely one of the most underrated authors in fiction today. I read a lot of thrillers as they are my favorite genre of books and this one was my favorite of the year. My love for this book wasn't because of the twists (because I guessed most of them), but even with guessing them, I wanted to see how everything played out. This book was written extremely well, the words flowed quickly and the story progressed at a fast pace. The characters in this story were some of the most despicable that I have seen...it made me very thankful for the in-laws that I have. I've been hard-pressed to find an unputdownable book recently, but this one fit the bill...when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and talking about it to others and eagerly awaiting when I could pick it up again. I highly recommend this one!

I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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What a crazy ride this book was!

Elliot marries Gemma only to have her parents move in with them. Talk about the in-laws from hell. The entire book, I loathed the parents and was disgusted with the things they did to make Elliot and Gemma's life miserable. It was a book that I couldn't put down. The twist at the end was fabulous...did not see that coming. This is my first read from Mark Edwards, but it definitely won't be my last! Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy for an honest review.

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Yikes! I found this a hugely uncomfortable read. It made me feel angry, disgusted and horribly uneasy. The writing is great, the plot gripping, there are loads of real shocks along the way and in typical Mark Edwards style, everything is not quite as it seems…
What an awful scenario. Elliot’s ghastly in-laws are absolutely shocking and it’s difficult to understand how they produced his wife, Gemma. What’s worse, they have moved in with them, into the childhood home Elliot so lovingly restored - and he can’t get rid of them. (I loved the irony of the street name!) I could barely read some of the scenes, so insensitive, crass, depraved and awful were they. And Gemma’s very odd sister, Chloe, was not much better, although in a totally different way. What on earth was wrong with her?
This is a sinister, blood-curdling, unsettling book, peopled by a bunch of unlikeable characters. If you need to like the lead characters, this book is definitely not for you! In-laws Jeff and Lizzie are almost caricature-like in their awfulness. Gemma remains a bit of a mystery. I wanted to shake her for not dealing with her parents. Having started as a fun, strong, likeable character she turns into a useless, shrinking violet in their presence. Elliot isn’t much better. Far too nice and polite, he keeps on second-guessing himself. By the time he actually starts to try to get rid of the in-laws from hell they’re already wrecking his life and marriage.

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Usual Mark Edwards fashion, this was great. It was fast paced, filled with unexpected twist. A real fun read.

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This book started out really good, it was all very intriguing and unputdownable. I couldn’t resist wanting to know what happens in this story of the in-laws from hell. They are truly some of the most despicable characters I’ve met in fiction. Some of their antics left me feeling disgusted and uncomfortable. The book really made me feel the anger and frustration of the main character as if everything is happening to me, too.

Aside from that, the book is pretty much predictable with no real plot twist that I couldn’t see coming. For a main character who is supposed to be a “genius” scientist I guess I was expecting that something more wild will happen. There is no satisfying/redeeming scene, it was all just one hot mess at the end. I would say that the beginning was the best part of the book.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow another brilliant read from Mark Edwards! I haven’t whizzed through a book this quickly in a couple of months, this was a very fast paced thriller keeping you guessing and wanting more after each chapter. So happy I read this one

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We are introduced to Elliot, a quiet unassuming scientist and a special needs teacher. He is the proud owner of a lovely home that he has recently renovated and shares it with Charlie, his cat. He marries Gemma after a whirlwind romance of only a few months, so his life is complete. But his world comes crashing down when her parents and sister return to England from France and have nowhere to stay, so Elliot invites them to stay at his house. He soon realises that he has made a big mistake. I really felt for Elliot as he realises that they are the in laws from hell and wonders how on earth he is going to get rid of them as they are reluctant to leave and also what secrets are they hiding from him. This is a very tense story, a little unbelievable near the end, but I still give it five stars as it kept me gripped to the end,
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Another great read from Mark Edward's, full of tension and suspense! Elliott is a decent hardworking man, who works hard and has bought and restored his beautiful house. When he meets Gemma he is caught up in a whirlwind of romance and they marry in almost immediately. They marry and settle into domestic bliss not really knowing each other. After a small time Gemma asks if her family can come and stay as they are returning from France and need accommodation. He agrees and her parents and sister move in. Her parents are slobs, very evasive about their past, her sister doesnt come out of her room and Gemma is on edge all the time and is drinking more than before. Soon strange things start to happen in the neighbourhood and Elliott is convinced his in laws are involved but how can he get rid of them?
I loved this book, it is creepy and full of tension but you cannot look away. Another triumph from Mark Edward's. Thank you to Mark, Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

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I completely agree with another review that this has knocked the Magpies from pole position. It's just genius and beautifully written. Full of massive twists that you wouldn't spot in a million years. Love love love!

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This book kept me guessing to the end. There were so many twists and turns and just as I thought I knew what was going on there would be another one. I felt bad for Elliot and the destruction of his life, I really wanted a happy ending for him. I look forward to Mark Edwards next book.

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I have read all of Mark Edward's books. Until now magpies has always been my favourite. Here To Stay has taken that position, not just of favourite Mark Edwards books but favourite books of all time! Definitely one not to be missed.

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Great book, I couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the first page. Lots of twists and turns to keep the reader enthralled.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Mark Edwards for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

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My thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing a free copy of “ Here to Stay” to read and review. And enjoy.

“Here to Stay” the latest novel by Mark Edwards ranked as one of the most frightening books I have read in a long time. The story was not about zombies, nor vampires, not even about crazed politicians with very plastic morals running amok. No, worse: it was about the in-laws from Hell.

The book began with Elliot standing in the front garden of the Victorian house he had personally restored. Located in a lovely, quiet neighborhood of London, Elliot’s house and garden and those of his neighbors, was open that Sunday for strollers’ viewing. Just as he was about to lock the garden gate for the evening, an attractive young lady walked into the garden. She expressed her admiration for the beautiful grounds, and remarked how she admired vintage old houses. Taken with her and bursting with owner’s pride, Elliot showed her the house. They had tea. He invited her out for dinner. Months later, Elliot and Gemma were. married.
Everything was going as well with the young marriage as one could expect. The only cloud was that Gemma looked distant and troubled at times. Elliot realized how little he knew about her past life. What, for example, caused the faint, white lines of scarring on her abdomen? Why did she never mention her parents? Then she did- that morning when she told Elliot her parents were returning to the UK from France and would be staying at their house for “a bit”. until they could find new lodgings. Elliot , taken aback by Gemma’s our-of-the -blue announcement, nevertheless was encouraging. It was the biggest mistake he could ever make.
From the moment Jeff, Lizzie and their younger daughter Chloe, walked in the door, Elliot sensed that the visit was not going to work well. Far from being welcoming, Gemma is cold and abrupt with her parents, indeed fearful of them. They are brassy, bossy, messy, interfering and disruptive. Sister Chloe is withdrawn and almost catatonic - just a touch of the flu, mother Lizzy dismissed. There was something dangerous, something wrong about them

As the days became weeks, Elliot grew disturbed by the in-laws behavior and, most importantly, their effect on Gemma. She began to drink heavily and to withdraw emotionally even more.Were Jeff, Lizzy and Chloe ever going to,find a place of their own, he wondered. Why, they replied, we like it right here. They were “ Here to Stay.”
I began reading the book one evening after dinner and was so deeply engrossed that the pages flew by. Mr . Edwards knew exactly how to slowly amp up the tension. He put this reader inside the main character, Elliot, completely as his doubt tuned to fear and then to absolute horror at what the his new family members were doing to his and Gemma’s life together, and worse, what damage they were capable in the future. He wondered what they had done in the past to damage their children so much that they hated them?
There was a sense of brooding inevitability in the book, an intensity that compelled this reader to keep reading. The book finished in the only way it could, but it left a sense that even then, the aftereffects of the family from hell’s visit had not ended. They were “ Here to Stay”.

Warnings for the sensitive: No sexual content of note, and no egregiously nasty four letter words that I recall. It is an intense, scary story though.
Oh, one personal note, that you may not want to read , though I do not think it is a spoiler: what annoys Elliot more, the in-laws treatment to his wife or of his beloved house? Just pondering....

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When Gemma Robinson saves Elliot Foster’s life it was love at first sight for him . After two months of whirlwind romance they get married and settle down at Elliot’s newly renovated home. Shortly after Gemma’s parents along with her  younger sister, Chloe move in with them until they have a place of their own. He soon realizes that they have no intention of moving out and he might have to take extreme measures if he wants to save his marriage . 

 Mark Edwards has  written another gripping fast paced psychological thriller  with unexpected twists and turns and an explosive ending that makes it a highly entertaining read . Definitely recommend!

I would like to thank Thomas Mercer & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

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Great book, love Mark Edwards books never disappoint. Hated his in-laws and wanted to see them ousted..Could not put this book down .thats the reaso for 4 stars

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Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of Here to Stay.

I found the first half of this book seemed to be repetitive to me. About half way through things started to pick up. It was an enjoyable read, but I could see how it was going to end early on.

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Elliot’s life was turned upside down when he met Gemma. A fun, bubbly person with whom he had a whirlwind romance and wedding. Now the in-laws want to come & stay – of course. How bad it be for a couple of weeks?

I have read a number of Mark Edwards books and, without fail, they have been well written, excellent psychological dramas. They have kept me on the edge of my seat & unable to put the book down. This book lived up to its predecessors and possibly even surpassed it. I got so tense reading this. Had it been a film I would have been on the edge of my seat. There were chapters which seemed to almost go in slow motion – you can see what is going to happen & it plays out in front of you whilst you are unable to stop it. To say I got involved with this book would be an understatement.

This is not a run of the mill book. It is unusual with a high degree of suspense. The plot is fantastic & the characters great. There are twists and turns all the way along, including the ending.

So, if you like an adrenaline rush whilst you read, sit back & enjoy the ride.

I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

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OVERALL RATING:
7 out of 10

PLOT:
8 out of 10

CHARACTERIZATION:
7 out of 10

PRIMARY ELEMENT:
6 out of 10 for its thrill

WRITING STYLE:
7 out of 10

PART OF A SERIES:
No.

HIGHLIGHTED TAKEAWAY:
Like with all other books by Mark Edwards, the highlighted takeaway is the end. There are very few writers who can conclude a thriller with a real surprise, but Edwards manages to do so consistently.

WHAT I LIKED:
The story doesn’t slow down for a single moment, in spite of being based on such a simple premise.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
Oddly enough, Elliot. Although his character was developed well and a lot of his behavior made sense because of that arc, he seems too submissive to be real. It made it a little hard to associate with him because I genuinely could not imagine any person being the way he was.

WHO SHOULD READ IT:
Anyone who enjoys thrillers. This is a different style of thriller, but definitely keeps the pages turning.

WHO SHOULD AVOID:
Anyone who does not enjoy psychological thrillers, or stories based on characters who are just plain sociopathic.

READ IT FOR:
An interesting and not-too-commonly-done take on the thriller genre. With so many thrillers out there, this one is a fresh (albeit slightly disturbing) read.

Here to Stay was published on 1st September 2019. If you haven’t tried Mark Edwards yet, this is as good a place to start as any.

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So deliciously creepy. An excellent example of how when you marry someone, you marry their whole family. And when they start to take over your life and your home, what do you do? Really interesting premise and a very good read.

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Here to Stay by Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards has an amazing way of sucking me into his novels so quickly that I’ve devoured half of it in one evening. I became so invested in Elliot’s life, that I almost need therapy afterwards!

Elliot is a self-made man, with a business promoting science within schools and a house he has worked on till it’s perfect. He loves his neat, well-ordered, existence. It’s just him and his cat Charlie, and he is friends with Amira his business partner and George his next door neighbour. Gemma comes into this quiet existence like a whirlwind and although Elliot doesn’t know much about her, he does know he loves her. They get married only eight weeks after meeting and although friends worry they have rushed into it, they are happy. Soon after, Gemma’s parents come back into her life. They have been living in France with Gemma’s sister Chloe and seem to be leaving in a hurry. Gemma says it will only be a couple of weeks till they find their own place. Elliot lets them stay, but they arrive with Chloe seemingly in a fever and immediately start treating the place as if it is their own. Lizzy is allergic to Charlie and Elliot suspects she has been locking the cat flap to stop him coming in. Jeff is loud and messy, leaving dishes everywhere and having the TV on too loud. But Elliot has been alone for a long time since the death of his parents so he does find it hard to share space and it’s only for two weeks isn’t it?

Even though I’d expected some of what transpired, the book still kept me gripped. I hated Lizzy and Jeff with a passion that could only come from someone who’s lived alone for six years and now shares a bathroom with four people. It becomes claustrophobic as every ones of Elliot’s senses are invaded; the noise is intolerable, the smell of Lizzy smoking out of the window, the piles of mess everywhere and his constant worry about the welfare of his cat. I felt the panic and his feeling that his haven is being invaded and will never seem the same for him again. I suspected Gemma, her brother Stuart and even Chloe who seems stuck on her sickbed in a catatonic state. It’s clear from very early on that the mystery of why the family are here hinges on Chloe’s testimony, but so far she can’t or won’t speak.

Disturbed by the feeling of having someone in his house he’s still not met, Elliot tries to talk to Chloe. He is so worried about her physical state he asks his neighbour George if he would pop round and check on her. George is a retired GP and he manages to pop round at just the right moment to see Chloe. Unfortunately, they are discovered and while Jeff shouts and wakes the rest of the house, Elliot notices that Chloe whispers something to George. Elliot is still unsure about exactly what is wrong in the family and wonders if he’s jumping at shadows, but there are tiny clues. Why does Gemma have scars across her stomach that she never talks about but touches every time she’s nervous? Why does no one talk about their life in France and why did Chloe’s parents follow her out there? One evening the four of them go out for a meal and Gemma chokes slightly, but cowers as her father gets up to help her. Little does Elliot know that when they return, he will make a discovery that changes everything.

There were moments of this book when I found myself livid about Gemma’s parents. Every time Elliot thinks of something that will get rid of them I felt so relieved, then so frustrated when he realises it won’t work. It’s as if what Gemma says is true - in her parent’s world everything is upside down and the normal rules don’t apply. They are like whirlwinds and everything that gets sucked in is destroyed. I won’t write more for fear of ruining all the twists and turns to come. This is a book where you have to know the ending and you’ll keep reading till 3am to find out. I believed in the characters, even when their behaviour was completely unbelievable. Be prepared to shake with rage as these cuckoos carry out their awful plan and Elliot desperately tries to find a way out.

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What a brilliant book. Gripping from the start, and totally believable, which made it all the more dark. Couldn't put it down, and would have read it much quicker was it not for work! This will stay with me for a while!
Highly recommended!

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Wow...never expected this book to be that good. This one is a thrill ride that I was happy to take. Reading this, makes you wonder how rude people have become. It was like watching a really good lifetime movie. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Excellent psychological thriller! Talk about in-laws from hell, this poor guy has them. Emma and Elliot meet and it’s love almost immediately. After a two month whirlwind romance they marry and settle into Elliots beautiful large home. Enter Emma’s crazy family, and chaos ensues. The arrangement was for Emma’s parents and sister to stay with the newlyweds for a week or two while they checked out some rental properties in the area. What Elliot soon learns is the family’s plan doesn’t match up with his and they will do anything to stay. Well written, almost impossible to put down diabolical thriller. I have read Mr. Edwards books in the past and loved them and this one did not disappoint.

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Guy meets girl, they fall in love, marry, and move into the guy’s beautiful home---the one he’s spent all of his time and money to refurbish. Then the girl, now his wife, asks if her in-laws can come and visit…stay with them awhile. But of course---they should come and since they are family, they should stay for however long they’d like. But when they are finally settled in, the in-laws take the invitation a bit too far, with all sorts of awful repercussions to follow. I flipped through the pages of this book like they were on fire, simply shocked at how awful some people can be (even though it’s fiction, I’m sure there are people like these in-laws out there!). I loved everything about this book, except maybe for the very end – but I’m not going to that against it too much. Still a great read, with lots of great suspense.

NOTE: A special thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Hooked from the very beginning.
Gripping thriller, with great characters and a brilliant concept for a story.
Loved this and highly recommend to all, will be looking out for other books by this author.

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Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Wow what a fantastic book. I have never read anything from this author before and did not realise what I have been missing. Would highly recommend.

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Wow!! 5 stars to Mark Edward's. I've read many of his books and not one has disappointed me yet. Felt likening was loving in the nightmare of this one. It draws you in! And the twist!!! I honestly never saw that coming was brilliant.

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Well, they say you don't just marry your spouse, you marry their whole family... Boy, did that turn out poorly for Elliott Foster!

Elliott Foster has the perfect life. The perfect job: teaching science to school districts in need, and making the big bucks doing it. He has the perfect house: a large Victorian he has painstakingly restored. All he needs is someone to share it with... Cue Gemma Robinson.

Apparently Elliott's biological clock is ticking because he and Gemma are quickly caught up in a whirlwind romance that results in their marriage shortly after. Or perhaps everything else he touched had turned to gold so he thought his marriage would follow suit? Or perhaps he was just lonely and (slightly) desperate? He really was a likeable character. But clearly, Elliott forgot about the aforementioned caution about in-laws. Soon after their marriage, Gemma's parents come to stay... and stay...

Poor Elliott. It is amazing the degree to which these people destroy his life. It was one of those things where you're in a game you can't win because your opponent doesn't play by the rules of common decency. Similar in vein to Louise Clandish's books. Which I also loved. Anyways, it made for a great quick read. Elliott was a great character (I pictured him as Neil Patrick Harris for some reason...). I felt infinitely sorry for him and I felt infinite disgust and dismay at his situation. I loved the ending, which I maybe should have seen coming, but I found it very satisfying!

4 holy-schmoly-these-people-are-nuts stars!

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!</i>

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Mark Edwards has done it again, in my opinion this is his best book since The Magpies (A favourite of mine)
I didn't think anything was going to compare, and then along came Here to Stay.
Full of tension, and not your run of the mill ending.
Mark Edwards isn't afraid to take risks with his writing and it shows.

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I have never hated characters in a book so much in my life!!! And that is a compliment to Mark Edwards.

Elliot, an only child, was orphaned at 18. Despite this he has made a good life for himself and after selling off his start up he invests in a beautiful Victorian house in London; lovingly restoring it to its former glory. However, he is lonely living with just his cat, Charlie, and after a very short whirlwind romance with Gemma they marry in Las Vegas. Shortly after this the in laws come to stay. Finally they big family he has always wanted but of course things are never what they seem …

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this psychological thriller by Mark Edwards. I haven't read anything by him before but I will definitely be picking up his other novels as Here to Stay was absolutely fantastic. The characters were brilliantly written and really fleshed out. I sympathised with Elliot so much - I got angry and upset with him - I just wanted to reach into the book and punch someone's lights out!!!

If love psychological thrillers then I highly recommend giving this a go.

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Blimey, this wasn’t what I expected from the blurb...!
It takes a lot to creep me out but this book did just that. If you want to read a book that keeps you guessing the whole way through and scares you a little, this is it! In places it was a little predictable but I genuinely didn’t care.
Gripping, tense and thrilling. Mark Edwards is truly amazing

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What a ride...

This book was pretty interesting, to say the least. At first, I didn't think I liked it very much because It was so frustrating, then I realized, duh! that's the whole point! This book Has the most frustrating and unlikeable characters that I have ever read! You think your inlaws are bad? Try again. This book took turns I never imagined and by the end it had me shaking my head at every page. I could feel the tension building each chapter and by the end, I thought I might explode! Twists I didn't see coming, a few that I did. Not a full five stars just because I felt that it was a little bit too long and some parts unnecessary. But man the flow of this was beautiful. My biggest pet peeve in thrillers is a rushed ending and this one was perfect!

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This was a very entertaining book! Imagine finding the love of your life, and then the in-laws from hell moves in.... The in-laws did everything they could to make poor Elliott's life a misery. The way Elliott dealt with the squatters was creative and made for very thrilling reading (no spoilers). I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end!
Highly recommended.

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WOW. Every time I read a Mark Edwards book it becomes my new favourite by him. This was no exception. It's gripping, thrilling and leaves you feeling a flurry of emotion throughout. It's also given me a new respect for my in laws. Highly recommend, Mark is a genius!

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Here to Stay is well written,but is hard to read due to such horrid characters that are so unlikable. The storyline is good,but the horrible characters just make it hard to finish the book.

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Has there ever been a weak, more frustrating main character? None come to mind at this particular moment. A predictable plot and unredeeming secondary characters culminate in a story that I ended up skimming. However, I stayed until the end hoping that every single character got what was coming to them. In a way, they did so there's that.

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I received a free electronic ARC copy of this novel on September 23, 2019, from Netgalley, Mark Edwards, and Thomas & Mercer publishers. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my personal opinion of this work. I am always surprised by just how quickly a good author can suck you into their personal, imaginary world. Mark Edwards is a master. He is an author I am happy to recommend to friends and family, one I am following.

I didn't see far enough ahead to follow this tale to its conclusion - Over and over I am caught unaware. I found Gemma completely sympathetic, her sister rather pathetic and ineffectual, and the parents totally evil. All the way through. Needless to say, the ending was a fairly complete surprise. I loved the trip and appreciated the ending. Thank you, Mark Edwards, for an excellent escape into the darkness.

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Another fantastic book by a Mark Edwards! Literally could not put it down, read it all in one afternoon. So many twists, and a chillingly shocking ending

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Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Here to Stay by Mark Edwards. This is a fast paced novel that will keep you reading into the night.
Elliot is so happy with his new bride Gemma. So when she asks if her parents and sister can move in with them, he quickly agrees. Why not, Elliot loves Gemma.
But Elliot gets more than he bargained for and soon it looks like they are here to stay, and he starts to wonder if he knows Gemma at all.
Good Book - Love Mark Edward's books!!
3,5 stars.

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A new to me author, I was excited to read Here to Stay as the synopsis sounded intriguing! It caught my attention from the get go and I wondered throughout how things would pan out.

It was definitely a book I wanted to finish and keep reading, but it frustrated me so much too. The characters are very unlikeable, some obviously so, but even the main character of Elliott Foster seemed such a wimp and totally under the thumb of his inlaws. The plot seemed very far fetched at times and I spent a lot of the read worrying about the poor cat!

The book picked up at the end and Elliott finally stood up for himself! There was even a slight twist that I wasn’t expecting so that definitely put my rating up a little. Mark Edwards seems like a good writer and this book wouldn’t put me off reading some of his other books - I just hope they have a bit more suspense and intrigue compared with this one.

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This book made me uncomfortable.

What a bunch of horrible people. I hate to see someone decent being taken advantage of. I just felt so bad for Elliot. Many reviewers state that he is a doormat, no spine, blah blah. He was in love with Gemma so it’s not that easy as throw the in-laws stuff in the driveway and change the locks. Why those three have any stuff to begin with is strange (not one of the three held any type of job).

This then went from being odd to going off the deep end. There were so many things that were not possible, could not happen (from a legal standpoint) that this became ridiculous.

I finished it so there’s that. The writing is fine and the characters are well developed (though awful humans). It was sad and not really the story for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.

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Thank you Netgalley, Mark Edwards and Amazon Publishing UK for giving me the great pleasure of reading this book.

I absolutely love Mark Edwards he is my favourite author. So I couldn't contain my excitment when I got the chance to read his new book.

This is a nightmare that many people do not want to come true but it happened to Elliot and Gemma. I was hooled all the way through and I really liked the dark twists and turns, many people have said that they new what was going to happen at the end, but I didn't have a clue. Was I the only one that didn't know what was coming?

Thank you Mark for giving us readers another fantastic book. It is hard for me to pick my favourite out of the ones that I have read so I won't, I like them all. I look forward to reading your other books that I have on my shelf and the books that you have yet to write.

I would definitely recommend this book. I think it is perfect for a book club, it will certainly get people talking and asking questions.

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Meet the Robinsons .. if you must . Elliott and Gemma have a whirlwind romance and it’s not long before they are living together . Enter Gemmas family the Robinsons .come to stay for only two weeks while they get settled home from France . What could possibly go wrong !
Love Mark Edwards books and this didn’t disappoint

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When the in-laws outstay their welcome. A simple story, simply told. A nightmare.

As with all of Mark Edwards' books this is an everyday situation that becomes sinister. The story remains focused and waffle-free, the tension cleverly building until dreadful truths come to light. The kind of story with which we can all identify even if our in-laws are lovely. I worried about the cat as I have had cat-haters and cat-allergic visitors too. There is always the concern that someone may be mean to my cat. Suffice to say, the cat is the only character I cared about.

The other -human- characters have no likable qualities and sometimes are a tad incredulous. The elusive youngest daughter (the narrator's sister-in-law)) is intriguing though. So the only one to root for is the narrator: the put-upon new husband and householder. To a point there is some sympathy for him but mostly it is frustration. Why does he put up with this obnoxious behaviour and what will he do about it? Interesting to see how the law in Britain deals with such situations. If it's true, that is.

Edwards really is a master storyteller. He delivers his tale well, easy to read , compelling. I enjoyed this book and read it quickly. Easy to see why Mark Edwards is a best-selling author. Recommended.

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Here To Stay is a fast paced, turn the page thriller that I couldn’t put down!

Gemma and Elliot meet, fall in love and marry after only two months together. Everything seems perfect until Gemma’s parents and younger sister return to England and are in need of a place to stay. Elliot quickly realizes that his new in-laws have no intention of leaving and something just isn’t right. What secrets are they hiding? Elliot is determined to solve the mystery in order to save his marriage but is he ready for what he is going to find out?

This book was Susan a pleasant surprise. I loved the concept and the twisty plot. I found it to be original and suspenseful and I would definitely recommend to all thriller-lovers out there!

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A totally riveting read, full of suspense I just couldn't put this book down. If you don't have a good relationship with your in-laws then this probably give you some sleepless nights. The main characters are an interesting study of human behaviour, fast-paced and entertaining. I highly recommend this!

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What a great read. Finished it in 3days. Didn’t want to put it down. Although you kind of figured out what was happening the author still kept it quite suspenseful. Definitely will be recommending

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Creepy and weird. The main character was a doctor, but so dumb. probably one of the worst books I've read this year. Thank you to NetGalley

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When Elliot meets Gemma they have a whirlwind romance and marry very soon after meeting. Not long after they’re married her parents come to stay. That sounds fine doesn’t it ? Your in-laws coming to stay ? Well what if they refuse to leave .

Wow ! This book was such a great read. I just love psychological thrillers and this was certainly one. It had everything I enjoy in a book, super story, good characters and it sucked me right in from the first page. A well deserved 5 star read.

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I’m a bit of a Mark Edwards fan girl anyway, but this was brilliant. I read it very quickly and thought about it a lot once id finished. Despite the end itself not being much of a surprise it was very well written and crafted - so much so that guessing ahead didn’t matter.

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When Elliot and Gemma fall in love and marry after a whirlwind romance, Elliott offers Gemma’s parents a place to stay when they return from France. When they move in with their other daughter,Chloe, who is ill it becomes obvious they are not planning on leaving.

A brilliant read that left me engrossed. Not read many of Mark’s books but I will after reading this. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

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Another Mark Edwards classic. Fans of his work will love this book. It's reminiscent of The Magpies, carrying a creepy undertone that the author pulls off so well. Being lumbered with your in-laws is something that will strike a chord with many, and this is a very relatable book. It comes with a small cast of characters (which I love) maintaining a claustrophobic feel throughout. A dark and disturbing book that will have you burning the midnight oil as you read just one more chapter. A highly recommended read.

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another outstanding read from Mark Edwards. the lovely Elliot meets Gemma and marries her soon afterwards. Her family come for a visit and end up living with the newly married couple... and then they won't leave! A real page turner.

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This was an absolutely gripping roller coaster of a read. It's a very dark and chilling tale of a newly married couple and what happens when the in-laws move in. This is the first book by Mark Edwards that I have read & I will certainly be reading more

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This was a great read, everything I would want our of a thriller! Twisty, turny, kept me guessing. I love the authors writing style, excited to read more of their work!

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Wonderful book that has some brilliant moments. This book makes you introspect and really grateful for your life! The author manages to make you change your perception about the characters through some brilliant deft writing. The writing style is so good that i felt like i was in the middle of this plot myself! Felt like i was living this novel more than reading it! It made my blood boil to read about Jeff and Lizzie. There are many "woah" moments in this book. Highly recommended!

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This is the fourth book I’ve read by Mark Edwards and once again he did not disappoint.
A clever suspenseful novel that keep you engaged and wanting to find out more. The story gripped and intrigued me right from the first chapter. The plot builds, the suspense is tense and the ending is definitely not one you see coming.
I would definitely recommend this book to friends.

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Brilliant read, kept me turning the pages until the early hours of the morning, perfectly full of twists and turns, and thoroughly enjoyable.

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Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Here to Stay!

OMG... I absolutely hated this book and loved it all at the same time. If you think your in-laws are bad wait until you meet Jeff and Lizzy!!!! Elliot is a single guy, kind of a loner with no family and few friends when he meets Gemma. They quickly fall in love and get married... Then Gemma gives Elliot the news, her parents and sister are coming to visit. The problem?? They never leave! Weird things start happening around Elliot; his cat door keeps mysteriously getting locked not allowing Charlie, his feline friend, inside the house, he finds his mother-in-law measuring the rooms in his house, paint and new furniture is bought by his in-laws, yet they have no money for a down payment on a house of their own, and his new sister-in-law, Chloe, barely comes out of her room for the first few days... Then, worst of all, people start dying! I seriously read this book so incredibly fast, well into the late hours of the night, dying to find out what was going to happen to Jeff, Lizzy, and the rest of their family and how Elliot was going to get his house/life back. Such a great read!!

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This is my second read of Mark Edwards and I can say that I like his style.
Unfortunately this time, I found the plot rather weak, very hard to believe, and almost preposterous.

The main character is an educated man in his 40s, living alone with his cat. During a public viewing of his garden, he meets a nice lady and, within only two months, knowing almost nothing about her, they get married and she moves in with him. Not long after, her parents and sister, relocating from France, need a place to stay for a few days/weeks until they find somewhere to live on their own, so he’s very nice and has them over. From there on, everything turns into an absolute nightmare.

My reading experience involved lots of eye-rolling and “really?!”s, but the twists were rather solid and it made for an ok read. 2.5★

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The moral of this story is don’t marry in haste and never let anyone you don’t know or haven’t met come and stay! A whirlwind romance followed by the in-laws coming “just for a couple of weeks” changes Elliott’s peaceful, ordered life beyond recognition. Not only do they outstay their welcome but have the most disgusting habits. For someone supposedly intelligent, Elliott is extremely stupid, so much so that it grates. A lot of what went on was a bit over the top and did stretch credibility. It was easy to read and definitely a page turner despite having quite a few weird characters and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Love Mark Edwards and so this did not disappoint as usual! Love how life’s usual humdrum activities (the in laws coming to stay) can be turned into such menacing acts, would recommend as always!

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I loved this book. My biggest issue was I invested with the characters too much emotionally and it started to stress me out. To me, it is further evidence as to how well Mr. Edwards develops his characters and surroundings. You can easily put yourself in a story, and that is why I love reading his books. If you want a twisty, turny roller coaster ride, this is for you.

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Wow what a fast read, Glad we are in lock-down as nothing much got done while reading this book. I have many of Mark Edwards books on my to read list but not got round to reading any until I got accepted on here to read and review this one.

I loved it, it was a roller coaster of emotions reading this book one minute happy, then sad and also angry. Won't spoil the end so won't say what emotion I ended on.

I've had his new book also approved so will dive straight into that.

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I have read all of Mark Edwards solo novels and this is by far the best.
The tension I felt reading this was insane. At some points I even got physically anxious and had to keep reading just to calm my nerves.
The story was excellent and finished perfectly.
Even though I was able to predict a couple of things it took nothing away from the ending and I was still impressed and shocked by certain events.

Well done Mark, keep it up!

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Tense chilling page turner..Mark Edwards is a new author for me So excited to have discovered him.His characters come alive drew me in, kept me reading late into the night.#netgalley#amazonuk

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I’ve just read this in one sitting as there was no way I could stop before finding out what happened. My heart is still beating far too fast. An excellent, well written and taut thriller about the in-laws who came to stay. Highly recommended.

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A really dark book, many twists and turns. I read this really quickly because I was desperate to know the end. In laws from hell. A devoted wife, or is she? A strange sister in law, all in the same house. The mix from hell. Great twist at the end. I loved it. Mark Edwards keep them coming. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

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Here to Stay is a psychological thriller about a newlywed couple whose marriage spirals into the depths of hell after their in-laws move in. Absolutely fantastic read, original and gripping !!!

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Confusing, gory, chilling. A great read. Not for the faint-hearted. The message is don't let strangers into your home-Not ever. A recommended read.

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Here To Stay is one of the best psychological Thrillers I've read this year!!!
I couldn't put this down. Fast - paced, thrilling, and terrifying!!! The family from hell doesn't quite cut it in this Book. .

The story follows Scientist Elliot, who after a scary emergency, decides to be more impulsive. He ends up in a whirlwind romance, and marriage to a lady called Gemma. Absolutely besotted with his new wife, Elliot who would do anything for Gemma, agrees to let her parents stay for just a few days to get themselves settled before finding a place of their own...

The Robinson's family, Jeff, Lizzy and their youngest daughter Chloe jump at the chance of staying in the lovely new House of Gemma's Husband. They are relocating from France back to the UK and when their Son Stuart says they can't stay with him, Gemma steps up...

A few days, turns into a few weeks... right from the start Jeff, Lizzy and Chloe are mysterious, rude and very very odd, from untidiness, inappropriate comments and lies after lies. Elliot immediately starts to regret having this family stay.

Things gradually get worse, with the Robinson's revealing their true selves. I don't think I've ever hated two characters as much as these two! Words like vile, selfish, manipulative, abusive, and deeply troubled come to mind. .

Tragedy seems to attach itself to Elliot, like the Robinsons have attached themselves to his House.

Full of twists and turns. The ending left me in shock, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about this Book. I would love to read more from Mark in the future, as his writing style was perfection for a Thriller addict like me. .

Review to come on my Blog.

*Trigger warnings * Death, Violence, Child abuse, sexual, emotional, mental and physical abuse.

*Thank you to Netgalley, Mark and Amazon publishing UK for my ecopy of this book, in exchange of an honest review*

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Ooh this one was good! One of the better ones he has written. There is an air of menace all the way through, I think it shows what we are all capable of if we are pushed to a limit. Really good characters and just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, again slightly implausible ending but still great

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This is a book that will put you off having house guests for life! When a good turn becomes a living nightmare and his whole life unravels, Eliot finds himself trapped with nowhere to turn. His new wife is not who she seems and her parents are the in-laws from hell. Before he knows it, his safe, orderly life is in turmoil. There is no easy way out of the mess.
This book makes very uncomfortable reading and the story had me gripped from the start right up until the twist at the end, which took me completely by surprise. Mark Edwards never disappoints.

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What a great read, fast paced from beginning to end, really struggled to put it down, kind of guessed the twist at the end, but not before I'd read nearly all of it, will definitely read more by this author

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This book gets you interested super quick. You get roped in by the strange family dynamic mixed with a quick marriage. However, I guessed the ending very early on which just stinks. I loved alot about the book but guessing an ending really ruins things for me. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy quick read thrillers with interesting family dynamics.

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This was my first book by Mark Edward and I thoroughly enjoyed it; I’ve actually since made a list of all his previous books so that I can read those too. Other than Elliott, his neighbours and his friend, basically every other character was unlikeable but I think that was the point. I really hated people on Elliott’s behalf throughout the book and I just wanted some good for him. I really liked that the chapters were relatively short, and they were sharp and snappy - always wanting you to read on. The ending was a surprise and is particularly liked how the book ended (quite literally the last line).

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Here's an author I just Love! His books are just brilliant. So I highly recommend Here To Stay by Mark Edwards.
This new book is a Standalone book. However, looking at the reviews for Here to say they are all mixed and reminds me of the Marmite saying!!! “Love it or hate it.”
I will say I enjoyed it and it did not disappoint and then again you can't please everybody Mark! I loved it.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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Mark Edwards has written a cracker here. The in-laws from hell have moved in, and threaten his whole way of life. His attempts to get to the truth behind them puts everything he holds dear at risk. Highly recommended.

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I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

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Mark Edwards does it again with a wild ride through the world of terrible in-laws. Here to Stay had me hooked right away, with impressive character development and unthinkable drama you’ll want to throw this book across the room just to get yourself away from these evil in-laws!

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I love Mark Edwards books. They are creepy and realistic, and leave me looking over my shoulder. Here to Stay was no different. I thought I knew where it was going, but I didn’t - my favourite kind of thriller! Do yourself a favour and check out this Mark Edwards book, and any of his other ones!

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Loved this book. Could not put it down.
Raced through the pages as needed to read more and more.
Twist at the end was a real shocker. Total surprise.
Loved how well we get to know the characters and it really helped me feel involved as the story progressed.
My first book by this author and it will definitely not be the last.
Hugely grateful for this book and the introduction to a brilliant book and author

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One of my favourite Mark Edwards books, this is very dark and shows the slow decline of Elliott after he becomes involved with Gemma. After a whirlwind romance, they get married and her family - Mum Lizzie, Dad Jeff and sister Chloe - come to stay. But, little does Elliott know the history that has followed them and their plan to take over his life. It's not long before their bad behaviour grips Elliott and slowly eats away at him and his and Gemma's relationship. It's a full of twists and turns and the body count is high. It will make you think twice about letting people stay in your home!

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Smart premise, but the real plotting and the execution goes worse by every chapter.

The in-laws from hell vs. shy, socially inexperienced Mr. Nice Guy? Sure, I get it. The ruthless ones usually have the upper hand. And their target is very well chosen - Elliot is a loner, maybe book-smart, but definitely not a street-smart man. Elliot's behaviour and way of thinking is understandable - if dim, honestly. But...isn't his best friend dating a cop? And are the police all around the world really so uncapable? How about some really smart and capable lawyer? (Elliot is not a poor guy!).

And the last chapter totally undid all the goodwill I could have against the plot. Not a fan of psychopaths lurking under just any skin because the author would like them so.

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I do love Mark Edwards' work and this was no exception. It'll leave you feeling thankful that your in-laws are better thank these ones!

Well drawn characters support a carefully thought out plot which contains every element of a successful psychological thriller showing that Edwards really is a master of his craft. The ending will leave you stunned, coming from out of nowhere to hit you like a ten ton truck.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

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Great thriller which I could not put down. Brilliant characters, and twists and turns. Highly recommend to others!

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Really tense and gripping!
Mark Edwards is well known for his dark psychological thrillers, and this is some of his best work.

The Robinson’s are deeply unsettling and Chloe is very intriguing. The characters are all brilliantly fleshed out, leaving the reader furious with them as though they were real.

A real page turner with an ending I didn’t see coming!

Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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Mark Edwards has created a brilliant fast paced psychological thriller. It’s probably enough to make anyone question the integrity of their in laws!! It’s fast paced, with the twists needed to provide a successful, difficult to put down read.

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A brilliant read, one of the best I've read! I always love a Mark Edwards book and this certainly doesn't disappoint. I can't wait for this next one. The twist at the end was fantastic.

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This book grabs your interest from the beginning. The ending was very predictable, but overall it was a good book.

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Great characters and I loved how suspenseful this was. The plot twist at the end was something I had thought of earlier in the book but then thought I was wrong.

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We're the Robinsons - we're survivors.

Wow! What have I just read?? Ok, so some of it was far fetched and some just a tad OTT but who cares? If it's a gripping storyline, a little creepy with a few twists and a couple of fiendishly hateable characters thrown in, then that's all I need for an enjoyable read to keep me absorbed from start to finish.

I have read a few of Mark Edwards' thrillers, some with mixed results and none of them quite reaching the high standards of the first two of his I read - "The Magpies" and "Follow You Home" . Those two remained throughout my favourite of his thrillers. Well, now I can add HERE TO STAY to that list because while it was far fetched and OTT in part, it was so damn creepy and outlandish that made it so damn good. I find the books that get under my skin the most turn out to be those that I also enjoy the most. And get under my skin did it what!!!

So it begins with a mysterious prologue before any of the current events taking place. We know who they are but not what happened, where they are going or why. And so then we're left in the dark while the story moves to London...and this is where it really begins. Or rather, where it begins to end...

Meet Elliot. He's single, approaching middle-age with an established career as a teacher of science and a lovely Victorian home in West Dulwich, which I can only assume is a fairly affluent part of London. He has no family - his parents died in a tragic hot air balloon accident when he was eighteen - and the money he made was from selling a kind of program behind educating kids in science. It was this windfall that enabled him to purchase his beautiful, but very dilapidated, Victorian home on Cuckoo Lane which he then lovingly restored into the home it is today. But Elliot is lonely. He has Charlie, his devoted cat, but even he cannot provide the love of a family that Elliot yearns for.

Enter Gemma. She turns up one afternoon at an "open garden" event in which Elliot took part, opening his beautiful garden to the public. It's like an instant attraction but something in Gemma speaks to Elliot and his nurturing nature. There was something lonely in Gemma too. And then a freak accident leads them to A&E after which Elliot has an epiphany to grab at life with both hands and not waste a minute. After a month, they marry in Vegas and return home to Cuckoo Lane. Life is just perfect.

Then when Gemma's parents, Jeff and Lizzy, arrive with her sister Chloe in tow, returning from France to make England their home again after some fifteen years, Elliot envisioned being part of a family again and welcomed them with open arms. Something that has been missing from his life since he lost his parents almost two decades before. He couldn't have been more wrong. Ever obliging, Elliot gave Jeff and Lizzy the master room and Chloe his office, while he and Gemma moved up to the third floor. After all, it was only for a couple of weeks until they found their own place but clearly, they have no intention of leaving.

It was the worst decision Elliot had ever made, letting the Robinsons cross his doorway. For he soon realises that they are not what they seem and begins to question just who he can trust. Gemma has changed since her parents arrived - closed off and fearful even. What could be so bad that she would fear her own parents? But he soon realises they are all keeping dark and deadly secrets...and soon his unwanted guests have outstayed their welcome and are pushing Elliot to the brink, forcing him to take extreme measures from which he can never come back from. But can he really solve his in-law problem and save his marriage? Before it's too late?

Before I continue, I must say I love Mark Edwards' sense of humour and wholly appreciated the irony in the name in which Elliot's house stands. Cuckoo Lane. Since cuckoos are known for stealing the nests of other birds. I also noted the irony in which both this book and "The Magpies" not only revisit the creep factor in harassing someone totally innocent for their own gain, but for the subtle reference to the two birds - magpies and cuckoos. He certainly has a twisted sense of humour which I thoroughly appreciated.

Now I read a lot. And most are thrillers of some kind. But I can honestly say that I have never detested two characters as much as I did Jeff and Lizzy. They really are vile, abhorrent, loathsome, hateful, manipulative, despicable and completely reprehensible...and even I wished them a slow and painful death! They were just plain evil and made my blood boil and even I was planning on how to get rid of them. But that is what makes this thriller so good. That you just hate them so much that you want to climb into the story and rip them apart, limb from limb. And that is attested to Mark Edwards' skillful writing.

Then as soon as Charlie is introduced, I began fretting about him. I abhor the killing of any animals in a book (even a thriller) in an attempt to ramp up the thrill factor and keep it going. I found myself worrying about his fate because I most certainly didn't trust this couple one iota. But rest assured (spoiler alert), despite threats and the mention of the untimely demise of other pets previously, nothing untoward happens to him. Had there been, I would have sorely disappointed because I don't believe authors need to kill of family pets to keep a thriller...well, thrilling.

Mark Edwards is a fantastic storyteller with his ability to keep the reader engaged with his atmospheric spine-tingling and creepy thrillers. He truly puts the psychological into psychological thrillers. He is able to push the boundaries of the norm whilst placing normal people into extremely extraordinary and horrific situations. And yet, the characters are all equalling annoying in part because of the parts, or lack thereof in some cases, they each play in the story. You will probably find yourself as frustrated as addicted throughout wanting to know exactly what they have done and what they are capable of. And he really does push the boundaries by pushing the central character to take some drastic, and equally not normal, measures. And while some of it is predictable - that is, I could see what was going to happen to some long before it did - it certainly did not affect my enjoyment of it. Because it is, essentially, a cleverly plotted skillfully written tale that easily keeps you engaged throughout.

One of the things I love most about thrillers are short snappy chapters. They keep the pace going at a fast, if not breakneck, speed. HERE TO STAY had plenty of those and I found myself flicking through them at the speed of light. It most certainly is a fast paced entertaining and addictive read from start to finish, keeping readers guessing as to where the final twist lay.

HERE TO STAY is a chilling, creepy and deliciously dark thriller that surprised even me after reading a few others that have not enamoured me quite since the the first two of his books I read and loved - "The Magpies" and "Follow You Home" . There is so much tension throughout despite its unbelievability in parts. But I didn't care. It is wildly entertaining and I loved (and hated) it!! Edwards certainly knows how to ramp up the chill (and thrill) factor (without killing off family pets - thank you).

And then there is that ending. Although I suspected the final reveal, it was that final twist that left a delicious taste as I read the closing line. How simply perfect.

If you loved "The Magpies" , you are bound to lap up HERE TO STAY...and want to throttle, strangle or deal out a slow and painful death to the evil duo.

HERE TO STAY...one of Mark Edwards' best yet!

I would like to thank #MarkEdwards, #NetGalley and #ThomasAndMercer for an ARC of #HereToStay in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

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I’ve tried to pick up this book three separate times and have not been able to get into it. I’m not sure if is me or maybe the writing is just not drawing me in at the moment. I really thought the concept seemed interesting and have heard good things about the author.

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This was a real edge of your seat thriller, with so many twists and turns, you wont know which way is up! Fantastic and gripping read!

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This was such a gripping thriller that I had forgotten I had on my kindle and stumbled across. I was hooked and couldn't put it down, reading in it just 2 days. Mark Edwards certainly knows how to write a page turner!

Thank you NetGalley.

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