If They Knew

Well Sophie has come along again, straightened the crown and reminded us why she is so fantastic. I have to add, for such a lovely human this lady can really delve into the depths of darkness and take the reader on a journey.

This is a book that has really touched a part of me- the adoption element hits raw and hidden parts of me. This alone has made this an emotional read for me. Izzy’s little story is just magic and really gives me hope. The meeting between Hannah, Charlie and Izzy is one that has broken my heart, but also one that will stay with me.

Hannah and Charlie are just a little bit lush! As a reader, I’ve wanted to give them a big cwtch as we discover the journey they’ve been on. As a follower of Sophie’s, I feel this is so personal and brave to put amongst the pages. This is something I admire and appreciate- it’s real life and completely relatable.

As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear Hannah has a secret. I definitely couldn’t predict what this was going to be. The desperation to protect this secret becomes an addiction. The book becomes completely impossible to put down.

Jesse and Owen are minor characters, although play a big part in this one. Sophie has created characters that will give you bad vibes without them being at the forefront- another talent of hers. As events have unfolded and others have been introduced, I have found myself completely speechless.

I have read all of Sophie’s books (all magnificent) but I think this is definitely a favourite. If They Knew is honest, relatable and compelling. The plot unfolds perfectly and there is so many aspects which could be discussed with this one. It’s been an absolute delight to follow (social media stalk and harass) Sophie on her journey from debut author to a queen of the genre. I can safely say I don’t even need to read a synopsis to know I’ll be reading a complete and utter gem.

This book is a must read! It truly is a book worthy of all the stars. Sophie is definitely one to watch out for.

Incredible thriller that immediately pulls the reader into the plot. I absolutely enjoyed this story and could not wait to enjoy the rest of the book

I do feel that I should start the review with a trigger warning for infertility. This is a subject that people don’t like to talk about, but as someone that also struggled with unexplained infertility it felt validating to read some of my own thoughts and fears in the book. However, this wasn’t the main point of the book, but a way to show how much there is for Hannah to lose. “If They Knew” is a mystery about the murder of American pop star Jesse and as you read you find out how much that could affect Hannah. I was rooting for Hannah, though I found myself frustrated with some of her choices. I stayed engrossed while reading the book, wanting to find out what really happened those years ago. The ending left me satisfied with how everything was tied up. Do not let the infertility journey deter you from reading “If They Knew”!

Thank you NetGalley and Hera publisher for sending this book for review considerations. All opinions are my own.

This thriller was great! It’s told from two perspectives but one has a then and now side.

Hannah and Charlie are a week away from adopting a little girl when out of nowhere Hannah’s past comes roaring its ugly head. A global pop star is murdered in the upscale club of the neighborhood and Hannah is shocked, it couldn’t be the same guy she knew from college? Hannah doesn’t realize Charlie is also keeping secrets and she has no idea where he was the night the pop star was murdered. Surely he couldn’t have found the messages? Hannah is determined to figure out what happened to her old flame, and hopes her husband had nothing to do with it. Will everything be all right and the adoption go through as planned?

I read some reviews on this one and I couldn’t believe it! People were rating it down because they couldn’t comprehend the pain of and struggle of infertility - um I don’t understand killing someone but I still read the books! This one was well done and it was more of an adoption story at the end of failure to conceive via alternative methods. The story was great and I liked how the author touched on the topics enough to get you interested. This was a solid thriller and it kept me guessing until the end - I particularly liked the epilogue!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher, @hera_books, for my gifted copy in exchange for this honest review. Make sure to put this one on your radar because November 17th will be here before you know it!

Thank you for this amazing ARC.
I loved this so much. It gave me an inside view to the process of IVF and adoption. My mother was adopted so I heard stories from my cute grandma for years. Grandma had fostered children prior to getting my mom too. She had their pictures stashed away and I have them now.
It is important to appreciate these things even if having a baby was easy or whatever for you.
Adoption and IVF have been denied to women convicted of crimes or living "alternative" lifestyles for decades, in some places they still are.
While I have never committed a crime I have been close to serious crimes (people I know, location, family, etc.).. I found that really related in this lovely book.

What a wild ride! I couldn't put this down. You think it will be boring with someone trying to have a baby but no this is roller coaster of emotion and drama.

This book really surprised me, in a positive way! There is a definite trigger warning for infertility though - if that’s a trigger for you, I don’t recommend this book. That being said, this book portrays a dilemma between a husband and wife during the adoption process, where the wife’s past could cause them to lose their potential child. She tries to shield her husband from her past, but her husband finds out and tries to protect her as well.

I really felt the love between the two main characters. I was also fascinated and drawn into Haydee’s character. At about 75% through the book, I was kind of let down by what I perceived as plot holes, but by the end, everything mostly made sense. I was still left with a couple of questions - there is potential for a sequel here.

Despite that, I could not put this down and read it in under a day! I enjoyed the author’s writing style and enjoyed the characters and plot.

4.5/5 stars ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love this cover (upside down house and great color scheme!) and the cover blurb! Super intriguing. I couldn't wait to read "If They Knew", and for the most part I wasn't disappointed.

Hannah and Charlie have been trying for a baby relentlessly through IVF and other means, until they finally realize it's not going to happen for them--at least not that way. They begin the adoption process, which is filled with its own set of obstacles, and fortunately they are approved for a little girl, Issy. However, Hannah can't help but feel that something is about to go wrong to prevent Issy from truly becoming theirs, and those worries soon become realized when a pop star Hannah knew in college is murdered in the idyllic English village where they live.

I really enjoyed the point of view changes in this story, from Hannah's past to present, to her husband Charlie's perspective. The POV from Hannah's past is written essentially like a diary, which really showcases her immaturity and naïveté, but I still found myself enjoying the parts where I got to learn more about her relationship with Jesse.

There were many times where Hannah or Charlie would do something and I'd have to restrain myself from screaming in my head, "Why would you do that???" Let's just say they didn't always make the smartest decisions, but at least their intentions were mostly good.

I did feel like there were some points where I had to force myself to keep reading, so I would say I wasn't quite as engaged as I'd hoped to be, but overall I did enjoy the book and I'm glad that I read it. I would give it 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks so much to Sophie Flynn, Hera Books, and NetGalley for this arc!!

This is a haunting, mind bending, heart and gut wrenching thrill ride centered around a deep, dark, woman’s fear.

While the novel is narrated mostly by Hannah in “then” and “now” chapters, you also get a glimpse of her husband Carter narrating a few chapters as well.

Hannah and Carter are in a marriage filled with love. A house they are waiting to become a home as they desperately are trying to have a baby. Unfortunately, all efforts natural and medical have failed and now they are stuck in the adoption loop, waiting for that day when they will be matched and can finally start their perfect life.

Like all marriages, though they proffer to be truthful, both parties are hiding deep secrets and lies. Lies that tend to catch up to you.

A pop star is found murdered and it’s all over the news. Hannah has secrets about him and her past but she’s trying desperately to remain normal while wildly spinning out of control.

There’s a phone call. They’ve been matched to adopt a beautiful baby girl in seven days. Seven days is a long time for your demons to come for you.

Looking at issues such as rape and violence against women, as well as the struggle of infertility to both the woman and man individually as well as in their partnership, and addressing the biggest question of what all would YOU do to become a parent. What lies would you hide? Could you kill someone?

The twists and turns will have you racing to the shocking ending.

Well written and well researched with a big dose of personal experience, this is one novel you won’t want to miss on release day, Nov. 17, 2022.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for extending me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

My full review will be posted to all social media platforms, blogs and retail sites on release day.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

I can NOT wait to read more by this author, this is a great thriller that really pulls you in!

A fantastically written psychological thriller, expertly told through the alternating narrative perspectives, with flashbacks to diary entries from the past. This novel explores the power that guilt and paranoia has, especially over a couple who are in a state of desperate waiting and longing for a child. I read this book in two sittings; eager to pick it back up after starting, and unable to put down there after. Every time I thought I had reached a conclusion, I was immediately proven wrong in the following chapter, right up until the epilogue. A satisfying conclusion that kept me hooked and guessing until the very end.

I've been a fan of Sophie Flynn's writing since her debut, All My Lies, but this book (her third) really showcases her talent as a writer. The emotional depth of this novel - truly written from the depths of the author's soul. Her impeccable characterisation - I warmed to the details of Charlie and Hannah's relationship, the way he really saw her. The impeccable research, particularly relating to adoption and fertility. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - Flynn has without a doubt cemented her place in this genre.

Hannah & Charlie are finally on the verge of having the family that they have always wanted. They are scheduled to bring their adoptive daughter Issy home in 1 week, after years of infertility & disappointment. Then people from years ago , best forgotten, arrive back in their lives. This is a twisty, compelling, mystery definitely worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for providing the book in exchange for an honest review.

An incredible read that drew me in straight away and kept me hooked right until the end. It was fast paced and unpredictable, with some emotive parts that I didn't expect but really appreciated. I really enjoyed it.

Hannah and Charlie are desperate to have a baby, and after several rounds of IVF, their dreams of adopting a child are about to come true with baby Issy due to join the family. They have had their hearts set on being parents and are praying nothing will come along at the last minute to hijack their family plans. Then a news story saying pop star and general bad boy Jesse has been found dead in a members' club - and a long hidden truth threatens to spill out to ruin everything that Hannah and Charlie have worked for.
I was gripped by the story telling, the longing for a child was so strong. I know from reading Sophie's acknowledgements that this comes from personal experience, so firstly, huge congratulations for making something so personal and emotional into such a riveting story for others to share and be entertained by. Their present day storyline was mixed with flashbacks to Hannah's time in New York when she first met Jesse - and then the two storylines come together into a compelling action packed finale, with twists and turns from all angles.
Thanks to Sophie Flynn, Hera Books and Netgalley for the chance to read it, a solid 4 stars from me

I already love the way that Sophie Flynn tackles complex relationships and her latest novel, IF THEY KNEW, is no exception. We meet her main characters, Hannah and Charlie, as they are recovering from rounds of unsuccessful IVF and their heartbreaking situation of struggling with infertility is observed sensitively and acutely. They now have the chance of adopting a daughter, but then Hannah's past barges in and threatens to jeopardise this precious chance of happiness. Something that happened when Hannah was a teenage student in New York has turned up to haunt her. Or rather someone – a notorious pop star who has just been found murdered in an elite members' club nearby. And Hannah really doesn't need that particular episode from her past to be delved into right now. There are plenty of tense moments as we wonder who to trust and who will get away with what. I loved the dark #MeToo elements and the twisty epilogue was a lovely finishing touch.

Hannah and Charlie have struggled for years with the heartbreak of infertility. After long last, they’ve been approved to adopt a darling little girl, and Issy will be coming home to complete their family in a week’s time. But then the death of someone from Hannah’s past threatens to expose old secrets and destroy the couple’s dream of becoming parents, forcing them to make impossible choices.

This is one of the most emotional thrillers I have read in quite a while! Hannah and Charlie’s longing for a child is tangible, with the author’s personal experience making the depth of their yearning all the more poignant. While certainly twisty and thrilling, the story is also a compelling exploration of how far someone will go to fulfill their dream of becoming a parent and what lengths a person will go to protect the ones they love.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Holy crap this book was wild, and I loved just about every minute of it. It started off slow, but once it picked up it had me hooked!

I chose to read this book based on a friend's recommendation and have to say I was not disappointed. The narrative goes back and forth between the main characters who are a happily married couple struggling with infertility. They are on the brink of adopting their dream-child when a blast from the past nearly capsizes all they have worked toward. I enjoyed the alternate view points and thought the story was well-paced, too. More than once I thought the husband or the wife or both of them made some really bad decisions, but that was them and not me so I can't fault it.

If They Knew is a well-written and entertaining read that I can recommend. to fans of the thriller genre I thank NetGalley and Sophie Flynn for the opportunity to read and review the book. Also, the cover is great and pretty much says it all!

Great book! Hannah and Charlie are very well written. Even though you know their guilt you can't help hoping things work out for them. Really enjoyed it.

If They Knew by Sophie Flynn
Earc:Netagalley
Publisher: Hera Books
Publication Date:17th November 2022
Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Hannah and Charlie are in the midst of the adoption process with 6 days to go before Issy arrives. After years of IVF not working they are looking for a ward to this new start however the past is catching up with Hannah when a former friend and famous Jesse is found dead.

Hannah hasn't told Charlie about this event in the past. What she doesn't know is Charlie has some secrets of his own.

I enjoyed the switch between past and present times so we learn about the past as we are reading through which adds more to the suspense.


#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #mysteryandthriller #iftheyknew

incredible and immensely enjoyable thriller

I could not stop reading, and really look forward to explore more works by Sophie Flynn!

I had so many questions after reading this book and I’m not even sure if they all got answered. I’ll be sure to let you know once my heart stops pounding!

Hannah and Charlie are about to adobt after years of infertility and heartbreak. When an american is murdered in a posh complex nearby, Hannah gets all twitchy, does she know this Jesse and why is she on edge.

A well written story which kept me hooked and i raced through this one.

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc in exchance for my honest opinion.

This book is written really well. I liked the way the author toyed with the reader when revealing information and when to hold it back. It made it a very gripping book and one that you certainly loose hours of the day lost within the pages. Well done.

Really enjoyed reading this book. Keeps you interested through the whole way, liked the little glimpses of the past that come in little bits through the story to give you slowly more details about what really happened then. Good written and very easy to read, good ending, definitely recommend it. The truth always comes out and the past always hunts you...
Really loved the personal note at the end from Sophie Flynn, about how this book and main character has some things based from her and her life ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

If They Knew is the story of Hannah and Charlie, a couple struggling with infertility, and their journey to adopting. After finally getting approved to adopt little sissy, the murder of pop star Jesse Carter in their small English village threatens to destroy their dreams of becoming parents.

There is not only a POV change - between Charlie and Hannah, but also an alternate timeline where we see Hannah in university and learn about her history with Jesse. I personally love alternate timelines and POV changes because it allows mysteries to unravel slowly while building up suspense but also allows for concurrent twists and turns.

The characters are fairly well written however I feel like some choices they made were pretty silly and didn’t really match up with the development they’ve been given (I don’t want to give spoilers).

The topic of infertility and IVF is foreign to me however it does seem that the author has done her research and really captured the struggles a couple goes through and showed in this case, how loving the marriage between this couple truly was as they went through this together.

I guzzled this book up in 48 hours, absolutely loved it. Whilst reading the book, I picked up on the characters (and to some degree - the authors) own inner struggles, especially around IVF and adoption. I work with a women's group and will be using this book as part of my sessions with them.
I have since bought another book by the author and can't wait to get stuck in. Thank you, for providing me with the opportunity to read this in advance. My best wishes to Sophie, an author I shall be waiting avidly for new titles.

Sophie Flynn, you are phenomenal. An automatic instant favorite author of mine.

I have always been a huge fan of psychological thrillers so I jumped at the chance to read this one but honestly, I didn't expect that much. With the amount of books I've read over the years, it's rare that a storyline is totally new and has never been done before and the plot twists become relatively predictable, but this one kept me on my toes the entire time all the way to the epilogue.

The book follows Hannah and Charlie, the idyllic couple . They are so in love with each other and are just a few days away from finalizing the adoption process for their little girl (Issy) after many failed rounds of IVF. But then Jesse, a mysterious man from Hannah's past - and who Charlie knows absolutely nothing about - shows up dead and her whole world turns upside down. Both Hannah and Charlie turn into sneaky little detectives, trying to piece together what happened to Jesse and why 2 other people from Hannah's secret past have abruptly shown up, but they don't talk to each other at ALL about it. It's CRAZY. This picture perfect couple just throws all communication and honesty out the window.

The chapters alternate between "then" and "now", giving us the dual storyline of the current time and of Hannah's past, but some of the "now" chapters are from Charlie's point of view which really shakes things up. I love alternating timelines and alternating perspectives, so all 3 in 1 was super cool. Another thing that amazed me was the character development. Flynn knows what she's doing when it comes to the "world building" aspect of a thriller novel.

I won't say too much more in an attempt to avoid any spoilers, but trust me, this is one you're gonna want to pick up this fall.

If They Knew
By: Sophie Flynn

Hannah and Charlie have been trying to have a child for years to no avail. Finally, they are approved to adopt a two year old little girl and they feel asl though their luck is changing. That is until a popular US pop star, Jesse Carter, turns up dead in their little village in the Cotswolds. Hannah has a history with Jesse that no one knows about and she is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep that secret safe. Charlie knows Hannah isn’t telling him something and will go to the ends of the earth to make sure nothing jeopardizes the family they are about to have.

This story was a wild ride. It started a bit slow for me in the development of the story. A lot of mystery and wondering what is going on - what is the secret?! Once the story picks up, it is a non-stop thrill ride. The story jumps back and forth between past and present and also features a jump over to Charlie’s POV every once in a while. You can feel the desperation of Hannah and Charlie not wanting to mess up their adoption. I was so stressed for these characters and felt both appalled at their actions but also silently rooting them on so they could finally be the parents they always wanted to be. This book really makes you think about how far you would go for your family.

This book was well written and well informed. Reading the after 'credits' you learn that the author put a lot of her personal story into this book, and it showed.

The book does talk about infertility and adoption. Going through IVF and having 'unexplained' infertility, I related a lot to it and SO glad to see IVF written in a proper way. So many books/movies gloss over the emotions, needles, appointments, etc. when it comes to IVF. The author did not in this.

Besides the infertility aspect, the mystery that surrounded Hannah was interesting. And Charlie's love for her was unmatched. It was neat to see both past and present Hannah, and a view from Charlie. I think without Charlie's view, the book wouldn't have had such a big impact.

It was a great read and I would recommend this one!

If They Knew - Sophie Flynn
After all of Hannah and Charlie's infertility issues, they're finally getting their chance to be parents when they're approved to adopt little Isabella. They're on top of the world, finally ready to move forward and be the family they always wanted to be.
But when a popstar is found dead in their little village, Hannah's past comes flooding back. And if the truth comes out, it will risk everything her and Charlie have built.
As Hannah goes into overdrive, trying to find out everything she possibly can about the murder, she doesn't realize that Charlie has his own secrets which connects them to the same dead popstar. He will do everything in his power to protect Hannah, putting his morals at bay. But is it enough? Can he uncover the truth, while keeping his family safe? Can Hannah come to terms with her past and get the closure she needs to really let go?
I'll start by saying thank you to Netgalley for the awesome ARC. I don't always have set expectations when reading a lesser known author, but Sophie Flynn set the bar high for others going forward. I can't say I exactly liked the characters as they seemed to have been in their own world, but the determination to protect the life they're trying to build made my sympathetic. I had inklings of where the story was going, and I was headed in the right direction. Love makes you do crazy things, and this story was the prime example of that. Keep your eyes peeling for this one as it comes out November 17th, and is most definitely worth the read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/4!

‘𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙.’

I found Sophie Flynn earlier in the year when I read Keep Them Close (and really enjoyed it!) - so I was so excited to see she’d got a new release coming out. It definitely hit the spot and I think I actually loved this one even more. This one was a very heart wrenching story about infertility, adoption and the real lengths we go to, to get what we want - to get that happy ending.

I have to applaud Flynn on her bravery for baring her soul with writing about the infertility struggles. It was completely raw and real, you really felt everything - coming from a place of real life for her, made the writing have that much more depth and realism about it.

The plot moves from present to past flashbacks, as well as alternative POV’s from Hannah’s husband, Charlie. It really added to the suspense and made it really fast paced and exciting to read. The additional POV with the flashbacks had you constantly questioning everything and needing to know what happens next.

I liked the twists and the constant guessing throughout. Sometimes I wanted to scream at both Hannah and Charlie like ‘WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?’ 😂 But I also felt like in those moments you could feel their desperation and the longing for a baby of their own, that they would literally do anything to achieve.

This book was raw and heart wrenching, whilst being suspenseful and twisty - a really interesting mix that had me hooked. I would definitely recommend but please check CW’s if you are affected by any of the previous bits I’ve mentioned. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.