The Lies We Hide by S.E. Lynes @bookouture @SELynesAuthor

Book Description:

The truth can set you free, or make you a prisoner…

Thirty years ago, Nicola Watson lived with her parents and older brother in a respectable suburb. At ten years old, she didn’t yet understand why her stomach tightened when she heard her father’s heavy tread as he returned home late at night, or why it made her brother Graham’s stammer get worse, or why one night her mother Carol woke them both, wide-eyed and whispering, and took them out of their home and into the unknown.

Now a successful lawyer in the city, with a life poles apart from her dark beginnings, Nicola has returned home for her mother’s funeral. But as she stands in her mother’s house, remembering the woman who sacrificed everything for her children, Nicola has to confront the guilt that she feels for leaving her family behind. And the belief that she played a part in the events that led to her brother going to prison for murder.

All Carol wanted was to protect her children, but escaping her husband was only the beginning of the story. And when Nicola learns the truth of what her mother did, it will change everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

A gripping, emotional story of family secrets, and the strength of a mother’s love in the darkest times. The next powerful read for fans of The Silent Wife, Kerry Lonsdale and Emily Bleeker.

My Thoughts:

There is so much I want to say about this story but I don’t think even then, I could ever do it the justice it deserves.

The story itself flicks between present day and the past. In present day we meet Nicola as she comes to terms with the loss of her mum. In the past, we get to know Carol, the mum, as well as see what life was like when Nicola and her brother Graham were growing up.

For me the stand out characters in this book were Carol and Graham. Through Carol we get to see what life is like with an abusive partner and trying to do right by her children. Graham, was just someone I wanted to mother as soon as we are introduced to him. My emotions were going into over drive the further into the story I got.

This is so much deeper than the authors other books. This is about a family trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Living and dealing with decisions they have made. Their story quietly consumed me and I hated having to put my kindle down as I was so wrapped up in their world.

Having read previous books by the author, this is quite different in how it feels. It has a kind of drama/saga feel to it yet she still manages to take me totally unaware with some shocks and surprises.

The Lies We Hide is a story that will take hold of you. When I wasn’t reading it, I was constantly thinking about it. The novel on a whole was simply mesmerising but the ending is what knocked it out of the park for me. Absolutely outstanding! These are characters that will stay with me for a long time to come as well as their story.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

The Lies We Hide is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Amazon best selling author of ‘intelligent and haunting’ psychological thrillers VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE PACT, THE PROPOSAL and THE WOMEN. 

S E Lynes is a writer, tutor and mentor. Formerly a BBC producer, she has lived in France, Spain, Scotland, Italy, and now lives in Greater London with her husband, three kids and her dog, Lola. 

Her critically acclaimed debut, VALENTINA, was published by Blackbird Digital Books in July 2016. Her second novel, MOTHER was published by Bookouture in 2017, followed in 2018 by THE PACT and THE PROPOSAL. In August 2018, VALENTINA was published in a new edition by Bookouture and THE WOMEN was released in 2019. Her new novel, the dark and gripping family drama, THE LIES WE HIDE, is published Dec 4th 2019.

Susie Lynes has also published two children’s books in Italy: Il Leopardo Lampo and La Coccodrilla Ingamba, both available at Amazon.it

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