Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace: he has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love.
Picture this: a dinner party at their perfect home, the conversation and wine flowing. They appear to be in their element while entertaining. And Grace's friends are eager to reciprocate with lunch the following week. Grace wants to go, but knows she never will. Her friends call—so why doesn't Grace ever answer the phone? And how can she cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim?
And why are there bars on one of the bedroom windows?
The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie??
Note: This isn't being released until August 9th on kindle/in hardcover, but is available in paperback now.
This was altogether entirely creepy, and I'm glad that I was tucked up in bed when I read most of it.
I was extremely impressed by how well the author set up the scenario. Sometimes it was a tad difficult to believe, but then again, Jack had been waiting all of his life for a woman like Grace. Being a Kiwi, I felt a bit defensive at the way New Zealand became a place to get rid of people who aren't necessary, but that's my problem.
I enjoyed the fascination with fear that played through this book. By "enjoyed," I mean I hated it. But it was new, not something I had seen quite so developed in other books, and the emotional abuse was what really drove this book forward.
Highly engrossing and fast paced, I began this with the intention of only reading a few chapters before reading a library book about to expire, but ended up completely unable to stop reading this and to find out what happened.
One of the main characters in the book, Grace's sister Millie, has Down syndrome, and while I don't have much personal experience with similar people, I was pleased by the portrayal and how Millie was a feisty sweetheart and not just a trope. I loved scenes with her around because they, while building on the tension, made me laugh.
I saw the ending just before it happened yet still had my heart in my mouth the whole time. In a way, Grace's strength and the way she held herself together in order to protect the ones she did love were really admirable and inspiring.
This one will be haunting me for a while.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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