I always love when Ellison releases a new book, because most of the time, I really enjoy her twisty thrillers. My favorite so far is Lie to Me, but they are all unique and fascinating. I also adore her e-mail newsletter (see below for author info, go to her website to sign up) as she highlights books she’s reading, things she’s working on, etc. and she always has the best recommendations.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, see disclosures for more detail.
About the Book:
Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .
Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?
This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together–or break each other apart . . .
My Thoughts:
I gave this book 3 stars. In my rating scale, this means it was a good read!
Let me start off by saying that this book addresses infertility and miscarriage. It is a major plot thread through most of the book and it starts right from the very first chapter. If this is a sensitive issue for you, first know that the author knows your pain, this is something she has personally experienced and she addresses that in the author’s note at the end. But second, realize that it may be too much for you to handle, particularly if the experience for you is fresh and raw.
Books that explore DNA links found through home tests that lead to crime solving are all the rage these days. This book looks at it from a different angle and it is unique and interesting. The police come to Park and Olivia’s house. A body has been found and the DNA results show that the culprit is Park’s son. The problem? Park and Olivia don’t have any children due to infertility struggles, and as far as Park knows, he doesn’t have a child with anyone else. Soon though, he reveals that he donated sperm many years ago. As the police investigate, they discover that Park shares DNA with many offspring. Despite promises from the clinic, they have sold his sperm to a large number of people. Can they find the offspring responsible?
I enjoyed the twists in this story, but, as with many books lately, some of the things that occur are just eye-rolling and over the top. The core mystery was fascinating, and how everything is uncovered and investigated kept me intrigued and involved in the story. However the Park/Darla/Scarlett storyline was just silly and I couldn’t believe how quickly he went from being devoted to Olivia to not caring at all what she was thinking or feeling. I get that the infertility was wearing on both of them, but to completely discount her opinions and thoughts was outright cruel and heartless.
Although the mystery itself isn’t very surprising (we basically know the identity of the bad guy from the start), the why and how of the situations and the different characters’ motivations are what propel the story forward. Another captivating story from Ellison, if a little slow and uneven in parts.
About the Author:
J.T. Ellison is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of more than 20 novels, and the EMMY-award winning co-host of A WORD ON WORDS, Nashville’s premier literary show. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 26 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.
Social Links:
Author website: https://www.jtellison.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jtellison14
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thrillerchick
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrillerchick
