a complex and nuanced story Abi and Mark's daughter Beth has been going through some troubles at school recently, reacting badly to consistent bullying from her classmates, and the sudden withdrawal of friendship from her best friend. At first they are glad when she forms an attachment to French exchange student Corinne, but as their friendship becomes closer, they begin to worry that Corinne is a bad influence on Beth, controlling and manipulative. But it isn't only Beth who has shared her secrets with Corinne - voluntarily or less so - and Corinne knows more about the family than any of them could possibly realise. This is a complex and nuanced story with a lot of troubled characters who aren't all that easy to like. Rather like a soap in the amount of terrible things that happen to a very small group of people, it is an interesting and gripping psychological thriller as you try to unravel where the danger lies. From the opening of the story it is clear that something tragic has happened, but we are kept guessing as to what, and why, until the very end. I was not sure that the end of the book entirely rang true for me, perhaps I read all the characters wrong, but it was certainly the sort of story that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Really really good very gripping story about a family with two daughters each completely different Eva is very pretty whereas Beth is very plain and has no confidence so the idea is to have an exchange student from France to help her build her confidence and she definitely does that, it’s not what they expected at all but if it makes Beth happy that’s all that matters or Is it ??? Brilliant read and thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

A slow build that culminates in a crescendo of tragedy. Karen Perry has a wonderful ability to write about ordinary people in ordinary situations but due to a decision, a word or an action catastrophic events can occur. Like a domino effect this book careers out control. Difficult to read or comprehend at times especially when teenagers make misguided choices that they firmly believe are acceptable at the time. The characters all have flaws, some more than others but secrets and lies become a timebomb threatening to explode and destroy the lives of all those around them. Very clever writing that left me quite bereft by the final page. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Karen Perry has another winner in this psychological thriller that kept me reading into the early hours. A family with two daughters both with complicated hidden issues is bad enough but add to that a French exchange student with an even more complicated character and turmoil ensues resulting in tragedy within both families. An enthralling and gripping read. Fabulous!

A story about a school exchange, an ordinary opportunity offered to many children but in this case the visiting child is strange, controlling and threatening. She has arrived in a family where her opposite number is at a vulnerable stage and becomes dependent on the visitor. As the story moves on, the 2 families meet with inevitable tensions. As the lives of the members of the families proceed, opportunities for control, even blackmail develop, many off these allowing the stranger even more control. This is a story written about a normal domestic phase in the lives of many children but things conspire to reach a devastating conclusion. Recommended