Wednesday, May 27, 2020

WHAT LIES BETWEEN US by John Marrs

This is my first book read by John Marrs and definitely will not be my last.

A few quotes from this book that jumped out at me:
AND SHOULD MY SOUL SOAR, I PROMISE THAT YOURS WILL SINK LIKE THE HEAVIEST OF ROCKS, NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
I DON’T BELIEVE ANYONE WHO CLAINS TO HAVE NO REGRETS. THEY’RE LYING TO THEMSELVES. WE ALL HAVE THEM.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT WOMAN HAS LOST TO END UP TRAPPED IN THE LIFE SHE LIVES NOW, BUT I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE YOUR WORLD THROWN FROM ITS AXIS THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN.
I TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT MY REFLECTION IN THE GLASS AND STRUGGLE TO RECONISE MYSELF. HOW DID I BECOME THIS WOMAN.
BEING A MOTHER IS NO GUARANTEE OF ANYTHING.
I SHUT MY EYELIDS TIGHT UNTIL THEY HURT. IF I HAVE MY WAY, THEY WIL NEVER OPEN AGAIN.

This book was one deep, dark, emotional thriller. It was tough in some parts but vital to the story. It has a touch of horror to it in a way that I can’t quite describe. It’s one that will keep you turning the pages to find out what is coming. What will happen next and why. Why is it happening. Who is bad and who is good. Is it the daughter or the mother who is bad. Maybe both. It’s told from the two main character’s POV and a few different timelines that are way important to the story.

Maggie would do anything for her daughter, Nina. She loves her more than life and has basically sacrificed her own happiness for her. To what extent does a mother do this though? Is she willing to give up her freedom for things her daughter does or has done? Or is Nina a product of her mother’s making. By covering things is Nina bad or just being what she was made into? What would you do to keep your daughter safe? Would you risk your freedom? Would you give up the most important people in your life? Or would you force her to acknowledge things even at a very young age? That is a hard one for a mother. When faced with decisions that will possible haunt you for the rest of your life how can you know if you made the right decision at the time. Later you will know, but then it’s to late.

Nina is a child of 13 when her dad goes missing from her life. She will never be the same again either. She blames her mother and goes a bit wild. Sleeping around, getting drunk and lying at every turn. But Nina’s mum loves her unconditionally and tries everything to be there for her. Though she makes big mistakes you don’t doubt that Maggie loves her daughter and that Nina loves her mum. But is love enough? Is love enough to make the things that happen between these to ok. Ever?

Through lots of turmoil this book keeps you turning the pages. It’s like that train wreck that you can’t look away from. You have to know what happens next and why. Why does Nina feel the way she does toward her mum. Why does Maggie allow Nina to do the things she does. Until Maggie no longer has a choice.

Truly this book is exceptional. It’s one that you just can’t stop reading. You will feel the pain, the anger, the love, the hate. You will even have a couple of laughs. It is well written and the characters are ones you will love to hate. In parts. You’ll love them one minute and hate them the next. A well developed story. A well written story. It even makes you wonder what kind of person can think like this. Much like I do with Steven King books... What kind of mind does this author have to think this way? I loved it. It’s very good.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #JohnMarrs, #AmazonPublishinUK for this ARC. This is my review in my own words.

I had to give it a big 5 stars and a high recommendation.

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