Aspects of this book worked for me; but it is not without its problems.

PROS: the author has portrayed coercive behaviour so well it made my skin crawl. For anyone who has experienced this in a relationship, be warned that this novel could be triggering. Why is this a PRO? Because historically books have portraying some of these behaviours as ‘sexy’ and ‘brooding’ - Heathcliff, I am looking at you! This is the reality, and it’s not pretty. Mel says, ‘You don’t understand how it feels. When someone else is taking you over, bit by bit. And you love them, but they’re your enemy. And they just think they’re entitled to every piece of you’.

Mel’s character is spot on: a single parent who is being pulled in so many different directions she hardly has time to think straight. Her struggle with feeling old and frumpy (at 40) is real and beautifully expressed: The women were beautiful and confident in a way Mel never remembered feeling. Perhaps she did once have skin like that - a smooth, blank, shiny canvas - and eyes that weren’t hooded with exhaustion’s slow droop…and perhaps she hadn’t always had to wear a bra, even under pyjamas. But she didn’t remember ever feeling it. It felt like these young women did…They all. Just looked so good. She didn’t remember that. She remembered unironic ugly sandals, cheesecloth sundresses and denim overalls.

CONS: The plot - it’s not strong, and it’s not believable. It’s hard to pinpoint what the problem is, but I felt it finishes with a whimper.

Mel’s rather creepy infatuation with her neighbour who looks a lot like an abusive boyfriend from her past is, well, creepy!

So, a mixed bag for me. Perhaps if I was 20 years younger it would appeal more - maybe I am just the wrong demographic for this book.