Behind Closed Doors

 

Publisher: Micheal Joseph/ Penguin Random House 

Publishing Date: 4th March 2021 

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Life/relationships, Humour 

Gifted very kindly for review by the publishing team. Many Thanks 

Synopsis 

From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home.

But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash.

As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London - and the stories it hides - for a rural escape to her parents' farmhouse in the Chilterns.

But Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home, especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame.

Coming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she's been keeping from herself and those she loves.

Is she ready to let someone in? Or will she leave the door to her past firmly closed . . .

 Rating:**** 

Review

This was my first time reading a Catherine Alliott book and I am now going to make my way through her other books. 

The protagonist of this novel is Lucy Palmer. Lucy character is very good at holding a front and showing the world that everything is fine but like the title suggested behind closed doors and the more you learn about Lucy and her life all is not as it seems. Th books does go in-between Lucys past and present and some memories are shocking. 

When Lucy moves back home her role changes once again and she now faces new challenges such as her ageing parents, her sister and her own children. It highlighted the complexity of family dynamics, relationships and control. 

The book touched on abuse but in a very sensitive manner but equally made me shudder and sympathise. I liked how Catherine developed the character of Lucy and you slowly learn about her rather than knowing all too soon. Although the book had some emotive parts there were also some humorous and funny sections. 

I found the ending to be powerful where we really learn about the full extent of Lucy's relationship with Micheal and their  marriage 

It was definitely a page turner and did keep me guessing about what will happen next. It was an emotional rollercoaster and I found myself rooting for Lucy and independence and empowerment.