Publication Date - August 2016
Book Summary
Some secrets should never be kept… Andy Boyd thinks he is the luckiest man alive. Widowed with a young child, after his wife dies in childbirth, he is certain that he will never again experience true love. Then he meets Anna. Feisty, fun and beautiful, she’s his perfect match … and she loves his son like he is her own. When Andy ends up in the hospital on his wedding night, he receives his first clue that Anna is not all that she seems. Desperate for that happy-ever-after, he ignores it. A dangerous mistake that could cost him everything. A brave, deeply moving, page-turning psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie marks a stunning departure for one of Scotland’s finest crime writers, exploring the lengths people will go to hide their deepest secrets, even if it kills them…
My Review - 3 1/2
Andy is a single widowed father when he believes he has been blessed with another love. He meets Anna and quickly falls in love. And this is when the emotional physical abuse starts. A Suitable Lie is unique where the abuse victim is the husband. When you read books about abuse you realize there are no rules. People stay for all different reasons, dealing with the ultimate betrayal and fear.
I sat on the stairs, balls and head aching, mind dull with worry. What was going on here? Who was this woman I married? She was so small. I was so big. Kindle 25%
Andy also has a close knit family, with him mom and brother living close. In order to keep the secret, the closeness unravels and at times he chooses the abuse he knows he will get in order to spend time with his family. It was all very sad to read, you can feel his torture and bruised ego.
I did have a main part of the story correct but I was a little let down by all of the glimpses of why. I did like the secondary story with his coworker Sheila. She had found the strength to get out of an abusive relationship and Andy cotinued to think could he be as brave and walk away. This storyline was touching.
I wish we were told more about Anna's past. It is amazing how you can continue hurting and hurt others when you don't trust. So many are affected by abuse but when Andy is lying to himself, how can he recover and be the best father, son, brother and possible husband.
A lie could slip out as easily as a feather from a torn duvet. But a ton of feathers was still a ton. All it would take is one last feather, one last lie, and you would collapse under the strain. Kindle 74%
With abuse comes manipulation and how Anna played Andy I thought was obvious but could be a huge surprise for some readers. There was a little mysterious feel to the book.
At times the writing turned me off, I couldn't tell if it was repetitive to try to give us a feel of the family or community but they always called the children, 'the wee boys', it just drove me crazy after awhile.
I added A Suitable Lie to my TBR list after reading Novel Gossip's review. She gave it 5 stars and thought is was similar to Behind Closed Doors.
I have to space these type of books out over lighter books. Not sure if I will pick this one up.
ReplyDeleteI know men suffer abuse too so this sounds like an important story. Too bad it wasn't written a little better.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really sad. Like Nise', I kind of have to read these with others in between. And yet, I'm able to read about murders and such back-to-back. Not sure why. I'll keep this one in mind.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. I like that they sort of switched the cliched gender roles. Too bad it had flaws.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever come across a book about abuse with a man as a victim (although I know that happens in reality) so this is something new to me when such books are concerned. It was a disappointment that this book was a let down. Hopefully the next book will be better.
ReplyDeleteI dont think I have read a book either where a man was abused but I also do not think I'd like to read it! maybe too heavy for me.
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