I started to read this book this summer, but it just didn't work for me. I think it was mostly Heidi that just didn't rub me the right way, and the stupid things she did. I know that she is a damaged individual. Losing one's daughter, and in that way is, without a doubt, one of the worst things that could happen to someone. But, her obsession makes her do really irrational things, and I found myself more and more annoyed with her and lost interest in the book.

But, I gave the book another chance a couple of days ago, just to see if it would work better for me. I still found Heidi's action questionable, but the story felt better, this time, and I even started to enjoy reading the book. I particularly started to like the story when the truth about what really happened when Barney disappeared was revealed, or rather the events leading to the truth being revealed. And, this book has one of the biggest WTF ending ever. I can't say I like the ending, but it sure was surprising and very daring.

I'm glad I gave the book another chance, the characters in this book are complicated and flawed, and so very human. I may not like Heidi very much, but I can understand some of her actions, and other, well I'm not sure I could live with some of them...

I want to thank Bonnier Publishing for providing me with a free copy through Netgalley for an honest review! ( )

I had no idea before I started this book that it was set in my native North East. It always takes the reading of such books to another level when the area is familiar to you and you don't need to imagine the scene. It left my imagination free to run wild on the plot so I had an absolute whale of a time reading My Husband's Son.

Heidi and Jason met at a conference after sharing the worst kind of experience imaginable for a parent: they both have missing children. Heidi's daughter, Lauren, went missing and was later found murdered whereas Jason's son, Barney, has never been found so Jason still has hope. Heidi moved to the North East when she married Jason and it is on a visit to a local off-licence in Gateshead that she notices a boy who she thinks resembles Barney. She encourages Jason to visit the off-licence to take a look and he says it isn't his son. Jason is convinced that he has such a close bond with Barney that he will know him immediately when they are reunited. Heidi, however, cannot get this boy out of her head and takes increasing risks to find out more about him. How far is she willing to go to find out if this boy is her husband's son?

What a cracking read. One minute I was on Jason's side, thinking Heidi needed to drop this madness then I was thinking, what if Heidi is right? Wouldn't a parent explore every avenue and investigate every possibility before disregarding a possible sighting of their missing child? Why would Heidi be convinced when Jason wasn't? Is she clutching at all straws as there is no hope for her daughter? Does Jason have something to hide and what exactly is he relationship with his ex-wife? What on earth is going on in Heidi's head for her to take such unnecessary risks? There were so many questions going round and round in my head that I positively tore through the pages in search of the answers.

I was completely unprepared for the amazing ending and had to stay up quite late to finish it as I couldn't have put this book down if my life depended on it. A superb debut by Deborah O'Connor and a well deserved 5 out of 5 from me for My Husband's Son. If you like books that make you question everything you are reading, then this one is most definitely for you!

I chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. ( )

Didn't expect that ending! Great plot. ( )

I really loved this book, and the ending, wow! Be ready for a book filled with twists, turns and a thrilling tale, with an ending you would never expect.

The author wrote the entire book with lots of detail, down to every item in and on the surroundings and people, which made it both easy to picture and very easy to connect with, whilst still not slowing the pace of the read. We were also shown the emotion that such a tale can have, and it was easy to fall prey to those emotions yourself, as you connected more and more with the characters.

I found it very hard to put this book down, with such detailed and real characters. The author has truly created a story that you will love and, all whilst hating what is happening. It is a true tale of loss, tragedy and what happens to life when these things consume you. ( )

A compelling and creepy psychological thriller revolving around child abduction and the aftermath, set in the north east of England.

I found this quite a page turner, although there were some bizarre episodes which I did not think were always necessary or ring true for me. The characters were not particularly likeable. The female lead, a tortured soul with a screw loose, seemed to get herself into all sorts of scrapes which sometimes made me cringe! Nevertheless, the plot is a good one and I was eager to keep reading to find out what happened.

An enjoyable and worthwhile read with a thought provoking twist at the end. I honestly did not see that coming - it was a complete surprise!

Reviewed for TBC on Facebook. ( )