Published by Vintage Digital on July 12, 2018
Format: eARC, Audiobook
Source: Net Galley, Library
Pages: 384
Amazon UK
Goodreads
How far would you go for revenge on your ex?
Imogen’s husband is a bad man. His ex-wife and his new mistress might have different perspectives but Imogen thinks she knows the truth. And now he’s given her an ultimatum: get out of the family home in the next fortnight or I’ll fight you for custody of our son.
In a moment of madness, Imogen does something unthinkable. Something that puts her in control. But how far will she go to protect her son and punish her husband? And what will happen when his ex and his girlfriend get tangled up in her plans?
Sticks and Stones is a deliciously twisting psychological thriller from an exciting new voice.
Holy frogs what a book! The master of manipulation and a thrilling but nail-biting ride too! I mean I read the blurb but it didn’t really sink in too much but boy I blitz through the audiobook. The narrator was on point and the story just sucked me in!
I mean wow! Starting with three women connected by one man, all polar opposites of each other, all duped by him and all there when the dust settles. It is a humdinger for sure. When things all kick-off at the beginning for Imogen I really did not know how this story would end. So many lies are told, all to get out of the situations they are in but at the end who is going to believe anyone. I began to doubt a lot of things I heard that was for sure!
I must admit, despite reservations you begin to admire and respect the 3 ladies. Ruby, the original wife with the seemingly amicable breakup, Imogen, wife number 2 suffering too long at her husband’s hands and Naomi, the woman that Philip, the husband, left Imogen for. They all play a strong role in this book, all had abuse in different ways dealt with them but all have their moments. The story unfolds from Imogen’s eyes, so at times you could be forgiven to think it is all slightly biased but the flashbacks allow us to see the stories from other fresh eyes which makes it ever so much more intense!
I loved the flashbacks to the lives before the big day and I love the present day, all building this bigger picture for you. Like I said a lot of squealing when you knew what was coming!
I must admit I was cheering at some points in this book when you could see that some characters were going to get what they deserved, it was a cherry on a cake, but what I was not expecting was the discovery at the end. The person at the funeral, that is all I will say! You do find yourself thinking up new candid ways to torture Philip the same way he has tortured the women, but you also sit back and enjoy the chaos that is happening around you!
Ms Jakeman has created some truly memorable characters here, not just through the abuse, but from the way they all change and grow from the beginning of the book because of what they went through. These are 3 extremely strong and powerful women and I wouldn’t want to mess with them!
Until next time xxx
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Carla says
Great review Zoe, this sounds intriguing.