A COSMOPOLITAN BEST BOOK CLUB READ OF THE YEAR

From the No.1 bestselling author of the Richard & Judy Book Club pick, The Herd, comes a compulsive and unputdownable story about two families and the secret that could destroy their perfect lives in a small seaside town.

'What a page-turner' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Highly addictive and simply deserves a chef's kiss' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A rollercoaster' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

****

I thought I was inviting a friend over for a cup of tea. I had no idea I was opening the door to my worst nightmare.

The moment my husband saw her, it started. The look on his face. The silence that followed, before she hurriedly left. Signs that told me more than words ever could.

Then came the whispers. The whole town watching. Judging.

But it’s not what you think it is. It’s worse.

Because it’s not just my family with everything to lose here. And it’s only a matter of time before one of us does something we’ll regret. . . the question is, who’s going to get hurt first?

Some secrets end a marriage. Some ruin a reputation. Some bring a whole town crashing down.

*****

'Brilliantly written' FABULOUS MAGAZINE

'Sure to spark some interesting conversations' COSMOPOLITAN

'A terrific read. It was uncomfortable and thought provoking' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


PRAISE FOR EMILY EDWARDS:

'A knock-out twist' GILLIAN McALLISTER, bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time

'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant' CLARE MACKINTOSH, bestselling author of Other People's Houses

'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel' JODI PICOULT, bestselling author of By Any Other Name

'Brilliantly done' SARAH TURNER, bestselling author of Stepping Up

'A fresh take on a community drama and a perfect book club read' KIT CONWAY, author of Cat Fight

Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion. * Daily Mail *
Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is brilliantly done. * SARAH TURNER (The Unmumsy Mum) *
Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to know the personal secrets of those in authority. A highly compelling and complex read that will spark rich and lively debate. * JENNY QUINTANA *
Fast-paced with fantastic dialogue, we loved this. * Woman's Weekly *
Calling it a perfect book club read (which it is) doesn't do justice to the compulsive urge it invokes to message all your girlfriends and ask them what they would do in the same circumstances! Edwards presents all sides of a complex situation with balance and compassion, wrapped up in a compelling story with beautifully taut prose. * KIT CONWAY *
This brilliantly written novel will really get you thinking. * The Sun on Sunday's Fabulous Magazine *
Praise for Emily Edwards * : *
It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue. * Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE *
Controversial, addictive and clever, and the characters are so multi-layered and complex they are wholly believable. * Woman & Home *
Fans of Liane Moriarty will love it! * Stella *

After studying at Edinburgh University, Emily Edwards worked for a think tank in New York before returning to London where she worked as a support worker for vulnerable women at a large charity. She now lives in Lewes, East Sussex with her endlessly patient husband and her two endlessly energetic young sons. Her previous novel, The Herd, was a number one bestseller.