How far would you go to protect your family?
Single dad Ben is doing his best to raise his children alone, with the help of his devoted mother Judi. Life isn’t easy, but Judi’s family means everything to her and together, they manage.
Then Ben meets Amber. Everyone thinks this is a perfect match for Ben but Judi isn’t sure … there’s just something about Amber that doesn’t add up.
Ben can’t see why his mother dislikes his new girlfriend. And Amber doesn’t want Judi anywhere near her new family. Amber just wants Ben and the children.
The further Judi delves into Amber’s personal life, the closer she gets to shocking secrets that could change everything. And Judi must make a decision that could lead to the most disastrous consequences.
Review
Judi is in charge of her son’s family. You see Ben has two sons who he is raising alone after the death of his wife. So now, as a good mother-in-law, Judi steps in to take care of Ben and his sons. She does his cleaning, picks up the kids from school and feeds the boys. It is what she has been doing for the past two years until Amber came along. Amber is Ben’s new girlfriend who comes in and decides that she now wants to take care of Ben and his boys. Basically, she wants to do what Judi has been doing and more.
There is a tug of war between the two women as Judi tries to hold onto to her role in her son’s life and Amber tries to find her place in Ben’s life. However, amidst this, there is also a web of lies surrounding the two women. The story is narrated mainly through Judi and Amber’s perspectives. It becomes apparent that Amber has some sinister motives. On the other hand, Judi’s narration spirals out of control as she tries to reign in her family. At some point I started wondering just how many liars were in the story. There was so much deception and scheming going on.
Liar by K. L Slater is a fast-paced psychological thriller. I think it is my favorite one of the three books that I have read by the author(although I really liked Blink). The suspense is maintained throughout the story. I couldn’t figure out what Amber was hiding. What were her motives? On the other hand, I was curious about Judi. How far would she go to protect her family? At some point her actions were frustrating and I was worried about her. I just didn’t know how it would all end.
One thing that I couldn’t have predicted was the ending. It was simply brilliant. I thought that I knew what was going on but I was surprised in the end. The final twist was shocking and I loved it. The book ends perfectly. I got to the last page eager to see what would happen next. I mean, what would the characters do after what had happened? However, the author decided to let us, the readers, figure that one out. The ending fits well with the story. If you like psychological thrillers then you need to read this one. It was one hell of an addictive read.
Below are the three K. L Slater’s books that I have read. You can find my review of Blink here and here is Safe with me .
A Haven for Book Lovers 
It’s on my wishlist! Happy to see you enjoyed this one and it’s even your favorite one! Great review!
Thank you Inge. I really liked Blink but this one was great due to the suspense and the ending though I do recommend both books. I hope that you will also like it if you get a chance to read it 🙂
This ending is a killer, haha! I never saw it coming either! I think my favorite stays Blink, but this was such an intense and gripping read. I thought the book couldn’t fall into the good character / bad character scenario so easily and… Well, we both know about that :p Ben got on my nerves a few times, because I know from experience what it’s like to see a stepmom take control, I was mad at him! Great review!
I get what you mean. He seemed a bit too naive. I didn’t like Henry, I think he is the first fictional grand-dad that I dislike lol. And I am glad to see that I am not the only who was surprised by the ending. I keep mentioning Blink because I am torn between the two. However, Blink was a masterpiece. Even the title was brilliant 🙂
Hahaha true! Henry never found a place in my heart either! Kim Slater keeps delivering on all we love, it’s awesome.
Hmmm this one sounds interesting! Great review 😊
It was interesting. Thank you 🙂
This sounds very good. The dynamics between mother-in-law/daughter-in-law sound intense. And now I’m really interested to know what the ending is!
I agree. The relationship was interesting to read about especially with everything else going on with the secrets and lies. That ending was something else. I hope that you will read the book. I think you will like it 🙂
I haven’t read any of this author’s books but your excitement for this one really came through in your review! It’s not often I get to be totally surprised by an ending but I love when it happens! Sounds like this one was like that for you, great review Diana!!
Thank you Renee. This was really good. Out of the three books that I have read by the author, I recommend Blink which I really liked and this one too. Give them a try when you get a chance 🙂
Nice review! Love the stories with a psychological twist. Thanks!
Then you will enjoy this one. Thanks 🙂
Man, the author certainly had to choose whether they wanted to write Judi as the mother-in-law or as the mother. A mother-in-law would be easier to push out. Is she really still part of the family, a reader might ask. Ben isn’t her son! But if it’s Ben’s mother, then we get questions like “Why is Ben such a mother’s boy? Why can’t he grow up?” I’m sure it was a delicate choice. You’re review also made me think quite a bit about family “roles.” As the years have gone by, the people in my family have given up roles to some degree. It used to be my dad never did anything that could be called “housework,” even putting his own plate in the sink after dinner. But now, my mom and dad are home together alone, so they see it more as THEIR house than a family’s house. Thus, they both do things pretty evenly. My brother married a woman whose interests are very “masculine,” if you will, and so the two of them do all the same things. Now they co-parent three girls. No one really seems to have a “role,” which I love. I wonder if the characters would have done better if they let go of the concept of “this is MY role” and were simply supportive. Of course, none of that works in a thriller because you know SOMEONE is a nutbar, lol.
I like the examples that you gave Melanie about your own family and the change of roles. I have always admired people who do the 50-50 but I know that doesn’t happen often. In my culture, its usually a big issue such that a man who helps out in any housework is seen as being different, like someone who is doing something extraordinary lol.
Anyway, in this book, its more about the mom-in law being controlling. Ben was widowed and Judi had already lost another son, Ben’s brother so perhaps that is why she wanted to control Ben’s life that much. She was scared of losing him and Amanda, new girlfriend threatened this. However,as you said there are nutbars in the story and its not very clear who the villain is so the relationship between the two women was quite interesting 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
I really should read Slater. I keep hearing good things about these books 🙂
And another great review!
If you are ever in the mood for a good psychological thriller then definitely give her books a try. She is brilliant. Thanks dear 🙂
Good to hear you enjoyed Liar as much as I did! I still haven’t been able to decide between Blink and Liar for my absolute favorite; both are just SO good! Great review. 🙂
haha that is also my dilemma. Both Blink and Liar are so great that its hard to decide which one is the best between them.I am definitely excited about Slater’s next book though. She is getting better and better, Thank you 🙂
Great review! I’ll have to check out her work! Blink has been on my list for a while, but haven’t heard of the rest of her works.
Thank you. Blink and Liar are both great choices. Check them out if you get a chance.
I think Blink was great, I didn’t like the first one much, I’ll be saving this for the future, since I think Ive read some spoilers XD
Sorry about the spoilers.I hope that you will like it when you get to read it.
Excellent read from beginning never saw the end coming
I always say a book is good when you can’t put it down
Which I couldn’t would highly recommend this book