What's Mine is Yours by Leah Mercer

                                                                         

                                              

                                                                        

 Ebook:   275 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Psychological Thriller, Fiction                                           

Publisher:   May 8th 2025 by Bookouture

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle 

Review Quote: ‘W.O.W. what a read!!!! This had me up reading it till the early hours. Explosive.’ Goodreads Reviewer

First Sentences: The shrill cry cut into her, twisting through the gauzy fabric of her sleep. Ava sat up and rubbed her eyes in the dark room.

My Opinion: 

Leah Mercer, who also publishes as Talli Roland is an author I have been following since 2010 when she published her first novel.  I have said this before, but her writing seems to go from strength to strength. Once again she has wowed me with her latest addictive thriller. 

'What's Mine is Yours' is another gripping intense and clever thriller from this author. Ava and Emily are the protagonists and were once very close friends, but events in Ava's life meant they drifted apart. Emily is determined to win back her friendship and she stops at nothing to achieve her aim. The repercussions just don't seem to worry her even when secrets and danger come to light.

I have always enjoyed reading the work of Leah Mercer over the years and followed the development of her style with interest. Her recent psychological thrillers have all kept me riveted to the stories, so along with her earlier ones recommended for fans of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Leah Mercer for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

She invited her into her home. She shouldn’t have…

It’s been a long time since my best friend Ava stopped speaking to me. But I knew I’d find a way back in. When I hear that her daughter won’t sleep at home because of a burglary on the street, I offer to swap houses for a while. Ava is so grateful. And now I’m staying in her family home, I finally understand why she’s been avoiding me… Ava isn’t as perfect as she makes out. She’s been hiding a big secret that could ruin her idyllic life. Only now, I know all about it…

I didn’t want to let Emily back into my life, but my daughter begged me to agree to the swap. I’ll do anything for my precious girl. As I lie in Emily’s bed in her cramped apartment, I fear what she’s up to inside my home. Has she looked through my belongings? Has she found the key to the locked room in my basement? And does she know the truth about what I did?

Two friends. Two secrets. Which one is telling a deadly lie, and which is in danger?

With a jaw-dropping twist, What’s Mine Is Yours is a truly addictive psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Sally Hepworth and Adele Parks.

Previous Reviews: 
The Playgroup.  
    
The Mother Next Door.  

The Summer Reunion  

Author Profile:                

                                                                                                                                    

                                           Courtesy of Goodreads

Leah, who was born in Halifax, Canada, can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot-lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland. 

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author -Official Website  Facebook Profile   Leah Mercer - Twitter Profile

Instagram Profile

The Summer Reunion by Leah Mercer

                                         

 Ebook:    262 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Psychological Thriller, Fiction                                           

Publisher:   September 6th 2024 by Bookouture

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle

First Sentence: She crouched in the dark, the only sound the trickle of water as it flowed into the cramped cellar.

Review Quote: 'Had me hook, line and sinker from the very first page!… I always love Leah Mercer's books, but this is my new favourite!… The twists are incredible… Wow!’ Goodreads reviewer

Setting: France

My Opinion: 

Leah Mercer, who also publishes as Talli Roland is an author I have been following since 2010 when she published her first novel.  I have said this before, but her writing seems to go from strength to strength. Once again she has wowed me with her latest addictive thriller. 

In 'The Summer Reunion' a group of friends gather for a holiday at a villa in France, where they had last met up twenty years previously, when they were fresh from attending university together.  Now with careers, partners and families they plan to recreate that time of their lives and the fun they had together.  It doesn't work out as expected as straight away lies and secrets start to surface. Apparently things were not quite as their memories led them to believe.

I have always enjoyed reading the work of Leah Mercer over the years and followed the development of her style with interest. Her recent psychological thrillers have all kept me riveted to the stories, so along with her earlier ones recommended for fans of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Six friends on holiday. A secret worth dying for.

In a gorgeous French stone villa, a group of friends reunite for a weekend of reminiscing and laughter. But as glasses of wine are poured, they find they aren’t alone. 

Standing at the door is a man the friends thought they’d never see again. With a ferocious storm raging and roads closed, they have no choice but to let him in. Instantly the dream weekend takes a dark turn.

Because someone invited him here.

Because someone has been living a lie.

And someone wants revenge.

But when the truth is revealed, will anyone make it out alive?

Previous Reviews:
The Playgroup.      

The Mother Next Door

Author Profile:                

                                                                                                                                    

                                           Courtesy of Goodreads

Leah, who was born in Halifax, Canada, can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot-lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland. 

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author -Official Website  Facebook Profile   Leah Mercer - Twitter Profile

Instagram Profile

The Playgroup by Leah Mercer

                                     

 Ebook:  283 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Psychological Thriller, Fiction                                           

Publisher:   21 March 2024 by Bookouture

Source:  NetGalley - My Kindle

First Sentence: The fire started slowly, shy tendrils of light lapping at the dark. 

Review Quote: ‘GRIPPING… Quickly DEVOURED… So many DELICIOUS secrets… My mind was OFFICIALLY BLOWN!’ @stamperlady50⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Setting: England

My Opinion: 

Leah Mercer, who also publishes as Talli Roland is an author I have been following since 2010 when she published her first novel.  In my opinion over the years her writing has gone from strength to strength. It took me less than two days to read this latest addictive psychological thriller. I just had to finish before going to sleep last night!

Four women that are connected by their workplace and the secrets they keep are the basis of the suspenseful storyline.  The protagonists, Lenore, Alice, Georgie and Beth alternately narrate this twisted web of secrets, that unravels at quite a pace. Depression, addiction, chronic illness and controlling partners all feature. Quite concerning when you consider that all theses women are working with young children!

Certainly kept me guessing, as every time I thought I had worked it all out there was another revelation. If you enjoy psychological thrillers this one is worth reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Breath catches in my throat and terror grips me as my daughter’s favourite jumper slides into focus. Time slows. Helpless, I watch my precious little girl run into the road. Screeching tyres slice through the quiet afternoon. Days from now, my friends will say the worst day of my life was all my fault…

A bright and welcoming haven, the playgroup sits at the heart of the town, tucked away inside a red-brick building. The Nest should have been the safest place for my rosy-cheeked, pink-obsessed daughter, Florence. Run by mothers like me, I trusted my newfound friends – Alice, Beth and Georgie – to take care of my child. But now my choice has left Florence fighting for her life.

My heart pounds thinking about what I will tell my husband, James. He stayed with me through the darkest times, and I thought some space would bring us closer. But as I watch our little girl sleeping in a hospital bed, I know our relationship may never recover from this.

How can I tell James what really happened if I don’t know myself? I can’t shake the feeling the other mothers are lying to me; they know I’d never let Florence leave the nursery by herself. We’ve all got dangerous secrets we want to protect, but if they expose mine, will anyone, including my husband, believe me when I say I didn’t harm my daughter?

A completely gripping psychological suspense about the dark price of protecting your family, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Adele Parks and Sally Hepworth.

Author Profile:                

                                                                                                                                    

                                           Courtesy of Goodreads

Leah, who was born in Halifax, Canada, can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot-lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland. 

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author -Official Website  Facebook Profile   Leah Mercer - Twitter Profile

Instagram Profile

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer

                                                 

Ebook:  255 pages      

Genre: Contemporary Thriller,Fiction                                           

Publisher:  February 27, 2023 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle

First Sentences: The river pulled at the shape floating in its waters, playfully passing it from one wave to the next, completely oblivious to the panic and fear of the women watching from the bank.

Review Quote: ‘My Gosh! You just never know what you will find when you go back to your childhood home… Wow!… I was absolutely 100% positive that I had figured out the story and then??? NO! There are so many secrets… Hang on folks! This is so well done and anyone who adores a good thriller will truly want to grab this novel!’ Goodreads reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Setting: England

My Opinion:  A great plot, how well does one really know your friends and neighbours?!  This was a gripping read as the three main protagonists, Fiona, Alison and Jasmine each tell the story from their own point of view as their joint nightmare unfolds.

Recommended if you enjoy a suspenseful thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

I glance over at Lou’s house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou’s car is nowhere to be seen…

The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can.

As a storm rages outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou’s car, with my children’s schoolbags still inside along with Lou’s phone. But they are nowhere to be seen.

Clutching my husband’s hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I’ve not been honest. I’m being punished for what happened all those years ago.

And then I get Lou’s message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone I love.

What I don’t yet know is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again.

Author Profile:                

                                                                                   

                                           Courtesy of Authors Website

Leah, who was born in Halifax, Canada, can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page. 

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot-lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook. 

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland. 

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Author -Official Website  Facebook Profile   Leah Mercer - Twitter Profile

Instagram Profile