Apple of My Eye by @ClaireAllan | #BookReview | @AvonBooksUK | #AppleOfMyEye

‘All she ever wanted was a child…‘

Apple of My Eye is the latest release from Claire Allan and is PUBLISHED TODAY with Avon Books!!!!!

Described as a ‘shockingly twisting thriller that will shake you to your very core’, Apple of My Eye tells the story of one woman’s desperation to have a baby to call her own and the lengths she is willing to go to to achieve this.

I am both thrilled and honoured to be launching the blog tour today with my review, so I do hope you enjoy!!

[ About the Book ]

Just how far is a mother willing to go?

When a mysterious note arrives for seven months pregnant nurse Eliana Hughes, she begins to doubt every aspect of her life – from her mixed feelings about motherhood to her marriage to Martin, who has become distant in recent months.

As the person behind the note escalates their campaign to out Eli’s husband as a cheat, she finds herself unable to trust even her own instincts, and as pressure builds, she makes a mistake that jeopardises her entire future.

Elsewhere, someone is watching. Someone who desperately wants a baby to call their own and will go to any lengths to become a mother – and stay a mother…

[ My Review ]

Eliana Hughes works long hours in a hospice in Derry. Her husband, Martin, an architect, has set up his business there and now, with a beautiful new home and their first baby on the way, life should be good for Eliana. But the pregnancy isn’t as Eliana hoped. She is exhausted from the constant nausea and is finding her days extremely challenging, leaving her a little depressed and bereft. Was pregnancy supposed to feel like this? Eliana expected an immediate bond with this new life growing inside her but the bond just isn’t there, which worries her. With Martin back and forth to London on a regular basis, a loneliness sets in with Eliana.

Her mother, Angela, lives in Belfast and regularly makes trips to Derry to visit Eliana, with mother and daughter having a very close relationship. When Angela receives a call from Eliana, who is clearly worried about something, Angela travels immediately to be by her side.

Eliana has received an anonymous note, a note that could potentially ruin her marriage and her life, as the note suggests that Martin has cheated on her. Initially dismissive of this, Eliana continues on with her busy day at the hospice, but circumstances get a little more sinister when a second note arrives through the window of her home, at night, when Martin is in London. As the doubt creeps in, cracks appear in Eliana’s marriage and she begins to imagine a very different future for herself and her baby.

Louise is a woman suffering greatly following the death of her baby. Her mind has wandered somewhat, leading Louise to believe that God has created a new destiny for her.

‘I knew this was His way of telling me I was on the right track. That if I just kept my faith in God, I’d get what I wanted. As the Bible promised, if I asked, I’d receive‘

We get an insight into Louise’s mindset as the story unfolds. and it’s clear to see how disturbed she is through Claire Allan’s excellent portrayal of the damaged mind.

As Eliana and Louise’s storys unfurl, Claire Allan builds up the suspense, gradually feeding tidbits to the reader. I did get an inkling midway through the book but I was very happy to read on, due to the fact that I felt an empathy toward Eliana and found myself rooting for both Eliana and Martin to come away with their marriage intact and their love for each other stronger than ever.

As an aside, I have to mention the reference to the hospice and Eliana’s role as a palliative nurse, which I felt was portrayed with great sensitivity and compassion, highlighting the importance of the nursing staff and the Hospice Foundations everywhere.

Apple of My Eye has plenty of drama to keep the reader turning the pages as the characters’ stories are developed. It highlights many themes including grief, trauma and loss, but also that of control. Claire Allan has certainly found her niche in the psychological thriller genre!!

Purchase Link ~ Apple of my Eye

[ Bio ]

 A former journalist and columnist, Claire Allan has been writing fiction since 2006.

An Irish Times bestseller, she has tackled issues from post-natal depression, infertility, and dementia through to writing a based-on-a-true-story book about a couple reunited after 50 years apart. She has now decided to unleash her dark side!

Married with two children, two cats and a mad puppy she is happiest lost in a good book. She has kissed Michael Buble.

Twitter ~ @ClaireAllan 

Website ~ http://www.claireallan.com/