It extensively covers the effects of being at the receiving end of a controlling relationship and it's long lasting effects on a person, long after the relationship has ended. I grew to intensely loathe Gareth the more I read of him...what a despicable, abhorrent excuse for a man!!! Sixteen years on, Rose still blames herself for Billy’s death. How could she have failed to protect her little brother? MY THOUGHTS: There were things I liked about this book, and things I didn't. I will start with the negatives so that I can end on a good note. I became eager for the answers to my questions, desperate to know more about Gareth, angry at Rose to wake up and see what was happening around her.

K L Slater books and biography | Waterstones K L Slater books and biography | Waterstones

The premise of this book was good, it just failed to grab me. I would read more of this Author in the future.Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and K.L. Slater for a copy to review in exchange for an honest review. Wow!!! This book is fantastically written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline. Rose’s story is told through the past and present and we learn of “The Mistake” she made and the guilt she carries. We could feel the weight of guilt and the loss that she carried allowing us to question “The Mistake” for ourselves. We recommend this with caution as some readers could find it upsetting. Apart from that, and although this was a somewhat depressing and at times an uncomfortable read, I enjoyed getting to the end knowing there was a light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

The Narrator: An absolutely addictive and unputdownable

She is now a sad, flawed, broken woman, never getting over the loss of little Billy, guilt ridden as she blames herself for introducing the controlling, abusive monster, Gareth, the man convicted and currently serving time for Billy's murder, into the family. Rose's life is now one of routinely going through the motions of life, day after day. But the past has not lost its grip on her, tirelessly affecting the ins and outs of every day. You can feel Josie's fear as she is searching for her daughter, and I felt sorry for her and yet... Set between now and sixteen years prior, when Rose was a young 17/18 year old teenager, this is a gripping tale, and often uncomfortable, as it's hard reading of Rose being emotionally abused by Gareth, Rose really hasn't had an easy life and seems too sensitive and broken for such a cruel world, but Rose is an interesting character, and this time she's determined to find the truth. Kim is a full-time writer. She has one daughter, two stepsons and lives with her husband in Nottingham and Yorkshire. The story switches from past to present. From Lucie’s college days to the present time. What happened 16 years ago? Will Grace ever be found?Yet another fabulous title to add to my Bookouture beauties! I have recently come to associate Bookouture with a love of books and probably the most consistent crime thriller collection out there today. That is why each time I get to read an ARC copy of one of their killer thrillers, I just can't say no! Clear the calendar.... Here comes K.L. Slater's new title, THE MISTAKE! There’s a woman walking a dog, a young mum with a toddler in a pushchair and a couple of teenage lads who’ve just hopped over the fence from the small park. I felt for Rose immensely. One mistake at a young age had such devastating consequences. She desperately tries to cope and deal with loss, grief and guilt in any way she can in a world that has made her so unbelievably scared. And yet, she somehow digs deep and finds the determination to finally know the truth about her brother’s death. Even if it means facing her worst nightmare. Step by step Gareth manipulated Rose into isolating herself from her family and friends. He also convinced her to accede to his increasingly intrusive demands. Gareth wanted to control every aspect of Rose's life - from the movies she saw, to the flavor of ice cream she ate, to her college plans. When Rose resisted Gareth's 'requests', he became furious and made ominous threats.