All You Ever Wanted by Susan Elliot Wright #AllYouEverWanted @sewelliot @simonschusterUK @simonschusterPR #BookReview

 

You are inside.

With your husband and baby. Your life warm and calm and untroubled.

 

I am outside.

Alone. Looking in. Watching you.

                                               

You have all I ever wanted. 

Now it's time for you to share.

All You Ever Wanted by Susan Elliot Wright was published in paperback on 27 October 2022 by Simon & Schuster. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

I have been a fan of this author for many. years and have read every book that she's written. It's always a joy to delve into the latest offering from her and this one really doesn't disappoint. It feels a little different from her previous novels, darker and tenser, but oh so so good. 

Emily is a new mother, she's struggling with feelings of low self-worth, questioning herself. She often feels paranoid, as though someone is watching her. Whilst her marriage does appear strong and loving, she's never really forgiven herself, or her husband Simon about how their relationship began. Emily doesn't have the greatest relationship with her own mother, and determined that her daughter Bonnie will not feel the same way about her. 

As Simon seems to carry on with normal life, working late, going for drinks, meeting friends. Emily tries to cram her working life into three days, whilst also doing most of the child care. 

Anna arrives on Emily's doorstep to return their missing cat, she's seen the posters and phoned to arrange to bring Oscar home. There's an immediate bond between the two women, especially as Emily's old friends have drifted off since Bonnie was born, and it's not long before they are meeting for coffee and lunch, and Anna becomes something of a confidante to Emily. 

However, Anna may not be all that she appears to be and as the story progresses, the reader certainly becomes aware of darker motives on Anna's part. Whilst Emily happily embraces a new female friendship and help with Bonnie. 

The novel is split into two parts. The reader learns Emily's side of the story in part one, and then Anna narrates part two. It's a great structure and it's so very tense.

Whilst there is no doubt that this is psychological thriller, there's also such insight into domestic and family life. It's often very dark, and creepy, with a sinister edge that pulls the reader in and one can't help but turn the pages quickly as the explosive and shocking ending approaches. 

An excellent story, told with empathy and understanding about issues that are often not talked about. Beautifully written with characters that are compelling and so well created. Highly recommended. 

Susan Elliot Wright grew up in Lewisham in south-east London. 

Before becoming a full-time writer, she did a number of different jobs, including civil servant, cleaner, dishwasher, journalist, and chef.  

She has an MA in writing from Sheffield Hallam University, where she is now an associate lecturer, and she lives in Sheffield with her husband. 

She is the author of The Things We Never Said and the Secrets We Left Behind. 

To find out more, visit her website: http:/www.susanelliotwright.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @sewelliot.