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Betrayal

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I really enjoyed the fact that she went from downtrodden to ambitious and I admired her for what she achieved. The beatings that Eve took are not the only shocking thing to happen and I didn't see the other thing coming so that was a complete surprise. This is an emotional roller coaster read that had me fully invested from beginning through to the end. By the mid sixties she was living in London, sharing flats, partying hard and married to a trumpet player in a jazz-rock band.

The story then follows Eve and her children over the years after breaking free but it looks as if the past is always lurking around the corner waiting for the truth to come out and justice to be done. I had a terrible day at work and when you began nagging me about decorating the lounge, I just saw red. I always find time to start reading as soon as a book is in my hands (something my husband realises each year when I show him her latest book)! Eve snaps and decides to take revenge on Don, endeavouring to teach him a lesson which doesn’t go to plan. It's another subtle layer to the abusive relationship and as Eve sees the reactions of her children, as well as the threat of violence towards her son, that gives her the push she needs to seek help.When one particularly scary beating left Eve in a bad way she had to put not just her safety but that of her children first and set the wheels in motion to leave her husband. Consequently, I was delighted when Courtney Jefferies at ed Public Relations invited me to review for the blog tour for Lesley’s latest book Betrayal. She found herself apologizing for merely offering to paint and wallpaper it herself, something she was good at. Whether crime as in 'Till We Meet Again', historical adventure like 'Never Look Back', or the passionately emotive 'Trust Me', based on the true-life scandal of British child migrants sent to Australia in the post war period, she engages the reader completely. Her honest restructuring of a life and finding her self worth is reflected in how her two children grow into themselves away from Don, and I liked how her original training as a curtain maker reflected her circumstances.

The main character, Eve was a mother, trying to protect herself and two children and how she was pushed to the limit by her husband, Don. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. She could not do it for herself, even when they arrive at the women's refuge that a specialist solicitor has gotten them into, Eve's sense of denial is such that she finds it hard to relate her circumstances to the other women there.In this book, we see just how strong and resilient women can be even when things literally "beat" us down!

Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time.

Gone were the chapters where I was growing a bit bored (I hate saying that but that was the way the book was making me feel) and bam here we have an unpredicted twist that really shook things up. But Don's abusive behaviour got worse with each day and when he started taking his anger out on her infront of the kids, and then on her kids, she knew that it was finally time to get them out. This makes some of the most brutal and most tender scenes all the more impactful and I think some readers will be profoundly affected by the quality of the writing. I felt so sorry for Eve and her children but I loved how her character evolved as the story progressed and she started to get more confident in building a new life for herself. I am a huge Lesley Pearse fan and have read all of her books, I was excited to be asked to read and review Betrayal.

Not only does domestic and physical abuse recur heavily, there are also graphic descriptions of peodophelia/grooming and suicide.

Whether historical adventures such as Gypsy or Never Look Back or the passionately emotive Trust Me, Lesley is inspired by stories of courage and adversity and often gives voice to women lost in history. Granted it was only a two-up two-down in a scruffy road in Lewisham, and in bad repair, but Eve felt she could make it lovely. I was rooting for Eve all the way through; hoping she'd put the past behind her to start a new and prosperous life in Devon. It is not an easy path, and being honest to herself forms a huge part of of her journey, but the end shows , in how she has raised her children, that she has made a family of survivors rather than victims.

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