Lucy’s parents and their antics with their friends bring light relief to some of the more intense parts of the story.įor me, there is no doubt that Catherine Alliott is an accomplished and skilful writer. There’s a great cast of characters in Behind Closed Doors. Catherine Alliott tackles some difficult themes in the book – there were some scenes where I needed to take a break after reading – but she does so with style and empathy. There’s substance to this story that I wasn’t expecting.īehind Closed Doors is about the complexities of family life, caring for elderly parents and the role reversal that comes with it, old flames, and second chances. I’ll be honest it wasn’t what I expected from the blurb on the back. The chatty, first-person narrative allows Lucy to entrust her innermost thoughts to us, so we feel close to her. Lucy tells us about her past: her childhood, how she met Michael, their marriage, her children. It allows her to look after her parents and to get her head together.īehind Closed Doors is a book about life. As secrets start to unravel, Lucy leaves London and goes home to live with her elderly parents in the Chilterns.

When Lucy Palmer’s marriage to Michael ends suddenly, it turns her world upside down. Despite Behind Closed Doors being Catherine Alliott’s 17th novel, it is the only one I’ve read – and I loved it! It’s always a treat to discover a new author. Is she ready to let someone in? Or will she leave the door to her past firmly closed. ~ From the back of the book ~įrom the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home.īut when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash.Īs the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London – and the stories it hides – for a rural escape to her parents’ farmhouse in the Chilterns.īut Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home, especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame.Ĭoming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she’s been keeping from herself and those she loves. My thanks to Sriya at Michael Joseph, Penguin for inviting me to take part in the tour and for sending me a proof copy of the book in return for my honest review.īefore I share my thoughts with you, here is what Behind Closed Doors is about.

I am excited to be sharing my review of Behind Closed Doors, the latest novel by Catherine Alliott with you today.

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