Book Review: Whatever It Takes

By Sara Steven

THE WIFE: Lorna lives with her husband in her dream home, loves socialising and has a passion for the finer things in life.

THE HUSBAND: Dan owns a successful accountancy business, enjoys golf and exercise, and loves Lorna deeply. Life is good. Until new neighbours move in to the house next door. Perry, a property developer is charismatic and friendly, with a beautiful young wife, Ingrid. They become friends, sharing intimate dinners, trips away and ultimately a holiday together in Greece. But all is not as friendly as it seems. While there, a fatal accident occurs that changes their lives. They don’t all return. But those that do, are hiding a huge secret . . . and there’s someone who will do whatever it takes to make sure that it never comes to the surface. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

This is my first experience with reading a book written by Joy Wood, and I have to say it won’t be my last. I’m a sucker for a good mystery thriller, and Whatever It Takes gave that and then some. The reader is instantly drawn to the two main characters, Lorna and Dan, because they are the everyman when it comes to fledgling relationships. Lorna never feels fulfilled, and Dan never feels as though he’s enough for Lorna, no matter how hard he tries, constantly putting the two at odds. It was no surprise to me that Lorna would immediately glom on to the new couple in the neighborhood, Perry and Ingrid. They offer up something exciting and new, whisking their new friends on trips and dinners, with the ultimate goal of gaining Lorna’s and Dan’s trust.

It’s no secret that Perry and Ingrid are hiding something, but what they are hiding is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. And it’s also no secret that they need Dan and Lorna in order to fulfill their “mission,” but the reader is left in the dark just as much as everyone else is. Once the two couples are in Greece, I still wasn’t sure what would happen or why they were all there–not until the pivotal moment that changed everything, leaving me absolutely shocked! It was a “did that just happen” kind of moment, changing the trajectory of the book going forward.  

Ultimately, no one is to be trusted. As the pages (and days within the story) unfold, I didn’t know what would happen next, or to whom, the eventual steps leading into a pretty epic climax that felt more than justified and all-out worthy. It might be fiction, but it felt like something I’d see on Dateline or 20/20, that’s how real it felt. 

This has absolutely nothing to do with the story, but I love the title of this book. Every time I'd see it, it reminded me of the tv show Degrassi: The Next Generation, with their intro theme song aptly titled, “Whatever It Takes”. Much like that coveted theme song, the characters here will do whatever it takes to make it through, no matter the ultimate cost to everyone else and most importantly, to themselves. It was a dark, thrilling experience! 

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

 

Joy Wood has worked as a nurse most of her adult life and turned to writing six years ago to ‘see if she could.’ Her earlier work was adult romance and intrigue, but more recently she has switched genres to romance with a crime element. Joy lives in the small but charming seaside town of Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire and her writing ideas come from watching the tide turn daily, of course with the obligatory ice-cream – someone has to support the local economy!

Visit Joy online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter

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