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Behind Closed Doors cover art

Behind Closed Doors

By: Catherine Alliott
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Get ready to escape with the pause-resisting new novel from the Sunday Times best-selling author of A Cornish Summer.

From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home. But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash.

As 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.

But Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home. With her parents growing older disgracefully, she can hardly keep up with their social life - especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame.

Coming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she's been keeping from herself and those she loves.

Is she ready to let someone in? Or will she leave the door to her past firmly closed....

©2021 Catherine Alliott (P)2021 Penguin Audio

What listeners love about Behind Closed Doors

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting departure and very relevant in today’s society.

Having read many Catherine Alliott books over the years, I am used to her lighthearted stories and city/country settings. Whilst this retains the city/country element, it deals with a much more somber subject. Well done Catherine Alliott for breaking the silence! Beautifully narrated.

3 people found this helpful

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A story of guilt for freedom from mental abuse

I really enjoyed all the twists and turns of this book. Lucy, the main character has been treated badly for years in a vile marriage and when the opportunity unexpectedly arises to break free she takes it. The trouble is guilt is hard to live with as Lucy find out. She also had a crazy mad sister-in-law to contend with along the way.....

2 people found this helpful

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Disjointed and annoying

I don’t know how I got to the end! The story went nowhere, felt like the author had lots of ideas and dumped them into one story.
The narrator was good though.

1 person found this helpful

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A goosebumps gripping read

A truly inspired story. It twists and turns from parents who are deliciously wonderful to the horrors of psychological abuse, to mental illness and to finding oneself again. At times very funny and at times so very emotive. Excellent

1 person found this helpful

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There's always more going on than meets the eye

An easy read / listen, with twists and turns along the way and humorous reflections on family relationships. Touches on some quite difficult points, with negative mental health and abuse, but manages to do so in a provocative way, which doesn't leave you feeling too stressed or uneasy. Found this really enjoyable to skip through, and liked the narrater also.

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  • BB
  • 11-05-21

A gripping tale

I was hooked from the beginning and loved every minute, wanting to hug Lucy many times but at others wanting to shake her.
Coercive control is real, it’s damaging and must be highlighted.
This book does it beautifully
Took off a star because I wanted one more chapter describing the heroine in a balanced loving relationship

1 person found this helpful

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Behind Closed Doors

Great book but the last 4 chapters go on a bit. By that stage you just want the main character to get a grip and stop dithering 😩Glad it ended as I hoped though even though it took a while to get there!

1 person found this helpful

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Book

Lovely beautiful story could listen again decided to listen to more of her books keep writing

1 person found this helpful

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Loved this book

Really enjoyed listening to this book and couldn’t put it down. Lovely narration by Kristin too.

1 person found this helpful

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Best yet

This is Catherine Alliott‘s most mature and profound book yet. Good narration and a great listen.

1 person found this helpful

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