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Have you read The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan? Post feedback for a chance to win a £100 Love2Shop Voucher!

39 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 26/08/2016 13:48

Have you read tense psychological thriller, The Perfect Girl? Find out more about the book - and read an extract - on the giveaway page.

Musical genius Zoe and mother Maria seem to have the perfect life. So when Maria dies in mysterious circumstances, Zoe's world is shattered - but only she can piece together the truth.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - anyone who has read The Perfect Girl can post their feedback here (and you can buy the book now).

Everyone who posts on this thread before 7 October will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Little, Brown

Have you read The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan? Post feedback for a chance to win a £100 Love2Shop Voucher!
OP posts:
kimmie67 · 19/09/2016 19:31

Really enjoyed this book, found it hard to put down, the suspense built gradually to a great conclusion. Tied the ends up neatly in a satisfactory manner, well written and an enjoyable read.

Mrsmonkeymoo1 · 19/09/2016 16:19

I enjoyed the book - found it hard to put down. The dynasmic of the relationship between Lucas and Zoe is interesting - good twist at the end! Would recommend to friends and family. Also would Like to read more from the author as enjoyed her style of writing.

horseyrider · 14/09/2016 18:29

I've just finished my copy. Good beginning, interesting about child prodigy's. Lots of suspects, good emphasis on Zoe's guilt. Interesting focus on bullying at school. Twist towards the end, good read all in all.

floorflock · 14/09/2016 07:39

Zoe is a child prodigy and plays the Piano. Lucas also plays the piano.We join the story with Zoe and Lucas about to go on stage to perform a piano recital together. They are both nervous. This is Zoe’s Second Chance Family. They have no idea, at this point, that because of past events, Tom Barlow is going to rip their lives asunder and that nothing will ever be the same again.

The story narration alternates so that you understand the different viewpoints. It also takes you back in time so that you can get into the mindsets of the characters and I particularly enjoyed this aspect of the book.

After the traumatic experience of being incarcerated for killing three teenagers whilst still a teenager herself Zoe is completely dependent on her mother who supported her and defended her throughout her trial, as she always had done and would continue to do so until her dying breath, which sadly isn’t far away.

Since the trial Zoe’s father no longer features in her life. The Second Chance Family consists of Zoe, her mum Maria, Step Father Chris, his son Lucas and baby Grace who is half-sister to both Lucas and Zoe. On the face of it this is the ideal family albeit very different in every way to her first family unit. However, this is proved to be a thin disguise because as ever in the ‘perfect’ family secrets, lies and half-truths abound and nothing is at it seems. All is revealed as the story develops.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it carried me along right to the end speeding me up as it went. I can see me re-reading it many times more, just in case I missed something but knowing full well that I did read it all fully the first time and that there is nothing I didn’t read.

This book has been likened to The Girl On The Train. I can’t comment on that as I haven’t read it yet. All I can say is that I enjoyed it and am glad to have it on my shelf.

FiveShelties · 13/09/2016 22:01

Thank you very much for the book which I thoroughy enjoyed. The story is told through the voices of several characters which I found interesting. The story moved quickly and kept me guessing. I will definitely look out for more by this author - thank you.

Susan74 · 12/09/2016 17:31

Thank you for my copy of this. I have been struggling to find something to get into for a while now and this book was just what I needed. It grabbed me from the start and I found myself going up to bed earlier at night, excited to see what happened next. I liked the main characters and felt the book was well written. I would definitely buy another by this author.

purplemonstermum · 11/09/2016 17:02

Thank you for my copy. Read it in a week. Lots that I liked about this book - interesting idea, kept me guessing (I didn't work out the twist in advance), full of suspense and well-written. I have now ordered her first book from the library, which is always a good sign. However, I perhaps would have preferred it if it was written entirely from one person's point of view, as I like to really get into a character's head and this was hard to do with so many viewpoints. But otherwise I would generally recommend this book.

llewejk · 10/09/2016 21:40

I knew it was going to be good by the review on the front cover! I was a big fan of The Girl on the Train. I loved this book and I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved how each chapter is written by a different character. The chapters were short and linked together very well but always left you guessing. It kept you guessing but wasn't predictable. Hard to put down and I completed the book in 5 days, which is quick for me!

CopperPan · 09/09/2016 10:04

This was wonderfully written and a gripping tale. I found it hard to put down and found it easy to get caught up in the world of the characters. Very intense and compelling!

Heinz57 · 09/09/2016 08:27

Received my copy a few days ago, always v excited when a free book comes through the post! Have started reading and I'm hooked love the way each chapter is written from a different characters perspective. It's slowly drip feeding you bits about what happened to Zoe - intriguing!

Mozarmstrong · 08/09/2016 18:52

Gosh this is a read good as it gets! Clever flashbacks interesting and hard to put down you just have to read on. I liked it! Other p people out there you must try this book.

FernieB · 08/09/2016 16:37

Thanks for this one MN. It's a compelling read that I couldn't put down. The story takes place over two days, although we are given glimpses of various characters pasts through flashbacks and, interestingly, a filmscript written by Lucas. I liked the use of multiple narrators to give different perspectives on the events, although I didn't find Sam to be particularly relevant. Don't want to say much about the plot as it may give things away, suffice to say, the suspense is cleverly built and it's a great read.

Mozarmstrong · 03/09/2016 21:17

Got mine today here we go!

elizimmy · 02/09/2016 16:01

Thank you Mumsnet, I received my copy today and can not wait to start reading! I'll pop back when I've started it...