Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Review - Our Beautiful Mess

Title:   Our Beautiful Mess
Author:  Adele Parks
Publisher:  Harlequin Trade Publishing
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   448
Date of Publication:   February 10, 2026
My Rating:   4 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Connie can’t wait to have all her daughters back home for the holidays. It’s not just the excitement of the girls being together under one roof; uni student Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay. The empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.

Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant.

Reeling from Fran’s news and terrified that her past might threaten her family’s future, Connie desperately tries to navigate a path forward. But there’s a much greater menace looming, because she’s not the only one who has something to hide. Someone in the house has another devastating secret. A deception which will put everyone Connie loves in shocking danger, and one of them will pay the ultimate price.

Number One bestseller Adele Parks returns with an explosive and deeply emotional family drama which explores the lengths a parent will go to protect a child; for there’s nothing stronger than a woman whose family is under threat. 

MY THOUGHTS:


Connie’s nest is about to be full once again. The holidays have arrived, and Connie couldn’t be happier. However, when her daughter Fran brings her new boyfriends, Zac, along, Connie is immediately concerned. There’s something about Zac that makes Connie uncomfortable, but she puts on a good show, eager to bask in the attention from her family. 


Fran and Zac have news to share with her family, all while something beneath the surface is being revealed. Zac is troubled, and is doing his level best to keep anyone from finding out what is actually going on. Also, Zac now has the opportunity to meet his biological father, and has no idea that a can of worms is about to explode.


Our Beautiful Mess, a captivating domestic thriller, masterfully weaves together drama, tension, and excellent pacing, all while presenting multiple perspectives that propel the story forward seamlessly. The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Connie’s past unexpectedly surfaces, immediately injecting drama and tension into the plot. Adele Parks skillfully builds and layers this tension throughout the story, creating a gripping and suspenseful reading experience. 


Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and to NetGalley for this free ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adele Parks was born in Teesside, North-East England. Her first novel, Playing Away, was published in 2000 and since then she's had 20 international bestsellers, translated into twenty-six languages. She's been an Ambassador for The Reading Agency and a judge for the Costa. She's lived in Italy, Botswana and London, and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey, with her husband, teenage son and cat.


Social Links:

Author Website

Instagram: @adele_parks

Twitter: @adeleparks

Facebook: @OfficialAdeleParks

Goodreads


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