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All She Wants
Ask no questions. Tell no lies. The utterly compelling new novel from the bestselling author of Other People's Houses Lindsay just wants to be a mother. And when she discovers her partner is leaving her for another woman, her dreams are left in tatters. He was her last chance at a family ... or was he?Then she meets Jack, they fall hard for each other, and suddenly everything seems perfect. But why is his sister Natalie so strangely protective of him, yet eager to pass the responsibility to Lindsay? Who are these siblings, why did they really leave the UK, and what terrifying secrets lie in their past?And does Lindsay really want to know?'A tense thriller' Who'A twisting, simmering mystery' Readings'Atmospheric and loaded with suspense, Hawkins serves up a tightly plotted, slow-burn thriller that delivers plenty of satisfying surprises. Intricately crafted, twisty and unputdownable, All She Wants is a gripping domestic thriller, perfect for readers of Gillian Flynn.' Better ReadingPraise for Other People's intriguing psychological thriller with a brilliant twist at the end' Australian Women's Weekly'A dark, twisty tale of guilt and obsession which hooks you right in' Petronella McGovern'Taut, smart and immensely satisfying. I was addicted from the first page to the last.' Nicola Moriarty'Shouldn't be missed ... an irresistible and urgent Australian suburban thriller' Mrs B's Book Reviews'Heartbreaking and gripping ... a terrific read' Sisters in Crime
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2022
32 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Kelli Hawkins
4 books105 followersKelli Hawkins writes reports for a private investigator, as well as working on novels for adults and children. She lives in Newcastle with her two teenagers. Over the years she’s travelled whenever possible and worked all kinds of jobs. Kelli’s been a political journalist, a graphic designer, a mystery shopper – even a staple remover. When she’s not writing she’s planning a holiday – or dreaming of one. Or reading, of course.
She writes under the name Kelli Hawkins for her adult novels, and Kelli Anne Hawkins for her children’s books.
She writes under the name Kelli Hawkins for her adult novels, and Kelli Anne Hawkins for her children’s books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 9, 2023
This book sat languishing on my audio list for some time, so here I was finally listening. I had previously read Other People's Houses, which I enjoyed a lot more than this one.
Lindsay was desperate for a child. I found this desperation sweltering and off putting. Funnily enough, as many of my previous books have been, this protagonist is a teacher. I think this may have affected my enjoyment in some way, it is getting a little too much having so much similarity. Of course, this is not the author's issue but noticeably adjusting my enjoyment.
Her hopes are dashed when the long term partner leaves her, but quite happily for her she met someone else quickly; he was initially perfect. This really was too good to be true as the set up was manufactured by the private investigator Lindsay had arranged to cement what she needed to know about her cheating partner. When things are set up and manipulated of course dramas and mayhem will ensue, and this case serious lies and cover ups build up to a deadly crescendo.
I simply wasn't invested, reading only to finish to have the loose ends answered, and was able to speed up the audio for this purpose. I am sure many other readers enjoyed this more, I found it to be another run of the mill average thriller. I didn't gel with the characters and felt a superficiality.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform through my public library.
Lindsay was desperate for a child. I found this desperation sweltering and off putting. Funnily enough, as many of my previous books have been, this protagonist is a teacher. I think this may have affected my enjoyment in some way, it is getting a little too much having so much similarity. Of course, this is not the author's issue but noticeably adjusting my enjoyment.
Her hopes are dashed when the long term partner leaves her, but quite happily for her she met someone else quickly; he was initially perfect. This really was too good to be true as the set up was manufactured by the private investigator Lindsay had arranged to cement what she needed to know about her cheating partner. When things are set up and manipulated of course dramas and mayhem will ensue, and this case serious lies and cover ups build up to a deadly crescendo.
I simply wasn't invested, reading only to finish to have the loose ends answered, and was able to speed up the audio for this purpose. I am sure many other readers enjoyed this more, I found it to be another run of the mill average thriller. I didn't gel with the characters and felt a superficiality.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform through my public library.
May 6, 2022
wow wow wow.. Kelli Hawkins second thriller is just incredible. You will not believe where this story goes and I was hooked, so hooked! It was sooo good! I honestly didn't see any of it coming and I love it when that happens.
Set in Newcastle in NSW, we meet Lindsay. She is a kindergarten teacher and is desperate for a baby. She has been with her partner for years but she has a feeling that he might be cheating on her. So she hires Natalie, a local PI, how unfortunately discovers that he is indeed having an affair. She is devastated and now alone, but forms a friendship with Natalie. Natalie and her brother Jack are close and both came to Australia from the UK. Natalie introduces Jack and Lindsay and it is love at first sight. But as she gets to know them both better, something is not right. Why did them come to Australia and what secrets are they hiding.
It will blow your mind what happens next. Go into this one knowing no more than this. It is clever and wild and everything you want in a domestic thriller.
All She Wants is out now in Australia - do yourself a favour and grab a copy now!
Set in Newcastle in NSW, we meet Lindsay. She is a kindergarten teacher and is desperate for a baby. She has been with her partner for years but she has a feeling that he might be cheating on her. So she hires Natalie, a local PI, how unfortunately discovers that he is indeed having an affair. She is devastated and now alone, but forms a friendship with Natalie. Natalie and her brother Jack are close and both came to Australia from the UK. Natalie introduces Jack and Lindsay and it is love at first sight. But as she gets to know them both better, something is not right. Why did them come to Australia and what secrets are they hiding.
It will blow your mind what happens next. Go into this one knowing no more than this. It is clever and wild and everything you want in a domestic thriller.
All She Wants is out now in Australia - do yourself a favour and grab a copy now!
March 27, 2022
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
All She Wants by Kelli Hawkins
An irresistible page-turning dark psychological domestic thriller that will have you guessing. I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a flash.
The story is told from the perspectives of both Lindsay and Natalie.
Lindsay a kindy teacher feels her biological clock is ticking away and desperately wants a baby, finally her long-term partner has agreed but Lindsay then discovers he’s having an affair.
After her break up with Mark, Lindsay is trying her hardest to get on with life and she soon meets Jack. He seems to be utterly perfect, he’s handsome, charming, and sensitive, she falls for him completely and they move in together. Jack and his glamorous sister Natalie who is a PI are very close, she’s also fiercely protective of him.
As the story unfolds there’s murder, mystery and lies! Why did the siblings leave the UK to move to Australia? Why are they lying about their parents?
Loved the atmosphere of suspense in this thriller that delivers some gripping twists.
Publication date 02 March 2022
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
Thank you to the fabulous team at Harper Collins Australia for sending me a copy of the book.
All She Wants by Kelli Hawkins
An irresistible page-turning dark psychological domestic thriller that will have you guessing. I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a flash.
The story is told from the perspectives of both Lindsay and Natalie.
Lindsay a kindy teacher feels her biological clock is ticking away and desperately wants a baby, finally her long-term partner has agreed but Lindsay then discovers he’s having an affair.
After her break up with Mark, Lindsay is trying her hardest to get on with life and she soon meets Jack. He seems to be utterly perfect, he’s handsome, charming, and sensitive, she falls for him completely and they move in together. Jack and his glamorous sister Natalie who is a PI are very close, she’s also fiercely protective of him.
As the story unfolds there’s murder, mystery and lies! Why did the siblings leave the UK to move to Australia? Why are they lying about their parents?
Loved the atmosphere of suspense in this thriller that delivers some gripping twists.
Publication date 02 March 2022
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
Thank you to the fabulous team at Harper Collins Australia for sending me a copy of the book.
July 7, 2022
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The author who brought us the consuming domestic thriller Other People’s Houses returns with All She Wants. Swirling secrets, wrongdoings, lies, broken dreams and the weight of the past all conjoin in All She Wants. Kelli Hawkins has penned another excellent and edgy domestic suspense tale.
All She Wants follows Lindsay, a woman who is devastated to learn that her long standing partner has decided to leave her for another woman and a new life. All Lindsay has dreamed of is the chance to start her own family, but this is shattered by her partner’s decision to move on. But life takes an unexpected turn for the better when Lindsay meets Jack. This fast-moving relationship seems too good to be true. But alarm bells start to ring when Jack’s sister Natalie engages in some strange behaviour. Linday begins to question her relationship with Jack and when the past comes in play, some surprising revelations are made. Will Lindsay attain the perfect life she craves?
Kelli Hawkins first came to my attention last year when I reviewed her debut release Other People’s Houses. Other People’s Houses was definitely a memorable read of 2021, so I was eager to delve into All She Wants. As I expected, this one was an immensely enjoyable read.
Kelli Hawkins adopts a shared narrative style point of view in All She Wants. Both female leads were fascinating and slightly unreliable narrators so it was great to delve into their respective worlds. Hawkins teases out the details of her characters within the context of the narrative, which impressed me. I really enjoyed playing detective and getting to the bottom of the explosive and well concealed secrets contained in All She Wants. Lies, withheld truths, deep deception and misdeeds all have a strong part to play in All She Wants. Themes of protection, relationships, trust, longing, obsession, possession, betrayal, expectation and recovery are key placement conflicts that come to the surface as this story unfurls.
Structurally, All She Wants reads exactly as a domestic thriller should. With short and succinct chapters with hooking closing points, it is extremely hard not to get caught up in this one. Twists aplenty, unexpected turns, deviations, narrative forks and shocking admissions work to reel the reader in. The mystery line is kept to a taut rhythm so the audience is placed on high alert for the duration of this tale. I loved the sense of being a voyeur to this personal melodrama, which is captured well by Kelli Hawkins. It is easy to follow along with this one to the gripping close, which is delivered with propulsive force.
Another deceiving domestic thriller from one of our rising stars in the suspense category of fiction, All She Wants by Kelli Hawkins is a must purchase now read.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The author who brought us the consuming domestic thriller Other People’s Houses returns with All She Wants. Swirling secrets, wrongdoings, lies, broken dreams and the weight of the past all conjoin in All She Wants. Kelli Hawkins has penned another excellent and edgy domestic suspense tale.
All She Wants follows Lindsay, a woman who is devastated to learn that her long standing partner has decided to leave her for another woman and a new life. All Lindsay has dreamed of is the chance to start her own family, but this is shattered by her partner’s decision to move on. But life takes an unexpected turn for the better when Lindsay meets Jack. This fast-moving relationship seems too good to be true. But alarm bells start to ring when Jack’s sister Natalie engages in some strange behaviour. Linday begins to question her relationship with Jack and when the past comes in play, some surprising revelations are made. Will Lindsay attain the perfect life she craves?
Kelli Hawkins first came to my attention last year when I reviewed her debut release Other People’s Houses. Other People’s Houses was definitely a memorable read of 2021, so I was eager to delve into All She Wants. As I expected, this one was an immensely enjoyable read.
Kelli Hawkins adopts a shared narrative style point of view in All She Wants. Both female leads were fascinating and slightly unreliable narrators so it was great to delve into their respective worlds. Hawkins teases out the details of her characters within the context of the narrative, which impressed me. I really enjoyed playing detective and getting to the bottom of the explosive and well concealed secrets contained in All She Wants. Lies, withheld truths, deep deception and misdeeds all have a strong part to play in All She Wants. Themes of protection, relationships, trust, longing, obsession, possession, betrayal, expectation and recovery are key placement conflicts that come to the surface as this story unfurls.
Structurally, All She Wants reads exactly as a domestic thriller should. With short and succinct chapters with hooking closing points, it is extremely hard not to get caught up in this one. Twists aplenty, unexpected turns, deviations, narrative forks and shocking admissions work to reel the reader in. The mystery line is kept to a taut rhythm so the audience is placed on high alert for the duration of this tale. I loved the sense of being a voyeur to this personal melodrama, which is captured well by Kelli Hawkins. It is easy to follow along with this one to the gripping close, which is delivered with propulsive force.
Another deceiving domestic thriller from one of our rising stars in the suspense category of fiction, All She Wants by Kelli Hawkins is a must purchase now read.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
March 27, 2022
Kelli Hawkins has done it again with her second book - All She Wants. I absolutely loved her first book.
We follow the story of Natalie and Lindsay. Natalie is working as a private investigator when Lindsay comes to her for help. She wants to see if her partner has been cheating on her. Unfortunately for Lindsay the answer is yes. The story unfolds when Natalie introduces her brother Jack to Lindsay and they hit it off, they both want the same things. Could there be something sinister at work here? We also get flashbacks from Ricky a 9 year old boy at the time and that's were the story gets very interesting. I don't want to give too much away but this is one of my favourite reads of the year.
I loved everything about this book and enjoyed that the book was set in Newcastle, Australia. If you are looking for a great written domestic thriller this book is for you.
Thank you Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review.
We follow the story of Natalie and Lindsay. Natalie is working as a private investigator when Lindsay comes to her for help. She wants to see if her partner has been cheating on her. Unfortunately for Lindsay the answer is yes. The story unfolds when Natalie introduces her brother Jack to Lindsay and they hit it off, they both want the same things. Could there be something sinister at work here? We also get flashbacks from Ricky a 9 year old boy at the time and that's were the story gets very interesting. I don't want to give too much away but this is one of my favourite reads of the year.
I loved everything about this book and enjoyed that the book was set in Newcastle, Australia. If you are looking for a great written domestic thriller this book is for you.
Thank you Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review.
May 17, 2022
Okay so, If I was to rate the book purely based on the plot twist and storyline- it would receive a solid 1. The characters lacked depth, plot twist was conspicuously predictable, and the storyline was a little dry. Howeverrrrrrr, I have to admit, I found myself compulsively turning the pages, eager to finish the book. So I was entertained, and did somewhat enjoy!
January 2, 2022
An interesting and well written domestic thriller. The characters were intriguing and multi dimensional and the storyline twisted and exciting!
May 7, 2022
Twists and turns and a suspenseful prose kept me turning the pages long into the night.
For an Australian set book, there was very little description of the environment which I found a change from many Australian novels I have read of late. The characters were interesting and well resolved. The blurring of the past and present was well done and added impact to the story
For an Australian set book, there was very little description of the environment which I found a change from many Australian novels I have read of late. The characters were interesting and well resolved. The blurring of the past and present was well done and added impact to the story
March 15, 2023
3.5 stars.
This was a quite enjoyable psychological thriller.
Lindsay was running out of time to be a mother. She had put all her eggs in one basket in the form of a long term partner who suddenly left her for another woman. When she got herself entangled with a brother-sister duo, she thought she’d found the perfect partner in Jack and a new sister in Natalie. But the siblings had a shady past in UK. Did Lindsay want to know what it was? Would she survive it?
I truly enjoyed the start of the book. Lindsay and Natalie were two strong, distinct female characters that piqued my interest. I had guessed the events that happened in the past correctly, so I wasn’t entirely shocked by some of the twists.
Without spoiling things, there were some plot points that I thought weren’t necessary, such as the long monologue in the last chapter (if that had worked, why wouldn’t the person did it way earlier?). Having said that, the build-up towards the climax and the climax itself were excellent. I was on the edge of my seat reading the scenes.
One thing that would’ve improved my audiobook listening experience would be to have two different narrators for Lindsay and Natalie. I think the current narrator was great as Lindsay, but I had difficulties picturing her as Natalie.
All in all, a quite enjoyable book and yes, I will be reading more books from the author.
See my bookstagram review.
This was a quite enjoyable psychological thriller.
Lindsay was running out of time to be a mother. She had put all her eggs in one basket in the form of a long term partner who suddenly left her for another woman. When she got herself entangled with a brother-sister duo, she thought she’d found the perfect partner in Jack and a new sister in Natalie. But the siblings had a shady past in UK. Did Lindsay want to know what it was? Would she survive it?
I truly enjoyed the start of the book. Lindsay and Natalie were two strong, distinct female characters that piqued my interest. I had guessed the events that happened in the past correctly, so I wasn’t entirely shocked by some of the twists.
Without spoiling things, there were some plot points that I thought weren’t necessary, such as the long monologue in the last chapter (if that had worked, why wouldn’t the person did it way earlier?). Having said that, the build-up towards the climax and the climax itself were excellent. I was on the edge of my seat reading the scenes.
One thing that would’ve improved my audiobook listening experience would be to have two different narrators for Lindsay and Natalie. I think the current narrator was great as Lindsay, but I had difficulties picturing her as Natalie.
All in all, a quite enjoyable book and yes, I will be reading more books from the author.
See my bookstagram review.
April 14, 2023
3.5⭐️
July 6, 2022
When reading fiction I like to suspend disbelief to enjoy a good story, but the story line was too unbelievable. The story line was over the top. Read to the end of the book to be able to write this review.
April 4, 2022
Thank you Kelli for sending us a copy to read and review.
A dark, fierce psychological thriller that had me gripped from cover to cover.
Lindsay dreams everyday of becoming a mother.
Waiting for the right time with her partner Mark is taking its toll.
Then Mark leaves her for another woman and all her dreams are shattered.
Then Jack enters.
Passion and love blossoms.
Lindsay’s dream may now become reality.
There’s one problem.
His over protective sister, Natalie.
What secrets are they hiding?
Why did they leave the UK abruptly?
Who are these siblings?
So many questions and not enough answers…….
A twisted suburban drama with sinister overtones, secrets, lies, deception and deliciously wicked.
Cleverly moulded to deceive the reader, devious characters for you not to trust and a twist here and there to make you gasp.
Kelli has definitely cemented her place in the genre.
There’s plenty to keep the reader interested and engaged as the melodrama unfolds in front of you.
Discovering the truth will have you wanting more.
You new obsession is here and her name is Kelli Hawkins.
A dark, fierce psychological thriller that had me gripped from cover to cover.
Lindsay dreams everyday of becoming a mother.
Waiting for the right time with her partner Mark is taking its toll.
Then Mark leaves her for another woman and all her dreams are shattered.
Then Jack enters.
Passion and love blossoms.
Lindsay’s dream may now become reality.
There’s one problem.
His over protective sister, Natalie.
What secrets are they hiding?
Why did they leave the UK abruptly?
Who are these siblings?
So many questions and not enough answers…….
A twisted suburban drama with sinister overtones, secrets, lies, deception and deliciously wicked.
Cleverly moulded to deceive the reader, devious characters for you not to trust and a twist here and there to make you gasp.
Kelli has definitely cemented her place in the genre.
There’s plenty to keep the reader interested and engaged as the melodrama unfolds in front of you.
Discovering the truth will have you wanting more.
You new obsession is here and her name is Kelli Hawkins.
March 29, 2022
5 stars. I really enjoyed this. I'm off to read "Other People's Houses" which is Kelli Hawkins' first book.
June 6, 2022
All She Wants has been getting rave reviews....and rightly so! Judging by the synopsis, I thought the book would be quite simple but it was far from it. There were plenty of twists and I was thrilled at all the surprises. Highly recommend it if you're a huge psychological thriller lover like me!
August 14, 2023
The storyline is dubious, but look past that and this is a fast paced and entertaining read. You could poke a lot of holes in the plot, and as the secrets slowly unravel the book actually goes downhill. The more I think on it the more I want to downgrade my score to 2.5.
August 25, 2022
I did not enjoy this book at all. The premise showed promise but the main characters and the relationships between them beggared belief, the plot points were contrived and often predictable, and the writing was clunky and rife with exposition.
Somewhat slovenly, impoverished, potty-mouthed, chip-loving Lindsay wants a baby at all costs and bang on cue, up turns drop-dead handsome, filthy rich, amazingly considerate Jack - and on around the third date he's right on board with having a baby too!
I suppose the point is intended to be that Lindsay was so baby-obsessed that the implausibility of this scenario and its set up (an introduction contrived by Jack's even more stunning, even wealthier, even smarter private investigator sister, Natalie) doesn't really trouble her too much and that's her undoing, but she doesn't come undone - on the contrary Lindsay gets rewarded for shallow behaviour.
Even as Jack's dark history as a child murderer is revealed, and that he and Nat have been hiding all these years under police protection, Natalie handily stabs her brother to death when Lindsay's new dress and hair-do just coincidentally makes her look just like the girl Jack murdered, sending Jack into a terminal tail-spin. Hard-nosed Natalie then takes off, generously leaving lucky Lindsay two houses and an oven full of cash. So, without her contributing anything at all to the outcome beyond going off the pill and takinga couple of doses of folate acid, now she's rich, has her baby, plenty of dough to pay for a cleaner and all the chips and Tim-Tams she could ever want and barely registers any concern about her boyfriend dead on the kitchen floor - neglecting to even mention this small detail to authorities until after she's done giving birth and opening the presents.
The twist, such as it is, is that Natalie's even more hard-nosed than we thought, and despite apparently being under international police surveillance/protection for the past twenty five years, elects to bump off two of Jack's girlfriends when they work out who he really is. Ah well, but then Natalie was so smart that she thought having a baby would be all it would take to cure child-murderer Jack of his demons...and especially given his murky background, it's just as well the British Police were apparently too dumb to work out any connection between the pair and not just one, but two of Jack's girlfriends mysteriously disappearing!
Somewhat slovenly, impoverished, potty-mouthed, chip-loving Lindsay wants a baby at all costs and bang on cue, up turns drop-dead handsome, filthy rich, amazingly considerate Jack - and on around the third date he's right on board with having a baby too!
I suppose the point is intended to be that Lindsay was so baby-obsessed that the implausibility of this scenario and its set up (an introduction contrived by Jack's even more stunning, even wealthier, even smarter private investigator sister, Natalie) doesn't really trouble her too much and that's her undoing, but she doesn't come undone - on the contrary Lindsay gets rewarded for shallow behaviour.
Even as Jack's dark history as a child murderer is revealed, and that he and Nat have been hiding all these years under police protection, Natalie handily stabs her brother to death when Lindsay's new dress and hair-do just coincidentally makes her look just like the girl Jack murdered, sending Jack into a terminal tail-spin. Hard-nosed Natalie then takes off, generously leaving lucky Lindsay two houses and an oven full of cash. So, without her contributing anything at all to the outcome beyond going off the pill and takinga couple of doses of folate acid, now she's rich, has her baby, plenty of dough to pay for a cleaner and all the chips and Tim-Tams she could ever want and barely registers any concern about her boyfriend dead on the kitchen floor - neglecting to even mention this small detail to authorities until after she's done giving birth and opening the presents.
The twist, such as it is, is that Natalie's even more hard-nosed than we thought, and despite apparently being under international police surveillance/protection for the past twenty five years, elects to bump off two of Jack's girlfriends when they work out who he really is. Ah well, but then Natalie was so smart that she thought having a baby would be all it would take to cure child-murderer Jack of his demons...and especially given his murky background, it's just as well the British Police were apparently too dumb to work out any connection between the pair and not just one, but two of Jack's girlfriends mysteriously disappearing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2023
An easy to read book, yet was waiting for a twist that never really came. There were a few elements of the plot that as a reader I found stretched the realms of possibilities. I did enjoy reading a book set in Australia - would have liked the author to have developed the minor characters of Tim and Alana a bit more. Would also have liked a chapter told from Jack’s POV as an alternate from Natalie’s perspective.
May 17, 2022
Weird, random book. Unfinished twists, pointless plot lines.
October 27, 2023
Another beauty from Kelli Hawkins! I do love a good psychological thriller and this one hit the spot. Short chapters, lots of suspense and a page turner from start to finish. Loved it!
July 26, 2024
Lindsay hires private detective Natalie to find out if her boyfriend is cheating on her. Indeed, he is, and the relationship ends. Lindsay is devastated because she really, really, really wants a baby. Luckily for her, Natalie is looking to foist her weak brother Jack onto somebody else so that she no longer has to be responsible for him. Jack wants children just as much as Lindsay does, and the two immediately fall into a relationship and Lindsay becomes pregnant. However, what is with Jack's nightmares, blackouts and panic attacks? Why is Natalie so eager for them to get together? What secrets lie in their past during their time in the UK?
The set-up for this book was good, and I was initially interested in seeing what would develop. But then it fell into a holding pattern, and became insufferably repetitive and dull. As is typical in this genre, Natalie goes on and on about what happened in the past and how she has to do this and that for her plans to work, without ever going into specifics. I know we need the big plot twist (which this book doesn't actually have), but having a character waffle endlessly about something without saying what it is does not build suspense. It is annoying. It is annoying because it is not realistic. Third person omniscient means we can see inside Natalie's head. It doesn't make sense that she would keep things from herself. Maybe I just need to accept this is par for the course in "suspense" fiction these days.
Lindsay as a character is a complete wet rag. She has no ambition in life outside of having a baby. I personally don't find people like that interesting in real life, and that doesn't change when it is a fictional character. Natalie dancing around the events of the past and her present plans might be annoying, but at least she is the far more dynamic and interesting character.
In the end, I'm not sure this made a great deal of sense.
This was quite the slog to get through. It was very repetitive instead of suspenseful, and predictable to boot. All she wants after reading this convoluted snorefest is a good nap.
The set-up for this book was good, and I was initially interested in seeing what would develop. But then it fell into a holding pattern, and became insufferably repetitive and dull. As is typical in this genre, Natalie goes on and on about what happened in the past and how she has to do this and that for her plans to work, without ever going into specifics. I know we need the big plot twist (which this book doesn't actually have), but having a character waffle endlessly about something without saying what it is does not build suspense. It is annoying. It is annoying because it is not realistic. Third person omniscient means we can see inside Natalie's head. It doesn't make sense that she would keep things from herself. Maybe I just need to accept this is par for the course in "suspense" fiction these days.
Lindsay as a character is a complete wet rag. She has no ambition in life outside of having a baby. I personally don't find people like that interesting in real life, and that doesn't change when it is a fictional character. Natalie dancing around the events of the past and her present plans might be annoying, but at least she is the far more dynamic and interesting character.
In the end, I'm not sure this made a great deal of sense.
This was quite the slog to get through. It was very repetitive instead of suspenseful, and predictable to boot. All she wants after reading this convoluted snorefest is a good nap.
August 12, 2023
I thought I’d give All She Wants, the only Hawkins book I hadn’t yet read, a go. In the end I thought it wasn’t quite as good as Other People’s Houses or Apartment 303 but it was still very readable.
All Lindsay wants is a baby but she suspects Mark, her partner for ten years, is cheating on her. Lindsay hires a private investigator, Natalie, to confirm if her dreams will remain just dreams on the baby front and, afterwards, when in a distressed state, Lindsay allows Natalie to set her up with her brother, Jack.
Jack, it turns out, has movie star looks, is a charming and somewhat insecure artist, is financially secure and, most importantly, is keen for children. With great haste Lindsay and Jack are soon living together and expecting. Of course, as these things go, it doesn’t take long for Lindsay to suspect that maybe Jack (and his sister) is just a little too perfect.
I liked how Hawkins used an urban myth which has been doing the rounds for several years here in Australia in relation to a notorious true crime as one of her major plot points. (I can’t really say which one - spoilers - but I usually shudder at the thought of it being true and this book didn’t make me feel more comfortable with the idea!)
There were a couple of other plot points and characterisations which made less sense to me. Natalie’s character, for example, was rather inconsistent and I had trouble with reconciling some of her choices and contrariness. Also Lindsay's friends and mother are introduced and then seem to play no real important part in the story.
There seemed to be a few editing fails in my copy - just small things now and then but they were enough to make me pause and scratch my head. I'm still keen for more from Hawkins, however.
3 ½ out of 5
All Lindsay wants is a baby but she suspects Mark, her partner for ten years, is cheating on her. Lindsay hires a private investigator, Natalie, to confirm if her dreams will remain just dreams on the baby front and, afterwards, when in a distressed state, Lindsay allows Natalie to set her up with her brother, Jack.
Jack, it turns out, has movie star looks, is a charming and somewhat insecure artist, is financially secure and, most importantly, is keen for children. With great haste Lindsay and Jack are soon living together and expecting. Of course, as these things go, it doesn’t take long for Lindsay to suspect that maybe Jack (and his sister) is just a little too perfect.
I liked how Hawkins used an urban myth which has been doing the rounds for several years here in Australia in relation to a notorious true crime as one of her major plot points. (I can’t really say which one - spoilers - but I usually shudder at the thought of it being true and this book didn’t make me feel more comfortable with the idea!)
There were a couple of other plot points and characterisations which made less sense to me. Natalie’s character, for example, was rather inconsistent and I had trouble with reconciling some of her choices and contrariness. Also Lindsay's friends and mother are introduced and then seem to play no real important part in the story.
There seemed to be a few editing fails in my copy - just small things now and then but they were enough to make me pause and scratch my head. I'm still keen for more from Hawkins, however.
3 ½ out of 5
June 8, 2022
Kelli Hawkins has done it again and I could not hesitate in picking up her latest novel. “All She Wants” slowly brings you into the drama until it all comes crashing around you. The title is apt for both of the female characters, Lindsay and Natalie. They are both longing for the perfect life, away from drama, where they have all of their dreams come true. They are very similar in that respects. The way in which they go about getting what they want is the difference and really differentiates these characters from being equally as different as they are the same.
Present day dramas for Lindsay vs the back and forth in time to slowly reveal the past of Natalie and her brother Jack. Keeping in character is so important in this book: maintaining the elegant snooty accents and letting the English accent slip out that could cost them their future, the woodworking and determined focus od work and hobbies. The obsessiveness is a little scary at times; the need to maintain the strongest façade. Jack’s character creation is so meticulous and adds to the build up from his past. This is such a contrast to Lindsay – casual, crass, fun loving, dreaming to have a child. There are moments when you think, yes, I know what’s going on, but I warn you … read closely and stay connected till the very end. The very details of the characters and settings for the characters are excellent. Another great book from an Australian author!
So many lies and secrets, and they all get in the way of getting what these women want … or does it?
Present day dramas for Lindsay vs the back and forth in time to slowly reveal the past of Natalie and her brother Jack. Keeping in character is so important in this book: maintaining the elegant snooty accents and letting the English accent slip out that could cost them their future, the woodworking and determined focus od work and hobbies. The obsessiveness is a little scary at times; the need to maintain the strongest façade. Jack’s character creation is so meticulous and adds to the build up from his past. This is such a contrast to Lindsay – casual, crass, fun loving, dreaming to have a child. There are moments when you think, yes, I know what’s going on, but I warn you … read closely and stay connected till the very end. The very details of the characters and settings for the characters are excellent. Another great book from an Australian author!
So many lies and secrets, and they all get in the way of getting what these women want … or does it?
June 18, 2022
You have to wonder at the confidence of a book that comes with a 'Guaranteed Great Read - Love It Or Your Money Back' sticker on the cover, don't you? Well, I'm pleased to report that there'll be no refund for me. I devoured this book in one day! 🙂
All She Wants follows 36-year-old Lindsay. After nine years with her boyfriend, she discovers he is cheating on her and her long-held dreams of becoming a mother are suddenly dashed. Newly single and with her biological clock ticking, all seems lost. That is until Natalie, the private investigator who exposed her boyfriend's affair, introduces Lindsay to her brother Jack and the pair fall head over heels for each other. Before long they are living together and expecting a baby. But not all is as it seems and as time passes, Lindsay senses something is off with both of them. The truth is the siblings are hiding a shocking secret; so shocking that not even their elaborate efforts and reinvented identities are enough to keep it buried in the past. The consequences are ultimately devastating and far-reaching.
In each chapter Hawkins ratchets up the tension. She leaves a steady trail of clues and spoils the reader with multiple POVs, all of which kept me hooked from beginning to end. I didn't even mind that one or two elements were a little far-fetched. It was entertaining, gripping and highly readable.
I'm excited to read more from this author.
All She Wants follows 36-year-old Lindsay. After nine years with her boyfriend, she discovers he is cheating on her and her long-held dreams of becoming a mother are suddenly dashed. Newly single and with her biological clock ticking, all seems lost. That is until Natalie, the private investigator who exposed her boyfriend's affair, introduces Lindsay to her brother Jack and the pair fall head over heels for each other. Before long they are living together and expecting a baby. But not all is as it seems and as time passes, Lindsay senses something is off with both of them. The truth is the siblings are hiding a shocking secret; so shocking that not even their elaborate efforts and reinvented identities are enough to keep it buried in the past. The consequences are ultimately devastating and far-reaching.
In each chapter Hawkins ratchets up the tension. She leaves a steady trail of clues and spoils the reader with multiple POVs, all of which kept me hooked from beginning to end. I didn't even mind that one or two elements were a little far-fetched. It was entertaining, gripping and highly readable.
I'm excited to read more from this author.
Read
April 9, 2022It’s not often I finish a novel in 24 hours, but the pages pretty much turned themselves with Kelli Hawkins’s new thriller, All She Wants. The main character Lindsay recruits an investigator to confirm her boyfriend’s infidelity, and not only does PI Natalie deliver the damning evidence, she introduces heartbroken Lindsay to her brother Jack, who is also keen to start a family of his own.
The story twists and turns between past and present, with the changing perspective of the two female leads adding plenty of pace and suspense to the story. I always love it when an author brings their own areas of expertise to their novels, and we see Hawkins’s insights into private investigations, and local knowledge of the city of Newcastle, showcased throughout the story.
I also liked how the plot had me enthralled without being bone-chillingly scary or especially gory, offering little tidbits of information and red herrings to keep me guessing. Many thanks to Harper Collins for sending through an early copy of this easy reading, highly engrossing story. All She Wants out now in all good book stores.
Read the full review and author interview at https://www.mayalinnell.com/post/kell...
The story twists and turns between past and present, with the changing perspective of the two female leads adding plenty of pace and suspense to the story. I always love it when an author brings their own areas of expertise to their novels, and we see Hawkins’s insights into private investigations, and local knowledge of the city of Newcastle, showcased throughout the story.
I also liked how the plot had me enthralled without being bone-chillingly scary or especially gory, offering little tidbits of information and red herrings to keep me guessing. Many thanks to Harper Collins for sending through an early copy of this easy reading, highly engrossing story. All She Wants out now in all good book stores.
Read the full review and author interview at https://www.mayalinnell.com/post/kell...
March 28, 2022
3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.0
Enjoyable, fast moving tale that keeps one turning the pages. A good read for a rainy day.
Lindsay is a single thirty-something who desperately wants a baby.
Before being single, she had a cheating boyfriend who supposedly didn't want parenthood.
Lindsay had previously hired a PI, Natalie, to cover her boyfriend's tracks.
Even though she doesn't need Natalie's services anymore the two keep in touch and Natalie introduces her brother Jack to Lindsay as a possible perfect match. Jack does seem to be the perfect man for Lindsay and wants a child as much as she does. But will these two become a perfect couple and be loving parents? Or does Jack have some serious demons from his past that his sister Natalie thought he may be able to overcome?
Both Natalie and Jack it seems, have had a turbulent past with so much to cover and hide away. Anyone who gets too deeply involved with them may be making a big mistake.
Even better than the author's first book, this one will keep you entertained.
Enjoyable, fast moving tale that keeps one turning the pages. A good read for a rainy day.
Lindsay is a single thirty-something who desperately wants a baby.
Before being single, she had a cheating boyfriend who supposedly didn't want parenthood.
Lindsay had previously hired a PI, Natalie, to cover her boyfriend's tracks.
Even though she doesn't need Natalie's services anymore the two keep in touch and Natalie introduces her brother Jack to Lindsay as a possible perfect match. Jack does seem to be the perfect man for Lindsay and wants a child as much as she does. But will these two become a perfect couple and be loving parents? Or does Jack have some serious demons from his past that his sister Natalie thought he may be able to overcome?
Both Natalie and Jack it seems, have had a turbulent past with so much to cover and hide away. Anyone who gets too deeply involved with them may be making a big mistake.
Even better than the author's first book, this one will keep you entertained.
November 8, 2022
Lindsay is desperate for a baby with her partner but he keeps moving the goalposts.
Innocently Lindsay doesn’t see the red flags until it is too late.
Enter Natalie, a woman on a mission to live her own life without the burden of her little brother Jack. It is not that she doesn’t love Jack it is the need to protect him that weighs her down. Looking for a suitable person to take Jack on, Lindsay vulnerable and desperate is like lamb to the slaughter.
Whilst Jack is unstable at times, Natalie is cool calm and posed, but then she has had to be, the journey her and her brother have taken to get to a new life has been hard won but not without bloodshed along the way.
Lindsay is a sitting duck and Jack an innocent bystander right up until the end Kelli Hawkins keeps you guessing.
Innocently Lindsay doesn’t see the red flags until it is too late.
Enter Natalie, a woman on a mission to live her own life without the burden of her little brother Jack. It is not that she doesn’t love Jack it is the need to protect him that weighs her down. Looking for a suitable person to take Jack on, Lindsay vulnerable and desperate is like lamb to the slaughter.
Whilst Jack is unstable at times, Natalie is cool calm and posed, but then she has had to be, the journey her and her brother have taken to get to a new life has been hard won but not without bloodshed along the way.
Lindsay is a sitting duck and Jack an innocent bystander right up until the end Kelli Hawkins keeps you guessing.
March 26, 2022
Lindsay, 38 years old and wanting to have a baby and has been in a long term relationship with Mark. She hires a private investigator, Natalie Davis, who helps her finding out that apparently Mark is cheating on her.
🕵♀️🤰📰
Long short story, Natalie introduces Lindsay to her brother, Jack, and after six months of relationship, she got pregnant. Her dream of having a baby comes true, but Lindsay doesn't really know whom she married to.
There's something that both Natalie & Jack hides from their past, when they lived in UK.
🕵♀️🤰📰
I can guess their hidden secret, but this didn't put me off about the book still. It's well plotted domestic thriller and I certainly can say the ending is the twist itself.
🕵♀️🤰📰
Long short story, Natalie introduces Lindsay to her brother, Jack, and after six months of relationship, she got pregnant. Her dream of having a baby comes true, but Lindsay doesn't really know whom she married to.
There's something that both Natalie & Jack hides from their past, when they lived in UK.
🕵♀️🤰📰
I can guess their hidden secret, but this didn't put me off about the book still. It's well plotted domestic thriller and I certainly can say the ending is the twist itself.
April 10, 2023
I listened to All She Wants on audiobook. It was my very first fiction and I’ve just started on my second so that must be a good sign, right?
Having read Kelli’s first adult novel ‘Other People’s Houses’, I popped this one on my TBR list as soon as it came out last year.
All She Wants was an enjoyable read (listen). The story is told through two main characters, Lindsay and Natalie and two timelines, present and ‘before’. I found Lindsay quite irritating at times due to her desperation of wanting a baby. I think this was also partly because of the audio and the voice the narrator used. There were a couple of twists but nothing that really shocked me and I thought the ending tied up a bit too neatly. Other than that, it was engaging and kept me wanting to listen.
I really look forward to Kelli’s latest book ‘Apartment 303’, I am getting Rear Window vibes from it!
A 3 ⭐️ read.
- Sarah 🌻
@littlereadbookco
Having read Kelli’s first adult novel ‘Other People’s Houses’, I popped this one on my TBR list as soon as it came out last year.
All She Wants was an enjoyable read (listen). The story is told through two main characters, Lindsay and Natalie and two timelines, present and ‘before’. I found Lindsay quite irritating at times due to her desperation of wanting a baby. I think this was also partly because of the audio and the voice the narrator used. There were a couple of twists but nothing that really shocked me and I thought the ending tied up a bit too neatly. Other than that, it was engaging and kept me wanting to listen.
I really look forward to Kelli’s latest book ‘Apartment 303’, I am getting Rear Window vibes from it!
A 3 ⭐️ read.
- Sarah 🌻
@littlereadbookco
November 5, 2024
I enjoyed this book. It kept me reading and I could not put it down. It still left me wanting more. I really love how relatable Lindsey’s character was. I didn’t really feel attached to them as a couple but saw them very differently. The only thing that pulled them together was that they wanted a child. It made me happy she got a child in the end. I really liked Deb. Ide like a book specifically about her. But I also hated her. What she did in the end made no sense to me and she was also a psycho. Does it run in the family? I saw it coming though like it wasn’t a big twist to me. I wish it ended differently but also the ending was perfect. It was also really well written. I only gave it three as I needed a bit more emotional depth with the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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