Good Me Bad Me

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The outcome of the trial and the way in which her new home life works out don’t come as a massive surprise but I’d still recommend reading Good Me, Bad Me for Annie/Millie’s voice and her thoughts and behaviour as a survivor, the mental gymnastics she has to play in her new life with all the fresh challenges that brings, and the promising new author behind it all that is Ali Land. If Milly thinks her life will change for the better then she hasn't bargained for Phoebe, the teenage daughter of the family, who hates Milly on sight. With doctor patient confidentiality, I just can’t get my head around a teenage girl opening up to her psychologist who also happens to be her foster dad. I think the first half of the book was a little slower than the second half, hence the 4 star review.

I think this is a very good debut novel and I am already looking forward to reading more from Ali Land. I’ve decided it just scrapes 3 stars, as I was able to read the book to the end, and I wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy it at all, it just wasn’t what I was expecting and turned out not to be the book for me. This thriller gives readers a new angle to explore in psychological thriller and it’s every bit as good as reading from the killer’s perspectives. I do think regardless it will be a popular book and a great one for book clubs due to the great discussion that could be generated! By selecting this method of narration to express the events of the story, it is a compelling choice that seems to work in well with the overall tone of the book itself.It’s easy to say that teachers, and by the same token counsellors and social workers, can sometimes be the worst people at seeing what’s going on in their own lives, despite being able to spot the signs in the classroom or consulting room, but I struggled at times to accept that this was where Annie/Milly had ended up and that Mike is so blind to what’s going on, although obviously it made her situation and the story all the more compelling and involved as a result. While her mother is awaiting her trial Annie is placed in a foster family, where she get’s a new sister and a new name. Good Me, Bad Me is one those strange books where the beginning and end are kinda meh, but the middle is fantastic. Is there ever a real choice to be made between the paths of good and evil, or this something predestined or beyond choice?

While Milly contends with a new family, a jealous sister and an awful round of bullying at her new school, dark thoughts begin to enter her mind. The most overwhelming aspect which I believe Land deserves praise for is the way she went into this novel relentlessly, occupying the mind of such a troubled young soul. This excellent psychological thriller will be a big success and I know we will hear a lot more from this author. Which brings me to my second concern: because of my intense dislike for all involved, when the climatic deed happened I was actually glad as I'm sure many of you were or even will be! But Land takes this problematic subject matter in her stride and the result is an unputdownable narrative.But Milly’s new foster family are dysfunctional themselves, lacking the support and care this troubled teenager needs. I had previously read good reviews for this book from Goodread friends so when I was offered the opportunity to read it I felt I couldn't refuse.

Frightened of letting anyone know her thoughts or know what actually happened during her time with her mother. As her mother's trial looms, with Milly as the star witness, Milly starts to wonder how much of her is nature, how much of her is nurture, and whether she is doomed to turn out like her mother after all. He has never worked with someone as damaged as Milly, but he is well placed to help her adjust to life without her mother, and he knows what warning signs to look for if she’s struggling. Based on the number of reviews spelling Milly as Millie, I really am wondering if there are two versions of this book out there. Perhaps this is perfectly acceptable practice, I don’t claim to be an expert in this matter, but did personally find it a little hard to find this situation believable.What type of humans are we that we read this crap and allow ourselves to become so hardened to travesty? Right away, we are taken into a glimpse of the physical, sexual and emotional abuse that Annie experienced as a child.

Annie is an unreliable narrator and her journey as she struggles between her good and bad side makes this book all the more interesting and intense. I devoured this one and think I read it in two days as it was so compelling and I loved the psychological aspect of this novel. Ali Land holds a degree in Mental Health and her prior career as a nurse in this field contributes to her understanding of the subject she presents in this compelling debut.

SET TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY, CONTROVERSIAL AND EXPLOSIVE DEBUTS OF 2017 - for fans of quality psychological suspense and reading group fiction: once you read this book you'll want to talk about it. For our Twisted Sister, Norma this book definitely worked for her and she was satisfied with the ending but for the rest of us not so much. Her foster dad, Mike, is a psychologist prepping Milly for her day in court to testify against her mother. Yes, the story can be uncomfortable in places but thankfully it’s not graphic about the child murders and the abuse they would have suffered.