Playing Nice by JP Delaney

 

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: July 28th, 2020

Genre: Adult, Thriller, Fiction

Buy Links: Kinokuniya Malaysia | MPH Online

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Source: Huge thanks to Pansing for the review copy in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 3.5★

Blurbs

Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a parent's worst nightmare. On his doorstep is a stranger, Miles Lambert, who breaks the devastating news that Pete's two-year-old, Theo, isn't his biological child after all - he is Miles's, switched with the Lamberts' baby at birth by an understaffed hospital.
Reeling from shock, Peter and his partner Maddie agree that, rather than swap the children back, it's better to stay as they are but to involve the other family in their children's lives. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an official investigation that unearths some disturbing questions about just what happened on the day the babies were switched.
And when Theo is thrown out of nursery for hitting other children, Maddie and Pete have to ask themselves: how far do they want this arrangement to go? What are the secrets hidden behind the Lamberts' smart front door? And how much can they trust the real parents of their child - or even each other? 

Playing Nice is compelling, an unputdownable story which will put you at the edge of your seat for most of the time. The story starts with an unknown father knock on Pete Riley's door said to him that his son, Theo might not be his biological son. That is the beginning of curiosity about how can their babies be swapped? Who should they blame? How is this supposed to be solved?

I was intrigued by the premise of the story. I may not yet married and be a parent but I know one day I will be. However, it does make me feel anxious throughout reading this book. I couldn't imagine how when you have taken care of your child then someone knocks on your door saying that is not your child! This book is really super intense.

Despite how much I like the premise of the story, I don't like any of the characters in this book. It was very much frustrating especially on Pete's wife, Maddie. I just don't feel the connection of Maddie with the baby. I don't know. It just that I couldn't like any of them. That is that.

Overall, it was written well. The premise was great minus the character. The ending was unexpected. It wasn't that bad, to be honest. But it might not work well with me.

Playing Nice by JP Delaney is available at all good bookstores.