Behind Closed Doors was the second novel I ever wrote. It hasn’t been on sale for since 2020. Now it’s had a complete rewrite, a polish, and has lots of improvements. even if you have read it before, you will love this rewrite.
Kerry has spent years protecting her younger sister from Bill, their volatile, hard-drinking stepfather. But she can’t protect her mum, and she can’t always protect herself.
Then she meets Tommy.
Falling in love with him shows Kerry what a normal family life is like. It’s a place where she can feel loved and safe. When she finds out how his previous girlfriend brought trouble into his home, she is determined not to do the same and terrified to reveal the truth about her own.
She says nothing, hiding the bruises and making excuses
about her home life and what happens behind closed doors.
But secrets have a way of escaping.
Bill’s behaviour becomes increasingly destructive, and long-buried family truths begin to surface. How long can Kerry carry on hiding it from Tommy? He’s the best thing that ever happened to her, but will love be enough? Or will the horror of the past consume them all?
A poignant coming-of-age love story set against the music and fashion of the 1970s.
Trigger warning: This story contains mature themes, including domestic abuse and violence. Some situations are of a sexual nature, though they are implied rather than graphic, and may be distressing or triggering for some readers.
The Story Inspiration
The inspiration for this story came from growing up in the area of Manchester where Kerry lives. The streets, pubs and shops mentioned in the story all existed at that time. I’ve also included the music I listened to and the clothes we wore.
Kerry’s house was based on the house we lived in, and Tommy was inspired by a boyfriend I had at the time and the motorbike he rode.
For those reasons, this story is very close to my heart. However, the plot, characters and events are entirely fictional.
A Few Visuals You Might Enjoy
The Reviews
A few of the old reviews., Will be rep,aced as the new ones come in.
World of Stories 