I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review。 I wanted to like this book more than iI did。 It really felt like a time filler。 None of the characters to draw you in or are especially interesting, all seem a bit flat。 Just turning pages to get to the end of the story。 Three stars
Audrey,
3。5The characterization and relationships of all the characters in this book were fantastic。 I loved the demonstration of power imbalance in the friendship which was super entertaining。 I do admit that the ending surprised me, I was expecting something far grimmer than the conclusion so I was disappointed in the overall ending。 but I found everything added up really nicely。 The old manor setting sounded beautiful because of the well-detailed description and I got slightly jealous to not be able 3。5The characterization and relationships of all the characters in this book were fantastic。 I loved the demonstration of power imbalance in the friendship which was super entertaining。 I do admit that the ending surprised me, I was expecting something far grimmer than the conclusion so I was disappointed in the overall ending。 but I found everything added up really nicely。 The old manor setting sounded beautiful because of the well-detailed description and I got slightly jealous to not be able to see it for myself。 The plot is a well-paced clue wise but it still took me three sittings to complete this when usually a thriller takes me one。 There just isn't a big fear factor which I adore in thrillers and that's why I think it was harder for me to enjoy myself even though the friendship dynamic intrigued me。 Overall this book has good characterization, entertaining relationships, a beautiful setting but I wished for something grimmer。 。。。more
Marsha,
Nina Manning builds an interesting cast of characters and a premise that unfolds in a way that kept me reading until the end, although I must admit the ending disappointed。 Most of the story was a slow build towards what I was hoping would be a carefully constructed surprise ending, but instead the last portion seemed rushed and more telling than showing。 So great concept but the execution left something to be desired。 But then again, I am picky。 For readers who are just looking for a good distr Nina Manning builds an interesting cast of characters and a premise that unfolds in a way that kept me reading until the end, although I must admit the ending disappointed。 Most of the story was a slow build towards what I was hoping would be a carefully constructed surprise ending, but instead the last portion seemed rushed and more telling than showing。 So great concept but the execution left something to be desired。 But then again, I am picky。 For readers who are just looking for a good distraction during pandemic lockdown or a distracting beach read, they'll like this。 For those interested in authentic characters, clean story line and aha ending, not so much。 。。。more
Ashley,
This book was not what I was expecting。 I was expecting a thriller and this was just a mystery - with that being said, I feel let down a little by this book。 I was excited to read it, in the beginning I almost didn’t finish it。 There was so much random detail that I did not feel was necessary。 The third fourth of the book was good, I considered upping my rating to a 4 star。 Then when I figured out the ending before the ending, I felt like there was no true buildup and then I went back to 3 stars This book was not what I was expecting。 I was expecting a thriller and this was just a mystery - with that being said, I feel let down a little by this book。 I was excited to read it, in the beginning I almost didn’t finish it。 There was so much random detail that I did not feel was necessary。 The third fourth of the book was good, I considered upping my rating to a 4 star。 Then when I figured out the ending before the ending, I felt like there was no true buildup and then I went back to 3 stars。 There were still surprises & it was a good book, but not what I was expecting so I feel a little let down。 Sasha is best friends with Caitlyn and has been since she met her when they were 12。 Now Caitlyn is getting married and Sasha is her bridesmaid。 Sasha has a secret, though, that may unravel Caitlyn’s wedding。 But Sasha views it as payback for all the years that Caitlyn treated her poorly。 This book as 2 time-lines, childhood and now。 You get the history to help solve the mystery of what secret Sasha wants to spill。 。。。more
Tammy Feeney ,
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer。 This story proves that those who hold your secrets hold all the power。 I loved this book I like reading about the friendship dramas。 And this book definitely did not disappoint!
Iris,
Have you ever been in a toxic friendship?Sasha (a gardener’s daughter) and Caitlin (a billionaire heiress) forged an unlikely friendship when they were 12。20 years have passed, though they still call each other “best friend”, Sasha knows that it has always been a single sided relationship。 All these years, Caitlin never treats her as an equal。Now Caitlin is getting married。 Sasha finally decides enough is enough。 Is there any better occasion to plot a revenge against your “best friend” on her we Have you ever been in a toxic friendship?Sasha (a gardener’s daughter) and Caitlin (a billionaire heiress) forged an unlikely friendship when they were 12。20 years have passed, though they still call each other “best friend”, Sasha knows that it has always been a single sided relationship。 All these years, Caitlin never treats her as an equal。Now Caitlin is getting married。 Sasha finally decides enough is enough。 Is there any better occasion to plot a revenge against your “best friend” on her wedding day as her bridesmaid?This book was so brilliantly written that while I could feel all the painful and emotional draining experience of Sasha, somehow I could also understand why she wanted to stay in the friendship。 And the ending was just wow! I totally didn’t see that coming!Friendship is an interesting thing。 When I was young, I only cared about the quantity (all cool kids seem to have lots of friends!)。 But as I entered my 20s, I started to rethink the meaning of friendship。 Do I need friends for pleasures or do I need them for emotional support? It’s only natural that I cut tie with some “friends” who only care about having fun and were never there when I needed them。Now I just entered my 30s and only have a few close friends。 Though it’s an horror to the teenage me, I’m very happy now。 Coz I know that these friends will always be there when I need them and we are inseparable like a family。 。。。more
Martha Brindley,
This book goes back and forwards in time, detailing the friendship of Sasha and Caitlin。 I failed to like either of the two characters and found the pace a bit slow at the beginning。 It picks up about a third of the way through but it is a bit over explained and I struggled to believe how this toxic friendship survived。 Overall, a bit long winded and took too long for the big secret to be revealed。 It fell short for me with the disappointing "secret" revealed at the end。 Thanks to Net Galley for This book goes back and forwards in time, detailing the friendship of Sasha and Caitlin。 I failed to like either of the two characters and found the pace a bit slow at the beginning。 It picks up about a third of the way through but it is a bit over explained and I struggled to believe how this toxic friendship survived。 Overall, a bit long winded and took too long for the big secret to be revealed。 It fell short for me with the disappointing "secret" revealed at the end。 Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC。 。。。more
Toni,
I kept reading and reading and waiting for the BIG REVEAL and thought I had it pretty much figured out。 I mean, I literally thought I had this mystery IN THR BAG。。。 boy was I WRONG!!!!! Dark secrets, revenge, and twisted sense of belonging are what drove this entire novel and I was down for it。 I honestly loved every moment of it。 The author did a spectacular job depicting characters and creating scenes that I loved and hated each character the way the author wanted me to love and hate them unti I kept reading and reading and waiting for the BIG REVEAL and thought I had it pretty much figured out。 I mean, I literally thought I had this mystery IN THR BAG。。。 boy was I WRONG!!!!! Dark secrets, revenge, and twisted sense of belonging are what drove this entire novel and I was down for it。 I honestly loved every moment of it。 The author did a spectacular job depicting characters and creating scenes that I loved and hated each character the way the author wanted me to love and hate them until she didn’t want me to and then Like a flip of a switch she was able to change my perspective on each of the characters。 It takes phenomenal writing and brilliant scenes to do this。 A great psychological thriller! I received an ARC from Netgalley to review。 。。。more
Diana,
This book was interesting。 I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but let me go through some of my positives and negatives。 First, the writing was great。 Nina Manning is a wonderful writer; however, the story did drag for a while for me。 This was likely because of that "I have a secret and won't tell you until 75% through the book" thing that is so prevalent in many books。 Unfortunately, the secret here didn't have as much of a payoff as I had anticipated or hoped。 Also, maybe a consequen This book was interesting。 I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but let me go through some of my positives and negatives。 First, the writing was great。 Nina Manning is a wonderful writer; however, the story did drag for a while for me。 This was likely because of that "I have a secret and won't tell you until 75% through the book" thing that is so prevalent in many books。 Unfortunately, the secret here didn't have as much of a payoff as I had anticipated or hoped。 Also, maybe a consequence of Nina's great writing, but not one of the characters was likeable (well, maybe except one, but you don't really find that out until the very last chapter)。 I do wish I had someone to root for。 The last chapter was great, and a nice little final twist that I really enjoyed。 Overall, it was a good book that I'm glad I finished (it was rough there for a little while, and I was debating DNFing it, but I'm glad I didn't)。 。。。more
Sonal,
When Sasha's parents take on jobs at Saxby House she meets Caitlin for the first time。 Caitlin's grandmother, Josephine, is the matriarch of the Clemonte family and owner of the large manor。 Sasha is eager to be the bestest friend to Caitlin, who she envies and admires, regardless of how badly Caitlin treats her。 Now grown, Caitlin is marrying their childhood friend, Chuck, and Sasha is her bridesmaid。 Sasha is determined to make Caitlin's wedding day one to remember, including revealing buried When Sasha's parents take on jobs at Saxby House she meets Caitlin for the first time。 Caitlin's grandmother, Josephine, is the matriarch of the Clemonte family and owner of the large manor。 Sasha is eager to be the bestest friend to Caitlin, who she envies and admires, regardless of how badly Caitlin treats her。 Now grown, Caitlin is marrying their childhood friend, Chuck, and Sasha is her bridesmaid。 Sasha is determined to make Caitlin's wedding day one to remember, including revealing buried family secrets。 I went into this book expecting a thriller, the cover and synopsis definitely makes it seem that way, but it definitely wasn't。 The premise of the story was good, but it moved so slowly。 It alternates between past and present, but the pace never really picks up。 Things do get a bit more interesting after chapter 9, but you realize quickly that the author wants you to assume something that isn't the truth。 It's pretty obvious because there are never details given。 While the ending wrapped up well enough, it left me feeling really sad, especially knowing that the truth was never completely revealed。 Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Kate,
Netgalley 2。5 stars rounded up。 This book started out with so much promise, however it took forever to get to the point and the “major reveal” wasn’t that interesting。 I wouldn’t consider this book to be a thriller, more like a mild mystery。
Tamsin Preece,
Sasha and Caitlin have been friends since childhood。 Now Caitlin is getting married and Sasha is being the best bridesmaid she can be。 Or is she?This could have been a much shorter book and it takes far too long to get going。 The whole book is told from Sasha’s perspective but in a dual timeline- the summers of the 90s and present day。 It’s more of a mystery than a psychological thriller。 I wasn’t completely sold on the plot or the writing style and the characters seemed a bit one dimensional。 C Sasha and Caitlin have been friends since childhood。 Now Caitlin is getting married and Sasha is being the best bridesmaid she can be。 Or is she?This could have been a much shorter book and it takes far too long to get going。 The whole book is told from Sasha’s perspective but in a dual timeline- the summers of the 90s and present day。 It’s more of a mystery than a psychological thriller。 I wasn’t completely sold on the plot or the writing style and the characters seemed a bit one dimensional。 Caitlin was just plain mean a lot of the time and it was hard to believe that Sasha would have remained friends with her to such a degree after leaving Saxby。 The one exception to this was Ava。 The reveal at the end made her the only truly realistic character- haunted by her decisions and life choices。 It fell a little short for me but I am glad to have been offered the opportunity to review this novel。 Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book。 。。。more
Helen Frost,
Dark, poignant and bittersweet。 There is so much to uncover in this book as it explores lots of difficult areas of human nature。 The toxicity of childhood through to adulthood friendships and deep secrets hidden within families, even those seemingly prosperous is dissected to produce fascinating results。 The issues of class divide are also, slightly uncomfortably, highlighted and expertly illustrated。 There are lots of twists and turns in this story and I honestly didn’t expect most of them, whi Dark, poignant and bittersweet。 There is so much to uncover in this book as it explores lots of difficult areas of human nature。 The toxicity of childhood through to adulthood friendships and deep secrets hidden within families, even those seemingly prosperous is dissected to produce fascinating results。 The issues of class divide are also, slightly uncomfortably, highlighted and expertly illustrated。 There are lots of twists and turns in this story and I honestly didn’t expect most of them, which made it a really compelling read。 I still don’t really know who to warm to and empathise with, which is evidence really of very clever story telling and carefully crafted characters。 Definitely recommend。 。。。more
Brenda,
Oh, the tension! I was practically clenching my jaws and holding my breath from start to finish。 This slow burn psychological thriller is enticing and captured me, utterly and completely, from the first page to the last。 I hungrily read the novel in one sitting, ignoring everything else。 Young Sasha moves to live on a huge estate along with her parents where they work as head gardener and housekeeper/cook respectively。 As a young girl, Sasha is ecstatic to discover the owners of the estate have Oh, the tension! I was practically clenching my jaws and holding my breath from start to finish。 This slow burn psychological thriller is enticing and captured me, utterly and completely, from the first page to the last。 I hungrily read the novel in one sitting, ignoring everything else。 Young Sasha moves to live on a huge estate along with her parents where they work as head gardener and housekeeper/cook respectively。 As a young girl, Sasha is ecstatic to discover the owners of the estate have a young daughter her age。 They are incredibly wealthy and the class lines are very distinct which matters more to Caitlin's parents than Sasha's。 Appearance is everything。 The book is told in alternating timelines in Sasha's voice when the girls are kids/teens and also as young women。 Nina Manning does this beautifully。Caitlin is not a normal kid but Sasha is drawn to her and aims to please, desperate for a best friend her age who is like a sister。 Caitlin's mother detests Sasha and the lower class in general but the girls hang out and know each other better than anyone else does。 When Caitlin plans to marry, Sasha is to be her bridesmaid。 But nothing is as it seems。 I just love the goosebump-inducing psychologically disturbing bits scattered throughout。 Very, very interesting plot and subplots。 If you are seeking intense suspense which wondrously messes with your mind, do read this。 I am so glad to have discovered this immersive book and felt an immediate connection。 Loved learning the inner workings of the characters' minds。 And the writing。。。oh, my。 At the end of each chapter I wanted to quickly reach the next, yet didn't want the book to end。 A delicious predicament!My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an e-ARC of this marvelous book。 。。。more
Suzi,
Always a Bridesmaid…Sasha and Caitlin’s unlikely friendship begins as children at Saxby House。 Sasha, the servants' daughter, is enamored with the beautiful Caitlin, granddaughter of the manor。 Always in awe of Caitlin’s wealth and status, Sasha revels in this friendship but also tolerates a lot of odd behavior and poor treatment from her bestie。 Sasha is also intrigued by the undercurrent of secrets and lies hiding beneath the grandeur of Saxby House and is determined to uncover them。 One night Always a Bridesmaid…Sasha and Caitlin’s unlikely friendship begins as children at Saxby House。 Sasha, the servants' daughter, is enamored with the beautiful Caitlin, granddaughter of the manor。 Always in awe of Caitlin’s wealth and status, Sasha revels in this friendship but also tolerates a lot of odd behavior and poor treatment from her bestie。 Sasha is also intrigued by the undercurrent of secrets and lies hiding beneath the grandeur of Saxby House and is determined to uncover them。 One night she does…Fast forward to adulthood。。。 Caitlin is about to get married and Sasha is her bridesmaid, in charge of creating the perfect wedding day。 But Sasha has put up with toxic behavior and playing second fiddle to Caitlin for twenty years, and she’s finally had enough…“The Bridesmaid” is an enjoyable read but it didn’t completely hang together for me。 Told in alternating timelines but entirely from Sasha’s perspective, the story has an intriguing premise but it’s quite wordy and took entirely too long to get to the point。 I also struggled with believing that what amounted to a summer friendship of convenience would have endured into adulthood, considering how poorly Caitlin treated Sasha。Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Trina Dixon,
Sasha's parents work at Saxby Hall, and this is where she meets Caitlin, the granddaughter of the owner。 They become friends but it's all on Caitlins terms。 Years later Caitlin asks Sasha to be her bridesmaid。 There are lots of secrets within the Clemonte family。 The story is told from Sasha"s perspective and each chapter alternates between the wedding preparations and the past, culminating in secrets being revealed。 I wanted to enjoy this novel but I found it quite slow, I wouldn't say its a ps Sasha's parents work at Saxby Hall, and this is where she meets Caitlin, the granddaughter of the owner。 They become friends but it's all on Caitlins terms。 Years later Caitlin asks Sasha to be her bridesmaid。 There are lots of secrets within the Clemonte family。 The story is told from Sasha"s perspective and each chapter alternates between the wedding preparations and the past, culminating in secrets being revealed。 I wanted to enjoy this novel but I found it quite slow, I wouldn't say its a psychological thriller more of a mystery thriller。 Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review。 My opinions are my own 。。。more
Danielle B,
Sasha's parents work at Saxby House for the wealthy Clemonte family。 This is where Sasha meets Caitlin and they become unlikely friends at the age of twelve。 We get a look into their friendship over the years and see how poorly Caitlin treats Sasha。 However, Sasha discovers a secret one night about the Clemonte family and is told by Caitlin's mother, Ava, not to reveal it to Caitlin。 We don't find out what it is until the very end of the novel at Caitlin's wedding。I really enjoyed this book。 I h Sasha's parents work at Saxby House for the wealthy Clemonte family。 This is where Sasha meets Caitlin and they become unlikely friends at the age of twelve。 We get a look into their friendship over the years and see how poorly Caitlin treats Sasha。 However, Sasha discovers a secret one night about the Clemonte family and is told by Caitlin's mother, Ava, not to reveal it to Caitlin。 We don't find out what it is until the very end of the novel at Caitlin's wedding。I really enjoyed this book。 I have read all of Nina Manning's books and this may have been one of my favorites。 I enjoyed the mystery and all the details about their toxic friendship。 The story sucked me in and I had to know the secret Sasha was keeping all these years。 I recommend this book to those who enjoy a good old fashioned mystery。 Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
theliterateleprechaun,
Once a bridesmaid, always a bridesmaid? NOT so for Sasha。 Enough is enough。Bridesmaids are generally underappreciated。 They do all the work to make the bride’s day perfect。 They follow along with the bride’s wishes and deal with the mounting pressure of the big day。 The focus is always on the bride。 Nina Manning’s, “The Bridesmaid,” mirrors this relationship in an unlikely friendship between two girls。 Sasha first met Caitlin at Saxby House when they were children。 Sasha’s parents work for the C Once a bridesmaid, always a bridesmaid? NOT so for Sasha。 Enough is enough。Bridesmaids are generally underappreciated。 They do all the work to make the bride’s day perfect。 They follow along with the bride’s wishes and deal with the mounting pressure of the big day。 The focus is always on the bride。 Nina Manning’s, “The Bridesmaid,” mirrors this relationship in an unlikely friendship between two girls。 Sasha first met Caitlin at Saxby House when they were children。 Sasha’s parents work for the Clemonte’s on their estate。 The girls were besties, inseparable, until the day Sasha has had enough。 Enough of having to do things Caitlin’s way。 Enough of putting up with Caitlin’s odd behaviour。 Enough of the secrets。 This novel is about toxic relationships and explores the reason behind these types of friendships。 A slow burner, and more a mystery than a thriller, you’ll discover that nothing is as it seems。 In an attempt to keep secrets for appearance's sake, someone fails to connect with the most important people around her - thus perpetuating the problem。 This is the bridesmaid’s story from the beginning of the friendship to the end of it。 The author studied psychology and applied it to the relationships in this book。 It’s a decades-long journey into why people behave the way they do。 It’s a unique read because, for most of the book, the main characters are teenagers。 Most psychological thrillers I’ve read have adult protagonists。 Publishes May 27, 2021I was gifted this advance copy by Nina Manning, Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review。 。。。more
Sarah,
The Bridesmaid sees Sasha organising the wedding of her best friend Caitlin。 Is their friendship as it should be though? What is the secret Sasha holds over Caitlin, and why is Caitlin so controlling? I found this book difficult to get into, it was very wordy at the start and it felt too over descriptive。 However once I started getting to know the characters, the pace quickened and I quite enjoyed the second half of the book。 The author cleverly leads the reader down paths of thought, during bot The Bridesmaid sees Sasha organising the wedding of her best friend Caitlin。 Is their friendship as it should be though? What is the secret Sasha holds over Caitlin, and why is Caitlin so controlling? I found this book difficult to get into, it was very wordy at the start and it felt too over descriptive。 However once I started getting to know the characters, the pace quickened and I quite enjoyed the second half of the book。 The author cleverly leads the reader down paths of thought, during both the wedding organisation and flashback chapters, trying to hint at reveals to come。 Although I figured out what the secrets would be fairly early on, it was interesting to read how the characters reacted。I'd rate the book 3。5, rounded up to 4。 。。。more
Misfits farm,
Sacha’s parents are housekeeper and head gardener to Josphine who lives in a large house with 50 acres of ground。 Her father gets on very well with Jospehine and she invites Sacha to come and meet her granddaughter Caitlin as they are the same age。 A close bond is formed and although Sacha is very aware of the difference in privilege the girls are best friends。 Years later and it's the approach to Caitlin's wedding to Chuck whom she and her family have known for many years since they were childr Sacha’s parents are housekeeper and head gardener to Josphine who lives in a large house with 50 acres of ground。 Her father gets on very well with Jospehine and she invites Sacha to come and meet her granddaughter Caitlin as they are the same age。 A close bond is formed and although Sacha is very aware of the difference in privilege the girls are best friends。 Years later and it's the approach to Caitlin's wedding to Chuck whom she and her family have known for many years since they were children。 Sacha is organising much of the wedding and on a hen trip to Greece wants to tell Caitlin a secret she has been keeping for too long。 Caitlin's mother holds something over Sacha- we know not what。 A tale of the past determining the future and of secrets and lies。 An interesting read of a woman who has always had exactly as she wanted and didn't want to hear or see anything negative and told her friends so。 Of a loyal and insecure friend who longs for acknowledgement from the one person who won’t give it and of keeping family secrets。 One to ingirige and to keep the grey matter active。 A different read indeed (in a good way!) 。。。more
Ceecee,
3。5Saxby Hall, Dorset is where Sasha and Caitlin meet as pre-teens。 Caitlin is the granddaughter of Josephine, the owner of the sixteenth century Manor House and Sasha’s parents work for the Clemonte family。 This is the story of an up and down friendship which builds to a crescendo at Caitlin’s wedding several years on。 The story is told in multiple timelines。 The title is appropriate because this is about an unequal relationship as Sasha is always the bridesmaid while Caitlin the bride at the c 3。5Saxby Hall, Dorset is where Sasha and Caitlin meet as pre-teens。 Caitlin is the granddaughter of Josephine, the owner of the sixteenth century Manor House and Sasha’s parents work for the Clemonte family。 This is the story of an up and down friendship which builds to a crescendo at Caitlin’s wedding several years on。 The story is told in multiple timelines。 The title is appropriate because this is about an unequal relationship as Sasha is always the bridesmaid while Caitlin the bride at the centre of it all。 The characterisation is good, Caitlin seems unbalanced, much of her behaviour is odd, weird, strange and she veers from one end of the friendship spectrum to the other。 She’s a narcissist, a drama queen, a queen bee, manipulative and can be extremely mean。 Part of her issue surrounds her family, the dynamics in the household are off to say the least, at times heading towards the downright disturbing and much of the drama surrounds Caitlin’s mother Ava。 There are clearly many secrets being harboured, some are HUGE and there are lies in abundance。 When Sasha uncovers one secret there’s a shift in the balance of power in her favour but as a personality she never comes across very strongly until the end which is of course the whole point of the toxic imbalance。 You wonder on many occasions why Sasha clings limpet like to the toxic friendship。 As you approach the end things slot into place and it sheds light on why Ava and Caitlin are as they are。 Although the above is a strong part of the storytelling, I find the pace too slow。 There’s a lot of prevarication especially at the start and it’s about a third way in before anything much happens。 It’s over detailed and over explained especially in the first section of the book but once it gets going it’s a good read although I can’t say I find it especially chilling。 With thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc in return for an honest review。 。。。more
Elyse Alba,
This had so much promise。 I was grabbed early on and was kept interested enough to keep reading but in the end it wasn't worth the read。 The reveal took forever to happen。 So much long winded build up for not a big surprise。 This had so much promise。 I was grabbed early on and was kept interested enough to keep reading but in the end it wasn't worth the read。 The reveal took forever to happen。 So much long winded build up for not a big surprise。 。。。more
Jen,
This is one of those books that is fraught with suspense and will keep you reading well into the night。 It centers on Sasha and Caitlin, who have been best friends for a couple decades (since they were 12 years old); now Caitlin is getting ready to get married and Sasha is helping her plan the wedding。 The book is told solely from Sasha's point of view。 The book goes back and forth between the current time and the years leading up to it, so you get a good idea of how the friendship started and w This is one of those books that is fraught with suspense and will keep you reading well into the night。 It centers on Sasha and Caitlin, who have been best friends for a couple decades (since they were 12 years old); now Caitlin is getting ready to get married and Sasha is helping her plan the wedding。 The book is told solely from Sasha's point of view。 The book goes back and forth between the current time and the years leading up to it, so you get a good idea of how the friendship started and what might be causing the current cracks in it。 The times that they spend at the mansion where Caitlin lived and Sasha's parents worked were atmospheric and easy to picture。 I struggled a little bit to understand why Sasha was so darned insecure and why she allowed Caitlin to walk all over her。 It appeared that she had loving and supportive parents and I couldn't figure out why she didn't just stand up for herself。 When she finally does so, it felt a bit out of character to me in the way that she did it, though it certainly was exciting! I was a little let down by the reveal of the big secret, though I can't exactly put my finger on why- I wasn't fooled by some of the red herrings (though they were well done) but think I was expecting something different when it all came to a head。That being said, I did enjoy the book overall, and felt that it was a definite page-turner。 I'd recommend it to those who enjoy psychological thrillers。 I'd give it 3。5 stars。 rounded up。 Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
booklover BEV,
SAXBY DORSET Sasha and her family live and work on the Saxby house estate and Caitlin Anderton becomes her best friend so when Caitlin announces she's marrying Chuck, Sasha is taking under her wing to organise it all as well as been her Bridesmaid。 As time goes on cracks begin to show and rips their friendship apart。 Sasha and Caitlin share deeply buried secrets,Money luxury all this life comes at a price。 A nail biting novel thriller, so creepy, a remarkable story。 I couldn't put it down。 Its w SAXBY DORSET Sasha and her family live and work on the Saxby house estate and Caitlin Anderton becomes her best friend so when Caitlin announces she's marrying Chuck, Sasha is taking under her wing to organise it all as well as been her Bridesmaid。 As time goes on cracks begin to show and rips their friendship apart。 Sasha and Caitlin share deeply buried secrets,Money luxury all this life comes at a price。 A nail biting novel thriller, so creepy, a remarkable story。 I couldn't put it down。 Its will have you memorised and hooked right till the end。 。。。more