Synopsis

Beautiful, creative, a little wild… Edie was the kind of girl who immediately caused a stir when she walked into your life. And she had dreams back then—but it didn’t take long for her to learn that things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. Now, at thirty-three, Edie is working as a waitress, pregnant and alone. And when she becomes overwhelmed by the needs of her new baby and sinks into a bleak despair, she thinks that there’s no one to turn to… But someone’s been watching Edie, waiting for the chance to prove once again what a perfect friend she can be. It’s no coincidence that Heather shows up on Edie’s doorstep, just when Edie needs her the most. So much has passed between them—so much envy, longing, and betrayal. And Edie’s about to learn a new lesson: those who have hurt us deeply—or who we have hurt—never let us go, not entirely…

My Thoughts

I requested, and was approved for, this novel back in July before I took a break from reviewing. I finally managed to pick this book up and couldn’t remember what it was about, and actually I think that heightened my feelings about the book.

Watching Edie has tension from the very first chapter and I found myself on edge right to the very end, and even beyond when I couldn’t stop thinking about what might have happened after. It was a great thriller and one that I think will stay with me for a while to come.

Edie is living in London, she’s alone and pregnant and living in a grotty flat. I felt sorry for her from the beginning and as we learn more about her past, I still felt she’d had a tough time and hoped life would get better for her. Heather felt like a malevolent presence from the off but I couldn’t put my finger on why initially until I realised I was judging her through Edie’s eyes. This is where the way the story is told works brilliantly. The story is told from the present day by Edie, and from the past by Heather so immediately we’re drawn to believe Edie. Both of the characters are unreliable to a degree and as time goes on I wasn’t sure that I particularly liked either of them.

The denouement of the novel was shocking to me, I really didn’t see it coming and I loved that it surprised and shocked me. It’s not often that I can’t work out where a thriller is going but this one got me.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers. It’s such a fast-paced read and one that, once started, is genuinely is very difficult to put down!

I received a copy of this novel from Harper Collins via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Author Bio

Camilla Way was born in Greenwich, south-east London in 1973. Her father was the poet and author Peter Way. After attending Woolwich College she studied modern English and French literature at the University of Glamorgan. Formerly Associate Editor of the teenage girls’ magazine Bliss, she is currently an editor and writer on the men’s style magazine Arena. Having lived in Cardiff, Bristol, Bath and Clerkenwell, she now lives in south-east London.