Jo and Kate met at St Luke's boarding school at the age of 8. Jo, who comes from a nouveau riche family is somewhat taken by the wealthier upper middle class Kate who is friendly and open. Their friendship continues into adult life but is it all that it seems? The story goes between the past and the present. In the present we find Jo, alone and bereft. Her husband Richard died suddenly at the age of 36 and she can't quite get over this or the fact that time is running out for her to have the baby she is desperate for. She is envious of Kate and Tom (the golden couple) who have a beautiful little girl Alice. Kate's relationship with Tom is a little strained but then he suddenly makes her an offer which leaves her stunned, In the strands set in the past we learn more about their schooldays and the secrets from that time one of which Jo has conveniently (and unbelievably) forgotten.

I'm afraid I didn't like this book. Jo, the protagonist is an unsympathetic unlikable character who is self absorbed. Kate is equally horrible in a manipulative controlling way. I found neither of them particularly convincing. The end is just nonsensical with Jo behaving in a way which is out of character. She may not be a nice person but...

So, would I recommend this book? Not really although there will be people out there who will enjoy it. Me, I've read too much that is too similar and I'm fed up with toxic friendships. Thankfully my friends are much nicer than Jo and Kate.

I was expecting so much more from this book. I had read a view reviews left by other people before I started it and they all seemed full of praise.

However, I felt that this book just did not live up to the hype. The story is a very slow burn, but Jo is just one of the most annoying characters in the world. She is stupidly blind in regards to what is happening around her and is solely focused on her own well being.
Now, I normally don't mind an unlikable main character, I actually really enjoy them if they are written well. But Jo was just insufferable.
I felt that most of the story was all over the place, there seemed to be a huge disconnect between what the author wanted to convey, and what actually happened.

The twist at the end was while predictable, also out of character for Jo.

I had to force myself to continue reading on for the most part, and I did not fully enjoy the book as much as I was expecting too.

2 stars.

Another fantastic novel from Caroline England. A brilliant, twisty drama. I loved it. The book was extremely well written and I particularly enjoyed the alternating past and present. We could really understand the relationship between the two main protagonists through learning about their shared past. An absolute whirlwind of a story with jealousy, secrets and lies. The book was dark and weird at times but that made it all the better.

I received in advance for you just copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow – this book was a very slow burn but about halfway in the drama eat up and that last half is a crazy crash until it finally goes off the rails. These people are scary, and not in the horror movie sense of the word. This will definitely have you sleeping with one eye open when your childhood best friend is in the room