My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of Alison James’ ‘The Friendship Pact’ in exchange for an honest review. It was published on 3 July and I have since purchased its Kindle edition so I could have my Echo read to me in bed.

Lucy grew up with fairly affluent parents and at the age of twelve became bffs with Adele, a girl from a local council estate. Something clearly happened that both girls have since kept secret in said friendship pact.

Years later and Lucy has become the second wife of Marcus, a celebrated cardiac surgeon with an ego to match. So as this is a domestic noir/psychological thriller things are not idyllic in the marriage. Frankly he is a controlling monster.

Lucy reluctantly realises this reality: “it has taken this long to accept the emotional truth of her situation: she is an abused wife. And having fully accepted it, there is to be no turning back.”

A chance encounter with her old friend Adele sets things in motion. No more plot details as I always feel that this kind of novel is best approached with minimal introduction to avoid spoilers.

It certainly grabbed hold of me from the beginning and delivered the kind of twists that I look forward to in this kind of dark domestic noir. I found it almost impossible to put down.

Certainly recommended and I will be looking to read her earlier titles and keeping an eye out for future projects.

I love the Detective Rachel Prince series by Alison James. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she has written a standalone.

Something terrible happened between Adele and Lucy. The event has bound them for life due to a secret that they share. Years later, the women are brought back together with more secrets. Will their pact survive?

This story is narrated in three sections each ending with a twist. Although each twist was unpredictable for me,I wouldn’t describe them as shocking. There were subtly delivered in a way that you don’t seem coming but still, makes sense. Each left me curious to see how future events would unfold.

The suspense in this story had me turning pages in search for answers. I also enjoyed the character development though I didn’t agree with a lot of the characters’ actions. I kept wondering why they didn’t just call the cops in some instances. They explained why but I still didn’t see why not. Not complaining though, illogical actions by characters in thrillers are what make this genre so much fun to read.

In the end, Friendship Pact by Alison James was an entertaining read that I ended up devouring in one day. I enjoyed the suspense and as usual, I adored Alison’s storytelling.

So I kept confusing Alison James with Amanda James, thinking this was the same author as the one who penned "Another Mother". I thought it must be coincidence that she has called her main character Lucinda yet again, this time shortening to Lucy rather than Lu in "Another Mother". I also began to think her style in THE FRIENDSHIP PACT was so different to what I thought was her other thriller. But silly me got the two confused and they turned out to be different authors entirely!

Lucy and Adele were friends from different sides of the track who share a secret. When something tragic happens, they make a pact not to tell anyone what really happened at the reservoir. The two girls go their separate ways knowing they would never see each other again.

Now Lucy is married to a successful cardiac surgeon with a beautiful house in an affluent area of London and anything she could ever want. She has the perfect life. Or at least that's how it seems. What no one suspects is that her husband Marcus is an arrogant, dominating and abusive man who controls her every move. He monitors her online activity, her phone use, who she sees and where she's going.

When Lucy decides she's had enough and seeks shelter with a concerned friend, Marcus comes banging on their door and throws a tantrum in front of their friends before being ushered out by the husband. But at 3am Lucy hears a noise outside her door and is shocked to find Marcus creeping into the room, threatening her to remain quiet and not to make a scene and scare the children. She is coming home with him now.

Lucy realises she needs to be smarter in her escape plans if she is to outwit Marcus. Using money from a bank account her parents started for her as a child, which thankfully Marcus knows nothing about, she withdraws money to purchase a pay-as-you-go mobile which Marcus won't be able to track. She then packs a large suitcase and sets off to her father's, citing "a bit of a break". She places the mobile Marcus is tracking in an old mailbox at her father's to make it seem as if she is there, and goes off in search of an old friend.

In desperation, Lucy seeks out Adele. She needs to disappear, and she needs Adele's help to do it. Fake passport, fake driver's licence, new name, new place. It takes almost all of the money Lucy has left in her account but it is worth the cost for her freedom. Adele introduces her to Denny who gets her what she needs....and 8 days in a bedsit in Brighton. After that, she's on her own.

But Marcus tracks her down yet again and drags her back home. This time she is held a complete prisoner. He locks the doors, the windows, removes the landline phones, her mobile, iPad, locks the WiFi network - she has no way of getting out or even of contacting anyone. But one day, she hears the voice "Hey Blondie" through the letterbox and is for once relieved to see Denny. Explaining the situation, he expertly picks the locks and at last she is free.

But Denny has other ideas. It seems that no matter where she goes her husband will always track her down...unless they do away with him for good. Lucy is aghast! What? Kill Marcus? She wants to escape him but she doesn't want him dead! Does she? He tells her to think about it but she doesn't have to. The door is unlocked now and she can just leave! She grabs a bag is on her way down the drive when Marcus returns home demanding how the hell she got out! But he is tired and not on his game. Lucy manages to talk him into discussing things after a good nights sleep. So he downs 3 Temazepams and climbs into bed with promises that they will talk.

But a couple of hours later, she hears him on the phone and she walks in to find him getting dressed. He is on call he says and he needs her to drive him to the hospital. She refuses citing that he has been drinking and has sleeping tablets in his system, but he is adamant. He is needed now. So elects to drive himself. Lucy follow him out the house and down the drive and into the street, where she sees him veering all over the road and into oncoming traffic, before riding up a curb and into a tree then bursting into flames.

With Marcus' death, Lucy's troubles are over. Or are they?

Now an incredibly wealthy widow, Lucy finds Adele back in her life once again. Once best friends, the two women couldn't be more different even more so than when they were children. But she had asked Adele for help to escape Marcus - she couldn't exactly turn her away now. But Lucy quickly learns the mistake she'd made in asking for Adele's help. It seems she has left one prison for another.

THE FRIENDSHIP PACT is told in three parts with flashbacks to Lucy's childhood when she first met Adele and for the year they were friends to the terrible tragedy that separated them. While they were friends for just a year, I don't really understand why Lucy would seek out Adele's help. What of her other friends she made after she left to go to a private school? Surely she made much closer friends there? What made Adele so special?

Honestly, I don't think Adele was much a friend than a bully. She bullied Lucy into a friendship which was then on her terms. I know friendships at that age can be pretty intense but looking back I found it to be just a precursor to her marriage to Marcus. From one bully to another. Lucy was a vulnerable young girl and then woman. She was an only child conditioned in loneliness, and bullies like Adele and Marcus can sense that in a person. So I fail to see why she would seek out Adele.

I also found myself questioning many of Lucy's choices. Why didn't she just go to the police in the first place? She didn't seem like the type of person who wouldn't, so why didn't she? She had friends who would have supported her, regardless of Marcus' standing in the community or as a well respected surgeon. He would have had to let her go or be seen for what he was in the end. And then there were her choices regarding Adele, which I have already covered. I wouldn't have trusted her - why did she?

THE FRIENDSHIP PACT started out fast paced and completely compelling. I couldn't put it down! But at around 75% everything changed and it just seemed a little unbelievable. I mean, really? While Lucy's life seemed to be spiraling out of control, so did the plot. Even the revelations when they came were not shocking - just "oh, ok". And then the ending. Really? That was just too far fetched and implausible.

I do, however, love the cover. But it is a little misleading as the focus of the story is not on what the cover portrays but rather Lucy's battle for escape. The third girl alluded to here is but a small part and only features as a one chapter mention. It does come up again, but I don't think it's the whole story.

Unfortunately, while THE FRIENDSHIP PACT began as a compelling psychological thriller it lacked suspense and believability at the end. Such a shame because it began with such promise.

I would like to thank #AlisonJames, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheFriendshipPact in exchange for an honest review.

3 1/2 stars

The Friendship Pact centers around Lucy. She seems to have it all. Growing up, she is an only child and lives in an affluent area. She befriends a girl named Adele who is much rougher than her and a bit jealous of what she has. Adele also becomes jealous if Lucy is friends with anyone else. Another girl dies in what appears to be a tragic accident when they are all swimming. The girls agree to never discuss the events surrounding that day with anyone else.

As an adult, Lucy marries an older man who was a renowned heart surgeon. Of course, everyone envies her because of the wealth and position this appears to give her. They don't realize she is living with an abusive bully. Things get so bad that she determines the only way out is to disappear. This prompts her to look for someone who can fake new documents for her. She recently ran into her old childhood friend, Adele. She had been in prison for some minor benefit fraud. Thus, Lucy believes she may have some contacts who can help her. Adele does end up connecting Lucy to a man who agrees to help provide her with fake documents. From this point on, the story takes off. I thought it was good but nothing really took me by surprise. Sadly, it seems to me that Lucy was a person that was always destined for tragedy no matter what. She seems drawn to people who wanted to control her. Adele was a controlling friend when she and Lucy were younger and Marcus was a man who thrived on ruling their home with an iron fist. Lastly, I know Lucy had made some bad decisions but would have liked to see a more encouraging outcome for her at the end. Just my personal opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am so pleased that I was given the opportunity to read The Friendship Pact as it was a truly fabulous psychological thriller!

I loved the exciting plotline and the pacing moved along at a terrific rate. Full of thrills and totally addictive, it completely held my attention from the very first chapter, but I could never have imagined what a truly shocking and unexpected ending the story would reveal. I thought the characterisation really befitted this genre, with relatable and believable characters from all walks of life including both the good and the bad, the tyrannised goodies versus the mean and dark. This brilliant story was domestic noir at its best and masterfully executed by the author, Alison James. I absolutely adored her vivid and suspenseful writing style.

I shall be looking out for more by Alison James who has demonstrated an immense talent and I intend to read her 'Detective Rachel Prince' series. I recommend The Friendship Pact as a hugely worthwhile and an excellent read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Lucy and Adele were school friends but from different sides of the track. When something terrible happened, they went their separate ways, vowing to keep the secret but knowing they wouldn’t see one another again. Many years later Lucy was married to Marcus, a wealthy high-flying doctor. But things weren’t as they seemed to the outside world. Lucy was desperate to escape from Marcus who was controlling, violent and determined she would never leave him.

Silent, afraid, and with no one to turn to, Lucy had no idea what to do. The person she connected with again, after a lot of years, was the catalyst to change in Lucy’s life. Danger was lingering on the horizon; the past was beginning to show its face – would Lucy ever feel safe again?

The Friendship Pact by Alison James is a chilling psychological thriller with real bite! My heart was pounding, I was horrified at what was happening. I kept urging Lucy to go to the police; I had to put the book down to take a breath now and then. Fast paced with incredible twists – especially the end – I thoroughly enjoyed The Friendship Pact and highly recommend it.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me eagerly turning the pages. I HAD to know what was going to happen next and I was never disappointed. Alison James has an easy writing style and I was really able to picture the events as they happened. The characters were definitely likeable or unlikeable, definitely how the author wanted you to feel.
I love a book I can’t put down until I’m done and I would definitely recommend this book for fans of non stop twists and turns.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin House Canada for an ARC for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ rounded down to 3

Lucy Wheedon is the second trophy wife of Marcus, a successful cardiologist sho is also a volatile, abusive husband. Lucy has always been well Orr even as a child. She had been childhood friends with Adele, who lived in a council flat. Lucy is not allowed to work, she is stuck at home all day. Adele is now an ex-con. Lucy wants to leave her husband but she's finding it hard to do it on her own. She decides to ask Adele for help, hoping she will know someone who will help her escape. But will Lucy's plans go smoothly?

The story is told in three parts, alternating between past and present. There are plenty of twists to keep you wondering where the story is going. I couldn't get through this book fast enough, willing Lucy on, hoping she would escape. I was gripped straight away. Everything seemed to be geling together seamlessly. Great plot, great characters. Then it got to the 75/80% mark and everything changed. It all seemed a bit far fetched, almost unbelievable. I could not round my 3.5⭐️ rating up to 4 because of the ending. Otherwise it would have been at least a 4⭐️ read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Alison James for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Friendship Pact by Alison James is a stand-alone book and unfortunately not in the DI Rachel Prince series. While I have enjoyed the other books I have read by this author I don’t have the same affinity for this book.
The story spans decades in the life of Lucy from age 12 to thirty something. She witnessed an accidental drowning at the age of 12and then we fast forward to her marriage in her thirties to an older cardiologist who is domineering and controlling.
While trying to get out of the abusive marriage she meets up with one of her childhood friends and gets in all kinds of trouble.
While the book kept my interest it was at the same time very unbelievable. Lucy is in the last semester of graduate studies and it seems very unlikely that she will do so many stupid things. In the end she gets what she deserves.
It’s a good book that keeps your interest throughout and I will recommend it as a light summer read.
Thanks to Bookouture/NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I couldn’t put this book down, it had me completely gripped! Full of twists and turns that really kept me guessing! Definitely worth reading!

Happy Pub Day! The Friendship Pact by Alison James was such a surprise for me. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. Lucy and Adele are childhood friends. They share and old secret that neither girl has spoken of since they made a pact to never tell what happened that day.
Years later Lucy finds her self living the good life. Her home is beautiful, she’s working on her Masters Degree, and she married a heart surgeon. Things are not always as they appear. Her husband is controlling and abusive and Lucy is looking for a way out. She contacts her old friend hoping she may have some contacts to help her escape the hell that has become her home.
The Friendship Pact is fast paced and keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. I saw one of the major twists coming but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. Thanks so much Netgalley for my advanced copy.

This is my first novel by Alison James.

If you are a fan of Behind Closed Doors - pick up this book today! While Behind Closed Doors didn't hit it home for me as it did for others (mostly due to being completely unbelievable - this book in my mind is much more believable from an abusive marriage standpoint.

This book knocked it out of the park for me from the very beginning - I couldn't put it down - unfortunately the second half of the book wasn't as thrilling for me. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would definitely check outmode Alison James books. I would also definitely recommend this book to people that LOVED Behind Closed Doors.

3.5 stars round up to 4

Stunned!! I can’t believe that just happened. Lucy and Adele, best friends, share a secret that can’t be told. After parting ways, Lucy finds herself caught in the middle of a very controlling and abusive marriage. Wanting to run, Lucy’s plans have failed her and her husband always seems to find her..
I often wondered why Lucy made the decisions that she she did. It only seemed to make it worse and her husband always found her. I really enjoyed the turns in this book. It was like riding a roller coaster and loved reading this story.

Whoa! I'll begin by saying I wasn't sure this would be a five star read, but it totally was! I felt like I've read other books with similar storylines that were disappointing, but not this one. I grabbed this book every chance I had. I couldn't wait to finish it.

The story revolves around Lucy, who seems to have it all. Married to a doctor, living in a huge house, lovely stepchildren, no worries about money. But she also holds secrets. And one of those is a huge secret that only one other person knows...a childhood friend named Adele. But how long can two friends keep a secret? Especially after losing touch with each other for so many years.

This psychological thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. This was my first book by Alison James and it definitely won't be my last! This fantastic read releases tomorrow on July 3. You won't regret buying this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars - rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The premise and the cover of this book are what really grabbed my attention. I had to request it in hopes of nabbing a copy. I’m so glad I did!

Lucy and Adele are childhood friends who come from different worlds. Friends who share a secret - one that they made a pact to never tell anyone about. Now in present day, Lucy is married to a very busy, handsome surgeon. Their life seems so perfect. They are the envy of all who know them. However, all is not what it seems. Lucy’s husband is a controlling, manipulative ass who eventually pushes Lucy to her limit and she begins to plan her escape. Enter Adele. This is where my review must end so nothing is spoiled. Just remember...you can’t trust everyone - even those who you’ve known for a lifetime.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Bookouture and Alison James for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh. My. God. What have I read? I am all tingly inside, filled with excitement of this fast paced, suspenseful, a minute a twist thriller. The author Allison James built up so much of a thrill inside me, adding layer by layer, that I had to scream out loud when I finished the book. The energy of getting to the final ending twist just got to me. Whew... I am okay now.

The characters, oh my, there were all different. Lucy was brilliant. She came across as innocent and sweet. But was she really? She knew Joanne, and she was best friends with Adele in her childhood until the day a freak 'accident' left Joanne dead. Was that an accident really? Their friendship broke off, their pact remained. Decades later, Lucy went to Adele for help... A quicksand move which started a series of events culminating in death. Everything was destroyed with one desperate act, just ashes remained scattered. But you know what? THE FRIENDSHIP PACT SURVIVED!!

Allison's writing was like a blow of a hammer, fast and swung with perfect strength at the correct angle. It took me on a dizzying ride, a perfect roller coaster. I started seeing twists and red herrings in every scene. You see, I wanted to guess where the story was going. Did I guess? Just the initial part, then the author brought in a big twist which I could have never foretold.

This story taught me one thing - with friends like these, you don't need enemies. But sometimes, just sometimes, you need them for exactly the same reason.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This book was so addictive. Lucy has a lot of secrets. A controlling/abusive husband, secretly wanting kids, and other secrets as well. there were sooo many twists and turns in this book.

When you have made a friendship pact, it means you will have each otther's back forever, right? You will always keep your promises to each other and even though you might have lost contact, a pact is stronger than anything else, right? Weeeellll, maybe, maybe not ...

I have finished this book in one go. It was so addictive that I just had to keep on reading. 

Everybody is entitled to have some secrets, but it are often small issues. When you have darker things to hide, you might have freed yourself from a lot of heartache and danger, but you also robbed yourself from your one chance on true happiness and love.

Often you are forced to make choices. Sometimes you wish you had done things differently but you cannot turn back the clock and you will have to live with the results.

A good story filled with suspense untill the bitter end. 4 stars.

Thank you, Alison James, Bookouture and Netgalley.

This story had lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing the whole through. It was a book I didn’t want to put down and totally engrossed in. The characters were developed so well. This one is worth a read!

What a mix this book was. Part abusive marriage and part hidden childhood secrets. I was glued to my secrets. The multi plots kept my attention, the story of Lucy and Adele, Lucy and Marcus and adult Lucy and Adele.
There were a lot of twists and turns! Check out this thriller!!!