Queen Bee by Jane Fallon is a hilarious and witty novel about the joys and perils of living next door to a celebrity
The main character, Laura, is a smart and sassy divorcee who works as a home stager and gets entangled in the drama of her famous neighbours.
The book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, clever twists and relatable characters
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good comedy with a dash of romance and intrigue

Jane Fallons writing is just amazing. I have read many of her book and find myself at ease with them her writing has almost become like an old friend. So when I read a new book by her it is just like getting reacquainted with that friend.
Jane’s books are always so easy & interesting and this one was no different

I read this book in 2020 and forgot to write a review, I'm so sorry! I enjoyed it as much as I have loved the other books by this author that I have read.

This book was both engaging and easy to read.
The main character was extremely relatable.
I really recommend this book to fans of womens fiction .

Another triumph from Jane Fallon. She is so talented at writing rich, sassy and funny characters, with real depth. There are twists and turn aplenty and lots to challenge your own thoughts!

Not my usual genre I’m more a thriller kinda gal, but this was a witty and funny read and quite thrilling in parts, a good little revenge story with friendship and fun too! Very enjoyable book from Jane Fallon, might have to get a few more 😉 a nice easy read to relax with 😊

My first book by Jane Fallon but definitely won’t be the last.

Laura is recently separated from her husband and finds a tiny studio to rent in The Close. Everyone who lives in The Close are multi millionaires and Laura, with her small cleaning business, isn’t sure she is going to fit in.

Unfortunately Laura soon finds herself on the wrong side of Stella, definitely not of Laura’s making, and this soon leads to the other wives avoiding Laura too. But a discovery during the cleaning at an office block leads to Laura knowing something that will totally devastate Stella. Should she tell Stella ?

Laura takes pity on Stella and tells her the big secret and suddenly the two discover that maybe they can work together and become friends - maybe !!

This is a great book and you will find yourself totally warming to Laura. I was really engrossed in Laura’s world and loved getting to know The Close and it’s inhabitants alongside her.

Thank you to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

Jane Fallon is one of my favourite authors and this did not disappoint. A bit of light relief during these extremely odd times. An entertaining escapist read

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

Jane Fallon is a new author for me but I know she has a fantastic reputation as a great writer, so I was excited to read Queen Bee.

The story is told from the point of view of just one person Laura who is newly single and hoping to make a new start for herself and her daughter. Laura rents an annexe on “The Close’, a row of mansions owned by the mega-rich. Far from being daunted by her affluent neighbours, Laura adopts a cheery and friendly approach to the botoxed and designer-clad women, only to get a frosty and downright rude reception. She sets out to find out exactly why the neighbours have turned against her and discovers some secrets which literally change everything.

I loved the writing style and detailed descriptions of the millionaires and their lifestyles. You literally feel like a fly on the wall, soaking up the opulent furnishings and indulgent lifestyles of people who have money to burn. Laura maintains her grounded ‘girl next door’ personality throughout and her wit and relatability is totally infectious. I was so pleased that Laura didn’t in any way feel intimidated by the rich neighbours, in fact, she saw straight through their shallowness. I loved the descriptions of the surgically enhanced faces, the status one-upmanship, and the total incompetence of the Barbie lookalikes. It’s a total reminder that moral values are far more important than a glitzy lifestyle.

I raced through the pages, the final section of the book had me gripped and I will miss life on ‘The Close’. This is a book to escape to, a glimpse into a mad world where nothing is actually as it seems. There are characters you will love to hate (then learn to love just a bit!), an unpredictable plot, and the start of unexpected friendships.

A refreshing and highly amusing read.

Is there anything better than a revenge story? I don't think so - and let's be honest, Jane Fallon is the absolute Queen of them. Queen Bee by Jane Fallon is absolutely no exception to that rule. I've read a good number of Jane Fallon novels over the last few years - I was part of the blog tour for Tell Me A Secret last year, and I read and reviewed My Sweet Revenge in 2017. I was more than excited to get stuck into Queen Bee by Jane Fallon, and I'm disappointed that it took me this long to finish it after getting the approval on Netgalley.

Queen Bee by Jane Fallon



Laura, our main character, is in the process of getting divorced from her husband - one day, he decided he just didn't want to be married to her anymore, so she moves out whilst they're in the process of selling the home they share. In moving out, she finds herself living in the garage apartment of a wealthy couple, a couple who live in a very prestigious and upper-class neighbourhood. Laura does her best to try and settle into the neighbourhood, attempting to integrate herself into their lives and to give her daughter the opportunity to make friends with the neighbour's kids. One day, she realises that the people she had so desperately tried to befriend and be kind to are giving her the silent treatment - and she doesn't know why.

It doesn't take long for her to discover why this has happened - the husband of one of the residents, Stella, has implied that she gave him a book with a ~provocative~ dedication inside it. Laura is naturally confused - she recognises the man, but doesn't know him; and she definitely didn't gift him a book. Stella is quick to spread the news that the new kid on the block is after her man - right before their wedding, too! The cheek of it. Laura is determined to find out why Al was quick to point the finger at her; what is he hiding and why is she being used as a scapegoat? When she finds out... well, a plot for revenge is in order for sure.

Jane Fallon's books are absolutely fantastic and this one is no exception. I love the intrigue and the build up to the exposé - as well as the impending run-down. An enjoyable and intriguing read, with an ending that definitely doesn't disappoint.

Queen Bee’ is the latest book by Jane Fallon and just like her previous novels, nothing is what it seems in this suburban drama.

When Laura’s marriage falls apart, the last thing she expected was to move out of her home without her daughter and moving into a small granny flat whilst trying to get in life in order. Moving into an area of success and wealth, Laura is already under a watchful eye box being a single woman so when a husband of her neighbour, claims that she left him a book with an inscription, Laura finds herself amongst the cast of ‘Mean Girls’ as the women of the neighbourhood turn on her and cast their loyalties with their friend called Stella, an extremely bitchy and insecure woman with 2 bitchy daughters who enjoy nothing more than belittling Laura’s little girl called Betsy. Laura is determined to clear her name and prove people wrong, with her aid of her employee Angie who works for Laura’s cleaning business to help find evidence to prove that she’s not interested in Stella’s husband.

‘Queen Bee’ is another sharply written and observational story by Jane, a story about the dynamics of the rich and privileged and how they treat the not so rich, particularly when it comes to female friendships. I loved Laura and how easily she fitted into The Close, but even when she was blamed for something that she had nothing to do with, she rose above it and claimed her innocence and even making an unlikely friend along the way. Her main concern and priority was wanting to create a safe and homely environment for her sweet little girl. Stella was also a great character, bitchy and privileged, scenes with her and Laura always made for entertaining reading as they swiped at one another.

The story has a great mix of personalities and the people from different societies and classes also made for interesting reading in the story. I found the story to well written with a nice pace and flow to it, with a lot of dry wit and humour, that mainly came from the protagonist of the story.

A story that can be consumed in one sitting and really brightened up a wet and dreary afternoon. ‘Queen Bee’ is another fun and revengeful story from the ‘Sunday Times’ bestseller, with drama, twists and plenty of Jane’s trademark wit, this book was a compulsive read!

You can buy ‘Queen Bee’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Although I was sure I would love this book going only by the author, I wanted to read a few reviews first. One of the reviews I read mentioned a similarity to the set up of Desperate Housewives. I used to love that series so that made me more excited to read Queen Bee.

The plot is set around a Close of expensive mansions, rich couples who have nannies and house keepers and ” keeping up with the Jones'” is very much a thing. The men work and earn far to much, and the women go to spa’s and organise parties. But then along comes Laura who rents the back house from one of the couple’s until she is able to find her next real home. Having nothing in common with these people Laura is not immediately accepted. In fact she is ousted due to no fault of her own.

The relationship between Laura and the Queen Bee of the street is a complicated and strange one.

I found Queen Bee Stella to be an intruing character, at some points I found her to be a little unbelievable

“…doesn’t even know how to warm up a pizza”

Can that really be true that first world women don’t know how to heat up a pizza because they have had people do it for them forever? That just shows how spoilt Stella is. Laura is the opposite and has to survive independently and work for everything she has. It was very interesting to see these 2 women navigate their lives together and separately.

The Jane Fallon books I have read before have involved a revenge theme quite a lot. I was expecting the revenge to be against Queen Bee, but it wasn’t, in some ways this made it even better.

The book holds all the perfect escapism, easy reading, funny and engaging words that I hoped it would.

The book is up to date and modern with even a mention of my latest favourite Netflix binge watch.

” I don’t think that’s how it works. I wish I’d stuck with Ozark”

Jane Fallon’s books are addictively brilliant. I have loved all the ones I have read and this one is no different. Yes, different characters and a different plot, but the same fun, satisfying, escapism read. I loved it. Now I’m awaiting the next book Jane Fallon writes.

A fabulous book. Another huge success by Jane Fallon. A story of new starts and friendship with a tale of support mixed with a bit of deviousness to add extra interest. A real page turner.

What happens in the world of the super rich.
Cleaner Laura ends up living in The Close and this is the story of what she finds out and her relationship with Queen Bee Stella.
A really good story about the relationships between women and the fragility of friendship

Queen Bee follows Laura, who moves to a small studio on The Close after her marriage ends. She moves into the annexe of Gail’s mansion. There she is introduced to a rich circle of friends although their lives are not all what they seem. Laura meets Stella, who is set to marry Al, who she has been with for many years. Yet, Laura’s arrival unsettles the peace as she learns more about her new neighbours.

Laura runs a small cleaning company for offices. Early on, she discovers that Stella’s partner, Al, is the CEO of one of the companies she has a contract with. This enables Laura to find out more than Al would like about his world.

Told from Laura’s perspective, Queen Bee is entertaining but also full of drama and suspense. It is full of secrets, which are gradually uncovered. What was most enjoyable about this story, was that it wasn’t predictable. You become immersed and are not sure what will happen next.

It’s a story about the complexities of friendship and marriage, but also of status, class and wealth. It explores the age-old question of whether money can truly buy happiness.

If you’re looking for a light, easy read with a storyline that will keep you hooked, then this one is for you.

This is such an enjoyable read. You get to see Laura's new life as she lives in the annexe above the garage, surrounded bu the uber rich and the social climbers. The humour is razor sharp with some wry observations on how some choose to live and allow themselves to be dictated to, so as not to lose face. Of course, there is more to the Close than meets the eye. Not everyone is living the dream, even though they are desperately trying to live up to their Instagram images.

I also liked the way we got to see the others who work in the Close and actually do most of the childminding, cleaning and, it seems, thinking for their employers. Laura always keeps her feet on the ground and can't stand by and see people misled. We learn, alongside her, why her marriage has come to an end and you really sympathise with her. She is determined to build a new home for herself and her daughter, but at times, you feel her pain. With a range of characters, all of whom, I could visualise and a plot which keeps you wondering, this is one to recommend.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book.

Jane Fallon is the Queen Bee of revenge. Previous books have been warmly anticipated and this latest offering was no exception.
The humour was witty and Laura's description of her neighbours were so visual and realistic I had to laugh.
Some of Laura's decisions and actions were somewhat unwise to say the least as we're Stella's, leading to a highly unlikely friendship.
The reactions of Stella's friends- blowing hot and cold according to Stella's whim was totally believable but unfortunately, not the thawing of relations between Laura and neighbours and the being subsequent allies further on.
It became a little tedious with Stella's supposive lack of skills and Laura's continuing raids at Al's office.
Whilst it was still an entertaining read, it wasn't Jane Fallon at her best.

A perfect story for relaxing in the garden on summer days, easy to pick up and carry on. Funny but with a caring flow running throughout, great characters that you feel you know. In fact, maybe you do as this could be a true story from the suburbs. Great reading.

This was my first Jane Fallon read and unfortunately it just didn’t grip or draw me in as I had hoped. ⁣
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The plot line was very reminiscent of another book I read earlier this year, which I was also not overly enamoured with.⁣
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I intensely disliked Stella ‘The Rich Bitch’ from the get go, although I have to say I did warm (slightly) to her by the end of the book. ⁣
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Laura, the main character, was likeable enough. Despite her recent separation from her husband and the difficult, albeit temporary, custody arrangements for her daughter, she was a determined and driven woman who knew she had to move on and carve a new life for her and her daughter.
I must admit, I found the ‘snooping’ through her clients possessions and drawers a little unbelievable for a supposed professional businesswoman.⁣
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There was definite Desperate Housewives and Mean Girl vibes in this book for me, which I personally just didn’t enjoy! ⁣
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To sum up, an easy, light and pleasant enough read, this book just wasn’t for me though. However, it will not deter me from trying more of Jane Fallons work!
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Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for this advance copy in exchange for a review.⁣