Cover Image: Worst Idea Ever

Worst Idea Ever

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Member Reviews

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

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I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

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I really liked the sound of this one and the story didn’t disappoint, although I found all of the characters unlikeable, which was jarring at times.

Georgia and Lydia both had such an unusual friendship, it felt so competitive and not even a tiny but supportive. Their shared history kept them close, but their rivalry was deeply entrenched and this really developed further throughout the book and with the introduction of the ‘worst idea ‘S’ ever’ as there was definitely more than one of those across the characters!!

The story flowed really well and the plot developed at a good pace, so I was kept interested throughout. I really liked the ending too!

A good easy read and definitely one to recommend!

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We've all got that one friend that we couldn't live without. For Georgia, that friend is Lydia, who she's been best friends with since they studied at university together. But while they strive to achieve similar dreams, will one friend feel left behind and forgotten while the other thrives?

Honestly, I loved Georgia's character and felt so awful with her when things became incredibly ugly. She really has a heart of gold and is a "ride or die" kind of friend. Her success came from her own hard work and she never gave up on her dreams, even when she got tired of writing about Wilbur the Wallaby. I found myself really rooting for her and wanting for her to get her life back on track when it's turned upside down by horrid lies and deception.

I thought it was beautifully written and it had me hooked immediately. However, I guessed what was happening in about five chapters which was disappointing. The predictability of that part of the book spoiled the suspense of it for me. This is why I am rating it 4/5 stars.

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As with all Jane Fallon books I have had the pleasure of reading, Worst Idea Ever is gripping and so intriguing I really couldn't put it down!

The characters are wonderfully drawn, the plot twists and turns and throws up quite a few surprises and the 'baddie' of the book takes some time to fully manifest!!! Absolutely recommended!!!!

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There were plenty of suspense, revenge, female friendships that vary, rivalry, jealousy and also a touch mischievousness and humour which was perfectly balanced and pushed it to a 5 star review.

Full review on my blog

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There are two protagonists in this book, Georgia and Lydia. Georgia is a successful author and illustrator, she is married to a great man and has a cute family. Lydia is single, always juggling men, a very talented illustrator but struggling to pursue her artistic calling. These two characters are supposed to be best friends, just like sisters, they share so much history together, but there is so much jealousy and envy between them, that pushes them apart. Georgia seems a very nice person and I did like her. However, I could not stand Lydia, her actions were horrible and really did not make any sense. Her excuses were pathetic and she really lives in some lalaland. I really enjoyed reading about publishing and illustrator's life, and the constant drama was an added bonus. :D
The narrative was very intriguing and filled with interesting topics. I really liked the multiple perspectives. I was curious to read Lydia’s parts, I really wanted to know her reasoning for her actions. The topics discussed in this book were infidelity and life after it, jealousy, loneliness, friendships, early loss of parents and many more. The book is filled with interesting situations and very real events that made this book relatable to me.
I love her writing style. I am convinced that Jane Fallon writes the best revenge books. They are funny, full of suspense and very realistic. The chapters are pretty short, and the book had me very engrossed with the story. I really liked the conclusion of this book, I think it was well deserved and rounded this story very nicely.
So, to conclude, Jane Fallon I know of is back! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It has very realistic and emotion-provoking characters as well as a plot that is entertaining, annoying but realistic, and educational at the same time. I love when the book brings strong emotions out of me, and this one definitely did it. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a place to escape and “feed” on another families issues. :D Enjoy!

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving this arc!

This boon started off really good and I was so into it but I didn’t like the way the relationship between two best friends for 20 odd years played out.

I think - of course it is a work of fiction - but the author could’ve played it out better.

Overall the story and writing of it was fab!

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This is a well written and thoroughly enjoyable read! Loved the storyline and characters. Was a breath of fresh air for me as it was good to read a modern, easy, and engaging book. Not read one as good for a while. Read a few from Jane Fallon before and this does not disappoint.

Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley.

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This is the first of Jane Fallon's books I've read. I was intrigued by the social media thread, knowing how it all can go wrong.
I mostly enjoyed the book. However, I find it hard to imagine that two people who've been painted as best friends through thick and thin can have a friendship unravel so dramatically and completely. One ill-considered but good intention sets everything in motion. And instead of dealing with the issue face-on like well-adjusted adults and best friends, the plot unravels with each person trying to be more spiteful than the other and everything becomes a mess with collateral damage. My biggest complaint is that I don't think solid friendships will end up like this. Maybe the author is writing from experience. From my perspective, it doesn't seem credible. Regardless, it was a good way to spend some idle time.

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Middle-aged women behaving like immature teenagers. I'm finding it repetitive and dull, and couldn't care less about either of the narcissistic characters. The writing is fine - nothing special. Abandoning it at 11%

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What happens when a well meant gesture goes completely wrong and spirals massively out of all control?

How well do you ever know anyone on social media? Who are they and how do you know if you can trust them?

For just some of those answers, read this wicked tale of friendship gone wrong, and the consequences of letting someone you "don't know" into your life...

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Yes it’s the same formula but this book was one of my favs of this author. I loved the main character Georgia and the the other characters who I felt I grew to know. A great story of friendship complexity with women in the modern age!

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Worst Idea Ever is a story about female friendship – how fragile it is – and how little it takes to blow it all apart. The title is very clever as it works on more than one level. Georgia and Lydia have been friends since college, both of them set on a career in book illustration, and are now in their mid-forties. Georgia is the author of a successful series of children’s books, but Lydia is still trying to find a publisher for her work, and this causes tension in their relationship.
Despite her apparent success, Georgia is still troubled by impostor syndrome believing she is not fulfilling her true potential as an artist. Lydia hides her resentment well but it festers. What starts out as an act of kindness, spirals very quickly into a nightmarish scenario that wreaks havoc on so many lives. The corrosive effects of jealousy and rivalry are amplified through the filter of social media.
The story is told mainly from Georgia’s point of view with some insights into Lydia’s increasingly irrational behaviour. The first half of the book is quite slow as the scene is set and we get to know the characters, who are all well drawn and relatable. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, Jane Fallon pulled the rug out from under me and went off in a completely different direction. It is testament to her skill as a writer that by the end of Worst Idea Ever, even after everything that has happened, we still feel a little bit sorry for Lydia.
I read and enjoyed Jane Fallon’s debut novel Getting Rid of Matthew in 2007, but had not read anything since; it seems I’ve got a bit of catching up to do. Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

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Excellent twisty revenge novel! Difficult to write too much without giving away some serious spoilers, but – I really didn’t see it coming! Great, believable characters, a fascinating portrayal of long-term friendships, plus a pace that doesn’t hang around, this made for a fun summer read that had me switching my allegiances almost as often as I turned the page. Oh, and if any publishers are reading this, can someone please bring the Wilbur and Igor books to life!

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Really enjoyed this book. Captured the real side of social media perfectly. Loved the plot & the characters: another brilliant book by this author.

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I really enjoyed this one!
This was a fast, fun read and just what I needed alongside the intensity of my current thriller!
It showed just how easy things spiral when you're trying to do the right thing and help a friend.
The book is secrets galore and I never could have predicted the path the story takes you on when I first started reading!
I can't say this was 'mind-blowing' but I would say it ticked the criteria I needed when I started. I was engaged throughout, never bored, and I would definitely recommend it for lovers of women's fiction.

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This was fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. Social media is so big these days and this capture los the pros and cons it can cause. I’ve loved all Jane Fallons books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint

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Rating 3.5 stars

Georgia and Lydia have been friends for decades, having met at university.. Lydia starts an online business but it struggles to make sales. Georgia wants to help her out but she also understands Lydia is not the sort to accept assistance. To give her friend some moral support, Georgia sets up a fake Twitter account to pose as a potential customer.

However Lydia starts confiding in her new internet friend via private messages and Georgia discovers Lydia is actually talking about her. Lydia eventually reveals a secret that could destroy Georgia's marriage.

Georgina has to find out the truth for herself. Does she trust her best friend or her husband?

Its a quick enough read and whilst I thought the story was okay just before Part 2 I had already guessed where the plot was going. Its a very simplistic plot line of friends being there for each other but also having an undercurrent of professional jealousy. Georgina is a published author of childrens illustrated books and Lydia feels life is passing her by as in her 40s she is unmarried, unmortgaged and unpublished.

It also shows the sad side of social media, people posing for pictures showing how great their lives are when really its nothing like that at all.

Once again this is another author who over uses brackets in their work rather than making the effort of working those details into the narrative! Always feels a massive let down when they do this and spoils the story.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

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In Worst Idea Ever we meet best friends Georgia and Lydia - Georgia is a children’s picture book author and Lydia is desperate to be.

Lydia starts a business selling her illustrations and Georgia wants to be her cheerleader, so sets up a fake Twitter account to pose as an anonymous customer - to give her friend a confidence boost.

BUT Lydia soon starts spilling secrets to her new online friend and Georgia discovers some devastating home truths. It looks at how sometimes our best intentions can be flipped and backfire and how sadly people are not always who you think they are.

I really enjoyed this book - it was very funny, refreshing and a delight to read while making some excellent points about truth and friendship.

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