Well what can I say? This book was just everything!!!its not a dark, in your face gorefest...... ots something so much more subtle and refined but just as deadly. The characters are so well written, the narrative is amazing, the setting is beautiful, the plot is so so captivating and this book really just will not let you go until you find yourself on that very last page. I just love how realistic and relatable the characters are and that even the interactions between characters and dialogue and comments, are also all incredibly realistic and bitchy. There really are no punches pulled when youre amongst frienimies. Such an amazing book!!!

"Snakes don't have friends." Though it seems that some in their human form might have frenemies...

This book made me so angry! (*In a good way*) and explores the small papercuts of toxic friendships that eventually lead to jagged wounds.

Everyone has been Liv the protagonist at some point in their life. The desire to be better, have more, not be lonely, have a successful relationship and of course have close friends. The story is so engrossing and realistic and suddenly veers into a twisty thriller. To me it was like a Highsmith/Moriarty combination and is very successful for it. It builds tension and races to its conclusion in an unputdownable way.

I will definitely read more by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and the author for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Liv has always been an outsider until she meets Beth and Binnie at a playgroup and she feels she has bonded and found friends for life. They have a comfortable and easy friendship until Binnie Introduces Ange and then things change and oh, how they change. When Ange suggests a three week family holiday to Corfu Liv knows they can’t miss out despite the fact they cannot afford it or she’ll be an outlier again as the cult of Ange takes over. The novel is set in the three weeks on Corfu and Liv narrates the fun and games.

‘Squeal piggy, squeal’ well this little piggy is squealing ‘read it, read it’ as this is a face off you won’t want to miss!! It’s extremely well written and so much so that you glide through the book. The characterisation is excellent though it’s not easy to like them it’s riveting to watch the push and pull of the group dynamics. There is one character they meet on the island who is so enigmatic and magnetic she kind of steals the book and is a good contrast to another you just want to punch! There is some superb character reptilian imagery which not only suits the people but matches the the island surroundings.

At the beginning some observations make me laugh they’re so deliciously darkly funny but as the novel progresses it becomes much more intense as we witness the cost of the prize of friendship and the reader has a poolside seat for the shenanigans. Some scenes are so vivid and colourful they feel cinematic as they appear before your eyes . As time goes on Liv becomes more self-aware and as she wakes up the pace of the storytelling also ramps up as does the tension as it’s almost like mortal combat. Some of the dialogue especially towards the end is like a verbal tennis match, each ace delivered with a saccharine smile that masks the devilish intent.
Sit back and watch in horrified fascination as the barbs hit home. It builds to a really good ending and it’s one of those reads you want to know the outcome but you equally don’t want to finish reading.

Overall, this is a very good psychological character driven thriller centring on friendship and navigating that minefield as it becomes increasingly and dangerously competitive.

Highly recommended .

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, Raven for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Little Nothings - Julie Mayhew

The first book I've read by this author. I was drawn to it by the blurb making comparisons to Liane Moriarty and Louise Candlish, two of my favourite authors.

The story of Liv, her husband Pete and Liv's friends Beth, Bennie and Ange. The four families are on a luxury three week holiday in Corfu. What could possibly go wrong?

It's about loneliness, friendships turning toxic and Liv's struggle to fit in.

The writing style is wonderful, chatty, gossipy and bitchy between friends, and slipping into an introspective melancholy veering towards desperation with Liv's memories, thoughts and feelings. There are some real flourishes and lots of very distinctive and memorable lines

The comparison to Liane Moriarty is justified, that fun, chatty style with darker undercurrents and trust me, there are plenty of sharp corners in this novel. This is the closest I've read from a British author, and Liv's introspective memories, tinged with the desperation to fit in really makes it stand out in its own right.

I loved it, I found it highly entertaining and compulsive reading. I found the ending a little bit abrupt, but then I could have happily carried on reading about Liv and her friends forever.

Highly recommended and a joy to read.


Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing

This was a really Great psychological thriller set in the beautiful country of Greece. A tale of secrets, betrayal and strormy relationships. Brilliant xx

I loved this book and devoured it in one sitting, I was determined to know how it ended. The writing style was great and the characters are so well written and relatable and leave you thinking about them long after the pages are over. I was captivated by its deviousness and suspense. I loved it.

#LittleNothings #NetGalley
Liv Travers never knew real friendship until she met fellow mums Beth and Binnie. The three women become inseparable as they muddle through early parenthood together. Then along comes Ange… Ambitious, wealthy and somehow able to do it all.
Under Ange’s guiding presence, the group finds new vigour and fresh aspirations – bigger houses, better schools, dinners at exclusive restaurants. But Liv can’t keep up and is increasingly edged out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for an advance copy.

What can I say about this book other than utterly amazing! I made the mistake of starting this book on a train, I was gutted when I had to get off and wait a couple of hours before I could read more on another train, and I wasn’t disappointed, far from it. It sucked me in from page one, The setting was wonderful, the characters really engaging, you could really feel the tension throughout the story.

I really didn’t want it to end! Anyone who adores psychological thrillers will absolutely devour this book in one sitting.

#LittleNothings #NetGalley
Liv Travers never knew real friendship until she met fellow mums Beth and Binnie. The three women become inseparable as they muddle through early parenthood together. Then along comes Ange… Ambitious, wealthy and somehow able to do it all.
Under Ange’s guiding presence, the group finds new vigour and fresh aspirations – bigger houses, better schools, dinners at exclusive restaurants. But Liv can’t keep up and is increasingly edged out. When the four families take a three-week trip to a luxurious holiday resort, Liv seizes the opportunity to reclaim her place at the heart of the group, only to discover the true, devastating cost of a friendship with Ange.
It's a thought provoking novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for giving me an advance copy.