I really wanted to like this, the plot sounded really interesting but it did not live up to expectations. I kept expecting there to be a twist and a turn however there wasn't any. The plot was very predictable and the characters not very likeable. I would be prepared to read something else by this author but this is certainly not his best work.

This is written from the point of view of the four main characters. It started off promising enough, but then it kind of fizzles out. Unfortunately I just didn’t take to it. I really wanted to like it, but I just didn’t feel a connection to Becky and Jamie, and ultimately didn’t enjoy it. It is well written, and the pace is fine, it just wasn’t for me.

The New Friends by Daniel Hurst was a great read. I was hooked within the first few pages and had to turn my phone etc off and finish this new book by Daniel. Becky and Jamie lead a simple life in a small town in England. They are both hard working and they are both trapped in the daily grind and are dreaming of an easier life. They decide to book a budget holiday, not far just to Spain, to get the sun on their tired bodies and enjoy some time together. Whilst on holiday they meet another British couple, Phil and Mel. Jamie is fascinated by their lifestyle and wealth, and so wants a taste of it. However, Phil and Mel are not the sweet and friendly couple they seemed to be at the beginning...........Don't judge a book by its cover is the saying! and "Be careful what you wish for".

Is Becky and Jamie going to loose everything they have worked for?

This book had the WoW factor throughout. It had lots of twists and turns and was very dark and disturbing in some places. It had me sitting on the edge on my sit at times!

I highly recommend this book. 5 Star read!

Big Thank you to Daniel Hurst. Inkubator Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The New Friends, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The New Friends
by Daniel Hurst
Well, damn. The book was wordy and winded. The couples were just people with wordy things. The couple was far too gullible It was not a book I could really spend my night, rushing to know the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for a copy of The New Friends. This was a fast, good, compelling read. A good plot even though it was a bit far-fetched towards the end. The characters were well written, I felt I was part of the story. Thank you again.

The New Friends is the sort of story that really makes you think about people and what they might do. Sometimes people may do despicable actions in order to acquire material things without having to put too much effort into working. The plot in this story is just about this, how one human being can profit from the other without any remorse on how it will affect everybody's lives. It's mean, wrong, and pitiful, and deserves the ending that is shown in the book.

The premise of this book was good, the writing was good...it just has me shaking me head and thinking, are people really this trusting?
All in all, a good easy, fast paced read.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this ARC.

I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

The New Friends is a chilling, dark psychological thriller that was fast paced and intriguing.
Becky and Jamie are in their thirtys and have been married to each other for ten years. They have blown their meagre savings on a holiday they desperately needed. Although they are on a very tight spending budget they lap up the sunshine and enjoy their well earned holiday. On the last night the couple blow the last of their holiday cash on a very rare extravagance- a night out. This is where their lives get changed forever.
Mel and Phil are also on holiday and get friendly with Becky and Jamie on their last night. But are they all they seem to be? After exchanging numbers, the couples vow to keep in touch with each other after they've returned from their holidays. But how well do they think they know Mel and Phil, and should they trust everything they're told?
This was a very quick read for me as I was captivated from the first few pages. If you love psychological thrillers you need to give this a read!

This is an interesting plot and could be a great novel; not as well written or punch as Hurst's previous work, and the ending lacks excitement for me but all round a good psychological thriller.

The New Friends is a fast paced, quick read book. It was an enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages wanting to know more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my ARC.

This book was intriguing and fast paced. I loved seeing multiple viewpoints. It’s interesting how “new friends” can not have your best interest at heart. 3-4 stars. More detailed review to come. Many thanks for letting me read!

When I requested this book, it had the plot summary for a completely different book. So when I read this, the plot came as a complete surprise. With that mind, I liked it well enough, although it's a fairly straightforward story with no major surprises or twists.

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the arc of this book. I keep trying to read books by Daniel Hurst and I haven't found one I loved yet. The story sounded great, but the execution didn't do it for me. Some things happened too quickly to believe - who believes someone is a trustworthy friend so soon? None of the characters ever caught my interest. What Mel does makes no sense, although it makes a good plot. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3

I love Hurst novels. This one, however, bit the dust.

It was so overly wordy and over explained so many minor details like being in a hotel then stepping into the hotel she was in all in one run-on sentence. The characters were humdrum, dull as can be, and not in a relatable way. They were predictable as well. The plot was transparent from the first few pages which only further sucked the tension and suspense from the story. There were no surprises, just an overdone lesson on how gullible people can be.

I was so intrigued by this book since I’ve read a few of the author’s books on kindle unlimited over the last months and needed to read more of his writings.
The new friends is a story of making new friends and betrayal. A young couple that has been through a lot in the past meets another one that seems like a perfect marriage and relationships. But not everything is so sparkly as it seems.
I enjoyed the story a lot and read it in one sitting. I felt bad for Lulu the most because her pov was more approachable for me and I am really happy that we got that end in the last chapters.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley.

I found the book quite dull: neither character was interesting or intriguing. Nothing was stimulating my imagination here so I have decided not to waste my time and didn’t finish it.

Thanks NetGalley for the free copy in exchange of an honest review.

The new friends by Daniel Hurst.
Jamie and Becky are on holiday when they meet Phil and Mel. But Phil and Mel are not who they say they are.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Read In one sitting. I liked Jamie and Becky Mel grew on me but I didn't like Phil at all. Didn't like Zara either. I loved the ending. 5*.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Inkubator Books for the electronic copy.

This is an OK read - something to pass the time on a holiday flight. There are no real surprises.

Becky and Jamie are on a 5 night holiday at a three star hotel in Southern Spain. They're an ordinary couple on a budget. On the last night of their holiday Jamie encourages Becky to go into the town to celebrate; this is where they meet up with Mel and Phil - they are generous, fun, and already retired despite their youngish ages. Like many holiday couples, they exchange contact information.

When Jamie returns home he's unsettled - he wants the secret to Phll's monetary success and arranges for their new friends to spend a weekend with them.

But, gaining that secret leads to disaster. Yes, it's all a con (this isn't a spoiler because the "plot" is transparent throughout).

*I read this book in advance on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

'The New Friends' follows Jamie and Becky, a couple who get to enjoy a well-earned holiday in the sun. However things don't go to plan, and they find themselves embroiled in a scheme to steal their money by a devious couple.

This book definitely plays on a very real-life fear that I'm sure many people experience; meeting strangers abroad who appear friendly and generous, but who actually are preying on you all along. It's a believable premise and you definitely empathise with the protagonists as they go through their ordeal.

However, I find that this book could have done with a few more edit sweeps and a little more refined style. Daniel Hurst, while talented simply for being able to write so many books in a short space of time, definitely needs to slow down while writing his stories and letting the plot unfold more naturally. Each chapter is in a different character's point of view; we even get the POV's of the antagonists, so this means the reader knows exactly what's going to happen before it does. Most of the chapters are the character's inner monologue where they describe what's happened to them, what they think about it, and what they think will happen next (which almost always does).

This means that we get a 360-degree view of events at all times, and events are recapped and foretold pretty much constantly. This kind of stream-of-consciousness can certainly work but here it does feel like you're reading the same scene over and over.

The main antagonist is also rather cartoonish at times (there is even the line "as if there is anything in the world more important than money" at one point). I wish there were fewer chapters in their POV so that they have a more sinister presence.

All in all I think it is a good effort, and quick and easy to read, but the plot was predictable and the characters fairly bland.

"Great book! Whenever we go on vacation, I may be a little suspicious of new friends! Highly recommended, quick read, be careful—it could happen!"
-Books and Pens on Green Gables

Books and Pens on Green Gables thoughts-This was the first book by Daniel Hurst I have read and it was great! It never got dull, stayed fast-paced, realistic (unfortunately), well-written, and a satisfying ending. What could be better than that? Highly recommended! 5 stars!

About The New Friends by Daniel Hurst-
Jamie and Becky have saved for their vacation. They work hard and save as much money as they can, but life is expensive! They feel like vacations are a big luxury, but the time away is so rejuvenating, they get away as they can. Jamie, a warehouse worker, and Becky, a teaching assistant, live a pretty frugal life and they both keep in mind their hope for a baby soon. Without Becky knowing, Jamie has been saving for when they do start a family and he wants to surprise Becky about the money he has saved up.

On their last night of vacation, they decide to splurge and go out for drinks. The table next to them is celebrating with champagne! They invite Jamie and Becky to join them for a drink. The four have a lot in common, except for one big thing. Phil, around Jamie's age, is already retired! He did well with investments and now he and Mel travel and enjoy an amazing life. They have great time getting to know each other and really hit it off. They share lots of laughs, and champagne! Phil and Mel even invite them back to their extravagant hotel for one last drink. As they say goodnight, they exchange phone numbers and hope to see each other again soon.

Phil and Mel, are not the fun-loving new friends that Jamie and Becky think they are. Instead, they carefully chose Jamie and Becky to join them for champagne that evening. They also had a script they followed the whole evening to get Becky and Jamie feeling exactly as Phil wanted them to feel. What will happen the next time they are together? Will Phil proceed with his plan to destroy them-and why has Phil targeted this hard-working young couple? Will Jamie and Becky realize what is happening before it's too late?

I was given a free copy of this book to read and review. Thank you.

The New Friends is a great book! Five stars! Highly recommended!

In checking out Daniel Hurst's website, ALL OF HIS BOOKS LOOK AMAZING!!! I would read any of them based the cover alone! And, there's a free book available on his website, too!