What an absolutely wonderful book! I loved every minute spent within its pages. Definitely a 'what would I do in that situation' storyline. The characters are all so believable. My heart broke for Jackie being put into an impossible situation by her daughter, Scarlett who expects her to join in her deception in keeping a secret that is going to destroy her best friend's life when that secret is revealed as it is destined to be. Jackie and Phillipa are more like sisters than friends and Scarlett's affair with Phillipa's husband will tear apart both families. I thought that Scarlett was very selfish and immature for a 30 year old and her treatment of her mum often cruel and unnecessary. I was desperate for Jackie's decades old secret to be revealed and felt her pain and betrayal in the way it was finally done. I can't wait to read more books by this excellent author. This was a terrific read that I highly recommend. My thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Whose Side Are You On?’ written by Kerry Fisher in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Jackie and Philippa have been best friends for over thirty years with their families spending free time and holidays together, so Jackie is surprised when she learns that Philippa is bored with her husband Andrew and is going to leave him. Andrew moves into a flat near to Jackie and Ian’s daughter Scarlett who’s persuaded to invite Andrew to go running with her so he doesn’t get lonely, but the last thing Jackie expects is for her thirty-year-old daughter to fall in love with Andrew who’s old enough to be her father. Jackie doesn’t want to keep secrets from Philippa but she doesn’t know how to tell her about their relationship without losing Scarlett’s love and respect.

‘Whose Side Are You On?’ is a quite beautifully written story that involves post-natal depression, secrets, lies and betrayal, with characters whose descriptions made me feel as if they’re real people whose past mistakes could happen to almost anyone. The story is told through the eyes of Scarlett and Jackie who reveals what happened to her thirty years previously, but by the time I reached the final chapters I wasn’t ready for the emotion it stirred up in me and I had to reach for a tissue on more than one occasion. Kerry Fisher is a talented author who’s written a novel that’s both realistic and true to life, ending with a positive conclusion that’s left me with a feeling of warmth and reassurance that things are going to work out well for the characters.

Oh wow, where to begin with this one? 🥹

The premise of the story is so taboo and I really questioned whether I’d be able to relate to whatever story was to be told, because I mean come on… your daughter with your best friend’s (ex) husband? Sounds so.. Jerry Springer. So what would you do? Who would you side with? What emotions and depth can go into this situation from all parties? Answer is.. A LOT!

I was in for a shock because this story was GRIPPING. I started it last night and just finished it, in under 24 hours. The amount of emotional I felt for the characters in this story has left me needing a nap, especially after the twist at the end, if you want to call it that. My heart broke for all involved, but for different reasons. Honestly, the hardest one for me to relate to was Scarlett; she was so selfish and juvenile to me, like a spoiled child. In the end, she seemingly was coming into her own.

I mean.. I just really feel like I knew everyone involved and was completely invested and the ending still has me.. 😢.

I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author before but I definitely will be in the future. If the other books are anything like this one, I’ll have to emotionally prepare myself first! 5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this doozy of an ARC!

An engaging read with relatable family drama and emotional moments. Kerry Fisher captures the complexities of relationships well as she always does. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book I was completely hooked right from the start and it was definitely more beautiful and more emotive than I expected it to be, I had tears streaming down my face at times. I loved it

Somebody pass the tissues? What a beautifully written, heart wrenching and emotionally absorbing story. Narrated by Jackie and her adult daughter Scarlett, after Scarlett falls in love with Andy, the estranged husband of Jackie‘s best friend.

The two families, close for 30 years, are thrown into utter turmoil. The ramifications of Scarlett and Andy‘s relationship were heartbreakingly abundant to everyone involved. Awkward situations, impossible wedding etiquette and more moral dilemmas than I could imagine. As emotions spilled over and exchanges became more difficult, secrets were revealed that threatened the foundations that they had all depended on for so long.

Kerry Fisher‘s stories are stunning; her writing flows beautifully and her characters feel completely real and relatable. I found myself experiencing almost physical pain at the devastating events that played out in this book as I became completely immersed in their lives and the complexity of their relationships.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kerry Fisher and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

This book was too slow for me. I tried to get into it a couple times, and it just fell flat. Couldn't finish it.

I loved the premise of this book and was really excited to read it, but sadly, for me, although I liked the writing style, it didn't quite hit the mark. I never felt I really got to know the characters or their motivations, and I'm still unsure what the italic chapters added to the plot.
Thank you to netgalley and bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

My brain hurts after reading this book. Yes I understand the drama and the secrets. But too much was happening, i Just could not keep UP.. thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

The plot of this one is a tough topic. It has heaps of lies , secrets, betrayal and more. I didn't see most of the twists because before you know it they start.

Whose Side Are You On by Kerry Fisher
Whew. This was unexpected in so many ways. I love how this dove into the complexities of relationships and family dynamics.

The strength in friendship and parenthood is so beautifully defined throughout this book. I found myself loving these characters through all their flaws and mistakes.

I love how generational this book felt, but also very present. The power of love and forgiveness was a strong theme, and boy, was it powerful. The power behind being a mother, friend, or partner is immense. There is a weight, a responsibility that we don’t consider when we step into the position.

Once I was on this story, I was hooked. I was feeling everything. The emotions were high, and the things at stake were higher. This was beautifully written, heartbreakingly delivered, and was such a realistic plot.

Publication date: August 1, 2025
Publisher: Bookouture

thrillers with emotions are the best kind for me. and Kerry Fisher writes the best kind. if you haven't read her back catalogue of books go do so she is awesome. and this book was no different. i was in. i was sitting. and i was sitting until i finished. and the only thing that made that hard was my numb bum!
even from the blurb i was going " what...oh no...eeesh" so the book was already there for me. haha the rest took me and blew me away.
i love books! this book reminds you of every which reason why.
to me this is one of those what would you do things. but one you never want to actually dive too far into or answer. because how can you. but in books we can see it.
this book brings us Jackie who is meeting her daughter but ends up walking in on her daughter with her new man. but this new man happens to be the ex-husband of Jackie's best friend. whoa!
so what should Jackie do now? she has to support her daughter no matter what right? its what we do. its what we do even if things arent agreed with its what we do. but then there is Phillipa. and oh how she needs to be there for her best friend too.
there is also another snag that said best friend has a secret on Jackie. would this make her selfish enough that her daughter couldn't count on her loyalty? is any secret worth that?
this group were friends for years. their daughter then too. they were a clan. a happy one. then Phillipa decided she wanted to divorce Andrew and it created a divide. but this brings a whole new level to that complicated situation.
this is a raw, honest and exposing read. its deep. its emotional and its done to perfection.
there is so much to think through here. so much to explore. and you are stuck between wanting to read and read on but also wanting to stop and think it all over and delve into the details of it.
fantastic!

Where do I even begin??? Imagine having to choose between your best friend and her husband or your own daughter. Philippa isn't just any best friend,, she is like a sister. Now your daughter has fallen in love with the best friends husband whom she is only separated from. This book was filled with all kinds of emotions and turns. I found myself rooting for Scarlett and Andrew and one point, then I wasn't. Then I was supporting Phillipa and Jackie, and then I wasn't. Talk about a rollercoaster! I could not put this book down.

I loved everything about this book. Kerry Fisher is a genius when it comes to psychological thrillers. I do not give out 5 stars often, but this one deserved 10! An absolute must read.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookoture, and Kerry Fisher for the eArc. This has to be one of my favorite reads of the year!!

This family drama is a read that makes the reader wonder what they would in the same situaltion.

Scarlette has fallen in love with a family friend who is recently separated and her mother is torn between her daughter and best friend as to which side she will take.

This is an emotional read and one with a sense of reality that makes the whole book heartwrenching and human.

of course, there is more drama and secrets than just an affair, and as the stroy unfolds it takes on a suspenseful and tense edginess.

I loved it

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for my copy of #Whose Side Are You On? by Kerry Fisher.
You've known your best friend Phillipa since school over 50 years, your husbands are best friends, your daughters are best friends.
But then Phillipa decides she wants something different and she's divorcing Andrew. How are you going to cope with the new dynamics?
Will you lose one of them, have to take sides?
Things are going to get so much worse. This is just the beginning of a tangled web of lies and deception.
You will become so immersed in this story; you'll find yourself taking sides and shouting at the characters.
Really worth the read. Family dynamics at its best.

This is an emotionally charged thriller that digs into themes of loyalty and betrayal. Ethical dilemmas arise between different family members and close friends, and a choice will have to be made as to who you owe your loyalty to.

When a mother and father accidentally discover that their daughter is sleeping with their longtime family friend, they must decide whether or not to keep that secret and who would be hurt most by the truth. Either way, someone will be hurt and feel betrayed. To make matters worse, their daughter is 25 years younger than her new beau, and the parents are still close friends with the ex-wife of the older boyfriend. To choose a side is like walking a tightrope, but is family more important than friendship?

This character-driven novel is compelling and captivating. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a great thriller. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced reader copy.

A strong family drama with plenty of lies going on, good characters that kept me interested in the storyline and was well written

I found it easy to relate to the characters and overall it was a great book to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review – Whose Side Are You On? by @kerryfisherwrites

As soon as Jackie walks through the door and discovers her daughter Scarlett is in a relationship with Andrew, her best friend’s husband 😳, I knew this book was going to be a rollercoaster.

Kerry Fisher delivers a raw, emotional family drama that dives into loyalty, betrayal, and the impossible choices we face when the people we love are on opposite sides. Jackie is such a relatable character, torn between supporting her daughter and staying loyal to her oldest friend. I really felt for her throughout!

It’s messy, tense, and full of those “what would I do?” moments. I docked a star only because I wanted a bit more insight into Andrew’s motivations, but overall this was a gripping and thought-provoking read I couldn’t put down. 💔🔥

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC, this is one family drama you won’t forget.

#ARCReview #WhoseSideAreYouOn #KerryFisher #NetGalley #Bookouture #BookReview #4Stars #FamilyDrama #Bookstagram #UnputdownableReads

When Jackie’s best friend Philippa announces she is going to split from her husband Jackie starts worrying about what it will mean for their friendship as over the years as couples the two families have been intertwined and she doesn’t want anything to change. As they all start to navigate the new normal and with Phillips’s daughter and her daughters best friend about to get married the last thing she expects is to find her daughter in bed with her Philippas ex husband. As she struggles to make sense of the fact a man that has been in been in her daughters life since birth is now her partner she struggles to face her friend and when the truth comes out it’s her that her friend blames. Along with the hurt Jackie starts to worry that some secrets only a best friend can know will start to come out as well, this is an honest look at family dynamics and friendships that broke me a little by the end but a great read!

This is a powerful read that skilfully encompasses the emotions of all the characters without judgement. I raced through this book, wanting to know how it would end. It’s a great premise, with Jackie, Ian, Philippa and Andrew all being best friends forever then Philippa deciding she wants out and she and Ian part, only for him later to hook up with Scarlett, Jackie and Ian’s daughter. I’m totally with Jackie, her daughter comes first, but I can really identify with the tug of ‘whose side are you on?’ daughter or best friend, and the awful dilemma that Jackie is in. The fact that Philippa knows a dark secret of Jackie’s is another emotional layer to the story. An excellent read.