What happens when an old college friend stabs you in the back? Add in money, and things get interesting. I highly recommend this fast paced book with twists and turns all the way to the end. I can see potential for a second book as this book left me wanting to know more!

This is an easy read where friendship, betrayal, jealousy and rivalry all play a role. Two college friends end up on very different paths, one down and poor with almost no prospects, the other a famous and rich self-awareness lifestyle coach. When the two reconnect in a tropical paradise, a sinister plot develops. It is an entertaining read, while the writing is a bit repetitive and the characters are rather one-sided. Nevertheless, it is a good, fast and entertaining summer read.

JE Rowney is a new to me author, but when I read the blurb for this book it grabbed my attention and I was really looking forward to reading it.
First off I really liked the setting of this book, Aruba. It played a big part in the story and I really felt like I was there with the characters.
I enjoyed the writing style too. It was super easy to get into, it flowed well and the pacing of the plot was spot on.
The story was interesting to me and it held my attention throughout. This is definitely a book you could read in one sitting or one day. It was super easy and fast paced.
Whilst I have to admit as it neared the end it was slightly ridiculous, overall this was a really entertaining, nothing that deep or serious, fun, quick read that would be a perfect summer holiday read.

I loved this book. It was so full of twists and turns. I loved Samantha, as she is an intriguing character. I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can't wait for JE Rowney's next book.

Wow. I almost didn't finish this book because it has a slow beginning - the author waited until chapter 9 to really kick into the drama, deceit, betrayal that pushes these characters to their mutual destruction.

Once the author started revealing more of the main characters behaviors and misconceptions, I could not put this book down.

Just one question before you start reading this book - how far would you go for an apology?

Sam is down on her luck, living in a motel with only pennies to her name, when she accidentally “likes” a post from a uber-successful, former best friend turned wellness coach, Erin Blake. Erin offers her the trip of a lifetime and way out of her bleak circumstances. Sam accompanies Erin on her latest wellness retreat to an estate on a secluded Caribbean Island and soon learns paradise is not all that it seems.
I was rooting for Sam from the beginning! This book was a page turner for me that I couldn’t put down. It has Single White Female vs The Talented Mr Ripley vibes. Very twisty and I was there for it! This was my first novel by JE Rowney and now I’m searching for more.

The perfect beach read for thriller lovers!

I was hooked from the beginning; the characters were so devious and the plot was intriguing.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for my copy.

What a good, twisty read about friendship, manipulation, lies, and actually there is even a little bit of a lesson found in there. At first, I kind of felt sorry for Sam, then I thought I'm a little tired of her pity party but got quite the little surprise about her in the end. Erin, well, not exactly the best friend one would want, however, she did kind of help with that little lesson I learned so she was worthwhile in all this.
Overall, this was a good read, there were times when I rolled my eyes, times when a character or two made me mad, there were times when I wanted to slap a you know what and there were a few times when I felt it was moving a little slow but I never wanted to stop reading it. The story goes back and forth a few times which can be a little annoying but it was well worth it.

I very much enjoyed the psychological complexities this book wove into the plot. Main character Samantha Foster envies her University best friend Erin Blake and wishes she had her life. I think any woman can relate to pieces of this story and the common toxicity that sometimes infects female friendships and relationships. I loved that the book was nearly impossible to figure out and the end really picked up speed and I read it at such an insane pace it was done before I knew it. While nothing was totally "shocking" it was absolutely satisfying and I would recommend this to other readers.

Thank you for the early copy and letting me review it!

This book tried to do much and sadly gave us nothing in the end.

What I thought was the plot summary was essentially only relevant for the first short part of the book, after that characters make unbelievable choices and you don’t know enough about them to find yourself able to suspend disbelief.

The big twist is overshadowed by other less poignant twists being revealed on the same page and the ending is flat.

JER is a master at her craft! I love the way she draws you into her books and keeps you on the edge of her seat. I’m so grateful to have received this as an ARC. I think that you’ll appreciate how thoughtfully the characters are written in such a way that you really feel like you know them. I read it in one sitting! It almost felt like I too was trapped (book reference) and absolutely had to finish right away. Great job!

This is my second book by this author, so I knew what a crazy ride I was in for.. The settings were amazing and well-described, the characters were devious, and the plot was twisty.

Made a for a quick yet highly enjoyable read which left me trying to figure out where the story would take me next.

A fun read!

I found this book a bit boring and hard to follow. There were a lot of random twists that didn’t really make sense and the plot line felt pretty drawn out.

Wish You Were Here follows Samantha, whose life has spiralled after a painful divorce, job loss, and living in a budget motel. When she reconnects with her college friend Erin, who now runs an exclusive retreat in Aruba, it feels like a lifeline—an invitation to paradise and a second chance.

I was completely hooked from the very first pages—the tropical setting, the rekindled friendship, and the slow-building tension made it a perfect summer-escape read. However, as the story approached the end, the pacing shifted. The narrative jumped back and forth between climactic moments and revelations in a way that felt a bit rushed and disjointed compared to the strong, immersive beginning—and it pulled me out of the flow at times.

Still, the finale tied everything together in a satisfying way. Despite the pacing quirk, the ending delivered the payoff I hoped for.

Recommendation: A smart, sun-drenched psychological thriller that’s ideal for a holiday by the pool or beach. If you're after atmospheric tension, friendship entanglements, and a twisty ride—this is a solid pick.

<strong>Unique Psychological Thriller</strong>

Psychological thriller based on a unique premise. Samantha is destitute, divorced, jobless, penniless and living in a hotel that she can no longer afford. She accidentally likes a photo on her old college friend's (Erin) Instagram, perfectly curated for her followers. Erin is the esteemed director of very expensive wellness retreat.
Erin invites her to stay until she's back in her feet. Erin's husband picks Samantha up at the train station.
Suddenly there's an opportunity for all of them to go to Aruba for Erin's wellness retreat. Erin offers Samantha 5000 pounds to go and photograph it.
During the retreat, Erin disappears and leaves Samantha to lead the retreat. Small things add up to bigger things, which culminate in a confrontation between Erin and Samantha, both revealing their hidden agendas.
Enjoyed the book and especially the twist at the end. Didn't see that one coming.

It was a good book. A bit slow at the start, but it really picked up around 50% of the way through and I read the last 50% in one sitting. I was a bit confused as I was expecting a psychological thriller and it definitely isn't a thriller, but is very psychological with a lot of different angles.

I found this intriguing, and the first half was really engaging. In the middle, i wanted more, and the final ending was brilliant. There was lots of misdirection, which I loved i just wanted more from the characters and more of the reasons why.

What a ride! I really thought I knew what was going on, but that ending! Plot twist after plot twist.
I am so happy it went the way it did. I hated Erin. I loved Sam. Was unsure of Nicholas the entire time, and it turned out he was the least of my worries! I loved all the one upping, it was so over the top! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It's my second by this author and I already have a few more on my TBR! Her books are so good, so twisty, and so quick to read. Highly recommend!!

I’m giving it 1.5 stars.

This book was quite a rollercoaster for me. Within just five minutes, I went from feeling excited to confused, and eventually disappointed by the range of ideas presented. Some concepts were genuinely interesting and thought-provoking, while others, unfortunately, detracted from the overall experience.

The concluding message was a nice touch, but overall, I didn’t enjoy the reading journey. The content felt inconsistent and somewhat unpolished, as if it could have benefited from more thorough editing. While there were a few strong ideas, they were often overshadowed by less compelling ones.

This book is sharp, twisty psychological thriller built around a toxic friendship and emotional manipulation. Its strengths lie in its well-drawn central character and suspenseful atmosphere.
However, the ending might feel rushed compared to its strong start.