Little Nothings

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.

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.

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

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.

"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.

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!!!

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

Toxicity Is Everywhere….
A luxury Greek resort, an island paradise in fact, with four families ready to spend a glorious three weeks together enjoying everything that the resort has to offer and ,of course, each other’s…..friendship. What could possibly go wrong. Superbly drawn, character driven suspense with a credible and keenly observed cast and a compulsive narrative building gradually to a tumultuous showdown. Toxicity is everywhere. Top class.

This was an intriguing, sinister and incredibly compelling novel about how the need for friends and friendships and being accepted by people can become an obsession to the point of being toxic and lethal. I wasn’t sure who to trust and where my sympathies lay. Overall this is a solid and fascinating book.

I couldn’t put this book down but at the same time did not like the main character, but think that might have been the point. It highlighted how influenced we can be by others and how easy it is to lose yourself in the process.

I would read more by the author.

#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.

#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.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Wow, this was such a good read. I started it Saturday afternoon and by time I went to bed I’d read over three quarters of the book. I don’t find books like this often, and reading most of it in one sitting is a measure of how much I enjoyed this book. It is about friendships, how toxic they can be without you realising and what you will do to fit in and ‘belong’. I loved the writing style, the story setting and could picture some of the scenes in my mind. Most of the characters were likeable and very believable although there were a few I didn’t really take to. I think this is a very well written, nicely paced and engaging read which had my attention all the way through. I loved how the author built the tension up between certain characters as the book progressed. I’d definitely like to read some of the authors other books and would recommend this if you like psychology thriller reads.

I absolutely loved this twisted tale of female friendship at its worst plus the beautiful backdrop that almost contradicts the toxicity! Highly recommended!

I absolutely was engrossed in this book. The setting and the plot made it memorizing to read. I thought it was a truly one of a kind story that kept me engrossed. Highly recommend!!!

I found this a good read and read it in the one sitting as I found I couldn’t put it down once I had started it, it takes friendships to another level ..

What a gripping thriller.

This was a very disturbing but good read.

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and could not get enough of.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension - impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

Wow - the female of the species really are deadly! A brilliant story of how competitive and toxic most female friendships are. Great pace and engaging throughout.

Loved the fact it based on friendships and women. Enjoyed the nature of the story too. Would love to read more from the author.

I really enjoyed this deliciously dark book. I was gripped on the toxic, destructive female relationships in this story.
The writing is fresh, unique and engaging.
My first by this author but it won’t be the last.

Really enjoyed this book. I read it within days which is always a good sign!

The book made me think about my friendships and it makes you think about all the different emotions; jealousy, anxiety, confusion, envy, desire.

It shows you just how toxic some can be and how deadly meeting the wrong person can be.

Great read focussed on the complex nature of female friendships and confidence of being accepted for who you are. Read in a couple of sittings and would be a great option for a Book club read

Sometimes a book comes along that is just what you’re wanting to read at that moment and this was that book for me! Everything clicked in that I finished it over a couple of days and just couldn’t stop reading. I loved the writing style as it was such a well written and engaging read. I felt like I knew the characters so well by the end of the book & it felt like I was in Corfu with them.

I agree definitely a great read mainly set in a Greek resort this book is both mysterious and thrilling. The main character living goes about daily life with a close knit of friends, her husband and her daughter but this is far more exciting than any everyday life. I was immediately enthralled and full of anticipation with what would happen next. 5 stars in my eyes if you have at last booked a holiday take this with you you won't be disappointed.

This was a compelling novel about toxic friendship. I loved the location of the Greek holiday resort and the snake imagery that ran through the story. It’s an atmospheric and pacy book. Liv has struggled with friendships all her life but is very happy, for the first time, with close friends Beth and Binnie. When a fourth member is introduced to their friendship group everything turns upside down. I enjoyed reading about the four families on holiday, all the little tensions building into huge ones by the end. I couldn’t stop turning the pages as we were witness to the friendships turning sour. It certainly held my attention throughout and the ending doesn’t disappoint. If you want a real rollercoaster of a read, this is your book!

Devoured this book in one evening, definitely going to check out the authors earlier books. It’s the sort of book to take with you on a beach holiday, just make sure there are no horned vipers around first!

What a read to start the year with! I devoured this in just a few days - not the easiest thing to do when you have just had eye surgery but I did not want to put it down!

The characters are all really well written and the plot well observed - how our need for friendship and the 'perfect life' can become an obsession to the point of bang toxic. The relationships and interactions between the women are so realistic and I wasn't sure who to trust and where my sympathies lay at times.

Julie Mayhew was compared to Liane Moriarty in the blurb which was one thing that attracted me to this book, and this comparison is entirety justified. I loved her writing style, which left me relating to the women and their relationships, but with a really dark and chilling undercurrent that stays with you long after you finish reading. I will definitely be looking out for more from her in the future. Compulsive reading, you won't want to put it down!

Just wow. Gripping, beautifully written. One of those books where you feel compelled to race to the finish to learn what happens while at the same time not wanting the story to end! Julie Mayhew has an excellent skill in portraying the toxicity that can grow in friendship circles. A wonderful story teller. I would definitely read more by this author.

Loved this book. The central character perfectly describes her feelings of loneliness and isolation even when her mum is pushing her to join in with her peers. Her feelings of discomfort and not fitting in continue into adulthood but everything changes when she meets two girls who become her soul mates. Everything seems great until Ange is introduced into the trio and steadily works to undermine our main characters friendship and standing in the group with disastrous consequences. Great read.

Julie Mayhew racks up the tension in this novel which lays bare the dynamics and complications of relationships between friends, partners and children. The main character Liv is delighted to meet two new friends after struggling for years to fit in. A fourth woman joins their circle which quickly expands to include partners and children. There is pressure to keep up with lifestyles and aspirations, particularly when one of them loves organising and manipulating the others. Some of them choose not to recognise the frictions that eventually build up to a grand finale. This is one of those books that is difficult to put down.

Ever had a new friend join your friendship group and slowly push you out without you realising until it’s too late? This book breathes fire into a situation like this. It was such an uncomfortable read yet I couldn’t put it down.

Liv always struggled to make friends, so when she did, she was determined not to lose them. Enter Ange, who slowly changes the dynamics of the group, intent on pushing Liv out.

I could easily relate to this storyline and I was desperate to see Ange get her comeuppance.

At the beginning of the book you don’t see that anything is wrong. They just seem like a close group of friends, enjoying a well earned holiday. However, with each passing day, you realise how manipulative and controlling Ange is of every situation. Holidays with friends can be tense enough, but this book takes it to a whole new level.

I was swept up in the storyline from the first page and I had to keep reading. I actually felt like I had a ringside seat to their holiday of a lifetime which quickly turned into Liv’s worst nightmare.

A fantastic psychological thriller that makes you reassess the people you call friends.

If you’ve ever been on holiday wi the a large group or family you know there are always under currents and threads that you are careful not to pull. I enjoyed it and although it turns a bit towards the middle and becomes a different book altogether

What starts out as a story of friendship and inclusion takes a sinister turn in this belting book! Set in a family holiday resort for the wealthier family, I was able to visualise the paradise what is Corfu. This was made easier by my bias towards the island!
This isn’t the longest book but it is well worth a read!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me access to this book!

I really enjoyed this book. Liv grew up finding it difficult to make friends, but as the mother of a new baby she meets and bonds with Beth and Binnie, and they become inseparable as they navigate parenthood together. Then Ange becomes part of their group. She changes the dynamic and Liv starts to feel sidelined. The story is set during a 3 week holiday in Corfu, Where Liv decides to deal with Ange once and for all. This is a real page turner which kept me engrossed to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Julie Mathew’s Little Nothings was exactly what I’ve been craving as we edge towards summer. Being swept away to a Greek island and embroiled in someone else’s drama - I couldn’t have asked for better escapism! It took a darker turn than I would have surmised, but I liked the book all the better for the ending. An excellent dive into how agressions stack up over time and push us over the edge.

An absolutely mesmerizing read about narcisstic Ange and the little group of women she cruelly manipulates by pretending to be their friend. On a joint holiday in Greece with all their husbands and children, things get out of hand…I loved this edge-of-the-seat unputdownable twisty tale! In return for my honest opinion, through netgalley and publisher Bloomsbury Plc I was allowed to read an ARC.

Many thanks to the author publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
Never before have I read a book strewn with so many dispicable characters; not a saving grace amongst them and I LOVED it! The story bounces between home in the UK and and an ' idyllic' holiday in Corfu. It explores being the outsider in social groups, motherhood, belonging and the toxification of friendships when a other woman joins the group. I thought it was such a clever story, so many little touches that are perfect., ange's name is not capitalised, the snake symbolism , even the protagonist Liv's daughter's name Ivy, perhaps suggesting poisoning. Whilst the characters are larger than life surely people aren't ever really like this....are they???!!!???
I keep going back and reading bits of it again, and I'll read it in its entireity again when I'm on holiday. I'll definitely want read more of this authors work. 5 stars

Little Nothings is a must read! You fall into the bitchy, toxic world from a few pages in, and you just cannot stop indulging. It's like a Jane Fallon novel and a Louise Candlish thriller had a baby! It's honestly fantastic, and I will be recommending this to friends! Five stars .

The book starts with Lily and her friends on holiday… but is all that it seems…..

The deep dark secrets come out, and this book goes from the present (the holidays day) to the lead up to the holiday

The book grips you from the beginning, and full of twists and turns! That has you questioning if you ever knew your friends at all!

An excellent psychological thriller about relationships and how secrets eat away at them as well as those who keep them. Set in Greece with gorgeous descriptions of the scenery that made me long to get away. 5 stars!

Liv had always found it difficult to make friends but then she meets Beth and Binnie . They are all coping with young babies and soon become inseparable.
Then along comes Ange!
Ange encourages them all to live the life of luxury even though Liv can't afford it and soon feels she is being deliberately left out.
Then Ange arranges for them all to go on holiday together and Liv soon finds out the truth about Ange and will their lives ever be the same again?

This book is an easy reader, perfect for a holiday by the pool.

Relatable characters with easy dialogue makes for an enjoyable read.

What a great psychological thriller surrounding a group of friends!
Liv met her closest female friends at the same baby group years before and they've stayed in each others lives since so when Besr friends Binnie brings Ange into this tight circle things start to change. The dynamics quickly change with Liv feeling on the outside plus Ange is super rich so the pot roast dinner parts quickly turn into find dinning. The only good thing Ange suggests Is trip for the group and their families, except this tholiday is way out of Livs budget but when Ange offers to pay things start looking up or do they?

I really enjoyed this book I found myself wanting to know what the twist was going to be. I didn't even understand the title until I sat and reflected abd realised it was a build up little thing that to others looked like nothings it's very cleverly done as we read from Liv's pov we see things how she does.
It was interesting to read hoe female dynamics change when a new person is added to the group the way Ange beelined to push out Liv was fascinating, I just wanted to know why!!!

I found all tye ladies quite interesting and I really enjoyed being part of Liv's journey even if it was hard for her. Easy to see how small things can segregate you from your entire friendship group and isolate you completely. The holiday was great as we got to see a more wild side to Liv and also two of the other friends were being to see what was going on. As I read I questioned whether or not Liv should forgive Binnie if Ange ever gets caught out. I couldn't help but think I would never speak to her again. But that's just me, you'll have to read yourself to find out what actually happens.

The prose is written extremely well and made the text easy to follow. The scenery was described really well and made the story come alive, I found especially with their running club

Would I recommend yes completely, lmalthiugh if you enjoy psychological therapy this might be a a bit slow but I promise it speeds up. 4*

Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my fair and honest opinions

Perfect summer holiday read full of toxic friendship. First book I’ve read by this author & thoroughly enjoyed it would recommend it to anyone.

Liv always had friendship problems as a child, so she is delighted to make 2 real friends at a mother and baby group. The dynamics change when one of them invites Ange into the group, who they all hero worship and aim to do anything for her approval. Fast forward to Liv and Pete having marital and financial problems and the friends, partners and children all going on a 3 week holiday together, obviously all done to Ange’s specifications. What could possibly go wrong?
I loved this book. The little nothings, or slights, that Ange does to Liv throughout the book would sound like Liv was paranoid, or pathetic if she brought them up, particularly as the others were so enthralled by Ange. However, we all reach a point when enough is enough, and I really enjoyed the plotting involved in Ange’s downfall. Highly recommended.

Brilliant read and loved the settings - very easy to read and get quickly involved with and then didn.t want to stop reading until had finished - really enjoyed it

I was hooked from the start. I couldn’t put it down, a complete page turner that I didn’t want to end!

A story of friendship, identity and deceit, this is an incredibly written psychological thriller that had me gripped and reading late into the night with enjoyment and interest. This story is told from Liv’s viewpoint, and the characters within the friendship circle will be relatable to many readers making it work brilliantly.

The scenery is beautifully set by this author’s elegant writing style, but soon laced with a tense atmosphere, it can keep the reader fully invested and engaged.

This is ideal for a summer read, one that I would read and would have picked up if I hadn’t been gifted a copy. I can not recommend this book enough and is perfect for any fans of this genre. Be prepared to lose hours when you pick this up – you are in for one hell of a ride! If you can’t already tell, I absolutely love this and is definitely one of the new releases that you need in your life. Pre-order a copy today!

Wow – what a read!

Liv was never one of the ‘in’ crowd; in fact she spent most of her life as a loner never quite managing to make friends. However, once she finds herself a mum, she meets Beth and Binnie. Together the three of them face motherhood and everything else life throws at them together, both on their own and with their partners. Life is good until, that is, along comes Angie; ambitious and wealthy, she soon aspires to make the others want bigger and better, all culminating in one very expensive holiday in the sun. Liv and her husband don’t have the same disposable income as the others and she soon begins to resent Angie’s influence. Once they are on their Greek island, she begins to understand just how far Angie will go to be top dog.

This is a carefully spun tale taking the reader from the holiday to recap past events among this group and explaining the dynamics. I had no sooner began reading than I was totally engrossed in their lives, and found it very hard to lay this one aside. A gripping story with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and events which took my breath away! Compelling, and definitely one I heartily recommend. No doubt about it, for me this one commands a full house of stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.