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Best Kept Stranger
by Taylor Higgins
Pub Date
12 Aug 2025
| Archive Date
Not set
Description
Beautiful but fragile Taylor Hartwell has been afraid of disappointing her manipulative mother, Claire, for as long as she can remember. To the outside world, Claire Hartwell is caring and attentive, but beneath her carefully curated exterior lurks an ever-deepening darkness-and Taylor is desperate to escape to the light. Taylor's need to please Claire and her intense craving to know love leads her into the arms of men who hurt her in every way. Yet Claire, believing Taylor's mistreatment will ensure her own domination over Taylor's life, encourages her daughter to stay in these abusive relationships. When Taylor meets a gentle, supportive man, the budding romance pulls her from Claire's relentless control. But Claire is determined that Taylor will fulfill the role Claire has planned for her since her birth. Taylor's struggle for independence unravels dangerous family secrets, leading to a series of questionable deaths and a sinister reunion that nobody anticipates.
Beautiful but fragile Taylor Hartwell has been afraid of disappointing her manipulative mother, Claire, for as long as she can remember. To the outside world, Claire Hartwell is caring and attentive...
Description
Beautiful but fragile Taylor Hartwell has been afraid of disappointing her manipulative mother, Claire, for as long as she can remember. To the outside world, Claire Hartwell is caring and attentive, but beneath her carefully curated exterior lurks an ever-deepening darkness-and Taylor is desperate to escape to the light. Taylor's need to please Claire and her intense craving to know love leads her into the arms of men who hurt her in every way. Yet Claire, believing Taylor's mistreatment will ensure her own domination over Taylor's life, encourages her daughter to stay in these abusive relationships. When Taylor meets a gentle, supportive man, the budding romance pulls her from Claire's relentless control. But Claire is determined that Taylor will fulfill the role Claire has planned for her since her birth. Taylor's struggle for independence unravels dangerous family secrets, leading to a series of questionable deaths and a sinister reunion that nobody anticipates.
A Note From the Publisher
Taylor Higgins is the bestselling author of Between the Stitching. She is invigorated by the intersections of the creative process and how words can heal, inspire, and breed change. She lives just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, with her dog Blu.
Taylor Higgins is the bestselling author of Between the Stitching. She is invigorated by the intersections of the creative process and how words can heal, inspire, and breed change. She lives just...
A Note From the Publisher
Taylor Higgins is the bestselling author of Between the Stitching. She is invigorated by the intersections of the creative process and how words can heal, inspire, and breed change. She lives just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, with her dog Blu.
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9798888247273 |
| PRICE |
US$20.95 (USD)
|
| PAGES |
350
|
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Reader (PDF)
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Paperback |
| ISBN |
9798888247273 |
| PRICE |
US$20.95 (USD)
|
| PAGES |
350
|
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Reader (PDF)
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)
Download (PDF)
Average rating from 8 members
Featured Reviews
Bookseller 1778687
This novel brilliantly weaves psychological tension with a slow-burning romance, delivering a powerful story about reclaiming one’s life against all odds. Perfect for anyone who crave a thrilling, heartfelt women’s fiction with a pulse-pounding twist.
Reviewer 1638222
Taylor Higgins' novel, Best Kept Stranger, is a captivating exploration of complex relationships and small-town secrets. The story masterfully weaves together intricate plotlines, revealing the dark underbelly of seemingly idyllic lives. With well-developed characters and a gripping narrative, Higgins keeps readers engaged until the very end. The novel's themes of identity, loyalty, and deception are thought-provoking and relatable. Overall, Best Kept Stranger is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and mystery novels, offering a thrilling page-turning experience with its unexpected twists and turns.
Suzy R, Educator
I enjoyed Best Kept Stranger. The author did a good job developing the characters. I think some parts of the book dragged a bit but it wasn’t a big issue to me. One of the main characters, the mom, Claire, got me so mad and if an author can get me to be mad at a character, then they did a good job portraying them as villain!
Susan B, Reviewer
A story between a narcissistic mother and the daughter she has mentally and emotionally abused. It is an interesting story, sort of dark. It is well written.
Crystal M, Reviewer
This book will leave you speechless because it opened a door of a narcissist, Mom who seem to hate her daughter and wanted nothing good for her !!! But it was so good can’t wait for others to read this one
Featured Reviews
Bookseller 1778687
This novel brilliantly weaves psychological tension with a slow-burning romance, delivering a powerful story about reclaiming one’s life against all odds. Perfect for anyone who crave a thrilling, heartfelt women’s fiction with a pulse-pounding twist.
Reviewer 1638222
Taylor Higgins' novel, Best Kept Stranger, is a captivating exploration of complex relationships and small-town secrets. The story masterfully weaves together intricate plotlines, revealing the dark underbelly of seemingly idyllic lives. With well-developed characters and a gripping narrative, Higgins keeps readers engaged until the very end. The novel's themes of identity, loyalty, and deception are thought-provoking and relatable. Overall, Best Kept Stranger is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and mystery novels, offering a thrilling page-turning experience with its unexpected twists and turns.
Suzy R, Educator
I enjoyed Best Kept Stranger. The author did a good job developing the characters. I think some parts of the book dragged a bit but it wasn’t a big issue to me. One of the main characters, the mom, Claire, got me so mad and if an author can get me to be mad at a character, then they did a good job portraying them as villain!
Susan B, Reviewer
A story between a narcissistic mother and the daughter she has mentally and emotionally abused. It is an interesting story, sort of dark. It is well written.
Crystal M, Reviewer
This book will leave you speechless because it opened a door of a narcissist, Mom who seem to hate her daughter and wanted nothing good for her !!! But it was so good can’t wait for others to read this one
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