Harriet Walker

This was an interesting read for me, not the best thriller I have read this year but not the worse. A solid three stars. The story surrounds Effie, Anna and Lizzie forged a strong bond of friendship during college that has endured through the ensuing years, although careers, marriage, and motherhood. It is all wrapped up in a secret that is shared by two of the women that adds fuel to the story. The focus of the story is the pending marriage of Lizzie and Dan, but in the week leading up to their destination wedding, they call it off and cancel all the arrangements. Determined to enjoy the time off the cast of characters and some awesome extras along for the rollercoaster ride.
However, once the group arrives things begin to unravel quite rapidly, exposing a somewhat sinister element leading to a psychological game impacting the entire group. The suspense is generated by the gradual revelation of clues as to the identity of the mastermind behind the game, but a subtle thread keeps things off balance. It is that off-balance that drove me to continue reading and the factor that will get me to pick up yet another book by this author.

My thanks to the author, Random House Publishing - Ballantine, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review. So sorry that it is very delayed it is no reflection on how much I enjoyed this book.
… (mehr)

The Three Musketeers


I don’t think I have finished a thriller like this in one sitting. Harriet Walker weaves a tale of three women whose lives are bound by grief, insecurities, and fear of what’s to come. If you combine that with the baggage, we carry from our past then you will get a sense of what these women went through. Margot is ready to start her maternity leave and she hires her temporary replacement with someone she thinks is not a threat in any way. Furthermore, she likes her replacement, Maggie...quite a bit. They met on a trip and Margot feels that Maggie will fill her position well.

Maggie on the other hand is a free lance writer who gives the reader the impression that she is living pay check to paycheck and that this maternity leave job is her best chance at living her best life. Even though this was supposed to be a year long job that Maggie does not want to give up. Part of this book that was intriguing for me as a reader was that Maggie and Margot both felt like to me, they both wanted what the other one had. After reading this I have to say that the grass may not always be greener on the other side.

Now, I did mention three women so let me talk about the last piece of this friendly equation Winnie. Winnie is Margot’s oldest friend. They have known each-other for a long time and Margot and Winnie were inseparable until the death of Winnie’s new born son Jack. It fractures there friendship to the point that I felt that it was repairable.

Honestly this is one of the best thrillers I have read in the last few days. I have already recommended it to my best friend and a few others and can not wait to see what comes next from Ms. Walker. Honestly, I was on pins and needles regarding the safety of Margot and her baby especially things took a dark turn and I was unsure what was going to happen. Thank you Netgalley and all parties involved for my arc of this book it was a joy to read and review.
… (mehr)

“I realized I had given away my privacy as though it were any other belonging that someone might borrow and return”

Imagine going to a destination wedding, only to have your best friend send an email that the wedding was off. Why would she call off the wedding?

I thoroughly enjoyed how the author weaved this tale that was told from the POVs of three best friends, Lizzie, Effie and Ana, and different timelines.
On “The Wedding Night” that didn’t happen, they had a party and their memories were quite hazy the next day.

What happened on that night for the wedding to be canceled and what happened in College that would play a role in the events that lead up to the twist?

Definitely recommend to anyone that has a close group of girlfriends they have been having for years and that shared a secret.
… (mehr)

This is a brilliant book, that has left me still smiling! It features the joys and the worries every woman who has ever been pregnant will lap it up like a dog.

This book had it ALL from Grief, Jealousy, Envy, Happiness, Friendships that come and go, Secret Keeping, Mystery, Suspense and Anger. Beautifully written that captivated me from the start!

At first, I was thinking this book reminded me of “A Devil Wears Prada.” It’s regarding a fashion editor to Haute Magazine, whom is pregnant who has to pick her replacement to work while she is on maternity leave for 1 year, as this story is based in London. I know as a US mom, I was incredibly envious they are given that full year!

Her replacement is younger, single, bright and so much fun to be around. While showing you the ends and outs of the industry!

But this book is NOT about the fashion industry. Halfway, through the book it caught me off guard and I even talked out loud to the book, because of the curveball I didn’t foresee.

This book focuses on showing the raw emotions of becoming a mother, in every aspect.

Terrific fast read, I highly recommend! Thank you to #netgalley, #BallantineBooks and #TheNewGirl for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.… (mehr)