Book is being called a ‘psychological thriller’ but this was sadly lacking for me. The characters were unlikeable, and the storyline was predictable. The writing itself was good, and it was a fast read. First book I’ve read by this author, and I would give her one more try.

Lucy is a good kid, teacher’s pet, high achieving type girl. She meets Adele, her opposite, on the first day of middle school, and this leads to an unlikely friendship. Story is told in three parts; early friendship where the friendship pact is made, Lucy’s abusive marriage, and after.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone. ( )

Lucy has had to cope with two extremely difficult time periods in her life. Something dreadful happened in her childhood and something beyond impossible is going on in her present. As far as when Lucy was a child, she befriended Adele. Theirs was a tenuous friendship from the outset, but after a mutual friend, Joanne, lost her life in a horrible accident, Lucy and Adele lost the bond they had.

Years later, Lucy is married to a prominent surgeon. The least of her problems is that he decided they would never have children, despite how she felt about it. The depth of their problems, however, is the extreme controlling and domestic violence that she can't seem to get away from, no matter how hard she tries.

Running out of options, Lucy is forced to locate Adele and ask her for help. After their experiences as children begs the question: can Adele be trusted? Can she be the key to helping Lucy escape the clutches of her dangerous husband?

With one untimely event after another, combined with duplicity on more than one level, Lucy fights tooth and nail to take a hold of her life. All the while, with the exception of Lucy, the story is filled with page after page of rather unlikable characters. Lucy is head and shoulders above just about everyone else, and I rooted from her from the beginning until the thrilling end. Alison James has written another engaging story.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )