A really good thrill with twists and turns and shocks. fab read from beginning to end, could not put this book down

OMG,this enthralling thriller has more twists and turns than the tropical ice lollies that I can't stop devouring at the moment.This is a mesmerizing tale of manipulation,secrets,lies,denial,anorexia,abuse and deception.These are so many twists and turns in this story that by the time you get to the end you are left feeling positively dizzy. There was one twist that caused me to almost drop my kindle in shock. I had to take my glasses off,give them a good clean and then 're-read that part to double check that I had read it correctly.

This is the story of two women who meet at a support group.Alex is anorexic and blames herself for the death of her husband and two children. Carrie has aggressive breast cancer and has just been told that it is terminal.Despite Alex being a lot older that Carrie they have become very good friends so when Carrie starts receiving threatening letters and her car windshield is smashed up Alex vows to do everything in her power to help her young friend. The problem is,the more Alex starts to uncover,the more she begins to suspect that Carrie is keeping secrets from her just like Alex is keeping secrets from Carrie. Her mental state isn't helped by the anorexia that is constantly trying to break out of the box that she has locked it in inside her head. Lack of food and over exercising yourself mentally and physically can cause paranoia,doubts and hallucinations,not a good place to be mentally when you are convinced that your life is in danger. I honestly didn't think either Alex or Carrie were very likeable characters. Alex`s behaviour towards Carrie bordered on obsessive and overbearing at times and as for Carrie,I'm going to be very mysterious and keep my thoughts about her to myself. Scattered throughout the book are chapters set in the past about a young girl`s nightmare life with her alcoholic bully of a father who loved to use her mother as his punch bag at every opportunity.Domestic violence is a highly emotional subject that I have my own (some may say) controversial opinions on so i think I will keep my opinions on that subject to myself. But are these chapters about Alex or Carrie and are the events of the past a contributing factor towards their issues as adults?.

This is a well written,gripping,fast paced thriller that had me hooked in from the first page right through to the unexpected twist ending.I love how Barbara Copperthwaite`s words flow with ease,drawing the reader into her realistic,vivid characters fictional world,holding you captive as the story unfolds before your eyes.Worth far more than five stars and highly recommended by little old me.

How can I summarise a The Perfect Friend. Well it is about friendship, secrets, lies and love Alex (a recovering anorexic) who is estranged from her husband and children meets Carrie who has terminal cancer in a local support group. The books goes on to reflect on Alex and Carries relationship and the twists and turns that this includes. This book deals with a number of difficult issues including anorexia, cancer and domestic abuse but in an accurate and empathetic manner.

It is difficult to say much more without spoiling the enjoyment for others, but if you love an unreliable narrator and a book with lots of twists then I would recommend this book.

Overall rating 3.5 of 5 stars.

While reading this book, I was pretty hooked and ready to read the next chapter, however, each time I put it down, it was awhile before I picked it up again. While in some ways it was different than other books I have read, in other ways it seemed very similar to a few books I have recently read.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that they met in a support group - that is very different from other books I have read. Some parts of the book were a little too predictable and drawn out, however, I really did enjoy that there were more than one twist.

5 Perfect Stars

“I am a russian doll of secrets, so many cradled one inside the other, all looking like me but diminishing until what is left is so tiny I fear I am disappearing.”

Wow. This book will stick with me long after today. What a rollercoaster of emotions topped off with twists and turns that threw me all over the place. In the wee hours of this morning, as I was still reading, my mouth agape, I actually said out loud, “Wait. No. Wait. What??!!” When you get to this part you may think that is the only twist. Hang on, my friend. The ride gets bumpier from there. Twist upon twist. I am always looking for my ‘OMG moment’ in a good psychological thriller and I got more than I bargained for from The Perfect Friend.

Alex is living in a world of prolonged grief and adult onset anorexia brought on by empty nest syndrome. Her husband has left, her twins have left and will no longer speak to her. She has an abundance of love to give and no one willing to accept it.

Alex meets Carrie in a support group for women who lived and/or still live in some sort of trauma. Carrie, being thrown into a battle with terminal cancer, is just the outlet Alex needs to release that nurturing love and is instantly drawn to her. They become fast friends and develop a symbiotic sort of pseudo mother/daughter relationship. Alex knows that Carrie is someone she can trust and will keep all of her secrets but should she put all of her trust into her? Offer so much of herself? After all, Alex is a self-proclaimed liar and doesn’t even trust herself so how can she be so certain she is seeing Carrie through clear eyes and a clear head?

I have to add a few thoughts on Alex. I LOVE an unreliable narrator and with this book I got double the love with both Alex and Carrie being incredibly unreliable! I connected with with Alex from the get go. Perhaps bonding with her early on due to her eating disorder and rocky road to mental health. The picture of this codependent woman and her constant quest for absolute perfection, in my opinion, was spot on. From the paranoia and self doubt to her warped sense of the reality of her actions and the world around her was an illustration that was easy to become a part of. Delving deeper into the plot, I found myself relating to her in a way that I only have with a handful of fictional characters. I do believe that even those who have not been down Alex’s road will easily be able to empathize and relate to her character. (Is it weird that I hesitate to even call her a character because she feels so dang real??)

I am not often actually moved to tears by a book categorized as a psychological thriller. In fact, I don’t believe I ever HAVE been. The Perfect Friend did just that and I found myself reaching for Kleenex more than I do most actual ‘tear jerker’ books. However, the tears did not affect the intensity of the thrill in this book. It was riveting and thought provoking and over the shoulder checking and gripped me from the beginning to the incredibly satisfying end.

I loved The Perfect Friend and would highly recommend it. I very much look forward to stalking Ms. Copperthwaite’s goodreads in order to add more of her books to my TBR!

Special thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Netgalley and Bookouture for providing me with a copy of The Perfect Friend.

This author never disappoints me .......... Yet again another fantastic story.

Alex and Carrie meet through a support group, Alex has anorexia and Carrie has terminal cancer. They become firm friends and Alex is determined to give Carrie whatever she wants to make the time she has left special.

The lies begin to unfold, who is being honest??? I didn't know who to believe and page after page I was saying no, no way, oh my god. Brilliantly written and gets a huge 5 stars from me.

I am massive fan of Barbara Copperthwaite and I have loved each and everyone of her books. Not only is she an excellent writer I always love the fact that Barbara always brings us something totally different so I couldn't wait to get stuck into The Perfect Friend to find out what was in store this time. First of all I was taken back to find that this story is wrote in first person, which I am not normally a fan of. So there I am already thinking I am going to like this then before I knew it I had devoured half of the book....it is utterly addictive and I flipping loved it.

Talk about grabbing you from the start I got so wrapped up in this story I just wanted to know more The Perfect Friend tells a story about secrets, lies and manipulation between two friends which alternates between now and then. The more I read the more didn't know who was telling the truth.

Don't get me started on the OMG moments, it is certainly full of twists and turns that I was wasn't expecting. Without giving to much away, has the story unfolds and it becomes clear where it is going, well I thought it become clear then I was like OMG as if...that's so bad who would do such a thing! so you need to read it yourself to understand what I am talking about.

This is one of those stories that will totally get under your skin and blow your mind. I cannot begin to tell you the emotions I went through reading this. Talk about keeping me on the edge of my seat. This is one very clever story with subject matters which the author has clearly done her research is is shown throughout the story. What more can I say but Barbara has absolutely smashed it.

This is a must read for psychological thriller fans which I cannot recommend enough giving it all the freaking stars.

Thank you to Noelle Holten at Bookouture for inviting me to take part in this epic Blog tour

I have a confession to make, this is the first book of Barbara's that I've read...! I know, shock horror, despite owning pretty much all of Barbara's previous books on my kindle I haven't read any of them! Now, I am kicking myself, why didn't I get to them sooner? The Perfect Friend was addictive, brilliant, twisty and thought-provoking.

Now, I'm going to have to be super vague in this review as I would hate to give away any of the plot. I had only read the blurb before diving in and so throughout the book I was gasping out loud as Barbara took me on a wild ride. Alex is an anorexic who attends a support group, there she meets Carrie who has cancer. Despite Carrie being 20 years younger than Alex the two strike up a friendship that on the surface looks pretty perfect. Alex has twins but they live with their father and they don't want anything to do with Alex, Carrie sort of becomes her surrogate daughter.

For the first part of the book I was getting rather comfortable with the book and I was enjoying the story. Then Barbara starts dropping twists into the story and my word, my brain did a whole 180 and started spinning. The twists are brilliant, several made me gasp out loud and I had to re-read sections to make sure I'd understood what was going on. The suspense that was created through the book was incredible, I couldn't let up reading until I'd read every last word.

Barbara's writing was just flawless, she pulled me in straight away and didn't let me go until that final page had been turned. She has created some flawed but likeable characters in Alex and Carrie, from the first page we know Alex lies but is Carrie telling the truth? On first glance, their friendship is lovely and genuine but scratch that surface just a tiny bit and oh my, I was shocked. Several times I thought I knew where the book was headed but then nope, we ended up going in a completely different direction.

The Perfect Friend is a very clever, gripping and full of twists and tricks that will not only excite but deceive the reader on several times. It's very much driven by the characters themselves as we go deeper into their lives and figure out what is lies and what is truth. It's extremely well-written that touches upon subjects such as anorexia, cancer, friendships and domestic violence, all that are written in a sensitive and believable manner.

I must now dive into the other books by Barbara as soon as I can if this was anything to go by. A brilliant book that will have me thinking about it for days to come. Now I just want to talk about it with everyone! If you must read just one psychological thriller this summer, I'd recommend you pick The Perfect Friend.

Alex has lost her husband and her two adult children want nothing to do with her. She also suffers anorexia. She meets Carrie, who is much younger than her, in a support group. Carrie has terminal cancer and so Alex organises a fund raising event so that Carrie can fulfil her bucket list before she dies. Despite their age difference, the two women form a close friendship. But all is not as it seems. We soon learn that Alex is quite an accomplished liar and as such she is able to spot some clues that just don't add up surrounding Carrie's background.

This is a plot-driven novel in the psychological thriller genre and it holds the reader in its grip to the very last page. However, for me the plot overrode character development so I was unable to care about any of the characters. Perhaps this is a typical trade-off in this genre as the story certainly kept up the pace and racked up the tension with carefully crafted twists and turns.

I haven't read anything by Barbara Copperthwaite before so didn't quite know what to expect from this book.

The story centres around Alex and Carrie, two vulnerable women who meet at a local support group. Alex is battling anorexia and Carrie has terminal cancer. The pair soon become firm friends and as their friendship develops Alex is determined to make the time Carrie has left special. I can't really say much more after this as this is where all the lies and deceit begin. You will find yourself not knowing what to believe. This is a great story with plenty of twists and turns. Once I got halfway through the book the story really picked up pace.

A very entertaining read which I can recommend to anybody who enjoys psychological thrillers.

Thank you to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of this author and always have her books on pre order as soon as they are available! So I was thrilled when this arrived in my kindle last week and I settled down to enjoy the glorious sunshine in my garden and I didn’t leave it until the sun had long set! What a deliciously dark and twisty tale Barbara Copperthwaite weaves in The Perfect Friend and I loved every minute!

I really felt for Alex as soon as I met her in this novel. Lonely without her husband and with her children not talking to her, her only friend in the world is her new friend Carrie who she has met in a support group. Alex is a recovering anorexic and Carrie has been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. It’s an unusual friendship but it works for them, both seeking the emotional support the other can provide. But lies threaten their friendship and soon they are both in danger of losing the only person they trust with all their secrets.

Wow! Talk about a twisty plot! Just when you think you’ve got it all worked out, another shocker is thrown into the mix to make you doubt everything you have read before. I’m not even going to go into the plot as I would hate to reveal any unintentional spoilers as this book needs to be read with an open mind so that the shockwaves wash over you with as much strength as they can to knock you off your feet! It’s perfectly paced and raises issues that are handled in a delicate way but still raising vital awareness of how these issues can affect our wellbeing.

And I especially want to mention the ending. Without giving anything away, I have to say that I was completely overwhelmed with emotion by the final few pages. I can’t remember EVER sobbing my way through the epilogue of a psychological thriller before and it’s testament to the beautifully crafted narrative that I was able to identify the sentiments she so expertly expressed and react accordingly. Honestly, I was a snotty mess by the final page!

Barbara Copperthwaite just goes from strength to strength! She manages to both delight and surprise me with every book she publishes. The Perfect Friend was an addictive triumph and I can’t wait to read more!

Highly recommended by me!

This book grabbed me from the first page. A brilliant plot that kept me guessing. I loved the characters and could see how the two women were drawn to one another. There was so much depth to both Carrie and Alex both experiencing sorrow and a disconnection from the people around them. Totally brilliant I loved it

It will be hard to put in to words how engrossed I became in this book, the story follows Alex and Carrie along with showing their close friendship. Within a couple of pages it became such an addictive story that had me turning the pages to discover the truth! It's safe to say that deception and secrets are the main ingredients in this plot, but what is really going on? I will be trying to be as vague as possible regarding the plot as this is a story that you really need to see play out for yourself!

This book shows us a present and a past which easily helps to increase the tension and keeps the momentum of the story going. I didn't know who to trust or what to believe but I loved not knowing the answers even though I was desperate to figure it all out. The tension was ramped up along with providing some wonderfully dark twisty moments. Barbara Copperthwaite completely pulled me into the characters lives along with making me question everything. I didn't want to put this book down meaning I raced through it as quickly as I could. However there was also a part of me that was enjoying it so much that I didn't want it to end!

The Perfect Friend has a cleverly crafted plot that will send you spinning off in all directions. Simply brilliant!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for my copy via Netgalley

What a great thriller. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down. Alex is a 44 year woman, who lost her husband and children. To cope, she starts going to a support group where she meets a 24 year old woman and they become friends. But not everything is at it seems, this book is full of twists and turns.

The Perfect Friend. All I can say is wow! One surprise after another. Alex has an eating disorder and is estranged from her kids and husband. Carrie is a breast cancer patient who is dying. Both find each other at a time in their lives they need each other the most. Carrie looks up to Alex as a mom and Alex looks to Carrie as her daughter. Twist and turns makes this book a must read. .

Great book with a lot of twists that I didn't see coming! Carrie and Alex are friends that meet in group therapy but it's based on lies. This was a suspenseful, interesting story. I really enjoyed it.

OMG. Holy poop. Well I did not expect any of that at all. Bloody brilliant. Very shocked. This is a sleep stealer of a book. A belter. I would urge you all to add this to your lists ASAP.

Alex isn’t the only one with secrets is she? I was literally hooked. I devoured it. I loved every second of it. An easy to read, fast paced story for all to enjoy. Plenty of twists and turns throughout for the reader to endure. I can’t praise this book enough. A well deserved five stars from me. Highly recommend. I won’t give any spoilers but I would urge you to all go and treat yourselves to this awsome story. You won’t regret it. An upcoming bestseller right here, an author to keep an eye on. Very impressed.

The story opens at a support group meeting, with Alex, a self-proclaimed liar, recovering anorexic and a 44 year old dressmaker, giving her version of of her story. She looks to her best friend, Carrie - there for support for her cancer diagnosis, to see her reaction. From there, the lies build, cross, expand and convolute for the remainder of the book.

I must admit, it took quite a while for me to become engrossed in the storyline. About halfway through, I was hooked. There were no shocking surprises (for me, at least). Nonetheless, I really enjoyed how this book played out.

I also felt that two difficult subjects; anorexia and cancer, were handled with care and empathy. Thank you for more insight and for helping myself and others understand the personal struggles faced by those who suffer, Ms. Copperthwaite.

Thank you, NetGalley, Barbara Copperthwaite and Bookouture for the ARC of “The Perfect Friend” in exchange for my honest review.

The Perfect Friend
Barbara Copperthwaite
Available: Now

Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Brilliant! Bloody brilliant British suspense! At first I was a little skeptical of Carrie – it was almost way too obvious but the twists and turns – just utterly amazing.
What I loved: Without giving anything away – I honestly kept thinking that I didn’t see that coming. You think its going one way, and you’re partially right, but then – WHAM!
What I didn’t love: With my neighbor and good friend battling chemo right now for her own cancer – it hit a little too close to home.
What I learned: I really had no clue about adult-onsite anexoria – and that was an eye opener.
Overall Grade: B+

www.FluffSmutandMurder.com

Alex meets Carrie at a support group. Alex is anorexic and her family wants nothing to do with her. She is also a compulsive liar. Carrie is there because she has terminal cancer. Alex and Carrie become the best of friends and Alex does her best to make Carries last days her best ever. Can Carrie trust Alex though, is she really the Perfect Friend?

A fabulous psychological thriller which I read in two sittings. The characters were very well developed and the storyline was great. It kept me turning the pages until I got to the very end. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.