What avid reader has not sat through a painfully boring book club session? How many times can someone sheepishly say I didn't finish but I want to talk about that cute (Fill in the blank). What happens when structure is usurped by chaos? Jackson provides the answers in her latest provocative suspense novel.

Amy has found a safe haven in Pensacola FL. Married to Davis, step mother to Maddie, and new mother to Oliver, she has relaxed into the role of a middle class homemaker. Her dark secret has been locked down, the toxic self loathing truth buried from her self. Enter Roux, who implies she might know this truth, and with this truth has the power to destroy Amy's safety. What will it take to make this possible disaster go away?

Jackson has created characters that are near matches in their wits and in the ability to match move and counter move. The fast paced plot carries the reader along, encouraging a reader to forgo errands, housework, postpone deadlines, to be able to read just one more chapter.

The author uses underwater diving as a metaphor for retaining self control. Amy's role as a diving instructor is an important part of the story. I believe that the author uses the image of underwater diving as a metaphor for buried secrets and regaining self knowledge. This subtle theme weaves through the story.

In an online interview published in 2017, Jackson said "I have a lot of privilege. I was raised small-town South, and I live urban. I try to be cognizant of my biases—we all have them—but I am imperfect. I try to write my way into a better understanding of myself and the world around me. "

One hopes she will continue to delve deep, producing superior novels such as "Never Have I ever"

Highly recommended

Full disclosure: I received this uncorrected e copy from netgalley and Harper-Collins in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

Did I just finish a different book than all the other reviewers? I thought this book was a mess! The characters were unlikeable, several of the twists were unbelievable and the ending was not at all satisfying. I pushed myself to finish it and felt a little dirty (not in a sexual way) once I was done. Not recommending this one and was very disappointed since Add book was one of my favorite reads.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.
















































































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is pu















Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.
































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.














































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.
































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.

Nasty women, long-buried secrets, blackmail and suburban setting—beach book page-turner with Jackson’s signature offbeat humor and characters with just enough of the normal to make it all believable.

I am a huge fan of Joshilyn Jackson but I was a little underwhelmed by her new book. I found the characters unlikable and the circumstances hard to believe. That being said, the author certainly had me on my toes with guessing what the characters would do next and Jackson's unique humor shines through.

Amy Whey has a secret. She has finally learned to live with out without trying to self-destruct. She has a great husband, stepdaughter and new baby and she adores all three. The local book club meeting is crashed by a new neighbor and Amy has a feeling of foreboding. She doesn't know just how bad it's going to get before everything comes to a head. This is a must read-through-to-the-end book

I loved this book, it's a super summer beach read! Suspenseful, with some nice plot turns and a little humor thrown in. It's best to go in without a lot of details, but it begins with a book club meeting that turns into a drunken game of "Never Have I Ever" with a nasty twist. If you're looking for something to throw in your suitcase (or on your Kindle) for vacation, this is a great choice.

I kept waiting for this book to fall into more of a "thriller " category, but it mostly stayed in it's lane- as a family/neighborhood drama. I enjoyed it, however.... the main antagonist, Roux, was appropriately vile, even though some of her depravity is not discovered until the last 10-15% of the novel. Although the main character had some life-altering secrets and skeletons in her closet, the reader gets the sense that she has done her best (without being entirely truthful) to make the appropriate amends; it makes her a protagonist that you WANT to come out on top. Definitely a great book for reading this summer on ling car rides or at the beach. I can absolutely forsee this being a bestseller! 4.5 stars, easily.

I love Joshilyn Jackson so it pains me to write this review. This felt like a Lifetime movie to me, and not even a good one. I hope she goes back to keeping the characters she creates so very well in realistic conflicts. Her attempt at a "domestic thriller" (is that really a thing? Ugh), felt alot like i was reading a suburban mom from book club trying to eek out a novel without having the talent to pull it off.
Oh and I got this ARC copy complements of Netgalley.

Oh wow! Secrets and lies, and it starts at book club!! A wonderful book- read this one so quickly!! Lots of dark twists in this psychological thriller.

I have been a huge Joshilyn Jackson fan since I read The Girl Who Stopped Swimming more than 10 years ago. She has never failed to deliver a memorable story about women at the crossroads who discover things they didn't know about themselves and/or their loved ones as their lives change in significant ways. In my review of her most recent book The Almost Sisters I lamented, "Why Joshilyn Jackson isn't more respected as one of the most notable authors of the past 10 years is one of the best examples I know of Why The World Isn't Fair."

So it pains me to say that I really disliked this book. It wasn't poorly written or plotted, but I hated the fact that Jackson has followed so many of her fellow authors and turned to writing thrillers (another of my favorites, Emilie Richards, also fell prey to the lure of this genre in her new book A Family of Strangers). Apparently Women's Fiction is out and thrillers are in. That saddens me greatly. I don't want to read about women who are out to get each other and bad situations getting worse. It made me feel cold and small, and that's not what I want from my reading experience. Although many of the heroines in Jackson's previous novels had troubled relationships with family members, they weren't pitted against each other as Roux and Amy are in this book. Amy does have strong relationships with other females in her life, most notably her stepdaughter who lovingly refers to her as "Monster," but the book's central relationship is between Roux and Amy, and it's ugly.

I'm not giving the book a lower rating because Jackson is such a strong writer and storyteller, and Amy's passion for scuba diving off the Florida coast allows for several beautiful scenes of aquatic life. Judging by Jackson's acknowledgements, it was her idea to write something different, so I'm afraid Women's Fiction may have lost her for good. I'll be heartbroken if that's the case, but I guess I can always re-read some of my favorites from her backlist.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

I have read books by this author before but this one was much different. I LOVED it. I loved all the twists and turns that left me guessing.. I have this book on order for the library and cant wait for the patrons to get a hold of it!

I was thoroughly sucked into this book. I felt like the main character, Amy, could have easily been me or someone that I know, and I found myself wondering what I would do in her place! What worked about this book is that the main character contributed something to the suspenseful situation surrounding her. She was part of the mystery and part of the action, and even though her hidden past was coming back to haunt her, you wanted to root for her! I think this book would be a great recommendation for an "adult reads for young adults" list. It has several teenaged characters, and the main character's memories go back to her teen years. Loved it!

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be the last. Joshilyn Jackson has a distinctive voice that kept my interest. This book was a little darker than my typical kind of story but I did enjoy the suspenseful read. Her characters are very real and you find yourself rooting for Amy, the main character, despite all her flaws. #JoshilynJackson #NetGalley

Thanks #netgalley #harpercollins #williammorrow for my free e copy of #neverhaveiever in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Never Have I Ever features some smart writing and is engaging. The story begins innocently enough at a Book Club meeting, but things go terribly wrong when an unexpected guest (outsider) arrives and stirs up trouble. Honestly, the first chapter filled with mean girl antics and some harsh language and disappointing behaviors, tempted me to set it aside. It was difficult at first to feel I could relate to the characters or their lives. Although the story starts out a little slowly, the latter half of the book picks up the pace as the cat and mouse game intensifies. Some readers might also like to know about trigger warnings for a disturbing incident of child sexual abuse, some frank sexual conversations, and an eating disorder which includes a vivid description of her fat body. One aspect I loved is the ocean and scuba diving scenes for a unique change of setting. The story resolved in a dramatic way, but I was disappointed with the main character’s determination to cling to her secrets and lies.

3.6 - I think I kept expecting something bigger; this mostly reemphasized the problems with keeping secrets, nothing earth-shattering

This was definitely a different style story than I’m used to reading by Joshilyn Jackson. She writes great women’s fiction/drama and Never Have I Ever has the intense drama with some dark twists and turns I didn’t expect. I look forward to reading even more by this fantastic author.

"Never Have I Ever" was so good because, much like Jackson's other novels, she has a way of making the characters seem so real, like you are reading about something in your local newspaper that happened down the street. The chase to "out-secret" each other reminded me of the show "Revenge" where Emily/Amanda and Victoria have the constant one-upping of each other's secrets and scandals.

Loved this book!

Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to review this ARC.

Amy has it all - a successful diving business, a new baby and a great relationship with her husband and teen stepdaughter. Or, she did have it all until a new rental shows up at a neighborhood book club playing a dangerous game that threatens the whole life Amy has worked so hard to create. INTENSE, perfectly paced and really twisted, this game and story begins with a strong cocktail and ends with multiple shots taken in rapid succession. Fear the Airbnb, fear keeping your secret past a secret and never mess with a mom! This will be the new scary beach read for the summer and a great pick for those who can't wait for season two of "Big, Little Lies". My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

One of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a long time. Intricately plotted, this is a masterful game of cat and mouse between Roux and Amy as both fight for the lives they want to keep. Which one will win and whose secret is the worst? You won’t know for sure until the very end.