This was purportedly a thriller that turned out to be not so much of one. A little disappointing in that regard. To me it was more about female relationships. And that age-old bitchy adage that 'her success somehow diminishes my own' that has kept so many women from succeeding in their careers. (Do a poll on how many American women would ever vote for a woman to be president and see.)

Margot is the beautiful, thin, and very stylish fashion editor of Haute Magazine in London who is pregnant with her first child. She suggests a young freelancer named Maggie to take over the reins when she goes on maternity leave. The only problem is that Maggie turns out to be too good at the job!

Margot's other problem is that her best friend Winnie from school years has dumped her after the tragic loss of her own baby and Margot has no idea why...or could it have something to do with what they did to their friend Helen so many years ago? And who is the nasty internet troll who is picking on Margot, using the avatar 'HelenKnows'?

All in all, this is a pleasant chic-lit novel with good character development and a nice twist ending. You can't help but feel bad for Margot and all she is going through during a time when she should be so happy--so much of it is of her own doing, from her mental angst. The story is told from multiple points of view of the three main women in the story: Margot, Maggie and Winnie. Whose version of the story should the reader believe?

I received an arc of this new novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. Many thanks for the opportunity.

Debut novel The New Girl by Harriet Walker is a fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I devoured this novel with the need to know the ending. Walker brilliantly displayed how social media can be a carefully choreographed dance. She showed how the intricacy of social media can play a role in every relationship and how an internet troll can tear you apart from behind the screen. The question is who is behind that screen?

She asks the age old question. Can Female Friendship survive jealousy?

Walker creates an in-depth character study on women using her characters and their relationships with each other. Told from alternating chapters from the character’s points of view she displays contrasting characteristics of women and the choices they make. Two women with the same name, Margo and the other going by the nickname of Maggie, have made different life choices but one is aspiring to be like the other.

When Margot, a fashion editor at a glossy magazine, Haute (Think Vogue) goes on maternity leave, Maggie steps into her job. We are left questioning if she is only stepping into her job or also her life? Hailed as Single White Female meets The Devil Wears Prada I was hooked immediately. Walker describes with great intensity how women can be opposite sides of the same coin. Two women with the same name are very different people. Walker nails how difficult it is to hand over a career that she painstakingly built, while also being happy about bringing new life into the world. She also heartbreakingly details teenage alienation and cancel culture before it was a think. My heart ached for these characters.

Walker perfectly nails the delicate balance of being disappointed for yourself, while being happy for a friend.

I loved this book and cannot wait for you to get your hands on it. The ending did not disappoint!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and NetGalley for a digital ARC
In exchange for an honest review.
#TheNewGirl#RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine#Ballantine#NetGalley#HarrietWalker
https://www.foffimreading.com/post/the-next-girl-book-review

I can see this book being a definite discussion starter amongst book groups and readers! Told in three perspectives, the book mainly centers around Margot, who upon the book's opening is a fashion editor at a respected London magazine, helping to set up a woman to replace her while she's on maternity leave. At the same time, Margot's childhood friend suffers a traumatic loss and their friendship strains. While Margot is the main character both Maggie the replacement and old friend Winnie have their voices included in sections.

Margot's paranoia and low self-esteem shades her every interaction with sinister overtones - but the driving force turning the pages is discovering if her fears are founded in anything real. It makes the pacing a bit quicker and makes the whole book a lot more engaging than it would otherwise be! But, unfortunately, despite this, the first section lags towards the end - there is just so much whining from Margot and Maggie... none of these characters are satisfied with what they have. It makes them both rather tiresome -and it quite nicely cements why none of them seem to have solid relationships or friendships at all. I am not sure what this book is really saying about women, but these women are all pretty awful - and there's very little honest and open communication between any of the characters (though I suppose there wouldn't be much of a plot if that was the case). And the male characters, as limited as they are, don't fare much better here. None of them are developed and they really only serve to move the plot forward. The fashion backdrop is fun, but honestly, I just wish that at least one of these characters had been a bit more likable. The manipulations, pettiness and catty actions really slow the pacing down and make this not very fun to read at times. Too much complaining and characters that are hard to root for.. plus not much teeth to the secrets and drama, in the end... But, all that aside, I genuinely do think that this will be a great starting point for lively discussion amongst readers!

3 1/2 ⭐️‘s

This book while entertaining, just didn’t dig as deep as I wanted it to go. I found the twists to be lackluster and was hoping for so much more. Not bad, but not on my favorite list either.

I was not a huge fan of this one. I just could not get into it. I was waiting for it to start to pick up and really grab my attention, but sadly, that did not happen for me. There was also sensitive subject matter, as well, that I found difficult to read.

How far would someone go to replace you? When I read this line it immediately drew me to this book! Margot is expecting her first child, and she’s looking for her maternity replacement, she’s the editor for Haute fashion magazine. Woman envy her, doting husband and beautiful house and it appears she has the perfect life. Maggie whose a freelance journalist is excited when she’s chosen to take over for Margot while she’s on maternity leave, she cannot believe her luck she’s soaking in the glamorous clothes, fashion shows five star hotels and restaurants she knows one thing she doesn’t what to give it back. When Margot’s baby is born and the ending of her oldest friendship with Winnie soon Margot finds herself insecure and suspicious, when she logs on to social media and it appears Maggie is taking over her job and everyone is loving her it feeds her insecurities. Her paranoia grows when an online troll appears to be mocking Margot and threatening to reveal and unwanted secret from her past. Is Maggie as innocent as she appears to everyone and is she willing to give up the life she worked so hard to get? The book has three characters perspective, Margot’s as her paranoia grows along with her insecurities, Maggie’s and she fills Margot’s job and how her life changes and Winnie’s as we discover what ended her and Margot’s friendship. This was definitely a slow burn psychological woman’s fiction is how I would describe it. It dives into woman’s fear of having children and if it changes how your looked at in the workforce, woman’s friendship and our insecurities. I give this four stars!

This thriller by debut author Harriet Walker asks us if motherhood, work, friendship, and long held secrets can all play nicely. Margot Jones, the sleek and chic fashion editor for Haute magazine is about to go on maternity leave, and she finds her replacement in Maggie Beecher, a journalist who is a far cry from a fashionista. But Maggie learns the ropes and really gets the hang of designer clothes, admiring fans, and front seats at fashion shows. Is she willing to give up this dream job?

Ok. That’s one book. Now here’s a blurb for the other story that ran parallel.

Margot and Winnie were best of friends until Helen arrived and declared Margot to be uncool and kicked her out of the squad. Winnie and her ex best friend witness a horrific accident and know who’s really to blame.

So imagine my surprise when the book opened with the death of an infant. What. This novel is pulled in too many directions. It was trying to communicate too many messages, and it was all bogged down in way too many descriptive passages. I slogged my way through it but it wasn’t enjoyable. I think the author was tying in interesting stories but they didn’t mesh well. No character was likable (maybe Holly the stylist) and the stakes didn’t feel high enough. I kept thinking, “Who cares?” The secret didn’t even have to be kept a secret. It wasn’t a big deal at all.

I will say, the ending was very unexpected so I’m glad I stayed till the end. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for this ARC for my honest review

Too light & wordy for me. I’m also not really into fashion so was bored and couldn’t get into the story; not enough thrill. Maybe next time.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

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 and #TheNewGirl for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do you know who your friends really are? How do they really feel about you? This book allows you to hear the voice of three women. You will learn their wants and their fears and how their lives intertwine. It is a maternity leave like no other!

This is the tale of three women, Margot, Maggie and Winnie. Each of these ladies are struggling emotionally at different stages of their lives. They each struggle in silence, envying the other until it reaches a boiling point. The author does a really great job of building the tension and angst. She uses a first person voice for each of the characters as they tell their story from their point of view. They open up and show how, in each case, they are misunderstood and want someone to understand their pain. In the end it takes them coming together to save two lives to see that they are all the same and that they can offer each other support and lasting friendship.

A slow burning psychological thriller that delves into complicated female friendships and insecurities that plague all of us - no matter who we are or where we come from. I did not expect to like this book this much given the book started off rather slowly, but I enjoyed it a lot and was up late last night reading because I couldn’t go to bed without figuring out how it will all end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Margot is a fashion editor pregnant with her first child. Maggie steps into her role and life during Margot’s maternity leave. The story alternates between the two women, one suspicious of the woman who has assumed her fashionable life and the other jealous she is only a temporary fixture in the life she has always wanted. The third woman in the plot, Winnie, is Margot’s best friend who loses her baby at childbirth and abandons their friendship.

While the first half is interesting I didn’t feel much happened. I really enjoyed the second half as the lives of these women intertwine and past secrets are revealed.

Wow, what a delicious read Harriet Walker has given us in The New Girl!

Margot Jones, 36, works as a fashion editor for Haute magazine. She is about to start her maternity leave and with her boss, editor-in-chief Emily Moffet, interviews candidates to serve as her replacement until she returns. She thinks highly of free-lance journalist Maggie Beecher whom she has come to know through past work-related activities. Maggie is Moffett's choice as well, and gets the job.

Margot goes on leave with mixed emotions. Excited about her first pregnancy, she is also worried about her long-time best friend, Winnie, who recently gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, the baby died shortly after birth leaving Winnie and her husband lost in grief. Margot's normal concerns about her own soon-to-be-born child, become enhanced by Winnie's experience and Margot begins to panic about anything and everything related to her baby.

Maggie fits into Margot's position easily and does all she can to make it her own. Now concerned about her child AND her job, Margot becomes paranoid. When a cyber stalker enters the picture and someone threatens to expose an explosive secret from her past, Margot begins to spin out of control.

Ms. Walkers characters are realistic and believable, and she handles topics such as self-doubt and insecurity, grief and loss, betrayals, secrets, friendships gone bad, ghosting and gas-lighting well. The book picks up speed as it goes with the psychological suspense getting higher and higher.
This is a very entertaining read!

My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Can a woman really "have it all?" She has the dream job. The husband. A baby on the way. What will happen to the job during maternity leave? This thriller explores the themes of mother vs. career woman; single vs. being in a relationship; grieving vs. growing and more. . . For fashion editor Margo two women are on her mind when she is a new mother. One is her replacement at work (Maggie) and the other her best friend from her school days(Winnie). All three women contribute to the narrative. There are interesting parallels drawn between past and present. In the end all have learned and grown as characters -- even the men. The fashion magazine environment made a fascinating and compelling backdrop to the story as well as the social media feeds that exacerbate Margot's out of whack hormones. Timely and thought-provoking.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the description, I was expecting this to be the kind of thriller that hooks you with twists and turns. While The New Girl was more of a slow burn, I found myself caught up in the slowly increasing tension. It feels more grounded than a lot of its contemporaries, but this isn't a downside. Rather, it was a refreshing departure from the over-the-top plot lines and lightning-speed rhythms of so many other books in the genre. (For the record, I still very much love my WTF thrillers.)

The fashion setting added a little glam to the otherwise everyday setting, and I found myself rooting for both of the main characters. Not an easy feat for a writer to pull off, especially when there's a growing divide between them. Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a fresh take on a thriller with some aspirational fashion moments and some very relatable insight on female friendships.

This isn't your typical thriller, it is a slow burn, not a fast paced heart pounding read, but so enjoyable none the less. The writing is engaging and the plot thickens as you delve inside the lives of Margo, Maggie and Winnie. You can tell Ms. Walker has a lot of knowledge of the fashion industry and being an editor and that makes this book all the more entertaining. Apparently it is her first novel and I was impressed. The writing had a good flow, and Ms. Walker created very realistic, human, flawed main characters that made you want to know the outcome of their story. I had an inkling of the ending, but I still found the revelations compelling and well-written. An interesting and suspenseful drama.

I think the best way to explain this or rather my take away is that this is the story of what guilt and anxiety can do to people, torn apart by select events, from multiple points of views.

We are living through the thoughts of Margot - the fashion editor, Maggie - Margot’s replacement while she’s on maternity leave, and Winnie - Margot’s long term friend who’s just lost her first born. All having either a jaded past or alternative motives to their actions, and figuring out to process their changing lives.

Definitely got an unexpected twist at the end. Which brought the story together a bit more. However some of the character development, stream of thought, and memories/past experiences seem to distract from the overall storyline. We don’t get any mental insight from the Winnie, until almost mid book, and do to it being a decent chunk, felt like a pause in the story until we are jolted back to the present and then rotate through all 3 women’s POVs.

We get closure from each of the characters at the end of the story helping to smooth out any of the major loose ends or feelings that might have left unanswered; I like this better most times than when an author leaves you with a vague illusion of how their life proceeds after the main event ends.

It did give me a Hitchcockian / psychological suspense vibe at times, living up to that part of the description.

Rating: 3.5/5

Very good for a first book. The cover and other reviewers have given plot and story info so I won't repeat. Interesting that you are inside the thoughts 3 women, but it does get a little tedious with their detail.However, that detail is probably necessary to understand the characters. Easy to guess about past events that haunt them, but it does hold some twists toward the end. Light mystery reading.
Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I was under no obligation to review and the opinions expressed are my own.

This was pretty mediocre, but it has its good moments. Margot is out as a fashion editor at a posh magazine on her maternity leave and her replacement, Maggie, is thrilled with her new promotion. Is she gunning for Margot’s job, or is the difficulty of letting go of her work, and caring for her new baby making Margot unnecessarily paranoid? In the middle of this Margot’s childhood friend Winnie has suffered a terrible miscarriage, which opens problems in her complicated friendship with Margot.

It was interesting to see these characters from each other’s point of view. It’s good too, because while the reader may dislike Margot in one chapter, you can see her motivations from a different perspective in another chapter. Ultimately it’s a story about the deep mistrust women have of other women and how this mistrust destroys more than friendships. Not a bad message from a book, even if the language and flow of the story was a little clunky.