Thanks for the chance to read this advance copy. But, like other reviewers, I had a hard time getting into the story. After reading some excellent books lately, I’m struggling to find and finish any stories right now to hold my interest. Sadly, I did not get very far into this book before closing it. But I do appreciate the opportunity to try.

Well that was a bit underwhelming. Sasha has been planning her BFF, Caitlin's, wedding day. Sasha grew up on the estate of Caitlin's grandmother. Her parents worked on the estate. Sasha has a huge secret that may just shatter the day and change the family's lives forever. No, she is not having an affair with the groom (which seems to be what the author wants you to think). No she hasn't been blackmailing anyone or extorting money from the family. Honestly, the "secret" isn't really much of one. And it sure doesn't ruin the wedding. But the tension you may feel from trying to figure out what is going on makes up for the lack of big reveal.

*Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC.*

As others have written, this book was not at all what is expected. The long drawn out story is told from Sasha's perspective writing as a teenager spending time at Saxby where her parents worked and again writing years later when her "friend" from the estate, Caitlin, is preparing to get married. Caitlin and her family are very wealthy and entitled they own the Saxby estate and the plot tries to explore this very strange relationship between the two girls/women.
I wish I had not plodded through this one. In my mind, Sasha was just as poor excuse of a bridesmaid as Caitlin is as a bride.
The atmosphere at the Saxby estate was very well written it is just the story itself was not to my liking.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

I'm afraid this wasn't for me. I thought the plot sounded intriguing as I quite enjoy a toxic friendship storyline, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I'll start with what I did like: I liked the dual timelines and the way the author drip-fed information, as I was genuinely interested in finding out what all the little mysteries were and I never seriously considered giving up on the book.

Now for the less good things. The characters were all horrible, apart from perhaps dear Hackett. Main characters Sasha and Caitlin didn't have one redeeming feature between them so it was pretty difficult to give a damn what happened to either of them.

The dialogue was one of the worst I've ever read, particularly between the children. I don't know if the author has ever seen real human beings interact with each other, but it certainly doesn't read like it.

The bare bones of a decent story were there, but too many unlikeable characters and shockingly unrealistic dialogue let this down for me I'm afraid.

Caitlin and Sasha have been friends since childhood, despite their vastly different social standings (Sasha's parents are the housekeepers of Saxby House, Caitlin's family manor). However, their friendship is anything but perfect, and as Caitlin's wedding approaches, bridesmaid Sasha begins to question just how true of a friend Caitlin really is...

This is a difficult one, as although it's marketed as a psychological thriller, it was almost more like chick lit but with a mystery twist. There's none of that nail biting tension that you normally get with a thriller, which isn't necessarily a criticism, but just meant it was very different from what I expected. However, it's still a really good book. Firstly, the writing is absolutely beautiful. Seriously, Nina Manning is an incredibly gifted author. I particularly enjoyed the chapters set in the past, and I can definitely imagine Manning writing an amazing historical fiction novel. Character wise, I really liked Sasha, and felt for her, given that she very much seemed to be one of life's bridesmaids, always in the background in a supporting role. Caitlin was a nightmare, and I honestly couldn't stand her. A very toxic woman, who is understandably hard to cut off, given Caitlin and Sasha's shared history.

Now, the plot itself is tricky. As I said, there's not the full blown tension you expect from a thriller, but instead you get a continual drip drip drip of information hinting at a deep dark secret from the past... When it's eventually revealed, I can guarantee it will not be what you're expecting, and its one of the few books where I can honestly say I didn't have so much as an inkling about what the secret was going to be. Overall, a really enjoyable book, and an author who's work I will definitely read again.

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to be provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

sasha and caitlin have been best friends for years, years pass and caitlin is getting married and wants sasha to be a bridesmaid , they have secrets that come out during this time. really good book

After meeting as children Sasha and Caitlin become firm friends.Sasha would do anything for Caitlin and that means keeping her darkest secrets.
When Caitlin announces she's getting married of course Sasha is her bridesmaid.
Things start to go wrong as the wedding approaches secrets that once bonded are coming apart.
I really tried to get into this story but found it was to slow for me and the characters unlikeable so sadly I DNF.
This was my first book by Nina Manning even though I could'nt finish this one I will try to read some of her other books in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for this ARC.

It's hard to follow a story when the main characters are not so likable. And when their behavior towards one another makes them even less sympathetic. Friends from childhood, but not really, they get back together to celebrate a wedding.
What should have been joyful and inclusive, the planning and run up become fraught with simmering hostility and violence.
This didn't capture me, a little too uncomfortable for me.

I really tried getting into this one. Picking it up a few times. But just not interesting enough to keep my attention.
Mediocre story and characters to me.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

Unfortunately, this was one of those books that I kept trying to read, but just couldn't get into. None of the characters were particularly compelling to me, and the chapters jumping around time distracted me.

Toxic female friendship. It's been happening since the beginning of time and it's likely to last beyond time. Power struggles are the largest part of it. As perfect as some friendship may seem, there are cracks.

The Bridesmaid isn't any different. It's about two women, best friend since childhood. It's about a bride and her bridesmaid. It's about one woman who wants what she feels she deserves.

It's a quick, tension filled beach read. It's sure to be a hit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

I’ve tried picking The Bridesmaid up a few times but I just can’t stick with it. The writing style isn’t for me. Since I didn’t finish this book I’m giving it three stars for fairness.

This was a great story, woven between childhood and adulthood, giving sharp, real portrayals of both. The relationships kept me guessing till the end. I found myself really pulling for Sasha! The revenge twist was very entertaining.

This was a really intriguing story, toxic friendships and how bad they can really get. It did hold my interest but I felt as the story went on the pace slowed and I was less intrigued. Still held my interest and I felt it was enjoyable.

I was looking forward to The Bridesmaid but unfortunately it just did not work for my taste. I found it very slow to start with and I disliked the characters. I need a book that grips me quite early on and this didn't but I am sure many people will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

This was quite a slow read for me which I usually don't like so it took me quite some time to get into the whole story. I didnt end up enjoying it as much as I'd originally anticipated.

The storyline was unpredictable and kept me reading to the end to see how it resolved, but I did not find this to be an enjoyable read. The main character was unlikeable, as were many of the others. At times the style seemed to be YA rather than adult. Though the ending was somewhat of a surprise it all seemed to lack believability. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, and though it wasn’t the right one for me, since other readers have positive feedback for her I will consider reading one of her other books.

Sasha - Daughter of the housekeepers of Saxby House
Caitlin - Daughter of the owners of Saxby House
Two young girls from very different worlds form an unlikely friendship that spans over two decades.. Sasha craves approval from Caitlin who is spoilt, spiteful and cruel and only offers her friendship when it suits. Told in alternating chapters between the past and present, the reader learns about the toxic friendship through the years as a build up to the day when one woman becomes a bride, the other a bridesmaid and a long buried secret is revealed..............
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it, but am slightly confused by the genre it comes under. It is a mystery, for sure, but it lacks the heart racing, nail biting conclusions of ‘proper psychological thrillers’.
A mash up of mystery/chick lit. Don’t expect any scary bits, but still a FAB read!

Huge amount of thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for an e arc of this book in exchange my honest review and opinion.

Sasha and Caitlin are unlikely friends. Caitlin’s family is well off and owns the estate that Sasha’s parents work on. Their friendship is uneasy, but lasts until adulthood. Sasha is Caitlin’s bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding and Sasha is determined to make it perfect for Caitlin and to finally prove that she is just as good as Caitlin.
I really enjoyed this book! I love multiple timelines, a grand house, and secrets and this delivered and then some. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a thriller. I feel like it’s more of a mystery that focuses on women and their relationships. I’ve never read anything of Nina Manning’s before, but I will be reading more in the future. This will be released on May 27, so do yourself a favor and check it out

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
3 Stars!
This book was fraught with suspense and will keep you reading. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Story was more of a mystery with best friend drama.