Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Miranda the central character is soo unlikeable. She acts ridiculously just because her friend makes a new friend. I did think her backstory would have been a really good main plot instead of the main one. A good read but a bit too long with a very unlikeable main character

I really wanted to love Queen Bee, but ultimately, I felt let down by the ending. The pacing held my attention and while the author gives readers hints at the big reveal, it's takes some time to piece everything together.

However, I struggled with a few big things. First, the book's summary isn't an accurate reflection of the plot (or at least how I read it). I didn't get the feeling that it was Miranda who Verity was threatening. In fact, Verity didn't seem that threatening at all, just cold and mean. Also, I was underwhelmed by Miranda's big secret and, in general, I didn't buy how self-absorbed she was.

I think this could have been stronger if the author had made some different choices. However, I still enjoyed the description of the village and the way she teased out the suspense.

Nina Manning's - Queen Bee leaves the reader constantly guessing, it's the kind of novel where the plotline moves so smoothly that you wonder how it's going to end.

I can usually figure out most plots however, this left me constantly revising predictions right until the very last pages.
Miranda is the 'perfect' stay-at-home mum with a newly fledged candle business. She has recently relocated to the countryside and she is the darling of the village.
Her best friend Evie is single, has a young daughter named Juno who is best friends with Miranda's daughter Annabel. All is well in the village until the appearance of Verity which upsets the proverbial apple cart.
What is Verity hiding, why does Miranda not warm to her, and what is Miranda's big secret? These are the questions I kept asking myself until the final chapters.

This was a very enjoyable book, it is up to date with current social media issues and the characters are believable.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five

Also on my To-Read List is Queen Bee by Nina Manning. It appealed to me right away, who doesn’t love a book where the queen bee is taken down? What are the secrets? Who is Verity and why is Miranda threatened? I cannot wait to read this book. I’ve read other novels by Nina and they have been fantastic so I have high hopes for this one!

Synopsis:

In the quiet village of Helesbury, Miranda Wallace prides herself on being the most popular member of her small social circle; the perfect friend, the best mum – the queen bee.
Until one day, Verity arrives. Cool and indifferent, Verity is everything Miranda isn’t, but she threatens to shatter Miranda’s picture-perfect life.

Suddenly plagued with insecurities, Miranda is certain Verity is hiding something. And Miranda knows all about secrets and the damage they can cause, because she’s hiding some of her own. So when Verity threatens to reveal the truth about Miranda and destroy the perfect life she’s built, Miranda knows she has to act to protect the people she loves – even if the results are deadly.

A huge thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the advance copy.

Would you want to be the Queen Bee?

This novel from Nina Manning was totally unexpected.

A quaint, quiet place to live. Book clubs and PTA meetings, surely nothing overly exciting goes on here? Well you'd be wrong.

When Miranda ( seemingly normal housewife) starts to become paranoid over her friendship with fellow neighbour Evie, secrets are slowly revealed and relationships are tested.

I was kept guessing right from the very beginning but I couldn't have predicted just how it ended.

Keeping your friends close could lead to unknown dangers!

Absolutely thrilling from start to finish.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy of Queen Bee. Sooooooooo not like her other books, struggled to get through this one, I couldn’t wait for it to end. The only good part was the last few chapters, if only the whole book was that interesting!!!!

This is another fantastic thriller by Nina Manning. The plot is modern, unique and intriguing,
There were plenty of twists throughout to keep me guessing,
It’s definitely one that I’d recommend.

5 stars for intrigue. I couldn't stop reading this book to see where the story was going.
There did seem to be too much filler. The backstory with the Instagram didn't really have any "meat" to it. I was expecting something really horrifying, not something superficial.
While the book was slow (yet fast because I wanted to see how it ended), the end was fast and just came out of nowhere.
Something was lacking with the characters here. Just couldn't really get into any of them.
However, it was intriguing - I liked the different view points/police reports.
All in all, a good friendship mystery/thriller.

Miranda Wallace is the so-called “Queen Bee” in her friend group in the small town of Helesbury. She likes it this way and seems to have the perfect life. Then one day, Verity enters the picture. Verity is the polar opposite of Miranda, this puts Miranda’s world out of balance. Miranda starts to suspect Verity of hiding something and she knows a lot about holding secrets, because she has some of her own as well. Will Verity discover Miranda’s secrets and expose her?

Bravo to Nina Manning on this excellent thriller. I loved the concept and it was a quick and easy read for me. The pacing was fast and I was hooked in from the very beginning. I suspect most people will be surprised at the end!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Nina Manning does the dang thing again!
Queen Bee was phenomenal.
Oh, the tension! I was practically squeezing my Kindle and holding my breath from start to finish.
A nail biting novel thriller, so wild, and a remarkable story.
I couldn't put it down. From start to finish I was completely hooked.
Its will have you mesmerized and hooked right till the end.
Poignant and shocking with a surprising ending.
She excels in this genre so brilliantly and her writing is freaking top notch!

Boldwood Books,
Thank you for this eARC!

Gripping right from the start, it was fast paced, punchy and unpredictable, I couldnt guess the twists and I loved that. It was such a good storyline with an even better narrative. I loved it.

Deliciously Entertaining…
The seemingly sleepy village of Helesbury only has room for one Queen Bee. Doesn’t it? Miranda Wallace firmly thinks so - because that Queen Bee is her. The arrival of Verity into the village therefore comes as somewhat of a shock. Deliciously entertaining, dark suspense with a supremely crafted cast of credible characters and an engaging, immersive storyline. A one sit, wholly consuming read.

#QueenBee #NetGalley
Awesome.
Miranda Wallace prides herself on being the most popular member of her small social circle; the perfect friend, the best mum – the queen bee. Until one day, Verity arrives. Cool and indifferent, Verity is everything Miranda isn’t, but she threatens to shatter Miranda’s picture-perfect life. Suddenly plagued with insecurities, Miranda is certain Verity is hiding something. And Miranda knows all about secrets and the damage they can cause, because she’s hiding some of her own. So when Verity threatens to reveal the truth about Miranda and destroy the perfect life she’s built, Miranda knows she has to act to protect the people she loves – even if the results are deadly.
I loved this book very very much. Definitely ask everyone to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy.

An absolutely delicious thriller! I truly enjoyed the story of intrigue in mystery among a group of friends. I was honestly on the edge of my seat the entire book wondering what’s going to happen.