Left feeling a little bit disappointed by this one. It has a rather slow pace to it and I don't think it really lives up to her other books. But it's enjoyable none the less

When We Were Friends by Samantha Tonge

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Four friends, one big secret... and the journey of a lifetime. It’s nineteen years since they stopped speaking to each other, but now Morgan needs to contact her three best friends from Paige, Emily and Tiff. Her teenage son wants to meet his dad and Morgan can’t ignore his requests any longer. And Paige, Emily and Tiff all knew what actually happened back then. Even if that was what led to their friendship group falling apart, they’re the only people Morgan can think of who might be able help her find the man who disappeared without a trace before she could tell him she was pregnant. Can Morgan persuade her old friends to go on a road trip to track him down? As adults – with marriages, children and a whole bucket-load of their own problems – will they be able to work together to solve the mystery? And if so – just when forgiveness for the past looks like it might be possible – how will they cope with the biggest shock of all? A story about love, families and how the people who know you best are the ones you will always need in your life.

My Opinion

There is no doubt about it, if Samantha Tonge has written it I am going to be reading it. I was hooked from the opening pages of the book, in fact I was almost late for work as I didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the way that Samantha revealed secrets, dripping them out to keep the reader interested.

If you want drama, then this is the book to read. If you have lost touch with your high school friends then you will really appreciate the contents of this book. With a great deal to unravel, make sure you have plenty of time when you start reading this book as you will not be putting it down.

Rating: 4/5

This latest release by Samantha Tonge delves into the intertwined lives of four individuals who share a deep and meaningful bond. However, their relationship is put to the test as they gradually reveal their innermost secrets to each other, resulting in a gradual deterioration of their once-solid connection. This deterioration leads to heartbreaking loss and separation, highlighting the devastating impact that secrets and misunderstandings can have on even the strongest of friendships.

In the midst of this turbulent backdrop, one of the women featured in the story finds herself in a desperate situation - she needs to locate her child's biological father, who vanished before she even knew she was pregnant. This quest for answers takes the reader on a suspenseful journey, full of twists and turns, as the woman and her close friends engage in some detective work to uncover the truth.

Throughout the novel, the reader is presented with a raw and honest portrayal of the complexities of growing up and the importance of having a reliable support system amidst life's inevitable messiness.

Although I found this read enjoyable, I must admit that the slow pace of the storyline left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Specific segments appeared to linger unnecessarily, and their composition could have improved.

Despite this, I recommend this to anyone who appreciates a tale of friendship, love, and the power of human connection, or for a small book club read within your circle, as I am sure there are many readers who could relate to these characters.

What a warm, fun book about friendship. Each of the four best friends have a secret and a struggle that needs working through. They find a way back to each other after a riff at their senior prom. They learn that sometimes all you need is a friend. By your side. Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy. This is the second book I’ve read and I must admit, I am a fan!

This book was an absolute ride! It was a little slow at the beginning but once all the girls got together watching the drama unfold was like watching your favorite reality tv show. The drama and chapter 20! I did not see that coming at all and had to run around my room. I was so surprised. This book made me think a lot about people I once was friends with and where we are today. Some of them I connected with but others I havent. I think the larger story of how people grow is so comforting as a mid twenties still trying to figure life out. I love how many different stories there were. It wasnt only about Morgan and finding her sons dad. All of them went through so much growth and change by relieving themselves of lies from their pasts. Amazing read and so glad I got the opportunity to.

What a wonderful book about friendship and the challenges that come with it. The characters were well written and the storyline really draws you in. Definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys long term friendships!

Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I absolutely loved reading this A fabulous book by Samantha Tongue.

Morgan, Paige, Emily and Tiff all grew up together. Together they made The Secret Gift Society, helping others at their school solve their issues. The four girls friendship was solid and they thought no one could break it.

But, on their prom night, that friendship breaks, Hugo reveals what he knows about them and that creates a big rift.

It’s been years since that night, and now, Morgan, has a son, Olly, he is eighteen and wants to know who his father is..

Morgan knows that if anyone can help, it’s her old friends, so she puts a message in the Alumi news with a date and time for the The Secret Gift Society. But, Morgan is thinking whether any of them will want to meet.

The friends decide to help Morgan find Olly’s Dad, after initially deciding against it, but each one is hiding their own secret. Will the friendship still be there when these are revealed? Is Olly’s Dad more closer than they think?

The story has you hooked, turning the pages to find out what happens next.

I highly recommend this book.

I am so sorry, so sorry that I didn't get around to reading this book before now. I've been a fan of Sam Tonge's books for a long while and I'm most happy to report that this doesn't let one down. I have only one problem - I can't make up my mind what genre to place it in? Still, isn't that the prerogative of a top class author. Thought provoking, insightful and delightful, all at the same time. My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood for the reading opy.

A good story about friendships and at times a little repetitive which could be boring. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Interesting story about past friendship and reconnecting. Little repetitive in parts and over explained. But overall an enjoyable story well worth reading. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

This is a huge book hiding between the pages of what could easily be dismissed as light-hearted women’s fiction. It’s not until the layers of each character start to unpeel that it becomes more obvious how complex the character’s lives have been. Morgan, Paige, Emily, and Tiff share a bond that was tied at school and seemingly broken at Prom. I’m sure that many of us can identify with that scenario, but equally have resurrected friendships that had long seemed dead.

Each of the women is hiding a dark secret that they each want to protect for fear of the impact the truth may have. Not for fear of upsetting anyone, but to avoid the judgement that may follow such revelations. Their childhood friendships flourished from the character strengths that they each brought as superpowers to their group. Citing logic, empathy, kindness, and intuition, their shared ability to solve mysteries helped to create their Secret Gift Society.
I immediately warmed to Morgan and wanted her to track down her son’s father, Hugo, with or without the help of her friends. Emily also seemed to be very kind, and I felt for her as she fought for her own happiness. Tiff and Paige took more warming to, but it soon became apparent that this was all part of the way Samantha Tonge had orchestrated the story.

I loved the way the former friends set about searching for the elusive Hugo, discovering more about his move to France and then his return to the UK. Mlle Vachon was a character that I could immediately envisage, and she brought back warm memories from my school days.

I absolutely loved this book and cannot recommend it enough. If you’re anything like me, it will evoke fond memories of school days and maybe even move you to reconnect with former friends. It’s never too late and can be wholly wonderful.

One of those books you can’t put down once you start reading. I found myself remembering my friends at school and how we lost touch as we moved away. The explosive way the characters lost touch and how they felt meeting up again was fascinating to read.

4.5 Stars. I'm kind of on the fence about this book. I kind of want to give it a full 5 Stars, but I just can't. It had a lot going on between the four women who were high school friends who broke apart, their spouses, kids, and the want-to-maybe-date guy. It was a good story that seemed plot driven to me. It was almost like you're reading a nice quiet little story about women in their 30's (?) and then the boogeyman taps you on the shoulder and disrupts your reading. What???

There was a BIG thing that happened to the four in high school which led them to turn on each other. Now that they are older, the circumstances one of the women finds herself in lead her to call the group back together again. It is definitely not all smooth sailing. In fact it was more like a tsunami when all the secrets start leaking out of them.

The relationships were difficult, but the resolution was satisfying. I would definitely read another book by this author.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Four girls were childhood friends. They had a club of sorts, a secret society, where they used their unique gifts to solve problems for whoever needed help.

On the night of the prom, it all went horribly wrong and their friendship ended abruptly and for good.

Now 19years later, Morgan has a teenage son, who keeps asking about his father. Morgan decides to get her friends back and ask them for help searching for her son's father.

The Secret Society meet again, but can they really forgive each other and are they all telling the truth…..

I adored this book, it did take a couple of chapters to fully capture me, so if you feel like this do NOT give up as honestly once I got into it. I couldn’t put it down and was so glad I read it.

Perfect read, wrapped up on a cold autumn day

Four girls were childhood friends. They had a club of sorts, a secret society, where they used their unique gifts to solve problems for whoever needed help.

On the night of the prom, it all went horribly wrong and their friendship ended abruptly and for good.

Now 19years later, Morgan has a teenage son, who keeps asking about his father. Morgan decides to get her friends back and ask them for help searching for her son's father.

As adults, they meet again, but the pain of betrayal still feels fresh. They manage to put their differences aside to help Morgan, but it all blows up epically. Again.

This was so good! I found myself totally immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading. They are all full of faults, but that doesn't stop you from rooting for them.

Highly recommend it!

You know, the word "algebra' comes from the Arabic word al-jabr that means the reunion of broken parts. . . ~ Morgan

The Secret Gift Society solves problems for the students at Dailsworth High. Morgan, Emily, Paige, and Tiffany. Four friends and four gifts. Logic. Kindness. Empathy. A Sixth Sense. Then prom night happens and Hugo Black drops a bomb on TSGS and they are four broken fragments. Now they are thirty-y-five. Morgan needs to reconvene the TSGS. Can the four reconcile? What secrets are they all carrying that can become burdens shared? Watch the abracadabra of the algebra in this story about friendship, fortitude, and forgiveness.

Your best friend might be family, a pet, your partner, someone you only talk to online. There are no rules. Whatever suits you best. Friendship is about being comfortable and not having to put on an act. ~ Samantha Tonge

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book and the can see it being made into a movie. I know the reasoning behind the friends getting together to solve another mystery. I just think in this day and age of everything being on the internet Morgan could’ve found Olly’s father that way. I didn’t care for Olly, throwing a tantrum to his mother when he’s college aged. With dna testing the way it is he could’ve investigated himself. That being said it was quite the heartwarming story of this broken up friend group finding their way back to each other. They’re in telling their own life’s story making them do a little soul searching and making changes. I appreciate the advanced copy from NetGalley and I’m voluntarily leaving this review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the gang that the girls were in reminded me of many friendship groups that I saw when growing up. As adults the women are unwilling to share any of the problems that have happened in their lives but our main character Morgan needs them to help her with a mystery she is facing.

This is an emotional heart-warming read that I would recommend to others.

This is a great novel about life and life-long friendships. it is very realistic in that not everything gets tidily wrapped up. Very enjoyable book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley.

Morgan is struggling as a single parent. In high school, she had a group of friends who were super close, but they have not spoken since. Her son wants to know his father, so Morgan gets the Secret Gift Society back together to try to find him. Everyone has secrets.

This was an interesting story about how friendship evolves over the years and how secrets can make or break relationships. At times, I thought their friendship was only surface level and it was almost painful to read a group of adult women who were not friends anymore being together again like they were forced too. However, there were some really good moments about forgiveness and trust in the story.