This is an interesting suspenseful read that centers around a woman who was diagnosed with Sociopathy. She's had quite the disturbing upbringing with a single mom who never showed any sort of love for her. The story goes back and forth between the past and present. The scenes from the past are primarily her therapy sessions, where she explains her past and what's going on in her mind. The present is her living her current life, as a married woman with two young children. How she tries to keep up the mirage of being the perfect wife and mother, so no one knows the real person behind the mask. She is also trying to find the person from her past that has come back to haunt her. She'll do anything to keep her family safe from that threat. The book has a slow and melancholy feel. Taking from the Protagonist's POV, it has a dark vibe, as we are inside her head (the head of a sociopath.) It's a 'clean' read as far as sexual content (none,) language and violence goes. Of course it has some heavier subject matters including mental health and abuse. There are some twists and turns and some surprise revelations. The character gives off a different kind of vibe. At first you are sympathetic due to her past, then you might decide you don't really care for her all that much (as we get inside her head,) but then you may give her accolades for the extremes she goes through for the safety of her family (even if you think she may need more help.) She is a smart character that knows how to take control of a conversation, and turn it in a direction she wants. The side characters are each perfect in their roles as well. Over all it's a good gripping story, that will have you second guessing yourself as you try to predict the outcome. (And really, you can't predict it.)

*I received an ARC from Netgalley.

"Imaginary Strangers" is a must read! This thriller kept me guessing the entire book and I could not put it down,

This was so deeply unsettling as a parent, but only because these types of scenarios are every parent’s nightmare. Even though our main character has a personality disorder that would generally make them unlikable, Minka Kent manages to make her someone to root for. It was almost impossible to put this one down. I’ll definitely be buying a copy when it comes out!

Camille and her husband lead an idyllic life with their two small children until her six year daughter announces she has an imaginary friend. Camille’s life soon turns upside down when her daughter starts to tell her things about Camille’s childhood that she couldn’t possibly know, and Camille’s long hidden secrets are about to come to light. Imaginary Strangers is a harrowing, tension-filled tale, and author Minka Kent does a masterful job of weaving the delicate issue of mental health into the plot, and those issues are at the forefront as the story unfolds. The tension here slowly builds and builds, as Camille grapples with reality while doing everything she can to protect her children. It’s clear there will be a sequel, which I’m eagerly anticipating. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The twist at the end really surprised me. I didn’t know how the story was going to unfold, but it definitely wasn’t like that.

I didn’t like the vague explanation for Imogen and the fact that we never hear what happened to her.

Thank you Net Galley for my ARC.

Minka Kent does a fantastic job in writing this, it had everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the secrets element. The characters were what I wanted from this type of book and thought the secret worked really well. The concept worked overall and thought the characters and setting worked perfectly together to tell the story.

"Imaginary Stranger" mesmerizes readers with its enthralling narrative and meticulously crafted plotline. From its inception, this gripping thriller captivates with its ingenious storyline, keeping readers eagerly turning pages until the very end. As someone delving into the world of this novel for the first time, I am thoroughly impressed by the depth of the storytelling and the intricacy of its twists and turns. Kent's ability to weave together suspense and mystery creates an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact. "Imaginary Stranger" stands as a testament to Kent 's talent for crafting gripping tales, ensuring that readers will be eagerly awaiting their next literary offering.

Whenever I read a book from Minka Kent I know that I’m going to have a great time with it and Imaginary Strangers was no exception. This is probably my favorite book from her, in fact. The idea of having the main character, Camille, be a sociopath and still have her as a sympathetic character, and have me rooting for her, was absolutely brilliant! Many thanks to Net Galley, Thomas & Mercer, and Minka Kent for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m already looking forward to Ms. Kent’s next book!

I was lucky enough to receive and arc for this book, and I LOVED IT!! It's definitely in my top 3 Minka Kent books! I have already started to recommend it to friends, so it will be on their radar when it comes out.

It was so fast paced and had me guessing throughout. I had my suspicions, but knew I must be missing something the entire time and then BOOM 💥

Camille seemingly has it all, but one day her sweet daughter comes home from school talking about a new, imaginary friend. Something about this new "friend" is troubling to Camille especially when her daughter starts mentioning things from Camille's childhood that no one knows about. Only then do we learn that Camille has a past that she desperately wanted to leave behind and stay hidden.

This book will have you on the edge of you seat wondering what new secrets her daughter will reveal, who will believe Camille, and who is behind all this torture...

Ugh it was so good and I can't wait for everyone to read it!

Thank you to Minka Kent, Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC!

The last time Camille saw her mother, Lucille, was when she was a teenager. And her mother told her if she sees her again, she will kill her. Now, decades later, Camille is a mother of two, has a devoted husband and seemingly perfect life - on the outside. No one sees just how hard Camille has worked to conceal her past and be normal. She is determined to provide her children with a normal, loving environment - which is the complete opposite of how she was raised. When her daughter, Georgie, starts displaying disturbing behavior and speaks of an imaginary friend that knows things from Camille’s past, Camille becomes convinced that Lucille has found her. And one thing Camille knows for sure is that she will stop at nothing to protect the life she has built.

This book was absolutely incredible! I keep coming back to the word “explosive” when I want to sum it, and I think that’s very fitting for it. Camille’s childhood was tragic, and I found it admirable that she wanted to not only have a family herself but be a stable, loving mother to her children - something she had no first hand experience with. Bits and pieces of Camille’s childhood are uncovered through flashbacks of sessions with her therapist, which I found fascinating. Camille worked SO hard against her own tendencies that it permeated every bit of this book - cuddling her children when she didn’t feel like it, holding her husband’s hand because she thought it was the normal thing to do, etc. Not only was this a very entertaining story but it was also a very eye-opening account of nature vs. nurture. Minka Kent included an author’s note at the end that further expounded on that. And yet, after all of that, the twist in this book got me SO good! I couldn’t believe it and similarly, the ending made me gasp. I am so happy to see there is going to be another book, because I think Camille’s story is far from over!

”Imaginary Strangers” releases July 23, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

Just Wow! 🤯
I could not put this down. I was intrigued from the first page! The suspense throughout the whole book had me gripping for more. The world-building keeps you on edge!

I absolutely enjoyed this one.

I don’t even want to write details to avoid spoilers.
It’s a must-read.

Camille seems to have the perfect life, beautiful children a loving doting husband, and the picket-fenced house she’s always wanted but behind this are secrets Camille is keeping and they eventually unravel into a world we were not expecting.

Twisted, truly suspenseful and tragic underneath it all. The author does a fantastic job of creating this world, weaving these characters through it and sucking the reader into it. I'm not one to try to figure out the who in a whodunit, and when I do, I try to ignore it. I want to enjoy the ride. But with this one, I absolutely didn't see the bad guy coming - and I LOVED THAT! I really appreciated the way Will handled his marriage, his wife really was the victim. But it seemed like an HFN; I don't think Lucinda is done.

“Society tells women we’re supposed to do it all, have it all, and be it all. But what society doesn’t tell you is that’s an impossible order.”

BRAVA! 👏 👏 Going into this book, my expectations weren’t high as popcorn thrillers are typically hit or miss for me. However, this story sucked me in from the very beginning and held on tight for a wild ride! I truly spent most of this book having ZERO clue how it would all unfold. It wasn’t until the final twists were about to happen that I was like of course it’s…. (not gonna spoil this amazing book)!

This was an eye opening exploration of mental health, which was both fascinating and engaging. My favorite Minka Kent book to date! While it wasn’t perfect (nothing in life is, which this book demonstrates extremely well), the premise was executed beautifully and the acknowledgements at the end brought it all home for me. I normally don’t read them, but for some reason I did, and they helped seal the deal on giving this exceptional thriller a 5 ⭐️ rating!

I highly recommend giving this book a read! You won’t regret it! 🙌

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

My unrestrained thoughts: Camille and Lucinda, your dynamic was so fucked up that it made the book a lot more sinister. And… where can I get a Will for myself?
Now, onto a little sophisticated review – it may contain tiny spoilers!


A teenage daughter trying to drown her psychotic mother? Minka Kent’s Imaginary Strangers surely starts off with a bang! The book is about the teenage daughter, Camille, who is now a gorgeous adult woman with a seemingly amazing life. Attentive, green-flag husband, two loving children, and a house filled with love and laughter. The problem is with Camille, though – her past, filled with horrifying memories of her mother, has made her… an unfeeling wife and mother.

Fortunately, she has everything under control… until one fine day when her daughter starts recounting all her childhood memories. Terror grips Camille, as these incidents are only known to two people – herself and her vindictive mother. Fearing her past has caught up to her, Camille goes on a wild hunt, only to uncover something absolutely appalling!

The highlight of this book for me was Camille’s therapy sessions. Her being diagnosed with sociopathy and her journey to navigate this new normal and be the best person for her little family… really made me appreciate her. Everything she did may be morally grey, but I felt it was justified.

Another thing – or person – I loved was Will! That guy works long shifts in the hospital, comes home and engages with his children, and gives enough love and space to his wife. As if this is not enough, he is so kind and considerate to Camille after he learns his wife is probably incapable of loving him back. Guys… I want someone like him in my life!


What I liked about the book:

o Gripping concept:
The idea behind the plot itself is absolutely gripping! I have never read a novel exploring sociopaths in such a domestic way, which made it all the more exciting. I loved how devoted Camille was to her family and keeping up with their happiness, even if it was a learned behavior.
Annoyingly, the author gave Camille dialogues like I would, if I could, which felt like not-very-subtle reminders of her sociopathy. But I was able to ignore these constant reminders because the mystery was exciting!

o Dr. Runzie and Lucinda:
For me, these two are like the side characters who steal the show and have everyone talking about them. As for Dr. Runzie, even though it’s her job, she was supportive and understanding towards Camille. It made me happy to see Camille being acknowledged and appreciated. But her exact opposite was Lucinda, who had such an influence on the story, even if she never appears in the story actively. She truly felt like the puppeteer of Camille’s life, even if the latter had somewhat freed herself from Lucinda’s clutches.
To be honest, Dr. Runzie and Lucinda are on the extreme side – good and evil. Maybe that’s why they caught my eye. I am just speculating here but if Lucinda is the id, then the superego is Camille. And mediating between the two, literally and symbolically, is Dr. Runzie, as ego.

o Parts of the big reveal:
I have very conflicting feelings about the twist at the end, but one thing is for sure. When the villain came to light, it felt right that Lucinda wasn’t responsible. I was misled by the author into thinking that she might be the villain, but when it was revealed, it was so obvious since she was a passive character, appearing only through memories and flashbacks.
With the way Lucinda played with her own daughter, it would make sense that she wouldn’t even care about what happened to her daughter after she left. And this little point really made me appreciate the book even more!


What I wasn’t impressed with:

Jacqueline as the villain was something I never saw coming, which made the reveal jaw-dropping. In fact, I even took a moment to think about what would happen to Camille’s ability to trust mother figures again. But that intrigue vanished there because the surprise reveal fell flat when everything was laid out on the table. The reasoning behind her actions and the further scenes felt anticlimactic to me. The narrative had such potential – which shined through memories of Lucinda– but the end washed it all out for me.

On top of this, there were passages, even whole chapters, where nothing happened. Or rather, nothing relevant happens, and they are just… there, hanging on like loose ends. Like Camille chasing Imogen, her uneasy friendship with Clare, and equally awkward animosity towards Rachel, or the imaginary bestie Georgiana has. Another loose end I can think of is Camille saying she senses Lucinda is near when that must have been impossible. What was that about?

Thankfully, these didn’t bother me as much as they would have and I was able to overlook them to enjoy the book. But they did help me decide the rating…


My final thoughts?

Overall, I loved Imaginary Strangers. The book left quite an impression on me with its deep exploration of sociopathy and how it affects an ordinary housewife like Camille. And by the looks of it, there is going to be another book, possibly with Lucinda as the main antagonist. You bet I am reading it ASAP!


Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
#netgalley #arcreview

A very intriguing story that keeps you captivated till the last word. Love how Camile betters herself for her family.

This is me in emojis while reading this book.
😦😲😢😡🤬😵‍💫😳😳🙀😯👀👀👀👀👀👀😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱🫣🙀🙀🙀😳😳😳👀👀👀👀👀👀😵‍💫😳

MK always delivers twisted, dark and unexpected storylines. It kept me on my fingers, toes, edge of my seat. NUTS and give me moreeeeee!

Quick read- fast paced, flawed characters, psychological trauma, family secrets- all the usual suspects. Fans of Kelly’s other books will likely enjoy this one, too.

This one was probably in my top three books I've read this year. I love all of her books but this one takes the cake. I give it 5 our of 5 stars. I would highly recommend it

Sociopath Camille Prescott has built the perfect life for herself. With a loving husband and two beautiful children, she will do anything in her power to keep them safe. When her daughter claims to have made a new friend, the stories she tells are horrifically reminiscent of Camille's traumatic childhood. Soon, Camille starts to obsess on who, exactly her daughter's new friend is, and begins her plan to find out, set on destroying anyone who means harm to her family.

Diving into the mind of a sociopath will never cease to fascinate me. This was a well written and researched, engrossing story. Although the mask the protagonist puts on for everyone around her may seem deceptive, I couldn't help but feel sympathy towards her and her traumatic upbringing. Fast-paced and addicting, this was a story and character to remember. Four Stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer, for this ARC.

Wow! This one will stick with you long after you finish the book. The descriptions of the abuse that Camille endured by the hand of her mother will haunt you. She vows that when she is a mother she will always be there for her kids.

Now, Camille is married and has two children. She is learning how to appear normal and blend in. She thinks she has escaped her past until her daughter comes home from school with a new best friend. Imaginary her best friend is telling her things that only could have come from her mother.

Your heart strings will get pulled as you feel for Camille and all she has been through. She is striving to be a good mother, wife and daughter in law.

I enjoyed all the research she did on sociopaths and psychopaths. This is set up for another in book and I can't wait to see what happens next!