Straight out of the gate….I loved this book. Our main character Camille had such an interesting and unique back story. Getting snippets of her therapy sessions from the past made the story more intense and interesting. There were so many twists, turns, and surprises, the biggest being the ending! I definitely did not see that coming in any way! I love an ending that just leaves you speechless and this one did just that!

This book had me in a chokehold!!
I did not see the twist coming and flew through it every chance I got!
Loved the short chapters, definitely a must read!

I literally read this book, Imaginary Strangers, by Minka Kent, within 24 hours. It was just too good to put down! As a child Camille was physically and mentally abused by her mother Lucinda. Fast-forward to the present and Camille has created the perfect life for herself with a wonderful husband and children. But somehow Camille's past catches up with her when her daughter has an imaginary friend who knows everything about Camille's past that she has worked so hard to remain buried.

I love how the author develops Camille's character from a child who was a victim of her psychopath mother to being a mom who will stop at nothing to protect her own family. As an adult, Camille refuses to be a victim of her circumstances.

I was for real at the edge of my seat with the twists and turns in the plot and filled with chills when all was revealed at the end. This is a psychological thriller that you don't want to miss!

A huge thank you to Minka Kent and NetGalley that I was so very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of the book.

Just like the cover page, the venus flytrap this book lures you in! The story is intriguing, complex, and beautifully written. It jumps around in time, past to present, several times throughout the book. This doesn’t take away from the book, but enhances the experience. It was easy to follow as the author gives you clear information to let you know those time jumps happened. The book also has some medical terms sprinkled throughout but they’re always explained and you’re never left hanging. It’s very well written and easy to follow.

This book takes you on a ride through the eyes of Camille, a diagnosed sociopath. It gives you her wins, and struggles. Her way of life, and what she feels she needs to do to survive and keep herself together. I love Camille’s sarcasm. So if you need humor, it’s there as well. It definitely opened my eyes to another world and I loved it.

I very much enjoyed this book. The characters were likable and the story was engaging. I would recommend this book to others.

"Imaginary Strangers" is a captivating tale of a seemingly perfect suburban life, disrupted by the protagonist's unsettling past, filled with mystery and suspense.

The story revolves around Camille, a devoted wife and mother leading a seemingly idyllic life. Despite the picturesque setting of her family and beautiful home, subtle yet disturbing changes force her to question her sanity and the intentions of those closest to her.

The author's evocative prose effectively paints vivid scenes from Camille's current life, intertwined with chilling flashbacks from her troubled past. The extensive use of internal dialogue allows readers to intimately experience Camille's thoughts and experiences, potentially making personal connections.

The narrative is suffused with themes of identity, mental health, and societal expectations. These themes are seamlessly incorporated into the plot, adding depth and complexity. They provoke the reader to question societal norms and emphasize the influence of mental health on one's perception of reality.

"Imaginary Strangers" is a compelling psychological thriller that skillfully combines mystery and mental health discussions. Its brisk narrative, packed with surprising twists and intriguing revelations, leaves readers on tenterhooks. Readers who enjoy thrillers set in modern suburbia, amid the flawless facade of flawed people, will find this tale captivating.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book to review.
In this story we are following Camille, a stay at home mom of two, new to an upscale San Diego neighborhood. One day Camille’s daughter Georgie comes home from school with a story about a new best friend who has taught her things that sound eerily similar to experiences Camille had under the control of her extremely abusive and demented mother in her childhood. Only Camille’s family knows nothing about Camille’s mother or the lasting effects her abuse has left. Has Camille’s mother found her after all these years or is something more going on?
This books kept me on the edge of my seat! I felt connected to Camille and her story. The writing was engaging, fast paced and smart.
I would definitely recommend this book.

This was the most intriguing book I have read in a long time! It was clear that the author did her research before attempting to tackle a seldom spoken about subject pertaining to behavioral/psychological disorders . Put on your thinking cap and be prepared to be educated,while also being entertained by this suspenseful read!

Not sure what it says about me, but I do love a good book about a sociopath. This book did not disappoint.

Camille, the main character is a sociopath. She wants to put the past behind her, and she builds a life with a family. She just wants to live a “normal” life. She has a good life – a house, a family and even a great mother in law. Then her daughter develops an imaginary friend. All good, right? But this friend knows things about Camille – specific family secrets.

From there the twists and turns keep coming! There was surprise after surprise. And that ending!
I really enjoyed this story – from the concept to the writing to the characters. But of course I did – this is a book by Minka Kent. She always delivers.

So why not 5 stars? This is a really good book. But did I close the book and say wow? Not really. Did I immediately run out and tell people about it? No. It is an enjoyable, solid, book of suspense and mystery.

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC which did not affect my opinion

I’m not gonna lie.. I was thinking about Imaginary Strangers when I was at work. Oops, sorry boss. 😁 It had me wondering who the stranger with Georgiana was.. Was it Lucinda? Was it someone Lucinda hired? Was there nobody and Camille was just crazy??? I absolutely didn’t se the outcome coming which is what gives this 4 stars. The reason it’s not 5 is because there was such a build up and then we find out who it is and then boom.. it’s over. There’s not much to the ending and the result. It dedicated maybe 5 pages to the result. I loved it until that point. But still.. read it and loved it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Get ready to dive into a world of chilling secrets and unsettling discoveries with Minka Kent's latest thriller, "Imaginary Strangers".

Meet Camille Prescott, the picture-perfect wife and mother with a past she'd rather forget. Behind her flawless facade lies a history of trauma and fear, stemming from her tumultuous upbringing at the hands of a dangerously deranged mother. Camille has worked tirelessly to bury her past, but when her daughter Georgie begins exhibiting disturbing behavior reminiscent of Camille's own childhood, the past comes roaring back with a vengeance.

Georgie's new imaginary friend isn't just a figment of her imagination – it's a harbinger of the dark secrets Camille thought she had left behind. As Georgie's behavior grows increasingly unsettling and her imaginary friend reveals intimate details about Camille's past, the fragile foundation of the Prescott family begins to crumble.

With each twist and turn, "Imaginary Strangers" delves deeper into the murky depths of Camille's past, uncovering long-buried secrets and hidden truths that threaten to tear her world apart. As Camille struggles to protect her family from the horrors of her past, she must confront the demons that have haunted her for years before they consume everything she holds dear.

Minka Kent's masterful storytelling and spine-tingling suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that leave you breathless and questioning everything you thought you knew, then "Imaginary Strangers" is a must-read. Pre-order your copy now and prepare to be captivated by a tale of deception, betrayal, and the terrifying power of the past.

Felt like this one was full of twists! Very entertaining and a real page turner for me. I feel like with that ending though, there should certainly be a sequel

When Camille starts to notice her 6 year old daughter, Georgie, showing signs of disturbing behaviour - and even more disturbing knowledge about Camille's childhood - she finds herself reflecting on her own abusive childhood, and the scars that she's spent her adult life hiding behind the facade of being a perfect wife and mother. As it becomes clear that there's more to Georgie's behaviour than a vivid imagination, Camille begins to believe that her mother has found her, and is intent on following through with the threat she made the last time they saw each other: a threat to kill her.

I started this book late last night with the intent of reading the first chapter to get a feel for it before heading off to bed. It was a couple of hours later before I actually managed to put it down. Then again, throughout the day today, I just kept being drawn back to it again and again, caught up by both the engaging writing style and a story that kept ratcheting up the tension at a consistent rate.

There was a bit of a lull at about the 60% mark, where things became a bit repetitive, but even with this slight issue aside, I was fully on board with everything that was happening until about two-thirds of the way through the book, where - without going into spoilers - all I'll say is that a school administrator acts in a completely unbelievable way given the scenario they're presented with, and the book begins an ongoing slide into a more dramatic but, ultimately, less cohesive and engaging finale. I was surprised, but I wasn't fulfilled.

That said, there was the possibility of a sequel set up at the end of this book, and do I want to read that sequel? Absolutely. So, I guess I can't say that the final act turned me off completely.

Rating: 3/5

My mind is blown away.
Be warned, triggers in this book about child abuse and horrible mind games.

The pain Camilla suffered growing up with a person that doesn’t deserve the title of being a mom and should have never been one to begin with! She got away from that terrible person but the lasting memories are they and she finds a way to handle them.

Cam is married to Will, a man that gives her the love, respect and support that she needs. Being a mother of two is hard work, being present with them 24/7 is even harder. Her life is about to change when he daughter comes home and talks about things that no one knows about except for the one person that she thought she left behind all those years ago.

Once you start reading, you won’t be able to tear yourself away. This twisted mind game holds you to the very end and lingers even after you’re done. I had to take a step back from it all before I could even start this.

This is such a great fast paced and twisty read that will keep you guessing til the end. I was shocked and caught off guard by the ending. Camille seems to have a closet of skeletons she wants to keep hidden and Georgie's new imaginary friend seems to know her secrets. Could this all be a coincidence or has Camille's mom found her?

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer Publishing, and Minka Kent for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date for Imaginary Strangers is July 23, 2024

I have enjoyed so many other books by Minka Kent and this one was no different. The intensity and building suspense was captivating.

I'll start off by saying that Minka Kent books are nice, easy reads that always leave me with a good twist in the end.

Although I ended up figuring out what was going on mid way through the book, it was still a good story. Camille and Will leave Chicago to move to San Diego to escape her past that she doesn't want her husband to find out about.

She had a horrible upbringing, in which she tries to give her children the complete opposite. When she finds out that someone is becoming best friends with her daughter at school, and divulging details that only someone from her past would know, that's when things get crazy.

Overall, a nice weekend read that I was able to finish over a day or two.

Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc

𝑨 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒚𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒑, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒚 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕--𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘...𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏.

I'm a huge fan of this author, but I wasn't prepared for how utterly perfect and mind-blowing this book would be. When I sit in silence for a good ten minutes after I've finished, that's your cue to rush to request it.

I absolutely love anything to do with psychopaths and sociopaths. As a matter of fact, that is a trope I've discussed for the last 24 years in my high school English classroom while reading 𝑲𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒓. 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒏 by Lois Duncan. The discussions and research are fascinating, but it seems to boil down to this--psychopaths are born, but sociopaths are made.

Camille has had a horrifying, bleak, traumatic childhood. The psychological abuse that her mother put her through was unlike anything I've ever read, and the abject cruelty chilled me to my core. This mostly came out in her therapy sessions, but the prologue was crafted around a disturbing scene from her past in which her mother swore if she saw her again, she would kill her. Now she is married to the perfect man and is the mother of two children, but with no normally functioning mother to model herself after, she worries that she isn't connecting with her kids.

When her young daughter starts receiving gifts and attention from 'Imaginary', a lady at her school, Camille is stunned by the specificity of the gifts and phrases that her daughter is uttering. After all these years, has her mother found her and is now using her daughter to make good on her threat to kill her? I think my blood pressure was up the entire time I was reading, and the ending was SO satisfying, I wanted to scream (ok, I did; I was alone in the house) and to see there is going to be another installment has me SO impatient to see what's going to happen! So many thanks to the author for the gifted copy. This stunner will publish July 23, 2024.

Not my favorite. This has a strong beginning. I was intrigued learning about Camille's childhood and the trauma that she had associated with her mother but that isn't actually the story we got. I hated the twist ending in this and feel like we veered so far off course from what the synopsis promised. Don't get me wrong, the angle with Camille and her diagnosis as well as her therapy sessions was so fascinating to me, but I hated the whole gaslight-y, betrayal ending that we got. Especially the very last chapter. That felt like the author's last ditch attempt to bring the book back to what was promised in the very last page and it was just too little too late. Also, there was no imaginary friend story line in this? Bestie is mentioned briefly a few times and then promptly dropped from the narrative. Poor Bestie.

Content Warnings: sociopathy, kidnapping, stalking, gaslighting, ptsd, child abuse, gun violence

Camille appears to be a typical SAHM with 2 kids, but when her daughter starts sharing some disturbing phrases, her carefully crafted image come tumbling down. She doesn't know who or what to trust, other than herself.

This books was well paced, twisty, and I didn't predict the ending. The characters were well developed and I could understand the choices they made.

Instead of commas there were double spaces. After a while my brain got used to it, but I hope there will be commas in the future.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to others who enjoy psychological and domestic thrillers.