I was expecting a lot more from With Friends Like These. I was more so expecting a thriller, some action with the Circus game they were playing and a lot of just blah.

The theme is there but the execution lacked for me.

It’s a shorter book but not necessarily a quick paced read.

Although the description sounds like a thriller, I wouldn’t exactly put this under the thriller category. Semi dark academia.

Just because it wasn’t my favorite doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it!

Thanks to netgalley and Atria books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

With Friends Like These is taking itself way too seriously for the story it is telling.

Six Harvard roommates-turned-besties create a game that begins on New Year’s Day and lasts the first week of the new year. The game involves prop guns is essentially just assassin — they run around and try to secretly “kill” each other, and the last one standing wins. For some unexplained reason, they call this “The Circus” and act like it’s the wildest and most crazy thing anyone has ever done. Like, the way they talk about this game had me certain I was missing something. Their senior year there’s an accident, and one of the roommates dies — and the book tiptoes around how this happened until nearly the end, and the payoff was not great.

So I guess the real plot is that 25 years later, they still play but a few of them want to stop until they find out that conveniently some money they put in years ago as the pot for the winner has been invested and is now like a million dollars. And these best friends, instead of splitting the money between them, decide to do one more round of The Circus and have the winner take all. And again — they, and everyone around them, acts like The Circus is this wild, dangerous thing. I don’t get it!

All of the characters are so unpleasant, the mystery is so uninteresting, and the ending of the book made me roll my eyes.

I think if you’re looking for something that is light and sort of silly, this could work. For me, I was left feeling a bit disappointed that there wasn’t more to the story.

this was quick, but interesting read. i really liked the plot concept, as i thought it was unique and well thought out. i liked the characters as well, however i wish they were more developed and i had more to go off of. i also wish the book was longer and more action packed!

thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this opportunity!

This was not my favorite book. It was hard for me to stay focused and be completely in the story. It’s about a group of friends who play games with “high stakes” but it felt a bit silly at times to me.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC

I just finished reading this book, and I’m not quite sure how to describe it. I really enjoyed it, but it was different… At first I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about it, as I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the characters, but once the story got rolling- it was no problem at all!

This story starts off with our main character, Sara, thinking she sees Claudine. Claudine is their college roommate who was killed 23 years ago. For the past 20 years, Sara and her friends have played a game to keep Claudine’s memory alive. This game that they play is called the Circus.

Sara doesn’t want to continue in the Circus game anymore, but this year there is a lot of money at stake. They vote to play one more year- one last game. Through this game, we learn a bit about each of the friends, which includes: Sara, Dina, Allie, Wesley, and Bee. With all the money there is to be won, can any of these women be trusted? And is there really the ghost of Claudine around town?

I honestly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I also had it figured out early on who was causing all the confusion and unrest amongst the friends, but that still didn’t bother me.

I would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a quick read. This book is also for those who enjoy reading about friend groups, and how they stand the test of time.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for a DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading.
Publication date: November 4, 2025.
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction, Women’s (Adult)

A group of college friends get together once a year to play a dangerous game. Twenty years later they find themselves vowing to play one last time. What once was done in memory of the friend they lost , and in good fun , quickly turns more sinister. The rules go out the window and the stakes become as high as the risks. It leaves them all asking themselves “is it really worth it?”

This one is a quick read at just 240 pages. It packs a lot of twists and turns and has an overall spooky atmosphere. I recommend it if you’re looking for a suspense that will be fun and fast with a satisfying ending!

With Friends Like These was entertaining. It wasn’t fantastic, nor was it bad. It’s a run of the mill book about a group of women who have been friends for the past 20+ years.

I went with the story while reading it. However, I can’t think of anyone who would actually keep playing a ‘murder’ game after one in their group died under somewhat suspicious circumstances. Also, I’m in my 40s, and yeah, there is no way I’d want to participate in such a physical game, either.

I did like that one or the characters was coded as autistic and/or ADHD, although it would have been better if she’d actually known that about herself.

All in all, a decent, average read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

𝕋ℍℝ𝕀𝕃𝕃𝔼ℝ 𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 𝔽𝔼𝔸𝕋𝕌ℝ𝔼

Special thanks to @atriabooks @atriathrillers @alissalee& @netgalley for the #gifted eARC and physical copies!
This one has had some buzz lately on bookstagram, and I can't wait to grab this one asap!

𝙎𝙔𝙉𝙊𝙋𝙎𝙄𝙎
Harvard promised them everything.

Ambitious futures, peers who pushed each other toward their absolute best, and an education that would open doors for the rest of their lives. And though they started out as roommates, Sara, Bee, Dina, Allie, Wesley, and Claudine soon became family. They had their whole bright lives ahead of them—until their senior year, when a shocking tragedy changed everything.

Twenty years later, five of the roommates still indulge in a secret tradition they’ve kept alive since their campus days: the Circus, a harmless elimination-style “killing” game played across the private rooms and hidden alleys of New York City. The game is a nod to their younger selves and a tribute to the sixth roommate they lost too young. But this year, Sara wants out of the game—until she discovers there is a small fortune awaiting the winner of this final round.

As the Circus unfolds, Sara begins to suspect that the others aren’t playing by the rules, and as the danger turns real and the old friends start pointing fingers, she discovers that even those closest to her harbor secrets of their own…secrets that could kill.

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Nov 4, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ Did you go to college? Where did you go? If not, what did you do right after high school?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller #withfriendslikethese #alissalee #atriabooks #atriapartner #netgalley
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Really enjoyed this book and didn’t want to put it down. It kept me on the edge of my seat most of the book.

Now don’t get me wrong. I had it figured out about halfway through. The author tries to make you suspect just about everyone else.
But the story is great. There are a few surprises so that’s nice. The background and side storyline keeps it interesting.

The characters were great. Very descriptive, lots of detail.

Overall a fun, edge of your seat, crazy story

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

I wanted to like this so much!! The description pulled me in and I couldn’t wait to read it but unfortunately the execution just wasn’t there. It sat on my “currently reading” shelf for weeks as I picked away at it. It’s a 240 page book, it should have been finished in a few hours not weeks.

I think we have officially traded the limit of using “unputdownable” as adjective on every mediocre thriller because for starters, it’s just not accurate but more important, it’s over used. But I digress…

I don’t mind books with unlikable characters, but in this they were that plus there wasn’t anything to grab on to. The description promises a fast paced thriller and that’s far from what is on the page sadly.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Atria Books through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

Loved. I loved the dynamic of the roommates through Sara’s eyes, seeing these adults participate in this giant game of what is essentially Assassin, and learning all of their secrets along the way, particularly what actually happened to Claudine. It was twisty and kept me on the edge of my seat with the high action! Highly recommend!

What an exhilarating debut! This thriller masterfully weaves together the past and present, revealing how college friendships, forged in ambition and tragedy, can curdle into a deadly game. The concept of "the Circus"—an elimination-style game played by a group of Harvard alums—is ingenious and incredibly compelling. It's a fantastic hook that immediately draws you into their secret world.

The characters, particularly Sara, are well-developed, and their interwoven histories create a rich tapestry of loyalty, resentment, and hidden agendas. You can feel the weight of their shared past and the impact of the tragic event that shaped their lives. As the stakes escalate and the game turns from playful to perilous, the suspense ratchets up beautifully. Just when you think you have a handle on who's who and what's going on, the author throws in another twist, making you question every character's motives.

While the pacing is generally excellent, there were a few moments where the narrative felt a touch slow before quickly picking back up. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise unputdownable read. Fans of Julia Bartz and Katy Hays will undoubtedly find their next obsession in this novel. It's a clever, twisty, and ultimately thrilling ride that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

I was excited to read this one based on the description. It’s about a group of friends who reunite in their 40’s and play a “game” they used to play in college called Circus. Although this book had all the pieces to be good, they just never really came together for me. I wasn’t sure if the characters were supposed to sound like they were still in their 20’s and not mature at all because they were rich or something but I hard a hard time connecting with any of them. Though there was some suspense it wasn’t enough to keep me engaged in the story.

This book is about five friends who play a game called Circus one final time. Essentially this is a harmless elimination-style game that is played in private rooms and alleys in New York City.

I liked the theme of friendship, as these women went to college together and were still friends into their 40s. However, I had a hard time understanding why grown women were playing a game of tag, especially when they all had things to lose.

If you are looking for a short read about a high stakes game played between old friends, you might want to add this one to your tbr.

With Friends Like These
By Alissa Lee

This is a rather bizarre story about a group of college roommates who, out of boredom or whatever, decided to hold a yearly "game" which they called the circus. As described, it sounds kind of like paintball. The idea being that each participant tries to "kill" another one, and then move on to the next. Whoever is the last survivor is the winner.

The story begins twenty years later. The women have been playing the game for all these years starting each New Year's Day. They have agreed that this will be the last year, since they all have too much to lose if their game is discovered. So, for the last time, let the game begin!

I must confess that I lost interest very quickly with this book. I didn't find the premise believable and I really didn't care what happened. While the writing isn't bad and the author shows a wild imagination, I can't recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

I didn't really like this one.. The characters were unlikeable and I couldn't find myself rooting for any of them.

For decades, five old Harvard college roommates have played a secret fake killing game. This year, the stakes are higher and the game turns truly dangerous.

This novel sounded very interesting to me and I was excited by the premise, but found it to fall flat. All of the characters read very immature to me, as if in their 20’s instead of their 40’s. I also found the suspense to be lacking throughout. It was also predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of With Friends Like These A Novel by Alissa Lee.
This book had a fast-paced and unique plot that kept me guessing the whole way through. It drew me into the lives of each of the characters so that it was hard to put down. Very enjoyable.

I found this short novella to be boring and not my cup of tea. I felt like it lacked in a lot of areas and could have been a lot better. It was not well executed and I found all of the characters in this book unlikable. I was expecting this to be very action packed, along with having mystery and thriller vibes. However, I didn’t get any of those vibes in this book. It felt like I was reading a drama book. It is about five friends from Harvard playing circus one last and final time. Just because it was not for me, does not mean you won’t like it!

The premise had potential, but the characters fell flat and the plot didn’t quite deliver. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.


Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.