I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Five friends at Harvard play a secret game each year. But senior year was the worst with a devastating accident happening. Even so they continue their game. Now 25 years later the game has an awesome winning amount. Will this lead to cheating? Why does it seem to dangerous this time? Who will win?

This was fine.

I did think our characters were a bit pretentious and the game a bit stupid, but I didn't actually hate any of the women and wanted to see how it would all pan out.

The *who* behind everything was painfully obvious and went back to the fact that our characters seem to spend their lives making very bad choices.

Some of the reasoning behind things was illogical...as was the game as a whole.

However, the book itself was suspenseful and the read was a pleasant enough interlude.

* ARC via Publisher

I was draw to this premise immediately, as I love dark academia novels.
It was intriguing, the group of Harvard graduates, continuing this game, decades later, and the writing was enjoyable. I found perhaps I had to suspend disbelief a little more than usual in this one and while some parts were entertaining, overall it was more suspense than thriller and I hoped for more character development.
Still an enjoyable one and I would definitely try more by this author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this gifted review copy.

2.6
Yeah...this reads like Privilege Barbie cosplays murder. Oh, also there's stuff in her past. Other words for charachter minimum here.

The concept has so much potential but sadly this read fell flat for me. Both the plot and characters didn’t hold my attention and I forced myself to read to the end.

A group of Harvard alums have played a secret game for decades, deadly consequences emerge from old lies.

Positives
Honestly I was so excited for this premise, thrillers can thrive on old well established friendships, and then the excitement comes in when everything goes horribly wrong.

Criticism
Overall I didn’t find this book to be my thing and it was a bit boring. It was lacking in areas that thrillers need to create tension and interest for the reader to solve the mystery as a whole.

This is a fast, efficiently written read. The title also tells you the majority of what you need to know about these ‘friends’. I felt anxious while I was reading it because, aside from political or monetary connections, none of them seemed like people you would want in your life.



Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this arc!

This was a tense and emotional read with complex characters and sharp writing. I appreciated how the story explored trust, loyalty, and the blurry lines between right and wrong. The dialogue felt authentic, and the layers of the story peeled back at just the right pace.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this title.

A fast one-sitting read that kept me obsessively turning the pages! Totally unpredictable and a must-read for anyone who enjoys dark academia meshed with psychological thriller..

Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

This seemed like every other dark academic thriller that I've read lately. I was hesitant when I read the synopsis, but it was compared to the writing of Ruth Ware so I decided I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately it was not for me. The characters were very unlikeable, and not in an unreliable narrator type of way. I just did not really care what happened to them.

After finishing this in one day I have a lot of thoughts, and none of them good (aside from the short length thank god).

First off this group of “friends” did not feel like a real friendship in the slightest. It felt like trauma bonding and guilt all at once. They all had some sob story and yet not one was likeable enough for me to root for.

Has anyone seen the movie Tag? That’s what I was reminded of with this game, except less fun.

Even the twists were easy to call. There was so much blame going around I couldn’t see how any friend group would even recover from this.

Harvard gave them everything, ambition, friendship, and a secret game that would haunt them for decades.A debut thriller with a killer premise, six roommates bound by tragedy, a deadly game called “The Circus”, and a reunion filled with secrets, betrayal, and danger. It promises Ruth Ware level suspense but leans more toward slow burn drama than edge of your seat thriller. Still, I was intrigued by the shifting dynamics and layered backstories.A solid read with an atmospheric Ivy League meets New York City vibe. Thanks to @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. PUB DATE: November 4,2025 #BookReview #ThrillerBooks #NetGalleyReads #DebutAuthor #AtriaBooks #SuspenseReads

I'm a pretty easy-to-please reader. I give out a high percentage of four and five-star reviews. Unfortunately, I couldn't ever get invested in these characters or the kind of outlandish storyline, considering the main characters are the same age as me (in the present-day storyline).

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

This debut thriller left me wanting more. Old college roommates play a glorified game of Assassin into their forties, but this time for money. This book was short but not necessarily a quick read since it took me a while to read it. I didn’t love the characters and the two simultaneous plot lines felt unnecessary. I think one could have been chosen and expanded on for a more thorough plot line. There wasn’t a ton of action and I struggled to care about any of the main characters. I think the writing style was good but wish the story kept me more interested. The resolution did sum up everything well enough.

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This novella is compulsively readable and the writing was like melted butter, the more I had the more I wanted.

The "Circus" game was completely intriguing and I'm not going to say too much about it but they played one time too many, with devastating consequences and the fallout is fascinating.

Thank you to Atria for gifting me a copy of this book. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

I wanted to love this book but I just couldn’t get into it. The characters are hard to like let alone root for.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview With Friends like These.
Five friends who went to college together are now older but wiser? Well they have a game they have played for 20 years. It’s a dangerous game and it involves a ‘deadly’ secret. But these friends have taken Chances and have much more to lose now.
But the time has come and the game is on but does everyone still want to play? And if they don’t .
Well choices need to be made and there are consequences.
3 stars

Review of Advance Reader’s Edition eBook

Once roommates at Harvard, Sara, Bee, Dina, Allie, Wesley, and Claudine were like family. But during their senior year, tragedy struck with the secret "game" they played, a game called the Circus. Despite the tragedy, they have continued to play their “killing” game.

But is it really just a game?

=========

In a story exploring the nature of friendship and loyalty, the continuation of the "game" between the five remaining friends seems like a questionable choice at best. Readers are likely to wonder what motivates each of the women to continue the "game" some twenty years after they’ve left college. The women, flawed and holding onto secrets, continue this inexplicable tradition that seems to have no particular reason for playing other than to continue the silliness of their college days. If the money is the sole objective in continuing the game, readers may wonder how that can be important enough to continue the "game."

Readers may find it difficult to relate to any of the characters or to the “game” that binds them together. Tension simmers throughout the telling of the tale; the premise of the story is both creative and intriguing. Some plot twists and unexpected revelations help keep readers involved in this quick-read unfolding narrative

This is a book for readers who enjoy character-driven stories, tales with a bit of mystery, or unique premises.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Atria Books / Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#WithFriendsLikeTheses #NetGalley

*With Friends Like These* by Alissa Lee is a sharp, insightful exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. Lee’s writing is witty and candid, drawing you into the lives of her vibrant, flawed characters as they navigate the ups and downs of their personal connections. The story is both humorous and deeply poignant, tackling themes of loyalty, trust, and self-discovery with honesty and heart. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories filled with emotional depth and thought-provoking moments.