This book will leave you speechless because it opened a door of a narcissist, Mom who seem to hate her daughter and wanted nothing good for her !!! But it was so good can’t wait for others to read this one

A story between a narcissistic mother and the daughter she has mentally and emotionally abused. It is an interesting story, sort of dark. It is well written.

I enjoyed Best Kept Stranger. The author did a good job developing the characters. I think some parts of the book dragged a bit but it wasn’t a big issue to me. One of the main characters, the mom, Claire, got me so mad and if an author can get me to be mad at a character, then they did a good job portraying them as villain!

Taylor Higgins' novel, Best Kept Stranger, is a captivating exploration of complex relationships and small-town secrets. The story masterfully weaves together intricate plotlines, revealing the dark underbelly of seemingly idyllic lives. With well-developed characters and a gripping narrative, Higgins keeps readers engaged until the very end. The novel's themes of identity, loyalty, and deception are thought-provoking and relatable. Overall, Best Kept Stranger is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and mystery novels, offering a thrilling page-turning experience with its unexpected twists and turns.

Best Kept Stranger is a book that leaves me extremely mixed. Stay with me here!

There were some things that I struggled with. The middle section of the book dragged on a bit and I had to fight to not skim read. The writing style was also a bit tough at some points. There were times when the way it was written got a bit confusing and I had to go back and reread to make sure I was understanding.

My initial reaction to this book was a 3 star review. However, I couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished. Claire is an absolutely vile human being. She has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and almost seems to surpass the narcissist title and head more towards sociopath. Taylor is obviously a victim of her mothers abuse and while she does elicit sympathy, she also comes across as somewhat unlikeable as well. The author did a great job in the writing of the characters. It's been awhile since I've read a book that made me so frustrated and at times, flat out angry. I had to put it down and walk away a couple of times but then go pick it right back up and keep going. The fact that the author was able to cause such emotion is enough for me to go ahead and bump it up to a four star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thought the premise of this book sounded really interesting which is why I initially decided to read it, but the story ended up falling flat for me. The relationship between Taylor and Claire was difficult and uncomfortable to read about, and I get that was the point, it just felt very redundant. I ended up skimming some of the book because I felt my attention slipping away from the story and was simply not engaged with what was happening. Personally, the trauma and themes in this story were just not for me and made it difficult to connect and feel invested in the book. With that being said, if you enjoy psychological thrillers, difficult family relationships, and darker themes, maybe give this a go.

This novel brilliantly weaves psychological tension with a slow-burning romance, delivering a powerful story about reclaiming one’s life against all odds. Perfect for anyone who crave a thrilling, heartfelt women’s fiction with a pulse-pounding twist.