This is sure to be a TOP Summer thriller for 2026! It was a captivating fast read. I read this in one sitting, the pages seemed to turn themselves. The drama in the story between old friends, had be dying to read what was going to come out next. I usually can figure out the twist and the "who did it" in a book, I did not see any of it coming. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a well executed thriller with a story line that is unique. 4.5/5 for me!

An easy to read novel with plenty of tangled webs and reveals amongst a group of "friends" who were at college together over twenty years ago. We get an insight into each of their viewpoints and secrets are gradually revealed. Plenty of drama, both from action and relationships. An entertaining, easy to read mystery which would be suitable as a holiday/beach read.

Quick paced, easy read with a bunch of backstabbing b!tches! 😂 But seriously, it is not the most riveting thriller but solid build up to the end.

Thanks net galley for the early access!

Firstly I would like to say this book is a slow burn it takes until around half way through to pick up but when it did I couldn’t put it down.

Lies, murder, addiction, stalking this has it all.

A tale of sorority sisters who really don’t know each other at all.

Overall I did enjoy this book and I enjoyed the multiple perspectives that the author offered. Each sister telling their account of the events that happened at desert springs! And at no point did I guess all the twists this book had to offer

We Were Never Friends felt like reading a story ripped straight from real life, with all the messy feelings and complicated relationships that come with it. I was completely drawn in from the start and couldn’t stop turning the pages. The characters weren’t perfect, and that’s exactly what made them so believable and relatable.
The whole vibe of the book is super raw and honest. It explores friendship, heartbreak, and all the confusing grey areas in between with such nuance—I found myself nodding along and sometimes just sitting with the emotions it brought up. It’s not your typical romance or drama; it’s deeper and more complicated, and I really appreciated that.
I connected with the main character on so many levels, and watching their journey felt like watching a friend figure out life (and themselves) in real time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

This was a fast-paced and engaging read, and I didn't think I was going to enjoy it this much when I first started reading. At first, I thought it would be a bit boring and predictable, but roughly around 60% it starts to pick up. I couldn't put it down.

Some of the dialogue feels a bit unrealistic, and the writing is oftentimes repetitive and too detailed (when describing the setting, especially). The characters were mostly unlikable, but I guess it was the point. I wish we had gotten more of Ryan at the end, diving into his psyche. The big "reveal" I feel also could have been done in a way that felt more like a plot twist, as it didn't feel too jarring, and instead felt like "huh, I guess it makes sense".

Overall, it was a fun read to pass the time!

First off, obsessed with this cover. Secondly, any book that includes "train wreck" in the description is an automatic winner for me! And riveting train wreck this was...

What should be a beautiful and happy weekend between two young lovebirds turns into a petty, one-upping pissing contest among former sorority girls who call themselves sisters but couldn't be farther from true friends. The setting was beautiful, I loved the details of the decorations and restored mansion, the fancy outfits, and the flashbacks to the past. I had so many theories and I couldn't have been more surprised with how everything played out!

I enjoyed the past storyline learning about the women and the drama of their fateful spring break trip. The Sunny plotline was really well done and she was the perfect thread amongst the women. There were also a lot of red herrings with Sunny's storyline that filled my head with all sorts of wild theories, none of which were right!

There is certainly a need for suspension of belief, but if you love a book with terrible people, lavish settings, and keeps you guessing, We Were Never Friends definitely fits the bill. Rouda is a favorite here at The Pulse and with books like We We Were Never Friends, there's no question as to why!

Loved this book
So many twists and turns
Kaira is a favorite author of mine
I’m in her Killer Author book Club
One day we will meet in person
Review is up on Goodreads

The plot of this book sounded really interesting and had potential, but was a little overshadowed by the way the dialogue was written. It seemed unnatural and didn’t reflect the ages of the characters.

This was a fast-paced read, with a whole lot of drama. It was well written, a great locked room mystery.
The characters were all completely unlikeable. A bunch of grown women, still acting like they're in college instead of like the adults they are. We read from each of their POV and we get to see just how truly narcissistic they can be. The worst two? Roxy and Amelia. Constantly trying to out-do the other.
My only issue with this one was that the twists didn't really pack the punch I was expecting. And it felt more like an episode of a soap opera, rather than a thriller. I also felt like there were some unanswered questions at the end. Like what the fuck was up with Ryan? I mean, I get it to an extent, but seriously, wtf? The girl who looks like Sunny... it would have been nice to get a little more explanation on her. There were a couple other bits that I felt required a little more explanation, but I think I'll leave it there, because you get my point.
Overall, not my favourite from this author, but still a fairly good book if you enjoy reading about narcissistic women and their issues.

There are some really lovely things about this book: it's a quick and fun read, perfect for reading on vacation, and it has a great premise. It had some good twists and kept me interested until the end. Jamie, Amelia, and Roxy were interesting characters and the book was great in the sense of each of them having secrets that were eventually exposed (although one big one that I wish was exposed publicly!).

For me, it was a bit too short to fully wrap-up all of the plot lines and the ending felt rushed as a result. The characters felt somewhat one-dimensional and I felt generally a bit less than satisfied at the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced reader copy of this book!

I picked this book up and finished it within 3 hours! It was a quick and easy read with tons of twists and revelations. Almost every character is hiding some dark secrets and most of them come out in one way or another! I can definitely see why the title of this book is so fitting after getting to know the interpersonal dynamics between the characters. At the end of it all I’m dying to know if Celeste still marries into the family!

2.5
What happens when you take a group of friends who have the emotional depth of a sugar spoon, an ability to retain memories surpassed by that of the average gnat, and an exotic locale no one is remotely interested in? Who cares?!

We Were Never Friends is a fast‑paced, twist‑filled thriller set against the glamorous backdrop of a Palm Springs reunion that quickly turns deadly. Rouda excels at giving each sorority sister a distinct voice, Roxy’s calculated perfection, Jamie’s polished façade hiding deeper flaws, Amelia’s brash wit, Beth’s quiet resilience, and Sunny’s magnetic energy, making the dynamics both compelling and layered. 

The novel’s dark humor and simmering secrets kept me hooked; it’s a real page‑turner. The unique interplay of past trauma and present tensions creates an entertaining “train‑wreck” you can’t look away from.  

At times, the pace races ahead, and I found myself craving a bit more depth in the emotional beats, some moments could benefit from a touch more breathing room for the characters to resonate on a deeper level. But overall, the suspense, character interplay, and sharp dialogue deliver a thoroughly enjoyable thriller.

Twenty-five years after a spring break tragedy during their senior year, former sorority sisters reunite at Roxy Gentry’s luxurious desert oasis to celebrate their children’s unexpected engagement. What begins as an engagement party quickly transforms into a sorority reunion when Roxy invites another sister, Jamie—and Amelia arrives uninvited.

Beneath the glossy surface of the refurbished home lies the weight of old resentments and secrets. Roxy, ruthless and self-serving, and Amelia, who mirrors many of Roxy’s traits, clash as tensions simmer. When a new tragedy strikes during the gathering, the women are forced to confront both the present crisis and the unresolved events of the past.

Told through short, fast-paced chapters and multiple POVs, We Were Never Friends blends interpersonal drama, layered backstory, and shifting loyalties in a setting where appearances are deceiving.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy.

Start of the book, the kids getting married is massively overshadowed at the beginning. Celestial is there one minute, completely forgotten about and then reappears from somewhere when all the guests arrive. Zach is a bit of an oversight and it starts off with it being bout the parents reunion and whatever happened at Desert Sunrise. Then they appear, then the author seems to repeat parts the Roxy says about her son Zach, comes across quite chaotic. Also quite repetitive, both Roxy and Beth's characters seem to repeat the same scenarios over and over again but express them differently each time. Unnecessary repetition.

The characters were well written. Would be good to have a development on Sunny. If you know tou know, it was a bit spooky. And Ryan by the end, I felt Beth's fear of him. Beth was very much ho the author wrote her, bit dull, but boring but by far the most normal of the whole group.
Jamie, she could totally have her own book. Before all of this happened, going through med school. Could be interesting.
Amelia and Roxy are just chaos and their characters are the typical housewife types with more money and sense, who car about no one except their reputations.

Ryan leans forward so their meet eyes across me. Chapter 21, grammar error

As you get through the first 5 or 6 chapters things start to pull together and the main section of the book is great. Glad I pushed through despite the slow start. I do feel like until you get to the end the whole meeting of the 2 kids who are due to be married is a little farfetched, and feel like it now needs a sequal because I think there could definitely be a more crime thriller spin off off the back of We were never friends.

I enjoyed this book, but I feel like there were definitely moments the story seemed to drag on. I started loosing focus during parts, but then it seemed to pick up again. This book was also kind of predictable in a way, but still very entertaining. Also, the ending seemed sudden like I was expecting more twists before it just ended. The characters seemed very realistic, but what they did seemed somewhat not believable. Overall it was an okay read for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

I read this book very quickly. Although I thought the author did a great job describing the settings and creepy vibes, I felt like there was a lack of character development. I also did not feel like there was any big “twist”. It lacked any kind of shock value.

Having said that, I still found it to be enjoyable and worth reading. Thank you for the ARC!

4 Stars
We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda was an easy, engaging read with plenty of twists and turns to keep me hooked from start to finish. I’m not usually a big fan of this particular trope, but this story held my attention the entire way through—I even finished it in just 24 hours!

I especially liked how fast-paced and easy to follow it was, but I did feel the ending was left a little too open-ended and “fluffy,” leaving me with more questions than answers. Still, I enjoyed how the author left room for interpretation, making the conclusion something each reader can see in their own way.

Overall, it’s a gripping read that kept me turning the pages, even if I wish the ending had tied things up just a bit more.

An addictive drama thriller! From the very first page, this book gripped me with its vivid, almost cinematic descriptions. The author’s attention to detail brought every scene to life.

What truly set this book apart, though, were the constant unexpected twists. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the plot would take a sharp turn, revealing more secrets. It kept me on edge in the best way with consistent surprises — never predictable, never dull.

The pacing was spot on, each chapter pulling me deeper into the mystery and the drama. When I reached the final page, I wasn't ready to let go. I found myself wanting more — more of the story, more time with the characters, having so many questions about what could come next.

If you’re looking for a book that surprises you, is full of drama, and stays with you long after the last word, this one delivers on every level.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/192268298-mikayla-moody