My Sweet Friend

I'm aware of the fact I don't read all that many novellas, but this doesn't mean that I don't appreciate them. In fact, I think of them as taking the art of storytelling to the next level, because it is just so much harder to write a convincing story when you have a limited amount of pages to do so. After enjoying Manipulated Lives last year, there was no doubt I wanted to try the author's newest novella as well. Not only is the psychological angle in her stories intriguing, but her writing style is really engaging and she makes it easy to connect to the characters. My Sweet Friend is no different, and is without doubt my new favorite. I found myself invested into the story right from the start and the writing was both engaging and flowed naturally. The introduction of the manipulative element is subtle at first, but very well and realistically developed. Despite its limited pages, My Sweet Friend is able to create a dept in both characters as well as creating a hint of suspense and several twists. The dual POV works really well and helps you understand and see both sides of the relationship. While I do think Rosie is a bit naive, I do think her character is very realistic. And that can also be said for Alexa, who is not exactly likeable, but fits her role perfectly. The psychological effect of manipulation is well described and also show the consequences for both sides. The plot itself is an interesting one and well fleshed out for a novella. I had a great time reading My Sweet Friend! One of the better novellas out there I've read to this date... Although it did leave me craving for more information about Alexa's background.

My Sweet Friend is the perfect example of a novella done right. With a well developed plot with interesting and fleshed out characters and a writing that simply flows it's hard not to like this story. The manipulation element is incorporated in a way that feels completely natural and instead of it being forced on you, it shows up gradually. The switching back and forward between Rosie and Alexa helped set the right atmosphere as well as show the different sides of the effects of a manipulative relationship. The story will also have some surprises in store for you! Definitely recommended.

With skillful prose, Leuschel has written a novella that makes the reader both hate, and... feel a bit sorry for her protagonist.

"Behind the façade we were all human, fragile, and sensitive to judgement".

Alexa is an attractive woman working in a ruthless corporate world - an account manager in the exciting city of Paris. Impeccably groomed and dressed, she is highly practiced at making a good first impression, and manipulating events so that she will be seen in the best possible light. She feels highly pressured to succeed. So much so that she is currently on 'stress' leave for a week. Poor woman.... right??? Maybe not. She has chosen to have her week off in the sunny Southern town of Bairritz, France.

When she joined the firm, just a few short months ago, she befriended two of her co-workers in particular. Rosie (her sweet friend) and Jack (her latest lover). Before Alexa joined the firm Jack was quite interested in Rosie.

Rosie truly IS a sweet friend. Floundering financially, she pays exorbitant fees to keep her beloved mother in a nursing home. Yet she glows under Alexa's attention and cherishes her friendship - to the point where she covers mistakes for her at work. The two women socialize after work hours. Alexa lends Rosie money... working upon Rosie's gullible nature. Alexa calls Rosie 'a little grey mouse' - not meaning it in a good way.

"people are not always what they seem from the outside"

Alexa laments that her friendship with Rosie has recently seemed to have cooled off... She truly doesn't seem to be able to comprehend that she is the cause of the rift. Is Alexa a pathological liar who has told so many untruths that she doesn't seem to believe even herself?

Is Alexa just a misunderstood friend, or a vile, manipulative schemer? You be the judge...

A short novel about how we are influenced by people's outward appearance, and how easy it can be to be manipulated by others. The author's empathy and knowledge of the workings of the human mind are obvious. I can't help but wonder if she has been the recipient of manipulative behavior as she writes about it with such clarity and understanding. Anyone who has ever been curious about toxic relationships will agree that "My sweet friend" is a compelling read.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I would call it literary fiction that reads like a psychological thriller. Wow!

(4.5 rounded up to 5 stars)
I have previously read and enjoyed Manipulated Lives by H.A Leuschel which I really enjoyed and so when I saw this I knew I had to read it.

This book centres around the relationship between Rosie, a sweet and naive young woman and Alexa, a glamorous new recruit at her office. Rosie is quickly drawn into Alexa’s world, and they become friends but is she too good to be true?

I devoured this novella in one sitting. It’s set in both Paris and Biarritz (a seaside town) in France and is told from both Alexa and Rosie’s perspectives. At the beginning you feel like there’s something off but you’re not quite sure what, the author skilfully gives you bits of information as you go along making it a really compelling read.

The author created really believable characters, so much so that Alexa really reminded me of a friend I used to know! I really felt for Rosie, she has so much going on in her life then Alexa comes along and she thinks she’s someone she can really rely on but it turns out not to be the case.

My only complaint is I wanted to read more!

Overall a compelling read that really gets into the mind of the characters.

I am not normally a fan of novellas but feel that of the few that I have read this year I have chosen wisely. I had already read and loved Manipulated lives, which is a collection of short stories by this author, so I had no hesitation of choosing this book. My Sweet Friend has a similar feel with it to Manipulated lives as it tells a story of the influences that we have on each others lives.
The story follows the new friendship between Alexa and Rosie in the Parisian PR Company where they first meet. Alexa is outgoing and confident, with the gift of the gab, where as Rosie just simply gets her head down and gets on with what is to do. It isn’t long before the tiniest of fractures in the friendship begin to appear and it is affecting both the women’s careers.
A personal matter in Rosie’s life is taking a lot of her time and money too, which she is finding difficult to cope with so she is grateful for a friend that can lend a hand and a little more. It really is fascinating seeing how manipulating a situation can become without the other person really knowing, or at least choosing to give the benefit of the doubt about a friend.
When a third wheel in this unstable cog becomes involved in the form of Jack, another employee of the firm everything shifts up another gear and a clearer picture forms. Loved being a part of the workings of this intriguing mind, it was quite an eye opener of how they saw the world.
Helene Leuschel always gives me something to think about after I finish reading her books, I tend to look at people a little differently and wonder if I really do know them and how well they really know the true me.

My Sweet Friend is set in Paris and goes back and forth between two characters. I didn’t release it was so short and would have liked to read a little more. I like the plot of the book about, someone who might not be who they say they are. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This was a great little read! It's not a short story, but I also wouldn't call it a full on novel. That in no way effects the rating of My Sweet Friend. I really enjoyed getting the two perspectives of our female leads, the man in the middle, the all knowing desk clerk, and the bit involving the previous flat mate. The only part I didn't have that some other readers did was the not knowing who was the actually twisted friend, and who was the victim. I felt that was pretty cut and dry IMO. I would recommend this book to any reader that enjoys getting a look into a selfish persons mind.

Alexa calls Rosie "My Sweet Friend". I think most of us have come across at some time in our life with a person like Alexa. She is perfect on the outside but conniving on the inside. The author alternates chapters between the two characters. We get to know both of them well considering this is a novella.

It was a quick read and I enjoyed it.

* I was provided an ARC to read from the publisher and NetGalley. It was my decision to read and review this book..

I received a free copy of My Sweet Friend from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A heart gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller novella by H.A. Leuschel. I have never had the pleasure of any of Leuschel's work, but I'm most definitely an overnight fan I loved the connection between Alexa (the liar) and Rosie( the sweet girl) without giving anything away remember things and people are not always what they seem or appear to be! I enjoyed this book and looked forward to reading additional works from Ms. Leuschel.

Great short story.. loved the characters and the story line. Would have loved if this had been a full length novel. Looking forward to finding other works by this author!

Leuschel is a great storyteller. This is a novella that is told from the point of view of both main characters. Although it's sort, this book is packed full of emotion from the first page.

The manipulator and victim will have you feeling for both of them because they were both characters that were hard not to like, even the deceitful one.

This is perfect if you're like me and love a good suspense story.

I received an ARC from netgalley for this honest review.

My Sweet Friend is a novella that explores the nuances of a relationship, which starts professionally, but takes a personal turn as well.
Alexa is a newcomer to Rosie’s firm. She is good-looking, well dressed, oozes confidence and seems 100% organized, with a glowing CV and references - just what their firm needs, to help pick up their business. They quickly become friends, initially at the work-front, and then at a personal level too.
Told alternately between Alexa and Rosie, every chapter adds a bit more to the story and the background of the two main characters. Then there is Jack, a man whom both seem to be attracted to. This book deals effectively with the consequences of manipulative relationship in a working environment, which spills over and threatens to ruin one’s personal space too.
The characters are well developed and the story builds up well. For me, the ending fell a bit flat and a tad abrupt. But, it’s definitely worth a read.

4.5 Manipulative Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

WOW! This was a fabulous little read... my favorite type of read filled with unreliable narrators.... even better you have no idea from the start who is more unreliable... Who is manipulating who and who is lying! Cannot believe so much happened in only 92 Pages....Miss Leuschel this would make a brilliant full length book, just saying....

Not going to say anything about the plot, do not want to ruin this for anybody... so I am going to talk about the brilliant characterization of Alexa and Rosie.... you really got a sense of who these two women were and you felt a little bit of sympathy and contempt for both.... I really enjoy unlikable and unsympathetic characters, I like to figure out their psychology.... but there is a fine line when it comes to writing unlikable characters, and it was done perfectly in this book.... and as the saying goes, with friends like this who needs enemies?

Strongly recommend when you are in the mood for a quick psychological thriller with brilliant characters...

*** thank you so much to the author and Rachel at Net Galley for my copy of this lovely book ***

•Goodreads 5/14

•Amazon 5/14
•Blog 5/14

I really loved this - it was a great mix of tension and intrigue, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about Alexa... I like reading this shorter form as it can cut out a lot of padding and cut straight to the chase, and for this story that really packed a punch. I've not read Leuschel before, but will be looking out for her work from now on.

I have to say that this tiny little novella packs a pretty big punch.

The story revolves around Alexa, who has recently been hired by a Parisian PR firm, and her relationship between her two new co-workers Rosie & Jack.

Alexa is meticulous in her appearance and oozes sophistication and confidence. Rosie and Jack are immediately taken in by her charm.

Sometimes appearances aren't always what they seem. For some folks lying becomes a way of life. Sometimes good intentions are anything but.

H.A. Leuschel, you've made a fan out of me. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, Books Go Social, and H.A. Leuschel for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was character driven and kept me engrossed from the first page! The author's writing style and the fact that the characters were unlikable made this a great read. I love when an author can make me dislike a character, as it is hard to accomplish.

Sometimes the person who claims to be your friend really isn't.

This is the premise of this novella.

Overall, a good read and a great reminder that not everyone is who they say they are.

Holy cow! what a read. This was a quick, intense read for me. I was drawn into the two characters and they were crazy unreliable and I just wanted more. The manipulation here was intense and you just didn't know where this was going to go. Perfect for a book club quick read as it would certainly get people talking and into discussion.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.