Keep Your Friends Close

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Pub Date 06 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 20 Oct 2020
Amazon Publishing UK | Lake Union Publishing

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Description

Darcy Hogan’s perfect life is all over social media. She’s beautiful, she’s successful, and she and her childhood sweetheart are about to become parents for the first time. But behind all the followers and the superficial likes lurks a darker truth…

In reality, Darcy feels isolated and afraid. Her difficult pregnancy has her confined to the house, she’s being harassed online, and out-of-control debt threatens to ruin everything she’s worked so hard for.

When her husband is summoned away on business, Darcy’s cabin fever soon spirals into fear. Who is making mysterious phone calls and knocking on her door? Is it an old friend trying to reach out—or a stranger determined to push in?

As her due date creeps closer, Darcy feels ever more certain that someone is out to get her. She’s desperate to get away—but is she running from the right person?

Darcy Hogan’s perfect life is all over social media. She’s beautiful, she’s successful, and she and her childhood sweetheart are about to become parents for the first time. But behind all the...


A Note From the Publisher

Janelle Harris penned her first story on scented, unicorn-shaped paper. She was nine. A couple of decades, one husband, five children, two cats and a dog later, Janelle wrote another story. Unfortunately the paper lacked any fragrance, but that didn’t hinder No Kiss Goodbye from becoming an international bestseller. Janelle now writes psychological suspense for Lake Union and women’s fiction for Bookouture. She is always on the lookout for aromatic notepads.

Janelle Harris penned her first story on scented, unicorn-shaped paper. She was nine. A couple of decades, one husband, five children, two cats and a dog later, Janelle wrote another story...


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ISBN 9781542004954
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Average rating from 170 members


Featured Reviews

Online, Darcy appears to lead the perfect life. Married to her childhood sweetheart, she’s about to become a mother. Behind the scenes, Darcy has been left locked in at home because of her difficult pregnancy, she’s running\ out of money and a troll is making her life a living hell. Alone while her husband is out of town, she begins to get strange phone calls and begins to wonder if the caller may actually be someone she knows. Social media can be fun, but it can also be absolutely terrifying as this book illustrates

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Darcy Hogan is feeling tired and lonely as she tries to make it through a difficult pregnancy all while running a successful business with her husband Luke.
After being interviewed on a local tv station about her food business and answering a strange phone call during the interview by a woman demanding a job strange events begin happening. She hears a lot of noises in her house, finds rats, loose floorboards with hidden papers, her beloved dog is poisoned Darcy wonders if she is again being "stalked" by former fellow student Tina. At the same time another student who went missing 20 something years before moves into the house next door.
This book was an amazing example of a psychological thriller and one that I couldn't put down but keep reading into the night. Written in alternating chapters by Darcey, Tina and Gillian this is a fast paced and frightening book about relationships, jealousy, bullying and mental illness.

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I have just finished reading this book and all I can say is wow what an utterly brilliant read this was. I just love a book that messes with your head, a book that you have no idea what is going to happen next and with this book I got all that. From the first page this book had me hooked and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. For fans of psychological thrillers this book is a must read. 5⭐️

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This book was amazing! I am not one for thrillers but this one just changed my mind. So many twists and turns you could not wait to see what would happen next!

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This book is absolute genius, it has to be up there with my best psychological reads ever., if not the best. School days are supposed to be the best year's of your life but not for Tina, they were her worst nightmare. She was never accepted, had no friends and was mocked and ridiculed at every opportunity but was this an excuse for what she turned into. A Childhood obsession turns into an adult nightmare.

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An excellent thriller that is guaranteed to draw you in and never let go. The protagonist’s story is believable and keeps you fascinated until the very end.

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Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This was a heck of a psychological thriller...very tense, especially towards the end; I read way too late!
Darcy Hogan's life is just about perfect: she's a successful business woman, married to her longtime love and heavily pregnant. When she is on a popular tv show being interviewed, a nasty call comes in from a voice of the past. The book features three pov's: Darcy, Gillian and Tina. They all went to the same fancy private school where bullying was one of the sports played. Twenty years later, it seems to be payback time...
This won't be my last Janelle Harris book, I really enjoyed it! Definitely recommended.

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A great psychological thriller told from different view points, which keeps the story flowing. Though at times there is an over use of adjectives, which usually is distracting for me, the plot and characters were strong enough that I overlooked it. A great escape!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

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This book is fantastic! But be warned, I downloaded it expecting women's fiction but it's not. It's a twisted psychological thriller.

Darcy's life is as close to perfect as it gets. Successful, beautiful, married to her childhood sweetheart and expecting her first baby. But behind the scenes Darcy and Luke's business is in trouble money wise, Darcy's pregnancy is difficult and she's ill and stuck in the house a lot. When Darcy appears on a popular talk show hoping for exposure for her food company someone from her past sees her and that's where it all starts.

This is a tense, edge of your seat thriller - especially towards the end. My palms were actually sweating as I read the last few chapters. There's a scene towards the end where I was actually holding my breath. I think with all psychological thrillers we've come to expect the big twist somewhere, but this one doesn't just come out of the blue. It's set up from the very beginning and slowly unravels and finally gives you that OMG moment. Highly recommended if you like thrillers. Also, a shout out to Darcy's husband Luke. I really fell for him.

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Meet Darcy and Luke, high school sweethearts, entrepreneurs, and parents to be. We meet them as they are appearing on a popular talk show, which promises to bring the extra publicity they need to boost their company. On the surface it looks like this beautiful couple could have no enemies: Darcy is successful, but also kind-hearted, they live in a safe and sought after neighborhood, and have a cute little Bichon Frise for extra protection and cuddles. But on the set of the talk show, Darcy receives an ominous phone call during the Q&A portion that makes her uneasy. She is bed bound with a difficult pregnancy, so are the strange occurrences that follow due to her going a little stir crazy or is their something more happening?

This book sucked me right in and I didn't want to put it down. The characters are well developed and most of then are extremely likeable, although quite often I wanted to shake some sense into them (especially Darcy). The suspense builds throughout the book, keeping you guessing at what might happen next. As a mom of a 4 month old baby, there was one part where I worried I might need to stop reading, but it brought me to the edge of the cliff without throwing me over.

If you love psychological thrillers and don't particularly feel like getting any sleep, this is a book that will keep you up and wanting more!

A huge thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I defenitely liked this book. Will I read this authors book again? Yes. She got the perfect formula for a psychological thriller. But the execution is lacking in some places but overall it's a good book. I'd recommend you to read this one, especially if you love thrillers.

This story is about Darcy Hogan, who is absolutely perfect on paper. She is stunning and she has her own successful business, Darcy's Dishes. It's a vegan food company. She is married to her long time boyfriend, Luke Hogan, who is also her business partner. They look perfect together. She is currently pregnant with her first child. This pregnancy has been particularly difficult for her. She has had multiple hospital stays.

Beneath the surface of all the glam, Darcy's business is actually struggling. They are in debt and they need investors now. They are scrambling on what to do next when they get on opportunity to appear on a tv show. A mystery caller rattles them on the show. After which, everything becomes worse.

The book is written from three points of view; Darcy, Gillian and Tina. They all went to boarding school together 20 years ago. Darcy feels like there is something amiss. Strangers lurking in the dark and weird calls.

I found the different POVs little distracting and confusing in some places. The ending was really shocking. But it answered all the questions I had through it the book. Its a really good psychological thriller.

Read it / Skip it- My verdict- READ📖

Rating- ⭐⭐⭐✨

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A great read. It had me gripped from the start. At times you think the story is going to be predictable - but you’re wrong! I fell in love with all the characters, which I am not sure was suppose to happen with some! A really good ending too, which I find is rare to find these days. Looking forward to reading more from this author. If you love thrillers and can relate to difficulties of friendship, especially though your school years, this is a must read for you!

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Darcy Hogan, has her own business, Darcy's Dishes, a vegan food company. She is married to Luke, who is also her business partner. Darcy is pregnant with their first child, it has been a difficult pregnancy, with many visits and stays in the hospital.
Behind the scenes, the business is struggling; they are in debt and need investors. A chance arises to appear on a tv show, an excellent opportunity to promote the company, but while taking calls, a mystery caller unnerves her on the show. After which, everything changes.
The suspense intensifies throughout the book, keeping you guessing right to the end.
A well written all-embracing psychological thriller, incorporating relationships, resentment, bullying and mental disorders.
I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and author Janelle Harris for a pre-publication copy to review.

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Loved this book, great writing, kept me hooked. Read it in a matter of days, whenever i had some down time. Its was a page turner and gripping read! Definitely recommend

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I loved this book by Janelle Harris. It hooked me from the first pages and I read it very quickly. Loved the plot and characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

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A story of an obsession that begins in adolescence and raises its ugly head many years later.

One of the main things for me when reading a book is that I am grabbed from.the beginning. I found this book quite confusing and slow to begin with .
Dates used for the past and future can make the story harder to read and I much prefer to see "then" and "now" as I don't have to stop and think when starting the next chapter.
These points do not detract from.the author's writing as I consider myself a lazy reader and usually get along with books that don't require much thinking about.

Once I got to grips with the characters I really enjoyed the story and it was a very original idea with a brilliant, intense and very satisfying
ending with all the ends neatly tied up.

Thanks to the author and publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book.

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Whilst I found this quite predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were fantastically described, the storyline flowed at a good rate, without being too slow or quick. I guessed the outcome quite early on, but I still loved it!

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I was drawn in from the first pages.A pregnant woman husband away on business trip starts getting phone calls scary calls.As the story continues her panic increases who is calling her is it someone she knows .za tense story that kept me guessing till the last pages.#netgalley#amazonuk

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Another fantastic gripping story from Janelle Harris. This one kept me hooked from beginning to the end. Lots of twists and a fantastic back story that was a story within itself. A story that never left the past in the past. The characters were superbly written, I love being able to visualise a character it makes the story much more interesting. Brilliant read

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Before I say anything remotely negative, let me preface it by saying that I really enjoyed this book.... the author's writing had a way of sucking me completely into the story, and I never really felt that there were a lot of "slow" or skippable parts. Now, with that said, the "twist" was something I saw coming a mile away. I don't feel that that took anything away from my reading experience, bur I just can't honestly sit here and say that I was shocked. All in all, a great read; a book I will absolutely recommend.

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This is a fabulous page turner by Janelle Harris. I was hooked form the first chapter and raced through it. The ending is easily guessed, however that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it.

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"Keep Your Friends Close", by Janelle Harris, is centered around the life of Darcy Hogan, who looks like she has her whole life in order. When an old friend stops by and begins to insert herself into Darcy's life, things begin to go very wrong. Will the authorities find out what's happening before it's too late? I thought this book was interesting, but it was hard to keep up with the many characters in the story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Review: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a great, quick read for me. The book sucked me in and the short chapters kept me hooked.
Darcy was a likeable character but gullible. Tina and Gillian however made the book interesting. I loved reading from each perspective but yet knowing there is more to the story.
The story goes between the years 1999/2000 to 2019 and I loved how the story developed.
I did expect the ending so not the biggest surprise but was still a good psychological thriller. This is my first book from this author and I hope to read many more

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This book was my first experience at NetGalley. It is only available in English, so it was great because I could improve my English and, as my first read book here, I couldn't have chosen a better one, because this story is SPECTACULAR.
Here, we are faced with a breathtaking psychological thriller. Those in which the reader cannot drop the book at all.
Darcy Horgan is a very successful entrepreneur in the vegan industry, but who is experiencing financial difficulties. She is pregnant and her husband, Luke, is the one who runs the company more closely. Darcy and Luke have known each other since high school, when they fell in love, being together ever since.
The story is told, between past and present, by three characters: Darcy and two of her contemporaries from school, Tina Summers and Gillian Buckley. Twenty years later, Darcy barely remembers who those colleagues were, but she is surprised by them (at least she thinks they are) in her neighborhood and it is from then on that her life begins to turn upside down.
I loved thisbook. The reader needs to pay close attention not to be fooled by characters who appear to be what they are not. The author is to be congratulated. It was the first time that I had contact with her writing and I was fascinated, because the plot was very well built, with an electrifying ending and beyond surprising. One of the best thrillers this year, for sure. I hope it will be published in Brazil. Do not miss the site www.netgalley.com, people. There, you will have access to wonderful stories like this. I super recommend it.

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Darcy and Luke Hogan have the perfect life. They have a lovely home, they both run Darcy’s Dishes - a vegan ready meal enterprise that is soon due to expand significantly and they are expecting their first baby. Darcy has been taking a bit of a back seat lately though as she has been quite sick throughout her pregnancy, this all becomes horribly relevant later. However, when an old school friend appears out of the blue and starts to insert herself in their lives things start to go sideways for Darcy and Luke.

Reading this was a bit like watching one of those horror movies where you yell at the screen “get out of the house”. But of course that doesn’t happen - not in the movies (or there wouldn’t be any horror) or in this book. The story is presented from a number of perspectives and in two timelines 1999/2000 and 2019 and the clues are all there in the past. While I’m sure many readers will love this, the book didn’t grab me. I’ve read too many that start with X and Y have a perfect life until...it’s getting a little old. Also, it was obvious to me what was going on right from the start so there was no element of surprise and no twist for me although the author did try to provide these. I also thought all the characters, apart from the villain, were so incredibly gullible. Parts of the story relating to the business just didn’t ring true.

Having said all that, I did find the second half was quite readable and I did want to know how it all finished. It was quite a good story which kept me reading and I do think a lot of readers will enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Janelle a Harris for providing this copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 2.5 stars rounded up.

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I greatly enjoyed this book, thank you for giving me a preview copy. The plot was interesting and fast paced and I sympathised with the characters. This is the first novel I have read by this author but I hope it will not be the last!

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Very suspenseful novel. loved Darcy's character. The plot kept you guessing till the very last chapter. i thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it as a book club selection.

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I was surprised how much I liked this book with a few too many side characters and an ending you think is too easy to guess but you are totally wrong. I thought this was going to be predictable at times but then there was a twist .or turn which sucked me back in. Darcy seems to have the perfect life but later becomes a nightmare, and she and her childhood sweetheart are pregnant. He goes away on business then the phone calls come and creepy knocks on her front door. Who is stalking her? Or are they after her husband? What do they want?

This was my first book by Janelle Harris and I look forward to reading more if they are as good as this one. A must read for thriller fans and highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Janelle Harris and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 10/6/20

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This was an interesting premise and a somewhat complicated storyline. Darcy is both likeable and annoying. Luke's character was a mystery and Tina was just odd. It moved along at a good pace, there definitely a few twists and I did not see that ending coming at all.

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Dare you and Luke are childhood sweethearts and appear to have everything but beneath the polished exterior is a web of debt and the need for a business partner.
What follows is a psychological thriller that has you suspecting everyone.
This is one of those books where you think you have an inkling of what is happening but then a twist follows..
Who would you invite in to your house? Do you know your friends and family?
This story ends with one of the best one liners that made me laugh.
This is the first book in a while that Janelle Harris has written where I’ve not been ugly crying- a refreshing change. 4.5 stars

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⭐⭐⭐ Read for me, folks!

Keep Your Friends Close is an adult, multi-POV thriller about the consequences of our past, and how even the best of intentions can sow seeds of madness under the wrong circumstances.

Darcy Hogan and her husband, Luke, were childhood sweethearts; popular, beautiful, and sure to be successful. If you looked at them from the outside twenty years later, you would say that this was true—but nothing is ever what it seems on the internet. Their company is on the verge of bankruptcy and with Darcy heavily pregnant, their image and sales are taking heavy tolls. In order to bring some new buzz to the business, Darcy agrees to go on a famous talk show to promote their brand. But mysterious caller outs their situation on live TV, Darcy, sick and paranoid already, can't explain the gut-wrenching feeling that something is going to go terribly wrong. And worse, Luke doesn't seem to believe her.

We hit all the key points of a close-knit thriller, with a nice twist of being able to see into the mind of the villain and catch glimpses of their past. The narration flipped back and forth between past and present, giving insight on not just the situations that created our antagonist, but what was going on in their mind at the time and how they fell so far into insanity. Personally, I love being able to delve deeply into the backstory of the bad guy. It brings a depth and understanding — and even better, a touch of fear if the formula proves true.

Darcy was an interesting POV for me. I found her simpering at times. Definitely a bit airheaded. I wasn't enjoying her for the first half of the book, but her POV moved the plot forward the most and so I also often couldn't wait to get back to it. By the last third, we find her backbone, we find her intelligence, and I can only wish we'd gotten to see more of her earlier.

This story is going to be familiar to most thriller readers. There is not a lot in terms of deviation from the usual story beats, and an unfortunate lack of red-herrings or actual mystery. It left the tension lacking, as really we were just waiting for Darcy to figure out what we know going in and it...well, you'll find out. It wasn't my favorite reveal.

I was fascinated by the antagonist in general terms as they seemed to just always have the knack for obsession an violence, it wasn't so much *created* by circumstance as we often see. Or at least, it wasn't anything we get to witness ourselves. Those people are almost scarier in my opinion.

It was a smooth ride from start to finish even with the POV switching and the time skips back and forth, but it didn't blow me away. But if you enjoy fast-paced, close-to-the-vest thrillers you'll wanna snag this when it hits the shelves 06 Oct 2020.

*As always, my thanks go to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

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Darcy Hogan is everything that a lot of women want to be – successful, married, a baby on the way and living her best life. But the reality is different: she feels unsure of herself at every turn, alone and worried and her company that seems successful is, in fact, full of financial woes. She knows that someone is ringing her doorbell and freaking her out, but doesn’t know who. Except, there’s someone from her past – and her husband’s former life – who is wanting to muscle in their seemingly perfect lifestyle. As she progresses in her pregnancy, Darcy is sure she’s not imagining it, even if everyone else thinks she is. I read this in one sitting, I loved that it had an Irish angle and it was easy to read – though the tension is amped up throughout.

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Darcy and Luke Hogan are happily married, with a baby on the way. They run a business together called Darcy’s Dishes and by all accounts appear to have a beautiful life.

Truth is, Darcy is struggling with being pregnant and at the thought of being a mom. The bills are piling up and the business isn’t thriving like it appears it is. One day, Darcy is featured on a TV show and a ominous voice from the past calls in. and leaves her rattled. The rest of the story is a thrilling, slow burn, leaving the reader to wonder who Darcy can trust. Or is it a case of Darcy just being stir-crazy and paranoid?

This story is told from 3 different perspectives; Darcy, Gillian and Tina. The three women attended school together when they were younger. The different POVs transitioned fairly smoothly and I didn’t have a hard time keeping up.

If you like psychological thrillers, then this is the book for you. There are twists and turns and all sorts of dark goodness.

Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

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This was an entertaining psychological thriller that really held my interest all the way through. It was a quick read; I finished the book in less than a day. I didn’t find the story especially unique, but it’s a great book for the beach or a long flight.

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What is it they say? Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer?

Keep Your Friends Close by Janelle Harris is told from multiple perspectives, but mostly focuses on Darcy, the protagonist, and Tina, the girl who has been obsessed with Darcy and her husband Luke since they were students in boarding school. The story starts and reveals Darcy and Luke are suffering from a difficult pregnancy and financial woes and are at odds with one another. With Luke away on business and Darcy having cabin fever as her due date creeps closer, Darcy feels ever more certain that someone is out to get her. She’s desperate to get away—but is she running from the right person?

What I didn't like about this book?
Sometimes, the story felt a bit rushed and disjointed. While, at times, I think the disjointedness helped with the plot and the creepy, suspense feeling the author was trying to create, I think the majority of the time it made me feel disconnected to the plot and characters. Also, I feel like the relationship between characters was lacking. I didn't feel connected to them or their relationships, minus Tina.

What I did like about the book?
The suspense and creepiness. The book gave me chills and made me wonder what will happen next. Going on, I feel like the psyche of Tina was really well done! It made me feel all the things a thriller should and I was curious to see where the author would take me.

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This is a fabulous book! The storyline is woven so expertly and he twists and turns kept me gripped the whole way to the final page. Highly recommended.

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An excellent, well written book that held my interest throughout and I found it very easy reading with twists along the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

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I did enjoy this book and couldn’t wait to get to the end to see what happens, although the plot was a bit far fetched. However, that’s why I read fiction....it’s allowed to be far fetched! The main character of Darcy was sweet and kind, the polar opposite of her enemy, Tina, and the contrast between these two characters was interesting. This isn’t my usual genre of book but I would be interested in reading more from this author.

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I devoured this book in a few great hours and really recommend it for those that enjoy drama with a psychological element. A really solid book from Janelle Harris.

Darcy is our central character in this novel and in a vulnerable time in her life. All seems well until unusual events start to happy around her and to her and the questions of what is going on are raised. The book keeps you hooked as like Darcy you too want to know answers. The reveals are great!

Very well written and a book you can hook into from page one to the last page. Just settle in with this one. I found the characters really well done and could really pick up on the vibes of Darcy as a range of emotions impact her. I think good books need to have you wanting more in the next chapter and this certainly delivered on that.

A recommended book for sure, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would like to read more from this author. An author to watch in my humble opinion. Released on October 6th, 2020.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy. All reviews are my own and totally unbiased.

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It's a story about an obsesssion, nicely written, and it makes an enjoyable read. Unfortunately it wasn't more to me, as it was a bit predictable, and that led to some length in the read. Yet, an easypeasy reading pleasure for those days we need just that!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the copy!

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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Whoa! This book was intense! I really enjoyed the plot, however, parts of it seemed to be a bit of a stretch. There were a few questions left unanswered and a few times where I felt there were just too many coincidences to be believable. Overall though, I really enjoyed it!

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If you looked at Darcy’s life from the outside it would appear she has a perfect life. Her and her childhood sweetheart are expecting their first baby together. One day Darcy appears on a tv show to promote her business and someone from her past calls in. Then she starts hearing noises in her house, mysterious phone calls and her beloved dog is poisoned. But is Darcy being paranoid or is there really something going on? The book is told from 3 different points of views - Darcy, Gillian and Tina. The three woman went to boarding school together when they were younger. The story is well written and kept me interested throughout even though I found the ending quite predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for letting me read a copy before release.

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An arc from Netgalley. a new author to me, a stand alone psychological thriller.
Told from 3 people’s perspectives covering a time span of 20 years.
It starts slow, by the end the tension really builds.
A 3* from me making this a good book.
An arc from Netgalley. a new author to me, a stand alone psychological thriller.
Told from 3 people’s perspectives covering a time span of 20 years.
It starts slow, by the end the tension really builds. for most of her adult revelation, she comes across as being feeble and needy.

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Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and #NetGalley for giving me an ARC of #KeepingYourFriendsClose by #JanelleHarris in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐ - 3 stars

Darcy is an award winning business woman and adored wife to Luke. She seems to have it all. Unfortunately Darcy's business suffers financial difficulty and she must find financial backing or risk the business going bankrupt.

Darcy is also pregnant and suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum which leaves her weak, sick and unable to make any business decisions. She becomes practically bed-bound.

All of a sudden Darcy's life becomes endangered when a blast from the past comes back into her life. Will she be strong enough to overcome her murderous stalker?

This was a pleasant read but it didn't leave me guessing - I guessed the ending pretty early on. I also didn't particularly warm to any of the main characters until late on in the book when their character traits became much more endearing.

Overall I did enjoy the book and it was well written but I thought it was a bit too predictable.

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I am not really a bad reader of thrillers, but saw lots of interest in this book online and I am so glad I did as its so good.

If you are a fan of thrillers I would recommend this book esp all the twist and turns which are in this book.

With thanks to Netgalley & Amazon Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for this review

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This was an interesting read and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Darcy Hogan is an entrepreneur who seems to have a perfect life on social media, but her business is in trouble. To add to the stress, she is having a difficult pregnancy and her and her husband, Luke, are struggling to find investors to save her livelihood.

Gilliam appears to be their saving grace and the timing couldn’t be more perfect, but then the past comes back to haunt them and Darcy is convinced someone is out to get her.

This was a suspenseful read, and I really enjoyed reading it, but I couldn’t stand Luke. He seemed more concerned about money than his own wife and unborn child and that was very much apparent through the secrets he kept from her. Whether or not he had good intentions for saving his wife’s business, he didn’t come across as very trustworthy.

One aspect I did enjoy was getting a look into their past while they were away at school and seeing how all of the characters played pertinent roles in their loves, even into the present.

Overall, it was a good book and worth the read!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3498146330

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Thanks NetGalley for my advanced copy. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I found it difficult to put down and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. Overall it was a well written fast paced story that kept you at the edge of your seat. At times I found myself shouting at Darcy when it was obvious something was untoward and the ending could have been stronger but it was a good read and I would recommend others to read this

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I loved this this book! Atmospheric, dark and compelling! Janelle Harris weaves a wonderful thriller with themes of school bullying, jealously, paybacks and treachery!

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A very well-written, fast-paced thriller about obsession. With lots of twists and some characters I loved to hate, I read it in a few sittings.

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Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 6, 2020
Darcy Hogan is a rising star, her vegan cooking business has launched her into the realm of internet celebrity. Along with her husband, the two are ecstatic when they receive the news that a very influential (and uber rich) investor is interested in their business. But Darcy is distracted by her high-risk pregnancy, stuck inside on doctor-mandated bed rest. When strange things begin happening in her home, she knows for certain she is being spied on. Although her husband and those closest to her are convinced she’s just stressed, Darcy knows that her life (and her child’s life) are in danger. Soon, everyone in her life is a suspect and when she realizes that her husband has been keeping secrets from her, Darcy is left with no one to trust- and nowhere to run.
Janelle Harris is an Irish author, who has three published novels under her belt, all known for their intense levels of psychological suspense. “Keep Your Friends Close” is the first novel I’ve read by Ms. Harris, so I’m going in as a complete newbie.
The story is narrated by Darcy, and by Darcy’s “two friends” (quotes to avoid spoilers), Gillian and Tina. Most of the story takes place in the modern day, however there are a few paragraphs that detail the past shared by the three women, in their days of boarding school living. All the characters are relatable and genuine, and there is just enough oomph in their personalities to pull me in and keep me addicted to the outcome.
I am well-read in this genre, so the novel’s plot was predictable for me, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an enjoyable ride getting there! Although I saw the ending coming, I was still excited to find out the outcome, and was satisfied when just desserts was dished out.
“Keep Your Friends Close” is intriguing and interesting, and it definitely has put Janelle Harris on my radar.

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Fast paced, well written, psychological thriller. Not my usual genre so I wasn't able to figure it out, kept me guessing! Loved that the author pulled in past history to add more depth to the story. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.in exchange for an honest review.

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I was given an ARC via Netgalley of this book, and what an amazing book it was. I had to keep stopping reading throughout as it felt giving me the sense that the plot was happening to me, a sign of a great author who is able to do that to its readers. I loved everything about this book, the ending was perfect and did not disappoint, highly recommend.

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I have read countless reviews for this book, full of the highest praise, and I am utterly baffled. It is clear from the outset that there is going to be a 'twist' and which characters will be involved in it, and from the halfway point it was clear what direction the book was going in. It was a case of willing the book to hurry up and get to the climax that I knew was going to happen. When the twist finally came, the way it was executed was far-fetched and ridiculous, and completely put a dampener on the book for me. The only saving grace is that the book was well-written and I enjoyed the style Janelle Harris uses.

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Keep Your Friends Close was a fast paced, psychological thriller that quickly pulled me in. Darcy Hogan is an entrepreneur who, alongside her husband, runs a vegan meal company. During a television interview to discuss hyperemesis gravidarum, a mysterious caller questions Darcy about her past. Darcy, Tina, and Gillian alternate telling the story from their own perspectives, and frequently flash back to the past to give background information. As the book progresses, perceived wrongs from that time are revealed and impact the present.
There were a few incidences that were a bit far fetched-such as why Darcy doesn't remember anyone from her school days-but overall, Keep Your Friends Close was very enjoyable. I found myself looking forward to the next time I could pick up my e-reader! I love a suspense book that keeps me guessing, and I found that with this book. I will be putting Janelle Harris on my "to-read" list and recommend this book to all of my friends who love a good thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion!

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Great read! A really exciting thriller about a woman who lives the “perfect” life online, while stuck at home dealing with a difficult pregnancy, things start getting creepy and going wrong.

It’s so good to read these mysteries, while great fun, they are an important narrative on the new online world and it’s pitfalls

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This book was interesting, if a little bit predictable. It had an interesting storyline but nothing really wowed me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.


3.5/5

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Wow, this book had so many twists and turns! Darcy and Luke were the perfect couple since they met in a private boarding school.Years later Darcey has been put into the spotlight with her food business. After appearing on tv, an old school friend shows up back in their lives and throws them into a spiral . Fast paced read that I really enjoyed!

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Janelle Harris is a new author for  me but I really enjoyed this read, finishing it in less than a day. Gripped me from the start and couldn't put it down.

Life is wonderful for Darcy Hogan, she good looking, successful and married to her childhood boyfriend and expecting their first child. Life just couldn't be any better. The problem is behind the glamorous front Darcy is suffering. She is having a difficult pregnancy and is confined to the house for large periods of time as well as being harassed on line. Their dept is spiralling out of control and everything they have worked so hard for is threatened. As the birth of their child gets closer Darcy is sure that someone is out to get her and ruin her life.

Really good characters and a plot that will have you frantically turning pages to find out what is going to happen. Pretty sure I am going to read a lot more by Janelle Harris.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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This is the first Janelle Harris book I have read and I must say I enjoyed this book. From the start, I was drawn into it. I found myself needing to know more and loving each little morsel of information that was given to us. The plot is interesting and we quickly learn that all of the characters first met during their days at boarding school. Fast forward 20 years and one of them is out for revenge. This book is their story of revenge except it does not turn out as the protagonist hoped or imagined. Then again, does it ever?

There were some slow parts in the middle once I'd figured out the major plot twist. Yet not slow enough that I disengaged. Overall, this is a solid book that had me wondering who I may have unknowingly wronged while in high school and whether something like this would really happen in real life.

While no spoiler alerts here, I encourage you to pick this book up when it comes out in October. Overall rating 4/5 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

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#KeepYourFriendsClose #NetGalley
Thanks NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Jamelle Harris for a copy to review.
Told from three different POV, Darcy, Tina and Gillian. Darcy a successful business woman, beautiful and have it all together with a loving caring husband and a baby to come. Tina, lonely and scorned who wants nothing but destroy Darcy's life. Gillian, who escaped her life twenty years ago and went missing.
An avid thriller reader will clearly figure out few twists early on but the story will still be entertaining enough to keep reading till the end.
There is something that really irritated me and it's a major turn off for me in any book I read!! You will know it when you reach it I don't want to spoil it.

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Darcy and Luke are a happily married couple who are experiencing financial difficulties with their business Darcy’s Dishes. Darcy is also dealing with a difficult pregnancy that causes her to vomit constantly. This leaves her weak and fuzzy headed . She is mostly bedridden and starts hearing things in the house when no one is home. Her husband seems to be acting strange too. Then out of the blue someone from her past gets in touch with her. It was a creepy phone call. Even more strange things happen when Darcy meets her new neighbor. Why is the new neighbor so interested in Darcy and her husband? The tension in this book simmered until it came to a roiling boil! The ending left me with my jaw on the floor! This is the type of book that I get so immersed in I lose track of time . I love when authors can write such a riveting plot.

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I really enjoyed this book! Darcy is a pregnant business owner who is struggling on all fronts, her business is at risk and her pregnancy is taking her for a ride. Such a great story and easy read.

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Darcy Hogan is a beautiful , successful business woman expecting her first child with her childhood sweetheart. Things couldn’t be better for her but the reality is just the opposite . A difficult pregnancy , out of control debts and with someone harassing her online Darcy fears it’s just a matter of time before everything she’s worked so hard for is destroyed

Keep Your Friends Close by Janelle Harris is an entertaining psychological thriller. The chapters alternate between the past and present with different POV’s in this well written, tightly plotted story that had me captivated from the first page itself

I would like to thank Amazon Publishing UK & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

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Darcy is a successful business women going through a difficult pregnancy. Luke is Darcy's husband and also works at Darcy's company. They met while at boarding school as teenagers. The book alternates between now and back when they were in school. Keep Your Friends Close has all the requirements for a good thriller... Interesting characters, mean school girls, love, jealousy and drama. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

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Wildly disturbing, this psychological thriller certainly had me racing through the pages. Although Darcy and Luke seemingly had an idyllic relationship and great success careerwise, there was turmoil underneath. Tina and Gillian may have looked alike appearance wise but Tina was certainly off and driven to the dark. I would have liked to know why her family never visited her at St. Peters. This is not a book to read late at night.

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Darcy and Luke arecollege sweethearts who married and seemed to be living the dream. Darcy is pregnant and she and Luke run her company. But there are secrets in their past that are screaming (literally) to come out. This is a twisty tale and a fun read. I'd definitely recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

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I really had high hopes for this book but I am afraid for me it did not deliver. Darcy Hogan has the perfect life or does she? The story explains what happens when a friend from the past pops back into her life. The story was okay but for me the book was too busy. Too many characters, which at times was confusing then annoying. Saying that I am sure other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

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I love a good mystery and thriller book all rolled into one and this book is literally just that.
Darcy seemingly has it all, a wonderful husband, a thriving business, a new baby on the way what else could anyone want.....expect here business is starting to plummet and someone decides the want to come back into her life and wreak havoc.
While I did really enjoy this book and finished it fairly quickly, I just found it to be somewhat predictable and that made it just kind of fall flat for me. Really towards the end it just what blah and I hate to say that because I really had high hopes from the beginning.
If you are looking for a quick read and love this type of book then yes I 100 percent think you should definitely read this!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publishers for the ARC of this book for free in exchange for my honest review

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Luke and Darcy Hogan seem to have it all - they’ve been in love since school days, have a successful food business and a baby on the way. However, whilst making a television appearance Tina, a caller into the programme, says a number of strange things that leads to a car crash interview. Why is Darcy so unsettled? From this point on Darcy feels a growing sense of paranoia or is someone really out to get them and ruin the couples lives? The story is told from several perspectives from the present and back to school days at St Peters Boarding School.

There are aspects I really like in this easy read. The first half contains tension, some chill and Darcy’s unease is conveyed well. Tina’s personality comes across strongly though I think Darcy is way too naive to be completely believable. The storyline in the school where the roots of the issues begins is really good.

However, the switching of characters gets confusing, the ‘big twist’ is very obvious from about half way through and the final part is too much of a stretch for me.

Overall, a mixed read though I appreciate other readers may enjoy the twists more than I did. It’s a quick read and mostly enjoyable.

With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the ARC for an honest review.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keep Your Friends Close
This book is a Psychological Thriller. This was a very quick read. It kept me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going on. It’s well written and plot is excellent. It flips back and forth between characters in the book and time frames. It’s easy to keep track of though so it doesn’t complicate the reading.
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Darcy is pregnant and is Married to Luke. They own a business called Darcy’s Dishes and it’s dangerously close to falling apart. Gillian is a runaway teenager who is suddenly back and she’s the daughter an investor, Andrew, that wants to save Darcy’s business who suddenly dies. Tina is an old boarding school girl who latches onto Darcy and becomes obsessed with her and her life. Strange things begin happening from the start with Darcy. Not sure who it is has Darcy feeling trapped and isolated with being pregnant and on rest from work.
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I did struggle to like Luke in the book. A man who is condescending, patronizing, and doesn’t listen makes me want to slap the snot out of him but it’s definitely needed in this story for the plot to work.

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Darcy has it all. A handsome husband, a thriving business and a baby on the way. However, she didn’t realize that back in high school she might have made someone very mad at her and that person wants revenge. A quick read - perfect beach book.

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I loved the description of Keep Your Friends Close and the writing was fine, but this very by the numbers ( the "twists" are all very obvious, as are the characters' actions) that great writing was needed to elevate this to a standout novel. But it never gets there and Keep Your Friends Close was an average read; not bad, but nothing to make it truly memorable either.

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Darcy is pregnant and unwell. Her husband, Luke, drives Darcy to a TV studio to appear on Lindsay St Claire's morning show. This, to tout her vegan "Darcy's Dishes". And, of course, also to help other mothers who have dealt with being ill during pregnancy. Callers phone into the show. One caller is Tina - who trashes Lindsay on the air.

Tina is someone from both Darcy and Luke's past.. Will this appearance and phone-in on air hurt or help "Darcy's Dishes"? And why is Darcy so anxious about the past?

Excellent characterization and a different type of plot. An enjoyable read!

Many Thanks to Lake Union Publishing / Amazon Publishing, UK
and NetGalley for the chance to read and review!

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Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Nothing could be more true than that for this book.

Darcy seems to be living a perfect life, she is married to her high school sweetheart, a baby on the way, and together (but mostly Darcy) they have created a successful company. But all isn't as perfect as it seems, the company is in trouble and Darcy is afraid of losing not only her company but her sense of self. She is also having issues with her pregnancy. When Darcy appears on a TV show that allows viewers to call in their questions she gets spooked by a call from her old schoolmate Tina. The call sets a serious of events in motion that lead to Darcy questioning her husband, her friends, and the newcomer in her life.

This book was extremely predictable to me, how the main character Darcy didn't notice it is beyond me. She seems like a flimsy person, I don't like her. Nor did I like the Tina character. I understand how this book is supposed to make you question who's who and does what, but I think the chapters from different characters take away from the suspense. I realised right from the get-go what was going on and I am sure I won't be the only one. Although the suspense was gone for me I did enjoy reading this book, it is an easy read and entertaining even when you know what is about to happen.

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There is a giveaway going on right now for Keep Your Friends Close by Janelle Harris, so head over to Goodreads.com and enter to win!

I was intrigued right away by the premise of this story, a woman who shares her incredible life on social media, you know the type. This person has the perfect marriage, is successful with her cooking business, she is gorgeous too. And she never has a bad day. But the reality of Darcy’s facade differs from what she shows the world.

When she must stay home because of her pregnancy, she wonders if she’s being watched. Creepy phone calls and knocks on the door are scaring her. Someone is out to get Darcy but who?

Take a look:

Darcy Hogan’s perfect life is all over social media. She’s beautiful, she’s successful, and she and her childhood sweetheart are about to become parents for the first time. But behind all the followers and the superficial likes lurks a darker truth…

In reality, Darcy feels isolated and afraid. Her difficult pregnancy has her confined to the house, she’s being harassed online, and out-of-control debt threatens to ruin everything she’s worked so hard for.

When her husband is summoned away on business, Darcy’s cabin fever soon spirals into fear. Who is making mysterious phone calls and knocking on her door? Is it an old friend trying to reach out—or a stranger determined to push in?

As her due date creeps closer, Darcy feels ever more certain that someone is out to get her. She’s desperate to get away—but is she running from the right person?

This is such a timely story, social media plays a huge role in everyone’s life and putting your “perfect life” on display will spark jealousy within someone where its a friend or stranger.

This must-read novel comes out on October 6! Pre-order it here. Free if you have Kindle Unlimited!

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3.5 Stars

This was a slow burn until the last 100 pages or so. It was a bit repetitive BUT I liked the writing style and the flashbacks between now and then. This story kept me wanting more and trying to figure out how it would end. I have to say I was surprised with the ending and wouldn’t have guessed how it would wrap up.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I look forward to reading more books by this author and that's the best compliment I can give.

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Janelle Harris creates such true to life characters you believe totally in them. Darcy and Luke met in school and have been together since. Darcy is pregnant and suffers badly with morning sickness so Luke runs her business.
A radio show puts Darcy in touch with old schoolmate without realising it and havoc is wreaked
.I enjoyed this story from page one . Twists and turns will keep you riveted.

Thank you net galley

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This psychological thriller is about boarding school experiences and how these can hurt and linger. Darcy Hogan who is outwardly successful with a vegetarian food business is haunted by strange occurrences while being pregnant and resting at home. It is not clear if she is just hyper sensible or imagining these till things come to a chilling climax.
The different points of view with different years were a bit confusing at the beginning but it is a pageturner.

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Thank you to Amazon and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for an honest reivew.
This was my first Janelle Harris she was a new author to me so I was excited to read.
I started reading really quickly as I got so involved in the story and was telling my colleagues and the people I read with about this new book I couldn't put down.
Until about half way through I guessed the ending and the twists that were coming and I don't think I will be the only one that will be let down in that sense.
It was gripping nice easy read and kept me wanting more just shame I predicted the ending in my head. Maybe I have read too many of the same style.
I would recommend the book to people that like this type of story and those that don't try and suss where its going unlike my mind... it's not terrible just felt the ending could be more woah!
I enjoyed how it was written and kept me reading it, I like Luke and Darcy and HATED Tina what a crazy bitch!! ahaha! Actually thought WTF!
So it was nice that the epilogue they all got the happy ending.

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Thank you Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for an early release of this novel. I was confused, I knew the characters were who they were BUT I was still very confused. (I don't want to put spoilers in). The ending was soooooooooo far fetched BUT there was something in the book that kept me wanting to read it.

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This is my first book by this author and, overall, I thought it was fine. The writing style definitely made for a quick read and I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved the feeling of tension through the entire book. My issue with the book was that the “twist” was completely obvious from about halfway (if not earlier), which made me think something even more twisty must be coming....but it never did. The end felt a little rushed as well. Darcy was extremely unlikable in my opinion because there were so many signs that things were not right and she did nothing to try to address any of it.

Overall this book was just okay for me but I would definitely give this author another try in the future.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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I found this a good pacy thriller with some great twists and turns. I was properly spooked at some early points ans trying to figure out what had happened.

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Darcy, Gillian, and Tina all narrate this suspenseful story where not everything is as it seems. They've been friends since school and support one another, something Darcy needs right now. Her perfect life- the life she's perfected as an image- really isn't. She confined to bed rest for her difficult pregnancy and her relationship with her husband Luke is failing, in part because their debt just keeps getting larger. Someone is out to get Darcy- or are they? Who is is? This moves back and forth in time a bit so that you can see why the gaslighting. It's well paced with good characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

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This story tells its tale through the alternating points of view of three women (Tina, Darcy and Gillian) who were classmates at the same boarding school. Gillian mysteriously disappeared years ago only to show up as our Darcy's neighbor. It feels like someone is gaslighting a very pregnant Darcy - but who is it and why? In the meantime, why is Darcy's husband Luke acting so strangely?

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I found this to be an enjoyable read, although sometimes I found it to be a little repetitive. I enjoyed the way it was written both now and in the past so we could find out why things happened the way they did. It picked up its pace quickly towards the end and I was happy with the way the story ended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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The storyline in this book was good but I didn’t feel an empathy for any of the characters. I didn’t find them likeable.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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“Keep Your Friends Close” is an interesting title for this book; you’ll understand why if you read it.

While I’ve read a lot of very good books lately, it’s been a while since I came across one that kept me up at night because I could not put the book down. The suspense had me that tightly in it’s grip. The author, Janelle Harris wove an exceptionally intriguing story with believable reasons why the main character could be so completely duped, and if you’ve ever read a book like this, I’m sure you understand why I felt like yelling at her to look closer at the circumstances.

I thoroughly enjoyed this EXCEPT for the cursing that contains the word that starts with a g that so many Christians hate. It comes up about 3 times, honestly, I don’t feel it should be in any book. So 4 stars for this one.

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Twenty years ago, Luke, Darcy, Gillian and Tina were students at the exclusive St. Peter’s school. Events that happened then have followed them into the present and may destroy their lives.

Keep Your Friends Close is narrated by Darcy, Gillian and Tina. Darcy, a social media star, is in the last weeks of a difficult pregnancy. She and Luke, now married, run a successful company producing frozen, organic meals. Gillian is the daughter of a wealthy investor. She disappeared when she was at school but is now working for her father’s company. Tina is still a loner, damaged by the constant bullying she received at school. As their lives intersect, Darcy must unravel their troubled relationships before it is too late.

Janelle Harris has crafted a near perfect psychological thriller. The story has a slow, deliberate pace in the early chapters but the action soon picks up. The suspense is unbearable in the final chapters. The characters are well described, some deserving sympathy more than others. This is the first book I’ve read by Janelle Harris and it won’t be the last! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Janelle Harris for this ARC.

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Janelle Harris is a new-to-me author and I'm glad I found he.! Keep Your Friends Close is a riveting and raucous ride of a thriller! I read and read until I finished it in a day - unable to stay away because I wanted to know what happened next. Eagerly awaiting her next!

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Apologies but this book wasn’t really for me, a DNF at 25%,I did like the writing style but found the characters and storyline hard to follow

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An interesting read that is somewhat hard to rate. Like several other books I’ve read lately (including the very fun “Girl Gone Mad” which may have set a high bar for this one), this book is about a group of adult women who first met as girls in prep school. Some of the narration focuses on past “mean girl” events at the school, while the rest of the book focuses on one of the girls, Darcy, now a successful adult married to Kyle. One of the girls from her school, Gillian, disappeared in school, but has now reappeared as her neighbor.

This was an interesting premise but tended a little more in the beginning to lean towards the soapy domestic drama story more so than the crime thriller I prefer. Also I found the multiple narrators in different time periods a bit hard to tell apart, and many of their stories repeated eachother. But by the second half to the last third of the book, things picked up considerably and became much more ominous and scary until ultimately the book finished strong.

Overall I would give this book a pretty solid 3.5. If you like books that are more domestic in tone you’ll probably like this one. I decided to round up the rating because I thought the ending was quite strong. I will check out other more traditional thriller type books from this author because I really like how she writes.3.5 stars and available October 6!

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for the advance copy!

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Darcy and Luke were childhood sweethearts, twenty years later they are now married, run a successful vegan food business called Darcy's Dishes and are soon to become parents to their first child. But things aren't as perfect as they seem to the outside world, her pregnancy isn't going well, debts are mounting up which are threatening all the hard work she's put into building up the business and when an old classmate makes a reappearance in their lives, things spiral out of control...

The story begins back in 2000 with a report of a missing schoolgirl, we then fast forward 19 years to the present day and meet Darcy and Luke, who are appearing on a breakfast show to promote their business, whilst on the show a random caller rings in claiming to be an old friend of theirs, Darcy brushes it off but is there more to this person than she's willing to talk about?

The book is told from three perspectives; Darcy, Tina and Gillian and switches back and forth between their school days and the present day. This is a fast paced psychological thriller which is tense, full of suspense and kept me second guessing throughout. The plot, characters and twists are well written, which makes it an easy read and very hard to put down. It's a tale of obsession, jealousy and revenge and shrouded in mystery. This is the second book I've read by this author and have two others on my kindle waiting to be read. If you like a book that grips you from beginning to end and keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next, then this is one for you.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

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Darcy Hogan has everything: she is a rising star on the Internet, good looking, married and about to have a baby with her childhood sweetheart. But due to her high-risk pregnancy, Darcy is stuck inside her house on bed rest. With cabin fever and strange things happening in the house, she is convinced someone is watching her. She’s desperate to get away, fearing her and her baby are in danger. But is she running from the right person?

“Someone is on the stairs; I can hear the old oak groan under a person's weight.
Step. Creak. Step. They're coming.”

This suspenseful story is told from three perspectives (Darcy, Tina and Gillian) and spread across two timelines (the past and the present). This gets a little confusing sometimes and I did find myself turning back to see who's chapter and which timeline it was few times (but that may have just been me getting distracted). Despite that, however I did genuinely enjoy this book. It had suspense and intrigue and I absolutely flew through it. Every chapter had me wanting to know more and how it would all end.

Character wise, I thought Darcy was quite gullible and naive. And honestly she sometimes had me wanna scream "GET OUT OF THE HOUSE" at my e-reader, but that's probably what the author wanted to accomplish. Darcy's unease is conveyed very well throughout the story and I definitely felt for her. The villain has a very strong personality and gave me the heebie jeebies, which is exactly what should happen in a psychologcial thriller.

I defnitely saw the plot twist coming from a mile away, but it was still an enjoyable ride getting there. And being right about the outcome always feels great when everything is finally revealed, doesn't it? So even though it took a little bit of the suspense away for me, it was still an entertaining read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“No doubt the creepy noise is coming from her. It's only here when she's here.
What the hell is she doing in my house?”

Overall rating: ★★★½

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Wow. This book started off with a bang in the first chapter and kept the momentum up. No slow ramp-up period here!

I really loved Janelle Harris' writing style. She is a fantastic storyteller and there is no shortage of action and intrigue in her chapters. I even felt jumpy/nervous at some points in the story, the sign of a good thriller. It was my first book by her, but won't be my last!

As for the story itself, I thought it was very smart and cleverly done. I was a big fan of the multiple POVs and loved the flashback scenes to Darcy's boarding school days. I enjoyed each of the characters and didn't find any of them to be flat or stereotypical.

It was actually hard to find any faults with this book - until maybe the 70% mark. Then things started to get weird/frustrating/outrageous.

I started getting annoyed with Darcy, who was supposed to be this kick-ass powerhouse business woman, and ended up turning into a ridiculously blind/weak character (I know it's fiction, and that we need the character to be a little naive in order for stories like these to work, but come on). It was like watching a scary movie and you can't believe how stupid the main character is for not getting out of the house or calling the police on Day 1. It was too farfetched to believe she couldn't have seen at least SOME of the writing on the wall.

I also guessed the "whodunit" and the twist about halfway through, but it didn't matter because I was still excited to see it all come together. Unfortunately, the ending and its lead-up were just a little too out there for me. Even worse, I was expecting more things to be wrapped up and explained, but there ended up being a lot of loose ends, plot holes, and things that were just plain forgotten about or didn't make sense.

It was the final quarter of the book that kept me from giving this thriller 5 stars. Even still, the majority of the story was a wild ride and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre!

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 4/5 stars!

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Wow! This book is a roller coaster of a read! First the climb where the reader learns about the past and present from 3 characters. Then we begin the decent and oh my goodness hold on because what a wild ride! I highly recommend this to all mystery-thriller lovers. I'm not going to give anything away just read it! Thanks so much to the publisher Amazon Uk and to NetGalley for this ARC. I'm going to read more from this author for sure!

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I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Oct. 6, 2020

Janelle Harris is a new author for me, suspense/thrillers are one of my favorite genres. I will say this book had lots of twists and turns to keep in interesting. Overall I found this book to be very well written, and kept me turning the pages. I would recommend it to others that enjoy this genre.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, all opinions expressed here are my own.

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This book was absolutely a wild ride from start to finish.
We follow Darcy and her husband Luke as they venture to build their business but when a big time investor becomes involved things take a bit of a turn.
This story follows multiple POVs, timelines and plot lines but it's all so clearly laid out.
I really enjoyed the small business aspect of the story line and how Darcy really fought for it.
But the best thing honestly was that twist! I was guessing until the very last minute and I couldn't stop reading as I watched things unfold!
Mostly everything was wrapped up so well at the end, I felt some of the plot could have been fleshed out a tiny bit more, but honestly this didn't take from my enjoyment and I gave this 4 stars!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for this ebook for an honest review!

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This is a gripping psychological thriller that well and truly had me hooked.
Darcy and Luke seem to have a great life together - a successful business, a lovely home and a baby on the way. However, behind the scenes they are struggling financially and Darcy is becoming more and more worried.
She’s also having a difficult pregnancy and having to spend a lot of the time at home and starts to become paranoid.
Luke tries to look after her but with the worry of the business he begins to hide things from Darcy, which makes her worry more.
There’s someone from their past that makes an entrance into their lives, but is she there to help or hinder them?
I did guess what was happening, but the final few chapters took me by surprise and I loved the ending.
Thus is a great read.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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Keep Your Friends Close is Janelle Harris’ latest twisty thriller. It’s the story of Darcy Hogan. She is picture perfect on social media with her business Darcy’s Dishes, healthy vegan meals. But her pregnancy is draining her, her business is suffering, her husband Luke is being shady, and now an old friend has popped out of the past.

Told in alternating views of Darcy, Tina and Gillian in 1998 and 2019. Tina and Gillian are friends from school, which Darcy hasn’t seen in 20 years.

I really enjoyed the book and while I figured out the twist long before I should have, it was still enjoyable watching the story unfold.

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Darcy is newly pregnant and has been having a tough time with morning sickness. Alongside her husband Luke she is trying to make sure her business keeps going, she goes on a talk show to help promote it and a new cook book.
Old friends pop up but are they really friends or foes?

This story has multiple points of view from three women and goes between timelines. Sometimes in books this can be confusing and complicated but this was easy to follow for me.

I could actually feel myself getting a bit jumpy and anxious when reading this so I say bravo to the author it's hard to get those kind of emotions from a thriller.
4.5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher/author for a copy to review.

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So...not my favorite.

While this is a relatively quick read, I didn't find myself particularly entertained. Everything was too obvious...from very early on in the story. Darcy seemed to choose to willful ignorance, which is never a great character trait, and the ending was over-the-top.

Probably wouldn't recommend this one.

Available now.

**Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my review copy.

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This book was okay. I found myself getting distracted while reading it and it had trouble holding my interest.

The multiple points of view were a little tough to follow which took me out of the story.

The story was okay but predictable.

I probably wouldn't recommend it unfortunately.

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In this book we meet married couple Darcy and Luke Hogan p, who have been sweethearts since their school days. Darcy is heavily pregnant, struggling with hyperemesis gravidarum and running a business. Invited on to Ireland’s Good Morning program brings her to the attention of some old school friends Tina and Gillian
Told from Darcy, Tina and Gillian’s perspectives we read as Darcy's life begins to unravel. Flowing between characters and flashbacks to their school days we get to know more about each character and why the things that happen are happening.
There were times where I struggled with which character I was reading and had to flick back to remind myself but all does become clear.
Once again a well written book by Janelle Harris. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

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Holy Moly, this was a doozy! Keep Your Friends Close by Janelle Harris is a twisty suspense novel told from alternating points of view (Darcy, Tina and Gillian) in 1998 and 2019. It’s the story of Darcy Hogan and her vegan food business, Darcy’s Dishes. Though her life looks impeccable on social media, at home she is struggling. Her business is failing, her pregnancy is draining and her husband is kinda shady. Then comes an old friend who disappeared 20 years ago, and things just get crazier from there.

Overall, I found this book to be well written, enjoyable and had me turning pages through the night. I definitely saw the plot twist coming, but it was still fun to ride along on the crazy train to get there. I’m excited to check out more books by the author!

Thanks to NetGalley, Janelle Harris and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced reader copy.

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Genre: Domestic Fiction 
Rating: 4/5
Plot: 
Darcy Hogan’s perfect life is all over social media. She’s beautiful, she’s successful, and she and her childhood sweetheart are about to become parents for the first time. But behind all the followers and the superficial likes lurks a darker truth…
In reality, Darcy feels isolated and afraid. Her difficult pregnancy has her confined to the house, she’s being harassed online, and out-of-control debt threatens to ruin everything she’s worked so hard for.
When her husband is summoned away on business, Darcy’s cabin fever soon spirals into fear. Who is making mysterious phone calls and knocking on her door? Is it an old friend trying to reach out—or a stranger determined to push in?
As her due date creeps closer, Darcy feels ever more certain that someone is out to get her. She’s desperate to get away—but is she running from the right person?
My verdict: A fantastic Domestic thriller from Janelle! First, let me thank Netgalley for letting me read this fantastic debut, I can tell you know that Harris’s short, sharp and eerie writing style reminded me of Shalini Boland. This book has everything, the glitz and glamour that comes with being a local celebrity, murders and disappearances and old school revenge. It's perfect for fans of Lianne Moriarty and Lisa Jewel an£ whilst the book has the hallmarks of a great thriller it touches on serious issues like bullying, blackmail, debilitating morning sickness (like the Duchess of Cambridge who has said herself that there is little understanding of the condition and is almost an unspoken topic for fear of being labelled a drama queen) and a serious psychosis and split personality disorder. Already Janelle has a nack for cliffhangers and foreshadowing which can be hard in a debut thriller but I love that she is able make us experience Darcey’# paranoia and Tina’s bitterness and loneliness. I also love how she was able to portray Gillian as a third primary narrator when in fact it is a representation of the true culprits state of mind. However it may just be me but I thought I was able to figure out the major plot twists early on and would have loved some more red herrings to add to the element of suspense and mystery. I did however love the use of flash backs and newspaper clippings as well as the first person point of view to truly show us the culprit’s obsession, vindictiveness and manipulation. Overall, a nice debut with lot of different mediums incorporated but the ending was a bit obvious for me. However, this is a skill Janelle will improve over time. I would love go have seen more subplots incorporated.

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I found this a bit difficult to get into but stuck with it and so glad that I did. It was genuinely terrifying towards the end, well written with a well thought out plot

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A brilliant suburban drama story. I do love one of those and this is as a good as the rest. Highly recommended for a bit of drama xx

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This book started out strong but it then turned into a slow burn with totally implausible plot lines. The "twist" was also known to me from the get go. I won't go into detail regarding what was so inplausable so as not to spoil anything for those who do read the book, but man, it was just things I could not ever ever see happening in the real world with anyone owned a business like Luke and Darcy.

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Took a while for me to get into this one but I’m so glad I kept going, it builds really nicely into the perfect psychological thriller! If you’re a fan of this genre this one is for you!

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THIS BOOK, GUYS. I know a bunch of you are thriller aficionados, and this one hit the mark. You’ve heard me talk about this perfect addition to the “Perfect Couple” Trope before, and I will, again and again, ad nauseam, until you buy this one.

Darcy Hogan lives what seems like a perfect life. She and her husband run a thriving healthy food business, she’s beautiful, and she’s pregnant. But when mysterious things start happening, her feelings of isolation and cabin fever ramp up. Is she alone in the house? Or is someone she thought she trusted really an enemy?

This one kept me guessing until 75% through the book - the multiple narrators confused me (in a good way) and as Darcy’s story unspools, and she’s put on bed rest, you’re never quite sure what’s going on. That sense of unease and terror persists to the very end, with its terrifying climax that will take you by surprise.

It’s got a ripped from the headlines kind of feel that I absolutely loved. I’ll definitely be following Janelle Harris’s books from now on.

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Darcy and Luke are the perfect couple - in love since high school and co-running a successful business. But Darcy's complicated pregnancy and the couple's money problems make her wonder if Luke is hiding something from her. Is Darcy just imagining things, or is someone plotting to destroy her perfect life?

I enjoyed the beginning of this book, and Darcy was a great protagonist. However, the multiple perspectives made the book drag a bit in the middle. I was able to guess the "shocking twist" (normally I am terrible at guessing these) so the book was not as suspenseful as I had hoped.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This story is told from three peoples points of view and told over two timelines, the past and the present. It was a little confusing at the start but then once it became clear what was happening and the action picked up I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

There are a few things that I thought were too far fetched but if you can dismiss them then the book is quite enjoyable.

If you are looking for a quick, somewhat creepy psychological thriller then this one will fill the spot.

Thanks to Netgalley, Janelle Harris and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow I just loved this - and have just spent an hour in the bath which has gone cold as I wanted to finish it!
Believable characters, a great plot and so worth reading I know this will stay with me for a while - but would thoroughly recommend this.

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I realized I hadn’t read a true thriller all October, which is very unlike me! I was hearing buzz about this one, and decided to check it out.

To me, this book was the epitome of gaslighting. Darcy, the pregnant protagonist, knew something was wrong. She tried to tell everyone, especially her husband, Luke. But he told her everything was fine and she’s stressing herself out for no reason. That alone pissed me off.

I found the third part of the book to be the most engaging and suspenseful. I couldn’t stop reading! And I was really satisfied with the ending, which I can honestly rarely say about thrillers.
•••
Thank you Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

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I have never read anything by this author before so was extremely happy to say four glorious stars. It kept me on edge reading when I should have been doing far more important things. The characters were well drawn although I did think Rose wasn’t quite the portrayal that she should have been.

It was taut, suspenseful and altogether an excellent psychological thriller.

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This was quite the page turner! I had heard about this book and was excited for the chance to read it. I am a fan of thrillers and this one certainly delivered many twists and turns. Recommended!

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This is one of those Wow books for me! It had some things, which some might find to be triggering (like gaslighting a pregnant woman). If this is something that won’t bother you, than I definitely recommend! Very unique, realistic, and chilling! Well written and full of domestic suspense and drama! A book that is very quick and easy to read, but keeps you captivated! Highly recommend!

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What an entertaining thriller! I read this one quite quickly, even after I had my suspicions about the plot and where it was headed. Darcy runs her own business with her husband Luke. She is having a difficult pregnancy, and has an online presence harassing her. Enter in a new neighbor who wants to "help" and you have a great plot that keeps you guessing!
Alternating points of view, and time, it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the finale.
If you love mysteries, thrillers, plot twists, this is a great quick read!
Thankful for the ARC

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Pretty interesting read. Keep Your Friends Close had some truly surprising twists. There were more mysteries than suspense . The latter portion of the book was a bit unbelievable but I still enjoyed the read😊

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This is one of those books that will have you confused (in a good way) for around two thirds of the book and then everything comes together.

Told from the POV's of three characters in the past and present, your mind will be flitting back and forth the whole way through trying to keep up.

Theres not alot I can say on this one without spoilers so I've kept it brief!

A really good read but in my opinion overly predictable hence the 3 stars.

Thanks to netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

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Keep Your Friends Close by author Janelle Harris is a thriller that really had me confused for awhile. And by that, I mean confused in a good way because there was something so puzzling about the characters that I just couldn’t figure out. It wasn’t until about 2/3’s of the way into the book when I thought I had it figured out when the author finally reveals what I had suspected. This is a story that is told in 2 different time frames with all the same characters. It tells of the characters 20 years ago when they all attended a private school and about some of the incidents that lead up to the current days telling. It’s a really twisted story and one I enjoyed very much and would recommend. I’d say it’s revenge where karma comes into play. I felt the author did a really good job at writing a story that grabbed my attention and held it the whole way through. She’s an author that I will be reading more of in the future. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I received off the Read Now section to read, review and enjoy. I have given this 4 stars.

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Darcy Hogan is a successful businesswoman, an expecting mother lives in Ireland married to her high school sweetheart, Luke. They have a perfect life everyone dreams of.
But behind the walls, their life is far more perfect. Her difficult pregnancy and out-of-control debt threaten to ruin everything they have worked so hard for.
Despite struggling to keep up with all the problems they have, she was invited to have an interview with the Ireland popular TV show. Little that Darcy knows, that one call comes in from a voice of the past during the TV show, will change her whole life….

“Keep Your Friends Close” is my first reading from Janelle Harris and I really loved the storyline. It was easy reading with an interesting Irish vocabulary and I love the writing style and I appreciate how the author keeps the chapter relatively short making reading so much easier.
The whole story is from the POV of Darcy and two other main characters in two different timelines. The suspense builds throughout the book, kept me guessing at what might happen next.

But there are a few things that I thought were far-fetched, where overall rating landed an on 3 stars.

Nothing serious happens in the first half of the book except telling how Darcy and Luke struggle in their financials, Luke always comforting darcy to go to bed and rest, cooking for her, etc...But the third part of the book to be the most engaging and action-packed.

There is a lackluster in character development. I felt the main character “Darcy” seems to be weak, where she is supposed to be a strong woman. Also “Luke” chooses to willful ignorance all the red flags flying around them. There were times where I struggled to connect to some events and the characters.

Also, the plot twist happens at the end was quite predictable.

Overall, I found this book to be well written, enjoyable, and had me turning pages and it was one fun ride. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre!
The author has so much potential to write a great mystery/thriller and I’m excited to check out more books by the author!

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I Highly Appreciate it for giving me a chance to read Keep Your Friends Close.

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Keep Your Friends Close was a definite 5 star read for me. I loved the characters especially Darcy. She wasn't at all wishy washy and was strong when she needed to be and well fleshed out. The suspense was brilliant, and the ending was unexpected. A real page turner for me.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. A must-read for fans of psychological thriller. This book drew me in from the start and really messed with my head. Showcases the darker side to social media and highlights how not everything is as shiny as it appears. Loved it!

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Pros and cons with this book but overall, I did enjoy reading it. The cons for me are the time shifts between characters narrative, past and present. I think this may have been intentionally done to add a little confusion and keep you guessing until the end but it was a bit too much for me, took away from the impact of the story. I also would have liked to get to know the main characters a little better before we jump straight into time shifts, swapping characters and story action. I like to build bonds with the characters quickly, it's what keeps me reading. To the pros now. I did enjoy the plot, it was imaginative. The story built suspense to the intense drama at the end. Once I felt connected to the main character, I enjoyed the story much more. I really felt empathy for her. Dragged a little at the beggining for me but I'm glad I stook with it because it was a good read.

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I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This a wonderfully twisted story of friendship, family, deception and revenge. The timeline alternates from June 2019 in Ireland and September 1998. This provides background and history which describes the development of the characters. Darcy Hogan is 7 months pregnant who finally agrees to be interviewed on Good Morning Ireland after receiving Businesswoman of the Year. The talk show host Lindsay St Clare is a an ambitious reporter who is delighted to have Darcy appear even if it’s to advertise her latest cookbook Darcy’s Dishes. The interview abruptly goes awry when a caller begins to ask inappropriate personal questions on air.

Darcy suffers with hyperemesis gravidarum during this pregnancy resulting in her being hospitalized and unable to manage the helm of her company. As her business begins to fail they make attempts to secure funding from outside investors. They feel relief when Andrew Buckley, a local hotel owner, expresses an interest in providing them the capital they desperately need. Just as their dreams seem to slip away when he is murdered, his long “lost” daughter Gillian Buckley appears and agrees to make good on her father’s financial arrangement.

Her husband Luke is supportive and protective of her but almost to the extreme. Bizarre and unusual events start occurring which had Darcy on edge only to have Luke and others dismiss her concerns. When her beloved dog Jinx becomes sick and found unconscious Darcy’s paranoia soars. Things in the house seem to be misplaced or missing and strange noises that Luke attributes to her imagination.

Was it really a coincidence that Gillian appears after she apparently ran away almost 20 years prior and presumed dead? Darcy begins to annoy me with her naïveté at this point although it’s hard to fault her when everyone else seems to dismiss her worries. There is another story being told along the way to add drama and mystery as the two eventually collide. I found that I could predict a likely ending but probably because I’ve read a zillion books in this genre. It was hard to put down!

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Darcy and Luke Hogan were high school sweethearts, got married & are now owners of Darcy’s Dishes, a vegan meal business. Things are a bit stressful as they are expecting the birth of their first, the company’s financial issues, and a blast from the past that wrecks havoc. Darcy is having a difficult pregnancy which keeps her home, while Luke a doting husband runs the business. Tina, a classmate from St. Peter’s, was an outcast but was befriended by Darcy. This begins her obsession with Darcy! Now out of the blue, an unemployed Tina seeks Darcy demanding a job but to no avail she then disguises as Gillian Buckley, the investor’s daughter. “Gillian” moves next door to the Hogan’s and becomes chummy with Rose & Polly, friends of Darcy’s. Turns out she is crazy! This was a slow burn with multiple POVs and a lot of turns which didn’t quite gel or seem realistic, sadly I did not feel a connection with any of the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

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Darcy and Luke seem to have it all - in love since prep school, a successful business and a baby on the way. When a schoolmate reenters their life and inserts herself into their life, Darcy suspects something isn't quite right. Although I saw the twist early in the book, it didn't diminish the unraveling for me.

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48744144
What a page turner! Keep Your Friends Close was a breathless thriller. Darcy, Luke, Tina and Gillian all attended high school together. Gillian mysteriously vanished her senior year, never to be heard from again for 20 years. This book examines how the choices you make as a teenager may come back to bite you. Darcy and Luke, the “it” couple in school, have been together ever since-with a successful business, beautiful home and a baby on the way. Someone is green with envy, and wants to exact revenge. Three alternative narrators keep you guessing. This one will leave you uneasy in the best way.

I received Keep Your Friends Close as an ARC from NetGalley.
#netgalley #keepyourfriendsclose

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This book is well written and has good character development I just couldn’t personally get into the story and found it a little bit of a struggle to keep reading. Either way it just left a little lacking for me personally. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Suspense. Mind games. Drama. Evil. Psycho. Trauma. One part Gone Girl. One part The Girl On The Train.

This recipe for a breathtaking thriller is churned out with layers of chills and questions that spiral into a plot that delivers the disturbing answers to what makes the human mind tick.

Jealousy. Perceived injustice. Entitlement. Revenge. Bullying. Obsession. Delusions.

These seven deadly sins of psychological thrillers are the ingredients that give novels like this one the addictive flavor that fuels consumption of page after page.

But ultimately the skillful storytelling of Janelle Harris is what links the elements together, pointing the readers to conclude that everything mentioned casually in passing will play a more significant role later when the suspense ramps up and leads to a dramatic ending.

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Darcy Hogan appears to have the perfect life. She has a successful company, a handsome husband, and she is newly pregnant with her first child. However, things will spiral out of control. This story is told by multiple characters and the plot weaves back and forth from present times to the past when Darcy was in a private boarding school. The change in characters throughout the book keeps you interested and foreshadows that Darcy's past will come back to haunt her. The plot was excellent and it was certainly a page turner. This is a great psychological thriller that I couldn't put down. This book was an interesting read and I will certainly read more from this author. I highly enjoyed it.

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Janelle Harris is a new author for me but I really enjoyed this read, finishing it in a couple of days. Gripped me from the start and couldn't put it down. Really good characters and a plot that will have you frantically turning pages to find out what is going to happen. Pretty sure I am going to read a lot more by Janelle Harris.

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Darcy is pregnant, her husband Luke has taken the reigns of the business so that Darcy can concentrate on her pregnancy (Darcy is a tad bitter) the business is not doing as well as expected and a cash boost is needed, along comes help in the disguise of a friend. Who is she really? Why is she helping? Is there an ulterior motive? You will only find out by reading this brilliant book

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I found, Keep Your Friends Close a bit long winded. The middle and the past parts were really good. But, then there were parts that just didn’t make sense. A few tweaks here or there would maybe give this a higher star rating.

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Luke and Darcy had it all with successful business and family. Darcy was pregnant too. Things were moving smoothly until a caller, Tina, on Darcy's television appearance asked a few questions which led to her losing her chilled appearance. From then on, DArcy had to deal with the feeling that someone was out to get her.

Told in multiple POV and in dual timelines, the first half was fine, but the second half felt a bit disjointed to me. I liked the comfort of knowing where the story was going and at the same time, I wanted the twists to shock me.

Overall, a good mystery.

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Anytime you start a new book with a protagonist that “has it all”…..the perfect job……the perfect husband……the perfect life… you just know that the author is drawing you in with FAKE NEWS. And so it is with pregnant Darcy Hogan, the chief protagonist in Janelle Harris’s KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE.

From high school through her marriage, her career and her current pregnancy, Darcy has been blessed by the fates. Now her fairytale life is slowly beginning to crumble as her difficult pregnancy makes her a virtual prisoner in her own home and she begins to receive harassing on-line messages. Added to this are severe financial problems of which she was unaware.

From a heroine who is two steps from full blown paranoia to a financially strapped, lying husband to a lonely, vengeful, bitter and manipulative villain this multi-viewpoint narrative covers all the bases.

Unfortunately, while there are plenty of secrets and betrayals as well as a touch of terror thrown in for good measure, the final reveal isn’t all that surprising or revealing as the author ultimately resorts to a “happily ever after” finale.

While not on my list of “10 best books of the year” Ms. Harris’s offering did manage to keep me reading right up to the final page…..and that is more than I can say for a few psychological thrillers I’ve read this year that had me giving up after the first five chapters. 3 ½ stars

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This is a twisty, engaging story to get you thinking! It is the story of Daphne, her husband, and a long lost classmate who has some unfinished business. Chapters switch back & forth among characters & years, so gradually more details and character backgrounds and relationships are revealed.
I enjoyed trying to figure out the mysteries of the book and coming up with ideas about possible connections between characters. Turns out I figured a couple things out, but was also surprised by a few!

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An absolutley gripping psychological thriller - my favourite genre. The book begins with Darcy and her childhood sweetheart looking forward to the birth of their first child. Although everything on the surface is good, actually the business that they are so well known for, isn't as good as it should be and there is stress underlying the excitement.. In a desperate attempt to generate some publcity, Darcy appears on breakfast TV and becomes haunted by a troubled soul from her past.
Darcy needs to stay home. She needs to stay safe and look after her unborn child but who is it she should be afraid of? Who is the real threat.
I promise you, you will be guessing right up to the last page - I was. This book took me on a roller coast journey and introduced some really complex characters.
A great read.

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This was such a ride! Psychological thriller in the best way. I loved the dimensions of Darcy and could not get enough of the twists and turns. Highly recommend!

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Darcy and Luke seem to have it all - a successful business and a baby on the way. Darcy starts to become paranoid and afraid around the time a girl who disappeared from their school days moves close by and inserts herself into their lives. She is stuck in her house with a difficult pregnancy and then her husband is called out of the country for work. Then her life starts spiraling out of her control.

The big twist in this book was obvious very early on in the story, but it didn’t keep me from wanting to finish it. Not my favorite thriller but if you are a fan of the genre you may enjoy if you don’t mind a little predictability.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

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First half a bit slow,and took me a while to realize the twist.Don't want to give any spoilers,but other readers may get it quicker than I did☺
Second half was really exciting and overall enjoyed the book.3 1/2 stars for me.

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This was a fast paced read that I couldn’t put down as I wanted to see what happened next. There were many twists that kept me captivated. The plot was good with the backstory of the girls in school and some mean things that happened.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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It's like The Gift, Carrie, The Roommate, and/or any other psychological thriller movies, all rolled into one. It's twisty, white hot revenge that often leads you to dead ends and leaves you confused and annoyed! Is this just a way to mask the obvious, by cultivating mystique? Or is this really just the inner workings of a totally deranged mind? This is the story that the popular ones are waiting to read, the one where the "losers" really are a threat to their existence.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC. This review is posted of my own accord, with no compensation from the owners of this advanced reader's copy.

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A story about Darcey, an apparent success story with a thriving business, however when she comes into contact with an old bitter school friend, drama follows. Far fetched and a little bit silly but a good read !

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I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
An interesting story but a tad cliche and far fetched at times. I felt it was relevant and modern to today's times. The writing is good and the characters enaggaing. It could have been a bit more complex and developed at times as it felt predictable and over simplified.
An okay read.

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This was a great read! It was predictive, but gripping, easy to read and kept me intrigued until the very end! Fantastic, would definitely recommend!

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This was an interesting read.

This story is about a group of adult women who first met as girls in prep school. The story focuses on past “mean girl” events at the school, while the rest of the book focuses on one of the girls, good looking Darcy, who is now successful married to her boyfriend Kyle and pregnant with their first child.
One of the girls from her past who had disappeared in school has now come back and not just that is also her neighbour.

I was expecting it to be more thrilling than it ended up being.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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There are many novels out there with beautiful, couldn’t be better lives splashed over social media , with deep despair and dark secrets underneath, this is one of the better ones. Once you start you are gripped and hesitate to put the book down. Darcy is pregnant and suddenly the veneer is threatened by an incident in the past at her boarding school. Told from various narratives and timelines we root for Darcy while doubting her naïveté to realize the dangers to come. I found this to be an easy and enjoyable read.

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Keep Your Friends Close by Janelle Harris was a thoroughly enjoyable, fast paced thriller that kept me enthralled and intrigued right from the start.

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I liked this one, Had a well written plot and kept me engaged from page one, the characters were well thought out and relatable, I didn’t guess the twist, and was reading well into the night. Can't wait to see what the author brings out next, would recommend for sure.

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A brilliant read, twisty and turny, a real get inside your head read, stayed up all night reading this one

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Another solid read from Janelle Harris . Very engaging and quite a page turner. I’d definitely recommend this to friends.

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Keep Your Friends Close Janelle Harris
Janelle is a new author to me, and I really enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed the alternating chapters, and the then and now perspective.
I spent a lot of time trying to work out where this book was going, trying to work it all out.
I loved Darcy as a character (same name as one of my girls) and loved the progession of her character.
Overall a great read.

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Darcy and Luke seem to have it all. The perfect house, the perfect relationship, a successful business and a baby on the way. But behind the curtain, things are fall apart. Their business is barely hanging on and Darcy is becoming increasingly paranoid that someone is out to hurt them. But is it paranoia? Or is someone from their past out to get them?

The book is told in multiple POVs meant to keep the reader guessing and dual timelines focused on high school and the present. Regular thriller readers will likely piece together the main twist quickly, but there are nice nuggets throughout that keep you guessing about certain pieces.

At the heart of the story is how differently people can perceive and remember friendship, relationships and moments of their pasts. One small gesture may have changed the world for one person and the other has no memory of it taking place. And for the wrong person, this can turn deadly.

Keep Your Friends Close is a quick thriller read focused on obsession and friendship and the grey area in-between.

3.5 rounded up.

Thank you to Netalley and the publisher for the gifted ecopy..

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A really enjoyable gripping read ! A read that has you gripped from the first page to the last! Very cleverly written by the author switching from past to present and from different characters POV I will definitely read more by this author

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A really good psychological thriller. A couple who seem to have it all. A successful business with a large online presence and lots of followers on social media. Life seems perfect with a new baby on the way. An old school friend reappears and Darcy is put on house rest for her pregnancy. Life seems to then spiral out of control. A really good thriller with lots of twists to the story. Told in the present and past by school friends Darcy, Gillian and Tina it is a good read.

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Could not put this book down! It definitely kept me intrigued with each page! Loved the characters. What a great read. Highly recommend!

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Intriguing, thrilling and just brilliant is how I'll describe this book. Fraught with tension and revenge this book is a thrill a minute ride. In public Darcy appears to have the perfect life, in reality it's anything but. Definitely keep your friends close because when the past comes knocking.........

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I initially chose this book as it focused around a pregnant woman and I had recently just had a baby. I ended up putting off reading it as it centered around the main character's pregnancy and so I thought it might be just that little bit too creepy for me at that point. I'm glad I finally picked it up as I loved the whole concept of 'who can you really trust?' If you think too hard about it, it's quite a scary thought that you never truly know. Kept me guessing the whole way through, really enjoyable.

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*received for free from netgalley for honest review* scary but like not really original :l also her husband is annoying lol

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A different view of the flip side of social media. You may be an internet sensation to many, but to a few, you are now a target.

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This book has an interesting concept but for readers of thrillers in general there were no shocks or anything that took me aback....which was definitely needed here.

It also felt really far fetched at times and went from one extreme to the other. I think there were meant to be a big reveal at the end but figured it out almost immediately what had happened


It was fairly easy reading and I liked the authors style rather than the content.
I would be interested to read another book by this author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Absolutely gripping and I couldn't put it down. It had me hooked from the very first page. Fantastic characters and plot.

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Amazing! I literally had chills the last few chapters. I loved the changing perspective and how beautifully thought out and thorough each character was. I would definitely recommend this book if you love a good thriller!

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