Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for an honest review.
The Woman from Book Club is a great, fast-paced read that hooks you early and keeps your attention. The characters are engaging which makes the story even more enjoyable. While parts of the plot are a bit predictable and the ending felt slightly rushed, the journey there was still very satisfying.

It’s the kind of book you can fly through in a weekend—and one that would spark good conversation in a book club setting. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction or anyone looking for an engaging, character-driven story.

I really enjoyed this book, and it's the first I've read from Carrie Hughes. I felt the first half of the big was a little slow but the second part had me gripped.

I enjoyed the story being told from dual POV, I was much more 'Team Emma' but did find myself feeling a little sorry for Lydia even though she was such a horrible character.

There aren't any real twists which was a little disappointing but the story if fine without it. I'm not sure what genre I would put the book into, but it works well.

Overall it's a good story of family, betrayal, and hatred.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Carrie Hughes for the ARC.

When Emma is arrested at book club for murdering her husband, the loyalty of book club is really put to the test. A dual-pov that dives into relationships, freedom and twisty mysteries.

From the first page, this book gripped me. I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of this chapter until later on in the story, but it was really impactful.

This story follows Emma (the wife), and Lydia.

Emma’s perspective is told through journal entries and first person. I found personally the writing style for Emma to be much more relatable than Lydia’s, and more reasonable to read too.

At first, I thought that the writing style for Lydia was quite grandiose and nonsensical. But, after finishing the book, it’s interesting to see how this was actually intentional from the author, and I really appreciated the differences in prose for the two characters.

It’s hard to root for a favourite, when all of the characters are quite morally grey. It made me really consider the line between good and bad, and what warrants toeing the line sometimes.

I actually really enjoyed this thriller, I thought it was a quick, fun read. It’s set quite locally to my area, so it was nice to see areas I knew of, mentioned in the book. I would absolutely read other books by this author.

This book sucked me in from the first page and I flew through it. The writing style & pacing is fantastic; there was a point when I thought things were about to wrap up but there was still 1/4 of the book left and I was so intrigued with what was still to come!

I liked the alternating POVs, and as much as Lydia was a horrible person, I was always excited to read her spin and thought process.
Do we all want Emma to get a backbone? Of course, but it's also easy to see how she became this version of herself.

I don't think there are meant to be any major twists, but there is one semi-twist that regular readers of domestic suspense novels will expect; I read another book long ago with this plot point, but what this book did differently was expose that halfway through and then continue the story instead of that being a big shocking wrap up - great plot choice.

What was delightfully unexpected was the cozy little setting that pops up towards the end of the book. This book doesn't fit solidly into one genre, which can be tough to do, but the writing and plot were so well done.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The only reason this isn't a 5* for me is that there was a bit of repetition/re-explaining at times. Nothing big enough to throw you out of the book, but enough that I wondered if there would be more editing before this hits shelves.

Four women belong to a book club including Emma. Who seems to have the perfect live but not all is at it seems. Lydia is invited to join the club and then everything changes.

Simply wonderful!

I don’t think I’ve had as much fun reading thrillers/mysteries as I have had reading The Woman From Bookclub. The plot twist was one I actually did not see coming! I find that with books of this genre, the plot twists are often stale and fall short of “shocking” due to predictability. But Carrie Hughes excelled with this!

It was so good to see characters who had it coming get what they had coming to them. I’m curious to see where this story goes next, and if this book gets a sequel I will 100% be purchasing it.

From the get go, Lydia is presented as she is. Conniving, greedy, sly, unhinged and desperate to make her dream come true; take someone else’s wealthy husband and insert her life into theirs.

But Emma is a bag of secrets. She’s presented as meek, as quiet, plain and lacking confidence. She displays strong character development towards the end of the book - but boy-oh-boy did she fool me, along with the rest of the girls at book club. I was shocked at the boldness of everyone!

Things are not as they seem, indeed.

As I delved into this story, my emotions were running high. I couldn’t believe the audacity of Lydia and the way she directed herself at another woman’s husband. I was angry and shocked! But as you read, you discover more about Emma, the wife of said husband. You see this story from both perspectives and they really draw you in with conflicting sides and insights.

I found it fascinating to read and suspenseful…waiting for the trouble to truly begin and for it all to fall apart in some fantastic karma! It did this and so much more- both women are tough, smart and have something to prove.

It is quite hard to write a review and not give away any spoilers, especially when there are plot twists and surprises throughout the story. What I can say is that this is a thrilling story and you may take sides- will you be team Emma or team Lydia?

It’s entirely fantastic!

Loved this book from the very first page ….. great strong characters with the premise of be careful what you wish for …… Emma to the outside seems to have the perfect life married to successful Elliott living in a magnificent house, when scheming Lydia sees the life she leads she decides this is what she wants and will stop at nothing to steal it away. Couldn’t put this book down, great twists highly recommended

Lydia kept my blood boiling from her first chapters - and I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted. Such a horrible person and I absolutely hate that kind of women ( I KNOW, it takes two to tango but she planned on getting a married man which for me is a no-no ) so I hated her with all my guts and I was suffering through the book.

What was fantastically executed was HOW the two POV's were written.. Emma is, well, dull and like this felt her chapters. Lydia is ( while being horrible af) a lively young lady with dreams - and her chapters were full of life.

Part two was when it picked up and got interesting. Some twists were dropped in and I actually started to enjoy the book.

Thank you Netgalley!!

The first rule of book club Protect the Sisterhood.
The second rule No husbands
Third rule No Murders.
When perfect wife Emma gets arrested for murder of her husband, the book club is reeling from the shock. Newcomer Lydia has something to hide. But what will the book club uncover the murder mystery.
Told from both Emma and Lysias perspective, this was a real page turner. I loved the ending and the twist. Plenty of dark humour along the way, I really enjoyed this one and I cannot wait to get the paperback edition as this was so good.

The woman from book club


The Woman From Book Club is an entertaining and quick moving story. Emma is arrested at the beginning of Book Club for killing her husband. The story continues in alternating POVs; Emma’s journal, and Lydia, the new member who is determined to take Emma’s husband and lifestyle. The plot is fairly simple, yet this domestic thriller takes many twists and turns. What I found enjoyable is the friendship between the club members and love between Emma and her twin daughters. An added treat was the author referring to so many main characters in classic books. With thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books. My opinions are my own.

This was a super fun read.

Emma is the perfect wife and mother, handling the house and children for her successful, handsome and high-earning husband. As an avid reader, Emma always looks forward to book club, and her vicarious escape to literary worlds.

Lydia is new in town and joins the local book club. But Lydia isn’t that interested in books, but she is interested in the lives of the well-heeled women who host the book club in their palatial homes, and getting closer to her goal of wriggling her way into their perfect lives. After all, marrying into money is much easier than earning your own. Unfortunately, a poorly timed murder may upset Lydia’s plans for trading up.

This story alternates between Emma and Lydia’s point of view, and following the story from the points of view of the wronged wife and the wife stealer makes for a highly engaging story. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

The Woman From Bookclub was such a wild ride. Until the very last page it kept you guessing and you never knew which way you were about to turn. Each character was so fun and so dynamic, yet so untrustworthy. Every single chapter had you switch up sides.

When I first finished I was unsatisfied because I didn’t feel like the antagonist got what they deserved, but after sitting on it a few days I realized maybe I was wrong with who the antagonist actually was. So even after you finish this one it’ll still be stuck in your head, and have you guessing.

The Woman from Book Club by Carrie Hughes - 3.5/5

The Woman From Book Club is a mystery novel in women’s fiction by Carrie Hughes. The book follows Emma, a woman from a wealthy neighbourhood, her sister and her three friends who get together to talk books. Into their lives barges Lydia, who couldn't care less about the books and is determined to get close to rich people (mainly men) to set herself up for a comfortable life.

The story is a fun read with simple and easy to follow writing which makes it an fast read. The plot is full of drama, twists, and emotional tension, and these moments feel natural to the story. I liked the twists introduced in the second half. Anyway, after seeing Emma grow and gain confidence, it was a little frustrating to see her compromise in ways that didn’t fully match that empowerment. That said, other readers might interpret her choices differently, so just see this as a personal reaction.

Overall, The Woman From Book Club is an entertaining read, perfect for anyone who enjoys stories about friendship and women navigating complex lives.Thanking Netgalley and Canelo for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the tastiest onion that is peeled back with the greatest care revealing more and more of what you never imagined. The twists and turns, the unexpected, all perfectly timed. What will you find within these pages?
* a handsome, successful husband
* a loving wife and mother
* a caring sister
* a book club, book club friends, and books
* twin daughters - very different, much the same
* a determined lover
* two lovely British towns
* a loving, exuberant dog
And as the sister always says, always read between the lines!

This was a really addictive, fast-paced book. Lydia joins book club with a scheme to steal another woman's husband. I liked her as a character. She is delusional, resourceful, morally grey, and conniving (and most importantly, entertaining).

The story is told in dual POV. There is scheming, betrayal, secrets. I enjoyed the references to other books and quotes and the ladies from book club.

The Woman From Bookclub by Carrie Hughes is a clever and entertaining read full of twists, secrets, and dark humor. The dynamics between the women are sharp and engaging, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. It is both witty and suspenseful, making it hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rated it five stars.

The Woman From Bookclub is a fun, twisty cozy mystery that blends friendship, secrets, and suspense with perfect timing. Carrie Hughes keeps readers hooked as the book club’s sisterhood unravels under the shadow of murder. The mix of humor, intrigue, and unexpected plot twists makes every chapter a page-turner. Clever, entertaining, and full of surprises, this is a must-read for fans of witty, female-driven mysteries.

Things I loved about this book: I loved how the story develops through the POV of the two. main characters. I also loved the way the mystery was built up, and as you read more, you find out more about the victim and his relationship with both Emma and Lydia, and I particularly enjoyed how so many of the characters had names that gave a nudge to Jane Austen.

It was fun to see the other members of book club, such as Lucy, Jules, and Marianne, develop their roles in the drama unfolding. The author did a good job of letting the reader think one thing about these characters, when actually, you found out something completely different a few pages later. For most of the book, the characters and plot were well developed. What I didn't love was the way it ended. It seemed to be tied up in too much of a neat bow - you watch Emma develop her strength over the course of the novel, and then she succumbs once more, and you watch Lydia develop as a bad character, and yet it all works out well for her too. The ending felt too pat, as if the author was not sure how to end it and didn't take the time to work it out. The ending is what keeps this book a 4-star review instead of 5 stars. I thank NetGalley and Canelo for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve not had such a visceral reaction to a book in a long time! During part 1 Lydia infuriated me, I wanted to throw my kindle across the room, and I almost stopped reading due to hating her character choices so much. But with more context and backstory added to the who done it in part 2 & 3, I was less angry with her. Super easy to read and get absorbed into. Ending felt a little rushed but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was a really clever thriller involving a murder told across three parts from two different point of views - those of two very different women. Lydia, a manipulative grafter, has decided that Chloe's husband will be the perfect meal ticket - she just has to make sure she finds her way into every part of Chloe's life and where else to start but with the book club Chloe's sister Jules has established. Chloe, wife and stay at home mother of twin teenage girls appears on the surface to have it all. She is married to the man of her dreams, Elliot, a super successful divorce lawyer. No wonder Lydia wants to take her man but you have to be careful what you covet. I was really intrigued and horrified in equal parts at various points in the story. There were a couple of times when past and present collided for a moment and drew me out of the story - however this did not prevent the book from being a well told thriller. The characters were interesting and you certainly wanted to see how it was all going to unfold and be explained as from the outset you knew there had been a murder - just what really happened and who would pay the price was not quite clear. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and wondering who is going to pay for this death. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in return for my honest opinion. A book worth indulging in - highly recommend.

I really enjoyed getting into this storyline and how the characters were used to tell the mystery concept. I enjoyed the idea of book club and how the characters were used during this. I was engaged from the first page and it had that tension that I was wanting from this type of book. Carrie Hughes was able to create a strong story and characters that I cared about. It worked well in this genre and can't wait for more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book.
This thriller was unhinged in the best way. I don’t know if I’m team Emma or Lydia, both of them made some choices I don’t agree with. I liked the dual POV, Emma and Lydia are very different characters with unique voices. This is an engaging thriller, I liked the pacing and how the story was divided in 3 parts. The ending is somewhat predictable, but there’s still some informations you learn at the end. Overall, I really enjoyed it !

The premise—two women, Emma and Lydia, one seemingly(?) perfect man and a book about a Book Club! I couldn’t resist picking up The Woman From Bookclub.
Emma, housewife, book lover, mother of two. Lydia? Lydia was everything I struggle with in real life—manipulative, self-absorbed, and painfully real. Hughes paints her with such precision that I found myself squirming through her scenes. It was almost too much. I’ll admit it: I did the unthinkable. I flicked ahead. I had to know what happened. And when the twist hit, it was worth every skipped page. I raced back to where I left off, hungry to see how it all unfolded with fresh eyes.
The book reminded me of The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick, which I recently listened to. Both explore the dynamics of female friendship, secrets, and the power of a well-timed revelation.
This isn’t a cozy read. It’s a sharp, sometimes unbearable, but ultimately rewarding look at how people reveal themselves when the stakes are high.

I was sent a copy of The Woman From Bookclub by Carrie Hughes to read and review by NetGalley. I enjoyed this novel, it was an entertaining easy read, however there were certain things that dropped my rating. It could be somewhat predictable in places and also quite repetitive. Having said that, knowing that it isn’t ‘literary fiction’ it is a good beach read that you can easily whizz through and enjoy.

Who doesn’t love a woman scorned? Emma seems like a mousy bookworm, but there’s more to her than that. I am definitely team Emma all the way. This was a fun, quick read.

3.5 ⭐️

This is Sweetpea meets None Of This Is True meets Meredith Blake.

We are reading the perspectives of two women: Emma who’s the perfect housewife with the perfect husband, and Lydia, the new comer to Bookclub, who wants to steal her life.

This was a fun read with enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages. We learn quite early on that both women might be unreliable narrators, which I found made it hard at times to fully follow what was going on. I think this is why I found the ending unsatisfying.

There were a few parts a found a bit boring, but the way we switch between POVs meant I still binged this in two days.

If you’re in the mood for a “chick flick” thriller, this is for you!

If you’re looking for a fast, binge-worthy read with the same addictive pull as reality TV, The Woman From Book Club by Carrie Hughes absolutely delivers. This is one of those books you pick up "just to see what it's about," and then suddenly it's two days later and you're done, despite working overtime and telling yourself you'd only read one chapter so you can get a full nights sleep.

The writing is simple and incredibly accessible, making it easy to fly through. While it's not the most literary or complex novel out there, that's honestly part of its charm. It knows what it is: a punchy, drama-filled, twisty read that keeps you turning the pages. The plot is straightforward, yet full of dramatic moments that are not just there for pacing, but integrated into the story in a way that feels deliberate, earned and absolutely wild.

That said, the simplicity sometimes works against it as there are moments where the narrative feels a bit repetitive.

The ending also left me slightly disappointed. After watching Emma grow and strengthen throughout the book, it felt frustrating to see her seemingly give in to someone else’s wants at the very end. It undercut the personal journey she’d been on and left me wishing for a conclusion that matched the empowering arc we’d been following. (Although arguably she did also do the right thing for her. I feel this is much more down to personal opinion so I’ll be interested to hear what others think!)

Still, this was a fabulously wild little read: fast, dramatic, and unexpectedly feel-good. It has its flaws, but they’re easy to forgive when the ride is THIS entertaining. Perfect for fans of light thrillers, sisterhood stories, or anyone who just wants a juicy, satisfying page-turner with women at the center of the drama (and ultimately, the power).

Highly recommend for a weekend escape or a mid-week binge.