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lululewin's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly don’t know why this book has such good reviews, it was so slow, predictable and the conversations were just off and didn’t feel natural at all.
krleeser's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thetinybookworm's review against another edition
I couldn't get into the book at all which I found odd because I loved the previous book I read by her which was The Final Party. Not sure what it was about this one exactly...
jadesarah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
<b> **ARC provided through Netgalley thanks to Hera Books for an honest review**</b>
This is a psychological thriller about secrets, lies and the disappearance of one Woman and the search for her that untangles and reveals it it all. The blurb alluded to them being friends but they are not. Except for one friendship between two of the women, the rest is just that they are simply connected by Jade, the Woman who goes missing and who runs the fitness class they all attend. There is no even pretense they are friends, not for me anyway.
This book is split down the middle for me. Some things didn't work for me and others did.
<b> The writing & the pacing:</b>
This is quite a slow build up. Through the different Points of Views we get given the information slowly. The second half is definitely the more exciting half of the book. It made me sit up and pay attention for sure. Also in the beginning the writing is very descriptive focused. Genuinely reminded me of English class in school with emphasis on describing random things or movements. The dialogue was often stilted especially in Natalie's POV. At the beginning there was also a weird emphasis on describing the weather?!
<b>The Characters:</b>
Our Main Characters are Jade, Susan, Natalie and Grace.
Natalie has had an incredibly traumatic life. My heart hurt for her but she was also pretty intense and lots of repressed feelings. There's also the whole ugly duckling syndrome that surrounds her. Even in the beginning she's described as wearing an ankle length skirt and a turtle neck until Jade saved her and she joins the fitness classes.
Jade is more of a mystery throughout the book but her own secrets unravel too.
Susan is the bitter one. She looks out for number one and done some seriously horrendous things in making sure to land the luxurious life she wanted. She is the clichéd mean girl type. She is repulsive but there is one stage where I actually felt sorry for her in a weird way. So kudos to the author for getting them feelings from me.
Grace is meticulous. She has carefully crafted what others see so that they don't look too close to unravel her past.
None of the characters are particularly likeable but some are worse than others for sure.
<b> The Secrets and Mystery: </b>
Naturally with this genre with each secret unravelled, the more directions the reader gets pulled in. There were some twists I seen coming. Others I absolutely didn't. One of Grace's definitely threw me off. Halfway through I thought I had the ending figured out, and was so confident in my theory and I couldn't have been more wrong lol.
<b>Fatphobia and Misogyny:</b>
First of all, almost all the characters here are terrible. This book is centred around women and they all do some horrendous things or questionable things at the very least.
However, there is some weird strains of misogyny running through this book. Some I think added to the overall story, other parts seemed weirdly placed.
The club at which the fitness classes take place is an integral part of the story. But omg the obsession with fatness and thinness. It's dressed up as fitness but it's all a facade that's not hard to see through. It's so exhausting reading about it. At one point I wanted to give up because of it. Then I thought perhaps it's inline with the plot and will be challenged or have some sort of commentary to it. But no. It was this obsession with particularly Natalie's fatness. Now I couldn't tell you what size she is just that she's not as thin as the others but throughout the whole book it's commented on. I was already struggling with whether it was part of the storyline or just personal opinions coming through. Then in the end there's a note from the author which talks about what the book meant to her, about how she wanted to include mental health and mental illness into the story and she definitely did that in many different ways. She also touches on the importance of fitness for her own mental health. This cemented the feeling that the fatphobia that came up in many ways in this book didn't really add to the plot nor did it feel like commentary on the way people are treated.
Whether the fatphobia bothers people or not is one thing but I think in general, the absolute obsession with commenting on weight made reading this story exhausting and frustrating at times.
This is a psychological thriller about secrets, lies and the disappearance of one Woman and the search for her that untangles and reveals it it all. The blurb alluded to them being friends but they are not. Except for one friendship between two of the women, the rest is just that they are simply connected by Jade, the Woman who goes missing and who runs the fitness class they all attend. There is no even pretense they are friends, not for me anyway.
This book is split down the middle for me. Some things didn't work for me and others did.
<b> The writing & the pacing:</b>
This is quite a slow build up. Through the different Points of Views we get given the information slowly. The second half is definitely the more exciting half of the book. It made me sit up and pay attention for sure. Also in the beginning the writing is very descriptive focused. Genuinely reminded me of English class in school with emphasis on describing random things or movements. The dialogue was often stilted especially in Natalie's POV. At the beginning there was also a weird emphasis on describing the weather?!
<b>The Characters:</b>
Our Main Characters are Jade, Susan, Natalie and Grace.
Natalie has had an incredibly traumatic life. My heart hurt for her but she was also pretty intense and lots of repressed feelings. There's also the whole ugly duckling syndrome that surrounds her. Even in the beginning she's described as wearing an ankle length skirt and a turtle neck until Jade saved her and she joins the fitness classes.
Jade is more of a mystery throughout the book but her own secrets unravel too.
Susan is the bitter one. She looks out for number one and done some seriously horrendous things in making sure to land the luxurious life she wanted. She is the clichéd mean girl type. She is repulsive but there is one stage where I actually felt sorry for her in a weird way. So kudos to the author for getting them feelings from me.
Grace is meticulous. She has carefully crafted what others see so that they don't look too close to unravel her past.
None of the characters are particularly likeable but some are worse than others for sure.
<b> The Secrets and Mystery: </b>
Naturally with this genre with each secret unravelled, the more directions the reader gets pulled in. There were some twists I seen coming. Others I absolutely didn't. One of Grace's definitely threw me off. Halfway through I thought I had the ending figured out, and was so confident in my theory and I couldn't have been more wrong lol.
<b>Fatphobia and Misogyny:</b>
First of all, almost all the characters here are terrible. This book is centred around women and they all do some horrendous things or questionable things at the very least.
However, there is some weird strains of misogyny running through this book. Some I think added to the overall story, other parts seemed weirdly placed.
The club at which the fitness classes take place is an integral part of the story. But omg the obsession with fatness and thinness. It's dressed up as fitness but it's all a facade that's not hard to see through. It's so exhausting reading about it. At one point I wanted to give up because of it. Then I thought perhaps it's inline with the plot and will be challenged or have some sort of commentary to it. But no. It was this obsession with particularly Natalie's fatness. Now I couldn't tell you what size she is just that she's not as thin as the others but throughout the whole book it's commented on. I was already struggling with whether it was part of the storyline or just personal opinions coming through. Then in the end there's a note from the author which talks about what the book meant to her, about how she wanted to include mental health and mental illness into the story and she definitely did that in many different ways. She also touches on the importance of fitness for her own mental health. This cemented the feeling that the fatphobia that came up in many ways in this book didn't really add to the plot nor did it feel like commentary on the way people are treated.
Whether the fatphobia bothers people or not is one thing but I think in general, the absolute obsession with commenting on weight made reading this story exhausting and frustrating at times.
aniaonline's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookoholic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
What a fantastic thriller! Fast-paced, creepy, tense!
A group of women attend the same fitness centre classes. They are friendly to each other and sometimes even meet outside of workouts. Nothing sinister there, right? Wrong! It's kind of crazy how it made me think of the ladies from my classes, and I'm hoping I never did anything to any of them!
The characters are complicated. Nothing is as it seems, and even though I have guessed some of the story, the biggest parts were huge plot twists I would have never expected.
Fascinating how Alex kept so many storylines so engaging, how the mysteries at first unconnected made a whole story and how calculated the movements were!
Intrigue, the plotting, and the writing itself - absolutely brilliant.
It's definitely one of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait to read more by the author.
A group of women attend the same fitness centre classes. They are friendly to each other and sometimes even meet outside of workouts. Nothing sinister there, right? Wrong! It's kind of crazy how it made me think of the ladies from my classes, and I'm hoping I never did anything to any of them!
The characters are complicated. Nothing is as it seems, and even though I have guessed some of the story, the biggest parts were huge plot twists I would have never expected.
Fascinating how Alex kept so many storylines so engaging, how the mysteries at first unconnected made a whole story and how calculated the movements were!
Intrigue, the plotting, and the writing itself - absolutely brilliant.
It's definitely one of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait to read more by the author.
canada_matt's review against another edition
While I have been a fan of numerous pieces by A.A. Chaudhuri, I cannot say that I find myself in this position. I tried to read and listen to the book on a few occasions, though I could not find myself connecting with either the story or the characters. While I would normally just stop reading and erase any mention that I had started the book, I felt that owed it to the author to pen something and acknowledge the effort.
Chaudhuri spins a tale that has a great deal of potential, mixing numerous timelines with some apparently strong characters. Add some murder and you have all the ingredients for success. I tried to latch onto the various perspectives, or at least find something enjoyable with the characters, but I failed at every turn. Perhaps I sought something harder in a crime thriller genre, but in not finding that, my attention waned and could not be found anew.
For those who did like the book, I would highly recommend some of the others Chaudhuri has written, as they are strong and full of wonderful development. She has a way of spinning a story that keeps the reader in the middle of the action, offering hints and what’s to come. I do hope some of those novels are in the pipeline, as I always enjoy a good story and Chaudhuri has shown that she can write well.
Kudos, Madam Chaudhuri, for what may be a strong thriller for some. Alas, I cannot count myself in the group that has great things to say.
lisas_library91's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely amazing read, this book had me hooked right from the start. Such a many twists and turns, this book has so many surprises. A must read for anyone who enjoys a tense thriller
tonyfrobisher's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping and relentless storytelling
When you begin to read The Loyal Friend, AA Chaudhuri is extremely skilled at creating a narrative that is nuanced and layered. A scene of pleasant unfussy suburbia, a group of characters who appear on the surface to be reflective of society, albeit with typical faults and foibles. But what AA Chaudhuri is particularly brilliant at is crafting a story that pulls you in, each layer in the plot skillfully revealed, so that you find second guessing who did what and to whom is futile. To the point where you give in and say 'take me along for the ride' which you know will be full of breathtaking revelations and unexpected, delicious twists until the very end.
The Loyal Friend is a book that grips you, its pace is relentless and the plot thickens page by page, chapter by chapter. The protagonists each in turn exposed in all their sordid, twisted, deluded ways. And as expected, the ending arrives, entirely unexpected. A fantastic denouement that leaves you reeling and satisfied at the same time.
The best of thrillers by the master of her craft.
Each book I read by AA Chaudhuri gets better and stronger in its storytelling. You just can't wait to read the next book. That is how good AA Chaudhuri is. Next please.
When you begin to read The Loyal Friend, AA Chaudhuri is extremely skilled at creating a narrative that is nuanced and layered. A scene of pleasant unfussy suburbia, a group of characters who appear on the surface to be reflective of society, albeit with typical faults and foibles. But what AA Chaudhuri is particularly brilliant at is crafting a story that pulls you in, each layer in the plot skillfully revealed, so that you find second guessing who did what and to whom is futile. To the point where you give in and say 'take me along for the ride' which you know will be full of breathtaking revelations and unexpected, delicious twists until the very end.
The Loyal Friend is a book that grips you, its pace is relentless and the plot thickens page by page, chapter by chapter. The protagonists each in turn exposed in all their sordid, twisted, deluded ways. And as expected, the ending arrives, entirely unexpected. A fantastic denouement that leaves you reeling and satisfied at the same time.
The best of thrillers by the master of her craft.
Each book I read by AA Chaudhuri gets better and stronger in its storytelling. You just can't wait to read the next book. That is how good AA Chaudhuri is. Next please.
travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
The Loyal Friend - AA Chaudhuri
Well I knew I was going to be in for a treat with this book, having read She’s Mine previously and knowing how the secrets and tension build, I was not disappointed!
Jade a local yoga instructor doesn’t turn up for her lesson. No one seems concerned, except her friend Natalie, who, on visiting her house finds she is missing and it seems in suspicious circumstances.
Everyone has secrets, including Natalie herself, Susan reliant on alcohol, Grace hiding something from her past and what of Jade herself? Will she be found before it’s too late?
This was a really pacey, twisting thriller. Moving between different POV’s and timelines, we gradually get to know the characters. None of them are particularly likeable but that didn’t stop me reading! I was totally hooked into their stories, reading quickly as I needed to know the outcome. Quite a few difficult themes are explored including jealousy, friendships, family, child abuse and revenge.
And then twists! I was, wait, whaaat?! At the end of each chapter things ramp up, I couldn’t stop reading!
Alex has a real knack of being able to keep you guessing, I really didn’t trust anyone at all! Although there are a few little clues, I was left clueless - Hats of to Alex for a brilliantly realised ending!
A gripping twisting psychological thriller, just fabulous!
✩✩✩✩✰
Thanks so much to AA Chaudhuri, Hera Books, Danielle Louis and the Squadpod for my copy of this book and spot on the upcoming blog tour
Well I knew I was going to be in for a treat with this book, having read She’s Mine previously and knowing how the secrets and tension build, I was not disappointed!
Jade a local yoga instructor doesn’t turn up for her lesson. No one seems concerned, except her friend Natalie, who, on visiting her house finds she is missing and it seems in suspicious circumstances.
Everyone has secrets, including Natalie herself, Susan reliant on alcohol, Grace hiding something from her past and what of Jade herself? Will she be found before it’s too late?
This was a really pacey, twisting thriller. Moving between different POV’s and timelines, we gradually get to know the characters. None of them are particularly likeable but that didn’t stop me reading! I was totally hooked into their stories, reading quickly as I needed to know the outcome. Quite a few difficult themes are explored including jealousy, friendships, family, child abuse and revenge.
And then twists! I was, wait, whaaat?! At the end of each chapter things ramp up, I couldn’t stop reading!
Alex has a real knack of being able to keep you guessing, I really didn’t trust anyone at all! Although there are a few little clues, I was left clueless - Hats of to Alex for a brilliantly realised ending!
A gripping twisting psychological thriller, just fabulous!
✩✩✩✩✰
Thanks so much to AA Chaudhuri, Hera Books, Danielle Louis and the Squadpod for my copy of this book and spot on the upcoming blog tour