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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. It grabbed my attention and let go. I loved the courage and determination of all of the female characters. Great read!
So, I’ll start with the good… as a mother in my late 30’s who struggles to find the balance between motherhood, work, and a social life of my own, I feel that I am the target demographic. This story captured the essence of my plight (minus strippers, murders, and the like). It was cute and I enjoyed Nikki and Ainsley’s friendship develop.
That’s where the good ends for me. It was cheesy. I’m sorry. I know this book had excellent reviews but… it’s cheesy. It took me almost 2 months to finish it because it just wasn’t drawing me in.
That’s where the good ends for me. It was cheesy. I’m sorry. I know this book had excellent reviews but… it’s cheesy. It took me almost 2 months to finish it because it just wasn’t drawing me in.
Friends with Secrets is a fun thriller with characters, Ainsley and Nikki. Ainsley’s life is picture-perfect. Her husband is a politician, and they have two beautiful children. But Ainsley is not who she appears, and she worries constantly she will be found out.
Nikki is a stay-at-home mom of four. Her life is very low profile, and she misses the television news job she used to have.
Eventually, Ainsley shares her dark past with Nikki, and they work together to expose someone new in their lives, while also forging a friendship.
Friends with Secrets is described as funny, and it really did make me giggle at times. It’s an unconventional story of friendship and how much more you can get accomplished when you have someone there to rely on. And it’s just more fun with friends, too. Overall, I really enjoyed this journey with Nikki and Ainsley and their well-done story.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Nikki is a stay-at-home mom of four. Her life is very low profile, and she misses the television news job she used to have.
Eventually, Ainsley shares her dark past with Nikki, and they work together to expose someone new in their lives, while also forging a friendship.
Friends with Secrets is described as funny, and it really did make me giggle at times. It’s an unconventional story of friendship and how much more you can get accomplished when you have someone there to rely on. And it’s just more fun with friends, too. Overall, I really enjoyed this journey with Nikki and Ainsley and their well-done story.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I really loved the beginning of this book. Following along with Ainsley and Nikki as they bonded over womanhood and motherhood and quickly became friends was so relatable. Their conversations about societal expectations of motherhood hit so hard! I enjoyed the pace and the story as well. Where things kind of fell apart for me was the incredible rapid ending and all too perfect wrap up without much explanation. It would have made for a much longer book but I would have loved a bit more explanation and feeling in the end!
What a fun book! Totally out of my comfort zone, but this had completely lovable characters and the snark!! Omg….Nikki and Ainsley are a Force to be reckoned with…..they seem to say out loud what every tired over worked mother thinks….absolutely recommend this book!!
I really enjoyed this. This takes place around the DC area and follows two women who are the most unlikeliest of friends and allies. I thought that the only thing that really tripped me up was just the fact that I don’t think in this day and age, the one character’s secret would have just been glossed over. But you know we live in the times that we do. Other than that I thought the book was really good. I laughed a lot, and I really loved the ending.
Full review: I thought this was an interesting premise. Two stay at home mothers coming from different sides of the issues who forge an unlikely friendship when one is dealing with potential blackmail. I really enjoyed Ainsley and Nikki both as characters. The only reason why I gave this four stars though is that the reveal of what happened to a character who was found dead didn't even sound right. Or at least it didn't sound right that one of the people involved only found out the truth a decade later.
"Friends with Secrets" follows Ainsley and Nikki. Ainsley is happily married with two children and is reeling with the fact that her husband Ben is running for governor of VA. Unfortunately, Ainsley is worried that her past may become known and cost her everything.
Nikki is a former investigative reporter who got pushed aside for someone younger at the workplace after she got had her fourth child. She's left wondering what else is there for her without her job.
Nikki and Ainsley though end up meeting up (due to Ben's run for governor) with Ainsley telling Nikki what is going on. And then the two women decide to whatever they can to protect Ainsley, but also get to the bottom of a young girl who was found murdered years ago.
I thought the overall plot and side plots meshed. I will say though the flow is a little up and down. It takes a while for things to get going (another reason for just 4 stars). But once it does, I could not put the book down.
The setting of DC and suburban VA were smartly done in my eyes. I live in VA and I think that Gunderson captured everything nicely.
The ending really worked and I wish for a world like the one we get, but I doubt it would happen in real life.
Full review: I thought this was an interesting premise. Two stay at home mothers coming from different sides of the issues who forge an unlikely friendship when one is dealing with potential blackmail. I really enjoyed Ainsley and Nikki both as characters. The only reason why I gave this four stars though is that the reveal of what happened to a character who was found dead didn't even sound right. Or at least it didn't sound right that one of the people involved only found out the truth a decade later.
"Friends with Secrets" follows Ainsley and Nikki. Ainsley is happily married with two children and is reeling with the fact that her husband Ben is running for governor of VA. Unfortunately, Ainsley is worried that her past may become known and cost her everything.
Nikki is a former investigative reporter who got pushed aside for someone younger at the workplace after she got had her fourth child. She's left wondering what else is there for her without her job.
Nikki and Ainsley though end up meeting up (due to Ben's run for governor) with Ainsley telling Nikki what is going on. And then the two women decide to whatever they can to protect Ainsley, but also get to the bottom of a young girl who was found murdered years ago.
I thought the overall plot and side plots meshed. I will say though the flow is a little up and down. It takes a while for things to get going (another reason for just 4 stars). But once it does, I could not put the book down.
The setting of DC and suburban VA were smartly done in my eyes. I live in VA and I think that Gunderson captured everything nicely.
The ending really worked and I wish for a world like the one we get, but I doubt it would happen in real life.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Friends with Secrets is a light, quick, and fun page turner. Christine Gunderson crafts a captivating tale of friendship, secrets, with a touch of suspense. Ainsley, the seemingly perfect mom, and Nikki, the struggling stay-at-home mom, form an unlikely bond when a dangerous figure from Ainsley's past resurfaces. Gunderson's witty writing and engaging plot make this book an enjoyable escape for anyone seeking a thrilling mystery with relatable characters and humorous moments.
Recommended for anyone seeking a quick read.
Recommended for anyone seeking a quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so relatable and a funny read. I was laughing out loud at parts. The end of the book I was on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I could to see how it ended and couldn’t put it down til I finished it.