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lunarlxtte's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For the first portion of the book, I thought it was pretty predictable, but boy was I wrong... There were so many twists I could not have seen coming for miles, it was so well written- full of suspense, tension and unpredictability- I absolutely loved it!!
I've read a lot of thrillers but this one just hit me differently; it has a really unique plot, really complex, twisted characters, and something about the whole thing just made me feel so enveloped in the story, I was sad after I was finished it. Highly highly recommend, this is one of the best books I've read!
I've read a lot of thrillers but this one just hit me differently; it has a really unique plot, really complex, twisted characters, and something about the whole thing just made me feel so enveloped in the story, I was sad after I was finished it. Highly highly recommend, this is one of the best books I've read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Murder, Blood, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug abuse
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
bdevine58's review against another edition
Really not in to the “I’m secretly gay therefore am a murderer” trope.
windy_witch's review against another edition
5.0
When Cara is caught up in a terrorist attack in London she doesn’t think things in life can get any worse, however it is the start of a series of unfortunate events that nearly destroy her life.
During that fateful evening in London Cara is pulled to safety by Amy, a young girl who works nearby the attack. Cara is extremely grateful to Amy for saving her life as people were gunned down in front of her. In those terrifying hours before they get to safety she tells Amy some of her darkest secrets.
After that dreadful day Cara tries to continue with her life, however Amy appears again wanting to be friends. From this point on Cara’s life starts to fall apart.
This was a very gripping psychological thriller that had me racing through to the end. I was invited to read this by the publisher and I am grateful for the opportunity presented to me. It will not be the last book I read by Karen Perry!
During that fateful evening in London Cara is pulled to safety by Amy, a young girl who works nearby the attack. Cara is extremely grateful to Amy for saving her life as people were gunned down in front of her. In those terrifying hours before they get to safety she tells Amy some of her darkest secrets.
After that dreadful day Cara tries to continue with her life, however Amy appears again wanting to be friends. From this point on Cara’s life starts to fall apart.
This was a very gripping psychological thriller that had me racing through to the end. I was invited to read this by the publisher and I am grateful for the opportunity presented to me. It will not be the last book I read by Karen Perry!
shriti_sunshine's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an absolute page-turner. Reading both Amy's & Cara's POVs alternatively, I was so sure of being able to guess what was coming, but I was wrong 'cos the best had been kept for the last. Definitely, one of my favorite books in 2019!
bethlittle_'s review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
5.0
I was invited by the publisher to read Your Closest Friend... and I devoured it in a few hours. What a book. This was the first book that I have read by Karen Perry and I will now be seeking out her previous books..
This is the story of 2 women.. Cara and Amy, who get caught up in a shooting in London. Amy saves Caras life by pulling her off the street to safety. In the grips of fear and darkness Cara tells Amy all of her secrets, things that even her husband does not know. Both survive the gunman and go back to their lives. But then Amy reappears in Caras life.. and that is when things begin to turn upside down.
This book is so good, I just could not put it down. Although I knew what was happening it didn't spoil it at all for me. Highly recommend this book.
Thank you Penguin UK- Michael Joseph and NetGalley for inviting me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
This is the story of 2 women.. Cara and Amy, who get caught up in a shooting in London. Amy saves Caras life by pulling her off the street to safety. In the grips of fear and darkness Cara tells Amy all of her secrets, things that even her husband does not know. Both survive the gunman and go back to their lives. But then Amy reappears in Caras life.. and that is when things begin to turn upside down.
This book is so good, I just could not put it down. Although I knew what was happening it didn't spoil it at all for me. Highly recommend this book.
Thank you Penguin UK- Michael Joseph and NetGalley for inviting me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
mazza57's review against another edition
4.0
This book had my heart in my mouth almost from beginning to end. The rescue of Cara from a terrorist attack leads to a series of events they will eventually wreak havoc on not only Cara's life but also those of people around her. The author uses real life events intermingled into the story line. Her characterisation is excellent and I am sure this would make a great film, it reminds me in some ways of "Fatal attraction".
I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for this ARC copy. I will certainly be looking for more by this author
I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for this ARC copy. I will certainly be looking for more by this author
thewareian_76's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
urbansapphire's review against another edition
4.0
Your Closest Friend by Karen Perry is one of those books that has you suspiciously evaluating relationships with some of the people in your life.
Strangers to each other, café-worker Amy and radio producer Cara are caught up in a terrorist attack in London, Amy literally pulling Cara out of the line of danger. Caught up in the moment, fearing for her life and blind to what is happening outside or whether she will survive this, Cara reveals more of her secrets to Amy than she has to anyone else – including her husband. Amy is more than willing to listen and the seed of an obsession is sewn. Eventually, the danger is over, the gunman contained and the two women go their separate ways, Cara a little embarrassed at the secrets spilled, but no harm done. Or so she thinks…until a short while afterwards, Amy reappears in Cara’s life, and the real nightmare begins.
This is a twisty, turny book bull of surprises and shocks, and you’ll be shouting at Cara at times. For an intelligent woman, she seems to ignore blatantly obvious signs that Amy is not quite what she claims to be, but then most of us have been in a situation where we aren’t sure if someone is behaving oddly, or whether we’re just overreacting. Some of the situations that she questions internally could make her seem ridiculous & paranoid if she actually brought them up, and on thin ice with the people around her already (who are all falling for Amy’s sweet little act), you can believe she’d not want to push the issue. Amy is a classic psycho, you can almost smell the crazy coming off the pages as you read.
The chapters are told in Amy and Cara’s voice, alternating from one to the other, which is a nice device as you get a real feel for the menace coming from Amy, and the paranoia developing within Cara. The effect on Cara’s home and professional life is devastating, and it’s creepy to see how Amy is always on top of what’s happening, twisting it to her own ends.
‘Your Closest Friend’ is a great, creepy read and will definitely have you watching who you tell your secrets to in future!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Strangers to each other, café-worker Amy and radio producer Cara are caught up in a terrorist attack in London, Amy literally pulling Cara out of the line of danger. Caught up in the moment, fearing for her life and blind to what is happening outside or whether she will survive this, Cara reveals more of her secrets to Amy than she has to anyone else – including her husband. Amy is more than willing to listen and the seed of an obsession is sewn. Eventually, the danger is over, the gunman contained and the two women go their separate ways, Cara a little embarrassed at the secrets spilled, but no harm done. Or so she thinks…until a short while afterwards, Amy reappears in Cara’s life, and the real nightmare begins.
This is a twisty, turny book bull of surprises and shocks, and you’ll be shouting at Cara at times. For an intelligent woman, she seems to ignore blatantly obvious signs that Amy is not quite what she claims to be, but then most of us have been in a situation where we aren’t sure if someone is behaving oddly, or whether we’re just overreacting. Some of the situations that she questions internally could make her seem ridiculous & paranoid if she actually brought them up, and on thin ice with the people around her already (who are all falling for Amy’s sweet little act), you can believe she’d not want to push the issue. Amy is a classic psycho, you can almost smell the crazy coming off the pages as you read.
The chapters are told in Amy and Cara’s voice, alternating from one to the other, which is a nice device as you get a real feel for the menace coming from Amy, and the paranoia developing within Cara. The effect on Cara’s home and professional life is devastating, and it’s creepy to see how Amy is always on top of what’s happening, twisting it to her own ends.
‘Your Closest Friend’ is a great, creepy read and will definitely have you watching who you tell your secrets to in future!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.