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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Not as exciting as I thought it might be. Very slow for the drama. I’m glad it didn’t go down some of the more obvious routes and it did have a few almost unexpected outcomes. But I felt like I had to force myself to finish it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Visit the locations in the novel London and Provence
I fear that after this book, people aren’t going to want to have people stay over for a while or are they going to want to offer work experience to a friend’s daughter….Jeepers talk about hitting on the everyday and turning it into a nightmare! That’s why the novel will hit on so many levels as it could happen to anyone.
It makes me wonder what does go on behind the scenes in the London Magazine scene as well! Tasmina writes from experience apparently – and now I know there are many Miranda Priestly’s and people obsessed with what blue suits the palest skin etc. It’s a step up from the characters lives back at home however and jealousy strikes when one comes to visit.
It’s a mad world out there in those magazines! I was more scared of that than I was with Juliet for a while. But blimey that girl can cause chaos. Sneaky and devious is not the word. Mother not much better. Amy had made a life for herself but some people are just too jealous to let her be happy.
I do feel I’ve read this story before but it was a nice escapist read. I went to the hairdressers later the same day and picked up a copy of a glossy. Boy did I look at that differently!
Visit the locations in the novel London and Provence
I fear that after this book, people aren’t going to want to have people stay over for a while or are they going to want to offer work experience to a friend’s daughter….Jeepers talk about hitting on the everyday and turning it into a nightmare! That’s why the novel will hit on so many levels as it could happen to anyone.
It makes me wonder what does go on behind the scenes in the London Magazine scene as well! Tasmina writes from experience apparently – and now I know there are many Miranda Priestly’s and people obsessed with what blue suits the palest skin etc. It’s a step up from the characters lives back at home however and jealousy strikes when one comes to visit.
It’s a mad world out there in those magazines! I was more scared of that than I was with Juliet for a while. But blimey that girl can cause chaos. Sneaky and devious is not the word. Mother not much better. Amy had made a life for herself but some people are just too jealous to let her be happy.
I do feel I’ve read this story before but it was a nice escapist read. I went to the hairdressers later the same day and picked up a copy of a glossy. Boy did I look at that differently!
3.5stars really as was quite engaging at start
An interesting twist on the tired story of 'an old friend reaches out to you and insidiously inserts themselves into your life, while pushing you out'.
A tale of cold revenge against the so called beautiful people in your life. Worth a read and not as predictable as I has anticipated.
A tale of cold revenge against the so called beautiful people in your life. Worth a read and not as predictable as I has anticipated.
Love a good Tasmina book, read this in just a few hours, loved it.
A friend from the past, a best friend back in the day contacts another friend Amy, out of the blue,
Amy has escaped the dull backwaters of where she grew up and has a brilliant career at a magazine and is applying for the creme of the crop job, she has a gorgeous husband (David), good friends and a lovely house and a young daughter - some people think she has it all...and they want it for themselves.
Amy gives her old friend’s daughter (Josie) a work experience position at her magazine for a week, she also lets her stay at her home.
The last night of Josie’s work experience stay, Amy and David’s nanny gets hurt during a mugging, they come up with the answer - just see if Josie would stay longer and take on the nanny role for a short time. She jumps at the chance, especially as the family are going to be holidaying somewhere exotic.
During this holiday Amy senses that David and Josie are having an affair. Other things start to go wrong with Amy’s perfect life or is she just being paranoid.
This book has it all, possible drug addiction, love affairs, sabotage, friends not being the true friend you thought they were.
This was a great read - thoroughly enjoyed it.
A friend from the past, a best friend back in the day contacts another friend Amy, out of the blue,
Amy has escaped the dull backwaters of where she grew up and has a brilliant career at a magazine and is applying for the creme of the crop job, she has a gorgeous husband (David), good friends and a lovely house and a young daughter - some people think she has it all...and they want it for themselves.
Amy gives her old friend’s daughter (Josie) a work experience position at her magazine for a week, she also lets her stay at her home.
The last night of Josie’s work experience stay, Amy and David’s nanny gets hurt during a mugging, they come up with the answer - just see if Josie would stay longer and take on the nanny role for a short time. She jumps at the chance, especially as the family are going to be holidaying somewhere exotic.
During this holiday Amy senses that David and Josie are having an affair. Other things start to go wrong with Amy’s perfect life or is she just being paranoid.
This book has it all, possible drug addiction, love affairs, sabotage, friends not being the true friend you thought they were.
This was a great read - thoroughly enjoyed it.
Having been a fan of Sunday Times bestselling author Tasmina Perry's debut thriller, 'The Pool House', I thought this sounded right up my street. I had no idea Perry had written many books that could be described as romantic suspense or chick lit, this doesn't surprise me as I don't really read or enjoy either of those genres. This new direction is certainly working well as she seems to be a natural at producing compelling yarns that grip the reader from the first couple of pages, that's what happened here for me anyway. 'Friend of the Family' is a cross between domestic noir, chick lit and thriller and is targeted more towards women.
I'm getting quite weary with some of the domestic noir titles that are around at the moment, but this, at least, has an addictive quality to it. Many of them derive their storylines from well worn tropes of the genre, and this one is no different. That being said, there are many other ways a book can gain your respect. Here, the sound writing and the unpredictable nature of the plot are to be admired. Wonderfully crafted, a slow building tension and characters who are both likeable and three-dimensional, I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read. If you're looking for a little escapism on a wet and windy September day, then look no further, you'll be whisked away to the beautiful Côte d'Azur in southeastern France for a cocktail by the beach. What could be better?
Many thanks to Headline Review for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I'm getting quite weary with some of the domestic noir titles that are around at the moment, but this, at least, has an addictive quality to it. Many of them derive their storylines from well worn tropes of the genre, and this one is no different. That being said, there are many other ways a book can gain your respect. Here, the sound writing and the unpredictable nature of the plot are to be admired. Wonderfully crafted, a slow building tension and characters who are both likeable and three-dimensional, I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read. If you're looking for a little escapism on a wet and windy September day, then look no further, you'll be whisked away to the beautiful Côte d'Azur in southeastern France for a cocktail by the beach. What could be better?
Many thanks to Headline Review for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.