A review by babewithabookandabeer
Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for my Netgalley copy of KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE by Leah Konen, out January 30th, 2024!

I read this entire book in one sitting on a plane ride and whizzed through it. It’s definitely a page-turning thriller once the action starts to finally happen. With a slow build-up, the ending was major wow factor and I loved the ride Konen took us on.

Isolated and embroiled in a custody battle with her asshole soon-to-be ex-husband, Mary is in need of friend. One day, she coincidentally… meets the extremely charming and extrovertedly intoxicating Willa at a playground. When they’re drunk one night, Mary reveals a huge secret about her ex. The next day, Willa compeltely ghosts her.

Two months later, as she’s exploring her new hometown up north in New York nearing the finalization of her divorce, she runs into Willa. Or, should I say Annie? That’s her new identity and Willa is acting like she doesn’t know her. Then, Mary’s husband George ends up dead as a doornail and Mary is the prime suspect.

Who is Willa? Who killed George?There is twist after twist in this novel and it’s extremely fun uncovering who is who in this wild ride. Definitely a mini-feminist thriller about the emotional and mental load that women take on in marriage and motherhood, and class differences when families combine. The dual timelines of this book take a minute to follow, but it really keeps you guessing as you flip the page. Short chapters + constant cliffhangs = an unputdownable book! To no one’s surprise, men are not shit! Add this one to your TBR for a fun, feminist and freaktastic read my book-lovin’ pals.