When a woman marries for money… she earns every penny. Larkin and Graham Hadley come from completely different worlds. She’s from the trailer park… he’s from the yacht club. Inexplicably, they fall in love. Suddenly, Larkin has the kind of life she never even dared to dream of. Yet even as the wife of a man from a prominent Charleston family, Larkin is still an outsider. After all, in Charleston, … outsider.
After all, in Charleston, South Carolina blood line is everything. Larkin feels like she will never be accepted by the old money snobs that Graham’s family pals around with.
And she’s right.
Until one morning, she meets Caroline Beaufain, the Queen Bee of Charleston’s high society. Surprisingly, Caroline takes a liking to Larkin. With Caroline’s stamp of social approval, Larkin feels like she’s finally somebody.
Despite her past, Larkin has joined the secret world of the one percent.
But Larkin soon discovers that Caroline Beaufain’s friendship comes with a high price.
One Larkin isn’t so sure she’s capable of paying.
Especially when someone ends up dead…
more
This is a quick easy read, built around old secrets, friendships, betrayals and lies. The main character, Larkin, marries into one of the most privileged families of Charleston high society. Larkin comes from a poor background and doesn’t fit in–until she’s befriended by Caroline Beaufain, the queen bee of the social scene. Although the book doesn’t really take off until the middle, the beginning is far from draggy. The author has a way of introducing characters and setting scenes that kept me flipping pages, even as I was waiting for the hammer to fall.
This is a psychological thriller, so don’t expect explosive action. It’s more about figuring out what each character has to gain and what they’re willing to do to achieve their goals. When the impact does hit, the fallout is quick and jaw-dropping. I won’t say I’ve never seen this plot done before, but the way Grey handles it is riveting and fresh. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!
Couldn’t put it down! Started reading this around 10:30 at night, intending to read just a chapter or two. Stayed up very late and read it in one sitting. The writing is great, especially the sense of place–I went to Charleston for the first time last year and felt like I was back there again. I was caught up in the story of a girl that married into a rich family, and struggles to fit in–and is at first thrilled when the ‘It Mom’ invites her to join her inner circle…
Definitely didn’t see the ending in advance. I like it when the ending is the complete opposite of what I think I know. Great read.
I loved the Gothic beauty and intrigue of the cover of Can’t Let Go as soon as I saw it.
I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a peek into a wealthy society in which dark undercurrents run beneath the surface.
Larkin, a newcomer to the wealthy inner circle of the Charleston elite, finds herself swept into a world she never knew existed. The female characters and the relationships between them are well-drawn and engaging.
Larkin feels an emptiness in her existence as a ‘kept woman’, and when she’s invited into a circle of women who she thought despised her, she hopes to find a sense of value in herself – or at the very least, make some friends in town and fill up her days.
But she is quickly exposed to the decay beneath the glitter and discovers that the wealthy elite are poised upon a powder keg of their own making. And the powder keg is about to explode.
Charleston, SC is a creepy, hauntingly beautiful city and there is no better spot to set a suspense. Alison Grey writes a twisty, page-turner perfect for fans of domestic suspense.
This book possesses so many wonderful elements–old money, family loyalty and betrayal. The writing is seamless and it’s an up-all-nighter page turning story. Alison Grey gives us an amazing heroine and a villain that I truly loved to hate. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a fantastic mysteries.
Good book but a little bit depressing.
Very original story. I was taken in right from the start. Really hits home with moments of singularity, and how lives can be impacted. Looking forward to more from Alison.