‘I can tell we’re going to be the best of friends…’When Louisa Sullivan takes her little boy to his first playdate at a new friend’s house she doesn’t realise life is about to change for her family. Because she’s about to meet Darcy Lane.Darcy is a woman who has everything – a dream house, a powerful husband and enviable wealth.She’s the perfect wife. The perfect friend. The perfect liar. From … wife.
The perfect friend.
The perfect liar.
From the top ten bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Child Next Door, this utterly gripping psychological thriller will have you up all night reading. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and The Wife Between Us this book is for you.
Why readers are hooked by The Best Friend:
‘Absolutely Brilliant!… grabbed me right from the very first page and kept my interest throughout… one of the most intense thrillers I have read… I cannot even get over the level of craziness!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!! This book had me holding my breath… So many emotions and frustrations rolled into one!!!… a fantastic psychological thriller…. I give it a huge 5 stars!!!!… goes right up to my top 5 books this year!!!!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Just electrifying. I could hardly sit still… wonderful twists that had me gasping in shock… I absolutely love it… a gripping page turner of a read that you just have to read in one sitting. I could feel my heart literally pounding… Definitely one that will have you on the edge of your seat… Loved, loved, loved it!’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘WOW – this one of the most tense and gripping psychological thrillers I’ve read. From the first page I was absorbed… really has you on the edge of your seat… totally engrossing.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Shocking, Stunning, Unbelievably fascinating… a wonderful read and will definitely keep you on your toes!… Wow factor is phenomenal!… this book pulled me into every twist… You stayed glued to the pages until the very last.’ Nook Books and More, 5 stars
‘I could not put this down! 5 star book all the way. Gripping, addictive, wriggle in your seat kind of book! … It’s brilliant! I loved the ending too. You will not be disappointed!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘OMG what a read. Absolutely fantastic read… had me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommended. 5 stars.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
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Finished this one in a couple of days. A twisted tale of revenge and jealousy you should add to your reading list immediately. I’m a huge fan of Shalini Boland.
The Best Friend is a psychological suspenseful thriller. Louisa’s new best friend has it all –the house, the status, the money –but she’s also hiding a dark secret. And, as Louisa is drawn deeper into her friend’s life, events take a chilling turn …
The timeline began in the present then switched to the past about nineteen years ago. The break in timelines came at a time when I was eager for answers but then would get drawn into the past. I mean this in the most positive way, it drove me mad. Shalini executed this story cleverly building up the suspense. This was written from Louisa’s point of view with a character driven storyline.
Louisa’s character is careful with her money choosing to spend it on practical things. While her husband, Jared is an ambitious man with a craving for a more luxurious lifestyle. Jared is easily enticed by the Lanes, a family that lives a posh life. Louisa worries about how badly her husband wants to fit in with these people. Louisa worries and stresses about her low standard lifestyle. Louisa has a practical mind set where she needs to establish the terms of an agreement before signing whereas her husband jumps in feet first then considers the terms afterwards.
Louisa was confident and comfortable in her own skin then she met Darcy and she felt frumpy next to her. Louisa was a caring and kind friend who allowed Darcy to dominate the friendship. Louisa’s problems and concerns took a backseat to Darcy’s problems.
This book definitely was a page turner. Shalini included so many layers to the story. There was never a dull moment. All the activities these characters were involved in were just as thrilling and suspenseful and tied in well with the plot. All the layers connected together seamlessly at the end.
My favorite part of this book was the way Shalini exposed the motive. Chilling the way the pieces fell into place.
All Shalini’s thrillers have taken place in the UK. I loved looking up the locations of each in England, including Sandbanks Beach.
Hard to put down!
It’s a book you love to hate. keep me very interested. I dreaded to know what was coming next but I had to know. Could easily relate but I hope it never happens to me.
As usual, I LOVED this book (I know, I always say this, but I can’t help it, I love books – LOL). Poor Louisa. She’s not sure if she’s going crazy or not and the worst thing is that her husband doesn’t believer her. And her neighbor? She holds a secret that Louisa needs to know! This book had me constantly reading every second I got. Even if it was just a minute. I did, however find myself literally yelling at some places where common sense just needed to kick in. Still a great book though!
When her well ordered life starts evolving, Louisa struggles to deal with all of the changes. Suddenly, she is befriended by a sophisticated, rich young woman whose son is coincidentally in Louisa son’s class in his new school.
Louisa is pleasantly surprised to be chosen by Darcy, a beautiful, popular woman, as her new best friend. Things soon start to go awry however, when she catches Darcy in apparent lies. But no one will believe Louisa’s suspicions about her new friend, leaving her to question her own perceptions.
As the strange occurrences escalate, Louisa finds herself in danger of losing her family, her mind, and her life.
I loved this suspenseful page turner. I related with Louisa as she second guessed herself and continuously gave her new friend the benefit of the doubt. This book will have you staying up late to finish reading it. I was given an advance readers’ copy of this book in exchange for my independent review
All the way through, this book was an edge-of-your seat story. I remain a bit disappointed at the end. Yes, true, all ended well, but Lou’s “after two years” story was a bit “off”. I loved how the author takes the reader back and forth between present and past, but you remain not real sure about whose past you are reading about. I do not wish to spoil the book so I cannot write more. 🙂 Enjoyable ride and quick read! I would give it 4 stars, only knocking off 1 star due to the conclusion.
Hard to put down and kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat!
I whizzed through this book! Couldn’t put it down, so it has to be an ‘absolutely brilliant’ from me. On the second night of reading ‘The Best Friend,’ I stayed up until half one in the morning as I had to know what was going to happen next – and believe me, it couldn’t wait.
I loved the start. New school for Louisa’s little boy. Worries about fitting in; the other parents; making friends. I think we’ve all been there. Louisa’s feelings at this point are relatable to any parent. So far, so normal – but then, the ripples of ooh-err-what-hmm, start to come into play. Are they warranted? Or, are we buying into some sort of paranoia? I loved how this book just lured me in and I couldn’t decide. Then the heat was turned up to the point of no return, but for who? The lovely new friend Darcy, or Louisa.
I’ll just mention the gorgeous Sandbanks (Poole) setting. The descriptions were perfect, allowing me to immerse myself in the setting. I managed to visualise the streets, the beach, and Darcy’s beautiful home.
Shalini has an easy-to-read writing style that makes me forget that I’m reading. The images form in my head with ease. And that ending, what an explosion! Wow! It’s a definite must read for any fan of the psychological thriller genre. Fast, furious, twisty and sinister. Loved, loved, loved it!
Not bad but predictable.
Easy read- twisted and turned when you least expected it!
I didn’t like the ending and the story has been done before.
Good plot. I liked the characters, This book held my interest, finished in two days.
Excellent book. Hard to put down. Would highly recommend