She’ll do anything for you… have you holding your breath until the very last page. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Sometimes I Lie, and The Girl on the Train will be captivated.
Readers are raving about The Perfect Friend:
‘I just read my new favorite book of 2018! ALL THE STARS!… combined all the things that make a psychological thriller keep you up all night but she managed to flip everything you think you know, quite a few times!…If it’s twists you are looking for then READ THIS BOOK! This is now my new favorite twisty book!…I give this book 5 stars across the board. Cheers to Ms. Copperthwaite for rockin my world with this book…INSERT STANDING OVATION HERE’ (5 stars) Goodreads Reviewer
‘WOW!! This book!!! Holy cow!!! So many lies… who can be trusted? NO ONE!! I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next but I had to keep reading. So many twists and turns throughout the whole book…I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a psychological thriller unlike any other!’ (5 stars) Goodreads Reviewer
‘I kept guessing until the very end … I would definitely recommend this gripping and twisty book to any thriller lover out there!’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘Crazy twisty story. Had me actually gasp a couple of times. Just read it, it’s that good.’ (5 stars) Goodreads Reviewer
‘Very well written. I love how her writing quickly draws you into the storyline and you are hooked from the start…I was definitely shocked a few times, in a good way!…A must read for fans of thrillers.’ Books on the Bookshelf
‘This book is so good. I literally couldn’t put it down … it kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t want the book to end but I needed to know what had happened…This is one of my favorite books from 2018… WOW!!!’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘terrific, tense and terrifying, twisty thriller…Just when I think she can’t possibly get any better, my favourite writer of dark and daring deeds blows my socks off. The Perfect Friend scared me so much I really don’t think I’ll ever dare trust anyone, ever again!’ (5 stars) Goodreads Reviewer
Praise for Barbara Copperthwaite:
‘WOW – I am speechless … I am absolutely blown away by this book … really, really got under my skin … I feel slightly dizzy now and need a lie-down with a soft pillow and lots of chocolate.’ (5 stars) Goodreads Reviewer
‘OMFG this is Barbara Copperthwaite’s best book yet!! … just blew everything else out of the water. Seriously. This book had me on edge … my poor nerves were shattered. Buy it, read it, love it! This book gets ALL the stars from me!’ (5 stars) Goodreads Reviewer
‘OMG … I was well and truly hooked … had me guessing right until the very end! … I am blown away. I cannot recommend this enough … without a doubt a must read.’ (5 stars) Chelle’s Book Reviews
‘A darkly addictive and creepy page turner that had me on the edge of my seat … the last few chapters were breathtakingly shocking with developments I hadn’t been expecting and the final pages were absolutely brilliant, leaving me with goosebumps!’ (5 stars) My Chestnut Reading Tree
‘Addictive, Thrilling, Captivating! I could not put this book down, it captures your interest from the very first page until the very last! … You will literally be screaming WHAT??!! An amazing read for any fan of books! … This book hit it all and I loved every second of it!’ (5 stars) Book Reviews by Nicole
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After loving Her Last Secret by the same author, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to The Perfect Friend, and once I started, I couldn’t stop. With every turn of the page I had to read on. Barbara certainly is fantastic at the craft, leading me down many paths with all the twists, turns and secrets. Several times I thought I’d sussed things but I only realised how far out I was about two thirds in. I hadn’t a clue, but don’t fret, it all comes together beautifully.
The main characters, Alex and Carrie, were perfect for a psychological thriller. I had no idea who was after what, and why. I had no idea if Alex was being unreliable as a narrator. I’m not giving any hints here!
I love the themes this book explores. Eating disorders, domestic violence, dishonesty. Credibility comes into play, and how easily it can be lost if mental illness is a factor.
Anyway, if you want to know more, you’ll have to buy a copy.
Entertaining, but much of it was predictable. It well written and I cared about the characters, although they were a bit frustrating at times.
I expect twists from Barbara and look forward to them. I expect them. Which does not mean I see them coming. She always gets me. And not just one. Her books are full of dark corners you didn’t see from the corner of your eye. Not giant explosions, but sometimes just something lightly brushing against your leg in the dark.
This is a book that tells the story of friendship, but with the twist of lies and deception. Alex, the main character, is anorexic and attends a support group at which she meets Carrie, a woman with terminal cancer. From the beginning, Alex admits that she is a liar. She comes across as a sympathetic character since her husband and twins have left her and won’t have anything to do with her. Carrie is also a sympathetic character because of her diagnosis and the fact that she has no family or other friends who seem to care for her. The topics in the book are heavy ones, but the thing that is memorable is that no one can be trusted. There are many unbelievable twists and turns in this psychological thriller, so the reader is repeatedly fooled as to what is really happening. Even at the end of the book, I was gasping and saying to myself, “Huh? What just happened?” The book was a quick read and made for fans of thrillers who like to try to predict what will happen.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
The Perfect Friend by author Barbara Copperthwaite is a psychological thriller which will have you guessing and then second-guessing. Alex has a problem. She goes to group support meetings for her adult-onset anorexia but mainly to reference her husband and children as being estranged from her. She is lonely and she admits in the beginning that she lies to everyone with the intention of being left alone in her condition. She begins a friendship with a younger woman in the meetings, Carrie, who is at the support meetings because of her breast cancer.
Alex has several secrets, but the one she is most disturbed about is sleeping with Carrie’s boyfriend. Alex had no idea that he was seeing someone else. Imagine her distress when Carrie announces she is dying with cancer and the love of her life left her for another woman, and Alex realizes the other woman was her!
Now the lies and shadows of truths begin to surround Alex and Carrie as their friendship grows and the webs of deceit grow thicker.
A thriller with several plot twists which will keep you off your game!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I felt like there was a lot of hype about how the end would have a big twist, and it just wasn’t the big of a deal. I was thoroughly disappointed. I also thought the writing was just average.
I bought this book directly from the author at The Deepings Literary Festival a couple of years ago and I was delighted to eventually get round to read it.
The story is mostly told from the point of view of Alex who became anorexic following the breakdown of her family. She attends a support group where she meets and becomes close to Carrie, a young woman with cancer. They strike up a mother daughter type of relationship and Alex does all she can to support Carrie through her treatment.
However, when Carrie starts receiving threatening messages, and Alex tries to help, it quickly becomes apparent all is not as it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were a couple of moments in it when I was genuinely taken completely by surprise because everything I thought I knew turned on its head. I don’t want to give any spoilers here as to what or how, suffice to say there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right up until the end.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes to read a decent psychological thriller.
This is a great read from the start, with the two main characters battling two heartbreaking diseases, cancer and anorexia. Alex is eager to help her friend, Carrie, and organises donations for a bucket-list fund so Carrie can enjoy her last months of life.
But Alex is carrying her own tragedy inside, which is gradually revealed to us. By half way, the story starts to gallop along, throwing in unexpected twists that keep you glued to the pages. Who is Carrie really, and why won’t Alex’s children speak to her?
With great characters and a brilliant story line, I loved this book! Highly recommend.