The Best Friend

This is the kind of book which keeps you on your toes. If you want a good read to pass the time, I suggest you check it out. Although Boland is a British author, I did not find myself confused by the jargon.

I want to preface that I did not finish the book. I found the writing very good, characters well described. However I cannot tolerate a character who makes obvious mistakes over and over. It's like a beacon for the plot and too irritating for me to take seriously. If someone truly had that many serious errors in judgement, well let's not write about them.

I cannot understand how this book got so many good reviews. I disliked the characters so much that I truly wished the villain would have just hurried up and kill the protagonist and end this agonizingly idiotic book. It is hard to believe that a supposedly smart woman could be so oblivious and stupid. If I was reading an actual book, I would have thrown it at the wall. Don’t waste your money.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book, but there were several times I got frustrated with the main character. **spoiler alert** ....even after she realizes Darcy has been setting her up she does some really STUPID things, that anyone with a semblance of common sense wouldn't have fallen for, ugh, that is my biggest complaint.

So, why is a woman who is happily married scared to tell her husband she has a stalker? Why would same woman stay with a husband who believes a very new acquaintance over his wife? How did this whole story evolve from a pissed off woman from a girl getting adopted at the age of ten instead of her and her brother? Just too much for me to call this a great story.

Kept my interest, I liked how it tied the past with the present time. The characters mixed well. The story line is realistic, which made it all the more enjoyable. Very good author. I highly recommend.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book, but there were several times I got frustrated with the main character. **spoiler alert** ....even after she realizes Darcy has been setting her up she does some really STUPID things, that anyone with a semblance of common sense wouldn't have fallen for, ugh, that is my biggest complaint.

So, why is a woman who is happily married scared to tell her husband she has a stalker? Why would same woman stay with a husband who believes a very new acquaintance over his wife? How did this whole story evolve from a pissed off woman from a girl getting adopted at the age of ten instead of her and her brother? Just too much for me to call this a great story.

Kept my interest, I liked how it tied the past with the present time. The characters mixed well. The story line is realistic, which made it all the more enjoyable. Very good author. I highly recommend.

This was not my first book written by Shalini Boland, and it will certainly not be my last! She knows how to write a fun, suspenseful, page turner. This book is a well paced read, that kept me wanting to read more and more.

Can't wait to read my next book from her!

*Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy

This book started off great, but soon realised that it almost turned into a different writing style. The characters turned simpleminded, their dialogue barely above a child's communication. Was very tempted to stop reading.

It started out really good, but the ending was a disappointment. It felt like the author needed to make her deadline, and just hurried with it. It wasn't like, "Oh, wow!" It was more, "Seriously? That's dumb."

A quick and easy read. While I saw every "twist" coming a mile away and found the story a bit predictable, it was not boring. The characters weren't very developed in my opinion, and lacked depth, but the story, while annoying at times, was decent.

Especially the antagonist ( of course). But really- all of them. Husband Jared is a beta- male.
I did like the way it ended , however. The Scotland scene.
I know women like " Darcy". Annoying and nasty pieces of work. Even if they are NOT hiding a diabolical past ! Ugh

It started out really good, but the ending was a disappointment. It felt like the author needed to make her deadline, and just hurried with it. It wasn't like, "Oh, wow!" It was more, "Seriously? That's dumb."

A quick and easy read. While I saw every "twist" coming a mile away and found the story a bit predictable, it was not boring. The characters weren't very developed in my opinion, and lacked depth, but the story, while annoying at times, was decent.

I had the book figured out pretty early on..I dont know which part was meant to be a secret..I figured N was D and the mystery man was C. Louisa was a wimp and needed a backbone, I wanted to shake her many times. The only part I was wrong about was D killing M at the time I was thinking...she still did it later...lol??

Not sure how this book receives such great reviews. Characters are underdeveloped. You can figure out the plot long before you get to the end. There is no real suspense as you are never drawn into the lives of the characters. Main character comes across as just another self-doubting female. Basically, I found the book boring.

I had the book figured out pretty early on..I dont know which part was meant to be a secret..I figured N was D and the mystery man was C. Louisa was a wimp and needed a backbone, I wanted to shake her many times. The only part I was wrong about was D killing M at the time I was thinking...she still did it later...lol??

Too predictable, I knew what was going to happen about 2 pages in. I also found it a bit unrealistic in some instances but I do like the fact that the main character seems to pick herself up in the end.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am so happy I received this advanced copy. Shalini Boland knows how to write a suspenseful, edge of your seat story. This is my second read by her, and I was not disappointed. After moving into a new neighborhood, Louisa has enrolled her son Joe into the "perfect" school. She is really happy when he makes friends with a classmate, Tyler. As time goes on, Tyler's mother, Darcy begins to be really friendly with Louisa and the family. Little by little, Darcy makes her way into Louisa's life. Even though Louisa begins to question some of the things that Darcy does, no one really believes her. The tension builds to an explosive ending. I love Shalini Boland's style of writing. She gives all the details of the story and moves the reader right into the plot. I will keep reading this author's future works-she is a favorite!

Absolutely love this novel!! Shalini did an amazing job at keeping the suspense going throughout the entire book! I had to keep reading just one more page, one more page, to know what was happening. The ending is perfect! 5 stars isn't enough. Great book!!

Brilliant! Creeping into another's life. Money, house the lot. But isn't is it?
Shalini has delivered a great book here.
Not a long review as I'd spoil it if I did, no spoilers, read it!
I need to add I read it a 2nd time & it's just a fab book!
Twisted lead female you just get dragged in!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, but I felt like something interesting was happening at every turn, and I just had to see what was next! I loved the flashback chapters and trying to figure out how everything goes together. Very well planned book!

You know when you've got a bazillion things to do, but the book you're reading is so damn good you can't put it down? Yeah, this is definitely one those books.I was completely hooked from page one. The plot and pace are superb, the characters are spot on (I think we all know someone with a hint of Darcy about them) and I especially loved the birthday party chapter - it made my blood boil! The book keeps up a good pace and builds to an explosive ending. Highly recommended.

Too predictable, I knew what was going to happen about 2 pages in. I also found it a bit unrealistic in some instances but I do like the fact that the main character seems to pick herself up in the end.

I love books that start off with a bang. It keeps you interested at the beginning and wanting more. And so this book by Boland (not the first time I read her, or the last) started off with Louisa, her husband and son Joe, living a great life now that Joe is in a good school. They are not rich, but comfortable and then along comes Darcy, Tyler's mom, (Tyler is in the same class as Joe). They become friends, very quickly, maybe too quickly and then things go south.

Darcy and her rich friends welcome Louisa into their group but then things start to get weird and while everyone thinks Louisa is imagining and overreacting to things, we soon find out that their is a big, dark secret Darcy is harboring....soon to play havoc with Louisa's life.

A real page turner because you never know who your friends are....Love Boland's writing, am now reading another book by her, The Millionaire's Wife...