Friend Like Me

by Jamie Millen

Your worst enemy is closer than you think.

Someone is watching Amy when she starts a new life in Manhattan. Her mysterious "best friend" sends her creepy text messages... and murders anyone who stands in her way.
When the rising body count threatens to expose the deadly secrets of her past, Amy finds an unlikely ally in a handsome executive. But can she trust him, or is he just a pawn in the killer's lethal game?
Now police detectives are closing in on Amy. She's the prime suspect in multiple homicides, and the infatuated investigator on her tail craves much more than the truth.
But Amy is innocent.
Nobody can prove she's a twisted serial killer.
Unless they read her messages.

FRIEND LIKE ME is a heart-stopping psychological thriller for fans of Freida McFadden with gripping twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Crime

550 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2023

Reviews

[Brittany S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read Completed 10/15/23 | 2.5 stars
FRIEND LIKE ME was intriguing and definitely an action-packed thriller. I liked the main character, Amy (as new identity Lisa) well enough, even though she made some silly decisions, as most thriller heroines do. The first half of the book went along nicely, entertaining as it was and I was genuinely curious to see where the book was going to go.

At about 65% - 70%, things started to get weird and wild. If you're into popcorn thrillers purely for the excitement, wild twists, and making things as crazy as possible, then you'll probably enjoy this one. I'm all for a popcorn thriller myself given the right time and place, but the ending of this book was just too sensational for me and I couldn't get on board with it. I would have rather had a tamer ending that made a bit more logical sense than what happened here. We have brutal rapist turned secret serial killer because it was easier to kill the girls when he wad done with them (who wasn't even the main cause of all the drama in this book), people getting thrown into wood chippers, a British Viking rogue cop, a moment where Amy questions if she's the killer and it's all in her head, and a frumpy accountant turned vigilante murderer whose giveaway is that she reads a lot of mystery novels. Ugh.

If things hadn't gone off the rails in the last quarter of the book, I probably wouldn't have been as disappointed. I can definitely see that I'm one of the few to feel this way (as of this date) and plenty of people liked that wild and crazy ride but it was just WAY over the top for me. If you're going to go for wild twists, maybe one was good? This was just way too much. The author really threw the kitchen sink into this book, and hey, it worked for a lot of people! This just wasn't for me.

It really makes me a little sad though because it was like a 3.5 star book until the ending and I just got so mad at everything that happened. I was hoping the ending would kick it up or stay the same, feeling-wise, but it all just went downhill from there.

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun and engaging read. The action begins at the start and keeps on throughout. I enjoyed the mystery of it all. While I guessed some of the twists I still enjoyed this one. Will def keep my eyes on this author.

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read the advanced E-arc for my honest review. An absolutely excellent, fast-paced thriller read in only a few hours. So many twists and turns as well as different than the common theme of so many thrillers written recently. The ending was fantastic with a twist you’re not expecting! This author never fails to keep the reader enthralled and engaged with every book I’ve read so far…looking forward to another book already!

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one more non-stop thrill ride. It takes off like a shot and never slows down. When you think you have figured out what's going on, Mr. Millen throws another wrench in the works and you are left scratching your head, wondering where that came from. This story has more twists and turns than a bag full of pretzels! It has terrific characters who keep the reader on their toes, as much action as any thriller lover could ask for, and an ending that left my mouth open. I didn't see that coming at all. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and I sincerely hope Mr. Millen plans to make this a long-lasting series.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.

[Michelle Jarc · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book. I would give it negative 5 stars if I could. So many head slaps and eye roll moments. The story was so chaotic and disjointed. Transitions from past to present and even transitions in the present, made zero sense. At one point in the story there was a death of one of the characters with no explanation. I wanted to DNF this book many times, but I got sucked in, wanting to know who the main antagonist is. Time I cannot get back.....I always wonder when I come across AWFUL books, how they get published. HOW?

[Alexis Addison · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must be the minority because I thought this book was just plain right bad, almost borderline awful. The story feels completely and utterly disjointed. The “twist” made me roll my eyes probably harder than I ever have.

I really enjoyed the Claire Wolfe books by this author so figured I’d give this book a try. I almost stopped reading it on several different occasions.

[Rachelle Banuelos]

Dnf 16% 🥲

[Leah Molter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there was a little too much happening for me in this book! So many characters and thinks happening. Also the ending really bummed me out!

[Jenny McClinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This whirlwind action-packed thriller follows Amy as she is starting a new life in Manhattan after witnessing a terrifying incident.

Suddenly, following the death of her new boss she becomes a suspect to the police and as others seem to be turning up dead she must keep running until she can prove her innocence.

Meanwhile, a new BFF keeps sending her texts which seem to be helping her out, but with all that is happening she isn’t so sure she can trust them.

Will Amy prove her innocence? Who is her new BFF?

Wow, this book is exciting, it is action packed and doesn’t give Amy a break throughout with all that happens in the storyline.

The mystery of who the BFF could be and if they are trying to help her keeps you on the edge whilst you are trying to identify them.

The storyline is also very tense with all the action & mystery entwined; I enjoyed this read enormously.

Overall, an exciting, action-packed thriller where a woman starting a new life finds herself suspected of murder.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on my enjoyment of the author’s Claire Wolf series, I was excited about reading this psychological thriller. And it didn’t disappoint! I was pulled into the story right from the start. We follow a young woman hiding from her past who gets caught up in a murder investigation.
It is a fast read, full of twists & turns. Though I had suspected the ‘big reveal’ early on, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. If this ever gets made into a movie, I vote for Melissa McCarthy to play Beth!
I was provided with an ARC (thanks to the author & publisher!) and I am voluntarily posting my honest review.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I have read from this author. It is a good thriller that keeps things hopping all the way through. It starts with Amy who moves to a new city and starts a new job to escape the life she left behind. She is suspected of murdering her boyfriend who stole money from a "bad guy" and that guy seems to be after her. Is he the only one after her? Is she really the murderer? Has she committed murder again? Can she survive and thrive or will she have a tragic end? A fun book that's worth the read. I received an ARC of this novel. All thoughts are my own.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friend Like Me - Jamie Mullen

This WAS gonna be a four star read. Through most of the book it was a good and serious crime thriller… then everything took a humorous turn that did NOT fit with the seriousness of the initial story. It was bizarre to say the least! Yuck! It really ruined it for me!

[Kelliann Mcarthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total surprise ending! I never saw that coming and it was a shock. I expected similar results but not what it ended up being. And it left the option of a sequel!! Yay! This is definitely a twisty turny novel and you can actually see how the main character ends up where she does. Definitely worth the read, plus I like this author’s work and style as well,

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up because I did enjoy most of the ride, even if the ending was kinda weird. It definitely felt twisty for the sake of just having twists at the end and it didn't feel fully satisfying as well as it being kinda predictable as to who the best friend ended up being but it wasn't bad by any means. Amy made dumb choices sometimes but you get used to that happening in thrillers lol

[Madalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super fast paced and riveting from start to finish. There were so many players involved and so many possible outcomes.

The very ending was a bit unsatisfactory but it was otherwise super amazing

[Joanne Bandfield-Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC for an honest review. This book was absolutely amazing. So suspenseful and many twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Fabulous writing!

[Cynthia Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gripping thriller that has you hooked from the first page! Twists and turns that you won’t see coming from every corner! The end had me spinning!

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was right up my street and did not disappoint. Loved all the twists and turns and had to keep reading to get to the end as I wanted to know what happened. All signs of a good book for me.

I was given an advance copy by the author but the review is completely my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Millen NEVER disappoints and, here he is, with another absolute CORKER!!

Full of twists and turns…. You’ll never guess the ending!

Absolute masterpiece, once again, by Jamie Millen.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heel spannend, dat wel! Maar over de helft vond ik het toch ook wel belachelijke plotwendingen krijgen. Weer voortreffelijk voorgelezen door Jesse Vilinsky!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t to sure about this book honestly.. But I stuck with it and glad I did. It’s a good book.

[Amber Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was going to be a 4 star but the ending was quite far fetched.

[Lori Rohre · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded up. This was a fast-paced thriller with lots of twists and turns, but I felt like the ending was too quick and tidy, and not very believable.

[Kerri Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent book by Jamie Millen! He has become one of my new favorite authors.

[Danispiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT!!!!!
Once again Millen writes an amazing story. I was hooked the second I began reading, and couldn’t help but binge the entire book. It was SO GOOOOOOOOD!!!!!

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Stars (Good)

[Angelee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars

[Sarah Goodell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been a 5!! Ending just wasn’t satisfying