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Girl Friends
Rules for the girls’ trip:
1) No kids
2) Out-of-office on
3) Keep the drinks flowing
4) DON’T TELL ANYONE WHAT WE’VE DONE
When Charlotte and Bianka meet, they quickly become inseparable. Wanting to bring fresh energy into her life, Charlotte invites Bianka on her annual girl’s trip to Ibiza with her childhood friends.
They arrive wanting to break the routine, to escape the monotony of everyday life. To drink too much, to flirt with strangers, to live life dangerously.
To take things too far.
No one could have planned for just how far these women were willing to go... Or how spectacularly this trip will ricochet through their lives back home.
They say that what happens in Ibiza, stays in Ibiza - if only that were the case...
A dark, addictive psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end, for fans of Harriet Tyce, B.A. Paris and Liane Moriarty.
1) No kids
2) Out-of-office on
3) Keep the drinks flowing
4) DON’T TELL ANYONE WHAT WE’VE DONE
When Charlotte and Bianka meet, they quickly become inseparable. Wanting to bring fresh energy into her life, Charlotte invites Bianka on her annual girl’s trip to Ibiza with her childhood friends.
They arrive wanting to break the routine, to escape the monotony of everyday life. To drink too much, to flirt with strangers, to live life dangerously.
To take things too far.
No one could have planned for just how far these women were willing to go... Or how spectacularly this trip will ricochet through their lives back home.
They say that what happens in Ibiza, stays in Ibiza - if only that were the case...
A dark, addictive psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end, for fans of Harriet Tyce, B.A. Paris and Liane Moriarty.
- GenresThriller
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2024
140 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Alex Dahl
11 books467 followersHalf-American, half-Norwegian, Alex Dahl was born in Oslo. She graduated with a B.A. in Russian and German linguistics with International Studies and went on to complete an M.A. in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, followed by an M.S. in Business Management at Bath University. Alex has published short stories in the U.K. and the U.S. She is a serious Francophile and currently lives in both London and Sandefjord. Alex Dahl is translated into eleven languages and was shortlisted for a CWA New Blood Dagger award for The Boy at the Door. The Heart Keeper (2019) is out now in English, Slovak, Polish, and Swedish, with further international translations underway. Playdate was published in Oct 2020 and was a Guardian Thriller of the month pick. Cabin Fever is out now!
Instagram @authoralex
Instagram @authoralex
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
March 26, 2023
2.5 rounded down. Hurts my heart to do it.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: stop it/5
SYNOPSIS
Charlotte Vinge, aka The Keto Queen, goes on a girls trip in Ibiza that goes west.
MY OPINION
*Le sigh.* I enjoyed After She'd Gone and ABSOLUTELY LOVED Cabin Fever: Trapped in the woods, there is no escape... The perfect chilly wintertime read for Christmas 2022! (banger alert was issued) so I was SUPER excited to get my hands on her latest release. WELP. Respectfully, this was disappointing to say the least. It really hurts me to not even toss this a 3 star, but I just cannot in good conscience. Besos needs to get with the time and give us .5 stars.
At times, the writing was shades of Cabin Fever, and I did have a chuckle here and there, but the dialogue was super awkward and cringy. You never need a line for "Yep" without a dialogue tag, I promise you this. Also the pacing was hella slow. The first 50% is all "world-building" I guess, with lots of descriptions of the ladies sunbathing, etc. Finally it pops off at around 50%, giving me hope that this book could grapple its way back to 4-star territory, and then going completely sideways in the last 10%.
What I did like was how Alex, once again, creates characters with interesting backgrounds. Here, we have Charlotte, the Keto Queen, who is has her own TV show, cookbooks, and branded products and Bianka's step-son Storm, who is a successful skier and well-known in Norway. In After She'd Gone, we had more wealthy characters, and in Cabin Fever, there was a candidate for Prime Minister. She always takes on a lil international trip too, which I enjoy. This is the second book that mentioned Corsica, which is my fave place in the world, and one I highly recommend you go to if you can.
Anyways... I can't get into this without spoilies, so here we go.
SPOILER ALERT🚨 SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO AVOID
Sooo the first 50% is Charlotte meeting Bianka and their "friendship" developing into a lesbian love affair. Then we have Storm (Bianka's step son) and his budding relationship with Charlotte's daughter. I always give Nordic Noir a wide berth when it comes to pacing because when it pops, it POPS, which is did. But it still wasn't enough. Because that last 10%???? You're actually JOKING. Charlotte's character does a complete 180 with seemingly no explanation. She's still The Keto Queen, but now she's shacked up with her "man child boyfriend" (her words) who is a mafiaoso and had a baby from her drug-fused threesome with the neighbour's son that she murdered. HUH??? Also this baby is key to Charlotte getting her HEA (undeserved IMO) because she's the lone heirness to her dad's fortune. Great. Much convenience.
I also felt that the revelation that Bianka murdered Storm's mom, Mia, lacked the emotional punch it should. When Emil and Storm leap to this conclusion (with little evidence other than some drawings from when Storm was 8), they're like ight ok anddddd SCENE. Oh and then we also find out Charlotte's mom was murdered by her lover's wife and it's like??? Felt like some extra razzle dazzle for shock value because why was it important how she died? This didn't offer any resolution to Charlotte, who had a fraught relationship with her mom after she dipped out to Ibiza to be with her rich luva boi.
Btw this all came to light in the last 10%... you see what I mean by buckwild?
SPOILERS FINISHED
Anyways. I recommend picking up After She'd Gone, or if you don't mind a slower burn with a big payoff, Cabin Fever instead. I can't even see this as a popcorn thriller because the first 50% was so boring. Still, I'll keep an eye out for the next NEXT book because I know she can tell a good story.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: when the plot finally pops, the pace picks up greatly and it's juicy, some good writing, some good jokes, interesting main character (Charlotte)
Cons: first 50% is just spinning its wheels – should've been shortened to about 20/25%, book goes buckwild in the last 10%, could've gone a bit deeper with some of the characters, pivotal moments lacked an emotional punch
_______________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 2/5 | Ending: stop it/5
SYNOPSIS
Charlotte Vinge, aka The Keto Queen, goes on a girls trip in Ibiza that goes west.
MY OPINION
*Le sigh.* I enjoyed After She'd Gone and ABSOLUTELY LOVED Cabin Fever: Trapped in the woods, there is no escape... The perfect chilly wintertime read for Christmas 2022! (banger alert was issued) so I was SUPER excited to get my hands on her latest release. WELP. Respectfully, this was disappointing to say the least. It really hurts me to not even toss this a 3 star, but I just cannot in good conscience. Besos needs to get with the time and give us .5 stars.
At times, the writing was shades of Cabin Fever, and I did have a chuckle here and there, but the dialogue was super awkward and cringy. You never need a line for "Yep" without a dialogue tag, I promise you this. Also the pacing was hella slow. The first 50% is all "world-building" I guess, with lots of descriptions of the ladies sunbathing, etc. Finally it pops off at around 50%, giving me hope that this book could grapple its way back to 4-star territory, and then going completely sideways in the last 10%.
What I did like was how Alex, once again, creates characters with interesting backgrounds. Here, we have Charlotte, the Keto Queen, who is has her own TV show, cookbooks, and branded products and Bianka's step-son Storm, who is a successful skier and well-known in Norway. In After She'd Gone, we had more wealthy characters, and in Cabin Fever, there was a candidate for Prime Minister. She always takes on a lil international trip too, which I enjoy. This is the second book that mentioned Corsica, which is my fave place in the world, and one I highly recommend you go to if you can.
Anyways... I can't get into this without spoilies, so here we go.
SPOILER ALERT🚨 SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO AVOID
Sooo the first 50% is Charlotte meeting Bianka and their "friendship" developing into a lesbian love affair. Then we have Storm (Bianka's step son) and his budding relationship with Charlotte's daughter. I always give Nordic Noir a wide berth when it comes to pacing because when it pops, it POPS, which is did. But it still wasn't enough. Because that last 10%???? You're actually JOKING. Charlotte's character does a complete 180 with seemingly no explanation. She's still The Keto Queen, but now she's shacked up with her "man child boyfriend" (her words) who is a mafiaoso and had a baby from her drug-fused threesome with the neighbour's son that she murdered. HUH??? Also this baby is key to Charlotte getting her HEA (undeserved IMO) because she's the lone heirness to her dad's fortune. Great. Much convenience.
I also felt that the revelation that Bianka murdered Storm's mom, Mia, lacked the emotional punch it should. When Emil and Storm leap to this conclusion (with little evidence other than some drawings from when Storm was 8), they're like ight ok anddddd SCENE. Oh and then we also find out Charlotte's mom was murdered by her lover's wife and it's like??? Felt like some extra razzle dazzle for shock value because why was it important how she died? This didn't offer any resolution to Charlotte, who had a fraught relationship with her mom after she dipped out to Ibiza to be with her rich luva boi.
Btw this all came to light in the last 10%... you see what I mean by buckwild?
SPOILERS FINISHED
Anyways. I recommend picking up After She'd Gone, or if you don't mind a slower burn with a big payoff, Cabin Fever instead. I can't even see this as a popcorn thriller because the first 50% was so boring. Still, I'll keep an eye out for the next NEXT book because I know she can tell a good story.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: when the plot finally pops, the pace picks up greatly and it's juicy, some good writing, some good jokes, interesting main character (Charlotte)
Cons: first 50% is just spinning its wheels – should've been shortened to about 20/25%, book goes buckwild in the last 10%, could've gone a bit deeper with some of the characters, pivotal moments lacked an emotional punch
_______________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
April 17, 2023
Charlotte Vinge is the Keto Queen and known in Norway and beyond having multiple followers. She and husband Andreas now live in Wimbledon, London and through Andreas’ work her paths cross with that of Bianka Langeland, newly moved to London. The two hit it off straight away although they are wildly different. Charlotte and her two best friends holiday annually in Ibiza and Charlotte extends the invitation to Bianka. What should have been a fun, relaxing holiday spins out of control in a way none of them could have predicted. The story is told by Charlotte, Bianka and Bianka’s stepson, Storm.
I do like the premise of the novel with female friendship and forming strong bonds is done well. Clearly both women have issues from the past and that is murky but does inform much of the present day. The dynamics between the various groups is interesting but none of the characters are especially likeable which makes it hard to connect with the storyline. As it progresses lies multiply with revelations and secrets bubbling to the surface which gets intriguing and entertaining.
However, all of the above takes a long time to emerge. It is very slow and not especially riveting for the first fifty per cent. It takes awhile to figure out why Storm’s point of view is there and I think we could have done without it although one key thing does emerge from it. The three perspectives feels disjointed and lacks flow. There’s some dialogue with cringe factor as well as some that feels inauthentic. As for the ending, it makes my head spin for all the wrong reasons. Parts of it are ridiculous in my opinion and after all the build up it feels eagerly rushed to a conclusion.
Overall, Alex Dahl is a way better author than this rather average book so I’m left feeling rather disappointed.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus, Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
I do like the premise of the novel with female friendship and forming strong bonds is done well. Clearly both women have issues from the past and that is murky but does inform much of the present day. The dynamics between the various groups is interesting but none of the characters are especially likeable which makes it hard to connect with the storyline. As it progresses lies multiply with revelations and secrets bubbling to the surface which gets intriguing and entertaining.
However, all of the above takes a long time to emerge. It is very slow and not especially riveting for the first fifty per cent. It takes awhile to figure out why Storm’s point of view is there and I think we could have done without it although one key thing does emerge from it. The three perspectives feels disjointed and lacks flow. There’s some dialogue with cringe factor as well as some that feels inauthentic. As for the ending, it makes my head spin for all the wrong reasons. Parts of it are ridiculous in my opinion and after all the build up it feels eagerly rushed to a conclusion.
Overall, Alex Dahl is a way better author than this rather average book so I’m left feeling rather disappointed.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus, Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 27, 2024
"Приятелки" - Алекс Дал
Естествено, че я поръчах на pre-order! Естествено, че изпревари всички, чакащи в списъка! Естествено, че използвах първия удобен момент (или по-скоро го направих такъв), за да седна да чета! И естествено, че я прочетох за два дни 😁
Алекс Дал се превърна в любим автор и някак от само себе си се подреди в списъка и зае челните места. Не е случайно - и трите й книги, преведени на български език, са абсолютно различни, засягат различни теми, героите са разнообразни, мястото не действието е Осло (и околностите му), въпреки че тук, в "Приятелки" героите доста пътуват и обстановката се сменя често, което пък е симпатичен начин да привлече читателското внимание.
Сюжетът е безкрайно женски - става дума за две жени - Бианка и Шарлот, за живота им преди и след като се запознават. Двете като че ли са пълна противоположност една на друга и начинът, по който е разказана историята, е доста различен. Има три гледни точки - тази на Шарлот, тази на Бианка и тази на Сторм - доведения син на Бианка.
Шарлот е праволинейна, контролираща, успяла в живота кето-кралица със собствен кулинарен блог, марка продукти и бляскаво семейство. В миналото си обаче е изживява доста неприятни неща, които е заровила дълбоко. Срещата й с Бианка разтърсва удобното и подредено ежедневие и я кара да се замисли коя всъщност е.
Бианка е тайнствена персона - омъжена за успял мъж, напуснала скучната си работа, магнетична, разкрепостена, но също криеща миналото си. Приела е доведения си син Сторм, но пази младините си в тайна. Сеансите с психотерапевт намекват за случка в миналото, която е разтърсила целия й свят и я е накарала да изгради защитна стена около себе си.
Сторм е объркан младеж, останал само с баща си след внезапната смърт на майка си и знаещ много малко за нея и младостта й. Млада спортна надежда, той среща момиче на неговата възраст, с което може да споделя мислите и тревогите си около това каква е била всъщност майка му. Което вади на показ доста премълчани тайни, но и ролята на Бианка години назад.
Естествено, че я поръчах на pre-order! Естествено, че изпревари всички, чакащи в списъка! Естествено, че използвах първия удобен момент (или по-скоро го направих такъв), за да седна да чета! И естествено, че я прочетох за два дни 😁
Алекс Дал се превърна в любим автор и някак от само себе си се подреди в списъка и зае челните места. Не е случайно - и трите й книги, преведени на български език, са абсолютно различни, засягат различни теми, героите са разнообразни, мястото не действието е Осло (и околностите му), въпреки че тук, в "Приятелки" героите доста пътуват и обстановката се сменя често, което пък е симпатичен начин да привлече читателското внимание.
Сюжетът е безкрайно женски - става дума за две жени - Бианка и Шарлот, за живота им преди и след като се запознават. Двете като че ли са пълна противоположност една на друга и начинът, по който е разказана историята, е доста различен. Има три гледни точки - тази на Шарлот, тази на Бианка и тази на Сторм - доведения син на Бианка.
Шарлот е праволинейна, контролираща, успяла в живота кето-кралица със собствен кулинарен блог, марка продукти и бляскаво семейство. В миналото си обаче е изживява доста неприятни неща, които е заровила дълбоко. Срещата й с Бианка разтърсва удобното и подредено ежедневие и я кара да се замисли коя всъщност е.
Бианка е тайнствена персона - омъжена за успял мъж, напуснала скучната си работа, магнетична, разкрепостена, но също криеща миналото си. Приела е доведения си син Сторм, но пази младините си в тайна. Сеансите с психотерапевт намекват за случка в миналото, която е разтърсила целия й свят и я е накарала да изгради защитна стена около себе си.
Сторм е объркан младеж, останал само с баща си след внезапната смърт на майка си и знаещ много малко за нея и младостта й. Млада спортна надежда, той среща момиче на неговата възраст, с което може да споделя мислите и тревогите си около това каква е била всъщност майка му. Което вади на показ доста премълчани тайни, но и ролята на Бианка години назад.
April 22, 2024
** DNF **
Awful rubbish. Got to 35% through what started as a promising read when I gave up. If gratuitous lesbian sex, drugs and an elicit ‘affair’ were supposed to hold this book up it failed miserably. No plot, tenuous potential plot lines and a cast of characters who were one dimensional and unlikeable. Frankly I wish what had happened in Ibiza had actually stayed there.
Awful rubbish. Got to 35% through what started as a promising read when I gave up. If gratuitous lesbian sex, drugs and an elicit ‘affair’ were supposed to hold this book up it failed miserably. No plot, tenuous potential plot lines and a cast of characters who were one dimensional and unlikeable. Frankly I wish what had happened in Ibiza had actually stayed there.
February 7, 2025
Ами.. Нищо общо с другите две книги.Повърхностна,предвидима,чак дразнеща на места.Четох по диагонал и пак ми отне време,просто е от книгите, които стоят на масата с дни и нямам желание да отворя....
April 17, 2025
Dobra je! Nije da obara s nogu, ali drži pažnju...
April 13, 2024
Charlotte is living the dream; she has the big house, the successful career, the happy family. But there’s no real excitement or spontaneity in her life. So when the confident and alluring Bianka arrives in town, she’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame. There is most certainly a connection there and after Charlotte invites her on a girls’ trip to Ibiza their relationship starts to ignite. They can be wild, daring and hedonistic away from home, Charlotte has never felt so free.
But, after one dramatic night, things swiftly turn sour and Charlotte starts to wonder how she can ever untangle herself out of the mess she’s found herself in…
This is my perfect kind of thriller. A few central characters, short snappy chapters, an exotic and idyllic location and a fast flowing and wild plot. I genuinely couldn’t put this one down, I tore through it. Bianca was mesmerising, it was easy to see her attraction and I especially loved the Ibiza segment of the story.
This is the second Alex Dahl book I’ve read (and loved) and I now need to get my hands on her entire back catalogue. If you want a top notch thriller for your summer hols this year then look no further, I’ve just found it for you!
But, after one dramatic night, things swiftly turn sour and Charlotte starts to wonder how she can ever untangle herself out of the mess she’s found herself in…
This is my perfect kind of thriller. A few central characters, short snappy chapters, an exotic and idyllic location and a fast flowing and wild plot. I genuinely couldn’t put this one down, I tore through it. Bianca was mesmerising, it was easy to see her attraction and I especially loved the Ibiza segment of the story.
This is the second Alex Dahl book I’ve read (and loved) and I now need to get my hands on her entire back catalogue. If you want a top notch thriller for your summer hols this year then look no further, I’ve just found it for you!
August 14, 2025
Абсолютният трилър за летните почивни дни! Имах високи очаквания след „След като тя си отиде“, защото тогава направо се влюбих в стила на авторката, и този път тя отново не разочарова. Историята е изпълнена с драма, интриги и опасни тайни, а героите са многопластови, сложни и изключ��телно манипулативни - просто няма слабо. Докато четях, в главата ми се въртеше брутален филм, който спокойно би гръмнал в Netflix с най-известните актьори в каста, толкова добро и динамично четиво беше.
Първата половина тръгна малко по-бавно, но щом действието се премести в ослепителната Ибиса - the shit hit the fan. 👏 Всичко се преобърна с краката нагоре по възможно най-пикантния и увлекателен начин. Единствено финалът ме загуби леко - обратът беше предвидим за мен още от анотацията, но това не ми беше чак такъв проблем, колкото това, че самият завършек ми се стори прекалено прибързан и леко неудовлетворяващ. В пролога героят, който през цялата история е бил последователен, внезапно се държеше като напълно различен човек и това остави леко горчив вкус. Някои въпроси, макар и не толкова важни, останаха без отговор, а сцената на кулминацията можеше да се разгърне с малко повече внимание и темпо, дори още едни 40-50 страници щяха да свършат чудеса, ноо, както казват хората - пълно щастие няма. 😃
Въпреки тези дребни забележки, горещо препоръчвам! Перфектна е за плажа, басейна или дори за спокойна вечер у дома. Авторката пише завладяващо и живописно - всяка сцена, мисъл и емоция оживяват пред очите ти. Убедена съм, че с времето ще се превърне в една от любимите ми, и със сигурност ще очаквам следващата ми среща с нея с огромно нетърпение. 😍
Първата половина тръгна малко по-бавно, но щом действието се премести в ослепителната Ибиса - the shit hit the fan. 👏 Всичко се преобърна с краката нагоре по възможно най-пикантния и увлекателен начин. Единствено финалът ме загуби леко - обратът беше предвидим за мен още от анотацията, но това не ми беше чак такъв проблем, колкото това, че самият завършек ми се стори прекалено прибързан и леко неудовлетворяващ. В пролога героят, който през цялата история е бил последователен, внезапно се държеше като напълно различен човек и това остави леко горчив вкус. Някои въпроси, макар и не толкова важни, останаха без отговор, а сцената на кулминацията можеше да се разгърне с малко повече внимание и темпо, дори още едни 40-50 страници щяха да свършат чудеса, ноо, както казват хората - пълно щастие няма. 😃
Въпреки тези дребни забележки, горещо препоръчвам! Перфектна е за плажа, басейна или дори за спокойна вечер у дома. Авторката пише завладяващо и живописно - всяка сцена, мисъл и емоция оживяват пред очите ти. Убедена съм, че с времето ще се превърне в една от любимите ми, и със сигурност ще очаквам следващата ми среща с нея с огромно нетърпение. 😍
April 13, 2024
If your guilty pleasure is reading novels about wealthy people whose carefully constructed lives fall apart, then you will love Girl Friends. The story unfolds from the point of view of three characters: Charlotte, Bianka and Bianka’s stepson, Storm.
Charlotte has become an online sensation as the ‘Keto Queen’. She’s a self-confessed control freak whose image is carefully curated and whose domestic life is rigidly organised. But behind the facade, everything’s not so perfect. Her marriage to bank executive Andreas has become stale and passionless so she lives for her boozy get togethers with her friends Anette and Linda, fellow Scandinavian ex-pats. When Andreas asks her to cosy up to Bianka, the wife of his boss Emil, she agrees but, boy, does she not realise what she’s getting herself into.
If Charlotte is an expert at controlling herself then Bianka is an expert at controlling others. And, it transpires, she has a history of it. (As the book progresses, we get little suggestions that experiences earlier in Bianka’s life might have contributed to her need to control.) Bianka fawns over Charlotte wanting to learn every detail of Charlotte’s life but without giving away too much about her own. What she does divulge is, one suspects, often complete fiction carefully designed to create a bond between them. Bianka dresses to stand out, seems assured in any social situation and proves up for anything. It’s that adventurous spirit that proves irresistible to Charlotte.
Charlotte’s decision to invite Bianka to the annual ‘girls only’ trip to the family villa in Ibiza doesn’t go down well with Anette and Linda but by this time Charlotte is too dazzled and besotted by Bianka to care. Egged on by Bianka, long afternoons dozing on the terrace, morning yoga sessions and trips to fancy restaurants are soon replaced by wild, hedonistic parties where all forms of intoxication are available. From that point on it’s like watching an impending train crash. But who is the driver, who is the passenger and will anyone else be injured in the process?
In case you think I’ve forgotten Storm, I haven’t and, in fact, his was a storyline I really enjoyed. He is much the most empathetic character in the book, although that wouldn’t be difficult. Why is it, he wonders, that his father and, in particular, his stepmother Bianka are so reluctant to mention Storm’s mother Mia, or the circumstances of her death, supposedly the result of a freak accident in the mountains. As he digs into the past, memories that he’d previously suppressed start to emerge and what they reveal is shocking.
With its mix of intrigue and glamour, Girl Friends is like an exotic cocktail but one that will leave you with an almighty hangover in the morning and perhaps yearning for the carb hit of a piece of garlic foccacia. I confess I wasn’t a fan of the epilogue-type ending which seemed a little farfetched. But that apart, Girl Friends is the perfect beach read or book to get you through a long, otherwise tedious journey.
Charlotte has become an online sensation as the ‘Keto Queen’. She’s a self-confessed control freak whose image is carefully curated and whose domestic life is rigidly organised. But behind the facade, everything’s not so perfect. Her marriage to bank executive Andreas has become stale and passionless so she lives for her boozy get togethers with her friends Anette and Linda, fellow Scandinavian ex-pats. When Andreas asks her to cosy up to Bianka, the wife of his boss Emil, she agrees but, boy, does she not realise what she’s getting herself into.
If Charlotte is an expert at controlling herself then Bianka is an expert at controlling others. And, it transpires, she has a history of it. (As the book progresses, we get little suggestions that experiences earlier in Bianka’s life might have contributed to her need to control.) Bianka fawns over Charlotte wanting to learn every detail of Charlotte’s life but without giving away too much about her own. What she does divulge is, one suspects, often complete fiction carefully designed to create a bond between them. Bianka dresses to stand out, seems assured in any social situation and proves up for anything. It’s that adventurous spirit that proves irresistible to Charlotte.
Charlotte’s decision to invite Bianka to the annual ‘girls only’ trip to the family villa in Ibiza doesn’t go down well with Anette and Linda but by this time Charlotte is too dazzled and besotted by Bianka to care. Egged on by Bianka, long afternoons dozing on the terrace, morning yoga sessions and trips to fancy restaurants are soon replaced by wild, hedonistic parties where all forms of intoxication are available. From that point on it’s like watching an impending train crash. But who is the driver, who is the passenger and will anyone else be injured in the process?
In case you think I’ve forgotten Storm, I haven’t and, in fact, his was a storyline I really enjoyed. He is much the most empathetic character in the book, although that wouldn’t be difficult. Why is it, he wonders, that his father and, in particular, his stepmother Bianka are so reluctant to mention Storm’s mother Mia, or the circumstances of her death, supposedly the result of a freak accident in the mountains. As he digs into the past, memories that he’d previously suppressed start to emerge and what they reveal is shocking.
With its mix of intrigue and glamour, Girl Friends is like an exotic cocktail but one that will leave you with an almighty hangover in the morning and perhaps yearning for the carb hit of a piece of garlic foccacia. I confess I wasn’t a fan of the epilogue-type ending which seemed a little farfetched. But that apart, Girl Friends is the perfect beach read or book to get you through a long, otherwise tedious journey.
August 20, 2025
Konačno pročitano. I iskreno – nije me oduševilo.
Možda zato što sam već čitala previše sličnih romana pa me ništa nije iznenadilo. A možda zato što me “dodala je gas u svojoj Valentino sandali” vrsta opisa stvarno odbija – zvuči mi plitko i neuvjerljivo.
Radnja je smještena na Ibizi: savršena vila, beskrajni partyji, droga, seks i privid glamura. U središtu su Charlotte (uspješna i „ispravna“) i Bianca (intrigantna, pomalo poremećena), koje ulaze u vrtlog prijateljstva, opsesije i kratke, ali opasne avanture.
Njihov odnos ubrzo prerasta u destruktivnu igru – jedna drugu pomalo uništavaju, a na kraju se nađu upletene i u ubojstvo.
Zanimljivo je postalo tek na zadnjih 30-ak stranica, kada napetost zaista poraste.
Ibiza, vile, partyji i opasne prijateljice – sve to zvuči uzbudljivo, ali sama priča ostaje površna. Knjiga je više kulisa nego sadržaj.
Možda zato što sam već čitala previše sličnih romana pa me ništa nije iznenadilo. A možda zato što me “dodala je gas u svojoj Valentino sandali” vrsta opisa stvarno odbija – zvuči mi plitko i neuvjerljivo.
Radnja je smještena na Ibizi: savršena vila, beskrajni partyji, droga, seks i privid glamura. U središtu su Charlotte (uspješna i „ispravna“) i Bianca (intrigantna, pomalo poremećena), koje ulaze u vrtlog prijateljstva, opsesije i kratke, ali opasne avanture.
Njihov odnos ubrzo prerasta u destruktivnu igru – jedna drugu pomalo uništavaju, a na kraju se nađu upletene i u ubojstvo.
Zanimljivo je postalo tek na zadnjih 30-ak stranica, kada napetost zaista poraste.
Ibiza, vile, partyji i opasne prijateljice – sve to zvuči uzbudljivo, ali sama priča ostaje površna. Knjiga je više kulisa nego sadržaj.
August 3, 2025
Лятната ми почивка завършва супер удовлетворяващо с това 5 звездно за мен четиво. Определено не очаквах, особено след не ласкавото мнение, което получих за книгата. За пореден път се убеждавам, че да имаш ниски или никакви очаквания винаги е по добре.
Сега за книгата, ако има такова нещо като slow burn 🔥 трилър, то тази книга е точно такава. Всичко започва лека полека - Бианка се мести заедно със семейството си в Лондон и се опитва да се впише в местната групичка на скандинавките. Така се запознава с Шарлот и скоро след това отиват на женска почивка в къщата и в Ибиса.
Книгата изобилства с описания на красивата природа на острова, на релаксиращите и вълнуващи преживявания на жените, нещо на което аз се насладих. Тези жени са успешни, богати, в зряла възраст, съпруги, майки, тяхната почивка е доста релаксираща.
Все пак книгата е трилър и тази тръпка какво ще стане поддържа вълнението ми и се надгражда с развитието на историята.
В книгата имаме три гледни точки на Шарлот, Бианка и сина и Сторм.
Развръзката и краят определено ми хареса.
"Не съм убедена, че обобщението за добър живот е комфортен. И не е неприемливо да искаш отново да се чувстваш жива."
Сега за книгата, ако има такова нещо като slow burn 🔥 трилър, то тази книга е точно такава. Всичко започва лека полека - Бианка се мести заедно със семейството си в Лондон и се опитва да се впише в местната групичка на скандинавките. Така се запознава с Шарлот и скоро след това отиват на женска почивка в къщата и в Ибиса.
Книгата изобилства с описания на красивата природа на острова, на релаксиращите и вълнуващи преживявания на жените, нещо на което аз се насладих. Тези жени са успешни, богати, в зряла възраст, съпруги, майки, тяхната почивка е доста релаксираща.
Все пак книгата е трилър и тази тръпка какво ще стане поддържа вълнението ми и се надгражда с развитието на историята.
В книгата имаме три гледни точки на Шарлот, Бианка и сина и Сторм.
Развръзката и краят определено ми хареса.
"Не съм убедена, че обобщението за добър живот е комфортен. И не е неприемливо да искаш отново да се чувстваш жива."
October 18, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
I love twisty stories about obsession and jealousy, so I went into this book eagerly. The cover was compelling, the cold open was well written and acted as an excellent hook, but unfortunately the rest of the book didn't hold up for me.
I struggled with the pacing — the first half of the book was incredibly slow, but the most important peaks and crescendos of the narrative felt rushed, with the pacing getting worse and more rushed as the book progressed, leaving the ending feeling unsatisfying.
The plot itself — though at times a little far-fetched — was intelligent, with fleshed-out characters and dynamics, but the execution of writing around the said plot felt underbaked; there was a lot of telling rather than showing, with the author using a lot of quite lazy matter-of-fact prose to fill in all the narrative gaps.
I did like the characters and the author had clearly put some thought into the storyline; I really liked Storm's POV and how that added tension to the story in a clever way because it was a little distanced from the other perspectives in the book (Charlotte and Bianka), allowing the reader to fill in some of the gaps themselves. I wish more of the book had been like this.
TLDR: nice cover, good plot idea, poor execution
I love twisty stories about obsession and jealousy, so I went into this book eagerly. The cover was compelling, the cold open was well written and acted as an excellent hook, but unfortunately the rest of the book didn't hold up for me.
I struggled with the pacing — the first half of the book was incredibly slow, but the most important peaks and crescendos of the narrative felt rushed, with the pacing getting worse and more rushed as the book progressed, leaving the ending feeling unsatisfying.
The plot itself — though at times a little far-fetched — was intelligent, with fleshed-out characters and dynamics, but the execution of writing around the said plot felt underbaked; there was a lot of telling rather than showing, with the author using a lot of quite lazy matter-of-fact prose to fill in all the narrative gaps.
I did like the characters and the author had clearly put some thought into the storyline; I really liked Storm's POV and how that added tension to the story in a clever way because it was a little distanced from the other perspectives in the book (Charlotte and Bianka), allowing the reader to fill in some of the gaps themselves. I wish more of the book had been like this.
TLDR: nice cover, good plot idea, poor execution
October 9, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down (pls give us half star ratings)
started slow but the little prequel scene ??? obsessed. drew me into the plot soooo much. didn’t even mind it being slow because i was so invested to find out what happened. like actually DESPERATE to understand what was going on.
AND THEN ??? the depiction of that weird kind of intense toxic friendships you have as a sapphic woman sometimes??? so good. SOOOOOO GOOD. especially charlotte not knowing what was going on and never having considered being attracted to a woman before. it felt so raw and so real and i connected so much with the characters because of it.
speaking of the characters, hated every single one of them. they all SUCKED. and i LOVE a book full of characters who suck.
now for the problems. was it not obvious to us all that bianka killed mia from like the moment she was mentioned. and it was dragged out weirdly but then the evidence that storm and emil had when they DID jump to that conclusion still felt very lacking and there was NO exploration of that at all? i felt like i wanted more from that storyline and of the absolute horror of emil discovering this and realising he’s repressed this knowledge (because that’s what it felt like he had been doing)
ending was a shocker but like not really in a good way ?? all felt super out of character for charlotte and i get she had changed because of what happened but it seemed like a LOT of change all at once.
side note what was the point in us finding out what happened to her mother when it had zero consequences for anything i was waiting for something important to happpen around that but then it simply didn’t
overall definitely enjoyable and i will be recommending it but the ending was disappointing/confusing. read this on holiday in one sitting and i think that was the perfect way to experience it
started slow but the little prequel scene ??? obsessed. drew me into the plot soooo much. didn’t even mind it being slow because i was so invested to find out what happened. like actually DESPERATE to understand what was going on.
AND THEN ??? the depiction of that weird kind of intense toxic friendships you have as a sapphic woman sometimes??? so good. SOOOOOO GOOD. especially charlotte not knowing what was going on and never having considered being attracted to a woman before. it felt so raw and so real and i connected so much with the characters because of it.
speaking of the characters, hated every single one of them. they all SUCKED. and i LOVE a book full of characters who suck.
now for the problems. was it not obvious to us all that bianka killed mia from like the moment she was mentioned. and it was dragged out weirdly but then the evidence that storm and emil had when they DID jump to that conclusion still felt very lacking and there was NO exploration of that at all? i felt like i wanted more from that storyline and of the absolute horror of emil discovering this and realising he’s repressed this knowledge (because that’s what it felt like he had been doing)
ending was a shocker but like not really in a good way ?? all felt super out of character for charlotte and i get she had changed because of what happened but it seemed like a LOT of change all at once.
side note what was the point in us finding out what happened to her mother when it had zero consequences for anything i was waiting for something important to happpen around that but then it simply didn’t
overall definitely enjoyable and i will be recommending it but the ending was disappointing/confusing. read this on holiday in one sitting and i think that was the perfect way to experience it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
Charlotte has it all, the successful career and the loving family but behind closed doors she is secretly bored of her life. When free-spirited Bianka arrives in her life she feels like fate has intervened and the two soon form a close bond. Escaping on a girls trip to Ibiza Charlotte dives into a new, wild side to her life where she finally feels free but devastating consequences on the holiday means the aftermath hits her life back in London. The regrets soon kick in for Charlotte and she begins to wonder if meeting Bianka really was an accident after all…
This book has a lot going on but I did find it took a little while to get going with the first half of the book setting the scene entirely for the friendship development between Charlotte and Bianka. This means quite a lot happens in the latter half of the book, where things can also get a little far-fetched at times too!
None of the characters are particularly likeable but I believe this is the author’s intention in building the tension of the friendship and the outcome. The POV chapters alternating between the two women definitely allows you to see both sides of the story, I must admit the inclusion of Storm’s POV chapters did seem a little disjointed in relation to this at times but appreciate is essential for the secret reveal about his relationships.
Although a little slow paced for me the book kept me reading until the end to find out what happened and is a toxic tale of female friendship that does not turn out as expected.
This book has a lot going on but I did find it took a little while to get going with the first half of the book setting the scene entirely for the friendship development between Charlotte and Bianka. This means quite a lot happens in the latter half of the book, where things can also get a little far-fetched at times too!
None of the characters are particularly likeable but I believe this is the author’s intention in building the tension of the friendship and the outcome. The POV chapters alternating between the two women definitely allows you to see both sides of the story, I must admit the inclusion of Storm’s POV chapters did seem a little disjointed in relation to this at times but appreciate is essential for the secret reveal about his relationships.
Although a little slow paced for me the book kept me reading until the end to find out what happened and is a toxic tale of female friendship that does not turn out as expected.
April 23, 2024
This book was a mixed bag. A bit too melodramatic for me, combined with some really inconsistent characters. We meet Bianka first, moving to London with her husband, relieved her stepson is heading off to boarding school. She seems nice enough (despite some antipathy towards the stepson). We're then introduced to Charlotte whose husband works for Bianka's husband but we learn they're well off and she has a reputation as an influencer (Keto Queen). I couldn't quite tell who was more enamoured with who. Charlotte's enchanted by the very different and exotic Bianka but Bianka can't get enough of Charlotte... who apparently reminds her of someone else.
Fast forward to the ladies weekend away. We know from the prologue that things go badly, ending in a death, but it still takes a long time to get there. I'm fairly sure I was grimacing as I read much of this part of the book, and through some of what comes after. It's not poorly written, rather the way it plays out felt a little juvenile or soap-opera-like. Bianka in particular is a master manipulator and it was almost painful to watch Charlotte being so gullible.
We've learned (by now) a bit about their backstories so there's some context for their actions (and reactions) but it's a bit like watching the proverbial train wreck. Things go from bad to worse for Charlotte in particular and suddenly Bianka is all contrite again, after so flagrantly and purposefully pre-empting everything.
In the background we learn a little more about Bianka's husband's first wife and the fact Bianka was also quite enamoured by her also... before her untimely death.
Kudos to Dahl however as just when we think we know how this is ending, she mixes things up yet again - and in a way that seems very infeasible... but it plays out nonetheless. And 'some' of them anyway, live happily ever after.
Fast forward to the ladies weekend away. We know from the prologue that things go badly, ending in a death, but it still takes a long time to get there. I'm fairly sure I was grimacing as I read much of this part of the book, and through some of what comes after. It's not poorly written, rather the way it plays out felt a little juvenile or soap-opera-like. Bianka in particular is a master manipulator and it was almost painful to watch Charlotte being so gullible.
We've learned (by now) a bit about their backstories so there's some context for their actions (and reactions) but it's a bit like watching the proverbial train wreck. Things go from bad to worse for Charlotte in particular and suddenly Bianka is all contrite again, after so flagrantly and purposefully pre-empting everything.
In the background we learn a little more about Bianka's husband's first wife and the fact Bianka was also quite enamoured by her also... before her untimely death.
Kudos to Dahl however as just when we think we know how this is ending, she mixes things up yet again - and in a way that seems very infeasible... but it plays out nonetheless. And 'some' of them anyway, live happily ever after.
May 5, 2024
Started off really entertaining and engaging but I feel like the author had one too many ideas to commit to. The whole ‘Keto Queen' diet culture thing was a big deal but moved to the background until it was convenient for a plot twist. Was hoping there'd be more exploration of the negative aspects of that but it was just kind of abandoned. I even had hopes for the WLW relationship but mostly it felt like they had a lesbian affair for fun rather than because they actually are attracted to women - neither stated that they're attracted to women and their husbands were just kind of. There.
Rep: WLW relationship but idk if it’s a good one
TW/CWs: Murder/death, diet culture, ED, infidelity, injury detail, drug use, death of a parent (past)
Rep: WLW relationship but idk if it’s a good one
TW/CWs: Murder/death, diet culture, ED, infidelity, injury detail, drug use, death of a parent (past)
January 6, 2025
If it wasnt my 4th book of the year I would not have finished this book. From the beginning the characters were unlikelable and completely unrelatable, basically rich people doing bad stuff. I think the idea of the book could be executed a lot better, I just dont think the pacing or the characters were done right. It felt weird to switch from one perspective of a character to another when they were all treated as main charcters. Also the pacing was super slow at the beginning and when stuff actually happened the pacing got too quick for my liking. Overall I think I would have liked the book a lot better if the charcters werent rich privileged people.
April 5, 2025
This book was definitely gripping and kept me turning the pages with its intense atmosphere and twisted friendships. The plot was intriguing, and the tension between the characters was well-written. However, some parts felt far-fetched and unrealistic, which made it harder for me to fully believe it. The story had great potential, but the ending really ruined it for me—it felt rushed, unsatisfying, and didn’t do justice to the buildup. A strong start, but ultimately not that great.
January 12, 2025
Kept me guessing right to the end. A serious page turner from about half way wondering where it was going and sucked me right in a few times. A decent thriller - my second or third Alex Dahl book, I love the settings, characters and quirkiness of this half-Norwegian authors books so far. So twisted :)
January 8, 2025
Нещо свежо и много различно в жанра… “ Приятелки” на Алекс Дал е центрирана върху мощта и опасностите криещи се в близкото приятелство между две жени.
Готови са да се унищожат една друга в името на перфектния си живот…
Финала беше леко претупан, но силно препоръчвам книгата !! 5/5 ⭐️
Готови са да се унищожат една друга в името на перфектния си живот…
Финала беше леко претупан, но силно препоръчвам книгата !! 5/5 ⭐️
March 16, 2025
2⭐️ за идеята и нищо друго.
Нямаше добре измислена структура, на героите им липсваше логично мислене през цялото време и дори нямам предвид тези, които наистина имаха проблеми.
Завършекът нямаше смисъл.
Нямаше добре измислена структура, на героите им липсваше логично мислене през цялото време и дори нямам предвид тези, които наистина имаха проблеми.
Завършекът нямаше смисъл.
December 7, 2023
Advance review copy received with thanks from the publisher and NetGalley. More in my next Good Reads blog at www.sandiwallace.com/blog/.
December 23, 2024
I’m not sure what I expected but definitely wasn’t this!! There were some juicy twists and a nice balance of romance, scandal and thriller. Very much something to get stuck into if you’re in a reading slump
October 19, 2025
Good writing, fun twists and compelling characters but some pacing issues (slow start, slightly rushed ending).
October 28, 2025
Boring at the beginning, thrilling about 3/4 way through…stupid at the end!
April 11, 2024
An uncomfortable read for me.
Charlotte has a very successful life; a good career, great friends and a settled home life. Each year, she has a girls' week with her two closest friends as they head to Ibiza to open up her holiday home for the season. With the arrival of a new senior colleague at her husband's firm, she is introduced to both him and his wife, Bianka, who quickly worms her way into Charlotte's friendship group and the annual girls' trip. However, there is more to Bianka than meets the eye . . .
I settled into this one quickly but soon felt very much out of my comfort zone. I originally chose to read and review this one due to the author's name but I really didn't expect it to be so hedonistic and I had issues with the resulting crime. I got through it but it's not one I enjoyed at all. I'm sure plenty of other readers will love it, but it's not for me. 3*.
Charlotte has a very successful life; a good career, great friends and a settled home life. Each year, she has a girls' week with her two closest friends as they head to Ibiza to open up her holiday home for the season. With the arrival of a new senior colleague at her husband's firm, she is introduced to both him and his wife, Bianka, who quickly worms her way into Charlotte's friendship group and the annual girls' trip. However, there is more to Bianka than meets the eye . . .
I settled into this one quickly but soon felt very much out of my comfort zone. I originally chose to read and review this one due to the author's name but I really didn't expect it to be so hedonistic and I had issues with the resulting crime. I got through it but it's not one I enjoyed at all. I'm sure plenty of other readers will love it, but it's not for me. 3*.
July 17, 2024
A lot going on…but a good beach read
January 10, 2025
Никак нелоша, но финала доста претупан. Буквално всичко обяснено в последните 3,4 стр. Реална оценка 3,5
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