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The Surprise Visitor
Kind-hearted Jo Potter and fun-loving Eve Langton have been best friends since they were teenagers. Despite not seeing each other for a few years, they keep in touch every day with texts and calls. They'd love to meet up face-to-face, but life keeps getting in the way; they are both just so busy!
When Eve finds herself stranded in the town where Jo lives, she decides to surprise her friend with a spur-of-the-moment visit. But what should have been a lovely reunion is fraught with awkward moments when it quickly becomes clear that both women have been hiding huge secrets from one another. As Jo and Eve realise the size of each other's lies, their relationship is tested to breaking point. But true friends will be there for each other forever, won't they...?
When Eve finds herself stranded in the town where Jo lives, she decides to surprise her friend with a spur-of-the-moment visit. But what should have been a lovely reunion is fraught with awkward moments when it quickly becomes clear that both women have been hiding huge secrets from one another. As Jo and Eve realise the size of each other's lies, their relationship is tested to breaking point. But true friends will be there for each other forever, won't they...?
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2025
10 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Bramley
66 books1,134 followersCathy Bramley is the author of the best-selling romantic comedies Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love and The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. She lives in a Nottinghamshire village with her family and a dog.
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter twitter.com/CathyBramley
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her website www.CathyBramley.co.uk Facebook page Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor or on Twitter twitter.com/CathyBramley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 6, 2025
This is part of the 2025 Reading Agency Quick Reads annual series. I do enjoy these - they may be short but the quality of the story telling is excellent and this one was no exception. Two women who have been friends for so long but each keeping major life development secrets from each other, fearful of how the other will see them. With themes of imposter syndrome and self worth this was such an interesting story to follow. I was totally invested in their lives and did a little cheer for Jo for the way she dealt with the awful Suzy. A warm and uplifting story to while away an hour.
May 16, 2025
Nice, quick read.
June 7, 2025
Super cute and super quick read! I have never read a Cathy Bramley book before and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely have to get a “longer” book now!
September 14, 2025
Kind-hearted Jo Potter and fun-loving Eve Langton have been best friends since they were teenagers. Despite not seeing each other for a few years, they keep in touch every day with texts and calls. They'd love to meet up face-to-face, but life keeps getting in the way; they are both just so busy!
When Eve finds herself stranded in the town where Jo lives, she decides to surprise her friend with a spur-of-the-moment visit. But what should have been a lovely reunion is fraught with awkward moments when it quickly becomes clear that both women have been hiding huge secrets from one another. As Jo and Eve realise the size of each other's lies, their relationship is tested to breaking point. But true friends will be there for each other forever, won't they...?
When Eve finds herself stranded in the town where Jo lives, she decides to surprise her friend with a spur-of-the-moment visit. But what should have been a lovely reunion is fraught with awkward moments when it quickly becomes clear that both women have been hiding huge secrets from one another. As Jo and Eve realise the size of each other's lies, their relationship is tested to breaking point. But true friends will be there for each other forever, won't they...?
July 9, 2025
An enjoyable quick read with a message of taking care when believing everything you see on social media
August 21, 2025
I enjoyed this quick read, a story of two friends keeping secrets from each other because they are worried about how each other will think of the other.
It's good to be honest with each other and you never know how different situations can become. I felt sorry for Jo when we see her past life but she's stronger now which is fab to see!
I liked how fast paced this is for a quick read book. Nice storyline with a brilliant ending! Enjoyable!
It's good to be honest with each other and you never know how different situations can become. I felt sorry for Jo when we see her past life but she's stronger now which is fab to see!
I liked how fast paced this is for a quick read book. Nice storyline with a brilliant ending! Enjoyable!
June 10, 2025
Fantastic little book- by one of my favourite authors.
August 8, 2025
Love a quick read like this (especially after reading 1984🙈😅)...
Did not know Cathy Bramley, but now added some of her books to my wishlist - adored this one!
A sweet short story on friendship with nice fun dialogues and 2 very lovable leading ladies!
Did not know Cathy Bramley, but now added some of her books to my wishlist - adored this one!
A sweet short story on friendship with nice fun dialogues and 2 very lovable leading ladies!
April 23, 2025
Rating: 2.0/5
"The Surprise Visitor" is part of the 2025 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. The scheme is primarily intended to attract new readers or to tempt lapsed readers back into the fold, but you don't need to fall into either of those categories. Personally, I am a very much a supporter and always try to read all of the books they publish each year.
That point aside, I also have great admiration for any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is a real skill in constructing a rounded story, with fleshed-out characters in the space of a hundred or so pages. Author, Cathy Bramley, does a reasonable job of delivering on this requirement, but I am afraid that the actual story did very little for me. No doubt, there will be very many readers who lap up this kind of reading matter, but it is far too cutesy and twee for my liking.
"The Surprise Visitor" is part of the 2025 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. The scheme is primarily intended to attract new readers or to tempt lapsed readers back into the fold, but you don't need to fall into either of those categories. Personally, I am a very much a supporter and always try to read all of the books they publish each year.
That point aside, I also have great admiration for any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is a real skill in constructing a rounded story, with fleshed-out characters in the space of a hundred or so pages. Author, Cathy Bramley, does a reasonable job of delivering on this requirement, but I am afraid that the actual story did very little for me. No doubt, there will be very many readers who lap up this kind of reading matter, but it is far too cutesy and twee for my liking.
July 8, 2025
I love short reads and this one could easily be consumed in one sitting.
This was a heartwarming tale of friendship and misunderstandings, with likeable characters. Both Jo & Eve have things to hide, but I like the way in which they opened up to each other and were honest with each other at the end.
I love Cathy's writing and her story/scene setting instantly has you captivated. The fast pace of the story keeps you reading and wanting to know how the story will end. Although a little rushed, which can be expected from a quick read, this was still an enjoyable read that I really enjoyed.
This was a heartwarming tale of friendship and misunderstandings, with likeable characters. Both Jo & Eve have things to hide, but I like the way in which they opened up to each other and were honest with each other at the end.
I love Cathy's writing and her story/scene setting instantly has you captivated. The fast pace of the story keeps you reading and wanting to know how the story will end. Although a little rushed, which can be expected from a quick read, this was still an enjoyable read that I really enjoyed.
July 18, 2025
A great quick read. Such an interesting and maybe very relatable subject. The power of secrets and the pressure of keeping them. Both Jo and Eve are best friends yet they aren’t being honest with each other. Both women feel like they need to protect their own image that they feel the other has of them.
I loved the comical way the truth came out, Eve still trying to keep the pretence up whilst also trying to conduct a radio interview. It was really nice how it all worked out, showing just how strong their friendship is.
I loved the comical way the truth came out, Eve still trying to keep the pretence up whilst also trying to conduct a radio interview. It was really nice how it all worked out, showing just how strong their friendship is.
April 27, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up for this one.
It was great as a filler book, but definitely don’t think it’s worth anything more than a 2.5/3.
It is well written and quite fast paced, it gets to the point of the book quite quickly which is good for it being classed as a “quick read”.
It revolves around best friends Jo and Eve who have been best friends for over 20 years but they’re now hiding secrets from each other - Jo soon finds out Eve’s secret after hearing her on the radio having an interview.
It was great as a filler book, but definitely don’t think it’s worth anything more than a 2.5/3.
It is well written and quite fast paced, it gets to the point of the book quite quickly which is good for it being classed as a “quick read”.
It revolves around best friends Jo and Eve who have been best friends for over 20 years but they’re now hiding secrets from each other - Jo soon finds out Eve’s secret after hearing her on the radio having an interview.
May 8, 2025
It was an okay feel good story! I know it’s a short quick read as part of world book night but it was so rushed in places! I loved the premise and the characters though! A nice quick tale to get you back your reading mojo ! This could be easily enjoyed in one sitting! Thank you Cathy as ever for another good read!!
June 22, 2025
Love this author and this book didn’t disappoint. A great story about friendship, pride and honesty. This was easy to pick up and down but I imagine if you have the time it could be finished in a few hours. Highly recommend
July 21, 2025
Loved it. Great short story to get my reading mojo back. A storyline many can relate to with just enough twists to keep it interesting without overwhelming the reader.
Absolute gem. Well worth a read.
Absolute gem. Well worth a read.
November 11, 2025
I'm a huge Cathy Bramley fan usually, but not this time. The story is well written but the premise is beyond belief to me. Best friends do not lie to each other; they turn to each other in times of conflict, trouble, and especially, joy. This story made no sense to me.
April 11, 2025
A good read
April 14, 2025
A good short story
April 17, 2025
3 ⭐️
Was excited to read this but was disappointed, felt similar to other book. Why has secret authors become a new trope? Further didn’t like the dishonesty element.
Was excited to read this but was disappointed, felt similar to other book. Why has secret authors become a new trope? Further didn’t like the dishonesty element.
April 17, 2025
A quick read about two friends who have kept secrets from each other.
Read
April 22, 2025Quick read
This quick read is one of the best I've had the pleasure of reading, the story comes together perfectly.
Thank you
This quick read is one of the best I've had the pleasure of reading, the story comes together perfectly.
Thank you
April 22, 2025
This little book as a real tonic 😊
April 29, 2025
The Surprise Visitor by Cathy Bramley is a quick reads book and I really enjoyed it. Loved all of Cathy Bramley's books.
April 29, 2025
My first quick read and I enjoyed it.
May 1, 2025
A great read which I really enjoyed.
May 1, 2025
Super easy quick read.
May 22, 2025
A wonderful fast paced quick read
May 30, 2025
Brilliant short read. (Young me would also have adored this book as the daughter has the same name as me) loved it from start to finish.
June 15, 2025
Such a lovely short read - a nice story of two friends and friendship.
June 19, 2025
What a delightful short story, great characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews