Your Best Friend

by Julie Corbin

319 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Julie Corbin was born and grew up in Scotland. She studied at Edinburgh University and has been working for over twenty years as a nurse in various specialities including neurosurgery and school nursing. She began writing seriously when her three sons were teenagers. She lives in East Sussex, England.

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tess hears Lydia Green is moving back to the village, she is full of excitement. As teenagers, Tess and Lydia were inseparable. Until the end of that last summer when Lydia suddenly moved away. With the recent loss of her husband and two small children to care for, Tess could really use the support of her old best friend. It feels like a bright spot of light in such a difficult time. Like fate has brought Lydia back to her. But when Tess sees Lydia for the first time at Saturday sports, Lydia pretends not to know her. Tess can't believe Lydia would lie to her face in front of the whole village, or that she seems to want nothing to do with her.

Lydia is married to Zack, and he wants to move back to his hometown to be near his terminal ill mother, but Lydia is not so keen. But what happened in Tess and Lydia's teenage years? Tess hopes they can restart their friendship. But when Tess meets Lydia at Saturday sports, Lydia blanks her, pretending she doesn't know who she is.

The story is told from Tess and Lydia's points of view. It's filled with secrets and twists. This is a story of a friendship that went sour.

[Millie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a slow burner but the last quarter picked up the pace and made for a good read overall.

[Gemma Callaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark tale of the past with some nasty secrets thrown in for good measure.
It’s well written with well thought out characters. It bounces from past to present so you can fully emerge yourself in the plot.
I would certainly describe it as more of a slow burner with a predictable storyline but I didn’t mind that for a change.
I wasn’t massively blown away and expected a couple of twists that didn’t come but that didn’t ruin it for me.
It ended well and was wrapped up nicely without being dragged out.
Overall, a good read!

[Natalie Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning and middle were kinda slow but the last 100 ish pages made up for it!

I love Tess, that woman deserves the world!!!
(Honestly so does Lydia)

Oscar was an absolute piece of shit, and I’m glad he’s dead.

Genevieve can rot in hell.

Zack, my guy… Not you being gaslit by an elderly woman.

I hope Lydia knows nothing but light for the rest of her life, that poor poor woman.

[Heather Dearie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of book you want to read in one go, gripping right to the end.