We Would Never Tell

by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Gowns. Champagne. Murder.

Hollywood, but make it French, for twelve days straight, as the red carpet rolls out to the riviera for the Cannes Film Festival. The most famous people are all here to celebrate themselves, while the rest of the world watches in awe. And with a heavy dose of envy, at least for three young, ambitious, talented women who can't seem to climb up from the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder. As they swirl in the glitz of Cannes, the VIP invitations seem so hard to come by, and the A-list so far away. It's enough to drive them a little crazy. Enough to make them snap and do things they might—or definitely will—regret.

It's a good thing they're invisible . . . until a multi-million-dollar necklace vanishes and a dead body is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea. Then, the heat of the spotlight turns up so hot that they have nowhere to hide. Now their biggest dreams are even further out of reach. Or can you get away with theft and murder if you want it badly enough?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 14, 2026

About the author

Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a bilingual French author based in the U.S. She has previously published novels and nonfiction books for teens, which have been translated into over twelve languages. The French Honeymoon is her debut adult novel. After graduating university in France, she moved to Amsterdam to begin a career in advertising. She then spent a few years in Melbourne before settling in New York City, where she lives with her French-Australian-American family, two gorgeous cats, and a whole lot of passports. Find her on social media @asjouhanneau.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this story. I don't want to give any spoilers because this story is worth reading for yourself (and hopefully you'll be as surprised as I was). I loved the conflict, the mixed loyalties, the betrayal — and the portrayal of women in Hollywood.

Marnie, Lou, and Constance are all flawed women trying to make it in an increasingly hostile industry. They're dedicated, a bit self-absorbed, and feel like they're -just- on the cusp of making it. They all have their own secrets and petty disagreements. Their story follows them on 12 days at the Cannes movie festival from the point of view of the "almosts"-they aren't rich or famous but think they can be if they just play their cards right.

Things I loved:
-Multiple POV, which I worried would be overwhelming but wasn't.
-Rich, glamorous setting
-Unexpected villain
-Some what unreliable narrators (not entirely)
-Last-minute POV switch

If you like Taylor Reid Jenkins or The Favorites by Layne Fargo, you'll like this one!

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rich. The famous. Drama. Gossip. Murder. If you live for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the cutthroat nature of the Film industry, and stunning backdrop of the French Riviera during the iconic Cannes Film Festival, then We Would Never Tell is the book for you!

We Would Never Tell follows three women who are on the periphery of the Cannes Film Festival and are dying to get on the inside. Lou, the actress; Marnie, the personal assistant; and Constance, the stylist. Each has secrets and each has an agenda. Can they work together to get ahead (and avoid a murder charge)?

I loved the layout of this novel with the various narrators and podcast and police interviews interspersed. The novel tracks the nearly two week film festival and I was totally enthralled with the jewels, gorgeous gowns, and catty drama. I appreciated the themes of sexism and ageism woven throughout and it was interesting to see the insiders versus outsiders from such a line drive viewpoint. There were certainly moments where I had to suspend belief - missing jewels, getting into VIP parties, blowing your life savings to attend an event you weren't technically invited to - but there were also so many moments that felt wildly authentic, such as what it takes to make it in Hollywood.

This would probably translate well to an audiobook format. It was fun, entertaining, and I definitely recommend! The Pulse introduced me to Jouhanneau and I'm excited to see where she takes me next!

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to my partners Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse, Tonya Cornish, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC of We Would Never Tell and the opportunity to read and review this thought provoking and suspenseful read set at the Cannes Film Festival. If you're like me and enjoy the glitz and glamour of the rich and famous and enjoy stories set in the French Riviera or like there, then We Would Never Tell is the book for you! This book had me in a chokehold from beginning to the very final end.

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

“What was the purpose of being in love, if it didn’t make you feel like you were flying high?”

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!

I want to start with the positives of this book, because I do have a few!

Constance says, “in some messed up way, my ex boyfriend had led me to the greatest professional opportunity.” This book is tagged in multiple genres such as Adult fiction, mystery/thrillers (which i am BIG on), and women’s fiction. I think this book was mostly great on the women’s fiction part. For example, this quote and her situation shows that although she was hurt and went through a lot (more in depth in the novel), that women don’t need their relationships with men to work out, no matter how important it is to them—a man’s absence in your life can bring more presence than you could ever need. The women in this novel were strong, smart women (mostly) who were NOT stuck up on old loves and romances or desperately throwing themselves at men’s feet (for the most part) and worked hard in Hollywood to put THEMSELVES at the top, as a woman should. respectable.

“i felt the urge to unleash all my frustrations, to go on a rant about the hell that awaits women who don’t support other women.” This book brings so much feminist ethics and morality into play in the narration that really causes a woman to sit back and think for a moment and revel in its truth. Admirable.

I also really enjoyed Liza’s small betrayal (that I won’t get into because it’s a tiny spoiler). I think it was a great portrayal of real Hollywood business and how women just want to be on top in Hollywood, because they have to work twice as hard. The cutthroat gossip and betrayals are so real and surprising.

I also liked the plot twist between Ben and what happened with Marnie (spoiler so i can’t explain) and it really did shock me. it was so interesting and shows that a man will really throw under the bus any woman, even a long term partner, just for their own success—especially in Hollywood, or when they’re deep in failure. or both.

Now, don’t get me wrong, as for some negative aspects: I really disliked that Marnie was lying to Ben. Everyone (according to the novel) knows how horrible Ben is at writing and her thought process is: “If my long term boyfriend is so passionate about this, then i’ll just lie to him to stroke his ego and maybe he’ll give up,” which inherently defies the thought process in the average man looking for a spot in Hollywood film business, even if it’s a career behind the screen. It made literally zero sense and I had to pause reading for an hour just because of how irritating her mind is.

I also disliked some of the phrasing such as the reference to the “Since you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” etc. Nothing was surprising about the plot until about 25% of the book was over, and even then, it was just petty little social plot twists, and the main plot had just started. It was a lot of background setup for the first quarter of the book, which felt dragged on.

I also disliked Constance chasing down Dorian at the restaurant he posted at because she wanted a chance with her celebrity crush. You have a 20 year age gap. Leave him alone. (For the people that will have read this book: I know. But still. She should’ve left him alone.) I felt embarrassed for her.

I think it shouldn’t be listed as a thriller. Adult Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and it’s bordering on mystery. Mystery, by definition, but not by piece.

I think if someone is picking this up looking for a similar vibe to Malibu Rising or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll definitely (probably) love this book. For me, though, it dragged a bit and was not very turn-y or surprising. Or suspenseful.

There’s good aspects to every book, but it depends on the reader.

[Alora Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the characters. I felt like the book was a little long for a mystery. I liked the bounce between characters, and I liked trying to figure out who the murder victim was going to be. It's got a past/present format. Most of the present parts are in podcast form, which I really enjoyed. Solid thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in April of 2026.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was definitely a page-turner of the book, having me flip pages long into the night just to see what messiness the three main characters would get involved in next and how it would ultimately lead to murder. And believe me, these three girls get messy, but boy is it fun to read.

Let's start with maybe the most woo-woo delusional of the bunch (although that is stiff competition really), wanna-be actress Lou who flies to Cannes under the impression that even if the studio didn't invite her, her bit part in the new movie is going to launch her career to new heights. She is airheaded as hell and decides to do all sorts of embarrassing things while schmoozing, but it does feel pretty consistent to this kind of character. Then there's Constance, outwardly quiet, but inwardly a complete mess since she was fired from her stylist job for seemingly sexual harassing a client. She is absolutely OBSESSED with said client still, and part of the mystery of the novel is unwinding her backstory with that guy, but all the time while watching Constance, it's just like "oh girl, noooooooooo." Which is definitely part of the point of the novel, but still, sometimes quite painful and cringe-inducing to watch. And lastly, Marnie, a publicity assistant and most level-headed of the bunch, but she still has her moments. Truly, without Marnie, the other two could not get their shit together to pull off this entire plot.

And what a plot it is--it's twisty and extremely chaotic and does rely on a couple set of coincidences to happen and for some characters to be extremely stupid, but then again, it's Cannes, the alcohol is flowing like water, and desperate people do do desperate things, so it never feels completely implausible. I did like the time shifts back and forth to build suspense, but past the first "The Girls" chapter, I thought the other ensemble chapters felt a bit like filler.

My favorite chapter is really Odetta's chapter to explain her entire motivation, and how she doesn't regret a thing. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending tying up everyone's stories so happily--given how messy these women are, I feel like it can't be that neat, but it's not a terrible ending.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

“People want stories. Ones with a hook, a few good twists, and a satisfying conclusion. They want to feel their feelings and then to form definitive opinions.”

Thank you to Soucebooks Landmark and Netgalley for this eARC!

Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau did a great job creating such cool main characters—celebrity-adjacent individuals who are normally not the stars of these stories. All three main characters are in the film industry, but none are at the status they want to be: a PR assistant, a not-quite–up-and-coming actress, and a recently independent stylist. They each see this film festival as the moment to make cutthroat decisions—and are pushed to do so—to jumpstart their big careers. Through them, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a major social event like the Cannes Film Festival. The book reveals the ruthless actions and decisions someone in the industry has to make to find success, even if it means cutting someone out. Jouhanneau also shows how women often have to work twice as hard to reach the same position a man finds himself in. This all comes to a head in the big conflict hinted at through sprinkled-in podcast and police interview transcripts woven between the day-by-day chapters.

While I typically enjoy both varying points of view and time jumps, they made the book harder to follow cohesively. The majority of the story focused on the lead-up to the big traumatic event, but there wasn’t much time spent on the event itself or the aftermath. I would've loved to feel more tension and anticipation. The “big twist” was a surprise, but nothing else felt truly shocking up until then.

This book had such a unique concept that I haven’t read before—from the typical “background” characters becoming the main characters, to the Cannes Festival setting, to the other points of view like podcast episodes and police interview transcripts.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set against the sun-drenched Riviera, Hollywood unfolds over twelve intoxicating days as the Cannes Film Festival transforms the South of France into a cathedral of celebrity. The red carpet stretches endlessly, the champagne flows freely, and the world’s most famous people gather to admire one another while the rest of us look on in awe. And envy—especially for three young, ambitious, and undeniably talented women stranded on the lowest rung of the Hollywood ladder.

As they drift through Cannes’ glittering parties and impossible VIP lists, success always feels just one invitation away, yet remains maddeningly out of reach. The A-list glimmers nearby but never quite opens its doors. This constant proximity to glamour without access gives the novel its sharpest edge, capturing the quiet desperation and obsession that can bloom beneath luxury. It’s easy to see how the pressure pushes these women toward impulsive choices—choices they might, or definitely will, regret.

Each chapter shifts perspective to a different character, a structural choice that offers variety but ultimately weakens the narrative. The frequent switches become confusing, making it difficult to fully invest in any one voice. While the premise promises scandal and suspense, the story often coasts where it should accelerate. Moments that beg for tension pass too quickly, leaving the novel feeling more atmospheric than thrilling.

Hollywood succeeds in evoking the illusion of Cannes—beautiful, exclusive, and slightly cruel—but lacks the narrative excitement to fully capitalize on its setting. Stylish and intriguing in concept, it ultimately falls short of its dramatic potential. ⭐⭐⭐

[Becky Carty · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Would Never Tell is set in the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival, but is it all as wonderful as it looks to an outsider?
This book is written in a non-linear format with multiple POV. The 3 main characters, Marnie, Constance and Lou, are young women trying to make it in their varying roles in Hollywood. The writing gives just enough back story that you understand their positions and motivations, but not so much that it distracts from the main story at hand. They are likeable but also very real and make some silly decisions at times, which I think humanises them, and this definitely helped me to get more into the story. There are strong themes of female experience and struggle which I empathised with.

I did find that the plot was a bit slow going to begin with and at times it felt a little predictable. I wasn’t ‘hooked’ but did enjoy my experience of reading the book.

Thank you the Netgalley for this ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Kacey Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this one pretty blind and ended up way more invested than I expected. This is a slow-burn thriller where secrets pile up and no one feels fully trustworthy, which kept me second-guessing everyone the entire time.

The friendships felt messy and realistic, and I liked how uncomfortable some moments were—it made the tension feel earned. The pacing starts off slower but really picks up in the second half, and once it did, I didn’t want to put it down. A few times I thought I had things figured out… I didn’t.

There were moments where I wanted to shake the characters because of their choices, but honestly, that just made it feel more believable. The atmosphere is moody, the writing is easy to get through, and the secrets definitely keep you reading.

If you enjoy thrillers with dark friendships, buried secrets, and twists that sneak up on you, this one is worth checking out.

[thrillswithtam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gowns. Champagne. Murder.

“We could kill in plain sight, with the whole world watching. We are invisible. Or so we thought. Or so we were. Until they found the body”.

Three ambitious women take on the Cannes Film Festival in hopes of their big break — only to soon find themselves being questioned for a missing multi-million dollar necklace and high-profile murder.. Are they the only suspects? What really happened on that yacht?

A slow-burn thriller, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I enjoyed the interview portions; they supported the storyline well. I found the writing to have a lot of extended descriptions that didn’t always support the story, twist, or overall plot. Told from multiple character perspectives. The ending wrapped everything up well. Definitely didn’t expect it to end the way it did. A good read overall.

❗️RELEASES APRIL 2026❗️

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for this Advanced Readers Copy!

[ChronicallyYou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

We Would Never Tell reminds me of The Favorites by Layne Fargo and The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John. I do think this would be better on audio with the podcast entries, police interviews, and multiple POVs. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's rich/rich-adjacent people doing bad things and getting away with it.

The Cannes setting is over-the-top and ridiculously dramatic. There's gossip, hookups and breakups, morally grey behavior...what's not to like? LOL. I liked watching how the characters went from individuals to a team, and how all the drama and gossip intertwined. Was it a groundbreaking story? No. Was it entertaining as hell? Yes.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC.
This frothy, light book would be great reading on the beach. The 3 main female characters are all on the lowest rung of Hollywood workers, who, by hook or by crook, made it to the Cannes Film Festival, hoping to make enough of an impression to climb higher up the ladder. With much desperate trying, most of it making me cringe, all 3 fail miserably. In the end they witness a murder. That, and the disappearance of a multi-million dollar necklace, is the culmination of their trip. The ending was, to me, the best part of the book. It shone a light on the reason for the killing; I found it quite compelling .

[Stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I was on the struggle bus getting into this story.

Multi POV novel that follows three females at the Cannes movie festival as they work as an actress, stylist and junior publicist. The POVs jump around and so does the timeline somewhat. I will say it took me a while to figure out that someone actually died and that's what all the hoopla was about.

I know that makes it seem like I didn't enjoy the book but really I did! Not my favorite novel I've read but they can't all be. The ending was the best part in my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the women in this book. They were messy, chaotic, obsessive and I lived for it. Normally, I don't love multiple POVs but the characters were so entertaining that I was too caught up and eager to find out what was going to happen next. The ending was a bit too tidy considering how wild these characters were but overall I loved the story. It was entertaining and an absolute page turner. The setting was so idyllic and glam with a touch of murder, so I was all in. Great read!


Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced ebook, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author told you everything that was going to happen, before it happened. They left no surprises. The foreshadowing was not hidden and it was painfully overused.

It had a cool idea for the story, but the ending was anticlimactic and the first 75% of the book was too long and too slow for my tastes.

This book could be better with some unnecessary parts cut out, and the surprises left as surprises.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in one of the swankiest places, Cannes, the book delivers!
Four women told in alternating chapters along with police interviews and chats add to the overall effect.
It was edgy and I felt sorry for a couple of the characters and shook my head at the behavior of others.
Sometimes the truth needs to be buried so deeply that it never sees the light of day. The trick is to limit the bearers of that truth.
Thanks NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Sourecbooks Landmark for the advance copy.

[Jine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This book had so many elements I love
Dual povs
Podcast interviews
Unreliable narrators and bam one of the main characters explaining what happened in the end
This story has it all scandals luxury celebrities and juicy gossip! This is my first book by this author and it was really fun and enjoyable!

[Michelle Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and I enjoyed this book a lot. It started out a slow burn but the middle was the best part. I enjoyed multiple POVs and the story was captivating and kept my attention. Toward the end, I thought it was a little drawn out and the book could probably be about 75 pages shorter, but over all, I would recommend this book to people that enjoy celebrity entertainment.

[Christina Naborczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has the perfect blend of scandal and mystery. Although I did feel this book was a bit drawn out, the multiple POV’s held my interest and kept me wanting to keep going. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, keep an eye out for it next April!

[Katlin Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. This one was a lot of back and forth and left me confused a lot. With that being said I actually really did enjoy it! The ending was amazing.