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Better Than You Know Yourself
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 27From the nationally bestselling author of We Don’t Talk About Carol comes an emotionally compelling mystery about two best friends caught at the center of a murder investigation that threatens to tear them—and everything they’ve built together—apart.
Jia and Imani’s thirteen-year, thicker-than-blood friendship has endured it all, from divorce and early motherhood to career upheavals and family betrayals. And what began as a weekend farmers market project has grown into a thriving nut butter business—and full-time careers for both women.
Imani couldn’t be happier. She’s finally made her entrepreneurial dreams come true. And she’s found herself in a steamy—though discreet—new romance, something she desperately craves after her marriage became an unexpected casualty of her ambition.
Jia, on the other hand, is crumbling…much like the roof she can barely keep over her toddler’s head, thanks to the debt from trying to kickstart her career. And she can’t bear to admit to Imani that she’s chafing to leave the business she never expected to start and return to her original calling as a chef.
When a life-changing offer to buy their business becomes the greatest test of their friendship, the only person with the power to tip the scales is their cutthroat new investor, Ravi…the man Imani is secretly sleeping with. That is, until he’s found dead on Imani’s kitchen island.
News of Ravi’s death and months-long affair with Imani ignites a major public scandal, and everything Imani and Jia have worked toward threatens to implode. When the investigation into Ravi’s death points to foul play, Imani becomes the primary suspect, and worst of all, victim to Jia’s cold shoulder.
As pressure mounts and more people in their circle die under mysterious circumstances, the two must decide whether to stand together—or lose each other for good.
Jia and Imani’s thirteen-year, thicker-than-blood friendship has endured it all, from divorce and early motherhood to career upheavals and family betrayals. And what began as a weekend farmers market project has grown into a thriving nut butter business—and full-time careers for both women.
Imani couldn’t be happier. She’s finally made her entrepreneurial dreams come true. And she’s found herself in a steamy—though discreet—new romance, something she desperately craves after her marriage became an unexpected casualty of her ambition.
Jia, on the other hand, is crumbling…much like the roof she can barely keep over her toddler’s head, thanks to the debt from trying to kickstart her career. And she can’t bear to admit to Imani that she’s chafing to leave the business she never expected to start and return to her original calling as a chef.
When a life-changing offer to buy their business becomes the greatest test of their friendship, the only person with the power to tip the scales is their cutthroat new investor, Ravi…the man Imani is secretly sleeping with. That is, until he’s found dead on Imani’s kitchen island.
News of Ravi’s death and months-long affair with Imani ignites a major public scandal, and everything Imani and Jia have worked toward threatens to implode. When the investigation into Ravi’s death points to foul play, Imani becomes the primary suspect, and worst of all, victim to Jia’s cold shoulder.
As pressure mounts and more people in their circle die under mysterious circumstances, the two must decide whether to stand together—or lose each other for good.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 2, 2027
About the author
Kristen L. Berry
5 books920 followersKristen L. Berry is a writer and communications executive. Born and raised in Metro Detroit, Kristen graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature. She has provided PR and communications expertise to leading consumer brands for nearly twenty years, all while writing in her spare time. When she isn’t reading or writing, Kristen can be found lifting heavy at the gym, hiking in Malibu, eating her way through Los Angeles with her husband, or shouting at the latest Formula 1 race. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT CAROL is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely adored We Don’t Talk About Carol, which remains one of those criminally underrated reads I wish more people would discover. So, naturally, when I came across the author's new book, I jumped in without even wondering what I was getting myself into. I was expecting a thriller, but what I found was something a little different: a beautifully layered women's fiction drama about female friendship, ambition, secrets, and the fragile line between the people we love and the people we think we know, with a murder mystery woven into the mix.
First, the characterization is a masterclass. I immediately fell for both Jia and Imani. They are such wonderfully layered, recognizable characters that they almost stop feeling fictional. You know these women. They could easily be your best friends, your relatives, or even the two very different sides of someone you know.
And honestly, they couldn't be more different if they tried. Imani is the meticulous planner, the disciplined builder, the woman who likes having every detail and long-term goal neatly organized (a little Capricorn with a Virgo's attention to detail, if you ask me). Jia is the creative risk-taker, constantly worrying about money, carrying the insecurities of someone who has never had much financial security, and quietly mourning the chef career she put on hold when their business took off. Imani is the business strategist; Jia is the creative mind.
Together, they make a surprisingly perfect team. Their thirteen-year friendship has survived marriages, motherhood, career disappointments, and all sorts of personal upheavals. But sometimes the people who work best together aren't necessarily the people who want the same things anymore.
And that's where the cracks begin. Their little farmers market venture has grown into a successful business, but success doesn't always mean happiness. Jia is drowning in debt and longing to return to her original dream of becoming a chef, while Imani isn't quite ready to let go of everything they've built. Add a sharp, ambitious investor to the equation, a secret affair, and a friendship already beginning to fracture, and you have a recipe for disaster. When Ravi turns up dead in Imani's kitchen after a night of passion, things take a decidedly darker turn. And his murder is only the beginning of a much bigger nightmare, with more deaths, buried secrets, and suspicions threatening to destroy everything.
But for me, the real question wasn't simply who killed Ravi. It was whether two women who had practically built their lives around each other could survive the secrets, disappointments, and betrayals threatening to pull them apart. What happens when your best friend becomes someone you no longer recognize? And when danger arrives at your doorstep, is thirteen years of sisterhood enough to keep you standing together?
Overall, this is a satisfying, character-driven mystery with a fulfilling ending and a wonderful exploration of female friendship, chosen family, ambition, and the complicated relationships between past and present. I didn't love it quite as much as We Don't Talk About Carol, which set a rather high bar for me, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this one. Come for the murder mystery, stay for the complicated women, their messy lives, and a friendship worth rooting for. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4! Absolutely recommended for readers who love layered female characters, relationship-driven drama, and mysteries with plenty of emotional substance.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Bantam for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
First, the characterization is a masterclass. I immediately fell for both Jia and Imani. They are such wonderfully layered, recognizable characters that they almost stop feeling fictional. You know these women. They could easily be your best friends, your relatives, or even the two very different sides of someone you know.
And honestly, they couldn't be more different if they tried. Imani is the meticulous planner, the disciplined builder, the woman who likes having every detail and long-term goal neatly organized (a little Capricorn with a Virgo's attention to detail, if you ask me). Jia is the creative risk-taker, constantly worrying about money, carrying the insecurities of someone who has never had much financial security, and quietly mourning the chef career she put on hold when their business took off. Imani is the business strategist; Jia is the creative mind.
Together, they make a surprisingly perfect team. Their thirteen-year friendship has survived marriages, motherhood, career disappointments, and all sorts of personal upheavals. But sometimes the people who work best together aren't necessarily the people who want the same things anymore.
And that's where the cracks begin. Their little farmers market venture has grown into a successful business, but success doesn't always mean happiness. Jia is drowning in debt and longing to return to her original dream of becoming a chef, while Imani isn't quite ready to let go of everything they've built. Add a sharp, ambitious investor to the equation, a secret affair, and a friendship already beginning to fracture, and you have a recipe for disaster. When Ravi turns up dead in Imani's kitchen after a night of passion, things take a decidedly darker turn. And his murder is only the beginning of a much bigger nightmare, with more deaths, buried secrets, and suspicions threatening to destroy everything.
But for me, the real question wasn't simply who killed Ravi. It was whether two women who had practically built their lives around each other could survive the secrets, disappointments, and betrayals threatening to pull them apart. What happens when your best friend becomes someone you no longer recognize? And when danger arrives at your doorstep, is thirteen years of sisterhood enough to keep you standing together?
Overall, this is a satisfying, character-driven mystery with a fulfilling ending and a wonderful exploration of female friendship, chosen family, ambition, and the complicated relationships between past and present. I didn't love it quite as much as We Don't Talk About Carol, which set a rather high bar for me, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this one. Come for the murder mystery, stay for the complicated women, their messy lives, and a friendship worth rooting for. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4! Absolutely recommended for readers who love layered female characters, relationship-driven drama, and mysteries with plenty of emotional substance.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Bantam for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved We Don’t Talk About Carol, so Kristin’s next book was an automatic must read for me and I’m so glad I picked it up! I am a fan of the way she writes her stories, it's very special.
Imani and Jia have been friends for 13 years, neighbors, and business partners who have been through life’s biggest changes together—motherhood, divorce, and everything in between. Their friendship feels almost sisterly, which makes it even more heartbreaking when their business, loyalty, and trust are tested by scandal, secrets, and murder. Then their new investor, Ravi, the man Imani has secretly been sleeping with, is found dead. Suddenly, everything they’ve built together is at risk.
I loved how grounded this felt in everyday life while still delivering a twisty mystery. Parts felt like a real life story. I was 100% invested in the story and needed to know how everything came together and wrapped up.
A layered domestic thriller about friendship, ambition, resentment, grief, and the complicated ways the people in our lives can shape who we become.
Read on release day 03 / 02 / 2027.
Thank you Netgalley and Ballentine for the ARC.
Imani and Jia have been friends for 13 years, neighbors, and business partners who have been through life’s biggest changes together—motherhood, divorce, and everything in between. Their friendship feels almost sisterly, which makes it even more heartbreaking when their business, loyalty, and trust are tested by scandal, secrets, and murder. Then their new investor, Ravi, the man Imani has secretly been sleeping with, is found dead. Suddenly, everything they’ve built together is at risk.
I loved how grounded this felt in everyday life while still delivering a twisty mystery. Parts felt like a real life story. I was 100% invested in the story and needed to know how everything came together and wrapped up.
A layered domestic thriller about friendship, ambition, resentment, grief, and the complicated ways the people in our lives can shape who we become.
Read on release day 03 / 02 / 2027.
Thank you Netgalley and Ballentine for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was so well done. I loved Kristen L Berry’s previous book, We Don’t Talk About Carol, so when I received a copy of this book at #campbantam2026 I was so excited to dive into her writing again. It did not disappoint, and it was so well done. This one isn’t necessarily a mystery first, rather a story of female friendships and how they bend and grow as we do. Now there is a mystery, but it isn’t necessarily the main focus of the book. I loved getting to know Jia and Imani and everything they were going through in their work life and their personal lives. It really did make me stop and think about how much we can ever really know about another person. This book is beautiful and I really appreciated the way grief was handled throughout the book. Overall this is just a heartfelt read and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two woman who have been each other's support system for 13 years face the ultimate friendship test. This story centered more around the breakdown of a friendship rather than the death of one of the MCs. While the pacing was a bit uneven and the writing style had its flaws, the strong characters and compelling concepts made this a worthwhile and enjoyable read overall.
Thank you Ballantine and Netgalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Ballantine and Netgalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for allowing me access to the ARC in return for my honest review.
“Better Than You Know Yourself” is a juicy murder mystery combined with a “women’s fiction” vibe. While there is a gruesome murder to solve, at the core of this book is the implosion of a thirteen-year friendship between Jia and Imani. The ladies operate a small business together and live across the street from each other. Their lives are so closely intertwined they appear as the perfect example of a found family. Until one of them is caught sleeping with a top investor. Then that same investor is found dead. The fallout from his suspicious death can devastate their business and obliterate their friendship. Kristen Berry supplies plenty of suspects who wanted handsome investor, Ravi, dead and she takes us on a twisty ride to find the culprit.
Jia and Imani have an enviable relationship until a betrayal rocks their foundation. Berry really captured the nature of women’s friendships. Her use of the two POVs helped to understand the characters. Reading this book lead me to reflect on friendships in my life and how sometimes you cannot recover from a fall out. I loved how Berry displayed Jia and Imani’s friendship- showing someone unwilling to bend, someone pointing out past actions, someone making a list of slights, and ghosting when it becomes too hard. In all honesty, it is hard to not pick a side because my expectations for how I show up for a friend came out while reading the book. I love a book that leaves you with a lesson. If you enjoyed, We Don’t Talk About Carol, you will enjoy this one too!
“Better Than You Know Yourself” is a juicy murder mystery combined with a “women’s fiction” vibe. While there is a gruesome murder to solve, at the core of this book is the implosion of a thirteen-year friendship between Jia and Imani. The ladies operate a small business together and live across the street from each other. Their lives are so closely intertwined they appear as the perfect example of a found family. Until one of them is caught sleeping with a top investor. Then that same investor is found dead. The fallout from his suspicious death can devastate their business and obliterate their friendship. Kristen Berry supplies plenty of suspects who wanted handsome investor, Ravi, dead and she takes us on a twisty ride to find the culprit.
Jia and Imani have an enviable relationship until a betrayal rocks their foundation. Berry really captured the nature of women’s friendships. Her use of the two POVs helped to understand the characters. Reading this book lead me to reflect on friendships in my life and how sometimes you cannot recover from a fall out. I loved how Berry displayed Jia and Imani’s friendship- showing someone unwilling to bend, someone pointing out past actions, someone making a list of slights, and ghosting when it becomes too hard. In all honesty, it is hard to not pick a side because my expectations for how I show up for a friend came out while reading the book. I love a book that leaves you with a lesson. If you enjoyed, We Don’t Talk About Carol, you will enjoy this one too!
September 28, 2026
I absolutely loved this authors debut but this one was a bit underwhelming for me.
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Bantam Books, and Kristen L. Berry for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Kristen L. Berry, and it definitely won't be my last.
I went into this one expecting a thriller, but what I got was a story about friendship, ambition, family, love, betrayal, and the choices we make when everything starts to fall apart.
At the center of the story are Jia and Imani, best friends and business partners who have built a successful nut butter company together. While there's a murder investigation and plenty of secrets woven throughout the story, what kept me turning the pages was their friendship.
This is definitely more of a slow-burn story. It takes time building the characters and their relationships, but I never found myself bored. In fact, the character development was one of my favorite parts. By the time the story really picked up, I was completely invested in everyone involved.
I also loved how the story moved between the past and present. The backstories added so much depth and helped me better understand each character and their motivations.
By the end, I wasn't just reading to find out what happened. I genuinely cared about Jia and Imani and wanted to know how everything would turn out.
If you're looking for a book that's more than just a thriller and enjoy character-driven stories with strong female friendships, family drama, romance, and mystery, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bantam Books, and Kristen L. Berry for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Kristen L. Berry, and it definitely won't be my last.
I went into this one expecting a thriller, but what I got was a story about friendship, ambition, family, love, betrayal, and the choices we make when everything starts to fall apart.
At the center of the story are Jia and Imani, best friends and business partners who have built a successful nut butter company together. While there's a murder investigation and plenty of secrets woven throughout the story, what kept me turning the pages was their friendship.
This is definitely more of a slow-burn story. It takes time building the characters and their relationships, but I never found myself bored. In fact, the character development was one of my favorite parts. By the time the story really picked up, I was completely invested in everyone involved.
I also loved how the story moved between the past and present. The backstories added so much depth and helped me better understand each character and their motivations.
By the end, I wasn't just reading to find out what happened. I genuinely cared about Jia and Imani and wanted to know how everything would turn out.
If you're looking for a book that's more than just a thriller and enjoy character-driven stories with strong female friendships, family drama, romance, and mystery, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bantam Books, and Kristen L. Berry for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This author's debut, We Don't Talk About Carol is in my Top Favorites list of thrillers! And I read a LOT of thrillers! I had been not so patiently waiting for something else from Kristen L. Berry. Well, here it is. And it does not disappoint. Once again, we have a rich character study and murder mystery! Jia and Imani have been inseparable besties for thirteen years. Ever since meeting on solo vacations. They even live across the street from each other and own a successful business together. Nothing could separate them. Until a larger company wants to buy their company. Deeply in debt Jia wants to sell and career minded Imani does not. Imani is unaware of Jia's huge debt and Jia is unaware that Imani is sleeping with Ravi, an investor in their business. Whoops! Then Ravi is found dead on Imani's kitchen island. Double WHOOPS! These situations set off a chain of more situations begging the questions of who killed Ravi and can their friendship survive? Yes, I cared equally about both! Normally I am more focused on the crime than anything else, but the characters are so well drawn that I felt like they were my own friends and I was rooting for each one so hard! The ending has all the feels, and I could not recommend this book more!! Or We Don't Talk About Carol! I am already not so patiently waiting for another book from Kristen L. Berry!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Kristen L. Berry and Ballantine | Bantam for this much appreciated ARC! All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Kristen L. Berry and Ballantine | Bantam for this much appreciated ARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story follows Imani and Jia, best friends of 13 years who consider themselves platonic life partners. When an investor in their business turns up dead in Imani’s kitchen, secrets unravel, and their supposedly unbreakable friendship is put to the test. Spoiler alert: Jia fails miserably.
My biggest frustration was Imani. Here’s a highly educated, successful Black woman with multiple degrees and a thriving business, yet nearly every decision she makes after the murder defies common sense and reality. Her complete lack of situational awareness was baffling and frustrating.
And Jia? After 13 years of friendship and calling each other platonic soulmates, the way she treats and what she did to Imani when she needs her most was difficult to overlook. The idea that their friendship could simply recover from that level of betrayal felt completely unrealistic to me.
I had to suspend disbelief far too often. I hate it when strong, smart FMCs are portrayed this way.
I wanted to love this one, but I spent more time rolling my eyes than enjoying the mystery.
It did make me evaluate my BFFs and I’m happy to say that I have no Jia’s in my life.
Thanks to Ballantine Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
My biggest frustration was Imani. Here’s a highly educated, successful Black woman with multiple degrees and a thriving business, yet nearly every decision she makes after the murder defies common sense and reality. Her complete lack of situational awareness was baffling and frustrating.
And Jia? After 13 years of friendship and calling each other platonic soulmates, the way she treats and what she did to Imani when she needs her most was difficult to overlook. The idea that their friendship could simply recover from that level of betrayal felt completely unrealistic to me.
I had to suspend disbelief far too often. I hate it when strong, smart FMCs are portrayed this way.
I wanted to love this one, but I spent more time rolling my eyes than enjoying the mystery.
It did make me evaluate my BFFs and I’m happy to say that I have no Jia’s in my life.
Thanks to Ballantine Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 1, 2026
⭐ 4.25/5 Stars
Kristen Berry has done it again! I really enjoyed Better Than You Know Yourself, and after reading We Don’t Talk About Carol, I’m realizing that I genuinely love her style of writing.
What I enjoy most is that there’s always more than one story being told. You have the mystery you’re trying to solve, but there’s also an equally important storyline involving the characters’ personal lives, family dynamics, and complicated relationships.
I loved how flawed and realistic the relationships were in this book. People make mistakes, keep secrets, hurt each other, and still try to find ways to repair what’s been broken. I also appreciated the diversity of the characters and the representation of different races and sexual orientations.
And of course, the twists! Every time I thought I had figured out what was going on, something happened that made me realize I was completely wrong. Berry really knows how to keep you guessing until the end.
This was a solid, engaging mystery with plenty of family drama and complicated friendships. I’ll definitely continue reading Kristen Berry’s books!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Kristen Berry has done it again! I really enjoyed Better Than You Know Yourself, and after reading We Don’t Talk About Carol, I’m realizing that I genuinely love her style of writing.
What I enjoy most is that there’s always more than one story being told. You have the mystery you’re trying to solve, but there’s also an equally important storyline involving the characters’ personal lives, family dynamics, and complicated relationships.
I loved how flawed and realistic the relationships were in this book. People make mistakes, keep secrets, hurt each other, and still try to find ways to repair what’s been broken. I also appreciated the diversity of the characters and the representation of different races and sexual orientations.
And of course, the twists! Every time I thought I had figured out what was going on, something happened that made me realize I was completely wrong. Berry really knows how to keep you guessing until the end.
This was a solid, engaging mystery with plenty of family drama and complicated friendships. I’ll definitely continue reading Kristen Berry’s books!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Better Than You Know Yourself makes female friendship feel every bit as consequential as a marriage. Jia and Imani have spent thirteen years building a friendship, raising families, surviving career changes, and turning a farmers market project into a successful business. Then their investor Ravi, who is secretly sleeping with Imani, turns up dead on her kitchen island.
I have always found adult friendship stories especially interesting because we talk so much about romantic breakups and much less about what happens when a friendship that has shaped your whole life starts cracking. Jia and Imani both have things they have not told each other, and the murder makes every omission suddenly look much more serious.
The business side also pulled me in. I have worked in marketing and communications long enough to know how quickly money, ownership, ambition, and public perception can complicate even a strong relationship. Here, the murder mystery raises the stakes, but the friendship is what I cared about most.
My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.
I have always found adult friendship stories especially interesting because we talk so much about romantic breakups and much less about what happens when a friendship that has shaped your whole life starts cracking. Jia and Imani both have things they have not told each other, and the murder makes every omission suddenly look much more serious.
The business side also pulled me in. I have worked in marketing and communications long enough to know how quickly money, ownership, ambition, and public perception can complicate even a strong relationship. Here, the murder mystery raises the stakes, but the friendship is what I cared about most.
My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.
October 24, 2026
Review of advanced copy received by Net Galley
This book started off a little slower than I would’ve liked, but BABY, I’m glad I stuck around! Once things started picking up, I was putting on my detective hat, trying to piece together what really happened. And let me tell you, I ALMOST had it right!
Imani and Jia met 13 years ago while both on solo vacations, became best friends, and eventually decided to go into business together. If there was ever a reminder to keep business and personal relationships separate, THIS WAS IT!
First of all, Jia?! 😒 Selfish doesn’t even begin to describe that woman. She showed her true colors when Imani needed her the most.
And poor Imani’s scandalous self! My heart really broke for her because, although sis was DEAD wrong about Ravi (no pun intended 🤭), she was also so naive and entirely too friendly for her own good!
Now, MS. YASMIN?! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 If my best friend doesn’t hold me down the way you held Priya down, we might need to reevaluate this friendship! Because GIRL, you are the TRUE definition of a ride or die.
This book started off a little slower than I would’ve liked, but BABY, I’m glad I stuck around! Once things started picking up, I was putting on my detective hat, trying to piece together what really happened. And let me tell you, I ALMOST had it right!
Imani and Jia met 13 years ago while both on solo vacations, became best friends, and eventually decided to go into business together. If there was ever a reminder to keep business and personal relationships separate, THIS WAS IT!
First of all, Jia?! 😒 Selfish doesn’t even begin to describe that woman. She showed her true colors when Imani needed her the most.
And poor Imani’s scandalous self! My heart really broke for her because, although sis was DEAD wrong about Ravi (no pun intended 🤭), she was also so naive and entirely too friendly for her own good!
Now, MS. YASMIN?! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 If my best friend doesn’t hold me down the way you held Priya down, we might need to reevaluate this friendship! Because GIRL, you are the TRUE definition of a ride or die.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one had a lot going on… and I mean A LOT. Between complicated friendships, business drama, secret affairs, financial struggles, betrayals, murder, and a growing list of mysterious deaths, there was certainly no shortage of storylines.
Jia and Imani's thirteen-year friendship is at the center of everything, but I found myself struggling to stay invested as the story progressed. The content felt like it lagged in places, and the overall pacing dragged on longer than necessary. There were moments when I felt we were circling the same territory rather than moving the story forward.
I appreciated the premise and the layers of friendship, ambition, secrets, and betrayal, but with so much happening, I ultimately wanted more momentum and a tighter storyline. Unfortunately, this one just didn't quite hold my attention the way I hoped it would.
Not a complete miss, but definitely not a favorite. Definitely a hot mess.
Better Than You Know Yourself releases March 2, 2027!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Jia and Imani's thirteen-year friendship is at the center of everything, but I found myself struggling to stay invested as the story progressed. The content felt like it lagged in places, and the overall pacing dragged on longer than necessary. There were moments when I felt we were circling the same territory rather than moving the story forward.
I appreciated the premise and the layers of friendship, ambition, secrets, and betrayal, but with so much happening, I ultimately wanted more momentum and a tighter storyline. Unfortunately, this one just didn't quite hold my attention the way I hoped it would.
Not a complete miss, but definitely not a favorite. Definitely a hot mess.
Better Than You Know Yourself releases March 2, 2027!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jia and Imani have shared a deep friendship for thirteen years, weathering divorce, early motherhood, career changes, and family betrayals. What started as a weekend farm market project has blossomed into a successful nut butter business.
When a lucrative buyout offer comes their way, it puts their friendship to the ultimate test—especially since their ruthless new investor, Ravi, is secretly involved with Imani. Tensions rise when Ravi is found dead on Imani's kitchen island, shattering both their business prospects and their bond.
As the story unfolds, the murder exposes hidden truths and fractures their relationship. Can they trust each other, or will it all fall apart? This gripping tale captures the complexities of friendship and personal growth amid overwhelming challenges.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for the ARC.
When a lucrative buyout offer comes their way, it puts their friendship to the ultimate test—especially since their ruthless new investor, Ravi, is secretly involved with Imani. Tensions rise when Ravi is found dead on Imani's kitchen island, shattering both their business prospects and their bond.
As the story unfolds, the murder exposes hidden truths and fractures their relationship. Can they trust each other, or will it all fall apart? This gripping tale captures the complexities of friendship and personal growth amid overwhelming challenges.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐½ | ARC Review 📚🐢🔍
Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. The beginning was very slow, and I had a hard time getting invested in the story or the characters. I kept waiting for the pace to pick up and for that moment where I couldn’t put it down, but it never really happened for me.
The biggest issue was that I found the story pretty predictable. I figured out where things were headed fairly early, which took away a lot of the suspense and made the slower pacing even harder to get through.
There were parts I enjoyed, and I can see this working better for readers who prefer a slower-burn story, but overall, it wasn’t a favorite for me.
⭐ 2.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. The beginning was very slow, and I had a hard time getting invested in the story or the characters. I kept waiting for the pace to pick up and for that moment where I couldn’t put it down, but it never really happened for me.
The biggest issue was that I found the story pretty predictable. I figured out where things were headed fairly early, which took away a lot of the suspense and made the slower pacing even harder to get through.
There were parts I enjoyed, and I can see this working better for readers who prefer a slower-burn story, but overall, it wasn’t a favorite for me.
⭐ 2.5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Ballantine, for providing the copy of Better Than You Know Yourself by Kristen L. Berry. I adored We Don’t Talk About Carol, so I was excited to read this one. I’m so glad I skipped my TBR line and read it right away, and I loved how this one was MORE! More thrills, more friendship/relationship drama; Berry has certainly found her sweet spot in this great sophomore effort. The different timelines detailing Imani and Jia’s friendship were an effective way to show the longevity of their relationship and gave great insight into how close they were. This book is the perfect amalgamation f thriller and “women’s fiction" and if you love either genre, you won’t be disappointed by Better Than You Know Yourself. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
September 30, 2026
I absolutely loved “We don’t talk about Carol” so I was thrilled to receive an ARC for Kristin L. Berry’s new book. I will say I enjoyed it but I do have mixed feelings. Mainly because I felt that Imani was such an antihero that I had a tough time empathizing with her. I did really like the friendship dynamic between her and Jia and the rift between them because I think many women can relate.
I think the book started out slow with the first 20% not feeling like a thriller but once we got into the meat of it everything progressed nicely. This wasn’t a binge read for me but definitely still worth your time.
I think the book started out slow with the first 20% not feeling like a thriller but once we got into the meat of it everything progressed nicely. This wasn’t a binge read for me but definitely still worth your time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have to admit, I enjoyed We Don't Talk About Carol more than Better Than You Know Yourself by Kristen L. Berry. I just wasn’t as invested in the characters or the storyline. I didn’t feel the resentment and messy friendship as deeply as I usually do when reading a story centered on such an intense female relationship. The twists and suspense also fell a little flat for me.
That said, I’ve read other reviews, so don’t just take my word for it! This book may be just right for you. I’m certainly open to giving this author another try.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.
That said, I’ve read other reviews, so don’t just take my word for it! This book may be just right for you. I’m certainly open to giving this author another try.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Better Than You Know Yourself hooked me fast and then proceeded to hand me suspicious behavior, terrible decisions, dead bodies, business drama, messy relationships, and approximately seventeen people I did not trust. So naturally, I kept reading! The mystery itself is packed with red herrings, and I changed my mind multiple times about who was hiding what. But what elevated this beyond just a fun, messy thriller was the relationship between Imani and Jia. Their friendship felt complicated in a way I really liked: years of history, loyalty, resentment, money, ambition, grief, and two very different ideas about what they wanted their futures to look like. I also really appreciated the larger theme of women whose careers, identities, and choices have been altered by the men in their lives. That gave the ending more emotional weight than I expected and made the story feel more layered than the initial murder-mystery setup suggested. Was every red herring necessary? Probably not. Did I side-eye a few convenient plot points? Absolutely. Was I still invested enough to keep flying through it because I needed to know how everything connected? Yep. Messy, twisty, entertaining, and more thoughtful than I initially expected. A solid 4 stars for me.
Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
Thank you to Bantam and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The murder mystery is somehow the least interesting part of this murder mystery, and I mean that in the best way possible.
I've been making more of an effort to read diverse stories, and I really appreciated the nuance in this one. I loved the exploration of manipulation, unspoken resentment, and the messy realities of female friendship. The characters and their relationships were honestly more interesting to me than the murder itself.
My biggest issue was the pacing. The beginning felt too slow, while the ending moved too quickly, rushing through moments I wish we'd spent more time on.
I've been making more of an effort to read diverse stories, and I really appreciated the nuance in this one. I loved the exploration of manipulation, unspoken resentment, and the messy realities of female friendship. The characters and their relationships were honestly more interesting to me than the murder itself.
My biggest issue was the pacing. The beginning felt too slow, while the ending moved too quickly, rushing through moments I wish we'd spent more time on.
September 14, 2026
I liked this one, with a friendship (and eventual rift) at its heart— but it was also certainly a murder mystery. It kept me fairly invested throughout, and I didn’t guess the murderer. I had a few issues that are impossible to disclose without spoilers but basically center around who I thought should be a very key player being missing throughout nearly the entire novel with barely a mention.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At its heart, this is a story about friendship between Imani and Jia, two best friends and business partners who suddenly find themselves caught in turmoil. It starts when an investor falls to his death at Imani’s home. But when one death becomes more, and the pieces just aren’t adding up, suspicion starts to creep in from every direction, putting their friendship to the ultimate test.
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