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Between Friends
They thought they buried the truth. But the truth remembers.
After a decade away, Madison Andrews is forced to return to the hometown she’s spent years trying to forget. Her mother is gone. Her past is calling. And so is Imogen, the former best friend who once held Madison’s life in the palm of her hand. Back then, it was always the three of them, Imogen, Madison, and Olivia. Beautiful, popular and untouchable. The kind of girls everyone envied. Until everything fell apart.
Now, it’s been years since Olivia vanished after a party in the woods, leaving behind only rumors, silence, and the sharp sting of unfinished questions. Madison told herself she didn’t remember what happened that night. But back in her childhood home, surrounded by echoes of the girls they used to be, fragments of the truth begin to surface.
As Madison pieces together the memories she buried, she finds herself caught in the same twisted triangle that shattered them all once before. And this time, it’s pulling her under.
Imogen still lives in the same town, wears the same perfect smile, and acts like nothing ever happened. But something did. And Madison and Imogen aren’t the only ones who remember. Because secrets never stay buried for long. And someone has been waiting. Ready to make them pay.
Between Friends is a haunting psychological thriller about girlhood, guilt, and the terrifying weight of silence.
Some friendships end. Others never let you go.
Highlighted
“Unputdownable. A haunting, slow-burn suspense that crawled under my skin and stayed there. I was breathless by the final page.”
“Gripping and uncomfortably honest. The kind of story that reminds you just how far people will go to keep a secret.”
“A chilling look at friendship, guilt, and the lies we tell to survive. This one stays with you.”
After a decade away, Madison Andrews is forced to return to the hometown she’s spent years trying to forget. Her mother is gone. Her past is calling. And so is Imogen, the former best friend who once held Madison’s life in the palm of her hand. Back then, it was always the three of them, Imogen, Madison, and Olivia. Beautiful, popular and untouchable. The kind of girls everyone envied. Until everything fell apart.
Now, it’s been years since Olivia vanished after a party in the woods, leaving behind only rumors, silence, and the sharp sting of unfinished questions. Madison told herself she didn’t remember what happened that night. But back in her childhood home, surrounded by echoes of the girls they used to be, fragments of the truth begin to surface.
As Madison pieces together the memories she buried, she finds herself caught in the same twisted triangle that shattered them all once before. And this time, it’s pulling her under.
Imogen still lives in the same town, wears the same perfect smile, and acts like nothing ever happened. But something did. And Madison and Imogen aren’t the only ones who remember. Because secrets never stay buried for long. And someone has been waiting. Ready to make them pay.
Between Friends is a haunting psychological thriller about girlhood, guilt, and the terrifying weight of silence.
Some friendships end. Others never let you go.
Highlighted
“Unputdownable. A haunting, slow-burn suspense that crawled under my skin and stayed there. I was breathless by the final page.”
“Gripping and uncomfortably honest. The kind of story that reminds you just how far people will go to keep a secret.”
“A chilling look at friendship, guilt, and the lies we tell to survive. This one stays with you.”
423 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2025
94 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Banks
6 books172 followersNatalie Banks is a best selling & award-winning author, including, Best Indie Book of 2024 and The North Carolina Governor's Writing Award. She weaves characters with relatable humanity and stories that touch the heart and soul. She is currently working on a suspense novel set to release in 2025. When not writing, she spends time on the beach in North Carolina with her husband and dogs.
To find out more about Natalie Banks, visit her website NatalieBanks.net
And be sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive short stories and sneak peeks into her future novels!
To find out more about Natalie Banks, visit her website NatalieBanks.net
And be sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive short stories and sneak peeks into her future novels!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 6, 2025
Okay Natalie Banks, I see you!! I can hardly believe this is the first of her books I have read. Must rectify this immediately!!
Between Friends is a total binge read. It's twisty and oh so satisfying! I was questioning almost every character at one point throughout the story.
And that ending. Woah.
A MUST read for psychological thriller fans!
And a special shout out for Leech, the orange tabby! Every book needs a cat :)
Between Friends is a total binge read. It's twisty and oh so satisfying! I was questioning almost every character at one point throughout the story.
And that ending. Woah.
A MUST read for psychological thriller fans!
And a special shout out for Leech, the orange tabby! Every book needs a cat :)
August 10, 2025
Between Friends by Natalie Banks is a beautifully layered psychological thriller that goes beyond typical suspense. The story is crafted with such emotional depth and richly developed characters that I found myself fully immersed in their world. From the complex dynamics of friendship and rivalry to the haunting secrets of the past, Natalie Banks captures the raw feelings of youth with authenticity and nuance.
This book took me back to the bittersweet moments of high school, revealing how jealousy, loyalty, and silence can shape lives in unexpected ways. The mystery surrounding Olivia’s disappearance keeps you hooked, while the tension between Madison and Imogen adds a gripping emotional core.
Overall, Between Friends is a powerful exploration of guilt, truth, and the ties that bind — a must-read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers with heart.
This book took me back to the bittersweet moments of high school, revealing how jealousy, loyalty, and silence can shape lives in unexpected ways. The mystery surrounding Olivia’s disappearance keeps you hooked, while the tension between Madison and Imogen adds a gripping emotional core.
Overall, Between Friends is a powerful exploration of guilt, truth, and the ties that bind — a must-read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers with heart.
August 2, 2025
Natalie does it again with another amazing mystery/thriller/romance that has everything I love in a book!!!
Full review to come…but for now put this one on your radar!!!
Full review to come…but for now put this one on your radar!!!
August 23, 2025
Between Friends
Natalie Banks
8/28/2025
Champion Books
Available on KU
This was my first book by Natalie Banks, and I can honestly say it won’t be my last—it was a stay-up-all-night binge read.
Madison, Imogen, and Olivia were once inseparable, bound by secrets, laughter, and the promises of youth—until the night of their senior year bonfire when everything changed. Was it the haze of booze, the reckless thrill of being young, or something much darker that split their friendship apart? A decade later, Madison returns home, forced to confront memories and secrets she’s buried and questions she’s never dared to ask. As she reconnects with Imogen and others that were there that night she is haunted by the absence of Olivia and realizes that truth and lies have twisted together so tightly she may never separate them. Natalie Banks delivers a chilling psychological thriller that peels back the fragile layers of memory, friendship, and betrayal with relentless sus
Natalie Banks
8/28/2025
Champion Books
Available on KU
This was my first book by Natalie Banks, and I can honestly say it won’t be my last—it was a stay-up-all-night binge read.
Madison, Imogen, and Olivia were once inseparable, bound by secrets, laughter, and the promises of youth—until the night of their senior year bonfire when everything changed. Was it the haze of booze, the reckless thrill of being young, or something much darker that split their friendship apart? A decade later, Madison returns home, forced to confront memories and secrets she’s buried and questions she’s never dared to ask. As she reconnects with Imogen and others that were there that night she is haunted by the absence of Olivia and realizes that truth and lies have twisted together so tightly she may never separate them. Natalie Banks delivers a chilling psychological thriller that peels back the fragile layers of memory, friendship, and betrayal with relentless sus
October 18, 2025
If you love suspense/thrillers, this is a wild ride! Absolutely loved the story, the characters (including the not so nice ones) and can't wait for more from Natalie Banks!!
August 7, 2025
The twists just kept coming! Every time I thought I knew something, I realized I knew nothing at all!
Madison moved away from her home town to LA to get away from her past and the secrets she buried there the night of graduation, but when her mother died she’s thrown back into small town NC and all of the things that were buried in the woods in her backyard.
Imogen and Olivia are the key to the past she can’t remember and while she’s sorting through her mother’s disheveled life and house and her newfound grief she uncovers more than she ever wanted.
What a great thriller- with a bit of love thrown right in the middle. It’s a fast paced suspenseful read that’ll keep you guessing and up all night!
Thank you to Natalie Banks for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
Madison moved away from her home town to LA to get away from her past and the secrets she buried there the night of graduation, but when her mother died she’s thrown back into small town NC and all of the things that were buried in the woods in her backyard.
Imogen and Olivia are the key to the past she can’t remember and while she’s sorting through her mother’s disheveled life and house and her newfound grief she uncovers more than she ever wanted.
What a great thriller- with a bit of love thrown right in the middle. It’s a fast paced suspenseful read that’ll keep you guessing and up all night!
Thank you to Natalie Banks for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2025
As an early reviewer of Natalie Banks' I was really nervous. I have read all of her books and was concerned maybe her next one wouldn't be as good as her other 5 books. But boy was I wrong!! LET ME TELL YOU....this may be her best one yet. It was tense in all the right places, had me guessing at every turn, staying up late to read, AND totally blown away at the end. Dang, she definitely did it again. Way to go, Natalie!! I already wrote her on SM and told her how much I loved it but I had to come on here and post too. Everyone needs to read Between Friends.
August 18, 2025
Madison travels to North Carolina to clear out her mother's estate, taking a break from her life in LA, where she has a glamorous and successful life as a celebrity photographer. They say you can't go home again, and there's a reason for that. For Madison, it brings back memories she'd kept hidden, and she falls into almost the same patterns. Under the thumb of the mean girl. Loving the man she loved as a boy. Worried that she can't remember what happened to Olivia in the woods on graduation night.
But some secrets can't stay buried. Everyone is a suspect. And nothing is as it seems.
If you love small-town, fast-paced mysteries (and cats - yay Leech!), and big twists, you'll want to get a copy of Between Friends. This was my first read by this Indie author and I loved every minute of it!
Thanks to Natalie Banks and IRIS Influencer Society for an advance reader's copy.
But some secrets can't stay buried. Everyone is a suspect. And nothing is as it seems.
If you love small-town, fast-paced mysteries (and cats - yay Leech!), and big twists, you'll want to get a copy of Between Friends. This was my first read by this Indie author and I loved every minute of it!
Thanks to Natalie Banks and IRIS Influencer Society for an advance reader's copy.
August 20, 2025
WOW! I stayed up way past my bedtime finishing this one but I simply could NOT put it down! Natalie did such an amazing job of building this story and grabbing the readers attention from the very beginning. I loved the dual POV’s between Maddie, Imogene and Olivia that pulled all the pieces into place perfectly. The twist was perfectly placed and definitely threw me for a loop 😵💫
This was my first book by the author and let me tell you, Natalie Banks is such a pure, sweet and amazing person! She deserves all the love so make sure you grab your copy on August 28th!!!
This was my first book by the author and let me tell you, Natalie Banks is such a pure, sweet and amazing person! She deserves all the love so make sure you grab your copy on August 28th!!!
August 7, 2025
I got to early read this book! YAY! I read The Water is Wide just recently and fell in love with Natalie's writing style, voice, and storytelling. And I especially loved her southern settings! So I jumped at the opportunity to read her latest book early and leave a review. I really loved this book though nothing can top The Water is Wide-but putting that aside-this was great read. I read it in just two days and really loved characters, and the suspense. I especially loved LEECH! Iykyk! And the fantastic ending! I rated this book 4 and a half stars but rounded up rather than down for this rating.
August 24, 2025
This was a twisty one! And I wasn't sure who, if anyone, I could trust. My suspicions shifted repeatedly as secrets, lies, jealousies, and betrayals came out.
I went in mostly blind and do not want to spoil anything, so I'll keep my review slightly vague. The writing is very descriptive, and the pace is fast, as all the while, tension simmers. The opening grabbed my attention, and from there, loads of drama, toxic relationships, and suspense kept me turning the pages. There are multiple POVs from characters that are interesting, and parsing out their motivations kept me guessing, especially as their storylines intertwine. As the buried secrets and years-old memories are uncovered, some recollections might not be entirely trustworthy. The only character I was sure about was Leech, the lovable, scene-stealing cat! There is also a side of romance to balance things out. A fun end-of-summer psychological thriller.
I went in mostly blind and do not want to spoil anything, so I'll keep my review slightly vague. The writing is very descriptive, and the pace is fast, as all the while, tension simmers. The opening grabbed my attention, and from there, loads of drama, toxic relationships, and suspense kept me turning the pages. There are multiple POVs from characters that are interesting, and parsing out their motivations kept me guessing, especially as their storylines intertwine. As the buried secrets and years-old memories are uncovered, some recollections might not be entirely trustworthy. The only character I was sure about was Leech, the lovable, scene-stealing cat! There is also a side of romance to balance things out. A fun end-of-summer psychological thriller.
August 7, 2025
A big thank you to Natalie for offering me to be a part of her team & for gifting us the ARC of Between Friends! I was sucked in right away & it kept my attention throughout the whole book. With the different POVs, you’re really able to see the different & honest dynamics that the characters have with each other. I also enjoy a good twist after a reveal & this delivered that!
August 11, 2025
This was my first Natalie Banks book and it will absolutely not be my last! This dual timeline, multiple point of view thriller had me hooked from the first sentence. It had me guessing and suspecting everyone at some point in the story. It was a total bing read and the ending completely surprised me. Natalie’s writing is very descriptive and had me fully immersed. The character development was perfect and each plot twist was perfectly timed. It gave off the best “I Know What You Did Last Summer” vibes and every time I thought I had figured everything out, Natalie threw in another twist. If this book isn’t on your radar, it definitely should be! It was the perfect start to the spooky season!
I received a copy of this book from Natalie Banks. This has not affected the contents of my review.
I received a copy of this book from Natalie Banks. This has not affected the contents of my review.
August 15, 2025
I loved this book! It had me hooked from the start. I loved the writing style. It was such an easy read and also super engaging! Every few chapters I kept changing my mind on how the book would end.. which I loved because that keeps me on my toes! I definitely recommend this book if you love a quick thriller!
August 28, 2025
“Because outside the circle is worse. Outside the circle is nothing. And I know what nothing feels like.”
Big thanks to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is such an eerie thriller centered on three friends, each with secrets, one of them has been missing for twelve years. When Madison returned to Raleigh to deal with her deceased mother’s home, everything comes flooding back to her. But she still can’t remember everything from that night, and wants answers but Imogen is desperate to keep everything from getting out.
I really liked the way the girls’ dynamic is explored in this, especially with how Imogen is driven by wealth and control. The flashbacks to 2013 worked so well to see the dynamic between the three girls and how it impacted them. Madison was able to get out and build a new life for herself, and even though Imogen is wealthy she can’t help her jealousy. Her character is written so well that she invokes such strong feelings for the reader.
It comes together quick and it almost feels like a slow burn until it picks up through to the ending. I love a slow burn so the pace felt perfect for me, even if I did have some of it figured out before the reveals. I think I wanted just a bit more from the overall conclusion, but this was such a great quick read that it felt satisfying at the end. It���s also a perfect thriller for the end of summer!
Big thanks to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is such an eerie thriller centered on three friends, each with secrets, one of them has been missing for twelve years. When Madison returned to Raleigh to deal with her deceased mother’s home, everything comes flooding back to her. But she still can’t remember everything from that night, and wants answers but Imogen is desperate to keep everything from getting out.
I really liked the way the girls’ dynamic is explored in this, especially with how Imogen is driven by wealth and control. The flashbacks to 2013 worked so well to see the dynamic between the three girls and how it impacted them. Madison was able to get out and build a new life for herself, and even though Imogen is wealthy she can’t help her jealousy. Her character is written so well that she invokes such strong feelings for the reader.
It comes together quick and it almost feels like a slow burn until it picks up through to the ending. I love a slow burn so the pace felt perfect for me, even if I did have some of it figured out before the reveals. I think I wanted just a bit more from the overall conclusion, but this was such a great quick read that it felt satisfying at the end. It���s also a perfect thriller for the end of summer!
August 26, 2025
Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was SO good! It was my first by the author but I will definitely be seeking out her backlist!
Madison Andrews left her hometown as soon as she could and never looked back. But when her mother passes away, she is forced to return. She must face her past and her high school best friend, Imogen, head-on. Madison, Imogen, and Olivia were the best of friends and the girls everyone wanted to be. They were beautiful, popular, and always got what they wanted. One night after a party, Olivia disappears. There's no trace of her, and no one seems to know what happened. There have been rumors, and Madison keeps telling herself she doesn't remember what happened that night. But now that she's back home, pieces of her memory slowly start to emerge. What really happened the night Olivia disappeared?
Told in multiple timelines and POVs, this was a totally addictive thriller! It was tense, unpredictable, and completely unputdownable! The captivating writing had me immersed from the very first page. This book seriously had it all, including a second-chance romance and a past that comes back to haunt. Imogen was the epitome of a mean girl, Madison the follower, and Olivia the one who would do anything to fit in. There was great character development, and I absolutely loved the small NC town setting. The twists were shocking, and the ending mindblowing. This was such a great book, and I HIGHLY recommend it! 🩷
Madison Andrews left her hometown as soon as she could and never looked back. But when her mother passes away, she is forced to return. She must face her past and her high school best friend, Imogen, head-on. Madison, Imogen, and Olivia were the best of friends and the girls everyone wanted to be. They were beautiful, popular, and always got what they wanted. One night after a party, Olivia disappears. There's no trace of her, and no one seems to know what happened. There have been rumors, and Madison keeps telling herself she doesn't remember what happened that night. But now that she's back home, pieces of her memory slowly start to emerge. What really happened the night Olivia disappeared?
Told in multiple timelines and POVs, this was a totally addictive thriller! It was tense, unpredictable, and completely unputdownable! The captivating writing had me immersed from the very first page. This book seriously had it all, including a second-chance romance and a past that comes back to haunt. Imogen was the epitome of a mean girl, Madison the follower, and Olivia the one who would do anything to fit in. There was great character development, and I absolutely loved the small NC town setting. The twists were shocking, and the ending mindblowing. This was such a great book, and I HIGHLY recommend it! 🩷
August 24, 2025
This is a book about old friends from high school who were the worst versions of themselves when they were together, a disappearance, escaping a small town and being forced to return, and dark secrets. If you love any of those things in a thriller you’ll want to pick this one up! The story is told from multiple POV over dual timelines which keeps things moving at the perfect pace. I was so invested in this book I couldn’t put it down once I started! And the ending is so satisfying ❤️❤️
August 9, 2025
Between Friends
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Looking for a cozier I Know What You Did Last Summer? Between Friends just may do it for ya! Now ya’ll know I don’t always love cozy thrillers, but Natalie’s writing is very descriptive, you could picture every little detail and feel the tension seeping from the characters as the story unfolds and each chapter left a creepy little feeling in the air. We get multiple POVs and when those past chapters start, I was really interested to see what was going to happen next! There was a twist toward the end (a good one!) but I felt like that part of the plot abruptly ended, I think maybe an epilogue could have helped especially because it has to do with a main character- hard to say more without giving anything away! There’s definitely a few twists at the end, a sprinkle of romance, so I think if you’re a fan of cozy thrillers you’ll love this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Natalie is a local Wilmington author and I met her at a little market and bought another one of her books, House of Lights, and she asked if I wanted to be apart of her arc team for Between Friends! This is my first by her, but she has a few others and I’m looking forward to checking them out and you should too! Between Friends comes out August 28th!
•
Looking for a cozier I Know What You Did Last Summer? Between Friends just may do it for ya! Now ya’ll know I don’t always love cozy thrillers, but Natalie’s writing is very descriptive, you could picture every little detail and feel the tension seeping from the characters as the story unfolds and each chapter left a creepy little feeling in the air. We get multiple POVs and when those past chapters start, I was really interested to see what was going to happen next! There was a twist toward the end (a good one!) but I felt like that part of the plot abruptly ended, I think maybe an epilogue could have helped especially because it has to do with a main character- hard to say more without giving anything away! There’s definitely a few twists at the end, a sprinkle of romance, so I think if you’re a fan of cozy thrillers you’ll love this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
Natalie is a local Wilmington author and I met her at a little market and bought another one of her books, House of Lights, and she asked if I wanted to be apart of her arc team for Between Friends! This is my first by her, but she has a few others and I’m looking forward to checking them out and you should too! Between Friends comes out August 28th!
August 13, 2025
This was my first book by Natalie and it was a bit of a twisty ride! 🙌
Every time I thought I had it figured out, another curve ball came! Definitely recommend to thriller lovers! 👏
Thank you to Natalie Banks for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Every time I thought I had it figured out, another curve ball came! Definitely recommend to thriller lovers! 👏
Thank you to Natalie Banks for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
August 28, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted eARC. I had such a good time reading this. It kept me on my toes the entire time. Just when I thought I knew what was happening there was a twist just slight enough to make me question my sanity. Think Mean Girls with a dark twist. This story was filled with mystery, suspense, and dark secrets. I definitely recommend this of you're in need of a good thriller.
September 4, 2025
3.5 stars
Friends, secrets, rekindling romance, murder - everything you need for a captivating mystery. Especially when told in multiple POV mixed with dual timeline. It’s the perfect recipe for suspenseful reading. However I do wish we had gotten more Imogen chapters.
This was a little more of a slower burn but the last third gets you spinning. Never knowing who or what to trust. It honestly read like a movie or would make a perfect limited series.
This was my first by Natalie and I can’t wait to read more!
Read if you love:
🤫 Secrets
👥 Multiple POV
❤️ Side of romance
🐱 Cats (Leech is just the cutest)
Thank you Natalie Banks for my eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Friends, secrets, rekindling romance, murder - everything you need for a captivating mystery. Especially when told in multiple POV mixed with dual timeline. It’s the perfect recipe for suspenseful reading. However I do wish we had gotten more Imogen chapters.
This was a little more of a slower burn but the last third gets you spinning. Never knowing who or what to trust. It honestly read like a movie or would make a perfect limited series.
This was my first by Natalie and I can’t wait to read more!
Read if you love:
🤫 Secrets
👥 Multiple POV
❤️ Side of romance
🐱 Cats (Leech is just the cutest)
Thank you Natalie Banks for my eARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 14, 2025
This story took me on a wild ride! Banks did a beautiful job of casting shadows on multiple main and side characters while the mystery unfolded.
My very favorite part of this story, aside from the writing, was that we see in EVERY instance things were not as they seemed… perfect lives were far from perfect, and outcasts weren’t as they might seem. This was especially important for one of our main POVs Madison.
While I personally wish elements of the ending had been different, I have to hand it to the author because there are clear threads leading back to the beginning showing this was the way the story was always meant to go.
GREAT thriller!
My very favorite part of this story, aside from the writing, was that we see in EVERY instance things were not as they seemed… perfect lives were far from perfect, and outcasts weren’t as they might seem. This was especially important for one of our main POVs Madison.
While I personally wish elements of the ending had been different, I have to hand it to the author because there are clear threads leading back to the beginning showing this was the way the story was always meant to go.
GREAT thriller!
August 28, 2025
I’ve read romance. I’ve read romantic suspense. I’ve read dark romance and horror. But never have I ventured into the realm of Thriller, and I’m officially kicking myself for waiting after dipping my toes in with Natalie Banks’ Between Friends!
From the very first line of the prologue, I was absolutely hooked. Natalie weaved such a compelling, thrilling plot, masterfully intertwining the past and present with multiple timelines and points of view, slowly unearthing the tangled web of fraying friendship and dark obsession between the cast. The foreshadowing was excellently placed, dropping hints at the perfect intervals to hold my interest while allowing me space to piece the clues together myself as the story unfolded. The characters were diabolical, too! I mean, Imogen??? Society really sunk its teeth into her. She was so concerned with socioeconomic labels - obsessively devoted to her appearance, social status, and reputation. Her warped mind completely fascinated me! And Madison? Ugh, her struggle through gaslighting and lost memories had me completely enraptured. I couldn’t put Between Friends down.
**Thank you for sending me this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
From the very first line of the prologue, I was absolutely hooked. Natalie weaved such a compelling, thrilling plot, masterfully intertwining the past and present with multiple timelines and points of view, slowly unearthing the tangled web of fraying friendship and dark obsession between the cast. The foreshadowing was excellently placed, dropping hints at the perfect intervals to hold my interest while allowing me space to piece the clues together myself as the story unfolded. The characters were diabolical, too! I mean, Imogen??? Society really sunk its teeth into her. She was so concerned with socioeconomic labels - obsessively devoted to her appearance, social status, and reputation. Her warped mind completely fascinated me! And Madison? Ugh, her struggle through gaslighting and lost memories had me completely enraptured. I couldn’t put Between Friends down.
**Thank you for sending me this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
September 18, 2025
Can I just say, I didn’t like it. I loved it!! “Between Friends” by Natalie Banks is a remarkable and intricately woven psychological thriller that dives deep into themes of memories, friendship, and betrayal, definitely pushing the boundaries of typical suspense. I was captivated from the very first page. The story is brimming with twists, dark secrets, and a palpable sense of suspense that kept me engaged right up to the last moment. Set in a small town and told through dual timelines and multiple perspectives, it was both tense and unpredictable, with a pacing that never let up. I found myself second-guessing everything! The writing flowed effortlessly, ensuring I was always immersed in the narrative. The author skillfully cast shadows over various main and supporting characters as the layers of mystery unfolded. And let's not forget my favorite character, Leech the cat! Who doesn’t appreciate a cat in a story? I devoured this book in just two days, burning the candle at both ends. If you’re into suspenseful psychological whodunnits that are tough to put down, this book is definitely for you!
Thank you Natalie Banks for inviting me to be on your ARC Team for my honest review. This was my first time reading one of your books and won’t be my last.
Thank you Natalie Banks for inviting me to be on your ARC Team for my honest review. This was my first time reading one of your books and won’t be my last.
August 22, 2025
This is a twisty mystery thriller that flashes between past and present, and keeps you guessing who the secret is really about.
Madison and Imogen couldn’t be more different, but they have one thing in common, Olivia. The former third friend vanished one night, and no one truly knows what happened to her, except our two FMC’s. Madison’s memory is snippets of blood and words, and Imogen can see the whole story from start to finish. With Madison, we get guilt drowning in booze. She cannot get over what may have happened that fateful night so many years ago, and she wishes she could remember what she thinks she did. Will she ever truly know?
Imogen is determined to balance the scales between her and Madison. She is calculating, cold, and always gets her way. She won’t let Madison continue to ignore her and what happened with them. After all, she helped, didn’t she? She knows what she did, and Imogen refuses to be the sacrificial lamb. She has always gotten what she wanted, and this time will be no different.
As their stories intertwine, Natalie slowly revealed their past, the drunken night, and the man that been in the center of the whole thing. She unravels the frayed friendship, the simmering jealousy, and the ultimate price of a bruised ego. It all leads to a tragic event, and an ending that shocks the reader. Natalie is a master of misdirection.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me gripped, and I flew health the pages to get to the end. I highly recommend this one to mystery thriller lovers. 4.5 stars.
A huge thank you to the author for my arc. My opinion is my own.
Madison and Imogen couldn’t be more different, but they have one thing in common, Olivia. The former third friend vanished one night, and no one truly knows what happened to her, except our two FMC’s. Madison’s memory is snippets of blood and words, and Imogen can see the whole story from start to finish. With Madison, we get guilt drowning in booze. She cannot get over what may have happened that fateful night so many years ago, and she wishes she could remember what she thinks she did. Will she ever truly know?
Imogen is determined to balance the scales between her and Madison. She is calculating, cold, and always gets her way. She won’t let Madison continue to ignore her and what happened with them. After all, she helped, didn’t she? She knows what she did, and Imogen refuses to be the sacrificial lamb. She has always gotten what she wanted, and this time will be no different.
As their stories intertwine, Natalie slowly revealed their past, the drunken night, and the man that been in the center of the whole thing. She unravels the frayed friendship, the simmering jealousy, and the ultimate price of a bruised ego. It all leads to a tragic event, and an ending that shocks the reader. Natalie is a master of misdirection.
I really enjoyed this book. It had me gripped, and I flew health the pages to get to the end. I highly recommend this one to mystery thriller lovers. 4.5 stars.
A huge thank you to the author for my arc. My opinion is my own.
September 30, 2025
While I enjoyed the fast pace of this book, I ended up quite disappointed. It was pretty easy to guess early on that Olivia was murdered because of Andy. The attempts at a couple red herrings was decent but it all stemmed back to Imogen and her jealous, psychotic personality. She hadn’t changed AT ALL in 12 years. Actually NONE of the characters had any sort of growth after 12 years. They all still acted like they did in high school. The fact that Olivia AND Andy survived their “murders” was really far fetched. Even more far fetched was Andy just forgiving Madison for helping to throw him down a well!!
I REALLY wanted to like this book. It had so much potential! The editing was terrible. Lots of repetitiveness in phrasing. Lots of sentence structure issues and typos. Made it hard to focus in the beginning. It did get better as the book went on but not enough for me to not notice.
Overall, I give it 2.5 stars rounded up because Goodreads doesn’t do half stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I REALLY wanted to like this book. It had so much potential! The editing was terrible. Lots of repetitiveness in phrasing. Lots of sentence structure issues and typos. Made it hard to focus in the beginning. It did get better as the book went on but not enough for me to not notice.
Overall, I give it 2.5 stars rounded up because Goodreads doesn’t do half stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
Grabs you from the start!
NO SPOILERS
Between Friends
By Natalie Banks
Pub August 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
My first book by Natalie Banks and definitely not my last!
Electrifying and unputdownable. This thriller executes a masterclass in pacing, seamlessly weaving between past and present to build relentless suspense. It's a true page-turner that will hold you captive from the very first sentence. Add it your TBR!
Book overview
Three friends. One terrible secret. The truth will destroy them all.
When Olivia vanishes without a trace, Madison and Imogen swear they’ll never speak of what happened that summer night. But years later, the past refuses to stay buried. As terrifying clues surface, Madison realizes someone knows what they did - and this time, silence won’t save them.
NO SPOILERS
Between Friends
By Natalie Banks
Pub August 28, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
My first book by Natalie Banks and definitely not my last!
Electrifying and unputdownable. This thriller executes a masterclass in pacing, seamlessly weaving between past and present to build relentless suspense. It's a true page-turner that will hold you captive from the very first sentence. Add it your TBR!
Book overview
Three friends. One terrible secret. The truth will destroy them all.
When Olivia vanishes without a trace, Madison and Imogen swear they’ll never speak of what happened that summer night. But years later, the past refuses to stay buried. As terrifying clues surface, Madison realizes someone knows what they did - and this time, silence won’t save them.
August 22, 2025
Did you know a thriller could be a slow burn? And not in the romantic way? Because it's news to me. Natalie Banks just destroyed me with this book. Every chapter was just building up, giving little crumbs along the way. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I’m not even sure I can review this book in a way that will do it justice. It was incredibly calming, yet in the most intense way imaginable. There was never a dull moment throughout the book, which is crazy to say. There was just an undertone that everything was not what it seemed to be. The communication between characters and inner dialogue was just amazing. Even up until the end of the book, I was still trying to figure out who did it. I was so thoroughly destroyed that I could have cried at how good this was. Between Friends has truly taken first place in books I’ve read this year, and I would go through this torture again!
August 23, 2025
Still trying to catch my breathe. . . . heart racing psychlogical thriller that does not disappoint!!!! IF I COULD GIVE MORE THAN 5 STARS, I WOULD!
I just finished BETWEEN FRIENDS
by @officialnataliebanks.
This will have you on the edge of your seat as the book unfolds. . . throwing very unexpected curves in there . . . told by different POVs. Makes you second guess how far your hometown high-school friends would go to cover up secrets.
I just finished BETWEEN FRIENDS
by @officialnataliebanks.
This will have you on the edge of your seat as the book unfolds. . . throwing very unexpected curves in there . . . told by different POVs. Makes you second guess how far your hometown high-school friends would go to cover up secrets.
September 3, 2025
Dark Secrets Between Old Friends
This thriller digs into the messy side of friendship and the past that won’t stay hidden. Madison’s return home stirs up long-buried memories, lies, and regrets. The tension builds as old bonds twist into something dangerous. Creepy, gripping, and emotional, it’s a story that keeps you turning the pages.
This thriller digs into the messy side of friendship and the past that won’t stay hidden. Madison’s return home stirs up long-buried memories, lies, and regrets. The tension builds as old bonds twist into something dangerous. Creepy, gripping, and emotional, it’s a story that keeps you turning the pages.
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