Let Her Go: A BRAND NEW twisty psychological thriller about friendship, secrets and betrayal for 2026

by Alison Stockham, Julie Maisey (Reader)

✨A twisty, addictive story about female friendships🥂💅⛔️, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Adele Parks and Liane Moriarty! ✨ One moment changed everything. And now my best friend is gone. Hannah doesn’t need much. Her quiet life suits her just fine, especially with Libby by her side. Libby always understands. Her closest friend, she feels more like family than anyone else ever has.

And then she’s gone.

Vanished without a word. No texts. No calls. Just... silence.

Matt, Libby’s husband, says she needed space. That she’s safe. That Hannah should stop asking questions.

But something’s not right. Hannah can feel it.

The more she digs, the more she realises she might not have known Libby at all. Has someone been lying from the very start? Or should she trust her gut? Is her friend in very real danger?

From the bestselling author of The Cuckoo Sister, a compulsive and addictive read. Just how far would you go for your best friend?

Praise for Alison 'Razor-sharp and cleverly plotted, this gripping thriller twists and turns with relentless pace, keeping you breathless until the final page' O J Mullen

'Alison's book had me gripped and unable to stop turning the pages. Each discovery pulled me deeper into the mystery, and the suspense was absolutely addictive.' Gemma Rogers

'wow, what a twisty, claustrophobic narrative! The tension was so strong throughout and Beth’s confusion and vulnerability was palpable' Natalie Chandler

'From the first page I was hooked. My grip on the story as tight as main character Beth’s fingers on the steering wheel of her car.' Audrey Davis

Praise for Alison 'An addictive thriller which will keep you hooked until the last page' Diana Wilkinson

'This is a taut and gripping psychological suspense that I couldn’t second-guess.' Laura Pearson

'A twisty domestic thriller full of heart-wrenching secrets and lies. I never quite knew who to trust, right up to the end!' Ruby Speechley

'An emotive thrilling read with a sucker punch twist...' J A Baker

'...inventive and twisty and I couldn’t stop reading' Jo Leevers

'An emotive, utterly enthralling read brimming with tension, The New Girl hooked me in from the very first page and refused to let go.' Vikki Patis

'The New Girl had me on edge from the explosive beginning to the tension-filled end.' M A Hunter

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

MP3 CD

Published November 17, 2025

Reviews

[Tonya]

Hannah is a concerned friend. Her best friend Libby has not reached out to her in weeks. Is Libby in trouble? Does she need Hannah‘s help? I was immediately immersed in Hannah’s pursuit of the truth behind the sudden ghosting by her best friend. Who is telling the truth in this twisted tale of deception and betrayal? “The advantage of always being overlooked, always being underestimated, was that no one looked closely enough to see through to the truth.” Lines are blurred between fact and fiction as secrets are revealed and facades are shattered. The plot is original, unpredictable and I could not stop reading. Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy.

[Jackie]

3.75 ⭐️

Let Her Go hooked me right away with its mix of suspense, secrets, and the messy dynamics of friendship. I couldn’t wait to see what really happened to Libby and how far Hannah would go to uncover the truth.

Let Her Go followed Hannah, whose world was upended when her best friend Libby suddenly vanished without a trace. Matt, Libby’s husband, claimed she just needed space and urged Hannah to stop digging—but something about his story didn’t sit right. As Hannah searched for the truth about where Libby went and why she left, long-buried secrets about their friendship started to surface and showed how one shocking moment could change everything.

Since this was my first book by Alison Stockham, I wasn’t sure what to expect—I just hoped for a compelling psychological thriller and maybe a new author to add to my go-to list. With Stockham’s clean, quick, and character-driven style, it was hard not to get drawn in. I enjoyed the way she built tension through atmosphere and shifting relationships, keeping the pages turning with twisty reveals and plenty of emotional suspense.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my opinion.

[Joanna]

4 stars for me.
Hannah trying to find out why her best friend Libby cut her out.There was never any problems between them,but now she will not even answer her phone.Fearing that Libby's husband Matt done something to her, Hannah will do everything to get her answers.

Is Libby in danger?
Will Hannah get her friend back?

Well this book was a tension filled read.I just had to know what will happened next,and some I figure it out,and some come as a shocking twists.Be careful ,as even your friends can be your worst enemies.I love the ending,it made me laugh,just when I think it's all over author surprise me again.Sometimes you get what you deserve.My first book by this author and hope to read more.

I would recommend this book for tension filled thriller with surprising twists fans.

Thank you netgalley and Boldwood Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Diane Merritt]

When friendships go sour, anything can happen... Truly a book that brings your friendships into play. Great characters that make the book feel like it's real life happening. I enjoy reading this book from an author I'm new too. Look forward to reading more.

Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book.

[Priscilla]

When Libby vanishes, Hannah, her best friend, is shocked. What is wrong? Why has Libby ghosted her? Hannah, Libby, and Libby’s husband Matt had always been best friends. What happened to Libby?
This one seemed to go on and on just wondering what happened to Libby. The characters were never really developed and all were slightly annoying. I did finish the book, but it was not one of my favorites.

[Trina Dixon]

Hannah and Libby have been friends for over 10 years. On a spa weekend Libby confesses that she suspects her marriage to Matt is in trouble, they have serious financial worries and she is convinced he's having an affair. The weekend is the last time Hannah sees or hears from Libby for a while, suddenly messages and calls go unanswered, Matt says she needs time but Hannah is worried that something has happened to her.
The book is in several parts, Hannahs story, Libby's story and then the two together. I found it a book of two halves, Hannah's story seemed quite repetitive but as I progressed through the novel things became clearer and more enjoyable. It was cleverly written as I was unsure if Hannah was a reliable narrator, were these events happening or was her imagination running overtime. There was a slight twist at the end which I also didn't see coming

[VickydpBooks]

I enjoyed this book

Blurb

One moment changed everything.
And now my best friend is gone.
Hannah doesn’t need much. Her quiet life suits her just fine, especially with Libby by her side. Libby always understands. Her closest friend, she feels more like family than anyone else ever has.

And then she’s gone.

Vanished without a word.

No texts. No calls. Just... silence.

Matt, Libby’s husband, says she needed space. That she’s safe. That Hannah should stop asking questions.

But something’s not right. Hannah can feel it.

The more she digs, the more she realises she might not have known Libby at all. Has someone been lying from the very start? Or should she trust her gut? Is her friend in very real danger?

[Lydia]

This wonderful book twists and turns in ways which you would never suspect...and neither of the main characters are anything like who they seem to be...

[Simone Frost]

This is the first book I’ve read by thud author and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I like psychological thrillers so expected to enjoy this. The cover is a bit naff and quite generic, it doesn’t really stand out.

Hannah and Libby have been best friends since university so when Libby suddenly cuts all contact, Hannah is worried about her friend. She tries to check in on her and even goes to some of her usual haunts with no success.

The book has quite short chapters and switches between the points of view of Libby and Hannah. It’s quite an easy read but I was disappointed to spot typos that should have been picked up before publication - inpatient instead of impatient. Initially I was interested to see where the book would go, particularly as it has quite a dramatic opening with Libby being involved in a robbery in a luxury boutique. Unfortunately, the robbery ended up seeming a bit pointless as it fizzled out.

The author makes you doubt most of the characters and plays Libby and Hannah against each other, who is telling the truth? I think this would have worked better if the characters were more developed, all of them felt so flat and two dimensional and I think Libby and Hannah’s back stories could have been explained in more depth. This would have given more of an explanation for their behaviour. Every character was annoying and it made me feel a bit disconnected from them, I didn’t much care what happened and I didn’t feel sorry for them.

This book had a promising start but quickly fell flat for me and I was left disappointed. The ending was a bit ridiculous too.

[Allison Schelzi]

This was a hard book to finish! I really wanted to DNF it! I kept praying it would get better, it didn’t.

[Staci L]

Not a great read for me

I did not enjoy this book. The characters were not likable and I felt like the book just dragged on way too long.

[Dorothy Gingell]

Not for me

Disappointing. Didn't find this at all twisty or thrilling. Failed to find any empathy or emotional connection to any of the characters.

[Jeanette Welch]

Not the best but okay

Disappointed with this read very far fetched and unrealistic. Read to the end but it didn’t excite me in anyway

[Courtney McGhee]

At the beginning, I genuinely did not know whose version of reality I could trust. Hannah is so dependent on Libby and increasingly frantic after she disappears, while Libby’s chapters paint Hannah as obsessive, unstable, and incapable of respecting boundaries. Every time I thought I had figured out which woman was manipulating the truth, the story made me question myself again.

Hannah and Libby’s friendship was fascinating because it wasn’t simply close, it was completely codependent and toxic. After Libby vanishes following the armed robbery and Matt insists she is safe and just needs space, Hannah refuses to let it go. At first, I couldn’t decide whether Hannah’s instincts were right or whether she was unraveling and turning Libby’s decision into a conspiracy because she couldn’t handle being abandoned.

Side note: if they are that close…why didnt Hannah go straight to her house? Maybe I’m unhinged because I wouldn’t have waited that long and stressed out that much before storming her house 🤣

But once the truth begins coming out? FUCK LIBBY. Seriously. Learning that Libby deliberately disappeared and seeing the extent of her lies, manipulation, and cruelty completely changed how I viewed everything that came before it. Hannah certainly isn’t perfect, but Libby spends years encouraging that dependency whenever it benefits her, then rewrites their entire friendship to make herself the innocent victim. And Matt enabling the secrecy and helping keep Hannah in the dark made the whole situation even more infuriating.

The ending was so satisfying because it finally exposes the difference between actually caring about someone and keeping them around because they make you feel important. Libby wanted Hannah’s devotion until it became inconvenient, and then she treated her like she was disposable. Watching Hannah finally understand what their friendship truly was and realize that “letting her go” was the only way to reclaim her own life was the perfect conclusion.

And then THAT ending! Hannah actually kills Libby, attends her funeral, and meets Libby’s former best friend only for the two of them to form a friendship of their own. For a brief moment, it feels like Hannah may finally have found someone who genuinely understands her. But then the final realization hits: she hasn’t escaped the cycle at all. Now she’s stuck with Libby’s old bestie, who appears to be every bit as obsessive and dependent as Hannah once was. The roles have completely reversed, and Hannah has essentially inherited her own former self. It was dark, ironic, and such a brilliantly twisted way to end the book.

[Teresa Nikolic]

Hannah has been best friends with Libby and her husband Matt since university ten years ago, whilst on a spa weekend Libby confides in Hannah that they have financial worries and she also thinks Matt is having an affair. After their return Libby is caught up in an incident at a local boutique in town and Hannah doesn't hear from her again, her calls and texts go unanswered, Matt says she's safe and just needs some space and Hannah needs to respect that but that's not like Libby, Hannah is worried and can't leave it alone but, does she really know Libby at all, is she prepared for what she uncovers when she starts digging?

Let Her Go is the new thriller by this author, told in three parts; part one by Hannah, part two by Libby, part three by both girls in alternate chapters. In Hannah's version of events we learn how Libby is suddenly ghosting her and, as the reader, I felt sorry for her as she seems to be a really loyal friend to both Libby and Matt and I felt it was harsh the way she was being treated, especially with how close they once were. Then in Libby's version of events we hear a totally different side of the story, although I wasn't sure whether to believe what she said and wondered if the incident at the boutique had affected her more than she was saying. Part three is where we learn exactly what is going on and the reasoning behind it, and it's an eye opener for sure and shows you never really know someone, even if you believed you did. There were some great twists in this well written, yet complex, plot that kept me on the edge of my seat, second guessing throughout and the author even threw in a fabulously ironic curveball at the end which was totally unexpected but finished the story off nicely. A great read from a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her books.

I'd like to thank Boldwood Books and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

[Jen]

This was a fast-paced read, though a little repetitive at times. It centers on Hannah, Matt, and Libby, who have all been friends for 10+ years. Matt and Libby are married and Hannah is Libby's best friend. Everything is going fine when suddenly one day, Libby stops answering Hannah's texts and calls. Hannah can't get a straight answer from Matt, either, and she refuses to believe that Libby would do something like that if she was OK, so she continues to dig deeper to find out what is really going on. The story is told primarily from Hannah's POV in the beginning, and then shifts to Libby's before alternating between the two at the end.

The early chapters from Hannah's POV were really suspenseful and it was hard to tell whether Hannah was a reliable narrator or not. Once the reader hears from Libby, some of the questions get answered but also a lot more questions arise. I felt like the storyline became a bit far-fetched as it continued and I didn't really understand characters' reasons for making some of the decisions they made. That being said, it was still fun to read and there was a level of suspense throughout. I didn't fully love the end- I got what the author was trying to do but think it fit that well with what I had grown to understand about specific characters.

Overall, fun read that maybe went a bit too far in causing me to suspend my disbelief, but was still worth it in the long run. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne]

Alison Stockham’s Let Her Go is a taut, emotionally charged mystery that lingers like a half-remembered dream—quietly unsettling, deeply human, and impossible to put down.

At its heart is Hannah, a woman content with the quiet rhythms of life, anchored by her closest friend Libby. Their bond feels elemental—more like chosen family than friendship. But when Libby vanishes without explanation, Hannah is left adrift in a silence that feels anything but benign. Her instincts whisper danger, even as those around her urge calm. What unfolds is a slow-burning unraveling of trust, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love.

Stockham’s prose is clean and compelling, with a subtle lyricism that elevates the domestic thriller into something more intimate. The tension builds not through spectacle, but through emotional nuance—Hannah’s growing unease, the brittle edges of grief, and the creeping suspicion that love can be both sanctuary and snare.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Liane Moriarty, Let Her Go is a story of female friendship, betrayal, and the quiet courage it takes to confront the truth. It’s a novel that asks: how well do we ever really know the people we trust most—and what happens when the answers begin to fracture?

A haunting, elegant read for autumn nights, best paired with candlelight and the kind of silence that listens.

With thanks to Alison Stockham, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

[Jackiesreadingcorner]

A story full of secrets, suspense, and the fragile dynamics of friendship.

Told in three parts—first from Hannah’s perspective, then Libby’s, and finally alternating between the two—this psychological thriller grips you from the start and keeps you guessing until the very end.

Hannah and Libby have been inseparable since university, enjoying spa weekends and brunches together. But during their last spa break, Libby reveals that her marriage to Matt is on shaky ground—constant arguments, financial problems, and growing tension. Yet how much of what she says is true?

After that trip, Libby suddenly cuts Hannah off completely. When Hannah learns Libby was caught up in an armed robbery, she believes that’s the reason for the silence. But could it be something more sinister? Is Libby safe—or is Matt hiding something?

The story explores how far one person will go for a friend and what happens when loyalty turns into obsession. Hannah has given everything to her friendship, perhaps too much. I found myself feeling sorry for her at times—she just wants to help, but do Libby and Matt even want her help?

The tension builds beautifully, the atmosphere thick with unease and unanswered questions. I was completely hooked, desperate to know how it would all end.

A well-paced, twisty psychological thriller, perfect for fans who love stories about friendship, betrayal, and the secrets we keep.

[Vanessa]

Let Her Go by Alison Stockham was an excellent psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the very beginning till the very end. It was a Superb book that was full of excellent twists and turns throughout It was filled with lots of tension, suspense and so many secrets. But these secrets have to come out in to the open!!!! Slowly they are surfacing.

The two main characters are Libby and Hannah and they have been very good friends since university when Libby.
Libby always understands Hannah and feels she is more like family that anyone else has ever been to her in her life.

Then one day out of the blue, everything changes. . . . . . Libby starts ghosting Hannah. . . . But why?
Now, Hannah knows something is wrong.

Where is Libby? no one has seen or heard from her!

She has just vanished without a word. There was No texts. No calls. Just.. . . . . . . . . silence.

Hannah goes and sees Matt who is is Libby’s husband, and he tells Hannah she needs space! But she is safe! and Hannah should Stop asking Questions about Libby!

But, What does that mine??? and Why?

Something’s not right. Hannah can feel it. . . . . . . . .but what!

But the more she digs, the more she realises she might not have known Libby at all.

But, Why is libby's Husband lying to Hannah? or is he?

Or should she trust her gut?

Is her friend in very real danger?

WoW this book was excellent and I highly recommend it;. 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Shireen]

4 stars

Hannah and Libby are close friends; they've been almost inseparable since meeting in university. So when Libby mysteriously disappears from her life shortly after witnessing a robbery, Hannah is understandably concerned. She can't reach Libby by phone or social media, and her husband Matt just keeps saying that she needs alone time to recover from the strain. It all feels so fishy to Hannah - why is Libby avoiding her best friend? Why is Matt trying to keep them apart? Spiraling madly from a lack of information, Hannah tries everything she can think of to get in touch with Libby. But what's really going on at the heart of it all?

I thought this was a great read and really enjoyed it right from the get-go. In true unreliable-narrator fashion, I had a difficult time discerning what was truth and what was fiction. Initially Hannah's stress and concern builds in a normal, straightforward way, but very early on in the story I had to start questioning their relationship dynamics and it turns out my instincts were spot on. The story just gets creepier and more disconcerting the farther along you get, so it's a definite recommendation from me if you like your thrillers anxiety-inducing and unnerving.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Alison Stockham, and Boldwood Books for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

[Els]

What would you do if your best friend suddenly stopped answering your messages?
Would you, like Hannah, do everything in your power to find out what’s going on?

The harder Hannah tries, the more desperate she becomes, because nothing seems to work. She truly fears the worst…

In the first part of the book, we mainly hear Hannah’s voice as she explains the situation from her perspective. As a reader, you increasingly get the feeling that something isn’t quite right, and you can’t wait to find out what really happened. Is Hannah right to be worried, or is there something else going on?

In the second part, Libby tells her side of the story, and the truth finally comes to light. Did I see it coming? Yes, to some extent — but I was still shocked by the viciousness of this person.

The ending is absolutely brilliant. You might catch a glimpse of a red flag earlier on, but the confirmation still manages to surprise you.

Looking at the cover, it gives off a cold, chilling vibe — perfectly reflecting the personality of one of the main characters.

I really enjoyed this book: great twists, a fantastic ending, a smooth writing style, and well-developed characters that keep the story engaging.
A strong friendship can be a true blessing, but this book reminds us that maintaining just a little distance can sometimes be wise.

4.5 stars from me.

[Gary]

“Let Her Go” by Alison Stockham is a psychological thriller that explores friendship, trust, and obsession. A new author to me but one I intend to read more of. A fast paced thriller where the tension builds with every chapter and draws you in. The more I read the more I enjoyed it, everyone and everything is not what it appears.

Hannah’s life is quiet and predictable, anchored by her closest friend, Libby, the one person who truly understands her. But when Libby suddenly disappears without a word, Hannah’s comfortable world begins to unravel. Matt, Libby’s husband, insists she just needed space. Yet as Hannah searches for answers, she can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong. The deeper she digs, the more disturbing the truth becomes, and soon Hannah is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her friend, and herself.

Full of unexpected twists that keep the reader on their toes, Let Her Go masterfully captures Hannah’s growing paranoia, weaving it together with themes of deceit and vulnerability. What begins as a simple story of friendship gradually transforms into a chilling exploration of hidden motives and the fragility of human trust.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Sonja Charters]

I was instantly drawn to this bold cover image - I loved the pop of bright blue in such a stark background and with those tags, I just couldn't resist diving in!

 

So, this was my first read by this author, but you know that I love discovering new authors that brings something else to my thriller reading and this was such a great first read.

 

I loved the format of this book - split into 3 sections we hear the story unfold through different viewpoints - first section by Hannah, second by Libby and the in the last part we see alternating chapters which blew everything apart.

 

I really liked Hannah from the start and felt her confusion as her best friend goes missing and start ghosting her. Totally alien to how they've always been with other, best friends for years.

I didn't like how Matt (Libby's husband) was treating her and on top of the hurt and confusion, there was definitely a tense fear.

 

When we hear Libby's version of events next, I was totally confused. Having been lulled into a false sense at first, I was a little dubious about what I was hearing and who to really trust.

 

When the final section reveals even more secrets and lies I couldn't stop turning those pages to get to the end and have it all laid out there.

 

Loved the writing style and this great format. I just couldn't put this down.

I can't wait to see more from this author soon.

[Mackenzie Busalacchi]

One day Hannah is relaxing with her best friend Libby, and the next day, Libby appears to be ghosting her - doesn't show up to their weekly brunch, reuses to answer Hannah's calls, and ignores all of Hannah's messages. After this goes on for a few days, Hannah begins to worry that something is seriously wrong. Libby's husband insists that Libby just needs some space and asks Hannah to back down. Instead, Hannah goes into full investigative mode, determined to find out what exactly happened to Libby. As she dives into Libby's past, she realizes that she didn't know Libby as well as she thought. Was their entire friendship a lie!?

Both main characters - Hannah and Libby - are extremely unlikable and unrelatable. With that said, Matt (the husband) is also horribly unlikable. The entire story is really about a toxic friendship; it's not a true thriller. There aren't that many unexpected twists and reveals. The ending, which dragged on, is both unsatisfying and unrealistic. I did appreciate the structure of the story - I liked that the first third was by Hannah, the second third by Libby, and the final third with alternating chapters. I also liked how the title fit with the story in multiple ways. Yet, overall, this wasn't a book for me.

[Susie Green]

Hannah and Libby have the kind of friendship that feels more like family so when Libby suddenly vanishes without a trace, Hannah’s world tilts off its axis. Libby’s husband Matt insists she just needed space, but Hannah knows her best friend wouldn’t simply disappear. As she starts to dig for answers, she realises she might not have known Libby as well as she thought!

This was such a great read and there was a point in the novel (or maybe two) when the rug was completely pulled from under me! Alison Stockham has such a gift for writing about ordinary women caught in extraordinary situations and for showing the strength it takes to keep going when everything starts to unravel.

What I liked most was how believable the characters felt, especially Libby, and how vulnerable you can feel when there’s an imbalance in a friendship you previously thought was rock-solid. I found myself changing my mind about who to trust more than once and in the end I was just glad that none of them were my friends!

If you love psychological thrillers set in the reality of everyday life then you should definitely check this one out!

[Roz]

This was an interesting read and one which had so many twists and turns in the plot it was really challenging to see what the outcome would be.

Libby and Hannah have been best friends for years and the story begins with a girlie weekend where Libby tells Hannah that she is sure her hubby is cheating on her and has been overspending causing grief between the couple. As a friend of both Hannah is keen to help. After the weekend everything changes and Hannah isn’t able to see or speak to Libby and begins to worry something bad has happened to her .

Told alternately by Hannah and Libby the plot becomes more complicated and the reality is difficult to see. Who is telling the truth and who will go to any lengths to protect their friend, or themselves.

There are some areas of the story which show increasingly erratic behaviour by both women and these were troubling to read. However the story is well woven and interesting and will definitely appeal to those who enjoy a thriller.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cristina]

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Let Her Go pulled me in right from the start, and what really stood out to me was the way Alison Stockham weaves together different POVs. Seeing the story unfold through multiple perspectives added significant depth, allowing me to experience the characters’ secrets, fears, and choices in a much more nuanced way.

The twists were another highlight. Just when I thought I knew where things were heading, the story shifted, keeping me hooked until the very end. That constant sense of unpredictability made it impossible to put the book down.

And then there’s the ending. It left me wanting more, in the best way. It wrapped up the story while still leaving me thinking about the characters and their futures long after I turned the last page.

A gripping, twist-filled psychological drama with multiple perspectives that add richness and intensity. Perfect if you love stories that keep you guessing and characters that stay with you after the final chapter.

[Claire]

One moment changes everything, and suddenly Hannah's best friend, Libby, is gone. No warning, no messages, nothing. Just silence.

At first, everyone tells Hannah not to worry. Libby's husband says she just needed some time, that she's fine. But Hannah can't shake the feeling that something's off. And as she starts digging, she realises she might not have known her best friend as well as she thought.

The story starts from Hannah's point of view, and you can really feel her confusion and fear growing with every chapter. Then the perspective shifts to Libby, and everything you thought you knew starts to unravel. I did suspect parts of the twist, but the full truth still hit hard - the cruelty behind it all really surprised me.

The pacing is great, and the ending is honestly fantastic. It ties things up but still leaves you thinking ?' 't these characters long after it's over.
I almost gave it five stars - it's tense, emotional, and full of secrets - but it did get a bit repetitive in places, so it's a solid four from me

[Kirsten]

3.5 rounded up

A character driven popcorn thriller exploring friendship. Hannah and Libby have been best friends forever. After a recent girls weekend away, Libby confesses to Hannah she’s having marital issues. Soon after that Libby disappears after an armed robbery at her favourite boutique. Hannah is worried and goes in search of her friends. Told over three parts. The first from Hannah’s point of view, the second Libby’s and the final alternates between the two. Part one sets the scene of the women’s friendship and Hannah’s worry about Libby. From part two, the twists start and we begin to wonder which woman is the one who is unreliable and unhinged. I liked the fast pace and the way secrets and twists kept coming. There were a few times I found myself quite frustrated with both women and that the plot seemed dependent on them jumping to giant conclusions. However, I was still quite invested in finding out the motives of one of the women and seeing how things played out. I was kept guessing and found the ending quite satisfying.

[Anonymous 5]

This book pulled me in right away and didn’t let go. The story starts quietly, focusing on a close female friendship, and then slowly turns into something much darker and more unsettling. The disappearance of Libby creates a constant feeling that something is wrong, even when everyone around Hannah says there’s nothing to worry about.
I really liked how the author explored friendship, trust, and doubt. Hannah feels like a very real character, and her confusion and worry are easy to understand. As she starts asking questions, the tension builds piece by piece, and I found myself second-guessing everyone. The twists aren’t rushed, but they keep coming, making it hard to stop reading.
The writing is simple but effective, and the atmosphere is tense without being over-the-top. If you enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers with strong emotions, unreliable truths, and shocking reveals, this is a great choice. 
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and am voluntarily leaving my review.