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Tell Two Friends: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26A wickedly funny and empowering thriller about women, the manipulators who underestimate them, and keeping your dignity while saving the day by the author of
I Thought You Said This Would Work
.
Jane Baye is a regular person, good at a lot of things, but identifying the serial killer right in front of her isn’t one of them.
In 1990, college senior Jane wrote to an incarcerated woman because it seemed like a nice thing to do. Thirty-six years later, that felon, actually a man, has moved in next door. He’s watching her every move, with a decades-long plan for Jane that a nice person like her would never see coming.
Especially because Jane is wrapped up in her own a small-town golden boy with talk of forever and a diabolical history of cheating. When she exposes her ex, the entire town of Wonder Lake turns against her.
It’s no wonder she doesn’t see what’s coming on the night of the Norwegian heritage festival.
But woe to those who mistake Jane for a pushover. When celebration becomes a fight for survival, the very qualities that make her ordinary become the weapons she’ll bet everything on.
Jane Baye is a regular person, good at a lot of things, but identifying the serial killer right in front of her isn’t one of them.
In 1990, college senior Jane wrote to an incarcerated woman because it seemed like a nice thing to do. Thirty-six years later, that felon, actually a man, has moved in next door. He’s watching her every move, with a decades-long plan for Jane that a nice person like her would never see coming.
Especially because Jane is wrapped up in her own a small-town golden boy with talk of forever and a diabolical history of cheating. When she exposes her ex, the entire town of Wonder Lake turns against her.
It’s no wonder she doesn’t see what’s coming on the night of the Norwegian heritage festival.
But woe to those who mistake Jane for a pushover. When celebration becomes a fight for survival, the very qualities that make her ordinary become the weapons she’ll bet everything on.
285 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Ann Garvin
10 books299 followersAnn Garvin Ph.D. is a nurse, a professor, and USA Today Bestselling Author. She thinks everything is funny and a little bit sad. Ann Writes stories about women with a good sense of humor who do too much in a world that asks too much from them.
Ann teaches creative writing at Drexel University in their Low- Residence Masters of Fine Arts program and lives in Wisconsin with her anxious and overly protective dog Peanut.
She is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers and is dedicated to helping authors find readers and vice versa. Learn more about Ann Garvin at: anngarvin.com
Ann teaches creative writing at Drexel University in their Low- Residence Masters of Fine Arts program and lives in Wisconsin with her anxious and overly protective dog Peanut.
She is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers and is dedicated to helping authors find readers and vice versa. Learn more about Ann Garvin at: anngarvin.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 10, 2026
The “About the Author” section at the end of this book describes Ann Garvin as a writer who “writes about women who do too much in a world that asks too much from them”. My review could safely end here and it would honestly be enough because I’ve been racking my brain to describe Jane Baye - physics teacher, reluctant app developer and local pariah through no fault of her own - and was unable to come up with a better description for her particular brand of weary pluckiness. From the very first page, this book offers a refreshing mix of deadpan funny and surprisingly touching passages, weaving these together with rich descriptions of the main characters whose earnestness and resilience best shines through when times are all but pleasant and calm. Jane, her niece Cricket, who was by far my favourite character of them all, and their small crew of scarce, yet steadfast supporters grapple with the events described in the story with the bravado often displayed by women who are not natural fighters but have had to deal with more than their fair share of unpleasantness in a world ruled by small-town politics and machismo.
I must admit I’m on the fence about how to best describe the genre: even though the book has all the hallmarks of a soft-boiled mystery, the parts written from the perspective of the ex convict who moved to the apartment next to Jane’s are unusually dark, as is the main twist that I never saw coming and that was masterfully executed. The only thing I would possibly change in this book, even though it admittedly serves as an excellent backdrop for the story to unfold, are all the references to Norwegian customs, traditions and culture that seem to be shoehorned into the book one too many times for it to be believable and sound natural. As ridiculous as this little grievance may sound, I refuse to believe that Norwegians, much less their descendants living in the US, say “uff da” as often as Garvin would have us believe, and many other aspects of Norwegian culture only seem to be mentioned in the book for the sake of it, which I found mildly irritating.
Despite this minor annoyance, which will possibly only irk me and nobody else, after all, this remains a solid good-natured mystery with some poignant messages that ring particularly pertinent in this day and age.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Ann Garvin for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I must admit I’m on the fence about how to best describe the genre: even though the book has all the hallmarks of a soft-boiled mystery, the parts written from the perspective of the ex convict who moved to the apartment next to Jane’s are unusually dark, as is the main twist that I never saw coming and that was masterfully executed. The only thing I would possibly change in this book, even though it admittedly serves as an excellent backdrop for the story to unfold, are all the references to Norwegian customs, traditions and culture that seem to be shoehorned into the book one too many times for it to be believable and sound natural. As ridiculous as this little grievance may sound, I refuse to believe that Norwegians, much less their descendants living in the US, say “uff da” as often as Garvin would have us believe, and many other aspects of Norwegian culture only seem to be mentioned in the book for the sake of it, which I found mildly irritating.
Despite this minor annoyance, which will possibly only irk me and nobody else, after all, this remains a solid good-natured mystery with some poignant messages that ring particularly pertinent in this day and age.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Ann Garvin for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wickedly fun and sharply observed story about an intrepid but floundering physics professor, her out-the-cheaters app development, the small Midwest community that rallies against her when one of their own comes under fire, and the mysterious new neighbour keeping an eye on everything from his upstairs window for -reasons-. Garvin’s sense of humour shines in this one, as do her shrewd observations about human foibles, particularly in depicting the small-town allegiances and animosities that form after the heroine dares to make public the moral failings (and actual crimes) of a man who has the town’s unquestioning support. I mean, really. How dare she! The side characters are fabulous, from the heroine’s outspoken teen niece with her Gen Z point of view and deep understanding of human relationships, to the well-meaning tarot-reading department chair, to the handsome fellow professor with his swoon-worthy ability to (gasp!) actually listen, to the tenderly infatuated neighbourhood kid who shows up at all the wrong times. Or maybe all the right times. There’s a fabulous dog. A ton of fun with the town’s deep investment in their upcoming Norwegian festival. A hint of romance. A light thread of suspense. And a thoughtful, witty look at boundaries, trust, and the sheer effort required in being a woman, especially one who cares intensely about her work, her family, her home, and her community. Garvin’s heart and humour are such gifts for the rest of us to enjoy. I loved this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really really liked this one! There were a couple of slower-moving spots in the early middle, during which I found my attention flagging slightly, but I'm a long-time fan of Garvin's work and knew she'd kick it into high gear soon enough - and I wasn't disappointed!
As always, her characterizations were spot-on and thoughtful - as well as completely relatable and likeable (even, if not especially, the curmudgeonly ones). I'm always pleased to see a solid mix of ages and personalities and perspectives in her stories, and this was no exception. the pacing and plotting were clever and original and I found the twists to be well-managed and unexpected, which is no small feat in this current literary environment. I also liked that she saved the explanation for the title until the end - it kept me guessing as to where she was going and why, and I found that intriguing.
There's a LOT going on in this one, and much of it can be surface-read for enjoyment as well as in-depth considered for enlightenment. To me, that's one of the gorgeous tricks that she pulls off in so many of her novels. It lets you think (and over-think) as well as just read, and that combination is hard to achieve. I found so many of the ideas about women and fear and self-doubt thought-provoking (particularly from her niece and her paper - which I wish had been included in full as an appendix!) and to have lingered in my brain after finishing the story. It makes me want to gift a copy to every female friend I have - and their daughters! This was a delightful story that made me think and groan and laugh out loud (at times nearly simultaneously), and I really loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
As always, her characterizations were spot-on and thoughtful - as well as completely relatable and likeable (even, if not especially, the curmudgeonly ones). I'm always pleased to see a solid mix of ages and personalities and perspectives in her stories, and this was no exception. the pacing and plotting were clever and original and I found the twists to be well-managed and unexpected, which is no small feat in this current literary environment. I also liked that she saved the explanation for the title until the end - it kept me guessing as to where she was going and why, and I found that intriguing.
There's a LOT going on in this one, and much of it can be surface-read for enjoyment as well as in-depth considered for enlightenment. To me, that's one of the gorgeous tricks that she pulls off in so many of her novels. It lets you think (and over-think) as well as just read, and that combination is hard to achieve. I found so many of the ideas about women and fear and self-doubt thought-provoking (particularly from her niece and her paper - which I wish had been included in full as an appendix!) and to have lingered in my brain after finishing the story. It makes me want to gift a copy to every female friend I have - and their daughters! This was a delightful story that made me think and groan and laugh out loud (at times nearly simultaneously), and I really loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The main character in “Tell Two Friends,” is Jane Baye. Jane is a professor, town pariah (she’s been portrayed as the villain in a bitter divorce), and the obsession of a stalker resulting from a long ago prison pen pal correspondence. The part of the story surrounding the identity and intent of the stalker was interesting. However, I think the most important part of the book was Jane (with the help of her precocious teenage niece, Cricket) finding her own voice and strength.
For most of the book, Jane seems lost in a fugue state. She puts up with the enmity and brusque behavior of the townspeople, although she is never inured to it. Like many women, she is conditioned into the milieu that women are supposed to be polite and conciliatory, even if it causes them discomfort. Thus, she endures the unwanted attention of men who don’t respect her boundaries. Towards the end of the story, she finds herself in danger. She acknowledges the gravitas of the situation, and finally exerts her agency. The social commentary of this book gave me a lot to think about. Jane’s transformation is powerful and inspiring.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.
For most of the book, Jane seems lost in a fugue state. She puts up with the enmity and brusque behavior of the townspeople, although she is never inured to it. Like many women, she is conditioned into the milieu that women are supposed to be polite and conciliatory, even if it causes them discomfort. Thus, she endures the unwanted attention of men who don’t respect her boundaries. Towards the end of the story, she finds herself in danger. She acknowledges the gravitas of the situation, and finally exerts her agency. The social commentary of this book gave me a lot to think about. Jane’s transformation is powerful and inspiring.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a die-hard Ann Garvin fan for many reasons. Her laugh-out-loud wit, her perfectly on-point Wisconsinisms, her depictions of women facing insurmountable odds and yet persevering to come out on top--all are present here. I blazed through it in a day and loved it. The style of writing is still classic Ann (yes, I feel like we're friends because she's that good at connecting with her readers), but this story has a decidedly different feel than the past few because it’s a thriller! But in a cozy, I-still-trust-everything-will-turn-out-fine type of way.
This book is funny and suspenseful and features strong women who aren’t afraid to show it. Jane’s niece provides endless feminist empowerment as Jane struggles to find her place in the small town of Wonder Lake, Wisconsin. Her romantic life is in shambles after her very public divorce from the town’s golden boy, and she doesn’t know who to trust–the new professor at the university where she teaches, the gruff-yet-helpful new neighbor, her philandering ex, or none of the above.
This book took me on a wild and hilarious ride, and you won’t want to miss it. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
This book is funny and suspenseful and features strong women who aren’t afraid to show it. Jane’s niece provides endless feminist empowerment as Jane struggles to find her place in the small town of Wonder Lake, Wisconsin. Her romantic life is in shambles after her very public divorce from the town’s golden boy, and she doesn’t know who to trust–the new professor at the university where she teaches, the gruff-yet-helpful new neighbor, her philandering ex, or none of the above.
This book took me on a wild and hilarious ride, and you won’t want to miss it. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one was such a fun surprise! It’s light, fast-paced, and easy to get into, but there’s just enough suspense and a touch of mystery woven in to keep things interesting the whole way through.
The characters are incredibly likable, and the plot flows in a way that makes it hard to put down—I flew through it. Jane, especially, stood out as a strong, realistic protagonist. She felt grounded and relatable, and I loved watching her grow into her confidence and trust her instincts.
There are also some nice underlying themes about women’s intuition and self-assurance that add a bit more depth without ever weighing the story down. And that twist at the end? So good—definitely added an extra punch to an already engaging story.
I do wish we got a little more insight into the situation with her ex, though. It felt like there was more there that could’ve been explored.
Overall, it’s a quick, entertaining read that feels a little like a wild ride in a great way. I’ll absolutely be picking up more from this author!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
The characters are incredibly likable, and the plot flows in a way that makes it hard to put down—I flew through it. Jane, especially, stood out as a strong, realistic protagonist. She felt grounded and relatable, and I loved watching her grow into her confidence and trust her instincts.
There are also some nice underlying themes about women’s intuition and self-assurance that add a bit more depth without ever weighing the story down. And that twist at the end? So good—definitely added an extra punch to an already engaging story.
I do wish we got a little more insight into the situation with her ex, though. It felt like there was more there that could’ve been explored.
Overall, it’s a quick, entertaining read that feels a little like a wild ride in a great way. I’ll absolutely be picking up more from this author!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 ⭐️ This book follows Jane, a somewhat down on her luck professor, who is an outcast in her small town after exposing her ex husband’’s cheating on live TV. We also follow Truman, her neighbor who is mysteriously watching everything that happens next door. This had all the elements of being a book I should have loved, but unfortunately it ended up falling flat for me.
Jane was hard for me to empathize with; even though her motivations were understandable, the way she communicated and her response to situations just didn’t always make sense. Cricket, her niece, was adorable, but their relationship felt a little stilted at times. The overall theme of learning to trust yourself again after a betrayal, and setting better boundaries was fine, but it felt a little too on the nose at times. The story picked up at the end, but I feel like I spent quite a bit wondering where this was going and waiting for something to happen. For the right reader, this would be an excellent read, but it just wasn’t for me.
I received a free advance copy from NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jane was hard for me to empathize with; even though her motivations were understandable, the way she communicated and her response to situations just didn’t always make sense. Cricket, her niece, was adorable, but their relationship felt a little stilted at times. The overall theme of learning to trust yourself again after a betrayal, and setting better boundaries was fine, but it felt a little too on the nose at times. The story picked up at the end, but I feel like I spent quite a bit wondering where this was going and waiting for something to happen. For the right reader, this would be an excellent read, but it just wasn’t for me.
I received a free advance copy from NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I live in the town this book is based in, so may be slightly biased because of that! 😄 (and p.s. there is no exaggeration of the Norwegianess of this town- it is absolutely full of uff das, lefse, and founding families)
This book is a mix of genres- humor, female empowerment, and thriller.
The protagonist, Jane, is a brilliant and tough woman who has gotten totally fucked over by her ex and his extensive family in their small town. She's creating an app to help women protect themselves from abusers, cheaters, and sketchy people. Luckily, she has a smart, confident, feminist niece staying with her who helps when the going gets tough (and scary).
When Jane's past shows up in a terrifying way, everyone's self preservation is tested.
But wait, there's a second POV! Jane's neighbor, Truman, is a mystery and we think we know why he's living next door but, of course, nothing is quite as it seems.
I love the fully flushed out side characters- teens with thoughts and opinions, the overly friendly policeman, even the dog is more than just a pet.
This is a fun read with lots to talk about and I can't wait to hold a book club for Tell Two Friends!
This book is a mix of genres- humor, female empowerment, and thriller.
The protagonist, Jane, is a brilliant and tough woman who has gotten totally fucked over by her ex and his extensive family in their small town. She's creating an app to help women protect themselves from abusers, cheaters, and sketchy people. Luckily, she has a smart, confident, feminist niece staying with her who helps when the going gets tough (and scary).
When Jane's past shows up in a terrifying way, everyone's self preservation is tested.
But wait, there's a second POV! Jane's neighbor, Truman, is a mystery and we think we know why he's living next door but, of course, nothing is quite as it seems.
I love the fully flushed out side characters- teens with thoughts and opinions, the overly friendly policeman, even the dog is more than just a pet.
This is a fun read with lots to talk about and I can't wait to hold a book club for Tell Two Friends!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received through NetGalley
This is a romcom but than literary fiction style, with a little thriller twist. I don’t wanna say to much about it but I can give a general idea. You follow Jane who has a very bad reputation in her town. We learn through her eyes how to find your own worth while nobody see you as a nice person. One stupid mistake put her on the blacklist of this town. She got cheated on by her husband and she is making an app to make sure this will not happen to more people. Also she has got a neighbor who has just gotten out of prison👀
This book is so much more than I’m telling you guys. Is was kinda shocked at the twist. Jaw was on the floor. But I also was surprised about the impact and message of this book. It’s not just a funny little thriller like romcom, it has depth and really gives you something to think about.
I found the beginning of the book to be boring, but having read the whole thing you understand why that was necessary. It’s not a long book so give it a go!
I would highly recommend this to people who are looking for a lighthearted thriller. It’s not scary, it’s not gross, but it will leave you on the edges of you seat.
This is a romcom but than literary fiction style, with a little thriller twist. I don’t wanna say to much about it but I can give a general idea. You follow Jane who has a very bad reputation in her town. We learn through her eyes how to find your own worth while nobody see you as a nice person. One stupid mistake put her on the blacklist of this town. She got cheated on by her husband and she is making an app to make sure this will not happen to more people. Also she has got a neighbor who has just gotten out of prison👀
This book is so much more than I’m telling you guys. Is was kinda shocked at the twist. Jaw was on the floor. But I also was surprised about the impact and message of this book. It’s not just a funny little thriller like romcom, it has depth and really gives you something to think about.
I found the beginning of the book to be boring, but having read the whole thing you understand why that was necessary. It’s not a long book so give it a go!
I would highly recommend this to people who are looking for a lighthearted thriller. It’s not scary, it’s not gross, but it will leave you on the edges of you seat.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley & publishing team for allowing me to read the eARC of Tell Two Friends by Ann Garvin!
This is the first book I've ever read of Ann Garvin's & I wasn't disappointed. Garvin really blended humor & emotional depth in this novel. The story following a woman trying to rebuild her life after being manipulated and lied to by someone she thought she could trust, learning how to navigate her emotions & the reality of starting over. The characters that Garvin created felt real, flawed, dedicated & filled with my type of humor.
Cricket being the 15 year old feminist advocate truly warmed my heart. Gunther just being concerned about his bacon treats reminded me of my own fur babies. Kyle was giving red flags from the beginning. Truman is proof you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and Jane's humor constantly reminded me of my own.
Be on the lookout for this book hitting the shelves in September!
This is the first book I've ever read of Ann Garvin's & I wasn't disappointed. Garvin really blended humor & emotional depth in this novel. The story following a woman trying to rebuild her life after being manipulated and lied to by someone she thought she could trust, learning how to navigate her emotions & the reality of starting over. The characters that Garvin created felt real, flawed, dedicated & filled with my type of humor.
Cricket being the 15 year old feminist advocate truly warmed my heart. Gunther just being concerned about his bacon treats reminded me of my own fur babies. Kyle was giving red flags from the beginning. Truman is proof you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and Jane's humor constantly reminded me of my own.
Be on the lookout for this book hitting the shelves in September!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley and Lake union publishing for an e-arc copy
Before I get into the review, I picked this book because it was labeled as literary fiction on Net Galley. I would not classify this as literary fiction. In my opinion, this is a low key thriller/women’s fiction. So take this review with a grain of salt if those are your preferred genres.
Our main character is Jane, a professor and the town pariah due to a messy and very public divorce. We also have a point of view from her neighbor, who is stalking her—and it is implied very early on that this man is the same prisoner that Jane wrote to when she was in college.
The overall plot of this was solid, but I didn't get the character development that I typically look for in fiction, and some of the red herrings were a little over the top for my preferences. I really prefer to read between the lines though, so if you are looking for an easy to read thriller for a Sunday afternoon, this could be the book for you.
May 13, 2026
Firstly, thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy.
I went into this book intrigued by the premise, and while I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about every aspect of it, I did find it to be an engaging and unexpectedly layered read. Cricket was easily the standout character for me: clever, memorable, and genuinely endearing, I found myself most invested whenever she was on the page. The rest of the characters didn’t leave quite the same impression, although I did appreciate the themes surrounding betrayal, self-worth, resilience, and the aftermath of a toxic relationship. I also really enjoyed the twist, it was unexpected.
I found it quite slow pacing. And then the ending was a bit rushed.
Overall, though, this was a solid 3-star read for me: thoughtful, intriguing, and worth reading for Cricket alone.
I went into this book intrigued by the premise, and while I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about every aspect of it, I did find it to be an engaging and unexpectedly layered read. Cricket was easily the standout character for me: clever, memorable, and genuinely endearing, I found myself most invested whenever she was on the page. The rest of the characters didn’t leave quite the same impression, although I did appreciate the themes surrounding betrayal, self-worth, resilience, and the aftermath of a toxic relationship. I also really enjoyed the twist, it was unexpected.
I found it quite slow pacing. And then the ending was a bit rushed.
Overall, though, this was a solid 3-star read for me: thoughtful, intriguing, and worth reading for Cricket alone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC.
Jane in the past had written, from the goodness of her heart, letters to an incarcerated man, until he wrote a letter telling her to stop. She's obviously hurt, and even more hurt when she discovers her husband has several other "wives". She divorces him and becomes persona non grata in her small town; no-one talks to her, they all seem to be on her husband's side. Strange town ...
A taciturn neighbor offers to do some work on her house to make her feel safe and that kindness mysteriously helps turn her life around. Wth her dog, her niece and a young neighborhood boy by her side, the neighbor helps her find her strength and courage.
It's a heartwarming, lovely book.
Jane in the past had written, from the goodness of her heart, letters to an incarcerated man, until he wrote a letter telling her to stop. She's obviously hurt, and even more hurt when she discovers her husband has several other "wives". She divorces him and becomes persona non grata in her small town; no-one talks to her, they all seem to be on her husband's side. Strange town ...
A taciturn neighbor offers to do some work on her house to make her feel safe and that kindness mysteriously helps turn her life around. Wth her dog, her niece and a young neighborhood boy by her side, the neighbor helps her find her strength and courage.
It's a heartwarming, lovely book.
May 12, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for sending me the ARC of this book!
I've never delved into thrillers because they've never really inspired me, but after reading the plot of this one, I have to say I was intrigued!
The story flows very well, and the characters are very likable. As I read, I had so many questions.
It's a book that doesn't just offer suspense, but also insights into what a woman feels every day: feelings of inadequacy, indecision, and fear. It was very interesting to watch Jane navigate these emotions, especially with the help of her niece!
The only flaw I found was the very quick ending, perhaps a little too fast for my tastes. But overall, it's a truly intriguing book!
I've never delved into thrillers because they've never really inspired me, but after reading the plot of this one, I have to say I was intrigued!
The story flows very well, and the characters are very likable. As I read, I had so many questions.
It's a book that doesn't just offer suspense, but also insights into what a woman feels every day: feelings of inadequacy, indecision, and fear. It was very interesting to watch Jane navigate these emotions, especially with the help of her niece!
The only flaw I found was the very quick ending, perhaps a little too fast for my tastes. But overall, it's a truly intriguing book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jane is a nice person - a really nice person. So nice, that she would write to a jailed prisoner because it seemed like a kind thing to do.
Unfortunately, over 3 decades later, that prisoner has secretly moved into Jane's neighbourhood. Even more unfortunately, the male ex-con (who is not the *woman* that Jane thought she was writing to) has a sinister plan in mind...
But perhaps there is more to Jane than she herself suspects. We must hope so, because heaven knows, she deserves better than what this creep has planned!
Acutely observed and very funny, this easily earns 3.5 stars. Worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately, over 3 decades later, that prisoner has secretly moved into Jane's neighbourhood. Even more unfortunately, the male ex-con (who is not the *woman* that Jane thought she was writing to) has a sinister plan in mind...
But perhaps there is more to Jane than she herself suspects. We must hope so, because heaven knows, she deserves better than what this creep has planned!
Acutely observed and very funny, this easily earns 3.5 stars. Worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a strange book. Neither one genre or another .. blurring the lines of a tight knit community who have ostracised the eminent Jane Baye for outing a cheater, through to an enactment of a Norwegian festival that made me want one of those cookies .. to well there would be the spoiler.
The reason I gave it was this score was that although the characters were well drawn it flicked back and forth between Jane and her niece Cricket to the neighbour Truman. I have to admit that the chapters about Jane were giving cosy vibes whereas Truman well I wanted to read more of him.
There is a big twist in the book but it is almost three quarters through it and the beginning just felt way too slow.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
The reason I gave it was this score was that although the characters were well drawn it flicked back and forth between Jane and her niece Cricket to the neighbour Truman. I have to admit that the chapters about Jane were giving cosy vibes whereas Truman well I wanted to read more of him.
There is a big twist in the book but it is almost three quarters through it and the beginning just felt way too slow.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
June 8, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a very long time to get into this book. I love a slow burning story but this was a little too slow for my tastes. The pacing picked up dramatically at the end, and I did find the ending exciting. I liked Jane as a character, and I was rooting for her. However I had a hard time buying the idea that the whole town hated her for what she’d done. Her ex’s family, sure. Random strangers she’d never met? Hmm no.
The premise is original and parts of it were fun, but overall this was somewhere in the middle for me.
It took me a very long time to get into this book. I love a slow burning story but this was a little too slow for my tastes. The pacing picked up dramatically at the end, and I did find the ending exciting. I liked Jane as a character, and I was rooting for her. However I had a hard time buying the idea that the whole town hated her for what she’d done. Her ex’s family, sure. Random strangers she’d never met? Hmm no.
The premise is original and parts of it were fun, but overall this was somewhere in the middle for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This story kept me very interested I made some assumptions at the beginning that were definitely not correct. The way the story molded together based on her past writing letters and events in the future because of those letters was crazy. It shows you that things you do can’t have consequences even if it’s something nice, I enjoyed the ending and I was sad to reach the end of this book. I cannot wait to read from this author!
This story kept me very interested I made some assumptions at the beginning that were definitely not correct. The way the story molded together based on her past writing letters and events in the future because of those letters was crazy. It shows you that things you do can’t have consequences even if it’s something nice, I enjoyed the ending and I was sad to reach the end of this book. I cannot wait to read from this author!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Lake Union Publishing for the eARC of this 5-star read!
This is a gripping thriller about Jane Baye, an ordinary woman whose life is turned upside down when someone from her past reappears with dangerous intentions. Years ago, Jane wrote letters to a person in prison, and decades later, that same person moves in next door and begins quietly manipulating her life. The book blends suspense with humor and heart. I loved how wise Cricket was, helping Jane navigate growth, relationships, and moving on.
This is a gripping thriller about Jane Baye, an ordinary woman whose life is turned upside down when someone from her past reappears with dangerous intentions. Years ago, Jane wrote letters to a person in prison, and decades later, that same person moves in next door and begins quietly manipulating her life. The book blends suspense with humor and heart. I loved how wise Cricket was, helping Jane navigate growth, relationships, and moving on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Lake Union and NetGalley for this ARC of Garvin’s latest novel. Jane is a likeable person living in a town that never forgave her for shining the spotlight on her philandering ex-husband, who also happens to be the town’s prodigal son.
Jane’s life is somewhat predictable, until a new neighbor moves in and seems obsessed with watching her every move.
Garvin’s latest novel had me cheering for Jane, laughing out loud, and trying to guess what would happen next.
Jane’s life is somewhat predictable, until a new neighbor moves in and seems obsessed with watching her every move.
Garvin’s latest novel had me cheering for Jane, laughing out loud, and trying to guess what would happen next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun fast paced mystery touching on resilience, independence and trust.
Jane’s our university professor protagonists straight bat humor combined with her tendency to internalise make for a super accessible narrator. Following her over 35 or so years was a delight and her capacity to trust delivers twists which make the book unputdownable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Lake Union Publishing for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Jane’s our university professor protagonists straight bat humor combined with her tendency to internalise make for a super accessible narrator. Following her over 35 or so years was a delight and her capacity to trust delivers twists which make the book unputdownable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Lake Union Publishing for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really liked this book! It was light and fun, with likeable characters and an easy-to-follow plot. I enjoyed the twist at the end, as well. I also enjoyed that there were underlying themes of intuition, confidence, etc. Jane was a very likeable, real character. I finished it quickly and would love to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m convinced Ann Garvin personally schedules all responsibilities to disappear once you open one of her books. I picked this up planning to read “a few chapters” and suddenly it was way past bedtime and I was emotionally invested in fictional people like they were in my group chat. Funny, heartfelt, and completely impossible to put down!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book! Everything Ann writes is magical - this book is no exception. I found it hard to put down. I need more books by this author!!
May 21, 2026
I love all of Ann GARVIN’s books and this does not disappoint!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgally for the early read. As with all of Ann Garvin’s books, this one was great!! 👍🏻 enjoy the read! I sure did.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
From someone who grew up in a town that celebrated Norwegian Independence Day, says uff da, and has rosemaling in her home, I LOVED THIS BOOK. And I never saw the twist coming!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jane has a new neighbor. He's a little strange, sure. Never in a million years, though, does she imagine that he's the man she wrote to all those years ago while he was in prison. And now he's out, watching her, studying her even. She's got so much going on in her personal life that she doesn't even notice. A pariah in her small town due to a cheating ex-husband, taking care of her teenage niece, preparing for a highly anticipated Norwegian festival...of course she's distracted. Who wouldn't be? Soon, though, the danger lurking nearby becomes impossible for her to ignore. A good story, lighthearted and fun.
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