Just Between Us

by Barbara Copperthwaite

Six friends. One storm. A secret to die for…

We arrived at the beautiful, sprawling Spanish villa ready to celebrate – over twenty years of friendship, and of course, Alexis’s big birthday. It’s paradise. Alexis has pulled out all the stops, and like always, I know we’re meant to be grateful…

But the tensions begin on the very first night.

The workaholic slipping off to take mysterious calls.
The people pleaser afraid to speak out.
The quiet observer snidely analysing every move we make.
The former life of the party knocking back wine to forget it all.
Even I, the peacekeeper, have secrets…

And of course, Alexis, the Queen Bee – furious that, as a summer storm descends, her perfect trip isn’t working out like she planned… Her fury makes it feel like she’s hiding something. Like her schemes are unravelling…

I thought our secrets finally emerging might be the biggest threat on this trip. But on the last night, I wake up on the cold floor of the locked wine cellar, a knife clutched in my hand and Alexis’s body unmoving beside me.

I want to scream, to cry, to run, but with the floodwater rising, we’re trapped. My friends all think I killed her. But I know I didn’t, which means someone else here did…

An addictive, deliciously juicy and twisty psychological thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Wives, The Holiday and One of the Girls.

Readers love Barbara

‘I just read my new favourite book… ALL THE STARS!… I'm in awe… I was so flipped around by the end!… READ THIS BOOK!… *INSERT STANDING OVATION HERE*’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘One of the best books I have read… Gripping… Left me completely hooked… Packed with twists and turns on nearly every page… will leave you stunned.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘WOW – I am speechless… I am absolutely blown away by this book… Really, really got under my skin… I feel slightly dizzy now and need a lie down with a soft pillow and lots of chocolate.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘OMFG!!… Just blew everything else out of the water. Seriously. This book had me on edge… My poor nerves were shattered. Buy it, read it, love it! This book gets ALL the stars from me!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Spectacular. I was totally blindsided by the ending. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it so much I read it in one sitting.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘This book!!! What do I even say?? Where do I even begin??!! I am so in awe… Left me reeling even hours after reading it…

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2026

About the author

What people say about Barbara's books:

"Will have you looking over your shoulder and under your bed... Original, gripping, with a deep psychological impact," Sunday Mirror
"Enthralling, tense and moving," Real People magazine
"Totally gripping, and scarily believable," Bella magazine

Barbara is the Amazon and USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers INVISIBLE, FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD, THE DARKEST LIES, HER LAST SECRET, and THE PERFECT FRIEND. Her new book, THE GIRL IN THE MISSING POSTER, is out on 23 February but available to pre-order now!

More importantly, she loves cakes, wildlife photography and, last but definitely not least, her two dogs, Scamp and Buddy (who force her to throw tennis balls for them for hours).
​​
Having spent over twenty years as a national newspaper and magazine journalist, Barbara has interviewed the real victims of crime - and also those who have carried those crimes out. She is fascinated by creating realistic, complex characters, and taking them apart before the readers' eyes in order to discover just how much it takes to push a person over a line.

When not writing feverishly, she is often found hiding behind a camera, taking wildlife photographs.

To find out more about Barbara's novels, go to www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbaraCoppert... or follow @BCopperthwait on Twitter. To find out more about Barbara go to www.barbaracopperthwaite.com

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say Just Between Us is a twisted thriller is an understatement. This locked-room mystery was a wild ride full of red herrings, suspects, and suspicion. The isolated setting of Spain and a group of long-time friends combine to create a tale full of secrets, lies, and motives. Each well-developed character has a compelling backstory that may lead to murder. Twists and deaths accumulate building tension to a shocking final reveal. The narrators masterfully brought each of the six distinct women to life, adding emotion and intensity while maintaining a constant sense of unease. I highly recommend this intriguing story of toxic friendships and long-held deception. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.

[Caz (Underlined) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ This psychological thriller follows six friends who reunite to celebrate Alexis’s 40th birthday—what should be a joyful occasion quickly takes a dark and sinister turn.

The story is incredibly fast-paced, packed with twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Each revelation adds another layer of intrigue, leaving your head spinning as the tension builds. It’s a gripping whodunnit filled with betrayal, secrets, and shifting loyalties.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were well-developed and engaging, and the storyline was cleverly constructed, making it hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the publisher for providing me with a gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date: 30 March 2026

[Sammy's Study · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

Well this was a fun little triller!! SUPER entertaining! 👏🏼👏🏼

The plot twists just kept coming?! I reallyyyyyy liked how the dynamic between the girls was described. It gave me pretty little liars on holiday vibes, if that makes sense? 😅

I reallyyyyyy liked the way the dynamic between the women is brought to life. Getting six women in one house is just going to end bad... we all know this, don't we? But I guess I wasn't that amazed by it, it didn't really feel like something new or riveting... But if you are looking for a fun little pool read this summer, this is just it!

🎧 The audio was great! The narrators did a great job in conveying six different women, and sometimes even them as young girls. It was always easy to follow when a new chapter was brought by a different POV by one of the women. Great job! I was really impressed by them!

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio publishing for this ARC!! 💙💛

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a doozy! I almost felt like I needed a spreadsheet to keep up with all six characters and their secrets!! Plus going through the back stories to the now and then. All the while crazy heart stopping sh@t is happening all around them. This is a train wreck you will not take your eyes off. Like when we watch Thelma and Louise drive off that cliff.

The storytelling was flawless a bit much going on for my taste, but nonetheless good. Lots of twists and by the end you won’t be able to put it down. Very fun whodunnit and for that I say Thank you!!

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with friendship, murder, betrayal, lies and twists.

If you love a good lock room mystery, this is the perfect plot.


The plot mentioned a poster of James Van Der Beek and I lost it, as his death at such young age leaving behind his wife and children.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts out as a lavish trip for Alexis' 40th birthday ends up turning into a whodunnit and why??? What a crazy Psychological Thriller!!

Theme: Alexis is turning 40. She is rich. She is beautiful. She spends a LOT of money keeping herself perfect...
She has a small group of friends who she's been friends with since HS... and surprisingly, they have all stayed in touch throughout the years.
Now that she is turning 40, she books a lavish Spanish Villa and invites each of them to the party... all expenses paid. They only need to pay for airfare.

One little problem...
They each have their own lives... Be it work. Kids. Husbands. Families. Other commitments... they each have something in their lives that may interfere with Alexis' plans...
And she has NO INTEREST in any of that. In her mind, it is all about her!! And she lets them know this!!

So, as the facade begins to crack, as it most surely will with SIX WOMEN in one home for a full week... especially when a good part of that is LOCKED inside the house while a storm is RAGING outside... and then, people begin to drop like flies.... Well, I think you get the picture...

Crazy stuff. Conspiracy theories. Friends turning against each other... Not wanting to believe that any of this could possibly be happening...

And just when you think that NOTHING ELSE could possibly go wrong... well, it does! 😩😳😮

Great closure at the end with all of my questions being answered nicely!

#JustBetweenUs by @BarbaraCopperthwaite and narrated nicely by @NaomiFrederick and @SophieRoberts.

4 crazy, bold, psychologically-induced-stress-related stars for me!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release date is TODAY, 3/30/26, so look 👀 for it on shelves now!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BookoutureAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️🩷

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expectation vs. reality? I went in ready to love this, but had a harder time fully connecting than I expected.

I typically love a dual timeline, but this one didn’t quite work for me. A big part of that came down to the structure. In the audiobook, the chapters aren’t clearly labeled by timeline, which made it confusing to track where you were. Because of that, the transitions between past and present didn’t flow as smoothly as they could have, and the constant back-and-forth felt more jarring than immersive.

That said, the narration itself was solid. Naomi Frederick and Sophie Roberts both did a great job conveying emotion and bringing the characters to life. The disconnect wasn’t in the performance, but in how the story was structured.

As for the plot, it was entertaining enough, but it’s a storyline I’ve come across several times lately and this one didn’t bring anything particularly new to the table. If I hadn’t been listening as an ALC, this probably would have been a DNF for me. Still, I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did because the final 15% was easily the strongest part of the book.

Even though I figured out a lot of the twists early on, I did enjoy how everything ultimately came together. The ending wrapped things up in a satisfying way and definitely elevated my overall impression, which is why I ended up rounding my rating up.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

[Kimberly R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six friends reunite to celebrate Alexis’s 40th birthday.
A storm comes and they are trapped there with no way out.
They start being killed off one by one and secrets and lies are revealed.
This was a great story with plenty of twists and turns. It had me quickly flipping the pages to see what happens next.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this eARC which will be published in March 2026!

[Murphy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I did not want to put this book down! Polly, Annie, Alexis, Nic, Selin and Catherine have so many twisted secrets that you won’t know who is lying and who is being honest. Or are any of them really honest?

[Amanda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of locked-room whodunits, so I went into this novel with high expectations and in many ways, it delivered exactly what I love about the genre. The classic setup of a closed circle of suspects cut off from the outside world immediately drew me in.

One of the book’s strongest elements was the gradual unveiling of each character’s secrets. I particularly enjoyed how these revelations were layered throughout the story, allowing tensions to simmer and alliances to shift. The atmosphere of mistrust felt authentic and kept the stakes high.

The pacing was another highlight. The story moved briskly without feeling rushed and clues were revealed at just the right moments to keep me engaged.

However, despite the strong premise and structure, I struggled at times to clearly distinguish between the six central characters. While they each had secrets, their personalities and voices sometimes blended together, which made it difficult to fully invest in them as individuals. With more distinct characterisation and deeper development the emotional impact of the story could have been even stronger.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and cleverly constructed locked-room mystery. While the characters could have been developed further to make them more memorable and distinct, the well-paced narrative and unfolding secrets made it a compelling and entertaining read.

[River Scott Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
I just finished the audiobook of Just Between Us by Barbara Copperthwaite and wow… this one had me completely hooked from start to finish.
From the very beginning, there’s this uneasy tension simmering beneath the surface. Six friends reuniting in a stunning Spanish villa should feel like a dream getaway… but instead, it slowly unravels into something far darker. I loved how each character felt so real — flawed, complicated, and carrying their own secrets. You can feel the cracks in their friendships forming almost instantly.
Listening to this as an audiobook made it even more intense. The atmosphere was incredible — the storm closing in, the rising tension, the sense that something is about to go very, very wrong. And when it does? I genuinely didn’t see it coming.
The dynamic between the characters was one of my favourite parts. Everyone has a role — the workaholic, the people pleaser, the observer, the wild one — but as the story unfolds, those labels start to blur. No one is quite who they seem… and that’s where the story really shines.
That final twist? Chilling. Being trapped in the villa, the floodwater rising, a body on the floor, and the question of who did it… I was completely gripped. It kept me guessing right until the end.
The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is that at times the pacing dipped slightly in the middle — but honestly, the payoff was absolutely worth it.
If you love thrillers packed with secrets, toxic friendships, and a claustrophobic “locked-in” mystery vibe, this is definitely one to add to your list 🎧📚

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book this was! This is a twisted drama wherein you don’t know who has what secrets and what are going to be revealed and when. The amount of secrets this group of friends has is astronomical, but it was so fun to read about them and read about their reveals.

I will say, with all the different perspectives, the jumping timelines from when the trip started, to the present, to going back even further, it stalled the pace a little bit. I was all over the in the now chapters and the chapters that were the start of the trip.

I have a few things that I loved about this book. Like I said, I loved all the secrets and their reveals. I also loved learning about the girls’ friendships. How long they have been friends and their dynamics.

There were so many options as to the whodunit aspect of this book, I couldn’t figure it out! That was fun too!

This is out now, so get your hands on it!

[Adam Forster-Nnachi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Bookouture and NetGalley for this free advanced copy of Just Between Us. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all the opinions expressed are my own.


I found this to be a comfortable read with good pacing, but it didn't have enough tension or jeopardy for me to be hooked until very close to the end.


I struggled a bit with the number of characters and trying to keep track of their backstories and movements during the main plot points. I didn't find any of them particularly likeable either, which meant I wasn't overly invested in their fates.


The twists picked up in the last third of the book and I am sure that this would be a good read for lots of people.

[Kim McFall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small group of longtime friends, everyone carrying their own deep, dark secret on vacation in Spain. What could possibly go wrong?

Stuck in their luxurious rental during a storm with a dead body and killer, a drama filled past and buried secrets slowly trickle out.

I was hooked in the beginning, but it did get a little slow, picking up pace a little over halfway through. Overall it was a solid 3 star psychological thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for meeting me listen to this ALC

[Cassandra Bergman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely had some twists. You think you know your friends, but everyone has secrets! I got an ALC of this book and I enjoyed the narrator as much as the story. The characters were written well and the plot was also good. Definitely didn’t expect that ending. I’d recommend this to others if they want a nice who done it thriller/mystery.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Between Us was a great introduction to Copperthwaite's writing. I'm definitely wanting to read more from her!

This was a beaut! The pacing was perfect, the twists relentless, and as Alexis very soon found out, the plot was to die for...

It has a great cast of diverse characters in the six 'apparent' friends. They were obnoxious to say the least and I really couldn't take to any of them.

Super entertaining!

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Just Between Us is a good read.
A locked room mystery with much suspicion, deception and intrigue.
I enjoyed a lot about this book and hope to read more from this author.

[Rosie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may have enjoyed this more if I hadn't just read a similar book with almost exactly the same plot. I was hoping the locked room element would add more to this formulaic who done it. The pacing and setting were really well done but unfortunately the characters were all very similar which made it hard to stay in the flow when reading; additionally we weren't really given any reason why the characters were friends which made it feel very unbelievable.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping and fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The plot moves quickly, and the characters are well-developed, each bringing something unique to the story. I especially loved how all six friends were connected in ways they didn’t even realize—it added such an intriguing layer to the mystery. The twists kept coming and definitely kept me guessing!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy of this novel.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com

A thrilling tale of toxic friendships, deeply buried secrets and how, on a holiday to celebrate Queen Bee Alexis’s 40th birthday, those secrets and resentments couldn’t be contained any longer. When Polly comes too in the wine cellar of the Spanish mountainside villa the group of friends are staying in, she is alarmed to discover she is not alone. Beside her lies the very dead body of her best friend for over thirty years, Alexis. The other women attending the birthday celebrations finally break through the locked door into the cellar to discover the horrifying truth: Alexis is no more. With no memory of what happened, even kind-hearted Polly can’t be sure of the truth. Did she kill Alexis? Could she kill Alexis? With a dramatic turn in the Spanish weather, one thing is certain. Soon the group will be trapped and alone in the isolated Spanish villa. Miles from help and at the hands of an unknown killer…

Just Between Us puts a group of women, who perhaps shouldn’t be friends, under the microscope. The surface layer is slowly scratched away showing the characters’ true colours, how they really feel about each other, and what terrible secrets they’ve been keeping hidden over the years. It’s highly compelling, utterly intriguing and nigh-on impossible to tear yourself away from. If, like me, you’re a fan of psychological thrillers where the characters are strong and intricately drawn, this is the book for you. Told from multiple points of view across multiple timelines, the author paints a picture of toxic friendships that perhaps should have crumbled to dust many years ago. Are these women friends because they like each other, or is it more to do with obligation? At the heart of the story is Polly: Alexis’s head cheerleader. Polly always sees the good in her best friend. Never the more…iffy bits? (Alexis is selfish, self-justifying, manipulative, a little vindictive. Did I mention selfish?). Polly is the perfect unreliable narrator and brilliantly written by Copperthwaite. The other women (Annie, Catherine, Selin and Nic) all play their parts well. The characters are unique, and despite there being a fair few of them to keep track of, I was able to easily follow the story and the different relationships.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Just Between Us is an engrossing, character-driven thriller that is packed full of intrigue and mounting dread. The isolated setting, the deepening floodwaters, the knowledge that a killer walks among the group…it’s all superbly written and really heightens the suspense. The plot moves at an engaging, page-turning pace, keeping my attention with each new twist of the tale, each new revelation. Did I work out whodunit? Did I heck! There was one tiny aspect I was able to predict from the moment it was mentioned, but I think that comes from reading FAR too many psychological thrillers (🤭). All in all, Just Between Us is a gripping, compulsive and highly readable psychological drama. Another cracking read from one of my favourite authors. Highly recommended.

[Kelly (aka jsybookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 star rating for my first book by Barbara Copperthwaite, a gripping plot with more twists than a roller-coaster ride!

When Alexis invites her friends Polly, Selin, Nic, Catherine and Annie, of over 20 years, to celebrate her 40th birthday in an opulent Spanish villa, they all expect a fun sunny holiday with lots of laughs and giggles away from reality and responsibilities for a whole week. However, the group of friends seem to lurch from one crisis to another, at first just simple things like a mislaid suitcase but becoming more malicious as the days go by. When an unusual but life threatening storm hits the area, the group find themselves far from a fun girlie holiday and more in a fight for their lives. However, when lives are at risks secret start to spill out... And the friends began to wonder, and then find out, how well they really do know each other. Will the holiday bring them closer than they have ever been whilst fighting to survive or smash their long standing friendships into smithereens?!

Well, this was a page turner of a read. The first chapter certainly enticed me and there was a lot of intrigue after that but still early on that drew me in. One of the characters I disliked right from the very beginning, her shallowness was unbelievable and the more I read about her the more I disliked her but it’s always good to have a “baddie” to dislike in a story. On the other hand, I really felt for another of the characters, she was a very gentle and kind character and didn’t deserve anything that had happened to her. I always say it’s a sign of good writing when an author can make me have feelings as I have described above about their fictional characters, so great job Barbara Copperthwaite. The author also nailed the tension and suffocating feel of the storm when it hit and I felt the desperation and concern of all the characters, so again, brilliant writing. All the characters secrets drove me crazy, but in a good way, and I don’t think I have ever read a psychological thriller with quite so many twists, none of which I figured out before I read them which is quite a feat for a seasoned psychological thriller reader like me!

All in all, this was a really good read that I thoroughly enjoyed with lots of tension, suspension and twists galore. I definitely recommend it for any fans of the psychological thriller genre. A solid 4 star rating for a grippy twisty read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Barbara Copperthwaite and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Between Us is a deliciously tense, sun‑drenched thriller that peels back the glossy surface of long‑standing friendships to reveal the fractures, resentments, and secrets simmering beneath. From the moment the group arrives at the luxurious Spanish villa, there’s a sense that something is already off‑balance—an unease that grows with every chapter.

The dynamic between the six friends is wonderfully drawn. Each woman carries her own quiet burden: the workaholic who can’t switch off, the people pleaser who never quite finds her voice, the observer who sees more than she lets on, the former life‑of‑the‑party trying to outrun her past, and the narrator—steady, loyal, and hiding her own truths. At the centre is Alexis, the magnetic, demanding Queen Bee whose birthday celebration becomes the perfect stage for old tensions to flare.

The author captures the claustrophobia of the villa beautifully. The heat, the storm rolling in, the rising floodwater—it all mirrors the emotional pressure building within the group. As secrets slip out and alliances shift, the atmosphere becomes thick with suspicion. By the time the narrator wakes in the locked wine cellar, a knife in her hand and Alexis lying beside her, the story has tightened into a gripping, breath‑held moment.

What follows is a sharp, twist‑laden unraveling of friendship, loyalty, and the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love. The pacing is addictive, the reveals well‑timed, and the emotional stakes feel real. It’s a thriller that understands the unique danger of intimate relationships: no one can hurt you quite like the people who know you best.

A juicy, atmospheric, and compulsively readable psychological thriller—perfect for readers who love their summer escapes with a dark, twisty edge.

With thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that grabbed my attention right from the first few pages and no sooner than we've settled into this glorious villa with the girls, the cracks start to show and the action never lets up until the very last page.

 

When a group of friends gather for Alexis' big birthday celebration, they know they should be grateful that she's organised such an extravagant trip away - but not long after arriving, things start to go wrong for the group and when Alexis is found dead and there seems to be only one suspect, the friends start to consider whose friendship they can really trust!

 

What seemed at first to be a simple locked room mystery, certainly turned into a complex exploration of the group's lives over the last 20 odd years.

 

I loved how, as the story progressed, we were sucked deeper into the lies and manipulations of each character and just when you think you have all the answers, another pov throws everything back up in the air again.

 

Our cast was diverse and I did at times wonder why the ladies had remained friends for so long - it was definitely a lesson about picking your friends wisely and being careful who you trust within the group - as well as many other life lessons along the way.

 

I loved how each of the secrets or lies had set other things in motion and that there wasn't just one reason for what had happened.

Although each of the events could have been the cause of the grievances, it was definitely the combination and accumulation of problems that produced the final outcome here.

 

This was really well written and each of the characters were perfectly presented and developed to hold my interest right up to the last page.

 

My first read by this author, but I already can't wait to add more to my tbr soon.

 

 

 

 


 

[Karra]

I flew through Just Between Us by Barbara Copperthwaite in a single day—always a sign of a compelling thriller.

Six lifelong friends reunite at a secluded villa in Spain to celebrate Alexis’s 40th birthday, but tensions quickly surface—especially when Polly arrives late and sparks immediate friction. When a storm rolls in and a body is discovered, suspicion begins to fall in every direction, and no one feels safe.

Told primarily through Polly’s perspective, the story gradually unravels a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and long-buried resentments. Each character is flawed and, at times, deeply unlikeable—but that only made it more fun to suspect every one of them. My thoughts were constantly ping-ponging between the five remaining friends, and that steady build of suspicion made the drama all the more engaging.

The twists were well done and kept me guessing. I did manage to figure out who, but the why remained elusive until the final chapters, which made for a satisfying payoff.

The audiobook narration was strong overall, but I do think it would have benefited from more depth and differentiation between the characters. At times, it was difficult to distinguish who was speaking, and a bit more variation in tone, inflection, or accent—as well as slightly deeper character development—could have made the listening experience even more immersive and smooth.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced, atmospheric locked-room thriller and absolutely recommend it. I enjoyed it so much that Barbara Copperthwaite is now firmly on my list of go-to mystery and suspense authors—I’ll definitely be seeking out more of her work soon.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Just Between us
Author: Barbara Copperthwaite
Format: 🎧
Narrators: Naomi Frederick and Sophie Roberts
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: March 30, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 377

Alexis, Annie, Katherine, Nic, Polly and Salin have known each other and been friends since middle school. They are now approaching forty’
Alexis the wealthiest of the friends has rented a beautiful, sprawling Spanish villa for her birthday bash. She insists her five friends fly from Britain with her.
Polly Alexis oldest friend is a bit strapped for money- actually can barely pay her rent, states she will meet them there but doesn’t explain why.

Story is told from the POV of the friends now and then- then is background info such as finding out why and how Polly got into such financial difficulties.
The stay at the beautiful villa has its good and bad moments. Yes, there is plenty of food and wine. However, when Nic is locked in the wine cellar it starts real tensions as who locked her in and why.
Now there is a terrible storm on the way which brings new concerns.
The next morning two of the friends are found locked in the wine cellar. One has a knife clutched in her hand and other is Alexis's body on the floor- seemly dead.

Story goes back to the first day the friends arrive.
For the most part the story kept me curious but dragged with some of the back stories.
I did like the narrators - they both did a great job performing the characters.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 30, 2026.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really fun book, with secret after secret being exposed throughout. It centers on 6 long-time friends who take a trip to a luxurious villa in Spain to celebrate one of their 40th birthdays. While told primarily from the POV of Polly, you also get parts of the story told from each of the other characters in a timeline that bounces between the current time, when the vacation started, and key moments in the group's lives over the last 25 years. While that might sound confusing, it doesn't read that way, as the characters' voices were all distinctive and the time jumps necessary to fill in the gaps.

While this storyline is a common trope, the fact that there were just so many things these women were hiding from each other made it a unique read. It was hard to relate to, or even like, the majority of the characters, but that just made for more of a juicy read. It was a little repetitive at times, as various characters demand to know what others are hiding, but for the most part the story moved along really quickly. There were so many twists that even if you figured out some of them, I doubt anyone will get them all. I thought the ending of the book was a bit abrupt, but it worked, especially after all the intensity leading up to that point. The epilogue did a good job at tying everything up at the very end

Overall, I thought this was a good book with appropriate tension and good twists. Even though it's in a crowded genre, it brings a uniqueness. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We arrived at the beautiful, sprawling Spanish villa ready to celebrate - over twenty years of friendship, and of course, Alexis's big birthday. It's paradise. Alexis has pulled out all the stops, and like always, I know we're meant to be grateful.... But the tension begins on the very first night.

The workaholic slipping off to take mysterious calls.

The pleaser afraid to speak out.

The quiet observer snidely analyses every move we make.

The former life of the party knocking back wine to forget it all.

Alexis, the Queen Bee - furious that a summer storm descends, her perfect trip isn't working out how she planned.... Her fury makes it feel like she's hiding something. Like her schemes are unravelling....

The story slowly unfolds revealing each of the characters secrets. The pace has been perfectly set. Six old friends went on holiday to celebrate Alexis's big birthday. As soon as the friends arrive at the luxurious Spanish villa, you can almost feel the atmosphere coming off the pages, and there's a storm on the way. The friendships start to unravel. The story is told mostly from Polly's perspective. I thought I could work this story out, I suspected them all, but in the end I got it wrong. This is a cleverly crafted story and I loved it.

Published 30th March 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #BarbaraCopperthwaite for my ARC of #JustBetweenUs in exchange for an honest review.

[Aurora Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Six long-time friends reunite at a stunning Spanish villa for a birthday getaway. A storm rolls in, tensions rise, and when one of them is found dead in a locked wine cellar, they’re cut off with secrets, suspicion, and a killer in the mix.

𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The dual narration really worked for me. Holly’s chapters are in first person and I could hear her soft accent really homing in on this being Holly’s story. Then the other POVs and timlines are voiced in a more neutral, generic english accent - I loved this subtle difference to compliment the 1st / 3rd person writing.

𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This story is wild and highly entertaining! We’re mostly in Holly’s head, in 1st person, with everyone else’s POVs in 3rd person. Technically, because there’s also different timelines, this isn’t “locked-room”, but I was ok with that.

Three of the women really stood out with distinct personalities, but the others blurred together, especially early on. Once the drama ramps up though, it’s easier to keep track.

The whodunnit of it all was very entertaining, but I wouldn’t call it a jaw-on-the-floor twist - more of a solid reveal. It’s less about shock and more about watching everything unravel.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This story is all about the tea. If messy reunions and locked-in tension are your jam, grab this for your next vacay.

Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.

🎧 Narrated by Naomi Frederick, Sophie Roberts
📖 Publishes 03•30•26 | 377 pages | 10h 13m

[Kathleen Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Between Us… I'd give this 4.5 stars ⭐️ I was hooked early on and found myself completely invested in both the characters and the mystery unfolding.

The characters felt really well developed, with enough depth and nuance to make their motivations believable and their dynamics engaging. I especially enjoyed how the story slowly revealed different layers, keeping me questioning what was really going on right up until the very end.

The audiobook itself really elevated the experience. The two narrators were brilliant as they brought distinct voices and emotion to the story, their performances helped bring the characters to life in a really engaging way.

I found that the plot was genuinely gripping, with twists that kept me guessing throughout. It’s the kind of story where you think you’ve figured it out… and then you haven’t.

There was a very slight pacing dip part way through where things slowed a little, but honestly it wasn’t a major issue. The strength of the story carried it through, and the ending more than made up for it as it was strong, satisfying, and well executed.

Overall, this was a tense, engaging audiobook with great character work and great narration. Definitely one I’d recommend if you enjoy twisty, character-driven stories.

Thank you Barbara Copperthwaite and Bookouture Audio for this ALC in return for my honest thoughts and opinion.

[Bernadette O'Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Between Us by Barbara Copperthwaite is a tense and twisty psychological thriller centred around a group of high school friends who reunite for a birthday trip. What begins as a chance to reconnect soon becomes much darker, as old secrets, lies and betrayals start to surface. As the story unfolds, the friendship group is forced to confront the truth about their past, with devastating consequences.

The novel has a strong sense of mystery and suspense, with the narrative moving between past and present to gradually reveal what really happened between the characters. This structure helped build tension and kept me wanting to know more, although at times it was slightly difficult to keep track of the different storylines and perspectives, especially with several characters having their own secrets and motives.

Despite this, the narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and helping to maintain the pace of the story. Their performance added atmosphere and made the twists feel more dramatic and engaging. Overall, Just Between Us was an enjoyable thriller with a solid build-up, plenty of secrets and a dark, unsettling edge. It may require a little concentration to follow all the different threads, but the suspense and narration make it a worthwhile listen.