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Befriended: Be Careful Who You Trust...
Some secrets never leave us alone...
Gemma Peacock’s life was perfect – or at least, she thought it was. She had a home she loved, a job she enjoyed, and a husband she adored. The only cloud on the horizon was the continuing tension between Gemma and her mother-in-law, but that’s the same for everyone, right?
After the death of her beloved husband, Ritchie, everything begins to fall apart.
Indiana Manors’ life, on the other hand, is far from perfect – but she knows just what she has to do to fix it. Befriend Gemma Peacock – and destroy her.
Befriended is an exciting, contemporary thriller that will keep you on the very edge of your seat. This book will toy with your emotions time and time again – and keep you coming back for more.
Gemma Peacock’s life was perfect – or at least, she thought it was. She had a home she loved, a job she enjoyed, and a husband she adored. The only cloud on the horizon was the continuing tension between Gemma and her mother-in-law, but that’s the same for everyone, right?
After the death of her beloved husband, Ritchie, everything begins to fall apart.
Indiana Manors’ life, on the other hand, is far from perfect – but she knows just what she has to do to fix it. Befriend Gemma Peacock – and destroy her.
Befriended is an exciting, contemporary thriller that will keep you on the very edge of your seat. This book will toy with your emotions time and time again – and keep you coming back for more.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2018
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 26, 2018
Befriended is my first book by Ruth O'Neill and I throughly enjoyed it. There are the right words to describe this book on the front cover. Be careful who you trust. I couldn't agree more. In the blurb on the back of the book. Some secrets never leave us alone. I think there's some more truth about these words in Befriended. I recommend this contemporary thriller.
September 3, 2018
Befriended was graciously sent to me for review purposes by the author, Ruth O’Neill. I am so glad that I took on the request, otherwise I would have missed a fantastic book with some fantastic writing skills! Got to give it to the author, a superbly written book!
Yeah, I know you guys are eager as ever to read about whatever the heck I’m rambling about, so let’s just get started!
Summary
Gemma is devastated by her husband’s sudden death. She is still reeling under it when she notices a strange woman, Indiana Manors, making appearances. But what comes as a shock to Gemma, is Indiana’s connection with her late husband, Ritchie. As Gemma gets to know her, she is so much at ease and even begins to enjoy life, thanks to the ‘Indiana’ effect. But, of course, Indiana is not what she seems. She is here with a purpose and that is to destroy Gemma.
What I Liked
Whoa! This book has been an unexpected ride for sure! Having read the summary, I didn’t expect it to be this thrilling, let me tell you that. Right from the beginning, it had me within its enthralling grasp that didn’t let go until the very end!
I loved the story but more importantly, the way it was brought forward. Till the end, the reader will not be able to guess the real culprit. The writing style is impeccable and I really enjoyed the narrative.
The characters were well rounded and their traits were cunningly brought about at the right time. So, I would definitely say that the highlight of the book is the writing style.
What I Did Not Like
There’s really nothing to not like here. But yes, I did feel the character of Indiana miraculously changing/ morphing towards the end of the story. I don’t want to divulge in any spoilers here, so I won’t say much. But overall, her character didn’t really hit the 100 % convincing mark.
Other Details
The book Befriended is a contemporary thriller. It contains explicit love making scenes. The author, Ruth O’Neill, has another book to her credit, namely Sunshine & Tears, which is a life narration about the life of an alcoholic.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, I would highly recommend that you read Befriended! It has an amazing story at a great pace and I guarantee, you wouldn’t want to put the book down until you finish it! Absolutely riveting!
*** This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ***
Yeah, I know you guys are eager as ever to read about whatever the heck I’m rambling about, so let’s just get started!
Summary
Gemma is devastated by her husband’s sudden death. She is still reeling under it when she notices a strange woman, Indiana Manors, making appearances. But what comes as a shock to Gemma, is Indiana’s connection with her late husband, Ritchie. As Gemma gets to know her, she is so much at ease and even begins to enjoy life, thanks to the ‘Indiana’ effect. But, of course, Indiana is not what she seems. She is here with a purpose and that is to destroy Gemma.
What I Liked
Whoa! This book has been an unexpected ride for sure! Having read the summary, I didn’t expect it to be this thrilling, let me tell you that. Right from the beginning, it had me within its enthralling grasp that didn’t let go until the very end!
I loved the story but more importantly, the way it was brought forward. Till the end, the reader will not be able to guess the real culprit. The writing style is impeccable and I really enjoyed the narrative.
The characters were well rounded and their traits were cunningly brought about at the right time. So, I would definitely say that the highlight of the book is the writing style.
What I Did Not Like
There’s really nothing to not like here. But yes, I did feel the character of Indiana miraculously changing/ morphing towards the end of the story. I don’t want to divulge in any spoilers here, so I won’t say much. But overall, her character didn’t really hit the 100 % convincing mark.
Other Details
The book Befriended is a contemporary thriller. It contains explicit love making scenes. The author, Ruth O’Neill, has another book to her credit, namely Sunshine & Tears, which is a life narration about the life of an alcoholic.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, I would highly recommend that you read Befriended! It has an amazing story at a great pace and I guarantee, you wouldn’t want to put the book down until you finish it! Absolutely riveting!
*** This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ***
May 23, 2018
Mothers-in-law, eh? They usually get a bad press but in this instance nothing could describe the evilness of Joan Peacock!
Gemma has never been accepted by Ritchie's mother who has done her best to ignore her very existence. After Ritchie dies unexpectedly, nothing changes. We begin to get to know Gemma as she attends her husband's funeral, and it's quite obvious that there is a distinct chill emanating from his mother. Luckily Gemma has her friend Maria to lean on. Then another woman appears on her radar and strangely they strike up a friendship.
The issue of mental health looms large in this book - or perhaps I'm just noticing it more as I've read it during Mental Health Awareness Week? I felt this was more the focus of the story. I struggled a bit with Gemma's capacity for compassion and forgiveness. As much as I admire both traits, I thought she was a bit gullible. I also felt there were a few loose threads which needed finishing off. I know I can be very pedantic when reading (I'm the same watching tv, can't help it) and I daresay many wouldn't pick up on the things I do. I'm just pernickety!
I love the cover of this book .. it clearly shows why Indiana garners so much attention from the men, young and old! The style of writing is clearly very readable, and the story flows well. The basic idea is excellent but I would have liked a bit more attention to detail. 3.5 stars
My thanks to Ruth O'Neill for my copy. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
Gemma has never been accepted by Ritchie's mother who has done her best to ignore her very existence. After Ritchie dies unexpectedly, nothing changes. We begin to get to know Gemma as she attends her husband's funeral, and it's quite obvious that there is a distinct chill emanating from his mother. Luckily Gemma has her friend Maria to lean on. Then another woman appears on her radar and strangely they strike up a friendship.
The issue of mental health looms large in this book - or perhaps I'm just noticing it more as I've read it during Mental Health Awareness Week? I felt this was more the focus of the story. I struggled a bit with Gemma's capacity for compassion and forgiveness. As much as I admire both traits, I thought she was a bit gullible. I also felt there were a few loose threads which needed finishing off. I know I can be very pedantic when reading (I'm the same watching tv, can't help it) and I daresay many wouldn't pick up on the things I do. I'm just pernickety!
I love the cover of this book .. it clearly shows why Indiana garners so much attention from the men, young and old! The style of writing is clearly very readable, and the story flows well. The basic idea is excellent but I would have liked a bit more attention to detail. 3.5 stars
My thanks to Ruth O'Neill for my copy. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
January 6, 2019
Gemma is mourning the painful loss of her husband, Richie, when a few glimpses of a mystery woman at his funeral leads her into a mystery. Indiana is a whirlwind of a person. Gemma's intentions are to find out who this woman is and how she knew her husband. Indiana has a hidden agenda, a plan of her own to her hurt Gemma.
This book was awesome. From page one I was captivated by Gemma's grief and Indiana's mysteriousness. This story was written so well. It has emotion and mystery. It is a hard to put down book about how you can't trust just anyone. This was a wild ride from beginning to end. Honestly, I was not expecting this book to go the way it did so the shock factor was just... Wow! This was by far the most intriguing book I have read in a long time.
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This book was awesome. From page one I was captivated by Gemma's grief and Indiana's mysteriousness. This story was written so well. It has emotion and mystery. It is a hard to put down book about how you can't trust just anyone. This was a wild ride from beginning to end. Honestly, I was not expecting this book to go the way it did so the shock factor was just... Wow! This was by far the most intriguing book I have read in a long time.
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https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
April 8, 2018
What a roller coaster of a ride this story is! Gemma is devastated when her beloved husband died and isn't looking forward to a future without him. Little does she know what is in store for her when she meets Indiana.
There are many twists and turns in this. It really is edge of the seat stuff.
I absolutely enjoyed it. Hope there is more like this to come from this author.
There are many twists and turns in this. It really is edge of the seat stuff.
I absolutely enjoyed it. Hope there is more like this to come from this author.
April 15, 2018
This review first published on Oh Just Books.
This book had a good start and I was eager to read more. I like it when a book manages to draw me in from the outset - it shows potential and a high possibility of a great read.
The character of Indiana was delightfully written, and Gemma was pretty good, if a tad predictable. I don't think that's a bad thing, because in real life, a lot of us are that way too. A slice of life, Gemma is. I enjoyed seeing the characters develop, and I was always curious to know more and more about Ritchie.
One part that I was keeping an eye on was how Gemma grieves for Ritchie. I feel like there could have been more time given to it and about how she comes to peace with herself. Because after all the author does a pretty good job of showing Gemma in all her vulnerability. I'm sure she would have done justice.
My appreciation for the Indiana's character only grew as I read more and more of the book. She was an all round horrible person but you just can't hate her. This isn't really a spoiler because the summary implies as much.
--- Slight spoiler (in terms of how the characters are, nothing about the story) ---
--- However, slight spoiler over. ---
The story arc was brilliant and all the lead characters grow throughout the book as more and more of their personalities are revealed. The perspective shifts were also very well written.
Just one thing - this book does contain erotica in bits of the story, and the summary on Goodreads doesn't mention it, so I was pretty unprepared - I generally do not read erotica. Thankfully it wasn't too much and it did lead the story forward, so I was okay with it. Just a heads-up to other people like me.
All in all, it makes for a lovely read - romance, suspense, a bit of a erotica (for those of you who fancy it) with a great story arc and character development.
*A review copy was provided to Oh Just Books by the author in exchange for an honest review*
This book had a good start and I was eager to read more. I like it when a book manages to draw me in from the outset - it shows potential and a high possibility of a great read.
The character of Indiana was delightfully written, and Gemma was pretty good, if a tad predictable. I don't think that's a bad thing, because in real life, a lot of us are that way too. A slice of life, Gemma is. I enjoyed seeing the characters develop, and I was always curious to know more and more about Ritchie.
One part that I was keeping an eye on was how Gemma grieves for Ritchie. I feel like there could have been more time given to it and about how she comes to peace with herself. Because after all the author does a pretty good job of showing Gemma in all her vulnerability. I'm sure she would have done justice.
My appreciation for the Indiana's character only grew as I read more and more of the book. She was an all round horrible person but you just can't hate her. This isn't really a spoiler because the summary implies as much.
--- Slight spoiler (in terms of how the characters are, nothing about the story) ---
--- However, slight spoiler over. ---
The story arc was brilliant and all the lead characters grow throughout the book as more and more of their personalities are revealed. The perspective shifts were also very well written.
Just one thing - this book does contain erotica in bits of the story, and the summary on Goodreads doesn't mention it, so I was pretty unprepared - I generally do not read erotica. Thankfully it wasn't too much and it did lead the story forward, so I was okay with it. Just a heads-up to other people like me.
All in all, it makes for a lovely read - romance, suspense, a bit of a erotica (for those of you who fancy it) with a great story arc and character development.
*A review copy was provided to Oh Just Books by the author in exchange for an honest review*
September 29, 2022
Befriended begins at a Gemma Peacock’s husband, Ritchie's, funeral.
After the funeral, I was surprised how easily Gemma strayed from her friend Maria to spending much of her time with Indiana Manors, whom she knew very little about.
This was a quick read and I really enjoyed the way the plot traveled. We started off in the present tense and then slowly moved back and forth so readers got a good sense of the characters past to combine with the present day.
It was one of those reads where I did not care for many of the characters individual personalities but felt much empathy for a few, and all characters were well written and drew my curiosity.
I wasn't quite prepared for the volume of scheming and manipulation involved. And it wasn't just one or two people being manipulated but it seemed there was someone falling prey to manipulation at every turn.
My questioning, what is going to happen next, definitely kept me turning the pages, making it a read I could not put down.
I received this contemporary thriller from the author for an honest review.
After the funeral, I was surprised how easily Gemma strayed from her friend Maria to spending much of her time with Indiana Manors, whom she knew very little about.
This was a quick read and I really enjoyed the way the plot traveled. We started off in the present tense and then slowly moved back and forth so readers got a good sense of the characters past to combine with the present day.
It was one of those reads where I did not care for many of the characters individual personalities but felt much empathy for a few, and all characters were well written and drew my curiosity.
I wasn't quite prepared for the volume of scheming and manipulation involved. And it wasn't just one or two people being manipulated but it seemed there was someone falling prey to manipulation at every turn.
My questioning, what is going to happen next, definitely kept me turning the pages, making it a read I could not put down.
I received this contemporary thriller from the author for an honest review.
December 23, 2022
The story is full of twists as one of the as bipola disorder is highlighted. Gemma, the main character finds out the woman who has been telling lies about her is ill. Instead of turning away like in all good thrillers, she wants to help. This makes the story even more interesting, as the author then reveals innocent characters mentioned earlier, are much more involved that we first imagined. A quarter way through the book, I was totally hooked.
It's great story telling, its clever story telling, when you think you have a simple plot, and turns out to be whole lot more.
You can read my full review here - https://karensbookbuzz.wordpress.com/...
It's great story telling, its clever story telling, when you think you have a simple plot, and turns out to be whole lot more.
You can read my full review here - https://karensbookbuzz.wordpress.com/...
July 11, 2018
Recently, I've been reading a lot of thrillers and I was super excited by the idea of this one. It sounded like it had a lot of potential to keep me on my toes and offer surprises around every corner. In some ways, I was right in that suspicion. There were certainly a lot of surprises throughout the book and I wondered about Indiana's motivations through most of the story. While that sounds like a fantastic thing given the nature of the book, it sort of left me feeling like her character wasn't well developed. In fact, I felt that way about a lot of characters throughout the story. Their motivations seemed to shift on a whim and their thoughts and feelings shifted just as quickly, and I'm not just talking about the characters with mental disorders. That subject, though, was also an issue for me with this book.
I'm all about including characters with mental disorders in stories, but I'm only in support of it when the disorder is portrayed accurately. In this case, bipolar disorder was suggested, at times as a farce and at other times as someone's legitimate condition, and it was played out in a negative, maniacle, and very inaccurate manner. Given the way that mental health issues are often portrayed in the media, it's not exactly surprising that someone would assume people who have such disorders are dangerous or villainous. Continuing to use mental disorders in fiction as a means of allowing characters to be manipulative and enagage in hurtful, criminal behaviors doesn't exactly benefit the mental health community in either way. Neither does the blatant unethical behavior shown by mental health professionals in this story. I was very disappointed by the way that Indiana's character was portrayed as well as by the way that every man who happened to come into contact with her suddenly became a puddle of jello, incapable of moral behavior because she was akin to some mythical siren. I think that depiction is unfair to men and unfair to people who do have bipolar disorder in real life. Also, I was never really clear on whether or not Indiana even had a mental disorder, as one chapter mentioned the mother in law requesting her to behave as though she had bipolar disorder which suggests she was pretending all along.
I can tell from the writing style that this author has talent and I would probably try another book of hers simply because I did enjoy her writing. In this case, though, I think the story itself overpowered my enjoyment of her writing abilities.
I'm all about including characters with mental disorders in stories, but I'm only in support of it when the disorder is portrayed accurately. In this case, bipolar disorder was suggested, at times as a farce and at other times as someone's legitimate condition, and it was played out in a negative, maniacle, and very inaccurate manner. Given the way that mental health issues are often portrayed in the media, it's not exactly surprising that someone would assume people who have such disorders are dangerous or villainous. Continuing to use mental disorders in fiction as a means of allowing characters to be manipulative and enagage in hurtful, criminal behaviors doesn't exactly benefit the mental health community in either way. Neither does the blatant unethical behavior shown by mental health professionals in this story. I was very disappointed by the way that Indiana's character was portrayed as well as by the way that every man who happened to come into contact with her suddenly became a puddle of jello, incapable of moral behavior because she was akin to some mythical siren. I think that depiction is unfair to men and unfair to people who do have bipolar disorder in real life. Also, I was never really clear on whether or not Indiana even had a mental disorder, as one chapter mentioned the mother in law requesting her to behave as though she had bipolar disorder which suggests she was pretending all along.
I can tell from the writing style that this author has talent and I would probably try another book of hers simply because I did enjoy her writing. In this case, though, I think the story itself overpowered my enjoyment of her writing abilities.
January 25, 2019
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have given Befriended: Be Careful Who You Trust... by Ruth O'Neill four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger warnings: mental health relations to Bipolar and Hypomania disorders.
This is a book for the ages of 18 and above due to the explicit detailed sex scenes and language used throughout the book.
This. Book. Had. Me. Turning. Pages.
Seriously. I don't even know where to start with this book! It had me hooked from the very first few pages.
O'Neill's writing was definitely one of the main reasons why I enjoyed this book so much, her use of descriptive writing was great and she definitely has fantastic writing skills! I really enjoyed the narrative and thought her writing was very enticing.
The characters within this book are well-developed and rounded which is a big thing for me as I like to have a great sense of description about who I'm reading about. The main characters; Gemma and Indiana were especially thought out and told through the book fantastically! I felt such a strong dislike towards Ritchie for Gemma that I found myself talking at the book every so often! You can clearly see that this author's writing had a big impact on me!
I was utterly surprised to see that there were two places mentioned in the book which made my jaw drop instantly as they're both 15/20 minute drive from where I live! It always hits close to home whenever a book is set in England but for TWO places which are very close to me was shocking! It definitely helped to imagine the different places Gemma had visited throughout the book more clearly (minus when she's in Crete, I haven't been there before but it's quite easy to conjure up the picture of a lovely, hot country).
The amount of events and drama that takes place throughout this book was immense! There were twists and turns (which I only found one predictable) that had me reeling to find out what was going to happen next!
I did get quite confused with Chapter 6 as it mentions at the beginning that Gemma has never been to Indiana's house before due to excuses Indiana always makes up, but then 7-8 pages afterwards she states that she's staying with her. My brain couldn't wrap around the timeframe.
I really enjoyed the suspense/thriller genre mixed in with contemporary as well, this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I would highly recommend anybody who is interested in these genres to pick this book up and give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
Let's just say that I can't wait to read more books by Ruth O'Neill.
June 21, 2018
4.5 stars
This novel starts out with a harrowing description of a woman who lost her husband and must take on the difficult task of facing her wretched mother-in-law. Ruth makes Gemma's character come to life with artfully crafted insights into her pain and suffering from the loss of her husband and the realization that she is now alone. While reading the introduction I could feel the agony as if it were radiating off the page. It is very clear that Ruth has an expert eye for character creation as she makes it seem effortless for her readers to connect with the lives she has developed.
Another aspect of the beginning that had my own head spinning was Indiana's introduction. When Gemma started to see her throughout her husband's services I honestly thought Indiana was a hallucination brought on from the stress of her loss. However, as the story developed, readers get a first hand look into the mischievous woman and how she came to be the way she is. Throughout the entire plot Indiana maintains a mysterious persona that left me captivated and dedicated to the story until the very end.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Gemma and Indiana in that Gemma is an emotionally insightful individual who you want to root for, while Indiana is antisocial, yet incredibly charismatic. The two play off each other well, creating a powerful and thrilling addition to the plot. What I wished more from this novel was a greater level of care for setting details. The character development was incredibly rich and having more elaborate descriptions of the scene settings would have rounded it out for me.
I thoroughly appreciated Befriended and I think anyone looking for a captivating thriller with strong female leads will find this more than suitable.
This novel starts out with a harrowing description of a woman who lost her husband and must take on the difficult task of facing her wretched mother-in-law. Ruth makes Gemma's character come to life with artfully crafted insights into her pain and suffering from the loss of her husband and the realization that she is now alone. While reading the introduction I could feel the agony as if it were radiating off the page. It is very clear that Ruth has an expert eye for character creation as she makes it seem effortless for her readers to connect with the lives she has developed.
Another aspect of the beginning that had my own head spinning was Indiana's introduction. When Gemma started to see her throughout her husband's services I honestly thought Indiana was a hallucination brought on from the stress of her loss. However, as the story developed, readers get a first hand look into the mischievous woman and how she came to be the way she is. Throughout the entire plot Indiana maintains a mysterious persona that left me captivated and dedicated to the story until the very end.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Gemma and Indiana in that Gemma is an emotionally insightful individual who you want to root for, while Indiana is antisocial, yet incredibly charismatic. The two play off each other well, creating a powerful and thrilling addition to the plot. What I wished more from this novel was a greater level of care for setting details. The character development was incredibly rich and having more elaborate descriptions of the scene settings would have rounded it out for me.
I thoroughly appreciated Befriended and I think anyone looking for a captivating thriller with strong female leads will find this more than suitable.
July 21, 2018
Subtitled, ‘Be Careful Who You Trust’, this piece of modern fiction is not the usual material I read. I dislike labels, but I do wonder if this is intended more for the ‘Women’s Fiction’ market.
The story is well presented and the characters particularly well developed. I did have some difficulty with certain passages, where I skipped. And I was not initially convinced Gemma would accept Indiana quite as easily as she did. The introductory chapter struck me as a little too long.
This was a difficult story to tell, but it is well told in the main, though I would’ve preferred to be shown a little more and told a little less, but that’s probably the writer in me. I suspect most readers would have no issues with the style of writing.
There are some petty raunchy sex scenes, erotic and not at all pornographic. But it is the emotional content that will appeal to most readers here: the developing relationships, the growing manifestations of mental illness, the love and regret, betrayal and cruelty.
I enjoyed the section set on Crete and, having visited the island twice, felt completely at home with the portrayal of the place and is people.
All in all, this was a mixed read. Parts felt too long, other parts failed to fully engage me. But the story developed with intrigue and some mystery, and the characters were interesting, so that I felt I must discover what happened. The denouement was particularly well handled and I was determined to read to the end of this part in one sitting.
As a depiction of the many problems of mental illness, the amazing empathy of some individuals, and the value of true friendship, this is, on balance, a good, if flawed, read.
The story is well presented and the characters particularly well developed. I did have some difficulty with certain passages, where I skipped. And I was not initially convinced Gemma would accept Indiana quite as easily as she did. The introductory chapter struck me as a little too long.
This was a difficult story to tell, but it is well told in the main, though I would’ve preferred to be shown a little more and told a little less, but that’s probably the writer in me. I suspect most readers would have no issues with the style of writing.
There are some petty raunchy sex scenes, erotic and not at all pornographic. But it is the emotional content that will appeal to most readers here: the developing relationships, the growing manifestations of mental illness, the love and regret, betrayal and cruelty.
I enjoyed the section set on Crete and, having visited the island twice, felt completely at home with the portrayal of the place and is people.
All in all, this was a mixed read. Parts felt too long, other parts failed to fully engage me. But the story developed with intrigue and some mystery, and the characters were interesting, so that I felt I must discover what happened. The denouement was particularly well handled and I was determined to read to the end of this part in one sitting.
As a depiction of the many problems of mental illness, the amazing empathy of some individuals, and the value of true friendship, this is, on balance, a good, if flawed, read.
October 25, 2019
This novel is about Gemma, a woman who has recently lost her husband. After his funeral, she meets a mysterious woman, who we learn has malicious plans for her. As the story unravels, more and more twists and turns are revealed that keep you guessing. This is a modern mystery that will keep you guessing.
After Gemma and Indiana become friends, we are given the briefest of glimpses into the plans the Indiana has for Gemma. Throughout the book, progressions and flashbacks are both revealed in small snippets on information, never giving away too much at once. The twists just keep coming, every time you think you have the ending figured out. I always love a mystery where I can't figure out the ending until the author wants me to!
There are a lot of aspects to this book, and it is hard to describe without revealing spoilers. The book so quickly turns to the unexpected, there isn't much to say that won't reveal it.
I enjoyed the character developments, and the twists int he plot. I think the author had a very interesting idea, and clearly planned through how she was going to reveal the whole story, one small part at a time.
This book was an easy read, that kept me staying up too late more than once. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxed mystery, without any darkness or too much fluff.
My only complaints are that it could likely have used another pass through editing, as there were a few typos here and there, though I am notorious for noticing these in any book. There were also a few moments where the dialogue or plot just felt a little to simple or cliche, and I think the author could have expanded more.
Overall, this book was a great read!
After Gemma and Indiana become friends, we are given the briefest of glimpses into the plans the Indiana has for Gemma. Throughout the book, progressions and flashbacks are both revealed in small snippets on information, never giving away too much at once. The twists just keep coming, every time you think you have the ending figured out. I always love a mystery where I can't figure out the ending until the author wants me to!
There are a lot of aspects to this book, and it is hard to describe without revealing spoilers. The book so quickly turns to the unexpected, there isn't much to say that won't reveal it.
I enjoyed the character developments, and the twists int he plot. I think the author had a very interesting idea, and clearly planned through how she was going to reveal the whole story, one small part at a time.
This book was an easy read, that kept me staying up too late more than once. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxed mystery, without any darkness or too much fluff.
My only complaints are that it could likely have used another pass through editing, as there were a few typos here and there, though I am notorious for noticing these in any book. There were also a few moments where the dialogue or plot just felt a little to simple or cliche, and I think the author could have expanded more.
Overall, this book was a great read!
October 27, 2018
Drawing me in from the very beginning, BEFRIENDED by Ruth O'Neill is a dark and disturbing story of lies that will really shock you.
Gemma Peacock has just lost her husband and she is devastated. He was her best friend and lover and they had such a happy life together. She feels alone and lost, with the exception of her friend, as she never got along with her mother-in-law who disliked her from the beginning. But when Gemma comes into contact with a beautiful woman who knew her husband and is offering her friendship, she reaches out because that is the kind and caring person that Gemma is. But what if Indiana isn't who she says she is? What if Gemma's life could unimaginably get a lot worse?
Handling sensitive topics such as mental health issues, BEFRIENDED by Ruth O'Neill weaves a complex and harrowing story of revenge and sadness which is never quite what it seems. The characters are intriguing rather than likeable, and there were times when I wanted to scream at Gemma to wake up and be more careful, but the plot and dialogue always kept me hooked to the story. With plenty of unexpected turns and twists, BEFRIENDED by Ruth O'Neill is definitely worth reading if you like a good psychological thriller with an edge.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
Gemma Peacock has just lost her husband and she is devastated. He was her best friend and lover and they had such a happy life together. She feels alone and lost, with the exception of her friend, as she never got along with her mother-in-law who disliked her from the beginning. But when Gemma comes into contact with a beautiful woman who knew her husband and is offering her friendship, she reaches out because that is the kind and caring person that Gemma is. But what if Indiana isn't who she says she is? What if Gemma's life could unimaginably get a lot worse?
Handling sensitive topics such as mental health issues, BEFRIENDED by Ruth O'Neill weaves a complex and harrowing story of revenge and sadness which is never quite what it seems. The characters are intriguing rather than likeable, and there were times when I wanted to scream at Gemma to wake up and be more careful, but the plot and dialogue always kept me hooked to the story. With plenty of unexpected turns and twists, BEFRIENDED by Ruth O'Neill is definitely worth reading if you like a good psychological thriller with an edge.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
February 18, 2019
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. As this book falls under one of my favorite genres, I agreed to review a complimentary copy.
The cover and blurb caught my attention. There were a number of twists and turns along the way, particularly in terms of Indiana’s motivations. However, I didn’t find as much character development as I would have liked. The subject of mental illness is addressed in this story, but things weren’t depicted as accurately as I’ve seen in other books. Gemma is easy to root for, and Indiana, not so much (though I think that’s the point).
The overall writing style suggests that the author certainly has potential, and I’d be willing to check out future books.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
The cover and blurb caught my attention. There were a number of twists and turns along the way, particularly in terms of Indiana’s motivations. However, I didn’t find as much character development as I would have liked. The subject of mental illness is addressed in this story, but things weren’t depicted as accurately as I’ve seen in other books. Gemma is easy to root for, and Indiana, not so much (though I think that’s the point).
The overall writing style suggests that the author certainly has potential, and I’d be willing to check out future books.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
April 9, 2018
What a roller coaster of a ride this story is! Gemma is devastated when her beloved husband died and isn't looking forward to a future without him. Little does she know what is in store for her when she meets Indiana.
There are many twists and turns in this. It really is edge of the seat stuff.
I absolutely enjoyed it. Hope there is more like this to come from this author.
There are many twists and turns in this. It really is edge of the seat stuff.
I absolutely enjoyed it. Hope there is more like this to come from this author.
April 23, 2018
Ruth O’Neill is a fantastic writer, but in this book she choose to have two characters with mental illnesses and both were portrayed in what I felt were negative ways. I feel that this happened not out of malice but because she choose an issue she had a limited understanding of and this can be damaging to the overall perception of mental illness.
July 13, 2020
A great twist and a book that will keep you entertained right until the end.
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