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The Perfect Friend
She’ll do anything for you…
My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered.
My husband has left me.
My children won’t speak to me.
My friend Carrie is the only person I have.
She’s the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
She’d never do anything to let me down.
Would she?
This dark, gripping psychological thriller will have you holding your breath until the very last page. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Sometimes I Lie, and The Girl on the Train will be captivated.
My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered.
My husband has left me.
My children won’t speak to me.
My friend Carrie is the only person I have.
She’s the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
She’d never do anything to let me down.
Would she?
This dark, gripping psychological thriller will have you holding your breath until the very last page. Fans of Behind Closed Doors, Sometimes I Lie, and The Girl on the Train will be captivated.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2018
2625 people are currently reading
2842 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Copperthwaite
11 books291 followersWhat 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
"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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
July 8, 2018
When everyone knows you are a liar, don’t expect them to believe you when you tell the truth…
4.5 telling-lies stars!
Wow, what a twisty read The Perfect Friend by Barbara Copperthwaite is!!! About 20% in, I found myself thinking, what is this book? And then by 50% in I could barely put the book down! This was my first book by Copperthwaite, but several reviewers who’ve read her other work say that readers should always expect twists and secrets and lies. And boy, were they right!!!
About the Book
Alex is trying to rebuild her life. Her husband has left her. Her kids won’t speak to her. And alone in the world, Alex turns to restricting her eating in order to gain some semblance of control over her life. And then she makes friends with Carrie. Carrie is the best friend and daughter that Alex desperately wants back in her life. And Carrie also has terminal cancer... Alex finally feels needed.
Alex is the perfect friend for Carrie, but Alex is also a self-proclaimed liar. Alex becomes more and more dependent on her relationship with Carrie. But is Carrie the friend Alex thinks she is??
Reflection
I hate to say this, but I actually can’t say much about this book! I know, I know, it drives me nuts when reviews say that. But this one will go in its own direction and I am terrified of spoiling it! Just enjoy it. Get through the beginning (which is covered in my recap). Once the twists start, they won’t stop. I’m actually so excited for people who haven’t read this book yet!
Alex is a fascinating character. She calls herself a liar. She says she can’t be trusted. But she also is incredibly honest at times. Alex is so vulnerable. She is a person who is almost overwhelmed by life. She uses external control to manage her darkest demons. She has almost too much love to give. Her relationship with Carrie is completely bonkers. But there is something sweet about their friendship. There is something hopeful about two lost souls finding one another at their time of need.
But then, you can throw all of that out the window once those secrets start coming out! No one is telling the full truth. But the key is figuring out what are the secrets and what are the lies!!
Thank you to Bookouture and to Barbara Copperthwaite for a copy of this book to review.
4.5 telling-lies stars!
Wow, what a twisty read The Perfect Friend by Barbara Copperthwaite is!!! About 20% in, I found myself thinking, what is this book? And then by 50% in I could barely put the book down! This was my first book by Copperthwaite, but several reviewers who’ve read her other work say that readers should always expect twists and secrets and lies. And boy, were they right!!!
About the Book
Alex is trying to rebuild her life. Her husband has left her. Her kids won’t speak to her. And alone in the world, Alex turns to restricting her eating in order to gain some semblance of control over her life. And then she makes friends with Carrie. Carrie is the best friend and daughter that Alex desperately wants back in her life. And Carrie also has terminal cancer... Alex finally feels needed.
Alex is the perfect friend for Carrie, but Alex is also a self-proclaimed liar. Alex becomes more and more dependent on her relationship with Carrie. But is Carrie the friend Alex thinks she is??
Reflection
I hate to say this, but I actually can’t say much about this book! I know, I know, it drives me nuts when reviews say that. But this one will go in its own direction and I am terrified of spoiling it! Just enjoy it. Get through the beginning (which is covered in my recap). Once the twists start, they won’t stop. I’m actually so excited for people who haven’t read this book yet!
Alex is a fascinating character. She calls herself a liar. She says she can’t be trusted. But she also is incredibly honest at times. Alex is so vulnerable. She is a person who is almost overwhelmed by life. She uses external control to manage her darkest demons. She has almost too much love to give. Her relationship with Carrie is completely bonkers. But there is something sweet about their friendship. There is something hopeful about two lost souls finding one another at their time of need.
But then, you can throw all of that out the window once those secrets start coming out! No one is telling the full truth. But the key is figuring out what are the secrets and what are the lies!!
Thank you to Bookouture and to Barbara Copperthwaite for a copy of this book to review.
July 7, 2018
5 Perfect Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“I lie to myself all The time. But I never believe me.“
~S.E.Hinton
This book was quite the ride! Two unreliable narrators for the price of one, got to love that! Barbara Copperthwaite how in the world do you come up with this stuff, this was crazy! Also how long did it take you to learn to spell that last name? that last name is crazy long! Do you ever look at somebody’s last name and think... thank goodness I did not need to learn to spell that in kindergarten... my last name has a total of four letters so I was lucky! Nobody can pronounce it, but it’s easy to spell... but I digress....
Alex and Carrie met at a support group... Alex has reached rock bottom her husband and children want nothing to do with her, and she has developed adult anorexia... Carrie has terminal cancer... Alex and Carrie form a bond a tight friendship... they rely on each other... they need each other... and they trust each other implicitly... sounds lovely, right? The problem... both Alex and Carrie have a little problem with telling the truth.... this is the true brilliance of this book... I did not believe a single word that came out of either of these girls mouths.... and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to unravel the puzzle of what was true and what was a lie....
This was a book that had you second-guessing everything... finding suspicion in everything... there were twists and turns and just when you thought you had it all figured out... not so fast... BAM that final twist!
Absolutely recommend to fans of a twisty psychological thriller with two seriously unreliable narrators🤥🤥
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
“I lie to myself all The time. But I never believe me.“
~S.E.Hinton
This book was quite the ride! Two unreliable narrators for the price of one, got to love that! Barbara Copperthwaite how in the world do you come up with this stuff, this was crazy! Also how long did it take you to learn to spell that last name? that last name is crazy long! Do you ever look at somebody’s last name and think... thank goodness I did not need to learn to spell that in kindergarten... my last name has a total of four letters so I was lucky! Nobody can pronounce it, but it’s easy to spell... but I digress....
Alex and Carrie met at a support group... Alex has reached rock bottom her husband and children want nothing to do with her, and she has developed adult anorexia... Carrie has terminal cancer... Alex and Carrie form a bond a tight friendship... they rely on each other... they need each other... and they trust each other implicitly... sounds lovely, right? The problem... both Alex and Carrie have a little problem with telling the truth.... this is the true brilliance of this book... I did not believe a single word that came out of either of these girls mouths.... and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to unravel the puzzle of what was true and what was a lie....
This was a book that had you second-guessing everything... finding suspicion in everything... there were twists and turns and just when you thought you had it all figured out... not so fast... BAM that final twist!
Absolutely recommend to fans of a twisty psychological thriller with two seriously unreliable narrators🤥🤥
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
June 29, 2018
4 beguiling stars to The Perfect Friend! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Alex has lost it all. Her husband has moved out, and her children want nothing to do with her. All she has is her closest friend, Carrie, who she trusts implicitly. But should she?
Alex has anorexia, and she meets Carrie in a support group. Carrie has terminal cancer and likewise has no one to depend on other than Alex. It’s the perfect storm of circumstances to unite two needy best friends. Carrie also wholeheartedly trusts Alex, but should she?
If you like unreliable narrators, you’ve scored two here! The Perfect Friend is a quick, captivating read. At first I felt deeply for Alex and Carrie and their personal struggles, but then I was not sure where I was being led by these two! My inner skeptic put my guard up, but that did not keep from enjoying their story.
Overall, The Perfect Friend was an original and entertaining read, and it kept me beguiled from beginning to end.
Thank you to Bookouture for the ARC. The Perfect Friend will be published on July 6, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Alex has lost it all. Her husband has moved out, and her children want nothing to do with her. All she has is her closest friend, Carrie, who she trusts implicitly. But should she?
Alex has anorexia, and she meets Carrie in a support group. Carrie has terminal cancer and likewise has no one to depend on other than Alex. It’s the perfect storm of circumstances to unite two needy best friends. Carrie also wholeheartedly trusts Alex, but should she?
If you like unreliable narrators, you’ve scored two here! The Perfect Friend is a quick, captivating read. At first I felt deeply for Alex and Carrie and their personal struggles, but then I was not sure where I was being led by these two! My inner skeptic put my guard up, but that did not keep from enjoying their story.
Overall, The Perfect Friend was an original and entertaining read, and it kept me beguiled from beginning to end.
Thank you to Bookouture for the ARC. The Perfect Friend will be published on July 6, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
July 4, 2018
The Perfect Friend by Barbara Copperthwaite is a psychological thriller that follows two friends, Alex and Carrie. Having read a couple of other novels from the author I knew I wanted to read this one but a big plus for having a character with my namesake in the book because I really have a tendency to grab those!
The ladies, Alex and Carrie, met while at a support group and were drawn to one another. Alex’s husband has left her and her two children, twins, will not even speak to her and has developed anorexia from all of the stress. Carrie has been battling cancer for a while and this time it has caught up with her and the end is getting near.
One would ask how in the world could a story about two best friends that need each other for support could fall into the psychological thriller category? But this being a novel from Barbara Copperthwaite I knew there was going to be some twists and turns coming. I’ve gotten to the point that going in to one of her novels that I just don’t trust her characters but I do enjoy the ride waiting to find out what they’ll have in store for me. Again this would be another that you have to dive in and uncover all of those secrets and when you think you are done just think again.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The ladies, Alex and Carrie, met while at a support group and were drawn to one another. Alex’s husband has left her and her two children, twins, will not even speak to her and has developed anorexia from all of the stress. Carrie has been battling cancer for a while and this time it has caught up with her and the end is getting near.
One would ask how in the world could a story about two best friends that need each other for support could fall into the psychological thriller category? But this being a novel from Barbara Copperthwaite I knew there was going to be some twists and turns coming. I’ve gotten to the point that going in to one of her novels that I just don’t trust her characters but I do enjoy the ride waiting to find out what they’ll have in store for me. Again this would be another that you have to dive in and uncover all of those secrets and when you think you are done just think again.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 18, 2018
3.5*
This book can be divided into three distinct parts. That’s exactly the impression I had reading this one.
The beginning: A slow start for me, not really feeling a connection, and unable to see any true direction.
We are introduced to Carrie, a young woman in a support group. Living in constant fear, forever looking over her shoulder. Also attending the support group is Alex, nearly old enough to be Carries’ mother. But somehow the stars align and these two lost souls meet up.
The middle: Alright, this is where it got really good! The story completely lit up, and I couldn’t read it fast enough. With so many lies and deceptions coming from every direction, I had no idea who was telling the truth or what new whopping lies were right around the corner! So naturally my expectation for the ending was off the charts!
The end: Lastly, I lost any hope I had of giving five ⭐️to this book. I anticipated being treated to the payoff of reading the shocking turns. Instead, it seemed as though someone felt obliged to explain how everything took place. Come on! I want to discover all the hidden gems on my own, not having it spelled-out for me. Sadly, my stars just started disappearing before my eyes.
Still, in the end, I will say the positives outweighed the negatives! I know a lot of people have been loving this one and I hope you will too!
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Barbara Copperthwaite for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
This book can be divided into three distinct parts. That’s exactly the impression I had reading this one.
The beginning: A slow start for me, not really feeling a connection, and unable to see any true direction.
We are introduced to Carrie, a young woman in a support group. Living in constant fear, forever looking over her shoulder. Also attending the support group is Alex, nearly old enough to be Carries’ mother. But somehow the stars align and these two lost souls meet up.
The middle: Alright, this is where it got really good! The story completely lit up, and I couldn’t read it fast enough. With so many lies and deceptions coming from every direction, I had no idea who was telling the truth or what new whopping lies were right around the corner! So naturally my expectation for the ending was off the charts!
The end: Lastly, I lost any hope I had of giving five ⭐️to this book. I anticipated being treated to the payoff of reading the shocking turns. Instead, it seemed as though someone felt obliged to explain how everything took place. Come on! I want to discover all the hidden gems on my own, not having it spelled-out for me. Sadly, my stars just started disappearing before my eyes.
Still, in the end, I will say the positives outweighed the negatives! I know a lot of people have been loving this one and I hope you will too!
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Barbara Copperthwaite for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2018
3.65 Stars* (rounded up).
Alex and Carrie meet at a support group. Alex is an anorexic. Her family no longer wants anything to do with her and because of that she becomes a shell of her former self. She is also a compulsive liar and she admits it. (Funny, I’m not sure I would if it were me!) Carrie is suffering from terminal cancer and has no one, that is until Alex takes her under her wing. They immediately become the best of friends, with Alex wanting to make Carrie’s last days, her best days.
What’s in it for Alex? Can either woman be trusted? Is there such a thing as “The Perfect Friend?” I won’t answer that.
What I will say is that this mystery / suspense is full of twists and turns, some of which are jaw dropping and some of which I found to be a bit far-fetched. That said, “The Perfect Friend” is a quick, easy, entertaining read which I enjoyed.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey. Thanks for keeping me company on this one Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Barbara Copperthwaite for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 6.25.18.
Alex and Carrie meet at a support group. Alex is an anorexic. Her family no longer wants anything to do with her and because of that she becomes a shell of her former self. She is also a compulsive liar and she admits it. (Funny, I’m not sure I would if it were me!) Carrie is suffering from terminal cancer and has no one, that is until Alex takes her under her wing. They immediately become the best of friends, with Alex wanting to make Carrie’s last days, her best days.
What’s in it for Alex? Can either woman be trusted? Is there such a thing as “The Perfect Friend?” I won’t answer that.
What I will say is that this mystery / suspense is full of twists and turns, some of which are jaw dropping and some of which I found to be a bit far-fetched. That said, “The Perfect Friend” is a quick, easy, entertaining read which I enjoyed.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey. Thanks for keeping me company on this one Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Barbara Copperthwaite for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 6.25.18.
July 3, 2018
My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered. My husband has left me. My children won't speak to me. Carrie is the only person I have. She's the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
Alex has anorexia. She met Carrie at a support group. Carrie has terminal cancer and she has no one she can depend on. Carrie is trying to make the most of whatever time she has left. Alex is estranged from her family. She is also old enough to be Carries mother. But despite the age gap, the women have become close. This is another one of these books that you can't say too much more as it would spoil the plot for you.
Well, this is a well written , tense gripping, edge of your seat read. The story is told by both of the women's point of view. I liked the thrill of the chase feel to this story. At first I liked both Alex and Carrie, then I disliked them both in equal measures. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Barbara Copperthwaite for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alex has anorexia. She met Carrie at a support group. Carrie has terminal cancer and she has no one she can depend on. Carrie is trying to make the most of whatever time she has left. Alex is estranged from her family. She is also old enough to be Carries mother. But despite the age gap, the women have become close. This is another one of these books that you can't say too much more as it would spoil the plot for you.
Well, this is a well written , tense gripping, edge of your seat read. The story is told by both of the women's point of view. I liked the thrill of the chase feel to this story. At first I liked both Alex and Carrie, then I disliked them both in equal measures. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Barbara Copperthwaite for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2018
Secrets, lies, manipulations and more secrets.
“… I am a liar. There isn’t a single aspect of my life that isn’t ruled by deceit. It seeps into everything, a poison that weakens, taints, kills all it comes into contact with. The biggest distortions are those I tell myself…”
Alex who is estranged from her husband and children, is suffering from anorexia. She meets Carrie, who has terminal cancer during a support group get-together and takes her under her wing and becomes her new best friend. She would do anything for her, but can she trust her? Can she trust herself? Can we?
The Perfect Friend has all the elements of a psychological thriller and some more.
An absolute treasure! A compelling, delicious and un-put-down-able read.
Thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Bookouture and the NetGalley for providing me with a copy.
“… I am a liar. There isn’t a single aspect of my life that isn’t ruled by deceit. It seeps into everything, a poison that weakens, taints, kills all it comes into contact with. The biggest distortions are those I tell myself…”
Alex who is estranged from her husband and children, is suffering from anorexia. She meets Carrie, who has terminal cancer during a support group get-together and takes her under her wing and becomes her new best friend. She would do anything for her, but can she trust her? Can she trust herself? Can we?
The Perfect Friend has all the elements of a psychological thriller and some more.
An absolute treasure! A compelling, delicious and un-put-down-able read.
Thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Bookouture and the NetGalley for providing me with a copy.
June 15, 2018
Wow!!!! This book!!! Holy cow!!!!! So many lies ... who can be trusted? NO ONE!! I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next but i had to keep reading!!! So many twists and turns throughout the whole book. When I thought one thing, it was another!! And on and on and on. This was a great book. Well written. There are some heavy subjects throughout - anorexia, cancer, physical abuse ... so much packed in this book. It’s due out July 5, 2018. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a psychological thriller unlike any other!!! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a early copy for my honest review. Will definitely look for more books by this author.
July 10, 2018
The Perfect Friend by Barbara Copperthwaite is quite a clever mystery, and though it started a bit slower than I expected, the pace really picked up about halfway and I had a hard time putting it down then!
The story starts with Alex, a woman going through a rough time. She is not in good health and is trying to recover as she deals with some overwhelming personal issues. I don't want to give away too many details regarding the plot, because there were quite a few twists I wouldn't want to spoil for anyone. Alex meets Carrie, a young woman suffering from cancer, and they become fast friends. Something, however, is not quite right with Carrie and as Alex begins to investigate, she has to face and reveal some of her own secrets.
The strong point of this book, for me at least, was the way Alex developed as a character. I am such a character-based reader and found myself wanting to learn more about both Alex and Carrie. I have been reading so much crime fiction this summer, some of the stories are blurring together, but I think The Perfect Friend will be quite memorable because of the strong description of the characters. The plot is engaging, but I did guess quite a few of the twists before they came. I didn't really mind this, as I mention, my heavy fare of mysteries has possibly spoiled the unpredictability of many books these days. That being said, I was never bored. I did wish some of the figures in authority had respected Alex's concerns more and not dismissed her on account of her illness, but maybe it's not unrealistic.
Overall, I found this to be a satisfying, solidly plotted and written mystery by an author I will happily read again in the future!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Thanks to Bookouture for supplying me with a copy of The Perfect Friend in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts with Alex, a woman going through a rough time. She is not in good health and is trying to recover as she deals with some overwhelming personal issues. I don't want to give away too many details regarding the plot, because there were quite a few twists I wouldn't want to spoil for anyone. Alex meets Carrie, a young woman suffering from cancer, and they become fast friends. Something, however, is not quite right with Carrie and as Alex begins to investigate, she has to face and reveal some of her own secrets.
The strong point of this book, for me at least, was the way Alex developed as a character. I am such a character-based reader and found myself wanting to learn more about both Alex and Carrie. I have been reading so much crime fiction this summer, some of the stories are blurring together, but I think The Perfect Friend will be quite memorable because of the strong description of the characters. The plot is engaging, but I did guess quite a few of the twists before they came. I didn't really mind this, as I mention, my heavy fare of mysteries has possibly spoiled the unpredictability of many books these days. That being said, I was never bored. I did wish some of the figures in authority had respected Alex's concerns more and not dismissed her on account of her illness, but maybe it's not unrealistic.
Overall, I found this to be a satisfying, solidly plotted and written mystery by an author I will happily read again in the future!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Thanks to Bookouture for supplying me with a copy of The Perfect Friend in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2018
THE PERFECT FRIEND is a dark psychological thriller by Barbara Copperthwaite. This book is full of twists and lies, and lie have you on hold until you read the last page. Who can you trust?
Two women, Alex and Carrie become best of friends after meeting in a self-help group. Alex suffers from anorexia and has no family to lean on, and Carrie is suffering from terminal cancer and also alone. They were there to help each other. Alex would do anything for Carrie, but when Alex tells Carrie her deepest secrets, can Carrie be trusted to keep them private? Time will tell.
She’ll do anything for you…
My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered.
My husband has left me.
My children won’t speak to me.
My friend Carrie is the only person I have.
She’s the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
She’d never do anything to let me down.
Would she?
The Perfect Friend is a character-driven novel with an appealing plot and a surprise ending. I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters, Alex and Carrie. This book is full of twists and turns that you will not see coming.
A great psychological thriller that I highly recommend!
Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for my digital copy.
Two women, Alex and Carrie become best of friends after meeting in a self-help group. Alex suffers from anorexia and has no family to lean on, and Carrie is suffering from terminal cancer and also alone. They were there to help each other. Alex would do anything for Carrie, but when Alex tells Carrie her deepest secrets, can Carrie be trusted to keep them private? Time will tell.
She’ll do anything for you…
My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered.
My husband has left me.
My children won’t speak to me.
My friend Carrie is the only person I have.
She’s the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
She’d never do anything to let me down.
Would she?
The Perfect Friend is a character-driven novel with an appealing plot and a surprise ending. I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters, Alex and Carrie. This book is full of twists and turns that you will not see coming.
A great psychological thriller that I highly recommend!
Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for my digital copy.
June 19, 2018
I've been meaning to read a book by Barbara Copperthwaite for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to read "The Perfect Friend" (Available on July 5th!)
Alex is suffering from Anorexia, and no longer has a relationship with her husband or twins.
Carrie has been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
They meet in a support group, and Alex feels almost maternal towards Carrie. She makes it her mission to make the rest of Carrie's life, all that it can be.
But, Alex is a self proclaimed liar. Does she have an ulterior motive or is she the "perfect friend"?
I have to admit that I was NOT fully invested in this story till about the 50% point.
Having read a LOT of thrillers this year, I am finding it challenging to decide on a fair rating for this book...
The first twist was also the twist in an earlier read this year.
The second twist was in a different book, also recently read.
I won't mention those books, here...so that other readers can be surprised when I was not.
If you have not read those same books, I believe that YOU will enjoy this book more than me, because YOU will have more jaw dropping moments than I did.
At the 50% point, the pace picked up and I began to enjoy the story more.
I did want to find out if either of these women could be considered a "perfect friend" and if the ending could surprise me. (some of it did!!)
For that reason, I am going to go with a 3.5 star rating (rounded up) as I think that readers who don't guess the first two reveals WILL find this book satisfying.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC I received in exchange for my candid review!
Alex is suffering from Anorexia, and no longer has a relationship with her husband or twins.
Carrie has been diagnosed with terminal Cancer.
They meet in a support group, and Alex feels almost maternal towards Carrie. She makes it her mission to make the rest of Carrie's life, all that it can be.
But, Alex is a self proclaimed liar. Does she have an ulterior motive or is she the "perfect friend"?
I have to admit that I was NOT fully invested in this story till about the 50% point.
Having read a LOT of thrillers this year, I am finding it challenging to decide on a fair rating for this book...
The first twist was also the twist in an earlier read this year.
The second twist was in a different book, also recently read.
I won't mention those books, here...so that other readers can be surprised when I was not.
If you have not read those same books, I believe that YOU will enjoy this book more than me, because YOU will have more jaw dropping moments than I did.
At the 50% point, the pace picked up and I began to enjoy the story more.
I did want to find out if either of these women could be considered a "perfect friend" and if the ending could surprise me. (some of it did!!)
For that reason, I am going to go with a 3.5 star rating (rounded up) as I think that readers who don't guess the first two reveals WILL find this book satisfying.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC I received in exchange for my candid review!
July 6, 2018
Secrets and lies! Nothing is what it seems... Or is it?
The book follows two women, Alex and Carrie, who met in a support group. They became best friends from the first day they met. With Alex suffering from anorexia and her family not speaking to her, and Carrie dealing with terminal cancer and being all alone, they were each other's support system. They really are perfect friends... But should they be? Alex would do anything for Carrie, after all, they are best friends! But, can she really be trusted? We soon shall see!
The Perfect Friend is a dark, twisted, and disturbing read that has an ending you won't see coming. A great psychological thriller that I highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
The book follows two women, Alex and Carrie, who met in a support group. They became best friends from the first day they met. With Alex suffering from anorexia and her family not speaking to her, and Carrie dealing with terminal cancer and being all alone, they were each other's support system. They really are perfect friends... But should they be? Alex would do anything for Carrie, after all, they are best friends! But, can she really be trusted? We soon shall see!
The Perfect Friend is a dark, twisted, and disturbing read that has an ending you won't see coming. A great psychological thriller that I highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
June 20, 2018
A trauma support group provides the meeting place for Alex and Carrie, the main characters in The Perfect Friend. As they interact in each other’s lives they form a friendship but not a perfect one. Carrie and Alex lie to each other, to themselves and to those around them.
Issues of cancer, anorexia, spousal abuse, and death normally evoke feelings of compassion and concern. Not this time. By the time their interaction ends, neither character is likeable or redeemable. To remedy this, the author resorts to a weak ploy, four chapters of background and excuses are tacked on to make us care. But weak excuses and illogical background fail to move us.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley. This did not effect my review of this book.
#netgalley #theperfectfriend
Issues of cancer, anorexia, spousal abuse, and death normally evoke feelings of compassion and concern. Not this time. By the time their interaction ends, neither character is likeable or redeemable. To remedy this, the author resorts to a weak ploy, four chapters of background and excuses are tacked on to make us care. But weak excuses and illogical background fail to move us.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley. This did not effect my review of this book.
#netgalley #theperfectfriend
July 1, 2018
4.5 ⭐️
The Perfect Friend...is there such a thing?
Alex is a self proclaimed liar, recovering from adult onset anorexia after her husband left her, her two children following him. It is at a support group where she meets Carrie, suffering from terminal breast cancer. The two quickly develop a mother-daughter type relationship, with Alex eager to atone for her past by helping her new friend in her hour of need, at the expense of concentrating on the complex issues that led to anorexia taking her life hostage.
From the onset, the reader is led to believe that there is far more to the story than what we are first told. As we delve further in, as a result of strange occurrences, Alex begins to question whether Carrie is who she claims to be. These questions have us doubting whether the character's version of events is that of truth or delusion. This certainly piqued my curiosity, having me eager to find out who the liars and deceivers were amongst this crazy cast of characters.
Admittedly, it was slow going for quite a while, the plot alternating between past and present, concentrating on building up the themes of controlling behaviour, hallucinations, anorexia, domestic abuse and cancer. But fret not, as all is very necessary to this well constructed plot. You will be well pleased once the multiple twists have your pulse racing and your jaw dropping, with each chapter revealing another layer of dizzying duplicity and " oh my gosh, I didn't see this coming " type moments, toying with your brain matter to the very end.
This psychological thriller will have you completely undecided as to who the liar is and who is not. I love it when an author can play an expert game of back and forth trickery of the mind, playing with it as if it were a pummeled tennis ball on a Wimbledon court. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy a good mind whipping.
Many thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book. It was my pleasure to read my third novel by this author, this one being my favourite.
The Perfect Friend...is there such a thing?
Alex is a self proclaimed liar, recovering from adult onset anorexia after her husband left her, her two children following him. It is at a support group where she meets Carrie, suffering from terminal breast cancer. The two quickly develop a mother-daughter type relationship, with Alex eager to atone for her past by helping her new friend in her hour of need, at the expense of concentrating on the complex issues that led to anorexia taking her life hostage.
From the onset, the reader is led to believe that there is far more to the story than what we are first told. As we delve further in, as a result of strange occurrences, Alex begins to question whether Carrie is who she claims to be. These questions have us doubting whether the character's version of events is that of truth or delusion. This certainly piqued my curiosity, having me eager to find out who the liars and deceivers were amongst this crazy cast of characters.
Admittedly, it was slow going for quite a while, the plot alternating between past and present, concentrating on building up the themes of controlling behaviour, hallucinations, anorexia, domestic abuse and cancer. But fret not, as all is very necessary to this well constructed plot. You will be well pleased once the multiple twists have your pulse racing and your jaw dropping, with each chapter revealing another layer of dizzying duplicity and " oh my gosh, I didn't see this coming " type moments, toying with your brain matter to the very end.
This psychological thriller will have you completely undecided as to who the liar is and who is not. I love it when an author can play an expert game of back and forth trickery of the mind, playing with it as if it were a pummeled tennis ball on a Wimbledon court. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy a good mind whipping.
Many thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book. It was my pleasure to read my third novel by this author, this one being my favourite.
July 10, 2018
5 Perfect Stars
“I am a russian doll of secrets, so many cradled one inside the other, all looking like me but diminishing until what is left is so tiny I fear I am disappearing.”
Wow. This book will stick with me long after today. What a rollercoaster of emotions topped off with twists and turns that threw me all over the place. In the wee hours of this morning, as I was still reading, my mouth agape, I actually said out loud, “Wait. No. Wait. What??!!” When you get to this part you may think that is the only twist. Hang on, my friend. The ride gets bumpier from there. Twist upon twist. I am always looking for my ‘OMG moment’ in a good psychological thriller and I got more than I bargained for from The Perfect Friend.
Alex is living in a world of prolonged grief and adult onset anorexia brought on by empty nest syndrome. Her husband has left, her twins have left and will no longer speak to her. She has an abundance of love to give and no one willing to accept it.
Alex meets Carrie in a support group for women who lived and/or still live in some sort of trauma. Carrie, being thrown into a battle with terminal cancer, is just the outlet Alex needs to release that nurturing love and is instantly drawn to her. They become fast friends and develop a symbiotic sort of pseudo mother/daughter relationship. Alex knows that Carrie is someone she can trust and will keep all of her secrets but should she put all of her trust into her? Offer so much of herself? After all, Alex is a self-proclaimed liar and doesn’t even trust herself so how can she be so certain she is seeing Carrie through clear eyes and a clear head?
I have to add a few thoughts on Alex. I LOVE an unreliable narrator and with this book I got double the love with both Alex and Carrie being incredibly unreliable! I connected with with Alex from the get go. Perhaps bonding with her early on due to her eating disorder and rocky road to mental health. The picture of this codependent woman and her constant quest for absolute perfection, in my opinion, was spot on. From the paranoia and self doubt to her warped sense of the reality of her actions and the world around her was an illustration that was easy to become a part of. Delving deeper into the plot, I found myself relating to her in a way that I only have with a handful of fictional characters. I do believe that even those who have not been down Alex’s road will easily be able to empathize and relate to her character. (Is it weird that I hesitate to even call her a character because she feels so dang real??)
I am not often actually moved to tears by a book categorized as a psychological thriller. In fact, I don’t believe I ever HAVE been. The Perfect Friend did just that and I found myself reaching for Kleenex more than I do most actual ‘tear jerker’ books. However, the tears did not affect the intensity of the thrill in this book. It was riveting and thought provoking and over the shoulder checking and gripped me from the beginning to the incredibly satisfying end.
I loved The Perfect Friend and would highly recommend it. I very much look forward to stalking Ms. Copperthwaite’s goodreads in order to add more of her books to my TBR!
Special thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Netgalley and Bookouture for providing me with a copy of The Perfect Friend.
“I am a russian doll of secrets, so many cradled one inside the other, all looking like me but diminishing until what is left is so tiny I fear I am disappearing.”
Wow. This book will stick with me long after today. What a rollercoaster of emotions topped off with twists and turns that threw me all over the place. In the wee hours of this morning, as I was still reading, my mouth agape, I actually said out loud, “Wait. No. Wait. What??!!” When you get to this part you may think that is the only twist. Hang on, my friend. The ride gets bumpier from there. Twist upon twist. I am always looking for my ‘OMG moment’ in a good psychological thriller and I got more than I bargained for from The Perfect Friend.
Alex is living in a world of prolonged grief and adult onset anorexia brought on by empty nest syndrome. Her husband has left, her twins have left and will no longer speak to her. She has an abundance of love to give and no one willing to accept it.
Alex meets Carrie in a support group for women who lived and/or still live in some sort of trauma. Carrie, being thrown into a battle with terminal cancer, is just the outlet Alex needs to release that nurturing love and is instantly drawn to her. They become fast friends and develop a symbiotic sort of pseudo mother/daughter relationship. Alex knows that Carrie is someone she can trust and will keep all of her secrets but should she put all of her trust into her? Offer so much of herself? After all, Alex is a self-proclaimed liar and doesn’t even trust herself so how can she be so certain she is seeing Carrie through clear eyes and a clear head?
I have to add a few thoughts on Alex. I LOVE an unreliable narrator and with this book I got double the love with both Alex and Carrie being incredibly unreliable! I connected with with Alex from the get go. Perhaps bonding with her early on due to her eating disorder and rocky road to mental health. The picture of this codependent woman and her constant quest for absolute perfection, in my opinion, was spot on. From the paranoia and self doubt to her warped sense of the reality of her actions and the world around her was an illustration that was easy to become a part of. Delving deeper into the plot, I found myself relating to her in a way that I only have with a handful of fictional characters. I do believe that even those who have not been down Alex’s road will easily be able to empathize and relate to her character. (Is it weird that I hesitate to even call her a character because she feels so dang real??)
I am not often actually moved to tears by a book categorized as a psychological thriller. In fact, I don’t believe I ever HAVE been. The Perfect Friend did just that and I found myself reaching for Kleenex more than I do most actual ‘tear jerker’ books. However, the tears did not affect the intensity of the thrill in this book. It was riveting and thought provoking and over the shoulder checking and gripped me from the beginning to the incredibly satisfying end.
I loved The Perfect Friend and would highly recommend it. I very much look forward to stalking Ms. Copperthwaite’s goodreads in order to add more of her books to my TBR!
Special thanks to Barbara Copperthwaite, Netgalley and Bookouture for providing me with a copy of The Perfect Friend.
June 16, 2018
I have been meaning to get around to reading some Barbara Copperthwaite and now I have finally tried one of her books!
"The Perfect Friend" is dark, captivating and positvely brimming with secrets and lies. Seriously, you cannot afford to trust anyone who is present here! An exciting psychological thriller that in parts was harrowing and emotional, Copperthwaite is a skilled writer and plot-master. I was sold from the first few pages and this continued right until the explosive and stunning finale!
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
"The Perfect Friend" is dark, captivating and positvely brimming with secrets and lies. Seriously, you cannot afford to trust anyone who is present here! An exciting psychological thriller that in parts was harrowing and emotional, Copperthwaite is a skilled writer and plot-master. I was sold from the first few pages and this continued right until the explosive and stunning finale!
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 2, 2018
What is the Perfect Friend? Alex thinks she has found it in Carrie when they meet in a support group. Alex has lost her husband and her kids won't talk to her. She is an anorexic who feel helpless and lost. Then Carrie joins the group. Carrie is 20 years younger than Alex and is dying of terminal cancer. They find a friend in each other, and for Alex she has the chance to mother somebody and help them, something her own children will not let her do.
It is hard to write much more without giving anything away. This book is full of twists and turns that you will not see coming. Barbara Copperthwaite has a way of sucking you so far before sluggin you with something so far out of left field it has you realing. You will not want to put this book down, even if you tell yourself you will just read one more chapter.
A. Very big thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by anybody.
It is hard to write much more without giving anything away. This book is full of twists and turns that you will not see coming. Barbara Copperthwaite has a way of sucking you so far before sluggin you with something so far out of left field it has you realing. You will not want to put this book down, even if you tell yourself you will just read one more chapter.
A. Very big thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by anybody.
July 11, 2018
OMG,this enthralling thriller has more twists and turns than the tropical ice lollies that I can't stop devouring at the moment.This is a mesmerizing tale of manipulation,secrets,lies,denial,anorexia,abuse and deception.These are so many twists and turns in this story that by the time you get to the end you are left feeling positively dizzy. There was one twist that caused me to almost drop my kindle in shock. I had to take my glasses off,give them a good clean and then 're-read that part to double check that I had read it correctly.
This is the story of two women who meet at a support group.Alex is anorexic and blames herself for the death of her husband and two children. Carrie has aggressive breast cancer and has just been told that it is terminal.Despite Alex being a lot older that Carrie they have become very good friends so when Carrie starts receiving threatening letters and her car windshield is smashed up Alex vows to do everything in her power to help her young friend. The problem is,the more Alex starts to uncover,the more she begins to suspect that Carrie is keeping secrets from her just like Alex is keeping secrets from Carrie. Her mental state isn't helped by the anorexia that is constantly trying to break out of the box that she has locked it in inside her head. Lack of food and over exercising yourself mentally and physically can cause paranoia,doubts and hallucinations,not a good place to be mentally when you are convinced that your life is in danger. I honestly didn't think either Alex or Carrie were very likeable characters. Alex`s behaviour towards Carrie bordered on obsessive and overbearing at times and as for Carrie,I'm going to be very mysterious and keep my thoughts about her to myself. Scattered throughout the book are chapters set in the past about a young girl`s nightmare life with her alcoholic bully of a father who loved to use her mother as his punch bag at every opportunity.Domestic violence is a highly emotional subject that I have my own (some may say) controversial opinions on so I think I will keep my opinions on that subject to myself. But are these chapters about Alex or Carrie and are the events of the past a contributing factor towards their issues as adults?.
This is a well written,gripping,fast paced thriller that had me hooked in from the first page right through to the unexpected twist ending.I love how Barbara Copperthwaite`s words flow with ease,drawing the reader into her realistic,vivid characters fictional world,holding you captive as the story unfolds before your eyes.Worth far more than five stars and highly recommended by little old me.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This is the story of two women who meet at a support group.Alex is anorexic and blames herself for the death of her husband and two children. Carrie has aggressive breast cancer and has just been told that it is terminal.Despite Alex being a lot older that Carrie they have become very good friends so when Carrie starts receiving threatening letters and her car windshield is smashed up Alex vows to do everything in her power to help her young friend. The problem is,the more Alex starts to uncover,the more she begins to suspect that Carrie is keeping secrets from her just like Alex is keeping secrets from Carrie. Her mental state isn't helped by the anorexia that is constantly trying to break out of the box that she has locked it in inside her head. Lack of food and over exercising yourself mentally and physically can cause paranoia,doubts and hallucinations,not a good place to be mentally when you are convinced that your life is in danger. I honestly didn't think either Alex or Carrie were very likeable characters. Alex`s behaviour towards Carrie bordered on obsessive and overbearing at times and as for Carrie,I'm going to be very mysterious and keep my thoughts about her to myself. Scattered throughout the book are chapters set in the past about a young girl`s nightmare life with her alcoholic bully of a father who loved to use her mother as his punch bag at every opportunity.Domestic violence is a highly emotional subject that I have my own (some may say) controversial opinions on so I think I will keep my opinions on that subject to myself. But are these chapters about Alex or Carrie and are the events of the past a contributing factor towards their issues as adults?.
This is a well written,gripping,fast paced thriller that had me hooked in from the first page right through to the unexpected twist ending.I love how Barbara Copperthwaite`s words flow with ease,drawing the reader into her realistic,vivid characters fictional world,holding you captive as the story unfolds before your eyes.Worth far more than five stars and highly recommended by little old me.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 10, 2019
What on earth was that
When I read in the blurb, for fans of Behind closed doors (which I loved), and sometimes I lie (which I hated ). I was a little bit apprehensive, but reading some of the previous reviews I thought can't be too bad. .. I was wrong! I did manage to finish it, which is the main reason it gets 2 stars not 1.
Probably the biggest load of. ... I have read in a while. Definitely a very similar story to Sometimes I lie, that's not good in my opinion. You will probably disagree,
There was no empathy with either of the main characters, and I worked out what was happening a long way from the end.
This was my first book by the author and probably the last.
When I read in the blurb, for fans of Behind closed doors (which I loved), and sometimes I lie (which I hated ). I was a little bit apprehensive, but reading some of the previous reviews I thought can't be too bad. .. I was wrong! I did manage to finish it, which is the main reason it gets 2 stars not 1.
Probably the biggest load of. ... I have read in a while. Definitely a very similar story to Sometimes I lie, that's not good in my opinion. You will probably disagree,
There was no empathy with either of the main characters, and I worked out what was happening a long way from the end.
This was my first book by the author and probably the last.
July 30, 2018
Alex and Carrie meet in a support group and strike a deep friendship.Alex’s husband has left her and her kids don’t talk to her due to which she suffers from eating disorder while Carrie has been battling with cancer all alone. Alex automatically takes over the role of a mother to Carrie and tries to make her last days as happy as possible.
The Perfect Friend by Barbara Copperwhite is a psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns . It is very difficult to say much more about the story without giving everything away expect to say its a well written entertaining read.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The Perfect Friend by Barbara Copperwhite is a psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns . It is very difficult to say much more about the story without giving everything away expect to say its a well written entertaining read.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
June 15, 2018
I just read my new favorite book of 2018!
ALL THE STARS!
This book was so amazingly written. Every detail, twist, character, and lie were all woven together so intricately, but with purposefully placed threads that were already unraveling. Turning each page, unraveled these threads one by one.
I'm in awe of how the author put this all together. She combined all the things that make a psychological thriller keep you up all night but she managed to flip everything you think you know...quite a few times! I was so flipped around by the end of this book!
If its twists you are looking for then READ THIS BOOK! This is now my new favorite twisty book! I guarantee you that you won't know what hit you!
I give this book 5 stars across the board. Cheers to Ms. Copperthwaite for rockin my world with this book. Well played.
*INSERT STANDING OVATION HERE*
Thank you #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author, Barbara Copperthwaite for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Look for this book on release day July 5, 2018. My review is on goodreads and will be posted on Amazon on release day.
ALL THE STARS!
This book was so amazingly written. Every detail, twist, character, and lie were all woven together so intricately, but with purposefully placed threads that were already unraveling. Turning each page, unraveled these threads one by one.
I'm in awe of how the author put this all together. She combined all the things that make a psychological thriller keep you up all night but she managed to flip everything you think you know...quite a few times! I was so flipped around by the end of this book!
If its twists you are looking for then READ THIS BOOK! This is now my new favorite twisty book! I guarantee you that you won't know what hit you!
I give this book 5 stars across the board. Cheers to Ms. Copperthwaite for rockin my world with this book. Well played.
*INSERT STANDING OVATION HERE*
Thank you #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author, Barbara Copperthwaite for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Look for this book on release day July 5, 2018. My review is on goodreads and will be posted on Amazon on release day.
July 1, 2018
This is a great book.
You really get drawn into the lives of Alex and Carrie and really feel for them both.
Alex is anorexic and attends a support group where she meets Carrie who is coping with cancer.
There’s a twenty year age difference and Alex admits she wants to mother her.
This is a tricky one to review as I don’t want to give anything away as the book is full of twists and turns.
I found the story quite intriguing and it makes you think about people you’ve met in the past and the effect they had on your life.
One thing I can say is that this book will have you hooked from the word go.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
You really get drawn into the lives of Alex and Carrie and really feel for them both.
Alex is anorexic and attends a support group where she meets Carrie who is coping with cancer.
There’s a twenty year age difference and Alex admits she wants to mother her.
This is a tricky one to review as I don’t want to give anything away as the book is full of twists and turns.
I found the story quite intriguing and it makes you think about people you’ve met in the past and the effect they had on your life.
One thing I can say is that this book will have you hooked from the word go.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 15, 2018
I really enjoy this authors books and this is yet another one to add to the list.
Alex has issues, she has an eating disorder which she attends a group which is where she meets Carrie. There is quite an age gap between the two women but I enjoyed the sort of mother/daughter/friend relationship that they have. I did wonder why this lovely woman would be alone and have such an estranged relationship with husband and children. This slowly gets unravelled the further into the story we go.
Carrie comes across as very much a fighter. She isn't in a good place when we get to meet her but she is making the most of her life and I think she welcomes the friendship and attention that she gets from Alex. It goes to show that age is no barrier when it comes to being friends.
As the reader gets further into the story we learn more about both women. It's hard to say too much more about the actual story line itself. To do so would give too much away. It's one of those books though that will have you wishing your friends were reading it at the same time so you can compare your thoughts on the many twists and surprises.
The Perfect Friend is an enthralling read that once grabs you, doesn't let go. It is a dark and tense read that will have you tearing through the pages to unravel more about the characters pasts. With plenty of twists and turns, it certainly keeps the reader on their toes.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Alex has issues, she has an eating disorder which she attends a group which is where she meets Carrie. There is quite an age gap between the two women but I enjoyed the sort of mother/daughter/friend relationship that they have. I did wonder why this lovely woman would be alone and have such an estranged relationship with husband and children. This slowly gets unravelled the further into the story we go.
Carrie comes across as very much a fighter. She isn't in a good place when we get to meet her but she is making the most of her life and I think she welcomes the friendship and attention that she gets from Alex. It goes to show that age is no barrier when it comes to being friends.
As the reader gets further into the story we learn more about both women. It's hard to say too much more about the actual story line itself. To do so would give too much away. It's one of those books though that will have you wishing your friends were reading it at the same time so you can compare your thoughts on the many twists and surprises.
The Perfect Friend is an enthralling read that once grabs you, doesn't let go. It is a dark and tense read that will have you tearing through the pages to unravel more about the characters pasts. With plenty of twists and turns, it certainly keeps the reader on their toes.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 19, 2018
This psychological thriller took me on a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Alex freely admits she is a liar – she lies to everyone about her anorexia, she lies to the reader, and she lies to herself. What is she looking for in her friendship with Carrie, a women dying from cancer who she met in a self-help group? What does Carrie need from Alex? The Perfect Friend explores the dynamic between the two women. I really enjoyed the development of the psychology of each woman and how they affected each other. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Thank you to NetGalley, BookOuture, and author Barbara Copperthwaite for the opportunity to read this fabulous psychological thriller in advance of publication.
Thank you to NetGalley, BookOuture, and author Barbara Copperthwaite for the opportunity to read this fabulous psychological thriller in advance of publication.
July 6, 2018
Oh, Barbara, you wee genius, you! Bloody hell!
In case you didn’t know, I’m a massive fan of Barbara Copperthwaite’s books. As soon as I finish one of her books, I eagerly begin to anticipate the next one. So when the opportunity to read The Perfect Friend early came my way, I threw my schedule right out of the window and quickly lost myself between the pages of this devilish plot.
The story is told through Alex. Her husband left her, her children don’t speak to her and she suffers from anorexia. While attending a support group meeting, Alex meets Carrie. These two women hit it off immediately, despite their age difference. But with secrets galore, will their friendship survive? And that’s all I’m telling you!
Prepare yourself to be entirely led up the garden path. Nothing is what it seems and for the longest time, I wondered whether or not Alex was a reliable narrator which definitely added to the intrigue. I did have some bits figured out but other twists left my head spinning and at some point I just completely gave up trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
True to form, Barbara Copperthwaite once again manages to come up with brilliantly believable and realistic characters. Alex in particular faces an uphill struggle and I pretty quickly found myself completely invested in her, sympathising with her and rooting for her all the way. We also get glimpses into the disturbing and heartbreaking past of one of the characters but it takes a while to discover which one it is.
The Perfect Friend is yet another utterly compelling, gripping and totally addictive psychological thriller by one of my favourite authors. With a multitude of secrets and skeletons in the closets, this will have you glued to the pages. I feel this author’s writing keeps getting better with every book and this twist-y tale is, in my most humble opinion, her best one yet. I don’t know what more I can say? I’m a fan.
So strap yourself in and enjoy the rollercoaster ride!
In case you didn’t know, I’m a massive fan of Barbara Copperthwaite’s books. As soon as I finish one of her books, I eagerly begin to anticipate the next one. So when the opportunity to read The Perfect Friend early came my way, I threw my schedule right out of the window and quickly lost myself between the pages of this devilish plot.
The story is told through Alex. Her husband left her, her children don’t speak to her and she suffers from anorexia. While attending a support group meeting, Alex meets Carrie. These two women hit it off immediately, despite their age difference. But with secrets galore, will their friendship survive? And that’s all I’m telling you!
Prepare yourself to be entirely led up the garden path. Nothing is what it seems and for the longest time, I wondered whether or not Alex was a reliable narrator which definitely added to the intrigue. I did have some bits figured out but other twists left my head spinning and at some point I just completely gave up trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
True to form, Barbara Copperthwaite once again manages to come up with brilliantly believable and realistic characters. Alex in particular faces an uphill struggle and I pretty quickly found myself completely invested in her, sympathising with her and rooting for her all the way. We also get glimpses into the disturbing and heartbreaking past of one of the characters but it takes a while to discover which one it is.
The Perfect Friend is yet another utterly compelling, gripping and totally addictive psychological thriller by one of my favourite authors. With a multitude of secrets and skeletons in the closets, this will have you glued to the pages. I feel this author’s writing keeps getting better with every book and this twist-y tale is, in my most humble opinion, her best one yet. I don’t know what more I can say? I’m a fan.
So strap yourself in and enjoy the rollercoaster ride!
June 19, 2018
Review can be found on my blog here: www.booksonthebookshelf.wordpress.com
The Perfect Friend follows the story of two females, Alex and Carrie. They meet one day in a support group and quickly become friends....best friends.
Alex's husband has left her along with their two children, a boy and girl who are twins, and neither of them will speak to her. Alex is devastated. What happened to her family? What could she have done so terrible that even her own children want nothing to do with her?
Carrie is a single woman. She has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and doesn't have much longer to live. Alex wants to do everything for her, and make her last days memorable. They become good friends.
Carrie is all Alex has. The only friend she has, and since she has no family, Alex confides in Carrie. Carrie would never do anything to hurt her friend, and she can be trusted, can't she?
This was my first book I have read by Copperthwaite and it was very well written. I love how her writing quickly draws you into the storyline and you are hooked from the start. This was a great thriller book, and it keeps you turning the pages. There were shocks and twists right to the end of the book, which I love. There were many shocking reveals throughout, and a few times I couldn't believe the twists and turns that took place. I was definitely shocked a few times, in a good way!
This is a must read for fans of thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Perfect Friend follows the story of two females, Alex and Carrie. They meet one day in a support group and quickly become friends....best friends.
Alex's husband has left her along with their two children, a boy and girl who are twins, and neither of them will speak to her. Alex is devastated. What happened to her family? What could she have done so terrible that even her own children want nothing to do with her?
Carrie is a single woman. She has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and doesn't have much longer to live. Alex wants to do everything for her, and make her last days memorable. They become good friends.
Carrie is all Alex has. The only friend she has, and since she has no family, Alex confides in Carrie. Carrie would never do anything to hurt her friend, and she can be trusted, can't she?
This was my first book I have read by Copperthwaite and it was very well written. I love how her writing quickly draws you into the storyline and you are hooked from the start. This was a great thriller book, and it keeps you turning the pages. There were shocks and twists right to the end of the book, which I love. There were many shocking reveals throughout, and a few times I couldn't believe the twists and turns that took place. I was definitely shocked a few times, in a good way!
This is a must read for fans of thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2018
**4 Goodreads Stars**
From the outside, Carrie and Alex's relationship seems healthy: two survivors who found each other at a support group for people suffering from all kinds of afflictions. Carrie, who is 24 years old, is in remission from a cancer that completely ravaged her body. Alex, who was abandoned by her twins and husband, is recovering from anorexia: a disease that started as a way to cope with the depression and sadness of being neglected by her family.
Both Alex and Carrie have more in common than they realize: they are both liars and are concealing secrets from each other and their support group. The secrets start to unravel as soon as Carrie's cancer comes back, which draws Alex into Carrie's life even further.
Threatening notes are left on Carrie's doorstep, which Alex intercepts thinking they are associated with the lies she has been telling Carrie about her past. Then Carrie's cat disappears and her car windows are smashed, suggesting that whoever is after either Alex or Carrie is intensifying their behavior. Alex begins to fear that whoever is targeting her or Carrie is going to harm them, so she starts digging deeper into Carrie's past. She finds that Carrie may have a darker past than herself, one that is coming back to haunt the both of them.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and how secrets were slowly unraveled chapter by chapter. This helps keep tension throughout the book, which made me want to keep turning the pages. I thought both of the characters were well developed, and, as someone who has struggled with eating issues, I also felt that the representation of anorexia was accurate and absolutely heartbreaking. If you like a simmering, well-written mystery, this book should definitely be on your shelf!
Thank you to the author, Barbara Copperthwaite, the publisher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Perfect Friend.
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram
From the outside, Carrie and Alex's relationship seems healthy: two survivors who found each other at a support group for people suffering from all kinds of afflictions. Carrie, who is 24 years old, is in remission from a cancer that completely ravaged her body. Alex, who was abandoned by her twins and husband, is recovering from anorexia: a disease that started as a way to cope with the depression and sadness of being neglected by her family.
Both Alex and Carrie have more in common than they realize: they are both liars and are concealing secrets from each other and their support group. The secrets start to unravel as soon as Carrie's cancer comes back, which draws Alex into Carrie's life even further.
Threatening notes are left on Carrie's doorstep, which Alex intercepts thinking they are associated with the lies she has been telling Carrie about her past. Then Carrie's cat disappears and her car windows are smashed, suggesting that whoever is after either Alex or Carrie is intensifying their behavior. Alex begins to fear that whoever is targeting her or Carrie is going to harm them, so she starts digging deeper into Carrie's past. She finds that Carrie may have a darker past than herself, one that is coming back to haunt the both of them.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and how secrets were slowly unraveled chapter by chapter. This helps keep tension throughout the book, which made me want to keep turning the pages. I thought both of the characters were well developed, and, as someone who has struggled with eating issues, I also felt that the representation of anorexia was accurate and absolutely heartbreaking. If you like a simmering, well-written mystery, this book should definitely be on your shelf!
Thank you to the author, Barbara Copperthwaite, the publisher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Perfect Friend.
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram
March 20, 2020
I gave this 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 stars. I listened to this one on audiobook and really enjoyed it for the most part, however at times felt a bit lost, trying to keep the two characters straight, which was tricky as the book jumped back and forth perspectives as well as time periods. Other than that struggle, this was a highly amusing, dark and devious little read! I thought I knew what was going on, but was relatively shocked by the way things concluded. This author certainly has my attention now. I'm definitely going to go back and pick up Copperthwaite's other novels now!
September 29, 2023
Woman's Contemporary Fiction
Publication date : July 5, 2018
Alex Appleby (44) is a recovering anorexic who is estranged from her husband and children. She meets Carrie (24) in a local support group. They form some sort of friendship or mother/daughter relationship. Alex openly admits that she is an irreparable liar. Carrie is facing premature death by terminal breast cancer. But why young woman like Carrie is so lonely? Where is her family? Why they are not supporting her when she's so ill? Which snippets of information shared are true? Perhaps both Alex and Carrie have a little problem with telling the truth?
THE PERFECT FRIEND is a story about love, lies, manipulation, friendship. It touches difficult issues like anorexia, cancer, domestic abuse, but also explore how far people will go to believe their own and other people's lies. The main characters are not nice or truthful but there's something interesting and facinating about them despite all their flaws. Its one of those stories that offers many of those moments when I say “What?! No. Wait. What?!” and I have to re-read and come to terms with the surprises and twists.
If you liked this story, I think you will also enjoy The Woman in the Window and also this author's newest The Girl in the Missing Poster.
Publication date : July 5, 2018
Alex Appleby (44) is a recovering anorexic who is estranged from her husband and children. She meets Carrie (24) in a local support group. They form some sort of friendship or mother/daughter relationship. Alex openly admits that she is an irreparable liar. Carrie is facing premature death by terminal breast cancer. But why young woman like Carrie is so lonely? Where is her family? Why they are not supporting her when she's so ill? Which snippets of information shared are true? Perhaps both Alex and Carrie have a little problem with telling the truth?
THE PERFECT FRIEND is a story about love, lies, manipulation, friendship. It touches difficult issues like anorexia, cancer, domestic abuse, but also explore how far people will go to believe their own and other people's lies. The main characters are not nice or truthful but there's something interesting and facinating about them despite all their flaws. Its one of those stories that offers many of those moments when I say “What?! No. Wait. What?!” and I have to re-read and come to terms with the surprises and twists.
“It’s my philosophy for life: be more dog. Right, I don’t worry about the past or the future, just live in the moment, like pooches do. Even if a dog loses its leg, it just runs on three legs rather than crying about what it’s lost. What’s the point of worrying about things you can’t control?”
If you liked this story, I think you will also enjoy The Woman in the Window and also this author's newest The Girl in the Missing Poster.
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