When We Were Young

by Dawn Goodwin

Four best friends. One of them is dead. Are their secrets safe?

Uni friends Stacey, Paula, Bev and Valentina used to be inseparable until one weekend before graduation when nothing was ever the same again.

Thirty years later, reunited at Valentina's funeral, Stacey receives a letter written by her late friend asking for one last wish... that the three friends go back to where things fell apart and finally bury the hatchet.

As they revisit their old haunts of their uni days and follow a series of clues left by Valentina, their friend's death begins to look suspicious and it is up to them to find out what happened – but they all have secrets to hide.

They say good friends are hard to come by, but when there is so much at stake and someone is lurking in the shadows, how do you know who is a friend and who is a foe?

Genres: Thriller, Contemporary, Mystery

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2022

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Old friends reunite after a gap of many years at the funeral of Valentina and to their shock they are the only ones present. Though tinged with sadness, perhaps the reunion reignites the joy of the friendship of 30 years ago at university? Sadly, not so. Following a trail of breadcrumb clues they are forced to confront the time when everything fell apart, to let the buried secrets come to the surface but who will lose the most?

First of all, the positives of the book as I see them! The story is told in dual timelines from 30 years ago and in the present day and the earlier one is really good. Their younger selves are well portrayed, the storytelling is lively and colourful and the scenarios are easy to picture. There is a good mystery at the heart of the events of the past which have some atmospheric settings. There are also some elements that feel a bit creepy and claustrophobic.

However, there are times when it gets long winded, there are some blow by blow accounts or overburdening with unnecessary detail which takes your eye off the “mystery ball“! You go over some similar ground, often literally and there is a lot of hinting at or alluding to and I just want it to speed up!

Although you can definitely put up a very good case for their older selves contrasting really well with their younger ones they all seem a bit dull which I’m sure is entirely the point! Parts of the ending are predictable, there is nothing that especially surprises me and it does require some suspension of disbelief.

Overall, a mixed bag read for me as I thoroughly enjoy some sections but others not so much.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus/Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect sunny-day read – a gripping, entertaining mystery with unexpected heart. Three old friends are reunited at the funeral of a fourth, their former uni flatmate Valentina. Stacey, Bev and Paula are now in their early fifties, and one way or another, nothing seems to have gone right for them: each woman has followed a very different path in life, but each is unhappy in her own way. I came to When We Were Young for the ‘buried secrets from years ago/inextricably bound friendship group’ plot – always a reliably enjoyable formula for me – but I stayed for the camaraderie between the women and the authentic, funny details of their lives, both past and present. I had to suspend my disbelief a little about elements of the plot (especially towards the end), but I didn’t really care; I was having a great time regardless.

I received an advance review copy of When We Were Young from the publisher through NetGalley.

TinyLetter | Linktree

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

University friends Stacey, Paula, Bev and Valentina used to be inseparable, until one weekend before graduation, then nothing was ever the same again.

Thirty years later the friends are reunited for Valentina's funeral. Stacey receives a letter written by her late friend asking that the three friends return to where things fell apart and finally bury the hatchet.

I did find this book intriguing and gripping and the way the story was told from multiple POV's.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐

I really donøt have much to say about this one. I didn't love it. I am not really sure why. The synopsis made it sound like it would be right up my alley. but I just found it boring. They can't all be hit, right? 🤷🏻‍♀️

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @rararesources and @dawngoodwin for letting me part of this tour and reviewing this book. I was really hooked to when we where young and found the storyline really intresting and gripping. This psychological thriller with a twist and i did guess right to the twist.The story is written in the past and present. Stacy , Paula and Bev go to there friends funeral Valentine. 30 years ago they went to uni togther. Stacy receives a letter about valentine death. I had mixed views about the characters there was time i liked them and then i chage my mind again. I really liked Dawn Goidein writing style and i will be teading more of her books in the future. 5 stars a very enjoyable read.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

When We Were Young by Dawn Goodwin.
Uni friends Stacey, Paula, Bev and Valentina used to be inseparable until one weekend before graduation when nothing was ever the same again.
Thirty years later, reunited at Valentina's funeral, Stacey receives a letter written by her late friend asking for one last wish... that the three friends go back to where things fell apart and finally bury the hatchet.
Omg. Brilliant read. Twisty. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 5*.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacey, Paula, Bev and Valentina were at Uni together. When Valentina dies, thirty years later, the other three, now in their fifties go to the funeral but they are the only ones there. They are each sent a request to go back to the place where they spent their uni days and fix their broken friendship...

Told in the past and present format (back to 1992 and now) I found When We Were Young highly engaging. The characterisation of the women's younger selves is very well done and the plot and mystery were intriguing. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Head of Zeus via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[mrsbookburnee Niamh Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, who doesn’t love a dual timeline! I preferred the university storyline, the authors detailed writing enables you to get to know the characters (for some reason I preferred them when they were younger).

This is a slow burner, leading up to the truth of what happened, at times I would have liked a faster pace.

I look forward to reading more by the author.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure about this one. I've only read one other book by this author and I think I found that to be mediocre at best too. For me, the whole drawn out tale doesn't really scream thriller. It barely screams anything...except the characters' constant need to drink, get drunk, throw up and keep going...then keep the sad reality of their respective personal lives secret.

Stacey, Bev and Paula knew each other growing up and bonded even further at university where they then met Italian/Scottish Valentina Mackenzie when she answered the ad for a room to rent at their flat. They spent more time drinking at various student bars and clubs than studying, I'm not surprised Stacey never became the architect she'd always dreamed to be. Or that Bev ended up a stay at home mum in a fairly loveless marriage with two ungrateful teenagers. Or that Paula's own marriage was fraught with angst, jealousy and violence. None of them appeared to be happy at all.

Thirty years after they last swore they would never speak again they are together again. Valentina is dead and the estranged friends have reunited for her funeral. Oddly enough, at Valentina's own request. She had sent a letter asking them to come together one final time and get past the buried secret that drove them apart thirty years before.

When a second letter arrives insinuating that the fact she is now dead is not a coincidence. It was not an accident. She urges the friends to keep pushing for answers...and to uncover the truth of what happened to her.

So what happened thirty years ago that was so life changing that they parted ways, promising never to speak of it again...or to each other? And was Valentina murdered for it? And if so, does that then put the rest of them in danger?

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG is not really a thrilling sort of thriller. The pace is steady but the characters are fairly unlikeable with seemingly nothing going for them. Valentina is quite obviously a girl with secrets but why was she lying to her friends? Was it only so she would be accepted? Or was it something more sinister?

The narrative is predominantly in the third person from each of the three remaining friends' perspective in the present day and mostly Valentina's in the past. There is also the anonymous voice of a mystery person watching their every move. What is their involvement?

I really struggled with this one. I'm not sure if it is the timing (what with the Queen's death last week and the mourning over the continuing days), if it is my mood in general or this is simply one of those books that sound intriguing enough by the premise but is lacking in the execution. I couldn't really connect with the characters, I didn't really like them and the story was fairly uneventful and dry. I didn't really care about Stacey's dull and monotonous work or her colleague's fascination with his crotch. Both were as dull and monotonous as the story. I wanted to like it and I wanted to know what happened - what big secret they are all hiding that happened three decades ago and why Valentina was killed (if in fact she was) - but not enough to finish it.

I found it dragged on and I became impatient for something to happen but all that seemed to happen was endless amounts of drinking and puking and not much else.

Overall, a mixed bag really. The premise was intriguing but again, it was lacking in execution. Something of a disappointment sadly as I needed something to pick me up. This was not it.

I would like to thank #DawnGoodwin, #Netgalley and #RachelsRandomResources#WhenWeWereYoung in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m quite disappointed, the premise was good but in the end it just didn’t deliver. A very flat story, going round and round without any highs or lows and the reason for Valentina to do what she did was mediocre. It’s easy to guess from the beginning who’s pulling the strings. Also all of the characters are unlikeable.

This type of storyline seems to be a preference for quite a number of writers as in the last few months I’ve seen or read a few stories that follow this pattern: friends who did something they shouldn’t have in the past and now a sibling, friend or colleague is looking for revenge and we jump between present and past to understand what’s going on. I just need to stop reading these thinking they will be a must.

[Kaytee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the start but by the half way mark the story has ground to a halt and I ditched it.
Nothing happens except endless student nights out and hangovers.
I got lost with the characters all blending into one voice, and someone anonymous was watching them, obviously this will be Valentina who isn’t dead after all, but I didn’t care enough to listen to the end to find out for sure.
Shame really, premise is good, just poor characterisation and not enough plot to carry it.

[Yvonne G · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Four best friends. One of them is dead. Are their secrets safe?”

..

This is one of those books, which definitely underpins my assertion that rating, and reviewing books are really very subjective processes, as storylines mean different things to different people and evoke similarly diverse emotions and reactions. I was so undecided about just where on the spectrum my true feelings lay, but all things considered 4 stars seemed a fair and true reflection of my thoughts.

So, first of all, let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of the storyline…

..

Which opens in present day Northumberland, with three middle-aged women preparing to attend the funeral of a fourth, who they knew back in their university days. In fact they are the only attendees at a very orchestrated event, which appears to have been organised and specified in great detail, by the deceased person herself. Paula, Bev and Stacey were childhood friends and still only a very short distance separates them physically, although that might as well be a million miles, as they have neither met up, nor spoken to one another, in the last thirty years.

Valentina, the deceased, had shared a student let with the others for their final and what turned out to be, very tumultuous university year. It was Bev who had interviewed Valentina and agreed that she could take the empty room, however when they were together, it had always been Stacey who was the strongest and most forthright of the three childhood friends, so it was towards her that a seemingly very vulnerable Valentina had gravitated when she moved in. It is therefore no surprise that after all this time, it is now a very spooked Stacey who begins to receive messages and packages from Valentina, in which she indicates that Paula, Bev and Stacey, should investigate the circumstances of her death, although none of them had parted on the best of terms with her, leaving Stacey to wonder what is behind the sudden plea for help and hand of reconciliation, being offered from beyond the grave.

How simple life must have seemed for Bev, Stacey and Paula back in 1992, their pick of the boys, partying the night away, drinking in seedy pubs and clubs, and maybe the odd spot of course work and exam revision when it was pressed upon them. In fact, their extreme and maybe rather naive lifestyle, may have been the catalyst and trigger for everything that happened in that fateful graduation year, particularly the behaviour of a rather promiscuous Stacey. Into their lives bursts Valentina, needy, demanding, pushy and desperately wanting to be accepted as one of the group. The terrible threesome soon works out that much of Valentina’s childhood as she describes it, is fabricated, embellished and often downright lies. Yes, there is no doubt that her father is very wealthy and throws money at his daughter for a quiet, easy life, but the adoration he so-say has for her, is all in her troubled mind and vivid imagination. In trying too hard to fit in, Valentina only succeeds in making the others close ranks against her, tipping her unbearable sadness into an uncontrollable rage and anger, which can only be satisfied by payback and revenge.

As time moved on towards their final exams, events which had spiralled further and further out of control, were only ever going to end one way, although not one of them could have guessed the scale of the impending disaster and the life-changing consequences of what its implications might be. Valentina had made a discovery about a couple of the boys who shared a neighbouring apartment, which in a moment of genuine friendship, worried her enough to want to warn her flatmates and seek their help in outing these sexual predators. However, given her past record for being less than truthful and well-meaning, and as she and Stacey have become embroiled in a very vitriolic and jealous game involving one of the men, she might have cried ‘wolf’ just once too often, as her accusations were treated with disdain. The red mist descended for Valentina, and she vowed to expose the men for what they were, very publicly and in full view of a stunned Stacey. However, Valentina hadn’t quite got the details of her plan right and it spectacularly backfired on her, placing all four women in danger when they were chased into a wooded area. Now they were prepared to hear Valentina out and they quickly realised the truth of her accusations – but what to do about it, especially as their hunter was closing in on them…

When the academic year mercifully ended and the four girls were free to go their separate ways, they vowed never to contact one another again, in a bid to both maintain their individual sanity and protect their perceived innocence of any wrongdoing, should events from that fateful evening resurface and be investigated.

Those dark and long-ago events have definitely shaped the path of happiness and re-defined the dreams of the three estranged ‘besties’, although it hasn’t been for the better! Having been rebuffed by her choice of partner, Paula had gone on to marry Sue, a romance seemingly made in heaven but more like a living hell for Paula, who was hiding her mental and physical abuse behind Sue’s cleverly positioned shield of gaslighting and coercive control. Bev it would appear, has the perfect domestic idyll, homemaker to a devoted husband and two adoring children, however the cracks in her life are spreading and beginning to show, so badly that at any moment her world might implode and shatter into a million pieces. Stacey, always the strongest, most ebullient and determined to get things done her way, has gone literally to pieces, overweight, verging on alcoholism, her short marriage in tatters, living and working on the edge of existence, with only her cat and the bottom of a bottle for company. Guilt, fear, and shame, still dominate and control the nightmares which the three girls have never been able to shake off and which now still dominate their adult lives, meaning that none of them has ever reached their full potential, leaving them to tread water without a lifejacket.

Now Valentina has forced their hand, sending them in a direction and on a journey which none of them want to make and which it seems certain will probably not end well, just as it hadn’t all those years ago. Just how badly wrong things are going to go, they have no way of knowing and what will ultimately be asked of them before closure can even begin, may break them rather than heal.

..

Author Dawn Goodwin certainly has a penchant for these strong and fluent, easy to navigate, dual timeline stories, often with the additional voice of a watchful, yet unseen, third party. Her plots are never fast-paced, action packed, pot-boiling thrillers. She would appear to luxuriate in the rather more lugubrious, slow-burning and tantalisingly evolving storyline. On its own, this wasn’t a particularly complex plot, however the many added layers, which were peeled back intermittently, really ramped up the suspense level giving it great depth and staying power. I had worked out the identity of the stalking interloper within the space of a couple of chapters (or at least I hoped I had!), however those last couple of twists right towards the end, definitely caught me unawares and left me with my mouth hanging open.

Dawn has created a wonderful cast of complex, emotionally starved, wickedly clever and genuinely twisted characters, who although well developed and fleshed out, are not authentic or reliable. They are manipulative and duplicitous in the extreme, which gave me no compelling reason to relate to, invest in, or engage with them. The only certainty in this complex jigsaw of human emotions, was that their own volatility and unreliability, would be their eventual downfall, however it still almost made me feel sad to witness the struggles they all went through in their later lives, which were so entwined with that single life-changing event they had experienced as teenagers, especially Valentina who never really understood or could cope with the realisation that even the privileges of money alone couldn’t make her happy, coming as they did with the ultimate price-tag of being instead of, rather than as well as, the love and comfort of genuinely meant support from friends and family, especially in her real hour of need.

There are glimmers of some happy endings to be found, although they may still be fragile and a little raw, but time is a great healer, or so they say. However, for some, there is no time for new beginnings. Theirs will forever be the silent voices.

This home-grown suspense story, whilst having a small physical footprint in the Northumberland area, is very textured and atmospheric, wonderfully described and full of detail, so I would in no way call this a wasted journey for any confirmed ‘armchair travellers’ who would like to come along for the ride.

What always makes reading such a wonderful experience for me, is that with each and every new book, I am taken on a unique and individual journey, by authors who fire my imagination, stir my emotions and stimulate my senses, so I recommend that you read When We Were Young for yourself and see where your journey leads you!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed reading several of Dawn's books to date. I read the synopsis for 'When We Were Young' and it certainly sounded like the kind of book that I have come to expect from Dawn - a fast paced psychological thriller with several twists and turns along the way. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I really enjoyed reading 'When We Were Young' but more about that in a bit.

I have to be honest and say that I found it nigh on impossible to warm to any of the main characters. I just got the distinct impression that each one of them were not the person that they were pretending to be and that they were each desperate to keep something hidden. Not taking to the characters didn't really bother me as it meant that I kept more of an open mind and I remained impartial.

I initially picked the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading over an hour and several chapters later. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen so I had to keep reading to see if I was anywhere near the truth or if I had the wrong end of the stick. At times I found it rather difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. This wasn't a book that I could binge read over the course of a day but I did read it over three days. I found 'When We Were Young' to be a tense, dramatic and gripping read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

'When We Were Young' is extremely well written and then some. Dawn Goodwin has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Dawn certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story. The story is divided up into chapters and using two different timelines. One timeline describes things as they happened in the past to show how the past influences the present and the other timeline describes things as they are in the present. The chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. I found this to be more of a slow burn type of story and as the story progresses, the pace gathers momentum and leads to a tense and dramatic conclusion. I love the way in which Dawn makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.

In short, I really enjoyed reading 'When We Were Young' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Dawn's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I was not sure if this would be a good read for me, as young characters can be a little hit or miss, but I decided to read it regardless.

I am pleased to say I enjoyed this fast-paced coming-of-age thriller about friendships, fitting in and revenge much more than I expected. With a suspenseful atmosphere and an intense and intriguing storyline, I don’t have any regrets about picking this up!

The characters are well created, with all four girls taking on their unique roles within the friendship group. My feelings towards each of them changed as the plot developed and their flaws and insecurities became apparent. Admittedly, some behaviours were questionable, but readers will relate to a great set of characters.

The author’s writing style is easy to follow, and I enjoyed the duel timeline of the then and now. The history between these girls was told well without spoiling any concluding details. Some very sensitive issues are discussed throughout this storyline, but the author successfully prevents them from becoming too heavy.

Although the ending felt a little underwhelming and was not the greatest I’ve read, I am sure many readers will enjoy this character-driven story. This is based on my personal opinion, and it has not put me off reading future releases by this author.

“When We Were Young” is out now and recommended to all fans of this genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for a gifted copy of this book.

[Joy Corkery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2022/09/1...

When We Were Young was told on dual timelines and I really enjoyed that. I guess what I actually enjoyed was that one timeline was as interesting as the other. That can sometimes be unusual in this kind of book. The timelines also gave a strong sense of the characters and who they were. The story was mostly focused on Stacey and Valentina. Valentina had to be one of the main characters but I found that Paula and Bev were as interesting as Stacey and could have gotten some more air time.

The mystery within When We Were Young is a good one. It certainly kept me intrigued and I finished the book pretty quickly as a result. However, I don’t think the book is so much of a “psychological thriller with a shocking twist” that the blurb advertises. I feel this was at least equal parts a thriller and a drama about old friends. Also, the twist was good but I certainly had my suspicions, which made it less shocking when it was revealed.

Overall, I did find this a very good book. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the friends. It seemed strong and genuine and I could truly believe them being friends if this were a real-life situation.

[julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uni friends Stacey, Paula, Bev and Valentina used to be inseparable until one weekend before graduation when nothing was ever the same again.
Thirty years later, reunited at Valentina's funeral, Stacey receives a letter written by her late friend asking for one last wish that the three friends go back to where things fell apart and finally bury the hatchet.
As they revisit their old haunts of their uni days and follow a series of clues left by Valentina, their friend's death begins to look suspicious and it is up to them to find out what happened but they all have secrets to hide.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Head Of Zeus

I just reviewed When We Were Young by Dawn Goodwin. #WhenWeWereYoung #NetGalley

[MargaretDH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun! In a dual timeline story, we open in the present day at a funeral with only three attendees: estranged university friends paying their respects to their university roommate. These women were the closest of friends but then something happened that drove them apart, something we don't know about. The story unfolds in the present and the past, as the three women hurtle towards a reconciliation and confrontation.

This was a well written thriller that was a lot of fun with more well-rounded and well-developed characters than you usually find in books like this. If you like that sort of thing, and you like books that centre female friendships, definitely pick this up.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally just finished this and loved it! Following three best friends who haven't seen each other for 30 years, we are given snippets of their time at uni - fun filled boozey times - but all through the book were hints at more that happened.
I think this would make an excellent book club read, lots to discuss especially around the friendships - I think we all knew people like the characters and I would love to hear what others would do in their situation.
I really liked the dual timeline and the added mystery. This really added to the whole read and brought it all together.

[Debra Gape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge praise for Dawn Goodwin she just knows how to write about real people.
I love how she spends time on each character the reader can form an opinion on them.
The story goes between the now and then and gradually we find out what happened to this group and how there lives have formed.
A fabulous read bit sad when i had finished it.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher.
A very large 5 stars.

[Evelyn Jane Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When We Were Young was a very intriguing book that had me hooked from the very beginning

My favourite part of When We Were Young is the dual timeline which follows the present and the past.

I really liked the past timeline because the characters were more interesting.

I didn’t find myself liking any of the characters but I was intrigued by Valentina.

I really enjoyed the ending even though I guessed how it would end.

I can’t wait to find out what this author does next.

[Sylv Kerslake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the synopsis for this book and thought that it would be right up my street, as I am a big psychological thriller fan so I signed up to review.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, I found this to be a well-written and suspenseful story with plenty to keep you reading.

This is the first book by Dawn that I have read, but I am looking forward to reading more.

[Carol Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this and watching it all unfold. It had some interesting characters, although not sure any of them were likeable. It highlights the lengths people will go to to try and fit in (albeit a little too far sometimes) and that we all have insecurities. I can't wait for the next book from Dawn Goodwin

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audio dnf

[Lopsided · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 20%. Uses F word. Minor LGBT. I’m really struggling with the up and down (like it’s rolling) of the narrator.

[Covie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 2.5 *.

[Lisa]

DNF at 3 hours

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this unfortunately it didn’t grip me as much as I thought and hoped it would. The story follows Stacey, Bev and Paula who reunite 30 years after leaving university at the funeral of university flat mate Valentina. They haven’t seen each other since a fateful night after their last exams when they were involved in an ‘incident’ that resulted in them vowing to never have contact with each other again. Each character was described well and all had issues that had arisen from that time that made them doubt themselves and how they have changed from how they used to be. I would mention that topics covered include those of date rape, bulimia and domestic violence but were in my opinion covered realistically.. The book moved between 1992/3 and the present day but was easy to follow and flowed with a definite ending that tied up any loose ends which I did like. Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[AM SMOLANDER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, is my spot on Rachel’s Random Resources blog tour for When We Were Young by Dawn Goodwin. I read this thriller as an ebook for this blog tour and I’m so happy that I took part on this tour as I loved this novel. This thriller was exciting, thrilling and unexpected. This novel tells a story of four friends who meet up at university but all is not what it seems. 30 years later, secrets, lies, guilt and grief remain.
I didn’t want to put this novel down once I started it, and it held my interest and attention better than most novels. When I picked up this thriller I did not expect it to be the way it was, and I was pleasantly surprised by its suspenseful and thrilling nature. It was twisted and wicked in places and overall a fantastic read. I loved discovering an author whose writing style I like. I’m hoping to read more by the author in the future. I also liked the character development in this novel, and discovering what the main characters were really like as the story unfolded.
I loved read this suspenseful thriller and if I could I would given this novel 6 stars. I’m giving this novel 5 stars because I think other readers will love this novel as well, especially if they are fans of thrillers or psychological thrillers.

[Iphigenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel hit my sweet spot. Valentina, Bev, Stacey and Paula were fast friends at university until the events of one fateful weekend. Thirty years later they reunite at Valentina’s funeral where Stacey receives a letter from Valentina asking the women to retrace their university haunts and mend their friendship. The story alternates between the past and the present and both timelines held a mystery that kept me interested. In the past, I wanted to find out what had driven these women apart. In the present, we start to wonder if Valentine was killed and if any of her friends are also in danger. I would categorize this as a combination of contemporary women’s fiction and suspense.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing and gripping. I liked the multiple POVS, the twists and the solution that surprised me.
The plot and the storytelling are quite good and the characters fleshed out.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine