I was a bit conflicted with this one - a bit like the characters in the novel funnily enough as I couldn’t make up my mind whether I disliked the mother or Cherry more. The premise about a mother in law figure in conflict with her boyfriend’s girlfriend was nicely crafted and there were some dark, twisty moments indeed. I just had to know what was going on and who was going to come out on top. There were some dark character dynamics and there was more than one moment when I gasped - oh how on earth is this going to pan out? shall I warn her?

That’s the mark of a good book that is right there. It was just the way the whole scenario was set up that rankled a bit. I imagined Cherry as straight off a Jeremy Kyle programme - a classic sign of someone from the ‘wrong end’ of town whilst Daniel and his family probably had some posh interior designer just off the page plumping up the cushions. Cherry was painted as the bad one from the word go because of her background and I did wish there had been more shades of grey in the black and while world - Not fifty though thank god

So, a mixed bag from me. It’s very twisty turny though and I did enjoy the little jaunt to France.

It is very difficult to believe that this is Michelle Frances' first book. It is highly accomplished, has a healthy "can you guess the next bit" suspense spread liberally through the pages and joins the list of "must be read in one or two sittings" books.

One's support chops and changes between the two main characters and Ms Frances works the tension well.

She is definitely an author to watch and read.

Guaranteed to make you question how well you know your loved ones. This was a chilling read, with great plotting and twisted characters - my only problem was the sense of disconnection from the lack of first person narrative.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading and would recommend.

The Girlfriend started well enough for me. I found all characters very interesting and believable. The author did a good job of creating an extremely privileged family that is still relateable.

There were a couple of things here and there that I felt were plot devices, like (view spoiler)

I wasn't as happy with Daniel's character as with the others because he had to behave a certain way for things to advance the way they did. (view spoiler)

However, other characters were a pleasure to read about and they were so varied in their backgrounds that they brought a live dynamic to the story. I especially liked Cherry's mother and Howard. They felt the most real to me.

I was mesmerised at the dynamic between Laura and Cherry and at their inner thoughts, justifying their actions to themselves. I could see why each had their prickle of annoyance towards the other and, as things escalated, I could totally see why it happened, despite the few plot devices mentioned above.

The Girlfriend can be quite dark and heavy at times and you can't help but wonder how much further any of that will go. I did find it engrossing. The character building is the best I have read in a while. You actually get these people, where they come from, why they do what they do and why they find it justifiable.
The book is quite well-written and I think it has good chances of becoming one of the best psychological thrillers of the year.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I found The Girlfriend to be a bit of a slow burner at first but it soon picks up pace and you're drawn into the story.

The story is based on the back of an unforgivable lie and follows the story of a mother, her son and his new girlfriend and the ensuing relationships. Cherry is young, beautiful and smart and although she loves Daniel, she's jealous of the life and upbringing he's had. His mother Laura had it all and that's the life Cherry wants. Laura is very wary of Cherry, she's not sure that everything is as it seems with her.

This book is really well written and you definitely start to feel uneasy with regards to Cherry as the story unfolds.

Thank you to NetGalley, Pan MacMillan and Michelle Frances for the chance to review.

I'm astonished that any debut novel can be THIS good! What a dazzling, breath-taking read!

I was perfectly content reading a lovely little romance when suddenly WHAM! - and this book turned into something darker and infinitely more disturbing. Michelle Frances has a really good grip on the personalities of her characters, changing perspective without you, as a reader, twigging it; and the confusion of where black and white mix into grey continues until the final pages.

This is certainly in my top ten of psychological thrillers which MUST be read. Don't miss out .. and please, Ms Frances ... get the next one out there. I can't wait!!

I received an arc via Net Galley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This is a good solid thriller and the story gradually builds and holds your attention. There are three main characters, mum Laura, son Daniel and girlfriend Cherry. Daniel is an only child and his mother is very obsessed with wanting to be the major part of his life. Laura has a bad marriage and is lonely. Cherry is the new girlfriend, she doesn't love Daniel and wants his grand lifestyle. Laura suspects Cherry is just after Daniel's money and so begins the game of who will Daniel choose. Read on for a brilliant ending.

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances is a gripping and chilling debut psychological thriller, based on the fall-out following an unforgiveable lie. It looks at the potentially charged relationship between girlfriend, boyfriend and his mother, which most women can identify with, and locates it in an extreme but believable setting. A girl. A boy. His mother. And the lie she'll wish she'd never told. Laura has it all. A successful career, a long marriage to a rich husband, and a twenty-three year-old son, Daniel, who is kind, handsome, and talented. Then Daniel meets Cherry. Cherry is young, beautiful and smart but she hasn't had the same opportunities as Daniel. And she wants Laura's life. Cherry comes to the family wide-eyed and wants to be welcomed with open arms, but Laura suspects she's not all that she seems. When tragedy strikes, an unforgiveable lie is told. It is an act of desperation, but the fall-out will change their lives forever.

The sociopath girlfriend. The unlucky boyfriend. The sad and unlucky mother – who isn’t as innocent as she appears to be.

I found this book shocking in places but I couldn’t put it down. No spoilers, but to say I really enjoyed this book is an understatement. Would I recommend this book? Yes most definitely. 5*

The girlfriend was a great book I was hooked from the first few pages. An excellent thriller that focuses on a mother/son relationship and a girlfriend who threatens to get in the way of this but all is not what it seems. Great twists along the way that kept me interested.

An excellent psychological thriller. Two women in turmoil baiting each other and neither willing or able to back down. A go-getting ruthless young woman, Cherry homes in on the Daniel, the son of the wealthy other protaganist Laura. Each tell lies to get what they want and neither can then back down or retract. These set in motion a catalogue of events that descend into a maelstrom. This started at a simmer for me but certainly built up to boiling point as the story progressed. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wanted to keep reading it. An excellent first novel and I hope to hear more of this author.

This was so action-packed throughout. There was a new plot twist or shocking event in almost every chapter! This managed to be one of those books that you still think about even when you've put it down. It was brilliant. Frances' writing style is phenomenal. She writes incredibly beautiful and has a really great knack for setting the scene and making you feel like you're a part of the story. I feel like the ending was a slight let down but still a good conclusion to the story. All in all, a fantastic story about what we all dread, getting on with the in-laws.

Easy to read and hard to put down . The love between a mother and her son is hard to break .. in walks ... the girlfriend ., instant dislike on my part .But a mother who can't let her son go . Who wins . You'll need to read and see . My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy

This was a superbly written debut about lies and their consequences. I urge everyone to read it. It's chilling and gripping with a superb ending. The characters are strongly created and unforgettable.. Laura is the girl with everything but there's hostility between her son's girlfriend Cherry who has her own agenda. As the plot peels back more and more complications arise until an accident changes the dynamics. and good luck to the author. I hope she will write more. Now I have found her I shall keep an eye open. I shall spread the word on Amazon and my blog

A very clever story with not particularly likeable characters in it. It was a bit slow to begin with but as I kept reading it got more twisted. My loyalties kept changing between the main characters, one minute I felt sorry for them and the next I despised them. I could image this working well as TV series or a film. I definitely recommend this if you enjoy psychological thrillers. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for my digital copy.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review a free copy of this book. This is an excellent novel which I thoroughly enjoyed and although it is quite a slow burner you do pick up on the menacing undercurrent from the very beginning. The Girlfriend is the story of a loving son and his mother whose relationship is put to the ultimate test by the arrival of girlfriend,Cherry.
This is a very "edge of the seat" book and I genuinely did not know where the storyline was heading. I read the full book in two days and I cannot wait to read the next title from this author

Cherry is a girl who knows what she wants. And she wants it all. So when she meets Daniel who is not only a trained doctor but also the receipent of a hefty trust fund with extravagantly generous parents she's sees her chance. There's only one barrier to her plan, Daniels mother Laura. Because Laura sees through her. Thus begins a battle to be the last one standing in the war for Daniels affections.....and these women fight dirty.

Reading this book is a strange experience. In the two main protagonists you have two women who are thoroughly unlikeable and yet sometimes you can sympathise with them. Cherry is a bit of a Croydon Scarlett O'Hara.....if Scarlett O'Hara had been a sociopath.....and she's not worrying so much about been hungry again as not been able to shop. But really what she wants is exceptance from the trust fund kids she's mixing with and aspires to be like. And Laura is far too cloying over her son but when you realise what she's been through you really get why she's that way. And despite this what's strange is how just excellent and enjoyable this book is. Generally I really dislike books where everyone needs a good slap. I finished this in a few hours (and would have been quicker without pesky things like work!). I just didn't want to put it down.

I'd recommend this book for anyone that loves a good thriller.....and for anyone with a mother in law problem.....after she's read this she'll think you're perfect!

Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author for this digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Terrifyingly twisty.

I loved this book, Frances sets the scene perfectly, breathing life into the characters so they leap off the page. The dual narrative works well at confusing the reader, which character can be believed? Who can we trust? I devoured it within two days and found myself itching to get back to it during the hours I was away from it. This is my favourite kind of debut psychological thriller and I'm already awaiting the next offering with anticipation.

Thank you to the Publisher and to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended.

5☆+  Review

I absolutely loved the girlfriend. It was fast paced, exciting, very clever, and a chilling in places.

Daniel is from a very wealthy family. He meets the charming Cherry in an Estate Agents whilst looking for a place to buy.

Cherry is from a poorer family in Croydon. She dreams of living the wealthy lifestyle and strives to achieve bigger things

Then along comes wealthy Daniel. They have instant chemistry and things between them move very quickly.

Laura is Daniels Mother. She is in a loveless marriage, she is very unhappy as her husband is having a long term affair with he's work, the golf course & he's mistress!

Laura lost a little girl. She then fell pregnant with Daniel and vowed she would protect him and never let him out of her sight. But in doing so she appears to smother Daniel and in turn pushes her husband away due to their unbreakable bond.

When Laura finds out about Cherry she is hurt at first but then seems excited as she could be like the daughter she lost.
Laura doesn't even entertain that they are from different walks of lives.

Cherry quickly makes it obvious to the reader she has a problem with it. She has taken a disliking to their strong bond and asserts her place by simple actions. As we all know actions can speak louder than words!

Laura decides to throw Cherry an olive branch and invites her to their home in South of France. Cherry has no chance in going so she lies to her boss saying her grandmother is sick.

As the days goes on you see Cherry more determined to spend as little time with Laura as possible. Putting Daniel in awkward positions. He clearly adores he's mother but he has a new women in he's life and Cherry is about to spray her mark.

The day comes for Cherry to leave... But she spins off another lie saying her boss has told her to use all her holidays.
 Laura is increasingly suspisuspicious and decides to do some snooping. It's here she discovers an open return ticket.
Cherry had no intentions of returning.

Cherry comes home and realises her things have been touched, and so the sinister and clever mind games start to unfold.... All at Lauras expense.

Cherry is very clever, she's so determined to have the richer lifestyle she will stop at nothing.
She gleefully admits to the reader getting into debt to purchase a painting for Daniel, Only for her to destroy it and pin the blame on Laura.
She's calculating and extremely clever.

I felt sorry for Laura in the beginning as she was really trying with Cherry. She never seemed to let her background interfere with getting to know her.
Cherry on the other hand, scared me... She was manipulative, calculating, cold and had me scared!!

Daniel was the victim as all he did was fall in love. At times I wanted to shake him, tell him to open he's eyes and see what was happening. He was so blinded by lust and love.

I don't want to give anymore away as I feel I've set the scene fairly well.
I urge you to read The Girlfriend to see what happens next. This is just the start and things get more chilling as the story develops.

I loved every minute of this book. I was reading till the early hours. It kept me on tender hooks and was 100% believable.
Women can and will go to extreme lengths to protect what's theirs especially when it comes to their children.
Which is what makes this book so great and very scary.

 Great character development, very real characters and situations.
 Loved the sinister twists and clever plotting from both women.

I highly recommend this book, it's a different take on a thriller. In some ways I feel this makes it even more chilling as it's more likely to happen.

Laura has a seemingly perfect life. Running a successful television production company she has a wonderful house in Kensington, a long marriage to Howard and a gorgeous twenty three year old son. Daniel is just about to embark on his junior doctor training at a large London hospital so after years away at Cambridge he is now back in the family home. Things couldn’t get much better.
When Daniel starts house hunting for his own flat he meets Cherry at the local estate agents. Sophisticated and beautiful she has a sense of humour and they get on really well straight away. After a couple of weeks they are inseparable and Laura starts to get a few flickers of intuition that all is not as it is supposed to be.
As Laura and Daniel prepare for a short break at the family’s villa in the south of France Cherry manages to wrangle an invitation for a long weekend. The cracks start to appear when Laura and Cherry are under the same roof and they find themselves competing for his time and affections.
This book is the perfect summer read and would make a really good choice for a book club because there are so many talking points. Laura’s method for getting rid of Cherry doesn’t see her bathed in glory but equally no-one is prepared for just how far Cherry will go to claim her prize.
Supplied by Net Galley and Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication Date: Apr 6 2017. 339 pages.