Just wow. Gripping, beautifully written. One of those books where you feel compelled to race to the finish to learn what happens while at the same time not wanting the story to end! Julie Mayhew has an excellent skill in portraying the toxicity that can grow in friendship circles. A wonderful story teller. I would definitely read more by this author.

Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this book which is a real shame as it had such a gripping premise.

The book consists of only six chapters and each chapter was over 20% far too long for me, you couldn't just pick up and chapter here and there so I found myself skim reading.

This was a compelling novel about toxic friendship. I loved the location of the Greek holiday resort and the snake imagery that ran through the story. It’s an atmospheric and pacy book. Liv has struggled with friendships all her life but is very happy, for the first time, with close friends Beth and Binnie. When a fourth member is introduced to their friendship group everything turns upside down. I enjoyed reading about the four families on holiday, all the little tensions building into huge ones by the end. I couldn’t stop turning the pages as we were witness to the friendships turning sour. It certainly held my attention throughout and the ending doesn’t disappoint. If you want a real rollercoaster of a read, this is your book!

Devoured this book in one evening, definitely going to check out the authors earlier books. It’s the sort of book to take with you on a beach holiday, just make sure there are no horned vipers around first!

I agree definitely a great read mainly set in a Greek resort this book is both mysterious and thrilling. The main character living goes about daily life with a close knit of friends, her husband and her daughter but this is far more exciting than any everyday life. I was immediately enthralled and full of anticipation with what would happen next. 5 stars in my eyes if you have at last booked a holiday take this with you you won't be disappointed.

Loved the fact it based on friendships and women. Enjoyed the nature of the story too. Would love to read more from the author.

I really enjoyed this deliciously dark book. I was gripped on the toxic, destructive female relationships in this story.
The writing is fresh, unique and engaging.
My first by this author but it won’t be the last.

Really enjoyed this book. I read it within days which is always a good sign!

The book made me think about my friendships and it makes you think about all the different emotions; jealousy, anxiety, confusion, envy, desire.

It shows you just how toxic some can be and how deadly meeting the wrong person can be.

Great read focussed on the complex nature of female friendships and confidence of being accepted for who you are. Read in a couple of sittings and would be a great option for a Book club read

Sometimes a book comes along that is just what you’re wanting to read at that moment and this was that book for me! Everything clicked in that I finished it over a couple of days and just couldn’t stop reading. I loved the writing style as it was such a well written and engaging read. I felt like I knew the characters so well by the end of the book & it felt like I was in Corfu with them.

Wow - the female of the species really are deadly! A brilliant story of how competitive and toxic most female friendships are. Great pace and engaging throughout.

What a gripping thriller.

This was a very disturbing but good read.

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and could not get enough of.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension - impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

I found this a good read and read it in the one sitting as I found I couldn’t put it down once I had started it, it takes friendships to another level ..

I absolutely was engrossed in this book. The setting and the plot made it memorizing to read. I thought it was a truly one of a kind story that kept me engrossed. Highly recommend!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Wow, this was such a good read. I started it Saturday afternoon and by time I went to bed I’d read over three quarters of the book. I don’t find books like this often, and reading most of it in one sitting is a measure of how much I enjoyed this book. It is about friendships, how toxic they can be without you realising and what you will do to fit in and ‘belong’. I loved the writing style, the story setting and could picture some of the scenes in my mind. Most of the characters were likeable and very believable although there were a few I didn’t really take to. I think this is a very well written, nicely paced and engaging read which had my attention all the way through. I loved how the author built the tension up between certain characters as the book progressed. I’d definitely like to read some of the authors other books and would recommend this if you like psychology thriller reads.

I absolutely loved this twisted tale of female friendship at its worst plus the beautiful backdrop that almost contradicts the toxicity! Highly recommended!

A good thriller. Slow burner, took me a while to get into it. Otherwise fine. Most of the cast were strong, some unlikeable characters, but you need them.

Set in Greece this was a great psychological thriller of a tale, not at all my usual kind of read, but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it

Toxicity Is Everywhere….
A luxury Greek resort, an island paradise in fact, with four families ready to spend a glorious three weeks together enjoying everything that the resort has to offer and ,of course, each other’s…..friendship. What could possibly go wrong. Superbly drawn, character driven suspense with a credible and keenly observed cast and a compulsive narrative building gradually to a tumultuous showdown. Toxicity is everywhere. Top class.

This was an intriguing, sinister and incredibly compelling novel about how the need for friends and friendships and being accepted by people can become an obsession to the point of being toxic and lethal. I wasn’t sure who to trust and where my sympathies lay. Overall this is a solid and fascinating book.