I loved how short and fast-paced this was, so it's one of those thrillers that you can easily binge. Most of it was pretty predictable and I was settling around the 3-star mark for this, but then there were a couple of more twists at the very end that definitely got me, so yeah, 4 stars it is.

The writing here was engaging and it was easy to put yourself in Mia's shoes and everything she was experiencing. She was a little annoying at times though and not the most likeable character, but I read thrillers for the plot, not the characters, so it wasn't a huge issue.

Overall, a fast-paced and twisty thriller that I would recommend, especially if you're looking for something quick and fairly short.

This was an awesome book that I thoroughly enjoyed! Mia has just killed her often-abusive boyfriend, Marco and her roommate (and best friend) Carrie helped her by disposing of the body. But Mia still struggles with guilt as they are the only two who know and although she is being wooed by Sebastian, the director of the art gallery where she works, she often has "visions" and begins to think she's somehow being drugged. There are several suspects but Mia just isn't sure who she can trust as she is wealthy and of course, who doesn't love money? Kept me gasping on the edge of my seat!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

An average book, would read this author again but not sure if I would recommend this book.

The Plot-Mia killed her abusive boyfriend, Marco, in self-defense. Her best friend, Carrie, helped her cover it up. Why then, is Mia seeing Marco everywhere?

The Characters-Mia is extremely entitled, and I found Carrie cold and unfeeling. They were both insufferable at times.

The writing and pace- The writing was decent. I found it to be dry and repetitive at times.

My Thoughts- The description of this book was intriguing and I was so excited to read it. For some reason, the writing did not connect with me. There was so much internal dialogue that was insignificant it was exhausting. I wish this book had each character’s POVS. Maybe that would of made the book more enjoyable

Songs-
Mad Women- Taylor Swift
Coffin- Jessie Reyes

Mia killed her boyfriend. Her best friend Carrie got rid of the body, and it is a secret that has tied them together for years.

And then Mia sees Marco. She is having nightmares that he is after her. She is having episodes of terror. Either she is losing her mind, or Marco is actually back.

But he is dead.


This is definitely a very slow burn. Extremely slow, but I knew something good was coming.

Mia is extremely entitled, and I found Carrie cold and unfeeling. And extremely ungrateful for what Mia was doing for her.
And then you find out why!
I was totally absorbed from the 70% mark of the book. I stayed up late to finish it, and then couldn't sleep thinking of that absolutely shock ending!!
Wow!
Who needs friends like this?

I recommend this book. Please don't put it down thinking that it is repetitive. It is a stunner!

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Many thanks to @NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC to read and review.

This one really missed the mark for me…the premise was good, but it was rather predictable, repetitive, and often dialogue-heavy. I loved the prologue and opening chapter, and Mia—as eye-roll inducing as she was—had a witty sarcasm to her that should have made for an interesting narrative. Her immaturity and privilege were such a turn off though and I found myself skimming about 20% into the book, never to really get back into it.

This is my first book read in 2024, and it ended up being a page-turner that I finished in one sitting. The publisher reached out and said that I’d like this one, and boy, do they know me! The synopsis drew me in, as did the book itself.

The characters in this are great, as is the creepy premise. Mia killed her abusive boyfriend, Marco, in self-defense. Her best friend, Carrie, helped her cover it up. Why then, is Mia seeing Marco everywhere? She must be losing her mind…

Mia is a well-off trust fund baby who works at an art gallery, and Carrie is a frugal bookkeeper who grew up with little money. Despite their opposite backgrounds, they became best friends as pre-teens, and now live together in Mia’s apartment. Their bond over Marco only cemented their friendship, but Carrie is concerned. Mia is not in an emotionally healthy place, and this idea of her seeing the man she killed is worrisome.

This rollercoaster of a story does a fantastic job of making you think you know what’s happening, all while you’re constantly second-guessing yourself. I considered part of the ending, but I was clueless about The Big Twist, and I appreciate that! THEN, there was a second huge twist that I was not ready for, AND THEN, there was a third surprise that I never would have seen coming. AANNDD THEEEN the last few pages had me reeling and laughing at the same time. This whole book was a fun and engaging read, but the ending has me taking this from 4.5 stars, rounded down, to 4.5 stars, rounded up. Happy New Year!

(Thank you to Boldwood Books and Joanne Ryan for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 25, 2024.)

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a blast celebrating the end of 2023. I know I did, especially after reading a book that was unintentionally funny. It’s called Keep your friends close by Joanne Ryan: it’s supposed to be a psychological thriller, but it’s more like a comedy of absurdity.

The main problem I had with the book was the plot, which was full of holes and implausible scenarios. For example, the killing methods. Sending money to the “professional”FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS. Near the end of the book, I had a sparkle of hope because it seemed like the solving was too easy. Maybe the author planned for the ending to burst out of twists after twists and I would scream out of excitement. It did happen to me before. No, it was not. It was like the author was filthy-rich like the protagonist so she mistook breadcrumbs for French baguettes because this book was so predictable, right from the start.

The only redeeming quality of the book was that it had a fast-paced and simple writing style, and it created some moments of tension and intrigue. I think the book had some potential, but it failed to deliver on its promise. It could have been a better book if the author had done more research, editing, or added more depth and creativity to the story and the characters.

I recommend it only to those who are looking for a light and easy read, who don’t mind the clichés and the predictable plot, or who just want to pass some time. If you are one of those people, you might like this book more than I did.

<b>Fun fact:</b? Hiring a hitman is not that easy. Most of the so-called “dark web hitmen” are scammers. This reminds me of a funny case I read about, a businessman paid $282,000 to hired a hitman to kill his rival, but the hitman hired another hitman, who hired another hitman, who hired another hitman, who hired another hitman, who spared the target. They faked the target’s death and sent a photo to the businessman, who was then arrested with all the hitmen.

Wow! This was such a tense thriller, starting off with a bang and not letting up. The ending was the best part, as I had anticipated the twist in the back end of the book but not the final ones, which were so good.

Great writing without continuity or major editing errors that might take away from a reader’s enjoyment, and the end is very unique. I’ll be recommending this to readers of thrillers as one guaranteed to be a satisfying read.

In the tight-knit friendship between Mia and Carrie, loyalty knows no bounds, pushing them to navigate even the most challenging situations together. However, their unwavering devotion leads them down an increasingly complex path where reality becomes elusive, and trust is shattered.

Set within the realms of a psychological thriller, Joanne Ryan crafts a narrative with intricately developed characters. As the story unfolds, Mia finds herself descending into a realm of distrust, questioning not only the motives of those around her but also her own sanity. The psychological depth intensifies, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension and unease that keeps readers perched on the edge of their seats.

Ryan skillfully maintains this suspenseful atmosphere until the very end, unveiling a series of unexpected twists that conclude the narrative with a final, surprising revelation. In this gripping tale, friendships are tested, and the thin line between reality and illusion becomes a precarious tightrope, leaving readers captivated by the intricate unraveling of secrets and the psychological complexities at play.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a slow burn in the beginning for me, and I had been hoping for something that gripped me the entire time. The ending did make up for it, though. The ending was much more fast-paced, and had some great twists that I wasn't expecting. It was a good story, and I would recommend!

Overall this was a great read, especially as I have read other books by Joanne Ryan and they pulled me in just as much as this one did.

Wonderful read by joanne ryan ,you will never look at your closest friends in quite the same way again .

Mia and Carrie are friends and would do anything for each other even in the most difficult situations but this leads them into an untenable situation where everything becomes complicated and nothing is what it seems.
A psychological thriller with well-developed characters, where as the story progresses Mia begins to distrust even herself.
Joanne Ryan manages to create an atmosphere of tension and unease that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end with a final and surprising twist.

This was the first book I have read from this author and it definitely won’t be the last. it was full of edge of your seat moments with so much suspense and tension throughout I was up late into the night reading. There were many twists and turns which had me guessing until the very end. I really loved the writing style which I think helped keep the suspense going throughout. Highly recommend thanks to netgallery and the publisher for my advanced copy.

I do love a twisted tale of friendship and Keep Your Friends Close is pure knockout.
The story centres around two friends Mia and Carrie..
Mia has it all, money, good looks and her boyfriend Marco is to die for,well not literally because unfortunately he winds up dead after Mia accidentally shots him!
Carrie comes to her friends rescue and tells Mia not to worry as she has people that will get rid of the body for twenty five thousand pounds but they can never speak of this moment again.
Forward eight months later and Mia is 'working' in an art gallery own by a very wealthy Sebastian, when Mia mentions to Carrie that they are going out on a date, Carrie is unhappy about it and tells Mia that it's far to soon after what happened with Marco.
Mia doesn't listen to her friends advice and she and Sebastian start seeing each other regularly.
But things take a turn for the worse when Mia starts to get sick and is hallucinating and is convinced that Marco is still alive and is following her.
After some blood and urine tests are done at her private doctors surgery Mia gets the shock of her life with the results.
But who would do such a thing to her and for what possible reason?

Despite this being a shorter novel I did find myself skimming in parts. The main character is distinctly unlikeable and the plot more than a little unbelievable. Sadly not one of my better reads this year.

"Keep Your Friends Close" by Joanne Ryan is a gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller that masterfully navigates the intricacies of dark secrets, conflicted loyalties, and the haunting fear of a past that refuses to stay buried.

The novel artfully immerses readers in a world of mounting tension and psychological unease, skillfully unraveling the complexities of Mia and Carrie's friendship and the enigmatic appearance of Mia's supposedly deceased ex-boyfriend. The gripping portrayal of Mia's internal conflict and the enigmatic dynamics between the characters creates a palpable sense of unease, keeping readers captivated and engaged throughout the narrative.

As the story unfolds, "Keep Your Friends Close" deftly explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the enduring impact of past choices on the present, inviting readers to delve into the intricate layers of the characters' relationships and the haunting specter of hidden truths. The deftly woven narrative keeps readers on edge, offering an evocative exploration of deceit and consequence.

Joanne Ryan's narrative prowess is evident in the compelling storytelling and the unrelenting tension that permeates the novel, making it a riveting and emotionally charged read that resonates with readers. With its thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of friendship and the lingering shadows of the past, "Keep Your Friends Close" is a gripping and enthralling psychological thriller deserving of a 4-star rating.

Thank you, NetGalley for my free ebook. I was so excited that I was able to read a book before it was released. It made my book loving heart so happy.

From the moment I picked this book up, I was hooked. I had a hard time putting it down. I even stayed up late reading this book.

I thought I had the twist figured out but, the author surprised me multiple times. I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves thriller books especially ones that have twists that make you yell, “WHAT?!”

Overall, amazing book, wonderful plot, and great author. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

WOW! If this isn't a book to brag about I don't know what is... I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be closing the book at 3am left in complete shock... This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good!

Well....first of all, I would say the book does not have a new topic and I skimmed it more than read it. Just when I thought someone got what they deserved, the other characters come back with a final F you moment! Not a bad book. Just not one I could get into word for word.