I love a book set in DC, and Christine Gunderson's Friends with Secrets is an engaging book about friendship and secrets.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley fro sharing this book with me.

Friends with Secrets is an engaging read that blends humor and suspense, exploring themes of motherhood, friendship, and the secrets we keep. The story is full of heart and relatable moments, though it occasionally feels a bit predictable. While the characters' dynamics are enjoyable and the suspense keeps things interesting, there are times when the pacing slows down, and the plot becomes a bit too familiar. Nonetheless, it’s an entertaining novel with moments of genuine warmth and humor.

Beautiful, perfect Ainsley seems to have it all but is worried her life will come crashing down when her husband decides to run for office. Former news reporter Nikki is at her wits end being a #stayathomemom when she gets a #freelance gig to train Ainsley how to do interviews. As they become fast friends, they realize that together their opposite talents can be used for good to take down a predator at their kid’s school. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read on your @amazonkindle. 📚📚📚 #netgalley #netgalleyreads #friendswithsecrets #my2024readingchallenge #bookstagram #bookrecommendations

Nothing wow-ing me, but it was a good read. A bit of a twist at the end. Chick-lit mystery is what I enjoy reading during autumn.

In Christine Gunderson's compelling narrative, "Friends with Secrets," the author explores the theme that outward appearances often mask deeper realities. Through the contrasting lives of Ainsley and Nikki, Gunderson delves into the complexities of motherhood, the pressures of societal expectations, and the fragility of friendship. The novella serves as a poignant reminder that what we see on the surface may not reflect the truth hidden beneath. Ainsley embodies the quintessential image of success: a beautiful home, a devoted husband, and two children thriving in an affluent neighborhood. Her husband, Ben, aspires to enter the political arena, carrying with him the weight of a prestigious lineage tied to a candy fortune. However, beneath her carefully curated exterior lies a woman plagued by insecurity and fear. Ainsley’s façade is a protective barrier against her past, a past replete with secrets that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect life. This duality is a powerful representation of how society often imposes unrealistic standards on women, compelling them to maintain appearances while concealing their struggles. In stark contrast, Nikki presents a raw and relatable portrayal of motherhood. As a stay-at-home mom of four, she is overwhelmed, exhausted, and battling the chaos of daily life. Her identity has become entangled in the demands of family life, leading her to long for the professional validation she sacrificed when she left her career in television news. Nikki's external struggles reflect an internal yearning for recognition and purpose, underscoring the theme of self-worth that resonates with many women. While Ainsley’s life appears idyllic, Nikki’s reality is a mess, yet both women grapple with feelings of inadequacy and the desire to be seen for who they truly are. The pivotal moment in the story occurs when Ainsley's past resurfaces in the form of a dangerous figure—a coach at her children’s school. This encounter forces Ainsley to confront her darkest fears and ultimately seek help from Nikki. In their shared vulnerability, a powerful bond forms between the two women. Ainsley’s willingness to confide in Nikki marks a turning point in the narrative, as it illustrates the strength found in friendship and the importance of solidarity in the face of adversity. Together, they embark on a mission to expose the coach’s true nature, intertwining their lives in a complex web of loyalty, protection, and newfound trust. As they navigate the challenges before them, Ainsley and Nikki discover that their friendship is as much about safeguarding their children as it is about healing their own wounds. The story serves as a poignant reminder that true strength lies not in maintaining an immaculate image but in embracing vulnerability and authenticity. By sharing their secrets with one another, Ainsley and Nikki dismantle the barriers that isolate them and reveal the power of unity in the face of fear. In conclusion, "Friends with Secrets" by Christine Gunderson deftly illustrates the notion that the world is not always as it seems. Through the lives of Ainsley and Nikki, readers are encouraged to peel back the layers of appearances to discover the realities that lie beneath. The narrative unfolds as a testament to the importance of connection, empathy, and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges. Ultimately, Gunderson leaves us with a lasting message: that friendship can illuminate the path through darkness, revealing that sometimes what we need most is simply someone to share our secrets with.

What you see isn’t always what you get.

Take Ainsley. The gorgeous mother of two lives a picture-perfect life with her husband, Ben—aspiring politician and heir to a candy fortune—in suburban Washington, DC. But in reality, Ainsley has no idea what she’s doing and is terrified someone will figure out who she really is and where she came from.

Nikki’s fighting to keep afloat as a stay-at-home mother of four, subsisting on chicken nuggets and very little sleep. She’s a mess on the outside, and inside yearns for the validation—and the paycheck—of the television news career she left behind.

When a dangerous figure from Ainsley’s past becomes a coach at her kids’ school, she fears the worst and confides in Nikki, spilling every detail of her former life.

Together, they devise a plan to expose the coach and safeguard their kids. But can they protect their own lives—and their new friendship—in the process?
I really enjoyed the story. I thought it was carefully crafted and well-written.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I am not a huge fan of books about motherhood so when this book started with a woman debating formula for her newborn, I just knew the book was not for me. I am a mother of small kids so this was just hitting a bit close to home and I don't like reading books like that when I am going through it. That is totally just a preference for me and was not the fault of the books.

This book was definitely not a bad book or anything, it is just not for me.

I hope others love it.

Didn't really grab me, but was competently written nonetheless.

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Ainsley and Nikki could not be more different. Ainsley is the perfectly coiffed, expensively dressed wife of the uber wealthy candy bar heir who is running for Governor. Nikki is a disorganized, recently fired TV anchor, mother of four children five and under, looking for freelance work. This and some bonding over their children’s school experiences puts her in Ainsley’s living room as her media coach. The two form an unlikely friendship which leads to Ainsley sharing some secrets from her past that she is desperate to keep hidden. That’s all I can say without spoilers. Friends with Secrets is a book you won’t be able to put down and the subjects it covers will remain with you long after you have finished the final page. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Christine Gunderson for this ARC.

4.5 ⭐️ rounding up.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I got it late and am a bit delayed in getting to this review but I LOVED THIS BOOK

This was a thriller I wasn’t expecting to love as it deviates from my usual genre but omg I WAS the audience.

As a busy mom with a career she loves always feeling behind, Nikki was my spirit animal.

The friendship between Ainsley and Nikki and the mystery of what they were trying to uncover… I just loved it. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

The book is good, especially when it shows the social expectations and demands that mothers constantly need to meet despite being exhausted. I recommend reading!

The book started all really strong and I loved the friendship that developed between the two women. Ainsley’s story was particularly interesting and had a level of dimension I wish that Nikki’s did. While I definitely enjoyed the book, I was surprised that everything was revealed so quickly and then we still had 30% of the book to go. Good book from a first time author though!

The theme of this debut novel by Christine Gunderson is the strength of female friendships and the struggles of motherhood. It's well-written, but there were a few holes in the storyline that made me lean more toward 3 stars than 4 stars. I can't really go into the holes without spoilers. Ainsley seems to have the perfect life - she's smart and beautiful, has a loving, wealthy husband and happy, healthy children, and everything money can buy. But Ainsley has a dark secret from her past and the new basketball coach at her children's school could potentially expose it. Nikki is a former TV news anchor who's now faced with all the challenges of being a stay-at-home mom. With their children at the same school, Ainsley and Nikki become fast friends who support each other in many ways. Ainsley confides her secrets to Nikki and they build on each other's strengths to keep Ainsley out of danger and get Nikki's life back on track. Thanks to #netgalley and #lakeunionpublishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the way the author wove themes of friendship and the complexity of relationships into a twisty mystery. Secrets emerge and are revealed deftly. A compelling read!

I really enjoyed the friendship between Nikki and Ainsley in this story. These two strong women combine their efforts to take on the new coach at their kid's school. Of course, just by looking at the title, there are secrets. I really enjoyed this book. I think anyone who ever tried to protect others from harm will love this novel. I did.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Friends with Secrets* by *Christine Gunderson* is a riveting exploration of the hidden lives behind suburban facades, where what you see isn’t always what you get. Gunderson takes us into the world of Ainsley and Nikki, two mothers struggling with their own insecurities while trying to maintain a veneer of perfection.

Ainsley’s life seems idyllic: a beautiful home, two children, and a husband, Ben, who is an aspiring politician and heir to a candy empire. But beneath this perfect exterior lies a woman haunted by her past, constantly terrified that someone will discover the truth about who she really is and where she came from. Gunderson masterfully conveys Ainsley’s anxiety and the pressure she feels to maintain her image, making her a relatable and sympathetic character.

Nikki, on the other hand, presents as a chaotic mess—a stay-at-home mother of four, barely keeping it together on a diet of chicken nuggets and minimal sleep. Yet, beneath the surface, Nikki longs for the validation and purpose she once had in her television news career. Her struggle to reconcile her past ambitions with her current reality is both poignant and relatable, capturing the challenges many women face in balancing personal fulfillment with family responsibilities.

The story takes a thrilling turn when a dangerous figure from Ainsley’s past reappears as a coach at her children’s school. The tension escalates as Ainsley confides in Nikki, and the two women team up to expose this threat and protect their children. Their plan brings them closer together, forging a deep bond that is tested as they navigate the dangers of their shared secret.

Gunderson weaves a narrative that is both suspenseful and emotionally charged, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the lengths mothers will go to protect their children. The novel expertly balances the suspense of the unfolding mystery with the emotional depth of the characters’ personal struggles, making it a compelling read from start to finish.

*Friends with Secrets* is more than just a thriller; it’s a story about the complexities of friendship and the power of women supporting each other through life’s darkest moments. Gunderson’s sharp writing and keen insight into her characters’ lives make this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful tale with heart. As Ainsley and Nikki confront their fears and pasts, readers will find themselves deeply invested in their journey, eager to see how their plan unfolds and whether their friendship can withstand the secrets that threaten to unravel it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced copy to review.

Enjoyed this book, however I did find some parts a bit slow and I would lose interest. It did pick up a bit as we got on with the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was a decent women's fiction novel.I enjoyed the characters. Some parts of the story were a little slow, but I sometimes lose interest in a book halfway. However. I make sure to finish all of my NetGalley books. I would recommend this book! I also plan on checking out more books by Christine Gunderson in the future!


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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A satisfying tale of an unlikely pair of friends who work together to catch a predator. Nice to see some redemption and true married love. Thanks to net galley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.