It took me a chapter or two to get into this book but once I did I was hooked. Sophie Randald is a genius at creating amazing stories that transport you right to their heart. Highly recommend

Fast paced and full of emotions, this book it more than a palate cleanser, it's an emotional rollercoaster of lies, secrets, death and loss of the physical and mental presences in our lives. Each character (and their attached flaws) are well developed and while some aren't exactly loveable, they are so emotional and raw that you will relate to each at some point.

I really enjoyed ‘Santa Please Bring Me A Boyfriend’, which features Rowan, another member of the ‘Girlfriends Club’, so I was looking forward to reading another instalment. I really need to go back and read the other two!

This book focuses on Naomi, wife to Patrick (Patch), mother of twins, and fully fledged member of the Girlfriends Club. Following the tragic death of their friend Andy, Naomi’s world takes a further shaking with the appearance of long lost ‘friend’ Zara. Zara is a former member of the Girlfriends Club and used to be in a relationship with Patch, before his and Naomi’s relationship began. Zara didn’t take the news of their relationship very well, and it led to her departure from the friendship group. Now she’s back and she’s determined to drive a wedge between the four women.

The issue with Zara is that she lies. She tells some really quite despicable lies, lies that she knows will cause the women to turn on each other. As the group chat grows silent, and Zara continues to drip poison into each of their ears, can the Girlfriends Club survive this blow to their friendship? Or is it unsalvageable?

I always love books that focus on female friendships - how toxic they can sometimes be, but also how necessary they are. I really felt for Naomi. I am so glad that she came to the conclusions she did about her future with Patch. So many women feel that it’s selfish of them to focus on themselves, and it is absolutely not. I’m glad she put herself first for what seems like the first time in her life!! I really do love this group and I’m eager to read the books I’ve missed in the series.

Love books about female friendship, particularly when someone shows up and adds some toxicity to the mix - really fun read!

When I started out reading this book, I was expected a fun, easy romcom. This book was more serious in the aspect of long term friends and the connection between them. Though it was a lot deeper than I was expecting (love my beach reads) this one did not disappoint.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

2.75 stars 🌟

I've read most of Sophie Ranald's books but this one just didn't do it for me. Whilst I did relate to Naomi's struggles of feeling lost as a mother and carrying the burden of the mental load, as the story progressed I just really struggled to care given her actions. For a group that are supposed to be best friends, I felt their compassion for each other was somewhat lacking and so was their trust. I did enjoy the flashback chapters, I always think it's a great way to explore backstories in more detail. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this and picked it up and put it down so many times because it didn't engage me.

With thanks to Netgalley and Storm for the ARC

Quite a thought-provoking story

Naomi has everything she wanted: a gorgeous husband, adorable children and three best friends. But when the Zara, the fifth member of their friend group suddenly shows up with secrets and revelations, Naomi's balance starts to fall apart. Old betrayals, dark secrets, misunderstandings and manipulation resurface with Zara and everything threatens to blow, in her marriage as well as her friendships. Can Naomi and her friends find a way out of this trap?

This book was no necessarely what I expected it to be, but I don't mind. It's not the type of novel I usually read and I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It was slow at times, but very intriguing and the pacing was interesting. The characters were exquisitely written and created, flawed and very interesting and realistic, each in their own way. I loved the alternance between the past and present and how everything impacted all the characters and their relationships. Zara was particulary interesting in the way she was presented and developped through Naomi's point of view. It was very intriguing to see how it would all unfold, what was true or not... All in all, quite fascinating and thought-provoking.

I recommend if you like books that keep you on the edge and surprise you.

"Surprise, of course - but more than that. Shock. Betrayal, even. And along with that, a kind of sick sense of foreboding."

I usually don't like that much these kind of books because they're full of clichés. And, I'm sad to say, that I did't like this one. Starting with "Semen Gutters" doesn't help, that was completely unnecessary. Anyway, the plot it's a little bit messy for me too. I find it hard to believe how someone appears and everyone believes everything they say without questioning nothing not ever once. Not for me.

*"The Fall-Out" by Sophie Ranald is a witty and engaging story that blends humor with heartfelt emotion. Ranald’s sharp writing and relatable characters make this a delightful read from start to finish. The novel follows the aftermath of a relationship breakdown, tackling themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery with both lightheartedness and depth. The protagonist's journey toward rebuilding her life is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but also offers poignant reflections on personal growth and resilience. Ranald's storytelling is both entertaining and insightful, making *The Fall-Out* a perfect feel-good read with emotional substance.*

The Fall-Out by Sophie Ranald

"The Fall-Out" is a modern tale that delves into the dynamics of friendship and family, illustrating how minor events can have major impacts. Naomi is part of a tight-knit circle of friends who are bonded like family. They depend on, bolster, and counsel one another. Their world is shaken when a friend passes away, and an estranged friend, Zara, unexpectedly reappears. The narrative weaves through their histories and current lives, taking readers on a poignant journey.

Contrary to the impression given by its coverage, this book is not a romantic comedy. It takes readers on a journey through the past, unraveling truths and deceptions. Filled with betrayal, suspense, and drama, it's a story that defies expectations.

Although I enjoyed the book, I was disappointed by the characters' readiness to betray and disregard long-standing friendships. The book was mediocre for me. The transition of the women from close friends to cynical individuals, easily swayed by someone with a questionable grasp of the truth, was disheartening.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

“The Fall-Out” by Sophie Ranald is a compelling dive into the complexities of long-term friendships, secrets, and the intricate web of past decisions that can come back to haunt us. What starts as a seemingly light-hearted story quickly reveals itself to be a deeper exploration of the bonds between women, the challenges of marriage, and the power of truth.

Naomi’s life, once perfectly balanced with a handsome husband, adorable twins, and regular meet-ups with her best friends, is thrown into chaos when Zara, the missing fifth member of their tight-knit Girlfriends’ Club, returns with a bombshell revelation. As Zara’s secrets start to unravel, the once unshakeable friendships begin to show their cracks, and Naomi is forced to confront not only her past but also the reality of her present.

This book was not what I expected, and in all the best ways. I initially thought it would be a light rom-com based on the cover, but what I got was a nuanced and suspenseful story about friendship, betrayal, and personal growth. Sophie Ranald masterfully weaves suspense into the narrative, keeping the pages turning as secrets are revealed and tensions rise.

The strength of “The Fall-Out” lies in its rich character development and the authentic portrayal of female friendships. Naomi’s journey is particularly compelling as she evolves from a stay-at-home mom trapped in a controlling marriage to a woman who reclaims her independence and sense of self. Her friendship with Rowan, Kate, Abbie, and even Zara, despite the lies and drama, is portrayed with a genuine warmth that makes you root for them, even when the group dynamics get messy.

However, while the story is engaging and the characters well-drawn, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven, particularly in how quickly the group managed to untangle the web of Zara’s lies. The resolution, while satisfying, felt slightly rushed, leaving me wanting a bit more exploration of the aftermath.

That said, “The Fall-Out” is an uplifting and hopeful story about the resilience of friendship and the importance of standing up for yourself. It’s a book that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters as they navigate life’s messiest moments.

Final thoughts: If you’re expecting a simple rom-com, “The Fall-Out” will surprise you with its depth and emotional weight. It’s a beautifully written story about the unbreakable bonds of friendship and the courage to face the truth, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O’Leary. Highly recommend for anyone who loves stories about strong women, personal growth, and the power of true friendship.

This book was not what I expected. I often judge a book by its cover and I expected this to lean toward rom-com. However, this book was different. Sophie Ranald takes us deep in to the depths of long term friendship and the bonds between women. I felt that there was even suspense when I expected none. The pages kept turning and I was invested. I wish I had known this book was part of a series but it reads fine as a standalone!

Scandals between friends
Close female friendships
Hopeful
Uplifting

I have read several of Sophie Ranald’s previous books and have thoroughly enjoyed them, but for some reason found this particularly difficult to get into! I didn’t dislike it and did finish the story, however I would not be in any rush to re-read and had to almost talk myself into carrying on reading it rather than feeling desperate to keep going and find out how the story would end.

This is a story about a group of 5 girlfriends that met and bonded on the sidelines of their boyfriends football game. The story is told in the present, and the past. An enjoyable read.

My second Sophie Ranald book and it didn't disappoint. Loved it from start to finish! Friendships and marriage is so hard and this encapsulates it so well. Really didn't expect the ending! Definitely one to read.

The Fall-Out is a good read. I would recommend reading the trigger warning before reading the book. I don't think there is anything too crazy but I know some topics may be hard for some readers. That said I did enjoy the book and would recommend reading it. I didn't realize this was a series when I started reading it, but it can be read as a stand alone. I do plan on going back and reading the whole series at a later date. I think the author did a great job with the storyline, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!

The perfect book to read with your best friend and with a glass of wine in hand.
I really really liked it!

I sincerely thank Sophie Ranald and Storm Publishing for their trust and for giving me the opportunity to read the novel in advance.

Complete review on my website Weeklyreadingit (link in bio).

I've read a few of Sophie Ranald's books now and this was my favourite by far. It follows Naomi, a 4o (ish) year old mother of 4yr old twins and wife to Patch, navigate her friendships when someone from their past comes back into their lives and shakes things up a bit.

When Naomi first met the girls - Rowan, Kate, Abbie and Zara on the side of a wet football pitch, they became fast friends and started a standing monthly girls night. At the time, Zara was dating Patch but Naomi felt and instant connection with him and on Zara's request, she started spending time with Patch when she was "busy" which of course led to Naomi and Patch kissing. Patch told Naomi he had broken up with Zara and they get together. Zara was not happy when she found out and she left the girls group entirely.

Cue several years later and when one of the groups close friends, Andy, passes away, Zara returns to the funeral and to stir things up a bit just because she can, or because she enjoys it, or simply because she still wants revenge on Naomi. Zara was never good at telling people the truth and each person in the group was told a different story about her upbringing, things that had happened to her in her life and at this moment, she lies about having cancer.

Even though most of what Zara says is a lie, there are some truths in there, mostly relating to Naomi and Patch and their relationship. When Naomi confronts Patch, he admits it all.

I like the friendship between the women in the book, they're all there for each other even when things get hard and Zara is spreading lies amongst them. It doesn't take them too long to figure it out and resolve things. Naomi was a great character and I think she really grew over the course of the book. She starts off as a stay at home mum who does everything around the house because her husband refuses to lift a finger, but seems to be allowed because he's hot, until she decides she wants to go back to work. Patch would rather have her get pregnant again than go back into the workforce which made me think he wants to be able to control her or just likes having someone at home doing everything for her.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I was excited to read another story by Sophie Ranald as I really enjoyed The Love Hack, however I’m sorry to say The Fall-Out fell flat for me.
I hate giving bad reviews but I feel it’s only right I’m honest.
It was a completely different story to what I was expecting. I knew it wasn’t a Romcom but I thought it was meant to be funny and uplifting and about friendship.
I don’t see how these girls would be best friends in real life if they so easily believed an old blast from the past ‘friend’ they knew was a notorious liar over their friend they see every month and talk to every day?!
I just don’t see what the point of this story was and why it needed telling, it didn’t give me anything and I probably should’ve DNF’d but I always want to give ARCs a chance so I pushed on but I was only left with disappointment.
This might just not be for me, as I just couldn’t relate.

In this book, the protagonist doesn't know why her Girlfriends are icing her out. Of course there is a traitor in their midst.