The Family Friend
by C. C. MacDonald
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 4 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 3 Apr 2021
Random House UK, Vintage | Harvill Secker
Talking about this book? Use #TheFamilyFriend #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
From the author of Happy Ever After comes an unmissable new psychological thriller about a famous Insta-Mum influencer and what happens when a someone starts to stalk her every move...
Erin lives an idyllic life by the seaside with her baby boy and handsome Australian fiancée. She's upbeat and happy - a natural mum. At least that's what her thousands of followers on Instagram think.
In the real world, Erin is struggling with anxiety and finding it difficult to connect with her screaming son. So when a famous agent offers to make her the biggest instamum out there, she's over the moon. And when Amanda, a family friend who's visiting from Australia, says she'll move in and babysit to help make it happen, it seems like the stars have finally aligned for Erin's exciting new career.
But when a devastatingly revealing video is posted online by an anonymous troll, Erin's brought crashing back to earth. As everything she's worked for starts to slip away, Erin must find out how far she can trust those closest to her.
Praise for HAPPY EVER AFTER:
**Picked as a 2020 'Unmissable Debut' by the Daily Express**
'Kept me gripped and kept me guessing' Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said
'Excellent domestic noir, chillingly plausible… I loved the ending' Jo Spain, author of The Confession
'An absorbing story, a bunch of unexpected twists, great writing. I totally lost myself in this book' John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781787301566 |
| PRICE | £12.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Featured Reviews
Suzanne O, Reviewer
This is one of those books where you’ll love to hate all of the characters! A psychological thriller with a twist. It’s the struggling mum who is the main character. No one is as they seem and it mirrors the social media we all know so well. 5/5. Going to buy the other book by this talented author.
Bridget E, Reviewer
The Family Friend is an intense psychological thriller about internet stalking, the struggles of having a young family and the impact of online bullying.
Rafael (Raf) Donadoni, an Italian interior designer, his fiancée Erin Braune and their nine-month-old son, Bobby live on the south coast of England. Struggling to bond with little Bobby, Erin is frustrated as well as consumed by guilt because she cannot seem to feel any love for him. Raf, on the other hand, spends quality time with Bobby, even sleeping with him at night but he doesn't understand Erin’s apathy and increasing hostility towards the baby which is putting a strain on their relationship. A stay at home mum, Erin relies on Raf to keep the money rolling in, but becomes interested in being an Instamum and begins posting snippets, pictures and videos online to share a seemingly perfect life. As she rapidly builds a massive following her corporate sponsorships give her the opportunity to start earning serious money. Before long Erin is targeted by an internet troll who seems to be following her around in real life, snapping photos of her that are damaging to her image and sharing them online. Meanwhile, Amanda, an old friend of Raf's turns up from Australia and seems to bond immediately with baby Bobby. As Erin wonders what Amanda's presence could mean for her and her family a devastatingly revealing video is posted online.
Laced with malice, this is a riveting, compulsive and drama-filled domestic thriller with a great narrative featuring issues of social media addiction, abuse, obsession, secrets, jealousy, mental health issues and toxic behaviour. Dark and unsettling, C.C. MacDonald's execution of this cautionary tale is first-class. A superbly told, captivating, very highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Harvill Secker via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
