Based on the excerpt (first 100 pages?) this in no way has enticed me to read the full novel. It's written in a very child-like style and I felt no interest in any of the characters or whatever was beginning as a plotline. Big pass.

100 pages and I am hooked... off to buy the full book to find out what happens 2! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the sample

It's late, but I had to stay up to finish this -- my heart is pounding and pulse racing so fast that it will be awhile before I sleep. Yes, it was that good. Don't miss this one!

Laura Cavendish loves her 23-year old son, Daniel. He's everything a son should be and they share a particularly close bond. Daniel is going places, he's ambitious and kind, and starting his hospital medical training when his parents agree to buy him an apartment. They are quite wealthy, so money is no object when Daniel goes to a real estate office to look at places. Cherry Laine is a girl with a plan and, as she is showing Daniel the property, sees in him a way out of her embarassing low-budget life. Sparks fly and Daniel brings Cherry to meet his mom. That's when the trouble begins. As Daniel falls under Cherry's spell, Laura senses that something about her is just not quite right. What's a good mother to do when she is worried that her son is making a huge mistake and won't listen? What Laura does in a desperate moment will have far-reaching consequences.

I loved this book! It is told from the points of view of both Laura and Cherry so the reader sees how they react to each other and the way that each rationalizes her own behavior. It's a mom vs girlfriend story in a way, but written so well that the reader is bound to take a side, switch a side. The style creates incredible tension -- the hallmark of a good psychological thriller. The reader knows that the inevitable disaster is coming but isn't sure how it is going to play out. I couldn't help rooting for one of the characters despite her despicable manipulations (not saying which one) to keep Daniel all to herself. Why couldn't the two women just get along?

This is a fabulous debut that you will want to read in one sitting. I can see blockbuster movie written all over it -- has all the essential ingredients. Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the e-book ARC to read and review. Highly recommended.

I cant wait to read the rest of this book! The first 100 pages were SOOOOO good. I am really curious to find out what happens next in the story because I feel like something is on the brink of the storyline right where the sample stopped. Interesting story line with the promise of something possibly creepy, great characters and just a bit of mystery! Great writing and plot!! Looking forward to reading the rest..........

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is crazy, bazaar and very interesting. A very fast psychological thriller. I'm very disappointed in the ending. I was expecting so much more after the build. I don't know who is crazier. The mom and the girlfriend were equally insane. A very enjoyable read!

Great novel with a little bit of everything! I really enjoyed it. Thank you for "granting my wish!"

I really enjoyed this book - or starter, I was so disappointed when I realised it was going to leave me on a cliffhanger and I cant wait for publication so I can carry on!

An ok read but .......I was surprised by Daniel's rather convenient sudden recovery and that Nicholas remained such a two dimensional figure as his rejection had seemingly been the cause of Cherry's search for a new way out of her life. Strangling a puppy and packaging it up seems a bit far fetched as well as impractical. Also having grown up near Croydon I would like to point out that all towns have areas that are less good than others and it seemed lazy to use it as a symbol of Cherry's negative outlook on her life.

One man. Two women. Neither willing to compromise. One will have him. One will win.

The man in question is Daniel Cavendish, a young man studying to be a doctor. Despite being ridiculously wealthy, Daniel has remained somewhat grounded. He meets Estate Agent Cherry and sparks fly - but his mother, Laura, is unimpressed with his latest squeeze. As things begin to get more serious between Daniel and Cherry, Laura becomes convinced that Cherry has an ulterior motive. Laura takes a huge step and tells a lie.........one that she will live to regret. Cherry has finally found a man who will give her the life she has always wanted, and she'll be damned before she lets his mother get in the way.

This was VERY good. Not many books have the ability to keep me reading past 1 a.m. anymore - this one made me want to carry on into the night. It was well paced, sharp, with great characters - I felt equally sorry for Laura and Cherry at times, they were both doing what they thought was the right thing (I did stop feeling sorry for one of them fairly quick after.....well, you'll know when you read it...). I loved Cherry's mother, I thought she was a brilliant character, and I loved the contrast between her and Laura.

Great read! Looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances is a great, dark, fast paced, psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.

Daniel an aspiring wealthy doctor to be falls in love with Cherry, a beautiful real estate agent, who dreams of marrying a rich guy. Laura, Daniel’s mother who is a tiger mom and obsessive about her son wants to welcome Cherry in the family with open arms but soon suspects Cherry of ulterior motives. So, begins the fight to gain all of Daniel’s love and attention as none of the woman is ready to give the other an inch.

I really enjoyed reading this book even though none of the ladies were likable. The only character I could sympathize with was Daniel who was caught between two vindictive, manipulative women who would stop at nothing to get what they want. A thoroughly enjoyable book that I would definitely recommend to all psychological thriller lovers.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

I only (happily) got the first 100 pages of The Girlfriend but i was already fully intrigued and couldn't put my Kindle down ! By this point you've already figured out that Cherry is toxic and that no good will come from her. I can't wait to get my hands on the end of the book to find out who Daniel will choose : his mum or his new girlfriend ?

4 stars for now : because I don't have a scooby on what's going to happen ! Eeeek !

This 13 chapter excerpt was a delicious tease! Just when you are getting a sense that the girlfriend is hiding much more than an impoverished upbringing, the mother begins with her suspicions. The tension is growing between Mom and Girlfriend, with oblivious Son sharing his adoration for both in the lush setting of St Tropez. The excerpt ends leaving you questioning exactly what the girlfriend's real motives are, and if Mom will be able to expose her for what she truly is. Can't wait to read the rest!!!!!

Wow! I only had an excerpt of The Girlfriend, and I am hooked. I can't wait for the full novel to come out.

Now I've only been granted an excerpt of this novel 'The Girlfriend' from Netgalley so I can't be entirely sure, but from what I have read, this is sure to be a cracker. Already feeling the tension between the mother and the girlfriend, I am so intrigued to read more and will definitely pick this up when it comes out officially.

A wealthy mother’s love for her son knows no bounds. When Daniel meets his girlfriend Cherry, Laura’s instincts are on alert. Laura suspects that the wide eyed Cherry has different intentions. A tragedy turns Laura’s world upsidedown. Daniel is in a coma. Laura share’s Daniel’s passing to Cherry. The lie is told. The fallout is gripping when Cherry discovers the truth.

A chilling tale about a mother’s love and the length she will go to shield her child. At what lengths will you go to protect yours? A compulsive and addictive read. Both female leads are unlikeable but extremely human caught up in basic instinct. The imagery of the French Riviera had me basking in its rich coast. Complex and well written the Girlfriend is going to be a page turner of the summer.

Honestly this is a genre I need to explore more often. I had been hearing and of course seeing the reviews for this riveting read, I just had to get my hands on it and it didn't disappoint. Laura is a loving and doting mom to her young handsome son who will soon be making his way in the world and when he meets the beautiful Cherry, Laura begins to feel that things just aren't right with this reserved young woman. The novel begins setting the pace when we see into this privileged life that Laura and her son Daniel have lived while Cherry not so fortunate begins to stake her claim in Daniel's life making for a taut, suspenseful read as the story unfolds. This was a page turner leaving me wanting more. Thank you NetGalley for granting my wish.

OMG.....totally didn't realize it was just a portion of the book! Picked it up yesterday and literally thought there was a mistake when I hit 100% at the best part. It sucked me in hook, line and sinker! Story is very relatable, characters were real...some likeable and others not so much. Totally addicting read. I would love to see what the writer has up her sleeve ... definitely want to read the final version!

This was so action-packed throughout. There was a new plot twist or shocking event in almost every chapter! This managed to be one of those books that you still think about even when you've put it down. It was brilliant. Frances' writing style is phenomenal. She writes incredibly beautiful and has a really great knack for setting the scene and making you feel like you're a part of the story. I feel like the ending was a slight let down but still a good conclusion to the story. All in all, a fantastic story about what we all dread, getting on with the in-laws.

As this was only an excerpt, I don't feel I have enough information to rate the story.