I found myself skim reading some of the chapters in this book. The story itself was good but there seemed to be too much information and not moving quick enough.

I found this book quite difficult to read and had several attempts to do so.
Connie and Ness meet in a park and find they are virtually next door neighbours. They form a friendship and are in and out of each others houses all the time. Then Ness faces divorce and is Connie's space all the time. She is everywhere and Connie is at breaking point.
Then she wakes up in a psychiatric hospital and someone says she has committed a serious crime. Has she and if so what and why?

I didn't expect this book to be so good, I liked the sound of it ,I wouldn't have chosen to read it otherwise, but I was expecting a fairly straightforward story, and this was anything but.The writing was exquisite ,really good, the author really got into the psyche of the characters, and I thought her observations of the relationships of the characters was very insightful.I also thought the unexpected humour was brilliant ,I found myself laughing out loud several times,Annie's diary was the best thing ever, brilliant.I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is definitely up there with my favourite books of this year in my top 5 for sure,and I read a lot of books.I don't want to spoil it for anyone else so my review is rather vague but as a former forensic social worker I can say that the descriptions of the psychiatric hospital were very accurate and ,I also enjoyed the fact that I really had no clue what exactly had happened and how the book would end .I will most definitely be looking out for more books from this rather wonderful writer and I would give this book 6 stars if I could.Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC.

Loved this book, relatable characters, fab writing style & plenty twists & turns what more can you ask for. Look forward to reading more by this author. Thanks for the preview.

First read of this author. Really enjoyed this, twisty and taut and a solid read. Thank you for the chance to review it.

I received a copy of this book through netgalley and absolutely loved it.
The story describes a very relatable middle class mother ( Connie) pushed to the brink of sanity by the people she trusts most. In a bid to survive her actions she shuts down her mind and it is up to no-nonsense forensic psychiatrist, Emma to unlock her mind and help her accept responsibility. What Emma and the reader does not bargain for is how incredibly self aware and rational Connie is despite current circumstances. Her humor, her ability to read people and her underlying love for her family floors Emma and in turn the reader. Yes, as per the title and the blurb, the story begins with the friendship between Connie and her best friend, Nessa but I think the crux of the story is actually the relationship that grows between patient and psychiatrist, one that often crosses the bounds of professionalism.

I loved Natalie Daniel’s journalistic style of writing. Very Lionel Shriver like. The story told mostly from Connie and Emma’s perspectives but with excerpts from the child Annie’s eyes was sheer genious, I thought. By the end of the book, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Connie and yet admiring her for her ability to reach towards that elusive point of forgiveness both for herself and for her nemesis. There were several points where the authors observations of marriage and motherhood, made me self reflect and find myself in surprising agreement! Altogether a very enjoyable book with a hope filled ending.