I enjoyed this a lot, and felt like it was written well. That being said, I was left with a somewhat lackluster feeling. There was a few too many twists and changes of direction, with left the message feeling chaotic. I couldn’t decide what the author really wanted to say about these characters.

Jackson writes a book full of twists and turns. It drew me in from the first page. It also kept me guessing until the last page.

It is the story of a woman, Amy Whey, who has it all...a loving husband, two great kids and a job she enjoys. She has the life of her dreams, but on this night her past comes back to haunt her as a new member shows up to the neighborhood book club. The new member, Roux, seemingly innocently begins a game of Never Have I Ever that exposes some dark secrets of the neighborhood and sets into motion a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Amy will be forced to fight for the life she has built and ultimately will have to decide how far she is willing to go to keep her past hidden.

It is a story the reader quickly will dip into and find themselves caught up in the plot twists. A good read by Joshilyn Jackson.

Could not put this one down. The resolution was not easily predicted and it keeps the reader engaged to the very end. Highly recommended!

5 glorious stars.

Everyone has secrets. Everyone has instances in their past that they aren’t proud of. Everyone has moments from the past that they don’t freely share with others.

While at a book club meeting, Amy meets her new neighbor Roux. Roux has the ability to sweet talk others into sharing their deep3st, darkest secrets. Even though Amy puts and end to the game before she shares too much, Roux somehow knows Amy’s biggest, deepest, darkest secret. Readers the. Witness how Roux came to know details from Amy’s past, and the lengths Amy will go to keep her secret safe.

Just enough twists and turns to keep me interested, and none of these twists were predictable. This is a book that I read at every opportunity. Highly recommend!

I've been a huge fan of Joshilyn Jackson ever since I got to hear her speak at the Festival of Faith & Writing in 2010. That was my first festival, and I'd never read one of her books before but she was so funny that I picked one up right afterward and have been reading her books ever since!

Never Have I Ever is Jackon's latest and like all her books, there's a strong female lead, tons of wit and snark, and there's a twist that I just did not see coming.

Main character Amy Whey is living a #blessed life from all outward appearances. She has a gorgeous house in an upper-middle class neighborhood. She has a loving, if not a little boring, husband. She's a stay-at-home mom to her baby boy and has a great relationship with her teenage stepdaughter whom she adores. She's an accomplished diving instructor, and she helps run a book club with her best friend, the bubbly and rather tightly wound, Charlotte.

But what none of her neighbors know is that Amy's past is far from idyllic. She struggles with overeating and extreme dieting. She's estranged from her family. And she harbors a dark secret that only she and one other person in the world know. Or so she thought.

When the enigmatic and intoxicating Roux and her teenage son show up in the neighborhood, renting the eyesore Airbnb at the end of the street, Amy doesn't think much of it. She'll get over there with some welcome cookies eventually. But Roux beats her to it, showing up unexpectedly at book club one night. And Roux's plans don't involve gossiping over Charlotte's chosen read. Instead, Roux proposes her remixed version of the drinking game "Never Have I Ever," and in the aftermath of what's revealed, the neighborhood is turned upside down and Amy's secret just might be exposed.

Just what lengths will Amy go to keep the past dead and buried?

Jackson goes to some dark places in her books, dealing with abuse, rape, racism, body issues, and the ways secrets destroy, and this book is no exception, delving deep into several of those topics. I've always loved how Jackson can so starkly write to some of the worst aspects of human nature, while still leaving us feeling hopeful and optimistic at the end. It's truly a gift.

Never Have I Ever is a page-turner just like all her others. I could not put it down. The twist at the end was way darker than I expected. I feel like this book needs a trigger warning, but how you'd do that without spoiling the twist (which I'm not inclined to do), I have no idea.

I finished reading this one a few weeks ago, and the story has definitely stuck with me. As with all Jackson's books, this will be one I return to again, looking for all the clues I missed the first time around.

Jackson does a few things really well in all of her novels:
She gives us a badass female lead.
She always has a tense standoff, usually involving a gun and said badass lady.
She creates imperfect characters that are are also easy to root for.

Never Have I Ever has all of these elements, making for a quick, page-turning read. She throws you off by revealing twist after twist before the book is half over.

Recommend for book clubs, beach reads, and fans of her work.

I loved this book! Got lucky and received it right before going on vacation, finished the entire thing in the car. It is a drama with some mystery sprinkled in. Great for fans of women's lit as well as thrillers, which in its own I think makes it a great story.

There are twists and turns that you want from a thriller and dynamic characters and relationships that you want to women's lit.

You know the game. Never have I ever kissed a boy or gone skinny dipping. But when the mysterious Roux shows up to the neighborhood book club, the game takes a sinister turn. Now Amy Whey's whole life feels threatened. For Amy has a secret past, one that Roux is willing to blackmail her over. But two can play at this game. A deliciously fun summer read that kept me guessing until the end (which I did not expect).

When Roux, the new neighbor invites herself into the local book club, the neighborhood is never the same again. Everyone seems mesmerized by Roux' unusual looks and personality. Amy, a mother of an infant and stepdaughter seems to be Roux' target. Roux has a way of getting everyone's secrets and using them for her benefit. Lots of twists and surprises throughout this book will hold the reader's interest to the end. Recommended!

Wow, just wow. This was a page-turner and kept me on the “edge of my seat” more than any other book I’ve read this year.

At what was supposed to be a normal book club meeting, Roux, new to the neighborhood, ends the night with her idea of a game to tell the worst thing you did today, last week, last year, and so on. With things getting out of hand, Amy ends the game and has everyone leave her home, but little did she know that for her, the game sadly has only just begun.

I was a bit apprehensive going into this read as this appears to be the author's first foray into the thriller genre, but, I was very impressed! The thrill of figuring out everyone's pasts and motivations kept me turning pages and while some plot points were a little far-fetched, I was still entertained. I especially enjoyed the author's use of Amy's career as a scuba diving instructor to add symbolism and tension to the story. I'd recommend this one as a quick summer beach read.

Amy lives in your average neighborhood. She loves being a new mom, is just back to work as a diving instructor. The evening she hosts the neighborhood book club the newest neighbor arrives and takes over. Roux introduces a new game that Amy does not like. Amy does all she an to get her out of her house. Soon Roux's motivation threatens to disrupt Amy's entire life and reveal secrets she has worked hard to keep buried. This was a totally different book for this author that was twisty and thoroughly enjoyable!

You know those conversational terrorists who hijack entire conversations?

Now imagine one shows up to your BFF's snoozeville book club and that you are secretly delighted until you realize that she has just equally charmed everyone else in the club and she may know your deepest, darkest secret.

Amy has created a quiet little life with her hubby, step-daughter, and infant son when Roux tornadoes into her life hellbent on destroying it. Why does Roux want to ruin her life and what lengths will Amy go to in order to protect herself, her family and her secret?

This was yummy!

Thank you to Joshilyn Jackson, HarperCollins Publishers, William Morrow and Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed NEVER HAVE I EVER, which is a bit darker than Jackson's previous novels. What happens when a women's book club meeting goes off the rails? In this novel we follow Amy in her quest to protect herself and clear her name. As the story progresses disturbing details from her past emerge. The first few chapters are a bit tough to get through simply because we are learning who's who and what's going on. However, the reader is definitely rewarded by sticking with it. The second half of the book is a compelling cat and mouse race to the finish. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! This would make a fantastic beach read this summer.

What avid reader has not sat through a painfully boring book club session? How many times can someone sheepishly say I didn't finish but I want to talk about that cute (Fill in the blank). What happens when structure is usurped by chaos? Jackson provides the answers in her latest provocative suspense novel.

Amy has found a safe haven in Pensacola FL. Married to Davis, step mother to Maddie, and new mother to Oliver, she has relaxed into the role of a middle class homemaker. Her dark secret has been locked down, the toxic self loathing truth buried from her self. Enter Roux, who implies she might know this truth, and with this truth has the power to destroy Amy's safety. What will it take to make this possible disaster go away?

Jackson has created characters that are near matches in their wits and in the ability to match move and counter move. The fast paced plot carries the reader along, encouraging a reader to forgo errands, housework, postpone deadlines, to be able to read just one more chapter.

The author uses underwater diving as a metaphor for retaining self control. Amy's role as a diving instructor is an important part of the story. I believe that the author uses the image of underwater diving as a metaphor for buried secrets and regaining self knowledge. This subtle theme weaves through the story.

In an online interview published in 2017, Jackson said "I have a lot of privilege. I was raised small-town South, and I live urban. I try to be cognizant of my biases—we all have them—but I am imperfect. I try to write my way into a better understanding of myself and the world around me. "

One hopes she will continue to delve deep, producing superior novels such as "Never Have I ever"

Highly recommended

Full disclosure: I received this uncorrected e copy from netgalley and Harper-Collins in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

Did I just finish a different book than all the other reviewers? I thought this book was a mess! The characters were unlikeable, several of the twists were unbelievable and the ending was not at all satisfying. I pushed myself to finish it and felt a little dirty (not in a sexual way) once I was done. Not recommending this one and was very disappointed since Add book was one of my favorite reads.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.
















































































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is pu















Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.
































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.














































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.
































Never Have I Ever
Joshilyn Jackson
Pub. date: July 30, 2019


Amy Whey is a happily married mother. She has her son, Oliver, almost one. He is such a joy. Her stepdaughter, Madison is in high school and they are starting to get along surprisingly well. Her husband, Davis is a college professor. As a teenager growing up she had never dreamed that life could be so pleasant. Amy was a large girl who had trouble making friends. School was boring and difficult. Her parents were wealthy and demanding of her. Her mother wanted her thin and popular. She was given an allowance which she spent mostly on food or drugs. She made friends with a newcomer, Tig Simms. His parents were estranged and money was just not available for anything but alcohol. Food in his house was a rarity. Amy felt sorry for him. He didn’t know anyone. He was very intelligent and was given a scholarship to the private school she attended. Many times after school when she was not babysitting for the Shipley family down the street they would head out to the woods and smoke dope. It was so nice to have him as a friend. He would drop by and they would head off together. Amy never thought there would ever be anything romantic between them. He was cute, curly-headed and tall; really amazing. She with her large hips, fat arms and big lips. She was only someone to talk with. After the accident happened their life was torn apart. Amy left for California trying to lose the person she had become. Now a mother, those memories still ugly, still frightening but she kept them locked in the box. Her life was good.
She and her best friend Charlotte were having their book club tonight. Neighbor friends will come, they will all talk about the book, drink some wine and eat snacks. Tonight, however after welcoming most of the expected guests, another knock came on the door. A woman, tall, slim, beautiful stood at the door smiling. She said Char invited her, she lived in the rental a few doors down. She introduced herself as Roux, Angelica Roux. She was strange, rather mysterious. Through the course of the night she took over, wanting to play the game ‘Never have I ever’. Some thought it would be fun. Amy, Char and a few others said no way. Things did progress and the night seemed to form a web of deception and lies.
I’ll not go further, Ms. Jackson’s novel was exceptionally well written, however I found it very difficult to get through the first few chapters. They were somewhat confusing and very unsettling. As the story went on it unfolded into a tale of Amy’s attempt to clear her history.
Never Have I Ever is written by Joshilyn Jackson. It is published by William Morrow and will be available on July 30, 2019.

Nasty women, long-buried secrets, blackmail and suburban setting—beach book page-turner with Jackson’s signature offbeat humor and characters with just enough of the normal to make it all believable.

I am a huge fan of Joshilyn Jackson but I was a little underwhelmed by her new book. I found the characters unlikable and the circumstances hard to believe. That being said, the author certainly had me on my toes with guessing what the characters would do next and Jackson's unique humor shines through.