Here comes unpopular, exiled to the minority kingdom review! After reading so many things about the book and past works about the author, as a die-hard thriller fan, I went blind to this reading but I couldn’t decide which character was the worst one! Don’t get me wrong! I always enjoy reading unlikable, twisted characters’ adventures but this time: they were unrealistically despicable. They reminded me of 80’s Dallas, Falcon Crest, Dynasty kind of villains: full of clichés and over exaggerated characterization.

The plot of the book was interesting. Two women’s close friendship throughout the years and then one of them gets sick and she has a dying wish. Before Nina dies she makes her best friend Marie promise to take good care of her family ( her husband Stuart and her dear kids). Of course Marie promises because she loves her friend and she is also pathological and cold blooded liar who can use her new responsibility for her own benefit. She wants to have kids with her own husband Ben but she realizes her husband and she slowly drift apart and she may take over the place Nina left in her family.

But what if her dear passed away friend is also liar like her and her plan B to save herself puts her into more trouble? As web of lies start to pour down and Marie starts getting threatening messages. Somebody really wants to destroy her new life and bring out her secrets. Oh Marie, you should have second thoughts before you say yes to Nina!

Overall: The pacing and growing mystery kept my attention intact and I wanted to keep reading even though I can guess how the story will conclude. The most irritating factor for me was unreliable characters and their never ending schemes, lies, secrets. But the story’s progression and the writing style never got me bored. So I decided to give my three stars. I wish I could I liked the book more but not only protagonists but also the supporting characters irritated the hell of me.

Special thanks to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN/Graydon House for sharing this intriguing ARC in exchange my honest review.

I read this book a few days ago, and I’m still thinking about it! It’s going to be a challenge to write this review without giving too much away.

Marie and Nina have been best friends their whole lives. Nina dies of a terminal illness, but before she does, Nina asks Marie to “take care” of her family. Marie is desperate for a family and is quick to move into Nina’s home and take over her life. Soon a friend from the past moves back and creates more tension between Marie, Stuart(Nina’s husband) and Camille. As the story unfolds, Marie unfolds a secret about her first love, Charlie, and the circumstances surrounding his death all those years ago..

I enjoyed the writing style and the flow of the storyline, which kept the story engaging. I thought the characters were well developed, but at times found Marie to be a bit much. I didn’t feel a whole lot of empathy towards her as I found it a bit weird that she moved into her best friends home right away and then got pregnant soon after..but I guess that’s what the author might have wanted! Overall, gripping book and definitely recommend!!

Marie is devastated when her best friend Nina is diagnosed with a terminal condition. She would do anything to help her friend so when Nina asks for a final favor, Marie readily agrees. Too bad Marie didn’t know Nina as well as she thought, too bad she didn’t know that her “friend” coveted everything Marie had, and that she will do anything to get what she believes is rightly hers