This was a very interesting and intriguing read. I really enjoy this author so I was looking forward to her newest novel. Highly recommended domestic thriller.

Robyn Harding did it again. Another fast paced read that I devoured. Although none of the characters were overly likeable, I loved the story.

Well, this was twisted.

A misfit loner, a lonely barren woman, and a social media influencer with a shiny life. A love triangle of sorts gone wrong. Friendship becomes obsession, a casual party becomes a drug-fueled night of regrets, secrets become resentments which then become ammunition. This is a story about relationships and how one woman's need to be validated and get what she wants will motivate her to do whatever it takes no matter who she takes down in the process.

The story is split up into the different seasons and spans approximately one year; it is told from the perspectives of the three main characters and two supporting characters. As time passes, details about the characters' past lives are revealed and I went from feeling sorry for them, to disliking them, to rooting for them. It was well-written and culminated in a thrilling climax that was well-executed. I really enjoyed the fact that this story takes place in the Pacific Northwest as, like the author, I am also from Vancouver. So it felt more relevant to me.

The description of this book says that it is good for fans of Megan Miranda and Lisa Jewell, two authors that I really like, and I'd say that's pretty accurate and that this author fits neatly in the middle of both of those authors. This is my first read from this author and I definitely intend to read more.

Thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy.

Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Thrill factor: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Honestly, it was a disappointment for me. I seriously disliked the characters, and just did not have a taste for the story line. Most were conceited, narcissistic, or legit bonkers in the head. It was a mess for me. The only thing I did like was where Maggie ended up in the end, with the love and care she deserved.

Robyn Harding did not disappoint with this novel! It kept me guessing until the very end! The Swap follows a teenage Low, who felt like she never really fit in anywhere. She becomes enamored with an older women Freya, who takes Low under her wing. Low becomes a bit obsessive with Freya, and doesn't handle it well when Freya meets a friend her own age,. Highly recommend this novel!

I love books and shows about people with zero redeeming qualities. The Swap is one of those books. Definitely a page turner, this probably won't a book for everyone. I can see people getting annoyed at the characters but I thought it was well done! Looking forward to reading more work by this author.

💔#partner|Thank you to @simonschusterca @rhardingwriter & @netgalley for the free book! It’s available now!
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🌟BOOK REVIEW🌟
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▪️MY THOUGHTS
✔️I have to start by saying how much I love @rhardingwriter writing and storytelling! This book had everything I was looking for...short chapters told from alternative perspectives, drama, jealousy and revenge! I loved to hate Freya’s character - some of her actions made me so angry that I had to put the book down for a minute. Everyone in the book had something to hide and I was so captivated right from the beginning. If you’re looking for a fast paced book with so much drama - this book is for you!
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CW: Adultery, drug use, miscarriage, physical and emotional spousal abuse & suicide.

What an interesting book! Low, is a high school student who does not come from your typical family - she is somewhat of a loner. Freya has just moved into town and is offering pottery classes to anyone. Low decides to go and begins this obsession. Things turn weird when Freya makes a new friend -

This is the story of a toxic trio that goes completely off the rails. I was unable to put this one down!! It was fast paced and intriguing throughout. I would definitely recommend.

This is a dark, twisty, exciting thriller that gripped me from the start and held me captive until the end. Three women (well one 17 year old and 2 women) meet, interact and change each other's lives forever. 17-year-old, Swallow (Low) Morrison is graduating in three months. She is an outcast, has no friends and can't wait for school to end. When she meets Freya Light, a pottery teacher, she has her first friend. She and Freya start spending a lot of time together and Freya tells Low how much she enjoys their time together. But then, Freya makes a new friend. Freya and Max are new in town. He moves to a small town to get away from the harassment they have been dealing with after he breaks a man's neck on the ice while playing hockey. Jamie and her husband Brian are also new to town and Jamie badly needs a friend, enter Freya. The two couples become great friends until that night A Swap, that causes rifts that change everything. As things shift between the two friends, Low finds herself in the middle.

This is another one of those books that I read straight through. I did nothing else (luckily I live alone and am retired) until I finished this one. The story is told from multiple POVs. We learn about the background of Low and Freya. We get some information about Jamie and Brian as well and why they have moved. Through this the characters are well developed. The story is well plotted with clues being dropped as to what is happening, at least what I thought had happened. I did not like Freya very much, she seemed to be a real narcissist, but was kind to Low, at least some of the time. There were many spots that had me feeling angry and frustrated with the characters. This is a story about jealousy, friendships, or at least dysfunctional friendships, selfishness and obsession. I did not expect the ending at all, but I loved it. If you enjoy a thriller, then this one is for you.

An absolutely unexpected story rich with scandalous immoralities...

Ms. Robyn Harding has created an exquisite, loosely moraled cautionary tale.

It's a delicious story of self hatred, shaming and irreconcilable friendships after a night of too much alcohol and consensual adultery.

The swap delivers a tour de force cast of characters that are damaged, depraved and headed straight for disaster. You can't stop to look away from the wreck that's about to happen.

It's a 5 star must read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and the author Ms Robyn Harding, for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "The Swap".
The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

In The Swap, Harding doesn't disappoint in her well-honed ability to mix a good dose of sex into the twisted elements of thriller. But the couple swapping from which this novel derives its name is not as tantalizing has the love triangle experienced by the three women in the story. Lo is an isolated teen, girl crushing on instafamous Frey, who in turn is in a developing friendship with more age appropriate, Jamie. Lo is jealous, Frey is conniving, and Jamie gets more than she bargained for when she spends a night sharing 'shrooms and husbands with Frey.
Told from multiple perspectives, the novel is strongest when we are hearing from Lo, the lonely and discontented teen. Outsiders always have the most honest and fascinating observations of the world.
Compelling, tantalizing and red-hot with toxic obsession, this book hooked me from the start.

What a whirlwind of a story!!

Low, a teen, meets Freya, an exciting new woman in town. Freya offers a pottery class and Low signs up. Low becomes obsessed with Freya and when Freya begins to make other friends, Low becomes jealous.

The above summary doesn’t even begin to touch on what happens in this book! Definitely a page-turner! I couldn’t put it down!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Fair warning: this is not a happy book. It features a lot of spousal abuse, massive mental friendship abuse, insecurity, jealousy and every other emotion you can think of that you might experience when you are desperate for someone's attention. I didn't dislike it; but I didn't really like it either. Robyn Harding delivers a well written, quick to read story that is shroud in a pseudo-mystery. While our lead couple pretend not to know what is going on; I believe in reality they do and so they keep the idea that there is a mystery alive in order to protect one another from the truth.

Hit Close to Home
The Swap reminded me of a time in my life (about 10 years now) where I let a girl control everything about my life and happiness. It took my husband saying I was forbidden to speak to her for me to actually break the toxic cycle. I had been stuck in that cycle for almost 15 years (since I was about 10 years old).
Everything said in this book is like a ghost of what I said to myself time and time again as a teen and into my early 20's. Harding brought me right back to those insecure moments where I justified the lying, cheating, and verbal abuse because I 'needed' this friend. As such I didn't really 'enjoy' reading this. And yet I did.

The Conundrum
If you read a book and it's super impactful; but not necessarily in a happy way, does that make it a good book? I think usually the answer is yes. In this case I felt icky after reading The Swap. But I don't think that is Harding's fault. I think it's that I'm still embarrassed to say that I fell for every tactic in the book in the past; as our leading gal also does. So I guess I would say The Swap is likely to make you feel uncomfortable at times. For some you may just want to yell and shake our leading lady into oblivion because you can't believe what she's doing. I had a little of each reaction at times.

Swinging
I'm always intrigued by alternate choices from monogamy. Harding asks a hard question here about 'what is sexual infidelity'? If both parties in a marriage make the exact same mistake does that make it okay? Is it infidelity? If you believed you were doing what your 'partner wanted' does that justify the action? These are all questions that The Swap asks. I'm not sure an answer is really ever given. These are very personal acts and I believe each person will react differently based on their own past experiences or existing state of any sexual relationships.

Overall
What is clear to me, by the end of the book: truth with your partner is always the best choice. Always. It's rare that lying to 'save someone's feelings' is a good option and this is no exception. Be upfront and you will find that maybe you're not as far away from the same thought as your partner. And if you are, then accept what you've done and figure out the next steps.
Love is a funny thing and Harding really puts strain on a couple to see what will happen and who will 'break' first. While this book made me feel belittled again I think the majority of people will really enjoy it if they have read Harding in the past. Give it's outside my usual genre, got personal, and has asks tough questions; The Swap was still superbly written and well worth a look.

I was initially incredibly intrigued by just the title and cover of this book, but unfortunately this ended up just being a middle-of-the-road thriller for me. I’m not one who needs great characters to enjoy a story, but I couldn’t find myself rooting for or caring about any of the characters. Unlike many other thrillers I’ve read, I actually wished this one would have been a bit more longer or more detailed.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I have to say that I liked this book better than The Arrangement. We read about two couples and a teenage girl whose lives' are all intertwined, but in a dark, manipulated way. Freya is the sun with Low and Jamie wanting to orbit around her beauty. They both need Freya's attention and feel lost without it. Freya is a grand manipulator who plays the other two women against each other. The two couples swap partners after a night fueled by alcohol and magic mushrooms. This night is the beginning of a downward spiral that will result in distrust, doubt and an uncertain future for all the characters.
The story will draw you in and not let go till the last sordid act has played out!!!

Freya Light is a narcissist psychopath influencer who somehow ensnares anyone who meets her. Low, a teenager from the local high school falls in love at first sight and signs up for her pottery classes. Jamie, a local shop owner also has an unhealthy attachment to her. Everything goes awry when Jamie and her husband spend an evening with Freya and her husband, Max, drinking mushroom tea. They do a partner swap and nothing is the same.

I honestly have always wondered about influencers and their obsession for approval and likes, this novel really takes that to the next level and to be honest, I found parts of Freya's character somewhat believable. The only criticism I have is that as a reader, I couldn't quite understand Freya's appeal, and the hypnotic effect she seemed to have on everyone she came across; she just seemed like an awful human being.

4.5/5 rounded up to 5. This book was hard to put down and I really enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars
A psychological thriller that is wonderfully twisted! I could barely pause while reading this book. Harding takes the reader on a dark journey of how one night of unhinged fun can lead to disastrous results.

Imagine the debauchery of swapping partners for one night? When two couple friends opt to do just that it steers their friendship in an unexpected direction. At times, this book pushed my comfort limits, and I felt compelled to read on despite the foreboding feeling in the pit of my stomach. It is a book that has lots of foreshadowing and an unsettling atmosphere. I enjoyed the suspense immensely. My only qualm was that the last few chapters felt a bit rushed and almost like the author was in a hurry to wrap things up. It was the weakest part of the story. But otherwise a super fun read for fans of this genre.

A gracious thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You can feel the menace from the very first paragraph. You know something awful is about to happen, but even though a hundred scenarios flicker through your mind as you read, you will not guess the ending. A great read.

1 Star ( I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

*Sigh* This is the third Robyn Harding I have attempted to read and I have to admit her writing just isn’t for me. Whether reading the physical, e-book or audiobook I have never been to get into it. I started reading the e-book for one chapter and then once the audiobook came out I read few more chapters that way. I just found Low to be creepy and initially thought the character was a boy when reading the e-book. Her relationship with Freya is uncomfortable for me and Jamie wasn’t a bad character, I just couldn’t bring my self to care about anyone. I didn’t even get to the two couples meeting for the first time. But the synopsis for her books always intrigue me.. They just never follow through for me.