What I enjoyed most about reading this book, is the memories that resurfaced about my own pregnancy and early motherhood. Nixon has captured this perfectly and I think any mother will experience the same recollections when they read this book. However, from a thriller perspective, it did just fall a little flat and I found the ending prolonged.

With Aisha and Lucy joining a baby group, the sessions that Nixon details are ones that I am sure most parents can relate to. There is humour here and I could not help chuckle at Aisha and Lucy’s experiences before, during and after the birth of their babies. It was a pleasant read from this perspective, because it brought back memories that I had forgotten for a while. For me, it is this that made the book so enjoyable because I relished in my own trips down memory lane.

From the thriller angle, I was quite disappointed. It was too clear, too early on, what Lucy’s secret was. As such, I just wanted the writer to “get on with it” and have the “big reveal”. When that happened, I was still surprised at the number of chapters still remaining. Unfortunately, I found that I was losing interest as the conclusion still seemed too far away from my liking. I started to feel frustrated and I think this was because the story had moved away from the parenting aspect and was focusing on the thriller genre.

This book covers all aspects of parenting that you would expect. Birth, relationships and early weeks of motherhood. I think this makes the book most enjoyable, but is quite weak as a thriller. I did not sympathise with Lucy and her situation. Indeed, the other character she becomes involved with did not share my sympathies either: I felt they were both rather selfish and not appreciative of their current circumstances.

I can’t say that I had a favourite character in this book but I do applaud Nixon for the diversity of parents. It is refreshing to see and it reinforced how different everyone’s journey to parenthood really is. Based on this, I found the story quite different and unexpected to what I had anticipated. But, the mystery did not excite me as much as the baby memories!

This is an ok read that sadly did not fulfil my expectations. Reading about motherhood was really pleasant because of my own memories but, I think other readers may find the thrilling element as equally frustrating as myself.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was provided with a digital ARC by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This started off as a really promising book. I was reading it waiting for a big twist that never came. The ‘twist’ was really obvious from so early on. Such a disappointment when you’re waiting for something to come from left field and grab you.

I wanted to love it but in the end it was just OK..

This is about Aisha and Lucy, two expectant mothers, and their friendship after meeting at a baby group held in the back room of a local church. Told via dual narration in alternating chapters.

Aisha is married to Jason and Lucy is with Oscar but is fully prepared to be a single mum if he doesn’t commit.

I think this is best read knowing very little, just go with the flow and enjoy getting to know everyone in the group. The twist I saw coming and was a little bit predictable but putting that aside it wasn’t really important. The characters more than made up for it, especially the crazy doula who runs the group.

I’m not sure which genre this is being marketed as but in my opinion it is women’s fiction with a hint of suspense. What this book definitely is, is a wickedly sharp look at pregnancy, relationships, friendship and motherhood.

The humour was the stand out for me and anyone who has had children will be smirking at the highly relatable moments, although I’ve never accidentally fake tanned either of my babies.

Aisha is pregnant with her first child with Jason. Nearing the end of the pregnancy she joins an antenatal group. Jason isn't interested and Aisha finds herself increasingly alone. At the group she meets Lucy , The pair strike up a friendship. However, just before the birth Lucy begins to distance herself. Aisha is at a loss to understand why.
However, it is not long before the group become parents and their babies the centre of the world. Its also when secrets come out and peoples lives change.
This was an enjoyable read. It brought back memories of my antenatal group. However, mine wasn't as diverse. At times a little slow for me but nether the less an easy read with a cuppa
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

Love lost and love found but consequences arise. I enjoyed this story. It starts with a happily married couple. lisha and Jason. Aisha is pregnant with their first child and decides to join a baby group which she expects Jason to attend. Jason is working very hard to financially set them up and one day sees a lost love. Aisha gets involved in the baby group and becomes friendly with a lady called Lucy. Lucy seems very put together which makes Aisha feel fat and unloved as the pregnancy gets further along. The story twists and turns and dips in and out of the group’s family dynamics. Aisha feels something is not right with Jason other than he works so hard and she endeavours to find out the problem and then she finds out a truth which she did not want to hear. Eventually all babies are born but once Jason admits the secret life is not as it should be. The story is about families staying together through problems and sorting them out in a way that can only be done by regret, compassion and forgiveness. A lovely book

This is a good quick read and a welcome mixture of thriller and chic lit, surrounding a baby group, formed of strangers who become close as they approach the birth of their first child
The story is well written and the characters are well rounded and either likeable or hateable, which is a great mix. The main characters are mums Aisha and Lucy, who arrive at the first of the group sessions without their partners and form an immediate bind despite the differences in their personal lives.
The twist here is easy to guess, although the author has crafted the tale so well that it keeps your interest, adding in extra twists to the central plot to keep the reader engaged.
I would happily recommend this book and look forward to reading others by the author.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story is told from both Aisha and Lucy’s point of view, with each chapter alternating between them.

For those who have had children will instantly relate to this, especially the baby group and all the things they discuss. It definitely brought back memories for me. It also follows the women after they have had their babies and again I think the author did a great job of conveying the difficulties and emotions that all new mums experience. It was handled beautifully and really showed how hard it can be and how you’re constantly comparing yourself to other parents.

Throughout the beginning of the book the author drops little hints that something isn’t quite right and that Lucy may have a secret. Unfortunately I did guess what it was straight away….I don’t think it’s that hard to guess, especially with some of the hints given. However, despite knowing what the secret was I was still intrigued as to how it was going to play out between them all.

As we learn about what happened there are flashbacks which further explain the secret and how the characters got to where they are now. My only criticism would be that it was probably a couple of chapters too long, there were a few near the end where I thought this is the end but then it carried on. Although I did enjoy the last chapter which did tie everything up nicely.

Overall this isn’t a fast paced action packed book. Instead you go on a journey with these women as they navigate life changing moments of having a baby and dealing with their relationships.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would and despite being a little predictable it was different to many books I've read of late. I liked the characters and felt I'd met most of them at some point in my life. The baby group scenario reminded me of an NCT group I joined many years ago even if the book's characters were more diverse and certainly the leader, Maggie, was particularly entertaining. Overall a worthwhile read unless you are adverse to pregnancy and babies.

This was such an enjoyable read! I found real comfort and escapism in reading this.
I loved all the characters we met and how they developed as the book progressed.

I think this is a book to go into knowing very little about. It keeps you guessing throughout, but opens so many possibilities, you just have no idea how the story will progress.

There are some twists in this book that I didn't see coming and some that I did but I didn't feel like it took anything away from my enjoyment of the book.

I really appreciated how everything was wrapped up for each character at the end, I felt a real sense of closure.

So I gave this 4 stars, I really loved it.
Just Between Friends is released on the 12th of November!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I found this an enjoyable easy going read! Following the two expectant mothers making their way into parenthood was lovely. It had some really funny moments and it really did bring back memories from when my son was little! The secrets and twists were written in well and I really enjoyed it!

I found this to be a pleasant enjoyable read a little predictable in places but overall enjoyed reading it. The topic may not be everyone’s choice . The story follows two expectant mums that meet up in a local baby group hoping to make new friends within that circle. The story is told through the eyes of Lucy & Aisha the main characters. It follows their journey in to motherhood & their relationships but all is not what it seems as the secrets begin to unravel of their past life. Starts off getting to know each of the characters , their partners & of course the baby group where friendships are made. Has some funny moments that make you smile, if you are a mum yourself it will bring back some of those memories. Starts slowly with a few twists & turns later on as the story enfolds. For me I would say it’s a gentle read for you to enjoy.

Aisha joined other mum’s to be at her local baby centre, but little did she know how life would turn out. I truly enjoyed this touching, well written novel with an unexpected ending. Top marks to Rosie, a brilliant author!

I just kept waiting for the 'thriller' to start... i was waiting a long time!!!
I really disliked this book. I just felt it didn't really go anywhere, there wasn't much at stake, I wasn't intrigued or gripped at any point.
Just didn't get it - how it can be described as a mystery/thriller I don't know!!!

This is a quick and interesting read with a mix of genre undertones throughout. It combines domestic drama, suspense and has an occasional lean towards Psychological Thriller.

Whilst the big reveal is not unexpected, the Author weaves her way towards it with the occasional hint at something else going on and I quite like that I was expecting more.

New friendships, new beginnings and secrets are all carefully put together with great characterisation through a diverse group of couples expecting their first babies.

Just Between Friends by Rosie Nixon. Out 12 November 2020
A diverse assortment of characters makes up the Baby Group, headed by mad Maggie. There are two same-sex couples, one with their surrogate and the second couple who have used the services of an anonymous sperm donor, a young couple in their mid-twenties and two older ladies with their partners, Aisha with husband Jason and Lucy, with partner Oscar the storyline focuses on them essentially.
An easygoing slow-paced read. It was not the gripping plot that the synopsis suggests; I, unfortunately, found it all somewhat predictable; I felt like I had read it all before.
I have read and enjoyed books by this author previously and hope to do again in the future.
I want to thank NetGalley, HQ and author Rosie Nixon for a pre-publication copy to review.

I really enjoyed Rosie Nixon’s previous books however I could tell from the cover this wasn’t her usual lighthearted read. Featuring two strong female characters in Aisha and Lucy this is a steady character lead story with a hint of secrecy and the kind of bond that can only be formed in joined circumstances. The different couples at the baby group added an interesting element and the relationships that Aisha and Lucy were in couldn’t be more different. This is a great study of relationships and although different to her previous books her writing style has matured well.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

.Aisha is eight months pregnant when she meets Lucy at a baby group and they become good friends. Aisha finds out after her baby Joni is born that her husband James had a relationship over 20 years ago with Lucy where Lucy had an abortion. The day before Aisha tells James she is pregnant, James has a one nigh stand it’s Lucy. Is Lucy’s baby James’s or did her IVF work and the father is an anonymous sperm donor? Can Aisha and James’s relationship survive the betrayal?

A good book by Rosie.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thanks to HQ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. Being a new mam made me enjoy it even more I think. The story is about two pregnant women that meet at a local baby group, Aisha & Lucy. They sharply become good friends, confiding in each other about their pregnancy woes. I don’t want to spoil the book, but Lucy has a huge secret she’s keeping.. how long can she keep the secret? I loved reading all about the pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting troubles. Everything I’ve recently experienced! It’s been a breath of fresh air from the usual crime stories I read. The characters were relatable, likeable, I enjoyed reading all about the characters pregnancy and motherhood. But it also had a great storyline! I read in two days and with a 6 month old baby that’s quick! Highly recommend!

Synopsis:


Aisha Moore is eight months pregnant. She’s thrilled, and a little scared. Not least because her husband Jason hasn’t quite wrapped his head around the fact.

Lucy is having her first child too. She has finally got her wish – although the circumstances aren’t quite what she had hoped. Oscar will be a great dad though, won’t he?

When the two women join the same baby group, they quickly become friends and before long they’re confiding in each other.

Only there’s one thing Lucy hasn’t told Aisha. And while a baby may turn your life upside-down, a secret this big will change everything.

I have given this book a high 3 stars. I liked the whole idea of the baby group and the friendships that were formed. I thought that some of what happened between Lucy and Aisha was predictable but it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I was pulled towards this as I saw Joan Collins say if was ‘absolutely riveting’, and apparently Lorraine Kelly ‘couldn’t put it down’, I wouldn’t be quite so effusive but it wasn’t at all bad
Kind of a psychological, romance ish, family ish drama really that centres around ‘mum’s to be’ and a very well portrayed ( and at times very funny ) pre ‘giving birth’ club, which is run by a kindly but tyrannical woman who isen’t happy until she has them all MOOING and shouting vagina at the top of their voices, its funnier in context 😀
Anyway 2 of the members form a friendship but Aisha and Lucy really don’t realise just how much of a past, and present, they share
I think any reader will guess what’s afoot and what is going to happen and although the ending is no surprise it is done really ‘nicely’ and I was happy with the outcome
Some great extras in the group including a lesbian earth mother coupling who once give birth were not quite so green loving and some actual very emotive descriptions on how it felt to be reaching the time to give birth and be a Mum
A nice read in many ways and did cause quite a few smiles, always good in 2020 but also a story of caution

7/10
4 Stars