This book was fun to read but the story was kind of slow. I enjoyed it enough but didn’t really Do much for me.

I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book more than iI did. It really felt like a time filler. None of the characters to draw you in or are especially interesting, all seem a bit flat. Just turning pages to get to the end of the story. Three stars

Ruth and Marley are alone in the word until they meet Gemma and Bee. Ruth's money and Gemma's warmth meld them into a family, a family that Ruth tries to hold unto with a death grip, but she slips up. Gemma and Bee slip away until Bee and Marley are starting high school, and Ruth finds her way back into Gemma's good graces. Now--she just needs to do everything possible to stay there--to show Gemma that she needs her.

This book starts like as a light read but ends on a dark note and will leave you wondering who the master manipulator really is while ardently hoping that both Bree and Marley are able to move forward with their lives leaving past traumas behind them.

An excellent tale of friendship and duplicity, in the beautiful setting of a school academy for the wealthy. This gorgeous environment hides bitter rivalry and frightening secrets.

This was an interesting idea but poorly executed. It was very predicable (of course it was the daughter!) and seemed poorly edited. I felt like it was supposed to be very over the top and at times bordering on satire but it never quite landed as there were some parts that didn’t fit the tone. I was honestly a little disappointed they didn’t link in the death of the husband to the story more. It seemed some obvious.

Best friends or worst enemies? When does love and friendship border on obsession? These are the question that readers are left to ponder as they navigate their way through this novel. This book focuses on two best friends and their daughters: Ruth, a wealthy and controlling divorcee and mother to Marley, who is shy and insecure and Gemma, a hard-working widower, owner of a college preparation company and mother to Bee, who is loud, popular and fun-loving. Ruth, Gemma and their daughters met at an event hosted for kindergarten parents and had been friends ever since. Then Ruth found herself in a controversial situation causing Gemma to pull back on the friendship. Years later, Gemma finds herself in a sticky cheating scandal professionally causing Ruth to come to her defense and rekindle the friendship. Ruth once again rushes in time and time again to rescue Gemma, both emotionally and financially but are her motives purely innocent?

The book is told from alternating character perspectives – Ruth, Gemma, Marley and Bee which keeps readers attention and helps understand the perspective of each character. The author does a good job of presenting the entire character. While I did not necessarily find any of the characters likeable and often felt their behaviors were silly and unrealistic, I was able to sympathize with them at times and understand the reasons for their behavior and/or actions. The author did an admirable job of presenting these toxic relationships and how their actions are shaped by past experiences playing out years later. It keeps the reader engaged throughout the book.

The book has many twists and turns, some predictable whereas others are not. Yet, just when you think you have figured it out, the most shocking reveal comes in the final chapter (which I will not spoil). The author leaves you with the theme that revenge is a dish best served cold and the reader gets some satisfaction despite the resulting deception.

While I don’t think they are intended to be major focal points of this novel, the author did a praiseworthy job on two other themes, which while not dominant stood out. Throughout the novel there is much discussion of social media and cyberbullying and the unfortunate unintended consequences on young impressionable children. I think there is a powerful hidden message in this book – the importance of parental supervision and awareness of children’s online presence and the power social media has over children. The author did a notable job of showcasing the effects of social media, cyberbullying and depression in impressionable teenagers. The author did a commendable job in describing Tom and explaining his autistic diagnosis in positive terms. It brought to light the importance of labels and other positive ways to look at a situation which is not widely discussed in the media. Rather than feel sorry for Tom, the author leaves you feeling inspired by this amazing young man and the strides he makes in daily life.

Overall, this book was enjoyable and keeps the reader engaged. The pace moves quickly, and it is an easy read to get through despite somewhat unlikeable characters. The author captures the readers attention and keeps the readers involved in the story as they seek to unravel the dynamics between the characters. The author does a great job of giving the reader small answers at different points of the book while building the bigger plot. This book was well-thought out and suspenseful. It makes for a great beach read or vacation escape. It brings home the old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

It’s a tale of two frenemies, Ruth and Gemma, both were single moms with their daughters Marley and Bee who have been in the same class since kindergarten. Ruth is stinky rich and helps Gemma financially but Gemma had left Ruth in the lurch when she was involved in a scandal.

Fast forward a few years, Ruth welcomed back Gemma with open arms, did for her when tables were turned and Gemma was embroiled in a sticky situation.

The discussions in Momonymous were fun. This is a virtual group where the identity of moms was hidden, nothing is off limits for discussion and everyone can gossip without worrying about repercussions. These moms were utterly hilarious when they were hidden under their cloaks. Another thing I liked was their chosen account names were completely opposite to their persona so no one could blow their cover. Who doesn’t love to read about gossips especially when no holds barred environment?

My heart goes out for Marley, stuck in her helicopter mom’s clutches who leaves no breathing room and always dictates her every move. Ruth is alone in the world, always worries about Marley leaving her, spends every waking minute on Marley. It’s incomprehensible how a mother sees imperfections in the daughter and saps her self-esteem.

My blood boiled while reading how Ruth treated Marley. Poor girl had suffered a lot and that might have had a psychological impact on her. I don’t understand how a teenage daughter gaining a few pounds was the end of the world for Ruth. I wanted to shake Ruth to make her understand that inner beauty is far more important than the outer beauty.

Ruth’s friendship is toxic and employs devious schemes to keep everyone near to her. I’ve thought I figured out the twist when it was in its inception stage but Gideon’s reveal blindsided me and it’s very satisfying when the revenge is indeed a dish that best served cold.

Overall, enjoy this book teemed with teenage angst, tantrums and their first world problems, and moms who love tittle tattle. I would recommend this book for fans of Big Little Lies.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow a true page turner.Ruth Gemma two adults best friends& then the=friendship goes bad.An absolute wild ride of a read.So. Tense so twisted kept me reading late into the night.A book I will be recommending an author to follow.#netgalley #simon&schuster

Did I Say You Could Go by Melanie Gideon was fantastic and I loved it from the opening pages.

Ruth is a rich single mom who immediately sinks her claws into another single mother, Gemma. Their friendship spans years and at times, Gemma pulls away from Ruth’s overbearing and bossy personality. Yet Ruth has always been there for Gemma and has helped her through countless tough times. So Gemma is reluctant to cast off Ruth’s friendship. Their daughters used to be best friends but as they’ve grown older, Marley and Bee have grown apart due to Bee’s popularity. Marley is subject to her mother’s (Ruth) moods and we sense something simmering below the surface.

This book held me captive from start to finish. I couldn’t wait to see who the real villain was here as Ruth tries to control everyone around her. Would Gemma discover Ruth wasn’t a good friend at all? Or is Gemma the one to blame for everything that happens inside the story?

When Ruth, a wealthy divorcee, offers to host the Hillside Academy kindergarten meet-and-greet, she hopes this will be a fresh start for her and her introverted daughter, Marley. Finally, they’ll be accepted into a tribe. Marley will make friends and Ruth will be welcomed by the mothers. Instead, the parents are turned off by Ruth’s ostentatious wealth and before kindergarten even begins, Ruth and Marley are outcasts.

The last guest to arrive at the meet-and-greet is Gemma, a widow and a single mother to her daughter, Bee. Ruth sets her sights on the mother-daughter duo, and soon the two families are inseparable. Ruth takes Gemma and Bee on Aspen vacations, offers VIP passes to Cirque de Soleil, and pays for dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants. For Gemma, who lives paycheck to paycheck, Ruth’s largesse is seductive, but as the years go by, she can’t shake the feeling that she’s accruing an increasingly unpayable debt. When Ruth’s affair with a married Hillside dad is exposed, and she’s publicly shunned, Gemma uses it to sever ties with Ruth.

Six years later, when Gemma finds herself embroiled in a scandal of her own—Ruth comes to her defense. Their renewed friendship rehabilitates their reputations, but once again, Gemma starts to feel trapped as Ruth grows more and more obsessed with their relationship.

I appreciated the little details and clever dialogue, at times this book made me laugh but its also a serious look at toxic people and friendships. Really well done, I was left wanting more from Melanie Gideon. Cant wait to read her next book!

This comes out on August 3.

This book was loads of fun- a quick, psychological drama about 2 frenemies, Ruth and Gemma. This is domestic suspense at it's best- even when nothing was happening, there was a thrum of drama throughout the narrative that kept me reading late into the night. The book primarily alternates between the POVs of Ruth and Gemma, with occasional chapters dedicated to their respective daughters, Marley and Bee.

A lot of the book is just bad behavior between the women, and neither is all that likable, though both are deep enough that the reader can empathize with them at times. I really felt for the daughters, who were navigating high school drama along with their own parental drama. There were some minor twists throughout the book and a bigger one at the end- I had a inkling of that twist but it played out a little differently than what I expected, and I felt that it was satisfying.

All in all, this is a really fun read that I had trouble putting down- I'd recommend it to those who like domestic suspense. I am going to find out what else this author has written. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Did I Say You Could Go by Melanie Gideon is a great read and a riveting story. A true examination of a friendship gone bad, you can't help but feel sorry for both of the lead characters, Ruth and Gemma. This is a well executed book and kept me turning the pages. I didn't see the end coming. Great story and great commentary on how we perceive our daughters.

Are you looking for a quick, engrossing read? One that can be read in one sitting? Look no further friends, Did I Say You Could Go is the domestic drama you are craving.

Gemma and Ruth are single mom frenemies along with their daughter's Bee and Marley. After meeting at the kindergarten social, together they weather through the school drama, girl mom drama, and their own drama, with many ups and downs. Together the four bring the love-hate relationship between friends and mother-daughter to a whole new level of crazy. There are many points throughout the story where you will not find anyone that likable, and still, I could not stop reading.

Enjoy the escape from your every day routine, and ride the crazy train for a day, you won't be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Simon and Schuster, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a great psychological thriller! I read this in 2 days. I had to know what happened!

Gemma and Ruth are single moms and form a friendship when their daughters start school together. Ruth is a little much for Gemma so she eases back from their friendship. Many years later, they rekindle their friendship and chaos ensues.

This is one of those books you won’t want to put down. I loved the multiple POVs. My only complaint is that it seemed a little longer than it needed to be.

Overall, this is a great book! Would definitely recommend.

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

Wow! Excellent psychological thriller. Ruth and Gemma are best friends and single moms who meet when their daughters are in kindergarten. As their friendship progresses Ruth becomes more and more needy and controlling. Extremely fast paced and impossible to put down, read this book in one day. Highly recommend.

I read this book in one day. I gobbled it up and couldn't stop. Gemma and Ruth are adult best friends and Bee and Marley are the daughters that grew up together. A twisty diabolical plot to expose bad character drives the plot if the novel. A thriller not to miss. One of the more creative thrillers I've read!

I’m dizzy because of extreme amount of twists! Especially the final one hit me in the face so hard! I’m still numb, mentally black eyed but I’m also pleased and entertained a lot!

The mothers: polar opposite characters: one widower and one divorcee form an unhealthy relationship! Then they fell apart! Six years later an academic scandal brings them back together! But things get uglier! They find themselves into more lies, deceptions and unhealthily obsession patterns!

Ruth, wealthy, divorcee, raising her shy, introvert, quiet daughter Marley alone, wants to befriend new people by throwing a party for kindergartens but shoving her wealth into mothers’ face perceived as pretentiousness and arrogance by her fresh social circle. Being a social butterfly is backfired!

Only Gemma Howard who is widower, raising her popular, social, fiery, friendly daughter Bee by herself doesn’t push her away. Gemma’s life style is so different from her. First of all she works to make her ends meet, running a test center. She resents Ruth for paying everything for her because she is proud woman who doesn’t want to owe anyone for anything! She finds herself trapped in her way too much intense friendship with Ruth. She feels like suffocating and she desperately needs to find a way out!

Thankfully Ruth’s new forbidden relationship with married man gives her a chance to pull away! But 6 years later an academic scandal brought Ruth into her life again. Ruth is the only one stands for her at this most challenging pace of her life and now she has no intention to let her go! Unfortunately Gemma’s new crush on a X Ray technician may piss her lovely longtime friend off! Things get heated and madness comes out of nowhere!

It was riveting page turner even though story telling via multi POVs was a little confusing at some parts! I enjoyed unhealthy, obsessive women friendship stories and I got excited about the outcomes! Luckily this one ended with satisfying conclusion! I’m rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 keep your enemies close,for the love of batshit crazy heroines stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon &Schuster for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I liked that the book jumped right in, touching on the origins of Ruth and Gemma's friendship without holding off on the plot. However, after that, the pacing just confused me. Did I Say You Could Go is told from multiple perspectives, and some of them seemed to escalate much quicker than others. As a result, I felt more confused than connected to the story. For a book that's billed as being suspenseful. I expected more, well, suspense, and ultimately couldn't stay focused. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.

This title is so intense, it had me excited to read the book! Family drama, friend drama, suspense and thrills. Great combos for a great book.

Just give me books like this and I will be happy! All the characters are interesting and believable. The plot is delicious. Wish I could sink my teeth into every book like I did with this. Just very entertaining and enjoyable!

Psychological thriller is the genre I probably read the most, though to be honest, it's hard sometimes to find a book I can get into. So many books today all seem ho-hum the same. It's rare to find a book with a new take on a plot or story, interesting characters, twists you don't see coming or an ending you truly weren't expecting. Did I Say You Can Go by Melanie Gideon succeeds where other books fail. Once I began reading, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. Thank you to the author, Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Did I Say You Could Go is a story about a friendship filled with obsession, lies and deception, between two mothers whose daughters are also friends, told from all four different perspectives.

Gemma Howard is a widower, a popular mom who runs a test prep center. She's fiercely devoted to her daughter Bee. She's not rich, but they scrape by. Bee Howard is popular, outgoing and a bit of a rebel.

Ruth Thorne is elegant and classy. She doesn't work - she inherited a lot of money from her grandparents. She's divorced and has one daughter, Marley, who's very shy and quiet and would rather do homework than go out.

When Ruth throws a party for her daughter and the incoming group of kindergartners and parents at Hillside Academy, she alienates most of the parents there. She finally meets Gemma and holds on tight. Soon the four are like family, going on trips and out to dinner - all of which Ruth pays for.

When the girls are in third grade, Ruth has an affair with a married man. Instead of coming to her defense, Gemma uses this as an opportunity to start to pull away. She's always been uncomfortable that Ruth pays for everything.

Six years later, it's Gemma who is caught in the scandal. Ruth comes along once again to save her. Or does she have something else in mind?

I really enjoyed this book. The ending I did not see coming at all. I liked how the author incorporated issues affecting people today - social media, cyberbullying, depression. I will add that there is one scene that could be a Trigger Warning for some.

I also have to address that it's really quite ironic that I've seen other reviews rate this book lower because of the character of Ruth. So as not to spoil anything, I'll just say the author did exceedingly well what she set out to do.

I would probably rate this 4 - 4.5. I look forward to reading more from Melanie Gideon. I would recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers, women's fiction, Liane Moriarty and Greer Hendricks.