Two single mother’s, one a widower and one a divorcée, latch on to each other and develop a somewhat unhealthy, on and off friendship. This is one of those “with friends like these....” type books that will leave you wanting to know what this train wreck is going to look like at the end. A little long-winded but interesting enough to hold my attention.

Obscenely rich but socially unaccepted Ruth decides to host a meeting of young mothers for her daughter’s kindergarten class. She has no idea how put off the mothers are with her ostentatious display of wealth and her intentions completely backfire. She and her daughter become pariahs in the small Bay Area community.
The only mother to seemingly accept her is Gemma and Ruth latches on to her like a spider to a fly.

Ruth uses her wealth as a tool to ingratiate herself to Gemma who enjoys the benefits but is slowly feeling strangled by the debt and strange friendship she feels she owes Ruth and eventually she shies away making a break.

Now years later, Ruth, still an obsessive, unhappy divorced mother is looking at Gemma, a young widowed mother caught up in an academic scandal as her way in to popularity, dependency and neediness. She comes to Gemma’s defense in a very public way after her private tutoring academy suffers through a scandal. Now Gemma owes her more. When Gemma meets a young X-Ray tech and strives for a new relationship, Ruth is wildly angry, or is she?

A story of relentless obsession, betrayal, and secrets that will tear apart these two women and their daughters and the community where they live.

4 stars, easily. You will not see all these twists coming!

Did not finish the book. The synopsis is pretty clear as far as the plot but I found every character so unlikeable, vapid, and mean-spirited. I couldn't get interested in any of them. However, thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another worthy entry into the sub-genre of the perils of social media! The four primary characters are each interesting in their own ways, and even though the reader is fairly certain who the villain will turn out to be, things twist up a bit at the end. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC for review.

An intense story of friendship, lies, and betrayal, Did I Say You Could Go is told from multiple mother/daughter perspectives. While the ending shouldn't have been surprising if you were following along, the trip to get there was a bit of a wild ride at times. This was probably 3.5 stars for me, rounded up.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ruth and Gemma become friends after their children attend the same school.
When Ruth is caught up in a scandal, Gemma decides to end their friendship. Thus book was well written.

Did I Say You Could Go by Melanie Gideon is a story about how lies and obsession can destroy families and friendships. I couldn’t put this book down, there were so many twists that I didn’t see coming especially the ending. If you like psychological thrillers you need to read this book. Thanks Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Desperate to make friends in her new neighborhood, Ruth and her introvert daughter Marley decide to host the annual Hillside Academy kindergarten meet-and-greet. Ruth hopes they will finally be accepted and find their niche. Unfortunately, the parents are turned off by Ruth and her obnoxious wealth. Once again, Ruth and Marley are outcasts.

During the meet-and-greet Ruth meets single mom Gemma and her extrovert daughter, Bee. Ruth makes it her mission to become best friends with mom and daughter. Ruth lavishes Gemma/Bee to Aspen vacations, Michelin starred dinners and even a new car. Gemma can’t believe her luck at first as Bee and she have been living paycheck to paycheck. As the years go by, Gemma starts to feel indebted and doesn’t know how she will ever repay Ruth. When Ruth’s affair with a married man is exposed, Gemma uses this as her way to sever ties.

Six years later and now Gemma is the one under judgmental eyes and just like that, Ruth comes to her defense. Their friendship is renewed. Gemma quickly however feels the pull of guilt as Ruth becomes more controlling and obsessive of their friendship.

HOLY MOLY!!! This book was GOOD. I stayed up until WAY past my bedtime and even read during my work day (BAD ME, don’t tell) I just had to know what was going to happen. This book takes cuckoo bananas to another level! I loved Melanie Gideon’s vernacular in this novel. She writes with current lingo, phrasing and technology. It just added to the overall atmosphere of the novel and the drama. This book is haughty and soooo juicy. Backstabbing friends, cyber bulling, and abuse all wrapped up in one. Ruth takes stalking to a whole new level and I was here for all of the horror. I have never read anything by Melanie Gideon but, I will be back that is for sure. I don’t want to give any spoilers but the ending had me jaw dropped and clapping. It was brilliant!

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Brilliant 5 STARS!! This books is full of lies, deceit, suspence and more... a lot more. Its definitely one of those books once you start reading you need to finish it quickly. I loved it! Highly recommend

A suspenseful, gripping novel about families and friendships torn apart at the seams by obsession, secrets, and betrayal with relentless twists and turns that hurtle forward to a shocking confrontation. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. This was a great book to read.

Ruth is hoping for a fresh start after her divorce when she enrolls her daughter into an exclusive kindergarten for the wealthiest of the wealthy. Ruth certainly fits in with the other moms. she has plenty of money. But it would seem she has too much money and she and Marley are ostracized by the moms and their snotty kids. Ruth’s savior arrives in the unlikely form of another soon to be divorced mom and her daughter. Ruth latches on to Gemma and the two quickly become inseparable, as Ruth treats Gemma and her daughter to luxury vacations that Gemma could only ever have dreamed of. But Gemma starts to feel indebted to Ruth and has a sneaking suspicion that soon Ruth will come calling for payment, in a form that Gemma will not be able to refuse

A great psychological thriller about wealthy moms and their children. I highly enjoyed this book and all of the characters. Many will enjoy this book which reminiscent of Big Little Lies. I highly recommend this one.