This books is about two Mothers and their daughters and their friendships. But the friendship is not all good or as it seems. The story is told in all four perspectives but we are not sure if all are truthful or lying. This was a really good psychological thriller with good twists and one good final twist that I did not see coming. I enjoyed this book and have recommended it many times.

Did I Say You Could Go is a fast paced psychological thriller that navigates the relationships of two mother daughter duos at Hillside Academy.

Gemma and Ruth were inseperable friends, however they have drifted apart. Six years later when Gemma is faced with some major drama, Ruth seizes the opportunity to rekindled their friendship!

This one took me a while to get into, but the second have is absolutely delicious, and the first half really is necessary to set up the obsession and control that follows in the second half.

I loved the twists and turns in this one and the ending is excellent! Definitely not one to miss - and I think fans of A Simple Favor would really love this book!

Did I Say You Could Go was suspenseful, enthralling, and full of deception, toxic mom friendships, and creepy vibes. I could not stop reading and finished this easy to read eARC in a day, finding myself equally as entertained by the plot, as well as the characters in this book.

Gemma and Ruth are friends that have drifted apart after some drama that arises around Ruth's personal life. When Gemma's world blows up in her face, there is reliable Ruth to help her old friend along, in turn reuniting their daughters Marley and Bee. What happens is a series of events that I truly didn't see coming. I lost count of how many times I had to close my jaw with some of the stuff that went on in this book and the audacity of some of the characters and their actions.

While there were a few parts that were predictable, I still found myself completely consumed by this one! I would recommend it to any thriller/suspense lover.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC to review.

This is a well crafted story about family, friends and relationships. I enjoyed the love-hate friendship between Ruth and Gemma. Ruth is controlling and manipulating with Gemma. The author's use of social media makes the story more real and we realize that it could happen in today's society. The suspense and twists make this a must read. The ending blew me away. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Shuster Canada for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this contemporary tale of mothers and daughters and obsessive friendships, Melanie Gideon certainly had me guessing at how low each character would go to get what they want. I liked the four character pov as we get to see just what Gemma. Ruth, Marley, and Bee were all thinking. Talk about unhealthy relationships! I did enjoy that last jaw dropping moment at the end of the book but I guess I was so entranced by the plot that I missed some clues along the way.



Goodreads review published 04/12/21
Publication Date 03/08/21

This was such a twisty thriller, showing how the friends you keep close don’t always have your best interests at heart. This one really makes you look deep. And just when you think the plot is all wrapped up, BOOM!!! Very clever twist!!! Loved the writing and the twist.

I loved this one and poured through it in two days and stayed up wayyyyy past my bedtime !!!! Totally worth the dark circles under my eyes 😊
Talk about family drama - wowzers!!!!! The relationship between the female characters runs deep in this one . It’s crazy how the author makes you think one thing and then out of nowhere - big twist and you’re like what ?!? Seriously !!!!
I connected with the daughter in this one as my mother also put me down and made me feel like I wasn’t good enough etc ….
If you love family drama and complicated mother daughter relationships then you have to read this one - see if you don’t stay up past your bedtime too 😊

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was going to be way more engaging. I keep waiting for the mystery thriller part to come out. It was the tiniest twist at the end. I’m disappointed I wasted time reading the whole thing. I could tell what was going to happen at the very beginning. I wanted more of Ruth’s story. Also was Ash’s death an accident? Seemed a bit suspicious.


Anyways I would not recommend.

I thought this book was awesome. The main character of Ruth and her friendship with Gemma was thrilling from the beginning. The twists, the turns... it was everything a good thriller has and it was so good! This will definitely be recommended to my thriller friends and family.

Ruth, a wealthy divorcé​e, and her introverted daughter, Marley, become friends with Gemma, a widow and single mother to Bee, starting in kindergarten. Gemma is taken in by Ruth's generosity in the beginning but as the years go by she feels like she owes an increasing debt to Ruth. When Ruth’s affair with a married dad is exposed and she’s publicly shunned, Gemma uses it as an excuse to sever ties with Ruth. Six years later, when Gemma finds herself embroiled in a scandal of her own, Ruth comes to her defense and they renew their friendship. Once again, Gemma starts to feel trapped as Ruth grows more obsessed with their relationship.

The story is told from the POVs of the two moms and the two daughters and it gets more and more difficult to determine what the truth is. For some reason I had a terrible time remembering which mom was which in this book. To me it felt like Gemma was more a wealthy person's name rather than Ruth which is silly I know but I had to keep reminding myself Ruth = Rich. Same with the daughters' names; it seemed more likely that Marley would be the name of Gemma's daughter rather than Bee. This is a pretty good book though and I enjoyed it more than I expected. It was a fast read that had me marvelling at how mean some people can be ... and not just the kids! I didn't find the ending much of a surprise but it was nicely done. One thing I did learn is that pho is pronounced "fuh" and not "foe". I'm glad I never had the opportunity to embarrass myself by requesting it in a restaurant!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.

It’s not often that a novel about female friendships is also a tense and suspenseful mystery. Did I Say You Could Go by Melanie Gideon is the story of Ruth, a rich divorcee, and Gemma, a hard-working widow, and their daughters Marley and Bee. The two women met when their daughters were starting kindergarten and became fast friends until a falling-out several years later. The moms reunite when Marley and Bee are teenagers but the friendships of mothers and daughters have changed in strange ways. The author efficiently uses tools like Instagram and social networking. The characters are wonderfully original and well-developed and the plot leads the reader on a path that is confusing and tense. You will be astounded as the chapters zip by quickly and you reach the unexpected conclusion. Highly recommended. Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok so this was quite the ride… here’s what I liked and didn’t like:

☑️ the story immediately sucks you in
☑️ 4 person POV which I love because I’m so nosy
☑️ lots of drama
☑️ Gemma & Bee’s relationship as mother and daughter was so heartwarming to read because they were believable struggles

✖️RUTH RUTH RUTH GOODBYE
✖️at about 75% in, the story took a wild turn and it felt like the story was part of a different book, or the characters drastically changed and I missed it
✖️did I say Ruth? OMG she made me so mad

this one was.. fine. I enjoyed the first half, but by the second half I was fed up by the characters’ behaviour. thanks again to @netgalley & @simonschusterca for this eARC, this one is on bookshelves

Frenemy!!!!???

This was a rollercoaster ride! And the end! Wow, didn't see that coming....shocking! From going from a victim to being the scheming, malefactor, shit stirrer..... I won't say more.

I don't like to write a whole essay on what the books about. They already tell you what its about in the book blurb description. Why give up the whole story.

I recommend this book.

Will definetly read more future books on Melanie Gideon.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada, Netgalley and the author Melanie Gideon for this ARC.

#Netgalley
#Simonschustercanada
#melaniegideon
#didisayyoucouldgo

This book was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. My first Melanie Gideon read and certainly not my last.
A Suspenseful and gripping novel that asks the question of " How Far you Will You Go"?


Ruth is used to living a luxurious lifestyle. Her and Gemma form an unexpected and quick friendship when their girls are at Hillside Academy.

The story follows alot of deception, lies and thrills and unexpected turns.

I loved the book and went in blindly without knowing much about this, I cant wait to read her new one Wife 22 which I have read is in the early stages.

This book was a super quick read with really likeable characters and the perfect mix of thriller and suspense for me.

I LOVED this one!

Welllll....I certainly didn't expect that ending!
And that is what is so delicious about books like Melanie Gideon's, Did I say You Could Go.
I had a broad smile on my face when I finished Gideon's book, a combined appreciation for her brilliant twists and layered plotlines - no one is who you think they are in this besties friendship- as well as the excellent phraseology and imagery that Gideon scribes. .
.
To wit:
"Marley feels like a bloated tick." Or "It's a fake confidence, though, crispy like meringue, and temporary. If you put it on your tongue it will melt and leave you hungrier than before, but it's all she has."

Plot Line:
Ruth and Gemma are back together in the role of besties after a falling out several years previously.
Ruth is dolled-up rich and unforunately (in Ruth's mind), she has an awkward daughter, Marley, who she treats with utter disdain and cruelty. She tells Marley - no wonder your friend dumped you - you have 'zits' and don't dress nice etc. etc. ETC.
The foil to Ruth is Gemma, the much nicer slightly down-on-her-luck best friend of Ruth's. Gemma has a daughter, Bee, who Ruth sseriously wishes was her child.
Ruth is more needy than a new born baby, and her desire to be the centre of attention knows no bounds.
No. Bounds. Whatsoever.
Add in Ruth's controlling personality, Gemma's vulnerability, and the cast of 'unique' characters, all of whom seem to have a propensity for twisting the truth into pretzelized proportions, and the plotline is off and running.
Comic relief comes in the form of MY MOTHER MADE ME DO IT, an anonymous mommy shared chat group , whose cattiness is a trumpeting cacophony of caterwauling, and whose main mission is the tracking down of juicy gossip - of the negative kind, of course.
Jealousies and ill will abound between Ruth and Gemma, and Marley and Bee, fostering emotions so destructive that.....well
You will just have to read the book. Strong plot and excellent writing - it is a sold 4+ stars. #NetGalley #Did I Say You Could Go #Melanie Gideon

Brilliantly written with some unexpected revelations. This book really stood out to me as the characters were entertaining and sometimes, unpredictable. Would recommend for a thrilling read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of Did I Say You Could Go by Melanie Gideon.

Ruth and Grace go back years, from when their daughters started kindergarten, up until Ruth dates a married man by mistake and was dropped by everybody in their town. Now Grace has had her own scandal and Ruth decides it's the best time to restart old friendships.

This thriller was very interesting and you never knew where it would go next. None of the characters were particularly likeable but it didn't stop me from wanting to know what was going to happen next. Gideon did a great job at revealing small details that were red herrings, or only told parts of the truth. There are unreliable narrators abound in this book and it makes for interesting twists and turns as you delve into the small town lives.

Family drama / thriller with several small twists throught the story.  Manipulation and deception was Ruth’s middle name, but she just wanted people to like her, with all her money and beauty. Ruth is not above using her wealth to "buy" her friendships, and Gemma is only slightly feeling guilty.

If you like women friendship psychological thrillers, you should give this book a try!

Did I Say You Could Go is a combination of suspense with a bit of a psychological thriller and women's fiction vibe. It is my first book by this author.

The book is divided into four parts. And it has four 3rd person POVs: Ruth, Gemma, Marley and Bee.

There are two single mothers (Ruth and Gemma) and two 15 year old daughters (Marley and Bee). The girls go to the same high school.

This book started out really strong for me. Ruth was such a crazy fresh character. I loved that the book started with her stalking her best friend.

I liked the Momonymous groups (anonymous mom pod chat groups filled with gossip). This was such a fun addition to the story.

The book had short chapters. It was full of scandals, obsession, secrets and betrayal. I did enjoy all of these things. I love reading about evil, manipulative and controlling characters. But the middle fell a bit flat for me. However the ending was very interesting. And there were some great surprises. But overall I just wish that I had loved the whole book.

My head is absolutely spinning from this read. The characters are all unlikeable and totally unreliable. Mean teenage girls and needy moms.

Ruth and Gemma were the only single moms in the group when their girls started kindergarten and so they bonded immediately. Their relationship has been a rollercoaster over the years and they had a falling out recently. Their daughters, Bee and Marley, grew up together and were once so close they were like sisters but they too fell victim to teenage lives going in different directions and their relationship has been strained as well. After a pretty big scandal with Gemma's small business Ruth and her reconnect and seem closer then ever. Things seem to be going well until Gemma starts to feel smothered by Ruth and Ruth doesn't seem to appreciate being slowly iced out by Gemma again. Lines will be crossed and there are dire consequences for everyone.

To be honest, I went back and forth between being super intrigued by this book to considering DNF'ing it at times. Sometimes the story just moved to slowly and was a bit all over the place. Overall, I'm glad to have finished as the ending had some good twists and big reveals!

Check the trigger warnings before reading this one!