I read one other book by this author and now I am hooked. This was so good. I love books with best friends. They always have secrets! So good!

I think I have read all of this author's books. I think she is such an underrated author! This one didn't disappoint. It was a quick read that kept me engaged from page 1!

I've turned into a big Shalini Boland fan recently and loved this one. "The Best Friend" is about a terrible friendship with lots of gaslighting. It excels in an audiobook format because the plot is easy to follow and enough happens to keep your attention. Loved the ending and the narrator was excellent. Thanks for the advance review copy.

Everything she does is deniable.

Overall: 'eh.

Boland accurately writes narcissism and sociopathy, and perhaps having grown up in a narcissist nest (and weathered 4 years with a narcissist as president) I'm a little too worn out and exhausted by narcissism and sociopathy. OR it's possible this story and these "tools" are just too overdone. I thought the ending or the "why" behind the narcissists motive very stale and sad. Initially I did like this book, it reminded me of a Simple Favor, but then puttered and became very exhausting and annoying, particularly with how dumb Louisa could be. As a survivor I understand how you get caught up in the narcissist nest but she did stupid and dumb things before she was too deep. Her story was a real reminder of the importance of boundaries and self-value.

I only finished because I really liked the narrator and was worried about little Joe. I am also troubled by how much of the story was left unfinished. For example, inordinate amounts of time were spent on discussing Louisa's husbands new business, which Mike/Darcy were involved with (further complicating things) but there wasn't much fallout or resolution once things happened to Mike/Darcy.

This book was not at all on my radar when it was released in 2016 and this is my first introduction to this author's work. I love that more books are being recorded in audio format these days though and I was able to listen to this one while working, making my workday go a bit more quickly. I would say this landed around 3.5 stars for me and I'd definitely read another book from this author. It felt a little formulaic in places (or maybe I've just read too many mystery/thrillers set around best friends), but there was definitely a bit of a twist thrown in explaining why the events occurred. Be careful who you trust!

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I binged this audiobook in a day! I absolutely love the narrator and think they were the perfect pick for this story. I found the book to be a bit predictable, but I also constantly read and listen to thrillers so that's not always shocking. Even though you have an idea of what's about to happen, it's no less shocking when it does - because things truly get CRAZY! If you're looking for a roller coster audiobook that will make you be super super grateful for your group of friends, this is a great pick. I recently started reading Shalini Boland and her books are addictive and page-turning.

I devoured this one in one day!!! What a gripping story with an unexpected twist. Sometimes I think I have figured out the twists in mystery/thrillers but not for one moment did I even think I had this one figured out. I was so wrapped up in it that I didn't stop to think about anything else :) 5 stars!!!!

Shalini has done it again! I recently listened to The Girl From the Sea by Shalini (Review Here)and loved it, it was a 4 star read and had me hooked and she has done it again. I requested The Best Friend on @netgalley when I seen the cover of this book, then I read the synopsis then I clicked “Oh this is the same author of The Girl from The Sea”

This book did not disappoint, sometimes thrillers can feel a little repetitive but the two books i’ve read by Shalini have been so different yet so good. I didn’t see the twist coming at the end, I knew something wasn’t right with Darcy but I didn’t expect that. I did like the dual timelines as we got a glimpse of the past which all made sense in the end.

The narrator of this book, @katievillaUK who has narrated both these books does an excellent job and really helped keep me engrossed in this story, so not only will I be keeping an eye out for more of Shalini Boland’s books, i’ll be keeping an eye out for any narrated by Katie as she just nails it!

I don’t like to go into too much details in my reviews as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read this but if you like thrillers, psychological thrillers, then pick this book up NOW!

With friends like these....


Louisa has a new friend, Darcy who appears to have it all - a wonderful husband, money, social status. But she also has something else -a deep dark secret. As Louisa beings to get closer to her friend, she finds that all that glitters is not gold.

It is evident in the beginning that things are not right. Darcy is a little too helpful, a little into running with Louisa's husband and a little too in your face to Louisa's taste. Soon the red flags are flying all over the place.

It is evident that Darcy has secrets. I wanted to tell them to "come out, come out wherever you are!" as it was obvious that they were hiding. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Louisa when no one and I mean no one would believe her - not even her husband.

This was an enjoyable audiobook, and I enjoyed the narrator. I wanted to give a couple characters a piece of my mind while listening to this book. Good Lord, some people must have been born with blinders on.

There is more to this story than meets the eye. I enjoyed that as the story was progressing, I was learning more and some things begin to make sense but as usual, Boland does keep a few aces up her sleeve.

Was this my favorite book by Boland? No, but I did enjoy this one! It was entertaining, dramatic, and kept me fully invested in what was happening. Boland knows how to write twists and unlikeable characters. I'll be on the lookout for what she writes next.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

After listening to The Girl from the Sea last week, I was looking forward to this one and I was glad I did. Unstable best friend trying to take over your life makes for a great psychological thriller! This was fast paced and grabbed hold until the end. The narrators were fab and really brought the characters to life.
Louisa has made a new friend, the mother of one of the boys at her sons new school. They soon become best friends, but Darcy’s actions are making Louisa suspect. She tells her sister and her husband about her queries but they make out that she’s making more of things than they are. Darcy lives a very extravagant lifestyle so when her husband is murdered, Louisa finds herself somehow suspect. Is Louisa imagining things or can Darcy really not be trusted?
There’s a lot of past history that comes up and everything you think you have figured out about the situation isn’t what it seems.
Thanks to Bookouture for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Shalini Boland, beautifully narrated by Katie Villa. 4 stars!

Louisa meets a new mum at their sons' school, Darcy, and they become good friends. Louisa's husband, Jared, even forms a new business venture with Darcy's husband, Michael. But before long, Louisa realizes that Darcy's friendship isn't exactly what she bargained for.

I really enjoyed listening to this story - there were plenty of twists and turns, as well as snippets from the past interwoven between the present-day story. I really felt for Louisa, who feels honored that the rich and beautiful Darcy becomes her friend. You can feel her frustration when things go south and even her husband questions her. Another winner from this author!

This was an unedited arc review. I really enjoyed this book. It was my first audio and the narrator did a wonderful job. This kept me intrigued the whole time! I could not stop listening! Very much enjoyed! Thanks @Netgalley!

Although I feel like I've read this story a few times, and I found myself getting frustrated with the actions of some of the characters, I did enjoy Boland's writing. This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, easy read which kept me interested throughout.

Lousia Sullivan thinks she's found the perfect mom friend in Darcy Lane, but it quickly turns into a nightmare in this domestic thriller from Shalini Boland.

This book starts in a very relatable place; with a woman meets a new mom friend at her son's school. The two women learn that their sons are becoming friends, and since the ladies also hit it off nicely, soon both families are hanging out. Things are going phenomenally at first, but Louisa quickly realizes Darcy has a very calculating side. Things become concerning quickly, and Lousia has to try to convince her husband that their seemingly perfect friends aren't what they seem before it's too late.

Overall, this book was an easy listen, the writing kept things moving, the narrator was very good, but the situation with the birthday party mishap was so uncomfortable and cringey I almost had to stop listening. The middle of the book, with Louisa trying to convince her husband, was the strongest for me, it was really interesting to see how quickly one can be made to look crazy. The end went a little off the rails and off into completely implausible.... but to be fair it's to be expected with a domestic thriller so really not a knock.

Not my favorite, but highly recommended for fans of domestic thrillers.

**Listened to the audio book**

I really enjoyed this book. I was ready to give this book 4*'s but the ending was a little rushed and disappointing for me so felt like I had to drop it to 3*.

The premise of this book wasn't anything original - a plot i've read before - however Boland's writing, and the audiobooks narrator really kept me gripped. I listened to this in almost one sitting.
It was incredibly engrossing, and easy to listen to it - it was just a shame that the ending felt slightly predictable and all wrapped up a little too neatly.

Overall I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read what Shalini Boland does next!

As I listened to this, I kept thinking this plot felt more and more familiar to me. Then I checked and this book had been published in 2016...and yes I read it then. The book is excellent, the narrator was great, I just wish I knew it'd been published then.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This audiobook was a wild ride! The typical story of where your past can come back and seek revenge! The narration was well done with a flawless performance. The story develops and we watch a new friendship quickly take hold with dinner invites and playdates , until our MC Louisa begins to feel like her new BF Darcy is playing a bit passive aggressive with her. We've been there before, hanging on the edge of our seats and turning pages faster than we can read. Listening at 2x's speed in my case!
A fantastic quick listen for fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries!

Think school is hard for the kids? Try being one of the mums waiting at the school gate where the competition to be the best mother, wife and woman is fierce and ….deadly. Laura is a little nervous taking her son on his first playdate with a new friend, then she meets Darcy, the boy’s mother, and can’t help feel envious. She’s beautiful, has a gorgeous home, the perfect husband, seemingly the perfect life. But, as Laura is about to discover, Darcy is not the good friend and confidante she appears to be, she has an ulterior motive for everything she does. Boland writes tight, perfectly plotted thrillers and this one is a doozy

It was a great greeping story. I was also scared and sad. But at the end I was happy and suttisfied.

You know all the time it was something wrong. When it started all is so nice and more it went on more I was anxious and more I wanted to know what ia going on. Before the ending there was a twist. And after the end the epilog was great.

Thank you so Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for this arc.

I’ve read a few other books by Shalini Boland and have enjoyed them all so I was happy to review this book. The Best Friend was super twisty from start to front. We might have known where things were headed from the beginning, but it was a fun, engaging ride right to the end. Too many books in this genre use the addict or mentally unstable female protagonist to drive the twists in the story so I loved how the author made Louisa just a normal mom trying to navigate the sociopath’s realm. We stayed with her through the build up and rooted for her until the very last minute. Katie Villa’s narration made everything better!
Thanks to the author, Bookoutre, and NetGalley for this advance listener’s copy.