What a delicious mystery! I stayed up until the early hours just to finish this. It was so well written in so many ways. Characters, plot, description of house, etc...This was a perfect length for my taste as not too long nor tedious andI was quite pleased with how the ending was; no chopped nor abrupt one thankfully. I found this a satisfying read indeed for this was a new to me author that passed my "test" of one chance and so I will gladly read more by her! *

This turned out to be an unexpectedly wonderful read! It brilliantly captures the essence of the domestic suspense sub-genre, featuring many of the beloved tropes I anticipate in these types of books. I was completely engrossed in the story from start to finish, with numerous surprises along the way, and I finished it in just one day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Liz the Postie has recently moved back to her childhood home and is living with her mum, whom she has a difficult relationship with. She’s curious about Lakewell Manor, somewhere she spent a lot of time in her teenage years. When she discovers her friend Tamsin has moved back there, she’s hoping to catch up, but the woman she meets isn’t anything like her old friend, so much so she thinks she’s a totally different person.

I found the book very easy to read and I liked the coastal setting with the imposing Manor House overlooking the cliffs. The descriptions are good and the book is well written. The characters are quite well done and I ended up really warming to Liz. There’s a dual timeline, with flashbacks to what happened twenty years earlier.

For me, the plot was a little weak and a bit too far fetched, you need to suspend your disbelief quite a bit. There wasn’t really much of a twist or anything surprising that happened and it felt a bit predictable. The ending was underwhelming and very convenient, it felt rushed to me.

I would recommend the book if you’re looking for an easy, quick read.

This was an enjoyable read set in a delightful village, full of quirky characters.

There are mysterious happenings with plenty of twists to unravel, along with a main character, Liz with an L, sympathetically portrayed, drawing empathy for the tough time she is facing. Her mother was quite awful to her, making me shudder with her caustic comments. I was also quite frustrated with some of her decision making, especially with such an important date looming.

The story is told from dual timelines, twenty years ago and present day. It gradually fills in the backstory for the reader which helps make sense of the present day conundrum.

Tracy Buchanan writes effectively about the strength of friendships,
family and trauma and the lengths people will go to, supporting each other.

I was kept engaged throughout, with some genuinely heart-warming moments, however, some events felt a bit too unbelievable for me making it a 3.5 star read.

Wow............ this is an edge of your seat fast passed thriller that will keep you up all night you will not be able too put it down

“Secrets Between Friends” is a stunningly written book, chock full of descriptive and gorgeous poetic prose (to wit: “There is something almost hypnotic about the sight of his body being carried away by the sea, especially when it’s a body as perfect as his. Beautiful dark hair spread out around a pristine, pale face. The sea, his new lover now, lifts him gently, so gently it is as though he is sleeping as his arms bob above his head, the huge moon watching like a concerned parent.”) There is no mistaking the time, place, situation, and emotion the author, Tracey Buchanan, is conveying. It is a fast-paced novel of heartbreak and humor, information and emotion, joy and sorrow which are all elegantly portrayed here, deftly compared and contrasted, allowing readers to be in the position of each of her characters in turn. We are lifted as with the sea, both wafted and propelled along with the storyline to the suspense-filled plot through the beautiful climax, we feel the tension and release as they happen through the written words before our eyes. It was an all-encompassing, emotional and cathartic read, and one I highly recommend to all other readers who enjoy the genres of suspense, mystery, and fiction to devour as I did.

This is a gripping mystery novel with dual timelines. The story deals with story and lies. This was a page turner

This was a really well written book about a mystery and two friends who were involved. It played out very well. I enjoyed this! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor and now she's back after a nasty divorce. She is going to have to relive the past and all those secrets they have kept quiet.. are all going to come out. Good story with a few surprises to keep it interesting.

Liz returns to the small seaside town which she’d left 20 years ago. She was the poor kid befriended by Tamsin and her family who lived in the “big” house. She is now a postwoman so is able to keep tabs on the people on her round which just happens to include where Tamsin lived who coincidentally has also just returned. The day after they met again Tamsin barely acknowledges her and Liz is scared that her secret will come out. I’ve always enjoyed TB’s books but sadly not this as it was too far fetched and the events just too convenient for my tastes. As always I enjoyed the style of writing but on this occasion not what was written!

🪨🏰Book Review:
Title: Secrets Between Friends
Author: Tracy Buchanan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

Obviously, this book is fiction, so it's expected that some of the plot will be a tad far-fetched. This aspect adds to the suspense of this story. I listened to this audiobook while I was at work, and it only took two days to finish. It was fast-paced!

Elizabeth "Liz" Barrowman returns to Easthaven after being away for twenty years. Here, a tragedy at Lakewood Manor occurred that she has tried to escape from. After a divorce, she has come home with her two children to stay and care for her mother. Liz is employed as a mail carrier, and upon her route, one day, she sees her childhood best friend, Tasmin, at Lakewood Manor. They reunite and catch up a little bit with plans to get back together soon. But the very next day, Liz returns, and Tasmin is completely different. She looks similar but acts and talks like an entirely different person. Who is this imposter? And what has happened to the real Tasmin. Is Lakewood Manor the location of yet another tragedy? This book was crazy but kept my interest!

Published: October 25th, 2022

Thank you, @netgalley and @amazonpublishing, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed reading about Liz and all of her baggage. The story was interesting but I could figure out the twists. It did not keep me from reading it and overall it was a great book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This thriller sounded exciting with several plotlines running alongside the murder mystery. I do not think it lived up to it's promise: the plot was farcical, with its 'Fake Tamsin', the hints of what happened in Manchester which didn't turn out to be a surprise, the reasons why Liz was fired from her job and yet managed to get another job as postwoman, and the ridiculous resolution of the custody battle. I have read cosy mysteries with a much better story, and more interesting and likeable characters. I cannot understand what other readers enjoyed about this book and I would not recommend it or look for anything else by this author, I'm sorry I persevered reading it to the end.

The secrets between friends is a twisty, duel time novel that tells the story of Liz and Tamsin, childhood friends who share a secret. The characters are interesting and the setting idyllic, but I initially struggled to get into the story as it seemed slightly farcical. I have enjoyed all of Tracy Buchanan’s novels so far but don’t feel this is her best work.

I really enjoyed this book. 20 years ago Liz left Easthaven to try to forget the events of one terrible night experienced by her and her best friend Tamsin. Now Liz has had to return and when she hears that Tamsin is back too she is scared of what might happen. However, when she meets Tamsin, her former friend clearly doesn't remember her or anything that happened. Liz becomes convinced that this Tamsin is an imposter. This is a real page turner that will keep you guessing to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

My first book by Tracy and certainly won't be my last.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for what was a read I was hooked on.
Great storyline, characters and mystery. Definitely recommend

Liz Barrowman has returned to her home fishing village of Easthaven to stay with her mother, after a nasty divorce and looming custody battle.

She had been best friends with Tamsin who had lived in a mansion up on the cliffs, until a bad experience caused her to leave the area as a teenager.

Rumour has it that Tamsin has also returned and Liz is keen to rekindle their friendship. But Tamsin looks different and she doesn't remember Liz. Something is clearly wrong.

This is a gripping suspense mystery with dual timelines, secrets, lies and nothing is as it appears.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent book. I loved the twists and it was fast paced and easy to read. Thank you netgalley for making this book available to read.

When Liz, the local postie sees Lakewell Manor being renovated by her old school friend Tamsin, she panics.
It brings back memories she would rather forget!
However, as it becomes obvious there is more to the story she becomes increasingly concerned for her friend's welfare and worried that secrets from the past are about to be uncovered just when she needs to show an unblemished reputation.
A really intriguing story, which I enjoyed - also relatively short.

Wow, just wow! So right off the bat there are 2 mysteries to solve. One is what happened 20 years ago and the other is what is wrong with 1 of the main characters who doesn't seem to be the same person she was back then. At times 2 storylines are a little confusing, but it didn't take long to be able to follow along.