Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this ARC of Between Two Strangers by Kate White.

I loved this riveting thriller!
It contains suspense, the thrill of quick easy money (but at what mysterious cost?), art, and Boston and New York City locales. I am a Boston suburb resident so I particularly enjoyed its depiction here.

I thought that I saw the twist by the 36% point in the book, but that in no way lessened my enjoyment of how the story and details of that twist would evidence.

It turned out that I was not correct, but I think the ending might have been a bit more
exciting of a reveal had I been. I won’t explain in order to avoid spoilers.

I will definitely put author Kate White on my follow list.

Four stars.

My first Kate White novel but definitely won’t be my last. I enjoyed the characters and all the twists and turns. This kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Perennials and Paperback for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

At first, I was intrigued by the premise of a collage artist suddenly bequeathed with a million dollar trust by a man whom she never met or maybe she did. She doesnt know why this man chose her to be the inheritor to his trust after his death. Upon investigation, they were involved in a one night stand decades ago but only once.

There are flashbacks back and forth between past and present where there is another mysterious things happened where the main character's sister died in an unnatural circumstance and her case is unsolved. I was interested to know what exactly happened. But upon finishing it, I found myself lfet disatisfied by how easy and predictable it was. There wasnt much to hold your interest. The storyline was too long ans could be shortened with the unnecessary scenes. By the end, everything ended too simply and convenient. It wrapped up loosely without much wow factor to it.

This was a very quick read. Had me hooked right from the beginning, characters were well developed and had twists and turns. Definitely recommend.

A struggling collage artist finds out she has been left a huge inheritance from someone she barely even knew.

This story follows Skylar in the present, when she’s found out about the inheritance, and in the past, when she lost her younger sister. It skips back and forth from present to past but is easy to follow. Slowly the stories from the past and the present work their way together.

I loved many things about this book! It was a fast paced read. I loved the art side of the book, and the unexpected inheritance parts of the story, because that’s not something I tend to read in a book everyday. The main character seemed like a normal young woman just trying to make it in New York before her life got crazy. Skylar was a likable and relatable character and you wanted things to go her way. Held my attention to the end and while I guessed some of how things turned out, some left me surprised. Overall great read and I highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC!!

I love books by Kate White, and this one was no exception. She's a wonderful, reliable storyteller, and although the two timeliness in the story essentially point you directly in the direction of which the story is heading, getting there was still a lot of fun. Admittedly, there were moments that were rather slow, but I feel that those moments are no more plentiful than any other book on the market, and the payoff was enjoyable. Will always continue to be excited when I see a new release by Ms White.

[arc review]
Thank you to Harper Perennial for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Between Two Strangers releases May 16, 2023

Skyler, an artist living in New York, receives a phone call one day informing her that she’s been left a trust worth $3.5 million dollars by a man named Christopher Whaley who recently passed away. Known to her as C.J., he’s the man she had a one night stand with in Boston twelve years ago. So why did he leave such a large sum to seemingly a stranger instead of his wife and two kids?

This story is told in a then/now timeline.
Despite having the mystery of a missing sister to work through in the past timeline, and a stalker in the present timeline, I just did not find that this was gripping enough and the pay off for the reveal wasn’t satisfying.
All of the secondary characters were just <i>there</i> but didn’t really serve much purpose or bring life or depth to the story.
Skyler’s one desire to be pregnant wasn’t fully fleshed out and felt like it was only brought up as a way to humanize her for the reader.

An interesting premise during the early stages, but an overall miss for me.
I also didn’t care for the way new chapters split right in the middle of ongoing dialogue.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 16, 2023
Former Cosmopolitan editor Kate White delivers her eighteenth novel, “Between Two Strangers”, her tenth standalone psychological thriller, and she keeps getting better and better!
Skyler Moore is a struggling artist, barely making ends meet as a graphic designer until she can pursue her true passion of visual art, and earn enough money to have the fertility treatment she desires to make her other dream of becoming a mother a reality. So, when a lawyer contacts her out of the blue, stating she has inherited over three million dollars, obviously Skyler is skeptical. But the lawyer is legitimate and so is the fortune- left to her by a one-night stand she had over twelve years ago. But Skyler senses there is more to it than that, barely remembering the fling, she doubts she made that much of an impression on him. As much as she wants to take the money and run, Skyler has to figure out why Christopher Whaley would leave her money, even if it means risking her career, her future and her life.
Skyler Moore is living every working person’s dream- receiving a massive inheritance from someone you barely know (also the plot of many movies on the big and small screen). But of course, White wouldn’t just make it that simple, and she doesn’t disappoint, captivating the reader with small twists and turns that engage, entertain and tantalize through each and every page!
The story is told exclusively by Skyler both in the past, when she meets the mysterious Christopher for that million-dollar one night stand, and in the future, when Skyler receives the inheritance. Skyler, of course, has heartbreak in her past too, and White manages to weave this into the plot, especially the ending, flawlessly.
“Strangers” is a solid thriller, with enough twists and turns in the story to capture a reader’s attention (and keep it)! I loved White’s previous novels, including “The Fiancée” and “The Second Husband”, and her newest novel brought everything to the table I’ve come to expect from White- strong, relatable characters, a gripping plot, and a creative, well thought out ending. I look forward to reading White’s next foray into psychological suspense!

3.25/5 stars! I'm a huge fan of psychological thrillers and this premise had the makings of a great mystery story. This was a quick read that wasn't the most stunning or unique in the genre, but it held up as an enjoyable thriller. It was a good story for your average mystery read, but lacked the cohesiveness of the plot and characterizations to make it a great read.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Between Two Strangers is a gripping, page-turning psychological thriller that keeps the reader wanting to know what happens next, as well as what happened then. Skyler is a struggling artist who is trying to overcome past tragedies. Ever since her sister's death, Skyler has been more-or-less alone in life. Now, on the eve of her first gallery opening, she receives news that she has inherited A LOT of money. But why? And, from whom? Apparently, a one-night-stand over a decade ago is resulting in Skyler receiving this inheritance. However, this man's family has very different thoughts on the issue. How far are they willing to go to ensure that Skyler does not inherit this money?

While not exactly action-packed, Between Two Strangers is definitely fast-paced and full of intrigue. I enjoyed Skyler as the main character and POV. I also thought the author utilized the dual timeframes very well. I was equally interested in what was happening in the present and what had happened in the past. The book was well-written and there were no loose ends at the end. I'll definitely be recommending this book to anyone looking for an intriguing psychological thiller.

An unexpected call from an attorney informing you that a stranger left you money in their will. Isn’t that a fantasy we all share!🤣

Skyler's life never quite got back on track after the death of her younger sister. Her mother always blamed her and she realized that she was destined to be on her own. She now lives the life of an artist, and even has an upcoming show that’s quickly gathering a lot of attention.

All that is great, but what Skyler desperately wants is to have a baby… but simply can’t afford it. That is until her fairy godmother, (AKA. an estate attorney) calls telling her she is about to inherit money. A timely windfall to be sure. But who is responsible for this gift?

As Skyler racks her brain trying to fathom the reason someone would leave her a trust I found myself just as curious and wanted to help her get to the bottom of it!

It’s not an edge of your seat thriller but there definitely enough mystery to keep me enthralled and wanting to get back to it any time I needed to step away!

A good solid thriller. I would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks

I felt like this should have been two different books. One with a woman coming to grips with the ripple effect losing her sister had on her life and one book about a woman getting money from a man she doesn't remember. Both stories were interesting but they didn't mesh together at all. I also thought it was weird that in the beginning she talks about how important having a child was and then that completely drops as the book goes on. It doesn't even show up in the epilogue. Strange choices. One plot point didn't make sense re: the mother of the man who died but I can't discuss it without major spoilers.
I enjoyed her neighbor and I felt they dropped her a lot and the end. I liked the storyline of how her sister disappearing (and being found dead) changed her life and relationship with her mom, remaining sister and stepfather. I wish that had been explored a little bit more.

I've been reading Kate White since ~2003 with If Looks Could Kill. I love the Bailey Wiggins series, it was one of my favorite series. Heck, I could re-read them all today and I'm sure still love them.

I haven't read a lot of her stand-alone books, my first possibly being Have You Seen Me? (2020) which I really enjoyed. I didn't at all like The Second Husband (2022), so I wasn't sure what to expect from Between Two Strangers.

The story is told with Then & Now chapters, with the Then chapters being a gradual story of tragic events that occurred while Skyler was in college. We learn of that and the irreparable damage it caused her family, her growing art career, her desire to be a mother, her tumultuous "relationship" with her mother, and her calico Tuna! Tuna was my favorite character, and I felt Skyler's need to just be accepted by the cat. It was a good and fast read, but left a lot to be desired. I would have liked better explanations, the ending not to feel so rushed, and for things to not feel so wrapped up in a bow at the end. Though, I really hope she fulfills her dream of having a baby. She deserves a happy ending.

I absolutely recommend this book to fans of thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Paperbacks for the e-ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Great story! I was hooked from the first paragraph and will remember this book when I get an email from a Nigerian prince saying I have inherited a million dollars! The ending was a complete surprise. Don't trust your slouthing skills!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers and Kate White for the opportunity to read an advance copy of BETWEEN TWO STRANGERS, to be published 16 May 2023. I was so excited to read this book, I jut couldn’t leave it on my TBR shelf any longer. I knew this would be another winner for Kate White and I was not wrong. The characters were especially believable and it was easy to get swallowed up into the mix with them. This novel was unique in plot and was particularly well developed. Kate White never fails to deliver a great read. #NetGalley. #HarperCollinsPublishers. #KateWhite. #BETWEENTWOSTRANGERS.

Skyler is an up and coming artist who takes graphic design jobs to make ends meet. One day, she gets a phone call from a lawyer with some shocking news. A man named Chris Whaley has left her a rather sizable inheritance. The problem? She can't for the life of her remember who the man was.

After meeting with the lawyer, flashes of Chris start coming back to her. As this is going on, Chris's widow is contesting the inheritance and several strange and threatening things happen to Skyler. Is the widow behind the threats or is someone else mad about the money? Skyler is determined to find out who and why she was left the money in the first place.

It's an intriguing story and a very fast read from page one. The characters are fleshed out and relatable. Even the cat, Tuna, had her own distinct personality. There are plenty of twists to keep you and Skyler guessing. The story offers a look into Skyler's past and a tragedy that has been having long term effects on her, her family, and even her art work. The ending ties things up neatly.

A good weekend or beach read and a solid thriller. Thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and NetGalley for this entertaining ARC.

This book definitely kept me turning the pages until I knew what happened. We alternate from past to present to unfold the story. Could her sister’s disappearance and her one night stand 12 years ago somehow be connected?

When Skylar gets a call that she’s been left an inheritance, She thinks there’s no way they have the right girl. When she finally makes the connection, there’s still no clear answer. Why would someone she had a very brief encounter with so many years ago leave her this money?

Lots of mystery in this book, be sure to check it out when it releases May 16, 2023.

Kate White returns with an amazing novel, crafted for lazy vacation reading or taking to the beach. Her characters are a delight and she is the master of building suspense. I, so thankful that White is a prolific writer as I can’t wait to see what she creates next!

Between Two Strangers by Kate White is a wonderfully tense, suspenseful and addictive read.
The plot is fast paced, twisty and unpredictable.
The characters were great, the plot was excellent and the style of writing was just perfect.
As usual this book did not disappoint.
Kate White is a pro at creating a well crafted suspenseful thriller.
It was well-written and remarkably interesting with the suspense, drama, and anticipation.
I love how every single time White takes me on such a wild and exciting ride.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Harper Paperbacks for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I am a big fan of Kate White’s books so I was very happy to receive an ARC of her new novel. So if you read the blurb you find out that Skyler, our main character receives a call from a law firm in Scarsdale, New York about an inheritance she is to receive from someone she has no idea who this person is. This book goes from now to then so we start to see a picture of what is going on. She is also a struggling artist and had two half sisters she was very close to. But Chloe unfortunately died and her mother blamed her for this. When she meets the lawyer she still can’t place this person who is leaving her this trust. And it is quite sizable to the tune of three million dollars. Then weird things start to happen to her and finally she remembers him. She had a one night stand with him in a Boston hotel 12 years ago when in graduate school but she knew him as CJ which are the initials of his name. It was a fast read and the twist at the end I did not see coming but one finds the reason for him leaving her this money which I found a little far fetched. All in all, it was a quick read but not one of my favorite books by Kate White. I want to thank net galley for the ARC I received for an honest review. If you are looking for a quick mystery by Kate White then enjoy.