A clever whodunnit for a change that didn’t make me mad at anyone. Everyone is smart and they don’t do stupid things like in most books like this. So a special thanks to the author for not treating their readers like idiots. It’s a truly wonderful read although a bit too long.

This book sucked me in from the moment I started reading it. Mary is fighting for custody of her young two-year-old son. But it isn't like any normal custody battle. Her soon to be ex-husband, George, comes from a wealthy family. They have connections far and wide. George wants his family back together. Mary cannot go back to that life. She meets Willa, at the local playground. They hit it off from the start. Not only do their kids get along, but they also love each other's company. When Willa suddenly disappears. She completely ghosts Mary. But why is the question.

Mary decides to move out of the city and to the small town of Woodstock. She is ready to turn to a new chapter in her life. The strange thing, she sees Willa and she has a new family. Is Mary losing her mind? Not only that, but Mary discovers Georges body. This is a fun, twisty plot of who killed George. There are multiple points of view and a dual timeline that keeps you on your toes. Thank you to Leah Konen and G.P. Putnam's Son for this gifted book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen. This thriller kept me on my toes. This novel will be released on February 20, 2024.

Mary, a thirty-something separated mother of a two-year old, meets Willa, who she meets at a park while Willa is with 3-year old Jack Jr. Willa quickly becomes a close friend as Mary grapples with how difficult her wealthy husband is being about their separation and custody. After an intense friendship for a few months, Willa disappears. Mary is left lonely and reeling…

Mary moves to Woodstock, NY and the twists and turns compound. Mary runs into Willa, who is now with a different family and going by the name Annie.

Mary’s husband comes to Woodstock, and then Mary finds him dead, with her quickly becoming the key person of interest.

The plot captured my attention, and I loved how I didn’t figure out the murderer. This wasn’t a predictable thriller, which I really enjoyed.

Thank you to the author, GP Putnam’s Sons/Penguin, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for my feedback.

What a wild ride this book took me on. When two moms, Mary and Willa strike up a seemingly harmless relationship at the playground nothing was on the forefront of Mary’s mind except friendship. Mary was already struggling in the midst of a custody/separation battle with her ex George and was separate for a confidante after losing her former closest friend Cassandra who was separated from her now ex brother-in-law Henry. Mary could not expect what would become of her relationship with Willa and the horrifying events that followed her. Overall a fast paced great read for Leah Konen.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, actually.

Of a similarly themed book, I once wrote that it would be hard to find more dysfunctional, unlikable characters. Well, apparently it's not THAT hard.

Put another way, it took about a third of the way through the book for me to decide that it didn't matter whether any of these folks were friends or foes - I didn't want them anywhere around me, let alone held close. But that said, it was kind of fun to watch as Mary Haywood, a journalist-turned mom who's in the middle of a divorce from her needy, greedy, domineering husband George, tries to make a life in Brooklyn away from him with their young son, Alex. George, of course, isn't making things easy - and with a mother and sister too far away to help, Mary sure could use a friend. She finds one at a local park in Willa, an unmarried stepmom to a boy near Alex's age - and the connection was so immediate and strong that for way more than a New York minute I suspected they'd end up as a romantic couple.

But no; in fact, not long after they meet and seriously bond - and Mary reveals some dark thoughts about her hopefully soon-to-be ex - Willa disappears from the face of the earth; no return phone calls or texts and no park visits. Some friend, huh? But wait, there's more; not long after Mary relocates to a small town she hopes to call her new home, who to her wandering eyes should appear? You guessed it - Willa. Only now there's a complication; when Mary confronts her with the intent of learning why she was ghosted, Willa claims she's not Willa, but Annie - and she's never laid eyes on Mary before.

Mary's head was full of confusion and doubt before the encounter, but readers ain't seen nuthin' yet. Now, she's questioning her own sanity and why such a once-close friend would fail to respond. It gets worse; her husband George, who tracks her down with the intent of convincing her to return to him despite all the abuse he heaped upon her, shows up. And wonder of wonders, he's close to succeeding as Mary starts brain-waffling yet again (still). That is, until there's no more need; suddenly, George turns up dead. And now, Mary has a whole host of other issues to waffle over - like will his parents try to gain custody over their beloved grandson, or will George's nasty brother Henry try for retribution, or is Willa avoiding her because she's a murderer, or will the police, who she thinks think she's the killer, arrest her?

By now, my own head is starting to spin, so you can imagine that Mary's is whirling like a school playground merry-go-round at recess. The real happenings are eked out to readers as chapters shift perspectives and time frames from Willa to Mary - complete with little "surprises" that lead up to the big reveal (and a little bit beyond, which those who finish the book will understand). Overall, I'd call it a fun romp rather than a nail-biting journey with things working out in the end. For that, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

A fabulous whodunnit for the current times.
Keep your friends close is definitely a theme and definitely true in this book.
Do you know who your friends are? Are they truly who they say they are?
Loyalty, dishonesty, the cheats and the cheaters.. keep your eye on all of it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Easy and enjoyable but fairly predictable.


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Keep Your Friends Close brings some crazy drama to a story of motherhood and friendship, and I loved it!

Mary is in the middle of a divorce from her controlling ex when she meets Willa at the park. Willa seems young and carefree, and the two quickly bond over play dates and nights out. When Willa suddenly ghosts Mary after a couple months of friendship, Mary is disappointed and unsure what happened, but moves on with her life. Months later, Willa reappears in her life just as her ex is murdered, and Mary starts to wonder if Willa had something to do with it.

Konen’s previous book focused on the postpartum period and the massive upheaval women go through in those months, and in this book she hits the nail on the head as she talks about the mental load and expectations on women, mothers in particular. The way it was weaved into the storyline was so well done and had me nodding along in agreement at times. The men are really just secondary here, as the friendship between Mary and Willa is the primary focus.

I found Mary to be a sympathetic character, one caught being a rock and a bad place and trying to make the decisions that will be best for her son. Her life positively implodes when she attempts to start over in a small town, and I couldn’t put the story down as the twists and turns hit over and over. I loved the ending and the way it tied everything together neatly!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ooo y'all... this one had lots of twists and turns! I loved the way Leah Konen brought these characters alive on the pages because they were filled with drama and intrigue! I was definitely kept with suspense until the very end. Must read for thriller lovers!

Lonely Mary is going through a divorce from her wealthy, controlling husband, George and is desperate to keep her child. When Mary meets Willa she feels that she has finally met a friend, someone she can confide in. But when Mary confides a secret to Willa things change. Willa has her own agenda. Is she friend or enemy? Flawed characters and a murder kept me turning the pages on this thriller.Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an early copy. This review is my opinion.

I was really excited to get this ARC. The description of the book sounded so interesting.

I liked this book enough to finish it and if you like the premise of " Keep you friends close, and enemies closer " This book is definitely for you.

I enjoyed the secrets and lies and trying to figure out what was the truth and what wasn't. However, I felt like it took a long time before the story started to take off. There was ALOT of build up before any of the action started.

Mary meets Willa at a park, thinking she’s got a new play date friend and girlfriend to the bar for an occasional mom’s night out. In the middle of a nasty separation with her husband, Mary could really use the friend right now. But is Willa who she says she is?

With short chapters and alternating perspectives, this domestic thriller is easy to read and stay engaged in. With a little mystery, a little murder, and a couple questionable characters this novel will easily entertain readers.

I did find some motivation of the characters a little weak and lacking believability. There’s no major shockers or twists here, but I found the writing solid enough that I would try another novel by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an electric copy of Keep Your Friends Close for review.

When Mary meets Willa at a playground with their kids, she feels an instant connection. Quickly numbers are exchanged, play dates are arranged, and a friendship blossoms. However, after a margarita fueled ladies night where Mary spills her secrets about her ex husband George Wills seemingly falls off the face of the earth. Months later Mary has moved out of the city and is attempting to start a new life with her son along with finalizing her divorce. One day Mary runs into someone that looks like Willa, but this time she goes by Annie and is with a different child than the one from the park months ago. Drama continues to unfold when George turns up deal and the spotlight is turned on Mary. She must work quickly to clear her name and while leaning on support from Willa, Mary begins to uncover secrets that answer who Willa really is and whether she’s connected to George’s death.

Konen’s “Keep your Friends Close” is a great concept for a book that unfortunately doesn’t deliver. It’s quite slow to pick up, making the reader wait until about 30% of the way through before anything exciting happens. The middle section does have good pace and a few interesting twists, but the ending seemed a bit rushed a lazy. 2.5/5.

This book was lot of fun. I was worried from the description it was going to be too kid focused but it wasn’t. I love a con artist story and having it be a “mom friend” was cute idea I felt like the Mary and Willa had very distinct voices despite their similarities of being “outsiders” around children and wealth a lot. The setting was interesting. I didn’t feel like the end was a total surprise (although, I will say I think many people fall down the steps by accident!) but it wasn’t obvious either.



One thing—I don’t think chenille is the fabric the author is thinking of in the passage about wedding attire, Maybe she meant taffeta? Chenille is like a fuzzy sweater or blanket—not a typical fancy dress choice.

📜Keep Your Friends Close
✍️Leah Konen
📠Penguin Group Putnam
📚Mystery/Thriller, Fiction
🗓️Pub date: February 20, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Thank you @NetGalley and @putnambooks for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

✨Mary is knee-deep in a custody battle with her soon to be ex, George, and desperate for a friend—someone to talk to. So it’s kismet when she meets Willa at the playground and they become fast friends.

✨One night over drinks, Mary tells Willa the shocking reasons she left George, and the next day is ghosted by Willa. Willa leaves no trace of a friendship.

✨Months later, as Mary is picking up the pieces to her life, and moves to a new home in upstate New York, she sees Willa again for the first time. Only now Willa has a completely different husband and child in tow, and goes by the name Annie.

✨As George is found dead, and Mary is suspected of his murder, Mary has nowhere to turn, but to her old friend, Willa. As evidence is mounted against her, Mary begins to wonder if Willa had something to do with George’s death.

✨This book was filled with twists and surprises, and was a quick read. Would definitely recommend!

#netgalley #keepyourfriendsclose #leahkonen #putnambooks #thrillerfiction#mysteryfiction #winterreleases #advancedreadercopy #arc #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #ivegotbooks #killmewithwords #idratherbereading

What a fun, bingeable domestic thriller this one was! The premise was fascinating in that Mary’s friend Willa disappears one day and then reappears as a completely different person. I knew this would be a unique read, and though it turned out not to be the cat-and-mouse game I assumed it was going to be, Konen did a great job of keeping the action and reveals going, and the pages turning.⁠
There were a few reveals throughout the book that were a bit predictable, however the end was a total surprise in a way that really worked! ⁠
This one will get you out of a reading slump and if time allows, can be binged in 24 hours. Make sure you add this to your TBR’s immediately!

A title has never rang more true!! A great character driven book that has all the main themes of a wild ride: divorce, infidelity, friendships that aren't real and a dead ex husband.

The beginning of the book is a bit slow as the characters and back story is developed but Leah Konen turns on the gas and the back half really picks up steam. A solid read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great story. Marriage, divorce, custody. Friendship, trust, betrayal. Forgiveness. The haves and the have nots battle through the story. With a shocking twist of who done it. It seemed most characters learned lessons and changed themselves for the better while others seem destined to repeat old patterns.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an eARC of Keep Your Friends Close in exchange for my honest review!

This is the third Leah Konen thriller I've dived into so far, and I'm glad to say that her work continues to give me the enjoyable and briskly paced entertainment I'm looking for. Mary stands as a sympathetic protagonist to take us through this mystery, while Willa provides her own compelling layers through the cunning and the guts she displays as a con artist. I've got love for Mary's sister-in-law Cass as well. Sure, there's a tropey air to this book in regard to its twists of the plot and its themes of misogyny, toxic masculinity, class warfare, and motherhood. But even if they're not groundbreaking, they still grip me all the way to the satisfying ending.

Overall, I'm officially rating Keep Your Friends Close 3.75 out of 4 stars, which I'm rounding up to 4 stars on Goodreads. I'll continue to anticipate more of Konen's bibliography.

The statement: keep your friends close and your enemies closer has never rang more true!
This was really good, a great thriller and one that kept me thinking, guessing and completely engrossed for every single page.

I really enjoyed Konen's writing style and look forward to more from her in the future.