Pretty good for a debut novel!

Funny, complex, real, and a storyline that is believable.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an advanced copy to read and review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was witty and humorous, while simultaneously dealing with some pretty dark concepts. I'd almost describe it as a cozy thriller, which feels antithetical but somehow was executed masterfully. I tore through this book and couldn't put it down once I got about 20% into it, reading the rest in one sitting.

It was just a fun read all around!

Excellent writing. I was invested in the outcome for the characters in this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was definitely not my typical read, but it was fun and a great read. It was fast and funny. I loved the friendships and the characters involved in this story. When looking for a good womens fic/chick lit this is a great choice.

"Friends With Secrets" masterfully weaves together the complexities of friendship, motherhood, societal pressures, and suspense in a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of Northern Virginia. Contrary to the surface, where Nikki and Ainsley may seem like polar opposites, the novel delves deep into their lives, revealing layers of struggle and resilience that bind them together.

The author skillfully crafts Nikki, a former media personality turned stay-at-home mom grappling with the challenges of balancing family life and career aspirations. Ainsley, on the other hand, embodies the facade of perfection, masking her own vulnerabilities beneath a meticulously curated image. Their unexpected alliance in uncovering a dark secret lurking within their community sets the stage for a riveting tale of empowerment and redemption.

The narrative's strength lies in its ability to navigate complex themes with nuance and depth. From the pressures of conforming to societal standards to the resilience required to confront buried truths, "Friends With Secrets" offers a poignant exploration of womanhood in all its facets. The dynamics between Nikki and Ainsley are richly drawn, evolving from initial skepticism to a formidable partnership driven by a shared determination to protect their children and unravel the mysteries shrouding their community.

The pacing is expertly executed, seamlessly blending moments of tension and intrigue with poignant reflections on the expectations placed upon women. The author's adept balance of suspense, humor, and introspection keeps readers engaged from start to finish, ensuring a satisfying reading experience.

Overall, "Friends With Secrets" transcends genre conventions, delivering a thought-provoking narrative that resonates long after the final page. With its compelling characters, deftly plotted storyline, and insightful exploration of contemporary issues, this novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers and women's fiction alike. My heartfelt gratitude to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to delve into this captivating ARC, and my review reflects my genuine appreciation for the author's craftsmanship.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Wow, this was so fun! My go-to read is typically suspenseful thriller - this was a nice break that still had an exciting sleuthy aspect. Nikki and Ainsley were a great pair, two people that really needed a friend to appreciate them for who they truly were. I was rooting for them both the entire time and also felt for Ainsley as she was being outcasted.

Wyatt Jericho was a creep and I enjoyed following along as the dynamic duo fought to take him down! A light read that will keep your interest and was laugh out loud funny at times. Didn't want it to end!

Ainsley and Ben live in Washington DC with their two daughters. She has a mysterious past that she is keeping a secret. Nikki is a stay at home mom of four and together they team up to expose the shady character from Ainsley’s past. I didn’t see the twists in this book coming. The characters were great and as a stay at home mom myself I found some aspects of Nikki’s day to day life to relate able.

It's easy for a book about two women who on first glance are polar opposites and competitors to fall into clichés and stereotypes, however Friends With Secrets sidesteps all of that. This is a fantastic, multilayered novel that's not only about the pressures and seemingly insurmountable standards women are held to, but is also a thriller and a mystery with plenty of action.

Ainsley and Nikki are two women in Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) who are each struggling to hold it together for very different reasons. Nikki is a former superstar newscaster who was laid off and is now a stay at home mom to four young children and has a husband with a questionable furniture building business he's trying to get started. Ainsley is the seemingly perfect, “Stepford Wife” who has it all together thanks to a full uniformed staff at home. Not only that, but she is the wife of a millionaire who is running for governor of Virginia on a clean cut, anti porn platform that's meant to appeal to voters who lean conservative.

All of this falls apart though when Ainsley and Nikki meet the creepy new basketball coach at the private school where their kids go. They're planning only to meet for media training from Nikki to help Ainsley perfect her interviewing skills as a candidate's wife, but a conversation about this creepy coach unveils a decades old secret that threatens to destroy the perfect life that Ainsley has crafted for herself. Ainsley and Nikki discover how much they really do have in common and that they are solidly on each other's side on a mission to bring down this coach and save the girls at their school from being harmed by him.

The pacing is very well done with a good mix of action and scary situations that are balanced by humor and musings on being the kind of woman who is expected to "have it all" but can't live up to that because of course no woman in reality can.

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.

I am constantly on the lookout for hilarious cozy mysteries with a Finley Donovan vibe, and Friends With Secrets fits the bill. Two unlikely friends team up to take down a sinister adversary, and discover they have a lot more in common than they knew. This is a story about women supporting women, female empowerment, and taking down the patriarchy. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

4.5* rounded up to 5.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It wasn’t the fast-paced, page-turner I typically go for, but I do enjoy a good chick-lit kind of book every now and then and this was exactly that. I loved the unlikely friendship between the two main characters and enjoyed each of their individual stories and the mission they went on together. Think ‘Bad Moms’ on a mission to right a wrong in the world with the same mom/woman humor that makes them relatable, but none of the wild partying and raunchiness. This was a fun escape and the type of book I would bring on a vacation to leisurely read on a beach or by the pool.
With thanks to Christine Gunderson and NetGalley for the free copy of this book to read and review.

This book is an homage modern motherhood, and what a great homage it was!

I absolutely adored everything about this. I loved Nikki. I loved Ainsley, and -surprisingly- I loved their husbands. This book encapsulates the struggles of modern parenting, wrapped up in gripping plot and an overall great story. I loved the way that this author set up the "mystery/thriller" aspect of this book and still somehow managed to keep it respectful to the very real and difficult issues that it touched on, but still light and enjoyable.

Both FMCs were relatable and real. Their friendship was raw and real. It highlighted how lonely and isolating parenting can be, and just how big of a difference a village can make. Special shout-out to Lady Godiva- I hope people like you exist. She just might have been my favorite character in the entire book.

Also, and this was what took this book from a 4 star to a 5 star, I absolutely loved the ADHD rep. It actually brought tears to my eyes at some points, I could relate to this character so much.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait for the release. I want the actual copy of this book on my bookshelf to re-read whenever I get overwhelmed with life and motherhood.

A story about two moms who look entirely from the opposite ends of a spectrum but ending up being the best thing they’ll ever need from the kindergarten pick-up line (well, except their own children).

I did not expect to breeze through this book but the way the story unraveled was really good I ended up reading up to 40% in one day. The characters are well-fleshed out especially Ainsley. Her dynamic with Nikki was really something I really like and the way the author wrote their dialogues and thoughts really showcase their personalities and issues. They felt realistic and reliable. The twists are also nice since they really made me think though some are quite easy to see from a far but still I don’t think it takes a way much from the story since it is still enjoyable.

I would love to see where this duo is going next though! Thank you for the ARC !

This is an awesome book about two friends, Nikki and Ainsley who both have children in elementary school and are busy with playdates and what snacks to bring to school. But behind the scenes Nikki--who used to be a tv anchor/reporter--is now a "media trainer" as she wants to put her talents to good use. And Ainsley's husband, Ben is running for governor so the only thing these two women have in common--ostensibly--is their children. But when they get together, they realize there is something "odd" about the new athletic director/coach, Wyatt and they are determined to get to the bottom of it. There are some dirty secrets lurking in everyone's closet and when they are unearthed, the town will be reeling!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Timeless, BEAUTIFUL, relevant, laugh-out-loud, FUNNY book about parenting and friendships, as well as the complexities of doing it all as a woman in America!

We could apply a version of this storyline to any era in recent history as there are some undeniable truths in this highly addictive tale… you’ll have to read to find them out!

I WOULD recommend this book to ALL my friends, including those who don’t even necessarily love reading… and trust Nikki and Ainsley would have them BEYOND hooked by Chapter 3!!!

A select few (of my friends) may appreciate a disclaimer regarding some instances of strong language. Note: Despite the best of intentions, I have heard these same words come out of the mouths of women who are MASTERS at maintaining UNMARRED, occasionally malleable, and ALWAYS congenial masks. Therefore, I think the harsh words add to the authenticity as we consider these realistic and well-developed characters.

#friendswithsecrets #funny #thriller #suspense #perfectmommyth #netgalley #lakeunionpublishing #pubday07162024 @gunderchristine @bookshell_f

So many twists and turns! I love thrillers that keep you guessing and this is definitely one of them. The characters are complex and interesting. This was a good, fast read.

Friends with Secrets had me hooked from the beginning. Ainsley and Nikki were both relatable characters in different ways. The story was interesting and compelling and had me reading long into the night as I didn't want to put it down.

“You have no idea how awful it is to be someone you’re not, someone you don’t even want to be, just to fit in.”
I feel like Ainsley did and still do.
Truth of the matter is it's tiresome to pretend. I get this story I really do.
People aren't going to like you even if you pretend or even just being the real you. Every person has a story.
I also loved this quote from Ben to Ainsley
“I live my life for an audience of one, and that one is you. And I know you feel the same way about me. So I understand the impulse to hide something because you’re afraid it will make that the only person who really matters see you in a different way. It doesn’t make it right . . . but I understand it.” just goes to show you that you shouldn't keep secrets especially one this big.
I really loved and admired Ainsley.
This new to me author has done a marvelous job in bringing Ainsley to life and making her "human" so to speak.
She's also shown us what true love from your spouse looks like or supposed to look like.
I truly enjoyed this novel to the fullest.
I was swept away for an evening of entertainment from the bit of mystery that was added along the way.
5 stars for a well written story that kept me turning the pages long into the evening.
I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.