The Fall-Out by Sophie Ranald is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that tackles complex relationships and personal growth. The characters are well-written, and their struggles feel real and relatable. The pacing is steady, with just enough drama to keep you hooked. While the ending feels a bit rushed, the journey to get there is heartfelt and satisfying. A strong 4 stars—engaging, emotional, and a great read for fans of contemporary fiction.

The Fall-Out is a compelling and emotional story that explores the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the secrets we keep. Naomi's seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when Zara, the fifth member of their close-knit Girlfriends’ Club, returns with a revelation that rocks the foundation of their friendship. As Naomi navigates the fallout, the book delves into themes of betrayal, self-reflection, and the challenges of keeping relationships intact when truth and trust are tested. The characters are well-developed, and the witty, heartfelt dialogue creates a balance between humor and the more serious moments. The emotional depth of the story is poignant, with moments that will make readers laugh and cry. While the pacing slows at times, the overall story is a satisfying exploration of how friendships evolve and survive through life's challenges. The Fall-Out is a perfect read for anyone who values the strength of female friendships.

I really wanted to like this but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Why are we mocking things like eating disorders? not cute, not funny. I also didn't care for the "humor" the author was going for throughout the book. I didn't find it funny at all. I had to recheck because i kept thinking "a man had to have written this book". nope. clearly i was wrong. This was not for me but i'm sure it was for somebody.

This book is a refreshing take on female friendship—messy, complicated, and oh-so-relatable. At its heart, it’s about the ups and downs of close relationships, showing how misunderstandings and life changes can shake even the strongest bonds.

The friendship dynamics felt real, from the moments of pure support and laughter to the tensions and heartaches that come with growing apart. It’s a reminder that friendship, just like any relationship, takes effort, forgiveness, and understanding. If you’ve ever had a bestie breakup or a tough patch with a friend, this book will hit close to home!

All in all it is a fun, drama-filled ride with all the feels! 🎭📖 Packed with friendship woes, career twists, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, it’s like your favorite rom-com meets a juicy reality show. The characters are messy and relatable, and while some decisions had me screaming, 'Why?!,' I couldn’t stop rooting for them. If you’re in the mood for a light, binge-worthy read with heart, this one’s a winner.

This is the first book written by this author that I have read which i really enjoyed - even if this was at times a challenging read. It centers around a group of friends and what happens when one member is toxic. We find that the group becomes fractured due to the lengths that this individual is willing to go to to break apart the group making it focus around her. It takes one of the group to have suspicions about some of the things which have been said to start trying to find out the truth. We watch this all happening while looking at the past events and also the present events affecting the group. The characters have been written so realistically that you could imagine them being part of you life. I can not wait to see what they bring out next.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

This wasn’t for me and I had to DNF. But maybe this is for you?

I really enjoyed this story of a woman and her dearest friends coming to the realization they’d been manipulated for years by a supposed friend , and how they move on, I felt for Naomi, and how she’d been lied to for years.

Sophie Ranald’s The Fall-Out is a masterful tale of friendship, trust, and the devastating power of secrets. At its core, this novel explores the complex dynamics of a close-knit group of friends, whose seemingly unbreakable bonds begin to fray under the weight of hidden truths and mounting deceit.

The story is packed with twists, each more surprising than the last, as Ranald peels back layers of her characters’ lives. What initially seems like a tale of ordinary friendship takes a darker turn when betrayals are revealed, forcing the group to confront their own flaws and the extent to which one of them has been manipulating their reality. Ranald expertly builds suspense, drawing readers into a world where trust is shattered and every revelation adds a new layer of tension.

Ranald’s strength lies in her character development. Each friend is vividly drawn, with relatable imperfections that make their unraveling both believable and compelling. The protagonist, in particular, is caught in a web of doubt and betrayal, navigating the emotional turmoil of discovering that the people closest to her are not who they seemed. The friend responsible for the chaos emerges as a fascinating, multifaceted antagonist, whose motivations keep readers guessing until the very end.

Beyond its gripping plot, The Fall-Out delves into deeper themes of loyalty, identity, and the impact of past trauma on present relationships. Ranald’s writing is sharp and engaging, balancing moments of intense drama with lighter, more reflective passages that give readers a chance to breathe before the next bombshell drops.

This novel is a perfect pick for fans of psychological drama and suspense. Its exploration of the fragility of human connections will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned how well they truly know the people in their lives. The Fall-Out is a compelling reminder that even the closest relationships can harbor secrets, and that facing the truth—no matter how painful—is the only path to genuine healing.

Verdict:

The Fall-Out is a rollercoaster of emotions and revelations, cementing Sophie Ranald’s place as a must-read author in the psychological drama genre.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Fall-Out by Sophie Ranald is definitely not what I expected. Ranald usually writes very cute, light-hearted rom-coms. This was far from that. It was more an emotional journey of a woman who becomes who she always knew she could be. When Naomi meets with her girlfriends one afternoon following the death of a close friend, she couldn't imagine the road it would take her down. Seeing their former friend Zara throws them all for a loop. Wading through all the truths and half truths really makes her head spin. But, in the Naomi finds her way through to the other side and the result is a much lighter, happier life. Although I was expecting a light-hearted romance novel, I found the story well written and true to life. We all have "friends" like that who make us feel less than we are and who have us always second guessing how we should be. Overall, a good story.

It took me a chapter or two to get into this book but once I did I was hooked. Sophie Randald is a genius at creating amazing stories that transport you right to their heart. Highly recommend

Fast paced and full of emotions, this book it more than a palate cleanser, it's an emotional rollercoaster of lies, secrets, death and loss of the physical and mental presences in our lives. Each character (and their attached flaws) are well developed and while some aren't exactly loveable, they are so emotional and raw that you will relate to each at some point.

I really enjoyed ‘Santa Please Bring Me A Boyfriend’, which features Rowan, another member of the ‘Girlfriends Club’, so I was looking forward to reading another instalment. I really need to go back and read the other two!

This book focuses on Naomi, wife to Patrick (Patch), mother of twins, and fully fledged member of the Girlfriends Club. Following the tragic death of their friend Andy, Naomi’s world takes a further shaking with the appearance of long lost ‘friend’ Zara. Zara is a former member of the Girlfriends Club and used to be in a relationship with Patch, before his and Naomi’s relationship began. Zara didn’t take the news of their relationship very well, and it led to her departure from the friendship group. Now she’s back and she’s determined to drive a wedge between the four women.

The issue with Zara is that she lies. She tells some really quite despicable lies, lies that she knows will cause the women to turn on each other. As the group chat grows silent, and Zara continues to drip poison into each of their ears, can the Girlfriends Club survive this blow to their friendship? Or is it unsalvageable?

I always love books that focus on female friendships - how toxic they can sometimes be, but also how necessary they are. I really felt for Naomi. I am so glad that she came to the conclusions she did about her future with Patch. So many women feel that it’s selfish of them to focus on themselves, and it is absolutely not. I’m glad she put herself first for what seems like the first time in her life!! I really do love this group and I’m eager to read the books I’ve missed in the series.

Love books about female friendship, particularly when someone shows up and adds some toxicity to the mix - really fun read!

When I started out reading this book, I was expected a fun, easy romcom. This book was more serious in the aspect of long term friends and the connection between them. Though it was a lot deeper than I was expecting (love my beach reads) this one did not disappoint.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

2.75 stars 🌟

I've read most of Sophie Ranald's books but this one just didn't do it for me. Whilst I did relate to Naomi's struggles of feeling lost as a mother and carrying the burden of the mental load, as the story progressed I just really struggled to care given her actions. For a group that are supposed to be best friends, I felt their compassion for each other was somewhat lacking and so was their trust. I did enjoy the flashback chapters, I always think it's a great way to explore backstories in more detail. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this and picked it up and put it down so many times because it didn't engage me.

With thanks to Netgalley and Storm for the ARC

Quite a thought-provoking story

Naomi has everything she wanted: a gorgeous husband, adorable children and three best friends. But when the Zara, the fifth member of their friend group suddenly shows up with secrets and revelations, Naomi's balance starts to fall apart. Old betrayals, dark secrets, misunderstandings and manipulation resurface with Zara and everything threatens to blow, in her marriage as well as her friendships. Can Naomi and her friends find a way out of this trap?

This book was no necessarely what I expected it to be, but I don't mind. It's not the type of novel I usually read and I was pleasantly surprised by this story. It was slow at times, but very intriguing and the pacing was interesting. The characters were exquisitely written and created, flawed and very interesting and realistic, each in their own way. I loved the alternance between the past and present and how everything impacted all the characters and their relationships. Zara was particulary interesting in the way she was presented and developped through Naomi's point of view. It was very intriguing to see how it would all unfold, what was true or not... All in all, quite fascinating and thought-provoking.

I recommend if you like books that keep you on the edge and surprise you.

"Surprise, of course - but more than that. Shock. Betrayal, even. And along with that, a kind of sick sense of foreboding."

I usually don't like that much these kind of books because they're full of clichés. And, I'm sad to say, that I did't like this one. Starting with "Semen Gutters" doesn't help, that was completely unnecessary. Anyway, the plot it's a little bit messy for me too. I find it hard to believe how someone appears and everyone believes everything they say without questioning nothing not ever once. Not for me.

*"The Fall-Out" by Sophie Ranald is a witty and engaging story that blends humor with heartfelt emotion. Ranald’s sharp writing and relatable characters make this a delightful read from start to finish. The novel follows the aftermath of a relationship breakdown, tackling themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery with both lightheartedness and depth. The protagonist's journey toward rebuilding her life is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but also offers poignant reflections on personal growth and resilience. Ranald's storytelling is both entertaining and insightful, making *The Fall-Out* a perfect feel-good read with emotional substance.*

The Fall-Out by Sophie Ranald

"The Fall-Out" is a modern tale that delves into the dynamics of friendship and family, illustrating how minor events can have major impacts. Naomi is part of a tight-knit circle of friends who are bonded like family. They depend on, bolster, and counsel one another. Their world is shaken when a friend passes away, and an estranged friend, Zara, unexpectedly reappears. The narrative weaves through their histories and current lives, taking readers on a poignant journey.

Contrary to the impression given by its coverage, this book is not a romantic comedy. It takes readers on a journey through the past, unraveling truths and deceptions. Filled with betrayal, suspense, and drama, it's a story that defies expectations.

Although I enjoyed the book, I was disappointed by the characters' readiness to betray and disregard long-standing friendships. The book was mediocre for me. The transition of the women from close friends to cynical individuals, easily swayed by someone with a questionable grasp of the truth, was disheartening.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

“The Fall-Out” by Sophie Ranald is a compelling dive into the complexities of long-term friendships, secrets, and the intricate web of past decisions that can come back to haunt us. What starts as a seemingly light-hearted story quickly reveals itself to be a deeper exploration of the bonds between women, the challenges of marriage, and the power of truth.

Naomi’s life, once perfectly balanced with a handsome husband, adorable twins, and regular meet-ups with her best friends, is thrown into chaos when Zara, the missing fifth member of their tight-knit Girlfriends’ Club, returns with a bombshell revelation. As Zara’s secrets start to unravel, the once unshakeable friendships begin to show their cracks, and Naomi is forced to confront not only her past but also the reality of her present.

This book was not what I expected, and in all the best ways. I initially thought it would be a light rom-com based on the cover, but what I got was a nuanced and suspenseful story about friendship, betrayal, and personal growth. Sophie Ranald masterfully weaves suspense into the narrative, keeping the pages turning as secrets are revealed and tensions rise.

The strength of “The Fall-Out” lies in its rich character development and the authentic portrayal of female friendships. Naomi’s journey is particularly compelling as she evolves from a stay-at-home mom trapped in a controlling marriage to a woman who reclaims her independence and sense of self. Her friendship with Rowan, Kate, Abbie, and even Zara, despite the lies and drama, is portrayed with a genuine warmth that makes you root for them, even when the group dynamics get messy.

However, while the story is engaging and the characters well-drawn, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven, particularly in how quickly the group managed to untangle the web of Zara’s lies. The resolution, while satisfying, felt slightly rushed, leaving me wanting a bit more exploration of the aftermath.

That said, “The Fall-Out” is an uplifting and hopeful story about the resilience of friendship and the importance of standing up for yourself. It’s a book that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters as they navigate life’s messiest moments.

Final thoughts: If you’re expecting a simple rom-com, “The Fall-Out” will surprise you with its depth and emotional weight. It’s a beautifully written story about the unbreakable bonds of friendship and the courage to face the truth, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O’Leary. Highly recommend for anyone who loves stories about strong women, personal growth, and the power of true friendship.