This is a story about a group of 5 girlfriends that met and bonded on the sidelines of their boyfriends football game. The story is told in the present, and the past. In present time, they have planned the funeral for their dear friend, Andy. However, Zara has been absent for years from the friend group, and shows up unexpectedly at the funeral. Ghosts of the past are visited and truths revealed.

I liked that the focus of this story was about relationships between women over time. We come to see their sacrifices, struggle, insecurities and dreams. This is especially apparent in Naomi who is trying to discover who she is beyond wife and mom. (She gave up her career to be a stay at home mom with her children). I feel that Naomi's character grew in strength and resolve as the story progressed. However, this was done while she was experiencing deception, and betrayal from some of the friends group.

The character of Zara was written perfectly as a vile, manipulative, narcissistic woman! She stirs up a lot of drama and anger upon her return! However, I felt that the drama of the past got repetitive and a little over the top.

I did not get the connection of Naomi to Patch (her now husband- who used to be Zara's boyfriend). And he was ALL take and no give!

The lack of communication in the friends group bothered me. These were women that have been friends for 11 years, and suddenly they ghost a member of the group because they decide to believe the contrived story of the one person they all know lies? That seemed a bit far-fetched. It also reminded me of middle school!

I did love the decision Naomi made for herself, and cheered her on!

Overall, this was a quick read and i liked a majority of it. This is the 4th (?) in a series, so maybe reading the others would help me understand all the dynamics. However, this can be read as a stand alone. I might try the others.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Fall-Out by Sophie Ranald is a dual-timeline first person-POV contemporary about friendship and a marriage that isn’t as steady as everyone thought. Naomi and Patch are married, have twin four year olds, and everything seems to be going OK despite a bit of a rough spot. At least, it was until Patch’s ex-girlfriend and Naomi’s former friend, Zara, comes back into town for a funeral.

What I liked was how Naomi’s friendship with the Girlfriends Club really took center stage and how her marriage and the fall-out because of Zara was also connected to the Club. It’s always nice to see stories focused on female friendships and their layers, particularly in groups. Naomi relies on her friends to give her some sense of balance as she raises two kids and the loss of their routine is acutely felt. The others in the group struggle with Zara coming back and how to reconcile Zara’s needs with Naomi’s.

Another thing I liked was how messy the relationships are. Patch and Naomi’s relationship didn’t have the easiest path and it was built on them being attracted to each other while Patch was in a long-term, long-distance relationship with Zara despite both trying to hold off on acting on their feelings. Zara is known for telling stories and spreading lies but she still very much wants Patch in her life and to keep her friend group. Naomi struggles with being a mother and how her and Patch’s relationship has changed since they had children, even if she tells herself often that she still wants to be with him.

I would recommend this to fans of contemporary fiction that deal with messy relationships and readers looking for a novel exploring a love triangle where no one comes out looking perfect.

I’m not sure what I expected with this book, but it put me on a roller coaster! There is lies, talking behind backs, etc. While some of the drama in the friend group felt trivial, it does reflect how a lot of real life friendships can crumble (and the 5 can go to 4).

As much as it pains me to do so, I had to stop reading this book at 20%. It's not that the book isn't good - Sophie Renald is always a master of her craft. However, it wasn't what I expected. I was hoping for a light and fun romance, but the direction the story was taking didn't align with that. I realize now that I should have read the blurb before diving in.

A likeable page turner ultimately telling the story of a group of friends and what happens when it is put under pressure through loss.

It all feels quite trivial and felt a bit like being back in high school with lots of unnecessary talking behind people's backs, bitchiness etc.

Despite that I actually really enjoyed this book more than I expected to!

Wow, what a rollercoaster of a read set around the dynamics of five friends!

Naomi is the main character, and meets up monthly with three of her friends, as they all fell out with the fifth member Zara a little while ago. But then a friend dies and Zara reappears at the funeral, meeting up with the rest of the 'gang' again, and really putting the cat amongst the pigeons for a variety of reasons.

To be honest I'm not entirely sure I'd trust any of the group, although they were all friends, some closer than others. Zara though was a different kettle of fish, you most definitely couldn't trust her and her stories, which slowly come out over the course of the book.

It felt a bit like being back in primary school when children fall out over ridiculous things, but are friends again in a week's time, and it did feel slightly uncomfortable in parts because it was a bit unfair. I mean if they were that close then they really should have discussed things and got through all the stirring from Zara.

In the end it was all sorted out, but only after a lot of aggravation and awkwardness. Parts did shock me a bit as I wasn't expecting some things to go the way they did, but I could understand it.

All in all a really good page turner that you had to finish to find out what happened in the end!

I enjoyed the friendship group of Naomi and the other women (except Zara of course, who was perfectly written to be eminently hate-able!) and the relationship between Naomi and Patch.
The story plays well into the strengths and weaknesses of a friendship group and the lies and whispers that can wreck things so easily.
I would have liked Naomi to have a little more backbone but I suppose that would have shortened the tale somewhat as she would not be mired in inadequacy and jealousy if she had tackled things head on to start with!

Naomi and Patrick are a married couple with two kids, Meredith and Toby. Naomi belongs to a friend group who chats daily about the comings and goings of life. This friend group met sixteen years ago during a miserable football (soccer) game where they took themselves to a pub instead of waiting around in the cold and rain watching their boyfriends play terribly. Now, they meet every other Wednesday for Girlfriends Club, with the exception of Zara. Zara does make an appearance at the funeral of a friend, Andy, and makes quite the scene.

The flashbacks show us that Zara, now estranged from the group, was dating Patrick when everyone met. The past to present switch is mostly every other chapter and shows how their friendship with Zara exploded and unraveled.

Zara’s return stirs up the friendship group as she manipulates and spins her lies, or are they truths ?? What does Zara really want and who will win in the end?

The cover almost makes it look like a romance and a fall out where the husband is choosing who he wants to be with, but this was much more about the fall out of friends than it was the husband in the story. Three stars for me- it was well written, but just really repetitive and dragged on.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three and a half stars for this one.
A great set up of a novel to begin with, a group of females who bond over the football sidelines watching their boyfriends play football. As time progresses, marriages, babies and break ups all play a part. Naomi, the protagonist is married to Patch, however Patch originally was dating Zara who comes across as incredibly manipulative - really brilliant characterisation as she just irritated me which is definitely what the author wanted! Whilst I really enjoy novels of great female friendship, I got frustrated with Naomi who seemed to give up and from someone who came across as strong minded and strong willed just didn't seem to want to stick it out when times were challenging. It didn't totally detract though & I still enjoyed it. Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy

When the girlfriend’s club goes from 5 members to 4… secrets, lies and truths are told and consequently, there are fall outs…

I thought this book would have had some massive secret told early on but Zara keeps popping up into peoples lives, manipulating them and making them believe their true friends are actually against them.

Naomi stole Zara’s boyfriend, Patch, back in the day and Zara is not over it, despite this Naomi has kept Zara’s infidelity a secret but the truth is, Patch already knew but she made Naomi complicit by asking her to act like a true friend.

Zara convinced the other 3 members of the girlfriend’s club that Naomi poached Patch and made him unfaithful and for a short while, Naomi lost her best friends.

Secrets, lies and manipulation have taken over many years of these girls friendships but the remaining 4 members of the girlfriends club put this to and end by being open and honest with each other and showing that no matter what, they’ll always be there for each other… even Zara no matter how awful she has been.

This was a quick read for me, easy to grasp chapters that went from past to present and kept me thinking the whole way through! I wondered what else Zara had done, whether Naomi was going to get her friends back and whether her and Patch would make it through! The characters each have their insecurities and flaws and the author makes you sympathise with each one of them throughout their journey of heartbreak and regrowth.

I feel like I’ve endured an emotional rollercoaster reading this book but girl code won in the end, for the most part.

Thank you for letting me review this via NetGalley!

This was my first book by this author and I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. I enjoyed this story. I love the friend group and their bond. The twists and turns of this book kept me engaged the whole time. This book was in a series called The Girlfriend’s Club and I will go back and read the others. Each character has a lot of depth and the story line is good. This book was about Naomi and Patrick. I enjoyed this book and am thankful for the opportunity to read as an ARC!

This was a compelling read that kept me curious throughout - "What did Zara do that caused the fallout", and I couldn't wait to get the answers.

The book kept a good momentum, with revelations and realisations. Some of the characters aren't so likeable, and some of the friends don't seem like amazing friends either (nor do they put much trust in their own circle).

Overall, this was a good and riveting read, but one that left me with a few more questions than answers, like how could anyone not see gaps in Zara's stories, and where did Andy come from?

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

'The Fall-Out' is an entertaining read focused around a group of friends. As one of their friends rejoins the group, truths emerge that have been buried for years. Can the group survive the reveals?
I thought this was very entertaining, I liked the group of friends and reading about their dynamic. It was interesting to see the change as Zara re-enters their lives. It is a cliche but the characters really do go on a journey in this book. The plot is emotional and funny and proved to be a very entertaining read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy.

Thank you Net Galley, and the publisher, for allowing me to read this ARC. Below is my honest review.
Sophie Ranald writes relatable stories that will have you laughing, and sometimes crying. She has a nack for writing likeable characters and intriguing stories that'll pull you in from the beginning. The Fallout is no different with its friendships, relationships, and drama. The story follows a group of friends who all get together for the passing of one of their friends. When someone arrives unexpectedly at the funeral, everyone seems to become uncomfortable. Everything is turned upside down, and secrets unfold.
You get glimpses from the past that'll really bring the storyline together. Though The Fallout was more drama than romcom, I still found myself reading it in one sitting. I couldn't look up from it. This review will also be posted to Goodreads.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Fall-Out is a love story, but not a traditional romcom love story. It is about friendships, the love for your friends, and learning to love yourself again.

Brief synopsis: After the unfortunate (and too early) loss of a close friend, a group of longtime friends who call themselves the Girlfriends Club are rocked by the return of Zara. Once a member of their friend group, she returns for the funeral and turns everyone and everything “tits up”.

Full disclosure, I was not aware before starting The Fall-Out that it is a part of a series. I have not read the other books in the series which covers this friend group. Some background context may have been lost due to that, but I still think this book stands up on its own.

The Fall-Out is told through the POV of Naomi in real time and in key flashback moments. I’m not going to sugar coat it. I didn’t really care for Naomi most of the book. She was full of complaints and excuses. In the end, I feel like she had some character growth, but I just wasn’t vibing with her most of the time. I did 100% relate to her exhaustion over being a mother. She takes on a lot of the physical and emotional load for the family in caring for the twins while her husband works long hours, travels for work, and is inexplicably gone constantly for “meetings” and “the gym”. Knowing all she does, she still feels guilty for wanting some time to herself or something that is hers, like a job.

The plot was decently paced. We get a slow build of information by switching between the present and flashbacks. I felt on edge the entire book. What is real and what is their perception of what was real? A lot of assumptions are made and that plays into the toxic emotional manipulation at play.

I really think this plot could have played better as a thriller novel. It was intense, emotional, and heartbreaking. In addition, there are some moral questions posed. Is what occurred in the past between the characters acceptable or not? The question isn’t answered and is left up to the reader to decide.

I was not expecting to take the journey that I did when I sat down to read The Fall-Out. But I am still glad that I took the journey.

The Fall-Out by Sophie Ranald is a story about Naomi and her friends Rowan, Kate, Abbie, otherwise known as 'The Girlfriends Club'. Zara, their previous friend, makes a reappearance in their life bringing drama and reaping havoc. To top it off, Naomi's husband previously dated Zara- will their friendships, and her marriage, survive this trial thrown in their way?

Sophie Ranald is.a talented author- she brings vivid detail to her books and 'The Fall-Out' is no exception. I thought that the characters were painted in a way that I could picture them in my own life and imagine them being real people. The dialog was great and really sucked me into it. The painting of the antagonist was especially good- we all know someone who displays similar characteristics and it was a different take on the book.

I'll be honest, at about 2/3 of the way in I had no idea how if Sophie Ranald was going to be able to end this book on a good note. But she wrapped it all up nicely, and I didn't end this book angry which was what I was afraid of halfway through. There were a few minor plot details that I thought could have been improved upon, but it didn't ruin the book for me and was still a great read.

BIG thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Sophie Ranald for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Naomi thought she had it all figured out: a gorgeous husband, adorable twins and a monthly cocktail catch-up with her three best friends. But when Zara, the fifth member of their once inseparable Girlfriends’ Club, resurfaces with a bombshell secret, Naomi's carefully balanced life is turned upside down.

As Zara’s revelations send shockwaves through the group, the once lively WhatsApp chat falls silent and Naomi finds herself sitting at home instead of sipping margaritas with the women who know her best. As old wounds are opened and loyalties are questioned, Naomi must confront the cracks in her marriage and the truth about her past.

This was an interesting book. It was about friendship, marriage, and how life can be upside-down crazy sometimes. I really enjoyed the friendship aspect of this book. I love to read about strong friendships. All relationships have their ups and downs, but it's about how we deal with them that matters. Excellent read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book had me really confused. I didn't like a lot of the characters and I didn't agree with their decisions or actions.

It was a story filled with lies, lies and more lies. Friends who were questionable and the main character Naomi made some bad decisions.

And Patch, he didn't come across too great, I personally didn't see the attraction with the way he behaved.

A good book, but frustrating.

Sophie Ranald has done it again.
The Fall-Out is a book that asks the question: What cracks are in your relationships and friendships?
Well, for Naomi and her core group of friends, the small cracks are split open by a confession.
The "Girlfriends Club" is a tight knit group of four (formerly five) women. The four have remained close throughout their adult lives sans Zara- one estranged member.
When Zara returns with some juicy secrets, it becomes a catalyze for a full spin out for Naomi, the Girlsfriends Club and her marriage.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the change to read and review prior to the 7/20/2024 publish date.

I had no idea this book was part of a series from the initial blurb so read it as a standalone novel, which worked fine, but maybe the initial getting to know all of the characters and personalities would have had more context to go on if I had read the other books first.
This is quite an intense book that covers a group of friends over many years of highs and lows. I personally found the friendship dynamics in the group so fascinating and true to life, there's drama, heartbreak and revenge.
Naomi's own struggles with motherhood and losing her identity was written really well, that change over time in her relationship with Patch and priorities etc was a compelling story arc.
This wasn't the light-hearted romcom I mistakenly thought it was but I enjoyed it.