The Loyal Friend

What have I just read!!! Great book alltogether, kept me guessing and I was stuck to it and read it in the one sitting….

This is an absolute blockbuster thriller! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book wondering how this is going to play out. It’s definitely diabolical in a Hitchcockian way.

A Grand Unravelling…
Toxicity abounds in this tense and unnerving tale of rivalries, jealousies and friendships where nobody can possibly be trusted. Susan is living a seemingly perfect life, Grace seemingly has it all, Natalie has a life where all is seemingly ordered to perfection and Jade is the seemingly perfect class instructor. Nothing is actually as it seems. When Jade goes missing the unravelling begins and dark secrets emerge in twist after twist. With a cast of gloriously unlikeable characters and a compelling narrative this is a one sit guilty pleasure.

I really enjoyed this book! It had me hooked from the first chapter, and kept me on my toes the entire time!

I sailed through this suspense packed thriller, i loved it from start to finish, all the characters were so beleivable. And the ending? Wow! I wasn’t expecting the outcome.

The Loyal Friend by A.A. Chaudhuri was overall a good thriller and quite a few twists to have me guessing throughout. A satisfying ending. Some places in the book seemed to drag, and I found myself skimming to get to the action.

#TheLoyalFriend #NetGalley @HeraBooks

#TheLoyalFriend #NetGalley
Awesome.
Susan is living the perfect life in leafy Kingston. She’ll never let anyone see the darkness she’s concealing behind the diamonds and rosé. Grace is new to the group, seemingly the perfect wife and mum. Yet no one knows the truth of what’s happening behind closed doors. Loner Natalie hides the pain of her childhood behind a carefully ordered life. But how long can the past stay hidden? Three unlikely friends, brought together for a weekly class run by beautiful, friendly, instructor, Jade. But when Jade goes missing in mysterious circumstances, the group starts to unravel. And as their darkest secrets come to light, it seems that no one can be trusted. Even their closest friends…
Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for giving me an advance copy.

Absolutely Brilliant has to be the best book I have read this year, There are lots of twists and turns in this book and the reader is going to be shocked at some of the revelations of these women who have secrets from the past, You think Jade is perfect till her secrets from the past are revealed as Grace but she is also harbouring secrets, Susan is just a nasty mean person, Natalie hides her past well but had a terribly unhappy childhood and is still suffering, This book had an ending I never saw coming amazing

Wow wow wow!

I absolutely loved this book!

It's definitely one of my top picks for 2022. I was hooked right from the start and alternating character points of views kept the pace at break neck speed...I literally raced through this book! Every time I thought I had everything worked out the plot took another twist, and the ending blew me away.

A fantastic read...be ready to devour in one sitting!

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and…WOW.

The plot twists were amazing and the ending was superb. I was never sure what to think or feel about characters and while I thought I know where some subplots were going, I was wrong! Can’t wait to read what else this author will do.

This book was an amazing surprise with more twists than I can count! Once I got to grips with the characters I couldn't stop reading as it was so compelling.

The story centres around the main character, Natalie who has mental health issues and her new best friend Jade, a fitness instructor who suddenly disappears.

The book is written from the point of view of the main characters, Natalie and Jade along with two other gym members, Grace and Susan. It soon becomes clear that all four women have a few skeletons in their closet and they're willing to go to any lengths to keep their secrets safe. However as the investigation to find Jade escalates their past histories are revealed.

Fast paced thriller. Loved it so much, I stayed up all night to finish it!
Brilliant

Thanks netgalley :)

Wow!! I was not expecting that ending, I'm still very much in shock and don't even know how to put into words how truly amazing this book was. It kept me guessing throughout and I definitely did not guess correctly. The twists and turns were truly remarkable and I was not expecting them what so ever. It kept me wanting to read more, it was a page turner. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
I definitely recommend this book, I also recommend going into it not knowing much about it, you will not be disappointed!!

This book is about drama, friendships between women and few twists. I found this book interesting, there are times it was very slow and took a long time to get into action. But overall I would recommend for readers who like a slow burn.

My thoughts about A A Chaudhuri's A Loyal Friend is one of the best books of the 2022. While reading the book, one has to use his or her brain to understand as every scene is interlinked. I couldn’t possibly say how terrific is this book “Perfection.” When it comes to thrillers, A A Chaudhuri has nailed the genre.There are unnerving twists and turns in the story that you will not expect. The book is also a landmark for writer A A Chaudhuri as it blends the mystery, drama, suspense, thriller all together perfectly. The story of A A Chaudhuri's tells the story of  A wealthy, pampered Susan is living the perfect life in leafy Kingston. She’ll never let anyone see the darkness she’s concealing behind the diamonds and rosé. Grace is new to the group, seemingly the perfect wife and mum. Yet no one knows the truth of what’s happening behind closed doors. Loner Natalie hides the pain of her childhood behind a carefully ordered life. But how long can the past stay hidden?
Three unlikely friends, brought together for a weekly class run by beautiful, friendly, instructor, Jade. But when Jade goes missing in mysterious circumstances, the group starts to unravel. And as their darkest secrets come to light, it seems that no one can be trusted. Even their closest friends. AA Chaudhuri's A Loyal Friend Indeed, is one of the best Psychological thrillers ever written and well crafted. A A Chaudhuri's A Loyal Friend is Phenomenal. I would like to say a big thank you to Author A A Chaudhuri, Publishers Hera Books and Danielle Price,who is a blog tour organizer for giving me a gifted copy for me to read and review this spectacular thriller. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥

I am so glad I got to read an early copy of this book from @netgalley. Written by one of my favourite thriller authors A.A.Chaudhuri. The story is set around three women, Susan, Natalie and Grace who attend the same gym class when their instructor Jade goes missing. The lies and deceit start to unfold surrounding these women and everyone has a past they would rather stay hidden. Another great psychological thriller. There were so many unexpected twists towards the end that I did not see coming and that was after the twists that happened before that. The story deals with mental health issues and a few other TW. If you enjoy psychological thrillers this one will definitely keep you guessing.

I loved this book! Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down.
It’s well written and intriguing with plenty of twists. The ending was truly outstanding.
This book is definitely worthy of 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for an early copy of The Loyal Friend. Wow this had soooooo many twists at the END of the book, my head is spinning! It was a good read, different type of plot that you couldn’t guess what was happening even if you tried. The ending was a definite shocker, very sick minds in this book. A real Psychological!!!

Once I started I could not stop well written and filled with twists and turns to keep you reading til the very end! Thank you Netgalley and publishers!!

This book was fantastic! I the plot twist was incredible. I was able to feel for each of the characters so well. Just a great read that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was definitely a slow burn but worth the read. Once the pace picked up I could not put it down. The book explores female friendships, and the dark side of thay. The twists were interesting and kept me on my toes.

I did dislike the character at times and felt they were a little underdeveloped. But it's a love a hate kind of thing in thriller books like this.

What I did love:
- exploring of female friendships. The dynamic between all the characters was interesting and well written. A lot of it I did not expect!
- Slow burn because I am a sucker for that
- The plot twists were definitely unexpected


Overall I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun thriller that has real housewife vibes to it! Fun read and one I couldn't put down. 4 stars out of 5.

First of all, thanks to netgally and Hera books for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

The book follows four woman who all have their secrets. When Jade disappears without a trace, some of the secrets are about to be exposed.

This book was definitely a thriller that kept your attention. In the beginning I found some of the dialogues a bit long and wondered why the author used so much space for discussions I didn’t see the relevance of, but later in the book I realized that we needed the details to be led in different directions and possibilities. I found Susan the least convincing character, she was just so shallow. I liked Grace and Natalie though. Natalie also grew on me when she decided to investigate what might have happened by herself.

I must say the book kept me guessing. I was tossed back and forth, between one crazy theory after another. When the suspense really increased, I was gobsmacked! Didn’t see THAT coming! I also loved the last chapter, it was a fun addition to the story.

The author included a lot of cliffhangers that kept me turning the pages.

Well done!

A great thriller centred on three women with differing personalities and lifestyles. All members of the same gym they all have secrets which are well hidden until Jade, the Gym Instructor goes missing.
This is a fast paced novel with a few twists in the story and an ending I didn't see coming. A great read which I thoroughly enjoyed
Many thanks to Netgalley, and Hera books for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, I am under no obligation to leave my review

An utter page turner that left me whizzing through pages and on the edge of my seat the whole time.. Susoenseful, mysterious, twisty and unpredictable, I was left guessing right until the end, I loved it

A twist and turn packed thriller. Very suspenseful with well-drawn and loathsome but believable characters! An entertaining read with a very surprising ending you won't see coming!

Jade, the fitness instructor, disappears. All her clients in the gym class are under suspicion. All have secrets to hide.
We delve further into the secrets, led by her closest friend Natalie, to discover what happened to Jade.
Great story telling and I had no idea who was behind it all, becoming very sympathetic with each character.
Definitely a book to keep you up reading late, as so many twists and turns. Excellent book!

I was a big fan of AA Chaudhuri's previous book 'She's Mine' . 'The Loyal Friend' is a strong follow up with as many twists and turns as its predecessor. I was slightly concerned I may have overdosed on novels about interconnected women each with their own secrets which slowly emerge - four of the last five books I've read have used the premise - albeit each with enough difference to make them very different.
This one is more of a slow burn than 'She's Mine' - more of a character and relationship development - primarily from the point of view of Natalie and her relationship with her fitness instructor and friend Jade, but increasingly from wealthy, narcissist Susan and apparently stressed wife and mum Grace - so that it's exactly half way through the book before the first of the secrets is revealed. If you're put off by the idea of slow teases then you may find this challenging, but if you're into a creeping 'something definitely isn't right here...' vibe, then this could well be the book for you.
Chaudhuri does a good job of bringing a lot of apparently disparate threads together to a very twist turny climax that's sure to please those who enjoyed the last novel or, indeed, new readers.
Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for my advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Toxic friendships, relationships and family fill this psychological thriller. Natalie, Grace and Susan attend a yoga class taught by the vivacious and beautiful Jade who keep secrets about and from the women in her class. Interesting premise was well executed and I could t wait to see how it all played out.

A really enjoyable book with twists & turns to keep you guessing. Highly recommended by me. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Loved this thriller/mystery. The ending is intense and something that comes out of the blue. It was a story that kept its pace over the whole book.

Secrets, secrets, and more secrets!

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC!

Four women are brought together by their weekly exercise class.

Jade is the instructor, and Susan, Grace, and Natalie are members of the class.

But then Jade disappears. Who is responsible? Is she dead or alive?

All the hidden pasts of the women slowly unfold. How are the women connected? What are they hiding?

My mouth hung open at several reveals, and I was completely blindsided by others.

This was a 5 star read for me! I wanted more......

Highly recommend and I would definitely read more books by this author, A.A. Chaudhuri.

I loved this book. I love when more than one person has a secret that we can't wait to find out. I read a few reviews that said it was slow at first but I did not find that the case at all. Some didn't like the characters but we're not suppose to like everybody. I'm a huge fan of her work and if this is the first of her books you've read, I suggest you look up her others.

Twisty turny is good and this offers plenty twisty turny. Highly recommend. Would make a good summer read.

Wealthy, pampered Susan is living the perfect life in leafy Kingston. She’ll never let anyone see the darkness she’s concealing behind the diamonds and rosé.

Grace is new to the group, seemingly the perfect wife and mum. Yet no one knows the truth of what’s happening behind closed doors.

Loner Natalie hides the pain of her childhood behind a carefully ordered life. But how long can the past stay hidden?

Three unlikely friends, brought together for a weekly class run by beautiful, friendly, instructor, Jade.

But when Jade goes missing in mysterious circumstances, the group starts to unravel. And as their darkest secrets come to light, it seems that no one can be trusted. Even their closest friends…

My Novel Addiction! Wow. This is just my kind of book!… A brace yourself and buckle up read! Wow… Fantastic… All guns blazing from the very start… I was glued to each page….

Oh boy what a read! Right up my street.

Jade is the fitness instructor with the most unlikely group to teach.

Each and everyone of them holding so many secrets.

I love the way this is written, the reader is led down so many paths and just when you think you have worked it out, wham! We are off again.

I finished this with a sinking feeling.......knowing i had come to the end.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy and i have happily left my honest review.

An immersive character driven novel. Three women from separate backgrounds find dri2ndahip in an exercise class. However, the instructor goes missing and one of the trio seems to have possibly do e a si interest act.

Slow start for me, but tension builds and it ends with a bang. Always a big fan of thrillers that look at friendships and the toxicity and complexity that can fester within them. It wasn't an un-putdownable one for me, but still good read.

What a wild ride this was! Full of deceit, lies, untrustworthy characters and suspense that had me finish it in one sitting! Loved it!v

I really enjoyed this book. It is one of those sit down and finish in one day type reads. I am still in awe of the book, and it does make me wonder about friends! It is just who can you really trust? What a wild ride.

Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for the digital review copy.

This was my first A.A. Chaudhuri book and I will be coming back for more! This book got my attention from the beginning and laid a very intricate web of suspense throughout. The twist at the end was such a good pay off! Thank you to Netgally & Hera Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of “The Loyal Friend”.

Jade goes missing and what happened slowly unfolds through the past and present stories of three of Jade's clients: Natalie, Grace, and Susan. They're each interesting but all so very different. Poor, poor Grace. Susan is absolutely wicked. And Natalie is a complete basket case.

I couldn't put this down. Whizzed right through it. The writing was excellent and flowed like a rapid river. The mystery was deep and so intriguing. I did not see the ending coming. Great twist.

Incouldnt put this down. It's the multiple character driven/ narrated book which seems to be the way everything is written these days but this one was done really cleanly without any confusion or overlapping. The characters voices are distinct so it's easy to follow and they were all were rounded and independant. The book is very much a psychological thriller and it really does grip you and has you wondering just what happene and who is hiding something. Some parts were slow but I still flew through it in a day or so and loved every second

This psychological thriller will actually put you on the edge--this was actually really good!

The story starts with Natalie's roommate, Jade gone missing. Jade, Natalie, Susan and Grace have all met each other at a gym and the story is told from each of these women's perspectives, dividing between then and now. One of them could be a suspect with their own agenda of wanting Jade gone.

This thriller is actually fast paced which makes it more intriguing and interesting. What makes this thriller more fascinating is the fact that, Natalie, Susan and Grace could be all suspects. Natalie is a very unreliable character with troubled childhood and a problem of sleepwalking. Susan and Grace's husbands seemed to have had a tordid affairs with Jade which made both the women suspect as well. There were twists and turns, which is a plus sign of a thriller that made the reader wonder who could actually be the suspect and what really happened to Jade. The ending was what left me unexpected and this all made this book a great thriller to read.

If you are looking for twisted thriller which is unputdownable and will keep you on the edge, I would recommend this one--worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hera for ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

🤯🤯🤯 <— this was my reaction throughout the whole book and this is now one of my best reads of 2022 so far - I was hooked from the beginning and it just got better and better! It’s predominantly written from the POV of three women that are definitely not friends and definitely suspicious of each other from the outset. But when their fitness instructor, Jade, goes missing, the tension rises between them and everyone’s secrets and dark pasts are slowly revealed 👀

It’s perfectly written and is filled with sooo many plot twists that I didn’t expect at all! It’s the first book I’ve read by A.A. Chaudhuri and it certainly won’t be the last. If you enjoy thrillers then definitely check out this book 😌

It seems that I have been on a more psychological thriller kick here lately with my reading choices. I picked this up for review on NetGalley because it looked so good and I love a good mystery with a lot of suspects and this one seemed a perfect fit. In this book, we follow four friends, Natalie, Susan and Grace who all attend Jade’s fitness class. When Jade suddenly goes missing under mysterious circumstances, Natalie, Susan and Grace who all have secrets of their own come under suspicion during the investigation. It seems that Natalie, Grace, Susan and Jade all have secrets from their pasts that could come back to haunt them and put them under the direct spotlight of the police.

I liked this book. It kept my attention and even though I felt I predicted some of the plot twists in advance, it was still a good read. This story is told from each of the characters’ points of view, including Jade who is missing. We see glimpses of their pasts and their current lives come through, however there is not enough information to put everything together. It seemed that just when I felt like I had a handle on who might be the culprit, something would make me suspect another character and switch the storyline in a completely opposite direction. The ending was totally unexpected and fantastically well-done from a mystery standpoint.

This is the type of book where you don’t immediately connect with any of the characters. They all seem to be unlikeable in their own ways, but you spend the majority of the book trying to piece together their pasts and whether it plays into the current situation. It seems everyone has their own secrets and the author toys with the reader because you really don’t want to like them, but you can’t help but feel for them at the same time. If you like a good story told from several points of view with a lot of twists and turns, then this is one you should put on your reading list.

Overall Rating: 4 stars
Author: A.A. Chaudhuri

Series: N/A

Publisher: Hera

Publication Date: June 23, 2022

Pages: 341

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

This is the second book I read from this author and it didn’t disappointed me. The characters are believable and interesting and the the story gets more intriguing each chapter and the reader doesn’t know who to trust. I’d definitely recommend this book.

This was such a great thriller. Had me hooked right from the very first chapter. I definitely recommend

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to give an honest review.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by any other reviewer.

Young Whippersnappers! 😳😯🤯😳

Fluffin' poprocks! What the skinny skittles! My gosh, what a thrilling conundrum! An insanely twist of a group of women with a whodunnit. The mystery and secrets galore will keep you intrigued, shocked and undeniably curious to who had to gain from Jades disappearance. The salacious secrets kept things juicy and suspenseful!

Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Jade is popular, beautiful, kind, and runs an exercise class three times a week at a community gym. And now she's missing.
Natalie is absolutely besotted with her friend Jade after meeting a year ago and being taken under her wing. But she's got secrets of her own from a traumatic past during the investigation she can't let be known. Susan, another class goer, is a wealthy, bitter and secretly unhappy woman with demons she's fighting to keep under wraps & allowing her husband she despises from uncovering. Grace is in a loveless marriage herself, desperate to keep hers and her husbands past under lock and key. But with an investigation, their secrets won't be secret anymore. Keep your enemies close, but your friends closer.

I need an oxygen tank from all the gasps & shocks with this novel! This was truly a heart-stopper from start to finish. I was enamoured with this plot more than I thought I'd be and boy did Chaudhuri keep dishing out the dark goods. A yummy thriller that'll keep you guessing and wondering.

Thank you to NetGalley & Hera Books for this ARC!
Release Date: June 23, 2022

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4 / 5 Beach Waves! 🌊