Secrets Between Friends

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. Friends...secrets...love and romance...enemies...red herrings...mystery...intrigue...the past and the present...what could happen next? This is a question that is asked often when reading this book...also...What did happen? This is a talented author in weaving a story that is fiction but reads like nonfiction. It could happen...it probably did happen...I liked the writing style of this author...enjoy.

Liz is returning to Easthaven after a terrifying incident sent both she and her friend, Tamsin trying to get as far away as possible, twenty years ago. Now, Lynn is facing a custody battle over her two daughters and a nasty divorce. Easthaven is the last place she wants to be, but it’s the only place she can go. And it turns out that Tamsin is back too – the only problem is that she doesn’t look anything like the girl Liz remembers, and she has no memory of Liz or what happened all those years ago.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the opportunity to read Tracy Buchanan's Secrets Between Friends. Very enjoyable!

Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor. Only she and her best friend Tamsin saw what really happened, and in the aftermath they drifted apart. Now she’s forced back after a nasty divorce, with two daughters in tow, the shadows of that terrible night lurking on every corner. With a custody battle looming, she’s one wrong move away from her life falling apart completely.
So when news arrives that Tamsin, too, is returning to Easthaven, Liz fears their reunion will bring the awful truth spilling out into the open. But when she finally meets Tamsin, now mistress of the clifftop house whose locked gates have guarded the friends’ secret all these years, she’s in for a surprise. Tamsin looks different, and she doesn’t remember Liz, let alone what happened that night…
Something is clearly wrong. But confronting Tamsin means reliving the nightmare Liz has been running from for twenty years. Can she risk exposing what happened that night, knowing that the truth will destroy everything?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Uk
I just reviewed Secrets Between Friends by Tracy Buchanan. #SecretsBetweenFriends #NetGalley

If you are looking for a good mystery, look no further.

They say to never judge a book by its cover, but something about the picture of the mysterious house on top of the cliffs is exactly what drew me in…and I am so glad it did. This was my first time reading a book by Tracy Buchanan, and I can’t wait to go read more of her works. I learned Tracy Buchanan is a talented author who uses just the right amount of descriptive language to make you feel like you are walking the streets of Easthaven without boring you with too many details.

Without giving too much of the plot away, “Secrets Between Friends” follows two friends, Liz and Tamsin, who haven’t seen each other in twenty years. The book dives right into the big mystery in their past, just as a new mystery begins to unfold in the present. I was so enthralled with the past and present mysteries that I couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what happened 20 years ago and what was wrong with Tamsin in the present.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the copy of Secrets Between Friends. This is the third book I have read by Tracy Buchanan and my favorite so far. The writing was so good I couldn’t wait to see where the story was going.The past narrative was more engaging than the present one because the relationships between Tamsin, Liz and Gabe were perfectly rendered. I hated reading the interactions between Liz and her mother but it gave a lot of insight into Liz. If you want a book that will keep you guessing this is a great book for you!

Twenty years ago, the main character in this suspenseful book, Liz, leaves her home and the mysterious Lakewell Manor. She and her girlfriend, Tamsin, were involved in a murder of a young man that they had befriended that summer. In the present, both have returned but under much different circumstances.. Missing people, previously long held secrets are bought together in this must read mystery. I will highly recommend to anyone who loves a good story.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tracy Buchanan and Amazon Publishing UK for letting me read “Secrets Between Friends” in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty years ago, Liz and introverted Tamsin strike an unlikely friendship. In Tamsin and her mother, Liz finds something she has never experienced, a loving mother daughter relationship. But every relationship has secrets, right?
Young and wealthy Gabe joins the duo and ends up disappearing. What does our duo have to do with it?

Both girls leave Easthaven behind them, only to return some twenty years later. Liz’s dream of being a successful journalist have failed. Her marriage ended in a nasty divorce and she is back where it all started, living with her mother. Liz works as a postal worker with dubious reputation.

Then Tamsin returns and the women meet again. Something weird happens the day after, Tamsin has changed. Not only so in appearance but also on behaviour. Something is up, and Liz starts to investigate.

In the beginning I really had trouble with Liz. She is nosy and I can’t explain it, but she does not come across as very serious. She is almost comical in an unintended way. But she grew on me. I still found her strange at times, but she had balls after all.

The story is solid and written fluently. The narrative changes between present and past. We get to meet a set of weird and quirky characters. Liz’s mother is just so cringe worthy, you can’t help to feel bad for Liz.

I am not the biggest fan of the citizen gone investigator trope. Yes, she solved the case, but it’s not what I go for in books. It was too much of a cosy mystery for me. I am not saying the book is bad, just not my style.

In "Secrets Between Friends," we meet a down on her luck single mom named Liz, just trying to make it through the day. She has two sweet daughters, an ex who wants full custody and a mom/grandma who is mean and spiteful. Liz has moved back into her mom's home to keep her family together and has a job delivering mail. When her old friend comes back to town, old memories get stirred up. Liz falls back on her investigative journalism skills to find out what is going on at the crumbling old house on the cliff and why her old friend seems so strange. Painful memories get stirred up and a cast of characters stand between Liz and the truth. Almost no one is who they seem in this mystery.

I found the story in 'Secrets Between Friends' to be interesting enough to keep me reading, even if some of the characters seemed a little cliché. Some phrases were repeated enough to be a distraction, but that may be a personal thing for me. Overall, a quick read that satisfies.

An intriguing read which was enjoyable as i was constantly changing my mind about what had actually happened twenty years ago. This was not revealed until almost the end.
Very strong characters, horrible mother, annoying ex husband but i found it a little far fetched towards the end.
My thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy.
Overall a decent read.

I love this author, so always pick up her books. This one is quite slow, and the drama of it all not that shocking...that might just be because so much is being done in thrillers right now. Certainly, most of this authors books are 5 star reads, but this one fell a little short for me. I would always read this author again though.

I absolutely love this book. It is strong female characters and plot what really draws you in from the beginning. I absolutely couldn’t wait to find out what happened and was not disappointed.

Unfortunately this book was rather slow for me. I tried to keep with it but I kept getting sidetracked. It will appeal to readers who prefer slow, easy reads.

“Secrets Between Friends” by Tracy Buchanan is a mystery. It wasn’t quite what I expected, to be honest, but that’s not a bad thing. I was expecting a bit more of a thriller aspect - and there is some - but this read more as a mystery to me. I liked the dual time line and it was easy to keep “now” apart from “then. I also liked the suspense regarding what happened in the past and how that was being played out against the present. I also liked the over-arching story arch - it was a good idea and interesting. But, this book felt flat for me with some of the twists taken, some of the red herrings thrown in, and some of the conclusions for the characters. I liked that the main character was a postal employee - rare to see in novels these days. While the main character’s mother and ex-husband were there for drama, for me they seemed “mean/bad” because they could. Again, great idea and it was an interesting read, just not quite what I was expecting.

I really enjoyed reading this one! It was thrilling and awesome, and full of twists you couldn’t imagine coming!

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. It was a quick read for me .It kept me guessing til the end.I recommend this book. 4 stars .I would read other books by this author.Thanks to the publisher & author for this ARC.Also thanks to Net Galley .My honest review in exchange for this ARC has been provided.

This was a great mystery. I was pulling for Liz to have a happy ending and wanted to find out what really happened twenty years ago.

Liz is living back in Easthaven after a nasty divorce. She’s trying to keep custody of her two daughters and dealing with living in the same house as her mean-spirited mother. Her job as a Royal Mail carrier gives Liz the opportunity to visit community members and keep tabs on what’s going on in Easthaven.

Tamsin’s family owns Lakewood Manor. Her mother recently passed away and now Tamsin has returned to Easthaven. She and Liz were inseparable as teenagers. The girls share a tragic story and secrets that they would prefer stay hidden.

When a mystery threatens to reignite an old mystery, Liz fears the truth will come out. Tamsin has changed and Liz fears for her safety but can she save her without revealing everything?

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of, Secrets Between Friends, by Tracy Buchanan. Liz is haunted by her past. When Tamzin and her old friend Liz meet again, they wonder if their secret will come out. I thought it was an ok read.

Secrets Between Friends is a delicious mystery with a big old house set behind a locked fence where no-one can come in.
When the current owner of Lakefield Manor, Tamsin, was younger she was great friends with Liz, who reveled in the mother daughter bond that they shared with her. A new friend, Gabe, joined the friendship - but then disappeared.
Liz has come back to town after a failed marriage and career, to live with her mother. She is reluctant given what happened to Gabe - it is not clear if she and Tamsin had something to do with it but it appears so. They certainly know what happened.
When Liz reunites with Tamsin things are very strange. Her friend has no memory of the past and seems quite different.

The story is told in the past and the present - I preferred the past story but the greatest mystery is in the present.

A good mystery - would be best read with a storm outside and a blanket on your lap. And a hot beverage of course.
Thanks to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for this advanced reader copy

I was worried at first about the direction this story was headed, but I shouldn't have doubted this author! Liz is a mail carrier who has recently returned home to Easthaven with her two daughters after a bitter divorce. They have moved back in with her mother and I'll tell you, as bad as the situation was with her ex-husband, it couldn't have been worse than it is with her mother! She's a terrible, nasty woman who insults Liz non-stop, even in front of Liz's teenage daughters. She's a perfect example of a character that you love to hate!

So Liz is excited to hear that her old friend, Tamsin, is also back in town. They used to hang out all the time as teenagers in Tamsin's huge home on the cliff, Lakewell Manor. Not only did Liz get along well with Tamsin, but with her mother, too. When she was at Lakewell, she felt like part of a real loving family, something completely foreign to her. But then came the night that changed everything. Tragedy tore her idyllic summer apart and now that she's back home, she's constantly bombarded by those bad memories. However, she tries her best to push them aside and reunite with her old friend.

She meets with Tamsin briefly but they don't have a chance to really connect before the visit is cut short. It's when Liz goes back another day that she senses a change in Tamsin. Why does everything about her seem slightly off now? She looks a little different and acts a LOT different. She almost seems like a different person...

Now the story really takes off, and it's impossible to stop racing through the pages to reach the end. And then just when you think it's all been explained...there's more! And it keeps happening! Don't kid yourself that you have this one figured out, because you don't. It's an awesome end to a amazing story - do not let this book pass you by!

So first thing first, I really really enjoyed this story, it was highly captivating, dramatic, intense and emotional in places, i could not turn those pages fast enough, just brilliant. It truly was well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable.

There is a mix bag of characters in the story, all of whom I enjoyed getting to know and then trying to figure out if they were being honest, lying, untrustworthy or up to know good. There were times when I just didn’t know who to believe.

I liked how the talk was told from the past and the present, it really gives the story depth as well as being immersed in the background story of the past. I absolutely loved the mystery side to the story and couldn’t wait to see how the story played out and how the mystery became solved.

So if you are looking for a mystery sort of story that evolves around a tragic event in the past that never goes away in the small community of Easthaven and comes back for its revenge in the present, then look no further and be sure to give this book a go.

I have been a fan of Tracy Buchanan for a few years now & was thrilled when Netgalley sent me to ARC of Secrets Between Friends in exchange for an honest review. The first 25% wasn’t too interesting & a bit of a different read, set in England & whatnot. BUT I’m glad I stuck with it because when you get a bit further into the book, it grabs you & wont let you go. It was a different premise as well. Again, the first portion of the book may drag a bit but once past that, Secrets Between Friends does anything but. If the description appeals to you, get it & stick with it & you’ll certainly be glad you did!!

Nothing is quite what it seems in this novel. The main character is Liz, working as a postie but a journalist at heart. Her best friend from their teenage years returns to the village after 20 years but is she really who she says she is? What really happened 20 years ago that they have kept secret? Read on to find out!

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
This was a pretty good read, I really enjoyed it.
Liz is back in Easthaven after her divorce and her 2 daughters and her are living at her mum's, who is a really nasty woman. Liz is a 'postie' delivering the local mail, not the job she envisioned 20 years ago, but needs must.
Her best friend from 20 years ago is back too, but there's something off with her and Liz is determined to find out what.
It's an excellent mystery and I liked Liz, although I wish she had stood up to her mother and ex-husband more.
Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Great story! Thank you NetGalley and Tracy Buchanan. I began my reading of Tracy’s work with the Forest Grove trilogy, which I did like, but love? No. Secrets Between Friends was better, much better constructed and voiced. Did I love it? Still no love, but a big sincere like.

The protagonist, Liz, a bit of a busy-body living with her horror of a mother in a job as a small town mail carrier. She’d fallen from grace, lost her job as a journalist and was involved in a custody fight with her ex-husband. You’d think she keep a low profile, but no she has a 20 year old friendship that she feels compelled to involve herself in that ended in a big secret. Now, back in the place things had gone wrong Liz stumbles onto some suspicious persons and events that threaten to turn her life on its ear.

Will she mind her own business to keep custody of her daughters? Will the community rally around her? Will her old secrets be revealed? You need to read this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the nice neat ending. Hope you will too.

Clearly Woven Suspense,,,
Cleverly woven suspense where nothing is as it seems. What really happened at Lakewell Manor twenty years ago? Being forced to go back after all that time, Liz isn’t sure what to expect but the ghosts of the past lurk around every single corner. Only she and her former friend Tamsin know the truth and Liz is about to meet her again. Or is she? With a menacing underlying current of tension, a well drawn backdrop and an atmospheric narrative this is a gripping and immersive read.

Twenty years ago, Liz and introverted Tamsin strike an unlikely friendship. In Tamsin and her mother, Liz finds something she has never experienced, a loving mother daughter relationship. But every relationship has secrets, right?
Young and wealthy Gabe joins the duo and ends up disappearing. What does our duo have to do with it?

Both girls leave Easthaven behind them, only to return some twenty years later. Liz’s dream of being a successful journalist have failed. Her marriage ended in a nasty divorce and she is back where it all started, living with her mother. Liz works as a postal worker with dubious reputation.

Then Tamsin returns and the women meet again. Something weird happens the day after, Tamsin has changed. Not only so in appearance but also on behaviour. Something is up, and Liz starts to investigate.

In the beginning I really had trouble with Liz. She is nosy and I can’t explain it, but she does not come across as very serious. She is almost comical in an unintended way. But she grew on me. I still found her strange at times, but she had balls after all.

The story is solid and written fluently. The narrative changes between present and past. We get to meet a set of weird and quirky characters. Liz’s mother is just so cringe worthy, you can’t help to feel bad for Liz.

I am not the biggest fan of the citizen gone investigator trope. Yes, she solved the case, but it’s not what I go for in books. It was too much of a cosy mystery for me. I am not saying the book is bad, just not my style.

Twenty years ago, Liz became fast friends with Tamsin, who lived in the sprawling cliffside Lakewell Manor. At the manor, Liz finds everything she isn’t getting at home – friendship, a loving maternal figure in the form of Tamsin’s mom, and even a budding romance with a handsome and mysterious young man. When tragedy strikes, all of the relationships Liz cherishes are destroyed. Now two decades later, Liz is a postal carrier (a postie! 😊 ) who keeps tabs on the residents of Easthaven while she delivers the mail. Tamsin has just returned to their small town, but something about her seems more than just a little off. What on earth is going on? Liz is determined to get to the bottom of things!

This is a solid story that leans more toward cozy mystery than thriller. Tracy Buchanan has a gift for writing small towns and quirky characters. Liz is appealing albeit a little odd, and I would have loved to see her weirdness and unreliableness fleshed out even more. You can’t help but feel sorry for Liz’s situation with her over-the-top horrible mother and custody dispute with her ex. The story is told on dual timelines, with the past holding my interest more than the present. Overall an enjoyable read that’s perfect for readers who like their mysteries and thrillers on the lighter side.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

While this wasn't my favorite Tracy Buchanan novel, it was certainly worth sticking with. I felt it started a little slow and contains a lot of unlikeable characters...Liz's mother is emotionally withdrawn and unloving, Scott, Liz's ex is trying to gain custody of their two daughters and the townsfolk are just mean. Despite something clearly being wrong with Tamsin, Liz doesn't go to the police because she is afraid a 20 year old secret will come out in the open.

I enjoyed the past/present way of reading the story and that helped weave the mystery of the current and past events together. Despite not being a dramatic enough mystery for me (we know all along what has happened 20 years prior) there are some surprises that come out towards the end. Overall, a quick read with a tidy ending.

Thanks to netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read this ARC.

This being my first read by this author. It took me sometime to get into it. Very slow going . But once 28 percent in . I raced through . A good mystery, especially if read whilst a storm is going on outside ,which in my case it was. 3✨️✨️✨️

20 years ago, Liz and her best friend Tamsin, shared a tragic incident that shaped both their lives. They went their separate ways, with no intentions of ever coming back to Easthaven. Now Liz, plus her two daughters, has had to come back home following her divorce, to live with her bitter, unsympathetic mother. Liz is totally surprised to see Tamsin back at Lakewell Manor, and that the second time she sees her, Tamsin seems to have completely changed from the woman Liz had met a couple of days earlier.

I liked the premise of this book, two friends, scarred by a tragedy, returning to the area despite everything that has happened. Unfortunately, for me, Liz is not a very likeable character, her mother feels like a caricature of an evil, unfeeling parent and I was surprised that Liz hadn’t been sacked by her boss several times over. As the story went on I did become more invested in it, but also more frustrated with Liz's behaviour. It was a bit predictable the way the plot was going but I was pleasantly surprised with the plot twists at the end. Nicely written, just not the book for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Tracy Buchanan for the opportunity to read this book!. 20 years ago three friends meet and things go wrong. The book alternates between the past and present lives of Liz, Tamsin and Gabe.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was full of surprises. Totally a 5⭐️ read!

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Amazon Publishing UK and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Settle in for the day to read this one.

I have mixed feelings about this book as I did really enjoy the majority of it. I liked the back and forth between the two timelines and I was invested in what had happened in both. The main character Liz was engaging and interesting and the mysteries involving Tamsin were intriguing. It was just the final reveal and action scenes that I wasn’t overly keen on, it was just a bit unbelievable and too neatly wrapped up. I thought it was going to be a bit darker and more tragic. This is the first book I’ve read by the author but I would definitely read more as it’s in the vein of Amanda Jennings and Eve Chase who I love and I know lots of other people would enjoy the ending.

This was a new author for me . I never read anything from this author before but for the most part I really liked this book. I thought the whole story was amazing. I honestly didn’t want this book to end. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with on the next book they write. I usually judge a book from the cover because for me it shows if it’s going to be interesting or not and I loved the book.

Liz sees the return of an old friend, Tamsin, to a small seaside town. They share a secret from twenty years before that seems to be coming apart at the seams.

While the plot was solid and well thought out, the devil is in the details, and there were problems with the characters , dialogue, and some ideas didn'tn pan out well.

******Spoilers*******

Liz wasn't sure that Tamsin had been replaced with someone else even though she spoke to her before the body switch. However, she managed to recognise Gwen from a photo even without wig and makeup. Did Gwen really look that much like Tamsin to be able cause such a confusion? Gwen looks like Tamsin and Carl looks like Gabe. Really?

Gabe replaced the ring with an duplicated fake. How was that even possible? A fake that good would still cost a lot of money, which Gabe presumably did not have.

Tamsin was in love with Carl who was a ringer for Gabe. Wouldn't she question that? What a coincidence that Gwen happened to be Carl's girlfriend and Gabe's sister and enter Tamsin's life to swindle her again. And Gwen was dating Carl who looked like a grown up Gabe. Insest much ? I think it would have been more reasonable to have Carl be one of her six brothers than her lover.

Liz was very Harriet the Spy, and it was vague about all the trouble she had got up to previously. She seemed like a great person, albeit too sweet and patient when it came to her mother. And too silly when it came to her notebook and snooping.

Scott at the end turned out to be sweet. Really? After all his weasely antics we are supposed to buy that he had such a change of heart?

Lester swooped in at the last minute to help save the day. How convenient that he was on hand to give his testimony about how Gabe really died, and the police were on hand to hear all of it.

******** End of spoilers *******

These situations, amongst many more of them, were just poorly done. The story itself is great but many details are not tight enough or explained well. This feels like an uncorrected first draft that still needs to be polished (and maybe it is still in the editing stage), but the potential for it to be great is there.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to advance read.

Tracy Buchanan’s latest book “Secrets Between Friends” is my first book by this author. Liz became friends with Tamsin over 20 years ago and this book tells the story of their friendship over the years. They shared a tragic secret. Lots of secrets to be had. And nothing is as it seems. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early release of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Title: Secrets Between Friends
Author: Tracy Buchanan
Publisher: Amazon Publishing UK ~ Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Mystery
Pub Date: October 25, 2022
My Rating: 3.3 Stars

Twenty years ago, Liz became friends with Tamsin, who welcomes her to her home in Lakewell Manor. There, Liz finds everything she isn’t getting at home – friendship, maternal comfort with Tamsin’s mother, and even a budding romance.
However, something happens that destroys all these relationships.
Now two decades later, Liz is a postal carrier and is able to watch the residents of Easthaven while she delivers the mail. Tamsin has just returned to their small town, but something about her seems more than just a little off.
The characters in this were indeed unique, some are fakes, and most are unlikeable including our protagonist ‘Postie’ Liz. I am sure any mail carrier can write stories about the folks living in their area but it probably is a good idea not to do so!!!
Have to admit they kept me curious. I did enjoy it ~ well most of it.

I did enjoy reading the authors acknowledgments and was sorry to hear about the death of Ms. Buchanan mother, who died of lung cancer. She mentions that is was difficult writing while she was experiencing such grief but her supporters kept her going. She writes more about this in her blog “The Sunny Spot”.

Want to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK ~ Lake Union Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 25, 2022

This is a good read with a mystery at its heart. The characters were okay but I did not warm to all of them. The book has a good pace and I mostly enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy.

Summary: Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor. Only she and her best friend Tamsin saw what really happened, and in the aftermath they drifted apart. Now she’s forced back after a nasty divorce, with two daughters in tow, the shadows of that terrible night lurking on every corner. With a custody battle looming, she’s one wrong move away from her life falling apart completely.

So when news arrives that Tamsin, too, is returning to Easthaven, Liz fears their reunion will bring the awful truth spilling out into the open. But when she finally meets Tamsin, now mistress of the clifftop house whose locked gates have guarded the friends’ secret all these years, she’s in for a surprise. Tamsin looks different, and she doesn’t remember Liz, let alone what happened that night…

Something is clearly wrong. But confronting Tamsin means reliving the nightmare Liz has been running from for twenty years. Can she risk exposing what happened that night, knowing that the truth will destroy everything?

I was initially drawn in to Secrets Between Friends for the spooky sounding premise, but this one took me a long time to get into and a long time to finish. (and I think Liz struck me as too creepy in the beginning). I judge books partly by their "unputdownability," and unfortunately, I just spent too much time putting this one aside for other things to read.

Thanks very much to Lake Union Publishing for making this available to read for review through NetGalley.

The Prologue begins 20 years ago, when the narrator and we witness the aftermath of a horrible crime, as the battered body of a young man is consigned to the waves. This chapter was very intriguing and reeled me into reading the rest of the story.

Liz once dreamed of being a journalist; now she is a divorced postie, delivering the mail in her hometown of Easthaven, England. Fighting a legal battle with ex-husband Scott Thomson for the custody of teenage girls, Ruby and Mia, she is constantly belittled by her wheelchair-bound mother who has always been mean to her.

Liz doesn’t need any more drama in her life. But that’s exactly what she gets when her former best friend Tamsin Lakewell, now a famous poet, returns to Lakewell Manor along with her fiancé Carl to grieve the death of her mother. The two haven’t seen each other in 20 years, not since the night Gabe Arnaud, the man they both loved, died a horrible death.

Friendless and lonely, Liz takes the opportunity to re-connect with Tamsin, but discovers, a day later, that there is another woman in the house pretending to be Tamsin. She decides to resolve the mystery. Who is Fake Tamsin, and what has she done with Tamsin? More importantly, is the secret that Liz and Tamsin have hidden over 20 years about to destroy them?



The book is written in the first person present tense PoV of Liz Barrowman, now and 20 years ago when she was only 16.

The description of Easthaven was lovely. The sense of intrigue and mystery were handled deftly. The links between the past and the present were handled smoothly. The narrative was well-paced, with details peeled off bit by bit. We never find our interest flagging. The writing was good. Here’s a sample of the prose:

Sitting with the very poison ivy that tangled its limbs around my own childhood.

There’s only so many times woodworms nibble at a piece of furniture before it begins to weaken.



The creative arts and social media play a big role here with a lot of the characters pursuing their creative side. Liz wants to be a journalist, Tamsin writes poetry, Ruby has a Tik-Tok channel called Young, Beautiful and Dead, and Gabe is a photographer and an aspiring novelist. Minor characters Imogen and Celia are social media influencers.



Liz has a good sense of humour and is sensitive. She was a flawed, all-too-human character. Her actions, guided by love for those she cared for, weren’t always sensible. Her troubles kept increasing, causing us to remain invested in her. Another positive attribute of hers is that despite having an emotionally abusive mother, she is a loving and supportive mother to her own daughters.

All this I figured out later. Initially she didn’t come across as a likeable character, with her penchant for making notes on people’s personal lives, and what appeared to be, until we got details later, snooping into people’s private correspondence.



Liz’s mother was an awful character. She constantly belittled her daughter and idolised her cheating ex-son-in-law, Scott.

The final change of heart that Scott has is unconvincing.

The characters were a little hard to like in the beginning but my curiosity for how the story unfolds was enough to keep me going. In the end, I didn’t expect what happened to happen and was pleased with the ending. However, it did feel a little rushed and left me with questions. Overall I give 3/5 stars because I couldn’t put it down and had to know what happened. Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller/mystery by Tracy Buchanan - 4 stars!

The prologue takes place 20 years ago at Lakewell Manor, where a young man has plunged into the sea to his death - that event split up best friends Liz and Tasmin. In the present, Liz is back in her hometown, living with her two children and her abusive mother, as she is embroiled in a custody fight with her ex. Liz had to give up her career as a journalist and is now working as a "postie" - delivering mail and packages in her neighborhood. She keeps a notebook of all the comings and goings in the neighborhood and sees activity at Lakewell Manor, she encounters her old friend. But on the next visit, Tasmin has changed and Liz knows something is terribly wrong.

The story plays out between past and present from different viewpoints. This was a good mystery and Liz was a somewhat haphazard but fun character. She was loyal to her friend and was desperate to find answers. There were a few moments where credulity is stretched, but it doesn't detract too much from the storyline. I've always enjoyed Buchanan's books and this one is another good read!

Liz's best friend from 20 years ago returns to inherit the Manor House, when her mother died. She now has a fiance, Carl, and is pleased to see Liz. However, the next time they meet she has forgotten their shared past, and missing friend Gabe. What has happened? As Liz investigates, things get dangerous and lots of secrets are revealed.
A great twisty thriller from this excellent author, great read!

Twenty years ago, Liz and Tamsin were friends and Tamsin allowed Liz to stay in her house Lakewell Manor.. After an incident, that both friends want to forget, Liz leaves the small town, leaving behind the memories. Now present day, Liz returns back to the small town and is working as a post woman. As she delivers letters, she meets Tamsin again and something is very off about her.

This was a slow-burn thriller but it actually helped me to get hooked into the story. .The story divides between the present and past twenty years ago and I like how the story was engaging and the author did a good job of drawing the reader into the story. Towards the middle part only it started getting exciting and that was where I got literally hooked into the story. The twist at the end was completely unexpected and I actually liked the ending. This was the second book I have read form this author and I actually enjoyed reading this book as I was hooked into the story from the first chapter till the end!

Overall this book worth four stars.

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

“We’re all in charge of our destinies, Liz with an L. You need to take life by the horns and make it what you want.”

Ever had a piece of clothing with a loose thread? Did you pull at it constantly and then regret it when you saw the damage you’d done? Our protagonist, Liz, is no different. Her determined search for the truth comes at a cost. You’ll have to read to find out if it was worth it. Was she able to live out her childhood advice and take charge of her own destiny? Did she take life by the horns?

Mail carrier, Liz Barrowman is nervous and excited to see her old friend, her bestie, Tamsin Lakewell after so many years. However, when she delivers mail to the clifftop mansion, she discovers another woman there claiming to be her friend.

After Tracy Buchanan’s 5-star suspense series, I really didn’t want to trade Forest Grove for Easthaven. The cover of the book and a reliable author pulled me in but the slow beginning ALMOST caused reader’s regret. Despite something missing, an essential ingredient that the Forest Grove books had that I can’t name, this book grew on me. It has quirky characters, a dark and mysterious mansion, a seaside setting, plenty of drama and …secrets between friends. Thankfully, the suspense ramped up about ¼ of the way through and then my curiosity held me to the end.

I was gifted this advance copy by Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.. This is the third Tracy Buchanan novel I've read and the standard is always consistently high. I won't rehash the whole plot except to say that having a postie as a main character is a stroke of genius. Who knows more about a town and those who live in it? Liz the postie is shocked to see her old school friend Tamsin return to the town and even more shocked when Tamsin doesn't seem to know her the next time they meet. This kicks off a chain of events that brings up unwelcome events from the past and some even more unwelcome events in the present.

Secrets Between Friends was intriguing from the start with a satisfying number of twists and turns and juicy town gossip. This was a very absorbing read from the first chapter and kept up a cracking pace all the way through to the shocking ending. I wholeheartedly recommend it..

Straightforward revenge story.
These were the best parts: dual timelines, moral delicate, mother daughter relationships
The parts that make me give this a lower rating:overblown dialogue, very predictable plot, generic characters
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Secrets Between Friends is an atmospheric thriller set at a manor that was home to a tragedy some 20 years ago. Liz, a postal employee, happens upon the manor as there is some activity and finds out some secrets from the past just won't stay dead.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

3.5 ⭐️. (Rounded up to 4). This is my first book by Tracy Buchanan and for the most part I did enjoy it. It was a quick read. I liked how the chapters switched from past to present. The storyline itself kept my interest from beginning to end. As far as characters go, I know I’m probably supposed to really like the main character, Liz, but to be honest, I didn’t. She got on my nerves a lot. I did feel bad for her many times…her mom was AWFUL! And overall she was a good person and caring mom, but also very annoying. Then there’s REAL Tamsin and FAKE Tamsin, I’m sure you can already guess that I hated the fake Tamsin. And not to nitpick but I also got tired of constantly reading “Fake Tamsin”, it was obvious which Tamsin was being referred to, I didn’t need the “fake and real” in front of her name constantly. 🤣 I didn’t like Douglas or Carl either and I HATED Liz’s mom with a passion…what a cruel and evil person. I liked Lester a lot and Tamsin’s mom.

As far as the ending, I would say it had a few twists in there that I did not see coming. It may not have been super thrilling from start to finish but I do think the ending makes it worthy of bumping up to 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This one will be released on 10/25/22.

To see other reviews I’ve left, check out my Instagram and Goodreads pages.
*Instagram - bookworm_traveler808
*Goodreads - Cherihy808

Liz hasn’t had the easiest life. Growing up, her mother didn’t show her love or affection, instead offering only criticism and anger. Now, Liz has gone through a divorce and ends up having to live once again with her cranky mother. Liz’ secrets from 20 years ago threaten to be revealed and even her daughter inserts herself into the investigation of a young man who disappeared 20 years ago. The ending was a big surprise!

3.5/5.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. While Liz was slightly unlikeable, I did enjoy the plot of her being a postal worker and watching those on her route.

I always enjoy past/present viewpoints and trying to figure out what happened in the past to make these characters act the way they are. Keeps the mystery there while still seeing how things are shaking out in present day.

Some of the scenes are a little too far fetched for me, but still an overall good book.

This is my first book by Tracy Buchanan. The first 20% was a bit slow but I’m glad I stuck with it. It was a good read. It alternates between a mystery from the past and present. I liked the main character.
Once the book got going I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you so much for giving me access to this book.
I devoured it. If you like twists, turns and intrigue then this book is most definitely the book for you!

I recommend any other book by this author, as it seems impossible for her to write a dud!

Another great read from Tracy Buchanan.
Liz has returned home to her mother (and toxic mother daughter relationship) with her two girls after her marriage breakdown. In her job as a postie, she makes many observations of the local community.
When she hears that her old friend from her teenage days is returning home, she is not sure how to feel as they are bound by a dreadful secret. But she meets Tasmin again and the years fall away but the next day ‘ Tasmin’ doesn’t seem to remember the previous day, in fact she is just different and Liz is convinced there is an imposter.
Told in two time lines which are very easy to follow, I really flew through this book as it was a very easy read. I’m not sure I totally really liked Liz, at times she frustrated me.
I enjoyed how everything unfolded though and it was a satisfying resolution.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

This unputdownable mix of murder, intrigue, friendships, toxic relatives, suspense and lots of unexpected twists kept me reading until early morning. Highly recommended! Through Netgalley, I was allowed to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating rounded up bc I thought the mystery itself was wrapped up well but I had a hard time connecting to the narrator. I can’t really put my finger on it. It’s not really the bad choices that got me; I don’t mind messy narrators. I think it’s that she felt like the same person in the past and in the present, without growing up at all. She didn’t seem like an adult and it made her harder to connect to; she didn’t seem like a real person. She had that cozy mystery feel to her where everyone feels surface level and kind of naive.

But if you separate her from the story being told, the story works. It goes quick and there’s a few different layers to it. Nothing completely surprising but it comes together neatly.

After an acrimonious divorce and a blemish on her postal career, Liz is forced to move back in with the mother who hates her, so that she can try and keep custody of her two girls. Luckily, she manages to get a job as the village postie, but seeing all her old haunts after years living away brings back memories that she would sooner forget. All through the book there are hints of an incident that changed Liz’s life and that of her best friend Tamsin.

I liked this book and thought the plot well written. The hints about the mysterious past did go on a bit, but did not spoil the read. The story did become a little convoluted at times, and the denouement was a bit silly, but all in all a good read. One point I couldn’t quite get is Lester’s confession! What a loser, keeping such info to himself for years, highly unlikely and a bit strange!

Thank you NetGalley.

This was a fantastic book. It was gripping, mysterious, and action bag. Each time you thought you figured the mystery out something came around the corner and smacks you down. I definitely look forward to reading other books by this offer. She did a wonderful job

Secrets between Friends is a compelling,intriguing story.Told in the past and present two friends Liz and Tasmin meet up again after 20 years when they were teenagers in EastHaven a seaside town ,both have left for pastures new and to get away from the dreadful secret tragedy that happened then.Both have now returned and everything has changed ,Liz is divorced with 2 children and a Postie ,living with her dreadful Mother and Tasmin 's Mother has died leaving her very rich and owning the Mansion .There is plenty of drama and mystery Liz who would love to be a journalist is suspicious of Tasmin when she next meets her she doesn't recognise her so she starts investigating and unearths skull duggery !! An excellent read with a satisfying ending .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

This book is set between now and 20 years ago. It started when Liz finally meets the new girl at Lakewell Manor her name is Tamsin. They become fast friends and then Gabe joins them for swimming and just hanging out. Liz’s mother was verbally abusive to her and she so wanted a mother like Tamsin’s mother Dorothy. Liz’s mother was such a hateful and spiteful person. Dorothy was always there for them all. She had inherited the manor previously.

Liz was a postal carrier but had dreams of becoming a journalist and Tamsin always wanted to be a poet. Instead Liz has two daughters Ruby and Mia and recently divorced and had to move back in with her mother. They are due back in court soon because Scott wants full custody. Ruby is big on Tik-Tok and it may get her in some trouble.

Douglas Gold was buying up all the property around and in general was just a egotistical pig. Then you have Lester who runs his own bakery. What secret do they all have in common? There is a murder but who done it? I was guessing right up until the end. There is lots of twists and turns in this book but you won’t want to put it down.

I received this from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘉𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘗𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 253
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘙𝘪𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 - 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘰
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

*** Thank you to the author @tracybuchananauthor , 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵 and 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 for giving me a change to read this book.***

__________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭___________

"𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦.

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. "


I enjoyed this story a lot. It pulls you in from the first page and you just want to keep reading. It was emotional, dramatic and a very captivating reading. Also, the fact that the story is told from present and the past is just amazing. I love those kind of stories when there is a trip to the past. It makes a story that much more interesting.

The mystery side of the story just made is so much more interesting and I was very eager to find out what really happened years ago and also to our main characters friend. What first pulled me in to read this story is the beautiful cover and the amazing mansion. And I am soo happy when I was reading all the descriptions ofthe house. I am a major house designer/ intererio designer and decorator addict, and those little facts made my heart so happy.

"𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘓𝘪𝘻 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘓. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵."

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I think this is a perfect read for this spooky season because it does that thrillery/mystery vibe going on inside the story. So get yourself a nice warm drink, sit in your favourite reading place and enjoy.

This book is written in two different times zones. It goes back 20 years to when two girls were friends. Twenty years late and for one life seems to be a string of problems making life hard til one day she finds her friend of 20 years ago has moved back into the Manor House, she was sure it was her when they first met again but know, she’s not so sure.
I enjoyed reading this,yes, I could guess some but it didn’t take anything away from the stories.
It was really well written and I felt like I knew the people and the place.
Would recommend.

Review of eBook

After twenty years away, Liz Barrowman has returned to Easthaven, something she’s promised herself she would never do. But a nasty divorce has forced her to move into her mother’s home with her two daughters, Ruby and Mia. As she delivers mail along her postal route, she discovers that her one-time best friend, Tamsin Lakewell, is also returning to Easthaven.

Feeling drawn to the estate, Liz heads for Lakewell Manor and instantly recognizes Tamsin beside a table at the side of the manor, overlooking the sea. Liz bandages a cut on Tamsin’s hand and soon the two women are renewing their acquaintance after twenty-some years.

Tamsin introduces Liz to her fiancé, Carl; taken aback by his resemblance to Gabe, Liz leaves to continue delivering the mail along her route. The next day when Liz sees Tamsin in town, she doesn’t look the same. She doesn’t sound the same. She doesn’t remember Liz . . . she doesn’t even know her name. And she definitely is not behaving the way Tamsin would behave.

Can Liz solve the mystery of Tamsin’s abrupt change? And what about what happened that night, all those years ago?

=========

Told from Liz’s point of view, the unfolding story takes place in two timelines: the present and twenty-some years ago when Liz and Tamsin were both sixteen and were best friends. Liz still dreams of being a journalist; Tamsin, true to her dream, has become a published poet.

The characters are well-drawn and realistic, but not always likable [especially Liz’s caustic mother whose extreme bitterness makes her seem more like a caricature]; the plot, both inventive and intriguing, includes several surprising twists and keeps readers guessing as secrets are slowly revealed and mysteries resolved as the story reaches an unexpected denouement.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley
#SecretsBetweenFriends #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.
Book starts off a little slow and I did struggle a little bit to stay interested in the plot but I am glad I stuck with it. Overall, I did enjoy the book and there were plenty of twists and turns as the story unfolded.

I had a really hard time getting into the story. I found it slow and the characters were hard to like.
With that being said....the last 1/4 of the book was the best as far as everything started coming together
You can get the gist of the book by reading the synopsis. The characters were unlikable and so fake. Liz wasn't a strong protagonist she was actually quite nosey. The story starts out 20 years before with a shocking crime. Speed up to present day Liz returned to Easthaven with her kids after her divorce. Not having a job or enough money they have to move in with Liz's mother...now that is a woman you can really hate. She was so mean to Liz that I wanted to jump into the story and slap her.
Don't go by my review...give the book a chance you may like it. Other reviewers liked it so read it and form your own opinion
I'm sorry to say that the book was just ok not one I would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of Secrets Between Friends for an honest review. These are my words and my words alone.

It took me a long time to get into this book as I found it too slow going with little to grab my attention until I hit the half way mark when it started to gather pace. Some likeable characters and a plot line set both in the present and twenty years earlier. I would rate this three stars based on the second half of the book. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author for the chance to review.

This started off really good. Switching between now and 20 years ago. Her friend has been replaced by a fake person. Her husband wants sole custody of her children, her mother is a monster and the boy they fell in love with disappeared 20 years ago. I did find it hard to connect with any of the characters and the storyline went a bit unrealistic at times. I enjoyed the ending.

3.5 stars

A quick read, set between two time periods, twenty years ago and present time. Neatly wraps up what happened twenty years ago at the end with lots of twists, turns and secrets along the way.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Can a twenty year old secret be kept safe when both Liz and Tamsin move back to the same coastal town in England? That is the question in Secrets Between Friends, by Tracy Buchanan. When mail carrier Liz, reunites with her best friend from twenty years ago, it seems like nothing has changed. Then the next day, her friend is very different. What's happened to the real Tamsin. It's hard to know ho is real and who is a fraud? Who can Liz trust as she tries to solve the mystery around her friend? Is she putting her two daughters in danger.

If you enjoy a good mystery with twists and turns, this would be a great book for you. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Wow. What a ride that was! An interesting and well written story set in the same place 21 years apart. Losing a loved one sends some people mad and some wanting revenge. It can also may a person susceptible to a con artist.

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

I loved this book , it had a gradual built up and plenty of suspense along the way. The characters were interesting and had plenty of depth. I didn't expect the twist at the end either. I would definitely recommend this book to my audience. Looking forward to reading the next book from this author

I really enjoyed this thriller by Tracy Buchanan. The great characters grabbed me at the very beginning and did not let go! I loved the tensio, twists and reveals. Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Liz is back living in the village she grew p him and which she left twenty years ago after a tragedy. only her and her friend Tamsin knew what happened that night.
Tamsin is returning home to but when Liz meets her she knows something is wrong. Is this Tamsin and why doesn't she remember the past when they were such good friends?

I love this Thriller of 2 girls from opposite sides of the seaside town of Easthaven in more ways than one from 20 years ago. Liz & Tasmin have shared secrets that will keep You gripped. All the way through.

So when Liz returns after twenty year later and see's Tasmin one day and but the next day seems to change altogether something needs to be looked into. It takes a while for all the truth to out but the lives of several of the folks in town may never be the same again.

Whilst dealing with all this Liz is fighting to keep custody of her 2 girls in a bitter divorce that isn't helped by an this and the most infuriating of mothers. Liz is the poorer of the 2 from 20years ago but she has 2 daughters now that are amazing and she doesn't want to lose them. So all in all this is another rough time in her life o and her job as the new Post lady is proving harder than expected. If it sounds like too much drama trust me this story is so well written it won't feel like that infact it flows effortlessly from one page to the next even if your nerves don't.

There are great characters and as already explained a great storyline suspense and twist the works. The story is told from the 2 ages now and 20 years ago obviously the past meets the present each chapter revealing more to savoir.

I enjoy this I really hope you do as well.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This one took a bit to get into but was enjoyable enough as it got going. Perfectly serviceable thriller. 3.5 rounded up

This intriguing story takes place in a small fishing village in England that has many rows of pastel painted cottages that are described as a melting pot of ice cream. High on a cliff is the Lakewell Manor, This was the home of Liz's very best friend, Tamsin who moved away twenty years ago.

Liz's dream had been to be a journalist although she is a Postie and drives a Royal Mail van. She's divorced with custody of two daughters, however in a couple weeks she will go to court because her ex-husband is suing for custody of their daughters. Liz and her daughters are living with her mother who is ill and needs constant care.

What a surprise it is to learn her old best friend is back!. Tamsin's family has owned the beautiful manor on the cliff for many years. While out delivering the mail, although she doesn't have any posts for the manor, she stops by anyway and finds Tamsin out in the yard. The two friends quickly pick up where they left off twenty years ago and the story then goes back and forth between the present and their teenage years.

There is a interesting cast of characters both in the present time and the past. Secrets are revealed that have been hidden for twenty years. There are mysterious circumstances even in the present that compelled me to keep turning the pages quickly to the end.

This is a fascinating story, both mysterious and yet sometimes funny. There are fun, delightful characters as well as few that could be described as an antagonist or scoundrels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

In Secrets Between Friends by Tracy Buchanan, two young girls become best friends and share mutual feelings for the same young scoundrel of man. The three of them have complicated lives and one day tragedy struck.
20 years later the the secrets of that tragedy slowly start making themselves known.
When I think of secrets I have with my friends, it’s mostly relationship secrets about problems with children or the difficulties of our parents.
But are my secrets truly safe with my friends, or will they be told one in the future?

#SecretsBetweenFriends
#TracyBuchanan
#NetGalley

This book was a page turner from the very beginning, I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next! I found myself really warming to Liz and hoping she’s have a happy ending and solve the mysteries going on within the book. I really enjoyed the twists and how fast paced the book was.

'Secrets Between Friends' is an excellent title for a book full of secrets, lies, friendships and enmities. It raises questions about the nature of relationships - what creates good friendships or good families, what spoils those relationships and can they be restored.

The chapters alternate between 'now' and 'twenty years ago' and sometimes it's hard to remember what happened when or which iteration of a character is currently being read. And occasionally the style grated with me - for example, "Carl burning the dress Tamsin's mother got her as she watched on with a glass of champagne in her hand, like she was at the theatre or something." Maybe it's a literary device to show how the thought processes or streams of consciousness are now created by those currently in their late thirties, but I found it irritating.

The plot is cleverly created, with the Journalist-turned-Postie 'Lizbeth with an L' trying to hold together the different threads of her life - single parent of two girls, one a grouchy teenager; an irascible and unloving almost-invalid mother; an angry ex who's trying to get sole custody of the girls; local friends - and enemies, including a demanding and untrustworthy landlord; a job she didn't really want and from which she was thrown out in another town; and secrets of what has happened in the past overlaying it all.

When Tamsin, her former best friend from school days, returns to the seaside town and then seems to change completely overnight, Lizbeth's worst fears are ignited again and she relives the summer of twenty years ago and the horrific accident which totally changed the lives of the two friends. When Liz is suspended from her job yet again, she is terrified that it will count against her in the court case for custody of the girls, Ruby and Mia; yet she is brave enough and determined enough to put her life at risk in order to save the lives of two people she loves.. Will the truth from twenty years ago save her - and allow her to retain custody of her beloved daughters?

A clever plot, with some interesting twists; enough suspense to keep one interested; a very introverted heroine who even keeps a notebook with her to jot down every thought and action; and a slack (modern?) style. A good beach read, and no steamy sex scenes. which is aways a good thing!

Two sentences into the prologue and I felt chilled. This is a book that you will not want to put down. It is full of mystery and intrigue. What really happened all those years ago? The answer is very cleverly kept from us until almost the last page. This is where all of that mystery and intrigue is brought to a head. Whatever is going to happen and what catastrophes and life threatening events might take place!? Great ending. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Would totally recommend you read it.

An enjoyable read.
Seen through the eyes of the main character, Liz, we join her as she reunites with her best friend for the first time in many years. Following a traumatic event they have each been keeping a secret but now it looks as though it may finally come out into the open, threatening the life Liz has now.
The story is well told, mainly set in the present but the flashbacks to the past start to flesh out the earlier events and begin to build the bigger picture. Thankfully all loose ends are tied by the conclusion of the book.

Twenty years ago teenagers Liz, from a rough part of town, and Tamsin, from the Manor House become friends. Tamsin is an introvert, protected and homeschooled by her mum. They have recently moved to the seaside town of Easthaven from London. Are they running away from something? Into the mix comes Gabe, grandson of the local hotel owner. We learn early on that Gabe died in a suspicious incident. We don't learn what until much later. Moving on twenty years, divorced postie Liz is back in Easthaven with her two daughters and to her surprise Tamsin is back at the manor. They have a lovely chat, however later that week Tamsin changes attitude and Liz is convinced she's a different person. She becomes a sleuth and gets into all sorts of bother as she tries to unravel this. Deceit, imposters, violence and betrayal. An excellent read. #netgalley #secretsbetweenfriends

'Secrets Between Friends' is an excellent title for a book full of secrets, lies and friendships. The chapters alternate between 'now' and 'twenty years ago' when the narrator and we witness the aftermath of a horrible crime, as the battered body of a young man is consigned to the waves. That immediately draws me into the story and I want to know more!

There’s good and not so good in this novel. The concept and the plot are intriguing and the mysteries are spun quite well. They keep you guessing as you get snippets along the way. The characters in this were indeed unique, very well description of each one and the background description made me feel like I was actually there while reading the book.

Thanks to #NetGalley for giving me an e-arc of #SecretsBetweenFriends in exchange for an honest review.

Book Title: Secrets Between Friends
Author: Tracy Buchanan
Publisher: Amazon Publishing UK ~ Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Mystery
Pub Date: October 25, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars

This was not the book for me. The characters felt flat and unbelievable. To me it did not feel that the characters stayed true to themselves. The ending had characters acting completely opposite of how they acted in the book. It could be just the protagonist's perception of the other characters changed, but it did not feel that way to me.

This is the first book I have read by Tracy Buchanan but it won’t be the last. Worth following her on social media. A fast paced, well written book that I couldn’t put down. The chapters alternate between the past and the present. The suspense keeps building and just as you think you have worked it all out, you find that you haven’t! Teenagers and adults will both enjoy the mystery. A book about friendship and also difficult relationships but nothing too deep. A satisfactory ending. Thank you, Netgalley for an advanced copy.

I enjoyed reading this. The mystery behind Tamsin and Carl kept me guessing. Liz made a lot of dumb moves…more than necessary…and her mom was awful beyond belief. But still a good read.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

In the town of Easthaven, Lakewell Manor sits, dark and imposing up on the cliffs. Twenty years ago Liz’s best friend Tasmin lived in the manor. One night something terrible happened that they have kept a secret ever since. Something so bad that forced Liz and Tasmin to flee Easthaven and not look back in the intervening twenty years.

Now, Liz is a single mother with two teenage daughters, struggling to make ends meet. She is forced to move back to Easthaven and move in with her bitter, spiteful mother, while also fighting a custody battle with her ex-husband. She gets a job as the local postwoman. She is finally getting her life on track, but suddenly when passing the locked gates of Lakewell Manor, she sees Tasmin. What is she doing back? When she comes back the next day to find out more from Tasmin she gets even more of a surprise. Tasmin doesn’t seem like herself. Convinced there is something sinister going on, Liz pulls out all her previous investigative journalist skills to get to the bottom of it. But she is risking everything in the process, chasing what everyone says are delusions and outright crazy accusations.

When I started reading this book I initially thought it was not for me. Single mother, trying to remake her life in a small town, divorce, reconnecting with old friends. But I am stubborn when I start reading a book and don’t like not finishing one. I am glad I persisted, because after the slow start the mystery really picked up. I found myself turning the digital pages faster, and trying to figure out just what was going on along with Liz. Some parts are a bit of a stretch, and Liz herself does not come across as immediately likeable, being nosey and a bit abrasive at times. She is brave and persistent however, and her mother so awful you can’t help but feel for Liz and want her to succeed. Overall, not what I expected, but a pleasant detour from where I thought it was going, and an enjoyable read!

*I received this copy from NetGalley for review but all opinions are my own.

Liz is going through a divorce and has moved back to her home town and is living with her cruel mother, who has never shown Liz any love or understanding.
Her ex husband is trying to get custody of their two daughters, Ruby and Mia.

Liz and Tamsin were friends when they were teens, and were both in love with the same guy, Gabe. One night, something shocking happens, and Gabe disappears, and Tamsin moves away.


Tamsin returns home after the death of her mother, with her boyfriend, Carl, who is the spitting image of Gabe.

Liz meets Tamsin and feels as at home with her as she did as a teenager.

Yet, the next day, Tamsin is just so different. Liz feels as though she could be a different person.

The story is told from the past and the present, and is truly dramatic and absorbing. I liked that Liz is a 'postie' and keeps tabs on the people on her route. However, her dream is to be a journalist, and she writes down all of her observations, which ultimately gets her into a lot of trouble!

I really liked this book, it is the first that I have read by Tracy Buchanan, and it flowed beautifully and many secrets were uncovered by the end of the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read by Tracy Buchanan. It started out slow and took me a long time to read. I liked the dual timeline the book presented. I felt it flowed easily back and forth. The MC was not great and found her to be annoying. The plot twists were okay but did not wow me.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Twenty years ago, tragic events at a manor house saw Liz and her best friend Tamsin fleeing from the small coastal town of Easthaven. Now, after a messy divorce and losing her job, Liz has had to return to the town, and she and her two daughters move in with Liz's nasty mother, who belittles her at every opportunity.
Liz soon discovers that Tamsin too is returning to the manor house where she was brought up, so she goes to see her. Even after all these years they find their relationship was just as if they had never been apart, and they enjoy a lovely afternoon in the garden, along with Tamsin's new partner.
However, the next time she sees her, it is just as if Tamsin doesn't recognise her. She doesn't even look like the same woman. Tamsin is a published poet, and loved her books & poems but when Liz visits the manor she finds some of her books strewn about the place, and some left out in the garden. Tamsin would never do that to her beloved books!
Liz is convinced that this isn't the Tamsin she saw in the garden on that first day, and realises that she could be in danger. Are the events of the past be coming back to haunt her? And more importantly, can she help her old friend?......
I abslutely loved this book! Well written and fast paced, with a while mix of differing personalities, and an old mystery. I would love to read more from Tracy Buchanan.

In “Secrets Between Friends,” Liz and Tamsin, two women who were best friends when they were seventeen, both return to the fishing village of Easthaven twenty years after someone they knew named Gabe died under the cliffs of Lakewell Manor, Tamsin’s family mansion. Liz now works for the Royal Mail delivering the mail, while Tamsin is now a famous poet. Tamsin has returned because her mother just died and Tamsin is trying to decide what to do with Lakeview Manor, which has fallen into disrepair after twenty years of neglect. Liz returned to the village to live with her cantankerous mother and Liz’s two teenage daughters on the heels of a recent divorce and a mysterious disgrace at her work as a postal worker in Manchester.

Liz sees Tamsin at Lakeview Manor shortly after Tamsin’s return and their friendship appears to be rekindled as they reminisce about old times, carefully avoiding the topic of Gabe. With Tamsin is a Gabe lookalike called Carl, with whom Tamsin appears to be deeply enthralled. But the next day, when Liz returns to the manor, she discovers an entirely different Tamsin. Her hair is darker, her features are slightly different, and she remembers nothing about their shared past. Instead she is rude and dismissive. When Liz discovers Carl and the woman she thinks of as the “Fake Tamsin” burning Tamsin’s clothes, Liz begins to suspect that something sinister is occurring and that the real Tamsin is in serious trouble. However, Liz cannot report her suspicions to the police, because of her mysterious fall from grace in Manchester, which makes her an unreliable source.

I wanted to like this book because I generally love novels set in England; however, this book failed to resonate with me. It felt like it plodded along as Liz dealt with her postal rounds, her mistreatment by her horrible mother, and her concerns about a custody battle with her ex-husband. Moreover, the characters, particularly the “villains,” felt somewhat one dimensional, almost like caricatures. This may just be my own personal bias, because the underlying plot was fairly interesting with the intrigue surrounding what happened to Gabe twenty years ago, what happened to the real Tamsin in the present, and what “Fake Tamsin” and Carl’s plan involved. Moreover, the character of Liz was well-drawn with all her eccentricities. For these reasons, others may find this book entertaining enough.

This was so middle ground that it's a firm 3 star book. Not great but not bad. Pretty slow and not really shocking, but the writing is very well done.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for this e-ARC.

I enjoyed this book and was hooked early on. It has lots of twists and surprises. I figured out some of the twists, but others were a complete surprise, which is the best thing in a thriller book. Everyone had their own secrets to hide, but they all came to light at the end and tied the story together very well

This is a very well written and exciting book, and I have to say whilst it wasn’t a crime novel where you were wondering who had committed the crime, it was nevertheless a page turner.

I felt for poor Liz, divorced, trying to bring up two girls, living with her dreadful mother, who was neither use nor ornament and so cold hearted and selfish, I think I would have put something in her food! Liz was a hard worker, and did her best. However, she is haunted by events that took place over twenty years ago, involving her best friend Tamsin and a young man.

When it seems Tamsin has returned to the area, and the big house after the death of her mother, she visits Tamsin. However, on seeing Tamsin again a few days later, things are not what they seem. Tamsin doesn’t seem to have any recollection of what happened in the past nor does she seem to recognise her.

What follows is Liz’s dogged determination to get to the truth. She is, of course, hampered by her mother and her ex husband’s custody threat.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and thought Liz was a modern day Miss Marple. An excellent read.

My thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for the ARC.

This is a cleverly devised and delivered story. The story is a ‘then’ and ‘now’, taking place twenty years part. Everything goes wrong twenty years ago for Tamsin and Liz when a shared male friend lets them down then drowns. They leave and then find themselves back twenty years later. What happened to their friend still haunts them. Then the Tamsin Liz knows disappears and is replaced by a look alike. What’s happened to her friend. Then information is given gradually to the reader to keep up the tension. Eventually everything is solved and it is well worth waiting for. This is a well written book and more exciting than an ordinary murder mystery. I recommend it.

Although this was not rotten for the YA audience I feel that it would be best read by that age group. It involved lots of quirky people that added colour to the story and would relate more readily to the younger reader. The story is set with Now and Then chapters depicting life 20 years apart. I could not relate to Liz at all and certainly did not like the nasty other that she had. The story was good depicting both the lovely home life with the not so good one and there were other comparisons throughout the book .
I did it enjoy the writing style and the repetitive phrases that came up every so often. As a detective book this could have easily met the mark as the story basis had enough in it for me as a reader to. Want to find out the ending.

Super fun mystery/thriller. I received a copy of this ARC a week before publication date, and I was happy to read it right away. I really enjoyed the character of Liz - fantastic. She both strong and a bit of a mess. The supporting characters are great as well, and you really get a sense of the town of Easthaven. The ending is quite dramatic, but the overall book is such a delight that it didn't detract from the story.

The old house hides her darkest secret—and there’s no running away this time…

Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor. Only she and her best friend Tamsin saw what really happened, and in the aftermath they drifted apart. Now she’s forced back after a nasty divorce, with two daughters in tow, the shadows of that terrible night lurking on every corner. With a custody battle looming, she’s one wrong move away from her life falling apart completely.

So when news arrives that Tamsin, too, is returning to Easthaven, Liz fears their reunion will bring the awful truth spilling out into the open. But when she finally meets Tamsin, now mistress of the clifftop house whose locked gates have guarded the friends’ secret all these years, she’s in for a surprise. Tamsin looks different, and she doesn’t remember Liz, let alone what happened that night…

Something is clearly wrong. But confronting Tamsin means reliving the nightmare Liz has been running from for twenty years. Can she risk exposing what happened that night, knowing that the truth will destroy everything?

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK/Lake Union Publishing for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

I want to thanks NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this galley in exchange for a honest review.

Tamsin and Liz become besties in Easthaven, a small Oceanside town, even though and in spite of difference in wealth and background. Both girls fall for the same guy and he plays both sides and ends up dead.

This is not your typical story. Both girls feel responsible for the guy's death but were they.? The truth does not come out for 20 years.

Both girls reunite in Easthaven after 20 years and the truth does come out finally but not without a lot of drama and detective work on Liz's part. A tale of true friendship for sure.

Great read and well written , I will definitely read and follow this author in the future!

Predictable suspense novel.

I liked the character of Liz even though she had a lot of personality quirks and issues. Having said that, she was the type of character that you rooted for to finally stand on her two feet and lead the way. Her mother was a piece of work, and I wish I could have crawled into the pages of the book and gave her a good smack.

The plot was very predictable and nothing new for the genre. The writing wasn’t bad, it was just predictable. Having said that, it was entertaining enough that I’d read another book by this author.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

In Secrets Between Friends Liz (our heroine) learns that no matter how many years ago something happened it doesn't always stay in the past, as one might want. Tracey Buchanan does an excellent job of bringing Liz's past to the present. I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Press for an early copy to review.

Secrets Between Friends is a lighter mystery with a touch of a thriller element. The story is told in a duel timeline of past and present.
It took me awhile to get into the flow of the story. There are lots of twists and turns with so much mysterious things popping up which did keep me engaged in the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

So many ideas packed within the pages of this entertaining read…first love, triad romantic entanglements, secrets, best friends, murder, cheating husbands, family dynamics, custody battles, impersonations, supportive vs. mean mothers…the list is endless. Somehow they all worked together to have a role in this story. Liz, a curious postal carrier, was so quirky and interesting. Her friend, Tamsin, so mysterious. Their story, told bit by fascinating bit, is slowly revealed in chapters from 20 years ago and the present.
The most heartwarming part for me was the day of Liz’s visit to the courthouse. Tracy you have my sympathy. Losing a mother is so very painful.
Many thanks to Tracy Buchanan, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this soon to be published book.

Liz, along with her two daughters, has reluctantly returned to Easthaven, despite disturbing memories of events which happened at Lakewell Manor, an old house built on the cliffs overlooking the sea. When Liz sees Tamsin, an old friend, she is concerned to find that she is back living in the house with its disturbing secrets of 20 years ago.
However, Tamsin looks and seems different to how Liz remembered her, and she doesn’t seem to recognise her old friend. Having previously been a journalist and becoming suspicious, Liz decides to use her skills to investigate her concerns.
The book is written from two timeframes, the past and present, and is full of intrigue and suspense with its mysterious old house and suspicious characters. I felt empathy for Liz living with a mother who is bitter and abusive, always putting her down, although you do wonder what secrets she is hiding from the past.
Characters are well drawn and develop well, though it would have given Liz’s mother’s character more depth if the reasons for her bitter, uncompromising attitude had been explored. Though parts of the plot seem far-fetched, there is a sense of mystery and suspense as this gripping story unfolds, which keeps you turning the pages.

Secrets Between Friends is written on a dual timeline between present day and twenty years ago. It tells the story of two friends (Tamsin and Lizzie), a handsome young man and a tragedy which has remained secret for many years. Shortly after the event, Tamsin left the village. But now she is back. After time away, Lizzie had already returned and settled with her two teenage daughters, moving in with her difficult elderly mother after her divorce. The story is about reunion, family issues and revenge. There’s also a mystery which Lizzie is determined to solve.
The plot moves seamlessly between past and present. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable, in fact some felt a little one dimensional. Lizzie is a big of a gung-ho character, acting from instinct, rather than thinking things through, which usually sees her getting into a lot of trouble. As a failed journalist now working for the post office delivering mail, she still keeps notes about neighbours (snooping really) - something that eventually is her undoing. Lizzie's mother is rude and devious, a horror of a woman and one I wanted to have her comeuppance. There were parts of the story where I felt I had to suspend belief, but the main thing was, by the end of the book I finished feeling I had been entertained, hence my decision to award four stars.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Tracy Buchanan for an ARC of Secrets Between Friends in exchange for an honest review

Wow! I absolutely loved reading this. Great story and very well written. Liz knows something is amiss with her old "friend" and is determined to get to the truth. Brilliant. Highly recommended.

The idea behind the story is a good one but I found this book rather disappointing. The characters never really ring true, and the plot is unbelievable. I found it a struggle to finish this book and I wouldn't really recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I throughly enjoyed reading this book, I couldn’t put it down and would highly recommend everyone to read it!

Great story of best friends, Liz and Tamsin. They have a twenty-year-old secret that drove Tamsin and her mom away and would be devastating to the present if found out. When Tamsin returns to her home by the sea - Lakewell Manor - because of her mom's death, things start to happen that are certainly very weird. Liz, well known for being impulsive, lost her previous job last year because of it, she is split from her husband, and can’t afford any trouble. Her exes' suit for custody of their two daughters' court date is looming. But how can she ignore the mystery of her very best friend?
This story is told from two eras, twenty years prior and present. It flows easily between the two times and is well-defined so you don’t get lost. Liz is struggling to walk the straight and narrow and her character is tested to the limits. I like her and feel for her with a mother so mean and spiteful one who doesn’t know how to love. Tamsin has a mother the complete opposite one who’s loving, caring, and sweet. Tamsin as a teen was reclusive and homeschooled for unknown reasons. The friendship between the two is immediate and deep. Each experienced their first love that fateful year so long ago.
Well written and easy to read, it keeps your interest and most of the events stay a mystery until the end. I recommend this story, it’s a quick read and there is no off-putting language. Thank you NetGalley and publishers Lake Union for this eARC this is my honest opinion. This is my first Tracy Buchanan book but won’t be the last. I give it four stars, not five even though I really like it because it didn't grip you and give you the heart-pounding action I crave but it is still a great read.

I like the premise of this book but unfortunately it was just too slow paced to keep my interest.

If you are looking for a slow easy read then I definitely recommend it. I just found I was too easily distracted from it and it didn't quite grip me.

The cover is what drew my attention to "Secrets Between Friends" and I was not disappointed. What a great read.

A good mystery with references to past that impact the present. I loved the atmosphere, the well developed characters, and the mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I love this novel. Fascinating characters, not all loveable. An old mystery, a new mystery, Old friends, new friends, love found, love lost, love blossoming. This was a great read that kept me engaged until the very end. I like the way the mysteries unfolded, bringing the past and present face to face. A good mother, a bad mother, a motherly challenge. What a story. I highly encourage readers to start this journey.

Liz is a Postie (mail carrier) working in the town in which she grew up. She and her two young daughters are living with her oppressive mother following her contentious divorce from the girls’ father. Liz fancies herself a reporter and spends a lot of her free time taking notes on her neighbors doings. Twenty years earlier she and her only friend, Tamsin, befriended a young man who was there working at his grandfather’s hotel. The boy disappeared into the sea the last night they saw him. The novel is set in the present and also in their past, telling both stories. The present also includes Tamsin’s return to the manor house where all their earlier activities took place. The plot is complex with continual twists and turns. It is also well written and fast reading. The end was predictable but not expected, another sign of how well written it was. Thanks to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC for an honest review.

Secrets Between Friends by Tracy Buchanan.
Postwoman Liz is excited to hear her old friend Tamsin is returning to their childhood town after years of being away. But when Liz delivers mail to Tamsin’s clifftop manor, she discovers another woman there claiming to be her friend. As Liz tries to prove this woman is an imposter, she finds herself thrust back into a dark past she’s spent years trying to avoid.
Wow. Brilliant read. Twisty and tense. Love this author. 5*.

What a wonderful read Secrets Between Friends is.
The book is set in the present day and what happened twenty years ago.
Friends Liz with an L and Tasmin are the best of friends an unlikely match with Tasmin being from a wealthy family and Liz a poor one.
When the mysterious Gabe enters their lives that summer will change everything.
There are a lot of surprises in this book and it doesn't disappoint.

This is my fourth novel by Tracy Buchanan I think I can safely claim that this talented author is a bit of a favourite. Liz Barrowman has returned to her home fishing village of Easthaven, the place she and her friend, Tamsin Lakewell left twenty years ago. Liz is facing a custody battle over her two daughters and an acrimonious divorce and feels she has no place else to go. Easthaven is the last place she wants to be, living with her mother. Postal worker, Liz is informed by a neighbour that Tamsin is back too and the women meet again but Tamsin has changed, in appearance as well as behaviour...

Deeply engrossing, I really enjoyed reading Secrets Between Friends. Told in past and present format, I could not stop turning the pages of this intense tale. Mysterious and unpredictable, this is one you shouldn't overlook.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

I really liked this! I was captivated by the cover art and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read! I liked getting the two perspectives from the past and present, I always feel like that adds a level of complexity into a mystery! I can't wait to dive into more books from this author.

Twenty years ago 15year old Liz and Tamsin become friends. Liz is the daughter of a single mum, who has never shown her any love and Tamsin is the introvert daughter of the lady of the manor Dorothy. They become firm friends and Liz sees what family life could be like with a mother who loves her instead of one who resents her and claims she ruined her life! The 2 girls bond despite their differences and begin spending most days together. Then the handsome and wealthy Gabe grandson of the local hotel owner junks the pair and they strike up a friendship. However secrets are being kept and the truth isn’t being told.
20 years later we meet up with Liz as she reestablishes herself back in her childhood home after her divorce. Her mother is still an old tyrant who belittles Liz at every opportunity. Liz is hiding something that happened in the past and when Tamsin suddenly returns to the manor old Nightmares come back to haunt them both.
Spread between the past and the present we learn what happened the night Gabe disappeared and the present as Liz tried to discover what has happened to Tamsin as she’s not acting herself and Liz believes she has been replaced by a fake Tamsin.
Who is telling the truth and can Liz save her old friend without losing her own family?

I enjoyed this story, I liked Liz and found her a likeable character despite the way she is portrayed to the local Easthaven residents.
I loved how the story flowed, but felt the ending was just a little unbelievable at times.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this title

Wow!!! This cover is amazing!! Loved this book so much! It will keep you guessing and wondering throughout your read. Grab a glass of wine and sit by the fire and prepare to pull an all nighter!

Amazing storyline,kept me in suspense all the way through,a real page Turner,loved all the characters,and friendship the book displayed.
A must read,so please put this title on your reading list

This is an enjoyable and entertaining mystery about Liz, who lives in Easthaven with her daughters and her impossible mother. Twenty years ago, Liz had a best friend, Tamsin, who lived at Lakewell Manor, but a tragic event divided them.....until now. Present day Liz delivers the post around the coastal village of Easthaven and this brings many opportunities for drama and nosiness! Liz is a great character, a single mother who adores her daughters. Sometimes I found myself thinking, ‘oh no, you can’t do that!’ as she interfered in something that wasn’t really her business but she’s a delightful character and it was easy to root for her and hope everything was going to work out well. Secrets, lies, twists and turns, an unexpected ending - lots to enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tracy Buchanan for the ARC of this book. I am leaving an honest review.
The story takes place in the present time and 20 years ago. Liz is the main character and I could not get my head around her and maybe I was not supposed to. Because of this, I felt I was somewhat disconnected from the whole story. Liz's Mom is just one scary character and I would cringe when I had to read anything with her in it. The storyline is interesting and develops well and the back and forth of the 20 years is well done. Overall I would recommend the book it just was not one of my favorites.

This book gripped me afte4 a couple of page. Liz is the local Postie in a village by the sea. She has returned after 20years now divorced with two daughters. She however has a secret she has kept for 20 years to protect her childhood friend Tamsin. Tamsin has now returned to the large Manor house on cliff overlooking the sea, following the death of her mother.
Murder, mystery and intrigue ensue as Liz reverts to her experience as a journalist, to uncover what is going on at the Manor.

A woman tries to figure out why her longtime best friend is acting so out of character. As the she battles her own challenges and tries to get to the bottom of the issue, the woman deals with unwanted advances, small-town gossip, and the memories of the worst night of her life. Author Tracy Buchanan offers readers a mostly satisfying mystery in her latest book Secrets Between Friends.

After 20 years away from Easthaven, Liz Barrowman has returned to the small English town by the sea. She’s brought her two daughters, Ruby and Mia, with her following a nasty divorce from her husband, Scott. Liz wants full custody of their girls, but, of course, Scott is fighting her. In order to prove she’s a reliable, responsible parent, Liz takes a job as the town mail carrier. It’s a far cry from her dream to become a journalist, but at this point Liz will take whatever she can get if it means she can keep Mia and Ruby.

The one consolation is that Liz runs into Tamsin Lakewell, her one-time best friend. Liz hasn’t seen Tamsin since she left Easthaven, but knowing Tamsin is back in town too makes life a little more bearable. In order to save money, Liz and her daughters have moved in with Liz’s mother who is disabled and bitter about everything in life—including the fact that she has actually to be a mother and grandmother now. Seeing Tamsin again brings back good memories for Liz of spending time at Lakewell Manor, the mansion where Tamsin and her mother lived all those years ago.

Unfortunately, it also bring back memories of a terrible accident. Liz does her best to handle the nightmares. Now that the women have reunited, maybe they can face it together. Then Liz sees Tamsin again, and her friend doesn’t seem to recognize her.

It doesn’t make sense. Just because Tamsin has a new boyfriend in her life, why would she suddenly forget about all the good times with Liz? And why does it feel like Tamsin isn’t herself? The longer Liz observes her friend, the more she gets the feeling that something fishy is going on. Soon enough, she gets the sneaking suspicion that something has happened to Tamsin and that an imposter has taken her place. But why? And what does it mean that bad things keep happening to Liz ever since the fake Tamsin has shown up?

Against her better judgment, and risking the custody of her children, Liz starts to search for answers. The more information she uncovers, the more unease she feels. Somehow, though, she knows that her friend is in trouble, and if Liz doesn’t help her it might be too late for both of them.

Author Tracy Buchanan gives readers a lovely look at a different part of England, describing the town by the sea in enough lush detail to make it come alive. Leaning into all the trappings of a small town, Buchanan takes advantage of all the complications that come with a place that’s so small everyone has grown up together and knows one another’s business. By making Liz the mail carrier, Buchanan gives her a unique vantage point on the town.

The mystery itself feels a little predictable in parts. Buchanan’s over-reliance on exclamation points might fatigue some readers; at times, the narrative aims to hype up a plot twist or story reveal with the explosive punctuation, but the excitement doesn’t always land. In fact, Liz comes off as just a touch flighty.

While some parts of the story might surprise readers, some of the subplots feel a little extraneous. The resolution also feels a little too pat. It’s clear the narration is trying to give readers the satisfaction of all questions being answered; the result comes off as quaint.

For the most part, however, Buchanan has created a likeable cast of characters and a satisfying novel. Those looking for a fun mystery might enjoy this one.

This is a twisty mystery, which I enjoyed. The ending was quite a surprise and not at all what one is expecting! I could not put the book down from the middle to the end. Thank you #SecretsBetweenFriends and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

Past and present covering two friends one successful writer and poet, the other a failed writer, divorcée with two daughters in dead end. job only made more bearable by spending time as local sleuth or frustrated nosy parker . By choice, separated by twenty years and a terrifying secret that neither can forget or put behind them an unexpected reunion sets of a series of unsettling events. Not particularly attractive characters but an interesting storyline with satisfying conclusion. Many thanks to Author, Netgalley and publisher for ARC.

Title: Secrets Between Friends
Author: Tracy Buchanan
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Liz and Tamsin were best friends twenty years ago. Tamsin lives behind the gates in a manor whereas Liz struggles. Liz wants what Tamsin has. What happened twenty years ago?
Alternating between two timelines Secrets Between Friends is a story where you know what is coming yet there is an element of mystery.
What I liked:
💧Fast paced book
💧Liz's daughters
💧Liz has a quirky character
💧Atmospheric and I could imagine the story in my head
💧The author's writing is very lyrical and I really liked it
Some parts of the story is a little unbelievable but in the overall scheme it works and I enjoyed the book.
CW: Cheating, a character who is narcissist, Mentions of body image

Secrets Between Friends was a fast-paced mystery. It wasn't mind blowingly amazing, but it definitely kept my interest.

We are introduced to Liz and Tamsin, who became friends as teenagers and experienced a traumatic event that separated them for twenty years. When Tamsin returns, twenty years later, something isn't right and Liz is determined to get to the bottom of it. Liz is going through her own hard times, fighting for custody of her daughters, dealing with an emotionally abusive mother, and trying to keep out of trouble at work. As Liz begins to notice weird things related to Tamsin, she starts to investigate and get into trouble. But when her daughter becomes involved, things become even more urgent.

This book was a super quick read. It kept me guessing until the very end, but I will also say the ending was a bit anticlimactic and kind of out of the blue. The reveal of what really happened to Gabe seemed random. The link between Gabe and the murderer was essentially non existent in the book. Typically, authors like to leave little clues as to the relationship between murderer and murdered, but I really can't recall any interactions between the two.

I did enjoy the author's description of the manor. I always enjoy when a house is essentially a character in a book and the manor definitely played a huge role, so the descriptions were key. I had a solid picture in my head of what I expected this house to look like and this definitely made me enjoy the book more.

I had trouble relating to the main character, Liz. Personally, I felt like all her decisions were destructive. But this also could have stemmed from the emotional abuse at the hands of her mother. So, while I can't relate, I do understand.

To me, this was a decent mystery but it could have been better and more suspenseful.

This book was pretty good, it took me awhile to get into it, but when i did, it moved pretty quickly and was resolved in a satisfying way. Not my favorite of her books but a decent read

I enjoyed this one for a bit of a lighthearted mystery although I guessed quite early what was going on.

The main character, Liz, returns to Easthaven with her two daughters after splitting from her husband. They move in with her absolute witch of a mum, honestly think she’s one of the most awful characters I’ve read in ages! Soon after returning, her best friend who she hasn’t spoken to in twenty years returns as well but she isn’t quite the same.

The dual timeline shows us bits of what happened all that time ago to make both girls leave and follows Liz in the present day as she investigates the changes in her friend.

I found Liz to be quite an annoying main character as she’s ridiculously nosy 😂 I also thought some of the plot wasn’t that well thought out or written as it was too obvious for the reader but the characters were full of doubt so it didn’t seem realistic. However, I did enjoy reading this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

There are so many secrets between these friends. They say you can't go home but Liz has gone home after her divorce. She and her daughters are living with her mother. She had a hard time living with her mother when she was growing up and it seems doubly hard now. When Liz sees that her old friend Tamsin comes back, Liz is hoping that her friend will make things easier. The problem is that the girls have an old secret that tore their lives apart many years before and it is likely that the ugly truth will come out now. And Liz's ex is suing for custody of their daughters. Liz doesn't need one more problem. Can they get through all of this?

An enjoyable read that keeps you guessing to the end. All the characters are well defined and you are kept involved in what happens to them. I love a happy ending!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I loved it. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. Liz returns to Easthaven with her daughters 20 years after she and her best friend Tamsin were involved in the disappearance of Gabe. Tamsin also returns to Easthaven after her mother's death. The secrets around Gabe's disappearance come to light as Tamsi herself disappears, with s imposter taking her place. Intrigue and mystery jept me hooked and I found the truth a surprise.
A great story with a few twists. I ca highly recommend this book to all

This was a DNF for me, primarily because I just didn't care for the main character at all. I did like the dual timeline and thought the author did a good job with that, but I struggled with this and after the 3rd time I picked this up and put it down, I surrendered. I am sorry.

A disturbing story of a young woman and her best friend from her teenage years. In the intervening years, after Tamsin and her mother leave their estate, Liz stays living with her miserable, nasty mother and follows her dream of becoming a journalist. After meeting Carl and getting married, Liz has two lovely daughters - but Carl proves to be very different from the man she thought she married. When she loses her job, she returns in desperation to her mother's house with her two daughters.
The reappearance of Tamsin is a shaft of bright sunshine in Liz's life - but something is terribly wrong and when Liz mentions the events of the awful night before Tamsin left, years ago, she seems to remember nothing of it.
The journalist in Liz is sure that something underhand is going on and she walks right in to a disaster waiting to happen.

WOW!!! I absolutely loved this book! It sucked me in from the very beginning and I finished this book in one sitting!!! I honestly thought I had it all figured out but with all of the twists and turns…I didn't see that coming!

Liz and Tamsin are different from the other sixteen year olds. Tamsin is homeschooled while Liz goes to public schools. They become the best of friends even though their home lives are nothing alike. Add a handsome (wealthy) boy to the mix…things happen, he goes missing and Tamlin is forced to move away.

Fast forward twenty years, Liz returns back to the city where she grew up working as a postal worker. She finds out that Tamsin had also returned after not seeing her for decades. Liz runs into her during her postal route but then the next day it is like she is a completely different person and Liz is out to prove it! She finds herself in trouble just days before her custody battle with her ex-husband. She hopes to find the answers before her court date!

This book alternates between past and present from Liz’s perspective. The author does such a wonderful job with describing the town and the characters…it felt as though I was there and that I knew these people.

It is truly a page turner- I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time. This is my first book that I have read by Tracy Buchanan and I will definitely be checking out more of her books! If you love a good Mystery Thriller - this book is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and Tracy Buchanan for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was a really good read! It had a little bit of everything. Including but not limited to Family, love, friendship, mystery, mayhem, murder and a great ending.
Story told as a dual timeline past/present from the main protagonists POV.
My first read from this Author and won't be my last.
Thank you to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK Lake Union Publishing and the Author Tracy Buchanan for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The old house hides her darkest secret—and there’s no running away this time…
Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor. Only she and her best friend Tamsin saw what really happened, and in the aftermath they drifted apart. Now she’s forced back after a nasty divorce, with two daughters in tow, the shadows of that terrible night lurking on every corner. With a custody battle looming, she’s one wrong move away from her life falling apart completely.
So when news arrives that Tamsin, too, is returning to Easthaven, Liz fears their reunion will bring the awful truth spilling out into the open. But when she finally meets Tamsin, now mistress of the clifftop house whose locked gates have guarded the friends’ secret all these years, she’s in for a surprise. Tamsin looks different, and she doesn’t remember Liz, let alone what happened that night…
Something is clearly wrong. But confronting Tamsin means reliving the nightmare Liz has been running from for twenty years. Can she risk exposing what happened that night, knowing that the truth will destroy everything?

Totally gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

A rather lightweight tale which tested credibility on numerous occasions. Liz, the local postwoman in a small seaside village is tested when it comes to proving that the return of a best friend is not the person she says she is! Past mistakes come to haunt her and her job and custody of her children are in danger. Too many holes in the story for me but I sailed through it!

A perfect mystery includes love, friends and thrillers and this one has it all. Enjoyed the authors writing style and look forward to ore.

A fun read! Interesting characters with mystery, intrigue, and twists and turns, right up to the conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this book for an honest opinion. I have enjoyed reading books by Tracy Buchanan. This was no different. It was a highly captivating and dramatic. It was well written and the characters were relatable and well developed. The characters were intriguing with the fake "Tamsin". The story was told in alternating timelines of the past and present. It was very mysterious and kept you wanting to know what happened in the past. I enjoyed how the story unfolded and you learned about how the past and present were connected. A good read in my opinion.

A great story with so many twists and turns, you start to doubt what is happening and is it one person going crazy or is this all real! Well written and gripping.

Secrets Between Friends by Tracy Buchanan is a 4.5 star read. The complex story unfolds, with past and present intertwined and being revealed at the same time. The protagonist is an underdog and the reader pulls for her along the way, even though she is very human, which is to say, flawed. The story is interesting from the start, moves at a reasonable pace, and resolves nicely with a twist.

This is one of those books that kept me at the edge of my seat. The story line moves in such a way that you don’t realize that you have been reading for hours. It also shows don’t trust what you see because there is a lot underneath

The story is told in an effective backward and forward timeframe starting with a mystery that happened twenty years ago at Lakewell Manor when Elizabeth meets and becomes friends with Tamsin and her mother who own the Manor. Moving to the present Elizabeth has been forced to return to her hometown of Easthaven and Tamsin has returned to Lakewell Manor following her mother’s death. The glue that holds the story together is the twenty year old mystery but there are other incidents and situations that have landed Elizabeth in her present troubled situation that are never fully explored nor explained. She was a journalist, she made a mistake or three and now she is lucky to have her present job as a postal carrier, a/k/a postie. She seems destined to keep making those mistakes but yet expects a different outcome.

While everything was very predictable the story moved along and held up except that there was really no one to like or admire. The protagonist, Elizabeth, just can’t get it right and seems to bungle everything except the loyalty that true friendship commands - joining her on her daily rounds is a series of frustrations and trying to understand her convoluted logic and her capability of embracing her “small white lies” is exhausting. You can’t help but mutter, “really, really, in what world is that a good idea?” Unfortunately she is not the only flawed character here. Pick the most vile fairy tale villainess and that would be her Mother. Then there is the nasty, back-stabbing woman on her postal route, a stereotypical misogynistic and greedy landlord, an ex-husband that cheats and then sues for total custody of the children he has with Elizabeth, are just a few of the many dark figures in this story. On the plus side, Elizabeth’s sweet daughters are her biggest fans and cheerleaders.

A few twists and turns, nothing outrageous nor mind boggling, just so hard to wrap my mind around one person making so many mistakes and taking so many chances when so much is tenuous. Rounding up for the character development and great descriptions. Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a copy.

Liz is a quirky woman who has returned to her former town of Easthaven after a failed marriage and job have left her no choice but to live with her mean-spirited mother. And to top things off, her husband is suing her for custody of their two girls.

Liz should be on her best behavior, but she can’t help herself. She insists to herself that her obsessive notetaking during her rounds as a postal carrier are merely a holdover from her journalism days. We (the readers) want Liz to be careful, but she’s made some enemies and they are not happy with her sleuthing. Things start to snowball when her old friend Tamsin returns to the town and the mansion on the hilltop where things went astray 20 years ago when a mysterious stranger came to visit.

I loved the atmospheric, almost gothic descriptions of Lakewell Manor from the past, and Liz’s views of the pastel colored cliffside dwellings were so evocative. I loved Liz’s character and even though she was a grumpy, nasty woman, I could completely visualize her mom.

This was a quick read and enjoyable story.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Booksprout for an advance reader’s copy.

What attracted me to this book was the old house, a murderous secret between friends and the setting in Cornwall. Sounds a bit like a Kate Morton vibe.

Liz and Tasmin are from very different worlds socially and economically but became very good friends in their early teens. There is a murder, that's the opening scene, and eventually Tasmin moves away. Fast forward 20 years and Tasmin is now back. Liz works as a postie delivering mail They reconnect, both knowing the secret which can ruin them both.
I think I am probably in the minority on this but I didn't love the book. I grew bored with the plot and felt the character development could have been better.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this novel. This was published October 25, 2022 by Amazon Publishing U.K. Genre: General Fiction, Woman's Fiction and Mystery/Thrillers.

I had a hard time getting started with this book, but once I got a little way in I couldn’t put it down. Coming back to live with her horrible mom in a town that brings bad memories…Liz’s story is one you don’t want to miss!

An enjoyable read. The story drew you in and had you guessing (mostly wrongly in my case) what had happened 20 years ago. Good twists and turns with a satisfying ending.

I never repeat the blurb. This was an easy read but not particularly memorable and I'm sure it will soon fade. Worn story, unlikely ending and rather bland characters. Not particularly inspiring but passed a few quiet hours.

I love the way the storyline gradually unfolds, I found it very compelling and difficult to put down. As the plot twisted and turned, I found myself exclaiming out loud, so much so, I was asked a couple of times if I was ok! The characters are very well written and inspired very strong feelings in me. I found the ending a little twee, but this would not put me off recommending it to family, friends and customers of the library.

Two friends have stayed away from each other to avoid facing terrible events from the past. Twenty years later their lives collide. One of them has changed and she can't remember her friend. A moving and emotional read. Liz will protect her family at any cost. Hidden lies and friendship pushed to the brink.

Twenty years ago, Liz left Easthaven to escape the memory of one tragic night at Lakewell Manor. Only she and her best friend Tamsin saw what really happened, and in the aftermath they drifted apart. Now she’s forced back after a nasty divorce, with two daughters in tow, the shadows of that terrible night lurking on every corner. With a custody battle looming, she’s one wrong move away from her life falling apart completely.

So when news arrives that Tamsin, too, is returning to Easthaven, Liz fears their reunion will bring the awful truth spilling out into the open. But when she finally meets Tamsin, now mistress of the clifftop house whose locked gates have guarded the friends’ secret all these years, she’s in for a surprise. Tamsin looks different, and she doesn’t remember Liz, let alone what happened that night…

Something is clearly wrong. But confronting Tamsin means reliving the nightmare Liz has been running from for twenty years. Can she risk exposing what happened that night, knowing that the truth will destroy everything?Do not miss this book. It is sooo well written, completely gripping so make sure you set aside many hours so that you can greedily devour it in one swoop. With an eye for precise detail balanced by a sweeping imagination, this beautifully constructed book is built on deep foundations. Read it at least twice….
This is an author to know. Just when you think you understand the motives behind the characters and the way their story lines are being presented—bam!—It will hit you with twists you won’t see coming!

This wasn't a bad read. There was an interesting mystery and time jumps between 2 periods. I didn't really get Liz's character and her complete obsession with her friend. Her mother was completely over the top.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

What a great book this was to read. Really keep you captivated all the way through with a fantastic storyline. One to highly recommend!

The twists and turns in this mystery will keep you guessing! There is always another surprise to consider in trying to see where these characters are headed. Clear your weekend for this adventure.

Liz is back in Easthaven, living with her mother again but this time with her two daughters in tow as she goes through a messy divorce. When she finds out Tamsin is back as well and living at Lakewell Manor, Liz decides to reach out and try to rebuild the friendship she shared with her once best friend. Their initial meeting is promising, only for Liz to return and find that another woman has taken Tamsin’s place, using her identity and living in her home. For Liz to find out the real truth may cause her more problems than she can afford, but what happened to the real Tamsin? I enjoyed this book, even if the characters annoyed me at times. It held my attention and I thought some of the twists were well thought-out. At other times, I found myself wanting to shake Liz and tell her to think…but I guess that’s how it is with real people sometimes, too. 😊

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A superb fast paced thriller. I absolutely loved the story and couldn’t stop reading it. It’s perfect for all readers, especially thriller lovers.

"Secrets Between Friends" did many things right, in terms of creating a strong race-against-the-clock plot -- our likable protagonist Liz has her work cut out for her, correcting both historical and present-day wrongs -- and I found myself reading quickly through to the end to see how things were resolved. However, there were many weak spots, little character development other than Liz, and most difficult for me as a reader, WAY too many "there's seriously no chance of that happening in real life" moments for me to love this book, especially towards the end, when things felt a little thrown-together. This book is a solid 3/5 stars for me.

This was a fun and fast-paced read. The story centers on Liz, who returns home to stay with her mom after a nasty divorce and looming custody battle She had been best friends with Tamsin, who lives in a mansion up on the cliffs, until a bad shared experience caused her to leave the area as a teenager. Turns out that Tamsin is also back in town and Liz feels like their friendship could be rekindled, but then weird things start happening and it's clear that someone knows about Liz's secret from all those years ago. The book goes back and forth between current times and that fateful summer when Liz was younger.

Liz was a mostly likeable character, though I couldn't understand how she could possibly put up with the way her mother treated her- it was sad. The relationship between her and her daughters was very heartwarming. I also appreciated her doggedness to keep pushing when she felt something was wrong with Tamsin but everyone thought she was crazy. There were a couple good twists in the story and I found myself having ah-ha moments right along with the characters. The author did a good job at tying up the loose ends and making connections between various parts of the story. I found the end to be satisfying, though was on the verge of suspending disbelief.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was unique and memorable. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent thriller with one of my favourite tropes, not knowing if we can trust the narrator. Following Liz as she meets her childhood best friend for the first time in 20 years we know Liz has something to hide.

I found the premise of a possible imposter really intriguing and I enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded. The only thing to slightly take me out of the story was the lack of consequences for some pretty big things at the end. Although, I kind of understand how that could happen.

I would highly recommend this book and author.

Due to a nasty divorce, Liz is forced back to Easthaven, her hometown that she left 20 years ago. Back then, she and her best friend Tamsin shared a terrible secret that caused them to drift apart. Tamsin went on to become a reclusive writer. Shortly after Liz arrives she learns of Tamsin's mothers death and that Tamsin is also moving back to her family home to settle her mother's estate.

Liz decides to visit Tamsin and they have a nice chat and agree to see each other again. Liz also meets Tamsin's fiance.

A few weeks later, Liz returns to see Tamsin, but when she comes face to face with her, she realizes that this person who claims to be Tamsin, cannot be her. There are subtle differences in her looks, but most importantly, this imposter does not remember Liz's previous visit.

Liz starts to worry that something bad has happened to Tamsin and she sets out to figure out what is going on.

Although this seems like an implausible story, it is very well written and I really enjoyed the mystery.

It was an ok book.

I didn’t really relate to any of the characters and I didn’t feel like they were very well fresher out. Most of the motivations were also questionable and not really fully made sense to me.

However, it was an easy read and I did want to pick it up to finish it, which is saying something :)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

There were pros and cons to this book. If I didn't catch the before and after listed at the beginning of each chapter, I'd get confused. Liz and Tamsin were very different and yet made good friends. I'm glad we found out what happened that day 20 years prior that changed them and put distance in their friendship. Parts were very predicable, like the true identity of "fake Tamsin". At least by the end of the day, most of the people in the story who were not nice had some karma come their way. I think the only exception to this was the mother of Liz. What a horrid example of a mom. Some parts were a little far fetched with Liz and her sleuthing to find out what happened to Tamsin. Some very unlikeable characters but at least a few likeable ones too. I appreciate no cliff hangers at the end as everything was explained.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This book is filled with what ifs and what's next. I loved the suspense and how the details were laid out in the book. The ending with Liz' family really surprised me, but made me so happy. Definitely recommend this book for someone who likes some suspense but nothing too gory.

I thoroughly enjoyed Tracy Buchanan’s book “Secrets Between Friends”. This is my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be my last. Taking place in an English suburb, it was an easy to read mystery with engaging characters. I enjoyed Ms Buchanan’s writing style.

I requested this book on Netgalley because I was intrigued by the plot line. Even though this was a slow burn it drew me in from the start. There are so many twists and also red herrings, that keep you turning the page at breakneck speed. Every time I thought I knew the outcome I realized I was totally wrong and I still haven't got my breath back from that ending.

Not my cup of tea. Struggled to finish this book. Didn't like the characters and the story dragged. Slightly better towards the end.

Tracy Buchanan can be relied on for intriguing, suspenseful page-turners and Secrets Between Friends is no exception.

The narrative is in the first person, told by Liz, the mother of two teenage daughters, currently having to live with her dreadful mother, and facing the possibility of losing custody of her girls to her ex. Having had to give up her dream job as a journalist, she’s now working for Royal Mail, delivering post around Easthaven, the seaside town she grew up in.

The timeline switches between now and 20 years ago. I must say I was brought up short to realise 20 years ago is 2002!!! Surely that was only yesterday!

Something dreadful happened back then, causing the death of a young man and leading to her best friend rapidly leaving the manor house at Easthaven and returning to London. Suddenly that friend returns, now, 20 years later, but something’s definitely not right about her and Liz is determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Is her friend in danger? Can Liz save her? Or is Liz herself losing it?

The suspense is piled on as we are teased with references to something that happened in Liz’s life a year ago, which caused her to lose her job, necessitated her move back to Easthaven, and hangs over her as a threat to her chances of keeping custody of her children. While urging Liz on in her detective work, I was also fearful about the damage her actions could do to her and her daughters’ lives. It certainly kept me on tenterhooks.

I can’t pretend the story isn’t far-fetched, but it’s great escapism and I eagerly devoured it.

This is the first book I’ve read by this talented author and I hope it won’t be the last. A fast paced book that alternates between events of twenty years ago and the present day. As lonely teenagers Liz and Tamsin become friends despite their vast differences in backgrounds. They befriend a teenage boy, Gabe but when tragedy strikes, their unlikely friendship comes to an abrupt end and Tamsin and her wealthy mother move away. Twenty years later Tamsin returns to her manor home after her mother’s death, ready to face her demons. Ready to renew her friendship with Tamsin, Liz visits and is pleased they still seem to like one another. However, the next time they meet Tamsin seems different somehow and won’t admit to remembering anything about their past. Why the sudden change and will Liz get to the bottom of it? Risking everything she holds dear, Liz decides things just don’t add up and embarks on a dangerous mission to get the truth. A great read that flows well and has the reader wanting answers as desperately as Liz does. A real page turner.

A neat story that swops effortlessly between the secrets of the past and the resulting secrets of the present. Totally realistic characters - both the good and the bad - that make you really care about the final outcomes for both.

This was a twisty read, it was an interesting story regarding old friendships and very twisted people. I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A quick read, but it packs quite a punch. There is a lot to unpack in the backstories of these characters. And while it is a bit far-fetched, that didn't stop me from delighting in the deliciousness of this kinda crazy!! I totally enjoyed looking in on these people and their over the top behaviors.

An enjoyable read. Apologies I read it a while ago so I've left it a bit late to write a longer review.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy of this book, While the story was good it felt a little bit slow and I had a tough time with the very unlikable mother and ex-husband. The friendship between Liz and Tasmin is great, everyone needs friendships that last 20 years.

I received an advanced reader copy from Netgalley for my honest review. This is the first time I have read a book by Tracy Buchanan. It is intriguing! Set in a small town in England, featuring the Lakewell manor. Liz and Tamsin became best friends 20 years ago. Something tragic happens one night. Fast forward 20 years to present day. Liz and Tasmin meet again. Many more details are revealed and things go from bad to worse. Without giving away the story, you need to read this for yourself! The ending will totally blow you away!

“Secrets Between Friends” is set in small town Easthaven and is told in a dual timeline. When Liz and Tamsin are children they form an unlikely friendship. Liz is from the poorer side of town and a loveless mother while reclusive, homeschooled Tamsin is from a wealthy family and a supportive loving mother. They both have dreams, Liz wants to be a journalist while Tamsin wants to be a poet. Enter a handsome teenage boy named Gabe and the three of them spend the summer together. As their lives change each of them for different reasons move away from Easthaven but twenty years later they are liz and Tamsin are back in town. Liz has two girls, is in the middle of a messy divorce and custody battle. Tamsin has realized her childhood dreams of becoming a published poet and returns to town after the death of her mother to renovate the neglected family manor. When Liz and Tamsin reunite their connection seems to be exactly as it always had been but Liz fears the secrets of the past will come back and their involvement will be discovered. On their second meeting Liz quickly realizes that something is very different about Tamsin not only in appearance but also in her demeanor. Liz must get to the bottom of the sudden change and what ensued is a fast paced read and the discovery of old and new secrets and their consequences.

I had never read this author before and this was not bad. A little slower than I liked but full of secrets, lies, murder, creepy houses......... you get the picture. I think my favorite part was the atmosphere. The author did a great job making me feel as if I were really in this little coastal town. I would definitely read more from Tracy Buchanan after this one!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Tracy Buchanan and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Wow!
Right off the start I was hoping that this book will be made into a film or series!
Author Tracy Buchanan has a knack for immediately drawing you in, quickly immersing you in the glorious beginnings of a wonderfully intriguing, twisty and addictive story.
I enjoyed all aspects of this book, the pace was good, the intrigue was there, the creep factor, romance, mystery, and a completely and wholeheartedly, satisfying ending!
All in all an extremely satisfying and well written book!
I will now make my way through all of Tracy Buchanan’s other books!

Thank you to Net Galley, Tracy Buchanan and publisher Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this!

What an enjoyable read! Atmospheric and quirky, this is a mystery worth reading. Quite a few odd characters, some plain awful (Liz's mother, ugh), and some charming. I highly recommend.

4 stars.

Thanks to NetGally, Tracy Buchanan and Lake Union Publishing.

The book was okay. I stayed for the reveal but called it pretty early on.

Was an easy read - perfect for holidays.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

This is a good holiday read set in a seaside town and has a whiff of Daphne Du Maurier mysteriousness about it. Despite not delivering in her depth it is a good yarn. It does towards the end go a little manic however as facades are dropped and the past is resolved. Fairly satisfying.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for the ARC

Another good read in November. A story of 2 friends who meet after almost 2 decades. A shared secret that now seems threatening after 20 years. A plot is also a bit twisty with the characters that come in later.

Over all an enjoyable read.

Liz is leading a relatively happy life as a postwoman in her home town. That is until her old friend Tamsin returns. However, Tamsin has changed beyond recognition. Tamsin and Liz hold a very big secret. Will their secret remain secret. An interesting and intriguing story about friendship and betrayal.

This book was very good, it grabs you right from the start. I could not put it down. The characters were all great, in there own way...some very good and some very bad, but it definitely keeps you guessing who is goid and who is bad.
Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and mostly the author for the chance to read this advanced copy.