The Wildelings

Harding masterfully delves into Jessica’s complex relationships and her struggle to reconcile her past with her present. The vivid, moody writing and the characters’ raw, authentic emotions make this an unforgettable read. It’s a gripping story that kept me turning pages, and I’m excited to see what this author brings us next.

This is my second encounter with Lisa Harding's work, and after reading "Cloud Girls," I'm convinced she masterfully crafts gut-punching, emotionally raw stories with imperfect yet realistic heroines.

"Wildlings" is a powerful exploration of the turbulent friendship between two girls who, shaped by the bitterness of betrayal and abandonment from those they trusted most, cling to each other in their fragile bond. Jessica, driven by attention-seeking and self-absorption, contrasts sharply with Linda, who quietly yearns for love, acceptance, and a place in the world—often surrendering her own identity to bask in Jessica’s spotlight, even sharing Jessica’s stepmother's affection.

Together, they endure the cruelty of their small town until they escape to Dublin’s Wilde College, where they pursue the arts and freedom from their pasts. But as college life unfolds, their relationship shifts: Linda finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Mark, while Jessica falls into a relationship with Jacques, as their mutual friend Jonathan begins distancing himself from Linda. Mark manipulates them all, preying on their insecurities like a puppet master, pushing them deeper into a haze of drugs, alcohol, and self-destruction until a life-altering event occurs.

The story alternates between timelines: in the present, a forty-something Jessica, abandoned by her husband and unsuccessful in her entertainment career, seeks therapy to confront the guilt and unresolved emotions tied to her friendship with Linda, which has haunted her for nearly three decades. Through flashbacks, we uncover the truth of what happened during their time at Wilde College and the devastating secret Jessica has carried with her ever since. Is she a victim, or was she complicit? Can she finally face her past and repair the damage she's done?

Overall, this is a well-written, layered exploration of female friendships, dysfunctional families, and psychological abuse, with richly developed female characters. While the male characters—particularly Jonathan and Jacques—lack the same depth, the compelling narrative, balanced pacing, and tragic yet captivating ending kept me engaged, leading me to round up my rating to 4 stars for its intricate portrayal of female relationships and self-discovery.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperVia for sharing this fascinating women’s fiction digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

You know that there is a car crash coming in the movie but you just can't look away...... that's The Wildelings - a treastice to obsession and psychological warfare expertly plotted by Lisa Harding.

Jessica and Linda are best friends in the most co-dependent way possible. Their friendship survives and even strengthens in college. But when Linda meets her own romantic partner, the balance is upset.

This is the tensest, creepiest, greatest obsessive book I have ever read about women - it is not overdone as some tend to be. Grab this story and take a good hard look at your best friend! #lisaharding #thewildelings #harpervia

Wow! What a powerful novel! This reminded me a lot of The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Jessica and Linda are the closest of friends since starting school. Now they are both ready for University and although they are from different upbringings, they are both able to attend Wilde. Jessica has always been the stronger, guiding friend. And not much changes in their relationship until a stranger named Mark enters the scene. Many years older than the friends, he immediately centers on Linda and begins to pull her away from her close friendship from Jessica. As time goes by, Mark slowly infiltrates Jessica’s world and changes her relationships with all of her close friends. As the story escalates, a climactic and awful ending occurs. . And years later, Jessica is still trying to understand what happened and possibly rectify the tragic consequences.