So, this book had been on my radar for a bit ever since it was realized a few years ago. I started reading it because I saw Netflix is releasing a series for it soonNetflix is releasing a series for it soon. When I tell you this book made me uncomfortable, I was QUEASY a lot of times. Our FMC, Sophie, made the worst decisions possible. Margot was insane. I felt bad for all the other friends falling in Margot’s shadow like Jill, Callie, and Tina (who I think isn’t even in the tv show). I’ll just start with the characters since I’m already on them.

Jill is a sweet mom who seems to only be in the friend group because she has no one else to keep her from her boredom. Her son is Brad (who has a huge part in the plot, but I’ll talk about that in the spoilers). Tina is another friend who I honestly can’t remember anything about. Callie is psychotic, also obsessed with Margot, and I’m pretty sure she is a closet serial killer. Margot is… something else. She is vindictive, manipulative, has NO boundaries, and uses people for her own gain. Hated her at every turn. Sophie started out seeming like a sweet girl, and then the further you get in the book, the more you realize that she must have something mentally wrong with her. Her husband is Graham, who is perfect and doesn’t deserve the treatment he gets in the book. These are really the only memorable characters. Oh, and poor Abby, Brad’s girlfriend. And Jamie, Brad’s best friend. The one thing I don’t understand about any of them (except Abby and Graham) is how they’re not ALL CLINICALLY ALCOHOLICS. The amount of alcohol that these women and teens consumer is insane.

As far as the plot goes, without spoilers, I found super unconvincing if I’m being honest. Maybe it’s because I’ve never had issues with peer pressure. Maybe it’s because I never felt the need to fit in. But dear Lord, these women made the WORST and most INSANE decisions possible. The plot was driven by bad decision after bad decision and I just didn’t feel convinced that they would keep chugging along making the same dang mistakes. It just felt unrealistic.

The writing style was okay, but the beginning was wildly confusing and I found myself spinning as I tried to figure out what was going on.

Spoilers ahead.

So, Margot sleeping with Brad was bad enough, but I honestly wanted to stop reading/listening when Sophie was drinking, getting drugged, cheating on Graham, wrecking her life. So basically the whole book. Sophie had the PERFECT life with a husband she swears she loves but still goes and does this?? I couldn’t understand and when she started messing with Jamie, I just wanted to vomit. She had no will power and couldn’t even say no and I just wanted to slap her.

As far as the “twist” goes, I guessed it was Jill from the beginning. But I still don’t understand how, or why, or again, WHY, Callie was drugging people. I am still confused about that dumb addition.

Overall, the novel really wasn’t my thing. I disliked all the characters. All they did was say things like “yes, Margot, of course, Margot” and did any inane thing she said for them to do at the risk of their marriage and family. I’ll still watch the TV show, but I can’t say I’ll enjoy it that much if I’m being honest.

Source: Audiobook from Audible.

(P.S. You can read this book for free by signing up for a free trial of Audible, which gives you two free audiobooks of your choice!)