In a nutshell: I liked this book more than I had expected. It will click with you if you want a light and entertaining suspense thriller that you can read without taxing your brains much.

Story:

27 year old Ivy’s happy childhood was destroyed after a tragic accident. For many years, she has been struggling with mental health issues. Now at last, she has discovered the name of the woman who ruined her life: Lola Maxwell, an uber-wealthy socialite with a heart of gold when it comes to charity. Ivy now has just one agenda: plotting and executing “the perfect ruin” for Lola.

The characters in the story are quite interesting. At the start, Lola is the perfect angel with the heart of gold, and Ivy, though seemingly justified in her vengeful agenda, comes across as an angry bitch. But soon the layers start unfolding and you begin to see the other side of these two personalities, and of those around them. Not a single character in the book comes in black or white. They come in a whole spectrum of gray. I didn’t like any of the characters, nor did I feel sorry for any of them. It felt like they got what they deserved. The story is an ode to “what goes around, comes around” but in a sinister way.

My fellow Indians will understand me when I say that this is a perfect “masala” story. (In fact, it will adapt very well to the screen!) The way Ivy plans her way into Lola’s life and becomes an integral part of it is quite farfetched but a lot of the loopholes get explained along the way. (And whatever can’t be explained is ignored conveniently.)

This is the first thriller by romance writer Shanora Williams. And I sure am grateful that I didn’t know this fact before, for two reasons:

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I did enjoy this book as Ivy tried to weasel her way into Lola’s life because she found out she was responsible for killing her parents. Well Ivy might think she has the upper hand but she is wrong. There are other players trying to take Lola down. Unexpected twists!

Thank you @bibliolifestyle @kensingtonbooks for the gifted copy. ( )

Like a Lifetime movie where most of the characters are psychotic, liars, despicable, or all three.
Not at all believable, and the ending is left open for a sequel.
It is is entertaining in a funny way. Perfect book to read for noisy airports, beaches and pools as concentration, is not required, to blow through this book. ( )

Well that was an unexpected ending. I love how Shanora Williams lulls you into believing we are just learning Ivy's story, then BAM! she throws you for a loop and you are left wondering how you missed all the signs. I will definitely looks for more books written by Shanora in the future. ( )

Slow burn but interesting listen. Ending left me wondering. ( )