Book giveaway: Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon

Many thanks Mumsnet / Penguin Books for a copy of this book. It arrived really late, so proved impossible to post a review before the end of February, but we eventually got there (better late than never, I say). Must say, it proved quite a read.

I was not surprised to read that Jane Fallon was a producer on 'This Life'. Similar to that, this is a city slicker sitcom-come-soap opera full of utterly despicable characters, each with their own twisted agenda. In fact, Michelle, the character cheated on by her husband, and her best friend, and her best friend's PA, etc., is the only true innocent. Without revealing much more about the various twists and turns, this is a combustible concoction of betrayed friendship, infidelity, scheming revenge, and the ultimate secrets ... truly "strictly between us"!
Highly implausible at times, the scenarios nevertheless make for some cringe-worthy hilarious moments. The key thing is that the reader remains hooked, compelled to read on right until the end to discover how it all gets resolved. Have to admit, reading it felt like giving in to a guilty pleasure. But saying that, it is a smart, sassy book, intelligently constructed, with the author making use of her life and work experiences to good effect in developing the narrative setting and happenings.

I agree with SnapCackleFlop in that the book was a bit cringe worthy in places and the narrative of the first half was a little repetitive and somewhat irritating but I did feel compelled to read on and ended up enjoying the book. Not one of Fallon's best (I've read quite a few of her novels and the best for me was Getting Rid of Matthew) but very readable, especially good for passing the time whilst commuting. The second half was better than the first and the ending was not as saccharin as I thought it would be. Glad I read the book and would have even if I hadn't won a copy to review, as I like the author's previous work.

I have finished the book only took me a couple of days couldn't put it down! Loved it !

I didn't get this book as part of the giveaway, but have just finished reading it. It's the first Jane Fallon book I've read.
It's a real 'easy read' - the style is chatty, humorous and friendly. The plot wasn't gripping, but it was just an enjoyable, un-taxing read. I'd say it's a prefect holiday read.

Very surprised to find myself liking this book.Thought it will be another of the chick-lit books,that are ok for a while,but so easy to forget.Story was a bit unpredictable,and the chick-lit might be challenged by some of the descriptions and characters.Easy read though,nice,holiday,uplifting,would recommend.

I've literally just finished the book and I didn't want it to stop! I was hooked from the start. The book is written in a very chatty style which made it incredibly easy to read and follow, there wasn't anything challenging or particularly thought provoking in this book. However there were so many moments you found yourself talking to the characters - it was very much like having a catch up with your best friend, including massive drama! It felt very sex in the city with Michelle being the kind and good one (Charlotte) & Tamsin being very Carrie-ish! I really enjoyed it and that first chapter grabs you in - very good! I was personally gutted Adam and Tamsin didn't get together! I loved their relationship - I found myself smiling when they were discussing, but I knew Michelle would get him in the end. I also enjoyed the breaking the chapters up with Bea, it gave it another dimension and I loved how we found that she orders full fat milk in her coffee and Tamsin never finds out!
It was my ideal book, something light yet full of drama. I think sometimes you need a book to distract you and to be honest I'm glad I wasn't involved this book has made me want to check Jane's other books! 4.5/5 stars from me!

Firstly thank you to Mumsnet for sending me a copy of this book which I have just finished. I have read a couple of Jane Fallons novels before and I particularly enjoyed "Getting Rid of Matthew". In this new book Tamsin and her assistant Bea set up a "honey trap" with Bea as the "bait" to try and test whether Tamsins best friend is being cheated on by her husband Patrick. I wont divulge any more of the plot to avoid spoilers.
Whilst this is not the most original storyline, it did make a refreshing change from all the domestic psychological thrillers, missing children, gone girl rip offs which seem to be everywhere at the moment.
I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy to read which I appreciate at the end of a long day. Jane writes this in the first person narrative which really engaged me. It is also really funny in places and Tamsin has a very dry sense of humour which really connected with me.

This is the type of book that you can curl up with, glass of wine in hand and blanket over you. I look forward to Jane Fallon`s next book.

Thanks again.

Thank you for the book. However- I really struggled to finish it. The characters was all so superficial and seemed to lack depth, especially Michelle, who didn't seem to have much personality at all. I usually enjoy some good chick lit, but found the story line in this book a bit too trivial.

I've just finished the book. I can say that I enjoyed the story. It's a very easy read, perfect for the beach/or a rainy day- you can pick up & put down the book & not lose track. The story is nicely told & although chick lit the characters are likeable. I'd recommend this for easy reading... As we can't always be reading highly taxing stuff.

I finished reading the book by Jane Fallon, “Strictly between us” Tells the story of 2 people - Tamsin & Michelle - friends since they were teenagers. Michelle is married to Patrick and when Tamsin hears a rumour that Patrick is not faithful to Michelle, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She tries to honey-trap Patrick but all doesn't go to plan! A few twists on the way. Absolutely loved it and found it hard to put it down. :)

I'd never read any of her stuff before and now I want to read it all. At only 124 pages in I am hooked. Such a great conversational tone, it's as though it's a friend talkin, or even me. I need to know what happens and I know I am going to love the depth, but also the 'gossipy' feel to it. Instantly love the protagonist.

Now, how can I justify buying ms fallons back catalogue???

This is a really enjoyable read, having not read any of Jane Fallon's previous books I'm unable to compare it to these. The story drew me in and I loved the many twists and turns throughout the book as well as it being told from different perspectives. Definitely one to read.

Thank you for my copy!! I received it a week ago now and I confess I have been a little stop and start with it...but it seems an easy read so far and I will most definitely persevere and report back on my thoughts once I have finished it! I don't usually read this genre (if I am assuming correctly that it is chick - lit) so am delighted to try something different!

This is the first book written by Jane Fallon I have ever read and overall I did enjoy reading 'Strictly between us', however it was only after having read about a quarter of the book that I really got into it. In the beginning of the book I had to get used to the style of writing and I struggled to feel anything for Tamsin, the main character in the book. However bit by bit I got into the story and found it very amusing at times, especially the bit where Tamsin and her new found friend Adam try to find out who the mistress of Michelle's husband is. The ending of the book was a nice surprise and not quite as I thought the ending would be.
I won't be recommending this book to just anyone to read, only if I would be sure they would be into reading rom-com books.

I am struggling with this one at the moment to be honest. I am about a quarter of the way through but almost having to force myself to read it. That's never a good sign. The story is just not very exciting to me and it seems a bit trivial. I am not that interested in Michelle and Tamsin's friendship to be honest. I will persevere ....

Finished 'Strictly Between Us' this morning and really enjoyed it. It is the first book by Jane Fallon that I've read and I'm really impressed. The story was very good and I found myself picking the book up at every opportunity in order to find out what would happen next. Good size chapters made this possible and I like the way each chapter was written from a characters point of view. Will be checking out her other books. Would recommend

Thank you so much for this book! I have read and enjoyed some of Jane Fallon previous books and this one is no exception.
Strictly Between Us is a light contemporary read with romance but I also think it is about female friendship and working relationships.. I enjoyed the charectorisations.
It's well written and an easy read.

Good fun read so far. I'm keen for the story as it were to start, the scene is set and now I want to know what's going to happen. I'm at page 60. I don't have much time to read but I'm enjoying this as I can pick up where I left off easily.

I've finished reading the book, I did enjoy it. It was an enjoyable read and I'd look at other books by Jane Fallon now.

I'm about six chapters in and intrigued to see how the main character gets herself into and hopefully out of a very tricky situation. Jane Fallon's books are always enjoyable as the characters are relatable but with complex problems that are sometimes a bit too close to the mark.
Will definitely keep reading and highly recommend Jane if you haven't read her books before.

I ended up finishing this quickly and I did enjoy it. Upthread I described it as a channel 5 movie and I still feel a bit like that....

It was definitely an easy read and I could certainly describe it as a page-turner; I sat up in bed to an ungodly hour because I really wanted to finish it.

If books were food this would be a bag of Malteasers.

Thanks for the book but I struggled to finish it mainly I think because I couldnt relate to any of the characters. Tamsin has no idea what Bea really thinks about her and even her best friendship with Michelle is superficial. I found I didnt really care whether Michelle ever found out about her cheating husband. Sorry to disagree with previous posts but just not my sort of book

I got mine rather late but will start it tonight. I am looking forward to it. It sounds like an easy read and that is what I need right now.

Thank you for my free copy of Strictly Between Us.
I read it fairly quickly, in a few days. It's very easy to read, with short chapters, and a chatty first person narrative.
I do like a bit of chick lit sometimes as I find them an easy form of escapism. However, I really didn't like the style of this. I felt like the chatty narrative was constantly trying to be funny, to the point where I knew what she was going to say next - it would be an uninventative lame cheesy joke/view/cliche.
The story was completely unbelievable right from the start and then it just seemed to get more and more stupid. Despite that, the irony is that everything I thought would happen (being chick lit) didn't, so it wasn't predictable in that sense.
Overall it was a light easy read that had me turning the pages quickly, but I always like to finish a book and I think part of me was intrigued to see how things worked out in the end. However it was a disappointing finish, I would have liked to have seen it go in another direction. Unfortunately I don't think I will be reading any more of Jane Fallon's books anytime soon!