Find out what Mumsnetters thought of psychological thriller The Girlfriend

Sincere thanks for the email today informing me that I have won a £100 LoveToShop voucher for my feedback. That is fantastic news!!!

Just realised that this was initially announced via the post above (Thu 17-Aug-17 09:34:49). Many apologies, I completely missed that. Really glad you sent an email reminder today, which I've responded to with my contact details.

I too think it would make a great tv drama, I think it would be easier to connect with the characters in that sense.

Thanks for the book mumsnet. Finally got around to reading it.

As others have mentioned I felt like I couldn't connect with any of the characters - it felt a bit like they were just odd parts in Laura and Cherrys story, there wasn't enough depth to them.
I felt like Cherry was maybe a bit too out there and it felt unrealistic at times.
It felt a bit like the events in between each incident were just a blur.
It was an easy read though and one I would recommend as a holiday book, easy to put down and pick back up again and a good twist towards the end

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read just right for a holiday read. There were lots of twists and turns and had no idea who was involved and how! i suspected one person and changed my mind - i shouldn't have!!

Thanks Mumsnet and Thin Blue Spine!

I read it independently of mumsnet.
It is a well paced and entertaining read but lacked nuance - I read 'the party' before this and they both used the same cliches of the rich, which felt quite clunky.
I felt like I had read the poor imposter/old money thing a lot before and nothing new was added. e.g. Child ashamed of mum because she has an accent and works in Tesco.
I also felt that cherry wouldn't have been on the rich med school students radar so it was a very unlikely coupling.
Having said that it was so easy to read it was a pleasure and it had a couple of unexpected twists which made it gripping.

Thanks so much for sending me the copy. I really enjoyed it.

Here is the link to the review:

onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/the-girlfriend-michelle-frances.html

Just finished this today.

I'm mixed about it to be honest.

It was an easy enough read and the story moved at a reasonable pace but I really didn't like the two main characters particularly or actually any of the characters that much so I had no one to attach to so I could stay engaged and care about throughout the story!

I can't say it was a bad book and I would recommend it to friends who wanted a holiday read I think as the story itself was good but I don't think it's a book that at the end I'd go online and research the author and get all the other books they have written or wait excitedly for their newest to come out like I do with some of my favourite authors (mo hayder for example)

As someone else upthread said and I wholeheartedly agree it would make one hell of a to adaptation, maybe we could get Laura to knock up a meeting with itv

I have literally just finish this, thank you Mumsnet for letting me review this!
I must admit when I read the prologue I was thinking oh this is not going to be as enjoyable as I first thought but I was so wrong. I don't want to give anything away but it really is a page turner. It had plenty of plot twists and kept you guessing throughout, I must admit I did feel it was a bit predictable in places but did not make me feel that the book was not worth reading.
I think the thing for me about it, is that I can see me being that type of mother, one that will protect their child (I would not do the acts that she did but you know what I mean). It had a rather mundane ending however I think that it was a worthwhile read and I would recommend it definitely.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and id put it in the pile of good holiday reads. It has a good story, interesting characters and yet its an easy read. I love the play off's between mum and girlfriend, ive felt some of that frisson before! You do change your mind about who is right and who is wrong throughout the book which adds to the interest and keeps you wanting to read on.
All in all a really enjoyable interesting and easy read that will get me looking for Michelle Frances on the book shop shelves. Thanks mumsnet!

Thanks Mumsnet and the publisher for my copy.

It took me a while to get drawn into this book - like some other reviewers, I found the stereotypical characters irritating at first. I could see them working in a TV drama (I believe the author has a TV background) but they needed a bit more subtlety to give them life on the page from the off.

Gradually the characters developed and I began to get interested in the plot, and liked the way the author made my sympathies move from Laura to Cherry, until they both committed terrible acts and I was just keen to see how it would all end. Overall I didn't find it particularly tense or chilling, but it was definitely an entertaining read, perfect for the beach, and well worth persisting with.

Thanks for the freebie! Not the best book I've ever read tbh.
I didn't like any of the characters, Laura was so smothering towards her son - it made me uncomfortable! Cherry with her brain could do so much more than be a kept woman as she wants to be. And Daniel just comes across a bit wet!
The ending was a bjt of a twist but something had to give tbh.
I never really understood what Laura had against Cherry in the first place, it could've all been so different for them all!

Just finished my free book, first read of my holiday. It was definitely a page turner, some stereotypes that irked me a bit and I thought were unnecessary, and some of the characters could have been developed a lot more, but overall a good, easy read. I didn't work out which way it was going to end until it was nearly upon me, that's always a plus point for me.

Thank you Mumsnet for my copy of this book. I haven't quite managed to finish it but wanted to give you my initial thoughts so you didn't think I had forgotten.

The book is a very easy read but the main difficulty that I am having at the moment is that I don't like either of the main characters, Laura and Cherry. Laura whilst clearly trapped in an unhappy marriage is more than a bit over the top towards her son (although admittedly in that respect she does remind me of my MIL who never forgave me for stealing her son away). Cherry's actions appear motivated solely by envy and her attitude towards her mother leaves a lot to be desired. I also can't believe that Daniel would grow up to be so well balanced with a mother like Laura.

I'm not certain whether I like the book or not, but I certainly want to get to the end to see how it plays out.

@SorchaMumsnet Thank you - didn't want you thinking I'd taken the book and ran!

The leak was caused by the renovations next door which set up the ending. The foxes on the other hand, did they symbolise the need for survival or how they can be perceived differently by others? Or did they just add suspense?

Thanks for my copy - it's still on my TBR pile I'm afraid. Arrived the day my Uncle died so I've not started it yet - not really in the mood at present. I will be reviewing on Goodreads, Amazon and my own website when I have the chance.

4/5 from me. I thought it was a decent storyline, even if not exactly a new one, and an easy read as well. Perfect for accompanying you on holiday as you don't need to think about it too much. While predictable in places, I still found myself unable to put it down. The author does a great job of describing characters and sets the scenes well, and you do find yourself thinking it could really happen. It was fast paced, and keeps you hooked. Overally really enjoyed reading "The Girlfriend" and looking forward to more from Michelle Frances in the future

Thoroughly enjoyable. The use of description really sets the scene, making the settings realistic. In each chapter I found myself drawn to different characters, constantly changing my mind who I sympathised with. The mothers are so different but ultimately love their children. Cherry's behaviour towards her mother is heartbreaking. I can't decide if I would behave like Daniel's mother or is she too protective? One moment I think Cherry is awful, but then feel sorry for her.
The book is quite open, by that I mean no sudden plot changes or surprises. It's a steady thriller; an interesting read to look at the behaviour of individuals and makes you think what would I do if I was that character.

I thought that The Girlfriend was an excellent read. Towards the end I didn't want to put it down. As people have said before it was a very easy read and doesn't require too much thinking. I thought it was something that could actually happen and I could definately see it as a TV drama. I so glad I got the opportunity to read this book as it's a genre I wouldn't normally read. I will look forward to reading more Michelle Frances Novels.

I'm really surprised people liked it! I thought it was really awful. The characters were one-dimensional. I bought my own copy.

Was anyone else wondering what the leak had to do with anything? I was sure the house was going to fall down as a result! It was as though the author just forgot about it at the end.

Only just finished reading it and yes I did enjoy it. I don't want to give anything away in case people haven't read it yet but it was a page turner. Not too heavy so didn't keep me awake but certainly a very enjoyable holiday read. I haven't read anything by Michelle Frances before so will certainly look out for her in the future. Many thanks for the free copy I have passed it on to a friend so she can read it also.

I have just finished reading it and really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. My opinions of Laura and Cherry kept changing and it really gave me something to think about as I have two sons! The book was well written and there were plenty of twists and turns which kept me interested. I would certainly recommend this book and agree with the other posters that it would be good made into a TV serial

I'm not going to read the thread as I don't want any spoilers, I haven't started yet as I was finishing another book first but very much looking forward to starting this one.
I also completely forgot I applied and was a bit perplexed when I received it as there was no note/any stamp clue on the envelope, but a lovely surprise nonetheless