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Find out what Mumsnetters thought of psychological thriller The Girlfriend

58 replies

UrsulaMumsnet · 21/06/2017 12:12

Looking for your next thriller? Our final book in the Thin Blue Spine Writing Blog's Crime & Thriller book club is for you.

Laura has it all – a successful career, marriage to a rich husband, and 23-year-old son, Daniel, who is handsome and talented.Then Daniel meets Cherry, who is young and beautiful, and wants what Laura has...

We can’t choose our children’s partners. We can only hope to like them…

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. Everyone who gives detailed feedback about The Girlfriend by midday, Wednesday 16 August will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher:

Buy the book on Amazon

This giveaway is sponsored by Thin Blue Spine

Book giveaway T&Cs apply

Find out what Mumsnetters thought of psychological thriller The Girlfriend
OP posts:
Rae1000 · 08/08/2017 19:48

I have been desperate to read this book after reading a review in it in a magazine. Psychological thrillers are just my cup of tea in terms of a good read & also a good film. I put it on my list of books that I write that I look out for to buy or borrow from the library.

Received the copy & was absolutely thrilled. Love the cover. Love that it is a girlfriend & a Mother In Law issues (especially having had my own over the years).

I am afraid to say that I would only describe it as ok. It definately didn't grip me. Cherry the average poor girl meets rich guy...is she genuine...is she not. Is the Mother protecting her son or protecting herself?

I found the ending ok better than a lot of the rest but I do feel like I have "seen" this book already on a Channel 5 type afternoon movie!

Disppointed really. I am so sorry!

nwstokes · 08/08/2017 21:16

One of the best books I have recently read, quite plausible and clearly could being on tv or on film. The characters were well defined without always be able to pre-guess their next move.

rachelmccraith · 09/08/2017 14:31

More detailed feedback to come as I've only just started reading. Great first couple of chapters, I can already tell this book is my cup of tea! The author has set the scenes well, I'm able to picture the settings and characters well already. Looking forward to seeing what happens, so a full review to come at the end

MERICA · 09/08/2017 14:36

only just started reading, bit of a page turner so far, fairly easy to read im taking the rest of it on holiday with me.

ptak5566 · 09/08/2017 16:29

Thank you for my copy ... not my usual genre of book but thoroughly enjoyed reading it. With many twists and turns a long the way, I was totally enthralled. I went from feeling sorry for Laura (the mum) to Cherry (the girlfriend) and back again. Was tense and left me wondering how it would end!! Will certainly be reading more now! Thanks

AlwaysOldBeforeMyTime · 09/08/2017 17:17

Thanks for my copy! Was a good holiday read.

I did enjoy the book, and found it interesting to see how things can spiral so quickly out of hand from one small action. I thought some of Laura's actions were understandable to begin with but liked how that changed.

I did find the book a bit slow in parts but overall enjoyed it and would recommend to friends/family.

blue25 · 09/08/2017 17:17

Just read this while on holiday in (rainy) Devon. Read in two days. I really enjoyed the story, it kept me interested throughout. The characters weren't really very likeable though and some aspects seemed unrealistic. I couldn't quite believe any man would be so oblivious to everything going on. Enjoyed the end though. A good holiday read.

Dennis21 · 09/08/2017 18:12

I am two thirds of the way through the book and I am gripped. I am the mother of a son and I can relate to Laura. I took a dislike to Cherry and her deviousness. I am looking forward to seeing how the book ends.

Roundandroundtheapartment · 09/08/2017 18:39

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 Smile

cather · 09/08/2017 20:47

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

nokkie · 10/08/2017 10:30

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.

ImperialBlether · 10/08/2017 10:34

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.

EmmaNiggles · 10/08/2017 21:53

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.

MelLT · 12/08/2017 07:30

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.

rachelmccraith · 13/08/2017 21:37

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

TheQuietGeordie · 13/08/2017 22:11

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.

MNHQ
SorchaMumsnet · 14/08/2017 11:08

@TheQuietGeordie - sorry to hear about your uncle. Thanks for letting us know, we hope you enjoy it when you have a chance and looking forward to hearing what you think Flowers

Theimpossiblegirl · 14/08/2017 12:49

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?

TheQuietGeordie · 14/08/2017 13:50

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

CordeliaScott · 15/08/2017 13:55

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.

chasingmytail4 · 15/08/2017 18:13

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.

Tigerlily13 · 15/08/2017 19:03

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!

MerryPam · 15/08/2017 20:43

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.

lottietiger · 16/08/2017 11:03

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!

danson16 · 16/08/2017 11:44

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.

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