Published: November 23, 2021

Black Cat Ink Press

I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

J.S. Ellis is a thriller author. She lives in Malta with her husband and their furbaby, Eloise. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s either cooking, eating cheese and chocolate, or listening to good music and enjoying a glass of wine or two.

“Why does time have to rob us of everything?”

Jason is a hairstylist who takes pride in his work, himself, and his ability to be a faithful and loyal friend. When a beautiful woman comes in for her appointment, and they hit it off, Jason knows they will be fast friends. As they get closer, Jason discovers Zöe is having an affair. And this secret threatens to destroy everything.

This is a very voyeuristic story, and I found that perspective quite interesting. His characters were all pretty vain, in different ways, and their secrets were bound to catch up to them eventually.

Jason appeared to be quite normal on the surface. A hard worker, loyal friend, and trustworthy confidant. But Jason also tends to jump in headfirst and doesn’t seem to possess the ability to understand boundaries.

Zöe is quite a complicated character. She wants it all and is willing to do the work to get it. Having a beautiful home and a heaping pile of debt has made her realize maybe she isn’t as happy and in love as she initially thought.

I enjoyed the cat and mouse portrayal throughout this book. I also enjoyed the theme that things aren’t always what they seem and that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

When does obsession become dangerous? What does being a good friend entail? The plot thickens with this unique thriller.