Published: August 9, 2022

Berkley

Pages: 384

Genre: Psychological Thriller

KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Amanda Jayatissa runs corporate trainings on Communication Skills Development, and works tirelessly as the Chief Taste Tester at the cookie shop she co-owns when she isn’t recovering from a self-induced book hangover, Amanda. She grew up in Sri Lanka and has lived in the California bay area and British countryside before relocating back to her sunny island, where she lives with her husband and two Tasmanian-devil-reincarnate huskies.

“I guess this is who I am now.”

Amaya has been living half a life in LA, watching her old best friend soar to success back home. When Kaavindi suddenly announces she’s engaged and getting married in three weeks, Amaya is stunned. When Kaavindi announces who she is marrying, Amaya feels sick. When the emailed invitation arrives, Amaya knows it’s a sign that she has to take a trip back home, even if it’s the last flight she ever takes.

The build-up for this novel was extreme. This was very much like a roller coaster. Much of the book explains the past with dips into the present.

The character development in this book was incredible. You genuinely don’t know who to love and who to hate. Everyone is put on display, but it takes a moment of clarity to realize what you’re seeing.

I had no idea who did what until the reveal. When the drop came, I was free-falling through the revaluation, getting whiplash and having my breath sucked from my lungs.

I love when a novel draws me in so intensely and is so well constructed that I can’t figure out the ending. I did figure out part of the twist, but the ultimate reveal was stunning.

This was a beautifully written novel about life as a woman of color in a society where men and reputation dictate everything. I loved the undertones and the power shifts.

The dynamically strong lead characters were so flawed yet strong that you feel connected to them even when you learn their secrets. And oh boy- did everyone have secrets.

It’s true what they say; money can’t buy happiness. But it can buy silence.