Tuesday 30 April 2019

Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon Book Review

It's been a little while since my last book review, which was Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon back in March, which to me feels like ages ago! I had every intention of posting more before now but life kind of took over and I had quite a big break from reading, well for me anyway given how many books I'd read since the start of the year. The ones I'd picked up since Everything Everything had also all left me a little disappointed too and some I even gave up on halfway through which I hate doing so I was just a bit meh about it all. Because of that I thought I'd try another book from one of my new favourite authors Jane Fallon. I've loved the last two books I've read from her, Tell Me A Secret and Faking Friends so I picked up Strictly Between Us and I had high hopes for it.
Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon book at an angle on pink patterned background
'Rumours, secrets and lies. It's all in a day's work. Tamsin and her best friend Michelle have been inseparable since they were teenagers. Even now they spend all their time together, along with Patrick, Michelle's handsome husband. So when Tamsin hears a rumour that Patrick is having an affair, she is furious. Unwilling to ignore it, Tamsin plots a scheme to catch Patrick in the act, using her assistant Bea as live-bait. It should be fool proof. After all, Tamsin can trust Bea with anything. From her daily coffee order to fetching her dry-cleaning, writing reports and doing all the filing - Bea does everything with a smile on her face. Except Tamsin never considered Bea might have her own agenda. And if she does, then Tamsin really needs to watch her back.'

My review

From the beginning I felt so invested in this story, despite not knowing what to think of the main character Tamsin. As you can tell from the synopsis, Tamsin takes it upon herself to try and catch her best friend Michelle's husband cheating after hearing several rumours. Straight away the way she went about things was a bit dubious and I didn't really think it was going to end up helping Michelle in any way. She then ends up making a huge mistake herself, within the first few chapters, so it was hard to feel sympathy for when things got difficult later on. That being said, the hate I felt for Patrick was on another level! How either Michelle or Tamsin ever thought he was a good man, I honestly don't know. I was willing throughout the whole book for him to get his comeuppance. One thing Jane always seems to do so well is write unlikable characters.

Speaking of unlikable characters, Tamsin's assistant Bea also wasn't to be trusted and we get a better insight into why when the two person narrative starts in the second half of the book. I actually liked being able to see her point of view too just to give the book a bit of a different spin and see the whole situation between Tamsin, Michelle and Patrick from another perspective. I do think this is when the book really started to pick up the pace and that's when I was really starting to think 'it's getting interesting now.'

From there I then ended up finishing the book in a matter of hours as I was just hooked by it. I genuinely didn't know where it was going to end. Tamsin had got herself in such a mess trying to do the right thing, as had both Patrick and Bea for other reasons, and Michelle was still none the wiser to any of it. There was always a thought in my head though that she had to find out at some point so I was just constantly tense waiting for that. I genuinely couldn't see how there would be a happy ending (not that every book has one but I prefer it when they do!)

Following on from that, I have mixed feelings about how it was rounded up. As much as Tamsin probably didn't deserve to go on and live a happy life as if nothing had happened, her intentions were good so I was a little disappointed that her story seemed to be going one way then went another right at the very end. It also left a little mystery around it all for Michelle and I'm not sure if I was in her situation that's what I'd have wanted, it did feel a bit like Tamsin, Patrick and Bea all didn't quite get what they deserved. It just didn't feel completely finished.

Overall though, I did really enjoy the book. I went back and forth on every character, as I'm sure you can tell by this rambly review but I like that it made me question things and wonder myself what I would do in Tamsin's situation. Jane is just a brilliant writer and every time I read one of her books it always makes me want to read another.

I'd love to know if you've read Strictly Between Us or any other books from Jane Fallon?


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12 comments

Heather Nixon said...

Not for me but I love the cover x

www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk

Imogen's Typewriter. said...

I find the 'getting myself in a mess trying to fix things' style of books so stressful! Too much like my real life :')
Sounds like you had a blast reading it!
Imogen’s Typewriter. <3

AlishaValerie said...

I've never read this book or anything by the author for that matter, but it sounds like such a wonderful read! I've added it to my book wishlist, from reading your review I think it sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Thank you for sharing and making me aware of it. πŸŒΈπŸ’œ

With love, Alisha Valerie x | www.alishavalerie.com

jennyinneverland said...

I love the sound of this! I've read one of Jane Fallon's books before and loved it!

Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com

Sophie said...

I've been hearing so much about Jane Fallon this year. I think I'd enjoy this. I love when a book draws you in and you can't stop reading x

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

Joy Corkery said...

This is totally my kind of book

Tiffany Timms said...

The covers of Jane's books are always so eye catching xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Haha this was definitely a bit stressful at times, I just knew it wasn't going to end well for everyone! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

No problem Alisha! I hope you get to read it soon xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Her books have all impressed me so far! Can't wait to read more from her xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Me too Sophie, I'm not sure why I hadn't seen any of her books before xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Hope you get chance to read it Joy xx

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