JUST BETWEEN US BY REBECCA DRAKE

This book BLEW me away! It's fast paced, deliciously twisted, and deeply thrilling. I highly recommend Drake's latest novel. I can't wait for more! This is a must have on your TBR. 

Rating:★★★★ (4.5 stars)
​Release Date: January 9, 2018
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Series: None. Standalone. 
Pages: 353
Format: eBook. ARC. 

Four suburban mothers conspire to cover up a deadly crime in Just Between Us, a heart-stopping novel of suspense by Rebecca Drake.

Alison, Julie, Sarah, Heather. Four friends living the suburban ideal. Their jobs are steady, their kids are healthy. They’re as beautiful as their houses. But each of them has a dirty little secret, and hidden behind the veneer of their perfect lives is a crime and a mystery that will consume them all.

​Everything starts to unravel when Alison spots a nasty bruise on Heather’s wrist. She shares her suspicions with Julie and Sarah, compelling all three to investigate what 

​looks like an increasingly violent marriage. As mysterious injuries and erratic behavior mount, Heather can no longer deny the abuse, but she refuses to leave her husband. Desperate to save her, Alison and the others dread the phone call telling them that she’s been killed. But when that call finally comes, it’s not Heather who’s dead. In a moment they’ll come to regret, the women must decide what lengths they’ll go to in order to help a friend.
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Just Between Us is a thrilling glimpse into the underbelly of suburbia, where not all neighbors can be trusted, and even the closest friends keep dangerous secrets. You never really know what goes on in another person’s mind, or in their marriage.

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Read my Book Review

Release Date: January 9, 2017
Genre: Crime. Thriller. Suspense. 

It has been a LONG time since I have read anything by Rebecca Drake but that will be changing NOW. I was HOOKED on this book. It started off so strong that I couldn't even put it down until I was at least halfway through. This did ebb a little bit in the middle, but it picked right back up again towards the end where I devoured it. Just Between Us is such a GREAT book. It's thrilling, suspenseful, and filled with tension. I very much recommend it to fellow readers who love this genre. 

THE STORY 

This is a story about 4 friends. 4 friends who share a secret that they don't ever want to get out... 4 friends who are also mothers and wives.

What do you do when you begin to realize that one of your closest friends is suffering from abuse in her home? When she comes to the coffee shop and tries to hide the bruises on her wrist, neck, and abdomen? You try to get her to leave, right? You give her ways to escape- shelters, staying with family and friends, divorce. Well, what about killing him? 

“What had seemed like a good decision in the middle of the night looked like a horrible decision in the light of day, and I wished there were some magic morning-after do-over pill that could reverse everything” 

In a moment of pure panic, would you have pulled the trigger? Would you have been there for a friend who did and help her cover up the body? Well my friends, that is what these three ladies do. But they don't anticipate the repercussions of being watched on that night, or the scrutiny they will be under with the police. How far will the lies go? 

Alas, this is the essence of the story. 4 women, one murder, and a whole helluva lot of scary moments in between. Each of these women are hanging by a thread. They don't want to go to jail and they don't want to loose their families. But something doesn't feel right either. And the twists that come out of it? Will shock to the core!!

OVERALL FEELINGS FOR THE BOOK 

I really LOVED this book. I didn't want to put it down. Even more, it was so thrilling and had some VERY unexpected twists that I never imagined coming. I love when an author can both surprise and impress me at the same time and Rebecca Drake did this. If you looking for a book that has amazing twists and turns, you don't want to miss out on Just Between Us. 

WHAT I LIKED 

➜ The Plot: Everyone hopes when they pick up a new book that they are going to be completely drawn into the story. In many cases, this doesn't happen. However, this book DOES draw you in. It's got a fantastic plot that is pretty unique (especially when considering the twists and turns), and has the ability to keep readers engaged and interested. 

➜ The TWISTS: I keep mentioning the twists. Oh boy does it have TWISTS. This is my favorite because it SHOCKS me and makes me want to keep reading. I think many will enjoy these unexpected treats. 

➜ The characters: I enjoyed the characters very much. They weren't the easiest to connect with because there are 4 POV's to follow, but they are well written, interesting, and come off as realistic. Don't worry too much about following in the minds of 4 women though. It only takes a few chapters to be able to differentiate between the 4. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE STORY 

➜ The story started off REALLY strong but then ebbed a little in the middle. I felt like the author was adding too many details to the story that didn't need to be there. Thankfully, this didn't last too long though because once it took off again towards the 75% mark is was fast paced again. 

➜ This doesn't have anything to do with the actual story, but I don't connect with the cover as much as I would like. It's a story about 4 women so I would have expected the cover to convey this somehow rather than only having one on it. Also, the title art takes up so much space! That's a personal opinion though... Shouldn't affect anyone's views.

★★★★