Just Between Us: A Novel by Rebecca Drake

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Alison, Julie, Sarah, and 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 Heather'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.

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. 

my thoughts:

I absolutely love books about friendships, because they are always chock full of drama, secrets, and betrayal. So, I just knew that I was in for a treat when I received a copy of Rebecca Drake's latest book, Just Between Us.  A story about four friends keeping a secret that you just know is going to tear them apart - who could resist that?!

Alison, Sarah, Julie, and Heather are BFFs - or as close to besties as one can get in a foursome.  The group love to meet up for coffee after dropping off their kids at school - its their time to catch up, gossip, and vent with one another about work, spouses, and life in general.  One day, Alison notices a bruise on Heather and is quick to believe that her friend is getting abused by her husband.  However, Julie and Sarah think that Alison is jumping to conclusions and tell her to drop it.  Of course, another bruise appears and soon Julie and Sarah are beginning to pay attention to Heather's behavior and relationship with her husband.  The three friends decide to confront Heather and offer their help to her.  Heather denies anything is happening at first, but she eventually confides that her husband is beating her.  She tells her friends that she refuses to leave her marriage and begs them to keep her secret.  The trio are confused, angry, shocked, and stressed out over this news.  They want to help, but it seems their friend doesn't want any help.  And then, one night, Alison gets a phone call that will change all of their lives forever more.  Ack!!! Yep, turns out that someone has been shot in self defense and Heather will be needing her friends' help after all. Talk about testing the boundaries of friendship!

As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed that will shock and devastate friendships.  The past refuses to stay hidden.  Marriages are tested.  People are never who they seem to be.  And sometimes pretending a bruise is just a bruise is probably a good idea.  Just Between Us is a delicious read that will keep you turning pages til the wee hours of the morning. I absolutely LOVED getting to know these women and their stories.  I loved the twists and turns within their friendships that made for drama, drama, drama.  And I loved finding out the truth about Heather and her husband.  This is one book that I will happily recommend to fans of Rebecca Drake and to anyone looking for their next great read!!



Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!