The Best of Friends

​This is my second book by Lucinda Berry and another 5 star read for me. I'm realizing that I just really enjoy her writing style and this book did not disappoint with the fast paced, well-developed and thought provoking story. This book shattered my heart; delving into the raw emotions of motherhood and friendships while navigating through unimaginable loss. An unthinkable tragedy comes crashing down on lifetime friends; Lindsey, Kendra and Dani who go through hell and back apart and together when a tragedy involving their children changes all their lives forever. All the characters in this book are flawed in their own way but likeable at the same time, getting attached to each character for different reasons. This story had me hooked until the end and I can't wait to read another book by this author.

5 stars yes yes yes!!!! i love this author and this book is no exception. absolutely amazing read i flew through it

Predictable but not too predictable

4 ⭐️ What a captivating read! I read this in less than 24 hours and it was so easy to fly through. If you’re in the mood for a quick, engrossing read, I would highly suggest picking this one up! Even though it wasn’t the most suspenseful thriller I’ve ever read, I felt myself itching to pick it back up and the writing had such an easygoing flow to it, I couldn’t put it down. It was also more emotional than what I excited from it, which is always a plus for me. I will definitely be reading more Lucinda Berry very soon!

**Spoilers** This is my first Berry novel, and you can bet I'll be reading more of her! This book was hard. Not at all because of the story or the writing, but because of EVERYTHING that was happening. I cried near the end! I'm not a crier. I also don't really like kids all that much, so when I read things from a Mother's perspective it doesn't typically cause an emotional response in me . But this book...oh, this book builds up all these characters, gets you invested in them not only as child/parent/spouse, but also as their own individual person, and then rips your heart out. I think that's what I loved most about this book - is how we got to see each person in multiple capacities in relation to other characters in the book. It really brought a fullness to each that made them seem like real people I knew. I have to admit that while Dani, Kendra, and Lindsey are adults at the time of this story, their story line transported me back to the evilness of girls in middle school and high school. I think it was the duplexity of the 2 stories: 3 adult women who grew up together as best friends + their 3 sons who are also best friends and currently in high school. It blurred lines and drew parallels between what IS and what WAS. The main story of what happened between the 3 boys did keep me guessing until the end. There were so many possibilities that I didn't feel totally: "I knew it!" when the situation was revealed. I did, however, completely call what happened with Andrew and...you'll have to read to see if you can guess it yourself ;)