The Girlfriend

By Michelle Frances

A mother. A son. His girlfriend. And the lie they’ll wish had never been told.
 
Laura has it all. A successful career, a long marriage to a rich husband, and a twenty-three-year-old son, Daniel, who is kind, handsome, and talented. Then Daniel meets Cherry. Cherry is young, beautiful, and smart but hasn’t led Laura’s golden life. And she wants it.
 
When tragedy strikes, a decision is made and a lie is told. A lie so terrible it changes their lives forever…
 
The Girlfriend is a taut and wickedly twisted debut psychological thriller—a novel of subtle sabotage, retaliation, jealousy and fear, which pivots on an unforgivable lie, and examines the mother–son–daughter-in-law relationship in a chilling new light.
 
“One of the best books I’ve read in a long, long time.  I loved The Girlfriend!” 
—Lisa Jackson, New York Times bestselling author
 
“The Girlfriend is a taut psychological thriller, the evil chillingly drawn. Every character is layered and beautifully twisted.   Makes me consider running background checks on any potential spouses my children bring home!”
—Karen Rose, New York Times bestselling author
 
“A juicy thriller and utterly compulsive reading.”
—Jenny Blackhurst, author of How I Lost You
 
“An original and chilling portrayal of twisted relationships.” 
—Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of You

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jan 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781496712486

Michelle Frances

Michelle Frances has worked in television drama as a producer and script editor for fifteen years, both for the independent sector and the BBC. Sisters is her fourth novel, following The Daughter, The Temp and the number one bestseller The Girlfriend.

Reviews for The Girlfriend

[flourgirl49 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A young man about to become a doctor flanked on either side by an adoring, possessive mother and a calculating, jealous girlfriend who will do anything to keep her man - this is the premise of this well-written, suspenseful book. Although the ending was predictable, there were some twists and turns along the way, and it kept me glued to the pages to see how it was going to turn out. I would recommend it if you like this type of story.

[debkrenzer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow, apparently this is my week for books about liars. HA!! I just started this one and it looks as if everyone is living in their own pretend world and lying to everyone. Well . . .This is the first time that this has ever happened to me ever in requesting books. I didn't get the whole book! The book just ended right when the girlfriend found out that her new boyfriend's mother was spying on her. And, yep, that doesn't work for Cherry. She's hiding too many things!I was so, so, sooooooooo into this book. I'm really sad I didn't get the whole thing on my download. :(Would definitely recommend it though. I was at location 1195 when it ended very abruptly. Loved it though!! Want more!! HA!!!Thanks to Kensington Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[lorikboyd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Laura is very close with her son, Daniel, especially since she’s in a loveless marriage. Daniel starts dating Cherry, and here things take a twisted turn. Laura and Cherry would love to have a close relationship, but insecurities flare up and this thriller starts. How far would you go to keep what you have or get what you want. This book will keep you up late at night till it comes crashing to an end.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

[sassybrit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do pop by and visit me here! I'm always up for a chat!

This review is from: The Girlfriend (Paperback)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Programme.

I am reviewing the book, The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances. Here are my thoughts:

^^ What if your life is not so great and the closest thing you treasure is your son, but there's something about his new girlfriend that doesn't quit e sit well with you? Would you get territorial?

^^ You're also quite a wealthy family. You've worked hard to get where you are, so you can't help being a bit picky, right? You've got a lot to lose.

^^ If there came a moment where one little lie could completely drive the awful girlfriend away, along with all your concerns, would you take it? Perhaps if you knew you could get away with it? After all, no one is getting hurt. After a quick decision, this is just what the mother does. She tells a little white lie. Or so she thinks. What might be a little white lie to her, might not be to someone else, and as in any good psychological thriller you just know there's going to be repercussions for what she's done. Has she just tackled the wrong girl?

^^ This was yet another super, fast, crazy-girl read for me. And I mean that in a good, cannot-put-down-until-I've-finished it way. Seriously. I feel like I've been really lucky with so many good books lately. This is up there with the best of them. To be honest, there was a moment where I couldn't decide which woman, the mother or the girlfriend, was going to turn out the craziest. Yes, the mother had a "wave of terror" doing what she felt she must, but I also think it was quite spiteful. Had it been real life, and I was the girlfriend, (a nice one though lol) I'd be pretty peeved, too.

^^ I found the writing style of Michelle Frances to be very good. Driven by their own needs, the characters were compelling, complicated and crafty.

^^ The plot was kind of so simple, yet realistic, it worked. It was like I'd run out of time if I didn't finish it in one sitting. I still find it hard to believe The Girlfriend is her first novel.

Overall: May this be a warning to all mums out there who are overly protective of their sons, don't overstep the boundaries, or do anything silly, because you might not get away with it... (laughs). Fantastic, fast read, that b rings to light - what could be - a very realistic situation gone terribly wrong. Just one mistake is all it takes. Oh, I know, I'm starting to sound quite mad myself, but it's the book, honestly, it's really got to me. As a mum of a boy, I can relate to a lot of this, in a "what if" kind of way. Brilliant!

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A page turner of a read for sure, and found myself rooting first for the mother and then for the girlfriend, as the story unfolded. The author kept pulling on my heart strings as I felt empathy for a Mom as her son is grown, and her marriage is collapsing, and now maybe she will find a friend in her son’s new love.Then we have the girlfriend, and you find her a very smart girl that born into a different family would have achieved a lot, but she is poor, and not happy about it. Of course, there are other ways to achieve what she wants, but then Daniel becomes her obsession.I really didn’t see the ending that happened, but this was quite the ride, and pitted against each other the mother and the girlfriend were quite the pair.A book that is going to keep you up late reading to find the answers, and when you do, surprises abound.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

[jlslipak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The addictive Number One bestselling thriller, perfect for fans of Into the Water.A girl. A boy. His mother. And the lie she’ll wish she’d never told.The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances is a gripping and chilling debut psychological thriller, based on the fall-out following an unforgivable lie. It looks at the potentially charged relationship between girlfriend, boyfriend and his mother, which most women can identify with, and locates it in an extreme but believable setting.Laura has it all. A successful career, a long marriage to a rich husband, and a twenty-three year-old son, Daniel, who is kind, handsome, and talented. Then Daniel meets Cherry. Cherry is young, beautiful and smart but she hasn’t had the same opportunities as Daniel. And she wants Laura’s life.Cherry comes to the family wide-eyed and wants to be welcomed with open arms, but Laura suspects she’s not all that she seems.When tragedy strikes, an unforgivable lie is told. It is an act of desperation, but the fall-out will change their lives forever.Michelle FrancesMichelle Frances graduated from Bournemouth Film School in 1996 and then from the Masters program at the American Film Institute, Los Angeles, in 1998. Returning to London, she has worked for several years in film and TV as a script editor and producer for both the independent sector and the BBC.The Girlfriend is her first novel.MY THOUGHTS:Okay, I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.As a debut novel, I felt this book was well done. Vibes from the movie “Monster-In-Law” came into play for me while reading this book. Although it’s suppose to be a Suspense Fiction, I really felt it was more to do with family drama involving one majorly dysfunctional rich family. A slow burn up until about halfway and then an explosive shove occurs to race to an unforgettable end.The character development was awesome despite the slow moving transitions from one plot event to another. There were a few predictable plot twists (and a few unpredictable), ending with very predictable turns. The saving grace for all the plot issues was the author’s incredible voice. Her writing style was smooth and unexpected for a debut author.Laura comes across as very strong, yet desperate. She seems to have a lot to deal with. Her obsession, although unhealthy, is understandable considering the idiot of a husband she has. His affair and treatment of her would put anyone in therapy for years because of the emotional abuse she endures. I do and don’t understand why she chooses to stay, but this relationship breakdown with her husband absolutely explains her obsession with her son. That, and the fact that she lost one child before Daniel and feels partly to blame for this death, her desire to hold tightly to her only remaining child is understandable. The woman needs serious therapy. Perhaps, Michelle Frances can write it up in the sequel, “The Analysis of Laura.” lol ok, maybe not.The manipulation of Daniel was pitiful. It was written well, but was so sad to watch it unfold, and all I could think of, was how dense he was, or, how naive and shame on the women for treating him so horribly.So, I was obviously invested in this story, being pulled in to the cat fight and emotional tug-of-war Daniel faced.Cherry was a typical money grubber, out to find herself a rich husband. I didn’t like her, or her character as it grew. She was fake, selfish, self-centered oh, I should just say a narcissistic sociopath. I’d protect my family from that too.Laura and Cherry’s interactions were excellently written. I hated it all. lol I found myself enjoying the story even if it did strike me a time or two as being something that Danielle Steele would write.As a character driven book reader, finding myself hating both the Protagonist and the Antagonist was quite unexpected, interesting and enjoyable, not to mention something I rarely read. It was interesting to find that I could still like a story despite hating the main characters which surely points to the writing prowess of the author? Kudos for such an accomplishment.If you like insane roller coaster rides, then I highly recommend this book.

[jfe16 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Review of Advance Reader’s EditionLaura Cavendish, who enjoys a close relationship with her son, Daniel, is looking forward to meeting his new girlfriend. However, something unsettles her about Cherry Laine but Daniel rebuffs her attempts to discuss it with him.Cherry’s possessiveness and her little lies trouble Laura but a tragedy and the telling of an unforgivable lie bring unexpected, life-changing consequences for everyone.Taut, compelling, and filled with unexpected twists, this narrative explores chilling evil with complex, layered, twisted characters. The mounting tension and building suspense lead to a final unexpected reveal; readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page.Highly recommended.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow - what an intense psychological page turner. Once I started, I couldn't put it down because I just had to know how it would end. It's so well written that it's difficult to believe that this is a debut novel - I can't wait to see what this author writes next.This is kind of a love triangle. Daniel and his mother, a TV executive, have always been close. Even though Laura is married, her husband is too involved with his job and his mistress to pay much attention to her or to their son. Daniel is 23 and starting medical school when he meets THE ONE. Cherry works in a rental agency and when she meets Daniel does she see dollar signs or true love? She is very manipulative but continues to profess her love for Daniel. Laura sees Cherry for who she really is and Cherry goes all out to break the relationship between Daniel and his mom and make Daniel totally dependent on her. We have a mother with a too close relationship with her son and a girlfriend who wants him all to herself. It's a fantastic read to find out the answer to that question.I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thoughts’ Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

[teachlz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

MY REVIEW OF “THE GIRLFRIEND” BY MICHELLE FRANCESKudos to Michelle Frances, author of “The Girlfriend” for writing such an intense psychological thriller. What is the expression, ” A son is a son till he takes a wife, a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life?” Well, it’s happened. Your fabulously educated and wonderful son has found “her”. You know, the girl of his dreams , his future forever. Isn’t this supposed to be what you always wanted for your son to be happy? But, what if “her” is just not the right girl for him?Michelle Frances describes her characters as complicated, complex and some are dysfunctional to say the least. Laura has the perfect son, Daniel who is becoming a physician. Since Laura has a dysfunctional and lonely marriage, Laura also loves the opportunity to be part of her son’s life, in an obsessive way. Daniel is a loving son, a giving person and has met the girl of his dreams, Cherry. Unfortunately, Cherry is a nightmare to Laura, and with good reason. Cherry is extremely ambitious, not necessarily in her real estate position, but her goals in life. Cherry wants more, than she had as a child growing up in a lower economic area. As a matter of fact Cherry wants it all, at any cost.Who said that ” All is fair in love and war?” This story reminds me of “War of the Roses” only between an obsessed mother and an unstable girlfriend.I would highly recommend this captivating and intriguing story for readers that love a great psychological thriller with twists and turns and suspense. I received an Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review. Oh, WARNING: This is a very hard book to put down when you have started it!! Happy Reading!

[cburnett5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Girlfriend is a wild and somewhat predictable ride, but it certainly held my attention. The story is entertaining but unfolded a little differently than I was expecting, partly I think because I was expecting an unreliable narrator type tale when instead it is more suspense and family drama. I didn’t love any of the characters, but I think that is frequently the case in these type of stories because they do things I would never dream of doing, and that is what makes the book enjoyable. My biggest takeaway from the story is that when my son is older I am going to carefully vet anyone he dates! I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thoughts’ Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances is a domestic mystery about a mother who is suspicious about her son's new girlfriend's motives for dating him.

Laura Cavendish is very devoted to her adult son, Daniel. They are rather close (hmm, maybe too close?) and she is delighted he is now moving on to the hospital portion of his medical training since he will be living close by. Almost immediately, Daniel meets Cherry Laine, an estate agent in training, and Laura is rather nonplussed to discover her son is quite enthralled by the young woman. Hoping to form a fast friendship with her son's new girlfriend, Laura is unsettled by how quickly Cherry ingratiates herself into their lives. Her misgivings fall on deaf ears and Laura's relationship with Daniel takes a backseat to his fast moving romance. When Daniel is gravely injured in an accident, Laura makes an impetuous decision that comes back to haunt her in a rather dramatic and downright scary manner.

Laura is an overly involved mother  whose marriage has been on the rocks for several years. Like any mom, she wants the best for her only child and she is not at all eager to share Daniel's attention with a girlfriend. In her favor, Laura does want a friendly relationship with Cherry but the young woman rubs her the wrong way almost right from the start. In the con column, Laura seems to go out of her way to try to find damning information that will prove her negative feelings about Cherry are correct. While Laura's doubts and concerns about Cherry might be well founded,  her motherly concern quickly crosses a line that she cannot recover from.

Cherry is an opportunistic gold digger who wants a wealthy man to help her escape from her very humble beginnings. In spite of her attempts to move up the social ladder, she feels inadequate and uncomfortable when she meets Daniel's friends and family.  Cherry is manipulative, sly and quite willing to lie to get what she wants out of life.  Easily picking up on Laura's animus, Cherry begins a game of one-upmanship to cement her position as Daniel's girlfriend that eventually has tragic consequences.

The Girlfriend is a clever mystery that has a unique storyline. Daniel is a fabulous character who is a little naive when it comes to his new girlfriend. Laura is initially likable but quickly turns into an unsympathetic  character whose devotion to her son is somewhat unhealthy. Cherry come across as a money grubbing social climber who is willing to do ANYTHING to escape her working class background. The story moves in fits and starts and becomes a little repetitive as Laura and Cherry go to extreme lengths as they compete for Daniel's attention. The novel comes to a rather exciting conclusion that ends with a shocking revelation.  All in all, an enjoyable, suspenseful debut from  Michelle Frances.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Laura Cavendish is in a loveless marriage, but has a wonderful, loving relationship with her son, Daniel. Daniel is now a doctor-in-training, and has decided to move out. When looking for a new flat, he meets Cherry and is instantly smitten with her. Laura and Cherry meet, but something is amiss in their relationship. As the relationship between Cherry and Daniel becomes stronger, Laura is convinced that all is not as it seems.
As Laura discovers, there is something much deeper than is obvious at first. When Laura confronts Cherry, the lines are drawn.
Once I got into the book, the writing caused the story to move very quickly.
This is a well written psychological thriller, all the way to the last lines of the book.
#TheGirlfriend #MichelleFrances