The Best of Friends

Lucinda Berry

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'The Best of Friends' by Lucinda Berry revolves around a tragic incident involving three teenage boys, leaving one dead, another in a coma, and the third too traumatized to speak. The story is narrated from the perspectives of the three mothers who are best friends, highlighting themes of friendships, secrets, loss, and the aftermath of the shocking turn of events. The plot unfolds through multi-perspective writing, revealing dark secrets and lies that challenge the friendship and raise questions about the characters' knowledge of their children.

The writing style of 'The Best of Friends' by Lucinda Berry is emotionally stirring, thought-provoking, and intense. seamlessly transitions between characters, keeping the plot moving with timely revelations. The author's background as a trauma psychologist brings depth to the narrative, tackling heavy issues like abuse, domestic violence, and gun violence. The story captures the readers' attention with its realistic portrayal of the characters' emotional turmoil and the complexity of their relationships, ultimately leaving them wondering about the truth behind the tragedy.

Characters:

The characters are portrayed as emotionally complex and relatable, each grappling with personal struggles, though some readers feel they lack full development.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is straightforward and emotional, marked by smooth transitions between the perspectives of the mothers, though some voices may lack distinctness.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows three families grappling with loss and secrets, stemming from a tragic incident involving their teenage sons, and questions the strength and truthfulness of their friendships.

Setting:

Set in a wealthy Southern California neighborhood, the environment highlights themes of community and hidden struggles.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slowly, building up the narrative with detailed backstories, but accelerates toward the end with impactful twists.

I slam the trash compactor shut and toss my plate in the sink. I’m too angry to eat. My phone rests on the granite countertop, where I left it after getting Dani’s text. The screen has long since gone...

Notes:

The story follows three best friends, Lindsey, Kendra, and Dani, in Southern California.

A tragic event occurs during a sleepover involving their teenage sons, leading to serious consequences.

One son dies, another is in a coma, and the third is traumatized and unable to speak.

The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the three women to explore their emotions and secrets.

The book is described as emotional, heartbreaking, and a reflection on motherhood and friendship under duress.

Secrets and personal issues among the families add tension to the story.

The author, Lucinda Berry, has a background as a trauma psychologist, adding depth to the characters' experiences.

The writing has been noted for its ability to evoke strong emotions, making it relatable to many readers.

Some readers found the character development lacking, leading to confusion among family members and their stories.

Overall, the book is a mix of women's fiction and suspense, focusing on the aftermath of a shocking incident.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include gun violence, trauma, grief, and themes surrounding mental health struggles and domestic issues.

From The Publisher:

An unthinkable tragedy forever changes a group of teens and turns family against family in this edge-of-your-seat thriller that begs to be read in one sitting.

Best friends Lindsey, Kendra, and Dani endure every parent's nightmare when a tragic accident befalls their teenage boys, leaving one dead, another in a coma, and a third too traumatized to speak.

Reeling from the worst night of their lives, the three mothers plunge into a desperate investigation of the bizarre incident. How could something so horrible happen in their wealthy Southern California suburb?

They soon discover that the accident was just the beginning, and troubling discoveries lead to chilling questions: Do they really know their children? Do they even know each other? As more secrets surface, a fog of doubt and suspicion threatens to poison their families, their friendships, and the whole community.

With the illusion of happiness and safety long gone, these women must now confront the hazards of heartbreak, the consequences of jealousy, and the dangers of living double lives.

Ratings (4)

Loved It (3)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (6)

1 comment(s)

Oddlydrawncristi

It Was OK

3 months

3.5

Predictable? Definitely. Needed more character development? Definitely. A good quick read? Yes.

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