Girls’ Night Out by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Girls’ Night Out by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke – 336 pages

ARC courtesy of Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Blurb:

For estranged friends Ashley, Natalie, and Lauren, it’s time to heal the old wounds between them. Where better to repair those severed ties than on a girls’ getaway to the beautiful paradise of Tulum, Mexico? But even after they’re reunited, no one is being completely honest about the past or the secrets they’re hiding. When Ashley disappears on their girls’ night out, Natalie and Lauren have to try to piece together their hazy memories to figure out what could have happened to her, while also reconciling their feelings of guilt over their last moments together. Was Ashley with the man she’d met only days before? Did she pack up and leave? Was she kidnapped? Or worse—could Natalie or Lauren have snapped under the weight of her own lies? As the clock ticks, hour by hour, Natalie and Lauren’s search rushes headlong into growing suspicion and dread. Maybe their secrets run deeper and more dangerous than one of them is willing—or too afraid—to admit.

My Review: 3 stars

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Girls’ Night Out is the second suspense/mystery novel by duo Lisa Fenton and Lisa Steinke. Years ago, before I reviewed every book, I read Your Perfect Life, one of their chick-lit, light, easy reads – and enjoyed it quite a bit. I think they work better in that genre as right now the thriller/suspense genre is a dime a dozen, and they all start to blend together. Now, a suspense book has to be a nail biter with believable yet shocking twists This book doesn’t stand up well to the competition but it does offer an engaging plot about three longtime friends.

The authors were able to create a palpable tension between the three women that most female readers could relate to. Three is always a crowd no matter what anyone says and at times, each one of woman felt left out. The mystery of where Ashley disappeared to didn’t frighten me as much as it should have as the character was developed as impulsive.

How each woman dealt with fear, marriage, parenthood, lies, trust and desire to reestablish their friendships is what kept the book moving.

After the details of Tulum, I’m so glad I’m not planning on going back to Mexico soon. The timeliness of this book, with so many stories of tourists dying and getting sick, works to their benefit. I hope move back to their roots with light reads about women and friendships.