Never Say Never by Joshilyn Jackson
Book Blurb:
Amy Whey is proud of her ordinary life and the simple pleasures that come with it—teaching diving lessons, baking cookies for new neighbors, helping her best friend, Charlotte, run their local book club. Her greatest joy is her family: her devoted professor husband, her spirited fifteen-year-old stepdaughter, her adorable infant son. And, of course, the steadfast and supportive Charlotte. But Amy’s sweet, uncomplicated life begins to unravel when the mysterious and alluring Angelica Roux arrives on her doorstep one book club night.
Roux beguiles the group with her feral charm. She keeps the wine flowing and lures them into a game of spilling secrets. Everyone thinks it’s naughty, harmless fun. Only Amy knows better. Something wicked has come her way—a she-devil in a pricey red sports car who seems to know the terrible truth about who she is and what she once did. To protect herself and her family and save the life she’s built, Amy must beat the devil at her own clever game, matching wits with Roux in an escalating war of hidden pasts and unearthed secrets.
My Review: 3.5 stars
Never Have I Ever was a great mystery and suspense book which is not the usual genre for Joshilyn Jackson. I was really excited to dig into this one as I really enjoyed her last book, Almost Sisters. The author narrates her own audio books, which are done amazingly well. Lucky for me, I was able to read the physical book while simultaneously listening to the audio. This allowed me to understand these characters through different senses.
This book had many twists and turns. Some I saw coming and some completely blew me away. I enjoyed the twists that seemed realistic and of course cringed with the few that seemed forced. The characters were well drawn and riddled with secrets, lies and drama. I think it was the group of neighborhood women that I enjoyed the most and what they would do to keep their secrets buried made for a great plot. The backstory of scuba diving was a good choice for a book set in Florida. I knew nothing about scuba so I enjoyed learning more about it.
Joshilyn Jackson’s devoted fan base will be thrilled with her newest installment.
Quotes I liked:
No one walks around holding their ugliest sin in the palm of their hand, staring at it.”
