Book: We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda
Reviewed by Michele (spicysithreads)
Rating: 3.5/5
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the free copy. All opinions are my own.
I really wanted to love this book. I was in a sorority in college, so this was right up my alley. I did like it, I just didn't love it. I didn't really connect with the characters; I didn't feel any depth in any of them. It needed more character development in my opinion.
The sorority sisters of Theta Gamma Mu have been summoned to the luxurious Palm Springs vacation home of their former president to celebrate the engagement of her son to the daughter of one of their own. What should have been a glittering reunion quickly takes on a darker edge: the refurbished 1920s estate is eerily reminiscent of the hotel where tragedy struck during Spring Break twenty‑five years ago, a place they’ve all tried—and failed—to forget. As the desert heat settles in and the champagne starts to flow, long‑simmering tensions, old betrayals, and shocking secrets begin bubbling to the surface like bodies. Because while the weekend was supposed to be about celebrating the future, the past has a way of clawing itself free, and some things refuse to stay buried.
The story is entertaining and there are lots of secrets revealed and a lot of drama. The women are typical mean girls, and not at all what I experienced in my sorority. The story is told in small, short chapters and in several points of view - I loved this aspect.
I did learn a new word from this book - haboob. A haboob is an intense dust storm. The haboob did add quite a bit to the story and caused a wildfire, so that added some drama.
The ending was kind of flat for me, and some things were still left unanswered. Maybe a Book 2?
This was a 3.5-star read for me at best - I rounded up to 4, but it's generous.
3.5 / 5 stars
2 / 5 spice