Blog Tour: The Friendship List by Beth Miller

 

Kay is happy behind her wildest dreams. After her amicable divorce and a couple of years on her own she has fallen madly in love with handsome Murray and after a whirlwind she is getting married. The only fly in the ointment is that her best friend Rose hasn't turned up to her wedding. There is no explanation, no message saying she isn't coming, just her notable absence.

She is beyond shocked when Rose tells Kay that she doesn't want to have anything to do with her any more. After all, they have been through everything together from raising their kids, escaping bad marriages, losing their friend Bear (who also happens to be Murray's ex-wife) and so much more.

All Kay can do is move on, sharing her lovely cottage in North Wales with Murray, and building their new life together. 

But that doesn't stop her from wondering what happened. The only thing that Kay can think of is that she has been a bad friend. After all, she has been very caught up in her own world for some time. To be fair she has had a lot going on in her world. In addition to getting married, she is also finishing up her photography degree, thirty years after she originally started it. 

Kay has struggled with coming up with a theme for her final exhibition for her degree. Whilst contemplating the end of her friendship with Rose, and re-examining several of the other important relationships in her life to see if she can find any clues as to what happened, she comes up with the idea of Now and Then as her theme. Her exhibition would include photos from the past and then others from the present with a short caption on each. I particularly enjoyed how the exhibition notes fitted into the story. It was very well done.

One of the gifts she received at her wedding was an envelope of cash which basically had "Don't tell him" written on the outside. She has no idea who it is from, or why she would have received such a gift. 

As Kay examines her role in her friendships, and looks back to the past for clues about her friendship with Rose and who might have given her the gift, there are some things in the present that are proving troubling as well. Has she rushed in too quickly, and will it have long lasting effects on her future happiness?

I was drawn into this story right from the first page. I felt for Kay, but I could also see how she had a tendency to leave other people in her wake. She and Rose did appear to have had an amazing friendship, so it was completely understandable how hurt she was when Rose literally slammed the door on their friendship. 

I didn't realise until I read the author's note that there is an earlier book featuring these same characters. It does say that they can be read separately and in any order, and to a certain extent that is true. I certainly didn't feel like I was missing any back story, but I am not sure I would go back and read the earlier book given that I know what happens next. 

I will, however, be reading more from Beth Miller. This was my first book by her and I will be keen to read more at some point in the future. 

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Books on Tour for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!

Rating 4/5

About the book

Wiping away her tears, Kay looks at her old photos, of friends who have come and gone through life’s big moments. But then there’s Rose, her one constant through everything. Now Rose is missing. Does the key to finding her lie in their past?

It should have been the happiest day of Kay’s life. Getting married with her best friend and maid of honour, Rose at her side. But then Rose messages Kay moments before the ceremony, I’m so sorry. I can’t do this. Please don’t look for me. Kay is heartbroken. What could have possibly driven Rose to leave?

Kay doesn’t know a life without Rose in it. They’ve stuck together through thick and thin; getting each other through tough break-ups, the rollercoaster of children and losing Kay’s beloved mum.

Searching through a lifetime of belongings, desperate for clues, Kay finds a box of old photos. As she looks at pictures of them dancing with their friends from years ago, she suddenly wonders whether the key to finding Rose lies in their past. Writing down a list of long-lost friendships, Kay feels certain one of them will know what happened to Rose.

But as Kay begins to uncover a lifetime of memories to help her find her friend, will she also find herself?

An incredibly heartwarming and emotional novel for everyone who knows about holding on to true friendship through life’s big moments. Fans of Laura Pearson, Sally Page and Evie Woods will fall in love with this feel-good and moving story that shows it’s never too late for a second chance.

About the Author


Beth Miller is the author of four novels, including The Two Hearts of Eliza Bloom and the bestselling The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright. She has also written two non-fiction titles, including For the Love of The Archers. She has worked as a sexual health trainer, a journalist and a psychology lecturer and is now a book coach and creative writing teacher. Beth has a PhD in Psychology, and an advanced diploma in tea-drinking.
https://www.bethmiller.co.uk/
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