Never Have I Ever: A Novel

Name: Never Have I Ever: A Novel
Rating: 4.363636493682861 (11 reviews)

Joshilyn Jackson

Jul 2019 · HarperCollins

4.4

11 reviews

Ebook

432

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

“Wonderful—suspense and surprises, real characters, and a scary, ominous backbeat. This feels like the book Jackson was born to write.” —Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author

Named a Best Book by USA Today • People • The Wall Street Journal • Time • Entertainment Weekly • Bustle • and many more!

From New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson, a twisting novel of domestic suspense in which a group of women play a harmless drinking game that escalates into a war of dark pasts

In this game, even winning can be deadly...

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.

Sultry and magnetic, 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.

When they’re alone, Roux tells her that if she doesn’t give her what she asks for, what she deserves, she’s going to make Amy pay for her sins. One way or another.

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. Amy knows the consequences if she can’t beat Roux. What terrifies her is everything she could lose if she wins.

A diabolically entertaining tale of betrayal, deception, temptation, and love filled with dark twists leavened by Joshilyn Jackson’s trademark humor, Never Have I Ever explores what happens when the transgressions of our past come back with a vengeance.

Ratings and reviews

4.4

11 reviews

Joelle Egan

August 8, 2020

Amy Whey is content with her suburban life. She loves her new husband, stepdaughter and infant son, and is busy preparing for another predictable evening spent with her best friend’s book club. When an exciting newcomer pops in unexpectedly to join the group, Amy is intrigued and drawn to the woman’s mysterious charisma. Roux seems like she might have the ability to breathe new energy into the otherwise banal lives of the neighborhood women. Amy’s fascination soon turns to dread, however, when this new stranger hints that she is not only privy to some deep secrets from Amy’s past, but is bent on extortion. The title of Never Have I Ever, a new book by Joshilyn Jackson, refers to the “confessional” game that sets off a cat-and-mouse plot involving the two women. The reader discovers what Amy has been hiding for years and the lengths to which she will go to prevent exposure. Roux, the dark femme fatale with seemingly no conscience, underestimates Amy’s own cunning and comes to admire her formidable foe. Roux has some secrets of her own to protect, and Amy tests her sense of morality in deciding how far she is willing to sink to thwart her blackmailer. The novel explores self-denial and trauma, the unreliability of memory, guilt/shame, and how self-preservation acts as a powerful motivator. It includes some discussion of eating disorders, self-harm, and sexual and physical violence. Never Have I Ever is fast-paced and absorbing, with compelling characters and a well-developed plot. There are scenes that are repetitive and some of the dialog occasionally rings false, but neither of these detract from what is a fun and compulsive read that will be sure to please any thriller fan. Thanks to the author, and William Morrow for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

2 people found this review helpful

Serena Zamzow

August 24, 2019

I have now read every Joshilyn Jackson book, and this was one of the best yet! Her writing never fails to capture me within the first few pages. It flows easily and draws you instanly into the story. I never want to put her books down. Her characters are real, sassy, witty and well developed. Excellent plot twists! I can't wait to read more.

4 people found this review helpful

Salem D

September 8, 2019

I enjoyed the book. Didnt care for all of the scuba details but I liked how all the twists kept coming through the book.

1 person found this review helpful

About the author

Joshilyn Jackson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of ten other novels, including gods in Alabama and Never Have I Ever. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. A former actor, Jackson is also an award-winning audiobook narrator. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and their two children.

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