Sarah J. Naughton | THE GIRLFRIEND

Plot (via Goodreads):

After years of estrangement from her family, Mags receives a shocking phone call. Her rebellious brother, Abe, is in a coma, and the police suspect he tried to take his own life. But Mags isn't so sure, and she begins to crack away at the life of the brother she once knew: the dark apartment building, the whispering tenants, and her brother's mysterious girlfriend, the only witness to the incident, who raises more questions than answers. As Mags picks up where the police left off, she begins to unearth the secrets her brother left behind—and awakens her own talent for revenge.

Review:

THE GIRLFRIEND is seemingly innocent on paper...but it is so much more. Naughton's writing is razor sharp and melodic; taking you hostage in a world that is so dark and unfamiliar it seeps into your psyche and refuses to loosen its grip. This novel is haunting, eerie, and harrowing. With a plot that is so intricate and beautifully paced, I was completely immersed within the first chapter and worrisome for what was to come. I couldn't get enough.

I am a sucker for multiple perspective novels and this one is not only brilliantly done, but features three amazingly written women that are not only all vital to the plot, but dazzling in their own personal journeys throughout the novel. I found myself not only hungrily absorbing each word, but plagued with the idea that something dark and sinister is brewing above all three women residing in the same building. I especially loved the backstory to each character that was written in such a fantastic way, it was meticulously delivered piece by piece throughout their alternating chapters. I loved how different these three women were and how this one event brought them together, eating away at each one in such a different way. This novel could have been about laundry and it would have been just as enjoyable. 

The plot to this novel is exquisite. Naughton truly has a knack for writing not only beautiful characters, but throwing random puzzle pieces at the reader and leaving you to slowly but surely piece together everything as you read. While I found this one to be addictive from the beginning, I absolutely loved the pacing to this novel and how phenomenally paced the revelations and plot twists were. This is the perfect dark and twisty read that is not only full of suspense and thrills, but is also sorrowful. Plus, right when you think you know what is going on, you are wrong. Trust me. Bonus: not only is this novel great and a highly enjoyable read, but it features an ending that would chill even Gillan Flynn's bones. 

Special thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 5/5