Never Have I Ever: A Novel

Product Information

The other women are intrigued by her vivacious personality, but not Amy. She can't help but wonder what the angle is. Roux seems to be intentionally trying to get under her skin. But this book really confused me. The blurb was so intriguing. Before it’s released, I was so curious and I wanted to have it ASAP. I haven’t written any books of this author but as far as I saw her writing is highly recommended to me from so many readers which excited me more. When Angelica Roux breezes into a meeting of Amy's friendly neighborhood Book Club, you would think she belonged there, or at least that she had been invited.

Made me wonder about these women and all their juicy secrets. I think my neighborhood and group of friends would pale in comparison. But then again...I guess you just never know.Lots of eye popping, heart racing moments that I never could have predicted. No Never! I loved the twisted game they were playing and it was nuts. The characters are center and the skillful plot moves along with the fascinating tale of greed and guilt. 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. I cannot emphasize enough how emotionally disturbing this story was to me. It’s all due to Roux (as she preferred to be called). She was diabolical and even when I wasn’t all that happy with Amy, I just couldn’t bear seeing her win at her “game.” Amy has lots of explosive secrets from her past, which could disrupt the lives of all those she holds dear. Who is this woman and how did she manage to discover so much about Amy and other neighbors? Amy Whey is happily married, has a teenage stepdaughter, and a young son. She has a close friendship with her BFF, Charlotte, and lives in a nice home, in a nice community, and enjoys hosting Charlotte’s book club. When the party is over, secrets have been spilled that could alter the course of all their lives, but Roux isn't done yet with her reign of terror.

Another sweltering month in Charlotte, another boatload of mysteries past and present for overworked, overstressed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. I was also rooting for Amy because I cared about every member of her family. They were all such well-developed characters – even baby Oliver. I adored the relationship between husband and wife (Davis and Amy), father and daughter (Davis and Maddy) and especially stepmother and stepdaughter (Amy and Maddy). It was so refreshing to read about a healthy, loving, trusting relationship between a stepmother and a teenager, and how Amy saw Maddy as her daughter (not step), and Maddy felt the same way about Amy.

The last seven years have been amazing, but there are times she wonders if she should have told the people she loves about her past. Amy is on high alert with Roux's game and feels threatened by what it could cost her. She has worked hard to cover her past. Who is this new book club imposter? What is it she wants? Amy has a past. Not that anyone would know it. To her friends and family she is a mother and a dive instructor and her life seems picture perfect thought it wasn’t always that way. There's one problem, Roux underestimated Amy. The domestic goddess exterior is not the whole of her persona and Amy is willing to do anything to protect what is hers. But when Roux stars a game of spilling secrets…you know the one… Amy begins to learn why Roux is there, and it’s not to play nicely.

When Roux proceeds to get the ladies sloshed, minus Charlotte, who is currently pregnant, Amy's suspicions begin to grow. Most of us have heard of the ‘Never have I ever’ game. But what if the game was mixed up a little? What if, instead of admitting to things you've never done, what if you confessed to the worst thing you did that day, or week, or month, or ever? Now, that could be a very dangerous game, indeed. But Amy’s sweet, uncomplicated life begins to unravel when the mysterious and alluring Angelica Roux arrives on her doorstep one book club night. Overall, with multiple layers and a completely original storyline, I predict Never Have I Ever will be a big hit this summer. It turns out that Amy is not entirely sunk by Roux’s threat, but rises to the surface, gasping for air and finds a way to shore. The benefit of having kept secrets all her life is having a pretty decent feel for how to go about uncovering the secrets of others. It requires some pretty bold action, but having guts, plus an excellent brain, gives her the wherewithal to give Roux a serious run for her money.But there is always an option to stop reading before reaching the second half and automatically giving two stars and starting another book. Roux gathers them round and suggests a drinking game. The game, if you can even call it that, is to confess the worst things they've ever done. An adult version of 'never have I ever' and Amy is not down with playing.