Introduction
Published in August 2020, The Best of Friends follows three mothers as they face their devastating reality that they will never get their sons back - or their old lives. Loved by fans of psychological fiction, its themes confront a mother’s worst nightmare.
A Summary
The story centres on three mothers whose lives are shattered after a devastating incident involving their sons. One boy dies, another hasn’t woken up since, and the third is so traumatised he can’t speak. With no clear explanation of what happened, the women are left clinging to their own versions of events while trying to protect their families. As the investigation drags on, their long‑standing friendships, buried insecurities and unspoken resentments start to crack under the pressure. Each chapter shifts between their perspectives, giving you an intimate look at their grief, guilt and fear as they try to piece together the truth. The mystery isn’t driven by big twists but by the emotional unraveling that happens when trust breaks down and no one knows who to believe.
Writing Style
The writing style itself is really engaging, especially with the three alternating POVs. It gives the story a layered feel and lets you sit with each woman’s emotions in a way that feels honest rather than over the top. Berry leans heavily into the emotional side of things, which works for the subject matter, but it does mean the pacing can wobble a bit. There are moments where the story lingers on feelings for a long time, then suddenly picks up speed toward the end. It’s not overly dramatic or showy, though, and the straightforward style makes the darker themes easier to digest while still keeping you invested in what each character is going through.
What I Loved
This was my first Lucinda Berry novel and it turned out to be such a strong introduction to her writing. Even though I don’t have children, I found it genuinely fascinating to be inside the minds of three mothers who are all dealing with raw, complicated, heart‑breaking emotions while trying to hold their lives together. The unreliable narration was one of my favourite parts. Each woman’s perspective felt grounded and believable, and I liked that there was no clear good or bad side. Every character is flawed in a way that makes them difficult at times, which leaves it up to the reader to decide who they connect with. I really appreciate when an author trusts the reader instead of pushing us to dislike someone in an obvious way. The plot kept me hooked from the start. Even with the heavy themes of abuse, grief and death, I was completely invested in finding out what really happened. My feelings toward Caleb shifted as the story unfolded, and I ended up feeling for him more than I expected. The ending wasn’t happy, but it felt right for the story and the characters, which made it land with more impact. Overall, a dark and gripping read that stayed with me.
What I Didn’t Love
Even though I enjoyed the book overall, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite land for me. The story leans so heavily into the interpersonal drama that it sometimes feels like the actual plot is taking a back seat. There are long stretches where the characters are circling the same emotional beats without much forward movement, which made the pacing feel a bit uneven. It’s also not a story you read for the twist. Most readers will probably see the ending coming, and while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does take away some of the tension the book seems to be building toward.
Recommendation
I recommend this novel for fans of Andrea Mara, as the writing style feels similar, but in general, as long as you can handle the dark tones, this is something everyone should read.
Songs
Songs that I find reminiscent of the book:
Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens
How It Ends by DeVotchKa
Goodbye by Apparat
(P.S. We made them links so feel free to click on them and get teleported straight into the vibes.)
