Alice has a nice boyfriend, a comfortable flat, and a decent job, but she's restless, wanting more. On an assignment to photograph Gretchen Bartholomew, a popular kids' show host, Alice gets swept up in Gretchen's impulsiveness and being part of the in-crowd -- not to mention her attraction to Gretchen's handsome globe- trotting brother, Bailey. As she and Gretchen grow closer, Alice embraces the spontaneity and fun she's been craving, never thinking about what it might cost. Things soon begin to spin out of control with her other relationships, particularly with her boyfriend, Tom. Then the cracks in Gretchen's carefree façade start to show, and Alice is left wondering if she ever really knew this person. Secrets are revealed, friends are betrayed, and ultimately Gretchen and Alice face off in a battle of wills that could literally be life or death.

This chick lit book definitely takes a bleak path. Alice and Gretchen's friendship begins on a light note but soon dissolves into an emotional whirlpool that sucks in everyone around them. I found it difficult to sympathize with either of the two main characters, particularly Alice, who seems very self-absorbed and makes some poor choices. However, Gretchen is strangely fascinating, and I liked the lighter moments in the story. I also thought alternating between the present and the past was a very effective narrative, providing a lot of suspense. Readers who like the sort of "dark and twisty" characters on shows such as Grey's Anatomy will probably enjoy this book more than I did.

VoirSeries