Provided by NetGalley
Three couples have a barbecue. All their securities dissipate from an incident at this soiree and they are forced to confront their issues. One couple, Clementine and Sam, seem to have it all- she is a musician with an audition to the Sydney Orchestra coming soon. They have 2 beautiful daughters. Erika and Oliver are the straight-laced friends who have had their own issues growing up. And Tiffany and Vid, the hosts of the barbecue have a past of meeting in the strip club. With an alternating plot of the day of the barbecue and the aftermath, we slowly learn what is true, what is mad, and what is guilt.
Most of the time I was dying to know what was the incident at the barbeque, and then about 70 percent of the way through I found out. I wasn't sure what the rest of the book would be about, but there was another twist, so that was a fantastic bonus. Deep down, I felt like I could connect with all the characters- even the ones that were on the side like Pam, Clementine's mother. Mostly, though, I loved Erika. Sweet, socially confused Erika who is deeply loved by Oliver. We wonder if we are formed by nature vs. nurture. It seems like a lot of Liane's books touch on that subject, be it on purpose or not. Erika's home life as a child of a hoarder seemed so real, I can't help but wonder if she was based on a real person in Ms. Moriarty's life. Would Erika be so awkward if her home life wasn't so screwed up, or was she just destined to be this way? And would Clementine not feel an obligation to be be her friend if not pressed by her mother?