Friends, Lies and Alibis

by Debby Holt

Is there ever a right time to break up your oldest friend's marriage? Fifteen years ago, Merrily disappeared from the lives of her two best friends, Alison and Leah. Now she's back, with a husband who is sapping the life from her. Christopher is a bully who's convinced he's God's gift to everyone, especially his wife. He is also unfaithful, a fact which Leah wished she had never discovered. Should Merrily's friends stand by and watch their old friend sink ever further into drab submissiveness? Alison, happily married to Felix, thinks they should do something. Leah, divorced with two young children, is less convinced. Nevertheless, she joins Alison in a plan to liberate Merrily. As the campaign unfolds, it has dramatic repercussions on the lives of all three friends, and produces consequences that they could never have imagined ...

Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance

375 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Debby Holt lives with her husband in Bath. She started writing short stories when her five children were small. She wrote her first novel, The Ex-Wife’s Survival Guide in 2006. Since then, she has written three more: Annie May’s Black Book, The Trouble with Marriage and Love Affairs for Grown-Ups. Having been a spectacularly useless teacher in the past, she is fully aware of how lucky she is to be doing something she loves.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star. I found this book useless. A time waste read. I found the characters really boring. Not being old fashioned or something but, that Molly kid was way too bright for a nine year-old. Especially, when she's discussing Charlotte's hurting nipples and her knowledge of raising a baby, on the phone with her mother. I just couldn't get easy with all that.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I’m not really a ‘chick lit’ fan but this book was given to me and you don’t turn down a free book, right?!
It was easy to read and to keep up with the story and characters, mostly! Some of the characters were slightly incestuous but were generally likeable.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't get the chapter names. WTF? And they were so stupid! Eg: 'Alison receives another surprise' 'Leah makes a big mistake' 'Alison is worried by some startling news'. er... The main two characters were okay, but the third, the one they need to 'save' from her asshole hubby wasn't particularly likable. Is it bad that the bit I enjoyed the most was the daughter of one of the main character's being pregnant and not knowing which identical twin she slept with was the baby!daddy?

[Hani Maldini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite its good storyline I can't help but to skip a few last chapters as some parts are a tad bit draggy. Nevertheless, it's a a good read if you're looking for a light and easy reading or just something to read while on holiday

[Kelly Simpson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't really get into this book so gave up half way through.

[Letitia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not especially interesting, but it was a quick easy read. The storyline was a bit boring/disappointing.

[Jus · Rating 2 out of 5]

all i can say about this book is it doesn't interest me much. not my kind of book

[Emma Maddison · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book. The characters were all so unlikable.
Alison was especially awful - so interfering and rude and then wonders why people don’t like her. Leah seemed ok but then when Christopher came into her house at the end and slapped her / broke her belongings, she just took it. I don’t believe anyone wouldn’t have gone absolutely crazy at him

It was just boring, ridiculous and uninteresting. Won’t be reading anymore by this author

[Shraddha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book of this author I have read. I had loved the ex wifes survival guide. But I am disappointed by this perticular book. The tital of every chapter is weird. The story line is nice but the story has been dragged too much . After half a book I kept loosing interest. It's not funny or witty. It almost felt like writer is bored herself of this charectors.

[nicole s. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy a light read and this book is definitely a light one!

LOVED Leah and David's storyline hehez, wish there were more of them. AND FELIX!! What a man!!

Such a nice ending and a nice book about having to accept that even those who might look strong have downfalls at times too.

[Rae Callander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t really enjoy this book

[Kelly-Anne Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading reviews for this book I expected it to be bad....but I was wrong. If you love a good chick lit book pick this up

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy read.

[Waltonb04 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't the most interesting book I've ever read but was a really easy and light read. It did seem to drag on at the end and I didn't agree with Phoebe ending up with Lennie but oh well.

[Sanket Hajare · Rating 1 out of 5]

the story is boring. dosnt conclude anything. I really loved her ex wife guide book..so had lot of expectations from this one. but this is just pathetic.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely chick lit novel with an inventive storyline and humour throughout.
Merrily, Alison and Leah were childhood friends but 15 years ago Merrily just inexplicably dropped out of their lives now she is back with an overbearing, obnoxious, sleazy husband whom both Alison and Leah hate.
To help their reunited friend out Leah and Alison hatch a scheme to get rid of the vicious Christopher out of Merrily's beaten down life.
They think poor Merrily is dowdy, frumpy and down trodden and incapable of speaking up for herself against her husband.
But Alison and Leah can both see the problems in Merrily's life but when things reach a head in their helpful plan to "liberate Merrily"they see a different side to themselves and learn a lot about how imperfect both they and their own lives are.
Refreshing, funny but at times heart breaking this novel has all the ingredients for a wonderful, light and highly enjoyable read.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book! Usually I know just where a storyline is heading but Debby holt always seems to surprise me! I was most surprised to hear a mention of a character from another of her books - recipe for scandal! I've only just read that one recently so it was a surprise to recognise the name and the catering job she has! Brilliant twist by Debby there. Overall was very happy with the plot and how everything worked out in the end, especially for Leah!

[Clo]

Really liked this book but hated that it had names for its chapters, quite juvenile i thought!
Alison annoyed me, she was a bit stuck up for my liking but I liked Leah she made me laugh and was a favourite :D

[Cassandra Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be the best book I've read this year so far! Great storyline!

[Nontobeko Lamula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, off beat reading. i read this on a holidays and it was perfect when you don,t want anything serious. Loved the charaters and I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.

[Zahidah Rosli · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice story except have too many characters and kinda confusing sometimes.

[Lisa]

loved this book