What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 00:19:38
10 copies available
U.S. only
We Would Never Tell
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 00:19:38
10 copies available
U.S. only
Gowns. Champagne. Murder.
Hollywood, but make it French, for twelve days straight, as the red carpet rolls out to the riviera for the Cannes Film Festival. The most famous people are all here to celebrate themselves, while the rest of the world watches in awe. And with a heavy dose of envy, at least for three young, ambitious, talented women who can't seem to climb up from the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder. As they swirl in the glitz of Cannes, the VIP invitations seem so hard to come by, and the A-list so far away. It's enough to drive them a little crazy. Enough to make them snap and do things they might—or definitely will—regret.
It's a good thing they're invisible . . . until a multi-million-dollar necklace vanishes and a dead body is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea. Then, the heat of the spotlight turns up so hot that they have nowhere to hide. Now their biggest dreams are even further out of reach. Or can you get away with theft and murder if you want it badly enough?
Hollywood, but make it French, for twelve days straight, as the red carpet rolls out to the riviera for the Cannes Film Festival. The most famous people are all here to celebrate themselves, while the rest of the world watches in awe. And with a heavy dose of envy, at least for three young, ambitious, talented women who can't seem to climb up from the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder. As they swirl in the glitz of Cannes, the VIP invitations seem so hard to come by, and the A-list so far away. It's enough to drive them a little crazy. Enough to make them snap and do things they might—or definitely will—regret.
It's a good thing they're invisible . . . until a multi-million-dollar necklace vanishes and a dead body is found floating in the Mediterranean Sea. Then, the heat of the spotlight turns up so hot that they have nowhere to hide. Now their biggest dreams are even further out of reach. Or can you get away with theft and murder if you want it badly enough?
448 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 14, 2026
4 people are currently reading
7280 people want to read
About the author
Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
18 books501 followersAnne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a bilingual French author based in the U.S. She has previously published novels and nonfiction books for teens, which have been translated into over twelve languages. The French Honeymoon is her debut adult novel. After graduating university in France, she moved to Amsterdam to begin a career in advertising. She then spent a few years in Melbourne before settling in New York City, where she lives with her French-Australian-American family, two gorgeous cats, and a whole lot of passports. Find her on social media @asjouhanneau.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 30, 2025
LOVED this story. I don't want to give any spoilers because this story is worth reading for yourself (and hopefully you'll be as surprised as I was). I loved the conflict, the mixed loyalties, the betrayal — and the portrayal of women in Hollywood.
Marnie, Lou, and Constance are all flawed women trying to make it in an increasingly hostile industry. They're dedicated, a bit self-absorbed, and feel like they're -just- on the cusp of making it. They all have their own secrets and petty disagreements. Their story follows them on 12 days at the Cannes movie festival from the point of view of the "almosts"-they aren't rich or famous but think they can be if they just play their cards right.
Things I loved:
-Multiple POV, which I worried would be overwhelming but wasn't.
-Rich, glamorous setting
-Unexpected villain
-Some what unreliable narrators (not entirely)
-Last-minute POV switch
If you like Taylor Reid Jenkins or The Favorites by Layne Fargo, you'll like this one!
Marnie, Lou, and Constance are all flawed women trying to make it in an increasingly hostile industry. They're dedicated, a bit self-absorbed, and feel like they're -just- on the cusp of making it. They all have their own secrets and petty disagreements. Their story follows them on 12 days at the Cannes movie festival from the point of view of the "almosts"-they aren't rich or famous but think they can be if they just play their cards right.
Things I loved:
-Multiple POV, which I worried would be overwhelming but wasn't.
-Rich, glamorous setting
-Unexpected villain
-Some what unreliable narrators (not entirely)
-Last-minute POV switch
If you like Taylor Reid Jenkins or The Favorites by Layne Fargo, you'll like this one!
Review of advance copy
I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun read and SO entertaining! I seriously couldn't put it down!
Twelve days at the Cannes Film Festival, where the red carpet is rolled out for Hollywood's elite in the French Riviera. All the A-listers are there, but there are also three young women trying to climb the ladder: Lou, the actress, Marnie, the PR assistant, and Constance, the stylist. All three are desperate to get noticed and will do whatever it takes. But when a multi-million dollar necklace goes missing and a dead body is found in the Mediterranean Sea, things start to get intense. This wasn't the kind of attention they were looking for. What ill happen to them?
Told from Lou, Constance, and Marnie's perspectives, this was an enthralling read! It was definitely one of the most entertaining books I've ever read! It was juicy and drama-filled with tons of secrets. There were cringe-worthy moments I just couldn't stop reading. All three characters were flawed and totally unhinged. I loved reading their individual stories. There were chapters of a podcast and others with police interviews that really added to the story. The glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival were so well portrayed I felt like I was there. This was a captivating, immersive, twisty, page-turning popcorn thriller that I think everyone will love! HIGHLY recommend!🩷
Twelve days at the Cannes Film Festival, where the red carpet is rolled out for Hollywood's elite in the French Riviera. All the A-listers are there, but there are also three young women trying to climb the ladder: Lou, the actress, Marnie, the PR assistant, and Constance, the stylist. All three are desperate to get noticed and will do whatever it takes. But when a multi-million dollar necklace goes missing and a dead body is found in the Mediterranean Sea, things start to get intense. This wasn't the kind of attention they were looking for. What ill happen to them?
Told from Lou, Constance, and Marnie's perspectives, this was an enthralling read! It was definitely one of the most entertaining books I've ever read! It was juicy and drama-filled with tons of secrets. There were cringe-worthy moments I just couldn't stop reading. All three characters were flawed and totally unhinged. I loved reading their individual stories. There were chapters of a podcast and others with police interviews that really added to the story. The glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival were so well portrayed I felt like I was there. This was a captivating, immersive, twisty, page-turning popcorn thriller that I think everyone will love! HIGHLY recommend!🩷
December 16, 2025
The rich. The famous. Drama. Gossip. Murder. If you live for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the cutthroat nature of the Film industry, and stunning backdrop of the French Riviera during the iconic Cannes Film Festival, then We Would Never Tell is the book for you!
We Would Never Tell follows three women who are on the periphery of the Cannes Film Festival and are dying to get on the inside. Lou, the actress; Marnie, the personal assistant; and Constance, the stylist. Each has secrets and each has an agenda. Can they work together to get ahead (and avoid a murder charge)?
I loved the layout of this novel with the various narrators and podcast and police interviews interspersed. The novel tracks the nearly two week film festival and I was totally enthralled with the jewels, gorgeous gowns, and catty drama. I appreciated the themes of sexism and ageism woven throughout and it was interesting to see the insiders versus outsiders from such a line drive viewpoint. There were certainly moments where I had to suspend belief - missing jewels, getting into VIP parties, blowing your life savings to attend an event you weren't technically invited to - but there were also so many moments that felt wildly authentic, such as what it takes to make it in Hollywood.
This would probably translate well to an audiobook format. It was fun, entertaining, and I definitely recommend! The Pulse introduced me to Jouhanneau and I'm excited to see where she takes me next!
We Would Never Tell follows three women who are on the periphery of the Cannes Film Festival and are dying to get on the inside. Lou, the actress; Marnie, the personal assistant; and Constance, the stylist. Each has secrets and each has an agenda. Can they work together to get ahead (and avoid a murder charge)?
I loved the layout of this novel with the various narrators and podcast and police interviews interspersed. The novel tracks the nearly two week film festival and I was totally enthralled with the jewels, gorgeous gowns, and catty drama. I appreciated the themes of sexism and ageism woven throughout and it was interesting to see the insiders versus outsiders from such a line drive viewpoint. There were certainly moments where I had to suspend belief - missing jewels, getting into VIP parties, blowing your life savings to attend an event you weren't technically invited to - but there were also so many moments that felt wildly authentic, such as what it takes to make it in Hollywood.
This would probably translate well to an audiobook format. It was fun, entertaining, and I definitely recommend! The Pulse introduced me to Jouhanneau and I'm excited to see where she takes me next!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to my partners Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse, Tonya Cornish, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC of We Would Never Tell and the opportunity to read and review this thought provoking and suspenseful read set at the Cannes Film Festival. If you're like me and enjoy the glitz and glamour of the rich and famous and enjoy stories set in the French Riviera or like there, then We Would Never Tell is the book for you! This book had me in a chokehold from beginning to the very final end.
November 23, 2025
“What was the purpose of being in love, if it didn’t make you feel like you were flying high?”
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!
I want to start with the positives of this book, because I do have a few!
Constance says, “in some messed up way, my ex boyfriend had led me to the greatest professional opportunity.” This book is tagged in multiple genres such as Adult fiction, mystery/thrillers (which i am BIG on), and women’s fiction. I think this book was mostly great on the women’s fiction part. For example, this quote and her situation shows that although she was hurt and went through a lot (more in depth in the novel), that women don’t need their relationships with men to work out, no matter how important it is to them—a man’s absence in your life can bring more presence than you could ever need. The women in this novel were strong, smart women (mostly) who were NOT stuck up on old loves and romances or desperately throwing themselves at men’s feet (for the most part) and worked hard in Hollywood to put THEMSELVES at the top, as a woman should. respectable.
“i felt the urge to unleash all my frustrations, to go on a rant about the hell that awaits women who don’t support other women.” This book brings so much feminist ethics and morality into play in the narration that really causes a woman to sit back and think for a moment and revel in its truth. Admirable.
I also really enjoyed Liza’s small betrayal (that I won’t get into because it’s a tiny spoiler). I think it was a great portrayal of real Hollywood business and how women just want to be on top in Hollywood, because they have to work twice as hard. The cutthroat gossip and betrayals are so real and surprising.
I also liked the plot twist between Ben and what happened with Marnie (spoiler so i can’t explain) and it really did shock me. it was so interesting and shows that a man will really throw under the bus any woman, even a long term partner, just for their own success—especially in Hollywood, or when they’re deep in failure. or both.
Now, don’t get me wrong, as for some negative aspects: I really disliked that Marnie was lying to Ben. Everyone (according to the novel) knows how horrible Ben is at writing and her thought process is: “If my long term boyfriend is so passionate about this, then i’ll just lie to him to stroke his ego and maybe he’ll give up,” which inherently defies the thought process in the average man looking for a spot in Hollywood film business, even if it’s a career behind the screen. It made literally zero sense and I had to pause reading for an hour just because of how irritating her mind is.
I also disliked some of the phrasing such as the reference to the “Since you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” etc. Nothing was surprising about the plot until about 25% of the book was over, and even then, it was just petty little social plot twists, and the main plot had just started. It was a lot of background setup for the first quarter of the book, which felt dragged on.
I also disliked Constance chasing down Dorian at the restaurant he posted at because she wanted a chance with her celebrity crush. You have a 20 year age gap. Leave him alone. (For the people that will have read this book: I know. But still. She should’ve left him alone.) I felt embarrassed for her.
I think it shouldn’t be listed as a thriller. Adult Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and it’s bordering on mystery. Mystery, by definition, but not by piece.
I think if someone is picking this up looking for a similar vibe to Malibu Rising or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll definitely (probably) love this book. For me, though, it dragged a bit and was not very turn-y or surprising. Or suspenseful.
There’s good aspects to every book, but it depends on the reader.
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!
I want to start with the positives of this book, because I do have a few!
Constance says, “in some messed up way, my ex boyfriend had led me to the greatest professional opportunity.” This book is tagged in multiple genres such as Adult fiction, mystery/thrillers (which i am BIG on), and women’s fiction. I think this book was mostly great on the women’s fiction part. For example, this quote and her situation shows that although she was hurt and went through a lot (more in depth in the novel), that women don’t need their relationships with men to work out, no matter how important it is to them—a man’s absence in your life can bring more presence than you could ever need. The women in this novel were strong, smart women (mostly) who were NOT stuck up on old loves and romances or desperately throwing themselves at men’s feet (for the most part) and worked hard in Hollywood to put THEMSELVES at the top, as a woman should. respectable.
“i felt the urge to unleash all my frustrations, to go on a rant about the hell that awaits women who don’t support other women.” This book brings so much feminist ethics and morality into play in the narration that really causes a woman to sit back and think for a moment and revel in its truth. Admirable.
I also really enjoyed Liza’s small betrayal (that I won’t get into because it’s a tiny spoiler). I think it was a great portrayal of real Hollywood business and how women just want to be on top in Hollywood, because they have to work twice as hard. The cutthroat gossip and betrayals are so real and surprising.
I also liked the plot twist between Ben and what happened with Marnie (spoiler so i can’t explain) and it really did shock me. it was so interesting and shows that a man will really throw under the bus any woman, even a long term partner, just for their own success—especially in Hollywood, or when they’re deep in failure. or both.
Now, don’t get me wrong, as for some negative aspects: I really disliked that Marnie was lying to Ben. Everyone (according to the novel) knows how horrible Ben is at writing and her thought process is: “If my long term boyfriend is so passionate about this, then i’ll just lie to him to stroke his ego and maybe he’ll give up,” which inherently defies the thought process in the average man looking for a spot in Hollywood film business, even if it’s a career behind the screen. It made literally zero sense and I had to pause reading for an hour just because of how irritating her mind is.
I also disliked some of the phrasing such as the reference to the “Since you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” etc. Nothing was surprising about the plot until about 25% of the book was over, and even then, it was just petty little social plot twists, and the main plot had just started. It was a lot of background setup for the first quarter of the book, which felt dragged on.
I also disliked Constance chasing down Dorian at the restaurant he posted at because she wanted a chance with her celebrity crush. You have a 20 year age gap. Leave him alone. (For the people that will have read this book: I know. But still. She should’ve left him alone.) I felt embarrassed for her.
I think it shouldn’t be listed as a thriller. Adult Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and it’s bordering on mystery. Mystery, by definition, but not by piece.
I think if someone is picking this up looking for a similar vibe to Malibu Rising or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll definitely (probably) love this book. For me, though, it dragged a bit and was not very turn-y or surprising. Or suspenseful.
There’s good aspects to every book, but it depends on the reader.
January 2, 2026
We Would Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a glossy, slow-burn story of ambition, envy, and desperation set against the sun-drenched chaos of the Cannes Film Festival.
The premise immediately hooked me — twelve days in Cannes, champagne flowing, VIP lists just out of reach, a missing multimillion-dollar necklace, and a body found in the Mediterranean. But I’ll be honest, I struggled to settle into the book early on. The three POVs are introduced quickly, each with detailed personal and professional plotlines, and it took some time to properly ground myself in who was who and how their roles intersected.
Once I got the gist of each woman — Lou, Marnie, and Constance — and their places on the lowest rung of the Hollywood ladder, the story clicked into place. From around the 60% mark, the tension noticeably ramps up and the consequences of their increasingly messy decisions start to collide in much more compelling ways.
This is very much a slow-burn, character-driven read rather than a fast-paced thriller. The glamour and atmosphere of Cannes are well done, and I enjoyed following these flawed, impulsive women as ambition and proximity to fame push them toward choices they’ll regret. That said, the pacing does feel drawn out at times, and the frequent POV and timeline shifts occasionally dilute the tension instead of sharpening it.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected once it found its footing. If you’re into celebrity-adjacent drama, morally messy characters, and atmospheric stories where the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, this is worth picking up — just know it takes its time getting there.
The premise immediately hooked me — twelve days in Cannes, champagne flowing, VIP lists just out of reach, a missing multimillion-dollar necklace, and a body found in the Mediterranean. But I’ll be honest, I struggled to settle into the book early on. The three POVs are introduced quickly, each with detailed personal and professional plotlines, and it took some time to properly ground myself in who was who and how their roles intersected.
Once I got the gist of each woman — Lou, Marnie, and Constance — and their places on the lowest rung of the Hollywood ladder, the story clicked into place. From around the 60% mark, the tension noticeably ramps up and the consequences of their increasingly messy decisions start to collide in much more compelling ways.
This is very much a slow-burn, character-driven read rather than a fast-paced thriller. The glamour and atmosphere of Cannes are well done, and I enjoyed following these flawed, impulsive women as ambition and proximity to fame push them toward choices they’ll regret. That said, the pacing does feel drawn out at times, and the frequent POV and timeline shifts occasionally dilute the tension instead of sharpening it.
Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected once it found its footing. If you’re into celebrity-adjacent drama, morally messy characters, and atmospheric stories where the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, this is worth picking up — just know it takes its time getting there.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is so good! Told from multiple points of view and with excerpts from a podcast and police interviews, the timeline jumps all around the 14 days of the Cannes Film Festival. You know pretty early on that someone has died, but you don't know who or how. Reading it and putting those pieces together was so good because there are so many motives!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely loved this from start to finish. Fully immersing yourself in the Cannes Festival you will follow 3 women with 3 different stories, and watch as 12 days unfolds. I will not spoil it but this had me on the edge of my seat and rushing to the next chapter. The layout was perfect, the back and forth was appropriately spaced. Very well written. Add this to your TBR!!
January 29, 2026
THIS was so fun.
The story is set during the Cannes Film Festival, following three woman on the fringe of frame and desperate to be A-list. Underneath all the glitz and glam, a multi million dollar necklace disappears and a body washes up. Then things get crazy!!
The pacing was perfect and juicy enough to have you flipping the pages.
Glamorous, twisty, and bingeable! Another great read at Thriller Book Lovers- The Pulse.
The story is set during the Cannes Film Festival, following three woman on the fringe of frame and desperate to be A-list. Underneath all the glitz and glam, a multi million dollar necklace disappears and a body washes up. Then things get crazy!!
The pacing was perfect and juicy enough to have you flipping the pages.
Glamorous, twisty, and bingeable! Another great read at Thriller Book Lovers- The Pulse.
January 22, 2026
I hear about the Cannes Film Festival every year and wonder what it would be like to be among all the stars. An actress whose film is premiering at the festival, a stylist with a past are a few of the great characters in this book. It’s in multiple POV and multimedia and boy do the stars have secrets!! This book had me reading any chance I could get all the way to the twist at the end!
December 5, 2025
I really liked the characters. I felt like the book was a little long for a mystery. I liked the bounce between characters, and I liked trying to figure out who the murder victim was going to be. It's got a past/present format. Most of the present parts are in podcast form, which I really enjoyed. Solid thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in April of 2026.
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in April of 2026.
December 30, 2025
I received this as an ARC and I enjoyed this book a lot. It started out a slow burn but the middle was the best part. I enjoyed multiple POVs and the story was captivating and kept my attention. Toward the end, I thought it was a little drawn out and the book could probably be about 75 pages shorter, but over all, I would recommend this book to people that enjoy celebrity entertainment.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was definitely a page-turner of the book, having me flip pages long into the night just to see what messiness the three main characters would get involved in next and how it would ultimately lead to murder. And believe me, these three girls get messy, but boy is it fun to read.
Let's start with maybe the most woo-woo delusional of the bunch (although that is stiff competition really), wanna-be actress Lou who flies to Cannes under the impression that even if the studio didn't invite her, her bit part in the new movie is going to launch her career to new heights. She is airheaded as hell and decides to do all sorts of embarrassing things while schmoozing, but it does feel pretty consistent to this kind of character. Then there's Constance, outwardly quiet, but inwardly a complete mess since she was fired from her stylist job for seemingly sexual harassing a client. She is absolutely OBSESSED with said client still, and part of the mystery of the novel is unwinding her backstory with that guy, but all the time while watching Constance, it's just like "oh girl, noooooooooo." Which is definitely part of the point of the novel, but still, sometimes quite painful and cringe-inducing to watch. And lastly, Marnie, a publicity assistant and most level-headed of the bunch, but she still has her moments. Truly, without Marnie, the other two could not get their shit together to pull off this entire plot.
And what a plot it is--it's twisty and extremely chaotic and does rely on a couple set of coincidences to happen and for some characters to be extremely stupid, but then again, it's Cannes, the alcohol is flowing like water, and desperate people do do desperate things, so it never feels completely implausible. I did like the time shifts back and forth to build suspense, but past the first "The Girls" chapter, I thought the other ensemble chapters felt a bit like filler.
This was definitely a page-turner of the book, having me flip pages long into the night just to see what messiness the three main characters would get involved in next and how it would ultimately lead to murder. And believe me, these three girls get messy, but boy is it fun to read.
Let's start with maybe the most woo-woo delusional of the bunch (although that is stiff competition really), wanna-be actress Lou who flies to Cannes under the impression that even if the studio didn't invite her, her bit part in the new movie is going to launch her career to new heights. She is airheaded as hell and decides to do all sorts of embarrassing things while schmoozing, but it does feel pretty consistent to this kind of character. Then there's Constance, outwardly quiet, but inwardly a complete mess since she was fired from her stylist job for seemingly sexual harassing a client. She is absolutely OBSESSED with said client still, and part of the mystery of the novel is unwinding her backstory with that guy, but all the time while watching Constance, it's just like "oh girl, noooooooooo." Which is definitely part of the point of the novel, but still, sometimes quite painful and cringe-inducing to watch. And lastly, Marnie, a publicity assistant and most level-headed of the bunch, but she still has her moments. Truly, without Marnie, the other two could not get their shit together to pull off this entire plot.
And what a plot it is--it's twisty and extremely chaotic and does rely on a couple set of coincidences to happen and for some characters to be extremely stupid, but then again, it's Cannes, the alcohol is flowing like water, and desperate people do do desperate things, so it never feels completely implausible. I did like the time shifts back and forth to build suspense, but past the first "The Girls" chapter, I thought the other ensemble chapters felt a bit like filler.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Big shoutout to Thriller Book Lovers, Tonya Cornish, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC. This gorgeous cover is all glitz on the outside, but inside, it’s hiding juicy secrets that would shock the Cannes paparazzi. “We Would Never Tell” is addictive, wild, and full of Cannes craziness.
Imagine the Cannes Film Festival with champagne everywhere, people showing off, and everyone acting like they’re the star. Now, move your camera to the sidelines. That’s where the real action is. The people close enough to see the glamour, but still unnoticed. That’s the sweet spot of this story, and it’s the kind of awkward that’s fun.
We’re hanging out with three women who are done playing nice and waiting for their big break. Lou is an actress who’s had enough of almost. Marnie’s the assistant who knows all the dirt but gets none of the glory. And Constance is a stylist who can spot power from a mile away and knows exactly how fast it can vanish. Their vibes are ambitious, a little wild, and just desperate enough to make things interesting.
I ate up the behind-the-scenes drama, the gossip, and the secret power plays. It shows how easy it is for Hollywood to chew you up and spit you out without even bothering to ask your name.
Things go sideways. A missing necklace, a dead body, and suddenly, invisibility is no longer an option. Watching these women juggle secrets, suspicion, and their own choices was wildly entertaining.
The plot keeps you on your toes. I spotted a couple of twists coming, but some genuinely caught me off guard. There’s a Marnie moment I loved, but my lips are sealed because spoilers are rude and I’m not a monster.
What really clicked with me was the characters. These women are no angels, but you can’t help but root for them. You get why they want more, and you totally see why they might step over a line or two. Sometimes you’re cheering, sometimes you’re whispering, ‘Girl, don’t do it,’ but you’re always invested.
#WeWouldNeverTell #AnneSophieJouhanneau #ThrillerBookLovers #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #CapCut #Canva
Big shoutout to Thriller Book Lovers, Tonya Cornish, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC. This gorgeous cover is all glitz on the outside, but inside, it’s hiding juicy secrets that would shock the Cannes paparazzi. “We Would Never Tell” is addictive, wild, and full of Cannes craziness.
Imagine the Cannes Film Festival with champagne everywhere, people showing off, and everyone acting like they’re the star. Now, move your camera to the sidelines. That’s where the real action is. The people close enough to see the glamour, but still unnoticed. That’s the sweet spot of this story, and it’s the kind of awkward that’s fun.
We’re hanging out with three women who are done playing nice and waiting for their big break. Lou is an actress who’s had enough of almost. Marnie’s the assistant who knows all the dirt but gets none of the glory. And Constance is a stylist who can spot power from a mile away and knows exactly how fast it can vanish. Their vibes are ambitious, a little wild, and just desperate enough to make things interesting.
I ate up the behind-the-scenes drama, the gossip, and the secret power plays. It shows how easy it is for Hollywood to chew you up and spit you out without even bothering to ask your name.
Things go sideways. A missing necklace, a dead body, and suddenly, invisibility is no longer an option. Watching these women juggle secrets, suspicion, and their own choices was wildly entertaining.
The plot keeps you on your toes. I spotted a couple of twists coming, but some genuinely caught me off guard. There’s a Marnie moment I loved, but my lips are sealed because spoilers are rude and I’m not a monster.
What really clicked with me was the characters. These women are no angels, but you can’t help but root for them. You get why they want more, and you totally see why they might step over a line or two. Sometimes you’re cheering, sometimes you’re whispering, ‘Girl, don’t do it,’ but you’re always invested.
#WeWouldNeverTell #AnneSophieJouhanneau #ThrillerBookLovers #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #CapCut #Canva
November 25, 2025
“People want stories. Ones with a hook, a few good twists, and a satisfying conclusion. They want to feel their feelings and then to form definitive opinions.”
Thank you to Soucebooks Landmark and Netgalley for this eARC!
Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau did a great job creating such cool main characters—celebrity-adjacent individuals who are normally not the stars of these stories. All three main characters are in the film industry, but none are at the status they want to be: a PR assistant, a not-quite–up-and-coming actress, and a recently independent stylist. They each see this film festival as the moment to make cutthroat decisions—and are pushed to do so—to jumpstart their big careers. Through them, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a major social event like the Cannes Film Festival. The book reveals the ruthless actions and decisions someone in the industry has to make to find success, even if it means cutting someone out. Jouhanneau also shows how women often have to work twice as hard to reach the same position a man finds himself in. This all comes to a head in the big conflict hinted at through sprinkled-in podcast and police interview transcripts woven between the day-by-day chapters.
While I typically enjoy both varying points of view and time jumps, they made the book harder to follow cohesively. The majority of the story focused on the lead-up to the big traumatic event, but there wasn’t much time spent on the event itself or the aftermath. I would've loved to feel more tension and anticipation. The “big twist” was a surprise, but nothing else felt truly shocking up until then.
This book had such a unique concept that I haven’t read before—from the typical “background” characters becoming the main characters, to the Cannes Festival setting, to the other points of view like podcast episodes and police interview transcripts.
Thank you to Soucebooks Landmark and Netgalley for this eARC!
Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau did a great job creating such cool main characters—celebrity-adjacent individuals who are normally not the stars of these stories. All three main characters are in the film industry, but none are at the status they want to be: a PR assistant, a not-quite–up-and-coming actress, and a recently independent stylist. They each see this film festival as the moment to make cutthroat decisions—and are pushed to do so—to jumpstart their big careers. Through them, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a major social event like the Cannes Film Festival. The book reveals the ruthless actions and decisions someone in the industry has to make to find success, even if it means cutting someone out. Jouhanneau also shows how women often have to work twice as hard to reach the same position a man finds himself in. This all comes to a head in the big conflict hinted at through sprinkled-in podcast and police interview transcripts woven between the day-by-day chapters.
While I typically enjoy both varying points of view and time jumps, they made the book harder to follow cohesively. The majority of the story focused on the lead-up to the big traumatic event, but there wasn’t much time spent on the event itself or the aftermath. I would've loved to feel more tension and anticipation. The “big twist” was a surprise, but nothing else felt truly shocking up until then.
This book had such a unique concept that I haven’t read before—from the typical “background” characters becoming the main characters, to the Cannes Festival setting, to the other points of view like podcast episodes and police interview transcripts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set against the sun-drenched Riviera, Hollywood unfolds over twelve intoxicating days as the Cannes Film Festival transforms the South of France into a cathedral of celebrity. The red carpet stretches endlessly, the champagne flows freely, and the world’s most famous people gather to admire one another while the rest of us look on in awe. And envy—especially for three young, ambitious, and undeniably talented women stranded on the lowest rung of the Hollywood ladder.
As they drift through Cannes’ glittering parties and impossible VIP lists, success always feels just one invitation away, yet remains maddeningly out of reach. The A-list glimmers nearby but never quite opens its doors. This constant proximity to glamour without access gives the novel its sharpest edge, capturing the quiet desperation and obsession that can bloom beneath luxury. It’s easy to see how the pressure pushes these women toward impulsive choices—choices they might, or definitely will, regret.
Each chapter shifts perspective to a different character, a structural choice that offers variety but ultimately weakens the narrative. The frequent switches become confusing, making it difficult to fully invest in any one voice. While the premise promises scandal and suspense, the story often coasts where it should accelerate. Moments that beg for tension pass too quickly, leaving the novel feeling more atmospheric than thrilling.
Hollywood succeeds in evoking the illusion of Cannes—beautiful, exclusive, and slightly cruel—but lacks the narrative excitement to fully capitalize on its setting. Stylish and intriguing in concept, it ultimately falls short of its dramatic potential. ⭐⭐⭐
As they drift through Cannes’ glittering parties and impossible VIP lists, success always feels just one invitation away, yet remains maddeningly out of reach. The A-list glimmers nearby but never quite opens its doors. This constant proximity to glamour without access gives the novel its sharpest edge, capturing the quiet desperation and obsession that can bloom beneath luxury. It’s easy to see how the pressure pushes these women toward impulsive choices—choices they might, or definitely will, regret.
Each chapter shifts perspective to a different character, a structural choice that offers variety but ultimately weakens the narrative. The frequent switches become confusing, making it difficult to fully invest in any one voice. While the premise promises scandal and suspense, the story often coasts where it should accelerate. Moments that beg for tension pass too quickly, leaving the novel feeling more atmospheric than thrilling.
Hollywood succeeds in evoking the illusion of Cannes—beautiful, exclusive, and slightly cruel—but lacks the narrative excitement to fully capitalize on its setting. Stylish and intriguing in concept, it ultimately falls short of its dramatic potential. ⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story set during the glittery Cannes Film Festivals and is filled with rumors, secrets, lies, and bad behavior. The three main characters are women looking for their big break in Hollywood and are telling lies and pretending to be something and someone they aren’t. The story is broken down by days and the multiple points of views with transcripts of police interviews and a Hollywood rumor podcast thrown in to add more details. Reading the stories and lies they told had me shaking my head and worrying about what it was doing to their lives and careers. It seems that no one can be trusted to tell the whole truth and I wondered if anything was true. Oh, and if the women couldn’t be trusted the men were worse and it is their behavior that leads to an ending that was unexpected. I recommend this book if you enjoy stories filled with secrets and unexpected twists.
Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse and NetGalley for a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse and NetGalley for a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 8, 2025
We Would Never Tell is set in the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival, but is it all as wonderful as it looks to an outsider?
This book is written in a non-linear format with multiple POV. The 3 main characters, Marnie, Constance and Lou, are young women trying to make it in their varying roles in Hollywood. The writing gives just enough back story that you understand their positions and motivations, but not so much that it distracts from the main story at hand. They are likeable but also very real and make some silly decisions at times, which I think humanises them, and this definitely helped me to get more into the story. There are strong themes of female experience and struggle which I empathised with.
I did find that the plot was a bit slow going to begin with and at times it felt a little predictable. I wasn’t ‘hooked’ but did enjoy my experience of reading the book.
Thank you the Netgalley for this ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
This book is written in a non-linear format with multiple POV. The 3 main characters, Marnie, Constance and Lou, are young women trying to make it in their varying roles in Hollywood. The writing gives just enough back story that you understand their positions and motivations, but not so much that it distracts from the main story at hand. They are likeable but also very real and make some silly decisions at times, which I think humanises them, and this definitely helped me to get more into the story. There are strong themes of female experience and struggle which I empathised with.
I did find that the plot was a bit slow going to begin with and at times it felt a little predictable. I wasn’t ‘hooked’ but did enjoy my experience of reading the book.
Thank you the Netgalley for this ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this one pretty blind and ended up way more invested than I expected. This is a slow-burn thriller where secrets pile up and no one feels fully trustworthy, which kept me second-guessing everyone the entire time.
The friendships felt messy and realistic, and I liked how uncomfortable some moments were—it made the tension feel earned. The pacing starts off slower but really picks up in the second half, and once it did, I didn’t want to put it down. A few times I thought I had things figured out… I didn’t.
There were moments where I wanted to shake the characters because of their choices, but honestly, that just made it feel more believable. The atmosphere is moody, the writing is easy to get through, and the secrets definitely keep you reading.
If you enjoy thrillers with dark friendships, buried secrets, and twists that sneak up on you, this one is worth checking out.
I went into this one pretty blind and ended up way more invested than I expected. This is a slow-burn thriller where secrets pile up and no one feels fully trustworthy, which kept me second-guessing everyone the entire time.
The friendships felt messy and realistic, and I liked how uncomfortable some moments were—it made the tension feel earned. The pacing starts off slower but really picks up in the second half, and once it did, I didn’t want to put it down. A few times I thought I had things figured out… I didn’t.
There were moments where I wanted to shake the characters because of their choices, but honestly, that just made it feel more believable. The atmosphere is moody, the writing is easy to get through, and the secrets definitely keep you reading.
If you enjoy thrillers with dark friendships, buried secrets, and twists that sneak up on you, this one is worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gowns. Champagne. Murder.
“We could kill in plain sight, with the whole world watching. We are invisible. Or so we thought. Or so we were. Until they found the body”.
Three ambitious women take on the Cannes Film Festival in hopes of their big break — only to soon find themselves being questioned for a missing multi-million dollar necklace and high-profile murder.. Are they the only suspects? What really happened on that yacht?
A slow-burn thriller, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I enjoyed the interview portions; they supported the storyline well. I found the writing to have a lot of extended descriptions that didn’t always support the story, twist, or overall plot. Told from multiple character perspectives. The ending wrapped everything up well. Definitely didn’t expect it to end the way it did. A good read overall.
❗️RELEASES APRIL 2026❗️
Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for this Advanced Readers Copy!
“We could kill in plain sight, with the whole world watching. We are invisible. Or so we thought. Or so we were. Until they found the body”.
Three ambitious women take on the Cannes Film Festival in hopes of their big break — only to soon find themselves being questioned for a missing multi-million dollar necklace and high-profile murder.. Are they the only suspects? What really happened on that yacht?
A slow-burn thriller, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I enjoyed the interview portions; they supported the storyline well. I found the writing to have a lot of extended descriptions that didn’t always support the story, twist, or overall plot. Told from multiple character perspectives. The ending wrapped everything up well. Definitely didn’t expect it to end the way it did. A good read overall.
❗️RELEASES APRIL 2026❗️
Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for this Advanced Readers Copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and her publisher for allowing me to read this book early in exchange for my honest review.
Lights! Camera! Murder?
"We Would Never Tell" captures the behind the scenes of what it takes to make the biggest stars of Hollywood shine through the view of a stylist, publicist, and an aspiring starlet. With all of the glam and drama, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau throws a splash of murder into the events of the two weeks of the biggest film festival in Canne, France to add to the brewing storm of drama unfolding.
I enjoyed the way Anne-Sophie divided the views of the different characters. I feel that she captured their emotions well, ranging from Lou's anxieties, to Marnie and Constance's struggles trying to please their clients, while navigating difficult bosses and inflated egos all around them.
I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for the right amount of drama and crime.
Lights! Camera! Murder?
"We Would Never Tell" captures the behind the scenes of what it takes to make the biggest stars of Hollywood shine through the view of a stylist, publicist, and an aspiring starlet. With all of the glam and drama, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau throws a splash of murder into the events of the two weeks of the biggest film festival in Canne, France to add to the brewing storm of drama unfolding.
I enjoyed the way Anne-Sophie divided the views of the different characters. I feel that she captured their emotions well, ranging from Lou's anxieties, to Marnie and Constance's struggles trying to please their clients, while navigating difficult bosses and inflated egos all around them.
I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for the right amount of drama and crime.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was such a fun read! I really got caught up in the glitz and glamor of Cannes, and loved the behind-the-scenes look at the non-celebs who work to pull it all off. The characters of Marnie, Lou, and Constance were all complex and interesting in their own ways, and the other characters, the famous and the nobodies, added a lot of variety to the story. The structure, alternating between multiple POVs, police interviews, and podcast transcripts, left me feeling a bit off-kilter, but I can't imagine the story being told any other way. Would have loved to have had even more of the podcast included. The way the 3 main characters came together felt a little clunky, but otherwise I enjoyed the pacing and energy of this novel. It would make an amazing film! Will definitely check out more by this new-to-me author in the future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and especially loved the Cannes Film Festival setting. This story is fun and twisty and full of so much drama.
We have these three women who are flawed and a little messy and just the right amount of petty...and perhaps unhinged too. They are desperate to “make it” in Hollywood. When a necklace goes missing and a body is found they find themselves unlikely allies working together to clear their names.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the use of police transcripts and the gossip podcast to tell this story - it gave the book some extra tension and I found myself saying just one more chapter. There is drama and juicy moments and secrets and glamor and also a very real sense of ageism and sexism. Yes this is fiction but there were definitely moments that felt real and authentic too, especially for women of a certain age.
✨What To Expect:
🔪Psychological Thriller
⁉️Secrets & Lies
🌪️Twists & Turns
💎Missing Necklace
🔍Murder Mystery
🎥Cannes Film Festival
We have these three women who are flawed and a little messy and just the right amount of petty...and perhaps unhinged too. They are desperate to “make it” in Hollywood. When a necklace goes missing and a body is found they find themselves unlikely allies working together to clear their names.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the use of police transcripts and the gossip podcast to tell this story - it gave the book some extra tension and I found myself saying just one more chapter. There is drama and juicy moments and secrets and glamor and also a very real sense of ageism and sexism. Yes this is fiction but there were definitely moments that felt real and authentic too, especially for women of a certain age.
✨What To Expect:
🔪Psychological Thriller
⁉️Secrets & Lies
🌪️Twists & Turns
💎Missing Necklace
🔍Murder Mystery
🎥Cannes Film Festival
January 22, 2026
Mysterious, engrossing and scandalous; it’s been a long time since I’ve stayed up to finish a book because I simply had to know what happened next!
We enter the film industry at the Cannes film festival, where betrayal, ambition and delusion lurk. Told through three POVs: actress Lou, stylist Constance and PR assistant Marnie, as they navigate the festival, their own career and life obstacles, and somehow, not being convicted for murder.
This was a fascinating concept and it felt rather slow at the beginning. However, as the timeline moved onward and I got to know the characters, I was dying to know what actually happened that fateful night. The addition of police interviews and snippets from the podcast were a nice touch. With a beautiful backdrop tainted by a fickle industry, we see the women come to terms with the path they’ve chosen, and what they will do to succeed. I enjoyed the pacing and the writing, with just enough suspense to hook you to the next chapter. 4,5 stars, rounded up!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC; all opinions are my own.
We enter the film industry at the Cannes film festival, where betrayal, ambition and delusion lurk. Told through three POVs: actress Lou, stylist Constance and PR assistant Marnie, as they navigate the festival, their own career and life obstacles, and somehow, not being convicted for murder.
This was a fascinating concept and it felt rather slow at the beginning. However, as the timeline moved onward and I got to know the characters, I was dying to know what actually happened that fateful night. The addition of police interviews and snippets from the podcast were a nice touch. With a beautiful backdrop tainted by a fickle industry, we see the women come to terms with the path they’ve chosen, and what they will do to succeed. I enjoyed the pacing and the writing, with just enough suspense to hook you to the next chapter. 4,5 stars, rounded up!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC; all opinions are my own.
November 26, 2025
3.5 stars!
We Would Never Tell reminds me of The Favorites by Layne Fargo and The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John. I do think this would be better on audio with the podcast entries, police interviews, and multiple POVs. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's rich/rich-adjacent people doing bad things and getting away with it.
The Cannes setting is over-the-top and ridiculously dramatic. There's gossip, hookups and breakups, morally grey behavior...what's not to like? LOL. I liked watching how the characters went from individuals to a team, and how all the drama and gossip intertwined. Was it a groundbreaking story? No. Was it entertaining as hell? Yes.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the eARC!
We Would Never Tell reminds me of The Favorites by Layne Fargo and The Lion's Den by Katherine St. John. I do think this would be better on audio with the podcast entries, police interviews, and multiple POVs. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's rich/rich-adjacent people doing bad things and getting away with it.
The Cannes setting is over-the-top and ridiculously dramatic. There's gossip, hookups and breakups, morally grey behavior...what's not to like? LOL. I liked watching how the characters went from individuals to a team, and how all the drama and gossip intertwined. Was it a groundbreaking story? No. Was it entertaining as hell? Yes.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy
We Would Never Tell is a suspenseful, intriguing story.
The story is told in multi-pov. The search is on for the killer of a dead body that was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea and a multi-million dollar necklace that seems to have vanished without a trace.
I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the story. While I felt like the story was captivating, I couldn't connect with the characters and found the pacing to be slightly slow. It's not until we get to more than 50% of the book that the pacing finally picks up and the story really sucked me in. There were also some plot twists that I didn't see coming.
I think this story is worth the read if you're willing to take the time to get there. I know it took me some time, but it was overall enjoyable.
The story is told in multi-pov. The search is on for the killer of a dead body that was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea and a multi-million dollar necklace that seems to have vanished without a trace.
I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the story. While I felt like the story was captivating, I couldn't connect with the characters and found the pacing to be slightly slow. It's not until we get to more than 50% of the book that the pacing finally picks up and the story really sucked me in. There were also some plot twists that I didn't see coming.
I think this story is worth the read if you're willing to take the time to get there. I know it took me some time, but it was overall enjoyable.
November 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC.
This frothy, light book would be great reading on the beach. The 3 main female characters are all on the lowest rung of Hollywood workers, who, by hook or by crook, made it to the Cannes Film Festival, hoping to make enough of an impression to climb higher up the ladder. With much desperate trying, most of it making me cringe, all 3 fail miserably. In the end they witness a murder. That, and the disappearance of a multi-million dollar necklace, is the culmination of their trip. The ending was, to me, the best part of the book. It shone a light on the reason for the killing; I found it quite compelling .
This frothy, light book would be great reading on the beach. The 3 main female characters are all on the lowest rung of Hollywood workers, who, by hook or by crook, made it to the Cannes Film Festival, hoping to make enough of an impression to climb higher up the ladder. With much desperate trying, most of it making me cringe, all 3 fail miserably. In the end they witness a murder. That, and the disappearance of a multi-million dollar necklace, is the culmination of their trip. The ending was, to me, the best part of the book. It shone a light on the reason for the killing; I found it quite compelling .
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Initially I was on the struggle bus getting into this story.
Multi POV novel that follows three females at the Cannes movie festival as they work as an actress, stylist and junior publicist. The POVs jump around and so does the timeline somewhat. I will say it took me a while to figure out that someone actually died and that's what all the hoopla was about.
I know that makes it seem like I didn't enjoy the book but really I did! Not my favorite novel I've read but they can't all be. The ending was the best part in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Multi POV novel that follows three females at the Cannes movie festival as they work as an actress, stylist and junior publicist. The POVs jump around and so does the timeline somewhat. I will say it took me a while to figure out that someone actually died and that's what all the hoopla was about.
I know that makes it seem like I didn't enjoy the book but really I did! Not my favorite novel I've read but they can't all be. The ending was the best part in my opinion.
Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved the women in this book. They were messy, chaotic, obsessive and I lived for it. Normally, I don't love multiple POVs but the characters were so entertaining that I was too caught up and eager to find out what was going to happen next. The ending was a bit too tidy considering how wild these characters were but overall I loved the story. It was entertaining and an absolute page turner. The setting was so idyllic and glam with a touch of murder, so I was all in. Great read!
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced ebook, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced ebook, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book has all the makings of a solid thriller. Hollywood, glamour, Cannes festival. Told from the perspective of Marnie, Lou and Constance it made for great reading. When a star is murdered and there are plenty of motives, and missing jewels well come on, this book takes the reader for a ride.
Normally this type of style (told from different people) drives me nuts, but I liked it and I found a new favorite author! Defiantly add this one to your bookshelf!
Normally this type of style (told from different people) drives me nuts, but I liked it and I found a new favorite author! Defiantly add this one to your bookshelf!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews