A threatening note.
Long-buried secrets.
Their friendship tested.
The last time lifelong friends Payton, Isley and Clara were together, Clara broke their unwritten rule and brought up the one thing they never talk about. And now, more than twenty years after their friend Cece took her life, they must confront that night as the three women and their husbands—plus one unexpected guest—gather at Isley’s Breckenridge vacation home. With tension already simmering just below the surface of their relationship, they’re each left shaken when a cryptic note arrives: Tell the truth or I will.
Who is the message for and what does it refer to? The women fear it could be linked to the truth they’ve kept hidden since the night Cece died…or maybe it has something to do with one of the problems they’ve each brought with them.
Isley’s son is in rehab after narrowly avoiding jail time, spurring her to a reckless act of her own. Clara, usually so careful to follow rules, is haunted by the one night that she didn’t. And Payton has been in denial regarding her husband’s so-called plan for their marriage.
As the weekend unfolds, all three will revisit the bonds they share and the challenges that have shaped their lives. And by the trip’s end, a truth that shocks them all will be revealed.
About The Author
My Review
The story follows three lifelong friends—Payton, Isley, and Clara—bound by a tragic past: the suicide of their friend Cece over twenty years ago. Their unspoken agreement to never revisit that night has kept their fragile bond intact, until a chilling note arrives during a weekend getaway: “Tell the truth or I will.”
That ominous message unravels everything. Secrets spill, tensions rise, and each woman is forced to face not only what happened the night Cece died, but also the lies and struggles they’ve hidden from themselves and each other. Isley battles with guilt over her son’s reckless choices and her own impulsive actions. Clara, usually the dependable rule-follower, can’t escape the shadow of one rebellious night. And Payton faces the devastating truth about her marriage, even as she clings to denial.
The mystery kept me guessing, while the layered character development made me care deeply about these women. Themes of friendship, betrayal, loyalty, and forgiveness run through every chapter, giving the novel an emotional resonance that’s as powerful as the suspense itself. Gripping, poignant, and thought-provoking, this is a beautifully crafted exploration of secrets, guilt, and the courage it takes to face the truth.
My Rating
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