Book Review: "Friends with Secrets" by Christine Gunderson

There’s that old adage that you never really know what a person is going through until you hear it from them. This book is certainly an example of that!

Nikki used to be a news anchor for a major network in DC. She misses the thrill of a breaking story, of having a purpose—not to mention the paycheck. Now a stay-at-home mother for four kids 5 and under, she always feels one step behind and completely a mess. It doesn’t help that with an infant, she barely sleeps.

Ainsley has the picture-perfect life. She’s married to the handsome heir to a candy bar company, she is always perfectly put together and volunteers for everything, and her husband is running for governor. But few know the life Ainsley fought her way out of, and what she had to do.

When the prestigious private school they send their kids to hires a new basketball coach, it seems like a huge win. He’s a former star athlete and philanthropist, and he will push the kids to reach their full potential. But when Ainsley meets him, she realizes she knows him from her former life—and he could be dangerous.

With nowhere else to turn, Ainsley confides in Nikki, who could use a hot story to try and get another news job. They’re both willing to do whatever it takes to expose the coach and protect their kids, no matter what it takes. But it may prove hazardous, because some will fight to protect themselves at any cost.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be more about rich women behaving badly, and while there are elements of that, this is more a celebration of female friendship and resilience. It illustrates that “having it all” means different things to different people. This was funny, poignant, and even a bit suspenseful.