Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. If you enjoy a bit of a mixed genre – #Chicklit with lessons and a splash of a narcissistic protagonist, you will enjoy this novella length romp with “best friends?” Alexa and Rosie in this fun read – My Sweet Friend by H.A. Leuschel.
Blurb
‘Thrilling and clever, relatable yet extraordinary’ – Whispering Stories
‘I highly recommend this intriguing page-turner to anyone who’s ever crossed paths with a true narcissist… and is still standing!’ – Felicia Denise, author and blogger
‘Cleverly plotted and perfectly paced, the characters were all flawed in their own dark ways… an addictive read’ – Dash Fan Book Blog
A perfect friend … or a perfect impostor?
Alexa is an energetic and charismatic professional and the new member of a Parisian PR company where she quickly befriends her colleagues Rosie and Jack. She brings a much-needed breath of fresh air into the office and ambitiously throws herself into her new job and friendships.
But is Alexa all she claims to be?
As her life intertwines with Rosie and Jack’s, they must all decide what separates truth from fiction. Will the stories that unfold unite or divide them? Can first impressions ever be trusted?
In this original novella, H.A. Leuschel evokes the powerful hold of appearances and what a person is prepared to do to keep up the facade. If you like thought-provoking and compelling reads with intriguing characters, My Sweet Friend is for you.
My 5 Star Review
Psychological Manipulator Meets Sweet and Compassionate.
We begin the story with a telephone conversation between Alexa and Rosie. We get that Rosie seems a bit ticked that Alexa needed a week off from her fairly new job at the PR firm where she ‘works’ together with Rosie. Air quotes around the word ‘works’ because that is debatable as this fun chicklit-ish romp with life lessons continues in this story, spiked with a twist of narcissism.
It’s not hard to figure out that Alexa is a narcissist who fits people into her life who can benefit her and those she can control by lying, cajoling, preying on, and projecting. Some may question her narcissism, but as a great detector of this species – she is. She’s got all the symptoms, denials, and bag of tricks.
Alexa is a manipulative girl who slithers into the lives of ‘sweet’, compassionate and good-natured Rosie and fellow colleague and hot guy, Jack. When Alexa noticed Jack’s affection for Rosie, Alexa swoops right in with her wiley ways to seduce him just to prove to herself she can, without a thought for her friend. Alexa is a needy lover of herself and will go to any lengths to get what she wants. She uses Rosie’s compassion to cry to her, complain and lie about stories to gain sympathy. And poor Rosie is naive to Alexa’s cons – until she no longer is.
This read kept me engaged until the very end as I had my suspicions as I analyzed along with Alexa’s characteristics and shenanigans. I enjoyed reading on to see if my suspicions were accurate while focusing on Alexa’s actions with her distractions and faked distress and her odd ‘woe is me’, strange behaviors for someone so well put together and with such ‘projected’ confidence.
Thankfully, Rosie gets some well-needed advice from her therapist who helps Rosie to sort out her confusion about her friendship with Alexa, and Jack and some office pals begin to put some stories together that don’t add up about Alexa. And once Jack and Rosie corroborated their stories to one another, the gig was up.
This story kept me engaged as the author managed to keep this short novella a page-turner, keeping us wondering if Alexa gets called out all the while we’re shaking our heads at Alexa’s gumption. By the last page we’ll be left to decide if Alexa has learned anything from her experience, or will her personality keep her living life as she always has – dropping drama in her tracks? There are some good life lessons in this book, which suggests to me that anyone can enjoy this book.
©DGKaye 2020
DGKayewriter.com 
That’s a very positive and encouraging review, Debbie. Sounds like a fun read.
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Thanks Norah. It was an interesting little read. ❤
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This sounds a fun read. I quite like reading novellas, but at the moment don’t have any time until the grandchildren go back to Mum & Dad!
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Enjoy the grandies Stevie. The book will always be there. And if I know your reading preferences well enough, I think you will enjoy this romp. ❤
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Lol..sounds like a fun read.. and when you have known a few narcissists red flags are raised with their hallmark shenanigans… they are convincing…great review Debby…♥
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Thanks Sal. You know, for those of us who unfortunately, have good experiences with narcissists in our lives, this fun read will definitely strike some chords. ❤ xx
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I think this book would annoy me while I was reading, Debby. Not because it isn’t a good book, but because of the personalities involved and how it plays out. Thanks for sharing your interesting review.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts Robbie. Yes, the character Alexa is annoying, but a sign of good writing and a good character study for sure. ❤
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Another fabulous review, Debby – this sounds like a great read and just my cup of tea. Toni x
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Thanks Toni. I’m always glad when my reviews inspire others to read. ❤
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It seems there is a lot of manipulation and game playing in this book. I like the question you pose in your review about whether Alexa will resume her old ways or not. Sometimes manipulators feel bad at the moment that they’ve been caught but then go right back to their own ways.
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So true Pete, this is why I question the afterdom of Alexa. Old habits die hard! 🙂
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For anyone who likes to read chick-lit it sounds a fun read, Debbie a well put together review of this novella 🙂 x
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Thanks so much my Lovely ❤
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Excellent review. I appreciate the 5/5 you gave it. I don’t like narcissists but there is a lot to learn when I’m not in their headbeams.
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Absolutely Jacqui. The 5 stars was for the writing, not because I like narcs, only that I have only too much experience with one 🙂
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Uh, well–happy to see another review from the inimitable D.G. Kaye. Haven’t dared venture into Chicklit yet–probably won’t, LOL.
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Lol, come on. Look at all the fun you’re missing LOL 🙂
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Welllllll. LOL
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I observed a real-live narcissist at close range for a year and a half – no, thank you.
In book form, I could probably handle it. Your 5-star review is compelling though.
By the way, I love your book-in-hand meme, so cute!
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Hi Marian. Thanks. I lived with one most of my life, so I’m well aware of the signs, lol. Btw, you can make your own avatar emojis like me at bitmoji.com 🙂
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Excellent review, Debby. I love Helene’s work. x
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Thanks Judith. I’d already noticed your review on GR. So not surprised you’ve already this. And I look forward to reading more from her too ❤
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Ohhh some people live for drama! Not me – But I’d still like to read this novella 😉 Great review, Debby.
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Lol Christy, yes, when it’s other people’s drama! 🙂 xxxx
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Novellas are a bit of a hit-and-miss for me. If I’m really enjoying the characters and their adventures I sometimes feel annoyed because they are too short, but it sounds like this one is just the right length to keep you wondering. Thanks for the recommendation, Debby!
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My pleasure Olga. I think this one was well sewed up. ❤
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Thanks for the review, Debby! Sounds like a quick and fun read. Good to know that narcissists don’t always get what they want, in the end! 🙂
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Thanks Liesbet. I don’t know about that. Narcs usually find a way to get what they want, and when they don’t they’ll move on to someone else. 🙂
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Hi, Sis I’ve been a bit under the weather and still catching up to blogs. This sounds like a good read! BTW, if you are on an iPhone you can’t make your own bitmoji’s yet. Apparently it is only for android phones right now. How sad!! LOL! 😀
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Hi Sis. Arg, I know you’ve been working diliently on your new book. Stay there and close off the world. And oh, sad about bitmojo for Apple users. ❤ x
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Terrific review, Debby!
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Thanks so much Jennie xx
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Sounds like a great read, Debby. I just might pick this one up. Thanks for the review!
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Thanks so much Diana. No doubts you will relate to some of these stories. ❤
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