A book by Jane Fallon is a guaranteed great read. The characters are well described with some being great and others the worst that you would ever want to know, but all making for a great story. I loved it and would highly recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC

This was definitely one of those page-turner books, I had to keep reading to find out what happened in the end! Laura has recently been divorced and shares a daughter, 8 year old Betsy, with her husband. Her new house sale fell through so currently her husband looks after her daughter most of the time, while Laura manages to find an apartment to rent above a garage in a very expensive/posh Close until she finds a new house for her and Betsy. The Close is full of snobby, plastic-surgery enhanced women who don't work, and their (usually) older rich husbands, all apThis was definitely one of those page-turner books, I had to keep reading to find out what happened in the end! Laura has recently been divorced and shares a daughter, 8 year old Betsy, with her husband. Her new house sale fell through so currently her husband looks after her daughter most of the time, while Laura manages to find an apartment to rent above a garage in a very expensive/posh Close until she finds a new house for her and Betsy. The Close is full of snobby, plastic-surgery enhanced women who don't work, and their (usually) older rich husbands, all apart from Gail & Ben (lovely couple) who have rented Laura the apartment. Laura runs her own cleaning company and works very hard, so is nothing like all these other women. Unfortunately she gets caught up in the crossfire when one of the guys, Al, makes out that Laura sent him a signed book, just as a friend, trying to throw his wife, Stella, off the scent of his affair. His company is one of the large jobs that Laura has on her books so she initially goes along with it, even though she has nothing to do with it at all, as she doesn't want to lose the contract. Of course Laura is ostracised by most of the women in the Close then as the wife, Stella, is the one they all revolve aorund, i.e the 'Queen Bee' of the title. But Laura, determined to clear things up, finds out some not so nice information about Al and feels she has to eventually come clean with Stella, which is when the fun and games start! There's lots of deceit and going behind backs going on, but it's just a really funny, engrossing read. Nothing is quite as it seems and just as you think you've figured it out another secret comes out. Laura was a great character, although I don't think I would have been quite as forgiving/helpful as she was towards Stella! A really enjoyable bit of escapism that I thorough enjoyed. I do love a Jane Fallon book!art from Gail & Ben (lovely couple) who have rented Laura the apartment. Laura runs her own cleaning company and works very hard, so is nothing like all these other women. Unfortunately she gets caught up in the crossfire when one of the guys, Al, makes out that Laura sent him a signed book, just as a friend, trying to throw his wife, Stella, off the scent of his affair. His company is one of the large jobs that Laura has on her books so she initially goes along with it, even though she has nothing to do with it at all, as she doesn't want to lose the contract. Of course Laura is ostracised by most of the women in the Close then as the wife, Stella, is the one they all revolve aorund, i.e the 'Queen Bee' of the title. But Laura, determined to clear things up, finds out some not so nice information about Al and feels she has to eventually come clean with Stella, which is when the fun and games start! There's lots of deceit and going behind backs going on, but it's just a really funny, engrossing read. Nothing is quite as it seems and just as you think you've figured it out another secret comes out. Laura was a great character, although I don't think I would have been quite as forgiving/helpful as she was towards Stella! A really enjoyable bit of escapism that I thorough enjoyed. I do love a Jane Fallon book!

I read this book courtesy of NetGalley. I have enjoyed books by Jane Fallon in the past and this is no exception although I did wonder initially as I just couldn't relate to some of the characters. As the book progressed I became hooked, firstly with Laura, although she annoyed me at times then Stella and all along Gail. There are some hilarious bits mostly driven by how ridiculous many of the very rich view themselves and the lengths they go to to try and outdo everyone else. As the book points out, money does not buy taste but so fun to take a peak! As with Jane's previous books, revenge is at the forefront but with plenty of twists, turns and secrets right up to the very end. A light and a thoroughly entertaining read ideal to relax with and enjoy.

What a great read! In the midst of Lockdown this is just what I needed. Funny and intelligent with a great group if characters. Loved it

Jane Fallon’s books always have me hooked from the first few pages, and this one was the same. I love her writing style and storylines. Laura’s marriage has broken up and her house purchase has fallen through, so she needs somewhere to rent, and quickly. She finds a small flat above the garage of a beautiful house, which is in a small road of similar properties. In a neighbourhood like this, there’s always a Queen Bee and here it’s Stella. Laura gets unwittingly dragged into a lie told to Stella by her fiancée and this makes her suspicious of Laura’s motives. Stella also detests Laura, of course. Then some of the other neighbours start to take Stella’s side, so Laura is determined to set the record straight and reveal Al for what he really is. So the two women join forces! A brilliant read that was hard to put down. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK Michael Joseph for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.