Aren't We Lucky

De: Sarah Forbes Stewart

Narrado por: Nicola Coughlan

Abby and Hetty are best friends. Aren't they?

A deliciously dark novel about the unravelling of a friendship, for fans of Liane Moriarty, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Donna Tartt. Narrated by Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton).

Life’s not going well for forty-year-old Abby. When her beautiful and charismatic best friend dies suddenly, she’s left reeling. Hetty’s always been such a dominant force in her life; now Abby must figure out who she is – and who she wants to be – without Hetty by her side. Abby has always been the odd one out in Hetty’s wealthy, privileged friendship group.

Despite their differences, Abby has managed to carve out a place for herself. But Hetty isn’t an easy friend to have. She blows hot and cold, alternating between fierce loyalty and unwarranted cruelty. Abby accepts both versions of Hetty, just grateful for the attention … until she’s not. From divorces and weddings, via awkward dinner parties and dead-end relationships, to soul-sucking first jobs and dubious flatshares, Abby recounts the story of her great friendship with Hetty in reverse.

Finally, we meet Abby and Hetty when they first meet each other: as fresh-faced eighteen-year-olds with their whole lives ahead of them…and no idea of the tragedy that lies ahead.

©2024 Sarah Stewart (P)2025 Audible Ltd.

Liked the characters, story a little lacking

There is a lot of potential in this book. Character development really keeps the book going. The plot incorporates past and present but there seems to be a disconnect and just not liking some of the characters rather than understanding how friendships begin and then ycan unravel. The surprise twist at the end certainly helped!

Narration was good. At times it was difficult to initially determine who was the specific voice though.

Meh

It was a slow one for me. And fairly predictable. Not as twisty as some might think.

Glad I stuck with it.

This was, as expected, a beautiful performance. Nevertheless, I started wondering what the point was about halfway through. It seemed liked various memories of an unhappy life and toxic friendship. I hear enough of that in real life. Then some more intriguing characters and twists had promise. Delivered an intriguing ending that I want to ponder. Well worth your listen.

Nicola’s performance is an award winning one

The story took us to places I didn’t expect in the beginning. Kudos for choosing Nicola for this audiobook. A lesser actress wouldn’t be able to go to the places she went with this. I felt every frustration and disappointment. I need a movie and a second book.

Very Nice Listen!

Being a free offering, I went into this not expecting much. I was happily surprised. Narration and story were both great. It is a bit predictable but doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment. This is a solid four star book, IMO. Not too shabby for a freebie.

Suspenseful atypical mystery

This book kept me listening although I didn’t like any of the characters, but ultimately that’s part of the point I guess. I ended up really liking it.

A Reflection for Many

This book is a reflection of how so many people live: caught up in the opinion of others and not realizing their true value and identity in Christ. If you're reading this...SOAR, my friend, above the insecurities of others.

Worst Friend Ever

Great listen and the narrator was excellent! Enjoyed the characters and twisted and deserved ending!

She sees her life with a new perspective

it is hard to talk about this book without giving it all away, but it has to do with Abby re-evaluating her life, past and present, with the perspective that her best friend (now passed) is not the friend Abby thought she was. beautifully written, you can see how Abby is mistreated by many around herself, how she gaslights herself into accepting it, and how she eventually finds herself in the end. Sad, lovely, full of self loathing and with painful perception, the narration *makes* this story, and the narrator sells it splendidly. excellent read if you love a tale of dreadful reality for the female ugly friend.

Great twist

It kept me interested and I didn’t see the end coming. I love Penny, she’s the kind of person I would love to know