The New Girl: A gripping debut of female friendship and rivalry

by Harriet Walker

She's borrowed your life. But what if she decides to keep it?

Glamorous Margot Jones is the fashion editor at glossy women's magazine Haute, and pregnant with her first child. Margot's used to her carefully curated life being the object of other women's envy - who wouldn't want her successful career, loving husband, beautiful house and stylish wardrobe?

Maggie, a freelance journalist, certainly knows she doesn't measure up. So when Margot gets in touch to suggest she apply for her maternity cover at Haute, Maggie seizes the chance at living a better life - even if it's only temporary.

But the simultaneous arrival of Margot's baby and a brutal end to her oldest friendship sends Margot into a spiral of suspicion and paranoia. Are Maggie's motives as innocent as they seem? And what happens at the end of the year when Margot wants her old life back - especially if Maggie decides she doesn't want to leave?

• ISBN10: 1529304040
• ISBN13: 9781529304046
• Publish Date: 15 April 2021 (first published 19 May 2020)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Imprint: Hodder Paperback
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[pagesbycyndy]

 

Margot Jones is about to go on Maternity leave from fashion magazine Haute and has handpicked her replacement, Maggie, a freelance journalist. Margot has picked Maggie thinking that Maggie could never stand in her shoes and be as successful a fashion editor as she is. Meanwhile, Margot's best friend Winnie has suffered a tragic loss and is acting distant towards her. Combine these three elements and we have one heck of a story.

I quickly became immersed in this tale told from the alternating viewpoints of Margot, Maggie, and Winnie. With Margot's due date coming closer Margot becomes more paranoid and insecure than ever before. Maggie is handling her new position at Haute much better than Margot anticipated. and Winnie has completely abandoned their friendship. Maggie is not as innocent as Margot thought and is she trying to permanently replace her? Winnie seems to be scheming against Margot and is holding a terrible secret over Margot's head. With every new social media post Margot's paranoia spirals.

I was completely caught up in this tale of secrets, betrayal and hidden agendas. With the surprise ending and well-crafted plotline I highly recommend this book.This review was originally posted on Cindy’s Book Stacks