"The Spires" by Kate Moretti

Photo credit: Netgalley

The Spires, (Thomas & Mercer) by Kate Moretti, just came out September 21st.  I was super excited to read this one as Moretti is a "Tall Poppy" and I've heard great things about her stories. This is the first I've read, and I started it on the plane during my honeymoon.

Our main character Penelope ("Pip") has a demanding job, two teenagers, and an unemployed husband. She's dealing with all the stress that brings when unexpectedly one of her college room mates, Willa, knocks on the door asking for a place to stay as she escapes a dangerous marriage.  Pip of course says yes, two weeks tops, to the disapproval of her husband.
 

As Willa seems to infiltrate every part of Pip's life, all of the memories of the year after college come rushing back. During this year Pip and Willa lived with 3 other room mates. None of them have seen each other since some sort of tragedy at the end of that year.

As Penelope's family quickly warms up to Willa considering her the perfect guest, Penelope becomes increasingly frustrated. Willa not only crosses the line multiply times but she is heavily gaslighting Pip.  What happened the last year together may shine line on what's going on now so Pip starts to try to figure it out.

This dual timeline is quickly paced and the end is twisty. I typically enjoy dual timelines as they read so quickly.  The chapters weren't super short but they weren't super long either. There were multiple surprises through out the story, which I always love because I usually can figure at least part of it out. I  thoroughly enjoyed this read and would recommend.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review