Book Review: We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda

‎This novel wastes no time throwing the reader into a messy, drama-soaked setup. A glamorous Palm Springs getaway, former sorority sisters, an engagement celebration, and a tragedy that refuses to stay in the past. We Were Never Friends thrives on tension fueled by old grudges and unresolved guilt.

‎‎The story brings together women who once belonged to the same sorority, reuniting twenty-five years after a spring break trip that ended with the death of one of their own. What’s meant to be a celebratory weekend for their children quickly unravels as environmental chaos, unexpected intruders, and buried secrets turn the gathering volatile. The past looms over every interaction, and it becomes obvious that these friendships were built on shaky ground from the start.

‎‎Roxy and Amelia dominate the narrative with their sharp tongues and controlling personalities. They’re manipulative, self-absorbed, and openly cruel, yet impossible to look away from. These are not characters you’re meant to admire, but they are undeniably entertaining, driving much of the story’s conflict and momentum.

‎‎Readers should know going in that this isn’t a deeply layered psychological thriller. Instead, it leans into a straightforward murder-mystery framework, relying on dramatic reveals, shifting alliances, and interpersonal conflict rather than intense psychological exploration. The twists are effective, the pacing is brisk, and the tone feels intentionally indulgent.

‎‎Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Palm Springs, the novel uses its setting well, contrasting luxury and celebration with tension and moral decay. As the truth about Sunny’s death slowly resurfaces, the characters are forced to reckon with choices they made decades earlier and the consequences they’ve been avoiding ever since.

‎‎This book will appeal most to readers who enjoy fast-moving stories, heightened drama, and thrillers that prioritize entertainment over complexity. If you love scandal, secrets, and a plot that keeps escalating without slowing down, We Were Never Friends fits squarely into that “popcorn thriller” category.

Stephanie is a writer, avid reader and movie lover with great love and passion for thrilling, suspenseful and mystery stories. When she’s not writing a traumatic character or reading through a gripping thriller she’s definitely watching a dark psychological thriller movie.