Best Book Forward

Andrea Mara on Such a Nice Girl: When Friendship and Motherhood CollideIn this episode bestselling author Andrea Mara joins me to talk about her gripping new thriller Such a Nice Girl, released today. We get into the story behind the book, which begins the morning after a glamorous wedding when two mothers wake to find their daughters missing. What follows is a tense and emotional unravelling of friendship, trust, and the quiet fears that sit beneath family life.Andrea shares what inspired the novel and how she builds that sense of unease that keeps readers turning pages. We also talk about her writing process, the balance between character and plot and how much she loves to come up with great red herrings.Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward is complete without book recommendations. Here are the books that have shaped Andrea. You’ll find links to buy below:Books by Andrea:Such A Nice GirlAll Her FaultIt Should Have Been YouAndrea’s Book Choices:It by Stephen KingThe Jackson Brodie Series by Kate AtkinsonThe Chimney Sweeper Boy by Barbara VineDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverMargot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi ThorpeOther Books MentionedOn Writing by Stephen KingBird by Bird by Anne LamottBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertShrines of Gaiety by Kate AtkinsonSmall Mercies by Denis LehaneLong Bright River by Liz MooreTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinA Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaI’ll be back next week with another author conversation, and I’d love for you to join me for that too.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends. It really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening.Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/Andrea Mara on Such a Nice Girl: When Friendship and Motherhood CollideIn this episode bestselling author Andrea Mara joins me to talk about her gripping new thriller Such a Nice Girl, released today. We get into the story behind the book, which begins the morning after a glamorous wedding when two mothers wake to find their daughters missing. What follows is a tense and emotional unravelling of friendship, trust, and the quiet fears that sit beneath family life.Andrea shares what inspired the novel and how she builds that sense of unease that keeps readers turning pages. We also talk about her writing process, the balance between character and plot, and the journey to becoming a bestselling thriller author. It is a really fascinating look at how a story comes together and what drives her to keep writing darker, more complex narratives.What we talk about:The inspiration behind Such a Nice GirlWhy stories about motherhood and friendship resonate so deeplyBuilding suspense through character and everyday fearsAndrea’s writing process and how her ideas developHer journey to becoming a bestselling authorBooks that shaped AndreaOf course, no episode of Best Book Forward is complete without book recommendations. Here are the books that have shaped Andrea. You’ll find links to buy below:I’ll be back next week with another author conversation, and I’d love for you to join me for that too.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends. It really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening.Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/

Ilona joins me today to chat about her incredible new novel Five. I couldn’t wait to chat to Ilona about it; I mean check this hook out: Five passengers, five, stories, five minutes until someone dies. Who do you want it to be? Brilliant isn't it and I can tell you it is a fantastic read one that should be read in a group!This is a story about judgment. About empathy. About the hidden lives we never see and in this episode Ilona share what drew her to this premise as we discuss the themes of how we view strangers and the assumptions we make.This conversation dives into:Moral decision-making under extreme pressureThe psychology of judgment and biasThe importance of empathy in everyday interactionsThe lived experiences of mothers and individuals navigating neurodiversityHow real-world moments can inspire compelling fictionBooks that shaped IlonaOf course, no episode of Best Book Forward is complete without book recommendations. Here are the books that have shaped Heidi, you’ll find links to buy below:The Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckMrs Death Misses Death by Salena GoddenWow, No Thank You by Samantha IrbyEdith's Diary by Patricia HighsmithAlso recommended by Ilona:Unschooled by Caro GilesI’ll be back next week with another author conversation, and I’d love for you to join me for that too.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends... it really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening.Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/