Friends with Secrets: A Novel by Christine Gunderson

In a funny and suspenseful debut, Christine Gunderson explores the myth of the perfect mother, the bonds of female friendship, and the haunting impact of secrets.

What you see isn’t always what you get.

Meet Ainsley, the stunning mother of two who seems to have it all—a perfect life with her husband, Ben, an aspiring politician and heir to a candy fortune—in suburban Washington, DC. Beneath the surface, however, Ainsley is terrified of being exposed as a fraud. She’s overwhelmed by the fear that someone will uncover her real identity and her hidden past.

On the other side of town is Nikki, struggling to stay afloat as a stay-at-home mother of four. Her days are filled with chicken nuggets and a severe lack of sleep. While she appears chaotic on the outside, Nikki longs for the validation—and the paycheck—she left behind in her former television news career.

When a dangerous figure from Ainsley’s past becomes a coach at her kids’ school, Ainsley’s fear escalates. She turns to Nikki, revealing every detail of her troubled past in a desperate bid for help. Together, they hatch a plan to expose the coach and protect their children.

As Ainsley and Nikki work to safeguard their kids, they must navigate their own complex lives and their burgeoning friendship. But with the threats growing ever closer, they must question whether they can protect their lives, their children, and the fragile new bond they’ve formed. ❤️📚❤️