With Friends Like These by Alissa Lee

 Harvard promised them everything.

Ambitious futures, peers who pushed each other toward their absolute best, and an education that would open doors for the rest of their lives. And though they started out as roommates, Sara, Bee, Dina, Allie, Wesley, and Claudine soon became family. They had their whole bright lives ahead of them—until their senior year, when a shocking tragedy changed everything.

Twenty years later, five of the roommates still indulge in a secret tradition they’ve kept alive since their campus days: the Circus, a harmless elimination-style “killing” game played across the private rooms and hidden alleys of New York City. The game is a nod to their younger selves and a tribute to the sixth roommate they lost too young. But this year, Sara wants out of the game—until she discovers there is a small fortune awaiting the winner of this final round.

As the Circus unfolds, Sara begins to suspect that the others aren’t playing by the rules, and as the danger turns real and the old friends start pointing fingers, she discovers that even those closest to her harbor secrets of their own…secrets that could kill. 

With Friends Like These by Alissa Lee is a book I finished more out of obligation than enjoyment. The plot is serviceable but highly predictable, and most of the major developments can be seen coming well in advance. There are no real surprises, which drains much of the tension and makes the story feel flat.

The biggest issue, though, is the cast of characters. Rather than being flawed in interesting or revealing ways, they come across as primarily whiny and entitled. Their problems often feel self-inflicted, and the narrative asks for sympathy without doing much to earn it. Instead of growth or self-awareness, many of the characters simply complain, which becomes repetitive and frustrating as the story progresses.

While the premise has potential and the writing itself is competent, the execution never quite rises above mediocrity. The predictable storyline combined with unlikable characters makes it difficult to stay invested or care about the outcome. Overall, With Friends Like These is not a terrible book, but it is a forgettable one—an unremarkable read that is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

Overall, I rate this novel 2 out of 5 stars.