Broke and recently divorced, Jen has returned to her hometown of Cedartown, Texas, in part to reconnect with childhood friends Cynthia and Kittie, who seemingly lead perfect lives with their husbands, children, and great wealth. However, when handsome, mysterious Will Harding rolls into town in his vintage truck, all three women are attracted to him to the point of obsession. He identifies each one's weak point and begins different types of relationships with each, manipulating while mesmerizing them and eventually leading his prey to betray one another and their families. After a shocking opening set in the present, the story unfolds in short chapters set in the recent past and alternating between the women's points of view. Suspicion, jealousy, and anger erupt among the three friends as Will toys with their feelings in this dark tale of psychological suspense that will keep readers involved until it ends with a final twist and a violent confrontation.

Jen Hansen has many admirable qualities--she's a devoted mother and dedicated yogi--but astute judge of character doesn't appear to be among them, as the freshly divorced homemaker discovers, at her peril, in this breezy romantic thriller from Cobb (The Hunting Wives). After an acrimonious split from her philandering husband, the financially strapped 39-year-old and her teenage son relocate from Austin to her East Texas hometown, where she's gobsmacked to meet a golden-haired Greek god of a man moving into the neighborhood. Not only does this charming if somewhat mysterious newcomer, Will Harding, seem taken with Jen but, as she breathlessly reports to the two childhood BFFs with whom she has reconnected, Kittie Spears and Cynthia Nichols, he's single. As emerges from Jen's, Kittie's, and Cynthia's alternating accounts, unbeknownst to one another, all three become dangerously besotted with Will. Though suspenseful hairpin twists lead to a smashing if far-fetched finale, the numerous mutual betrayals of Jen by Kittie and Cynthia--both of whom pretend they are trying to advance their single friend's chances with Will while secretly pursuing him themselves--leave a somewhat bitter aftertaste. Those looking for a beach-ready escape, though, will be satisfied. Agent, Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Assoc. (May)