We Were Never Friends: A Novel - Softcover

Rouda, Kaira

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1464244995 ISBN 13: 9781464244995

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, 2026

Synopsis

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

SheReads Most Anticipated Thrillers in 2026

"Deliciously fun!" ― Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling author

Sisters? Forever. Friends? NEVER. Who knew a reunion weekend could be so deadly?

Meet the sorority sisters of Theta Gamma Mu:

• Roxy Callahan Gentry, the ruthless former sorority president and current hostess who has painstakingly choreographed every detail of this weekend―even matching the cocktails to her couture―to prove that she remains their undisputed queen
• Amelia Dell, the widow drenched in old money and alcohol, with her big pot-stirring spoon and uninvited boy-toy in tow
• Jamie Vale, the double-legacy pledge, straight-A student with no sparkle, now a top cardiologist with a picture-perfect family―and a well-guarded bad habit
• Beth Harrison, the scholarship student who never quite fit in and was only admitted because her best friend Sunny insisted that the two were a package deal
• Sunny Spencer, the carefree and beloved friend to all, or so it seemed―until she wasn't

They've been summoned to Roxy's luxurious Palm Springs vacation home to celebrate the engagement of her son to Beth's daughter. But the refurbished 1920s estate is eerily reminiscent of the hotel where tragedy struck during Spring Break twenty-five years ago. Long-simmering tensions and shocking secrets begin bubbling to the surface like bodies―because while the weekend was supposed to be about celebrating the future, it's not so easy to bury the past…

For fans of Shari Lapena, Mary Kubica, and B. A. Paris, We Were Never Friends is an unputdownable, riveting train wreck full of dark humor and bad behavior.

About this title

About the Author

Kaira Rouda, living in Southern California with her family, is an award–winning USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Reviews have touted her novels as “pure genius” (SheReads), “an exceptional psychological thriller” (Publishers Weekly starred review) and promising to “keep you at the edge of your seat” (PopSugar). It is clear, one outlet shares, that “Kaira Rouda is the new mistress of domestic suspense” (Bookstr). Kaira’s work has been translated into a dozen languages and three of her novels have been named Amazon Editor’s Picks for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. BENEATH THE SURFACE has been optioned for film and won a Zibby’s Book Award for Best Beach Read, and WE WERE NEVER FRIENDS and JILL IS NOT HAPPY were both featured in People magazine. Kaira is active in the mystery and thriller writing community as founder and co-host of the Killer Author Club, a live online interview series and podcast supporting authors. For more information please visit kairarouda.com

Edition details

• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1464244995
• ISBN 13: 9781464244995
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288