Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Other People’s Fun opens with Ruth at a point of quiet collapse. Her marriage has ended, her daughter is preparing to leave home, and her job feels like a dead end. She is lonely, overlooked, and unsure of what comes next. Into this emotional vacuum steps Sookie, a former school friend who once barely noticed Ruth but now reappears with confidence, glamour and apparent warmth. What begins as a tentative reconnection slowly shifts into something more unsettling, as Ruth becomes drawn into Sookie’s carefully curated world and starts to sense that not everything is as perfect as it appears.

✅ What I Liked:
Harriet Lane excels at subtle psychological tension. The novel builds discomfort gradually, through small interactions and unspoken power dynamics rather than dramatic twists. Ruth is an especially compelling protagonist, observant, passive and deeply human in her vulnerability. The portrayal of female friendship is sharp and unsparing, particularly in how it explores imbalance, envy and emotional dependence. The contrast between Sookie’s outwardly Instagram ready life and the reality beneath it is handled with restraint, making the unease feel earned rather than forced.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
The pacing is intentionally slow, and readers expecting a fast moving psychological thriller may find it too restrained. Ruth’s reluctance to act or challenge Sookie can be frustrating, even though it fits her emotional state. The tension simmers rather than explodes, which may leave some readers wanting a more dramatic payoff.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you enjoy character driven fiction that focuses on atmosphere and psychology rather than plot, this is an excellent choice. It will particularly appeal to readers interested in stories about female friendship, class, and the quiet ways people exert control over one another. This is a book that rewards close reading and emotional attention.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Other People’s Fun is a quietly gripping novel that captures how loneliness can make people vulnerable to the wrong kind of connection. It is unsettling because it feels so plausible, rooted in everyday interactions rather than extremes. Thoughtful, uncomfortable and sharply observed, it lingers long after finishing.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – A slow burn exploration of loneliness and manipulation