Better Than You Know Yourself by Kristen Berry: A Mystery About Friendship, Secrets, and Family
My Rating: 4.25/5 Stars ⭐
ARC Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of Better Than You Know Yourself through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Disclosure: Some links on Breathe Chile may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Breathe Chile.
Some authors have a way of telling stories that keep you invested in more than just the mystery, and Kristen Berry is quickly becoming one of those authors for me.
After reading We Don’t Talk About Carol, I was looking forward to picking up another book by her. I really enjoyed how she blended a suspenseful mystery with the complicated relationships and family dynamics of her characters. So when I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of Better Than You Know Yourself through NetGalley, I was excited to see if she could deliver that same experience again.
And I’m happy to say she did!
What I’m starting to appreciate about Berry’s writing is that while you’re busy trying to figure out who did what and why, there’s an entirely different story unfolding involving the characters’ personal lives. And honestly, sometimes that part is just as interesting as the mystery itself.
What’s Better Than You Know Yourself About?
At the center of the story are Jia and Imani, two best friends who have been through just about everything together over their thirteen-year friendship.
What started as a small business venture selling nut butter at a farmers market has grown into a successful company. But while Imani is enjoying the success they’ve worked so hard to achieve, Jia is struggling financially and questioning whether the business is still what she wants for her life.
Things become even more complicated when an opportunity to sell the company creates tension between the two women.
And then there’s Ravi, their investor, who also happens to be secretly involved with Imani.
When Ravi is found murdered in Imani’s kitchen, everything begins to unravel. Secrets come out, friendships are tested, and suddenly everyone seems to have something to hide.
But figuring out who killed Ravi is only part of the story.
What I Loved About This Book
1. There’s More Than One Mystery to Unravel
One thing I’ve noticed about Kristen Berry’s writing is that she doesn’t just give you a murder mystery and call it a day.
There’s the obvious mystery surrounding Ravi’s death, but there’s also another layer involving the characters’ relationships, their families, and the issues they’ve been avoiding.
I noticed this same approach in We Don’t Talk About Carol, and it’s one of the reasons I enjoy her books so much.
As much as I wanted to know who was responsible for the murder, I was equally interested in seeing how Jia and Imani would work through their issues and whether their friendship could survive everything happening around them.
I appreciate when an author gives me characters whose lives are interesting enough to stand on their own, even without the mystery.
2. The Relationships Are Complicated, Just Like Real Life
Nobody in this book has everything figured out, and I actually liked that.
Jia and Imani have been friends for thirteen years, but that doesn’t mean they always understand each other or agree on everything.
They’re dealing with different challenges, making decisions based on their own circumstances, and sometimes failing to see things from the other person’s perspective.
And isn’t that how relationships work sometimes?
You can love someone, have years of history together, and still find yourself at odds because you’ve grown in different directions.
I also enjoyed the family dynamics throughout the story. The relationships aren’t perfect. People have their flaws, make mistakes, and sometimes hurt the people they care about. But there’s also that desire to repair what’s been damaged.
I think that’s something many readers will be able to relate to, whether it’s a friendship, marriage, or family relationship.
3. I Appreciated the Diversity of the Characters
Another thing I enjoyed was the diversity throughout the book.
Berry includes characters from different racial backgrounds and sexual orientations, and I appreciated seeing that representation woven into the story.
The characters have different experiences, perspectives, and relationships, which adds another layer to the story.
I enjoy reading books that reflect the diversity of the world we live in, and I think Berry does a good job of incorporating that into her storytelling.
4. Just When You Think You’ve Figured It Out…
Listen, I love a good mystery, especially one that makes me think I’ve figured everything out.
And Kristen Berry is really good at making you believe you know exactly what’s going on.
There were moments when I felt pretty confident about my theories. I thought I had connected the dots and knew where the story was heading.
Then another twist came along, and I realized I was completely wrong.
And it happened more than once!
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about her books. She gives you enough information to start forming your own conclusions, but she doesn’t make it easy to get to the truth.
I want a mystery that keeps me questioning things until the end, and this one definitely delivered.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Kristen Berry
After reading two of her books, I’m starting to recognize what I enjoy about Kristen Berry as an author.
She writes mysteries, but she also writes about people.
People who have complicated families, imperfect friendships, secrets, regrets, and decisions they wish they could take back.
And while there’s usually a central mystery driving the story, the emotional side of the characters’ lives is just as important.
I appreciate that balance because I don’t always want a thriller that’s nonstop action. Sometimes I want a story that gives me something to think about beyond figuring out who committed the crime.
That’s what I enjoyed about We Don’t Talk About Carol, and it’s what brought me back for Better Than You Know Yourself.
My Final Thoughts: 4.25/5 Stars
Overall, I really enjoyed Better Than You Know Yourself.
It had everything I was hoping for: a mystery that kept me guessing, plenty of twists and turns, complicated friendships, family drama, and characters who felt like real people dealing with real problems.
What stood out most was how Berry managed to make me care about both the murder investigation and what was happening in Jia and Imani’s personal lives.
I wanted answers about Ravi’s death, but I also wanted to know whether these two women could find their way back to each other after everything they’d been through.
And for me, that’s what makes a story memorable.
If you enjoy mysteries with strong character development, complicated relationships, and twists that keep you questioning your theories, I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your reading list.
Have you read anything by Kristen Berry? If you’ve read We Don’t Talk About Carol, I’d love to know what you thought about it and whether you’re planning to pick up Better Than You Know Yourself.
Happy Reading!
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ARC Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of Better Than You Know Yourself through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Disclosure: Some links on Breathe Chile may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Breathe Chile.
