I completed an ARC read of You Were Right by Georgina Kelly, a work of literary fiction that explores grief, friendship, and the turning points of midlife. Mary finds herself at a crossroads: her twenty-year marriage is unraveling after her husband’s indiscretion, and her only daughter is preparing to leave for college, forcing both of them to confront what comes next.
When Mary learns that her childhood best friend, Lauren, has died, long-buried pain resurfaces. Their friendship ended abruptly years ago, and Mary is left with unresolved guilt and questions. In an unexpected final gesture, Lauren leaves Mary a mixtape tied to key moments from their shared past. Each song on the tape brings Mary back to a milestone she and Lauren shared, resulting in bittersweet memories.
When Mary uncovers a hidden message in the tape, she realizes that not everything about Lauren’s life and subsequent death is as it seems.
I found myself most engaged in the present-day chapters, where Mary tries to piece together the puzzle of Laurens life and death with her husband’s support. While the childhood chapters effectively establish the depth of Mary and Lauren’s friendship, the mystery in the present timeline was especially compelling.
Georgina Kelly is a self-published author. You Were Right will be released in early June 2026.
Water for Camels 