Ralph hates his life. On his way to a villa in Amalfi to celebrate his 45th birthday, the party includes his ex-wife, Sarah, whom he still loves, and her boyfriend. Okay, that's not very realistic. Ralph has himself brought a 30-yo girlfriend so his will be jealous and hopefully see he's still got it. Also along are Ralph and Sarah's young adult daughter, son, and the son's girlfriend. There are misunderstandings and gratuitous negativity from the start, and I didn't care for the characters. Besides which, the structure of the novel isn't great--there are no chapters. Instead segments change with different characters' viewpoints. Finally, the novel contains such gems as "Ralph pushes his eyes out." I could not finish it, but thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beautiful cover and I love a vacation-gone-wrong story. This one didn't really work for me though. The premise was ridiculous. A 45 year old man named Ralph decides to celebrate his birthday with a stay at a luxury Amalfi Coast villa. He invites his golddigger girlfriend Gemma, his 17 year old daughter Janice, his 20 year old son Patrick, Patrick's girlfriend Anna, Ralph's ex-wife Sarah, and Jack, the guy Sarah left her husband and kids to be with. In what universe?!? Anyhow, the story alternates between their different perspectives and it's very confusing trying to figure out who is currently telling the story. The characters don't really behave in realistic ways.

Another Amanda Robson novel? That means another cast of wackadoodles!

Ralph is still in love with his ex-wife, Sarah. His young girlfriend, Gemma, doesn’t like that. Sarah is engaged to Jack, and isn’t in love with Ralph anymore. That’s why she left him 8 years prior.

Now on the cusp of Ralph’s 45th birthday, he has invited his children, as wel as Gemma and Sarah to a paradise vacation on the Amalfi coast. When Sarah reveals that she’s bringing Jack, Ralph isn’t thrilled.

Not everyone will leave the island alive.

I’ve gotta hand it to Robson for always pulling me in with her plots and characters. They are always 100% certifiably bonkers!

However, this one didn’t really deviate from her last few books, and therefore didn’t feel very fresh. It’s very formulaic. The chapters are short and sweet, tackling multiple POVs, but the characters were truly despicable…all of them! The dialogue and verbiage of the characters’ thoughts was pretty corny and repetitive, which means I rolled my eyes on more than one occasion. There were moments that were hard to follow too.

And yet, I was entertained. So even though this definitely wasn’t my favorite book by the author (that would be My Darling), I’d recommend it to someone who wants to read an entertaining but OTT story without using their brain at all. As of this moment, I’m not sure if I’ll pick up her next book (only gave 4 stars to two of them)…but I’m guessing by the time it comes out, I will. HA!

#guiltypleasurebutnotsurewhy

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 9/29/22.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

The Party Guest is another Christie-esque novel. A Villa in Italy, a birthday party, lots of tension and everyone has a reason to murder the victim(s).

Written in four voices, the narrative is too choppy and doesn't flow from one story to another. While the mystery is strung throughout each narrator, I never really cared. The disjointed story and lack of development in the characters were all disappointing.
As this was an ARC from Netgalley, I did finish it. I actually skimmed the last half of the book.

I cannot recommend this book.

There are some mixed rebuff this book but I really enjoyed it. Perfect beach read. The characters I didn’t warm to but you sometimes get that don’t you. All in all a fun book. Exactly what it says in the tin.

Lots of popping twists and turns. Enjoyed this domestic thriller very much. Beautiful beach vacation, strange personal obsessions and some highly toxic company! Face paced and entertaining.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Ralph decides to take his GF, children, and ex-wife to Italy on his 45th birthday but the real motive is to get his ex-wife back. Sarah-ex-wife-decided to take her partner with her. Everyone is looking forward to something specific on this trip (Hint: it's not Ralph's bday).

The writing was easy and quick, there were short chapters from each character's POV, making it easy to keep track of everyone and understand what is going on in their minds. The flow was good but the writing style was cringy at points, the way female characters were written was shouting male author, I was indeed surprised after finding that author is female. There was so much unnecessary graphical detail. Patrick and Anna's characters were FILLER, they didn't offer anything except annoy me. I couldn't understand why they talked so robotically and why they are even dating?. Gemma was portrayed as a typical bimbo, from her POV she was the smartest person in the group, and from others' she was nothing more than a golddigger and stupid person. Sarah was also so annoying, she left her children because she fall in love with Jack and they both keep acting like teenagers in love. She never showed any guilt or regret for leaving her children but expected them to be cordial with her. The ending was weird and could have been better.

I am giving it 2.5 stars only because it was an easy read, I didn't have to spend too much time on it.

First of all, thanks to AvonBooks Uk, NetGalley and Amanda Robson for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let’s start with the cover. I like it. At first glance you get a stunning view. Then you notice the broken glass with spilled wine. That should prepare us for what happens with in the book.

I know this is an ARC, but boy was it difficult to read. The formatting was not that great and for some reason the font is very light when reading on a dark background. You can’t get it brighter, at least not when I tried. That’s a big minus for me personally, the book is almost unreadable. It’s ok when you use a white background, but it’s hard on my eyes as well.

The book gives us several points of views. Sometimes it’s hard to remember who the “you” is. The chapters are written from the POV of one character addressing another character as “you”. I don’t think I have read a. Ok written like this before . I am not sure if that’s a style I like, but it worked.

The setting is very awkward. Ralph celebrates his 45th birthday in Italy where he spent his honeymoon with his now ex wife Sarah. On the trip we have Ralph and on/off girlfriend Gemma, his teenage/adult kids, Sarah and her new(well not actually ) boyfriend Jack. Ralph is still in love with Sarah. sarah lives Jack … It’s a recipe for drama in the making. Or better, for a couple of dead bodies. Not everyone survives the trip.

It’s a light and fast read, and I enjoyed reading it quite a bit.

Devoured this book in two sittings as I couldn't put it down.

I love Amanda Robson’s writing style, its quick and dramatic and leaves you feeling really absorbed into the book.

I enjoyed the book, the characters not overly likeable but it was a good story and ending.

Rated 4/5

Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Robson
An interesting twist on narration, with each of the characters having their own voice and interpretation of events, which ensures that you are focussed and do not skim through the pages, as you need to ensure that you are clear who you are listening to. A book with a fairly fast pace, lots of motives, characters who you struggle to warm to and sufficient twists to keep you engaged.
Family dynamics, sibling rivalry, jealous exes, conniving and manipulative girlfriends...."The Party Guest" does have everything to ensure that this is a book you'll pick up, read and leave for someone else to enjoy.
3.5 stars...

Despite an intriguing premise of a birthday party gone wrong in the beautiful locale of Praiano, I wasn't very taken with this read.

Ralph's forty-fifth birthday celebrations at a private luxury villa in the Amalfi Coast in Italy sees a curious blend of guests - his kids -17-yr old Janice and 20-yr old Patrick, Anna - Patrick's girlfriend, Gemma - Ralph's on-off girlfriend, Sarah - his ex-wife, and Jack - Sarah's fiancée. Ralph, still very much in love with Sarah, plans to use this trip as an excuse to woo her back. But when someone ends up dead right before the party, all his plans go bust.

The author has a unique writing style, akin to a diary entry; this was observed even in her previous book, 'The Unwelcome Guest.' Despite the slow pace of the plot, there is a steady progress in the suspense build-up that keeps one hooked. With a bevy of unlikeable characters, the author deftly manages to throw suspicion on all of them, cementing one's continued interest.

Having said that, it was a great disappointment to note that there were no plot twists in the story. Infact, initially what seemed like plot twists were just red herrings, strategically placed to cast doubts on certain individuals. The author proves that the simplest answer is most often correct with a climax that was glaringly obvious and yet one that I kept ignoring in the hope of an intriguing twist.

Overall, a good storyline but with a downer of an ending. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book just didn’t grab me at all in any part of it, it was lacking something for me anyways, didn’t keep my attention and I felt I had read it before..

I was very excited to read this however I don't think this book was for me.

I didn't enjoy the writing style - the character's point of view switched too often and too quickly and I found it hard to know who was speaking. On some chapters, I had to flick back to the beginning to establish what character's view I was reading. I really disliked how the author directed speech at the reader via other characters for example 'It was to impress you, Sarah.' and 'while you, Sarah, are the love of my life...' etc.

The overall plot was intriguing and kept me entertained. The first half was the better half and from about 53% the book slowed pace, became repetitive and I found myself skipping big sections which added nothing to further the plot or characters.

None of the characters were likeable which made it difficult to care what happened to any of them.

A quick read but not sure I'd read anything more from this author if it was written in the same style.

This is definitely a rollercoaster which will have your head spinning..... I'm just not sure if that's a good thing in this case. I normally love books with multiple character povs but this one was a bit disjointed and lacking. It wad also a bit too much rambling which did nothing to actually move the plot forward. The twist were fine and it was decent enough if you take it with a pinch of salt. I didn't find the characters particularly realistic or their behavior in any eay how actual people would react but hey, it's a fiction book so let's not focus too much on realism and just enjoy it as a light hearted quick wee read over the summer

It's Ralph's 45th birthday and he decides to spend it in a beautiful villa on the Amalfi coast. He invites his girlfriend, Gemma, his children, and ex-wife Sarah and her boyfriend, Jack. Once everyone arrives the claws start to come out. Gemma is jealous of Sarah because Ralph is still in love with her, Ralph is jealous of Jack and Janice is mad at her mom for leaving her dad. Talk about a party gone wrong. Two people end up dead and someone goes to jail. This was a wild story!

I want to note this book does not have traditional chapters, but is told in alternating points of view. It was a bit different than what I normally read and I was ok with that. The story was a bit out there, but I still enjoyed it. Overall, an enjoyable read. If you are looking for something quick and entertaining.

Many thank to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Unlikeable people doing improbable things. Uninteresting twists. Characters tediously and repetitively spelling out their passions in interior monologues. It all adds ip to a disappointing and can-miss mystery

Twisty and unpredictable this read kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I read it in one sitting and I didn't want it to end.

Hated the writing style, no idea who is actually talking half the time, weird characters I have no time for. Not for me,

I found the style of the book a bit difficult to read. I liked how it went from one character to another but there were times that it switched characters but didn’t change the heading so I had to go back to figure out who was “talking”. Perhaps this will be fixed with more editing.

While there was a lot of things happening there wasn’t any excitement. Somebody goes missing and the family just continues their heavy drinking and partying. For a family that supposedly love and hate so intensely I couldn’t feel any emotion for them. The book felt disjointed and things suddenly happened without any build up or action.

It is a quick read and some people may really enjoy the style and storyline but it just wasn’t for me.

Quick read, enjoyable setting and likeable characters.
I think this is a great easy holiday read ! Would be enjoyed by the pool