The book cover is beautiful for this book! It’s what truly drew me to requesting an advanced copy. I had never heard of the author or the book. I went into this book blindly, but I’m so glad I took the plunge! I requested the ebook originally, but started to really enjoy it, so I requested the audiobook too- it’s helpful to go back and forth between both copies.

I loved the community Facebook inserts, they truly made me laugh out loud! I could totally picture people in the community where I live saying the same ridiculous things.

I enjoyed the books perspective bouncing back and forth between the mother and daughter. It was a nice insight in the kid and adult perspective of the book. It was cool to start with the present day and then build back from a year or so earlier to get the backstory and understand how everything got to be so intertwined and messy!

Overall, I really loved this book and will be suggesting it to friends and family!

As promised in the blurb, this is a Whodunit. But the reader does not know who “dun” it or who it was done to or why it was done. It starts out present time, then goes back to the previous year, presumably leading to the crime.

The first thing that bothers me about the book is that it pushes the agenda of climate change and environmental breakdown. I know that these are very relevant issues but I don't need that in a book that I am reading for entertainment. I get more than enough of it on the news and on social media.

The next thing that bothers me is that it is a very alcoholic-centric story. While it is not a story about alcoholism, it is constantly mentioned throughout. It is not necessary to the story and could have been left out.

The rest of the story was only ok. There is such a glut of psychological thrillers on the market that it is hard to make one stand out. This one is a cross between Desperate Housewives on Wisteria Lane and something that Liane Moriarty might have written.

There is a cul-de-sac. Each home has its problems. There is addiction, mental health, abuse, stalking and strangely enough, there is a weird and aggressive exterminator hanging around that no one likes. And, any one of these problems could lead to the murder that is going to happen.

My problem is that the further I get into the book, the more convoluted it becomes and also unbelievable. I read for entertainment so I don't necessarily need everything to be realistic. But, this became totally off-the-wall unbelievable by the last half of the book. But, of course, I needed to finish it. Quite the conundrum!

This is a great story for anyone who wants a quick read and who doen't mind the very twisted, convoluted and unrealistic tale of The Block Party.

I'm giving it 3 stars because I forged my way through it and came out unscathed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers copy.

This was so not for me. This style of writing really borders on YA to me and it just kept completely pulling me out of - what was supposed to be - an adult thriller. The premise and conclusion are pretty good but I just found it so dry.

Every Memorial Day the residents of Alton Road have a block party. The neighbors around all know it’s a tradition. The neighbors in this cul-de-sac are all very close, a couple are even related. When a new family moves in things start to become tense. The adults are fighting and the kids who were close are beginning to doubt each other. So many families and so many problems.
Jamie Day is able to write a very interesting story about a small community and all of their struggles. His characters are very interesting and captivating. You will enjoy this story.

This appears from the outside the neighborhood that everybody would love to move to, but the real secrets and drama lie behind closed doors. Sounds like the perfect neighborhood Memorial Day block party until the cops are involved after a murder happens. The story goes between present day to reliving the last year through the eyes of a mother and her teenage daughter getting ready to graduate. What animosity in that time frame and scandals happened to cause the argument and murder that occured in the present day. This was a really great read and one that I'll definitely be recommending to friends.

☀️📚 #4 (and an eARC from Net Galley)

First of all, this book would make a great movie because that's exactly how it read for me! Secondly, from a personal stand point, the bits that were the online community group transcripts felt 💯% like I was reading my own community's FB news page; the array of characters and the comments they made felt WAY too familiar 👀🤣

I enjoyed the way the book was laid out, getting the preview of the current timeline at the beginning and then backtracking to go through the past year leading up to that day's events. It's clear that someone has died/ been potentially murdered. But as the reader you have no idea who. As the story unfolds from the previous year and you get to know the neighbors, it becomes clear that the victim(s) (and potential murderer) could be ANYBODY for a slew of reasons. I thought Jamie did a particularly great job at fleshing this plot out because the further you get into the book and to finding out what actually happens and to who, you can't easily predict who it will be or why. This is because there are so many little mysteries going on between the characters, and there's also several instances shown where multiple characters have a gun or access to a gun. As for the motives, there are PLENTY in the mix! I LOVED not being able to predict what was going to happen. It kept me turning the pages quicker!

The little community post interactions that I mentioned earlier have a nice way of tying in and keeping in focus that something has happened in the present day. It's a nice refresher with a bit of humor every so often to have that slipped within as a reminder that something is coming once we make it back to present day. I'm also glad that Jamie only gave Lettie and Alex the main primary narratives as opposed to switching through viewpoints of ALL the main players at the block party/ neighborhood because too many characters and constant switching always gives me a bit of a headache. This was easy to follow and flowed more smoothly to me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and will definitely check out more from Jamie in the future!

*As always, thank you to Net Galley, St. Martin's Press, and Jamie Day for this eARC.
*Block Party will be released July 18th, 2023!

I was excited to read this book after seeing all the 5-star reviews, but I came away a bit disappointed. There are so many characters and convoluted plot points to keep track of, and it all felt a little confusing at times. None of the secrets were particularly surprising, and the basic story of a neighborhood full of people with things to hide is one I've read many times. I'll admit that it did keep me reading until the end, so it had some entertaining elements. So, for me, this one gets three stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good neighborhood thriller and this was pretty solid! I actually liked the ending A LOT which I usually end up liking books along the way, and not the ending, but this was the opposite. In some parts of the middle I felt like we really needed more action and it was dragging a bit, but how everything wrapped up in the end was great. Loved all the connections between the characters. Not a fav thriller but will still recommend.

The first thing to be said is that the only reason this is a mystery is because it starts with present day and a murder happening at the block party and then goes back a year prior to telling you who was killed. At its core, this is a domestic, contemporary drama focusing on an elite neighborhood that is full of family, friends, and secrets. The drama itself is juicy and the players are morally gray.

I felt the community group chat of the nearby neighborhood was unnecessary as it added nothing but fodder for gossip and to remind us that this was a mystery not just a drama. I feel this story would have done better with it staying as a family and neighborhood drama escalating to the murder rather than opening with the murder of an unknown person and then going back in time.

Not everything is as it seems on Alton Road and it all escalates at their annual Memorial Day block party. When the secrets come out and the repercussions appear, who will be make it out unscathed?

The Block party is a domestic suspense story about an affluent block party full of secrets. There are many characters but only two of them narrate the story, Alex and her daughter Lettie. There was lots of drama and secrets interwoven throughout the story. Lettie's side of the story reads like a Young Adult novel. As the secrets unfold, we see connections between the neighbors that leave you shocked. Overall, the story was enjoyable and kept me interested. This is a great beach read or casual summer read. I give it 3.5 stars!

I received an ARC of this book from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jamie Day’s The Block Party is the summer thriller we ALL need.

You never know what goes on behind closed doors. No one knows this better than the residents of Alton Road. After someone ends up dead at the annual block party, secrets begin to emerge. Readers will be shocked to discover the victim’s identity and the circumstances surround it.

The story alternates between past and present timelines. While it is narrated by a mother-daughter duo, Day incorporates the entire ensemble of Alton Road (and the surrounding neighborhoods). Normally adding multiple perspectives adds to the believability, by these unreliable narrators kept me on my toes.

I loved everything about this book!!! Each time I thought I had things figured out, Day threw another twist and turn my way. The ending left me so shocked, I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Day’s debut novel. I was able to both read and listen to the book and can attest to them being absolutely phenomenal. The benefit of having a physical book was that it allowed me to go back and gain clarification for key details I missed. Whereas, listening to the audiobook brought a sense of humanity to characters I strongly disliked. Each format offered a unique insight. If possible I would encourage readers to consume both formats.

Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillian Audio, and Jamie Day for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence? In THE BLOCK PARTY by Jamie Day you’ll see that that may not always be the case. As the neighbors gather for the annual Memorial Day block party/BBQ/fireworks, there are so many secrets and lies going on, whether it’s between partners, parents, siblings, cousins, best friends…you name it. We’ve got two sisters living on the block where one suspects the other’s husband is cheating with the new girl. We’ve got ladies wondering if the new boy is abusive. We’ve got one neighbor trying to teach the other the fine art of getting revenge. Oh, and an exterminator (aka Bugman) who will use ANY opportunity to advertise his business. All of these people gladly(?) come together for that special day. But when a shot can be heard, you’re not really sure who was hit.
This one had me hooked from the beginning. While I think knowing your neighbors is very important and in Philadelphia there are A LOT of block parties, these people are all too close for comfort. Makes for a very fun and interesting read. I like the author’s writing style that had me so glued to the pages, I could only leave the neighborhood when the book was completed. But to tell you the truth, I was happy to see it in my rear view mirror. This would make a great beach read, just make sure someone else is watching the kids. I think it would also lead to very lively and spirited conversations at any book club. Great job!

I love a good neighborhood drama. I found this to be slightly predictable, but the ending came as a surprise. Definitely would recommend!

What I wouldn't give to live in this neighborhood! This neighborhood was filled with drama and just goes to show you never know what might be happening in the house next door!

This was an addictive read for me. I am glad, however, that this is a block party I will never be invited to attend. There are several characters and storylines to keep track of. Thanks NetGalley for the audio eArc.

If you are looking for drama - this book has it in spades! And it's the juicy kind ;-)
The Block Party features many characters and side characters but Jamie Day introduces them and weaves them into the mystery flawlessly. It is a fast-paced, tension filled, who done it... and it left me guessing until the very end. Definitely recommend! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press or the ARC of this book in exchange form honest review.

This is a scandalously delicious summer read!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Family Drama, Neighborhood Drama, Childhood Drama…SO MUCH DRAMA! I loved every tasty and juicy tidbit. Jamie Day is an awesome author that I’ll be keeping my eye on!

Everything comes to a head at the annual Alton Road Block Party. Long-buried secrets have been clawing their way to the surface and when they mingle with the new secrets on the block, it’s like adding vinegar to baking soda.

“The Block Party” is a volcano of betrayal, obsession, and scandal that has been simmering just under the surface. It erupts and everything (well, almost everything 😈) spews out on a Memorial Day that will forever be memorable!

Alton Road is an exclusive cul-de-sac that is like a world of its own. Wealthy residents seem to live carefree lives in their gorgeous houses. But behind their manicured lawns and picture-perfect windows are scandalous and shameful secrets dying to get out!

The story literally begins with a bang. A murder right out of the gate but we won’t get the details until the end of the book. The story switches between past and present, building suspense, with multiple narrators! I enjoyed piecing together my predictions! I could have done without so much rambling from Alex. Does she have a drinking problem? Hell YES! Do something about it so we can focus on the story, lol.

I received complimentary ARCs of both the ebook and audiobook, thanks to St. Martins Press and Macmillan Audio. The audiobook had incredible narrators and I highly recommend it. All opinions are my own. This is a scandalously delicious summer read!

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The Block Party is a mystery; a who did it. I could not figure it out until the end which is great because who wants to read a book when you guess what is going to happen. The story centers around one street and the neighbors in the town of Meadowbrook. Both teens and adults are part of the story with several different strands of the story but in the end it's all connected.
This is a fast, easy read; one you just don't want to put down. One can identify with the characters in the story.
This is a great, enjoyable story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Jamie Day, and St, Martins Press for an advance copy of The Block Party in exchange for an honest review. I feel like I say this on repeat but for me, theres just something about listening to drama when individuals are rich. I enjoyed following along with the great assortment of characters throughout this story. There were many different storylines in this one that flawlessly came together as the book went on. I definitely found myself rooting for certain characters while I judged other characters harshly. This is definitely full of suspense and I found myself questioning alot of the characters motives. I was very happy with the ending and I thought the author did a fantastic job creating this story. You can pick up this one on July 18th! 4.5 Stars!!

Oh my all the secrets that this neighborhood is keeping! Could have all the troubles been avoided if people would have just been honest and not kept the secrets?

Alexandra (Alex) was the one that was in charge of getting the annual block party organized for the Alton Road neighborhood. There were games, food and drinks. Alex’s husband Nick was concerned with all of Alex’s drinking. Lettie was Alex and Jay’s daughter and she stayed to herself for the most part until she discovered the new neighbor Jay. Jay was Mandy and Samir Kumar’s son that had just moved into this neighborhood and their real estate agent was Alex’s sister Emily. Emily and her husband Ken also lived in this neighbor with their son Dylan their other son Logan was away at college. Logan was the golden boy. Willow and her husband Evan and their daughter Riley were also a part of this area. And, Brooke the single lady that was beautiful and the guys were checking her out on her photo site!

The women are strong and do have each others back throughout all the problems. There is alcohol abuse, mental and physical abuse, drugs and cheating in this book and failed relationships. One of my favorite laugh out loud quote was when Lettie referred to Jay that was constantly using his Vape pen called him Puff the Magic Dragon. I promise you will absolutely love this book and will not put it down until you figure all the lies and deceit out.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.