The Block Party is an intriguing neighborhood drama with plenty of plot twists that will keep your attention. I found it entertaining and engrossing, full of lies and deceit. For thriller fans, this book is a must-read.
The writing took me a while to get used to but ll in all it was a good read

<b>Note:</b> I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

On the night of the annual Summer block party, the Meadowbrook community Facebook page lights up with posts reporting sirens descending on the desirable and exclusive cul-de-sac neighborhood on Alton Road. Bit by bit, the comments trickle in, some taking pleasure in their neighbors’ misfortune and others showing concern. The truth eventually comes out. It's not an accident, or a drowning, or a fire, as some had predicted. For the first time in forty years, there's been a murder in Meadowbrook.

The residents of Alton Road—The Fox family, the core of the neighborhood but each with secrets of their own; the Adair Family, the seemingly perfect all-American family; the Thompson Family, on the brink of an explosive divorce; The Kumars, the mysterious "new neighbors"; Brooke Bailey, the "Black Widow"; and Gus Fisher, the quirky salesman— are entangled in a web of secrets and scandal unbeknownst to the outside world and even each other.

I think Lettie was my favorite character in the book, she was a typical teen but had the wear with all to be a decent human being showing her maturity and strength. Her point of view perspectives were the most insightful for being the teenager of the story. Alex, on the other hand, was cool and reserved. She made some weird choices that I did not fully understand her reasoning in the book. Why did she jump to so many conclusions and ridiculous theories? I do not get the Meadowbrook Online Community Page, I felt like it distracts from the story as a whole.

I was really excited about the premise of this book and I loved the spot-on portrayal of community chatter on Nextdoor. However, I realized about 20% in that I didn’t connect with any of the characters, was annoyed by the clunky writing and wasn’t all that invested in what was happening. I struggled to finish and did a lot of skimming only to find out that I didn’t really care. This one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

OMG this book was so good and took so many twists and turns that I truly did not see coming! Think Desperate Housewives meets Big Little Lies meets Revenge.

It so crazy what can happen in a year on Alton Road. Every year there is a Memorial Day block party for those neighbors that live on Alton Road. Only this time there is a murder. Rewind to the year before the murder and you start getting the clues of what has really been going on behind the scenes in this exclusive suburban neighborhood. From drama within the wives club to cheating to heavy drinking to avoid reality to revenge to even a stalker the Block Party leaves no stone unturned.

Over the course of the year that leads up to the murder you start to learn not everything is all it is cracked up to be. The main POV are Alex; the host of the Memorial Day Event, along with being the good neighbor who tries to keep the peace and Lettie; her teenage daughter who is super smart, into the environment and knows more than she is leading on! From there you meet the Adairs, the Thompsons, the Kumars and Brooke Bailey. Each family has there own issues going on behind closed doors. But who would really want to murder their neighbor? Let the secrets get spilled.

I highly recommend this read especially with Summer just right around the corner and a murder lurking in the wake! It was a 5 stars read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and St, Martin's Press for this ARC! Pub date: July 18,2023

This was a very well-written, solid domestic suspense. The characters were well fleshed out, multi-dimensional and developed. I recommend if you are a fan of books/shows along the lines of "Big Little Lies" and the like.

This was an entertaining read and kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed that different generations were involved in the storylines, and the different perspectives from chapter to chapter. It’s so easy to make assumptions about neighbors based solely on what you see, but behind closed doors, so much more is going on! The story starts with acknowledgement that a murder has happened at the annual Fourth of July block party, then goes back in time to lead us chronologically to the present, each point in time revealing a little more depth to what’s really going on. There are some serious issues referenced in this book and it was nice that the author created fiercely protective neighbors in these situations, especially women. Overall it was a good read and although I figured out some of it, I certainly didn’t figure out all of it!

Thank you to St. Martin’s press and NetGalley for this ARC.

So.Much.Drama! I loved this book; each page was new adventure. The characters were so well rounded, and the twists and turns made it hard to put down. One thing is for sure, I'm glad I don't live on Alton Road!

A close knit, wealthy block of neighbors always look forward to the annual Memorial Day party. But over the course of one year, things take a sinister turn in the neighborhood when a new couple comes to town and upends everyone's lives.

***

This book just struggles with too much. The teenager perspective in general can be really jarring when switching back and forth. None of the issues are able to be fully fleshed out because we're tugged this way and that the entire time. Dring this tug of war, there are often baffling tonal shifts. From one character describing their assault, to a teenager making musings about how ironic life is, LOL! (Seriously, this happens.)

If the author could draw more of these storylines together, maybe more adult perspectives, maybe I would feel more complete. Though every storyline is tied up with a nice bow on the end!

Block Party by Jamie Day was quite an entertaining read.
I’m not sure I’d want to live on that cul de sac! Talk about your list of problems… the book had a #biglittlelies vibe for me and I enjoyed it!
It comes out in July, but I had the chance to read it early, thanks to @netgalley
#ilovetoread #advancedreaderscopy

The families of Alton Road are having their annual block party. It is THE place to be in the Meadowbrook neighborhood. But not this year. This year, it is the scene of a murder. But who is the victim? Who is the murderer? and Why? That is the buzz on the Facebook page as other residents comment showing concern, disdain and disbelief.

There is always much hidden beyond the manicured lawns, perfectly painted fences and luxury cars in the driveways, So much more., The Block Party has it all. - sex, addiction, illegal activities. This is a terrific read that keeps you turning to the page to see what could possible happen next. You may guess a thing or two along the way, but that in no way will diminish your enjoyment of this book.

You will want to join The Block Party. Welcome to the neighborhood.

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Welcome to Alton Road where things are not as they seem! Alex and her daughter Lettie unfold all the drama over a year from one unforgettable Memorial Day to another, let’s not forget to mention what the other neighbors have to say on the neighborhood social media page. So juicy! I finished ‘The Block Party in a day, so obviously I could not put this down. Highly recommend reading on the beach or by the pool.

*Thank You to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read ‘The Block Party’ ARC and provide my honest feedback!*

Amazing thriller, I couldn't put it down!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I devoured this read! The cover is what drew me in and I’m so glad it did! This would be the perfect summer read and I’m so grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing read!

I had high hopes for this book when I started - I anticipated a murder mystery with changing POV and timelines. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. The writing style seemed too elementary, as if the author was explaining every single detail and the reader couldn’t come to their own conclusions. There was a flashback, but the entire book stayed there. I found Lettie’s chapters to be annoying and I was tired of hearing about Alex’s drinking problem constantly. The ending was mostly predictable, and it seemed like every loose end was tied up a little too perfectly. I think I may have enjoyed the book more if it was a bit shorter and left some things open to interpretation by the reader.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for a free ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This thriller exceeded expectations! I thought I was getting into a mellow whodunnit, but there were so many layers to this story. We flip flop between present day and the year prior as the author masterfully builds out the complex relationships of the neighbors on Alton Road. Secrets are being kept in both generations making it difficult to suss out the aggressor. This is certainly one of my top reads of 2023!

Neighbors in this affluent street in Massachusetts have an annual Memorial Day block party. This juicy mystery alternates between several of these events and the residents. It was full of surprises and secrets that kept me determined to never introduce myself to my neighbors. There were pertinent social issues interlaced with the narrative.
Alex is hosting one of those parties. She’s married with a teenage daughter, Lettie. It was a reminder of how old I am and how little I recall about raising teenagers. Thank goodness I raised mine before technology! Lettie is afloat, full of hormones, self doubt and would’ve driven me to drink as much as her mother did. The story devoted a significant amount of the plot to Lettie, the neighbors almost felt like supporting cast. All of them were interesting and entertaining. Alex is the neighborhood fixer, they all confide in her, seek advice and share problems. She’s also just downright nosy, with good intentions but, jumps to conclusions. Her sister, Emily is married to unfaithful Ken with two sons. Logan’s the “does no wrong” and Dylan is the troubled one.
Brooke is a widow with rumors swirling and the neighbors don’t know the half of it. Willow and Evan are under the same roof for their teenage daughter, Riley. They shouldn’t put off the divorce, the tension is explosive and ready to blow. Samir and Mandy are new to the cul-de-sac, with son Jay. They’re private, secretive and just want to be left alone.
The plot twists were a little bit predictable for me, still a good mystery, well written and easy to read. I expect the book to be well received. If you enjoy a good plot, a who dun it mystery and lively characters, this will suck you in right away.
A digital advance reader copy of “The Block Party” by Jamie Day, St. Martin’s Publishing, was provided to me by NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I felt like I was watching a soap opera while reading this book. It was a little quirky, and there were some parts where I felt that the writing was slightly juvenile. All in all it still entertained and was a quick, fun read.

Everyone has secrets, and the residents of Alton Road are no different, but when the
secrets are this explosive, they're bound to leave behind wreckage.

A dark and twisty read; three and a half stars.

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was addictive and downright scandalous! I loved every moment of reading this fun book! This had a desperate housewives feel and I am here for it!

I would love to see this in movie. It has a desperate housewives vibe but with thriller. Kept me engaged and would definitely recommend.