Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

It was meant to be a time of celebration, of neighbours chatting over sparkling glasses of wine, enjoying the decadent surroundings of the huge mansion house which overlooked all the houses on Laurel Street. But then my troubled friend Gabbie has a heated argument with her husband. She leaves the party and disappears without a trace.

Gabbie is the second person to disappear from Laurel Street and someone must know what happened to them.

The Party on Laurel Street is a great page turner of a story which kept me guessing with all the twists and turns, secrets and lies.

The Party on Laurel Street by Ruth Heald
Publisher Bookouture
Release Date June 28,2023

Let me start by saying I am very familiar with Heald and her awesome writing ability. This book was no different, actually perhaps it was better. As I was reading this book I found myself not able to put it down. So I found ways to do chores and read or cook dinner and read because this one had me so engrossed from the first page which for me is surprising. It usually take several chapters to see if I am interested or not. Obviously, I was super interested. Heald has found her niche in life and knows how to tell a story so we’ll that you feel as though you could be the protagonist in her books.

On to the book…….

“Only she knows what really happened that night…”

What a blurb…

A party with neighbors… an argument…..questions…..and a missing person or actually persons.

A New Years Eve party 25 yrs ago. Some teens leave the party full of adults and venture out to have a little get together for just them. Erin disappeared or did she? She had plans of running away and leaving it
After years away Mel her husband Luke and their daughter Lily move baker to Laurel street. The neighbors all get together for what was meant to be a celebration of sorts with neighbors coming together. However, it turns into something worse. There are wine glasses broken and neighbors unsure of what to do.
Gabbie, an old friend and neighbor has always had it all.Everything that most people would die for. Yet that night, the night of the party, she and her husband have an explosive argument and she goes missing. The worst part yet, it was Luke who was the last person to see her. Mel has noticed at times how close they seem to be getting but like some wives, she puts it out of her mind. Thinking it is just her brain playing tricks on her.The look on Gabbie’s face when she learned what her husband had done was something you will not forget. As she ran away everyone was shocked.

Mel was raised by her grandmother and when she died she left the house to Mel. So now there are two very missing people from Laurel Street. And Mel was present for both. Is it Mel or Laurel st that is causing this to happen? Could Mel be cursed? The police presence is everywhere and it seems to be dredging up memories from the past. The never found Erin then so will they be able to find Gabbie? There is something that Mel knows and she has kept it a secret for many years and it makes you wonder if someone is trying to find out what that secret is before someone else goes missing……or are they even missing at all.

This book is PERFECT! Perfectly written, with characters that are so well developed, flawed, vivid, lifelike, and very compelling. The author does a great job of keeping the reader engrossed and enthralled in the book from the first page until the last. This book should be made into a movie. It is a psychological thriller that has suspense and lots of twists and turns.

It deserves a 10 but 5 is as high as I can go.

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I spend most Sundays, reading multiple books, one right after the next. To me, this is the most perfect Sunday and I look forward to it all week. I ended up reading FOUR books yesterday and THREE books on Saturday. Although, I must say, The Party on Laurel Street, was one of my favorites.

Ive read many books by Ruth Heald, including, The Wedding, The Nanny, I Know Your Secret and The New Girl, to name a few. So, I guess you can say I am a big fan, who are we kidding, I AM A HUGE FAN. The Party on Laurel Street, was the first thing I thought about as soon as I woke up this morning. I think I was a little disappointed that I had finished when I was loving it so much!

Heald, has a natural born talent to write. Not only can she write, but she writes so well, a book reader of any genre could appreciate her books.

This book right here screams bestseller! If you're looking for a jaw dropping, twisty thriller, The Party on Laurel Street, is the perfect choice! This book does not disappoint!

Teaser :

My best friend Gabbie has everything, a beautiful house, an adoring husband and a lifestyle to die for. But now she’s missing. And my husband was the last person to see her alive…

The party on Laurel Street was meant to be a celebration, of neighbours coming together as friends. But as I look at the shocked faces around me and the wine glass smashed on the floor, I know that our perfect community will never be the same.

I can’t stop thinking about the look on Gabbie’s face when she discovered what her husband had done. Her perfect life, shattered in an instant. She ran from the party as fast as she could but not before locking eyes with my own husband, Luke.

I try to think nothing of it. Gabbie’s probably just had enough, and Luke was being kind and concerned. She’ll be back soon…

But days later, my mind is racing. Gabbie is officially missing. And Luke was the last person to see her alive.

I try to help with the search, but deep down, I am terrified. Though not because of my husband… But because this isn’t the first time someone close to me has gone missing. Gabbie knows what happened all those years ago. And I know that if she isn’t found soon, then my secret is no longer safe.

So as I think back on all the faces at our perfect party on Laurel Street, I have to ask, is someone making me pay for what happened all those years ago? Will I be next to disappear? Or can I find Gabbie before it’s too late?

I found The Party on Laurel Street to be a great page turner of a story which kept me guessing with all the twists and turns, secrets and lies.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

A total engrossing novel from beginning to end
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 7, 2023
First, this is not my first book I have read from this author and it definitely won’t be my last. So if you read the blurb of this book, you know that a childhood friend of Mel and Gaibbie, Erin went missing 25 years ago. Now Mel is married to Luke and has returned to Lauren Street with her husband Luke and the little girl named Lilly. Her grandmother literally raised her because her mom was n/a to raise her. When her grandmother died, she left the house to Mel and her mother but Mel’s mother Angela was living in Spain drinking her way through life. Without giving away spoilers there is a party on Laurel Street one night and then as an adult Gabbie goes missing and Angela has returned. There always was a suspicion that this man named Joe was responsible for Erin’s death when the girls, Gabbie, Mel and Erin went out to the woods to play. The twists and turns just keep on coming with an ending I never saw coming. I highly recommend this book if you are an avid fan of psychological thrillers. I received this book from net galley.com and the publisher. Thank you for this ARC and my review of this book was my honest review.. This is another must read by Ruth Heald

Secrets, Subterfuge..
It was meant to be a wonderful evening, a celebration, a party, a coming together of the small community of neighbours - it turned into anything but. Secrets, lies and subterfuge abound in this pacy, psychological suspense with twists aplenty, a well drawn cast of credible characters, an intriguing plot and a menacing underlying vein of tension. Who can be trusted?

My Review:
Enjoyed!!!! Surprisedly, this was my first book by this author and it certainly won’t be my last. What first drew me in was that rocking blurb. After I was done reading it I just knew I had to find out more about this one. It left me asking questions that I needed the answers to ASAP. Now let’s talk a little bit about the characters. All of them fit so perfectly with the story line that was told. Some of them were good and some of them were bad. I’ll let you figure out who you liked and who you didn’t. Lastly, that ending shocked me. In fact, the whole book had so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. One night changed the course of so many peoples life and I hope you find out how by reading this book. I’m sure you will like it as much as I did.

In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Party on Laurel Street by Ruth Heald was another brilliant book, especially as it was a great page turner from the beginning till the end. This was a book that kept me guessing till the end, with great twists and turns which made it an excellent book and great for your holidays.
Ruth's book are always an excellent read but this one kept me on my toes......and I didn't even work it out!

I highly recommend The Party on Laurel Street.

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For me the story started a little slow, but boy when we got going it didn't stop and just got better and better!

Centering around two missing females, Erin in the past and Gabbie in the now. Erin was only a child when she vanished, did she run away from home or did something more sinister happen? Gabbie has fled after leaving her husband. Who's behind their disappearances, are they linked and who is the mysterious Joe?

I couldn't put this down and stayed up well later than I should have to finish, but it was so worth it.

Just when you thought you had it all worked out, another character seamlessly pops up, adding a whole new spin on the story.

The Party On Laurel Street is addictive, twisty and compelling.

I love hearing Ruth Heald has a new book out. It is your perfect summer/beach read. Not that you can’t read it if you are South of the equator. It is a good keep you guessing book. This twisty read had moments that had me all jittery. As with any good domestic thriller, secrets and lies are at the center of this one. And when is it OK to avoid the truth.

Is it Mel or the street that is cursed and the reason why people disappear? Mel is relatable and I almost felt sorry for her, but it was her decision to throw herself back in the fire by moving back the scene of the crime. The suspense for me started while reading the prologue and continued throughout the book. There wasn’t a moment I grew bored and I continued to want to know what happened in the woods. I couldn’t decide what was wrong and who to trust. It kept me guessing, which is what I most ask for in a twisty thriller.

If you need your summer thriller fix, you need to read this book! You can thank me later.

The Party on Laurel Street by Ruth Heald
Erin went missing 25 years ago after a party. But it’s now been two decades and the people who were originally at the party are back on the street and holding another one. But things may be repeating themselves all these years later.

Tension increased with every page as I wasn’t sure who to trust. There were quite a few twists that heald had me guessing until the end.
These were characters that had me intrigued from the start and is a book I highly recommend.

I'm not too sure that I would want to live on Laurel street. What with all the nosy neighbours and bossy Roz. But it certainly made a great setting for the book.

Erin went missing 25 years ago now. When she was a teenager and disappeared from a New Years Eve party after her and her friends escape.from the adult party and decide to have their own party in the woods. As you do. However for Erin it was never just going to be as simply as going there for their own little party. She was ready to run away and leave her life behind her.

Two+ decades later Mel is returning to Laurel Street with her husband Luke and their daughter Lily. They are going to be moving into the house that she used to live in with her grandmother. When Mel returns she is created by her old school friend Gabbie who has also recentlh returned to the street with her husband and are living in the dream house they wanted to live in since they were children.

But Erin's disappearance still looms heavy over them both and every year a vigual is held in Erin's honour. Erin's mother Tamsin still lives in the street in the same house Erin used to live in. Tamsin is still mourning the loss of her daughter and without any closure and no idea of what happened to her is really struggling. Tamsin wants to celebrate the girls being back and so with the help of Mel they decide to throw a little street party.
.
Everyone in the street are there and everything is going really well. Until that is Gabbie and her husband get into a big fight and Gabbie storms off in a rage, vanishing without a trace. Gabbies husband tells everyone Gabbie has left him but Mel doesn't believe him and becomes even more suspicious when her calls go unanswered and go.to voicemail. Mel is convinced something bad has happened to her friend and so goes and tells the police to investigate.

The police presence rakes up old memories from when Erin disappeared. Will they be able to find Gabbie before it's too late?

This is a slow burner for me. I lost my way with it for a little bit in the middle of the book and blearily carried on reader. But the ending was good.

I'm a huge fan of Ruth Heald, she writes such gripping and suspenseful stories!
This was no exception. The plot ticked along brilliantly, cleverly plotted to allow for an excellent finish.
Laurel Street was one heck of a setting! It reminded me of Big Little Lies, the nosy, gossipy neighbourhood!
The characters were hugely varied and complemented the plot well.
Another enjoyable read from this author.

★★★★ 3.5 stars (rounded up)

Only she knows what really happened that night...

Well...who would want to live on Laurel Street? Not me, that's for sure! But it made for an ideal setting. Nosy neighbours and all that. Roz was especially a thorn in my side with her exacting ideas for perfection on the street.

The story begins with a twenty five year old mystery of missing ten year old Erin who disappeared on New Years Eve party after she and her friends decided to hold a little party of their own in the woods. However, Erin brought her rucksack with her and was intent on running away. The question is...did she?

Some two decades later, Mel is returning to Laurel Street with her husband Luke and their one year old Lily, moving into the house she shared with her grandmother during her childhood. Since her gran passed she had left her house jointly to Mel and her mother, Angela, who was living in Spain. As soon as Mel arrived she was greeted by her childhood friend Gabbie who had also recently returned to the street with her husband and living in the house that Mel and Gabbie could only covet as children. But the shadow of Erin's disappearance still loomed largely over them.

At the end of the street sat the gothic manor house in which Erin had grown up and her mother Tamsin still lives. Every year Tamsin held a memorial in the village church for Erin. Mel continued a friendship with Tamsin over the years, the woman still clearly mourning the loss of her daughter with no closure and no idea what happened to her. When Tamsin decides to throw a party for the street, Mel steps in to help her organise and set up. Everyone in the street comes and it is a huge success. Until a drunken argument with her husband sees Gabbie storm out of the house...and vanishes without a trace.

At first, Mel thinks Gabbie has just left her husband as that is what he told her. But then all her calls to her friend not only go unanswered but go straight to voicemail, as if the phone is switched off. After two weeks and still no word, Mel is convinced something has happened to her and goes to the police.

The police presence on the street rakes up all old memories again from twenty five years before. They didn't find Erin then...can they find Gabbie now? Is Gabbie's disappearance linked to Erin's? Someone knows something and soon secrets begin to surface turning everyone's world upside down.

I have read all of Ruth Heald's books and I love her work though I would have to say that this one was less like a thriller than her others. It was a slow burn as the story gained momentum and was definitely intriguing but not one of her best. I did enjoy it for the most part, despite some of the unlikeable characters.

Overall, a compelling read dripping with secrets and tension.

I would like to thank #RuthHeald, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ThePartyOnLaurelStreet in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The Party on Laurel Street is another top notch read from one of my favourite authors Ruth Heald. Immediately upon starting this book I was captivated by the story . I was sure I knew exactly how the story would work out but I was completely off track with my theory. A unputdownable read filled with twists that really caught me off guard. Good strong and well developed characters and a great pace to the story. I loved it.

Two missing women. One in the past, Erin, and Gabbie, presently. Mel and her husband Luke have moved back home after she left twenty five years previously. Being back on Laurel Street brings back very painful memories for Mel. She cannot help but recall the tragic disappearance of her friend Erin all those years ago.

Mel and her friend Gabbie were with Erin at that time, and Erin did not make it out alive. This past tragedy takes on an ominous feeling of fear, especially when Gabbie disappears after an argument with her husband. Could Gabbie’s disappearance have anything to do with Erin’s? In fact, it soon becomes apparent that there were secrets then and that there are secrets now.

This intriguing story will definitely hold the reader’s attention. Well-written, strong characterizations and an equally strong story makes this latest book by Ruth Heald a thoroughly compelling read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Well written, gripping, dripping with tension, and full of secrets! The Party on Laurel Street had me turning the pages wondering what happened in the woods all those years ago just as much as I was wondering what happened the night of the party!

Mel has moved back to her grandmother's home with her husband, Luke, and daughter after her beloved grandmother's death. She has a job as a teacher in town and her husband will work as a handyman. Moving back is bittersweet. It is where she lived but also where Erin, her childhood friend, went missing and has never been found. Mel also reconnects with her friend, Gabbie, and meets her nosey rule enforcing neighbors.

I could feel the tension and unease dripping from the pages. Something isn't quite right, but what? Erin has always been on their minds. Not knowing what happened to Erin makes having closure difficult. The night of the party changes everything. A lot of characters have secrets in this book which added to the drama, mystery, and tension in the book.

There were a nice number of twists and turns in this book. I was shocked at the reveal! I did not see that coming at all! I tried to do my best super sleuthing in this book to figure out what was going on and Ruth Heald shocked me a couple of times in this book. I love it when that happens!

Gripping, well written, dripping with secrets and tension.

Laurel Street has a tragic history - especially for Mel, whose childhood friend Erin disappeared after the children were having a secret party of their own in the woods, while the adults celebrated New Year. Mel grew up on Laurel Street with her grandmother, after being abandoned by her alcoholic mother, Angie.

After Mel inherits her grandmother's house - which holds many happy memories for her - she and her new husband Luke decide to move back into the neighbourhood, where she is hoping for very different second chapter. And it seems as though she might get it, reuniting with so many people that she already knows - including her friend, Gabbie, who's living the good life with her husband Stewart. Or is she?

Because in the middle of celebrating at a party, Gabbie has a falling out with her husband and Mel has an unpleasant discovery of her own. Gabbie leaves the event, only to disappear, apparently into thin air. Is Mel's second chapter on Laurel Street going to involve a repeat of the nightmare event she experienced when her first childhood friend disappeared?

The story unfolds gradually, but Ruth Heald does a great job of maintaining the suspense and the story is quite atmospheric. You do feel for Mel at times, but I honestly couldn't help wondering why she would choose to move back, given the tragedy that had already taken place on that street - and so close to home for her! I guess it was necessary though, in order for this talented author to deliver to us another of her absorbing and twisty offerings.

Wow what a twisty story!

This one kept my interest throughout and I truly could not wait to find out what happened to everyone!

Everyone had secrets in this book. There were so many secrets it was impossible to guess who did what and to who until it was revealed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was very entertaining. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a twisty story with multiple mysteries that will leave you guessing until the end.

Mel and Luke along with their young daughter are moving back to Laurel Street. Twenty five years ago Mel and two of her 10 year old friends were playing in the woods. One of them disappears and is assumed dead by most people.

Now, all these years later there is a big party on the street. After the party, a woman goes missing. Is this connected to the missing girl from all those years ago? You'll have to read it and find out for yourself.

The characters were great. So many secrets and lies on this street. Finding out the truth isn't going to be easy. A lot of suspense along the way, but really picks up in the last quarter of the book.

Ruth Heald always pulls me into her stories right away.

Thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the arc.