I’ve been reading mysteries, psychological thrillers and true crime novels since I was a preteen, so when I received the opportunity to read this one, I was very excited.
Without giving anything away, the storyline is overall gripping and keeps you guessing. It is quite literally a mindfuck- until you get to the end. Perhaps for someone that doesn’t know true crime as well, this will be a great read but it fell a little flat for me.
I would certainly take a chance on reading another book from the author, and appreciated the chance to read The Wedding Party.

I liked this book and it kept me engaged throughout, but for me it did feel like it lacked a lot of finesse. The quality of writing wasn't amazing and it felt as though little research went into the role and personality of an FBI agent. It constantly referred back to Andi's dad, and the Castle way. Which just felt unneeded and brought down the general feel of the story.

“But I’m missing something that’s staring me in the face.”

Oliver & Carrie are in love. The engaged couple plans their duo bachelor & bachelorette party together. Everything is perfect…but a box, a mix of passion, revenge, & a knife leaves someone dead. Lucky for them Agent Castle is on the scene and will stop at nothing to bring justice to the surface one lead at a time.

This book was AWESOME. Super fun thriller & truly kept me guessing right up until the very end. I did not expect that ending, it left me SPEECHLESS. I thought I had it figured out & I kept getting proven wrong over & over again! I loved the two points of view between Agent Castle & the prime suspect. This was my first read my L.R. Jones & certainly not my last.

This books is a super easy read & also grabs your attention quickly which I think is absolutely necessary in any thriller/mystery novel.

Thank you L.R. Jones & her team for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Wedding Party is set to release February 20th, 2024.

This book was rather frustrating, mainly because I don’t think that it is ready for this point in the publication process. It really needs to spend some more time with an editor. For example, clothing changing colors during the same scene, or changing types. The whole book is ripe with inconsistencies that it is just very frustrating as a reader. I understand that this version is an ARC, however, this reads more like a beta version.

Then perhaps a bigger issue is the cringe worthiness in the writing. Calling an elderly lady, a bimbo right at the start was the first red flag and this was minor compared to the others. There was talk about how the petite main character had “pudding pads” on her hips and how she could always stand to lose a few pounds. Then there was the character who was portrayed as having her life over because she was newly divorced at 32. Another one that stood out was the main character not believing that her fiancée’s assistant was gay because she was attractive. And all of this was in the first 15% of the book. It was a lot to take in, and just too much for me.

I wanted to like this book, but it just wasn’t the right book for me and I did not finish it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a brilliant whodunit story with brilliant characters and an fbi agents search for the truth. Lots of secrets revealed and unraveled. Great story xx

I was pretty captivated reading this one and I enjoyed the short-length. I was disappointed in the amount of plot holes and in the ending. But I loved the multiple POVs and the beginning had me hooked immediately !

I think this could be a 4-4.5 stars if the plot holes, ending, and some repetition of character lines could be sorted through more!

Wow, that was an intense read ! First book I read from this author. I thought it would be a long book, but I was hooked since the beginning. The twists kept coming left and right, even when I thought I got it all figured out. I hope there will be more following agent Castle !

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I very much enjoyed this book! I wish the end was a little longer. I felt like it wrapped up too fast. I wanted to know more about Carrie’s dad and more about Lana’s comments and the whole thing.

It was a good mystery & I could vividly see in my head Carrie in the hospital and what that whole space looked like.

The haunted hotel was very easy for me to picture! We have one near us, the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas & it helped me vision this entire book!!! The detail was wonderful.

I also wanted more information about Brody. Can this be a series? Lol

This was gifted to me by Netgalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to love this book, based on the description. But I was unable to finish it. I was bored and it did not give what it could have given. I would not recommend this one unfortunately.

Some of the characters weren’t very believable but I still was rooting for everyone! I was sucked in immediately too.

This was a hard one for me to review. I really wanted to like it I've liked other books my this author but this one felt like it was written by a first time author. It felt very repetitive with the same things said over and over especially about the character of Andi and about being an FBI agent and all her issues with her father. The general concept of the mystery was good but just didn't feel like it was well executed that being said I was surprised by some of the twists and did want to see how the book turned out. Rated this 2.5 rounded up to 3 want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Even though the book was a page turner and featured an appealing protagonist, I cannot recommend this book. Despite the many twists, there were far too many plot holes and dubious motivations, as well as a rushed and to me an unsatisfying ending

What a wild ride ! I loved the pace of the book - a couple surprises and twists - this unfolded in the most fantastic way - I haven’t read this Author before , would definitely read again , 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Honestly this was not for me. It was interesting to a point but the writing felt very unfinished and juvenile. I could see where it was trying to go, but it didn’t make it there. The beginning felt stronger than the rest but the characters quickly became unlikable and some of the dialogue was truly cringeworthy. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

🇺🇸 Set in Colorado, USA
POV: We follow the intertwined lives of a bride marrying into a wealthy family and an FBI agent attending the wedding. Told through first-person narration.

Mood Reading Match Up:
-A murder mystery with soap opera style romance and friendship drama
-Simplistic crime fiction with a touch of FBI procedural elements
-Commentary on father-daughter relationships and the darker aspects of inheritance

—
🐺 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags 🐕
✏️ Writing: The writing is simplistic, bordering on corny. The plot shows promise but is hindered by a writing style that lacks depth and consistency. Sometimes it tries to be deep and symbolic, other times over-the-top campy, suddenly switching to attempts at gritty sexy crime noir. It read juvenile and clumsy.

🫥 Characters: The characters feel one-dimensional and are reminiscent of outdated made-for-TV-movies. Their interactions and decision-making processes are frustratingly inconsistent. Also, some characters end up having crazy personality swings and to me, it totally flopped.
We also have an FBI agent that would have long ago been fired for incompetence. Amateur sleuth kids from cozy mysteries have had more sense!

🗺️ Worldbuilding: The setting fails to stand out, with minimal effort to bring the story’s location to life. Descriptions are basic, lacking the detail to truly set the scene. We have an iconic hotel but it may as well have been set in the Best Western down the street. I’ve gotten more atmosphere from image alt tags.

🔥 Fuel: The murder mystery is straightforward with an obvious suspect. The plot revolves around uncovering the truth and feels heavy-handed in its execution.

🐢🐇 Pacing: The story’s progression feels stagnant, with repetitive internal debates and a lack of substantial development. The ending feels contrived, reminiscent of a rushed conclusion to a grade school creative writing project.

🎬 Scenes: There’s so much about this story that does not ring true and not in a fun over-the-top/satirical way either. It’s like the author took long breaks within chapters and came back forgetting what they wrote. We get disjointed transitions in dialogue and description, sometimes right in the middle of paragraphs.

🤷‍♀️ Problematics:
The book’s portrayal of relationships, mental illness, and social dynamics feels outdated and cringeworthy. I'm not talking about a few characters who are supposed to be cringey or have controversial opinions either...the narrative is peppered with problematic views on gender roles and body image, contributing to an overall sense of discomfort (not the good kind).

—
Overall, “The Wedding Party” offers a basic murder mystery but is marred by simplistic writing and outdated character dynamics. It might suit readers looking for a light, uncomplicated read but falls short in delivering a nuanced or engaging narrative.

Content Heads-Up: Sexual content (consenting). Murder. Blood. Potential false accusation. Personality disorders/pathologies. Fatphobia.
Rep: Centers around white American characters, with a focus on a female law enforcement figure.

Format: Digital copy from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley (I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.)

“Reviews are my musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶 refined by my AI bookworm bestie ✨”

This book was not for me. I couldn't get into the writing of this one so i couldn't be invested in the story as I normally am. The premise was great but didn't like any of the characters. I think this might work for other readers but it wasn't for me.

I thought it was decent it but didn’t love it. The beginning of the story drew me in right away and I thought this is going to be good and I’ll finish it quickly but sadly the story lost its luster and I found that I was getting bored at parts with the repetitiveness. The ending wrapped up way too quickly and left questions unanswered (like where was the murder weapon?!)

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this ARC for my honest review.

The Wedding Party
By Lisa Renee Jones

I was just a little confused at the couple of chapters in the beginning (it all makes sense later though) so I was a little unsure until about Chapter 3 or 4. But, then I became engrossed. The plot was interesting, the twists started coming and for me as someone that has an interest in how crimes are solved and forensics I was interested in how the story unfolded.

We have Carrie and Oliver and engaged couple, Oliver comes from wealth and Carrie from a career-driven family when they invite their friends to a bachelor/bachelorette party and then someone ends up dead.

Everyone becomes a potential suspect but since the groom-to-be is the victim all eyes are on Carrie, a caring, sweet ER nurse but no one can see her killing Oliver but as the scrutiny comes full circle all the facts seem to point to Carrie.

From here we go through her grief and trying to help Carrie remember what really happened that night and without giving away any spoilers the real twisty ride begins. I thought I knew what happened so many times and then at the end I was “mind blown”. This was the first book I’ve read by Lisa Renee Jones but I am definitely going to check out her other titles. I give this book 4 stars!

Carrie and Oliver will be getting married soon. Oliver gets a box delivered to the house and he opens the box and is shocked by the contents. Carrie asks about the box but he will not reveal the contents of the box. This part of the story seemed to drag out to finally tell you what is in the box. Oliver keeps saying he is upset about a deal at work but the author didn’t portray well what was going through Oliver’s head or what was really going on.

Then at the party before the wedding a murder takes place. An FBI agent just happens to be at the party and leads the investigation. There were a lot of things that just didn’t fit in the story and made it so I didn’t love the book. It was entertaining just very far fetched.

Book Title: The Wedding Party
Author: L.R. Jones (aka Lisa Renee Jones)
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 13, 2023
My Rating: 3.4 Stars!
Pages: 327

The prologue opens six months ago when Elsa Ward is returning from her dog Moxy’s morning walk. She glances down and sees a white box with a big red ribbon on it – she is shocked at what is inside. Later Joe a neighbor finds Moxy running loose; when he returns the dog, Elsa doesn’t answer. He steps in and finds she has been attacked.

Carrie Reynolds and Oliver Phoenix are hosting a lavish pre-wedding party at the in Colorado's Stanley Hotel.
Carrie is an ER nurse and has invited work friends and a plus one who is FBI agent Andi Castle.
Prior to departing for their wedding party, Oliver also receives a white box with a red ribbon, the contents of which he does not disclose to Carrie,
Sure enough there is a murder.
Carrie and Oliver seem to have everything going for them. However, the murder makes it clear that there are secrets and someone is killing to keep hidden

I checked reviews before starting this and was discouraged by the DNF and the poor reviews.
I was curious about the boxes and the connection. So was willing to give the story a try.

It really was more involved that I expected. I debated with myself about whodunit.

About the author: Lisa Renee Jones writes dark edgy stories. She and her husband live in Colorado. They have a cat and a dog. The cat is chatty and the golden retriever is afraid of her own bark.
I love knowing more about her. I certainly hope she will include Andi Castle and her dad in another story!

Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 20, 2024.