I was really excited to read this book, and was pulled in from the beginning. The mystery behind what happened at the party kept me going, but I think some of the twists fell flat. I was kind of waiting for something bigger to be revealed, but never really happened. The timeline jumps were a little confusing, and kind of gave away information that would have made the twists a little less predictable. There was also a lot of information that ended up being very irrelevant. Overall, I did enjo the book, and really appreciated how PPD was represented.

The Day After the Party
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Nicole Trope

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Bookouture and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: The perfect birthday or the perfect nightmare?

Katelyn smiles around at her husband and friends, gathered to celebrate her thirty-sixth birthday in their beautiful home decorated with fairy lights. But the next day Katelyn wakes up shaken and terrified in a hospital bed…

She doesn’t remember the sweet taste of birthday cake icing, or how angry her best friend was at midnight, or the terrible things her husband said. She doesn’t remember the party at all.

When she asks her husband what happened the night of the party he says ‘nothing’. But her blood runs cold at the way his voice lilts slightly. The way it always does when he is lying.

Did someone at the party harm her?
What is her husband hiding?
Or did Katelyn herself do something terrible?

Only one thing is certain. Nobody can be trusted. And if Katelyn’s memories of the party do come back, it will tear them all apart…

My Thoughts: What an excellent twisty read. Trope’s storytelling ability is just brilliant, always keeps you guessing until the end. This thriller packs so much with the suspense, lies, secrets, betrayal, the unique plot, jealousy, unpredictability, character exploration, and the unexpected ending, WOW! Katelyn remembers preparing for her birthday party but does not remember the actual party and wakes up in a hospital. Her husband knows what happened but he is not telling her a thing. Leah is her best friend for decades and is also not talking about what happened at the party. Katelyn was diagnosed with Global Transient Amnesia (TGA) and this is usually brought on by extreme stress. Katelyn knows she cannot trust anyone and once her memory starts to fill the huge gaps, will her memories of the party events tear them all apart?

The story is narrated by both Katelyn and Leah with narration from both past and present timelines, in a third person POV, which was necessary for this format, and it worked very well. Both of our narrators were unreliable. No one can be trusted. While TGA is a popular focal for thriller books, this one does it differently, which was refreshing. The characters were developed well with unpredictability, they had depth, they were mysterious, and were creatively woven throughout the story. The author’s writing style was complex, intriguing, twisty, suspenseful, and just brilliant. The characters are built up in the beginning. The plot is delivered in many twisty layers. When you think you have it figured out, something else will happen to strike that down. The flow and pacing was superb.

Trigger warnings of adultery, childhood trauma, and postpartum depression. Trope hooked me from the first sentence to the last sentence. This psychological thriller was dark, disturbing, twisty, compelling, and gripping. Once I started reading, I had to finish because I had know how it ended. There were a few plot holes that left a few unanswered questions, however, it did not alter my enjoyment of the book. If i see Nicole Trope authored a book, I will read blindly, as I know her books will keep me on the edge of my seat. I would highly recommend this book and any book by Trope, she does thrillers to the next level.

You know how there's a whole genre of romance that people describe as 'trashy romance' books? Not that they're BAD, but just that they're so stereotypical and there are like, hundreds of them to choose from, all seemingly intense and fun during the read, but forgettable? That's the genre I'd put this book into - trashy thriller. It's not a bad thing at all! I've read dozens of them in the past several years, so I've just about had my fill, but this fits nicely in that genre. Lots of twists and turns, super unlikable characters, the necessity to suspend disbelief juuuust a little bit because the storyline is so over the top. These kinds of books, when well done - like this one, are usually a max of a 3 for me, so I'm giving it a 3. However, I do feel like there's a gigantic group of people who LOVE these books and would love this one as well.

I wasn't quite sure who to feel sorry for in this one ... the story a good reveal as Katelyn tries to remember her birthday party after suffering from amnesia. There is some medical jargon about why she lost her memory but it adds to the plot as the days and years are unraveled. There are several twists and turns and you are led down differing paths as the story is told from alternating perspectives. It is interesting to follow the friendship Katelyn and Leah and see how they both got where they are now and how each view each other. I found the story believable while the ending was more sinister than I expected. A real page turner and a good read for this season.

I was so surprised by the ending. I did not see this coming. The book is well written. Plot uncovers bit by bit and keep you guessing till the very last page.

When I pick up a Nicole Trope book I can never read it quickly enough, and she never disappoints. The story is told from Katelyn's perspective. It has a dual timeline that jumps back and forth from the past to the present day. This book is so unpredictable, with well-developed characters, and some good twists.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to red a complimentary copy of thias book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

I thought this book was going to be way better than it was. It was a pretty quick read and the premise was really interesting but the storyline and the ending were lacking for me. I couldn't get into the characters and, this just wasn't the book for me.

I always enjoy a psychological thriller, and whilst this wasn't the best I've ever read, it was good enough.
Lots of twists and turns, a good example of unreliable narrators and some surprises along rather way, kept me engaged.

This was a fast paced story and I found it interesting how we never really know those closest to us. Intention is everything and Leah was a troubled and overall bad person. That was clear from the beginning. I don't think Katelyn's relationship is a healthy one and I don't know if anyone will ever know what truly happened the night of the party.

That was my first book by this author and it was a great read! I cannot wait to read more of her books! Definitely add to your TBR!

The Day After the Party was an incredible story with relatable characters. I was drawn in from the first chapter.

TALK ABOUT ADDICTIVE!!!

This was a super fast paced and intriguing thriller.

Katelyn has a party for her 36th Birthday but wakes up in the hospital shortly after and has no idea what happened that night & we go through in multiple timelines (present, during the party, and childhood) to see what exactly happened.

I really loved how addictive this was & by the end of the book I was turning the page faster than I was reading. I NEEDED TO KNOW OKAY?!?!

I really enjoyed this one!

4.5/5 for me!

***** I have received and read an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

I love the concept of this book, but the execution was just the tiniest bit lacking for me.

The twists and turns were nice, but everything felt just a little bit too overdramatic for my tastes.

Not terrible at all, just not great either.

I gave this book 3/5 stars! It's my first book by the author and at first going back and forth between the different times before, after, during the party etc with the two FMC got a little confusing but once I started to actually get to know the characters it was easier. I kind of guessed most of the twists so it wasn't like shockingly crazy for me but it was still good! I am glad I read it and appreciate the opportunity to have been able to read it. Once the ending started I kind of knew how it was going to end, but at least I didn't know until we got there! Thanks again NetGalley and publishing team for allowing me to get access to this book in exchange for my review.

Trope is definitely a go-to author for me. She always writes something fresh and new. She sprinkles little shockers throughout her books and always ends you with a bang. This book was no different!

I did start getting a little annoyed at the repetition because it was told from different POVs. But it didn't ruin the book!

This book was better than I expected. Intriguing from the beginning. A lot of twists throughout and definitely didn’t expect the ending. I was hooked from the first few chapters

If you are a fan of the type of thriller where you are drip fed part of the story very gradually then this book is for you. Katelyn can't remember what happened at her party and certainly doesn't understand how she ended up in hospital. It was just a few friends over to celebrate her birthday so why can't she remember anything? Katelyn's confusion and fear about what happened is so well described you can feel her frustration and annoyance. Why won't anyone tell what is going on? Why won't her best friend Leah answer her calls and why on earth is she getting weird texts from Leah's ex. This story gripped me straight away and I loved every perplexing moment. Every time I thought I had it all figured out there would be.another twist right up until the shocking dénouement. Nicole Trope:s books are always exciting, surprising and original and this one definitely comes up to her usual standard
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley, Nicole Trope and Bookouture for allowing me to read the advanced readers copy of The Day After the Party published on October 30, 2023.

“The perfect birthday or the perfect nightmare? Katelyn smiles around at her husband and friends, gathered to celebrate her thirty-sixth birthday in their beautiful home decorated with fairy lights. But the next day Katelyn wakes up shaken and terrified in a hospital bed... She doesn't remember the sweet taste of birthday cake icing, or how angry her best friend was at midnight, or the terrible things her husband said. She doesn't remember the party at all. When she asks her husband what happened the night of the party he says
'nothing. But her blood runs cold at the way his voice lilts slightly. The way it always does when he is lying. Did someone at the party harm her? What is her husband hiding?
Or did Katelyn herself do something terrible? Only one thing is certain. Nobody can be trusted. And if Katelyn's memories of the party do come back, it will tear them all apart...”

Will she be able to get her memories back before it’s too late?
Nicole Trope does it again!!
Great can't turn the pages fast enough thriller.
Great characters that intertwine both good and bad!! Loved everything about this book!!

I love this author. She never disappoints. I will read anything by her. And this book was just wow. Gripping and completely addictive - from the first page to the last, I was hooked. Loved the characters, felt for them. Just wow.

If you watch soap operas this book is definitely for you. It definitely held my interest but wasn't necessarily what I was expecting. Still not a bad book.