Member Reviews

Wow just wow this book had me hooked!! At first I was a bit skeptic about it as it just seemed so eh and didn’t feel like it was going to grab me. But I was wrong so wrong!

This was so well written and the plot twists especially at the end did not expect that!

While it had the twists and turns that make it such a quick read there was also little heartbreak in it, and just shows that some people never change.

10/10 recommend this

Thank you so much for the chance to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

3 ⭐


This was a fun holiday set thriller.
I will admit I guessed the twist incredibly early on but it was still enjoyable to read.

I feel the very end felt slightly lacking in my opinion for the open endedness but perhaps that is just me.
Overall it was fun and I would recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Four best friends - Annabelle, Tanya, Esther, and Chloe - are invited to a private island for an all-inclusive hen party. All paid for by Poppy, another
girl they knew from school. Only Poppy wasn't a friend. Poppy was the girl they spent years bullying, tormenting, and essentially ruining her life. Not wanting to say no to the holiday of a lifetime, they all head there together, assuming that Poppy still just wanted to be friends and hoping she had forgotten everything they did to her. But Poppy hasn't, and she's ready to make them pay.

Everything about this book was just perfect. From the very first page, I was hooked, and I couldn't put it down even for a moment. It truly shows just how bullying in our childhood/teens can affect us as adults. Each chapter jumps between the four friends, with entries from teenage Poppy's diary scattered throughout. I did figure out the big twist a while before it was revealed, and I'm so glad it all played out the way I thought it would. My heart genuinely hurt for Poppy, and honestly, I kinda hated the main four girls.
I really hope there's a follow up to this at some point because the story didn't feel like it was completely finished.
A must-read for any thriller lover.

Was this review helpful?

This started off great for me.

4 friends get an all expenses paid first class trip to the Bahamas... Its a girl Poppy they have not seen in 10 years whole this group of girls used to bully.

I found it super hard each chapter to remember who's pov it was in as all 4 girls pov was very similar and unlikeable.

I don't mind unlikable characters in a book but the plot and story needs to be interesting and this just fell short for me.

Was this review helpful?

I am not sure whether I guessed what would happen or not as some of the story was slightly different to what I had imagined.

The ending was a little bit of a shock but felt as though more could've been built up on it as it felt slightly underwhelming. However, the overall storyline was interesting to see what the group of girls did to Poppy and how they have changed. Well... they hadn't really changed in my eyes and I felt they were selfish in their own way.

The writing based on this was easy to read and gripping at times.

Was this review helpful?

This book is the perfect summer thriller, filled with mysterious characters and unexpected twists that keep you hooked until the very end. The secluded island setting is utterly fascinating, adding an extra layer of intrigue and atmosphere to the story.

Each character brings their secrets and complexities, making the narrative rich and engaging. The twists and turns are expertly woven into the plot, ensuring that the story remains captivating and full of surprises.

Overall, I found this to be an incredibly enjoyable read. The combination of a gripping mystery, well-developed characters, and a mesmerizing setting makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to get lost in a thrilling summer read.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Was this review helpful?

The whole premise of this book felt a bit odd. If I had relentlessly bullied someone for years and years I’m not sure I’d be accepting an invitation to a deserted island.

It was quite hard to really differentiate between all of the characters other than the named chapters. They all had a very similar voice and didn’t provide much variety. Poppy is the only person who inspired any feelings at all.

I did enjoy the revenge. They were all fairly unpleasant people and didn’t do much to redeem themselves. Other than the implausibility of the plot it read pretty well and kept me entertained.

Trigger warnings for bullying, self harm, drug use

Was this review helpful?

Oh my god - where do I start? This book was so good, I read the first 22% in two sittings and the last 78% in one sitting, staying up way past my bedtime to finish it!

I found the story being told from four characters viewpoints a bit confusing to begin with, but once I got into it, it definitely helped build the suspense. I think I suspected everybody at least at some point, even if just briefly, but I didn't guess that plot twist until right before it was revealed. I almost feel like there could be a sequel to clear up the little cliffhanger at the end.

Was this review helpful?

Unputdownable hen party horror

Holy Cow, what a ride authoress Sian Gilbert is taking us on! Poppy invites four former class mates who bullied her mercilessly 25 years ago to be her bridesmaids and to accompany her to an island in the Bahamas for her hen weekend, all expenses paid. Soon after the ladies‘ arrival in their paradisiac luxurious destination, strange things start to happen …This brilliantly plotted story with many clever twists kept me at the edge of my seat.

Was this review helpful?

Gritty from the first chapter… A private island in the Bahamas with a wedding planned… Random invites to be bridesmaids. As the story unfolds it becomes clear it’s time for revenge, punishment and consequences. Bullying. Secrets &Calculated cruelty… This story has it all with outrageous incidents and a mean girls vibe!

Some of the storyline I was able to guess… however I didn’t see the incredible twist coming at the end - wow!

Fantastic debut novel by Sian, I’ll definitely be first in the queue for her next release!

Perfect for those who enjoy:
- Destination thrillers
- Vendetta / revenge fiction
- Can’t read fast enough stories
- Satisfying endings

Was this review helpful?

This is a good hen party revenge book. Annabel, Esther, Tanya and Chloe are invited to Poppy's hen weekend on a remote Bahamas island. The four women bullied poor Poppy horribly at school and are not sure why they are invited, but don't want to miss the opportunity of an all-expenses-paid trip.
The revenge plan is really clever, with lots of revelations about the women, and plenty of twists. The book is written in chapters by each of the friends, and extracts from Poppy's school diary, which is really sad.
Fast paced and well-written.
Good beach read.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of the most gripping books I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Perfect for psychological thriller readers

Was this review helpful?

When four friends are invited to their old school friend's hen do for a fully paid luxury trip, it seems like too good of an opportunity for a free holiday to miss! Except they weren't her old school friends; they were her bullies.

This is a perfect page turner for by the pool. Lots of characters to dislike and a lot of action to keep you entertained!

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

As someone currently planning a hen getaway, I couldn't wait to read this and I loved every second if it! Granted it got a bit unbelievable but I was so deep by that point that It didn't phase me. The characters are vile, there are plenty twists and turns and it was just perfect escapism at its finest

Was this review helpful?

This book was an enjoyable read. However it was a bit out there with some unbelievable twist and plotting. Easy quick read.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable read. Very well written characters that I loved to hate ! Totally self absorbed with no ounce of humanity. The storyline flows seamlessly and keeps you hooked right from the start .

Was this review helpful?

The hen party from hell is the best way to describe this book. It is a lesson to all bullies out there - someday, karma will catch up with you and you will have to pay for what you did. It's easy to diminish teenage behaviour and bullying as harmless because its kids being mean to kids but sometimes, that bullying goes way too far and can have lasting effects. And this is what happens here. Polly has come to get her revenge and she may well deserve it!! A great book to take on holidays, perfect summer read!

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars 🌟

This is the perfect summer holiday read, set on gorgeous private island in the Bahamas, a girls holiday gone wrong. It really kept me guessing although, I did figure out the big twist early on, but this didn’t spoil anything.

The setting is perfect, the characters are all really unlikable and the ending satisfying. This was so close to being a 5 star read for me but I just felt like some things were very far fetched and a bit unbelievable.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy.

This was described as lord of the rings but with grown up women. I have to agree that sums it up nicely.

The story follows four best friends going to their old 'friend' Poppy's hen do after each receiving plane tickets for a luxury holiday together. The only problem is that the four friends were bullies to Poppy.

This is a quick read with lots of action. The setting is also beautiful. However, it was very far fetched and predictable (even the big twist).

If you're looking for an entertaining but easy to read suspense this is for you. Just don't expect to fall in love with the characters.

Was this review helpful?

Annabelle, Esther, Chloe and Tanya are invited to Poppy’s Hen do. This could be a wonderful thing but they haven’t heard from her in ten years and the last time they did, they were bullying her.
But they can’t refuse a private island in the Bahamas.

I disliked the entire cast list in this book and was hoping they would get their just desserts but wow, this book gets messy.

Some parts are clever and some are basic, none of this helped by very basic writing which might have been a choice but did feel amateurish.
The plot is very typical of this type of book but the location was well written.

The book has content warnings, which I accept is de rigeur but what I found a bit more confusing was the lack of care shown to other sensitive topics in this book, it seemed somewhat pointless.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, in return for an honest review, which this is.

Was this review helpful?