Thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutre for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Bridal Party by Maria Frankland due to be published April 29, 2024.
Caitlyn is at her “hen party” in Dublin with her future mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and stepdaughter as well as two sisters and four friends. They are all arguing the first night they are there. But, that isn’t the worst thing that happens – the next morning Caitlyn is found dead in her bed and obviously one of the people in her hen party was responsible. Are they all in danger?
I had previously read I Let Her In by Maria Frankland and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this one, and it didn’t disappoint!
The first part was what happened the first night with the typical fighting, backstabbing, and complaining by all the women – what a group! After Caitlyn is found dead, each chapter was dedicated to interviewing all the attendees.
The ending, though, will leave you speechless! I highly recommend this one!
#NetGalley #MariaFrankland #Bookoutre #TheBridalParty

Literally still in shock from this book! After reading the description of this book it sounded absolutely fantastic so I had to delve straight in and my goodness I had no idea the twists that came! It is a book that will have you hooked. I was flying through the pages, I need edge to know what happened to Caitlyn. I’d tears in my eyes at times it was very emotional. The way the author has written this book is perfect for this story, I also found this made it more surprising and just easy to read. Amazing characters, plenty to love and plenty to hate. I can definitely see this book going straight to the top of the charts.

This book felt like a rollercoaster where my opinions ebbed and flowed. In the end, I ended up giving it three stars.

Loved the beginning, there's already lots of drama fueled by airport cocktails and deeply held grievances. The author did a good job making the ten people going to the hen party feel distinct and easy for the reader to follow along. And it can be hard to keep track of 10 characters!

The bickering continued. I loved it and was here for the drama. Then it got slow and the chapters devoted to each character's POV of the event got repetitive. I understand why the author formatted it like that but it didn't add much. They revealed information that was already mentioned or could easily be assumed.

I did love the very end of the book. Thanks for the advance review copy.

This is everything you want a thriller to be. It has an ensemble of characters (some likable, some the WORST), a, seemingly, trustworthy protagonist, murder, deceit, twists & turns. I could not put this book down!!! I finished it in less than a day. This is the first time I've read anything by Maria Frankland & it won't be the last. She has a fast-paced writing that I'm obsessed with & the story being told through character POVs in a thriller is something I really enjoy.

** QUICK PLOT OUTLINE ** Caitlyn, fresh in remission for cancer, is off for her bachelorette party with friends & family from all stages of her life. There's clear tension in the air as the complicated relationships all come to a head. With cliques and secrets amongst the group of 10 women (and Caitlyn's groom-to-be), you're not sure who to trust. The morning after the 1st night of drinking, games, and drama the bride-to-be is discovered dead in her bedroom....apparent suffocation. Who has a motive? Is it one of the ladies on the bachelorette party, did someone break in...You'll have to read to find out!

It's a bit of a "who dun it," with a handful of possible suspects. I love the way the story was told through different POVs & shifts as each character is interrogated by the police revealing secrets from each character and insights to their relationship with the deceased. There was just enough information given from each of the ladies that you think they MIGHT have something to do with the murder.

Such a fun twist & ending! I will say, that I was able to guess the major twist as the interrogation chapters went on... There were a couple mentions of a "weird" neighbor that seemed too random to include unless he was very relevant. I started putting things together once an incriminating letter was found in the pocket of the deceased character's coat. Nonetheless, I kept reading and was equally satisfied with the result even though I'd predicted it.

Much of this is that exact same book you’ve read before. And before, and before, and before.

Really, most of the book is incredibly predictable. Even one big reveal is so obvious the moment you meet the character that it might as well be pointed out with laser beams.

What saves this book is when you find out the who and why of it all. Total shock!

I absolutely appreciated what the author pulled off in the end. I only wish the rest of the book had something (anything really) unique or subtle about it.

The ending saves it, but it may not be worth the journey.

• ARC via Publisher

This is a quick read, but there isn't a lot of depth. Too many characters to keep track of and a twist at the end that was a bit unsatisfying after making it through the story. Bachelorette party, relationship drama, shady characters, and ultimately a death.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this e-ARC.

Secrets, surprises, red herrings…friends and family…love and romance…this book is a page turner…the ending is a big surprise. The characters are not really loveable, but some of them are at least likable. This is not a cozy story…intrigue…impending death…whew…dark…from Netgalley

This was a fast and fun read. I never expected what was going to unfold! And the way it went down. Love this writers style and can’t wait to read more by her. !

This was my first book by Maria and I wasn't overly impressed. It seemed really drawn out and the characters were really whiny and mean to each other. While the ending was AMAZING and raises my scores, I just overall felt it was more of a skimmer.