Member Reviews

A fast paced psychological thriller book which had me pulled in!
Meeting a boyfriends parents for the first is bound to be nerve wrecking, toxic!

this is not your typical twisty novel but enjoyed the read!

Was this review helpful?

Meet the Parents

Twisty thriller I loved this!!!! Gina & Owen are loves young dream but there are a few dark secrets about to come out ….. did NOT know how this was going to end! A few days of rapid reading 🤩 Meet the Parents is my thriller of the year so far.

Thank you @netgalley and @authoremilyshinwer for the opportunity to read and review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ a no brainer 5 stars

Was this review helpful?

I personally feel this book could have been shortened, a lot of areas were drawn out, it might have been to make it longer, but it would have been an amazing short story! Other than that, the plot was good, and the pace was fine, just drawn out.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first read by Emily Shiner. It had me hooked from the very beginning and I was INVESTED!!!!! I loved the character development and fingering out who everyone REALLY was. The ending seemed to leave questions unanswered or a lot of holes that I would have liked to be filled in but I still enjoyed the book.

Was this review helpful?

This was unnecessarily long, convulted and incredibly stupid. The main character was coasting on luck throughout because she is the opposite of smart and none of her sleuthing ever resulted in anything. Also, the personality switch up was crazy. From comically inept to psycho maniac. It would have been epic if it were deliberate but it's just an unfortunate product of bad writing.

The twist at the end is so contrived and I saw it coming from a mile away. Word of advice, it a character in a psychological thriller keeps saying another character is innocent and wouldn't hurt a fly. Chances are they're the final boss.

This was so unoriginal but at least it's over. I received this via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I love a juicy psychological thriller, and so I was ready to love this, but it just didn't do it for me. The story, at its heart, is good, but there's so much repetition. I felt like the recapping in each chapter was overkill, pardon the pun. I also felt like some of the plot twists were revealed too early.
I'm sure this will absolutely hit the spot for a lot of people - there are tons of positive reviews. I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, but it still had me reading to the end, to find out what happened.

Was this review helpful?

This was very twisty, but still had a somewhat relatable plot point at several times during the story. It felt like it could’ve been Shorter in some ways because it was long and drawn out I felt. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters because I felt like the love story had happened so quickly off book that, it was almost unbelievable in a way. The mother in the story really skeeved me out. It’s a decent thriller, but not something that will be particularly memorable to me.

Was this review helpful?

This book was truly amazing, first time reading this author and I will be back to read more. The way she kept me on my toes and wanting to keep reading. I have recommended this book to every reader I come across! Well done on such a gripping book!

Was this review helpful?

Meet The Parents is a rollercoaster of a ride. So much happens from the start of the book and it just intensifies throughout. It was a vey intense read and had you guessing with each chapter. The only thing I struggled with was the almost incestuous nature of the mother towards her son. Some of her thoughts and comments were really off-putting, and it ruined the potential of the story. I didn't expect the ending though and was really surprised with what happened.

Was this review helpful?

This book starts off with a great opening chapter and then throughout the book you are wondering what's going to happen next. This was so addictive and I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. The ending was so shocking and it really left you wondering. A wonderful twisty thriller. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Emily Shiner’s “Meet the Parents” is a masterclass in psychological suspense, weaving a tale of deception, secrets, and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is a testament to Shiner’s ability to craft intricate plots and deeply flawed characters, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

What should be a joyous occasion quickly turns sinister as Gina realizes that Owen’s mother, Marta, is not as welcoming as she appears. The plot is meticulously crafted, with each chapter revealing new layers of intrigue and tension, culminating in a shocking climax that will leave readers breathless.

 “Meet the Parents” explores themes of control, manipulation, and the facades people maintain to hide their true selves.  The novel also examines the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets and the devastating consequences of living a lie. Through Gina’s perspective, Shiner highlights the struggle for autonomy and the courage it takes to confront one’s past.

Shiner’s writing is sharp and evocative, perfectly capturing the tension and unease that permeate the story. Her ability to create vivid, multi-dimensional characters adds depth to the narrative, making readers deeply invested in their fates. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, reflecting the psychological underpinnings of the characters’ interactions. Shiner’s pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading.

“Meet the Parents” is a standout psychological thriller that offers a compelling blend of suspense, emotion, and intricate plotting. Emily Shiner has crafted a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with a plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy delving into the darker aspects of human nature.

Emily Shiner has once again proven her mastery of the psychological thriller genre with “Meet the Parents.” This novel is a testament to her ability to weave complex, emotionally charged narratives that resonate long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a gripping, atmospheric read.

Was this review helpful?

Very intense. I was on the edge of my seat. I loved the character development and the plot twists. Overall a very great read

Was this review helpful?

I was instantly hooked at the start of this book. With the fast-paced short chapters and multiple POVs, it reminded me of a Freida McFadden novel. Meet The Parents is a psychological thriller is about a couple, Gina and Owen, that go to stay with Owen's parents, Grant and Marta. I loved all the twists and turns, and how it all came together at the end. As someone who reads a lot of thriller novels, I saw a lot of the plot twists coming, but this is a great book for someone who is new to reading thrillers!

Was this review helpful?

Meet the Parents is written by Emily Shiner. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it will not be my last. A master of craft, this psychological thriller drew me in within the first few pages. I was not able to put it down. The characters are well written, the storyline is oozing with suspense. Once you start reading you will not want to stop.

The author writes the story from three points of view. Marta, the mother, Owen her son and his girlfriend, Gina. However they are all woven together seamlessly. Owen wants to propose to Gina, however Marta does NOT want him to settle down. Owen brings Gina home to meet his parents. It does NOT go well.

Marta and Grant are more then your typical over protective parent. It does not take long for Marta to show her true intentions. However, the house burns down. SOMEONE does not make it out alive. So many twists and turns that I did not see coming.

This is a brilliantly written psychological thriller. I hope to read more by this author in the future.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

'Meet the Parents' presented an intriguing narrative, replete with unexpected developments and characters that were difficult to like. While I neither adored nor despised it, the experience was certainly memorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited for this one it seemed so good with all the reviews, but it just felt a little predictable, the characters were very unlikable and I just didn't find myself really invested in the story, but at the same time I couldn't look away.

Was this review helpful?

This book had my heart racing!!

Twisted and dark and constantly had me wanting to turn the pages.

Definitely an author I will be trying more books from!!

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book from Emily Shiner and it definitely won’t be my last. I enjoyed this thriller so much I read it in one sitting because it was so creepy and had me on the edge of my seat I had to know what was going to happen next! If you think you’ve already read a hundred books about crazy in-laws, think again! This book was so unlike any of the others that I have read and it really stands apart as something new and exciting. There is a lot of hopping back and forth between the past and present, but the story continued to flow so well and I never got lost or confused. Also, that one scene with her FIL and her sitting in the woods will creep me out for months to come.

Overall, this is the perfect thriller to start out spooky season with and it’s on KINDLE UNLIMITED! Now you have no excuse not to read it.

Was this review helpful?

This book is full of twists and turns and made me want to keep reading all the way through. The characters were shockingly deceptive and their backstories are the stuff of nightmares! All of the characters have their own personalities that shine through in the book.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book, it was full of secrets, suspense that kept me glued, and the ending was great!!

Was this review helpful?