Meet the Parents by Emily Shiner is a very highly recommended, un-put-downable fast-paced psychological thriller.

Owen, 41, is bringing home his girlfriend Gina, 28, to meet his parents, Grant and Marta Whitlock. Their cabin in the woods is actually a mansion on a sprawling estate. Marta immediately is hostile to Gina and Grant has wandering eyes. None of this really matters because they all privately know something about who the other person really is and what they are capable of doing behind their facade. The extent of what they'll do and what they know will be determined. Readers will know from the start only two people are going to survive, but which two is in question.

Meet the Parents is really a compelling, delicious cat-and-mouse page-turner that held my complete attention from start to finish. The narrative follows the present day get together, which is told through the alternating voice of Gina or Marta. Gina's past trauma is told through separate chapters set in the past when she was 8 years-old. The flashback chapters explain Gina's past trauma. The characters of Gina and Marta receive the most development.

This is a twisty psychological thriller right up to the end. The final denouement went a bit over-the-top, but the experience getting there was completely entertaining. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fast paced thriller!! Gina was the right amount of devious. The mom kinda weirded me out a little with her obsession of Owen. I thought the ending was ok but then bam twist.

I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fast paced thriller.

After experincing a horrific childhood trauma Gina's life is changed forever, and now she is obsessed of making sure she gets her revenge. Owen is the perfect man, he's a doctor, he's handsome, he's sweet.

Owen and Gina havnt been dating long when Owen decides he wants her to meet his parents. Being nervous by agreeing to go with him for the weekend to meet them and being excited to find out a dark truth that has haunted her for over 20 years.
I loved how this book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was very hard to put down and the twist at the end literally had my jaw on the ground! Definitely put this on your to be read list when it comes out 08/27/2024!

Thank you Bookouture publishing, Author Emily Shiner and Netgalley for the early copy of this book!

I got an ARC from NetGalley.

The excitement this book provided was outstanding! The ending caught me entirely off guard. When you think it's wrapping up, the surprise twist at the end adds the perfect touch. An excellent read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley

The roller coaster ride this book took me on was a complete thrill! I was not expecting the ending - complete shock! Just when you thought it was over, the curve ball at the end is the icing on the cake. It was a great read

Wooow this one was so good!! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop reading. The writing style is so fast paced that you can't stop reading and you want to know more! I really had a great time reading this book and can't wait to read more books by this author.

Thanks you NetGalley and Bookouture for this arc.

"Meet the Parents" by Emily Shiner is a masterclass in psychological suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. With expertly crafted characters and a plot full of dark secrets and chilling twists, this book is impossible to put down. The tension between Gina and Owen's overbearing mother, Marta, is palpable, and the stakes grow higher with every page. Who knows what? How much do they know?

Shiner's ability to build suspense and deliver shocking revelations makes this a must-read for fans of thrillers. By the time the final twist was revealed, I was left breathless. Highly recommended!

Thank you Emily Shiner, Bookoture, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

The plot centers on a seemingly typical scenario—a girlfriend meeting her boyfriend's parents—but with a twist: the family is deeply entwined with Gina's tragic past. This setup paves the way for a story filled with murder, deception, and conspiracy.

The book's creativity and pacing are standout features; the pages seemed to turn themselves as the narrative unfolded more complexities. Just when you think the drama has concluded, the story continues to deliver more surprises. Overall, this was a fantastic read, marked by excellent storytelling and well-crafted character development. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and surprising thriller.

✨3 stars✨

This was an extremely fast-paced book and I found myself unable to put it down once I started! I literally read it in one sitting!

I would recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a quick short thriller. However, I was personally just expecting a bit more from the plot twists as the reveals were a bit anti-climatic, in my opinion. Also, the Mum, Marta, was a complete stereotypical “boy mum” which made me feel uncomfortable as some of her thoughts and dialogue was downright creepy!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley. Thank you!

First, I want to thank Emily Shiner, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

Ohh it has been a hott minute since I have been able to sync my eyes into a Emily Shiner book!! Ohh let me tell you Meet The Parents was definitely worth the wait!! Emily casted this book with characters with deep dark secrets that made this story ever so twisted. If you are a fan of Emily Shiner like I am, this is a must read!

Emily’s prologue started out intense, detailed, action packed, and attention grabbing. It left you with so many questions that you just had to keep reading on just to find out the answers.

My heart instantly ached for Gina as a young girl witnessed the death of her Aunt. Just as we find out this tragic news in the story Emily flashes back to the night in question and we get to be a fly on the wall and witness it happen. Gina knows who did this to her Aunt….

Ohh how I didn’t care for Marta!! She was Owen’s mother and despised Gina! She would do anything to tear them apart! She totally got under my skin!!

4⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Meet The Parents.

Gina and Owen have been dating for seven weeks when he decides to bring her home to meet his parents Grant and Marta. Upon arriving at a very remote mansion in the woods Gina knows that she has to find the proof that she has been looking for to prove that Owen’s parents have a sinister past. All the while Owen’s parents plan to follow through on their plan of “taking care” of Gina once and for all. But whose plan will prevail?

This book had me hooked from the first page up until the very last page. I really enjoyed the writing style and the dual points of view. I have to say I did not see the ending coming at all!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Would you still believe your relationship was meant to be if a weekend meeting the parents went up in flames? There are a lot of secrets hiding under the surface as Gina prepares to meet Owen’s parents but the extent of what lies underneath is completely unknown. Emily Shiner delivers a thrilling book that certainly gives more questions than answers as the layers unfold. The characters may be a little too well written because I had no idea who to trust but it made the book all the more enjoyable! Meet the Parents is beautifully written and builds in a wonderfully suspenseful arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Review will be up on instagram next week and on Amazon on pub date!

Absolutely loved this book! It had me hooked from the first chapter and with all the twists and turns it had ms wondering what could have happened next?!

I honestly can't wait to read more from the author in any future books.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Emily Shiner's "Meet The Parents" is a gripping murder mystery that keeps readers on their toes. The story follows Gina and Owen as they embark on a week-long stay at Owen's parents' house, but beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary visit lies a sinister plot of revenge.

Shiner expertly builds tension throughout the narrative, creating an atmosphere of unease that permeates every interaction. The characters are well-developed, with Gina's complex motivations driving the plot forward in unexpected ways. The author's ability to blend the mundane aspects of family visits with the underlying current of danger is commendable.

While the premise is intriguing and the pacing generally good, there are moments where the plot feels slightly predictable. Some readers might find certain twists telegraphed too early, which can dampen the overall suspense.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "Meet The Parents" is an entertaining read that will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers. Shiner's writing style is engaging, and her exploration of family dynamics adds depth to the central mystery.

In conclusion, while not perfect, "Meet The Parents" is a solid entry in the murder mystery genre, offering enough intrigue and character development to keep readers invested until the final page.

I read this a bit ago and forgot to write the review. I loved it! I love this author. She really nailed the whole "boy mom" mindset here. It fun to guess the characters intentions.
I had a blast as always. I can't wait for the next one.

This book had me hooked from the start! Never knowing what was going to happen really pulled me in! The way the chapters ended with leaving you on a cliff was just so good! Amazing book! The back and forth narration really had me guessing good vs evil👏🏻! Great ending! Don’t skip it! Thank you net galley for this arc!

WHATTTTTTT did I just read?! This is my first Emily Shriner book and it won’t be my last. I was telling the whole time, put to me the book down, picking it back up. I couldn’t handle knowing more but I needed to know!!! Def recommend.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 (rounded down)!!

SYNOPSIS: “We’re so excited to have you in our home.” My boyfriend’s mother smiles at me a little too wide. His father’s eyes re hard at the edges. It’s like they’re hiding something. But of course, I already know that…

The mother: Stay-at-home mother Marta lives in her successful husband’s shadow, overlooked by him ever since her darling son Owen went to medical school. She’s not about to lose him to Gina… Marta will play nice, get Gina to trust her. And then she has a plan of her own.

The son: Owen is already certain he wants to marry the perfect Gina. Sure, his mom can be overprotective. But Owen knows why. He knows what she’s hiding.

The girlfriend: Ever since purposefully running into Dr. Owen Whitlock at the hospital, Gina has been playing the doting girlfriend. She didn’t mean to fall for his charm for real… now it’s finally time to meet his parents. Gina already knows all about the terrible secrets this family is covering up. And she’ll do anything to make sure they never find out who she really is.
By the end of the weekend, the Whitlock’s beautiful house will have burned to the ground. And someone won’t make it out alive…

MY REVIEW: I absolutely LOVED Meet the Parents by Emily Shiner… from prologue to explosive epilogue, truly all of the elements for a twisty thriller! The fast-paced plot is exceptionally crafted with so many psychological twists along the way. Not to mention the EPIC twist of an ending, no lie my jaw dropped to the floor!

We get the alternating perspective of Gina, Owen’s girlfriend, and Marta, the doting mother… need I say more? The webs Gina weaves throughout her visit to the Whitlock’s mini mansion had me cringing in fear and laughing along with her commentary. All characters were deliciously dark and intriguing; the secrets and lies kept by each of the characters are intense. I also love how the past meets the present here!

dual pov, timeline hops, murder, blackmail, family secrets + lies, deception, twists, family drama

I loved the setup for this story and found the characters fascinating, the plot intriguing. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and didn't see the twists coming. I've found a great new author!

SUPER TWISTY! I liked it. I remember reading the blurb but by the time I got to reading, I couldn't recall what it was about. So glad I didn't remember because this had me so entertained! If you haven't read the blurb, don't! I felt like the twists were even 'twistier'.

I hope they decide to convert it into an audiobook because I think it would do so well!