Member Reviews

Ever wondered what would happen if you dropped a tiger into a Real Housewives episode? Kit Conway's Cat Fight answers that question with delicious results.

This isn't your typical suburban thriller. Sure, it's got the usual suspects - three seemingly perfect housewives with secrets darker than their cold-brew coffee. But Conway throws a wild card into the mix: reports of a mountain lion prowling their manicured lawns. What follows is pure chaos, and I couldn't put it down.

The story centers on Coralie, Emma, and Twig (yes, that's really her name), three neighbors whose friendship was already hanging by a thread before the big cat showed up. As panic spreads through their gated community, each woman sees an opportunity. And that's when things get interesting.

Conway's greatest trick is making you care about these women even as they scheme, backstab, and manipulate their way through the story. They're not likable - but they're fascinating. Like watching a car crash in designer heels, you know it's going to end badly, but you can't look away.

The big cat mystery works brilliantly both as a literal threat and as a metaphor for the predatory nature of suburban life. Conway nails the subtle warfare of neighborhood politics: the passive-aggressive texts, the strategic party invites, the judgment disguised as concern. Anyone who's ever been in a neighborhood Facebook group will feel seen (and slightly attacked).

The plot takes some wild turns, but Conway's sharp writing and dark humor keep everything grounded. By the time you reach the twist-filled ending, you'll realize the real predators were never the four-legged kind.

Bottom line: Cat Fight is what you'd get if Big Little Lies and Tiger King had a baby and raised it in a gated community. It's smart, savage, and seriously fun.

4/5 stars - Pour yourself a glass of wine and settle in for one wild ride.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

The premise for this book had me chomping at the bit, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. In the end, I was left wanting. This was a solid and entertaining read, but I found I just couldn’t fully connect with the characters. I think others will have a different take, so please read and decide for yourself.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I thought this book was enjoyable and an easy read but it's not the kind of story that will stay with me after I turn the final page

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Cat Fight was a darkly comedic, twist-filled ride that blended suburban drama with just the right amount of suspense. Coralie, Emma, and Twig were each navigating their own personal agendas, and the supposed big cat sighting became the perfect catalyst for chaos. From Coralie’s power-hungry maneuvering to Emma’s self-serving skepticism and Twig’s reluctant return to her past, each character brought something unique—and often delightfully devious—to the table.
The novel did a great job of balancing satire with genuine tension. The mystery of whether the panther was real or a well-orchestrated ploy kept me hooked, and as the town’s hysteria escalated, so did the stakes. The writing was sharp and witty, packed with social commentary on wealth, privilege, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their reputations.
If anything, the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, and some plot points felt slightly over-the-top. But honestly, that was part of the fun. The final twists were deliciously satisfying, and the book delivered on its promise of suburban scandal with a bite. If you love messy characters, neighborhood intrigue, and a touch of the absurd, this one is definitely worth the read!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book as it was an easy read, but there was nothing that really drew me to any of the characters and they didn't really have a lot of development throughout. There was a lot of drama which kept me engaged, but it was confusing at time and hard to keep track of what was going on.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars- slow start but once you get through the halfway part, this gets juicy! thanks netgally & the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Coralie King is a former zoologist and the undisputed ruler of her quiet cul-de-sac in suburban London. Intelligent, sharp, and deeply invested in maintaining the neighborhood’s harmony, she has little patience for nonsense. Her husband, Adam, is the opposite—charming yet restless, a man who works little but worries endlessly. So when he claims to have seen a panther lounging atop his car in the driveway, his already fragile grip on reality begins to unravel.

The neighbors are divided. Emma, ever pragmatic, dismisses the sighting but sees an opportunity to stir the pot. Twig, skeptical but intrigued, can’t help but wonder. Meanwhile, the children of the neighborhood swing between fear and exhilaration, turning the mysterious feline into an obsession. Before long, the entire affluent, tightly wound community is caught up in the hunt for a creature that may or may not exist.

Through interviews, shifting perspectives, and sharp observational storytelling, the novel gradually peels back the polished veneer of suburban perfection, revealing the tangled secrets each resident is desperate to keep hidden. Because in this seemingly pristine neighborhood, the panther might not be the only predator lurking in the shadows.
Fun book, I didn't love the characters but I certainly loved the story!
#AtriaBooks #CatFight #KitConway

Was this review helpful?

I'm overall disappointed.
I found the blurb had a lot of potential and I loved the cover but the execution wasn't as good as I hoped.
I never felt sympathy for any of the characters who despite being placed in complex personal situations all felt very flat, so I couldn't really care about what happened to them.
I think it would have been way better with some humour distilled into it.
It gave me the impression a big part of it was inspired from Gone girl but without it's gripping qualities.
It's still entertaining and makes for a nice read if you are into suburbia mysteries.
Thank you Astria Books for this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

This starts as an entertaining neighbor/relationship drama between three households in a posh enclave of London and soon escalates in a wild and delightfully bonkers way. There is lying, espionage, and possibly a panther on the loose?!

I so enjoyed my time reading this - it is hilarious, mysterious, and totally original.

Thank you very much to Atria and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Was this review helpful?

Cat Fight by Kit Conway is an absolute blast—think Big Little Lies meets Tiger King, with a dash of Desperate Housewives. From the first page, this book had me hooked. The plot is full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat—just when I thought I had it all figured out, Conway would drop a bombshell that left me speechless.

The characters were definitely the highlight. They’re all so distinct, from the Disney-princess-esque Emma to the punk-pop star Twig, to the unhinged Jane-from-Tarzan aka Coralie King. Former zoologist turned Queen Bee of Sevenoaks, Coralie, quickly seizes on a panther sighting to revive her career. Then there’s Emma, the new neighbor who’s skeptical of the whole big cat situation but is eager to use the hysteria for her own agenda. And Twig, who never expected to return to suburban life, but finds herself back in her childhood home after a major life change. The way their storylines intertwine is fascinating and kept me engaged from start to finish. There’s the perfect blend of drama, humor, and suspense, with a dose of sharp banter that lightens up the intense, “whodunnit” vibe.

The title is so much fun, and the cover art is gorgeous—it’s the whole package. With its gripping narrative and fantastic character dynamics, I can see this book becoming a big hit. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it early. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy!

Was this review helpful?

I just finished a unique book. Cat Fight by Kit Vonwat was a book that I’ll remember for a long time.

Was this review helpful?

I have to start by saying, OMG! "Cat Fight" by Kit Conway is like "Big Little Lies" meets "Tiger King." It is all of that, but it is so much more!

This book exceeded all my expectations. I believe it is a novel worth reading a second time because, just when you think you know what’s going to happen, you'll be proven wrong.

The novel offers an interconnected look at the lives of three suburban families and the hysteria that disrupts their less-than-perfect lives behind closed doors. This hysteria revolves around a big cat that appears to be hiding in their neighborhood. The story also draws comparisons to scapegoats, viral sensations, and contemporary culture, while serving as a metaphor for these suburbanites struggling to fit into situations that go against their nature.

The book is very well-written and expertly plotted—what a debut! I can’t wait to see what else Conway creates. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat, while also being humorous and relatable.

Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for this much-needed entertainment.

Was this review helpful?