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The School Reunion
From the bestselling author of The Secret Mother , a chilling tale about revisiting the past—and digging up secrets you’d rather forget. The invitation to her school reunion couldn’t have come at a better time for Chloe Flynn. Divorced, broke and bored at work, she’s living a life her teenage self would hate. Turning the clock back fifteen years might be just what she needs to wipe the slate clean and start again. And then there’s the chance she’ll bump into Nathan Blake, the one she still regrets letting get away… Back at her elite private school, Chloe sparkles as she reunites with old friends and long-forgotten love interests. And then, just as she’d hoped, there’s Nathan, more handsome than ever before. Even better, he’s single too, and seems to be just as keen to make up for lost time… But as the evening progresses, Chloe can’t help feeling that something’s not quite right—that she’s not the only one who’s come here for more than just a party. When the secrets of the past start to emerge and the reunion takes a sinister turn, it’s clear that nothing is what it seems—and nothing will be the same again.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2024
1599 people are currently reading
8708 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
41 books3,428 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
November 17, 2023
Have you ever attended a high school reunion?
Not me! No thanks!😝
Our MC Chloe, just received an invitation for her reunion and her initial thought was identical. No way! But after reconnecting with one of her high school besties she decides to go for it!
There is one man she wants to see…Nathan! Elusive, but he’s someone Chloe has been thinking about for a long time.
Then of course, there are the classmates she’d rather skip over…and they feel the same way about her! That would be the Mean Girls! As nasty in the book as they are in real life!🙄
And let’s not forget, there’s also her high-school boyfriend who she’s tried to put behind her. Question is, is he ready to let her go? (Oh, that high-school tension and drama!)
This book has a bit of a youngish feel to it. I wouldn’t call it YA but you definitely get the adolescent vibe in their behaviors.
Shalini Boland did a stellar job of keeping the reader (me) in the dark throughout. There was so much going on - both past and present. Leaving me clueless as to where she was taking me, absolutely glued to the pages. The ending came together for an explosive twist! Yay!
I always enjoy my reads by this author and looking forward to more!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
Not me! No thanks!😝
Our MC Chloe, just received an invitation for her reunion and her initial thought was identical. No way! But after reconnecting with one of her high school besties she decides to go for it!
There is one man she wants to see…Nathan! Elusive, but he’s someone Chloe has been thinking about for a long time.
Then of course, there are the classmates she’d rather skip over…and they feel the same way about her! That would be the Mean Girls! As nasty in the book as they are in real life!🙄
And let’s not forget, there’s also her high-school boyfriend who she’s tried to put behind her. Question is, is he ready to let her go? (Oh, that high-school tension and drama!)
This book has a bit of a youngish feel to it. I wouldn’t call it YA but you definitely get the adolescent vibe in their behaviors.
Shalini Boland did a stellar job of keeping the reader (me) in the dark throughout. There was so much going on - both past and present. Leaving me clueless as to where she was taking me, absolutely glued to the pages. The ending came together for an explosive twist! Yay!
I always enjoy my reads by this author and looking forward to more!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
January 20, 2024
I was sure I had read some of Shalini Boland's previous novels but a search confirms that I haven't although I have quite a few of them on my lengthy TBR. I think when I hear her name my brain confuses her with Shari Lapena. So this is my first read of a Shalini Boland book but it won't be my last!
In my opinion, you're best going into this book practically blind in order to experience all the twists. I for one am glad that the blurb is so vague. Chloe Flynn, divorced, broke and bored with her job, receives an invitation to her school reunion. Chloe eventually decides that turning the clock back fifteen years might be just what she needs.
Nobody is more surprised than me by how much I enjoyed this book with its short chapters and so many twists and turns. The story is told from Chloe's pov as well as from the pov of Dean Bradley, a building contractor who has a beef with Chris Tamber, Chloe's ex-boyfriend from the days they both attended an elite private school. We wonder why Dean's a part of this story but it all becomes clear close to the end. The narratives from these characters are interspersed with reflections from the past in the form of someone's journal. It seems that some mean girls never outgrow their meanness. Best not to say too much and be careful if you read any reviews ahead of time. Highly recommended!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: January 16, 2024
In my opinion, you're best going into this book practically blind in order to experience all the twists. I for one am glad that the blurb is so vague. Chloe Flynn, divorced, broke and bored with her job, receives an invitation to her school reunion. Chloe eventually decides that turning the clock back fifteen years might be just what she needs.
Nobody is more surprised than me by how much I enjoyed this book with its short chapters and so many twists and turns. The story is told from Chloe's pov as well as from the pov of Dean Bradley, a building contractor who has a beef with Chris Tamber, Chloe's ex-boyfriend from the days they both attended an elite private school. We wonder why Dean's a part of this story but it all becomes clear close to the end. The narratives from these characters are interspersed with reflections from the past in the form of someone's journal. It seems that some mean girls never outgrow their meanness. Best not to say too much and be careful if you read any reviews ahead of time. Highly recommended!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: January 16, 2024
January 26, 2024
This was so bad it’s funny. This storyline was pretty weak, and wasn’t that gripping… I did read it in a couple of days but purely on its 220 page length and simple writing. I found myself skimming a lot.
The second star was given for the final twist, I actually didn’t predict that… but it did end very abruptly!
Every single character was awful and acted like that actually were still in high school (if not younger, genuinely). There is no way you would act like this in your 30s get a grip. And Chloe’s mum? 🤢🥴
The second star was given for the final twist, I actually didn’t predict that… but it did end very abruptly!
Every single character was awful and acted like that actually were still in high school (if not younger, genuinely). There is no way you would act like this in your 30s get a grip. And Chloe’s mum? 🤢🥴
December 15, 2023
Well…..the authors pen has written dark this time….
I should have known better than to expect a ‘normal’ reunion tale but the book did give what I thought it would re characters, plot, beautiful Dorset and Somerset location’s and of course a merry go round of twists…
But then it became much more and actually left me shocked
What appears to be happening, isen’t
The characters you think you know, you don’t
You get the gist? It packs a punch and left me wowing and the last line shaken
Its brilliant as all Shalini Boland’s books are but this has an added layer of mischief and intrigue and whilst I thought my school reunion was bad this takes it to another level
Be prepared….
I should have known better than to expect a ‘normal’ reunion tale but the book did give what I thought it would re characters, plot, beautiful Dorset and Somerset location’s and of course a merry go round of twists…
But then it became much more and actually left me shocked
What appears to be happening, isen’t
The characters you think you know, you don’t
You get the gist? It packs a punch and left me wowing and the last line shaken
Its brilliant as all Shalini Boland’s books are but this has an added layer of mischief and intrigue and whilst I thought my school reunion was bad this takes it to another level
Be prepared….
January 1, 2024
What happens when we dig up secrets we’d rather forget?
For the 2008 graduating class of West Cliff School, it’s going to mean nursing heartbreak and exacting revenge.
It really was a perfect storm. The timing was everything. The invitation, mixed with 31-year-old Chloe Flynn’s frustration with her mom, her anger and feelings of inadequacy that came with her divorce, a non-existent social life, and her boredom at work, quickly toppled her pent-up emotional vulnerabilities that she thought she’d buried since adolescence. Single and ready to mingle, Chloe welcomes the chance to turn back the clock 15 years.
It’s also great timing for a few others who’ll be attending the reunion. Perhaps their motives aren’t as pure and clear as Chloe’s. Is this the chance to right some wrongs? Hasn’t enough time passed? Is it even worth an attempt to gain popularity and attention from the very people who withheld it? Regardless, it’ll be an evening to remember.
You’ll shake your head as you read about adults who can’t let the past go, who regress to their adolescent behaviour, and who reveal each other’s secrets when it is to their advantage. You’ll roll your eyes at an overbearing mother and raise an eyebrow at a mystery guest who provides the narrative with an intriguing point of view. BUT somewhere in the middle of all that, Boland works her magic and somehow you end up feeling equal parts duped and illuminated…like only Boland can do. Don’t give up too early. Yes, it’s slow while the scene is being set. Yes, it’s frustrating not knowing who the identity of the unknown classmate. BUT when the separate storylines start meshing, and you get a clue who the unknown person might be, the plot thickens and the pace increases.
What you will get: a slow-burn, character-driven, twisty revenge plot told in first person with three different points of view.
It will make you double think revisiting the past, wondering about ‘the one who got away’, and questioning if we can ever go back to the way things were. You’ll close the book realizing that it’s more important to move forwards than backward and paying more attention to the Harriets in your life; after all, “Things aren’t always what they look like on the outside.”
I’m looking forward to returning to Venice for Boland’s next thriller!
I was gifted this copy by Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
For the 2008 graduating class of West Cliff School, it’s going to mean nursing heartbreak and exacting revenge.
It really was a perfect storm. The timing was everything. The invitation, mixed with 31-year-old Chloe Flynn’s frustration with her mom, her anger and feelings of inadequacy that came with her divorce, a non-existent social life, and her boredom at work, quickly toppled her pent-up emotional vulnerabilities that she thought she’d buried since adolescence. Single and ready to mingle, Chloe welcomes the chance to turn back the clock 15 years.
It’s also great timing for a few others who’ll be attending the reunion. Perhaps their motives aren’t as pure and clear as Chloe’s. Is this the chance to right some wrongs? Hasn’t enough time passed? Is it even worth an attempt to gain popularity and attention from the very people who withheld it? Regardless, it’ll be an evening to remember.
You’ll shake your head as you read about adults who can’t let the past go, who regress to their adolescent behaviour, and who reveal each other’s secrets when it is to their advantage. You’ll roll your eyes at an overbearing mother and raise an eyebrow at a mystery guest who provides the narrative with an intriguing point of view. BUT somewhere in the middle of all that, Boland works her magic and somehow you end up feeling equal parts duped and illuminated…like only Boland can do. Don’t give up too early. Yes, it’s slow while the scene is being set. Yes, it’s frustrating not knowing who the identity of the unknown classmate. BUT when the separate storylines start meshing, and you get a clue who the unknown person might be, the plot thickens and the pace increases.
What you will get: a slow-burn, character-driven, twisty revenge plot told in first person with three different points of view.
It will make you double think revisiting the past, wondering about ‘the one who got away’, and questioning if we can ever go back to the way things were. You’ll close the book realizing that it’s more important to move forwards than backward and paying more attention to the Harriets in your life; after all, “Things aren’t always what they look like on the outside.”
I’m looking forward to returning to Venice for Boland’s next thriller!
I was gifted this copy by Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 6, 2023
The invitation couldn't come at a better time for Chloe Flynn. Divorced, broke, and bored at work, she's living a life her teenage self would hate. Turning the clock back fifteen years might be just what she needs to wipe the slate clean and start again. And then there's the chance she'll bump into Nathan Blake, the one she still regrets letting get away.
After receiving an invitation to her high school reunion, Chloe Flynn reluctantly accepts. After all, there might be a chance to reconnect with Nathan Blake, the one who got away. Chloe is recently divorced and has a job in a bank that she loathes, her life is going nowhere. After accepting the email to attend her school reunion, she started getting anonymous emails telling her to stay away. There's also Dean Bradley, a building contractor with a young son to take care of. We also get a narrative that's told in the past.
This is another well-written, twisted, and gripping read. I wasn't sure where this story was taking me. I had ideas of the smaller things that happened. But now, I'm near the end, I can see where this is going, how it's going to play out. It's so simple. Then Shalini delivers a final twist - never saw that coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheSchoolReunion in exchange for an honest review.
After receiving an invitation to her high school reunion, Chloe Flynn reluctantly accepts. After all, there might be a chance to reconnect with Nathan Blake, the one who got away. Chloe is recently divorced and has a job in a bank that she loathes, her life is going nowhere. After accepting the email to attend her school reunion, she started getting anonymous emails telling her to stay away. There's also Dean Bradley, a building contractor with a young son to take care of. We also get a narrative that's told in the past.
This is another well-written, twisted, and gripping read. I wasn't sure where this story was taking me. I had ideas of the smaller things that happened. But now, I'm near the end, I can see where this is going, how it's going to play out. It's so simple. Then Shalini delivers a final twist - never saw that coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheSchoolReunion in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2024
This was a very twisty thriller and I will admit it had some turns that took me by surprise. The writing was exciting and this was the kind of book that keeps you up way past your bedtime. The story is told in 3 perspectives: Dean, Chloe, and flashbacks of the past. Chloe is disappointed she is divorced, works a small job in a bank, so she has no interest in attending her high school reunion. But thinking about the boy she had a crush on convinces her to go even though she swore she’d never go back. Dean is trying to take care of his son, but after a business deal went beyond poorly for him he is focused solely on revenge. The night of the reunion old secrets will come to light and Chloe, Dean, and the rest of Chloe’s classmates will all have to learn that you can’t ever escape the secrets of your past.
January 23, 2024
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of a readalong hosted by Tandem Collective UK.
The School Reunion is a dark, twisty thriller with an ending I didn't see coming! We follow Chloe, who's feeling stuck in life - divorced, fed up with her career, and struggling financially. So when an unexpected email arrives with an invitation attached inviting her to attend her school reunion and mulling it over, she decides to go back home and attend it in the hopes her old crush Nathan will be there. The second POV is Dean, who's out of pocket and out of luck with his building firm after a job turned bad, leaving him desperate for cash. I don't want to go into any more detail about the characters or plot, as I don't want to spoil it for anyone wanting to read the book. What I will say is that although I guessed at one part of the twists, I didn't expect the others! This is such a darkly delicious revenge story, and I'd love to see a spin-off to it!
The School Reunion is a dark, twisty thriller with an ending I didn't see coming! We follow Chloe, who's feeling stuck in life - divorced, fed up with her career, and struggling financially. So when an unexpected email arrives with an invitation attached inviting her to attend her school reunion and mulling it over, she decides to go back home and attend it in the hopes her old crush Nathan will be there. The second POV is Dean, who's out of pocket and out of luck with his building firm after a job turned bad, leaving him desperate for cash. I don't want to go into any more detail about the characters or plot, as I don't want to spoil it for anyone wanting to read the book. What I will say is that although I guessed at one part of the twists, I didn't expect the others! This is such a darkly delicious revenge story, and I'd love to see a spin-off to it!
Read
October 26, 2025Dnf at 63%. I didn’t really connect with this book. I liked that the main female character felt like she didn’t fit in. Also the aspect of bullying was handled very well in the book. But it was getting repetitive and something happens to the female main character that made me mad. So for those reasons I couldn’t read anymore of this book.
January 19, 2024
This is my favorite Shalini book since The Family Holiday. I love all of her books but some just stand out more than others!
Chloe is the losing party of her divorce, despite getting her beloved home, so when she gets an invite to her reunion, she doesn't want to show her face.
After listening to more criticism from her crappy mother, she changes her mind and decides to go. She is still carrying a torch for an old classmate. What else does she have to do and what does she have to lose?
Simultaneously, we hear from Dean. He's having a tough go of it since getting stiffed on a big job and he's out for revenge. No one comes between him and his ability to provide for his son.
How do these two stories intertwine, you ask? They both involve this jerk named Chris. He'll be at the reunion that night and when it's all said and done, nothing will be the same.
This was a quick and fun read. I enjoyed following each character and guessing what would happen next and being completely blindsided anyway! It's a great winter's night read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
Chloe is the losing party of her divorce, despite getting her beloved home, so when she gets an invite to her reunion, she doesn't want to show her face.
After listening to more criticism from her crappy mother, she changes her mind and decides to go. She is still carrying a torch for an old classmate. What else does she have to do and what does she have to lose?
Simultaneously, we hear from Dean. He's having a tough go of it since getting stiffed on a big job and he's out for revenge. No one comes between him and his ability to provide for his son.
How do these two stories intertwine, you ask? They both involve this jerk named Chris. He'll be at the reunion that night and when it's all said and done, nothing will be the same.
This was a quick and fun read. I enjoyed following each character and guessing what would happen next and being completely blindsided anyway! It's a great winter's night read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
February 1, 2024
Chloe is divorced, unhappy with her job, and is being constantly criticized by her mother. She is resentful of her ex-husband Ben with his new perfect wife Wendi and twins. So when she receives an invite to her elite school reunion she decides to go and try to impress a would-be boyfriend, Nathan, after fifteen years. In the process she reconnects with her two close friends Harriett & Jas. However, she begins receiving threatening emails warning her not to go. She goes to the reunion and is faced with her old boyfriend Chris, the elusive Nathan and a repeat of the mean girl behavior from all those years ago. In a parallel storyline, Dean Bradley is a struggling contractor with a young son Ellis. Also intersperses clips from the past which provide context and also mixes it all up. How this story is weaved together is nothing short of shocking. You may never go to a reunion again!
January 22, 2024
honestly predictable but oml all these characters were psycho. like why tf would you date the brother of the girl you drove to suicide, and then pretend you weren't the reason she killed herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2024
Secrets are tricky. Reminds me of a quote that says "A secret remains a secret until you make someone promise never to reveal it."
It has been fifteen years since high school and Chloe Lynn is seriously considering attending a class reunion. However, there is something from her past that she has kept secret and would never want it revealed.
Then there is Nathan/Dean. For Chloe, Nathan is the one that got away, especially since they missed going to prom together and he left the school in year ten. But "Dean" is going through some trials in his professional life. Father of a young son, and the owner of a business that just might go under, he is stressed to his gills.
I will leave it up to the reader to discover the connection between Nathan and Dean, and how Chloe plays into it. Also, that secret of Chloe's? Secrets can only lay dormant for so long, with the potential to ruin more than one life. This intriguing book led to a shocking conclusion, something Shalini Boland does marvelously well.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
It has been fifteen years since high school and Chloe Lynn is seriously considering attending a class reunion. However, there is something from her past that she has kept secret and would never want it revealed.
Then there is Nathan/Dean. For Chloe, Nathan is the one that got away, especially since they missed going to prom together and he left the school in year ten. But "Dean" is going through some trials in his professional life. Father of a young son, and the owner of a business that just might go under, he is stressed to his gills.
I will leave it up to the reader to discover the connection between Nathan and Dean, and how Chloe plays into it. Also, that secret of Chloe's? Secrets can only lay dormant for so long, with the potential to ruin more than one life. This intriguing book led to a shocking conclusion, something Shalini Boland does marvelously well.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 27, 2024
A chance to go home and visit your friends from school? Petty jealousies, unrequited loves, bullying and lots of secrets.
A quick read that made me grateful I’ve never attended my school reunions.
A quick read that made me grateful I’ve never attended my school reunions.
February 15, 2024
I hate it when thrillers underestimate my intelligence. This book had one weak, underdeveloped plot, that I truly don't know what made me finish it.
.
The characters were all unlikeable, the fact that the narrative switched for one of the characters to unreliable suddenly in the middle was really irritating.
It was like... Oh, you thought this? It was actually that all along.
The link between both Chloe and Dean was super flimsy, the way the author connected them was extremely unrealistic and unexplainable, even in book logic.
.
Also, the first third of the book could have been literally few pages. At some point I was like, ok, I get it. Chloe is a wreck after the divorce, and Dean is lonely and has money problems because of Chris. Let's move on, for God's sake! How long should I read the same thing?
We didn't reach the actual reunion until the middle point, which would've made sense if there was a backstory we need to understand before the event. This wasn't the case, it was mostly narrating the day-to-day life of Chloe and Dean.
.
There were some parts that the book could have done without, like, the relationship between Chloe and her mother. It didn't add anything to the storyline, and didn't give any insight on Chloe as a person.
.
The flash back scenes were underwhelming, they kept hinting on secrets and the struggle the character was going through.
The reunion scenes were over the top, basically a group of people in their thirties acting like middle schoolers. Their mannerisms and actions gave me second hand embarrassment.
.
The ending was super abrupt, but I wasn't expecting much at that point, so it was fine.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
.
The characters were all unlikeable, the fact that the narrative switched for one of the characters to unreliable suddenly in the middle was really irritating.
It was like... Oh, you thought this? It was actually that all along.
The link between both Chloe and Dean was super flimsy, the way the author connected them was extremely unrealistic and unexplainable, even in book logic.
.
Also, the first third of the book could have been literally few pages. At some point I was like, ok, I get it. Chloe is a wreck after the divorce, and Dean is lonely and has money problems because of Chris. Let's move on, for God's sake! How long should I read the same thing?
We didn't reach the actual reunion until the middle point, which would've made sense if there was a backstory we need to understand before the event. This wasn't the case, it was mostly narrating the day-to-day life of Chloe and Dean.
.
There were some parts that the book could have done without, like, the relationship between Chloe and her mother. It didn't add anything to the storyline, and didn't give any insight on Chloe as a person.
.
The flash back scenes were underwhelming, they kept hinting on secrets and the struggle the character was going through.
The reunion scenes were over the top, basically a group of people in their thirties acting like middle schoolers. Their mannerisms and actions gave me second hand embarrassment.
.
The ending was super abrupt, but I wasn't expecting much at that point, so it was fine.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
October 8, 2023
The School Reunion by Shalini Boland is another gripping tale from an author who is an automatic read for me. If you have not had the pleasure of reading a Shalini Boland novel, do yourself a favour and pick one up immediately.
Chloe receives an invitation to her school reunion, though she is reluctant at first to attend. Fresh off a divorce and merely going through the motions of her life with no one to share it with have not been great motivation for catching up with the old gang from her school days. There is, however, the possibility of reuniting with Nathan Blake, her crush from fifteen years ago, so she decides that she will make the effort. As the reunion nears, though, some threatening emails begin to appear, warning Chloe off. Is there someone else who has a very specific reason for attending the reunion, perhaps someone with more sinister intentions?
This is a story that kept me glued to the pages from the very start. Ms Boland is masterful at weaving together a twisty plotline that will draw you in, then leave you gasping.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
Chloe receives an invitation to her school reunion, though she is reluctant at first to attend. Fresh off a divorce and merely going through the motions of her life with no one to share it with have not been great motivation for catching up with the old gang from her school days. There is, however, the possibility of reuniting with Nathan Blake, her crush from fifteen years ago, so she decides that she will make the effort. As the reunion nears, though, some threatening emails begin to appear, warning Chloe off. Is there someone else who has a very specific reason for attending the reunion, perhaps someone with more sinister intentions?
This is a story that kept me glued to the pages from the very start. Ms Boland is masterful at weaving together a twisty plotline that will draw you in, then leave you gasping.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.
October 29, 2023
Basically to sum up my review, the amount of times “it’s unbelievable but…” was said, it’s not a way to cover up the fact that it was in fact, not believable and would never happen. The plot line of a character wanting to kill another and almost succeeding but then they both just drop it? Yeah, no.
This storyline was pretty weak. It’s been done before & wasn’t that entertaining.
The 2 stars are for the twist at the end. It wasn’t bad. It did end abruptly, but it gave it a twinge of uniqueness.
All in all, this wasn’t for me. I found myself skimming and skipping paragraphs. The characters were horrible and obnoxious. All of them. They ALL acted like middle schoolers. Abi locking Chloe in the bathroom because she wanted to talk to a guy? What? Chloe’s mom and her commentary? Horrible dialogue.
Again, not for me.
October 29, 2023
I a big fan of this Author and very much enjoyed as normal an addictive and very twisty read.Chloe is now Divorced from Ben. she has a boring Job in a Bank. and then she gets an email for her school reunion. and another email to stay away. Dean is struggling bringing his son up alone as his wife left him. he struggling with his mums death and his business not so good a client would not pay up. how this story comes together is just brilliant another addictive read from the Queen of psychological books
March 2, 2025
Who has been to their class reunion(s)? I went to my first one, the 10th and never went back. I wasn't popular in high school and the few people I knew that were there said they would get in touch with me after and never did. So ... this book was full of twists and turns and I especially did not see the ending coming. Another great book by the great Shalini Boland. I LOVE all her books!!
January 12, 2024
Honestly this book was terrible. The characters, plot, twists all terrible. There’s only so many times an author can write “I couldn’t believe it but” before a plot point before they should say actually yeah I can’t believe it because it’s not at all realistic.
Chloe is invited to her school reunion. She wants to go 15 years later so she can see her crush from 15 years ago. But then there’s loads of secrets and shit gets dramatic.
The characters were too conveniently interconnected that it wasn’t believable. I can’t even begin to describe the absolute carnage that was the plot because I don’t want to spoil it for you all but like ??????????? Was what I just read a Reddit post with someone doing Minecraft parkour behind it??????
On the up side I read it in one sitting so it’s pretty easy to read.
Chloe is invited to her school reunion. She wants to go 15 years later so she can see her crush from 15 years ago. But then there’s loads of secrets and shit gets dramatic.
The characters were too conveniently interconnected that it wasn’t believable. I can’t even begin to describe the absolute carnage that was the plot because I don’t want to spoil it for you all but like ??????????? Was what I just read a Reddit post with someone doing Minecraft parkour behind it??????
On the up side I read it in one sitting so it’s pretty easy to read.
January 23, 2024
Chloe’s high school reunion invitation couldn’t come at a better time.
She’s divorced, broke, hates her job, and has no social life. Overall, she’s living a life her teenage self wouldn’t love. She’s hoping that the reunion will be just what she needs & give her a chance to reconnect with Nathan Blake, the one who got away.
Girls start immediately behaving badly & Chloe is hoping that secrets from 15 years ago don’t become unearthed.
Every time I thought I knew where this was going I was quickly proven wrong. I never saw that ending coming. This one was so good.
She’s divorced, broke, hates her job, and has no social life. Overall, she’s living a life her teenage self wouldn’t love. She’s hoping that the reunion will be just what she needs & give her a chance to reconnect with Nathan Blake, the one who got away.
Girls start immediately behaving badly & Chloe is hoping that secrets from 15 years ago don’t become unearthed.
Every time I thought I knew where this was going I was quickly proven wrong. I never saw that ending coming. This one was so good.
July 6, 2025
I don’t think I’m going to read anything by this author again 😂
March 19, 2024
This is a thriller that you think you have all worked out – until you absolutely don’t.
It starts slowly, the action following several narrators: Chloe, who gets an invitation to her old school reunion, Dean, a building contractor, who is at risk of bankruptcy due to non-payment for his work. Both have precarious business lives, and are struggling with their personal lives – past and present.
Slowly but surely, all roads lead to the School Reunion, when the pace increases markedly, where secrets and twists come tumbling out of the woodwork – and suddenly all you had surmised turns out to be completely wrong. There are character you will hate on sight – but are they really evil, dangerous – or just objectionable? And who is threatening Chloe?
Keep going for one incredible, massive twist at the end.
A very enjoyable thriller, that will make you very wary of bullies – past and present – as the damage they do can lie simmering in the minds of the victims for decades.
It starts slowly, the action following several narrators: Chloe, who gets an invitation to her old school reunion, Dean, a building contractor, who is at risk of bankruptcy due to non-payment for his work. Both have precarious business lives, and are struggling with their personal lives – past and present.
Slowly but surely, all roads lead to the School Reunion, when the pace increases markedly, where secrets and twists come tumbling out of the woodwork – and suddenly all you had surmised turns out to be completely wrong. There are character you will hate on sight – but are they really evil, dangerous – or just objectionable? And who is threatening Chloe?
Keep going for one incredible, massive twist at the end.
A very enjoyable thriller, that will make you very wary of bullies – past and present – as the damage they do can lie simmering in the minds of the victims for decades.
June 3, 2024
Well, that is 8 hours of my life that I'll never get back. This was terrible. The writing was juvenile. The plot was weak. Don't waste your time.
February 3, 2024
The School Reunion is the latest psychological thriller from UK author master Shalini Boland.
A clever, twisty and intriguing tale that will definitely have you flipping the pages fast.
Chloe Flynn is bored with her life and career.
So when an invitation to her school reunion is in her email, deciding to go is easy.
Hoping to bump into her high school crush, Nathan is foremost on her mind.
Bumping into former friends she reignites friendships.
As the party gets into full swing, something is not quite right.
The past secrets begin to haunt the guests and the party starts to turn nasty.
Nothing is as it seems and soon it will be a night no one will ever forget……
Shalini consistently creates, writes and gives her audience a highly recommended read that will give you gasp after gasp.
She is very good at pulling the reader into her story and then smack, bang, slap to the face with the awesome twists.
This comes very confidently with a stamp of approval.
A clever, twisty and intriguing tale that will definitely have you flipping the pages fast.
Chloe Flynn is bored with her life and career.
So when an invitation to her school reunion is in her email, deciding to go is easy.
Hoping to bump into her high school crush, Nathan is foremost on her mind.
Bumping into former friends she reignites friendships.
As the party gets into full swing, something is not quite right.
The past secrets begin to haunt the guests and the party starts to turn nasty.
Nothing is as it seems and soon it will be a night no one will ever forget……
Shalini consistently creates, writes and gives her audience a highly recommended read that will give you gasp after gasp.
She is very good at pulling the reader into her story and then smack, bang, slap to the face with the awesome twists.
This comes very confidently with a stamp of approval.
January 17, 2024
THE SCHOOL REUNION was an interesting thriller about Chloe and the secrets that she has held on to during high school. Her memories come rushing back when she decides to attend the reunion. I did enjoy the multiple POV's. Near the end of the story you will get some shocking surprises. Overall, I did enjoy the audiobook. It's on the shorter side and you can listen to it in a day time.
June 5, 2024
Wow, Shalani Boland really knows how to write a good thriller. The main character, Chloe, is someone you really sympathize with during the first half of the book then something happens to make you question certain things. Such a great story.
Read
February 14, 2024DNF @ 71%, so no rating.
ARC from Netgalley
The School Reunion is a story about people with unresolved issues returning to their school reunion to tie up loose ends - whether they know it or not.
It's rare for me to DNF a book once I've hit 50%. When I hit the halfway mark, I'm usually in until the end. But once I hit 71% and this book took an odd, incredibly unbelievable turn, I tapped out. Told from a few points of view, Chloe's and Dean's lives are seemingly unrelated until we find out halfway through how they converge. Here's the thing about this book - the beginning is pretty interesting, particularly Dean's circumstances. I did find Chloe's complicated relationship with her mother relatable as well, but once she made it to the reunion, things got weird. Her whole preoccupation with a former male classmate that she rarely crossed paths with was something I found odd, and once she made it to the reunion, I felt like she became a different person. I know when I get together with my high school friends we have a good time and reminisce, but we don't revert to who we were back then. It felt like Chloe did, and the whole storyline turned so immature and unbelievable, I couldn't go on.
I wish I had been more intrigued, because like I said, Chloe's and Dean's lives pre-reunion were interesting. The changes once the reunion started were just too much for me. I would not recommend this book without checking out some reviews first.
ARC from Netgalley
The School Reunion is a story about people with unresolved issues returning to their school reunion to tie up loose ends - whether they know it or not.
It's rare for me to DNF a book once I've hit 50%. When I hit the halfway mark, I'm usually in until the end. But once I hit 71% and this book took an odd, incredibly unbelievable turn, I tapped out. Told from a few points of view, Chloe's and Dean's lives are seemingly unrelated until we find out halfway through how they converge. Here's the thing about this book - the beginning is pretty interesting, particularly Dean's circumstances. I did find Chloe's complicated relationship with her mother relatable as well, but once she made it to the reunion, things got weird. Her whole preoccupation with a former male classmate that she rarely crossed paths with was something I found odd, and once she made it to the reunion, I felt like she became a different person. I know when I get together with my high school friends we have a good time and reminisce, but we don't revert to who we were back then. It felt like Chloe did, and the whole storyline turned so immature and unbelievable, I couldn't go on.
I wish I had been more intrigued, because like I said, Chloe's and Dean's lives pre-reunion were interesting. The changes once the reunion started were just too much for me. I would not recommend this book without checking out some reviews first.
November 26, 2023
My Review:
Wow!!!!! Loved!!!!! Shalini Boland has done it once again and proven why she is the Queen of Psychological Thrillers. She wrote another fantastic book that I couldn’t put down for the life of me. She is one of my favorite authors and this book proved why. I was left shocked and speechless by the end of this one. I literally needed a moment after I was finished to really comprehend what I read and I loved it. I didn’t expect any of the twists and turns that this book had to offer. With all this being said this is exactly why I refuse to go to any of my school reunions. Let the past stay in the past. I also want to say that that this blurb did not do this book justice. It was so much more than I even imagined. It had everything I look for in a great book. This author is the absolute best and I can’t wait for her next book.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wow!!!!! Loved!!!!! Shalini Boland has done it once again and proven why she is the Queen of Psychological Thrillers. She wrote another fantastic book that I couldn’t put down for the life of me. She is one of my favorite authors and this book proved why. I was left shocked and speechless by the end of this one. I literally needed a moment after I was finished to really comprehend what I read and I loved it. I didn’t expect any of the twists and turns that this book had to offer. With all this being said this is exactly why I refuse to go to any of my school reunions. Let the past stay in the past. I also want to say that that this blurb did not do this book justice. It was so much more than I even imagined. It had everything I look for in a great book. This author is the absolute best and I can’t wait for her next book.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
February 15, 2024
2⭐️ I was in the mood for a quick and twisty thriller and figured something under 250 pages by an author that has been on my radar for quite some time would fit the bill. Add in the fact that a few reviews mentioned plenty of dark twists and I thought I was in for a banger. A banger, this was not.
For such a short book this was incredibly boring. The characters drone on and on about the most mindless details and most of the drama, especially the final twist at the end, wraps up in the blink of an eye.
The plot is ridiculous and farfetched and the pacing is all over the place. The characters are awful and so immature. I really only finished this because it was quick and I hoped for some good reveals in the second half. Overall, this was a bust for me!
📱free on Kindle Unlimited
For such a short book this was incredibly boring. The characters drone on and on about the most mindless details and most of the drama, especially the final twist at the end, wraps up in the blink of an eye.
The plot is ridiculous and farfetched and the pacing is all over the place. The characters are awful and so immature. I really only finished this because it was quick and I hoped for some good reveals in the second half. Overall, this was a bust for me!
📱free on Kindle Unlimited
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