What do you think?
Rate this book
The Reunion Party
On the twenty-fifth anniversary of Tania's death, five university friends reunite at a luxurious country hotel to commemorate the life of their dear friend.
Always been the outsider, Jeannie has thrown everything into making the weekend a success.
With two kids and busy work schedules, Keren is looking forward to some time alone with husband, Adam, and being back in the company of old friends.
Facing a messy divorce and bankruptcy, a few nights away is just the escape Johnny needs right now.
Saira has enough on her plate trying to co-parent with her ex-partner and would prefer to be as far away from the event as possible if she hadn't promised Keren.
When the drinks start flowing and with the party in full swing, the merry mood of the night suddenly turns once secret revelations come to light about their university days. But just how well did they know Tania? And could there be more to Tania's accident than they're letting on?
Who will make it through the reunion in one piece?
Always been the outsider, Jeannie has thrown everything into making the weekend a success.
With two kids and busy work schedules, Keren is looking forward to some time alone with husband, Adam, and being back in the company of old friends.
Facing a messy divorce and bankruptcy, a few nights away is just the escape Johnny needs right now.
Saira has enough on her plate trying to co-parent with her ex-partner and would prefer to be as far away from the event as possible if she hadn't promised Keren.
When the drinks start flowing and with the party in full swing, the merry mood of the night suddenly turns once secret revelations come to light about their university days. But just how well did they know Tania? And could there be more to Tania's accident than they're letting on?
Who will make it through the reunion in one piece?
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
1186 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 21, 2024
Tania was killed 25 years ago in a car wreck. Her 5 old college friends get together at a secluded hotel to celebrate her memory. Things quickly go haywire and it turns into a reunion from hell with them fighting for their lives. This was an excellent read with some good twists and turns. I hope to read more by this author.
Thanks NetGalley and Embla Books for this eARC that will be published June 25, 2024!
Thanks NetGalley and Embla Books for this eARC that will be published June 25, 2024!
June 27, 2024
3.5 Stars Rounded up to 4
This is a fast paced book about a reunion party for a group of 5's uni friend who died 25 years ago.
The story is from multiple perspectives and what unfolds is how their lives have changed since uni and what happened from their perspectives while they were all friends at that time.
The Reunion Party is set in a boutique Yorkshire hotel which has a digital detox policy and one of the friends is the manager and has arranged for her 4 other friends to stay free of charge for the weekend to remember their dear friend, until things start to go awry.
I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this book, as it really brought the story and characters to life and showed their vulnerabilities and insecurities, which helped me warm to them more. I was correct in my assumptions as to what had happened to an extent and I think I enjoyed the first half of the book the most as the suspense was building and the stories were unfolding and then the book took a different turn, which I wasn't expecting and felt could have been summarised more succinctly, which let the book down for me, as I would have preferred more of the mystery and build up, but that is just a personal preference.
I enjoyed how quickly the story moved and was able to read the book in two days (not bad for me especially as I had to work also).
If this kind of mystery appeals to you I think you'll enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Coffee and Kindle Blog
The StoryGraph
Amazon
Instagram
This is a fast paced book about a reunion party for a group of 5's uni friend who died 25 years ago.
The story is from multiple perspectives and what unfolds is how their lives have changed since uni and what happened from their perspectives while they were all friends at that time.
The Reunion Party is set in a boutique Yorkshire hotel which has a digital detox policy and one of the friends is the manager and has arranged for her 4 other friends to stay free of charge for the weekend to remember their dear friend, until things start to go awry.
I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this book, as it really brought the story and characters to life and showed their vulnerabilities and insecurities, which helped me warm to them more. I was correct in my assumptions as to what had happened to an extent and I think I enjoyed the first half of the book the most as the suspense was building and the stories were unfolding and then the book took a different turn, which I wasn't expecting and felt could have been summarised more succinctly, which let the book down for me, as I would have preferred more of the mystery and build up, but that is just a personal preference.
I enjoyed how quickly the story moved and was able to read the book in two days (not bad for me especially as I had to work also).
If this kind of mystery appeals to you I think you'll enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Coffee and Kindle Blog
The StoryGraph
Amazon
June 10, 2024
4.5🌟!!!!! This was incredible. The writing was so captivating and told the stories of each of the characters so well I feel like i’ve known them forever. I loved the multiple POVs as it really kept you engaged and provided the overall story without it being biased from 1 POV. I did guess the plot twist from the beginning but not because it was obvious? I just sort of made my guess and turned out to be true. However, I was still shocked 😭😭. I feel like this story was just done so well and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so so much to Netgalley, Embla Books, and Penny Batchelor for this ARC. The Reunion Party is set to be published on the 25th of June and I highly recommend everyone to read this story!
May 31, 2024
ARC for review. To be published June 25, 2024.
Tania Armstrong Jones, popular It girl at St. Mark’s University. She draws together a motley group of five, Jeannie, Keren, Johnny, Saira and Adam. Then Tania dies suddenly.
Twenty-five years later and on the anniversary of Tania’s death the group reunites at an isolated country hotel managed by Jeannie. Secrets are revealed and it seems there was more to Tania’s accident than it appeared.
Good Lord, what a mess this was. There were things that made absolutely no sense at all. First, Jeannie, a hotel manager at a place that takes your cell phone…you have a phone but it “can only call in, not out.” What the hell kind of phone is that, and you are in charge, girl. Have a regular damn phone. Ridiculous!
There’s another character who is “not quite sure how these key cards work. Much simpler with just an ordinary key.” Um, has he visited a hotel in the last, I don’t know….thirty years?
And these are the small things. The big things don’t add up either, but I won’t spoil anything for anyone who wants to read this. Which, to be honest, should be almost no one. It’s not horribly written, but the plotting is just….no.
Tania Armstrong Jones, popular It girl at St. Mark’s University. She draws together a motley group of five, Jeannie, Keren, Johnny, Saira and Adam. Then Tania dies suddenly.
Twenty-five years later and on the anniversary of Tania’s death the group reunites at an isolated country hotel managed by Jeannie. Secrets are revealed and it seems there was more to Tania’s accident than it appeared.
Good Lord, what a mess this was. There were things that made absolutely no sense at all. First, Jeannie, a hotel manager at a place that takes your cell phone…you have a phone but it “can only call in, not out.” What the hell kind of phone is that, and you are in charge, girl. Have a regular damn phone. Ridiculous!
There’s another character who is “not quite sure how these key cards work. Much simpler with just an ordinary key.” Um, has he visited a hotel in the last, I don’t know….thirty years?
And these are the small things. The big things don’t add up either, but I won’t spoil anything for anyone who wants to read this. Which, to be honest, should be almost no one. It’s not horribly written, but the plotting is just….no.
July 7, 2024
This multiple pov tells the story of five uni pals reunited after 25 years to celebrate the life of their friend Tanya who died 25 years ago. It's engaging if a little predictable in places. Very entertaining. The development of characters is cleverly written to show the history of the story and the character arc. I would like a little more about Ginny but I loved ot. A quick read perfdct for anyone who likes a good mystery with predictable parts. The final reveal was fab. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for thus 4.5 rounded up to 5 star read.
July 30, 2025
Well, Tania, Tania, Tania. It was a good read. I love how few scenes left me wide-eyed, the multiple POVS and the secrets. 👏🏻
August 2, 2024
I found the first half of this book brilliant - the characters were individually interesting and well-developed, one of the protagonists was queer, and the various "incidents" that kept happening had me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next. That's why I gave it two stars instead of one, given that I truly hated the rest of the story. I can't fully express why without revealing who the killer was, but I will say that I was expecting a plot twist or some grand reveal where someone would step up and explain why they did it - except that never happened. Instead, the identity of the killer disappointed me thoroughly. It felt like the author was taking the easy way out and it soured the entire novel for me, making me feel cheated. It was also incredibly unrealistic because who on earth would wait twenty-five years before doing the things that the killer did?! It makes no sense to me whatsoever and felt cheap, like the author worked really hard on the first half of the book and then just gave up caring. The so-called "twist" regarding the chef was also incredibly disappointing, totally unnecessary, and yet another easy way out. This story had such promise at the beginning and I was so excited to see where it went, but as soon as the killer was revealed, I wanted to stop reading.
August 28, 2024
i really need to stop reading kindle unlimited thrillers.. its doing no one any good..
June 9, 2025
Actual rating 2.5/5 stars. Review to follow.
July 12, 2024
This was a good summer holiday listen yes some parts were unbelievable but there were enough twists to keep you interested. I did love the ending with friends like this who needs enemies The narration really worked for me
June 30, 2024
Fun thriller with tons of plot twists. Would definitely read more books by Penny Batchelor!
February 2, 2025
I’m a sucker for a reunion thriller. I did see the twist coming from pretty early on, but it was still enjoyable
June 3, 2024
The Reunion Party is a fast-paced, twisty locked-room mystery. Five friends gather to celebrate the memory of the sixth member of their group who died twenty-five years earlier. Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the death, the friends had grown apart and for some, this is the first time seeing each other since the tragedy. No one's life turned out as expected and they all have deeply buried secrets. When the wine starts flowing, past lies are uncovered and truths revealed. Will everyone survive the night? And is there a more sinister reason for this memorial?
As other reviewers have noted, I also was not able to download the Netgalley arc to my Kindle and had to use the app on my phone, which isn't ideal. The author does a great job with the pacing - the chapters are short and alternate between characters. I enjoyed the multiple POVs and the various perspectives of the events (and relationships) of the group's uni years. Having the friends view their group dynamics in different ways was very realistic and added to the overall plot. While not necessarily overly likable, the characters were all well-developed. There were plenty of twists throughout the story; however, the actual ending was pretty predictable. The ending also felt rushed and there were a few details that just made the whole conclusion unbelievable. Additionally, there were a few other, smaller details throughout the book that were unrealistic and detracted from the story, such as the hotel staff not having a way to call out for emergencies, not being able to break any windows in case of an emergency, and not having full first aid bags on site. With that said, overall, I enjoyed the book.
As other reviewers have noted, I also was not able to download the Netgalley arc to my Kindle and had to use the app on my phone, which isn't ideal. The author does a great job with the pacing - the chapters are short and alternate between characters. I enjoyed the multiple POVs and the various perspectives of the events (and relationships) of the group's uni years. Having the friends view their group dynamics in different ways was very realistic and added to the overall plot. While not necessarily overly likable, the characters were all well-developed. There were plenty of twists throughout the story; however, the actual ending was pretty predictable. The ending also felt rushed and there were a few details that just made the whole conclusion unbelievable. Additionally, there were a few other, smaller details throughout the book that were unrealistic and detracted from the story, such as the hotel staff not having a way to call out for emergencies, not being able to break any windows in case of an emergency, and not having full first aid bags on site. With that said, overall, I enjoyed the book.
May 28, 2024
This was a thrilling yet seemingly a bit unbelievable story.
All of the characters kind of sucked at one point or another in the story. They also all had secrets. This worked well for the story! I enjoyed reading from all of their different perspectives, secrets being exposed one by one.
This trope is one I enjoy immensely. Old friends from school get together years later, their secrets get exposed and they start dying, one by one. The setting was claustrophobic, a hotel they couldn’t get out of, or make calls to the outside. I enjoyed the backstory of each character and how they connected differently with Tania.
All in all a bit unbelievable, but entertaining nonetheless.
All of the characters kind of sucked at one point or another in the story. They also all had secrets. This worked well for the story! I enjoyed reading from all of their different perspectives, secrets being exposed one by one.
This trope is one I enjoy immensely. Old friends from school get together years later, their secrets get exposed and they start dying, one by one. The setting was claustrophobic, a hotel they couldn’t get out of, or make calls to the outside. I enjoyed the backstory of each character and how they connected differently with Tania.
All in all a bit unbelievable, but entertaining nonetheless.
May 25, 2024
I love the reunion-gone-wrong trope, so I was excited to dive into this refreshing psychological thriller. The book follows a group of friends who meet up after 25 years to commemorate the life of their dead friend, Tania.
It is a story as old as time: a group of college friends grows apart after the death of one of their gang. When they meet again after a long period, relationships are strained, and consciences are nagging. This is the tale in a nutshell. But here, the author deviated from the mold and took it one step further with a twist I didn't see coming.
Jeannie, who always felt like an outsider, organizes a reunion party to be held at the luxurious Digital Detox country hotel she manages in honor of Tania. She invites Saira, who just broke up with her wife; Adam and Kere, who became a couple after their college days; and Johnny, who is in the middle of a messy divorce. Jeannie clears out the hotel crew for the weekend, and only she and the chef, Erick, stay to take care of her guests.
As the drinking starts flowing, memories are recounted, putting Tania in an unflattering light. As tongues become looser, the many tensions seething under the surface are exposed. The story quickly takes a dark turn when certain objects go missing, the internet stops working, and a life-threatening situation arises.
Before I started the book, I thought it would be predictable, just like others in its genre. It was anything but. I enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to get to the next page to find out more. The book is written in the first person, alternating between the characters. I can't say I liked any of them, but they were well-etched with interesting backstories. I enjoyed reading the recollections of Tania from different perspectives. I also liked the sense of anticipation and tension the author created.
The book is divided into four sections. While the narrative is overall captivating, there were moments, mainly in the third section, where the pacing felt slightly uneven and even repetitive when recapping certain events. Still, it overshadowed the past. There were also a couple of errors where names were mistakenly used, so another edit wouldn't go amiss.
Overall, I liked the book and found it fascinating. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, and the twists caught me off guard. The author gave a new flavor to this story by introducing some interesting twists in the storyline. As I was intrigued from beginning to end, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for those looking for an original, engaging, and quick read.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
It is a story as old as time: a group of college friends grows apart after the death of one of their gang. When they meet again after a long period, relationships are strained, and consciences are nagging. This is the tale in a nutshell. But here, the author deviated from the mold and took it one step further with a twist I didn't see coming.
Jeannie, who always felt like an outsider, organizes a reunion party to be held at the luxurious Digital Detox country hotel she manages in honor of Tania. She invites Saira, who just broke up with her wife; Adam and Kere, who became a couple after their college days; and Johnny, who is in the middle of a messy divorce. Jeannie clears out the hotel crew for the weekend, and only she and the chef, Erick, stay to take care of her guests.
As the drinking starts flowing, memories are recounted, putting Tania in an unflattering light. As tongues become looser, the many tensions seething under the surface are exposed. The story quickly takes a dark turn when certain objects go missing, the internet stops working, and a life-threatening situation arises.
Before I started the book, I thought it would be predictable, just like others in its genre. It was anything but. I enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to get to the next page to find out more. The book is written in the first person, alternating between the characters. I can't say I liked any of them, but they were well-etched with interesting backstories. I enjoyed reading the recollections of Tania from different perspectives. I also liked the sense of anticipation and tension the author created.
The book is divided into four sections. While the narrative is overall captivating, there were moments, mainly in the third section, where the pacing felt slightly uneven and even repetitive when recapping certain events. Still, it overshadowed the past. There were also a couple of errors where names were mistakenly used, so another edit wouldn't go amiss.
Overall, I liked the book and found it fascinating. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, and the twists caught me off guard. The author gave a new flavor to this story by introducing some interesting twists in the storyline. As I was intrigued from beginning to end, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for those looking for an original, engaging, and quick read.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
July 23, 2024
Well, where to start, I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half or so, until we got to part 3, which, for me personally, was still enjoyable. However, I had worked out the plot by this stage and felt this part was ever so slightly drawn out with overlaps, which is the only reason I didn't give this 5 🌟
So with a reunion arranged by Jeannie at the hotel she is now a manager in with no other guests invited it is a private event for the weekend for her and her old uni friends Johnny, Adam, Keren & Saria with her headchef Eerik also there to cater their needs for the weekend.
As the guests arrive, they soon discover this is a digital detox retreat, and Jeannie asks everyone to hand in their mobile phones with no access to the outside world located in the remote countryside. What could go wrong....?!?!
As they all have various feelings towards this event before attending their feelings and slight trepidation they agreed to attend after all it had been 25 years since they were all together and this is a way to have a memorial of sorts of their friend Tania who passed away during their time at uni.
During the first evening, all guests attend an evening meal with Jeannie, where she has a cardboard cut-out life size of Tania, which seems a little bizarre to the other guests. However, for her, Tania was her best friend, and she simply felt this is a way to include her and have them all back together again. Or is there some other sinister reason Jeannie has done this, as the night unfolds each person reveals something from the past another didn't know and things begin to take a turn when the lights go out and everyone gets a little spooked...
This is full of many many twists and turns of events that I wont reveal as it will take away the enjoyment of this read but i will say you don't necessarily anticipate much of what takes place and definately has you drawn in to hear more and learn what is really going on, what happened 25 years ago and how will it all end.. ?!?!
Each chapter is written by the pov of individual characters which makes for fantastic reading/listening the narration was done so well with all different vocals it truly brings each person to life in the imagination and allows the reader to view as if they are actually there. I can not express enough how well this worked and has you trying to piece together who was at what place at what time, etc. Absolutely magnificent work from the author Penny Batchelor.
With thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier UK Audio & Embla Books for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in return for an open honest review.
So with a reunion arranged by Jeannie at the hotel she is now a manager in with no other guests invited it is a private event for the weekend for her and her old uni friends Johnny, Adam, Keren & Saria with her headchef Eerik also there to cater their needs for the weekend.
As the guests arrive, they soon discover this is a digital detox retreat, and Jeannie asks everyone to hand in their mobile phones with no access to the outside world located in the remote countryside. What could go wrong....?!?!
As they all have various feelings towards this event before attending their feelings and slight trepidation they agreed to attend after all it had been 25 years since they were all together and this is a way to have a memorial of sorts of their friend Tania who passed away during their time at uni.
During the first evening, all guests attend an evening meal with Jeannie, where she has a cardboard cut-out life size of Tania, which seems a little bizarre to the other guests. However, for her, Tania was her best friend, and she simply felt this is a way to include her and have them all back together again. Or is there some other sinister reason Jeannie has done this, as the night unfolds each person reveals something from the past another didn't know and things begin to take a turn when the lights go out and everyone gets a little spooked...
This is full of many many twists and turns of events that I wont reveal as it will take away the enjoyment of this read but i will say you don't necessarily anticipate much of what takes place and definately has you drawn in to hear more and learn what is really going on, what happened 25 years ago and how will it all end.. ?!?!
Each chapter is written by the pov of individual characters which makes for fantastic reading/listening the narration was done so well with all different vocals it truly brings each person to life in the imagination and allows the reader to view as if they are actually there. I can not express enough how well this worked and has you trying to piece together who was at what place at what time, etc. Absolutely magnificent work from the author Penny Batchelor.
With thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier UK Audio & Embla Books for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in return for an open honest review.
June 29, 2024
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Embla Books via NetGalley.
This book reunites five university friends at a luxurious country hotel to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their friend Tania's death. Each character brings their own baggage to the gathering, making for a weekend that promises more than just fond memories.
Jeannie, the perennial outsider, is determined to make the reunion a success, throwing herself into the preparations. Keren, juggling two kids and a hectic work life, looks forward to some quality time with her husband, Adam, and reconnecting with old friends. Johnny, facing a messy divorce and looming bankruptcy, sees the weekend as a much-needed escape. Saira, overwhelmed with co-parenting challenges, would rather skip the event altogether if she hadn't promised Keren she’d be there.
As the drinks flow and the party gains momentum, the friends' merry mood takes a dark turn. Long-buried secrets about their university days resurface, challenging their understanding of Tania and the circumstances surrounding her death. The question lingers: How well did they truly know Tania, and could her accident have been more than just a tragic mishap?
The author masterfully paces the narrative with short, alternating chapters from multiple POVs. This technique offers varied perspectives on the group's past, highlighting the different dynamics within their relationships. The realism in the friends' differing views adds depth to the overall plot. While the characters might not be overly likable, they are well-developed and complex, which kept me engaged throughout the story.
The book is filled with twists, although the ultimate ending is somewhat predictable. The conclusion felt rushed, with a few details straining believability. These minor flaws detracted from the story's overall impact.
Despite its shortcomings, this book is an enjoyable read overall.
This book reunites five university friends at a luxurious country hotel to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their friend Tania's death. Each character brings their own baggage to the gathering, making for a weekend that promises more than just fond memories.
Jeannie, the perennial outsider, is determined to make the reunion a success, throwing herself into the preparations. Keren, juggling two kids and a hectic work life, looks forward to some quality time with her husband, Adam, and reconnecting with old friends. Johnny, facing a messy divorce and looming bankruptcy, sees the weekend as a much-needed escape. Saira, overwhelmed with co-parenting challenges, would rather skip the event altogether if she hadn't promised Keren she’d be there.
As the drinks flow and the party gains momentum, the friends' merry mood takes a dark turn. Long-buried secrets about their university days resurface, challenging their understanding of Tania and the circumstances surrounding her death. The question lingers: How well did they truly know Tania, and could her accident have been more than just a tragic mishap?
The author masterfully paces the narrative with short, alternating chapters from multiple POVs. This technique offers varied perspectives on the group's past, highlighting the different dynamics within their relationships. The realism in the friends' differing views adds depth to the overall plot. While the characters might not be overly likable, they are well-developed and complex, which kept me engaged throughout the story.
The book is filled with twists, although the ultimate ending is somewhat predictable. The conclusion felt rushed, with a few details straining believability. These minor flaws detracted from the story's overall impact.
Despite its shortcomings, this book is an enjoyable read overall.
July 31, 2024
The Reunion Party by Penny Batchelor and narrated by: Charlotte Worthing, Tom Allenby was a fast-paced murder mystery audiobook with a with a brilliant twist at the end. I didn't see that coming! Excellent! It was full of brilliant twists and turns throughout and I loved it!
The Reunion focused on five University friends and Tania Armstrong Jones, popular It girl at St. Mark’s University. She draws together a motley group of five, Jeannie, Keren, Johnny, Saira and Adam. Then Tania dies suddenly. It is coming up to the twenty-fifth anniversary of their friend Tania's death. So, jeannie, Keren, Johnny, Saira and Adam all reunite at a luxurious country boutique Yorkshire hotel to commemorate the life of their dear friend.
But, Jeannie was always an outside and has thrown everything into making the weekend a success. Everything has to be perfect, especially as she is the manager of this country hotel.
This hotel is different to any other hotel - it is isolated and in the country. Plus, it is more isolated as No mobiles, Tablets, IPAD's etc are not allowed to be used and these are all locked away in Jeannie's office. No communication allowed to the outside world! A weekend break from the internet, social media and other people!
Bliss.....I hear you all say............But what happens if you need to contact someone in an emergency......You can't! There's no phones!!! WoW............
Excellent and a great holiday read/audiobook.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for this eARC
The Reunion focused on five University friends and Tania Armstrong Jones, popular It girl at St. Mark’s University. She draws together a motley group of five, Jeannie, Keren, Johnny, Saira and Adam. Then Tania dies suddenly. It is coming up to the twenty-fifth anniversary of their friend Tania's death. So, jeannie, Keren, Johnny, Saira and Adam all reunite at a luxurious country boutique Yorkshire hotel to commemorate the life of their dear friend.
But, Jeannie was always an outside and has thrown everything into making the weekend a success. Everything has to be perfect, especially as she is the manager of this country hotel.
This hotel is different to any other hotel - it is isolated and in the country. Plus, it is more isolated as No mobiles, Tablets, IPAD's etc are not allowed to be used and these are all locked away in Jeannie's office. No communication allowed to the outside world! A weekend break from the internet, social media and other people!
Bliss.....I hear you all say............But what happens if you need to contact someone in an emergency......You can't! There's no phones!!! WoW............
Excellent and a great holiday read/audiobook.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for this eARC
May 28, 2024
I am OBSESSED with this novel. Where has Penny Batchelor been in my life???
The Reunion Party is a story of five college friends reconciled in a hotel for the weekend 25 years after graduation. Jeannie, the outcast of the group, the hanger-on has a job in hotel management and is able to host the group at cost. Right away it's clear that the friends are no longer friends. Adam and Keren are married even though the missing sixth friend was the love of his life. Saira is nursing a nasty breakup and Johnny is his typical drunk self. Nevertheless, Jeannie tries to make the weekend perfect and coaxes the rest into remembering their fallen friend Tania.
But Tania wasn't as perfect as Jeannie thought, and none of the friends seem to be in a good place to reminisce. Before you know it, there is death or murder and age old secrets start to come out!
It's not your typical Agatha Christie murder story. Batchelor puts care into her words and the hotel is clearly described and the gothic tones are lightly woven in. Each of the friends has an exciting back story that Batchelor builds slowly to in flashbacks and POV. Penny Batchelor is a talent and you will certainly think about this group after they are gone.
Thank you Netgalley
The Reunion Party is a story of five college friends reconciled in a hotel for the weekend 25 years after graduation. Jeannie, the outcast of the group, the hanger-on has a job in hotel management and is able to host the group at cost. Right away it's clear that the friends are no longer friends. Adam and Keren are married even though the missing sixth friend was the love of his life. Saira is nursing a nasty breakup and Johnny is his typical drunk self. Nevertheless, Jeannie tries to make the weekend perfect and coaxes the rest into remembering their fallen friend Tania.
But Tania wasn't as perfect as Jeannie thought, and none of the friends seem to be in a good place to reminisce. Before you know it, there is death or murder and age old secrets start to come out!
It's not your typical Agatha Christie murder story. Batchelor puts care into her words and the hotel is clearly described and the gothic tones are lightly woven in. Each of the friends has an exciting back story that Batchelor builds slowly to in flashbacks and POV. Penny Batchelor is a talent and you will certainly think about this group after they are gone.
Thank you Netgalley
June 21, 2024
The Reunion Party, Penny Batchelor’s latest, features five friends reuniting 25 years after the death of their ringleader, Tania. Gathered at a remote boutique hotel where cell phones are forbidden, the group soon finds they are not alone, and this remembrance is about to take a dark turn.
Books where a group of former friends find themselves stuck in a remote setting with someone out to get them is always a fun trope, even if it is a common one. The setting of this book works well, and having alternating narration for the chapters helps move the plot along quickly. As the book progresses, it is easy to unravel how each person plays the role of an unreliable narrator. We learn everyone is hiding something, and questions remain about what happened to Tania.
While the book has entertaining elements, the plot takes some odd twists, and the characters could use more depth. After all, it isn't easy to believe Tania was a charismatic figure when she reads as flat, and Jeannie is a little too normal to fit the role of obsessed friend.
Ultimately, this is a decent read for anyone wanting a quick and light thriller, but the unbelievable twists and turns coupled with bland characters make it fall short of being a nail-biter.
Books where a group of former friends find themselves stuck in a remote setting with someone out to get them is always a fun trope, even if it is a common one. The setting of this book works well, and having alternating narration for the chapters helps move the plot along quickly. As the book progresses, it is easy to unravel how each person plays the role of an unreliable narrator. We learn everyone is hiding something, and questions remain about what happened to Tania.
While the book has entertaining elements, the plot takes some odd twists, and the characters could use more depth. After all, it isn't easy to believe Tania was a charismatic figure when she reads as flat, and Jeannie is a little too normal to fit the role of obsessed friend.
Ultimately, this is a decent read for anyone wanting a quick and light thriller, but the unbelievable twists and turns coupled with bland characters make it fall short of being a nail-biter.
July 11, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Reunion Party by Penny Batchelor, an audiobook narrated by Charlotte Worthing and Tom Allenby is a fast-paced, claustrophobic murder mystery with a great twist at the end. This book is full of misunderstandings and assumptions.
This book is presented from multiple points of view and in the present and past.
Both narrators did a great job of bringing this book to life. I could feel emotions and was easy to connect with the characters.
Tania Armstrong-Jones was different. All she wanted was to fit in but then that wasn't enough and she decided to take over by becoming wildly popular in the uni. Unfortunitelly her life was cut short and she left her 5 grieving friends behind. Twenty-five years later, they're reuniting at a digital detox hotel on the anniversary of her death. This was supposed to be time to remember and celebrate but things went terribly wrong on the first evening. Firstly because there is nothing comen between them. The only thing that kept them together was Tania. Calling quit they are heading to their room hoping for a better tomorrow... They didn't realise that this was just the first step of disaster.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bonnier UK Audio for this copy!
The Reunion Party by Penny Batchelor, an audiobook narrated by Charlotte Worthing and Tom Allenby is a fast-paced, claustrophobic murder mystery with a great twist at the end. This book is full of misunderstandings and assumptions.
This book is presented from multiple points of view and in the present and past.
Both narrators did a great job of bringing this book to life. I could feel emotions and was easy to connect with the characters.
Tania Armstrong-Jones was different. All she wanted was to fit in but then that wasn't enough and she decided to take over by becoming wildly popular in the uni. Unfortunitelly her life was cut short and she left her 5 grieving friends behind. Twenty-five years later, they're reuniting at a digital detox hotel on the anniversary of her death. This was supposed to be time to remember and celebrate but things went terribly wrong on the first evening. Firstly because there is nothing comen between them. The only thing that kept them together was Tania. Calling quit they are heading to their room hoping for a better tomorrow... They didn't realise that this was just the first step of disaster.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bonnier UK Audio for this copy!
July 16, 2024
This was an entertaining story. It could have benefited from some editing to trim the unnecessary length, but the key characters were intriguing and rendered well.
A group of university friends with very little in common meet to commemorate the anniversary of the friend that they lost tragically 25 years ago. Tania was the glue that had help them together, and after her death they drifted apart very quickly.
Now Genie, who considers herself to have been Tania's best friend - having transformed from a mousy young girl to a competent hotel manager - has invited the remaining members of their friendship group for a memorial weekend.
Problem is, things don't turn out quite as planned - and when they go south, it's serious. From missing insulin to cryptic messages, the friends gradually begin to realise the danger posed by the isolated location for this digital detox hotel.
The story switches between two timelines and manages to do so quite effectively. The evocation of the characters' university days is well done and felt quite believable to me. As secret after secret emerges, so do the twists in the story telling. All in all, an enjoyable thriller which gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
A group of university friends with very little in common meet to commemorate the anniversary of the friend that they lost tragically 25 years ago. Tania was the glue that had help them together, and after her death they drifted apart very quickly.
Now Genie, who considers herself to have been Tania's best friend - having transformed from a mousy young girl to a competent hotel manager - has invited the remaining members of their friendship group for a memorial weekend.
Problem is, things don't turn out quite as planned - and when they go south, it's serious. From missing insulin to cryptic messages, the friends gradually begin to realise the danger posed by the isolated location for this digital detox hotel.
The story switches between two timelines and manages to do so quite effectively. The evocation of the characters' university days is well done and felt quite believable to me. As secret after secret emerges, so do the twists in the story telling. All in all, an enjoyable thriller which gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 1, 2025
Another compelling psychological thriller from this author – I’ve read the two that preceded it. We spend the first half of the story with a deepening sense of unease as a group of five people, friends at university, meet up again 25 years later in the boutique hotel owned by one of them, to commemorate their friend Tanya who died in an accident whilst still a university student.
As the friends discuss their memories of Tanya, each keeps revealing disturbing information about themselves and their current and past relationships, along with aspects of Tanya which fall short of that false saintliness with which we often remember the dead. Deeply held resentments emerge, and bitterness and unforgiveness hold sway.
The uncomfortable atmosphere builds up; nobody is truly happy with the situation, and Jeannie, who convened this reunion party, seems to have misjudged the feelings of others in regard to this friend who died young.
Yet the impressions conveyed by the first half of the story are deceptive. In the second half, moments of terror begin to intervene, and the luxury retreat becomes a prison, moving the narrative towards a shocking revelation, violence and revenge.
A chilling and page-turning read.
As the friends discuss their memories of Tanya, each keeps revealing disturbing information about themselves and their current and past relationships, along with aspects of Tanya which fall short of that false saintliness with which we often remember the dead. Deeply held resentments emerge, and bitterness and unforgiveness hold sway.
The uncomfortable atmosphere builds up; nobody is truly happy with the situation, and Jeannie, who convened this reunion party, seems to have misjudged the feelings of others in regard to this friend who died young.
Yet the impressions conveyed by the first half of the story are deceptive. In the second half, moments of terror begin to intervene, and the luxury retreat becomes a prison, moving the narrative towards a shocking revelation, violence and revenge.
A chilling and page-turning read.
June 4, 2024
25 years after the death of their University friend Tania, Jeannie organises a reunion/tribute weekend at her digital detox boutique hotel in the North of England.
In attendance are Saira, a divorced woman sharing custody of her daughter with her ex-wife, dealing with the pains of rheumatoid arthritis; Keren and Adam, a married couple enjoying a weekend away from their kids, and finally, Johnnie, a struggling ex-banker who capitalises on having a cosy place to stay for the weekend.
While reminiscing about their old friend, all is not as it seems, they all have secrets that are slowly being unravelled.
A premise that has been done before but often times readers gravitate back towards, this book did and did not live up to expectations in equal ways - I enjoyed the overall story but feel like it was very much “put-down-able”, I didn’t feel as captivated or interested in these individuals as I wanted to be. A book with a couple of twists and turns but fairly obvious if you are a fan of shows like NCIS, Criminal Minds, etc.
In attendance are Saira, a divorced woman sharing custody of her daughter with her ex-wife, dealing with the pains of rheumatoid arthritis; Keren and Adam, a married couple enjoying a weekend away from their kids, and finally, Johnnie, a struggling ex-banker who capitalises on having a cosy place to stay for the weekend.
While reminiscing about their old friend, all is not as it seems, they all have secrets that are slowly being unravelled.
A premise that has been done before but often times readers gravitate back towards, this book did and did not live up to expectations in equal ways - I enjoyed the overall story but feel like it was very much “put-down-able”, I didn’t feel as captivated or interested in these individuals as I wanted to be. A book with a couple of twists and turns but fairly obvious if you are a fan of shows like NCIS, Criminal Minds, etc.
July 18, 2024
I downloaded this audiobook from NetGalley and listened to it while doing some admin at work.
3 stars from me means that I think it's a good book that does what the author sets out to do, and although I didn't *love* it, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others.
To be honest, I'm the sort of person who never attends reunions - what's past is past - so I found it really interesting to hear the differing experiences of each of the narrators. There are some really insightful observations about how some people change to fit in with a group, and how those who seem to have the most potential when young don't always end up being the most successful in later life.
There's a point at which everything takes a very dramatic turn and I think if your favourite form of plot is one in which everything seems very quotidian and then - bang - something quite extraordinary happens to derail the main character's life, then this will definitely be a novel you love.
Three word review: terrible fatherly advice
3 stars from me means that I think it's a good book that does what the author sets out to do, and although I didn't *love* it, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others.
To be honest, I'm the sort of person who never attends reunions - what's past is past - so I found it really interesting to hear the differing experiences of each of the narrators. There are some really insightful observations about how some people change to fit in with a group, and how those who seem to have the most potential when young don't always end up being the most successful in later life.
There's a point at which everything takes a very dramatic turn and I think if your favourite form of plot is one in which everything seems very quotidian and then - bang - something quite extraordinary happens to derail the main character's life, then this will definitely be a novel you love.
Three word review: terrible fatherly advice
Read
July 31, 2024Thank you Netgalley, Penny Batchelor and Bonnier UK Audio for the audio Arc of The Reunion Party
Narrated by: Charlotte Worthing, Tom Allenby
This was a great multi POV mystery thriller of a group of people who come together near the anniversary of a friends death, Tania Armstrong-Jones. A well loved girl who after solidifying their friendships, lost her life 20 yrs before. Now, they have been reunited in a hotel to remember Tania and as the drinks flow, tongues loosen and secrets start to be revealed. Just how well did they know Tania and each other?
This was a great medium paced thriller which reveals that sometimes secrets can be so all hidden, even after years and we don't really know the people we feel closest too. I loved the pacing of this audio, combined with the narrators, Charlotte Worthing, Tom Allenby. ,kept me both end on the edge of my seat. With some nice foreshadowing, you may figure out the big finale which doesn't take away from the psychological pay off of the plot line. This is my first book by Penny Batchelor and really enjoyed it.
4 stars
Narrated by: Charlotte Worthing, Tom Allenby
This was a great multi POV mystery thriller of a group of people who come together near the anniversary of a friends death, Tania Armstrong-Jones. A well loved girl who after solidifying their friendships, lost her life 20 yrs before. Now, they have been reunited in a hotel to remember Tania and as the drinks flow, tongues loosen and secrets start to be revealed. Just how well did they know Tania and each other?
This was a great medium paced thriller which reveals that sometimes secrets can be so all hidden, even after years and we don't really know the people we feel closest too. I loved the pacing of this audio, combined with the narrators, Charlotte Worthing, Tom Allenby. ,kept me both end on the edge of my seat. With some nice foreshadowing, you may figure out the big finale which doesn't take away from the psychological pay off of the plot line. This is my first book by Penny Batchelor and really enjoyed it.
4 stars
July 10, 2024
A gathering to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of a dear friend. Genie has planned the weekend at the digital detox retreat that she manages. Since Tanya’s death, each of the group have moved on in life, having no real contact. What could possibly go wrong?
This was fast paced from the first few pages, the story is told from the pov of each character, which added dimension and believability to the story, the plot wasn’t entirely original, but it was interesting, carefully considered and intriguing. Each person has played some small part in the story, and the truth finally comes out.
Really enjoyed this, and I’m keen to read other titles by the author. The multiple narrators (I think, they aren’t credited on the arc) have done a fantastic job of bringing the story to life.
My thanks to Bonnier U.K. audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
This was fast paced from the first few pages, the story is told from the pov of each character, which added dimension and believability to the story, the plot wasn’t entirely original, but it was interesting, carefully considered and intriguing. Each person has played some small part in the story, and the truth finally comes out.
Really enjoyed this, and I’m keen to read other titles by the author. The multiple narrators (I think, they aren’t credited on the arc) have done a fantastic job of bringing the story to life.
My thanks to Bonnier U.K. audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
July 11, 2024
I always love locked room mysteries, where a bunch of old school friends meet up after many a year, catch up and make merry but all is not as it seems. On the surface, it seems civil and friendly, but beneath, there’s old wounds, lies, secrets and drama. Plenty of suspense and mystery follows!
It was super engaging and the audiobook well narrated to bring the story to life. It was a great soundtrack to my jigsaw and I looked forward to the next instalment whenever I returned to it.
I was keen to see which direction the plot was going to go in and it was worth it! I was often wondering what was coming and as it set itself up, I was waiting for the big reveal. It was enjoyable and a steady mover, captivating and I liked the multiple POV’s that slowly built up the story. It’s an easy one if you love a suspenseful mystery!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
It was super engaging and the audiobook well narrated to bring the story to life. It was a great soundtrack to my jigsaw and I looked forward to the next instalment whenever I returned to it.
I was keen to see which direction the plot was going to go in and it was worth it! I was often wondering what was coming and as it set itself up, I was waiting for the big reveal. It was enjoyable and a steady mover, captivating and I liked the multiple POV’s that slowly built up the story. It’s an easy one if you love a suspenseful mystery!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
August 12, 2024
#TheReunionParty #NetGalley
They're five unlikely people who wouldn't have met if not for Tania Armstrong-Jones. Widely popular and the resident It girl, she stormed into each of their lives with her beguiling grace and an inseparable friendship was formed. Until tragedy strikes, and Tania is taken away from them too soon, tearing the group apart. Now twenty-five years later, they're reuniting at a remote country hotel on the anniversary of her death. But when the drinks start flowing and with the party in full swing, the merry mood of the night suddenly turns once secret revelations come to light about their university days. But just how well did they know Tania? And could there be more to Tania's accident than they're letting on? Trapped in the hotel with no way out and with no one they can trust, who will make it through the reunion in one piece?
Go for it. I loved it. It was a quick read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for giving me an advance copy.
They're five unlikely people who wouldn't have met if not for Tania Armstrong-Jones. Widely popular and the resident It girl, she stormed into each of their lives with her beguiling grace and an inseparable friendship was formed. Until tragedy strikes, and Tania is taken away from them too soon, tearing the group apart. Now twenty-five years later, they're reuniting at a remote country hotel on the anniversary of her death. But when the drinks start flowing and with the party in full swing, the merry mood of the night suddenly turns once secret revelations come to light about their university days. But just how well did they know Tania? And could there be more to Tania's accident than they're letting on? Trapped in the hotel with no way out and with no one they can trust, who will make it through the reunion in one piece?
Go for it. I loved it. It was a quick read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for giving me an advance copy.
September 8, 2024
Six girls met at university and became close friends, but the friendship was broken twenty five years previously when Tania, one of the girls, died. This is the story of their reunion party. Jeanie is the manager of a digital detox boutique hotel and invites the other four friends to spend the weekend at the hotel, once there they find that they will have no access to Wi-Fi or mobile signal. Before long they realise that nowadays they have nothing in common at all as it was Tania who had brought them all together. The weekend soon falls apart as on the first evening old secrets start to be revealed and they begin to question whether they really knew Tania at all. The chapters are told from multiple points of view and the story is about friendships, lies, secrets and betrayals. An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews