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The Dinner Party
Don't miss the BRAND NEW gripping psych thriller from bestselling author Nina Manning! Perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden! The perfect date...
To celebrate their wedding aniversay, Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods renowned celebrity chef. It should be the perfect evening for Lily and husband, Stig, but not even a perfect menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is thrilled. Surely this will please Stig? Hector is charming and attentive – everything Stig is not – and she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.
A nightmare invitation...
After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, something he never wants to repeat again. Hurt and confused, Lily’s certain Stig is hiding something from her. Something linked to Hector…she just doesn’t know what.
And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse…
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Valerie Keogh and Louise Jenson.
Praise for Nina Manning
'Addictive... and beautifully written...I loved it.' Number One Bestselling author Valerie Keogh.
'Heart-stopping, pacy and tension filled. Highly recommended.' Claire Allan, USA Today Bestseller
'Compelling and claustrophobic, Nina is an exciting new voice and definitely one to watch' Phoebe Morgan
'An addictive and compelling summer read. Manning keeps you hooked throughout and guessing until the end. The perfect book to take on holiday.' Natasha Boydell
'Chilling and creepy. An atmospheric and addictive debut.' Diane Jeffrey
'Totally addictive. I couldn't put it down!' Darren O'Sullivan
'A claustrophobic, nail-biting thriller that draws you in and doesn't let go.' Naomi Joy
‘Clever, emotionally draining and totally gripping. I absolutely loved this book!’ D E White
To celebrate their wedding aniversay, Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods renowned celebrity chef. It should be the perfect evening for Lily and husband, Stig, but not even a perfect menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is thrilled. Surely this will please Stig? Hector is charming and attentive – everything Stig is not – and she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.
A nightmare invitation...
After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, something he never wants to repeat again. Hurt and confused, Lily’s certain Stig is hiding something from her. Something linked to Hector…she just doesn’t know what.
And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse…
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Valerie Keogh and Louise Jenson.
Praise for Nina Manning
'Addictive... and beautifully written...I loved it.' Number One Bestselling author Valerie Keogh.
'Heart-stopping, pacy and tension filled. Highly recommended.' Claire Allan, USA Today Bestseller
'Compelling and claustrophobic, Nina is an exciting new voice and definitely one to watch' Phoebe Morgan
'An addictive and compelling summer read. Manning keeps you hooked throughout and guessing until the end. The perfect book to take on holiday.' Natasha Boydell
'Chilling and creepy. An atmospheric and addictive debut.' Diane Jeffrey
'Totally addictive. I couldn't put it down!' Darren O'Sullivan
'A claustrophobic, nail-biting thriller that draws you in and doesn't let go.' Naomi Joy
‘Clever, emotionally draining and totally gripping. I absolutely loved this book!’ D E White
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2025
300 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Nina Manning
30 books334 followersNina Manning began her career in the catering industry. She has worked as a private chef cooking for royalty and TV personalities.
She has a degree in Psychology and has three books published with Boldwood: The Daughter In Law, The Guilty Wife and The House Mate.
Her fourth Psychological thriller is published in Spring 2021.
Nina is a voracious reader of many genres, is the founding member of a long standing book club and the founder and co-host of a book podcast called Sniffing The Pages.
She is a mother to three young children so when she is not writing or reading she can usually be found scaling a soft play tower or romping in the woods with the family and her chocolate Labrador.
She has a degree in Psychology and has three books published with Boldwood: The Daughter In Law, The Guilty Wife and The House Mate.
Her fourth Psychological thriller is published in Spring 2021.
Nina is a voracious reader of many genres, is the founding member of a long standing book club and the founder and co-host of a book podcast called Sniffing The Pages.
She is a mother to three young children so when she is not writing or reading she can usually be found scaling a soft play tower or romping in the woods with the family and her chocolate Labrador.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
March 15, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
Nina Manning is a hit-and-miss author for me. I enjoyed her book The Bridesmaid, but The Waitress was a flop. I am sorry to say that The Dinner Party falls in with the latter title. The current rating for this book is 3.27 stars, and that seems very generous to me.
My first problem with the book was the fact that Lily had many complaints about her husband. Why did she marry him if he doesn't talk about his past or his family? If that is what bugs her, then she should have never married him in the first place. Secondly, if she doesn't want kids, why not just say so? This just seems a stupidly immature way for 35 and 40-year-olds to behave.
I'm not sure if it was meant to be a thriller, more like a psychological suspense, and it failed miserably on both fronts. I know the pacing is deliberately slow. Over and over again, the characters discuss various appetizers, only to have the actual dinner itself be rushed and anticlimactic. There was no tension, just boredom. The characters were like immature teenagers from a bad soap opera. Every interaction felt forced, every secret revealed was figured out in advance, and the twists were very predictable, too.
And the writing? Let's just say I've read grocery lists with more compelling prose. The dialogue was stilted, the descriptions were overdone, and the attempts at suspense were not effective at all. I spent more time rolling my eyes and shaking my head than turning pages. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat or even mildly entertained, The Dinner Party is not for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
Nina Manning is a hit-and-miss author for me. I enjoyed her book The Bridesmaid, but The Waitress was a flop. I am sorry to say that The Dinner Party falls in with the latter title. The current rating for this book is 3.27 stars, and that seems very generous to me.
My first problem with the book was the fact that Lily had many complaints about her husband. Why did she marry him if he doesn't talk about his past or his family? If that is what bugs her, then she should have never married him in the first place. Secondly, if she doesn't want kids, why not just say so? This just seems a stupidly immature way for 35 and 40-year-olds to behave.
I'm not sure if it was meant to be a thriller, more like a psychological suspense, and it failed miserably on both fronts. I know the pacing is deliberately slow. Over and over again, the characters discuss various appetizers, only to have the actual dinner itself be rushed and anticlimactic. There was no tension, just boredom. The characters were like immature teenagers from a bad soap opera. Every interaction felt forced, every secret revealed was figured out in advance, and the twists were very predictable, too.
And the writing? Let's just say I've read grocery lists with more compelling prose. The dialogue was stilted, the descriptions were overdone, and the attempts at suspense were not effective at all. I spent more time rolling my eyes and shaking my head than turning pages. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat or even mildly entertained, The Dinner Party is not for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
March 1, 2025
The Dinner Party is an exceptional thriller that delves into the intricacies of human development, trauma, and the multifaceted nature of family dynamics. This narrative courageously addresses themes such as the formative years of a child, the enduring impact of trauma, the transition into adulthood, the often unspoken complexities within familial relationships, and the pursuit of individual achievements. It is a story that possesses the potential to be both polarizing and captivating.
As I immersed myself further in the narrative, I found my allegiance to the characters increasingly ambiguous. Each individual is portrayed with authentic flaws, prompting reflection on the universal truth that imperfection is inherent in all of us. This thriller focuses on depicting challenges and empathy.
This book may be easily overlooked by those without personal experience or sensitivity to the subjects of adolescent trauma. However, The Dinner Party offers a compelling and thought-provoking reading journey for readers attuned to these profound themes. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those seeking a thriller that not only entertains but also deeply reflects the complexities of human nature and familial bonds.
As I immersed myself further in the narrative, I found my allegiance to the characters increasingly ambiguous. Each individual is portrayed with authentic flaws, prompting reflection on the universal truth that imperfection is inherent in all of us. This thriller focuses on depicting challenges and empathy.
This book may be easily overlooked by those without personal experience or sensitivity to the subjects of adolescent trauma. However, The Dinner Party offers a compelling and thought-provoking reading journey for readers attuned to these profound themes. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those seeking a thriller that not only entertains but also deeply reflects the complexities of human nature and familial bonds.
August 3, 2025
Lily Leonard books a romantic anniversary dinner at the exclusive restaurant of celebrity chef Hector Bolson‑Woods, hoping to repair her marriage to the emotionally distant Stig. What starts as a high-end treat soon spirals into something deeply unsettling. Hector personally invites them to dine privately. Lily is charmed by his attention. Stig is notably cold and clearly hiding something from Lily. Stig later insists the whole evening was a mistake. Confused and hurt, Lily begins to suspect a connection between Hector and Stig’s past but not as soon as she should’ve. Hector’s second dinner invitation escalates to a proposal that Lily can’t refuse. She’s enchanted by Hector and Ruby the beautiful woman that took an instant liking to Lily and bought a house just a street over. (Can we say psycho?)
Where It All Falls Flat is with Predictable Twists and Weak Characters. I didn’t like any of them. Lily comes across as naïve and self-involved while Stig is silent and uncommunicative, even Hector feels like a one-dimensional puppet in a thriller cliché.
DONT GET ME STARTED ON THE RUSHED ENDING!! What promised layers of atmosphere and suspense instead wraps up in a few rushed chapters and a feel-good epilogue that feels completely out of tone. As one review bluntly put it, “it seemed as though the author couldn’t be bothered to finish it so just rushed an ending.” 
In a nutshell: Stig is Nicholas. Nicholas’s mom married Hectors dad. His dad banned him from the family. Hector hated Nicholas for it and tortured him. Even raped his girlfriend Delilah. Stig went after him that night and Hector fell and had a major accident. Then Delilah tells Stig she instigated it and he didn’t force himself on her? Years pass then this story takes place. Lily ends up at his mansion where he’s supposed to be presenting her with a job. She comes across Sienna and her mother which are Hectors victims. Sienna being his daughter.
Delilah was Ruby. She became friends with Hector even though he took advantage of her? Makes no sense. Then she wanted Stig back so she moved close to be with him. He said no and then she killed herself. Hector jumped off a cliff and killer himself. The end.
Manning builds tension at first with the setting, the secrets, the dual perspective narration all raise hope for an atmospheric domestic thriller. But the middle sagged, character motivations remained murky, and the climax was a letdown. The ending felt like an afterthought tacked on to tidy up loose threads.
Where It All Falls Flat is with Predictable Twists and Weak Characters. I didn’t like any of them. Lily comes across as naïve and self-involved while Stig is silent and uncommunicative, even Hector feels like a one-dimensional puppet in a thriller cliché.
DONT GET ME STARTED ON THE RUSHED ENDING!! What promised layers of atmosphere and suspense instead wraps up in a few rushed chapters and a feel-good epilogue that feels completely out of tone. As one review bluntly put it, “it seemed as though the author couldn’t be bothered to finish it so just rushed an ending.” 
In a nutshell: Stig is Nicholas. Nicholas’s mom married Hectors dad. His dad banned him from the family. Hector hated Nicholas for it and tortured him. Even raped his girlfriend Delilah. Stig went after him that night and Hector fell and had a major accident. Then Delilah tells Stig she instigated it and he didn’t force himself on her? Years pass then this story takes place. Lily ends up at his mansion where he’s supposed to be presenting her with a job. She comes across Sienna and her mother which are Hectors victims. Sienna being his daughter.
Delilah was Ruby. She became friends with Hector even though he took advantage of her? Makes no sense. Then she wanted Stig back so she moved close to be with him. He said no and then she killed herself. Hector jumped off a cliff and killer himself. The end.
Manning builds tension at first with the setting, the secrets, the dual perspective narration all raise hope for an atmospheric domestic thriller. But the middle sagged, character motivations remained murky, and the climax was a letdown. The ending felt like an afterthought tacked on to tidy up loose threads.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2025
All these issues could have been solved if people communicated
February 6, 2025
Fantastic fast paced thriller that keeps you totally into the book and the characters, some likeable some not so much but that makes for great reading.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book
March 12, 2025
This book fell short for me. I had anticipated a psychological thriller, but it didn’t feel like one until about 60% of the way through, and even then, it didn’t have the excitement I had anticipated. I liked the underlying concept of the story, but the way it all played out left me unengaged and uninterested. The writing style didn’t have the smooth flow I enjoy, instead it felt choppy and forced.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own
March 20, 2025
Don’t bother reading this unrealistic book! If you’ve been married for 5 years and you don’t know anything about your husband’s family so you don’t want to try for a baby with him, why marry him in the first place ???? The ending was stupid. He parked up the car and ran off the cliff ! On a positive note the book does eventually end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2025
I want to start this review by saying thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of "The Dinner Party" by Nina Manning.
Truthfully, I picked this book because the cover reminded me of "The Menu", one of my favorite most recent horror movies. I mean, what's more terrifying than a mega chef like Gordon Ramsay?
It's clear that Nina Manning has a knowledge of the food industry, and that's a perk. But otherwise, the book is really only a thriller for the last 10% of the book--and the rest of it is a family drama. None of the characters are likable or redeemable, in particular, the main protagonist is...well, she's kind of awful. She's always nagging on her husband for being secretive, but she's even worse.
The book is set to release on in March of 2025. Personally, I would skip this one-- but you can be the judge of that!
Truthfully, I picked this book because the cover reminded me of "The Menu", one of my favorite most recent horror movies. I mean, what's more terrifying than a mega chef like Gordon Ramsay?
It's clear that Nina Manning has a knowledge of the food industry, and that's a perk. But otherwise, the book is really only a thriller for the last 10% of the book--and the rest of it is a family drama. None of the characters are likable or redeemable, in particular, the main protagonist is...well, she's kind of awful. She's always nagging on her husband for being secretive, but she's even worse.
The book is set to release on in March of 2025. Personally, I would skip this one-- but you can be the judge of that!
May 5, 2025
Mhmm 2.5 ⭐️
That ended way too abruptly.
That ended way too abruptly.
January 19, 2026
This book had the building blocks of a fun, fast-paced thriller. At the start it felt like the plot was built out, the direction was set, and the characters were introduced. I was exciting to see where it would take the read. Then getting about 30% into this book it was almost like, let’s just speed run toward the climactic point and rush to the end.
I don’t know why everything felt so compacted and like there wasn’t enough time to say everything that needed to be said. This book feels like it could have really benefited from another 50-100 pages. With more space and some of the filler cut down, the tension could have been built properly instead of creating this whiplash between the midpoint, where major plot points are explained, and the ending. Even the final chapter, where everything is wrapped up, I was left feeling too rushed through to an unrealistic finish line.
It’s disappointing because I really enjoyed the first few chapters and thought it was going to be a dark, gritty, scary thriller around a renowned chef and his restaurant, similar in tone to the movie The Menu. However, I also pictured the main character as a Ralph Fiennes–type lead, which added to that expectation.
But then it dropped off badly, and the last few chapters were a real struggle to get through. I’m really disappointed this book wasn’t better because it felt like it could have gone in a few really interesting directions at the start! It didn’t grow into any of them, and I was left feeling pretty let down overall with the pacing for the whole second half of the book and the overcrowded pages.
I don’t know why everything felt so compacted and like there wasn’t enough time to say everything that needed to be said. This book feels like it could have really benefited from another 50-100 pages. With more space and some of the filler cut down, the tension could have been built properly instead of creating this whiplash between the midpoint, where major plot points are explained, and the ending. Even the final chapter, where everything is wrapped up, I was left feeling too rushed through to an unrealistic finish line.
It’s disappointing because I really enjoyed the first few chapters and thought it was going to be a dark, gritty, scary thriller around a renowned chef and his restaurant, similar in tone to the movie The Menu. However, I also pictured the main character as a Ralph Fiennes–type lead, which added to that expectation.
But then it dropped off badly, and the last few chapters were a real struggle to get through. I’m really disappointed this book wasn’t better because it felt like it could have gone in a few really interesting directions at the start! It didn’t grow into any of them, and I was left feeling pretty let down overall with the pacing for the whole second half of the book and the overcrowded pages.
March 5, 2025
I’m fresh off a Freida McFadden binge and love reading fast-paced domestic thrillers to unwind after work, so The Dinner Party caught my eye because it seemed reminiscent of The Menu. Tbh, throw a bold, basic typeface in all caps on the cover with a simple graphic behind it, and color me intrigued.
The Dinner Party book starts with Lily and her husband Stig celebrating their anniversary at the exclusive restaurant of celebrity chef Hector Bolson-Woods. As Lily becomes more intrigued by Hector, her relationship with Stig starts to unravel.
While I found the story engaging and it kept me turning pages, it felt a bit stretched in parts, and the writing could be tightened up to make it more gripping. However, just like Freida’s books, I had to keep reading until I found out ***The Big Thing.*** Ultimately, it fell a little flat for me but was an escape from The Horrors nonetheless.
Thanks to NetGalley and BoldWood Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Dinner Party book starts with Lily and her husband Stig celebrating their anniversary at the exclusive restaurant of celebrity chef Hector Bolson-Woods. As Lily becomes more intrigued by Hector, her relationship with Stig starts to unravel.
While I found the story engaging and it kept me turning pages, it felt a bit stretched in parts, and the writing could be tightened up to make it more gripping. However, just like Freida’s books, I had to keep reading until I found out ***The Big Thing.*** Ultimately, it fell a little flat for me but was an escape from The Horrors nonetheless.
Thanks to NetGalley and BoldWood Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2025
The captivating cover and intriguing synopsis of this book drew my attention. It kept me invested, eager to uncover the characters’ hidden secrets. However, I found the characters to be unlikable and the ending felt rushed.
March 25, 2025
This was a fun, quick, “popcorn” thriller! I was mislead so many times, thinking I knew what was going to happen, and I was wrong. I knocked this book out in one day because it was such an easy read! Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC! 3.5 ⭐️
March 27, 2025
Wow. This was a fast paced brilliant thriller. Followed the couple sting and Lily. And really shows why you shouldn’t keep secrets.
I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. The amount of twists was great. It kept me wanting to know more. Brilliant highly recommend
I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. The amount of twists was great. It kept me wanting to know more. Brilliant highly recommend
April 21, 2025
This was a mildly entertaining mystery. The trouble I found was that both main characters were obnoxious and there were so many lies and secrets it got annoying. Few small twists, just enough to keep me reading but nothing overly shocking or exciting.
December 29, 2025
Even though this book was very predictable it was still enjoyable and I continued reading to see if I was correct. I liked the overall storyline. The characters were rather annoying. Lily made assumptions and made me want to shake her and Stig should have handled himself completely differently.
March 30, 2025
Entertaining and enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I'd probably rate it between 3.5 - 4
March 31, 2025
Very quick read. The relationship of Lily and Stig was so odd and off putting. Kept me wanting to read and not the outcome I was expecting.
May 6, 2025
Not for me. Would you even call this a thriller? I call this bad decision making
December 27, 2025
Lily was just trying to do something nice for Stig and her wedding anniversary – she booked a table at the restaurant her hubby was obsessing over. A restaurant with a top top chef in charge. Sounds rather romantic to me. But by asking one question at the restaurant starts a snowball. A snowball that sucks this couple in to a world Lily didn’t expect. A seductive one, an unknown one.
I really felt for Lily. She wanted to enjoy life, make the world a better place with her work but certain things in life weren’t quite right. But as things unfolded before her, my trust in everyone disintegrated, even Lily as she started to hide things.
I don’t want to reveal too much about what happens over the course of the book. So so much happens which as I jumped from past to present, I knew was the purpose of these time-thread jumps. I would get comfortable in the present and just as I thought I was getting somewhere, I was dragged to the past to distract me – a form of subterfuge from Manning which I’ve seen before in her thrillers.
This is one heart pumping read. Manning drew me in on a slow burn premise but then the story changed gear. I got Stig’s history, his secrets but in the present, the screws were turning on Lily. I felt tense reading as the book climaxed. I had to reread the last few chapters as they happened so quickly!
I really felt for Lily. She wanted to enjoy life, make the world a better place with her work but certain things in life weren’t quite right. But as things unfolded before her, my trust in everyone disintegrated, even Lily as she started to hide things.
I don’t want to reveal too much about what happens over the course of the book. So so much happens which as I jumped from past to present, I knew was the purpose of these time-thread jumps. I would get comfortable in the present and just as I thought I was getting somewhere, I was dragged to the past to distract me – a form of subterfuge from Manning which I’ve seen before in her thrillers.
This is one heart pumping read. Manning drew me in on a slow burn premise but then the story changed gear. I got Stig’s history, his secrets but in the present, the screws were turning on Lily. I felt tense reading as the book climaxed. I had to reread the last few chapters as they happened so quickly!
August 29, 2025
I really hate to give a one star review when I've received an ARC, but unfortunately I really couldn't justify more than that...
None of the characters behaved with any kind of logic at all and the "big reveal" fell kind of flat.
Lily is not a very likeable main character at all, neither is her husband. They both behave ridiculously immaturely for grown adults: If your big aversion to having a kid with a man is that you know NOTHING about his past and he refuses to give any answers then why in the world did you marry him? Also, why not just say that that is the reason? Same goes for Stig: why not just communicate with your wife? And I still don't understand how he rationalises all of Hector's behaviour and responds in the most bizarre way imaginable. None of their logic makes any sense so it's completely not relatable or believable. Don't even get me started on Ruby... 🙄🙄 like OK Miss I have nothing and no choice.. but enough money to buy myself a house and never have to work ever... 🙄🙄 OK.
The end was rushed and came to a very anticlimactic conclusion.. I turned the page and when the next chapter read epilogue I was like "wait, that's it??"
Needless to say, this was my first and last book by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
None of the characters behaved with any kind of logic at all and the "big reveal" fell kind of flat.
Lily is not a very likeable main character at all, neither is her husband. They both behave ridiculously immaturely for grown adults: If your big aversion to having a kid with a man is that you know NOTHING about his past and he refuses to give any answers then why in the world did you marry him? Also, why not just say that that is the reason? Same goes for Stig: why not just communicate with your wife? And I still don't understand how he rationalises all of Hector's behaviour and responds in the most bizarre way imaginable. None of their logic makes any sense so it's completely not relatable or believable. Don't even get me started on Ruby... 🙄🙄 like OK Miss I have nothing and no choice.. but enough money to buy myself a house and never have to work ever... 🙄🙄 OK.
The end was rushed and came to a very anticlimactic conclusion.. I turned the page and when the next chapter read epilogue I was like "wait, that's it??"
Needless to say, this was my first and last book by this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
February 10, 2025
Check my other reviews at: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/searc...
Just five years into their marriage, Lily and Stig Leonard find themselves having drifted apart. To mark their fifth anniversary, Lily books them a dinner reservation at a restaurant owned and run by celebrity chef, Hector Bolson-Woods. But the differences between them are too deep to be fixed by a dinner. Stig wants to be a father, but Lily doesn’t want to start a family until he tells her about his family and his past. Plus they are both deeply in debt, living on credit.
The evening ends with Hector cooking a meal especially for the couple. While Lily is pleased, Stig is not. But then Hector donates 20,000 pounds to the charity that Lily works for and invites them to dinner at his home.
Before long, Lily is second guessing herself, completely struck by Hector’s charm and feeling increasingly distanced from Stig. Will Lily ever learn about Stig’s past?
The story is written in the first person present tense PoV of Lily and the 3rd person PoV of Stig.
In the early part of the book, the author kept up a high sense of intrigue. Even though nothing untoward happened, I got a sense of something about to go terribly wrong. The plot held my interest until the 46 percent mark, when it began to veer off course. Thereafter it began to pall.
Suddenly Lily, who wasn’t that likeable a character to begin with, appeared to be small-minded and petty. None of the characters were likeable or memorable.
There is mild swearing, which puts me off.
The back-of-the-book text was misleading. It says, “And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse.” Aside from the grammatical issue in that sentence, it is also incorrect as Stig declines immediately after hearing of the proposal.
There were a number of proofing and factual errors. Stig swallows a banana “without barely chewing”. Ruby is described as a woman “who just want to party and be liked.” In one chapter we are told “ten minutes passes”.
Thing One and Thing Two are from Dr Seuss’ books, not Dr Zeus, as is mentioned in the book.
Lily’s incessant complaints against Stig’s secrecy were a pain, considering her own secrets which she justified to herself. Her internal monologue droned on and on.
The antagonist turned out to be a damp squib. It never seemed as if Lily faced any real danger.
The resolution was forced and unsatisfactory. There were many unanswered questions. The repeated forewarnings and ominous remarks issued by some characters to Lily don’t get explained. I was left equally confused about why Lily felt an odd sense of comfort in the presence of Jack, Hector’s head of security, when the guy never justifies his presence in the book.
(I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of writing this review. Thanks to the author and publisher.)
Just five years into their marriage, Lily and Stig Leonard find themselves having drifted apart. To mark their fifth anniversary, Lily books them a dinner reservation at a restaurant owned and run by celebrity chef, Hector Bolson-Woods. But the differences between them are too deep to be fixed by a dinner. Stig wants to be a father, but Lily doesn’t want to start a family until he tells her about his family and his past. Plus they are both deeply in debt, living on credit.
The evening ends with Hector cooking a meal especially for the couple. While Lily is pleased, Stig is not. But then Hector donates 20,000 pounds to the charity that Lily works for and invites them to dinner at his home.
Before long, Lily is second guessing herself, completely struck by Hector’s charm and feeling increasingly distanced from Stig. Will Lily ever learn about Stig’s past?
The story is written in the first person present tense PoV of Lily and the 3rd person PoV of Stig.
In the early part of the book, the author kept up a high sense of intrigue. Even though nothing untoward happened, I got a sense of something about to go terribly wrong. The plot held my interest until the 46 percent mark, when it began to veer off course. Thereafter it began to pall.
Suddenly Lily, who wasn’t that likeable a character to begin with, appeared to be small-minded and petty. None of the characters were likeable or memorable.
There is mild swearing, which puts me off.
The back-of-the-book text was misleading. It says, “And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse.” Aside from the grammatical issue in that sentence, it is also incorrect as Stig declines immediately after hearing of the proposal.
There were a number of proofing and factual errors. Stig swallows a banana “without barely chewing”. Ruby is described as a woman “who just want to party and be liked.” In one chapter we are told “ten minutes passes”.
Thing One and Thing Two are from Dr Seuss’ books, not Dr Zeus, as is mentioned in the book.
Lily’s incessant complaints against Stig’s secrecy were a pain, considering her own secrets which she justified to herself. Her internal monologue droned on and on.
The antagonist turned out to be a damp squib. It never seemed as if Lily faced any real danger.
The resolution was forced and unsatisfactory. There were many unanswered questions. The repeated forewarnings and ominous remarks issued by some characters to Lily don’t get explained. I was left equally confused about why Lily felt an odd sense of comfort in the presence of Jack, Hector’s head of security, when the guy never justifies his presence in the book.
(I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of writing this review. Thanks to the author and publisher.)
February 14, 2025
Synopisis
To commemorate their wedding anniversary, Lily Leonard secures a reservation at the prestigious restaurant owned by the acclaimed celebrity chef, Hector Bolson-Woods. This evening is intended to be a delightful experience for Lily and her husband, Stig; however, even the most exquisite menu cannot mend the fractures in their relationship. When Hector extends a personal invitation for them to dine with him, Lily is elated, believing that this gesture will surely delight Stig. Hector's charm and attentiveness stand in stark contrast to Stig's demeanor, and Lily finds herself increasingly captivated by the mysterious chef. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn. Following the dinner, Stig expresses his discontent, declaring that the entire experience was a mistake he wishes to avoid in the future. Feeling hurt and bewildered, Lily suspects that Stig is concealing something significant, potentially related to Hector, though she remains unaware of the specifics. Soon after, another dinner invitation from Hector arrives, accompanied by a proposal that neither Lily nor Stig can afford to decline
My Thoughts
In my opinion, this book is less of a thriller and more of a family drama. I really struggled to connect with Stig; he came off as more irritating than relatable, and his actions were often frustrating throughout the story. I did like the concept of the book, although it felt a bit slow at first before it finally gained some momentum. The ending, however, was quite confusing and raised more questions than it answered, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. It took some unexpected twists and ended rather suddenly, leaving a few loose threads. All in all, I didn’t hate the book, but I can’t say I was a huge fan either.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Book's Publishers ARC Copy for my honest review.
To commemorate their wedding anniversary, Lily Leonard secures a reservation at the prestigious restaurant owned by the acclaimed celebrity chef, Hector Bolson-Woods. This evening is intended to be a delightful experience for Lily and her husband, Stig; however, even the most exquisite menu cannot mend the fractures in their relationship. When Hector extends a personal invitation for them to dine with him, Lily is elated, believing that this gesture will surely delight Stig. Hector's charm and attentiveness stand in stark contrast to Stig's demeanor, and Lily finds herself increasingly captivated by the mysterious chef. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn. Following the dinner, Stig expresses his discontent, declaring that the entire experience was a mistake he wishes to avoid in the future. Feeling hurt and bewildered, Lily suspects that Stig is concealing something significant, potentially related to Hector, though she remains unaware of the specifics. Soon after, another dinner invitation from Hector arrives, accompanied by a proposal that neither Lily nor Stig can afford to decline
My Thoughts
In my opinion, this book is less of a thriller and more of a family drama. I really struggled to connect with Stig; he came off as more irritating than relatable, and his actions were often frustrating throughout the story. I did like the concept of the book, although it felt a bit slow at first before it finally gained some momentum. The ending, however, was quite confusing and raised more questions than it answered, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. It took some unexpected twists and ended rather suddenly, leaving a few loose threads. All in all, I didn’t hate the book, but I can’t say I was a huge fan either.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Book's Publishers ARC Copy for my honest review.
February 23, 2025
I recently had the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of "The Dinner Party" by Nina Manning. It's getting FIVE stars from me, book lovers!
This stand-alone thriller is set in the UK. Our FMC, Lily Leonard, is just trying to do something thoughtful and kind for her husband, Stig. For their fifth wedding anniversary, she manages to get a reservation at a a high-end restaurant that is owned by one of their favorite chefs, Hector Bolson-Woods. As this restaurant is often booked up six months in advance, she thinks that it was divine timing that she was able to gift this to her husband for their anniversary. After bringing Stig to the restaurant, she notices that he starts acting funny. Before you know it, they're sitting in the kitchen with Hector himself - eating the finest foods and drinking the finest wines and whiskey. It gets even weirder - after having dinner with Hector, Lily and Stig begin to receive invitations in the mail that request their presence at Hector's residence for a dinner party! After meeting Hector's dinner party crowd, Lily notices her husband's odd behavior continue...but you'll have to read more to find out!
For those thriller lovers out there who enjoy Freida McFadden and Shari Lapena, this book is DEFINITELY for you! What typically separates a four-star rating from a five-star rating for me is predictability. If the story is entertaining but has a predictable end, it's four-stars. However, a five-star rating is a book that is undoubtedly entertaining and has multiple twists and is unpredictable to the end. Nina Manning definitely delivered here!
This book is set to be released on 3-16-2025. For my thriller readers: RUN - DON'T WALK!
This stand-alone thriller is set in the UK. Our FMC, Lily Leonard, is just trying to do something thoughtful and kind for her husband, Stig. For their fifth wedding anniversary, she manages to get a reservation at a a high-end restaurant that is owned by one of their favorite chefs, Hector Bolson-Woods. As this restaurant is often booked up six months in advance, she thinks that it was divine timing that she was able to gift this to her husband for their anniversary. After bringing Stig to the restaurant, she notices that he starts acting funny. Before you know it, they're sitting in the kitchen with Hector himself - eating the finest foods and drinking the finest wines and whiskey. It gets even weirder - after having dinner with Hector, Lily and Stig begin to receive invitations in the mail that request their presence at Hector's residence for a dinner party! After meeting Hector's dinner party crowd, Lily notices her husband's odd behavior continue...but you'll have to read more to find out!
For those thriller lovers out there who enjoy Freida McFadden and Shari Lapena, this book is DEFINITELY for you! What typically separates a four-star rating from a five-star rating for me is predictability. If the story is entertaining but has a predictable end, it's four-stars. However, a five-star rating is a book that is undoubtedly entertaining and has multiple twists and is unpredictable to the end. Nina Manning definitely delivered here!
This book is set to be released on 3-16-2025. For my thriller readers: RUN - DON'T WALK!
March 16, 2025
Nina Manning’s The Dinner Party is a gripping psychological thriller that explores themes of deception, desire, and the dark secrets lurking beneath seemingly perfect lives. With an elegant restaurant setting and a mysterious celebrity chef, this novel serves up tension and intrigue with every chapter.
Lily Leonard, eager to rekindle the spark in her struggling marriage, books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods, a renowned chef with an undeniable charm. When Hector invites Lily and her husband, Stig, for a private dining experience, Lily sees it as a golden opportunity to bring them closer together. But instead of a romantic evening, the dinner only deepens the cracks in their marriage. Stig’s discomfort and outright refusal to ever repeat the experience leave Lily questioning what really happened—and what her husband is hiding.
Manning masterfully builds suspense as Lily becomes increasingly drawn to Hector, whose enigmatic presence contrasts sharply with Stig’s cold detachment. The mystery escalates when another invitation from Hector arrives—this time with an offer that neither Lily nor Stig can ignore. As the layers of deception unravel, Lily finds herself caught in a chilling web of secrets that could change everything she thought she knew about her marriage.
With well-paced twists and a tantalizingly sinister atmosphere, The Dinner Party keeps readers hooked until the final reveal. Manning’s sharp character development and immersive storytelling make this a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers. If you enjoy books that blend glamour with psychological depth, The Dinner Party is an intoxicatingly suspenseful choice.
Lily Leonard, eager to rekindle the spark in her struggling marriage, books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods, a renowned chef with an undeniable charm. When Hector invites Lily and her husband, Stig, for a private dining experience, Lily sees it as a golden opportunity to bring them closer together. But instead of a romantic evening, the dinner only deepens the cracks in their marriage. Stig’s discomfort and outright refusal to ever repeat the experience leave Lily questioning what really happened—and what her husband is hiding.
Manning masterfully builds suspense as Lily becomes increasingly drawn to Hector, whose enigmatic presence contrasts sharply with Stig’s cold detachment. The mystery escalates when another invitation from Hector arrives—this time with an offer that neither Lily nor Stig can ignore. As the layers of deception unravel, Lily finds herself caught in a chilling web of secrets that could change everything she thought she knew about her marriage.
With well-paced twists and a tantalizingly sinister atmosphere, The Dinner Party keeps readers hooked until the final reveal. Manning’s sharp character development and immersive storytelling make this a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers. If you enjoy books that blend glamour with psychological depth, The Dinner Party is an intoxicatingly suspenseful choice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2025
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
Throughout The Dinner Party, I knew something sinister was brewing. The atmosphere of the book felt dark, despite its innocent start. Who wouldn’t enjoy a dinner out to a fancy restaurant, particularly when celebrity chef Hector Bolson-Woods is personally preparing your meal for you? I pictured a Gordon Ramsey type in the role of Hector, only adding to the appeal, yet it wasn’t enough for Stig. He’s not happy.
There are some definite issues between Lily and Stig. From Lily’s viewpoint, she married a man who keeps to himself and never really opens up to her, despite how much she pleads with him to do so. And Stig has a lot of backstory that points to a lot of deep seated baggage, and he doesn’t want to share it with Lily. When Hector gives Lily attention, it’s hard for her to resist it, and it’s more than enough to give her the courage to engage with Hector in ways she ordinarily wouldn’t. Given her feelings on Stig and his behavior, it’s hard not to initially side with her.
But then we gain more insight into why Stig is the way he is, and more importantly, who Hector really is. From one dinner invitation to the next, and all with those dark, thriller-like undertones that made me question what would happen at a given moment. The story really picks up after Stig’s point of view is thrown in for good measure, questioning his own motives, Hector’s, and Lily’s too.
After the explosive climax at the end of the book, the epilogue felt a little anticlimactic and rushed to me. But the rest of it was paced out well, and the author did an excellent job of explaining the inner workings of the food industry, which made it so easy to picture Hector as the next Gordon Ramsey. It was a good, creepy thriller!
Throughout The Dinner Party, I knew something sinister was brewing. The atmosphere of the book felt dark, despite its innocent start. Who wouldn’t enjoy a dinner out to a fancy restaurant, particularly when celebrity chef Hector Bolson-Woods is personally preparing your meal for you? I pictured a Gordon Ramsey type in the role of Hector, only adding to the appeal, yet it wasn’t enough for Stig. He’s not happy.
There are some definite issues between Lily and Stig. From Lily’s viewpoint, she married a man who keeps to himself and never really opens up to her, despite how much she pleads with him to do so. And Stig has a lot of backstory that points to a lot of deep seated baggage, and he doesn’t want to share it with Lily. When Hector gives Lily attention, it’s hard for her to resist it, and it’s more than enough to give her the courage to engage with Hector in ways she ordinarily wouldn’t. Given her feelings on Stig and his behavior, it’s hard not to initially side with her.
But then we gain more insight into why Stig is the way he is, and more importantly, who Hector really is. From one dinner invitation to the next, and all with those dark, thriller-like undertones that made me question what would happen at a given moment. The story really picks up after Stig’s point of view is thrown in for good measure, questioning his own motives, Hector’s, and Lily’s too.
After the explosive climax at the end of the book, the epilogue felt a little anticlimactic and rushed to me. But the rest of it was paced out well, and the author did an excellent job of explaining the inner workings of the food industry, which made it so easy to picture Hector as the next Gordon Ramsey. It was a good, creepy thriller!
March 4, 2025
Nina Manning’s “The Dinner Party” sets out to be a gripping psychological thriller, but much like an overcooked meal, it fails to deliver a satisfying experience. While the premise is intriguing—a dinner party among friends that unravels into a night of secrets and suspense—the execution leaves much to be desired, particularly in one of the novel’s key moments: the restaurant scene.
The table at the restaurant should have been the setting for a tense, pivotal moment. Instead, it feels flat, forced, and ultimately underwhelming. The interactions around the table lack the depth and natural tension that a scene like this demands. Rather than escalating suspense, the dialogue feels contrived, the conflicts predictable, and the pacing sluggish. What should be a claustrophobic, pressure-cooker moment of psychological unraveling instead feels like a series of surface-level exchanges with little emotional weight.
Beyond the weak execution of this scene, the novel as a whole suffers from uneven pacing and characters who struggle to break free from cliché. The twists are either telegraphed too early or land without enough build-up to be impactful. While Manning’s writing has potential, The Dinner Party ultimately fails to serve up the tension and intrigue it promises.
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that truly grips you, there are far better options on the menu.
Thank you NetGalley and BoldWood Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The table at the restaurant should have been the setting for a tense, pivotal moment. Instead, it feels flat, forced, and ultimately underwhelming. The interactions around the table lack the depth and natural tension that a scene like this demands. Rather than escalating suspense, the dialogue feels contrived, the conflicts predictable, and the pacing sluggish. What should be a claustrophobic, pressure-cooker moment of psychological unraveling instead feels like a series of surface-level exchanges with little emotional weight.
Beyond the weak execution of this scene, the novel as a whole suffers from uneven pacing and characters who struggle to break free from cliché. The twists are either telegraphed too early or land without enough build-up to be impactful. While Manning’s writing has potential, The Dinner Party ultimately fails to serve up the tension and intrigue it promises.
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that truly grips you, there are far better options on the menu.
Thank you NetGalley and BoldWood Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 19, 2025
The Dinner Party by Nina Manning
Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods, a renowned celebrity chef, to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
It should be the perfect evening for Lily and her husband, Stig, but not even an ideal menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is thrilled. Surely this will please Stig? Hector is charming and attentive – everything Stig is not – and she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.
After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, something he never wants to repeat. Hurt and confused, Lily's confident Stig is hiding something from her. Something linked to Hector…she doesn't know what.
And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily nor Stig can refuse…
Nina Manning has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her stories feature strong, well-developed characters and intricate plots that keep you guessing. I appreciate the timeline element that provides insight into why her characters behave the way they do. However, she sometimes includes unexpected twists that can lead you in entirely the wrong direction. That's what makes her writing so compelling; nothing is ever quite what it seems.
This latest atmospheric read from Nina Manning is another gripping tale that I wholeheartedly recommend.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books author Nina Manning and Rachel's Random Resources for providing a copy to read and review.
Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods, a renowned celebrity chef, to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
It should be the perfect evening for Lily and her husband, Stig, but not even an ideal menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is thrilled. Surely this will please Stig? Hector is charming and attentive – everything Stig is not – and she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.
After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, something he never wants to repeat. Hurt and confused, Lily's confident Stig is hiding something from her. Something linked to Hector…she doesn't know what.
And then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. This time with a proposal neither Lily nor Stig can refuse…
Nina Manning has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her stories feature strong, well-developed characters and intricate plots that keep you guessing. I appreciate the timeline element that provides insight into why her characters behave the way they do. However, she sometimes includes unexpected twists that can lead you in entirely the wrong direction. That's what makes her writing so compelling; nothing is ever quite what it seems.
This latest atmospheric read from Nina Manning is another gripping tale that I wholeheartedly recommend.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books author Nina Manning and Rachel's Random Resources for providing a copy to read and review.
February 6, 2025
I am rating this book more as 2.5 stars.
I recognize that I am a very harsh reviewer, it takes a lot for me to even give something 4 stars, so take that information as you will.
This book was OK, the writing wasn’t awful, but the editing was. I realize this was an ARC, so I hope this criticism is helpful. I even took into a account that a some of the words were written in British English and not American, but there were still too many mistakes, especially in the beginning chapters where I think it matters most to keep the readers’ attention. The tense changed a few times as well.
I definitely like the premise of this novel quite a bit, the synopsis intrigued me. However, the story did not live up to the synopsis. I was expecting something creepy, more of a thriller vibe. This story was a family drama honestly. It was like a Lisa Jewell novel, but with less thrills and intrigue.
I will never understand how you could marry someone that never spoke to you about their past lives and family, so that was unrealistic. The central relationship between Stig and Lily was in such shambles that it made me uncomfortable. The reason why they were so strained was understandable, but the extremes of their discontent was not. Like, why not talk it out? Why are you both so miserable lol, just break up!!
Anyway, this book frustrated me a bit, and it was forgettable, unfortunately. It also had a super abrupt ending. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
I recognize that I am a very harsh reviewer, it takes a lot for me to even give something 4 stars, so take that information as you will.
This book was OK, the writing wasn’t awful, but the editing was. I realize this was an ARC, so I hope this criticism is helpful. I even took into a account that a some of the words were written in British English and not American, but there were still too many mistakes, especially in the beginning chapters where I think it matters most to keep the readers’ attention. The tense changed a few times as well.
I definitely like the premise of this novel quite a bit, the synopsis intrigued me. However, the story did not live up to the synopsis. I was expecting something creepy, more of a thriller vibe. This story was a family drama honestly. It was like a Lisa Jewell novel, but with less thrills and intrigue.
I will never understand how you could marry someone that never spoke to you about their past lives and family, so that was unrealistic. The central relationship between Stig and Lily was in such shambles that it made me uncomfortable. The reason why they were so strained was understandable, but the extremes of their discontent was not. Like, why not talk it out? Why are you both so miserable lol, just break up!!
Anyway, this book frustrated me a bit, and it was forgettable, unfortunately. It also had a super abrupt ending. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
March 19, 2025
The Dinner Party by Nina Manning is an excellent psychological thriller. . . . WoW. this book was a brilliant roller coaster ride especially with all the twists and turns throughout it was so addictive I ended up glued to my kindle till the very end.
Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods renowned celebrity chef to celebrate their wedding anniversary. This should be the perfect evening with her husband, Stig, but not even a perfect menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So, when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is over the moon thrilled. Surely this will please her husband Stig? Hector is so charming and attentive and everything Stig is not, , , , , ,
Now, she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.
A perfect invitation that turns into a nightmare invitation...
After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, and this is something he never wants to repeat again. Now, hurt and confused, Lily’s certain Stig is hiding something from her. . . . . But What?
Is this something linked to Hector?. . . . . . she just doesn’t know what.
Then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. But, this time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse. . .
I highly recommend The Dinner Party this book is a great holiday read, i loved it!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.
Lily Leonard books a table at the exclusive restaurant of Hector Bolson-Woods renowned celebrity chef to celebrate their wedding anniversary. This should be the perfect evening with her husband, Stig, but not even a perfect menu can heal the cracks in their marriage.
So, when Hector invites them to dine with him privately, Lily is over the moon thrilled. Surely this will please her husband Stig? Hector is so charming and attentive and everything Stig is not, , , , , ,
Now, she finds herself more and more drawn to the enigmatic Hector.
A perfect invitation that turns into a nightmare invitation...
After the dinner, Stig makes it clear the entire evening was a mistake, and this is something he never wants to repeat again. Now, hurt and confused, Lily’s certain Stig is hiding something from her. . . . . But What?
Is this something linked to Hector?. . . . . . she just doesn’t know what.
Then another dinner invitation from Hector arrives. But, this time with a proposal neither Lily or Stig can refuse. . .
I highly recommend The Dinner Party this book is a great holiday read, i loved it!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.
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