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The Revenge Party: A Novel
"Do you have what it takes to bring down the bad guy?" When a husband’s lies are no longer a secret and manipulation passes for love, a wife must decide how far she’s willing to go to expose the man she married—and what justice truly means—in this dark, modern marriage thriller.
He used women to climb to the top. Now watch him fall.
Devoted mother and party planner Katherine Valentine thought she’d finally found safety when she married Seattle’s golden boy, Shane Sutton. Charming, generous, and politically untouchable, he’s the kind of man people protect. But behind the polished façade lurks a predator who collects women like trophies, and Katherine has become his latest prize.
Desperate to protect her children, Katherine devises the perfect plan: use Shane's mistress against him. But Isabella Meyer is no pawn. She didn’t come to be saved. She came to settle a score.
And revenge is only the beginning.
In The Revenge Party, marriage is a stage, politics is a weapon, and every woman has a reason to lie. A razor-sharp, female-driven psychological thriller of social warfare and buried secrets, when women are pushed past polite.
Twisty, ruthless, and absolutely to die for.
He used women to climb to the top. Now watch him fall.
Devoted mother and party planner Katherine Valentine thought she’d finally found safety when she married Seattle’s golden boy, Shane Sutton. Charming, generous, and politically untouchable, he’s the kind of man people protect. But behind the polished façade lurks a predator who collects women like trophies, and Katherine has become his latest prize.
Desperate to protect her children, Katherine devises the perfect plan: use Shane's mistress against him. But Isabella Meyer is no pawn. She didn’t come to be saved. She came to settle a score.
And revenge is only the beginning.
In The Revenge Party, marriage is a stage, politics is a weapon, and every woman has a reason to lie. A razor-sharp, female-driven psychological thriller of social warfare and buried secrets, when women are pushed past polite.
Twisty, ruthless, and absolutely to die for.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
Emily Lynn Paulson
6 books204 followersEmily Lynn Paulson is an author and TEDx speaker who examines the messy truths beneath polished lives and the power structures that sustain them. She explores these themes in Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life, Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing, and the psychological domestic thriller The Revenge Party.
Her work has been featured on the Today Show and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and the Chicago Tribune, as well as on Next Question with Katie Couric and The Tamron Hall Show. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and their five children.
You can follow her essays and commentary on culture, power, and modern life on her Substack, The Outsider Scoop.
Follow her on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/emily...
Her work has been featured on the Today Show and in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Seattle Times, and the Chicago Tribune, as well as on Next Question with Katie Couric and The Tamron Hall Show. She lives in Central Oregon with her husband and their five children.
You can follow her essays and commentary on culture, power, and modern life on her Substack, The Outsider Scoop.
Follow her on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/emily...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 13, 2026
Thank you Emily Lynn Paulson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Revenge Party by Emily Lynn Paulson was the kind of psychological thriller that slowly pulls you into its mess and then suddenly has you staring at the wall questioning everybody’s motives. This story dives into power, manipulation, image, and the dangerous things people are willing to protect when status is involved. The political backdrop mixed with the social warfare made everything feel sharp, tense, and uncomfortably believable. What really worked for me was the female rage in this book. Not the loud dramatic kind but the quiet simmering kind that builds and builds until someone finally snaps. Katherine and Isabella were both such interesting characters because nobody felt fully innocent, predictable, or easy to trust.
And Shane?
Straight-up walking red flag in expensive shoes.
The multiple POVs and layered agendas kept me invested, and once the tension picked up, I flew through it. I also appreciated that this thriller focused less on shock value and more on manipulation, control, and revenge.
If you enjoy:
• female-driven thrillers
• revenge plots
• toxic powerful men getting exposed
• morally gray characters
• rich people behaving badly
4.25⭐️
The Revenge Party by Emily Lynn Paulson was the kind of psychological thriller that slowly pulls you into its mess and then suddenly has you staring at the wall questioning everybody’s motives. This story dives into power, manipulation, image, and the dangerous things people are willing to protect when status is involved. The political backdrop mixed with the social warfare made everything feel sharp, tense, and uncomfortably believable. What really worked for me was the female rage in this book. Not the loud dramatic kind but the quiet simmering kind that builds and builds until someone finally snaps. Katherine and Isabella were both such interesting characters because nobody felt fully innocent, predictable, or easy to trust.
And Shane?
Straight-up walking red flag in expensive shoes.
The multiple POVs and layered agendas kept me invested, and once the tension picked up, I flew through it. I also appreciated that this thriller focused less on shock value and more on manipulation, control, and revenge.
If you enjoy:
• female-driven thrillers
• revenge plots
• toxic powerful men getting exposed
• morally gray characters
• rich people behaving badly
4.25⭐️
March 8, 2026
I truly enjoyed the themes throughout the book, including motherhood, friendship, forgiveness, feeling invisible after 40, and not being afraid to battle toxic men! Loved the twists with the nuggets of humor sprinkled throughout.
March 16, 2026
I had a hard time putting this book down. If you like chapters that end on a cliffhanger, you will enjoy reading this book. The story obviously focuses on revenge but also explores family and relationships. The book is beautifully written with a lovely ending. Fans of B.A. Paris and Sarah Pekkanen will love this book! If you like twists and “oh my gosh” moments, this is your book! Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.
March 17, 2026
This was such a fun read for the times we are in! Revenge against MAGA men- yes please! Women finally standing up for themselves- yes please! So glad to be able to read this advance copy. Thanks to the author and her publishers.
March 20, 2026
This book held my attention the entire time— I really enjoyed and appreciated how thorough Paulson was with her character development. I felt as though I knew all of them personally and their stories were told in the perfect amount of detail (not too little, not too much!). Lots of plot twists- ones I didn’t see coming, but done well so they didn’t feel randomly placed. Would highly recommend this read. Thank you to the authors team and Net Galley for this early read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Revenge Party is a slick, simmering marriage thriller that feels like stepping into a room full of beautiful people, polished surfaces, and secrets sharp enough to cut. From the first chapter, there’s a delicious tension between what Katherine Valentine’s life looks like from the outside — curated, elegant, safe — and the rot she’s been living with behind closed doors. Her husband, Shane Sutton, is the kind of man the world protects: charming, powerful, politically untouchable. But the novel wastes no time revealing the truth — he’s a predator who’s built his empire on women he treats as disposable.
What makes the story so compelling is the way Katherine shifts from survival mode to strategy. She’s not a naïve wife waking up to betrayal; she’s a woman who has finally reached the point where fear turns into resolve. Her plan to use Shane’s mistress against him is bold, messy, and deeply human — but the twist is that Isabella Meyer isn’t the pawn Katherine expects. Isabella arrives with her own agenda, her own wounds, and a hunger for justice that burns just as fiercely. Their uneasy alliance becomes the heart of the novel, two women circling each other with equal parts suspicion and recognition.
The tension builds beautifully as the layers of Shane’s world peel back: political machinations, whispered favours, a network of men who’ve benefited from his rise and will do anything to keep him untouchable. The book leans into the idea that marriage can be a stage and politics a weapon, and it does so with a sharp, almost theatrical flair. Every woman in this story has something to hide, something to avenge, or something to protect — and watching those motives collide is half the thrill.
What elevates the novel is its refusal to paint revenge as simple. Katherine’s choices are fraught, Isabella’s motives are tangled, and the line between justice and destruction blurs in the most satisfying way. The pacing is tight, the twists land with a sting, and the final act is ruthless in the best possible sense.
Twisty, female‑driven, and deliciously dark, The Revenge Party is a razor‑edged exploration of power, manipulation, and what happens when the women a man underestimated decide to rewrite the ending themselves.
With thanks to Emily Lynn Paulson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What makes the story so compelling is the way Katherine shifts from survival mode to strategy. She’s not a naïve wife waking up to betrayal; she’s a woman who has finally reached the point where fear turns into resolve. Her plan to use Shane’s mistress against him is bold, messy, and deeply human — but the twist is that Isabella Meyer isn’t the pawn Katherine expects. Isabella arrives with her own agenda, her own wounds, and a hunger for justice that burns just as fiercely. Their uneasy alliance becomes the heart of the novel, two women circling each other with equal parts suspicion and recognition.
The tension builds beautifully as the layers of Shane’s world peel back: political machinations, whispered favours, a network of men who’ve benefited from his rise and will do anything to keep him untouchable. The book leans into the idea that marriage can be a stage and politics a weapon, and it does so with a sharp, almost theatrical flair. Every woman in this story has something to hide, something to avenge, or something to protect — and watching those motives collide is half the thrill.
What elevates the novel is its refusal to paint revenge as simple. Katherine’s choices are fraught, Isabella’s motives are tangled, and the line between justice and destruction blurs in the most satisfying way. The pacing is tight, the twists land with a sting, and the final act is ruthless in the best possible sense.
Twisty, female‑driven, and deliciously dark, The Revenge Party is a razor‑edged exploration of power, manipulation, and what happens when the women a man underestimated decide to rewrite the ending themselves.
With thanks to Emily Lynn Paulson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
his book delivered a gripping, well‑constructed thriller that kept me fully engaged from start to finish. Jess Kitching crafts a story where a seemingly perfect marriage begins to crack open, revealing manipulation, deception, and a man who has built his success on exploiting the women around him. Katherine Valentine, once convinced she’d found stability with Seattle’s golden boy, slowly realises she’s living with someone far more dangerous than she ever imagined. The plot is brilliantly thought out, unfolding with precision as Katherine decides she can no longer stay silent and must find a way to expose the truth about the man she married. The tension builds beautifully, and the characterisation, especially of Katherine and the woman she hopes to use as leverage, is sharp, layered, and compelling.
What elevates this thriller is the way it explores the destructive power of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Every hidden truth becomes a spark, every manipulation a fuse, and the resulting fallout is explosive. Katherine’s plan to turn her husband’s mistress into an ally takes an unexpected turn when Isabella proves she isn’t there to be rescued, she has her own score to settle. From that moment on, the story becomes a fierce, female driven battle for justice, revenge, and survival. With its excellent pacing, morally complex characters, and escalating sense of danger, this novel delivers a dark, addictive ride that’s as satisfying as it is ruthless.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an adn=vab=nced copy of the book, all opinions are my own
What elevates this thriller is the way it explores the destructive power of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Every hidden truth becomes a spark, every manipulation a fuse, and the resulting fallout is explosive. Katherine’s plan to turn her husband’s mistress into an ally takes an unexpected turn when Isabella proves she isn’t there to be rescued, she has her own score to settle. From that moment on, the story becomes a fierce, female driven battle for justice, revenge, and survival. With its excellent pacing, morally complex characters, and escalating sense of danger, this novel delivers a dark, addictive ride that’s as satisfying as it is ruthless.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an adn=vab=nced copy of the book, all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Revenge Party
A heartfelt thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of this phenomenal novel. I also extend my gratitude to #EmilyLynnPaulson for crafting such an unforgettable story.
This book had been on my To Be Read (TBR) list for far too long, and I'm so glad I finally dove in. It proved to be an amazingly captivating read from the very first page to the last. The plot is masterfully constructed, featuring a storyline with a shocking twist that I genuinely did not see coming, keeping me completely gripped.
The narrative unfolds seamlessly, delivered through the distinct Points of View (POVs) of Katherine and Isabella. This dual perspective is executed perfectly, allowing the reader to connect with the characters and fully appreciate the layers of the mystery. While I am careful not to reveal any spoilers, I can assure you that this is a must-read. Prepare to experience a truly twisting and turning novel—one so compelling that I devoured it in a single, immersive sitting.
A heartfelt thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of this phenomenal novel. I also extend my gratitude to #EmilyLynnPaulson for crafting such an unforgettable story.
This book had been on my To Be Read (TBR) list for far too long, and I'm so glad I finally dove in. It proved to be an amazingly captivating read from the very first page to the last. The plot is masterfully constructed, featuring a storyline with a shocking twist that I genuinely did not see coming, keeping me completely gripped.
The narrative unfolds seamlessly, delivered through the distinct Points of View (POVs) of Katherine and Isabella. This dual perspective is executed perfectly, allowing the reader to connect with the characters and fully appreciate the layers of the mystery. While I am careful not to reveal any spoilers, I can assure you that this is a must-read. Prepare to experience a truly twisting and turning novel—one so compelling that I devoured it in a single, immersive sitting.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this was a very solid revenge thriller and I enjoyed the story. I knew at the point that Claudia talked to Katherine about how she should look at Shane's phone that a nugget of doubt was placed. It became a story of how well a woman can trust her husband and everything that can follow when she can't. Katherine and Shane seemed to have it all at the beginning. They are from the world of rich, beautiful, influential. and powerful people, but often times those things can bring corruption. Shane is not a good guy, he has gained his place by climbing over and on people to try to get to the top. He's a charmer used to getting what he wants. He's a user of women. The story is told from two points of view, the wife and the mistress, each with their own reasons to get revenge on Shane. I thought it was a pretty fast read, and I loved how it wrapped up and it did have some surprises that I wasn't expecting. Thank you Netgalley and Rise Books for the complimentary copy of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a pre-publication review as I received an ARC from the author.
The Revenge Party is Emily Lynn Paulson’s fiction debut. The story is told from a dual point of view, alternating between Katherine and Isabella. Katherine has recently discovered her husband Shane has been having a series of affairs, and those discoveries quickly reveal that Shane is far more sinister than Katherine could have ever imagined. Isabella is one of those affairs, and as the story unfolds, you learn how Katherine & Isabella’s paths weave together. This is a fast-paced revenge thriller, with lots of twists you won’t see coming.
The Revenge Party is Emily Lynn Paulson’s fiction debut. The story is told from a dual point of view, alternating between Katherine and Isabella. Katherine has recently discovered her husband Shane has been having a series of affairs, and those discoveries quickly reveal that Shane is far more sinister than Katherine could have ever imagined. Isabella is one of those affairs, and as the story unfolds, you learn how Katherine & Isabella’s paths weave together. This is a fast-paced revenge thriller, with lots of twists you won’t see coming.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved the Seattle setting for this book. Having grown up in the PNW I appreciate the references to the area. This is a female revenge story mostly focusing on one man that seems to not really care about those around him or the damage that he leaves in his wake. I loved the female bonds in this and it was a nice surprise that most everyone developed a friendship in light of everything that was happening. There were a few plot twists that I did not see coming and that made for an interesting read. I enjoyed the journey this book took me on with these characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rise Literary | Rise Books for the ARC for this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rise Literary | Rise Books for the ARC for this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is fantastic with so many turns throughout that I didn’t expect. This was so different than Emily Paulson’s first 2 books as it’s fiction. The author really can write! The book allows you to see all different view points: from a wife that has been deceived, and then to a mistress. The best part is the ending. It was so unpredictable and left me feeling so happy and loving the women in this book. Some parts of the book really resonated with my own life, and my ex husband cheated on me.
May 17, 2026
Wow! Just was not expecting all that. I want to write so much but I am worried I will write spoilers and I really don’t want to because I loved being surprised at every turn.
Listen, this is a very topical piece of work. The social commentary blended into a psychological thriller, yes please.
Finished this book in 3 sittings over two days basically, and I only put it down cause I had to go to work. It really kept me engaged, cause I needed to know everything. So many moments of foreshadowing that later on has you going ‘omg!’.
Anyways highly recommend if you love a good page turner!
Listen, this is a very topical piece of work. The social commentary blended into a psychological thriller, yes please.
Finished this book in 3 sittings over two days basically, and I only put it down cause I had to go to work. It really kept me engaged, cause I needed to know everything. So many moments of foreshadowing that later on has you going ‘omg!’.
Anyways highly recommend if you love a good page turner!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced ready copy received from author ARC
This book twists and turns then spins you around.
They were the perfect couple, her kids adored him and she was able to be home and continue to volunteer and plan events. An unforseen accident reveals his lies. So many reasons to despise the husband, even when he's unresponsive.
An unlikely trio conspires to take him down. Buckle up! The Revenge Party is a party you want to attend!
This book twists and turns then spins you around.
They were the perfect couple, her kids adored him and she was able to be home and continue to volunteer and plan events. An unforseen accident reveals his lies. So many reasons to despise the husband, even when he's unresponsive.
An unlikely trio conspires to take him down. Buckle up! The Revenge Party is a party you want to attend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Emily Lynn Paulson for the chance to read this as an ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.
This was such a heartbreaking-ly mysterious thriller. I grew to love some characters and loathe others, my opinions even changed on some of them halfway through. That is a mark of a well-written thriller to me. It kept me on my toes until the end and the story felt unique.
This was such a heartbreaking-ly mysterious thriller. I grew to love some characters and loathe others, my opinions even changed on some of them halfway through. That is a mark of a well-written thriller to me. It kept me on my toes until the end and the story felt unique.
Did Not Finish
April 28, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Rise Books for the copy. Unfortunately I was unable to finish The Revenge Party. I was excited to read The Revenge Party as I like books set in the PNW and revenge stories. As I was reading I found I could not connect to the characters. I found myself uninterested in the story.
May 14, 2026
Revenge Party is a fast, compelling read you won’t want to put down. The characters feel real and layered, and the story strikes a great balance between drama, humor, and emotional depth. It’s more than just a revenge story—it’s about friendship, growth, and the messy complexity of both. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Revenge Party begs the question: What if women conspired to take down the smallest man who ever lived? Any woman who has felt trapped, angry, scared or helpless over the last 10 years will find solace in this book where toxic men get what’s coming for them. In stilettos, no less.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This was really fun and satisfying to read about people wrestling with breaking free from their childhood roots, finding themselves trapped in a situation they essentially walked into and how they work together to get out. Also political dramaaaaa.... love 💕💕💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Rise Books and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of The Revenge Party.
This was fun! The end of each chapter left me clamoring for more. Definitely a one-sit wonder! I never felt like the story was dwindling. The characters were all very well developed. The action started, and the twists kept coming! Highly recommend this one!!
This was fun! The end of each chapter left me clamoring for more. Definitely a one-sit wonder! I never felt like the story was dwindling. The characters were all very well developed. The action started, and the twists kept coming! Highly recommend this one!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so much fun to read! I loved all the characters, especially Izzy and Katherine. The twists and turns the story took kept me flipping pages! The subject matter was so timely with all going on in the world. Hoping the author keeps writing.
March 17, 2026
A really good read with a good few twists and turns. Very hard to put down! Revenge for all the right reasons! Thank you @netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lots of twists! Kept you guessing and wanting to know what was next. The ending was awesome! A really good read! Enjoyed this book a lot!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book felt like that meme "Call an ambulance! But not for me."
The way this book kept taking twists and turns kept me glued to my screen. I read this book in two sittings because I was so intrigued by the direction the story was going. In this story, Shane, Katherine, and Isabella's lives all intertwine in a complex and dangerous manner. To but it simply, Shane is a lying, cheating, slime ball, MAGA grifter hellbent on gobbling up as much power as he can. Over and over again it felt like there was no way out for Katherine and Isabella. I'll admit it hit very close to home. And I know it's the effect Paulson intended.
I expected Shane to be taken down the "legal" way. Crafty lawyers finding a smoking gun. Everyone he knows turning on him and testifying on all the shady things he's done. Katherine going to press and tearing down his reputation brick by brick. At first I was a little unsettled that it didn't end that way. Now, by no means am I endorsing what Katherine did, but it felt a little cathartic to see the cycle of power abuse actually come to an end. Shane spent his career stepping on women only to be brought down by the one he promised to love and cherish.
And the peace that Isabella and Katherine find at the end is a world I hope to live in one day.
This book is an excellent reminder that as long as we stick together we can take down evil.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing early access to this ebook.
The way this book kept taking twists and turns kept me glued to my screen. I read this book in two sittings because I was so intrigued by the direction the story was going. In this story, Shane, Katherine, and Isabella's lives all intertwine in a complex and dangerous manner. To but it simply, Shane is a lying, cheating, slime ball, MAGA grifter hellbent on gobbling up as much power as he can. Over and over again it felt like there was no way out for Katherine and Isabella. I'll admit it hit very close to home. And I know it's the effect Paulson intended.
I expected Shane to be taken down the "legal" way. Crafty lawyers finding a smoking gun. Everyone he knows turning on him and testifying on all the shady things he's done. Katherine going to press and tearing down his reputation brick by brick. At first I was a little unsettled that it didn't end that way. Now, by no means am I endorsing what Katherine did, but it felt a little cathartic to see the cycle of power abuse actually come to an end. Shane spent his career stepping on women only to be brought down by the one he promised to love and cherish.
And the peace that Isabella and Katherine find at the end is a world I hope to live in one day.
This book is an excellent reminder that as long as we stick together we can take down evil.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing early access to this ebook.
May 15, 2026
A great page turner with some deeper messages. Put this one on your summer “must read” list! 🩷🩷🩷
May 18, 2026
Loved it!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I *adore* this author and I do love the female revenge trope especially on some corrupt red pill bros. But this one wasn't quite for me.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews