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The Welcome Party
Amanda Kensington is trapped in a marriage to a charming, dangerous man. He’s told her he’ll kill her before he’ll divorce her—and she believes him. She’s been hiding the bruises for too long, and now she’s plotting her escape, one careful move at a time. But someone else is watching and playing a much more calculated game.
She’s just moved to their exclusive, lakeside community, and she’s driven, brilliant, and obsessively focused on Amanda’s life. On Amanda’s house. On Amanda’s husband.
She’s been watching them all for years.
As secrets surface along with a body in the lake, three women—the wife, the investigating detective, and the obsessive newcomer—are about to discover just how well they know their neighbors.
She’s just moved to their exclusive, lakeside community, and she’s driven, brilliant, and obsessively focused on Amanda’s life. On Amanda’s house. On Amanda’s husband.
She’s been watching them all for years.
As secrets surface along with a body in the lake, three women—the wife, the investigating detective, and the obsessive newcomer—are about to discover just how well they know their neighbors.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2026
About the author
Samantha Verant
10 books481 followersSamantha Vérant is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at-home French chef. Over the years, she’s visited many different countries, lived in many places, and worked many jobs— always on the search for the one thing that truly excited her. Then, one day, she found everything she’s been looking for: a passion for the written word and true love. Writing not only enabled her to open her heart, it led her to southwestern France, where she’s now married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met over twenty years ago, a stepmom to two incredible kids, and the adoptive mother to one ridiculously adorable Charteux cat. When she’s not trekking from Provence to the Pyrénées, tasting wine in American-sized glasses, or embracing her inner Julia Child while deliberating what constitutes the perfect boeuf bourguignon, Samantha is making her best effort to relearn those dreaded conjugations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 3, 2026
Review of advanced
Copy received
From NetGalley
3.75⭐️What would you do if your story started with something as shocking as a human hand washed up on a beach? That’s exactly how The Welcome Party by Samantha Verant opens, and it immediately pulled me in. From the first page, I knew I was stepping into a twisty psychological thriller full of secrets and hidden connections.
This book slowly builds its tension through its characters and their relationships. Nothing feels straightforward, and I found myself constantly changing my mind about who I could trust. That uncertainty made it really engaging and kept me reading just to see what would happen next.
The characters are one of the strongest parts of the story. They all feel realistic, with their own flaws, motives, and secrets. At different points, I suspected almost everyone, which is exactly what I want from a thriller like this.
One of the most unique touches was the way each chapter begins with a song title and artist. I really liked this idea because it set the mood for each section and made the reading experience feel more atmospheric, almost like the book had its own soundtrack.
Samantha Verant’s writing style is easy to follow but still descriptive enough to picture everything clearly. The pacing worked well too, with each chapter ending in a way that encouraged me to keep reading.
The opening mystery of the hand on the beach stayed in my mind throughout the book. Even as more details were revealed, it always felt like there was something bigger underneath everything, which kept the suspense going right to the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Welcome Party. It’s a fast-paced, twisty thriller with strong characters and an original style that makes it stand out. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end.
Thank you, NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Samantha Verant for providing me with an advance reader copy (ARC) of The Welcome Party in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing Date: July 8th 2026
Copy received
From NetGalley
3.75⭐️What would you do if your story started with something as shocking as a human hand washed up on a beach? That’s exactly how The Welcome Party by Samantha Verant opens, and it immediately pulled me in. From the first page, I knew I was stepping into a twisty psychological thriller full of secrets and hidden connections.
This book slowly builds its tension through its characters and their relationships. Nothing feels straightforward, and I found myself constantly changing my mind about who I could trust. That uncertainty made it really engaging and kept me reading just to see what would happen next.
The characters are one of the strongest parts of the story. They all feel realistic, with their own flaws, motives, and secrets. At different points, I suspected almost everyone, which is exactly what I want from a thriller like this.
One of the most unique touches was the way each chapter begins with a song title and artist. I really liked this idea because it set the mood for each section and made the reading experience feel more atmospheric, almost like the book had its own soundtrack.
Samantha Verant’s writing style is easy to follow but still descriptive enough to picture everything clearly. The pacing worked well too, with each chapter ending in a way that encouraged me to keep reading.
The opening mystery of the hand on the beach stayed in my mind throughout the book. Even as more details were revealed, it always felt like there was something bigger underneath everything, which kept the suspense going right to the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Welcome Party. It’s a fast-paced, twisty thriller with strong characters and an original style that makes it stand out. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end.
Thank you, NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Samantha Verant for providing me with an advance reader copy (ARC) of The Welcome Party in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing Date: July 8th 2026
June 28, 2026
This one was a fun surprise!
An abusive husband, a mysterious woman watching from the sidelines, a nosy lakeside community, and... a human hand washing up on the beach? Say less!! I was all in. The story felt fresh compared to a lot of the domestic thrillers I've been reading lately. I loved the stalker vibes, the neighborhood gossip, and the constant feeling that someone was always watching. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, another layer was peeled back. I will say the beginning was a little confusing. There are quite a few characters to keep straight and had me wishing I'd taken notes! Once everything clicked into place, though, the story became much easier to follow and I was completely invested. Can we talk about Amanda's husband? Let's just say... I wasn't exactly rooting for him. 😒
The mystery kept me engaged, and I enjoyed watching all the pieces come together from the different perspectives. The pacing picked up nicely, the suspense kept building, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything would unravel. Twas an entertaining domestic thriller with plenty of secrets, suspense, and characters I loved to side-eye. It lost a star for the confusing start, but once I got it straight, I had a great time with it.
An abusive husband, a mysterious woman watching from the sidelines, a nosy lakeside community, and... a human hand washing up on the beach? Say less!! I was all in. The story felt fresh compared to a lot of the domestic thrillers I've been reading lately. I loved the stalker vibes, the neighborhood gossip, and the constant feeling that someone was always watching. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, another layer was peeled back. I will say the beginning was a little confusing. There are quite a few characters to keep straight and had me wishing I'd taken notes! Once everything clicked into place, though, the story became much easier to follow and I was completely invested. Can we talk about Amanda's husband? Let's just say... I wasn't exactly rooting for him. 😒
The mystery kept me engaged, and I enjoyed watching all the pieces come together from the different perspectives. The pacing picked up nicely, the suspense kept building, and I genuinely wanted to know how everything would unravel. Twas an entertaining domestic thriller with plenty of secrets, suspense, and characters I loved to side-eye. It lost a star for the confusing start, but once I got it straight, I had a great time with it.
May 21, 2026
The Welcome Party circles around two women, Amanda, the legal wife, and Hilary, the new neighbour. Both are carrying secrets and trying to outrun the pasts that shaped them. The premise is strong, and I genuinely enjoyed diving into how their lives slowly tangle into each other’s narratives. It’s fast‑paced, intriguing, and set in an exclusive neighbourhood dripping with elite drama.
This is one of those thrillers where everyone has something to hide, and the tension builds from the quiet, everyday moments rather than big explosive scenes. The alternating focus on Amanda and Hilary gives the story a layered feel, making you question who’s manipulating whom and why.
What I Enjoyed:
* Dual‑agenda dynamic
* Exclusive neighbourhood setting
* Fast pacing
What Didn’t Feel Right:
* People escaping accountability
* Forced twists
* Rusty stalker trope
Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
Overall, The Welcome Party is a solid domestic thriller that moves between two compelling perspectives: a wife trying to hold her life together and a neighbour stepping into a world of luxury, secrets, and betrayal. It’s dramatic, messy, and filled with those “wait… what?” moments that keep you flipping pages. A fun pick for secluded‑setting and neighbourhood‑drama thriller girlies like me.
Huge thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and author Samantha Verant for my copy.
~JaNnA~
This is one of those thrillers where everyone has something to hide, and the tension builds from the quiet, everyday moments rather than big explosive scenes. The alternating focus on Amanda and Hilary gives the story a layered feel, making you question who’s manipulating whom and why.
What I Enjoyed:
* Dual‑agenda dynamic
* Exclusive neighbourhood setting
* Fast pacing
What Didn’t Feel Right:
* People escaping accountability
* Forced twists
* Rusty stalker trope
Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 4⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 4⭐️
Overall, The Welcome Party is a solid domestic thriller that moves between two compelling perspectives: a wife trying to hold her life together and a neighbour stepping into a world of luxury, secrets, and betrayal. It’s dramatic, messy, and filled with those “wait… what?” moments that keep you flipping pages. A fun pick for secluded‑setting and neighbourhood‑drama thriller girlies like me.
Huge thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and author Samantha Verant for my copy.
~JaNnA~
July 9, 2026
"The Welcome Party" by Samantha Vérant
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Now, this is a summer read that actually floats my boat! The Enclave is a stunning gated community, with a glistening private lake and lawns so manicured they could be on a magazine cover. Throw in enough secrets to make even the friendliest neighbor seem suspicious, and I'm in! But I could camp out by that lake, sipping cocktails, preferably without any surprise body parts popping up in the sand. Small request!
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley; all opinions conveyed here are my own and left voluntarily.
Amanda Kensington presents the image of having it all, but beneath her polished exterior, she's trapped in a nightmarish marriage to her charming yet dangerous husband, Scott. Her desire to leave is strong, but it's complicated, especially given her two sons.
Enter Hilary, the new neighbor who moved in just a few houses away for a "fresh start," but is actually setting her sights on Scott. Her cunning, sneaky plan kicks off with an attempt to befriend Amanda. But Amanda isn't as easy to deceive as Hilary hoped. I loved the tension between these two; it was exhilarating to watch them try to outsmart each other. I was glued to the pages.
I devoured this book in a single sitting. It was like eating a bag of chips. Once I started, I couldn't stop! The multiple POVs kept the narrative zipping along; the twists are mind-blowing. That ending is completely bonkers and totally unexpected.
"The Welcome Party" is a whirlwind of quick laughs, jaw-dropping twists, and neighborhood drama. Samantha Vérant really knows how to throw a literary party!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Now, this is a summer read that actually floats my boat! The Enclave is a stunning gated community, with a glistening private lake and lawns so manicured they could be on a magazine cover. Throw in enough secrets to make even the friendliest neighbor seem suspicious, and I'm in! But I could camp out by that lake, sipping cocktails, preferably without any surprise body parts popping up in the sand. Small request!
Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley; all opinions conveyed here are my own and left voluntarily.
Amanda Kensington presents the image of having it all, but beneath her polished exterior, she's trapped in a nightmarish marriage to her charming yet dangerous husband, Scott. Her desire to leave is strong, but it's complicated, especially given her two sons.
Enter Hilary, the new neighbor who moved in just a few houses away for a "fresh start," but is actually setting her sights on Scott. Her cunning, sneaky plan kicks off with an attempt to befriend Amanda. But Amanda isn't as easy to deceive as Hilary hoped. I loved the tension between these two; it was exhilarating to watch them try to outsmart each other. I was glued to the pages.
I devoured this book in a single sitting. It was like eating a bag of chips. Once I started, I couldn't stop! The multiple POVs kept the narrative zipping along; the twists are mind-blowing. That ending is completely bonkers and totally unexpected.
"The Welcome Party" is a whirlwind of quick laughs, jaw-dropping twists, and neighborhood drama. Samantha Vérant really knows how to throw a literary party!
July 8, 2026
I was given an Arc and this is my honest review
Have you ever wondered what it would be like not to work, live in a McMansion and have the “perfect life”. Well then again nothings perfect! This domestic thriller is an easy but very enjoyable read. It has it all. Money, power, control, and Murder!
Definitely add to your TBR
Have you ever wondered what it would be like not to work, live in a McMansion and have the “perfect life”. Well then again nothings perfect! This domestic thriller is an easy but very enjoyable read. It has it all. Money, power, control, and Murder!
Definitely add to your TBR
June 28, 2026
What a deliciously devious summer read! A murder, scandal in an exclusive community, two scorned women, and one thoroughly awful man. What’s not to love? Everyone has their own secrets, and it keeps you guessing as to who might have the motive. This was twisty, entertaining, and impossible to put down. I sailed through it and really enjoyed. Good summer read. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this one!
June 12, 2026
Thank you to Storm Publishing & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oof. This book was unfortunately kind of a mess. It felt like a weird mash up of The Last Mrs. Parrish & Behind Closed Doors; with a revenge plot that really didn’t make any sense and a hand that washes up. You get 3 POV; Amanda the wife, Hilary a new neighbor with an agenda and Detective Kelly.
This book had no clear direction. We had so many subplots and none of them really worked. The unveiling at the end was lackluster and while I usually like books about rich people and their drama, this was rather boring.
I did appreciate the short chapters! This was my first book by the author and I’m not sure she is for me.
Oof. This book was unfortunately kind of a mess. It felt like a weird mash up of The Last Mrs. Parrish & Behind Closed Doors; with a revenge plot that really didn’t make any sense and a hand that washes up. You get 3 POV; Amanda the wife, Hilary a new neighbor with an agenda and Detective Kelly.
This book had no clear direction. We had so many subplots and none of them really worked. The unveiling at the end was lackluster and while I usually like books about rich people and their drama, this was rather boring.
I did appreciate the short chapters! This was my first book by the author and I’m not sure she is for me.
July 18, 2026
3.5⭐️
definitely enjoyed this as an audiobook! enjoyed the pacing throughout and was leaving me guessing on what it could happen!
definitely enjoyed this as an audiobook! enjoyed the pacing throughout and was leaving me guessing on what it could happen!
July 9, 2026
Overall rating-3.5
Setting-3
Story-3
Prose-4
Characters-4
Meet Amanda, the perfect wife in a perfect neighborhood with 2 adorable kids and a highly successful husband. Nothing is perfect as it looks on the outside and Amanda has been hiding her bruises for far too long. She is desperate to get out of the marriage built on falsehood and adultery, but is stopped at each step because of Scott, the husband. He smiles when he abuses her and she has no doubt that he is capable of more harm. Hailey buys a property 2 doors down to the Kensingtons, unknown to the presence of a severed hand in the property that surfaces from the lake. Hailey has secrets and obsessions of her own and there is a motive behind her moving from New York to The Enclave. Kelly, the investigator navigates through this treacherous neighborhood where the lies run deeper than the lake, to figure out the murdered and the murderer.
This story has a strong premise with so many parallels going on. Written in 3 person point of view- Amanda, Hailey and Kelly- the story was very engaging and I read this in one sitting. I really liked Amanda out of the 3 POVs especially for her dry humor and sarcasm over her husband. She is so impulsive and realistically portrayed. She is desperate to get herself and the children out of the marriage that Scott enforces but it never really was real. Hailey’s characters was a little unhinged at the start but grew well as the story progressed. The major issue I have is with is portrayal of Kelly. It was very dry and there is not much character development there. I felt a lot was going on and a lot of areas to be developed but felt a little short of exceptional.
My major cons are how Scott was portrayed versus how things ended. Is this what we expected? Maybe… but satisfactory? No! There is lot of justification to be done. It was as if, it was forced on us. There are some other characters, I would like it to be portrayed a little better- Scott and Nancy. There is no accountability and no emotions at the end for how things have ended up. It’s felt too artificial for my liking. Also, the way Kelly was written was like, there needn’t be a female detective but a male one would suffice. The character is there for the sake of being there and nothing is being contributed for the feel of the story.
Overall an enjoyable experience albeit a forgettable one.
Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for honest feedback.
Setting-3
Story-3
Prose-4
Characters-4
Meet Amanda, the perfect wife in a perfect neighborhood with 2 adorable kids and a highly successful husband. Nothing is perfect as it looks on the outside and Amanda has been hiding her bruises for far too long. She is desperate to get out of the marriage built on falsehood and adultery, but is stopped at each step because of Scott, the husband. He smiles when he abuses her and she has no doubt that he is capable of more harm. Hailey buys a property 2 doors down to the Kensingtons, unknown to the presence of a severed hand in the property that surfaces from the lake. Hailey has secrets and obsessions of her own and there is a motive behind her moving from New York to The Enclave. Kelly, the investigator navigates through this treacherous neighborhood where the lies run deeper than the lake, to figure out the murdered and the murderer.
This story has a strong premise with so many parallels going on. Written in 3 person point of view- Amanda, Hailey and Kelly- the story was very engaging and I read this in one sitting. I really liked Amanda out of the 3 POVs especially for her dry humor and sarcasm over her husband. She is so impulsive and realistically portrayed. She is desperate to get herself and the children out of the marriage that Scott enforces but it never really was real. Hailey’s characters was a little unhinged at the start but grew well as the story progressed. The major issue I have is with is portrayal of Kelly. It was very dry and there is not much character development there. I felt a lot was going on and a lot of areas to be developed but felt a little short of exceptional.
My major cons are how Scott was portrayed versus how things ended. Is this what we expected? Maybe… but satisfactory? No! There is lot of justification to be done. It was as if, it was forced on us. There are some other characters, I would like it to be portrayed a little better- Scott and Nancy. There is no accountability and no emotions at the end for how things have ended up. It’s felt too artificial for my liking. Also, the way Kelly was written was like, there needn’t be a female detective but a male one would suffice. The character is there for the sake of being there and nothing is being contributed for the feel of the story.
Overall an enjoyable experience albeit a forgettable one.
Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for honest feedback.
July 6, 2026
Amanda Kensington is plotting to escape her husband – he’s charming but he’s very dangerous. He told her he’d kill her before divorce her. She also has bruises to prove how violent he is – so she believes him. But there is someone else who has been watching Amanda and her husband. And now she’s bought a house in their neighborhood, inserted herself to work at the same company as Amanda’s husband, and “befriending” Amanda. A severed hand appears from the lake.. and then a body. Everyone is keeping secrets.
This was a very interesting, intriguing, and fun read. We get chapters from three women in the book, Amanda, the newcomer to the neighborhood, and the detective investigating the woman whose body was discovered in the lake. It was great getting the three different points of view. I enjoyed the detectives because I appreciated that while it may have seemed outwardly that she was dismissing a suspect, she actually wasn’t dismissing anyone.
This is also a fast paced read, which I really appreciate and love when it comes to thrillers. There was always something going on, a secret revealed, something to keep you guessing, which helped keep the book on pace. While I didn’t necessarily relate to any of the characters, it was easy to root for certain characters. There was also just enough backstory to complete the story without it being way too much.
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! Out soon, so get pre-orders in!
This was a very interesting, intriguing, and fun read. We get chapters from three women in the book, Amanda, the newcomer to the neighborhood, and the detective investigating the woman whose body was discovered in the lake. It was great getting the three different points of view. I enjoyed the detectives because I appreciated that while it may have seemed outwardly that she was dismissing a suspect, she actually wasn’t dismissing anyone.
This is also a fast paced read, which I really appreciate and love when it comes to thrillers. There was always something going on, a secret revealed, something to keep you guessing, which helped keep the book on pace. While I didn’t necessarily relate to any of the characters, it was easy to root for certain characters. There was also just enough backstory to complete the story without it being way too much.
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! Out soon, so get pre-orders in!
July 9, 2026
ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Welcome Party by Samantha Vérant
Published: July 8, 2026
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Samantha Vérant for the ARC. Also, thank you for reminding me that if a marriage looks perfect on Instagram, someone is probably cheating, lying, plotting murder… or all three. Efficiency is important.
I had a really good time with this one. It’s fast-paced, easy to get into, and filled with the kind of people who desperately need therapy but instead choose secrets, manipulation, and terrible life choices. Which, fortunately for us readers, is much more entertaining.
The writing flows effortlessly, and the twists are exactly what I like: enough to keep me guessing without making me feel like I need a detective’s corkboard connected by red string just to understand what’s happening. Sometimes less really is more.
You’ve got the wife who stays “for the kids”… or does she? The husband who seems to hold all the power… until maybe he doesn’t. Two women who meet for reasons that may or may not be exactly what they claim. And absolutely nobody should be trusted. My kind of party.
I’m not saying another word because spoilers are a crime, and unlike some characters in this book, I have standards.
Four “welcome to your worst nightmare disguised as suburban bliss” stars. An entertaining psychological thriller full of secrets, messy relationships, and enough dysfunction to make me close the book feeling unexpectedly grateful for my own life choices.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Welcome Party by Samantha Vérant
Published: July 8, 2026
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Samantha Vérant for the ARC. Also, thank you for reminding me that if a marriage looks perfect on Instagram, someone is probably cheating, lying, plotting murder… or all three. Efficiency is important.
I had a really good time with this one. It’s fast-paced, easy to get into, and filled with the kind of people who desperately need therapy but instead choose secrets, manipulation, and terrible life choices. Which, fortunately for us readers, is much more entertaining.
The writing flows effortlessly, and the twists are exactly what I like: enough to keep me guessing without making me feel like I need a detective’s corkboard connected by red string just to understand what’s happening. Sometimes less really is more.
You’ve got the wife who stays “for the kids”… or does she? The husband who seems to hold all the power… until maybe he doesn’t. Two women who meet for reasons that may or may not be exactly what they claim. And absolutely nobody should be trusted. My kind of party.
I’m not saying another word because spoilers are a crime, and unlike some characters in this book, I have standards.
Four “welcome to your worst nightmare disguised as suburban bliss” stars. An entertaining psychological thriller full of secrets, messy relationships, and enough dysfunction to make me close the book feeling unexpectedly grateful for my own life choices.
July 24, 2026
Thanks to Storm Publishing for the digital ARC.
"Amanda Kensington is trapped in a marriage to a charming, dangerous man. He’s told her he’ll kill her before he’ll divorce her—and she believes him. She’s been hiding the bruises for too long, and now she’s plotting her escape, one careful move at a time. But someone else is watching and playing a much more calculated game.
She’s just moved to their exclusive, lakeside community, and she’s driven, brilliant, and obsessively focused on Amanda’s life. On Amanda’s house. On Amanda’s husband.
She’s been watching them all for years.
As secrets surface along with a body in the lake, three women—the wife, the investigating detective, and the obsessive newcomer—are about to discover just how well they know their neighbors."
The book starts with a bang - the discovery of a severed human hand washed up on the beach in an exclusive community where things like this aren't supposed to happen! A twisty thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night!
The book is told from three POV (the two woman protagonists and the detective investigating the case), which is a great way to tell this particular story, but at times I had to go back to the start of the chapter to remind myself who was talking (all POV are written in the first person, which was confusing at times). Once you pay attention ;) it's fairly easy to follow. I love that each chapter begins with a song title - sets the tone for what's about to happen. I didn't love Amanda or Hilary's characters and let's not even talk about Scott... I preferred Detective Kelly's character and would have liked more of her POV.
There is a LOT going on with a few different subplots so at times can feel chaotic but perhaps that's the point! The chapters are short so it makes for a quick, fun beach read!
"Amanda Kensington is trapped in a marriage to a charming, dangerous man. He’s told her he’ll kill her before he’ll divorce her—and she believes him. She’s been hiding the bruises for too long, and now she’s plotting her escape, one careful move at a time. But someone else is watching and playing a much more calculated game.
She’s just moved to their exclusive, lakeside community, and she’s driven, brilliant, and obsessively focused on Amanda’s life. On Amanda’s house. On Amanda’s husband.
She’s been watching them all for years.
As secrets surface along with a body in the lake, three women—the wife, the investigating detective, and the obsessive newcomer—are about to discover just how well they know their neighbors."
The book starts with a bang - the discovery of a severed human hand washed up on the beach in an exclusive community where things like this aren't supposed to happen! A twisty thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night!
The book is told from three POV (the two woman protagonists and the detective investigating the case), which is a great way to tell this particular story, but at times I had to go back to the start of the chapter to remind myself who was talking (all POV are written in the first person, which was confusing at times). Once you pay attention ;) it's fairly easy to follow. I love that each chapter begins with a song title - sets the tone for what's about to happen. I didn't love Amanda or Hilary's characters and let's not even talk about Scott... I preferred Detective Kelly's character and would have liked more of her POV.
There is a LOT going on with a few different subplots so at times can feel chaotic but perhaps that's the point! The chapters are short so it makes for a quick, fun beach read!
July 23, 2026
Oooh oooh! This was great!!!!
Welcome Party is an absolute page-turner! Samantha Vérant has a gift for creating characters who feel so real that you slip effortlessly into their suburban lives. But, as always, things aren’t quite what they seem under those Lululemon’s!!!
With perfectly paced suspense, unexpected twists, and a cast of engaging, believable characters, I found myself constantly questioning what would happen next. And if the nosy HOA bitch was … the one….or if she’d get shown the exit gate at the Enclave in a body bag ;)
Every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery, and I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Downloaded on kindle, and took with me on audible to finish, I was hooked!
What I especially love about Samantha’s writing is that her intellect and wit shine through every page. She has a wonderful ability to weave sharp observations and humor into the story, making even the most suspenseful moments feel rich, authentic, and thoroughly entertaining.
If you love character-driven suspense with clever plot twists, memorable characters, and an author whose intelligence and humor elevate every chapter, Welcome Party belongs on your reading list. Another fantastic novel from Samantha Vérant!
Welcome Party is an absolute page-turner! Samantha Vérant has a gift for creating characters who feel so real that you slip effortlessly into their suburban lives. But, as always, things aren’t quite what they seem under those Lululemon’s!!!
With perfectly paced suspense, unexpected twists, and a cast of engaging, believable characters, I found myself constantly questioning what would happen next. And if the nosy HOA bitch was … the one….or if she’d get shown the exit gate at the Enclave in a body bag ;)
Every chapter pulled me deeper into the mystery, and I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Downloaded on kindle, and took with me on audible to finish, I was hooked!
What I especially love about Samantha’s writing is that her intellect and wit shine through every page. She has a wonderful ability to weave sharp observations and humor into the story, making even the most suspenseful moments feel rich, authentic, and thoroughly entertaining.
If you love character-driven suspense with clever plot twists, memorable characters, and an author whose intelligence and humor elevate every chapter, Welcome Party belongs on your reading list. Another fantastic novel from Samantha Vérant!
May 25, 2026
I received The Welcome Party by Samantha Vérant as an ARC. Thank you to Samantha Vérant, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review!
The Welcome Party is a dark, twisty domestic thriller about Amanda Kensington, whose husband has told her he’d kill her before he’d ever divorce her—and she believes him. As Amanda secretly plans her escape, a new woman in their exclusive lakeside community becomes dangerously obsessed with Amanda’s life, her home, and especially her husband. When secrets begin surfacing alongside a body found in the lake, everything quickly spirals.
This was my first book by Samantha Vérant, and I absolutely adored it. From start to finish, this book completely held my attention. I loved the multiple POVs, the fast pacing, and all the tension woven throughout the story. One small detail I especially enjoyed was the way each chapter began—it added such a fun, unique touch to the reading experience.
The Welcome Party is a dark, twisty domestic thriller about Amanda Kensington, whose husband has told her he’d kill her before he’d ever divorce her—and she believes him. As Amanda secretly plans her escape, a new woman in their exclusive lakeside community becomes dangerously obsessed with Amanda’s life, her home, and especially her husband. When secrets begin surfacing alongside a body found in the lake, everything quickly spirals.
This was my first book by Samantha Vérant, and I absolutely adored it. From start to finish, this book completely held my attention. I loved the multiple POVs, the fast pacing, and all the tension woven throughout the story. One small detail I especially enjoyed was the way each chapter began—it added such a fun, unique touch to the reading experience.
May 19, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read from Samantha Vérant and it was a pretty good read. I do love a thriller and this one I rather enjoyed.
I liked the multiples POVs, sometimes I did get a little confused as to who was talking but I’d say that’s a me problem as that tends to happen when I read multiple POV books. I liked seeing the same story from 3 different angles as it let you find out more details that were crucial to the end of the story. I certainly had no idea who the killer was until we got to the last few chapters where it’s revealed.
There are motives for each of the multiple suspects and it makes it hard to try and figure out whodunnit!
I liked Vérants writing style, it was fast paced and engaging. I loved the short chapters, it makes it so much easier to read “just one more chapter”.
This was a great thriller read and I’d recommend to those who love a good thriller.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC read in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the multiples POVs, sometimes I did get a little confused as to who was talking but I’d say that’s a me problem as that tends to happen when I read multiple POV books. I liked seeing the same story from 3 different angles as it let you find out more details that were crucial to the end of the story. I certainly had no idea who the killer was until we got to the last few chapters where it’s revealed.
There are motives for each of the multiple suspects and it makes it hard to try and figure out whodunnit!
I liked Vérants writing style, it was fast paced and engaging. I loved the short chapters, it makes it so much easier to read “just one more chapter”.
This was a great thriller read and I’d recommend to those who love a good thriller.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC read in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2026
3.75 stars
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All thoughts are my own.
This thriller grabbed my attention from the very first chapter and kept me engaged. . Every new revelation made me rethink what I believed, and kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I was wrong lol..
If you enjoy fast paced psychological thrillers filled with unexpected twists and plenty of suspense, this is one I would definitely recommend.
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Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All thoughts are my own.
This thriller grabbed my attention from the very first chapter and kept me engaged. . Every new revelation made me rethink what I believed, and kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I was wrong lol..
If you enjoy fast paced psychological thrillers filled with unexpected twists and plenty of suspense, this is one I would definitely recommend.
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July 13, 2026
Thank you @netgalley for the review copy.
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I devoured this book in just one day because I couldn't put it down.
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The story follows an abusive husband, his wife, a mysterious woman, and a nosy lakeside community. The mystery starts when one of the neighbours finds a severed hand washed up on the beach, and from there everything just gets more interesting.
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One thing I really liked was how every chapter starts with a song title and artist. I thought that was such a unique touch. I also enjoyed the humor, especially whenever Nancy, the nosy neighbour, was involved. She definitely made me annoyed.
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The book is fast paced, well written, and really easy to follow. And the revenge? Absolutely brilliant. Then that ending...I literally sat there thinking, "Wait, what??"
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If you're looking for a thriller that's entertaining, easy to read, and keeps you turning the pages, I'd definitely recommend this one.
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I devoured this book in just one day because I couldn't put it down.
.
The story follows an abusive husband, his wife, a mysterious woman, and a nosy lakeside community. The mystery starts when one of the neighbours finds a severed hand washed up on the beach, and from there everything just gets more interesting.
.
One thing I really liked was how every chapter starts with a song title and artist. I thought that was such a unique touch. I also enjoyed the humor, especially whenever Nancy, the nosy neighbour, was involved. She definitely made me annoyed.
.
The book is fast paced, well written, and really easy to follow. And the revenge? Absolutely brilliant. Then that ending...I literally sat there thinking, "Wait, what??"
.
If you're looking for a thriller that's entertaining, easy to read, and keeps you turning the pages, I'd definitely recommend this one.
July 16, 2026
“We didn’t kill him. We just survived him.”
3.5 ⭐️
Amanda feels stuck in her loveless marriage & begins plotting a way to escape her dangerous husband.
Living in a prestigious neighborhood, they put on a show to everyone around them. But there’s been someone watching every move they make & when a severed hand is discovered in the lake, nothing will ever be the same again.
What to expect:
🏡 Multi POV
🎆 Fast-paced
🏡 Thriller
🎆 Suburban noir
🏡 Unreliable female narrators
🎆 Unlikely allies
🏡 Neighborhood secrets
Thoughts:
The audiobook was hard to follow - jumping to different POVs without clearly telling us whose perspective we were listening to each time.
3.5 ⭐️
Amanda feels stuck in her loveless marriage & begins plotting a way to escape her dangerous husband.
Living in a prestigious neighborhood, they put on a show to everyone around them. But there’s been someone watching every move they make & when a severed hand is discovered in the lake, nothing will ever be the same again.
What to expect:
🏡 Multi POV
🎆 Fast-paced
🏡 Thriller
🎆 Suburban noir
🏡 Unreliable female narrators
🎆 Unlikely allies
🏡 Neighborhood secrets
Thoughts:
The audiobook was hard to follow - jumping to different POVs without clearly telling us whose perspective we were listening to each time.
May 21, 2026
This was my first book by Samantha Vérant and as a huge thriller fan I was really excited to read it — thankfully it didn’t disappoint! I genuinely struggled to put it down.
I liked that it wasn’t just the standard “businessman husband having an affair” type thriller, and some of the twists really caught me off guard. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed after the main event because it felt like there could’ve been more to explore.
Overall though, a really gripping read and an easy 4⭐ for me. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
I liked that it wasn’t just the standard “businessman husband having an affair” type thriller, and some of the twists really caught me off guard. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed after the main event because it felt like there could’ve been more to explore.
Overall though, a really gripping read and an easy 4⭐ for me. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
July 19, 2026
I really enjoyed this one from start to finish. The premise grabbed me right away, and I liked how the story kept building with twists that were surprising without feeling over-the-top. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something new came along to make me question my assumptions.
The characters and the tension kept me invested, and it was an easy book to fly through. My only small criticism is that the title didn't really make sense to me after finishing the book—it doesn't feel like it fully captures what the story is actually about.
Overall, this was a fun, twisty thriller with an engaging premise and enough surprises to keep me hooked. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy suspense that keeps you guessing.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters and the tension kept me invested, and it was an easy book to fly through. My only small criticism is that the title didn't really make sense to me after finishing the book—it doesn't feel like it fully captures what the story is actually about.
Overall, this was a fun, twisty thriller with an engaging premise and enough surprises to keep me hooked. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy suspense that keeps you guessing.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2026
oh what an absolutely horrific read! for instance it was predictable, I despised all characters, no redeeming qualities at all.
May 19, 2026
ARC Review from Netgalley:
The Welcome Party completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Samantha Verant threw another twist my way. The tension kept building, the atmosphere was unsettling in the best way, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. A fast-paced thriller with secrets, drama, and plenty of surprises. definitely a 5 star read for me!
The Welcome Party completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Samantha Verant threw another twist my way. The tension kept building, the atmosphere was unsettling in the best way, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. A fast-paced thriller with secrets, drama, and plenty of surprises. definitely a 5 star read for me!
July 16, 2026
THE WELCOME PARTY BY THE AMAZING SAMANTHA VERANT
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
The cover 🔥
Samantha is an auto read for me.
Always so excited when she brings a new book out
Captivating
Thrilling
Page turner
Just brilliant.
Bring on the next one ☺
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
The cover 🔥
Samantha is an auto read for me.
Always so excited when she brings a new book out
Captivating
Thrilling
Page turner
Just brilliant.
Bring on the next one ☺
Read
July 10, 2026The Welcome Party has multiple points of view, including Amanda (the wife), Hilary (the new neighbor/mistress) and Detective Kelly (the police). Amanda and Hilary have secrets but are strong female characters. Amanda desperately wants out of her marriage and Hilary desperately wants revenge. As they each devise a plan that includes the other, they find a way to work together to get what they want. This was a quick and exciting read, even though a few of the situations seemed a bit unbelievable. I was still very excited to watch the story unfold and see what happened with each twist and turn.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for the ARC of The Welcome Party in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Publication Date: 7.8.26
Genre: Psychological Thriller and Domestic Suspense
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for the ARC of The Welcome Party in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Publication Date: 7.8.26
Genre: Psychological Thriller and Domestic Suspense
July 8, 2026
I liked the multiple POVs and thought it was done in a way that did not make it confusing. I was engaged with the story right from the start, getting caught up in the drama just like the residents of The Enclave! I would definitely recommend this book to fans of thrillers, especially those who appreciate a story like The Housemaid or similarly marriage-related material with twist!
June 3, 2026
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
Unfortunately I was not a fan of this book, which means I appear to be in the minority. The summary sounded intriguing but I felt the plot fell short and was very similar to many other books I have read. I struggled connecting to Hilary and Amanda and felt their characters were underdeveloped. Detective Kelly’s chapters were the only points in which it felt like the plot was moving.
Overall, not for me but I can see elements that other readers will probably enjoy, including multiple POVs, revenge plots, and twists.
Unfortunately I was not a fan of this book, which means I appear to be in the minority. The summary sounded intriguing but I felt the plot fell short and was very similar to many other books I have read. I struggled connecting to Hilary and Amanda and felt their characters were underdeveloped. Detective Kelly’s chapters were the only points in which it felt like the plot was moving.
Overall, not for me but I can see elements that other readers will probably enjoy, including multiple POVs, revenge plots, and twists.
May 12, 2026
I seem to be in the minority by not caring for this book. I love a good domestic thriller featuring an upper echelon neighborhood, but this one didn’t do it for me. I don’t think the story flowed very well, the reason for one character’s disdain for another is so thin, and it was just kind of a jumble. I liked the premise, but this one is not my favorite.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Samantha Vérant’s The Welcome Party was a solid 3.5⭐️ domestic thriller for me, easy to read, well-paced, with short chapters and really accessible writing that made it a quick and engaging one to get through.
It was a nice little touch that every chapter opened with a song title and artist, which seemed to subtly hint at the mood or direction of each chapter, giving it that “soundtrack” feel that might work well for readers who like listening to music while they read.
The Enclave, an exclusive lakeside community, is a setting I really liked. It has this slightly eerie undertone that works almost like a mirror for the story’s secrets, where everything looks calm and polished on the surface but there’s definitely more going on underneath. The homes have that idyllic, picture-perfect feel, where everyone seems to be living these manicured lives, but there’s clearly an undercurrent of tension and hidden truths just beneath it all.
While it definitely sits in familiar domestic thriller territory, I did enjoy the underlying obsession and fixation running through it, especially the way things slowly start to connect and overlap. The author also does a good job of building tension through shifting perspectives, with this constant feeling that everyone is being watched or kept an eye on by someone else, which adds a slightly creepy edge to it all.
All in all, it was still an enjoyable read, even if it didn’t quite bring anything especially new to the genre for me. I just found myself wanting a bit more impact, or that extra “something” to really make it stand out.
Still, I think this would work well for fans of domestic noir and psychological thrillers with messy relationships, unreliable narrators, nosy neighbours, community secrets, and that very Desperate Housewives-style suburban drama.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was a nice little touch that every chapter opened with a song title and artist, which seemed to subtly hint at the mood or direction of each chapter, giving it that “soundtrack” feel that might work well for readers who like listening to music while they read.
The Enclave, an exclusive lakeside community, is a setting I really liked. It has this slightly eerie undertone that works almost like a mirror for the story’s secrets, where everything looks calm and polished on the surface but there’s definitely more going on underneath. The homes have that idyllic, picture-perfect feel, where everyone seems to be living these manicured lives, but there’s clearly an undercurrent of tension and hidden truths just beneath it all.
While it definitely sits in familiar domestic thriller territory, I did enjoy the underlying obsession and fixation running through it, especially the way things slowly start to connect and overlap. The author also does a good job of building tension through shifting perspectives, with this constant feeling that everyone is being watched or kept an eye on by someone else, which adds a slightly creepy edge to it all.
All in all, it was still an enjoyable read, even if it didn’t quite bring anything especially new to the genre for me. I just found myself wanting a bit more impact, or that extra “something” to really make it stand out.
Still, I think this would work well for fans of domestic noir and psychological thrillers with messy relationships, unreliable narrators, nosy neighbours, community secrets, and that very Desperate Housewives-style suburban drama.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Welcome Party is a dark, addictive suburban thriller that sinks its hooks in from the very first chapter. Amanda Kensington’s life looks polished from the outside—exclusive lakeside community, beautiful home, charming husband—but the truth is far more dangerous. Her husband’s threats are real, the bruises are hidden, and her escape plan is the only thing keeping her going. But before she can slip free, someone else begins circling her life with unnerving precision.
The newcomer is brilliant, driven, and far too interested in Amanda’s marriage. She watches the house, studies the husband, inserts herself into the neighbourhood with a confidence that feels almost rehearsed. The unsettling part is how long she’s been watching—years, not weeks—and how carefully she’s chosen her moment to step into Amanda’s world.
The story unfolds through three women’s perspectives: the wife desperate to escape, the detective trying to untangle the truth, and the obsessive neighbour whose motives shift like shadows on the lake. As secrets rise to the surface—along with a body—the tension tightens beautifully. The neighbourhood’s perfect façade cracks, revealing the rot beneath the manicured lawns and polite smiles.
What makes the book so gripping is the way it blends toxic marriage, suburban noir, and unreliable narration into something sharp and compulsive. Every chapter adds a new layer of suspicion, and by the time Amanda’s daughter goes missing, the story has become a breathless race through lies, alliances, and the dark corners of a community that watches everything.
Twisty, atmospheric, and deliciously unsettling, The Welcome Party is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the final page. Perfect for readers who love messy secrets, dangerous marriages, and neighbourhoods where everyone is hiding something.
With thanks to Samantha Verant, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The newcomer is brilliant, driven, and far too interested in Amanda’s marriage. She watches the house, studies the husband, inserts herself into the neighbourhood with a confidence that feels almost rehearsed. The unsettling part is how long she’s been watching—years, not weeks—and how carefully she’s chosen her moment to step into Amanda’s world.
The story unfolds through three women’s perspectives: the wife desperate to escape, the detective trying to untangle the truth, and the obsessive neighbour whose motives shift like shadows on the lake. As secrets rise to the surface—along with a body—the tension tightens beautifully. The neighbourhood’s perfect façade cracks, revealing the rot beneath the manicured lawns and polite smiles.
What makes the book so gripping is the way it blends toxic marriage, suburban noir, and unreliable narration into something sharp and compulsive. Every chapter adds a new layer of suspicion, and by the time Amanda’s daughter goes missing, the story has become a breathless race through lies, alliances, and the dark corners of a community that watches everything.
Twisty, atmospheric, and deliciously unsettling, The Welcome Party is a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the final page. Perfect for readers who love messy secrets, dangerous marriages, and neighbourhoods where everyone is hiding something.
With thanks to Samantha Verant, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
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