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The Birthday Weekend
Dear Louise. It’s time we all put the past behind us. We’re meeting for my birthday. I want you there. Love, Amy. X
When Louise receives an invitation to her old friend Amy’s birthday weekend in a cottage next to the woods near their old university campus, a chill runs down her spine.
Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into those same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed her friends. They’ve not met as a group since. Until now.
As the party gets underway and old grudges are uncovered, a game of truth or dare is proposed. It’s clear one person has questions about their friend’s death – and now they want answers. And nothing will stop them.
When everyone has buried secrets, digging for the truth is going to get dangerous.
A gripping and addictive psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages, for fans of Gillian Flynn, Teresa Driscoll and Ruth Ware.
When Louise receives an invitation to her old friend Amy’s birthday weekend in a cottage next to the woods near their old university campus, a chill runs down her spine.
Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into those same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed her friends. They’ve not met as a group since. Until now.
As the party gets underway and old grudges are uncovered, a game of truth or dare is proposed. It’s clear one person has questions about their friend’s death – and now they want answers. And nothing will stop them.
When everyone has buried secrets, digging for the truth is going to get dangerous.
A gripping and addictive psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages, for fans of Gillian Flynn, Teresa Driscoll and Ruth Ware.
220 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2020
214 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Sanderson
13 books120 followersLesley Sanderson spends her days writing in coffee shops in Kings Cross where she lives and also works as a librarian in a multicultural school. She has lived and worked in Paris and speaks four languages.
She attended the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize.
Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has since been hooked on psychological thrillers. She is particularly interested in the psychology of female relationships.
Follow Lesley Sanderson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesleysande...
She attended the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize.
Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has since been hooked on psychological thrillers. She is particularly interested in the psychology of female relationships.
Follow Lesley Sanderson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesleysande...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
December 29, 2020
EXCERPT: I go back downstairs. Daisy is in the kitchen with Amy. They both look startled to see me, as if I've disturbed something.
'What's up?' Daisy's posture is rigid and Amy is twisting a curl around her finger.
'You tell her,' Daisy says.
'It's Sam,' Amy says. 'He's going to be arriving much later than he said.'
'That's okay,' I say. 'We already knew that, and it doesn't really matter -'
'No, it isn't okay.' Daisy's sharp tone takes me by surprise, makes me flinch.
'Sorry.' I hold up my hands. 'Nothing to do with me.'
'It's not that,' Amy says. 'It's the reason he's late. He isn't working, like he said he was.'
'I don't understand.'
'He's at the police station.'
'Oh no.' I sit down with a bump on the hard wooden chair. Images of police cars, ambulances, a broken body flash into my mind. 'Has he had an accident?'
'He's been called in to answer some questions.' Amy looks at me as she says this, and a chill envelops my body. I know what she's going to say. Hannah. The journalist. Blackwood Forest. My mind is on fast-forward, willing her to spit it out. 'About what he was doing the day Hannah disappeared.'
ABOUT 'THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND': Dear Louise. It’s time we all put the past behind us. We’re meeting for my birthday. I want you there. Love, Amy. X
When Louise receives an invitation to her old friend Amy’s birthday weekend in a cottage next to the woods near their old university campus, a chill runs down her spine.
Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into those same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed her friends. They’ve not met as a group since. Until now.
As the party gets underway and old grudges are uncovered, a game of truth or dare is proposed. It’s clear one person has questions about their friend’s death – and now they want answers. And nothing will stop them.
When everyone has buried secrets, digging for the truth is going to get dangerous.
MY THOUGHTS: Better than average, but not great.
Amy, Kat, Louise and Daisy were a tight bunch at university, along with Hannah whose death was ruled a suicide. For Louise, going to university was a big adventure. For Kat, it was the chance to escape a miserable home life. Amy had a passion for knowledge. Daisy wanted to be on stage, the star of the show. All Hannah had ever wanted was to be loved. These five gravitated towards one another and formed a tight knit group until Hannah's death. Although her death is ruled a suicide, and this suits each of them for one reason or another, none of them have ever really believed it.
The thing that I had most difficulty with was that if they were all so close, wouldn't they have turned to each other for support after Hannah's death? 'They've never met as a group since.' I find that more than odd. And they've never talked about it together? Really? That is just downright strange! Even stranger, Louise has never told her husband Theo about Hannah's death. This is a major life event! Could you just blithely sail on through the rest of your life and never mention your friend's name again? I couldn't.
Then there's a journalist who is introduced into the story and then . . . nothing. What was the point?
I guessed reasonably early on who was responsible for Hannah's death, and I was mostly right, but there was an unexpected twist to the denouement.
I mostly enjoyed The Birthday Weekend, but it doesn't measure up to the two other books I have read by this author.
The Birthday Weekend was originally to have been released as Our Little Secret but has undergone a prepublication title change.
⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheBirthdayWeekend #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Lesley attended the Curtis Brown Creative 6 month novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 The Orchid Girls (then On The Edge) was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize. (Amazon)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Birthday Weekend by Lesley Sanderson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'What's up?' Daisy's posture is rigid and Amy is twisting a curl around her finger.
'You tell her,' Daisy says.
'It's Sam,' Amy says. 'He's going to be arriving much later than he said.'
'That's okay,' I say. 'We already knew that, and it doesn't really matter -'
'No, it isn't okay.' Daisy's sharp tone takes me by surprise, makes me flinch.
'Sorry.' I hold up my hands. 'Nothing to do with me.'
'It's not that,' Amy says. 'It's the reason he's late. He isn't working, like he said he was.'
'I don't understand.'
'He's at the police station.'
'Oh no.' I sit down with a bump on the hard wooden chair. Images of police cars, ambulances, a broken body flash into my mind. 'Has he had an accident?'
'He's been called in to answer some questions.' Amy looks at me as she says this, and a chill envelops my body. I know what she's going to say. Hannah. The journalist. Blackwood Forest. My mind is on fast-forward, willing her to spit it out. 'About what he was doing the day Hannah disappeared.'
ABOUT 'THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND': Dear Louise. It’s time we all put the past behind us. We’re meeting for my birthday. I want you there. Love, Amy. X
When Louise receives an invitation to her old friend Amy’s birthday weekend in a cottage next to the woods near their old university campus, a chill runs down her spine.
Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into those same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed her friends. They’ve not met as a group since. Until now.
As the party gets underway and old grudges are uncovered, a game of truth or dare is proposed. It’s clear one person has questions about their friend’s death – and now they want answers. And nothing will stop them.
When everyone has buried secrets, digging for the truth is going to get dangerous.
MY THOUGHTS: Better than average, but not great.
Amy, Kat, Louise and Daisy were a tight bunch at university, along with Hannah whose death was ruled a suicide. For Louise, going to university was a big adventure. For Kat, it was the chance to escape a miserable home life. Amy had a passion for knowledge. Daisy wanted to be on stage, the star of the show. All Hannah had ever wanted was to be loved. These five gravitated towards one another and formed a tight knit group until Hannah's death. Although her death is ruled a suicide, and this suits each of them for one reason or another, none of them have ever really believed it.
The thing that I had most difficulty with was that if they were all so close, wouldn't they have turned to each other for support after Hannah's death? 'They've never met as a group since.' I find that more than odd. And they've never talked about it together? Really? That is just downright strange! Even stranger, Louise has never told her husband Theo about Hannah's death. This is a major life event! Could you just blithely sail on through the rest of your life and never mention your friend's name again? I couldn't.
Then there's a journalist who is introduced into the story and then . . . nothing. What was the point?
I guessed reasonably early on who was responsible for Hannah's death, and I was mostly right, but there was an unexpected twist to the denouement.
I mostly enjoyed The Birthday Weekend, but it doesn't measure up to the two other books I have read by this author.
The Birthday Weekend was originally to have been released as Our Little Secret but has undergone a prepublication title change.
⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheBirthdayWeekend #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Lesley attended the Curtis Brown Creative 6 month novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 The Orchid Girls (then On The Edge) was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize. (Amazon)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Birthday Weekend by Lesley Sanderson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 20, 2020
The Birthday Weekend grabbed my attention from the first page. The story is told from Louise’s perspective. She considered herself to be Hannah’s best friend, so thought she knew her the best. After discussing Hannah she starts to question if she actually knew her at all. All the women come into the weekend with complicated home situations. There is also drama and strained relationships between some of the friends. I loved the suspense throughout the book. Sanderson did a great job building up to the revelation at the end. None of the characters are how they seem, which made it impossible for the reader to guess what happened.
I recommend The Birthday Weekend for fans of thrillers focused on groups of women.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for The Birthday Weekend.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
I recommend The Birthday Weekend for fans of thrillers focused on groups of women.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for The Birthday Weekend.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
December 28, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. This story pulled me in from the beginning. Louise is invited to a birthday weekend to celebrate not only the birthday of a dear friend, but also to remember a friend that died tragically. Hannah’s death is shrouded with mystery and suspicion. Long, hidden secrets must be revealed to get to the truth of what really happened when Hannah disappeared. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded leading down a winding path of twists and turns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Merged review:
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. This story pulled me in from the beginning. Louise is invited to a birthday weekend to celebrate not only the birthday of a dear friend, but also to remember a friend that died tragically. Hannah’s death is shrouded with mystery and suspicion. Long, hidden secrets must be revealed to get to the truth of what really happened when Hannah disappeared. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded leading down a winding path of twists and turns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Merged review:
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. This story pulled me in from the beginning. Louise is invited to a birthday weekend to celebrate not only the birthday of a dear friend, but also to remember a friend that died tragically. Hannah’s death is shrouded with mystery and suspicion. Long, hidden secrets must be revealed to get to the truth of what really happened when Hannah disappeared. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded leading down a winding path of twists and turns. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 16, 2020
When Louise receives a birthday invitation to her old friend Amy's birthday weekend in a cottage next to the woods near their university campus, a chill runs down her spine. Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into the same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed the friends. As the party gets underway, a game of truth or dare is proposed. Everyone has buried secrets but is digging for the truth going to get dangerous?
This us a bit of a slow burner that felt a bit disjointed for the first half of the book. A lot of the plot is predictable and the characters were hard to like. The second half of the book was much better although the ending was a bit rushed. When I got to the truth or dare game, it piqued my interest. There's not a lot of twists in this thriller but overall it was a quick and easy book to read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LesleySanderson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This us a bit of a slow burner that felt a bit disjointed for the first half of the book. A lot of the plot is predictable and the characters were hard to like. The second half of the book was much better although the ending was a bit rushed. When I got to the truth or dare game, it piqued my interest. There's not a lot of twists in this thriller but overall it was a quick and easy book to read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LesleySanderson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2022
Where the beginning was a little bit dull, the ending was surprisingly good!
Dutch review: https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2022...
Dutch review: https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2022...
December 19, 2020
When Louise receives an invitation to her old friend Amy’s birthday weekend in a cottage next to the woods near their old university campus, a chill runs down her spine as she recalls the unpleasant memories of that place.
Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into those same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed her friends. And they’ve not met as a group since then.
As the party gets underway and old grudges are uncovered, a game of truth or dare is proposed. When everyone has buried secrets, digging for the truth is going to get dangerous.
This was initially a slow burner but there are enough secrets to keep you engaged right till the end.
The main characters are well written, each suspicious in their own way, that you end up suspecting all of them. It was kind of difficult to believe that they were close friends at some point in life because their actions don’t seem to suggest that.
The twist at the end was kind of expected but the build up to it was good. The only thing I was curious about at the end of the book was about the journalist who was introduced in between.
Overall, an okay but twisted read.
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
Fifteen years ago, Hannah walked into those same woods and never came back. Her death destroyed her friends. And they’ve not met as a group since then.
As the party gets underway and old grudges are uncovered, a game of truth or dare is proposed. When everyone has buried secrets, digging for the truth is going to get dangerous.
This was initially a slow burner but there are enough secrets to keep you engaged right till the end.
The main characters are well written, each suspicious in their own way, that you end up suspecting all of them. It was kind of difficult to believe that they were close friends at some point in life because their actions don’t seem to suggest that.
The twist at the end was kind of expected but the build up to it was good. The only thing I was curious about at the end of the book was about the journalist who was introduced in between.
Overall, an okay but twisted read.
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
December 16, 2020
The Birthday Weekend is the latest standalone psychological thriller from Lesley Sanderson and tells a twisted tale of deceit, duplicity and the unravelling of devastating, long-held secrets and lies. When Louise receives an invitation to her old friend Amy’s birthday weekend in a cottage in the country, a chill runs down her spine. Of all the places they could go, why there? Why would they want to go anywhere near the scene of the worst thing that ever happened to them? In their final year of college, their friend Hannah, part of their close-knit gang of six, went missing. Her body was found in the woods near their campus, and her death was ruled a suicide. The remaining five dealt with their grief and guilt at not being able to save her by drifting apart, trying to put the past behind them. So why has Amy brought them back now? Over the course of the weekend, old loyalties are tested and shocking betrayals uncovered. Then a game of truth or dare is proposed. And it’s only a matter of time before someone dares to tell a secret that will shatter everything they thought they knew about Hannah’s death…
This weekend was supposed to bring them all back together. But the tragedy that drove them apart has resurfaced. And this time it will destroy them. This is a compulsive, absorbing and totally riveting read with a plot that grips you early on. It starts off at quite a brisk pace but Sanderson doesn't let the speed lead to a neglecting of character development and it has you racing along whipping through the pages. It is a terrifying and chilling psychological thriller that plays with your mind and is written in a gritty and gripping fashion to ensure you're engrossed from start to finish. There are many twists and some I found really shocking, which relate back to an incident many years ago. This is a superbly plotted read full of secrets, lies, betrayal and suspicion with an interesting focus on the nature of small-town gossip and how insidiously it can creep under a persons skin. It's an addictive and easy read to get into and is fast-paced, tense and exciting. If you enjoy menacing, tension-filled stories with killer climaxes then give this a try. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
This weekend was supposed to bring them all back together. But the tragedy that drove them apart has resurfaced. And this time it will destroy them. This is a compulsive, absorbing and totally riveting read with a plot that grips you early on. It starts off at quite a brisk pace but Sanderson doesn't let the speed lead to a neglecting of character development and it has you racing along whipping through the pages. It is a terrifying and chilling psychological thriller that plays with your mind and is written in a gritty and gripping fashion to ensure you're engrossed from start to finish. There are many twists and some I found really shocking, which relate back to an incident many years ago. This is a superbly plotted read full of secrets, lies, betrayal and suspicion with an interesting focus on the nature of small-town gossip and how insidiously it can creep under a persons skin. It's an addictive and easy read to get into and is fast-paced, tense and exciting. If you enjoy menacing, tension-filled stories with killer climaxes then give this a try. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
December 10, 2020
Review coming soon.
February 15, 2021
This was absolutely an entertaining, gripping story. I was saving the book for a naughty cozy afternoon, and Lesley Sanderson’s writing pulled me in. I tell ya, the lady was crafty with her words. She lured me.
4 friends met up after 15 years, and it was time to put to rest the spirit of an old friend, Hannah. But playing Truth Or Dare brought out more questions than answers.
The book started slow, and as a plot arc, it seemed most familiar. But as the pages turned, with tiny things coming to light about their dead friend, I got to know the dynamics of the group.
I liked how the author didn’t make these friends syrupy sticky, to begin with, during their college days. There was an ebb and flow to them, moments when they were close to one above the others, as it often happened in a group. At least it happened in my group of girls.
The last one third was explosive and curiosity really killed this cat, as I desperately wanted to know what happened to Hannah. It was quite an invigorating read. I played the part of a voyeur as I got more gossip than I intended.
So I would say, an afternoon well spent looking into the lives and minds of these women and a killer.
4 friends met up after 15 years, and it was time to put to rest the spirit of an old friend, Hannah. But playing Truth Or Dare brought out more questions than answers.
The book started slow, and as a plot arc, it seemed most familiar. But as the pages turned, with tiny things coming to light about their dead friend, I got to know the dynamics of the group.
I liked how the author didn’t make these friends syrupy sticky, to begin with, during their college days. There was an ebb and flow to them, moments when they were close to one above the others, as it often happened in a group. At least it happened in my group of girls.
The last one third was explosive and curiosity really killed this cat, as I desperately wanted to know what happened to Hannah. It was quite an invigorating read. I played the part of a voyeur as I got more gossip than I intended.
So I would say, an afternoon well spent looking into the lives and minds of these women and a killer.
December 16, 2020
The Birthday Weekend (originally titled Our Little Secret) by Lesley Sanderson is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Amy, having just survived from a cancer scare, is having a reunion of her old friends in a cottage she just inherited from her aunt. It is close to the college that they all attended. Louise, however, is not keen on attending, and neither are Kat nor Daisy, and Daisy's husband Sam wants no part of it either. It is too close to where their friend Hannah went missing, and her body found in the woods. Her death was ruled a suicide, but that may be wrong.
The six were once close, but things changed, and when Hannah died, they changed more.
They all have secrets about that time in their lives, and they all have guilt. A game of truth or dare sends everyone spiralling.
My Opinions:
Well, that was a pleasant surprise. It was an interesting tale of friendship, love, obsession, secrets, lies and deceit. Everyone had a secret, some buried real deep.
Even knowing that they had secrets, I found myself liking a number of the characters, and disliking a few immediately. Turned out I was correct in my assumptions, although the motive behind the death had escaped me. The author wrote believable characters, and that made the book feel real. I can see college students going their separate ways and trying to ignore a horrendous event. I can see it weighing them down, too.
I liked the setting of a cottage on the edge of the woods, and I liked the plot. I think the pace was a little slow at the beginning, but it certainly picked up speed.
Anyway, overall, this was a good book. Maybe not quite a 4 star, but close enough.
I will continue to read this author's books, because they keep improving.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including my reasons for choosing this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
November 24, 2020
This book focuses on Louise, who, along with her close knit group of friends form college, spend a weekend at their friend Amy's cottage near the area where the 6th member of their group, Hannah, allegedly killed herself years ago. Amy invited everyone because it was her birthday, but also because questions have arisen about whether Hannah's death was actually a suicide and Amy wants them to get together as a group and see if their collective memories can help piece together what really happened.
The book takes place over a period of a couple days. The first half of the book mostly sets the stage, and the 2nd half of the book moves at a faster clip as secrets are revealed and tensions are high. I got an idea of who the characters were and what they were like, but the characterization didn't quite gel for me. I found it hard to believe that none of them had ever talked about Hannah's death in the past, when they were supposed to be close friends and they all said this was the worst thing that ever happened to them. Louise hadn't ever even told her husband of many years about Hannah at all. I found that odd.
I had an idea of who the villain was but the way it unfolded still provided a few twists and made for an interesting climax to the story. I thought that more could have been done around the storyline with the journalist and the overall reasons for re-opening Hannah's case.
Overall, decent read with a pretty good ending, but didn't fully do it for me, based on my lack of connection with the characters and what felt like some missed opportunities. I give this a solid 3 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book takes place over a period of a couple days. The first half of the book mostly sets the stage, and the 2nd half of the book moves at a faster clip as secrets are revealed and tensions are high. I got an idea of who the characters were and what they were like, but the characterization didn't quite gel for me. I found it hard to believe that none of them had ever talked about Hannah's death in the past, when they were supposed to be close friends and they all said this was the worst thing that ever happened to them. Louise hadn't ever even told her husband of many years about Hannah at all. I found that odd.
I had an idea of who the villain was but the way it unfolded still provided a few twists and made for an interesting climax to the story. I thought that more could have been done around the storyline with the journalist and the overall reasons for re-opening Hannah's case.
Overall, decent read with a pretty good ending, but didn't fully do it for me, based on my lack of connection with the characters and what felt like some missed opportunities. I give this a solid 3 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Lesley Sanderson's newest thriller THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND (previously titled "Our Little Secret").
As I absolutely loved "The Woman at 46 Heath Street" I have since found any other book by Lesley Sanderson can't quite seem to live up to it's brilliance. So in saying that, it's kind of sets the standard somewhat high in that respect. However, that is not to say I didn't enjoy THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND. It was okay but not brilliant.
The story begins with Louise receiving an invitation to her old university friend Amy's birthday bash weekend in a cottage Amy has recently inherited from her aunt in Buckinghamshire. A chill runs down her spine. Of all places, Louise ponders, why here? For the cottage borders the Blackwood Forest...the very place where the worst thing that had ever happened to them occurred? Why did Amy want them to revisit such a place or such an event?
After battling breast cancer, Amy is now in remission and ready to celebrate her 35th birthday. But this time she intends to do something different instead of partying and getting wasted. The time has come, she believes, for her and her friends to confront what happened fifteen years ago in Blackwood Forest. Hannah Robinson was one of their closest friends and on the brink of achieving great things for herself, she then takes her own life. The question is why?
Today, each of Hannah's friends are still haunted by what happened to her and their possible involvement in what may or may not have contributed to her decision to end her life. Amy knows they all have secrets surrounding Hannah's death and she believes the time has come to face those secrets and bring closure to the events that have haunted them for so long. But does everyone share her new-found conviction?
As well as the prospect of facing her demons, Louise is also coming to terms with her relationship with Theo that has been on rocky ground since she discovered his recent affair. Theo had assured her it was over, the women was a colleague who no longer works with him and he was deeply sorry for what he had put her through. The two of them had been miserable apart and it took Louise a week to decide to give him another chance, and neither of them have looked back. Although there was always that niggle at the back of her mind. She trusts him...but should she really?
Now with this birthday weekend coming up, which will begin with all four women arriving first and the partners joining them on the Saturday for the celebrations, Louise and Theo look forward to some time together away from London's hustle and bustle.
When the four women - Louise, Amy, Kat and Daisy - reunite after so many years, they decide to set aside their fears and say goodbye to Hannah once and for all. At the place where she died. Which means entering the foreboding forest. Laying their flowers there they notice another fresh bunch, assuming it is from her family. But in the shadows they are being watched. Does someone know something else about Hannah's death?
Then it is revealed that new evidence has come to light which leads detectives to believe that Hannah's death was not a suicide as it had been ruled. But murder. And each of her friends are in the frame. In a group who are each hiding secrets, which of them harbours the biggest of all? Who killed Hannah? And why?
THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND is primarily told from Louise's perspective, with the exception of a few chapters towards the end, and the inclusion of several newspaper reports from 2005. So while we are seeing things play out through her eyes we tend to form an affinity with Louise and her perspective. But is her judgement clouded? She thought Hannah was her best friend but how well did she really know her? How well did any of them know her, it seems? And how well does she even know her friends?
There is an interesting dynamic between each of the friends as secrets are slowly uncovered through a random game of Truth or Dare. But was it random or a deliberate act to force everyone into revealing exactly what they are hiding?
For me the story started incredibly slow. So much so I was tempted to give up a few times...but the nagging mystery surround Hannah and her death kept me reading. It did gradually build in intensity while at the same time it was just a bunch of women reliving the past and their memories of Hannah...without revealing anything earth-shattering. It wasn't until the partners - Theo, Sam and Jade - arrived and Amy had set up an eerie shrine to Hannah in the sitting room to set the mood of the evening she had planned, that things really started to heat up. By this time it was about 60% in and, in my opinion, should have long snagged the reader's attention before this. But...it did get interesting at last.
There weren't a whole lot of twists or red herrings that you would expect along the way to keep the reader guessing and in the end, I thought the outcome was obvious...although not predictable (if that makes sense). But it was the truth or dare game that made things really interesting. That's where my interest piqued and I found I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.
Although I didn't become engaged till well into the story, I wouldn't rush to dismiss it. THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND is still a good thriller and a fairly quick read. I just prefer mine to grab me from the first page and not let up until the end...to the point I forget to eat or sleep...lol THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND was not that kind of read but it was still enjoyable for the most part.
Perfect for fans who enjoy a slow burning thriller. A solid 3 stars.
I would like to thank #LesleySanderson, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheBirthdayWeekend in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
As I absolutely loved "The Woman at 46 Heath Street" I have since found any other book by Lesley Sanderson can't quite seem to live up to it's brilliance. So in saying that, it's kind of sets the standard somewhat high in that respect. However, that is not to say I didn't enjoy THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND. It was okay but not brilliant.
The story begins with Louise receiving an invitation to her old university friend Amy's birthday bash weekend in a cottage Amy has recently inherited from her aunt in Buckinghamshire. A chill runs down her spine. Of all places, Louise ponders, why here? For the cottage borders the Blackwood Forest...the very place where the worst thing that had ever happened to them occurred? Why did Amy want them to revisit such a place or such an event?
After battling breast cancer, Amy is now in remission and ready to celebrate her 35th birthday. But this time she intends to do something different instead of partying and getting wasted. The time has come, she believes, for her and her friends to confront what happened fifteen years ago in Blackwood Forest. Hannah Robinson was one of their closest friends and on the brink of achieving great things for herself, she then takes her own life. The question is why?
Today, each of Hannah's friends are still haunted by what happened to her and their possible involvement in what may or may not have contributed to her decision to end her life. Amy knows they all have secrets surrounding Hannah's death and she believes the time has come to face those secrets and bring closure to the events that have haunted them for so long. But does everyone share her new-found conviction?
As well as the prospect of facing her demons, Louise is also coming to terms with her relationship with Theo that has been on rocky ground since she discovered his recent affair. Theo had assured her it was over, the women was a colleague who no longer works with him and he was deeply sorry for what he had put her through. The two of them had been miserable apart and it took Louise a week to decide to give him another chance, and neither of them have looked back. Although there was always that niggle at the back of her mind. She trusts him...but should she really?
Now with this birthday weekend coming up, which will begin with all four women arriving first and the partners joining them on the Saturday for the celebrations, Louise and Theo look forward to some time together away from London's hustle and bustle.
When the four women - Louise, Amy, Kat and Daisy - reunite after so many years, they decide to set aside their fears and say goodbye to Hannah once and for all. At the place where she died. Which means entering the foreboding forest. Laying their flowers there they notice another fresh bunch, assuming it is from her family. But in the shadows they are being watched. Does someone know something else about Hannah's death?
Then it is revealed that new evidence has come to light which leads detectives to believe that Hannah's death was not a suicide as it had been ruled. But murder. And each of her friends are in the frame. In a group who are each hiding secrets, which of them harbours the biggest of all? Who killed Hannah? And why?
THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND is primarily told from Louise's perspective, with the exception of a few chapters towards the end, and the inclusion of several newspaper reports from 2005. So while we are seeing things play out through her eyes we tend to form an affinity with Louise and her perspective. But is her judgement clouded? She thought Hannah was her best friend but how well did she really know her? How well did any of them know her, it seems? And how well does she even know her friends?
There is an interesting dynamic between each of the friends as secrets are slowly uncovered through a random game of Truth or Dare. But was it random or a deliberate act to force everyone into revealing exactly what they are hiding?
For me the story started incredibly slow. So much so I was tempted to give up a few times...but the nagging mystery surround Hannah and her death kept me reading. It did gradually build in intensity while at the same time it was just a bunch of women reliving the past and their memories of Hannah...without revealing anything earth-shattering. It wasn't until the partners - Theo, Sam and Jade - arrived and Amy had set up an eerie shrine to Hannah in the sitting room to set the mood of the evening she had planned, that things really started to heat up. By this time it was about 60% in and, in my opinion, should have long snagged the reader's attention before this. But...it did get interesting at last.
There weren't a whole lot of twists or red herrings that you would expect along the way to keep the reader guessing and in the end, I thought the outcome was obvious...although not predictable (if that makes sense). But it was the truth or dare game that made things really interesting. That's where my interest piqued and I found I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.
Although I didn't become engaged till well into the story, I wouldn't rush to dismiss it. THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND is still a good thriller and a fairly quick read. I just prefer mine to grab me from the first page and not let up until the end...to the point I forget to eat or sleep...lol THE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND was not that kind of read but it was still enjoyable for the most part.
Perfect for fans who enjoy a slow burning thriller. A solid 3 stars.
I would like to thank #LesleySanderson, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheBirthdayWeekend in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
November 18, 2020
A solid 4 star read!
A group of friends meet up for a reunion in a secluded cottage where one of their close friends disappeared and later found dead. They all want to put ghosts of their past behind and lay to rest what happened so many years ago. A game of truth or dare ensues, threatening to uncover their darkest secret…
Full of twisty little secrets, this gripped my attention from the get-go. Such an interesting premise and it did not disappoint. Very fast-paced and gripping till the very end. It’s like one of those closed-room mysteries with a foreboding sense of something sinister that’s about to go down. It reminded me quite a bit of ‘Pretty Little Liars’ but like an adult version of it. It sure is a page-turner and a very enjoyable read. I found the ending just a tad bit disappointing, but overall a very good read.
I received an eARC of #OurLittleSecrets via #Netgalley, author, and publishers. All opinions are my own. Pub Date 18th Dec, 20.
A group of friends meet up for a reunion in a secluded cottage where one of their close friends disappeared and later found dead. They all want to put ghosts of their past behind and lay to rest what happened so many years ago. A game of truth or dare ensues, threatening to uncover their darkest secret…
Full of twisty little secrets, this gripped my attention from the get-go. Such an interesting premise and it did not disappoint. Very fast-paced and gripping till the very end. It’s like one of those closed-room mysteries with a foreboding sense of something sinister that’s about to go down. It reminded me quite a bit of ‘Pretty Little Liars’ but like an adult version of it. It sure is a page-turner and a very enjoyable read. I found the ending just a tad bit disappointing, but overall a very good read.
I received an eARC of #OurLittleSecrets via #Netgalley, author, and publishers. All opinions are my own. Pub Date 18th Dec, 20.
July 14, 2022
A good quick read
December 16, 2020
This is a great read.
Louise receives an invite to a weekend away to celebrate a friend’s Birthday and realises it will be the first time her and her friends have all been together since University.
It’s clear something happened while they were at University together and this is gradually revealed as the story goes on.
Louise is having problems with Theo but invites him along for the Saturday evening along with the other partners of her friends.
It’s clear that all the group have secrets they’ve been keeping to themselves and I knew it was only a matter of time before they were revealed.
As one of their friends died whilst at University, Amy wants to get everyone together to remember her but the party does not go to plan and accusations are hurled around.
This is a gripping mystery thriller that definitely had me hooked.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Louise receives an invite to a weekend away to celebrate a friend’s Birthday and realises it will be the first time her and her friends have all been together since University.
It’s clear something happened while they were at University together and this is gradually revealed as the story goes on.
Louise is having problems with Theo but invites him along for the Saturday evening along with the other partners of her friends.
It’s clear that all the group have secrets they’ve been keeping to themselves and I knew it was only a matter of time before they were revealed.
As one of their friends died whilst at University, Amy wants to get everyone together to remember her but the party does not go to plan and accusations are hurled around.
This is a gripping mystery thriller that definitely had me hooked.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 18, 2020
This is my first book by Lesley Sanderson but one I certainly enjoyed. It started a little slowly. Also - and this is me being anal - the book opens with our lead (Louise) at netball training, and then talks about her team winning 3-nil. Perhaps it was a very short practice match / first team to three goals or something?!
We take a while to get to the death of the girls' university friend, Hannah but when we do we learn the story of her death quickly. It's the revelations that come after that are of most interest and eked out for the rest of the book. Of course we're in Lou's head so don't really know too much detail about the secrets the others hold but it's obvious that none of the girls, or Sam (former boyfriend of Hannah who ditched her for another of the group) were completely honest with the police during the investigation into Hannah's disappearance and then her death.
The (literal) 'game-playing' near the end to uncover secrets felt a little contrived so I was glad when that was dropped and everyone shared their stories. I didn't guess the twist around Hannah's death and thought the latter half of the book, when the paced picked up, was strong.
There's a subplot featuring Louise and her partner Theo. Sanderson's initially pretty subtle, referencing the 'before' and 'after'; but the theme around trusting someone who's cheated before is an interesting one and probably got a little lost amidst the mystery and then the drama of the end of the book.
3.5 stars
We take a while to get to the death of the girls' university friend, Hannah but when we do we learn the story of her death quickly. It's the revelations that come after that are of most interest and eked out for the rest of the book. Of course we're in Lou's head so don't really know too much detail about the secrets the others hold but it's obvious that none of the girls, or Sam (former boyfriend of Hannah who ditched her for another of the group) were completely honest with the police during the investigation into Hannah's disappearance and then her death.
The (literal) 'game-playing' near the end to uncover secrets felt a little contrived so I was glad when that was dropped and everyone shared their stories. I didn't guess the twist around Hannah's death and thought the latter half of the book, when the paced picked up, was strong.
There's a subplot featuring Louise and her partner Theo. Sanderson's initially pretty subtle, referencing the 'before' and 'after'; but the theme around trusting someone who's cheated before is an interesting one and probably got a little lost amidst the mystery and then the drama of the end of the book.
3.5 stars
December 11, 2020
The Birthday Weekend follows a group of friends meeting for a reunion at a cottage where one of their friends was found dead by suicide. This is the first book i’ve read by this author and I enjoyed it! The writing style reminds me of Laine Moriarty, whose books I really like. The beginning was a bit slow, It was hard to tap in to all the characters and get into the plot, but after halfway in when the group starts to play truth or dare, it was a page turner. I wanted to figure out what happened! It was full of secrets which get revealed in an satisfying way. Overall, this book was a lot of fun and a good read.
Thank you Netgalley for a digital copy of The Birthday Weekend
Thank you Netgalley for a digital copy of The Birthday Weekend
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April 27, 2021I am always up for stories of the “group of old school friends vaguely held together by horrible secret” variety. Unfortunately, while I was drawn in by the premise, this book turned out to be rather forgettable because it did not develop said trope well enough to make something out of it that differentiates this novel from all the similar ones out there. Neither the characters nor the twists and turns were memorable and the finale felt rather anticlimactic to me.
What I did enjoy was some interesting verbal imagery, like: “It’s sad how one experience can tarnish your view of the world. By the time I’d finished my final exam, the roots of the forest were creeping under my life and causing the earth to crack beneath my feet. I couldn’t wait to leave the area.” I’m a big fan of forest-y metaphors!
The Birthday Weekend provided me with a couple of hours of entertainment, and if you are looking for exactly that I can recommend it for a quick read, but it is not a book that stayed long with me after finishing it or that I will re-read. Rather quickly after finishing it, I noticed how I struggled to remember significant plot points and even tell the characters apart, since there was nothing that made them stand out from the veritable flood of other books like this (for example The Lying Game by Ruth Ware or Friend Request by Laura Marshall). Neither the friendships and romances in this book nor the unraveling of these relationships felt really impactful to me and I often had the impression I was reading a hastily put together sketch of a story rather than a finished product with fleshed-out characters and detailed scenes.
I will read another book or two by Lesley Sanderson, since the general ideas of her stories are interesting to me, and I am always looking for thriller/mystery writers but this one was rather disappointing in my opinion.
I thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!
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What I did enjoy was some interesting verbal imagery, like: “It’s sad how one experience can tarnish your view of the world. By the time I’d finished my final exam, the roots of the forest were creeping under my life and causing the earth to crack beneath my feet. I couldn’t wait to leave the area.” I’m a big fan of forest-y metaphors!
The Birthday Weekend provided me with a couple of hours of entertainment, and if you are looking for exactly that I can recommend it for a quick read, but it is not a book that stayed long with me after finishing it or that I will re-read. Rather quickly after finishing it, I noticed how I struggled to remember significant plot points and even tell the characters apart, since there was nothing that made them stand out from the veritable flood of other books like this (for example The Lying Game by Ruth Ware or Friend Request by Laura Marshall). Neither the friendships and romances in this book nor the unraveling of these relationships felt really impactful to me and I often had the impression I was reading a hastily put together sketch of a story rather than a finished product with fleshed-out characters and detailed scenes.
I will read another book or two by Lesley Sanderson, since the general ideas of her stories are interesting to me, and I am always looking for thriller/mystery writers but this one was rather disappointing in my opinion.
I thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!
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February 15, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the arc of the birthday weekend by Lesley Sanderson.
3 stars- This follows a group of old friends in which reunite after a whole mere 15 years!! When they was younger one of their friends hannah went missing and then was found dead.. then friendships were lost... Now there gonna all spend a weekend together due to the fact it is one of their birthdays, This is told through one of the friends called Louise's perspectives, Louise was Hannah's best friend back in college before she disappeared. The weekend will be hard for all of them but it needs to happen, to help with their trauma.. As they try and unravel there are twists and turns in the making..,
3 stars! ⭐⭐⭐ great read, recommend.
3 stars- This follows a group of old friends in which reunite after a whole mere 15 years!! When they was younger one of their friends hannah went missing and then was found dead.. then friendships were lost... Now there gonna all spend a weekend together due to the fact it is one of their birthdays, This is told through one of the friends called Louise's perspectives, Louise was Hannah's best friend back in college before she disappeared. The weekend will be hard for all of them but it needs to happen, to help with their trauma.. As they try and unravel there are twists and turns in the making..,
3 stars! ⭐⭐⭐ great read, recommend.
December 5, 2020
My Review:
Omg, omg, omg!!!!! What did I just read. This book was spectacular. Oh my what a twisted read this was. So this was my first book by Lesley Sanderson and she knocked this one out of the ballpark. I will definitely be reading more of her books. This was a stand alone novel.
This book was about a group of friends who came together after many years of being apart. Some of them still talked but some went their own way. As you see there was a tragedy long ago that separated them. It tore them straight to the core. But there was one member of the group that decided its been long enough and wanted to relive the past. So she got the group together and wow did the secrets spill out. What was this tragedy? How did that affect each member of the group? Will they finally learn the truth? You find these answers and so much more by the end.
I want to start off by saying how much I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. I had to know what was going to happen next before I could even eat or sleep. This book was just that good. Let’s talk about characters. Well I loved them all. They all had their own unique qualities that they brought to the table and it worked really well together. It really brought the book alive and I felt like I was part of their group. I felt what they were feeling. Now on to plot. The plot made this book for me too. I just love a book that has so many juicy secrets that they are ready to explode off the pages. Who doesn’t like to find out what someone is hiding, I know I do. But my favorite part of this book was that twisty ending. When you have that many people with that many secrets you better watch out. A cat fight waiting to happen. I loved how the book came together at the end and you finally got the answers on what happened so long ago.
Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Omg, omg, omg!!!!! What did I just read. This book was spectacular. Oh my what a twisted read this was. So this was my first book by Lesley Sanderson and she knocked this one out of the ballpark. I will definitely be reading more of her books. This was a stand alone novel.
This book was about a group of friends who came together after many years of being apart. Some of them still talked but some went their own way. As you see there was a tragedy long ago that separated them. It tore them straight to the core. But there was one member of the group that decided its been long enough and wanted to relive the past. So she got the group together and wow did the secrets spill out. What was this tragedy? How did that affect each member of the group? Will they finally learn the truth? You find these answers and so much more by the end.
I want to start off by saying how much I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. I had to know what was going to happen next before I could even eat or sleep. This book was just that good. Let’s talk about characters. Well I loved them all. They all had their own unique qualities that they brought to the table and it worked really well together. It really brought the book alive and I felt like I was part of their group. I felt what they were feeling. Now on to plot. The plot made this book for me too. I just love a book that has so many juicy secrets that they are ready to explode off the pages. Who doesn’t like to find out what someone is hiding, I know I do. But my favorite part of this book was that twisty ending. When you have that many people with that many secrets you better watch out. A cat fight waiting to happen. I loved how the book came together at the end and you finally got the answers on what happened so long ago.
Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 27, 2020
5/5
A book I enjoyed from the first line all the way through.
The Birthday Weekend is a novel where a group of old university friends will be meeting up for a birthday weekend in a cottage in the country, close to their university. This area, also, happens to be where something terrible happened during their last year of university, and has forever changed them. This weekend is meant as a birthday celebration, and a chance to set things straight about what really happened.
Now for my review... I really enjoyed the plot. It was well set-up, and well executed. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down. The ending definitely had me surprised. I'm always worried that I'll give away a piece of the story, so I'll do my best to be careful here. I had a feeling that certain things would be uncovered, but I had no idea who would be behind these things, nor the motive behind it. Sanderson has found a way to develop a thriller that is both addictive and challenges the mind as you go through the twist and turns to reach the conclusion.
I would also like to say that I enjoyed the portrayal of characters in this novel. It is told in the perspective of Louise and you really got to know her more deeply, as well as her opinions and perspectives of her old friends. There was an interesting dynamic between each of the group members, and it slowly became uncovered the events that led up to their dynamic being this way. The rest of the characters developed nicely and you really got a feel for them as the story progressed.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more of this author's work!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review!
A book I enjoyed from the first line all the way through.
The Birthday Weekend is a novel where a group of old university friends will be meeting up for a birthday weekend in a cottage in the country, close to their university. This area, also, happens to be where something terrible happened during their last year of university, and has forever changed them. This weekend is meant as a birthday celebration, and a chance to set things straight about what really happened.
Now for my review... I really enjoyed the plot. It was well set-up, and well executed. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put it down. The ending definitely had me surprised. I'm always worried that I'll give away a piece of the story, so I'll do my best to be careful here. I had a feeling that certain things would be uncovered, but I had no idea who would be behind these things, nor the motive behind it. Sanderson has found a way to develop a thriller that is both addictive and challenges the mind as you go through the twist and turns to reach the conclusion.
I would also like to say that I enjoyed the portrayal of characters in this novel. It is told in the perspective of Louise and you really got to know her more deeply, as well as her opinions and perspectives of her old friends. There was an interesting dynamic between each of the group members, and it slowly became uncovered the events that led up to their dynamic being this way. The rest of the characters developed nicely and you really got a feel for them as the story progressed.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more of this author's work!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review!
November 22, 2020
Books about groups of friends hiding secrets and exposing past lies rely greatly on the characters and their interactions. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with a single one here. After kicking cancer, Amy throws herself a birthday party. She invites all her friends from college, including the narrator Louise, and plans a remembrance of their friend Hannah, who disappeared and was then found dead by her own hand. Now, the reader imagines that it was not so straightforward and that by the end of the novel we’ll find out what really happened. It’s hard to give a bad review, since it must be very hard to write a novel but I found the plot predictable and the dialogues too contrived. There is an absurd amount of attention paid to drinks, be it water or cocktails, and other details that don’t add anything to the story. I’m glad to see other reviewers liked this novel, it was not for me.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bookouture!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bookouture!
December 18, 2020
Amy, Lou, Kat and Daisy, the only one missing is Hannah. Although absent her presence hangs heavy over all of them as they gather for a birthday reunion.
Then there is Sam the catalyst of their friendships become awkward after dumping Hannah and going off with Daisy.
Amy is the lynchpin of the group keeping them all updated on each other’s lives. Having recently recovered from cancer they all agree to attend the reunion, despite their misgivings. Returning to the location of Hannah’s suicide, and with a podcast about to explore mental health wanting their involvement, long buried secrets are about to be unearthed.
Wow did the tension simmer in this book, although friends you get the distinct impression that not all is well in the group. Secrets kept, lies told, bitterness due to old loyalties. This book has it all going on. How well do they really know each other? Not one bit as it turns out.
I flew through this book, the pacing is so fast and the chapters short and snappy that before I knew it I was half way through. The characters all have their own distinct voices, personalities and issues.
The nearby woods add an almost ghostly presence and the growing tension absolutely explodes in a nail biting finale.
Then there is Sam the catalyst of their friendships become awkward after dumping Hannah and going off with Daisy.
Amy is the lynchpin of the group keeping them all updated on each other’s lives. Having recently recovered from cancer they all agree to attend the reunion, despite their misgivings. Returning to the location of Hannah’s suicide, and with a podcast about to explore mental health wanting their involvement, long buried secrets are about to be unearthed.
Wow did the tension simmer in this book, although friends you get the distinct impression that not all is well in the group. Secrets kept, lies told, bitterness due to old loyalties. This book has it all going on. How well do they really know each other? Not one bit as it turns out.
I flew through this book, the pacing is so fast and the chapters short and snappy that before I knew it I was half way through. The characters all have their own distinct voices, personalities and issues.
The nearby woods add an almost ghostly presence and the growing tension absolutely explodes in a nail biting finale.
November 13, 2020
After battling cancer, Amy is now in remission and ready to celebrate her birthday with her university friends. But that's not the only reason she wants to get them together. While still at university, the group was faced with the death of one of their closest friends. Hannah's death was ruled a suicide, but everybody in their group has suspicions. Amy is ready to bring closure to those long ago events and finally find out the truth about what happened to Hannah.
I'm usually a big fan of Lesley Sanderson. I have all her books and loved them all. But, sadly, this book just didn't work for me. This story is told through the perspective of Louise, and she's such an unlikeable character (as are all the characters except Amy). I found the relationship between the characters to be disingenuous, the dialogue was awkward and the big twist at the end was predictable from the very start.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm usually a big fan of Lesley Sanderson. I have all her books and loved them all. But, sadly, this book just didn't work for me. This story is told through the perspective of Louise, and she's such an unlikeable character (as are all the characters except Amy). I found the relationship between the characters to be disingenuous, the dialogue was awkward and the big twist at the end was predictable from the very start.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2020
A group of friends from university spend a weekend at Amy's cottage to celebrate her birthday. It has been fifteen years since they have returned. The suicide of their friend Hannah caught them off guard, causing them to not return.
Louise is the narrator, with some excerpts from when Hannah was missing. Louise and her husband, Theo, are trying to work past his affair with a coworker.
Amy arranges a weekend for the group to stay at her Aunt's cottage- not far from Hannah's suicide. Kat, Daisy and Louise wish to not attend- to keep their secrets close. Amy wants them to say goodbye to Hannah, open up about their feelings and memories.
Until they are told Hannah's death has been ruled a homicide.
Quick and easy read. Somewhat predictable, decent twist at the ending.
Louise is the narrator, with some excerpts from when Hannah was missing. Louise and her husband, Theo, are trying to work past his affair with a coworker.
Amy arranges a weekend for the group to stay at her Aunt's cottage- not far from Hannah's suicide. Kat, Daisy and Louise wish to not attend- to keep their secrets close. Amy wants them to say goodbye to Hannah, open up about their feelings and memories.
Until they are told Hannah's death has been ruled a homicide.
Quick and easy read. Somewhat predictable, decent twist at the ending.
December 3, 2020
15 years ago, just before finals and graduation,one girl disappears and is found a few days later in Blackwood Forest. Her death is ruled a suicide and Hannah Robinson's group of friends leave university, broken by events but young enough to pick up, use those degrees and make a start with jobs, relationships and new places to live. The shadow of the past is never that far away though and eventually, Amy, the group 'mother' wanting to reunite the friendship group, invites the girls to her newly inherited cottage to ostensibly celebrate her 35th birthday, but really to come to terms with what happened all those years ago.
Louise, Kat and Daisy oblige. After all, their friend is in remission from breast cancer, so they should be celebrating, even if the cottage happens to back onto Blackwood Forest.
The 'party' held over an Easter weekend is the setting for Our Little Secret. The formula is not new; a group of people brought together where over the course of a few days, long buried secrets are uncovered and The Truth is revealed to expose distant darker deeds. Just because the concept has been used a lot lately by authors, it doesn't mean this novel isn't entertaining or an enjoyable read. It was quick and easy to read and I liked the contrast of the country style idyll of a cottage with a bright yellow door with the murky mist of a death in a forest.
However, this particular novel seemed to never change pace particularly and in places I felt the dialogue was repetitive. The plot seemed a bit static. The women clearly have different lifestyles and personalities which adds some depth to the novel but the fleeting use of a reporter rehashing the story as a podcast doesn't really add the tension you would expect. Each of the four girls have something they are holding back and a game of Truth or Dare quickly descends into lies, blame, and all sorts of personal claims against one another and in some cases, current partners.
Overall, quite a good read, but in an overpopulated genre I felt there needed to be a bit more oomph and a bit more of an assault on our detective senses for it to have a fighting chance of standing out.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Our Little Secret in exchange for this, my honest review.
Louise, Kat and Daisy oblige. After all, their friend is in remission from breast cancer, so they should be celebrating, even if the cottage happens to back onto Blackwood Forest.
The 'party' held over an Easter weekend is the setting for Our Little Secret. The formula is not new; a group of people brought together where over the course of a few days, long buried secrets are uncovered and The Truth is revealed to expose distant darker deeds. Just because the concept has been used a lot lately by authors, it doesn't mean this novel isn't entertaining or an enjoyable read. It was quick and easy to read and I liked the contrast of the country style idyll of a cottage with a bright yellow door with the murky mist of a death in a forest.
However, this particular novel seemed to never change pace particularly and in places I felt the dialogue was repetitive. The plot seemed a bit static. The women clearly have different lifestyles and personalities which adds some depth to the novel but the fleeting use of a reporter rehashing the story as a podcast doesn't really add the tension you would expect. Each of the four girls have something they are holding back and a game of Truth or Dare quickly descends into lies, blame, and all sorts of personal claims against one another and in some cases, current partners.
Overall, quite a good read, but in an overpopulated genre I felt there needed to be a bit more oomph and a bit more of an assault on our detective senses for it to have a fighting chance of standing out.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Our Little Secret in exchange for this, my honest review.
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January 9, 2021This is going to be a tough weekend. Old friends get together for the first time in 15 years. When they were younger, one of their friends, Hannah, disappeared, and was later found dead. Her life was lost and friendships were destroyed.
But now Amy, Kat, Louise and Daisy, and their significant others, are going to spend a weekend together. Not only is it Amy's birthday, but it will give the small group a long-awaited opportunity to discuss what could have possibly happened when their college friend Hannah disappeared. They were tight back then, but everything crumbled for them, never to be the same again.
Although there were several friends, the entire story is delivered in Louise's first-person perspective. She was Hannah's best friend in school, and just might be the one most devastated by Hannah's death. This weekend certainly will not be easy for any of them. Amy, however, has a plan, and that is for each of them to discuss what happened to Hannah the last time they say her. Will this be to all of their undoing?
Not only do they have to deal with the trauma of remembering that awful time, each of them have major issues they are coping with. As they try and unravel events from that time, the drama surrounding their lives now comes into play. Things are certain to be revealed during the weekend, and it will soon become evident that nothing is as it seems for any of them.
This thrilling story by Sanderson hits the mark when it comes to secrets, lies and tension. I could not put this exciting book down and found myself drawn to the drama as it unfolded, and shocked at the revelations that were revealed.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
But now Amy, Kat, Louise and Daisy, and their significant others, are going to spend a weekend together. Not only is it Amy's birthday, but it will give the small group a long-awaited opportunity to discuss what could have possibly happened when their college friend Hannah disappeared. They were tight back then, but everything crumbled for them, never to be the same again.
Although there were several friends, the entire story is delivered in Louise's first-person perspective. She was Hannah's best friend in school, and just might be the one most devastated by Hannah's death. This weekend certainly will not be easy for any of them. Amy, however, has a plan, and that is for each of them to discuss what happened to Hannah the last time they say her. Will this be to all of their undoing?
Not only do they have to deal with the trauma of remembering that awful time, each of them have major issues they are coping with. As they try and unravel events from that time, the drama surrounding their lives now comes into play. Things are certain to be revealed during the weekend, and it will soon become evident that nothing is as it seems for any of them.
This thrilling story by Sanderson hits the mark when it comes to secrets, lies and tension. I could not put this exciting book down and found myself drawn to the drama as it unfolded, and shocked at the revelations that were revealed.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 22, 2020
The Birthday Weekend
by Lesley Sanderson has a pleasing premise and this lured me into picking up a copy. I was thrilled with it and I am glad that I gave it a go!
Having read The Leaving Party and I Know You Lied by the same author, I had an inkling I would be in for a treat! Meeting up with an old friend for birthday celebrations should be an event to look forward to... shouldn't it? Not so, for Louise who has received such an invitation from her friend Amy. She has been invited to spend a weekend in a remote cottage next to the woods near their old university campus. Louise, Amy and four other friends were a tight-knit group back then, but in their final year, one of their crowd, Hannah, went missing, then was found dead in the woods, her death being ruled a suicide. The remaining five drifted apart and have not been in touch with each other for years, until now...
The Birthday Weekend is told over a period of two days mostly through the eyes of Louise. I really enjoyed the story-line, the succinct chapters, the rapid pacing and all of the many twists. Full of drama and mystery, it is a book about friendship, bitterness, lies, deceit, betrayal, and suspicion. There is a general air of tension, though it never reached a level where I was on the edge of my seat. Although most of the characters were not particularly personable, this did not interfere with my appreciation of this delightfully menacing and gritty psychological thriller. Overall, a great novel with a stunning, riveting ending that I'm delighted to recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Having read The Leaving Party and I Know You Lied by the same author, I had an inkling I would be in for a treat! Meeting up with an old friend for birthday celebrations should be an event to look forward to... shouldn't it? Not so, for Louise who has received such an invitation from her friend Amy. She has been invited to spend a weekend in a remote cottage next to the woods near their old university campus. Louise, Amy and four other friends were a tight-knit group back then, but in their final year, one of their crowd, Hannah, went missing, then was found dead in the woods, her death being ruled a suicide. The remaining five drifted apart and have not been in touch with each other for years, until now...
The Birthday Weekend is told over a period of two days mostly through the eyes of Louise. I really enjoyed the story-line, the succinct chapters, the rapid pacing and all of the many twists. Full of drama and mystery, it is a book about friendship, bitterness, lies, deceit, betrayal, and suspicion. There is a general air of tension, though it never reached a level where I was on the edge of my seat. Although most of the characters were not particularly personable, this did not interfere with my appreciation of this delightfully menacing and gritty psychological thriller. Overall, a great novel with a stunning, riveting ending that I'm delighted to recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 20, 2020
A reunion of four women, once a tight circle in university reluctantly come together to celebrate Amy’s birthday and to discuss the circumstances and mourn the loss of a beloved fifth woman, Hannah, who died before graduation in a suicide. A premise like that has to go horribly wrong, surely? Add in Sam, the boyfriend who deserted Hannah for Daisy and Kat and Louse, who have secrets of their own and you have a deadly emotional mess of a gathering. Stir in Theo, boyfriend of the narrator Louise, who recently cheated, Jade, the new girlfriend of Kat, and you have a dizzying group of suspects. Suspects? Yes, somehow as they were all arriving at an isolated cottage in the woods, the police decide Hannah was murdered. Never seen a group with so many secrets and underlying connections which make the book a fast and easy read. Most characters are unlikable and part of me wanted a chainsaw murderer to sneak into the cottage but the women avenge each other with little razor nicks all weekend and do the job themselves.
November 27, 2020
College friends who aren't as close as they once were, reunite for a weekend to celebrate one member's birthday in Lesley Sanderson's Our Little Secret. They were a group of six friends, one whom committed suicide after the only boy in the group broke up with her and starting dating another group member.
After Hannah's death, the friends go their separate ways, some meet up once in a while and others stay close - but not as one group. For the first time in 15 years, the old gang is back together.
Louise's marriage has been rocky after her husband's affair, she has no desire to celebrate this weekend with old friends. But Amy is the group's defacto leader and she had a cancer scare and wants to celebrate her life and remember Hannah.
It's like a seance has gone bad. The friends learn that the police is looking into Hannah's death. There is no evidence that her death is a murder and not the suicide that they all thought. These people were Hannah's closest friends - is one of them the prime suspect? Is one of them a murderer?
Gripping thriller, a very good story that will keep readers guessing until the end.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
After Hannah's death, the friends go their separate ways, some meet up once in a while and others stay close - but not as one group. For the first time in 15 years, the old gang is back together.
Louise's marriage has been rocky after her husband's affair, she has no desire to celebrate this weekend with old friends. But Amy is the group's defacto leader and she had a cancer scare and wants to celebrate her life and remember Hannah.
It's like a seance has gone bad. The friends learn that the police is looking into Hannah's death. There is no evidence that her death is a murder and not the suicide that they all thought. These people were Hannah's closest friends - is one of them the prime suspect? Is one of them a murderer?
Gripping thriller, a very good story that will keep readers guessing until the end.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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