This is definitely a family I would advise you to steer clear of! Despite the trip to the Amalfi coast to celebrate a birthday, this weekend away is one that is seeped in deception and even murder. None of the characters are particularly likeable and I was quite shocked by the lack of loyalty to anyone but themselves.

Ralph is clearly very hung up on his ex-wife and even though he has brought his current girlfriend on the trip, he has also invited Sarah. For most of the narrative, we see Ralph mooning over what once was, whilst Gemma is seething that Ralph clearly isn’t that in to her. Added to the fact that Sarah is accompanied by her partner, her adult children and another girlfriend, there are plenty of grudges to be held in a family dynamic that is far from peaceful. Jealousy simmers like the heatwave in Amalfi and it is evident that this tension is going to bubble over.

It wasn’t so much as the plot that ground me down, it was the structure of the narrative. Not only does Robson write incredibly short chapters (some only a couple of paragraphs long), but I don’t think they were formatted particularly well: there were a couple of occasions where it abruptly shifts to another, unnamed character, whilst still apparently following the lead voice. It made no sense to me and was very disorientating. These short chapters meant I struggled to connect with the characters and the children in particular felt too similar. Often I found myself flicking back to see who was narrating, and it didn’t help that I generally didn’t like them in the first place.

My second major criticism was Robson’s use of the second person narrative. It was way too much. Each chapter is a first person perspective addressing other characters as if they are talking directly to them. This just added to my confusion and didn’t make for a natural narrative. Ultimately, it really put me off the book and it meant I was rather keen to finish it.

Towards the end, I thought the plot lost control and it got a bit silly. I was really keen to see the answers to the crimes committed but don’t think the revelations were too realistic. Too much was implied earlier on in the story so that the ending didn’t come too much of a surprise, just the character’s desperation to find happiness.

Although this was a locked room mystery, it didn’t quite deliver. The pace was fast (for which I was grateful), but the narrative felt inflated and repetitive. The characters were too similar and I really could not connect with Robson’s writing style.

With thanks to Avon and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not always a fan of multi-POV's but Amanda Robson did it so well!! I loved the characters and found myself so wrapped up in all of their storylines.

A cast of interesting characters where you do not know who is telling the truth ....... can you work it out?

Ralph is turning 45 and he and his family, including his children Janice and Patrick and his ex-wife and her boyfriend, travel to a villa on the Amalfi Coast to all celebrate together - what could go wrong? Despite Ralph taking his girlfriend Gemma, it is clear that he is still in love with Sarah, his ex-wife, and everyone can see it including her boyfriend Jack. There is Jealousy everywhere ...... Ralph is jealous of Jack, Gemma is jealous of Sarah and to top it all of Janice is mad at her Mum and trouble is brewing between Patrick and his girlfriend Anna. The trip ends with two dead bodies but who died and how did they die?

A great domestic style thriller that is a great addictive summer read.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

What an amazing thriller this had so many twists and turns I felt like I was on a rollercoaster and I love a good plot twist fantastic

A fun escapist suspenseful romp in Naples. Good characters, brisk plot. A solid summer vacation beach book.

Unfortunately book wasn’t for me. I unfortunately did not finish this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

Wonderful and well written book that takes the reader for a thrill ride in the pages. Loved this one.

a book with multiple points of view, with each character telling their part of the story as a tale to another. it feels a little like reading multiple diaries at the same time. an ok ready that may work for a lot of first time readers. a lot of explanations for a few scenes and hardly any for most other where i felt it was needed.

The party guest had a new take on what a family vacation looks like. The introduction to the characters early on set the scene for the rest of the book there were twists and turns, but some predictability. Overall enjoyed the book .

What a fun plot! I loved this book so much. The character development and the atmosphere was so good. I would read her laundry list.

A good read, full of twists and turns that genuinely surprised me at times. I read it in one evening - very engrossing.

Ralph is still in love with his ex wife Sarah, it's his 45th birthday and all he wants is Sarah.

Ralph has booked a villa in Naples for his birthday, which incidentally is where he had his honeymoon with Sarah. Ralph invites his trophy girlfriend Gemma, daughter Janice, son Patrick and his girlfriend Anna. Sarah is also invited and she brings along Jack her fiancé.

What more could Ralph want, he has his family around him and Sarah to flirt with, but under the polite conversation every guest harbours a secret and by the end of the trip two people will be dead!!

An addictive fast paced domestic thriller that you will not be able to put down.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda delivers a masterclass in suspense with this one. From its gripping prologue to its explosive finale, the tension never lets up and is a top shelf thriller!

There is something about summer that makes me want to read all the beachy books.

Late last night after my third fight with the pillow and snoring husband I gave up and started scrolling . I was too tired to research but too awake to sleep so I was just going to pick a book based on a cover ….

The Party Guest
By: Amanda Robson

This was an easy read that I flew through in just a couple of hours . This book is 400 pages and gets straight to the point. No repetitiveness or corny dialog. The twist was just enough to give you a gasp and the characters were the perfect blend of likable and unlikable.

Teaser :

A birthday to remember. But would they rather forget…?

Ralph is turning 45, and the only gift he wants is his ex-wife.
Gemma, his trophy girlfriend, won’t let anything ruin her plans for an engagement.
Sarah, the ex-wife, has agreed to attend Ralph’s party, with her new man in tow.
And Jack, her partner, will stop at nothing to keep Sarah out of her ex-husband’s clutches.

It’s a celebration like no other. The whole extended family in a villa on the beautiful Amalfi coast.
But by the end of the trip, two people will be dead.
At this birthday party to remember, will anybody unwrap the truth…?

Two weeks. Four guests. One party to die for.

A compulsive and twisty suspense thriller with an ending you won’t see coming, perfect for fans of Louise Candlish and Adele Parks…

I really really liked the first half of this book but found the latter half to be uneventful and anti-climactic. I thought the ending was a bit lazy as well. The characters were pretty one-dimensional and I wish that they had a bit more depth. The explanations just seemed obvious and without creativity. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy and exchange for an honest review.

Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Difficult to follow at times and a little slow. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Firstly, thank you to the publisher for sending me a gifted copy of this book.
Amanda Robson is fast becoming up there with my favourite domestic thriller
There is something about this authors writing that upon starting her novels, I am just instantly hooked
This was no exception.
The book is told from the viewpoints of Ralph, Jack, Gemma, Sarah and Janice
Each chapter is short, snappy, paced and ambiguous. The author just leaves you wanting one more chapter.
This is a book full of obsession, secrets and a real dysfunctional family.
It was the perfect escapism and I raced thrifty the pages
I did guess the killer from the beginning, but it no way did this spoil the book for me
A perfect holiday escapism domestic thriller by a recommended author

This was an entertaining read, with so much family drama, it was like I was watching an episode of Brothers and Sisters! Throw into the mix, husband and wife, ex husband and ex wife now, boyfriends and girlfriends. Really was fun to read.

Ralph invites his family (including his ex-wife and his current girlfriend) to the Amalfi coast to celebrate his birthday. His goal is to won back his ex-wife but her new beau is along for the trip as well. What could go wrong? This is the first book I've read of Robson's, and I've heard great things. However, the Party Guest was just not my cup of tea. I liked the short chapter format and switches between points of view but the second-person narrative style confused me at times. None of the characters really resonated with me, making it difficult for me to be invested in the story. I'll check out her older books that see, to have a following!

Uh, this book was so confusing, I found myself having to go back several times throughout the chapters to figure out who I was reading about. Second person narrative definitely did not do this book any favours,