ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT! And YES all caps are needed!
I loved the first book - but this one. Wowzah. Another level.
A local boy and his friends have sleepover. No one can find them the next day. Dylan's mother insists Leah come support her - though they are not friends. Leah gets pulled into the drama.
Dylan returns - claiming the same man who took Leah's friends and killed them all those years ago has returned.
But Leah knows the truth about her friends. But does she?
Riveting. Chilling. Gasp out loud.

I really enjoyed the first book in their series and just finished it last week so it was fresh on my mind when I saw this ARC available. I was really excited to start this and thought it had a lot of promise. However the audio ARC i received is not complete so I cannot give an honest detailed review. It cut off about 22 chapters in and ended abruptly with no explanation. Thank you to NetGalley for this (almost) opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Follow up to an exceptional book one in the series, Once again, Kerry Wilkinson has written a book which kept my perimenopausal, brain-fogged brain listening all the way through. I cannot stress enough how big a compliment that is during this stage of life. I DNF like a boss, but not only did After the Sleepover keep me invested, Wilkinson has created a fan for life. Narration was on point and kept the story moving along.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Ok I did enjoy it but it wasn’t as fast paced as I would have loved. But overall it kept me interested during my drive to work. I was intrigued and didn’t see the twists coming. I loved the first one and this is just as good. I actually sat in the car just to listen to it a little longer. It had everything I love in a good thriller, good characters, shocking crime, twists and turn’s a gripping hold on me

I just finished the first book and was so excited to see what would happen in this one. I can really only say that I was disappointed. The first book dragged on a little, but this one truly felt slow.

The characters were just as good, but the plot felt desperate for attention, if that makes any sense. While the first book felt in-depth, this one felt like both the reader and the main character were watching events as opposed to interacting with them.

The ending was predictable. And the "big twist" should never be in the epilogue. I brushed it off as much as the characters did.

Main takeaways: predictable and disappointing.

3.5⭐️

25 years ago 3 girls are at a sleepover and go missing. They are never seen again. On the night of a documentary about that awful night, the same things happens. 3 boys go missing while camping outside one of their houses.

I was surprised at how little was mentioned from book 1. I would recommend reading that one to get a better background going into book 2.

Like book 1, I was shocked at the big twist and ending. I didn’t see it coming but the reasoning behind what happens makes sense.

**4.5-stars**

After the Sleepover is the sequel in Kerry Wilkinson's <i>Sleepover</i> series. I finished the first book, I think it was yesterday, it's all been a bit of a blur, and immediately started this one, flying through and finishing it tonight. I'm slightly obsessed with this series right now and have spent the entire afternoon wondering if we are going to be getting more. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

This story follows Leah Pearce, who is a bit infamous in her small hometown. Twenty-five years ago, she attended a sleepover with three of her best friends. They did the stuff teen girls typically do at a sleepover, went to sleep, all was well, but in the morning only Leah remained.

The other three girls had disappeared. As the survivor, the town had mixed reactions to Leah. Some believed she had to have information that she wasn't sharing. How could she have slept through three girls disappearing?! Others felt she was an unfortunate girl, who just got lucky that night. Certainly she was deserving of sympathy.

All these years later a documentary has been made about the incident, bringing Leah back into the limelight. She never wanted any of that and will be happy when people move on to someone else's tragedy. Then three boys go missing during a sleepover where they were tenting out in a field by one of their homes. The mother of one of the missing boys, Jennifer, asks the police to get Leah for her, to stay with her during the subsequent search. She tells them that she and Leah are friends.

Leah is surprised. She knows Jennifer, it's a small town, and they're the same age, but she wouldn't say they were friends. Nor have they ever been. Nevertheless, she feels compelled to go and be with Jennifer in her time of need. She figures Jennifer reached out to her because who else knows more about missing teenagers than her?

The subsequent investigation makes Leah question a lot of things, even her own past. As she is tied together now with Jennifer, Leah finds herself smack in the middle of it all over again. Will the truth be revealed and is there a connection to Leah's own troubled past?

I found these two books so incredibly addictive. Wilkinson's writing is fluid and engaging. I felt like I've really gotten to know Leah over the course of this series. As mentioned before, I am seriously hoping this isn't the end of her story.

I ended up enjoying this even more than the first book. It had a different level of intensity to it. I think mainly because in The Night of the Sleepover the missing girls are in the past perspective. What has happened to them is already done, there's no changing it. Yet in this story, the boys that have gone missing, it's a race against the clock to try to figure out what happened. They can still be saved. I felt like all of the different elements of the story were blended perfectly together.

You still get aspects of Leah's life outside of the latest case of missing teens. She has stuff going on in her personal life, a hidden relationship, her Dad getting released from prison and getting married, that are equally compelling and I liked going through that with her.

I also found her relationship with Jennifer gripping. Jennifer was an great character. I was hesitant with her from the start. She seemed so, I don't know, almost in awe of Leah. Like she wanted to be close to her for the wrong reasons, or like she was trying to manipulate something. It built up a very interesting dynamic and I love how Wilkinson wrote that budding friendship. It was enthralling and had me flying through the pages.

This had a great conclusion. It could go either way. I could be satisfied with this being the end, or I can also see many avenues where Wilkinson could continue to take this story. If there are more books coming in the Sleepover series, you better believe I will be first in line to get a copy.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm so happy that I've found a new Thriller author to add to my auto-buy list!!

A follow up that disappoints in no way at all. I read The Night Of The Sleepover not long ago and I loved it. The author has a fantastic style that’s dark disturbing and chilling yet the characters are so relatable that it’s absolutely believable. After The Sleepover was every single part as good, the story follows on seamlessly yet it’s entirely its own thriller, not your typical second in a series and I reckon it’s been so well done that you could easily enjoy it as a standalone. The narration is excellent and definitely adds drama and suspense. Superb!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Booksture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I was excited to see this audiobook! I loved the first book and was looking forward to seeing how the second would tie in. It was great!! There were snippets along the way from the first book while continuing the new story. I loved the ending! It was a surprise how it came about in the epilogue, but closed things sooo good! I almost think it left things open for another book (fingers crossed anyways!) Overall, this was a really great book and I would recommend, especially if you enjoyed the first!

The rapid-paced audio, akin to its predecessor, instills a renewed sense of terror through a narrative laced with unexplained disappearances. The recurring theme, just years after the initial ordeal, evokes a chilling sense of inevitability, heightening the stakes for the listener. The audacious assertion that such a grim scenario could unfold again challenges the perceived impossibility, creating an atmosphere of perpetual suspense.

As the plot unfolds, the ambiguity surrounding who can be trusted and the blurred line between truth and deceit further intensify the gripping nature of the storyline. Multiple twists, strategically placed throughout, not only cater to the appetite of twist enthusiasts but also contribute to the intricate web of suspense that envelops the listener.

The narrative's strength lies in its ability to seamlessly weave together suspenseful elements, keeping the audience consistently engaged. Moments of revelation and unforeseen developments punctuate the storyline, creating a rollercoaster of emotions. The complexity introduced by the interplay of truth and deception adds depth to the overall experience, making it a compelling choice for those who revel in enigmatic narratives.

In summary, the audio successfully delivers a suspenseful and intricate narrative, drawing on the fear-inducing echoes of the past while introducing fresh twists. It caters to the preferences of twist enthusiasts, providing an audio experience that is both thrilling and mentally stimulating.

Twenty-five years ago, Leah was at a sleepover when three of her friends went missing. Now, it’s happened again. Only it’s three boys who have gone missing from the tents in a front yard. And Leah finds herself in the middle of it all once again. One disappearance of kids in a small town is a tragedy but twice is horrific. As Leah tries to comfort the mother of one of the boys, Jennifer, memories from her decades ago come back. And she can’t help but wonder: are these two instances connected?

I really enjoyed the pace of this book! I didn’t feel like I was missing anything because I didn’t read the first book while simultaneously don’t feel like the first book was ruined with spoilers. I liked the characters and particularly could relate to Leah—not only because she is my namesake but because she brought in comparisons between the generations and even was sarcastic at times which while wasn’t exactly comedic relief added an element of lightness. All in all, this book gets 5 out of 5 stars from me because I love a good twist in the epilogue that I did not see coming!

The Sleepover Series continues with another twisty tale of a group of missing children with one remaining. There is a lot of reference to the backstories from the previous book The Night Of the Sleepover, which help put a much of this tale in context so it's definitely worth reading that one first, once you have, while you might expect a similar tale on the surface, the twists and turns make this an entirely different, but equally gripping listen.

25 years ago, 3 of Leah’s friends disappeared at a sleepover. Now in the same town, 3 boys have gone missing and Leah is afraid her secret will be discovered.

I really wish I had read the first installment to this book (the night of the sleepover) but that’s okay, it kept me on the edge of my seat! This book hinted at what really happened but not enough, now I’m going to read the first book!

I look forward to reading more books by Kerry Wilkins

#netgalley

Before I dive in, I'd like to give a massive shoutout and heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and the brilliant Kerry Wilkinson for this thrilling journey in exchange for my honest review!

Summary:
Twenty-five years ago, a sleepover turned into a haunting mystery as Leah's three best friends vanished without a trace. In 'After the Sleepover,' the town is gripped by déjà vu when three teenage boys disappear in a chilly echo of past events. The question remains: what secrets lie buried in the shadows of both sleepovers?

Review:
As a psychological thriller enthusiast, "After the Sleepover" landed squarely in my wheelhouse. Full disclosure, I hadn't tackled "The Night of the Sleepover" before diving into this one. Afraid I would be lost without the background knowledge provided by the first book, I chose to pause & read "The Night of the Sleepover." Within 24 hours, I've read (devoured) both books!

While the first book was a solid start, the second installment skyrocketed to the top of my favorites list. Kerry Wilkinson possesses a storytelling prowess that grabs you from page one. I devoured the narrative with an eagerness I couldn't contain, and what truly set this book apart was the inability to predict the culprit from the get-go. It's a rarity for a thriller to keep me guessing, but Wilkinson masterfully achieved just that.

The unique narrative voice, coupled with the unpredictable plot twists, made "After the Sleepover" a standout. Wilkinson's ability to keep readers on their toes, questioning every motive and alibi, is a testament to the craft.

And oh boy, that ending! It left me wondering if a third installment is in the cards, and if so, sign me up! I'm already eagerly anticipating the next mind-bending journey Wilkinson has in store.

Rating: 4/5 stars - A gripping sequel that surpassed expectations, and I'm crossing my fingers for more! 🌟🔍

Book Title: After the Sleepover
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Series: Sleepover #2
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: December 15, 2023
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up
Pages 352

If you read "Night of the Sleepover" you know that Leah had a sleepover with her three best friends, but in the morning, her friends had disappeared.
However if you didn’t read the first book you won’t be completely lost.
That was twenty-five years ago; now three boys have disappeared while they were camping on one of their parent's farm.
Leah finds herself in the middle of the investigation.
Leah does mentioning she knows what happens to her friends but doesn’t reveal it.
Yep! Keeps you on the edge of your seat as there are several suspects and you keeping trying to guess whodunit!

It is a fast rea! The ending leads us readers to believe there will be a third in this series.

This is my fifth Kerry Wilkinson; my favorite is the first one I read "The Party at No. 12".

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for granting me this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 15, 2023.

After the Sleepover by Kerry Wilkinson really grabbed my attention right away. It's fast-paced and Olivia Darnely did a fantastic job narrating it. After I've listened to it and went to leave a review, I found that it's a 2nd book. The first one is The Night of the Sleepover and I really wish I'd read it first. I did not realize it was the 2nd part and I feel like the ending of the book is a bit abrupt. I still don't know what happened during the sleepover and it's important to the whole story. I'll make sure to read the first book as well. I think this book can be read as a standalone but the author might want to explain what actually DID happen during the sleepover for those that haven't read it so it would make more sense.

The story itself is interesting and even though I did guess what happened, I was still very invested in the characters and the story. I would like to read more books by this author for sure.
Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this audiobook.

I had a hard time listening to this audiobook, the narrator was very dull and hard to listen too. A lot of detail but felt like most of it didn’t have to do with the story at hand. The main character gets befriended by the mother of once of the missing boys then the next thing I know they’re talking about her father who may or may not have killed a hooker and buried her on their farm.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wild ride and had me on the edge of my seat. I was surprised at how it measured up to the first book because at first I did not think it would be as gripping. This was full of twists and turns and I really enjoyed the book.

Extremely disappointed. The story had me invested. It literally ended with no closure. At first I thought maybe it was my phone that skipped some chapters, so I reversed it by 30% and played it again. Nope, there's no closure, no ending to speak of its just over. It's time I'll never get back. 2 stars in case it was just a defective audiobook.

‘After the Sleepover’ was a fast-paced, twisty read and I loved it! I definitely did not see the last twist coming, but it makes so much sense looking back.

The book can be read as a standalone, according to the blurb, but I highly recommend reading the series in order. They’re both fast reads and the second references the first often. The final reveal isn’t as rewarding if you haven’t read the first book. Read both!

The author is so talented at murder lit and I can’t wait to read whatever comes next!

Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.