Really enjoyed this read, it was engaging and fast-paced with well-drawn characters and a plot that pulled me in from the start. The dual timeline was handled well, adding depth to the mystery and keeping me invested in both past and present events. It’s a real page-turner with plenty of twists, and I was keen to see how it would all unfold. An entertaining, suspenseful story that kept me guessing right up to the end.

I wasn't a fan of this one and found myself skimming through it. Nothing really original and I was bored.

Beautifully written and emotionally raw. This story explores love, loss, and second chances in a way that feels incredibly real. I found myself reflecting on my own life more than once while reading.

It’s not just a story—it’s a reminder of how fragile and precious relationships can be.

Lots of tension and trying to work out who had a motive for murder. I feel the other three of the four friends needed more depth as characters.
The ending makes no sense to me. Most of the plot leading to it doesn't fit with it.

This book was great. I will recommend I enjoy this instead of every last page. It has a lot of potential to do great and I enjoyed the storyline of the catheters. Thank you.

A group of student friends have never recovered from the death of the enigmatic girl, Summer, whom they befriended over a few months, at a student party that took place just before they graduated. Years later, they still know very little about Summer herself, except that her background included a strange commune that sounded more like a cult.

Now, with a true crime podcaster determine to find out the truth of the matter, the four friends begin to receive threatening letters and experience intrusions into their homes. Can they work together, after all these years, to find the identity of the murderer before he or she makes good on the threats?

This is clever, original writing on what is an otherwise familiar trope. One of the twists at the end involving the revelation of the murderer's identity is very interesting, the additional twist at the very end less so. The latter caused me to shave off half a star on what would otherwise have been a 4.5 star read. Nevertheless, this book *is* highly recommended to thriller readers.

20 yrs ago tragedy struck a quartet of college friends when a mysterious girl joined their group and later drowned after a summer party. Now, a true crime podcaster is researching the death and claims to have unearthed new information. Meanwhile the group are receiving threatening letters to stay away from the story. A creepy psychological thriller with a brilliant twist. Recommended. Thanks to the author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a decent mystery, though I don’t feel like it all really came together at the end. The story centers primarily on Amy, who (along with her 3 college roommates) was tied to the death of their friend Summer 20 years ago. Now an up-and-coming podcaster named Hannah wants to figure out what really happened and Amy and her former friends are getting threatening letters.

There was suspense throughout as Amy and the others tried to navigate their situation and keep their loved ones and reputations safe. I liked reading the flashbacks to the previous timeline as well, so I could better understand the dynamic between the friends around the time of Summer’s death. Amy was a likable enough character though I never felt like I fully understood her. I really didn’t like the way the story ended, though- motives of multiple characters didn’t really make sense to me and I was left with more questions than answers.

Overall, this was fun in its suspense but I just didn’t think it was tied together that well when all was said and done. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is definitely a psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. 20 years ago 5 friends are together when they realize one of them is missing. In the present, Amy is going about her life when a true crime podcaster arrives at her door. She realizes that the secrets and truth of the past are coming to light again and there’s someone who doesn’t want the truth to come out. This was a very fast paced read that was easy to follow but hard to take a break from. There were lots of twists that had me gasping. If you like thrillers - you will LOVE this book!
Review will be posted on Instagram and Amazon on pub day and links added to NetGalley.

In 2005, five friends attend a year‑end party; one dies overnight. In 2025, Amy, one of the survivors, is approached by a true‑crime podcaster probing the drowning two decades earlier. Her past resurfaces—and with it, danger.
This book rich in tension, underlying emotional drama, and unexpected turns. After the Party promises an unsettling, layered mystery built on friendship and guilt.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.

After the Party was a quicky, easy read that kept you guessing the entire time. At one point or another, you start to suspect pretty much everyone of being the culprit. Everyone is just a little suspicious and casts a little doubt. I can honestly say that I would not have ever guessed the way it actually turned out. I am just a little on the fence about how I feel about the epilogue. I kind of wish it had ended differently but it was still a great book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Hannah is a podcaster who wants to interview four friends on the 20th anniversary of their friend's death. this is a dual timeline story

I loved this book! Hannah is investigating the twenty year anniversary death of Summer on her podcast and wants to interview Hannah’s friends from that time. There’s a dual timeline that alternates between today and twenty years ago. The characters are well developed and kept me interested! This is a great read and I highly recommend it.

Took a while to get into this book however I enjoyed it. Was an enjoyable read and a few twists I didnt expect. 4 stars

A gripping read.
A story about friendship, dark and twisty.
A real who done it.
Well written characters and overall an intriguing storyline.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Super dark and super engaging! This one was hard to put down. My first book by this author and now I need to do my research and look up others because I really enjoyed this writing style!

Overall a good read although for me I did lose the thread a few times in the storyline and didn't really gel with the characters.

I did manage to finish this book but it didn't grab me as much as some other reviewers have said.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC but unfortunately for me it wasn't the best I have read.

If you want drama, suspense and twists, with all the trimmings then this read is for you. Quirky, dark and scary enough to keep you reading. Loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of After the Party by C.L. Swatman due to be published September 13, 2025.

Hannah Hastings is investigating the death of Summer Carpenter, who drowned two decades ago. Amy and her friends tried but could not forget that dark day. Now the whole thing is coming back to haunt them. Are they all in danger?

This one is a mystery as well as a story of friendship and what lengths we are willing to go to keep secrets that may hurt others. It was a fast, fun read that definitely kept me interested throughout and eager to see exactly what had happened to Summer and who was involved. I highly recommend this one!

#NetGalley #CLSwatman #AfterTheParty #BoldwoodBooks

From the moment I started this book I was completely hooked! It gripped me and pulled me
In! Any noise I heard in the house I was on tenterhooks. It really did get under my skin. The book was fast paced and had me doubting everyone. I like the dual timeline and it flowed freely through the book!
This book had me thinking about it 24/7 , was even dreaming about it! Lots of twists, turns and red herrings!!!!!
If you like psychological books then this is for you. I have raved to everyone today about this book! Thank you for a fabulous book that my heart is still racing with!