Book Description
The Birthday Reunion: A completely addictive psychological thriller packed with twists by Claire Seeber
Four friends. One dream getaway. But who will make it out alive?
When the gold-rimmed invitations arrive through the doors of best friends Simone, Hannah and Vicky they’re instantly taken aback. Their ex-friend Jodie is inviting them to a lavish Mediterranean villa to celebrate her birthday. They haven’t spoken in years since she betrayed them in the worst way. So how did they make the guest list?
They all have their reasons for saying yes. Stay-at-home mum Simone had her dream job snatched away. Hannah lost the love of her life. Café-owner Vicky wants the chance to help a wronged friend. Is the reunion a chance to confront Jodie and the past once and for all?
Arriving at a villa that looks straight out of a movie set, the friends relax by the sumptuous pool as they wait for the other guests to arrive. But as the chilled wine is poured and the three friends reminisce, they see Jodie walking towards them with a look of shock on her face.
Because Jodie didn’t invite them here.
But by the end of the weekend it will become clear who did. Someone else has a reason for revenge. Who will make it out alive?
An absolutely addictive and twist-filled psychological thriller that will have you reading late into the night. Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, Lisa Jewell and T.M. Logan.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Birthday Reunion' by Claire Seeber.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Claire Seeber, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th April 2023.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'The Street Party' which I would also reccommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching beautiful cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'An absolutely addictive and twist-filled psychological thriller that will have you reading late into the night. Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, Lisa Jewell and T.M. Logan.' I am a huge fan of Lisa and T.M. Logan so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a fan of Claire and if this book is as good as 'The Street Party' then it is guaranteed to be a page turner. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 92 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
The storyline is set in Ibiza and England.I always enjoy when books are partly or fully set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and gone on holiday in London and England on many occasions so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonists are Simone, Vicky, Hannah and Jodie. This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Simone, Vicky, Hannah and Jodie. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
This book is well written with several perspectives which ensures you get to see the full picture. The cover, title and synopsis all worked well with the storyline.
I absolutely LOVED this action packed, fast paced and addictive storyline. I especially enjoyed the fact that we get to see both past and present timelines and Claire manages to weave them both perfectly together ensuring the reader gets just the right amount of information to understand what is going on but not too much to give anything away too quickly. I found it to be realistic, addictive and I read it in a day. I loved the stunning Ibiza setting and atmosphere and just well... Everything!!! The setting made me feel like I was in Ibiza myself feeling the sun on my skin and warm air around me. I was so absorbed in the book I was gutted when I came to the end and realised I had to unpack my suitcase and land back in dreary rainy Wales. The atmosphere may have been stunning but the toxic relationships of the party guests was not quite as fun but definitely intriguing!!! It is filled with sun, sand, toxic relationships, secrets, mystery, crime, tension, suspense, twists and so much more. There was everything you could ask for in a page turning read!! I was constantly questioning myself on who I thought would be the one to not leave the Island and who was the one who actually invited everyone there but lo and behold... I was wrong!! I normally NEVER admit I am wrong so don't go telling my partner I did and normally I hate being wrong with a passion but when it comes to books there is nothing better than being proven to be completely wrong and to be shocked by the reveals which Claire completely manages!!! Arggghhh... It is so hard to NOT say anything about them as it will give too much away and spoil it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless over and over!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and it gets harder and harder to keep my interest and to shock me but Claire managed it hook, line and sinker Just brilliant fair play and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!! I cannot remember the last time I flew through a book so quickly. Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! Claire's evocative writing skills ensures you are dragged deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension and suspense that all the characters are feeling and going through. My heart was in my throat throughout reading this fast paced, gripping and gritty psychological thriller! I can't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so if you want to know you'll have to grab yourself a copy!! You won't regret it!!
Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! "
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture
Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Claire's fantastic writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. Hannah, Vicky, Simone and Jodie used to be a tight knit group of friends until something tore them apart and Jodie is no longer part of this friendship group. When Hannah, Vicky and Simone receive an invite to Jodie's lavish birthday party in Ibiza none of them are quite sure what to make of it or whether to go. In the end they decide to accept the invitation and to take the trip. I loved getting to know each of the characters backgrounds and seeing their relationships with each other. I am not going in to any detail on them individually as I don't want to give too much away and potentially spoil things for future readers. I will say that each of the friends remember Jodie differently to each other and that Jodie is a very complex character who can be warm and generous but is also not afraid to step on toes to get her own way. Claire has done an amazing job constructing an addictive and explosive psychological thriller, with fantastic and varied characters, that you just won't be able to put down!!
Congratulations Claire on an explosive success!!! Welcome to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!!
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first two chapter of Claire's 'The Stepmother' which promises to be as addictive as this and is one I'm looking forward to reading myself!
Overall an unputdownable suspense thriller that will keep you flipping the pages until you've devoured it in one sitting!
Genres covered in this book include Crime Fiction, Psychological Suspense, Domestic Suspense, Suspense Thriller, Women's Psychological Thriller, Suspense Thriller, Crime Thriller. Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Women's Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Women's Psychological Fiction, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Literary Fiction, Women Writers & Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Women's Psychological Fiction and Mystery amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of "Big Little Lies", The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors, fans of Miranda Smith, Sheryl Browne, Sue Watson, K.L. Slater. Shalini Boland, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell and T.M Logan.
385 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Author bio
Claire Seeber is the author of bestselling psychological thrillers that shine a light onto the simmering resentments and past secrets that exist amongst seemingly ordinary lives. She has been published in more than twelve different languages and is CWA Dagger-nominated.
She started her professional life as a (bad) actress and went on to become a documentary maker, before becoming a newspaper feature writer. When she had her first baby in 2004, Claire started writing psychological thrillers and now also works as a psychotherapist.
Author social media
Website: http://www.claireseeber.com
Purchase Link
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BSLQHC9Zsocial
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