penguin96's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Addiction, Murder, and Sexual assault
rushxsoubi's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was alright..
I picked it up because I have been missing the desprate housewives, and in that sense, it did not let me down. The characters were very reminiscent of the desprate housewives even having the sexy single neighbor that everyone fears will steal their husband. It had a more new age feel compared to desprate housewives referencing new technology and such.
I enjoyed the mystery, and that kept me reading.
I don't know anything about the author, but the writing wasn't that great. Felt like a first novel. There is a lot of telling instead of showing. The character lettie was the worst she really did sound like a woke high schooler if that's what the author was going for, but her narrative kept shoving so much down my throat in an odd way.
Here's some quotes that might help make what I mean about the writing clearer:
-'Why's that? I want to know'
-'she'd abandoned me for a new group of meanies'
-'nice enough kid, but he didn't have the brand-name clothes, the athletic skills, or the right friends to make him popular'
I picked it up because I have been missing the desprate housewives, and in that sense, it did not let me down. The characters were very reminiscent of the desprate housewives even having the sexy single neighbor that everyone fears will steal their husband. It had a more new age feel compared to desprate housewives referencing new technology and such.
I enjoyed the mystery, and that kept me reading.
I don't know anything about the author, but the writing wasn't that great. Felt like a first novel. There is a lot of telling instead of showing. The character lettie was the worst she really did sound like a woke high schooler if that's what the author was going for, but her narrative kept shoving so much down my throat in an odd way.
Here's some quotes that might help make what I mean about the writing clearer:
-'Why's that? I want to know'
-'she'd abandoned me for a new group of meanies'
-'nice enough kid, but he didn't have the brand-name clothes, the athletic skills, or the right friends to make him popular'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Domestic abuse
ericah31's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Drug use
Moderate: Domestic abuse
sariereads's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Alcohol, Murder, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Mental illness
Minor: Rape
pomoevareads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Looking for a fun summer romp and not too worried about implausibility? Then pick this one up when it publishes July 18.
In the vein of Big Little Lies, The Block Party begins with a bang at a Memorial Day Block party in an upscale neighbourhood. Narrated by Alex (stereotyped wine-swilling wealthy white woman) and her daughter Lettie (eighteen and privileged), the characters of the cul de sac are revealed along with all of their various secrets. The timeline moves back to the year previous and then moves forward to the present day.
The characters, while unlikeable, were interesting and each had a lot of drama going on. I am going to be honest, this book is for the reality tv watchers. If you enjoy the drama of 90 Day Fiancé and the Housewives franchises then I believe this book will fit into your summer reading list. While I love a good character driven literary story or a twisty suspense book particularly ones with situations I worry about getting myself into, I can so easily fall into this kind of popcorn book. I am not knocking this book and really enjoyed it but it won’t be for everyone. Will I be looking for whatever this author writes? Yes, I will be!
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an ARC of The Block Party in exchange for my honest opinions. Another fun one by a favourite publisher.
Check out my storygraph account (Pomoevareads) for content warnings!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Minor: Rape
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Gun violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Death, Addiction, and Alcohol
Moderate: Miscarriage, Bullying, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
beckyremillard's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Alex is planning the annual block party, but there’s more drama this year than normal, including a rumor about a murder.
The story is told from the perspectives of Alex and her daughter, Lettie. It starts in the present and then jumps a year back, until the timelines meet and we are given the context of the present day situation.
I liked this story, but it kind of dragged a bit. It caught my attention more at 60-70% but the middle part kind of lost me. I’m glad I pushed through because I wasn’t totally expecting the ending though.
Be sure to check content warnings for this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this eARC.
The story is told from the perspectives of Alex and her daughter, Lettie. It starts in the present and then jumps a year back, until the timelines meet and we are given the context of the present day situation.
I liked this story, but it kind of dragged a bit. It caught my attention more at 60-70% but the middle part kind of lost me. I’m glad I pushed through because I wasn’t totally expecting the ending though.
Be sure to check content warnings for this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Alcohol, Drug use, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicide attempt, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Alcoholism
astoriareader's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
SYNOPSIS:
Several families live on an exclusive cul-de-sac on Alton Road. Someone is murdered at the annual block party. The book jumps back in time to a year before the murder, and in that year, you learn about the characters, the motive, & the murder.
MY THOUGHTS
- I really liked this book. It’s my first read by Jamie Day, but I found it easy to read & suspenseful throughout the book.
- This was a nail-biting, tense, fast-paced thriller, and the author does a wonderful job crafting the story.
- I liked the idea of a neighborhood scandal/drama, and it felt pretty original to me. I read a lot of thrillers, and I haven’t come across one with this block party setting before.
- This story involves a lot of drinking, gossip, scandals, & drama.
- The story is told from multiple POVs (namely, a mother & a daughter).
- Author’s writing style is solid.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Nail-biting, fast-paced, tense thriller with original plot. Solid writing & good story.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It's due to be published on July 18, 2023.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Moderate: Rape, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse
brittandwaffles's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Block Party was a ride. A twisty story about a group of neighbors who all have something to hide. The reveal of the victims identity late in the book kept me intrigued, and I wanted to know how everything was going to play out. This story gave me Desperate Housewives vibes with plenty of drama to keep me hooked.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Rape
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