wanderonwards's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Macmillan/St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of this title. I received this copy for free and this review contains my honest opinions.
The Block Party is a domestic thriller that takes place over the course of a year in a fictional affluent suburban neighborhood. The novel is broken up into seasons, which was a good thing: the passage of time within each section was difficult for me to follow, with some chapters skipping months ahead without any indication and I needed those breaks to reorientate myself.
This isn’t my usual genre, but I did enjoy the writing style. However, I think this would have been a more successful read if it hadn’t been limited to only two POVs (plus the occasional online community board gossip). I think the entire plot would have benefited from rotating POVs throughout all the characters, especially when I was more interested in characters other than the two POVs. Thank you again to the publisher for sending me a free ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Murder, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt
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
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