lindaraiti70's review
4.0
What a punch this wonderful debut domestic thriller packed!
There’s a lot going on in the world at the moment, notwithstanding people's personal journeys. So let’s get distracted for a moment and talk books on this beautiful, sunny, Sunday in Melbourne.
There’s a lot going on in the world at the moment, notwithstanding people's personal journeys. So let’s get distracted for a moment and talk books on this beautiful, sunny, Sunday in Melbourne.
abailey's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow, Ali Lowe, way to knock it out of the park with your debut novel! I had been hearing about Trivia Night everywhere and I was so desperate to get my hands on it! There was much happiness when I finally did and I devoured it straight away.
There was so much to love about this The Trivia Night, with it's Big Little Lie's vibes. As you know I love a book set in my hometown of Sydney so immediately it had that going for it. A domestic drama/thriller about a boozy trivia night at the local primary school, where things get taken further than any of them would imagine. And then the consequences of their actions, not only for them but for those around them. These women were all so different but this night would bond them forever.
As you would expect with a story about women, there is jealousy, backstabbing, gossip, rivalry and so much more. Money was divider here in Darley Heights - some had it, some wanted it. It was emotional as you get to know each woman., and the secrets that they were hiding. While I probably wouldn't want to be friends with them, they all touched my heart at one time or another throughout the story.
I will never look at a Trivia Night the same way again! You can find out what happened on February 22nd.
Thanks for Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
There was so much to love about this The Trivia Night, with it's Big Little Lie's vibes. As you know I love a book set in my hometown of Sydney so immediately it had that going for it. A domestic drama/thriller about a boozy trivia night at the local primary school, where things get taken further than any of them would imagine. And then the consequences of their actions, not only for them but for those around them. These women were all so different but this night would bond them forever.
As you would expect with a story about women, there is jealousy, backstabbing, gossip, rivalry and so much more. Money was divider here in Darley Heights - some had it, some wanted it. It was emotional as you get to know each woman., and the secrets that they were hiding. While I probably wouldn't want to be friends with them, they all touched my heart at one time or another throughout the story.
I will never look at a Trivia Night the same way again! You can find out what happened on February 22nd.
Thanks for Hachette Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
thelifeoflaura's review
4.0
The events at a school fundraiser night get quickly out of hand, and the fallout leads to devastating results for a group of four couples . . .
Question: How long does it take to tear someone's life apart?
Answer: Sometimes just one night.
A really interesting read. Very Big Little Lie-esque, but also very different. When a group of four couples end up mixed up in a scandal, they have to work hard to keep their secrets to themselves.
I have to admit, I was surprised by the ‘scandal’ - it was not what I expected at all, but I was kind of all for it and it was interesting seeing it unfold and the impact it left on each relationship. It was a fascinating read.
The ending was mildly underwhelming for me - it just ended almost a little too happy for me (ha!) but overall, a really interesting read!
Question: How long does it take to tear someone's life apart?
Answer: Sometimes just one night.
A really interesting read. Very Big Little Lie-esque, but also very different. When a group of four couples end up mixed up in a scandal, they have to work hard to keep their secrets to themselves.
I have to admit, I was surprised by the ‘scandal’ - it was not what I expected at all, but I was kind of all for it and it was interesting seeing it unfold and the impact it left on each relationship. It was a fascinating read.
The ending was mildly underwhelming for me - it just ended almost a little too happy for me (ha!) but overall, a really interesting read!
deelynn84's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
hb_2211's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
anneas's review
2.0
I can’t believe the reviews on this one. I thought this book was ridiculous. Seriously absurd.
I did enjoy parts of it (it did have several laugh-out-loud lines and surprisingly good sex scenes).
But that did not make up for:
- How utterly unlikeable Alice, Zoe and Amanda were. Alice and Zoe blatantly cheated on their husbands, no permission. Zoe isn’t even sorry about it, seemingly. And Amanda’s woe-is-me attitude when she was clearly the antagonist was the WORST. I thought it ludicrously unfair that we were supposed to consider Veronica the villain. Amanda was a disgrace at the Melb Cup Day! I would have wanted her out the school too.
- How much it felt like an off-brand Big Little Lies down to the reveals, the archetypes, the trivia night, etc.
- How bizarrely cliche and predictable the plot was, almost uncannily so. No surprises at all. Character has a bruise on her face that she blames on a kitchen cabinet … surprise surprise, her husband beats her.
Not a waste of time, but not for me.
I did enjoy parts of it (it did have several laugh-out-loud lines and surprisingly good sex scenes).
But that did not make up for:
- How utterly unlikeable Alice, Zoe and Amanda were. Alice and Zoe blatantly cheated on their husbands, no permission. Zoe isn’t even sorry about it, seemingly. And Amanda’s woe-is-me attitude when she was clearly the antagonist was the WORST. I thought it ludicrously unfair that we were supposed to consider Veronica the villain. Amanda was a disgrace at the Melb Cup Day! I would have wanted her out the school too.
- How much it felt like an off-brand Big Little Lies down to the reveals, the archetypes, the trivia night, etc.
- How bizarrely cliche and predictable the plot was, almost uncannily so. No surprises at all. Character has a bruise on her face that she blames on a kitchen cabinet … surprise surprise, her husband beats her.
Not a waste of time, but not for me.
aridd1's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
mic_markovski13's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0