I would say this is a solid 2.5/3 stars. I can definitely tell it's a debut and there's some things to work out, but overall it was a solid listen. There's a lot of pacing issues, where the first 3/4 was really slow and building, then by the end I was confused if Murray was even still in the picture because he seemed to just disappear from Kass's story. I would have loved to know more about Kass and her best friend's relationship outside of the chapter or so that we got because it would have likely provided a lot more context to the self-immolation/self-deprecation Kass did for the majority of the book. She's a lovely main character and a stark contract to the Sedgemont's and their world, I just wish the end was more drawn out (like the last 10 chapters or so), because while we learned early on who wanted to hurt her throughout the book, the rationale didn't entirely make sense, because of the lack of background given throughout the book. Overall, I would consider listening again, just might not be the first I pick up, but the thrills were good and it kept me on my toes.

Not normally the type of read I would choose. Out of my comfort zone however I found it an intriguing and great read. I read it through very quickly.

After a whirlwind romance, Kass finds herself surprisingly launched into the world of the filthy rich as her mother-in-law throws them an elaborately lavish engagement party at their wealthy estate. The lifestyle comes as a complete shock to Kass, as her husband to be has kept his wealthy family background secret. The reception is icily cool, aw it seems Kass doesn't quite meet their expectations. Secrets and lies underpin every character, including Kass. As drink and drugs fuel the party guests, a shrill scream alerts the discovery of a body. Yet, as the hours roll on, no one seems to be perturbed in the slightest , all eating their breakfasts as normal and chatting insanely. While doubt falls on Kass as the newcomer, it seems the fiancé she trusts so fully, Murray, has a much more secretive side. The perfect romance isn't so perfect. Lots of thrills that escalate as this thriller comes to a breathless end. The audiobook reveals each layer of secrecy and deceit at a tantalising pace. #theengagementparty #finleyturner #audiobook #thriller #netgalley #emblabooks

Case says yes to the marriage proposal from Murray, but all changes when she meets his family. They come from money and throw them a massive engagement party. When someone dies Cass becomes the first suspect and her relationship becomes tangled. The story is fascinating and entertaining. I found myself not being able to call this twist!! The characters are convincing and I was finding every opportunity to listen to this!

I got the chance to listen to the audio version of this novel and I enjoyed it. For some reason it was not what I was expecting the novel to be, but still it was good to listen to.

We meet Kass who is engaged to Murray, she has not met the family yet but she soon will do and that's really where the main story occurs.

Murrays parents throw them an elaborate engagement party and Kass is unaware of how powerful and how rich the family is. The family have many secrets between themselves and we learn that Kass does too.

For me, I felt that there were a few things that were lacking but it was nonetheless enjoyable. The author paints the picture of that powerfule and rich is not always the best thing to strive for and this novel is a good example of that.

Thanks to Netgalley, Finley Turner and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this audio book. 3.5 stars.

This one was just ok for me. It’s a great shame given that this was a debut novel from an author who shows great promise that I didn’t find anything worthy of upping the review to more than a 3 star 🌟

There’s nothing wrong with the characters (a madly in love newly engaged couple) the setting (a huge old money home in North Carolina) the plot (a murder during a storm) nothing wrong at all in fact they’ve worked perfectly for thousands of other stories but there lies the problem, they’re all over used tropes and something really spectacular would’ve needed to be within the pages to score higher. I hope the author brings something else out I’d love to see their progress.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Audio U.K. for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.

Meet set designer Cassandra Baptiste, recently happily engaged to the privileged museum curator Murray Sedgemont. When Murray’s parents Beatrice and Philip Sedgemont decide to throw an engagement party to get to know their new daughter in law, Cassandra can’t help but feel excited and nervous. Madly in love with Murray, she is desperate to make a good impression on his fabulously wealthy parents whilst also fighting to maintain her own identity. It doesn’t help that she is hiding a secret of her own…

Cassandra travels with Murray to meet his family and to celebrate their upcoming nuptials. Blown away by the lavish lifestyle of the Sedgemonts, Cassandra soon begins to see the cracks in the armour however. Murray’s family are far from perfect and Murray has been keeping some secrets of his own. It all comes to a climax on the night of Cassandra and Murray’s engagement party as vengeance is taken against those who deserve it and a dead body is uncovered in the office…

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. Cassandra was believable and relatable as a flawed but ultimately decent person. The Sedgemonts were a caricature of the ridiculously wealthy but they were entertaining. The detailing within the novel is excellent. The night of the engagement party was quite drawn out yet the ending was rushed. There were quite a few loose ends with the characters that I would have liked to see explained. However I enjoyed the book and I would be interested in hearing more from this author

I’d like to preface this review by saying that what you see is what you get. If you find comfort in easy to read, pretty low stakes, murder mysteries - you will probably really enjoy this. Though it was clear that this was a debut novel at times, the plot was woven together rather well.

That said, I felt the story was slightly too slow paced. None of the extra details felt relevant to the story’s setting or the twist at the end - nor did they make me care for any of the characters, Kass especially. The first 50% of the book was setting the scene, and introducing a seemingly never ending line of characters, each more snottier and irritating than the last. It was at this point that I found myself listening at 2x speed just to try and get through the bumf. Please could someone just drop dead already! (preferably Murray, he’s a right bore of a fiancé)

Kass’s anxieties about her fiancé’s ex girlfriend and monster-in-law and not about her fiancé’s treatment of her throughout the book ground on my last nerve (though I felt validated after the reveal.) I do wish the author gave us more of a reason that babygirl had to endure it all, because it was clear to me that nothing was really stopping her from getting the next cab home other than her own pathetic stupidity.

Other than the above, I did find myself wanting to return back to listen and finish, therefore rating this at a comfortable 3 stars. If the pace had been faster in the first half it would have been 3.5.
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Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of the Audiobook
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This was a serviceable thriller book. Ticks all the right boxes for a family based, past secrets being revealed story. I liked the claustrophobic tone of it being set in one place on one evening.

An enjoyable domestic thriller with a few good twists and turns. I thought the audiobook was engaging and I didn't mind the narrator at all. Thank you netgalley for this copy.

This wasn’t the suspenseful listen I had expected. It was ok but such a slow burn to the point I was bored, didn’t really care for the characters and did consider DNFing. I kept going and it had a few reveals and surprises along the way but I had kind of lost interest at that point and just wanted to finish. I didn’t really find any of the characters likeable or felt that I really got to know them except for Kass. Didn’t engage me unfortunately.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier UK Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review #TheEngagementParty

Well, this was a dramatic book! The two main characters have just got engaged but she soon discovers she really knows nothing about him. He, it turns out, is super rich with a family to die for- literally. They are absolutely hellish, as are the entire cast of the novel. She also has a secret, of course, so anything could happen. Or everything, as seems to be the case here. If you like high drama and unbelievable twists you’ll love this book. If not you may want to steer clear. I thought it was ok

Wow, there's A LOT going on in this to keep you "engaged" with this awful family in this excellent book. Dripping with monied privilege, Kass and her new fiancé are thrown an unexpected party by his estranged family, and it's all downhill from there...

I really enjoyed listening, and found myself back-chatting to the narrator as I did, to me that's always a sign of a great book.

I'm used to Crooked Lane Books as one of the best publishers of American cosy crime, and this combined with the novel's set up - average American girl discovers her whirlwind engagement is to a member of the super rich - led me to expect a nice, predictable tall tale: ideal company when ill in bed with a winter lurgie.

Instead, Finley Turner has given us something more complex - we soon discover that our narrator, Kass, hasn't asked relevant questions of her fiance, Murray, because she is herself withholding secrets from her own past. Her story turns out to revolve around an overwhelming sense of guilt she has been carrying - a sense that is encouraged by an Internet troll she has picked up and kept secret from Murray too.

In short, this book delivers all the OTT rich kid gone wrong narrative I expected, plus a little something extra. Noting this is Turner's debut novel, I look forward to seeing what she does next - will she dig deeper and write a morally complex second book, or will she deliver another OTT slice of wealthy life? Either way, I am here for it.

Three Word Review: Secrets and guilt.

There's not too much to say about this one. It didn't really do it for me. It seemed a bit confusing. I didn't believe the killer and wasn't that interested in the fate of the characters, including the mc. Literally hated every single character bar the staff, who had such minor parts there isn't much to hang onto. Listened til the end, so 3 stars.

I really wanted to enjoy this story but it fell flat in a few areas. I'm probably nit the right reader for this book

3 stars...SO sorry but i just could not get on with this. I did not like any of the characters, just didnt care what happened to them. I realllllly wanted to like this so it is with a heavy heart i give this review

*WARNING - MENTION OF MURDER, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL*

The engagement party follows Cass, a newly engaged set designer trying to make ends meet. Her fiancé, Murray is an Artist who proposed to Cass just with a 3 carat ring. All is well with the two love birds until Murray's parents invite the couple to their estate for their engagement party. Cass starts discovering family secrets, and starts questioning whether she really knows the man she wants to marry.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It follows the murder mystery cliché; big rich people's house, first murder during a party, loads of drunk people and the main character is a suspect because of their past. I really like the characters, mainly Cass as she's quite down to earth. The writing was also great and easy to follow. I also liked the narrator's voice as she truly captured Cass's feelings with her voice 😊 overall. I recommend you read this book!

Really enjoyed this. Amazing narration and fast paced although it did take me a while to get into it. Would highly recommend this book.

Kass Baptiste has just got engaged to Murray. The boyfriend she lives with and the love of her life. As she is basking in the afterglow of the excitement, an invitation arrives to a party in their honour hosted by his parents the Sedgemont's . They haven't even told anyone yet.
Arriving in North Carolina. Kass soon discovers her hard up boyfriend is actually from one of the most powerful families. The party isn't just at the home of her future in laws its at their estate. As they prepare for the celebrations Kass starts to learn more about this family. Her engagement party also goes with a bang. Does Kass know what she is letting herself in for.
The narrator of this audiobook brought the story to life and the story was fast paced and exciting.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to hear an arc