The desire to stop reading this book was pretty high. It took a lot longer for me to finish than normal because of how much repetition there was.
There was two POVs throughout the book - Gina, the girlfriend and Marta, the mother of the boyfriend. Gina and Marta started off on bad footing right from the beginning. They both had ulterior motives for getting under each other's skin. The amount of times that the reader read something that alluded to this became too hard to count. They knew something the reader didn't know yet and they really enjoyed reminding us.
The ending did provide some redemption. I think I would have given it 2 stars if it wasn't for the twist (twisted twist) we received if we made it that far.

This was such a great thriller to end the year!
I liked that it started off strong and ended with the twist!
I like it when a book starts strong and adds information throughout. It keeps me interested!
I liked how the FMC seemed like a sad, traumatized girl but then turned into a bit of a psycho in her quest for revenge.
I had a feeling about what the twist was going to be, so it wasn't super shocking.
It would have been interesting to add Wayne's POV as well.

This was a great book, and I definitely recommend it!

I liked the book's overall premise, but the plot dragged along until about 80%-85% of the way through. The last 15 percent of the book was highly action-packed and kept my attention, but again, getting there was a bit of a drag. I would have loved more perspective from Grant and Aunt Bethany throughout the book.

Emily does it again with another banger! I loved the wife in the photo and this one knocked it out of the park again. She kept me on my toes and kept me wanting more. There are twists and they will have your jaw on the floor. A must read if you like tense thrillers!

The plot twists were so well done that I had to reread certain sections just to process them. A brilliantly crafted thriller from beginning to end.

Loved this book, it was a real page turner and kept me so engaged. Can’t wait To read more

This book was a real page turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was fast paced and I found it wasn’t to predictable which helped massively to keep me engaged.

Thanks again for this opportunity

This sent me on a wild rollercoaster ride from page 1 all the way to the end! I continued to question everyone and couldn't predict what would happen next! Definitely recommending this book to everyone

A fast paced psychological thriller book which had me pulled in!
Meeting a boyfriends parents for the first is bound to be nerve wrecking, toxic!

this is not your typical twisty novel but enjoyed the read!

Meet the Parents

Twisty thriller I loved this!!!! Gina & Owen are loves young dream but there are a few dark secrets about to come out ….. did NOT know how this was going to end! A few days of rapid reading 🤩 Meet the Parents is my thriller of the year so far.

Thank you @netgalley and @authoremilyshinwer for the opportunity to read and review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ a no brainer 5 stars

I personally feel this book could have been shortened, a lot of areas were drawn out, it might have been to make it longer, but it would have been an amazing short story! Other than that, the plot was good, and the pace was fine, just drawn out.

This was my first read by Emily Shiner. It had me hooked from the very beginning and I was INVESTED!!!!! I loved the character development and fingering out who everyone REALLY was. The ending seemed to leave questions unanswered or a lot of holes that I would have liked to be filled in but I still enjoyed the book.

This was unnecessarily long, convulted and incredibly stupid. The main character was coasting on luck throughout because she is the opposite of smart and none of her sleuthing ever resulted in anything. Also, the personality switch up was crazy. From comically inept to psycho maniac. It would have been epic if it were deliberate but it's just an unfortunate product of bad writing.

The twist at the end is so contrived and I saw it coming from a mile away. Word of advice, it a character in a psychological thriller keeps saying another character is innocent and wouldn't hurt a fly. Chances are they're the final boss.

This was so unoriginal but at least it's over. I received this via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

I love a juicy psychological thriller, and so I was ready to love this, but it just didn't do it for me. The story, at its heart, is good, but there's so much repetition. I felt like the recapping in each chapter was overkill, pardon the pun. I also felt like some of the plot twists were revealed too early.
I'm sure this will absolutely hit the spot for a lot of people - there are tons of positive reviews. I didn't love it as much as I wanted to, but it still had me reading to the end, to find out what happened.

This was very twisty, but still had a somewhat relatable plot point at several times during the story. It felt like it could’ve been Shorter in some ways because it was long and drawn out I felt. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters because I felt like the love story had happened so quickly off book that, it was almost unbelievable in a way. The mother in the story really skeeved me out. It’s a decent thriller, but not something that will be particularly memorable to me.

This book was truly amazing, first time reading this author and I will be back to read more. The way she kept me on my toes and wanting to keep reading. I have recommended this book to every reader I come across! Well done on such a gripping book!

Meet The Parents is a rollercoaster of a ride. So much happens from the start of the book and it just intensifies throughout. It was a vey intense read and had you guessing with each chapter. The only thing I struggled with was the almost incestuous nature of the mother towards her son. Some of her thoughts and comments were really off-putting, and it ruined the potential of the story. I didn't expect the ending though and was really surprised with what happened.

This book starts off with a great opening chapter and then throughout the book you are wondering what's going to happen next. This was so addictive and I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. The ending was so shocking and it really left you wondering. A wonderful twisty thriller. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Emily Shiner’s “Meet the Parents” is a masterclass in psychological suspense, weaving a tale of deception, secrets, and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This novel is a testament to Shiner’s ability to craft intricate plots and deeply flawed characters, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

What should be a joyous occasion quickly turns sinister as Gina realizes that Owen’s mother, Marta, is not as welcoming as she appears. The plot is meticulously crafted, with each chapter revealing new layers of intrigue and tension, culminating in a shocking climax that will leave readers breathless.

 “Meet the Parents” explores themes of control, manipulation, and the facades people maintain to hide their true selves.  The novel also examines the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets and the devastating consequences of living a lie. Through Gina’s perspective, Shiner highlights the struggle for autonomy and the courage it takes to confront one’s past.

Shiner’s writing is sharp and evocative, perfectly capturing the tension and unease that permeate the story. Her ability to create vivid, multi-dimensional characters adds depth to the narrative, making readers deeply invested in their fates. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, reflecting the psychological underpinnings of the characters’ interactions. Shiner’s pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading.

“Meet the Parents” is a standout psychological thriller that offers a compelling blend of suspense, emotion, and intricate plotting. Emily Shiner has crafted a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with a plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy delving into the darker aspects of human nature.

Emily Shiner has once again proven her mastery of the psychological thriller genre with “Meet the Parents.” This novel is a testament to her ability to weave complex, emotionally charged narratives that resonate long after the final page. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a gripping, atmospheric read.

Very intense. I was on the edge of my seat. I loved the character development and the plot twists. Overall a very great read

I was instantly hooked at the start of this book. With the fast-paced short chapters and multiple POVs, it reminded me of a Freida McFadden novel. Meet The Parents is a psychological thriller is about a couple, Gina and Owen, that go to stay with Owen's parents, Grant and Marta. I loved all the twists and turns, and how it all came together at the end. As someone who reads a lot of thriller novels, I saw a lot of the plot twists coming, but this is a great book for someone who is new to reading thrillers!