I love this book! Leah Orr beautifully weaves a darkly delightfully twisted tale for the holidays. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat Grab the eggnog and perhaps a fruitcake and sit down for a great read.

I love everything written by Leah Orr! She always adds humor to her mystery thrillers and this was no exception. The dialogue is witty and clever - I laughed out loud from start to finish. Holly is my mean girl hero!! The book includes many shocking/startling revelations and the ending was jaw-dropping!!! Now there’s more reason to wildly dislike fruitcake!!
Make sure to read the short story included‼️
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was NOT what I expected, but I really enjoyed it. Who knew fruitcake could be so deadly? And who knew that friends could be so deadly? When they say “keep your friends close and your enemies closer”, they may just have gotten that wrong. This is one of those books they you see convinced you know who the bad person is up until the made chapter when the author takes you for a 360 degree turn. I was SHOOKETH. I would have never suspected this person, but once it was revealed to me, I honestly wasn’t surprised. Sometimes the most diabolical people are the bones you least suspect.

This is a good story for those who enjoy those nosy neighbor dramas with a sprinkling of even more drama. You couldn’t pay me to live in this neighborhood, but his absolutely want to be friends with someone who does just for the drama b/c let’s be honest, I’m nosy. This is a grab your popcorn kind of book b/c you’ll not want to put it down for long. You’ll read this in a few sittings and be left shaking your head at the ending.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

The Fruitcake is a quirky and fun (and a little gruesome!) murder mystery. There's a lot going on in this book but you can slowly piece everything together as you read, and the ending is satisfying. The four friends are well developed characters and you'll definitely laugh at times!

The Fruitcake by Leah Orr is a sharp and suspenseful murder mystery set in the seemingly perfect Laguna Palms community. When a holiday fruitcake exchange triggers a string of bizarre deaths, secrets unravel, and dark humor mixes with Southern charm. Leah Orr delivers clever twists and an entertaining plot, though the multiple characters and perspectives can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Overall, it’s a fun, fast-paced read for fans of mysteries with a dark edge and quirky charm.

I enjoyed this book. It was different and very interesting. It will definitely help to get you into the holiday spirits. Oh, and the fruitcake..... you have to read this one. I will absolutely be recommending this book to others. This is the first time reading this author, and I am so glad that I got the chance. I will be looking forward to more.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

What a fantastic read from start to finish. I have to say I'm never buying a fruit cake again lol .
It had me on edge of my seat all the way through.

Very funny dark and mysterious read. I am guessing that Gina is hope! But oooh I wish I knew for sure.

This was so over the place. I don’t really know what to make of this book.

My issue with this book is that I just don’t know what it is. I don’t know what it was trying to be; I don’t know if it wanted to be a social commentary, which you can absolutely do with mystery-thrillers, but I just feel like it didn’t quite hit the mark, so I didn’t know if the book wanted to be that, or to be a drama, or just a thriller, or a horror thriller with a side of comedy. Like, it just changed so much; I just didn’t know what I was reading, and the narrations changed a lot, too.

There was too much going on that by the end I just don’t think the fruitcake was a main point. I guess the pacing was quick, but I took way too long to read this, especially considering it is about 211 pages of actual story. This shouldn’t have taken me so long, but I put it down so many times. I had to force myself a little bit to pick it up again to finish it.

As said, the pacing was good, and it flowed... I was just bored and confused because I didn’t know what this book was actually about, and the author didn’t make me 100% want to know what was happening.

I am so glad I read this book in between putting up my Christmas tree and decorations, it helped get me in the spirit! Luckily, a fruitcake was only involved in the book. I found this book to be very unique and original. I really like this authors writing and will be looking forward to reading more.

I received a copy of this book from Orrplace Press via NetGalley.

In this book, readers are whisked into the ritzy, sun-drenched world of Laguna Palms, a beachfront neighborhood hiding more than its fair share of secrets. Holly Kelly, a mother of rambunctious triplets and newcomer to the cul-de-sac, is eager to find her place in this tight-knit yet drama-filled community. She quickly bonds with three quirky and fiercely loyal women: Gina, Greta, and Chloe. But as their friendship blossoms, so does the realization that something sinister is lurking beneath the glamorous exterior of their upscale neighborhood.

What begins as a seemingly lighthearted holiday tradition—a fruitcake exchange—takes a dark and sinister turn. When accidents start claiming lives, the deaths at first seem coincidental. But as more disturbing disappearances shake the community, the four friends decide to take matters into their own hands, leading to a sleuthing adventure filled with shocking revelations. With plenty of twists, a chilling Christmas Eve climax, and a neighborhood brimming with secrets, the plot keeps readers hooked until the very end.

The novel strikes a delicate balance between humor and darkness, tackling heavy topics like kidnapping, depression, and abuse while infusing laugh-out-loud moments through relatable characters and their daily struggles. While the character development could have been deeper, the interpersonal dynamics among the four friends are engaging and entertaining. Their bond anchors the story, adding heart and levity even as the narrative veers into darker territory. It’s a witty and wild ride through secrets, sleuthing, and a fruitcake tradition you’ll never forget!

An amazingly engrossing, delightful, suspenseful, heartwarming, novel [yes, all of that], THE FRUITCAKE both captured my attention and entertained me from its first pages. What a neighborhood on this "quiet" Florida island gated cul-de-sac! What fascinating characters! What ugly secrets roil under its sleek shiny surfaces! First I've read by author Leah Orr, but I am definitely going to read more. A very satisfying and strongly suspenseful read.
Release October 31 2023.

It finally happened by mistake, I read my first Christmas book. “The Fruitcake” by Leah Orr is a thrilling dark comedy that keeps you laughing until the last chapter. I didn’t even realize it was a Christmas book until I started reading it.

The book is set in South Florida, I have been to all the places mentioned in this book and in the timeframes. Just hearing the names, Martin County, Jensen Beach and The Treasure Coast was a thrill for me. Why? Because I am a snowbird, you know, what all the characters in the book make fun of. Orr does a superb job of capturing the vibe and people of the region.

How do you describe the book? A comedy, a conspiracy theory, nosey neighbors, bad guys and some abuse. All the delectable ingredients of a great story (or fruitcake).

The plot moves fast and keeps you thinking until the very end. Why do people keep disappearing and returning offering no explanation of where they have been? How spooky is that?

Abuse did happen to many people, and I am not condoning it. But in the end, doesn’t it keep the balance? Read the book and see what you think and whatever you do, do not eat any fruitcake in Florida.

Thank you to Netgalley and Independent Book Publishers Association for providing me with an advanced readers copy. All the opinions expressed are my own because I have Freedom of Speech.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that murder mystery going on through this story and had that element that I was looking for. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and was glad everything worked together. Leah Orr does a great job in writing this type of book and had me guessing from start to finish.

Leah Orr’s The Fruitcake delivers an unexpected and wildly entertaining blend of horror and dark humor that keeps readers captivated from the very first page. What begins as an unsettling tale of terror quickly transforms into a uniquely twisted narrative, centered around an unlikely villain: a fruitcake with a body count.

Orr’s ability to create an atmosphere of dread while weaving in moments of humor is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. The horror elements are intense and suspenseful, leaving readers on edge as they try to piece together the bizarre connection between the seemingly innocuous dessert and the trail of chaos it leaves behind. At the same time, the book’s darkly comedic moments offer a perfect counterbalance, ensuring the story remains engaging and not overly grim.

The pacing is spot-on, with just enough clues and twists to keep readers guessing about the fruitcake’s origins and its deadly influence. Orr’s knack for blending absurdity with genuine terror makes The Fruitcake an exhilarating and unforgettable read.

For fans of horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers on suspense, The Fruitcake is a deliciously dark treat. With its mix of thrills, chills, and laughs, this book is sure to become a holiday favorite for those who enjoy their festive cheer with a side of chaos.

The Fruitcake, A deadly twist on a popular Christmas tradition! Four friends, one fruitcake, and a ritzy town full of secrets . . .What could go wrong?! Wow! This book had some wild storyline! It was a bit out there and very funny at times! It also some gruesome murders! Suspense, mystery, a sort of crazy who done it and some wild twists and turns! I definitely recommend reading this funny thriller! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This isnmy first book by this author. It was really good. Fast paced, and a holiday thriller full of twists. I would love to read more by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

The Fruitcake by Leah Orr.
"The ancient Romans were a bunch of assholes".
This had me hooked from the very first sentence.
Absolutely love the character Holly. Her personality is truly amazing.
Likeable characters and just funny at a lot of times.
There are fruitcake recipes at the end which are cool.

Leah donates her profits of her books to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation after she found out while pregnant with her baby girl was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. What an amazing lady