One invitation. A lifetime of regrets.
Sweet sixteen. It’s an exciting coming of age, a milestone, and a rite of passage. Jeff and Kim Sanders plan on throwing a party for their daughter, Hannah—a sweet girl with good grades and nice friends. Rather than an extravagant, indulgent affair, they invite four girls over for pizza, cake, movies, and a sleepover. What could possibly go wrong?
But things do go wrong, horrifically so. After a tragic accident occurs, Jeff and Kim’s flawless life in a wealthy San Francisco suburb suddenly begins to come apart. In the ugly aftermath, friends become enemies, dark secrets are revealed in the Sanders’ marriage, and the truth about their perfect daughter, Hannah, is exposed.
π π π π
The Party was our in person book club choice for October. Out of 6 women, the average rating was about a 2.5 out of 5, where no one loved it, but no one completely hated it. I rated it on the higher end because it was a book that I couldn’t put down. It was a super easy read, which I flew through in 2 sittings.
The novel takes place during and after a sweet sixteen party goes horribly wrong. All of the characters are very unlikable, especially 16 year old birthday girl Hannah and her mother, Kim. You get both the thoughts of Hannah and Kim and oh boy you just wanted to shake some sense into them. You also get the thoughts of Jeff (Kim’s husband) and Lisa (a mother of one of Hannah’s friends) and they weren’t much better. A lot of selfish characters who just wanted to defend themselves.
I was super disappointed with the ending of the novel. It just ended. I wanted so much more. It’s hard to explain without getting into spoilers, but it seemed like the author didn’t want to choose a side and just kind of threw her hands up and boom the novel is done.
3 calculators out of a potential 5. I liked that the novel told both sides of the story and had you wanting to pick a side. Unfortunately, with the unlikable characters and failure of an ending, it was a let down.
This book has been on my TBR list for a while now and I am looking forward to reading it. Great review.
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
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Thank you
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Sometimes unlikable characters make a story more interesting. However, if the entire story is filled with unlikable people, then it’s tedious and not enjoyable.
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Totally agree. It’s tough to pick a side when you hate everyone!
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I tend to enjoy unlikeable characters, so maybe I’ll give this one a shot.
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I hope you enjoy it!
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I don’t like when books abruptly end without a clear resolution.
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Me too! I invest time into a novel, so I want the full conclusion!
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When I read the blurb, I was totally hooked but your comments have made me think twice about picking it up. I might be a tad bit more curious so I think I will end up reading it. Will see how it goes on my end. Adding it to my TBR on GR.
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I hope you enjoy it!
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This sounds like a book to miss. I hope your next read is more enjoyable.
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Thank you!
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I’m sorry you didn’t like the characters, or the ending, but I’m glad you still got through it.
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Sorry you didn’t love it. I just finished a book where I disliked the main character also. It was torture to complete. Better luck next time.
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It’s horrible!
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Oh man, this looks like it could be really good but that average rating of 2.5 is not the best! I do like quick, can’t put down-able reads though so maybe I’ll give it a shot anyway!
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I hope you enjoy it!
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Ugh! Sorry that you didn’t enjoy the book.
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Thanks!
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Shucks – I hear you on that ending – I need closure and don’t like to be left hanging
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Me too!
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Such a shame as the endings are always what makes or breaks a book. Great review.
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Thank you!
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The book sounded good but after reading your review I am glad that I didn’t read it.
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I’ve read some disappointing books for book club, but find that the ones that were not liked very much made for the more interesting discussions, haha.
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Bad books made for some great discussions! We’ve had a few of those!
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Great review
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Thank you!
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Just ended?! Bummer. Thanks for sharing.
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Ouch for the book club. I hope the next pick score higher with you ladies.
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Great honest review, I’ve been seeing this book quite around lately, I’m sorry this one really didn’t work out for you. I hope your next read is a much better one.
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Maybe that’s why it was in a book club? It may not have sold otherwise. ❤️🦋🌀
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