I had heard so much about this book and so was absolutely thrilled when I was approved. This is the story of Claire, who has decided to help her dad, who is struggling, by having a reunion of her friends and family. I loved the coming together of everyone and the everyday, which was as readable as the suspense. There are many voices in the book, one in particular, which, even now, I found to be eloquently and stand outishly done, with an innocence and fragility that was mind blowing.

As you are meeting everyone you have in the back of your mind that someone possibly had something to do with the disappearance of Eleanor, and the author most definitely lays a number of foundations so that you're patting yourself on figure out what happened to poor Lenny, before you're sent off in another direction. Actually I feel I have to add at this stage that I think some of the traps laid were never explained, that or I missed them, but I was gripped enough by the book that I don't think I missed anything. There were a lot of characters, although for the most part you had them clearly enough drawn in your mind that that didn't matter.

A lot of reviews have said they worked out what happened early on and I have to say fair you-know-whats to them, because I most definitely didn't! I read this over two nights and was absolutely loathe to put it down. Thanks so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for the book in return for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5

What a fab book. Fantastic writing that doesnt let on what happened to 13 year old Lenni the day she disappeared. Truly shocking conclusion tinged with sadness. I would encourage everyone to read The Reunion as its bound to be a best seller.

This is a definite must read. The book was well written, fast paced, characters were likable and a great story line to follow. There were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It kept me on my feet the whole time. What more do you want from a book. This author did a great job.

Very good book, well written with good character development. Intriguing, kept me guessing til the very end.

In August 1996 13-year-old Eleanor leaves the beach to buy an ice cream but doesn't return. Despite extensive searching, all that's found are the shorts she was wearing on the day she disappeared. As the days, weeks, months and eventually years pass, no one sees Eleanor again.

Fast forward to June 2017 and Claire, Eleanor's elder sister, decides to organise a reunion of her childhood friends. Her father has Alzheimer's and she thinks it will rekindle memories of happier times when everyone was carefree and life was idyllic. However, when the daughter of one of Claire's friends goes missing in circumstances shockingly reminiscent of Eleanor's disappearance 21 years earlier, it becomes apparent that all is not as it appears...

The Reunion grabbed me from the moment I read the blurb. I knew it was exactly my kind of book. I love reading about hidden family secrets and people who are not quite what they seem. I find myself being sucked in until I'm totally immersed. Much to my pleasure, this book was no different.

The characters were well-developed and plausible; especially Claire, who became my constant companion. I thought the pacing was a little on the slow side but that's my only gripe. I absolutely loved all the brilliant twists, turns and insinuations. It's great when a sentence here and there can change your whole perception - that's the mark of a truly gifted author.

The writing was engaging and flawless; it flowed with ease and conjured up each moment perfectly. What can I mention about the ending? Only that if I spent a million years trying to guess how it would finish, I'd be completely wrong!

* I received an Advance Reader Copy. My thanks to Samantha Hayes, NetGalley and Bookouture.

It was too slow for my tastes: the first half of the book introduces all the main characters and their relationships, but nothing particularly engrossing happens. The real story starts in the second part, a little late for me. I was still interested to see what would happen and how Lenni's situation would end, but I didn't much care for the characters. Unfortunately, the big twist didn't shock me

The Reunion is an intriguing and fast-paced thriller, filled with a cast of characters who were unique and realistically flawed, which makes them both relatable to readers and potential suspects. The book took many twists and turns, and my suspicions changed several times throughout as a result. This is the first book from author Samantha Hayes that I've read. The eye-catching cover art caught my eye. I really enjoyed this book, and as a result, I'm interested in reading more of her works in the future. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This was a fantastic read! Full of twists, turns and surprises that keep you guessing all the way through

A psychological thriller full of twists and turns which is told from multiple points of view. I found however that this meant that none of the characters were fully rounded and while creating suspense also prevented me being fully invested in them. They all made questionable decisions, with inexplicable motivation and I was ultimately frustrated by the denouement. Not one for me.

All I can say is wow I wasn’t expecting that. What a page turner, well worth a read.

This was an excellent psychological thriller that had me gripped from the start and throughout the whole book. There were some really good twists and turns that I certainly didn’t see coming and they added so much to the story. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

This book starts off quite slowly but builds up to a story of unbelievable deception

Many years ago Claire allowed her little sister Eleanor to walk to the shop alone to buy an ice cream but she never came back!

Now years later Claire's father has Alzheimers disease and they are selling the farm so she decides to throw a reunion for her closest friends, the same friends who were present the day her sister went missing, but then the unthinkable happens, another child goes missing at the reunion!!!!!!

My first book by this author but definitely not my last.... Addictively written you won't be able to put this book down !!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Reunion in return for an honest review.

So good!! Stayed up late as I just could not put it down. Great and believable characters, interwoven lives and red herrings a plenty. This book drew me in from the outset and hooked me very quickly. It’s been a while since I read a book like this, it’s a masterpiece. I like that it didn’t make me uncomfortable - but I absolutely had to keep reading.

A great read, so easy to read that I flew through it and am now bereft with a book hangover.

Superb 5* from me!

If you like thrillers, you'll love the reunion. The author uses amazing character development and other literary aides to make sure the reader is deeply entrenched in this thriller, which keeps them riding the ride and not wanting to stop. It's definitely one of those books that will keep you turning pages, because you have to know and then when you find out, your head will spin and you will take your breath and start going over it all and wondering every aspect. Great read, highly recommend for thriller lovers!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview The Reunion by Samantha Hayes.
I feel like I have been reading alot of books about missing children/people, going back in time in different voices, with a conclusion of What Happened???
This book is about a child who goes missing, that becomes a cold case. Twenty years later, a reunion brings together the group (now adults) with secrets, lies, and sadness, that were part of the child's disappearance.
Slow in the beginning, lots of characters, and a good plot. I think I am just getting tired of this plot line - good book, but not fast paced enough for me.
3 stars.

The Reunion is a creepy mystery and family drama with some good twists and turns and unnervingly realistic characters.

This book is not an action-packed, heart-pounding thriller but if you like an intense slow-burner, then it is for you. Personally, I found the first half to be a bit too drawn out, with a fair amount of repetition of who was and wasn’t speaking to whom, or who felt guilty about what and how people felt about particular things, as well as lots of the minutiae of cooking, eating, getting up, showering, going to bed etc. I also found the changes in the third-person view-point – sometimes part-way through a chapter – unusual; this was a bit confusing and difficult to get used to.

Nevertheless, the book is well-plotted and Samantha Hayes brings to life some very vivid scenery and tangible emotions. I could practically feel the hot seaside sun on my face and the warm, soft sand under my feet, as well as the tension and anxiety that builds throughout the book. I also found myself feeling sympathetic, irritated, scared, horrified, frustrated and furious with each one of the characters at any given time as the story progressed!

There are some creepy, tense moments in the book, with some red herrings and unexpected plot developments. I did eventually work out who-dunit, after suspecting the wrong culprit once or twice, but there were still even more shocks and surprises to come.

Overall this is an intriguing mystery drama, with a gripping final third that is guaranteed to put your emotions through the wringer. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Reunion.

I loved, loved, LOVED this book!!!

It kept me hooked from the first page. It’s many twists and turns ensured the reader was enthralled to the very last page. The storyline was fantastic and the characters were very identifiable. Highly recommended. Five stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Samantha Hayes for the copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

What a great story! I’m trying to put into words my feelings for this book. I’m exhausted from reading and have been thoroughly gripped throughout. The characters were well developed, as were the settings, creating a picture I could watch in my mind. The family and friends relationships develop well creating a close knit group whilst also creating a puzzle to solve. The twists and turns added depth to the storyline, several times I thought I could see where the story was going and then it changed direction. I was predicting constantly, trying out a variety of scenarios, and whilst some didn’t surprise me, some totally did. The book was easy to read, including an alternative narrative which goes backwards in time, saving the best reveal until the last moment. Would totally recommend this book! I will look out for more Samantha Hayes books!

Average, in my opinion. I found the story quite slow and far-fetched; the red-herrings too obvious and the characters uninteresting. Not for me I am afraid.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.