Cover Image: The Invite

The Invite

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

She does it again!!! I swear Sheryl Browne never disappoints.....I am always excited to read anything from her. Knowing a 5 star is bound to.come.
This one took the cake ...just so much going on very very twisty and blind sided me.
Follow along carefully so you don't miss a thing.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

Was this review helpful?

The Invite is billed as an addictive psychological thriller with a jaw dropping twist and it certainly lives up to that statement. It’s been just over two years since I read one of Sheryl’s books so I was keen to rectify that. This book had me hooked from the beginning full of secrets, deceit and some great twists it didn’t disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a UK-based mystery/thriller, told through the perspectives of multiple characters.

At the heart of the story is Kaitlin, who is preparing to go to a lavish birthday ceremony her fiancé Greg is throwing for her, with her closest friends and family. Kaitlin hasn’t had an easy time of it after being mistreated by her first husband. Feeling insecure after a painful break-up, she’s fully concentrated on being a single mum when she meets Greg, but they fall into a whirlwind romance and he is eager to marry Kaitlin and become a stepfather to her daughter.

Anticipation is high because Kaitlin’s best friend, Zoe, is returning to the UK after time spent living in Portugal. She’s fleeing a disastrous breakup and is suspicious of Kaitlin’s new fiancé. Tensions between Kaitlin, Zoe and Greg are raised and Zoe leaves the party upset, never to be seen again.

The story moves quickly through alternating chapters, told through the eyes of Kaitlin, Greg, Zoe and the two detectives investigating the disappearance. The doubts Zoe managed to plant in Kaitlin’s mind grow stronger as the investigation drags on, and Kaitlin wonders how well she really knows her fiancé. The rapid pacing and discoveries in the police investigation were all good.

Less interesting for me was the character of Kaitlin. We meet her when the investigation kicks off and are often in her mind, and she came off primarily as a victim. I would have liked to see a bit more to her personality, especially since she is the character grounding this story. Another issue were the characters who popped in for a chapter or two – in addition to the five main characters - to move the story along from their perspectives. It often took me a while to understand who hey were. Finally, while the twists kept coming until the end, I’m not sure I really bought the ending.

Nevertheless, this is an engaging thriller and a quick read. I gave it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Kaitlin is excited to attend her party, eager to introduce her best friend Zoe to her fiancé Greg. While she hasn't been with Greg long, she knows he is perfect for her - even if he does go ahead and make plans without asking her... When Kaitlin sees a heated exchange between Greg and Zoe at the party, she wonders what it could be about. Soon after this, Zoe goes missing, and Kaitlin knows she must find out what happened to her. Could Greg be involved? Or someone else close to her? Could Kaitlin and her young daughter be in danger...?

A thrilling story that keeps you turning the pages. With twists and turns and a gripping plot, this was a good read. I liked how it is told from different characters' points of views.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

Was this review helpful?

Sheryl is one hell of a writer and I think this book is her best so far. Such a twisty story, just when I thought I’d worked it out Sheryl threw in another curve. Kaitlin and Zoe are really relatable characters and I felt for them. The story is told from different characters’ point of view, which helps to keep the suspense going. Sheryl's skill at describing the tension and the characters’ emotions really draws you into the story and had my heart racing. Totally addictive.

Was this review helpful?

Just when you think you have everything figured out, and who's real and who isn't, Sheryl throws another twist into the plot.

I absolutely love Sheryl's thrillers! They're unputdownable. Strong characters, twisting plot - they have it all!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

i so very much enjoyed this story. but you know its going to be good as author never lets her readers down. i think this one is the most twisty one you think you have got it but no. Kaitlen has such an adorable daughter Ruby but her ex husband was a bully and a controller .Kaitlen has met Greg and fallen in love her ideal man and have moved in together and her best friend Zoe is flying back to England for Kaitlen birthday. Kaitlen hopes her best friend and boyfriend will so like each over .Zoe has her own problems the man she has fallen in love with Daniel is married. the night of the party has arrived but Katilen and Zoe fall out she flees the party am not saying no more but so addictive and twisty all not as it seems

Was this review helpful?

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Bookouture and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

You won’t want to put this one down. It’s thrills and chills from beginning to end.

Was this review helpful?

Synopsis:
After a really bad experience with men, Kaitlin thinks she's finally found The One. Greg even organized the birthday party of her dreams for her. But when she wants to introduce him to her best friend, Zoe, both start acting weirdly - as if they both thought the other was up to no good. Kaitlin, defending Greg, and Zoe, get into a big fight and Zoe rushes off - not to be seen again ...

My thoughts:
This was a gripping, fast-paced thriller that really kept my attention. I really felt for Kaitlin and Zoe and could understand them in every naive kind of way, and I also loved how the concept of family was displayed in this book. However, with the friend going missing, several people not being who they said they were, several acts of jealousy, and a child going missing, there was a little bit too much going on for my liking. It would have been perfect if every one of these events would have gotten a separate novel with wholly new characters, if that makes any sense!

Parts of this book reminded me of:
- Missing Daughter by Kiersten Modglin
-The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle

Was this review helpful?

OMG! A read once started I didn't want to put down. Zoe is back from Portugal having lost her job and most things in her life. She was in a relationship and then found out not only was he married but he has children. Daniel, like others, had lied to her and even worse she thinks he is stalking her. She comes back to her friend's birthday party where she is introduced to Kaitlins new man Greg. When Katilin announces they are getting married and that she is pregnant Zoe is very protective and thinks she is leaping too quickly- something learnt from her own experiences. They argue and Zoe leaves abruptly. Kaitlin sends Greg after her so that she can apologise. They learn soon after that Zoe has gone missing and Greg hasn't exactly been truthful and that Daniel has been constantly calling her- he is in the area. What has happened to Zoe and just who is telling the truth?
Oh wow! This is a brilliantly written fast paced read- a real page turner. I took to Zoe and Kaitlin - the characters came across well and although perhaps a little naive in life- they acted as you would expect them to in the situation.Different chapters are narrated by several of the characters giving differing perspectives. Wonderfully portrayed tensions and emotions kept me enthralled. This is my first book by this author and I would have no hesitation at reading her others. In fact please sign me up now for the next one! A thrilling gripping read. Stunning.
#blogtour

Was this review helpful?

Not for me, no jaw-dropping twist at the end that was convincing... and then there were others things that confused me:

In the first scene with Ruby and her mom sitting on the bed, the girl is called Poppy;

There is a witness of a woman being molested in the middle of the night, but he doesn't think of calling the police;

Lots and lots of monologues for several characters, rethinking their past, their mistakes, their guilt.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book, I didn’t know where it was going, it kept me really intrigued right up until the last page, what I love in a good thriller! I have pre-ordered this and I’m really excited to get my proper copy.

Was this review helpful?

Good book! Great thriller! This book had suspense, action, intrigue, and a great who done it! The storyline was very interesting and flowed nicely! I will definitely recommend reading this one! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?

I’ve loved all of Sheryl Browne’s books and this one is no exception! The main character is really likeable and I was drawn into her life with all the twists and turns that came with it. This is a definite page turner and I read it in 2 days!
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Vulnerable woman ✔️
Hovering fiancé ✔️
Missing people ✔️
Unanswered questions ✔️
Lots of action and fast paced narrative ✔️
This book has all,the components that made me want to read it. It’s a story within a story wrapped up in yet another story. Broken promises, lies, deception, and jealousy all wreak havoc on the characters’ lives. Be carful whom you invite into your life.

Was this review helpful?

“The Invite” by Sheryl Browne is a mystery/thriller book. The story starts out following Kaitlin, a single Mum, who is hoping that her finance, Greg, and her best friend, Zoe, like each other. From the onset of her birthday party, Kaitlin feels that Zoe and Greg might know each other from somewhere, but she’s uncertain how or why. After the party, Zoe goes missing. So far, so good - but once Zoe has disappeared, the story expands to including a number of characters - including Zoe’s boyfriend, the boyfriend’s wife, Kaitlin’s parents, two police detectives - and it became a bit overwhelming with different chapters changing their speaker (and POV) and a number of red herrings and twists that at times it just became overwhelming and difficult to follow. This was a quick read and very twisty, but at times I kept wondering “where is this going and how will it resolve?” The resolution I found okay, though after such a build-up the last chapter moved so quickly that the epilogue really helped fill in some details I missed. I would read another book by this author (I think this one is her tenth), which is high praise.

Was this review helpful?

Intense, scary thriller. I really enjoyed the twist interns of this book. I especially like the main character but the story was my favorite part. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a thriller.

Was this review helpful?

“Betrayal and unrequited love can lead people to all sorts of madness”.

This is the running theme of this book. There were many characters and multiple storylines, so I found myself going back to at times to remember who the characters were. One of the twists got me good, the others eh. It was all around an ok read. Good one to pass the time.

Newly engaged Kaitlin is thrilled that it is finally the night of her party. Although Kaitlin and her fiancé Greg moved quickly with their relationship, she’s confident that he is the one. They agreed to elope. She cannot wait to introduce her new fiancé to her lifelong bestie Zoe.

Things get weird when Zoe and Greg finally meet. Do they already know each other? Zoe starts downing alcohol, and after an unpleasant conversation between herself and Kaitlin, Zoe storms off.

Days go by and Kaitlin receives a surprise knock on her door; Zoe is missing.

What transpires next is a series of emotionally charged events. Do you ever really know someone? Can you trust another person completely?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?