I love a thriller and this sounded right up my street, however it wasn’t that great tbh! The writing was good and although incredibly frustrating to read, I really enjoyed the friendships angle because as we get older, friends falling out is seen as childish so that was interesting but overall it was a strange plot and I saw the twist coming for a while.

I’ve introduced a new points system for my reads - right now it’s all about the distraction value. Top marks for any book that stops me thinking about the news headlines!
The Baby Shower gets top marks for distraction! The film I have watched most is Bridesmaids …it makes me laugh every time and I enjoy the whole dynamic between Annie, Lilian and Helen and to start with The Baby Shower had similar vibes. A close group of friends is threatened by a new arrival - she’s only been here five minutes but already she’s a bestie and she’s throwing the most extravagant baby shower for Sophie. Jane has had a terrible childhood, is married to the love of her life but they can’t conceive and now she’s watching her best friend succumb to the wiles of Lexie..is it only her best friend she will lose?
Oh my goodness, I have rarely hated a character so much ..Lexie got completely under my skin and she makes Helen look a total lightweight! From the start it’s absolutely clear she doesn’t like Jane - and I really did! - and she’s clearly plotting. I couldn’t believe the vacuousness of Sophie - why wasn’t she seeing behind the act!
I loved the relationship between Frankie and Jane - it was so down to earth and supportive and loving. They are navigating themselves through a world of baby showers and babies - a world that has been denied them…
I had to know what Sophie was up to, I had to know Jane and Frankie would be ok ..wouldn’t they? Highly recommend for total distraction!
With many thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for a digital copy of this book.

I was interested enough to keep reading but not fascinated. Some of the storylines seemed obvious and others I didn’t expect. I did think it felt somewhat like I was reading a back story for a mini-tv series and also I never really could go along with the women so desperate for best friend status.

the first scene of this book was so interesting, i was pulled in almost instantly, but after that i honestly got so bored. i've tried to push through to get to the heart of the novel, but i was so annoyed by the main character that i just couldn't push through and had to put the book down. i'm hopeful that i will come back to it in a few weeks, and maybe fall in love, but first round was a no go for me. i'm giving 2 stars because the writing is not terrible and the premise sounds really promising, it's just not speaking to me!

Jane has a lovely little coffee shop, a wonderful husband, Frankie.....and a great gang of girlfriends, Sophie being her 'bestie' in the group. One day, Sophie introduces a new friend, Lexie, to their group....and from the outset, it appears Lexie is trying to take Jane's place as Sophie's bestie. All rather a bit high-school-ish, but I don't think women ever outgrow the need to have a Thelma to their Louise. Lexie is a bit on the dark side though.....

I really liked Jane and her husband....it was really sad for me, reading about their fertility issues and their longing to be parents.

The book is told from multiple POV's, Jane's, Frankie's and then there are some from an unknown narrator.

The baby shower touches on toxic friendships, gaslighting and also the sad reality of infertility. I thought the book had an interesting plot, but I personally thought the book was quite predictable.

An entertaining read, if you're into a lighter

This was my second book by S.E Lynes and it definitely did not disappoint!

Jane has left behind her turbulent childhood and settled down in a lovely small village with her husband, Frankie and pet dog Des. She has opened a coffee shop which she enjoys working in and has a small circle of close friends, Sophie, Kathy and Hil. Life is peaceful for Jane until one day Sophie brings a new friend, Lexie, to their weekly Friday drinks. Lexie, an Instagram influencer, is very different to the ladies in the group but everyone tries to make her feel welcome but for some reason Lexie really doesn’t like Jane on sight and isn’t shy about hiding it from her….. things begin to escalate and suddenly Jane’s peaceful life starts to implode. Her relationship and friendships are suddenly in question and Jane can’t understand how her life has changed so drastically since Sophie brought Lexie into the group. What on earth has Jane done for Lexie to hate her so intensely? You’ll have to read the book to find out 😉.

I loved this book! We got quickly into the story when we met Lexie for the first time and once that meeting had happened the pace never dropped. I really hated Lexie which showed how well the author portrayed her to provoke that emotion in me about a fictional character so kudos to S.E Lynes. The story was told through a few different perspectives and almost every time I wasn’t ready to switch perspectives and felt I was stuck on a cliff hanger but at the same time I loved it. I really thought the topic of Jane’s infertility was explored and written really well (from someone who has personal insight into this issue) and I thought it was very refreshing to have this in the story.

All in all, I think this was utterly brilliant, unbelievably twisty, and definitely deserves 5*. I highly recommend this for fans of psychological thrillers, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley, S.E Lynes and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

A thriller to keep you turning the pages, holding your breath and wanting to know what happens next. This book will make you question how the human mind works and make your heart thump!
I followed the storyline and the intertwined characters to determine where the mystery was heading, it was a challenge at times to follow what was happening!
I would highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to enjoy a thriller

Thanks so much to Bookouture, NetGalley and SE Lynes for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow, what a gripping read with so many twists and turns you hadn't envisaged from the start. It starts of quite simply middle aged woman with a lovely husband and great group of friends, but ads a newbie into the mix and it all falls apart...!!! A fantastic read, I'd definitely recommend. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my arc.

This book has a pretty good plot with many secrets and twists and turns. The characters were well thought out. I didn’t love the back and forth story line, for me it took away from the book. I loved how it all came together in the end however. This was well thought out and a good read

Jane and Frankie have a good life, despite the fact that she wants to be a mother more than anything. When her best friend Sophie announces the news that she's expecting, though sad Jane is thrilled for her. When Sophie starts bringing around a new friend, Lexie, Jane can't help but feel she's trying to take her place as Sophie's best friend. When she is accused and has arguments with Sophie, Jane knows that Lexie is not who she seems to be. Jane has no idea that Lexie has a plan that doesn't just involve her, but the people she loves the most.

I thought this was a great read. I've read other books from this author and I enjoy her writing style. I felt bad for Jane when she was being accused of things that didn't happen and mad that she felt she needed to be friends with someone who could easily get mad at her without proof. It took some time for Jane to come to the conclusion who her true friends are. Overall I finished this book in one sitting and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

Oh Jane, how I love you and can’t believe that happened to you. But it did. A fabulously twisty and twisted story of a small group of loving and dedicated friends who are joined by a newcomer Lexie who takes an immediate dislike to Jane. The effect is immediate and suddenly we are spinning out of control, trying to keep up with a story that could easily destroy my soul if it happened to me. Couldn’t stop reading it, couldn’t stop thinking about it, couldn’t stop til I finished. A full blooded five star read.

Frankie & Jane both have their own businesses that they enjoy. They aren't rich but they have each other & although they have accepted there will be no babies they are happy. Jane did not have a happy childhood which made her rather solitary but the friends she has made at the Runner Beans group, Kath, Hils & particularly Sophie make her happy. She enjoys their Friday nights out (when the 'other halves' also get together) One Friday Sophie confides she is pregnant. She then turns up at the Friday drinks with her new friend Lexie. It seems to Jane that Lexie goes out of her way to be unpleasant to her- not so much the others might notice but she certainly does! Before long she feel alienated- Lexie declares she is also pregnant. She seems to be Sophie's BFF. Lexie arranges an over the top Baby Shower for Sophie where Jane is further made to feel the outlier. Whilst this is going on she hardly notices the changes in Frankie- who has his own problems! From the start we know that there has been a hit & run & people are in hospital but we don't know who.

This was a book that didn't shy away from subjects like infertility & bullying.. I really like Jane & Frankie & kept hoping all would end well. I had guessed some things about Lexie but little realised everything she was up to! I know I'm in for a good read when I see a Susie Lynes & this one was no different. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I have to admit the blurb didn't pull me in but I saw so many good reviews that I had to request it. I'm glad I did! This was addictive and seriously messed up in the best way. Jane and Frankie's relationship was a bright spot of this book along with the addictiveness!

The Baby Shower
S.E. Lynes
Suspense
339 pages

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to NetGalley + Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

When Sophie brings a new friend into the group, everyone seems to adore her… except Jane. Before long, Jane feels herself being edged out of the friend group, made to look like a vindictive liar. What else is this woman prepared to take from her?

This book made me feel so much… it creeped me out, it frustrated me, it made me SO angry for Jane and almost want to shake her and say no friendship is worth what she was going through. While there were some parts in the middle I felt were a little slow, it actually made for a more immersive reading experience. You find yourself so incredibly frustrated for Jane and that’s exactly how Jane feels for herself. I loved the multiple timelines and even though I guessed what I assume the “twist” would be, I thought it was well-delivered. I LOVED how Jane handled herself at the end. I felt all the vindication I hoped she felt for herself! could definitely see this one being made into a TV movie - the audio was fantastic. There is some heavy subject matter that might be bit spoilery, so message me if you need more details!

🍼 Multiple POV
🍼 Multiple timeline
🍼 Domestic suspense
🍼 Slow burn
🍼 Short chapters
🍼 Explores female friendships
🍼 Epilogue
🍼 Great on audio
🍼 TW are spoilery, DM me!

#caitsquietplace #caitsquietplacereviews #cqpsuspense #thebabyshower #selynes #bookouture

An okay read. Nothing new, same story. twists could be guessed from the first few chapters. The writing was suspenseful. This would be apt for newbie thriller readers, not for hardcore ones like me.

I’ve read all Susie Lynes’ books to date and they never fail to grip me. This one was no exception.

I was hooked from the first page to the last and although I had an idea towards the end where the story was going I still enjoyed it.

The protagonists, Jane and Frankie, were a likable couple, unlike some of the other characters, and despite the story being told from multiple viewpoints it wasn’t confusing.

Full of tension, deception and the nail-biting twists and turns we’ve all come to expect from Susie’s books. Highly recommended.

The Baby Shower
The Baby Shower by S.E. Lynes has everything I love in a psych thriller.
There is a prologue that consists of a news article. Right off the bat, the author lets us know (in a clever way) that there is going to be one heck of a culmination of events in this book.
Well-done set ups like this instantly grab me.
Chapter One is a mystery narrator. Those are always good for intrigue. If you’re paying attention, you will notice that both the newspaper article and Chapter One are set in May.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take a careful look at when each chapter is set. The author lays out the plot clearly. But if you aren’t looking at when each event takes place you could get lost.
And you don’t want to do that.
I generally am not a fan of “girl power/friends” tropes because they are often laid on too thick. In this case, however, it works perfectly.
Jane has just enough going for her, and just enough against her, that her friend circle is vital to her well-being. This is why the rest of the story is so good.
As usual, I am not going to give away plot points here. But believe me when I say the author has written a tightly woven story that had me turning pages literally into the wee hours of the morning.
That’s not hyperbole. I’m not one to gush or throw out typical platitudes. But I stayed awake until 3 am to finish this one because I was totally enthralled by the plot.
I did guess a couple of the “surprises” but (as I have mentioned before) I like to challenge myself to guess where the author is going.
However, there are several twists that I did not figure out. One of them (no spoiler) made me doubt everything that I believed up to that point. I thought maybe I had it all wrong.
That’s another thing I love in a good psych thriller. Keep ‘em guessing is a great rule of thumb.
Sometimes psych thrillers have backstory that only serves as a jumping-off point. That is not the case here. Jane’s backstory is specific and gives insight to her frame of mind while also providing an underlying current of dread (also felt by Jane) to current events.
There was a point at the end that felt like it verged on preachy about how bad women have it sometimes, but I understand why the author included it. That being said, the whole friendship thing gets turned upside down when one character gets what is coming to her.
Once again, not a spoiler. But that twist provides a cutting commentary the danger of being carried away by material things and the “reality” presented on social media.
I am a big fan of S.E. Lynes, but The Baby Shower may just be my favorite one yet.

The Baby Shower by S.E. Lynes offers up the compelling premise of a twisty psychological thriller but, for me, this one just didn't land in the same way as the author's previous works. There is something about a narrative that is fuelled by toxic female relationships that just does not resonate with me, although I did enjoy the delightful snarkiness. While I found myself to be less engaged with the story than I had hoped to be, I am clearly the outlier with this one.

I very much look forward to whatever comes next from this talented author. 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

🄴-🄰🅁🄲 @netgalley 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓
𝙱𝚢: @selynes
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Fiction
𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛: @bookouture
𝚁𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝙾𝚗: March 1st 2022
@𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚜 𝚂𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎: 4.34
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎: 👶👶👶👶 / 5 Babies

🅂🅈🄽🄾🄿🅂🄸🅂

She bursts into my life like a storm. She seems so perfect, with her lilting laugh and her beautiful face. One by one, I watch as my friends fall under her spell.

Only I seem to suspect something. Only I see that her smiles don’t reach her cold eyes. I’m accused of things I didn’t do; my home is vandalized; I know she’s behind it. But she only lets her mask slip when no one is looking, so if I say anything, I’ll look crazy.

When the baby shower comes around, I’m there, sitting on a velvet sofa in a posh hotel room, surrounded by balloons. We share gifts, we pour glasses of champagne, and she beams, her bump just visible under her bright red shirt.

But that afternoon, I finally learn the unbelievable truth.

There is no baby…

🄼🅈 🅃🄷🄾🅄🄶🄷🅃🅂

WOW! First, I must state this is my 4th book by S.E. Lynes and boy am I such a fan! She has such a brilliant writing style. She brings out all the suspense and thrills in all her stories. The twists and turns in this newest one will have your head spin!

In her newest psychological thriller "𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓" we're in for an intense ride full of women drama. A little crazy never hurt anyone right?

I highly recommend this creative and brilliant new read that will have you holding your breath for the ending.

Thank you @negalley & @bookouture for gifting me this E-ARC,

The Baby Shower by S. E. Lynes was another good read. I love the way she writes her books they just have me gripped from the first few pages till the end. However, I did find this book very hard to read, especially as one of the characters reminded me of me.......... I am the one who sits there and smiles at her friends or a family member when they announce they are pregnant! but really I am screaming inside my head! Why.? I'm the one who is married etc!!!!
This did take a while to read and played with my emotions as you could understand!

But, I finished it! This book contains lots of secrets and secrets do come out...........and I do recommend all of her books.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review