This book was fantastic! The author's writing style was different in a way I didn't expect, but so good. The book was very much a modern day Desperate Housewives vibe which I totally loved! I had SO many theories as the book progressed. I was hooked and picked up the book any chance I could because I couldn't finish it quick enough! Although I was able to predict one or two things, it certainly didn't take away the shock value as a whole by the time I finished the story. This book also touched on a variety of traumas and emotions that so many people experience. I think the author did a phenomenal job at portraying that. I love discovering authors who I have never heard of and in this case, I am so happy I stumbled upon Jamie Day's, The Block Party. I am sure I will be recommending this book to many friends!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of The Block Party in exchange for an honest review. This review is wholly my own.

It is exactly what it sounds like - a neighborhood block, full of just plain mean, self-absorbed people, but each family has their own secrets & issues to hide. Then a murder takes place at the block party and literally any of the block neighbors could have had motive and committed the crime, but who? The story dives into each family and their separate issues to ultimately figure out who the murderer is.

You kind of get a Desperate Housewives type feel. While you don't love every character (you're not supposed to), you definitely can get engrossed in their story and trying to determine if THIS is the character that "did it."

This story is so twisty & turning and once you start it, you're going to want to finish it in one sitting to get to the explosive ending!

I highly recommend giving this one a read!

Big Little Lies II. Fast paced read with multiple characters, all full of secrets and lies. What's not to like? Lettie's first person narrator was the only part that was a bit of a miss. She didn't come across like a 17/18 year old. I would recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE BLOCK PARTY by Jamie Day in exchange for my honest review.***

Well, that was just AMAZING! I was hooked on this fast-paced, soapy saga from the opening sentence and couldn’t put it down.

<b><I>Alexandra Fox meant to have only a couple of drinks at the party. Three, tops.</b></I>

Spoiler alert: She failed to keep this resolution. (Been there, done that!)

Behind every door on Alton lane, the affluent cul-de-sac where [book:The Block Party|61884965] of the title happens each Memorial Day, there is some kind of secret. While that setup is not terribly original, what makes this a standout for me is the care that went into constructing this fictional neighborhood. There are many characters, but each is well-drawn, memorable, and sympathetic to varying degrees - even the snotty, entitled teenagers. I never had that issue where I can’t keep track and think, okay, who the hell is THAT again?

The sheer number of secrets could’ve seemed over the top, but the author kept everything from seeming Desperate-Housewives-farcical by the serious nature of what was being hidden: adultery, mental illness, drug abuse, and stalking to name a few. The intricate way the puzzle pieces all came together at the end made for a truly satisfying read. Highly recommend!

Random thoughts and spoilers

<spoiler>Although I REALLY enjoyed this book, there were a few things I had a few minor quibbles:

• The subplot about the Wookiee was unnecessary. It could’ve been really interesting if developed further, but as presented it didn’t add anything to the story.

• There are a great many voluntarily childless people in the world. I wish Brooke could have been portrayed as one of these, instead of someone who had that choice forced upon her.

• The last chapter with the girl-power, sisterhood picnic didn’t ring true to me based on the relationship these women had in the past and all the things that happened between them and their husbands. It also seemed unlikely that another block party would have been held after the double homicide the previous year! </spoiler>

I will be looking around my cul-de-sac from now on wondering what the hell is going on behind all those doors.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. Fast-paced thriller that was almost comical. Quick read. I found it a bit over the top as so many bad things can happen in one cul-de-sac but it was still worth the time and a would recommend.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. Crazy, fast-paced thriller that was a quick read. Obviously, it was somewhat far-fetched that so many “things” can happen on one small street but it was still a great book which I would recommend to others.

The Block Party is a fantastic book by new to me author, Jamie Day.
I read the description and thought I'd try it, and I'm so glad I did!
The neighbors on Alton Rd seem typical, busy moms, angry teenagers, husbands and wives bickering, nosy neighbors and such, but there is so much more going on.
I found myself wrapped up in their lives and their problems, angry at those deserve it, and crying for those who were betrayed in awful ways.
I hope the author will continue to write about these characters who made such an impact in my life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

There are some books that you realize early on, that it will make a great summer read. The Block Party will definitely be on that list. I was given three days to read and did it in one. This party invites you in and doesn’t let go. Starts with a Memorial Day party where everyone wants to be. The in crowd the fun crowd. Near the end of the day we end up with one or more bodies to find. It then cuts to a neighborhood community page where the gossip crowd is having fun coming up with theories on what and who. This little snippet lightens the mood a little before we are pulled back in to the past. I love how it moves the story along without giving away the answers. I found the characters were so relatable and had empathy for many of them. The setting was any town USA. Jamie Day knows how to keep the story interesting and intriguing. I just hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next one.

This one wasn't for me! I didn't enjoy the writing or any of the characters. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review!

I could not put this book down! Suburbia is always drama filled, and this book had it all! It had so many delicious secrets and twists that kept me hooked from page 1 to the last page. I found myself going from loving and cheering on characters to feeling suspicious of their secrets, but none were as I thought. It’s a must read for the summer!

5 star read! Life on Alton Road has many surprises and it all begins at the Memorial Day Block Party. Busy body neighbors, gossip and murder make this story very interesting. I could not put this book down. Highly recommended!

Loved this new book and the neighborhood perspective. Lots of characters but pretty easy to keep them all straight. Still unsure about the whole "bugman plot". I feel like his role was unnecessary and didn't lend much to the book. I definitely didn't know what was coming at the end and just liked how everything flowed in the book. Looking forward to more books from Jamie Day!

This was a really good book. The people that live on Alton Road have dark secrets. There’s a lot of dark ugliness festering. This book was fascinating to read. The writing is terrific and I was glued to the pages. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Block Party is held every year on Memorial Day for the residents on Alton Road in Meadowbrook, Massachusetts, in this novel by Jamie Day coming out in July. While the party is exclusive to the Alton Road dwellers, the community Facebook page is buzzing with news as the followers talk about all the sirens they are hearing and the firetrucks they are seeing, only to learn a murder has happened for the first time in 40 years.

Alex Fox, her husband Nick, and their daughter Lettie have stepped up to organize the party this year even though it’s not their turn. However, the Adair family – Ken and Emily and their son Dylan – the Thompson family – Evan and Willow and their daughter Riley – and the Kumar family – Samir and Mandy -- along with widow Brooke Bailey have too much going on in their personal lives to pull off the party. In every house there are painful secrets that may lead to the undoing of each family.

Alex has a drinking problem, Ken has a roving eye, Evan and Willow are divorcing, Samir seems to be controlling his wife, and Brooke is under suspicion by the neighbors regarding her husband who went overboard on a cruise. If that’s not enough, Dylan and Riley have been a teen couple for some time until an older man steps into the picture drawing Riley away from Dylan.

As the day-long fling is drawing to a close, two of the husbands will end up in a confrontation, each with a gun. To complicate the delicate situation, two wives walk into the room, putting themselves at risk. One of the family’s daughters is approaching the volatile situation, and two shots are heard. What is at the core of the situation between the two men? Who will survive the altercation? Readers will be kept guessing until the last few pages of this thriller.

This is a debut novel for Jamie Day who lives in a New England town. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, yoga, the ocean, cooking, and long walks on the beach with her children and dog.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting January 10, 2023.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Thanks to Netgalley for this e-ARC.

I really enjoyed this story. It's full of chaos, twists, crazy neighbors, and lots of scandal. What more can you ask for in a book?

Each character has secrets they're hiding from everyone else. Each one comes to light at different times throughout the story. However, you're kept intrigued bc you know there are more coming, and you need to know what the heck is happening in this seemingly idyllic neughborhood.

As each character finds out in this story, you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Welcome to the block! Alton road is a beautiful neighborhood and famous for hosting an annual party that is exclusive to the area. Tightly wound Alex manages the party while dealing with her drifting husband, angry daughter and generally childish sister. She, like many others on the beautiful block begin to fray under the stress of contemporary life.

When word hits that one or more adults in the community are involved in an affair, the news travels through the neighborhood like wildfire and as the synopsis details -leads to a murder. I really enjoyed this quick moving story and the points of view from the characters Jaimie created. Everyone seemed very real. If you love contemporary fiction, domestic thrills spread across a whole neighborhood then The Block Party is for you!
#STMartinsPress #TheBlockParty #JamieDay

Totally delicious read. While stories of tightly knit communities that unravel under the burden of too many secrets abound, The Block Party is several cuts above the rest, because the secrets are more incendiary than average and the alternating points of view between Alex (one of the wives who is a third person narrator) and her daughter Lettie (an angst-ridden high school senior in the throes of both unrequited love and a thirst for revenge, who narrates in the first person) is unusual and very effective.

I can’t reveal details without revealing spoilers. All I will say is, read this book and prepared for rollicking entertainment. And it’s not just chick lit; the husbands are as dastardly as the wives.

Highly recommended.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Boy oh boy, who knew so many secrets are being kept in subrubia? This book was entertaining and a bit sad. I loved the online chat about what was going on with the block party in the high end neighborhood. And it seemed very to to life.

Alton Road in Meadowbrooke is the the place to be. All the women and men on that street are well to do with lives that seem perfect. However, every one has secrets. And it seems on this Memorial Day, all the secrets are coming out to the open.

Alex Fox is the go to for all the ladies on the street. Alex and Nick are happily married with a daughter, Lettie, about to leave for college. Emily and Ken Adair seems to have it all, two sons, great careers and the money to add on an in-law suite for Emily and Alex's mom. Willow and Evan Thompson are the golden couple. Willow is beautiful and Evan a high profile photographer. Willow and Evan have a gorgeous daughter Riley. Riley is dating Emily and Ken's son Dylan. Brooke Bailey is a gorgeous widow. Brooke's late husband was best friends with Ken. Rumor has it Brooke may have "pushed" Jerry over rail on cruise when his life ended. And new to the neighborhood are Samir and Mandy Kumar along with their son Jay.

So much is happening in the lives of these characters, Their is drug and alcohol abuse. Lying and cheating. Secrets that could destroy families and friendships. So when the annual block party comes to around tempers are flaring. What could have brought the cops to annual block party of this affluent neighborhood?

I loved that we started at present day, had the local neighborhood online chatter, and went back a year to see what all had happened. I sort of figured out some of the plot twists but not all. It was a heart racing conclusion to the party.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hate to say I had to DNF this one at about 10%. The writing style was just not doing it for me. I found the characters to be inauthentic and two dimensional. One of the characters is a teen girl who has been written as an aggressively woke activist. I'm all for activism, but it was giving Tumblr. One quote, "Even back then I was starting to care more about deforestation than lip gloss and fashionable leggings."
That, coupled with stilted and unnatural dialogue and I had to quit. As intriguing as the plot was, I found myself rolling my eyes too often to keep it going.
I'm so pleased to have gotten my first ARC through Netgalley & St Martin's Press, however this one just isn't for me.

They gave me 72 hours to read this book and I did it. It wasn’t hard at all this book was impossible to put down.

This book starts with an incident and takes you back a year earlier so you can get familiar with the characters and the issues. And there is a lot of stuff going on on this block!

Entertaining and engrossing, this book lets you be the fly on the wall that watches everything that is happening. The ending does not disappoint!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.