AHHHHHH! This one was so witty and fun. I'm so thankful to Sarah Strohmeyer, NetGalley, and Harper Perennial Paperbacks for granting me a finished copy and digital ARC access before this baby hit shelves on April 25, 2023.

Pub date: 4/25/23
Genre: suspense thriller
Quick summary: Holly and Robert are hoping to turn their wedding and ultra eco-friendly renovation into a win on the TV show To The Manor Build. But when they go missing after the wedding, suspicion falls on their assistant Erika and her mother Kim.

I enjoyed getting lost in the reality TV house renovation world in this book! It was clear that everyone had a lot of secrets, and I had fun trying to see how everything would play out. None of the characters are particularly likeable, but I was interested enough in the story that that didn't matter to me. I ended up reading this one over two days, and I enjoyed the surprises at the end. It's not a true "edge of your seat thriller", but I found the mystery compelling.

Thank you to Harper Paperbacks for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

How much truth is there in reality TV?

Erika has suffered trauma from a past accident & has always been more inclined to be a loner, currently living above her mother’s garage in a tiny apartment. Her sleepy Vermont town has recently had its fair share of drama with a wealthy real estate investor & his beautiful fiance sweeping into town to kick a troubled man out of his home for not paying property taxes - their plan being to turn it into an eco-friendly showpiece of a house & win a reality TV show’s contest. The prize: all expenses reimbursed. The power couple temporarily hires Erika as an assistant, & when they go missing shortly after their big wedding day, suspicion falls on her.

I enjoyed the basic premise of the story being an HGTV show gone wrong - the behind-the-scenes of the manufactured drama was definitely an eye-opener to what can really be going on in a “reality” show. The Reddit posts about the show added to the drama, and parts of the overall story were a sobering look at the lengths some people will go to in order to be popular on the internet. The two main focuses on Erika & her mother, Kim, gave the story a more well-rounded feel, and one take-away I’m definitely going to remember is to be careful when you’re walking underneath trees.

Thank you to Harper Perennial & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Started off promising but unfortunately DNF’d early in the book. Did not enjoy the writing and could not invest in any of the characters.

We Love to Entertain was a suspenseful thriller and fast-paced read. I love fixer-upper shows, and the premise of this book was great, combined with my love for thrillers. Though there wasn't as much focus on the HGTV-esque aspect, it was definitely more of a character driven story. The characters were strong and well-written, and the plot was full of twists and turns. I would highly recommend this book!

I love tying in a home renovation theme, complete with reality show details into a thriller! A page turner. Learned a lot about the renovation/do it yourself industry that I mindlessly watch on TV!

Tiny Snowden, Vermont is thrust into the spotlight when Robert "Robber" Barron and Holly enter their renovation in a reality house-porn competition. Their decision to move up their wedding to the last weekend before the big reveal seems a bit odd, as does the high-tech security at their outdoor wedding. But assistant Erika is too distracted by her unrequited love for Robert, while her mother, Kim, serving as officiant, is too worried about her daughter.

When Robert shows up at her apartment late at night after the ceremony, she accepts his request to trade vehicles and doesn't notice that he hides blood-stained pajamas in her trash. But she does notice that both Robert and Holly are incommunicado and fail to return from their honeymoon. When Erika's vehicle is discovered abandoned in the woods and a man's body is found nearby, she becomes primary suspect with the local state policeman, Andre, eager to rehash a tragedy from her teen years. Kim and Holly's mother are both determined to discover the truth--Holly's whereabouts and who the real criminal is.

This is an enjoyable psychological thriller with the Vermont setting and its residents' peculiarities a major contributing factor to its enjoyability. I'm a big Sarah Strohmeyer fan and this book does entertain. #WeLovetoEntertain #NetGalley

From the bestselling author of Do I Know You? comes a fast-paced, riveting psychological thriller that skewers our modern obsession with home renovation and fixer-uppers.

We Love to Entertain was such a fun book, especially if you love reality TV. Our FMC is an assistant on the set of a home makeover show and will do anything to make her bosses happy. However, when they go missing she becomes suspect number one.

The book was well-paced and easy to read. It was so engrossing I finished in a matter of days. The mystery served itself up fairly early but figuring how it would ultimately play out will keep you guessing. Great book for fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you to @netgalley and @harperperenniel for letting me read this ARC.

This was a very interesting book. I felt like I had a lot of questions throughout and was a little confused with how different plot points were related. I liked the end and thought it was very suspenseful but wish we had more of that throughout.

We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer is marketed as a psychological thriller but I found this one fell more into suspense category. The story in We Love to Entertain is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters as the story goes along.

Holly and Robert Barron are reality TV real-estate investors who have entered a competition with their current rehab project. The pair are also getting married in front of the cameras but after the wedding Holly and Robert Barron disappear leaving their assistant, Erika Turnbull, who has had a crush on her boss the only suspect in the disappearance.

We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer is one of those books that I went into it expecting something different than what I found. Sometimes that’s not so bad sometimes it’s disappointing which is where this one leaned towards. The story was also slower than what I expected and I never really connected with the characters the way I expected too leaving this one in the average area at two and a half stars for me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is my first book by Sarah Strohmeyer, and I found it to be a gripping psychological thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story revolves around Holly and Robert, an attractive young couple who are real estate investors competing in a home renovation contest organized by To the Manor Build. They're renovating a Vermont house into an ideal entertainment space, but things take a dark turn when the couple goes missing after their live streamed wedding. The investigation quickly falls on their assistant, Erika Turnbull, who's secretly in love with Robert.

One of the standout features of this book is its pacing. Strohmeyer keeps the story moving along at a brisk pace, with enough twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. The novel's exploration of small-town gossip and a biased police officer add complexity to the story, making it more compelling. The addition of a vengeful former owner, ruthless reality show producers, and a dark secret only adds to the intrigue, making it a page-turner.

The characters are well-developed, and I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Erika and her mother, Kim. It was heartwarming to see the lengths to which Kim went to protect her daughter from small-town gossip and a biased cop. The dynamic between Holly and Robert was also interesting to watch, as their relationship takes a darker turn as the story progresses. And the ending twist was somewhat unexpected in the way it was told.

Overall, We Love to Entertain is a well-written and engaging thriller that will keep you hooked until the end. While some aspects of the plot may be predictable, Strohmeyer's masterful pacing keeps the story moving along at a thrilling pace. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, home renovation shows, or small-town mysteries, I highly recommend this book. It's a satisfying read that's sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.

🔹 My take: 3.5/5

🔸To the Manor Build (TMB) is the nation’s most popular property renovation app and Robert & Holly are contestants pitching for their Vermont hilltop home. Robert bagged the property in distress auction at dirt cheap price and Holly is refurbishing it into an env. friendly home with latest gadgets and amenities. Millions are at stake and it’s a week prior to the final reveal on TMB when Rob & Holly go missing. Suspect is Erika Turnbull, their efficient assistant; who had liking for Robert & had seen him last. Erika has a tragic past and townsfolk have neither forgotten nor forgiven her for that. Kim, Erika’s mom; is the town clerk and is determined to save Erika even if it costs her job, reputation or life. Only Erika is aware that the former owner of the property was looking out for Rob & Holly with a vengeance and that he would not bat an eyelid to kill anyone who wanted to reside in his property.

💖 Wows - With so many reality shows happening around; I found this concept of renovation reality show in a book very interesting. Very easy to relate with the need to get popular, fight with others by slinging mud on them, doing tricks to up the engagement etc. Absolutely a story of the current times. I liked the dual POV and reading Erika & Kim’s side. There were no repetitions even though it was mother-daughter POV. Humour was embedded too at places which was amazing. I especially liked the Interstitial section that were the captions posted regularly by Holly & Rob.

💔 Ows - Not sure why was Kim’s account written in first person whereas Erika’s POV was in third person. Got me confused there. Beginning was good but then it just dragged till the end. Too much was covered in last 10% of the book. There were few questions which were unanswered at the end. While this is ok if it’s a Romance; open queries at the end of a thriller does leave you asking for more. Also, I did not connect with Rob & Holly’ characters. Found the former too arrogant and the latter too stupid.

💫 If you love reality shows as a concept, you would enjoy reading this. But for a thriller fan, this might not be the best bet…⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thanks to @netgalley and @harperperennial for sharing DRC in exchange for honest review.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! I read this book in like a little over 24 hours. I didn't want to put it down. You need to read this if you have not.

This book was just okay for me. I enjoyed it and felt it was fairly fast paced, but it was very easy to guess the ending. This is a solid, average thriller. Great for a cozy weekend in, but nothing to run to the stores or library for.

The good:
- We love a home renovation theme!
- Dual perspectives help the pacing

The bad:
- This is a nitpicky detail, but the name of the show drove me NUTS, and it was mentioned a lot.
What does 'To The Manor Build" even mean??
- Very predictable 'twist' ending
- A very meddling mother gave me the ick

Pick this one up if you're on a thriller binge, but otherwise, you can skip it.

𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨!

What a ride, I was just going to read a few chapters and it was impossible to stop reading. Twisty, gripping, intriguing and entertaining!

Thank you @harperbooks for this gifted copy.

𝗪𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 by @sarahstrohmeyerwriter released yesterday April 25, 2023.

I really enjoyed this book, as much for the behind the scenes of shooting for tv as for the story.
It looks like one of those where the more obvious bad guy really isn't but this story adds and extra an extra level.
A few red herrings here and there, and the disappearance of the newlyweds throws everyone into chaos as crucial deadlines loom.
Where, who, how? The story goes back and forth between the different players, which adds some dimension to the events.
Its a fun book to read, moves quickly and resolves nicely.

I had so much fun listening to We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer, and I enjoyed it a bit more than her previous novel Do I Know You? The plot and storyline were really easy to follow, and I loved that it is based on a home renovation competition since I love all things HGTV along with reality TV. There are a number of viewpoints, but I thought that the characters were all so different and unique that I never found them blending together and they were easy to keep straight. I got a real kick out of Erika's mom Kim, and she was probably my favorite character of them all with her smarts and quick wit.

As mentioned, I listened to the audio and was thrilled it provided me with a full cast. Vivienne Leheny, Caitlin Davies, Megan Tusing & Jamie Renell were all spot-on picks for their characters and brought the story to life in an impressive way. I saw a few reviewers call this a cozy mystery, but I can't say I agree based on other cozies I have read in comparison to this one. I also don't think it is a full-on thriller since I didn't have the 'thrills' I would expect to get from one. Instead, I would consider We Love to Entertain more of a suspense/domestic fiction/mystery set against the backdrop of a reality TV show competition. I loved the uniqueness of the premise, and the cover is really eye-catching as well! I will be holding onto this for a future reread and would 100% recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sigh, I hoped this would be a win, but it fell incredibly flat. We Love To Entertain had a lot of potential, but really the plot never felt like it took of or captured me. Holly and Robert are contestants in a reality tv show competition. The two love birds are great on camera and have a great shot at winning for their rehab of a Vermont hilltop estate.

Erika Turnbull is their amazing assistant who keeps all the to do lists in order and is ensuring the project continues to move forward on time. Unfortunately, Erika has a bit of a soft spot for her handsome employer, Mr. Barron. When the couple decides to marry on camera, Erika's luck completely sours, when the cameras catch her jealousy on tape.

When Robert suggests a spontaneous honeymoon, Erika is hesitant to see the couple ride off into the sunset a week away from wrapping, but she has no power to tell them no. When the couple remains silent, minus Holly's pre-schedules posts, things start to get tense and suspicious falls quickly on Erika.

Erika's mom, Kim, is unwilling to let her daughter take the fall. She's seen more than she should and is working behind the scenes to put the pieces together to clear her daughter.

Sounds captivating, right? Wrong. it's drawn out. Little happens. What you learn is at such a snails pace it's hard to for this book to hold your attention. Also, it doesn't fully make sense when everything is revealed. I get it, but it just could've gone so many other ways.

I hope to read something else by Sarah Strohmeyer in the future. This one just was a miss for me.

This cover just absolutely spoke to me when seeing it come across the netgalley shelf and huge thank you for the ARC.

“Details flit in and out of my brain like butterflies through a field. Nothing sticks.”

Most of the time, book reviewers don’t quote from an ARC, because things in the book can change before publication. I’m going to just hope this quote was left in the final version, because at times, it was the perfect way to describe my experience of reading this book.

Holly and Robert are one of three couples on a home improvement show, “To the Manor Build”. The show takes people who want to renovate a property, films them for the months-long process, then the voted-upon winner gets back all the money they put into the home. Robert found a house in Vermont at a tax auction, and bought it for a mere $8500. He turned it into a completely emission-free home, using expensive technology with the hope that they’d win and get their money back. Well, his money back.

You see, Holly and Robert (or H&R as they are known online) only met because of the show. They were professional, then friendly, then - as the show played out - they fell in love and got married (another bonus episode for TMB). The night of their wedding, Robert ends up at their assistant Erika’s house. He wants to take Holly up to Montreal for a small honeymoon, but is worried there wouldn’t be charging stations for his Tesla, so he asks to trade cars. Erika is adamant they not go - this is the final week of the show! The big reveal! So much still needs to be done, but Robert insists they’ll be back in a couple days.

After they leave, they go incommunicado, which is where the mystery and suspense come into play. Why are they risking blowing their chance at winning the show? Why couldn’t they honeymoon the next week? Why are they not getting in touch with anyone? Erika is trying to keep everything going, but she’s getting (rightfully) worried. After six days, hope was definitely fading…

I thought this storyline was good, and the writing was decent. The ending was great and pretty unexpected. I think my problem with this book is the quote from above - it was very long-winded and had a few unnecessary characters, and I started to lose sight of the point a few times. Overall though, especially if you don’t mind a slow book, this is a pretty decent one. 3.5 stars, rounded up because I loved the HGTV vibes, Reddit threads and other media scattered throughout.

(Thank you to Harper Collins, Sarah Strohmeyer and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)