I adore Ruth's books and she is always one of my go to authors. This was yet another great read of hers!

The book opens with a flash back to 25 years ago when three 10-year-old girls, Mel, Gabbie and Erin meet up in the woods for a secret midnight feast. One of the girls disappeared back then and her vanishing has cast a shadow over the area ever since. Mel and her husband Luke are finally moving back to Laurel Street with their baby daughter, Lily, after all this time. But the ghosts of the past are never far away and soon Gabbie disappears after a party, leaving Mel wondering if she'll be next....

This gripped me from the start and I was immediately drawn into the character and setting of Laurel Street and of course the characters themselves. I really empathised with Mel, fearing that her family isn't welcome back in the street after what happened all those years ago and her increasing unease. The neighbours were all believable and the many twists and turns definitely kept me guessing! I kept thinking I'd worked it out, only to be wrong-footed yet again!

A gripping suspenseful thriller, which I highly recommend.

Thanks to author Ruth Heald, publishers Bookouture and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Only she knows what really happened that night…

Mel is returning to her childhood home on Laurel Street to live with her husband Luke and their daughter Lily. The place holds some good memories but also the tragic memory of her friend Erin disappearing twenty five years ago after she, Mel and their other friend Gabbie had a secret party in the woods at the age of ten and has never been found. Now Tamsin, Erin's mum, has decided to throw a party in the manor house to celebrate New Year and invites all the neighbours but, by the end of the evening, after an argument with her husband, Gabbie is missing. Has she decided to leave or is this history repeating itself, as Luke saw her last does he know where she is and how long will it be before the secret Mel has been hiding all these years is exposed?

This latest thriller by Heald begins twenty five years ago on New Years Eve when Erin disappeared, we then fast forward to the present day where not much has changed on Laurel Street, Mel still knows most of the neighbours from when she lived here with her gran and she's hoping that she and her family can be happy here, but Gabbie's disappearance throws everything in the air and the memories of what happened back then come flooding back. I was drawn straight into this story from the prologue, it's an intriguing read with short chapters and some very unreliable characters, most of which I held responsible for the events at some point through the book, but I was so way off the mark with my detective skills this time! There were so many secrets and a lot of betrayal going on between these people who were meant to be friends and the twists, when they came, were most unexpected. Another great read from this author, which kept me gripped throughout and I'm looking forward to reading her others.

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

It was meant to be a time of celebration, of neighbours chatting over sparkling glasses of wine, enjoying the surroundings of the huge mansion house that overlooked all the houses on Laurel Street. But then my troubled friend Gabbie has a heated argument with her husband. She leaves the party and disappears without trace. Gabbie's neighbours rally round, painfully aware the Laurel Street has already had its fair share of tragedy. Years ago, when we were children, my best friend Erin vanished, never to be seen again, after having a secret party in the woods with me and Gabbie as our families celebrated the new year.

I was pulled in by the end of the first chapter. The characters were well developed. I think if I lived on Laurel Street, I'd move out. Twenty-five-years ago, a ten-year old child disappeared. It's filled with mystery, intrigue and surprise. I could not turn the pages quick enough. Filled with twists, secrets, lies, and possible suspects. were enough to keep me fully invested in this story. I never saw that ending coming. Another fantastic read by the author.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #RuthHeald for my ARC of #PartyOnLaurelStreet in exchange for an honest review'

I found this to be so addictive and I could not stop reading! The characters were great, the writing, and above all else, the plot. Do yourself a favor and read this.

This was a really great domestic drama. Packed with so many twists and turns! Absolutely loved the characters, each a unique personality that just added to the flavor of the book. Always fun to find a new to me author.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

I loved this book so much ,yet another great read from this author. I loved the family and friend dynamics and it was full of twists and turns with a real omg moment . It was full of tension wondering which direction the story was going in and who had done what .I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next from this author . Definitely 5 stars from me

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the read and review of #ThePartyOnLaurelStreet by #RuthHeald. This book was very intriguing and full of lies and deceit. I would have never figured out the ending. It’s a must read.

Another brilliant book by Ruth Heald! Having read all but one of her books so far I couldn’t wait to get started on the party on Laurel street, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

One night as children, Mel, Gabby and Erin snuck out into the woods, Mel and Gabby returned but Erin was gone and hadn’t been seen since.

Fast forward a few years and Mel is now moving back into the home that was left to her by her Grandma on Laurel street. A party is being thrown in Tamain’s mansion following Mel’s return, however Tamsin has never got over Erin’s disappearance and holds out hope that one day her daughter may still return.

Whilst at the party Gabby has an argument with her husband Stuart after discovering her is cheating on her. The following day Gabby disappears without a trace. All the neighbours go out to look for Gabby but is history about to repeat itself on Laurel Street? Mel worries Gabby’s disappearance maybe linked back to her. Could it be possible that both Mel’s closest friends vanish into thin air never to be seen again and her not to be involved.

With so many secrets and lies within this book I didn’t have a clue who to trust. Everyone on Laurel street seemed to be hiding their own secrets which they all desperately wanted to keep hidden. Just when I thought it had been revealed who was responsible for Gabby’s disappearance there was a huge twist that I didn’t see coming. I was also surprised at Erin’s fate and I didn’t expect that at all.

I really enjoyed the party on Laurel street, it had me guessing right until the very end, I suspected everyone at some point and as the book went on I found myself coming up with my own theories (none of which were right) 😂

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review.

The old saying "You can never go home again" exists for a reason! And it certainly holds true for this story in the hands of a master storyteller. A twenty-five-year-old disappearance of a child and a recent disappearance converge to finally tell the truth of all the lies, manipulations and stories created. Laurel Street is not the ideal place to live - its secrets are well hidden. Very good domestic drama!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

The past collides with the present in this intriguing mystery. Mel's grandmother has passed away, and she has inherited the house where she grew up. Her mother owns 50% as well, but she is not interested in the house. Mel has fond memories of the house on Laurel Street as her grandmother was her surrogate mother when her mother pretty much abandoned her. She also has tragic memories of Laurel Street, Many years ago three girls went into the woods and only two returned home that night. Mel's friend, Erin, disappeared and she has never been found. Erin's mother holds out hope even now that her daughter is still alive. So, needless to say Rel's emotions are all over the place when she, her husband, Luke, and their daughter move into the house on Laurel Street. The other girl (Gabbie) from that fateful night still lives on Laurel Street. Gabbie has some secrets of her own, and she seems a little out of it.

Everyone in this book had secrets. This was an emotional roller coaster ride. You know something is just not right on Laurel Street, but you cannot quite put your finger on it. It is as if a dark cloud resides over Laurel Street.

This was an intriguing mystery with a mysterious man who lives in the woods, a flaky mother, secrets and betrayal. You just do not know who you can trust, and you will be compelled to continue reading so you can know who you can trust.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.

"The Party on Laurel Street" is a suspenseful thriller that revolves around a fateful night of celebration on Laurel Street. The story unfolds when Gabbie, a troubled friend, has a heated argument with her husband and disappears without a trace. The neighborhood, haunted by a past tragedy involving the protagonist's, Mel's, best friend Erin. She is determined to find Gabbie and avoid another devastating loss. As secrets and suspicions emerge, Mel's husband, Luke, becomes a person of interest, leading her to question her trust in him and Gabbie. The stakes rise as Mel realizes that her long-held secret may have consequences and that someone might be seeking retribution.

The main character, Mel, is relatable and serves as a compelling anchor for the narrative. The book's overall enjoyability factor is high, thanks to its smooth and engaging writing style. The pacing is commendable, as it effectively maintains a sense of suspense and keeps the plot moving. Personally, I found myself anticipating the "wow" moments before they actually occurred, which added to the intrigue. By the halfway point, I had already formed a strong suspicion regarding the original murder, albeit only in part.

Overall, the book offers an enjoyable reading experience, characterized by relatable characters, a well-paced plot, and moments of anticipation. While not without flaws, it succeeds in delivering a satisfying thriller narrative.

This is another brand new author for me and thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to devour this book. I am so excited to have found yet another new author and story to mystify and thrill me. I have always loved books and this one solidifies my love as well. Highly recommend and running to Amazon and the library to find more by Ruth Heald!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Party on Laurel Street. The cover was the best part of the book. Way tooooooo long to find out what’s going on. The characters were very childish even the mothers and the way they spoke. It took forever to get to the climax and it was very unrealistic. I’m sorry but not one of the best books I’ve read.

I found The Party on Laurel Street to be lacking on the "thriller" and "suspense" side for about 70% of the book.

The author did a great job of setting up the characters and plot for the big reveals and twisty ending, but I think it could've been done better as the book lost me for a while with boredom tbh. This could be a me issue, not a book issue, especially because I am not a fan of infedility tropes.

I keep reading domestic thrillers and keep being fed up with unlikeable characters or stuck up/rich people and neighborhoods but this FMC wasn't so bad at all and money wasn't a main focus for each character - refreshing!

Suspend disbelief may be necessary but I think the author has done a good job of making the twisty ending workable for the most part.

Anticipated publication date: 28 June 2023.

⚠️ Check TWs online ⚠️

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Bookouture for my eARC in exchange for my honest review

New Year’s Eve and three ten year old friends meet in the woods whilst their families party. Ending in tragedy, one of the girls go missing. Fast forward twenty five years, the two girls are now adults with that night casting a long shadow.

The first chapter really drew me in, this was a great setup. Then there was the time jump and the book it really was was very different. It’s a slow moving story, I found my attention wandering on occasion. The characters are very broadly written. Like the cliche couple, a wife who drinks and a controlling husband who belittles her. The busy body neighbour concerned about bins and property boundaries. Towards the end, as the truth is revealed, I was drawn in again. Overall an okay read.

With report cards, end-of-year party planning and a summer full of possibilities creeping up quickly, I just wanted to run away from it all to something that entertained ME!

This twisty read full of tension and suspense, mysterious characters, unexpected plot twists and someone other than me trying to put ‘it’ all together was a welcome respite for this teacher.

Laurel Street has a painful and tragic past, so when Mel and Luke move back twenty-five years after Mel’s friend disappeared in the woods, I knew that they were in for some uncomfortable moments. Despite having a friend to rely on, someone who knows her well, Mel gets pulled in by the events on Laurel Street when Gabbie’s husband goes missing. Is history about to repeat itself? What is really going on in this neighbourhood?

Heald allows readers to question if honesty is always the best policy and what we can gain by keeping a secret. She shows us the wake of hurt and betrayal that results when the truth is revealed. The theme of trust is well developed in this engaging, fast-paced and twisty read.

This is my fourth Ruth Heald book and I’m always amazed at her ability to shock me!

I was gifted this book by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I enjoyed her previous title The Snowstorm, so I was excited to jump into a new thriller by Heald.

The Party on Laurel Street by Ruth Heald was an excellent, solid thriller.

This author does an excellent job of creating an atmospheric setting that adds to the tension of the story.
The writing itself is well done, and the pace keeps you turning pages.
The author's ability to create suspenseful settings and well-written characters makes this book worth reading. The setting & descriptions really put the reader in the action.
The Party on Laurel Street is one I found myself pulled into quickly and unwilling to put down.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Three little girls have a party in the woods, and then one of them disappears... Years later, the remaining two girls have ended up back on the street with their husbands. One night after a party, one of them vanishes... The remaining girl Mel can't help but wonder if she is next. Can she find out what happened to both Erin and Gabbie? Along the way she will discover many secrets, including her own...

A brilliant thriller that keeps you guessing and turning the pages until the shocking ending. Lots of brilliant twists and turns. Loved it!

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

If you like books that capture your attention from page one and go on to deliver shock after shock then this is the one for you. The author keeps the tension ramped right up by drip feeding the reader little snippets of something that happened 25 years ago. This event shaped the life of the residents of the street and it is only when this secret is laid bare that they will be able to move on. The plot twists ensured that once started I couldn't put the book down and I read it in one sitting. It is well deserving of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant, storytelling at its best just couldn't stop reading, so well written this is definitely a 'knicker gripper' from me.

This book had me on the edge of my seat from beginning until the very last page, twisty with lots of 'red herrings' thrown in I couldn't decide who was guilty. All the characters were so well developed and wow what an ending, just fantastic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending, cannot wait for the next one from Ruth Heald.