Dive into the thrilling ride of Kassandra and Murray's engagement in "The Secret Between Us" - a tale that catapults you into the heart of New York ambition and North Carolina luxury. Kassandra, a woman of grit, and Murray, her fiancé with hidden blue-blood roots, find themselves entangled in a web of opulence, secrets, and sudden death after a seemingly innocent engagement party at his parents' lavish estate takes a sinister turn.

As anonymous threats unravel a buried secret, Kassandra stands accused in the midst of tragedy, her outsider status magnifying her plight. With her future hanging by a thread, she's thrust into a desperate quest for truth, haunted by the question of her secret's link to the dark shadow cast over their joy.

Turner's pen dances through suspense and surprise, crafting a psychological thriller where every turn is uncharted territory. The characters pulse with life, their depths drawing you closer with every page, while the narrative keeps you guessing until the last moment. An ending that defies expectation crowns this masterpiece, making "The Secret Between Us" not just a story, but an unforgettable journey into the complexities of love, legacy, and the lengths we go to for the ones we hold dear. A standing ovation for Turner's magnetic storytelling!

A fast paced and heart pounding read, I flew through this one! The cover is so stunning and I really loved the writing style and twists.

Not even a week after Kass and Murray are engaged, they receive an invite to celebrate their engagement party at Murray’s North Carolina family estate. Upon arrival, Kass is shocked to realize how filthy rich his Murray’s family actually is. They just about “own” the town and all the town’s people despise them all. Kass feels so out of place but endures a ridiculous, stuffy, ritzy party where 200 strangers attend. During the party someone is murdered and she ends up being the fall guy for it, number one suspect. During this process of the police investigation and getting to know her future in-laws, she finds that Murray is nothing like he portrays. She also discovers family lies and secrets, buried deep.

There are some surprising twists that come out of left field. I very much enjoyed this fast-paced domestic thriller! Writing was super as well as the whole story line. However, I felt like the ending could have been more in depth.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this wonderful advanced readers copy! I’ll be looking forward to more by this author!

I really liked this book. It was fast paced and exciting. The plot centers around Cass who is newly engaged and her soon to be in-laws throw an engagement party at their estate. This book was filled with twisty surprises.

The Engagement Party by Finley Turner is a domestic novel of suspense. The main character is thrust into a world more elite than her own. Trouble quickly brews at her engagement party. Overall, this is a solid novel of suspense. One of the main characters did not seem authentic near the end of the book, and that made it a little hard to enjoy. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Sadly, this was a super boring. I was really looking forward to this one after reading the synopsis. One of the big drawbacks for this one was the naive and unlikeable characters. Character development was extremely poor, making it hard for the reader to connect or care about any of the characters.

The main character made some many awful choices that it was just painful and ridiculous. I get main characters make stupid choices, but Kass made so many that it was frustrating and plain difficult to read. The story was all over the place and I feel as though the writer was just trying to throw too many things in. Unfortunately, this did not work out and actually worsened the story.

This was at least a quick read, but I did not enjoy it. If it had been any longer, I might have not bothered to finish it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Kass and Murray are engaged! Unbeknownst to them, they are having a party in their honor at the Sedgemont's family estate.

Here secrets are revealed, including the fact that Murray's family is wealthy and powerful.

The night of the party, someone winds up dead and everyone is eyeing Kass, as an outsider.

This is a good whodunit - a quick read - recommend!

The Engagement Party
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Finley Turner

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Kass Baptiste is newly engaged to her fiancé Murray Sedgemont after a whirlwind romance. Before they even get to share the news, an invitation arrives via messenger—to an engagement party hosted by Murray’s parents. When Kass and Murray arrive at the Sedgemont Estate, she is astonished to learn that Murray’s family is one of the most powerful families in North Carolina. As Kass’s future mother-in-law, Beatrice, whips herself into a frenzy over the perfect party for the state’s elite, Kass begins to receive anonymous threatening social media messages.

On the night of the event, as champagne is popped and the celebrations begin, a body is found in the lavish home. All eyes are on Kass, the interloper amongst the rich and powerful guests. Over the course of the party, Kass’s dark past unexpectedly becomes intertwined with the murder, and in order to prove her innocence, she must finally come to terms with her secrets.

As Murray’s family secrets are revealed, Kass must prove herself innocent while evading the anonymous threats that haunt her every move.

My Thoughts: For a debut novel for Finley Tuner, I thought it gave a lot of promise of amazing things to come from this author. I will be picking up future books from this author. Whirlwind romance between Kass and Murray equates into a marriage proposal with an impressive three carat diamond ring. They are living together to save money (on Kass’s end) but do they really know each other? A very fancy invitation arrives inviting them to their own engagement party being thrown by Murray’s parents at the impressive Sedgemont Estate. During the weekend (leading up to the party) at the Sedgemont Estate, there is a lot of alcohol, questionable family activities, even some drug use, and then of course, the dead body. There is a storm that rocks the estate by taking out the power, shady family members, and maybe Kass does not know her fiancé as well as she thought she did. While there are some things that are questionable believable, the main characters did not know each other’s family, the characters could have been developed a little more, and the plot explored a little deeper, I still felt the overall premise of the novel was great.

The story is narrated in first person POV by Kass in her perspective, as an unreliable protagonist. Kass has a troubled past (that she keeps hidden from Murray), is reserved, and does not like chaos. Murray portrays himself one way in front of Kass and their friends, and is different with his family, not to mention that he is also hiding things. These two meet, date for a short time and decide to save money and move in together, a few months later decide to get married, then gets invited to their own engagement party that they had no part in planning. The characters were developed, however, I would have like to seen a little more development; they were mysterious, intriguing, and entertaining. There were multiple characters and the ongoing dialogue and storyline between them was fantastic. The author’s writing style was multilayered, suspenseful, twisty, and kept me invested throughout the entire novel. The plot was devliered in twisty layers, while some of the plot was predictable, the pace and flow worked well for the storyline, and the ending was unexpected and unpredictable.

This book reminds me of Knives Out and if you loved that, you will love this one, keeping in mind to suspend belief a little. Overall, a great debut novel that I enjoyed very much. I had the pleasure of having the digital and audio versions and due to the amount of characters, I would lean on the audio version. I would definitely recommend to other readers.

The Engagement Party was a compelling read with great, multi faceted characters. This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, revenge, and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a great read! Thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Kass has no inkling of how her life was about to change when she travels with her new fiancé Murray to his family’s luxurious home in North Carolina.
The snobs who inundated the house were expected but Murray’s change was not. I was surprised to discover his lies and deceptions.
I had sympathy for Kass for most of the book until she started to do some stupid moves like drink too much and rely on past practices.
The house of horrors is a ride awakening.
Just elope and skip the family parties.

Finley Turner invites readers to an eerie and atmospheric 'engagement party' where twists and surprises abound. The story involves a fancy party, a snobby family, and mysterious past all come together in a tangled web of lies, secrets and betrayal! This juicy thriller is filled with gothic vibes, unforgettable characters, and a twisty plot line that was so unexpected! An absolute page turner and perfect for any Ruth Ware fans!

The Engagement Party by Finley Turner is a slow burn athmospheric thriller story story.

I really liked the setting, it was gloomy, creepy, some of the characters though a bit typical were very interesting.

I didn't like the main male character, he was so annoying and childish and absolutely the worst boyfriend.

Main heroine was slightly more likeable and the end of the story was climatic and fast paced but nothing I haven't seen before.
It is a locked room mystery which is one of my favorite tropes.
I have nothing bad to say about this book but it wasn't one of my favorite reads.

This is Finlay Turners debt thriller. It was an overall good story about a girl with secrets who gets engaged and surprised....his family is wealthy and doesn't like her. They feel she isn't good enough for her son and things go down hill from there.

3.5 Stars
Kass and Murray are happily living together, pinching pennies and he just popped the question with a lavish diamond. Days after the engagement, they receive an invitation to their engagement party given by his parents. From here things go downhill. Drugs, Threats, Murder, and Secrets galore!

Enjoyable enough read, story takes off quickly. No one is what they seem. A little slow moving in the middle, picks up at the end. Ending seems rushed and abrupt. Left me with some questions. Characters definitely come into their own. Some twists I didn’t see coming. Debut novel for this author. I would definitely give this author another try.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This started out as a really interesting read; the tension was high between the family and the new fiancé, and the setting kept adding to the tension. I was expecting the book to stay fast paced and interesting, however it got a little confusing. There are some ties to characters that don't really need to be there; they don't add to the story.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

The Engagement Party, by Finley Turner, focuses on a rather dreaded engagement party thrown by the Sedgemont family for their somewhat estranged son Murray, to Kass, his fiancé,after their whirlwind romance. This pretentious, haughty, aloof family is definitely not welcoming and is filled with animosity towards one another. Kass, has been warned off her quick engagement to Murray, by her friends who think there are enough red flags to warrant waiting.

Upon arriving, Kass is stunned to discover that the Sedgemont family is amongst the elite in North Carolina and the party will feature the most prestigious members of society. With preparations in motion, Kass begins to receive threatening messages and her past comes to light when a murder occurs the night of the party.

This story is a sordid affair with lies, deceit, debauchery, dark secrets and an eerie atmosphere. This domestic thriller is rather unrealistic and predictable, but still carries the disturbing tension and suspense you’d hope for in a thriller. Though it is not wholly original, it is fast-paced and engaging.

I have been obsessed with reading lately...

I mean, I always was but this time it's completely different.

I find myself waking up early, staying up late, canceling plans and dismissing my chores just to read. I can't help it. The approvals I have been granted lately have me with the "can't wait" feeling.

I have yet to read a book in the past two weeks that I did not connect with. Every single book I have had in my hands has been incredible.

The Engagement Party

Now, this book that literally blew my mind.

As I said I have been reading non stop but this book made me stop dead in my tracks. Whoa! Where did Finley Turner come from and where has she been my whole life? This author is a mastermind when it comes to delivering a 5 star hit.

The Engagement Party is juicy, deceitful and oh so twisted! I gobbled this book on up in one sitting !

After concluding The Engagement Party, I feverishly stalked Turner via internet to be mind blown yet again…. This is a debut!

Yes, you could classify me as being obsessed.

Here is a little teaser :

A lavish engagement party turns deadly and the bride-to-be is the primary suspect in this heart-stopping thriller exploring the dark underbelly of the uber wealthy and just how far people will go for revenge, in the vein of Sarah Pinborough and Ruth Ware.

Kass Baptiste is newly engaged to her fiancé Murray Sedgemont after a whirlwind romance. Before they even get to share the news, an invitation arrives via messenger - to an engagement party hosted by Murray’s parents. When Kass and Murray arrive at the Sedgemont Estate, she is astonished to learn that Murray’s family is one of the most powerful families in North Carolina. As Kass’s future mother-in-law, Beatrice, whips herself into a frenzy over the perfect party for the state’s elite, Kass begins to receive anonymous threatening social media messages.

On the night of the event, as champagne is popped and the celebrations begin, a body is found in the lavish home. All eyes are on Kass, the interloper amongst the rich and powerful guests. Over the course of the party , Kass’s dark past unexpectedly becomes intertwined with the murder, and in order to prove her innocence, she must finally come to terms with her secrets.

As Murray’s family secrets are revealed, Kass must prove herself innocent while evading the anonymous threats that haunt her every move.

The Engagement Party takes a long time to get going. For most of the book it's just a really naive woman making mistakes and bad decisions while being treated like dirt by her soon to be, excessively wealthy, in-laws. Pretty standard she-isn't-good-enough-to-join-our-family stuff. There were hints to a past that was pretty well revealed long before she finally faced it. Then it just all went nuts. So many coincidences and overreactions lead to a muddled ending. It was a quick read that did not tax the brain.

The Engagement Party takes a long time to get going. For most of the book it's just a really naive woman making mistakes and bad decisions while being treated like dirt by her soon to be, excessively wealthy, in-laws. Pretty standard she-isn't-good-enough-to-join-our-family stuff. There were hints to a past that was pretty well revealed long before she finally faced it. Then it just all went nuts. So many coincidences and overreactions lead to a muddled ending. It was a quick read that did not tax the brain.

EXCERPT: Lightning illuminated the room again and I noticed a warped baseboard that ran under the window. It was lifted slightly from the wall. Although I was certain it was probably just from humidity, it gave me an idea. Older houses often had small doorways for crawlspace or attic access. Maybe there was one in my room.
I dragged my fingers along the wood paneling, searching for a divot, a crack, anything to indicate there was a hidden doorway. The wood was smooth beneath my fingers, but as I got closer to the dark shadows in the corner, it changed. It was growing cooler now, clammy to the touch. I pulled my hands away and touched my fingertips together. There was definitely moisture.
I returned my hand to the wall and felt again, pushing harder this time. I recoiled as my fingers sank easily into the disintegrating wood, as if I were digging in freshly turned soil.
This house was not as perfect as it seemed. It was rotting from the inside, from secrets and betrayals. Just like this family. Just like me.

ABOUT 'THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY': Kass Baptiste is newly engaged to her fiancé Murray Sedgemont after a whirlwind romance. Before they even get to share the news, an invitation arrives via messenger - to an engagement party hosted by Murray’s parents. When Kass and Murray arrive at the Sedgemont Estate, she is astonished to learn that Murray’s family is one of the most powerful families in North Carolina. As Kass’s future mother-in-law, Beatrice, whips herself into a frenzy over the perfect party for the state’s elite, Kass begins to receive anonymous threatening social media messages.

On the night of the event, as champagne is popped and the celebrations begin, a body is found in the lavish home. All eyes are on Kass, the interloper amongst the rich and powerful guests. Over the course of the party, Kass’s dark past unexpectedly becomes intertwined with the murder, and in order to prove her innocence, she must finally come to terms with her secrets.

As Murray’s family secrets are revealed, Kass must prove herself innocent while evading the anonymous threats that haunt her every move.

MY THOUGHTS: This was a debut novel, and the author definitely shows promise with her writing, but I didn't love this. A lot of the plot centered on things that were absolutely unbelievable and or unpalatable to me.

The story goes like this - whirlwind romance, move in together to save money, quick engagement (with a 3-carat diamond? - refer step 2) - meet the family who are filthy rich - murder.

There's a lot of alcohol involved and some drugs.

Of course, there is a storm that takes out the power, and an ineffectual police presence, hidden passages, and some creepy family members. And then, ta-da (drum roll please!) Charity finds out her fiancé isn't quite who she though he was. Her response? Drink more alcohol. Oh, and interfere with the murder scene. It all gets a bit messy, and less than twenty-four hours after finishing, I can't actually remember how the book ended.

Both plot and characters could have done with a lot more development, a lot less alcohol and a lot more subtlety.

⭐⭐.5

#TheEngagementParty #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Finley Turner is a debut thriller writer. Initially convinced she wanted to be a professor, she got her master's in religious studies at Wake Forest University, focusing on new religious movements, cults, and religious violence. During her program, she applied for a student position in the university library and quickly realized she would rather be an academic librarian than be at the front of a classroom teaching. She worked as an archivist at Wake Forest University for six years after getting her masters in library and information science from UNC Greensboro. She now writes and parents full time. Finley lives in North Carolina, with her family.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Engagement Party by Finley Turner for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.