OK - so I will try to review this book as best as I can. I did finally struggle to finish it, and I wish I could say that I enjoyed it. I found the characters to be shallow and petty, the plot was basically non-existent and it feels like even the author got bored and finally figured that she just had to finish it and get on with her life. There was not a single character in this book that I felt any empathy to. The plot was basically about five college friends who don't even seem to even like each other. No one is happy and it just felt like they only cared about materialistic things. This one was a struggle for me and I don't like giving up on reading any book, but I am really happy that this one is done. I wish I could recommend it, but unfortunately I just can't.

This book was intriguing. While I appreciate the Peloton references and the ‘mom groups’ associated with it, it felt like it was trying too hard. The plot was interesting but at times it seemed a bit slow. Overall a good book

I was drawn to this book because the cover, description, and first few chapters made me think it was a thriller. Like Glass Onion, except set in Napa Valley and with a majority Asian cast.

Unfortunately, this book turned out to be definitely not a thriller, and I wish it were. There were seeds that could have bloomed into a full thriller plot, mysteries that slowly unraveled over the course of the book.

I will say that despite not meeting my expectations, this book was surprisingly easy to read. And I didn't completely mind reading about the rich characters' lavish lifestyles; it felt kind of like an escapist fantasy. I do wish there was less name-dropping of luxury brands and other, more visceral ways to depict the excess of the one percent, though maybe real-life rich people do talk/think like that?

I'd give this 2.5 out of 5 stars. It wasn't what I wanted, but given that I've DNF'ed several books lately, it says something that I breezed through this book pretty quickly.

(Side note: The ARC was horribly formatted in multiple places, which made for a distracting reading experience.)

Peacocking : Having a very high opinion of oneself, filled with or showing excessive self-esteem. For example, She strutted about in her new outfit, proud as a peacock.

I also might be peacocking over my latest book.

That sure was a doozy!

Friends in Napa !!!!

This book might just be my book of the year! It was absolutely wild. How will I ever live without Sheila Yasmin Marikar in my life?

I hope I never have to find out, check out this teaser :

Six old friends descend on Napa Valley for a luxurious weekend of fine wine and good times…until old tensions simmer to the surface. So much can go wrong in this dark comedy by the author of The Goddess Effect.

Just get yourselves here, everything else is on us.

Raj and Rachel Ranjani have invited a small group of their ride or dies from college for a celebratory weekend in Napa Valley. On the agenda: three nights in the couple’s vineyard mansion, a lavish dinner at Napa’s hottest new restaurant, exclusive tastings, and the grand opening of the Ranjanis’ ultra-high-end winery. It’s a reunion of six friends who haven’t seen each other in years. What could go wrong?

To start, there’s the less-than-warm welcome: a brick flung through a window and palpable tension between the hosts. But no worries—all Raj has to do is pop a few bottles of vintage Dom, and the college vibes come rushing back. So do old resentments, animosities, and unrequited crushes. Soon enough, the illusion of friendship shatters like a gossamer wineglass, and one of the friends ends up dead. Everyone has their motivations. Everyone has something to hide.

Here’s to a weekend in the valley. Drink up and watch your back.

A group of friends from college reunite for a luxurious weekend in Napa. As the wine flows so do the old rivalries and resentments. I always love a good college reunion story and was fairly engaged on this one until the ending. It felt rushed and somewhat ridiculous.

I didn't love the book but I also didn't hate it. I found it could use more development and some more editing. I found the pacing to be off especially towards the end it was pretty abrupt

Friends in Napa by Sheila Yasmin Marikar was a really good read.
I enjoyed the characters and especially the writing was done well and entertaining.

Thank You NetGalley and Mindy's Book Studio for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

this book was okay. characters could use a little more development, and the ending was a bit abrupt. plot could use a little more development too. 3/5 stars

Another great one from Mindy's Book Studio. She has a 100% success rate, I have loved every book under her brand that I have read.

Friends in Napa is a book that is pure entertainment. It's so captivating and I loved the diversity of the characters.

The synopsis and the first chapter did grab my attention. But the rest.. it was missing something. These despicable people never redeem themselves, and their issues are seriously first world problems. If only those were the issues. But it was entertaining to a certain degree. Its like the trash TV, where everyone wants to be with someone else, or be someone else.. and there's an undercurrent of jealousy and hate. The end was very convenient. Not much of a shock after, just the after affects of bitter taste in your mouth that never leaves.
Don't expect more than just a character study, without much growth. Even our MC doesn't really get a redemption, she just realizes she can be whatever she wants because she has "grown up".

Just a train wreck I wanted to finish to see where it was going.. but it didn't really go anywhere. So there's that. Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.

What a fabulous thriller. I loved the way that old college friendships play such a big part of this read. The fact that it’s set in Napa was awesome! I also enjoyed the way everything ties together.

Got hooked just from the first new chapters. I love friendship drama! And this gave me college friends on navigating how to maintain their relationships. So much gossip and drama that kept me hooked all throughout. The book also tackles the hardships of marriage, living with kids, and maintaining a good career/work life. The thriller part is a bonus.

THis one was not for me. I wasn't able to get into it. I didn't like the characters and it seemed a bit superficial. Someone looking for a quick summer read may want to try this one, but it wasn't my favorite.

From the author of The Goddess Effect, comes a thrilling new novel set on a vineyard in Napa Valley. This time we follow Raj and Rachel Ranjani, and their closest friends who are there to celebrate the opening of the Ranjani’s winery. Tensions build in the lead up to the grand opening, so much so that one friend ends up dead.

Refreshing and brilliantly fun, Friends in Napa is Marikar’s best in class travel writing combined with an entertaining cast of characters. The result: a cocktail made up of secrets, money, power and a high dose of drama. I could not put this one down.