It should have been a family day, full of happiness. Lauren and Raphael are getting engaged, and Raphaels wealthy parents, Isabella and Patrick, are throwing a lavish party to celebrate with family and friends. One guest, however is not there to join in with the celebrations. Harris has had dealings with the family for several years, and he wants revenge. The question is...how far is he willing to go to get it.
I loved this book, it's a brilliant revenge thriller which kept me engrossed. 5 stars.

I’ve read numerous books from this author and enjoyed them. Whilst this book was good it didn’t grip me quite as quickly as previous novels. The plot unfolds well but I going it lacked pace. It’s a take of secrets, lies and revenge and I’m sure others will love it. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

3 stars because I felt the ending was too abrupt after all the buildup. The story had good suspense going all the way through with a few surprises but nothing astonishing for a twist. Walter really knows how to write unlikeable characters and truly paint them as garbage people. Except there was no one to root for in this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley! It had some elements and plot points that I enjoyed. But I just couldn’t into it. The writing style was good

I love B P Walter's books so I was very excited for this one. I was hooked from the very beginning and the twists were so well done.

I received an advanced copy of this book from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter via NetGalley.

Set against the backdrop of what should have been a joyous celebration, the story revolves around the engagement garden party of Raphael and his fiancée, a day meant to be filled with love and joy, but instead becomes a battleground for long-hidden truths to surface. As the first glass is raised in celebration, the façade of the perfect family begins to crumble, revealing the lies that have held them together for years.

The novel is undeniably dark, but it follows a predictable path without many surprising twists. While a dark narrative can be compelling, this book could have benefited from a glimmer of light or hope somewhere to balance the heavy themes.

The main character's unlikability poses a significant challenge, at least for me. For those who need a protagonist to root for or at least find redeemable, I felt the characters in this story fall short. Rhys is a decent character with potential, but he is underdeveloped and ultimately forgettable. His unexplored backstory, including his involvement in prostitution, feels like a missed opportunity to add depth and complexity to his character.

Overall, the execution leaves much to be desired. The lack of surprising twists and the over-the-top elements detract from what could have been a more engaging and believable story.

The Garden party by BP Walter this is a wow, OMG, what the F did I just read type of book! In this book we meet Harris his parents die and he goes to live with Patrick Montclief and his family. Patrick is a well-known movie star although he is kind to Harris he doesn’t let him being there interfere with his lifestyle as far as Isabell and Rafael go they don’t exactly welcome him with open arms. Throughout the book we learned that Harris and his “roommate” Rhys have a plan and although their plans are different for the most part they are the same plan. Throughout the book we learn why they have such a grudge on this nice family who took Harris in. Not to mention the families about to celebrate the marriage of their only son Rafael to The sweet and beautiful Lauren. In Harris‘s mind that will be the perfect time to get all his grievances out and boy does he have some grievances. This book is full of I can’t believe they did that type moment with the mic drop at the garden party and there’s no one really to root for I kind of felt bad for Harris at the beginning and found Rhys The most sympathetic character despite his initial roommate situation. I mean wow he had some weird college roommates. Having said that this is a great book and well I totally recommend BP Walter who is always an author I can depend on to put out a great book with complex characters 1 million different moving parts that all wind up making one wicked picture. I really believe she is an author who goes for quality over quantity and it definitely shows in her books.#HarperCollinsOneMoreChapter, #NetGalley, #VPWalter, #TheGardenParty,

Wow!! This book was superb. Walter is masterful in his storytelling & keeps the reader gripped from the very first page. I can't wait for more from this brilliant writer

I've read several of this author's books. They always sound exciting and interesting, but every time I read one, I feel a bit let down. This one was, I'm sorry to say, rather average. The ending gave it an extra half a star. But it just didn't grip me. I struggle to see this as a thriller, more a family drama. Sometimes I like a tamer thriller, but I didn't like any of the characters so I struggled to care about them.

That being said, the writing is always good and sets the scene well, but unfortunately that's about it. Readers of slow burn family dramas will enjoy this, but this isn't for the hard-core thriller fans, I'm afraid.

📚REVIEW📚

The perfect family. The perfect celebration. The perfect day for revenge.

Excuse me whilst I book myself an appointment with my chiropractor! This book has given me whiplash!

I read this over the space of 24 hours. The switch between past and present with the time line meeting up towards the end is one of my favourite formats. I loved that it started with the end and then it meant I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know how it got to that point.

I don’t know what to say about the main character, Harris, without giving too much away, but it was very much a rollercoaster of feelings.

This book is a dark, twisty, fast paced thriller, with some serious twists, and the right amount of ‘holy shit that did not just happen’

B P Walter is officially a go to author for me now.

Thank you to @netgalley for allowing me access to a copy of this read in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date 4th July 2024

The Garden Party is a dark psychological thriller that you’ll not want to put down.
Harris is a teenager who has suffered the loss of both his parents, luckily a couple who were friends with his parents take him in, they are rich and have a son, Raphael, who is a similar kind of age so with this in mind it would lead you to the thoughts that rather than be in a children’s home this would be far more comfortable option, but unfortunately you’d be wrong. What happens to Harris makes him a very damaged person and as more secrets are revealed the more impact this has on Harris. He is at a party for Raphael and his fiancée, things take a turn for honesty and Harris reveals things that have been hidden from friends and family and lead to a party like no one anticipated.
This was a fairly fast paced read that I enjoyed, the characters were all very different which made for an easy read. The book is told from multiple POV but mainly from Harris and in different timelines which is explained at the beginning of each chapter making for an unconfused read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

I adore Walter's books so was delighted to get this one! It involves a family and all their machinations to get--and keep--what they want and believe is rightfully theirs. Raphael and Lauren plan to be married and the book opens on the day of their engagement party where things go very wrong; however, we don't know WHAT went wrong until the bitter end! It's a great story of secrets, lies, blackmail, and all the creepy things one can keep their families from discovering. Powered through this one as I couldn't read fast enough!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

so this book was a dark and twisty story. not sure i liked any of the characters but the story was great. lots of twists and turns and once you get passed these horrible characters and just focus on the story you will enjoy. a definite recommend

thanks publisher and netgalley. all thoughts are my own

Wow what an intense twisted 1 sitting reaf! ead. Perfect if you love psychological thrillers full of family secrets, simmering resentment and revenge plots! (And a bit of sex thrown in too)
This book has it all in spades.
Another cracker from BP Walter, and it also comes with a fantastic Spotify playlist, but I have yet to get it to work.

I received a free copy of, The Garden Party, by B.P. Walter, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Parties should be fun, family and friends gathering for a good time, of food, refreshments, and conversation. This garden party is not like other parties. With friends like like the characters in this book who needs enemies. It should be a celebration of an engagement, but things go horribly wrong, when people have different agendas. Wow this book is a wild ride, I'm so glad I don't have friends like the characters in this book.

It starts with a scream. Who? Why?

And then BP Walter takes us back and we discover the crimes of the Moncrieff family…

….and just why there was a scream.

Another brilliantly written thriller from this author. I couldn’t put it down, I was sneaking in chapters whenever I could - and yes there are short chapters!

Sneaky, dark, and twisty. I highly recommend The Garden Party.

As the chairs are being set out and guests are gathering at Bowen Hall, the Moncrieff family home for son Raphael's engagement party, the scene is one of wealth, privilege and perfection and its all about to come crashing down.

Superbly written, The Garden Party had me hooked from the opening pages, a compelling novel about betrayal and revenge with a real sense of atmosphere and impending doom as layer by layer, in a timeline that moved back and forth the author revealed the Moncrieff family for what it was.

My thanks to Harper Collins, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the advance review copy, all opinions expressed are my own

I’ve read a few books by this author now and this one starts with a bang! A wedding/engagement party in disarray and two shadowy figures disappearing into the night…..

So just who is responsible for the chaos at the party? And why?

A captivating story told in some parts of flashback, allowing you to try your best to piece together just what has caused this to happen.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

Wasn’t sure what to expect as I have only read one other book by this author. The structure of the book takes a bit of getting used to as it jumps back and forwards. I worked out one of the big secrets fairly early on but the other secrets were much more concealed. I liked the momentum- it really was just ‘One More Chapter’! I shall look out for more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the advance copy of this book.

The day of the garden party should’ve been a celebration of love for Raphael and his fiancée, as they toast their engagement with their families. But for someone, it’s an opportunity to unveil the lies that have bound the family together over the years.

With their nearest and dearest gathered at the family manor, as the first glass is raised, the secrets that bind them begin to crack. And what should have been the happiest day of their lives, might just end as a day they’d rather forget…

To be honest, this book just didn't hit the thriller/mystery vide enough for me. It was a decent fluff read, kept me entertained for a few hours. Something you might pick up at the airport bookshop on your way to your flight.

3 out of 5 stars