Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

This was good fast paced family drama full of different POV’s which is great because you get insight into every character and why they made the choices they did. I loved the story and that it all took place over one day. Definitely going on my book recs.

I didn't find myself reaching for this book as much as I thought I would, I just didn't really connect with the characters at all. I'm also just not a fan of multiple pov's, especially when they all seem to have the same personality. I really enjoyed the ending of this thriller though!

This book was a fast paced thriller. It has a dark cast of characters sending you spinning into a dark mystery. Set in Texas, at a sixteen year old’s birthday party, this book delivers drama and suspense. There were some twists and turns along the way as you tried to discover who was responsible for the mystery. There were a few plot holes for me. Overall, it was a solid book and a quick read.

Dani is a young mom struggling post partum but it’s her step daughter’s sweet 16 and she has to make sure every thing turns out perfect. But every party has to end with a bang.

Stayed up until 1am finishing this one because once it hooked me, I couldn’t stop. Sooo many twists and turns, multiple POVs, timeline back and forth - recipe for a great thriller!! And the ending I did not see coming but had me saying, PERIOD!!!!!!!! Very satisfying. I would love to read more from Kelsey Cox!!

Overall fun and entertaining thriller. I was able to read it pretty quickly. There were some downsides. There is quite a large case of characters it could be hard to keep everyone straight. There were also multiple POVs - not every character had their own but even those just kept things a little confusing. Parts of the twist were pretty good - but there was one specific part that I really hated.
The setting of a fancy sweet sixteen party was really fun. When the book first started and you were being introduced to all of the characters I thought that they were really well depicted. Especially the women - as Southern church going women their portrayal felt pretty authentic to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

WOW! The twists and turns - the absolutely shocking truths this party reveals. Before you start this one, clear out your afternoon - because you won't want to put it down!

Dani is a new mom. She's unsure about everything, worried she's not doing things right. Her husband, Ethan, is throwing a huge birthday party for his older daughter (with his ex wife) and Dani is just sure she's ready. She can do this.

But we already know, right from the start, that something happens at this party. There are these little tidbits, between chapters, that give hints ever so slowly that something terrible has happened.

And there are quite a few POV - but they are easy to keep straight because they are all unique and very different. But each will give a different view of this party, a different angle - the kids, the parents, the ex wife, the nanny. All will open up the different secrets and show the ugly side of being rich, with a beautiful house, and a life everyone envies.

This one kept me absolutely hooked. I had so many guesses but each new twist would make my jaw drop and I'd realize that no, I had it all wrong. I loved that we got the Sophie's story as much as the adults, because each side was really giving the overwhelming sense of eerie dread. I couldn't help but keep wondering - what happened? And to who?

Great tension, great characters you don't always love but grow on you, twists that kept me hooked. I loved this one!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Party of Liars is one drama filled debut! I really enjoyed that there were several different characters telling the story. Throughout the book they each fill in piece by piece the events of before the party, during the party, and after the party. I was invested early on and then things got a little slow and dragged on a bit. There was a lot of background stories that didn’t necessarily play a factor in the direction of the story. However the ending picked up warp speed and brought a mostly closed conclusion to the lives of Dani, Ethan, Kim, Sophia, Orlaith, and Mikala. I say mostly because we didn’t get much of a one year update on Mikala. I wish there had been a chapter for each of them. I can definitely see Party of Liars as Hulu tv series that people would binge. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books for the ARC!

Party of Liars unfolds over one night at Sophie’s 16th birthday party, set entirely in a single location. Told through dual timelines—before and after the shocking incident—the story keeps readers guessing as someone falls from a balcony by the end of the night. Kelsey Cox uses multiple POVs to slowly unravel the secrets and backstories of the main characters, each one adding a new layer of intrigue. While the pacing feels a bit slow at times, the tension builds steadily, and the payoff in the final chapters makes it all worth it. I was constantly trying to figure out who the victim would be—and I didn’t see the twist coming!

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for letting me read this ARC.

Sophie is turning 16 and her dad (Ethan) as step mom (Dani) are getting ready to throw her a party at their big house on the hill. Her best friend Mikayla, who she has known since she was little, is shy and usually doesn't dress up or do the make up thing but Sophie convinces her to go all out.

Kim, Sophie's mom, is struggling to stay sobber and we hear things from her about her marriage to Ethan and how her life started spiraling.

There was a large cast of folks that I did have a hard time keeping track of but the twists and turns definitely kept me going and I didn't see the ending coming.

While I mostly enjoyed the pacing and the different perspectives of the characters, it did sometimes feel like the story was all over the place. I’m definitely not sure I fully understand the ending?

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
When the publisher reached out to me to review this title, I was skeptical. The blurb sounded really good, but I wasn't sure I would love it. I am so happy I read it. It was FANTASTIC!
It's so hard for me to review a mystery/suspense/thriller type book as I always feel like I'm going to give everything away. I don't read a ton of thrillers, even though I thoroughly enjoy them whenever I do. I'm always worried they will be predictable and I'll know exactly who done it. But this book really kept me on the edge of my seat. So many times I thought there would be a murder, or someone would get hurt, and the author turned it over to something I wasn't expecting.
This book is told from several points of view. Each characters seemingly just a bit unhinged. Each character surely could be the one who committed the crime. Cox does a fabulous job getting into the reader's head and planting all the seeds to do this. There were so many twists and turns the author definitely kept me on my toes. The different points of view definitely helped build the story.
I enjoyed the bit of paranormal the author infused into the book as well. It's always fun to have some folklore to go along with a mystery. But the paranormal aspect, if you can really call it that, doesn't take the turn you believe it will.
The gaslighting in this book is unprecedented. It wasn't until about three quarters of the way through the book that I understood exactly what was going on. And I will say, I was surprised by the twist. But then when it happened, I realized I should have seen it the entire time! I was actually mad at myself that I didn't.
And the twist at the end. I honestly did not see it coming at all. Even though, when I think back. I see the author made it fairly clear in the storyline.
Add to the great plot line and fabulous pacing that this a debut and I have found myself a new author to follow and love! It's movie worthy for sure. I would love to see this on the screen. The author set this so realistically and made me believe in the characters. I can't get it out of my head.
I cannot wait to see what Cox will write in a future. This is a solid thriller that will keep you on your toes and keep you guessing at 1) who the victim is and 2) who done it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Listen, I read a LOT of thrillers. Most are predictable but I still enjoy reading them, even if they’re forgettable. Party of Liars will be one I won’t forget anytime soon. I loved how many POVs there were, which is surprising since I usually hate that. I felt like I was in the mind of each character, and also got to see different sides to everyone through other characters’ eyes. I appreciated how flawed everyone was and their struggles all felt real and like lived experiences.
I loved all the central Texas references, but I am absolutely biased since I’ve lived my whole life only a few counties away from where this was set. I do feel like Kelsey Cox captured the heart of central Texas (shoutout to the multiple HEB name drops and the [albeit ridiculous] homecoming mum tradition), and it was fun to see a place I love so much well represented.
An incredible debut and I hope to see more from Kelsey Cox in the future!

"𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒂 𝒃𝒖𝒈 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆."

Special thanks to @minotaurbooks & @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️

So many odd characters and others you loathe through the pages. This is a good domestic suspense that keeps you wanting more at the end of every chapter.

This one did have some great qualities but it just didnt wow me the way I had hoped. This one was going to be just as 3 star for me, but the ending clinched it. I didn't see it coming and it answered all my lingering questions.

Read if you love:

🎂 Multiple povs
🎂 Dual timelines
🎂 Sweet sixteen on steroids
🎂 Haunted house
🎂 Secrets and lies
🎂 Jealousy

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
July 1, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever had a big bash for any birthday?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #partyofliars #minotaurbooks #netgalley #upcomingthriller
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More of a solid 4.5 for me!

This was a debut? Awesome. Thank you to @netgalley for the advanced copy!

I really liked this one! I read it in about three days, it kept me hooked and I found myself making excuses to get back into it!

I really liked the multiple POV from the various characters throughout the book, I was guessing all the way until the end. The setting of a big mysterious house and a 16th birthday party was perfect. I didn't find it difficult to keep up with the characters or follow along even though we jump around a bit in the timeline.

Holding back from a full five stars b/c I thought the ending was a little predictable and could have been a little more creative. Getting tired of men always being the problem in womens fiction and thrillers, I get it, but I'm also over it.

Overall, this a bingeable popcorn mystery thriller that will keep you turning the page. For sure recommend!

Wow - for a debut book, this one knocked it out of the park! I was hooked, I was thrilled, I didn’t want to stop reading!

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox is about Dani, a baking influencer and new mom, who wants to throw the perfect Sweet Sixteen party for her stepdaughter Sophie. She’s hoping to impress her husband, stay on good terms with his ex-wife, and bring the family closer together.

But the party takes a scary turn. Dani is still recovering from a breakdown, and when she finds a creepy note and a message written in lipstick on a mirror, she starts to panic. Is she imagining things again—or is something really wrong?

The story jumps between characters perspective both before and during the party, revealing secrets along the way: a jealous best friend, a struggling ex-wife, a vulnerable new mom, and even a strange online fan who sneaks into the party (and even Dani’s pantry!) just to meet her.

With adults drinking, teens left alone by the pool, and the heat turning up, everything that could go wrong does. This book was full of drama, emotion, and twists—and I was hooked the whole time.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Kelsey Cox, and St. Martin’s Press for the early copy of Party of Liars scheduled to release July 1st.

We know someone falls off the balcony in this one but we don’t know who or why!

This book has multiple POV’s and everyone has some type of secret or event happening in their life (new baby, divorce, friend drama). We learn what has led up to the birthday party, the secrets they’re hiding, and ultimately who is flying over that balcony!

There’s a house on the cliff with a haunted history that everyone in town knows and has whispered about. Tonight however, for the first time in a very long time, the house will be open to the public as a lavish sweet sixteen party is held. The house has been remodeled with one side completely open facing a cliff, making it look like a life-sized dollhouse. But no one really knows what secrets people keep, what lies they tell, to themselves and to others. The night will end in murder, and someone’s lies will be revealed.

What a fun summer read! You’ve got an interesting cast of wealthy characters amidst this unique natural location and looming image of a massive, open sided house with a haunted history, already setting the stage for a gripping story. But then there’s the mystery of not just whodunnit but also who got got. The tension ramps up as the party gets going, and the anticipation of the murder to come, as the reader puts together the clues of what’s going on. Short chapters keep the pace moving, and multiple POVs add to the suspense as we untangle their secrets and motivations. There were so many times that had me on the edge of my seat wondering if that particular moment would be the one to send everything crashing down. This is a perfect summer mystery to read by the poolside—with a cocktail, and maybe a piece of cake.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy. This review was written voluntarily.

Really enjoyed the flow of this book! Loved the multiple POVs and how they all came together. Great ending that I hadn’t seen coming!

“People are born with a fear of falling, that hardwired reflex, that total body jolt the exact moment you fall. We fall asleep. We fall in love. We fall into traps. It’s the loss of control we’re afraid of.”

Sophie Matthews is turning sixteen and it seems all of Texas has been invited to the lavish affair. Everyone is excited to attend the event, if not for Sophie, but to say they’ve seen the inside of the breathtaking glass house that is rumored to be haunted.

But the house itself isn’t the only cause for speculation; it’s the guests at the party that offer the real entertainment. Besides the birthday girl there’s her dad and his new young wife, Dani, a young mother plagued by disturbing visions. Then there’s Kim, Sophie’s mom, and the bitter ex-wife with a drinking problem. Órliath is the mysterious Irish nanny who keeps a watchful eye. And finally there’s Mikayla, Sophie’s best friend,or is she?

As the party revs up, secrets are revealed and motives are misconstrued. While the guests try to piece together who to trust, the reader wonders the exact same thing. Only one things for sure though, this is one party that offers no favors, but plenty of tricks.

Party of Liars is a page turning debut from author, Kelsey Cox. Its high stakes setting and colorful cast of characters keeps readers on their toes. While it was a bit challenging keeping everyone straight at times, I will say Cox does a convincing job of keeping the reader guessing until the party is over.

Party of Liars is the debut novel from Kelsey Cox.

"It's Sophie Matthews's Sweet Sixteen birthday party at her father's home where he lives with his new wife. Sophie's dad has spared no expense in renovating the cliff-side mansion - a house with a history, said by many to be cursed. Just before the candles on the enormous cake, a body falls from the 2nd floor balcony onto the patio below..."

KC fills this story with adults and teenagers behaving badly. It all takes place during the party but we get the back story that leads to a body falling off the balcony. And we don't find out who fell and why until the end. There's a lot of red herrings and KC does a great job disguising who it is.
There's plenty of questions about Dani and the Nanny, Orlaith and the ex-wife, Kim. You will be surprised at who the bad guys are.

This is an enjoyable debut from Cox.