Very middle of the road for me. it's a quick read with short chapters but I found my mind wondered a bit because it didn't hold my interest throughout. it redeemed itself near the end with some unexpected events and a solid reveal and conclusion.

This was not for me. I think that I was having a hard time following along as there were so many POV's. Beyond that, I just had a hard time caring about the story and what was happening.

This was a bummer as I have really enjoyed the other books from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book so much, and I wouldn't expect anything less from Alex Finlay. I read this book in one sitting. I had to know how it was going to end. I loved the characters and the storyline! I would definitely recommend this book.

✔️ Multiple POVs
✔️ Fast Paced
✔️ Dark Academia
✔️ Family Drama

I enjoyed the fast pace of this one at the start, but unfortunately that’s where my excitement ended. This one was not one of my favorites by this author. It felt convoluted in places, a bit excessive in others, and the myriad of characters got confusing at times. With that said, I still will read Finlay’s next release.

I’ve enjoyed Alex Finlay’s work in the past, and Parents Weekend absolutely delivered. Told through multiple perspectives across past and present timelines, this fast-paced thriller delves deep into themes of family dysfunction, loyalty, and the long shadows cast by past choices.

Finlay weaves in layers of intrigue, secrets, the emotional weight of terminal illness, the complexity of revenge, and what love looks like under pressure. The subplots are rich and well-executed, making this feel bigger than a standalone. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these characters return in future books; there are plenty of stories left to tell.

If you love a twisty, action-packed thriller with strong emotional undercurrents, this one’s for you. I’ll be eagerly waiting for whatever Alex Finlay writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a multilayered thriller with so many perspectives in this short story. This book had me guessing throughout the book as to who took the college kids and why. The twists in this book were well done and left my jaw on the floor. This was a good summer thriller.

Another winner by Alex Finley. I’m always wildly impressed by his ability to weave together the most incredibly complex storylines that keep me turning pages late into the night but always keep me guessing. This is a great summer thriller and right up there as one of my favorites by this author!

Parents Weekend follows the parents of a group of college students who meet and become friends during their first year of college. Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella come from very different worlds but found mutual friendship exploring adulthood and life on their own. But when "the five" fail to show up for a group dinner with their respective parents, worry starts to grow. Parents Weekend alternates points of view from each parent, and readers get a glimpse into the home life of each of the five. A sixth perspective tells about the night that the five go missing and gives clues into the reality of what may have happened. I really enjoyed the concept of this book following five different friends but being told from the POV of their parents. It was interesting to understand the "why" behind some of the college kids' behaviors. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins' Press for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback.

As a last reviewer of Alex Finlays, this one was not my favorite but was still overall enjoyable. I definitely did not guess the ending but then the reveal still fell a little flat for me. Not having this immediately figured out and continued character development of special agent Sarah Keller makes this a 4 star read for me

Started off slow and with too many characters. After a few chapters, I was able to distinguish the characters. I read both the ebook and the audio. The audio helped me with the different characters and I was able to focus on the individual personalities. Once I felt comfortable and understood the different characters I was able to enjoy the story more. The characters were likeable and I was able to relate to the different situations they found themselves in. The ending took me by surprise and I wasn't able to figure out the solution. The convoluted beginning was the reason why I didn't rate 5 stars. I enjoy the author writings and look forward to the next book.

#ALEXFINLAY
#NETGALLEY
#PARENTSWEEKEND

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a readers copy of this book. My reviews never contain spoilers and are freely given.

The parents of 5 college freshmen are stood up by their children at the Parent’s Weekend dinner. No explanation; no contact. They are especially concerned because shortly before Parent’s Weekend a female student died, an apparent drowning victim.
FBI Agent Keller, on temporary assignment on the West Coast, is assisting local and campus police in the investigation.
The main character is likable, some of the parents not as much. They all have backstories and complicated relationships with their children. Overall, a compelling mystery that has a good flow and is very readable. Great beach bag addition.

This was a short book but there was A LOT packed into it…to the point that it was confusing keeping track of all of the characters, and some of the plot lines weren’t very believable to me. I struggle with books where none of the characters are likable, and it was hard for me to find someone to root for. I do think that if you’re looking for a shorter, fast-paced thriller then you could enjoy this story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this ARC.
This was such a good book. When I thought I had this book figured out, something else would happen to change my thought.
This book follows four families over a parents weekend at University. When everyone is suppose to be having dinner together the teens do not show up to dinner, everyone thinks that maybe the teens just went to a party instead because of the high profile of the paranets of these the FBI gets in and Agent Keller is called to the case. Her husband Bob is by far my favorite character in this book. I have already been recommending this book to my friends and family who would enjoy this book. Defiantly a MUST read

Read if you love:
🚨 Twisty Thrillers
🚨 Quick Reads
🚨 Multiple POVs

The story follows five families, during Parents Weekend, whose kids go missing, along with an officer trying to piece everything together. And every... single... one... of these families has messed-up pasts and storylines (I mean, don’t we all to some extent? No? Just me?).

Following the backstories and chasing all the possible leads (that kept ending in dead ends) had me sitting here with a full-on conspiracy board mapped out in my head (red string and all) constantly rewiring it.

I really enjoyed all the characters and their flaws. I loved that there were so many main characters to keep me on my toes.. but where other stories sometimes create confusion with a large cast, Alex Finlay kept everyone organized.
I never once found myself thinking, “Wait, which character was that again?” Thank you NetGalley, publisher and the author for the arc of this book.

#bookstagram #bookrecommendations #thrillerbooks #thriller #newreleases

PARENTS WEEKEND is a fast-paced, propulsive suspense thriller that's impossible to put down. Author Alex Finlay explores the highs and lows of first-time college students and their parents, beginning with the thrill of students moving into dorms and making new friends and quickly morphing into every parent's worst nightmare - a missing child.

It’s Parents Weekend at the University of Santa Clara and the excitement, nervousness and lofty expectations of first-time college students and their parents is evident as they begin a new phase of their lives. Four families are meeting their kids, Libby, Stella, Felix, and Blane, for dinner and cocktails on the first night along with Tom whose parents aren't attending. The parents are enjoying drinks and small talk when it begins to dawn on them that not one of their kids have shown up. At first, there's little concern. After all, everyone recalls how it is being a college student, right? However, as time passes without a word and phones go unanswered, concern turns to fear and eventually panic. A call to police produces a quick response, search parties are formed, and FBI Agent Sarah Keller is brought in to assist. It doesn't take long for reporters to swarm in as rumors run rampant, spreading like flames through gathering crowds with whispers of another student who was found dead a few days prior. While it’s true that death was ruled accidental, it elevates the level of concern fueling a greater sense of urgency for the missing five. How could five students disappear without a trace?

Author Alex Finlay utilizes short, past/present chapters and multiple points of view to draw readers into this twisted, edge-of-your-seat thriller. As the story unfolds, secrets surface among both parents and teens. The drama builds when masks begin slipping among the vastly different group of anxiously waiting parents, allowing readers insight into the dynamics of each family. A large cast of support characters muddy the waters, giving readers a wide array of red herrings to sift through. As time passes with no word, a foreboding tone intensifies fueling the steadily increasing pace that eventually leads to an unpredictable, explosive climax. I loved the return of FBI Agent Sarah Keller of THE NIGHT SHIFT and EVERY LAST FEAR fame, two of my favorites by Finlay, and her presence serves as a steady force lending an air of authenticity to this story. PARENTS WEEKEND is a mesmerizing thriller that explores the dynamics of dysfunctional families and the emotional uncertainties experienced by parents and students leaving the nest for the first time. Highly recommended to fans of well-crafted suspense thrillers.

I was excited to receive this ARC of the author’s new release as I really enjoyed If Something Happens to Me & The Night Shift. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t my favourite. I got confused at times with the large amount of characters and timelines. The book featured unlikable, morally grey characters a dark academia setting. Missing people, accidental drowning, dysfunctional relationships and families, multiple POV….the plot had potential for me to start but just didn’t come together for me. Too much going on.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion..

Finlay wasn't messing around with this one. The suspense starts right away and carries on throughout most of the book. Any parent with a child in college will understand the excitement and stress about visiting their child at their school. This small group of parents are anxiously awaiting their children to show up at a dinner function, but they are all running later. All of them. Which is odd, especially because none of them are answering their phones and were all supposed to be on their way. To make matters worse, a fellow student had just been found dead, setting everyone on edge.
The story is told from multiple points of view. The readers get understanding for the FBI agent assigned to the case and each set of parents involved in the disappearance. A lot of dirt is uncovered as they try to determine what this group of students has in common enough to all have gone missing on their way to dinner.
The end wrapped up quick but concisely. I felt a little bit of whiplash at it but it was a quick read, so I don't know why I was surprised.

I Love Alex Finlay. This book just left me wanting more. It was very though and go regarding the plot and the story just didn't grab me till the end; honestly was a core to finish. I will remain a Finlay Fan, but this book didn't hit like he's previous.

A group of parents meet at a restaurant, the only thing is all their children don't show up and with a recent body found, a parent's worse nightmare begins to rear its ugly head. Our detective moves from NY to help with father in law and get recruited to help find the missing students. Lets hope she can do that quickly, before more bodies starts to show up!

It's parents weekend at a small, elite private university in California and a group of the attending parents have gathered for a dinner with their five children, who are good friends, to get the celebration weekend rolling. But the parents wait and wait, and their children never show. Meanwhile, there was the tragic death of a student by drowning. All these events will conspire together to bring one wild weekend.

FBI agent Sarah Keller is sent in to investigate the five students' disappearance. All the families have secrets which will be revealed before the conclusion of this mystery.

There is a lot of action in this thriller, some of it kind of over the top. It was entertaining but I didn't really get involved with any of the characters. This was a book that kept me reading to the end, but honestly not one I will remember for long. That said, if you like popcorn thrillers I think you will enjoy it.

I rate it 3.5 but rounding up.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Finlay, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fine, but ultimately forgettable. There were a lot of families to get to know, which Finlay was able to introduce well. It got repetitive in the middle, though there were plenty of red herrings to follow. The ending was over the top, and borderline offensive, but resolved things. I'd try this author again, but I can't rate this more than 3 stars.