Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of one of my favorite authors!!!

And with that said it didn’t disappoint!!! I enjoyed every minute of this!!!!

Parents weekend at college is supposed to be a time where college students show their parents how college is and how’s it going. These group of students all have secret and it’s all coming out.

Done by different POVs including parents and children.

I enjoyed this book very much. The only thing was how many povs there were. I did have to go back a couple of times but it didn’t take away from the plot or mystery of it!

Are the plastic smurf masks from my 80s childhood still around? Ditto the Scooby Do van--these references seem oddly placed in a book set in the present, but maybe I just don't know college kids these days. Anyways, I digress...

I've been an avid reader of Alex Finlay's since his first book, but Parents' Weekend was just an OK read for me. I was invested in the premise, and I breezed through it, but the execution just didn't work for me. There's a lot of characters, but not in a good way. Though I'm a fan of a multi-POV book, the ones here are flat and though not exactly unlikeable, they're entirely unsympathetic (you will lose me immediately with horrible people being excused by 'they're just kids!'- especially when we're not talking middle schoolers, we're talking college students, aka legal adults) and because this is the type of novel that relies on short, snappy chapters (which I usually like), they're also not fleshed out at all and it takes a while to settle into who's who. Rich bureaucrat? Rich plastic surgeon? Rich judge? Put-upon wife? This is the extent of the personalities. And I couldn't muster up any care that anyone's lives were at risk.

But I did like Agent Sarah Keller, and although my frazzled brain doesn't remember her at all from The Night Shift (my cross to bear rather than a fault of the author), she was a bright light in this otherwise light plot.

Thanks to the publisher for making this book available to read and review through NetGalley. I'll still be looking forward to what this author comes up with next, but I don't think this is one I'd recommend.

Five students mysteriously disappear after the death of a college classmate. That it occurs on parents' weekend with few clues amps up the drama. Cheating parents, obsessive relationships, and big ambitions all play a part in this story.

*Parents Weekend* by Alex Finley is a light thriller that offers an interesting premise but doesn’t quite hit the mark. The story revolves around a college weekend where a group of parents finds themselves entangled in a series of events that quickly spiral out of control. The plot starts off promising, with some fun twists, but it feels a bit predictable and over-the-top at times. The characters are decent but not particularly memorable, and while the humor and tension are there, they don’t always land as well as expected. If you’re looking for a quick, easy read with some suspense and dark comedy, it’s worth checking out. But if you're hoping for something more gripping or complex, you might find it falls a little flat.

I have been a huge fan of Alex Finlay since Every Last Fear. His books are fast-paced, page turners that will have you reading throughout the night. Unfortunately I thought Parents Weekend fell a little flat compared to his last few books. The pacing was a bit off and I felt I was still getting background on the plot at 70% of the book. Everything fell together so quickly and wrapped up just a little too fast. It was nevertheless quite an entertaining read that sucked me in from the beginning. Would highly recommend for fans of Finlay's previous novels, just know it probably won't quite live up to the hype of his other books. We do get to see Agent Keller, the FBI agent from The Night Shift and there are a few small throwback references.

This was a good thriller. Just like all of Alex Finlay it has the connection between the characters that you're trying to get to while also solving the big mystery.

Every Last Fear and The Night Shift were both 5 star reads for me. This book definitely kept me entertained (I read it in an afternoon), it just didn’t have the twists I’ve come to expect from this author. High expectations lead to disappointments, I guess. 3.5 stars.

A suspense/thriller novel about five students that go missing during parents weekend at college. The novel is told from multiple POV, including one of the investigators. I found the false leads repetitive after the second one and it felt lazy to me as the reader that the author didn't put more thought into the plot. The ending wasn't a surprise for me and I was disappointed that this novel didn't capture my attention better as the reader.

Parent’s Weekend at College should be a bonding weekend for parents to come see what their kids are up to, meet their friends, and see how messy their dorm rooms are. This year, the excitement quickly turns into a terrifying situation when five students go missing.

FBI agent Sarah Kellar is brought in to support when one of the missing students is found to be the son of a government official. Using her investigative skills, Kellar makes connections between the missing students and uncovers a complex web of friendship, secrets, and serious accusations.

The author expertly wove so many twists and turns into this narrative. Every new bit of information created even more questions as the narrative progressed and the story depended. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there was a new twist. The ending was skillfully crafted and brought the story to a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, the author Alex Finlay and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me the chance to read this ARC novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

This book had me hooked from the beginning, I like how it was broken down between families in each chapter. The end wasn’t something I would’ve guessed! Very good!

I have read many Alex Finley novels and usually enjoy them very much. This one I had trouble connecting with the characters… And there were so many characters I had trouble keeping track of who was who. I did like the female investigators, and I didn’t see the ending twist coming. Overall, a good read just not his best novel. Thank you,NetGalley for the digital copy.3 1/2 stars

This one is a thrilling mystery that weaves together the lives of five families whose children go missing during a Parents Weekend at a small college. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, from the parents to the students, and FBI agent, Sarah Keller, who returns from Finlay’s previous books.

The novel is packed with suspense, family drama, buried secrets, and shocking betrayals. The mystery surrounding the missing students is intriguing, and the tension builds as the search intensifies. However, the book can feel overwhelming at times due to the sheer number of characters and the fragmented structure. The different points of view and short, chunky chapters make it hard to stay engaged initially. It wasn’t until about three-quarters of the way through that I finally felt I had a solid grasp on the characters and what was going on.

For those who enjoy a slow burn with multiple twists and character-driven drama, and fans of Finlay’s previous work, will find this a compelling addition.

Though, as I've realized this year.. I personally struggle with pacing like this: short chapters and the heavy reliance on different viewpoints. Still, it's an engaging thriller once it hits its stride.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press via Net Galley for the advanced e-book: Parent's Weekend publishes May 6, 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. ♡

The story follows five different families that have kids at a university in Northern California. The parents arrive for "Parrents Weekend" and are to meet up with their kids at a dinner. The kids never show up, and the mystery begins as to where they are, and is this a prank? Or are they in danger?

I started this book thinking I was going to love it, but once I got past 60%, I realized there wasn't going to be any major shock value. I wasn't disappointed with the twists, but I had hoped for me.

Overall, it was a solid read. Short chapters, multiple POVs, keep you on the edge of your seat. 3.5☆

*3.5 stars ✨

I loved seeing FBI agent Sarah back. Her chapters/character is my favorite. Parents weekend goes awry when 5 kids go missing. Told in alternate pov’s from the kids, their parents, & the agent. This goes super fast over a few days. Entertaining, but it was a little predictable of who kidnapped the kids, only one surprise at the end.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a good mix of mystery and suspense without being scary. I was pulled in from the beginning

I love this author and was so excited to receive an advanced copy. This had the premise of being a really exciting thriller, there were just too many characters with too many side storylines. I wish the book had focused more on the five kids that were missing instead of bringing in all the random drama that the families had as well. It still had some really good twist and turns!

I didn’t find this as suspenseful as most of this author’s books, but it was still a good read. Lots of interesting and flawed characters, and I really enjoyed the complicated parent/child relationships. I was really hoping for the only (different, poor) truly decent kid to make it, but no luck there. Can’t wait for Finlay’s next book!

Hmmm...lackluster novel from one of my favorite authors. Not thrilling. Too many characters, guessed the who dine it right off the bat.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Alex Finlay’s Parent’s Weekend dives into the primal fears of parenthood when five families' peaceful California getaway turns into a nightmare as their children mysteriously vanish. Told through alternating perspectives—desperate parents and relentless investigators—the fast-paced narrative maintains suspense throughout. A highlight is the return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Feller, whose sharp, determined character adds depth to the investigation. However, the novel’s large cast, including seven parents, five children, a deceased student, and her grieving parents, leaves little room for meaningful character development. Most characters feel like clichés, and I struggled to connect with anyone outside the Keller family.
A significant death late in the story happens off-page, failing to impact the plot or character development. It feels gratuitous and adds little to the overall narrative. Despite enjoying fast-paced thrillers, I found the story predictable and lacking in twists or deeper exploration of the characters, which could have elevated the stakes and intensity. The students’ chapters, though offering context, felt juvenile compared to the adult narratives and lacked the emotional depth needed to amplify the tension. The resolution also felt rushed, with an underwhelming reveal and minimal detail on the crimes themselves, missing an opportunity to deepen the mystery. While the final twist is unexpected, it strains credibility and detracts from the story’s overall impact.
Ultimately, Parent’s Weekend will appeal to fans of suspenseful mysteries, but it lacks emotional depth and character development. A more satisfying conclusion and stronger connections between the characters would have made this a much more compelling read. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

This was a good, quick read that I finished in one night. It kept me entertained enough to keep reading way past my bedtime. It was kind of a lot going on but still easy to follow.