The writing in this book is genuinely impressive. The author has a way of crafting sentences that feel smooth and purposeful, whether I was reading or listening to the audiobook. It’s the kind of writing that makes you want to keep going, just to enjoy how the words flow together.

However, I found the story itself a bit underwhelming. While I appreciated the quality of the prose, the plot didn’t quite have the impact I was hoping for. It moved along steadily, but it never really built up to anything memorable or surprising. I kept waiting for something to pull me in deeper, but that moment didn’t come.

Even so, the writing style itself made it a worthwhile experience. If you appreciate thoughtful, well-written storytelling and don’t mind a plot that’s more subdued, this book could still be a good fit.

This was an entertaining binge read with a twist I feel like I should have seen coming, but instead left me jaw dropped! You have to pay close attention, especially on audio, but it was a fun ride! What to expect:
🌊Multiple POV
🌊Rich people behaving badly
🌊Red harrings galore
🌊College campus setting

I enjoyed each storyline and was kept guessing the entire time. I'm absolutely recommending this to my friends!

🎧Audio Review
Brittany Pressely narrates, so obviously it was amazing. It could only have been better if it had a full cast narration because of the multiple POV, but Brittany's performance was solid. Each POV gives you the family name and background info on each family, so I was able to follow along pretty well.

I was excited to read this newest Alex Finlay thriller since I’ve enjoyed three of his previous novels and this audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley and she’s great! Parents Weekend follows five sets of parents who visit college campus to find their children are missing. I enjoyed the mystery of the missing college students and how there were some high profile parents including a judge, a plastic surgeon and someone working in the defense department with a security detail. I liked the FBI Agent Keller investigating the case which brought some heart but I found there were just too many characters and too many POVs. Not my fave of his books but I’d still be curious to read his next one.

A fun and well-paced thriller.

This is compellingly readable and does a remarkably good job with setting and atmosphere for a Thriller. I like Finlay’s style a lot, even if the mystery itself has some flaws.

The solve is a bit predictable at least in part, but it does add up and is more complex than it first appears to be. Finlay’s first book Night Shift was similarly compelling but felt a bit like it was knocking off a Riley Sager best seller, and this book felt a bit like Finlay was knocking off…himself. I won’t go into details to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that there is a major piece of the solve that we’ve seen before from this author.

That aside, it’s a fun read and I like that Agent Porter continues to be the central investigator. Finlay does a terrific job giving each of the students and their families a complex existence, another thing that I think is unusually well done for a Thriller.

Five college students are missing, and FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller returns to investigate the case. As always, Alex Finlay delivers a fast-paced, intricately plotted mystery full of suspects and red herrings. The Five, called by podcasters and TikTok sleuths, are missing. Secrets, suspicion, and motives come to light as the plot progresses. The story is told from different perspectives and time lines. Although there were many characters, they were distinct and somewhat easy to tell apart. The narrator, Brittany Pressley, brings the story to life, adding intrigue and intensity. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

Overall, this was a good book. I thought the characters were well-developed, and the two different generations were realistically portrayed. It showed the depth of emotion and the lengths grief can drive us to. There were enough hints throughout the book that the reader thinks they may know the outcome, but the actual ending was quite surprising. Entertaining book that is well-paced.

A wonderfully crafted story with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page. His well-developed characters and wonderful writing style, full of twists and turns, will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page, trying to anticipate where this story would go. This is a definite page-turner that I couldn’t put down until the very last page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Super confusing at times with so many characters. Went back to double check information multiple times. Read the book with the audiobook so that helped. Overall I enjoyed it just was confused at times. Still will read anything from this author. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

There were many characters (quite a few I loved) to keep track of which was a little challenging especially with the audiobook, but the narrator was good and the book held my attention. Another hit from Alex Finlay!

This was a fun one! There was a lot going on and I wasn't quite sure how it would all be tied together but it worked! Loved the information we got after the "story was over" and the narrator was excellent.

Not my fav book by this author and the narrator was kind of annoying. I enjoyed the book at the start but I quickly lost interest and the rest was torture to push through.

This Alex Finlay book sadly fell flat for me. The narrator was amazing, I love everything she does, but even she couldn't help me comprehend all the different POVs. It was hard for me to get into from the start, especially listening to it. I felt like I needed a character glossary or tree to keep track of who is who and whose kid belongs to which couple/family. The premise was great but it sadly didn't follow-through like I would have wanted it to.

It's Parents Weekend at Santa Clara University and five families start getting nervous when their children don't show up for the opening dinner. At first everyone assumes they were just partying and lost track of time, but as the weekend goes on and no one has heard anything from the students they begin to suspect the worst has happened. Each family has skeletons in the closet that could have resulted in the abduction of their child, and FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller has to find the link that connects them all before it's too late.

This was an exciting thriller to listen to. There were a lot of leads, a lot of red herrings, a lot of characters, and a lot of secrets. None of it was particularly groundbreaking, but I found all of it to be entertaining. In the beginning it was a bit difficult to get a grip on all of the characters and how they connected to each other, but by the middle I got the hang of it. The narrator did an excellent job on the audiobook, so I would definitely recommend the audio version. This is a great one for anyone looking for a book where you're just along for a thrilling ride.

This book kept me hanging on every word because I had no idea where it was going. There were so many POVs and side stories but that made it all the more interesting. I never found the multiple POVs confusing or hard to keep straight.

This is a story where there are many "villians", or problematic people, so you are continuously guessing who, how, and why.

There was a disappointment for me in the "reveal" but it was supposed to affect you (no spoilers).

The wrap up of all the stories leaves you satisfied.

Definitely a slow burn thriller, more of a mystery/suspense.

I had previously read If Something Happens to Me, and I am really starting to understand the author's writing style. I will check out more books by the author, past and upcoming works.

Thank you for the advance audiobook.

I have read all of Alex Finlay’s book and was excited to get approved. I love his writing and storytelling. This book did not disappoint. The only negative for me was too many characters. I was confused at first but finally caught on.

The audiobook narrator, Brittany Pressley, is one of my favorites, so I knew I would enjoy her.

This book just didn't connect with me the way previous Finlay books have. I found the mystery lacking. I found almost all of the red herrings obvious, and the final reveals as the only logical resolutions for the story. Disappointing, as I've been a big fan of most of Finlay's work up to this point. The audiobook recording was fantastic, as always. Brittany Pressley is a rockstar.

Thank you to Macmillan audio for my copy of PARENTS WEEKEND.

This one just didn't do it for me. I really enjoyed Finlay's first book but the rest have been duds for me. I do not recommend this one unless you like a ton of unlikable characters and settings.

4 stars

This is my first read by Alex Finlay, and it did not disappoint.

It took me a few chapters to get into this one because there are multiple point of views. but it all came together and eventually made perfect sense.

As 5 college kids go missing, it’s a race for time as their parents struggle to find where they are and why they are missing. The multiple point of views really allowed the reader to see the many character behaviors and get an insight on why these kids are missing. Overall I liked the story and am excited to read previous books by this author. It was a good story and I enjoyed it.

I switched between the audio and book version of this book. The narrator did a great job with the multiple characters in the audio version.

***Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan audio for and ARC copy for an honest review***

3.5 rounded up!

You will want to take notes during this one! I did the audio and only got about 9% in before I realized I had to restart and keep notes on my phone. There are a LOT of characters.

Here is who I kept track of if it helps:
Blane- his mom, Cynthia, is security, Hank is his dad. Blane- was kidnapped for four days as kid

David and Nina Maldonado have a daughter, Stella

Amy and Judge Ken Akana- Libby is their daughter, Timmy is their son who died from cancer

Alice Goffman- Felix is her son

Natasha is a missing student, who is then found to have "accidentally" drowned

Lots of things happen with the dysfunctional parents (slashed tires and stalking to name a couple) that serve to distract you from the main mystery and figuring out who the perp is.

Overall, this was entertaining because so much happens, but when you think back on it, not a lot of it matters for the overall plot. It's almost like the missing kids were secondary to all the parent drama. I think this would be a good thriller to read in late summer right around back to school season. It would appeal to people who enjoy the college campus setting.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC!

Really enjoyed this one. The parents fear really hit home with me. The narrator did such a great job! She is one of my favorites. The accents are just fantastic. The twists really got me and loved following each family.