Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row Publishers, and the author Heather Gudenkauf for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The wealthy Madeline and Wes Drake seem to have it all. They are young, wealthy, and expecting their first baby. Their party planner organizes a gender reveal at their "ranch" with the theme or pistols or pearls. Wes wants to do something large scale so they decide to blow up an old truck for the reveal. Things don't go as planned and chaos ensues.

Told from multiple POVs including Madeline, Mellie (a waitress working the party), Lucy (Madeline's scheming step sister), and Jamie an ATF agent and former resident of the small town. Jamie's sister Juneau disappeared from the town many years ago and has never been found. He anxiously returns to not only investigate the party gone wrong, but also to try and find out what happened to his sister.

For the most part, I liked the book. I did feel like not everything was tied up at the end and I did not really care for the ending,

3 1/2 stars rounded up

Gudenkauf's writing is both compelling and atmospheric, drawing readers into the small-town setting where everyone seems to have something to hide. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter revealing new twists and turns that keep the suspense building. The characters are richly developed, each harboring their own secrets and motivations, making it difficult to discern who the true culprits are until the final, shocking conclusion.

The Perfect Hosts is a standout in the genre of domestic thrillers, offering a gripping narrative that explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the masks people wear to conceal their true selves. It's a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and anyone who enjoys a story that keeps them guessing until the very end.

Another expert level thriller from Heather Gudenkauf. Took me a bit to get into, but once it started, I couldn't put it down. So sad I have to wait for the next book even when this hasn't been published yet, but such is the life of an avid reader.

4.5 stars rounded up. You know those books you are anxious to pick up and keep reading? This is one of those books. Each suspenseful storyline kept me absorbed.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advance copy.

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me access to this book for my honest review. This book had me hooked from page 1. I loved the theme of this book and how the story unfolded. I didn’t expect any of the twists or turns in this book. I was trying to figure out where the book was going but, was completely wrong. I love when a book has my jaw on the floor because I’m ultimately surprised by it.

My only complaint is the ending was left on a cliffhanger but, other than that and a few grammar mistakes it was GREAT!

I can’t wait for people to read this when it releases in November! 🧡

Yes – I do judge a book by its cover! As soon as I saw the cover on this book, I knew I had to read it. A gender reveal party for Ranchers – loved the theme “Pistols and Pearls” . Loved the glamour and simplicity of the reveal and then the big boom – literally! The twists and turns and secrets that had been hidden and then coming out – just kept on coming. Then the ending – whew! I can’t wait to see where that one takes us. Maybe a sequel?? @heathergudenkauf Thank you NetGalley for the ARC #HeatherGudenkauf #ThePerfectHosts

Loved it! Started strong with a gender reveal gone wrong, then lots of twists from there. Two whodunits in one, with the ATF agent involved in both cases. I missed the Iowa setting for which Gudenkauf is known, but there were sure mentions along the way. Good thriller!

I was pretty pumped to see a new Heather Gudenkauf title pop into my feed - I've loved everything I've read by her. This one was good, but not my favorite. The twist was pretty massive, and I definitely didn't see it coming. Two sisters, working together to bring down the bad guy, with some unfortunate collateral damage along the way.

I love Heather Gudenkauf’s books, and this one was pretty good in my opinion. Madeline and Wes are expecting a baby, and at their gender reveal, the unthinkable happens and tragedy strikes. Secrets and lies from Wes’ past come into play, along with the ATF officer in charge of the case. 3/5 stars.

As usual, I love everything Heather writes! This was really good! I enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley, HTP, and Heather for letting me read before its release. I love her books!

I was given an ARC copy of this book in return for a review.

Another great from Ms. Gudenkauf! So suspenseful, kept me turning the pages wanted to know what happened next!

Wes and Madeline Drake's gender reveal party goes horribly wrong. Many are injured and one person is killed. How could this happen? As the investigation into the event continues Agent Jamie Saldano comes to town. Jamie lived in town for a short time and his sister went missing while they were living there. It quickly becomes evident that the second explosion was intentional. Who planted the IED? Who was the intended target? Read this new suspenseful thriller to find out all the answers in November 2025.

The setup? A sex reveal party (because it’s 2025 and we have words for things) hosted by rich ranch-owning influencers with a theme called “pistols and pearls.” So, you know. Subtle. Things immediately go boomxa (literally), and the first few chapters had me hooked in the best way.

But then... it kept going. And going. There were so many mysteries—unsolved cases from two decades ago, affairs, the explosion itself—and instead of building intrigue, it started to feel like a plot salad. Every single character is suspicious. Like, I was about five pages from accusing the family dog.

Also, no one was especially likable. Which is fine! I love a messy cast. But there’s a difference between flawed and flat, and this teetered toward the latter. And the ending? Way too rushed. After all that buildup, certain plotlines (especially Juneau’s) got wrapped up like an afterthought.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of Heather Gudenkauf’s latest book in exchange for an honest review.
I love this author and was so excited to be one of the first to read her newest title.
The story starts off with an elaborate gender reveal party that quickly takes a turn. As the story continues, we learn the histories of the characters through multiple POV’s and there are twists right up until the very end.
While some elements of this book were a bit far-fetched, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it kept me guessing to the end!

All I need to see is Heather Gudenkauf's name on a cover and I know I'll be buying the book! She is an amazing author and The Perfect Hosts is an excellent read. After years of marriage, Melanie and Wes are expecting their first child. They've planned a larger than life gender reveal and it comes at a far higher cost than expected. Someone with a grudge has decided that their party is the perfect place to get revenge. It May take a blast from the past in the form of Special Agent Jamie Saldano, to help right things. When Lucy, Melanie's sister, unexpectedly arrives, she brings even more trouble with her. With dynamic characters, excellent story telling, and great pacing, The Perfect Hosts is the perfect read for anyone with a penchant for family drama, revenge plots, and mystery.

An episode of "Yellowstone" in book form is what Heather Gudenkauf has created! A gender reveal party gone horribly wrong in the pristine wilderness. Was this a freak accident or murder?

Madeline and Wes Drake throw a lavish gender reveal party—but things go terribly wrong. Secrets explode, tensions rise, and nothing is as it seems.

Told through multiple points of view (maybe too many at times), the story is full of twists, drama, and characters you love to hate. Fast-paced and full of tension, it keeps you guessing until the end.

Quick Take:
Twisty, dramatic, and addictive. A wild ride through family secrets and lies.

Many thanks to Park Row Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Perfect Hosts.

The Perfect Hosts is a western esque thriller centered around a gender reveal that goes horribly wrong.

There are so many plot twists and threads to follow, it makes for a fun read. The Drakes host a magnificent gender reveal where the unthinkable happens and it’s a race to figure out who has it out for them. With an estranged sister, a police officer with a past that connects him to the town in a mysterious way, and a touch of domestic violence; you won’t want to put this one down.

Overall The Perfect Hosts kept my interest, and was a very quick read. It got a little jumbled near the end, and I had a bit of a moment when I didn't really care who was to blame for the explosion. I think the side stories were a little clunky and didn't really come together so great. But this author keeps me coming back. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed The Perfect Hosts! From the very beginning, the story pulled me in and kept me curious. The suspense was steady and gripping — never over the top, but always enough to keep me on edge. I found myself flying through chapters, totally wrapped up in wanting to know what was really going on.

Heather Gudenkauf does such a great job of making you question everyone and everything. Just when I thought I had it figured out... I didn’t. 😂 The pacing, the twists, the psychological layers — all so good. This one definitely kept me thinking even after I put it down.

Thank you for the chance to read it early. I had a great time with this one!

The Perfect Host
If you’re in the mood for a twisty thriller that starts with a seemingly innocent gender reveal party and spirals into absolute chaos, The Perfect Host delivers. What begins as a celebration quickly unravels into secrets, lies, and more than one shocking revelation. The story weaves through multiple characters’ perspectives, each adding a new layer to the mystery, and it’s the kind of book that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. Think Big Little Lies meets Gone Girl, with a suburban backdrop and plenty of suspense. A fun, fast-paced read for anyone who loves domestic thrillers with a dark edge.