Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Vengeance is deadly in this atmospheric slow-burning mystery. Dual timelines and multiple characters create a tale of retribution and betrayal. The Nacka Four incident triggers life-changing events of evil. I had difficulty connecting to the characters and being invested in their lives. However, the plot was suspenseful with twists and turns. The narrator did an excellent job conveying the emotion and anxiety as the story unfolded. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great summer thriller that will keep readers engaged and guessing with plenty of twists and turns.

Was this review helpful?

*3.5/5*
I enjoyed the pace, mystery, and overall result of The Bachelorette Party. There was a slight time and POV jump throughout the book, though our main POV is from Tessa, a struggling podcaster after an interview gone wrong. As the reader, we already knew that the disappearances of the women 10 years ago from the island were murders, where the current time cast only knew the women had disappeared. This made for an interesting dynamic since we didn't know who the murderer was, which put suspicion on everyone on the island. The setup for the climax of the book was done well, had a steady pace, and then picked up quickly to get the heart rate going.

I personally had a hard time remembering the characters' names, constantly confusing the side characters of each timeline. The only people I could confidently keep track of where Tessa, Irene, and Matilda. Some of the names for me felt very similar, which also kind of felt intentional, but I had to keep reminding myself what timeline I was listening to.

I was also able to figure out most of the big reveals before they happened, so that always kind of docks some points for me on a thriller. I like being surprised by the big reveals, so when I only didnt figure out a smaller reveal, it was a little bit of a letdown for me.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a summertime thriller that does go pretty quickly (I took extra time finishing because I was in a slump at the beginning and then had a baby).

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for a copy provided for an honest review.

This story follows Tessa, a podcaster whose most recent project failed, as she attends the bachelorette party of her best friend Anna at a yoga retreat on a small island off coast of Sweden. This remote island was the setting of the disappearance of four friends ten years ago and Tessa is obsessed with the story and with finding out what happened to them.

I loved The Resting Place, and I was really looking forward to this story. It had the ideal atmospheric setting with a creepy past, plus I love a fictional thriller with a podcast vibe. I was quickly pulled into the story with the dual timelines between the four friends that I knew would disappear and the current bachelorette party. However, I quickly became fatigued by the relationships between these supposed friends. Their treatment of each other annoyed me to the point of not caring what happened to anyone in the past and just wanting off the island.

Hopefully the next story will work for me. I started the ebook and finished the story by listening to the audiobook. I don’t think I was a fan of the narrator, but my feelings for the characters may have colored my judgement so I would give another try since this was my first listen before deciding definitively.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Bachelorette Party A Novel by Camilla Sten and narrated by Laura Jennings is an intense tale of two friend groups who visit an island in Sweden ten years apart.

The Bachelorette Party offers tension, intrigue, and thrilling twists that kept me guessing until the end.

SPOILER ALERT
I was pleased that Camilla Sten did not leave one remaining “final girl” at the end of the novel. That is traditionally what is expected with this style of story. It was a pleasure to listen to!

Was this review helpful?

Told in dual timelines, with two sets bachelorettes, we follow the evens the took place on a remote Swedish island.
We follow Tessa, a true-crime podcaster who has been invited to her bestie’s bachelorette weekend on the island where 4 women mysteriously disappeared 10 years before. Tessa can’t help but do a little investigating while she is there and what she discovers- is shocking.
But really only to her because you will likely see it coming from a mile away. Maybe it was meant to be this way, and the motivation is supposed to be explosive? I didn’t feel any major wow moment. The characters are also not deep enough to connect much to and/or make choices that are unsympathetic. It sadly didn’t work for me, but I really hope it can for you! 2.5 ⭐️

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this advanced reading experience!

Was this review helpful?

This was such a wild ride. The setup of a girls’ trip gone wrong immediately pulled me in, and Camilla Sten did a great job building that uneasy, “something’s not right” atmosphere. I liked the dual timelines. The audiobook narration made the tension even sharper. Overall, it’s a fun, fast-paced thriller with plenty of drama and suspense and action.

Was this review helpful?

I eagerly dove into "The Bachelorette Party", intrigued by its synopsis, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations.

As I reached the end of the novel, I felt dissatisfied with the excessive melodrama of the conclusion, which felt like a soap opera. The identities of the perpetrators were too obvious from the start, eliminating any suspense.

I struggled to connect with the characters, including Tessa and her friends, and their journeys didn’t resonate with me. The narrative lacked the tension and thrill I typically seek in a mystery-thriller, leaving me waiting for a significant twist that never arrived.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

A moody, atmospheric thriller set on a remote Swedish island, The Bachelorette Party blends secrets, suspense, and the dark side of true crime. The dual timelines and complex female dynamics kept me engaged, and the eerie setting added to the tension. While the pacing lagged a bit in the middle and a few twists were predictable, the emotional depth and strong narration made it a compelling listen. Great for fans of psychological thrillers.

I listened to the audiobook, and Laura Jennings did a fantastic job narrating—her performance captured the unease and emotion of the story perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an eARC and Macmillan Audio for an ALC.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a good fun read. It wasn't super dark, to me it was a more lighter thriller which is great for those that are just dipping into the genre. I did guess pretty early on that the sister of Tessa was the one that was terrorizing Tilly and her friends, but I did not guess that the killer of Tessa and her friends was actually her Tessa's fiancé. That was a loop that I wasn't expecting, but as I said before it's not dark. The author leads you into that information relatively easy. I would absolutely recommend to others.

Side note, I listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator was easy to listen to and kept me intrigued.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really wild ride - perhaps a bit too far-fetched, even for my taste! A bachelorette party going horribly wrong - it gave White Lotus vibes throughout.

Was this review helpful?

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Was this review helpful?

This was a miss. I don't really get having so many POVs and it just became too confusing for all the characters

Was this review helpful?

This book had some tense and twisty moments. The Bachelorette Party takes place in the icy wilderness of Sweden, where a group of old friends reunite for a weekend getaway that turns dark. The remote setting adds to the atmosphere, and the isolation builds some suspense.

Camilla Sten reveals bits and pieces about the characters over time, with secrets and betrayals coming to light. There are a few twists along the way, and the pacing works well enough to keep the story moving.

The dynamics between the women add another layer to the plot, mixing relationship drama with the thriller elements. It’s a decent read for fans of psychological suspense, though it didn’t completely blow me away.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Macmillian Audio for my copy of THE BACHELORETTE PARTY.

I was so excited to get my hands on the newest Camilla Sten, but this one fell way flat in comparison to her previous books. I just couldn't make myself care about any of these characters and the dual timelines felt like whiplash, but not in a good way. I don't recommend this one.

Was this review helpful?

A dark summer psychological mystery thriller. Yes, some of the twists were predictable. However, the story has both a present day and a past mystery from 10 years prior that as the reader found myself trying to solve alongside the main characters. The story is told through dual timelines, though mostly more "present" than "past" with the date stated at the beginning of each chapter. Both timelines feature a group of female friends, which at times became a little confusion trying to keep track who everyone was. The beginning seemed to drag a little, though the numerous characters to keep track of may have added to that, but the end really picks up speed. Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

I read this book while also listening to the audio book, narrated by Laura Jennings. She did a great job, and I highly recommend the audiobook.

Thankyou NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan audio for the arcs. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Camilla Sten’s The Bachelorette Party is a chilling, dual-timeline thriller that blends true crime obsession with locked-room mystery vibes. The audiobook, narrated by Angela Dawe, amplifies the tension and atmosphere of the story, making it a gripping listen from start to finish.

Angela Dawe delivers a compelling performance, capturing the emotional depth and suspenseful tone of the novel. Her voice work distinguishes characters effectively and maintains a steady pace that keeps listeners engaged. Dawe’s narration adds a layer of urgency to the story, especially as the timelines converge and secrets begin to unravel.

The novel follows Tessa Nilsson, a disgraced true-crime podcaster who becomes obsessed with the unsolved disappearance of four women on a remote Swedish island. When her best friend chooses a similar island for her bachelorette party, Tessa sees a chance to uncover the truth. What begins as a celebration quickly turns into a descent into paranoia, danger, and revenge.

Sten masterfully weaves together past and present, gradually revealing the dark connections between the two girls’ trips. The island setting, once idyllic, becomes a claustrophobic trap where every character’s motives are suspect and danger lurks in every shadow.

Highlights:
Atmospheric Setting: The isolated island adds a haunting backdrop that enhances the suspense.
Dual Timeline Structure: Keeps the mystery layered and engaging.
Themes of Obsession and Redemption: Tessa’s personal stakes make the story emotionally resonant.
Narration Quality: Angela Dawe’s performance elevates the tension and emotional beats.

The Bachelorette Party is a dark, immersive thriller perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Sarah Pearse. The audiobook version, with Angela Dawe’s expert narration, makes the experience even more intense and addictive. It’s a must-listen for anyone who loves twisty mysteries with psychological depth.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was an enjoyable, yet very predictable thriller. The characters were pleasant enough, but the two timelines were not easy to follow.

Was this review helpful?

ad much love for my advance copy @minotaur_books #partner

🆃🅷🅴 🅱🅰🅲🅷🅴🅻🅾🆁🅴🆃🆃🅴 🅿🅰🆁🆃🆈
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ

Oh how fun this one was! I love Camilla Stein thrillers and this one delivered it all. It’s fast-paced with so much shadiness going down. It was a fun read.

The chapters are super short and the plot alternated between timelines. While alternating timelines aren’t usually my jam (I’m sure you’ve see me complain about them - or saying this exact same thing) it worked so well with this story.

I didn’t take notes so I can’t remember specifics but I do remember thinking: what a fked up friend group this was. But boy did I love it all.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Stein is an atmospheric thriller that will keep you entertained throughout. You’ll quickly be flipping through the pages to find out what is happening.

Loved! Can’t wait for the next book now 👀

The narration was perfect. Loved it.

Was this review helpful?

All in all, this was an enjoyable read even if I was hoping for a little more. I liked the multiple timelines that helped unravel the original mystery of the island, gave backstory on protagonist Tessa, and propelled the present-time plot forward, although I have to say that I saw the big twist coming.

I enjoyed Tessa being a flawed protagonist, but I found at times I was simply ready for the plot to move forward rather than being in her head, especially in key tension moments. It kinda took me out of it while I was waiting for the next scene to happen.

Overall though, it was a fun listen. I particularly liked the focus on women, female friendships, and sisterhood. Especially the way Sten wove in the ways that female friendships change or can be impacted by societal forces. I could have done with more exploration of those relationships to amp up tension and make me care more about Tessa.

Like The Village, The Bachelorette Party has a great remote and atmospheric setting that I really enjoyed. One of my favourite tropes!

Was this review helpful?