This book was fast paced and had some twists I didn't see coming. The main character Tessa was interesting, relatable, but still felt unreliable (a trait I love in my thriller protagonists). The women in the group were fleshed out and felt like some of my friends, with strengths and weaknesses, and I was able to cheer for them in turn.

Overall, I wasn't a fan of the narrator for this audiobook (some of the characters sounded like they were from Dallas as opposed to Stockholm). It was difficult to track the two different timelines and some of the investigation notes in audio as opposed to a physical book or an e-arc.

The big twist felt like it came out of nowhere and not in a way I enjoyed. It made the antagonist in the "present" feel like a cartoon villain, and detracted from their arc. The antagonist in the "past" also felt a little forced - either different perspectives or more yellow or orange flags would've made me care more about that reveal.

If someone is looking for a fast-paced thriller, I might recommend this book.

A thriller with a happy name means lots of mayhem and in this case, it is so true. Lots of twists and I never knew who to trust.

I was initially drawn in by the book’s appealing cover and intriguing description—it gave off vacation vibes. The mystery was well-paced, and the dual timelines between the Nacka Four case and the present-day bachelorette party were engaging. However, the ending felt overly dramatic and soap opera-like, and the culprits were too easy to identify early on, which reduced the suspense. The story had a strong start with an exciting prologue, then lost momentum in the middle before picking up again. I enjoyed the narration as it brought the story to life.

Despite some letdowns, it's still a fast-paced, entertaining thriller. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a creepy, quick read.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ARC.

I’ve enjoyed Stan’s previous books but sadly I can’t say the same for THE BACHELORETTE PARTY. It was a cluster of chaos trying to decipher who was who with so many characters. None of them were developed enough so I struggled with which friend group and timeline we were in. I thought the motive and plot so far-fetched and elaborate. Had there been less characters or at least each were more flushed out, I may have enjoyed it more.

The Bachelorette Party is a tense and atmospheric thriller that draws you in right from the start. The story follows a group of women on a remote island for a bachelorette weekend — a setting that quickly turns from picturesque to ominous. As secrets surface and strange things begin to happen, the tension steadily builds.

The pacing is solid, with chapters that make you want to keep reading “just one more.” The alternating timelines are handled well, giving just enough information to keep you guessing without overwhelming the story. The characters feel real, with complicated relationships, believable dialogue, and just the right amount of emotional friction.

Tessa, the main character, is layered and driven, but not always likable — which actually works in her favor. Her personal connection to the island’s past adds an emotional depth to the mystery.

The only downside for me was that a couple of moments felt slightly predictable, and the middle slowed down a bit. But overall, the ending delivered, and the eerie mood lingered long after I finished.

A solid, suspenseful read with a unique setting and plenty of twists. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys character-driven thrillers with an edge of psychological mystery.

This is a thriller/mystery novel told across dual timelines. The first timeline follows Tilly & her preparation for her girls weekend with her childhood friends on a secret island. Flash forward 10 years and the story begins to follows Tessa as her life is falling apart after her podcast crashes and burns. She joins her sister and a group of friends on a yoga retreat at the new Baltic Vinyasa on a remote island.

Unfortunately I was able to guess the culprit very early on in the novel (~40%) and I found the pace of this novel to be slower than I would have liked. There wasn't as much tension and deception as I was hoping for. Also I felt like there weren't enough characters in the present day to make the story believable.

I think it is important to choose the right narrator for a thriller or else the book comes across as too awkward to be suspenseful. Perfect choice of voice actor. I was engaged throughout and enjoyed all the twists and turns. Solid experience and I will be recommending this title..

This was a solid, entertaining thriller that kept me interested . A group of friends heads to a remote island for a bachelorette weekend but things quickly take a dark turn. The audiobook was especially enjoyable, with great narration that brought the chaos to life. The women in this story are all delightfully unhinged, and watching the drama unfold across a dual timeline added an extra layer of suspense. A fun, twisty ride with a dark edge.

✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Macmillan Audio Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨ (

The book wasn’t a favorite of mine. I figured out this twist early on. I wasn’t a fan of the main character. I found the book a bit boring but I know that every one has different taste.

This was an interesting thriller that had me guessing (all wrong) as I read. It was a fun one to read right before summer vacation.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Trigger warning: gun violence

I like reading psychological thrillers every once in a while, like Lucy Foley or Alex Finlay. So, I try other authors and sometimes I find a winner and sometimes I find a turkey. The Bachelorette Party is somewhere inbetween.

The remote island isolation and dark revenge plot were okay, but at times it sounded more like a horror novel, which I outgrew long ago. I did like that this is a character-driven thriller that focuses on interpersonal group dynamics. And I really liked the mysteries that were interlayered throughout the book.

The dual timeline that I love to read worked for the most part. I’ve read a number of recent thrillers that use a podcast as a plot device, but to me, that’s too easy and made me feel meh. This is the kind of book you take with you to the beach and enjoy but won’t remember a year from now. Laura Jennings was the narrator and does a fine job with the material she has. This locked room mystery was just good, not great.

First off, the cover of this book is stunning! Whoever chose it for this book did a fabulous job picking such a beautiful cover. The premise of this book was so intriguing to me - a remote creepy island, four friends coming together, and revenge! I thought I was going to love this book! I really wanted to love it. It is getting a lot of love. But this one just did not work for me.

My one big issue with books that don't work for me is slowness. This book began on the slower side, and I struggle with slow burns. I find myself drifting to other books, finding other things to do. I am an instant gratification reader. So, the initial pacing didn't do this book any favors. I also found that I could not connect with any of the characters. That is not normally a deal breaker for me when it comes to reading, but it just didn't help with my enjoyment of this book.

I kept reading as I was intrigued by the mystery and wanted to know what happened all those years ago. This book does go back and forth between two timelines. Normally I do not have an issue with that in books and often find that it enhances the storytelling, but this one didn't quite work for me. The author did do a great job with the setting, the vivid descriptions, and atmosphere.


I have read two other books by this author, and they were both solid 3 star reads for me. Not every book is for every reader and not every author is for every reader and perhaps that is the case here. I do want to point out that many reviewers are loving this book so please read their reviews as well.

*I had both the book and audiobook version of this book.

2.5 stars rounded up

This was a quick and easy read, which I appreciated. The writing style was straightforward, and it didn’t take long to get through the book. Sometimes, that’s exactly what I’m in the mood for.

That said, I found the story a bit too predictable. The plot felt a little too obvious, and there weren’t many surprises along the way. I kept hoping for a twist or something that would make me see things in a new light, but it never really came.

What made it harder for me to stay engaged was that I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. They felt flat or distant, and I never felt emotionally invested in their stories or outcomes. That lack of connection made it difficult to care about what happened next.

Overall, it was fine for a light, quick read—but not something that left a strong impression on me.

Great quick audiobook!

I really liked the bounce back and forth between the present and the past and how the characters lived intertwined. The specific details of the setting of the story were great to help me visualize the plot.

Some of the smaller details of the characters back story had me a bit confused towards the end, but it all wrapped up nicely at the conclusion of the book.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Laura Jennings. The narration was very good. The pacing was just right for this story.

The story finds five all women friends on an isolated island for a get together before one of them gets married. One of the women, Tessa, had a true crime podcast that recently blew up in her face. She has looked into a case of a bunch of women who were all girlfriends and had disappeared. She's kind of wondering if they could have been on this island. Did someone actually kill them and has that person returned to the island?

This book really kept me on my toes. I think I finished it in two days. It got graphically gory at times as well as very intense. I thought it was very, very good!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

While The Bachelorette Party sets up an intriguing premise—true crime obsession meets remote island mystery—the execution falls flat. Despite the eerie setting and a promising dual-timeline structure, the plot struggles to build momentum and suspense. The characters feel underdeveloped, with friendships and motivations that never quite ring true, and the twists are either telegraphed early or lack impact. Camilla Sten’s writing has its moments, particularly in atmosphere, but the pacing lags and the resolution feels unsatisfying. For a thriller billed as Scream meets The Guest List, this one barely gets past the first act. A decent beach read, but not particularly memorable.

A suspenseful, dual timeline story that follows two close-knit friend groups that visit a remote island off the coast of Sweden 10 years apart. Something sinister happened on this island 10 years earlier, and Tessa, the main character who had a true crime podcast that followed this case, is determined to find out what during a friend's bachelorette party that is set for the same island the murders took place 10 years before. A perfect title for beach read season. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ALC for this title.

The Bachelorette Party had the makings of a fun, drama-filled read, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver on its potential. The plot was okay—nothing too surprising, but serviceable enough to keep things moving. However, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The pacing felt uneven at times, and the characters never fully came to life for me.

It’s not a bad book by any means, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something light and easy to read without too much emotional investment, this might fit the bill. Just don’t expect it to be especially memorable.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten is a gripping psychological thriller that unravels secrets and simmering tensions among friends during a secluded getaway. With atmospheric suspense and sharp twists, it keeps readers hooked until the chilling finale.

This book was a great mystery/ suspense book! I didn’t know what to expect, and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It’s a huge story of betrayal and trying to solve mysteries at the same time.
It was a bachelorette party gone wrong and so many twists and turns. While also trying to solve the mystery of a murder that happened 10 years prior.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book before it was released.