Mini Reviews: Debut Thrillers #bookreviews #audiobooks #debuts

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALCs and Minotaur Books, #partner for the advanced copies of So Happy Together & Party of Liars in exchange for my honest reviews.

 

Summer reading is in full effect and I’m all about the twisty, addictive, unpredictable thrillers. And if I can get them on audio, even better! These are just 2 that I think would make great additions to your summer reading lists if you haven’t already read them…and either print or audio format would work!⁣
⁣

SO HAPPY TOGETHER by Olivia Worley

Published: June 3, 2025, Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio

 

Summary:

Jane and Colin are soulmates. He just doesn’t know it yet.

For twenty-four-year-old Jane, finding love in New York City is even harder than making it as a playwright—especially when all her swiping through the apps leads to one meaningless connection after another.

So when Jane meets Colin, a sweet software engineer, she can’t believe her luck: they’re perfect for each other. Even when Colin breaks off their blooming relationship after six dates, Jane is certain this is just a stumbling block. She’ll get him back. She knows she will.

That is, until Colin starts dating Zoe—perfect, luminous, up-and-coming Brooklyn artist Zoe. Even worse, she’s actually kind of nice. But Zoe doesn’t have what it takes to love Colin. She’d never stay with him through thick and thin. All Jane has to do is prove it, and they’ll be so happy together.

But when Jane sneaks into Colin’s apartment, she makes a shocking discovery—one that will ensnare them all in a dark and complicated web of lies, secrets, and murder.

Unrelentingly twisty and utterly compelling, So Happy Together is an unputdownable, shattering read for fans of You, Riley Sager, and Promising Young Woman.

 

My thoughts:

This is the author’s debut adult thriller and it is such a layered, complex story, filled with lies, manipulation, and tension. I flew through this one, unable to tear myself away from it. Every time I thought I knew where it was headed, another surprise would pop up. ⁣This is the type of story where not everything that happens is totally believable but it’s such a crazy story that you almost feel the need to go along for the ride! This is the ultimate popcorn thriller and it’s so addicting!
⁣
Audio thoughts:

This was completely binge-worthy on audio, narrated by a new-to-me narrator, Michelle H Lee. She did a great job keeping me fully engaged and bringing this story to life.⁣

⁣****************************************************************************************************************⁣

PARTY OF LIARS by Kelsey Cox

Published: July 1, 2025, Minotaur Books / Macmillan Audio

 

Summary:

A lavish, Texas-sized Sweet Sixteen turns deadly in this twisty, pulse-pounding new novel — serving up a fresh take on a classic locked-room whodunnit. Let the festivities begin…

Today is Sophie Matthews’s sixteenth birthday party, an exclusive black-tie bash in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where secrets are as deep-rooted as the sprawling live oaks. Sophie’s dad has spared no expense, and his renovated cliffside mansion—once thought haunted—is now hosting the event of the season. Then, just before the candles on the three-tiered red velvet cake are blown out, a body falls from the balcony onto the starlit dance floor below.

It’s a killer guest list . . .

DANI: Sophie’s new stepmother who’s been plagued by self-doubt ever since the birth of her own baby girl

ÓRLAITH: the superstitious Irish nanny who senses a looming danger in this cavernous house

MIKAYLA: the birthday girl’s best friend who is not nearly as meek as the popular kids assume

KIM: the cunning ex-wife who has a grudge she can’t let go of . . .

Everyone is invited in. Not everyone will get out alive.

 

My thoughts:

This debut novel is full of drama, characters you aren’t sure about and a locked-room-type mystery that keeps you guessing all the way through. I loved the mix of adult and teenage groups of characters–it added such an interesting dynamic to the story, mixing up the themes that the author played around with–some that were more serious than others but all equally juicy and compelling. I kept thinking I had worked out who died, but I never quite got there which is always the sign of good writing! ⁣
⁣
Audio thoughts:

This is narrated by a full cast–Dan Bittner, Kate Handford, Pearl Hewitt, Saskia Maarleveld and Suzy Jackson–and this really helped to keep the multiple POVs separate as well as bring the story to life. ⁣

 

Have you read any of these books or do you plan to? What’s your favorite type of summer read?

 

*Purchasing from the links above support independent bookstores and my blog!