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When The Party's Over
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Natalie knows her life looks perfect from the Three young children, a loving husband, the tastefully renovated Eastern Suburbs cottage. So why does she feel so suffocated?
On her 36th birthday, all Natalie wants is to gather her two best friends and leave their responsibilities behind just for one night. But when the party's over, she finds eighteen-month-old Toby clutching an unmistakable colourful tablet - with a quarter missing.
What kind of mother could let this happen?
But even as Toby recovers and returns home safely, the fallout is only just beginning. Each of these three women has their own truth about that night - and when it all comes to light, will any of their friendships survive?
When the Party's Over is the page-turning debut novel by Katie Hoskins, for readers of Liane Moriarty, Holly Wainwright and The Slap.
Praise for When the Party's Over
'A slick and polished debut that kept me hooked from one tension-laden chapter to the next' - Ali Lowe
On her 36th birthday, all Natalie wants is to gather her two best friends and leave their responsibilities behind just for one night. But when the party's over, she finds eighteen-month-old Toby clutching an unmistakable colourful tablet - with a quarter missing.
What kind of mother could let this happen?
But even as Toby recovers and returns home safely, the fallout is only just beginning. Each of these three women has their own truth about that night - and when it all comes to light, will any of their friendships survive?
When the Party's Over is the page-turning debut novel by Katie Hoskins, for readers of Liane Moriarty, Holly Wainwright and The Slap.
Praise for When the Party's Over
'A slick and polished debut that kept me hooked from one tension-laden chapter to the next' - Ali Lowe
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 31, 2026
2 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 19, 2026
I met Katie Hoskins at a book event last year and we bonded over our love of Kylie Minogue. I love that she got her into her debut novel, When The Party’s Over as well!! When she told me about her book I was so excited to read it. A massive thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me this ARC, I am thrilled to be an early reviewer for this talented lady.
I could definitely relate to the main character of this book Natalie. She is turning 36 and has 3 young children. She feels like she is losing her fun side, her sense of adventure and fun so she throws herself a party in her newly renovated Eastern Suburbs home. The party gets wild, lots of alcohol and the drugs come out soon enough. Severely hungover the next day, she is faced with any parent’s worse nightmare when her youngest child appears holding only part of a very identifiable tablet, and it is not Panadol. Fear not, the child is fine, but her life as she knew it will never be the same again.
This is a fantastic domestic drama, set in Sydney so I could picture it all happening in places that I know well. A story of friendship and family. Of jealousy and love and deceit. Nothing is ever what it appears on the outside and as you get older, your priorities change. I loved Natalie’s circle of friends, all going through something big in their lives and struggling to talk about it.
I had to sit in my review for a while, wanting to do the shorty and Katie the justice that they deserve. I can’t wait for everyone to read this and I am excited for what comes next from Katie.
I could definitely relate to the main character of this book Natalie. She is turning 36 and has 3 young children. She feels like she is losing her fun side, her sense of adventure and fun so she throws herself a party in her newly renovated Eastern Suburbs home. The party gets wild, lots of alcohol and the drugs come out soon enough. Severely hungover the next day, she is faced with any parent’s worse nightmare when her youngest child appears holding only part of a very identifiable tablet, and it is not Panadol. Fear not, the child is fine, but her life as she knew it will never be the same again.
This is a fantastic domestic drama, set in Sydney so I could picture it all happening in places that I know well. A story of friendship and family. Of jealousy and love and deceit. Nothing is ever what it appears on the outside and as you get older, your priorities change. I loved Natalie’s circle of friends, all going through something big in their lives and struggling to talk about it.
I had to sit in my review for a while, wanting to do the shorty and Katie the justice that they deserve. I can’t wait for everyone to read this and I am excited for what comes next from Katie.
January 17, 2026
I could not put When the Party’s Over down!!!! Talk about domestic noir!!!!!! So compulsive, such meaty themes to get stuck into, such fun real friendships that were completely wanted to be a part of (maybe..)
I loved it all SO much!!! The Sydney setting was next level too, I could see it all so clearly!!! Couldn’t recommend it more, it’s for fans of Sally Hepworth/ Cassie Hamer/ Ali Lowe/ lLiane Moriarty…gosh I can’t believe it was a debut!!!!!
Your going to love it when it’s out in March! Thanks so much for my arc Macmillan!!!!!!!!!!
I loved it all SO much!!! The Sydney setting was next level too, I could see it all so clearly!!! Couldn’t recommend it more, it’s for fans of Sally Hepworth/ Cassie Hamer/ Ali Lowe/ lLiane Moriarty…gosh I can’t believe it was a debut!!!!!
Your going to love it when it’s out in March! Thanks so much for my arc Macmillan!!!!!!!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Big thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
The alumni of the 2026 Debut Crew are rocking the book world with their high quality reads.
Katie Hoskins is a part of that group and her upcoming release is going to knock your socks off.
When The Party’s Over is sleek, fresh, addictive, compelling, razor sharp, so damn interesting and oh so bloody good.
Get ready to not move from your seat cause this unputdownable read is going to wow you.
Natalie has the most incredible life.
Three young children, a successful part time career, a loving husband and a beautiful home.
But Natalie feels like she’s missing out on something.
So when her 36th birthday approaches, she decides to have a party and let her hair down as it’s long overdue.
The children are away for the night and her bff’s, friends and colleagues gather for the bash.
The next morning after letting loose, her eighteen month old finds a pill with a quarter missing.
As Toby is rushed to the hospital and recovers, everyone involved is a suspect of the pill and very soon there’s more to the night that they all could have imagined…….
A suburban melodrama with domestic noir vibes and some slight psychological thriller moments.
A story about fractured friendships, weighty issues, family dynamics, secrets, deception, lies and the party that changes everything.
I was holding my breath wondering what was going to happen next.
If you want a great entertaining read then go no further.
The 31st March is fast approaching so I suggest you go and pre order a copy because this book is going to fly off the shelves.
The alumni of the 2026 Debut Crew are rocking the book world with their high quality reads.
Katie Hoskins is a part of that group and her upcoming release is going to knock your socks off.
When The Party’s Over is sleek, fresh, addictive, compelling, razor sharp, so damn interesting and oh so bloody good.
Get ready to not move from your seat cause this unputdownable read is going to wow you.
Natalie has the most incredible life.
Three young children, a successful part time career, a loving husband and a beautiful home.
But Natalie feels like she’s missing out on something.
So when her 36th birthday approaches, she decides to have a party and let her hair down as it’s long overdue.
The children are away for the night and her bff’s, friends and colleagues gather for the bash.
The next morning after letting loose, her eighteen month old finds a pill with a quarter missing.
As Toby is rushed to the hospital and recovers, everyone involved is a suspect of the pill and very soon there’s more to the night that they all could have imagined…….
A suburban melodrama with domestic noir vibes and some slight psychological thriller moments.
A story about fractured friendships, weighty issues, family dynamics, secrets, deception, lies and the party that changes everything.
I was holding my breath wondering what was going to happen next.
If you want a great entertaining read then go no further.
The 31st March is fast approaching so I suggest you go and pre order a copy because this book is going to fly off the shelves.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a pacey read that will have you laughing, gasping, and turning pages far too late into the night.
The characters are messy, but not in an eye-rolling-why-the-hell-did-they-do-that way, but in ways that feel so true to life.
The writing itself is elevated, but doesn't try too hard, and there are many sharp social observations and discussion points that will make this a perfect read for bookclubs.
It's a stunning debut and I can't wait to see what drama the next stories from Katie Hoskins hold!
10/10 from me!
The characters are messy, but not in an eye-rolling-why-the-hell-did-they-do-that way, but in ways that feel so true to life.
The writing itself is elevated, but doesn't try too hard, and there are many sharp social observations and discussion points that will make this a perfect read for bookclubs.
It's a stunning debut and I can't wait to see what drama the next stories from Katie Hoskins hold!
10/10 from me!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Taking the idea of every parent's worst nightmare and exploring what might happen next, this is an incredibly compelling and relatable read. When The Party's Over has a searing plot and well-drawn characters that drew me in from the first page. As the story unfolded my heart was in my mouth and I had to race to the end. This was such an engrossing debut novel about family and friendship - I loved it so much. Can't wait to read more from Katie Hoskins.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a book! I was hooked. Very Sally Hepworth-esque, with plot lines and characters that hook you.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review to follow
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews