The New Year's Eve Party

by Hannah Emery

Resolutions are made
Marriages are broken…

A gripping domestic thriller set in The Cotswolds and perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Adele Parks!

It started with the party…

Frankie, Verity, and Alice live in the idyllic Cotswolds community of White Fir Lake, but behind closed doors, everyone has a secret they’re desperately trying to keep…

And ended with a bang!

Now, as midnight on New Year’s Eve approaches, the three women will face the consequences of a long-ago holiday, one which changed their lives forever … and threatens to shatter their perfect worlds into perfect pieces.

Genres: Mystery

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2021

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never enjoyed attending New Years Eve parties.

The small talk, the over-indulging in alcohol, people doing stupid things….

And, after reading this book-I have resolved to continue to RSVP “NO”!

The invitations to the annual event that EVERYONE wanted to be invited to, have been sent:

“A New Year’s Eve to remember at No 1,
White Fir Lake
Eight till Late.
RSVP to Verity and Max”

Nobody could have imagined WHY this year’s gala would be one you would never forget.

But, before the party there will be New Year’s resolutions made, anonymous threatening notes sent, and a new woman, Alice smashing into Frankie’s wall (literally) and into the lives of Frankie and her childhood friend, Verity with one goal in mind.

And, she is desperate enough to risk just about anything to achieve her goal.

Those stupid things that people do on New Year’s Eve-yes-they will occur in this story too. And, in the prologue you already know that someone doesn’t live till the end of the party, and another is in the hospital. I hope that the prologue is edited out, prior to Publication date, as the story would definitely be more suspenseful without it.

As written, the days leading up to the party, and following it are shared from the alternating perspectives of Frankie, mom of three, Verity, a woman desperate for children of her own, and Alice, the new neighbor-but unfortunately they take turns recounting the same events which makes the first half of the book very repetitious. And, we start at the end-so we are only reading to find out WHY.

And, just like on New Year’s Eve when I desperately want the ball to drop in New York City, so I can feel like I have ushered in a New Year, with a fresh start-I was ready to have this party draw to a close, sooner than it did, because of that repetition and the prologue. 2.5 ⭐️rounded down.

This might be a better fit for readers who only read this genre on occasion. Available December 17, 2021.

Thank You to One More Chapter for my gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

[Michael David (on hiatus)]

DNF @ 45%.

This sounded like it would be a lot of fun. Women with secrets, leading up to a distinguished party where you just know something bad is going to happen.

The writing is good, and the story isn’t terrible. I just feel like I know exactly where it’s headed. I could be wrong (I don’t think I am), but I don’t have the urge to find out.

I hope other readers have more luck with it.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 12/17/21.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another of those stories about people who have seemingly perfect lives (insert eye roll) but things happen and there is someone else who seems to think they deserve some of this good fortune and plans to get some of the good life for themselves. The story is told from various POVs and there are flashbacks to the past to explain some of the present. It all comes to a head, unsurprisingly, at a New Year’s Eve party.

Verity and Max host a bang up NYE party every year. They are the power couple of White Fir Lake, a rather exclusive enclave. Max is an established artist of some renown and Verity runs a gallery and drinks too much. She is desperate for a child but this has so far eluded her. She comes across as a bit manic actually. Her best friend, Frankie, and husband Red, have recently moved into the hallowed area. Frankie is a stay at home mum with three children whom Verity adores. Red is a construction developer. Money is a little tight for them.

The applecart is upset with the arrival of Alice who literally crashes into their lives when she hits a garden wall at Frankie’s place on a tight corner. The friends are quick to adopt Alice and her 17 year old daughter Luna into their group, and of course they are invited to the party. In the days leading up to the party there are mysterious notes notes pushed under Verity’s door and things of a personal nature go missing.

None of this is particularly exciting or interesting. The drama, that could have lifted this story, was dialled way down. The plot was a bit stale and very predictable. The characters, apart from the children who were quite sweet, were all fairly unlikeable and I couldn’t really relate to any of them. I don’t like ostentatious displays of wealth and I’m not into envying what other people have so it was all a bit ho hum for me. There wasn’t even any humour to lighten the dreary story. Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

2.5 stars rounded up.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded stars up to 5

Frankie, Verity and Alice live in the idyllic Cotswolds community of White Fur Lake, but behind closed doors everyone has a secret they're desperately trying to keep.... Now as New Year's Eve approaches, the three women will face the consequences of along-ago holiday, one that changed their lives forever....

Frankie, Verity and Alice all have secrets. Frankie and her husband Rad have been friends with Verity for years. Alice has moved to the Cotswolds and soon became a friend. But everything had been great until Alice moved there with her daughter Luna. Verity is hosting the New Year's Eve party.

This story is told in alternating chapters by Frankie, Verity and Alice's points of view. There's not a lot I can say about the story without giving away too many spoilers. The pace s fast throughout and I was pulled in from the beginning. The characters are well developed and believable. This is a well written and gripping read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #HannahEmery for my ARC of #TheNewYearsEvePaty in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read- both fast-paced and twisty. It centers on 3 women: Frankie, Verity, and Alice. Verity is the "it" girl and Frankie is desperate to stay in her orbit. Alice is a newcomer to town who wants to fit in. The chapters alternate between the 3 women's POVs, and also back and forth between New Year's Eve and the prior months.

The book moves at a fast clip and I like the alternating voices. I wouldn't say I could closely relate to any of the 3 women, but the characterization was good and I liked reading about them even though I couldn't see myself in them. There is a BIG EVENT during the party that I did not see coming, and the author did a fantastic job of giving the reader a bunch of seemingly unrelated issues to untangle and then pulling them all together into a cohesive happening. The end of the book tied up loose ends and was very satisfying.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and found myself picking it up every time I had a few minutes free so I could figure out what was really happening. I would recommend to those who like psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Destiny]

DNF @ 45%. I tried with this. I really did. Despite seeing (and ignoring) unfavorable reviews, I pressed on and on and on. It just never got any more interesting. The same dry storyline was told from multiple perspectives and never got more engaging. Sadly, this was not a winner. No rating as it was a DNF (though it would likely get maybe 2 stars if I were to rate it as I'm feeling generous due to it being the holiday season).

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billed as a ‘domestic suspense’ and with a title and cover screaming ‘Read Me’ I was set for a great read, what I got was an intriguing one…
The plot is nothing that new and the interloper to the others perfect lives quickly spotted by even the most casual of reader, the arrival of who is almost cringey it is so guessable, and at times nothing much seems to happen but what sold it for me was the writing, the descriptive writing and feeling given to the most mundane of things and the emotions displayed and frustrations explained were really stunning to read, and that made, for me, all the difference in the book
I notice when looking at other reviews there are 1 star right through to 5 star and am beginning to realise that this can now actually predict an interesting book and that certainly sums up this read for me, a kinda updated Dallasey/Falcon Crest/Riders set in the affluent Cotswolds with a set of pious yet somehow vaguely likeable characters whose past and present hits them full on via a chain of events, will be good to see reader friends reviews and thoughts on this one

7/10
3.5 Stars ( rounded to a 4 on Amazon etc )

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those great books where you have no idea where it's heading until you are in the thick of it! Best friends, Frankie and Verity live across the lake from each other with their husbands, Red and Max. Frankie has three children and Verity is hoping for some. All seems fine until Alice and her daughter, Luna move into the village and try to befriend the two women. It all comes to a crashing halt at Verity's New Year's Eve party when...well, you won't believe it until you've read it! Well-drawn characters, twisty plot, and many surprises at the end! I read way into the night past my bedtime to find out what happened. Read at your own risk...but definitely read!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

[Jazz Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW TO FOLLOW

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in a ritzy neighborhood with your friends surrounding you is not all it's cracked up to be. Soon, a new player to the field will reveal her secret, throwing this carefully balanced group of friends into a swirl that will end with someone dead. The party is getting started, is everyone ready for the ball to drop?

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of twists

[Sandie Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a tangled web...

Merged review:

This book has a strong 'Real Housewives' feel about it, with main characters Verity and Frankie living very privileged adult lives despite having both gone through tragedies earlier on. They've been the closest of friends since their schooldays but the reader is soon made aware that each woman has something the other would dearly love to have. But surely that wouldn't be enough for one of them to act in a way which would result in the death of a loved one would it? Questions are asked straightaway when the opening scene of the book is of Frankie's husband Red is found dead at Verity's legendary New Year's Eve Party and the children are rescued from the lake but what are the facts behind the horror that night?
The story moves back and forth in time throughout the book in order for us to understand the dynamics of Frankie and Verity's friendship and the relationships with husbands Max and Red. The information the reader needs is drip-fed along the way so I found it impossible to second guess certain parts of the story whereas other parts are fairly obvious I felt. The time frames are easy to follow though and at no point did I get confused as to where or when things were happening.
The interesting cog in the wheel is Alice, the new resident in the area who literally crashes into the women's lives when she loses control of her car and hits Frankie's boundary wall. The two women welcome her in and soon Alice and daughter Luna are invited to The Party to be seen at, much to Alice's delight. Why is she so keen to establish a friendship though? Secrets soon start creaking their way out of closets and suspicions form among the group, culminating in the tragic events outlined at the beginning. The author weaves the story very cleverly and leads things full circle via the highs and lows of the three women's life experiences.
I absolutely love this book and will be thrusting it into the hands of my friends and relatives who enjoy to lose themselves in a gripping tale.

[Laura Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoy reading “seasonal” books, and The New Year’s Eve Party did not disappoint! The perfect festive read for December. We meet Verity and Frankie; two life-long friends living in the most enviable neighborhood in their area. They soon meet newcomer Alice and her unusual daughter, Luna. Of course, all the women have secrets to hide. Verity believes she has been driven nearly mad by her desire to have children, and her husband’s fame and unsettling “fan mail” isn’t helping. Frankie’s husband keeps warning her to spend less, and she wonders why. You have to spend a certain amount to fit in, after all. And where exactly did Alice come from? Why does Frankie’s husband think she looks familiar? Of course, all is revealed at Verity’s famous, extravagant New Year’s Eve party. Will some resolutions come true? Will the past intersect with the present and the future in one night of opulence?

I found this to be a quick, enjoyable read. Parts were a bit fantastical, but a certain amount of suspension of disbelief is required for many thrillers. The ending was tidy and satisfactory. This would be the perfect read for the exhausting, time-hazed week between Christmas and New Year’s. You won’t regret this fun, thrilling tale!

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started with the party…Frankie, Verity, and Alice live in the idyllic Cotswolds community of White Fir Lake, but behind closed doors, everyone has a secret they’re desperately trying to keep…

Brilliant, absolutely loved it. Frankie and Verity have been friends since primary school and these kind of friendships that span the years are often complicated as is reflected here., fraught with love, jealousy, resentments, secrets and lies. All the components of what gives me such an enjoyable read.

Even though the plot may not be new I found myself totally immersed in this book. It moves at a fast pace and has enough going on to keep my attention throughout. At times you just had to go with the story and not think to deeply as to how realistic this scenario was but isn't that the thing about reading a good book, the escapism that goes with it and takes you away to a fictional place that allows the mind to wonder away from every day life.

I would recommend this book to those that like a quick fast read where you just have to know what is going to happen next. I have not read this author before but will definitely be looking out for more books from her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

Frankie & Verity are best friends who live in the idyllic Cotswolds community of White Fir Lake, When Alice has an automobile accident outside Frankie's home, she becomes friends with the two women. On New Year's Eve, as midnight approaches, secrets will be revealed and lives will be changed forever.
This had so many glowing reviews, and I will have to admit, the cover also is what drew me in. I am a sucker for a good cover, and I am guilty of picking a book solely by what the cover looks like. This time, the cover fooled me. The book wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. I didn't feel that it was deserving of all of fhose 5 star reviews that were touted in the description. None of the characters felt especially likeable or real to me, and the storyline just seemed to plod along slowly. I didn't even feel like it had a satisfactory conclusion....nothing dramatic or exciting. Overall, I would have to say give this one a pass.... or keep your expectations low.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great festive and seasonal read. Meet Verity and Frankie; two life-long friends living in an enviable neighbourhood. Verity and Max live at No 1 White Fir Lake, with Frankie her husband, Red and three children, Maisie, Bella, and Harry living nearby, just across the lake. Newcomer Alice and her unusual daughter, Luna move into White Fir Lake and of course, all the women have secrets to hide. Max is a well-known artist and he and Verity, who is also a talented artist, own an art studio. Verity has a yearning to have children, but things haven't worked out for them so far. Frankie’s husband keeps warning her to spend less and why does he find that Alice looks familiar? Verity hosts an extravagant New Year’s Eve party every year. Might someone's resolutions come true?

I found this to be a quick, enjoyable, very tense read. The ending was neat and twisty. I certainly didn't regret this thrilling tale. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from One More Chapter via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[No-Genre-Unread · Rating 4 out of 5]

A special thanks to Hoopla for allowing me access to borrow a digital copy of this book from the Orange County library.
My New Year’s Eve was, meh. So as the lack-luster festivities were winding down, I went to my local digital library in search of a story about people whose New Year’s celebration was more exciting and stumbled upon this one.
I’m not familiar with Hannah Emery and her works, and apparently, the Orange County digital library patrons aren’t either. This book had no star rating before I’d checked it out.
I read the blurb and, ugh. It wasn’t a bad blurb. I just never seen one so overdressed with ellipses. It’s a little overkill as a way of getting the message to book browsers that this book is suspenseful. It had me picturing the blurb as a movie trailer for this book. During brief snippets of different scenes, I pictured the blurb being spoken by a male voice actor with a ridiculously sinister voice, and the elipses were pauses of melodramatic suspense music in between. I checked out the book, just for the hell of it. Domestic thrillers about spoiled rich people are among my guilty pleasure genres, and I was ready for some New Year’s fun after a blah night of hanging out at home with my family and their melodramatic moodiness, and no alcohol in the house. .
I read the Prologue and was like, uhm… okay… Then there were the first few chapters in Frankie’s POV, which I honestly thought were a tad dull. Things didn’t get really interesting to me until Verity’s POV started.
This story is a slow burn, which I don’t mind. The Prologue and the ho-hum first few chapters were just Hannah Emery walking to the oven and turning on the Pre-heat button. The further on I read, the harder it was to pull away. Holy pretzel orgy! This story was twist upon twist upon twist. A lot of these twists I didn’t see coming.
I’m not a fan of the loop-dee-loop timeline, but I could understand why the story was written that way. I enjoyed it so much that it was forgivable.
Quite a bit of reviewers didn’t like how scenes in the story were repeated among the three POVs, but I thought this was cool. Sure, it was repetitious, and it stalled the pacing of the story, but seeing things in each POV’s perspective added more depth and realism to the characters. I liked knowing what each of the three women were honestly thinking and feeling during those scenes.
I also liked the characters—All except Alice.
Frankie may have been superficial and statusy, but she was inclined to be a people pleaser. She was a very loving mom and a true and loyal friend to Verity. A noble friend too, the way she’d always kept her feelings for Verity’s husband to herself. She didn’t love her own husband as much as she felt she should’ve, but she deeply cared about him and his fragile health. There were parts in the story where she realized her faults and owned up to them with a mature and humble attitude.
Verity was a sad, drunken, neurotic basket case who had an unhealthy obsession with wishing she were a mom. Her obsession with always suspecting someone might be trying to get with her husband got unsettling at times too. There were times I anticipated her snapping and going homicidal on Frankie or Alice, or coming close to killing Max. Verity was superficial and statusy too, and all about hers and Max’s image. Always putting on a phony Mrs. Perfect façade to ensure everyone would see her and Max as the stars among their community. She seemed kind of self centered and absorbed in her own problems and inner demons too. However, Verity had a sweet side. She was down-to-Earth and approachable. Not uppity and cliqueish, like how wealthy women who are stars among their community are stereotyped. This side of her showed the most when she and Frankie welcomed Alice and Luna—who were from the lower class side of town—to be a part of their lives. Verity was also very generous and caring, and part of her reason for putting on a façade was that she wanted to be mindful toward others feelings by avoiding the risk of letting her problems become theirs.
There were times throughout the book where their friendship dynamic did feel a little unsettling. There was quite a bit of both of them harboring envy toward one another for this or that reason.
I was impressed with how deeply devoted Max was to his wife. No matter how much of a weepy, wine-guzzling, insecure, borderline-anorexic, depressive, baby-obsessed trainwreck Verity was, he loved her unconditionally. Sometimes it was Max who sounded a little insecure, the way he would do whatever he could to not lose her. He was just so protective of her and concerned about her, and he always wanted to look after her. It was like she could do no wrong. I found that awfully romantic, and it made ME kind of develop a little crush on Max.
Then of course, there’s Red and Frankie’s kids. How could any reader not love the adorable baby, the wild middle child, and the oldest daughter who was eight-going-on adulthood.
Luna was a nice girl too, although I felt bad for her, having a mom like Alice. It was a miracle she kept her head screwed on strait.
Red had a few screws loose, but I couldn’t completely dislike him. As dark and disturbed as he was, he was a good dad. He never revealed his dark side to his kids, and he never lied to them to manipulate them into being a part of one of his psycho schemes, like Alice. He also didn’t go around thinking that the world owed him.
Now about Alice. Ick. I couldn’t find it in my heart to be as nice and forgiving and understanding towards Alice if I were Frankie, after what happened at the party. Frankie held herself accountable too because she wasn’t watching her kids when it happened. But that, to me, didn’t make Alice’s actions any more forgivable. If I were Frankie, I would make dam sure Alice was arrested, and then baker-acted to a psych ward. Then either me or Verity would take custody of Luna. Alice wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the kids, but Luna would be permitted to stay in touch with her by phone. It pissed me off that Frankie didn’t want Alice to end up in jail because she felt it wouldn’t be right for Luna to have to lose her mom. What kind of dumb, goodie-good bullcrap is that??? That woman was unstable!!! She used Luna as a pawn in her screw-loose game!!! She’d revealed her weird, obsessive side to Luna!!! The poor girl would’ve been better off spending some time separated from her for a while.
I can’t take pity on people like Alice. Sure, it was sad that her parents split up. Her mom died, and her dad was a drunken con artist. She got knocked up when she was only a teenager, and then she was stuck being a single mom out on her own, moving from one slummy place to another. All the while, she could never fit in anywhere. I hated so much how she felt that Red, Frankie, Max, and Verity owed her because she felt it was unfair that they had the things she wanted, while she always had to do without. The way she went about it was just so AARG! It was just so “me, me, me”, and so childish. She was a pathetic sore loser who took her victim mentality to a whole lower level.
Don’t get me wrong, of course it’s always the good thing to do to be kind and generous to those who are down on their luck, but it’s also a good thing to not be TOO trusting and TOO giving. Set boundaries on how much you’re willing to give, and be vigilant for any red flags. Alice did some pretty low things to try to get what she felt those more fortunate owed her—deliberately getting into a car accident, sending harassment notes, blackmail. Her lowest point for me—of course—was when she’d lied to her own daughter in order to trick her into being a part of one of her manipulation schemes. Then she would try to justify her every action and act all winy and poor-me whenever things didn’t go her way. Then there was that part when Alice was oh-so-very hurt when she’d overheard Frankie tell Verity that she didn’t have a good feeling about her. Uh, yeah, Frankie had every reason to have a bad feeling about Alice. I sure did. She gave me pangs of yuck in my stomach. Hatred aside, this book would suck without her. It’s fun to have a character to hate.
Now about the things that bugged me about this book in general.
It annoyed me how Alice’s POV was written in first-person while Frankie’s and Verity’s POVs were in third-person. I’ve read other books written this way. I know it’s a stylistic thing that is perfectly acceptable, and it’s supposed to create some kind of extra effect, but I have a personal pet peeve about it. I like ALL character POVs to either be first-person or third-person. For me, flipping between those types of narrative voices is jarring. Or maybe I’m just anal.
The overly drawn-out, hovering love square also got my goat. Red always had a thing for Verity but he’d settled for Frankie. Frankie always had a thing for Max but she’d settled for Red. Ugh, gag me. I know this story wouldn’t be as juicy without this element, but I hate when people do this type of wretched stupidity. Yeah, it’s human nature to prefer companionship over living alone, but I hate when people choose to settle for being with someone while insistently harboring feelings for someone else. I just want to slaughter every character in every book, movie, and show who does this.
If you can’t get over the one you wish you could have, just date other people casually. Talk to a therapist about your unrequited love issue. Maybe get into a regimen of meditation or personal growth exercises to help get that person out of your system. Find a witch doctor who could perform healing magic on your heart. Whatever it would take to let go and move on, so you could honestly love someone else. The worst, most unfair and asinine thing to do is partner up with someone else—an option #2—just to try to fool yourself and fool others into believing you moved on. And then build a whole life with this person, with a marriage and a house and kids and everything, all while still pining away for someone else. Sorry for the rant. I’m sensitive to stuff like that because I’ve been the one who was settled for, more than once in my dating life.
The way Frankie and Verity went about the issue was just ridiculous. Frankie had a thing for Max since she and Verity were teenagers, and a part of her always regretted giving him to Verity. Verity was well aware that Frankie still had the hots for her husband, after seventeen years, and a part of her always felt guilty about not letting Frankie have him. Seriously ladies??? According to the flashback chapters, neither gave Max to the other! Max was not torn between the two of them. He and Frankie used to flirt somewhat, back in the day. Maybe Max kind of liked her, but he wasn’t really all that into her like he was with Verity. He was truly smitten with Verity right away. Then at the end of the book, as the drama was cooling down, Verity and Frankie suddenly acted like their years’ long what-ifs about how they’d handled their feelings about Max never happened. The old hovering love entanglement that was all in their minds just—POOF—conveniently vanished. I would’ve liked Frankie and Verity to have at least expressed some inner resolving of their silly what-if issues as their lives were moving along after the post-psycho aftermath.
tThe vasectomy story was a loose end, which was another thing that annoyed me. Red told Verity that Max had gotten a vasectomy behind her back, but Verity never confronted her husband about this. Then she eventually got pregnant. Was Red’s story just a lie he’d came up with to cause problems in Max and Verity’s marriage? Or was it a rumor he’d heard? It doesn’t say. Or maybe Max did have a vasectomy but had it reversed to make Verity happy? That’s left up to the reader’s imagination.
Now this is just me being anal again, but another pet peeve I have is when things are left totally unresolved. James was left a mystery, and there was no mention of any investigation on his death in America, or at least on why he’d disappeared. Of course, I didn’t feel bad that he was killed, but because he had died on a remote part of a beach in a different country, and his body had gotten carried away by the tide, that was enough to make his fate a cold case forevermore. Nobody cared but Max and Alice who’d kept his death a secret. Could such a thing really happen? One would think James lived a completely solitary life with no friends or family to wonder why he stopped answering his phone. No boss wondering why he’d stopped showing up to work. No home full of belongings and a refrigerator stocked with rotten take-out food that he’d left behind.. And not even a car that was left abandoned in a parking lot near the beach. It was as though he’d walked to that beach by himself. Or maybe he’d taken a bus or a taxi, and always kept to himself during his commutes. So his presence was always forgettable. It was like, when he died, and Max and Alice went on with their lives back in England, James hadn’t left a single trace of evidence that he’d ever existed. So it was easy for no one to care or to have ever known he was gone.
Alice was more disturbed about what had happened than Max. The way she was always looking up information about people, I would’ve liked her guilty conscience to have driven her to check for any missing persons reports from that beach in America, or if anyone was investigating a murder on a person who fit James’s description. If that could’ve been included in the story, any information Alice found could’ve been even more ammo for her to use against Max and Verity.
Or it would’ve been cool if maybe, to Max and Alice’s good luck, someone else assumed the credit for killing James. Like one of his rape victims, or his rape victim’s enraged mother or boyfriend. The person who claimed to be the killer turned themself over to the police and to the media, and the story was all over the news in America. Allowing Max and Alice to have gotten away with their actions, scott-free, even though they couldn’t be free from their conscience being haunted by what they’d done to James.
All and all, the whole big secretive subplot with Max and Alice getting away with getting rid of James felt unfinished to me.
Last and final criticism: the ending timeline was botched. It went from January, and then jumped to April. Then the last chapter was said to be taking place one year later. When the scene in the background was all wintery, I was like, “Huh?”. I thought “one year later” meant the following April. It meant, one year after the previous winter. The author should’ve been more clear about that.
The Epilogue added a touch of cheesy silliness, but I don’t mean that as an insult. I was amused. If the book were adapted into a movie, I could picture the Epilogue part ending with more melodramatic suspense music as the scene fades with a closeup of the characters merrily laughing.
How incredibly lengthy this review is shows how very much I was into this book. It was gripping, extremely entertaining, easy to follow, and delightfully overstuffed with twists. An awesome book to start off my year in reading. I’m most definitely interested in reading more books by Hannah Emery.

[Claire - TheBookendReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those domestic suspense novels that slowly tightens its grip without ever signalling exactly where it’s going. Set in an idyllic lakeside community, it follows Frankie, Verity, and Alice - three women whose lives appear enviable on the surface, but are quietly shaped by insecurity, rivalry, and long-buried secrets.

The story unfolds across alternating perspectives and a dual timeline, building towards a New Year’s Eve party where everything finally comes undone. While some elements of the setup feel familiar, the strength here lies in the writing. The author has a real talent for capturing emotional undercurrents; the small frustrations, the unspoken tensions, and the dynamics of friendships that are far more fragile than they seem.

I didn’t necessarily relate to any of the characters, but they were well-drawn and compelling to read. Each woman feels flawed in believable ways, and the shifting viewpoints add depth as the layers slowly peel back. There’s a major turning point at the party that genuinely caught me off guard, and I appreciated how seemingly minor details from earlier chapters were pulled together into something far more impactful.

The pacing stays steady throughout, and while the intrigue is subtle rather than explosive, the final stretch delivers satisfying revelations and neatly ties up loose ends. This is a quietly gripping psychological thriller that relies more on atmosphere and character tension than shock value.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by Hannah Emery, and I really enjoyed it! I just read it over New Year's Eve which felt timely. The story is told from the perspective of three women, two best friends and one outsider. It switches between the past and present and leaves you guessing. There is drama and suspense throughout. The story builds as New Year's Eve and the annual party approaches. I had a hard time putting the book down as I wanted to know what would happen next. I will be checking out more of the author's books. Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC!

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this as I wanted to read something that was appropriate for the current celebrations. It didn’t take me long to get into the story and I really enjoyed reading about the characters (reminded me of Real Housewives etc) unfortunately my concentration didn’t last long and I struggled to get back into it. Even at the end there was so much detail going on I felt that the story was never ending. Don’t get me wrong I’ve read better books but I’ve also read worse.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for an early copy of The New Year’s Eve Party. A fast read. The characters were not likable but kept me interested in what the outcome would be. All in All a good book for a rainy weekend.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t get into it, only made it to the first couple chapters.

[Anna Forsythe-Schultz · Rating 2 out of 5]

so not realistic

For example, who tells there toddler that their father is dead the minute he wakes from a coma (of some sort)????

[Janell Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How have I gotten lucky with SO MANY FANTASTIC BOOKS??!!The New Year's Eve Party is another great one! Five stars!! Pre-order now and read it before you attend any New Year's Eve Parties"
-Books and Pens on Green Gables

About The New Year's Eve Party by Hannah Emery

Frankie and Red, Max and Verity. Friends for years. Since they were kids hanging out at the beach on vacations.

Max was actually Verity's father's friend, but the two fell in love when Verity was a teenager, despite the age difference and people talking. Everyone loves Max, he's an artist and rather famous, especially in the town where they live. They're the town's celebrities, the people everyone want to know about, Instagram famous, known for lavish parties, and the best life has to offer. But, there is something Verity wants that she can't seem to have.

Frankie and Red. A busy but happy marriage, three kids, and have just "made it" to living on the lake, the exclusive area of town. Red works hard, maybe too hard some days. And Frankie feels her life is a whirlwind of pick-ups and drop-offs, and wiping faces, laundry, cooking, and schedules. But, she always has time for her long-time best friend, Verity. Frankie and Red can see Verity and Max's house across the lake and through the trees. But, in one day, the view changes.

When a new person, Alice, enters their world, everything becomes different. Her daughter, Luna, starts working at the art studio and Verity is quite taken with her. Alice wants to a part of Frankie and Verity's world.

The New Year's Eve Party is THE event of the year. Being invited to it is a big deal. Alice is thrilled to have an invitation, but is she excited just because it's the party of the year? Or is there another reason she wants to be there?

The night of the party, everyone is dressed in their finest, hair done, food, champagne, fireworks. The expectations are higher every year. But, Verity isn't herself. Something keeps happening. Is something wrong with her? How are so many odd things happening to her? And, is Max hiding something from her? Who else is hiding something? This year, The New Year's Eve Party will reveal more than just resolutions.

Great book! Give your Kindle a treat and pre-order it!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollinsUK, and OneMoreChapter books for sending me this early release of The New Year's Eve Party by Hannah Emery!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie and Verity have been friends for many years. Now, they live across the lake from one another in an upscale neighborhood.

Frankie is married to Red and they are parents to Maisie, Bella, and Harry. Frankie is a busy mother and homemaker. While Red makes good money, Frankie needs to realize that they need to economize more.

Verity is married to Max who is a few years old than she is. He is a well-known artist and she is a talented artist herself. They are very wealthy and also own an art studio. Sadly, Verity has never been able to carry a pregnancy all the way through and this breaks her heart. But she enjoys being with Frankie and enjoying her children. Verity drinks more than she should and Frankie tends to join her.

Verity wants some trees cut down around the lake so people can better enjoy the view. On her own, she has this done and it remains to be seen if the neighbors will object.

A new person, Alice, enters their friendship. She has a teenage daughter, Luna, who loves art so Verity offers the girl a job working at the studio.

Verity and Max have a New Year’s Eve party every year for all of the neighborhood. What starts out as a fun evening quickly spirals into disaster.

This book is tense and so many people are hiding secrets. I did enjoy the story and especially the great friendship between Frankie and Verity. I did not like Alice, period. No redeeming qualities to her. All in all, it is a good book and I think readers will love it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The people who live in White Fir Lake are not as they seem but because the place is so idyllic we are lulled into a false sense of security as. far beneath the surface. carefully hidden secrets are buried. When an unexpected stranger arrives in their midst there is the possibly that everything they had so carefully hidden away over the years is about to be revealed.

The author has created a great sense of a community at White Fir Lake and I enjoyed getting to know those who call the place home, especially Verity and Frankie, close friends who share their secrets, and worries, over copious bottles of wine. The story moves along at a good pace and it's interesting to see the perspective from the point of view of Verity and Frankie and also getting to know Alice, a relative newcomer to the group and who, it would seem, has an agenda all of her own.

I enjoyed watching how the story unfolded and the complicated twists and turns in the plot helped to focus the energy on what was to be revealed in the final denouement on the night of the traditional New Year's Eve party which is always hosted by Verity and her artist husband Max. There's such a lot of activity going on which I can't reveal but going back into the past with these characters reveals some ghastly secrets and the story definitely kept me turning the pages to find out more.

I found The New Year's Eve Party to be an intriguing domestic thriller and a great way to spend an afternoon at this time in the festive calendar.

[Pauline Dutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in an idyllic and upmarket Cotswold village with a bit of the “keeping up with the Jones’” running through it with all the envy and jealousy you would expect.

This book has 3 principal characters, Frankie and Verity, 2 close friends from their school days and a newcomer to the group, single mother Alice who moves in just before Christmas with her daughter Luna. There are tangible differences in the lifestyles of the friends and there are a number of twists and turns culminating in a final event at a new year’s eve party that although you know early on that something happened at the party I was surprised by the event and I really like to be surprised.

Verity is married to a wealthy and older artist called Max and Frankie is married to “Red” not so wealthy but aspirational. All 4 met when they were on a summer holiday when they were teenagers and despite differences in lifestyles remain close if unlikely friends.
The author succeeds in telling this story from the 3 women’s point of view both in the present and in their respective pasts a type of book I tend to enjoy.

This is not an author I have heard of and believe she may be new and if that is the case then this is a good start to her writing career as I would certainly look for other books by this author and recommend this book

Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an arc copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Bev Dulson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this in those random days between Christmas and New year certainly added to the festive element of the story.

Frankie and Verity have been friends since school, with Frankie sacrificing the love she felt for Max when she and Verity were teenagers, letting Verity have him.

That's where the problems begin.

Now as adults Verity is broken inside after her many failed pregnancies but puts a face on to the outside world.

Frankie is, desperately trying to keep with Verity and Max's wealth which causes problems with her own husband Red, who also suspects that Frankie never stopped loving Max...

Then Alice literally crashes into their world with her own agenda...

Not a bad little festive read.

Merged review:

Reading this in those random days between Christmas and New year certainly added to the festive element of the story. Frankie and Verity have been friends since school, with Frankie sacrificing the love she felt for Max when she and Verity were teenagers, letting Verity have him. That's where the problems begin. Now as adults Verity is broken inside after her many failed pregnancies but puts a face on to the outside world. Frankie is, desperately trying to keep with Verity and Max's wealth which causes problems with her own husband Red, who also suspects that Frankie never stopped loving Max... Then Alice literally crashes into their world with her own agenda... Not a bad little festive read.

[Lynn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different seasonal read.

Despite the title of the book it's obviously only one night, so the main story begins early in the month but also stretches back to events many years ago too.

Three characters Frankie, Verity and Alice take turns telling us the tale. I did not like the exact same dialogue being repeated as the story was told from the different point of view. I also got a little confused with the same scene being repeated when the action had moved on and I had too. I was soon back on track though.

There's not much to like about any of the three women. One leads a privileged life, another aspires to the same life. She is holding on to the coat tails of her friend, having just made the move to an idyllic village across the lake from her. The third is not even on the starting blocks but she wants their lives more and more, in fact she thinks she's entitled to that kind of life.

To begin with the story reads like one of the reality TV shows with housewives. Then notes begin to arrive hinting that someone knows something that happened in the past and it's time to face the truth.

An intriguing read. There were a few ways it could go and my mind changed throughout as to which way that would be. Not an edge of your seat read but a nice change from Christmas novels.