The Perfect Hosts - by Heather Gudenkauf (Paperback)

My goodness! This book and all of its twists and surprises kept my head spinning and my mind whirling as I anticipated the next unexpected revelation. The story begins with a bang, literally, as a gender reveal party’s explosive plan turns deadly. Madeline and Wes had no idea that their party would end up killing a guest, injuring many more and bring an ATF agent to their doorstep to investigate. Agent Jamie Saldano is not a stranger to the area since he grew up there and it also the place from which his older sister disappeared when they were both still in high school. I really enjoyed the complex plot that involved various characters and their backstories. The author did a masterful job of weaving the whole plot together into a cohesive tapestry by having each character voice their own point of view. There are plenty of characters and plenty of action happening throughout this thought-provoking thriller and all of them kept me guessing. I think my favorite character was Saldano since he was the one who kept his cool and kept investigating in spite of all of the roadblocks and subterfuge. The characters were all relatable although some were hard to like, like Mellie who seemed to be a gold digger with secrets and a hidden agenda. The story is engaging, fast-paced and one not to be missed for those who enjoy thrillers that are expertly crafted and gripping. With an unexpected ending and an addictive story, this book gets five plus stars from me and a warning to be prepared to read all night. Trigger warning: abuse and violence. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

I inhaled this book! There are multiple layers to the plot, multiple POVs, and many sinister intentions. The question is… who’s at fault here? Is anyone who they seem to be? Can anyone be trusted? The Perfect Hosts is a well-written suspense thriller, and my only critique is that I wish some of the characters’ storylines were more fleshed out at the end of the story. It took me less than a day to finish it, simply because I needed answers!! Gudenkauf’s writing is easy to follow and natural to read. I’m excited to see what else she puts out! Thank you to Park Row books and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.