The Birthday Girl is one of those books that is hard to review because, once you get past the initial idea, there are too many secrets and too many twists and turns – making the risk of spoilers just too great.

So, what can I tell you about it? It starts with an invite, three friends (Carys, Zoe, and Andrea) being invited by a fourth (Joanne) to go away from the weekend to celebrate Joanne’s 40th birthday; as it’s Carys’ too, they can celebrate that as well.

What could sound better? Well, for Carys, pretty much anything as she and Joanne aren’t on the best of terms – though it isn’t clear why at first – and neither, it turns out are Joanne and Andrea. In fact, Zoe, is the only one who seems to be getting along with everyone and excited for the weekend. 

Thinking it will be a way of getting their friendship back on track, Carys and Andrea agree to go along and start regretting it almost immediately as they are taken to a remote location and it becomes clear Joanne doesn’t want to bury the hatchet but confront each of her friends over slights in a very public way.

Which brings me to the secrets and twists and turns and potential spoilers. With the story told by Carys and a mysterious voice, which could be anyone and isn’t revealed till the very end, it’s hard to know the truth, especially as Carys is definitely hiding more than one something.

I do like these type of books, with an unreliable narrator and relationships at breaking point, though I had burnt out on them and needed to take a break for while. It’s good to be back with such a good book. It’s a great read, with pace and tension. I had no idea what was going on (in a good way) and there were plenty of “wow” moments.

There were also a few moments where I had to suspend belief but I think you have to in these type of books and I didn’t mind at all because I was enjoying myself so much.  I liked this one a lot!

About the book…

Dear Carys, Zoe and Andrea
Come and join me for my fortieth birthday adventure weekend, full of mysteries and surprises the like of which you can’t imagine.

When Joanne’s friends reluctantly accept an invitation to her birthday party, it quickly becomes clear that there is more to this weekend than they are expecting.
One of them is hiding a secret.
And Joanne is planning to reveal it…

A weekend away in a cottage in the woods sounds like fun – until no one can hear your cries for help.

Four friends.
A party to die for.
Who will survive? 

Enjoy!

Emma x

Publisher: HarperImpulse

Format: ebook

Published: 14th November, 2017

Pages: 364

Note: I received a copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review. All thoughts, feelings and opinions are my own.