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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Basic, simple read. Short chapters. Nice, quick read when you’re in a slump or need a palette cleanser.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Book was great, audiobook reader was fair to middling.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Stalking, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the second book I’ve read by Alex Finlay, the first being The Night Shift, which I enjoyed. I could relate to this book because I’m sending my firstborn to college this fall. Another coincidence is that I live in California. I didn’t know Santa Clara University was a real college until I listened to the epilogue. Mr. Finlay came up with the idea for the book while on a parents’ weekend for his son at Santa Clara University. The epilogue was hilarious when he clarified that the events were fictional and not an accurate representation of the university. At first, I was hesitant because each chapter was from a different character’s POV, but the stories flowed seamlessly, and I easily kept track of the characters. I appreciated the return of Sarah Keller, who was also in The Night Shift. This book was relevant to today because social media is almost another character in the book, and it’s so engrained in college kids’ daily lives. It was heartwarming that Sarah’s husband Bob was the stay-at-home parent with their twins while she pursued her career at the FBI. The book was suspenseful and fast-paced, with no dull moments. I was propelled to continue reading to find out what happened. I didn’t guess the ending and was pleasantly surprised when it all came together. It was a quick and easy read, perfect for a vacation or beach read. I might have to dive into Alex Finlay’s backlist.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Review for Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay
Rating: 4/5 stars
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay is a suspense-filled thriller that grips you from the very first page. The novel follows the story of a prestigious college where secrets, lies, and the complex relationships between students and their parents are slowly unraveled in a high-stakes weekend. The tension is palpable throughout, and the author skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very last chapter.
The characters are well-developed, especially the strained relationships between parents and children. The narrative dives deep into how these hidden dynamics drive the story and contribute to the ultimate reveal. Finlay’s attention to detail shines through, particularly in the way the story is constructed. Each chapter is broken down by the families’ last names, which keeps things organized and adds a unique touch to the structure.
The suspense is built up through subtle clues and hints, and just when you think you know what’s happening, the twists take the story in a new direction. The way secrets from both the parents and children intertwine to create the story’s core is masterful.
However, while the twists are gripping, there were moments where I felt overwhelmed by the number of secrets and revelations. At times, it felt like the narrative was trying to juggle too many moving parts, making the pacing slower than expected. Additionally, while the prologue sets a strong tone, the actual events that unfold didn’t quite match the intensity suggested, which left me feeling a little underwhelmed by the final resolution.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Parents Weekend is a highly enjoyable thriller with complex characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. If you’re a fan of suspense and family drama with plenty of secrets, this book is definitely worth picking up.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes