The Birthday Reunion

Written by Claire Seeber

Narrated by Katherine Press

Four friends. One dream getaway. But who will make it out alive?

When the gold-rimmed invitations arrive through the doors of best friends Simone, Hannah and Vicky they're instantly taken aback. Their ex-friend Jodie is inviting them to a lavish Mediterranean villa to celebrate her birthday. They haven't spoken in years since she betrayed them in the worst way. So how did they make the guest list? They all have their reasons for saying yes. Stay-at-home mum Simone had her dream job snatched away. Hannah lost the love of her life. Café-owner Vicky wants the chance to help a wronged friend. Is the reunion a chance to confront Jodie and the past once and for all? Arriving at a villa that looks straight out of a movie set, the friends relax by the sumptuous pool as they wait for the other guests to arrive. But as the chilled wine is poured and the three friends reminisce, they see Jodie walking towards them with a look of shock on her face. Because Jodie didn't invite them here. But by the end of the weekend it will become clear who did. Someone else has a reason for revenge. Who will make it out alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781004122929

Claire Seeber

Born in London with a love of all things dramatic, Claire began her career as an actress. Soon deciding she'd rather pull strings safely behind the scenes, Claire forged a successful career in documentary television, enabling her to travel the world, glimpsing into lives otherwise unseen. Also a feature-writer for newspapers such as The Guardian, Independent on Sunday and The Telegraph, Claire now combines (furious) scribbling with keeping a beady eye on her toddler and her brand-new baby.

Reviews for The Birthday Reunion

[Valerie Laing · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Pretty dire. The plot and characters were all over the place and not in a good way. I’m used to books with flashbacks and different timelines but this was so disjointed I had to give up. The characters were unlikeable which can be absolutely fine, but these were unlikeable and boring. Events like one of the friends getting stop at the airport by guards with guns and no one ever mentions it, they arrive at a posh villa and one of them flops down on a lounger and goes to sleep?? All very strange. Someone is always hearing or seeing things never properly explained and with zero suspense. I gave up and fast forwarded to the end and thanks goodness I didn’t waste my time listening to the whole book.