Paperback, 328 pages
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Published by: Union Square & Co.
Read from: August 22-September 4, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: From the author and Publisher (I received a free paperback and PR box from the publisher and the author. This did nothing to influence my review)
Content Warning: Death, Self-Deletion (on page, not described), Gun Violence, Mention of a car crash
For Readers Interested In: Adult, Contemporary, Sparkly Covers, Most Anticipated, Own, Own Voices, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black), Realistic Fiction, Thrillers, Irregular TimelineA year after the blowout birthday celebration she organized accidentally ended in the death of her nightmare, one-percenter boss, Xander Chambers, Nicole Underwood thought she was setting the public record straight by agreeing to consult on a feature film based on her story. But on the set in LA, she watches in frustration as her experiences are persistently sidelined by inappropriate casting and frequent, bizarre script changes.
Nicole is haunted by the events of that fateful house party and visions of her now deceased boss. Xander had been unfit to lead the company his mother—famed entrepreneur Bridget Chambers—had founded and built to Fortune 500 status until her untimely death in a car accident several months prior. After being Bridget’s favorite assistant, Nicole had honored her mentor by staying on to keep Xander organized and on task despite his relentless partying. When he wanted her to plan his wild bash, Nicole saw a chance to probe the people closest to the Chambers family and learn if Bridget’s crash was truly a simple tragedy. But Nicole, who just wanted to be the best assistant possible, could not have foreseen the terrible consequences of her actions.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Y’all know I’m always going to read a thriller as soon as I can get my hands on it. And this one is no different. And this one is by a Black author whom I love and adore already?! Yeah, we knew I was going to read this as soon as I got my hands on it. And a huge thanks to the author and publisher for sending it to me early!
OK so the thriller part of this was so cool! It was all over the place because her boss was too. I felt a smidge bad because I remember putting a note in the very beginning that I hoped he was “one of those that goes” because he was annoying af and was getting on my nerves lol And then all the things happen. But the fact that all of this inspired a movie was pretty cool lol I thought it was a little out there, so I knew something was up. And Lordt let me tell you (Small Spoiler) you aren’t ready for the plot twist. Just know that and be ready lol
So the characters were all crazy af. And I’m talking even the main character. I was sitting there reading this book and feeling my jaw drop lower and lower. These characters were the worst and I didn’t understand how they just kept on interacting with each other like it was ok. The only one with some sense was the mom and they kept acting like she didn’t have any. It was frustrating for her I’m sure lol
I think the only thing I had trouble with was the ending. We hadn’t seen that person do this the entire book (besides for something they had to do for someone else) so it just didn’t seem believable that they came and did that at the end. Even still, I gave them a standing ovation because hell yeah. 100% deserved.
This was such a fun book! I didn’t want to stop reading it, even after it was finished. And now there’s another book by Stratton coming out next year, that’s YA and let me tell you I’m even more excited for that one. It’s YA and about a Sundown town. I can’t wait to read and tell my co-workers about it.
Overall, I give this
