Review: The Reunion by Polly Phillips

A college reunion is always a perfect setting for a guilty pleasure read, with past loves, conflicts and tensions conflicting with the present. The Reunion by Polly Phillips offers readers a revenge story with twist after twist after twist.

Emily  has done her best to put her time at university--and the devastating events that led to her sudden departure--behind her. She's built a good life as a mother to twins and wife to a loving, successful husband. But when she and her husband receive an invitation to a college reunion, something snaps and a plan for revenge clicks into place.

Shifting between the past and the present, Phillips tells the story of how Emily escaped her impoverished childhood to study at university, her so-called friendships there and the devastating event that led to her exit--an event that if it happened today, would come under significantly more scrutiny. Meanwhile, in the present, Emily’s desire for revenge leads her to make some startling discoveries ... and to reveal the secret that she has also been keeping.

The Reunion is a twisty, edge of your seat read, short enough to be read in one or two sittings. Phillips is at her best in the scenes where she explores the consequences of what happened to Emily that fateful night, and the strong relationship that Emily has with her older sister Helen. There is also a lot to be said about jealousy, and just how strong that particular emotion can be. That said, there is a lot in this book that is by no means perfect. I found Nick's character to be wholly unbelievable in places, along with the fact that Emily could be so easily taken in by a certain character. Fortunately, many of the faults of the book are redeemed by the many twists and the deliciously dark finale. 

Thank you to DMCPR Media for inviting me to be a part of The Reunion blog and bookstagram tour. Be sure to check out the many other great stops on this tour. 

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