The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella
Another fun novel by the great Sophie Kinsella, The Party Crasher was filled with humour and outrageous moments that all lead up to an ending that leaves you with a smile on your face.
Effie was a quirky heroine who was upset that her father and stepmother had decided to part ways. And when her dad’s new girlfriend steps in and tries to take over the sale of her childhood home, which has its own quirky appearance, she refuses to attend the goodbye party but instead, decides to “stealthily” crash the party and ends up essentially lurking in various places throughout the house. What could go wrong?
Although Effie did have her immature moments, I did like how she matured in the story. I also enjoyed that this story took on more of a family oriented focus rather than focused on a relationship that has gone awry. Although, there still is a bit of that too.
Regarding narration, Fiona Hardingham is hands down the perfect voice actor for Sophie’s books in my opinion. Funny written moments become a lot more funnier when Fiona does her thing. There is a moment -- or rather moments that involve a pair of spanx that had me dying, but you’re going to have to read it yourself to find out what’s so funny.
Overall, this novel was entertaining and a quick listen.
Thank you Penguin Random House Audio for the alc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Book Description
It's been over two years since Effie's beloved parents got divorced, destroying the image of the happy, loving childhood she thought she had. Since then, she's become estranged from her father and embarked on a feud with his hot (and much younger) girlfriend, Krista. And now, more earth-shattering news: Greenoaks, the rambling Victorian country house Effie called home her whole life, has been sold.
When Krista decides to throw a grand "house cooling" party, Effie is originally left off the guest list--and then receives a last-minute "anti-invitation" (maybe it's because she called Krista a gold-digger, but Krista totally deserved it, and it was mostly a joke anyway). Effie declines, but then remembers a beloved childhood treasure is still hidden in the house. Her only chance to retrieve it is to break into Greenoaks while everyone is busy celebrating. As Effie sneaks around the house, hiding under tables and peeping through trapdoors, she realizes the secrets Greenoaks holds aren't just in the dusty passageways and hidden attics she grew up exploring. Watching how her sister, brother, and dad behave when they think no one is looking, Effie overhears conversations, makes discoveries, and begins to see her family in a new light. Then she runs into Joe--the love of her life, who long ago broke her heart, and who's still as handsome and funny as ever--and even more truths emerge.
But will Effie act on these revelations? Will she stay hidden or step out into the party and take her place with her family? And truthfully, what did she really come back to Greenoaks for? Over the course of one blowout party, Effie realizes that she must be honest with herself and confront her past before she'll ever be able to face her future.