Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite

Party of a Lifetime by Henry Corrigan follows Becca Longford as she heads back home from college, hoping a beach weekend with her old crew will make up for how badly their high school prom went. That prom night was horrible, marked by bullying, a fire, and the kind of embarrassment that doesn’t just fade with time. Stephanie Hamilton, the former mean girl who made their lives miserable back then, still lingers in their story. Now Becca is back with Kyle, Gabby, and Toby, and at first it is easy to fall into their usual rhythm, joking around like nothing really changed. But it doesn’t take long for things to get uncomfortable. Her parents are still arguing, especially about money and her future, and the group is carrying unresolved hurt and feelings that no one ever really voiced. Then a photo is posted online, and Stephanie resurfaces with new threats. At the same time, something darker is brewing in the background, tied to Monotony, a strange and dangerous town that no one fully understands yet. So what exactly are they about to walk into?

Party of a Lifetime by Henry Corrigan is a coming-of-age horror tale that focuses on complex friendships before pulling the story in a darker direction. The novel starts off very easygoing, with lots of back-and-forth between the group and laid-back moments. Becca's situation at home adds pressure, especially with her mother constantly criticizing and her dad trying to keep things calm. There is also a slightly awkward connection between Becca and Gabby that never fully settles. Kyle and Toby bring some lightness, but even that cannot cover up what still sits between them after prom. The shift does not happen all at once. It creeps in, and then suddenly everything turns into something more dangerous than expected. If you like stories that start familiar and then slowly turn into something much more terrifying, this one is definitely worth reading.