Friends in Napa

A Novel

By: Sheila Yasmin Marikar, Mindy Kaling - introduction

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

“Smart and wildly entertaining…like drinking a glass of wine with an endlessly witty, scandalous friend.”–Mindy Kaling

Six old friends descend on Napa Valley for a luxurious weekend of fine wine and good times…until old tensions simmer to the surface. So much can go wrong in this dark comedy by the author of The Goddess Effect.

Just get yourselves here, everything else is on us.

Raj and Rachel Ranjani have invited a small group of their ride or dies from college for a celebratory weekend in Napa Valley. On the agenda: three nights in the couple’s vineyard mansion, a lavish dinner at Napa’s hottest new restaurant, exclusive tastings, and the grand opening of the Ranjanis’ ultra-high-end winery. It’s a reunion of six friends who haven’t seen each other in years. What could go wrong?

To start, there’s the less-than-warm welcome: a brick flung through a window and palpable tension between the hosts. But no worries—all Raj has to do is pop a few bottles of vintage Dom, and the college vibes come rushing back. So do old resentments, animosities, and unrequited crushes. Soon enough, the illusion of friendship shatters like a gossamer wineglass, and one of the friends ends up dead. Everyone has their motivations. Everyone has something to hide.

Here’s to a weekend in the valley. Drink up and watch your back.

©2024 Sheila Yasmin Marikar (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Marikar is skilled at dissecting the social-media-obsessed culture of comparison that traps so many people in its web.”—Booklist

“A perfect dose of suspense and deliciously complex friendships…Come for the mystery and friend drama; stay for the unbelievable lifestyle details. Marikar knows the best of the best from her years of writing about luxury travel, and it sparkles on every page. You’ll be packing your bags for Napa. The vineyards, the food, the fashion, every chapter is a dreamy escape—with a dark edge. It’s a Liane Moriarty set in gorgeous wine country.”—Kate Myers, author of Excavations

“Friends in Napa hits like that first sip of a good bottle: refreshing and juicy, impossible to put down. A sharply observed escape about relationships gone sour and the delicious exploits of the uber-rich…Sheila Yasmin Marikar is a massive talent with heavy pours of wit and hilarity.”—Avery Carpenter Forrey, author of Social Engagement

Not my usual read.

This story was not the usual things I like to read. I usually go in for crime dramas and I don't know how I got this one by mistake.

Interesting plot

In the beginning, I was a little confused by which characters were, which that was my fault. I was multitasking while listening, but it was an enjoyable read and just about the perfect length I would read others by this author.

The story is terrible

The writing is awful. There are too many characters, and they complain throughout the whole story.

Really engaging story - hooked from the first chapter!

I flew through this audiobook! I loved the characters. They were so multidimensional, and almost all of them were relatable in a different way. I didn’t know whether to hate some of these characters, or to feel compassion for them and give them a hug, and I think that’s the hallmark of good character development. The story was also so well developed, and the interactions and individual story lines of each character were really fascinating. I don’t want to spoil much, but the story reels you in from the first chapter, and I just couldn’t stop listening! 

all the characters were unlikable

the story never picked up any speed and I found myself not wanting to listen to it anymore. it became more of a chore than something to enjoy.

Not the mystery I was looking for

Not at all what I was expecting. If you are looking for a good read/listen this is not the one.