I’m giving A Stranger on the Beach a 4/5 stars. There are no words that I can use to describe the rollercoaster that was this book. You think you know what you’re getting yourself into, but then of course not everything is as it seems. Caroline Stark has recently built a new house on the beach. She’s what the locals call a weekender: a rich person with a nice house who leaves after every weekend. Just as the house has been finished, Caroline runs into marital problems. Her husband Jason has been keeping secrets, so Caroline decides to retaliate. Enter Aidan Callahan. Everything goes downhill from here. You think you know who to believe and what is going on, but you really don’t. By the end of the book, it’s near impossible to tell who is actually telling the truth. The writing of the book was fantastic. I loved how the perspective changed every chapter, and how you could see each event play out differently in the different perspectives. The only real issue I had with this book was that the plot seemed to drag at times. I wasn’t wholly invested in the story for the entire time, but boy am I glad that I finished. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a slightly disturbing psychological mystery.

Certain books come to mind whenever that little voice whispers in your ear “well, I didn’t see that coming”…and A STRANGER ON THE BEACH is one of those books.

Author Michele Campbell subtly spools out this psychological thriller at just the right pace, introducing multilayered characters that are sheer perfection and masterful twists that even the most astute reader will not see coming until the many narrative threads are finally joined together for a surprising reveal. Even if you are quick enough on the uptake to see the bombshell coming you will still be hooked by this captivating tale.

Slowly exposing the chinks in the armor of a seemingly perfect marriage and the result of an apparent eruption of violence, the author utilizes an uncanny knack for skillfully relating this combination murder mystery/personal drama via different narrators whose veracity and motives are all in question.

This is a deliciously addictive read about marriage and the nature of guilt and innocence that leads the reader to a stunning conclusion that will take more than a few days to fade from memory.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

This was a great page turner and a perfect beach read. I agree with other reviewers that maybe the less known going in the better so I won't say much in regards to plot. However, I will say that this is one of those he said/she said stories where the POV changes from chapter to chapter. I always think of the the Showtime series The Affair when I see this set up. In this case, the formula does work and it will keep you turning the pages.

Personally, I was pretty sure I saw what was happening right from the beginning, so the twist might or might not work for you. Either way, though, the storyline kept me anxious to get back to the book to see what would happen next. A fun, fast-paced read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for a book review of A Stranger on the Beach. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

Carolyn notices a strange man on the beach staring at her brand new beach house. She notices him again while jogging on the beach. He makes her uneasy. He is gorgeous to look at, but he seems a little dangerous. Carolyn loves her beach house. It has cost a fortune and her husband, Jason, has not been around to enjoy it with her. He has been working a lot lately. But he promises to make time for her at their housewarming party. She has invited absolutely everyone. She is shocked and uncomfortable when the guy on the beach is a bartender for the party, but she brushes it off. Carolyn is more concerned about why Jason hasn’t arrived from the city. She should have hoped for something else.

The party is in full throttle when Jason walks in with some Russian floozy on his arm. He tells Carolyn that he has been having an affair and is leaving her. She can keep everything, the house, the money, all he wants is out. Carolyn is in shock. But Jason lied. He emptied their bank accounts and froze their credit cards. She doesn’t have a dime to her name. Distraught, Carolyn finds herself at a local bar in town where low and behold, the handsome stranger from the beach is bartending. He notices her and introduces himself as Aiden. She flirts. Carolyn knows she is too old for him but maybe this is the distraction she needs. Just for one night.

But Aiden becomes obsessed with Carolyn. He claims they are madly in love and follows her everywhere. He wants to be her protector. Aiden says he will do anything to help her get her money back from her lousy cheating rat of a husband. Even if Aiden has to kill Jason.

This story wore me out. You have the alternating chapters in the double perspective between Carolyn and Aiden. First, I am so sick of this writing technique. It is sorely overused. However, there is one difference from the usual format. Aiden’s account of events is very different from Carolyn’s. Is Aiden so crazily obsessed that he interprets his actions as being heroic and not that of a stalker? At first, I was intrigued. It piqued my interest and was a welcome change. However, when this was still going on 75% into the book, I was just exhausted and confused.

Mild Spoiler Alert

I’m not going to give away any plot points but it’s a warning nevertheless. So obviously one of them is a liar. Either Aiden or Caroline. You know this because both versions can’t be true. Quickly you’ll be able to figure it out. If you look at a novel like Gone Girl, there is the ability to go back reread it and it stands up. The narrative stands true. While reading this book, I just felt lied to. I don’t like it when the author just, flat out, lies to the audience. It isn’t clever. Also, the book stayed in this stagnant dynamic that you are just waiting for something to make it stop.

There were some wishy-washy characters. I found Lynn, Caroline’s sister, really inconsistent. I didn’t believe Aiden at all, especially when the truth is out. I guess either way he was psychotic. Caroline’s daughter - I couldn’t relate to her at all. She felt creepy, weird and very sad and so were her actions. It was a quick and easy read. Maybe I’m just too old, or have read too many of these types of novels, that I just can’t get swept away like I used to. It’s sad to think, but I hope that’s not the case.

If you have been following my reviews, you’ll know that I’ve have been wishing for a thriller that I could finally sink my teeth into. This wasn’t it. I will continue on my hunt. If you have any recommendations, please leave them in the comments below. Here’s to hoping the next one will be better!

Caroline thinks she has it all. She has a wonderful family, a beautiful beach house and a life anyone would be jealous of. Then it all falls apart around her. Her husband is having an affair…or so she thinks. They have a very public fight and then all their money disappears. This throws her right into Aidan’s arms. Aidan is a local bartender and his obsession with Caroline is just plain scary. Then to top it all off…Caroline’s husband is missing and she is the prime suspect in his murder.

I have to be very careful what I say. I do not want to give anything away. Just be prepared! This book is completely twisted and basically PSYCHO! Once you think you have it figured out….oh no you don’t! This story is smart, clever and totally crazy!

I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press for a honest review.

Caroline loves her beautiful beach house that she put her heart and soul into so when she sees someone standing on the beach studying it like they want to rob it she begins to become worried. She also starts to worry because her relationship with her husband seems to be crumbling.

Once Caroline meets the guy who spends time on the beach staring at her house she finds ways to begin to spend time with him. He becomes obsessed with Caroline and her family and it is quite disturbing. But, Caroline must figure out what her husband is hiding and why she is suddenly accused of murdering her husband.

This book was compulsively readable. I absolutely loved this read and could not put it down once I picked it up! It had all the elements of a great thriller. The setting and descriptions were absolutely amazing. The only thumbs down I give it, is that truly in the middle of a category 4 hurricane you would not drive to your house to board it up (been through a couple & know from experience, ha).

Overall, one of my favorite thrillers I have picked up this summer and will be recommending this to lots of people!

A Stranger on the Beach was a deliciously disturbing read for me. I was so engrossed by the audacity of both narrators that I read compulsively just to find out what craziness awaited me on the next page and the next page and so on.
While I can't say this book is groundbreaking or entirely original within its genre, I still found it very enjoyable and entertaining. I was intrigued from the moment I realized there were two very different sides to this story and found my loyalties wavering back and forth.
The book was a little far fetched, but usually, the most entertaining things are. It was a well-timed release and perfectly fits that summer-binge-worthy niche.
I'm looking forward to exploring more of Michele Campbell's work.

Perfect beach read. It was the ultimate he said/she said story. I wasn’t expecting the two POV so when we heard from Aiden I thought he was deranged. Or was he? I wasn’t sure who to believe once the book really got going. I did figure out the ending but it was still an enjoyable ending and read. Quick and fun novel.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.

This book was intriguing; I liked that it was told in two POV because you get both side of the story. A true he said/she said that kept me turning the page and changing my assumptions each chapter.

This is definitely one that's hard to put down. I was reading it on several short plane rides, and was disappointed when it was nearly time to land and put my Kindle away, despite my initial anxiety about flying! It was a very absorbing and welcome distraction. You'll go back and forth quite a bit reading this one, coming up with lots of ideas for the ending... and you will still probably end up surprised.

Caroline Stark seems to have an enviable life. She has no lack of money, a great family, an amazing new beach house. And what does one do when you finally put the final touches on the house of your dreams? Throw a lavish party, of course. That's the obvious answer, even if her husband isn't even sure he'll make it to a party that's supposed to be theirs. Matter of fact, he is awfully distracted lately...

When her husband's affair is all but confirmed and her party ruined, Caroline is at a loss when she spots an incredibly handsome bartender she'd previously briefly run into on the beach. Feeling reckless, she gives in. What harm can a one night stand do? One and done, and they can go their separate ways after having some fun. It is fun, but it turns out Aiden was hoping for more than one night of bliss. A lot more.

Obsession and mystery combine to make a great vacation read. I could've done with a bit more detail towards the end, but it's a solid 4 star read for me.

I read this book with the lovely Traveling Sisters group and received an advanced copy from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press, thank you! This in no way affects my opinion.

STRANGER ON THE BEACH in a character way reminded me of Caroline Kepnes' YOU, a novel in which I despised and despaired of both protagonist and antagonist. Here, too, the antagonist both repelled and terrified me; and I felt the protagonist often acted foolishly, and although I am not going to engage in "victim-bashing" or "she asked for it," still: foolish behavior is irresponsible and when it involves an abuser or worse, foolishness is downright dangerous. All that glitters is not gold; and smooth talk may conceal a cobra. Buyer, beware. Wealth and society can't protect from all ills.

Great story. My first book by this author. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the last page.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of A Stranger on the Beach in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to receive this ARC as I have read all of Michele Campbell's previous books. This one grabs you from the start, but soon you start to think that something is not right. The story is told from 2 perspectives - Caroline's and Aidan's. Caroline is a wealthy woman who is stunningly beautiful, and is having marital troubles. She notices Aidan, 15 years her junior on the beach in front of her new home. She picks him up and they have a one-night stand. Then, she tries to push Aidan away, but he is enthralled with Caroline. Everything goes south.
This is a well crafted thriller, but since I read so many, I was pretty sure what was going to happen, and I was right. Since it was so predictable for me, I can only give it 3 stars.
#AStrangerOnTheBeach #MicheleCampbell #NetGalley

Caroline seemingly has it all. A great husband, kids, dream job, and a brand new beach house to top it all off. She wants to show off her perfect life and perfect family. But....it's all a facade. Underneath everything, Caroline and her life are a hot mess. So, she has a fling to make herself feel better. But unfortunately a one night stand that means nothing to her means so much more to the bartender she uses for gratification. But not everything is as it seems...

This is the kind of book where it is perfectly ok to absolutely hate all of the characters. I enjoyed hating every single one of them. That very fact sucked me right into the story....it was like driving by an accident scene. You don't want to slow down and look....but you can't help it. I didn't want to feverishly read about these people's demented lives....but I couldn't stop myself. What a ride.....great story!

I couldn't put this book down. Suspenseful. Twisted. Unputdownable. Loved it! I stayed up until 2 am because I had to finish this story. I love it when a suspense novel has me thinking "Oh my God....how F'd up are these people!'' the entire time. This is the first book by Michele Campbell that I've read....and I'm definitely reading her other two books, It's Always the Husband and She Was the Quiet One. A Stranger on the Beach was so stalkerishly creepy and twisted that I can't wait to find out what other demented creepiness this author has in store for me! She also has a new book coming out in 2020, The Wife Who Knew Too Much.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

I enjoyed this thriller by Campbell, but it wasn’t on par with her other books in my opinion. While it kept me guessing, some was a bit far fetched, even for a thriller.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. A great summer read, full of drama and this book kept me guessing to the end!

I was given an early copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you St. Martin’s Press!

I started out thinking this was the perfect summer mindless read. The back and forth chapter point of view between the “heroine” and the “stalker” was a little confusing as the POV tales did not match up but I suppose that is expected. It was hard to completely like one character and dislike the other especially with the different stories that were being spun. When the tale comes to a head and action finally states to happen the complications really build up—this is when I really began to appreciate the author’s skill at weaving a tale with a great “hook”. Stick with #astrangeronthebeach to the end and you’ll be glad you did. Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t put this book down. From the very first page to the last I was hooked. Quick paced thriller with a surprising ending. A great beach read!

Wow! This book was so creepy and engrossing that I could not put it down! The varying perspectives had me wondering which characters I could actually trust. Overall, I loved this book!

This book read more like a daytime soap than a mystery/thriller. Some of the dialogue between the characters were over-the-top dramatic. Perhaps this is what the desired effect was suppose to be. Especially when dealing with the *SPOILER* Russian mob. People weren't making the smartest decisions, which is understandable because if they did think things through, things probably would not have ended up where it did. Characters were not relatable or likeable and I was overall disappointed with this novel. It was a rather quick read, however.