Is this the perfect strangers turned lovers? Or the perfect manipulation?

This story is told from two opposing POVs - Caroline and Aidan. Caroline Stark is the rich, gorgeous blonde bombshell who appears to have it all: husband, daughter, NYC apartment, million dollar beach house and all the money in the world to spend spicing it all up. Aidan Callahan is the local boy who doesn't have a dime to his name and a shady past. These characters paths cross when unexpected turn of events leaves Caroline on the brink of nothing, but Aidan is there to help pick up the pieces.

This book had me frazzled for DAYS. One chapter I was thinking one thing. The very next I was thinking the exact opposite. It wasn't until the very end that I caught on to whodunit or should I say who didn't..

Well played Michele... Well played.

Thank you for the ARC copy NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for honest review!

This was a great read. The back and forth of the character chapters kept me reading till I couldn’t put it down. Was he crazy, was she ! Who’s telling the truth? It wasn’t till 75% into this book that I finally got it..was I right with my theory ? A 5 star rating from me and a definite referral to my book club.
Thanks to a Netgalley, St, Martins publishing and Michelle Campbell for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Loved it !
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This book was the perfect combination of psychological thriller and "whodunit?" The author tells the story from two perspectives: Aidan, a twenty-seven year old man who falls head over heels with a married woman after a one night stand and Caroline: a forty-two year old married woman whose marriage is falling apart and suspects that Aidan is stalking her after their brief sexual encounter. The readers are taking on the journey of hearing both characters recount memories differently from the other, which will leave readers constantly wondering who could be the true culprit when both are accused of murdering someone. Although I caught onto a part of the storyline towards the end, it still didn't prepare me for what I would discover!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.


Caroline is at her beach house when she notices the guy standing on the beach just staring at her house. Little does she know that everything is about to go horribly wrong with her life. He talks her when she is running on the beach and introduces himself. Later, without realizing it he as the house when she that party. The party when the Russian woman shows up and everyone knows that her marriage is over.


So Caroline is more than shocked when she runs into him at the bar and he acts like he knows her, but the next time she goes to the bar in complete shock after she finds out Jason took all of their money she gets wildly drunk and goes home with him.


I am not going to say anything else and I am so frustrated because I have so much to say, but the twists would be spoiled. So I can't even mention how mind blown or the other things I want to say because they could give away what happens. I loved this book, I read it all in one sitting. I could not put it down. Totally shocked by the ending. In a good way. This will keep you guessing, just when you think you have it all figured out then something is revealed and you have to think again.

As far as thrillers go, A Stranger on the Beach has many elements that will keep readers engaged. Stalking, extramarital affairs, money laundering and unreliable characters fill the pages with suspense.

The story begins with a woman named Caroline who has just moved into her new beach dream house. It’s not all wonderful for her, as we soon find out she and her husband are going through a rough patch in their marriage.

In a weak moment, Caroline enters a bar and encounters a man named Aiden Callahan that she has seen on the beach in front of her house. They strike up a conversation which sets in motion the nightmare that Caroline will soon be living.

Readers are privy to both Caroline’s and Aiden’s point of view. It soon becomes apparent that one, or maybe both of them, are unreliable. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on in the story and I think other readers that love mystery thrillers will as well. This was a very satisfying read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

A fascinating read! At first I was put off by what I felt was a coarse type of writing, but the more I read the more I realized the writing fit the story and was just right to set the tone and atmospher. I didn't like the main characters, Caroline and Aiden, but they are the kind you love to hate. The narration switches back and forth between Caroline and Aiden, but they are both unreliable narrators and you will only think you know what's really happening. I really liked the back and forth getting two differnt views of what was happening - almost like two different stories. I read this book quickly because I couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

Thanks to Michele Campbell and St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This was the first novel I’ve read by Michele Campbell. The writing and story hooked me right away. It’s told through alternating chapters of the two main characters, Caroline and Aiden, and develops into a twisty and can’t-put-down plot that keeps you turning the pages. The middle was a bit slow and I was a little frustrated with the Aiden character and get the writing was a little outlandish, but I really wanted to see where the story went. I’m so glad I kept reading, the twist ending was well worth it. This would be a great beach read since it’s fast paced and has some beach settings.

I enjoyed Campbell's last book, "She Was The Quiet One", and the write up for this one got me really excited, especially since reviews were pretty good for it, But then I started reading it, and...it definitely wasn't what I was hoping for. It was basically "Body Heat"...but poorly written, sadly.

First of all, I didn't like any of the characters. Not only were they one note, but because Campbell decided to play this like "The Affair", you never knew which side of the story to latch onto, until it became painfully obvious where the story was going. That, coupled with the tropes we've read and seen many times before, had me figure out all of the twists way before they began to happen. It also didn't help that none of these characters actually sounded their ages and came across like teenagers and people in their early 20s who don't know any better. Not to mention, they all go around making boneheaded decisions that make you want to wince and roll your eyes all at once.

The repetition of the dialogue was the other maddening thing. I could skim whole pages and not miss a thing, because it was either a rehash of things that came before, or it was just them repeating questions and answers like this way too often:

"Why can't you meet me tonight?"
"Because it's not safe."
"But why can't you? Why is it not safe?"
"It just isn't, okay?"
"I guess. But I just don't know why we can't meet anyway!"
"Because..."

I think that helped pad the page count, honestly. Because this book felt way longer than it had any business being.

The only reason I'm giving this two stars is because I wanted to see how it would all pan out in the end, hoping for a big twist or better payoff. Unfortunately...it never came.

Wow! Fabulous book from beginning to end. I was totally drawn in from the beginning and this one never let go. There were so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming that I was kept guessing right to the very end.

Two different stories are told about the same situation. How do you know who’s telling the truth? How do you read the evidence? You have to follow the story to the end to find out what really happened.

This is a perfect twisty summer thriller. I love an unreliable narrator and I really enjoyed getting two versions of the same events and not knowing which was the truth. It kept me fully engaged and curious the whole time. I thought I had the ending figured out but it still managed to throw a few surprises at me. All in all a very fun and entertaining read

HOLY S#@T!!!! What a read!!!

I read <a href="http://cmashlovestoread.com/2018/11/20/review-its-always-the-husband-by-michele-campbell/">IT'S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND</a> and became a fan of Ms. Campbell with that book. And after reading this book, can't wait to read SHE WAS THE QUIET ONE, which is in my pile of TBRs. Ms. Campbell is now on my "authors to read" list and should be on your's too.

While running on the beach in front of her new beachfront home in the Hamptons, Caroline Stark comes upon a young man staring at her house. Thinking he may be a burglar, she stops to ask who and what he is doing. His name is Aidan Callahan and this isn't the first time that he has been there. He often stops to look at what used to be his grandfather's land but the house that he knew is now an extraordinary dwelling.

Not long after this meeting, Aidan was hired by a caterer to bartend at an exclusive party that Caroline has planned. But things aren't festive. Caroline's husband shows up with a Russian woman and everyone is talking. Is her marriage over?

After the humiliation, Caroline goes to a local bar where Aidan works and after too many drinks, Caroline and Aidan end up at her house and a one night stand happens. However, Aidan thinks it more than that, he is in love. A love that becomes obsessive. To the point of murder?

The premise of the story was absolutely brilliant!! The narrative chilling as the reader sees the different perspectives of events as told by Aidan, Caroline, and her family.

You will be holding your breath one minute, gasping for air the next and finally picking your jaw off the floor!!!

A white knuckle read that was hard to put down!! A story that will stay with you long after you read the last word.

An exceptional Psychological Thriller. Pick up your copy asap but be prepared that you will need to read this one in one sitting!!!!

Posted to GR 07/07/19: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2695304835
Will be posted to my blog 07/23/19: http://cmashlovestoread.com/?p=20786

I absolutely loved Michele Campbell's, A Stranger on the Beach! It is the perfect summer thriller. The story is well-paced, providing detail without diluting the plot. Meet Caroline, a 43 year-old upscale weekender, who sees her marriage, financial security, and social status slipping away in the blink of an eye. Enter Aidan, the young, handsome, misunderstood townie just looking for a chance to turn his life around. When it comes to these two, perception is reality. The author flawlessly narrates the story from each of their perspectives. We quickly see a disconnect in how they perceive their interactions. A one-night-stand or a relationship?A guardian or a stalker? Be careful, things are not all that they seem......

If you are looking for a fast-paced beach read to keep you guessing, I highly recommend A Stranger on the Beach!

I've been a fan of Campbell's ever since I read She Was the Quiet One. I was a big fan of Stranger, too. I think I was around the 40% mark when I sat up and actually vocalized "okay. What the hell is going on here?" I kept having to consciously slow myself down, because I was skipping ahead on the page in an effort to find out exactly WHAT was happening and WHO I could trust. And when that ending came?! Holy CRAP I was not expecting that. 4.5 stars, and I HIGHLY recommend it.

*** 4 Stars ***
Publication Date: July 23, 2019

Caroline seems to have everything going for her; money, loving husband and family, and just purchased a beach home for parties and vacation time. That is until she meets Aiden, a bartender at her first party, the same party that her husband shows up late to with another woman. From here, Caroline's world spirals. Her husband is leaving her for another woman and Aiden is stalking her and her family; and things continue to go from bad to worse. This story was told at times from alternating point of views of Aiden and Caroline. It was definitely suspenseful and a fast paced read. I found the story line and the twist very enjoyable but the reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I didn't find myself relating to any of the characters. I was never rooting for anyone, which held me back from being fully immersed in the story, one of my requirements for a 5 star rating. Nevertheless, I do recommend this as a great summer read!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Caroline and her husband Jason seem to have the perfect marriage...until they don't. During a public fight during a party at their home, Caroline suspects that her husband is not being faithful to her, so she goes on a mission to find out what exactly is going on. She turns to Aidan, the bartender that helped at her party and who works in a local bar, to not only comfort her, but to also help her seek revenge on her husband.

This book was very suspenseful and kept me on my toes. It was also confusing at times because Caroline would tell her story, and then Aidan, and they had very different perspectives.

There were a couple of twists and turns that you don't see coming. I recommend to anyone looking for a quick and suspenseful read.

I received an ARC of A Stranger on the Beach in exchange for an honest review. The book grabbed my attention from the beginning and I knew it was one I was not going to have trouble reading. The book is told from the point of view of the two main characters, Caroline and Aidan. However, you quickly discover that their versions of the story vary. You are kept guessing as to who is actually telling the truth. Towards the end of the book, I had figured out what was going on, however there were still details I had not figured out. Perfect psychological thriller beach read!

My favorite thing about this book (and something I haven’t seen done very often) was the author’s choice to use dueling perspectives. In one chapter, Caroline describes her interaction with Aidan, and in the next chapter, Aidan describes the same interaction differently. Like, COMPLETELY differently! It was fun trying to figure out which character was telling the truth or if the real truth was somewhere in the middle. The twist at the end was a tad predictable (although I could’ve just as easily been wrong) but, overall, the story kept me entertained and turning pages well into the night. Another great, suspenseful read by by Michele Campbell! Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I started off really confused when I was reading this one. I wasn’t really sure what was happening and didn’t know if I was enjoying it. However I was still intrigued and wanted to keep reading. I liked the two different points of view and really liked the characters. So many secrets and twists in one book. I was continuously surprised and didn’t want to stop reading. The ending completely shocked me and turned this from 3 stars into 4. The writing in this book is incredible and I didn’t have any idea what was going to happen next. This is the first book I’ve read by Michele Campbell and I will definitely be reading her others! The storyline is really good and well written, and it kept me interested the whole way through. A great read and definitely worth checking out!

From the outside, it looks like Caroline has it all. The perfect husband, daughter, and now lake house. Her husband says he won't make it to her housewarming party for their new lake house, so she decides to dig a little deeper. He isn't where he says he is, and then he comes to her party with another woman. When he says he wants a divorce and takes all her money, Caroline confides in Aiden, a "townie" whose grandfather used to own the land she now lives on. Their one night stands turns into stalking from Aiden... or does it?

I was torn back and forth throughout the whole book trying to decide who was telling the truth -- Caroline or Aiden. I loved that I couldn't tell, and I could not put the book down! I felt like the end was kind of rushed, and I felt like there were some loose ends left. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review!

If you are looking to read a crazy, psychological thriller that completely messes with your mind, look no further.

Caroline and her husband, Jason, are moving into a beautiful house on the beach, On the night of the housewarming party, Jason shows up with another woman. Convinced he is having an affair, Caroline begins to spiral. Aidan, a local bartender, is there to pick up the pieces for Caroline on a night when she drinks just a little too much and he decides he wants to continue to help her.

In alternating chapters, Caroline and Aidan both share their version of the events as they unfold. But their recollection of the events are vastly different leaving the reader to guess who is being truthful. Campbell takes the reader on a journey that makes it hard to stop reading because you have to know how it ends!