There is something about the way that Harding writes that just grabs me from the get go. It is so compulsively readable. This one is set on a small island with a few main players and told from different POVs. Basically what happens when a drug induced evening ends up with a spouse swap? Then throw in a sulky jealous teenager and complications galore. I devoured this one and highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC🖤

Song/s the book brought to mind: Addicted by Kelly Clarkson

I finally read a Robyn Harding book guys!! And I loved every minute of it! The Swap was addictive, incredibly quick, and I found the ending to be very satisfying.

If you are into books about toxic relationships and obsession then this is the book for you. I know I have said this about other books, but it definitely applies to The Swap, it was like watching a wreck and not being able to look away. It is full of drama, manipulation, and lies, and you just can't put it down until you see how this ride will end. I didn't find any of the characters to be all that likable although Jamie did come close for me, and I felt bad for Freya's husband Max at times. Low as a wreck in herself, and so many disturbing things are thought by that girl.

I was really impressed by the fast pace of the novel and that made it even harder for me to put down. I managed to speed through The Swap in just a few short hours so this is definitely a one sitting, binge-worthy read. I loved Harding's writing style and I am going to have to stop putting off reading her backlist. The only reason I didn't give this all the stars is because the end didn't really surprise me all that much, although I did let out a slight gasp at one point.

I think that The Swap would make a lovely book to go into blindly so I will stop my review here. Just know, if you are a fan of Harding or even someone just looking for a fast read, I highly recommend this to you!

Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A lonely teenager becomes obsessed with a beautiful newcomer Freya who moves to her island--not wanting to share her "friend" with anyone. Meanwhile, Freya tricks another couple into a sexual swap with her and her husband. Interesting premise of a woman and a teen--both sociopathic in their own way--manipulating each other. A fast read for sure but the events seemed contrived and especially the night of the swap.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I love the plot twists in this novel. It was very hard to put down. I love the ending.

the center of it all.

Low Morrison is not your average teen. You could blame her hippie parents or her looming height or her dreary, isolated hometown on an island in the Pacific Northwest. But whatever the reason, Low just doesn’t fit in—and neither does Freya, ethereal beauty and once-famous social media influencer who now owns the local pottery studio.

After signing up for a class, Low quickly falls under Freya’s spell. And Freya, buoyed by Low’s adoration, is compelled to share her darkest secrets and deepest desires. Finally, both feel a sense of belonging...that is until Jamie walks through the studio door. Desperate for a baby, she and her husband have moved to the island hoping that the healthy environment will result in a pregnancy. Freya and Jamie become fast friends, as do their husbands, leaving Low alone once again.

Then one night, after a boozy dinner party, Freya suggests swapping partners. It should have been a harmless fling between consenting adults, one night of debauchery that they would put behind them, but instead, it upends their lives. And provides Low the perfect opportunity to unleash her growing resentment.

Robyn Harding brings her acclaimed storytelling, lauded as “fast-paced, thrilling, gut-wrenching” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six, to this dark and suspenseful thriller for fans of Megan Miranda and Lisa Jewell.


I wanted to like this.BUT, it was all over the place. Hard to keep up with all that was going on. I finally finished , but felt like I just took a week to read something .

I really tried to like this book but felt it was just all over the place. I could not finish it. It just lost me and the plot was not interesting to me.

What an intense and gripping read!

This book features polygamy, abusive relationships, obsession, and marriage issues. Some parts are pretty heavy and difficult to read due to Freya’s personality - pretentious and extremely manipulative.
Freya and Max are the perfect gorgeous couple that everyone envies. But they’re only like that on the outside. Freya used to be a famous influencer who had to step back from social media because her husband accidently ran over a young man with his car. The internet revolted against them and they had to move to a small island and start over. But Freya is used to a glamorous life and she hates Max for taking her luxurious life away from her.

She starts teaching pottery in her small studio and she meets Low, a seventeen-year-old who has no friends and was raised in a polygamist environment. Low becomes completely obsessed with Freya’s beauty and bubbly personality. Freya seems to understand her; she always says the right things and Low is determined to do anything to be in Freya’s life. So Low freaks out when she finds out that Freya has another friend - Jamie.
Jamie and Brian are married and they’re having trouble getting pregnant. Freya suggests a couple’s night to relax in her house and after having mushroom tea, Freya and Jamie sleep with each other’s husbands. From then on their lives turn into a living hell.

This is such a fast-paced story that it’s impossible to put down. I was enraged because of Freya’s attitude but I was mesmerized by how manipulative and mean she could be, especially towards Low who was so naive and nice to her.

I admit that some events were pretty predictable but that didn’t change my experience reading it. I highly recommend it!

A tense, dark, twisty story of a crush becoming an obsession. Of one night changing the lives of two couples and a teenager. Of jealousy, rivalry, twisted truths, and self absorbed characters who all vie for the attention of one woman. Of a manipulative woman who plays them against each other. That is what’s at the center of this well crafted psychological thriller.

Beautiful, charming artisan Freya Light drifts into a sleepy Washington State hippy island community where free love and unconventionality reign. She and her famous husband are trying to escape from a horrific event on the mainland. A new-to-the-island woman and a manipulative teen girl, both longing for friendship, are seduced by Freya’s charm and are instantly drawn into her world. These women become immediately intoxicated, to the point of obsession and jealousy, as they fight their way to become the sole focus of Freya’s attention.

One night of hedonism, combined with hurt feelings, ends with these characters worlds turned upside down.
As they continue to vie for Freya’s attention, while coming to grips with what happened that night, they continue to do whatever it takes to bask in Freya’s graces. Until a revelation from that night shatters their worlds completely.

From the first paragraph, you can feel the tension flowing through the book. As the reader dives in further, the manipulation, scheming, and descent into obsession are palpable. And it all culminates in an unexpected way. This novel explores how we see ourselves. How the desperation of being lonely, craving friendship, and not wanting to be left out draws us into doing things we wouldn’t do. And it shows us the sinister path that being obsessed with someone can take.

This is definitely the perfect summer read. It will grab hold of you, suck you right in, and keep you captive to the very end.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this!

Shifting perspectives weave throughout a story of manipulation, obsession and violence in Robyn Harding’s latest novel, The Swap. Low (short for Swallow) is an awkward young woman whose upbringing in a nontraditional family has alienated her from her small island community. Dissociated from her own sexuality and identity, she latches on to a local artist offering pottery classes. Freya is dangerously captivating but mercurial, and Low becomes increasingly desperate to monopolize her mentor’s attention. She is intensely jealous of anyone else in Freya’s orbit, and terrified that she will be abandoned by this fascinating person who finally shows her the respect and affection she craves. Low is so besotted that she becomes a stalker whose every moment is spent trying to infiltrate Freya’s life. Jamie is Freya’s best friend and Low considers her the primary threat to their relationship. Jamie is also vulnerable to Freya’s charms. Her deep insecurity and low self-esteem combine with infertility struggles and a stressed marriage. Freya seems to enjoy the competition between her admirers and leverages her power to get them to succumb to her whims. It certainly seems that Freya’s ability to attract followers is endless. Max, Freya’s former-athlete husband, who is recovering from a career-ending scandal seems subordinated to his wife. Brian, Jamie’s husband whose own artistic efforts have stagnated also succumbs easily to Freya’s extraordinary charms. As testament to her control over the other characters, Freya easily orchestrates a partner swap one fateful night with Jamie and Brian. The rest of the novel addresses the impact this exercise in infidelity has on all the players involved. The Swap is an interesting study in obsession and self-punishment, but often stretches credibility and veers into over-wrought emotion. Freya’s point-of-view is the least represented and the plot relies upon the reader’s acceptance of her ability to hypnotize others. Since she is underdeveloped and inscrutable, it becomes difficult to understand why the other characters are blind to her many faults erratic behavior. Harding keeps the tension tight, however, and fans will enjoy this page-turner if they are seeking a thriller that is engaging but not profound.

Thanks to the author, Scout Press/Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I immediately fell in love with Robyn Harding's writing style when I read The Arrangement last year. I jumped at the chance to read an early review of The Swap and was not disappointed. OMG, this book was fantastic! I alternated hating, pitying, and cheering on Low, one of the main characters. This story was so messed up in the most delicious way that I had trouble putting it down. I highly recommend this novel to fans of dark women's fiction, psychological suspense, and thriller.

This was the first book I’ve read by Robyn Harding and it did not disappoint. Every single person was absolutely crazy and I loved it. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for this digital ARC.

I loved that every character was unique and crazy in their own way. The story surrounds Low, a high school senior who meets Freya, a rich and famous influencer who moves to her hometown. Low quickly becomes obsessed with Freya, as Low comes from a hippie commune and Freya is a beautiful and talented outsider. Freya takes Low under her wing in her pottery studio, but Freya has some crazy undertones. When Freya meets Jamie, Low is mad Freya has another friend. Freya and Jamie, along with their husbands, have a crazy evening of magic mushrooms that Low ends up seeing, and things just spiral from there.

Something I enjoyed about this book was the bold writing. The obsession outlined in the book was so believable that it was scary. I felt for Freya, Low, and Jamie in different ways, and this book captured the twisted dynamic between them. Even Jamie and Freya’s husbands had their own unique story lines that kept the reader guessing. It was very easy to get into this book and it was a quick read. I didn’t like how unbelievable the ending was, and that there were a few rushed conclusions, but in the end I enjoyed this book. 4-stars!

The Swap was the perfect quarantine read! I flew this book, which alternated chapters between the main characters: a former influencer married to her former hockey star husband, a teenager who grew up raised by hippies, a local shop owner and her husband. There was great character development for this cast of five, who become intricately intertwined in each other's worlds when the local shop owner and her husband swap spouses for one crazy shroom-filled night with the influencer and her former hockey star husband. The rest of the story just gets wilder...

I found myself not able to choose a favorite character, which usually frustrates me, but I went back and forth between seeing the rationality in each character and thinking they were absolutely nuts at the same time. The alternating chapters told by each character made the story flew, and there genuinely wasn't one storyline that I liked better than the other, which is a huge plus. Four stars for sure!

I FUCKING LOVED THIS BOOK. It was wild, and at times you could FEEL the darkness just seeping off the page. I really enjoyed the way real life struggles [(like a friend struggling with infertility while her childless-by-choice friend gets pregnant) (hide spoiler)] and absolutely INSANE happenings that would only happen in a novel was super well done here and made sense.

Wow, I flew through this book. Great characters , which you loved and hated at the same time. The story had lots of twist and turns. Once I thought I had figured out what was happening another curve ball was thrown at me!

Another great book by Robyn Harding! Her books are never what I am expecting them to be when I start reading the first page, because there are always a few twists I never saw coming!

I cant say enough good things about this book! This is Robyn Harding’s absolute best. I did not think she could top her last novel, The Arrangement, but she did. She picks such juicy topics and weaves a fascinating tale which all ties together for a satisfying finish which makes you go, OH MY GAWD! I am a huge fan.

Please, make sure you set aside a good chunk of time to tear through this delicious tale as Harding ended each chapter with a hanger which kept you reading, just one more chapter, over and over till its complete.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for sending me an ARC of, The Swap, in exchange for my honest review.

The Swap is the latest story by Robyn Harding. The Swap is told from several different voice points and Ms Harding manages to insert them at just the right time. This story has different layers of obsession and shows us karma always finds a way. I want to thank Net Galley and Gallery Books for an early copy to review.

I hate to admit it but this book was hard to put down. The main character,Freya, was one the most narcissistic humans in the world. She has everyone sitting at her feet waiting for a crumb from her! That was the most difficult to believe for me. And yet, I still couldn’t put it down. The other characters were all so desperate for her attention, they couldn’t see beyond that. Freya’s husband Max, her 18 year old “friend” Low, her friend Jamie and husband Brian were beyond enthralled. Accept the b.s. and enjoy it for the entertainment value! Thanks to NetGalley and Ms. Harding for the opportunity to read and review this book!

A slow burn, riveting and unputdownable read! A remote island, Two couples equals a twisted and creeptastic tale. I read this in one sitting. I literally could NOT put it down. Harding ups her game with this book and it is not to be missed. Twisted, surprising and packs a punch. My favorite book of hers thus far. After her last two books she is a go-to author for me for sure! Bravo! I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for my ARC, which I received in exchange for my honest review. This is the second novel I have read by author Robyn Harding and I very much enjoy her fast-paced writing style. I finished this book in no time. Told from multiple points of view, The Swap is set on an island in the Pacific Northwest. The author does a great job of setting the scene and the remoteness of the island enhances the story as it seems that none of the characters can escape the questionable decisions they have made.

Low is an 18 year old high school outcast who was raised on the island in an unconventional polyamorous family. Her family is so caught up in their own lifestyle and the addition of a new baby that they seem unable or unwilling to notice the struggles of their eldest child until it's too late. Enter Freya Light., a bewitching and beautiful former social influencer who moves to the island with her husband Max. Max is a troubled and gorgeous former hockey player haunted by a fatal mistake from his past. Catching sight of Freya in the school hallway posting a bulletin offering pottery classes, Low becomes immediately obsessed with Freya. Readers will later learn that Freya is not Low's first obsession and based on Low's personality she is likely not going to be her last.

Low is not the only one obsessed with Freya however and this triggers a series of events which will have deadly consequences. Jamie and Brian are a happily married couple who desperately long for a child. Like Low, Jamie is immediately drawn to the enigmatic Freya. Desperate to please her new and worldly best friend Jamie agrees to a night of "shrooms and wine" with Freya and Max. What happens during that evening leads to the titular Swap as a drugged Jamie sleeps with Max while Brian gives in to the seductive Freya.

An unplanned pregnancy, secrets and lies build from that night. An unhinged Low, feeling jealous at being left out of the situation manipulates both couples in her attempt to regain her spot as Freya's best friend. Obsession and violence is a deadly combination and not everyone will survive this twisted game.

Freya Light is aptly named as everyone seems to be drawn to her like a moth to flame. Like all flames, Freya is deadly when you get too close. Of all the characters in the book she is the only one in my opinion that is completely unlikeable and irredeemable. Although Max, Jamie and Brian all make some questionable decisions I think they all have the best interests of the innocent baby at the center of their quadrangle at heart. Even the unhinged Low feels protective of the child. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out who would make it out of this situation alive and I won't spoil it for you. Suffice it to say, that no one emerges from this unscathed.

This book is due to be released in June and will make a perfect dark and sexy thriller to enjoy poolside! I highly recommend it!