I really enjoyed this book! It was my first Nina Laurin, and I'm definitely intrigued. The storyline was fast-paced, action-packed, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved how every so often a surprise "curveball" was thrown that kept me intrigued. The last chapter is just the icing on the cake. Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.

Scott and Cecelia have been selected to be testers and live a new type of home built by IntelTech. It has SmartHome technology which means it is totally automated and programmed to fit their individual needs. They even have microchips embedded in their body to coordinate everything for them. They have a 3-year-old daughter, Taryn, who can be difficult for Cecelia to handle at times as she throws a lot of temper tantrums.

One night when putting Taryn to bed, Cecelia looks out her window and notices what looks like someone outside taking pictures of the child through the window. This shakes her up because it brings back memories of something violent that happened in their previous home. This is another reason Cecelia relishes living in this new safe and secure home. But things start going wrong in this new house and when when the SmartHome technology starts calling her Lydia, she is really frightened. What is going on and why?

I really hate to give a DNF to a book so I kept on with this one trying to figure out what all this was about. Good grief. Sometimes you have to wonder if everyone is screwed up. I certainly felt that all of the characters were at least a bit nuts. This could almost be listed as a Sci-Fi genre. I found it wearying and can’t say that I would recommend it unless a reader had empty time on their hands. I am, however, giving the book 3 stars because the author certainly has a vivid imagination.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I have read other books by Nina Laurin in the past and enjoyed them, and I’ve seen a lot of media attention for this book coming out. In this world of ever increasing technology, the overarching presence and control of our technology can create and instill fear in many. And it was this fear that was developed and overtook Cecilia, to the point where she was afraid to stay in her own house. Which is entirely understandable considering her house fed her bleach at one point. The event that instigated her to move into this gated community is really the driving point behind this novel. The plot twist in this book was pretty good, though overall it was just so depressing. And gosh did I just hate Scott (Cecilia’s husband). I can’t blame Cecilia for what she did to be honest because Scott was just so shitty. And Jessica was a psycho. Overall I liked the book and the plot twist at the end upped the score for me a bit, I’d recommend giving it a try!

The new thriller by Nina Lauren will keep you on the edge of your seats and guessing till the very end.



From the book: "Well I'm happy to say you're exactly what we're looking for. A young, modern family. Modern values. Focused above all on self-fulfillment and deriving satisfaction from your life, experiences over possessions. This is exactly what SmartHomes are about. Experiences."



After being the victim of a home invasion where she killed the attacker, Cecilia and her husband Scott accept an offer to become test participants in a new home where the security is more than they could ask for. But this is no ordinary neighborhood. IntelTech has carefully vetted and preselected every person that inhabit the SmartHomes on their block. Each person has an identity chip that allows them to enter. Who wouldn't love living in a home that learned what kind of coffee you drink and prepared it at the exact time each day. Or how you like your toast. Where detecting your signature with a sensor laden handle, your shower knows what temperature and water pressure you prefer and adjusts for you.



But when the house begins to malfunction several months later Cecilia is annoyed and submits trouble reports. The coffee is wrong, the temperature of her bath burns her. Her daughters oatmeal burns her mouth. The music that is playing is not on her playlist. But when her AI calls her the wrong name, she begins to wonder who might have lived in the home before them and why would they leave?



This is a book with a very satisfying ending and while reading this I couldn't help but think what a great movie this would make. If you liked Passengers by John Marrs you will love A Woman Alone.



Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this advanced ebook. I will definitely be recommending this book for readers at my library.

Cecelia appreciates the security and comfort that her ultra smart home offers. It keeps her and her family on schedule, makes her coffee every morning and even cleans up after her. But things start to go wrong. A scalding bath, the wrong drink, and the home's artificial intelligence that calls her Lydia by mistake. Who was Lydia? And what happened to her? Perhaps an AI that can give you every convenience can also see all of your secrets. If you liked The Perfect Wife or The Turn of the Key this is for you. Reminiscent of Dean Koontz's Demon Seed, for a new generation. This kept me up until the wee hours of the morning.

I liked it once I understood what it’s about. A wife moves into a house of the future after a home invasion, in which “Saya” takes care of their every need in a neighborhood of similar houses ran by a corporation. One day the house starts to go crazy and she starts to suspect the house is trying to kill her and did kill who lived in the house before them though everyone swears they are the first residents. Soon you realize everyone in town has secrets and more is going on than previously thought.

Once I understood it’s a tech advanced neighborhood and everything I enjoyed it and the twist at the end!

A truly confusing novel! I was so wrapped around and twisted up, I had no idea what was going on! I had a hard time connecting with the characters, as they aren’t very likable. Throughout reading this I felt angsty and uncomfortable, and not in a good way. All of the questionable decisions irritated me and didn’t feel authentic. The plot was a bit over the top but the final truths were shocking and I was pleasantly surprised. 2.5⭐️ My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.