Oh my gosh! I whipped through this crazy well crafted thriller! Interesting flawed characters drive an intrinsically twisted plot. So many red herrings! The main characters, the mother in law you love to hate, the harried, single mom whose ex is just a phone call away and the wonderfully batty neighbor! And that ending!? Trust me, get your hands on this book and follow me down the rabbit hole!

Amber and Nick (with 2 sons) divorce. Barb, Nick's mother, hangs around the house more than a
lot to see her only grandchildren. She is the driving force behind Amber's idea to move hours away.

What is the LIE that started "all this"? The Prologue keeps the reader glued to the book hanging on to see what "lie" is so important - and whose lie it is...

Amber and Nick will split the proceeds from the sale of the house. But it is not selling...

It is then that Amber's real estate agent suggests an open house...

Splendid!

Many Thanks to AVON books, UK and NetGalley for this great read!

Amber and her husband are recently separated and trying to sell their house. Despite it being in a desirable location, nobody seems to be interested. Amber can't figure out why and seems to think her meddling soon-to-be-ex mother-in-law may have something to do with it. When an open house is suggested, Amber is hesitant but decides to go along with it. Unfortunately, that could be a fatal mistake because not everybody who came to the open house left.

There were a lot of twists and turns in this book for sure, but it never really pulled me in. Maybe it's because I didn't care for the characters? Maybe it's because the plot wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be? I can't really put my finger on it, but I just couldn't properly engage in this book. I also found the twists to be for shock value more than to carry the plot. This is particularly true of the final twist. It was meant to be one last gut-punch, but it lacked impact and was unnecessary.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book quickly because it was such a page turner, but the ending just ruined the reading high I was on. It had a twist, and then another twist and then the whole thing just went off the rails and became annoying and maddening. The character we'd gotten to know did something, for lack of a better phrase, out of character and that brought the whole book down in my opinion. Oh well, I enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

Started strong and easy to read. The characters never really developed for me. Interesting storyline — the premise is intriguing. The end feels rushed and like too many things are being thrown in at once.

This was a fun mystery/thriller filled with lots of twists and turns.. I could not put this book down. It's one of those where you just have to know the ending. Definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I like the premise of the book and as the storyline progresses there is some tension and suspense especially in the second half. It is an easy read and entertaining in places.

I did find the beginning of the book slow to start in the first half but stuck with it & was pleasently surprised. Would definitely recommend to others.

Woah. Woah. WOAH. That is the only one I can think of to sum up my feelings about this book.

This book is personally all I feel as though I could ask for in a thriller. The cover is amazing. The description is amazing and was I hooked from the very start? Yes, I was!

Amber has put her house up for sale after splitting up from her husband, Nick and is planning to move her and their two sons away so she could live with her new boyfriend, Richard. But, for some reason, the house isn't selling and Amber has an idea as to why this may be. Then one day, her estate agent sets up an open house event to Amber witnesses 13 people show up, but only 12 leave her house.

I love books that alternate between POV's. This book alternates between Amber's and her mother-in-law, Barb and also the occasional appearance of an unknown third party.

This book was fast paced, gripping, entertaining, dramatic and just all round amazing. I would like to say that I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen at the end but in reality, I had no idea. Which I think is the sign of a good thriller, right?

This isn't the first Sam Carrington book I have read and it most definitely will not be the last. Well done on another amazing read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is creepy creepy creepy!
The plot is utterly brilliant and all emulating from a very simple everyday occurrence. It’ll definitely have you looking over your shoulder.

After splitting up with her husband, Amber is anxious to sell her house and move on with her life. Despite the house’s great location, there has been little interest. When her estate agent suggests an open house, she reluctantly agrees. But that afternoon, 13 people enter her house, but only 12 leave… what follows is a series of strange and suspenseful events. Who is the thirteenth viewer? And who can Amber trust? One by one she begins to doubt those around her.. her ex-husband, her stubborn mother-in-law, her new boyfriend, and her nosy neighbor are all hiding something

The premise of this book instantly had me hooked and kept me intrigued throughout the story. The characters were realistic, and there were a few subplots that came together in a satisfying way by the end. The ending was packed full of twists and turns, and I found myself saying “wait, what??” more times than I can count (in a good way!). As soon as you think you’ve figured out what’s going on, something else comes to light that changes everything. This one will really keep you guessing until the last sentence!

4.5 stars

This book started really well. The plot description pulled me in and I was gripped for the first quarter of it.
The story was narrated by various characters, one of whom was anonymous. After a while, I found Barb, the mother in law, quite annoying. The action did not progress as fast or be as eventful as I would have liked. I know it was titled “The Open House” so maybe I am being unrealistic in hoping for more. However, I found the main characters for the most part unpleasant or unlikeable and the ending was disappointing.
I fully expected to love this book, but sadly I didn’t. However, I am sure many people will love it. It just was not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for the free copy of this book. Sam Carrington is one of my absolute favorite authors. I was so happy to get this book and excited to start reading the story. The first part of the book is a little slow but still entertaining. It kept me interested and curious to see what was going on with Amber's house. Was somebody deliberately trying to stop the sale of the house? If yes, then why? Very interesting premise and as always never disappointing narration style.

Amber Miller has separated from her husband Nick and has met Richard and wishes to move in with him. So, their house goes up for sale but after little interest the estate agent suggests and Open House viewing. From then on her life derails and some unnerving things happen .... The story is told by Amber and her mother in law Barb.

First of all, I like the premise of the book and as the storyline progresses there is some tension and suspense especially in the second half. It is an easy read and entertaining in places. There are some characters that are very easy to picture however, there are far too many to get your head around. I can’t say I warm to either Amber and especially to Barb who is a more than annoying mother in law, in fact she definitely has a dark side and I wouldn’t wish to cross her!! Amber gives us a lot of unnecessary information which gets on your nerves and interrupts the flow of the story. The pace is not quick enough, the plot becomes too busy and I can’t say I especially like the style of writing although that is obviously a personal preference. The end is not very good, it falls flat and the author takes massive jumps to get us there. Some things are unresolved and leave you with questions.

Overall, a mixed experience, there are some really good parts that I enjoy but others that are disappointing. I’m left feeling that there are opportunities that have been missed here as this should have been a cracking read.

With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the arc copy in return for an honest review.

My mind is blown. Literally!

"Thirteen people go inside. Only twelve leave." WHAT?! I was hooked by this before even starting the book and new it was going to be good.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters had me gripped throughout and I had n0 idea h0w it was going to turn out and not even the slightest idea of what was going to happen at the end. I definitely didn’t expect that ending, that’s for sure.

The book definitely creeped me out and did make me too scared to leave my room at one point. A thriller where children come out with really creepy stuff definitely turns me into a bit of a wuss but I think that’s what makes it a good thriller. Especially reading it during October, a creepy read was needed on the run up to Halloween.

One thing I know for sure I will never be doing after reading this book is.... never putting my house through and Open House event if it ever goes on the market. NO CHANCE.

I do wish that the ending had a little bit more to it, as the rest of the book was so gripping and made me wanted to read more and the ending didn’t really do that for me after finding out the twist. This knocks a star off from me, however I recommend this book so much.

I very much enjoyed the twist at the end of this book, but sadly I was bored through the rest of it.

I wish there was some more action or more suspenseful things that happened. The plot seemed to move along but there are so many unanswered questions left.

I unfortunately really couldn't form an emotion connection with the characters, their wasn't much depth to them. So I didn't really care what happened to them.

Overall, it was a thriller with a good twist at the end! I just wish getting there had a little more oomph.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher and Sam Carrington for an advance copy of this book.

Great start, but give me more! I read a lot of thrillers. I recently read Anxious People and wanted another mystery in an open house! I really enjoyed where it was going but wanted more at the end! I think this was a really good read that kept me interested but could have been great! Great premise and I am excited to see more from Sam Carrington! Thank you so much!

I really enjoyed this book all the way through. It had a really good plot, great main characters and really keeps you hooked on the plot. I would highly recommend this book.

Well, well; this has been the hardest review it seems, that I will ever write. I was so drawn into the book and loved all its mini bombs of twists, but then the ending came along, and suddenly the rating that built up in my mind dropped.
The settings seem to be pretty simple, to begin with. I mean what could go wrong with a house sale, right? Writer Sam Carrington is spot on with building the tension slowly.
As the story progresses, so does the gloom and threat to Amber and her two boys. It is quite the thriller with all the elements in it, except of course a gruesome murder; or is it?
Things actually got a pretty edge of the seat towards the end, quite literally. The flow of the writing had a lot to do with it. Changing the POVs at the exact right moments, parading the characters one by one at the exact right moment; these are the elements that breathed life into the story.
As it’s told at one point in the story in Amber’s voice; this is a story of unmasking. Yes, you read that right. In these days of unboxing, this one’s a tale of unmasking; the right ones at the right time.
And just when you relax that slouched over spine a bit and think, this is it; you’d be given one last head spin.
But I have to warn you, it’s a totally crazy ending. The ending also seemed quite rushed and a bit out of the story. I couldn’t put my head on it and it was a lot to sink in. The way she built Amber’s character up, somehow that decision she took in the end doesn’t add up.
All that being said, it will be difficult for me to provide a “pick it up” or “shove it down”. I don’t want you to miss out on a great thriller, at the same time; I don’t know how you’d react to the ending. So, I’d let you be the judge of this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of The Open House from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Great novel! If I’m honest, this one stressed me out a little! Revealed family secrets quite a stir for immediate relatives. I was worried for Amber, who was seemingly being attacked from every angle: her ex-husband, her ex-mother-in-law, her neighbors—even her realtor! The creepy events in her home gave me goosebumps worrying about an intruder in her home as she and her children slept! Well written, with a great storyline--well worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This story follows our main character Amber Miller as she tries to sell her home after separating from her husband, eager to start a new life with her new boyfriend and her children. She decides to have an Open House and watches to see how many people show up. 13 go in but only 12 come out. Soon things start getting a little odd in the home and Amber is faced with some serious dark family secrets.

This book was super intriguing and had me engrossed from the very beginning. That could be due to the very short chapters, or the fact that Sam Carrington's writing is excellent at immersing you into the story. I felt like I was witnessing all these events happening with my own eyes because of Carrington's writing. I also enjoyed the different POV's that we go through including Amber's, Barb (her crazy mother-in-law, and an unknown source). I still am not sure if I am confident on my identification of who the unknown narrator was.

The ending was NOT what I expected at all. I knew that there was some shady stuff going on with Barb and another character, but my mind never guessed what ended up playing out. It had me sitting there with my jaw dropped as far as it would go saying "what the f...?" in a good way.

My biggest issue is that Amber was so naïve at times that it was painful to read. The way that she wholly trusts and loves this new man that she met on online, and is so quick to move away from him made me pretty uneasy. It later made sense as to why she was like that, but I can't give away any spoilers! Barb was ATROCIOUS. She was the literal definition of a psychotic mother-in-law. My god. I mean, I guess it makes sense at the end why she is the way she is but wow. I really did not like her one bit. Nick was a bit of doofus but aren't all men? LOL just kidding...sort of.

I will definitely be looking to pick up more of Carrington's literary masterpieces in the future!