Could it be that Amber Millar is losing it?!

She’s definitely juggling too many things at once: an ex-husband, two young boys, an obnoxious mother-in-law, her job, nosy neighbours, a new boyfriend and now she’s put the family home on the market. Unfortunately, there is little interest in the Apple Grove listing and so she allows the real estate agent to convince her that an open house would be a great idea. Wanting to check on her dodgy agent’s ability, she uses her doorbell phone app to watch prospective buyers arrive for the open house. She sees 13 people enter, but only 12 people exit? Wait. WHAT?!

What follows next is a nail-biting, heart-pounding ride of emotions as Amber questions her sanity and attempts to explain odd happenings around her home. You’ll be quickly flipping pages, desperately trying to make sense of the situation. One thing’s for certain – someone doesn’t want her selling the house! Is there someone hiding in her house? Why does Amber always feel like she’s being watched? You’ll have to read this absolutely fantastic book to find out! Watch out for it on December 10, 2020.

This is my first book by Sam Carrington, but it won’t be my last. I’ve added her to my list of go-to mystery novels as she knows the recipe for a perfect thrill. There is no doubt that her psychology degree and her subsequent career as an Offending Behaviour Facilitator in a prison contributed to the success of this book. Carrington’s characters were relatable, the storyline plausible and the red herrings and plot twists were timed perfectly. I absolutely loved Barb, the mother-in-law, and found myself snickering as I related to the dynamics.

Thank you to Sam Carrington, Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this fantastic gift of an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book for the most part, even though Amber is the most self-centered creature on the planet. (Bless her friends, who never once are like, "Wow, we're doing great, not that you ever ask!") But the denouement was a little too far-fetched for me.

This is a book that kept me up late into the night, flipping "just one more page" to try and figure out what was going on. Carrington writes in a way that feels inviting and easy to read, and created characters that I really enjoyed. With it's short and chilling chapters, the story had me hooked.

While reading, this book felt like a solid 4.5 stars -- but then I got to the ending. While the last few chapters are packed with twists galore, some of them felt rushed and a little jumbled. I was also confused by some of the choices Amber made in the final pages -- they felt out of character and unrealistic.

Despite some of my disappointment with the ending, I still really enjoyed how suspenseful the book was. I'm definitely looking forward to checking out more books by this author.

3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This book is so good at least 80% of the way in but that ending – eek. Took it from a 4.5 to a 2.5. I’m rounding down so you won’t be tempted

The Devon home has been a home for many years. Amber and Nick now have it with their two sons. When they decide to divorce, Amber is set on selling the family home. Her mother-in-law is set on sabotaging the sale anyway she can. In her mind the house hold memories both good and bad. She is determined that her grandchildren be raised in that home. She doesn't want it sold. If it's sold that means developers will come digging around. She most definitely doesn't want that.
A story of family dynamics, family secrets, betrayal, live and murder.
With a surprising ending!

The Open House, by Sam Carrington, is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time! I love a story that has an original plot, and this book has just that.

The main character, Amber, holds an open house after her house wasn’t attracting buyers. She has a doorbell camera and watches 13 people enter, but only 12 appear to leave. Following the open house, scary things begin to happen surrounding Amber.

This book has interesting characters, a great storyline, & an ending that had me completely shocked! I’ll be recommending this book to everyone!!

This book started out so great and mysterious. 12 people come into a open house and only 11 people come out - where did that extra person go? With a super creepy real estate agent and no one buying her house. What is going on? And then all these random plot lines come in and honestly it lost me and I couldn’t wait for the book to end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Avon Books UK, Sam Carrington, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amber and Nick Miller are getting a divorce. He has had an affair and she has moved on with someone else. As the book opens, we find Amber frustrated with her current realtor and that her house has not sold. She suspects it might be because there are builders behind her house building a new development. Her realtor, the shady Nick, has suggested an Open House. Amber is reluctant but agrees because she wants her house sold. She watches the entire open house on an app on her phone and realizes that 13 people have gone in and only 12 have gone out.

This is one of those books that I wanted to love. I was so excited to read and review it and in the first few chapters, I became excited at the possibilities. But then everything became so confusing. There were so many characters, some even superfluous. And then there were more characters being introduced later in the book and I, as the reader, was confused who they were, and how they fit into the story. I had to go back and read some pages to understand what I was missing. There is a big reveal at the end of the story that should have been a shocker but left me wanting more explanation.

Ms. Carrington had a lot of subplots. It definitely keeps the readers guessing. The writing is fast-paced and enjoyable but sometimes less is more and simple is better. This author is much loved and I would be happy to try another one of her books.

This was such a fun mystery! I really enjoyed the slow-burning tension throughout the beginning of the book, as Amber is sure someone from their recent open house is still lurking inside somehow. I was sure I had things figured out, that I had followed all the clues perfectly and knew what was going to happen. I was completely wrong. The last quarter or so really picks up speed and brought some twists I definitely did not see coming! 4/5 stars

This book started out so well and I dove in yesterday and devoured it.

I like my books with twists but this one had at least one too many and Amber makes more than a few decisions at the end that left me scratching my head...and one that pissed me off.

However, I loved the fresh premise, I loved Sam Carrington's writing style and I loved that she definitely managed to surprise me more than once.

I had fun reading this with Jayme!

Thank you to Avon UK for giving me a copy of this book. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.

3.5

I couldn’t resist the FRESH premise of this one!

Nick and Amber Wilson are divorcing and selling the family home, but despite the great location, it isn’t garnering much interest. Their real estate agent, Carl suggests the “dreaded” Open House.

Not thrilled with the idea of the neighbors snooping through her home, Amber agrees but is secretly watching from her SmartRing App. She counts 13 people entering her home.

But, only 12 leave.

How can this be?

I was completely captivated for the first 75% of the book!

But, I had a few suspicions on where this was going and I was so hoping that it wouldn’t go there.
It went there.

Although, I had guessed a couple of things it was impossible to guess all of the twists-which is a good thing-if you LOVE your psychological thrillers, super twisty and there is “NO SUCH THING” as too many twists for you!
If that is you, my friend, the author has a very engaging writing style.

I prefer my suspense a bit more plausible, AND I was so disappointed in a decision that Amber makes in the end, that the final rating dropped for me.

But, there is no denying that this one is entertaining!

Thank You to the publisher for providing a gifted copy, through NetGalley!
It was a pleasure to provide a candid review!

Available Dec. 10, 2020

📖 Book review 📖

The Open House by Sam Carrington.
Publish date 10th December 2020.

Thank you to Avon books U.K., @netgalley and @samcarringtonauthor for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked from the begining! I loved the different characters perspectives, especially the ‘anonymous character’.

I read this book in one setting, completely second guessing myself. Without giving any spoilers away, but certain situations come at complete surprises.

This is my second book by the other and I am looking forward to reading the others 😊 #netgalley #theopenhouse #samcarrington #bookreview #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #arc

I really liked the premise of The Open House. Thirteen potential buyers go in, twelve people leave. The tension over not knowing if someone is in your house is enough to make anyone cautious and maybe a little paranoid. Sadly, the book just didn't do it for me. I soon lost interest in the characters and their drama. There were twists and mysteries but not enough for me to love the book.

I found this book extremely slow at first, and almost didn't finish it. However, as I read on I realised that I was in fact enjoying it and wanted to know the outcome of the story.

It's written well, but it lacks detail in some areas which was a but disappointing. Overall, it's an entertaining read but I expected more.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this E-book to review via Netgalley.

I'm conflicted. One the one hand, this has great tension and is a really great story. But on the other, it took so long to build up to the twist... And then the ending went from 0-100 real quick.

I'm talking... in between chapters, the writer literally skipped a HUGE happening and just said "ok so this happened... moving on now". I hate spoilers in reviews, so I won't say more than that.

This could have been a solid 5 stars for me but some of the writing choices were just too inconsistent.

What a whirlwind story complete with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & would recommend it to others. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy.

3.5 stars rounded up for the entertainment factor.

What started as a slow burn marital/family drama carefully revealed itself to be a complex, oftentimes confusing, murder mystery with the added bonus of a mystery guest. Newly divorced Amber invites strangers into her home for an open house, observing thirteen people entering but only twelve leaving. When no such person can be found it seems their house is haunted. I was a little annoyed, as the blurb didn't allude to a supernatural element. However, that story line was seemingly abandoned and was only mentioned sparingly throughout the book. The real mystery was EVERYONE. Literally every character held a secret and after the slow start I was hooked to learn each and every one. There was definitely trouble on Wisteria Lane. Add in a thirty year old cold case and you have a pretty interesting mystery. I only have one question; what happened to Patrick?

Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for providing my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a page turner! This thriller is told in three points of view, Amber, her meddling mother-in-law, and an unknown person. Amber doesn't trust her realtor and spies on his open house. Thirteen people enter, twelve people leave. What's going on? There were many twists and turns and although I thought I guessed the ending I actually never saw it coming. Sam Carrington is a new author to me and I am already looking at her backlist for more. Thank you NetGalley for letting me enjoy this great book in return for an honest review.

The Open House was a fun new suspense novel! Told from the viewpoints of Amber, her soon-to-be ex-MIL, and an ominous, anonymous voice, this was the kind of novel that kept you guessing on the edge of your seat!
Amber has been waiting and waiting for her house to sell so she can move to be with her new boyfriend after a divorce. Her MIL, Barb, is determined for the house not to sell. Barb isn’t the only one! Family drama, community drama, murder and mystery keep you guessing until the very end.

I received this as an ARC from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review


Posted to Goodreads 10/3/20

The open house had me gripped trying to piece together the parts of the story to follow what was happening to Amber.
Its twisty storyline constantly lead me from one direction to another doubting each character in turn before revealing the truth.
The changing perspectives had me reading on until the early hours, switching at crucial moments keeping you in its clutches.
The way the reader is immersed in the families totally normal life makes this believable and true to life, whilst encouraging you to be invested in finding resolution and happiness for Amber.
Finished with a perfect twist this had me looking for Sam Carrington's previous novels as her as her clever writing style leaves you searching for the same type of thriller to follow this up.
Thank you to netgalley for the preview of this book.