The Housewarming SE Lynes
I really enjoyed this book! I found myself up late wanting to finish this book to see what had happened.
The story is repetitive at times, but that added to the authenticity for me, if my child was missing, I would relive that day over and over trying to work out what happened to her.
I felt every emotion of this couple and loved every minute.

A very interesting read, quite gripping overall, but there were times I found my attention wandering. I have read a couple of books by this author and I look forward to reading more.

This was quite a good read but I did however think it was a bit drawn out at times. I found myself skimming through parts of it.

Regret, Fear, and Betrayal - the Perfect Recipe for a Great Psychological Thriller

If like me, you read a LOT of Psychological Thrillers, S.E. Lynes should not be a name that is alien to you. Over the last few years, I have devoured each and every one of her masterful thrillers. Never has this skilled author let me down. If you are looking for a psychological thriller that has an emotional edge, characters that feel like they could be your own next-door neighbours, and more importantly books that tackle day to day real situations, S.E Lynes should already be at the top of your 'must read' list.

Despite having read this authors entire back-catalogue, I am always blown away by just how quickly I am sucked into the world she creates on the page. The Housewarming is no different.

Lyne's latest work takes a mothers worst nightmare and plays it out on the page. What would happen if you took your eyes off your child, just for five minutes, while you 'popped upstairs' or 'checked your phone', only to return to find them missing? That is the situation that faces Ava in this latest heartbreaking novel.

Now, if, like me, you read a lot of thrillers, you may believe you are the very best at working out who the culprit is early on - I warn you now, it's not going to be as simple as that. This fabulous novel has more twists and turns than spaghetti junction (and I would expect nothing less), but for me, The Housewarming was not just about one mothers struggle with grief, or how a family rebuilds after a tragedy, but a conversation starter about how we should treat those around us. It's about friendship, trust, community... and a desperate need to return to the days when we looked out for each other.

If you are new to S.E. Lynes, there is one thing you should know. S.E. Lynes books are so much more than just 'thrillers'. They are emotionally charged, character-led explorations of the world. Astute observations of the society we live in, wrapped in a perfectly crafted suspenseful novel. Each and every one will leave you thinking about more than just the crime when you close the last page. Every single one will leave you with a question to ponder and sometimes even an action we should take to become better people.

While an interesting plot line the story felt too repetitive and just ‘bulked out’ in areas. You could skip large chunks of this and still know what was happening

When I chose this thriller, I never realized how dark and depressing this story would be. I would definitely consider this more women’s fiction or psychological drama than thriller.

I wanted to like this book totally, and nearly gave up half way, as it was really dragging on. I just wanted to get to the psychological part. Glad I continued as it did get more interesting, but to be honest, it was slightly cliched and obvious, and in the end a tedious storyline.

Missing child and party drama? Count me in! The Housewarming was terrifying and brilliant. Will be purchasing for the library's collection.

I really enjoyed this book. It was gripping from the start, dark, twisty and devastating in places. Fantastically written. Would definitely recommend.

The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
It's been over a year since two-year old Abi went missing.  Ava only left her daughter alone downstairs for a few minutes in the stroller, while she ran upstairs, but somehow, when she returned, Abi was gone.  The clasp holding her little girl in the buggy was undone, and the front door was open.  Ava didn't even know that Abi could undo the clasp herself.   Ava has blamed herself for leaving the front door open, allowing her little girl to run off.  She was never found.

Ava is trying to move on.  They have a new baby, and her husband Matt says that it is time to let the past go.  But Ava can't do that.  She fears that all the therapy and time in the world will not release her from her guilt.

Ava is becoming a bit of a recluse, barely leaving the house.  She hasn't even seen their best friends since Abi disappeared.  Now, their next-door neighbours are having a housewarming party to show off their new kitchen, and the whole street is going.  Ava doesn't feel she can handle seeing everyone, afraid of their reaction to seeing her again.

But somehow, Ava is forced into attending the party.  And it will change everything.


My Opinions:   
Okay, to be honest, I struggled with this one.  I just couldn't get into it.  I didn't really like any of the characters, and I found the story was moving so slowly.  Nothing was happening.  I was bored.  The "party" didn't happen until almost half way through the book.

Although I wasn't keen on the characters, I love how the author wrote about the anguish that they were feeling.  You could really feel Ava's grief, her anxiety, her jumbled thoughts.

So, although I thought it was moving slow, I eventually started caring for the parents, and then I realized I was interested in the outcome.  I knew something was wrong, but wasn't sure what the problem was.  When it was revealed, things started getting interesting.

The book was about selfishness, looking out for number 1, about secrets.  It was also about love and friendship, and it was a very emotional read due to the topic.

So overall, it ended up being much better than it started out. As always, Susie Lynes surprised me.

I haven’t been so heartbroken for so long. This book truly made me sad. It’s a depressing, dark drama about guilt, feeling deeply miserable, helpless after losing your loved one. Of course there is still intriguing mystery keeps your toes but I have to warn you this book should be defined as women’s fiction/ psychological mystery and drama. It’s not the regular, fast pacing thriller

** 4 Stars **

Ah, this book is just heartbreaking. Ava and Matt's little daughter Abi goes missing one morning while Ava is upstairs for a few minutes. She was sure she was buckled into a chair but when she came downstairs, the front door was wide open and Abi was no where to be found. The struggle of watching Ava and Matt try to grieve and find a new normalcy mixed with the suspense of finding out what really happened to Abi that day makes this a really dark suspenseful read. A year later, at a housewarming party of a neighbor, one comment changes everything. Could Ava and Matt finally figure out what really happened to their little girl?…

Special Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of this author, but I quit drinking before reading this book and let's just say I needed it because it was so heartbreaking.

The blurb drew me in straight away. This is a thriller with a different twist, its fast in places but then slows down so you feel the emotions of the situation. It is told by numerous characters. It has a timeline that changes from past to present. It could become repetitive in places but I still really enjoyed it.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Although its a sad storyline, it kept me hooked from the beginning. Would definitely recommend it. Think it will be one of those books that will stay on my mind for a while.

Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley.

This was a great read. The Housewarming was the first book that I have read from this author but I will definitely be checking out more. Thank you for the copy!

This is so well written I flew through it. Heart breaking and full of what ifs. I would recommend this to anyone.

Definitely 5 stars from me! Fantastic story told from multiple POV. Great character development. The last few chapters were the best. New author for me! Would definitely recommend .

This book was good but my heart was broken the whole time. The writing was great and fast paced. Lynes kept me guessing until the end. I could not put this down until I knew everything!

I couldn’t do this one. Lynes is a favorite of mine but the missing child storyline was just too terrible. No reflection of the author, just the story itself. I didn’t finish it.