SO scary! This book was a great thriller book. Wow! I love a good thriller but don’t read home alone. LOL

This twist at the end was great. I didn’t see that coming at all. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of this book. I will definitely be checking out more by this author because I love a good thriller. Very frightening at times for sure. I few times I looked over my shoulder.

What a fantastic book, i was hooked from the start. It is one of those books that you just want to keep turning the pages to find out what is happening next. As for the ending, what a cracker. Never saw it coming. Absolutely brilliant read.

Oh.. my... gosh... I cannot say enough good things about this book. It felt like a classic spooky story from the very beginning & never slowed down! There were twists, turn & so much suspense. Not to mention the big twist, I did NOT see coming!

Our newlywed couple, Laura & Liam, are off to a remote Scottish isle for their delayed honeymoon. What’s supposed to be the perfect little getaway, turns into their worst fears, as it seems they aren’t the only ones on the island.

The atmosphere was so thoroughly described, that I could easily picture the surroundings in this story. Which made it all the more creepy & suspenseful to read. I can normally sniff out a plot twist (or at least have running theories) but this one, wowser!

I definitely recommend reading this, in the daylight hours, preferably not alone, otherwise you may lose some sleep. Thank you so much to NetGalley & Avon for this eARC, I’m so excited for this to come out, I think it’ll be a smashing success!

Super twisty!

The day after Laura and Liam’s wedding, her mother dies, forcing them to cancel their honeymoon. Now it’s been a while and Laura is trying to put her grief behind her, so she suggests a vacation to a secluded Scottish island.

But things take a turn for the worst when someone sinister makes their presence known, and Laura fears she may never get back to the mainland.

The Stalker is dark, quickly paced, atmospheric, and sufficiently twisty. There’s a great sense of dread woven into the narrative and you’ll feel your heart in your throat as Laura and Liam fight for their lives. Loved the shocker at the end.

Reader warning for intense depictions of domestic abuse

Thank you @avonbooksuk for this copy!

Laura and Liam are on their honeymoon on a n idilyic remote Scottish island where it will only be the two of them for the week! However it soon becomes apparent that they aren't alone in the island when a message appears scratched into the window of the cottage and other strange things keep happening. Somebody wants them dead, but who and why? So many twists in this novel, but an enjoyable read.

Many thanks Net galley for letting me read this book. Should be made into a tv drama!

The Stalker by Sarah Alderson was an excellent read. A well thought out storyline with a twist I wasn’t expecting at all. I’m finding it difficult to give a flavour of the clever perspective within the book without giving spoilers. Suffice to say the Liam and Laura are well developed personalities and the plot is pacey and credible. Tension builds as the honeymooners realise someone is stalking them but that’s just part of the story. The book kept me interested and reading on. Four stars from me for this one

Well this book really went in a different direction from what I was expecting. This one really messes with your head but is an exciting read.

A definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For me!
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them very believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously. I’m usually good at guessing but was off the mark this time.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

This was a fantastic thriller that I could not put down once I started. Great twists and very well written. Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for this book!!

The Weekend Away was one of my favourite books of 2020, so I was looking forward to this one and went into it with high expectations. I think maybe the book suffered from my expectations being so high.

I liked the setting and the story was interesting, but I started to get a bit bored with the characters running around the island. I know the author is doing TV adaptations and I think a lot of this book was written for that kind of thing, it will come across better on TV than in writing in my opinion. I did skim read a lot of the middle section as it was just the two main characters hiding and zipping around the island trying to find their assailant, and I think that part went on for a bit too long.

The reason I'm still rating the book so highly is the twist. To me that was brilliant and really saved the book from being a dud. At first I thought it came out of nowhere, but if you look back there are definite hints to it, and I thought it was really well done. I really enjoyed the backstory we were given at that point, and whilst I understand we couldn't have had it any earlier I kind of wish we did so I could connect with the characters more in the beginning, as until that point Laura felt underdeveloped.

I'm not sure if I would recommend the book as the start is a little bit dull but to me it was worth it for the payout at the end. As I've said previously, I think this would work better as a TV show or film than a novel, and maybe that's what the author is hoping for after her previous adaptation.

5 stars!!!! This book had me not being able to put it down. There were twist you never seen happening but it was so well written! I will be recommending this for sure!

“It was meant to be a romantic getaway, but it’s turning into the honeymoon from hell.”

After postponing their honeymoon due to personal reasons, newlyweds Laura and Liam decide to finally take it. They book a week on a remote island in Scotland, where they will literally be the only two people inhabiting it.

Apparently, Laura and Liam don’t read the same kinds of books I do, and so they’re unaware of what can and will go wrong when a honeymoon and/or wedding party involves foreign islands and amazing scenery.

Sure enough, not only do they find out that the island has a haunting and tragic history, but they also realize that they are not the only two people on the island after all.

DUN DUN DUN.

With no cell phone reception and no way to get to the mainland, they are trapped with someone else who wants to harm them.

Despite reading a few books with a similar plot in the past year, I was intrigued by this after reading author Sarah Alderson’s previous novel, The Weekend Away, and enjoying it much more than I expected (I just found out it’s also going to be a Netflix mini-series soon).

Although the book starts out on the slow side with not a lot going on, it’s atmospheric and slightly chilling. The plot picks up considerably in the second half as danger gets closer and a twist sets things in motion.

I’ll be honest. I finished this book in one day (afternoon and evening reading), and went to bed with the intention of giving this 2 stars. Initially, I didn’t like the surprises, and felt like they came out of nowhere and didn’t sync well with everything that happened before their reveals. However, I slept on it (which I rarely do) and re-read a few chapters...and warmed up to it.

While it’s not Earth-shattering, the book really does go in an interesting direction that caught me off guard. I was entertained, and really enjoyed how everything wrapped up...even though some things felt unlikely to be realistic.

Overall, I didn’t love this one...but I liked it. I would recommend it to those who want a quick read with unforeseen developments in the plot. Apparently, they’re ones that might make you think...just like I did.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Get your stalk on on: 10/5/21.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

"Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you" - Every Breath You Take, The Police

Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. They are warned by a local that the island is haunted, that it has a tragic past. But this is the beginning of their future. They are starting their lives together, the only ones on the island. Sounds like bliss, until a message is etched on the window. They thought they were alone. No one is supposed to be there and yet....

I was sucked into this book right away. I loved knowing that something was going to happen based on the blurb. I was ready for some creepy, sinister happenings. A perfect honeymoon becomes the perfect nightmare. Sign me up!

I loved knowing they were going to be trapped on the island. Dropped off on the first day and only to be picked up on their last. When they began to suspect that they were not alone, I was giddy with excitement and apprehension.

I loved the setting. Scotland seems to be the desired location for books these days and this location is stellar. I loved the remote location, knowing they were the first ones to visit, being surrounded by water, the cliffs, the grounds, and the Gothic burned castle. The book had a very atmospheric feel to it. There is also an underlying feel of tension and dread throughout.

Reading and wondering what was going on and then there is a HUGE twist. I sat there thinking "wait a minute" because everything I suspected was going on was wrong. Then I had a new perspective and cannot say that I saw all of it coming but it did explain some things.

I thought the author did a great job setting the stage and unraveling the tale. The book was a 5-star read until almost the end then it or I lost a little steam. Not enough to derail the book for me or to ruin my enjoyment but it did take it down a star.. Some will say it is very clever and worked for them. Either way, this was an engaging and gripping book which I had a hard time putting down.

This clever tale was a page turner for me and even with the little hiccup, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Atmospheric, chilling, and full of dread.


Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of The Stalker.
It was meant to be the perfect escape…

Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.

But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…

When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island. And this stranger wants them dead.

…but it became the perfect nightmare.

I didn’t see the twists coming, dark well written and full of surprises.

Unfortunately I didn’t like the twist but I think readers will love this story. Shocking and scary. Good to have characters that aren’t scared and are happy to go directly to the scene but that didn’t stop my heart from nearly beating out my chest!

3.5/5

Wow. Just wow.

Firstly, thank you so much NetGalley and Avon for letting me read this book. I am so not disappointed!!

This tells the story of a newlywed couple on their honeymoon, on a remote island in Scotland. Things start off well but they slowly realise they’re not alone.

The author has built the suspense in this novel so well. It’s such a page turner, and will leave you feeling uneasy and checking over your shoulder. And that plot twist. Oh my god the plot twist. I didn’t guess it right, it took me completely by suprise. Everything I want from a thriller and more.

4.5 stars

This thriller begins on a high note: a secluded Scottish setting. Even the horrors that these folks face did not stop me from wanting to visit!

Laura and Liam head to Shura - the aforementioned location - for their honeymoon. Though the island is supposed to be uninhabited, they soon realize that there's an unexpected dweller in their midst: one who apparently wants to terrorize them. That terror ensues, but the real stars are the twists and turns.

It is so refreshing to read something in this genre where the women characters are depicted as equally wise - if not more so - and equally capable - if not more so - to their counterparts. I very much appreciate the responsible treatment of Laura's character and the explanations of who she is and how she gets here. The judgements never feel misplaced, and that made me appreciate this satisfying thriller even more.

Recommended (keeping in mind TW for extreme violence, rape, sexual assault, and animal cruelty).

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Stalker is a very tense and gripping psychological thriller. The story follows Laura and Liam as they go on their honeymoon to a secluded house on an island in Scottland. Due to unfortunate circumstances they had to reschedule this honeymoon. Laura is dealing with depression, and trying to make the best of things for her new husband. Although things are not all roses for the couple as there seems to be someone else on the island stalking them.
Sarah does a great job of making you feel the sense of isolation amd dread along with the characters. Laura really is a character you come to feel for and root for. This was a very exciting reading experience all around.
"Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review."

The newly married couple, Liam and Laura, decided to spend their honeymoon in a cabin, on a remote island just off the coast of Scotland.

The book portrays Laura’s nervous character from the start as her apprehension for the island is displayed through her nervousness to spend time on the ‘haunted island’. You can only get there by boat - which tells the reader that they should be alone.

When they arrive on the island they decide to go around and explore it. Instantly, Laura believes she is being watched and that they are not alone. There’s a gradual build up to lots of strange happenings. It turns out someone is watching them - who are they? Most importantly... what do they want?

I really enjoyed this book, it had me gripped and on the edge of my seat. The twist at the end - wow I did not see it coming! I highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To all my friends who love a good thriller – this one is going to be an instant classic.

Laura and Liam are newlyweds on their honeymoon on a remote island – but what was supposed to be a romantic getaway quickly turns into a nightmare when they realize they aren’t alone on the island after all.

This is the first book that I have read by Sarah Alderson, and it will not be the last. To describe this book as intense is an understatement. At times when I was reading, my heart was pounding. I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading. This is not a book you want to be reading alone at night, that is for sure. While I didn’t particularly care for the POV switch to the Stalker, the end will truly leave you speechless. Just when you think you know what is happening, you don’t!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC for my honest review.