Absolutely riveting, I couldn't put it down.
Laura and Liam head off to Scotland for a belated honeymoon after Laura's mum dies suddenly the day after their wedding. They stay on the secluded island of Shura for a week where there is no internet.
There are lots of strange goings on not least a stalker who is terrifying them.
This was very fast paced. You just wanted to know what was coming next. Very atmospheric especially as the weather was atrocious it really lent to the darkness of the horror.
I loved the ending. What goes around comes around. Perfect.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in return for an honest opinion.
Highly recommend

This should be the kind of book that I devour, but sadly it was one that I couldn't connect with or enjoy. Maybe it is being back in lockdown in Sydney but my head just wasn't in the right space for it. I struggled with the slow burn and the characters were not especially likeable.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, sorry I didn't enjoy it more

5 star read!

We could call this “The Honeymoon from Hell” but it goes way beyond that. Had me hooked from the very beginning and I really wasn’t sure how it would end.

I read a lot of psychological thrillers and can often guess where the story is going. Not this one! Totally and utterly shocked and stunned by this.

Laura and Liam take a honeymoon on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. The Island has a tragic past and some fear it might be haunted! Unfortunately they soon discover that they are not alone on the Island as they initially thought. They feel like they are being watched and can’t shake off this feeling when they see a stranger on numerous occasions and also wake up one morning to find a word etched onto the window pane of the cottage.

As the story unfolds and reaches a climax, part two of the book begins. This is where the whole story surprised me. Not at all what I expected but an absolutely brilliant twist!

This has to be one of my favourite books of the year so far. Creepy, shocking and unexpected!

Many thanks to netgalley, the publishers and the author for an arc.

Out now!

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 all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can't shake the feeling of being watched. When they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren't alone on the island. And a stranger wants them dead..

Liam and Laura are on a belated honeymoon to an isolated Scottish island. They are supposed to be alone there. But someone is watching them.

This is a fast paced psychological thriller that's been cleverly crafted. Strange things start to happen, but what do they want? This is one rollercoaster read that's filled with twists, tension and it's a bit creepy. When the truth comes out, I was gobsmacked, I'd been completely duped. But that just made the book a better. I do recommend this book.

Sarah Alderson is becoming an author whose work I look forward to after really enjoying her last book, “Weekend Away.” This book, “The Stalker” is written with great pace and establishes the tension of this thriller early on. You are constantly wondering why this innocent couple is seemingly being hunted on their honeymoon. There are heart racing moments and I found this to be another enjoyable read. 4 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Suspense thrillers are one of my favorite genre to read, this book was able to pull me in from the first chapter until the very end. The concept of a honeymoon on a isolated island with no one else around sounds amazing until it happens to you. I really enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the island and the ruins there. This book had lots of twists and turns, and I definitely didn't see the ending. I would recommend this book to other that enjoy this genre of book.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher Avon, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Laura and Liam are on their honeymoon in Scotland.
Having had to postpone their original honeymoon to Greece; due to the sudden death of Laura's mother, the couple chooses to take a private week away, on an island in Scotland.

This week away is exactly what they need, it's perfect, but it isn't long before dark secrets about the island become revealed and it's not long before the couple is hunted.

The only reason it took me 3 nights to read this novel is that I got so scared I had to stop! I finished it in daylight with the TV on in the background.

But, I could not get enough of this book! It was exhilarating! Alderson gives a fast pace novel that grips the reader from the first page.

Yes, I figure out what's happening but that's not until the last couple of chapters, you really are kept guessing.

This would be a great holiday beach read and one I would highly recommend for anyone to add to their TBR list of you haven't already.

This was a fast paced and gripping psychological suspense read! I found it to be cleverly plotted and I enjoyed the shocking twists that I certainly did not see coming!

I was captivated and entertained throughout and it definitely kept on the tips of my toes! It was incredibly atmospheric and I loved the “unknown stalker” narrated chapters!

What I’ll never be able to get is why people stick around once shit hits the fan but hey, that’s ultimately the key ingredient for thriller books and scary movies!

3.5 rounded to 4 stars

This is one book which deserves the description of "thriller"! There is barely a moment's peace once you start reading and the tension is ratcheted up in every single chapter. My advice is beware scheduling a stay on a deserted, haunted island!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC!

This is the best thriller I’ve read this year! It’s so full of suspense and surprises. At the beginning, Liam and Laura seem like the happiest couple ever. They are so cute, funny, loving and amazing together.

This book had me on edge from the moment Laura talked to the guy at the canteen. I felt something fishy about the whole Island. But as usual, Liam refused to listen and on they went to the mansion. There are a lot of lies, betrayals, twists and turns from the start to the finish.

I love the way the theme of domestic violence was incorporated. At first, it wouldn’t seem obvious. But towards the end it’s so clearly visible. It had been there the whole time!

For me, I was shocked. It got me saying, oh, no wonder!The abuse isn’t just a small part of the book. We see the effects, and the consequences. I was so hyper when Laura finally decided to take a step and dealt with him. That was amazing!

This is a fast paced book with an excellent plot. There are very few characters but it still got me so intrigued i almost finished reading in one sitting. I was flabbergasted by the ending. OMG. TOTAL SHOCK.

The flashbacks only made the whole plot turn upside down. It was very unbelievable. But to be honest, I love the twist.

I haven’t read any book by this author before, but after reading this book, I’m proud to say that I have already added her other books to my TBR. Can’t wait to read more mind-twisting thrillers!

Much thanks to Netgalley, Avon and Sarah Alderson for this amazing Arc copy.

I almost, almost passed this by re the title, like missing people/kids there are only so many books you can read on one subject and have read many that include stalkers….however am glad I didn’t as this is a new take, a very unique take on the subject
It is a build up book to around 70% when the ‘truth is out’ and you begin to realise just what the author has done to you as a reader, completely fooled you, in a good exciting way and once ‘it’s out’ there is no stopping it
Great characters, convincingly played and a great location of a remote Scottish island give this book all you need to be thrilled, and it is thrilling in more ways than one!
Wont say much more on it except once again this author has written a compulsive read, the only slight criticism is ( and seems to be the same with many books ) the almost constant references to palpitations and adrenaline
A great, dark and memorable book

9/10
5 Stars

I’d like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Stalker’ by Sarah Alderson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Laura and Liam have arrived on the Scottish island of Shura, the only way there and back by boat. Laura thinks she’s being watched which she puts down to her medication as the island is deserted but when they find someone’s scratching words and symbols on the windows of their cottage they realise it’s not as deserted as they were led to believe. Their satellite phone is dead, the electricity cables cut, who’s stalking them and why?

‘The Stalker’ starts as a bit of a cliché, a couple spending their honeymoon on a deserted and supposedly haunted island off the Scottish coast, but then as I get deeper into the story it develops into a spine-tingling thriller with suspense, drama and disbelief, where the twists and turns get deeper and lead to a chilling and totally unexpected ending. This book is action-packed, gripping, mind-blowing, and well worth reading.

Oh my God, this is a terrifying, rollercoaster ride of a thriller!

Liam and Laura are on their honeymoon on a remote Scottish island, but something is not right. They’re supposed to be alone, but someone is stalking them.

The story is told from a few perspectives, including that of the stalker, and it’s absolutely compulsive and gripping reading. I absolutely could not put this book down, and thankfully read it when I was off work, because it’s the sort of book that when you’re not reading it, you’re thinking about it, and just waiting until you can get back to it.

The twists when they come, are as twisty as they come, it is literally jaw-dropping, I didn’t see it coming at all!

I can’t say too much for fear of spoilers, but I’ll just say buy it, read it and be consumed and stunned by it. Absolutely superb.

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.

It’s a quick read with an unexpected twist!

The description of the settings for the plot is so amazingly done. It creates a sense of uneasiness and adds to the creepiness of the atmosphere.

The plot starts of quite slow and just as when you begin to wonder which direction is this leading to; there is an unexpected super excellent twist. It just throws out any ideas or guesses that you might have been making. After that it’s quite impossible to keep the book down until you have finished!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

This story is atmospheric and creepy set on a lonely Scottish island where newlyweds are spending their honeymoon. I read this one pretty quickly but had a hard time connecting with the characters and felt that some of the surprises felt out of whack. I don’t mind suspending reality, I read for pleasure after all, but too many of the scenes had me rolling my eyes. I should have liked this one, it had everything I love in a gothic storyline but it just fell flat for me. Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis & Quick Thoughts
The Stalker is the latest novel by author Sarah Alderson. Newlyweds Liam and Laura are finally spending their honeymoon together, on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. But they constantly feel that they’re being watched. And after seeing someone on the edge of the woods and scratches appearing on their cottage window, they know they’re not alone. And, more worrisome, this stranger wants them gone.

Let me tell you, thrillers don’t normally get me the way this book ABSOLUTELY got me. This book was an absolute blast to read. The slow burn had me guessing all the way until the reveal, which I absolutely did not see coming. I made noises out loud. I had to take a minute. I took several deep breaths and explained everything to my uninvested but very patient fiancé. Seriously, this book was so much fun and I loved every second of it.

Positives
This book was really just a ton of fun. The atmosphere was very dreary and suspenseful and greatly improved the environment and suspenseful nature of the plot. The writing style wasn’t anything to write home about (but sometimes that’s for the best), and the plot was very much a slow burn. The best part of this book were the twists and the ending, which I won’t get into for the sake of spoilers. Just know that it was excellent. I think some people may be able to guess the ending, but I was too engrossed in the story to give it any thought, and it took my by total surprise.

Negatives
The only thing that I can complain about with this book is that the plot is pretty slow burning, especially in the beginning. Once I powered through the first 25% or so, it picked up and full immersed me, but getting there required a little bit of perseverance. Absolutely worth it though, don’t get me wrong, especially if you tend to enjoy more suspenseful building thrillers.

Rating & Final Thoughts
The Stalker gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. I know this review was shorter than some of the other ones I’ve done, but there isn’t a whole lot to say. This book was awesome. I think about it frequently. I’m debating buying it when it releases in print. I didn’t think this book was five star worthy, because very few books are for me, but it was about as close as you can get. If you’re a thriller fan, absolutely look into this one. It was as much fun as I’ve had with a thriller in a very long time.

Title: The Stalker
Author: @sarah
Publisher: @avon
Genre: Thriller
Pub Date: 8th July 2021

First of all 🤯
I was literally racing through this book to find out what happened and that ending was brilliant!

Liam and Laura are yet to have their honeymoon so they decide to take themselves away to a remote Scottish Island with a bit of a murky past. What should have been a romantic getaway turned into something much more sinister. Realising they’re not alone on the island and with no way off or contacting anyone for help they have to try and brave it out until the boat from the main land picks them up.

The quick pace and build up is fantastic and you’re kept in suspense all the way through. The descriptions of the island bring it to life giving you an eerie sense from start to finish with a constant dread of what will happen next. I didn’t see the twists coming which made it all the better. A great book and I highly recommend it for fans of thrillers.

TW: ⚠️ Abuse

Okay, I loved this book but only until the last third of the book. It's very atmospheric, and with a sense of dread throughout. I think it would have been great if it didn't follow the same formulaic theme of the Gone Girl types, I thought we were over it?! I mean it was all good when the character was like, "omg, there's that creepy stranger and I'm so dead" but then in the last part the character is like, "haha fooled ya!". Umm but if you don't read thrillers as much as I do, you'll surely love it!
3.5 stars for keeping me turning the pages!

thanks to Netgalley, author, and publisher for the eARC. :)

My first read of the month- and it's already a five star read! I don't have enough words to do justice to this book. I mean, let me just take a breath. Whew.
What a fantastically written, fast-paced and immensely atmospheric read!

This book is terrific, right from the first to the absolute last. It's freaking exciting, fast-paced and dark! To sum up, it's
✔️Highly atmospheric
✔️ Has "locked-room" vibes
✔️ Page-turner, unputdownable
✔️*Mind-fully-blown* ending
✔️ Amazing plot & story development

In short, if you're looking for an unputdownable thriller, please don't skip this. You have to read it. It's tooooo good to miss!

And what I liked the most about the story was that even though there were so less characters and the same location throughout, the story doesn't get repetitive. The continuous thrilling events keep you hooked and by the time you reach the ending, you will be so so satisfied at the turn of events. 🥀

TW ⚠️ Abuse. All types of abuse.

I was provided a free copy of this text by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a fun thriller that was not very inventive, but enjoyable all the same. People must not honeymoon in desolate locations!