ew. I really did not like this book. While I found the beginning of the book creepy and suspenseful, the dialogue was unnatural and cheesy ("I'm going to tell you exactly what I'm thinking," Jan says) and the characters were so poorly developed that they had nothing unique about them or to differentiate one from the other. The storyline was pretty predictable about halfway through and the book went on too long. I would not recommend this one.

Let me start off by saying this book was not at all what I was expecting! I thought I was getting a haunted cottage deep in the woods- but what I got was completely different. Maybe being all alone and secluded would do something to your mind that would have you overreacting to every little noise? But, maybe there's something more sinister than that. Jan is house sitting a cottage and trying to write a novel- but something keeps happening every night that she just can't quite explain.

Meanwhile in town- there are babies disappearing, who were thought to be still born and families who are confused and hurting. Could these 2 seemingly very different situations have anything to do with one another?

Honestly, I don't want to give away the twist. But, I do have to say it was very unexpected!

My biggest concern with finding out what was happening- is that the characters didn't seem to get upset enough to me. It's a big thing that they're dealing with and it was just so disgusting and wrong, that I could not quite wrap my mind around the fact that they were not more furious and just sick to their stomachs over it. Don't get me wrong, some are- but not quite to the extent that I would be I guess.

This book may be a little triggering to those who have suffered a pregnancy loss, I just want to mention that because I know that isn't something many people want to read about and want to give a heads up. But, if you want a book with a twist and several odd ball storylines- go ahead and give this one a go. I did devour it quite quickly, as I had to see how this one was going to end up!

This one was hard. I had a lot of trouble sticking with the story it just wasn’t interesting. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the copy, but unfortunately this one was a dud for me.

There is one word that came to mind when reading this book: ew! I kept repeating it since I figured out the main twist (which was a little before it was revealed). I still couldn’t put it down. It’s so creepy and fast-paced, that it kept me reading. Jan rents a cottage in the woods for very little money. Seriously, when will characters learn that this is a big red flag? Jan lost her job and her boyfriend, so she has nothing to lose. The cottage also comes with an adorable little dog. But then, things get spooky when a creature starts visiting her yard. It’s too big to be a fox or a badger and it seems to walk on two feet. I was really into this storyline when the author introduced Ian and Emma, a young couple who just lost their second baby to birth defects. I had no idea what one story had to do with the other, but this one was interesting as well, so figuring out what was going on was worth it. Lastly, there are some chapters devoted to a couple of detectives who are, honestly, not that great at their jobs. These guys aggravated me a little but, once all is revealed, I was happy that they were so incompetent. I could have done without them, but they didn’t really hurt anything. I ended up enjoying this read. The final part was satisfying and the whole premise, icky as it is, made me consider what I would do if something similar happened to my hubby and me - after all, this is a fictional story but based on events that have happened in the real world. Again, eeeeewwwww!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/HarperCollins!

The Cottage is weird, and strange, and unsettling and I am here for it. Jan has broken up with her boyfriend and lost her job so she moves to an isolated cottage. Without giving too much away strange stuff happens in the village near the cottage. It was not what I was expecting but I loved it.

Thank you to Harper Collins 360, Lisa Stone and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-cottage/

Jan Hamlin has had a bad week. She has lost her job and subsequently her long term partner. She feels afloat and when she sees an ad for a dog sitter/house sitter for a remote cottage, backing up to Coleshaw woods, she sees an opportunity to both heal and write the book she has always wanted to write. But as early as the first night she stays there, strange things start happening. There are noises outside and black figures she has glimpses of. What she initially thinks are animals, actually appear to look like small adults or even children. She becomes even more frightened when she sees a pair of eyes looking through the window at her. While she is second guessing her decision to stay in the isolated cottage, she is also intrigued as to what it can be.

Ian and Emma Jennings have just lost their second child to late miscarriage. Anne Long, their midwife, has taken the baby away without it being seen by them. The reader is unclear when Ian and Emma are introduced, what connection it could possibly have with the isolated cottage, but it all becomes clear. Once Ian decides to research their DNA and find out why Emma keeps miscarrying, the truth begins to make itself clear. At the crux of the story is The Moller clinic, which is a small donor clinic on the outskirts of Merryless. When Ian investigates, he finds out that not only do Emma and Ian have the same donor, everyone else does too. Carston Moller has used his sperm and fathered over 1000 babies. Emma and Ian Jennings are half brother and sister. It also explains why a good portion of residents in the small town of Merryless look similar to each other. Anne Long, the midwife, is at the center of it all. While confusing in the beginning with two different plots, the author has put it all together seamlessly

The Cottage has some events which might be triggering to some, such as inbred children, miscarriage and child death. I found all the characters to have good depth and interesting backstories. I really enjoyed reading it and the mystery surrounding Jan and the “creatures” visiting their house. It is a quick read with lots of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the very end.

When Jan rents a cottage in the woods, she’s hoping for some time to herself. Time to reflect, refocus, figure out just what she wants out of life. The cottage is peaceful, quaint, and secluded. It also has visitors each night. She catches just a glimpse of these visitors, but what she sees is enough to seriously creep her out. Even creepier, though, is the reaction of everyone around her. They’re clearly hiding something and trying you keep her in the dark. But what exactly is it? This was a good story and a quick read with just enough suspense to keep me interested.

Jan has lost her job and boyfriend at almost the same time, so is at loose ends. Taking a job to house sit out in the country sounds ideal, and she can get away from it all and work on her book she wants to write. She quickly starts hearing noises and has odd neighbors. A bit creepy at times, with a gothic style to it at times. Liked it overall, but slow at times too. Would recommend though, and would read more by this author.

Newly unemployed and reeling from a failed relationship, Jan jumps at the opportunity to house sit a small dog and cottage in the woods neary a tiny village. It's not long before Jan is enjoying village life and making friends with the locals. However, shortly after moving in, Jan begins to see ominous shapes outside her windows at night and sounds that are too loud to be small animals. As the book progresses you do not know what to think except to be sure to lock your own door and windows!

This novel was so good, just the right amount of creepy horror and believability. I could not guess what would happen next and greatly enjoyed the plot twists. If you like gothic novels, thrillers, mysteries, then this is a novel for you! Thank you to HarperCollins, and @NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
#TheCottage. #NetGalley

I loved the idea of this creepy little thriller. It reminded me of Ruth Ware’s Turn of the Key, and so I was here for it.

Unfortunately—I ended up having a really time with the writing style. There’s very, very little showing, and very little description, and a lot of info-dumping that pulled me out of the character’s head. Honestly, this was a book without voice. Which is totally fine! Many books are written without voice. But I like strong, flavorful voices, and lots of showing—I want to feel like I’m there in the room, not like I’m reading about someone in a room.

So sadly, this wasn’t the book for me!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review!

-Ande

After losing her job and being dumped by her boyfriend, an ad for someone to live in a small cottage and care for a small dog seems like a perfect solution for Jan to sort out her life. All goes well until noises and strange sounds at night make her question her decision to stay in the secluded home.

This was OKAY for me. It would have been better for me if I hadn't predicted the plot twist so early on. Still a very fun read.

Unfortunately I didn’t care for this one much.

Jan is a visitor to Merryless, a small countryside town. She is house-sitting and attempting to write a book as she’s between jobs and homes. While staying at the cottage, she begins to notice odd things about the backyard.

Anne is a midwife.

Ian and Emma just birthed their second baby, a stillborn son. It’s their second stillborn child, although they don’t know why. They have no living children.

The story was quite slow moving, and I found the plot lacking twists I hadn’t already discovered. However, the writing was smooth, so I give this one two stars.

3.5 stars! The Cottage had me mostly interested, the plot was compelling, but it dragged a bit throughout. And, I was a little disappointed with the ending. I’ll def try another one by this author in the future.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one.

#TheCottage #NetGalley
Another gem from Lisa Stone.
Jan has left the safety of the city to live in the country after losing her job and a break up with her boyfriend! Jan is house sitting while she tries to sort out her life and what her plans will be after her 6 months of looking after Ivy Cottage and the the dog that lives there. Why around 8 o'clock each night does Tinder the dog jumps up and start barking wanting to get outside... what is causing the dog to react in this way.... Days later Jan hears some noises outside ...is someone watching her... and why does Tinder disappear for ages when let outside of a night! Strange things are happening... but what is happening and who is involved! A book with twists and turns.
I was gripping by the ending of the second chapter. First it seems like there are two different stories but thankfully the ending tied up the loose ends.
Setting played an important role in the story in increasing suspense and tension. It was really twisted. Even more twisted than her Taken.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this! Great thriller. I did figure it out prior to the reveal but that’s okay. I often figure out thrillers too soon. The great thing about The Cottage was that I still wanted to read (not skim) once did figured it out.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for this ARC. I enjoyed the intersection of the storylines in this book. I did find Jan's storyline more interesting, and thought Ian's was very predictable. I will think about the conclusion for a while, because I'm not sure if I loved how it was all wrapped up. What is the line between doing what is kind and what is legal? And who decides who is worthy of kindness? This was a good read and I was invested in finding out who or what was scaring Jan. I will be looking for more books by this author!

Jan has just lost her job and her boyfriend. Desperate to get away from it all, she decides to rent a cabin in the woods. At first, she loves the isolation. It's just what she needed to clear her mind and find inspiration to start writing. But things soon turn ominous. It starts with strange noises then quickly escalates to trespassing. Is it just wildlife? Or is there someone out there in the woods...someone who knows she's alone?

Intertwined with Jan's tale, is a story of a couple, Ian and Emma, who have lost one baby during childbirth and just lost another during a home birth. This isn't just a case of a tragic stillbirth. There was something horribly wrong with both of their children, and Ian is determined to understand why.

These seemingly unrelated stories intertwine themselves in an interesting way. However, for most of the book it does feel like two completely different stories and (just my opinion) they probably should have been because they didn't intersect in a meaningful way for me. I was much more invested in Ian and Emma's story. It was tragic, it was weird and it was suspenseful. With Jan's story, it had it's moments and gave me some creepy vibes for sure, but my attention did waiver during her chapters.

This is a really unusual story. It's definitely a thriller, but it had a real horror movie feel to it. If I had to sum it up, I would say it was a mixture of 'The Strangers' and 'Offspring'. It was super creepy and unsettling, even if it was pretty predictable.

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

After losing her job and long time boyfriend, Jan decides to rent a remote cottage in the woods in the UK to get away from everything and figure out her life. But the relaxing vacation it is not. Creepy noises keep happening outside the place. She wants to see what's going on but is too scared to look. What she thinks is animals are getting braver and braver and Jan is becoming more frightened of staying there. Jan wants to get to the bottom of what's going on so she bucks up and sticks it out.

I'm not sure how I really feel about this story. We have the whole Jan thing I mentioned above, but then a few chapters in we get two new characters who seem to have absolutely nothing to do with the story. The couple, Ian and Emma Jennings, lost a baby during a home birth. Then we get this wild tale about how a lot of people in town used a sperm donor clinic to get pregnant. Like it literally feels like EVERYONE in this town used them, as the story keeps referring to how many people look alike. Turns out, the clinic was using the same donor... and we can all guess who that was... the owner, Carstan Moller. No kidding, I saw this one coming a mile away with all the subtle hints. But I kept reading. More stuff happens at the cottage, then more stuff happens with Ian, who wants to get the bottom of the whole thing. The book felt like two stories smashed into one. The ending wasn't all that great, as you can see where the story is headed ahead of time if you thought about it. We also have two police officers who honestly have no real barring on the story. I thought the one police officer might of been aware of what was going on by the cottage and was covering it up, but I didn't get that vibe by the end of the book. There characters felt forced and just used for convenience to move the story along.

I want to add that there probably should of been a trigger warning tagged onto this book. For someone who went through what I like to call a DNA crisis (I found out my mother's husband, the man who raised me, wasn't my biological father after doing a DNA test. We are known as NPEs.) and once I saw where the story was heading, I had to put myself in a different headspace to finish the book. Finding out you're parent isn't actually biologically related to you is absolutely devastating. And I thought Ian, who didn't know he was a sperm donor child (Emma did), I believe he should of been more torn up about the entire thing. This is why the book lost me and I gave it three stars, which probably should of been two, but because I wanted to know what the hell was going on outside the cottage and what the hell was up with the town that I kept reading.

This book was provided to me by Harper360 HarperCollins and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

A gripping story in whichever you’ll be enraptured almost immediately. Creepy, you’ll want to keep reading.