After splitting up from her husband, Steph is coming to terms with the breakup of her family. Her husband has left her, her daughter is married, and she hasn't seen her son since he left home ten years ago. Looking forwards to the opportunity to be independent for the first time in her life, Steph ignores the advice of her overbearing ex-husband and interfering daughter, and takes in a lodger - a homeless young man called Noah, who reminds her of her son Max. But Noah has problems of his own and when unnerving things start happening to Steph at home, she wonders if it was a mistake to let him into her life after all.

The story was okay but I thought it was obvious from very early on who was behind all of the attempts at intimidation. I found it annoying that Steph, a woman who I think is meant to be in her 50s is portrayed as a doddery old woman by every single one of the characters around her! Is that really how women of this age are viewed in 2022, or did it just work for this particular plot? Although the narrator's voice was fine for the descriptive passages, I heartily disliked her downtrodden old lady Steph voice and screechy harridan Bea voice. I wanted to keep listening to find out if what I suspected was correct, and it was, but other than that I didn't really find the story greatly appealing.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.

You think you’re safe in your home. You’re wrong.

Steph has a wonderful life, a loving husband, two wonderful children and a fantastic home. So where did it all go wrong? And so quick!

Soon Steph is tucking into meals for one and surfing through the channels.

Until the intruder, until something doesn’t feel right. Until she doesn’t feel safe in her own home.

With mysterious things starting to happen around the house and her life in danger, is Steph still living the picture perfect life?

Or is something more sinister at large?

I really enjoyed this one, it was a little slow to begin with but it soon picked up and the twists and turns! I honestly thought something was going off, but certainly not that, it was such a shock! 😧

The book keeps you hooked and the narrator was very good at various accents, I listened to this at normal speed and took me about a week. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be on the look out for more of the authors works.

Took a while to get into, but once it got going I really enjoyed it. A solid 3.5 stars from me.

Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my ARC.

I loved this book from page one! Rona Halsall created a fabulous twisted plot with characters you’ll instantly bond with. Many times a thriller will leave you suspicious of everyone and their possible guilt or role in the demise of another character. What I liked about this story was that I felt that there was no way anyone in this story could be guilty!
First, Steph seemed like a middle aged woman going through a tough divorce while learning ways she could gain her independence. She has an admirable job helping the homeless get on their feet. She doesn’t want to sell the house she shared with her husband so she’s working on finding a way to keep it.

Then, Andy…her ex seems to have suspected Steph of an affair leading to their demise as a married couple. He wants to sell the house and get his share. I mean other than being a nuisance about it, he doesn’t really seem too suspicious of anything other than being kind of a jerk.

After Steph lends a hand to a young homeless boy, Noah, who reminds her of her estranged son, she takes him under counsel on a wing and a prayer that she made the right decision.

Weird things happen in the house and it seems like someone keeps intruding but she has no reason to suspect anyone.

Bee her daughter is worried about her mom and tries to convince her mother to move in with her.

It seems like everyone’s intentions are good but it doesn’t seem to answer the big question about why anyone would be trying to scare Steph out of her house! When you learn how all of the pieces fit together, you’ll love it!

This is a great thrilling read that will definitely keep your guessing until the end.

The book was a bit of a slow burn. Things didn't really get interesting until the last 20% of the book, however it was still a very good and well thought out story.

This was an interesting book about a woman trying to live on her own after separating from her husband and her children moving out. She is determined to stay in the house she raised her children in but her husband wants her to sell and move elsewhere so he can get half of the proceeds. She suffers an accident and there are several break-ins in her house leaving her scared. She lets a homeless person move in with her and wonders if the incidents are related to him. Many twists. The narrator was very good with the different accents, the story being set in Leeds in the north of England.

My first ever audiobook and has made me want to listen to more! A twisty, suspense filled plot which is narrated so well. I was so keen to keep listening!

I had the audio book and the kindle edition which was good to keep reading/listening. I preferred reading to listening as I couldn't take to the accents in the audio. A slow starter as we learn about Steph, an empty nester whose husband has left her. It takes on darker tones as strange things happen. A little unbelievable in parts but a good read with a great twist.

This was an enjoyable audiobook! It was definitely surprising to say the least!

Steph is going through a rough divorce. Things around her just seem to be falling apart. Her house gets broken into, she falls and hurts herself. That’s when she meets Noah. Noah is a homeless person who reminds her so much of her estranged son, Max. So much so that she takes him in as a tenant (or lodger as they call it in the book). What could go wrong? Who is behind all of the bad things happening to Steph? Why are they doing this to her? Bet you won’t guess!

This was an enjoyable read with a nice surprise ending that never really happens in most books. Not to give anything away, but it’s not who you suspect!

Repeat after me --- the characters are not real.

I don't repeat the synopsis or give spoilers.

I found myself wanting everything to be alright for the main character at the conclusion of the book and wanting a different outcome for her. Not an ending, rarely happens for me, but this ending was spot on.

At no point was I bored. The story moved seamlessly. I could relate to the main character, liked her and could relate to her friend. I thought the author wrote a realistic and believable story. The character reactions were not over the top. There are different aged and socioeconomic characters, and all their actions and dialogues were as expected.

I had the audiobook, and enjoyed Emma Gregory as the narrator.

Halsall had the right recipe for a mystery thriller. I enjoyed and appreciated the skill in writing. Likewise, I noticed the lack of profanity. I will actively seek more of Halsall's work.

As art imitates life, my heart is heavy believing this is someone's reality.

Thank you NetGalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for accepting my request to read and review The Guest Room.

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Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audiobook.

This definitely kept my attention! Only a few parts that I felt were a little slow, and I guessed the main twists but was happy that my suspicions were right! Narrator did a great job as well.

Your house should be your haven where you feel safe, but when Step whose life used to be perfect finds something is going on in her house. Her husband decided to get a divorce and left and Ste[h starts hearing noises. When she begins to hear noises in the night, at first she thinks she’s imagining things. Then she finds open windows she knows she left closed, and a strange smell in the kitchen – and she knows none of it feels right. Then her front window is smashed, and a young man named Noah helps her fix it. He’s fallen on hard times and Steph impulsively offers him a place to stay. He reminds her of her missing son, and as a mother she finds herself wanting to help him. Also, if he is there, she won’t be home alone. Before long Noah is living in Bea’s old bedroom, paying rent, and getting his life back on track. Steph’s ex-husband and Bea are furious. But Steph feels secure at last, and that’s what matters. Soon strange things begin to happen again and Steph is certain that this is personal. My heart went out to her as she wondered if she is paranoid, imagining things or over sensitive when things begin to happen and then doesn’t know who to trust as she becomes sure someone is out to get her. The Guest Room by Rona Halsall was a fast paced thriller that kept the pages turning after picking this one up. There is plenty of suspicion thrown around to all those close to the protagonist to keep one on their toes and trying to figure out who done it. I think this is a good book which is slow at times but overall is well done.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for providing me a copy of this book.

Another very listenable thriller from Rona Halsall.

With 2 grown up children and having recently been left by her husband, charity worker, Steph, meets a young homeless man who bears an uncanny resemblance to her son, from whom she is estranged. She invites this young man into her home, in an arrangement that suits them both. As strange and unsettling things begin to happen, Steph questions the wisdom of her decision. As events unfold it becomes clear that Stephs has got some things very, very wrong!

I love the twists in this book! Rona writes a very twisty and exciting book, and this one is definitely cut from the same cloth. The narration was on point, one talented narrator voicing all the characters.

Overall I would recommend this audiobook to listeners of the psychological thriller genre without reservation.

My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.

Portrayed as a psychological thriller and it does have the element of suspense and mystery but that’s not to say it wasn’t a very slow, long winded read. I did like the authors style of writing but at times the execution of some of the twists and turns didn’t work well. I found the storyline predictable and the characters very unlikeable. The main character Steph came across very naive and she couldn’t see what was right in front of her. It was only ok and I was interested to see how it played out but I wasn’t shocked by the outcome. It’s a pity as it had potential.

2.5/5 🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC thats due to be published on the 31st of Jan.

EXCERPT: Steph sniffed the air as she opened the front door, shaking raindrops from her hair.

Cigarette smoke?

She stopped and sniffed again. This time she was sure, the hairs rising on the back of her neck, goosebumps prickling her arms. She lived alone and didn't smoke. Nobody in the family smoked.

Is there somebody in the house?

ABOUT 'THE GUEST ROOM': You think you’re safe in your home. You’re wrong.

Ever since Steph’s husband walked out after a thirty-year marriage, home hasn’t felt like a safe haven. Her daughter Bea thinks she’s imagining things. But Steph knows that the noises in the night, the open windows she knows she left closed, the strange smell in the kitchen – none of it feels right.

Then her house is broken into, and a young man named Noah helps her fix the front window. He’s fallen on hard times and Steph impulsively offers him a place to stay. At least if he is there, she won’t be home alone.

Before long Noah is living in Bea’s old bedroom, paying rent, and getting his life back on track. Steph’s ex-husband and Bea are furious. But Steph feels secure at last.

Until the strange things start happening once more.

Until it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to make her never, ever feel safe again.

MY THOUGHTS: I abandoned Rona Halsall's The Guest Room at 54%. I started by listening to the audiobook, but I didn't like the narrator, Emma Gregory. Her own speaking voice was perfectly pleasant, but the voices she used for some of the characters, Bea in particular, were forced, unnatural and irritating. So I switched to my Kindle copy and battled on to a little after halfway before I decided to abandon this read, unable to face the thought of picking it up again and grinding on. I was bored by this book.

My comments at the time were: 'Nothing is happening. I don't like any of the characters, I have no connection with them. I just can't understand a mother who hasn't heard from her son since he left to join the armed forces ten years earlier, and who hasn't tried to find him until now. Not my cup of tea.'

I have nothing else to add, other than this book has absolutely nothing in common with anything written by Lisa Jewell at all. The comment on the publicity blurb, 'perfect for the fans of Lisa Jewell' was what initially attracted me, but couldn't be further from the truth.

⭐


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I: @ronahalsall @bookouture

T: @RonaHalsallAuth @Bookouture

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THE AUTHOR: Rona loves a puzzle to solve, so now she writes them... her challenge is to find domestic storylines with twists that keep her readers guessing right to the end.

She has been a bit of a nomad during her adult life, moving around the north of England. Then settled in Snowdonia, North Wales where she brought up her family while working as a business mentor. She now lives on the Isle of Man with her husband and two dogs.

She is an outdoorsy person and loves stomping up a mountain, walking the coastal paths and exploring the wonderful glens and beaches on the Island while she's plotting her next book. She has three children and two step-children who are all grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of ideas for new stories.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing both a digital and audio ARC of The Guest Room by Rona Halsall for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Guest Room' by Rona Halsall.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Rona Halsall, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 31st January 2022.

This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Her Mother's Lies', The Ex Boyfriend' and 'The Liar's Daughter' and highly recommend them all.

I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I am also a huge fan of Rona's previous books and if this is half as good as her previous books it is sure to be great. It also stated in the synopsis that this book is 'The most twisty and unputdownable thriller of the year – perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and Gone Girl'. I am a huge fan of 'Gone Girl', Lisa Jewell and Mark Edwards so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 46 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.

This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Steph. The benefits of third person perspective especially with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.

Wow!!!! Well done Rona on another amazing success!!! An absolutely fantastic unputdownable psychological thriller. Extremely well written as are all Rona's books I have previously read with vivid descriptions that absorb you into the storyline.

The storyline is chillingly realistic and it kept me on the edge of my seat and then in the edge of my bed until late at night as I just could not out it down!!! I loved that it was seperate into three sections with the Now and Then and the different perspectives ensuring that the reader missed absolutely nothing. There isn't just the one storyline but all the smaller ones which blend in nicely without any confusion but ensuring there's always something going on. I would never have worked out any of the explosive secrets that were planted throughout and I loved the suspense it creates. Well done Rona as I am getting harder and harder to shock but you definitely managed it!! I was captivated throughout and the storyline was absolutely rammed with secrets, loss, love, desceiot, suspense, tension and red herrings all the way up until the very perfect ending.

The characters were also very realistic and well developed. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and loved finding out about their true stories. Eva and Nancy are both very strong women neither of which give up and I do love a book with a strong female lead. I am glad that the storyline went into their background as it showed the reasons they each did what they did along with their character development throughout.

Congratulations Rona on what promises to be another HUGE success and for, yet again, manage to shock me when many fail. This would make an epic movie and I look forward to your next novel.


Overall an addictive, page turning psychological thriller that will shock you.

Genres covered in this book include Mystery, Thriller, Suspense and Psychological Thriller amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'The Girl on The Train', Lisa Jewell, 'The Family Upstairs', Mark Edwards, 'Gone Girl' and any fans of Rona Halsall and those who enjoy a surprise twist.


292 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I really enjoyed listening to this book, it tells the story of Steph who’s learning to be on her own after her marriage has collapsed. While she enjoys her newly found independence she also starts to feel lonely and as strange events start to happen to her she offer her spare room to a homeless boy that reminds her of her missing son.

Things escalate pretty quickly and with plenty of twists and turns and a very surprising ending (which I did guess though 😉) this book doesn’t disappoint!

Thanks you to NetGalley and Bookouture for letting me review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, which is about a middle aged woman called Steph, whose husband has left her, and her two children are grown up, and have flown the nest, so she is living by herself and she is feeling lonely. While in her job, she comes across a young man called Noah, who is homeless and looking for somewhere to live. She becomes friends with him, and she lets him live with her for a while. Steph's daughter Bea helps her whenever she needs her, but she is very clingy and overprotective. Strange things start occurring all around Steph, but who is responsible for them? She is not sure who to trust, and she goes on a mission to find out what is happening. I found the book really interesting, and I was intrigued to find out who was causing all the trouble for Steph. It was all very exciting, and it kept me entertained. I also enjoyed the narrator, who I recognise from other books. She is very professional, and always does a good job.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the book. I thought it was an interesting read. I did it lost a few time and found the pacing odd, but once all came together it was wonderful. Fast Pace, I wanted to know more and figure out all the dynamics that was going on with the family.
I found Steph to be a bit to nice and welcoming but I liked her a lot and her ex sucked lol.
Things were a bit Predictable but overall good. I look forward to reading more from this author

4/5 ⭐️
Yoooo this was so good! Definitely unsettling! I’m definitely never going to have a random person stay with me ever again! That was a dumb decision! I did go into this blind and I really suggest doing the same!