Don't Let In The Cold boasts a mystery thriller for a YA audience, however it struggles to deliver. Following the marriage of their parents after a very quick relationship, step-sisters Lottie and Jade find themselves trapped in an isolated cabin during a snow storm. When a handsome stranger turns up, things take a turn for the worst.

The thriller aspect seemed to fall flat, though the writing and premise was intriguing, but it was the romance aspect which let this novel down. Very little seemed to hook me as a reader and, as a result, this became a slog to read.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

**Disclaimer: I recieved an eARC of Don't Let in the Cold by Keely Parrack through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

Don't Let in the Cold by Keely Parrack is a young adult thriller novel.  It is about a teenage girl named Lottie who is set to stay at a remote cabin with her new stepsister for a night while her mom goes on her honeymoon with her step dad.  Unfortunately, things go horribly wrong.  It is set to be published on September 6th, 2022.  I rated it four stars.


Here's the summary from Goodreads:

The storm isn't the only thing they'll have to survive.
It was supposed to be just one night in the cabin: one night for Lottie and her brand new stepsister, Jade, to try to get along. When a solar flare causes a massive blackout―no power or cell signal―Lottie knows they've got a long night ahead of them.
Then, in the dark, someone else shows up at the cabin―a stranger named Alex, claiming to be lost and needing shelter from the coming snowstorm. But later that night, Lottie spies him in the driveway talking to two mysterious men in a pickup truck, and she's sure he's lying about why he's here.
Before Lottie can find out more, a fire forces her, Jade, and Alex out into the blizzard, where they must rely on one another to get to safety―wherever that is. In the remote, freezing Tahoe wilderness, they have to survive more than just the elements. Soon it becomes clear that Alex's accomplices are hunting for all three of them, in a scheme that's gone too far and taken a chilling, deadly turn.

I think it was the cover that drew me in on this one, but once I read the summary I knew I wanted to read it.  I really enjoy isolated thrillers with snowstorms, and have read a few in recent years.   I wanted to see how this one held up.  It was a good young adult thriller.

I found Lottie an interesting character.  I liked how we slowly learned about her history and why she acted the way that she did.  I also liked getting to watch the developing of her relationship with her stepsister, Jade.  They had a really rocky go of it, but they really grew together.   They have a really great dynamic.  However, I suppose life or death experiences really help to bond you.

I liked the general premise of the story.  The isolation of the cabin and the stranger that claimed to need shelter,  all added a real sense of tension.  I liked reading about Lottie trying to figure out what was going on with Alex.  She kept going back and forth, and it was interesting to read about her thought process.  When they had to leave the house and venture out, that was also interesting to read about as it provided a different element to the story that I hadn't been expecting, despite it literally being in the blurb.

It had decent writing, and some good moments.  However, there were some parts that I could have done without.  I didn't love the romance between Alex and Lottie.  It felt like it came a little out of nowhere, and I wanted more of a build up to it.  I also didn't understand why Lottie thought her mom would think she was a total screw up (even though she majorly had).  The story never really backed up the reasoning on that, and then I felt like it completely disappeared from the narrative by the end.

Overall though, I had a super fun time reading it and I definitely recommend that you check it out when it publishes in September.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!

'Don't Let in the Cold' is about a girl named Lottie who finds herself with a new stepsister Jade and stepfather Oliver, when her mother gets married after a whirlwind courtship. Despite having nothing in common, Lottie and Jade are then forced to spend time together at a cabin in Tahoe, while their parents are off on their honeymoon. Lottie is less than happy about her new circumstances, as her life is constantly being uprooted due to her mother's impulsive decisions. She is also still deeply affected by her father's mysterious disappearance/abandonment from years earlier. So, the last thing she needs right now is a new family to complicate her life.

As expected, the girls' bonding experience doesn't go as planned when a snowstorm hits the area. But their situation becomes more dire when three strangers turn up, asking for directions and shelter, and they are not who they appear to be...

Overall this book was okay. It's as suspenseful as you can expect from a YA thriller about teens trapped in a snowstorm with suspicious strangers, who later turn out to be burglars and attempted killers. The plot and characters are pretty straightforward however (what you see is what you get). While there are suspenseful moments, everything gets tied up pretty neatly by the end. Though I do question the wisdom of leaving two unacquainted teenagers alone at a remote cabin in Tahoe, I didn't find the story to be too unrealistic.

If you're looking for a straightforward thriller with low stakes, I recommend this book.

I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately it missed the mark. I found this book to be very underwhelming and I had a hard time getting invested in the story.

A surprisingly survival adventure set in a remote area with a snowstorm! Unlikely stepsisters and a guy and his dog...who they can't figure out but are bonded to. Suspenseful.

thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

full disclosure: i requested this book on a whim without really reading the summary, with the intention of boosting my ratio. that being said, i did find the book underwhelming. i was expecting some more action and excitement throughout the book, and the characters weren’t super sympathetic for me. i wish the stakes had been a bit higher throughout— there were some intense scenes but conflict was resolved really quickly and easily for the most part. there were also some really strange lines that seemed to be there for the sole purpose of making the book seem more diverse— there were random references to being #gay asf or being "the only bipoc in the hood" that didn't add anything to the plot. overall, this book was a pretty easy and engaging read that could have been improved by a bit more excitement.

When Lottie goes to Tahoe to meet her new stepsister she isn't looking forward to her new family. A blizzard and a guy and his dog at the cabin door later changes everything. A thrilling read to the end

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy!

One night alone together in their Tahoe cabin turns into much more for new stepsisters Lottie and Jade. Their first time together as a family was supposed to be enjoyable, but as soon as their parents leave them for the night, the snow storm creeps in. Horrible weather, strangers in the night, and no power; all the girls have is each other until their parents return. Will they make it out alive? What happens when one night turns into many more? And are these strangers they come across friends or foe?

This book wasn’t for me, however I think it’s a good read for someone looking for a low key, YA thrill. The chaos was more than a little far fetched and some parts were too cheesy in my opinion, but again, I don’t think I was the target audience

Definitely an intriguing story. It brought me through the ringer, giving me whiplash. The mcs were loveable and flawed. A great story about survival.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Honestly, this book wasn’t for me! But that is okay because it still was enjoyable at times. The first few chapters had me hooked with the pacing and the what is going to happen. This was a really original story and concept. Now would you let a stranger into your home during a blizzard? Me, probably not. But Lottie and her new step-sister Jade do. They are house sitting for their newly married parents who are on their honeymoon. But things go terribly wrong when they let the charming, Alex, stay the night to shelter from the storm. A fire is started and now they must escape to the wilderness in a blizzard. Who can Lottie really trust? Can they survive this storm?

What I did like:
- the pacing was well done and the story was a quick read. This only took me one sitting to finish
- The writing was well done! The descriptions felt like you were really in that blizzard. Plus the concept was interesting and original
- This was full of all the suspense I need in a good thriller!
- The twists!

Overall, this was a really fun read! This would be great for anyone who wants to get into thrillers. I did feel like I couldn’t relate to the characters at times. But that good be my age compared to theirs. This was one crazy rollercoaster of a story! 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 4.

I will start off and say this wasn’t my favorite book hence the star rating, I felt like it was a complete randomness that to me just didn’t make any sense. It’d a story on what else can go wrong cause nothing can do it .. but it does.

DNF (UPDATE i didnt know there was a dnf/ will not give feedback option and i cant edit it to that option but would like to move it to will not give feedback option/dnf section) requested this ebook from netgalley bc it sounded like somethin i would enjoy bc i like survival in wilderness books but idk if its bc ive been reading so many other books like that from netgalley that im gettin burnt and the story and characters are just ok and not interesting enough for me, im not enjoyin and im dreadin reading it.im a bit curious about what happened and whats gonna happen but honestly not enough to keep reading and push thru. i try not to dnf books specially ones i requested but maybe i need a break from survival books bc ive been reading so many lately or im in a reading slump. the cover and description of the book is good and interesting and had me curious but unfornately ive to dnf it, maybe another time ill give it another go. if u like survival stuck in wilderness stories u may like this one. lottie honestly annoys me unfornately, i just feel like shes kinda useless (which ig its bc shes not a very outdorsy person unlike jade) she did spot and was suspicious of alex which ill give her that, but even so idk i just dont really like her nor i really care about alex and jade (even tho jade is asmathic like me)
the story keeps getting frustating in a way bc every place they find refugee is messed up in a way that they cant stay there. cabin burnt they leave they find car, car has dead person inside they cant stay inside of it also bc heater runs off. then they go to mr soto and ofc mr soto aint there (which also idk they kinda took long to realise he aint there..) and then bc theres a bear there they cant stay, nor in mr sotos house bc of no key and door is locked.. so now they have to go outside once again in the cold and they keep thinking they will be saved.. but no its gonna take days.

This was an electrifying cat and mouse story and the choices people make when it comes to their own survival. New stepsisters, Lottie and Jade are left alone at an isolated cabin in Tahoe for an evening after their parents' wedding. What could go wrong? A lot apparently. As the girls are slowly getting to know each other the electricity goes out caused by a solar flare. They have some unexpected visitors, including a young man named Alex and his dog Otis. Lottie is convinced Alex is up to no good, but Jade thinks they should let him stay inside because of the blizzard heading their way. One thing after another happens to this trio and they must decide what they are willing to do in order to survive.

I really enjoyed this story until about 30% and then it went up in flames. The story takes place over four days, but so much happens in those four days. I liked the beginning and I liked the ending, but I felt too many unbelievable things happened in the middle. The characters were likable and I enjoyed how they bonded with each other and learned how to trust each other. Overall I would recommend this book to others because it is a quick and intense read. I was never bored while reading it, although I did roll my eyes a few times. I'm a middle aged mother so I'm not the target audience obviously! I think younger readers would enjoy this survival story immensely. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t love this. It felt very repetitive and a lot of weird, random things thrown in. The Alice wonderland of modern times and in a blizzard.

Just about anything that can go wrong, does. Lottie the daughter of a survivalist who died while hiking with her is put to the test. Her mom has remarried and has left her in charge. Lottie and her new step sibling Jade will bond over the 4 day blizzard.

I read this book in 24 hours because I wouldn’t put it down! There was so much suspense and I had to keep reading to find out what happened next! Definitely recommend!

I love a good "isolated cabin in winter in a snowstorm" book and this was no exception! Chock-full of twists and turns, surprises you wont see coming and even a creepy atmospheric vibe. This was such good fun! Well written, characters I enjoyed and a terrific ending! Thank you so much!

*thank you so much netgalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review
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the premise of this book was so so good. I loved the cold survival aspect, not knowing who to trust, and all of the many twists and surprises along the way.
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I am always down for a good friendship/sibling relationship and although this one started out a little rocky I loved seeing the growth between Lottie and jade and the sacrifices they came to make for each other.
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Overall this was such a fun read and kept me turning pages. The twists kept me so intrigued I finished this in one sitting.

Don’t Let In the Cold Review! 🌨

Thank you so much for a gifted copy of Don’t Let In the Cold in exchange for an honest review! Don’t Let in the Cold comes out September 6, 2022!

I am always down to read a winter survive thriller, so I requested this one as soon as I saw it. Don’t Let In the Cold was a 3.25/ 5 ⭐️ for me. I thought that this one had great potential and it didn’t fall flat for me, but instead was way over the top. I just thought that were was so much going on. There was plot after plot after plot and most of it was very unrealistic. And I do realize that this is a ya novel, but I felt that the characters were very immature. I don’t think I’d be making out with a boy if my face was falling off due to frost bite. 😂🥶
I did love the snowy survive aspect of it, but this was just too unbelievable.

Synopsis: Lottie’s mom just got remarried and she is forced to hang out with her new step sister while her parents are away for their little honey moon. Lottie doesn’t feel at home in the fancy Tohoe cabin with a very standoffish step sister. And she doesn’t realize what danger her new sister and herself are in when a solar flare causes a masses blackout and a big storm is heading their way.

A fast paced and gripping thriller!
Great concept, likeable characters, and a terrifically atmospheric backdrop meant that I stayed up all night to finish it!
A great read!