The Guest is a difficult book to pin down. I wanted to love it, but ultimately found it lackluster- a steep departure from Cline's highly celebrated novel, The Girls. The main character, Alex, is a vagabond and a parasite. Shifting from man to man, she tries to make it as a sugar baby, but she's not especially talented at it. She manages to burn every bridge and uses people until she drains them dry.

The plot, a term which I use loosely here, goes like this: Alex is dating silver fox Simon, lazing the summer days away poolside in Long Island. But as Labor Day approaches, things hit a snag and Alex's carefree vacation is cut short. Having no place to stay and little money to speak of, she begins couch-surfing whilst devising a plan to win Simon back.

The overarching feeling or image that The Guest conjures is existential angst and a yawning void of emptiness. It explores the transactional nature of relationships and time as a burden or obstacle to be overcome. We spend all our time with the unlikeable energy vampire Alex, but there is no backstory or psychological insight that would help explain her morally questionable behavior or allow the reader to sympathize with her. And while she happens to be a sugar baby- a career path that I find absolutely fascinating- this aspect of her life is barely expanded upon at all. What a missed opportunity! I also felt put off by the way the book abruptly ends without any resolution, begging the question- why did the author choose to write this particular story?

And yet, despite these qualms, I was still unwittingly entertained by The Guest, finishing it a mere 24 hours after picking it up. That rarely happens to me and it speaks to Cline's hypnotic writing and ability to draw people in. While The Guest wasn't what I was hoping for, I will still read anything this author writes. The potential was certainly there. It's quite possible that I simply wasn't the right reader for this book.

*3.5*
This is an... interesting one. So first off, it's very character focused rather than plot-focused (which typically isn't my thing). However, the character, this messy, sad 22(?) year old, is certainly an intriguing one. I found myself going back and forth between finding her relatable and finding her despicable. She's undoubtedly a reckless character and it's hard not to just drop your jaw at just HOW careless she is at times. While I do find her intriguing, I don't know though if she's as developed as I would have wanted her to be. For example, while there are a few moments where her vulnerability and *humanness* is revealed, I felt like I needed a lot more of it!
Pacing: I will say that I didn't feel that invested in the story until about the 50 or 60% mark, and it's the last quarter of the book that really picks things up and where it's at its most suspenseful.
The ending: I can't say too much about the type of ending this is. All I'll all say though is that while I can understand how the ending is powerful and a little unsettling -- which it is -- I don't know if I found it satisfying. It left with more questions than answers, but not necessarily in an enjoyable way. There's just so much more that I needed from the character and so much more I needed to know about her! Nonetheless, I do think that for what the book is trying to accomplish, it does it fairly well.

Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. This was so close to being a 5 star read for me. But that ending...Emma Cline played me with that ending. (Don't worry, I will not be spoiling anything)

The synopsis was intriguing, but also vague enough that when I got to reading, I didn't know what to expect. This novel felt like a puzzle; every new detail meant getting closer to figuring out what the hell was going on, and if our mc would suffer the consequences of her unruly actions.

The writing was incredibly addicting. I am surprised that this kind of novel captivated me the way it did because tbh, this is one of those "no plot, just vibes" kind of books. And the "vibes" are not super pleasant, but I was still incredibly immersed. I was never bored, and I was actually quite anxious when I got to the last chapter because I didn't want to part with this story—not until all my questions were answered. Alas, I was not completely satisfied once it was over.

BUT...did Cline need to spell everything out for me to enjoy this?
No.

I love how this novel flipped the well known narrative of men as predators. And not that we didn't know women could be predators/abusers/crooks/etc., and with this whole epidemic of "unhinged women" in fiction, we have seen more and more depictions of "female rage," but The Guest was slightly different.
The argument could be made that our mc, Alex, is not mentally sound, but Cline brilliantly presented why it doesn't matter if Alex (or any woman) attempts to play the role of predator, of deceiver—she will still feel fear deep in her bones the second a man tries to seek revenge. She will still be hunted, mere prey once again. Now, this doesn't excuse Alex of her decisions. I enjoyed how Cline depicted male vulnerability, as well as the reminder that true kindness does exist, even if you're someone that rather continue denying it.

All in all, this worked for me. I have my qualms, but I know I won't stop thinking about this book for a good while.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I didn't love this, but I admire how professional and smooth it is. Extremely buzzy too. I think folks will love this.

I have not had a book make me feel this consistently uneasy in a long time.

This was such a fast 5 star read for me, and a much anticipated book. Alex's tension and choices haunt me still!!!

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.

Alex is running away from a mystery man called Dom, using her youth, looks, and savvy about what men and people want, to con unsuspecting males into taking her in and thus hiding her. She pretends love and affection for those she uses, but only wants to get back to a wealthy lover Simon, who had sent her away before.

The novel is character driven. I have not read about such a personality before in such depth - a drug using manipulative young woman looking for someone to give her a life she couldn't normally afford.

I was intrigued by her, her actions and motives, and this kept me reading to the end, wondering what would finally happen to her. I'm not sure, even after finishing the book, exactly what happens to Alex, whether physically or mentally or both. But at least, I thought, she finally found herself among the people who might possibly give her the help she would need.

Love Emma Kline and her latest is excellent! The guest follows a grifter type as she navigates her way through life. Lying, stealing, and everything in between to get what she wants. The only thing somewhat confusing was the ending. It was intentionally vague but I want more haha!!

I gave this book 2 stars simply because it was someone’s art and work, which takes effort.
This book wasn’t for me. I don’t need to say much more, except it was a nothing burger. The ending was welcomed. I would have loved to see character development, less teenagers, and more details where they matter!! This book felt like it was written in a rush and I don’t believe it was, but it was hard to follow. This book has potential to be better. I appreciate the author's art and time on her writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Emma Cline does it again! THE GUEST is a gripping, enigmatic read. Alex is down on her luck, yet seems to make the most of any situation, primarily through looks and seduction. She's a drifter, hopping from the kindness of one stranger after another, and alienating just about anyone in her warpath. Present are Cline's usual concerns with girlhood and intimacy and power. Though this is a novel that doesn't give its reader any easy answers. Told in close third, we still really aren't fully let into Alex's consciousness. There are gaps to what we know about her background. And this works. It most reminded me of Marcy Dermansky's Hurricane Girl, though stylistically both are doing their own thing. 

THE GUEST is an odd, enthralling read. I can't wait to read whatever Cline writes next.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

Emma Cline is so good at crafting sentences. Like, so so good. On a line level, everything she’s put out—her 2016 debut novel, The Girls; 2020 short story collection, Daddy; various Paris Review and New Yorker stories, including the 2020 Weinstein scandal satire, “White Noise”—have been incredible. Her writing scratches an itch in my brain. She is the author who has me rereading sentences five times in a row going, “How did she come up with that description? What made her land on that particular word, and why does it work so well in this context?” Her latest novel, out in May, is no less satisfying to read. A story about a week in the life of a young grifter who goes by Alex, The Guest is an episodic, compelling journey. I admit that it took me a chapter to get into, but once it hooked me (i.e. when the inciting incident takes place and the ball starts rolling), I was hooked to the end. As with The Girls, Cline adds an air of suspense to situations that may not warrant it, keeping us on our toes for the duration of a scene, even if nothing bad ends up happening. I found myself holding my breath even after the potential for danger had subsided; even when Alex was “safe”. Though both are similar stylistically, I preferred The Guest to The Girls—which I already liked a lot. That being said, I’ll read anything with her name on it!

Great return to form after the short story collection. Was very excited to read this. Can't wait to hear what other people have to say about it.

Following an anti-hero seeking to capitalize on the wealthy class, this tale captures the intimacy and anxiety of a young woman and her wiles. Exploring the landscape of class and privilege, as a reader you'll find yourself invested in the unraveling of this complex lead.

Posted to GoodReads also @KAT

If you don't care that the main character has zero redeeming qualities and you're good with a book that disintegrates as you go, this is for you!

I put those caveats bc some folks aren't really ok with unlikeable leads and uncomfortable plots. Don't read an Emma Cline book 📚 bc you will inevitably hate it.

If you liked The Girls, you'll enjoy this. Alex is horrible but you become invested in the outcome of her story. I'm straight down the middle on this, didn't love it, didn't hate it but do adore Clines writing style.

This was a fascinating novel, close in on the mind and thoughts of Alex, an aimless twenty two year old woman who grifts, cons, and sleeps with people to sustain herself. This story follows just a week in Alex’s life, a week where she drifts from opportunity to opportunity, her life and lifestyle slowly deteriorating as she scams and takes advantage of different people each day to stay in a wealthy beach town. Even as she gets deeper and deeper into trouble, I couldn’t look away or put the book down. Another marvelous novel by Emma Cline.

The writing in the story was ok and it kept me entertained, but the main character had zero redeeming qualities and I had a hard time enjoying her journey. There was zero climax or ending and I was left wanting some character development or growth.

This book is probably going to be in everyone’s summer reading list. It’s a very summery and breezy book. We follow Alex as she spends a summer in a beach town outside of New York. There are a lot of abuse and suicide triggers in the book. Other than that, it’s a truly entertaining book where drama follows Alex everywhere she goes. She has a delusional relationship with Simon which unfolds as the story progresses. There are a deluge of characters and everything somehow leads back ti Alex. I would absolutely recommend this book.

This ended so abruptly, that I am still confused about it. I can only give this three stars because the cliffhanger was so strange and abrupt. Even though this was not my favorite read, and I didn't find the characters likable, the writing was well done and I am still looking forward to reading "Girls." Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the free preview copy.

I devoured this book. Couldn’t put it down. I read for five hours straight.

Alex, Alex. Alex. What a frustrating, enthralling mess. She’s an anti-hero, but my goodness, did I find myself rooting for her. I learned next to nothing about her and yet I became attached to her. I wanted her to be better and stop hurting people, but to also continue to do what she was doing. How confusing and delightful. A deeper, more literary review would examine Alex and her relationship with water, but I’ll save that for my own time.

The Guest gets 4/5 for me. It isn’t the type of book I would normally read, but I was unable to stop consuming it. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Guest by Emma Cline.

i absolutely adored Emma Cline's writing and i will definitely be reading some of her other work, however, the story left me wanting more. i enjoyed the beginning, but i felt there was no climax and by the end i wasn't fully satisfied. i will, however, be recommending this to customers, as i could see others enjoying this title more than i did.