Ok you guys. The first 30% of this book. I wanted to DNF. It was a slowwww burn for sure. But O.M.G. When I tell you I never saw these twists coming. I am not kidding. This was the perfect mix of romance, mystery, thrill and some heartbreak. At times I truly wanted to fight the main character, but in the end I loved her and felt Andrea truly answered every question I could’ve had. She tied up every loose end and in the wildest way. Couldn’t put the thing down once the wheels started moving!!! This one comes out June 20! And I truly do recommend it!!

This shouldn't be marketed as thriller. Barely suspense. This is all sex and no stabs. The "thriller" happens in the last 20%??? *sigh*

I went into this not really knowing how I felt about pandemic fiction - this was the first book I've read that described life *during* the pandemic, and it was a unique experience. The author created an interesting, weird, potentially realistic scenario around the pandemic - and it worked. That said, I genuinely have no idea what to think of the complete left turn into twistville with the actual plot. Did not see "forming a thruple with your pandemic pod" on my reading bingo card, but here we are. This was twisted, strange, unpredictable, and a fairly easy read. I enjoyed it, but I am also somehow... unsatisfied by the ending. Definitely worth the read, just... different.

I had read “We Were Never Here” and devoured that book! I was excited by this book, and seeing the cover had to request it. I had read the description, but I think I was expecting it to be more thriller. Unfortunately, this one did not fit the bill. Probably a good book, but not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

Wow, uhm… I think I’m still processing what I read?! 🤯

After enjoying We Were Never Here, I jumped on the chance to request an early copy of Andrea Bartz latest and maybe forgot to read what it was about?? The open marriage, the throuple situation, it’s all right there in the synopsis and yet I was totally not expecting it. What a wild ride! The story was just so captivating and I couldn’t put it down. Jam packed with twists I never saw coming. Very much recommend picking this up next month!

❗️Maybe hold off if you’re not yet ready to read books that take place during the pandemic. It’s not super heavy on that topic but does make small references from time to time.

2 things I washed that interested in reading about, the pandemic and throuples, but it worked! I could have done without some of the details of the Covid timeline. I'm just not ready to read about it, since we all recently lived it. The man in character made some questionable decisions, but don't they all. Ha! The twists were great and you never really knew who was good/bad until the very end.

Thank you bet galley for the ARC! Solid read!

After enjoying "We Were Never Here" by Andera Bartz I was excited to read her newest "The Spare Room". I liked the idea of a domestic thriller set during the pandemic because it gives a sense of isolation we can all relate with. However the romance and drama drawn out through the first 3/4 of the book was not what I was looking for. The story got a bit ridiculous and I felt like it took forever for anything of interest to actually happen. I didn't dislike this book it just wasn't what I was expecting after reading her other book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

I wanted to read this because I read and loved “We Were Never Here” and Andrea did not disappoint!!
This book instantly pulled me in. I love a book with such an “active” start. I feel like I’ve read so many books lately that don’t really start until 25-30% in.
This felt like a thriller through and through and I could not put it down.

The Spare Room is the latest dark and twisty suspense novel from Andrea Bartz. I’ve enjoyed every one of this author’s books and this one was no exception.
This thriller is the definition of a page-turner!
An impossible to put down, fast paced suspense.
Bartz has created phenomenal depth, intriguing characters, tense suspense, compelling mystery, a fun whodunit.
A slow burn story with a satisfying ending.
This one kept me up long past my bedtime!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Random House & Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for providing me an early copy to read and review.

If you loved We Were Never Here like I did, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this. It’s definitely a unique read, kind of a wild and bananas plot, but such an interesting mystery that started off as more of a slow-burn drama.

The characters were difficult to connect with, but this was such an escape and I just had to keep reading to see how it would all wrap up.

Oh. My. Goodness. If I could give this book 6 stars, I would! This book was a hard one to put down. Every time I thought I had something figured out, I was wrong. I was in complete shock towards the end of the book, I would have never guessed who actually did it. I have never read Andrea Bartz before, but she is now on the top of my list. I have downloaded 2 more of her books already! This book should be moved to the top of your TBR!

I started this book by thinking, “oh great, a story line set during the pandemic, I don’t really need to relive the experience.” However, the plot line really only works when you take the cultural clime of a lockdown into mind. I went back and forth between thinking Kelly was being a little crazy and reading way too much into things to thinking her suspicions were absolutely justified. I couldn’t track who was trustworthy and who wasn’t throughout the story and I didn’t really see the twist coming. Overall I enjoyed this book.

Basic premise: Set during the pandemic, Kelly takes up communication with an old friend, Sabrina. Kelly takes a break from her fiancee, Mike. She moves to VA to quarantine with Sabrina and her husband, Nathan. Romances, distrust, and deception. Predictable plot twists throughout the story.

I wasn't "wowed" with this book. It didn't feel like a thriller until the last 1/4 of the book. It just wasn't for me.

I did not love this one and I struggled to finish it. I thought the premise of the book was a bit confusing, and I did not care for Kelly at all. This book is more of a romance than a thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Near the beginning of the pandemic, after her relationship falls apart, Kelly goes to live with her old friend Sabrina and Sabrina's husband Nathan in their gorgeous home. Things take a turn for the steamy, but when Kelly learns that their previous partner is missing, she fears she might be next. With more twists than a bag of pretzels, expect to see this one in a lot of beach bags; it's a perfect poolside read.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC that I received in exchange for an honest review (and to the author for including a note at the beginning that nothing bad happens to the cat!).

This is one wild roller coaster ride! Hang on until the end and enjoy!!!! Kelly’s fiancé has just (kind of) broken up with her. So she goes to stay with an old friend she reconnects with online. Sabrina is now a popular author married to Nathan who works for the DOD. Quarantine with these three is anything but boring! Lots of mystery, sexiness, and lies - perfect combo for a mystery.

Unfortunately this wasn’t it for me. Nothing happened in the first 50% and it just drug on. I’d still try other books by this author though!

I was excited to read this after reading "We Were Never Here." I was also really intrigued by the cover and synopsis but I only go to 20% before I gave up on it. I was expecting more of a thriller but it was just too slow and the main character was insufferable and whiny. I just couldn't get into it.

The Spare Room by Andrea Bartz was pretty lackluster overall. It was a fine read, but nothing really stuck out (in a good way). There were too many chapters of indecision and paranoia, which made the book drag as a whole. The throuple concept was forced and added unnecessary "spice" to the book. 2.5 stars rounded up.

ating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Category: Romantic Mystery Thriller

Overall: Riveting, unique, domestic suspense

Pros: This book was chaotic, suspenseful and intriguing that takes place during the pandemic quarantine days. The first half starts off slow and takes a weird and surprisingly sexual turn that I was not expecting. Once you get past that, the tension builds into a riveting thriller where you’re trying to figure out who the culprit is while they’re all trapped inside the mansion. The relationships between all the characters were extremely complex and intricate, and could be psychoanalyzed in multiple directions. The story felt very unique and unpredictable, which is rare in mystery-thriller books. There were a few unexpected turns and I have to confess, I did not see the ending coming; I never would’ve guessed the plot-twist.

Cons: Overall, this was an entertaining read but I enjoyed Andrea Bartz’s earlier book, We Were Never Here, better. I had mixed feelings about the conclusion and felt like the plot was too drawn-out. I also was not expecting the sexual first half and didn’t particularly enjoy it. I think it could’ve been more accurately described as a romantic thriller/mystery to elude to that.