It’s been months since her sister’s murder, and Tess can’t move on. The police are no closer to solving her case and the guilt continues to build for Tess. Tess has moved into her system, Rosies, flat in London and rents out the spare room to afford the mortgage. Since doing that, Tess has developed an unhealthy habit of snooping through her guest things. One day a new guest, Arran, arrives and Tess immediately finds his diary. Within its pages, it’s clear Arran has an unhealthy obsession with a woman. Tess becomes obsessed with this women and as things start to get more and more familiar, she begins to wonder if it might be here or whether the pages will solve the mystery of her sister’s death.

Sylva’s “The Guest Room” starts off a big slow and takes a while to get going. However, about 40% of the way through it picks up and leaves the reader constantly wanting more. Don’t give up through the slow start, and you’ll be rewarded with an eliciting finish with multiple twists and turns along the way, 3/5 stars

The Guest Room is an exhilarating thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. I have a soft spot for characters with significant flaws as they feel incredibly relatable, and in this book, the main character's utter messiness was a delight. While I anticipated some of the twists, they still added to the overall enjoyment. In summary, this book is a fantastic choice when you're craving a rapid immersion into an enthralling story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This debut novel will lead you on a path with Tess following her roommate to wonder just how stable she is. This one was a faster paced thriller that hooks you in and makes you stay up late to finish!

A very well written, twisty thriller, this book had me captivated from beginning to end questioning if after the trauma of losing her sister, Tess was even a reliable narrator. Well done! Thank you to Welbeck Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

In a tantalizing exploration of the human psyche, Tasha Sylva's "The Guest Room" presents a suspenseful narrative that delves into the murky depths of obsession and the allure of secrets. The story follows Tess, a woman haunted by her past and driven by a compulsion to delve into the lives of her lodgers, as she becomes entangled in a web of mystery, desire, and danger.

Tess's character is a complex blend of vulnerability, curiosity, and yearning. Sylva skillfully portrays her as she navigates the challenges of life, from financial struggles to the haunting memory of her sister's death. Tess's habit of snooping through her guests' belongings becomes a compelling window into her own inner turmoil—a desperate attempt to forge connections and escape the shadows of her past.

When Arran, the enigmatic lodger, takes up residence in her late sister's room, Tess's world takes a tantalizing turn. The discovery of Arran's detailed diary, chronicling his infatuation with an unnamed woman, becomes a catalyst for Tess's descent into a dangerous obsession of her own. Sylva masterfully weaves a sense of suspense as the diary's tone shifts from curiosity to something far more ominous.

The author's vivid descriptions of London's streets and the characters' interactions evoke a palpable sense of tension and intrigue. As Tess shadows Arran, her desperation to uncover the truth about the woman he's infatuated with intensifies, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The gradual revelation of the similarities between the mysterious woman and Tess herself adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, prompting thought-provoking questions about identity and perception.

Sylva's skillful pacing and meticulous plotting maintain a steady undercurrent of suspense throughout the narrative. The tension escalates as Tess's quest for truth leads her down a perilous path, forcing her to confront not only the darkness within Arran's diary but also the demons that haunt her own psyche. The looming question of who is watching whom becomes a central theme that keeps readers engaged and guessing until the final revelation.

In "The Guest Room," Tasha Sylva crafts a psychological thriller that delves into the intricacies of human behavior, obsession, and the allure of the unknown. The exploration of Tess's character, the enigmatic Arran, and the unfolding mystery is a testament to the author's ability to create a rich and immersive narrative. Fans of suspenseful fiction that probes the depths of the human mind will find themselves captivated by the intricate web of secrets, desires, and the haunting quest for truth in this compelling tale.

There have been so many thrillers lately with the same cookie-cutter plot. I expected more of the same with this one. This debut author had a few tricks up her sleeve, making this book a page-turner.

Thank you Natgalley for the ARC! And what a thriller it was! Definitely gave me Rear Window Vibes & I loved every minute of it. I couldn't put this one down.

This book was definitely not what I expected. Two sisters and one is found dead. Tess is trying her best to uncover what happened to her sister. She’s out to do what she thinks the police aren’t. She rents out a room in her flat as a B and B and secretly goes through her guests things when they are out. She finds some rather disturbing things in Arron’s things. So now just like her sisters ex Oliver, she starts following Arron too. Hoping to find anything that will help the police find out what happened to Rosie. She goes out at night she puts herself in danger on purpose because just maybe her sister’s killer will attack her too. She’s consumed by guilt because on the night her sister was murdered she missed calls from Rosie. She has convinced herself that if she’d answered them she could have saved her. So is so wrapped up in trying to find something anything to give her answers she doesn’t realize that someone is watching her. She’s in danger but she has no clue! This book had so many twists! You think you’ve got it figured out only to realize you don’t. And then the ending is mind blowing!!! Such a great read! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this eARC!

This gave me “You” stalker-ish vibes, but it was done really well so it did t come off as creepy/cringey. Solid 3.5 stars.

If you liked The Woman In the Window or The Girl On a Train, this book is for you! I found myself so unbelievably frustrated at the main character while simultaneously not being able to stop reading it. Thank you to @henryholtandcompany and @netgalley for my copy!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4. This book reminded me a lot of the premise of “You”. The stalking, all the stalking and the borderline creepy obsessive nature of the stalker. It was a good debut book, just a lot of stalking and some situations that I found unrealistic and hard to buy into. It was a good read and would certainly read another book by this author, very good attention to detail in a manner that keeps you engaged and not detail overload.

As a fan of suspenseful and slightly eerie stories, "The Guest Room" proved to be a thrilling read that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story revolves around Tess, a Londoner residing in her deceased sister's home, where she rents out a room to various guests. Curiosity gets the better of Tess, leading her to surreptitiously delve into her visitors' lives, living vicariously through their possessions.

The plot thickens when Tess stumbles upon a diary belonging to one of her recent guests, which reveals a disturbing fixation on someone the guest has been relentlessly following. Intrigued by the unsettling entries, Tess's quest for answers sets off a chain of events that unravel in a chilling and unpredictable manner.

The book skillfully weaves together elements of mystery and suspense, making it an ideal choice for thriller enthusiasts. As the debut novel of the author, it showcases their talent for crafting a gripping narrative with an air of unease that pervades throughout the story.

What further captivated me was the enigmatic circumstances surrounding Tess's sister's untimely demise, which adds an additional layer of intrigue to the overall plot. As the threads of the narrative intertwine, readers are left eager to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic death.

I express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for granting me the opportunity to read this riveting title. As always, my opinions remain entirely my own. I eagerly anticipate the author's future works, as "The Guest Room" has left me craving more of their distinct storytelling prowess.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tess is mourning the murder of her sister, Rosie. She has moved into Rosie’s vacant apartment, and although she can’t bring herself to sleep in Rosie’s room, she needs help with the mortgage, so she begins renting it out to B&B guests. She also finds herself drawn to her guests’ private belongings. She likes snooping through their room while they’re out. When she finds the diary of her newest guest, Arran, she becomes obsessed with him and the woman in the diary.

I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down, in a train wreck-y sort of way. The characters are all well written, even if you don’t exactly like them. I was kept guessing for most of the book which is always a plus. I’m impressed that this is the author’s debut novel. I will definitely read her next one.

Those who enjoy their suspense stories with a bit of creepiness, here is a title for you. Londoner, Tess, who lives in her sister’s house, has been renting out a room and has had various guests to stay.

Tess finds herself drawn to snooping on said visitors. She goes through their belongings, living a bit vicariously through them. Tess eventually begins reading a rather “dirty” diary that describes one guest’s obsession with a person he has been following. Tess wants to find out more and things unspool form there. And, oh yes, don’t forget that the circumstances of Tess’s sister’s death (she of the room that is let out) are less than clear.

Those who enjoy a thriller may well enjoy this one. It is the author’s first published book. I wonder what will come next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for this title. All opinions are my own.

A solid thriller that probably won't stick with me.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did really enjoy this book and thought it gave "You" vibes without it being too similar. I really liked the length and thought it could've even been slightly shorter. The characters were so interesting.

Let me begin this by saying that I am a fan of the tv show YOU, so I had high hopes for this novel. Hopes that throughout the course of the novel were repeatedly dashed, unfortunately.

To begin with, none of these characters are particularly likable, but Tess is the worst of all. She comes across throughout most of the book as just obnoxious, and her holier-than-thou attitude quickly got on my nerves. I get wanting to see your sister's killer brought to justice, but the way she not only snoops through her paying guests' belongings but also then begins to follow them around did not endear me to her as a character.

Although, in her defense, I'm guessing that that sort of behavior is the norm in the UK as it seemed that everyone in town seemed to be just as unstable as she was. Since when is wanting to know your neighbor's every move considered normal? I live in a close-knit community, and we do NOT act like this.

I kept pushing through the story, despite the fact that I had to put it down and come back to it several times, hoping that there would be something so mind-blowing at the end that it would make my struggles worth it, but once again, I was left disappointed.

Hopefully, this will be my last disappointing read for awhile; I think after my latest run of bad luck, I deserve something better.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Happy Friday Eve!

I don't know about you but I have some mixed emotions going into this weekend. I turn 38 on Sunday, which is a hard pill to swallow. It also concludes July which means Summer is almost over (Im crying over this) but I will be surrounded by friends and family who will be visiting our beach house for the weekend.

The only downfall is I'll have minimal time to read, which is why I have soaked it all in this week.

The Guest Room, delivers.

Tasha Sylva, has hit the ground running with this stunning debut. From the title, to the cover to the brief description, I knew this one would be a shoe in for a five star read, and I was right!

The constant suspense and fear that built up with all of Tess' snooping had me holding my breath the entire time I was reading. No, I didn't die, but I sure did feel the fear!

You don't want to miss this one folks! Head on over to your favorite place to purchase books (or borrow) and dive on in!

Teaser :

Tess has a bad habit. She can’t stop snooping through her guests' belongings . . .

When Tess is forced to rent out her late sister’s old room to pay the bills, the urge to rummage through her guests’ belongings overtakes her every thought. Teasing herself with forbidden glimpses into the lives of strangers is a momentary thrill, but it’s the closest she’s felt to anyone since the mysterious death of her sister, Rosie.

After her newest lodger, Arran, takes the room, Tess finds his salaciously detailed diary, which chronicles his infatuation with a beautiful stranger. The diary, which appears harmless at first, slowly takes a darker, more menacing tone with each new entry.

Is this a crush or an obsession?

Her compulsion to know the truth leads to Tess shadowing Arran through the streets of London, hoping to catch a glimpse of this unnamed woman. And as she continues to peruse his diary, she can’t help but notice the similarities between the woman on the pages and herself, leaving her to wonder, Who has truly been watching whom?

Great debut novel! Definitely an author to watch for more from. Rosie dies under mysterious circumstances and her sister can’t seem to move on. Tess’s obsession with her sisters ex as her killer is palpable, yet is Oliver really to blame? Through this book you find yourself trying to put together the pieces and see what really happened.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Tasha Sylva and Henry Holt and Company for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

The Guest Room is an exciting psychological thriller with unexpected twists in which the reader may not actually know who the real villain could be. The plot sends you down a rabbit hole of mystery and suspense as you try and put the pieces together of why a young woman was murdered and if her sister may be having some sort of breakdown trying to find the answers.

When Tess’s sister Rosie is found murdered, her life is turned upside down. Forget the fact that Rosie had been leaving her messages to call her and Tess had been too busy, but she also finds out that Rosie had been having some sort of breakdown at the time. So, with all this guilt, blaming herself for not being a good sister, it is now Tess’s mission to find out what really happened. Even though the police have no suspects, Tess does.

After the murder, Tess moves into the apartment Rosie, an upcoming artist owned. Unable to make ends meet she decides to rent out the extra bedroom to travelers and visitors on a short-term basis. But with everything going on with the death, Tess has developed a habit. She snoops in their room just to make sure the has not rented the to a psychopath! She must say she does enjoy looking through their things, trying to figure out who they are and what makes them tick.

At night though, Tess roams the area where Rosie was killed. She tries to find clues or perhaps lure the killer out. She tries to imagine just what happened to Rosie and why. She feels the police, who she hounds daily, has put her sister’s case on the backburner. She feels it is up to her to find out what really took place.

But when a new tenant arrives, Aaran, a very handsome, very kind man arrives to stay in the guest room, Tess becomes curious as to his life. When she does her snooping into his backpack, she finds a diary he is in the process of writing, In the diary he seems to have a secret obsession with a woman. He follows her and imagines his life with her. Tess becomes all consumed with the diary and Aaran.

As her preoccupation with finding out exactly who the woman her tenant seems to be stalking is, she herself becomes obsessed with Aaran. She begins to see this man in a different light. So, she begins to stalk him, but also fall for him.

Then in the blink of an eye Tess’s world which was cracking, completely falls apart as she discovers Aaron’s obsession and thinks she’s found her sister’s killer. As Tess seems to lose all sense of reality, the shocking ending will make this rollercoaster ride worth every minute! Who is really living in the guest room?

Thank you #NetGalley #HenryHoltandCo #TashaSylva #TheGuestRoom for the advanced copy.