Member Reviews
The premise of this book sounded like something I’d really enjoy, but it didn’t work for me. There was too much double crossing, no characters I cared about, and the crux of the plot and 16 year revenge plot just didn’t work for me.
**Book Review: *The Hotel* by Emily Shiner**
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
*The Hotel* by Emily Shiner is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on edge with its chilling atmosphere, unreliable characters, and a plot full of deceit. Set in a remote, isolated hotel where the snow traps the characters inside, this book quickly evolves into a tense game of survival.
The story centers around a couple, Chloe and Luke, who decide to get away for a relaxing weekend at a luxury hotel. However, what starts as an idyllic escape quickly turns into a nightmare. The hotel’s eerie setting adds an extra layer of unease as secrets start to emerge and trust erodes between the characters. The claustrophobic environment, paired with the winter storm, creates an inescapable tension that keeps the reader gripped.
Shiner does an excellent job developing her characters, particularly Chloe, who starts off as an ordinary woman seeking a break from life but quickly finds herself unraveling as events take a darker turn. Luke’s character is equally intriguing, with hidden motives that keep you guessing whether he is a victim or part of a larger conspiracy.
The pacing of *The Hotel* is perfect for a thriller—every chapter ends with a hook that makes you want to turn the page. Shiner’s writing is taut and filled with a sense of impending doom. While the mystery unfolds gradually, it is layered with enough suspense to keep the tension high throughout.
The twists in the story are well-executed, especially toward the climax, where everything you thought you knew is turned on its head. The ending is both surprising and satisfying, though it leaves just enough ambiguity to make you question some of the characters' true intentions.
Overall, *The Hotel* is a fast-paced, intense thriller that will appeal to fans of suspense and mystery. Emily Shiner has crafted a story that lingers with you, making you think twice about the people you trust. Perfect for readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric thrillers with unexpected twists.
"The Hotel" by Emily Shiner is a gripping psychological thriller set in a secluded Maine inn during a snowstorm. The story revolves around Abby and Mark, who run the Saltside Inn, and their unexpected guests, the Rowe family. As secrets unravel amid the tension, the atmosphere thickens, leading to a shocking twist. Shiner excels in creating suspense, though some character development feels underwhelming. The plot is engaging, making it a solid choice for fans of thrillers. While it captivates with its twists, deeper character exploration would enhance the overall experience. 4 stars.
Ech, that was hard to finish...
The start was promising. I see in my mind beautiful hotel, perfect place for getaway and family I truly admired.
And then... everything changed.
I was curious about the secrets, but I couldn't stand her naive thinking, his secrets that I kinda guesses straight away.
I find it so slowly uncovering, so boring sometimes, that I coudn't describing as gripping.
Rather not fulfill my expectations
I have read a few of Emily Shiner's books & I do enjoy her style of writing! This book was no exception, thoroughly enjoyed!!!
The Hotel by Emily Shiner.
This one started out well but it really took awhile to get anywhere. I had a bit of a time getting into this one.
Abby and her husband Mark run a struggling B&B on the coast of Maine. They have a son, Henry whom Abby is fiercely protective of and is always imagining something bad happening to him. She also secretly checks Marks phone periodically for discrepancy's. But Mark does have a secret and it has something to do with their new guests whom are about to stay for 3 long weeks. Abby thinks they are the answer to their ‘money’ problems but she’s about to find out how wrong she was.
Abby, Mark and their young son Henry own a remote cliff top hotel. As they are having money problems Abby decides to offer discount on their B and B. This attracts the Rowe family, Lottie and Tim and their daughter Chelsea. They decide to book the whole B and B to themselves for three weeks as they need a relaxing break. They talk as though they have stayed at the B and B before but Abby is convinced they are lying. Before long strange things start to happen and we realise that someone is hiding secrets. Abby and Mark decide that they are going to ask the family to leave early but a massive snowstorm cuts them off and leaves them all trapped. But who can Abby trust, in particular Mark, but she will do all she can to protect Henry. From the beginning we realise that the Rowe’s had a reason for booking the B and B and it was interesting to hear the different characters points of view. An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,
I enjoy books about hotels and this one did not disappoint! With plenty of twists and turns as well as the snowy Maine mountains.
Thank You to NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book!
is a compelling thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. With its well-drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and plot twists.
I am just catching up on my ARCs and although this already came out, I wanted to read it and give it my honest review. So thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.
I really enjoyed this book, it had twists I did not see coming and I love a good comeuppance. I did not know who to trust for the first half of the book and that led a very hooked second half. Definitely will read more by this author.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, but I felt it dragged on and could not finish it. I have read many other books by this author and loved them, but I just couldn’t get into this one.
Generally, had a stretch of good reads and this was included in this stretch! It had some predictable crime thriller tropes in and I did see what was going to happen next and which direction it would go in. A light read through and perfect for those who want something light or easier going for holidays or just to enjoy reading!
I’m really not sure how this book is rated so highly on Goodreads and Amazon. I found it very boring and slow paced. It didn’t really catch my attention until around 60% and then it was just completely far fetched and felt very thrown together. The writing was really repetitive and the storyline didn’t connect well or make sense. A lot of open plot holes. I pushed through so I could review it, but it’s not one I would recommend. I am also bothered that the title is The Hotel but the story is about a Bed and Breakfast. Some positives: I like the short chapters and the multiple POV. I liked the idea of the characters being trapped in a secluded bed and breakfast.
What a fantastic read from Emily Shiner!
I love books that are set in coastal towns, especially in Maine, so this book piqued my interest right away. The fact that it is a thriller was just icing on the cake!
Mark and Abby run a clifftop B&B that is struggling financially. Looking to bring in some more cash, Abby runs a special and the Rowe family takes advantage of it, reserving the entire inn for three weeks. But once they arrive, strange things start happening. To top it off, an impending blizzard keeps the innkeepers and the guests trapped inside with each other with no escape.
This book grabbed my attention right away and kept me interested throughout with lots of twists and turns.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Abby and her husband Mark run a bed and breakfast overlooking a cliff in Oyster, Maine. The B&B is not doing well financially. Abby decides to post a deal on social media, in the hopes of attracting more customers. To her surprise, the Rowe's family decide to rent the entire B&B for three weeks. Abby is ecstatic!
When the Rowe's arrive with their teenage daughter, Abby has a bit of an odd feeling. Their daughter seems overly friendly with her toddler son. Mark reassures Abby, telling her that the Rowe's are just friendly. The strange this is that the Rowe's loved their previous visit at the B&B. But Abby has zero recollection of their stay.
Soon after the arrival of the Rowe's strange things begin to happen, like Abby being locked in her bedroom and whispers on her son's baby monitor. As a snowstorm confines everyone to the B&B, the reader learns that not everyone is who they say they are...
Overall, this book was just average for me. It is a fast paced and easy read. I did really enjoy the writing style, as I have with many other of Emily Shiner's novels. However, I did not enjoy the Hotel as much as her other reads. This one ended up being quite predictable for me, sadly. I did not really like any of the characters. This made it difficult to connect with the novel. The only character I cared about was the toddler son!
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ⭐️The Hotel had all the makings of a great thriller. I was sad it just didn't live up to the hype. The characters weren't very likable. I caught myself calling them stupid & idiots for their actions. I did enjoy the short chapters & the different points of view. But the story was far-fetched & became repetitive at times. Towards the end, I just wanted the book to be over. Maybe it's just me, but this one didn't do it for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for the ARC of The Hotel.
Emily Shiner is hands down one of the best psychological thriller writers around! This book is not an exception you will be hooked from the start!
WOW, what a freaking ride this book was. I knew by reading the synopsis of this book, I immediately could tell that I was going to be on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the story.
Abby and Mark own this cute little B&B in a quiet, little town where they get slammed with snow. Times are tough, so Abby comes up with this incredible plan to run a massive sale to hopefully get people in the door. Well, it works but not the way she’s thinking. Que the Rowe family. They book much longer than she anticipated, and something’s off about them. Mark is acting weird when he’s around them and vice versa.
The story unravels more and more with each page turn and I was in shock up until the last page. I tend to think of different scenarios happening and imagining a different story line, but I didn’t expect the last chapter. I did not at ALL.
What a great read! If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller, this is a great one!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Hotel by Emily Shiner!
This book is told by 4 POVs. It starts off slow, picked up in the middle but the ending was disappointing. It was predictable at times.
Thanks for the chance to read this book!
This is a great winter read! I read it in two days! I was hoping for some bigger twists but I did enjoy the book, I didn't quite figure things out and it kept me engaged! I'm glad I had the chance to read it! I loved the multiple POV's and how you think you know things but you don't completely so it kept you guessing and reading!