I give this book three stars. It kept me engaged throughout and I finished it in one session. There are a few things I found hard to believe such as Chelsea and the idea of revenge spanning multiple years.

Let me start off by saying that this book will likely be hit or miss for a lot of people. Despite its flaws (which I discuss below), I actually really enjoyed this book and read it all in one sitting.

There are 4 POV characters: Abby, Mark, Chelsea, and Lottie. The multiple POVs were not handled well at all. The biggest issue is with the first half of the book where each chapter ends with the POV character thinking to themselves, “I hope my secret plan works” or “I hope no one finds out about my secret plan” without divulging any details. It does not make sense why a character who is otherwise a reliable narrator would lie or censor themselves in their own head. This type of writing feels extremely forced and breaks my immersion in the story.

The ending also goes off the rails as the characters’ personalities completely change for no apparent reason other than to force more plot twists. Some scenes which should have been really tense and dramatic (eg: one of the POV characters is literally murdered) come out of nowhere and receive very little reaction from the other characters.

So why did I still enjoy this book? I just like “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss” thrillers where a woman gets revenge in the most bonkers way possible. And once I completely suspended my disbelief and went along for the ride, it was pretty fun.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! The publication date is the 7th Sept 2023. Wow what a gripping, twist filled book that kept me on my toes and turning the pages! Emily Shiner kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat the entire book. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, she turned the tables on me with twist after exciting twist! My favourite characters were Abby and Lottie.

I loved that I had no clue about what was going to happen next this is a perfect psychological thriller! This book kept me on my A game flipping those pages at breakneck speed. From the very beginning to the very last page, this was a thrilling page turner! A shocking, well written and twist filled page turner!

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this second series of this book and all the plot twists that it presented! Another cracking book by Emily Shiner!

A great paced thriller of a read with excellent characters, full of lies and deceit all the way which kept me involved in the storyline. A great twisty read that kept me on the edge of my seat and what an ending, who would have ever guessed, certainly not me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.

This book kept me up late and that does not happen often. It's a psychological thriller told from all of the main characters' perspectives but in a way that makes it easy to follow. The protagonist was likeable and easy for me to relate to. The book leaves you guessing throughout the novel. The ending shocked me and had quite a plot twist. Amazing read!

The Hotel by Emily Shiner is, for the most part, a closed room psychological thriller. Six people, a remote clifftop hotel, a storm, and secrets galore. What could possibly go wrong?

Abby and her husband Mark, along with their toddler son Henry, run a clifftop hotel. But the business has been struggling, so Abby decides to run a limited time special, and is pleasantly surprised when the Rowe family respond almost immediately and want to book the entire hotel for three weeks. When the family of three arrives, though, it is to a blizzard that will have the six residents suddenly living on top of each other in a frustrated effort to ride out the storm. And at least some of them are working according to their own, somewhat murky, agendas.

I enjoy all of Ms Shiner's books, and this latest did not disappoint. I look forward to whatever she has in store next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

This is my first book by this author. It started out strong. The narrative flowed flawlessly and was paced perfectly. I couldn't put it down. I did have some questions about the set up - I didn't get why and how a family of 3 would book out a whole B&B but I suppose this is somewhat explained later.
Someway at the 60% mark it started to flounder.
The twist turned out to be very predictable. And the actions of the characters stopped making sense.
*spoilers*
- it was never explained why the teen girl was a psychopath
- woman gets thrown off cliff with no fanfare and minimal drama. No one questions where she is, not right away.
- MC's plan makes no sense- what was the plan exactly? What was she hoping would happen by bringing about this set of circumstances?
- how did the man find the woman at the end? And how did his attitude towards her do a total 180?

All of this made what started as a 4.5 rating come down to a 3.

I got a free ARC copy of this group through NetGalley and am leaving this review at my own choice.

Slow moving book and drug out in the middle. I read the beginning, skipped around here and there, then read the ending. A lot of felt predictable to me. Average thriller.

Mark and Abby run a bed and breakfast in a remote part of Maine. In an effort to drum up some business, they run a special to fill up the rooms and their dwindling bank account. When the Rowe family comes for a stay at the beautiful clifftop establishment for three full weeks, Abby notices her husband has a strange reaction to seeing them. She doesn't remember ever meeting them, but their interactions seem to indicate otherwise. Her husband tells her everything is fine.

This story starts out a little slow, but as secrets start to come out, Abby begins to worry if she and her son are in danger. When a blizzard hits and everyone is stuck at the bed and breakfast, things start to pop. Emily Shiner kept me up with all the unexpected turns in this thrilling mystery. Great read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Welcome to the hotel! it's more of a bed and breakfast really but large and beautiful all the same. The couple is experiencing some financial difficulties and run a sale on rooms running up to the holidays. When the Rowe family books the entire hotel, they are ecstactic.

But this locked room thriller provides twist after twist as there are many, MANY secrets between the characters. Excellent thriller, sure to keep you up all night! #bookouture #TheHotel #NetGalley #EmilyShiner

I did enjoy this author's other book, but this one was a bit too slow paced for me at the start. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened, but didn't really find the premise of the book that strong.

An idyllic, secluded B&B serves as the setting for this psychological thriller where everyone is hiding secrets and seems to have their own agenda.
The book has a small number of characters, some are friendlier than others but all of them are believable and interesting.
The plot is tremendously intriguing and although it lets you suspect from the beginning that there is an undercurrent and at some point you guess what is happening, the book does not fail to keep your attention and keep you glued to its pages without thinking more than to reach its surprising ending.
In short, a book that has left me totally satisfied.

A gripping fast paced thriller which i read over the course of a wet miserable day'
Real edge of your seat stuff.
Everything you expect from this author.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my early copy.
Five big stars!

Emily Shiner is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors. Before I started reading The Hotel, I knew it would be a great read. The book starts off so exciting, and although slightly predictable at times, I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished. I love the way the story is told from multiple perspectives, the plot that is full of secrets, lies and plans, and the ending that was perfect.

Abby runs a remote B&B with her husband Mark and their son Henry. Business has been slow so when the Rowe family rent out the whole place for 3 weeks it is a great chance to get some money. Then odd things start to happen and it becomes clear that somebody is hiding secrets... Could Abby's little boy be in danger?... A brilliant thriller that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Captivating and full of surprises. A great read.

The Hotel is a fast-paced thriller. A family of three run the place and as business declines a plan is devised.

Soon a couple show up who seem to know the family - but the wife doesn't think she knows them.

Soon secrets - of the husband and the guests - turn this seemingly mild story into a book you won't put down.

Told from a multi-narrative the reader gets to see into each characters mind.

Enjoy this book!

Ooh secrets and lies!! This book has them in spades!! It was a slow burner but worth persevering with, really enjoyed it!

Abby, Mark and their son Henry run a beautiful B&B in Maine. Business hasn’t been great, but Abby has a plan to turn it around!! The problem?!? Everyone’s got big secrets and agendas including their guests.

This book drew me in quickly and I finished it the same day. The author did a great job of drawing you into the story right from the jump. The story is told through multiple points of you which I like because I think it allows you to get into the heads of each character. I figured out the first plot twist quickly, and thought I was going to be disappointed in the rest of the story, boy was I wrong. there were quite a few more surprises along the way. Towards the end of the book, I found myself rooting for different characters of the different plot twists came to life. And I definitely didn’t see the end coming. Looking forward to checking out other books by this author.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was my second Emily Shiner book, and it did not disappoint. The setting of being secluded and shut off from the world, in Maine during a horrible blizzard was so eerie.

Abby and Mark have it all with their son Henry, and working at their B&B in Oyster, Maine. But lately things aren’t going great financially, and Abby has the idea of sending out a special coupon code for past guests, to get more people booking the B&B. Lottie, Tim, and Chelsea not only book the B&B through the special, but decide to rent out the entire place for three whole weeks. Abby is elated that their financial issues are coming to an end, but for some reason Mark is on edge. Who is this family that booked the entire place to themselves for three weeks? And what are their motives? When a blizzard hits, and they’re all stuck under the same roof tensions come to a head, and secrets start spilling out. As the reader you’re struggling to figure out who to believe? How will this all end, because not everyone is making it out alive.

I’ve learned that this author is the Queen of twists, and the two that came in the last chapter were jaw dropping. If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller, this is the one. Can’t help but thinking it’s the perfect book to curl up with in front of a fire on a snowy day (just make sure you look over your shoulder).

I was looking for an atmospheric thriller with great description and the ability to transport you, make you want more, keep turning the page. And, let me tell you, I found it! I'm absolutely enamored with this gripping and heart-pounding page-turner! I couldn't resist devouring it all in one sitting; it's that captivating! Prepare yourself for an intense rollercoaster of emotions as the explosive twists will leave you stunned and the hair on your arms standing on end.

The breakneck speed of the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, unable to tear yourself away.

The novel is rich with mystery and intrigue, and the captivating setting of the hotel in Maine adds an extra layer of suspense that keeps the reader engaged throughout

I can't say I particularly liked the characters, but that is not a requirement for a mystery or a thriller. The way they engage with each other, the dialogue is very realistic. I was fortunate to receive an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley for review, and I extend my gratitude to both the publisher and the author.
.#TheHotel #NetGalley