Imagine having what you think is a good life, and to then watch it all fall apart.

When Alexis, Hugh Mullen’s distant relative turns up one evening, Hugh’s wife, Juliet, takes an instant dislike to Alexis and can’t wait for her to leave.

With things taking a turn for the worse, we watch how everything plays out, and like an onion, the layers are gradually peeled away.

The author weaves a great story and I like how we have points of view from a few of the characters involved. It was well structured and had me hooked.

I will definitely be reading more from this author.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting read with lots of twists and unexpected turns! Really enjoyed this! The characters come to life and you really end up rooting for or against certain ones. The ending was also great because it didn’t tie up every singe thing leaving it open to a bit of interpretation.

Great book loved it loved the plot twists. If you ender how a house can affect so many people this is the book to read. The characters were spot on. Such a riveting book
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Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

This novel starts like most psychological thrillers, a happy husband & wife to the outside world, perfect home for then things to take a turn. However, do not be too comfortable that you know how this book is going to go, the plot twists and turns so much that it keeps you hooked until the very end. Highly recommended

Great read, a really twisty story of betrayal, deceit and surprise. The chapters are well structured and not too long. The characters have good depth and back story. The book flicks between different characters perspective during the same timeline of events which works really well in building the whole picture of the story rather than a one dimensional narrator view point

Wow! What a convoluted story that just keeps going and going. It was a book that I couldn’t put down because I just had to know what was happening and I was able to finish it in one day, so it would be a great holiday read. There were lots of characters, but it was easy to keep track of who’s who and the ending was just perfect, with everything ending just how it should. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was great . At start I thought it was going in one direction, but it went in seventeen different directions. I was convinced that I knew where the story was going. NOPE.

From Amazon
I let her into my home. And now she’s destroying my life…

I open the creaking oak front door of my beautiful country house to see a stranger on my doorstep. The woman is stunning with glossy red hair and flawless make up. ‘Can I help you?’ I ask.

That was my first mistake.

Alexis tells me she is a distant relative and shows me a DNA match on her phone. She has no family and would love to get to know us. My husband Hugh invites her in to join our dinner party. As we drink wine, she opens up about her sad childhood. Her amber eyes are mesmerising and I can see my husband is being drawn in by her story. Then she asks for our help.

Saying yes was the second mistake.

As Alexis and Hugh spend time together, swimming in our luxurious pool and playing tennis in the sunshine, my husband grows distant and the deep cracks in our relationship begin to show. And when our house guest gets me to open up about my marital problems, I start to wonder why she’s really here.

And then I discover a secret about Alexis that makes my blood run cold.

Am I being paranoid? Or will inviting Alexis into our home destroy my marriage? And is it too late to get rid of her, before she puts our lives in danger…?

I loved it. Outlandish. Loved the multiple narratives and all of the perspectives of the story. Well done!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The book is available November 1, 2023. Hit the pre-order button.

Everyone has secrets in this thriller about an inheritance ploy gone wrong. Juliet and Hugh may seem like they have the perfect family and house but not for long. Who is this distant cousin Alexis? What does she want? I enjoyed this novel from start to finish and couldn’t wait to find out what happens with Mullens End. Can’t wait to read more of Alison James in the future!

This book was full of surprises! Loads of twists and turns, and fantastic insights into our main characters throughout. In the first part I wasn't too sure, as I couldn't see where it was going, but soon it really picked up and I'm really glad I stuck with it. After that I couldn't put it down, and read it super fast. I'll definitely be reading more by Alison James.

I agree with everyone who said the first part of the book is slow and I'm also glad I stuck with it. Thank you for my Arc, definitely one of my favourite reads of the year.

I would give "The House Guest" by Alison James a solid 5 stars! 🌟

In this gripping thriller, the story unfolds when a stranger claiming to be a blood relative, the immaculate red-haired Alexis, unexpectedly appears at Juliet's doorstep. Initially taken aback, Juliet reluctantly allows Alexis into her home, which she shares with her husband Hugh. Alexis presents apparent proof of their connection through a DNA match, with significant implications for property inheritance.

However, as Alexis becomes visibly closer to Hugh, Juliet watches in dismay as a chasm opens up in her marriage. The tension escalates as questions arise: who is the predator, and who is the prey?

While the first few chapters may start a bit slowly, this story soon becomes a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with lies at every corner. The characters are deceptive, and the conclusion is incredibly satisfying. Alison James demonstrates her skill as a storyteller, making "The House Guest" a thriller that is definitely worth reading.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC of The House Guest by Alison James. I absolutely loved this book! It had me sucked in from the moment the "house guest", Alexis, showed up on Juliet and Hugh's door step until the very end! The secrets, lies, and twists throughout the book definitely had me surprised and kept me on the edge of my seat!!! I would recommend if you like fast-paced, mysteries, and psychological thrillers! I cannot wait to read Alison's next book! 😍❤️😍

Hold on because you are in for so many twists and turns in The House Guest that Alison James will have you breathless, on the edge of your seat. You will not be able to put this one down.
This book is exceptionally written. I could clearly see what the author was describing in it. The characters and the plot were so real and just completely sucks you right in. This is a fast paced psychological thriller that you won't want to miss.
This book has it all; secrets, lies, an original plot, and realistic characters.

Hugh and Juliet Mullen have an idyllic lifestyle. With a beautiful home in the countryside, they are the envy of many. But, beneath the perfectly curated charade, there are lies, secrets and deceptions. When a distant relative of Hugh turns up unannounced the suspense goes into overdrive!

I found this a really hard book to get into, and at one point considered it would be a DNF. The slow start did the book no favours. However, I’m glad I kept reading, as after halfway there was a turnaround and I enjoyed it.

What a tangled web! So many twists and turns. Who to believe, who to trust? Most of the twists were obvious, but then a little extra was added on, and the story went off in a different direction. A lot of far fetched plotting, but a fun read.

Keep with it, it’s a worthwhile read.

Thank you NetGalley.

Juliet enjoys a relatively quiet life with her husband at his family’s estate until an unexpected visitor changes their lives completely.

This was a quick read for me and the writing and hint of suspense grabbed me immediately.

There were some twists and turns throughout the story, most I was able to suspect, only one was a slight surprise. Some of the elements of the plot seemed a little far-fetched to me but not enough to put the book down.

Overall it kept my interest and I’d be interested in reading more books by the author.

I thought this was a good book! I like that it kept me interested and was hard to put down, I kept wanting to keep reading til the end!!

I was hooked from the very first page, I found myself completely emerged in the story. There was so many twists and turns that unfolded throughout kept me on the edge of my seat, I couldn’t put it down finished it in one sitting. It was definitely a fast paced psychological thriller that will have you hooked from start to finish. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone fantastic. Thanks to netgallery and the puplisher for my advanced copy.

From the very first page, I found myself completely engrossed in the story. The multitude of twists and turns that unfolded throughout kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly devouring each chapter in anticipation of what would happen next. This psychological thriller is a perfect example of a fast-paced narrative that never lets up, constantly delivering surprises and keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

One of the standout elements of this book is the exceptional character development. Each character is meticulously crafted, with their own unique personalities and motivations that add depth and complexity to the story. It's refreshing to see such well-written characters that feel real and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey.

But it's not just the characters that make this book shine. The writing itself is truly exceptional, with vivid descriptions and a captivating narrative that brings the story to life. The author's ability to create tension and build suspense is masterful, resulting in a reading experience that is both thrilling and immersive.

And let's talk about the plot. It's not only fast-paced but also incredibly original and fresh. This is not your typical psychological thriller with predictable twists and turns. Instead, it takes unexpected detours and introduces surprising elements that keep you guessing until the very end. The level of intrigue is off the charts, as secrets are revealed and layers of deception are peeled away, leaving you constantly questioning who can be trusted.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. It's the perfect choice for anyone looking for a gripping and immersive reading experience. So, grab a cozy blanket, curl up in it, and get ready to be completely captivated by this tale of secrets, intrigue, gaslighting, and deceit. You won't be able to put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The House Guest. This was a WILD RIDE!!! I could NOT put it down. I didn’t trust Belinda from the get go and what can I say about Hugh? LOL these characters were sooooo fun to read about, LOVED every bit of the book. Keep them coming please Alison James.

Ooh this was a great mystery of a read! Great characters, well written and believable, I really did enjoy it!