This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. What a gorgeous book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people. This book has so many gigantic twists in every chapter. And once again I just Loved reading it. I suppose all you need to know is that it’s a cracking action-packed story with a highly satisfactory ending!

There is a lot happening here! The author uses different points of view very effectively to tell a tale which is full of twists, turns and betrayal. It stretches the bounds of credibility but does it so well that you are absolutely taken along for the ride. Some fascinating characters, most of which are pretty unpleasant people, add to the very effective mix.

This book was a bit of a slow burner for me - I did struggle the first few chapters and considered giving up, however it does get really juicy about halfway through! The story in the House Guest is really imaginative, not one I’ve seen before in any books! I love how it’s written in different peoples perspectives and we get a glimpse into all the characters lives, the twists are unexpected and will keep you in the edge of your seats!

OMG!!!! This book has everything you need in it to keep you gripped to the story.

The plot to the book is brilliant. Each of the main characters have there own part of the book which just adds to the twists that come out of nowhere and goes into great details for example how the family trust is set up to keep the house in the family.

The book is a real page turner and the more you learn about Hugh, Juliet and Belinda the more shocks come out. All the characters play a vital role but for different reasons which add to you can’t predict where the story will go next. The book flows from one chapter to the next bringing in more suspense to how the book will end.

I will admit it was my first time reading a book by the author but I was totally hooked from the beginning and would definitely recommend it.

Releasing Nov 1 2023. Everything turns messy when a girl who claims to be a distant cousin shows up uninvited expecting a place to stay. I had tons of fun reading about these rich people and their scandalous drama and lies. The nerve and reckless behaviors portrayed by the characters have you gasping and turning the pages. I enjoyed the dual POVs, which kept things interesting by seeing what each person knew. The characters are immoral and think they are all outwitting each other. I found it quite ironic and funny seeing them struggle. Unfortunately, the ending fell flat for me. We are meant to have justice and a pleasant conclusion, yet justice wasn’t even served to the full extent. I just needed more from the ending, I wished it left my jaw on the floor.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Juliet has a happy and comfortable life in her manor with her husband Hugh until Alexis appears claiming to be a relative and from that moment the whole facade of perfect balance begins to crumble.
The House Guest is an intriguing novel where no one is what they seem and everyone seems to have secrets and the ability to deceive others.
The different characters narrate their story and just when you think you know what is going on, the author throws in another unpredictable twist.
The novel instantly riveted my attention with its fast-paced plot and fascinating characters. An incredibly satisfying read.

Oh wow! Lots of plots twists and turns. Read this in one day because I couldn’t put it down. A must read !

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and Alison James gor the ARC of ghost book.

This was a very exciting thriller. It drew me in right away and was hard to put down. Lots of twists and turns. Kept me guessing a few times. 3.75 out of 5 ⭐️

What would you do if a stranger showed up on your doorstep claiming to be a blood relative? Taken aback when it happens, Juliet by default allows immaculate, red-haired Alexis into the home she shares with husband Hugh.

Alexis has apparent proof of her connection in the form of a DNA match, and this is likely to have important implications in terms of property inheritance.

But her arrival also involves a more direct threat. Because as Juliet watches in dismay, a chasm opens up in her marriage as Alexis becomes visibly closer to her husband...

But who is the predator here, and who is the prey?

Although the first few chapters are a little slow, this story is rich in twists, with lies at every turn. The characters are deceptive, the ending duly satisfying. Alison James is a skilled storyteller, and all in all, this is a thriller worth reading.

Juliet is married to Hugh and is the lady of the Manor. She has a child, who is a teenager, from a previous relationship. Hugh has life tenancy at the country home, and upon his death, it would go to anyone of the same bloodline.

During a dinner party, there is a knock on the door, and the woman there claims to be a blood relative. Alexis wheedles her way into the door and stays, getting closer to Hugh than Juliet likes.
However, Juliet is protected by the fact that should she get divorced, Hugh would have to pay her a hefty sum of money.


I was a little bored at the beginning of the book, I have to admit, it seemed dry, but it definitely picked up later! I read this in one sitting, and the twists and intrigue were mind boggling.
The story is told from different points of view, by the main characters, and they were all convinced none of the other players knew what they were up to.

I really did enjoy this, the ending was not what I suspected.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has so many twists and turns,I couldn't put it down. So easy to read and it keeps you guessing, definitely recommended.

There are different ways to structure a book. It can be written in the first person or he third or different points of view can be used to tell a story. I con't really care which style the author uses as long as the story is gripping, but I do am very happy when the author uses these stones to build a book. I love it when it starts with one character telling the story and next another characters takes over, but they take us a bit back in time to tell us the same scenes bu from their point of view. This way the author makes the reader realise that what person A thought or experienced is not quite what person B has in mind. Result: reader sits often flabbergasted :) and in awe for the author.

I could not get enough of this story. You can try to manipulate someone and to a certain level it will work, but sometimes you think you have the other party fooled, but in fact the joke is on you. Question here: who is pulling one over who and who will be the winner in the end? 

In my opinion this is a brilliant book and I cannot praise it enough. 5 well deserved stars.

Thank you

I thought this was brilliant! In the first few chapters, I wasn't convinced and thought it might be a bit middle-of-the-road thriller, but as soon as we got to Part Two I realised there was a whole lot more to the story than first meets the eye, and I was hooked.

Each part brought more and more revelations. A couple of them I did guess ahead of time, but most of them were genuine shocks.

I would absolutely recommend this book - it was exciting to read and kept me turning the pages right up until the satisfying conclusion.

Omg this is not to be missed! I was sucked in from the start and the twists and turns never stopped. The perfect psychological thriller with a fast paced plot, owing Al characters, well written narrative and such a fresh and original plot. I absolutely flew through it and loved every second if it. This is the perfect book to curl up on thr couch with and let yourself get completely lost in this amazing tale of secrets, intrigue, gas lighting and deceit!! So so well written!!!

OMG - what a read, just when you think it cant get any more twisty - it does !!!!
Fast paced and jaw dropping. The wonderful Ms James has done it again. Bingeable read from start to finish.
i read this in a day. Highly recommended.

Read about the mysteriously secretive house guest. Curl up in a cozy chair for an afternoon of mystery and intrigue. Secrets and red herrings kept me guessing. This talented author had me wondering until the end. Realistic characters added to the suspense. Thanks Netgalley.

This was one of those cannot put down books! Liar's and cheats galore. Murders and enough twists and turns to really keep the story ramped up. Everyone had there own agenda and as for Hugh...........Terrific read which i highly recommend. Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, murder, gas lighting, a sort of who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!