This book was a great listen. The narrator was awesome. Kept me fully engaged throughout my car rides or while I was cooking in the kitchen some points. I would find myself still sitting in my car, waiting for the chapter to end because I did not want to be left on a cliffhanger until I could start listening again.

Thank you Netgalley, Alison James and Bookouture Audio for the Audio Arc of The House Guest
Narrated by Jan Cramer

The House Guest is a medium paced domestic thriller with some great twists. Having sat and listened to this in one sitting while on holiday and raining. It was great escapism from the weather and I found myself fully engaged. Jan Cramer gave a wonderful, immersive narration and her pace of her voice really suited that of the plot. I felt there was some good character development with Juliet,Hugh and Alexis, which are our Main characters. I didn't really like any of them but I felt that Alison James intentionally wrote the narrative to not like them!

3.75 for story graph, 4 stars for Goodreads and Amazon

I can say that I enjoyed my time with this book, but I feel like it was a bit predictable and I wished the plot went in a different direction, something more revengeful and dramatic.

The main reason why it didn’t have an higher rating was that there was an Italian character with whom they had made some Italian references through the entire story that didn’t feel right to me and as an Italian myself I wasn’t pleased on how they were written since there were so many errors that made my head hurt.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this Arc

When an unexpected distant relative shows up and makes a claim to the inheritance of a historical and substantial family home, drama unfolds. There were some parts of the story that seemed just too improbable to be legitimate, but that’s part of the fun of this plot.

Good east to follow thriller. It is always creepy thinking about who you are letting into your home. It will make me think twice about bringing new people into my home that is for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The House Guest starts out intriguingly, and I enjoyed some of the twists, but I found it altogether too twisty. Jumping back and forth between different characters got tedious at times though it was fun seeing their differing perspectives on how things played out.

Thank you @netgalley for the audio version of The House Guest by Alison James. This takes place outside of London, the setting is a manor house, think a smaller Downton Abbey but present day. Hugh and Juliet are married but cannot have children, Hugh has lifetime residency of the house but if he dies, it will go to another relative, not his wife. All of a sudden the unknown relative, Alexis, shows up. And then things start to go wrong. The story is told by multiple characters, Hugh, Juliet, Alexis and a neighbor and friend, Belinda. There are a lot of twists and turns, and a lot of lying and deceit. It is a pretty light read, despite several murders. Okay story but not really for me. #thehouseguest #alisonjames #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #audiobook #bookstagram #lovetoread #takeapagefrommybook #readallday #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ Thriller and Crime
✨ Easy Read but Twisty
✨ Affair and Family feud



✨ This book removes my reading slump.
This is my first book from this author and never will be the last. I WANT MORE.
Her writing was great, detailed and precise.
The story was keep on twisted all the time.

✨ Reading this may need all allot of attention as there are chapters for specific person.


💯 Thankyou netgalley for the arc copy of this book for a honest review. Really really love it!


❤️Shaye.reads

OMG.... I completely loved everything about this book! It was amazing!! It had me hooked from start to finish & I never expected the twists. I finished it in two days, I could not put it down. If you're looking for a really great thriller.. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and bookouture audio for the wonderful audiobook in exchange of an honest review.

The starting introduces us to a happily married couple Juliet and Hugh who live in a posh and rich Mullen's end. After a glimpse into the life of Juliet in her own words, she receives a message from a distant cousin of Hugh who might have a legal claim on Mullen's end.

And then starts a tale of betrayals and secrets ,twists and turns and affairs and trachery. Told through multiple POV of Juliet, Hugh, Belinda who is Juliet's best friend and Alexis who has come to claim, the house guest weaves a web of deception so convoluted that one might find it difficult to wrap their head around all of it.

Of course there are loopholes which the characters have mentioned themselves but yet again it drags the reader in this dark web. What I loved about it was there wasn't a dull moment in the book. It is fast paced and keeps reader on the edge.

The narration is spot on and I definitely enjoyed it quite much.

Audiobook rating -4 stars
Book rating - 4 stars

This was my first novel by the author and I was pleasantly surprised at how well written it was . Will definitely pick up something by Alison James in the future

A slower burn, worth the wait! The twists and turns Alison James wrote into this story kept me captivated and ready for more. The perspective shifts kept the story interesting and provided context. Revisiting certain portions from a different character's perspective allowed for a few "I knew it" moments that kept a grasp on my attention wondering if I would be right the entire time....I was not!

I hadn't read Alison James before this book but I will definitely be picking up a few titles now.

I was gifted this copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Told from multiple points of view I was engrossed for from start to finish. Was fast paced and full of twists and turns. A fun thriller with great characters

"The House Guest" by Alison James is a riveting thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with surprises at every turn. Each chapter peels back layers of intrigue, revealing the twisted fates of the characters involved. James masterfully weaves a tale where greed, lust, and stupidity collide, leaving readers wondering who will emerge victorious in the end. Just when you think you know someone, James throws in shocking revelations, reminding us that appearances can be deceiving. The introduction of a stranger claiming to be an heir adds an extra layer of tension, leaving readers questioning the motives of every character. With its gripping plot and complex characters, "The House Guest" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Twisty, kept me interested and wanting to find out what turn was coming next. Thanks NetGalley for the audio eArc.

This is a mystery Thriller, Hugh and Juliet Mullen lead a lovely life, however the arrival of a distant relative leads to turmoil.

I had never listened to a thriller audio book and therefore this was a first for me and was incredibly happy i did. I did not see the twists coming and although some of the elements seem unbelievable it is done very well and all adds to the complexity of this thrillers plot.

I loved this and will defo be indulging in a thrillers audio book again

I see myself as a pretty hospitable person, but I would not just invite a stranger into my home because they show up claiming to be family. An improbable story tbh but because it is told well I chose to ignore that mostly and got on with enjoying it

Juliette and Hugh live in a nice home, no children of their own. With no heirs, Hugh can live there for life but cannot truly own it. But a surprise in the form of Alexis, a long-lost cousin who happens to be captivating, arrives with proof that she inherits the home. As she begins to worm her way into their lives, things quickly fall apart.

This was told in two perspectives, so by the time the 2nd starts, you've got most of it figured out. The descriptions of this being a psychological thriller, it is not. It's juicy at times, and at others, I just wanted to fast forward. I was given the audio and perhaps it had to do with the narrator. It was a fun ride while I was on it, but I forgot all about it a month later. For that reason, I gave it 3.5 stars (rounded up for Goodreads).

The House Guest published back on November 1st, 2023 -- I was able to read an advanced copy in October. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

"The House Guest" by Alison James is a gripping thriller that skillfully navigates suspense and mystery. The well-crafted plot, intriguing characters, and unexpected turns keep readers hooked from start to finish. James masterfully builds tension, creating an atmospheric experience! A solid four stars for delivering a captivating and suspenseful tale that mystery enthusiasts will appreciate.

I really enjoyed this book as it went along. I liked the different perspectives from multiple people. If I were giving this book a rating it would probably be a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I didn’t enjoy the narrator much at all. I also thought the ending fell short. The plot started out promising but then it turned out to be about a house and it was slightly disappointing.

I have not had an opportunity to read anything by this author before, so this was my first. I listened to this as an audiobook and I have to say it was a great experience. The story was interesting and drew me in from the very beginning. Alexis appears on Juliet's doorstep one day claiming to be a distant relative and Juliet invites her into her home. Juliet ends up regretting that mistake, which could ultimately put her family's lives at risk. The story starts out a bit slow, but picks up pace fairly quickly, and once it does it's hard to put down. This gripping story had me on the edge of my seat as the plot unfolded and more of the story was told with twists that I never saw coming. The characters are well-developed, with realistic and relatable qualities that gave them depth and authenticity. I like that the story is narrated in different POVs, so that I can experience the story from different perspectives. I also enjoyed the narration, as the story was really brought to life with the distinctive voices given to each character.
If you are looking for an unforgettable psychological thriller filled with suspense and intrigue, then you definitely want to give this a try. I am glad I did! I'll definitely be looking for more of this author's work in the future.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Bookouture Audio and am voluntarily leaving my review.