Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ARC!


Great psychological thriller. You will not trust anyone!!! I liked the twist but I predicted it. Good storyline. Very well written!

From the moment Alexis enters the grand door of Mullens End and the quiet lives of Hugh and Juliet, Mullen's marriage begins to fail rapidly. It had not been very stable before the gorgeous cousin's arrival. However, the arrival of an unknown cousin brings multiple changes to Juliet's life.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fast-paced novel. It was filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me engaged from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and interesting, and I found myself constantly wanting to know more about them. The story itself was captivating, and I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. Hugh's character was particularly intriguing, as he was able to manipulate multiple women for his own selfish desires. Juliet surprised me the most, as she was able to use her intelligence to solve the mystery at hand. However, Belinda's character was the most shocking of them all. As the saying goes, "Beware the quiet ones," and Belinda certainly proved that to be true. She underwent a complete transformation throughout the course of the novel, leaving me thoroughly impressed.

Alison James delivers a captivating novel that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. I am grateful to NetGalley for providing me with a free and advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of The House Guest. The narration by Jan Cramer. It’s clear, well paced and very easy to listen to.
This intriguing story is divided into 8 parts- each identifying the character point of view from which the story is being recounted. The timeline is given at the beginning of each well written, descriptive chapter. Although none of the characters are particularly likeable, this fast paced story keeps you turning the pages to find out what the next twist is.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio and Alison James for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

I really enjoyed how this story was brought to life by multiple characters and as we hear from each of them, more secrets and lies are revealed. An uninvited guest turns up a dinner party claiming to be a long-lost cousin, but all is not what it seems and nearly everyone has a secret they're keeping. Brilliantly narrated for the different parts.

Juliet and her husband live in a grand house and when a visitor claiming to be a long lost member of the family arrives their quiet life starts to change dramatically. The narrator did a great job of trying to bring the characters to life but I found the story slow and rather far fetched. I didn’t warm to any of the characters and found it quite hard going. I enjoyed The Woman in Carriage 3 by the same author but this one didn’t hit the mark. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Reading Between the Wines book review #132/115(met goal in Sept!) for 2023:
Rating: 4 ½ 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 (rounded up to 5)
Book: The House Guest
Author: Alison James
Available Now!!

Sipping thoughts: I REALLY loved the writing style of this book. I always enjoy Alison James books but this one really had me in a chokehold! I loved that it was written from different POVs and went back in time to see how each story was viewed by the different characters. Reading the first part of the book had me internally rolling my eyes because I felt like it was going to play out like the typical gaslighting, cheating spouse but boy was I wrong. I could not finish this book fast enough and I was just floored at what kept coming up. I also enjoyed the narrator's voice and inflections as well. These are the reasons why I rounded my stars up to 5 stars.

Cheers and thank you to @BookoutureAudio and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @TheHouseGuest.

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Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟

The House Guest is a thriller about a woman who allows a stranger who says they are related into her home. However, this stranger is hiding something and growing closer Juliet’s husband…

While this was not necessarily a memorable thriller, it kept me entertained while doing my chores. I was invested in the story and figuring out the mystery. Overall, a solid mystery.

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This domestic thriller revolves around the Mullen family, consisting of Hugh and Juliet Mullen. The couple appears to lead a perfect life in the family estate, Mullens End, which is passed down through generations and controlled by a trust. They are wealthy and everything seems to be in order until a woman named Alexis shows up claiming to be Hugh's cousin. She becomes their house guest and refuses to leave. However, the longer Alexis stays, the more their perfect life starts to unravel.

The premise of the story was interesting, especially the way it was told. It began with Juliet's point of view, and then the story appeared to end. However, it then shifted to another point of view. I can't recall if it was Alexis or Hugh's, but I believe it was Alexis. Alexis retold the same story as Juliet, but from their perspective, and then the same for Hugh and Juliet's best friend. Initially, I found Juliet's perspective a bit dull, as nothing seemed to be happening until an event occurred. Juliet herself was a rather uninteresting character who had worked hard to get to where she was. She ignored many warning signs, which was off-putting. However, the story became more intriguing as it shifted to other perspectives. The more the story unfolded, the more I wanted to know. The author did an excellent job of mapping out the story, and the different perspectives on the same events were fantastic and made everything even more exciting. The plot was all about karma, and I felt like everyone got what they deserved.

The narrator's performance was exceptional, skillfully breathing life into each character and flawlessly shifting between their unique perspectives and tones. Despite the challenges inherent in such a task, she managed to maintain the momentum throughout the entire story. The initial slow pace of the plot is necessary to set the foundation for the intricate web of events that follow, culminating in a gripping and intense experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat. If you are a fan of domestic thrillers with unconventional timelines, this book is an absolute must-read.

This story of grandeur, aristocracy and utter scandal feels MADE to be an audiobook! The accents affected by narrator, Jan Cramer, show her outstanding talent and bring this novel to life so perfectly!

Juliet and Hugh live in a stately home that has been passed through Hugh's family for generations. At a dinner party a glamorous distant cousin arrives, on seeing the spark of attraction between Hugh and this cousin (Alexis), Juliet's hackles instantly rise! This is not a novel about a simple affair however, it is SO much more!!

A gripping story, excellent writing and superb narration make this audiobook an absolute treasure of a find - I cant recommend it enough!!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.

Slow burn psychological thriller that makes you trust no one. The twists were predictable and the story itself was boring. However, it was so well written and left all my questions answered. I wish I listened to the audio example first, I don’t prefer listening to thick British accented narrators. Tangled love story revolving around a manor that is to be inherited by next of kin and cannot be sold. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ARC

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and enjoyed the narration. Lots of good twists although some expected. I did find it a tad repetitive as the story is told from the perspective of different characters and therefore you hear the same things from a different voice. The ending was ok but I probably was expecting a bit more pzazz.

Juliet gets a surprise guest at her door claiming to be her husband’s distant cousin the the heir to their home if her husband Hugh were to die.

Juliet’s house gets vandalized. Another time, her and her husbands cars tires get slashed and paint smeared all over Hugh’s car. Then Juliet goes away to visit her son and comes home to find out that her dog has died and it’s later found out that he was poisoned. Then police show up at the door and she thinks that they are there for all the things that have been happening but it turns out that now Hugh is dead. What?

This book has many parts, each from a different perspective. Wow!!!! I loved that! Every time I felt like I knew what was happening I was dumbfounded to find out I was wrong. This story kept me on my toes. It really was a gripping thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC audiobook. This book started out slow then bam! Everything happened and it makes you question what you think you know. The narrator did an amazing job.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
So I read the hard copy in addition to listening to the audiobook.
Narrator for the audiobook did a good job.
The book itself was a bit bizarre. Sometimes very far fetched and confusing. I wasn’t too sure what to think till I got to the ending.
If it wasn’t for the ending I would have rated this one lower because of how confusing it was. But the ending made it better.

This is one of those frustrating but fun reads where you spend the entire time wishing people would stop being so stupid. The characters are all horrible. Not a likeable one amongst them. Is the story believable? Not at all. But it was a good read and that’s enough.

Title: "The House Guest" by Alison James - An Engaging Thriller with Layered Perspectives

Alison James crafts a compelling tale in "The House Guest," intertwining themes of family, deception, and intrigue. Juliet Mullen finds her world shaken when a stranger, Alexis Lambert, claims a distant relation to her husband, Hugh, setting the stage for a cascade of unforeseen events.

The narrative is a mosaic, pieced together from the perspectives of multiple characters, providing diverse insights into the unfolding drama. This method offers a comprehensive view but occasionally overshadows suspense by revealing too much too soon.

Despite occasional pacing issues due to the chunks of narration, the story's allure remains intact. The opulence of the Surrey Mansion and the tangled relationships within it are vividly depicted, evoking an atmospheric setting that adds depth to the plot.

James skillfully portrays flawed yet intriguing characters, where even the antagonists possess redeeming qualities. However, some character motivations might feel lacking in depth, impacting the full immersion into their complexities.

The audiobook narration contributes significantly to the overall experience. The narrator's voice aptly suits the characters, though at times, the flow feels affected by the story's structure. The pacing of the narration influences the book's rhythm, enhancing or hindering the suspense.

The novel's plot, while occasionally stretching believability, remains engrossing. Themes of trust, entitlement, and familial ties are explored amidst a web of secrets and unexpected revelations.

In conclusion, "The House Guest" offers a captivating storyline despite its storytelling nuances. Fans of psychological thrillers will find intrigue in this tale of unexpected arrivals, hidden agendas, and the unraveling of a seemingly perfect life.

Recommended for those seeking a suspenseful audiobook experience, although readers might need to overlook certain narrative choices to fully relish the suspenseful elements.

I recently finished reading "The House Guest" by Alison James, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. This psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The author's storytelling skills are commendable, weaving a complex web of suspense and intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end. The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motives, adding layers of complexity to the plot. The pacing of the novel was spot-on, with just the right amount of tension and suspense in each chapter. The twists and turns were unpredictable, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story took another unexpected twist. As an audiobook, I wish the characters were narrated by different voice talent for each in order to better put myself in the shoes of the person telling their story in a specific chapter.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I'm giving it four stars instead of five because there were moments when the plot seemed to stretch a bit thin, and some characters' actions felt slightly contrived, in addition to wishing the audiobook had multiple narrators. However, these minor issues did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the novel.

Enjoyed the twists and turns of this well thought out domestic thriller. Enjoyed the way it all tied up nicely at the end and liked the main character. Look forward to more by this author.

I enjoyed this one but I wasn’t surprised by any of it. It wasn’t a wild ride, just a ride. The plot is definitely very different than anything I’ve ever read and I appreciate that. I liked how with each point of view, it went back to the beginning and I saw a different perspective. I would normally have put this book down due to the content (more on that later), but I was compelled to finish so I’ll credit that to the author. With the ending, I was left wanting more but also not interested in a sequel. Didn’t hate it but didn’t love it.

Content warning: excessive cursing, frequent use of the F word. Frequent sexual content and infidelity but not graphic enough to be considered spicy.

Thank you to netgalley for an advance copy of this audiobook for my honest review.

"The House Guest" by Alison James secures a commendable four-star rating, thanks to its unique narrative structure that incorporates multiple viewpoints, adding depth to characters and complexity to the plot. While it starts off at a leisurely pace, the story swiftly evolves into a captivating journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

What sets this audiobook apart is its ability to seamlessly transition from a gradual introduction to a gripping narrative. Although the initial moments may seem unhurried, they serve as a deliberate setup, gradually building tension until the story takes an exhilarating turn. This deliberate pacing enhances the overall experience, ensuring that the audiobook not only captures your interest but also maintains it throughout the duration.

In essence, "The House Guest" is a masterfully crafted audiobook that combines multiple perspectives, intricate twists, and a deliberate yet effective start, resulting in a compelling and engaging listening experience. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a well-balanced mix of suspense and character development.

I listened to this on audiobook.

Well first thing I have to say is, wow that was pretty darn good storytelling. An absolute rollercoaster and intense ride to say the least. It was very well written with some impressive dialogue. I’ll be honest and say that some of the plot themes were a little over the top and totally not realistic but nevertheless still entertaining.

There was probably one shocker of a scene, that I was not expecting to happen as it came out of no where, no build up or anything, and it made me have to rethink the whole story as to how I thought things were going to pan out. I was like, okay wasn’t expecting that at all but now I’m intrigued as to how the rest of this story is going to develop and end. Suffice to say I was not disappointed.

This author Alison James, is definitely one to watch out for, she is going places for sure. I’ve read/listened to a few of her books now, all of them pretty darn good if I do say so myself.

The narrator of this, did a really good job I thought, she gave each character their own unique voice which added to the story,think she got the voice of Alexa just perfect.

Anyway, that’s enough from me, bar to say I’m looking forward to Alison next book already.