Member Reviews
I was a BIG fan of "On a Quiet Street" and Seraphina Nova Glass pulled out another great thriller with this book too! I loved the twists and while I found Cass and Anna enjoyable characters, I was very impressed with the character development of the supporting roles, especially those living at the Sycamores.
The book was the perfect length and I couldn't help but smile at the ending. Definitely will recommend this book to fellow thriller-lovers!
This was a fun ride. I would say that the story was a little far-fetched, which is usually not a great thing for me., but I really let myself just enjoy it. I loved the characters and they made me want to keep turning the pages. I was invested to the end.
This book definitely through me for a loop. I was not expecting the villain to be who it turned out to be. I enjoyed the development of the main character.
I love Seraphina Nova Glass books and this one did not disappoint. Cass and Anna are two women struggling with the end of relationships in different ways. These women along with a great cast of characters work to solve the mysterious deaths of several tenants of the rundown motel/apartment building where they live.
This book kept me riveted from page one until the last line. I love tough women and you get plenty of that in this amazing book!!!
Seraphina Nova Glass can do no wrong! I absolutely loved this one! Kept me turning the pages right on through and the cover is beautiful.
4 stars!
I really enjoyed this book and the characters, I had a fun time imagining daily life at the Sycamores.
The plot was very good, I didn't see any of those twists coming! I loved how everything tied in perfectly at the end, it didn't seem rushed like some endings tend to be. It felt really thought out, which of course, I appreciated.
I found Cass and Anna to be very relatable and I found myself rooting for them throughout the story. Although everything was perfectly tied up, I would love a sequel to get to spend some more time with the characters, and of course Sinatra, as my heart ached for him.
This may be one of my favourite thrillers of the year, I finished it last night and I keep thinking back on it.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.
When Anna’s husband calls and confesses to killing someone, followed by his body washing up on the banks of the Rio Grande, it’s up to her to piece together what really happened.
This was so much better than I expected it to be. The premise seemed a little uninspired when I first read it but I'm really glad I went ahead and requested it anyway. The characters and mystery were really well-written.
The VAcancy in Room 10
by Seraphina Glass
Pub Date: April 9, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When Anna’s husband calls and confesses to killing someone, followed by his body washing up on the banks of the Rio Grande, it’s up to her to piece together what really happened. After moving into the run-down motel-room-turned-apartment he rented as an art studio, Anna spends her days getting closer to the neighbors and absorbing every bit of gossip about her husband and the buildings’ tenants. But the more she learns, the less sense things seem to make. And when threatening letters start appearing at her door, Anna has to decide what’s more important—the truth, or her own safety.
Cass has been running the Sycamores, an apartment complex that has seen better decades. Barely scraping by as a superintendent, Cass starts blackmailing sleazy men, threatening to expose them and ruin their lives. It’s easy, and it works, and nobody gets hurt—until she tries it on the wrong guy. With everything to lose and no one to trust, Cass has to fight to keep her secrets under wraps, especially with Anna snooping around asking questions…
Although interesting, this book just didn't grab me as I hoped it would. Just too much going on I guess. I would have preferred the author focus on one mystery,
4 stars
Book: Vacancy In Room 10
Author: Seraphina Nova Glass
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing
Pub Date: April 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this concept in the beginning. The setting is in a run down motel turned into low budget apartments called the Sycamores. All of the tenants had their own problems and reasons for living at the Sycamores. But where it went wrong for me was there wasn’t really a dominant story line. I would have preferred Henry and Anna to be the focus of the book. Cass and Callum just provided an unbelievable storyline for the most part and I needed their names to start with different letters. It’s a thing. I can’t help it. The shocks weren’t shocking and the twists weren’t twisty.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is April 9, 2024.
This was my first book from Seraphina Nova Glass and will absolutely not be my last - told in alternating POVs with suspense keeping me on edge, I devoured this book and can't wait to pick up books from her backlist.
Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"The Vacancy in Room 10" by Seraphina Nova Glass is a gripping thriller that intricately weaves suspense, mystery, and the complexities of human relationships. Set in a run-down motel-turned-apartment complex called the Sycamores, the novel follows two women, Anna and Cass, as their lives intertwine in a dangerous web of secrets, blackmail, and a quest for the truth.
Anna's story begins with a shocking call from her husband, confessing to a murder, followed by his mysterious death. Her journey to uncover the truth about her husband's activities and demise takes her to the Sycamores, where she immerses herself in the lives of the tenants, hoping to find answers. Glass skillfully portrays Anna's transformation from a grieving widow to a determined seeker of truth, capturing her desperation and resilience in the face of escalating danger.
Cass, the superintendent of the Sycamores, is a character with her own set of complexities. Her descent into blackmail as a means of survival is depicted with a raw honesty that underscores the moral ambiguities of her choices. As Anna delves deeper into the motel's secrets, Cass's world of precarious schemes begins to unravel, heightening the suspense and urgency of the narrative.
The strength of this novel lies in its rich character development and the atmospheric setting. The Sycamores, with its assortment of residents and its air of decay, serves as a perfect backdrop for this dark tale. Glass's writing is immersive, drawing readers into the shadowy world of the motel and the intertwined lives of its inhabitants.
However, the novel's intricate plot and multiple narrative threads might be challenging for some readers to follow. The pacing, while generally well-maintained, occasionally falters under the weight of the complex storyline. Additionally, the themes of blackmail and moral compromise may not appeal to all readers.
Content warnings for themes of death, blackmail, and moral ambiguity are appropriate. This novel will resonate with readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries that explore the darker aspects of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
In conclusion, "The Vacancy in Room 10" is a compelling and suspenseful thriller that offers a deep dive into a world where truth is elusive, and survival often requires crossing moral lines. Seraphina Nova Glass has crafted a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to review The Vacancy in Room 10. This ARC is in it's early stages, with lots of room for editing, and this is a totally normal part of the process but I will acknowledge, made reading it a bit of a challenge at times. However, I won't be docking any points for this, as it's to be expected.
The setting of Sycamores was great - even though it's supposed to be a run down motel turned apartment, it felt homey and inviting, in a bit of a quirky way. I actually liked the concept of everyone hanging out by the pool, communal barbecues, friends as family, no privacy - it just felt nice. I won't lie - I didn't really like either of the main characters (Cass or Anna) - they were pretty annoying, made lots of bizarre assumptions, and overall just did everything wrong. But, the other supporting characters, they were so quirky and interesting and lovely. That helped the story, for sure.
The mystery itself was layered, with a few different moving parts. The solve to the first mystery (what happened to Anna's husband?) was fairly plausible, and the solve to the second problem (what the heck are Cass and Callum gonna do about their problem?) was a bit more far fetched. The author then ties these two issues together in a neat little bow of convenience for the characters, but for me personally, it fell just a little flat.
Overall, this was a quick read with enough characters and plot points to keep you interested. I am curious to see how this ARC might evolve with some feedback, and for any one who likes a somewhat simple, fast mystery/thriller, then the final copy would be a good read for you.
I loved this book! It was a unique kind of thriller that had a lot of fun characters. I liked the two narrators and found them to be funny and witty. The twist was not predictable and made for an exciting last few chapters.
The tenants were the most interesting part of this book and at times I almost forgot about the whole mystery/what happened to my husband aspect of it. That played out decently enough, though for some reason while I liked this book it just wasn't that spectacular to me.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! Just wowza! Let me say it one more time—wowza! This book has not only secured its place as my favorite Seraphina Nova Glass thriller, but it has also claimed the title of the best thriller I've read in the last six months.
The characterization is an absolute delight! It's not just the leading characters, Cass and Anna, who are true tough survivors, but the entire pool deck gang—Jackie, Crystal, Rose, and their witty banter. Barry, the samurai sword expert, and the little handyman Frank have stolen my heart. Team Sycamore might just overshadow the main characters!
The gripping intercepted mysteries, including a husband's suspicious death and the accidental demise of another eccentric tenant, pull you into the premise. You'll find yourself turning the pages faster, biting your nails, and clutching onto anything soft nearby, including your husband's left arm (at least that's what I did).
The revelations are sucker punches that keep surprising you, and most of the twists are unexpected! The feminist vibes, coupled with strong, flawed characters you can easily resonate with, keep you alert and excited with each chapter until you reach the climax and start screaming.
Now, let's dive into the main synopsis:
Cass reluctantly manages the Sycamores, an apartment complex that could easily be mistaken for a dumpster and hasn't seen better days for centuries. Trapped in this place after her rich realtor boyfriend Reed kicks her out for a younger and trashier version, Cass lacks money, a diploma, and experience. She turns into a handyman, fixing things for the inhabitants. But one day, her encounter with a married man sparks an idea—she can punish these men for what they do to their wives, seeking retribution for what her boyfriend did to her. This side job of blackmailing can help her pay the bills, but what if she chooses the wrong man, one who could ruin her entire life?
Enter Anna, whose husband's haunting last words before his suicide were, "I killed someone!" Suspicious and determined to unravel the mystery, Anna realizes she didn't know much about her longtime husband, who rented a studio at Sycamore for his painting. As she investigates, she becomes adamant that her husband's death was not a suicide and starts questioning Cass, who might be inadvertently involved with more dangerous people than she can handle.
This is the kind of thriller that deserves adoration, prompting you to scream at the top of your lungs from rooftops, "I loved this book!" Of course, I'm giving it my highly recommended five stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing / Graydon House for sharing this incredible book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
"The Vacancy in Room 10" is a suspenseful thriller that delivers a chilling experience from the very first page. The author masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and mystery. As the story unfolds, unexpected twists and dark secrets are revealed, making this novel a compelling and satisfying read for any thriller enthusiast.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Told from alternating perspectives: Anna, whose husband committed suicide (or did he?), and Cass, who is dealing with a breakup by taking a job as a manager for a rundown apartment/hotel, The Vacancy in Room 10 is a story with many twists and turns. The characters are unique and plentiful which creates another layer of intrigue in this book.
The length of this book turned out to be a bit off-putting as there were maybe too many events in the story, but the character development was wonderful.
What a page turner! This book was chaotic in the best way. There were so many different things happening and it worked sooo well. I loved the characters. Some of them were hilarious and at the same time, I didn’t know who to trust. This was my first book by this author and it certainly will not be my last!
Another GREAT read from Seraphina Nova Glass! She has easily become one of my favorite authors of 2023. This book is perfectly twisty and the feminist in me loves the women empowerment that it portrays. It is fun reading a book where you can root for so many of the characters. This is a definite must read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this novel.
Thank you for the ARC!
This book was amazing ! Loved all of this authors previous books and this one did not disappoint. Definitely kept me guessing until the end and loved all the twists !!