This is my first book from this author and I was very entertained and on the edge of my seat for most of the story! It was fast-paced, full of tension and twists and even though I was able to figure most of them out, I still enjoyed the ride! My favorite parts were the strong and captivating female characters and the found family element.

I really enjoyed this book. Binged it in a day. The story is fast paced with good twists. This was my first book by this author but I will be reading her others.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

The Vacancy in Room 10 is the latest from Seraphina Nova Glass, a Mystery/Thriller writer who has definitely become one of my go-to authors over the past couple of years.

The first time I picked this up, it was in the morning before work. I have about 35-minutes each morning, before I start my real day, where I sit and read and drink coffee. It's my me-time, Monday through Friday. I read the first few chapters of this in one of those moments and knew it was something I would want to binge. I put it down and patiently waited for the weekend to arrive...

I picked it up again on Saturday morning and didn't stop until it was done. This was fully-immersive and engaging, the day flew by. It was seriously so fun!

In this story, we follow two MCs, Anna and Cass. Anna's husband, Henry, an artist, dies at the beginning of the story, tragically and unexpectedly. He phoned Anna just prior to his death, saying some cryptic things she didn't understand. In the wake of his death, Anna begins to dig into the parts of his life from which she was excluded, like the apartment he rented at The Sycamores, a dilapidated repurposed-motel. He claimed to be using the space as an art studio.

Cass is the property manager-handyma'am at The Sycamores. Cass is only there following a total upheaval of her regular life, where her long-time partner left her for a much younger woman. It was a very public, very messy break-up, that has severed all Cass's previous ties.
Cass is at rock bottom now, as are some of the other residents at The Sycamores. It's a colorful place. The long-time residents have formed a bit of a dysfunctional found family that was fascinating to read about.

Anna decides to move into Henry's studio to immerse herself in that side of his life. She figures she can question the people there and find out if they know anything that could help her make sense of what happened to Henry.

As the Reader, you follow along with these two women as they try to put the pieces of their shattered lives back together, find peace and maybe return to some normalcy. The alternating perspectives kept this one moving along at a nice steady clip. I found both Cass and Anna's perspectives so interesting, but I will admit to favoring Cass. I just loved her way of navigating everything she was going through. I found her dry humor relatable and endearing.

There were so many twists and turns throughout this story. SNG definitely had some tricks up her sleeve with this one. It went in directions I wasn't expecting and kept me guessing in an entertaining way. I also loved the feelings I had while reading this. I found myself really connecting with the vibe of The Sycamores and the way that many of residents interacted with one another. That found family feel was oozing off every page and it took me by surprise.

I was rooting for these characters. I wanted them to be able to move forward from the things that had happened to them and going along with them on their journeys was as captivating as the mystery elements. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-rounded Mystery/Thriller, with captivating characters and strong levels of suspense. This will be a memorable one for me. I'm just so pleased.

Thank you to the publisher, Graydon House, for providing me with a copy to read and review. For me, this was the best I have read from this author. She slayed it!

I LOVE Seraphina. She's a master with drawing you in. ON A QUIET STREET by her? EPIC. It felt like a movie I had to watch, and I was here for every second of it. Unfortunately, I judged this book by that standard. Without that, I'm sure it would have been a solid 5 for me, but instead (felt draggy at points), it's in the realm of 4. Am I still going to check out everything by her? Duh. This was good. Solid, but didn't hit like STREET does. Eek.

This is my first novel by this author, but I can assure you it won't be the last. I was entertained from beginning to end, and can hope that others are like this as well. I'm a sucker for a good mystery, and something about motels/hotels being involved makes them that much more fun. A great read.

AMAZING!! Definitely a MUST read!

This is the first book I've read by Seraphina Nova Glass and it definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed the way the book was set up giving us the P.O.V. of the two main characters - Cass and Anna to see things from their perspective. Seraphina Nova Glass also did an amazing job with character development not just of the main characters but all of the other characters in the book. For example, we got to see how Callum was portrayed as someone innocent, naive, kind, grieving but it turns out it was all a LIE!!! and Rosa was a huge shocker but I was definitely rooting for her and how much of a badass she actually was!! and little Frank ugh he seems like such a cute sweetie pie who came into Cass's life at a time when she needed him and he needed her.

This book was engaging from start to finish - especially towards the middle to end there were so many gasps I couldn't put this book down I needed to know what happened next. Each time a plot twist was mentioned next thing you know there was another one which I was absolutely LOVING!

Seraphina Nova Glass's latest thriller, The Vacancy in Room 10, will keep you guessing with its dark and suspenseful atmosphere. The story follows two main characters, Anna and Cass, who inhabit a rundown apartment building called The Sycamores. Anna, a recent arrival, soon becomes engrossed in the secrets and mysteries swirling around her neighbors. Meanwhile, Cass, the superintendent, juggles financial struggles with a hidden operation that puts her in precarious situations.

Glass excels at building tension. The narrative cleverly shifts between Anna and Cass's perspectives, offering glimpses into their motivations and the unsettling events unfolding within The Sycamores' walls. The seedy underbelly of the building and its inhabitants are vividly portrayed, creating a constant sense of unease.

However, the uneven pacing holds the book back from a full five stars. The initial chapters are captivating, but the middle section drags a bit as the mystery unravels slowly. Some plot threads feel underdeveloped, leaving a few unanswered questions by the end.

Despite these shortcomings, The Vacancy in Room 10 is a satisfying read for fans of psychological thrillers. The well-developed characters and the chilling atmosphere make it hard to put down. If you're looking for a suspenseful story with a touch of darkness, this novel is definitely worth checking out.

Here's a breakdown of the 4-star rating:

Plot (3.5 stars): Intriguing premise and strong central mystery, but pacing issues and unresolved threads.
Characters (4 stars): Compelling protagonists with hidden depths, well-rounded supporting cast.
Atmosphere (4.5 stars): Tense and suspenseful, effectively captures the seediness of the setting.
Writing (4 stars): Engaging prose, keeps the reader invested in the story.
Overall, The Vacancy in Room 10 is a suspenseful and entertaining read with a few bumps along the way.

The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass // Mystery/Thriller

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Net Galley and Graydon House for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I kept hearing about this one and I was so excited to finally have time to sit down and read it. The characters are well developed and relatable, though you can’t help but think they’re hiding something as you read along. Cass is the epitome of a bada*s woman who makes a way in any circumstance, and Anna just can’t leave things alone. Babs was one of my favorite characters, the little old lady who is rough around the edges and knows far more than she should, even if her role was small. Then there’s the grieving widower, the pool ladies, the abusive husband, and a whole lot of secrets. The story is fast paced and the writing is lovely. I’d love to say “I just knew ___ had to have done it” but in all honesty until the truth was revealed I had no idea who the killer was or why. There were just a couple of things that weren’t exactly believable (like a husband having a whole separate life) but overall this read was great. Worth the read! Check it out!

This is the first book I have read by this author. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. There were dual timelines that we blah to me and the characters were blah and not interesting either. I didn't find the mystery in this book to be interesting. Unfortunately, this book was not my jam,

Cass finds herself the manager of a run-down motel turned apartments called The Sycamores when her boyfriend, who she lived with, ended their relationship and she has nowhere to live. She gets free rent in return for taking care of the place. There she interacts with the interesting bunch of renters which include those who are quirky, eccentric, and lonely. Cass is low on cash and has come up with a devious and not the safest way to make spending money on the side. 😮

Anna's husband, Henry, called her and admitted to a crime. She checks into The Sycamores to get some answers after his death. There she begins to get answers and finds that she did not know her husband as much as she thought she did.

This book is told through the POV's of Cass and Anna. I found this to be a nice touch. As Anna gets closer to the truth, things begin to get tense and it is obvious that someone will do whatever it takes to prevent her from getting to the truth!

Initially this book was slow for me, and I kept putting it down, but then it slowly crept up on me, tapped me on the shoulder and grabbed my attention. I enjoyed the mystery, the motel, the tension, the suspense, and the motel's tenants.

Despite it feeling slow in the beginning, I enjoyed the author's wonderful writing, the intricate plot, the mystery, the setting, the characters, and the mounting suspense, tension and danger.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely love a psychological thriller about what may be happening behind closed doors in your neighborhood. Take that concept and push them all into a rundown, moody apartment building and you’ve got the context for Seraphina Nova Glass’s newest thriller, The Vacancy in Room 10. This book is an absolute blast to read! A gritty, unexpected, unique summer thriller to binge by the pool.

What is The Vacancy in Room 10 about?

The Sycamores is a rundown motel outside of Santa Fe that was poorly converted into apartments. Nearby neighborhood establishments include a Shell gas station with a sign missing the S, a liquor store, an Arby’s, and Teaser’s Gentleman’s Club. Inside the U-shaped complex live a group of neighbors who all provide fodder for gossip.

Cass lost everything she had when her longtime partner left her for a younger woman. Now, Cass has moved to the Sycamores where she works as the apartment manager and uses handyman skills passed down from her father to keep the dodgy structure up and running. Cass has plenty of secrets of her own—she’s resorted to some unsavory schemes to make it through paycheck to paycheck. Each time she promises herself it will be the last time, but it never sticks. And then Cass’s desperation puts her in the path of someone dangerous...

Seven months later, a woman named Anna is worried when she hasn’t heard back from her husband Henry. She is just about to head to the art studio he has in one of the rundown units at the Sycamores when her phone rings. Henry is sobbing and apologizing, and then he says something shocking, “I…killed someone.” Hours later Henry’s body is found on the shallow banks of the Rio Grande in what the police believe was a suicide.

Anna is heartbroken and determined to find out what Henry was trying to confess, so she packs up her meager belongings and moves into his art studio at the Sycamores. As Anna looks for clues about the secrets Henry was holding, she realizes Henry wasn’t the only resident of the Sycamores with secrets. She’s certain someone knows more than they’re sharing, but her prying only leads to more problems when she begins receiving threatening letters on her door. What is going on at the Sycamores?

What did I think overall?

In her fourth thriller, Seraphina Nova Glass proves once again that her writing and storytelling has a broad range. The Vacancy in Room 10 has a different vibe than her others. It’s gritty, seedy, dark, and addictive. The cover of the book is a perfect representation of what I imagined when I read about the Sycamores. This is an all-time great setting—it felt as though the people living at the Sycamores existed in a different world than the nearby city of Santa Fe. I could picture everything from the broken Shell sign blaring at them (“HELL”) and the seedy gentleman’s club across the street.

The Sycamores is not a place that people come to with levity and good fortune—this is a place of last resorts. It’s a group of people hanging on to their lives by a thread and living in relative squalor. And yet, as depressing and bleak as the setting is, there’s a sense of humor in the eclectic and delightful cast of characters residing in the rundown structure. They spend their days sitting outside their unit on lawn chairs or sitting with their feet in the old motel pool, gossiping wildly about the other residents. The Sycamores is, if nothing else, a community.

How was the pacing and structure?

Several chapters in and this is one of those books you won’t want to put down. Alternating chapters from Cass and Anna keep the pace moving quickly, and things take their first shocking turn early in the story and don’t stop from there. The reader feels transported to the gritty u-shaped complex where secrets and dead bodies could be lurking anywhere. Cass and Anna are very different characters, and initially their stories don’t have any connection outside of them both being forced into the Sycamore. Eventually, Anna’s and Cass’s stories become intertwined.

As Anna learns more about the secrets Henry was hiding in his studio at the Sycamores, she becomes suspicious of Cass. Cass is everywhere, going in and out of units repairing broken parts and generally knowing everyone’s business. Anna is certain Cass knows a lot more about Henry’s double life than she’s sharing, but what reason could Cass have for keeping it a secret? As Anna is tailing Cass, looking for her to slip up, the reader sees that Cass has much bigger problems than worrying about Anna snooping around.

What can you expect?

There were several different threads that became more tangled as the story unfolds. The first and more obvious was Anna’s search for answers about Henry’s final words to her. Relatively early in the story, the police inform her that they are investigating his dead as a homicide, which only adds to the mystery surrounding Henry. Anna discovers some shocking truths that led to more questions. Anna’s story was engaging to me, I wasn’t sure if or how it would tie to everything else, but it was clear that Henry chose this squalid complex for a reason.

Several other things are happening. Cass and Anna both witness a resident named Eddie abusing his wife Rosa. A resident named Callum is grieving the loss of his wife to terminal cancer and gets into a different altercation with Eddie. Several of the residents accompany Cass to a party where her ex, her former friends, and his new girlfriend will be for support and things go awry. Someone winds up dead and it is going to cause problems for the residents of the Sycamore. Despite the darkness in the book, the residents are a breath of fresh air (except Eddie). They offer moments of levity, and bits of gossip and information. In a place like the Sycamores, someone is always watching.

Final thoughts

This is a complex, layered, gritty story that takes twists and turns at every corner. The alternating POV kept the pace moving quickly, and there is an ominous feel as Anna and Cass’s stories begin to overlap. The twists caught me by surprise and the ending was a heart-pounding stunner. An exciting and fresh story with a cinematic quality to it, you won’t soon forget the Sycamores or it’s residents.

Thank you to Graydon House for my copy. Opinions are my own.

THE VACANCY IN ROOM 10 was a great read from Seraphina Nova Glass - Cass and Anna were distinct but equally relatable and their intervowen stories were compelling against a rotating backdrop of characters. I was immediately drawn into the plot and the many twists and turns. The ending felt a bit long and drawn out but was ultimately satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and Graydon Books for the opportunity to read and review THE VACANCY IN ROOM 10.

This is the story of Cass and Anna and how they ended up living in the rundown apartment complex call the Sycamore's.

They come from very different walks of life and are living through their own trauma.

The Sycamore residents are a very eclectic group of characters. There are a lot of people in this book, but unlike other books I've read, I had no trouble keeping them straight.

This is a book that I believe is best read blind so I won't reveal any more of the book.

The characters are great. Appropriately nasty, funny or mysterious.

This one kept me guessing.

Thanks to netgalley and Graydon House for the arc.

This was a lot of fun. Seraphina Nova Glass writes a good popcorn thriller and this one is no exception.

This read had my un-divided attention! Desperately waiting to see how it was going to play out when all the pieces would fall in place for an explosive ending! And I wasn’t disappointed!

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

Wow, this book was such a wild ride! I usually go into thrillers blindly so I had no idea what to expect going in, but this is definitely one of the most bingeable thrillers I’ve picked up this year.

I always enjoy domestic suspense stories because I love pulling the curtain back and seeing what couples are like behind the scenes. And oh boy, are the characters in this book going through things! Secrets, lies, betrayals, suspicious deaths, certain murders — you name it, this book has it!

There are so many things to love about this book but I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers. I loved how fully fleshed out and flawed Anna and Cass, the main characters, were and found myself equally riveted to both of their stories and eager to see how the two stories finally came together since I was sure they would. I also thought the pacing was perfect and loved that all of the twists and turns kept me guessing. This is one of the least predictable thrillers I’ve read in a while, which is always exciting!

Another element that really pushed this story to a full five stars for me was the motel/apartment setting itself. It might sound strange to say it but the author so vividly brings this setting to life that it almost felt like another character in the story.

The Vacancy in Room 10 was my first time reading a thriller from Seraphina Nova Glass, but it most definitely will not be my last!

I recommend going into this one blind! It was an awesome read. It took me a little bit of time to get into and hooked on this one, but once I did it was super entertaining.

I loved the way Seraphina made the setting so tangible and how she assembled such distinct characters as it really set the tone and stage for the book. For me, this was not a story with a predictable plot and that’s always a huge plus for me. I’m not going to go into specifics since I feel letting this one unfold without an idea of what to expect was part of the fun.

Onto her backlist for me. 🤩

Thank you #NetGalley and #GraydonHouseBooks for an arc of #TheVacancyInRoom10 in exchange for an honest review.

Note: Published to www.instagram.com/FeverReader on 4/11/24

Vacancy In Room 10
Seraphina Glass

Thank you @htphive @htp_books and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I seen so many great things about this book so I knew it was one I had to read. Once I really sat down and got into it, I could not put it down. I finished the rest of the book in less than a day!

There are many different characters in this book but somehow it wasn’t so confusing you couldn’t keep track. I enjoyed getting glimpses into the many different Sycamore residents lives. Though unconventional the majority of these residents made up a family. With their pool days and Friday night cookouts. I loved to see the support they gave one another!
Thank you Seraphina for throwing a character like Frank into this book. He pulled on my heartstrings for sure. Any child needing support and love like he was searching for is a way to keep me emotionally invested.

The twist! How did I not see that coming?! I had many different thoughts but definitely nothing like what unfolded. I appreciate a good thriller with many different characters and backstories. If you’re looking for your next thriller read, I recommend you pick this one up!

This book had me hooked immediately! Both Cass and Anna’s backgrounds leading up to how they ended up at The Sycamores were so compelling. Then the tension continues to build up until all the secrets were unraveled in ways you least expected. This was definitely a page turner and already one of my favorite books of 2024. I can’t wait to read more books from this author!

Anne and Cass are two women who find themselves in unpredictable circumstances. Anne is trying to come to grips with her husband’s suicide while Cass is reeling from a life-changing break-up. Both women end up at the Sycamores, a run-down motel that has been transformed into run-down apartments. It’s filled with shady characters, lovable characters, and characters that intend to hide their secrets at all costs.

Ms Glass has written a book that is compelling, interesting, suspenseful, and even a bit heart-warming. Blending all these qualities into a single novel that was hard to put down is, in my book, quite an accomplishment. I thoroughly enjoyed her novel as I navigated the Sycamores, its secrets, and its surprises. Both Cass and Anne are complex characters who are simply trying to figure out their lives but continue to find roadblocks along the way. The Vacancy in Room 10 is well-written and filled with well-defined characters. The pace is good and the story moves along to a take-away-your-breath finish.

Thoroughly enjoyable, this book is not to be overlooked. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

I've loved this author's previous books and was thrilled to get this one! I was not disappointed. This was a quick, gripping thriller. I loved the large cast of characters and the twists kept me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend!