An easy read for summer beach reading. Didn't keep my attention throughout. Lots of twists. I found it difficult to like any of the characters.

Loved this easy to read pacey book by Nikki Smith. But it you will love it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I quite enjoyed this book , nice to read about a story in a dreamy paradise setting. I thought it was well written and an interesting story . The only problem I found was it was a bit rushed towards the end . Having said that I loved the twist but I did expect something would happen like that . I enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars and would recommend it

Initial thoughts: There is twist after twist is this fast-paced mystery thriller set in the idyllic Maldives. I just thought that I was getting to grips with the rollercoaster ride, when the author threw a new curve into the storyline.
There are three separate timelines: the main storyline with the Hamilton family which is counting down to an "event" (though we do not know what event precisely), a second timeline, narrated in the first person and highlighted in italics, and the third timeline when a child makes a horrible discovery on a beach.
With the Hamilton family, we have daughter Alexa, mother Cara and father Zack who have arrived in the resort for a family holiday and to recover from a series of unpleasant events which are slowly revealed. Each member of the family has their own secrets and is plotting to support their own agenda. As we learn about the family, then the second timeline starts to become clear and adds a sense of danger and tension to the storyline.
I enjoyed the storyline and the pace but I couldn't warm to any of the characters and found myself becoming increasingly unconcerned about their survival - though I did enjoy the revelations and machinations throughout.

Thank You to NetGalley, Nikki Smith, and Penguin Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little conflicted writing this…initially on finishing the book I thought “that was great”, now the night later, my emphatic response has lessened slightly and I’m now thinking how unlikable Zach is and Cara to some extents. There was a lot of superfluous detail throughout this story, Ryan in his cap, the Devi’s passport, and Cara’s past life as an air stewardess. We hear about that from Carly so often but really what was the point…did I miss it? Alexa actually portrays quite a normal teenage girl. She isn’t over the top, doesn’t really act older than she is meant to be and her emotional expression is not over the top.

I did however like the twists and turns towards the end - it threw me off and definitely helped towards my final rating. A good read. An easy read. Although did much happen…? Enjoyable enough. I guess I am probably at a 3.5 star rounded up.

Cara Hamilton, a long with her husband and daughter, arrive at a luxury resort in the Maldives to start their holiday. What was meant to a perfect getaway, to escape from terrible previous events, soon turns into the holiday from hell.

I enjoy reading novels set in luxury, exotic locations and I liked the eye catching cover so was drawn to this one. It was definitely an interesting subject and atmospheric. It was also intriguing trying to figure out everyone’s secrets. Saying that, I found that I couldn’t fully invest myself in the story. I found it quite similar to previous books I have read recently and I struggled to connect to the characters. Although this wasn’t completely for me at this time, it is a good read for those who are looking for an easy to read holiday thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

🏖️THE GUESTS🏖️

Thank you @netgalley for letting me read this eARC✨

This book is set in the Maldives at a very boujee, and eco conscious, resort accessed by seaplane. This setting was incredible and had me looking up holidays to the Maldives😍

There are quite a lot of characters in the book and I couldn't always keep up with who was who. Zach Hamilton, his wife Cara, and their daughter, Alexa were all at this resort and we follow them and their stories. They were hoping to get a reprieve from their home life. Something happened before they leave and we find out through the story what this is.

So much happened through this book and it was a very fast paced, and easy to read thriller. I didn't looooove the ending and was left feeling a bit disappointed but overall I would recommend! It's definitely a quick and easy holiday read!

⭐⭐⭐

Perfect holiday read - set in an amazing glamorous location with so many twists and turns. This kept me hooked from start to finish - as soon as a horrifying find on the beach is identified right at the start. Well recommended and I look forward to the next book from Nikki Smith

When we first meet them, Zach and Cara, along with their daughter Alexa, are just completing the last leg of travel to a luxury resort island in the Maldives. They really need a break as you will find out as the book goes on. As well as them, there are a couple of other guests with connection to them, but again, I am leaving you to discover them for yourself. We also have a couple of prominent resort staff who have their own agendas too. It's all a bit interconnected and convoluted plot wise and not at all easy to hint at without giving a sniff of a spoiler. Suffice to say that it turns out not to be the relaxing idyllic holiday that they were expecting as, well, even right from the off shenanigans ensue... Starting off mild but escalating exponentially as the narrative progresses.
It most definitely didn't mirror my own experience of the Maldives as I personally had a cracking time when I went there!
Its all a bit twisty turny all the way through, with secrets, lies and dysfunctional behaviour aplenty. Often skirting, occasionally crossing the line of credibility, it was nonetheless wholly entertaining and kept me wondering where the next over-the-top shenanigan was coming from, and who it would involve. It also got quite dark, very quickly, deliciously so.
Characters... well, what can I say... probably not much positively as they were all a bit awful in various ways that I can't detail here for fear of spoilers. Overreaction was rife and acting out of character too. But, as I already said, in a very entertaining way.
All a bit thrilling, all the way through, until the ending was delivered. An ending that sadly left me a bit flat and underwhelmed. And didn't quite connect back to the prologue properly. Shame really as it was racing towards a cracking five star rating all the way through.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Nikki Smith does it again. Another enthralling read- this time set in the beautifully picturesque Maldives with clear water, burning sand and a lot of unhappy people trying to escape from their problems. Unfortunately for the Hamiltons, their problems are never far away. Zach- the eco-businessman, his wife Cara and their teenage daughter Alexa all have stresses and the tension builds as they each plot and plan. Nikki is the expert when it comes to suspenseful holiday thrillers and this one does not disappoint. Whatever you think it going to happen, you’re wrong and the twists keep coming. A definite must-read summer thriller.

Not sure why but this book left me feeling flat,maybe the totally unlikeable and annoying characters didn’t help,I was irritated by them from the offset,whatever it was it was just an ok read and wasn’t really for me,apologies

I spent part of my honeymoon on an almost too perfect Maldivian island so my imagination was running wild with The Guests! It was a real page-turner containing a complex cast of characters with their own motivations, gradually revealed to the reader throughout the book. I loved that no-one was quite as they seemed - the person I thought would be the biggest threat to our protagonist turned out to be the one she had the least to worry about! The twists kept coming to the very end, which was great. I definitely need to grab more reads from Nikki Smith!

Great summer book about the Hamilton's who go on holiday to the idyllic Maldives resort. of Asana Fushi for a relaxing vacation where guests are pampered and stay in luxurious villas.
Loved the characters and their secrets and the setting is lovely I wished I was there a great page turner which involves greed and how far people will go to protect their secrets.
Highly recommend for a summer read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've loved this author since ive found her on netgalley and this didn't disappoint. They get better and better.

I adore Nikki Smith's writing. The Beach Party was a brilliant read and I think The Guests is even better.

The setting of this book is just divine, Smith manages to make you believe that you know what it's like to walk along the pristine white sands of The Maldives and dive into the blue waters there, without you ever having been. The characters were brilliant, you feel invested in them and how they are connected from the first few chapters. I loved this book, it's the perfect spring/summer read.

Thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a honest review.
I love Nikkis books so was excited to read this .
This will transport you from dreary uk to a tropical destination and through her writing you feel like you are there .

Packed with tension and suspense and characters who all on paper seem wonderful .
But secrets are exposed and as the island heats up so does the impending feeling something bad is going to happen .
Will have you turning the pages eager to discover the truth ..

Perfect beach read for summer 24

I really enjoyed this book and was totally gripped after the first few chapters.
A wealthy family head to the Maldives and cause absolute carnage, through lies, and leaving people dead and injured.
I really liked the characters, they were developed enough to get to know them, and most of them had an edge.

A great beach read! Would definitely recommend. Made me think back to my visit to the Maldives... Thankfully it didn't end like the book!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Loved the setting of this. This is very much alike other thrillers out there (exotic location, unlikeable characters, deadly secrets etc) but that still meant I couldn't stop reading. Highly recommend.

Wow this book blew me away and I could not put it down. 5* review from me!
I absolutely love a destination psychological thriller that flies me to an exotic paradise! Nikki Smith kept my attention throughout the whole book and I couldn't tear myself away. Centred around a family escaping to wind down after an awful event but secrets from the guests and staff cause twists and turns that hook you.
I would highly recommend this to anyone! And when I mean I ran to check out Nikki Smith's other books I RAN!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review!

this was such an intense thriller!! i devoured this so fast and definitely plan to read more by nikki smith. such a fast paced, high stakes book!!