Carla and Zach Hamilton and daughter Alexa are taking a much-needed holiday in a luxurious 5-star resort on the island of the Maldives. Everything is perfect. It is in an idyllic location; the food is delicious, and they even have their own butler service that is there for them 24/7. What is supposed to help them get over the traumatic experience of a home invasion soon becomes a business deal for Zach. Where Carla is trying to bond with her daughter after an accident left her with scars.
But the holiday doesn’t run smoothly as not just the members of the family have all have secrets to hide but. some of the other guests too. Which ends up that a body is found.
This is an interesting read from the author, with all the secrets and lies from the guests from the resort and the authors descriptions of the beautifully scenery well but, sometimes I felt it was quite over descriptive. I didn’t quite understand that each chapter counted to something. I was waiting in anticipation for a big ending, but it failed to deliver. 3.5 stars

I do enjoy a destination thriller, especially when it whisks me off to an exotic location where, just for a few hours, I can forget the cold and the rain. The Guests takes us to the tropical Maldives resort of Asana Fushi. The perfect getaway for Cara Hamilton, her husband wealthy businessman Zack, and their daughter Alexa. It’s a chance for the family to rest, relax, reconnect and recover following an awful ordeal. Throw in an untrustworthy supporting cast and you have all the makings for a twisted heart in your mouth psychological thriller.

Based on the prologue, the reader is aware that something terrible has happened to one of the characters. I loved how the author uses each chapter title to count down the days and hours until the ‘shocking event’ it gives the plot a genuine sense of urgency and a hefty dose of impending doom! The characters are pretty unlikable, they're an entitled bunch with no redeeming qualities. They make the worst choices. I’m not going to lie at some points, I screamed in frustration. And yet their tangled relationships make for an addictive read. Every action has a consequence and for some of THE GUESTS the consequences are far-reaching.

Nikki Smith’s visual imagery of the Maldives not only sets the scene, it also transports the reader to the luxury resort to watch the action unfold. Nikki Smith certainly knows how to keep the readers’ attention. As it’s the character’s fate that we learn about in the prologue that propels the plot forward. Anticipation grows as the countdown continues. I found The Guests to be such a fun read, addictive and deliciously twisted. Highly recommended to those who enjoy a destination thriller with a twist in its tail.

My review will be posted to my blog nearer to publication day

Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/

This was a captivating thriller that had me on the edge of my seats from start to finish. The twists make this novel a page-turner, as secrets unravel and tensions escalate among the guests at a Maldives resort.

As the chapters count down to an event you know is coming; you are left waiting and wondering who to believe and what will happen!

With great characters and a setting filled with suspense the author delivers a thrilling ride that left me guessing until the very end.

Fab story based upon a wealthy family who have made their money through supporting climate change sustainability. An idyllic holiday in the Maldives filled with murder, crime and an ever emerging picture of their dysfunctional family. Great story which I read in 2 sittings

This was a quick and an enjoyable read with an absolutely gorgeous setting. Plenty of secrets and intriguing revelations, yet I sometimes felt.mayne too many characters and stories that didn't get looked at again or wrapped up.. Overall a perfect for an easy escape read

‘The Guests’ by Nikki Smith is a destination thriller set at a luxurious eco-resort in the Maldives. Business deals, affairs, betrayals… and maybe even murder are all on the cards for the guests, each of whom have their own reasons for needing to get away on an idyllic break: ethical investor Zac, his wife Clara and their daughter Alexa need to relax and bond as a family after a terrifying event; eco-influencer Skye wants to review the hotel’s true credentials; other guests just want to be waited on hand and foot by the resentful staff.

As a reader you know trouble is brewing based on the prologue in which a body is found on the beach before we zoom back to the start of the holiday and get to know the guests. So far, so very ‘White Lotus’! In a similar style to the acclaimed TV show, we jump around between characters as their connections become apparent, their secrets are revealed and the tension escalates… at times it feels like any one of the characters could be the aforementioned body.

I liked the environmental aspect of the novel and the way it exposed shady practices at some so-called eco resorts where principles are sacrificed at the altar of guest satisfaction. However, I didn’t really warm to any of the characters and found myself at times not particularly caring who actually met their sticky end. I also didn’t feel as transported to the white beaches and turquoise waters of the Maldives as I have in other more immersive thrillers set in luxury destinations.

All in all, this was a three star book for me - it’s a decent thriller to read on the beach but I really was hoping for more.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Viking Books UK via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. While this review is shared on NetGalley now, I will share on other platforms closer to / after the publication date.

#TheGuests #NetGalley
Or so the staff say as they greet the Hamiltons on the pristine shores of the idyllic Maldives resort. And it starts off that way: snorkelling in the serene blue sea, champagne picnics on powder-white sand, and moonlit walks under the stars. But lies lurk beneath the luxury because each of the guests has a secret… and they're not the only ones. Months later, a grisly discovery is made.
Whatever happened to the Hamiltons? And how did their once-in-a-lifetime trip turn into the holiday from hell?
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for giving me an advance copy.

The Guests is a psychological thriller which leaves you guessing after each chapter. As the time ticks down with each chapter you read, you can’t help but wonder, what exactly is going to happen? And it’s definitely an ending which leaves you wondering what will happen next…

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the concept for this book. Wealthy couple takes their daughter on a holiday that others can only dream of. The type of holiday they are used to and can afford to go on three times a year… but when their secrets start to unravel and it transpires that the holiday may be more of a desperate attempt at salvation for both their marriage and their business, what else will be revealed whilst they are away?

Nikki Smith wrote this so well and I really enjoyed trying to work out what was going to happen and how the story would unfold. The reason I only gave The Guests 3 stars is because at some points there was almost a bit too much going on, sometimes less is more I feel with this type of story.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and it only took me just over a day to read. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who fancies a quick thriller read.

Thank you NetGalley, Nikki Smith and Penguin for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The Guests comes out on the 21st May!

Rich people doing very bad things and thinking they can get away with it....this is such a good read. The writing is so good, it feels like you're in the beautiful resort with them. Blue skies, clear water, eco friendly environment.....but beneath all the beauty is sinister goings on and darkness. The resort manager has his sights set on a big investment from the Hamiltons, an influencer has ideas about using the Hamiltons and other guests have sinister plans for the Hamiltons too. Can they survive this supposed trip to paradise??? I really enjoyed this book. I felt for the women being hurt by the actions of the selfish men and was rooting for them. to get away from the toxic .situation. A really good, gripping read!

What a book! Honestly couldn’t put it down!! I’m going to be buying Nikki Smith’s previous books now! Highly recommend!

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a really quick read and the intrigue made me keep coming back. The location and plot really appealed to me, however overall it fell a bit flat.
There were too many characters with story arcs that weren’t properly fleshed out. I don’t think all the characters were really needed. Secrets everywhere, but most of them weren’t really important to the story.
Quite disappointed by the ending, it all wrapped up too quickly, and yet didn’t really wrap up at all. I felt like I missed a chapter!
Not overly important, but the reference to the authors previous book made me cringe!

Thank you Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The ultimate family getaway on a beautiful island at a luxury resort is not as it seems. The Hamiltons look like they have it all and are just taking a break but there is trouble bubbling below the surface. The other guests are not all as they seem either. The setting of this story is fabulous and draw you in but it is filled with tension as you wait for trouble to start. The characters are not particularly likeable so their secrets are not surprising but you still wait to see what happens.
As always Nikki Smith draws you in to their lives and lets you see them, warts and all.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advance copy.

An enjoyable read with an absolutely beautiful setting. Plenty of secrets and intriguing revelations. Perfect for an easy escape read xx

NIkki Smith loves to take a beautiful destination and fill it with darkness and intrigue. I really enjoyed the Beach Party last year so was excited to visit the Maldives location this time in The Guests.

It's a good premise - a luxury eco destination in the Maldives where almost all the rich and privileged guests are hiding secrets or have ulterior motives.

It's quite a quick read and the intrigue starts from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the environmental/ climate change side of the story

However the characters in this one felt a bit flat to me and I didn’t like or really care about any of them so therefore didn’t really care if their secrets and lies were exposed.

A good read & ideal for the beach but it didn’t quite grip me in the same way as The Beach Party

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

An enjoyable read, the author has done a great job of transporting you to the luxury of the island. Sadly I didn't feel much empathy for any of the characters, with the exception perhaps of Alexa, caught between her warring parents.

I'm not really sure what the purpose of the countdown was, as it made me think something bigger was going to happen. Nice little twist at the end though.

A holiday in the Maldives is a once in a lifetime experience for many. With perfect weather, 5 star service, perfect surroundings and people striving to create environmental efficiency for a better future – what could possibly go wrong? Ego’s, self-preservation, resentment, illness, wealth (profits) and pride, that’s what. There were so many people looking out for themselves that you never really knew who deserved whatever happened to them. Then again, life is rarely straight forward. What a delicious Maldivian rollercoaster.

This is the author second novel and it lives upto the hype! Loved the thriller and mystery around the characters and story! Like the fact it added luxury and love thrown in too.

WOW, what a book. I enjoyed Nikki's first book however I feel she has outdone herself with this book. Full of twists and turns that will keep the reader hooked and guessing. By picking up this book you will not be disappointed. Thank you netgalley for ARC.

Luxury, opulence and murder.

I love the island of luxury trope and this was a fantastic take on it. Written so you can feel the affluence and the terror at the same time.

Cracking story. Twisted throughout. Lots of great characters.
Engaging story and its hard to put down.