The Rip centers itself around two adults, Eloise and Penny, who have more drama than most teenage girls. I went into the book thinking the missing kid would be the main event of the book but it’s mostly just Eloise and Penny going back and forth with pettiness.
Getting to the missing kid took forever. I’m guessing I would of enjoyed it more if I liked the two main characters.

Dark secrets and lies sizzle in this thriller! Holly is a fairly new author to me and I really enjoyed this novel. I’d have loved to be sitting on a beach reading it!

A group of friends' island getaway turns sinister when one of the children goes missing.

I loved The Shallows so when I knew Holly Craig was writing another book, I immediately requested a copy. I went into this one blind and was thrilled to see the dual POVs and short chapters format that always has me so addicted to reading more. I loved how each character had their own secrets. It made for an easy binge as I just had to know how it ended.

It's the safest island they say, nothing will ever happened.
But for Eloise, something bad is always happened here.

Penny and Kav seems to have perfect flowery marriage, but nobody and nothing is perfect. Penny's daughter, Rosie, has hatred towards her mother. Why?? This will tickle your curiosity throughout the book.
Kav invites his best friend, Scott and his wife, Eloise to join them in Rottnest Island.
There's a jealousy runs in Eloise about what Penny and Kav have. There's a secret that Eloise kept about what happened in that island in the past.

It's a slow burn as it won't be until nearly half of the book that the mystery actually begins - one of their kids gone missing. This is when secret and lies will come to surface.
Even it's a slow burn, the writing style kept me engaged into the book. The story was told in alternate POV between Penny and Eloise. I feel that it has more potential better climax and to be more "twisty" if only their dark pasts which constantly hinted throughout the story, could be intertwined more into the story.

The Rip by Holly Craig is a suspenseful story that literally had me biting my nails.
A thrilling story that had me flying through this book and loved everything about it.
I love how she creates tension and the building of her suspense. The novel delivers an intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and a sense of unease that keeps readers guessing until the final chapters.
I loved reading her previous title The Shallows and her newest book was no different.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Holly Craig’s The Rip is an examination of an almighty clash of strong personalities. Although this is billed as a missing child case, there’s a definite sense that this is merely an aside, with the real focus the head to head battle between Eloise and Penny.

The holiday to Rottnest Island came at the invitation of Penny who was using the vacation as an opportunity to celebrate her husband Kav’s birthday. Scott and Eloise are part of the party but it’s Scott, best mates with Kav, who’s the real invitee. Eloise is only there because she’s Scott’s wife and her huge internet following, cosmetically enhanced body and perfect family are all fuel to Penny’s hatred of her.

For her part, Penny is an unreasonable bitch who is quick to find fault with others while excusing her own oversights as completely justifiable - and how dare anyone suggest otherwise. She’s hiding devastating events from her past and resents her 16 year old daughter Rosie for something that happened many years before. Her shining light is her adopted son, 6 year old Edmund, who was taken from his drug addicted parents as a baby.

During the birthday celebrations while the parents are partying at the nearby hotel, one of the children goes missing from the holiday cabin in which they were all staying at. Nobody remembers seeing or hearing anything and, inevitably, it’s Rosie who cops the blame for the disappearance. Eloise also finds herself in the crosshairs with all kinds of blame and accusations flying left and right.

The Rip is set on Rottnest Island in Western Australia, a beautiful and very picturesque part of the world from all reports. It’s a pity there was very little in the way of description of the surrounding landscape. This could have been set at any seaside town in Australia for all the attention that was paid to pointing out any notable features that might transport me to the place. I felt that was a missed opportunity.

Much of the story centres on the emotional outbursts of the main characters as they voice their dislike and make outlandish judgements on one another. Much of it’s fuelled by a deep fear of being found out with a definite impression that both Penny and Eloise are in an elaborate process of faking it to impress their peers. In a smaller dose, I think I’d be okay with it, but the sniping carried on for way too long, overshadowing areas of the story that would have made it more enjoyable. (More lavish descriptions of Rottnest Island, for example).

While I didn’t particularly like Penny or Eloise, once the focus turned more fully to the disappearance and subsequent, the plot became more engaging. It’s a shame it made up such a short proportion of the book. If a greater portion to the novel were devoted to the tension and drama that was automatically built up here, I’m sure I would have found it far more enjoyable.

My thanks to Thomas Mercer and NetGalley for a digital ARC which allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.

Penny invites families and friends for her husband’s birthday celebration in the island. She makes sure that everything is perfect and flawless just as she is. Only one thing will ruin the party with the presence of Eloise, who is self-obsessed and jealous of Penny. While the party is happening, Penny’s adopted son went missing and nobody notices a thing. With the help of everybody, they search the island before it’s too late, as secrets start to surface and someone is to be blamed.


One thing that piqued my interest is the setting of the book in Rottnest Island in Western Australia. Rottnest is just 25 mins ferry ride from Perth, lots of beaches, secluded coves and reefs and it has been the home of the quokkas, small wallaby-like marsupial, said to be the happiest animal on earth. I’ve been to Rottnest few times and is in love with the island, we bike, swim, eat, drink and repeat. After reading this, I will never look at Rottnest the same again, lol!

While reading, I am imagining the island and its location. Definitely you feel like you’re living the island life. Nothing bad happens yes and when this book takes you to the other side, this is such a good setting for a book. I like it for its short chapters and quick read. It will capture your interest from the start with its two main unlikable characters bickering at each other, to the mystery of the missing child (though it didn’t come out until almost mid part of the book) to the suspense building up towards the end. Once the suspect is revealed, I am kind of expecting more twists and turns in the story but turns out to be more sinister in the end.


The Rip is out on the Feb 20. Hoping to attend one of her launch tours next month. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

THIS BOOK IS JUST AMAZING.

I LOVED THE WRITING, THE TWISTS AND THE PLOT OF THIS BOOK.

WILL RECOMMEND AND READ MORE FROM THE AUTHOR.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR LETTING ME READ AND REVIEW.

This is first book I have read set on Rottnest Island, off the coast of WA, Australia. It sounds like a stunning place. For the characters in The Rip, it is meant to be safe place for a family holiday. But when one of the kids go missing, it becomes anything but.

The deep dark secrets soon threaten to be exposed while they frantically search for the missing boy. How could he go missing? Has he wandered off and fallen into the water? Or did somebody take him? All will be revealed as you read this page turning thriller that I read on my flight over to Fiji. It was the perfect escape read.

Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. Published in February and will be available on Kindle Unlimited

A really good thriller with interesting,if some unlikeabke,characters and a story that leads to secrets and lies
Well written and kept me reding to find out the truth behind what was happening
Felt like was there with the great descriptions of the beach etc
Will definitely read more from this author

I feel like the description of this book has little to do with the actual story. The description makes it sound like a riveting thriller where a child goes missing and the main characters have deep dark secrets that possibly have to do with the missing child. Unfortunately, none of that is accurate. The child didn't go missing until almost halfway through the book. And, all those "dark secrets" had nothing to do with the missing child and barely anything to do with the story in general. I feel like there were a lot of loose ends. The "twist" was also not exciting and was very predictable. I kept waiting for something shocking to happen.

It's also very hard to read a book with such unlikable main characters. The two main characters spent 60% of the book complaining about each other and constantly bashing each other for being bad mothers. The jealousy between them was unbearable. It just got to be too much. This one just wasn't for me I guess.

I appreciate the eARC from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for my honest review!

Nova

A fast-paced and thrilling domestic drama unfolds against the backdrop of luxurious villas and picturesque beaches in this unputdownable novel. When flawless hostess Penny invites guests to an island to celebrate her husband's birthday, she unwittingly sets off a chain of events that jeopardizes their idyllic weekend. As a child mysteriously vanishes during the festivities, the once-perfect retreat turns into a nightmare, unveiling unsettling secrets lurking beneath the surface of paradise.

Amid the panic and search for the missing child, accusations fly, even towards Penny's own daughter, Rosie. Tensions rise as past conflicts resurface, and dark revelations threaten to shatter the tranquility of the island. As the clock ticks, the race to find the child becomes increasingly desperate, with the added strain of fractured relationships and buried truths.

The author skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and hidden intentions, building a palpable sense of suspense as the characters grapple with the mounting crisis. With every page turn, the reader is drawn deeper into the characters' complex dynamics and the unsettling events that slowly unravel. "Clear Waters" is an enthralling narrative that keeps you on edge, leading to a shocking conclusion that leaves a lasting impact, compelling readers to ponder the true nature of those around them.

The villa and the entire setting was beautifully written but the plot was harder work, there was so much build up and such a feeling of uncomfortable things to come but ultimately it was an anti climax.

Penny gathers guests on an island, for her husband's birthday celebrations. Penny is the ever perfect hostess in her luxury villa. Among some of the guests is Eloise, who Penny quickly finds annoying. On the night of the party, a child vanishes. Penny looks for someone to blame, and that happens to be her daughter, Rosie. Rosie feels isolated and turns to Eloise for support. Tensions rise as the child remains missing and theories are thrown around. Of course, we learn that many secrets are hidden on this gorgeous island...

I loved Holly Craig's debut novel, the Shallows, so I was super excited to read this one! In my opinion, the Shallows was infinitely better. It was way more suspenseful and, overall, a way more exciting read. Definitely give the Shallows a read. The Rip is a middle of the road, average novel.

For the first half of the novel, I was pretty bored. Considering this is characterized as a suspense novel, I kept waiting for something to happen. There is a lot of character development prior to the child going missing. However, at that point, it doesn't really make sense and is somewhat boring hearing the thoughts of Penny and Eloise. The alternating POVs of Penny and Eloise talking trash about one another got old pretty quick.

The ending was good, but overall, there were few twists and turns. The plot line and location had a lot of potential, but it fell a little flat for me. Again, an average read. I do look forward to Holly Craig's next novel, as I really enjoyed her first novel!

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

A clever mystery about vacationers in a supposedly idyllic location, a beautiful island. However, when past secrets haunt you and future crimes are ready to detonate and blow your peace apart, you might be left with little that remains recognizable of your carefully constructed life.

Intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing, a perfect vacation or beach read!

Penny gathers guests to an island getaway for her husband's birthday celebrations. But she soon regrets inviting Eloise, with her large internet following, perfect clothes and family. Neither pair really hit it off and the tension begins. But then a child vanishes on the beautiful safe island and their worlds are ripped apart. Theories begin as to where they went, whether he wandered off, were taken or drowned in the ocean. Blame is cast and tension is high.

This was such a page turner and you can just imagine yourself on the island setting that the author has so generously created for us. There were a bunch of unlikeable characters, all with secrets that are sprinkled throughout in this provocative and fast moving suspense. Another fabulous novel by the author and I cannot wait for more by her. 4.5*

Thanks so much to the author, NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this gifted review copy.

Really enjoyed this one. Set on a holiday island near Sydney, the plot focuses on the toxic relationship between two female characters - Penny and Eloise. At first, neither character is very likeable but the plot is strong enough to keep you reading regardless. It's clear both characters have dark secrets lurking in their past, and the author does a good job of slowly revealing the truth about Penny and Eloise.

Then, in the middle of a lavish weekend organised by Penny, her adopted son disappears. As the search to find him gets underway, it's clear several people have their own reasons for not wanting him to be found.

This is an enjoyable read, ideal for a holiday if you're looking for something light and page-turning. The plot veers towards the ludicrous at times, but I kept reading to the end (which I don't always do if a book doesn't grab me!).

I was first introduced to Holly Craig over the Summer when I read her first book, The Shallows. Instantly, I fell in love with her style of writing and could not wait to read more by her.

The Rip did not disappoint. From the very beginning, Craig draws in the reader and makes him/her want to know more. The characters are great and add so much to the story. And the description of the setting makes the reader feel as if he/she is right there on the beach. The Rip’s plot was unique and one I have not encountered before. With this being a thriller, I would have liked more twists and turns, but that did not take away from the book at all for me. I throughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to all thriller lovers.

Holly Craig is becoming a favorite author of mine, and I cannot wait to read more of her work in the future.

This was just an ok read for me.

The first 30% of the book was back and forth between Eloise and Penny’s point of view, of them just bashing each other. It got old and I contemplated DNFing it. It seemed toohigh school and these two grown women thinking nothing other than negatively towards the other got boring quickly.

Once the story line picked up, I decided to finish the story. It wasn’t horrible, but it also didn’t have many twists or turns. It was good that it had a good ending, but it just all fell short for me.

A novel of two women, Penny and Eloise, the opposite of each other, with one being able to find a missing boy on a tourist island and redeem herself in the eyes of her friends and husband.

The storytelling could have been shortened, however, as it seemed unnecessarily long.