Member Reviews
When Seb finds a room to rent in a stunning house in Hampstead, it all seems too good to be true. And when he falls for the landlady, we know that something sinister is apace. I thoroughly enjoyed the multiple POVs and am still reeling from the shock reveal. Under Her Roof is a true psychological thriller (you’ll have to read it to understand the implications!) and I raced through it. Thoroughly recommend.
Than you to AA Chaudhuri, Hera Books and Netgalley for my advance copy.
Wow! I knew that you can't go wrong with a thriller by A A Chaudhuri, but Under Her Roof absolutely exceeded my expectations!
Chaudhuri uses eloquent prose and three unique points of view to slowly build the suspense and reveal the secrets of the main characters Sebastian, Adriana, and her stalker, skillfully guiding the readers where she wants them to go. The book is a twist on the locked room mystery, in that we know someone is spying on the residents inside their impenetrable house, and how that is achieved is revealed in subsequential mind-reeling twists that had me exclaiming aloud in surprise with each one.
The final twist had me shaking my head in embarrassment, because it made so much sense and yet I didn't see it coming.
Bravo to Chaudhuri for the absolutely phenomenal book! It is entertaining from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it.
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of #UnderHerRoof from #NetGalley!
Struggling writer, Sebastian, finds a room for rent in a beautiful mansion in Hampstead. The rent is super cheap and the house is magnificent. Plus, the young widowed landlady, Ariana, is pretty easy on the eyes....The old adage, it seems too good to be true, certainly applies here. Ariana's previous lodger died on the premises. And Seb starts receiving messages, indicating that someone is closely watching him. What secrets are hidden in the beautiful home?
Wow, that ending was WILD. I read a LOT of thrillers and did not see that one coming at all! Some parts of the book, especially in the first half or so, are a bit slow. But the twisted and dark ending definitely makes up for the slower start. The novel ends somewhat abruptly - I wish we got another chapter or short blurb.
I definitely recommend this book as the storyline offers something different and the twists are really quite outstanding.
Thank you Hera and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I could not get into this one. It was way too wordy and It never caught my interest. I didn’t finish this one.
An interesting psychological thriller about a tenant, an aspiring writer, taking up residence in a prosperous neighbourhood of London - Upper Hampstead. He gets a rental that is way below the market rates considering the location and the luxurious mansion he is shown. This is occupied by a beautiful middle-aged widow who takes up tenants as a measure of precaution as she stays all alone. The story takes an interesting turn as there has been a series of deaths starting with the husband, the previous tenant. Also, there are past histories of both the owner and the tenant that they wish to keep a secret. In the end, it takes an unexpected turn which is sure to surprise you. A book that you must read.
Dark, Compelling..
A deeply tangled web in this contemporary suspense with a very dark edge. If something seems too good to be true then it usually is the case - Sebastian, a struggling writer, doesn’t take on board the truth of that old saying when he agrees to take a room in a rather grand and luxurious house. Needless to say, events are about to take a downward and most bizarre spiral. Immersive and compelling with a credible cast populating a propulsive and twist laden plot. Dark and immersive.
Thank you for the opportunity to read ‘Under the roof’ by A. A. Chaudhuri. I have heard good things about this author, so I was excited to get stuck in.
Seb is a struggling writer and is looking for a new flat to rent, when he can’t believe his luck when a room to let in a mansion in Hampstead comes available and its so cheap. When he visits it. The Mansion’s mansion security is so tight and when he meets the owner Adriana who lives alone after her husband died in mysterious circumstances. When he agrees to move in sinister things start to happen and he sent an email to warn not to get close to his landlady.
I am being honest here I struggled through this, although I managed to finish it. In the first instance, I was a bit confused regarding the character Scarlett and what the relevance she has in the story. Only we got to the middle that we found out who they really are it suddenly started making sense. This is told in several points of view and a very slow burn of a story that for me and at times, I personally found it too slow. The basic premise of the story is good but sorry the ending was too farfetched. 3 stars
This was so good! I looooove a good suspenseful book that keeps me on the edge and hanging on. I was so thrown by the ending of this book: very well done!
DNF as by 15%
Seb as a character was annoying, his reaction on first meeting the landlady were enough to make me realise he wasn’t going to get any better so gave it up,a shame as the premise sounded good
I usually love this authors books so will look forward to the next one
Seb is looking for a flat to rent when Adriana's room for rent appears too good to be true. Perfect location, secure house and privacy for writing, why does it seem too good? The previous lodger had a concerning set of circumstances leading him to no longer require the room. Adriana lost her husband in tragic circumstances and is followed by tragedy wherever she goes. Is Seb to take the room? Both Adriana and Seb have secrets they don't wish to share but could talking about them bring to light more information they both need.
This was a gripping read and draws you in from the first page. I found the writing very descriptive and found it easy to imagine the story and scenarios. I did find it a little stagnant in the middle however, just when you're shocked at a secret reveal, another one comes and another! I couldn't predict what was going to be the final outcome until I reached the last page and the book was complete.
I would definitely recommend this book to others and will be looking at other books by the same author.
A well-written story and the description drew me in. Sadly not very far in however. Lodger Seb and landlady Adriana, plus her deceased husband Charles, are the main characters along with a 'watcher'. The first third of the book just dragged on and I got no further as I had many other better things to do. I never really engaged with the characters either nor the urban, big city, renting scene. Sorry, not for me although I see that many reviewers really liked it. Each to their own. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
This was a slow paced suspense novel. I liked the dimensions to some of the characters. I think the reveals at the end were strong and fit the plot. I’m excited to read more from this author in the future.
Under Her Roof is a gripping psychological thriller with a shocking, jaw-dropping ending!
Sebastian Walker is a struggling writer in search of a new place to live. He initially wants his own apartment, but when he comes across a posting for a room for rent in a huge, stunning house, he finds it hard to it pass up. When he meets his landlady, Adriana Wentworth, he is immediately taken by her. Things seem to be going well until he starts receiving threatening emails from an anonymous person. It is clear this person is watching him and Adriana, and even worse, this person is most likely behind both Adriana's last lodger's and childhood therapist's deaths. In the process of finding this mysterious stalker, Seb makes a shocking discovery about his father's death that changes everything.
This psychological thriller is well-written with a good premise. The story itself is average until we get to the end and it takes a dark turn. That's when it got good! Adriana's secrets make the book worth reading! The writing, however, did seem very repetitive. The mention of "my secret"/ "my past" was constant, almost in every chapter. Adriana's use of it was understandable, although still excessive, however Seb stressing Adriana not knowing the real him/ not knowing his secret felt unnecessary, considering his secret was a bit of a letdown and didn't feel like much of a secret at all. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, especially the anonymous POV. It added a dark and sinister feel to the book.
3.5 stars!
Thank you NetGalley, Canelo, and A.A. Chaudhuri for this ARC!
For me, this book teetered between 3 and 4 starts at various points during the process. However, there were a few really excellent plot twists that threw me for a loop, the author did a great job of weaving all the storylines together, and the ending was oddly satisfying, which pushed in up to a 4 star rating for me.
I liked the beginning, it peaked my interest right away. I did enjoy the character development and actually really liked the two main characters (Adriana and Seb). It turned into more of a slow burn, which was aggravating for me at times because it felt a little too slow for me.
However, when that first plot twist did show up, it had my jaw on. the. floor. I really did not see it coming, very well done.
I will say, I was able to anticipate the second major plot twist, and so for the rest of the book I *thought* I had the "who done it?" part figured out, but the ending threw me for a little loop again in the best way.
Full Review for readers is on my GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/jungwildfree
This book has left me reeling! It took a few chapters for me to get into it, and I can't say exactly when it happened but suddenly I was hooked!
I loved the multiple points of view, especially the mystery stalker. The dual timeline also added to the puzzle pieces to put together.
Honestly though, I thought I had it all figured out but in the end I was totally wrong. The conclusion took me completely, utterly, by surprise. It was this unpredictability that pushed it to 5 stars in my opinion.
The plot was intriguing, sometimes a little slow, but this all added to the story's development. Some parts are very dark so be aware if you have triggers.
Overall a brilliant book that I can't wait to see released!
Good bingable book with a great plot twist. This was as easy one to keep reading and reading. The characters were easy to relate to. I felt sucked one fight away. I liked the ending and felt like the twist was really unexpected!
Under Her Roof by A. A. Chaudhuri
was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!
I haven’t read anything else by this author but after this book I’m looking for more work of hers.
Seb is looking for a new place to rent and stumbles upon a listing that’s too good to be true. The landlady, Adriana, is beautiful and mysterious with a set of rules lodgers must abide. Despite the gnawing feeling Seb gets to stay away; he agrees to the rules and moves in. Seb has a dark secret but he isn’t the only one.
I am still reeling from this book! The enjoyed the multiple POV and the plot twist blew my mind.
Thank you NetGalley and publishing team Canelo for the wonderful read.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of Under Her Roof.
I enjoyed reading this story and was not able to figure out the ending until it was revealed. I did find bits to be repetitive and drawn out but I give it a solid 3 stars for creativity.
Sebastian, a struggling writer, stumbles upon a room to let in a luxurious Hampstead residence, an opportunity that seems too good to be true, with its ridiculously cheap rent. He instantly feels a connection with his beautiful widowed landlady, Adriana, but his elation is short-lived when he uncovers the disturbing fate of the previous lodger. The house, once a symbol of serenity, transforms into a fortress of security, hinting at the ominous events that have unfolded within its walls. Adriana's fragility and reluctance to discuss the past raise suspicions in Sebastian's mind, who himself harbors secrets of his own. An unseen observer lurks in the shadows, their watchful gaze penetrating the couple's every move. The once idyllic residence descends into a labyrinth of fear and paranoia, as the threat escalates, leaving Sebastian trapped in a nightmare.
This was such a brilliant story and very cleverly written. It captivated me with its intricate plot and concealed twists.
The characters were complex and compelling.
The dual timelines created a dynamic tension, which expertly built anticipation and suspense.
The ultimate revelation, which I didn’t see coming, was both shocking and satisfying.
Thank you A.A. Chaudhuri, NetGalley & the publisher for an early copy.
I thought this book started off well with an intriguing storyline and realisticharacters but by halfway through i was bored and it felt predictable and clichéd. The characters became stereotyped and I found I wasn't really bothered about what happened in the end. Not for me.