This story is different. You wouldn’t expect the things that happen to have happened.

The entire story was a bit odd and weird. I wish I could have given this story 4 stars but there were parts that just seemed over the top.

Definitely not my favorite book. But will give this author another try.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

I have mixed feelings about The Getaway. I enjoyed the isolated cabin in the winter setting. I enjoyed most of the characters. For me, it was just too twisty. I was excited about a couple of big reveals, but then we got more information about another plot point, etc... It just became too much.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy. I love the plot. Claire and Elliott going away to relax. Then they are snowed in. There's secrets, and tension. You never know how well you know people. I really liked this one and enjoyed this as my first novel by this author. What a twist!

This book was just okay to me - it didn't grab my attention, I didn't fall in love with any of the characters. I was engaged, but not enthralled - 3 stars.

Claire meets Elliot once a month for the last 2 years in a remote cabin. She plans to call it off, but Elliot is not up for that. He is obsessed, wants more and will not settle for less. Weather isolation themes as a snow storm keeps them trapped in the cabin. Thinking Elliot is enough danger for Claire, she is attacked by someone else out in the remote forest, which leads both to learn more about each other and realize that they both feel unsafe and threatened by each other.

For me, the twist was predictable and had me yelling - Why!! a lot!

Wow. I did NOT see half of the things coming in this book. It was intense, twisty and had me on the edge of my seat. I may have even been slack jawed at some parts!

Claire has a standing “getaway” once a month with her secret lover. Their weekend quickly turns cabin in the wood esque as they are being tormented by a stranger. Secrets come to light as the snow comes down, and lives are forever changed during the getaway.

I loved this book!

Was excited to read this one based on the synopsis. It started off really well but then went downhill. It was a weird and confusing story. I am not sure I really understand it even! The plot was really far-fetched which detracts from any thriller. I was fine with the writing style, so I won't give up on Mina Hardy. But this one was just not for me.

The Getaway is a tense, twisty thriller that kept me glued to the pages! Claire and Elliott’s supposedly romantic weekend in a remote cabin quickly unravels into a nightmare as secrets and hidden motives come to light. What starts as a final goodbye for Claire turns into a struggle for survival as an unseen assailant and a brutal snowstorm close in around them. Mina Hardy masterfully builds suspense, making the cabin feel both intimate and dangerously claustrophobic. This book is packed with shocking twists, intense moments, and a plot that makes you question every character's intentions. An unputdownable thriller!

This psychological thriller jumps straight into the story and the characters are fully fleshed out right away.

When Claire spends a weekend a month with her lover, Elliot, in a cabin, she leaves behind her husband. Having decided to break it off with her lover she goes to the cabin with hopes of ending it on a relatively decent note. Elliot wants her all to himself.

They are snowed in and begin to experience real difficulties with each other. Then an assailant targets Claire and the focus shifts.

There are a lot of twists and turns in the book and it is a nail biter. The second half isn't quite as good as the first half, but it is still a book worth reading, especially if this is your genre.

This is the first book I have read from this author and I am sure I will be reading more from her. This book was truly a wild ride. So as you now from the blurb Claire has a boyfriend she meets at their getaway once a month for about two years but is thinking it is time to end this. Well that is when the book goes off the rails. Jay, the man who rents the cabin is evil and then another evil person arrive plus one shocking thing happens. Troy, Claire’s husband is there locked in the basement. Do not want to give away any spoilers. I will say the book went off the rails at the halfway point and was a bit over the top. But all in all it was a wild ride.If you like these type of books, strap yourself in because it is going to be a bumpy ride.I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher as an ARC for a honest review. I highly recommend this book. Never a dull moment.

Book Title: The Getaway
Author: Mina Hardy
Publisher: Howling Unicorn Press
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: December 13, 2024
My Rating: 2.4 Stars
Pages: 249

The past two years Claire Fitzgerald has gone on a romantic monthly getaway to a remote cabin with her lover Elliott Reyer.
Yes there is a Mr. Fitzgerald and he certainly seems clueless about whom Claire is meeting. However this month, she arrives a bit early and is greeted by the caretaken who warns her that a snow storm is on its way. He has made sure there was enough firewood to keep them warm but they needed to be prepared to get snowed in.
Yes the heavy snowstorm traps them but another thing is going on that just might be worst -someone has been watching them via videos camera and does not like what has been going on.

This is my third Mina Hardy novel. I read " After All I’ve Done" and loved : Like a Mother" which I read early this year. I went into this story based on my experience with the other stories. Yes! I like this author – but no, I did not do my homework and sure enough I no sooner started and struggled.... I get that some married couples have affairs usually unhappy, bored etc. but had a hard time accepting meeting up for sex once a month and hubby not getting very curious.

As I read on – I finally took time to read info about the author
Mina Hardy writes stories usually featuring good people making bad choices, but sometimes they might be about bad people making
good choices. Either way, everyone is basically a mess, and you shouldn't trust any of them.

Aww that sure sums up this story! I did finish and think I liked the ending- however never got to the point of enjoying the story.

I still want to thank NetGalley and Howling Unicorn Press for the experience of reading this early e-Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 13, 2024.

The Getaway was a non-stop adrenaline filled thriller, full of crazy twists and a complicated romance.

It started off really well, I was hooked straight away. The characters were interesting, mysterious and complex.

Around halfway it started getting a bit outlandish.
I loved the storyline, but I felt like there were too many unlikely or unbelievable twists.
It was still an enjoyable read though.

3 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Mina Hardy for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not great. I thought it would be better based on the storyline but struggled to get through it. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

I had such high hopes for this one. I really struggled to connect to the characters on this one. It started off really well but half way it got to the point where I could easily lose interest and put it down.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mina Hardy’s The Getaway is a thrilling psychological drama that delves into the complexities of relationships and the dark secrets that can unravel them. Set against the backdrop of a secluded cabin, this novel offers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and emotional depth.

This story follows Claire Fitzgerald, who looks forward to her monthly getaways at a remote cabin with her lover, Elliott Reyes. These weekends are her escape from reality, a chance to unwind and indulge. However, this particular getaway takes a sinister turn. As a snowstorm traps them in the cabin, tensions rise, and an unseen assailant begins to target Claire. What starts as the perfect romantic retreat quickly spirals into a fight for survival, with stunning secrets unveiled.

Hardy excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. Claire is portrayed as a complex protagonist, torn between her desires and the reality of her situation. Elliott’s character is equally intriguing, with layers that are peeled back as the story progresses. The dynamic between the two is intense and fraught with tension, making their interactions compelling and unpredictable.

The author’s writing style is engaging and immersive. Hardy’s ability to build suspense is evident from the first page, and she maintains a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers hooked. The descriptive prose effectively sets the eerie atmosphere of the cabin, enhancing the sense of isolation and danger.

The Getaway explores themes of infidelity, trust, and the hidden facets of human nature. The novel delves into the psychological aspects of relationships, examining how secrets and lies can erode trust and lead to devastating consequences. The snowed-in setting serves as a metaphor for the characters’ entrapment in their own deceptions.

The Getaway is a riveting read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Mina Hardy delivers a well-crafted story that combines suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists. A perfect book for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers which keep you guessing until the final sentence!

This one had me guessing and guessing again to see what would happen next. So many twists and turns that kept me entertained and hooked throughout.

Another great read by Mina Hardy. I totally loved the characters, they kept me invested in the story from start to finish. Secrets and lies abound! And awesome reveals. Super entertaining
Thank you NetGalley, Mina Hardy and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

You will have no idea the twists and turns that will take you to where you need to go with this story...but boy will you enjoy the ride. So entertaining!

The Getaway by Mina Hardy delivers a gripping, slow-burn psychological thriller that’s full of tension, secrets, and the unsettling reality of a relationship that’s spiraling out of control. The novel sets a seemingly romantic backdrop—a remote cabin, a couple snowed in, the promise of intimacy—but quickly turns it into a claustrophobic nightmare where trust unravels, and danger lurks just out of sight.

Claire Fitzgerald heads to the cabin for one last weekend with Elliott Reyes, hoping to end their affair on a high note. Their relationship, built on secrecy and infidelity, has run its course for Claire, but Elliott is determined not to let her go. What begins as a planned farewell quickly shifts as Elliott’s need for control and his desperation to keep Claire around come to the surface. This imbalance in their desires creates the first crack in their idyllic weekend, setting the stage for deeper revelations.

One of Hardy’s strengths in The Getaway is her ability to shift the atmosphere from cozy to menacing. The cabin, with its isolation and the looming snowstorm, becomes a character in itself, amplifying the tension between Claire and Elliott. When an unseen assailant begins to target Claire, the novel turns into a chilling cat-and-mouse game where both she and Elliott are forced to confront not just the physical danger outside but the emotional turmoil within their relationship.

Hardy doesn’t shy away from peeling back the layers of her characters, revealing their darkest secrets. Claire starts as someone seemingly in control, planning to end things with Elliott, but the weekend shows how much more is at play in their relationship. Elliott, who initially comes across as merely over-attached, begins to reveal deeper, more sinister traits that make you question his intentions and how much he truly knows about Claire. The escalating psychological tension between the two makes for an unpredictable read.

As secrets unravel, the novel’s twists come hard and fast. What begins as a story of infidelity morphs into something much darker—each character hiding truths that not only endanger their relationship but threaten their survival. Hardy builds suspense through tight, claustrophobic scenes and eerie moments where you, like Claire, begin to doubt what’s real and what’s imagined.

The ending is a whirlwind of revelations and violence, with Hardy holding nothing back as the plot hurtles toward its conclusion. There’s blood, betrayal, and a final twist that feels both shocking and inevitable. The Getaway shows that while infidelity can wreck relationships, the secrets we hide to keep them intact can be far more dangerous.

Overall, if you enjoy psychological thrillers that explore the depths of toxic relationships, manipulation, and the blurred line between love and control, The Getaway is a fast-paced, chilling read that will keep you on edge until the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! The Getaway by Mina Hardy is a thrilling, fast paced read that will have you hooked right away. I found this book to definitely be a page turner, though more so in the first half than the second.

Mina Hardy did a great job bringing me into the story and setting up a thriller in a secluded cabin. I really enjoyed how she was able to create the suspense, and good suspense is the most important part of a thriller like this!

This book had some very original twists that I absolutely did not see coming and for the most part I thought that was well done. I do think the book started to lose steam for me as the reveals happened. The suspense made me want to know what would happen next and each twist was exciting, but after I think the book’s momentum would be lessened for me. Still overall a good book for a thrill, and the ending did pick up a bit again.

Some of the twists I found that there was really no set up or foreshadowing at all, so how you’ll feel about that is just a matter of opinion. Usually that’s something I judge harsher, but here it’s definitely what the description of this book tells you to expect. And to be honest, I felt even the reveals that did completely came out of nowhere felt somehow organically revealed still. I suppose because they were shocking reveals to our main character Claire that it worked well enough that it was shocking for me too. Again though that’s just my opinion. I could see that not being to someone’s tastes if they prefer thorough foreshadowing and set up for twists.

The characters weren’t particularly relatable to me, however I do think they were well written. In particular I thought Claire was pretty interesting. She is a very refreshing character in how self assured she is and I like the maturity she has.

The Getaway is a very quick read and a great suspense filled thriller! I think it’s a book any thriller fan could pick up and enjoy! I definitely will check out more books by Mina Hardy, because I think the writing style of this book was the best part and something I’d enjoy in the future!

Umm...

I loved the first half of this book. I was fully invested in the story, to the point I was dreaming about the characters and daydreaming about where the story was going. I thought I was getting a Fatal Attraction style thriller where one or no one gets out alive. The first 50% was nerve-wracking and was a certain five stars. I loved that the characters weren't kids either, twenty somethings with heightened emotions. But, at almost the exact 50% mark, this little weekend getaway veered right off a cliff.

I'll admit, I never saw that coming and kudos to the author for giving us something out of left field. But holy hell. It went from Fatal Attraction to an episode of Bold and the Beautiful. The second half would barely get a three star rating, so rounding up for entertainment factor. There were a few more surprises towards the end, each one more and more far fetched. You absolutely need to suspend belief for this one. However, I was still invested in the ending and how on earth the author was going to finish this story. The last few chapters dragged and definitely needed to be cut down. Bizarre but recommended for fans of domestic suspense.

Review posted to Goodreads September 3rd.