3.5 stars rounded down. I love this author's books and have read almost all of them. I was excited to see a new book out by Beevis. Harper is living alone after her husband, Charlie, dies in a car accident. To make things worse, Harper's best friend was in the car leading Harper to believe they were having an affair. The best friend died in the car accident so there is not a lot of closure for Harper. Harper is an author who starts out by never leaving the house. The death of her husband and the fact that he was cheating has destroyed her.

Eventually, her friend convinces her to join a dating site and try to move forward. Once she joins the dating site, she does go out with a few men, all of them with issues. Someone breaks into her home, she hears noises outside, and feels unsafe as her world starts to crumble again. Along comes Luke, a doctor at the local hospital. They start out as friends, but it becomes more.

This was a very slow burn. Very slow. If I had to rate the last quarter of the book, I'd be giving this 5 stars. The first three quarters was a lot of build up and, at times, drawn out. I do not like books that go on and on to only spring a bit of action at the end. Although the book was well written, I cannot say I liked the characters much as all, except for the dog.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. I do recommend this book, as others have rated it higher than me. Just personal preference.

5⭐

Harper is a widow, struggling to find herself again. She navigates online dating nightmares while discovering that her late-husband was keeping secrets far worse than the affair she suspected him of.

I devoured this book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, constantly making guesses and still not catching on to who our bad guy was until right before it was revealed. The pacing was fantastic, the tension was built perfectly. I loved Bailey (her rescue dog). All of the characters were really well-done and the stalker's chapters offer great insight to their state of mind and perspective without giving too much away that you know who it is the whole time. Really, I was fooled and floored!

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC! It was a treat!

This was an awesome story that included so many potential suspects that it will keep you guessing for most of the book! Harper is trying to become part of the world again after keeping herself secluded following the death of her husband, Charlie. She decides to sign up to a dating website and it all goes downhill from there. We’re treated to some seriously bad date scenarios as she gets comfortable enough to meet with the men in person. She meets them all at the same pub, one she feels safe at, and I pictured it as a hilarious movie montage of her walking in hopeful beforehand and then leaving yet another bad experience resigned and frustrated.

Not all of the men she meets are losers, but she consistently wrestles with giving one a chance or giving up completely. Meanwhile, she begins to go through her husband’s possessions and comes across documents that have her confused and worried. She definitely didn’t know him as well as she thought but it’s the way the past connects to her present that makes her worry she’s in danger. But with all the men in her life she has recently come across, who does she truly need protecting from?

I did figure this one out, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying waiting to see how it was all going to play out. Keep an eye out for all the characters in this story – that’s about as much as I can say. And if your husband passes away, don’t put off going through his study because it’s too hard. That seems to be where the secrets are always kept! You never know what you don’t know about someone until you find out. So the sooner the better!

Welcome to a date from hell!

A woman's world is shattered when her husband and best friend die in a car accident. Struggling with grief, she decides to start living again by joining a dating site. However, she soon realizes that not everything is as it seems as strange and dangerous things start happening in her life. She must uncover shocking secrets from her past before it's too late.

This is definitely my favorite book by Keri! The plot is so engaging that you won't be able to put it down. The unexpected twists and turns, along with a shocking reveal, kept me on the edge of my seat. Despite the sensitive topic, this book is must-read. It delves into women's fears surrounding online dating and relationships, prompting us to question how well we really know the people in our lives...

If you're a fan of dark mystery thrillers, this book is perfect for you! Do yourself a favor and put this book on your TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

She has done it again!! Keri Beevis has produced another amazing book. I felt so guilty reading this in one day when it probably took many months to create - that will teach her for writing such a dramatic page turner. I loved all the characters who you instantly connected with and the suspense of who was genuine and who wasn’t made incredible storytelling. I loved the pace of the book, it flowed well and anything with a dog in is a winner for me. One of the best psychological thrillers I have read in ages. Quite dark and twisted at times but thoroughly enjoyable, look forward to more from this fantastic author.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Oh blimey! Where do I start? A read that had me galloping through it, keeping me up at night, wanting, no, needing, to find out what was going on!
Harper lost her husband Charlie following a car crash two years ago. Her friend Megan has encouraged her to start dating and she has signed up to a paying app hoping this will mean a more genuine type of person from the horror stories she has heard about. She meets a few dates, soon learning that some really aren't who they say they are and in the process meets Luke who rescues her when she fell and hurt herself and soon he becomes a friend. Harper starts getting odd things happening- literally bumps in the night and feels that someone has been in her house but nothing she can really put her finger on. One thing leads to another and then she finds out things about her husband she never imagined possible. A cottage holding secrets that make Harper physically sick when she first sees them. Who is after her and are they related to the cottage and what went on there?
OMG! There are some books that we say we can't put down and some that hold on like glue- this is one of them. It's dark and twisty and gives the reader that delicious sense of unease that something is amiss. My “ suspects” changed I think with every chapter as there are so many threads each that could lead to something or nothing (it will make sense once read).I never once suspected the main perpetrator- so well is this written. This has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I've ever read and I read around 200 books a year. Stunning, captivating, brilliant, twisty. What more can I say? 10*

Keri Beevis books are a little bit dark and insanely twisted! I was HOOKED on every sentence of this book. It was so brilliantly written that I was doubting every single person and flying through the pages to see which theory was right.. and it was none of them!! This is the second book I've read by the author and they were both 5 stars. Beevis must be an animal lover because in both books the main character had a sweet, adorable rescue dog and that makes me love her even more!!!!

Another great book by an amazing writer. Keri Beevis has become one of my favorite authors because she consistently delivers great stories! This book will draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat. More than once, I was sure I knew what was going to happen, only to be thrown a curve ball. This book highlights the fears a lot of women have about online dating, or dating in general. How well do we know anyone, whether it's someone we've gone on one date with, casually met in passing, or been married to? Such a good book that I would definitely recommend.

The Cottage by the Sea is a brand-new psychological thriller by Keri Beevis. The story had some twisty and good surprises.

I was so worried about the dog, Bailey, who was a great character in itself. I didn't really connect with the characters in this story, but I could feel empathy for Harper in trying to get back into the dating world.

The story was good and it mostly held my interest. The ending was a good surprise.

I like this author and other books that she has written. I would recommend this book.

#TheCottagebytheSea #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks

2* Not a hit with me. Not enough detail about the life with her husband or friend to make it believable. Sorry, but this one should go back to the drawing book. Requires too much suspension of disbelief.

This isn't a very engrossing or believable tale. I think if it hadn't had Bailey the rescue dog in it, I'd have bailed on it, no pun intended. There's no detail of Harper's life with her late husband - other than a work paper diary showing black spaces on the nights he told her he was working late, discovered far too late in the tale - and nothing with her friend that he was supposedly with when he died.

For her to keep having date after date when the first experience was so poor, required too much suspension of disbelief. The Adrian issue that was hinted at came to nothing but injected a hint of potential danger. Everything else was a damp squib, unfortunately.

ARC courtesy of Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.

This was an enjoyable book for me. It was easy to read and I finished it rather quickly. The characters were well developed and easy to relate to. I did guess the ending a little early so that was a bit disappointing but overall it was a good read. I would definitely recommend it to others!

The Cottage by the Sea
By: Keri Beevis
Pub date: October 14, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books



A nail-bitter into the world of online dating. Harper’s husband was killed in a car crash a couple of years ago with her best friend. She suspected them of an affair. She has been unable to move on and is going through the motions of daily life.
A friend convinces her to give on-line dating a try. She picks a local pub to meet dates. Let’s just say not all her dates are successful. As with online profiles, the details are not always 100% and can be deceiving. After one particular date goes bad, she starts to feel like she is being watched…

Two years ago Harper's world was shattered when her husband Charlie, and best friend Alicia were killed in a road traffic accident. Why were they even in the car together and how did the accident happen.

Harper has now become isolated, lonely and wrapped up in anxiety. At the suggestion of her friend, Harper decides to join an online data agency and try move on with her life. This becomes difficult after some unsuccessful dates and then a series of events make Harper suspect she is being watched. Could any of this be somehow related to the death of her husband.

I thought this was an excellent storyline with many twists, and an ending to get your heart racing. Rarely does a book make me nervous and edgy when reading it, but this certainly did. The style of writing was very clever, especially the chapters detailing the stalkers thoughts.

I have read most books that Keri Beevis has written and they are all fast paced thrillers that keep you enthralled and on the edge of your seat. This is no different. I highly recommend this book, though beware, once started you will find it extremely difficult to put down.

Two years ago, Harpers world was struck by a tragedy that left her shattered. The unexpected loss of both her husband and best friend in a car accident plunged her into a chasm of despair. The heart-wrenching event ignited a relentless battle with grief.
She became a prisoner in her home, the once vibrant life she led was replaced by a reclusive lifestyle where she hid from the world within the walls of her home.
Encouraged by her friend Megan, Harper took a brave step forward by signing up to a dating site. To her surprise, she quickly received a match, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope.
As she dove deeper into this new world of digital connections, she realised that anonymity of the internet can be a double-edged sword, allowing people to curate the best versions of themselves while also hiding darker intentions.
Unfortunately, it seemed that by exposing her vulnerability, she had inadvertently attracted the wrong kind of attention.
Strange occurrences began to punctuate her daily life, leaving her anxious and unsettled. Whispers of secrets from her past began to surface. As the tension mounted and the danger loomed closer, she found herself at a crossroads. Would she be able to see the warning signs before it was too late?

Keri Beevis has an undeniable talent for crafting narratives that captivate readers from the very first page. Her ability to draw readers into her stories as evidenced in her latest work, which is nothing short of brilliant.
From the outset, the story unfolded with an intensity that gripped me, delivering a masterclass in suspense that kept me page turning throughout. The clever construction of the plot, weaved a web of tension, twists and thought-provoking elements.
This book stands up there as one of the best I've read, and it is clear that Keri deserves every one of those 5 stars. For anyone looking for a gripping story that will keep them guessing until the very end, this book is an absolute must-read.

Beevis certainly outdid herself with this one! This terrifying, nail-biter of a thriller is a MUST read. It wasn't at all what I expected yet it ended up being so much more. I feel like every woman's worst nightmare of online dating was brought to life in this book. I wanted to scream at Harper to just STOP already! Readers will probably think twice about meeting others online again. I know I wouldn't. The story unfolds in POVs from Harper and... I'll call him Mr. Creepy. At first, his POV seemed a little over the top and repetitive to me, but as soon as I thought this, I completely changed my tune. It became quite clear that all of it was necessary to establish this crazy man's actions. Beevis will give you several red herrings and will keep you guessing until the very end. I love that in a thriller, the not knowing. I want to be surprised, and she completely laid me out with her wrecking ball. Kudos to the author on another well-written, fast-paced, psychotic thrill ride that I could not put down! I loved every minute and will be looking forward to her next novel. I highly recommend this to all of my psychological thriller fans! This twisted story is one you won't want to miss.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for granting me early digital access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Would i keep going on disastrous dates? Would i be checking out creepy places? The answer is no but Harper did and thank goodness she did.
This enables the reader to enjoy the edge of your seat read and what a fabulous one it was.
I really did not guess the villain until a page or two before the reveal.
Wonderful and clever writing from this talented author.
Highly recommend The Cottage by the Sea.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Harper was widowed two years ago. She is convinced her husband was having an affair with her best friend, who was in the car accident with him.
Her friend, Megan, convinces her to sign up to a dating site.
Then she discovers she has a stalker - is it one of her dates that she rejected?

I could write a book about dating sites! Lol. But I won't - Ms Beevis has done it for me, and much better than I could have done.
I must say, the stalker's identity was not one that I would have predicted. That was a huge surprise to me.
The book is gripping, and unpredictable, except for the instances of bad dates, I expected those - and the characters are believable.
I enjoyed this page turner, and can recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

How well do you really know your husband? Two years ago, my whole world was ripped apart when my husband and best friend were killed in a car accident in Norfolk. Since then, I've struggled to come to terms with my overwhelming grief and to understand why they were together in Charlie’s car that fateful day. Wow!! That was a bit shocking!! In a good way!! This book had some really crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and a bit gruesome! It had suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, serial killers, and a bit of a who done it! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for sharing this book with me!