4/5 stars! I went into this story thinking what if "The Holiday" had been a winter thriller instead of a holiday romcom, and I think that sums things up pretty well. This was so well written. You get perspectives from member's of both family and can't quite guess what is coming around the corner. I enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This one had some serious twists that came out of nowhere. The characters were well developed and I felt the tension rising throughout the book despite the slower start.

An excellent thriller that delivered on the twists and the ending tied up all the loose ends nicely.

good mystery about a couple and staying in a house and the other couple there. kept me on my toes . good mystery and figuring stuff out. loved this romance

Another unputdownable book by Miranda Rijks.
Great writing as always. A good storyline that kept me on my toes wondering what was going to happen.
Seemed a bit of an unreliable narrator throughout and some characters didnt really make sense. Regardless I enjoyed this book.

I love a good thriller told from multiple POVs. This is my first book by the author, and am craving more! I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

This book was a fast paced and a quick read. It is told through the perspective of multiple characters which make for seamless transitions between chapters and cliff hangers. So many things begin to unravel as the days of the swap go by, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I just couldn’t wait to see how everything fit in together and some details were shocking!
This was my first read from author, Miranda Rijks. Her books have been on my TBR, but after reading The House Swap, they will definitely get bumped up to the top of the pile!
I received an advanced copy of this book from Inkubator Books via NetGalley.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Inkubator Books via NetGalley.

This book is a gripping thriller that begins with a seemingly innocent arrangement—a home exchange between two families looking for a fresh start. The Browns, hoping a stay in a beautiful French chateau will save their struggling marriage, swap their London townhouse with the Lesters, who are eager to show their teenage son, Rafael, the sights of the British capital. But as they settle into each other’s homes, long-buried secrets start to emerge, unraveling lives in unexpected ways.

In France, the Browns’ hopes for a relaxing getaway are shattered when a mysterious break-in occurs, and they learn about a woman who vanished from the chateau years earlier. Instead of rejuvenation, they’re met with a sense of isolation and unease. Meanwhile, in London, the Lesters’ son, Rafael, disappears without a trace, igniting a frantic search and forcing both families to confront their darkest fears and secrets. As tensions escalate, it becomes clear that not everyone will make it home.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, capturing both the luxurious, picture-perfect facade of the families and the more sinister realities beneath. Rijks does an excellent job of exploring the complex, flawed characters and the hidden dynamics within each family. The alternating settings between the UK and France add richness to the story.

Though the book starts out at a medium pace, it picks up speed and intensity, especially toward the end. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and revelations, and just when you think you’ve figured everything out, another layer of mystery is added. Rijks’ writing style can be a bit wordy at times, which may slow things down for some readers, but the payoff is well worth it. The dark secrets, family drama, and clever plot twists kept me fully engaged.

What a delightful prospect - a house swap between glamorous Knightsbridge and beautiful Provence. But as with all things, a bit of research goes a long way and the two families involved in this house swap would both have done well to looked into things just a tad deeper before they agreed to the exchange.

The Lesters have very cleverly marketed their chateau in Provence, the surrounding vineyards and deliciously inviting turquoise pool presenting the ideal holiday in the sunshine. The Browns stunning Knightsbridge home is to die for with its contemporary kitchen, stunning bathing facilities and close to all the amenities location giving visitors everything they could possibly need during their stay in the capital. But neither of the owners have been entirely transparent about why they are so keen to exchange. There are secrets galore in both families, but there are also two adorable dogs who are probably the most likeable characters in the whole book.

The first surprise comes early on, when the Browns arrive at the chateau to find that the Lesters haven't actually set off for the airport yet - all becomes clear soon after they do depart though, when they discover that the chateau isn't all it's cracked up to be in the photos. Tensions quickly escalate the following morning when builders arrive to continue renovation works which Susan overlooked telling their guests about. And why do the locals turn frosty when they find out where the visitors are staying?

The author peels back the layers of each family's deceptions and plants questions in the reader's mind as to the full extent of what is going on as the chapters flow steadily along. The characters are very well constructed - if not particularly likeable - and the whole plot is extremely credible. I could imagine being in Elodie's shoes as she realised the situation she found herself in compared to her beautiful London home. Susan had the much nicer end of the deal, but certainly didn't deserve the high life as much as she felt she did. Her husband and son certainly deserved better, I felt. The descriptions of the two very different locations were perfectly described - I really felt as though I were walking the streets of the local town in Provence as Elodie visited the market stalls, and felt the bustle of London's busy streets as Susan made her way to yet another of her mystery meetings with old friends.

The book builds to a steady climax and the pace picks up considerably as the twists are revealed. There's a satisfying conclusion and I felt that all the loose ends tied up nicely but didn't feel at all forced. A strong 4 star read with plenty to keep the reader occupied.

Excellent book!
This is one of my favorite mystery/thriller writers. I will absolutely be recommending to friends.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this great book.

This was a quick, easy to read, but thrilling story that took off at a simmering pace. Multiple perspectives kept the story going, leaving breadcrumbs throughout until we reached a little over the halfway mark when things quickly escalated. There were secrets upon secrets and the lurking feeling that all is not as it seems. Overall, this was a quick but intense read that I really enjoyed, and I give it four stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Inkubator Books, for this ARC.

The House Swap opens by introducing the Browns and the Lesters - two families who are each in desperate need of a holiday, and decide the perfect getaway would be swapping homes with near-strangers for a couple of weeks. As the Browns arrive to the Lesters' "chateau" in France, things already seem a little different from the pictures they've seen, but they're enchanted by the French countryside and determined to have a romantic getaway. The Lesters arrive in London, and the Browns' glamorous townhome feels almost too fancy to settle into, but they'll take full advantage of living in luxury while they're there. But despite being in someone else's house, the problems they had at home may have come on holiday with them. Or, even worse, they're waiting for the unsuspecting strangers that have just arrived...

The house swap was a great thriller, through and through. 4/5 stars only because a few of the plotlines felt a little less fleshed-out, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'll definitely be reading more of Miranda Rijks' books in the future!

I was provided a free copy of this ARC on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much to the author and to Inkubator Books, this will be my first ARC review so I'm really excited!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. The cover caught my eye and I thought it sounded like the kind of book I enjoy.

Elodie and Lewis are a wealthy couple living in Knightsbridge. As part of a house swap they go to stay in a villa in Provence for two weeks, while Susan and Piers stay in the Knightsbridge house with their teenage son.

The descriptions of France are lovely and it made me want to be somewhere warm and scenic, drinking wine, rather than under a blanket with snow falling outside. 😂

The story is easy to read and it hooks you in straight away. The point of view alternates between different characters but is always easy to follow. Initially I found Elodie to be a spoilt brat but I warmed to her and liked her by the end. I also loved Pushkin the dog, he sounded adorable. I warmed to Piers too, at first I found him a bit soft but was rooting for him when he finally stands up to Susan.

Throughout, there’s a sense that all isn’t as rosy as it seems with the couples and sure enough things escalate. There are also goings on at the villa in France. The latter part of the book is tense and I had to find out what would happen. The ending is quite neat and tidy but it concludes the story well enough.

Publishing on 4th December, this is a recommended read. I would certainly read more from this author and I think this book makes a good holiday read. Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

3.5 stars rounded to 3.

I read this book whilst on holiday. I enjoyed it as it was easy to read and flowed well.
The story started as a holiday houseswap vibe with scenery and travel details but soon became slightly dark with little suspicions and questions thrown in. I wasn't a huge fan of any of the characters as they all seemed a bit self-obsessed but the storyline moved quickly and the ending wasn't predictable.

I liked the thriller aspect of this book, and as always I love a story that switches to different characters perspectives too. The story kept me interested and it was written really well, however I wasn't blown away with it! Would certainly read another one of this authors books again in the future though if I was to come across one.

Now THIS is the perfect thriller. Set in Provence and London, The House Swap by Miranda Rijks sizzles with tension, atmosphere and suspense. The titillating surprises kept coming which made me reel with delicious unease. What fun to be so caught off guard in a thriller!

Nestled in lavender and vineyards with glorious views, the French chateau owned by the Lesters, a couple with a teen son, was vastly different from the swanky London flat drenched in marbled luxury, owned by the Brown couple. At first, the idea of a swap seemed fabulous, an escapist holiday for all involved with good food and wine, theater, socializing and bike rides. Well, almost all. But secrets flooded every nook and cranny...and not just the houses themselves. Characters began to question their swap decisions as darkness crept in, leaving a bad taste in their mouths. Who could they trust? The escape they craved became nightmares.

The author has an astounding knack for building suspense with her words. I enjoyed every second. I live part time in the Mediterranean and can relate to the rustic rural way of life, surrounded by surreal beauty.

If this thrillery thriller is on your list, you are in for a treat.

My sincere thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing novel.

I really enjoyed this book. Part escapism, part thriller, the perfect way to pass a wet afternoon in winter.

The characterisation was good and you did get a feel for the individuals, a fair few of whom are very shallow.

The settings between London and France added interest although the nieve view of Knightsbridge prices made me chuckle.

If anything made me rate this a 4 ( ideally 4.5) it was the level of coincidence in relation to individuals nefarious plans but it in no way detracted from a very enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.

This book had me gripped from page one. It was a compelling story but actually I would describe it as a slow burner as I actually didn’t have a clue what the mystery was for a long time which was part of its gripping nature. You just keep waiting for something to happen but in the meantime the characters and their stories are building steadily. As you learn a bit more about them each time you become more intrigued in what is going on. It becomes clear it’s about relationships and communication, or lack of it. These relationships in the book reach a climax resulting in a thriller fast paced ending which had me turning the pages faster than my eyes could read the words. A very good, unputdownable read, perfect for a Sunday afternoon or a cosy evening. I would definitely read more by this author!

Two families swap houses for a holiday, but dark secrets are revealed as mysterious incidents unfold. The Browns discover a woman's disappearance at the French chateau, while the Lesters' son goes missing in London. As tensions rise, both families confront their demons in this gripping psychological thriller.

This book takes unexpected twists and turns! It is a medium-paced read that picks up speed towards the end. Filled with family drama, secrets, and surprises you won't see coming, this book may seem innocent at first but quickly takes a dark turn. Some parts of the story slow down to help us understand the dynamics and potential revelations.

The narrative jumps back and forth between the UK and France, unfolding in real time. Initially, some elements may seem confusing, but they eventually come together to make sense. The ending is unpredictable, and I found it satisfying, unlike many books where the villains go unpunished. This story offers a hint of a somewhat happy ending.

I highly recommend this rollercoaster of a book and encourage you to add it to your TBR list. If you enjoy stories that are full of surprises, family drama, and secrets, then this book is perfect for you. Give it a read and see for yourself!

Thank you, Inkubator Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I usually love anything and everything by this author. This one however was pretty slow to start and lost me a little towards the end. Two couples that do not know each other do a house swap for the summer. Each family has severe secrets that they are hiding from eachother that bleeds into the summer vacation resulting in some pretty crazy results. Predictable and ending was a little disappointing to me but otherwise not a horrible read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

For a book that purports to be a thriller, I wasn't feeling very thrilled while reading which considering the potential this book could have had was very disappointing. So much of it was just the telling of mundane things that were going on that did nothing for the actual plot. The Browns attend a wine tasting at the vineyard next door to the chalet, Mrs. Lester goes out and buys expensive clothing that she knows they can't afford, only to return it the next day. Rafael makes friends with the neighbor, only to bail one day when he is hanging out with a group of people who are only a year or so older than he is. Elodie wanders around the village while Lewis is off one one of his many bike rides. Susan is acting shady while her husband is dealing with potentially life altering medical issues. See what I mean? So much that seemed to be thrown in just for the sake of adding to the word count.

Sadly, neither the house swap itself, nor the characters could save this one. To begin with, if this was a new venture that Elodie and her business partner Niall were undertaking, you would have thought they would do a more thorough job at vetting the houses. While Susan, Piers and Rafael get to spend two weeks in a lavish townhouse full of expensive things, Lewis and Elodie are meant to stay in a "chateau" that in reality is anything but. There is work being done on the outside, meaning work crews and loud noises, not to mention the constant references to the inside smelling "dank", hardly a fair trade if you ask me, even if it did have impressive views.

The characters were all barely likeable, each one whining about one thing or another, to the point that when the secrets started coming out, not only was I left less than impressed, it really felt like this was a case of too little, too late. I wish there had been more sprinkled out throughout the entire book, not just crammed into the last few chapters. As it was by the time I was finished, I felt as though the whole thing had been rather anti-climatic.

After seeing all of the higher reviews, I'm just going to chalk this up to being a case of me not being the right kind of reader for this book. I would give this author another chance down the road to see if maybe this was just an off book for them.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.