This book just was not for me. I hated almost all the characters and I know that is the point but I just didn't even want to hate read about them. They were just not people I had interest in.
But that is just me.
I think other people would be into it.
The cover is gorgeous.

The Guests by Adriane Leigh is an atmospheric, captivating novel that expertly blends suspense with emotional depth. Set in a luxurious, isolated mansion, the story follows a group of strangers whose secrets slowly unravel as they come together for a mysterious gathering. Leigh’s writing is immersive, drawing readers into a world of tension and intrigue, where every character feels layered and complex. The pacing is perfect, with twists and turns that keep you hooked until the final page. The Guests is a page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing and leave them thinking long after they’ve finished. Highly recommended!

I wanted to love this book because the synopsis sounded right up my alley. I did enjoy the buildup in the beginning but the plot in the middle and especially the ending fell flat for me. It was confusing in parts and hard to keep up with.

I went into The Guests with high hopes, intrigued by the suspenseful premise of a remote island getaway with dark secrets unraveling between six unsuspecting guests. The setup had all the classic ingredients of a psychological thriller—hidden agendas, a luxurious yet isolated setting, and a storm that traps everyone with nowhere to hide. However, I found the book fell short of its potential and ultimately didn’t deliver the gripping tension I anticipated.

The story starts quite slowly, and despite the promise of danger looming on the horizon, I found myself waiting a long time for the plot to gain momentum. The characters, each with their own flaws and hidden struggles, unfortunately, didn’t add much depth or suspense. None of them were particularly likeable or relatable, which made it hard to feel invested in their experiences. Without characters to root for—or even really care about—the story’s tension quickly faded, and I felt no real sense of suspense or worry for anyone’s outcome.

As the mystery unfolded, the plot twists felt forced and overly complex. Rather than heightening the suspense, the turns in the story seemed to add unnecessary layers, making the narrative feel muddled instead of compelling. Even the ending, which should have been a satisfying payoff, left me feeling underwhelmed and unsurprised.

Although I love a good psychological thriller, The Guests didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It had a promising premise but ultimately lacked the tension, character depth, and satisfying resolution that makes a thriller memorable. Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Adriane Leigh for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Guests coming out November 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy psychological thrillers and island stories are really fun for me. This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I couldn’t relate to the characters. There was some cheating going on and I really can’t stand that in books. It was a little slow in the beginning and it was a little confusing with the backstories of the characters. I liked the initial setup, but I couldn’t get into most of it. I would check out another book by this author though.

This was a fast read for me, but with a bunch of unlikable characters and a very far-fetched plot that ties itself in a knot with its twists it left more questions than it really gave answers.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

Interesting group of what seem like "frenemys" set off to a private island near Mackinac Island for a will reading. Most of the guest have a stake in the disposition of the island by blood or marriage but the group is discordant from the beginning. Who is really friend with whom? Once on the island even the caretaker has a past with some of the guest and a small stake on a island teeming with untapped oil reserves. What ensues is a dizzying tale of deceit and double cross that will leave the reader's head spinning. While overall a fun read, there seem to be one too many twists by the time the final score was settled.

Six people are invited to go on holiday, and in the grand tradition of Agatha Christie, not every person will return. I disagree with the reviewer who characterized this as a “locked room” mystery. I can’t stand that sub-genre, and would never read anything in it. This book is much more of a domestic suspense novel than anything, as it meets the textbook definition - it centers around secrets, tensions, and disturbances that arise from relationships between characters. It certainly held my attention and I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

A group of friends head for a vacation on a. private island located on Lake Michigan. We quickly learn that all the guests have secrets. Things take a turn when one of the guests goes missing...and they won't be the last one.

I was excited to read this one as I love vacation thrillers. The description led me to believe this would be a juicy vacation thriller. However, I wouldn't say it is really a vacation thriller/it doesn't really have the elements of a traditional vacation thriller.

I found the first 50-60% of the book quite slow and filled with unnecessary details and annoying dialogue. I'd given this portion of the book 2 stars. It did pick up quite a bit for the last third of the book and had some pretty crazy twists and turns. However, a high degree of suspension of disbelief is required. Quite an implausible plot and really chaotic. It was a bit all over the place and some of the chapters didn't really flow.

Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this I did get confused a little with all the characters but then I did like how many their was and finding out their secrets and lies like how they all had their own pov
I love the twists did not see the end coming
Crazy !!

What a fun “locked room” mystery thriller! I was entertained the different perspectives of the multiple POVs. So much negative energy with this unlikeable cast of characters!!
The shocking revelations blew my mind! Toward the end, it becomes somewhat chaotic and confusing. Overall, a good read.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, double crossing, a great who done it and a few wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for an early copy of The Guests. Soooooo many characters that it was very hard to keep it all correct. It seemed like a good plot but it was a very confusing read. I still don’t understand the last part and how what happened did happen. Too much going on which led to the confusion.

This is at first, a very familiar plot - Six guests are invited on vacation - Not all of them will survive. But the vacation-gone-wrong portion of the book is over with 50percent of the book to go! Have you ever wondered what happened next? When Ryleigh and her best friend attend a reading of a will on an island, she isn't sure what to expect. She is in attendance with her best friends and their respective husbands. It's not long before Ryleigh is caught in a cat and mouse double cross game that will take your breath away!
#joffe #theguests #adrianeleigh