A cute novella of a Christmas gone wrong… when a husband impulsively tries to murder his sister and brother in law for monetary gain. It was just ok.

Xmas Break by J.E. Rowney has potential but falls short of delivering a truly engaging story. While the holiday setting is nice and offers some mysterious elements set in the middle of nowhere, the characters felt one-dimensional, and the plot was overly predictable. The writing didn’t quite pull me in, and I had it figured out pretty quickly. Overall, it’s a quick read, but it didn’t leave much of an impression. A forgettable holiday thriller at best.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy

Okay, so I just devoured Xmas Break by J.E. Rowney, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! This isn't your typical cozy Christmas story. Instead, Rowney delivers a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

From the very beginning, the author creates an atmosphere of unease and tension. You know something's not quite right, and you can't help but feel a sense of dread creeping in. The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, and you're constantly questioning who you can trust.

This book was so good and I didn’t even see it coming! I can’t wait to read another book by this author!

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas thriller?! I feel like all the books that surround the holidays are happy endings and there’s no drama or suspects in this book was a pleasant surprise because our library has a lot of individuals who want more suspense, which is what this book offers.

This was a great christmas thriller. I enjoyed this one alot. It's hard to find a good christmas thriller. I would give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

This was a perfect December novella! I loved reading Xmas Break and was intrigued to find out what was truly happening at the creepy cabin. I focused on reading holiday thrillers before Christmas and this one was my favorite. I'd recommend reading this quick but captivating book anytime of year!

This was a quick, fast paced read! I liked the way Rowney described the setting of the house, the characters and their connections to each other. Two estranged sisters and their husbands, invited to a meal on Christmas Eve but something isn't sitting right with Isla from the get go.

Clara's demeanour seems forced, Greg, her husband seems skittish and not comfortable with their guests. What is going on? All hell breaks loose when a snow storm starts and the power goes out. The generator hasn't kicked in so the guys decide to go outside to check it.

I like how suspenseful this short read is, it builds up fast and you can imagine being a fly on the wall, the wind whistling through the windows, the blackness outside making it scarier when all you see is your own reflection looking back at you.

Enjoyed this and want to read more from the author!

I love advent calendars! Every year, I scour the internet for the best advent calendar and delight in opening each box daily in the anticipation of Christmas. When I discovered that there was a book that was marketed as an advent calendar, and that it was a Christmas thriller, I had to get my hands on it! This story is told in 25 chapters, and is about a couple who find themselves in a very strange and ominous position. The story was decent but quite unrealistic. The writing style was a little clunky and even though I love advent calendars, I struggled to pick this book up daily. I love the concept but the execution definitely needs a little work.

I really loved this thrilling book -
The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Highly recommended!

I quite enjoyed Xmas Break : A Christmas Thriller. It had an interesting storyline that kept my interest and was a quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my ARC.

Isla doesn't want to but she accepts her sister's invitation to a Christmas getaway. This story definitely had spooky vibes. the build up to the end had me on the edge of my seat! This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to more books by the author.

Xmas Break: A Christmas Thriller by J.E. Rowney is a tense, gripping holiday thriller that takes family dysfunction to a chilling extreme. When Isla agrees to join her estranged sister, Clara, for a Christmas at a luxury mountain retreat, she expects an uncomfortable reunion, not a fight for survival. What starts as a chance to mend old wounds quickly spirals into a terrifying struggle as a snowstorm isolates them from the outside world, and dark secrets begin to surface.

Rowney expertly builds suspense, keeping readers on edge as the two sisters navigate a house full of secrets and lies. With nowhere to escape and the storm closing in, the bond between Isla and Clara is tested, forcing them to confront their past and the ever-present question of who they can trust. The claustrophobic atmosphere, combined with the ever-growing sense of danger, creates an electrifying narrative that will leave readers hooked until the very last page.

Xmas Break is a thrilling holiday read that flips the typical Christmas spirit on its head. Perfect for fans of domestic suspense, this book mixes family drama with edge-of-your-seat tension, making it an unforgettable choice for anyone looking for a darker holiday tale.

I read Xmas Break by JE Rowney mostly as it was intended, advent-like, one chapter per day Dec 1-25. It started out strong with the story of estranged sisters meeting up at an isolated, resort-like cabin in the snowy mountains, where the weather continues to get worse, creating a great claustrophobic atmosphere for a thriller. At some point, it became a little repetitive and a little predictable, which dropped it from 4 starts to 3 for me. Overall, the short novel is worth a reader's time, especially for the unique aspect of the advent chapter experience.

This was a little slow but regardless I enjoyed this Christmas story

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the Chance to read and review this book

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book,

Isla is planning to spend Christmas with her estranged sister Clara in a mountain retreat but not all is as it seems.

Loved the buildup. Spooky vibes. The ending left me wishing for something more. But all in all it was enjoyable and worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I read this back in December, like an advent calendar (although I did miss some days so I would sometimes read a couple of chapters a day). A good read!

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions! It started with a bang, pulling me into its suspenseful world. I was eager to unravel the family secrets and determine who was friend or foe. However, the plot took an unexpected turn, leaving me slightly disappointed. Despite the thrilling action, the story lacked depth and complexity. Nevertheless, it proved to be an enjoyable, quick read, perfect for a cozy evening by the fire.