This was a good book, though I didn't feel that it matches the synopsis at all. The story centers on 4 primary characters: Kay, whose daughter recently died; Stephanie, who is Kay’s granddaughter but doesn’t have a relationship with her; and Ash and Rosie, who are on the run. All 4 of these characters have secrets to hide and it’s fun to try to figure out what everyone’s intentions really are. .

I love a story with an unreliable narrator and this one doesn’t disappoint. Each character is hiding something and the book is a bit of a slow burn (but in a good way) as we learn more about them. I didn’t really connect with any character but I could emphasize with their circumstances. There is a great twist at the end, just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that took the whole book to figure out who was telling the truth. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was a great read. Really enjoyed the story. Good twists. I love this author would recommend to others

Was a good read but took quite a while to get into it . But once I did I couldn't wait for the end of was so good . Well worth a read .

Casey Kelleher does a strong job in writing a really well done psychological thriller novel. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish and had that element that I was hoping for from the description. It had characters that I cared about and was invested in what was going on.

This book was a little slow-paced until the last 20-30% or so, but only because you get to spend a lot of time getting to know the characters and their inner monologue and struggles. The characters are so strongly written, and there are multiple POVs which is always enticing, so you really feel like you know them inside and out. However, there’s a lack of trust amongst the characters so even though you get their point of view, it’s still a mystery of who you can trust and for how long. You find out bits and pieces of their pasts as the story progresses, and there are quite a few parallels in some of the characters’ journeys. The ending is so unexpected and dark and twisted… Did not see it coming! It feels a bit like a locked room thriller, both physically and psychologically and MAN it’s intense towards the end!

Premise: Kay has her granddaughter Stephanie move in with her shortly after her mother dies. There’s a lot to unpack - guilt and grief and trying to get to know each other, but that gets even more complicated when Kay’s hospitality attracts additional unexpected guests, with their own guilt and grief to unpack too. Tight quarters and a lack of trust creates quite the seesaw of relationships between all of the characters and before you know it, things (and characters) are slowly unraveling.

Who is the victim and who is the villain in this slow-burn thought-provoking story? Kay is grieving, Stephanie is grieving, Rosie is grieving, and Ash is running. All are flawed, complex, and hiding secrets that could alter their future and change their lives forever. The one thing they all share is the desire to escape from their current situation. The plot is intense, emotional and so intriguing I stayed up reading late into the night. I was immediately pulled into their realities through the different perspectives of the layered, well-developed characters. I was instantly invested as the story unfolded and the past came back to haunt the present of each of these compelling individuals. This is the second book I have read by this author and definitely will not be the last. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I could not put this book down. It was so good! I absolutely loved the build up so that when you get to the end you're left thinking, what the actual hell that's so messed up!!! That's how I felt anyways. I love feeling like I got literary whiplash because of the plot twists!! What a fantastic thriller, gave me the heebie jeebies & reminded me why we don't invite strangers into our home😅 Definitely a 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ thriller!!!

Name :- The Perfect Guest
Author :- Casey Kelleher
Genre :- Psychological Thriller
Casey Kelleher's The Perfect Guest is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dark secrets of a family torn apart by betrayal, guilt, and deception. The novel weaves a tense narrative of a grandmother’s attempts to reconnect with her estranged granddaughter, only to uncover disturbing truths that could destroy what little is left of their family.
The story begins when a woman, long estranged from her granddaughter Stephanie, is suddenly confronted by her at the door after years of separation. Ten years after the death of Stephanie's mother, the grandmother takes her in, promising to provide a safe haven. However, as they reconnect, she begins to question whether Stephanie is hiding something far darker than a troubled past. As the narrative unfolds, secrets from the past emerge, leading the grandmother to wonder whether Stephanie is as innocent as she appears—or if her return is part of a dangerous game.
Likes :-
1 Tension-Filled Atmosphere: The suspense in this novel is palpable from the very first chapter. Kelleher does an excellent job of building a sense of unease as the protagonist begins to suspect that something is amiss. The growing tension between the characters, particularly the grandmother’s internal conflict, is gripping and keeps the reader on edge.
2 Complex Characters: Both the grandmother and Stephanie are multifaceted characters whose motivations are not immediately clear. This complexity adds depth to the story and makes the eventual reveals more impactful. Kelleher expertly blurs the lines between victim and villain, keeping readers guessing about each character’s true intentions.
3 Twists and Turns: The book is full of unexpected twists that keep you hooked. Just when you think you have a handle on the story, new details and revelations change the direction of the narrative. The psychological manipulation and hidden truths are cleverly woven into the plot, adding layers of intrigue and suspense.
Dislikes :-
None.
Overall: The Perfect Guest is an engaging and well-executed psychological thriller that keeps readers hooked with its strong sense of suspense and emotional complexity. Kelleher crafts a tense, twisting narrative that explores themes of guilt, betrayal, and the dark side of family ties. While it occasionally falls into familiar territory, the book’s unpredictable twists and emotionally charged storyline make it a satisfying read for fans of psychological thrillers. If you enjoy books with deep family secrets and high-stakes drama, The Perfect Guest is a solid choice that will leave you questioning how well you really know the people closest to you.
My Rating :- 5/5.

Wow what a book what a ending did not see that ending coming. I loved this it it was really well written I finished in a few hours as I couldn’t tear myself away from my kindle. I loved the character development and how I thought I knew how it was going to end but bang another twist which I didn’t see coming. I will be recommending this to everyone. I have read all of this authors books and this one is definitelyy favourite so far. Thank you to netgalley the publisher for the opportunity to read this thrilling book.

I LOVED this book so much! I love finding new authors that fit my reading type. Loved the twists and turns and did not want it to be over!

Started off a little slow and back and forth.
Once I became committed to the characters and the plot things moved much faster. And overall really enjoyed the read.
The author brings in a mix of blackmail, mental struggle, manipulation, and drama into one story.
The ending was a twist leaving you wanting to be more.
Great read.

I have to say I was a little disappointed with this book it was very far fetched it didn’t really pick up until the end the story was a little boring not like her other books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC

I was intrigued by the premise of the book.
I thought it was simply about a relationship between a woman and her granddaughter, but it turned out to be much more. The story explores a web of secrets, manipulation, and blackmail.

It started a bit slow, but it picked up afterward. All characters were unlikable. None of them are reliable narrators. Everyone has their own darkest secret. However, I truly felt sorry for the granddaughter and everything she had to endure.

I really enjoyed the story. The writing style was straightforward. The short chapters made it easy to keep reading. The last couple of chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t expect the direction the plot would take. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the ending, but it left me speechless nonetheless.

I recommend this book if you love "Never Lie" by Freida Mcfadden. Both books give off the same vibe, in my opinion.

Thank you to Bookouture, Netgalley & the author for an advanced copy of this book. This book will come out on January 28th.

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Sixteen-year-old Stephanie has just moved in with her grandmother Kay after her mother Amanda’s passing. Kay and Amanda had been estranged, so Stephanie and Kay are strangers. Meanwhile, Kay has decided to take in a small family who had been living rough. From the very beginning, Stephanie doesn’t trust the young couple Rosie and Ash, finding her grandmother’s blind faith aggravating. She suspects that they are hiding something. They aren’t the only ones. Kay, Stephanie, Rosie and Ash are all flawed.

It’s her grandmother’s home, but Stephanie is the untrusting one. She is the one who wants them gone. Stephanie’s concerns are just the tip of the iceberg, as secrets and lies abound.

Oh my gosh! What a story! I had only planned to read for a little while before bed, but I had to stay up and read this book from cover to cover in one sitting because it was absolutely brilliant. Oh, and the conclusion is jaw-dropping!

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Kay hasn’t seen her granddaughter Stephanie in years, but she welcomes her into her home, knowing that Stephanie is keeping a secret. This is a tense psychological thriller that is utterly compelling and will keep you guessing until the end. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

I do enjoy a good thriller. As Casey Kelleher has done it again. What a fantastic read. Flew through this book

Thanks for the opportunity to review

Stephanie goes to live with her Nan. Kay when her my dies.
Kay takes in 3 homeless people who Stephanie doesn't trust and believes they could be in danger.
However, the twist in this book is something else.
A definite must read!

Stephanie had not seen her Grand mother in Ten years
But I knows the real reason that I never allowed her into my house
I had an ARC

The Perfect Guest
Wow!!! What a sensational book with unforgettable characters. Secrets and lies abound in this perfectly additive thriller! Be prepared to be amazed at the many twists & turns!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This is a new to me author. I really liked this one. Lots of suspense and twists. This is a dark psychological thriller. Kay is estranged from her daughter, Amanda. Kay gets a phone call from her granddaughter, Stephanie who btw she also is estranged from, that Amanda has died, please come quickly. Kay brings Stephanie, who is 16, home with her and just couldn't be nicer to Stephanie. While Stephanie is grieving, Kay sees a tent set up in the park and goes to investigate. She finds Rosie, Ash, and newborn baby George, living rough. She invites them to stay at her home too. Well Stephanie isn't happy about this but she has good reason. She doesn't trust them. Kay is thrilled to have a house full of people she can tend to and cook for. But who is Kay really? Stephanie grew up with her mother, Amanda, telling her that Kay was an awful controlling, mean person. However, Kay doesn't seem that way to Stephanie. This plot runs deeper and deeper. Lies, suspense, secrets. This book has it all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. All the sleep I lost because I couldn't stop reading is my own fault. I highly recommend this book.