Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC! I loved the premise of this story and the cover was really cool too. I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it didn't quite do it for me.

I thought the idea was great - something a little different yet still sinister. However, I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. There were too many coincidences and a lot of it was truly unbelievable.

The characters were well created. I liked Ellie, but because of the events of the story it made it hard to believe in her. Josh was also a great character although not as well developed as I would have liked. We need more Joshes in the world!

I thought the ending was surprising in a good way. I wasn't expecting it at all.

I can't give a full critique without using spoilers, so this review is a little short I'm afraid.

If you pick up this book with a very open mind and cast aside the fact that coincidences really can happen by the handful, you might really enjoy it! There are plenty of twists and 'wtf' moments worth reading for. However, it was too far-fetched for me and definitely not a book I'd consider a thriller.

Oh, what tangled webs we weave... with Sun Trap being an intricate and ideal example. A fabulous read that will have you never quite knowing what is going to happen next and eager to find out. The desert may be deserted, but it can still be deadly.

The book started brilliantly, and had me engaged from the first couple of pages. Towards the middle of the book, the storyline felt like it was flagging, but it did pick up again towards the end, and I didn't see the twists coming.

The story is completely bonkers, and there were lots of plot holes and things that happened that made no sense at all, but if you just read it as a fast paced and light hearted summer read, it was good fun and well written. Only wish I'd read it by a pool with a cocktail in hand, rather than chilly England.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read in advance.

This was such an easy enjoyable read that kept me entertained the whole way through, I'll definitely look out for more books by this author!

With deceit in the air from the get-go and two deaths in quick succession, this page turner dives right into the action. The writing is compelling, and although there is a huge number of cast members, it isn’t difficult to get into this fast-paced thriller. Plenty of reversals and red herrings all round, until the devastating conclusion of an ill-fated film set is played out. All loose ends tied up nicely, and excellent thought given to back story and character motivation.

This storyline is unique, a lot of thrillers & mysteries often have a similar concept but this is different to what I have read before. Ellie has wanted to become an actor since she was a child and grabs at the chance of a role in a blockbuster film. All is not what it seems on her flight to the location when she overhears two people discussing their plans of murder.

We are thrown straight in to a murder mystery, I loved trying to guess what was going to happen and piece together each part of the story. (I was wrong each time 😅) This was unpredictable, lots of twists and the setting was great, I found it easy to picture the scenes taking place in the Abu Dhabi desert! I love a book FULL of twists however I would have enjoyed them more had there have been some suspense building up to them. As I reached the 50% mark I did begin to wonder how the continued plot would keep my attention but the switch up in time frame really worked for me and gave me more insight into our main character.

Rachel Wolf is a new to me author. The writing was descriptive enough to keep me engaged but also simple and easy to read. The action begins straight away within the first few chapters and I loved the length of them, being short and snappy makes me want to keep reading!

We are introduced to lots of characters at the beginning, I did find it difficult remembering whose role was what at times, so I would have liked a bit more character development throughout to be able to connect to the characters more. I realised early on that this was going to be full of craziness with lies and secrets galore, I did have to roll with it without thinking too deeply into the plot and enjoy it for what it was.

Publication date: 8th May 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Publisher (Aria & Aries) and Author for this ARC!

This was giving me like, glass onion vibes - where so many deaths/accidents happened in 1 day that you’re shocked people are still sticking around. I kept getting confused about who was married, who used to be married, who was in a relationship and who hated one another. And the main character Phoebe/Ellie oh Jesus she was so desperate it hurt at times but, you’ve gotta love a woman out for revenge. This was a well paced book, and there were constant revelations along the way. There were a few plot holes, and ALOT of neat coincidence not my favourite type of book but an easy read. I enjoyed this because I didn’t take it too seriously.

I really enjoyed the exotic feel to this book. I loved trying to guess where the story was heading. Ellie is an aspiring actress desperate to get her first role, bit of course these things never run smoothly.

I read this book in a couple of days, I loved all the twists and turns.

A thoroughly enjoyable read

This was an easy read. Loved the way it flew by. The setting and the characters were well thought of, and so was the story. Loved it!
It had a lot of twists and turns with a lot of deception. It is a wonderful summer thriller. It did have some disbelief, but it didn't stop me from reading. I did like this one.
Thanks, Netgalley and the publisher for my copy!

This was such an easy read, I flew through it! I read an eARC of this thriller on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

We have a thriller surrounding a wannabe actress who takes her friend’s place on a movie shooting in the desert when her friend gets sick. She will have to masquerade as her friend while also playing a role in the film and hope she doesn’t get caught out. However whilst on the plane, she overhears a nefarious plot and not long after, a body is found.

This was tense and a really interesting plot. I found myself gripped and wanting to keep reading throughout. No-one in this book was likeable and there was a bunch of back-stabbing, meanness, betrayal and lies that is unveiled throughout. I was compelled to uncover the secrets of this convoluted cast.

This is very much plot driven and the characters weren’t really memorable outside of their own machinations and secrets. However, they didn’t need to be. The plot was so fast paced that this wasn’t to the detriment of the book.

I would read more from this author after reading this book. It did what it needed to as a thriller very well.

This seemed to be right up my street when I read the blurb. A location thriller. Unfortunately the story eventually became just too ludicrous to believe. I really wanted to give Ellie/Phoebe a slap and tell all the other lovies to get over themselves. It was almost a DNF but I hate to do this to Netgalley books so I persevered. I am happy to say it improved around the 70% mark rushing on to a still rather unbelievable but quite clever conclusion that I wasn't expecting. All told the ending rescued the book for me and brought it up to 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The premise of this book is excellent, aspiring actress stepping in for her friend to take on her very first acting role. I found this book difficult to get started and unrealistic from the start, quite a lot going on and a few gaps in the plot that I would have loved to see develop further.
Generally a great idea for a story that made you want to find out what happened so having to read on.

Wow!

I want to start by saying a massive thankyou for giving me an ARC of this! This is my very first!

This book… Absolutely fantastic! When I tell you I binge read it in an entire 2 days……Not forgetting being unable to put it down at 3am! The twists, and turns! So many times I thought I had it figured out! Only for another twist to take place! This is amazingly thought out! The attention to detail is fantastic! I could see things in my head because of how much attention to detail was put into many aspects of this book!

Follow the Journey of Ellie, who has suffered loss, hurt, manipulation and lies. Journey across the world in this twisty and turbulent read! From UK, To New York, to Abu Dhabi. From the busy streets and bustling city life, from the calm before the storm.

I love a destination thriller, and this one takes us to the deserts of Abu Dhabi. Ellie meets her doppelgänger, Phoebe who is an actress going through a tough time. She’s supposed to fly to the movie set soon but she has been feeling really low and tired. When the opportunity for Ellie to step in and take her place, she jumps at the chance….what could go wrong?

I thought I knew where things were heading in the first part of the book and it seems like an "And Then There Were None" vibe. I was happily surprised to see some flashbacks to New York and new information revealed just when I thought I had things figured out.

This read was entertaining and had lots of twists. Some of it is not quite plausible and the reader must suspend their belief to get the full effects. This thriller was filled with chaos and deception, unreliable characters making questionable decisions, and lots of hidden backstories between the cast which lead to drama and conflict. I loved the setting of the desert and the descriptions of the sandstorm and oppressive heat were great. I enjoyed this read but it was very chaotic and a bit violent as well.

Thank you to @netgalley and Aria & Aries @headofzeus for the earc in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the setting for this thriller. The writing really transported me right there and it kept me up at night couldn't put it down!

Nothing is what it seems, if you think you’ve unravelled the mystery before the last chapter then you have probably got the wrong answer. Who is really who on the film set and why are they really there? A little slow to start with but picked up pace and a good read. I’m not sure it needed so many descriptions of sand in the desert but I would recommend this book.
My thanks to Net Galley and the author for an ARC

I enjoyed this book and watching the story unfold through the pages. Ellie is an aspiring actress keen to get her first role but there are other issues at play that make the part even more important to her.

Once on set so many things happen and no one is clear who the suspects are.

Watching the characters come to life through the pages and the roller coaster of twists and turns.

Really good different enjoyable read

Okay, so, this book? Not my thing. I thought I'd really dig it, but it was just too much. Like, way too much going on. I like stories where people go to cool places and bad stuff happens, and this was supposed to be one of those. That's why I picked it up! But, honestly, the way it ended? Ugh. It made me like the whole book less.

Oh this is the perfect beach suspense read and my only regret is that I didn't hold onto it for holidays. Great characters, wonderful setting and a plot that proceeds at rocket fueled pace. A cracking read

ARC review: Sun Trap by Rachel Wolf. I love a destination thriller, and I can’t say I’ve read any set in the desert in Abu Dabi! ! Two aspiring actresses who look freakishly alike come up with a plan for Ellie to take Phoebe’s place in an upcoming movie, due to Phoebe coming down with a mystery illness. So Ellie pretends to be Phoebe (this can only end in trouble!!! ) The unfortunate thing is that whilst on set in the desert, people keep on… well…. dying!! I found this book easy to read and it was fun to feel like you’re behind the scenes of a movie set. The tension and anxiety builds when the police get involved, and Ellie has to keep pretending she’s Phoebe (I’d be terrified!).
Don’t go into this book wanting to find plot holes, just jump into it and immerse yourself in the mystery. It was a fun and fast paced read and I really enjoyed it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Pub date 2 September 2025
Thankyou very much to publishers Aria and Aries, NetGalley and especially to Rachel Wolf, for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
#netgalley #ariaandaries #rachelwolfauthor #suntrap