The Uninvited Guest was my first book by Ruby Speechless. This thriller was perfectly twisty! I can't wait to read more by this author!

"The Uninvited Guest”, by Ruby Speechley, is a wild book! It starts with a grim warning on Megan’s lawn, but she doesn’t have time to worry with it as she has to get to her bachelorette party (called a hen party here). As the title would suggest, one too many guests arrive for the festivities but rather than turn them away, Megan allows Beth to stay as she’s her fiance’s cousin. After some of the games turn to pranks, the night takes a drastically dark turn the bride-to-be has to go to great lengths trying to sort it all out.

This was a quick and exciting read, and it had several twists and turns throughout. As soon as I started reading I was hooked, it was quite gripping. The cast of characters were some of the more interesting I’ve read in a while, with decent depth and a hint of the familiar. I think the most impressive part of the book was the dialogue, as it was very realistic and flowed well. I will give a slight disclaimer, one of the pranks can be a little intense for some readers. Either way, this is sure to be a fun addition to your library.

I gave “The Uninvited Guest” by Ruby Speechley a solid 4 out of 5 stars, I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more from this author.

The moment you dive in, you’re fully invested in a narrative that skillfully intertwines suspense with thought-provoking moments. The characters leap off the page, and the pacing keeps you riveted until the end, making this one of the most unputdownable reads I’ve ever enjoyed.

I really love the way that Ruby Speechley's mind works - this book was so creepy - how can someone weasel their way into your bachelorette party and then your wedding??? The twists had me second guessing everything. And MAN did I want to shake Megan and just yell at her - she was way too trusting!! but that is what makes for a great read- strong emotions to how a character is acting!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ruby Speechley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this suspenseful and twisty thriller. Overall, I enjoyed the book and it was a quick and easy read. I wouldn’t classify it as memorable, but just a “good” thriller. 3.5 star⭐️

The Uninvited Guest started out with a suspenseful vibe. However, it turned a little far fetched towards the end. It held my attention and I wanted to finish it, even though it was not my typical genre.

This was an incredible book. I loved everything about it

Thank you so much NetGalley for letting me read this one

3.5 stars
A hen weekend gone wrong. The bride Megan is so excited to marry her partner but her bachelorette seems to go all wrong. Is her past coming back to haunt her or is it just coincidence or just mean girls?

The Uninvited Guest is a psychological thriller that centers around a hen weekend gone awry, filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected twists. It's a book that aims to keep readers guessing until the very end, with a focus on dramatic reveals and unexpected developments

Ruby Speechley's The Uninvited Guest is a thrilling psychological novel that keeps readers on edge. When Megan Lewis's hen weekend is disrupted by an unexpected guest claiming to be her fiancé's cousin, secrets from the past begin to unravel. Speechley expertly builds suspense and tension, making this a must-read for fans of twisty, page-turning thrillers

A suspenseful page turner! Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This was a quick read with good suspense.

Good book if I was this woman utter him party waiting up to her wedding and some dance music comes!!!!

This was a really quick and easy read. Thr characters were committed to being annoying and immature but they were perfectly brought to life in their very human flaws. I love the premise of reunions and secrets and such and this did a good job on making the plot a bit original and although a few bits are predictive , it still felt fresh and had a few really unexpected twists

What an Awesome book. The characters in this book were great. This is one of the best books I've read this year. Kept me hooked the whole time.

Thrillers with a group of people at a party or weekend away is my favourite trope and this one didn't disappoint. Fast paced, keeps you guessing, quick and easy read

Boring. Yawning. And most importantly, full of secondhand embarrassment and repetition.

This felt like petty drama I had no business being involved in—just a bunch of grown-ups acting like children. The plot dragged, felt all over the place, and lacked any real direction. The characters weren’t worth rooting for, and I kept waiting for something to hook me... but it never did.

Let’s play Truth or Dare.
Truth? I should’ve left this alone on my NetGalley shelf.
Dare? I dared myself to be open to new authors and genres this year… so far, that’s not going great. Aha.

I might check out more from this author just to see, but this one? Definitely not for me.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯💐.

📖 Genre: Psychological Thriller ⭐ Rating: 3.5/5

📚 Overview
The Uninvited Guest by Ruby Speechley is a psychological thriller that centers around Megan Lewis, whose hen weekend takes an unexpected turn when an uninvited guest, Beth, arrives claiming to be a relative of Megan's fiancé. As the weekend unfolds, secrets from Megan's past resurface, leading to a series of unsettling events that threaten to derail her upcoming wedding.

🧐 What I Loved
✔ Engaging Premise: The storyline is intriguing, with the unexpected guest's arrival setting the stage for suspense and mystery.

✔ Fast-Paced Narrative: The book maintains a brisk pace, with short chapters that keep the reader engaged and eager to uncover the next twist.

✔ Exploration of Secrets and Trust: The novel delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the impact of past secrets on present relationships, adding depth to the plot.

🤔 What Could Be Better
🔹 Character Decisions: Some of Megan's choices may come across as naive or questionable, which could affect readers' connection to her character.

🔹 Predictability: Certain plot developments might be anticipated by seasoned thriller readers, potentially diminishing the element of surprise.

✨ Final Thoughts
The Uninvited Guest offers an engaging and quick read for fans of psychological thrillers. While some character decisions may raise eyebrows, the novel's exploration of secrets and the consequences of past actions provide ample intrigue to keep readers invested.

📌 Would I recommend it? Yes, particularly for readers seeking a fast-paced thriller that delves into the complexities of trust and hidden pasts.

Megan and Jamie are finally getting married. Although she is uneasy, Megan drops her daughter off with her parents to head off on her hen weekend, while Jamie has his bachelor weekend with his buddies. Things don't start well as there is an ominous message on her parent's front lawn when she drops off her daughter. Her parents assure her they have everything under control and off she goes with Danielle her BFF. When they arrive at the house, there is an uninvited guest waiting for her. Beth, Jamie's cousin has arrived from Australia and wants to get to know Megan. From that moment on, things go from bad to worse. With pranks being played, some unsettling occurrences, secrets revealed and threatening messages, will Megan even make it down the aisle?

The Uninvited guest was a quick, entertaining thriller. I have to say that Megan has got to be the most trusting, okay, gullible bride to be that I have ever come across. I don't care how much money my friends spent on the events, I would have left or maybe even not gone when the first couple of things happened. Having said that, I suspended belief and just went with the story. Every time I thought I knew who was behind something, there was another twist and I changed my mind. I couldn't stop reading because I had to see what was going to happen next, and when Megan would realize that Beth is not her friend. The ending had me flipping pages to see what was going to happen next. This is a book that highlights the dangers of keeping secrets from those you care about, and supporting one another when the chips are down. This was a twisty story that will have you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Ruby Speechley's "The Uninvited Guest" delves into the unsettling territory of the unknown, exploring the psychological impact of a presence that disrupts the familiar comforts of home. Through subtle hints and creeping dread, Speechley crafts a narrative that preys on our primal fear of the unseen and the unexplainable, leaving the reader questioning the boundaries of reality and the fragility of the human psyche. The effectiveness of the story lies in its ambiguity. The "uninvited guest" is never explicitly defined, leaving ample room for interpretation. Is it a malevolent spirit, a figment of the protagonist's imagination driven to the edge by stress, or a tangible entity with its own agenda? Speechley intentionally leaves these questions unanswered, allowing the reader to project their own fears and anxieties onto the narrative. This ambiguity, rather than detracting from the story, intensifies the suspense and heightens the sense of unease. Furthermore, Speechley skillfully utilizes setting to amplify the story's unsettling atmosphere. The protagonist's home, typically a sanctuary, becomes a source of dread. The creeping shadows, the creaking floorboards, and the sudden cold drafts all contribute to a sense of violation and vulnerability. The mundane details of everyday life are distorted and imbued with a sense of menace, blurring the line between the ordinary and the extraordinary. This subtle manipulation of the familiar is a hallmark of effective horror writing, as it taps into our subconscious anxieties about the safety and security of our own surroundings. Ultimately, "The Uninvited Guest" is a chilling exploration of the power of fear and the fragility of the human mind. By leaving the nature of the uninvited guest undefined, Speechley forces us to confront our own deepest fears and anxieties. The story serves as a reminder that the most terrifying monsters are often those that reside within our own minds, waiting to be unleashed by the slightest hint of the unknown. The lingering unease that remains long after the final page is turned is a testament to Speechley's skill in crafting a truly unsettling and memorable tale.

The characters were so entertaining yet unlikeable. This thriller kept me guessing and I definitely wanna read more of this authors books.