The Holiday Home: A completely unputdownable and addictive psychological thriller

Product Information

She is one of those people who firmly believes that “her way is the right way, and only way” when it comes to dealing with disturbing situations

Hello, hot tub overlooking a loch. A quiet weekend to connect with nature among family and friends sounds like a perfect getaway until it becomes a nightmare! Nicola, husband Ryan, and eleven years old daughter, Emily, are invited by Nicola’s life long bestie, Kim to come and spent a long weekend with her and her Husband, successful ( ? ) businessman Lewis, and her fifteen year old son Cole. I enjoyed the performances overall but the voice for Cole just didn’t come across like that of a 15-year old boy. That was a hard sell and I couldn’t buy it. Otherwise, the storytelling worked.Wow!… Amazing book… I was on pins and needles til the very end! What a plot twist!… You will not want to put this down. This is a must read!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The atmosphere in this one is fantastic - right from the ominous thunder when the six of them arrive at the secluded cabin. The tension ramps up with overheard whispers, secretive texts, and the discovery of things hidden in a closet. Soon the gap between the two couples widens and Cole finds himself in the middle. Who does he side with?

Ryan resents Lewis' money. Nicola also is jealous and resents all the money things can buy, and how Kim flirts and showcases her body.I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for… Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of The Holiday Home, written by Daniel Hurst and narrated by Zoe Mills and Richard Burnip, for review. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own personal opinions. The wives, Nicola and Kim, roll their eyes at the men's stupidity and run interference as needed, but they are secure in their friendship and determined not to let the men ruin their weekend. I suspect I can hear the blood pumping around my body too, or at least feel it, but I know that's not a normal thing to be aware of. I'm usually occupied enough not to be thinking about such a thing, but here, it's as if time has stopped and I'm aware of everything. UNPUTDOWNABLE, HEART-RACING … Wow!!! ... had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end… My heart was pounding throughout … I absolutely loved this… And omg the twist!!! I DID NOT see the twists coming at all and there were more than one!!! Just when I think everything had been worked out… BOOM there was another bombshell!!... I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down!! ’ Bookworm86 , ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have read many Daniel Hurst books and love his style and am a fan, but this was my least favorite. Being a successful writer cranking out numerous books yearly, each cannot be a 5-star winner.With excellent pacing, the intensity in this story never once let up. As the characters all had drama in their lives, the longtime friendship between Kim and Nicola seemed inevitable that it would come to a sad ending. One thing that kept me listening straight through were the multiple viewpoints, thus leaving me as the reader more than curious to see how things would turn out. I move around the cabin to distract myself from the incessant silence and, as I do, a floorboard creaks beneath my left foot, the noise so loud that it startles me. And now I can hear my heartbeat thudding in my chest. The story is told from multiple points of view. There were lots of secrets and lies hidden. Friendships are pushed to the edge of their limits. There is a cast of strong characters. Having just relaxed in her friend Kim's luxury holiday home, Nicola is left reeling from a revelation. Everything she thought she knew changes. This is a fast-paced-thriller. I could not read this book fast enough.

Thanks to the author, Bookouture, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review* Nicola and Ryan love a modest life. They get along and are content with what they have. Nicolas best friend Kim has “done better” for herself, being successful herself and married to business man Lewis. So the couples and their kids travel to Scotland with their kids in tow. The plan is to stay at a Luxusartikel log cabin owned by Kin and Lewis. I enjoyed this, as I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. It's entertaining, but, in this case, I thought the final twist was a step too far and unnecessary.

Advance Praise

The pace is fast with short chapters ending with foreshadowing adding some suspense to the story however it also felt repetitive.