Not what I was expecting at all, however this really was a rollicking good read! I cannot recomend highly enough, if you find it a little slow to get going, persevere! Its brilliant!

Unfortunately this one was really slow and dull - it was a bit of a slog to get it finished which was a shame as I liked the sound of the synopsis.
Quite predictable and full of unlikeable characters, this one wasn’t for me.

I enjoyed the atmosphere and tension of the plot but it moved a bit too slowly for my liking in the first half of the book but it does pick up the pace further in. Lots of twists and a few surprises. I would definitely try reading more from the author.

This book was just....fine. There were certainly elements of the book that left me intrigued and really creeped out, and I liked when it seemed like it was going to be a haunted house storyline and I was disappointed this was not the case. I think this book would have been so much better if it had been a haunted house.

The characters in this felt a bit clunky, and just weird - I didn't really believe them as people. Hannah was just too much of a mess, Chloe was too naive and young and Rosa was too shrill. When you have a storyline that's following a group of people in one house, you need there to be a good dynamic between them all - whether it's hate or love - but I just didn't feel like this happened with The Guesthouse and I was honestly just confused as to why these people were willingly spending so much time together on their holidays (and how none of them had any real plans while on their holidays as well).

I did not like how child abuse and sexual abuse ended up being a plot twist in this book. It was just done in a way I feel could be a bit triggering for people as it really came out of nowhere, and I felt so surprised by it. The end of the book was very over the top and even in thrillers terms, it felt unbelievable and like none of the story could have really happened.

The Guesthouse

Abbie Frost creates a very atmospheric thriller in The Guesthouse.
However a majority of the book was a bit too slow paced for me, although I did really enjoy the last quarter of the book, which was the books saving grace.

The characters are very difficult and hard to relate too. Although I later learned this was probably intentional, it did make for some difficult reading throughout the first half of the book.

I was also confused about Hannah and Ben and just how much responsibility someone can take for someone else's actions and what kind of best friend was Lori?!
I didn't really understand why everyone was being so hard on Hannah when we discovered why she was acting the way she was.

I enjoyed the reveals and didn't see them coming so those were shocking twists for me and who the perpetrator was, was also an interesting surprise and I appreciated that.

Overall this isn't a book that I would want to read again, but definitely enjoyed the surprises and the last quarter of the book.

Thanks very much to the author, publisher & Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

A twisty thriller, with a very atmospheric setting. It did stretch credibility a bit at times, but was a good read in spite of that. I would read more by this author.

This was a good book. I enjoyed it and would be interested in reading more books by Abbie Frost in the future.

Several strangers arrive at a remote Irish guesthouse hoping for a relaxing break which isn’t exactly what they got! What none of them knew was that there was a specific reason for them being there. A slow first half then the pace picked up. A few creepy bits but nothing too shocking or indeed surprising about any of it apart from the fact that the characters took so long to realise. It was a bit too far fetched so you have to suspend reality to get the best out of this novel. Loved the cover.

What a great read, wasn't sure at first, but really got in to it, very twisty and turny, all came together to a satisfying conclusion, really pleased I stuck with it

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Guesthouse but that has in no way influenced my review.

When I first saw the cover of this book and read the blurb, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I was keen before, but then I discovered that it's actually written by an already established crime author but because it's a little different to her other books, it's been written under a pen name. Everything about this book sang to me. I'm a real sucker for the secluded, eerie setting, a group of people who know very little about one another, only for them to start dying in suspicious circumstances - one by one. Who is the killer? How much do you trust these strangers? Does one of them hold your life in their hands...?

Hannah is in mourning after the sudden death of her partner, Ben. The fact he discovered, shortly before he died, that Hannah had cheated on him, led friends and family to blame Hannah for his death. She needs to get away from Ben's friends and have some time to grieve, so she decides to go ahead with a week-long trip to The Guesthouse in Fallon, Ireland, she had booked with Ben a few weeks before his accident. Not only does she feel she deserves a break but she has her own personal reasons for visiting the area. On arrival in Ireland, her relaxing holiday doesn't get off to the best start. She meets the other guests staying in the house. Some she warms to, others she doesn't. Hannah can't fully relax though. She hears a child crying in the night and there are other strange things about the house. Dated rooms with holes in the floor and peeling wallpaper, a creepy gardener who refuses to talk to the guests, areas of the house are completely closed off behind padlocked doors. Nothing really seems to fit with the exclusive holiday destination she read about online. Plus the other guests, aren't all they first appear to be...

The Guesthouse is a well-written psychological suspense novel which opens with a bang. The prologue throws the reader straight in to the (near) end of the story and I was immediately intrigued to know what had gone before. How had Hannah ended up in this terrifying situation? Who - or what - was chasing her? I was gripped and on the edge of my seat. The reader is then whisked back in time to 6 days before the events of that fateful night to watch from afar as Hannah makes her way to Fallon. She drinks too much, has little regard for her own personal safety and seems to have pretty much given up on life. I should have sympathised with her, but I didn't. I couldn't warm to Hannah at all, I'm sorry to say.

The other guests staying at the accommodation were all well-written characters. I was curious to find out what their stories were and how everything was going to tie together. Rosa, the mother of the small family staying at The Guesthouse, made my blood boil. She was so utterly frustrating, totally infuriating and I loved her! Her husband, Liam, made my skin crawl. I do love it when a character provokes a strong reaction in me!

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Guesthouse is a creepy psychological suspense novel which was very entertaining. It's a smidge far-fetched, a couple of the plot points felt a little *too* convenient but hey, it's fiction and if you can't be a little creative in fiction, when can you be? Normally not warming to a lead character isn't an issue for me but this time, I felt it hampered things a little. I really wanted to feel more for Hannah, but I couldn't. I still enjoyed the book though and would pick up another by this author (under either name 😂) in a heartbeat.

I chose to read and review an eARC of The Guesthouse. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Hannah’s life is a mess. She is 25 and struggling after her boyfriend dies and feels as though everyone is blaming her. She is back living with her mum with no job and friends who have all but give up on her. One day she happens across an email confirming a booking she and her boyfriend had made for a guesthouse in Ireland. She makes the decision to make the trip alone. Whilst there she meets the other guests: Mo and his father Sandeep, Lucy and a family of three: Liam, Rosa and their teenage daughter Chloe.

Basically we then revert to your typical happenings of such a story. Things that go bump in the night, strange noises and people being bumped off one by one. There are plenty of twists and turns and everyone appears to be a suspect.

The second half of this book was by far better than the first and I felt compelled to keep reading just one chapter more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked right from the word go. Dark and twisty and everything i love about a thriller. I knew i was on to a winner from the very first chapter.
The main character Hannah really pulled on my heart strings at times and i empathised with her hugely.

This mystery/thriller had me reading into the night! Hannah's ex boyfriend died just after she broke up with him. People say it was suicide. Hannah is struggling to cope and decides to go on a holiday they'd booked as a couple. She needs time away to grieve and find herself again.

The guest house offers a secluded location with picturesque views of the Irish countryside. The guest house is a self check in stately home with no host on site. After the others guests check in strange things start happening and all is not as it seems.

I really enjoyed this book and I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

i so enjoyed this book Hannah loses her boyfriend Ben he is killed .when they was together they booked a break to Ireland called the guest house as Hanna s father was from there when she she is there in all 7 guests staying there wont say no more very creepy and addictive story so enjoyed

😊 The Guesthouse is Abbie Frost's début, an awesome psychological thriller. The novel focuses on Hannah, a young woman who has a problem -she is headed towards alcoholism. Following the devastating death of her boyfriend, she took to the bottle and is now finding her love for alcohol is beginning to affect every part of her life. To break this cycle, Hannah decides a holiday would be beneficial so she travels to County Mayo in Ireland, known as The Emerald Isle for its lush greenery and scenery. Months ago she had booked the trip via an app called Cloud BNB, something she had completely forgotten about during recent events. She soon realises that the beautiful, remote country house is miles away from civilisation and even gaining a phone signal is problematic. Then the other guests arrive and the whole tale takes a dark turn. Hannah realises she may not be safe in the atmospheric Emerald Isle....but who will survive to tell their story?

I thought this book was absolutely fantastic. The suspense and tension was thrilling and it's one I read all in one go - I didn't want to put it down! As the reader is introduced to the other travellers, I got to fully appreciate the author's great characterisation. I soon lost my initial antipathy towards Hannah herself and found myself on her side.

Although the plot is not particularly original, Abbie Frost wonderfully sets the scene of the dark, mysterious, creepy hotel and the story felt chilling, claustrophobic and eerie. The pacing and spookiness made The Guesthouse an entertaining read overall and everything culminated in a pleasingly immoderate ending.

This one is very highly recommended and my thanks must go to Abbie Frost for writing such a exhilarating book! 😊

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from HarperCollins via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

This book was absolutely fantastic & all the things a good thriller should be...dark, thought provoking, nail biting & full of suspense. Couldn't put it down & lost several hours sleep so I could finish the last 70 pages. Looking forward to more books from this author & would give this 6 big fat Goodreads stars if I could. Thankyou Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Wow I did not see that coming at all. I had absolutely no idea just who the villain of the book would turn out to be, I just knew that this was a story that was getting creepier and creepier throughout.

I have no idea if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight, after reading this rather disturbing book all evening and being barely able to put it down, was able to read it in a few short hours. I was completely hooked in trying to work out what was going on before the characters could (and I failed).

Seven guests are all taking advantage of an opening week offer for a new Guest House in Ireland. However it soon becomes apparent that this may not be an ordinary holiday for any of them, but just what is going on and who is doing bad things.... well that is for you to find out.

This is one claustrophobicly creepy book, it is full of atmosphere, set in a remote location that isn't even easily accessible by car, over of foggy and stormy week, full of power cuts, weird noises, possible ghosts and just a whole load of things that could make your skin crawl.

I am so impressed by this addictive debut thriller novel, it is so accomplished and kept me on my toes throughout. I'm already very curious to see what this author will write next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,

Hannah's life is a mess - her ex-boyfriend has died and she is blamed by many people, and she spends her days drinking. She travels to a Guesthouse in Ireland to get away from it all and relax. However it soon becomes clear that Hannah and the six other guests may have a link to the house and they may even be in danger. Who can she trust? What secrets is the house hiding? Or it is the guests who are hiding secrets?

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be well-written, creepy, thrilling and full of twists and turns. I really liked getting to know the different characters and was kept guessing to the end. Would definitely recommend. I hope Abbie releases more books in the future.

Thanks so much to the publisher, author and NetGalley for a copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

This book is a clusterfuck of plot holes and logical flaws that insulted my intelligence more than any other book I've read. There was a 'this makes no sense...' moment on every other page and I struggled hard to get to the end without throwing my tablet at a wall. It reads like the first draft of something a tween uploaded to Wattpad. I could list everything that pissed me off about the plotting, structure, prose, characterisation and the many, many plot holes (there were even several instances of the author having to deny the existence of science in order for the plot to continue, and this book isn't a sci-fi), but I've already wasted far too much energy on this pile of crap and want to move onto the next one quickly before it puts me into a reading slump.

I wanted to be generous in my reviews while the pandemic is happening, but I think 1 star is generous enough for The Guesthouse. At any other time, I would have given it 0.

I was looking forward to reading this based on the summary... however I was disappointed :-(

The first 2/3rds of the book was really slow and dragged on quite a bit.

From the start it just didnt make sense why all these people were together!

Unfortunately there were no likeable characters.... perhaps a couple had potential but were never developed fully.

The ast 1/3 was more fast paced and full of action with several twists which I didnt see coming. However, the ending, both in terms of plot and character arc, felt so disjointed that it wasnt enough to save the book for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.