Open House was a fast paced and exciting read for me. I loved the open house setup which is different from other books with similar plots I read where you have a family or friends that know each other and then someone dies. I kept guessing wrong about everything! I loved all the different twists. I truly disliked Amber and hated her decisions especially in the later part of the book. I found myself screaming at her at times! Definitely a worthwhile read especially if you’re someone like me who dreams at times about crashing open houses if only to be able to go see a beautiful home and pretend I can afford it. Now I won’t be doing that as often given how it turned out in this book.

Nick and Amber Miller are splitting up and selling their Devon family home. But despite the desirable location, the house isn’t moving. Not a single viewing so far.

When their estate agent suggests an open house event, Amber agrees, even as she worries about their gossiping neighbors attending and snooping around their home.

I like the premise of the book and as the storyline progresses there is some tension and suspense especially in the second half. It is an easy read and entertaining in places.

Ok, so a 3.5☆ marked up to a 4.
This book has plot twists so finally a domestic thriller that delivers the unexpected. Excellent concept and in keeping with the current age we are in. It feels very fresh to read something with ring doorbell and other current uses of technology.

We meet Amber, a newly separated mother of 2 who wishes to sell her family home and move away to create a life with her new partner. What should be a simple house sale doesn't come to fruition, strange happenings occur, literal bumps in the night and Amber feels as though she is being watched and questions how safe she and her sons are in their own home. An odd neighbour, police officer ex, annoying mother in law, and dodgy estate agent leave Amber raising questions about the intentions of so many in her life.

From a mother's perspective, I found Amber's choices, reactions rather unrealistic and disconcerting at times. The beginning of the tale pulled me in and then the middle became very mundane with little action, finishing in one hell of an ending. Whilst the ending gave me the punches and action I was seeking it almost felt hurried and OTT to make up for what was previously lacking; a rushed explanation to account for 100 or so chapters in just a few.

I did enjoy this and have heard very good things about another of the author's titles, therefore I will be returning to Sam's work again.

A worthwhile read, but next time I hope it won't feel as though a deadline was due to hurriedly glue all the pieces together.

With Thanks to Sam Carrington, Avon Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The premise of this book is SO strong and interesting, but unfortunately it fell pretty flat for me. I felt like it was much longer than it needed to be, and a little too predictable for me. I still love the concept, I just wish it was developed further.

Amber Miller is trying to sell Devon family home as she and Nick are splitting up, but selling that house seems like impossible as there seems to be no prospective buyers who show even the slightest interest.
Carl, the real estate agent is not really being too upfront about the on goings and seems to be least bothered to help Amber – mind you the house is in a desirable location! Finally Carl suggest an open house event during which time Amber happens to notice via the house doorbell camera that thirteen people enter her house but only twelve come out.
Strange things start to happen, Amber’s sons are hysterical and keep mentioning about seeing a man inside the house in the middle of the night. Things are moving around in the house and Amber is just not able to figure what exactly seems to be going on!
With the help of her nosy neighbor Davina, Amber sets out to find out what exactly is happening.
This book was a fast paced one and was really an awesome thriller to read. The last few chapters has all the reveals and answers to all the happenings during the course of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#netgalley #theopenhouse #samcarrington

Loved this one. With Nick and Amber ready to sell their house after a recent split up. An open house is set up for individuals to view.

The viewings start, but something is a stray 13 people enter the property. But one doesn’t seem to leave. Where are they?

A page Turner and exciting read. Loved it.

This book is one roller coaster ride filled with shifty characters and incidents. The short, fast paced chapters keep the momentum going till the end. Having said that, I still kind of have mixed feelings about the book. The premise is good and the book ends with an unexpected twist but the overall execution felt rushed up and unresolved. There are quite a number of characters introduced but some end up playing no role at all in the grand scheme of things while the ones that do have a role to play don't make much of an impact. Having read the blurb I expected this to be a chilling, suspense thriller and although it had a few moments, it didn't live up to the hype.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK and the author for the e-Arc of the book. The book was published on 10th December 2020.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫

First time author read and it was enjoyable.

My biggest grip was the twist, wasn’t much of a twist didn’t like the way the story was leading up to it although... surprise! Another better twist came 👌🏼 that gave it an extra star for me. I actually really loved the last 1/3 of the book and wished the first 2/3 could have matched it.

Looking forward to the next read from this author.

Thank you so much for my copy, really appreciate it!

The Open House is a gripping, immersive read that really kept me guessing to the very end.
As Amber is navigating her way through a horrible divorce, she makes the decision to sell the house in which they had gifted to them by her mother-in-law when her and Nick got married. But Nick's mother certainly doesn't seem keen on the idea of the house getting sold, and although she claims it is due to not wanting her grandchildren moving away, you can't help but feel that there may well be a darker reason for her lack of support.

Sam Carrington always produces gripping page turners that have you on the edge of your seat, but I personally think this is her most thrilling one to date. The mystery that is laced through a perfectly plotted storyline keeps you fully immersed in the story as the plot begins to unfold.
The characters are incredibly unique, and the ways in which some of them are portrayed sends chills down your spine.

A gripping page turner that has you guessing right to the very end. An absolutely perfect thriller that I couldn't put down.

Imagine having an open house where 13 people enter but only 12 come out. What happened to this other person? Now imagine that strange things start happening like objects disappear and then reappear. Is this person still in the house? This is what has happened to Amber. Why is this person doing this and what can Amber do.

I love the premise of the book but have some criticisms with the execution. Open House was not a long read but the action of the book seemed to not move very quickly. But this feels in line with the frustration and concern that Amber goes through. The one thing I will say is that this is the first book where the ending really surprised me. After years of reading mysteries and thrillers I have become very good at figuring everything out before the end but the last few chapters were a huge surprise. While I might not have fully enjoyed the ending I loved that I did not see it coming. This is a good, solid book that if someone asked I would tell them to give it a try.

This book is a real page turner, I found myself staying up late to find out what happened next. Creepy and suspense filled I didn’t want it to end. So many odd characters and potential suspects. If you like a thriller, you’ll love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an advance copy to review.

This book was great. Really enjoyed the setting, a separated woman trying to sell the family he and reluctantly agrees to an open house. Things don’t go to plan and family secrets are exposed!

📖 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 📖⁣⁣
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𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Open House⁣
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Sam Carrington⁣
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 🌟🌟🌟✨⁣
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Fans of Wisteria Lane will love Sam Carrington’s The Open House.⁣
⁣
Nick and Amber Miller are splitting up and selling the family home. But despite the desirable location, the house isn’t moving. Amber agrees to an open house in a desperate attempt to move on. While watching on their video doorbell, Amber excitedly counts Thirteen people enter her home, but that excitement drops when only twelve leave.⁣
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This novel is packed full of drama, twists, and turns. Everyone is a suspect, and for good reason. The group of characters provide a landscape of various personalities that mesh together in a fun and engaging way... Nosy neighbors, melding mother-in-law, witty best friends, doggy estate agent, all the boxes have been checked for a good time.⁣
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I truly felt like I was back on Wisteria Lane and I was loving it. If this resonates with you, then this novel is for you... If not, it may not be your cup of tea. The first part of the novel is solid. You cannot flip the pages fast enough, suspense builds and you continue in your attempt to slide the puzzle pieces together to figure out what the heck is going on. The last quarter of the book is PACKED full of twists and turns... like a lot - just like my beloved time on Wisteria Lane. ⁣
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Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and Sam Carrington for my review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Amber and her hubby are splitting and Amber is working on trying to sell their home. Why not have an open house? Amber goes forward with it and it turns out that was a really bad decision. Amazing story that one more person goes in to the open house than leaves since Amber is watching on a video camera- I would so watch people too! There are lots of turns and twists along the way. What happened to that person. Who was it? Did something untoward happen. You never know what will happen when you go to an open house. Loved the way the story unfolded.

I've loved reading this author's books in the past, however this one fell a little flat. The premise is awesome: A woman watches people entering her house during an open house via the doorbell camera.. She counts them. Thirteen people enter, but only twelve leave. Chills! Open houses are really creepy, when you think about it. All those strangers and nosey neighbors traipsing through your house. And then you're pretty sure one of them stayed behind?!? But as the story went on, it became a bit of a slog to get through. There were too many elements. Too much confusion. Too many "suspects" and red herrings. I had no idea what was going on for 90% of the book, and when the mystery was finally revealed, I didn't care anymore. Twists and turns are great, but in my opinion, it's best not to overcomplicate a really simple, creepy idea.

A teasing, delightful thriller!

Amber and Nick Miller are calling time on their marriage. Nick has been having an affair, Amber has a new man and their lovely home on Apple Grove in the village of Stockwood, Devon, must be sold. When there are no takers, the estate agents suggest an open-house event to try to secure a sale which Amber reluctantly agrees to. After the event, strange things begin to happen and it seems that someone isn't keen on a house sale...

The Open House is narrated in alternating chapters mostly through the eyes of Amber and Barb (Amber's mother-in-law) with occasionally added comments from an unknown person.

The plot is a slow-burner that gradually builds the tension and suspense with odd occurrences. The main characters, Amber and Barb are expertly portrayed, with Amber always jittery and on edge as she tries to protect her sons. Barb is the proverbial interfering mother-in-law, trying to make Amber see that she and Nick should stay together. Sam Carrington's clever writing makes The Open House an immensely intriguing tale with twists and turns in abundance. With a profusion of secrets, suspicion, plus Davina the nosy neighbour and a really creepy vibe, the ending is unexpected with some shocking revelations. It was definitely plausible and is a brilliant conclusion to the tense build-up. I heartily recommend The Open House to those who love a great psychological, family-drama-style thriller.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Avon Books UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Nick and Amber have split up and they are selling the house.
The estate agent decides it would be best to have an open house to get people viewing the property.
When the open day arrives Amber watches the people arrive through the doorbell app she sees 13 going in and only 12 coming out.
From the open house strange things start happening in the house.
Is somebody trying to stop her from selling the house.
Thanks NetGalley

Amber and her husband, Nic, are getting a divorce and need to sell their house. Their real-estate agent insists that they host an open house and as Amber is watching people enter and exit via her doorbell camera, she notices that 13 people entered and only 12 exited. This one was a quick, binge-worthy thriller that had me guessing up until the end. I love a good creepy house story and would highly recommend this one!

The premise of this book sounded SO intriguing...unfortunately the story didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I definitely liked the writing style and the first half of the book kept me interested, but I started to lose interest about halfway through. There was so much going on that I started getting confused with all the different things going on. The ending was pretty good...there were two main twists and while one was really surprising, the other one fell really flat. Overall, this was an okay read for me...I’ll definitely try this author again even though this wasn’t my favorite.

Despite a slow beginning, Sam Carrington's The Open House was a great, chilling story. I enjoyed reading the story from three different perspectives, as I believe it provided the book with a lot of depth. I definitely second guessed myself a bunch of different times throughout the story, but it was what kept me turning the page. I would definitely read more by Sam Carrington in the future.