I admit that I was hooked as soon as I read the blurb of Stranded. I love a good survival thriller and the mystery around eight people arriving and only three surviving made me want to read this story instantly. I've been looking forward to read it, and I can now say that I definitely liked what I found. Stranded is a true survival thriller that also offers its very own little locked room mystery to boot. The story is strangely infuriating while also being highly entertaining, and it's definitely one that will have you in its claws until the very end.

The setting on the remote Scottish island Buidseach Isle is without doubt a perfect backdrop for the story. The eight contestants have to survive during a whole year on the island, relying mostly on what they can find on Buidseach to keep themselves alive. The many descriptions of the island, its fauna and everything related to the survival element in general where thorough and vivid, and I really felt like I was there right next to Maddy seeing everything unfold. The setting and the survival element of the story were both reasons I ended up enjoying this story considerably, and it made the story stand out for me too.

As for the characters... Some can be quite infuriating, and most are quite unlikeable, but somehow I wasn't too bothered by it as they make the story strangely entertaining. Maddy herself was an interesting character, and while I wanted to slap her at times for not standing up for herself, I can't say I'm surprised by her initial reactions due to her past and it was interesting to see her character evolve over time. The character development as the eight contestants spend more time on the island is intriguing in general, and especially when things start to escalate.

Like I mentioned before, this story also has that locked room mystery vibe, which is an element I always love. It was interesting to see this part of the story develop, and Stranded will definitely have more than one surprise for you in store before you reach the end. It turned out to be a highly engaging, addictive, frustrating and suspenseful read and I will definitely be looking out for any future Sarah Goodwin books.

This book had me gripped from page 1! U loved the writing style and it was so easy to get completely absorbed in the plot. This is a must read for anyone who likes the thriller/ domestic noir type genre. It is the perfect antidote to a certain island based romance TV show that is currently being broadcast on TV lol

Any book featuring an individual or group stranded somewhere inaccessible is right up my alley, and this offering by Sarah Goodwin is definitely a top pick for me. The mis-matched group of eight - four men, four women - are selected from applicants for a 'reality' type tv show to survive for a year on a remote Scottish island, and have to learn how to fend for themselves once their starter rations (about a month's worth of food and supplies) have been used up. They are expected to build a shelter, latrine, shower, furniture and to grow and forage food, catch wildlife and fish. They are told to wear body cameras at all times and there are also cameras placed strategically around the island in trees. There is also an 'out of bounds' area where the two cameramen / technicians are stationed in a portacabin.

At first the group co-operate, establish rotas and assign tasks by skillset, but it doesn't take long for the cracks to appear and the group to splinter due to greed, laziness and selfish behaviour.

The book is entirely written from Maddie's point of view. She has plenty of character flaws (being solitary, socially awkward, introverted) but also resourceful, hard-working, sensible and aware of the bullying and manipulation going on. Some characters were easily led and we get to see how power is grabbed and the majority go along with it. It's a microcosm of an office environment, a cult or even a whole society.

The writing is fabulously immersive. We feel Maddie's growing isolation, anger and fear of the danger posed by certain other characters. We know from the beginning that some people make it off the island and that there is a trial but don't know who died, who escaped and who was found out until almost the end.

A definite 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy in return for an honest review.

Eight people are made to live the wild life in an island for a reality show for a year. The author has done a marvellous work with character building, changing group dynamics, altering mindset, suspicions that come with being cut off from the outside world. The emotions are all authentic. I don’t think I would be able to appreciate this book adequately. It has to be read to feel it.

A group of 8 people land on a remote island to begin their year long adventure on a reality show survival experiment. None of them was expecting what was in store for them.
All characters in this story were very unlikeable most of the time, even Maddie, the narrator at times gave reason to question her behaviour. Which makes you ask yourself, how would I act in that situation? I’d like to think I would be a whole lot nicer but I guess none of us truly know unless we’re put in said position?
I knew that I’d love this book from the off, I’m a reality tv lover, with survivor being my all time favourite so it was right up my street. I was truly hooked and bored my family giving them regular updates on what was happening next.
I would love to give this the 5 star rating it deserves but there are 2 factors that really disappointed me. Firstly, I really didn’t like the “witch” aspect and felt it unnecessary and secondly without giving away any spoilers I felt that the reason given to Maddie etc. for the production companies failure seemed very unrealistic, I honestly don’t think in the real world it would’ve played out that way. Despite this, a very exciting read and I will definitely be looking out for this author in the future. #NetGalley

This is a rapid-paced, compelling story with masterful execution. The constant action means there is never a dull moment
I love a good thriller. Something to get the mind working, heart racing and having you on the edge of your seat. Great writing, great characters and a great storyline.

I was excited when I read the premise of the book, anything written about survival is right up my street. I was a bit nervous too as I find sometimes stories of this nature can be a bit disappointing.

I was pleasantly surprised though. The first half of the book builds tension well, building the story and giving us a chance to get to know the characters. Then it starts to get dark and truly gripping. The main character, Maddy, isn't overly likable but that worked well with the storyline.

Definitely worth a read, especially if this type of genre intrigues you.

A survivor like thriller with a frightening twist! Can you even imagine being on an isolated island with strangers for a whole year even for a reality tv show? The people that were dropped off on the island were ready for adventure but they soon discovered that their adventure would take a rather dark turn. I actually felt like I was part of this story and felt the tense and fearful emotions the main character felt I love intense thrillers like this and it was definitely had a riveting, unique plot .

This is a strange book to review, I went from hating it and thinking I'd give it one star, to thinking I was being biased - just because I didn't enjoy it, didn't mean it was badly written... I stuck it out, and I have to say wow. That ending. I never saw it coming.

I'll start by explaining why I didn't like it initially. Most of the characters are truly awful, and the hidden savage nature of the average human (note I said average, I don't mean everyone, but if we are honest, most fit the bill), which tends to rear its ugly head when the going gets tough, was especially prevalent here. I really, really cannot fathom why anyone would ever sign up for something like this, but then Come Dine With Me is in its gazillionth season, so go figure.

It didn't take long for things to deteriorate, and then it all went to pot. Maddy, one of the crazies who signed up, became a pariah and was forced to fend for herself, which really would have been fine (better than sticking around with the others) if things hadn't taken a turn for the worse.

This book takes turns in suffocating, shocking, and frightening you. I didn't like the references to the rabbits and the casual way they are spoken of as if they were no more than clods of earth, it was a bit sickening and in many ways a bit too graphic. But then I suspect that was the point. It shocks me sometimes, what people are capable of, but then deep down we all know. The trick is to be clever and get them back. And if you have a witch on your side, well, all the better. Enough said.

Many thanks to Sarah Goodwin, Avon Books and Net Galley for my ARC.

I am a huge survivor fan as was excited to review this book! Sarah Goodwin did not disappoint.

Did you enjoy Lord Of the Flies? Then this is a book for you! Maddy is a sheltered homeschooled unhappy young adult who has applied to be part of a game/reality show that strands 8 adults on an uninhabited island. She hopes to make a new life and new friends and start over during the year spent on an island without any support.

Foreshadowed in the description, things go wrong fairly quickly. Maddy has trouble fitting into the group. As the description reveals, only Maddy is available to tell the story of what went wrong on the island and where are the other survivors.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I felt like the characters could have been drawn out a bit more. It was hard to emphasize with anyone really, even Maddy was a bit unlikeable. A broader backstory would have made a more interesting and thrilling novel.

There was a lot of foreshadowing to the end which I think could have been left out. I think it would been a bit more suspenseful if some of the future events were not included. I did want to know so badly how it would turn out though and I read this novel in 24 hours. Recommend!

This was really good, I wasnt sure to start with and then it got better. I loved the way you never really knew who was on trial and just loved the ending and the production notes.

Fully do recommend reading.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own

Thank you very much to Avon for sending me a copy of Stranded, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the type of book where you pick up the book and not realise that hours have passed!
I absolutely loved the premise of this story where eight contestants are challenged to live on Buidseach island and are told it will be a experiment about what people would do if it was the end of the world. . The main character 'Maddy' is a complex character who is currently grieving the loss of both of her parents, when she is offered the chance to join 7 other contestants on Buidseach island for a reality show which was trying to be passed off as a social experiment, Maddy could see no better opportunity to escape from her life. The story begins slowly, it is building up to an atmospheric and incredible series of events. Sarah did an amazing job of fleshing out all of the characters and you have a real sense on the types of people they are and what roles they will take within the group. Maddy is used to be an outsider, however, she hopes that she can find friendship within this dynamic group. When events on the island cause tension, it is nerve wracking and I found myself eager to find out how it all ends.

This definitely gave me 'Lord of the Flies' vibes and I thoroughly enjoyed the turns and twists that this book takes you on. Sarah is a talented writer and knows how to really set the scene, build up both likable and dislikeable characters within the group. The ending to this story really lets you come to your own conclusion whether you are rooting for Maddy or not, and I was definitely rooting for her!

I fell straight into this book, devouring the pages and I found the writing style was perfect for me, I immediately gelled with it, and when you find a book like this it feels like coming home. Don’t get me wrong Some parts were really hard to deal with, and I found myself very emotionally bound to Maddy, our main protagonist from whose POV the story is told. I hate bullies, and reading about how one person was picked out and exiled in such hostile and unjust circumstances from the group was difficult. I found I was rooting for Maddy who was very self sufficient and calm in the face of adversity and was the only truthful and genuine member of the survival shows lineup. However is she as reliable as she seems? I love an unreliable narrator.

However I’m running away with myself, I have so much love for this book I’m word vomiting in my excitement …

This is a fast paced survivalist thriller and it really gave me Modern day Lord of the flies vibe, the camp splits into factions with a supposed leader who is actually a bully and his sycophants and then we have our ‘victim’ Maddy who basically has to go it alone. There are deep moral dilemmas at the heart of this story- We see how mob mentality plays out , and the dichotomy between civilisation and savagery. But Maddy is far from the victim she is a pocket rocket and has strong survival tendencies , if you were to be stranded I think you should want to be Maddies best friend as she knows her stuff and is a strong female lead! Go Maddy 🙌🏻🙌🏻

I loved how a potential adventure and the setting for fly on the wall documentary revealed so much, how a group of strangers can first bond and then form friendships and allegiances. It was intriguing to see how the ideals and expectations of the group when they first arrive play out and change with their circumstances. How the reality sees initial highs hopes for building accommodation on the island, and planting and growing food end up descending into chaos as the contestants descend into desperate, starving castaways who are willing to whatever they could find from rats to mouldy jam to keep their starvation at bay and how their standard of living diminishes with their hope of rescue. Themes include the tension between the group and individuality, between rational and emotional reactions, and between morality and immorality. Absolutely fascinating!!

So many questions as I raced through this book… what has happened? Why doesn’t the boat arrive to take them home? I enjoyed the build up of tension and the questions that left me grasping at various theories of what happened….

One of my favourites parts is where Maddy having been isolate and alone for a long period of time returns to the abandoned camp, the descriptions of the state it had been abandoned in and the possible circumstances surrounding it were thrilling. I loved the world building the author created, which was intense and vivid, I was there living life on the island.

The characters were so, so real and their interactions played out in front of me as if I was watching a technicolour film- so real and believable. The hierarchy of the characters was so realistic and her portrayal of how they change with the increasingly dire situation was a joy.

The authors ability to write is incredible, and when I started this book I literally disappeared into it and didn’t emerge until I had finished. It’s so compelling and I was so absorbed I literally read this in one sitting. Fast paced, dark and intense, the storyline is taut and perfectly plotted and I loved the sense of claustrophobia and paranoia. It’s eerie and beautifully written- believe me when I say this is a debut you. DO. NOT want to miss!!!

I adored this book and honestly fellow thriller readers get this title preordered and thank me later, it’s utterly unputdownable ( yes that is a even a word!!) and you’re going to love every single twisty page!!

Huge Thankyou to Avon books and Netgalley for my copy, I will still be preordering as I need to own all my favourite thrillers physically to adorn my bookcase, and Stranded is 100% up there with the best!!

Is it weird that I don't have any feelings good or bad toward this book? I loved the premise of the Survivor type theme. The book was entertaining and you definitely get sucked in during the last half of the book. The characters are good, the storyline is fully formed and doesn't drop off unexpectedly. All in all it was a satisfying read overall. The only part that bothered me was the very very end where Maddy is supposedly friends with the "witch" of the island; I felt the witch wasn't even part of the story so why add that addition.

Thank you Avon Books, Sarah Goodwin and Netgalley for this arc!

Absolutely compelling! Definitely a five star read. I couldn't put this one down. It never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat. I loved the premise, the plot and most of the characters were suitably horrible. Maddy, the protagonist is an incredible character. She is one of eight people who agree to participate in an experimental TV show. They are taken to a remote Scottish island and left to their own devices for a year of survival in the wilderness. Maddy is unbearably depressed with her life, her own personal development, or lack of, and the subsequent loneliness and loss she feels after her parents die in a car accident. She is flawed which makes her very realistic. This story is told from Maddy's point of view so we get all her emotional fallout as she struggles to cope with what is happening around her. Goodwin is an intelligent writer and seems to have a real handle on the pace and intensity needed for this type of thriller. Maddy's situation is described so well that her fear is very palpable. Yes this was terrifying in places. I felt I was right there with her. One of the best books I've read all year and such a great ending too!!
Thank you to Avon books and Netgalley for allowing me to read this eARC publication date: 16 September

Maddy has signed up for a reality TV Show: What would happen if the world had ended and 8 strangers were sent to a remote, deserted island, with little to no assistance in the way of food, shelter and other basic necessities, for a year. 

Eight people means eight different skills sets and eight different personalities. And some of those personalities are going to clash. As Maddy and the others struggle to survive the island, some of those clashes turn into battles, creating dangerous enemies, until the lack of necessities may not be the most deadly thing on this trip. 

This book was INTENSE. Absolutely heart stopping. My heart was pounding with anger at what went on and I was terrified most of the way through - in the best possible way. There were so many characters I wanted to jump through the page and strangle but I was so gripped by the mystery and desperation of their situation, I just couldn’t put it down!

The story is told in alternating timelines - on the island and in a TV interview with Maddy after the event. The interview sections weren’t anywhere near as interesting as the rest, but by the end I saw why they were necessary. 

With a grown up Lord of the Flies feel, Stranded should definitely be on your list of you enjoy intense, Lost style mysteries!

I love a good social experiment, man. Think Survivor but no host or camera crew. Strangers becoming friends. Friends becoming enemies. Now almost everyone is dead? How? Why? IT WAS SO GOOD.

Saw this book on NetGalley, thought it sounded right up my street - and how right I was!

Maddy is looking for an escape from her lonely life and what could be better than an isolated island with a few strangers for a year as part of a reality TV show? The story begins at the end of her isolation, holding a rifle and departing a boat on the mainland in need of help….

I started this book today and finished it in one sitting. I literally could nor put it down. One not to miss.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Goodwin knows what shes doing when it comes to twist and unexpected turns. This book was very hard to put down, I couldn't walk away for even a minute.

I've read so many books about being stranded on a island but never quite like this. Being stranded with strangers with a mission to survive for one whole year. This book shows just how dark human nature can be and Sarah Goodwin captured it into words perfectly.

If you enjoyed Lord of the Flies growing up you will love this book.

The author did a good thing here,by giving us an awkward fairly unlikeable main character,that by the end,you're on her side.
Truly a survival of the fittest,when a group of strangers are stranded on a remote island,and left with cameras to film the fallout,that you know is going to happen.
A small enough cast of characters that made it easy to get them straight from the off.
Some tense moments,and even a few wince inducing ones.
What I'd class as a decent beach read.
If beach holidays are a thing for you this year.