‘Nobody but us’ is one of those thrillers that really keeps you guessing because the plot line and cast are so confined that the story really can go in any direction. The hyper focused narrative follows Ellie a grad student and Steven a professor as they embark on a romantic getaway at a secluded cabin. But there’s more to the story because neither of them are who they claim to be.
This is not an easy read and at times it is violent and uncomfortable as far as thrillers go, but with saying that I found it incredibly gripping with great pacing and fascinating characters.
Personally my only negative is sometimes how this book is advertised as a #metoo thriller and for me even if a novel does deal with these themes, a movement such as that shouldn’t be tagged upon a work just to fit into a popular topic at the time.
Overall gripping and twisted in all the right places.

This book was not for me unfortunately. Disappointingly I found myself skimming over the writing trying to find a point to engage with the characters and ultimately find a connection which I could not.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read in return for my honest review.

In a relationship for the past six months, the much younger Ellie has finally become the one for Steven. He’s a literature professor one who has a track record of inappropriate relationships. When Ellie and Steven head off for a romantic weekend off the grid to solidify their bond what then occurs is definitely not what Steven had in mind as secrets are revealed and violence erupts meaning only one will walk away intact.

Though I appreciated the sentiment and message this imparted overall it left me underwhelmed and disengaged. I found myself heavily skimming especially the further I read. I wouldn’t say I liked either Ellie or Stephen both didn’t come across well and having only two main characters centre field meant I knew exactly where this was going and what was probably going to occur meaning I also found it very predictable.

The writing was actually lyrical but I wasn’t a fan of the third person narrative I think this also contributed to my overall disconnect. I didn’t enjoy this one at all though probably because it was very different to what I was anticipating but also because I wasn’t actually invested in the outcome either unfortunately I just didn’t care enough about anyone involved and that was a big problem because this does rely on that to hook the reader in fact I struggled to even finish. A voluntary reviewed a copy of Nobody but us.

I was hooked on this book from the very first chapter.

The beginning of the story starts with the ending!! Confusing at first,t. However, the further you read into the back story of Ellie and Stephen, the easier the jigsaw puzzles of this intriguing story come together.

The whole story revolves around Ellie and Stephen and the ghost of both their pasts. This is a story of survival and literally willing the truth out of each character. Fascinating to delve into the minds of these characters in depth.

Would definitely recommend this book to my friends

This was a really interesting and thrilling read. I loved how there was so many twists and turns in this. Steven and Ellie were such interesting characters and i read this so quickly as i wanted to find out what was going. The central premise was done really well and all the reveals were done in a way that made sense to the plot and kept me hooked. The writing was excellent and this helped keep the book moving along very well.

I had to give up on this book at the 60% mark. By that point, I was bored with the plot, fed up with the prose (which was overly complicated and kept extracting me from the story) and didn't care at all what happened to the protagonists because I couldn't stand either of them. It started off interesting, if a little overwrought (again, the prose), but then the pacing ground to a stop at about 30% and almost nothing happened from then on. If I had a choice as to which character was killed, I'd choose the woman, as she was so pretentious and hypocritical. I'm unfortunately not this book's target audience, as I don't buy into its political narrative. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the free ARC in return for my honest review.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I have heard a lot of buzz surrounding this book which indicates how big it will be .

I inhaled the first half, I was hooked!

It’s written so well weaving from him to her seamlessly .

Addictive and intoxicating , a bit like their relationship. Compelling and disturbing…

Unpredictable , tense and gripping . You think you know where its going but you really don’t…

I loved it and know its going to be flying off the shelves this summer.

Published 14th April

Nobody but us written by Laure Van Rensburg is a very dark psychological thriller. Ellie and Steven have been dating for a few months, they are excited about a long weekend together in the country, miles from anyone they can enjoy the snowy hikes and cosy evening fires just the two of them, but is that what they both have planned?
Brilliantly twisty, dark and funny. Both dislikable characters, but you are drawn in to pick a side, a real page turner.
The writing is clever, the theme's are current, it's a moral dilemma you'll be uncomfortable choosing a side. A great 4*.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the ARC.

If you’re a fan of dark and twisted psychological thrillers then this one is for you. I inhaled this book in a couple of days, I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

To say that neither of these characters is particularly likeable would be an understatement. As we follow Steven and Ellie’s chilly and romantic weekend getaway we are treated to flashbacks from their past, which adds to the building sense of foreboding. It quickly becomes clear that they’re not the most conventional of couples… to stay the least!

The writing is smart and witty, with some great tension-building, twists and turns. I’ll be looking forward to what this author comes up with next!

With thanks to Michael Joseph for gifting me a digital copy to review.

Lots of twists and turns, an isolated but luxe house and escapes through the snow. Fans of slick and sexy thrillers will love 'Nobody but Us'.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the ARC.

I was immediately drawn in by the plot of this book - although the ‘romantic weekend away’ theme is quite common, there are elements to this story that felt unique and I was excited to get stuck in. I was pretty engrossed in this story and found it hard to put down which is always a positive!

The author is extremely descriptive which I loved and found myself being transported along with Ellie and Steven. Nobody But Us is graphic, atmospheric and a very enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this a little slow in places Lacking imagination. Sorry, this one was not for me.

I really cannot remember why I requested this title, as I try to avoid generic thrillers. I think the blurb/promo might have mentioned "My Dark Vanessa" vibes, which was one of my favourite reads in 2021.
As such I was disappointed in this book. We have the story of Stephen and Ellie, a professor and (graduate) student in an age-gap relationship ... questionable - but they're both adults right? Except Stephen's preference for his partners has always been for young girls. Neither character is likeable, of course Stephen was always going to be painted as an utter bustard. Ellie at times reminded me of klutz Bella Swan from the Twilight series, from the get-go she is portrayed as almost physically incapable of basic things without mishap e.g. walking on an icy sidewalk, without Stephen's support.
I found the story to be at times unnecessarily violent, and I feel like the #meToo aspect was shoehorned in when in fact social media has moved onto the next trending hashtag activisim.

Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin Michael Joseph for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book.

I went into this novel knowing nothing about it, except for the fact that the advertising said ‘get ready to meet 2022’s most fucked up couple!’. So I had high hopes for a lot of drama and insane twists.
What I found was that there was indeed, a lot of drama and some twists to the novel, however, it all fell a little flat for me. Quite early on we find out that Steven is the worst kind of man, one that likes to get his own way with everything, and everyone. Without spoiling it, it is quite a difficult read, and I feel there should be a trigger warning with it, but I think that would probably also spoil the main big plotline.

Ellie is a great character, with some brilliant lines throughout and she has a huge plan for their weekend away, which doesn’t end the way either of them expected.

Laure is also brilliant at creating a very tense atmosphere, with some incredibly detailed descriptions of the landscape and the home they are staying in.

However, the main reason this novel fell flat for me with it’s potential for greatness, is that everything seemed to be repetitive. Ellie would say something, Steven would say something back, and it kept going in circles until finally, the ending happened.
I think the book could have been a lot shorter, had the characters actually acted on what was going on WAY before they did. The intrigue of finding out what happened kept me reading, but only just. It would probably make a great movie, as they could fit everything into an hour and a half film, but I spent around 3-4 hours reading this, and it felt way too long.

Overall, it was enjoyable to a point, but it wasn’t my favourite locked-room thriller, and although the storyline is a very important subject, this book just didn’t do it justice for me.

Nobody But us is an addictive, unputdownable thriller. What happens when two people are on a getaway but neither is who they actually say they are? What ensues is a tension filled thriller that won't let readers go until the very last page. What makes this novel more fascinating is that it's told from both character's POV. You see how each perceives the other, while learning neither is who they say. I truly cannot recommend this novel enough! It's an explosive thriller through and through! Highly recommended!!

I was really excited when I read the book description it started off really well and had great potential.
But around the halfway mark I found the writing repetitive which unfortunately meant I found myself skim reading to the end. This book has some fabulous reviews so I think it’s a marmite kind of book!

Really liked the premise of this and the way the story was presented. Also liked the imperfections of the characters so we not really sure who was the villian. But ultimately it didnt have enough substance for me and I'm still not sure what I make to the characters or the message.

Welcome to the most screwed up couple you’ll meet
The book begins by introducing us to Ellie and Steven who are travelling to a cabin fur a weekend away. You can feel the anxiety and tension that both of them have, with how much they are both depending on this weekend
Despite picking up on the tension, I had no idea what was going on
After arriving at the cabin, things start going wrong. No cell service; strange noises;
Then the book turns….
I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming and the ending was incredible!
The book is so well written. I had really gone girl vibes with this book. The book is brilliant and one that I can see being made into a tv series
Highly recommend

I was delighted to be part of the April Squadpod Bookgroup, Thank you to Michael Joseph Book for my copy of the book in return for a fair and honest review.

When you begin this book you think that it will be story of a couple having a weekend away, just the two of them. but its not long before you realise that it is all not that it appears. Ts it the setting, the storm or the couple ?

The story is told from the viewpoint of both the protagonists Steven and Ellie which really makes the story all the more intriguing, how each person perceives the other and you get the full story. Steven is a professor whose father had a past of having relationships with young students. Steven despises his father for his behaviour and he is absolutely convinced that he is not like his father and is a good man. Ellie also has a past which is uncovered throughout the story.

This book is so full of tension and twists, its like a white knuckle ride as there were so many times that I was blindsided by this story and its characters. The author cleverly weaves literature into the book, Steven is an English professor so the inclusion of Dostoevsky’s The Devil’s and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre really adds to the intricacies of the writing.

This book evoked many feelings in me, anger, pity and disgust, it is a story that has many many layers and it is a difficult review to write without giving spoilers. I will say you need to read this clever, topical and gripping book it will leave you reeling ! A must for lovers of psychological thrillers.

5 stars *****

Welcome to the most screwed up couple you’ll meet
The book begins by introducing us to Ellie and Steven who are travelling to a cabin fur a weekend away. You can feel the anxiety and tension that both of them have, with how much they are both depending on this weekend
Despite picking up on the tension, I had no idea what was going on
After arriving at the cabin, things start going wrong. No cell service; strange noises;
Then the book turns….
I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming and the ending was incredible!
The book is so well written. I had really gone girl vibes with this book. The book is brilliant and one that I can see being made into a tv series
Highly recommend