You Can Stay is slow starting, atmospheric, dark, sometimes uncomfortable, but is an ultimately satisfying read.

This book was everything I hoped it would it be.
I was hooked quickly and completely unwilling to put this down. I devoured this book in just one sitting. I have no regrets and can’t wait to read more by this author.

Not my usual read but I'm always keen to read new authors of the thriller genre.
This was a good book that gave me 'Misery ' vibes.
My only issue was I couldn't warn the the main character, he came across as arrogant and unlikeable so I just couldn't route for him!

Connor and his friends are on the final stage of the Special Forces training and is out in the wilderness with the one goal of reaching base without being caught. After taking shelter in a barn overnight, he wakes to find his friend has left him alone but the owner, Eilidah invites him into her farmhouse to warm up and food before he carries on to the checkpoint.
Everything seems okay until Eilidah "accidentally" breaks his ankle, he soon realises that she is not the nice person he initially believed.
As the days pass by he feels more like a prisoner than somebody recovering from an injury and as his suspicions grow he starts to find clues that his friend and others before them may have fallen foul of this woman.

A great story that keeps you rooting for Connor to escape and return to his army base.

This was such a good solid thriller. Connor is on SAS exercise when her encounters his worst nightmare. Well written with echoes of King. You can predict what is going to happen but you are unable to help Connor escape his fate. I loved the look you got inside of Eilidh's mind,

Connor is on the final stage of a special forces exercise on Bodmin Moor, he is cold and wet when he stumbles upon a farmhouse. He is invited in by Eilidth to have some food, warm clothes and rest, even though he knows this is against the rules.

Connor cannot resist her charms and they end up sleeping together. But when he tries to leave she has him trapped.

A dangerous game commences where there are horrifying and shocking discoveries. This is not Elidth's first kidnapping. She has done this before but they weren't as perfect as Connor. Why would she let him leave?

A solid page turner but I did find it at times to be unbelievable,
that a soldier in the final stages of SAS training, would he really
risk failing the course by accepting help from a stranger?

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm brand new to the author but I will definitely look out for more from them, This was a gripping read, full of tension and very fast paced. I couldn't stop reading,

Wow! You can see where the inspiration for the novel comes from, even if you weren’t to read the acknowledgements at the end of the book. I don’t know how to get my thoughts down to review this properly, but can say I thoroughly enjoyed it and I rarely give books 5 stars, but this is one of those. Loved the twist at the end.

Unfortunately I didn't connect with this book at all and after multiple attempts I have had to admit defeat and mark as dnf.

This book is everything I want in a story! A twisted and gripping psychological thriller with constant suspense. Highly enjoyed

Bodmin Moor, Cornwall and soldiers/sailors are on exercise trying to evade capture and keep ahead of the hunter team who are close on their heels. Eilidh comes across a bone weary Connor and makes him an offer he can’t refuse: silly, unprofessional Connor soon wishes he had! I had no interest in Connor’s army life which went on and on and skimmed over until I saw mention of a lamb, then completely bypassed that section as it was more than obvious what was going to happen. The part in the cottage was intriguing although it did drag at times. Did not like the ending at all! Made me think “is that it, all that and this is how it ends?” A pity really. It was gripping enough to finish despite the not so nice characters and the sometimes implausible goings on. Moral of this tale - if you are lost on the moors, keep away from strange women and definitely don’t go in their cottages!

I love books that keep me on my toes and this certainly did!
It was an enjoyable read on a rainy morning.
I would read others by this author

What a sensational read that I just had to finish! I haven't read anything by Ms Connel before, but will do again in future!

It gave me Hansel and gretel vibes.

Connor is lured into this home under false pretences thinking he is safe. A very slow burn story that made me want to give up a couple times. I’m glad I made it to the ending as it held some redeeming qualities.

I chose to read this book because the description was very different from what I usually read.
I have heard of the training that happens in the moors so I was intrigued to read it.
When Conner and Dele are in the final stages of training, exhausted too Conner wakes to find Dele gone, in his place is a woman who invites him to her home. He decides to go but then things take a turn.
This book was quite chilling and I did enjoy the most part. Getting to the end I thought okay, not a bad ending. Then the epilogue happened. I did not like that at all.
Overall, it was a good read.

I'm not entirely sure what I make of this one. The beginning starts off very slow, the background knowledge we learn about Connor was a little bit laborious, I felt this part could have been cut down. I also found the characters were not very likeable at all which isn't a problem but it does make it harder for me to connect with the book, I like to have a character to root for. I will give this book its due, there was a lot of tension and grit which kept me persevering with the book but I do think you have to suspend belief whilst reading this to fully enjoy it.

I really wanted to enjoy You Can Stay as the synopsis sounded great, but sadly I just couldn’t get into it at all.

Sorry, not for me.

⭐️ 2 ⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Firstly, I thought the author’s writing was excellent, the book is well-written and easy to read it was the story and its content that didn’t work for me.

There’s an incident with a lamb at the beginning of the book which is quite graphic; I felt the whole thing was totally unnecessary and gave nothing at all to the story — I was going to DNF at this point but instead carried on.

The cast are all unlikeable — Connor, the main protagonist and the one we’re supposed to feel sorry for is a vile, obnoxious character so I didn’t feel any sympathy/care what happened to him. Eildih’s obsession with sex and her (bizarre!) thoughts became repetitive and cringeworthy.

You Can Stay didn’t hit the mark for me unfortunately.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Absolutely binged this! Such a thrilling read. Callbacks to Misery but a great story in its own right. Recommended for anyone looking for a thriller to sink their teeth into.

What a read! Honestly this is a proper gripping read. It is dark, twisted and very creepy, and I loved it. The concept is and protagonist are unique. The characters are very real, and brilliantly written even if not very likeable, they are believable, I haven’t even mentioned the ending yet, but it is one of the best read for a while. If you like dark creepy thrillers then you’ll love this one,