Cover Image: The House Sitter

The House Sitter

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

2.5 stars
Having enjoyed this authors previous book Her, when I was offered the chance by the publisher to read an advance copy of her latest release, I jumped at the chance.
Once again, I found the writing style easy to read and it all flowed well.
I did like how we got different characters POV's throughout the story as I wasn't expecting it to be there and this did help add some depth to the plot.
Right from the start I was enjoying reading it, but unfortunately I was never invested in the plot or the characters.
This is packed full of rich people drama and that I really liked.
BUT.
The last 40% of this book did go downhill for me. I began to find all the drama overwhelming and as I never cared about the characters it was hard to care about what was going on. It felt like it all became overly complicated and it did feel very dragged out. The plot took WAY too long to wrap up in my opinion.
Right from the start this had 3 star vibes written all over it and unfortunately it never once felt like anything special. Which is a shame because it did start off strong, but I did end it feeling disappointed. I much preferred this authors previous book.
If you are looking for a mystery, domestic fiction, rich people drama book this may be for you, but it didn't quite work for me.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Beginning was good, pace was good, setting was good. After Chapter 11 I was basically hooked, but then it went downhill. Predictable. There were no twists I didn’t see coming and I found it was a little dragged out.
I also wish the author went more in setails about Carole and her past.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Hodder and Stourton for the opportunity to review this.

I loved it. I couldn't put it down. It totally gripped me from the start to finish

Was this review helpful?

a book that will leave your head spinning!

I had a lot of fun reading this and enjoyed it immensely!

Was this review helpful?

An impressive start and ending, the middle I dawdled through I felt it lacked the excitement of either side. Even though I enjoyed this especially the parts set in italy.

Was this review helpful?

Full of twists and turns and told from multiple perspectives and flashbacks this book delivers what it promises. A page turner which keeps you guessing. A great protagonist, a cast of flawed characters and a beautiful Italian setting. I was hooked.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this sophomore effort from Shah, especially the setting! So twisty and fun - I didn't see any of that coming!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this wonderful book and it is so well observed and written. I loved the premise of this book and the plot was nice and twisty. When you couple this with the strong female protagonists I also adored the setting and being taken to Italy in the depths of a miserable British winter was just what I needed and made the book such a guilty pleasure as the rain hammered on the windows.

The author brilliantly explores themes of deception, danger, whilst unravelling the complexities of relationships. This was grippy and unputdownable and I can highly recommend this book for your summer read too!

Couldn't finish it fast enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my early arc.

Was this review helpful?

#TheHouseSitter #NetGalley
Brilliant.
Two Weeks Ago: I woke up in a hotel room next to a dead man, with no memory of the night before. Panicked, I cleared up any trace that I was there and fled.
One Week Ago: I was offered the perfect escape: the chance to housesit a gorgeous villa in a remote corner of Italy. Desperate to get away, I jumped at the chance.
Now: The owners have unexpectedly shown up at the house. The only problem?
They're the family of the man I woke up next to, two weeks ago. One of them knows my secret. And they've come to find me.
I loved this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Straughten for giving me an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

It's not every day you wake up next to a corpse, flee the country and then end up involved with their family! Once I parked my disbelief I found that this is actually a really good novel. Plenty of twists and a plot that hits like a juggernaut, I really did enjoy it. Mira is a new author to me, but I will defintely look for more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

This book had me instantly gripped and I was desperate to carry on reading! Great pace and full of suspense / tension.

Was this review helpful?

This is another great read from Mirah V Shah. It was great read and another page turner for me. The reader gradually becomes immersed in the story told from the perspectives of different people involved/associated with the death of Seba - a hotel owner. We move back and forth between the past and present to find out the family secrets which have led to this. It is a roller coaster of a ride and did not take me long to read as I didn't want to stop reading until I reached the end!
Looking forward to the author's next creation.

Was this review helpful?

Aahnaya has just woken up next to a corpse. So she flees and escapes to Italy to take up a house sitting job in one of the most remote parts of the country. However when she gets there she discovers that the people who own the property are the family of the corpse she woke up next to. Clearly it's a big coincidence that she is there. Now she just needs to escape alive. A little bit weirdly paced in places and a little bit predictable. But there are plenty of secrets, lies and odd scenarios to uncover.
.

Was this review helpful?

Desperate to get away from the situation where she found herself waking up in bed next to a corpse, Aahnaya takes what seems like a heaven sent opportunity to be far away from that mess by going to Italy for a house sitting gig in a remote part of the country.

To her horror, she discovers that the people who own the property are in fact the family of the dead man. Her presence there is clearly no accident, let alone an escape...

This is an interesting, if occasionally a little unevenly paced, story about secrets, lies and the ways in which they can play out. Overall, an enjoyable read, it gets 3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Edgy Suspense…
As if waking next to a dead man is not enough, then being offered the chance to perfect escape, that opportunity to get away, but then discovering that the idyllic house that you’re looking after in Italy is owned by the family of that same dead man - well, it’s a shock. The question is - do they know? A sharp and edgy suspense with an intriguing and immersive premise, a swiftly moving narrative and plenty of surprises along the way. What a tangled web….

Was this review helpful?

Super read! I raced through this book - excited as I was to be reading Mira V Shah’s second book. Her debut novel, Her, was brilliant and this one is no different. An easy to read thriller with great plot and characters. The pace moves along and one feels completely invested. Totally recommend.

Am looking forward to reading further works from Mira V Shah and am very grateful to NetGalley and the Publishers, Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

This book left me feeling a little underwhelmed. While the beginning had be gripped. Wondering what had happened. By the end I just felt more could have been done.
The length and pace is perfect for me. I had no issues reading this in one sitting.
I just feel the reveal just lacked something.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting and well written book with lots of twists. I enjoyed it but thought it was perhaps a bit overlong. 3 and a half stars rounded up to 4

Was this review helpful?

"The House Sitter" is a captivating thriller that takes readers on a twisty journey, filled with intrigue and compelling characters. Aahnaya's world is turned upside down when she wakes up next to a lifeless body in her bed. This shocking event sets off a chain of events that leads her to a wealthy family in a tangled mess.

Escaping to Italy by taking on a house-sitting job seems like a perfect opportunity for Aahnaya. Little does she know that this idyllic retreat will turn into a suspenseful trap, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the story.

Exploring themes of deception, danger, and the complexities of relationships, "The House Sitter" delves into the hidden depths of its complex protagonist. Aahnaya's encounters with various individuals during her house-sitting experience reveal layers of her personality and the challenges she faces. The supporting characters add depth to the narrative, intensifying the suspense and mystery.

With an unputdownable writing style, the author creates a gripping atmosphere that immerses readers in the story. The novel's ambiance evokes a sense of tension, intrigue, and uncertainty, enhancing the overall reading experience.

This book delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of buried truths. It explores the intricate dynamics of human relationships and the lengths individuals will go to protect their secrets. Through its well-developed plot and compelling characters, "The House Sitter" offers a thrilling exploration into the darker aspects of human nature.

Readers can expect a riveting read brimming with suspense, mystery, and unexpected revelations that will keep them engrossed from start to finish.

Was this review helpful?

I can honestly say I did not see any of those twists coming! There’s a lot going on in this book, but it’s still a strong readable story. 3.5 rounded up.

Was this review helpful?