I really didn’t know what to expect when I started reading The Perfect Guest but I found it to be an immensely compelling read that went in an unexpected direction.
Dinah has always felt like an outsider in her group of university friends and after staying at a holiday home with them she becomes obsessed with the hosts and desperate to be part of their friendship group.
This is such a clever novel and I was completely drawn into the character of Diana and her pursuit of Isaac and Sarah. None of the characters are particularly likeable but I did feel some sympathy for the appalling Dinah and wanted things to work out for her.
A really enjoyable read with a great twist that I would recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Ever met someone who turns up and doesn't know when to leave? Meet dinah who has secrets but she's not the only one! An explosive thriller that will have you reading just one more chapter ........ as it all unravels. 4 out of 5 from me, really very good.

A well thought out thriller with, truly, one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever read - I couldn't warm to our protagonist at all, and that almost put me off reading. However, the plot is super interesting with a twist I didn't see coming, so that redeems it for sure.

I enjoyed this much more than I expected, it was an odd read as I felt quite awkward reading it sometimes, a bit uncomfortable with the position the MC found herself in, I think it takes a really good author to convey this feeling to the reader. I also kept changing my opinion on Dinah, sometimes I felt sorry for her, sometimes I really wanted her to come out on top and sometimes I felt she needed medical help!! I have to admit to feeling a bit disappointed with the end, I felt it just fizzled out but otherwise I thought this was a great read x

The Perfect Guest by Ruth Irons

A very different type of book.
When I read I like to put myself in the position of the protagonist or at least connect with the character in some way.
Dinah was not the person to do that with really as she did not come across as a nice person. Compelling certainty , just not particularly nice.
I think it takes a good author to come up with a character like that , so hats off it them for that.

This wasn't what I elwad expecting at all, and not in a bad way. Very character based and I loved seeing the duality of the MC. It was quite fascinating how you can simultaneously dislike a character and also be rooting for them almost? It definitely got under my skin and kept me hooked

Throughout this book I felt for Dinah at various points and disliked her at others but she had a relatability of wanting to fit in and to achieve what you 'deserve'.

Dinah is our main character and we follow her through some truly well written deceit.

We meet Dinah going to a girl’s weekend at a beautiful home that she absolutely cannot afford and we see that the want for luxury and the people that own this beautiful home take over her.

I started this not thinking for a second that it would be so engrossing. Dinah is both repellent and someone I felt sympathetic towards. I almost wanted her to ‘win’.

This book is a really refreshing read where character study has become an art. Think Ripley, SWF but with a little more humanity.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review, which this is.

WOW! If this isn't a book to brag about I don't know what is... I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be closing the book at 1am left in complete shock... This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good!

Dinah is a particularly awful character, i got halfway through before i realised i was bored. I'm afraid i ended up skimming through the rest of the way.
Sadly it did not keep my attention......just not for me.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Well I went through all the emotions reading this! At times I felt sorry for Dinah then others I really didn’t like her! The author writes her cheeses with such skill, multilayered and intense at times! A really good read that I devoured in less than 24 hours!

I really enjoyed this book. Dinah is a mix of unlikeable and sympathetic, which works well. It's kind of satisfying watching her break rules and deceive people, but also tense. I read it pretty much in two sittings as I just wanted to know what was going to happen!