I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Told from multiple pov both in the French home and the English home, this story is very cleverly layered. The description of both homes gave s really good grounding to the story bringing the characters to life. Excellent storyline and well paced throughout.

I really liked the setup of this story - a family in London & France do a house swap - and found the writing to be very atmospheric, which pulled me in quickly. However, I felt the pacing of the story was odd, and it took a very long time to build to more "thrillery" elements.

Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.

5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery thriller! The action takes place bouncing back and forth between a posh London townhome and a quaint chateau in the French countryside. Basically, two wealthy families decide to test out a "high-end" house swap but nothing is quite as it seems at first, and as the story unfolds the mysterious strings between these apparently unconnected families start to close in and you gradually begin to understand what's going on. By the end my pulse was pounding, and I may have actually screeched "WHAT...?!" right out loud.

Definitely a good slow burner to start but as the action unfolds you'll have a hard time putting this book down. Also gave it 5 stars because I didn't figure out the ending beforehand; well done!

Thanks to NetGalley, author Miranda Rijks, and Inkubator Books for giving me access to an eARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.

Two couples. one couple who lives in France, the other couple who live in London decide to swap houses for a short break - what could possibly go wrong? It's a vacation for both of them and the perfect chance to repair their strained relationships. But both families have lots of secrets - I did manage to correctly guess a couple of them. But then, seventeen-year-old Raf disappears from London as secrets unfold.

This story is told from multiple perspectives. The pace is steady, some of the twists were unexpected. As the story jumps back and forth between France and London. it gives us an insight into what is happening in both homes and their different lifestyles. The characters are well-developed in this gripping read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Published 4th December 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #MirandaRijks for my ARC of #TheHouseSwap in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The House Swap by Miranda Rijks is a gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller that will make your heart race and blood boil!
It started so innocently but chapter by chapter thrilling speed picked up and I couldn't flip the pages fast enough!
Told in one timeline so easy to follow even though there are 3 POVs.
Elodie and Lewis do a house swap with Susan and Piers, and their 17-year-old son Raf.
Elodie wants a peaceful stay in France while Piers needs to visit a doctor in the UK so staying without the pay in London is more than handy.
Everything looked so simple but as we know this is not how thrillers work. As we can guess, an innocent swap turns into an uncontrollable nightmare!

As Always, Miranda builds the chilling atmosphere and makes you love and hate characters!

Thank you, NetGalley for this copy!

Two couples, unfamiliar with one another, decide to do a house swap. One couple and their son, from France, will swap houses for 2 weeks with a couple from London. The book starts out a little slow for me, but around halfway picks up so much, that I finish it in a day. Although I did catch on to one or two twists, the ones that counted the most, I didn't. Definitely worth the read and I'll recommend it to others.

I rather enjoyed this book. A fairly simple house swap turns into things of nightmares with a few unexpected twists and turns.

Thank you for allowing me to preview this book via #netgalley #TheHouseSwap #mirandarijks

I am the biggest fan of this author. Her books are short and packed with details that mess with my mind. This one started out like rich folks doing rich folks things and then it gets weird. It gets really weird!
What a wonderful twisty and easy to read book!
Love it.

The house swap

"I devoured 'The House Swap' in one sitting, and I'm still reeling from the experience. I was fortunate enough to receive an Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) of this gripping novel, and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to dive into its twists and turns before its official release.

The story follows two women, Caroline and Frances, who embark on a house swap that changes their lives forever. As I turned the pages, I found myself becoming increasingly invested in their journeys, cheering them on through the highs and lows.

What truly sets 'The House Swap' apart, though, is its thoughtful exploration of themes that resonate deeply with readers. The author tackles complex issues like relationships, identity, and the human condition with sensitivity and nuance.

The writing itself is masterful, with vivid descriptions that transported me to the charming settings of the novel. The characters are multidimensional and relatable, making it easy to become fully immersed in their stories.

Overall, I highly recommend 'The House Swap' to anyone looking for a compelling, emotionally resonant read. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and maybe even reevaluate your own life choices – this book will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this incredible novel. I'm honored to have had the chance to experience it before its release!"

Who wouldn't jump at the chance to swap homes: swanky London townhome and a charming chateau in the south of France!

The Browns arrive at the Chateau Lester in time to have a quick visit with the family who will be staying in their London home.. But the photos shared don't quite tell the whole story... the chateau is in dire need of updating, and there's construction happening while they're there. Not exactly the restful relaxation they were anticipating.

Meanwhile in London, secrets are revealing themselves leading to the disappearance of their teen son. How are all of these mysterious things connected? And what secrets are now coming to light?

Thanks to NetGalley, Inkubator Books and Miranda Rijks for the eARC.

The House Swap by Miranda Rijks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Miranda Rijks has done it again! I’m never disappointed by how twisty her novels are. I enjoyed this multiple POV thriller.

The lives of 2 families are forever changed after they do a “house swap”. Never would they have imagined the secrets and lies a family holiday would reveal.

4/5 stars! I went into this story thinking what if "The Holiday" had been a winter thriller instead of a holiday romcom, and I think that sums things up pretty well. This was so well written. You get perspectives from member's of both family and can't quite guess what is coming around the corner. I enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This one had some serious twists that came out of nowhere. The characters were well developed and I felt the tension rising throughout the book despite the slower start.

An excellent thriller that delivered on the twists and the ending tied up all the loose ends nicely.

good mystery about a couple and staying in a house and the other couple there. kept me on my toes . good mystery and figuring stuff out. loved this romance

Another unputdownable book by Miranda Rijks.
Great writing as always. A good storyline that kept me on my toes wondering what was going to happen.
Seemed a bit of an unreliable narrator throughout and some characters didnt really make sense. Regardless I enjoyed this book.

I love a good thriller told from multiple POVs. This is my first book by the author, and am craving more! I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

This book was a fast paced and a quick read. It is told through the perspective of multiple characters which make for seamless transitions between chapters and cliff hangers. So many things begin to unravel as the days of the swap go by, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I just couldn’t wait to see how everything fit in together and some details were shocking!
This was my first read from author, Miranda Rijks. Her books have been on my TBR, but after reading The House Swap, they will definitely get bumped up to the top of the pile!
I received an advanced copy of this book from Inkubator Books via NetGalley.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Inkubator Books via NetGalley.

This book is a gripping thriller that begins with a seemingly innocent arrangement—a home exchange between two families looking for a fresh start. The Browns, hoping a stay in a beautiful French chateau will save their struggling marriage, swap their London townhouse with the Lesters, who are eager to show their teenage son, Rafael, the sights of the British capital. But as they settle into each other’s homes, long-buried secrets start to emerge, unraveling lives in unexpected ways.

In France, the Browns’ hopes for a relaxing getaway are shattered when a mysterious break-in occurs, and they learn about a woman who vanished from the chateau years earlier. Instead of rejuvenation, they’re met with a sense of isolation and unease. Meanwhile, in London, the Lesters’ son, Rafael, disappears without a trace, igniting a frantic search and forcing both families to confront their darkest fears and secrets. As tensions escalate, it becomes clear that not everyone will make it home.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, capturing both the luxurious, picture-perfect facade of the families and the more sinister realities beneath. Rijks does an excellent job of exploring the complex, flawed characters and the hidden dynamics within each family. The alternating settings between the UK and France add richness to the story.

Though the book starts out at a medium pace, it picks up speed and intensity, especially toward the end. The plot is filled with unexpected twists and revelations, and just when you think you’ve figured everything out, another layer of mystery is added. Rijks’ writing style can be a bit wordy at times, which may slow things down for some readers, but the payoff is well worth it. The dark secrets, family drama, and clever plot twists kept me fully engaged.

What a delightful prospect - a house swap between glamorous Knightsbridge and beautiful Provence. But as with all things, a bit of research goes a long way and the two families involved in this house swap would both have done well to looked into things just a tad deeper before they agreed to the exchange.

The Lesters have very cleverly marketed their chateau in Provence, the surrounding vineyards and deliciously inviting turquoise pool presenting the ideal holiday in the sunshine. The Browns stunning Knightsbridge home is to die for with its contemporary kitchen, stunning bathing facilities and close to all the amenities location giving visitors everything they could possibly need during their stay in the capital. But neither of the owners have been entirely transparent about why they are so keen to exchange. There are secrets galore in both families, but there are also two adorable dogs who are probably the most likeable characters in the whole book.

The first surprise comes early on, when the Browns arrive at the chateau to find that the Lesters haven't actually set off for the airport yet - all becomes clear soon after they do depart though, when they discover that the chateau isn't all it's cracked up to be in the photos. Tensions quickly escalate the following morning when builders arrive to continue renovation works which Susan overlooked telling their guests about. And why do the locals turn frosty when they find out where the visitors are staying?

The author peels back the layers of each family's deceptions and plants questions in the reader's mind as to the full extent of what is going on as the chapters flow steadily along. The characters are very well constructed - if not particularly likeable - and the whole plot is extremely credible. I could imagine being in Elodie's shoes as she realised the situation she found herself in compared to her beautiful London home. Susan had the much nicer end of the deal, but certainly didn't deserve the high life as much as she felt she did. Her husband and son certainly deserved better, I felt. The descriptions of the two very different locations were perfectly described - I really felt as though I were walking the streets of the local town in Provence as Elodie visited the market stalls, and felt the bustle of London's busy streets as Susan made her way to yet another of her mystery meetings with old friends.

The book builds to a steady climax and the pace picks up considerably as the twists are revealed. There's a satisfying conclusion and I felt that all the loose ends tied up nicely but didn't feel at all forced. A strong 4 star read with plenty to keep the reader occupied.

Excellent book!
This is one of my favorite mystery/thriller writers. I will absolutely be recommending to friends.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this great book.