‘What’s stronger? Your curiosity or your desire for freedom?’

book was all sorts of carnage and chaos, and I loved it! Huntley takes the genre of a thriller and runs wild with it. I knew from the start that this book was going to be twisted and it did not disappoint.

The characters, bar one or 2, are corrupted and horrible. Huntley thought about the worst aspects of humanity, and created characters that live by these and push every boundary imaginable.

The various timelines and POVs had me hooked and were craftily knitted together to bring the book to a satisfying climax, and then Huntley threw in one last twist at the end. From start to finish, I couldn’t put the book down.

I can’t say much more about the characters or storylines without giving parts of the story away, and I wouldn’t want to ruin anyone’s experience of this book! Just a (trigger) warning though about this book - it gets weird.

Wow what a wild ride this book was! I thoroughly enjoyed it the whole way through & struggled to put it down!!!

Room 21 is a dark, atmospheric thriller that lures you in with its eerie premise and keeps you hooked with mounting dread. Jessica Huntley delivers a chilling tale of secrets, manipulation, and the price of curiosity—all set against the isolated backdrop of a luxury hotel in the Scottish Highlands.

The story follows Kimberley, a 25-year-old housekeeper who lives quietly with her seizure alert dog, Muffin. When wealthy and enigmatic Jennifer Clifton singles her out and offers her a dream job, Kimberley can hardly believe her luck. But the opportunity comes with one unsettling condition: never open the door to Room 21.

From the moment Kimberley arrives at the remote hotel, the unease begins to build. Guests are strange, staff members whisper, and the forbidden door becomes an irresistible focal point. Huntley captures the claustrophobic tension of the setting beautifully—the sense that something is terribly wrong just beneath the surface.

Kimberley is a compelling protagonist: vulnerable yet resilient, ordinary yet thrust into extraordinary danger. Her bond with Muffin adds both heart and tension, grounding the story in authenticity even as events spiral into nightmare territory.

The novel is paced to perfection, with suspense escalating chapter by chapter until the truth behind Room 21 explodes into shocking revelations. Huntley deftly balances psychological tension with gothic unease, creating a thriller that feels both modern and timeless.

Room 21 is the kind of book that dares you to read “just one more chapter,” only to leave you wide awake long past midnight. It’s unsettling, addictive, and impossible to put down.

Kimberley gets a job offer she simply cannot refuse whilst working as head housekeeper in a prestigious and swanky 5 star hotel in London. A guest offers her the chance of a lifetime. Come to work in her hotel with all the benefits the only catch is she must sign an NDA before starting.. and the details of her position aren’t discussed until she’s signed that piece of paper… what on earth is she getting herself into?!

Jess… you’re sick! And I love you for it! Please be aware this one is very heavy on the bloodshed, violence and hints at extreme sexual acts.. with bodily fluids.. DEFINITELY not for the faint hearted. As you can imagine I loved it. Once I’d got through the first 20% and got to the hotel of horrors I could not put it down!

The end of chapter cliff hangers and soap opera level reveals had me RIPPING through the pages I couldn’t get enough! duh duh duuuhhhhh.

Whilst the details of the horrors that go on in these rooms are left somewhat to the readers imagination.. the hints alone are enough to make your skin crawl.

The end lost me a little.. one too many revelations and felt like a real stretch even for this kind of popcorn thriller. But I loved the drama the bloodshed and violence that came with it.

Thank you so much Jess and Joffe books for letting me have an early copy.

Full of suspense, twists and edge of your seat action. A fab storyline that holds your interest. One of my favourite of Jessica’s to date!

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook “ Room 21” from Net Galley.
I started the book thinking that it was going to be a nice, cozy mystery about a housekeeper/ maid employed in a large, exclusive hotel whose wealthy important, and self- important, guests’ every whim are satisfied. The housekeeper of the story would be the person who saw something strange happen and would stop around to find the important clue to aid the police in catching the devious culprit. All neatly wrapped up in a tidy package,
Wrong,
Kim works at a swank London hotel and is very good at her job as senior housekeeper. It is her job the assure that fussy clients’ whims are met in every detail. On of those clients is so impressed with Kim that she is offered a position at the deluxe resort owned by the woman’s family. Kim will be paid a much higher salary along with her own apartment, meals and uniforms. There is a non- disclosure agreement for Kim to sign- to protect the guests confidentiality, of course. Amazed and happy at the great opportunity, Kim signs on. But she had no idea what strange was until she went to her new job.
The new resort hotel is sumptuous. Everything is best quality, including the service, provided by permanent staff who are stiffly formal and seem afraid . Kim is given a tour of the place , along with very precise instructions as to conduct, a tour which ends with her facing Room 21, which she learns she is never to enter. Never.
There is a content warning to readers at the front of the book. Pay attention to it . The hotel is where the rich, infamous and depraved play out their worst fantasies. The book is not one I could put down as finds herself pulled deeper into a truly creepy family business. . “ Room 21” is intense , scary and recommended- to adults only.
Well written , fast paced, with a dramatic finish, although the climax was a bit hectic. Chapter headings are of the different female characters, which helped a bit at defining them which was needed when the blood hit the fan, so to speak.

This book is packed with suspense and loaded with unexpected twists that keep you guessing right up to the final page. The story unfolds in a way that constantly challenges your assumptions, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.

If you’re a fan of eerie mysteries combined with psychological complexity, this novel hits all the right notes. It expertly blends chilling atmosphere with clever plot turns, ensuring a gripping and satisfying read. For anyone who loves to be kept on edge and mentally engaged, this one is definitely worth diving into.

Twists and more twists. What a wild ride that was! Kimberly is a girl who was abandoned as a child and grew up in foster care. She suffers severe epilepsy and has a seizure alert dog named Muffin. Kimberly works in a posh hotel in London and is offered a job in a remote area in Scotland by a mysterious rich woman. Its an offer she can't refuse, as she hates her current living conditions but loves her job. She takes the secretive position and moves to Scotland and quickly learns there are things going on there that she was not prepared for. The book gave me Vincent Price movie vibes. I can't say too much more or it will give away the story, but it was a creepy book that I could not put down.

Room 21 by Jessica Huntley.
I did enjoy this book. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. I got into it straight away. I did like Kimberley and Emily and the dog muffin. This book was different. I loved the writing style and the story. I did like the ending. Definitely recommend this book.

Kimberley is a lonely young woman with no close family. As an epileptic she relies on her service dog, Muffin to help with her seizures. She takes great pride in her job as a housekeeper in a hotel until her world in upended by a strange encounter with a guest. This guest offers her job at an exclusive hotel in the Scottish Highlands with on caveat. She is never to look into room 21. As Kimberley becomes more and more focused on the mysterious room and the troubling secrets of the hotel, she finds herself in danger as this fast-paced story hurtles to the climax.

A good plot idea, but I didn't really connect with the characters and found aspects a bit too extreme. It was worth a read, but I think parts could have been better.

Kimberly is in a rut. She's living in a horrid flatshare barley making ends meet. She has no family, no real friends. The only positives: her service dog Muffin and she loves her job as senior housekeeper in a top hotel in London. That is until a mysterious guest comes to stay and has a proposition for Kimberly; to come and work in her hotel for more money that she could dream of. Could this job be exactly the outcome Kimberly's been looking for or is it all too good to be true?

Well this was quite the little cracker! It's my first time reading one of Jessica's books and I'm delighted to say I really enjoyed Room 21. It was dark, mysterious and left me wanting to read on and on! As someone who enjoys the more sinister side of literature, reading this was a lot of fun! I loved the multiple POVs, dual timelines and how everything came together. The final chapters were executed so well! I can't wait to read more of Jessica's work!

Thank you to NetGalley, Joffe Books and Jessica for this advanced copy and opportunity to read and review!

This was a dark and twisted psychological thriller that delves into just how evil and psychopathic some people can be, and to what lengths those people will go to just to satisfy their evil desires. This story was most definitely unnerving and difficult to read at times, but it was also addictive and hard to put down right from the first page. It was complex and definitely not what I was expecting when I read the premise!

The plot of this book is like nothing I’ve ever read before, and it’s definitely unique, but it’s also very hard for me to try and summarise it! I won’t say too much so I don’t spoil it, but this was a fast read for me and very hard to put down. The twists just kept coming, and I loved the characters too! I would definitely recommend this to thriller readers, but just a warning that it’s pretty dark and graphic at times.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #JoffeBooks for the book #Room21 by #JessicaHuntley. This book was so good with all the manipulation, revenge and murder that I could read it again. Kimberly has epilepsy, along with her seizure dog Muffin, and lives a seemingly happy life as a senior house keeper at a hotel. This is all she has ever wanted to be. That is until Jennifer Clifton walks into her hotel and offers her a grand life at her hotel being a housekeeper. Kimberly takes the job but soon regrets her choice once she starts work. She is warned away from Room 21, but can she do it?

Kimberley is a 25 year old housekeeper, who in her new job at another hotel is told to NEVER go into Room 21. We all grew up with the advice of “curiosity killed the cat” - will Kimberley keep out of danger?

WOW! This is a very dark, yet thrilling psychological thriller. This story really plays on your mind and when I finished reading, my head was buzzing. There is plenty to ponder and think about as the story unfolds. The plot is brilliant and is very involved. The bulk of this novel is from Kimberley’s point of view but you also get supporting views from Emily and Jennifer which gives you the full picture. Although you are getting 3 points of view, they do not shield you from the many, many shocks that pop up along the way. You think you have a true understanding of what is going on at this hotel but time and time again there is another shock to deal with. These shocks continue all the way to the very end, making my dog walk seem as though I am waking up from a nightmare. Now that I have recovered from the shocks contained within this story, I can post a review.

I found Room 21 to be an OUTSTANDING 5 star read. It is a complex tale that constantly throws up warning flags to the reader. Kimberely stumbles along accepting whatever is thrown into her path doing her new job. She accepts a very restrictive Non Disclosure Agreement, a remote location, a live-in position and unable to leave the hotel without prior permission plus very hi-tech security systems.

Jessica starts her novel with a warning to her readers…

Please note that this book contains in-depth detail regarding epilepsy and epileptic seizures, incest (inferred) and child abduction, which may be triggering to some readers.

…So, take that onboard. I found the inclusion of Kimberley’s medical condition of epilepsy very interesting and gave this book much added value. Kimberley has a seizure alert dog called Muffin, a black-and-white border collie. Jennifer has a dog called Frankie, a Pomeranian - neither dog was harmed or mistreated in this story. The guests that this hotel attracts are a challenge to the staff and have some very dark interests. Room 21 is a thrilling ride and would make an excellent television drama, clearly after the 21:00 watershed.

Wow... Just WOW...

While I can often predict the plot of a book like this, this was not the case at all here! This book has proved me wrong, and I love it!

The story follows a variety of characters (which I'm going to gloss over in case I ruin anything), however, one of the main characters is Kimberley

A housekeeper... no family... put into care as a baby... and also has a plethora of quite nasty medical issues.

She is offered a job at a creepy hotel in the middle of nowhere, where discretion is paramount... she accepts and thus begins the dark and twisty side of this book.

From the moment Kimberley arrives at the new hotel, you end up on a rollercoaster ride with you mind and emotions tossing you left and right... there are parts where Jessica builds you up and let's you see what's coming.

Mostly, there's parts that will absolutely floor you!

The story is brilliant and keeps you on your toes, Kimberley and the other POV characters allow you as the reader to see the nastier sides of the story before the finale!

If you love psychological thrillers, read it. Just thrillers? Read it. Crime? Read it... just read it!

Jessica is fast becoming an auto read for me as it takes a special writer to keep me on my toes where thrillers are concerned, and Jessica does just that!

Absolutely bonkers but nonetheless a captivating read!

I was looking for a good book, so was browsing the ‘reader recommended’ on NetGalley and this popped up. I was really intrigued by the synopsis but totally sold with the 30+ five star average ratings. It was due to be published the following day so I was already behind schedule in terms of reading and reviewing this book. But I have to say upon picking it up and starting I was absolutely hooked the delivery of the storyline and the introduction of the characters and the development throughout the book was brilliantly written and thoroughly engaging And I found it quite a pasty novel certainly very twisty.

The storyline itself was delivered slowly over each chapter which I think to be fair given I’ve now read the whole book was the best way to deliver it because if I was to sit down and explain to you what actually happened you think I’ve lost my mind and this was the most bonkers outback book that I’ve ever read !

But I think it was the writing start that allowed the story to be as crazy as it was. It was so eloquent and so captivating that I couldn’t help but being drawn in and needing to read just one more chapter. All in all I devoured this book in less than three days, which is no small feet when you’ve got a child and a full-time job!

I’ve never read by the author before but I would definitely pick up another of hers based on comments from other reviewers. It would appear this is her more outlandish storylines but I definitely think her style of writing is brilliant.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Jaw dropped! Kimberley is invited to work at a fancy hotel, with amazing pay and free room and board. There’s one main rule. Don’t ever go into room 21 or ask what’s in there. Sounds simple right? This was an intense thriller and when I tell you there were some twists!!! I was shocked.

📱E-Book Review📱

Room 21
Jessica Huntley

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is my fifth read by this author and I just think that they get better and better each read!
This front cover image really draws you in, even without knowing anything about the book - would you head through that open door to see what lies beyond??

This is everything a classic thriller should be and it really sets the atmosphere straight away. I think it's because I now know this author's style, but I was edge from the second I opened the book!

I loved the setting of the seemingly grand hotel with it's grand guests, but that underlying creepiness had me dying to know what was going on and how things would play out.

Kimberley was such a great main character. Someone who normally just blends into the background, she felt so relatable and believable.
I wanted to get to know her and was interested in how she managed her life with the condition that was always present.

As ever, this was fast paced and twisty and really kept me guessing to the end.
I raced through the pages and as I find with all of this author's books, I just couldn't put it down!

Another brilliant read to add to my growing collection!
I can't wait to add more!!

My Initial Thoughts

At first I was a little confused as to what was happening, but I was pulled into the storyline so quickly to the point I did not want to put the book down. There is so much intrigue placed at the beginning of the book so you want to keep reading to find out what’s happening. I really liked the added aspect that Kimberly has epilepsy and therefore needs Muffin as her alert dog. It really highlights the difficulty of the condition and how Kimberly is just trying to lead a normal life, where her disabilities do not hold her back.

Plot

This plot is so cleverly written! Its incredibly mind blowing and had my jaw on the floor on more than one occasion. The writing it addictive and it never feels like a right time to put the book down, so much so that I didn’t until I had finished and even the epilogue has another twist!
There is so much within the plot and Jessica has a very unique and powerful style of writing.

Characters

The characters are all erm, special shall we say… Lincoln gave me the creeps from the start, the hotel never feels safe and why Kimberly went ill never know. I really enjoyed the dysfunctional characters and the way everything happens. But none of them are in their right minds, except from Muffin.

Recommend

If you love twisty, disturbing, addictive story lines, pick this up!!!

Favourite Quotes

“It just begs the question… What’s stronger? Your curiosity or your desire for freedom.”

Favourite Chapter/s

My favourite chapters were 22, 24 and 41.

Summed up in one sentence

The most thriller read you never knew you needed.

Overall Wrap up

This book was in a league of its own! Jessica has a very special way of writing and she did not disappoint! The only advice I have is do not eat while reading the disturbing scenes, some turned my stomach. I enjoyed every twist and turn and the fact that even at the end there is another mind blowing impact I absolutely loved the journey to discovering the truth of the hotel and room 21!

Stars – 5 stars.
Book Information – Room 21 by Jessica Huntley.

Genre – Psychological thriller.

Pages – 282 pages.

Tropes –
Unreliable narrators.
Hidden secrets.
Trust no one.

Available on Kindle Unlimited – Room 21 is available on kindle unlimited.

Available Formats – Available on kindle and in paperback.

Publishing Information – Published on 27th May 2025 by Joffe Books.

Format in Which I Read – Kindle.

Where my copy come From – Zooloo’s Book Tours and Netgallery.

POVs – Multiple POVs – Kimberly, Jennifer and Emily.

Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Dual timeline – before and now.

1st or 3rd Person – Written in first person.

HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – Room closed – kinda…

Series or Standalone – Room 21 is a standalone.

Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.