The Getaway follows a couple on holiday as they decide to become digital nomads and travel while working remotely. Maddie and Tom’s relationship struggles were realistic and hit home as they touched on struggling to conceive. When Maddie meets Alex and they discuss doing a home swap, it’s as if the perfect solution has fallen into their lap…

What a wild ride the Getaway was! There were so many unexpected plot twists that I feel like my jaw was on the floor for the majority of the second half. The story was fast paced, flowed well and had me eager for more.

Definitely has similar vibes to Frieda McFadden, highly recommend for any psychological thriller lover

Wow! Buckle up for a wild ride with The Getaway! Maddie and Tom have gone on holiday. But a simple vacation is not all that it seems. Maddie meets Alex and they decide to trade lives for a couple of weeks. Is this a wild twist of fate or is something more sinister going on? I don’t want to give anything away, but this kept me hooked from the start to the very ending.

Unpredictable, Chilling, and Absolutely Brilliant!

This book hooked me from the very beginning with a premise that’s as bold as it is unsettling. Yes, home-swapping has been around for a while—usually with some kind of vetting process and safety net. But what Maddie and Tom get involved in is something else entirely. Two couples who barely know each other, diving headfirst into a risky arrangement that feels off from the start. And then Tom makes a discovery that chilled me to the bone.

What follows is a brilliantly crafted story, packed with twists and turns that constantly kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the plot would shift again—forcing me to rethink everything. I tossed out theory after theory, only to end up blindsided by the ending.

This is psychological suspense at its finest—clever, tense, and completely addictive. A must-read for fans of smart thrillers that keep you on your toes!

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Getaway’ written by Rona Halsall in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Maddie and her boyfriend Tom are on holiday in Split in Croatia and while Tom’s busy working in their hotel room Maddie visits a coffee shop where she meets Alex who has an apartment with her partner Ed. She tells Maddie they’re digital nomads, travelling the world while they still connect with their jobs in England, but Alex needs to return to London the next day as her mother is ill so they agree to swap apartments, with Alex and Ed moving into Maddie’s London home and Maddie and Tom staying for another two weeks in Alex’s apartment in Split. As Maddie hands over her keys she takes a photo of Alex and sends it to Tom who tells her they’ve just made the biggest mistake of their lives.

‘The Getaway’ is an intriguing story of grudges, grievances and lies, but just as Maddie and Tom plan to relax and enjoy their time together they find themselves going headfirst into their worst nightmare! This is a psychological thriller that has a wonderfully ingenious plot with loads of drama and suspense, and characters so devious it’s impossible to know who to trust. There are major surprises in store, dramatic twists and turns, and a conclusion so shocking it’s absolutely blown my mind as I’ve found myself turning pages faster and faster wanting to get to the end and find out what’s happening to Maddie and Tom. Yet again Rona Halsall has written an incredibly exciting thriller that’s easy to read and impossible to put down and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

oh this book give you all the brilliant,fantastic, gorgeous thriller feels. that tension, that knowing something is wrong or something wrong is coming. that tense grip it has on you tell you this book is going to be a goody.
but come on Maddie i know you want something more from life but use your heard! a house swap, yeh no problem...errrrm.
sadly our couple realise this when its too late.
you are led down paths in this book where your not quite sure the end will be. it makes you question and suspicious and trying to figure out just what this is going to unfold like.who should i be believing. should i even believe the author or is she too playing games with me( in the best way of course)
but Rona did a brilliant job of leading me and only revealing when she wanted to and how she wanted to and boy did it all come together well.
she lets us see into the couples lives both past and present and we build the stories and unfold their world and how we come to be here. and still you are left with questions. i love the head spinning this book gave me.
this is a perfect book to get lost in. the feelings it brings are a delight for a thriller reader.
this book needs to be read. and you will enjoy every second of it. and with this book i mean that because right until the last moment this book has you in its grips.

Wow, wow ,wow! What a fast paced book, literally couldnt keep up with everything that was going on! Excellent read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Getaway by Rona Halsall. To be able to work remotely while traveling the world sounds like a dream! Digital nomads, they call it. However, that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare when you throw sketchy vacay friends that you just met into the mix!

When Maddie and Tom decide to swap homes with a seemingly friendly and loving couple to test the dream of remote working abroad, their fun getaway takes a dark turn as they soon realize their houseguests aren’t who they claimed to be.

First things first, Maddie, Maddie, Maddie…I'm not sure if you’re someone who thrives on excitement, if you’re a bit naive, or if you simply lack caution. I don’t think I could ever trade homes with someone I have just met! No matter how nice they seem! Nevertheless, I can sympathize with Maddie’s desperation for a new life; that feeling really jumps off the page, especially in her interactions with her partner, Tom.

I appreciated the alternating points of view between Maddie and Tom, as it added depth to the narrative and helped fill in the gaps between their individual perspectives.

The story felt somewhat repetitive at times. I understand that repetition might have been used for emphasis, such as the frequent mentions of Tom’s ADHD. Maybe it was in reference to how it can affect his actions, like not answering his phone. However, it didn’t seem to contribute to any significant revelations or plot development to me. Similarly, some moments were too descriptive and over-explained instead of allowing the story to unfold naturally, which ultimately slowed the momentum of the story.

The events in the story and the reveal were definitely interesting. However, I felt like there was an unfinished thread regarding Tom's past that needed to be tied up. Toward the end, a few details about Maddie were introduced that seemed intended to reinforce her resilience, but they felt a bit sudden and underdeveloped. Still, it was heartening to see Maddie evolve throughout her journey, because Mads… I was worried for you girl!

Overall, this book presents an intriguing premise and makes for a solid read!

If you like travel-themed thrillers give this a try!

What a thriller this book was! Centered around a house swap in different countries added a wonderful element to the story.. Maddies trust relates to real life- on vacation we are more open and trusting of people. That trust was not good for Maddie! This book was loaded with twists and surprises. Very fast paced and I found the end shocking. A very enjoyable read- I was on the edge of my seat with this book! Definitely recommend. Thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Getaway by Rona Halsall is a thrilling, twisty ride that will leave you questioning everyone around you. Oh my, what a group of perfect deceivers! Who can you trust? Trust no one!

Most of the narrative is presented from Maddie's perspective and in the present tense, making it extremely easy to follow.

The story revolves around Maddie and her boyfriend Tom during their vacation on the Croatian coast. They meet new friends, Alex and her partner Ed - a truly captivating couple embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, and they agree to a house swap. This is Maddie's opportunity to experience the adventurous nomadic life in Croatia, all while knowing her London apartment will be well looked after by Alex and Ed. Little did Maddie know that this small adventure would lead her to her worst nightmare.

As someone married to a person with ADHD, I can relate to Tom's decision-making process. I appreciate that we are raising awareness because while ADHD is often discussed, the intricate insights into it are not always understood!

This book is such a page-turner that you won't be able to flip the pages fast enough!

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this copy.

I have always wanted to do a house swap to some place I have never been before, but after this novel, I would think TWICE!
Maddie and her boyfriend, Tom have wanted to live and work in Europe. Maddie finds a way to do this after a mini vacation, BUT she has really should have checked references.
Their vacation turns into a nightmare. I am not going to give away anything, but this one was one wild ride with so many things changing my heart was palpitating at what could happen next. This author always delivers.

Absolutely fantastic book. The plot appealed to me because I am currently contemplating travelling and working remotely! The book has certainly taught me to be wary of who to trust!
Highly recommended.

A psychological thriller that features two couples who agree to swap apartments for two week, Maddie
and Tom are on a vacation in Ctoatia when Maddie meets Alex at a coffee shop. Alex and her partner
Ed live in Ctoatia and are part of the digital nomads - people who choose to live abroad while working
remotely. Maddie and Tom have talked about looking into that lifestyle, but haven't made any
decisions yet. When Alex informs Maddie she needs to return to London due to her mother's health,
the idea of switching apartments is appealing. Maddie and Tom will reside in Alex's and Ed's rented
apartment while the other couple occupy their place in London. As the time to actually supplying keys,
Tom begins to doubt whether it's a good idea. What Maddie doesn't yet know is the history between
Tom and Alex and how Ed fits inti the picture. Maddie and Tom return to London as their concerns
about the couple increase, and things tale an unexpected turn.
#TheGetaway #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley

In this new thriller by Rona Halsall, Maddie and Tom are on vacation in Croatia. They view this vacation as a break from the hustle and bustle of their life in London. Maddie runs into a woman named Alex, who then introduces her to her partner, Ed. Maddie and the couple become fast friends. They then decide to swap apartments because the couple introduces Maddie to the digital nomad lifestyle she has always wanted. When they meet to exchange keys, Alex is suddenly sick, and Ed meets with Maddie and Tom. After the key exchange, something does not sit right for both Maddie and Tom because they have a feeling this opportunity is too good to be true.

This is a fast-paced thriller full of surprises, though you know the bad actors in the story, you will be shocked at the reasons why. I found myself frustrated at the gullibility of Maddie; she was too trusting. Most of the main characters did not have redeeming qualities. As an American, I had to look up the British slang, but still enjoyed the book, and I learned new words in the process, so it's a win.

This book was all kinds of wrong in the right way. It highlighted mental health issues and that actions have consequences as well as far you would go for family. Fantastic read.

So twisty! Maddie and Tom head to Croatia for a break from the recent stress they have been through, trying for a baby. While Tom works, Maddie befriends Alex and her partner Ed, a couple who are "digital nomads", something that is Maddie's dream. When Alex has to return to the UK for a family emergency, the two couples switch accommodation and it's only then that Tom realises who they really are. Maddie knows nothing about the truth of Tom's past and so begin the twists, secrets, lies, reveals and a tense and gripping game of cat and mouse that kept me guessing right until the end.

I liked how the book had been split up into sections, narrated by different characters, in different cities or time periods. That worked really well and the cliff hanger at the end of each section kept me reading on. Maddie was a great character, strong and determined, despite not knowing who she could trust.

A really great read!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Rona Halsall and Boldwood for an ARC of this book.

love Rona Halsalls books so was keen to read The getaway and it certainly didn’t disappoint in fact I loved it!
A fast paced read that kept me engrossed from start to finish full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming!
Great characters,Maddie and Tom appear to be the perfect couple if a little gullible,and are about to embark on a whole new lifestyle working as digital nomads aided and abetted by a new couple Alex and Ed who they have met on holiday in Croatia. Persuaded to do a home swap with Alex and Ed the plan is put into action meaning that Maggie and Tom can stay in Croatia living in Alex and Ed’s apartment whilst Alex and Ed go to London to live in Maddies flat, however despite Maddies excitement Tom has done concerns re the swap as certain things become apparent! What follows is a truly awesome roller coaster of a read that I really didntt want to end and would highly recommend to all.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

Rona Halsall's The Getaway throws readers headfirst into a whirlwind of deception and distrust, where the central question truly becomes: "Who can believe anything from this group of characters?" The premise itself sets the stage for a mind-bending thriller: Maddie and Tom, on what they hope is a dream vacation, are lured into a house swap with seemingly charming digital nomads, Alex and Ed. What begins as an exciting opportunity quickly spirals into a nightmare as it becomes clear that nothing, and no one, is what they seem. Halsall excels at crafting a pervasive atmosphere of unease. As secrets from both couples' pasts begin to surface, the lines between victim and perpetrator, truth and fabrication, blur with unsettling frequency. The narrative's strength lies in its ability to constantly shift perspectives and reveal hidden agendas, leaving the reader as disoriented and paranoid as the characters themselves. You'll find yourself second-guessing every interaction and every piece of information presented, making for a truly gripping and unpredictable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

This book has you gripped from the outset as you meet the main characters and get to know some of their background.
What seems like the perfect solution turns out to be anything but as history catches up with them and secrets are found out.

4 stars

What's the harm in a little apartment exchange between (new) friends? That's the thought going through Maddie's head when she convinces her partner Tom that the couple they recently met while on vacation in Croatia would be the perfect people with whom to swap lifestyles. Just for a short time of course, just to get a feel for that digital nomadic lifestyle she's always been craving. Tom is a little wary, having only met Ed but not his girlfriend Alex, but Maddie wins him over with her impassioned pleading. Unfortunately, once they hand over the keys and Alex and Ed have left for the couple's London flat, Tom makes a surprising discovery about their so-called "friends" and has to tell Maddie some things she REALLY won't want to hear. Will Maddie ever be able to forgive Tom for keeping secrets or will those secrets end up destroying the life they've worked so hard to create?

This was a great summer beach read! Although it did make me a little wary of taking a vacation again any time soon. I saw most of the plot twists coming but that's ok, it was still a really enjoyable ride through the book. The slow-burn writing felt reminiscent of Lisa Jewell or Ruth Ware, both of whom are excellent authors in the thriller genre, so I would definitely count Rona Halsall in amongst that upper echelon of writers as well.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Rona Halsall, and Boldwood Books for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

The Getaway by Rona Halsall
Maddie and Tom are having a much-needed break in Split in Croatia. But they always dreamed of living and working abroad. When Maddie meets Alex when she asks to share a table they get talking. Alex is on holiday with her boyfriend Ed. Alex wants to return to London as her mother is sick, and Maddie wants to test out her dream. So, the two women decide that they will house swap. Maddie will stay at Alex’s villa and Alex will stay in London in Maddie’s flat to be with her mother. But the simple swap gets more darker when Alex now in London stops answering her phone and revelations from Tom makes the pair decide to go back home as soon as possible.
I been a fan of the author and read all her books. She never disappoints. This one is more of a slow burn than her previous books. This is great twisty thriller, some I didn’t see coming. The storyline is good and there is depth to the characters. But I thought Maddie was quite naïve in my findings. Letting a stranger in her home that she just met and felt that she was a bit whiny. All in all, worth the read. 4 stars from me.