An enjoyable beach read.
Well written twisty tale and an interesting storyline.
Read over two long sittings.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

More twists and turns than a roller coaster. Excellent 5 star book.

Summer reading at it's best, now ay can you put this down once you have started it.

Who do you trust, your partner for 4 years who is an upright citizen (or so you think), your new best friend or your parents?

Maddie had it all and the dreams came crashing down. How to rebuild from devastating actions of those you think you know.

Thank you Net galley for letting me read this book.

House swapping... something I would never, ever do.
I know it used to be — or maybe still is — a thing people did, usually through a website where you had to register, so there was at least some control over who ended up in your home and what you could expect in return. But what Maddie and Tom are planning is something completely different. The two couples barely know each other, and yet they go for it. Until Tom makes a chilling discovery...

I had a feeling early on that something wasn't right — because when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Unfortunately, you often realize that only when it's too late, when the damage is already done and you're left to face the consequences.

The author does an amazing job of leading me astray — and just when I think I’ve figured it out and confidently shift my suspicion, thinking this must be the truth... nope!
It felt like I was doing some weird little dance, constantly hopping from one theory to the next. I couldn’t decide what to believe, spinning around like a weather vane in a hurricane.

Slowly but surely, the storm settles, and everything is revealed. And to me, a thriller is only truly great when the story has a proper sting in its tail. I can tell you — this one absolutely did, and I loved every second of it.

A big compliment also goes to whoever designed the cover — it’s absolutely stunning.

The story itself was brilliant, with plenty of twists that had me throwing my theories out the window, only to pick them back up again, and still end up completely wrong.

No doubt about it — this book deserves 5 stars.

Thank you!

This novel is the perfect example of trusting your instincts, if something seems good to be true it usually is. That being said it is a very good, fast paced novel that I raced through.
Told from Tom and Maddie's points of view, we follow them as they holiday in Croatia and meet Alex and Ed. A chance conversation has them agreeing to a house swap, but in true Rona Halsall style nothing is that straightforward. She ramps up the tension and pace as each chapter progresses.
Fabulous

Fans of Freida McFadden and Shari Lapena, this is fa book for you! A quick page turner you will not be able to put down. The characters were full of personality and relatable. I found the main character to actually be quite entertaining and funny. The twists and turns were spectacular. I cannot say enough good things about this book. If you don't run to add this one to your collection, you are sadly missing out. This is a MUST read. Rona has quickly moved up the list to one of my favorite authors.

Thank you to the author and Boldwood books for the eARC

Title: The Getaway
Author: Rona Halsall
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 25, 2025
My Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pages: 285

Maddie and her long-term boyfriend, Tom, dream of a life living and working abroad, though right now they’re settling for a lovely vacation in Split a stunning beach city in Croatia. Maddie loves the excitement as well as the relaxation of watching the cruise lines come and go.
Maddie is befriended by a lovely-woman Alex. She and her boyfriend Ed are living the digital nomad lifestyle. After a discussion Alex mentions her mother lives in London and is starting chemo. Alex wants to be with her but her mom has a tiny apartment. Maddie and Tom have a flat in London. Alex has a great idea and makes an offer Maddie finds hard to refuse…
Swap houses, swap lives – just for a couple of weeks – However Tom needs convincing. He believes it could be a scam. However it something Maddie really wants to do so he givens in.
As soon as they swap keys. Tom confesses a secret and why he believes Alex and Ed are up to something ~ he believes their encounter was planned and not an accident.
They fly back to London but go on separate days. When Maddie gets there a day after Tom does – he is nowhere to be found.
Yikes what in the world is going on? My head was spinning ~ is there anyone who is telling the truth?
Fast read ~ Ms, Halsall does not disappoint!
This is my sixth author, Rona Halsall thriller, her stories are outstanding

Plus I always enjoy reading her Author’s note/Acknowledgements.

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for granting me this thriller.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 25, 2025.

I adore Rona’s novels and this one is another treat! East to read but grabs you right away. It’s a real page turner and I devoured it! Lots of twists and turns, it’s a really satisfying read!

This is an easy breezy beach read - satisfying if you don't think too hard.

Maddie was stupid. I'm so sorry, but she was. Just literally stupid. She makes bad decisions all through the book. You're left just shaking your head. (Note: even her mother seems to think she's just not that bright. Mom's right.)

Her partner was irritating. The author tries to explain away his decision making by constantly referencing his ADHD, but I don't think ADHD makes you make these particular decisions. Over. And over. And over again.

The book is twisty and I definitely wanted to find out what would happen, but found the reason behind everything kind of convoluted.

I did like the end, though it didn't read as true for our character - our character was never that person through the entire book. I mean, I get that they may have changed after trauma and drama, but it was like whole new person.

Overall entertaining.

* ARC via publisher

This book for me can be described as too wordy. All the descriptions made the story just drag on and on. I found myself skipping pages and still not missing out on anything because it was still describing an action or longwinded backstory. A good example was in the beginning when Tom was at the cafe waiting for Maddie. It took several CHAPTERS to get to the part where he told her his past. The descriptions for me did not build suspense. It made the story so convoluted with words that you lose sight of what is happening. Also all the characters were unlikable and underdeveloped even with all the wording. I honestly felt like I was rushing through this not to find out what happened but to finish the book.

I absolutely loved this book . Not the story I was expecting to read but pleasantly surprised. I loved the characters and the mixed up lives they’d previously had . I love this authors books but this is definitely one of my favourites. I will 100% recommend this book and give it 5 stars . Can’t wait for the next .

Review of ‘The Getaway’ by Rona Halsall, due to be published on 25 July 2025 by Boldwood Books.

Maddie and her partner Tom are holidaying in Croatia, but given a new project Tom has to work on, Maddie ends up spending time alone, and makes friends with another couple, Alex and Ed.

Alex and Ed are living the ‘digital nomad’ dream, and convince Maddie that she should try it. They agree upon a short house swap, with Tom reluctantly agreeing, having not met Maddie’s new friends.

Having handed over their flat keys to Ed, things take a mysterious turn when Maddie shows Tom a picture of her new friends, which shocks him to his core.

What follows is a beautifully woven web of lies and deceit, with Tom desperate to get the couple out of their home before Maddie can find out the past that he has been hiding.

There are three sides to the story, all with discrepancies, Maddie must use all her strength and courage to find out what is the truth and who she should believe.

A dark and compelling thriller, that had me up until late in the night to finish.

Another brilliant book from Rona Halsall that keeps you questioning everyone the whole way through. Lots of tension and shocks. Fantastic!

Another triumph from Rona Halsall which I read in 48 hours. Maddie and Tom are on holiday in Croatia and meet Alex and Ed. Two so-called Digital nomads who make a living via their laptops and flitting around instead of living in one place. All very idealistic and when Alex suggests they swap lives for two weeks Maddie is giddy with excitement. Yeah sure take the keys to my London apartment. It'll be fun! It's obvious Alex & Ed are up to something. But I never saw the story veering off in the direction it did! So many liars and characters you can't trust. The main female character is likeable but gullible. You do want her to have a happy ending. Thank you to the author and Boldwood books for the eARC. Perfect "getaway" beach reading. Denise x

during a trip to croatia, maddie meets a seemingly wonderful couple who are living the digital nomad lifestyle. they present a tempting proposal - swap homes and lives for a couple of weeks to get a real taste of life abroad.
tempted by the opportunity, maddie and her boyfriend, tom, agree. but once they hand over the keys to their flat in london, they begin to realize something is very wrong. the couple isn't who they claimed to be - and what started as a dream escape soon turns into a nightmare.

this was my first rona halsall book and i can say i enjoyed this one. i liked how the digital nomad lifestyle was portrayed - it's such an interesting concept, and honestly, i'd be open to trying something like that myself. that said, if i ever met a lovely couple who wanted to swap houses... i'd probably pass. a little reminder for the future - sometimes it's better to be boring and cautious than spontaneous.

i really liked the setting - a sunny beach town in croatia - which makes this book a great summer read.

the story started off a bit slow and felt somewhat predictable, but i kept reading, hoping for a big twist.
and honestly, i did like the ending, it was really satisfying. at the same time, while reading, it wasn't that hard to guess that something was wrong with the characters. tom lying about knowing alex was a clear red flag, so there were hints early on.
still, i liked the intrigue and how the plot unfolded.
at the beginning, some parts felt a bit far-fetched and it felt like there were too many coincidences.
also, i found the characters quite unlikeable, which made it hard to connect with them.

the story in general was interesting, it kind of didn't completely meet my expectations but i'd still recommend it if you're looking for a quick summer read.

WOW and it's books like this that Rona Halsall is one of my favourite authors. I was lucky to be able to read this book early on Netgallery but it's definitely one to look out for when it comes out. The story had me gripped straight away with the characters and the twists you never saw coming kept you page turning. Absolutely amazing book Rona you never disappoint your readers. Thank You x

I started this book unsure of what to expect as this is a new author for me. I read the first chapter and was then unable to put it down.

The story centres on Maddie and her boyfriend Tom, who are on holiday in Croatia. Whilst Tom is busy working, Maddie spends time sightseeing and meets a friendly woman called Alex, and they immediately strike up a friendship. After an impulsive decision to house swap, Maddie quickly regrets her decision and finds herself unsure who to trust.

This was a very clever storyline which kept me gripped from the first chapter. I enjoyed the twist in the ending and would definitely recommend this book. I shall look out for more from this author.

I just finished a good book. The Getaway by Rona Halsall is available soon and is one you should put on your list.

Maddie and tom take a trip to Croatia. Maddie meets Alex and Ed who propose a house switch so Maddie can enjoy the beach a little longer. It doesn’t take long for Maddie and Tom to realize something isn’t right. As Toms past comes back to get him, Maddie will find she is fighting for her life. Great suspense! Great book!

Tom and Maddie swap their London home with digital nomads Ed and Alex. Soon enough, strange things start to happen. Are Ed and Alex who they say they are? Is Maddie too close to the truth?

The Getaway is an explosive read, wow!

I loved the narrative, it was so visual, like being there with all the characters, witnessing all the twists and turns. The ending was satisfying.

A lovely getaway read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Getaway by Rona Halsall due to be published July 25, 2025.

Maddie and her long-term boyfriend, Tom, decide to swap houses with Alex and Ed for a couple weeks. What could go wrong?

Wow! What couldn’t?! Although this one started slow and predictable, I never saw the end coming at all – what a surprise! I wasn’t sure who to trust and who to be afraid of throughout the entire book – my kind of thriller. Hopefully, you will love it as much as I did!

#NetGalley #RonaHalsall #TheGetaway #BoldwoodBooks