I feel like everything about this could absolutely happen in the not so distant future. This short story was awesome! I was so intrigued, yet so uncomfortable about how realistic it all was, all at the same time. I wanted this to be a full book, and did not want it to end. If the author ever decided to expand this concept and idea, I would absolutely be all in.

The narrator was listed as Susan Spano. She did an excellent job and I actually loved her New York accent. There were a few “dead space” moments in the middle of the sentence, however it really wasn’t that big of a deal.

Absolutely would recommend, and I 100% want more of this.

A futuristic novella with a disturbing body swapping premise - I can see why this is compared to an episode of Black Mirror. It is surprisingly fleshed out for such a short book and does feel like an episode of a TV show. I appreciated that it does allude to the benefits and risks of using others in this fashion.

The narrator did a good job differentiating characters with their voices but I was not a fan of her breathiness at times.

Thank you BooksGoSocial Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a new life in someone else’s body? In this thrilling novella, we follow Micaela, a body host who rents out her body to strangers to experience new life. But as Micaela, her friend, and estranged brother begin to notice injuries and trauma in their host bodies, they uncover a dark secret that their company wants to keep hidden. Not all is as it seems, with a fast-paced plot and engaging storyline, this novella will you on the edge of your seat, leaving you eager to discover the truth.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Hostess by Cat Oyster is a novelette about Michaela, a woman who rents out her body to tourists while she’s asleep. Struggling to make ends meet, she takes work as a “host-body” for a virtual travel agency, where strangers from around the world temporarily inhabit host-bodies to live out new experiences. But not every guest plays by the rules. When Michaela wakes up one morning covered in unexplained bruises and starts asking questions, the agency feigns ignorance. Michaela and her coworker join forces to investigate their mysterious night lives.

I appreciate that this story was brief and didn’t get bogged down with technical details, but I wish it was longer. So much happened all at once, the plot felt a bit rushed. The ending left me wanting more, which was good but also frustrating. The plot twist was creative. Overall, this story was fun and I enjoyed it.

I loved the narration. There were different voices and tones that perfectly conveyed the words being spoken.

The Hostess is a fun, fast-paced read that brings together the creepy, thought-provoking vibes of Black Mirror, Dollhouse, and The Matrix. Set in a near-future world where Michaela’s body is rented out to virtual tourists, the story keeps you questioning who really owns these bodies and what they’re doing while the hosts sleep. It all feels seamless and harmless at first, but things quickly take a darker turn, making you wonder just how thin the line is between voluntary and involuntary. With its engaging pace and clever twists, The Hostess is a wild, thought-provoking ride that’s impossible to put down. Cat Oyster skillfully blends compelling human stories with a gripping sci-fi setting. The audiobook narrator brought the characters vividly to life, making the experience even more immersive. I know it was a novelette, but it just ended leaving me wanting more. Overall, it’s a highly recommended read that’s definitely worth your time. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book. #NetGalley #arcreview #TheHostess

This was a quick, entertaining read and definitely scary with how real this could be. If this is the future, I don't want it. I have read several books with a similar premise and each one has a different spin. This one was definitely on the scarier side.

The narrator Susan Spano does a great job with all of the voices and makes them unique so we can tell who is speaking.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

It was short and interesting. It kept me wanting for more. For some reason, I didn’t find satisfaction at the end of the read, though she too the serum.

The idea of this one reminds me so much of the movie Gamer with Gerard Butler where people essentially get to inhabit someone else's body like an avatar. It all seems like a good, innocent thing until it is discovered it isn't. It is terrifying, Gripping and suspenseful, this novella is a quick but very intense ride. It ends as abruptly as it started. Whoosh!

The narrator does an amazing job building the climax in this book.

I found this to be only average. I’m sort of finding myself wishing that this was a fully formed novel because I really think this would make a fantastic well rounded story.

The plot is there, the bones are there. It kept me interested enough to read but then it just … ended.

The narrator did an absolutely incredible job on this one, injecting the perfect amount of emotion into the characters and easily differentiating between different people speaking.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC

I was hooked from the get go with this book. There was no time wasted and from the start we are thrown straight into the action which I both liked and disliked. I would have loved a little more backstory so that I could understand certain twists and plot points that took place; however, I did like the pacing throughout most the read. It had my full attention throughout and was a fun, thrilling and kind of scary read. The black mirror vibes were strong throughout this book and I could see it playing out like an episode in my head. The story felt both far fetched and close to a reality we could one day face and with the story being told from a female prospective it made even more realistic and truly terrifying.

The Hostess hooked me right away with its premise: in a near-future world, people crushed by debt can rent out their bodies. The clinical narration makes the horror more chilling because it normalizes the abnormal, and the commodification of beauty feels disturbingly believable. The audiobook performance added to the atmosphere, with accents and tone shifts that were handled well (except maybe one character’s accent which unintentionally shifts to a Brooklyn accent).

What worked: when the story leans into body horror and psychological tension. The doctored records, the physical toll on hosts, and the erosion of memory were chilling and unforgettable. These details hit harder than any slogan or political reference could.

What didn’t work for me: there were times where the author inserted herself and I was thoroughly kicked out of the narrative. When she used the kind of language you hear in today’s politically divided world, and it is ineffective in a story. It made the book feel less like its own world and more like a poorly disguised camouflage of current political events. The main character was also difficult to root for, as her indulgences often undercut the desperation the book wanted to convey.

Even so, this is a disturbing and thought-provoking read. Readers who enjoy dystopian horror with sharp social critique will find plenty here to unsettle them.

Super intriguing, creepy and unfortunately, realistic concept! I love the subtle adjustment the author makes to make it seem set in the near-distant future. Talking about the .5% instead of 1%. Incorporating futuristic robots and utilizing them to do mundane jobs.

Overall I think the author did a really good job of creating a thought provoking storyline. I was a tad bit confused about the ending and I would have loved to learn a little more. Maybe that’s part of it being a Novella but I would have liked more info or for it to end on an even bigger cliffhanger.

This story was so good and I didn't expect that.
The whole premise was unique and unsettling at the same time.
The narrator was so good and played a huge part for me to be enganged with the book!

This audiobook pulled me in with its twists and engaging storyline. Michaela’s journey was full of surprises, and while some parts could have used a bit more clarity, it was still a fascinating listen. The narrator delivered the story well, though a few pauses felt longer than needed. Overall, an enjoyable and captivating audiobook