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The House Sitter
Michelle Crane is one of the most recognisable women on social media and if everything goes to plan, I’m about to ruin her life.
When house sitter Jude takes on an assignment acting for self-made ‘girl boss’, entrepreneur Michelle Crane, her intentions aren’t entirely professional. Michelle has something that Jude needs - and the clock is ticking on her window of opportunity to find it.
Jude’s future hangs in the balance, but when it comes down to it, will she betray a stranger to save herself?
The House Sitter is an original, edge of your seat domestic thriller, for fans of Freida McFadden, Kiersten Modglin and Daniel Hurst. If you’re looking for your next one-sitting page-turner, grab this must-read today.
When house sitter Jude takes on an assignment acting for self-made ‘girl boss’, entrepreneur Michelle Crane, her intentions aren’t entirely professional. Michelle has something that Jude needs - and the clock is ticking on her window of opportunity to find it.
Jude’s future hangs in the balance, but when it comes down to it, will she betray a stranger to save herself?
The House Sitter is an original, edge of your seat domestic thriller, for fans of Freida McFadden, Kiersten Modglin and Daniel Hurst. If you’re looking for your next one-sitting page-turner, grab this must-read today.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2023
498 people are currently reading
5456 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Rowney
40 books829 followersWriter.
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
July 1, 2023
Y'all know I don't have nearly enough books to read so when Netgalley offered up The House Sitter as Read Now, I said "gimme, gimme". I've read three previous novels by J.E. Rowney with varying results and I'm happy to report that, IMHO, this one is better than her last couple but not as good as Other People's Lives. Unfortunately the turn-around time was very short but I'm only a day late!
House sitter Jude Quinn takes an assignment house sitting for self-made entrepreneur Michelle Crane for a weekend but her intentions aren't entirely professional. I hesitate to say any more in order to not spoil it for you. You're best going into the book blind or almost blind.
I enjoyed this book; it's pretty light reading and went pretty quickly. Probably a lot of people could read it in a day or two. The chapters are short; in fact one of them consists of just one word! There's quite a bit of repetition and everything sounded more ominous than it turned out to be but it was entertaining. I would've liked to see the story go in a different direction at the end but don't ask me to come up with a better ending.
A couple of words new to me: "jellified", as in 'my legs are jellified' and "blag" which means to persuade someone in a clever or slightly dishonest way to allow you to do something or to give you something.
Thanks to J.E. Rowney and BooksGoSocial via Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 30, 2023
House sitter Jude Quinn takes an assignment house sitting for self-made entrepreneur Michelle Crane for a weekend but her intentions aren't entirely professional. I hesitate to say any more in order to not spoil it for you. You're best going into the book blind or almost blind.
I enjoyed this book; it's pretty light reading and went pretty quickly. Probably a lot of people could read it in a day or two. The chapters are short; in fact one of them consists of just one word! There's quite a bit of repetition and everything sounded more ominous than it turned out to be but it was entertaining. I would've liked to see the story go in a different direction at the end but don't ask me to come up with a better ending.
A couple of words new to me: "jellified", as in 'my legs are jellified' and "blag" which means to persuade someone in a clever or slightly dishonest way to allow you to do something or to give you something.
Thanks to J.E. Rowney and BooksGoSocial via Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 30, 2023
July 7, 2023
“The thing about identity is that it’s a construct. It’s just an idea. What is it that makes us who we are, and how can any of us prove that to someone else?” This thriller is about the power of reputation and identity. What may take patience and endurance to build can easily be shattered in a blink of an eye. What do you do when no one is watching? Jude, the house sitter is tested on many levels. When she is asked to house-sit for the beloved and adored Michelle Crane, she feels as if she has entered an alternate universe after she crosses the threshold of Michele’s world. “I feel like Alice in Wonderland after she bites the cookie, or whatever it was, that says eat me. I feel like an intruder. I feel like a fraud. And I am.” Jude must betray this stranger to save herself. The first sentence immediately pulled me into this fast-paced mystery. “Michelle Crane is one of the most recognizable women on social media and if everything goes to plan, I’m about to ruin her life.” I have enjoyed all of J. E. Rowney’s books and this was no exception. It’s extremely entertaining with nail, biting moments of high intensity. Thank you NetGalley for my copy.
June 26, 2023
I started this book wondering why some thriller writers get all the acclaim and some don't. The House Sitter started so well and I was really enjoying it. An interesting plot - an abused woman making a success of carving a new life for herself as a house sitter. This latest job is not just any house either. With Jude Quinn's reputation she has been requested by successful business woman, Michelle Crane. However the job has a downside as Jude is being blackmailed by someone prepared to ruin her new life unless she ruins Michelle's.
Good premise. Fast moving. All good. But after a few chapters it felt as if we were going round in circles and as the story continued the plot felt like it was unravelling. I'm afraid, for me, quite a lot of it made no sense. If I were an editor I'd have cut quite a lot of it too. For me the whole of the second half needed tightening up with a bigger surprise twist at the end.
So three stars because I finished it; it was an easy read and I did enjoy the first half.
I received an advance review copy, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Good premise. Fast moving. All good. But after a few chapters it felt as if we were going round in circles and as the story continued the plot felt like it was unravelling. I'm afraid, for me, quite a lot of it made no sense. If I were an editor I'd have cut quite a lot of it too. For me the whole of the second half needed tightening up with a bigger surprise twist at the end.
So three stars because I finished it; it was an easy read and I did enjoy the first half.
I received an advance review copy, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2024
Stupid. Repetitive. Predictable. Don’t read this book.
June 27, 2023
I’m not sure why it took me so long to get through a book but this one was just ok. Jude takes a job as a house sitter for a famous person and it did keep me interested for the first 3/4 of the book but to me, I didn’t find it very thrilling. Maybe it’s just me. I give it 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release which I believe in just a few days.
July 2, 2024
Awful. I got to the end and was confused that it was the end. Nothing happened.
July 23, 2023
House sitter Jude takes on an assignment to house sit for a weekend for self made entrepreneur Michelle Crane. Let's just say this is no normal house sit as Jude is planning on ruining Michelle's life.
If you are after a slow burning suspense to read then look no further.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you are after a slow burning suspense to read then look no further.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2024
The only Libby I care about it the library app
September 28, 2024
Stupid. I want my time back.
June 18, 2023
Jude takes a job house-sitting for someone well known on social media, but she intends to find the means to ruin this strangers life in order to protect her own.
This was a good book, easy to read in less than a day. It did, however, leave me wishing for more than what I got. I didn't ever really experience a true sense of danger that would have me devouring words in hopes of finding the solution.
All in all, I would say it's a nice, easy read with some good twists. It just didn't quite have the wow factor I've come to expect from thrillers.
This was a good book, easy to read in less than a day. It did, however, leave me wishing for more than what I got. I didn't ever really experience a true sense of danger that would have me devouring words in hopes of finding the solution.
All in all, I would say it's a nice, easy read with some good twists. It just didn't quite have the wow factor I've come to expect from thrillers.
January 22, 2026
Pretty sure there were only 5 different sentences being repeated over and over again. The “twist” was barely a head tilt. Such a waste of time it compelled me to write a review so I don’t ever accidentally read this book again in the future.
April 24, 2024
Waste of time!
June 23, 2023
I have a job for you....you are the security system.
Social Media influencer Michelle Crane is in need of a house sitter, Jude may just be the girl she is looking for. Actually Jude is the house sitter she has sought out for her expertise in other areas.
.
Libby Halstead was at the top of her game as a project manager one of the best in the business but when her relationship with her husband Neil wasn't going as planned she needed to make a change. Now Jude she has to do whatever it takes to make it on her own, even if it means doing something she will regret later.
.
Life is going well for Jude and she is very happy being a house sitter and tending to peoples homes while they are away. However when she gets an anonymous phone call asking her, no demanding her to do a job for them within in her house sitting responsibilities her insecurity to say no and be controlled by this person has taken her self worth to another level.
.
Michelle Crane maybe Sleek & Stylish but she is without a soul.
.
I was gifted a ARC of The Housesitter by @JErowneywriter, @Netgalley and Little Fox Publishing. For my honest Review due to be published on June 30, 2023. I really enjoyed the story it is very up to date with how society is today with all the influencers and social media. The first few chapters continued to refer to "I have a job to do", I kept wondering okay when are we going to find out about this job HAHA Soon as that part of the story kicked in I couldn't stop reading. I am going to rate this book a 4.5* only for the fact of the slow start.
Social Media influencer Michelle Crane is in need of a house sitter, Jude may just be the girl she is looking for. Actually Jude is the house sitter she has sought out for her expertise in other areas.
.
Libby Halstead was at the top of her game as a project manager one of the best in the business but when her relationship with her husband Neil wasn't going as planned she needed to make a change. Now Jude she has to do whatever it takes to make it on her own, even if it means doing something she will regret later.
.
Life is going well for Jude and she is very happy being a house sitter and tending to peoples homes while they are away. However when she gets an anonymous phone call asking her, no demanding her to do a job for them within in her house sitting responsibilities her insecurity to say no and be controlled by this person has taken her self worth to another level.
.
Michelle Crane maybe Sleek & Stylish but she is without a soul.
.
I was gifted a ARC of The Housesitter by @JErowneywriter, @Netgalley and Little Fox Publishing. For my honest Review due to be published on June 30, 2023. I really enjoyed the story it is very up to date with how society is today with all the influencers and social media. The first few chapters continued to refer to "I have a job to do", I kept wondering okay when are we going to find out about this job HAHA Soon as that part of the story kicked in I couldn't stop reading. I am going to rate this book a 4.5* only for the fact of the slow start.
June 28, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was really excited reading the description of this book, but I felt like about halfway through, the plot slowed down and I was slightly disappointed by the ending. It was an easy read and I finished it quickly, but it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be judging from the pace and plot in the first half.
I was really excited reading the description of this book, but I felt like about halfway through, the plot slowed down and I was slightly disappointed by the ending. It was an easy read and I finished it quickly, but it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be judging from the pace and plot in the first half.
June 29, 2023
While the plot was intriguing and had potential, the execution wasn't great.
This is a story about a house-sitter taking on a short 3-day job with a social media superstar. The main character, Jude, is tasked by an unknown caller to find particular paperwork in the superstars home “or else”. What should have been novella-length at best, given the content, is an over exaggerated, redundant story without much at its base. The over-use of several words, phrases and ideas was exhausting and made it increasingly hard to stick with. The ending was predictable from the beginning, and left a lot to be desired. Taking out all the fluff and repetition leaves about 60 pages of actual story plot.
Content over word count matters much more to readers.
Lots of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors were noted which I will submit to the authors for reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story early!
This is a story about a house-sitter taking on a short 3-day job with a social media superstar. The main character, Jude, is tasked by an unknown caller to find particular paperwork in the superstars home “or else”. What should have been novella-length at best, given the content, is an over exaggerated, redundant story without much at its base. The over-use of several words, phrases and ideas was exhausting and made it increasingly hard to stick with. The ending was predictable from the beginning, and left a lot to be desired. Taking out all the fluff and repetition leaves about 60 pages of actual story plot.
Content over word count matters much more to readers.
Lots of spelling, grammar and punctuation errors were noted which I will submit to the authors for reviews.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story early!
July 26, 2023
Jude the house sitter for successful business woman Michelle seems over her head while she carries out clandestine searches in Michelle's house, ordered by an unknown blackmailer who threatens to out Jude's past.
Jude seems anxious, faltering, unsure of herself, even clumsy at times, in her desperate search for papers that the blackmailer demands.
Jude seems out of character; she doesn't fit the profile once we know who she really is. This helps to build suspense in the novel, but her personality is contradictory once we get to the truth.
A quick and mildly entertaining read.
Jude seems anxious, faltering, unsure of herself, even clumsy at times, in her desperate search for papers that the blackmailer demands.
Jude seems out of character; she doesn't fit the profile once we know who she really is. This helps to build suspense in the novel, but her personality is contradictory once we get to the truth.
A quick and mildly entertaining read.
July 4, 2023
I have read several of this authors books so when I saw this one was available, I snatched it up!
The story has an interesting and intriguing premise. A woman, Jude Quinn, is a professional house sitter who has been chosen to housesit for a very successful businesswoman. We find out quickly that she is not just there to housesit but to destroy the woman's life. Michell Crane has a huge social media presence where she promotes her life and her line of paper products. Why is Jude out to get her? In addition to the story of Jude, we are introduced to another woman, Libby. Libby is in the top of her field as a project manager for large companies. Shes also an abused woman. Her husband controlling and mean. What do Libby and Jude have in common? Blackmail is a dirty business.
The story itself starts off really well. I was immediately taken in and couldn't wait to find out just who is blackmailing Jude, what the connection is between her and Libby and just what are the blackmailers going to do with Michelles information? I figured out part of it a little under halfway through. I have to admit that while I really loved the premise of the story, I really felt the ending was a tad anticlimactic. However, overall, a good story. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
The story has an interesting and intriguing premise. A woman, Jude Quinn, is a professional house sitter who has been chosen to housesit for a very successful businesswoman. We find out quickly that she is not just there to housesit but to destroy the woman's life. Michell Crane has a huge social media presence where she promotes her life and her line of paper products. Why is Jude out to get her? In addition to the story of Jude, we are introduced to another woman, Libby. Libby is in the top of her field as a project manager for large companies. Shes also an abused woman. Her husband controlling and mean. What do Libby and Jude have in common? Blackmail is a dirty business.
The story itself starts off really well. I was immediately taken in and couldn't wait to find out just who is blackmailing Jude, what the connection is between her and Libby and just what are the blackmailers going to do with Michelles information? I figured out part of it a little under halfway through. I have to admit that while I really loved the premise of the story, I really felt the ending was a tad anticlimactic. However, overall, a good story. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
June 29, 2023
Theburb of the book sets the scene well. You know the main plot. The 1st half of the book tells you why and give you some character history. This is cleverly interweaven with themain action in the house. I like this as i worked out the reality of the house Sitter early on. Jude character arc was well crafted but once the reveal of what she was looking for I had my heart set on a .better ending. I never felt she was in danger and i was really disappointed with the ending. Michelles character did seem like it was given the bare minimum yo justify the story
I would have liked to have seen more on her backstory to understand her motivation. The twist left me feeling flat as did the ending.
I would recommend this as a good page turner quick read
I would have liked to have seen more on her backstory to understand her motivation. The twist left me feeling flat as did the ending.
I would recommend this as a good page turner quick read
June 27, 2023
ARC✨️
loved reading this book! relatively short, easy read yet the plot is just thick enough to create suspense.
I finished it in a day, I liked how it was written with the insights on the house and the character's past slowly being revealed. I was disappointed though by the plot twists being pretty easy to see coming and the ending that kinda felt put together to tie everything up quickly.
I think this author has a lot of potential and didn't fully exploit it in this book, so I might stick around for any other ones :)
loved reading this book! relatively short, easy read yet the plot is just thick enough to create suspense.
I finished it in a day, I liked how it was written with the insights on the house and the character's past slowly being revealed. I was disappointed though by the plot twists being pretty easy to see coming and the ending that kinda felt put together to tie everything up quickly.
I think this author has a lot of potential and didn't fully exploit it in this book, so I might stick around for any other ones :)
June 23, 2023
Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. It began with a phone call that Jude thought was to house sit for potential customer but once she'd answered she finds herself caught in a game not of her making; as the mysterious caller demands of her to get a piece of information that will bring down Michelle Crane and her perfect world. Jude has no choice as this person knows her own secrets that will ruin her life of Jude fails. Even once she's in Michelle's house, Jude continually questions can she destroy someone just to save herself... no matter the cost?
A beautiful, contemplative read.
Highly recommended.
A beautiful, contemplative read.
Highly recommended.
June 29, 2023
I received an arc copy from NetGalley, this is my fair and honest review.
This was a strangely positive book for a psychological thriller. There was the feeling of being watched and controlled but I only managed to guess one of the plot twists at the end. The ending kinda confused me as it was so out of the box but I enjoyed it and I was surprised that there was actually a positive spin on everything.
This was a strangely positive book for a psychological thriller. There was the feeling of being watched and controlled but I only managed to guess one of the plot twists at the end. The ending kinda confused me as it was so out of the box but I enjoyed it and I was surprised that there was actually a positive spin on everything.
July 5, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Little Fox Publishing for the eArc The House Sitter.
I can see where the description associated this author with Frieda McFadden. They both write with an unreliable narrator but that is their only similarity.
It was a good story, very quick read. I did not find it suspenseful.
I can see where the description associated this author with Frieda McFadden. They both write with an unreliable narrator but that is their only similarity.
It was a good story, very quick read. I did not find it suspenseful.
August 24, 2023
Thank you Netgalley for the kindle copy in exchange for a honest review. Michelle Crane runs a famous stationary business. She employs Jude as her house sitter when she goes away. After receiving a phone call Jude has to find something in Michelle's house to keep her secrets buried. Will Jude betray Michelle to save herself? A thrilling read.
July 27, 2025
"The House Sitter" by J.E. Rowney is a gripping, twisty thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Full of suspense and unexpected turns, it’s the kind of story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. A great read for fans of psychological thrillers!
January 21, 2026
This could be the worst book I’ve read in a long time, hurts even more that this was recommended so highly!!
I truly got to the end of the book and feel like nothing happened. The first 2/3 of the book is just circling around the same topic and I guessed the “twist” from a mile off. I normally get through books within 2-3 days and this took me TEN DAYS, I just had no interest in the characters or their story lines. Repetitive and boring.
I truly got to the end of the book and feel like nothing happened. The first 2/3 of the book is just circling around the same topic and I guessed the “twist” from a mile off. I normally get through books within 2-3 days and this took me TEN DAYS, I just had no interest in the characters or their story lines. Repetitive and boring.
April 14, 2025
All about self identity. Fake game to get a marketing strategist. Dumb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2026
No me gusta. Felt like it was not a thriller. Guessed it before halfway through. Tic tok did me dirty
January 23, 2024
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐/5
Jude takes a job house-sitting for someone well known on social media, but she intends to find the means to ruin this strangers life in order to protect her own.
This book is easy to read! If you are looking for a book to read in one sitting then this is the book for you or if you are looking for a slow burn suspense then this book is also for you.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐/5
Jude takes a job house-sitting for someone well known on social media, but she intends to find the means to ruin this strangers life in order to protect her own.
This book is easy to read! If you are looking for a book to read in one sitting then this is the book for you or if you are looking for a slow burn suspense then this book is also for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews