The Getaway

by Mina Hardy

Sometimes, it’s the secrets that save a marriage.

For Claire Fitzgerald, her monthly getaway at a remote cabin is a time to relax, unwind, indulge. Two years with Elliott Reyes have been good to her…but all good things must come to an end, and she can only hope this final weekend together will finish their relationship on a high note.

Elliott has other plans.

Having Claire once a month is not enough. He wants more of her. More from her. And, he’s got a plan to show her just how good it could all be, if only she will let him make her happy.

Getting snowed in should be romantic, but tensions between the lovers rise. As a snowstorm traps them in the cabin and a menacing, unseen assailant launches an attack on Claire, both she and Elliott discover truths about each other they never suspected.

As it turns out, infidelity is not the worst thing that can be discovered about the ones you love. For Claire and Elliott, every truth comes tumbling out…and blood is spilled. Who will survive their weekend getaway?

And who will die?

“[A] twisty psychological thriller...Hardy does an expert job keeping the emotional heat high.”
—Publishers Weekly on After All I've Done

“A poisonous treat best consumed in a single breathless sitting.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review, Like A Mother

"Sometimes, it’s the secrets that save a marriage! Wow this took a crazy far out twist!! lol Great read! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a good who done it and some really crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book!" -- Debbie B. NetGalley Reviewer

"This book has it love, sex, affairs, betrayal, past secrets and murder!" -- Yolanda Raya, NetGalley Reviewer

"There's secrets, and tension. You never know how well you know people. I really liked this one and enjoyed this as my first novel by this author. What a twist!" -- Denise Little, NetGalley Reviewer

Genres: Thriller

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2024

Reviews

[Christina O’Keefe · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
🏕️ wintery thrillers
🏕️ domestic thrillers
🏕️ 3rd person POV
🏕️ single POV
🏕️ TWISTS!!!
🏕️ a little bit of spice 🌶️
🏕️ creepy someone watching you vibes

This was a fun little change that there was actually some spice 🥵 in this thriller! You never see spice in a thriller! I am not a huge fan of spice but I know some readers will definitely appreciate this!
I hated all the characters 🤪 so I honestly wasn’t too worried about what was going to happen to them.
This book was everything I could want in a thriller! Suspenseful and jumpy and nerve-wracking throughout the whole thing! I was hooked very early on and then I could not put it down.
This was a very dramatic and wild ride!! The romantic parts of this story were just….. wild! That’s the only word I can use to describe it. I really enjoyed how this book blended the thriller genre almost I would say equally with the love story. And the twists in the love story were crazy!
The only negative I do have to say is that the thrilling mystery part kind of just…. stopped in the middle because it was so focused on the love story. I was like is there still someone out there watching?? Is everything just fine now?? And then it came back to the mystery. It kind of lost me in the middle there.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going in to this book, Mina Hardy was a new to me author. So I went in open minded and I didn't know what to expect.
Having said that, I was surprised by how much I liked this book!
We dive straight into the story (which I loved) and right from the start I was fully invested in the plot and the characters.
I did see some of the twists coming, but there was a couple that surprised me which as a long time thriller reader, doesn't happen that often.
I found the whole book to be thoroughly entertaining from start to finish and it definitely held my attention right until it finished.
Is this one of those books that will change your life? No. But I had such a fun time reading it and I thought the entertainment value was through the roof.
This is definitely one of those books I recommend you go in blind and you can definitely read it in one sitting.
A fast paced popcorn thriller that would be great to read in the winter time.
I had such a good time reading this, I highly recommend you give it a read!

Expected publication date December 13, 2024

Thanks to Howling Unicorn Press and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review

[Aurora Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Read if you enjoy: spice, cabin in the woods, violence
✨ Don’t read if you loathe: some predictable moments, infidelity

This book has it all; spice, suspense, action and twists

Married Claire, heads to a remote rental cabin to meet her lover Elliott. They’ve been meeting at the cabin in the woods once a month for the past two years.

But this time, Elliott has other plans and things get crazy - fast.

I loved that the drama starts immediately and the pace remained fast throughout. Claire was easy to like - a strong woman who knows her worth and isn’t ashamed of who she is. Middle aged women are rarely portrayed as sexy and fierce so thank goodness for Claire.

The rest of the characters have just as much depth and I loved their dynamics and the way they all played off each other.

There’s a bunch of twists that were shocking, sometimes salacious and mostly unpredictable. I wasn’t completely convinced by the motivation, but for the sake of extreme enjoyment, I won’t dwell.

This is my third Nina Hardy book, and I love how her thrillers all have very different sub genres - this is a locked room, romantic thriller with some spice and a nod to The Shining.

Thanks to Mina Hardy for access to this eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[NrsKelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of books. And I’m always surprised when I read one that has twists that surprise me. This book definitely did that.
All of the characters are morally gray. So if that’s not your cup of tea you may want to not read. But if you enjoy a quick, twisty, slightly gory winter read??! Then you will enjoy this book.
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Umm...

I loved the first half of this book. I was fully invested in the story, to the point I was dreaming about the characters and daydreaming about where the story was going. I thought I was getting a Fatal Attraction style thriller where one or no one gets out alive. The first 50% was nerve-wracking and was a certain five stars. I loved that the characters weren't kids either, twenty somethings with heightened emotions. But, at almost the exact 50% mark, this little weekend getaway veered right off a cliff.

I'll admit, I never saw that coming and kudos to the author for giving us something out of left field. But holy hell. It went from Fatal Attraction to an episode of Bold and the Beautiful. The second half would barely get a three star rating, so rounding up for entertainment factor. There were a few more surprises towards the end, each one more and more far fetched. You absolutely need to suspend belief for this one. However, I was still invested in the ending and how on earth the author was going to finish this story. The last few chapters dragged and definitely needed to be cut down. Bizarre but recommended for fans of domestic suspense.

I received an arc from Victory Editing via Netgalley.

[Amber Rothermel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book.

From the very beginning, it gripped my attention. I loved this author’s writing style. The lies & secrets & twists were great and I did not see a lot of them coming. This was one of those books that are a bit far fetched, but it is so nice reading for some escapism.

The characters kinda sucked in their own way, but despite it all, I enjoyed Claire, Elliot, and Troy.

Definitely recommend this true THRILLER. I definitely did not know where it was going, but I enjoyed the ride and where it ended up!

[Heather Burks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a great palate cleanser book after some with very intense and deep stories. This was your traditional fast paced thriller and I really enjoyed it.

There were so many twists and I did not see really any coming. I was quite shocked. It's definitely wild and out there and totally unbelievable but still a fun journey.

I loved that it was winter themed too. Definitely an enjoyable read!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I did NOT see half of the things coming in this book. It was intense, twisty and had me on the edge of my seat. I may have even been slack jawed at some parts!

Claire has a standing “getaway” once a month with her secret lover. Their weekend quickly turns cabin in the wood esque as they are being tormented by a stranger. Secrets come to light as the snow comes down, and lives are forever changed during the getaway.

I loved this book!

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...just wow. I would never have guessed where this story was going based on the blurb, and that is totally awesome. I really enjoy being surprised and that's hard to do when there are so many books in this genre and only so many storylines. Grab a snack and your favorite beverage and jump on into this one. I think you will be glad you did.

[Megz Hetho · Rating 1 out of 5]

I nearly DNFd this at 20% and I regret not doing that. The twists felt overdone and a bit lazy. Just not for me.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book Title: The Getaway
Author: Mina Hardy
Publisher: Howling Unicorn Press
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: December 13, 2024
My Rating: 2.4 Stars
Pages: 249

The past two years Claire Fitzgerald has gone on a romantic monthly getaway to a remote cabin with her lover Elliott Reyer.
Yes there is a Mr. Fitzgerald and he certainly seems clueless about whom Claire is meeting. However this month, she arrives a bit early and greeted by the caretaken who warms her that a snow storm is on the way. He has made sure there was enough firewood to keep them warm but they needed to be prepared if they are snowed in.
Yes the heavy snowstorm traps them but another thing is going on that just might be worst - someone has been watching them via videos camera and does not like what has been going on.

This is my third Mina Hardy novel. I read After All I’ve Done and loved Like a Mother which I read early this year. I went into this story based on my experience with the other stories. Yes I like this author – but no, I did not do my homework and sure enough I no sooner started and struggled.. I get that some married couples have affairs usually unhappy, bored etc. but had a hard time accepting meeting up for sex once a month and hubby not getting very curious.

As I read on – I decided to read some info about the author
Mina Hardy writes stories usually featuring good people making bad choices, but sometimes
they might be about bad people making good choices. Either way, everyone is basically a mess,
and you shouldn't trust any of them.
Aww that sure sums up this story!
I did finish and think I liked the ending- however never got to the point of enjoying the story.

I still want to thank NetGalley and Howling Unicorn Press for the experience of reading this early e-Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 13, 2024.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! The Getaway by Mina Hardy is a thrilling, fast paced read that will have you hooked right away. I found this book to definitely be a page turner, though more so in the first half than the second.

Mina Hardy did a great job bringing me into the story and setting up a thriller in a secluded cabin. I really enjoyed how she was able to create the suspense, and good suspense is the most important part of a thriller like this!

This book had some very original twists that I absolutely did not see coming and for the most part I thought that was well done. I do think the book started to lose steam for me as the reveals happened. The suspense made me want to know what would happen next and each twist was exciting, but after I think the book’s momentum would be lessened for me. Still overall a good book for a thrill, and the ending did pick up a bit again.

Some of the twists I found that there was really no set up or foreshadowing at all, so how you’ll feel about that is just a matter of opinion. Usually that’s something I judge harsher, but here it’s definitely what the description of this book tells you to expect. And to be honest, I felt even the reveals that did completely came out of nowhere felt somehow organically revealed still. I suppose because they were shocking reveals to our main character Claire that it worked well enough that it was shocking for me too. Again though that’s just my opinion. I could see that not being to someone’s tastes if they prefer thorough foreshadowing and set up for twists.

The characters weren’t particularly relatable to me, however I do think they were well written. In particular I thought Claire was pretty interesting. She is a very refreshing character in how self assured she is and I like the maturity she has.

The Getaway is a very quick read and a great suspense filled thriller! I think it’s a book any thriller fan could pick up and enjoy! I definitely will check out more books by Mina Hardy, because I think the writing style of this book was the best part and something I’d enjoy in the future!

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mina Hardy’s The Getaway is a thrilling psychological drama that delves into the complexities of relationships and the dark secrets that can unravel them. Set against the backdrop of a secluded cabin, this novel offers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and emotional depth.

This story follows Claire Fitzgerald, who looks forward to her monthly getaways at a remote cabin with her lover, Elliott Reyes. These weekends are her escape from reality, a chance to unwind and indulge. However, this particular getaway takes a sinister turn. As a snowstorm traps them in the cabin, tensions rise, and an unseen assailant begins to target Claire. What starts as the perfect romantic retreat quickly spirals into a fight for survival, with stunning secrets unveiled.

Hardy excels in creating multi-dimensional characters. Claire is portrayed as a complex protagonist, torn between her desires and the reality of her situation. Elliott’s character is equally intriguing, with layers that are peeled back as the story progresses. The dynamic between the two is intense and fraught with tension, making their interactions compelling and unpredictable.

The author’s writing style is engaging and immersive. Hardy’s ability to build suspense is evident from the first page, and she maintains a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers hooked. The descriptive prose effectively sets the eerie atmosphere of the cabin, enhancing the sense of isolation and danger.

The Getaway explores themes of infidelity, trust, and the hidden facets of human nature. The novel delves into the psychological aspects of relationships, examining how secrets and lies can erode trust and lead to devastating consequences. The snowed-in setting serves as a metaphor for the characters’ entrapment in their own deceptions.

The Getaway is a riveting read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Mina Hardy delivers a well-crafted story that combines suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists. A perfect book for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers which keep you guessing until the final sentence!

[Kris Zeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Claire Fitzgerald passes two years of monthly 'getaways' with her affair partner, Elliot, she starts to sense that he is no longer happy with their arrangement. With no plans of leaving her husband, Claire resigns herself to breaking it off with Elliot after this one last weekend. Unfortunately, Clarie & Elliot aren't the only ones who know about the arrangement and things are about to get out of control for both of them.

Wow. This one was a wild ride to say the least.

Beginning with a spicy scene, this one jumps in quickly..... and then fizzles. After the opening scene we're left with a pretty humdrum, slightly awkward situation between two people who seem to know their arrangement can't continue as is. The book continues with the vaguely awkward, kind of snowy interactions for fully 50% of the book, and then the twists hit fast and hard like the storm. I liked the big twist at 50%. It packed a punch like a Freida McFadden book and I thought the book was going to veer off in that direction..... but it didn't. It went in a third direction, then a fourth, then a fifth, and just kept throwing twists out one after the other after the other, each crazier (and more unrealistic) than the last. Each facet of it would have been a pretty cool avenue to explore, but all of them stacked on top of each other left me pretty confused. It just felt very unfocused, like the author had too many good ideas and just couldn't choose so she put them all out there hoping it would gel.

I'm a huge fan of this author and I think the writing was very good, but the story definitely needed to be reined in a bit. In the end it was way too off the wall for me, but would hit hard with fans of Kiersten Modglin's "The Arrangement" series who enjoy moderate spice and lots of crazy twists.

[TheLisaD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mina Hardy delivers a masterful tale of suspense and betrayal with The Getaway, a gripping story that hooks readers from the very first page. This dark, twist-filled narrative pulls back layer after layer of secrets, creating a whirlwind of tension and intrigue that keeps readers on edge.

At the heart of the story is a protagonist whose seemingly routine weekend getaways take a sinister turn, plunging her into a nightmare of escalating fear and unraveling truths. Hardy skillfully sets the stage with an eerie sense of unease that blossoms into full-blown terror, seamlessly blending domestic drama with psychological suspense.

The pacing is exceptional, with a steady build-up that keeps readers guessing as new revelations come to light. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Hardy throws in another twist that flips everything on its head. This unpredictability is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, making it impossible to put down.

Hardy’s writing is taut and evocative, bringing the characters and their tangled relationships to life. The protagonist’s descent into uncertainty and paranoia is compelling, drawing readers into her world and making her plight feel palpable. The blend of personal betrayals and external threats adds layers of complexity that elevate the story beyond a standard thriller.

Verdict: The Getaway is a tense, addictive thriller that delivers on every level. With its well-crafted twists, haunting atmosphere, and relentless suspense, Mina Hardy has created a story that’s impossible to resist. A must-read for fans of psychological dramas and edge-of-your-seat mysteries.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Getaway by M.Hardy, published by Howling Unicorn Press is hands down my fav thriller in 24.
Twisty, dark, suspenseful to the highest order, a masterpiece in thrillerology.
Claire, Troy and Elliott, the main characters have things in common, things the other doesn't know about. Secret relationships, affairs, dependency, love affairs - you name the story has it.
I recommend this nailbiting, fast paced and complex novel.
Blurb: Sometimes, it’s the secrets that save a marriage.
For Claire Fitzgerald, her monthly getaway at a remote cabin is a time to relax, unwind, indulge. Two years with Elliott Reyes have been good to her…but all good things must come to an end, and she can only hope this final weekend together will finish their relationship on a high note.
Elliott has other plans.
Having Claire once a month is not enough. He wants more of her. More from her. And, he’s got a plan to show her just how good it could all be, if only she will let him make her happy.
Getting snowed in should be romantic, but tensions between the lovers rise. As a snowstorm traps them in the cabin and a menacing, unseen assailant launches an attack on Claire, both she and Elliott discover truths about each other they never suspected.
As it turns out, infidelity is not the worst thing that can be discovered about the ones you love. For Claire and Elliott, every truth comes tumbling out…and blood is spilled.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

People will sometimes go to great lengths to keep a marriage fresh, but their methods may not always be entirely orthodox.

Take Claire Ferguson. Once a month, she leaves her husband to head off to a remote cabin - supposedly to relax and recharge. Which, to be fair, she does. It is just that she does so in the company of her lover, Elliott Reyes.

So when Claire decides that it is time to end things with him on a positive note, and Elliott, it turns out, feels differently, being snowed in together might give them the opportunity to work things out.

Except that that's not really how things play out. Instead, events take a decidedly sinister turn, and nobody escapes unscathed. In fact, someone may not even make it out alive...

This is a gripping story, with many twists provided in the process. It was hard to find any of the characters very likeable - even if their motivations were interesting. All in all, an enjoyable read though not unflawed, it gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Sharon M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Howling Unicorn Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Mina Hardy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Claire is a married mom of an adult daughter, and her monthly getaway at a remote mountain cabin with Elliott is her perfect escape from real life. But Claire feels that Elliott is getting a little too needy, so she plans on this being their last getaway. When a snowstorm traps them in the cabin, things turn bad quickly.

A short synopsis is best for this book, so that you can go along with all the twists and turns as you read it. And there are certainly plenty of twists! This book covers a lot of ground - it starts out romantic, then quickly turns into a mystery thriller once secrets starting coming to light. None of the characters are real likable, but you'll still find yourself rooting for some of them. It may be a little over the top, but it is a quick read and pure entertainment and I was all in!

[A Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A once a month "getaway " in a remote cabin in the woods with a heavy snowstorm predicted. Sounds romantic,right? This getaway is anything but. It does start with a romantic beginning but quickly falls to hell.

This book was amazing! I couldn't read it fast enough. Fast paced and full of unsuspecting twists this story went places I couldn't even imagine. My jaw was on the floor more times than I could count. Though none of the characters were what anyone would call a genuinely good person I did like Claire, Elliott, and Troy. They were each trying to find their own happiness even if the way they went about it was unconventional to say the least.

If you enjoy a a fast paced twisty domestic thriller this one fits the bill.

Thanks to Netgalley and Howling Unicorn Press for the advanced copy of this book

[Yolanda Raya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by this author. The storyline was really good and it really grabs the reader from the beginning. It starts with a monthly getaway between lovers, Claire and Elliott, but this getaway turns out completely different than their normal ones.
This book has it all: love, sex, affairs, betrayal, past secrets and murder! One thing I will say is that I didn't care for any of the characters!!! The choices that they make in their lives and during this time at the cabin was just horrible.!!!! The story definitely makes the reader want to keep reading more to see who is behind all the events that have gone wrong on this trip.
Overall this was a quick and entertaining read. Thank you Netgalley and Howling Unicorn Press. All opinions are my own.

[K.B. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who follows what I read knows I love a thriller that’s set in seclusion, especially due to being snowed in. There’s just something so chilling (pun intended) and intense to be trapped by a blizzard.

What starts off as what I thought would be predictable turns to some crazy, bizarre twists at the half way mark. I think a lot of readers will be gobsmacked at where the story takes them.

Overall it’s not exactly my cup of tea but I can’t say that I didn’t turn the pages quicker as revelations started happening.

Thank you Netgalley and Howling Unicorn Press for the ARC of this book for an honest review.

❄️

Read if you like:
* The Shining by Stephen King
* Shiver by Allie Reynolds
* The Snow Storm by Triona Walsh

[Claire Coan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good psychological thriller, the twists and turns in this book really kept me hooked.
It’s hard to get onboard with anyone cheating but there is so much more to the story than that alone.
Claire has had two years of monthly getaways with Elliott but things must come to an end. Elliott has other plans, once a month isn’t enough. He has a plans to show her how good things could be.
Claire arrives early, parks at the road and taken to the cabin by the owner who is planning to use this snowmobile to transport when the storm comes in. Without giving any spoilers the start to their weekend doesn’t go as planned and tensions rise. Plans go awry when an unseen assailant launches an attack.
Mina really knows how to capture a reader, I couldn’t put the book down and wanted to know who and why. I would absolutely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Mina Hardy and Howling Unicorn Press for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Carol Werner Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Getaway
by Mina Hardy
Pub Date: Dec 13 2024

The Getaway was a very intense, consuming and exceptional book! It had me on the edge of my seat. A great thriller full of suspense. I highly recommend this to any fan of psychological thrillers!

Synopsis: Sometimes, it’s the secrets that save a marriage. For Claire Fitzgerald, her monthly getaway at a remote cabin is a time to relax, unwind, indulge. Two years with Elliott Reyes have been good to her…but all good things must come to an end, and she can only hope this final weekend together will finish their relationship on a high note. Elliott has other plans.

Many thanks to #TheGetaway #NetGalley and #HowlingUnicornPress for providing me with an E-ARC of this soon to be best seller!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire Fitzgerald has a "getaway" once a month. She goes to a remote cabin to meet her younger lover. The relationship has lasted two years, and she is thinking of breaking up with Elliott.
This being their last weekend together is meant to have been special. Until it wasn't.

I read this book in one sitting. It was fast paced, twisty, creepy - and did I mention twisty?
There are twists galore that will make the reader sit up and say "WHAT??!!"
If you like a book that will keep you glued to the pages, with some sex scenes, this book is for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Howling Unicorn Press for the opportunity to read this book.

[Jacki van de Schoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Getaway was a non-stop adrenaline filled thriller, full of crazy twists and a complicated romance.

It started off really well, I was hooked straight away. The characters were interesting, mysterious and complex.

Around halfway it started getting a bit outlandish.
I loved the storyline, but I felt like there were too many unlikely or unbelievable twists.
It was still an enjoyable read though.

3 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Mina Hardy for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HowlingUnicornPress for the book #TheGetaway by #MinaHardy. This book is non stop suspense and will keep you on your toes. Claire, who is married, has been having an affair with Elliot for two years. One weekend every month they spend it at a secluded cabin away from the world. Elliot wants more and he wants to prove it. There are secrets that could come out this weekend while they are snowed in and it’s not going the way Elliot planned. During this weekend, they are attacked and things turn really bad. Will they survive and at what cost?

[Myranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at a loss for words. This is an AMAZING suspenseful thriller that had my eyes popping out of my head and my jaw dropping constantly. The twists and turns in this story were almost enough to give you whiplash but in a good way...if there was a good way...you know what I mean. There are a few spicy scenes early on in the book but not too graphic in my opinion. This is a must read if you love a suspenseful thriller and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book!

Full review on my website on 12.17.24.
www.mommodeloading.com

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I was expecting. Claire is going for her monthly getaway with her current fling, Elliott, who she has been having an affair with for two years. There is a chance that they will get snowed in with the forecast, which make Claire nervous. She knows Elliott wants more than she is willing to give him, so she is planning on ending the affair. As the storm moves in, so do more people into the story. That is what I wasn't expecting and it kind of went off the rails for me. The plot kept getting stranger as the book went on. I did finish it, but it wasn't one of my favorites.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of this book—it was suspenseful, engaging, and kept my attention. Unfortunately, it started to lose me as the story progressed. The plot took a turn that felt a bit strange, and my interest faded from there. I also struggled to connect with any of the characters, which made it harder to stay invested. The ending didn’t quite work for me either. Overall, it had a strong start but didn’t fully deliver by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Howling Unicorn Press for this eARC.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sounded so good in the description. I couldn’t wait to get started on it. I was very invested until around the halfway mark. It started getting weird. Then it went full cringe. I would’ve DNF if I hadn’t requested this as an ARC. I felt it only fair to finish. It was 4 star till about 50% and kept getting worse. It actually took a turn towards ridiculous for me. I was asked for an honest review so this is it. It honestly wouldn’t end.