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The Lucky Winners
You’ve won the house of your dreams. It’s about to become a nightmare…
'Excellent gripping storyline...keeps you guessing right to the end' 5***** reader review
A gripping twist-filled thriller from the bestselling author of Message Deleted. For fans of T.M Logan, Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell.
--
When Merri and Dev buy a ticket on the last day of a national draw to win the house of their dreams, they never, in a million years, expect to win.
Less than a week later, they’re receiving the keys to their new Lake District mansion.
For Dev, it’s a dream come true – no more stressful rent negotiations, or waiting for the landlord to finally fix the damp. Of course he’s delighted to be interviewed about their good luck.
But Merri feels a little uneasy. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister died.
At first it’s easy to think she’s imagining the shadowy figures in the lakefront garden. It’s silly to think that someone is watching her through the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…
--
PRAISE FOR K. L. SLATER
‘Full of secrets, lies and betrayal – it will keep you guessing right to the end’ T.M. Logan
'A triumph of clever plotting and sharp writing. A compelling thriller, masterfully executed' Rachel Abbott
‘Brilliant, very clever . . . I absolutely recommend it’ B. A. Paris
‘Just when you think you know exactly who did what, there is a twist to beat all twists’ The Times
‘One of the best thrillers I have ever read’ Angela Marsons
‘A gripping thriller that will make you question everything you thought you knew about marriage’ New magazine
'Excellent gripping storyline...keeps you guessing right to the end' 5***** reader review
A gripping twist-filled thriller from the bestselling author of Message Deleted. For fans of T.M Logan, Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell.
--
When Merri and Dev buy a ticket on the last day of a national draw to win the house of their dreams, they never, in a million years, expect to win.
Less than a week later, they’re receiving the keys to their new Lake District mansion.
For Dev, it’s a dream come true – no more stressful rent negotiations, or waiting for the landlord to finally fix the damp. Of course he’s delighted to be interviewed about their good luck.
But Merri feels a little uneasy. Dev doesn’t realise there’s a reason she’s never wanted to put down roots, always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister died.
At first it’s easy to think she’s imagining the shadowy figures in the lakefront garden. It’s silly to think that someone is watching her through the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…
--
PRAISE FOR K. L. SLATER
‘Full of secrets, lies and betrayal – it will keep you guessing right to the end’ T.M. Logan
'A triumph of clever plotting and sharp writing. A compelling thriller, masterfully executed' Rachel Abbott
‘Brilliant, very clever . . . I absolutely recommend it’ B. A. Paris
‘Just when you think you know exactly who did what, there is a twist to beat all twists’ The Times
‘One of the best thrillers I have ever read’ Angela Marsons
‘A gripping thriller that will make you question everything you thought you knew about marriage’ New magazine
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2025
875 people are currently reading
2667 people want to read
About the author
K.L. Slater
45 books4,907 followersKim is the number one bestselling author of sixteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson
Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 459 reviews
August 12, 2025
3.5 Definitely an enjoyable read, always love KL Slater’s books but I have to say this was very slow paced until the 60% mark.
Great concept but the first at least half was our main character couple moving to the house they’ve won and not being accepted into the community, nothing really thrillerish happens until the second half.
Ending was brilliant and I was very satisfied with the second half but just bear that in mind 😊
Great concept but the first at least half was our main character couple moving to the house they’ve won and not being accepted into the community, nothing really thrillerish happens until the second half.
Ending was brilliant and I was very satisfied with the second half but just bear that in mind 😊
Read
September 3, 2025This authors books I read devour then await her ne t one she can never write fast enough for me.
Don’t be mislead by the title winning a dream house walking away from their debts to a better horizon it’s not as easy as that. Why? Because it’s K.L.Slater. The twists within these pages just keep on giving, it’s like knitting, all your stitches are on one needle but drop one and you’ll have a hole to fill, that’s why I was interested in all the way , watching these holes being picked up and see it all coming together making sense. She certainly delivers what I needed in this book.
Don’t be mislead by the title winning a dream house walking away from their debts to a better horizon it’s not as easy as that. Why? Because it’s K.L.Slater. The twists within these pages just keep on giving, it’s like knitting, all your stitches are on one needle but drop one and you’ll have a hole to fill, that’s why I was interested in all the way , watching these holes being picked up and see it all coming together making sense. She certainly delivers what I needed in this book.
February 23, 2026
“I’ve always felt the past isn’t something you can just walk away from. Not really.”
This psychological thriller by one of the best in the genre is one you won’t want to pass on. It examines winning and the problems that arise when it means risking the one thing we can’t afford to lose. We may not win big on any lottery, but we’ll all face a moment when we have a choice to make that has the potential to shed light on things we’d rather keep hidden. It was good for me to be reminded that a dream doesn’t necessarily “sit comfortably once it collides with real life.”
A simple choice to gift his wife a lottery ticket for their anniversary certainly eradicates some of the problems in their life, but it also creates newer problems, ones they don’t need and can’t afford.
I like stories that make me consider and Slater absolutely gives her readers reason for pause.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This psychological thriller by one of the best in the genre is one you won’t want to pass on. It examines winning and the problems that arise when it means risking the one thing we can’t afford to lose. We may not win big on any lottery, but we’ll all face a moment when we have a choice to make that has the potential to shed light on things we’d rather keep hidden. It was good for me to be reminded that a dream doesn’t necessarily “sit comfortably once it collides with real life.”
A simple choice to gift his wife a lottery ticket for their anniversary certainly eradicates some of the problems in their life, but it also creates newer problems, ones they don’t need and can’t afford.
I like stories that make me consider and Slater absolutely gives her readers reason for pause.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 14, 2025
K L at the top of her game another excellent thriller from a gifted and amazing author.
When her husband buys a raffle ticket as an anniversary present the last thing she expects is to win in fact this cash strapped couple have a completely different view to its purchase. However they win and it brings to light the dark secrets of Merri's past and events are beyond what she expected. But what are the locals responsible for and who can you trust. A new start was all Dev expected and to settle into a chilled life of luxury. But the locals aren't happy as well as someone else and if you love phycology thrillers you will love this, it's so well written and her story telling is excellent
So this is beyond 5stars, great characters as well as story and the twists are unseen until they hit you and they send the tale spinning to several levels you really don't want to miss your I really loved it.
When her husband buys a raffle ticket as an anniversary present the last thing she expects is to win in fact this cash strapped couple have a completely different view to its purchase. However they win and it brings to light the dark secrets of Merri's past and events are beyond what she expected. But what are the locals responsible for and who can you trust. A new start was all Dev expected and to settle into a chilled life of luxury. But the locals aren't happy as well as someone else and if you love phycology thrillers you will love this, it's so well written and her story telling is excellent
So this is beyond 5stars, great characters as well as story and the twists are unseen until they hit you and they send the tale spinning to several levels you really don't want to miss your I really loved it.
September 7, 2025
2.5 / 5.0
Slow boring book, will not remember the plot probably tomorrow. Nothing in this book was unique, it’s always based on unknowns. The plot was slow, didn’t enjoy the characters, didn’t enjoy the build up of the plot. Didn’t really enjoy the premise of the book, yes I know people have skeletons in their closet but I think how the plot developed that I didn’t like how weird the trickle of information was applied. At points I found the book inconsistent with the pacing.
Not really my cup of tea
Slow boring book, will not remember the plot probably tomorrow. Nothing in this book was unique, it’s always based on unknowns. The plot was slow, didn’t enjoy the characters, didn’t enjoy the build up of the plot. Didn’t really enjoy the premise of the book, yes I know people have skeletons in their closet but I think how the plot developed that I didn’t like how weird the trickle of information was applied. At points I found the book inconsistent with the pacing.
Not really my cup of tea
August 11, 2025
But are they lucky?
Dev and Merri are struggling, doing without things here, giving things up there and generally just about surviving, but they are happy as they can be and love each other
Then Dev enters a comp to win a luxury mansion and their lives change dramatically
Dev is thrilled, Merri excited but also scared as with this win comes exposure to the media inc photos of her and Dev, something she is not keen on….
Their lives are about to get even more chaotic as bad things start to happen and as new people in their lives and people from dark pasts re-appear….everyone seems on a mission to cause chaos and harm
And then everything and everyone collides at a supper party…..and the trouble really starts
It took a while for me to settle to the characters but once did it was an exciting psychological/whodunit thriller that this author writes so well
Dev and Merri are struggling, doing without things here, giving things up there and generally just about surviving, but they are happy as they can be and love each other
Then Dev enters a comp to win a luxury mansion and their lives change dramatically
Dev is thrilled, Merri excited but also scared as with this win comes exposure to the media inc photos of her and Dev, something she is not keen on….
Their lives are about to get even more chaotic as bad things start to happen and as new people in their lives and people from dark pasts re-appear….everyone seems on a mission to cause chaos and harm
And then everything and everyone collides at a supper party…..and the trouble really starts
It took a while for me to settle to the characters but once did it was an exciting psychological/whodunit thriller that this author writes so well
December 13, 2025
a real slow burn which
easily grasped my attention,
this had a fun trope and a great
execution - but its dénouement
fell flat after all the tension. :x
easily grasped my attention,
this had a fun trope and a great
execution - but its dénouement
fell flat after all the tension. :x
July 16, 2025
Review to follow.
September 5, 2025
Meh! Great narration on Audible, but as for the story .. nothing shocked me, and I felt like it was quite slow in parts.
June 3, 2025
Merri and Dev are struggling to pay their bills and have to watch every penny.
Dev buys a ticket for a competition to win a house for Merri for their wedding anniversary.
They are over the moon when they win a brand new three million dollar house and also a quarter of a million dollars in spending money.
But not everyone is happy about their good fortune and some are even determined to ruin their good luck.
I always enjoy reading books by K. L. Slater and I’m looking forward to her next book already.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House fmy e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dev buys a ticket for a competition to win a house for Merri for their wedding anniversary.
They are over the moon when they win a brand new three million dollar house and also a quarter of a million dollars in spending money.
But not everyone is happy about their good fortune and some are even determined to ruin their good luck.
I always enjoy reading books by K. L. Slater and I’m looking forward to her next book already.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House fmy e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2026
Truly just a bit naff. Plodded on until the end but all of the action was crammed into about 15% of book with some huge gaps in the plot
January 27, 2026
This book unfortunately flatters to deceive, a relatively good concept has poor pacing issues and ultimately a very underwhelming ending.
The intrigue of the protagonist’s backstory wears thin after a while and the reveal towards the end feels very predictable which is a shame.
I do have to admit that after page 280 the story gets a whole lot more interesting, it’s just a shame it took that long.
I am told that Slater’s other books are much better, I hope they are.
The intrigue of the protagonist’s backstory wears thin after a while and the reveal towards the end feels very predictable which is a shame.
I do have to admit that after page 280 the story gets a whole lot more interesting, it’s just a shame it took that long.
I am told that Slater’s other books are much better, I hope they are.
March 15, 2026
1.5 stars rounded up.
Did not get along with this one. Most of the book couldn't be further from the crime/thriller that it promises, as it basically talks about a couple moving to a fancy new house having won it in the lottery, but clearly there are skeletons in the closet. I skim-read the second half just to see how it ended, it got a bit better but I was honestly done with the characters and the story by that point, as any excitement I had from the blurb and/or the premise had long since evaporated.
Did not get along with this one. Most of the book couldn't be further from the crime/thriller that it promises, as it basically talks about a couple moving to a fancy new house having won it in the lottery, but clearly there are skeletons in the closet. I skim-read the second half just to see how it ended, it got a bit better but I was honestly done with the characters and the story by that point, as any excitement I had from the blurb and/or the premise had long since evaporated.
September 12, 2025
Dream House has
From a life of debts to winning a dream house. Is this not what everyone dreams of... until it becomes a nightmare.
From a life of debts to winning a dream house. Is this not what everyone dreams of... until it becomes a nightmare.
January 24, 2026
This is the worst book. Do not read. Avoid. I quite liked the premise but the execution of the story is awful. I could write better and I ain’t no good story writer. Removing this from my 2026 challenge because I did not get beyond 15% in. Outrageous.
March 15, 2026
Ooooh who doesn’t want to be the big lucky winner of a GRAND PRIZE?! Super unnerving to watch it unfold and potentially ruin Dev and Merri’s whole lives. Thought I figured out who The Watcher was but got that wrong. I don’t know that I would enjoy living in an all glass house simply because I would feel like I was in a fishbowl. Well written and suspenseful.
September 14, 2025
This was okay , kept me thinking. Thought I had an idea but it wasn’t what I thought. I would recommend. On to the next one
January 12, 2026
It started off well and then it got boring towards chapter 27 the characters of the story became very bland and uninteresting and the story arc was slow and the main protagonists of the story made very bad decisions and there was so much useless information that it became very boring very quickly.
August 13, 2025
This is a great psychological thriller.
When Dev wins a large mansion in the Lake District he cannot believe it, however his wife Merri is hesitant to move.
Dev loves all the media attention that his win has caused but Merri wants to hide away from it all.
We learn that Merri has something in her past that Dev doesn't know about, and when things start happening at their new home, she becomes more unsettled.
This is a gripping thriller, that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
When Dev wins a large mansion in the Lake District he cannot believe it, however his wife Merri is hesitant to move.
Dev loves all the media attention that his win has caused but Merri wants to hide away from it all.
We learn that Merri has something in her past that Dev doesn't know about, and when things start happening at their new home, she becomes more unsettled.
This is a gripping thriller, that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
February 5, 2026
This was very easy to read and was relatively short, so I finished it in a matter of hours. The audiobook narrators were also fantastic!
However, it just wasn’t that impressive - the pacing could use a lot of work and it felt like there were a lot of different aspects to the storyline that weren’t quite married together, so I came away feeling unsatisfied.
Narrators: Sian Brooke, Jassa Ahluwalia
However, it just wasn’t that impressive - the pacing could use a lot of work and it felt like there were a lot of different aspects to the storyline that weren’t quite married together, so I came away feeling unsatisfied.
Narrators: Sian Brooke, Jassa Ahluwalia
June 5, 2025
When a book by this author comes out it goes straight to the top of my pile. This was a nice easy but engrossing read. I like the way that there were options which kept you guessing.
this book was another example of how miscommunication and not talking has dire consequences.
what I did struggle with is what social services were doing. I don't want to say more but I get it as needed for the plot.
I have often wondered about these houses and who wins them and how people react.
this book was another example of how miscommunication and not talking has dire consequences.
what I did struggle with is what social services were doing. I don't want to say more but I get it as needed for the plot.
I have often wondered about these houses and who wins them and how people react.
August 10, 2025
Despite there being plenty of material to keep me engaged, I had difficulty with reading ‘Lucky Winners’. The second half of the book stepped up in tempo and tension, but the journey there was somewhat repetitive and lacking in ‘threat’. I was fortunate to receive an advanced review copy: there were two or three glitches in the telling which I am sure will have been picked up before printing and publication. Overall, it is an ideal holiday read.
August 13, 2025
I did enjoy this book, it started off really gripping and had me hooked from the get go. However, it did fall flat in the middle and I did find myself having to force my way through the chapters, towards the end this picked back up again hence the 3⭐️
March 15, 2026
THE LUCKY WINNERS is a standalone psychological thriller by bestselling author K.L. Slater. Having read and enjoyed her previous novels, I was anxious to start this novel.
Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
The Girlfriend (2022)
The Narrator (2023)
The Bedroom Window (2023)
Husband and Wife (2023)
Message Deleted (2024)
The Married Man (2024)
The Lucky Winners (2025)
My Husband Next Door (2025)
The Waitress (2026)
We Tell Lies (2026)
This is my review of The Lucky Winners.
Merri and husband, Dev are struggling financially, when Dev buys Merri a raffle ticket for their anniversary of the Dreamkey national prize draw for an amazing house. They never, in a million years, expected to win.
But less than a week later, they received the keys to their new home.
For Dev, it’s a dream come true, but Merri is worried. But Merri is hiding something…Dev doesn’t realise why Merri is always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister, Beth died.
But soon after moving into their dream home, Merri senses that someone is watching her at their new home.
And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…
This is a well-written fast-paced novel with intense descriptions that heighten the suspense level, and give depth to the characters. The tension builds slowly with twists and turns to a satisfactory conclusion. This suspenseful thriller that kept me hooked until the very end…and an ending I didn’t see coming. A great read!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
The Girlfriend (2022)
The Narrator (2023)
The Bedroom Window (2023)
Husband and Wife (2023)
Message Deleted (2024)
The Married Man (2024)
The Lucky Winners (2025)
My Husband Next Door (2025)
The Waitress (2026)
We Tell Lies (2026)
This is my review of The Lucky Winners.
Merri and husband, Dev are struggling financially, when Dev buys Merri a raffle ticket for their anniversary of the Dreamkey national prize draw for an amazing house. They never, in a million years, expected to win.
But less than a week later, they received the keys to their new home.
For Dev, it’s a dream come true, but Merri is worried. But Merri is hiding something…Dev doesn’t realise why Merri is always trying to run away from the memories of what happened the day her little sister, Beth died.
But soon after moving into their dream home, Merri senses that someone is watching her at their new home.
And then a body is found in the lake. And Merri’s new perfect life is about to come crashing down…
This is a well-written fast-paced novel with intense descriptions that heighten the suspense level, and give depth to the characters. The tension builds slowly with twists and turns to a satisfactory conclusion. This suspenseful thriller that kept me hooked until the very end…and an ending I didn’t see coming. A great read!
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
March 16, 2026
• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - March 18, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- dream home turns nightmare
- secrets from the past
- small town tension
- marriage under pressure
- unreliable vibes
- dinner party disaster
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Merri and Dev are struggling with money when Dev buys a raffle ticket as an anniversary gift. It feels like a silly decision at first. But then they win a luxurious lakeside house. What should be a fresh start slowly becomes something heavy and dark. The locals are distant and cold. Merri’s past refuses to stay buried. Strange things begin happening around the house. Old faces return. New people enter their lives. Everything builds toward one explosive dinner party where secrets and chaos finally collide.
This story gave me such tense and uneasy vibes in the best way. I loved how the dream home felt beautiful on the outside but carried such dark energy inside. The writing was smooth and very easy to read. I finished it quickly because I needed to know what was really going on.
Merri as a character felt layered and emotional. I liked how her past slowly unfolded instead of being dumped all at once. Dev’s reactions also made the marriage dynamics feel real and messy. The small town atmosphere added that constant uncomfortable feeling like someone is always watching.
The twists were smart and dramatic. Some moments truly shocked me and changed the direction of the story. The final dinner party scene was intense and chaotic in a way I absolutely enjoyed.
For me it is a strong four star read because the middle slowed down slightly, but overall it was gripping, dramatic and very addictive. If you love psychological thrillers with secrets, tension and messy relationships, this one is perfect for your shelf.
Thank you so much bookoutour for the free ARC! 💕
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - March 18, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- dream home turns nightmare
- secrets from the past
- small town tension
- marriage under pressure
- unreliable vibes
- dinner party disaster
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Merri and Dev are struggling with money when Dev buys a raffle ticket as an anniversary gift. It feels like a silly decision at first. But then they win a luxurious lakeside house. What should be a fresh start slowly becomes something heavy and dark. The locals are distant and cold. Merri’s past refuses to stay buried. Strange things begin happening around the house. Old faces return. New people enter their lives. Everything builds toward one explosive dinner party where secrets and chaos finally collide.
This story gave me such tense and uneasy vibes in the best way. I loved how the dream home felt beautiful on the outside but carried such dark energy inside. The writing was smooth and very easy to read. I finished it quickly because I needed to know what was really going on.
Merri as a character felt layered and emotional. I liked how her past slowly unfolded instead of being dumped all at once. Dev’s reactions also made the marriage dynamics feel real and messy. The small town atmosphere added that constant uncomfortable feeling like someone is always watching.
The twists were smart and dramatic. Some moments truly shocked me and changed the direction of the story. The final dinner party scene was intense and chaotic in a way I absolutely enjoyed.
For me it is a strong four star read because the middle slowed down slightly, but overall it was gripping, dramatic and very addictive. If you love psychological thrillers with secrets, tension and messy relationships, this one is perfect for your shelf.
Thank you so much bookoutour for the free ARC! 💕
August 10, 2025
Merri and Dev are shocked to learn they have won a lake side mansion, especially after struggling with money for a while. For Dev he is delighted to be interviewed about their good fortune. Merri on the other hand feels uneasy as she has been trying to keep secrets from the past hidden. Soon strange things start happening and she feels someone is watching them. Will their perfect new life come crashing down?
Having recently discovering this author and enjoying the books I have already read by her I was keen to read this one. I also liked the cover. I enjoyed the premise of how quickly things can change when you win great fortune and liked how the author explored this within the story. The characters were believable, however at times I did find their actions a bit frustrating.
The story is full of red herrings and twists, I never quite knew who to trust. There is a present and past element that worked well in building up to the main reveals. There was a creepy undertone running throughout the story that helped build the tension and atmosphere. Overall this was a solid, classic psychological thriller and I will certainly continue to read more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Having recently discovering this author and enjoying the books I have already read by her I was keen to read this one. I also liked the cover. I enjoyed the premise of how quickly things can change when you win great fortune and liked how the author explored this within the story. The characters were believable, however at times I did find their actions a bit frustrating.
The story is full of red herrings and twists, I never quite knew who to trust. There is a present and past element that worked well in building up to the main reveals. There was a creepy undertone running throughout the story that helped build the tension and atmosphere. Overall this was a solid, classic psychological thriller and I will certainly continue to read more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2025
I was accepted to read this book before official publication through NetGalley and below is my honest review.
Ohhh I was hooked from the start. A gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!
The story starts as Merri and Dev, a couple who are struggling financially win a beautiful house in the Lake District and a large sum of money through a competition (think Omaze vibes)!
Not all is as it seems though as that’s where it gets intense. It is told through a dual timeline where we find that Merri is harbouring a dark secret which seems to follow her..
It’s also told through multiple POVs which I think really adds to eerie atmosphere.
This book has the perfect amount of intensity laced through it and you’ll find you don’t know who to trust. It was a ride from start to finish. At one point, it was getting so intense I had to stop myself looking further down the page for answers or what happened next 😂
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a psychological thriller that makes you question everyone!
Overall, I give this book 5 stars!
Ohhh I was hooked from the start. A gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!
The story starts as Merri and Dev, a couple who are struggling financially win a beautiful house in the Lake District and a large sum of money through a competition (think Omaze vibes)!
Not all is as it seems though as that’s where it gets intense. It is told through a dual timeline where we find that Merri is harbouring a dark secret which seems to follow her..
It’s also told through multiple POVs which I think really adds to eerie atmosphere.
This book has the perfect amount of intensity laced through it and you’ll find you don’t know who to trust. It was a ride from start to finish. At one point, it was getting so intense I had to stop myself looking further down the page for answers or what happened next 😂
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a psychological thriller that makes you question everyone!
Overall, I give this book 5 stars!
October 13, 2025
I’ve just finished this book and whilst I did enjoy it there were a few discrepancies which irritated me for example at one point wall the main character was being interviewed by the police. It suddenly mentioned a Facebook page that hadn’t been spoken to to the police prior it was almost like there was missing a small section and there was a couple of areas where that happened however I was reading a advanced copy so maybe that is why
With regards to the story, I loved the concept.
Meri and Dev have been married for three years and on their third anniversary Dev purchased a £20 ticket for the dream scapes house lottery. Meri, was annoyed. He wasted his money as she didn’t think they had a chance of winning however luck came their way.
After finding out they have won the house, they are thrust into the spotlight and Meri struggles with this as shes worried about someone finding out her secret.
Dev and Meri prepare to move in and head to what they hope to be their Dream house by the lake
However Meri has doubts, she hasn’t told Dev the full truth about herself and shortly after moving in weird things start happening. Is it locals, angry at outsiders moving in, or is there something else going on?
I really enjoyed how this story evolved, being told in the context of both Dev and Meri and events from 15 years previously, along with extracts from The Watcher!
With regards to the story, I loved the concept.
Meri and Dev have been married for three years and on their third anniversary Dev purchased a £20 ticket for the dream scapes house lottery. Meri, was annoyed. He wasted his money as she didn’t think they had a chance of winning however luck came their way.
After finding out they have won the house, they are thrust into the spotlight and Meri struggles with this as shes worried about someone finding out her secret.
Dev and Meri prepare to move in and head to what they hope to be their Dream house by the lake
However Meri has doubts, she hasn’t told Dev the full truth about herself and shortly after moving in weird things start happening. Is it locals, angry at outsiders moving in, or is there something else going on?
I really enjoyed how this story evolved, being told in the context of both Dev and Meri and events from 15 years previously, along with extracts from The Watcher!
August 17, 2025
The lucky winners
K.L. Slater
This is my first K.L. Slater and it certainly will not be my last.
I love the different approach that was taken with this book.
K.L. Slater wrote of a marriage that is a team and not what you normally read where one spouse turns their back on the other or has doubts about the other.
I think that is why I loved Merri and Dev.
They had such a strong relationship.
I think you are meant to know who the Watcher is but I swear right now the last 100 pages had me in a choke hold!
This is a quick sailing triple POV also with past POV so you can get some background on the characters which I love.
Will I be starting some of her other books??
Most certainly!!
Highly recommend to those who are dabbling with reading crime/thrillers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
@klslaterauthor
@penguinbooks
@netgalley
#netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyarc #arcreadersofinstagram #arcreview #crimereads #crimebook #thrillerbooks #thrillerread #booktokuk #booksofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookinsta #booksta #trendingreels
K.L. Slater
This is my first K.L. Slater and it certainly will not be my last.
I love the different approach that was taken with this book.
K.L. Slater wrote of a marriage that is a team and not what you normally read where one spouse turns their back on the other or has doubts about the other.
I think that is why I loved Merri and Dev.
They had such a strong relationship.
I think you are meant to know who the Watcher is but I swear right now the last 100 pages had me in a choke hold!
This is a quick sailing triple POV also with past POV so you can get some background on the characters which I love.
Will I be starting some of her other books??
Most certainly!!
Highly recommend to those who are dabbling with reading crime/thrillers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
@klslaterauthor
@penguinbooks
@netgalley
#netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyarc #arcreadersofinstagram #arcreview #crimereads #crimebook #thrillerbooks #thrillerread #booktokuk #booksofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookinsta #booksta #trendingreels
August 4, 2025
What seems to be a once-in-a-lifetime bit of luck soon becomes a nightmare.
Dev and Merri are struggling to make ends meet. Both worked to the bone, there never seems to be enough money. So when Dev spends £20 on a ticket for a millionaire home giveaway it seems a step too far.
Except they win.
Before we know it Dev and Merri have moved into their beautiful home over Lake Windermere. They make some new friends and are seemingly happy. Until Merri starts to think someone is watching them. Their home gets vandalised and someone posts pictures of their beautiful home online - pictures that mean they’ve been in the house.
A nightmare scenario, but one Merri is particularly concerned by for reasons that she has hidden from her husband. When the body of one of their new friends is pulled out of the lake Merri knows she is going to have to come clean. But will it be enough?
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
Dev and Merri are struggling to make ends meet. Both worked to the bone, there never seems to be enough money. So when Dev spends £20 on a ticket for a millionaire home giveaway it seems a step too far.
Except they win.
Before we know it Dev and Merri have moved into their beautiful home over Lake Windermere. They make some new friends and are seemingly happy. Until Merri starts to think someone is watching them. Their home gets vandalised and someone posts pictures of their beautiful home online - pictures that mean they’ve been in the house.
A nightmare scenario, but one Merri is particularly concerned by for reasons that she has hidden from her husband. When the body of one of their new friends is pulled out of the lake Merri knows she is going to have to come clean. But will it be enough?
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
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