Sie ist die einzige Familie, die mir noch bleibt. Aber kann ich ihr trauen?
Als ich den Flughafen verlasse, sehe ich Die Schwester meiner Mutter. Sobald ich ihre langen, schwarzen Haare und braunen Augen sehe, identisch zu meinen, besteht kein Zweifel, dass wir verwandt sind. Aber ich höre noch immer die Worte meiner Du kannst ihr nicht vertrauen.
Meine Mutter war der Mittelpunkt meiner Welt – sie hat mich alles gelehrt und war immer für mich da. Meine letzte Erinnerung an sie ist ihr schmerzverzerrtes Gesicht, als sie schreit, dass ich aus dem Haus fliehen muss. Dann haben die Flammen sie umhüllt und nie mehr losgelassen.
Jetzt muss ich bei meiner Tante leben und hoffe, dass meine Mutter sich in ihr geirrt hat. Aber wenn ich heimlich beobachte, wie sie mit ihren Freunden spricht, redet sie über mich, als wäre ich eine Fremde.
Eines Nachts kann ich ein Gespräch zwischen ihr und der Polizei belauschen. Ich beginne mich zu fragen, ob sie etwas mit dem furchtbaren Feuer zu tun hatte, das mein Leben ruiniert hat. Und das Blut gefriert in meinen Adern, als der Polizist sie »Was verheimlichen Sie?«
Versucht meine Tante, mich zu beschützen – oder ist sie die Gefahr?
Ein direkt süchtig machender Psychothriller über eine Familie mit einem düsteren Geheimnis. Perfekt für Fans von A.J. Finn, Shalini Boland und Gillian McAllister.
Was über Die Nichte
»WOW!!! … Absolut packend … Ich war komplett gefesselt von Anfang bis Ende … Konnte es bis 2 Uhr morgens nicht weglegen … Mein Herz war durchgehend am Rasen … Es hat mich umgehauen.« Bookworm86, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
»Ich fand es so toll! … Das Ende war FANTASTISCH.« Goodreads-Rezension, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
»Absolut süchtig machend … Packt dich und lässt dich bis zum Ende nicht los … Ich habe das Buch in einem Rutsch durchgelesen. Ich bin bis Mitternacht aufgeblieben, um die Action zu verschlingen!« NetGalley-Rezension, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
»Sprachlos!!! … Ich konnte es bei bestem Willen nicht weglegen. Dieses Buch hatte einfach alles … Ich bin nur so durch die Seiten geflogen … Das Ende war der größte Schock aller Zeiten … Das hätte ich in einer Million Jahren nicht erraten.« Blue Moon Blogger, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
»So süchtig machend … Packend und aufregend … Ich habe jede Minute davon genossen und das Buch innerhalb eines Tages beendet.« The Staffymum’s Book Nook, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
»Ich habe dieses wendungsreiche Buch geliebt … Ich habe die Story in einem Rutsch gelesen … Ein definitives Must-Read.« creaseinthespinebooks, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author of ONE NIGHT and NANNY NEEDED with Bantam, Penguin Random House, and author of THE STEPDAUGHTER, THE MISSING WOMAN, and THE NIECE with Bookouture, Hachette Publishing.
Sisters, Tara, and Beth have been estranged for thirteen years. Tara is shocked when she receives a phone call informing her that her sister died in a tragic housefire that appears to have been deliberately set. Tara is reeling from the news that her sister is dead, when she is informed that her Niece, Hannah will be coming to live with her per her sister's wishes.
Hannah can't help but worry if she is next!
Tara and her daughter, Cassie do their best to make Hannah feel at home. She is grieving for the loss of her mother and trying to fit in at school.
This book is told in two timelines, so readers have a good grasp on why the sisters are estranged. I found this to be a very nice touch and enjoyed both timelines equally. With two timelines, I tend to gravitate to one more than the other, but with this book I found both to be gripping and enjoyable.
As the book progresses, there is underlying tension. Initially it's just an inkling but as the book progresses so does the sense of dread. Tara knows someone is out to harm her and her girls. But who and why?
This is a psychological thriller which had a reveal that was SHOCKING! I did not see that coming at all! There are a nice number of twists and turns going into the reveal and then BAM that reveal! woohoo!
This book is full of drama, secrets, and mystery. I found this book to be well written, gripping and a page turner! Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! I love a book that shocks me and this one nailed it!
This was my first book by Georgina Cross, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!
Captivating page turner that left me reeling!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you haven’t read any books by Georgina Cross, you should! I’ve read them all, and this one does not disappoint. This fast paced thriller hooked me immediately. With twists throughout, it had me on the edge of my seat. Buried secrets come back with a vengeance, testing relationships and raising suspicion. Who is the real villain in this twisted tale of deception and betrayal? Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, timeline in the present with a few flashbacks, references to an extramarital affair, death of loved ones
Tara has been estranged from her sister, Beth, for 13 years when she perishes in a house fire. Now, she has custody of her 16 year old niece that she hasn't seen since she was 3. Even though she has a 12 year old daughter of her own it still takes some getting used to having this virtual stranger in her house. As the fire investigation goes on Tara has a feeling that her past has caught up to her and someone will be after her next.
Family drama mama with some shocking twists, some predictability and plenty of secrets. A wonderful fast paced day read that had me engaged throughout.
*Thanks to Bookouture, the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
About the book: “An utterly addictive psychological thriller about a family with a dark secret at its heart that will make you question everyone you trust.”
Hannah has been told by her mom to never trust, Tara, her sister and Hannah’s aunt. When Beth dies in a house fire, Hannah is sent to live with Tara and her daughter, Cassie. Yikes, right? There are two timelines to the story, which helps give background on the sisters.
The Niece has great tension throughout, and there was a giant twist that completely surprised me. Big kudos for that! It can be challenging to stand out in this genre, especially when we so often read thrillers, but this is an absolute stand out. Twists, turns, drama, intrigue; it has it all in a well-written, page-turning package.
The "hottest" chapter of "The Niece" is Chapter One.
The book begins with a house in flames that kills one woman.
Even though the deceased woman was estranged from her sister, care of the deceased woman's 16-year-old daughter is assigned to the woman's sister, her only living relative.
Was this tragic and deadly housefire an act of arson?
Will the deceased woman's estranged sister be able to keep her estranged 16-year-old niece happy and safe?
Readers quickly learn that this book is about a family with many secrets. Will these secrets be revealed?
With the exception of that blazing housefire, the book had a very, very, very slow start and it isn't until midway through the book that things start to happen.
The book featured much family drama and many, many repeated references to "Someone from my past won’t let me forget what I did. They killed my sister, now they are coming after me".
Many times, the author rambled.
The ending had a compelling twist and that helped elevate the book's star rating.
I listened to the audiobook and narrator Lauryn Allman did a fabulous job with the narration.
I am not a fan of books with very slow starts and repetitive text. The audiobook was a 9.5-hour book that easily could have been a 6-hour audiobook.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very enjoyable family drama! Full of family, secrets, and ..fire.
Tara and Beth are estranged sisters. Upon Beth’s death, her daughter Hannah comes to live with Tara. Tara is surprised by this because of what happened so long ago. We don’t know what happened yet, but we know Tara was ousted from the family.
It’s strange because Tara seems really nice. She’s happy to have Hannah and Tara’s daughter Cassie is super excited to have a cousin! Neither had siblings or fathers so they appreciate the new family. Cassie and Hannah bond immediately.
Tara has her concerns though. It’s clear the fire that killed her sister was no accident. Tara didn’t know Beth anymore so could it have been something unrelated to Tara, or could it be payback for things that happened long ago? Things begin to happen that make her assume the latter.
This was a nice little mystery, not a stressful thriller, a family drama that kept you guessing and dropped info along the way to keep you hooked. I didn’t trust anyone! And the final reveal is something I never would have guessed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to listen and review! The narration was great. This narrator can always do many voices and accents.
Tara finds out her sister Beth has died in a fire that was set to her house. So now her sixteen year old niece, Hannah, will be coming to live with her and her daughter, Cassie. Tara and Beth had not talked in a long time after a falling out from something that happened with her parents a long time ago. She is nervous to help Hannah but wants to honor her sister's wishes. There are many secrets between Beth and Tara and a past and present timeline that will leave you glued to the pages.
I really enjoyed THE GIRL IN YOUR HOUSE. I thought this was an engrossing thriller and it was hard to put down. I always love a good twist, and this one certainly surprised me. If you enjoy a book about secrets between family members, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
I was thinking I'd like this one after reading and really liking the authors other book NANNY NEEDED, unfortunately, this one didn't work for me. It was just not too thrilling or suspenseful, and I had it all figured out. I still would still read more by the author though.
Tara hasn't talked to her sister Beth for years, since she left home after an accident with their parents. She gets a phone call saying Beth has been killed in a house fire, and her surviving daughter Hannah is going to need a place to stay, she knows she has no other choice but to welcome Hannah. Hannah gets along great with Tara's daughter Cassie,bad they are around the same age. Tara now thinks that someone is coming for her and the girls, that someone is trying to kill them too. Is it someone from the past, or is it someone who's closer than she thinks??
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you for reading my books! I'm a fan of this one as it's set in a town near where I live with a community of readers that have become very special to me. I dedicate this latest novel to you!
Sisters are a very interesting relationship for me to tackle, especially in a situation like Tara and Beth's where they were once so close but tragedy has pulled them apart. And because of this, and after years of not speaking, why would Beth update her will and leave her daughter in Tara's care? And when the girl shows up, why does more tragedy follow? Until the last page, find out why Tara is convinced... they're coming after me next.
The storyline was interesting and the twist was unexpected. but it was overly dramatic so it wasn't a realistic story, esp what happened in the past and the actions of the two sisters didn't make a lot of sense.
The Niece by Georgina Cross is a very fast paced thrilling read! I read this book in a day as it was one of those books you just can't put down. The book revolves around 2 sisters, Tara and Beth, and their families. Something happened when Tara and Beth were young adults and they never came to terms with it. They are the only people that know what truly happened and neither one is talking. A man died and his wife and 2 sons were left devastated and very angry. The family blamed Tara and Beth for the man's death and never bought the story they told. The sisters grew apart and have remained estranged for the last 12 years.
Tara gets a phone call one morning from the family lawyer. He tells her that her sister, Beth, has died in a fire. He said that Beth had made a recent change to her will and that she wanted Tara to raise her daughter, Hannah, if anything ever happened to her. She was the only family left as the parents had died in a terrible accident over a decade ago. That's when Tara left Louisville for good and moved to Alabama. Tara also has a 12 year old daughter named Cassie, but no husband in the picture. Cassie doesn't know that her mom had a sister and is shocked but excited to find out her cousin will be coming to live with them.
Tara and Cassie fix up a spare room for Hannah and go to pick her up at the airport. The lawyer told Tara that she would recognize her because she had long black hair like Beth and Tara. Tara hasn't seen Hannah since she was 3 and she's now 16. They finally see someone matching the description and meet Hannah. She seems shy and withdrawn as she just lost her mom 2 days ago and her home burned to the ground. She lost everything. Cassie is good for Hannah and keeps things lighter for her. They talk about all kinds of things and bond over clothes, music, makeup, their new phones, etc. Tara is relieved that things are working out so well, but then Hannah makes some comments to make Tara wonder what her sister has told her.
Beth had become a recluse according to the lawyer and rarely left the house. Because of that, Hannah was homeschooled and didn't have many social interactions with anyone else. She excelled at school and was quite advanced for someone only 16. Tara was concerned how Hannah would be able to cope with a public high school as it would be very different than what she was used to. Cassie helped Hannah know what to expect and she seemed to be ready to give it a go. When the school registrar is outside waiting for Tara after only a couple days of school, things might not be going as well as she thought. Is Hannah hiding something? Did she really have good grades and take advanced classes when homeschooled? Who is she talking to on her cellphone? Does she have something against Tara? Does she really like Cassie?
The suspense builds and builds in this book and there's a big twist towards the end. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it if you love a good thriller. The Niece will be available on September 2, 2022. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for a fair review. #TheNiece #NetGalley #Bookouture
Book: A Girl In Your House Author: Georgina Cross Publisher: Bookouture Genre: Mystery Thriller Pub Date: September 2, 2022 My Rating: 3.5
“Your sister is dead.” Someone set fire to her house and my niece is the only survivor. I know deep down ~ they will be coming after me next. When I left my parents’ home in Kentucky, I never thought I’d see my sister again. For years we kept a terrible secret and eventually it tore us apart. Story kept me curious. Twist I wasn’t expecting ~ it did live up to the title.
(Review from the author) Thank you for reading my books! I'm a fan of this one as its set in a town near where I live with a community of readers that have become very special to me. I dedicate this latest novel to you! Sisters are an interesting relationship for me to tackle, Tara and Beth were so close but tragedy pulled them apart and they haven’t been in touch nor spoke to one another in years. ~ So why would Beth update her will and leave her daughter in Tara's care? And when the girl shows up, why does more tragedy follow?
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley. Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 2, 2022
I was excited to dive into this book after the rollercoaster ride that was Nanny Needed by Georgina Cross. However, The Niece was totally lacking in thrills and felt like it was written by a different person. The synopsis is also highly misleading since the story is told entirely from the aunt's POV and never the niece.
The story is dull and slow-moving for the most part, with paper-thin characters. Both the old and new book title (The Girl In our House -> The Niece) are obvious in its implication that there is something not right about the titular character, which gives away the entire story. The twists are easy to predict and nothing much came as a surprise to me. Beth is clearly a red-flag and toxic character but this is never fully addressed.
Looking at other reviews, I wonder if I read the same novel as everyone else. It wasn't completely awful but I'm rounding down my rating because the title and synopsis really need a change. I actually went in blind since I requested this solely because of the author, so I can't imagine my rage if I'd had read it for the deliberately misleading synopsis.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Tara and Beth are sisters who grow up on their parents' large family property. The sisters have been estranged for years and then Beth dies in a fire at their parents' home which she inherited after they both died. Beth's sixteen-year-old daughter, Hannah flees from the fire and Tara learns that she is to continue bringing up Hannah as her legal guardian in accordance with Beth's wishes. Tara and her daughter, Cassie, a 12-year-old, welcome Hannah even though Tara hasn't laid her eyes on Hannah since she was three years old, and Cassie is thrilled to have a cousin living with them.
A twisted tale of deception, betrayal, rage and suspicion, I found the start a little slow but The Niece is still a great family drama. The characterisation was good and I could feel their emotions through the author's expressive writing. An all-around good read with a fabulous ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
This was one fast-paced speed-reading book for me. From beginning to end it was full of tension, suspicion, drama and uncertainty. I was fully emerged into it and I couldn't get enough. I loved how Cross dished out ever so slowly the different secrets and lies that were so intense and crazy, I lapped it up like a willing victim with shock and awe. All I kept thinking as I was reading was, in Spear's famous lyrics, "Gimme More!"
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Tara has been estranged from her sister, Beth and niece, Hannah for over a decade. But one day out of the blue Tara receives a phone call that will change her life ten fold. Beth has died in a house fire of their old family home, believed to be a target of arson. Hannah managed to make it out alive but will now be coming to live with Tara and daughter, Cassie. But danger is lurking close to home and with Hannah now under Tara's protection, past secrets and lies are about to come to light. Because the past never does stay buried.
The ending was delivered with such shock, such insanity I could hardly believe it. A damn jaw-dropper that left me so mind-boggled I had to re-read the part a few times. I mean, for heavens sakes, Cross totally T-boned me with it! Cross' writing style and process of a thriller novel never lets you down and keeps you totally off kilter. The craziness constantly amps up as it goes along and leaves you jittery, just like Tara. Your nerves will be on the edge constantly so be prepared!
Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC. Release Date: September 2, 2022
Thank you to Net galley and Bookouture for a quick fast paced suspense book, I liked the writing style hard to stop reading. This was my first book I think she has a similiar writing style to Freida McFadden. This book had a twist at the end that I did not see coming. Thanks to net galley for providing me with an arc copy I have found a new author.
Wow wow wow!!!! This book was absolutely amazing. So many twists and turns. I have never read a book by this author but I congratulate her on an awesome book. I will def read more from her. 5 big stars for this one.
This story begins with a blazing fire that sends sixteen-year-old Hannah running and traps her mother. Days later Tara receives a call; her sister died and her niece needs a place to live. Tragic and yet odd as Tara and her sister Beth haven't spoken in years, so why would she be the legal guardian in Beth's will . . .
"Strike the match and the flames get closer. Watch your back."
First, I must point out that the level of writing and editing of this novel was not at all what Cross' past novels have had. It was annoying, the errors and odd or incorrect wording, and pulled me right out of the story several times.
Otherwise, this was a solid thriller. Some decent red herrings, A few good twists, and a satisfying ending. Not Cross' best but good enough to read through.
Love her books! And this one had me spellbound from the beginning, as protagonist Tara takes in her niece, Hannah when her mother (Tara's sister) is killed in a house fire. Sounds simple enough as Tara has a 12-year-old daughter and niece Hannah is 16; the girls get along from the get-go and all seems to be well. But...if you've read any of her novels, you know that appearance and reality are not the same thing! The plot thickens as we flashback to thirteen years ago and we see the two sisters are estranged because of family secrets (and what big secrets they are)! So go hug your family and always ask for forgiveness as Cross speaks to that as well as themes of shame. fidelity, lies, and guilt. This is a must-read if you love thrillers!
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for this opportunity.
I loved the start and I was realy interested in what will happen but somehow that twist was too crazy for me. I enjoyed the dual time line. The famil secrets were well hided. I would prefer a different ending, more positive things plese.
This novel is about two sisters, Tara and Beth along with their families. Something happened when they were younger and they are the only two who know what happened. Now they must come full circle to address what happened.
Twelve years have kept them apart. Beth is now dead and Tara is informed she wants her to raise her daughter Hannah. Tara also has a teenage daughter. How will this news affect Tara and the girls?
Cross has become a new-to-me-author this year and I am thrilled to discover her talent.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Georgina Cross.
Publication date 2nd September 2022.
This book was previously titled 'The Girl In Your House'.
This is the third book that I have read by this author. I have also read 'The Stepdaughter' and 'Nanny Needed' which I would highly recommend!!
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing title and synopsis. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Perfect for fans of The Wife Between Us, The Woman in the Window and Gone Girl'. I am a huge fan of 'Gone Girl' so am looking forward to seeing if it lives up to this claim. I am also a huge fan of Georgina and if this book is half as good as 'The Stepdaughter' and 'Nanny Needed' it is bound to be a page turner!! I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 34 chapters which are short to medium in length so perfect to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Alabama, USA 🇺🇸.
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonist being Tara Jenkins. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. The way it was written made me feel like I was right next to Tara throughout.
Wow!! WTAF?!? JUST WOW!!!! Where do I even begin? What an absolutely gripping, intense psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, flying through the pages and full of suspense!! Filled with twists, turns, red herrings, lies, family, secrets,shocks and explosive twists you won't see coming!!! I have read hundreds of books and this has been the one that has shocked me the most this year and it has definitely hit my top 3 biggest twists of all time!!! I WAS absolutely hooked from beginning to end and just could not put it down. I started it in the morning and couldn't put it down until 2am. I loved the fact that it had a suspense packed atmosphere throughout and OMG did the hairs on the end of my arms raise!! My heart was absolutely pounding throughout and I was on the edge of my seat. When the big reveal came my mind was absolutely blown away and this is definitely one of the few books that will stay with me for a very long time. Unbelievably explosive!! It was also heartbreaking and tragic so get the tissues ready as I shed several unexpected tears at the reveal. It really does show how one event can change so many lifes!! This book was previously titled 'The Girl In Your House' and retitled 'The Niece' which I think is a much more appropriate and suitable title.
I read approximately half of this book on kindle and listened to approximately half on audio book. I must also give a huge congratulations to the narrator Lauryn Allman who not only brought the storyline to life by really portraying the emotions through his voice but by doing absolutely fantastic impressions of males and females so a HUGE congratulations Lauryn!! I cannot imagine that this was anywhere near an easy feat!!! I am looking forward to discovering more books read by yourself as you definitely have a fantastic "book" voice!! I sometimes struggle to absorb the storyline through an audio book but if you are the same as me I can promise you will not have that problem with this amazing narrator!!
Do not even attempt to start this until you have cleared yiur schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!!
The characters were strong and realistic and I was completely invested in them from beginning to end. I need to be careful here that I don't say too much and give anything away so I'll keep it quite short. I really clicked with Tara and my heart went out to her and Cassie when their new family unit comes under threat. It was also heartbreaking how quickly Tara was shunned from her family after a potentially innocent event. They are a sweet just trying to make ends meet and when Tara is asked to take on her dead sisters niece then how can they say no?? My heart absolutely broke at a certain point in this book. Tara and Cassie are such likeable and friendly characters which definitely helped me become completely absorbed in the storyline. Cassie and Hannah formed such a beautiful bond with Hannah taking Cassie under her wing. Unfortunately I am not going to give any if my thoughts on the rest of the characters, I've been thinking and thinking but there doesn't seem to be a way for me to give my honest opinion of them without giving too much away. However, if you have read this, and you'll be mad not too, feel free to pop me a message and let me know what you thought of the characters and the storyline!!
Congratulations Georgina on an absolutely explosive page turner!!! Also a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on writing a book that has shocked me the most this year!!! I read about 30 plus books a month so this is no easy feat but you managed it!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors!!! Here's to your next success!!! 🥂
Overall a mind blowing, suspense filled psychological page turning thriller with an explosive ending you WILL NEVER SEE COMING!!!
Genres covered include Suspense, Mystery, Psychological Fiction, Thriller and Psychological Thriller.
I would recommend this book to fans of any of the above as well as fans of 'The Nanny' , 'The Couple Next Door', 'The Wife Between Us', 'The Woman in the Window' and 'Gone Girl'. and 'The Family Upstairs' and for fans of page turning books that leave you shocked.
282 pages/9 hours 26 minutes
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle, £7.99 on paperback and £18.29 on Audible or £7.99 on Audible if you are an Audible member via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
Set in Alabama, dark buried secrets of the past connect with the present in Georgina Cross's latest Southern family drama mystery, THE NIECE.
Tara has been estranged from her sister, Beth, for the last 13 years. Now her sister has died in a house fire, and she now has custody of her sixteen-year-old niece, Hannah, whom she has not seen since she was three years old.
Tara also has a twelve-year-old daughter, Cassie, who seems to be excited about having her cousin come live with them.
There is an ongoing investigation into the fire, but Tara seems to think that someone is after her, her daughter, and her niece. The threatening notes come, and the phone calls. Then a lot of other suspicious activity that something is not right. Is the past coming back to haunt her?
From past to present, we get flashbacks of Tara's and Beth's complex past back in Kentucky. The dark secrets that tore them apart.
What goes around comes around. A plan of revenge.
The book had a good setup initially, but when it switched to the past, it went downhill from there to the past. Then the ending wrapped up connecting the past and present.
While I am sure this author is very talented, this book did not do it for me. I found all the characters to be unlikable and very dysfunctional. I purchased the e-book and the audiobook, and the narrator, Lauryn Allman's country Alabama southern accent, was nerve-grinding!
I found myself fast-forwarding to get to the end. I had just finished Robert Bailey's Rich Blood, also set in Alabama with a cast of crazy dysfunctional families full of drama, and two books in a row were too much for me.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this one, especially the audiobook. Not sure why anyone would compare this book to Gone Girl, in my opinion. However, appears other many others enjoyed it, by their reviews.
I look forward to reading future books by the author next go around.
Blog Review www.JudithDCollins.com @JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks Pub Date: Sep 2, 2022 My Rating: 3 Stars
All it takes is four words to shatter everything: “Your sister is dead.” Someone set fire to her house and my niece is the only survivor. With trembling hands, I reach for the window and rip open the blinds. Everything remains quiet. But deep down I know: they’re coming after me next. When I left my parents’ home in Kentucky, I never thought I’d see my sister again. For years we kept a terrible secret and eventually it tore us apart. But when I get the call to say that my sister has been killed and my teenage niece Hannah is coming to live with us, I leave the past behind. Hannah is family and I need to keep her safe. I know what could happen to her if I don’t. When my niece arrives, she bonds with my daughter Cassie instantly. But then I hear a scream from the girls’ bedroom. And in the garden, someone has lit a fire. It’s a warning. Then the note arrives. “I’m coming for you.” In that moment I know that if I want to keep us alive, we have to leave everything behind. Wow absolutely enjoyed totally recommend Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture
I just reviewed The Girl in Your House by Georgina Cross. #TheGirlinYourHouse #NetGalley
I consider myself a pretty seasoned thriller reader, and can pretty much guess what’s going to happen, almost every time! But the TWIST in this book, came from wayyy out in left field, I definitely did NOT see that coming! That doesn’t happen often, so when it does, I am absolutely ecstatic! The characters and story are both vividly written, you feel the anger, grief, fear and emotions right along with them, right until the very end! Filled with plenty of drama and suspense, this is a quick read, and I know I’ll be thinking about that ending for days to come!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by a favorite, Georgina Cross - 4.5 stars!
Tara and Beth are sisters and have been estranged for years. When Beth is killed in a suspicious house fire, Tara learns that Beth had named her to take care of her daughter, Hannah, in her will. Tara is already a single mom to Cassie but they quickly make room in their house and hearts for Hannah. But Tara becomes concerned that whoever set Beth's house on fire is now after her and her family.
This was a book that was tough to put down! It is told in both the past and present timelines as we learn the backstory of the estrangement of the sisters and the secrets they held between them. The suspense is palpable and there's a surprising twist as well. Another great thriller by Georgina Cross!
DNF at 126/275 44% This my fourth dnf this month. I don't know what it is but it's driving me bonkers not being to finish a book. Damn.
My Review of The Niece: FYI COULD BE SPOILERS 🚨
I am aware I did not finish this book and I left it before the 50% mark. This is why. The writing is just like the two of the four of the books I've dropped. The writing is too easy to read. What I mean is, for example: "We can't take any chances. The danger is here. It has reached our doorstep". The writing is short, too simple, and too easy. You may wonder, what should it read like? I'm no Author but it could have been written: I can't take any chances, what Beth and I did in the past may have landed at my doorstep. I have to take precautions and, this is why I am ordering an alarm". Thus or something along those lines. The sentence is longer and yes STILL simple but not too simple. Moving on, I have more than a dozen questions at this point of the book which isn't a good sign. I have a gut feeling the Author isn't going to answer each and every question even if I finished the book. I could be wrong but I don't think so. With that said, I also stopped reading because a few things didn't make sense. One prime example is that Hanah gets a new phone, an Apple phone at that and she gets a weird call from a stranger. It hasn't even been 24hrs having the phone and has little contacts. Apple has prime security to the point where even Law Enforcement can't even hack into Apple. Since Apple can't be hacked, how could Hannah get a call from a stranger??? That makes NO sense. It's not like she gave her number to a dozen people LOL she just got it. Another example is the fact that on page 77 it is said that a grocery receipt showed Joffrey was out of Louisville jurisdiction. The detectives were checking his alabi. But then on page 88 it is said that Joffrey lied about being out of town. Say what? So I guess the grocery receipt was faked? Umm. This is only 44% of the book. I don't like the writing style. I don't like the fact that a couple of things aren't already adding up and I don't like having a dozen questions and I'm sure they would continue to add up. It is possible the book gets better later on but I read 126 pages. I am NOT impressed. I have little desire to finish it at this time.
All reviews are my own humble opinion. We all have different tastes in books and writing styles. This is what makes us unique 😃 have a good night!
My Review: Loved!!!!! Shocked!!!!! Speechless!!!!! These are just a few words I would use to describe this dark twisted book. This is my third read by this author and it certainly won’t be my last. I knew this author was special when I read her debut novel The Stepdaughter. Now let’s talk about this wonderful book that I couldn’t put down for the life of me. This one had it all. Lies, secrets, affairs, oh my. It left me guessing the whole way through. I thought I had it all figured out and then boom there was another twist I didn’t see coming. The story line kept me captivated along with all the deceitful characters. I raced right through this one like there was no tomorrow. I just had to find out what happened and why. That ending was a shock of all shockers. I was like what, am I reading this right. This author kept the biggest secret for the end. I would’ve never guessed it in a million years. It truly made the book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️