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The House Swap
Two perfect families. Two beautiful homes. A one-way trip to hell.
When two families organize a house swap, it seems like the perfect holiday arrangement.
The Browns will exchange their London townhouse for a stunning chateau in the south of France, the perfect place to relax and rekindle their flagging marriage.
And the Lesters are looking forward to showing their son, Rafael, around their old haunts in the British capital.
Sounds wonderful. Except for one thing - both families are hiding dark secrets, and secrets have a way of coming out...
In France, there’s a mysterious break-in at the chateau. Then the Browns discover that a woman who lived there disappeared and was never seen again. Instead of feeling rested and relaxed, they now feel isolated and vulnerable.
Then, in London, 17-year-old Rafael vanishes without a trace.
As the tension mounts to an unbearable pitch, both couples are forced to face their darkest demons. Someone won’t be coming home…
The House Swap - the stunning psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay.
When two families organize a house swap, it seems like the perfect holiday arrangement.
The Browns will exchange their London townhouse for a stunning chateau in the south of France, the perfect place to relax and rekindle their flagging marriage.
And the Lesters are looking forward to showing their son, Rafael, around their old haunts in the British capital.
Sounds wonderful. Except for one thing - both families are hiding dark secrets, and secrets have a way of coming out...
In France, there’s a mysterious break-in at the chateau. Then the Browns discover that a woman who lived there disappeared and was never seen again. Instead of feeling rested and relaxed, they now feel isolated and vulnerable.
Then, in London, 17-year-old Rafael vanishes without a trace.
As the tension mounts to an unbearable pitch, both couples are forced to face their darkest demons. Someone won’t be coming home…
The House Swap - the stunning psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay.
Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2024
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About the author
Miranda Rijks
42 books873 followersMiranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
November 23, 2024
Deception, betrayal, and long-held secrets prove to be a lethal combination. What starts as a house swap quickly becomes a deadly game where winning is the only way to stay alive. The past comes back with a vengeance and lives are changed forever. This thriller is fast-paced, suspenseful, and extremely entertaining. The plot is a twisty ride from start to finish. Thank you Inkubator Books and Booksprout for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 10, 2024
Miranda Rijks always manages to shock with her wild psychological thrillers and The House Swap was just insane. Dark secrets and lies from everyone involved leads to a highly addictive page turner. So hard to stop reading this one, you will not believe where this one leads to.
2 couples, 2 houses. A house swap, what could possibly go wrong right! haha 😛 One couple head to London, a home in the affluent area of Knightsbridge and the other to what is billed as beautiful chateau in France. On arrival they discover all is not as it seemed, and the place is full of contractors and builders. If that is not enough, the locals do not have nice things to say about the home owners. Strange things start to happen and their 2 weeks of bliss turns into a nightmare.. on both sides of the waters.
You just need to read this book to find out more. Get your hands on this book and get ready for the ride. Thanks so much to the author for having me in her early readers group, so happy to be part of it. Publishes on December 4th.
2 couples, 2 houses. A house swap, what could possibly go wrong right! haha 😛 One couple head to London, a home in the affluent area of Knightsbridge and the other to what is billed as beautiful chateau in France. On arrival they discover all is not as it seemed, and the place is full of contractors and builders. If that is not enough, the locals do not have nice things to say about the home owners. Strange things start to happen and their 2 weeks of bliss turns into a nightmare.. on both sides of the waters.
You just need to read this book to find out more. Get your hands on this book and get ready for the ride. Thanks so much to the author for having me in her early readers group, so happy to be part of it. Publishes on December 4th.
November 14, 2024
I received a free copy of, The House Swap, by Miranda Rijiks, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. House swaps sounds like a great idea, it worked in The Holiday. This house swap is a little different to couples, one in France and one in London decide to swap homes. This was a pretty good read, kept me interested til the last page.
November 6, 2024
From the outset, I anticipated that this book would be a delightful read. A house swap in London or France seems like an ideal scenario—what could possibly go wrong? With its beautiful settings, multiple points of view, and a narrative brimming with surprises, I was completely engaged.
Two families decide to exchange their homes for a vacation: one heads to a townhouse in London, and the other to a magnificent chateau in the south of France—a perfect retreat to rejuvenate their strained marriages. However, the situation is far from simple, as both families harbor dark secrets that could upend their lives. The plot thickens when their 17-year-old son disappears in London, escalating tensions and compelling both couples to confront their deepest fears, with the grim realization that not everyone may return home.
Miranda Rijks has masterfully depicted these two households—one epitomizing luxury, the other projecting an image of it through social media. My feelings towards the characters were mixed, but each had a compelling story to share, and I savored every moment of it.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Two families decide to exchange their homes for a vacation: one heads to a townhouse in London, and the other to a magnificent chateau in the south of France—a perfect retreat to rejuvenate their strained marriages. However, the situation is far from simple, as both families harbor dark secrets that could upend their lives. The plot thickens when their 17-year-old son disappears in London, escalating tensions and compelling both couples to confront their deepest fears, with the grim realization that not everyone may return home.
Miranda Rijks has masterfully depicted these two households—one epitomizing luxury, the other projecting an image of it through social media. My feelings towards the characters were mixed, but each had a compelling story to share, and I savored every moment of it.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2024
Miranda Rijks’ latest book The House Swap is an action packed thriller from the very first page. When 2 couple decide to do a house swap in London and France, what could go wrong? EVERYTHING! Wow I loved this and thought it was great. Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2024
How many of us have ‘fancied’ the idea of a house swop ( or done it? ) I always like the part of going to someones house but not quite so keen on the part of someone staying here!
And when you have read this book I am pretty sure you would think twice about it
However our characters, one set in Knightsbridge and one in a ‘beautiful’ chateau in France take the plunge and do it
Got to say loved descriptions of both residences, the areas and locations…..however pretty soon it is more than apparent that both parties have agendas, dark and darker and it becomes a race to see who will survive this swop where a house swop is a mere ends to a mean….
A really good on point psychological thriller that had everything tbh, layers of deceit and some nasty selfish individuals who are intent on getting what they think is their right
A more than enjoyable read from this author
And when you have read this book I am pretty sure you would think twice about it
However our characters, one set in Knightsbridge and one in a ‘beautiful’ chateau in France take the plunge and do it
Got to say loved descriptions of both residences, the areas and locations…..however pretty soon it is more than apparent that both parties have agendas, dark and darker and it becomes a race to see who will survive this swop where a house swop is a mere ends to a mean….
A really good on point psychological thriller that had everything tbh, layers of deceit and some nasty selfish individuals who are intent on getting what they think is their right
A more than enjoyable read from this author
November 27, 2024
I really liked the setup of this story - a family in London & France do a house swap - and found the writing to be very atmospheric, which pulled me in quickly. However, I felt the pacing of the story was odd, and it took a very long time to build to more "thrillery" elements.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
Featured in this reading vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr00D...
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.
Featured in this reading vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr00D...
February 14, 2025
Is a London townhouse/French chateau house swap the perfect solution for rekindling two flagging marriages?
This pacey, twisty domestic drama was entertaining and engaging.
I am a huge fan of author Miranda Rijks and especially enjoyed how the story unfolded from three POVs.
WHY NOT 4 STARS?
1) Very slow start
2) Too many subplots.
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Esther Wane, Joe Jameson, and Keval Shah.
November 13, 2024
Eloise Brown works in London real estate with her partner Niall, and one day he has an interesting proposal: their company should consider getting into the house swapping business. Instead of going the hotel or Airbnb route, families could choose to stay in each other’s homes. Eloise isn’t sure, but she agrees to be the guinea pig and give it a try with Niall’s friends, who live in the south of France.
Susan Lester runs a blog about her charming French chateau and the beautiful surroundings, so after seeing pictures, Eloise and her husband Lewis take the plunge and swap houses with Susan, Piers, and their son Raf. Immediately, one family realizes they got the short end of the stick. The house in France is beautiful on the outside, as the pictures online show, but inside, it’s run-down, moldy, oddly decorated and not very comfortable. To make matters worse, the first morning, they are awoken by the construction crew the Lesters have hired for some renovations. This isn’t quite the Provençal vacation they had hoped for.
Meanwhile, the Browns are loving life in London - and why wouldn’t they? They’re in a luxurious townhouse complete with a theater room, a gourmet kitchen and posh furniture. Their only complaint is how expensive the city is; they are as broke as the inside of their house. Susan’s blog doesn’t make them much money, and the garden maintenance company that Piers owns is doing poorly. They are all enjoying this glimpse and living the high life though, and Raf even meets a teenage boy his age next door, giving him something to do as his parents go to museums.
Then, things get weird. Someone keeps trying to break into the house in France, and there is a smell of something rotting. Susan starts posting pictures of the London house on her blog, acting like she owns the place. Lewis is always out in bike rides, leaving his wife bored and alone. Both couples are keeping secrets from each other, and they are growing apart during this adventure. Then, Raf disappears just as everything is coming to a head.
This book was a really fun read, with a lot of surprises sprinkled throughout. There is constant drama (maybe just a tad too much), and a lot to unpack with both of these families. In the end, this is a tale of deception, lies, secrets and danger, and it makes for a very entertaining, if not slightly overdramatized, story that will leave you shocked all the way to the end. 4.5 stars!
(Thank you to Inkubator Books, Miranda Rijks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 4, 2024.)
Susan Lester runs a blog about her charming French chateau and the beautiful surroundings, so after seeing pictures, Eloise and her husband Lewis take the plunge and swap houses with Susan, Piers, and their son Raf. Immediately, one family realizes they got the short end of the stick. The house in France is beautiful on the outside, as the pictures online show, but inside, it’s run-down, moldy, oddly decorated and not very comfortable. To make matters worse, the first morning, they are awoken by the construction crew the Lesters have hired for some renovations. This isn’t quite the Provençal vacation they had hoped for.
Meanwhile, the Browns are loving life in London - and why wouldn’t they? They’re in a luxurious townhouse complete with a theater room, a gourmet kitchen and posh furniture. Their only complaint is how expensive the city is; they are as broke as the inside of their house. Susan’s blog doesn’t make them much money, and the garden maintenance company that Piers owns is doing poorly. They are all enjoying this glimpse and living the high life though, and Raf even meets a teenage boy his age next door, giving him something to do as his parents go to museums.
Then, things get weird. Someone keeps trying to break into the house in France, and there is a smell of something rotting. Susan starts posting pictures of the London house on her blog, acting like she owns the place. Lewis is always out in bike rides, leaving his wife bored and alone. Both couples are keeping secrets from each other, and they are growing apart during this adventure. Then, Raf disappears just as everything is coming to a head.
This book was a really fun read, with a lot of surprises sprinkled throughout. There is constant drama (maybe just a tad too much), and a lot to unpack with both of these families. In the end, this is a tale of deception, lies, secrets and danger, and it makes for a very entertaining, if not slightly overdramatized, story that will leave you shocked all the way to the end. 4.5 stars!
(Thank you to Inkubator Books, Miranda Rijks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 4, 2024.)
December 3, 2024
Miranda Rijks writes addictive thrillers and this book was no exception.
The House Swap is like one of my favorite Christmas Movies, The Holiday, but make it a thriller. Two couples, one house swap and a whole slew of things going wrong.
It kept me glued to the pages and was so fast paced, it was easy to devour.
The House Swap is like one of my favorite Christmas Movies, The Holiday, but make it a thriller. Two couples, one house swap and a whole slew of things going wrong.
It kept me glued to the pages and was so fast paced, it was easy to devour.
February 23, 2025
I was not prepared for the bombs dropped in the last quarter of this book. The story alludes that there’s “something” underlying going on, but there was no way to guess who, what, when nor why! Lies & deception that go back decades at every turn. 2 couples decide to swap houses as a vacation for the holiday, minus the typical cost of accommodations. Immediately, something seems “off” and one couple feels they have gotten the raw end of the deal, as their home they departed from is much nicer than their current living quarters. Both families hold huge secrets & they are slowly revealed during their holiday stays.
First from this author but I wlll definitely be checking out more of her work.
First from this author but I wlll definitely be checking out more of her work.
December 7, 2024
Two perfect families. Two beautiful homes. A one-way trip to hell...
So who's fancied a house swap at some point or another? I mean, we've all secretly wished we could literally swap houses...but I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with strangers staying in my space. And I'm not entirely sure I'd be all that comfortable in theirs either. But never fear, this book will put that idea to bed quick smart!
Elodie and husband Lewis live in the very affluent area of Knightsbridge in London and their house is simply to die for. While Lewis runs a string of semi-successful (but not really) gyms, Elodie is in the prestigious real estate business with her best friend Niall. Together they own and run Hutchinson Brown, marketing prestigious properties both in the UK and Europe to affluent clients. As part of the business, the pair decide to branch out in a new venture of house swapping. And Elodie and Lewis guinea pig the trial with similarly aged couple Piers and Susan Lester who own a crumbling villa in Provence, with the sole intention of renovating it.
From the first moment, it is obvious that the Lesters have landed firmly on their feet as they take in the stunning home they are to inhabit for the next two weeks with their 17 year old son Raf, who would much rather have holidayed at the seaside. While Elodie and Lewis have drawn the short straw in this house swap. And from that first moment, Elodie wonders if this really was a good idea after all. Especially when she begins to see photos of her home plastered all over Susan's social media.
The first morning in France, Elodie and Lewis are woken by construction workers who have been employed by the Lesters to work on the renovations. It's obvious as soon as you set foot inside the villa that it is tired, old, run-down and in serious need of some renovating. But this is meant to be a holiday. While the Lesters are living it up in their luxurious home back in England, they have been sold a lie and have to deal with constant noise and discomfort. This isn't quite the holiday they had hoped for.
Meanwhile, Susan and Piers are enjoying the luxury of the Brown's stunning home. Only Raf is a fish out of water here. Though he was born in London, he has spent most of his life in France and England is foreign to him. And while Piers thought this would be the holiday that would bring the family together, Susan is out every day till all hours shopping up a storm. That is when she's not quietly trying on Elodie's designer gowns and stunning clothes. Piers tries his best to make his wife happy but there's something not quite right. And then his visit to Harley Street brings news that shakes his world and everything he thought he knew to the core. When Raf suddenly goes missing, Piers and Susan are out of their minds with worry...but things are about to get a whole lot worse.
Back in France, the quiet solitude Elodie had been hoping for is but a pipe dream. Strange things start happening - someone keeps trying to break into the house, there's a strange smell that seems to emanate from somewhere and Lewis is constantly going out for bike rides leaving Elodie by herself. And then she discovers something shocking and begins to question everything.
The story unfolds through Elodie and Piers' respective narratives with the odd chapter through Raf's POV peppered throughout. It was fast paced for the most part though it did take a while to get going. There's a whole lot of drama and plenty of baggage that these families are carrying around. But in the end, the tale was relatively entertaining, a little OTT, filled with secrets, lies and deception. I guessed the two major plot twists quite easily though to be fair they weren't immediately easy to spot. They were just random guesses on my part.
Overall, an entertaining tale though I'm still not a huge fan of continent-based tales and prefer them to be in miserable old blighty. lol
I would like to thank #MirandaRijks, #Netgalley and #InkubatorBooks for an ARC of #TheHouseSwap in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
So who's fancied a house swap at some point or another? I mean, we've all secretly wished we could literally swap houses...but I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with strangers staying in my space. And I'm not entirely sure I'd be all that comfortable in theirs either. But never fear, this book will put that idea to bed quick smart!
Elodie and husband Lewis live in the very affluent area of Knightsbridge in London and their house is simply to die for. While Lewis runs a string of semi-successful (but not really) gyms, Elodie is in the prestigious real estate business with her best friend Niall. Together they own and run Hutchinson Brown, marketing prestigious properties both in the UK and Europe to affluent clients. As part of the business, the pair decide to branch out in a new venture of house swapping. And Elodie and Lewis guinea pig the trial with similarly aged couple Piers and Susan Lester who own a crumbling villa in Provence, with the sole intention of renovating it.
From the first moment, it is obvious that the Lesters have landed firmly on their feet as they take in the stunning home they are to inhabit for the next two weeks with their 17 year old son Raf, who would much rather have holidayed at the seaside. While Elodie and Lewis have drawn the short straw in this house swap. And from that first moment, Elodie wonders if this really was a good idea after all. Especially when she begins to see photos of her home plastered all over Susan's social media.
The first morning in France, Elodie and Lewis are woken by construction workers who have been employed by the Lesters to work on the renovations. It's obvious as soon as you set foot inside the villa that it is tired, old, run-down and in serious need of some renovating. But this is meant to be a holiday. While the Lesters are living it up in their luxurious home back in England, they have been sold a lie and have to deal with constant noise and discomfort. This isn't quite the holiday they had hoped for.
Meanwhile, Susan and Piers are enjoying the luxury of the Brown's stunning home. Only Raf is a fish out of water here. Though he was born in London, he has spent most of his life in France and England is foreign to him. And while Piers thought this would be the holiday that would bring the family together, Susan is out every day till all hours shopping up a storm. That is when she's not quietly trying on Elodie's designer gowns and stunning clothes. Piers tries his best to make his wife happy but there's something not quite right. And then his visit to Harley Street brings news that shakes his world and everything he thought he knew to the core. When Raf suddenly goes missing, Piers and Susan are out of their minds with worry...but things are about to get a whole lot worse.
Back in France, the quiet solitude Elodie had been hoping for is but a pipe dream. Strange things start happening - someone keeps trying to break into the house, there's a strange smell that seems to emanate from somewhere and Lewis is constantly going out for bike rides leaving Elodie by herself. And then she discovers something shocking and begins to question everything.
The story unfolds through Elodie and Piers' respective narratives with the odd chapter through Raf's POV peppered throughout. It was fast paced for the most part though it did take a while to get going. There's a whole lot of drama and plenty of baggage that these families are carrying around. But in the end, the tale was relatively entertaining, a little OTT, filled with secrets, lies and deception. I guessed the two major plot twists quite easily though to be fair they weren't immediately easy to spot. They were just random guesses on my part.
Overall, an entertaining tale though I'm still not a huge fan of continent-based tales and prefer them to be in miserable old blighty. lol
I would like to thank #MirandaRijks, #Netgalley and #InkubatorBooks for an ARC of #TheHouseSwap in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
November 16, 2024
The idea of swapping houses fascinates me. I could never do it. I like seeing the new and unconventional ways people travel these days but I'm a hotel girlie.
I have to admit I haven't always been a big fan of this author's writing style. It's been a few years and I've seen some hype around her latest works so I decided to try again. The writing style is still not particularly my style. It's very wordy and overly-descriptive. It feels longer than it is. That being said, it had a great payout and things really heated up at the bottom end of the book. So while it took a little longer to get through, it was worth the time and I really enjoyed the characters, warts and all. They felt real in a surreal experience.
The Browns and Lesters are doing a house swap. It's a new thing Elodie Brown is considering for her successful real estate business so she decided to be the guinea pig because she desperately needs a vacation anyway.
Upon arrival at "Chateau Lester", the Browns are a bit disappointed. It's somewhat run-down and loud work is being done unexpectedly. The Lesters on the other hand are living luxuriously at the Brown home.
Right from the start, things are going wrong for both couples but they're stuck in each other's houses and at a loss for what to do. No hotels have availability so they're making the most of it.
Eventually, these mishaps start to seem less unfortunate and more planned. Who would want to hurt them and why? Are the couples, and their homes, hiding more than we realize?
With long chapters rotating between Elodie and Piers, with a few from Raf thrown in here and there, it's sure to keep you up late turning the pages.
I have to admit I haven't always been a big fan of this author's writing style. It's been a few years and I've seen some hype around her latest works so I decided to try again. The writing style is still not particularly my style. It's very wordy and overly-descriptive. It feels longer than it is. That being said, it had a great payout and things really heated up at the bottom end of the book. So while it took a little longer to get through, it was worth the time and I really enjoyed the characters, warts and all. They felt real in a surreal experience.
The Browns and Lesters are doing a house swap. It's a new thing Elodie Brown is considering for her successful real estate business so she decided to be the guinea pig because she desperately needs a vacation anyway.
Upon arrival at "Chateau Lester", the Browns are a bit disappointed. It's somewhat run-down and loud work is being done unexpectedly. The Lesters on the other hand are living luxuriously at the Brown home.
Right from the start, things are going wrong for both couples but they're stuck in each other's houses and at a loss for what to do. No hotels have availability so they're making the most of it.
Eventually, these mishaps start to seem less unfortunate and more planned. Who would want to hurt them and why? Are the couples, and their homes, hiding more than we realize?
With long chapters rotating between Elodie and Piers, with a few from Raf thrown in here and there, it's sure to keep you up late turning the pages.
February 20, 2025
I need to swap out my brain because wtf was that. All the annoying, OTT characters doing dumb shit, and the ending? Where did that come from? Left fucking field.
January 15, 2025
The house swap by Miranda Rijks.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. This was a good read. It was slow to begin with. I did like Elodie, Lewis, and Niall. But I didn't like Susan, Piers, or Rafael. I didn't trust them at all. This was a twisty read. I certainly didn't see that coming. In the end, I liked Piears and Rafeal. I definitely didn't expect that to happen. I did like the ending. I would recommend this book.
I did like the cover and blurb of this book. This was a good read. It was slow to begin with. I did like Elodie, Lewis, and Niall. But I didn't like Susan, Piers, or Rafael. I didn't trust them at all. This was a twisty read. I certainly didn't see that coming. In the end, I liked Piears and Rafeal. I definitely didn't expect that to happen. I did like the ending. I would recommend this book.
October 30, 2024
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!
The writing was good and the plot seemed intriguing enough. However, I felt like a major part of this book was a big chunk of nothing. It lacked proper execution. It took way too long to get to the main plotline of the story and things only picked up around the 60% mark or so. I couldn't quite feel the thrill before that. And the too many povs sort of confused me. The ending seemed pretty off too. Unfortunately, this book put me into a slump.
The writing was good and the plot seemed intriguing enough. However, I felt like a major part of this book was a big chunk of nothing. It lacked proper execution. It took way too long to get to the main plotline of the story and things only picked up around the 60% mark or so. I couldn't quite feel the thrill before that. And the too many povs sort of confused me. The ending seemed pretty off too. Unfortunately, this book put me into a slump.
December 2, 2024
"Their perfect lives. Their perfect lies."
4.5 Stars-rounding up
I'm a huge fan of Miranda Rijks, and this latest read is another electrifying addition to her collection!
The Browns live the dream in their stunning London townhouse, ready to swap homes with the Lesters, who boast an exquisite chateau in France. Both couples are thrilled about their upcoming adventures, but there's more than just excitement brewing—each hides tantalizing secrets! The story kicks off at a leisurely pace, carefully crafting richly developed characters and intricate details. But once the plot kicks into high gear, hold on tight! This tale is a rollercoaster of twists, jaw-dropping revelations, unexpected shocks, and scandalous bombshells. As always, the author's storytelling brilliance shines through, leading us to a sensational conclusion after peeling back layers of deception and intrigue.
A massive thank you to the author and Inkubator Books for the gifted ebook through BookFunnel! I was also fortunate enough to snag an eARC via NetGalley. If you're into Domestic/Psychological Thrillers, you absolutely must dive into Miranda's books—they're irresistible!
4.5 Stars-rounding up
I'm a huge fan of Miranda Rijks, and this latest read is another electrifying addition to her collection!
The Browns live the dream in their stunning London townhouse, ready to swap homes with the Lesters, who boast an exquisite chateau in France. Both couples are thrilled about their upcoming adventures, but there's more than just excitement brewing—each hides tantalizing secrets! The story kicks off at a leisurely pace, carefully crafting richly developed characters and intricate details. But once the plot kicks into high gear, hold on tight! This tale is a rollercoaster of twists, jaw-dropping revelations, unexpected shocks, and scandalous bombshells. As always, the author's storytelling brilliance shines through, leading us to a sensational conclusion after peeling back layers of deception and intrigue.
A massive thank you to the author and Inkubator Books for the gifted ebook through BookFunnel! I was also fortunate enough to snag an eARC via NetGalley. If you're into Domestic/Psychological Thrillers, you absolutely must dive into Miranda's books—they're irresistible!
December 19, 2024
I don't think I'd call this book a "thriller" necessarily. The first 2/3 had very little, if any, mysterious aspects; a few hints alluding to something hidden here or there, but nothing overt. The last 1/3 was all the action, which unfortunately was completely unconvincing. I get that these characters had secrets, but it was like the author turned them into completely different people, not at all how we got to know them. Which would be thrilling, if it had been in any way believable.
Overall, I liked the idea of the book and the characters were wonderfully flawed; it was as perfect formula for a phycological thriller.
It just fell flat and didn't come across as believable unfortunately.
Overall, I liked the idea of the book and the characters were wonderfully flawed; it was as perfect formula for a phycological thriller.
It just fell flat and didn't come across as believable unfortunately.
December 9, 2024
Do you have an author that you know that whatever they write you will like? Well @mirandarijksauthor is one such author for me. I can guarantee her books will be fast paced, engaging, twisty and unputdownable. The House Swap was all that and more. It was a book that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning as I was so engrossed that putting it down was just not an option!
Two families, one from London and one from France, swap houses for a two week vacation. What is meant to be an enjoyable and relaxing holiday turns out to be the vacation from hell. Shocking secrets are uncovered, deception, heartbreak, attempted B&E’s, strange and scary things that go bump in the night, and a creepy (supposedly) haunted house derail the once in a life time experience. How does the story end? Is there a tragic death? Are the families broken apart? Does someone go missing? I will not tell, you know I don’t do spoilers. But what I will do is highly recommend you grab yourself a copy of this newly released psychological thriller so you can find out exactly what transpires.
Thank you so much Miranda for writing such a captivating story full of shocking twists and action. Also thank you for my arc! But as much as I loved The House Swap, I must confess, it has made me rethink participating in a house swap any time soon! 🤣😅
Pub Date: December 4, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Two families, one from London and one from France, swap houses for a two week vacation. What is meant to be an enjoyable and relaxing holiday turns out to be the vacation from hell. Shocking secrets are uncovered, deception, heartbreak, attempted B&E’s, strange and scary things that go bump in the night, and a creepy (supposedly) haunted house derail the once in a life time experience. How does the story end? Is there a tragic death? Are the families broken apart? Does someone go missing? I will not tell, you know I don’t do spoilers. But what I will do is highly recommend you grab yourself a copy of this newly released psychological thriller so you can find out exactly what transpires.
Thank you so much Miranda for writing such a captivating story full of shocking twists and action. Also thank you for my arc! But as much as I loved The House Swap, I must confess, it has made me rethink participating in a house swap any time soon! 🤣😅
Pub Date: December 4, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
December 4, 2024
Thank you to Miranda J Rijks and Inkubator Books for the gifted copy to review, and Happy Pub Day to The House Swap!
This was another page turner that kept me guessing, and contained a twist that had my jaw dropped. Miranda always knows how to write an amazing thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and in this story she created two fantastic settings with central London and the south of France. I really wanted to be drinking wine the whole time I was reading this one. I loved the intensity that was in here and I was flipping my Kindle as fast as I could to know how it would end. I highly recommend this one and have honestly enjoyed all of the books by her that I have read.
This was another page turner that kept me guessing, and contained a twist that had my jaw dropped. Miranda always knows how to write an amazing thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and in this story she created two fantastic settings with central London and the south of France. I really wanted to be drinking wine the whole time I was reading this one. I loved the intensity that was in here and I was flipping my Kindle as fast as I could to know how it would end. I highly recommend this one and have honestly enjoyed all of the books by her that I have read.
December 17, 2024
The House Swap is an interesting read in this day of reality TV where this is not a fantasy. Wouldn't we all like to take advantage of the opportunity to travel somewhere we've never been and stay for free? The only catch is the family whose house you are staying at get to stay in your home. Do you want strangers to have free rein with all of your belongings? Each family has secrets to hide, and the twists in this story will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Can you guess the secrets and their impact on both families as they try to enjoy time together? Grab your copy today!!
#NetGalley #TheHouseSwap
#NetGalley #TheHouseSwap
March 11, 2025
I am glad that the Chateau changed Its name. It was interesting to see all the happenings in this book. I didn't really believe in ghosts, but I couldn't figure out who kept sneaking around, & breaking into the Chateau until It came out. I didn't like Susan at all. She was snotty, selfish, & materialistic. I liked Raph, & I am glad that his relationship with Lucille worked out, & I absolutely loved that Raph & his father's relationship got restored, they found solace in each other. It was interesting that Elledy stayed in France after she got divorced, & that she became friends with Pierce & Raph. This was an excellent book. I thorougly enjoyed It.
May 2, 2025
The Lesters and the Browns do a house swap in France and London
The Lesters are looking to show their son around and also attend a doctor's appointment while the Browns are looking for peace and quiet
Neither couple gets what they are looking for. Both couples get more than they bargained for.
Mrs Lester is acting particularly strange
while Mrs Brown keeps getting hurt in her exchange house
Was this a good idea or will the couples wish they had never participated in this house exchange
The Lesters are looking to show their son around and also attend a doctor's appointment while the Browns are looking for peace and quiet
Neither couple gets what they are looking for. Both couples get more than they bargained for.
Mrs Lester is acting particularly strange
while Mrs Brown keeps getting hurt in her exchange house
Was this a good idea or will the couples wish they had never participated in this house exchange
December 18, 2024
This was a quick read and was fine, but it wasn't the "gripping psychological thriller" that was promised. It was predictable. It was still a good read, but it wasn't very gripping, psychological, or much of a thriller!
Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Miranda Rijks for an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Miranda Rijks for an advanced copy of this book.
December 5, 2024
The House Swop by Miranda Ridks, Elodie Is part owner of an international real estate company in England and they want to start a division for vacation doing house swaps and she is convince to be the first to try it out. This is why we find her and husband Lewis on the way to France to swap homes with Susan and Pierce. Susan claims they’re going to London to tour Universities with their 17-year-old son Raphael but when Elodie sees Rafeal‘s reaction she isn’t so certain. Because instead of being on their way to London Susan and her husband are there to greet them at the “chalet.“ Once Susan, Pierce and Raphael Lee for London Elodie and Louis do a snoop around their home… Because why not right? It is during the tour that Elodie notices this home is no chalet nor is it equivalent to the townhouse the other couple will be staying in an exchange but she blows it off as it’s time to relax and recoup. But when the renovators arrive banging and carrying on Elodie starts to believes this is no vacation at all. Especially when she gets out the pool to see all the construction workers leaning against the house smoking and drinking and watching her in her bathing suit. If Elodie thinks this is a problem she hasn’t seen anything yet, because things are only going to get… Much much worse. Over in London Pierce can’t seem to get his family together to do family type things because Susan is off reacquainting herself with her old “coworkers“ and Raphael is enamored with their rich neighbors son Hugo but Pierce has other things he’s worried about including his doctor visit the reason for their London trip in the first place but it’s when he gets his results back when he knows he has bigger problems than he originally thought and none of it has to do with his health. While Pearce in London and Elodie in France have nightmare holidays they’ll both be lucky to live through them. If you think this is a lot trust me when I say there is much more I think this author is truly proving herself to be an author who won’t be on the TBR pile because as soon as I get her books I can’t wait to read them. Oh I first thought it was going to be a holiday from hell but it turned out to be so much more than that and I haven’t even talked about Rafeal‘s situation, nor Elodie‘s partner Niles which OMG this book is so good. If you love a good multi layered thriller by an author who answers every question it doesn’t contradict herself then you definitely need to read this book it was so so good!
December 18, 2024
Another smashing read from one of my fav authors.
November 16, 2024
The house swap locations are London and France.
Two family swap homes for a month long vacation
One family is Rich, one family is struggling to make ends meet.
It's a bit of a slow burn that begins to unfold about one third the way in.
I did enjoy the twists, affairs and crazy ending.
3.5 stars
Two family swap homes for a month long vacation
One family is Rich, one family is struggling to make ends meet.
It's a bit of a slow burn that begins to unfold about one third the way in.
I did enjoy the twists, affairs and crazy ending.
3.5 stars
November 11, 2024
I must say I love this author. She wrote one of my favorite books of all time, "The Insomniac". Unfortunately this book did not do a thing for me.
The vocabulary is pretty complex in this one. I felt like I was reading a book from the 1800s. This threw me off right away, because what I've always loved about Miranda, which is her easy-breezy sort of writing just wasn't there.
Also, for several chapters absolutely nothing happens. It's very slow and I felt like I was reading descriptions of places and nothing else. It has way too much filer. I just couldn't finish it. Maybe the next one will be better!
The vocabulary is pretty complex in this one. I felt like I was reading a book from the 1800s. This threw me off right away, because what I've always loved about Miranda, which is her easy-breezy sort of writing just wasn't there.
Also, for several chapters absolutely nothing happens. It's very slow and I felt like I was reading descriptions of places and nothing else. It has way too much filer. I just couldn't finish it. Maybe the next one will be better!
November 18, 2024
Two families swap houses for a holiday, but dark secrets are revealed as mysterious incidents unfold. The Browns discover a woman's disappearance at the French chateau, while the Lesters' son goes missing in London. As tensions rise, both families confront their demons in this gripping psychological thriller.
This book takes unexpected twists and turns! It is a medium-paced read that picks up speed towards the end. Filled with family drama, secrets, and surprises you won't see coming, this book may seem innocent at first but quickly takes a dark turn. Some parts of the story slow down to help us understand the dynamics and potential revelations.
The narrative jumps back and forth between the UK and France, unfolding in real time. Initially, some elements may seem confusing, but they eventually come together to make sense. The ending is unpredictable, and I found it satisfying, unlike many books where the villains go unpunished. This story offers a hint of a somewhat happy ending.
I highly recommend this rollercoaster of a book and encourage you to add it to your TBR list. If you enjoy stories that are full of surprises, family drama, and secrets, then this book is perfect for you. Give it a read and see for yourself!
Thank you, Inkubator Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book takes unexpected twists and turns! It is a medium-paced read that picks up speed towards the end. Filled with family drama, secrets, and surprises you won't see coming, this book may seem innocent at first but quickly takes a dark turn. Some parts of the story slow down to help us understand the dynamics and potential revelations.
The narrative jumps back and forth between the UK and France, unfolding in real time. Initially, some elements may seem confusing, but they eventually come together to make sense. The ending is unpredictable, and I found it satisfying, unlike many books where the villains go unpunished. This story offers a hint of a somewhat happy ending.
I highly recommend this rollercoaster of a book and encourage you to add it to your TBR list. If you enjoy stories that are full of surprises, family drama, and secrets, then this book is perfect for you. Give it a read and see for yourself!
Thank you, Inkubator Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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