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The Guests
Six guests are invited to paradise. Not all of them will survive.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break in theater. Her new best friend offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.
Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment. Her life is everything she could ever dream of.
Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.
Cole is the only local on Stonecliffe Island. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want. He has to focus on creating the perfect experience.
He can’t afford any distractions after last summer. This is his final chance.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need — a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.
Then, one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break in theater. Her new best friend offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.
Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment. Her life is everything she could ever dream of.
Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.
Cole is the only local on Stonecliffe Island. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want. He has to focus on creating the perfect experience.
He can’t afford any distractions after last summer. This is his final chance.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need — a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.
Then, one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .
ebook
First published November 12, 2024
758 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Adriane Leigh
58 books2,780 followersis a USA Today bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. With appearances in publications such as Vogue Magazine and The Montreal Gazette, the award-winning author, in addition to writing, founded RARE: Romance Author & Reader Events, a community of internationally-renowned book conventions that draw thousands of readers and #1 bestselling authors to events around the world each year.
She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 9, 2024
I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.
The Guests is a dark, twisty and unpredictable thought-provoking read filled with unlikeable, spoilt characters and drama and no-one can be trusted.
This was such a compelling read and I couldn't put it down. I'm normally not a fan of a full cast of unlikeable characters but this one had me gripped.
The chapters are written from the POV of each character, which helped you get to know them better and kept the story interesting.
I enjoyed working out who the unreliable narrator was within the book and I couldn't pinpoint them as each character was pretty shifty.
When the secrets begin to spill, you honestly can't pull away! If you love thrillers, you must add this to your TBR.
The Guests is a dark, twisty and unpredictable thought-provoking read filled with unlikeable, spoilt characters and drama and no-one can be trusted.
This was such a compelling read and I couldn't put it down. I'm normally not a fan of a full cast of unlikeable characters but this one had me gripped.
The chapters are written from the POV of each character, which helped you get to know them better and kept the story interesting.
I enjoyed working out who the unreliable narrator was within the book and I couldn't pinpoint them as each character was pretty shifty.
When the secrets begin to spill, you honestly can't pull away! If you love thrillers, you must add this to your TBR.
November 13, 2024
3.5 stars
The Guests by Adriane Leigh is a psychological thriller about six people invited to a remote island for the reading of a will.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Stonecliff Island is a remote island in Lake Michigan, and often without cell service. But it is beautiful. It may also be deadly. Each guest to the island has their own "villa", as well as access to almost anything they need. Paradise.
Six people are invited to the island for the reading of a will. Cole is the only "local" one there, and he is the caretaker of the island. His job is to make sure everything runs smoothly, and this is his last chance, so he can't screw up. Cole knows most of the invitees, but not all.
Kerrigan is married to Kip, and their marriage is a sham. She is an artist, but would struggle without his money. She invited her best friend Ryleigh along for a week in paradise.
Ryleigh is also a struggling artist, dreaming of a a break in theater. She brought her dear friend Daniel.
Mika has recently married Stavros, and she has a large stake in the island.
But then, one of the six goes missing, and secrets start to surface.
My Opinions:
I will be up front and say I really hated the start of this book. The characters were introduced haphazardly, and I struggled to identify each. I also didn't like anybody (well, maybe Daniel, and sometimes Ryleigh). My opinions really didn't change from start to finish.
As well, it moved really slowly.
The story is told from multiple points of view, and we are never sure which, or if all, are unreliable narrators. Is everyone lying? There certainly are a lot of secrets.
The twists, however, came fast and furious. You really had to pay attention!
Overall, it ended up being much better than I thought, but it took a while to get there.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
The Guests by Adriane Leigh is a psychological thriller about six people invited to a remote island for the reading of a will.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Stonecliff Island is a remote island in Lake Michigan, and often without cell service. But it is beautiful. It may also be deadly. Each guest to the island has their own "villa", as well as access to almost anything they need. Paradise.
Six people are invited to the island for the reading of a will. Cole is the only "local" one there, and he is the caretaker of the island. His job is to make sure everything runs smoothly, and this is his last chance, so he can't screw up. Cole knows most of the invitees, but not all.
Kerrigan is married to Kip, and their marriage is a sham. She is an artist, but would struggle without his money. She invited her best friend Ryleigh along for a week in paradise.
Ryleigh is also a struggling artist, dreaming of a a break in theater. She brought her dear friend Daniel.
Mika has recently married Stavros, and she has a large stake in the island.
But then, one of the six goes missing, and secrets start to surface.
My Opinions:
I will be up front and say I really hated the start of this book. The characters were introduced haphazardly, and I struggled to identify each. I also didn't like anybody (well, maybe Daniel, and sometimes Ryleigh). My opinions really didn't change from start to finish.
As well, it moved really slowly.
The story is told from multiple points of view, and we are never sure which, or if all, are unreliable narrators. Is everyone lying? There certainly are a lot of secrets.
The twists, however, came fast and furious. You really had to pay attention!
Overall, it ended up being much better than I thought, but it took a while to get there.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
December 16, 2024
This is my first read by this author, so wasn't sure what to expect - but I'm a sucker for a great cover and this one really drew me in straight away.
I love the premise of a secluded spot - essentially a locked room mystery - knowing that the killer is among you and nobody able to trust anyone else.
The fact that they were then stranded too made this even better.
This really builds the tension and had me on edge waiting for something to happen.
I love the multiple pov chapters which means you really get to know each of the characters inside out.
Some of them quite likable - but others really frustrated me - not in a bad way, but this added extra layers to the storylines and a good balance to lead me astray.
Obviously one...or more.... of the narrators was unreliable and I spent a good while trying to work out whose story didn't quite ring true!
This was a little slow to get going - but it was important that the characters were introduced properly.
Once we got on to the story proper though, I flew through this one and loved all the twists and secrets that I folded over time.
Definitely an author I'd read again - my favourite genre and I look forward to my next read.
I love the premise of a secluded spot - essentially a locked room mystery - knowing that the killer is among you and nobody able to trust anyone else.
The fact that they were then stranded too made this even better.
This really builds the tension and had me on edge waiting for something to happen.
I love the multiple pov chapters which means you really get to know each of the characters inside out.
Some of them quite likable - but others really frustrated me - not in a bad way, but this added extra layers to the storylines and a good balance to lead me astray.
Obviously one...or more.... of the narrators was unreliable and I spent a good while trying to work out whose story didn't quite ring true!
This was a little slow to get going - but it was important that the characters were introduced properly.
Once we got on to the story proper though, I flew through this one and loved all the twists and secrets that I folded over time.
Definitely an author I'd read again - my favourite genre and I look forward to my next read.
April 16, 2025
Was a bit slow in between but did like the ending
November 12, 2024
“The Guests” by Adriane Leigh is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps the tension high from start to finish. Full of twists and suspense, the novel centers around a group of friends who were supposed to be on a trip in paradise,but nothing is as it seems. Leigh masterfully builds tension with unexpected revelations and a constantly shifting narrative that keeps readers guessing. This is a must read for fans of suspenseful thrillers.
December 7, 2024
Recommend
The guests by Adriane Leigh.
I really did enjoy this twister of a book. I read it in two sittings. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I certainly didn't like Kip. This had twist after twist. I certainly didn't see that coming. I did like the writing style. I loved the different settings. Sounded so beautiful. I would recommend this book.
The guests by Adriane Leigh.
I really did enjoy this twister of a book. I read it in two sittings. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I certainly didn't like Kip. This had twist after twist. I certainly didn't see that coming. I did like the writing style. I loved the different settings. Sounded so beautiful. I would recommend this book.
November 21, 2024
From the book description: Six guests are invited to paradise. Not all of them will survive.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break in theater. Her new best friend offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan. She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all. Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment. Her life is everything she could ever dream of. Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham. Cole is the only local on Stonecliffe Island. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want. He has to focus on creating the perfect experience. He can’t afford any distractions after last summer. This is his final chance.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need — a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island. Then, one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .
So as you can see from the book description this book is about a group of friends. And there’s a lot of them to keep track of, and most of them get chapters from their POVs, which means that you have to be paying attention to keep things straight in this one.
As the story begins to unfold, I was really into it. Things came fast and furious, and I Leroy thinking I had a handle on where things were going, but then there would be a twist and something would throw a huge wrench in things. That was pretty exciting. There were times I had to resist skipping to the end and checking to see how it ended!
But after a while, there were so many twists, I felt like I was getting whiplash. Things were changing so fast, I could barely keep up. I’m still not entirely sure I got every detail in the ending, because there were little revelations up to the last page. It was A LOT.
Also, none of the characters were really worth rooting for. Well, maybe one, I guess, but I won’t say too much more, because as I said, there’s so many spoilers I don’t want to influence any opinions. But overall, you can really make a case that everyone is kind of obnoxious, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a story like this, but for some reason with all the back and forth, I felt like I wanted someone to root for to come out on top, if that makes sense. But as they all piled on top of each other and pointed fingers, I just watched and didn’t feel that bad for anyone.
So, this book is indeed filled with suspense galore, but it’s also a bit of a bumpy ride!
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break in theater. Her new best friend offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan. She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all. Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment. Her life is everything she could ever dream of. Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham. Cole is the only local on Stonecliffe Island. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want. He has to focus on creating the perfect experience. He can’t afford any distractions after last summer. This is his final chance.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need — a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island. Then, one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .
So as you can see from the book description this book is about a group of friends. And there’s a lot of them to keep track of, and most of them get chapters from their POVs, which means that you have to be paying attention to keep things straight in this one.
As the story begins to unfold, I was really into it. Things came fast and furious, and I Leroy thinking I had a handle on where things were going, but then there would be a twist and something would throw a huge wrench in things. That was pretty exciting. There were times I had to resist skipping to the end and checking to see how it ended!
But after a while, there were so many twists, I felt like I was getting whiplash. Things were changing so fast, I could barely keep up. I’m still not entirely sure I got every detail in the ending, because there were little revelations up to the last page. It was A LOT.
Also, none of the characters were really worth rooting for. Well, maybe one, I guess, but I won’t say too much more, because as I said, there’s so many spoilers I don’t want to influence any opinions. But overall, you can really make a case that everyone is kind of obnoxious, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a story like this, but for some reason with all the back and forth, I felt like I wanted someone to root for to come out on top, if that makes sense. But as they all piled on top of each other and pointed fingers, I just watched and didn’t feel that bad for anyone.
So, this book is indeed filled with suspense galore, but it’s also a bit of a bumpy ride!
November 23, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my cope of this book.
6 very different people are invited to a paradise island to hear a will being read. Kip and Kerrigan are having marriage difficulties and argue all the time. Stavros and Mika were love at first sight but was he just using her. Ryleigh and Daniel are just the poor friends along for the ride. There’s also Cole and Lyra locals. When one of the group goes missing events spiral out of control.
This was so good. Well written characters. Spoilt, rich and selfish. Complicated relationships. Twists galore. I think most of what I thought I knew was a lie. And I’m not sure I have fully processed all of the twists and turns in my head. This was exciting and definitely worth a read!
6 very different people are invited to a paradise island to hear a will being read. Kip and Kerrigan are having marriage difficulties and argue all the time. Stavros and Mika were love at first sight but was he just using her. Ryleigh and Daniel are just the poor friends along for the ride. There’s also Cole and Lyra locals. When one of the group goes missing events spiral out of control.
This was so good. Well written characters. Spoilt, rich and selfish. Complicated relationships. Twists galore. I think most of what I thought I knew was a lie. And I’m not sure I have fully processed all of the twists and turns in my head. This was exciting and definitely worth a read!
August 19, 2025
this was really, really bad. like outrageously bad. this plot was thrown together and shaken around, blindfolded, shoved into a trunk, and then was told to write itself into a book or else it would die. death was a better option. this book suffered from a lot, but to keep it shortish: every character was a caricature of evilness that was so unrealistic. the plot was entire lacking the concept of “show not tell” in a very drastically bad way, and that’s important in a thriller! the time jumps and lack of clear continuity in the storyline is shocking and lazy considering how much telling this book does. it came off like there was an idea of where the story should be but half of it was left behind somehow. this was genuinely not a good reading experience. oh and lastly, don’t even get me started on the inaccuracies of the Michigan setting.
December 30, 2024
The Guests bounced between the perspective of several guests but mostly focused on Cole, Kerrigan and Ryleigh… Cole is the local who takes care of the private island that Kerrigan and several other rich kids split ownership of.
A violent storm shakes things up and a body washes up…Will there be a second body when secrets get exposed? Who is the real killer and what did they have to gain?
This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
A violent storm shakes things up and a body washes up…Will there be a second body when secrets get exposed? Who is the real killer and what did they have to gain?
This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
November 21, 2024
The Guests is a fast paced thriller that will keep you intrigued and interested. The book features multiple POVs, which kept me guessing as to what was really going on.
December 15, 2024
Book Information
The Guests
By
Adriane Leigh.
Genre - Psychological thriller.
Pages - 277 pages.
Tropes -
Unreliable Narrators.
Secluded setting.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Yes and available now.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information - Published by Joffe books on 19th November 2024.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Multiple POVs - Cole, Ryleigh, Kerrigan, Kip and Daniel.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines - The plot happens a single time with time skipping to a few months later.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - Wrapped up and solved - HEA for some.
Series or Standalone - Standalone.
Trigger Warnings - Please check content warning before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
When I started this book, I knew it was going to be a ride, just from the amount of POV's. As I got into the book however it flowed with the POVs and made total sense. The first half of the book is really good with laying the foundations of the crimes to be..
Plot
I enjoyed the plot and the way it developed, and how the last 50 percent had me hooked to the point that I couldn't put the book down, I just wanted to find out what was going to happen. The twists was totally not expected and I enjoyed the shock of it.
Characters
None of the characters are partially likeable. They all seem very self-minded and only caring about what's going on in their own personal bubbles.
Recommend
I'd recommend this to psychological thriller lovers, who need a book with plenty of twists and the unexpected ending.
Favourite Quotes
"It sounds like you're telling me we're cut off from the outside world."
"Sometimes the sweetest poison delivers the deadliest dose."
"Pretty to look at, terrifying when you get to close. Like people, really."
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
What happens when your stuck on a island, no communication to the outside world. This happens.
Overall Wrap up
I really enjoyed this and the way it was written. The fact the plot twists was slowly dripped into the writing, I enjoyed the multiple points of view adding more depth to the plot. Overall this was a great thriller that kept me on my toes throughout.
Stars.
3.5
The Guests
By
Adriane Leigh.
Genre - Psychological thriller.
Pages - 277 pages.
Tropes -
Unreliable Narrators.
Secluded setting.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Yes and available now.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information - Published by Joffe books on 19th November 2024.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Multiple POVs - Cole, Ryleigh, Kerrigan, Kip and Daniel.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines - The plot happens a single time with time skipping to a few months later.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - Wrapped up and solved - HEA for some.
Series or Standalone - Standalone.
Trigger Warnings - Please check content warning before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
When I started this book, I knew it was going to be a ride, just from the amount of POV's. As I got into the book however it flowed with the POVs and made total sense. The first half of the book is really good with laying the foundations of the crimes to be..
Plot
I enjoyed the plot and the way it developed, and how the last 50 percent had me hooked to the point that I couldn't put the book down, I just wanted to find out what was going to happen. The twists was totally not expected and I enjoyed the shock of it.
Characters
None of the characters are partially likeable. They all seem very self-minded and only caring about what's going on in their own personal bubbles.
Recommend
I'd recommend this to psychological thriller lovers, who need a book with plenty of twists and the unexpected ending.
Favourite Quotes
"It sounds like you're telling me we're cut off from the outside world."
"Sometimes the sweetest poison delivers the deadliest dose."
"Pretty to look at, terrifying when you get to close. Like people, really."
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
What happens when your stuck on a island, no communication to the outside world. This happens.
Overall Wrap up
I really enjoyed this and the way it was written. The fact the plot twists was slowly dripped into the writing, I enjoyed the multiple points of view adding more depth to the plot. Overall this was a great thriller that kept me on my toes throughout.
Stars.
3.5
December 9, 2024
**The Guests** by Adriane Leigh
Six guests are invited to paradise, but some of them will die.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist trying to achieve her big break. Her new best friend, Kerrigan, offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a week on her family's private island on Lake Michigan. However, Ryleigh feels out of place; she doesn't know anyone there.
Kerrigan is a housewife leading what seems to be a perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous apartment in the city, but her marriage is a sham; her husband despises her.
Cole is a local who is responsible for ensuring the guests' needs are met. After the events of last summer, this is his final chance to succeed—he can not afford any distractions.
Each guest has their own villa, and staff are available twenty-four hours a day, including a masseuse, chefs preparing dinner each night, and servers pouring endless champagne. Everything is supposed to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon, and there's no way off the island. When one of the guests disappears, it will not be the last disappearance.
Adriane, the author of *The Perfect Family* and *The Perfect Escape*, has crafted another compelling thriller. While this may not be my favourite book by Adriane, as I didn't find this story as exciting as her previous works, it is still an engaging
The story truly begins after a will is read. Although everyone appears satisfied with their legacies, an unsettling undercurrent starts to emerge.
With many intriguing twists and turns, the book weaves its way to a remarkable conclusion.
I want to thank publishers, Joffe Books, psychological thrillers, suspense and crime, author Adriane Leigh and Zooloos Book Tours, for providing a copy to read and review.
Six guests are invited to paradise, but some of them will die.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist trying to achieve her big break. Her new best friend, Kerrigan, offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a week on her family's private island on Lake Michigan. However, Ryleigh feels out of place; she doesn't know anyone there.
Kerrigan is a housewife leading what seems to be a perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous apartment in the city, but her marriage is a sham; her husband despises her.
Cole is a local who is responsible for ensuring the guests' needs are met. After the events of last summer, this is his final chance to succeed—he can not afford any distractions.
Each guest has their own villa, and staff are available twenty-four hours a day, including a masseuse, chefs preparing dinner each night, and servers pouring endless champagne. Everything is supposed to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon, and there's no way off the island. When one of the guests disappears, it will not be the last disappearance.
Adriane, the author of *The Perfect Family* and *The Perfect Escape*, has crafted another compelling thriller. While this may not be my favourite book by Adriane, as I didn't find this story as exciting as her previous works, it is still an engaging
The story truly begins after a will is read. Although everyone appears satisfied with their legacies, an unsettling undercurrent starts to emerge.
With many intriguing twists and turns, the book weaves its way to a remarkable conclusion.
I want to thank publishers, Joffe Books, psychological thrillers, suspense and crime, author Adriane Leigh and Zooloos Book Tours, for providing a copy to read and review.
December 9, 2024
A first for me from Leigh and a great introduction to her writing style.
The Guests is a slow burning thriller that hots up as the pace quickens and the action begins.
Paradise is a remote, secluded island and with a storm imminent and a limited cell network, it sets the atmosphere immediately. Tensions are high and nerves begin to fray as one guest goes missing and events take a dark turn.
It's told from multiple POV and I found myself constantly questioning the reliability of the guests narratives.
Gripping, twisty and a great psychological thriller.
The Guests is a slow burning thriller that hots up as the pace quickens and the action begins.
Paradise is a remote, secluded island and with a storm imminent and a limited cell network, it sets the atmosphere immediately. Tensions are high and nerves begin to fray as one guest goes missing and events take a dark turn.
It's told from multiple POV and I found myself constantly questioning the reliability of the guests narratives.
Gripping, twisty and a great psychological thriller.
December 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this read! I spent a lot of the time trying to work out what was going to happen next but, even from the offset knowing it was a will reading on a deserted island meant it would not end well! There were so many twists and turns - it was like a rollercoaster! The characters were likeable and unlikeable in equal measure. I would thoroughly recommend this and cannot wait to read more from Adriane Leigh too.
June 11, 2025
don’t waste your time
I’m tired and confused. I wanted to be invested in any of the too many characters but I wasn’t and it felt like it just went on and on. I was never clear on the setting, like were they in a boat! Was there a house? Now we’re in Greece….
Too much crammed in, with no real development. Wanted to love this but it fell flat for me
I’m tired and confused. I wanted to be invested in any of the too many characters but I wasn’t and it felt like it just went on and on. I was never clear on the setting, like were they in a boat! Was there a house? Now we’re in Greece….
Too much crammed in, with no real development. Wanted to love this but it fell flat for me
November 2, 2024
A group of friends head for a vacation on a. private island located on Lake Michigan. We quickly learn that all the guests have secrets. Things take a turn when one of the guests goes missing...and they won't be the last one.
I was excited to read this one as I love vacation thrillers. The description led me to believe this would be a juicy vacation thriller. However, I wouldn't say it is really a vacation thriller/it doesn't really have the elements of a traditional vacation thriller.
I found the first 50-60% of the book quite slow and filled with unnecessary details and annoying dialogue. I'd given this portion of the book 2 stars. It did pick up quite a bit for the last third of the book and had some pretty crazy twists and turns. However, a high degree of suspension of disbelief is required. Quite an implausible plot and really chaotic. It was a bit all over the place and some of the chapters didn't really flow.
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read this one as I love vacation thrillers. The description led me to believe this would be a juicy vacation thriller. However, I wouldn't say it is really a vacation thriller/it doesn't really have the elements of a traditional vacation thriller.
I found the first 50-60% of the book quite slow and filled with unnecessary details and annoying dialogue. I'd given this portion of the book 2 stars. It did pick up quite a bit for the last third of the book and had some pretty crazy twists and turns. However, a high degree of suspension of disbelief is required. Quite an implausible plot and really chaotic. It was a bit all over the place and some of the chapters didn't really flow.
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
Book Information
The Guests
By
Adriane Leigh.
Genre - Psychological thriller.
Pages - 277 pages.
Tropes -
Unreliable Narrators.
Secluded setting.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Yes and available now.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information - Published by Joffe books on 19th November 2024.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Multiple POVs - Cole, Ryleigh, Kerrigan, Kip and Daniel.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines - The plot happens a single time with time skipping to a few months later.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - Wrapped up and solved - HEA for some.
Series or Standalone - Standalone.
Trigger Warnings - Please check content warning before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
When I started this book, I knew it was going to be a ride, just from the amount of POV's. As I got into the book however it flowed with the POVs and made total sense. The first half of the book is really good with laying the foundations of the crimes to be..
Plot
I enjoyed the plot and the way it developed, and how the last 50 percent had me hooked to the point that I couldn't put the book down, I just wanted to find out what was going to happen. The twists was totally not expected and I enjoyed the shock of it.
Characters
None of the characters are partially likeable. They all seem very self-minded and only caring about what's going on in their own personal bubbles.
Recommend
I'd recommend this to psychological thriller lovers, who need a book with plenty of twists and the unexpected ending.
Favourite Quotes
"It sounds like you're telling me we're cut off from the outside world."
"Sometimes the sweetest poison delivers the deadliest dose."
"Pretty to look at, terrifying when you get to close. Like people, really."
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
What happens when your stuck on a island, no communication to the outside world. This happens.
Overall Wrap up
I really enjoyed this and the way it was written. The fact the plot twists was slowly dripped into the writing, I enjoyed the multiple points of view adding more depth to the plot. Overall this was a great thriller that kept me on my toes throughout.
Stars.
3.5
The Guests
By
Adriane Leigh.
Genre - Psychological thriller.
Pages - 277 pages.
Tropes -
Unreliable Narrators.
Secluded setting.
Available on Kindle Unlimited - Yes and available now.
Available Formats - Kindle and paperback.
Publishing Information - Published by Joffe books on 19th November 2024.
Format in Which i Read - Kindle.
Where my copy come From - Zooloo's Book Tours.
POVs - Multiple POVs - Cole, Ryleigh, Kerrigan, Kip and Daniel.
Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines - The plot happens a single time with time skipping to a few months later.
1st or 3rd Person - 1st person.
HEA, HFN or Cliffhanger - Wrapped up and solved - HEA for some.
Series or Standalone - Standalone.
Trigger Warnings - Please check content warning before reading.
My Initial Thoughts
When I started this book, I knew it was going to be a ride, just from the amount of POV's. As I got into the book however it flowed with the POVs and made total sense. The first half of the book is really good with laying the foundations of the crimes to be..
Plot
I enjoyed the plot and the way it developed, and how the last 50 percent had me hooked to the point that I couldn't put the book down, I just wanted to find out what was going to happen. The twists was totally not expected and I enjoyed the shock of it.
Characters
None of the characters are partially likeable. They all seem very self-minded and only caring about what's going on in their own personal bubbles.
Recommend
I'd recommend this to psychological thriller lovers, who need a book with plenty of twists and the unexpected ending.
Favourite Quotes
"It sounds like you're telling me we're cut off from the outside world."
"Sometimes the sweetest poison delivers the deadliest dose."
"Pretty to look at, terrifying when you get to close. Like people, really."
Favourite Chapter/s
No chapter in particular was my favourite.
Summed up in one sentence
What happens when your stuck on a island, no communication to the outside world. This happens.
Overall Wrap up
I really enjoyed this and the way it was written. The fact the plot twists was slowly dripped into the writing, I enjoyed the multiple points of view adding more depth to the plot. Overall this was a great thriller that kept me on my toes throughout.
Stars.
3.5
December 7, 2024
Here is my review for The Guests by Adriane Leigh
This was an intriguing read where you could feel the suspense simmering and just waiting to show its face. Six people are invited as guests to a private family island on Lake Michigan. Kerrigan has opened a gallery with her husband, Kip’s, money and invited her new friend Ryleigh, who is a struggling artist in Chicago city. She brought her friend Daniel who is a bit of a loner and is quite happy with his own company. There is tension between Kerrigan and Kip, he is constantly working on his computer or satellite phone. She is now thinking of divorcing him. Cole is working there as caretaker and he starts flirting with Kerrigan just like old times. He is basically on call for all their needs. Each couple is in their own villa. They were brought down for a reading of a will which didn’t go down very well with Kip. There were warnings of a storm coming but there’s no way off the island. Why didn’t they leave sooner? They could have gotten away then, couldn’t they? This was a fantastic read which I really enjoyed. The storyline had a strong plot and was very intriguing. It was extremely well written with setting the scene well then the storm coming along. It had been plotted fairly well so the suspense could heighten and really start to flow. I was so engrossed in the book that I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. The author has picked a lovely remote location to base this story upon, only accessible by boat and no shops just pure relaxation heaven.
Blurb :
Six guests are invited to paradise. Some of them will die.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break. Her new best friend, Kerrigan, offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.
Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment.
Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.
Cole is a local. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want.
After last summer, this is his final chance. He can’t afford any distractions.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call twenty-four hours a day — a masseuse, chefs to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.
Then one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .
This was an intriguing read where you could feel the suspense simmering and just waiting to show its face. Six people are invited as guests to a private family island on Lake Michigan. Kerrigan has opened a gallery with her husband, Kip’s, money and invited her new friend Ryleigh, who is a struggling artist in Chicago city. She brought her friend Daniel who is a bit of a loner and is quite happy with his own company. There is tension between Kerrigan and Kip, he is constantly working on his computer or satellite phone. She is now thinking of divorcing him. Cole is working there as caretaker and he starts flirting with Kerrigan just like old times. He is basically on call for all their needs. Each couple is in their own villa. They were brought down for a reading of a will which didn’t go down very well with Kip. There were warnings of a storm coming but there’s no way off the island. Why didn’t they leave sooner? They could have gotten away then, couldn’t they? This was a fantastic read which I really enjoyed. The storyline had a strong plot and was very intriguing. It was extremely well written with setting the scene well then the storm coming along. It had been plotted fairly well so the suspense could heighten and really start to flow. I was so engrossed in the book that I found I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. The author has picked a lovely remote location to base this story upon, only accessible by boat and no shops just pure relaxation heaven.
Blurb :
Six guests are invited to paradise. Some of them will die.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break. Her new best friend, Kerrigan, offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity — a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.
Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment.
Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.
Cole is a local. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want.
After last summer, this is his final chance. He can’t afford any distractions.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call twenty-four hours a day — a masseuse, chefs to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.
Then one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last . . .
December 4, 2024
The Guests by Adriane Leigh was an gripping psychological suspense thriller that had lots of twists and turns throughout which made it an excellent read. When six people are invited to a remote island called Stonecliff Island which is a remote island in Lake Michigan, This island maybe beautiful but is often without cell service.
They have all been invited here for a reading of a will.
Cole is the only "local" one there, he is the caretaker of the island. His only job is, to make sure everything runs smoothly, and this is his last chance, so he can't screw up. Cole knows most of the invitees, but not all.
The other thing he has to make sure happens and Not all of them will survive!!! WoW.............
Kerrigan has everything, She lives in a glamorous city apartment and is married to Kip. She is a housewife with the perfect life. Her life is everything she could ever dream of. But, her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham!
Kerrigan has invited her new best friend Ryleigh who is a struggling artist, and still trying to catch her break in theatre, a once in a lifetime opportunity, which is a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
How can Ryleigh say No to this?! So Ryleigh does not want to be on her own she invites her dear friend Daniel as company.
When, Stavros and Mika met it was love at first sight and she has a large stake in the island. But was he just using her. and was it love at first sight?
WoW, each guest or couple have their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need, There is a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect break for them all..............
Everyone is hiding secrets from each other and we all know what happens to them.....They start to bubble and come up to the surface!
There is a violent storm looming off the horizon and there’s no way off the island.................
Now, one of the guests disappears. They won’t be the last . . . . . . . . . Who will survive?
I highly recommend this book I loved it
Big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books for my ARC.
They have all been invited here for a reading of a will.
Cole is the only "local" one there, he is the caretaker of the island. His only job is, to make sure everything runs smoothly, and this is his last chance, so he can't screw up. Cole knows most of the invitees, but not all.
The other thing he has to make sure happens and Not all of them will survive!!! WoW.............
Kerrigan has everything, She lives in a glamorous city apartment and is married to Kip. She is a housewife with the perfect life. Her life is everything she could ever dream of. But, her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham!
Kerrigan has invited her new best friend Ryleigh who is a struggling artist, and still trying to catch her break in theatre, a once in a lifetime opportunity, which is a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
How can Ryleigh say No to this?! So Ryleigh does not want to be on her own she invites her dear friend Daniel as company.
When, Stavros and Mika met it was love at first sight and she has a large stake in the island. But was he just using her. and was it love at first sight?
WoW, each guest or couple have their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need, There is a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect break for them all..............
Everyone is hiding secrets from each other and we all know what happens to them.....They start to bubble and come up to the surface!
There is a violent storm looming off the horizon and there’s no way off the island.................
Now, one of the guests disappears. They won’t be the last . . . . . . . . . Who will survive?
I highly recommend this book I loved it
Big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books for my ARC.
December 2, 2024
THE GUESTS by Adriane Leigh is a contemporary, adult, stand alone psychological thriller that follows a group of friends and acquaintances in the aftermath of the reading of a will of Henry Lange on Stonecliffe Island.
Told from five first person perspectives THE GUESTS focuses on the fall-out of secrets, lies and greed. Decades earlier, four friends, including Henry Lange, pooled their money and bought Stonecliffe Island, a small island on Lake Michigan but the death of Henry Lange, the last surviving original investor, sees the island ownership transferred to family members, friends and the embroiled island caretaker but all is not as it appears to be when two of their own go missing, and the finger of guilt is pointed to everyone in attendance. Kip Lange, his wife Kerrigan and Mika are the descendants of the original owners but six people arrive (Kip and Kerrigan, Kerrigan’s friend artist Ryleigh Halstrom and her best friend writer Daniel, Mika and her husband Stavros). Inevitably nine people are involved including caretaker Cole Mayer, Henry’s best friend Jon Caruso, and Jon’s daughter Lyra, and in the end, ownership of the island comes at a cost.
The characters are eclectic; their actions are questionable; everyone is unlikeable, unredeemable and suspect. Cole Mayer, the island caretaker is caught in a downward spiral not of his making, when a violent storm becomes the catalyst and backdrop for murder placing Cole in the middle of something out of his control. Kip and Kerrigan’s marriage is imploding; Ryleigh and her friend Daniel’s relationship is faltering, then Kerrigan and Mika go missing.
Adriane Leigh pulls the reader into a dark, dramatic and thought-provoking story of who and why. From the outset, secrets and lies lead to infidelity ; jealousy and greed threaten any peaceful transition of ownership; murdered and missing heirs make for real crime fodder; and the breakdown of marriages, friendships and family all culminate in finger pointing, wrongful accusations, death and final karma.
Copy supplied for review
Told from five first person perspectives THE GUESTS focuses on the fall-out of secrets, lies and greed. Decades earlier, four friends, including Henry Lange, pooled their money and bought Stonecliffe Island, a small island on Lake Michigan but the death of Henry Lange, the last surviving original investor, sees the island ownership transferred to family members, friends and the embroiled island caretaker but all is not as it appears to be when two of their own go missing, and the finger of guilt is pointed to everyone in attendance. Kip Lange, his wife Kerrigan and Mika are the descendants of the original owners but six people arrive (Kip and Kerrigan, Kerrigan’s friend artist Ryleigh Halstrom and her best friend writer Daniel, Mika and her husband Stavros). Inevitably nine people are involved including caretaker Cole Mayer, Henry’s best friend Jon Caruso, and Jon’s daughter Lyra, and in the end, ownership of the island comes at a cost.
The characters are eclectic; their actions are questionable; everyone is unlikeable, unredeemable and suspect. Cole Mayer, the island caretaker is caught in a downward spiral not of his making, when a violent storm becomes the catalyst and backdrop for murder placing Cole in the middle of something out of his control. Kip and Kerrigan’s marriage is imploding; Ryleigh and her friend Daniel’s relationship is faltering, then Kerrigan and Mika go missing.
Adriane Leigh pulls the reader into a dark, dramatic and thought-provoking story of who and why. From the outset, secrets and lies lead to infidelity ; jealousy and greed threaten any peaceful transition of ownership; murdered and missing heirs make for real crime fodder; and the breakdown of marriages, friendships and family all culminate in finger pointing, wrongful accusations, death and final karma.
Copy supplied for review
November 18, 2024
The Guests by Adriane Leigh
Stonecliffe Island is a remote island in Lake Michigan. Six people have been invited to this beautiful island for the reading of a will. Everyone wants a piece of Stonecliffe Island and all it has to offer.
Cole is the caretaker of the island. He attends to all of the guests. Last summer a girl went missing and now he has to make sure everything goes flawlessly and without incident for these six guests.
Kerrigan is married to Kip. She has the perfect life, except her husband hates her and they are far from perfect and having the perfect marriage.
Ryleigh has been invited to her new friend Kerrigan’s island and she’s looking forward to the break and pampering. She’s brought along her friend Daniel.
Mika has a share in the island as well. She and Stavros are newly married and looking forward to their time on the island.
The island is beautiful but also perilous. A violent storm hits the island and history repeats itself. One of the six goes missing.
“I have a feeling everyone on this island has a secret, and it would be in my best interests to find out what it is” - Ryleigh
Each chapter is told from a different point of view. Everyone seems to be suspicious of each other. What secrets are people hiding and who should you trust?
“Sometimes, you have to commit to the sin and see it through to the end.”
The first half of the story is setting up everyone’s story. As you’re reading, you really need to pay attention because once the story hits the 40% mark the twists and turns come at full throttle. There’s a lot of pieces to this story. It kept me guessing and wondering who to believe.
This is an intricate story of lies and deceit that kept me entertained. I wasn’t able to foresee how this would end and was shocked by the lengths people will go to get what they want. I highly recommend this book if you want a complex and mind blowing psychological thriller.
Stonecliffe Island is a remote island in Lake Michigan. Six people have been invited to this beautiful island for the reading of a will. Everyone wants a piece of Stonecliffe Island and all it has to offer.
Cole is the caretaker of the island. He attends to all of the guests. Last summer a girl went missing and now he has to make sure everything goes flawlessly and without incident for these six guests.
Kerrigan is married to Kip. She has the perfect life, except her husband hates her and they are far from perfect and having the perfect marriage.
Ryleigh has been invited to her new friend Kerrigan’s island and she’s looking forward to the break and pampering. She’s brought along her friend Daniel.
Mika has a share in the island as well. She and Stavros are newly married and looking forward to their time on the island.
The island is beautiful but also perilous. A violent storm hits the island and history repeats itself. One of the six goes missing.
“I have a feeling everyone on this island has a secret, and it would be in my best interests to find out what it is” - Ryleigh
Each chapter is told from a different point of view. Everyone seems to be suspicious of each other. What secrets are people hiding and who should you trust?
“Sometimes, you have to commit to the sin and see it through to the end.”
The first half of the story is setting up everyone’s story. As you’re reading, you really need to pay attention because once the story hits the 40% mark the twists and turns come at full throttle. There’s a lot of pieces to this story. It kept me guessing and wondering who to believe.
This is an intricate story of lies and deceit that kept me entertained. I wasn’t able to foresee how this would end and was shocked by the lengths people will go to get what they want. I highly recommend this book if you want a complex and mind blowing psychological thriller.
December 3, 2024
I read another book by @adriane.leigh.writer right before I read this one and now I’m reading another one by her. I guess it shows how good her writing is. And, it also makes me wonder how long a list of OMFG WHAT AN AWESOME AUTHOR THIS ONE IS, ADDING TO MY MUST-READ LIST NOW! can really be. Is there a limit to how many authors you quickly label “my favorite” after reading just a few books and seeing that, yes, you vibe with this one too?
This book made me think of another book by another author for a moment. The Kingsley book series by @kairarouda. I remember I named her Kingsleys the most horrible fictional family ever written. This one might fit the bill too. It is the most horrible family tangle ever written (because, in a way, everyone is a family there, everyone thinks they are family, or everyone plays pretend family, but yeah, everyone is sorta-kinda-family there). And they are horrible. They are horrible to each other and they are horrible to everyone else, and – this family is everything. This fictional family is everything you never ever want to encounter in your life, ever.
This book also made me think about the previous book by Adriane that I read. “The Influencer”. It was wild and unhinged. This one? It was still unhinged, but yet it was somehow tame, especially when I compare those two books. As I was thinking about it, I realized that I may know the reason behind it. If a book is traditionally published (vs self-pub), the publisher usually makes the authors dial down their inner crazies and make their unhinged characters into more hinged versions of themselves. The Guests are published by @joffebooks and – could it be that Joffe Books made the wild characters tamer?
Also, hey, don’t get me wrong, they are still wild and unhinged! I see so much potential in there, they could have been even more unhinged, even more unrelatable, even more unlikable. Even more horrible.
Ok, see ya, off I go, reading The Imposter now.
This book made me think of another book by another author for a moment. The Kingsley book series by @kairarouda. I remember I named her Kingsleys the most horrible fictional family ever written. This one might fit the bill too. It is the most horrible family tangle ever written (because, in a way, everyone is a family there, everyone thinks they are family, or everyone plays pretend family, but yeah, everyone is sorta-kinda-family there). And they are horrible. They are horrible to each other and they are horrible to everyone else, and – this family is everything. This fictional family is everything you never ever want to encounter in your life, ever.
This book also made me think about the previous book by Adriane that I read. “The Influencer”. It was wild and unhinged. This one? It was still unhinged, but yet it was somehow tame, especially when I compare those two books. As I was thinking about it, I realized that I may know the reason behind it. If a book is traditionally published (vs self-pub), the publisher usually makes the authors dial down their inner crazies and make their unhinged characters into more hinged versions of themselves. The Guests are published by @joffebooks and – could it be that Joffe Books made the wild characters tamer?
Also, hey, don’t get me wrong, they are still wild and unhinged! I see so much potential in there, they could have been even more unhinged, even more unrelatable, even more unlikable. Even more horrible.
Ok, see ya, off I go, reading The Imposter now.
November 10, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Adriane Leigh for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Guests coming out November 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Six guests are invited to paradise. Not all of them will survive.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break in theater. Her new best friend offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity—a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.
Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment. Her life is everything she could ever dream of.
Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.
Cole is the only local on Stonecliffe Island. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want. He has to focus on creating the perfect experience.
He can’t afford any distractions after last summer. This is his final chance.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need—a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.
Then, one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last…
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy psychological thrillers and island stories are really fun for me. This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I couldn’t relate to the characters. There was some cheating going on and I really can’t stand that in books. It was a little slow in the beginning and it was a little confusing with the backstories of the characters. I liked the initial setup, but I couldn’t get into most of it. I would check out another book by this author though.
Six guests are invited to paradise. Not all of them will survive.
Ryleigh is a struggling artist, still trying to catch her break in theater. Her new best friend offers her a once in a lifetime opportunity—a week on her family’s private island on Lake Michigan.
She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t know these people at all.
Kerrigan is the housewife with the perfect life. She has a loving husband and a glamorous city apartment. Her life is everything she could ever dream of.
Her husband hates her. Their marriage is a sham.
Cole is the only local on Stonecliffe Island. He’s there to make sure the guests have everything they want. He has to focus on creating the perfect experience.
He can’t afford any distractions after last summer. This is his final chance.
Each guest has their own villa. There are staff on-call to help with every need—a masseuse, a chef to make dinner every night, waiters pouring endless champagne. It’s going to be perfect.
But a violent storm looms on the horizon. There’s no way off the island.
Then, one of the guests disappears. And they won’t be the last…
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy psychological thrillers and island stories are really fun for me. This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I couldn’t relate to the characters. There was some cheating going on and I really can’t stand that in books. It was a little slow in the beginning and it was a little confusing with the backstories of the characters. I liked the initial setup, but I couldn’t get into most of it. I would check out another book by this author though.
November 11, 2024
I went into The Guests with high hopes, intrigued by the suspenseful premise of a remote island getaway with dark secrets unraveling between six unsuspecting guests. The setup had all the classic ingredients of a psychological thriller—hidden agendas, a luxurious yet isolated setting, and a storm that traps everyone with nowhere to hide. However, I found the book fell short of its potential and ultimately didn’t deliver the gripping tension I anticipated.
The story starts quite slowly, and despite the promise of danger looming on the horizon, I found myself waiting a long time for the plot to gain momentum. The characters, each with their own flaws and hidden struggles, unfortunately, didn’t add much depth or suspense. None of them were particularly likeable or relatable, which made it hard to feel invested in their experiences. Without characters to root for—or even really care about—the story’s tension quickly faded, and I felt no real sense of suspense or worry for anyone’s outcome.
As the mystery unfolded, the plot twists felt forced and overly complex. Rather than heightening the suspense, the turns in the story seemed to add unnecessary layers, making the narrative feel muddled instead of compelling. Even the ending, which should have been a satisfying payoff, left me feeling underwhelmed and unsurprised.
Although I love a good psychological thriller, The Guests didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It had a promising premise but ultimately lacked the tension, character depth, and satisfying resolution that makes a thriller memorable. Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts quite slowly, and despite the promise of danger looming on the horizon, I found myself waiting a long time for the plot to gain momentum. The characters, each with their own flaws and hidden struggles, unfortunately, didn’t add much depth or suspense. None of them were particularly likeable or relatable, which made it hard to feel invested in their experiences. Without characters to root for—or even really care about—the story’s tension quickly faded, and I felt no real sense of suspense or worry for anyone’s outcome.
As the mystery unfolded, the plot twists felt forced and overly complex. Rather than heightening the suspense, the turns in the story seemed to add unnecessary layers, making the narrative feel muddled instead of compelling. Even the ending, which should have been a satisfying payoff, left me feeling underwhelmed and unsurprised.
Although I love a good psychological thriller, The Guests didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It had a promising premise but ultimately lacked the tension, character depth, and satisfying resolution that makes a thriller memorable. Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2024
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Joffe Books via NetGalley.
This book invites readers to a remote island getaway on Lake Michigan, where six guests, each with their own secrets and lies, are promised a luxurious, secluded retreat. The setup is perfect for a suspenseful thriller: an isolated island, lavish amenities, and a looming storm that traps everyone with no way out. But as the weather worsens, the guests’ secrets start to surface—and then, one of them disappears, setting off a chain of mysterious and deadly events.
The premise holds so much potential, with all the classic ingredients for a psychological thriller, but the story never quite delivers on its promise. The pacing felt slow from the start, and despite the storm and ominous isolation, the tension didn’t build in the way I had hoped. Each character has their own hidden flaws and agendas, but none of them came across as particularly compelling or relatable. Without a character to root for or care about, it was hard to feel any real suspense as the mystery unfolded.
As the plot progresses, the twists felt more convoluted than clever, adding layers of complexity that seemed to detract from the main story rather than heighten the suspense. Even the ending, which should have offered a thrilling conclusion, felt somewhat anticlimactic and left several questions unanswered.
This book invites readers to a remote island getaway on Lake Michigan, where six guests, each with their own secrets and lies, are promised a luxurious, secluded retreat. The setup is perfect for a suspenseful thriller: an isolated island, lavish amenities, and a looming storm that traps everyone with no way out. But as the weather worsens, the guests’ secrets start to surface—and then, one of them disappears, setting off a chain of mysterious and deadly events.
The premise holds so much potential, with all the classic ingredients for a psychological thriller, but the story never quite delivers on its promise. The pacing felt slow from the start, and despite the storm and ominous isolation, the tension didn’t build in the way I had hoped. Each character has their own hidden flaws and agendas, but none of them came across as particularly compelling or relatable. Without a character to root for or care about, it was hard to feel any real suspense as the mystery unfolded.
As the plot progresses, the twists felt more convoluted than clever, adding layers of complexity that seemed to detract from the main story rather than heighten the suspense. Even the ending, which should have offered a thrilling conclusion, felt somewhat anticlimactic and left several questions unanswered.
June 10, 2025
I am a huge Adriane Leigh fan; I have not picked up a book of hers yet that I did not enjoy. I devour her books; they are quick page turners. This one gave me The In-Crowd (anyone remember that movie gem) and Lord of the Flies vibes. Story centered around greed and revenge. Plot was super fast-paced and could've used some more character development.
Favorite quotes:
1. "Sometimes the sweetest poison delivers the deadliest dose."
2. "Pretty to look at, terrifying when you get too close. Like people, really."
3. Firecrackers are fun to play with, but bring 'em to bed and you will get burned. She's testing your limits, brother. It's up to you what you let her get away with."
4. "...but maybe it's just that deeply rooted history that keeps me locked in place, forever frozen by fear of the unknown."
5. "I've fucked up, I know I have, but sometimes it's too late to turn back. Sometimes the hole you've dug for yourself is so deep, it's better to just keep digging until you find the light on the other side. Sometimes, you have to commit to the sin and see it through to the end."
6. "But that summer, we learned that the truth is as malleable as any lie. The truth is only a matter of perception."
7. "Apart, we are a force of nature, but together, we are unstoppable."
8. "Some say blood is thicker than water, but that summer at Stonecliffe taught me you can drown in either."
Favorite quotes:
1. "Sometimes the sweetest poison delivers the deadliest dose."
2. "Pretty to look at, terrifying when you get too close. Like people, really."
3. Firecrackers are fun to play with, but bring 'em to bed and you will get burned. She's testing your limits, brother. It's up to you what you let her get away with."
4. "...but maybe it's just that deeply rooted history that keeps me locked in place, forever frozen by fear of the unknown."
5. "I've fucked up, I know I have, but sometimes it's too late to turn back. Sometimes the hole you've dug for yourself is so deep, it's better to just keep digging until you find the light on the other side. Sometimes, you have to commit to the sin and see it through to the end."
6. "But that summer, we learned that the truth is as malleable as any lie. The truth is only a matter of perception."
7. "Apart, we are a force of nature, but together, we are unstoppable."
8. "Some say blood is thicker than water, but that summer at Stonecliffe taught me you can drown in either."
December 14, 2024
Thank you @zoolooBT for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. The Guests is psychological thriller and has a gorgeous front cover . The story has six narratives that each have turn for you to getting to know them and them all telling you there side of the story. There's Cole who lives in the area where the guest are staying, Ryleigh is artist but is struggling and Kerrigan her best friend offers her to stay at her private family island. Kerrigan is housewife and has a great life. Then there's Kip and Daniel. I found the first few chapters a bit hard to get into but after that I was off and could not put The Guests down. There is a great amount of suspension and tension running through the book. There are some good twists and turns that I had no clue they were going to happen. I did feel like I was on roll coaster reading this book because there was so much going on that gripped me and didn't know what would happen next. I liked the characters I think my favourite was Ryleigh and clicked with her more than the other characters. A good entertaining read 4 stars.
November 12, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Adriana Leigh for this ARC copy!
It was a great book, however, I did struggle a little with the different POVs in each chapter. That is not the fault of the book at all, though. It is always challenging for me, but I do like a good challenge sometimes.
The story is told from the POVs of Cole, Ryleigh, and Kerrigan most of the time, and two others sprinkled in-between towards the end. They do not know each other, but end all up being trapped on the same island with a strom coming close and a killer on the loose...
That and the fact that I did like the blurb made me keep reading, even when I had to jump back and forth sometimes to keep things clear (which is why I prefer a physical copy usually with these type of books, but again, I do not back down from a good challenge. And it was still a fast read and I of course wanted to find out what was going on, so I kept reading, determined to find out.
It was a great book, however, I did struggle a little with the different POVs in each chapter. That is not the fault of the book at all, though. It is always challenging for me, but I do like a good challenge sometimes.
The story is told from the POVs of Cole, Ryleigh, and Kerrigan most of the time, and two others sprinkled in-between towards the end. They do not know each other, but end all up being trapped on the same island with a strom coming close and a killer on the loose...
That and the fact that I did like the blurb made me keep reading, even when I had to jump back and forth sometimes to keep things clear (which is why I prefer a physical copy usually with these type of books, but again, I do not back down from a good challenge. And it was still a fast read and I of course wanted to find out what was going on, so I kept reading, determined to find out.
November 16, 2024
I always like a locked room mystery, especially when the setting is on a remote island, and this book had a lot of potential.
We start out with six people who are invited to the island for the reading of a will; a requirement it turns out. There is also a local, Cole, who had a bit of a problem with one of the tourists disappearing last year, so he has to be very careful there are no incidents this year. But of course there are!
By the end of the trip, two people will be missing, one will be in jail, and one in a psychiatric ward. The story was complicated and hard to follow, with a reveal in the middle that caught me completely off-guard because of lack of any foreshadowing. There was enough intrigue to keep me reading, but the first half could have laid out more of the story, so that the ending didn't feel so rushed.
Thank you to Joffe Books for an advance reader's copy.
We start out with six people who are invited to the island for the reading of a will; a requirement it turns out. There is also a local, Cole, who had a bit of a problem with one of the tourists disappearing last year, so he has to be very careful there are no incidents this year. But of course there are!
By the end of the trip, two people will be missing, one will be in jail, and one in a psychiatric ward. The story was complicated and hard to follow, with a reveal in the middle that caught me completely off-guard because of lack of any foreshadowing. There was enough intrigue to keep me reading, but the first half could have laid out more of the story, so that the ending didn't feel so rushed.
Thank you to Joffe Books for an advance reader's copy.
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