Strangers in the Villa

by Robyn Harding

From the international bestselling author of The Drowning Woman, a psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.

Sydney Lowe’s life in New York is shattered when her husband, Curtis, admits to a meaningless affair with a client. Begging for forgiveness and vowing to prove his devotion, Curtis suggests the couple retreat to a remote hilltop house in Spain to repair their marriage.

High above the Mediterranean, Sydney and Curtis are working on the isolated property and their relationship when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in dire need of help. Lonely for companionship and desperate for free labor, Sydney and Curtis invite the attractive young couple to stay. But as the days pass, dark secrets come to light, the Lowes’ bond is tested, and not everyone will leave the villa alive.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Adult, Psychological Thriller

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Robyn Harding is the bestselling author of several books and has written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her family and two cute but deadly rescue chihuahuas.

To learn more about Robyn's books visit: http://www.robynharding.com. Or follow her on Instagram: @rhardingwriter
or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynH...

Reviews

[Francesca (pavisfrancesca) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Fan TASTIC. I would read this woman’s shopping list.

So excited for this to publish next year so you can all give it a read too! Great setting in Spain too without it feeling like a vacation thriller as our main characters have moved there from US instead of holidaying there.

I love the way Robyn’s stories unfold in a slow burn manor without the novel as a whole being slow.

The Drowning Woman is still my favourite by this author but I HIGHLY recommend this ☀️

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage on the rocks. The couple is keeping secrets. A beautiful vacation to fix it all. But then the secrets slowly come out. Perhaps too slowly for my taste. The strangers who have a car problem and get taken in have ulterior motives. But what their goal is becomes murky and intentionally misleading. When we discover the different elements of the story, it's hard to decide which person to feel remorse for... plus the one character who maybe kinda had good in them had no redemption or salvation... felt like they did do something wrong (by not stopping a situation) yet they were severely punished compared to others. So I struggled with this one, but the story and writing were great. It was more how the end was pulled together.

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insidious, twisted, and timely, Strangers in the Villa was quite the unexpected game of cat-and-mouse. With oodles of dark secrets, a venom-soaked storyline, and plenty of *mic drop* twists, this domestic thriller was the crème de la crème of revenge tales. You see, in addition to a well-orchestrated plot where everything was delivered at just the right moment to keep me on edge, it had a cast of characters that made the book come alive. The special sauce to the success of this one-sitting read, they ran the gamut from morally gray to the kind you’ll love to hate. Believably true-to-life but also just dramatic enough to make me grin, they—along with the onion-like plotting—had my loyalties shifting back and forth right up until I learn the dark, vile Liz Nugent-esque truth. Oh yes. It was that kind of read.

What else did I love about this novel? Well, besides the ever-present sense of danger, there were plenty of juicy themes to sink my teeth into with glee. From suspicion and greed to jealousy and hate, the layers of emotion slipped from each of the characters’ minds straight into my brain. You see, the ripped-from-the-headlines feel to this book had me swallowing down disgust all while relishing the pursuit of vengeance and justice—even if the methods were rather outside of the law. Add in the structure of multiple POVs, mixed media entries, and short, cliffhanger chapters, and the full picture delivered everything I’ve been craving lately. So if you love dark tales with complex histories set in exotic locales, grab this one now. After all, this unnerving slow burn had me hooked from page one. Rating of 4.5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Sydney Lowe’s life in New York is shattered when her husband, Curtis, admits to a meaningless affair with a client. Begging for forgiveness and vowing to prove his devotion, Curtis suggests the couple retreat to a remote hilltop house in Spain to repair their marriage.  

High above the Mediterranean, Sydney and Curtis are working on the isolated property and their relationship when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in dire need of help. Lonely for companionship and desperate for free labor, Sydney and Curtis invite the attractive young couple to stay. But as the days pass, dark secrets come to light, the Lowes’ bond is tested, and not everyone will leave the villa alive.

Thank you Robyn Harding and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: March 3, 2026

Content warning: infidelity, gaslighting, blackmail, violence, drug use, pedophilia, child death, murder, mention of: death of a parent, drugging, addiction, drug overdose, trafficking

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangers In the Villa is a tense destination thriller with several twists. Set high above the Mediterranean in Spain's Costa Brava, Sydney and Curtis Lowe are working on their marriage which has been fractured by Curtis admitting to an affair with a client. Months earlier they left their busy jobs in New York City to become expats working on remodeling a Villa and growing a vineyard as they work to repair their fragile bonds.

At breakfast one morning a couple of Australians show up at their door stranded from car trouble. As the story progresses, each chapter alternates point of view among the four main characters. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife! The unique POVs create complex and layered characters. Through excellent writing and misdirection, you questioning more and more as the story unfolds. The ending was something I never expected! I can't recommend this enough for lovers of psychological thrillers with well developed characters and an immersive, atmospheric setting that is also a familiar tourist destination!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Robyn Harding for an advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎉Pub Week Review🎉

‼️‼️ BANGER ALERT ‼️‼️

Holy creepers in a villa this was one helluva ride! The banger alert has been made and all of you thriller lovers MUST READ THIS! Pre-orders are so important and this is the one!!!

I went into this completely blind and I think you should too! I’ll give you a little nip and then the rest, you should discover on your own!

Sydney and Curtis move to Spain for a fresh start after Curtis’s infidelity. They are pretty secluded from the nearest neighbor. One day, a couple appears at their doorstep after their van breaks down. Inviting strangers into your home, what could go wrong????

I finished this in 24 hours my friends. Nothing else mattered. Household chores or cooked meals were out the window! I wasn’t doing anything else until I finished this banger of a book. I even messed the book up a little because I wouldn’t let go 😆.

What starts out as a slow burn mystery turns into a chokehold of a thriller. I absolutely loved it and think you will too! Add this to your TBR. Pre-order your copy. You don’t wanna miss this!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very dramatic thriller set in picturesque Spain!

After Sydney's husband, Curtis, cheats on her, the two decide to leave their life in New York City behind and buy a Spanish villa. They hope a new house and location will allow them to start fresh and focus on their marriage. But then a young couple shows up and destroys their peace--Bianca and Damian, two Aussies, are traveling in their camper van when it breaks down outside the villa. At first, the group gets along well (with the exception of Curtis, who resents the intrusion), but soon, cracks begin to form.

This is an interesting book--the tension builds slowly, and it feels like a locked room mystery at time, with both couples mainly trapped in the villa. As such, Harding does an excellent job creating a claustrophobic feel. There's a strange forced sexual tension between the group, which made me feel awkward. Lies and secrets abound, with information gradually revealed across various perspectives, and ratcheting up the mystery and suspense.

Be prepared for a tale that takes some dark turns and centers on often quite selfish and unhappy people. It's a good quick read though, and one which will keep you guessing. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing in return for an unbiased review. Look for STRANGERS IN THE VILLA on 03/03/2026!

[Trisha]

Big fan of this author! Can't wait to read this one!

gorgeous cover!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harding has become a pretty reliable domestic thriller author for me, and this one is no different! I read the whole thing in one afternoon, definitely recommend this for a beach or plane read.

pretty standard premise but Harding’s writing is compelling and readable and she gives her characters more depth and humanity than a standard popcorn thriller - pair that with the gorgeous Spanish backdrop and we have a winner!

[Deanna]

Yay! March 2026 can’t come fast enough!!

So excited!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding is a tense, sun drenched psychological thriller that proves once again why Harding is one of my go to authors when I want to be kept on my toes. Set high above the Mediterranean on Spain’s Costa Brava, the novel follows a fractured marriage in the wake of infidelity. Sydney and Curtis retreat to a remote villa to repair the damage, only to invite two unexpected strangers into their fragile sanctuary. What begins as an uneasy attempt at rebuilding trust quickly spirals into something far more dangerous.

The alternating POVs are where this story truly shines. Every character feels slightly untrustworthy, layered with secrets, lies, and quiet betrayals that simmer beneath the surface. The pacing starts slower as Harding carefully builds tension and atmosphere, but I was never bored. Instead, that deliberate buildup makes the back half hit even harder as the momentum accelerates and the stakes skyrocket.

By the final stretch, the twists and turns come fast and sharp. Just when you think you’ve found steady ground, Harding shifts it again. It’s a smart, tightly constructed thriller that leans into messy relationships and moral gray areas—another solid, compulsively readable entry from an author I’ve learned to trust.

[Raven (_birdiesbookclub_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Happy Pub Day!!!!!
Big thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

I really enjoy Robyn Harding's writing and this book followed suit for that. It had great build up, secrets woven throughout, solid tension between the characters and a good finish!

Overall this was a quick, entertaining read that would be perfect for a weekend or vacation binge. Not my absolute favorite of hers, but still a gripping, drama-filled story that delivers on suspense.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a destination thriller, and this didn’t disappoint. Not knowing who to trust, this one kept me hooked. The POV change ups were so well timed and really made the book so suspenseful. Each character felt unique as I read from their POV, and they were easy to keep straight. I enjoyed the backstory, the twist, and the pace! definitely recommend this read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canada is home to many amazing suspense authors and Robyn Harding is definitely one of them.

In her latest book, Strangers in the Villa, Harding centres her story around a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. Sydney and Curtis decide to buy a large, secluded villa in rural Spain to try and salvage their relationship and start a new life. Their plans get derailed when a young Aussie couple's car breaks down in front of the villa and they ask Curtis and Sydney for help. Wanting to break the growing tension in their home, the couple invites the Aussies inside and this decision sparks a complicated and dangerous situation between the two couples who both have secrets to hide.

This is a book that takes its time revealing itself to the reader. I began the book suspecting things weren't as they seemed and was tsk tsking Sydney and Curtis' decision to invite these strangers into their home. But they didn't listen to me. Thank goodness for that because that's when things get going and readers realize that they're in for a wild ride of deception, lies and secrets that this quartet of people want to keep hidden at all costs.

I'd suggest going into this book blind. Curl up with your favourite glass of Spanish wine and let the author weave her twisted tale where nothing is at it seems, you're unsure of who you can trust that ends with an oh-so-satisfying conclusion.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the complimentary digital advanced copy that was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

[Cheryl Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Strangers in the Villa" delivers an engaging and at times suspenseful narrative. The story follows Sydney and Curtis as they leave New York City to relocate to a villa in Spain, aiming to mend their marriage following Curtis's infidelity. The villa, in need of repairs, becomes the backdrop for their attempts to reconstruct their relationship. Their plans take an unexpected turn with the arrival of Bianca and Damian, an Australian couple whose van breaks down and requires several days for repairs. Sydney extends an invitation for the strangers to stay with her and Curtis, but it soon becomes evident that everyone harbors secrets. These are secrets that could prove perilous. The final quarter of the book had me eagerly turning pages to uncover the outcome, which was definitely different from my initial expectations. I would rate this a solid four stars!

[booked.with.julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me hooked from the start!! Like seriously, I could have read this in a sitting if I didn’t have somewhere to go. Lol

A couple on the brink of repairing their marriage escapes to a secluded villa in Spain, hoping for peace and a reset. Instead, they take in two stranded strangers… and that decision slowly unravels everything.

The setting is absolutely stunning, but it quickly turns messy. Four people. One villa. Too many secrets. The tension builds slowly and then suddenly I was second guessing every character and everything they did.

No one is fully likable, everyone is hiding something, and the twists hit just right! This is one I highly recommend!

[Abby (readwithdrabby) · Rating 5 out of 5]

•If Robyn Harding writes it, I will read it!! As soon as I heard about this book, I immediately added it to my TBR.

•Sydney and Curtis Lowe left everything behind and moved from New York to Spain after Curtis admitted to having an affair. While trying to rebuild trust and move forward in their relationship, a couple of unexpected guests arrive on their doorstep. Bianca and Damien are traveling the world in a van, and happened to break down in front of the Lowe home. Sydney and Curtis invite them in and what unravels was beyond anything I could’ve imagined.

•Strangers at the Villa was absolutely incredible. At multiple points I thought I had it all figured out, and luckily, I did not.

•Thank you to NetGalley, Robyn Harding, and Grand Central Publishing. This book will become available on March 3, 2026.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a book and the ending is so perfect you just sit there and smile. That ending was everything! We shouldn't be surprised, this is another fun fast-paced thriller from Robyn Harding.

After Sidney’s husband cheats on her the two give up their NYC life for a Villa in Spain. As they try to heal their broken marriage a couple with car trouble shows up. Be prepared for secrets, drama, and a whole lot of fun!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 very solid stars. I loved this book. I didn’t realize how badly I needed a new Robyn Harding book until the ending when everything wrapped up very nicely. This was a twisty, fast paced thriller that I could not put down.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

[shaunna]

Ouuuuu I’m intrigued! I enjoyed The Drowning Woman by RH so I can’t wait to see what’s to this novel.

[Vito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robyn Harding, not to be confused with pop sensation, Robyn, is back with Strangers in the Villa, that unlike the latter’s hit “Dancing On My Own,” brings two couples together in a Spanish villa (the “titular” villa!)

Curtis and Sydney have said goodbye to their American lifestyle and taken residence in Spain. Despite being so close to the Med, it’s not paradise, however, as the marriage is on the rocks. Sydney isn’t happy but what better place to live with a cheating spouse than Spain, where you know nobody… that is until two Aussies with car troubles knock on the door asking for help. Sydney is overzealous to welcome these strangers, a change of pace that may be able to get her out of this rut. But, are these strangers who they say they are? You know where this is heading (until you don’t…)

That second part is important. There’s a moment where Harding pulls the rug out from under you that is interesting, but it doesn’t last long. It is a bummer because it is exactly the energy and momentum this book needs, which at times feels like a slog. This feeling is overbearing in the second half of the book where different characters recount the same moments but from their POVs, but instead of there being major reveals or changes, it’s just the same thing repeated with a minor wrinkle (No, that person wasn’t actually talking to a doctor, they were talking to someone else!)

This book is also coming out at a time when I’m unsure if readers want to read what they see on tv… won’t spoil it here but there is some grim stuff happening that may stop folks from continuing on, especially when they’re reading and seeing people in power in “emails” (with little repercussions) IRL. There’s some “justice” here, though.

This is a real bummer because Harding wrote one of my favorite, diner food-type of thriller - The Haters - that while not genre changing, was fun and enjoyable start to finish. I thought we were bound for the same here but the readability didn’t match the enjoyment (and vice versa.)

As I turned the last page on Strangers, I was left to ponder — who were the strangers? Was it the reader, a stranger to a better book? Or the author, a stranger to writing a compelling story, start to finish.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A secluded villa in Spain, a troubled marriage, and a pair of strangers who overstay their welcome made this an instantly intriguing setup. Robyn Harding has become one of those authors I automatically pick up, and after reading all of her books since 2017, I went into Strangers in the Villa expecting an entertaining psychological thriller, and that’s exactly what I got.

Harding has an accessible writing style that makes her books easy to get immersed in, and I’ve always found her storytelling entertaining. I also loved the Spanish villa setting, which added a great sense of atmosphere and made the tension between the characters feel even more pronounced. I especially liked the intriguing character development and the twisty plot that kept the story moving forward. Even after reading so many thrillers, I still found myself curious to see how everything would play out.

My only minor complaint was the middle portion of the book, where some of the narrative felt a little more mundane and slower than I would have liked. Even so, I still enjoyed this story just as much as I’ve enjoyed her previous work, and I’ll definitely keep picking up whatever Robyn Harding writes next.(Audio)

[Leisa Back Porch Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ This is a suspenseful character-driven thriller that opens with a crumbling marriage, a hopeful new start in picturesque seaside Spain and a pair of strangers who show up unannounced. I love the way the author peels back the layers of deception to reveal secret after shocking secret. It’s all a house of cards – and I could not turn the pages fast enough to see it all come crashing down.

✨I especially loved the secluded setting of the villa which lent an atmospheric and often claustrophobic tone. It really served to build suspense and intensify the tension from the shifting loyalties of our characters.

✨There’s a reason Robyn Harding is an auto-buy author for me. This is another page-turner I think thriller and suspense fans will love.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Damaged relationship narratives
✨Secrets and lies
✨Mediterranean settings
✨Isolated locations
✨Vacation thrillers
✨Shocking turns

My thanks to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

[Romy - The Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay… this book had me hooked from page one. Imagine this: your marriage is already hanging by a thread after an affair 💔 and instead of therapy, you pack up and move to a gorgeous but isolated villa in Spain to “fix things.” Sounds romantic, right? …until two strangers show up at your door and suddenly nothing feels safe anymore. 👀

I loved how the story slowly shifted from sunshine-and-Mediterranean-vibes ☀️🍷 to this tense, claustrophobic thriller where you’re constantly questioning everyone’s motives. The villa setting was stunning, but also eerie—like the perfect backdrop for secrets and danger.

This wasn’t just a thriller about strangers at the door—it was also about trust, betrayal, and how fragile relationships can be when tested. The twists definitely kept me flipping pages late into the night 😅 and the ending? Chef’s kiss. 👌

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers with vacation-gone-wrong vibes, add this one to your list ASAP. 🏡🔪

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 from me!)

Thank you NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the early copy—coming your way March 3, 2026!

[Randi Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sydney’s life as a powerful defense lawyer is shattered when she discovers her husband Curtis’s affair. Desperate to repair their marriage, Curtis convinces her that their love is still real, and that the only way forward is to leave everything behind. Sydney quits her job, and the two relocate to a secluded villa in Spain, hoping isolation will help them find their way back to each other.

Their fragile peace is disrupted when a stranded couple, Bianca and Damien, knock on their door after their van breaks down. Lonely and eager for human connection, Sydney offers them her phone, a meal, and a temporary place to stay. What she doesn’t realize is that inviting them in may be the worst decision she’s made, because they refuse to leave.

Told through alternating POVs between both couples, this started as an entertaining psychological suspense. Unfortunately, the structure became repetitive about halfway through, with the same events retold from opposing perspectives, which quickly became frustrating and pulled me out of the story.

I loved Drowning Woman and Robyn Harding’s ability to build tension, but this one ultimately missed the mark for me. While the premise was intriguing, the execution didn’t quite live up to its potential.

[Nicole Wuthering Vines · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Harding writes it, I’m reading it.

Sunshine, strangers, and suspense? Say less.

This was an utterly claustrophobic, atmospheric thriller set against a captivating Spanish backdrop and an isolated villa that practically breathes tension. Completely immersive from the start, I was instantly hooked, flying through the pages and finishing it in a single day.

What begins as a fresh start quickly spirals into a web of mind games, marital dysfunction, betrayal, and revenge. The revelations land hard, and the steady sense of dread creates a delicious, anxiety fueled urgency as you try to piece together where it’s all heading. The tension is relentless, making this absolutely unputdownable.

Final thriller lesson we should all heed: do NOT let strangers in.

4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads

[Han ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast paced thriller that I read in under 24 hours! I did really enjoy the multiple/alternating POVs, the Spanish villa setting and how the author kept me on my toes throughout. However, about mid-way through the book it became repetitive and even had certain stories paraphrased which pulled me out of the story. I was satisfied with the ending and thought it was well thought out! I wasn’t blown away by this one, but still think it’s a fun and quick read.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for this gifted arc!

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

If you are confused or want to discuss this, come check out my Readers Guide with Jen's Quick Take to help you decide if the book is for you AND protected spoilers Here on Jen Ryland Reviews

A psychological suspense book with a completely insane ending. Good for those looking for a fun popcorn thriller read who are fine with low plausibility (typical in books like this)>

The premise of Strangers in the Villa (a couple trying to get past an affair have moved to a remote house in Spain when a mysterious couple turn up on their doorstep) was intriguing but I felt that the plot stalled a bit in the middle, with a lot of filler and gaslighting.

Then, when you finally figure out what's going on, there was an admirably nutty plot development!!

Thanks to Grand Central for the advance copy! And thanks to Devi theBookaccountantt on IG for listening to my theories about where the book was going.

[Tiffany W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Robyn Harding. I loved all of the secrets and how they slowly unfolded keeping the reader engaged. I enjoyed the four POV's which did not feel overwhelming or confusing. This is also a sad story line that is relevant to what is goin on today. Highly recommend if you want a fast paced page turner.

[Christine Tistechok · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Spanish setting was gorgeous but felt so isolating, which made the "no intention of leaving" aspect feel genuinely claustrophobic. It’s a fast-paced, "messy people" thriller that kept me guessing about everyone's true motives until the end. A solid 4 stars for anyone who loves a domestic thriller with a side of travel-gone-wrong.

[Lis Durst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very suspenseful and dramatic. Loved the setting and the ending was so good! Thanks for the ARC!!