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.

"Robyn Harding is probably among the writers I most recommend, and once again she has excelled herself with damaged and damaging characters wreaking havoc on each other. I loved every page! When can I read the next one?" ―Liz Nugent, internationally bestselling author of Strange Sally Diamond

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

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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.

[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!

[Deanna]

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

So excited!!

[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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Lis Durst · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to pick my favorite part of this novel: the lush setting, the domestic tension, the creeping sense that *something* is very, very wrong. Robyn Harding is one of my favorite writers, and she doesn't disappoint with this story. I read this in one sitting on an airplane, and the ending made me gasp so loudly that other passengers were startled lol.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well plotted and highly entertaining.

[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.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Sydney and Curtis are not murderinos. If they were, they'd know that you have to f politeness. When you don't, this happens.

The aforementioned couple have come to Spain under less than ideal circumstances - Curtis's cheating - and they're hoping that this beautiful setting including the opportunity to start a winery at the titular villa will allow them to be the only people to pull a geographic but successfully. This is not a spoiler. It doesn't work out how they planned.

Bianca and Damian are also in Spain trying to right some wrongs, but it's unclear to both their fictional counterparts and to readers exactly what those are. These Australians conveniently break down right near the villa. Of course they worm their way into the villa and into the hearts, minds, and who knows what else of Sydney and Curtis.

We all know this isn't going to go well. Curtis has a history of lies and misdirection, which is really amplified by Sydney's constant thinking about this (who can blame her?!). Also, Curtis appears to have other secrets, and those are also hidden from readers. Sydney has a professional life that puts her at risk and also causes her to hang on to some concerning info of her own.

Harding expertly creates several possibilities for what could be happening here and manages to keep the pace moving while also offering a very slow release of actual information. The setting is great, and so is all of the misdirection. These characters all have their challenges, and those personality traits and wild behaviors continue to d/evolve right up to the end.

This is a wild ride and I recommend it to folks looking for a nicely constructed psychological thriller.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangers in the Villa is not your typical Harding thriller. It's more of a slow burn, character-driven, domestic drama rather than a nail-biter. The pacing was a bit slow for most of the book, but the methodical plot and clever twists kept me engaged. Having all of the characters mainly under one roof created a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere that upped my anxiety and made me feel trapped. The "strangers" gave off the weirdest vibes, too. It was hard for me to not question Sydney's choice of allowing this unknown couple into her home to stay. Who does that?! This naive decision bothered me for most of the book, which was why I subtracted one star from my rating. It was just too unbelievable for me to move past. The ending was perfect though! A little farfetched but very satisfying. I enjoyed this one. Based off of other early reviews, I think it will be a hit or miss for Harding fans. I personally think it was worth the read and would recommend.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

[Brittni Whitesell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC in exchange for a review!

First off, I LOVED the Drowning Woman, so I was really excited to get an early copy of this one! This was a solid 4 ⭐️ read for me!

I really enjoyed the multiple POVs from each couple. I felt like it gave the story from every angle and upped the mystery throughout the story. I was intrigued from the start! I didn’t have any idea where the story was going to go, but I was along for the ride.

I didn’t necessarily predict what was coming, but it didn’t completely shock me, so that’s honestly the reason this wasn’t a 5 ⭐️ thriller for me. I just wanted a little more of that “wow I didn’t see that coming.”

If you’re in the mood for a “trust no one” thriller, this is a good one!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robyn Harding never disappoints. Strangers in the Villa has a nice slow burn with a steady thrilling pace. Told in multiple POVs with plenty of lies and secrets to go around. Tension mounts with each chapter and you’ll keep wondering who’s the real villain in this story. The twists will keep you turning the pages, and hopefully, like me, blow you away with the unexpected killer twist at the end. The descriptions of the Spain beaches, the wine and the afternoon siestas! Book me a flight, I’m ready to go!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the cover of this book, its so inviting and makes me want to go to the setting. This book has some building tension that is felt through out the book and it builds to the very well put together story that will leave you guessing. The suspense and need for more information will have you reading around the clock. Secrets, secrets and then more secrets that are revealed – no spoilers here, you have to just read the book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC #RobynHarding #StrangersintheVilla #NetGalley

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robyn Harding can do no wrong! She is an auto buy author for me, and I've loved every book she's put out. They are always perfectly paced page turners that keep me guessing with cleverly placed twists. I loved the setting of Spain and the old villa. The characters were all untrustworthy and unlikeable, but in the best way. I loved to hate them! Thanks to the author and publisher for my early review copy. Definitely add this one to your reading list, especially if you're a fan of Robyn already. This was a quick and entertaining read for me and I loved it!

[Zackary Ryan Cockrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my full thoughts on this book and more here: booktube reviews :)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I loved this book. I am very excited to hear what other people will think. Strangers in the Villa is very much a popcorn, fast paced, run fast and break things, thriller. It starts off on a quick and interesting start and doesn't let up. The ending was satisfying, the twists were good, but be ready to think of this as a thought experiment not a non fiction. What I mean by that, is you need to suspend some disbelief. It's written like a movie some of the wording and dialogue hits a cringe point at times but for the most part I was just in it and wanted to know what the heck was going on. If you're looking for a quick thriller, that's exciting and scandaling, this is the book. Very pleased I read it.

[Erin B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy of Strangers in the Villa. While I doubt anything could top The Drowning Woman for me, this comes in a close second. I absolutely devoured this book in less than 24 hours! It's engaging and suspenseful, entertaining and twisty, taking place in a beautiful setting. I did not see the ending coming. Pay attention to the little details, as they get tied up in a little bow at the end! Add this to your TBR now and consider ordering an advanced copy because you are going to want to read this one!

[Christine Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangers in the Villa, Robyn Harding
When Cindy and Curtis are having marriage problems because of Curtis’s infidelity, they leave their NYC apartment and move to a secluded part of Spain in hopes of fixing their marriage. After being there for several months, one night, a couple, Bianca and Damien, knock on their door. They are having car trouble and need to use their phone. Sydney is so happy to have company she invites them in for lunch…which then turns into a much extended stay. This is just the start of things going from bad to worse. Sydney’s choices were so bad, I wanted to come through the book at her. I never once trusted Bianca or Damien, and especially not Curtis!
This is a good book, with a great ending I didn’t see coming!!
This book comes out on March 3. THANK YOU Netgalley for the early copy!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Whitney Arnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robyn Harding proves once again why she is a favorite author of mine. I felt this was a little bit of a slow burn but not so slow that it didn’t keep me invested. While reading, I found myself questioning every character and what their motives were. Highly recommend adding to your TBR.

[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!