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Please Enjoy Your Stay
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After a true crime podcast reopens her cousin’s murder case, a woman must confront her past at a glamorous European castle-turned-hotel where she follows a trail of toxic family secrets and deadly lies.
When they were teenagers, Mia’s beloved cousin was murdered during their stay at an infamous castle in the Austrian Alps. As the only witness, Mia’s testimony put the killer behind bars, but it tore her life apart: the media accused her aunt, a controversial true crime author, of being involved. Now, a decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction, and a popular true crime podcast starts covering the case, determined to exonerate him, and resurfacing lies about Mia’s family in the process.
Desperate to protect her aunt—and what she knows to be the truth—Mia returns to Austria. The castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, and Mia gets a job as a nanny for the new owner, hiding in plain sight as she investigates, needing to set the story straight once and for all. But after someone mysteriously disappears on the property and sinister new evidence emerges regarding her cousin’s death, she realizes she might have accused the wrong man...and put her own life in danger.
When they were teenagers, Mia’s beloved cousin was murdered during their stay at an infamous castle in the Austrian Alps. As the only witness, Mia’s testimony put the killer behind bars, but it tore her life apart: the media accused her aunt, a controversial true crime author, of being involved. Now, a decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction, and a popular true crime podcast starts covering the case, determined to exonerate him, and resurfacing lies about Mia’s family in the process.
Desperate to protect her aunt—and what she knows to be the truth—Mia returns to Austria. The castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, and Mia gets a job as a nanny for the new owner, hiding in plain sight as she investigates, needing to set the story straight once and for all. But after someone mysteriously disappears on the property and sinister new evidence emerges regarding her cousin’s death, she realizes she might have accused the wrong man...and put her own life in danger.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Tara Goedjen
5 books147 followersTara Goedjen has lived all over the world, forever in search of the perfect setting. A former academic, she holds a Master of Fine Arts and a PhD, and she also worked as an editor for a Sydney-based publishing house for several years. Tara now lives in the moody Pacific Northwest, where she can usually be found hiking through the woods while dreaming up her next novel. Please Enjoy Your Stay is her adult debut.
To find out more about Tara and her books, find her on Instagram at @taragoedjen, on Substack, or say hello at taragoedjenauthor.com.
To find out more about Tara and her books, find her on Instagram at @taragoedjen, on Substack, or say hello at taragoedjenauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
April 12, 2026
Deliciously twisty!
April 12, 2026
When I first read the description of this book, the plot sounded intriguing.
Who wouldn’t enjoy the idea of a young woman returning to an ancient and allegedly haunted castle where her cousin had been murdered 10 years prior?
And to top it off, going in the disguise of a nanny so that she can have access to the castle and do further investigating into her cousin’s death.
Before I decided to read the book I read several reviews (as I always do) and noticed that they were very mixed for this one.
Now that completely makes sense to me.
Since my review is going to be on the lower end of the spectrum, I encourage you to also read the 4/5 star reviews and see what those individuals liked about the book.
Aside from the protagonist, the reader really doesn’t learn much about the other characters.
I understood their overall personality traits, but that was the extent of it.
They were all kind of just there, without adding anything substantial to the story.
I didn’t feel any sort of connection to anyone in this book.
The supernatural elements were also very vague.
We’re told about a woman in a black dress singing and a man in a black hoodie, but nothing really happens with them beyond that.
It would have been better to either give them more prominence, or just leave them out.
This was very much a slow burn.
In fact, there really wasn’t any suspense or excitement until the last 10% of the book (and even that was brief and fairly dull).
When the “big reveal” happened towards the end, it was kind of a letdown for me.
I enjoyed the overall story, but don’t go into this expecting an exciting thriller with lots of suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Pub Date: October 13, 2026 (just in time for Spooky Season)
Who wouldn’t enjoy the idea of a young woman returning to an ancient and allegedly haunted castle where her cousin had been murdered 10 years prior?
And to top it off, going in the disguise of a nanny so that she can have access to the castle and do further investigating into her cousin’s death.
Before I decided to read the book I read several reviews (as I always do) and noticed that they were very mixed for this one.
Now that completely makes sense to me.
Since my review is going to be on the lower end of the spectrum, I encourage you to also read the 4/5 star reviews and see what those individuals liked about the book.
Aside from the protagonist, the reader really doesn’t learn much about the other characters.
I understood their overall personality traits, but that was the extent of it.
They were all kind of just there, without adding anything substantial to the story.
I didn’t feel any sort of connection to anyone in this book.
The supernatural elements were also very vague.
We’re told about a woman in a black dress singing and a man in a black hoodie, but nothing really happens with them beyond that.
It would have been better to either give them more prominence, or just leave them out.
This was very much a slow burn.
In fact, there really wasn’t any suspense or excitement until the last 10% of the book (and even that was brief and fairly dull).
When the “big reveal” happened towards the end, it was kind of a letdown for me.
I enjoyed the overall story, but don’t go into this expecting an exciting thriller with lots of suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Pub Date: October 13, 2026 (just in time for Spooky Season)
Want to Read
March 28, 2026An infamous castle in the Austrian Alps harbors dark secrets and deadly lies. The castle is being revamped into a luxury hotel but a decades old murder is being reopened when the convicted is appealing the crime/conviction. When a new disappearance emerges on the property, something more sinister is going on in that hotel. Is the wrong man accused of the crime or there's more danger lurking behind the castles walls?
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, Tara Goedjen for an early copy!
Publication date: October 13, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, Tara Goedjen for an early copy!
Publication date: October 13, 2026
April 26, 2026
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen is an engaging and atmospheric mystery that kept me hooked most of the way through. The story’s structure—shifting between past events, present-day narration, and podcast excerpts—adds an interesting layer to the storytelling and helps build tension around the central murder case.
The setting of the old castle is one of the book’s strongest elements. It creates a moody, almost eerie backdrop where multiple murders have taken place, including that of Mia’s cousin, Tristan. As Mia takes a job as a nanny for the new owners’ daughter, her personal connection to the castle raises the stakes and makes her investigation feel more urgent and emotional.
I especially enjoyed how the different timelines slowly come together, revealing pieces of the mystery bit by bit. The podcast segments were a nice touch and made the story feel more modern and immersive.
That said, the ending felt a bit predictable, and some of the twists didn’t land as strongly as they could have. Still, the journey to get there was entertaining, and the atmosphere and pacing kept me invested.
Overall, this is a solid 4-star read—perfect if you enjoy gothic settings, layered narratives, and a steady unraveling of secrets.
The setting of the old castle is one of the book’s strongest elements. It creates a moody, almost eerie backdrop where multiple murders have taken place, including that of Mia’s cousin, Tristan. As Mia takes a job as a nanny for the new owners’ daughter, her personal connection to the castle raises the stakes and makes her investigation feel more urgent and emotional.
I especially enjoyed how the different timelines slowly come together, revealing pieces of the mystery bit by bit. The podcast segments were a nice touch and made the story feel more modern and immersive.
That said, the ending felt a bit predictable, and some of the twists didn’t land as strongly as they could have. Still, the journey to get there was entertaining, and the atmosphere and pacing kept me invested.
Overall, this is a solid 4-star read—perfect if you enjoy gothic settings, layered narratives, and a steady unraveling of secrets.
Want to Read
March 30, 2026oooh I love True Crime Podcast stories!!
Pub date: 10/2026
can't wait!!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Pub date: 10/2026
can't wait!!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Want to Read
March 25, 2026People say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
But I am judging.
And my judgement is: The cover stuns, and I want to read this book.
But I am judging.
And my judgement is: The cover stuns, and I want to read this book.
April 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Please Enjoy Your Stay! This was a fast paced thriller with a gothic feel, set in the Austrian mountains, and includes one of my favourite thriller elements: a true crime podcast. In this one, it spurs our main character Mia to revisit the murder of her cousin 15 years ago at the very hotel she’s working at.
While I generally really enjoyed the story and looked forward to picking it up, everything just seemed too surface level for me. Mia, Iris and Tristan didn’t strike me as family that looks out for each other, the suspects at the hotel were not explored in depth and Mia’s guise for being at the hotel was just ridiculous. There were slight supernatural elements which I would have either liked to see the author commit to, or just remove them. The heiress murder subplot was also confusing and just not really compelling? Overall there were too many stories happening at the same time to get them all right, and I was left with questions at the end of the book.
While I generally really enjoyed the story and looked forward to picking it up, everything just seemed too surface level for me. Mia, Iris and Tristan didn’t strike me as family that looks out for each other, the suspects at the hotel were not explored in depth and Mia’s guise for being at the hotel was just ridiculous. There were slight supernatural elements which I would have either liked to see the author commit to, or just remove them. The heiress murder subplot was also confusing and just not really compelling? Overall there were too many stories happening at the same time to get them all right, and I was left with questions at the end of the book.
April 13, 2026
I loved this book way more then I thought I would. it is one of those twisty thrillers that pulls you in right away.The story follows Mia, who returns to a castle in the Austrian Alps where her cousin was murdered years ago. Back then, Mia was the only witness, and her testimony helped convict the killer but it also destroyed her family’s life, especially with all the media attention surrounding her aunt, a controversial true crime author. Now, ten years later, a podcast is reopening the case and trying to prove the convicted man is innocent, forcing Mia to confront everything she thought she knew.Determined to protect her family and the truth, Mia goes back to the castle now being turned into a luxury hotel and secretly takes a job as a nanny so she can investigate from the inside. But things quickly spiral when someone else disappears and new evidence starts to come to light, making Mia question whether she got it wrong the first time and whether the real killer is still out there.What I liked most was the setting. The castle turned hotel in the Alps adds such a creepy, isolated vibe that really amps up the tension. It feels glamorous on the surface, but there’s always something unsettling underneath, which fits perfectly with the story’s secrets and lies.The mystery itself kept me hooked. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something new would come up and shift everything. I also liked how it explored the impact of true crime how media and public opinion can twist a story and affect real people’s lives.Overall, this was a really gripping and suspenseful read with plenty of twists and a strong emotional core. If you like mysteries with unreliable truths, past secrets, and a dark, moody setting, this is definitely one I’d recommend.
May 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. To say the least I will read others by her too. The atmosphere of this book was amazing. The castle practically built itself in my head. The characters were pretty well written. I wish we got a little more information and some of them.
This book will have you yelling at it. There was so many times where I was yelling at Mia in my head. She makes lots of infuriating decisions and she is very impulsive. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like her but then she grew on me.
I don’t have many complaints about this book. It’s a little predictable in some aspects but then not in others. Like there’s no way I could’ve guessed that ending! Since I read it as an arc there was some formatting issues as an ebook. But overall I enjoyed this book throughly and cannot wait until its release in October!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. To say the least I will read others by her too. The atmosphere of this book was amazing. The castle practically built itself in my head. The characters were pretty well written. I wish we got a little more information and some of them.
This book will have you yelling at it. There was so many times where I was yelling at Mia in my head. She makes lots of infuriating decisions and she is very impulsive. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like her but then she grew on me.
I don’t have many complaints about this book. It’s a little predictable in some aspects but then not in others. Like there’s no way I could’ve guessed that ending! Since I read it as an arc there was some formatting issues as an ebook. But overall I enjoyed this book throughly and cannot wait until its release in October!
April 8, 2026
Mia’s beloved cousin was murdered while they were staying at a famous castle when she was a teenager. Her testimony put the killer behind bars and now a true crime podcast reopens the case questioning her testimony!
This was a very plot driven story. I think a lot of people will really like it. I would have like to seen more from the “before” timeline when it all went down. A pretty quick read!
This was a very plot driven story. I think a lot of people will really like it. I would have like to seen more from the “before” timeline when it all went down. A pretty quick read!
May 18, 2026
Advanced readers copy from netgalley
This is the story of Mia who witnessed the death of her cousin when she was thirteen. Her witness statement helps put the murder in prison. Fast forward several years and the murder case is being revisited and appealed. This prompts MIA to get a many job at the location of the murder, which is a hotel, to see if she can find out what really happened to her cousin and who the killer is
If this synopsis sounds a b it confusing, it’s because it is. If she saw who killed her cousin why does she need to revisit the hotel to know what truly happened. In the first chapter, you realize the synopsis is a bit misleading and that she “slight spoiler” doesn’t actually see who kills her cousin. She hears voices, sees someone she knows, and then finds her cousin dead. I feel like with this setup, you know from the start that this guy didn’t do it and she missed something when she was thirteen. Obviously.
Not to mention that there are some supernatural and not supernatural things taking place? Like most of the things can be nothing at all. Could easily be explained. But then, again an another spoiler, her aunt goes into trances when she writes and writes about her son’s murder before it happens… but doesn’t know anything about it and doesn’t stop it? This is never touched or explained once it’s presented. It’s only there to try and throw people off who the real killer is. Which is kind of obvious to begin with.
There’s also a slight love story that makes no sense. Mia liked this older guy when she was younger and meets him again when older. And then they kiss and like each other but they never talk or get to know each other. It’s not a romantic relationship that I’m routing for because it comes out of nowhere. It didn’t even help with the plot. If anything he’s a red herring (done terribly).
With that being said, I did want to finish the book and I was originally really invested for the first 30% but the it loses me because it felt like the story didn’t know if it wanted to be supernatural or or have an unreliable narrator. It seemed a bit confused and all over the place.
This is the story of Mia who witnessed the death of her cousin when she was thirteen. Her witness statement helps put the murder in prison. Fast forward several years and the murder case is being revisited and appealed. This prompts MIA to get a many job at the location of the murder, which is a hotel, to see if she can find out what really happened to her cousin and who the killer is
If this synopsis sounds a b it confusing, it’s because it is. If she saw who killed her cousin why does she need to revisit the hotel to know what truly happened. In the first chapter, you realize the synopsis is a bit misleading and that she “slight spoiler” doesn’t actually see who kills her cousin. She hears voices, sees someone she knows, and then finds her cousin dead. I feel like with this setup, you know from the start that this guy didn’t do it and she missed something when she was thirteen. Obviously.
Not to mention that there are some supernatural and not supernatural things taking place? Like most of the things can be nothing at all. Could easily be explained. But then, again an another spoiler, her aunt goes into trances when she writes and writes about her son’s murder before it happens… but doesn’t know anything about it and doesn’t stop it? This is never touched or explained once it’s presented. It’s only there to try and throw people off who the real killer is. Which is kind of obvious to begin with.
There’s also a slight love story that makes no sense. Mia liked this older guy when she was younger and meets him again when older. And then they kiss and like each other but they never talk or get to know each other. It’s not a romantic relationship that I’m routing for because it comes out of nowhere. It didn’t even help with the plot. If anything he’s a red herring (done terribly).
With that being said, I did want to finish the book and I was originally really invested for the first 30% but the it loses me because it felt like the story didn’t know if it wanted to be supernatural or or have an unreliable narrator. It seemed a bit confused and all over the place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2026
From the moment I started this novel, I was fully invested in the plot and characters. This story is told through a combination of journal entries, flashbacks, podcast episodes, and current experiences. The pacing felt quick throughout, giving the reader the sense of time running out, while still allowing for suspense to build naturally. I had the best time putting together the puzzle pieces that Tara Goedjen left in each chapter. I felt so excited when I managed to figure out the big twist ahead of time, but still managed to be surprised by a few others.
The little details throughout made this story so immersive. The setting for this story was portrayed in a way that I could envision the hotel and the town so clearly in my mind. The food was described in an experiential manner, creating cravings to be able to taste it as well. The woods were used to show different situational tones, ominous or adventurous. The shadows that may or may not be ghosts were perfectly eerie, calling into question whether this was truly a haunted hotel.
I truly loved getting to read this book early, and devoured it in a weekend. If you love true crime, hotels with grim backstories, and protagonists who choose finding the truth over safety: you will love this book! Please Enjoy Your Stay releases on October 13, 2026. Thank you Atria/ Emily Bestler Books for gifting me with an eARC (via Netgalley widget), all thoughts expressed are my own.
The little details throughout made this story so immersive. The setting for this story was portrayed in a way that I could envision the hotel and the town so clearly in my mind. The food was described in an experiential manner, creating cravings to be able to taste it as well. The woods were used to show different situational tones, ominous or adventurous. The shadows that may or may not be ghosts were perfectly eerie, calling into question whether this was truly a haunted hotel.
I truly loved getting to read this book early, and devoured it in a weekend. If you love true crime, hotels with grim backstories, and protagonists who choose finding the truth over safety: you will love this book! Please Enjoy Your Stay releases on October 13, 2026. Thank you Atria/ Emily Bestler Books for gifting me with an eARC (via Netgalley widget), all thoughts expressed are my own.
March 29, 2026
The premise of this book was everything I love in a thriller. Decade old case, podcast element, and an amateur sleuth. The book was enjoyable but predicable. I really wish the podcast parts were separated out instead of just a few sentences scattered throughout the chapters.
Mia’s cousin was murdered 10 years ago, Mia’s testimony is what put the killer behind bars but a podcast has come out with a mystery cohost and new evidence. Mia moves to Austria to go undercover as a nanny in the hotel where the incident occurred.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 3.5 stars
Mia’s cousin was murdered 10 years ago, Mia’s testimony is what put the killer behind bars but a podcast has come out with a mystery cohost and new evidence. Mia moves to Austria to go undercover as a nanny in the hotel where the incident occurred.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 3.5 stars
April 4, 2026
A book within a book within a book about a murder - which, in turns, lead to another murder. It's up to Amelia to find out the truth, working undercover as a nanny, inside a seemingly haunted castle turned hotel. This was lots of fun! I enjoyed the eerie setting, the many twists, and also really, really appreciated the fact this was all done in a good, clean read. Bravo!!
I received an advance reading copy from Atria Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own as I was not required to give a positive review.
I received an advance reading copy from Atria Books through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own as I was not required to give a positive review.
May 8, 2026
When Mia was a teenager, her cousin was murdered during a stay at an infamous castle in the Austrian Alps, and her testimony helped put the killer behind bars. A decade later, the convicted murderer is appealing his case while a popular true crime podcast begins digging into the story, determined to prove he was wrongly accused. Hoping to protect her aunt and uncover the truth once and for all, Mia returns to the castle, now being transformed into a luxury hotel, and secretly investigates while working as a nanny on the property. But when someone disappears and disturbing new evidence comes to light, Mia starts to wonder if she accused the wrong man all those years ago.
I really enjoyed this slow burn thriller and loved how the multiple timelines slowly came together piece by piece. The castle setting in the Austrian Alps created such a moody and unsettling atmosphere that made the story even more intense. There were plenty of secrets, suspicion, and twists that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I especially loved the podcast element and the way the story shifted between the past, present, and podcast excerpts. Overall, this was a really solid 4 star read for me.
Thank you to Atria books for this gifted copy! This book is out October 13, 2026.
I really enjoyed this slow burn thriller and loved how the multiple timelines slowly came together piece by piece. The castle setting in the Austrian Alps created such a moody and unsettling atmosphere that made the story even more intense. There were plenty of secrets, suspicion, and twists that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I especially loved the podcast element and the way the story shifted between the past, present, and podcast excerpts. Overall, this was a really solid 4 star read for me.
Thank you to Atria books for this gifted copy! This book is out October 13, 2026.
March 26, 2026
*3.5 stars ✨
April 20, 2026
Thank you #NetGalley, Atria books, and Tara Goedjen, for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the vibe of this book and the different characters. I liked that it was set in present day but had glimpses of the past through Irises journal entries.
Overall I found it to be an okay thriller. I guessed who did it and the real identity of one of the characters fairly early on. I found some of the writing to be confusing.
I loved the vibe of this book and the different characters. I liked that it was set in present day but had glimpses of the past through Irises journal entries.
Overall I found it to be an okay thriller. I guessed who did it and the real identity of one of the characters fairly early on. I found some of the writing to be confusing.
May 21, 2026
Thank you to Tara Goedjen for the ARC!
A true crime podcast reopens the case of Mia’s cousin’s murder. So Mia returns to the a scene of the crime - a castle in the Austrian Alps. Working undercover at the castle (now luxury hotel), she investigates and dangerous family secrets come to light. As more unsettling events unfold, Mia questions what she once thought was the truth.
What a twisty and unsettling read! We at the Pulse have been loving this book. First, there was the setting - a creepy old castle that also happened to be the scene of a murder? Say less! Told in alternating timelines, the past of what happened to Mia’s cousin comes out as she is retracing her steps in the present. I also really love a good podcast storyline, so the fact that that was also used in this story was fun. The pacing was more of a slow burn but the story was so atmospheric I felt like that element worked perfectly.
“Please Enjoy Your Stay” releases October 13, 2026. This review will be shaded to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle).
A true crime podcast reopens the case of Mia’s cousin’s murder. So Mia returns to the a scene of the crime - a castle in the Austrian Alps. Working undercover at the castle (now luxury hotel), she investigates and dangerous family secrets come to light. As more unsettling events unfold, Mia questions what she once thought was the truth.
What a twisty and unsettling read! We at the Pulse have been loving this book. First, there was the setting - a creepy old castle that also happened to be the scene of a murder? Say less! Told in alternating timelines, the past of what happened to Mia’s cousin comes out as she is retracing her steps in the present. I also really love a good podcast storyline, so the fact that that was also used in this story was fun. The pacing was more of a slow burn but the story was so atmospheric I felt like that element worked perfectly.
“Please Enjoy Your Stay” releases October 13, 2026. This review will be shaded to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen, and I found myself with mixed feelings by the time I finished.
First, I have to mention the title and cover. Please Enjoy Your Stay is such a wonderfully creepy title, and paired with the cover, it immediately gave me thriller vibes. I went in expecting something tense, unsettling, and hard to put down, and the premise absolutely supports that expectation.
When Mia was young, she witnessed her cousin Tristan’s murder. Her testimony helped convict the killer (or so she believed). Years later, the case is reopened when the convicted man claims innocence, forcing Mia to revisit the past she’s tried to leave behind. She returns to the castle where the murder took place to help her aunt Iris, a true crime writer, uncover what really happened that night.
This is a fantastic premise. A childhood eyewitness, a reopened case, and a remote castle setting all feel like the ingredients for a tense, atmospheric thriller. And to its credit, the castle setting was atmospheric. There was a lingering sense of unease and mystery, and I kept thinking how much potential there was for this to build into something truly suspenseful.
Unfortunately, the pacing felt slow, and the tension never quite developed. The story alternates between present-day events and Iris’s notes, along with podcast elements sprinkled throughout. While these additions were interesting, they sometimes disrupted the momentum. I found myself wishing the podcast pieces had been grouped together like newspaper articles, rather than scattered, and that some of the backstory elements, including other crimes connected to the castle, had been more fully explored instead of briefly mentioned. There were several intriguing ideas introduced, but they didn’t feel fully developed.
Mia herself felt reliable, but I struggled to connect with her. I didn’t feel like I really got to know her, and because of that, the emotional stakes never fully landed. Her decision to return to the castle also felt unlikely to me. If I had been in her shoes, I would have stayed far, far away. A stronger motivation for her return might have helped deepen both her character and the tension.
There were elements I enjoyed. Matteo, the gardener, added warmth to the story and was one of the more engaging characters. I also appreciated that I didn’t guess the reveal. However, when the truth came out, my reaction was more “Ah, okay. Makes sense,” rather than a shocking twist. The resolution worked logically, but it lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for.
Overall, this felt more like a quiet mystery than a thriller. The story was there, but it didn’t feel fully developed. It kept me mildly interested, but it never grabbed me in a way that made it hard to put down, and that’s a shame, because the premise, title, and setting all suggested something much more suspenseful.
I think readers who enjoy slower-paced mysteries or cozy-style suspense may appreciate this more than readers looking for high tension or fast-paced thrills.
Content warnings: Murder (including past child murder), grief, discussion of violence.
My final rating is 3 stars. It has an atmospheric setting and strong concept, but the execution didn’t quite deliver the tension I was hoping for.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
First, I have to mention the title and cover. Please Enjoy Your Stay is such a wonderfully creepy title, and paired with the cover, it immediately gave me thriller vibes. I went in expecting something tense, unsettling, and hard to put down, and the premise absolutely supports that expectation.
When Mia was young, she witnessed her cousin Tristan’s murder. Her testimony helped convict the killer (or so she believed). Years later, the case is reopened when the convicted man claims innocence, forcing Mia to revisit the past she’s tried to leave behind. She returns to the castle where the murder took place to help her aunt Iris, a true crime writer, uncover what really happened that night.
This is a fantastic premise. A childhood eyewitness, a reopened case, and a remote castle setting all feel like the ingredients for a tense, atmospheric thriller. And to its credit, the castle setting was atmospheric. There was a lingering sense of unease and mystery, and I kept thinking how much potential there was for this to build into something truly suspenseful.
Unfortunately, the pacing felt slow, and the tension never quite developed. The story alternates between present-day events and Iris’s notes, along with podcast elements sprinkled throughout. While these additions were interesting, they sometimes disrupted the momentum. I found myself wishing the podcast pieces had been grouped together like newspaper articles, rather than scattered, and that some of the backstory elements, including other crimes connected to the castle, had been more fully explored instead of briefly mentioned. There were several intriguing ideas introduced, but they didn’t feel fully developed.
Mia herself felt reliable, but I struggled to connect with her. I didn’t feel like I really got to know her, and because of that, the emotional stakes never fully landed. Her decision to return to the castle also felt unlikely to me. If I had been in her shoes, I would have stayed far, far away. A stronger motivation for her return might have helped deepen both her character and the tension.
There were elements I enjoyed. Matteo, the gardener, added warmth to the story and was one of the more engaging characters. I also appreciated that I didn’t guess the reveal. However, when the truth came out, my reaction was more “Ah, okay. Makes sense,” rather than a shocking twist. The resolution worked logically, but it lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for.
Overall, this felt more like a quiet mystery than a thriller. The story was there, but it didn’t feel fully developed. It kept me mildly interested, but it never grabbed me in a way that made it hard to put down, and that’s a shame, because the premise, title, and setting all suggested something much more suspenseful.
I think readers who enjoy slower-paced mysteries or cozy-style suspense may appreciate this more than readers looking for high tension or fast-paced thrills.
Content warnings: Murder (including past child murder), grief, discussion of violence.
My final rating is 3 stars. It has an atmospheric setting and strong concept, but the execution didn’t quite deliver the tension I was hoping for.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Please Enjoy Your Stay | Tara Goedjen
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
There is just something irresistible about a story that drops you into a stunning, isolated setting and then slowly starts peeling back the rot underneath, and "Please Enjoy Your Stay" by Tara Goedjen absolutely delivers.
In this story, we’re following Mia, who returns to the scene of her cousin’s murder a decade later; an imposing Austrian castle now rebranded into a bougie luxury hotel (because nothing says “healing” like luxury linens and deeply buried secrets). What starts as a quiet, undercover mission to protect her family’s version of the truth quickly spirals into a layered, messy unraveling of memory, guilt, and what if we got it wrong?
And listen… I will always show up for a girl who refuses to let the past stay buried. Give her a mystery, give her a bad feeling, give her a castle looming in the mountains? I’m seated.
The atmosphere here is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. You’ve got that dreamy-but-off-kilter European backdrop with quaint villages, sharp alpine air, and this castle that feels like it’s watching you back. It’s moody, it’s tense, it’s just sinister enough to keep you side-eyeing every hallway and every character. I loved the vibe… but I’ll be honest, I wanted it to lean just a touch darker. Push it a little further into the eerie, the uncanny, the “something is deeply wrong here” energy, and it would’ve been a full knockout.
The story weaves between timelines, layering in excerpts from Mia’s aunt’s writing—who, by the way, is exactly as chaotic and unreliable as you’d hope. You’re constantly recalibrating: who do I trust? What actually happened? And how much of this has been shaped by obsession, grief, and true crime sensationalism?
Mia’s emotional journey really lands. You feel the weight of her doubt, her need to protect the people she loves, and that creeping horror of realizing the truth might not be what she’s been clinging to all these years. Her relationships with Tristan, Anya, Evie, Matteo, Janick, and Iris are all so different, with different parts of herself jockeying for a sense of identity.
I had a great time with this one. It’s twisty, atmospheric, and quietly addictive.
Tropes for you
🏰 Remote, European castle setting
🕵️♀️ Amateur sleuth energy
🎙️ True crime podcast obsession
👩👧 Messy family dynamics
📓 Unreliable narrator
⏳ Dual timeline
🧠 Memory vs. reality
🫣 Secrets that refuse to stay buried
If you’re into slow-burn mysteries with atmosphere for days and a protagonist who will not let it go, this one’s worth checking into. Just… maybe don’t trust the view.
“Please Enjoy Your Stay” can be in your hands on October 13, 2026! Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley and Tara Goedjen for the opportunity to read and rave about this book.
🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
There is just something irresistible about a story that drops you into a stunning, isolated setting and then slowly starts peeling back the rot underneath, and "Please Enjoy Your Stay" by Tara Goedjen absolutely delivers.
In this story, we’re following Mia, who returns to the scene of her cousin’s murder a decade later; an imposing Austrian castle now rebranded into a bougie luxury hotel (because nothing says “healing” like luxury linens and deeply buried secrets). What starts as a quiet, undercover mission to protect her family’s version of the truth quickly spirals into a layered, messy unraveling of memory, guilt, and what if we got it wrong?
And listen… I will always show up for a girl who refuses to let the past stay buried. Give her a mystery, give her a bad feeling, give her a castle looming in the mountains? I’m seated.
The atmosphere here is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. You’ve got that dreamy-but-off-kilter European backdrop with quaint villages, sharp alpine air, and this castle that feels like it’s watching you back. It’s moody, it’s tense, it’s just sinister enough to keep you side-eyeing every hallway and every character. I loved the vibe… but I’ll be honest, I wanted it to lean just a touch darker. Push it a little further into the eerie, the uncanny, the “something is deeply wrong here” energy, and it would’ve been a full knockout.
The story weaves between timelines, layering in excerpts from Mia’s aunt’s writing—who, by the way, is exactly as chaotic and unreliable as you’d hope. You’re constantly recalibrating: who do I trust? What actually happened? And how much of this has been shaped by obsession, grief, and true crime sensationalism?
Mia’s emotional journey really lands. You feel the weight of her doubt, her need to protect the people she loves, and that creeping horror of realizing the truth might not be what she’s been clinging to all these years. Her relationships with Tristan, Anya, Evie, Matteo, Janick, and Iris are all so different, with different parts of herself jockeying for a sense of identity.
I had a great time with this one. It’s twisty, atmospheric, and quietly addictive.
Tropes for you
🏰 Remote, European castle setting
🕵️♀️ Amateur sleuth energy
🎙️ True crime podcast obsession
👩👧 Messy family dynamics
📓 Unreliable narrator
⏳ Dual timeline
🧠 Memory vs. reality
🫣 Secrets that refuse to stay buried
If you’re into slow-burn mysteries with atmosphere for days and a protagonist who will not let it go, this one’s worth checking into. Just… maybe don’t trust the view.
“Please Enjoy Your Stay” can be in your hands on October 13, 2026! Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley and Tara Goedjen for the opportunity to read and rave about this book.
May 16, 2026
I have been on the lookout for a suspenseful, eerie read, but haven’t had much luck recently…until picking up PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY by Tara Goedjen. The book cover and the synopsis had me itching to get my hands on this one and it did not let me down.
Mia is the main character and the one we get to know best. She has been a bit of a wanderer, working seasonal jobs, moving from place to place, and has not let people get too close. She is afraid to let people in and doesn’t want them to know her past…the past where, at age 13, she was the only witness to her cousin’s murder. Now, the convicted killer has a chance at being set free and it shakes Mia and her aunt, Iris, are shaken to the core. The murder took place at an old Austrian castle where they were all staying while Iris, a true crime author, was researching and writing a book about an heiress who was murdered in the same castle in the 1960s. Now, Mia feels she just HAS to go back and make sure that she was correct all those years ago, so she hides her identity and becomes a nanny to gain access to the castle.
If suspense and creepy settings are your thing, you’ll enjoy this book. I know that I did. It also has the added glamour of the new, well-known, wealthy owner opening the castle as a luxury hotel to add to the appeal. The castle has been shuttered for a while, and the townspeople don’t want her there or for the castle to open. Sure, they protest, but there is much more than that, as Mia discovers. There are threatening mail deliveries, grisly finds, people who might not be who they claim to be (in addition to Mia), a child with night terrors, hidden objects found in strange places, an entire wing of the castle that no one wants to discuss, possible ghosts and of course, an extremely popular podcaster that is poking around with a secret co-host claiming to be close to the case. Mia tries to keep at her nanny duties AND revisit the details of the crime, but so many new things keep coming to light and she does not know who to trust any more.
I enjoyed the pacing and the slow to unravel mystery of this book. I think it is well written and it kept my attention. There were several times where my perspective shifted and I thought a different person was showing guilt. I am not going to lie; I got a little jumpy after putting the book down for the night and wondered about some noises I heard (or thought I heard) and that doesn’t happen often. While I did sort out the ending before I reached it, there was a small part of me that thought I was falling prey to a ploy and that maybe I hadn’t figured it out after all. I enjoyed PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY and I am confident that others will too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Mia is the main character and the one we get to know best. She has been a bit of a wanderer, working seasonal jobs, moving from place to place, and has not let people get too close. She is afraid to let people in and doesn’t want them to know her past…the past where, at age 13, she was the only witness to her cousin’s murder. Now, the convicted killer has a chance at being set free and it shakes Mia and her aunt, Iris, are shaken to the core. The murder took place at an old Austrian castle where they were all staying while Iris, a true crime author, was researching and writing a book about an heiress who was murdered in the same castle in the 1960s. Now, Mia feels she just HAS to go back and make sure that she was correct all those years ago, so she hides her identity and becomes a nanny to gain access to the castle.
If suspense and creepy settings are your thing, you’ll enjoy this book. I know that I did. It also has the added glamour of the new, well-known, wealthy owner opening the castle as a luxury hotel to add to the appeal. The castle has been shuttered for a while, and the townspeople don’t want her there or for the castle to open. Sure, they protest, but there is much more than that, as Mia discovers. There are threatening mail deliveries, grisly finds, people who might not be who they claim to be (in addition to Mia), a child with night terrors, hidden objects found in strange places, an entire wing of the castle that no one wants to discuss, possible ghosts and of course, an extremely popular podcaster that is poking around with a secret co-host claiming to be close to the case. Mia tries to keep at her nanny duties AND revisit the details of the crime, but so many new things keep coming to light and she does not know who to trust any more.
I enjoyed the pacing and the slow to unravel mystery of this book. I think it is well written and it kept my attention. There were several times where my perspective shifted and I thought a different person was showing guilt. I am not going to lie; I got a little jumpy after putting the book down for the night and wondered about some noises I heard (or thought I heard) and that doesn’t happen often. While I did sort out the ending before I reached it, there was a small part of me that thought I was falling prey to a ploy and that maybe I hadn’t figured it out after all. I enjoyed PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY and I am confident that others will too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book! My understanding is that this is the author's first adult story, as she mostly writes YA. I didn't think this read as a YA book at all, as some do when a YA author is trying to write for an adult audience so that was a good start for me right off the bat! Then we have a creepy castle where more than one murder has taken place. Another score for me! Yaaaayyy!! Creepy unsolved castle murders! And of course, we have the clueless person who thinks it will be a great idea to reopen said creepy murder castle as a relaxing wellness hotel. Well, anyone who reads these sorts of stories on the regular knows that is never a good idea. So yes, I guess the story structure is a bit basic, but I still had a really good time reading it. The main character, Mia still struggles with her involvement in one of the long-ago murders. Her cousin Tristan was the victim, and her aunt Iris may or may not have been part of it. Iris was a very successful true crime author whose star was falling so she was staying at the creepy castle fifteen years ago to try and write about the first murder. That of heiress Gitta and her husband that took place in the 60's. Gitta's murder was witnessed by her then 5-year-old son, Augustin. Now interestingly Augustin is the one who was convicted years later of Tristan's murder with 13-year-old Mia being the eyewitness. Now Iris wants to reinvestigate everything and write a book about Tristan's murder, so Mia returns to the creepy re-done castle to investigate in her place, as Iris no longer gets out. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters a few of the people who were working there back when Mia (then Amelia) was there 15 years ago are still there. Yes, why no one recognized her was a big hole for me also but just go with it. Creepy housekeeper Frau Kolar and Sabine who was Tristan's girlfriend at the time are still there along with her twin brother Matteo, who was Mia's first crush. The castle is set to be reopened in a few weeks by Anya, a wealthy wellness expert and media star. She hires Mia as nanny to her daughter Evie. Mia hides behind her nanny role and launches an investigation. We soon have strange happenings as if someone doesn't want the old case looked at closer. Ya think? As I said, I had fun reading this, Mia was a good main character and Evie was adorable. If you like Lucy Foley, Shari Lapena or even Agatha Christie, you should like this book. Hopefully we will get more adult stories from Tara Goedjen.
Thank you to Tara Goedjen, NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Tara Goedjen, NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mia has taken a job as a nanny for the famous owner of a renovated hotel in Austria. It sounds like a dream job, but she has a hidden purpose – her family was involved in a brutal crime at that hotel back when it was a castle. Her cousin was murdered there over a decade ago, and she was the only witness to the crime. But even though she testified against the perpetrator and he was found guilty, plenty of people blamed her family instead.
Specifically, her aunt, an infamous crime writer known to become a bit obsessed with the haunted settings of her stories. She was at the castle researching her latest book – a double murder from the 1960s that was never solved. In that case, there was also only one young witness, their child. But he never saw what happened, unlike Mia.
So there’s all kinds of macabre history in this castle, and now Mia’s returning to clear her family name once and for all. But of course, it won’t be that easy, especially because several employees have returned to work for the new owner. This is where you have to suspend her belief because, somehow, none of them recognize her. Now, it was only a decade ago. We’re not talking 20-30 years. Yet because she has lost weight and changed her hair & eye color, and (I think) had a little surgery done, she’s supposed to be completely unrecognizable.
These are people she spent weeks with. It was a defining summer for everyone, and her cousin’s murder is seared in their memories. You don’t think she’d ring a bell, especially with her non-stop questions about what happened back then? From 13 to 25, you’re not going to be as changed as, say, a 5- to 17-year-old. And the other workers that return are only four years older than she is, so it’s several teenagers that are now late twenty-somethings. And Simone’s behavior in either timeframe was never explained, so I guess she was just a jerk? It just looked like the author was going somewhere with that, but it didn’t happen.
Otherwise, the story is engaging, told in multiple time frames from Mia and her aunt’s points of view. There are some surprises along the way, with some you might see coming. The 1960s murders were more interesting to me than her cousin’s, and you could spin a whole sequel off of what happened back then. Definitely something I’d be interested in!
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Specifically, her aunt, an infamous crime writer known to become a bit obsessed with the haunted settings of her stories. She was at the castle researching her latest book – a double murder from the 1960s that was never solved. In that case, there was also only one young witness, their child. But he never saw what happened, unlike Mia.
So there’s all kinds of macabre history in this castle, and now Mia’s returning to clear her family name once and for all. But of course, it won’t be that easy, especially because several employees have returned to work for the new owner. This is where you have to suspend her belief because, somehow, none of them recognize her. Now, it was only a decade ago. We’re not talking 20-30 years. Yet because she has lost weight and changed her hair & eye color, and (I think) had a little surgery done, she’s supposed to be completely unrecognizable.
These are people she spent weeks with. It was a defining summer for everyone, and her cousin’s murder is seared in their memories. You don’t think she’d ring a bell, especially with her non-stop questions about what happened back then? From 13 to 25, you’re not going to be as changed as, say, a 5- to 17-year-old. And the other workers that return are only four years older than she is, so it’s several teenagers that are now late twenty-somethings. And Simone’s behavior in either timeframe was never explained, so I guess she was just a jerk? It just looked like the author was going somewhere with that, but it didn’t happen.
Otherwise, the story is engaging, told in multiple time frames from Mia and her aunt’s points of view. There are some surprises along the way, with some you might see coming. The 1960s murders were more interesting to me than her cousin’s, and you could spin a whole sequel off of what happened back then. Definitely something I’d be interested in!
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*3.5 rounded up…
This is a suspenseful, atmospheric mystery that pulls you in with its premise and setting, even if it doesn’t fully deliver on all its ideas.
The story follows Mia, who returns to an eerie castle in the Austrian Alps—now being transformed into a luxury hotel—where her cousin was murdered years ago. As the only witness at the time, Mia’s testimony helped convict the killer, but it also tore her family apart. Now, a decade later, a podcast is reopening the case, pushing Mia to go back undercover as a nanny to uncover the truth for herself. Of course, things quickly spiral when another disappearance and new evidence start to surface.
The standout element here is definitely the setting. The isolated, glamorous-yet-creepy castle in the Alps creates a constant sense of unease that works perfectly for the story. It feels cold, tense, and full of secrets—exactly what you want from this kind of mystery.
The plot itself is engaging, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I also appreciated the way the book touches on true crime culture and how media narratives can shape—and sometimes distort—the truth, especially for the people directly involved.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. A lot of the story felt surface-level, especially when it came to the characters. Mia’s relationships with her family lacked the depth needed to really sell their emotional stakes, and many of the suspects at the hotel weren’t explored enough to feel fully developed. Mia’s reason for being at the hotel also required a fair bit of suspension of disbelief.
There were also a few elements that felt underdeveloped or unnecessary. The slight supernatural hints didn’t quite go anywhere, and the heiress murder subplot ended up feeling more confusing than compelling. With so many threads happening at once, the story felt a bit overcrowded, and I was left with lingering questions by the end.
Overall, this is a gripping and moody read with a strong premise, an excellent setting, and plenty of intrigue—but it doesn’t quite dig as deep as it could have. Still worth picking up if you enjoy twisty mysteries with dark atmospheres and unreliable truths.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a suspenseful, atmospheric mystery that pulls you in with its premise and setting, even if it doesn’t fully deliver on all its ideas.
The story follows Mia, who returns to an eerie castle in the Austrian Alps—now being transformed into a luxury hotel—where her cousin was murdered years ago. As the only witness at the time, Mia’s testimony helped convict the killer, but it also tore her family apart. Now, a decade later, a podcast is reopening the case, pushing Mia to go back undercover as a nanny to uncover the truth for herself. Of course, things quickly spiral when another disappearance and new evidence start to surface.
The standout element here is definitely the setting. The isolated, glamorous-yet-creepy castle in the Alps creates a constant sense of unease that works perfectly for the story. It feels cold, tense, and full of secrets—exactly what you want from this kind of mystery.
The plot itself is engaging, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I also appreciated the way the book touches on true crime culture and how media narratives can shape—and sometimes distort—the truth, especially for the people directly involved.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. A lot of the story felt surface-level, especially when it came to the characters. Mia’s relationships with her family lacked the depth needed to really sell their emotional stakes, and many of the suspects at the hotel weren’t explored enough to feel fully developed. Mia’s reason for being at the hotel also required a fair bit of suspension of disbelief.
There were also a few elements that felt underdeveloped or unnecessary. The slight supernatural hints didn’t quite go anywhere, and the heiress murder subplot ended up feeling more confusing than compelling. With so many threads happening at once, the story felt a bit overcrowded, and I was left with lingering questions by the end.
Overall, this is a gripping and moody read with a strong premise, an excellent setting, and plenty of intrigue—but it doesn’t quite dig as deep as it could have. Still worth picking up if you enjoy twisty mysteries with dark atmospheres and unreliable truths.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Atria books for the ARC.
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen had an interesting premise, but fell short on the actual story. Amelia Delaney witness the horrific murder of her cousin Tristan as a teenager, while they were on vacation in Austria. Amelia’s aunt was a true crime author, who was writing a book about a previous murder that happened at the hotel; that of the hotel’s previous owner Gitta Aiglar. Amelia ends up testifying against Gitta son Augustin, the current owner of the hotel, painting him as the murderer of her cousin.
Fast-forward a number of years, Amelia has now become Mia, and is living in Florida. Her aunt has become a recluse in Austria after the death of her son. All of a sudden Augustin Aiglar is featured in the news as he demands a retrial. His story is quickly picked up by a slew of newspapers as well as true crime enthusiasts, including an intrepid podcast. Mia decides to return to the scene of the crime as a nanny for the new owner of the hotel, Anya. Mia wants to learn the truth about her cousin’s murder. Is she right at pointing the finger at Augustin or is her memory faulty and what secrets is the hotel as well as your aunt hiding?
This book had such potential, but I felt like it fell a bit flat. I find Mia kind of annoying character. I understand she is looking for the truth surrounding her cousin’s death, but she comes across as quite naïve. Additionally, we don’t learn much about the other characters at the hotel. This is ironic, considering many of the characters at the new hotel were also there at the time of the murder. They don’t really seem to fit into the story besides the fact that they exist. There are also a few other extraneous storylines, including one involving a missing hiker that’s left unresolved.
Additionally, this book was also very slow moving. It starts off with a bang as we are introduced to the murder of Tristan as well as what’s going on in Mia and her aunt‘s life in the present day. We then transition into Mia, looking for a way to return to the hotel to investigate her cousin’s murder. After that it lags for a bit and finally culminates in the truth surrounding the murder. The story is wrapped up nicely and there is a bit of drama at the end. I would give this book 3 1/2 stars as I did enjoy parts of it, but wasn’t wow.
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen had an interesting premise, but fell short on the actual story. Amelia Delaney witness the horrific murder of her cousin Tristan as a teenager, while they were on vacation in Austria. Amelia’s aunt was a true crime author, who was writing a book about a previous murder that happened at the hotel; that of the hotel’s previous owner Gitta Aiglar. Amelia ends up testifying against Gitta son Augustin, the current owner of the hotel, painting him as the murderer of her cousin.
Fast-forward a number of years, Amelia has now become Mia, and is living in Florida. Her aunt has become a recluse in Austria after the death of her son. All of a sudden Augustin Aiglar is featured in the news as he demands a retrial. His story is quickly picked up by a slew of newspapers as well as true crime enthusiasts, including an intrepid podcast. Mia decides to return to the scene of the crime as a nanny for the new owner of the hotel, Anya. Mia wants to learn the truth about her cousin’s murder. Is she right at pointing the finger at Augustin or is her memory faulty and what secrets is the hotel as well as your aunt hiding?
This book had such potential, but I felt like it fell a bit flat. I find Mia kind of annoying character. I understand she is looking for the truth surrounding her cousin’s death, but she comes across as quite naïve. Additionally, we don’t learn much about the other characters at the hotel. This is ironic, considering many of the characters at the new hotel were also there at the time of the murder. They don’t really seem to fit into the story besides the fact that they exist. There are also a few other extraneous storylines, including one involving a missing hiker that’s left unresolved.
Additionally, this book was also very slow moving. It starts off with a bang as we are introduced to the murder of Tristan as well as what’s going on in Mia and her aunt‘s life in the present day. We then transition into Mia, looking for a way to return to the hotel to investigate her cousin’s murder. After that it lags for a bit and finally culminates in the truth surrounding the murder. The story is wrapped up nicely and there is a bit of drama at the end. I would give this book 3 1/2 stars as I did enjoy parts of it, but wasn’t wow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
PLEASE ENJOY YOUR STAY hits all of my favorite mystery/thriller tropes: it takes place in an old dwelling that's rumored to be haunted; that dwelling is isolated and perched high on a rugged cliff; there are rumors of ghosts, skeletons in closets (literal and metaphorical), and plenty of hidden secrets inside; and there's a past mystery mingled with a present one, both of which the main character must unravel before it's too late. All of these elements made me eager to read the book. The eerie, atmospheric setting did not disappoint. Goedjen's descriptions of the looming, broody castle with its closed-off wing, dusty cellars, and long, (not so) empty hallways, not to mention the creepy woods surrounding the place, are vivid enough to send delicious shivers down the reader's spine. The setting is by far my favorite thing about this novel.
The characters are pretty generic. Mia is likable enough, but she's a fairly surface character, without a lot of depth or complexity. Anya is supposed to be a magnetic person, but she's rather blah as well, and her personality is very inconsistent. I didn't find her convincing as an employer, a mother, or a businesswoman. The supporting cast members are likewise ho-hum. A more colorful, interesting cast is definitely needed. As far as plot goes, there was enough going on to keep me engaged in the story. I read it quickly because I wanted to know what would happen next. That being said, it's also pretty predictable. I identified the killer and their reason for being on-site almost from the get-go, which was a little disappointing. My biggest complaint, though, is that the book finishes up too quickly, leaving A LOT of unanswered questions. It almost feels like there are a couple chapters missing. (I did read an ARC, so I guess it's possible a chunk of the story got left out, but I doubt it.) That bugged big time and definitely left me feeling less than satisfied with the ending. All these things considred, the book was just okay for me.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language (3 F-bombs, plus occasional milder invectives), violence, and disturbing subject matter. If it weren't for the F-bombs, it would be PG-13.
The characters are pretty generic. Mia is likable enough, but she's a fairly surface character, without a lot of depth or complexity. Anya is supposed to be a magnetic person, but she's rather blah as well, and her personality is very inconsistent. I didn't find her convincing as an employer, a mother, or a businesswoman. The supporting cast members are likewise ho-hum. A more colorful, interesting cast is definitely needed. As far as plot goes, there was enough going on to keep me engaged in the story. I read it quickly because I wanted to know what would happen next. That being said, it's also pretty predictable. I identified the killer and their reason for being on-site almost from the get-go, which was a little disappointing. My biggest complaint, though, is that the book finishes up too quickly, leaving A LOT of unanswered questions. It almost feels like there are a couple chapters missing. (I did read an ARC, so I guess it's possible a chunk of the story got left out, but I doubt it.) That bugged big time and definitely left me feeling less than satisfied with the ending. All these things considred, the book was just okay for me.
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for language (3 F-bombs, plus occasional milder invectives), violence, and disturbing subject matter. If it weren't for the F-bombs, it would be PG-13.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Atria Books for providing me this gifted ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and author Tara Goedjen.
📚Book: Please Enjoy Your Stay
Author: Tara Goedjen
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 320
Coming October 13, 2026
📚My Book Review:
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen is a gothic tinged thriller novel.
When they were teenagers, Mia’s beloved cousin was murdered during their stay at an infamous castle in the Austrian Alps. As the only witness, Mia’s testimony put the killer behind bars, but it tore her life apart: the media accused her aunt, a controversial true crime author, of being involved. Now, a decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction, and a popular true crime podcast starts covering the case, determined to exonerate him, and resurfacing lies about Mia’s family in the process. Desperate to protect her aunt—and what she knows to be the truth—Mia returns to Austria. The castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, and Mia gets a job as a nanny for the new owner. But after someone mysteriously disappears on the property and sinister new evidence emerges regarding her cousin’s death, she realizes she might have accused the wrong man...and put her own life in danger.
I loved everything about this book! I’m not sure why there are so many drastically different reviews on this book. I binged this book in under 24 hours. I literally could not put it down. The atmosphere is so descriptive that it puts you into the book. It is eerie and unsettling!! I loved how the story is told in the present by Mia’s POV and also the podcast and Aunt Iris’s notebooks from the past. For me, it made the story more suspenseful and was a unique way to tell the story. It can be considered a slow burn because the story builds slowly BUT it didn’t make the story slow for me. The twist at the ending was completely not guessable or predictable for me.
This book would have been a strong 5 stars for me but unfortunately, there were pieces of the story that were left unanswered at the end which left me wondering (no spoilers). If you like a slow burn suspense and mysteries from the past, this book is for you!
📚Book: Please Enjoy Your Stay
Author: Tara Goedjen
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 320
Coming October 13, 2026
📚My Book Review:
Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen is a gothic tinged thriller novel.
When they were teenagers, Mia’s beloved cousin was murdered during their stay at an infamous castle in the Austrian Alps. As the only witness, Mia’s testimony put the killer behind bars, but it tore her life apart: the media accused her aunt, a controversial true crime author, of being involved. Now, a decade later, the murderer is appealing his conviction, and a popular true crime podcast starts covering the case, determined to exonerate him, and resurfacing lies about Mia’s family in the process. Desperate to protect her aunt—and what she knows to be the truth—Mia returns to Austria. The castle is being revamped as a luxury hotel, and Mia gets a job as a nanny for the new owner. But after someone mysteriously disappears on the property and sinister new evidence emerges regarding her cousin’s death, she realizes she might have accused the wrong man...and put her own life in danger.
I loved everything about this book! I’m not sure why there are so many drastically different reviews on this book. I binged this book in under 24 hours. I literally could not put it down. The atmosphere is so descriptive that it puts you into the book. It is eerie and unsettling!! I loved how the story is told in the present by Mia’s POV and also the podcast and Aunt Iris’s notebooks from the past. For me, it made the story more suspenseful and was a unique way to tell the story. It can be considered a slow burn because the story builds slowly BUT it didn’t make the story slow for me. The twist at the ending was completely not guessable or predictable for me.
This book would have been a strong 5 stars for me but unfortunately, there were pieces of the story that were left unanswered at the end which left me wondering (no spoilers). If you like a slow burn suspense and mysteries from the past, this book is for you!
April 21, 2026
3.50 stars
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Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen is the perfect eerie, dark, atmospheric thriller for this time of year. It's been years since the tragic death of her cousin, Mia struggles to come to terms with the truth over what really happened. Thanks to a true-crime podcast, the case has gained popularity, and although the person was convicted, many still doubt who was arrested for the crime. Mia must return to the scene of the crime in hopes of uncovering the truth, but instead uncovers lies, deception, and familial secrets.
Mia gets hired as a nanny for the new owners of the castle. Her job is to watch over a young girl as they prepare for a gala to launch the opening of the hotel. Upon her arrival, Mia (formerly Amelia) comes face-to-face with people from her past. People who were familiar with her and her cousin. One problem I had while reading was the fact that no one was able to recognize her. There are a few moments where they mention she looks familiar, but it is quickly swept under the rug, and the topic at hand gets changed. There are quite a few plot points that don't add up, unanswered questions, and a paranormal plot that doesn't really need to come into play.
I was a fan of the setting, an old Austrian castle turned into a renovated hotel. There were so many great opportunities for Mia to go off on her own and explore. I wish there had been more opportunity to get to know our secondary characters a little more; we learn a little about their personality styles, and that's about it. There are also a few characters that don't serve much to the plot, and easily could have been removed from the narrative.
Overall, if you're looking for a mysterious slow-burn that really picks up in the last 15%, I would really recommend this one. I would have liked a little more of an edited-down version that has some more answers at the end.
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I would like to thank Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, Tara Goedjen, and NetGalley for a copy of Please Enjoy Your Stay in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own. Please Enjoy Your Stay is scheduled to be published on October 13th, 2026. You can pre-order your copy now.
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Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen is the perfect eerie, dark, atmospheric thriller for this time of year. It's been years since the tragic death of her cousin, Mia struggles to come to terms with the truth over what really happened. Thanks to a true-crime podcast, the case has gained popularity, and although the person was convicted, many still doubt who was arrested for the crime. Mia must return to the scene of the crime in hopes of uncovering the truth, but instead uncovers lies, deception, and familial secrets.
Mia gets hired as a nanny for the new owners of the castle. Her job is to watch over a young girl as they prepare for a gala to launch the opening of the hotel. Upon her arrival, Mia (formerly Amelia) comes face-to-face with people from her past. People who were familiar with her and her cousin. One problem I had while reading was the fact that no one was able to recognize her. There are a few moments where they mention she looks familiar, but it is quickly swept under the rug, and the topic at hand gets changed. There are quite a few plot points that don't add up, unanswered questions, and a paranormal plot that doesn't really need to come into play.
I was a fan of the setting, an old Austrian castle turned into a renovated hotel. There were so many great opportunities for Mia to go off on her own and explore. I wish there had been more opportunity to get to know our secondary characters a little more; we learn a little about their personality styles, and that's about it. There are also a few characters that don't serve much to the plot, and easily could have been removed from the narrative.
Overall, if you're looking for a mysterious slow-burn that really picks up in the last 15%, I would really recommend this one. I would have liked a little more of an edited-down version that has some more answers at the end.
-
I would like to thank Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, Tara Goedjen, and NetGalley for a copy of Please Enjoy Your Stay in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own. Please Enjoy Your Stay is scheduled to be published on October 13th, 2026. You can pre-order your copy now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Get Your YA YAs Out!
A review of the NetGalley ARC eBook of the Atria / Emily Bestler hardcover/eBook/audiobook to be released October 13, 2026.
I had reservations about this one, but the ARC came along so early (March 24 for an October 13 publication date) that it is possible that further editing will be made that will tighten it up and fix certain things. I may then bump up the rating once i see the final version in print. Otherwise it does veer close to Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ territory.
Detailing very much about that would be spoilery though, but let's just say that there needs to be a more conclusive wrap-up and comeuppance for the culprits in a thriller where the reader invests 320+ pages of reading time. If it is meant to set up a sequel I could see it, but this feels very much like a self-contained story with no room for a sequel.
Other subplots also seemed forgotten or only semi-resolved. Why was Mia ghosted by her former paramedic colleague from back in Florida? What really happened with the missing hiker? How could several people not recognize someone from only 15 years ago? How did the aunt manage for 15 years of despair and then all of sudden get right back into investigative writer mode all of a sudden? How is it that so many people in Austria speak English? These subplots added to the tension and suspense along the way, but then seemed to fizzle out or were too easily resolved.
Otherwise, the setup and atmosphere of now grownup Mia seeking to solve the mystery of what really happened with the death of her cousin back when she was 12-years-old was intriguing. That it involved the reopening of the case of the convicted murderer through a true crime podcast also rang true in our present day.
My thanks to Atria / Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.
A review of the NetGalley ARC eBook of the Atria / Emily Bestler hardcover/eBook/audiobook to be released October 13, 2026.
I had reservations about this one, but the ARC came along so early (March 24 for an October 13 publication date) that it is possible that further editing will be made that will tighten it up and fix certain things. I may then bump up the rating once i see the final version in print. Otherwise it does veer close to Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ territory.
Detailing very much about that would be spoilery though, but let's just say that there needs to be a more conclusive wrap-up and comeuppance for the culprits in a thriller where the reader invests 320+ pages of reading time. If it is meant to set up a sequel I could see it, but this feels very much like a self-contained story with no room for a sequel.
Other subplots also seemed forgotten or only semi-resolved. Why was Mia ghosted by her former paramedic colleague from back in Florida? What really happened with the missing hiker? How could several people not recognize someone from only 15 years ago? How did the aunt manage for 15 years of despair and then all of sudden get right back into investigative writer mode all of a sudden? How is it that so many people in Austria speak English? These subplots added to the tension and suspense along the way, but then seemed to fizzle out or were too easily resolved.
Otherwise, the setup and atmosphere of now grownup Mia seeking to solve the mystery of what really happened with the death of her cousin back when she was 12-years-old was intriguing. That it involved the reopening of the case of the convicted murderer through a true crime podcast also rang true in our present day.
My thanks to Atria / Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Mia has lived a difficult life. Her parents died, leaving her to grow up with her aunt and cousin. Her cousin is killed in an Austrian castle, and she is the sole witness. His killer is appealing his sentence and could be released soon. When she finds the opportunity to return to the castle as a nanny for the new owner, Mia accepts. As an adult, Mia wants to see the castle and grounds again, verifying her memories of that fatal night. Has the castle changed to the point that she will no longer recognize anything?
Mia is amazed at the transformation of the castle. Anya, the new owner, is opening a wellness hotel and spa in the castle. The changes are remarkable. The rooms Mia and her family used are untouched and off limits. Late at night, Mia returns to view those rooms again. She begins wondering whether her memories are accurate. As strange events happen, Mia wonders whether her presence has stirred up ghosts.
Mia's story is told through flashbacks and present-day events. She begins to question her recollections of the night her cousin died as she learns about the behind-the-scenes events of the past. There are so many revelations that she, as a youth, was unaware of. Mia is at the castle for a job, yet she seems to forget her young charge. Do the people from the area recognize her now? Much of the information Mia discovers leads to more questions as she realizes the circumstances of their initial stay at the castle are much more convoluted than she knew.
This book has all the elements that thriller fans love. An old castle, mysterious deaths, love affairs, and intrigue ensure the excitement. Mia is equal parts confused and determined. Her quest will keep readers turning the pages, hoping she finds her answers. Tara Goedjen has written an exciting thriller with a surprise ending. Readers of thrillers will enjoy this book.
Thank you, SS Atria, Tara Goedjen, and NetGalley for the early reader copy!
Mia is amazed at the transformation of the castle. Anya, the new owner, is opening a wellness hotel and spa in the castle. The changes are remarkable. The rooms Mia and her family used are untouched and off limits. Late at night, Mia returns to view those rooms again. She begins wondering whether her memories are accurate. As strange events happen, Mia wonders whether her presence has stirred up ghosts.
Mia's story is told through flashbacks and present-day events. She begins to question her recollections of the night her cousin died as she learns about the behind-the-scenes events of the past. There are so many revelations that she, as a youth, was unaware of. Mia is at the castle for a job, yet she seems to forget her young charge. Do the people from the area recognize her now? Much of the information Mia discovers leads to more questions as she realizes the circumstances of their initial stay at the castle are much more convoluted than she knew.
This book has all the elements that thriller fans love. An old castle, mysterious deaths, love affairs, and intrigue ensure the excitement. Mia is equal parts confused and determined. Her quest will keep readers turning the pages, hoping she finds her answers. Tara Goedjen has written an exciting thriller with a surprise ending. Readers of thrillers will enjoy this book.
Thank you, SS Atria, Tara Goedjen, and NetGalley for the early reader copy!
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