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Zero Trust
She didn’t come to the island to disappear.
She came to become someone else.
Melina slips into lives—and empties them. On a quiet Greek island, posing as a hotel receptionist, she thinks she’s finally invisible.
No past.
No questions.
No blood.
She’s wrong. Someone is hunting her.
Enter a desperate intern, a compromised government official, and a mobster who wants what she took. Their paths are closing in.
At a high-profile charity event, the island fills with targets—and traps.
No one is who they claim to be. No one is safe.
By the time Melina sees the truth, it’s too late. There’s nowhere left to run.
And no one gets out clean.
She came to become someone else.
Melina slips into lives—and empties them. On a quiet Greek island, posing as a hotel receptionist, she thinks she’s finally invisible.
No past.
No questions.
No blood.
She’s wrong. Someone is hunting her.
Enter a desperate intern, a compromised government official, and a mobster who wants what she took. Their paths are closing in.
At a high-profile charity event, the island fills with targets—and traps.
No one is who they claim to be. No one is safe.
By the time Melina sees the truth, it’s too late. There’s nowhere left to run.
And no one gets out clean.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Rania Stone
22 books52 followersRania Stone is a psychological thriller author and co-founder of Imagine Greece Retreats.
Specializing in atmospheric suspense, Rania crafts stay-up-all-night mysteries inspired by the rugged, sun-drenched landscapes of the Mediterranean. Her work explores the tension between beauty and danger, drawing on the hidden corners of the Greek islands she calls home. She is the author of seven novels and twelve children's books, with work translated into German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Turkish, and Portuguese.
When she isn't plotting her next twist, Rania hosts immersive creative retreats through Imagine Greece Retreats — from the white-washed cliffs of Santorini to the lush valleys of France — where writers find their voice through the transformative power of travel.
She is also the founder of two reader communities, Travel in Greece and The Thriller Book Retreat, where she connects with mystery enthusiasts from around the globe.
Official Website: www.imaginepress.org
The Retreats: www.imaginegreeceretreats.com
Communities: Join Travel in Greece and The Thriller Book Retreat on Facebook for exclusive updates.
Specializing in atmospheric suspense, Rania crafts stay-up-all-night mysteries inspired by the rugged, sun-drenched landscapes of the Mediterranean. Her work explores the tension between beauty and danger, drawing on the hidden corners of the Greek islands she calls home. She is the author of seven novels and twelve children's books, with work translated into German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Turkish, and Portuguese.
When she isn't plotting her next twist, Rania hosts immersive creative retreats through Imagine Greece Retreats — from the white-washed cliffs of Santorini to the lush valleys of France — where writers find their voice through the transformative power of travel.
She is also the founder of two reader communities, Travel in Greece and The Thriller Book Retreat, where she connects with mystery enthusiasts from around the globe.
Official Website: www.imaginepress.org
The Retreats: www.imaginegreeceretreats.com
Communities: Join Travel in Greece and The Thriller Book Retreat on Facebook for exclusive updates.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank NetGalley, Rania stone and Imagine Press Inc for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
3 ⭐ - although the synopsis made the story as did the setting (hello, it's Greece!) seemed really appealing. It just didn't work for me.. the story felt a bit to predictive to me
3 ⭐ - although the synopsis made the story as did the setting (hello, it's Greece!) seemed really appealing. It just didn't work for me.. the story felt a bit to predictive to me
September 21, 2026
I do love my con artists, and this one took me to Greece for petty theft, will fraud & identities that are verrrry shifty.
I especially loved Daphne & Andreas’s POVs and was so invested in their stories, but then you get to a certain point and HOLY SHIT does this book take a turn! The misdirection got me good, and suddenly everything I thought I knew about what I’d been reading was up for question.
I loved the convergence when all those separate threads finally came together. This was so bingeable, I flew through it & there’s nothing quite like realising a thriller has been pulling the wool over your eyes the whole time.
I especially loved Daphne & Andreas’s POVs and was so invested in their stories, but then you get to a certain point and HOLY SHIT does this book take a turn! The misdirection got me good, and suddenly everything I thought I knew about what I’d been reading was up for question.
I loved the convergence when all those separate threads finally came together. This was so bingeable, I flew through it & there’s nothing quite like realising a thriller has been pulling the wool over your eyes the whole time.
September 18, 2026
Melina didn’t head to this quiet Greek island to vanish—she came to reinvent herself entirely. For years she’s slipped into other people’s lives, then walked away with everything they hold dear, and here, working as a hotel receptionist, she thinks she’s finally found the perfect spot to lie low: no messy past, no awkward questions, no more harm done.
She couldn’t be more wrong. Someone’s already on her trail, and closing in fast.
Before long she’s tangled up with a frantic intern, an official with far too much to hide, and a ruthless mobster determined to get back what she stole. Then a glitzy charity gala turns the whole island into a minefield—full of high-profile targets, and deadlier traps.
Nobody here is who they say they are. Nobody’s truly safe. By the time Melina pieces together what’s really going on, there’s nowhere left to run, and no way out without getting your hands dirty.
Sharp, fast-paced and packed with twists you won’t see coming—absolute unputdownable suspense!
She couldn’t be more wrong. Someone’s already on her trail, and closing in fast.
Before long she’s tangled up with a frantic intern, an official with far too much to hide, and a ruthless mobster determined to get back what she stole. Then a glitzy charity gala turns the whole island into a minefield—full of high-profile targets, and deadlier traps.
Nobody here is who they say they are. Nobody’s truly safe. By the time Melina pieces together what’s really going on, there’s nowhere left to run, and no way out without getting your hands dirty.
Sharp, fast-paced and packed with twists you won’t see coming—absolute unputdownable suspense!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zero Trust by Rania Stone
Expected: September 22, 2026
First—Rania, thank you for trusting me with this. Bold move, considering how emotionally unstable I become when a story decides to play chess with my sanity. Also, thanks for dropping me on a Greek island where the views are stunning and literally everyone feels like a potential problem.
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—trust is already a questionable life choice, and this book just took that idea, lit it on fire, and handed me the ashes like, “Here. Cope.”
Now, honesty—because I don’t do sugarcoating. The first two chapters? I was a little… detached. Like standing at a party holding a drink you didn’t ask for, wondering if you should stay or fake a phone call and leave. But yeah—turns out that feeling? Intentional. A setup. A quiet little “just wait” moment before everything starts tightening like a noose.
And then it clicks.
Rania doesn’t just write stories—she builds them. Carefully. Thoughtfully. Like she knows exactly when to let you breathe and when to emotionally sucker punch you. The atmosphere? Ridiculous. I wasn’t reading—I was there. I could feel the heat, the tension, the way the air gets heavy when something’s about to go very wrong.
The characters? A mess. Not badly written—oh no, beautifully written—but emotionally confusing in the best way. I wanted to protect them… and slap them… sometimes in the same sentence. The kind of people that make you question your own judgment like, “Why am I rooting for you? What is wrong with me?”
And then that moment.
Yeah. That one. The one I’m absolutely not telling you about because I refuse to rob you of that emotional whiplash. Just know—it hurt. It shifted everything. It took whatever expectations I had and quietly drowned them. After that, nothing felt safe anymore, and honestly? I loved that for me.
The twists? Enough to keep me hooked without feeling like cheap tricks. The details? Sharp. Real places, real weight, real consequences. The kind of storytelling where even the smallest thing might matter—and you still won’t catch it until it’s too late. Which, let’s be honest, is both impressive and mildly offensive.
So yeah—five stars.
Because if a book can mess with my head, drag my emotions through a storm, and still have me sitting there like “wow, ruin me again,” it earns it.
If you’re in the mood for betrayal, murder, emotional damage, and just enough island vibes to make you forget you’re being psychologically dismantled—this one’s for you.
Bring sunscreen. And trust issues. You’re going to need both.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zero Trust by Rania Stone
Expected: September 22, 2026
First—Rania, thank you for trusting me with this. Bold move, considering how emotionally unstable I become when a story decides to play chess with my sanity. Also, thanks for dropping me on a Greek island where the views are stunning and literally everyone feels like a potential problem.
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—trust is already a questionable life choice, and this book just took that idea, lit it on fire, and handed me the ashes like, “Here. Cope.”
Now, honesty—because I don’t do sugarcoating. The first two chapters? I was a little… detached. Like standing at a party holding a drink you didn’t ask for, wondering if you should stay or fake a phone call and leave. But yeah—turns out that feeling? Intentional. A setup. A quiet little “just wait” moment before everything starts tightening like a noose.
And then it clicks.
Rania doesn’t just write stories—she builds them. Carefully. Thoughtfully. Like she knows exactly when to let you breathe and when to emotionally sucker punch you. The atmosphere? Ridiculous. I wasn’t reading—I was there. I could feel the heat, the tension, the way the air gets heavy when something’s about to go very wrong.
The characters? A mess. Not badly written—oh no, beautifully written—but emotionally confusing in the best way. I wanted to protect them… and slap them… sometimes in the same sentence. The kind of people that make you question your own judgment like, “Why am I rooting for you? What is wrong with me?”
And then that moment.
Yeah. That one. The one I’m absolutely not telling you about because I refuse to rob you of that emotional whiplash. Just know—it hurt. It shifted everything. It took whatever expectations I had and quietly drowned them. After that, nothing felt safe anymore, and honestly? I loved that for me.
The twists? Enough to keep me hooked without feeling like cheap tricks. The details? Sharp. Real places, real weight, real consequences. The kind of storytelling where even the smallest thing might matter—and you still won’t catch it until it’s too late. Which, let’s be honest, is both impressive and mildly offensive.
So yeah—five stars.
Because if a book can mess with my head, drag my emotions through a storm, and still have me sitting there like “wow, ruin me again,” it earns it.
If you’re in the mood for betrayal, murder, emotional damage, and just enough island vibes to make you forget you’re being psychologically dismantled—this one’s for you.
Bring sunscreen. And trust issues. You’re going to need both.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Imagine Press Inc., and the author, Rania Stone for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of Zero Trust. This novel will be published on September 22, 2026.
This was a fast-paced thriller based on a small island in Greece. The story is told from the perspective of three characters: Melina, a hotel receptionist; Andreas, a public servant with the government; and Daphne, an intern for the public servant. They’re people who have either taken money or want money that doesn’t belong to them.
For the most part, the main characters do come across as likable. I can understand the intentions to their actions. A main-theme through the novel relates to robbing the rich to give to the poor. And if they’re the poor person robbing the rich person, don’t they deserve that money? If you can get away with it, a resounding yes from this reviewer and I do condone that sort of behavior.
That’s all a part of the social-political commentary in the story. The rich politician will do everything they can to line their pockets at the expense of the poor so when it happens to them…sorry, zero sympathy from me!
Melina is the most mysterious of the characters. As a main character, we don’t learn much about her past and it does take a significant amount of time before her story intertwines with that of Andreas and Daphne. As you read, you wonder why certain characters aren’t afforded a perspective into the story. In the end, it does make sense why that is.
The book was well-written and was a surprisingly quick read with its short chapters. The plot did progress steadily and the way the story pivoted between the three POVs, it seemed that each chapter ended with a cliffhanger that kept you reading.
The ending left me wanting more and it was left in a manner that the author has more story to tell. It’s not that it’s incomplete, but maybe the beginning of a trilogy. The end, or maybe conclusion, for so many characters has not fully been played out.
Regardless of Daphne’s actions, I still want to see her dad get his comeuppance. And what about Andreas’ wife? I have unresolved questions that want answers.
This was a fast-paced thriller based on a small island in Greece. The story is told from the perspective of three characters: Melina, a hotel receptionist; Andreas, a public servant with the government; and Daphne, an intern for the public servant. They’re people who have either taken money or want money that doesn’t belong to them.
For the most part, the main characters do come across as likable. I can understand the intentions to their actions. A main-theme through the novel relates to robbing the rich to give to the poor. And if they’re the poor person robbing the rich person, don’t they deserve that money? If you can get away with it, a resounding yes from this reviewer and I do condone that sort of behavior.
That’s all a part of the social-political commentary in the story. The rich politician will do everything they can to line their pockets at the expense of the poor so when it happens to them…sorry, zero sympathy from me!
Melina is the most mysterious of the characters. As a main character, we don’t learn much about her past and it does take a significant amount of time before her story intertwines with that of Andreas and Daphne. As you read, you wonder why certain characters aren’t afforded a perspective into the story. In the end, it does make sense why that is.
The book was well-written and was a surprisingly quick read with its short chapters. The plot did progress steadily and the way the story pivoted between the three POVs, it seemed that each chapter ended with a cliffhanger that kept you reading.
The ending left me wanting more and it was left in a manner that the author has more story to tell. It’s not that it’s incomplete, but maybe the beginning of a trilogy. The end, or maybe conclusion, for so many characters has not fully been played out.
Regardless of Daphne’s actions, I still want to see her dad get his comeuppance. And what about Andreas’ wife? I have unresolved questions that want answers.
Read
September 16, 2026ARC REVIEW
Some books make you suspicious of the characters.
Zero Trust makes you suspicious of everyone. 👀
Melina arrives on a Greek island hoping to disappear into a new identity. She’s a hotel receptionist now. A different name. A different life. A clean slate.
Except… nothing about her life is clean.
Someone is hunting her, and before long we’re introduced to a desperate intern, a compromised government official, a mobster, and a whole collection of people who seem to have their own secrets and agendas.
And this is where I really had to pay attention.
Each chapter shifts to a different character, and in the beginning I kept wondering, “Why am I reading about all these people? How are they connected?”
There are so many moving pieces that it almost feels like you’re following completely separate stories.
Then suddenly…
IT ALL MAKES SENSE.
And I LOVE when a thriller does that. 🤯
Those seemingly random details start snapping into place. Characters who felt like they were on the sidelines suddenly become important. Little moments you almost forgot about take on a completely different meaning.
The Greek island setting gives the story this beautiful contrast too — sunshine, hotels, charity events, beautiful surroundings… and underneath it all, secrets, lies, greed and danger.
The charity event in particular turns everything up a notch. Suddenly the island is full of potential targets, hidden motives and people pretending to be someone they’re not.
Basically: trust absolutely no one.
What I enjoyed most was the way Stone slowly builds the bigger picture rather than handing it to you all at once. The multiple POVs require you to stay engaged, but once the connections begin to emerge, you realize why those chapters were there in the first place.
And that feeling of looking back and thinking, “OH. THAT’S WHY.” 😳
That’s the good stuff.
Zero Trust is atmospheric, twisty and full of characters with something to hide. If you like psychological thrillers where everyone has secrets and the story keeps making you question who you can actually trust, this one is worth putting on your list.
Some books make you suspicious of the characters.
Zero Trust makes you suspicious of everyone. 👀
Melina arrives on a Greek island hoping to disappear into a new identity. She’s a hotel receptionist now. A different name. A different life. A clean slate.
Except… nothing about her life is clean.
Someone is hunting her, and before long we’re introduced to a desperate intern, a compromised government official, a mobster, and a whole collection of people who seem to have their own secrets and agendas.
And this is where I really had to pay attention.
Each chapter shifts to a different character, and in the beginning I kept wondering, “Why am I reading about all these people? How are they connected?”
There are so many moving pieces that it almost feels like you’re following completely separate stories.
Then suddenly…
IT ALL MAKES SENSE.
And I LOVE when a thriller does that. 🤯
Those seemingly random details start snapping into place. Characters who felt like they were on the sidelines suddenly become important. Little moments you almost forgot about take on a completely different meaning.
The Greek island setting gives the story this beautiful contrast too — sunshine, hotels, charity events, beautiful surroundings… and underneath it all, secrets, lies, greed and danger.
The charity event in particular turns everything up a notch. Suddenly the island is full of potential targets, hidden motives and people pretending to be someone they’re not.
Basically: trust absolutely no one.
What I enjoyed most was the way Stone slowly builds the bigger picture rather than handing it to you all at once. The multiple POVs require you to stay engaged, but once the connections begin to emerge, you realize why those chapters were there in the first place.
And that feeling of looking back and thinking, “OH. THAT’S WHY.” 😳
That’s the good stuff.
Zero Trust is atmospheric, twisty and full of characters with something to hide. If you like psychological thrillers where everyone has secrets and the story keeps making you question who you can actually trust, this one is worth putting on your list.
July 10, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zero Trust is one of those thrillers that hooks you with an intriguing premise and keeps you questioning who can actually be trusted. Blending cybercrime, corporate secrets and plenty of twists, it creates a tense atmosphere that had me wanting to keep reading to find out what was really going on… and that turned out to be an awful lot!
I enjoyed the pace and the way new information was revealed throughout the story. There were several moments that genuinely surprised me, and I liked that the mystery unfolded in a way that kept me engaged without giving too much away too early. The book is written from 3 different povs and I knew they’d connect somehow, I just didn’t quite know how.
The characters were interesting, although I would have liked a little more depth from a couple of them to make the emotional stakes hit even harder. Even so, the suspense carried the story well, and the final act delivered a satisfying conclusion. I feel a series coming on.
Overall, Zero Trust is an enjoyable, modern thriller/crime with plenty of tension, clever plotting and enough twists to keep you turning the pages. I'd happily recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense, twists and a final act that brings everything together.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Rania Stone for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Zero Trust is one of those thrillers that hooks you with an intriguing premise and keeps you questioning who can actually be trusted. Blending cybercrime, corporate secrets and plenty of twists, it creates a tense atmosphere that had me wanting to keep reading to find out what was really going on… and that turned out to be an awful lot!
I enjoyed the pace and the way new information was revealed throughout the story. There were several moments that genuinely surprised me, and I liked that the mystery unfolded in a way that kept me engaged without giving too much away too early. The book is written from 3 different povs and I knew they’d connect somehow, I just didn’t quite know how.
The characters were interesting, although I would have liked a little more depth from a couple of them to make the emotional stakes hit even harder. Even so, the suspense carried the story well, and the final act delivered a satisfying conclusion. I feel a series coming on.
Overall, Zero Trust is an enjoyable, modern thriller/crime with plenty of tension, clever plotting and enough twists to keep you turning the pages. I'd happily recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense, twists and a final act that brings everything together.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Rania Stone for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to BookSirens, Imagine Press, and the author, Rania Stone for providing an ARC for an honest review.
I expected secrets with a title like Zero Trust, but I honestly didn't trust a single character by page 200!
This was such a fast, chaotic, and addicting read. The pacing is absolutely relentless—almost every single chapter drops a new reveal or secret motive, which kept me flying through the pages late into the night. My brain felt like it was running on overdrive trying to keep track of who was betraying who!
The reason this fell just short of a full 5 stars for me comes down to the sheer volume of twists. At times, keeping track of every overlapping secret got a little overwhelming, and I felt like I was spending more energy tracking the plot mechanics than actually connecting with the characters emotionally. Spacing out a few of those secrets to give the characters a bit more room to breathe would have made this an absolute 5-star masterpiece.
That said, the structural payoff in the final act is so clever, and the absolute last-page identity twist had my jaw on the floor. If you love high-energy, unhinged popcorn thrillers where nobody is who they say they are, I highly recommend adding this to your list!
I expected secrets with a title like Zero Trust, but I honestly didn't trust a single character by page 200!
This was such a fast, chaotic, and addicting read. The pacing is absolutely relentless—almost every single chapter drops a new reveal or secret motive, which kept me flying through the pages late into the night. My brain felt like it was running on overdrive trying to keep track of who was betraying who!
The reason this fell just short of a full 5 stars for me comes down to the sheer volume of twists. At times, keeping track of every overlapping secret got a little overwhelming, and I felt like I was spending more energy tracking the plot mechanics than actually connecting with the characters emotionally. Spacing out a few of those secrets to give the characters a bit more room to breathe would have made this an absolute 5-star masterpiece.
That said, the structural payoff in the final act is so clever, and the absolute last-page identity twist had my jaw on the floor. If you love high-energy, unhinged popcorn thrillers where nobody is who they say they are, I highly recommend adding this to your list!
September 20, 2026
Melina arrives on a quiet Greek island hoping to disappear into a new identity, posing as a hotel receptionist and leaving her past behind. But when someone starts hunting her, she finds herself caught up with people who want what she took. As a high-profile charity event brings everyone together, Melina begins to realise that no one is quite who they claim to be, and that there may be nowhere left to run.
This was a bingeable, fast-paced read, but at the same time I did find myself struggling to follow what was happening at times.
Some of the writing felt a little clunky, and I don’t know if the ambiguity was intentional, but it definitely became part of the story that left me feeling a little lost. There were moments where I found myself wondering what is actually happening here? It sometimes felt like there was a disconnect, almost as though a piece of the story hadn’t quite made it onto the page. That might just have been me, though!
The story is told across two timelines, which I initially thought were happening concurrently. And when everything finally clicked into place, THAT feeling was fantastic. The twist was brilliant, and I loved the realisation of what had actually been happening.
Despite my confusion along the way, I was still completely invested in finding out where the story was going. It was twisty, entertaining and incredibly easy to binge, and that final moment definitely delivered.
A slightly confusing journey, but one hell of a payoff.
This was a bingeable, fast-paced read, but at the same time I did find myself struggling to follow what was happening at times.
Some of the writing felt a little clunky, and I don’t know if the ambiguity was intentional, but it definitely became part of the story that left me feeling a little lost. There were moments where I found myself wondering what is actually happening here? It sometimes felt like there was a disconnect, almost as though a piece of the story hadn’t quite made it onto the page. That might just have been me, though!
The story is told across two timelines, which I initially thought were happening concurrently. And when everything finally clicked into place, THAT feeling was fantastic. The twist was brilliant, and I loved the realisation of what had actually been happening.
Despite my confusion along the way, I was still completely invested in finding out where the story was going. It was twisty, entertaining and incredibly easy to binge, and that final moment definitely delivered.
A slightly confusing journey, but one hell of a payoff.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Zero Trust" by Rania Stone is a fast-paced, unpredictable, and wickedly entertaining Greek island thriller that turns a high-stakes heist into a gripping page-turner.
Set on a small Greek island, the story unfolds through three distinct perspectives: Melina, a secretive hotel receptionist; Andreas, a government public servant; and Daphne, his intern. Entangled in a high-stakes scheme driven by greed, survival, and a "Robin Hood" mentality of robbing the rich to give to the poor, the characters push the boundaries of morality in ways that make their questionable choices strangely relatable and easy to root for. The narrative structure keeps Melina's background shrouded in mystery while slowly weaving her path toward Andreas and Daphne, strategically withholding key perspectives until the perfect, jaw-dropping moment.
Ultimately, the novel delivers a masterclass in tension and misdirection, constantly shifting directions just as readers think they have the puzzle solved. It wraps up with a brilliant, logical payoff that completely justifies every hidden secret, making it an addictive, unputdownable ride that earns a resounding 5 crazy stars.
"Zero Trust" by Rania Stone is a fast-paced, unpredictable, and wickedly entertaining Greek island thriller that turns a high-stakes heist into a gripping page-turner.
Set on a small Greek island, the story unfolds through three distinct perspectives: Melina, a secretive hotel receptionist; Andreas, a government public servant; and Daphne, his intern. Entangled in a high-stakes scheme driven by greed, survival, and a "Robin Hood" mentality of robbing the rich to give to the poor, the characters push the boundaries of morality in ways that make their questionable choices strangely relatable and easy to root for. The narrative structure keeps Melina's background shrouded in mystery while slowly weaving her path toward Andreas and Daphne, strategically withholding key perspectives until the perfect, jaw-dropping moment.
Ultimately, the novel delivers a masterclass in tension and misdirection, constantly shifting directions just as readers think they have the puzzle solved. It wraps up with a brilliant, logical payoff that completely justifies every hidden secret, making it an addictive, unputdownable ride that earns a resounding 5 crazy stars.
Review of advance copy
A fast paced thriller, set between Athens and a small Greek island, this story is propelled forward via 3 main characters. Each of the characters has vastly different personas and motives, and creates a dynamic read.
Due to how fast paced the story was I felt that more time should have been spent describing the setting. It felt like the location was unimportant in the story, and that it could have been located anywhere, which is a shame considering how beautiful the Greek islands are.
I enjoyed the twist, which I did not see coming, and thought this was very clever. An enjoyable read which I would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Due to how fast paced the story was I felt that more time should have been spent describing the setting. It felt like the location was unimportant in the story, and that it could have been located anywhere, which is a shame considering how beautiful the Greek islands are.
I enjoyed the twist, which I did not see coming, and thought this was very clever. An enjoyable read which I would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Review of advance copy
Y’all, Zero Trust is a gripping psychological thriller set on a secluded Greek island, where Melina’s carefully constructed new life begins unraveling faster than a cheap suitcase. A glamorous charity event becomes a pressure cooker of secrets, danger, and suspicious characters—including a desperate intern, a compromised official, and one very dangerous mobster.
Rania Stone’s sharp, vivid writing and brisk pacing keep the tension soaring, while shifting identities and jaw-dropping twists prove trusting anyone is a terrible life choice. Five stars for this stylish, suspenseful island thriller!
Rania Stone’s sharp, vivid writing and brisk pacing keep the tension soaring, while shifting identities and jaw-dropping twists prove trusting anyone is a terrible life choice. Five stars for this stylish, suspenseful island thriller!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC of Zero Trust!
This was such a fun thriller to read. The plot kept me guessing the entire time, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story went in a completely different direction. I really enjoyed how unpredictable it was without feeling overdone.
It was a fast, easy read that kept my attention from start to finish. If you enjoy thrillers with twists that genuinely surprise you, I would definitely recommend picking this one up!
This was such a fun thriller to read. The plot kept me guessing the entire time, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story went in a completely different direction. I really enjoyed how unpredictable it was without feeling overdone.
It was a fast, easy read that kept my attention from start to finish. If you enjoy thrillers with twists that genuinely surprise you, I would definitely recommend picking this one up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Modern day fiction, well written and properly paced, filled with true to life characters.
And that's about all the good it offers.
Throughout I kept wondering what the heck I was reading. Multiple stories run parallel, not coming together until the very end and even then did not make sense.
The book being an easy read with ultrashort chapters was what kept me going.
And then it was over. With an Afterword added to explain the story. Yep...uhm...
Not for me this one.
Thank you Netgalley and Imagine Press for the ARC.
And that's about all the good it offers.
Throughout I kept wondering what the heck I was reading. Multiple stories run parallel, not coming together until the very end and even then did not make sense.
The book being an easy read with ultrashort chapters was what kept me going.
And then it was over. With an Afterword added to explain the story. Yep...uhm...
Not for me this one.
Thank you Netgalley and Imagine Press for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Zero Trust by Rania Stone
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up)
Exciting! Suspenseful! Deceptive!
This story follows Melina, who works at a hotel on a beautiful Greek island. She encounters some guests that she can’t quite figure out.
Who can you trust? There are tons of secrets throughout the story. It’s a fast read that kept me engaged and the story really pulls answers together at the end. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s going on.
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this exciting book!!
**This thriller comes out September 22 and is a must read!**
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up)
Exciting! Suspenseful! Deceptive!
This story follows Melina, who works at a hotel on a beautiful Greek island. She encounters some guests that she can’t quite figure out.
Who can you trust? There are tons of secrets throughout the story. It’s a fast read that kept me engaged and the story really pulls answers together at the end. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s going on.
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this exciting book!!
**This thriller comes out September 22 and is a must read!**
September 25, 2026
This is a decent read. All the characters are crooked. I liked Melina. Daphne was devious and too perfect. Andreas in my opinion was a mess.
The writing is nice. The chapters are short, which I love. The pace is good. The reader does not get bored in the middle because the characters keep you on your toes. I think that starting each chapter with a different character's perspective was nice because it gave insight into the character's thinking.
All in all, I was entertained.
I received a complimentary copy of this story.
The writing is nice. The chapters are short, which I love. The pace is good. The reader does not get bored in the middle because the characters keep you on your toes. I think that starting each chapter with a different character's perspective was nice because it gave insight into the character's thinking.
All in all, I was entertained.
I received a complimentary copy of this story.
March 30, 2026
“Zero Trust” by Rania Stone was a dark, intense thriller that hooked me right away. Set on a quiet Greek island, the story follows Melina, a con artist trying to outrun her past by becoming someone new. But as she slips into another identity, it quickly becomes clear she’s not as invisible as she thought.
This one is packed with twists, deception, and constant suspense. If you like dark thrillers with complex characters and high stakes, this is a great pick.
This one is packed with twists, deception, and constant suspense. If you like dark thrillers with complex characters and high stakes, this is a great pick.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really was excited to read this arc thank you to @netgalley. The story set in Greece and multiple POV's gave holiday thriller vibes right away. However the story became formulaic with messy additions and then I started to get lost in all the threads, I'm sure if this was scaled back it would have made for a more enjoyable thriller read. Sorry not for me. I left it not actually sure what happened 😕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Imagine Press for the eARC.
The setting of this book and the premise appealed to me.
Unfortunately, after several chapters, my brain got confused and, even delving further into the story, still made me feel mixed up and at that point I decided I couldn't care less about the rest of the story and DNF.
The setting of this book and the premise appealed to me.
Unfortunately, after several chapters, my brain got confused and, even delving further into the story, still made me feel mixed up and at that point I decided I couldn't care less about the rest of the story and DNF.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC copy from the author. Rania Stone is one of my favorite authors, so I’ll read anything she writes. Zero Trust didn’t disappoint. I loved snarky Melina and the fact that she isn’t the standard beauty, nor does she fit a typical character mold. The twists were incredible—so many, and I didn’t see them coming at all. I totally recommend it.
June 5, 2026
This book had me so confused, I almost stopped reading it, but there’s only been one book I DNF. I’m so glad that I read on because once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and had no idea how it would end. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This book has two different stories that end up converging in the end. Both of the women in this story have a background they need to heal from and they each are trying to turn a profit, in different ways. A lot of twists in this book, and you must keep up! Good story, but not my favorite. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a page turner that I literally couldn't put my phone down. I absolutely HAD TO KNOW what was happening! It took a second for things to click but when they did, it did! This was a really good read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 15, 2026
Zero Trust is a fun and fast-paced thriller set in beautiful Greece. We experience the book through the point of view of three characters, with their stories intertwining and coming together in ways I was NOT expecting! This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I finished it all in one sitting — Totally impossible to put it down!
Rania Stone is a new author to me, and I CANNOT WAIT to read her other books!
Rania Stone is a new author to me, and I CANNOT WAIT to read her other books!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There was so much happening between the characters and the murdering of people, the story is unrealistic in my opinion. The story would be a good one if it seemed as being possible to happening. The ending left me very confused and disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
**4.5 stars!**
_Zero Trust_ completely pulled me in. What starts as a seemingly straightforward story quickly turns into a tense, twisty web of secrets, deception, shifting loyalties, and characters who are definitely not who they appear to be.
I especially enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the way the different storylines gradually came together. Melina was such an intriguing character—there was always the feeling that she was hiding something, and I loved trying to figure out what was really going on. The atmosphere, international setting, and escalating sense of danger kept me turning the pages.
And that ending! 😳 The final revelations made me rethink so much of what I had read, and the last-page twist was definitely one of the highlights. There were a couple of storylines I wished had been tied up a little more neatly, which is the only reason I'm giving this 4.5 rather than 5 stars.
Overall, _Zero Trust_ is a clever, fast-paced psychological thriller filled with secrets, betrayals, and plenty of “wait…WHAT?!” moments. If you enjoy books where everyone has something to hide and you can't quite trust anyone, this one is definitely worth picking up.
**4.5 ⭐️ — twisty, suspenseful, and seriously entertaining!**
**4.5 stars!**
_Zero Trust_ completely pulled me in. What starts as a seemingly straightforward story quickly turns into a tense, twisty web of secrets, deception, shifting loyalties, and characters who are definitely not who they appear to be.
I especially enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the way the different storylines gradually came together. Melina was such an intriguing character—there was always the feeling that she was hiding something, and I loved trying to figure out what was really going on. The atmosphere, international setting, and escalating sense of danger kept me turning the pages.
And that ending! 😳 The final revelations made me rethink so much of what I had read, and the last-page twist was definitely one of the highlights. There were a couple of storylines I wished had been tied up a little more neatly, which is the only reason I'm giving this 4.5 rather than 5 stars.
Overall, _Zero Trust_ is a clever, fast-paced psychological thriller filled with secrets, betrayals, and plenty of “wait…WHAT?!” moments. If you enjoy books where everyone has something to hide and you can't quite trust anyone, this one is definitely worth picking up.
**4.5 ⭐️ — twisty, suspenseful, and seriously entertaining!**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A beautiful, quiet Greek island.
Melina is a hotel receptionist, looking after the guests so well.....or is she? Who is she?
If you love Greece, compelling twisty thrillers, dark suspense and 'just one more chapter', this book is for you!
I loved it from beginning to end.
Thank you to Imagine Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Melina is a hotel receptionist, looking after the guests so well.....or is she? Who is she?
If you love Greece, compelling twisty thrillers, dark suspense and 'just one more chapter', this book is for you!
I loved it from beginning to end.
Thank you to Imagine Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
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