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The Unwelcome Guest
SHE HAD THE PERFECT MARRIAGE. UNTIL HER MOTHER-IN-LAW MOVED IN…
Saffron vowed to love Miles no matter what life threw at them both. But when her mother-in-law moves into their happy family home, Saffron’s shiny life begins to tarnish.
Even as Caprice’s barbed comments turn to something more sinister, Saffron hopes the new nanny’s arrival will shield her from the worst of it. She’s starting to feel paranoid in her own home.
Little does she realise that Caprice longs for a new daughter-in-law – and she’ll do anything to make that happen…
Saffron vowed to love Miles no matter what life threw at them both. But when her mother-in-law moves into their happy family home, Saffron’s shiny life begins to tarnish.
Even as Caprice’s barbed comments turn to something more sinister, Saffron hopes the new nanny’s arrival will shield her from the worst of it. She’s starting to feel paranoid in her own home.
Little does she realise that Caprice longs for a new daughter-in-law – and she’ll do anything to make that happen…
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2021
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August 20, 2021
The Unwelcome Guest by Amanda Robson
We have lots of POVs, an evil witch of a mother-in-law, a brother-in-law who would love to take his brother's wife from him, a struggling lawyer wife/ lecturer husband couple, and a nineteen year old nanny. Husband's ex girlfriend from his teen years was married to his brother until they got divorced but she still works for the lawyer wife. Imagine one of those crime scene white boards with lines going from one connection to the other. We could make a white board for this group of people and the lines would be zigzagging all over the place. There are the lusters, the lovers, the manipulators, the liars, and not one likeable person in the bunch. Bad decisions and people too clueless to see what's in front of their faces make for a real eye roller of an experience. Each person is willing to believe the least credible person over anyone else. Critical thinking is almost non existent here.
Sadly two little boys are the pawns on this convoluted chessboard. Good thing they have their evil witch of a grandma to watch over them! Because mom doesn't want be around evil MIL (who moved into the main house even though she has her own MIL quarters) she hires the hot nanny two seconds after she meets her. The nanny falls into insta-lust for the husband and evil MIL is going to make this thing happen!
Read this for fun because it's too silly to take seriously. Some chapters can be so short that they aren't even a real paragraph, the POVs change constantly, and the characters talk directly at other characters ("you did this, you wore that") which is confusing and awkward. In many ways, what you see is what you get with this story.
Published August 19th 2021
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC.
We have lots of POVs, an evil witch of a mother-in-law, a brother-in-law who would love to take his brother's wife from him, a struggling lawyer wife/ lecturer husband couple, and a nineteen year old nanny. Husband's ex girlfriend from his teen years was married to his brother until they got divorced but she still works for the lawyer wife. Imagine one of those crime scene white boards with lines going from one connection to the other. We could make a white board for this group of people and the lines would be zigzagging all over the place. There are the lusters, the lovers, the manipulators, the liars, and not one likeable person in the bunch. Bad decisions and people too clueless to see what's in front of their faces make for a real eye roller of an experience. Each person is willing to believe the least credible person over anyone else. Critical thinking is almost non existent here.
Sadly two little boys are the pawns on this convoluted chessboard. Good thing they have their evil witch of a grandma to watch over them! Because mom doesn't want be around evil MIL (who moved into the main house even though she has her own MIL quarters) she hires the hot nanny two seconds after she meets her. The nanny falls into insta-lust for the husband and evil MIL is going to make this thing happen!
Read this for fun because it's too silly to take seriously. Some chapters can be so short that they aren't even a real paragraph, the POVs change constantly, and the characters talk directly at other characters ("you did this, you wore that") which is confusing and awkward. In many ways, what you see is what you get with this story.
Published August 19th 2021
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC.
July 14, 2021
There comes a time in every reader’s life where they have to wave the white flag in their battle with a book and admit defeat.
The Unwelcome Guest … you win. I gave it my best effort, but you were too much for me.
Am I saying the book is awful? No. Amanda Robson has written a book that plenty of others have liked, it’s just not a style that works for me.
Saffron, a lawyer, and Miles, a lecturer, are married and live in an opulent house with their two young sons, Ben and Harry. Miles’ widowed mother, Caprice, lives in the house with them, having switched from their annex. Aiden is Miles’ arrogant and wealthy younger brother, who is divorced from Julie, Saffron’s personal assistant and Miles’ first love from way back. Throw into the mix, Hayley, the recently hired young nanny who develops insta-hots for Miles the moment she lays eyes on him.
I only made it through 25%, but so far it went something like this:
Saffron barely interviews Hayley, basically saying I read your resume and references and can you start Monday? Always good to know who you’re entrusting your beloved children to. Hayley sees Miles and basically wants to have his babies already. (OK … I might’ve exaggerated there, but that thought entertains me.) Mean-spirited Caprice hates Saffron. No real, satisfying explanation given for that, other than perhaps that Saffron is a career woman? (Eeek! The horror.) Aiden lusts for Saffron, who loves Miles, who probably loves Saffron too, but might possibly still have feelings for Julie, who inexplicably married Aiden after having once been in a relationship with Miles. It all makes perfect sense, right?
The short chapters pinball from unlikable character to unlikable character, all told in a first person, mostly present tense, “fly on the wall” POV, which read more like melodramatic diary entries from people with too much time on their hands. Added to this was stilted dialogue that was just too cheesy for my taste buds.
As I said, there are many others who enjoyed this book, so please take time to read their reviews if you’re considering this book. It might work for you! I’ll hand it to Robson that she knows how to write some OTT characters doing OTT things, which may be exactly what she was going for! Who knows? On a different day I might’ve been in the mood for that.
Based on the characters and style of this particular story, I feel confident that my rating wouldn’t be any different were I to finish the book:
★★
Thanks to Avon UK Publishing, Netgalley, and author Amanda Robson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It will be published August 19, 2021.
The Unwelcome Guest … you win. I gave it my best effort, but you were too much for me.
Am I saying the book is awful? No. Amanda Robson has written a book that plenty of others have liked, it’s just not a style that works for me.
Saffron, a lawyer, and Miles, a lecturer, are married and live in an opulent house with their two young sons, Ben and Harry. Miles’ widowed mother, Caprice, lives in the house with them, having switched from their annex. Aiden is Miles’ arrogant and wealthy younger brother, who is divorced from Julie, Saffron’s personal assistant and Miles’ first love from way back. Throw into the mix, Hayley, the recently hired young nanny who develops insta-hots for Miles the moment she lays eyes on him.
I only made it through 25%, but so far it went something like this:
Saffron barely interviews Hayley, basically saying I read your resume and references and can you start Monday? Always good to know who you’re entrusting your beloved children to. Hayley sees Miles and basically wants to have his babies already. (OK … I might’ve exaggerated there, but that thought entertains me.) Mean-spirited Caprice hates Saffron. No real, satisfying explanation given for that, other than perhaps that Saffron is a career woman? (Eeek! The horror.) Aiden lusts for Saffron, who loves Miles, who probably loves Saffron too, but might possibly still have feelings for Julie, who inexplicably married Aiden after having once been in a relationship with Miles. It all makes perfect sense, right?
The short chapters pinball from unlikable character to unlikable character, all told in a first person, mostly present tense, “fly on the wall” POV, which read more like melodramatic diary entries from people with too much time on their hands. Added to this was stilted dialogue that was just too cheesy for my taste buds.
As I said, there are many others who enjoyed this book, so please take time to read their reviews if you’re considering this book. It might work for you! I’ll hand it to Robson that she knows how to write some OTT characters doing OTT things, which may be exactly what she was going for! Who knows? On a different day I might’ve been in the mood for that.
Based on the characters and style of this particular story, I feel confident that my rating wouldn’t be any different were I to finish the book:
★★
Thanks to Avon UK Publishing, Netgalley, and author Amanda Robson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. It will be published August 19, 2021.
May 26, 2021
A new Amanda Robson book means a new cast of wackadoodles to read about.
Saffron and Miles are happily married. Everything in their shared life is perfect...with the exception of Caprice. She’s Miles’s mother, and she resides with them in their house.
Caprice hates Saffron with a passion, and doesn’t think Miles should be with her.
When Saffron and Miles hire a nanny named Hayley for their children, Saffron hopes that she’ll have less time to be around Caprice.
Caprice, however, has an agenda all her own...and will use any means necessary to come between her son’s marriage.
I am a huge fan of Amanda Robson and her BONKERS characters. More often than not, I find myself deeply entranced by the wicked goings on.
While this book is entertaining and fast-paced, the characters are so unlikable and dense. It’s really hard to believe any of their actions are realistic. Especially Miles, who clearly has his head in the sand. He doesn’t seem to understand the terrible things his mother does even when it’s staring him right in the face! There’s a nice chunk of cheesy dialogue too.
Another thing that bothered me is that I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out what Caprice’s issue was with Saffron.
That being said, while it doesn’t offer anything new in the crazy mother-in-law genre, this is still an amusing and quick read. I look forward to Robson’s next book.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Available in the U.S. on: 11/23/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Saffron and Miles are happily married. Everything in their shared life is perfect...with the exception of Caprice. She’s Miles’s mother, and she resides with them in their house.
Caprice hates Saffron with a passion, and doesn’t think Miles should be with her.
When Saffron and Miles hire a nanny named Hayley for their children, Saffron hopes that she’ll have less time to be around Caprice.
Caprice, however, has an agenda all her own...and will use any means necessary to come between her son’s marriage.
I am a huge fan of Amanda Robson and her BONKERS characters. More often than not, I find myself deeply entranced by the wicked goings on.
While this book is entertaining and fast-paced, the characters are so unlikable and dense. It’s really hard to believe any of their actions are realistic. Especially Miles, who clearly has his head in the sand. He doesn’t seem to understand the terrible things his mother does even when it’s staring him right in the face! There’s a nice chunk of cheesy dialogue too.
Another thing that bothered me is that I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out what Caprice’s issue was with Saffron.
That being said, while it doesn’t offer anything new in the crazy mother-in-law genre, this is still an amusing and quick read. I look forward to Robson’s next book.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Available in the U.S. on: 11/23/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
June 19, 2021
3.5 stars
Welcome to the bonkers world of Amanda Robson who sure knows how to create crazy characters! Lawyer Saffron is married to Miles but her mother in law Caprice makes it quite clear from the beginning of their relationship that she dislikes her. Caprice sees a career driven, self obsessed woman and an intellectual snob. Whilst Miles loves his mother he can see there’s a blooming great cuckoo in the nest when she comes to live with them and let’s add into the mix a new nanny Hayley and Miles’ brother Aidan who is in love with Saffron and let the games begin!
It’s fair to say this is an entertaining, easy read with fruitcake, slightly deranged characters who, shall we say, have strong opinions. There’s lust, love, envy, obsession, jealousy and hatred in the toxic domestic soup. The suffocating atmosphere with numerous darkly suppurating undercurrents comes across well. At times the tension between Saffron and Caprice worsens to a war of attrition which neither want to lose until one of them is out of the picture - but which one? The first half in my opinion is much better than the second because as it progresses the path it takes becomes predictable.
Initially, the constantly changing points of view works really well as they illuminate the other but after a while the flitting from one to the other becomes jarring and a bit confusing. It also means there’s not much depth, it becomes superficial and it leads to some repetition. At times what the characters eat, drink or wear takes centre stage rather than what they’re thinking. Some emotions feel very flat and matter of fact possibly because of the constant narrative change. There’s nothing especially new on the table here, the evil mother in law and can we trust the nanny trope is a path well worn. Some incidents strike a false note for example the visit by social services.
Overall, it’s fun and enjoyable but a bit overblown and probably not especially memorable.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books UK for the arc in return for an honest review.
Welcome to the bonkers world of Amanda Robson who sure knows how to create crazy characters! Lawyer Saffron is married to Miles but her mother in law Caprice makes it quite clear from the beginning of their relationship that she dislikes her. Caprice sees a career driven, self obsessed woman and an intellectual snob. Whilst Miles loves his mother he can see there’s a blooming great cuckoo in the nest when she comes to live with them and let’s add into the mix a new nanny Hayley and Miles’ brother Aidan who is in love with Saffron and let the games begin!
It’s fair to say this is an entertaining, easy read with fruitcake, slightly deranged characters who, shall we say, have strong opinions. There’s lust, love, envy, obsession, jealousy and hatred in the toxic domestic soup. The suffocating atmosphere with numerous darkly suppurating undercurrents comes across well. At times the tension between Saffron and Caprice worsens to a war of attrition which neither want to lose until one of them is out of the picture - but which one? The first half in my opinion is much better than the second because as it progresses the path it takes becomes predictable.
Initially, the constantly changing points of view works really well as they illuminate the other but after a while the flitting from one to the other becomes jarring and a bit confusing. It also means there’s not much depth, it becomes superficial and it leads to some repetition. At times what the characters eat, drink or wear takes centre stage rather than what they’re thinking. Some emotions feel very flat and matter of fact possibly because of the constant narrative change. There’s nothing especially new on the table here, the evil mother in law and can we trust the nanny trope is a path well worn. Some incidents strike a false note for example the visit by social services.
Overall, it’s fun and enjoyable but a bit overblown and probably not especially memorable.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books UK for the arc in return for an honest review.
May 26, 2021
Saffron and Miles are happily married however Miles' mother would rather they weren't. Caprice, the mother-in-law from hell, lives with Saffron and Miles and goes out of her way each and every day to belittle Saffron with her barbed comments. Miles, of course, thinks Saffron is overreacting but is she?
Chapters alternate between Saffron, Miles, Caprice, Aiden - Miles' brother who is secretly in love with Saffron, and Hayley their new nanny who has eyes for Miles. You mix all of these perspectives together and you get a lethal concoction of crazy.
This story of the evil mother-in-law has been told many times before and while this was truly entertaining I wouldn't say it brings anything new to the table. I grew so frustrated with Miles for being so blind and passive to his mother when she said things to and about Saffron right to him and he still doesn't say anything in his wife's defense. No surprising twist here, not for this reader anyways, as I had suspected how this would play out from the start. While this is not my favorite Robson book it was still plenty entertaining and would make a great addition to the beach bag while drinking a frosty tropical drink and lounging in a beach chair! 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my copy.
Chapters alternate between Saffron, Miles, Caprice, Aiden - Miles' brother who is secretly in love with Saffron, and Hayley their new nanny who has eyes for Miles. You mix all of these perspectives together and you get a lethal concoction of crazy.
This story of the evil mother-in-law has been told many times before and while this was truly entertaining I wouldn't say it brings anything new to the table. I grew so frustrated with Miles for being so blind and passive to his mother when she said things to and about Saffron right to him and he still doesn't say anything in his wife's defense. No surprising twist here, not for this reader anyways, as I had suspected how this would play out from the start. While this is not my favorite Robson book it was still plenty entertaining and would make a great addition to the beach bag while drinking a frosty tropical drink and lounging in a beach chair! 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my copy.
August 20, 2021
There is an Unwelcome Guest in the house.... but who?
SHE HAD THE PERFECT MARRIAGE. UNTIL HER MOTHER-IN-LAW MOVED IN…
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer.... but NOT for the mother-in-Law from HADES! Did this woman make a pack with the devil, because she is pure EVIL.
Saffron and Miles are in love. They have a great marriage (well, I don't know.... there is some physical stuff that seemed out of character), they have two healthy children, and both enjoy their jobs.
But Caprice, Miles' devious and manipulative, mother, lives with them and she is not a fan of Saffron, or shall I say "Dear"? She never liked her, and I never understood why Miles couldn't see the forest for the trees as they say. He sat right there and for someone who claims he looks at things from all sides, he was blind as a bat to what was happening in his house. What was happening in his house -secret conversations, secret agendas, manipulation, flirtation, and lies all of which stir this pot like crazy.
I don't know how anyone could sleep in this house at night! So much drama, so much ridiculous behavior, I would always have one eye open watching my back. Both then again, there are a lot of sleepless nights in this house.
This is a fun, fast paced book. There are several character POV's which keep things interesting and moving at a steady pace. This reads like a nighttime soap opera. It is highly entertaining. I also learned two things while reading this book: never leave your laptop lying around and if someone calls you "Dear" kick their A$$ out!
Overall a fun entertaining book. Pure escapism reading
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
SHE HAD THE PERFECT MARRIAGE. UNTIL HER MOTHER-IN-LAW MOVED IN…
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer.... but NOT for the mother-in-Law from HADES! Did this woman make a pack with the devil, because she is pure EVIL.
Saffron and Miles are in love. They have a great marriage (well, I don't know.... there is some physical stuff that seemed out of character), they have two healthy children, and both enjoy their jobs.
But Caprice, Miles' devious and manipulative, mother, lives with them and she is not a fan of Saffron, or shall I say "Dear"? She never liked her, and I never understood why Miles couldn't see the forest for the trees as they say. He sat right there and for someone who claims he looks at things from all sides, he was blind as a bat to what was happening in his house. What was happening in his house -secret conversations, secret agendas, manipulation, flirtation, and lies all of which stir this pot like crazy.
I don't know how anyone could sleep in this house at night! So much drama, so much ridiculous behavior, I would always have one eye open watching my back. Both then again, there are a lot of sleepless nights in this house.
This is a fun, fast paced book. There are several character POV's which keep things interesting and moving at a steady pace. This reads like a nighttime soap opera. It is highly entertaining. I also learned two things while reading this book: never leave your laptop lying around and if someone calls you "Dear" kick their A$$ out!
Overall a fun entertaining book. Pure escapism reading
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
August 28, 2021
EXCERPT: Saffron: It's not Miles I have problems with, but you, Caprice. His mother. A frail and lonely widow, with kind eyes and a swan-like neck? Or the mother-in-law from hell with a witches cackle for a laugh? Either way, you have infiltrated our lives.
ABOUT 'THE UNWELCOME GUEST': Saffron vowed to love Miles no matter what life threw at them both. But when her mother-in-law moves into their happy family home, Saffron’s shiny life begins to tarnish.
Even as Caprice’s barbed comments turn to something more sinister, Saffron hopes the new nanny’s arrival will shield her from the worst of it. She’s starting to feel paranoid in her own home.
Little does she realise that Caprice longs for a new daughter-in-law – and she’ll do anything to make that happen…
MY THOUGHTS: I thought my first mother-in-law was the MIL from hell, but compared to Caprice, she was a mere amateur. Mind you, she never had Caprice's resources.
The Unwelcome Guest is told from many points of view, probably too many. Saffron; her husband Miles; Caprice, Miles' mother; Hayley, the nanny; and Aiden, Miles' brother.
I did a read/listen of The Unwelcome Guest as I was lucky enough to receive both the Kindle and Audio ARC. The audio has 5 narrators, which should have been a bonus,but in the end irked me. Let me explain. Instead of each narrator doing their own character's voice, they merely read the chapter from their character's point of view. So we have the narrator telling Saffron's point of view doing all the characters voices in that chapter. Most of the time it was okay. But Hayley, the nanny, came from New Zealand, and one of the narrators made an absolute hash of her accent, giving her a distinctive Aussie twang. If the production is going to have a different narrator for each character, is it really that much of a stretch to have them do their own character's voices?
I loved the idea of The Unwelcome Guest, but because we knew what an evil old cow Caprice was and what she was up to throughout, it killed the suspense.
But if you are looking for a quick, easy and entertaining read, or you have the mother-in-law from hell, The Unwelcome Guest will fit the bill nicely. There's not much depth to any of the characters, but that doesn't really seem to matter. There's not much reason, either, to like any of them but, again, that hardly seems to matter. Probably the nicest of the bunch, other than the children, is Julie, Aiden's ex-wife and Saffron's PA. Oh, did I mention that she is also Miles's ex-girlfriend?
Don't go into this expecting mystery or suspense. You won't get it. What you will get is an easy, fun read with a couple of satisfying twists at the end.
Other than my above niggle about the narration, I thought the narrators did an excellent job.
⭐⭐⭐.8
I: @amandarobsonauthor #harpercollinsukaudio @avonbooksuk
T: @AmandaRobson @HarperCollinsUK @AvonBooksUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #familydrama
THE AUTHOR: After graduating, Amanda Robson worked in medical research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and at the Poisons Unit at Guy's Hospital, where she became a co-author of a book on cyanide poisoning. Amanda attended the Faber novel writing course and writes full-time.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK and Harper Collins UK audio via Netgalley for providing digital and audio ARCs of The Unwelcome Guest written by Amanda Robson, narrated by John Hopkins, Claire Vousden, Olivia Mace, Natalie Beran and Thomas Delacourt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'THE UNWELCOME GUEST': Saffron vowed to love Miles no matter what life threw at them both. But when her mother-in-law moves into their happy family home, Saffron’s shiny life begins to tarnish.
Even as Caprice’s barbed comments turn to something more sinister, Saffron hopes the new nanny’s arrival will shield her from the worst of it. She’s starting to feel paranoid in her own home.
Little does she realise that Caprice longs for a new daughter-in-law – and she’ll do anything to make that happen…
MY THOUGHTS: I thought my first mother-in-law was the MIL from hell, but compared to Caprice, she was a mere amateur. Mind you, she never had Caprice's resources.
The Unwelcome Guest is told from many points of view, probably too many. Saffron; her husband Miles; Caprice, Miles' mother; Hayley, the nanny; and Aiden, Miles' brother.
I did a read/listen of The Unwelcome Guest as I was lucky enough to receive both the Kindle and Audio ARC. The audio has 5 narrators, which should have been a bonus,but in the end irked me. Let me explain. Instead of each narrator doing their own character's voice, they merely read the chapter from their character's point of view. So we have the narrator telling Saffron's point of view doing all the characters voices in that chapter. Most of the time it was okay. But Hayley, the nanny, came from New Zealand, and one of the narrators made an absolute hash of her accent, giving her a distinctive Aussie twang. If the production is going to have a different narrator for each character, is it really that much of a stretch to have them do their own character's voices?
I loved the idea of The Unwelcome Guest, but because we knew what an evil old cow Caprice was and what she was up to throughout, it killed the suspense.
But if you are looking for a quick, easy and entertaining read, or you have the mother-in-law from hell, The Unwelcome Guest will fit the bill nicely. There's not much depth to any of the characters, but that doesn't really seem to matter. There's not much reason, either, to like any of them but, again, that hardly seems to matter. Probably the nicest of the bunch, other than the children, is Julie, Aiden's ex-wife and Saffron's PA. Oh, did I mention that she is also Miles's ex-girlfriend?
Don't go into this expecting mystery or suspense. You won't get it. What you will get is an easy, fun read with a couple of satisfying twists at the end.
Other than my above niggle about the narration, I thought the narrators did an excellent job.
⭐⭐⭐.8
I: @amandarobsonauthor #harpercollinsukaudio @avonbooksuk
T: @AmandaRobson @HarperCollinsUK @AvonBooksUK
#audiobook #contemporaryfiction #familydrama
THE AUTHOR: After graduating, Amanda Robson worked in medical research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and at the Poisons Unit at Guy's Hospital, where she became a co-author of a book on cyanide poisoning. Amanda attended the Faber novel writing course and writes full-time.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK and Harper Collins UK audio via Netgalley for providing digital and audio ARCs of The Unwelcome Guest written by Amanda Robson, narrated by John Hopkins, Claire Vousden, Olivia Mace, Natalie Beran and Thomas Delacourt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 26, 2021
This story gives the expression ‘the mother-in-law from hell’ a whole new meaning. Saffron and Miles are happily married and live in a lovely spacious home. Saffron is a lawyer and has her own boutique law firm and Miles is a Professor of philosophy. They have two boys - Ben 8 and Harry 6 years old. Life is sweet, well it was until the MIL from hell moved into the house with them. Caprice is a piece of work and seems to hate Saffron because she doesn’t devote her every waking moment to her family as she, Caprice, did. It is not good enough for the perfect son, Miles. His brother Aiden is definitely not mummy’s favourite.
As seems to be typical of Amanda Robson, this story is pretty bonkers! We join the family as Saffron is struggling yet again with being undermined by Clarice. Saffron is just hiring a new nanny, Hayley, so she, Saffron, doesn’t have to interact with Clarice too much. So we have Clarice hating Saffron, Hayley fancying Miles, Aiden fancying Saffron and Julie (Saffron’s assistant, Miles’ former girlfriend and Aiden’s former wife) gets drawn into the drama. Saffron suspects Miles of still fancying Julie and Miles suspects Saffron of fancying Aiden. I think that covers it. Behind the scenes Clarice is stirring up more and more trouble for Saffron. Something drastic needs to be done!
This is not a literary classic but, if you don’t take it too seriously, it’s a good fun, fast read that won’t tax your brain too much. I enjoyed the author’s previous book a bit more. I thought this one was a little too cliche driven and predictable. The whole evil MIL thing seemed contrived. Nevertheless it was an entertaining diversion for sure. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing a advance copy for free. My review is provided voluntarily and honestly.
As seems to be typical of Amanda Robson, this story is pretty bonkers! We join the family as Saffron is struggling yet again with being undermined by Clarice. Saffron is just hiring a new nanny, Hayley, so she, Saffron, doesn’t have to interact with Clarice too much. So we have Clarice hating Saffron, Hayley fancying Miles, Aiden fancying Saffron and Julie (Saffron’s assistant, Miles’ former girlfriend and Aiden’s former wife) gets drawn into the drama. Saffron suspects Miles of still fancying Julie and Miles suspects Saffron of fancying Aiden. I think that covers it. Behind the scenes Clarice is stirring up more and more trouble for Saffron. Something drastic needs to be done!
This is not a literary classic but, if you don’t take it too seriously, it’s a good fun, fast read that won’t tax your brain too much. I enjoyed the author’s previous book a bit more. I thought this one was a little too cliche driven and predictable. The whole evil MIL thing seemed contrived. Nevertheless it was an entertaining diversion for sure. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing a advance copy for free. My review is provided voluntarily and honestly.
August 3, 2021
Thanks to a quiet day at home, I was able to read this book in one sitting. It is the kind of book you will want to read in one sitting, because it is full of over-the-top characters in an over-the-top setting and with over-the-top surprises. Having some experience with a ‘difficult’ mother-in-law, I always fall for plots where they play a role. Mine wasn’t nearly so horrible in comparison to Caprice, although she did her best to let me feel inadequate on many terrains.
Caprice is horrible and mean; Saffron is hard-working and doting on husband Miles and her two sons, Miles’ brother Aidan never grew up and nanny Hayley is just plain dumb. What a group of unlikable and flat characters and how well Amanda Robson did in using them to create this sometimes very funny story for us, for the story is very entertaining and the book is difficult to put away.
At one point, everybody is lying to everybody and everything that happens in the house but also outside, at Saffron’ s company, leads to sorrow and arguments. But as any book with a woman like Caprice as the main character, things take a turn for the better and at last everybody gets what they deserve.
I hope there will be another round of editing; sometimes its confusing to read the thoughts of person A while you’re thinking you are reading a chapter about person B. It is also confusing that one person receives a Christmas present which suddenly in another chapter turns out to be given to another person – and in another form. Or reading that someone must be somewhere at 9 AM and then leaves, setting the GPS on a route that will take them there by 10.30 AM. And the only thing I really didn’t like was the constant mentioning of the food. I don’t like people who comment on other people’s eating habits, but here everybody was complaining about each other’s’ eating habits all the time. Saffron is a vegan so she dislikes the fact that her family and friends are ‘animal eaters’, and she hates it that Caprice feeds the children too much chicken nuggets and fries and candy (although she is often feeding them the same). Caprice hates it that Saffron is a vegan and that she wants the children to eat more healthy things (but Saffron is almost never home to cook). On almost every page, we are confronted with food and drink, but in a negative way. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, this family is never happy at a table. Pity, where they just as easily could have meaningful discussions about it.
Anyway, food stories aside, I liked this book because it made my quiet day at home a happy one.
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.
Caprice is horrible and mean; Saffron is hard-working and doting on husband Miles and her two sons, Miles’ brother Aidan never grew up and nanny Hayley is just plain dumb. What a group of unlikable and flat characters and how well Amanda Robson did in using them to create this sometimes very funny story for us, for the story is very entertaining and the book is difficult to put away.
At one point, everybody is lying to everybody and everything that happens in the house but also outside, at Saffron’ s company, leads to sorrow and arguments. But as any book with a woman like Caprice as the main character, things take a turn for the better and at last everybody gets what they deserve.
I hope there will be another round of editing; sometimes its confusing to read the thoughts of person A while you’re thinking you are reading a chapter about person B. It is also confusing that one person receives a Christmas present which suddenly in another chapter turns out to be given to another person – and in another form. Or reading that someone must be somewhere at 9 AM and then leaves, setting the GPS on a route that will take them there by 10.30 AM. And the only thing I really didn’t like was the constant mentioning of the food. I don’t like people who comment on other people’s eating habits, but here everybody was complaining about each other’s’ eating habits all the time. Saffron is a vegan so she dislikes the fact that her family and friends are ‘animal eaters’, and she hates it that Caprice feeds the children too much chicken nuggets and fries and candy (although she is often feeding them the same). Caprice hates it that Saffron is a vegan and that she wants the children to eat more healthy things (but Saffron is almost never home to cook). On almost every page, we are confronted with food and drink, but in a negative way. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, this family is never happy at a table. Pity, where they just as easily could have meaningful discussions about it.
Anyway, food stories aside, I liked this book because it made my quiet day at home a happy one.
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.
August 4, 2021
Saffron vowed to love Miles no matter what life threw at them both. But when her mother-in-law moves into her happy family home, Saffron's shiny life begins to tarnish. Even as Caprice's barbed comments turn to something more sinister, Saffron the new nanny's arrival will shield her from the worst of it. Little does she realise that Caprice longs for a new daughter-in-law - and she'll do anything to make it happen.
Saffron and Miles have it all: a great marriage, two beautiful sons. decent jobs and a comfortable home. The only thing that spoils Saffron's happiness is her mother-in-law, Caprice. Caprice had moved in with Saffron and Miles after her husband died. Caprice thinks Saffron can do nothing right and that she's not good enough for her son.
The story is told from multiple perspectives.Tis is a story of the mother-in law from hell Miles seems oblivious to what is going on under his own roof. I didn't like the way that perspectives changed half way through a paragraph, it made it a tad confusing. There's not a lot of twists or surprises either. The second half of the book was much better.
I would like to thank #NetGaalley #AvfonBooksUk and the author #AmandaRobson for my ARC of #TheUnwelcomeGuest in exchange for an honest review.
Saffron and Miles have it all: a great marriage, two beautiful sons. decent jobs and a comfortable home. The only thing that spoils Saffron's happiness is her mother-in-law, Caprice. Caprice had moved in with Saffron and Miles after her husband died. Caprice thinks Saffron can do nothing right and that she's not good enough for her son.
The story is told from multiple perspectives.Tis is a story of the mother-in law from hell Miles seems oblivious to what is going on under his own roof. I didn't like the way that perspectives changed half way through a paragraph, it made it a tad confusing. There's not a lot of twists or surprises either. The second half of the book was much better.
I would like to thank #NetGaalley #AvfonBooksUk and the author #AmandaRobson for my ARC of #TheUnwelcomeGuest in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2021
The unwelcome guest is centred around a family. We have the wife Saffron the husband Miles the nanny Hayley the mother in law Caprice and Caprice's other son Aiden. Now if you feel you have family drama this book will make any family seek perfect in comparison. Caprice hates Saffron and the feelings mutual. Miles idealises his mother and she him, Aidens in love eith Saffron and Hayley love Miles. Right alot and that isn't even a summary of the book but you get the picture its a jot mess.
So throughout this book I wondered who the unwelcome guest was the assumption was it would be the nanny nut then it felt like Caprice as she moved herself in but what about Aiden. My mind had to hive up as I felt at one point or another everyone was unwelcome.
The storyline is a bit tricky to explain without telling the entire plot. Saffron seems to be the one who has the most people against her yet she was my favourite character even up to the last chapter.
Miles isn't above able character barely likeable for me. He just seems ridiculous naive and I just can't believe a grown mN could be . Caprice is halirious from my point of view as a reader so I loved her. Siddn adds nothing. Hayley is just as naive as Milles but she is only 18.
If you have read my darling you will know how Amanda Robson likes to layout her prose. So we have each character having a short chapter and often another person there will pick up the end of that chapter. I love the way this made me a tad confused when I started trying to work out who everyone was. Once I sorted that out though it was easy to keep up.
It's a twisty rollockaster of a book and honestly expected the odd twist but this book is full of them and j loved it.
I would recommend the unwelcome guest I would so recommend that you make it toast the first 25% as if gets much better.
Rate 3/5 thanks to netgalley the author Amanda Ribskn and Avon harper Collins publishers for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
So throughout this book I wondered who the unwelcome guest was the assumption was it would be the nanny nut then it felt like Caprice as she moved herself in but what about Aiden. My mind had to hive up as I felt at one point or another everyone was unwelcome.
The storyline is a bit tricky to explain without telling the entire plot. Saffron seems to be the one who has the most people against her yet she was my favourite character even up to the last chapter.
Miles isn't above able character barely likeable for me. He just seems ridiculous naive and I just can't believe a grown mN could be . Caprice is halirious from my point of view as a reader so I loved her. Siddn adds nothing. Hayley is just as naive as Milles but she is only 18.
If you have read my darling you will know how Amanda Robson likes to layout her prose. So we have each character having a short chapter and often another person there will pick up the end of that chapter. I love the way this made me a tad confused when I started trying to work out who everyone was. Once I sorted that out though it was easy to keep up.
It's a twisty rollockaster of a book and honestly expected the odd twist but this book is full of them and j loved it.
I would recommend the unwelcome guest I would so recommend that you make it toast the first 25% as if gets much better.
Rate 3/5 thanks to netgalley the author Amanda Ribskn and Avon harper Collins publishers for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
July 25, 2021
Unfortunately, I did not like the writing style, not the characters either. Characters: She - beautiful, smart, perfect, nice name, he - a joke man, the nanny - trying so hard her young body magic on him and the hell mother in law.
This review is not intended to change your mind if you want to read the book, it wasn't for me, that's all.
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the book.
This review is not intended to change your mind if you want to read the book, it wasn't for me, that's all.
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the book.
June 16, 2021
The Unwelcome Guest was a psychological thriller about the lives of Saffron and Miles, who are completely in love with each other, happily married and have two adorable little boys. The only problem is that Caprice, who is Mile's mother, is way way too much in the picture and she not only can't stand Saffron, but to top it off, she lives with them! She wants to do anything she can to get them to break up so Miles can find someone more "appropriate" to be with. Then, throw Aiden, Mile's brother (who secretly adores Saffron), along with their beautiful new nanny Hayley (who ogles and dreams about handsome Miles) in the picture and the story becomes completely cray cray. Caprice gets to manipulate to her hearts desire and let the games begin!
I did like the way Robson wrote from each character's point of view. It made the story more interesting and brought it to life to know how each person was feeling as things were progressing. There were some twists and turns in the mix which I did enjoy. Robson is good at throwing those in, and I love that about her writing style in her books! 3.5⭐rounded up to 4⭐.
I would like to thank #NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my eARC for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I did like the way Robson wrote from each character's point of view. It made the story more interesting and brought it to life to know how each person was feeling as things were progressing. There were some twists and turns in the mix which I did enjoy. Robson is good at throwing those in, and I love that about her writing style in her books! 3.5⭐rounded up to 4⭐.
I would like to thank #NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my eARC for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
No one does bonkers like Amanda Robson. Period. I discovered her last year with My Darling and immediately became a fan. That one was totally insane and while The Unwelcome Guest didn’t reach that level of craziness it was still a really enjoyable read.
I’m sure if you asked a large group of people who would they consider the most undesirable guest more than half would say their mother-in-law. Although in this case the most appropriate term would be monster-in-law, cause Caprice is the mother-in-law from hell! She’s quite a handful! And if you don’t believe me ask Saffron, her long suffering daughter-in-law (she’s not a saint either!). And as it happens in every battle, it can only remain one. Who will win this war?
I love to read these mother/daughter-in-law hate stories and all the crazy things they do to one another cause I always think they’re no that far from reality.
Told through lots of POVs (I think there were 5), it works really well in portraying the really toxic environment inside that house. The characters have different levels of unlikeability but at the same time you can’t help but root for some of them. Things didn’t stop happening during the whole story but I felt some conflicts were resolved way too quickly.
The changing POVs, sometimes in the same paragraph, made it a bit confusing at times and called for some re-reading. I don’t know if it was just an ARC issue or it was the same in the finished version.
Overall, a really fun and OTT story with some crazy characters, especially Caprice, that made a fantastic beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
No one does bonkers like Amanda Robson. Period. I discovered her last year with My Darling and immediately became a fan. That one was totally insane and while The Unwelcome Guest didn’t reach that level of craziness it was still a really enjoyable read.
I’m sure if you asked a large group of people who would they consider the most undesirable guest more than half would say their mother-in-law. Although in this case the most appropriate term would be monster-in-law, cause Caprice is the mother-in-law from hell! She’s quite a handful! And if you don’t believe me ask Saffron, her long suffering daughter-in-law (she’s not a saint either!). And as it happens in every battle, it can only remain one. Who will win this war?
I love to read these mother/daughter-in-law hate stories and all the crazy things they do to one another cause I always think they’re no that far from reality.
Told through lots of POVs (I think there were 5), it works really well in portraying the really toxic environment inside that house. The characters have different levels of unlikeability but at the same time you can’t help but root for some of them. Things didn’t stop happening during the whole story but I felt some conflicts were resolved way too quickly.
The changing POVs, sometimes in the same paragraph, made it a bit confusing at times and called for some re-reading. I don’t know if it was just an ARC issue or it was the same in the finished version.
Overall, a really fun and OTT story with some crazy characters, especially Caprice, that made a fantastic beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 15, 2021Unwelcome guest indeed. To be honest, Caprice would have been told to get out of my house within a week, I'm not sure anyone would have tolerated her.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this. The way it was written, in short, sharp bursts, was jarring, and I found the style of addressing someone as if in letter format condescending and a bit far-fetched.
It may appeal to some but wasn't my cup of tea. Thanks to NetGalley, the author a and publisher for the ARC.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this. The way it was written, in short, sharp bursts, was jarring, and I found the style of addressing someone as if in letter format condescending and a bit far-fetched.
It may appeal to some but wasn't my cup of tea. Thanks to NetGalley, the author a and publisher for the ARC.
August 28, 2021
I loved this audiobook!
Distinguished characters and excellent narrators to go with them, with many twists and turns to keep me engaged and constantly guessing the whole time too.
I love an audiobook that uses the narration to give clear separation with each POV, and this did it perfectly. I followed the story effortlessly.
The plot twists were strong but not mind-blowing, and whilst I did really enjoy it, I am just unsure how memorable the book will be in a few months time.
Distinguished characters and excellent narrators to go with them, with many twists and turns to keep me engaged and constantly guessing the whole time too.
I love an audiobook that uses the narration to give clear separation with each POV, and this did it perfectly. I followed the story effortlessly.
The plot twists were strong but not mind-blowing, and whilst I did really enjoy it, I am just unsure how memorable the book will be in a few months time.
August 26, 2021
The Unwelcome Guest, Amanda Robson's latest novel shares what it feels like to live with the mother-in-law from hell. I have to say, that my mother-in-law was a loving and accepting person and I hope her example has paid off in my relationship with my daughter-in-law. Saffron’s mother-in-law, Caprice, really wants to stir the pot in her son and daughter-in-law’s marriage. For whatever reason, she despises her daughter-in-law, and will do whatever it takes to destroy the marriage between Miles, the son she loves, and Saffron. Caprice believes that Saffron is too career-driven and doesn’t devote as much time as she should to her family. She was a stay at home mom and raised Miles and his brother Aiden without nannies or working outside the home. When the story begins we meet the bitter Caprice, shortly after she has moved into the family home from the annex that had been built for her. She wants to be involved in her grandson's life and also be able to see what is happening between Miles and Saffron. When a new nanny is hired, Hayley from New Zealand, Caprice figures out how she can use her to drive a wedge between her son and his wife. She also uses Aiden, her younger son to stir up trouble. Oh, she is a devious one. As I read on, I had no idea how things were going to end up for Saffron and her husband, Miles. Would Saffron’s mother-in-law succeed in getting what she wanted?
I enjoy a thriller that has short, quick chapters. The one more chapter lover in me just kept going and going. Of course this also builds tension as we see the reactions from each of the characters. This is definitely a character driven psychological thriller. I could feel Saffron’s frustration as she tried to form a relationship with Caprice for Miles’s sake. I got so frustrated when Caprice undermined Saffron's wishes for her children. The characters were well developed and I could identify with their emotions and frustrations. There were times I wanted to slap Miles, for not believing Saffron and defending his mother, it gave a different meaning to the term "Mama's Boy" but I understand that he faced an impossible choice, and I had no idea what he was going to do. Caprice was deliciously evil in her actions. There were a few twists, but nothing unbelievable, and I read on eagerly to see what would happen next. All I will say is that I absolutely loved the ending of this one and I smiled as I put The Unwelcome Guest down.
The audiobook was performed by a full cast of narrators. I love how this adds to the enjoyment of the story by making it feel like I am right there watching the action unfold. Well done Avon Publishing. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
I enjoy a thriller that has short, quick chapters. The one more chapter lover in me just kept going and going. Of course this also builds tension as we see the reactions from each of the characters. This is definitely a character driven psychological thriller. I could feel Saffron’s frustration as she tried to form a relationship with Caprice for Miles’s sake. I got so frustrated when Caprice undermined Saffron's wishes for her children. The characters were well developed and I could identify with their emotions and frustrations. There were times I wanted to slap Miles, for not believing Saffron and defending his mother, it gave a different meaning to the term "Mama's Boy" but I understand that he faced an impossible choice, and I had no idea what he was going to do. Caprice was deliciously evil in her actions. There were a few twists, but nothing unbelievable, and I read on eagerly to see what would happen next. All I will say is that I absolutely loved the ending of this one and I smiled as I put The Unwelcome Guest down.
The audiobook was performed by a full cast of narrators. I love how this adds to the enjoyment of the story by making it feel like I am right there watching the action unfold. Well done Avon Publishing. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
October 5, 2021
What a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive. That line kept running through my head as I read this book, because it really is so true. Secrets, betrayals, lies … nothing good can come from that stuff, and this novel is a case in point!
This is written from the viewpoints of:
Miles - doting mother’s boy, husband, pushover and father of two
Saffron - Miles’ wife, vegan, owner of a law firm and mother of before-mentioned two
Candice - Miles’ widowed mother (and thus, Saffron’s mother-in-law)
Aiden - Miles’ brother, motivated by money and deeply in love with his brother’s wife, and
Hayley - The family’s beautiful young nanny.
Except for Aiden, though he’s often around, they all live together in a gorgeous mansion. When Miles’ father died, Candice moved in with her son and his wife. The only problem is that she’s the mother-in-law from hell. She has never liked Saffron, and the feeling is mutual. Saffron was never good enough for Candice, and over the years, the elder woman seemed to constantly be finding things to hate about her daughter-in-law.
After too much time and closeness, everyone is at a breaking point - and that’s when things go from bad to unimaginably horrible. Through manipulation and lies, Candice is ready to get her way and rid her son of Saffron, no matter what it takes. The only problem is that Miles is infatuated with his wife, so some of her plans get thwarted. She always tries again though…she’ll try until her dying day.
This book has some soap opera/V.C. Andrews vibes; it was written quite simply and perhaps a bit dramatically. Other than that, I thought this was a great one. There are several storylines, several points of view and several twists. It’s not a brilliant book, but it’s definitely an entertaining book. I’m giving it 4/5 stars and would recommend it for an easy, slightly trashy read.
(I’d like to thank Avon Books, Amanda Robson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
This is written from the viewpoints of:
Miles - doting mother’s boy, husband, pushover and father of two
Saffron - Miles’ wife, vegan, owner of a law firm and mother of before-mentioned two
Candice - Miles’ widowed mother (and thus, Saffron’s mother-in-law)
Aiden - Miles’ brother, motivated by money and deeply in love with his brother’s wife, and
Hayley - The family’s beautiful young nanny.
Except for Aiden, though he’s often around, they all live together in a gorgeous mansion. When Miles’ father died, Candice moved in with her son and his wife. The only problem is that she’s the mother-in-law from hell. She has never liked Saffron, and the feeling is mutual. Saffron was never good enough for Candice, and over the years, the elder woman seemed to constantly be finding things to hate about her daughter-in-law.
After too much time and closeness, everyone is at a breaking point - and that’s when things go from bad to unimaginably horrible. Through manipulation and lies, Candice is ready to get her way and rid her son of Saffron, no matter what it takes. The only problem is that Miles is infatuated with his wife, so some of her plans get thwarted. She always tries again though…she’ll try until her dying day.
This book has some soap opera/V.C. Andrews vibes; it was written quite simply and perhaps a bit dramatically. Other than that, I thought this was a great one. There are several storylines, several points of view and several twists. It’s not a brilliant book, but it’s definitely an entertaining book. I’m giving it 4/5 stars and would recommend it for an easy, slightly trashy read.
(I’d like to thank Avon Books, Amanda Robson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
May 25, 2021
This was a fast-paced, albeit somewhat predictable read. It centers on Saffron, who is married to the man of her dreams and has 2 young kids, but her mother-in-law Caprice has recently moved in and is making her life very difficult. Caprice hates Saffron and will stop at nothing to break up her marriage. We are also introduced to the new nanny, Hailey, who has malicious thoughts of her own. The POVs shift between the 3 of these characters as well as Saffron's husband and brother-in-law.
The pacing of the book was fast and there was lots of action, but there were a few things that didn't work for me. Each chapter was written addressing the person they were talking about, which I found to be an odd writing style. Instead of "I watched Saffron do xyz", it was "I watched YOU do xyz". Also, sometimes the POV changed mid-chapter, which was jarring and confusing (I am hoping that this is because it was an ARC and will be cleaned up_). Lastly, I never truly understood why Caprice hated Saffron so much, and didn't find all of the loose ends tied up at the end of the book.
This being said, I did enjoy the story and I read late into the night to see what ended up happening. Though I found the culmination of the story to be somewhat predictable, I was able to prove my guesses right, which is satisfying in its own way. The story doesn't stand out a lot against similar books in this crowded genre, but was still a fun read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The pacing of the book was fast and there was lots of action, but there were a few things that didn't work for me. Each chapter was written addressing the person they were talking about, which I found to be an odd writing style. Instead of "I watched Saffron do xyz", it was "I watched YOU do xyz". Also, sometimes the POV changed mid-chapter, which was jarring and confusing (I am hoping that this is because it was an ARC and will be cleaned up_). Lastly, I never truly understood why Caprice hated Saffron so much, and didn't find all of the loose ends tied up at the end of the book.
This being said, I did enjoy the story and I read late into the night to see what ended up happening. Though I found the culmination of the story to be somewhat predictable, I was able to prove my guesses right, which is satisfying in its own way. The story doesn't stand out a lot against similar books in this crowded genre, but was still a fun read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2021
The Unwelcome Guest was quite the page turner.
Saffron and her husband Miles have welcomed Miles' mother, Caprice, to live with them in their home. However, Caprice has never much cared for Saffron and has always thought she wasn't good enough for her son. In an effort to relieve some of the tension in the house, Saffron hires a nanny named Hayley to watch her 2 young sons, Ben and Harry. Hayley then finds herself starting to have feelings for Miles. Caprice quickly recognizes this and encourages Haley to act upon her feelings for Miles as soon as possible.
This was my first Amanda Robson book and I highly enjoyed it. I liked the short chapters and that it was told in multiple points of view. The character of Caprice is the perfect villain and the worst mother-in-law imaginable! This was a twisty tale of deceit and deception that kept me fully engaged throughout. I would highly recommend this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Saffron and her husband Miles have welcomed Miles' mother, Caprice, to live with them in their home. However, Caprice has never much cared for Saffron and has always thought she wasn't good enough for her son. In an effort to relieve some of the tension in the house, Saffron hires a nanny named Hayley to watch her 2 young sons, Ben and Harry. Hayley then finds herself starting to have feelings for Miles. Caprice quickly recognizes this and encourages Haley to act upon her feelings for Miles as soon as possible.
This was my first Amanda Robson book and I highly enjoyed it. I liked the short chapters and that it was told in multiple points of view. The character of Caprice is the perfect villain and the worst mother-in-law imaginable! This was a twisty tale of deceit and deception that kept me fully engaged throughout. I would highly recommend this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2021
You wouldn’t know to look at Saffron and Miles that everything is NOT perfect. He’s gorgeous, a lecturer, and a doting husband and father to their two boys. She’s gorgeous, a lawyer, and a great mother. They live in an opulent home in a great neighbourhood. So what’s wrong?
Caprice. She’s what’s wrong. The 68-year-old mother-in-law from Hell resides with Saffron and Miles. She was supposed to live in the annex…but she’s wiggled her way into their daily lives.
Initially, I was all in for this bonkers book. I laughed and giggled and …. then it wasn’t funny any more. The whole novel is about Caprice’s vindictive and manipulative plotting. It was entertaining, don’t get me wrong, but when there isn’t a clear reason for Caprice’s actions other than she doesn’t like her daughter-in-law IN ADDITION TO her son, who chooses to stick his head in the sand, it’s just pages of malicious and devious behaviour. You can imagine what happens when a gorgeous, young nanny is quickly hired and becomes fodder for Caprice’s agenda.
I did like the short chapters and the 1st person POV because it made it more intense, especially when the narration discussed other characters in the 3rd person perspective. Interestingly executed.
Filled with fantastically unlikeable characters attempting unrealistic actions, this was an amusing and quick read, but it offered nothing new in the crazy mother-in-law genre. Please investigate the other reviews before deciding on this book; it looks like 50-50 at a month left to publication.
I received this advance copy from Amanda Robson, Avon Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Caprice. She’s what’s wrong. The 68-year-old mother-in-law from Hell resides with Saffron and Miles. She was supposed to live in the annex…but she’s wiggled her way into their daily lives.
Initially, I was all in for this bonkers book. I laughed and giggled and …. then it wasn’t funny any more. The whole novel is about Caprice’s vindictive and manipulative plotting. It was entertaining, don’t get me wrong, but when there isn’t a clear reason for Caprice’s actions other than she doesn’t like her daughter-in-law IN ADDITION TO her son, who chooses to stick his head in the sand, it’s just pages of malicious and devious behaviour. You can imagine what happens when a gorgeous, young nanny is quickly hired and becomes fodder for Caprice’s agenda.
I did like the short chapters and the 1st person POV because it made it more intense, especially when the narration discussed other characters in the 3rd person perspective. Interestingly executed.
Filled with fantastically unlikeable characters attempting unrealistic actions, this was an amusing and quick read, but it offered nothing new in the crazy mother-in-law genre. Please investigate the other reviews before deciding on this book; it looks like 50-50 at a month left to publication.
I received this advance copy from Amanda Robson, Avon Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 24, 2021
Enjoyable thriller. I try to suspend my disbelief with these sorts of books, and this in particular requested I do so pretty early on because it became a bit silly towards the end. The mother-in-law from hell is a brilliant troupe for a novel, and Amanda Robson injects more than enough spite and venom into the woman in question.
July 5, 2021
The Unwelcome Guest is a fast read even though I wasn’t enjoying the whole Saffron and mother-in-law hating each other through the whole entire story. Saffron’s hubby Miles is oblivious to everything and anything his mother is doing. Looking forward to more books by Amanda Robson. This one for me didn’t quite do it for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
August 22, 2021
This book was a good, solid read. Nothing particularly to write home about, but not unlikeable.
The complicated web of characters was something to get your head around for sure. There is Wife 1 married to Husband 1, whose ex girlfriend works for Wife 1 and was married to husband 1's brother. Then there is the MIL and the nanny, and the two kids in the middle. None of these characters were at all likeable, they all had their own agendas and their own egos.
It was a trope seen many times before, but it was written well, all be it sometimes a little confusing as it switched between characters' narratives. I think the plot worked well and we got to delve into some very interesting family dynamics. The MIL was just something else, constantly chipping away at Wife 1's sanity! I mean, rooting for Husband 1 and the new nanny - conspiring to make that a thing?? Who does that... to their own son! Anywho, a quick enjoyable read, one I probably won't read again but glad I read it.
Recommended for fans of domestic suspense, complex family dynamics and an easy to read time passer.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
Thank you to AvonUK for my copy of this one.
The complicated web of characters was something to get your head around for sure. There is Wife 1 married to Husband 1, whose ex girlfriend works for Wife 1 and was married to husband 1's brother. Then there is the MIL and the nanny, and the two kids in the middle. None of these characters were at all likeable, they all had their own agendas and their own egos.
It was a trope seen many times before, but it was written well, all be it sometimes a little confusing as it switched between characters' narratives. I think the plot worked well and we got to delve into some very interesting family dynamics. The MIL was just something else, constantly chipping away at Wife 1's sanity! I mean, rooting for Husband 1 and the new nanny - conspiring to make that a thing?? Who does that... to their own son! Anywho, a quick enjoyable read, one I probably won't read again but glad I read it.
Recommended for fans of domestic suspense, complex family dynamics and an easy to read time passer.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
Thank you to AvonUK for my copy of this one.
September 13, 2021
This could have been a great book, and I’m sure it is for a lot of readers, but sadly it wasn’t for me. Don’t get me wrong, it entertained me on some level, it just wasn’t as good as I thought it could be.
What I liked is, that it’s really fast-paced and for that a quick read. I was rushing through the pages and at some points couldn’t put it down. It wasn’t boring at all.
What I dislike, and that by far, were the characters. I didn’t get what Caprice’s reasoning was behind hating Saffron so much, except she just didn’t like her. Miles was so dense and brainless that he didn’t seem to get all the horrible things his mother did to his wife. They were all loathsome. And there were so many secrets and so much drama in this house, I would’ve gone crazy.
What I liked is, that it’s really fast-paced and for that a quick read. I was rushing through the pages and at some points couldn’t put it down. It wasn’t boring at all.
What I dislike, and that by far, were the characters. I didn’t get what Caprice’s reasoning was behind hating Saffron so much, except she just didn’t like her. Miles was so dense and brainless that he didn’t seem to get all the horrible things his mother did to his wife. They were all loathsome. And there were so many secrets and so much drama in this house, I would’ve gone crazy.
May 24, 2021
The guest was unwelcome but unfortunately the writing style was a bit unwelcome too.
The story is about Saffron, a successful, albeit a bit too perfect, attorney and her lovely family. Her witch of a mother in law is living with them indefinitely and seems to be out for her. Her husband doesn’t know who to support, her brother in law sexually harasses her and the new nanny has the hots for her husband. The rest of the book is about this becoming an even hotter mess.
It sounds like I didn’t like this book and that’s not totally fair. The second half was a quick read and I definitely wanted to know what happened. I think the challenge is more around the amount of books in the market right now that are similar. Compared to that pool, this just wasn’t my favorite. The perspectives are hard to follow, the evil characters are over the top bad and the plot was a bit too predictable.
Big thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC.
The story is about Saffron, a successful, albeit a bit too perfect, attorney and her lovely family. Her witch of a mother in law is living with them indefinitely and seems to be out for her. Her husband doesn’t know who to support, her brother in law sexually harasses her and the new nanny has the hots for her husband. The rest of the book is about this becoming an even hotter mess.
It sounds like I didn’t like this book and that’s not totally fair. The second half was a quick read and I definitely wanted to know what happened. I think the challenge is more around the amount of books in the market right now that are similar. Compared to that pool, this just wasn’t my favorite. The perspectives are hard to follow, the evil characters are over the top bad and the plot was a bit too predictable.
Big thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC.
August 23, 2021
Well I absolutely devoured this deliciously devious domestic thriller! I found it a wonderful introduction into the world of Amanda’s thrillers.
Multiple POV - ✅
Short and snappy chapters - ✅
Egotistical and deviously bonkers characters - in abundance!
It was so addictive and chilling. Take the MIL from hell, add a generous helping of her son and the DIL she hates, a splash of her other son (who used to be married to first son’s ex girlfriend and who works for DIL…) and a sprinkle of the son and DIL’s new attractive nanny and what do you get…? Hell breaking loose, that’s what. Not a likeable character among them, all scheming with their own agenda (which made the book work brilliantly) and as vile as Caprice was, I gotta respect the graft that woman put in to her schemes!!! She was nuts! I mean, who purposefully conspires to break up their son’s marriage and get him with the nanny?? Absolutely bonkers!
If you love family suspense and domestic drama, then you’ll love this. Would definitely recommend this fast and enjoyable read. You won’t be disappointed!
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK and the author for my gifted copy and the opportunity to take part in the blog tour.
Multiple POV - ✅
Short and snappy chapters - ✅
Egotistical and deviously bonkers characters - in abundance!
It was so addictive and chilling. Take the MIL from hell, add a generous helping of her son and the DIL she hates, a splash of her other son (who used to be married to first son’s ex girlfriend and who works for DIL…) and a sprinkle of the son and DIL’s new attractive nanny and what do you get…? Hell breaking loose, that’s what. Not a likeable character among them, all scheming with their own agenda (which made the book work brilliantly) and as vile as Caprice was, I gotta respect the graft that woman put in to her schemes!!! She was nuts! I mean, who purposefully conspires to break up their son’s marriage and get him with the nanny?? Absolutely bonkers!
If you love family suspense and domestic drama, then you’ll love this. Would definitely recommend this fast and enjoyable read. You won’t be disappointed!
Huge thanks to Avon Books UK and the author for my gifted copy and the opportunity to take part in the blog tour.
August 2, 2021
This is the most average thriller, I've ever read.
I've read so many thrillers with the 'Evil stepmother' trope, that at this point its quite boring and predictable to read.
I did like the short, easy to read chapters. It was definitely a quick read.
However, I didn't love the writing style. The sentences were very short, sharp and to the point. It was hard to get really engrossed in the story.
I often felt like I was reading a series of unconnected events, where not much thought was given to the plot as a whole.
None of the characters were likeable but I'm guessing that's the point of this book.
If you are looking for an easy to read thriller which doesn't require much attention then you'll probably like this thriller.
However, if you want a thriller full of shocks, twists and surprises this is not the thriller for you. The ending was quite predictable.
Overall, definitely not the best thriller I've ever read.
I've read so many thrillers with the 'Evil stepmother' trope, that at this point its quite boring and predictable to read.
I did like the short, easy to read chapters. It was definitely a quick read.
However, I didn't love the writing style. The sentences were very short, sharp and to the point. It was hard to get really engrossed in the story.
I often felt like I was reading a series of unconnected events, where not much thought was given to the plot as a whole.
None of the characters were likeable but I'm guessing that's the point of this book.
If you are looking for an easy to read thriller which doesn't require much attention then you'll probably like this thriller.
However, if you want a thriller full of shocks, twists and surprises this is not the thriller for you. The ending was quite predictable.
Overall, definitely not the best thriller I've ever read.
February 5, 2024
Saffron is happily married to Miles. They live the dream, successful jobs, a big house, two great kids. The only problem is that Saffron has to share her big house with her extremely difficult and unreasonable mother in law, Caprice. Throw a lusty nanny into the mix and a brother in law who’s madly in love with Saffron and you know it’s all about to kick off.
I tried to enjoy this one, I really did, but it was just too barmy for me.
Incredibly short chapters from different characters(some only half a page) all told in the second person narrative which meant you had to really concentrate to work out who they were addressing, and quite a basic plot badly stretched out meant this really wasn’t for me, despite my best efforts.
I tried to enjoy this one, I really did, but it was just too barmy for me.
Incredibly short chapters from different characters(some only half a page) all told in the second person narrative which meant you had to really concentrate to work out who they were addressing, and quite a basic plot badly stretched out meant this really wasn’t for me, despite my best efforts.
October 21, 2021
5/5 ⭐️
Woooow!!
Rich people drama. Shitty mother-in-laws, brothers who try to steal your wife… Murder. Hot dam this book packed all the punches with that.
It even had multiple povs, which I love in books. I love when thrillers have multiple povs so you can see the changes throughout the book through different people.
Woooow!!
Rich people drama. Shitty mother-in-laws, brothers who try to steal your wife… Murder. Hot dam this book packed all the punches with that.
It even had multiple povs, which I love in books. I love when thrillers have multiple povs so you can see the changes throughout the book through different people.
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