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The Family Holiday
Two families. One house swap. A vacation to die for.
I can’t believe my luck as I arrive at the beautiful, white-washed Italian villa. Complete with an infinity pool and stunning views, it’s the perfect place to create special memories with my family. But as soon as we step inside everything starts to go wrong…
When my neighbour from back home calls, concerned about the woman in my house – and the way she’s snooping about – I start to wonder why successful Amber Mason has swapped her gorgeous villa in the sun for a crumbling English cottage.
In the midday heat a shiver runs down my spine. I have no idea who the stranger I’ve let into my life really is.
Then I discover an old photograph of my handsome husband hidden in a wardrobe in the master bedroom. My head spins as I try to understand why it’s there. When I confront Niall on the balcony he has an answer for everything. As I search his familiar green eyes, with the sun setting in the background, I can no longer tell if he’s lying. I storm out.
But when I return to the villa, in the dark of night, I scream. My husband is lying dead on the veranda.
Memories of our marriage flash before our eyes. Was it all a lie? And are my children now in danger?
The vacation is over and the nightmare has just begun…
I can’t believe my luck as I arrive at the beautiful, white-washed Italian villa. Complete with an infinity pool and stunning views, it’s the perfect place to create special memories with my family. But as soon as we step inside everything starts to go wrong…
When my neighbour from back home calls, concerned about the woman in my house – and the way she’s snooping about – I start to wonder why successful Amber Mason has swapped her gorgeous villa in the sun for a crumbling English cottage.
In the midday heat a shiver runs down my spine. I have no idea who the stranger I’ve let into my life really is.
Then I discover an old photograph of my handsome husband hidden in a wardrobe in the master bedroom. My head spins as I try to understand why it’s there. When I confront Niall on the balcony he has an answer for everything. As I search his familiar green eyes, with the sun setting in the background, I can no longer tell if he’s lying. I storm out.
But when I return to the villa, in the dark of night, I scream. My husband is lying dead on the veranda.
Memories of our marriage flash before our eyes. Was it all a lie? And are my children now in danger?
The vacation is over and the nightmare has just begun…
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2022
4443 people are currently reading
4206 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
41 books3,431 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 762 reviews
March 29, 2022
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
A house swap gone wrong!
Remember the movie, “The Holiday”, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet? They exchange houses on opposite sides of the world for a holiday/vacation, and the swap is ultimately a success for both of them. Not here.
Beth and her family (including one PRICK of a husband who you will hate) decide to take a holiday from their house in the wintery UK, and swap houses with Amber and her family in sunny Italy. Amber’s house is much fancier, but Beth’s house is cozy. It should be a relaxing two weeks…and yet it’s anything BUT relaxing.
That’s all I’ll say, and you may not want to read the official blurb. It gives away something that doesn’t happen until you get to 70% (and the ARC ends at 92% as the rest contains ads for the author’s previous books).
That first 70% is amazing, suspenseful, and gripping! After that, the book loses steam…rushing to the finish line with OTT behavior and a wrap-up that isn’t completely satisfying.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. I’ll read anything Shalini Boland writes. I am a huge fan, and I always enjoy her work. I enjoyed this one too, but I really thought it had the potential to go a bit further than it ultimately did. I was gripped for the majority, and it’s easy to fly through this one.
P.S. Ignore that atrocious cover that has nothing to do with the plot.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 3/29/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
A house swap gone wrong!
Remember the movie, “The Holiday”, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet? They exchange houses on opposite sides of the world for a holiday/vacation, and the swap is ultimately a success for both of them. Not here.
Beth and her family (including one PRICK of a husband who you will hate) decide to take a holiday from their house in the wintery UK, and swap houses with Amber and her family in sunny Italy. Amber’s house is much fancier, but Beth’s house is cozy. It should be a relaxing two weeks…and yet it’s anything BUT relaxing.
That’s all I’ll say, and you may not want to read the official blurb. It gives away something that doesn’t happen until you get to 70% (and the ARC ends at 92% as the rest contains ads for the author’s previous books).
That first 70% is amazing, suspenseful, and gripping! After that, the book loses steam…rushing to the finish line with OTT behavior and a wrap-up that isn’t completely satisfying.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. I’ll read anything Shalini Boland writes. I am a huge fan, and I always enjoy her work. I enjoyed this one too, but I really thought it had the potential to go a bit further than it ultimately did. I was gripped for the majority, and it’s easy to fly through this one.
P.S. Ignore that atrocious cover that has nothing to do with the plot.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 3/29/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
March 29, 2022
In a Nutshell: I’ve never read this author’s works before but having heard so much about her, I somehow expected more. It’s a decent one-time read but I can’t call it a must-read. For a regular thriller reader, it will be highly predictable.
Story:
Where the book worked for me:
👌 It went by pretty fast. I completed it within a day. (Not bad for a 240 page novel.)
👌 I loved one of the secondary characters, Luciana. She seemed to be the only sensible one among all adults who have a major role to play in the plot.
👌 The book has multiple epilogues, the final epilogue is the best one. It is also the only part of the book that surprised me.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ That has got to be one of the worst blurbs I have ever read in my life. Who the heck would put such a major spoiler in a blurb – and that too, one of the few surprises in the book! The said character doesn’t die until the 72% mark.
❌ The cover has zero connection to the plot. Of the six children in the book, five are boys. The only girl doesn't have any scenes near even a swimming pool, forget about the open ocean.
❌ In a thriller, you always enjoy better if you feel the shock or pain of what a character is going through. And for this, you need to love, or at least like the characters. Of Beth, Niall, Amber and Renzo, not one of them created even a minor stirring of positive feeling in me. Beth was a spineless, hyper-agitated rambler who let everyone treat her like a doormat. Amber was a selfish b***h of the highest order. Renzo was too good to be true, thereby making it very clear that there was something fishy underneath that goody-goody façade. Niall was the worst of the lot, a control freak with his constant mental abuse and gaslighting of Beth. Thus, whenever anything bad happened to any of them, and especially to Niall, I felt more of satisfaction than sympathy for them.
❌ I'm so fed up of characters' phones dying out on them at crucial points in thrillers. Why can't anyone in the fictional world be more practical about charging their phones?
❌ There's a fair amount of repetition in the writing. This wasn’t something I had expected from an established writer.
❌ The story is quite predictable with very few major twists. Most are guessable as the shadiness in certain characters is made amply clear right from the start.
❌ There are too many coincidences. The silliest one was that Beth resembles Amber, and Niall resembles Renzo. *eye roll*
❌ The climax of the book (before the epilogues) is a damp squib. Maybe I should call it an "anti-climax” for that word suits it better. It’s over within a few paragraphs..
As I mentioned, this was my very first Shalini Boland thriller. So I have no idea of her general writing style. I might try a couple of books more by her before I decide if she is for me or not. But I have a feeling this book might not be liked except by the most ardent of her fans. That said, this book is highly rated on Goodreads, so yet again, I stand as an outlier. Please go through the other reviews before you make up your mind on this thriller.
2.75 stars from me.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Family Holiday”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
A WARNING FIRST: DON’T READ THE GOODREADS BLURB!!!!!
Two couples – Niall and Beth Kildare (from Dorset, UK), and Renzo and Amber Mason (British expats now residing on the Amalfi Coast in Italy) decide to house swap for a vacation. (Don’t get me started on the idea of house swaps!) When the Kildares arrive in Italy, their vacation starts off decently but soon devolves into a nightmare.
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Amber and Beth, and a third mysterious character whose brief and random interludes add a level of creepiness to the narrative.
Where the book worked for me:
👌 It went by pretty fast. I completed it within a day. (Not bad for a 240 page novel.)
👌 I loved one of the secondary characters, Luciana. She seemed to be the only sensible one among all adults who have a major role to play in the plot.
👌 The book has multiple epilogues, the final epilogue is the best one. It is also the only part of the book that surprised me.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ That has got to be one of the worst blurbs I have ever read in my life. Who the heck would put such a major spoiler in a blurb – and that too, one of the few surprises in the book! The said character doesn’t die until the 72% mark.
❌ The cover has zero connection to the plot. Of the six children in the book, five are boys. The only girl doesn't have any scenes near even a swimming pool, forget about the open ocean.
❌ In a thriller, you always enjoy better if you feel the shock or pain of what a character is going through. And for this, you need to love, or at least like the characters. Of Beth, Niall, Amber and Renzo, not one of them created even a minor stirring of positive feeling in me. Beth was a spineless, hyper-agitated rambler who let everyone treat her like a doormat. Amber was a selfish b***h of the highest order. Renzo was too good to be true, thereby making it very clear that there was something fishy underneath that goody-goody façade. Niall was the worst of the lot, a control freak with his constant mental abuse and gaslighting of Beth. Thus, whenever anything bad happened to any of them, and especially to Niall, I felt more of satisfaction than sympathy for them.
❌ I'm so fed up of characters' phones dying out on them at crucial points in thrillers. Why can't anyone in the fictional world be more practical about charging their phones?
❌ There's a fair amount of repetition in the writing. This wasn’t something I had expected from an established writer.
❌ The story is quite predictable with very few major twists. Most are guessable as the shadiness in certain characters is made amply clear right from the start.
❌ There are too many coincidences. The silliest one was that Beth resembles Amber, and Niall resembles Renzo. *eye roll*
❌ The climax of the book (before the epilogues) is a damp squib. Maybe I should call it an "anti-climax” for that word suits it better. It’s over within a few paragraphs..
As I mentioned, this was my very first Shalini Boland thriller. So I have no idea of her general writing style. I might try a couple of books more by her before I decide if she is for me or not. But I have a feeling this book might not be liked except by the most ardent of her fans. That said, this book is highly rated on Goodreads, so yet again, I stand as an outlier. Please go through the other reviews before you make up your mind on this thriller.
2.75 stars from me.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Family Holiday”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
March 30, 2022
3.5 stars.
Read my review here.
My review might contain some spoilers.
Despite of what I said on my blog review, the more I think of this book, the more I find plotholes and the characters annoying.
I picked up the pace of this book perhaps 10 chapters in. I did notice that the writing got repetitive, dull and boring at some point. And something that left me with a big ass ? on my face was the fact that we have a massive spoiler on the blurb, but what pissed me off the most was that said spoiler happened around 80% of the book, like.... the fuck??
Niall was fucking unbearable. 80% of his personality was "Beth, my job is important, could you please let me alone while I reply some e-mails during oUR VACATION TRIP?" and the last 20% was "oh my god, Beth, you're seeing thing where they're not. also, why'd you invite a total stranger to our swap house, I'll go out, bye". Fucking asshole.
He gaslighted her tHE ENTIRE PART OF THE TRIP AND THEN HE WAS BEGGING FOR HER FORGIVENESS, LMAO. FUCKING HYPOCRIT.
Oh, y'all can't say how mad I was with Niall for being an asshole. I was screaming at my phone everytime he appeared, which was constantly because Beth mentions him every single fucking timE. It's exhausting.
Beth had no personality. At all. She was so bland and so annoying as well. She can't fucking stand for herself. She's like "I wanna argue, but I don't wanna fight with my husband because I love him" or "I quit my dreams, but my husband is happy"
oH MY GOD, JUST GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK.
Also, the cover doesn't match the content of the book. There's just one little girl, but she's never near to the sea and there's no perfect murder. Why, you ask? Because it didn't make sense at all. Where the hell Luca came from? It was totally out of the blue because the only we have about him was a cat, and even that was mistaken.
Amber is a psycho. Holy shit. I can't stand her. She lies a lot and expect that her husband, Renzo, forgives her like she's innocent. Sis, you cheated to your husband, lmao, what were you expecting? That the sweet Renzo would forgive you and tell you everything was gonna be okay? Nope. Also, letting a "random" family get to your house with a dude that's obsessed with you (Amber) and kills one of them?
Idk about y'all, but this is so fucked up and has no sense at all.
Anyhow, I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either, so, yikes.
Gaslighter by The Chicks was made for Niall.
Read my review here.
My review might contain some spoilers.
Despite of what I said on my blog review, the more I think of this book, the more I find plotholes and the characters annoying.
I picked up the pace of this book perhaps 10 chapters in. I did notice that the writing got repetitive, dull and boring at some point. And something that left me with a big ass ? on my face was the fact that we have a massive spoiler on the blurb, but what pissed me off the most was that said spoiler happened around 80% of the book, like.... the fuck??
Niall was fucking unbearable. 80% of his personality was "Beth, my job is important, could you please let me alone while I reply some e-mails during oUR VACATION TRIP?" and the last 20% was "oh my god, Beth, you're seeing thing where they're not. also, why'd you invite a total stranger to our swap house, I'll go out, bye". Fucking asshole.
He gaslighted her tHE ENTIRE PART OF THE TRIP AND THEN HE WAS BEGGING FOR HER FORGIVENESS, LMAO. FUCKING HYPOCRIT.
Oh, y'all can't say how mad I was with Niall for being an asshole. I was screaming at my phone everytime he appeared, which was constantly because Beth mentions him every single fucking timE. It's exhausting.
Beth had no personality. At all. She was so bland and so annoying as well. She can't fucking stand for herself. She's like "I wanna argue, but I don't wanna fight with my husband because I love him" or "I quit my dreams, but my husband is happy"
oH MY GOD, JUST GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK.
Also, the cover doesn't match the content of the book. There's just one little girl, but she's never near to the sea and there's no perfect murder. Why, you ask? Because it didn't make sense at all. Where the hell Luca came from? It was totally out of the blue because the only we have about him was a cat, and even that was mistaken.
Amber is a psycho. Holy shit. I can't stand her. She lies a lot and expect that her husband, Renzo, forgives her like she's innocent. Sis, you cheated to your husband, lmao, what were you expecting? That the sweet Renzo would forgive you and tell you everything was gonna be okay? Nope. Also, letting a "random" family get to your house with a dude that's obsessed with you (Amber) and kills one of them?
Idk about y'all, but this is so fucked up and has no sense at all.
Anyhow, I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either, so, yikes.
Gaslighter by The Chicks was made for Niall.
March 27, 2022
“Secrets are power.” Secrets may also be deadly. What starts out as the perfect holiday, ends as the perfect murder. An idyllic Italian villa is the breathtaking setting for a dreamlike family vacation. The house swap appears to have worked out providing the perfect getaway. Things quickly take a sinister turn, and the spacious villa becomes a cold, unwelcoming nightmare. This is an original thriller that I couldn’t put down. Shalini Boland expertly crafts a twisty ride that is a perfect combination of suspense, intrigue with twists I never saw coming. I have enjoyed all of Shalini Boland’s thrillers and this is another page turner that I definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 9, 2022
What a tangled web this book was! I could not put it down. I enjoyed the flow of the story and how it all connected in the end. Just when I thought I knew where it was going BAM another plot twist. I thought it ended kind of abruptly. I would have liked to see things play out a little bit longer.
Beth and her husband Niall are desperate for a family vacation. They are delighted to find a house swapping site and immediately jump at the opportunity. They trade their English cottage with Amber Mason and her family’s for their Italian villa. Things began going wrong from the moment that Beth and her family started their trip. They couldn’t find the car left for them. There was no food in the house. Eventually things escalate and Beth wonders who Amber really is and why are they in her home?
Secrets come back to haunt and destroy both families. This will definitely be a vacation they won’t soon forget.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Beth and her husband Niall are desperate for a family vacation. They are delighted to find a house swapping site and immediately jump at the opportunity. They trade their English cottage with Amber Mason and her family’s for their Italian villa. Things began going wrong from the moment that Beth and her family started their trip. They couldn’t find the car left for them. There was no food in the house. Eventually things escalate and Beth wonders who Amber really is and why are they in her home?
Secrets come back to haunt and destroy both families. This will definitely be a vacation they won’t soon forget.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
March 9, 2022
It's been years since British couple Beth and Niall Kildare and their two children have had a family holiday. Niall is always too busy with his work as a popular fantasy novel writer, either working on his next book, attending book signings or writers festivals. Trained chef Beth is a stay at home mum who has had to put her dreams of opening her own restaurant on hold to support Niall's career and raise their children so when Niall suggests a house swap with a family on the Amalfi coast Beth is surprised, but delighted to agree. She's surprised that the Mason family in Italy would want to swap their beautiful showcase home with a pool for the Killdares' cosy little Dorset cottage, but Amber and Renzo Mason are originally from England and say they want to introduce their children to their home country. Beth still feels she is getting the better part of the deal, however, the swap turns out not to be the dream holiday she was imagining that would reignite her marriage.
Shalini Boland can always be relied on to write an entertaining twisty mystery with characters hiding secrets from each other and this mostly fits that bill. Niall has to be one of the most odious husbands I’ve come across in a family mystery, and Beth one of the most pathetically forgiving of women. Niall is a complete jerk with his moods, tantrums, coercive behaviour and complete disregard for his wife and children so why Beth is still with him is a complete mystery to me. I mostly enjoyed the mystery and suspense of the novel but was disappointed that the overall plot and the way some of the final events played out were a tad too contrived. The final twist was definitely over the top, but I did enjoy it in an evil sort of way. 3.5★
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
Shalini Boland can always be relied on to write an entertaining twisty mystery with characters hiding secrets from each other and this mostly fits that bill. Niall has to be one of the most odious husbands I’ve come across in a family mystery, and Beth one of the most pathetically forgiving of women. Niall is a complete jerk with his moods, tantrums, coercive behaviour and complete disregard for his wife and children so why Beth is still with him is a complete mystery to me. I mostly enjoyed the mystery and suspense of the novel but was disappointed that the overall plot and the way some of the final events played out were a tad too contrived. The final twist was definitely over the top, but I did enjoy it in an evil sort of way. 3.5★
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
July 18, 2022
If you want a quick and twisty read for the weekend, this is the book for you. Beth Kildare and Amber Mason both need a vacation. The two families decide to swap houses after "discovering" each other on a vacation site. One might think the Kildare family is getting the better deal with a warm, sunny villa on the Amalfi coast as their destination. The Mason family, by contrast, will be staying in a small English village -- in April. Don't forget to pack extra jumpers, Amber. The narrative gives us the perspectives of Beth and Amber in irregular intervals. There is also an unnamed and desperate narrator interjecting bits here and there. It was a page-turner that I had difficulty putting down. The ending was for the most part satisfying and a bit terrifying. I am up for another Shalini Bond title in the future. Let me know if there is one you recommend.
March 7, 2022
Another outstanding psychological thriller by Shalini Boland.
I’m always excited when I see that Shalini Boland has a new book out. In THE FAMILY HOLIDAY, two families decide to do a house swap for a holiday. One family lives in an English cottage, the other in an Italian villa. Amber is annoyed by one of Beth’s nosy neighbors snooping around and knocking on Beth’s door every other minute while Amber and her family are trying to enjoy their relaxing vacation in their house swap. Beth is married to Niall, a popular fantasy writer who has grown distant from her and their children and quite frankly acts like a jerk, ignoring Beth and the kids and pushing all the parenting duties onto her so he can have private time. Beth finds something in Amber’s house that leads her to believe there could be a connection between Amber and Niall. Niall denies it. Creepy things begin happening to the family in Italy. I was on the edge of my seat reading. Then, (and this is all included in the blurb, so not a spoiler), Niall turns up dead. Shalini Boland always has deliciously dark characters and twists that surprise me and this was no exception. I loved the way the surprises kept coming all the way to the last page!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Bookouture and NetGalley for review purposes.
I’m always excited when I see that Shalini Boland has a new book out. In THE FAMILY HOLIDAY, two families decide to do a house swap for a holiday. One family lives in an English cottage, the other in an Italian villa. Amber is annoyed by one of Beth’s nosy neighbors snooping around and knocking on Beth’s door every other minute while Amber and her family are trying to enjoy their relaxing vacation in their house swap. Beth is married to Niall, a popular fantasy writer who has grown distant from her and their children and quite frankly acts like a jerk, ignoring Beth and the kids and pushing all the parenting duties onto her so he can have private time. Beth finds something in Amber’s house that leads her to believe there could be a connection between Amber and Niall. Niall denies it. Creepy things begin happening to the family in Italy. I was on the edge of my seat reading. Then, (and this is all included in the blurb, so not a spoiler), Niall turns up dead. Shalini Boland always has deliciously dark characters and twists that surprise me and this was no exception. I loved the way the surprises kept coming all the way to the last page!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Bookouture and NetGalley for review purposes.
March 31, 2022
The Family Holiday by Shalini Boland is a thriller novel. The story in The Family Holiday is one that is told by changing the point of view mainly between two of the characters but also with an unknown voice occasionally. There is also a one year time jump at the end of the story.
Beth has always wanted her husband Niall to agree to a family vacation so when Niall begins to look into house swapping Beth can’t protest despite her doubts. The idea of someone else being in their home while they are away does worry Beth but the idea of the perfect family holiday is so much more tempting.
When Beth and Niall find the perfect Italian home listed as a house swap they can’t believe their luck when their offer is accepted. Beth and Amber coordinate details and the trip is arranged but things just seem off right from the start of the perfect Italian holiday.
Shalini Boland is an author that I have read many times before and when seeing a new book like The Family Holiday I don’t bother with details and just dive right in. As with every time before the book grabs me immediately upon reading and I can’t seem to put it down. Being a thriller read I of course expect there to be twists and turns along the way and again I was not disappointed when I got there. Another solid effort by this author that I will continue to return to.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Beth has always wanted her husband Niall to agree to a family vacation so when Niall begins to look into house swapping Beth can’t protest despite her doubts. The idea of someone else being in their home while they are away does worry Beth but the idea of the perfect family holiday is so much more tempting.
When Beth and Niall find the perfect Italian home listed as a house swap they can’t believe their luck when their offer is accepted. Beth and Amber coordinate details and the trip is arranged but things just seem off right from the start of the perfect Italian holiday.
Shalini Boland is an author that I have read many times before and when seeing a new book like The Family Holiday I don’t bother with details and just dive right in. As with every time before the book grabs me immediately upon reading and I can’t seem to put it down. Being a thriller read I of course expect there to be twists and turns along the way and again I was not disappointed when I got there. Another solid effort by this author that I will continue to return to.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 20, 2022
I can always count on author Shalini Boland to supply an exciting read and this was no exception. Interesting characters, decent plot and plenty of suspense make this a very enjoyable read.
Two families agree to swap homes so that they can each enjoy an holiday. Beth, Niall and her two boys are holidaying in a beautiful Italian villa with pool, sun and picturesque views while Amber, Lorenzo and family appear to have drawn the short straw by holidaying in Beth’s English cottage.
Beth is looking forward to a well deserved holiday but after an awkward start things only get worse. She discovers an old photograph of her husband in one of the wardrobes in the villa which has Beth scratching her head. Husband Niall’s mood is very strange and denies any knowledge of knowing Amber or her family. Tempers rise and it is only a matter of time before they have a full blown row occurs while having a meal out. Niall storms off but when Beth returns to the villa she discovers her husband lying dead on the veranda. What has happened and why?
An exciting read that is a page turner. Lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Two families agree to swap homes so that they can each enjoy an holiday. Beth, Niall and her two boys are holidaying in a beautiful Italian villa with pool, sun and picturesque views while Amber, Lorenzo and family appear to have drawn the short straw by holidaying in Beth’s English cottage.
Beth is looking forward to a well deserved holiday but after an awkward start things only get worse. She discovers an old photograph of her husband in one of the wardrobes in the villa which has Beth scratching her head. Husband Niall’s mood is very strange and denies any knowledge of knowing Amber or her family. Tempers rise and it is only a matter of time before they have a full blown row occurs while having a meal out. Niall storms off but when Beth returns to the villa she discovers her husband lying dead on the veranda. What has happened and why?
An exciting read that is a page turner. Lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I can't believe my luck as I arrive at the white-washed Italian villa. Complete with infinity pool and stunning views, the perfect place to create special memories with my family. But as soon as we step inside, everything starts to go wrong.
Two families agree to house swap. Beth, Naill and their two sons swap their country cottage in Dorset, England with Amber, Renzo and their two children for a huge state of the art villa in Italy. Once I had opened my kindle and started reading, I couldn't put it back down. I was immediately hooked. Both couples have secrets, I did not like Naill, Beth's husband, he was mean and selfish. Things start going wrong from the minute they enter the villa. The twists kept coming in this fast paced domestic suspense thriller. The story is told from Beth and Amber's point of view. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, this is another fantastic read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheFamilyHoliday in exchange for an honest review.
I can't believe my luck as I arrive at the white-washed Italian villa. Complete with infinity pool and stunning views, the perfect place to create special memories with my family. But as soon as we step inside, everything starts to go wrong.
Two families agree to house swap. Beth, Naill and their two sons swap their country cottage in Dorset, England with Amber, Renzo and their two children for a huge state of the art villa in Italy. Once I had opened my kindle and started reading, I couldn't put it back down. I was immediately hooked. Both couples have secrets, I did not like Naill, Beth's husband, he was mean and selfish. Things start going wrong from the minute they enter the villa. The twists kept coming in this fast paced domestic suspense thriller. The story is told from Beth and Amber's point of view. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, this is another fantastic read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #ShaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheFamilyHoliday in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yet another entertaining read from Shalini Boland! I'm a big fan, I believe I have been with her from her very first book! 😊
~2 Families, 1 House Swap, Someone won't be returning home ~
As always, Shalini wrote another engaging, fast paced thriller that had me quickly turning the pages, I read this in 2 days. I can always look forward to a solid plot and quick read with this author.
It all starts with a family holiday and a house swap that ends in murder.
Another twisty thriller that kept me guessing until the end! I can't wait to see what Shalini comes up with next, I will be here for it!
A big thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. 4 stars!
Yet another entertaining read from Shalini Boland! I'm a big fan, I believe I have been with her from her very first book! 😊
~2 Families, 1 House Swap, Someone won't be returning home ~
As always, Shalini wrote another engaging, fast paced thriller that had me quickly turning the pages, I read this in 2 days. I can always look forward to a solid plot and quick read with this author.
It all starts with a family holiday and a house swap that ends in murder.
Another twisty thriller that kept me guessing until the end! I can't wait to see what Shalini comes up with next, I will be here for it!
A big thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. 4 stars!
March 15, 2022
Can there be a more enticing blurb than ‘2 families who have never met but via an internet site embark on a house swap for their holidays?’ the scene is alreasy set for a good story and it appealed to me instantly 🤗
And it is sooo difficult to say much more without giving a hint of what is to come, I will say there is a delicious set of characters, some stunning scenery descriptions of Italy and Dorset and a genuinely unexpected story that is packed with twists and turns and had me racing through the book to find out the conclusion
If you have read previous by this author you will know a good really well written captivating story is ahead and this book for me was pure enjoyment…..it also put me off ever entertaining the idea of a holiday home swop 😂
Brilliant!
10/10
5 Stars
And it is sooo difficult to say much more without giving a hint of what is to come, I will say there is a delicious set of characters, some stunning scenery descriptions of Italy and Dorset and a genuinely unexpected story that is packed with twists and turns and had me racing through the book to find out the conclusion
If you have read previous by this author you will know a good really well written captivating story is ahead and this book for me was pure enjoyment…..it also put me off ever entertaining the idea of a holiday home swop 😂
Brilliant!
10/10
5 Stars
April 27, 2022
3 1/2 Stars Warning! Do not read the Goodread's blurb! It reveals something major that occurs at about the 80% mark! My advice, go into this blind!
In true Shalini Boland style, this is a fast paced, twisty psychological thriller! Even with several heinous characters and with one of the most highly unlikable, obnoxious, despicable husbands ever, this had me turning the pages quickly to find out what was going on!
Couldn't understand why the wife of this abomination, would want to stay married to this arrogant
!#@%!!!, except perhaps for the sake of the family as a whole.
Having to walk on eggshells over every little thing, no matter how sweet and charming he was in the beginning of the marriage... was very difficult to read.
I don't think I would ever consider a house swap...but this is definitely one house swap, I'm glad I wasn't in on.
In true Shalini Boland style, this is a fast paced, twisty psychological thriller! Even with several heinous characters and with one of the most highly unlikable, obnoxious, despicable husbands ever, this had me turning the pages quickly to find out what was going on!
Couldn't understand why the wife of this abomination, would want to stay married to this arrogant
!#@%!!!, except perhaps for the sake of the family as a whole.
Having to walk on eggshells over every little thing, no matter how sweet and charming he was in the beginning of the marriage... was very difficult to read.
I don't think I would ever consider a house swap...but this is definitely one house swap, I'm glad I wasn't in on.
March 5, 2022
2 families decide to swap houses for a 2 week vacation. One lives in England and the other lives in Italy. All starts out great until things start to happen and I didn’t know what was coming next. So many twists and so many lies, my head had whiplash from it all. I love all Shalini Boland books and this one was great too. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
March 3, 2022
Shalini Boland is one of my go-to authors for a twisty, unputdownable read. I didn't even check to see what this book was about when I requested it. I just saw her name and the title and knew instantly that I wanted to read it. I was not disappointed. The family Holiday follows two families swapping houses for a two-week vacation. We have the Kildares from the UK and the glamorous Masons from Italy. It should be an idyllic family holiday but all is not as it appears to be as one of the families is keeping sinister secrets and has an ulterior motive for wanting to swap houses.
Well-written characters, secrets, tension, and twists and turns made this an addictive thriller that kept me hooked until the end. I always say this with Shalini Boland's books but I recommend going into this book knowing as little as possible. All you need to know is that the perfect holiday ends in murder for one of the families. I enjoyed watching this dark mystery unravel. My favorite and most surprising twist would have to be the one involving Lucianna.
I loved the setting as well. I could easily picture myself getting cozy at the Kildares' cottage during winter or enjoying sunny Italy with all the gorgeous views, history, and food.
All in all, another winner by this author.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well-written characters, secrets, tension, and twists and turns made this an addictive thriller that kept me hooked until the end. I always say this with Shalini Boland's books but I recommend going into this book knowing as little as possible. All you need to know is that the perfect holiday ends in murder for one of the families. I enjoyed watching this dark mystery unravel. My favorite and most surprising twist would have to be the one involving Lucianna.
I loved the setting as well. I could easily picture myself getting cozy at the Kildares' cottage during winter or enjoying sunny Italy with all the gorgeous views, history, and food.
All in all, another winner by this author.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2022
A House Swap Shalini Boland Style!
Two families. Two Homes. A vacation Swap. Sounds like a vacation to die for!
Beth has been wanting to go on a family vacation. Her husband Niall is an author who travels a lot for work and never wants to go away - until now. They have a lovely cozy home and when they see a luxurious Italian Villa, they decide to go for it! This vacation is going to be a dream!
Amber Mason and her husband Lorenzo (Renzo) are looking forward to their family vacation in Dorset. But the nosey neighbor next door becomes a thorn in Amber's side.
Classic Boland. This book is full of quite a few twists, turns and reveals. This keeps the pace up and the pages turning. Do things get a little over the top? Sure, but that just adds to the fun!
This was a fun, entertaining, and fast paced page turner which kept me engaged the entire book. It proved to be a fast read for me as I did not want to put it down. I just had to know what was going to happen next!
A dream vacation become a staggering nightmare!
Thank you to Bookouture 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
Two families. Two Homes. A vacation Swap. Sounds like a vacation to die for!
Beth has been wanting to go on a family vacation. Her husband Niall is an author who travels a lot for work and never wants to go away - until now. They have a lovely cozy home and when they see a luxurious Italian Villa, they decide to go for it! This vacation is going to be a dream!
Amber Mason and her husband Lorenzo (Renzo) are looking forward to their family vacation in Dorset. But the nosey neighbor next door becomes a thorn in Amber's side.
Classic Boland. This book is full of quite a few twists, turns and reveals. This keeps the pace up and the pages turning. Do things get a little over the top? Sure, but that just adds to the fun!
This was a fun, entertaining, and fast paced page turner which kept me engaged the entire book. It proved to be a fast read for me as I did not want to put it down. I just had to know what was going to happen next!
A dream vacation become a staggering nightmare!
Thank you to Bookouture 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
July 13, 2022
I was looking forward to this one because of the description and the great things I had heard about this author. I found this book to be pretty slow moving for a thriller though. Nothing but vacation stuff really happened until past the halfway point. The writing was pretty decent but the big reveals at the end weren’t all that shocking or exciting. I also struggled with both of the narrators, Beth and Amber, as I didn’t really care for either character. Beth’s husband Niall suggests going a house swap for a couple of weeks for a more affordable vacation. He has never really taken family vacations so Beth thinks it will be great for their relationship and their family as a whole. Amber and her husband have a beautiful Italian Villa and shockingly are interested in their tiny English cottage. It wasn’t a bad book, but be prepared for half to be a slow moving description of Italian and English vacation.
May 30, 2023
The one star is for my complete lack of enjoyment, the slow, nearly nonexistent forward tension and a gallery of unlikeable characters. I did not enjoy the revenge theme and organized criminality, this has been done to death, no pun intended.
Amber living in Italy and Beth from England and their families exchange homes for holiday. Beth finds a picture of her husband in the pocket of a jacket in Amber’s house. Nothing happens other that she worries about this and tries to placate her asshole of a husband.
The idea of switching homes for holiday is both tantalizing and terrible. I’ve lent out my house to friends in other countries sometimes, but never to strangers. Having strangers snooping around is not enticing and this is the only thing done well in this book.
Not recommended, unless you want a slow burning compilation of clichés.
Amber living in Italy and Beth from England and their families exchange homes for holiday. Beth finds a picture of her husband in the pocket of a jacket in Amber’s house. Nothing happens other that she worries about this and tries to placate her asshole of a husband.
The idea of switching homes for holiday is both tantalizing and terrible. I’ve lent out my house to friends in other countries sometimes, but never to strangers. Having strangers snooping around is not enticing and this is the only thing done well in this book.
Not recommended, unless you want a slow burning compilation of clichés.
March 27, 2022
I would have to rate this a solid 4 stars.
A great read, captivated me with the skilful and imaginative writing. I really enjoyed the book’s pacing, the author’s skilful writing and the characters were believable and some - relatable.
I truly enjoyed this thriller, by an author that is new to me, but now I will surely be looking into reading her other books.
Throughout the book I really hated the husband character and not going to lie, happy with the outcome. Another thing I found very important and appreciated a lot was the mention of having therapy after a traumatic event (both for the child and the mother) - I think this is very important both for author to understand, write and it makes the character much more relatable and believable,
Overall, I am quite impressed by this book and definitely will read more of the authors’ work.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
A great read, captivated me with the skilful and imaginative writing. I really enjoyed the book’s pacing, the author’s skilful writing and the characters were believable and some - relatable.
I truly enjoyed this thriller, by an author that is new to me, but now I will surely be looking into reading her other books.
Throughout the book I really hated the husband character and not going to lie, happy with the outcome. Another thing I found very important and appreciated a lot was the mention of having therapy after a traumatic event (both for the child and the mother) - I think this is very important both for author to understand, write and it makes the character much more relatable and believable,
Overall, I am quite impressed by this book and definitely will read more of the authors’ work.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
March 13, 2022
I'm a Boland fan and usually gobble her thrillers up like a hungry predator but this one fell a bit short for me.
Nothing happened for quite a while. It was all about vacationing, nothing suspicious, no twists. I found myself skimming through in some parts. Things started bubbling up at the 50% mark but it was dolled out very slowly and too sparingly. Even the big twist was lackluster and the ending wasn't explosive.
The writing was great though slow. The characters were mostly up to par. The plot, however, felt scrambled.
Nothing happened for quite a while. It was all about vacationing, nothing suspicious, no twists. I found myself skimming through in some parts. Things started bubbling up at the 50% mark but it was dolled out very slowly and too sparingly. Even the big twist was lackluster and the ending wasn't explosive.
The writing was great though slow. The characters were mostly up to par. The plot, however, felt scrambled.
April 2, 2022
the contrast between selfish bossy Niall
pestering his dedicated Beth and grumpy
matron amber bullying her angelic Renzo
kept me invested - but despite all the built
suspense, the ending felt somewhat bland.
pestering his dedicated Beth and grumpy
matron amber bullying her angelic Renzo
kept me invested - but despite all the built
suspense, the ending felt somewhat bland.
March 22, 2022
Another brilliant book from Shalini Boland.
This one had me hooked from the start and I really enjoyed it.
Niall persuades Beth to do a house swap for two weeks so they can go to Italy and the other family stays in their home in the UK.
Beth is not keen at first but when she sees the villa, she’s soon persuaded.
Niall is a writer and likes time to himself but even on holiday, he seems tense and snappy with Beth.
Beth tries to keep the peace for the sake of her two boys but it’s not easy.
We get an insight into Amber’s life and her time at Beth’s cottage in the UK and it’s clear there’s more to the house swap than Beth knows.
I can’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it but this is a brilliant psychological thriller that will definitely have you hooked.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This one had me hooked from the start and I really enjoyed it.
Niall persuades Beth to do a house swap for two weeks so they can go to Italy and the other family stays in their home in the UK.
Beth is not keen at first but when she sees the villa, she’s soon persuaded.
Niall is a writer and likes time to himself but even on holiday, he seems tense and snappy with Beth.
Beth tries to keep the peace for the sake of her two boys but it’s not easy.
We get an insight into Amber’s life and her time at Beth’s cottage in the UK and it’s clear there’s more to the house swap than Beth knows.
I can’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it but this is a brilliant psychological thriller that will definitely have you hooked.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
March 16, 2022
Beth can't believe her luck when Amber decides to do a house swap with her. Why would Amber want to swap her sun-drenched Italian villa for Beth's crumbling English cottage? Beth is so excited that her husband has finally agreed to a family vacation that she decides not to question it. She should have because if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And this is going to be the vacation from hell for Beth and her family.
I love the settings in this book. You have the cold, dreariness of England against the warm, sunniness of Italy. I loved that contrast. Everything was well thought out and described, I felt like I was there on vacation with them.
The characters are also a huge highlight of the book. It's full of characters you'll love or love to hate. I had a particular attachment to Lucianna. She was such a great character!
Where the book failed for me was the plot. I read a lot of psychological thrillers and maybe that's the problem. I found the plot pretty generic-especially stacked up against the other Shalini Boland books I've read. There was a twist at the end that I thought was unnecessary...essential a plot twist for the sake of having a plot twist.
Overall, though, there were a lot of aspect of this book that I did like. If you're a fan of thrillers, certainly give this one a try. There's nothing new or exciting here, but the characters are really great.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love the settings in this book. You have the cold, dreariness of England against the warm, sunniness of Italy. I loved that contrast. Everything was well thought out and described, I felt like I was there on vacation with them.
The characters are also a huge highlight of the book. It's full of characters you'll love or love to hate. I had a particular attachment to Lucianna. She was such a great character!
Where the book failed for me was the plot. I read a lot of psychological thrillers and maybe that's the problem. I found the plot pretty generic-especially stacked up against the other Shalini Boland books I've read. There was a twist at the end that I thought was unnecessary...essential a plot twist for the sake of having a plot twist.
Overall, though, there were a lot of aspect of this book that I did like. If you're a fan of thrillers, certainly give this one a try. There's nothing new or exciting here, but the characters are really great.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2022
If you knew you wouldn’t be caught, would you snoop around in someone’s house? One of the characters in this book snoops in a closet and finds something in a jacket pocket that instantly changes how she sees the world. They say that once you see something you weren’t supposed to see, you can’t unsee it. Your mind keeps replaying it. Over and over. Boland explores the aftermath of secrets revealed.
This story is about the perfect family, the perfect home and the perfect murder. It’s also the story of a house swap gone wrong. Terribly wrong. You see, neither family is perfect. They are both hiding secrets and despite travelling 1000s of miles across the globe, their secrets found them and brought them to their knees.
There’s no doubt about it, there are some real risks to home exchanges. Most people conjure up an image of the home not being as listed, whether it be dirtier or messier than presented. Not many would even project that the house would be better than imagined! The Mason’s mansion in Maiori town, on the Amalfi Coast, is heaven-sent for Niall and Beth Kildare. The British couple can’t believe they’ve traded their tired 300-year-old cottage in Dorset for two weeks at Villa della Luna. Before the two weeks is over, they’ll wish they never agreed to the swap. On the surface, the Mason family look like they have it all, but the Italians are anxious to get away and enjoy the anonymity in Devon in a cozy cottage. Why?
Boland’s success comes from writing about the plausible; readers become absorbed because it could happen to them! We may not have done a house swap, but maybe we’ve done an Air BnB, or maybe we’ve simply snooped around when we thought nobody was watching. Boland knows our human nature is curious and she runs with it.
As is the case with all the Boland books I read, I spend most of my time suspicious of the potential villain’s actions. In this book, there are chapters in Italics. There’s no chapter title to suggest who is speaking, so it adds to the mystery and tension. Readers presume that some trauma has occurred in the past and the person has never healed. Boland makes sure to dole out tidbits allowing readers to guess and guess again who the villain is and what happened to make them this way.
“I thought that time and space would knit the wound together. That I’d be scarred, yet somehow able to carry on. But that’s not the case at all. I’m still paralysed by it. The pain increases week to week….there’s only one way I can think of to ease it. One way to make things better.”
This villain this time turned out to be clever, composed and manipulative. Boland’s trademark is to give a hint of a twist early in the story and sometimes readers don’t know they’ve read a hint until they happen upon the twist and then there’s the inevitable, “Ugh, I should have seen that coming!” It happens here, too; the inevitable “of course!”
The symbolism of ‘Villa della Luna’ is not lost on me! The moon has no light of its own. It reflects the sun’s light. One of the homeowners has lost a light within and is desperate to get it back. It’s been said that the moon is the light that rules the night. You’ll have to read to find out which character is ‘of the night’ and why. Astrologists also refer to moon signs as symbolizing one’s innermost self; under the moonlight people discover who they truly are and their hidden desires. Keep in mind that what you see in the moonlight is always better than it appears in the sunlight.
I’d never seen Boland’s sense of humour reflected in her writing until this book. I was snickering at the authentic portrayal of 11-year-old Connor and 7-year-old Liam’s antics. Try to read the airport scene with a straight face. I dare you!
I was gifted this advance copy by Shalini Boland, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This story is about the perfect family, the perfect home and the perfect murder. It’s also the story of a house swap gone wrong. Terribly wrong. You see, neither family is perfect. They are both hiding secrets and despite travelling 1000s of miles across the globe, their secrets found them and brought them to their knees.
There’s no doubt about it, there are some real risks to home exchanges. Most people conjure up an image of the home not being as listed, whether it be dirtier or messier than presented. Not many would even project that the house would be better than imagined! The Mason’s mansion in Maiori town, on the Amalfi Coast, is heaven-sent for Niall and Beth Kildare. The British couple can’t believe they’ve traded their tired 300-year-old cottage in Dorset for two weeks at Villa della Luna. Before the two weeks is over, they’ll wish they never agreed to the swap. On the surface, the Mason family look like they have it all, but the Italians are anxious to get away and enjoy the anonymity in Devon in a cozy cottage. Why?
Boland’s success comes from writing about the plausible; readers become absorbed because it could happen to them! We may not have done a house swap, but maybe we’ve done an Air BnB, or maybe we’ve simply snooped around when we thought nobody was watching. Boland knows our human nature is curious and she runs with it.
As is the case with all the Boland books I read, I spend most of my time suspicious of the potential villain’s actions. In this book, there are chapters in Italics. There’s no chapter title to suggest who is speaking, so it adds to the mystery and tension. Readers presume that some trauma has occurred in the past and the person has never healed. Boland makes sure to dole out tidbits allowing readers to guess and guess again who the villain is and what happened to make them this way.
“I thought that time and space would knit the wound together. That I’d be scarred, yet somehow able to carry on. But that’s not the case at all. I’m still paralysed by it. The pain increases week to week….there’s only one way I can think of to ease it. One way to make things better.”
This villain this time turned out to be clever, composed and manipulative. Boland’s trademark is to give a hint of a twist early in the story and sometimes readers don’t know they’ve read a hint until they happen upon the twist and then there’s the inevitable, “Ugh, I should have seen that coming!” It happens here, too; the inevitable “of course!”
The symbolism of ‘Villa della Luna’ is not lost on me! The moon has no light of its own. It reflects the sun’s light. One of the homeowners has lost a light within and is desperate to get it back. It’s been said that the moon is the light that rules the night. You’ll have to read to find out which character is ‘of the night’ and why. Astrologists also refer to moon signs as symbolizing one’s innermost self; under the moonlight people discover who they truly are and their hidden desires. Keep in mind that what you see in the moonlight is always better than it appears in the sunlight.
I’d never seen Boland’s sense of humour reflected in her writing until this book. I was snickering at the authentic portrayal of 11-year-old Connor and 7-year-old Liam’s antics. Try to read the airport scene with a straight face. I dare you!
I was gifted this advance copy by Shalini Boland, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
March 21, 2022
I always enjoy reading Shalini Boland’s books and I was delighted to receive a copy of her new book The Family Holiday.
This story had me hooked from the beginning and I didn’t want to put it down.
Two families swap their homes for two weeks. They are looking forward to spending some quality time with their children.
Unfortunately things don’t go to plan.
Thank you to NetGalley and for Bookouture my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story had me hooked from the beginning and I didn’t want to put it down.
Two families swap their homes for two weeks. They are looking forward to spending some quality time with their children.
Unfortunately things don’t go to plan.
Thank you to NetGalley and for Bookouture my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2022
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Shalini Boland's tense domestic thriller THE FAMILY HOLIDAY.
One can always count of Shalini Boland to produce an exciting and riveting read from start to finish that readers won't want to put down. I've said it before and I'll say it again...there is no such thing as a bad Shalini book, even those that aren't as good as some of her others. They all have the ability to keep readers glue to the page and to their seats as they swipe to the speed of light. THE FAMILY HOLIDAY was no exception. In fact it is indeed one of her better thrillers as there are three categories to Shalini's books - good, brilliant and bloody brilliant/what the hell did I just read! She just doesn't do "terrible" or "boring"...I don't think she knows how. She is, by far, one of my go-to authors that I never read the description before grabbing the book. I just know it's going to be a hell of a ride.
But I digress...so what does Shalini offer this time round?
Two families. One house swap. A vacation to die for...literally!
Beth and Niall haven't enjoyed a holiday since their first child was a baby, and even then Beth spent most of her time in the hotel room caring for her sick child. Niall is successful author of an historical fantasy series, which he falls back on as his excuse for leaving everything else up to Beth, despite her desire to rekindle her career as a chef and one day open her own restaurant. No, in Niall's mind, Beth's place is in the home caring for their children, Connor (12) and Liam (6), and keeping house in their beautiful 18th century thatched cottage in Dorset. Besides, he justifies, he earns enough to keep them all. He just needs the peace and quiet to write.
So when he pops the idea of a house swap holiday on Beth she is, at first, stunned. They haven't had a holiday in forever. It would be nice but living in someone else's home while they live in their's for the duration? I know I wouldn't like it so I'm not sure why Beth thought it a good idea once she warmed to it. Maybe it was the fact Niall glammed it up as a beautiful villa in Italy which was a far cry from their draughty cottage. Besides, sunshine and swimming...how could she resist?
Amber and Renzo live in a huge state of the art whitewashed Italian villa on the Amalfi coast with all the mod cons and a stunning infinity pool with their eleven year old son Franco and five year old daughter Flora. When they decide to do a house swap with another family swapping their stunning villa for a cosy English cottage, Amber and Renzo think it's the perfect opportunity to aquaint their children with their English roots.
Sounds perfect. What could go wrong?
Beth has been looking forward to a well deserved holiday and it couldn't come sooner as once again she is left to do everything - pack for the four of them and organise the airfares - while Niall locks himself away in his study with another book in the works. Of course, he tosses out almost everything Beth has set aside for him to pack which wouldn't have been a problem if he had packed a week ago when she had asked him to. But Niall, the selfish prat, has no time for little things like that when he has book to write. When the family finally leave their house (in immaculate condition for the impending arrival of Amber and Renzo), Beth breathes a sigh of relief. However, that is short lived when Niall abandons them at the airport for some "peace and quiet" instead of dining with his family before boarding the plane. For someone who supposedly adores their family he spends a lot of time ignoring Beth and palming their children off to her to deal with.
If Beth thought things could only get better once they arrive at the villa, she was sadly mistaken. As soon as they step foot on Italian soil, things just go from bad to worse. From trivial occurrences to "things that go bump in the night" and far more scarier happenings. The family holiday Beth had hoped would put their marriage back on an even keel just seems to drown the couple as they find themselves in the proverbial leaky boat.
Meanwhile in the UK, Amber is far from enjoying her holiday either. Especially when Beth's busybody neighbour keeps sticking her beak in and making a veritable nuisance of herself. Does the woman have no life that she must bother their's? And can she not take a hint to go back to her own dreary cottage and leave them to enjoy their holiday in Beth's? Apparently not.
Then the discovery of a photograph sends Beth's world into a tailspin. Although she talks herself down into something innocent, another startling revelation brings it all crashing down.
And then one of them turns up dead.
And just like that, the perfect family holiday turns into a perfect nightmare...
Told through the alternating perspectives of Beth and Amber, the story gradually unfolds and the bigger picture becomes startingly clearer. Though Beth has most of the narrative, we do get snippets from Amber throughout.
So while I loved this fast paced thriller, I didn't warm to any of the characters very much. None of them were all that likeable and all of them had something to hide. Beth was sweet but honestly stupid. Her acceptance of her husband's appalling behaviour had me wanting to shake the stupid out of her! In what world is it OK to treat your wife as a doormat, patronising her in a tone so condescending and she laps it up for fear of his angry reaction? And how is it OK to leave your wife dealing with tired hungry children while you go off to enjoy a meal in peace? My goodness, Niall was a condescending selfish prat I just wanted to Will Smith slap him! As if his career as an accomplished author was more important than Beth's own dreams and their family; as if his success as a writer gave him the right to treat her like crap. Although Shalini assures me Niall was NOT based on her own author hubby...lol I didn't like Amber at all and knew she was hiding something big as I contemplated what the hell she was up to. Renzo? He didn't really feature enough for me to form much of an opinion of him although he did seem devoted to Amber and his children. More fool him.
What a wild ride THE FAMILY HOLIDAY is! Shalini certainly knows how to twist the knife and leave you gasping for breath! Her ability to captivate readers from the off is legendary. Even her slow burns are fast paced. I don't think Shalini can do slow burn...readers are just glue to the page as soon as they open the book.
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY is certainly one of Shalini's better thrillers and while I easily gathered one of the reveals early one it didn't detract at all from my enjoyment. The thrill is in the ride...and Shalini can certainly deliver those.
But that ending...I didn't see it coming until just before the twist was delivered.
As always, Shalini delivers yet another absorbing twisty thriller that is addictive from beginning to end. The secrets, the lies, the deception...oooh, such a tangled web it all was. And what a spectacular explosion it lead to.
To sum up - THE FAMILY HOLIDAY is an entertaining addictive read sure to thrill avid fans of the genre...and of course, Shalini's.
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheFamilyHoliday in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
One can always count of Shalini Boland to produce an exciting and riveting read from start to finish that readers won't want to put down. I've said it before and I'll say it again...there is no such thing as a bad Shalini book, even those that aren't as good as some of her others. They all have the ability to keep readers glue to the page and to their seats as they swipe to the speed of light. THE FAMILY HOLIDAY was no exception. In fact it is indeed one of her better thrillers as there are three categories to Shalini's books - good, brilliant and bloody brilliant/what the hell did I just read! She just doesn't do "terrible" or "boring"...I don't think she knows how. She is, by far, one of my go-to authors that I never read the description before grabbing the book. I just know it's going to be a hell of a ride.
But I digress...so what does Shalini offer this time round?
Two families. One house swap. A vacation to die for...literally!
Beth and Niall haven't enjoyed a holiday since their first child was a baby, and even then Beth spent most of her time in the hotel room caring for her sick child. Niall is successful author of an historical fantasy series, which he falls back on as his excuse for leaving everything else up to Beth, despite her desire to rekindle her career as a chef and one day open her own restaurant. No, in Niall's mind, Beth's place is in the home caring for their children, Connor (12) and Liam (6), and keeping house in their beautiful 18th century thatched cottage in Dorset. Besides, he justifies, he earns enough to keep them all. He just needs the peace and quiet to write.
So when he pops the idea of a house swap holiday on Beth she is, at first, stunned. They haven't had a holiday in forever. It would be nice but living in someone else's home while they live in their's for the duration? I know I wouldn't like it so I'm not sure why Beth thought it a good idea once she warmed to it. Maybe it was the fact Niall glammed it up as a beautiful villa in Italy which was a far cry from their draughty cottage. Besides, sunshine and swimming...how could she resist?
Amber and Renzo live in a huge state of the art whitewashed Italian villa on the Amalfi coast with all the mod cons and a stunning infinity pool with their eleven year old son Franco and five year old daughter Flora. When they decide to do a house swap with another family swapping their stunning villa for a cosy English cottage, Amber and Renzo think it's the perfect opportunity to aquaint their children with their English roots.
Sounds perfect. What could go wrong?
Beth has been looking forward to a well deserved holiday and it couldn't come sooner as once again she is left to do everything - pack for the four of them and organise the airfares - while Niall locks himself away in his study with another book in the works. Of course, he tosses out almost everything Beth has set aside for him to pack which wouldn't have been a problem if he had packed a week ago when she had asked him to. But Niall, the selfish prat, has no time for little things like that when he has book to write. When the family finally leave their house (in immaculate condition for the impending arrival of Amber and Renzo), Beth breathes a sigh of relief. However, that is short lived when Niall abandons them at the airport for some "peace and quiet" instead of dining with his family before boarding the plane. For someone who supposedly adores their family he spends a lot of time ignoring Beth and palming their children off to her to deal with.
If Beth thought things could only get better once they arrive at the villa, she was sadly mistaken. As soon as they step foot on Italian soil, things just go from bad to worse. From trivial occurrences to "things that go bump in the night" and far more scarier happenings. The family holiday Beth had hoped would put their marriage back on an even keel just seems to drown the couple as they find themselves in the proverbial leaky boat.
Meanwhile in the UK, Amber is far from enjoying her holiday either. Especially when Beth's busybody neighbour keeps sticking her beak in and making a veritable nuisance of herself. Does the woman have no life that she must bother their's? And can she not take a hint to go back to her own dreary cottage and leave them to enjoy their holiday in Beth's? Apparently not.
Then the discovery of a photograph sends Beth's world into a tailspin. Although she talks herself down into something innocent, another startling revelation brings it all crashing down.
And then one of them turns up dead.
And just like that, the perfect family holiday turns into a perfect nightmare...
Told through the alternating perspectives of Beth and Amber, the story gradually unfolds and the bigger picture becomes startingly clearer. Though Beth has most of the narrative, we do get snippets from Amber throughout.
So while I loved this fast paced thriller, I didn't warm to any of the characters very much. None of them were all that likeable and all of them had something to hide. Beth was sweet but honestly stupid. Her acceptance of her husband's appalling behaviour had me wanting to shake the stupid out of her! In what world is it OK to treat your wife as a doormat, patronising her in a tone so condescending and she laps it up for fear of his angry reaction? And how is it OK to leave your wife dealing with tired hungry children while you go off to enjoy a meal in peace? My goodness, Niall was a condescending selfish prat I just wanted to Will Smith slap him! As if his career as an accomplished author was more important than Beth's own dreams and their family; as if his success as a writer gave him the right to treat her like crap. Although Shalini assures me Niall was NOT based on her own author hubby...lol I didn't like Amber at all and knew she was hiding something big as I contemplated what the hell she was up to. Renzo? He didn't really feature enough for me to form much of an opinion of him although he did seem devoted to Amber and his children. More fool him.
What a wild ride THE FAMILY HOLIDAY is! Shalini certainly knows how to twist the knife and leave you gasping for breath! Her ability to captivate readers from the off is legendary. Even her slow burns are fast paced. I don't think Shalini can do slow burn...readers are just glue to the page as soon as they open the book.
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY is certainly one of Shalini's better thrillers and while I easily gathered one of the reveals early one it didn't detract at all from my enjoyment. The thrill is in the ride...and Shalini can certainly deliver those.
But that ending...I didn't see it coming until just before the twist was delivered.
As always, Shalini delivers yet another absorbing twisty thriller that is addictive from beginning to end. The secrets, the lies, the deception...oooh, such a tangled web it all was. And what a spectacular explosion it lead to.
To sum up - THE FAMILY HOLIDAY is an entertaining addictive read sure to thrill avid fans of the genre...and of course, Shalini's.
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheFamilyHoliday in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 7, 2023
Two couples, Niall and Beth Kildare from Sherborne Dorset, UK and Renzo and Amber Mason, British expats now residents on the Amalfi Coast Italy decide to swap their houses for a holiday through a website. Things don't seem to go as planned for the Kildares right from the onset of the holiday, beginning with not finding the car at the airport in Italy as agreed and not finding any food in the house. Eventually, they find the comfort of food in a restaurant recommended by Amber that is run by Luciana and her brother. Soon Beth and Luciana become good friends, as they share their career and ambitions while the kids spend time playing together. As Beth is exploring the lavish villa owned by the Masons, she is dumb-struck, when she finds a photo of her husband Niall and Amber. Niall explains that being a writer and attending various functions and forums of novelists, he could have crossed paths with Amber and taken a photo together, but assures Beth not having known Amber before.
Meanwhile Amber is snooping around the Kildares cottage, especially to garner entry to Niall's private study that has been locked for visitors. A sinister plan is brewing in Amber's psyche that could rock the Kildares. Things take an ugly turn for Kildares when Amber sends a dark secret found at their cottage that turns Beth's lovely holiday into a nightmare. After a bitter argument between Niall and Beth, Niall is found dead below the terrace of their holiday home in Italy.
From here on, the plot accentuates as tensions mount and mystery begins to unravel at a fast pace. Do Amber and Niall know each other before the holiday swap? What was the dark secret sent by Amber to Beth? What happened to Niall? How did he die? Was it an accidental death or a well-planned murder?
The storyline is narrated mainly from the point of view of Amber and Beth, although there is a third person in the narration as the climax unfolds.
Meanwhile Amber is snooping around the Kildares cottage, especially to garner entry to Niall's private study that has been locked for visitors. A sinister plan is brewing in Amber's psyche that could rock the Kildares. Things take an ugly turn for Kildares when Amber sends a dark secret found at their cottage that turns Beth's lovely holiday into a nightmare. After a bitter argument between Niall and Beth, Niall is found dead below the terrace of their holiday home in Italy.
From here on, the plot accentuates as tensions mount and mystery begins to unravel at a fast pace. Do Amber and Niall know each other before the holiday swap? What was the dark secret sent by Amber to Beth? What happened to Niall? How did he die? Was it an accidental death or a well-planned murder?
The storyline is narrated mainly from the point of view of Amber and Beth, although there is a third person in the narration as the climax unfolds.
October 30, 2022
Plans to do a house swap for a vacation? You might want to read this fast -paced and excellent story before you finalize your plans.
August 1, 2022
*Be Careful What You Wish For*
Two families decide what they need is a house swap. Within each family one family member is hiding an explosive secret. One family live in the U.K. while the other family live in Italy.
The story is told predominantly by two points of view Beth and Amber.
Beth the put upon wife and mother of two children who gave up her career as a chef in order to look after her boys, she is so used to placating her husband that she loses herself as well as her self confidence. I found myself shouting at her.
Her Husband Niall is a successful writer and has controlling issues and his moods tend to affect the household and the fact after so many years of not wanting to take the family on holiday he says they will be doing a house swap. Beth is uncomfortable about it at first but when she sees the location and beautiful house with a pool she is sold on the idea.
In Italy Amber mainly wears the trousers in her relationship with her husband Renzo. She is also cold and calculating with a ulterior motive. Her husband adores her and they have two children.
As each family get on their flights and arrive in their respective countries, things start to get dark and sinister. Beth soon discovers a huge secret that will affect her marriage, whilst Amber is busy scheming until things take a devastating and drastic turn, when the secrets start unraveling one person pays a heavy irreversible price, whilst the other blows up their life.
Two families decide what they need is a house swap. Within each family one family member is hiding an explosive secret. One family live in the U.K. while the other family live in Italy.
The story is told predominantly by two points of view Beth and Amber.
Beth the put upon wife and mother of two children who gave up her career as a chef in order to look after her boys, she is so used to placating her husband that she loses herself as well as her self confidence. I found myself shouting at her.
Her Husband Niall is a successful writer and has controlling issues and his moods tend to affect the household and the fact after so many years of not wanting to take the family on holiday he says they will be doing a house swap. Beth is uncomfortable about it at first but when she sees the location and beautiful house with a pool she is sold on the idea.
In Italy Amber mainly wears the trousers in her relationship with her husband Renzo. She is also cold and calculating with a ulterior motive. Her husband adores her and they have two children.
As each family get on their flights and arrive in their respective countries, things start to get dark and sinister. Beth soon discovers a huge secret that will affect her marriage, whilst Amber is busy scheming until things take a devastating and drastic turn, when the secrets start unraveling one person pays a heavy irreversible price, whilst the other blows up their life.
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