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Nobody But Us
'READS LIKE A GLOSSY 90s THRILLER. OBSESSED' Juno Dawson
'IT GRIPS LIKE A VICE' Will Dean
'UTTERLY COMPELLING' Louise O'Neill
' BEING TOUTED AS A MUST READ OF 2022. I CAN COMPLETELY SEE WHY' 5* Reader Review
'NOT ONE TO BE MISSED THIS SUMMER' EVENING STANDARD
________
YOU'RE A HANDSOME, WELL-RESPECTED PROFESSOR.
This weekend, you're heading out of the city with your latest conquest.
She's young and eager to please. Just how you like them. But there's something about this girl that's different.
You just can't put your finger on it yet . . .
YOU'RE A SMART, HARD-WORKING STUDENT.
You're excited to be whisked away by this experienced man to an isolated cabin.
Far from disapproving eyes, you're crossing boundaries. Which can be dangerous.
But you know what you're doing. Right?
Two lives. One twisted path. A game of cat and mouse.
BUT WHO IS THE HUNTER? AND WHO IS THE PREY?
________
READERS ARE GRIPPED BY NOBODY BUT US
'Wow. Just wow. Gripping, intense, thought provoking, addictive . . . I read the whole book in one sitting. Definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of this year' 5* READER REVIEW
'Characters, dialogues, plot, narration and execution of the story is brilliant. What are you waiting for? Read this book' 5* READER REVIEW
'Sharp, smart, powerful. I was hooked' 5* READER REVIEW
'Intense, twisted, claustrophobic . . deliciously dark and oh so satisfying' 5* READER REVIEW
'This is definitely one f**ked up couple . . . Filled with moments that will make your heart pound' 5* READER REVIEW
'I literally could not put this book down' 5* READER REVIEW
'IT GRIPS LIKE A VICE' Will Dean
'UTTERLY COMPELLING' Louise O'Neill
' BEING TOUTED AS A MUST READ OF 2022. I CAN COMPLETELY SEE WHY' 5* Reader Review
'NOT ONE TO BE MISSED THIS SUMMER' EVENING STANDARD
________
YOU'RE A HANDSOME, WELL-RESPECTED PROFESSOR.
This weekend, you're heading out of the city with your latest conquest.
She's young and eager to please. Just how you like them. But there's something about this girl that's different.
You just can't put your finger on it yet . . .
YOU'RE A SMART, HARD-WORKING STUDENT.
You're excited to be whisked away by this experienced man to an isolated cabin.
Far from disapproving eyes, you're crossing boundaries. Which can be dangerous.
But you know what you're doing. Right?
Two lives. One twisted path. A game of cat and mouse.
BUT WHO IS THE HUNTER? AND WHO IS THE PREY?
________
READERS ARE GRIPPED BY NOBODY BUT US
'Wow. Just wow. Gripping, intense, thought provoking, addictive . . . I read the whole book in one sitting. Definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of this year' 5* READER REVIEW
'Characters, dialogues, plot, narration and execution of the story is brilliant. What are you waiting for? Read this book' 5* READER REVIEW
'Sharp, smart, powerful. I was hooked' 5* READER REVIEW
'Intense, twisted, claustrophobic . . deliciously dark and oh so satisfying' 5* READER REVIEW
'This is definitely one f**ked up couple . . . Filled with moments that will make your heart pound' 5* READER REVIEW
'I literally could not put this book down' 5* READER REVIEW
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2022
143 people are currently reading
7352 people want to read
About the author
Laure Van Rensburg
3 books91 followersLaure Van Rensburg is a French writer living in the UK and an Ink Academy alumna. Her stories have appeared in online magazines and anthologies such as Litro Magazine, Storgy Magazine, The Real Jazz Baby (2020 Best Anthology, Saboteur Awards 2020), and FIVE:2:ONE. She has also placed in competitions including 2018 & 2019 Bath Short Story Award.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 705 reviews
December 6, 2022
Hmmm… when I start a review with this opening, you may sense I stuck in the limbo balloon that I couldn’t decide what I’m exactly feeling about the book I’ve read!
Firstly: the plot of the book is AMAZING! A couple: a professor and young student who are harboring big secrets from each other deciding to have a romantic weekend getaway for celebrating their 6th month anniversary ( awww how cute) at Chesapeake Bay but now they are in a haunted, terrifying house as the weather conditions keep deteriorating! That’s truly my kind of plot line I could devour in one sit!
Secondly; the ending of the book is mind blowing!
So you can keep asking me why the hell you’re dealing with complex feelings. Are you out of your meds? Is your Chardonnay stock empty? Just give the freaking five stars, give your recommendations and finish your review to jump into your next reading journey!
Okay… honestly… I have problem with choppy writing style. When I was reading something about the characters’ present time, at the next paragraph I returned back to a past incident which affected their relationship and then boom we move forward again! I felt Captain Kirk teleporting between different time zones!
And I have to say: both of the characters irritated me a lot! I couldn’t connect with them.
The winners of the book are not the MCs! The real winners are the thrilling atmosphere of Chesapeake Bay and THE HOUSE scared the living daylights out of me! Location wins! Characters fail!
I’m still rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 smart ending stars! Because I enjoyed the special message the author gave us at the end, even though I want to stuck out my tongue at characters!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my purely honest thoughts.
Firstly: the plot of the book is AMAZING! A couple: a professor and young student who are harboring big secrets from each other deciding to have a romantic weekend getaway for celebrating their 6th month anniversary ( awww how cute) at Chesapeake Bay but now they are in a haunted, terrifying house as the weather conditions keep deteriorating! That’s truly my kind of plot line I could devour in one sit!
Secondly; the ending of the book is mind blowing!
So you can keep asking me why the hell you’re dealing with complex feelings. Are you out of your meds? Is your Chardonnay stock empty? Just give the freaking five stars, give your recommendations and finish your review to jump into your next reading journey!
Okay… honestly… I have problem with choppy writing style. When I was reading something about the characters’ present time, at the next paragraph I returned back to a past incident which affected their relationship and then boom we move forward again! I felt Captain Kirk teleporting between different time zones!
And I have to say: both of the characters irritated me a lot! I couldn’t connect with them.
The winners of the book are not the MCs! The real winners are the thrilling atmosphere of Chesapeake Bay and THE HOUSE scared the living daylights out of me! Location wins! Characters fail!
I’m still rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 smart ending stars! Because I enjoyed the special message the author gave us at the end, even though I want to stuck out my tongue at characters!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my purely honest thoughts.
March 13, 2022
Steven is a professor. Ellie is a grad student.
They meet and fall in love quickly, and embark on a trip to a secluded house in the winter.
Three days of rest, relaxation, and lovemaking.
At least, that’s what one of them thinks the trip is about.
One of them has an agenda.
Neither of them will not come out unscathed.
This is described as a locked room mystery. Um, okay.
There’s only two people in it, and I knew EXACTLY where it was heading at all times, so no mystery there.
I couldn’t root for either character because I didn’t like them.
The book was too long, with an annoying but inevitable denouement.
I really struggled with my rating because of the above. However…
The writing is exquisite, and the atmosphere is vibrant.
The author delves unflinchingly into sexual assault.
Even though I didn’t love it, I appreciate what the author Laure Van Rensburg was writing about. It’s an important topic, and should be discussed and dissected.
The author’s note is amazing…sharing the inspiration for the book in the #MeToo era. Also included are pertinent links for those in the UK, as well as a call to action to others.
Overall, this is a powerful and pertinent storyline that needs to be told. But as a piece of fiction, I was underwhelmed and disengaged.
2.5 stars.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
They meet and fall in love quickly, and embark on a trip to a secluded house in the winter.
Three days of rest, relaxation, and lovemaking.
At least, that’s what one of them thinks the trip is about.
One of them has an agenda.
Neither of them will not come out unscathed.
This is described as a locked room mystery. Um, okay.
There’s only two people in it, and I knew EXACTLY where it was heading at all times, so no mystery there.
I couldn’t root for either character because I didn’t like them.
The book was too long, with an annoying but inevitable denouement.
I really struggled with my rating because of the above. However…
The writing is exquisite, and the atmosphere is vibrant.
The author delves unflinchingly into sexual assault.
Even though I didn’t love it, I appreciate what the author Laure Van Rensburg was writing about. It’s an important topic, and should be discussed and dissected.
The author’s note is amazing…sharing the inspiration for the book in the #MeToo era. Also included are pertinent links for those in the UK, as well as a call to action to others.
Overall, this is a powerful and pertinent storyline that needs to be told. But as a piece of fiction, I was underwhelmed and disengaged.
2.5 stars.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
January 10, 2022
4-5 stars rounded up.
Steven Harding and Ellie Masterson leave a winter NYC and head to Chesapeake Bay for a romantic weekend escape. Steven is a respected Literature Professor who also teaches at a prestigious NY high school. His career is all about trajectory in order to emulate his esteemed father whose shadow looms large. Ellie is younger and a Masters student at NYU. It’s their six month anniversary, it should be perfect, the house is a secluded modern architects dream and thus will give them the privacy they desire.
Wow. This is a character driven psychological thriller of high quality the plot of which it’s best to go into blind as it’s a very powerful story featuring a very relevant issue. It’s extremely atmospheric in a great location with a house that retains secrets within its walls. The surrounding trees seem to loom, the icy weather and the wind all add to the chill and danger. There’s a growing sense of claustrophobia and paranoia , the dense blackness outside because of its remote location adds to the readers foreboding and apprehension. The author uses all the senses in the plot, smells that overwhelm, sounds that disturb, strange images that add a vertiginous feeling and build the anxiety and pain. It’s so twisty that it constantly disarms and surprises as the storyline shifts in direction. The author cleverly uses tension and suspense and then gives you some breathing space. However, it builds and builds with tension escalating intensely towards a blood curdling end and you have no idea how it will play out. I don’t want to say much about the characters as they’re critical to what plays out between them, lets settle for they both keep big secrets. I like how Literature is used really cleverly especially Dostoevsky ( though I won’t say which one!) to highlight and reinforce situations. This works so well and is very relevant to the characters.
Overall, this really is a book that is hard to put down. I won’t pretend it’s an easy read, it’s shocking and meant to be so but what I will say it’s an incredible one. What a debut!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Steven Harding and Ellie Masterson leave a winter NYC and head to Chesapeake Bay for a romantic weekend escape. Steven is a respected Literature Professor who also teaches at a prestigious NY high school. His career is all about trajectory in order to emulate his esteemed father whose shadow looms large. Ellie is younger and a Masters student at NYU. It’s their six month anniversary, it should be perfect, the house is a secluded modern architects dream and thus will give them the privacy they desire.
Wow. This is a character driven psychological thriller of high quality the plot of which it’s best to go into blind as it’s a very powerful story featuring a very relevant issue. It’s extremely atmospheric in a great location with a house that retains secrets within its walls. The surrounding trees seem to loom, the icy weather and the wind all add to the chill and danger. There’s a growing sense of claustrophobia and paranoia , the dense blackness outside because of its remote location adds to the readers foreboding and apprehension. The author uses all the senses in the plot, smells that overwhelm, sounds that disturb, strange images that add a vertiginous feeling and build the anxiety and pain. It’s so twisty that it constantly disarms and surprises as the storyline shifts in direction. The author cleverly uses tension and suspense and then gives you some breathing space. However, it builds and builds with tension escalating intensely towards a blood curdling end and you have no idea how it will play out. I don’t want to say much about the characters as they’re critical to what plays out between them, lets settle for they both keep big secrets. I like how Literature is used really cleverly especially Dostoevsky ( though I won’t say which one!) to highlight and reinforce situations. This works so well and is very relevant to the characters.
Overall, this really is a book that is hard to put down. I won’t pretend it’s an easy read, it’s shocking and meant to be so but what I will say it’s an incredible one. What a debut!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
April 27, 2022
Athough I finished reading this a while ago, I didn't write a review because I was so divided. Not normally at a loss for words, I was unsure.
My three stars suggests middle-of-the-road but in actuality, I was on opposite ends regarding several aspects.
I loved the descriptions of the outdoor setting and the ominous, sterile house. I also appreciated the exciting finale and I applaud the author for imparting a message through a thriller meant to keep me on the edge of my seat. Mission accompished. In addition, there were pockets of inspired writing.
However, I was perplexed by the numerous bedroom scenes and I wondered if I’d stumbled onto a Romance. As the story progressed, the bedroom activities became more incongruous and didn’t fit within the characterisation of the main protaganist.
I never found a rhythm and unfortunately did some skimming to get to an action packed conclusion. I felt rewarded there and am happy that I stuck it out.
So all in all, a mixed bag for me.
I want to thank Novel Suspects, Hachette Book Group, and Laure Van Rensburg for my physical ARC published on April 12, 2022.
My three stars suggests middle-of-the-road but in actuality, I was on opposite ends regarding several aspects.
I loved the descriptions of the outdoor setting and the ominous, sterile house. I also appreciated the exciting finale and I applaud the author for imparting a message through a thriller meant to keep me on the edge of my seat. Mission accompished. In addition, there were pockets of inspired writing.
However, I was perplexed by the numerous bedroom scenes and I wondered if I’d stumbled onto a Romance. As the story progressed, the bedroom activities became more incongruous and didn’t fit within the characterisation of the main protaganist.
I never found a rhythm and unfortunately did some skimming to get to an action packed conclusion. I felt rewarded there and am happy that I stuck it out.
So all in all, a mixed bag for me.
I want to thank Novel Suspects, Hachette Book Group, and Laure Van Rensburg for my physical ARC published on April 12, 2022.
May 23, 2022
My Goodreads’ pals have become so in tune with my house cover addiction that they are now recommending books with houses on the front for me to read. I’d like to say I would have skipped this one if it weren’t for the recs, but my addiction is pretty severe so I most likely would have taken the bait on my own even if they hadn’t provided the nudge. That being said, “revenge porn” stories just aren’t my jam. I went into this blind because of the aforementioned house cover addiction, but definitely should have taken a pass . . . .
May 4, 2022
Ellie, a NYU graduate student and Steven, a professor at a nearby prep school are excitedly celebrating their sixth month dating anniversary by taking their first three day weekend getaway. When the couple arrives at their destination, a luxurious and very secluded rental home in a scenic wooded area by the ocean they just want to take some time to get to know each other a little better. Ellie wants to express her true, hearfelt feelings to Steven while he also has a surprise in store since he decided that Ellie is "The One", so they now have three full days to just flourish in their newfound love. Shortly after arriving they both begin to hear strange and creepy noises that they can't really identify but then they shrug it off while sometimes wondering if someone is watching them and possibly hiding somewhere nearby or even in the house. The couple are having a blissful time while the snow is continuously falling down until sometime on day two when something unforseen occurs and since there is no cell reception or a landline available they haven't any way of contacting any outside help especially when they found their car was also inoperable. The couple will now be in a brutal and devastating fight for their lives while possibly not even staying alive to tell their story.
This book was crazy good although a little long-winded at times. The characters were believable yet unlikable while keeping horrible secrets from their pasts that will need to be revealed. The storytelling and the writing are excellent giving a complete inside view to who these two people really are although it takes a little too long to get to the down and dirty. There was a hint of the paranormal and I'm still puzzled whether that was really taking place or just hallucinations from their delusional fears that seemed to make the couple completely irrational and out of control but I appreciated this extra element of fear that the author included in this book. Another point that is a pet peeve of mine was this was an American couple living in New York but they constantly referred to their sweaters as "jumpers" and the car windshield as a "windscreen" which is the way of speaking in the UK not in the US. This may not be a problem for many readers but it bothers me since I love reading UK books and enjoy the many differences in their dialogue and being from the US, I know the words which we would normally be speaking although this didn't affect the enjoyment of the story, it was just something that always bothered me. This was a very dark and ugly at times slowburn of a thriller that could possibly be upsetting to certain people so readers should be aware of any trigger warnings may come across in any reviews. I also want to commend the author for including at the end of her book her personal reasons for writing this story and including several lists of resources for sexual and domestic abuse victims.
Trigger Warnings: Violence, sexual assault, statutory rape, domestic and sexual abuse, suicide
I want to thank the publisher "Grand Central Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this novel a rating of 3 1/2 DARK AND DISTURBING 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
This book was crazy good although a little long-winded at times. The characters were believable yet unlikable while keeping horrible secrets from their pasts that will need to be revealed. The storytelling and the writing are excellent giving a complete inside view to who these two people really are although it takes a little too long to get to the down and dirty. There was a hint of the paranormal and I'm still puzzled whether that was really taking place or just hallucinations from their delusional fears that seemed to make the couple completely irrational and out of control but I appreciated this extra element of fear that the author included in this book. Another point that is a pet peeve of mine was this was an American couple living in New York but they constantly referred to their sweaters as "jumpers" and the car windshield as a "windscreen" which is the way of speaking in the UK not in the US. This may not be a problem for many readers but it bothers me since I love reading UK books and enjoy the many differences in their dialogue and being from the US, I know the words which we would normally be speaking although this didn't affect the enjoyment of the story, it was just something that always bothered me. This was a very dark and ugly at times slowburn of a thriller that could possibly be upsetting to certain people so readers should be aware of any trigger warnings may come across in any reviews. I also want to commend the author for including at the end of her book her personal reasons for writing this story and including several lists of resources for sexual and domestic abuse victims.
Trigger Warnings: Violence, sexual assault, statutory rape, domestic and sexual abuse, suicide
I want to thank the publisher "Grand Central Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this novel a rating of 3 1/2 DARK AND DISTURBING 🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
April 24, 2022
This book was a very fast-paced thriller, that was a definite #MeToo movement book. A tale of cat and mouse, back and forth battle of wits between a couple, in which neither are even close to who they present themselves to be to the other. When I read this synopsis for this book being set in a cabin, in the middle of a snowstorm I got very excited and wanted to get my hands on this asap. But this book ended up being nothing like I thought it would be - it wasn't quite as atmospheric as I'd hoped. I did feel like the writing was a little peculiar at times, but then I saw that the author is French, which made more sense. That's not to say this was not well written, I just couldn't connect with the pros entirely throughout. I wish there had been more characters or perspectives offered, which would have made this a bit more exciting, IMO. I didn't feel like this was a story I had read before maybe just in a different setting, so while it wasn't exactly the most original plot, it was fairly enjoyable. Not certain I will read anymore by this author, but you never know.
If you are a fan of the movement and tales of revenge, this is definitely the book for you!!
If you are a fan of the movement and tales of revenge, this is definitely the book for you!!
April 1, 2022
This book had me hooked from the beginning but lost it’s steam midway. I saw the plot twist coming although it didn’t take away from the enjoyment.
Steven Harding is a respected literature professor at a high school in NYC. Ellie Materson is a grad student. They decide to celebrate their six month anniversary at an isolated cabin miles away from the city. No neighbors. No cell service. Nobody but us. Sounds perfect right?
The trip quickly escalates into a horrific experience for the couple. Both are hiding something. Both are not who they say they are. What a way to celebrate your anniversary.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Steven Harding is a respected literature professor at a high school in NYC. Ellie Materson is a grad student. They decide to celebrate their six month anniversary at an isolated cabin miles away from the city. No neighbors. No cell service. Nobody but us. Sounds perfect right?
The trip quickly escalates into a horrific experience for the couple. Both are hiding something. Both are not who they say they are. What a way to celebrate your anniversary.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Want to read
March 23, 2022Abandoning at Chapter 17, page 83
I have the urge to skim, skim, skim. The writing feels choppy and the author uses lots of similes and over describes so many things, I'm too frustrated to continue.
November 25, 2022
An attractive and successful professor. A naïve, young grad student. A romantic weekend away together celebrating their six-month anniversary. But both conceal dark secrets that, in the end, will leave only one alive.
I lasted through about 100 pages of this book before calling it quits. I just couldn’t endure much more. Van Rensburg has written an incredibly slow, description-heavy book that was trying to be the next great literary novel but failed. Passages like:
And where was the thrilling part of this supposed psychological thriller? I actually stopped reading to look up whether this was a romance novel, but no, it’s supposedly literary suspense. With a bland plot and stereotypical characters (at least at the beginning), I was put off by the sheer quantity of eroticism there was in this book with very little mystery. To top it off, from someone who lived in Maryland for over 20 years, this fell flat with the facts surrounding the setting. If you’re looking for a romantic suspense novel that turns dark, then perhaps you’ll enjoy this one more than I did, but if you’re looking for a true mystery/thriller, skip over this one. Rating of 1 star (DNF).
Trigger warning: graphic violence
I lasted through about 100 pages of this book before calling it quits. I just couldn’t endure much more. Van Rensburg has written an incredibly slow, description-heavy book that was trying to be the next great literary novel but failed. Passages like:
“Tongues interlocking, inviting. Her mouth telling him how much she likes him, even loves him, although they have never said the words to each other. Under their kiss, the remoteness of their location seems sharper than ever. Only they remain in this frozen Eden, Adam and Eve-a woman who seems to have been made for him.”
And where was the thrilling part of this supposed psychological thriller? I actually stopped reading to look up whether this was a romance novel, but no, it’s supposedly literary suspense. With a bland plot and stereotypical characters (at least at the beginning), I was put off by the sheer quantity of eroticism there was in this book with very little mystery. To top it off, from someone who lived in Maryland for over 20 years, this fell flat with the facts surrounding the setting. If you’re looking for a romantic suspense novel that turns dark, then perhaps you’ll enjoy this one more than I did, but if you’re looking for a true mystery/thriller, skip over this one. Rating of 1 star (DNF).
Trigger warning: graphic violence
November 6, 2023
Dlaczego książka, którą wybrałam zupełnie na chybił trafił po wcześniejszym sparzeniu się na spisanym porno okazała się prawie tym samym...
Nie wiem z jakiego drewna autorka wyciosała swoich bohaterów, ale wyszło jej to fenomenalnie. Intryga to nic nowego pod słońcem - ni to angażujące, ni przerażające. Na deser zdążyła wkraść się obowiązkowa niekonsekwencja.
Jedyne, co zdołało uchronić ten tytuł od jednogwiazdkowej oceny to ostatnie kilkanaście stron, przy których faktycznie dało się odczuć jakiekolwiek napięcie. Spieszę jednak przypomnieć, że gdzie plus, tam i minus - po kilku rozdziałach zdającego się nie mieć końca kluczenia i uników, błagałam jedynie o jak najszybsze zakończenie tej farsy.
Nie wiem z jakiego drewna autorka wyciosała swoich bohaterów, ale wyszło jej to fenomenalnie. Intryga to nic nowego pod słońcem - ni to angażujące, ni przerażające. Na deser zdążyła wkraść się obowiązkowa niekonsekwencja.
Jedyne, co zdołało uchronić ten tytuł od jednogwiazdkowej oceny to ostatnie kilkanaście stron, przy których faktycznie dało się odczuć jakiekolwiek napięcie. Spieszę jednak przypomnieć, że gdzie plus, tam i minus - po kilku rozdziałach zdającego się nie mieć końca kluczenia i uników, błagałam jedynie o jak najszybsze zakończenie tej farsy.
April 11, 2022
Unfortunately I just couldn't connect with this one. The book was way too long, and way too descriptive. I didn't really get a mystery feel at all. It was very obvious where the story was headed throughout its entirety. The characters could have used much more building. I felt as though I should have been rooting for Ellie, but found I wasn't really connected to her character at all.
Don't let my review discourage you from picking this one up! Lots of reviewers loved this one. Alas, we can't love them all :)
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy!
Don't let my review discourage you from picking this one up! Lots of reviewers loved this one. Alas, we can't love them all :)
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy!
April 26, 2022
Hard Candy-esque revenge story in an atmospheric setting.
A lone guest house in the middle of the woods and it's the two of them.. Nobody but them and their secrets.
Even after sleeping on it, I find it extremely difficult to rate and review this book.
Firstly, the author is a magician in conjuring the atmospheric setting, the flourished writing puts me straight in the setting and I love it! I can feel the chilling cold, I can hear the logs crackling in the fireplace - everything comes alive with her skilful writing.
However, at some point, it does start to feel too long and too descriptive, so I guess it is a fine balance.
I really do not want to leave a very critical review, as the premise (the #MeToo movement) is so very important and also hits close to home to me. It is an extremely overlooked issue even in this day and age and light should be brought to these being ongoing crimes committed toward women and the perpetrators appropriately prosecuted.
However, once the story reached a certain point in the 'action' of things, it plateaued and from there, it only became a cat and mouse chase and trips down the memory lane. For my liking, this could barely be described as a thriller or a mystery. With only the two of them (one being the piece of egomaniac shit they were) - it could not go any further. Maybe I would have felt retribution if there was a little more gore? I think it would feel more satisfying after being subjected to reading so much of their inner entitled delusional word vomit. Their thoughts were so detached from seeing women as anything else as a means to an end.
Wait, was the author grooming me too?
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book!
A lone guest house in the middle of the woods and it's the two of them.. Nobody but them and their secrets.
Even after sleeping on it, I find it extremely difficult to rate and review this book.
Firstly, the author is a magician in conjuring the atmospheric setting, the flourished writing puts me straight in the setting and I love it! I can feel the chilling cold, I can hear the logs crackling in the fireplace - everything comes alive with her skilful writing.
However, at some point, it does start to feel too long and too descriptive, so I guess it is a fine balance.
I really do not want to leave a very critical review, as the premise (the #MeToo movement) is so very important and also hits close to home to me. It is an extremely overlooked issue even in this day and age and light should be brought to these being ongoing crimes committed toward women and the perpetrators appropriately prosecuted.
However, once the story reached a certain point in the 'action' of things, it plateaued and from there, it only became a cat and mouse chase and trips down the memory lane. For my liking, this could barely be described as a thriller or a mystery. With only the two of them (one being the piece of egomaniac shit they were) - it could not go any further. Maybe I would have felt retribution if there was a little more gore? I think it would feel more satisfying after being subjected to reading so much of their inner entitled delusional word vomit. Their thoughts were so detached from seeing women as anything else as a means to an end.
Wait, was the author grooming me too?
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book!
December 28, 2021
Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.
Couple, Ellie and Steven, have a romantic weekend getaway planned that soon goes awry as neither proves to be the individual the other anticipated. The exchange more than just words, during their time spent together, but who will be the victor and who the victim remains to be seen.
I was so engrossed in this sinister and sordid little tale! There were dark deeds continually uncovered and the author took no pains to hide any of the gruesome discoveries from the reader. I won't spoil the story by stating which individual I sided with but I was definitely rooting for one of the two, despite neither's actions being exactly legal or wholesome, throughout.
This was lighter on the dark academia vibes than I anticipated, and I would have preferred some sections to feature more of a focus on the couple's time at university, but that was a very minor flaw in an engrossing and immersive, wickedly devious read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Laure Van Rensburg, and the publisher, Michael Joseph, for this opportunity.
Couple, Ellie and Steven, have a romantic weekend getaway planned that soon goes awry as neither proves to be the individual the other anticipated. The exchange more than just words, during their time spent together, but who will be the victor and who the victim remains to be seen.
I was so engrossed in this sinister and sordid little tale! There were dark deeds continually uncovered and the author took no pains to hide any of the gruesome discoveries from the reader. I won't spoil the story by stating which individual I sided with but I was definitely rooting for one of the two, despite neither's actions being exactly legal or wholesome, throughout.
This was lighter on the dark academia vibes than I anticipated, and I would have preferred some sections to feature more of a focus on the couple's time at university, but that was a very minor flaw in an engrossing and immersive, wickedly devious read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Laure Van Rensburg, and the publisher, Michael Joseph, for this opportunity.
September 28, 2021
Ellie and Steven are looking forward to their first weekend away but things are not quite what they seem as the break turns into a nightmare. Ellie is a grad student and Steven is a teacher at an elite Manhattan school, but neither of them are quite who they appear to be and one of them won’t escape the weekend alive.
This is a dark read, graphic at times but very atmospheric. Difficult to say too much without giving it away but was a very enjoyable read. I am sure it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea with some of the subject matter but there is plenty to stimulate the readers.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a dark read, graphic at times but very atmospheric. Difficult to say too much without giving it away but was a very enjoyable read. I am sure it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea with some of the subject matter but there is plenty to stimulate the readers.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2024
Încă o carte despre abuzul comis de un bărbat de 40 de ani, profesor, care are ca "ținte" eleve sau, în orice caz, fete mult mai tinere decât el.
În cartea de față, Steven (profesorul) trăiește o poveste de dragoste cu o tânără de 23 de ani, Ellie. Este pentru prima dată după multă vreme când simte o legătură specială, pe care o vede ca fiind de durată. Pentru un weekend de neuitat, fata închiriază o vilă izolată într-un loc pustiu, înconjurat de pădure, în miez de iarnă. Superb până aici. Doar că de a doua zi lucrurile o iau razna. Complet razna! Nu m-am gândit nicio secundă la așa ceva.
Începe un război al secretelor între cei doi. Ellie nu este ceea ce pare, dar și Steven are destule "bube" pe care se pare că fata le cunoștea foarte bine.
O carte despre răzbunare extremă, dar neverosimilă. Ellie are o mulțime de dovezi că profesorul manipulează eleve pentru a profita de ele, dar în loc să anunțe școala/autoritățile, pune la cale un întreg scenariu pentru a-l demasca pe Steven. Un scenariu copilăresc, cu foarte puține șanse de reușită, dar care, ce să vezi, va funcționa perfect. 😒
Am vrut să îi dau 4⭐, dar efectiv nu mai pot cu gândirea asta care predomină în carte: bărbații sunt niște abuzatori nesimțiți și e plin de Steveni în lumea asta. 🙈
SPOILER:
Prietena ta, care a avut o relație cu acest profesor, a murit căzând de pe o stâncă. Tu îl consideri pe el vinovat. Ca să te răzbuni, începi o relație cu el. Planul tău este să îl sechestrezi, să îl droghezi și să îl legi de un scaun cu rotile și să îi dai de ales: fie își recunoaște păcatele și obsesiile, fie se sinucide spanzurându-se cu ștreangul pe care i l-ai pregătit. WHAT? 🤯
În cartea de față, Steven (profesorul) trăiește o poveste de dragoste cu o tânără de 23 de ani, Ellie. Este pentru prima dată după multă vreme când simte o legătură specială, pe care o vede ca fiind de durată. Pentru un weekend de neuitat, fata închiriază o vilă izolată într-un loc pustiu, înconjurat de pădure, în miez de iarnă. Superb până aici. Doar că de a doua zi lucrurile o iau razna. Complet razna! Nu m-am gândit nicio secundă la așa ceva.
Începe un război al secretelor între cei doi. Ellie nu este ceea ce pare, dar și Steven are destule "bube" pe care se pare că fata le cunoștea foarte bine.
O carte despre răzbunare extremă, dar neverosimilă. Ellie are o mulțime de dovezi că profesorul manipulează eleve pentru a profita de ele, dar în loc să anunțe școala/autoritățile, pune la cale un întreg scenariu pentru a-l demasca pe Steven. Un scenariu copilăresc, cu foarte puține șanse de reușită, dar care, ce să vezi, va funcționa perfect. 😒
Am vrut să îi dau 4⭐, dar efectiv nu mai pot cu gândirea asta care predomină în carte: bărbații sunt niște abuzatori nesimțiți și e plin de Steveni în lumea asta. 🙈
SPOILER:
Prietena ta, care a avut o relație cu acest profesor, a murit căzând de pe o stâncă. Tu îl consideri pe el vinovat. Ca să te răzbuni, începi o relație cu el. Planul tău este să îl sechestrezi, să îl droghezi și să îl legi de un scaun cu rotile și să îi dai de ales: fie își recunoaște păcatele și obsesiile, fie se sinucide spanzurându-se cu ștreangul pe care i l-ai pregătit. WHAT? 🤯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
When Ellie and her boyfriend Steven take their final trip together, what starts as an idyllic weekend soon takes a darker turn, as it quickly becomes apparent that each of them harbours secrets - and that one of those secrets is deadly. Ellie is a NYU grad student, timid but fiercely intelligent, and eager for the perfect weekend away with her boyfriend. Steven is wealthy and privileged teacher at an elite Manhattan school. Hid and Ellie's relationship has stirred up envy among the teachers in his academic circle.
The story is told from Ellie, Steven and an unnamed narrators perspectives. We know from almost the beginning of the story that things are not quite right. Ellie and Steven both had secrets. They has went away to celebrate being together for six months. This is a dark and twisted read. The story is descriptively written. I could feel the fear dripping from the pages. Soon their true identities come to the forelight. This is a story of revenge. This is a most enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinMichaelJosephUK and the author #LaureVanRensburg for my ARC of #NobodyButUs in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from Ellie, Steven and an unnamed narrators perspectives. We know from almost the beginning of the story that things are not quite right. Ellie and Steven both had secrets. They has went away to celebrate being together for six months. This is a dark and twisted read. The story is descriptively written. I could feel the fear dripping from the pages. Soon their true identities come to the forelight. This is a story of revenge. This is a most enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinMichaelJosephUK and the author #LaureVanRensburg for my ARC of #NobodyButUs in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2022
‘Nobody But Us’ is billed as a dark thriller by British-based French-born author, Laure Van Rensburg. The prologue is shocking so anyone of a squeamish disposition has been warned.
Ellie is a twenty-three-year-old university student in a relationship with Steven, a university professor who is almost a generation older. She has planned a romantic weekend away in an isolated house in Chesapeake Bay. The property is imposing and nestling in a wooded area near the sea. Everything is covered in a deep carpet of snow and there is no landline or mobile phone signal. The scene is now set for the drama which unfolds over the next three days.
Each chapter is quite short and devoted to one of the two main protagonists, interspersed with diary entries from a third person. Ellie’s sections are written in the first person with Steven’s in the third. The book is divided into three parts, one for each day they remain at the house and starting with an appropriate epigraph.
Both characters are well-defined and multi-layered, as becomes apparent from their backstories which are drip-fed throughout the book. Ellie appears vulnerable and eager to please. Steven is manipulative and controlling; wracked with conflict, insecurity and jealous of his high-achieving father. Ellie peripherally acknowledges some of his foibles but sees him as protective and caring. She can’t quite believe she has attracted such a sophisticated man.
The cover on my review copy is unusual with an additional half board, peeled back to reveal a second tag. This proves symbolic as nothing inside or out of the book, is quite as it appears from first glance.
It is an incredibly difficult task to hold an audience’s attention when a full length story is pretty much a two-hander. I complement the author in her use of amplification, imagery, metaphors and similes to add colour and depth. Not once did I find my attention wavering.
This story tackles some sensitive themes head-on with the end result being a powerful tale of detachment and retribution. I found this book gripping and I hope the author found writing it a cathartic experience which might encourage others to also find their voice. I have no hesitation in awarding five stars.
Ellie is a twenty-three-year-old university student in a relationship with Steven, a university professor who is almost a generation older. She has planned a romantic weekend away in an isolated house in Chesapeake Bay. The property is imposing and nestling in a wooded area near the sea. Everything is covered in a deep carpet of snow and there is no landline or mobile phone signal. The scene is now set for the drama which unfolds over the next three days.
Each chapter is quite short and devoted to one of the two main protagonists, interspersed with diary entries from a third person. Ellie’s sections are written in the first person with Steven’s in the third. The book is divided into three parts, one for each day they remain at the house and starting with an appropriate epigraph.
Both characters are well-defined and multi-layered, as becomes apparent from their backstories which are drip-fed throughout the book. Ellie appears vulnerable and eager to please. Steven is manipulative and controlling; wracked with conflict, insecurity and jealous of his high-achieving father. Ellie peripherally acknowledges some of his foibles but sees him as protective and caring. She can’t quite believe she has attracted such a sophisticated man.
The cover on my review copy is unusual with an additional half board, peeled back to reveal a second tag. This proves symbolic as nothing inside or out of the book, is quite as it appears from first glance.
It is an incredibly difficult task to hold an audience’s attention when a full length story is pretty much a two-hander. I complement the author in her use of amplification, imagery, metaphors and similes to add colour and depth. Not once did I find my attention wavering.
This story tackles some sensitive themes head-on with the end result being a powerful tale of detachment and retribution. I found this book gripping and I hope the author found writing it a cathartic experience which might encourage others to also find their voice. I have no hesitation in awarding five stars.
July 4, 2022
This was just ok- I felt like it was more about sending a message than a true mystery. The story centers on grad student Ellie and professor Steven who go away for a long weekend together to a remote mansion in the woods. The prologue tells you that something went awry and the rest of the book leads up to that point (which is a style I enjoy).
The book has a locked-room type vibe as the reader tries to figure out the true motivations of the characters. There were some surprises but they felt a bit contrived to me, leading me to believe that the message the author wanted to send was center stage and the story was built around it. There was also an awful lot of sex, which I could do without when I’m reading mysteries. I felt satisfied by the ending but it just felt like it took a lot to get there.
Overall, not my favorite but it did keep me engaged throughout. I’d give it 2.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book has a locked-room type vibe as the reader tries to figure out the true motivations of the characters. There were some surprises but they felt a bit contrived to me, leading me to believe that the message the author wanted to send was center stage and the story was built around it. There was also an awful lot of sex, which I could do without when I’m reading mysteries. I felt satisfied by the ending but it just felt like it took a lot to get there.
Overall, not my favorite but it did keep me engaged throughout. I’d give it 2.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2022
Inspired by and written on the back of the me too movement, Nobody But Us is a revenge thriller, the story of an English teacher and his student, their relationship and a weekend away at a secluded house in the middle of a snow storm.
This one was a fun enough read without being overly engaging. I found the pacing very uneven for a start. Begins fine and gets to the set up pretty quickly and then when we reach that point…it kinda stagnates and loses its momentum as it goes back in time and tells the back story of our two main protagonists amongst others. A lot of it felt a bit repetitive and kind of like filler. The book is definitely too long for the story it told. The diary entries from a seemingly anonymous victim added little at all to the story and were a real distraction.
The characters also didn’t seem to be paid enough attention to. More time was spent describing the house and the snow than actually developing the characters. Also some of the decisions made by both characters seemed to be made purely to drive the story in the direction the author wanted and felt kinda clunky.
It was overall a fun if not memorable read that would have been a lot better in a shorter format.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
This one was a fun enough read without being overly engaging. I found the pacing very uneven for a start. Begins fine and gets to the set up pretty quickly and then when we reach that point…it kinda stagnates and loses its momentum as it goes back in time and tells the back story of our two main protagonists amongst others. A lot of it felt a bit repetitive and kind of like filler. The book is definitely too long for the story it told. The diary entries from a seemingly anonymous victim added little at all to the story and were a real distraction.
The characters also didn’t seem to be paid enough attention to. More time was spent describing the house and the snow than actually developing the characters. Also some of the decisions made by both characters seemed to be made purely to drive the story in the direction the author wanted and felt kinda clunky.
It was overall a fun if not memorable read that would have been a lot better in a shorter format.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
October 17, 2021
This was sent to me through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled to finish this book, in reality I wouldn’t have got past the free sample on Amazon if I was choosing normally.
Firstly I think the English teacher / student theme has been done to death and I find it unimaginative and a bit lazy to have 2 characters sparring over literature opinions. Can’t it for once be a different area of academia at least?
Secondly I felt the writing was far too heavy on scene description at the expense of character development. There are only so many ways to describe snow and a forest, I need to feel characters come alive or spike interest in me to stay engaged. These 2 felt flat and one dimensional.
The outline of the plot sounded ok which is of course why I requested the book, in reality the delivery of it felt completely unconvincing, I ended up skimming over many paragraphs towards the end. I never felt anything in the way of tension or suspense, mostly just irritated at what felt like a desperate attempt to piggy back a social movement.
I really struggled to finish this book, in reality I wouldn’t have got past the free sample on Amazon if I was choosing normally.
Firstly I think the English teacher / student theme has been done to death and I find it unimaginative and a bit lazy to have 2 characters sparring over literature opinions. Can’t it for once be a different area of academia at least?
Secondly I felt the writing was far too heavy on scene description at the expense of character development. There are only so many ways to describe snow and a forest, I need to feel characters come alive or spike interest in me to stay engaged. These 2 felt flat and one dimensional.
The outline of the plot sounded ok which is of course why I requested the book, in reality the delivery of it felt completely unconvincing, I ended up skimming over many paragraphs towards the end. I never felt anything in the way of tension or suspense, mostly just irritated at what felt like a desperate attempt to piggy back a social movement.
April 12, 2022
✨Well, this one didn’t work for me. I’m going to list the reasons why and try to not give any spoilers along the way. If this one is on your radar you should stop reading now just incase! This book is described as a locked room thriller but it reads like a revenge story.
⚠️❌Possible Spoilers❌⚠️
What I Didn’t Like ~
• The slow start. The first 100 pages is just the couple making out.
• The twist. In my opinion, this device should never be used as a twist. It’s just a no for me.
• Once the twist is revealed it’s easy to guess the outcome. Instead of getting there quickly it’s repetitive and meanders for entirely too long.
• American characters, American setting, but British phrasing and words. This equally bothers me when it’s reversed. An American doesn’t wear trousers or jumpers. A British person doesn’t throw away trash or go to the pharmacy. Just a personal pet peeve of mine.
• The ending.
⚠️❌Possible Spoilers❌⚠️
What I Didn’t Like ~
• The slow start. The first 100 pages is just the couple making out.
• The twist. In my opinion, this device should never be used as a twist. It’s just a no for me.
• Once the twist is revealed it’s easy to guess the outcome. Instead of getting there quickly it’s repetitive and meanders for entirely too long.
• American characters, American setting, but British phrasing and words. This equally bothers me when it’s reversed. An American doesn’t wear trousers or jumpers. A British person doesn’t throw away trash or go to the pharmacy. Just a personal pet peeve of mine.
• The ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2021
Coming in 2022, Nobody But Us is an absolutely brilliant psychological thriller featuring two incredibly intriguing and powerful characters, an edge of the seat plot and a hugely emotional narrative.
The author has taken an important and relevant social issue and turned it into a story that is both extraordinarily addictive and psychologically complex. It is wildly entertaining but equally massively thought provoking- it is one of those books that sits with you afterwards and you'll turn over in your head finding your reaction to it in cycles.
I thought it was terrific and will happily highly recommend you get it onto your must read lists.
The author has taken an important and relevant social issue and turned it into a story that is both extraordinarily addictive and psychologically complex. It is wildly entertaining but equally massively thought provoking- it is one of those books that sits with you afterwards and you'll turn over in your head finding your reaction to it in cycles.
I thought it was terrific and will happily highly recommend you get it onto your must read lists.
June 2, 2022
This book centers around a "romantic" getaway weekend between a predator professor and a young impressionable student that goes awry. The book started well, but lost its pace and I found myself scanning the pages to get to the predictable ending. Another book with lots of unnecessary, repetitive detail that felt like filler to make it a novel, when it fact it would be better suited to a novella format. 2.5 stars, rounded up to a 3, mainly due to the author tackling the subject matter well. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
July 20, 2022
Nobody But Us
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 4/12/22
Author: Laure Van Rensburg
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 384
Goodreads Rating: 3.32
TW ⚠️: Sexual assault, suicide, and domestic violence.
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: When Ellie and her boyfriend Steven take their first trip together, that becomes apparent that each of them harbors secrets—and that one of those secrets is deadly. Ellie is an NYU grad student. Steven is a wealthy and privileged teacher at an elite Manhattan school. When they head out for their romantic break, they're both excited to get to know each other better away from prying eyes. But when a snowstorm strands them in the house, they begin to realize that neither of them is quite who they say they are—and that one of them won't escape the weekend alive.
My Thoughts: First, let me say, that the author does an amazing job at setting the tone throughout the book. Her descriptions tests all of your senses. The plot is brilliant. The ending is mind blowing. Everything in between is what I am struggling with. This is a character driven story, they are well developed, but I had a very hard time connecting with either of them for various reasons, which I will not say as I do not want to spoil for someone else. While some reviewers have pegged the plot as out there, I do agree with that, but I enjoy out there scenarios in fiction books. One thing I did like is the author’s reasoning for writing this book, which is at the end, which I again, will not relay as to not spoil things. The writing is a bit choppy and doesn’t flow, the book is a bit long-winded as well. Now, do not get me wrong, it was not a bad read, and I did like the book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 4/12/22
Author: Laure Van Rensburg
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 384
Goodreads Rating: 3.32
TW ⚠️: Sexual assault, suicide, and domestic violence.
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: When Ellie and her boyfriend Steven take their first trip together, that becomes apparent that each of them harbors secrets—and that one of those secrets is deadly. Ellie is an NYU grad student. Steven is a wealthy and privileged teacher at an elite Manhattan school. When they head out for their romantic break, they're both excited to get to know each other better away from prying eyes. But when a snowstorm strands them in the house, they begin to realize that neither of them is quite who they say they are—and that one of them won't escape the weekend alive.
My Thoughts: First, let me say, that the author does an amazing job at setting the tone throughout the book. Her descriptions tests all of your senses. The plot is brilliant. The ending is mind blowing. Everything in between is what I am struggling with. This is a character driven story, they are well developed, but I had a very hard time connecting with either of them for various reasons, which I will not say as I do not want to spoil for someone else. While some reviewers have pegged the plot as out there, I do agree with that, but I enjoy out there scenarios in fiction books. One thing I did like is the author’s reasoning for writing this book, which is at the end, which I again, will not relay as to not spoil things. The writing is a bit choppy and doesn’t flow, the book is a bit long-winded as well. Now, do not get me wrong, it was not a bad read, and I did like the book.
April 6, 2022
I seem to be on a roll with very average books at the moment. This one centres around a "romantic" getaway weekend between a predator professor and a young impressionable student that goes awry. The book started well, but lost its pace and I found myself scanning the pages to get to the predictable ending. Another book with lots of unnecessary, repetitive detail that felt like filler to make it a novel, when it fact it would be better suited to a novella format. 2.5 stars, rounded up to a 3, mainly due to the author tackling the subject matter well. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
April 12, 2022
Wow! Nobody But Us has one of the most enrapturing prologues that I've read in a long tome. It's raw, violent, visceral and unrelenting. If this prologue doesn't make you want to carry on reading, then nothing will. It sets a scene for the following pages, where we meet Ellie and Steven as they prepare to set off for a weekend away in an isolated house in the forest.
Ellie is a young student. Steven is a college professor. They've been in a relationship for six months and this weekend will be a celebration of their time together. A chance to discover each other where no one else can see. We already know that the weekend is not going to end well, we just don't know who the blood will belong to, or why.
The marketing blurb for this book asks us to meet '2022's most toxic couple', and this pair surely are two very messed up individuals. I can assure you that you will hate Steven, with his pretentious airs and his patronising way of treating Ellie. He's a man who is used to having things his own way, a taker. Whilst he considers himself to be generous, he gives nothing without expecting a lot in return. Ellie is, at first glance, a shy and demure young woman who is obviously in thrall to Steven. She's young and easily manipulated; agreeing to wear the clothes that he buys for her, smiling and complying with all that he does.
However, both Steven and Ellie are not who they want people to think they are, and as the story unfolds, the horror of the situation intensifies.
The author's writing is beautifully poetic at times, yet is often brutal too. Her ability to create the eeriness and isolation of the house in the forest, coupled with the snow storm that rages outside adds a tension and feeling of anticipation that heightens towards the shocking and revelatory ending.
This is not just a mystery about two people who are pretending, this is a savage, yet compelling look at historic sexual predatory and the effects that has on the victims. Steven is a damaged man, with an intense but totally dysfunctional family history and his behaviour over the years has been damaging. Here is a man who creates a facade of respectability whilst living a life that degrades others.
Ellie is a woman who has been hurt beyond repair, who has spent the last years plotting how she will try to make a terrible wrong right. She's the cleverest one of the two, hiding behind her downcast eyes and her fluttering eyelashes, whilst harbouring the most intense of desires.
Sharp and precise, beautifully written. This is a novel that consumed me, that I was loathe to set aside, yet which also horrified me at the same time. Highly recommended by me.
Ellie is a young student. Steven is a college professor. They've been in a relationship for six months and this weekend will be a celebration of their time together. A chance to discover each other where no one else can see. We already know that the weekend is not going to end well, we just don't know who the blood will belong to, or why.
The marketing blurb for this book asks us to meet '2022's most toxic couple', and this pair surely are two very messed up individuals. I can assure you that you will hate Steven, with his pretentious airs and his patronising way of treating Ellie. He's a man who is used to having things his own way, a taker. Whilst he considers himself to be generous, he gives nothing without expecting a lot in return. Ellie is, at first glance, a shy and demure young woman who is obviously in thrall to Steven. She's young and easily manipulated; agreeing to wear the clothes that he buys for her, smiling and complying with all that he does.
However, both Steven and Ellie are not who they want people to think they are, and as the story unfolds, the horror of the situation intensifies.
The author's writing is beautifully poetic at times, yet is often brutal too. Her ability to create the eeriness and isolation of the house in the forest, coupled with the snow storm that rages outside adds a tension and feeling of anticipation that heightens towards the shocking and revelatory ending.
This is not just a mystery about two people who are pretending, this is a savage, yet compelling look at historic sexual predatory and the effects that has on the victims. Steven is a damaged man, with an intense but totally dysfunctional family history and his behaviour over the years has been damaging. Here is a man who creates a facade of respectability whilst living a life that degrades others.
Ellie is a woman who has been hurt beyond repair, who has spent the last years plotting how she will try to make a terrible wrong right. She's the cleverest one of the two, hiding behind her downcast eyes and her fluttering eyelashes, whilst harbouring the most intense of desires.
Sharp and precise, beautifully written. This is a novel that consumed me, that I was loathe to set aside, yet which also horrified me at the same time. Highly recommended by me.
September 17, 2022
2.5
"Nur du und ich" klang einfach super spannend und interessant und ich war sehr gespannt darauf wie sich das romantische Wochenende zwischen Ellie und Steven entwickelt.
Zu Beginn fand ich die Geschichte ganz interessant und war voller Erwartungen was mich erwarten wird. Auch der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig zu lesen, so dass man recht schnell voran kam. Dennoch kam auch die Ernüchterung recht schnell, denn es hat einfach ewig gedauert bis es etwas passiert ist. Es gab für mich in der ersten Hälfte unglaublich viele Längen und dadurch wurde auch meine Vorfreude gedämpft.
In der zweiten Hälfte passiert dann ein wenig mehr und es wurde auch langsam ein wenig spannender. Ich muss aber sagen, dass ich nicht so ganz weiß was ich vor den Enthüllungen und Entwicklungen halten soll. Das Ende war mir dann ein wenig zu schwammig und konnte mich leider auch nicht überzeugen.
Ellie und Steven waren als Charaktere für mich nicht so ganz greifbar und keiner der beiden konnte wirkliche Sympathien bei mir wecken. Irritierend fand ich auch die Rückblicke, die immer wieder in der Geschichte auftauchen und die ich nicht wirklich zuordnen konnte.
Ich hatte von dem Buch deutlich mehr erwartet und auch eine komplett andere Entwicklung. Leider konnte mich das Buch nicht überzeugen.
"Nur du und ich" klang einfach super spannend und interessant und ich war sehr gespannt darauf wie sich das romantische Wochenende zwischen Ellie und Steven entwickelt.
Zu Beginn fand ich die Geschichte ganz interessant und war voller Erwartungen was mich erwarten wird. Auch der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig zu lesen, so dass man recht schnell voran kam. Dennoch kam auch die Ernüchterung recht schnell, denn es hat einfach ewig gedauert bis es etwas passiert ist. Es gab für mich in der ersten Hälfte unglaublich viele Längen und dadurch wurde auch meine Vorfreude gedämpft.
In der zweiten Hälfte passiert dann ein wenig mehr und es wurde auch langsam ein wenig spannender. Ich muss aber sagen, dass ich nicht so ganz weiß was ich vor den Enthüllungen und Entwicklungen halten soll. Das Ende war mir dann ein wenig zu schwammig und konnte mich leider auch nicht überzeugen.
Ellie und Steven waren als Charaktere für mich nicht so ganz greifbar und keiner der beiden konnte wirkliche Sympathien bei mir wecken. Irritierend fand ich auch die Rückblicke, die immer wieder in der Geschichte auftauchen und die ich nicht wirklich zuordnen konnte.
Ich hatte von dem Buch deutlich mehr erwartet und auch eine komplett andere Entwicklung. Leider konnte mich das Buch nicht überzeugen.
May 15, 2022
Prologue: When the police arrive, they find a bloodbath. Details are sketchy but an ambulance leaves in a hurry. Did someone survive?
Steven is a professor of literature and Ellie is a grad student. They've been having an affair for six months. They're going on a weekend escape to a remote house with no cell service.
I loved the cover with the snow and darkness surrounding a brightly lit house. The story is narrated by Steven, Ellie, and an unknown person. Takes time to find out who this person is. I remembered that prologue that kept me reading but I started skimming after awhile. The story has a dramatic ending.
Steven is a professor of literature and Ellie is a grad student. They've been having an affair for six months. They're going on a weekend escape to a remote house with no cell service.
I loved the cover with the snow and darkness surrounding a brightly lit house. The story is narrated by Steven, Ellie, and an unknown person. Takes time to find out who this person is. I remembered that prologue that kept me reading but I started skimming after awhile. The story has a dramatic ending.
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