I really enjoyed the intermingled storylines of this novel. It kept me interested and thinking through the possible outcomes until the end.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I am really torn with this book. It was listed to be a thriller but it was not what I would consider a thriller. The book itself however was written out well. Be aware of some trigger warnings that may upset some readers.
It was well thought out and well written, just not what I was expecting from the summary and the way it was catagorized.

This was a lot darker than I thought it would be. I would HIGHLY recommend checking out the trigger warnings before venturing in. The plot was happening but ever so slowly, and I honestly didn't know where it was going until halfway through the book. Even then though I did not find myself wanting to continue to pick this one up. It just didn't hit the mark for me.

This book is in dual POVs and timelines. We have Sofie in the past grappling with an unimaginable experience, and then we have Julia who is in the present in a loveless marriage that she signed up for in order to have security. Both women have serious trauma and secrets, and the question is how they tie together or cross over. This story involves covering up for "friends," deciding to acknowledge what happened in the past and taking control of the situation. I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I was not prepared for the trauma. The intersection of the stories was a bit odd for me and also did not happen until at least halfway through the book.

Again this one was not for me, but I do want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have no idea why I thought The Vacation House by Jane Shemilt was a thriller, but it is most definitely not that. It is a very slow-paced domestic/general fiction novel that tells 2 stories. One of Sofie in 2003 Paxos, Greece, and the other of the wife of a school headmaster Julia in present-day London, England. While both have their own intricacies, Sofie's POV packs a wallop and if you have triggers, you will for SURE need to check them before starting this. Some parts of the story are so traumatizing that it was very hard for me to read, and Shemilt is clearly not scared to take on sensitive and important subject matters.

Despite this not being a thriller, there are still a couple of twists, and while I kinda saw through one of them, the others quite surprised me. The Vacation House is a great book to listen to in the audio format, and I thought Amalia Vitale did exceptionally well with both viewpoints. She fully embodied both Sofie and Julia, and it honestly felt like I was listening to 2 different narrators. She is just that good. You should go into this book expecting a heavy read that ends in a hopeful way and a slow-burning plot, but if you are good with both of these things, you will most likely enjoy the depth and writing.

This is a story about two women and how similar yet divergent their lives become. One is rich and the other works hard for her money. A tragic event will change Sophie's life forever, and the catastrophe will keep coming for her hard and fast. Julia has money and yet she is not happy. She will find herself at a crossroads and what she chooses will determine the woman she will be. This was not an easy read, the subject itself wouldn't allow it. This book is hard to put down and I really loved the way this was brought back full circle. What a well written story from beginning to end.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a bit of a slow burn mystery/ thriller. The dual timelines really helped move the story along and added quite a bit of intrigue.

Reading this book was tough. The subject matter is dark and difficult. I agree with some of the other reviews that it doesn't necessarily feel like a mystery. There were a couple really good twists that I didn't necessarily anticipate. Overall, well done but sensitive subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Check trigger warnings before reading. With that aside, the story was a bit slow but it still kept my attention and I had to know what’s next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this great novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the setting, though the subject matter was difficult. I would recommend those with triggers check trigger warnings. The pace of the writing felt stunted at first, but then when I realized where the story was going, it felt reinvigorated. 4 stars.

I loved the pacing of this book - fast-paced. Check triggers. I felt like though overall it was fast-paced, it took a minute to get to the juice of the story and was overly wordy. Overall, I was not blown away and felt it won't stick in my mind long-term. It was good, but not incredible.

I enjoyed this book. I can’t wait for the next one! The writing is so beautiful. I absolutely love a good written book! Keeps you wanting more and more!

I thought this book started off slow for a Mystery/Thriller until I realized what was going on.

This is a dual time like told in 2 POVs. I love multiple timelines especially when it all comes together. Two very different girls/women from very different lifestyles but both are victims in their own way. With secrets and reputations on the line, there is nothing some people wouldn't do to keep them quiet.

I would say this book leans more to General Fiction than Mystery/Thriller/Suspense. This is a book where, as a reader, you can see what it is happening before the characters do. It really worked here. I love karma, sweet karma.

Was not sure of the direction this book was going to take, going between 2 people telling their story. Definitely glad I stuck with it because it gripped me and I couldn’t put it down! Great plot and crazy ending you don’t see coming!

This book was told with alternating POV - Julia in present day London, and Sofie 20 years ago in Greece.
I always enjoy dual POV as I find it adds layers to a story that might be missing from a single POV.
Both Julia and Sofie go through it in this book. I had the feels for Sofie’s entire family and the troubles they endured
I loved the vivid descriptions of Greece

Please read responsibly and check the trigger warnings for this book.

Thank you @Netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Vacation House
Stars: 4 X 5
Author: Jane Shemilt @jane.shemilt
Publisher: @williammorrowbooks
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

What a great fast paced thriller. The story moves between two time lines.
Starts with 13 year old Sophie 20 years ago at a vacation house in Paxos, Gree…
Her family are the caretakers of the house. The owners of the house are Wph.
Their British daughter is named Julia. Sophia tries to befriend Julia, but little do they know that theirs lives will be changed forever.

Jump to present day London. Julia is older and married. Her and her husband have a 15 year old daughter. Her marriage is surviving on thread as her husband is abusive and very controlling. Julia ends up seeking help from a Psychiatrist. Her life is not quite how she expected it would be. As she undergoes therapy, she starts to remembering that night the house. My curiosity is what happen all those years ago? Why did they keep these secrets and how will bring them out affect these families?

I will warn the reader that some parts of this book are very hard to read and very depressing at times. The book deals with rape, sexual abuse and assault, physical and mental abuse and neglect to name just a few. You will feel the pain of these characters. There are many twist and turns to the stories in this book and the ending between Sophia and Julia is well worth the read.

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The writing and the setting is absolutely beautiful. What happens to this young girl is horrific.
I don't want to spoil anything but there are a few good twists.
Mostly it is kind of sad.

thank you natgalley for the arc. this was a fast paced psychological thriller that kept me turning the page, it's told from two different time frames, the 1st time frame is from 20 years ago in Greece, and is between two 13 year old girls. the next time frame is present day were one of the girls is married and has a family of her own. the secrets that have been kept and what they'll go through to make sure that they are,

The Vacation House tells two stories about two women whose pasts connect them in the most disturbing way. I liked how the story alternated perspectives, and the two stories seamlessly started to weave together as the pace of the book picked up. While the beginning and middle were just okay for me, the ending was spectacular. What a twist!

Ok ok read.
The vacation house is a luxurious getaway for a wealthy English family, windows open to sun and the sea, a sparkling swimming pool, and a verdant garden. One hot summer night, while the parents and their friends drink wine and amuse themselves, a young woman—the teenage daughter of the Greek caretaker—ventures for a walk on their private beach. Her life will never be the same again. Julia is the perfect spouse and mother. Slender, blonde, expensively dressed, she’s the classic “yummy mummy” of high society: cook, organizer, arm candy, and speechwriter to her influential husband.
But behind her winning smile is a stifled woman trapped in a gilded cage, stricken with anxiety and perfectionism. When Julia meets Laurel, a therapist who promises to help her find fulfillment, Julia opens herself up to the hope of a different futur What happened in Greece all those years ago that binds these two women together? And will uncovering the truth destroy everything… or set them free?
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for giving me an advance copy.

I would say this book is heavy on the drama and while there is a crime, the tales of the two protagonists, then and now is the star of the show. Julia and Sophie are wonderful characters. The settings in Greece and the Uk are well set. Enjoyed this more than i thought i would.