If you love suspense novels, you're going to want to pick Amber Cowie's new book - The Off Season.

The set up for this tale was perfect! Jane has just married a man she's known for only six months, he's thirteen years older, has a teenage daughter and has been married already. Jane doesn't want children and is rebounding from something that went very bad in her work. A recipe for disaster? Maybe. How about adding in being caretakers for a remote lodge in the winter? Oh definitely yes...

The setting is wonderfully described. The lodge is large and luxurious. The forest surrounding the lodge beautiful - but also dangerous. And this crossed my thoughts...Redrum...

Cowie's character building is perfect. The dynamics between Jane and Dom are still in the honeymoon stage. But relations between Jane and Dom's daughter Sienna, are fractious, to say the least. The past is also a character in the plot. But is anyone telling the truth at all?

Oh my gosh - with every chapter Cowie builds and builds the tension in the lodge. There was no way I was going to stop reading! The plotting is great - I had no idea how things were to going to play out. Cowie kept me guessing right through to the last pages.

The Off Season is a fantastic entry for your summer reading list!

The premise was really intriguing but the follow through was not. The characters were all very shallow, development wise, especially Jane who is supposed to be an investigative documentary producer, she was way too confrontational at all the wrong times. Dom very obviously used sex to shut Jane up and that was that, it wasn't resolved in any way. Apart from who killed who, none of the deeper issues were resolved, like the dynamics between father/daughter, husband/wife, step mother/daughter. Melissa, the dead wife, was actually one of the more intriguing characters yet her story was also very shallow.

This story had all the elements, they just didn't come together well enough, for me.

The Off Season by Amber Cowie is a tense and dark family drama, absolutely jam-packed with secrets and deceit. The writing is taut, characters are full of angst and the plot is twisted.

Set in secluded British Columbia, the Venatura Hotel is a temporary home for newlyweds Jane and Dom and his daughter Sienna. The couple hadn't known each other long, but when you know you know, right? The hotel needs caretakers out of season and this could signify a fresh start and family bonding time. But there is something amiss with the owner, Peter. Things go from disturbing to creepy to bewildering and the rising Fraser River creates even more isolation and chaos. The family members walk on eggshells and wonder whether the others will discover their secrets. Wedges are driven between them, causing friction.

The setting is atmospheric and the mystery is strong. However, the characters act very immature in exasperating and unrealistic ways. Sometimes the reader loves to hate characters but in this instance I felt only antipathy and wanted to shake sense into them.

My sincere thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing novel.

I really wanted to like this book more! The reviews I read likened it to Agatha Christie and sadly I disagree. While it was twisty and paced fast - it was really too dark for an Agatha Christie - and even more unbelievable if possible. As much as I tried I couldn't get behind the main character - Jane. Really - you married him with knowing NOTHING??? Sadly I wasn't convinced.... Beautiful setting for a dark and twisty murder book and Amber Cowie obviously love BC! Sadly, I found this read a bit disappointing....

The Off Season is a deeply atmospheric and constantly haunting destination/domestic thriller that has you hooked from the very first steps into the Venatura Hotel.

I absolutely love books set in remote and cut off settings, and The Off Season delivers with a hotel nestled into remote B.C. wilderness, surrounded by a raging river and limited contacts with the outside world when a storm settles in. Throw in a mystery of missing/dead previous guests and caretakers, river levels that continue to rise and threaten to flood the hotel, and a epically strained family dynamic between a woman and the man she rushed into marrying, along with his obviously troubled daughter, and you have the mixin's for a tense and impossible to set down thriller.

Truly this is the definition of escapism reading and is perfect for lazy summer days where you want to be highly entertained. No spoilers but I definitely didn't guess the ending of this one, and the twists were delicious. A must for your summer TBR!

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Escaping backlash from an incident that took place while filming one of her true crime documentaries, Jane Duvall heads to Spain with hope that things will settle while she’s away. That’s when she meets single dad Dom Lawrence and after less than 6 months of knowing each other, they get married. As they are about to return to their Vancouver lives, Dom mentions that his friend desperately needs help with renovations of his hotel during the off season and this would be a great opportunity for them to bond as a new family. They pack up and head to the Venatura hotel with its beautiful BC landscapes. What should have been a retreat, quickly becomes a mystery to be solved when Jane uncovers that the last caretaker is missing. Seems like the Venatura hotel might be safekeeping quite a few secrets, that Jane is desperate to reveal.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
I was beyond excited to read this thriller as it took place in beautiful British Columbia and it is written by a Canadian author! As the book began, I was looking forward to finding out what exactly Jane did and appreciated how it was revealed few details at a time. The characters were written in a manner that gave space to love or hate them and question who was reliable in this story. The plot was delivery in a steady manner while the final chapters were fast paced and filled with a shocking unfolding of events! Super grateful I had the opportunity to read this one!

✵𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖲𝗂𝗆𝗈𝗇 ＆ 𝖲𝖼𝗁𝗎𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖢𝖺𝗇𝖺𝖽𝖺, 𝖠𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋 𝖢𝗈𝗐𝗂𝖾 ＆ 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝖦𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗀𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝖽 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋’𝗌 𝖢𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐.✵

I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting when I started reading The Off Season by Amber Cowie. I think the cover was what initially caught my eye, because it looks inviting and ominous all at the same time.

The story was ok. Though I never felt overly invested in any of the characters, except maybe the cat. I felt more worried about the cat than I did the people. That’s probably not a good thing. I just felt this weird disconnect. It’s not that it was hard to follow or anything like that. The thriller/mystery aspect was again, ok. I wasn’t shocked by anything that happened and though there were twists, I was never really rocked by any of them. I felt like maybe a bigger deal was made about Jane’s past than was needed and not enough of Dom’s was pressed upon. I find it weird that a couple would make an agreement to not Google/background check each other. Why would you feel the need to bring that up if you weren’t hiding something?! Obviously very suspicious and you knew there were hidden secrets there.

Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn’t previously read a highly anticipated and addictively good thriller?! I know others out there will love this book. And maybe it was bad timing on my part but this just wasn’t my favorite.

Trigger Warnings:
Language, sex scenes, child abuse mentioned, manipulation, suggested drowning, bullying, toxic relationships, eating disorder, suicide, murder, mental health and gun violence.

I’m grateful to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I hadn’t read anything but romance lately and when this landed in my inbox I knew I had to jump on it. I was so confused and never saw that ending coming. Throughout this entire book I was back and forth with who was evil, who was the real victim and who did it. I can honestly say until the end I had no clue and that’s the best kind of mystery, suspense and psychological thriller you find! The book is set at a remote hotel on the off season which gave major creepy vibes the entire time. If you’re a fan of reading Canadian Authors like me and enjoy a Lucy Foley book you’ll enjoy this one!

A chilling, atmospheric thriller set in a resort hotel in the unforgiving Fraser Valley in the British Columbian wilderness. The dangerous setting was as much of a vivid character as the protagonist Jane Duvall and her new husband Dom and stepdaughter Sienna. With something in her past Jane isn't proud of, she hesitates to pry into the mysterious death of her new husband's first wife. But when they arrive at the Venatura Hotel and she learns of a missing caretaker, the true crime documentarian can't help but wonder what dark secrets the property is hiding. This book is so twisted and tense. I absolutely loved it!

First of all I would like to thank Simon and Schuster CA for sending me an Ebook advance copy of The Off Season by Amber Cowie in exchange for my honest review. This thriller will be available for purchase or at your local library on May 14 2024.
This review will be featured on my blog: adustibookshelf.ca on May 7 as well as my instagram www.instagram,com/@a_dusti_bookshelf also on May 7 2024.

The description of this book said it was for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware. Say no more, I am totally in.

We meet our main character, Jane, who in the midst of a pretty massive misstep, is running away from her career and trying to repair her identity and fight back against the haters. She has met Dom, an older man who sweeps her off her feet. When the opportunity to spend the off peak season renovating a very remote hotel with Dom and his daughter comes up, Jane sees it as a good way to clear her head and get ready to go back to her job refreshed. But, as her best friend and business partner mentions - why would you want to cosplay "The Shining"?

There are SO many secrets, and everyone is hiding something. We are lied to, things are hidden and omissions that create even more drama ensue as our little thrown together family faces the ramifications of a wild weather system causing the Fraser River to flood. (This actually did happen in 2021, the Coquihalla hiway was washed out in several places, due to damage from an atmospheric river, and people and animals were airlifted to safety. It was impossible for my parents to get to us, so this being in the story added a sense of danger and tension as I remember that being a scary time)

I really enjoyed this book, even though some of the twists seemed a bit over-done. The evil stepmom trope was a little played up but still a good addition to the secrets and lies. There's a lot of derogatory words thrown around in the last bit so just a trigger warning for that.

All in all, a great mystery and a good reminder why we don't marry someone we've only known a handful of weeks who's throwing red flags like confetti ;)

This book would be a great movie! I loved how it was written. The descriptive passages of the Venatura Hotel and the intrigue, that kept building from the very start, kept me flipping the pages. The possibility of who was responsible for the things that had happened and were happening kept me on edge.. I’’m looking forward to investigating other titles by Amber Cowie.
Thank You to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Amber Cowie for the opportunity to read and thoroughly enjoy this ARC.

A destination thriller, “The Off Season” by Amber Cowie is a gripping novel about a woman who accompanies her new husband to a remote hotel during the off season to do renovations and uncovers deadly secrets behind every door.

Readers go on a chilling journey to the Venatura Hotel, which is a place where secrets lurk in the shadows, and danger lies behind every door.

Meet Jane Duvall: a documentary filmmaker recovering from a professional setback, who joins her new husband and his daughter at the Venatura Hotel during the off season. Nestled amidst an immense forest and overlooking the mighty Fraser River, the hotel seems like the perfect place for Jane to bond with her new family. But as she settles in, she senses an unsettling presence from the cold and quiet hotel owner who oversees her husband’s renovations.

Jane's curiosity gets the better of her when she discovers a series of strange disappearances at the hotel during previous seasons. As she delves deeper, she realizes that her husband has a murky history with the place, involving his former wife's tragic death. When a rainstorm threatens to flood the riverbanks and isolate the hotel, Jane must unravel the mysteries surrounding the Venatura Hotel if she hopes to survive the off season.

Cowie masterfully paints the eerie atmosphere of the hotel. It’s a place where creaking floorboards, whispering winds, and hidden secrets create an unsettling backdrop. The remote location intensifies the tension, making every revelation more spine-chilling.

Jane's determination to uncover the truth clashes with Dom's evasiveness, and Sienna's belligerence adds to the family dynamics. The strained relationships heighten the suspense, leaving readers guessing about each character's true intentions.

"The Off Season" keeps readers on their toes with unexpected twists and revelations. Just when you think you've figured it out, Cowie throws another curveball, leaving you breathless and eager for more.

The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the darkness that can hide within the people we love. Cowie skillfully weaves these themes into the fabric of the story, making it more than just a thriller: it's a psychological exploration of human nature. Cowie's writing is sharp, her pacing relentless, and her ability to create suspense unparalleled.

"The Off Season" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave a chilling, atmospheric experience. Prepare to lose yourself in the haunting corridors of the Venatura Hotel, where secrets lie buried and danger waits around every corner.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Off Season has newlyweds Jane and Dom heading to a remote hotel on the edge of a forest. Dom has suddenly taken on a new job to be its caretaker, in lieu of their honeymoon. Joining them are Dom’s teenage daughter Sienna, who is less than thrilled about this new marriage.

Amber Cowie builds tension in an amazing way as the weather turns, and the hotel’s isolation changes from charming to menacing.

Dom and Jane both bring a lot of secrets with them into their very new marriage, and questions about Dom’s past keep piling up until Jane can no longer ignore what’s right in front of her. At the same time, Jane carries a large secret of her own.

I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and the many mysteries that followed the characters. The writing was atmospheric and did a great job of pulling me in. A definite page turner.

*Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.*

When documentary filmmaker Jane Duvall finds herself embroiled in a career-threatening incident, she decides to take a break and escape to the mysterious and remote Venatura Hotel with her new husband (Dom), who’s signed up to be the hotel’s caretaker for the off season. Interesting, so far. And yes, The Shining vibes weren’t lost on me. There are Shining references peppered throughout the book and that might be the one (and possibly only?) element I completely enjoyed in the book.

The story started off fine. I was suspicious of everyone. I was scared for Jane. I was eager to know more about what tragedy ruined her previous film (when they finally revealed this, I found it very underwhelming!). I wanted to learn about Dom’s past.

Halfway through the book, I stopped feeling for Jane (or anyone else). Everyone was annoying. And acting in the most unreasonable ways. The dialogues felt so contrived. The twists weren’t twisting enough. By the end, I was glad it was over.

I liked the premise. I liked the BC setting (Vancouver gets featured as well). I liked the nod to The Shining. But that’s about it, sadly.

2.5/5

Thank you to Simon & Schuster CA and NetGalley for the eARC.

The Off Season grabbed me from the first page, but unfortunately lost me around the 40% mark. I was confused by all of the characters and their relationships and their dialogues felt bizarre to me. The plot had sooooo much going on. The FMC was unhinged; every interaction she had with her step daughter made me uncomfortable. I was especially uncomfortable with how the eating disorder was handled in this book it felt completely inappropriate and insensitive. Especially the padlock thing. Wth? I will say I didn’t figure out any of the plot twists.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC.

The stage was set for this to be a wild thriller... a huge lodge in the remote BC wilderness, during the storm season. A woman, her new husband, and a stepdaughter. Secrets. So many secrets.

I liked the set up of this one, and once the pace picked up a little bit, I was intrigued.

Unfortunately the main character was just too insufferable, she acted more similar to the stepdaugher than to her husband. Although he was terrifying, I was rolling my eyes at some of Jane's actions.

In the end this one had potential to be The Shining, but just fell flat for me.

A chilling thriller that is captivating, keeping you on edge.
I was so invested in solving the mysterys of The Off Season, i couldnt put it down!
Jane marrys Dom after trying to hide on vacation from a problematic documentary she made. Doms daughter, sienna, is suffer from the loss of her mother and is not overly nice to jane. Dom is offered a seasonal maitence job at the Venatura Hotel and they agree to live there for the rest of the off season. Creepy noises and mysterys start to appear everywhere as jane spirals, wondering if her marriage to dom was a mistake.
Fun of pop culture reference for millennials, and alot of Shining comparisons, The Off Season is definitely a reccomndation for any VC Andrews and Stephan King fan!

I really liked the premise and was drawn by the cover (I’m a sucker for a good cover!) but this was a miss for me. I found there were too many moving parts of the story that didn’t help to hold my interest. If it does captivate you - great! I think it will be a great book to those who can enjoy it.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for this eARC!

I was immediately drawn in by this cover—I love how bold it is, super eye catching. I didn’t know the author, but was down to buddy read this with my some of my faves @readingwiththechoob and @roshlite.

Unfortunately this was a big miss for me. Jane Duvall jumps into a marriage with a man she barely knows after suffering a massive career set back and public cancelling (for what we don’t find out for ages) and moves to rural BC for the winter to live in a deserted hotel while her husband does Renos on it and she gets bullied by his mean teenage daughter. There, she uncovers a mystery of missing people and suspicious deaths.

This was giving some fun tension and The Shining vibes for awhile but the writing was a bit confusing and messy; the characters felt shallow and I questioned their motivations; the dialogue was so so rough they just didn’t talk realistically it was more just there for info dumping and plot-revealing. And the twists were super antic-climactic. About half way through this it became a hate-read for me just to finish it.

As for the others—I don’t know if @readingwiththechoob plans to finish it I think she might DNF and @roshlite ended up feeling the same as I did with 2.5 stars.

I liked the premise of this thriller it just did not follow through and I probably won’t be picking up another of her books anytime soon. 😕

Thanks to @netgalley and @simonschusterca for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

THE OFF SEASON By Amber Cowie

An upcoming thriller for those who love:

✔️ whirlwind romances that lead to quick marriages
✔️ dead ex-wives and unhinged step-daughters
✔️ vacation resorts off the beaten path
✔️ secrets. Lots and lots of secrets
✔️ a dash of paranoia and unreliable characters thanks to all those secrets!
✔️ true crime documentaries (the MC is a filmmaker)
✔️ 🇨🇦 authors and West Coast settings

Jane and Dom met and fell in love while vacationing in Barcelona. Less than six months later they are newly married and off to be care takers of the Venatura Hotel during its off season in a remote area of British Columbia. Jane, trying to recover from a professional setback as a documentary filmmaker, is quickly drawn toward the secrets of the resort, and of her new husband. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that they really don't know one another. As a rainstorm arrives, cutting off the Venatura from the mainland, their safety is threatened and Jane is determined to solve these mysteries as a means of survival.

The Off Season is out in stores May 14th, just in time for any Long weekend or holiday reading.

Thank you @simonschusterca, @ambercowie and @netgalley for the ARC!

#thrillerbooks #Canadianauthor #ARC #theoffseason #summerreading #vacationreads #2024reads #bookstagram