I was excited to read this book from the time I first clapped eyes on it, and so my expectations were admittedly high. I truly think this could have been a four star read for me had it been shorter. There were a lot of repetitive scenes and elements that, if cut , or trimmed at least, could have made for a much tighter, tenser atmosphere. I thought the premise was very interesting and the characters well developed, but it just lost me when the plot started to get repetitive and way too descriptive for a book billed as a mystery/thriller. It wasn't bad, and Candlish can definitely write, but it was just too slow for what I was expecting.

Thanks to Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of Our House in exchange for an honest review.

'Our House' is domestic thriller as well as an in-depth look at what goes on behind closed doors, secrets we keep from those closest to us, and what someone is willing to do and how far they will go to keep these secrets from coming to light. I've read several domestic thrillers and generally enjoy them, although I have to admit that I've never read anything quite like this novel. The premise is a horrifying and scarily realistic one that could actually happen to someone, which is the point behind most of the stories in this genre. I loved the way the author wrote the book - by using excerpts from a podcast that our main character, Fi, takes part in to tell her story, along with excerpts from a Word document by Bram, her husband, explaining his side of things. We also get snippets of the past and present in the third person to put all of these other parts in perspective. It's an intriguing and unique way to tell a story and one that definitely sets it apart from others like it. Honestly, it's one of the things I liked best about it. The rest just didn't seem to grip me - the plot didn't pull me in and have me forming theories and I don't think I connected with the characters like I should have. Please note these are my opinions and don't say anything about the book itself. I know others are sure to love this novel and find it amazing. It just didn't have that certain pull for me and without that, I can't get lost inside the world the author creates as much as I need to for books like this. I do recommend it for fans of domestic thrillers, mysteries, contemporary fiction, and suspense.

At first I was thinking, "Oh come on, how could someone just sell her house without her knowing it? Is this going to be the 'she forgot because of her medications' trope?" But nope. Candlish delivers a completely new type of story in the suspense genre with some genuinely clever twists. Candlish does an exceptional job of foreshadowing and hooking us to keep on until the next chapter. I devoured the audio version of the book as quickly as I could. Some of the "Victim" tweets/dialogue might have flowed more easily had I been actually reading the book - I'd be interested to see how it was formatted in the text. Definitely a testament to forgiveness and makes us wonder... what would we do in these situations?

Fi and Bram have the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood. It’s the sort of neighborhood where outsiders clamor to get in, and insiders are desperate to stay in. The sort of neighborhood where all of the residents know how lucky they are to live there. And each time someone moves out, they are aware that none of them are truly entitled to that perfect life.

I loved the story-telling mechanisms that Candlish uses in this book to keep the pace moving and the story fresh. The book begins the day Fi arrives home to see another family moving into her house. Several weeks after Fi discovers the new family in her house, she is on a podcast called #Victim. Though I did figure out a couple of things ahead of time, I was still completely in the grip of this intriguing story.

In my opinion, "Our House" was a well-written, intriguing domestic suspense novel that has me excited to see what Louise Candlish writes next!

Fi Lawson comes home from a weekend away to find her house has been sold out from under her and her husband is missing. Can you imagine?! They have been separated after an indiscretion her husband had and have been living in a “bird’s nest” arrangement. Fi lives in the house with their two sons during the week and Bram, on the weekends. They share a rented flat in between times. But why would he sell?

Fi tells her story to The Victim podcast as we also read Bram’s story as he writes and explains what happened. I will tell you right now that it is very hard to like Bram. He does some pretty unforgivable things, even as he tries to make it right for Fi. Then we reach the ending and you will scream NOOOOOOO!

The story moves slowly. Sometimes a bit too slow for me but I liken it to a Sunday stroll where you just amble along but you take in little bits and pieces of things around you as you go. I would not call it a thriller, though there are a few moments where that might apply. Even though it moves slowly, you will actually read it pretty quickly. There are a few twists and turns that you may or may not see coming. But that ending though! This is definitely worth your while so pick it up and enjoy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for a copy of this review book.

"Our house is a very, very, very fine house with two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy 'cause of you"

...not quite the case on Trinity Avenue where secrets and deceptions run rampant!
Our House by Louise Candlish is a taut domestic drama that follows the dual narrative of husband and wife, Bram and Fi Lawson. The book starts out with a crime, a fraud within a marriage, you know who did it, and the events leading up to that crime are then pieced together over the course of the book. Through the excellent use of mixed media you get both Fi's perspective and Bram's perspective. Hers is told through an extensive interview she did for a podcast called, The Victim. His is told through a 'word document' that is sort of a confessional manifesto.

I have mentioned before that I am absolute TRASH for books that incorporate mixed media sources. From Bram Stoker's Dracula, Stephen King's Carrie, Nick Cutter's The Troop and Marisha Pessl's Night Film to everything in between, I just love how these different elements, be they journal entries, newspaper articles, police reports, etc., can truly bring a story to life. Is it just me? Maybe. But to me, this type of format only enhances my commitment to a storyline. In my opinion, Candlish did a really great job weaving the two perspectives together, whilst also running it along with a shorter 'present' events perspective. If not done well, this type of formatting can become disjointed and confusing but I never felt that here.

Now let's talk about our two protagonists, Fi and Bram. What can I say about Fi and Bram? I didn't like either one of them. Fi can come off a bit weak, whiny and passive aggressive, while Bram is a complete and utter coward. Did this keep me from enjoying this? Absolutely not. I am not a person who needs to like any or all of the characters in the books I read. I mean, I only like about 50% of the people I meet IRL, so how can I expect to be enamored with all the book characters I meet?

This being said, although to me personally, Fi and Bram were far from likable, I did get drawn down the rabbit hole of the lies and deceptions and absolutely wanted to know the truth behind it! I think if we can all learn a little something from this story it would be, honesty IS IN FACT the best policy.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I had a lot of fun with it and look forward to reading more from this author!

Fiona is so likeable, such a good person, so fair-minded. Going through a painful divorce, making selfless sacrifices for the benefit of her children, and trying to find her way towards a future she’d never previously considered, she is wading her way through. In fact, she’s starting to feel like she has a handle on what would have seemed impossible not that long ago. Until she comes home a little early from a short getaway and finds her world torn apart.

Imagine coming home to find someone else moving into your house. Your furniture gone, a moving van out front, and a woman claiming that it’s all on the up and up. Next, you discover your children, who are supposed to be under your soon-to-be ex-husband’s care, are not at school as they should be, and the mobile of that future ex has gone dead. Welcome to the worst day of Fiona Lawson’s life. So far.

After a dreadful reading slump, this book is exactly what I needed. A skillfully written, exceptionally clever thriller, this book had me from the onset. Riveting. Mind-boggling. Oh my gods, this was such a great read!

I loved Fiona. Loved her. And I was rooting for her (and her boys) every inch of the way. If only it were possible to discuss the nitty gritty without giving it all away! Truthfully, I’ve already given away too much. But I must say, though there were several key things I figured out along the way, the ending knocked me off my feet. Honest to gods, I said aloud, “No. NO. NO!!! Don’t you do that!” And while I do talk myself audibly from time to time (ok, daily), I usually internalize my screaming at books. ;)

If you enjoy thrillers, this is a MUST READ.

The cover of Our House is stunning and immediately drew me in. The premise is intriguing and the social media/podcast format is quite unique. However, I found this book to be a little too long for my liking. I believe I would have been more invested in this one if it had been about 100 pages shorter. Overall, I appreciated the unique format of the story and thought it to be well-written. but it was a little repetitive. This might be for you if you are looking to read a domestic suspense rather than a thriller.

Thank you Berkley Pub #partner for the advanced copy and to NetGalley for the digital copy! It was my pleasure to write an honest review.

Premise - check! That's a scary one and plausible. Overall, a good story but slow through the extra, extra long middle. The ending, it's okay but it would've rocked with some clarity. Maybe we are supposed to deduce our own thoughts, but I don't care for that often. It's not a thriller, maybe women's fiction with crimes. I do wish I had read an abbreviated version.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Ironically, I read this book just after watching a TV show about the housing crisis England is facing. After having seen that show, the plot of "Our House" didn't seem particularly farfetched to me.

I can't say "Our House" was a great book, but it was well written (once you got used to the way the narrative jumps around) and held my interest. The narrative is nonlinear in nature and does take some getting used to.. View points jump from the day that Fi came home to find her house had been sold out from under her nose to Fi doing a web interview some months later, to a Word doc confession written by Bram while he's in hiding. The characters weren't overly likeable. Between the two leads, Bram came across as the deeper character. Fi seemed shallow and more concerned with how others saw her, or having the perfect, cookie-cutter life. Bram actually felt shame for what he did., as well he should.

Not to give away any spoilers, but I did like the little twist at the end with the path that Fi's character took. I can't say that I particularly liked Bram's final entry, because the events it sets up will undoubtedly lead to Fi being found out. And, let's face it, when Fi did what she did, she did it to someone one who had it coming. I don't think it would have bothered me at all if she had got away with it.

But then again, I do have a taste for the bloodthirsty at times.

This novel was not what I expected. From the beginning, I wasn't gripped by the premise. However, that all changed as the events of the past unfolded, and the truths came to light. I couldn't put it down. As the details twisted together, I found myself emotions shifting between the characters. I loved the back and forth narration, and being able to hear two sides of the same story. Definitely worth a read for thriller fans, it will keep you turning the pages.

If you've looked at any other reviews on this book, you'll see that people either seem to love it (as I did) or are less enthused....
My recommendation? If the marketing blurb intrigues you, go for it and see which side of the fence you fall on.

As for me, I found this to be a wickedly 'fun' read. I wouldn't classify it as a thriller, but more a domestic mystery with some nice twists and memorable characters.

The author certainly took liberties with realistic situations, but if you can get past that, I think you will find it one entertaining and head shaking read!

ARC provided by NetGalley

This is a great story! An intriguing, domestic suspense novel. While it touches on some serious topics, it had me chuckling at times. The characters are funny in a self deprecating manner. I usually plow through these kinds of books and can't put them down, but the middle of this dragged a bit and was too detailed, the last 1/3 of the book picked up and made up for the middle. I loved how everything came together in the end. The twists were delightful. Enjoy!

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I had a hard time finishing that the perspectives from the two characters back and forth was too much. I would have preferred the story to develop from one character at a time instead of constantly crossing back and forth. While it was suspenseful and others will thoroughly enjoy this it just wasn’t for me.

What a thriller! I have to admit it's been a while since I've read a book with so many twists and turns, it kept me totally off balance.
Fiona thinks she's doing the best for children while she and her husband Bram are going through a divorce. She's convinced herself she doing the right thing when in fact she's setting herself up for a total nightmare.
Just when I think I know where this is going it's shifted to something entirely different, I loved the way the author weaved this nightmarish situation into something that is truly believable.

Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a galley of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"Our House" by Louise Candlish was a great work of suspense. There were many times throughout the story when the plot took turns I wasn't expecting. I wish there had been a little bit more of a resolution to the ending, but overall it was great. I can't wait for more books from this author!

An original twist on the suburban thrillers I love to read in summer, I was delighted by this twisty, clever book!

Our House
My thanks to #NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Our House is told from the viewpoints of Fiona and Bram Lawson, a married-but-separated couple. The format of the storytelling is alternating between Fiona’s tale in the form of a podcast and Bram’s in what appears to be a word document. The story unfolds slowly then explodes into a furious bag of lies that throws everyone into turmoil. Fiona and Bram are experimenting with a “bird’s nest” agreement where the children stay in the home and the parents alternate staying with them. This custody arrangement gives the parents a little freedom to explore their own pursuits in a shared apartment. This civil arrangement seems to be going just fine until the day Fi comes home for her switch to find strangers moving into the house. Where are the kids? Where is her furniture? Where is Bram? Who are these people who say they just bought her house?? In the end, Fi discovers nothing is what she thought it was, and her idyllic life completely falls apart. This is one not to be missed.

Fiona (Fi) Lawson and her husband Bram have separated but are trying a “Bird’s Nest” custody agreement in order to have shared parenting of their two boys. One parent is at an apartment while the other parent has their time with the kids at their enviable home in a well-known suburb. This way the kids are always at the house and the effort for stability is enforced as each parent takes turns between the house and the apartment. They try their best to keep everything together in a civil manner for the kids. That is until everything fell apart.

One day Fi comes to the house for her turn with the kids but someone else is moving into her house and her husband and children are nowhere to be found. How can everything turn upside down in an instant? When the rug gets pulled out from under you by those you trust.

This story is told through alternating perspectives between Fi in a podcast transcript format and Bram in a Word document. It was a unique way to read a story that I had not experienced before but once I got used to it, I enjoyed it. I honestly can’t decide if I liked the comments that were added at the end of each segment of Fi’s podcast with usernames and comments but they did eventually grow on me as the comments became funnier. It kind of reminded me of the comedian Jim Gaffigan and how he imitates what he thinks the audience thinks of him during his skits. It also reminded me somewhat of Shakespeare’s use of the chorus as a character in some of his plays.

Although some of the surprises were predictable, there is so much going on as the complex plot builds that it is almost a relief to have the main character, Fi, discover these secrets. The storyline accelerates as the pieces begin to fit together so, as a warning to my fellow readers, it is increasingly harder to put down the further into it you get. This is a twofold story about loyalty: between spouses and between friends. A balance between renewed faith and betrayal. I highly recommend it for adult readers that enjoy a thrilling plot and betrayal.

For those who may be sensitive/triggered: there are themes of violence, murder, road rage, manipulation, fraud, adultery, sexually suggestive scenarios (mild), bullying, suicide, and alcohol abuse.

Please note: an electronic ARC copy of this novel was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Our House. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

After separating, Fiona and Bram Lawson have been coparenting their two sons, with one parent staying in an apartment nearby. Fiona's life is thrown into a tailspin when she arrives home to find that her home has been sold without her permission. With Bram nowhere to be found, Fiona must rely on her friends and her own instincts to figure out what is happening.

The author did a real disservice to the story by inserting some of Fiona's perspective as a series of posts. Instead of letting the suspense build naturally, the flow abruptly stops to give Fiona's view. Certain aspects of the plot seemed to exist only to move the story along and did not seem believable. Bram was way better at deception than some spies, which did not ring true to me. Fiona did not seem like an oblivious person, yet the plot points in that direction. There were a couple of good twists, but it was simply not enough to elevate Our House to a four star rating. Our House represents a missed opportunity for the author to tell an engrossing story, with the tense moments that suspense can provide. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend the novel to other readers.