This book was GOOD. This is my normal genre so I am always excited to find a book that keeps me guessing and keeps me up late reading! I finished this book in one day because I just had to know what happens. And I could not have predicted it. This is my first book by this author but I am so excited to read more of their work! Would definitely recommend.

I stayed up until 1 a.m. last night reading The Guest by Jess Ryder. This book was so good and I couldn’t go to sleep without knowing the ending!

What would you do if a bruised and battered woman showed up at your home and begged you for help? That’s what happened to Stella and her boyfriend Jack. They have recently moved into a former woman’s shelter and are in the midst of redoing the place. Its a work in progress and a construction zone, basically. Though the house is in disarray, Stella feels she cannot turn this woman away though Jack is immediately distrustful.

Jack keeps warning Stella that this woman, Lori, is probably not who she says she is but Stella wants to believe her and give her the help she needs. As tensions escalate, we start to learn more about Lori and about Stella’s past.

The writing was good, the story was addicting and the end was satisfying. I liked the premise and the setting which was England once again and everyone drinks tea all the time! You will want to make yourself a “cuppa” as you settle in with The Guest!

Order here– its under a different title and I’m assuming the US version is The Guest and the UK version is The Dream House. It’s $3.99 for the Kindle version.

I found "The Guest" to be a compelling thriller that keeps you guessing. It was also an emotional read for me that in some areas hit pretty close to home from things I have personally been through in my past. The main character is likeable, albeit gullible at times. If you like domestic thrillers I would definitely give this one a go. The author Jess Ryder does a great job at pulling you in and making you feel for the characters. I enjoyed the way the book was written in between 'now' and 'then' giving you good outlook on the past as well as the present. I will be on the lookout for other books by her.

This is a gripping psychological thriller set in the 1970s but its topic still has echoes in our present time.

Stella sets her eyes on her dream home on the beach of Kent. It's an old mansion that needs lots of renovations, and she sets out to fulfill her dream.
Stella's world is about to take a turn for the worse when one night a beaten woman knocks on her door thinking that the house is still the women's shelter it used to be in the past.

Stella let her in and tries to help her, but in doing so and unbeknownst to her, her good deed will unleash past horrors beyond her control.

A gripping albeit an unsettling read which deals with a difficult topic handled in a very sensitive manner.

Thanks Netgalley, Bookouture, and author Jess Ryder for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Gripping thriller set on the Kent coast in an old refuge for women. As Stella struggles to rehab the old manse, her relationship shows cracks and a stranger arrives in need of help. No one is who they seem to be and then the mystery unfolds. Original and well paced.

A really gripping tale. Jess Ryder weaves a story from the 1970's, a very different time for women into the present day, but those events of the 70's have tentacles that reach out to the present.

Stella is the new owner of Westhill House,a grand old house overlooking the beach in Kent. Its her forever home, it needs a lot of work, a whole refurbishment, but as soon as she saw the house she knew it was for her.

Her local builder starts to help with the renovations and Stella's dreams are starting to become a reality, until there is a knock late one night at the door, a young women, beaten and looking for refuge, mistaking Westhill House for the women's refuge it used to be.

Stella takes her in, but in doing so, unleashes the ghosts of the past.

Really enjoyed this book, a difficult subject dealt with respectfully.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book - this is my honest opinion,

When Stella and Jack move to Westhill House, a remote hilltop house on the Kent coast with stunning views of the sea, Stella feels their new home could be their new start.

But when Lori comes to her, desperate to escape her violent husband, everything changes. Stella, vulnerable after losing her parents in a terrible accident, is determined to help and takes Lori in.

Stella doesn’t mind when the night becomes a week, then a month. It’s no bother if Lori needs to borrow her clothes. But Jack wants to know why Lori is so comfortable at Westhill House, why she won’t go to the police about her husband, and he’s adamant she’s been going through their things.

Stella wonders why Jack is so suspicious, so edgy. An old gap seems to be opening between them, just when she’s beginning to agree that something doesn’t add up about Lori’s story.

Stella knows Lori isn’t the only one with secrets, but as she feels compelled to watch her boyfriend and her guest more closely, she finds herself asking: is she safe in her own home?

This was a very edge of your seat book. SO many twist and curves. I enjoyed the book, and would definitely recommend this for others.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

Instead of writing a cohesive review on this, I decided to break it down and rate each section.
Plot: Stella and Jack are living in a new home they are in the middle of remodeling when there is a knock at the door one late night. Stella opens the door to find a woman on her doorstep in need of help. Jack is adamant about sending Lori away, but Stella will not listen to his reasons on why it's a bad idea to let her stay with them. Dismayed to find Stella and Lori getting closer each day, he becomes fed up with the situation and Stella.
Stella is torn between wanting to help Lori and respecting Jack's wishes. She comes up with an idea to have Lori there and to make Jack happy. Her plan backfires, and she's left to wonder if she can trust Lori or Jack.
This story is also told by Kay, but it is set in the past. Every few chapters the book switches to Kay, and for me, it's easy to keep up with the plot in both Kay and Stella's stories.
Characters: Stella, Jack, and Lori are the main characters in this book. I liked the way they were all written, and I didn't really love or hate any of them.
Pacing: This isn't a book that drags out for pages, but it isn't a quick page turner either. It took me a few days to finish this.
Ending: I liked the ending it wrapped up Stella's story, and it showed why Kay's story needed to be included.
The one thing I want to add is this is a story about domestic violence, and the author includes a note in why she wrote the story the way that she did. She explains that she tried not to go into great detail as far as the abuse that occurs in the book, but felt it was necessary for some parts of the book. She also gives out domestic violence hotline numbers for the U.K. and I thought that was a nice touch to try to help those that may need it, but don't know how to ask.
Rating: Overall, I give this 4 and a half stars.
Plot: 2 star's
Characters: 1 and a half stars.
Pacing: 1 star
Ending: 1 star

The Guest by Jess Ryder is a gripping read that had me in its grasp from the very first page. A sense of unease settles in almost immediately, and I could not turn the pages quickly enough to discover the mysteries hidden inside Westhill House.

Stella and partner Jack have purchased an eight bedroom mansion by the sea with the inheritance money that Stella has been left by her parents. The renovation of the house is a huge undertaking, but Stella believes that this will be her forever home, so well worth the effort Everything changes, however, when a battered woman turns up at the door begging for help. She has been sent, she says, by a helpline, telling her that Westhill House continues to function as a refuge for abused women, as it had for many years. Unable to turn the mysterious Lori away, Stella takes her in, much to the consternation of Jack. Lori insists that the police not be involved, but as weeks pass her story becomes more and more implausible. Is Lori simply a terrified woman fleeing an abusive husband? Or is Jack right to suspect that she has a more sinister agenda?

Told in alternating plotlines of 'then' and 'now', the novel does a commendable job of portraying domestic abuse with realism and empathy, particularly in the recounting of Fay's experience. I was kept guessing throughout, and was desperate to discover how the two storylines would intersect. This is a brilliantly executed novel that I would not hesitate to recommend. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

How far would you go to protect someone? Gripping and claustrophobic, you wont want to put this down until the secrets of Westhill House are set free!

The story begins with Stella, new owner of Westhill House and her boyfriend Jack. All looks well for a fresh new start by the coast until Lori arrives at their door. Assaulted and terrified, Lori is desperate for a place of safety….but can she be trusted!

We are also taken back in time to Kay, a single mum, who believes she has found her happy ever after. But does such a thing exist and at what price?

This book gripped me from the start. Westhill House is brought to life with an unsettling chill. The characters are authentic and intriguing. The story is drip fed throughout which constantly had me guessing.

I didn’t feel there were as many edge of your seat moments as there are in some thrillers, however, The Guest has a realness which is just as captivating.

Addressing domestic violence, Ryder has created a fitting balance of control and fear without glamourising the topic.

I struggled with Stella’s character at times, wanting her to speak up more. I was drawn to Kay, even with her struggles, felt a much stronger character. I found myself wanting to keep going back to her story.

Over all, The guest is a great read. Westhill House invites you in and grips you until the very end. The Guest is out to buy on 21 June 2019.

This ARC of The Guest was provided by the publishers via NetGalley but in no way influenced my review.

Jess Ryder’s books are really well written. This was my third book by her, and it delivered just as well as her other books have. The story was original, and like usual her characters were perfectly created. The ending of The Guest pulled together nicely too. Definitely a strong 4.5 stars!!

Wow. This was another amazing book by this author. Probably my favourite so far. It was creepy and claustrophobic and utterly gripping. Highly recommended. Couldn’t read this fast enough xx

WoW! This book has everything I want in a thriller. It's unputdownable. Be prepared to be glued to this story! I won't give anything away so just read it!!

Fast paced and lots of twists. One of the best I've read. Absolutely all the stars!

Overall a good book, had a hard time trying to understand who one person was but it all came together in the end. Enjoyable read.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an early release of this book

Wow, what an amazing thrilling, chilling book that sunk its claws into me from page one and didn’t let go until the very end, I think RYDER will be on my top list of authors to look forward to reading all her work, because she is so amazing and pulling me in and intriguing me! This book Is full of thrills, chills, hearts aches, and twist & turns!
Will be highly recommending to the members of Chapter Chatter Pub!

Having read all the previous books by Jess Ryder I was looking forward to reading this latest one, and it did not disappoint, was gripped from the beginning. Brilliantly story, full of surprising twists.

My first read by this author and wow! She sure knew how to write a good story! I loved it, pacy and taught with well written characters. Read it now!

The Guest by author Jess Ryder.. So this isn’t my first book by Ryder, and I have to admit, she REALLY knows how to write a gripping story! The Guest is another awesome awesome book bybher and I can’t wait to leave my full review for this. Coming soon!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of The Guest in exchange for an honest review.