The Beach House by PR Black follows Cora and Jonathan, a newly engaged/ newly rich couple on a vacation of a lifetime-That is, until they meet their strange island neighbors, who happen to look a whole lot like them.

One aspect that I enjoyed was how descriptive the author made the beach house, the Big Island and all of its surroundings. It was as if the Island was a character in itself, as if it were speaking to us. One of my favorite passages was, “The ocean had a silvery glow as it drew its fingers up and down the sand, packed smooth and slick as a mirror. Her shoes clicking against each other as they dangled from her fingers, Cora imagined another Cora and Jonathan, on another night, with an entire beach to themselves, and the sea and the combustible air being just as it was.” This quote was beautifully written and truly captured the magical moment, as well as the longing for a different outcome in a parallel universe.

I definitely enjoyed the first half of the book more than I did the second half. There were a lot of dialogues and some information that could’ve been cut shorter. There were also a couple of twists, but I guess I was hoping for something far more sinister and chilling than what it actually ended up being. I did appreciate how action packed the second half was though, especially since it was a slow burn in the beginning to get to that point.

Generally, it was a fun, quick read and I’ll definitely check out Black’s debut The Family. Just one advice: Read this at home, don’t take it on holiday haha

Review
Jonathan and Cora travel to a private island for a dream holiday. Time to themselves, to enjoy each other’s company and for Jonathan to propose. Sitting outside their apartment, they spot another couple on “their” island.

Bizarrely, the new couple - Hazel and Dylan, look remarkably like Cora and Jonathan and coincidentally they even dress similarly.

The two couples befriend each other and have fun. Until Cora realises that things are getting out of hand and their friends are not who they originally seemed.

I persevered with the book. It seemed to go on without anything happening until the last quarter, building to a big and unbelievable crescendo.

I struggled with the fact that Cora was Wonder Woman. She could win a game of poker, was in the TA and therefore able to fight off a 17ft shark as well as dodging gunfire. And surviving being beaten to a pulp. The SAS would surely want this amazing person on their team.

I enjoyed the references to Cora’s life as a schoolteacher, although I could not see how some of this was relevant, eg Kayden and the trainers.

Jonathan was not a likeable character. He was easily-led and caused a lot of the problems they encountered. He was also weak and let Cora deal with their aggressors.

I rate this book 2 stars 🌟🌟

Thanks

Thank you to the publishers, Aria and author PR Black for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an independent review.

When Cora and Jonathan arrive at a luxurious, isolated beach house on Two Trees Island, they are anticipating privacy and rest. They get neither. The couple, newly engaged and with millions in the bank from the sale of Jonathan’s tech company, soon discover that the key to this perfect vacation is surviving it.

Neighbors Hazel and Dylan, stroll down the beach to befriend Cora and Jonathan. The friendship moves very quickly. Only Cora realizes the relationship is moving too fast, everyone is partying and drinking too much and why do Hazel and Dylan look so much like Jonathan and her? Who is the boat captain who takes them to see the giant tiger sharks that patrol the offshore waters? Why does the same Australian expat show up at every bar they visit? As Cora’s worries mount, Jonathan’s behavior becomes erratic. Secrets are revealed, enemies are exposed and danger seems to be everywhere as The Beach House moves to an unexpected ending.

Full of plot twists and turns, The Beach House is an adrenaline rush of a novel racing to an action packed ending. Five stars!

A fast paced and action packed story that kept on the edge till the end.
i loved the gripping and entertaining plot, the well thought cast of characters and the setting.
It's the first story I read by this author won't surely be the last.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This was an action-packed thriller! I didn’t want to put it down!
It starts with a couple on vacation, they become suddenly rich, and there are people trying to steal their identity but it turns into a giant, twisted cat and mouse game - oh and there are sharks!
I would definitely like to pick up another one of his books soon!
If you are okay with a little bloodshed, pick this triller up! - but maybe not while on vacation.

So many twists and turns in this book it was hard to put down at times. I really enjoyed Cora’s character in this book and how cunning she was.

Great thriller. Nothing was as it seemed with this book. Always wondering which way it will turn next. It was well written and flowed well

The book follows the story of Jonathan and Cora, a couple who are enjoying their luxurious vacation on a private island with millions in their bank account, a beautiful view and think they have the whole beach to themselves except when their strangely friendly neighbours come to introduce themselves and invite them to a night out. Both Cora and Jonathan are drawn towards them as they are fun to hang out with and coincidently also resemble them. However, soon this new friendship starts to turn sinister and Cora realises their new neighbours might have a secret motive but it is already too late to escape.

Though it started a bit slow for me and there were a lot of dialogues, nonetheless, it was a thrilling read with plenty of twists and turns. I found myself flipping through the pages to see how this all ends. Overall 3.5 stars for this enjoyable read with a satisfying ending.

Pat Black wrote one of my fav books of 2019 ‘The Family’ and so was excited to read this new book

Jonathan/Cora
Hazel/Dylan

Narcissist’s are us/them

Both couple’s , strangers, are holidaying on a luxury island, they meet and they seem to get on....a perfect holiday friendship is formed but is it

Who are these people, why have they met and what or who is behind it?

Nothing is quite as it seems on this dream island and the story then follows the 4 and ‘things’ start to come to light

A great thriller, a fast paced and changing story with surprising twists and turns and ‘wrong footings’ especially towards the end

I wasn’t keen on any of the 4 main characters but then you weren’t supposed to be

A really good well written book that didn’t disappoint and I look forward to the authors next book!
10/10
5 Stars

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview The Beach House by PR Black - Cora and Jonathan have it all. They are on a dream vacation - and Jonathan surprises Cora with a diamond. What could be better - a vacation on a remote island with sun, a view and MONEY! Jonathan has hit paydirt - he sold his company and is a millionaire. They are so happy.
So when they meet another couple - Hazel and Dylan - they are immediately drawn to them. They are fun and are alot like them. As a matter of fact, they kind of look like them. What a coincidence.
Soon things start to change and soon, Cora realizes that this dream vacation is now a nightmare and she and Jonathan may never leave the island.
A little too much dialog and unnecessary information.
3 stars.

Good book, the setting was a luxury holiday but all wasn't as it seemed.The main characters were believable and there was plenty going on.I read it really quickly, for me it was one of those books that was hard to put down.Plenty of twists and turns and then some, really enjoyable read.

It’s without a doubt the best time in Cora’s life. She’s in a beach house on a private island with her new fiancee and a whole lot of money coming her way. What could go wrong? Turns out the island isn’t quite as private as Cora had been led to believe, but she tries to make the best of a bad situation by inviting the rather odd neighbors over. And that’s when things go south – fast. A predictable plot is enlivened by a beautiful setting and some super creepy villains