Crazy good !!! Suspense , love , betrayal, lies, obsession, murder, what more could you ask for. Be ready for a roller coaster of a wild ride.

Robyn Harding is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I read all of her previous novels last year, and was extremely excited to receive an ARC for THE SWAP. It did not disappoint.

What do you get when you throw in two adult couples who are friends, a fun night of drugs, talk of swapping partners for a night, and a possibly unhinged 18-year old young woman obsessed with one of the adults? The answer is a crazy, dark, unputdownable thriller. This book was riveting from start to finish, and went in directions I did not see coming from the blurb. The characters and their motivations are so well written, and it’s surprising when some of them who I was initially drawn to ended up being the most unlikeable.

I highly recommend, and hope Robyn Harding is working on her next great novel so I don’t have to wait a long time to read it!

Thank you to author Robyn Harding, Gallery/Scout Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 Families. All leading different lives. You have "Low" aka "Shallow" who is an awkward and lonely teen who has parents that are living the hippie lifestyle who are polyamorous. Freya, who is once a very popular social media influencer of her time who is married to an ex-hockey player who both had went through trials and tribulations of their past, and then there is Jaime and Brian who (Jaime) has her own tourist store, while her husband (Brian) is a. All 3 families cross paths in this suspenseful/thriller that was a joy for me to read. I enjoyed the writing as well as the characters and thought the novel delivered in all of its entirety. Loved all the twists this book had. A HUGE fan of this author. And look forward to reading more of her books! Thank you #netgalley and #scoutpress for this arc. Did not disappoint!

Harding is SUCH a TREAT! I absolutely love her. I've read every one of her titles, but this one I can confidently say is my absolute favorite. She has a way of drawing the reader in, making you want to read more and figure out what is going on. Domestic fiction is become a pretty big niche genre, these days. I feel as if Harding has carved out a plot of land for herself within that smaller genre.

Secrets abound. A manipulative teenager at the heart. Two couples after a night of sex games. I mean.. WHAT could POSSIBLY go wrong?

This was by far my favorite of Harding's books, as I mentioned before. The pacing was excellent and it was just pure brain candy. I really would have liked some popcorn as a perfect accompaniment to this novel. Job well done! Highly Recommended!

Thank you, NetGalley, for my eARC.

The author was the reason I chose to read this. I have read and enjoyed all her previous books. The plots and/or subject matter are contemporary and are geared towards a tolerant, open-minded, adult audience. Aside from her storylines, I love the writing style, with its alternating perspectives and short chapters.

Seventeen year-old Swallow("Low")Morrison sticks out, literally. Her lanky build, prickly personality, and unconventional family make her a misfit and a loner. She hates school and her life...until she meets Freya. Low signs up for pottery classes at her studio and they get to know each other. Despite the age gap, Low feels a connection with her. She feels accepted. She is fascinated by beautiful, charismatic Freya, her stunning home, and her Greek God husband, Max. She was perfect. Their life was perfect(or so she thought). She was desperate to be a part of it. ANY part and ONLY her. She didn't want to share. She saw her first and Freya was hers.

Until the interloper makes an appearance. Jamie and her husband Brian are also new in town. Brian, YA author, thought the setting would inspire him to write. He had looming deadlines. Jamie is thrilled to fulfill her dream of opening a gift shop. They also needed a fresh start after a personal setback. Freya's entry into her store and life was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Like Low, Jamie is charmed by her. Soon, Jamie, Brian, Freya, and Max become couple friends...and more. The "more" is the catalyst to reactions nobody could even begin to predict.

Harding has written another unputdownable twisty domestic suspense thriller I did not want to end. I am so looking forward to her next book, I would read it without even looking at the blurb.

Wow, this is the first book I read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last. One day literally changed the course of 5 people’s lives forever. I flew through this book because I wanted so badly to know how it ended, and I didn’t see it coming. There’s a lot of complex relationships happening and unraveling. The only thing that didn’t seem realistic to me is the “friendship” between Freya and Low.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Swap by Robyn Harding. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am rating this book 4 stars! Very twisty and dark and many scenes I did not see coming. Low is an 18 year old who falls for a vibrant and free artist and used-to-be social media influencer, Freya Light. Her crush borders on stalker/creepy, but she’s an intelligent young woman, so I always kept thinking she wouldn’t take her feelings to a true stalker level. Freya’s married to an ex hockey player, Max and their relationship is not what it seems on the surface. Their journey really beers into some crazy territory!

I really enjoyed reading Low’s character and was always hoping she would realize Freya’s true personality. I found myself rooting for her as a character to not fall for Freya’s empty words and to be the bigger person throughout the story. Low was in a unique spot to be able to smooth over all of the problems in the book with the knowledge she held.

Overall, I really liked the book, especially the plot twists and characters!

While the concept seemed interesting, I failed to like or connect with any of the characters. While the 'told in multiple characters' approach was interesting, overall, I thought the ending was weak and had to force myself to finish this book. Overall, I'm not sure I would pick up another book by the author. (Great cover, though!!)

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read and review a complimentary copy.

Oh wow!!!! This book was insane, in a good way!!
17 year old Swallow “Low” Morrison is a teenage outcast in her small island town. When the beautiful and charming Freya Light moves to town with her handsome husband, Max, Low becomes obsessed. Low begins to insert herself into Freya’s life, while Freya is developing a close friendship with Jamie, a local shop owner. After one fateful night, their lives change forever. What happens next is full of surprises and twists and turns. This is a must read!

Swallow "Low" Morrison is a seventeen year old, who lacks a social life and lives in a very unconventional family. At a young age, her parents informed her that they wanted to accept other people into the family. Low is the oldest with two younger brothers, and one day at school sees a woman, who immediately draws her attention. The woman pins a notice offering pottery classes. Low intrigued by the woman decides to take a class.

Freya and her husband Max were adored celebrities until a very public event involving Max and an out of control temper. Freya takes Low under her wing, and makes Low feel like they are best friends. A connection, Low badly wants. Freya has a way of using her charm to get what she wants.

Jamie Vincent is new to the island, and opens a quaint little shop to help make ends meet. Her husband, Brian, is an author. After a tragic event, the two of them are trying to move on, when Freya comes into Jamie's shop, and the two develop an instant friendship. They start to spend more and more time together, which leaves Low out of the picture.

Low is overcome by jealousy and finds ways to insert herself, picking up tidbits along the way. Low has no choice, but to pull away from Freya, she discovers she has a knack for a new hobby.

As Freya and Jamie have gotten close, they start to do things as a couple, and one night the couple pair off with the other's spouse. All is not well in the aftermath. There are secrets on top of secrets, and someone is pulling the strings of the others.

This was a fantastic, twisted read! I bounced back and forth from being sympathetic towards Low, whose family seems oblivious towards what was going on in Lows's life, and wanting her to wake up to see her destructive nature. I felt bad for Jamie and Brian with their struggles. Freya and Max present themselves as the perfect couple, but underneath has more to do with self punishment, and neediness that neither can provide. The ending was a shock!

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Galley/Scout Press and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

I love Robyn Harding! I was a huge fan of The Arrangement ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️and The Swap was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020. I was beyond excited to see this was being offered as read now on Netgalley. I got it immediately and read it that night!

The Swap is the story of how teenager, Low, comes to befriend Freya, a past instagram influencer. It is also the story of what happens when Freya and her friend Jamie swap husbands on a crazy night. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one, but it was so much different and even better then I had expected.

I loved this story, it was super unique and definitely a page turner. This story centers on toxic relationships, secrets, and jealousy. The ending was amazing and I loved the twisted plot.

I would recommend this book to Robyn Harding fans, domestic thriller fans, and those looking for an edgy and sexy thriller. Definitely check this one out when it is released on June 23, 2020.

I am a huge fan of Robyn Harding's novels and find myself anxious for each and every upcoming release of hers. The Swap is the perfect blend of thrills and provocativeness, one that could have dire consequences for those involved inside this tale. I was riveted when reading this one and feel like I will be re-reading it again in the near future! Highly recommended!

The Swap by Robyn Harding was unpredictable from beginning to end. Low, a gangling social outcast teen, is drawn to Freya, a town newcomer who teaches pottery. Low finally finds a friend in Freya, and becomes infatuated with her. Suddenly, Freya befriends Jamie, another newcomer who is her age and Low is on the outs, accused on stalking Freya. Low plots to seek revenge to break up the friendship so she can have Freya all to herself again. But as Low becomes more embedded in Freya's life, she witnesses all the secrets Freya's house holds and has to decide if she wants to be a part of them.

Similar to Robyn Harding's other books, The Swap was engrossing and twisty. The characters weren't especially likable, but they were not meant to be. The plot twists were unique, and the story came together well at the end. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review!

WOW. I’ve been a fan of Robyn Harding for awhile. I love her writing style and the woman can spin a good mystery for sure. The Swap was her best book yet in my opinion.

All of the characters and their complicated relationships with each other were so well fleshed out. I particularly loved the relationship between Low and Freya: two deeply complicated and flawed individuals. The storyline was compelling enough that I finished it in less than a day.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I will post a more in depth review on my Instagram and goodreads closer to pub date. Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this one early.

Women’s intense sisterhood to make them open minded to swap their husbands! I hooked you with this sentence, didn’t I?

This is an equation with multiple variables.

FREYA: is the center, short time actress, long time instagram influencer, blond, petite, cute, sexy.

Freya meets with Low( outcast teenage, short for Swallow, yes, she is living with polygamous, hippie family but her name comes from bird, stop blurting out wrong ideas!) Low falls in love with Freya.

Freya married with ex-hockey star Max. Of course Max loves her wife even though it’s one of the most painful experience to love Freya (you’re gonna understand what I mean during your reading.)

Freya befriends Jamie who is trying to get pregnant and lately became a victim of surrogate mother scam, opening a unique antique shop at the island. She attaches with Freya deeper than she thinks.

Of course Jamie’s nerd, sci-fi novels author husband Brian is attracted by Freya, She is easy going, friendly, genuine woman, isn’t she?

Everybody loves Freya… Everybody worships the ground she walks. If she becomes cult leader, they follow her without thinking a second as her brainwashed admirers.

As Freya becomes besties with Jamie, poor Low gets resentful and jealous to be left behind, delivering Freya those magical mushrooms for couples’ gathering night.

Two couples are ready to be stoned. (Because Freya told them it would be fun and no one could reject anything she offered, right?) And Jamie gets dizzy and passes out but when she opens her eyes, she finds Max climbs on her. Yes, she is in bed with Freya’s husband and Max tells her Jaime’s husband is also having sex with Freya. Welcome to the swingers’ world!

So Jamie climbs out the bed, running out from the room, going downstairs and finding the guest bedroom, stopping her husband before doing anything. NOPE! WRONG SPOILER! She doesn’t do anything to stop Max! And the next day, she thinks it was all dream because everybody acts like nothing has happened. A few days later, she gathers her strength to ask her husband if he had an affair with Freya and he says “no”! She must trust her husband, doesn’t she? But don’t worry, only one person knows the truth. Dear female Joe Goldberg a.k.a Low watched them outside during their special gathering!

Maybe the couples can forget everything and move on their lives. But where does Brian really go in the middle of the day? Why is Max’s face and body covered in bruises like he’s been abused? And why Freya keeps her pregnancy secret from Jamie?

I’m stopping here not to blurt out more about the secrets, schemes, lies and twists.
This book made me going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. It was mysterious, fast pacing, entertaining!
And I like the author’s provocative approach to the marriage institution, infidelity, monogamy. This book questions dangerous territories as like: masochism, unhealthy relationship patterns, violence, abuse, narcissism, infertility, sociopathic behavior, social media voyeurism, obsession.

The pacing, the story’s progression, final twists, powerful ending are the strengths of the book.
But the characterization really failed me. I couldn’t get why all those people are deeply enchanted with the magic of Freya. I got Low’s crush part because she was young, inexperienced and neglected. She tried to find her place in the world and she struggles with her sexual awakening and her preferences. But those three adults acted like moron from the beginning and they were so easy to manipulate and deceive. I didn’t like any of them. I wanted to roll their hairs and hit their heads to the wall!

So at the end: I’m giving 3.5 stars and rounding them up to 4 because the author chose a hard subject and even though her characters deserved to get so many awards for being the worst despicable and brainless literature characters, I still enjoy the writing, thrilling revelations and satisfying ending.

I truly loved this book more than Arrangement and I plan to read more works of this author.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for sharing this one of the most anticipated ARCS in exchange my honest review.

This novel is told from multiple POVs, however, the most frequent narrators are Low, Freya, and Jamie. Low is finishing up her senior year in high school and is a social outcast. The poor girl literally has no friends. Freya and her husband Max have recently moved to the island to basically hide away from everyone. Max used to be a famous hockey player and Freya was a big-time social media influencer. Now they live in a gorgeous home in the woods and Freya has posted an advertisement for pottery classes. Then there are Jamie and Brian. Brian is a writer and Jamie has opened a small mercantile store in town. They are the newest residents who decided to pick up and move to the small coastal town in hopes that more peace and quiet would help them finally conceive. 

As the blurb states, Freya and Jamie become fast friends after Jamie and Brian move to town. Their husbands get along very well also. Everything is great until they decide to get high and as the title suggests, swap partners for the evening. As anyone could guess, the feelings and emotions that follow were anything but carefree and nonchalant. What seemed like a harmless night of fun ends up causing more issues than I dare to list. But this is only part of the novel.

Low is obsessed with Freya. I mean, obsessed with a capital O with Freya's beauty, talent, and so on. Low has been sort of ambiguous about her sexuality and sexual preferences, but once meeting Freya, it becomes very clear that Freya is what she wants, in whatever context that she can have her. So this needy, flighty, self-centered woman that is years older than Low, decides to befriend Low and confide in her about her life. All of this is well and good until Low notices that Freya has started spending more time with Jamie, and then that's when the crazy really starts to rear its ugly head. 

So yes, this is about two couples deciding to switch things up for the night, thus having to deal with the aftermath. But this is also a journey into the minds of three women as things start to slowly unravel in their lives. It's about obsession, jealousy, sneakiness, vindictiveness, and much more. If I were to label any of the characters as likable or relatable, I guess my thoughts would immediately go to Jamie. Max and Brian weren't awful but neither really impressed me either. As far as Low and Freya, I will just let you read for yourself and see if you find any ways to sympathize/empathize with either character or if they just creep you out. 

The Swap is a fantastic, edge-of-your-seat read. I'm not exactly sure I agree with its labels of mystery, thriller, etc. but it will absolutely keep you guessing. If you love books that are like a train wreck happening slowly over a few hours, then this is your next read! The writing was amazing, intelligent, and Harding truly brought each of these unique characters to life. 

*Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I truly enjoyed this dark, twisted thriller from Robyn Harding, an author I keep hearing good things about. If all of her novels are as good as this one, I’m definitely interested in picking up more books by her. The title of the novel gives you the main plot point from which the entire novel really grows. While swapping spouses may sound fun, this book shows it can take a dark turn. I loved how well the characters were written. They were described so fully that this read more like a movie playing out in my head. I could easily see this being optioned for a film later on. It’s incredibly strong and even though the story takes a breath here and there, you will find yourself marveling at the twists up to the very end. Overall, an excellent read.

This story starts out with a character that seems to be socially awkward. She is needy and wants to be accepted for herself. She is befriended by a woman who in the beginning seems to accept her and be her friend. The friendship turns toxic and spirals out of control.

The Swap
by Robyn Harding
Gallery Books
Gallery/Scout Press
Mystery & Thrillers , Women's Fiction

This book kept my attention! Will recommend this to our thriller readers.
Thanks to Gallery Books and Net Galley for the ARC.

The swap is an awesome domestic “thriller” a lot like B. A. Paris new book, the dilemma. It just wasn’t a thriller but I absolutely the book anyway! This is one I’m glad to own a copy of!!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.