This one was just strange, weird and I don't know how I finished it. The concept of someone hiding out in your house was very creepy and eerie. The book fell apart for me after a little half way through and became a mess.

Did not finish this book. It felt like the same storyline I've read over and over and nothing really caught my attention enough to continue reading.

Psychological thrillers are one of my favourite genres, and Sam Carrington has a proven track record in this field. Each of her books has been intriguing, with a gripping premise and a plot that reels you in from the outset.

As with all of Sam’s writing, I devoured The Open House in one sitting, unable to put it down until I had reached the thrilling conclusion. She is brilliant at the kind of chilling twists and turns that both thrill and shock.

*Thanks to Avon Books, Sam Carrington and NetGalley for providing the eARC; this is my unbiased review.

This has an interesting premise
It is told from multiple POVs. The characters are well developed and the plot is told so well
The twists did feel basic in places

I was really enjoying this one. And then we get to that ending. Amber, Amber, Amber. That was so disappointing!

"The Open House" by Sam Carrington is a heart-pounding domestic thriller that kept me guessing at every turn. Set in a seemingly ordinary neighborhood, it's a suspenseful ride through family secrets, deception, and unexpected betrayals.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I loved this book right up until the end, when it felt like so much random stuff was thrown at the wall to see if any of it would stick.

The majority of the book is filled with menace, and is super creepy and it was a real page turner as you wonder if Amber is imagining things or whether there are a stream of people entering her house uninvited.

I would definitely read another book by this author again, even though the ending was a bit disappointing.

Good page turner about a woman trying to sell her house in Devon after separating from her husband. Not only does she have her mother-in-law doing her best to keep her in Devon, but her estate agent seems useless and later appears to be organising mysterious happenings at her house. I have to say that they ending was slightly unbelievable but didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book.

"Open House" is a heartfelt and emotionally resonant novel that delves into the themes of loss, healing, and the power of human connection. The story follows Samantha, a woman grappling with the sudden end of her marriage and the challenges of starting anew. Through the metaphor of open houses, where Samantha hosts strangers in her home, the author beautifully explores the vulnerabilities and complexities of human relationships. With its relatable characters, evocative prose, and poignant exploration of personal growth, "Open House" is a captivating read that reminds us of the transformative power of stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing new beginnings.

Sam Carrington is my go to for psychological thrillers. She has mastered twisty and fast paced. The ending on this one was a little abrupt or different from what I would normally expect from her, but overall a good read.

Wow - this is a page turner.

This book begins with Amber having split from her husband and now selling what was his family home. An interfering Mother In Law who doesn't want her to move and take the grandchildren with her or sell her old family home. Pretty pedestrian stuff until the house isn't selling and the estate agent encourages Amber to hold an open house.

Soon after the open house things begin to happen that can't be explained. Amber was watching the open house through her ringapp door bell and saw 13 people enter and only 12 leave, except no one is left in the house. Scary stuff.

There's a few threads running through this story. For once I did try and work out what was happening in a break from reading, it was really in my mind. I only figured out a tiny bit and then I found myself saying out loud - "what is going on here"? I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to get to the end.

Believable characters and so many plot lines you end up suspecting everyone of everything.

This was a wild ride, I really enjoyed all of the twists and turns in this book, and had no idea who to trust from one chapter to the next.

The premise was interesting, the writing style was fantastic and I was intrigued from the beginning. I found the pacing to be a little slower to start but once the twists and reveals began I couldn't put this book down. My only negative was the very ending and the decision Amber seemed to be making.

Overall a great read and one I would definitely recommend.

This was a fantastic thriller with plenty of twists and turns, drama and suspense, I enjoyed it from start to finish

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Both the plot and the cover were great, exactly the kind of thriller I love.

However, I struggled immediately with Amber. She was the most selfish, vapid and exhausting lead that I have met in a while. Her reactions to Barb were unreasonable. Moving the children away from their family and schools and friends...was just awful...and her lack of compassion for taking the children away from their grandmother and father made me intensely dislike her.

I think you needed to care and like Amber to enjoy this book fully...so the fact I didn't at all means I struggled throughout.

The book as a whole was much too slow and much too long. Think it could have been half the length. The drip of information was so excruciatingly slow that you could have skipped chapters and been at the same level of understanding as you were reading them.

A much shorter, tighter book would have worked much better.

The amount of information given in the last few chapters was excessive and an overload. To nothing happening for 100 chapters to soo much being crammed into the last few chapters was frustrating. Im sorry but it wasn't for me.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this book a lot. Very twisty and kept me on the edge of my seat. It really ramps up towards the end.

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙎𝙖𝙢 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙤𝙣

This book was not at all what I expected from the synopsis but I absolutely loved it and flew through it in one night shift. There was so much piecing together and mystery and I honestly suspected every single character at some point or other. I enjoyed the way Carrington made pretty much all the characters look guilty throughout the book so you were thrown off the scent. There were some incredible cliff hangers throughout the chapters— on multiple times I actually skipped across the next chapter just to solve the cliff hanger before going back.

I loved the alternating chapters written from the “bad guys” perspective who was a mystery throughout, so that we got an insight into their thoughts and feelings and were hearing from them but without knowing who it was.

I did figure out the main twist almost straight away after continuously pausing reading to be a detective BUT this did not ruin the book for me at all — I wrote down the spoiler on my notepad at work just so I wouldn’t forget it and I WAS RIGHT. I literally jumped out of my seat when it was revealed and I was so bloody proud of myself for figuring it out. The only thing that knocked a star off for me was I did feel the ending was slightly too far fetched.

This was the first of Carrington’s books I’ve read and I’d highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a big twist in a mystery.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 + 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂!

A good storyline and I liked the writing for most of the book, however the ending did disappoint. Too many twists towards the end. I can see why people like this book, but it wasn’t for me. I would like to read more from this author, but I was disappointed by this one.