Help! I’m a newlywed. Get me out of here!!!!!!!

Newlywed Liam and Laura Carrington have chosen the remote island of Shura as their belated honeymoon destination opting for peace and quiet which they’ll have in abundance given they will be the sole two occupants. Sound blissful or would it be your idea of hell? This couple are about to discover that their week of isolation may not be the cosy, romantic holiday they’ve been looking forward to and the memories they take from their time here are ones they’d rather forget.

There’s something very odd with this scenario from the beginning in terms of the couple’s dynamics and their choice of honeymoon destination. Not many people would choose a remote Scottish island with its inclement weather over a sun drenched Greek island but if it’s privacy and solitude and natural beauty Liam and Laura are after then they’ve picked the right place. Completely cut off from the mainland, with no WiFi signal and with the island’s mysterious history casting a ominous shadow over the place I’m not sure this would be my idea of a romantic getaway but the location is a perfect setting for this psychological thriller. What has happened to the previous owners and who owns the island now are questions begging to be answered as Liam and Laura step over the threshold of the converted old forge which is the only habitable building on the island. The haunting and chilling atmosphere instinctively fills you with apprehension and a sense of foreboding that this week spent on Shura will be far from idyllic! Goosebumps were forming on my skin with descriptions of the dangerous cliffs, forests, and creepy ramshackle castle and chapel giving off an unwelcoming air to this island where your imagination suggests bad things have happened here in the past. I don’t just mean the Vikings who came raiding and pillaging either! Sarah Alderson unsettles you with these visions superbly, setting the stage for this honeymoon to take a sinister, vengeful and malevolent turn. The impression that all is not well between husband and wife with Laura grieving for her mother and barely eating together with mounting evidence that they might not be the only occupants on this island leaves you on tenterhooks, anticipating and expecting the very worst. Who or what lurks in the darkness adds another layer of eeriness to what is a exceptionally creepy storyline. Are the eyes of the long ago dead watching over Liam and Laura or do they belong to someone still very much alive??

This is a very slow paced thriller with the author building the tension oh so gradually. In my opinion it is overly drawn out. I could feel my interest wavering and boredom creeping in perplexed as to how and why this couple are together. Laura is clearly depressed giving Liam free rein to take charge in their relationship and they don’t exactly exude happiness considering they are only recently married. As the week descends into a hellish nightmare the pace suddenly quickens and you begin to observe both Liam and Laura in a whole new light. Let’s just say appearances can be deceptive! Definitely this is a book of two halves; the second half is where these characters really come alive and show their true colours. The twist is VERY clever. I felt well and truly played by the author who from the start pulls the wool over your eyes, metaphorically blinding you to the clues so that you take everything laid before you at face value, rather than reading between the lines.

I would say overall this is a good psychological thriller despite the slow start. The evocative setting makes up for the lack of action in the first half with the latter part of the book proving more thrilling and entertaining, earning 4 ⭐️ from me. It’s worth persevering with because the ending is so unexpected!

My thanks to the publisher Avon books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

The story through the book is well written. Only problem I found was that it got bit confusing at the end but that could just me.

Otherwise excellent read.

Quick synopsis: Laura & Liam are newlyweds about to spend a week at luxury cottage on a private island off the coast of Scotland. Laura's been depressed over the death of her mother, but feels a holiday will do her and her new hubby some good. That is until they realize someone is watching them on this supposedly deserted island, and then begins terrorizing them. Who's stalking them? And what do they want?

Okay, so upfront, I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it, and I had a hard time putting it down. I can already see a thriller movie being made based on it. However, I'll also say that I picked up on A LOT of red flags concerning one of the characters starting in the first chapter. I didn't quite figure out the plot twist, but I had an idea that something was amiss and the suspense was even close to home. All in all though, REALLY enjoyed it. The author gave several nuggets throughout, and I was picking up Lucy Foley vibes in the first part. There's multiple narrators & POVs, the storyline does a time jump or two, and it's riveting. I hope this helps you decide to pick it up!

CW: there are descriptions of domestic & spousal abuse.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Liam and Liam are spending their honeymoon in Scotland. They believe they are the only individuals in the countryside. This book captured my attention from the beginning

THE STALKER by Sarah Alderson follows newly-weds Liam and Laura as they head to a remote Scottish island for their honeymoon. They soon realize that they aren’t alone on the island…

This book was one scary, thrilling ride. The atmosphere alone had me turning pages to keep the eeriness coming. Alderson also threw out some lovely twists that had me gasping and cheering because who doesn’t love a good twist??

I will say I was annoyed by some of the dialogue between characters, vocalizations around mental illness, and some of the stereotypical traits of a ‘submissive woman,’ but, those things aside, this book is well worth the read!

Publication Date: July 08, 2021

*** special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review ***

Posted to Goodreads and The StoryGraph: 07/03/21
Posted to Instagram (Bookstagram): 07/05/21

The Stalker, a novel by Sarah Alderson, was a fun read. A honeymoon on a secluded island, where you and your new husband are dropped off to be the sole inhabitants for the next week. Everything you need is supplied. The kitchen is stocked to your specifications, wood is chopped and you have no distractions (cell service, tv, and internet do not exist). It's just the two of you ...or is it? While waiting on the weather to clear so the boat can take you to the island, you hear of hauntings and receive warnings from the locals on the mainland. Are the shadows you think are a man really someone else on the island, or are you being stalked by one of the ghosts? Is everything that you think is happening just a figment of your imagination, driven by the ghost stories that you heard earlier? You will be surprised to find out.

Wow! An incredibly twisty read and a great thriller. I tried to piece things along the way as the characters discovered new things but the ending certainly caught me by surprise - but it made sense! In hindsight, the twists did not come out of the blue but rather were hidden in carefully placed red flags along the way. There were times where I was at the edge of my seat and could not put the book down as I was just so curious as to what was going to happen next - I had to keep reading! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is just getting into the thriller genre, or for anyone who wants a fast-paced, twisty read.

Liam and Laura are spending their belated honeymoon on the tiny island of Shura in the middle of a Scottish loch. Shura is an isolated place with only the one cottage where the couple are staying. A get away from it all week where they can escape from the rest of the world. Everything is organised and they look forward to this special time together…
Soon after they arrive it’s clear someone else is on the island. But who? And why is it clear they mean the couple harm.
This book really does have you on the edge of your seat. The couple find themselves in some dangerous situations as their need to discover the identity of their tormentor turns into a battle for survival. A great plot full of twists and things I just didn’t see coming. Five big stars from me.
My thanks to Sarah Alderson, Harper Collins and Netgalley for an ARC of The Stalker in exchange for an honest review.

Finally! I book that lives up to it's blurb. This book had me sucked in and the twist surprised me. I love the way this story unfolded...bit by bit. It was very eerie and atmospheric. The setting was isolated and the weather descriptions help bump up the creep factor. I loved Ms. Alderson's descriptive writing. I felt like I was on that island with Liam and Laura. I loved how the author was able to write such intense and intricate relationships among the characters.

Bottom Line:
I so enjoyed this book. There was a lot of detail and multiple plot lines. It really makes you think about the perception of others isn’t always accurate. Definite suspense and irony. Stayed up until 3 in the morning to finish!

4.5⭐️
A psychological thriller by an author that is new to me.
Liam and Laura are honeymooning on a remote Scottish island. They are the only people there. Their idea of paradise.
They are warned that the island is haunted which gives a spooky feel.

The story is told mostly from Laura’s point of view, with some input from the stalker.

The start is a slow burn, then the tension really increases, and just as i feel the storyline is balanced on a precipice we are yanked back in time to another character.
The twists and turns are amazing.
That has a great ending, although 1 part seemed a bit surreal.
It’s very different and very good. Worth persevering through the slower section.

This was such a quick read, it had a really good pace. I found it really creepy, I could almost feel the isolation that was happening in the story. I had so many guesses all the way through but was absolutely way off the mark. There was the biggest double twist ever that I absolutely did not see coming. The reason I never gave five stars was that some of the things that Laura had said at the beginning didn't make much sense once you found out what was going on, obviously it was to make the reveal more shocking and effective. My first from this author but I'll absolutely be checking out more.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Sarah Alderson for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*

I've read one other Alderson book in the past and liked it, so I was excited to receive this advance copy.
Unfortunately this one didn't work for me.

I found it to be very repetitive, slow and almost dull and when things finally started happening it felt a bit off as well. I never felt the suspense, fear and emotions I know I was meant to feel and when the twist happened I actually laughed because it felt too far fetched.

Unfortunately this one didn't work for me, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read and review it early!

Well, Liam and Laura might have had a slight inkling that things may not go completely smoothly on the deserted island, what with it being supposedly 'haunted'. A really good thriller, slowly building and gathering pace to a great finale. Hard not to give spoliers for this one. Well worth reading, very atmospheric and super plotting. Would certainly recommend!

Suspense at its finest. Definitely got a gothic feel with this read.
Thank you NetGalley! This is definitely a page turner!

I wondered at the wisdom of Liam and Laura heading off on their honeymoon to an island that is supposedly haunted. Laura is already fragile but she convinces herself to relax and enjoy.
Laura’s worried about being watched, Liam wants to uncover the ‘mystery’ and the tension keeps building, I felt it and had to keep reading!
I’m glad that I stuck with this book, a slow build up to a thrilling read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating this book 3.5 stars.

HOLY SHIT what did I just read?!
So the beginning of the book wasn't awfully gripping, it just wasn't my scene so to speak...
However, I have made sure I've read this book clearly and I'm quite glad I did! The last 3rd of the book I couldn't read fast enough! It was intense! I could feel the anger for Laura. There was so many emotions trying to climb out of me reading the last part of the book, but I NEVER expected the ending it has. It was sooo good!!!

I would recommend it, especially if your okay with something slow going and then fast paced.

Tense and chilling from the word go.
Liam and Laura missed their original honeymoon when a tragedy struck so Liam thoughtfully books another when Laura is feeling up to it. They arrive in Scotland ready to be the first guests on a secluded island with only one habitable house, a small romantic cottage.. Almost at once Laura feels uneasy, as if she’s being watched but not wanting to spoil the mood she doesn’t tell Liam. Then things get increasing stranger, what happened to the last inhabitants of the island? Why is the castle in ruins? And who else is there?
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys tense psychological thrillers, it won’t disappoint.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

Liam and Laura go on honeymoon on a deserted island off the north of Scotland but are they really alone ? . This is a thriller with a palpable tension almost from the first word. A well written book and easy to read .

If you enjoy a thriller , read this one you won’t be disappointed.

This mystery thriller has a little bit of everything. It starts out like a slow burn atmospheric psychological suspense and with the flip of a page turns into a tense thriller. There were parts that I wasn’t too into, the stalker cat and mouse aspect wasn’t my favorite, but overall there was a good pay off and I appreciated where the story led and how things were wrapped up.

I would recommend this book to fans of easy to read thrillers, this could be a nice beach or vacation read. It’s a great twisty story with good description and nice twists.

I know I wouldn't have picked an island off the coast of Scotland for a honeymoon but Liam and Laura did. And now they're paying the price. They ignored talk about hauntings and the fact that help wouldn't be immediately available if they had trouble and well, now there's trouble, Someone is stalking them. Liam's convinced they should find out what's going on but Laura's not so sure. No spoilers from me. This is nicely atmospheric and well paced, Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.