I loved the premise of this book from the outset. Gated community, odd residents with secrets, what's not to love? It kept me turning the pages! I would have liked a few more surprises along the way but this is a really good read!

A thrilling, gripping tense ride. Not to mention beautifully written. I felt the claustrophobia of gated community life and though the dual narrative was used very well to keep the reader guessing. Very much looking forward to see what Becca Day writes next.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review of the Girl Beyond the Gate. This is the story Of Jodie who moves to a gated community to ensure her secrets are kept safe. This little gated community is keeping all the secrets of the residents. So many twists and turns kept me highly engaged. I enjoyed this book through to the end.

This is definitely one of these "un-put-downable" books, the first I've read like this in 2022. "The Girl Beyond The Gate" by Becca Day shows that life in a gated community isn't as idyllic as it seems. People there are hiding from their former lives, gossip about neighbours and more deaths than should happen on a quiet housing estate. Definitely don't want to live there! The actual story follows Jodie who is starting anew, and her neighbours Norah and Lacey, and their encounters - some welcome and some unwelcome. Fast-paced and a must-read for 2022.

The Girl Beyond the Gate is a debut standalone psychological thriller by Becca Day. Set in the elusive gated community of the Grove, the story follows two women; new resident Jodie and mother of a terminally ill child, Norah. The story switches between alternating POV giving us insight into each characters backgrounds, motivations and actions. The characters are believable, relatable and interesting. The story was satisfying if not a little at times. Overall this was an entertaining, surprise-filled novel which met my expectations. It was easy to read and engaging and I read most of it in one sitting. I'd recommend this one and will keep an eye out for future works from this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book.

The Girl Beyond the Gate could have been a good novel. Despite having doubts about the gated community psychodrama, I found the first part of the novel quite gripping. It's centred around three main characters in the affluent community, Jodie Madison and her next door neighbours Norah Williams and her daughter Lacey. The author, Becca Day, telegraphs Munchausen syndrome by proxy pretty hard from the outset. At one stage I did have to put the book down and search to see if it was just another version of the Dee Dee Blanchard story (which it definitely borrows from very liberally). However despite this sense of familiarity with the story, it was gripping until the final segment.

It is my view that the author hit the word count and thus gave us a slightly fluffed out outline to conclude the novel. The characters' actions and motivations were not adequately explained, and thus not believable. The writing style did not match the front of the book. This was disappointing because Becca Day had already demonstrated the capacity to write in a gripping and believable way. Sometimes the story is more important than the book size.

I really enjoyed this book, It had me at gothic and haunting. I was engaged and enjoyed every delicious page.
It was suspenseful and I enjoyed the twists and turns. Is this a debut novel, I think I read that. Wow!

Holy sh*t that ending!!! My mouth literally dropped. It’s very rare that an ending blows me away like that. The book is captivating from the first page and I loved it. Can’t wait to read more by this author!!!!

The Girl Beyond the Gate by Becca Day, is full of all claws out cat fights! Can you say all out twisty drama?

Kensington Grove is a gated high end community. Just the perfect place to lead a quiet life. Jodie Madison moves in next door to Norah Williams and her daughter Lacey. 14-year-old Lacey has cystic fibrosis and is in a wheelchair. Jodie bonds with Lacey and soon realizes there is something off about the situation. Is Noah the loving mother she claims to be? Is Lacey in grave danger?

Becca Day's book has many interesting high points. The gated community sets the perfect tone for many juicy secrets in the neighborhood. The ending packs a punch. The tit-for-tat drama between the women is a little bit repetitive, but still noteworthy. The book is comparable in some aspects to "The Act" recently featured on Hulu. I gave this book 3 stars. I enjoyed it, but parts of the book were a bit unrealistic.

The Girl Beyond the Gate will be published March 22, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books, for allowing me to review this thriller. I really appreciate getting to read it.

The premise of the book, though interesting, was too disturbing for me, so I dnf.
Thanks for the digital review copy.

This book was just "meh" for me. I never really connected with the characters. I didn't care for the ending, which I didn't find satisfying at all. Some parts of the story felt rushed (especially the ending), and others were quite predictable. The writing, overall, is fine, but nothing about this book will stick with me now that I've finished the last page.

A fast paced, mysterious psychological thriller - what more could I ask for?

This book took me on a wild ride and left me wondering the entire way through. Becca had a way with words that kept you hooked and did not drag things out. The plot was twisty and the ending was not predictable at all. The only note of critique that I have is that I felt certain storyline’s either didn’t need to be in there or needed to be expanded on including Paul, Jodie’s ex husband, the ending etc. I don’t want to delve into that point any further for fear of spoiling the story! I also would have liked to have seen more from the what’s app chat as it was just starting to get interesting. Overall, I couldn’t put it down!

I’ll be popping a review on my Instagram @hidinginthebooknook too.

Rating: 4.5

I was caught in a reading slump and this story cured it. Not because it was extremely fascinating, but because it is what you can expect from a typical thriller. At the time, it is what I needed: a shocking murder, a mysterious little girl, danger lurking. It fit the bill., but the ending was predictable. But for me, that was just fine! If you want a story to take you away for a bit that scratches all your itches (lol), this is it.

I found this to be an interesting story especially as it was a debut novel. But I did think the ending was a bit rushed. I would still recommend it though. Well worth a read.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC

The Girl Beyond The Gate is a gripping, thrilling read that will get its hooks into you with the first chapter, take you on a rollercoaster of a ride and not let go until the very end.

Jodie Madison is moving to Kensington Grove, a gated community and supposedly one of the safest places to call home. But as she enters the wrought iron gates, she can’t help thinking she’s made a big mistake. She vows to keep a distance from the other residents, but for some reason is drawn to her neighbour Norah and her terminally ill daughter Lacey. But then a murder shocks The Grove and it seems that secrets once thought buried won’t remain hidden.

This book has some great twists and turns and is impossible to put down. Thank you to NetGalley, Embla Books and the author for the chance to review.

If you're looking for a quick, gripping psychological thriller, look no further. The Girl Beyond the Gate is a compelling, twisty, electric read with a breakneck pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Jodie Madison is looking for a fresh start and the gated community of The Grove seems to be a good place to start. At first she tries to keep to herself, but slowly she begins to form a friendship with the little girl next door. When a shocking murder takes place, the neighborhood peace is destroyed and secrets long hidden begin to come to light.

This was a quick read and quite engaging. I found the twists and turns to be predictable, but I didn't mind that so much. I got definite Gypsy Rose and Didi Blanchard vibes from the very start and that feeling stayed with me. The ending did the book a disservice, I thought because if you're going to go down the road of the Blanchards, you have to commit to it or not do it at all. As it was left, the ending was unnecessary, muddled, and confusing. It felt like a throwaway, and honestly, the ending is why I scored the book so low.

Weeellll, Butter Up My Baby Muffins! 😯🤯😳

Holy Fluff! Baby Fluff! WHAAATTT?! 😯 As soon as I started this novel, I was yanked in! I knew without a shadow of a doubt I'd love this unique, different premise. And let me tell you I was NOT disappointed. Jodie decides to move into a gated community full of the hoity-toity types. Except for her neighbour, Norah and her daughter, Lacey who had cystic fibrosis. Something about them appeals to Jodie, especially Lacey - feeling pulled in by their unusualness. But she doesn't know the past of her neighbours, and soon a murder happens in the close community. Each woman has a past they desperately want to keep under wraps, but The Grove will beg to pull it apart. Geez almighty! I did NOT see any of that coming! My word almighty. I'm absolutely gobsmacked. That ending!! 😳

Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for this ARC.
Release date: March 22, 2022

I give this 4.5 / 5 snowflakes! ❄️

A gated community is a fun place for a psychological thriller! There’s secrets behind every door, but these are also the people you’re supposed to be able to trust. 🌼

This book is told from 2 POV:
✨ Jodie - newest resident of gated community The Grove
✨Norah - her and her terminally ill daughter, Lacey, live next door to Jodie

Jodie moved to The Grove for a safe place to live, but she never intended to get to know her neighbours. But she finds herself feeling sorry for Lacey. Why does Norah keep her daughter apart from everyone else? And Norah doesn’t want Jodie, a complete stranger, poking into her business.

The two women don’t like each other and distrust each other’s motives. Since the story is told from both POV, it kept up the mystery of who was telling the truth, and what was actually happening. The books takes a turn for the dramatic near the end, and the reader is left with lingering questions. ⁉️

I would’ve liked a little more explanation at the end, but I do feel like my expectations for the story’s’ trajectory were turned upside down, and I didn’t guess what would happen at the end. Which is definitely what I want from a thriller!😮

📚This book comes out March 22!📚

✨Thank you to Embla Books, Netgalley and Becca Day for a free copy of the ebook, in exchange for an honest review.✨

Jodie has secrets and where better to keep your secrets and yourself hidden than in a gated community? Take Norah and Lacey for example. They have secrets but is it the secrets you think they are?

I enjoyed the premise of this book however I felt that the pace could have a gone a little quicker and I wish the author would have delved more into the others of the community and what they’re hiding. I think it would have added a nice layer to the story.

All in all it’s a good book but if you’re looking for a quick read this one isn’t it. I would recommend this book if you like a slow burn.