The House Guest is Hank Phillippi Ryan at the top of her game. In chapter 1 we meet three characters: Alyssa, the 30 something insecure wife who has just been dumped by her husband; Bill, the manipulative, controlling, narcissistic husband about whom I’m already saying “Kill Bill”; and Bree, the enigma who appears out of nowhere to land on a barstool of a downmarket hotel in proximity to Alyssa. After some casual conversation, Alyssa invites Bree to stay at her guest house. Who does that??? Clearly not I. But Alyssa, who is in total crisis mode since her magic carpet marriage crash landed, has decided to look to strangers for companionship and wise counsel. What could go wrong ??? Red flags are flying.
And so begins a turbulent week and a half of attempts to resolve multiple issues: relationships, finances, legalities and potential crimes. Complete with complications and twists and turns, Alyssa and Bree dig into the chaos Bill has unleashed. These gals appear to be a friend match made in heaven, or are they?

Plot: original elements, well developed multilayered but cohesive story, relatable characters
Writing Style: intelligent language worth taking your time to savor, little repetition and excellent pacing (balance between plot advancement and the introspective and descriptive elements)
Reader Experience: pulls readers in from the beginning and keeps them engaged, provides a story that stimulates reader reaction and expands the experience beyond the page
Author Insight: If you are lucky, you get more than a good story. You get insight into the author’s personality and character through the writing and you find a kindred spirit.

Thank you Hank for a great reading experience and the privilege of reviewing an advance copy. Thanks also to Forge Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Classic Ryan thriller with lots of misdirection and twists.
A quick development of a women's friendship is based on the abandonment of our main character, Alyssa, by her self-absorbed husband, Bill. Alyssa is crushed by her impending divorce and sitting alone at a bar when she connects with Bree. Bree appears to be on the run from a possible phone stalker. From there things move quickly. A dose of suspended belief in how quickly things happen is necessary for the reader to thoroughly enjoy all the confusion and distrust that Alyssa feels by both her husband's actions of financial fraud and deception to trusting the new people in her life. What is true is a continuous theme throughout the book. The second theme is money doesn't buy happiness, at least in the long term. I wanted to shake Alyssa for bringing these new people into her already upended life. I also felt like she needed to grow as an individual but how many of us know people that just jump from one relationship to another.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4


Thank you to Tor and Ms Ryan for access to an early copy via NetGalley. All opinions are mine.

**Many thanks to Tor and Hank Phillippi Ryan for an ARC of this book via NetGalley!**

You see her at the end of the bar. She looks lonely...just like you. Is this kismet...and could a new best friend have walked into your life JUST when you need one the most?

...Or was this no accident?

Alyssa Macallen is ready to find out. Trudging her way through an ugly split from mega-rich power magnate husband Bill, she doesn't know what lies ahead. The life she pictured has evaporated before her eyes and the resulting divorce is set to leave Alyssa adrift: financially, socially, AND emotionally.

Enter Bree Lorrance, dealing with romantic troubles of her own. She's all too willing to open up to Alyssa, as well as lend her ear, and the two form an instant bond. Alyssa feels so confident in her newly formed friendship, she opens her home to Bree: well, her Guest House anyway. Once they settle in, Bree gets a pretty significant piece of news that could change EVERYTHING...and could possibly turn the tide for Alyssa too. The catch being that a certain soon-to-be-ex husband might end up as collateral damage. Has Alyssa found the Thelma to her Louise? Or is Alyssa a carefully placed pawn in a much BIGGER game of chess...where BREE is queen?

I'm new to Hank Phillipi Ryan, but I've heard so many rave reviews about her thrillers that I was so excited to be able to start with this one! I appreciated that while this plot seemed like it could be simple, I was ruminating and attempting to settle on one of about FOUR potential possibilities cooking at any given moment. The fun thing about these sort of wealthy and powerful (and yes, often somewhat evil!) characters is watching them get into complicated tangles and then watching them try (and sometimes it's even MORE fun to watch them fail) to get out!

My favorite thing about this particular tale was that Alyssa was presented as a POTENTIAL unreliable narrator...but in a sneaky and subtle way. There were just enough clues, red herrings, and twists sprinkled throughout to keep me guessing and to leave me unsure as to whether I could (and more importantly, SHOULD) root for her or not! There are sections of the narrative that got a bit bogged down for me and obviously some suspension of disbelief is required....but it is ALL worth it! The last 20% of the book, especially, is packed with the perfect one-two punch style ending that almost COMPLETELY threw me...and just when you think it's over...ONE more twist to finish out the ride!

I'm a roller coaster girl through and through, but even I needed a breather after that last loop-the-loop! But just as a reminder...remember to keep your hands and arms inside the car at all times and secure all loose articles...this one gives "hold on to your hat" a WHOLE new meaning!

4 stars

Only 4-1/2 stars. Just could not fathom how Alyssa (former law school student) could be so played to invite Bree to stay in her guest house. Alyssa seemed in a fog most of the book, but the twists and turns of Hank Phillippi Ryan’s plot keeps one on the edge of their seat. Not her best, but certainly worth reading and keeping your fingers crossed for Alyssa!

This book is full of twists and turns. Who can you really trust? Unfortunately for Alyssa it’s not many people. Her older husband of eight years leaves her. He takes all the friends. He’s playing games with her. She’s scared and lonely. She meets Bree. This takes her life in a direction she never saw coming. This book was very interesting in trying to figure out who was deceiving who. The writer does a beautiful job describing the rich opulent lifestyle. Another expertly written book by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Who can you trust?! This book was full of twists and turns, I honestly wasn’t sure what was actually real until the very end- I was waiting for another twist!

Only downside of this book was how some parts seemed unbelievable and very obvious. Certain things that were raging red-flags, Alyssa believed without a question.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review

After her wealthy husband suddenly left her, Alyssa Macallan was drowning her sorrows in a hotel bar. She picked this spot specifically because no one in her social circles would ever set foot in a place like that. Just when she needed a friend most, one appears. Seeming to also have problems she wants to escape from, Bree Lorrance graciously accepts Alyssa’s offer to stay in her guest house. Alyssa and Bree confide in each other, but the addition of a possible inheritance for Bree and an FBI investigation for Alyssa turns everything upside down leaving Alyssa not knowing who she can trust.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forge Books for the opportunity to review this one. Full of twists and turns, this is a real page turner! Very rarely do I find a story that I can’t predict where it’s going, and this one really kept me guessing. A well written mystery with just enough suspense to keep you glued to the pages, and just enough character information to suspect everyone. Toward the end it did get a bit confusing, but don’t worry everything is clarified in the end. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries!

I absolutely love The House Guest, the latest book by Hank Phillippi Ryan! The characters were complex and I felt immediately drawn to them. I can tell you this is a real page-turner with twists and surprises all the way to the very end. If you are looking for a great read where you are kept on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend The House Guest.

This is a well-written, though a slow burn type of thriller. I would call it more of a suspense novel than a thriller. It's an easy interesting read, although a bit more action would have been intriguing.

A superb fast paced thriller. I absolutely loved the story and couldn’t stop reading it. It’s perfect for all readers, especially thriller lovers.

The House Guest is a thriller that is will keep you guessing until the very end . Hank Phillippi Ryan has you trying to guess who is the victim .
Alyssa is trying to figure out life after her husband, Bill leaves her with no real warning . She befriends a lonely girl at the bar and they quickly become inseparable . Little things happen around the house that makes her feel like Bill is toying with her .
This cat and mouse like book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy for my honest opinion.

The House Guest grabs you from the start to the finish. Easy read, great characters
Thank you to Hank Phillippi Ryan, NetGalley, and Forge Books for the arc of this book.

Rating it 3 might be generous, it might be more of a 2.5⭐️ for me.

Alyssa is going through a separation from her husband, Bill, when she meets a woman named Bree in a bar. Alyssa is fearful that her husband is going to leave her with no money, and Bree is going through her own issues with her ex boyfriend. She welcomes Bree into her home as a house guest and they instantly become best friends.

Okay. There were so many things I could not get on board with in this story.

To begin with: this was not at all believable? Who meets someone in a bar and invites them to live with them and instantly becomes their best friend? They live together for like one week and act like they’ve been friends for years? So weird.

That was the back bone to the whole story and I kept going back to it and thinking this is not at ALL realistic.

The author also really tries to make Alyssa seem fearful of her husband but there is no good supporting reason why she is? It doesn’t feel honest, it just seems silly. I felt no connection to their relationship or their breakup or Alyssa’s fear.

The ending is predictable. If you read frequent thrillers then this one won’t be a big surprise for you.

I also didn’t love the writing style - it was too descriptive. I am a fan of thrillers that are to the point and suck you in. This one had me skimming through a lot of unnecessary filler. I didn’t feel “on the edge of my seat” throughout any part of this story. That being said - the last 25% of the story was definitely the best part. The beginning was very slow.

This was my first read by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

You can’t always get what you want…
But sometimes, you get what you deserve.

Hank Phillippe Ryan, you spicy little ball of sass.

You kept me up ALL NIGHT LONG 😅

Now, I’m not complaining …

If you can give me that can’t breathe, can’t move, “must flip the page”, feeling…. Then I will most likely enjoy our sleepless nights together.

I got all that and more with The House Guest .

Let me tell ya, this book will give you chills… in true Ryan, fashion, she sets the scene, gives you some strong willed, multi-dimensional characters and a plot twist that will leave your jaw on the floor .

As a huge fan of Ryan, you would think I would be used to this by now, but I’m not .

The House Guest was a psychological thriller that throws you into a game of cat and mouse but who’s the cat and who’s the mouse?

5🌟

Teaser :

After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they’re smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her―leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend. 

And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who’s running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems. 

But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.

This book started a little slow but soon grabbed my attention and pulled me in. Thought I had the story figured out and then I hit the first twist which quickly led me to the next. Kept me guessing right up until the end. Great read! I really enjoy Hank Phillippi Ryan's work, looking forward to the next one.

This is one compulsive, fast paced, intriguing, binge worth read! You are never quite sure who is telling the truth and just get so absorbed in the story that I read the whole thing in a day. Just so many twists that you have no idea where this is going until the big reveal at the end. This is why I love reading Hank Phillippi books.

"The House Guest" may just be my favorite book by Hank Phillippi Ryan. What a fascinating read! Grab it now.

Hank Phillippi Ryan is one of the nicest people in publishing - and her thrillers are fun to read! I am amazed that such a nice person writes such diabolical stories. I am happy to be a Super Reader!!!
In the latest thriller, Alyssa Macallan is surprised when her wealthy husband, Bill, tells her he wants a break. Why? Weren't they deeply in love? Alyssa is heartbroken, and concerned, because she doesn't have wealth on her own. Her perfect life is now uprooted.
Enter a stranger, Bree, who Alyssa meets at a bar. Bree and Alyssa become friends, and Alyssa invites her to stay in the guest house while Bree avoids her ex. When Bree unexpectedly finds a lost connection and a man, Dez, enters their life, Alyssa starts wondering whether she was too trusting.
With references to old movies, Gaslight and Strangers on a Train, you question each relationship, each phone call, and each chance meeting. Who is a friend, and who is using who? Who is telling the truth, and why did Bill really leave Alyssa?
There are many twists to this story. I loved the references to the old movies/stories, but I wanted to shake Alyssa for being so trustworthy! I questioned some of her decisions, but in every book or movie - isn't that the norm -- as an onlooker you wonder -- why are they doing that???
Enjoyable!

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this book! It was perfectly twisted and I loved the twists and turns!

Ryan does it again with this clever cat-and-mouse chase of a mystery that will keep you flipping the pages until the deliciously twisty end. The House Guest is a riveting read-straight-through novel of suspense