Love this suspense and the narration! Definitely a good listen! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC.

Few authors do glamorous thrillers better than Hank Phillippi Ryan. I did suspect the appearance of an ally when main character Alyssa needed one most was a little too convenient. But there were plenty of twists to keep the pages turning, including the big twist at the end that caught me off guard. Hank’s characters are well drawn, even the fluffy ones. Her books are always entertaining, and I read this one in two sittings. I highly recommend escaping into this book for a while.

"The House Guest" by Hank Phillippi Ryan, in its audiobook form, is an exhilarating listening experience that keeps you riveted from start to finish. This gripping thriller is skillfully narrated, enhancing the storytelling to create a dynamic and engaging audiobook.

The narrator's performance is a standout feature of this audiobook. Her voice is both expressive and evocative, capturing the nuances of the characters' emotions and delivering a powerful rendition of the story. The use of different voices for various characters adds depth and authenticity to the audiobook, making it easy to distinguish the diverse cast.

Hank Phillippi Ryan's intricate plot, with its multiple perspectives and layers of suspense, is masterfully brought to life through the narration. The audiobook allows listeners to experience the story from different characters' viewpoints, which intensifies the sense of intrigue and complexity.

The characters, brought to life by the narrator, are richly developed and multi-dimensional, making them feel like real people with their own motivations, secrets, and vulnerabilities. Their moral dilemmas and the intricacies of their relationships are expertly conveyed through the narration, adding depth to the narrative.

The audiobook's pacing is perfectly executed, maintaining a constant sense of anticipation and suspense. As the story unfolds and secrets unravel, the audiobook's narration keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the truth.

Overall, "The House Guest" in audiobook form is a thrilling and immersive experience. It's an excellent choice for those who enjoy psychological suspense and are looking for an audiobook that combines an intricate plot with compelling characters. Hank Phillippi Ryan's storytelling prowess, combined with the skilled narration, makes this audiobook a must-listen for anyone seeking a gripping and thought-provoking thriller.

Every time I thought I knew what was going on, another twist would come along and throw me for a loop!
Lyssa is lonely and lost after her husband leaves her! Scared and dreading going home alone, she goes to a bar for a drink where she meets Bree and invites her to stay in her guest house! Through unfortunate circumstances that brought them together, they become fast friends. Lyssa takes her under her wing and is determined to help Bree even while going through her own issues! Bree is so appreciative of Lyssa and wants to return the favor! All the events seem crazy as they happen one after another and gets confusing on who the good guys are!
Friendship and Resilience are what really makes this book shine! The twists are crazy albeit some unbelievable, definitely kept me on my toes!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Oh, Hank Philippi Ryan, how I love thee! After meeting her on tour, I discovered she’s not only outstanding at writing, but such a gem in person. This book is fantastic and not to be missed!

With divorce comes lots of changes, something that Alyssa is becoming quickly aware of. Her life with her soon to be ex-husband was one of wealth, privilege, and power, but Bill is determined to take from Alyssa as much of that as he can, and he isn't opposed to tricks and mind games to accomplish just that. Seems the FBI wants to take it all away as well, seeing as Bill may have come into his money by shady, and illegal, means. Alyssa has no one to turn to and is in need of a friend, one that isn’t part of their country club social circle. Going to a bar she doesn’t frequent, Alyssa soon finds herself sitting next to Bree, a woman trying to get out of a dangerous relationship. Not knowing what prompts her to do so, Alyssa offers Bree a place to stay–her guest house–but when Bree makes an offer of her own Alyssa isn’t sure how to react, or what to do.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

The House Guest was just ok to me. It took too long to get to the meat and potatoes of the story, and when it finally did it seemed like it went in so many different directions that it bordered on impossible, even for a novel. I found Alyssa to be almost boring and weak, even when I took into consideration her lifestyle. This one just didn’t do it for me.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

The audiobook was just ok as well. Part of that is due to the material itself–it's such a slow burn–but part of that was due to the narration itself. I just wasn’t gripped by the story and the audiobook didn’t help to draw me into the story. The pace was too slow (but then again I often find that with a majority of audiobooks) and there wasn’t enough inflection used to create any suspense or wonder.

"The House Guest" by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The plot revolves around a weekend getaway at a luxurious mansion, where secrets, lies, and hidden agendas lurk beneath the surface. The characters are vividly portrayed, each with their own motives and secrets, making it impossible to trust anyone completely.

Overall, "The House Guest" is a gripping and intricately plotted thriller that will satisfy fans of the genre. Hank Phillippi Ryan's storytelling prowess is evident, making this book a compelling and suspenseful page-turner.

This is a slow burn but entertaining mystery novel. I loved the narrator as she brought the story to life for me. The ending with all the twists will give you whiplash. Thanks NetGalley for the audio eArc.

he House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a cautionary tale of betrayal, friendship and the desires to belong.

Summary -

"....She stared at the pale place on her finger where, for eight years, three months and twenty-seven days, her wedding ring had been. A piece of jewelry the universe prescribes to indicate one is married, and happy, and off-limits. There was no piece of jewelry denoting sorrow, or confusion, or disequilibrium. Or fear. Now her once-welcoming home was empty; and when the nights got dark and long, it terrified her..."

Alyssa Macallan's world is set adrift when her wealthy and influential husband Bill leaves her. But it is not only her husband that has left her, but her status and friends and influence is gone as well. Now Alyssa is afraid that Bill is coming for her home and her money. He is going to leave her alone and with nothing left at all.

So when the FBI show up knocking on her door she knows that she is in deeper than she can imagine and she really is all alone. Alyssa can really use a friend.

Then in walks Bree Lorrance. Alyssa and Bree meet at a bar and over drinks bond in their collective misery. It seems like Bree has her own set of problems. A stalker is hunting her and it seems like her own past is murky. Alyssa decides to have Bree move in to her guest house where they can keep each other company.

But was it really just by chance that Bree and Alyssa met. Or is there something else guiding their friendship forward?

Review -

The House Guest is a slow paced tale that never really catches it stride. It does not really twist and turn or weave about, instead it moves listless on the current. Void of any true direction. The climax is weak, like the last five minutes of a 1970s cop show.

There are alot of stronger mystery novels on the market with female leads. This one is a pass.

This novel follows the life of a woman who is on the brink of divorce, and she doesn't know why. She meets a new friend who is down on her luck at a bar, and invites her to stay in her guest house rather than at the hotel. She figures it is a nice gesture that will be distracting.

Her friend soon gets unexpected news which plunges the women into a mystery that gets stranger and stranger. There are multiple twists and turns, and at the end, just when you think the mystery is over, something new happens.

I enjoyed the novel, but I felt that it seemed to drag on a bit near the end. It's over...but oh wait, there's one more thing....

I found the narrator to be a bit monotone and sometimes my attention wandered.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the novel. All opinions are my own.

Whoa!! That ending had so many twists that I think I have whiplash! The final quarter kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea what was true and what were lies.

Alyssa is a scorned woman spiraling downwards. Her wealthy husband Max has left her suddenly without explanation. While in a bar one night, drowning her sorrows, she meets Bree. Bree says she is escaping a toxic relationship. Alyssa feels compassion towards this stranger and immediately the two become fast friends. Alyssa won't hear of Bree going back to her dumpy motel and invites her to stay in her guesthouse. Before long, the two are confiding in one another, with Alyssa helping Bree navigate a potential inheritance, but is anyone actually sincere in their motivations? What if anything is really going on?

This whole story felt like one big rabbit hole. The reader is never quite sure who is the cat and who is the mouse. There are many uncertainties along the way. My biggest challenge was the enormous amount of internal and external dialogue. Too much for me. It sometimes seemed like I was listening to the same information over and over again as the MC replayed her incessant thoughts. This caused the pacing to stall and overall lessened the suspense. I just wanted to fast forward to the end to know what was going on.

The audio was average. Could it have been more animated? Sure, but it was solid.

I received an advanced audiobook from #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio in exchange for an honest review.

In this thriller, you are left at the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns that this one takes. No one is really who they seem - so who do you trust? A great read if you are into thrillers and suspense.

Great thriller 5 star read I was. Hooked from the very start to very end thought I had it figured out but was happily surprised! Most read

3.5 stars!
THE HOUSE GUEST is a cat-and-mouse thriller that had so many twists, and I really enjoyed!

It was the perfect entertainment after reading a few romances, and I really enjoyed the audio format, and thought the performance was great.

*many thanks to Forge/Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy for review

I recently finished reading The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan, marking the fourth novel of hers that I have had the pleasure of reading. I appreciate her writing style and find it quite timeless. While this book had a slower pace than her usual works and repeated certain aspects more than necessary, I was still invested in the story and thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected twists that emerged in the final quarter of the book. The ending was satisfying, and I particularly appreciated experiencing events solely from Alyssa's perspective. Although I didn't feel particularly attached to any of the characters, I appreciated the author's ability to keep me guessing about the outcome of the story. The book ultimately ended up being more thrilling than I initially anticipated, and the conclusion was a complete shock to me!

Stephanie Willing's exceptional narration in the audiobook of The House Guest had me hooked. Her delivery was spot-on, and Alyssa's character was perfectly portrayed. I highly recommend the audio version to anyone who enjoys them. With a thrilling plot of deception and greed, it was hard to determine who the good guys were. Hank's books always leave me fulfilled, and I was thrilled to find a signed copy at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Arizona. If you're in the area, make sure to check them out. I'm already looking forward to the next book from this talented author.

I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So your wealthy husband leaves you and you are feeling devastated and alone. You are also suspicious of your soon to be ex. Is he trying to scare you using 'gaslighting" tactics, or is it just an over active imagination. Feeling distraught and confused, you meet an intriguing stranger at a bar. This mysterious woman may also need rescuing. What do you do? Invite them to move into your life and take center stage, of course. Really?? The main character Alyssa, frustrated me with her impulsive choices. I understood that she was going through a lot, but many of her decisions were questionable. I did enjoy the relationship between Alyssa and the alluring Bree, even if it seemed rushed and reckless. The ending was satisfying and bumped my rating up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Overall this was an okay thriller. The narration of the audiobook was entertaining and added a layer of suspense. Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for my audiobook.

There were just enough clues, red herrings, and twists sprinkled throughout to keep me guessing and to leave me unsure as to whether or not i should root for them. it was a sickly fun story.

The House Guest was another great read by Hank Phillippi Ryan. Alyssa Macallan is dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband and finds herself terrified. She suspects that her manipulative soon to be ex is scheming to ruin her and leave her alone and penniless. The FBI shows up at her door and Alyssa knows that she really needs a new friend. Bree Lorrance is running from a dangerous relationship and Alyssa offers her the safety of her guest house. Bree makes a tempting offer that may lead to them solving each others' problems. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy of The House Guest. The following opinions are strictly my own.

Mixed feelings about this one. I liked a lot of it and I'm still thinking about the events and the characters a week later, but there was also so much to roll my eyes about. The entire time, I was onto the twists, which isn't always bad, but I don't vibe when the main character makes questionable choice after questionable choice and then doesn't know how they got in their predicament. Ultimately I enjoyed where this story went, and it was unexpected, but the execution was mediocre. Still a fun read, but not stellar.

I enjoyed the overall concept of this book. It was a enjoyable read that helped me to pass time and escape from reality for a bit. Overall, it was a good book. The narrator made this book very enjoyable.