This wasn’t my favorite Hank Phillippi Ryan book ever but it was decent with a lot of unexpected twists and turns that will keep readers surprised. The narrator did a good job of conveying suspense and made the story believable.

This book is a well written fantastic thriller! I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one weekend. This book had so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Highly recommend!

3.5 stars. Thanks, Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to the book and discover a new author. Do you believe in coincidences? I have to admit parts of the story are a bit weird and unbelievable, but it's a story.

Excellent narration made this audio book impossible to stop listening to. Alyssa is in shock after finding out her extremely wealthy husband is leaving her. With the unwanted divorce looming in the future she meets a new friend named Bree. Alyssa finds herself feeling a little superior to Bree because of her outdated looks, but takes a chance on the friendship anyway. After quickly learning that Bree is in a bad relationship of her own, the two quickly bond with results you will not expect. With many twists and turns that you will never guess this audiobook is not to be missed.

This book certainly had many twists and turns throughout leaving you unsure of who to trust. Although I felt that parts of the storyline were a little unbelievable, I didn’t mind too much because…well, it’s fiction right? I felt that overall this book delivered in terms of keeping you on your toes until the very end. I would definitely recommend giving it a read!

Thanks NetGalley er al for access to the audiobook for an honest review.

Thriller I enjoyed the audiobook made my time cleaning and doing chores go by pretty fast. I knew something was fishy with Bree and Dez. I don’t think women can be that naive but I was surprised in the end. Not shocked just surprised. It was slow and steady until about 65% and then it picked up. Slow paced easy to follow. More of a mystery than a thriller.

I love the narrator she made listening very entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC

Pub date: 2/7/23
Genre: mystery/thriller
One sentence summary: Wealthy Alyssa's soon-to-be-ex abandons her, and all alone in a large house, she meets and takes in down out her luck Bree, who comes with plenty of her own secrets and drama.

This book was such a pleasure to listen to - it reminded me of why I love thrillers on audio. Since there's only one timeline, it's easy to follow, and Stephanie Willing does a great job with Alyssa's voice. It's a little slow until the 60% mark, but then things really ramp up and you get twist after twist! Yes, clearly Bree isn't what she seems (duh, this is a thriller) - but I did not guess what she actually was after. And Alyssa surprised me too - she's not just a trophy wife!

I would recommend this one on audio, and it pairs well with other activities - I listened to it while diamond painting/doing chores.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #Macmillan Audio and Hank Philippi Ryan for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of THE HOUSE GUEST to be published 7 Feb 2023. “You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.” This quote describes the domestic thriller better than I could! It’s so twisted, I’m still not totally sure which of the characters was for real! If you like twists and turns throughout your novel, listen to this narration. It was great. #NetGalley #MacmillianAudio #HankPhillippiRyan

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I found the writing to be clunky and awkward. The book is touted as a thriller but it didn't feel that way at all.

This one unfortunately didn’t work for me as well as I’d hoped. I found the premise really interesting, but ultimately found this one boring.

Thoughts while listening -
- requires way too much suspension of disbelief (this is a real issue for me with books and film/television) to be viable.
- just how naive can women characters be written? ffs.
- this was too where exactly is this going, and wtf is going on for me, and not in a good way.


As I’ve shared previously, finding a domestic thriller that I enjoy and find realistically possible is notoriously difficult.

Therefore, a reminder to take my opinion with a grain of salt - most of the reviews for this were great.

DNF - thank you Netgalley for the advance copy but I just couldn't finish it. The plot was boring and unbelievable, and the narrator did not do a good job of changing her voice for each character.

Book Title: The House Guest
Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan
Narrator: Stephanie Willing
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: February 7, 2023
My Rating: 4+ Stars

Although I have only read a few [author: Hank Phillippi Ryan] novels, I went into this without knowing anything about it ~ except that I like the author!
Allyssa and Bill Macallen have been married for eight years in a life of luxury but now Allyssa is heartbroken. Bill has left her and she never saw it coming! No explanation. She’s sacrificed a lot to be with this man. She even gave up her own name Alice, changed into Allyssa.

In the meantime, Allyssa meets Bree Lorrance at a bar. Bree is a banker and also is having ‘guy problems’ as someone is threating and harassing her. Allyssa is concern so at their second meeting she invites Bree to stay at her guest house.
We soon find out that the guy who has been harassing Bree is not a threat but has information about a brother she never knew she had. That man Dez is now also a ‘house guest’ ~ hmmm

Thus begins the story ~ with twists that and turns and more twists! Can Alyssa really trust these new found ’friends’?
Who is who in this cat and mouse game? Allyssa referred to Bill as a cat toying with an injured mouse. There are actually several cartoon type analogies in this story. [author: Hank Phillippi Ryan] is a great storyteller!
I read a lot of psychological thrillers so was sure the title was a big clue in this story ~ if not the title could have been “The Wife who went to Law School for One Year” lol

Narrator Stephanie Willing is fabulous performing the characters- especially Allyssa and Bree. At one point I doubled checked if there were two narrators! I was clear which voice was Allyssa and which was Bree!
This was a great. I love twists and turns. In this case the turn has a turn! How great is that?

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 7, 2023

The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a solid 3 stars. The beginning dragged on and didn't really get exciting until around 50%, when things started to unfold and it wasn't clear who to trust. I found some of the twists and reveals surprising and others predictable. Overall, I enjoyed the ride, which is the reason for my rating.

Stephanie Willing was a pretty good in narrator. Her voice was distinctly different with Alyssa and Brie, which I always appreciate.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.

I loved this story. For me this read like a domestic suspense with a twist of a long-con. I didn’t trust a single character (including the main character) and my theory of the story changed several times. This made for an incredibly entertaining listen (also the narrator was fantastic). I felt the pacing was perfect and I would qualify it as a slow burn. Unlike some slow burns- I felt this book had a well balanced ending and was not rushed in any way. The author fully developed all of the twists and explained them in the last 20% or so of the story which is very satisfying.

I love vengeful female MC’s and will be highly recommending this book.

Usually being sick entails taking care of my sick daughter, who is watching paw patrol on repeat, so audio books help me zone out. I usually have a headache and reading makes it hurt more, so audios allow me to still read. Yesterday was one of those day, and I am thankful I had this book.

Alyssa is terrified to be alone in her huge house after her wealthy husband decides they are divorcing. She goes to a bar on evening and meets a down and out lady, who she invites back to her guest house. Her new friend is also reeling from a horrible break up and they make quite the pair. As time goes on, Alyssa begins to wonder if her husband is playing mind games to leave her penniless. You can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you deserve.

I did not see the twist on this one coming! It came out of left field in the most amazing way, and I ate it up. I haven’t read a book where this has happened in a long time, so it was refreshing. This was the psychological thriller I needed in my life. The compliant I have with this one is I couldn’t believe Alyssa invited a random stranger to live in her guest house right after meeting her. Maybe I’ve read to many thrillers and horror books. The narrator for this one, Stephanie Willing, did a fantastic job.

If you’re looking for a fast paced, heart thumping thriller, then check this one out February 7th of next year! The publisher, MacMillan Audio, @macmillan.audio, and @netgalley, provided me this e-arc copy for review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forge Books for an audio book arc in exchange for an honest review!

The audio book was well done and I loved the voice reading the book. She did a great job with the characters and helped me visualize the narrative.

Alyssa Macallen is in the middle of a nasty divorce where her super rich husband will keep everything (probably) including the country club and society friends. She has resorted to hanging out in a hotel bar where she meets Bree Lorrance, dealing with relationship issues as well. the two instantly bond and form an instant friendship. Alyssa even invites Bree to come live in her guest house! Once settled, Bree gets a pretty significant piece of news that could change everything.

There are a lot of twists and turns in the suspenseful mystery. There is a powerful ending. I also enjoyed the way the rich and powerful characters got into tricky situations and then watching as they try to free themselves.

Quite the rollercoaster ride! Highly recommend!!!

I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Hank Phillippi Ryan so I was very excited to listen to this one!! Hank did not disappoint!!!

Alyssa and Bree meet at a bar and both have a lot going on in their lives. Alyssa was married to a wealthy man and they lived a life of luxury until one day when he said he needed a break!! Bree has left an abusive relationship and the phone will not stop ringing!! Alyssa invites Bree to come stay with her and then all kinds of twists and turns are thrown at you.

There were so many times that I thought I knew what was going on and Hank workgroup throw another curveball at me!! Highly recommend!!

The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan (audiobook review)

There's no denying that The House Guest is a banger! This audiobook has it all: money, divorce, lies, and greed. It checks all the boxes for a fantastic thriller. I enjoyed this book to the fullest. It's a cat-and-mouse game you don't want to miss.

Synopsis:
In addition to being beautiful, Alyssa Macallan is also terrified. As she and her emotionally abusive husband separate, a devastating divorce unfolds. Alyssa realizes he is trying to leave her destitute.

Alyssa is shocked when the FBI knocks on her door. She wonders what her husband has gotten himself into. It's nice to have Bree, a new friend who can help her, but will Bree prove trustworthy when she moves into the guest house?

The House Guest is available on February 7th.
5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sharing this audiobook with me. Your kindness is appreciated.

#TheHouseGuest #HankPhillippiRyan #audiobooks

What a great psychological thriller by @hankpryan ♥️ The main character, Alyssa, is a little lonely while going through a separation from her wealthy and powerful husband. Next thing she knows, she meets Bree in a bar, who is running from a dangerous boyfriend. The following story that unfolds will leave you guessing who are good guys, who are bad guys, and what is everyone’s motives!

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ARC! I enjoyed the narrator for this story, but the story fell flat for me. This is marketed as a thriller, but I wouldn’t consider it that. It felt more like a mystery? Or a drama.

I liked it, but I wanted more cat and mouse and suspense. It wasn’t a bad storyline, just not what I was expecting.