Alyssa has the perfect life. She’s married to Bill, who raises money for charities and does very well at it, and has given them a very luxurious lifestyle as a result. She’s got rich, country club friends and a good looking husband and an unlimited credit card. What else could she ask for? Well, apparently life isn’t all sunshine and roses because Bill leaves her without explanation and Alyssa is left wondering what went wrong. One night she’s sitting alone in a bar having a drink when a woman comes up and sits beside her who seems to be having man troubles herself. As they get to talking and bonding, Alyssa invites Bree to stay in her guest house while she gets back on her feet and it helps Alyssa not feel so alone at her house as well. In the span of the next few days, secrets are revealed about Alyssa’s husband that she can’t believe are true, but if they are, implicate her as well, so with the help of her house guests, she works to figure out what’s going on. But cans she trust this person she just met?
While the premise of the story was fine, the pacing was a little choppy and there were parts that were just too unbalanced and unbelievable that took you out of the story. The narrator was fine but nothing outstanding. Overall fine but not memorable.

3.5/5⭐️
This one was just ok for me. It was way too much of a slow burn. None of the good reveals happen until about 80% in. I listened to the audiobook and I was just barely engaged and interested enough to keep listening but in the end I was still left a little underwhelmed.

Thank you to Macmillan audio for the advanced copy of this book. I’d like to start by commending the narrator on a great performance. Her tone, pace, and inflections made this an easy listen.

Alyssa’s perfect life is turned upside down when her handsome, and absurdly rich, husband ups and leaves her with no explanation. Manipulative and controlling, Alyssa’s ex will stop at nothing to socially embarrass and ruin her. Finding comfort at a nearby bar, Alyssa happens upon a strange woman, Bree, who is running from a stalker. On a whim, Alyssa invites Bree to stay in her guest house. When the FBI comes pounding on Alyssa’s door asking questions about her husbands shady business practices, Alyssa realizes her problems are bigger than she feared.. But is relying on this stranger as a confidante the answer? No one is who they seem in this novel billed as a cat and mouse thriller.

I enjoyed this listen, with a few minor complaints though they may be of my own making. The REALLY big twist left me confused. I thought maybe I had zoned out and missed a chunk of important information in an earlier chapter, and I just couldn’t right myself. The very end tied it together a little bit, but I was still left with several “wait what, how, who??”. The plot was intruding, although one element was predictable for me as it is vaguely similar to (of all things) a romcom that I reference often.

I do agree with some of the reviews that there were a lot of moments you wanted to reach into the boon and shake Alyssa by the shoulders and scream “ Girl what are you doing????”. But I can go with the flow for the sake of a plot when it’s compelling enough.

House Guest was my first Hank Phillippi Ryan book, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the digital version in exchange f or my own opinion.

I liked this book, but it was a tad longer than I would've liked. I did think this book had a unique way of getting revenge on men, Alyssa, whose husband divorced her for no good reason, and has left her cash poor meets Bree, another woman who has been also had her fair share of men misbehaving badly.

The second time they meet, Alyssa (formerly Alice but her husband wanted it changed to Alyssa because he's just that kind of man) decides to let Bree live in her guest house because her husband not only left her practically desolate, he took all their friends, as a couple, too.

They get close and hatch a plan and I just feel like its a good plotline, just 20% too long, and the last 20% was the ending, which was the best part in this cat and mouse game!

I would recommend this book, although it wasn't one of my favorites from the author. 3 stars

The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan does it again! She sets up a scenario that is so easy to see yet so hard to see through. Just Who is this house guest really and is her guest’s guest truly a guest? Ryan winds us through a shadowy twisted trail while handing the reader a rope to either find our way home, or hang ourselves trying to outguess the author. I was tempted to do both at times. I LOVED every twist, especially with the petty, vindictive estranged spouse. (or louse?) Highly recommend this 5-star read!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Alyssa is going through a divorce and thinks her husband may be gaslighting her. He’s used to winning everything, and she’s sure he’ll find a way to win their divorce. Splitting from him has ended all of her social connections, and she’s so lonely, she decides to invite a woman from the bar to stay in her home as well.

I think I read a different book than the one people are raving about. The summary seemed interesting, but Alyssa’s zero personality and constant circular thoughts had me on the brink of DNFing the whole time. It last just be me, because there were many 4 and 5 star reviews for this book.

The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan published February 2023. This will be a bestseller. When Alissa is suddenly being divorced by her rich fundraiser husband she finds herself making friends with a stranger. When this woman becomes her house guest and suddenly they are helping each other to solve their problems. This book will keep you guessing who is truly who they say they are.

I had never read anything by Hank Phillippi Ryan before <i>The House Guest</i>. But I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and the synopsis on Netgalley.

There wasn't anything that I disliked about this novel, but I can't say that I found it wholly engrossing either. I absolutely loved the set up though. With all the domestic suspense that I've been reading, it was nice to read a story that was focused on two women as opposed to a husband and wife.

Ironically, it was actually the scenes between Alyssa and Bill that I found the most interesting. Also the house itself had character of its own and I loved that. I couldn't get into the side-plot about Bree and her brother though.

BUT, I'm all for stories about women banding together, especially in a thriller scenario. So I would definitely read another book like this.

Thanks so much to the author, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the gifted advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own. { partner } All of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on my blog at tacklingtbr.home.blog

TW: discussion of death/murder

This was a really fun and interesting read, with some very thrilling moments. For me this book nicely in the sweet spot where I didn't want to put it down while I was reading, but it also wasn't keeping me up past my bed time because I refused to do so, you know?

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was so much fun! The narration was really well done, definitely making it worth listening to on audio, if you're wanting to read it but you're on the fence about which format to tackle it from.

As far as the characters go I really enjoyed both of our two female leads, Alyssa and Bree. I felt like they balanced each other out in a fun way, and I would totally read a sequel with the two of them and their friendship. I didn't love any of the other characters all that much, but I don't really think you're supposed to, so I'll call that a win in the writing.

Overall I would absolutely recommend this book to friends, fellow readers, and anyone looking for a thriller with only a handful of tense scenes. I think that the best way to read this book would be buddy reading it with a girlfriend or two, and discussing over a martini or a glass of bubbly!

Hank Phillippi Ryan’s The House Guest features an incredibly twisty storyline. Every time I thought I had a handle on things a new twist would be introduced. Alyssa Macallan’s life is falling apart. She’s unsure why it’s happened, but now she’s separated from her husband, on the verge of divorce, has no real friends, and thinks her husband is sneaking into her home while she’s away. Why would he do that? She hasn’t got a clue. While out one night, drinking in a hotel bar, she meets Bree, a woman who has problems of her own. She ends up befriending Bree and inviting her to stay in her guest house while she seeks to help Bree with her issues. Before long Alyssa thinks she’s helped resolve some of Bree’s issues and now Bree wants to return the favor, but her suggestions seem rather extreme and Alyssa begins to wonder just how well she knows Bree and how much she can trust her. There are a ton of misdirects and twists that keep the story engaging, but it’s not without some issues. Two that really stood out to me. We jump right into the story without really getting to know/bond with Alyssa. Right from the start we are just supposed to sympathize with her and hate her husband. And that’s the other side of it. We are supposed to hate her husband and yet he’s barely in the book. He’s in one chapter in the middle of the book, where Alyssa is overhearing him talk with the housekeeper and then doesn’t show up again until the very end. I just think a bit more of a set up would have helped garner more sympathy for Alyssa, as well as more interaction with her husband would help us understand her feelings toward him better. It's definitely an enjoyable if somewhat flawed story. Stephanie Willing does an excellent job with the narration. I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced audio copy of The House Guest.


https://www.amazon.com/review/R1L3TTQC9P6GFA/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I feel a bit silly that this is my first novel of hers that I have read! I thoroughly enjoyed this suspense filled story and I had a feeling that my guesses would be wrong, but I was way off!

4.5 Stars!

Alyssa is frustrated after being unceremoniously left by her wealthy husband who seems to be manipulating everything around her. At a bar one night, she meets Bree who is dealing with her own bad boyfriend and invites her to stay with her in the guest house. When a online DNA service matches Bree with a recently deceased relative with an inheritance, Dezi, the lawyer for the estate seems to also become a permanent guest. When an FBI agent comes and pushes Alyssa into giving information about her soon-to-be ex and possible fraud, this situation seems to escalate into new territory. What exactly are these new friends willing to do to help Alyssa?

This was a fun story that kept me engaged and guessing! I thought I had it. I really did. But I didn't. Neither will you.

The audio was a fantastic way to have this story surround me. I listened at 2x and had no issues at all with the narration. It held all the tension and questions.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @macmillan.audio for the ALC of this fantastic story! It is available today!

And if you all haven't checked out the YouTube Channel The Mighty Blaze, absolutely look it up! Hank and other authors began this Channel for author chats during the pandemic and it continues to be a great place to find great book chats! (& you can win books too!)

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I listened to this via audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. The voice differentiation for characters was well done; I could tell who was speaking without needing the text. I was excited to get to read this one, however it was all just so unbelievable! Most of the book I was frustrated with Alyssa and her overly trusting (yet still suspicious?) personality. A woman walks into a bar and then befriends someone who comes to live with her and then she finds out she has millions of dollars coming her way and the lawyer who told her this starts practically living with them as well. Why do characters in books never do what's best for them? Just too over the top for me and as an aside, the author used "as a result" way too many times!

Just when I think Hank Phillippi Ryan can't top her last book, she does. The House Guest was a constant roller coaster of, wait, who's the "villain" here, or is there a villain? I absolutely loved the characters, and, although I probably wouldn't have invited a near stranger to stay in my guest house, it made for the best story, It really is true - You can't always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve, All the starts to Hank and the House Guest! Thanks so much for the opportunity to review.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

YES thank you Hank Phillippi Ryan again for another entertaining thriller!!!! I did not trust anyone!!!

𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵? 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴.

After Alyssa Macallan and her husband separate, she feels all alone. She meets Bree Lorrance at a bar, and is drawn to her. Bree is running from her abusive ex so lonely Alyssa offers her her guest house to stay in. When the FBI shows up investigating Alyssa’s husband, her and Bree form a plan to figure out what is going on.

This was a slow burn thriller with lots of twists and red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing. I enjoyed the build up in this book, and the slow burn helped to make the story suspenseful. I kept thinking I had it all figured, but then there would be a twist totally throwing me off.

I did think the ending was a tad unrealistic and then just kept getting more far fetched. It could have stopped at one point, and I would have been fine with that. I enjoyed the unreliable narrator in this story and trying to figure out who was lying and who wasn’t. HPR definitely kept me on my toes!

I listened along to the audiobook while reading this one. Stephanie Willing is a new to me narrator who I really enjoyed. I thought she did a great job narrating this book.

I had the pleasure of meeting HPR last summer at an author event, and I’m glad I finally got to read one of her books. I really like her writing style and look forward to reading her backlist.
Thank you Macmillan Audio, Forge Books, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

Very slow burn. At times I wanted to give up BUT I’m glad I didn’t because when it got going it really went. It did seem like it went for a little *too* much at times, however, because I did have to go back a few times to make sure I didn’t miss something. Twisty to the core.

Really enjoyed the audio by Stephanie Willing. This is the second audio I’ve listened to of hers this year and I’ll look forward to hearing more from her.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tor/Forge Publishing, and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.

Out now!

I received an advanced listening copy of The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and, here it is!
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☆☆☆ ½ 
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Alyssa and her husband have just separated, it's out of nowhere and she's heartbroken. She's drowning her sorrows at a local spot where she meets a woman who is doing the same. They strike up a conversation and immediately click. Did you just find your new best friend? Or…?
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I loved that you couldn't trust anyone in this story, everyone had different motivations which kept everything very suspenseful. All of the secrets, lies, and gaslighting make for an interesting read. I didn't connect with any of the characters but I suppose that's hard to do in a mystery/thriller like this. Although I didn't guess the twists, I wasn't blown away by them either.
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Thanks to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and author Hank Phillippi Ryan for this ALC to honestly review. This book is out now so go get it!!!

Hank Ryan has done it again. She was written a book that has so many twists and turns that until the very end you aren’t totally sure who is the bad guy is! I suspected every character at one point during the read. I also loved that I knew something bad was going to happen, but I never predicted what it was.

It’s better to just set aside the time to finish this in one sitting because otherwise you’ll be too distracted thinking about the book to be productive doing anything else.

Here is a quick about the book.
Alyssa is going through a divorce from her wealthy husband. She is in her big house all alone until she meets a woman named Bree at a bar.

Alyssa invites Bree to stay in her guest house because Bree says she is starting fresh after a difficult time.

Alyssa and Bree become fast friends.

Bree has an unexpected change in fortune while Alyssa gets some unexpected news about her soon to be ex-husband.

Not all is as it seems and no one can be trusted.

The House Guest
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook and Audiobook
Date Published: 2/7/23
Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan
Publisher: Macmillan
Narrator: Stephanie Willing
GR: 3.83

HAPPY PUB DAY!! I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Macmillan and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

My Thoughts: The House Guest is a disturbing cat and mouse game thriller from Ryan. Alyssa is a newly separated wife, from a very powerful, wealthy man. Charles, the soon-to-be ex, gives a new meaning to gaslighting. She meets this timid young woman, Bree, in a bar, and truly wants to help her. They form an instant bond. The plot seems simple, however the simple plot is delivered into many complex subplots that really up the level of a thriller. I do not want to give too much away as to not spoil for other readers.

The story is narrated by Alyssa. Alyssa appears as an unreliable narrator, but is far from this. Bree appears to be a timid young lady hiding from her abusive ex. The characters were developed well, fleshed out, had depth, were mysterious, and brilliantly created. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, twisted, dark, intriguing, brilliant, and engaging. This story had me guessing to the bitter end. There are few thrillers that keep me guessing until the end, so when a book stumps me, to me that is a very well written book!

The narrator does such a fantastic job with the voice variations and the description details are so well done, it immerses you into story. For the last few thrillers I have read, only a few have really gripped me, this being one of the top ones. This was gripping, diabolical, dark, and kept me on the edge of the page. The last quarter delivers a punch and the ending was twist upon twist and brilliantly carved out. I devoured within a few days. I HIGHLY recommend picking this one up today. I know that I will be adding Ryan’s backlist to my TBR.

3/5 ⭐️
So this was okay. Not good but not bad. I did like it, but I found myself either bored or skimming parts till something more interesting happened.