Thank you to Netgalley for this book.
In this book we are introduced to Kelly whose fiancé wants to take a break from planning their wedding. Kelly decides to go and live in the spare room of her high school friend Sabrina’s house who Kelly recently got back in touch with. Kelly instantly hits it off with Sabrina and Nathan, Sabrina’s husband. Kelly meets a woman and instantly becomes friends with her. Kelly enters into a threesome with Sabrina and Nathan after learning they had done a similar thing with a woman named Elizabeth who has gone missing. Kelly discovers a dead raccoon that the neighbors children put outside their home. Sabrina has Kelly read the chapters of her newest book as she writes them. One night when they are having sex, Nathan starts chocking her in the hot tub and Kelly is shocked. On her birthday she decides to stay at a hotel and when she comes back Sabrina and Nathan’s ex, Elizabeth comes back. She apologizes for leaving them to go to Santa Fe to escape her abusive ex, Renee who also is the woman that Kelly has befriended. Elizabeth stays the night in Kelly’s room and the next morning Kelly finds her dead. The Lamont’s are upset and they all agree to not involve the police. Kelly goes snooping around after they all check to see if whoever murdered Elizabeth is still in the house. Kelly goes into Nathan’s study and finds what she believes is the murder weapon. It is also revealed that Elizabeth was pregnant and that may have been why she was there. Nathan comes in and finds her and Sabrina shoots him. Sabrina and Kelly discuss their story and involve the police. After two weeks of investigating the case runs cold and Nathan is implicated. Sabrina and Kelly decide to move to New York after she sells the house. Kelly decides to talk to her ex Mike after ending their engagement and wanting to get the rest of her things. Mike tells Kelly that he is the one that killed Elizabeth believing her to be Kelly. He was upset about Kelly ending things and his life going down hill. Kelly decides to end things with Sabrina and move to New York to start a new life. In the epilogue it is discovered that Elizabeth was planning on using the Lamont’s for their money and then discovered she was pregnant decides to go back to the Lamont’s and believes that Kelly won’t be a problem and goes to Nathan to tell him that she is pregnant. That’s when everything ends. This wasn’t my favorite book, it just wasn’t for me.

THIRSTY. This main character Kelly, the only way I can describe her is thirsty. I did not like her, and I didn’t find anything she did redeeming. This novel was not a thriller in my opinion, I don’t read romance novels so I’m not sure if this can be characterized as that either. I think overall, this book was not for me. I have enjoyed all her other novels so this was a bummer but this happens. I felt like soo much of this novel was centered around their steamy forbidden romance but it wanted to be a thriller at the same time and that aspect was completely lost.

Bleck. Just blah. It’s honestly 75% 50 shades of grey, 25% thriller. And for some people that’s great. For me, it’s not at all what I was anticipating. I feel like a pandemic thriller could’ve been really, really great, and instead this just fell very flat. Kelly’s character is beyond unbearable too - she must’ve spent 80% of the book crying.

This is definitely a more slow-burn character-driven story than I was expecting going into it - it takes about 70% into the book for anything ‘thrilling’ to really happen, and most of it is spent on a romantic plot.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I'm not reading many thrillers lately so this book was not for me at the moment. But hope to pick it up again one day.

Ok wow! This book took SO many different turns! There were definitely some twists that I was able to see coming, but then there were a handful that I had no idea were coming along.

I do think that maybe there were too many different twists and plot points considering that basically the whole story took place in one setting.

The characters were all a bit unlikable, which I really love in mystery thriller books. I think that this is a solidly ok to good book that was enjoyable but I don't think it's one I'll be raving about.

3.5 stars rounded up for rating

Very disappointing read. This was on my most anticipated reads and I was excited to receive a ARC. The description of the story and what actually happens are so far apart. While I don't mind SOME romance in my thriller, this heavily relied on the romance element to write the story. Had I known that going in, I could have adjusted my mindset differently. The writing was easy to get into and while I wasn't crazy about thr characters, I was able to let myself go and get into the story. As for reading another book by the author. I'd have to take a wait and see approach.

#THESPAREROOM. #NETGALLEY. #ANDREABARTZ

Not my cup of tea, honestly. The thriller part was only about the last 25% and while twisty and dark, it didn’t make up for the slow start to me.

Andrea Bartz does it again with this smart thriller that kept me guessing until the end. The backdrop of the pandemic adds an extra layer to this tale of a young woman who discovers her true self in lockdown with a sexy, mysterious couple.

This was pretty crazy. Some scenes were a little graphic but it kept you guessing. Twisted characters and one naive girl with no confidence.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a different read for me. I tried to like it, but the twists seemed forced. I didn’t actually believe the whodunnit would actually do that. I also didn’t care for the epilogue. I didn’t think it was necessary.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read this book.

The Spare Room
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Andrea Bartz

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Kelly’s new life in Philadelphia has turned into a nightmare: She’s friendless and jobless, and the lockdown has her trapped in a tiny apartment with the man she gave up everything for, who’s just called off their wedding. The only bright spot is her newly rekindled friendship with her childhood friend Sabrina—now a glamorous bestselling author with a handsome, high-powered husband.

When Sabrina and Nathan offer Kelly an escape hatch, volunteering the spare room of their remote Virginia mansion, she jumps at the chance to run away from her old life. There, Kelly secretly finds herself falling for both her enchanting hosts—until one night, a wild and unexpected threesome leads the couple to open their marriage for her.

At first, Kelly loves being part of this risqué new world. But when she discovers that the last woman they invited into their marriage is missing, she starts to wonder if they could be dangerous . . . and if she might be next.

My Thoughts: This is a slow burn claustrophobic psychological thriller with a whodunit aspect, and a slight romantic touch. The first half is building the characters and plot, while the second half is an intense, page turning read. Kelly finds herself with her life spinning out of control. She needs to step away from it to reevaluate her life, so she goes to stay with an old school friend Sabrina, and her husband Nathan, in their luxurious estate. The story is also told in the pandemic time when lockdowns were just starting to lift. As Kelly is trying to get her bearings, she is enticed into a threesome with Sabrina and Nathan. As Kelly is navigate this new normal and what it means for her relationship that she fled from, she discovers that the couple had a former woman that they shared intimate moments with, who is also missing.

The story is narrated by Kelly, in her perspective. Kelly is unsure of her life, but resilient. Kelly’s character will not be liked by all readers, she makes questionable choices, is unreliable, not predictable, and is very insecure, but that is what makes the character work at the same time. The characters were developed well, with banter, mystery, and intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, twisty, and engaging. The author does a good job with the pace and flow and builds the plots in twisty layers, even when you think you have it figured out, boom, there is twist.

While I have some reservations about some of the character moments and the conclusion, the epilogue was nicely down. This gripping and compelling psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. I was approved for the digital ARC, however, I got a little behind in my reviews so I listened to the audiobook and Brittany Pressley is an amazing narrator, I would listen to anything she narrates, she is one of my favorite audiobook narrators. I highly recommend picking up this book!

Sometimes when it feels like you've hit rock bottom, just about anything sounds appealing. Sometimes, you'll even do something you never thought you would. Kelly, finding herself at the bottom, jumps at the glamorous opportunity before her. I felt something off about Sabrina and Nathan from the beginning, but I understood how Kelly was able to overlook the red flags that seemed so obvious.

I did feel that this book painted a not-so-pleasant look on polyamory, which is still an unfamiliar relationship type for many people.

In terms of the thrill factor, I believe the house itself paints the perfect background for mystery.

This was my second book by Andrea Bartz and it has fully convinced me that I am just not in her target demographic. I do not connect with her characters for the most part and am absolutely not interested or engaged with the polyamory relationships not just at the center of the book, but literally preached at the reader about the benefits and healthiness of throughout.

I thought the book would be a mystery. A good mystery with the polyamory as just part of the story would have been fine, but this book felt like the author was trying to convince me to embrace it....and the mystery I thought I was reading just didn't really even exist. The author's opening note about the book stating that it was her most personal novel yet, and the one she is most proud of tells me that she is happy with the direction her writing is taking, and I am happy for her if that is the case. My hope is that every author who puts some of themselves into thier stories feels fulfilled by what he/she is writing. Unfortunately, since I gave the first book I read of hers 3 stars and this one 2 stars, I think the new direction is not one I will be traveling with her.

Regrettably Underwhelming with Peculiar Choices

I recently picked up "The Spare Room" by Andrea Bartz with hopeful expectations, but unfortunately, it left me feeling quite underwhelmed. While I commend the author's attempt to craft a suspenseful narrative, the execution fell flat in many aspects.

The plot, while intriguing in theory, struggled to find its momentum. I found myself waiting for a spark that never truly ignited, resulting in a lack of engagement throughout the story. The characters, while not entirely one-dimensional, still lacked the depth required to fully invest in their journeys. This made it difficult to connect with their experiences or motivations.

Andrea Bartz's writing style has moments of clarity and descriptive prowess, yet it often veered into being overly verbose, disrupting the flow of the narrative. The dialogue occasionally felt stilted and unnatural, preventing the characters from truly coming to life.

Now, let's address the peculiar aspect of the book—the explicit content. While I understand the desire to explore different themes and emotions, the handling of certain scenes, particularly the threesome, felt out of place and gratuitous. The raunchiness detracted from the overall tone of the book and left me questioning its necessity in the context of the story.

Despite these shortcomings, the ending did offer a semblance of closure, which I appreciated. However, it also left me wondering if the buildup was worth the lackluster journey.

In conclusion, "The Spare Room" had potential but ultimately failed to deliver on its promises. While I found elements to appreciate, the overall experience was marked by missed opportunities and a lack of cohesion. If you're looking for a more balanced blend of suspense and character development, you might want to explore other options.

In the thick of the pandemic, Kelly’s life has fallen apart. Her fiancé has called off the wedding, she’s lost her job, and she’s not sure where to turn. When her childhood friend, Sabrina, invites her to shelter in place with her and her husband, Kelly takes the opportunity to embrace a change of scenery. The house she enters is full of secrets, twists, and a romantic relationship between the three individuals. Who can be trusted when no one can be trusted?

This book had great twists, but it’s still too soon for me to enjoy books with a COVID plot. If you’re able to relive lockdown days, this is a great thriller full of love affairs distrust.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

A different kind of psychological thriller - this held interest, was hard to put down, and would absolutely be a great squeezing-in-the-last-days-of-summer beach or poolside read! I will definitely watch for more from this author!

Andrea Bartz's "The Spare Room" takes readers on a thrilling and suspenseful journey into the complexities of friendship and deception. Through her compelling storytelling, Bartz skillfully navigates the thin line between trust and betrayal, keeping you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn. The vividly drawn characters and the dark atmosphere of the novel create an immersive experience that's hard to put down. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, "The Spare Room" becomes an addictive exploration of the lengths people will go to protect their own interests. Bartz's gripping narrative makes this psychological thriller an enthralling read that will leave you questioning the motives of those around you long after the final page.

Trying not to be a prude here, but this book is about a woman who moves in with a couple and a threesome happens. Lots of drama between the throuple because they don’t really have any rules. Lots of sexy times, so if mind that, don’t read this book. I did enjoy the ending but probably going to give this one 2 1/2 stars

This is probably 3.5 stars for me, rounded up. This is the kind of guilty pleasure read that is right up my alley! The plot itself is steamy, but I actuallly expected it to be a little more of an open door romance than it actually was. But the plot and twist were actually really good! I expected a spicy book with a predictable plot, and I was wrong on both counts! (Okay it's a little spicy, but it leaves a lot to the imagination.) This is definitely a book I'd encourage you to pop your popcorn and enjoy the ride.

I will give kudos to the author for writing a main character I would normally dislike in a really realistic and well-done way. She is niave and maybe a little immature, but I didn't find it grating or unbelievable. She was trying to better herself in a few different ways, and I think she suceeded! But bravo for making me like a character I would normally dislike.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the copy in exchange for my honest review!