An engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed! Highly recommend and will purchase several physical and digital copies for library collections. Thank you!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Rip" and all opinions expressed are my own. This book was ok. I expected something exciting to happen at the end, which didn't happen.

I loved the story and how it all played out.
I didn’t like penny but I was glad the boy was safe.
It was a bit slow but an enjoyable read

This was a fantastic book and one I really enjoyed. I thought it was full of thrill and suspense and kept me on my toes! I was surprised at how it all played out in the end but I would recommend!

Luxury villas on hot white sand, views for miles over turquoise water.
Even paradise harbours murky secrets…

An Island getaway with friends and their children for a fun week of birthday celebrations quickly turns into a nightmare when a child disappears …

Another immersive page turner by Holly Craig. I loved The Shallows and was excited to get an early copy of The Rip, suffice to say it didn’t disappoint. There is a cast of relatable, yet unlikable characters. In signature Holly fashion, she expertly creates intense, atmospheric settings and well developed characters.

Told in duel POV with short snappy chapters and filled with mystery, secrets and intrigue makes this a total page turner.

Many thanks to #netgalley @amazonpublish #thomasandmercer @hollycraig for an advanced e-arc 💌 Out now.

This story is about families who visit Rottnest Island and try to be better than each other.

Both mothers are trying hard. One feels like she is the better mother and the other is trying to achieve what the other has.

Until a child goes missing and the the tables are turned and the need to be better is most apparent.

This story has you gripped by the storyline.

A quick read for me that I finished in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down I was hooked. Great pacing, great tension and atmospheric. I can't wait to read more by the author

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC of ‘The RIP’ by Holly Craig.

I loved this so much. After reading other reviews I was a little apprehensive that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations but it was amazing. This was a real page turner with short chapters. What more could anyone want?

Unveiling Secrets on Rottnest Island

Rating: 2.5 Stars

In Holly Craig's "The Rip," the serene Rottnest Island off the Western Australian coast serves as the backdrop for a tale of concealed truths and fractured relationships. At its heart are two women, Penny and Eloise, each harboring secrets and insecurities amidst the unsettling disappearance of a child during a celebratory weekend.

The narrative opens with Penny hosting a gathering to mark her husband's 40th birthday, inviting close friends and family, including the complex Eloise and her family. As the tension brews between Penny and Eloise, the veneer of perfection they both cling to begins to crack, revealing their vulnerabilities and inner turmoil.

"The Rip" excels in its portrayal of Penny and Eloise, two distinct personalities navigating the complexities of their lives. Eloise, the affluent social media influencer, and Penny, the self-assured mother, are captivating characters whose flaws and aspirations drive the narrative. Initially, the story captivates with its exploration of Eloise's curated image and Penny's judgmental demeanor, offering insight into their multifaceted personalities.

What particularly stood out to me was the choice of setting in Rottnest Island. Having never encountered a story set in this picturesque locale before, I appreciated the unique atmosphere it lent to the narrative. Craig's vivid descriptions of the island's landscapes and the juxtaposition of its tranquil beauty with the unsettling events unfolding added depth and richness to the story, immersing me in a setting both familiar and foreign.

However, the novel falters with the introduction of the central plotline involving the missing child. Intended as a crescendo of suspense, it detracts from the nuanced dynamics between Penny and Eloise, descending into melodrama and implausible character actions. The shift towards the disappearance subplot feels contrived, diluting the authenticity and momentum established in the earlier chapters.

Moreover, character motivations become increasingly questionable, particularly in the actions of Rosie and Eloise. Their decisions appear disjointed from their established personas, straining credibility. Eloise's extreme measures to safeguard her secrets, including jeopardizing a child's safety, feel forced and out of character, undermining the narrative's authenticity.

Similarly, Rosie's behavior becomes increasingly perplexing as the story unfolds, leading to actions that defy rationality. The motivations behind these actions lack coherence, detracting from the believability of the characters and their choices.

In essence, "The Rip" presents a promising premise set against the picturesque backdrop of Rottnest Island but falls short in execution. While the exploration of Penny and Eloise's intricate relationship is engaging, the narrative loses its footing in the latter half, succumbing to clichés and melodrama. Despite its shortcomings, the novel offers glimpses of compelling character dynamics and evocative setting, making it a moderately satisfying read.

In conclusion, "The Rip" may appeal to readers intrigued by the complexities of female relationships and the fragility of perfection. However, those seeking a tightly woven mystery may find themselves disappointed by its descent into melodrama and improbable plot twists.

Acknowledgement: I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley, the author Holly Craig, and the publisher for providing me with a review copy of "The Rip."

Although this is supposed to be a missing child book, this almost seems to be a backdrop to tell a different story. The real story appears to be a battle between the female leads Eloise and Penny.
Penny gathers guests to an island getaway for her husband's birthday celebrations. Unfortunately she includes her husband’s best friend and his wife Eloise. Eloise is that perfect woman you love to hate – she has a huge internet following, she has the perfect family, she is beautiful.. everything Penny feels she is not.
Penny is a horrible, unhappy person who finds fault with everyone else, especially her daughter. Then Edward, Penn’s favorite child goes missing..
I wanted to like this book, but.. I just didn’t. I didn’t like any of the characters, and I didn’t feel as if anyone had any depth. This is supposed to take place on a beautiful island off of Australia – but I didn’t get any of that feel. I felt as if this could have taken place anywhere.
Why 2 stars? If 3 stars is average, this just doesn’t quite meet that. I did finish it, but I didn’t find it truly interesting or enjoyable. I just kept reading thinking it would get better.
I do want to thank netgalley for the ARC which obviously did not impact my opinion.

"Even paradise harbours murky secrets…"

My second Holly Craig book and it did not disappoint.

Set in the picturesque location of Rottnest Island we are transported to a stunning location for Kav's birthday party. Very elegant and very Penny, she has planned a weekend for her family and friends to celebrate. Whilst the adults are partying the children are nextdoor in a vila when the unthinkable happens - one of the children goes missing. Edmund is nowhere to be found and police are called. Everyone is rallying together to find Edmund. But both Penny and Eloise are worried the secrets they have been hiding will come out.

What I enjoyed:
* Short chapters told by both Penny and Eloise.
* Well written mystery, very easy for time to run away from you while reading.
* Being transported to the stunning location. You can just imagine being in the middle of it all.

Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for a gifted copy of this e-book for my honest book review.

A group of friends come together to celebrate a birthday at a luxurious holiday resort. The story alternates between the perspectives of two women; Eloise and Penny, whose husband’s birthday it is. Both women have very strong personalities but also secrets which may mean they have more in common than they realise. Their oneupmanship needs to take a bit of a back seat - though not completely - when Penny’s son goes missing and Penny, looking for someone to blame hits out at her own troubled daughter.
I find Holly Craig’s books very dramatic in tone - rather like spending too much time with a group of teenage girls! The characters are all unlikeable at best and, as the reader knows how and why the disappearance took place, there aren’t any real surprises.

I did not expect to get attached to this book like I did. Basically a bunch of rich people go to an island to neglect their kids, get it on, and indulge in all their desires.
And of course something bad happens, as it does.
Penny is a mean girl who feels like she is superior to Eloise because she seduces her husband, or some crap. She also judges her son's birth mother. I LOVE to hate her.
Eloise is a sexy insta mommy. She is also a mean girl. She hates the little adopted boy. Like all rich people she has no compassion. I am 35 and no longer sex.y:" STFU. 35 is peak sexy. She is the epitome of toxic perfectionism and Utah culture really. I was reading and trying to decide which of these women I hate more. It was delicious.
You have to read this.
I want to read about 100 more of these.

Thank you To Netgalley, Holly Craig and Thomas & Mercer for the eArc of The Rip

This narrative starts with a prologue set in the past, a child goes missing but no one saw them leave? As the book unfolds, its told by 2 points of view, Penny and Eloise in first person. These two women seem to have the perfect lives from the outside. Wealthy, children and loving husband. But all is not as it seems. There are secrets, judgements and a child goes missing. It's critical that they all pull together to find this child.

I really enjoyed this book, its pacing is a little slow at times, but in the last 1/3 the tension really does pick up. Because the narrative is told in first person, you are able to " hear " what's going on in Penny and Eloise's heads. You get a sense of who they are and their thought processes which I really like. I didn't bond with Penny at all until near the end, when her story is told and then you can understand why she is the way she is.

I felt that Holly had written some important tropes about mental health and how exhausting keeping up appearances really are when your past traumas are never dealt with.

3.75 rounded up to 4 on Netgalley

This is the second book I've read by Craig; her writing style is truly impressive. Her ability to create suspense and plot twists and engage readers from the story's start is remarkable. Although it took me some time to get into this story, once I was hooked, I couldn't put it down and finished it within 24 hours. Despite a few predictable scenes throughout the plot, the ending was quite entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, as all the characters were exciting and intriguing, and their dark secrets were revealed as they searched for a missing child. Craig is an author I will definitely be on the lookout for in the future.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers. If you are new to this author, this book is an excellent introduction to her work.

This took a while to find its rhythm, but once the plethora of secrets began to be revealed the pages turned more quickly. Nicely woven story, tidily finished, and yet there are a couple of loose threads you may want to tug at... Could there be more to this story?

Immersive and gripping, this narrative skillfully delves into the unsettling theme of a missing child, infusing the plot with a sense of urgency and mystery. The secrets surrounding the disappearance add layers of complexity, keeping readers eagerly turning pages.

What sets this story apart is its evocative island setting, providing a rich backdrop that enhances the overall atmosphere. The author's adept storytelling crafts a tale that seamlessly blends suspense and curiosity, making it a compelling read for those drawn to stories of intrigue and hidden truths.

Holly Craig is becoming my new go to author for an absolute thrill ride! The Rip was a slow burn; getting us acquainted with the families converging on Rottnest Island. I had a hard time empathizing and even liking any of them. Penny, the perfect mother... Eloise the substance abusing influencer... also perfect mother. Their husbands and children. When one of the kids disappears Eloise joins forces with Penny's daughter Rose to find the child. Loved every minute

The Rip centers itself around two adults, Eloise and Penny, who have more drama than most teenage girls. I went into the book thinking the missing kid would be the main event of the book but it’s mostly just Eloise and Penny going back and forth with pettiness.
Getting to the missing kid took forever. I’m guessing I would of enjoyed it more if I liked the two main characters.

Dark secrets and lies sizzle in this thriller! Holly is a fairly new author to me and I really enjoyed this novel. I’d have loved to be sitting on a beach reading it!