This book promised a fun escape with its premise of a house swap between two families—one in a London townhouse, the other in a French chateau—but quickly turned into a gripping psychological thriller. As the families deal with strained marriages and hidden secrets, things take a darker turn when their 17-year-old son goes missing, forcing them to confront their deepest fears. With multiple viewpoints and unexpected twists, Miranda Rijks weaves a compelling tale that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Browns and The Lesters arrange a summer house swap; A smart London townhouse in exchange for a grand French chateau. What could possibly go wrong?

The grand French chateau is absolutely not as it seems, with builders firing up their tools early in the morning and the neighbours full of vitriol for the owners, who, according to social media, live a charmed life. This aspect of the story is exactly why we shouldn’t believe everything we see on social media!

Both families are harbouring dark secrets and as they start to spill out, a teenager goes missing.

This story didn’t grab my attention as much as I had hoped and I found the characters unlikeable and shallow. I was sadly a bit underwhelmed at the end.

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Miranda Rijks and Inkubator for an ARC in return for an honest review.

When I found my first Miranda Rijks book, I quickly fell in love with her writing style. Her books are automatic reads. It was no surprise that “The House Swap” is another 5 star read! Happy Publication Day, Miranda Rijks.

Another excellent psychological thriller by author Miranda Rijks. Two couples living on both sides of the Channel agree to swap homes, what should be an exciting adventure quickly turns into something far more sinister. The Browns and the Lesters endure a journey that results in exposing hidden secrets.

The Browns are looking forward to their trip to a luxurious chateau in the south of France and see it as a chance to rebuild their relationship. But far from a relaxing break they encounter a break in and mysterious goings on. In London, the Lesters are also experiencing difficulties when their teenage son, Rafael, disappears resulting into a distraught search.

With Miranda Rijks novels you always get a fast paced novel full of twists and turns and this one is no exception. Full of suspense, interesting characters and an intriguing plot kept me captivated to the very end. This is another very good page turner that had me hooked.

Two families swap houses for a holiday, but dark secrets are revealed as mysterious incidents unfold. The Browns discover a woman's disappearance at the French chateau, while the Lesters' son goes missing in London. As tensions rise, both families confront their demons in this gripping psychological thriller.

This book takes unexpected twists and turns! It is a medium-paced read that picks up speed towards the end. Filled with family drama, secrets, and surprises you won't see coming, this book may seem innocent at first but quickly takes a dark turn. Some parts of the story slow down to help us understand the dynamics and potential revelations.

The narrative jumps back and forth between the UK and France, unfolding in real time. Initially, some elements may seem confusing, but they eventually come together to make sense. The ending is unpredictable, and I found it satisfying, unlike many books where the villains go unpunished. This story offers a hint of a somewhat happy ending.

I highly recommend this rollercoaster of a book and encourage you to add it to your TBR list. If you enjoy stories that are full of surprises, family drama, and secrets, then this book is perfect for you. Give it a read and see for yourself!

Thank you, Inkubator Books for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Miranda Rijks for the copy of The House Swap.

The blurb made this book sound really good and I felt like it had promise, but it didn’t come together and make sense exactly how I felt it could have. A decent read though.

The House Swap was a classic thriller and the perfect palate cleanser. Two families “swap” houses for a holiday between London and France, and the settings were such a fun backdrop. Some of the drama gave me major soap opera vibes which I absolutely loved. There are plenty of juicy, OMG moments that had my jaw on the floor. My only wish is that the twists were a little twistier, but to be fair, I hold thrillers to a very high standard. 😂

Overall, I still had a great time with this one. Big thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC of The House Swap! I’d definitely recommend it to any thriller junkie. Bonus: it just released this week!

The queen of psychological thrillers, bestselling Miranda Rijks (a favorite author), returns following Every Breath You Take with her latest domestic family psychological suspense, THE HOUSE SWAP —When two families swap houses for a holiday vacation, it turns deadly in this nightmarish roller coaster ride.

About...

Elodie and Lewis need a holiday. They live in a luxury townhouse in Knightsbridge, London.

They decide to swap houses with Piers and Susan, the owners of a Chateau in Provence, France. The photos on the blog look stunning, and they are delighted for this two-week holiday. It will be the perfect getaway! (or so they think).

However, when Elodie and Lewis Brown arrive at the Chateau, it does not resemble the carefully curated blog photos. The villa's interior starkly contrasts the exterior. It is in dire need of repair, moldy, and more. Soon, their magical vacation turns into a nightmare, starting with the constant construction interruptions and more (only the beginning).

Meanwhile, Piers and Susan, a couple with their seventeen-year-old son Rafael, are excited about this posh townhome in the bustle of central London. Raf has even met someone next door. However, things in the marriage and family are tense. Little do they know, their excitement will turn into a nightmare.

Everyone is keeping secrets...

As the story unfolds, unexpected twists and turns lead to a series of shocking events. Things go from bad to worse in France, and Susan posts photos of the London townhome on her blog, and then Raf disappears.

Each night brings with it a new wave of disturbing incidents, adding to the growing unease and tension. Numerous scandalous and wicked secrets are waiting to be unveiled, each more shocking than the last!

The truth is more terrifying than they could have guessed. And as the situation spirals out of control, it’s clear that surviving the house swap may be more difficult than anyone imagines. Who is controlling the nightmare holiday narrative?

My thoughts...

You can always count on Miranda to select the perfect atmospheric settings, vivid descriptions, wit/humor, and characters in sticky situations with more secrets than you can count, with ulterior motives to keep you turning the pages.

After all, neither can go home as someone else is in their respective homes. Tantalizing and scandalous! After reading this, you will never consider a house swap!

THE HOUSE SWAP is a wild ride, brimming with tension, deception, lies, and dark hidden secrets. The constant suspense and danger keep the reader hooked, making it a perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Told from alternating POVs of Elodie, Piers, and Rafael, the story delves deep into their struggles, deception, and hidden secrets. This intense family drama will resonate with readers who enjoy complex character dynamics.

Recs...

THE HOUSE SWAP is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by K. L. Slater, Daniel Hurst, Emily Shiner, Jenova Rose, Kaira Rouda, and Freida McFadden.

Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Pub Date: Dec 4, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
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What a very twist read, full of suspenseful moments and absolutely a page turner! This one should be added to your TBR!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

When two families organize a house swap, it seems like the perfect holiday arrangement.

The Browns will exchange their London townhouse for a stunning chateau in the south of France, the perfect place to relax and rekindle their flagging marriage.

And the Lesters are looking forward to showing their son, Rafael, around their old haunts in the British capital.

Sounds wonderful. Except for one thing - both families are hiding dark secrets, and secrets have a way of coming out...

In France, there’s a mysterious break-in at the chateau. Then the Browns discover that a woman who lived there disappeared and was never seen again. Instead of feeling rested and relaxed, they now feel isolated and vulnerable.

Then, in London, 17-year-old Rafael vanishes without a trace.

As the tension mounts to an unbearable pitch, both couples are forced to face their darkest demons. Someone won’t be coming home…

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

This is my first book I’ve read from Rijks,
The idea of the book sounded brilliant, and It did grip me from early on. However, I found myself wondering where the ‘thriller’ bits would come in.
There’s strange things happening in the villa in France, but I did find the twist a little anti-climatic.
Some of the Chapters are quite long, and some of the scene setting drags on a little too long!
On the whole I did enjoy this book, it was an easy read.

Scandal and Secrets..
Scandal, shocks, secrets and revelations galore. Two families, two houses, two moves and one house swap. The perfect holiday arrangement- or, a guarantee of disaster? As the Brown family swaps their London abode for the Lesters French Chateau, excitement abounds - but, soon, things are about to tumble to the ground as mysterious occurrences escalate to tension bending proportions. Twisting, turning psychological suspense with a well crafted plot, a nicely drawn cast of characters and a menacing undercurrent. A compulsive read.

The House Swap is an interesting read in this day of reality TV where this is not a fantasy. Wouldn't we all like to take advantage of the opportunity to travel somewhere we've never been and stay for free? The only catch is the family whose house you are staying at get to stay in your home. Do you want strangers to have free rein with all of your belongings? Each family has secrets to hide, and the twists in this story will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Can you guess the secrets and their impact on both families as they try to enjoy time together? Grab your copy today!!

#NetGalley #TheHouseSwap

"Their perfect lives. Their perfect lies."
4.5 Stars-rounding up!
I'm a huge fan of Miranda Rijks, and this latest read is another electrifying addition to her collection!

The Browns live the dream in their stunning London townhouse, ready to swap homes with the Lesters, who boast an exquisite chateau in France. Both couples are thrilled about their upcoming adventures, but there's more than just excitement brewing—each hides tantalizing secrets! The story kicks off at a leisurely pace, carefully crafting richly developed characters and intricate details. But once the plot kicks into high gear, hold on tight! This tale is a rollercoaster of twists, jaw-dropping revelations, unexpected shocks, and scandalous bombshells. As always, the author's storytelling brilliance shines through, leading us to a sensational conclusion after peeling back layers of deception and intrigue.

A massive thank you to the author and Inkubator Books for the gifted ebook through BookFunnel! I was also fortunate enough to snag an eARC via NetGalley. If you're into Domestic/Psychological Thrillers, you absolutely must dive into Miranda's books—they're irresistible!

The Browns will exchange their London townhouse for a stunning chateau in the south of France, the perfect place to relax and rekindle their flagging marriage.
And the Lesters are looking forward to showing their son, Rafael, around their old haunts in the British capital.
Sounds wonderful. Except for one thing - both families are hiding dark secrets, and secrets have a way of coming out...
Miranda Rijks, ever reliable for a good thriller, has nailed it once again. A house swap, different countries, alternating POV's, shady pasts - this had it all and I lapped it up.
Great settings, great storyline, great characters. I thought it was well written, a good couple of twists, a decent amount of family drama and a satisfying ending. What more could you ask for. Top marks!

Miranda Rijks does it again with The House Swap. In her usual fashion, Rijks draws me in right from the beginning. This one is filled with deceit and lies with an ending that you will never see coming, Clear your schedule because you will not be able to put this one down

Thank you NetGalley and Miranda Rijks for the ARC of The House Swap.

Two families swap homes for the holidays, but their getaway plans unravel as dark secrets emerge, a break-in and mysterious disappearance haunt the Browns in France, and the Lesters' teenage son vanishes in London, leading to devastating consequences.

While the summary felt slightly misleading, the book delivered unexpected twists and kept me hooked. I always enjoy multiple POVs, and this one was no exception.

The story took its time to develop before diving into the lies and deceit, but the pacing worked perfectly, allowing a deeper understanding of the Elodie, Piers and Rafael. I thoroughly enjoyed unraveling their layers and following the suspenseful narrative.

Miranda Rijks has earned a new fan—I’m definitely diving into more of her books!

Miranda Rijks books always managed to grip me and this was no different, the tension and suspense was so well done, it kept it exciting all the way through.

I have read several books by Miranda Rijks and she always tells a good story! This compelling story is about a house swap: a couple in London exchanges houses with a couple in Tuscany, France for vacation. It’s a simple premise that becomes, of course, complicated. Recommend this book and all of Rijks’ books!

When a real estate company decides to start promoting house swaps, one of its principals and her husband decide to trade their posh London home for a chalet in France for a 2 week holiday. Unfortunately, the chalet is not quite what is was touted as. The building is crumbling and under reconstruction. The neighbors at the vineyard and winery next door are friendly enough, but something seems a bit odd with them. While there, the husband gets some life-changing news.

The London apartment is magnificent, but the couple and their 17 year old son are at odds. No one can seem to agree on what to do on their holiday and prices at breathtakingly steep for the couple that is struggling to keep their heads above water.

And then some strange things start happening in France. And become odder and scarier. Meanwhile in London, the 17 year old disappears.

The book is a bit slow to get into, but once things start rolling, the last scenes are shocking and unexpected. I flew through the last segment of the book.