Such a good twisty thriller! Some of the twists I saw coming, but there were so many of them that I was still shocked as things came out.
Loved the setting, the sand and heat really came through, feeling thick around you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Escapism, twists, thrills and shocks.
This has short enough chapters to keep my attention and make me want to keep going (guilty of just one more chapter).
The twists will keep you guessing

I was accepted to read this book before official publication through NetGalley and below is my honest review.

This was a good read, not something I think I would pick up and read again but there was some parts I really enjoyed.

There is a good twist that in all fairness, I was not expecting and it is quite twisty throughout.

Short and snappy chapters made this easier to read and digest I think. If the chapters were any longer, I think the book would have dragged on!

I wasn’t a fan of the ending, other people might be but it wasn’t for me.

However, I did thoroughly enjoy the several references to my favourite, Katy Perry 😂

Overall, I give this book 3 stars.

Sun Trap
Rachel Wolf

This book has it all, secrets, manipulations, unreliable narrators and suspicious characters. All while being a destination thriller!

It was suspenseful fun, about all wrapped up very nicely - maybe too neatly? But for an escapism read this has you covered!

The story centers on Ellie Miller, a struggling actress who seizes an unexpected opportunity to impersonate her lookalike friend, Phoebe, on the set of a blockbuster film in Abu Dhabi. What begins as a desperate bid for stardom quickly spirals into a nightmare when Ellie overhears a chilling murder plot mid-flight. As the film crew falls dead one by one, the story turns into a fight for survival, which becomes more complicated because Ellie is also hiding secrets.

Wolf’s depiction of Abu Dhabi leaves one craving for more. The luxury hotel, the suffocating desert heat, and the looming sandstorms create a vivid backdrop but UAE is a lot more than luxury and desert. Wolf has wasted a golden chance of showcasing the local culture, people and cuisine but focuses instead on the UAE through the eyes of a fleeting tourist. The setting amplifies the sense of isolation and danger, but the book doesn’t do justice to the culturally rich place.

The characters and the plot are a bit incredulous. It is hard to believe that two unrelated women from two different parts of the world have such a striking resemblance that one can impersonate the other in broad daylight. A good, shocking twist is a needed ingredient for a good thriller, but as with any ingredient, when one adds too much of it, it spoils the dish – and that’s what happens with this book. There are so many twists and turns that one feels dizzy keeping up with everything.

While I enjoyed some parts of the book, the destination thriller didn’t entice me to read from from the author.

Ellie Miller is introduced to Phoebe Thomas at a summer acting school in New York. They are so similar in both looks and likes; they could be taken sisters if not twins. It seemed only natural that they gravitate to each other and become best friends. Phoebe has landed a movie part, only small one, but it’s in Abu Dhabi and a great opportunity to get noticed, only she is unwell and dare not her agent. Desperate she asks Ellie to go in her place, what could possibly go wrong? The curse of the doppelganger?

I must confess that for the first half of the novel I think that this was going to be a straightforward role swap story as the situation was being set up. Then everything is turned on its head and carefully set up perspectives prove to be incorrect. To say it gets twisty is something of an understatement as the reader is drawn in and becomes absorbed in a gripping story. People prove to be different from who they appeared to be, and surprises come every few pages right up to the very end. This is one story I could not conceive never mind guess the ending, the idea is well worn but the execution is magnificently original.

They say you should never meet your heroes, yet Ellie is determined to get close to famous actor Elijah Hanneghan, for good personal reasons. It transpires that she is far from alone in this as it seems everyone at the hotel wants a piece of him. He has something of a past that is about to catch up with him and a movie filmed in Venezuela many years ago looms large. This is a story jam packed with secrets to be revealed and links not envisaged.

Ellie is a great character who I quickly warmed to, as she wants to be part of the private jet and luxury hotel scene that comes with film stardom, grabbing a fateful opportunity with both hands. As the story progresses, we become exposed to the real Ellie, who proves to be a different young woman altogether, someone far less likable. Yet the reader never completely gives up on her as she stumbles through disasters, not all of which are of her own making. It’s quite a feat of writing to have a reader simultaneously liking and disliking a character and sticking with them to the end, no matter how painful that might prove to be.

Although revenge and retribution figure strongly as motives, it is essentially a tale about families and marriage, of separation and loss. Actor’s marriages are notoriously difficult to maintain, largely due to their lifestyles, of which it is only the glamour that the public sees. More importantly it examines how losing a parent affects children and the adults they turn out to be.

The setting is a wonderful, I can imagine many readers wishing they could be whisked to such a luxury hotel, though without all the bloodshed. For the Middle East the local police seem to be somewhat laid back and placid, I guess even they can be in awe of star quality. It is a book written by a writer who is clearly well travelled and will be appreciated by those who like the finer things in life.

The pacing is great, steady at first but then ratcheting up towards the end with the clever use of shorter chapters. There is plenty of action throughout for the thriller lover with some clever use of the surroundings. Its bloody without being gory and it never gets bogged down with lots of dialogue which one might expect from thespians.

Twisty, entertaining and clever thriller.

I would like to thank Net Galley, the author and publisher for access to a copy in exchange for a fair review.

Action paced and perfect for a holiday read. Its glamorous, exotic and full of thrills.

Ellie takes Phoebe's place in a movie set in Abu Dhabi, when Phoebe falls ill. This is only possible as the two friends could almost be twins. On the flight over, it quickly becomes apparent that not all is as it seems, when Ellie overhears a murder plot. Unfortunately, Ellie is too nauseas to identify who the culprits were. But she is determined to solve the mystery as people begin to die around her. At the same time, she realises she could become suspect number 1 since she clearly isnt who everyone thinks she is.

Its the kind of book you cant take too seriously. Far-fetched, superficial characters, and a few plot holes, but it will 100% keep you entertained and eager to solve the mystery. .

Ellie has wanted to be an actor since she was a child so, when a role in a blockbuster film presents itself, she grabs it.
On the plane to Abu Dhabi to begin filming, Ellie overhears something she shouldn't – two people discussing plans for murder.

I didn't like any of the characters particularly, they just felt false. The story premise was good and that kept me turning the page. Not really for me.

I really enjoyed this authors previous book Five Nights, but unfortunately this one didn't quite work for me.
The main reason for this was the characters. I just couldn't differentiate them, as none of them stood out. Because of this I wasn't invested in them and I struggled to get into the plot.
The plot idea sounded great but the execution didn't meet my expectations.
I did like the setting but it didn't have any impact on the plot and it could have been set anywhere.
BUT at the 50% mark a twist happened that did grab my attention and I did start to enjoy it slightly. However this wasn't to last as the plot just became ridiculous and at times had me rolling my eyes.
If you are looking for a fast paced, popcorn destination thriller, you may enjoy this one a bit more than me, as I did like the writing, it was the characters that let it down.
So whilst there were some parts I did enjoy about this book, overall it was a disappointing read.
I would read from this author again as did enjoy her other book.

Ellie, a budding actress, goes to Abu Dhabi in place of her flatmate and doppelganger Phoebe. After a turbulent flight, things go from bad to worse on location with an unexpected death.
All the characters have history with each other, and as the book progresses, we find out more of their secrets, and their reasons for being there. It is pacy, and written with a lot of humour. Ellie/Phoebe is really funny, there is always another revelation coming from her.
I enjoyed this.

Ellie and Phoebe meet in an acting class in New York, against all the odds they are so alike they could be doppelgängers so when Phoebe offers Ellie the chance to take her place on the set of a movie, Ellie, is at first reluctant but then realises it’s an amazing chance to kick start her own acting career. Flying to Abu Dhabi, Ellie meets the rest of the cast on an eventful flight which sets the scene for the rest of the plot. There’s such a lot going on and Ellie has to convince everyone that she is who she says she is but then mysterious things start to happen and tension flies high as more and more things start to go horribly wrong.

I enjoyed the complexity of the plot, meme era of the cast seeming to get bumped off rather quickly which adds a certain frisson of excitement to the novel as you never quite know what’s going to happen next. It’s all set against a stunning desert backdrop which adds a surreal quality and whilst there were times when I had to suspend belief I did enjoy trying to guess which way the plot was heading. There’s several twists and turns which add depth and a final reckoning which I didn’t see coming. All in all Sun Trap is a well thought out destination thriller, with a stunning location, a diverse bunch of quirky characters and an exciting plot. It would make a great holiday read.

Strap in for a wild, sun-soaked ride, The Sun Trap is an addictive, twist-filled thriller that will leave you breathless and questioning everything.

When Londoner Ellie meets the glamorous, enigmatic Phoebe at an acting class in New York, their uncanny resemblance sparks an instant connection.

But what begins as a fun friendship quickly spirals into a dark and dangerous game of identity-swapping.

With Phoebe suddenly unwell and about to lose her first major acting role in Abu Dhabi, Ellie agrees to impersonate her just for a few days. What could possibly go wrong?

Well… quite a lot, actually.

From the moment Ellie boards the plane, the tension ramps up.

Overhearing a sinister conversation mid-flight, she lands in the desert with more than just nerves to manage - there’s a murder plot, a dream role, and her favourite actor all wrapped up in a web of lies.

What unfolds is a deliciously disorientating thriller full of misdirection, dark secrets, and unreliable memories.

The narrative moves fluidly between timelines, keeping you hooked as you slowly piece together what brought Ellie to this sun-drenched nightmare.

The setting a luxurious yet unsettling hotel in the middle of nowhere is the perfect backdrop for this claustrophobic, high-stakes whodunnit.

And Ellie? One of the most delightfully unreliable narrators I’ve read in a while. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, The Sun Trap throws another curveball your way.

Yes, you’ll need to suspend your disbelief, some of the plot twists are bold and more than a little implausible but that’s part of the fun.

It’s dramatic, atmospheric, and absolutely made for devouring in one or two sittings.

If you're after a clever, fast-paced psychological mystery with serious summer thriller vibes, this one's for you. I loved it, and it’s a solid 4 stars from me.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sitting in a scorching hot garden reading this was the perfect place for a book set in Abu Dhabi.

This is a page turner. I couldn’t get enough and I flew through it. There are a lot of twists that I just didn’t see coming, and I just found the writing and plot absolutely thrilling.

This is the second book of Rachel’s that I’ve read and she’s now an author that I will always pick up as I know she won’t let me down!

My thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

WoW. . . . . . Sun Trap by Rachel Wolf and narrated by Alexandra Boulton was an interesting audiobook. it was a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller and set in Abu Dhabi was very good. What more could you ever want?
Once I started to listen to it I ended up being my main audiobook to listen to until it had finished, especially as it was a roller coaster ride from start to finish and a setting for a good whodunit. I loved it.

If you are reading this book, it is a great page turner full of twists and turns throughout that will have you turning your pages to see what happens next. Sun trap has everything, Impersonation, friendship, fear and revenge that may lead to Murder! Excellent combination to make a excellent audiobook/book!

It's a great holiday book/audiobook. I loved it!

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus for my Audiobook and ebook.

As thoughts turn to summer holidays, is there anything better than a destination thriller to get you in the mood? Sun Trap transports you to the Abu Dhabi desert - buckle up, because it’s a wild ride!

Ellie is an aspiring actress who gets the chance to appear in her first film. But on the plane en route to filming in Abu Dhabi, she overhears two people discussing a planned murder - and it’s not long before someone ends up dead …

There seems to be no shortage of suspects amongst the cast and crew and as the body count grows, things become ever more complicated, particularly for Ellie who is harbouring secrets of her own.

This is the epitome of a twisty plot - and at times will have your head spinning, as things take yet another unexpected turn. The desert setting is intense, with a sprinkling of Hollywood glamour, and the characters, charismatic but largely unlikeable, all add another layer of complexity to a plot that never ceases to surprise.

It’s a rollercoaster of a read and one that kept me guessing but had me thoroughly entertained - perfect for reading poolside this summer.

Unfortunately this was unbelievable from the start for me and very quickly was a DNF,I wonder if wrong book,wrong time as I seem in the minority but it just didn’t work for me,apologies

Ellie who has always wanted to be an actor gets her big break when she gets a role in a blockbuster film. However on the plane she overhears a couple plotting murder but remains silent, not wanting to risk her chance. But then one of the cast is killed and she knows she has to be careful as she has a lot on the line.

I was really interested in the plot of this one, especially as it is set in Dubai and I enjoy a destination thriller. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the setting and the storyline being based on a film set added to my intrigue. This certainly ended up original and a bit crazy, you need to suspend disbelief and it becomes over the top at times. I have to admit that even though this was the case, it made for an entertaining read… especially when the reader begins to be introduced to twist after twist. Although this could be confusing at times, it was a fun story overall and would be great for a holiday read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

I’m gutted my chaotic personal life kept me from reading this quicker because it was a great read!

Once I actually got a couple of days to myself, I couldn’t put it down. A definite page turner!

A book with great twists, good cliffhanger chapters and some lovely tense moments.

My favourite character was Josh, I loved the support he gave the FMC Ellie even when things weren’t quite as they seemed!
Loved how my opinion changed towards certain character throughout the book also.

I really enjoyed Rachel’s writing and thought it flowed well. A certain point through the book we do start to flit between timelines and I thought that would feel confusing but it helped put the story together.
There are quite a few characters to keep track off but I found this easy and thought each one had a great role to play in the story.

Great summer vibes from the Abu Dhabi setting so definitely pick this one up for a thrilling summer read!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC of the book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to netgalley for approving this arc.

This book felt super intense! It has all. the feels for a summer thriller, or a book to take on holiday..
It had drama, it was very good in the sense of pacing of the story, and I throughly enjoyed trying to guess who was behind everything.

I would recommend if you’re looking for a quick paced thriller for the summer.

Wow, this is one hell of a read. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it throws you in a completely different direction. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down.