The Hitchhikers by Chevy Steven’s
Publishing date - 10/7/25
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my first read by this author and wow 🤩. This was an interesting read from the start. I could not put this one down. Now I’m going to check out the authors backlist.

Here is my confession… I am a huge Chevy Stevens fan. That may make me biased, but “The Hitchhikers” still managed to surprise me, shake me, and pull me under like I was reading her for the very first time.

This one is dark, gritty, and relentless—a chilling tale about trust, trauma, and the people we let into our lives, sometimes without realizing the cost. Stevens takes a classic horror scenario—the stranger on the side of the road—and spins it into something deeper, more psychological, and far more unsettling than you expect.

The suspense builds slowly, creeping in like fog until you're completely enveloped. The characters are layered and painfully real, each carrying scars and secrets that unfold in tightly wound chapters. There’s an undercurrent of dread running through the entire book, the kind that makes you think twice about ever pulling over for someone again.

If you're already a fan, The Hitchhikers will feel like Stevens at her best: emotionally raw, expertly paced, and terrifying in a way that feels all too plausible. And if you're new to her work—this might be the one that hooks you for good.

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved how this story seemed pretty straightforward, a couple taking a roadtrip meets a couple of hitchhikers who were not the happy go lucky hippies the couple had orginally thought. Told from the POV of the female charactors. It was a nice slow burn, but the book has plot twist game. There's not a thing I would change in the book. SIdenote, the story mentions different towns in Canada which brought back fond memories of our own road trip, thankfully we don't talk to strangers.

Some triggers: abuse (physical, emotional and sexual), violence, loss of a child.

Set in 1976, The Hitchhikers follows Tom and Alice, a couple trying to reconnect on a road trip through British Columbia. When they pick up a young hitchhiking couple, their good intentions quickly spiral into a nightmare. As dark secrets emerge, the journey turns into a fight for survival.

When I saw this book recommended by a fellow NetGalley reviewer, I immediately grabbed a copy. From the very first line, I was hooked. This isn’t a light or feel-good read—it’s a gut-punch, nail-biting, anxiety-filled thriller that I couldn’t put down. It was more violent than I typically prefer, but I was completely invested and had to know how it ended.

The tension is relentless, the character development is solid, and the writing kept me fully immersed. For fellow animal lovers: there’s an old dog in the story, and he’s totally fine—nothing bad happens to him.

If you enjoy dark, intense thrillers and don’t mind graphic violence, this is absolutely worth picking up. I couldn’t look away!

As usual with a Chevy Stevens read, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. I found myself reading between calls at work, and falling asleep, kindle in hand, standing at the counter eating lunch with it open in front of me, and while waiting in what seems like an endless stream of appointments lately.

When Alice and Tom offer a couple of young hitchhikers a ride in their RV, they had no idea what was in store for them.

A harrowing journey begins, for Alice and Tom, and their young "friends", and we get a glimpse into the different ways trauma can shape a person, and what lengths we'll go to to save ourselves, and sometimes others.

Chevy Stevens always gives me an edge of my seat read, and I'm always invested in the characters. I'm grateful for the chance to read yet another ARC!! Thanks :)

Set against the backdrop of remote Canadian highways in 1976, *The Hitchhikers* follows Tom and Alice as they embark on a road trip in their RV, hoping to mend their troubled marriage after a tragic loss. Their journey takes a dark turn when they pick up two hitchhikers responsible for a string of violence and chaos. Trapped with nowhere to escape, Tom and Alice must confront the chilling reality of their situation as the suspense escalates and the true nature of evil is revealed. Highly recommend.

I think this was Chevy Steven’s best book since Still Missing! When I tell you that I was GLUED to every page, I almost finished the whole book in one day and reluctantly put it down to finally get some sleep, just to pick it up again first thing this morning to finish because I just had to know how it ended.
Tom and Alice had just gone through a painful experience and Tom surprised Alice with a new Winnebago to travel to Canada to the 1976 Olympics. When they picked up two young hitchhikers, all of the horror began and it became a trip from hell as they endured one terrifying experience after another. All the while there was even sympathy for one of the hitchhikers. It was a page turner all the way through and ended on a satisfying note. Don’t miss this one!

This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I’m anxious to read more of her work! This chilling thriller told of a couple who left on a roadtrip in their RV anxious to spend some time together and work on their marriage. Along the way they pick up a couple of young hitchhikers who say they are Ocean and Blue. They seem naive and easygoing. What the couple doesn’t know is those aren’t their real names. And they’ve left the last town behind them in a mess. And the law is looking high and low for them. And it’s not going to be easy getting rid of them!

This was a very suspenseful book, I devoured it in a couple of days. I have read everything by Chevy Stevens. How do I know when an author is a truly talented writer?? When I develop an intense dislike, almost hatred, for a main character and I keep thinking oh my God I hope this fool gets what's coming to him! When I have such powerful feelings for a well written character, I know I've stumbled upon a good one, a really good one! I am tickled pink that I was able to read it prior to publishing but I am still gonna buy it on release day!

Fairly straightforward kidnapping story. Moments of really tense suspense, following by pages and pages of filler. A shorter page count would've made this 5 stars.

I was SO excited to read an early copy of this because I love Chevy Stevens …. and I was so underwhelmed 😩 I pushed my way through this story. It follows Tom and Alice, a middle aged married couple, who pick up teenage hitchhikers, Ocean and Blue, in their RV while on a road trip. Everything spirals downward from there.

Knowing Chevy’s writing, I’m thinking The Last House on the Left vibes (IYKYK) and nope… I was waiting for the crazy twists to start dropping and they never happened. I was so let down! There’s literally, one “twist”, and it’s very predictable. 3.5 rounded up to a 4 and that’s only because of the ending.

I’ll read anything Chevy Stevens writes, but this is most definitely not her best if you’ve read her other popular books (Those Girls, Still Missing). 😔☹️😩

loved this book and what happened to the couple . loved that they tried to help the couple on the run and survived the trip and became even stronger as a couple.

3 stars

It’s 1976 and according to the back of the book Tom and Alice are trying to save their marriage by heading out on an RV trip across the remote Canadian highways. Allow me to pause and say that if my husband thought he could heal our marriage with anything involving the words “RV” and “remote Canadian highways” I would knock his teeth out just before I took him for everything he’s worth. But I digress.

I would also note, however, that Alice and Tim seem to have an absolutely wonderful marriage, they are just a little, understandably sad, that’s all. Their marriage doesn’t need saving, so the dumb back of the book doesn’t even know what it is talking about. Anyway.

Along the way A&T meet Ocean and Blue (hey, it’s 1976,) two hitchhikers. They are really Jenny and Simon. And they are trouble. Killer trouble.

This was a decent little thriller. The first Chevy Stevens book I read was very good; it involved a woman being held captive. Those I’ve read since have been perfectly serviceable. There’s a lot of reading of maps, since no GPS. Not nearly enough road snacks. Of course, no Buc-ees on the “remote Canadian highways” or in Canada at all. That’s too bad for Canada. Because I’ll bet Canadians like a good brisket sandwich. Oh, and if you don’t see one thing coming, clearly you’re new.

It has been WAY too long in between Chevy Stevens books but The Hitchhikers is definitely worth the wait! WOW!! If you like an action-packed suspense and twist-filled story with a lot of heart or just a damn good book, then this one is for you!!! Also perfect for fans of Taylor Adams The Last Exit!! It's 1976 and Tom and Alice are travelling to Canada from Seattle in their new RV. They pass a couple of hitchhikers and think it's a good idea to pick them up. Guess we all know where this is going, but the characterization and scene descriptions make it all new and surprising. I loved the time period, as I am a child of the 70's. Having to stop at pay phones and no Google maps brought back memories. And that last line....I cried ugly tears!! Chevy, PLEASE don't make us wait so long for the next book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Chevy Stevens and St. Martin's Press for this much appreciated ARC!

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Facebook upon publication day of October 7th.

Oh man. Hooked me so fast. Everyone had horrible circumstances. I felt bad for everyone. Such a great read. Still can't stop replaying it in my mind.

This story wasn’t really my thing, but I have to say, the writing was really solid. Chevy Stevens did a great job building tension and creating a creepy, suspenseful vibe.

The idea of a couple trying to fix their marriage, only to end up trapped with two dangerous hitchhikers, definitely makes for a wild ride. There were some good twists, and the pacing kept me interested.

Even though I didn’t fully connect with the plot, I can see thriller fans really enjoying this one. The writing was sharp and engaging—it just wasn’t totally for me.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

The Hitch Hikers
Chevy Steven’s writes books that keep you on edge and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s 1976 and Alice and Tom take off on a road trip in their new Winnebago. Along the way they befriend a seemingly nice, young couple, ‘Ocean and Blue’. They decide to give them a lift to the next town. Although they seem friendly enough Alice is a bit leery of their new passengers. ‘Blue’ is quite intense while ‘Ocean’, who’s pregnant is almost child like in behavior. At a gas station, Alice sees a newspaper headline showing this same young couple wanted for murder. Jenny and Simon are on the run from the law and about to take Alice and Tom along for the ride. I really didn’t want to like Jenny or Simon & Simon definitely has a mean streak but you really couldn’t help feeling for them after you hear their real stories. Really makes you think how circumstances affect and shape people. I was nervous the whole book thru, worried for Alice (whom both Jenny and Simon seemed to rely on for a motherly type manner)& Tom. Plus others that crossed their paths. The ending really made it worth it though.

I have loved Chevy Stevens since I read Those Girls ten years ago. I was not even aware that she had a new one coming out so I jumped at the chance to read it. Thank you for my early copy. This was a bit of a slow burn but it felt necessary as the main characters are being held hostage while moving across Canada. I loved the build up of anxiety as I kept thinking what I felt I would do if put in this situation. This thriller will have you second guessing offering any hitchhikers a ride any time soon.

I appreciate receiving an ARC of this book. The time setting (1976) was very well done, even down to price. I remember my Aunt and Uncle having a Winnebago back during that time and it was so cool. We felt like they were the richest folks around. Alice (the wife) was the standout in this novel and I like how the author really showed her strength and perseverance. I think fans of this author will enjoy this installment.