The Hitchhikers had a good storyline, but for some reason I really struggled to get through this one due to the pacing. Chevy Steven’s fans will love it, and still getting 4 stars, just wasn’t the one for me I suppose!

Not my favorite chevy stevens book but it still kept me hooked. I do wish the suspense of alice and tom knowing about Jenny and simon would have drug on just a little more before Jenny and Simone realized they were onto them because it started to get a little unbelieveable that it went on as long as it did without the cops catching up to them but I still loved it. Can't wait for her next one!

I had a lot of emotions during this book. First and foremost: frustration!! There were maybe 800 times when I was thinking “Now’s your chance, dooooo somethiiiiinnnng.”

But now that I have finished, I have to remind myself that I haven’t been in Alice’s situation…maybe I would overthink every possible opportunity too (though I doubt it).

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Occasionally I felt it got a bit slow. I was not-so-patiently waiting for some scenes to just hurry up and get by. But I was dedicated to finding out how everything played out for Alice and gang (though I was a tad discouraged not to have seen any mention of Ruth and William at the end).

I did guess one part of the ending- it felt obvious/fortuitous from the get-go. The next part of the twist should have been the easiest part to figure out but oh well, my spidey -senses were dulled by an active camping trip and an unfortunate cold I managed to pick up during this read.

I especially felt that character development was excellent- sometimes I find myself reading the narrator’s words and other times I find myself really reading them (if that makes sense). This was one of those times.

Overall, I would recommend this book. I loved that it took place in the 70s (not much hitchhiking and endless trust in strangers going around these days). Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the early arc of the #thehitchhikers.

The Hitchhikers
Chevy Stevens
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
The Hitchhikers transported me straight back to 1976 in the most vivid, immersive way. From the setting of the Olympics to the prices at thrift shops and grocery stores, every detail felt authentic and alive. Rotary phones, hitchhiking culture, hippies passing joints on the roadside—Chevy Stevens captured it all. I was hooked from the very first page.
The story follows Tom and Alice, a couple on a road trip, who cross paths with Ocean and Blue, two strangers camping under the same summer sky. What begins as an act of kindness soon turns into something far more dangerous. Tom and Alice couldn’t have known that their friendly gesture would thrust them into the lives of two young people fleeing a violent, chaotic past—leaving behind a trail of unpredictable chaos and death.
Told through dual points of view—Alice and Jenny (a.k.a. Ocean) —the novel explores the inner lives of two strong women, each shaped by their own trauma and survival. Their voices are raw, compelling, and heartbreakingly real. I loved the way their backstories were slowly revealed, adding tension and emotional depth as the story unfolded. It reminded me that life is like a chess game: every move is a reaction, and the past always has a way of catching up.
What stood out most to me was the unshakable suspense. Stevens expertly weaves a psychological thriller that is not only chilling, but deeply human. The realism is partly what makes it so haunting—the fear and vulnerability of hitchhiking in the '70s, inspired by real-life dangers, feels both distant and disturbingly familiar.
If you're a fan of character-driven thrillers with immersive settings and emotional weight, this one delivers!

This was more dark than suspenseful. The most suspenseful part was when the gun goes flying in the air. Whose hands will it end up in?! You guessed right, the bad guys. I found it a little slow to get going and overall was just a little lackluster. There were definitely some “you idiot” moments.
I’ve enjoyed Chevy Stevens books but this was just okay to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review!

This is the first book I read from this author and now I want to read her entire backlist. This was such a wild ride that kept me entertained the entire story through. There were no slow spots and the momentum of this story keeps going and going. I kept thinking things would slow down but nope, another twist. This would make an amazing movie! If you're in a readings slump this will pull you out of it. I loved how this ended and how it all wrapped up. I highly recommend this thriller!

This was so unexpected and good at the same time of you like suspense and the mystery of what’s coming next. This was so well written that I was on the edge of my seat ready to know how this ended

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

Wow wow wow. This was so good. I believe this is my first book by Chevy, but it definitely wont be my last.

The writing was so good and very descriptive in the parts we needed it to be. The two hitchhikers were written to be so cold blooded. The pacing was good, and it holds your attention.

My only complaint is i wish there had been more twists or something that really just left us in shock and awe.

I love Chevy Stevens’ books and was thrilled to get to read this one. It was fabulous! I finished it in 2 days, because I had to find out what was going to happen next! The backstory of the characters is very descriptive and telling as the story unfolds with Tom and Alice’s lives changing forever when they meet Simon and Jenny. You will be taken along for this very fast ride, with twists and turns, and deep emotions. I absolutely loved it. All readers are in for a real treat!

I was ECSTATIC to receive this novel as an arc. One of my favorite authors and I get to read it before it's out? I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this thrill ride. I can't believe an RV set could keep you on edge as this does.

Tom and Alice are camping across BC trying to get away from some difficult times. They end up picking up Jenny and Simon. Two hitchhikers. They say their names are ocean and blue. They seemed so nice at first. What are they hiding?

You will be on the edge of your seat whipping through this book to see what's happening. The only reason it took me two days was because I had to work.

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and the publisher for the absolute pleasure of this arc

Another riveting read from Chevy Stevens.! It was a fast paced thriller/suspense story that pulls you in immediately. You will get absolutely nothing done when you pickup this book. It had a good mix of creepiness and suspense with a back story about each character so you can understand each persons motivation. By the end of the story I even liked a character I hated in the beginning and that never happens for me. Chevy does a great job letting us know details about each character that makes you connect with them. I loved the story and the ending was very satisfying.

Chevy Stevens delivers another gripping thriller with The Hitchhiker. Tense, atmospheric, and emotionally charged, it hooks you from the first page. The story is fast-paced with just the right amount of twists, and the characters feel raw and real. If you enjoy psychological suspense with strong female leads and a haunting setting, this one’s a must-read.

This is the second book I've read by Chevy Stevens. The Hitchhikers is well-written, and the lead characters are believable and well-drawn. The sweeping Canadian landscape adds depth to the story. The young villains in this novel, Simon and Jenny, are truly cold-blooded. Our likeable protagonists Alice and Tom are repaid with violence for their kindness to these hitchhikers. Lesson learned, too late.

The Hitchhikers would have been a five-star read for me but for the relatively even pacing. There were no real highs and lows for most of the book. I expected one high action clash between Alice and Simon before the first half of the novel. I wanted Alice to find a way to fight back before continuing her unwelcome journey with the antagonists. I wanted more risk taking, more active resistance. There is one high point in the final chapters, but the pacing is more of the same throughout the second half of the book. There are some interesting twists in the final chapters, and the satisfactory conclusion ties the story together. Overall, The Hitchhikers is an entertaining read that old and new fans of Chevy Stevens might enjoy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

3.5 ⭐️I read this book quite quickly and have no real complaints other than it didn’t feel similar to previous books by this author. I have always relied on this author for some pretty dark content which I love. This book didn’t get as twisted as I had hoped it would. I hate to say that it felt like a story I have read many times before. That being said, I have been a big fan of this author for a while and will continue to read everything she writes. Still a solid story, just different than what I expected.

A lot of twists and turns but I found the characters were predictable. I enjoy thrillers and this started off as interesting but the story dragged.

Thank you netgalley and publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.

This book was a gripping, slightly anxiety-inducing ride that kept me hooked from start to finish. It follows two hitchhikers who end up traveling across the country with an unsuspecting couple—and things quickly spiral into a tense hostage situation. The male hitchhiker is clearly unhinged, bringing an intense, unpredictable energy to the story, while the female, pregnant and seemingly more sympathetic, adds a layer of emotional complexity.
While some elements were a bit predictable, the way the story unfolded kept me entertained and on edge. The pacing was strong, and even though I saw the twist coming, it wasn’t until later in the book—which I appreciated. The suspense built gradually but effectively, and I found myself genuinely invested in how everything would resolve.
That said, I did find myself frustrated at times with the main couple. They often just let things happen to them without pushing back or thinking critically, which made certain scenes feel more infuriating than suspenseful. Their passivity took away some of the tension, since it felt like they were just along for the ride instead of actively trying to survive or escape.
If you're into psychological thrillers with high-stakes road trip vibes and flawed, morally gray characters, this one is definitely worth a read.

Also posted to goodreads.com

The setting of the book is great, total 1970s nostalgia! The descriptions of the clothes and the appearances of people really make you feel like you’re back in time. And with no current technology for the characters to use for help, you get a sense of how trapped they really are. Long stretches of desolate highway, where anyone can disappear in a second. You know the story can’t possibly end well for everyone, so there’s the suspense of who will be the last ones standing. Spending so much time together causes the characters to bond in unexpected ways, and it’s bittersweet because you know it can’t last.

The book does drag a bit in spots, which is expected and perhaps intentional, reflecting the long stretches of time on the open road. There were random characters like the church members who just seemed like fillers to add more action to the story. But it’s a fun read that should keep you engaged, and dare I say it’d be perfect for a road trip!

The Hitchhikers is a complex book about loss, betrayal and ultimately redemption. It starts off with Alice and Tom, a couple traveling in their RV in 1976 in an effort to reconnect with each other. They offer a ride to a young couple and it turns out to be a devastating mistake. Simon and Jenny are suspects in multiple murders and will do anything to get away from their hometown. Simon incapacitates Tom and forces Alice to comply with his every demand. The tense story takes the reader on a thrill ride which ultimately has a satisfying and even hopeful ending. I love Chevy Stevens books because she creates complex characters who make the readers care about their stories. She also once again skillfully uses Canada as a beautiful backdrop to the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Chevy Stevens has become one of my favorite authors over the years. This was not my absolute favorite of hers but definitely will stick with me for awhile. Jenny and Simon are on the run from some trouble and are hitchhiking their way out of town when Alice and her husband, Tom encounter them camping in their RV. Alice and Tom are on a cross-country trip in their new RV dealing with some troubles of their own. What happens when Alice and Tom discover the truth about their new companions? And what adventures await! This book was slow in spots but picked up in others. The ending was predictable but good! Thanks to #Stmartinspress and #netgalley for the ARC. Definitely one to watch for this fall!

I was so excited to receive this book in an advanced reader copy! Thank you to netgalley for proving me to read this book!

I absolutely devoured the story! It was so good and so captivating! I was on the edge of my seat!