Chevy Stevens is one of my favorite authors, so I was really looking forward to The Hitchhikers. I have mixed feelings about it, though. It didn’t feel like a typical thriller to me. I found Simon’s need for control and his violent behavior overwhelming and hard to read—especially since he hadn’t committed any crimes until he and Jenny ran away.

Jenny, a deeply abused and traumatized teen, was a character I truly sympathized with. But the standout for me was Alice. Despite all she had been through, she showed real compassion for Jenny. She was strong, confident, and determined to fight for all the victims.
Simon’s ending wasn’t a wow moment and the ending was predictable. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I found myself completely engrossed in this book and couldn't put it down! The story instantly hooked me, and I was constantly eager to discover what would happen next.

The narrative follows two hitchhikers, Simon and Jenny, who encounter a couple, Alice and Tom, on their vacation. Seeing that Simon and Jenny are down on their luck, Alice and Tom kindly offer them a ride. However, the hitchhikers are not who they claim to be. They soon pull Alice and Tom into a chaotic spiral of destruction and deceit, involving murder, theft, and kidnapping.

If you've ever needed a reason to avoid picking up hitchhikers, this book offers a compelling and thrilling argument.

Alice and Tom are heading out on their first vacation after the loss of their baby. They meet up with a young couple who introduce themselves as Ocean and Blue. Tom willingly askes the couple to join them for dinner and offers them a place to sleep. Little does he know, these simple acts of kindness will lead them all down a path they never could have imagined.

I thought this story was pretty well written. Told there the point of view of different characters, I think it would have flowed a little better if there was a consistency in the different characters chose. I also felt that the only distinguishing feature between the POV was knowing where each character was. The voices were all the same. There are some pretty violent events and a DA/SA warning but overall a journey that takes you along for the ride! The ending wasn't a total surprise but I think that is what made it work.

And this, friends, is why I don’t pick up hitchhikers. Well, one reason, anyway.

It’s 1976, Tom and Alice are taking a summer trip in their new Winnebago after a devastating tragedy. Meeting a young couple, Jenny and Simon, on their travels, it’s not long before they befriend them and they’re travelling along with them. Jenny and Simon have secrets, though, and they’ll take Tom and Alice on the trip of their lives – if they can survive!

Ominous, I know, but dang!!! I was on the edge of my seat with this thrilling story! Every single character is so unbelievably well thought out and plotted! The setting is pitch perfect for this chilling survival thriller with non-stop action.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up! It’s a banger of a story that keeps the tension high and the pages turning!

Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press for this DRC! LOVED IT!!!!

I could not get into this one. I read a previous work by this author and thought it was just okay, but this one sounded better. Unfortunately it did not work for me at all. I wasn't drawn into the story, the characters were flat and dull. I did not care what happened to any of them.

if you're looking for a book that'll make you cancel all your plans and just keep reading, you've got to check out "The Hitchhikers" by Chevy Stevens. Seriously, this one's a total page-turner!

It starts out in the summer of '76 with Alice and Tom. They're on this RV trip, trying to heal after something really tough happened. Sounds chill, right? They've got everything planned out. But then, they do the one thing you're always told not to do: they pick up two hitchhikers, Simon and Jenny. And let me tell you, these two are NOT what they seem.

Suddenly, Alice and Tom's nice little road trip turns into an absolute nightmare. Simon and Jenny have left a trail of chaos, and now our poor couple is trapped in their own RV. It's like, "Uh oh, you done messed up!" The tension just keeps ratcheting up, and you're left wondering who's really evil here and who's just caught in the crossfire. Plus, you'll be dying to know what secrets Simon and Jenny are hiding.

Chevy Stevens is a master at keeping you guessing. Just when you think you've figured things out, BAM! Another twist hits you. This book isn't just about suspense; it's also got this heartbreaking element to it, which makes it even more powerful.

So, if you're into thrillers that'll have your heart pounding and your jaw dropping, "The Hitchhikers" is definitely one to grab. You'll probably rip through it in a day or two because you have to know how it ends. Happy reading, and maybe think twice about those hitchhikers!

I have no nails or cuticles after reading this. I'm almost positive I have more books by this author in my TBR library but now I feel the need to read everything this author has written because WOW. The death and destruction Ocean & Blue (or should I say Jenny & Simon) leave in their path is unrelenting. I felt like I had to come up for air on this one....i held my breath so many times I must've been blue in the face.

The twists and turns and depth of absolute insanity in this book. Speechless. Like watching a train derail while you're frantically scarfing down popcorn. From beginning to end this one had me checking to make sure my seatbelt was buckled. Someone get me a blood pressure cuff because I am unwell.

I hope Chevy never stops gracing us with her talent because this book is the exact reason why I am so obsessed with reading. Perfection. I'd say thumbs up....but the PTSD I have from that might live with me forever.

This book surprised me! I was prepared for a lot of things, and at some points of the story thought it was predictable. However this story was surprisingly heartwarming? We follow Alice, Tom, Simon, and Jenny through the wild roller coaster that is “The Hitchhikers.”

Usually I know what I’m going to rate something by the 50% mark, but the ending changed my mind! I would read this again, and recommend it to a friend. Hey friend, you should read this!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this story in exchange for an honest review!

Rate 3.5 ✨

I enjoyed the plot I just feel like with this type of topic where ideas are endless I feel like this plot couldve involved more, I found myself bored at times cause some things kinda felt predictable . Jenny and Alice interactions definitely threw me for a loop the whole time . I would think Jenny would realize things weren’t right she would smarten up but it’s like she kept telling her self it’s okay , I wanted to know what Jenny and her boyfriend’s life would look like even they didn’t meet , after the final reveal I had so many questions because he definitely did not have to do what he did .. it also made me go down a loophole on how your upbringing could mold you . Overall I would recommend if you don’t want something to detailed , mild content not to dark .

The Hitchhikers, the upcoming release from Chevy Stevens, is an intricately plotted thriller with multiple well earned plot twists, that unfortunately suffers from limited character development and repetitive action that ultimately left me wanting more.

I loved the plot of this book and read it easily within 3-4 days. There were multiple major plot twists throughout the book that I felt were well earned, and although the ending was predictable, it was well constructed and successfully tied up all of the loose ends.

I found the characters to be rather flat. Although each of the primary characters had back stories to help inform the reader as to their situations and motivations, none of them were fleshed out really well. I found myself wishing that there were fewer scenes of violence and my character arc development. By the end of the novel, I felt that I knew Jenny fairly well, but the other characters were still a mystery.

As I said, the plot was very well developed and interesting enough to keep me engaged with the story, but not the characters, until the end.

Thank you the opportunity to read and review.

I love mystery thrillers and suspense novels for the twists and turns. There are some in The Hitchhikers, but the conclusion of the book is so telegraphed that it ruins the ride. On the plus side, I like that it takes place in 1976, when you would almost need a college degree to be able to fold the map back to its original orientation. Tom and Alice are traveling on the remote Canadian highways, trying to use an RV trip to retie the bonds of their marriage that have been fractured by tragic circumstances. They meet two young hitchhikers who call themselves Ocean and Blue and, as the plot directs, Tom and Alice give them a ride. This leads the older couple down a darker path from whence they came...

Overall, I did enjoy The Hitchhikers and gave it a bump up to four stars because of the world building. The author did a good job of crafting believable characters and paid excellent attention to detail regarding life in the 1970's. On the negative side, as I stated above, the author gave away the ending early on and that took away a good bit of the suspense. On the positive side, the characters were well developed and the story was well paced.

Readers who like mystery thrillers and suspense will not be disappointed by this latest book by Chevy Stevens. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

Chevy Stevens has become a favorite of mine because of her ability to delve deep into the minds of her characters and show their motivations while also telling an intense, emotional, and often scary story.

The hitchhikers, while not my favorite of her books, was no exception. Twists at every turn while alternative POVs battled to find the truth made this one hard to put down. Parts of it seemed a bit beyond the reach of logic (just action sequences or people surviving long swaths of time without medical care), but man can she draw you in to a story! Bonus points: this story crept into my mind and scared me on my first camping trip post reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A couple recovering from the loss of their newborn son is driving across Canada from Seattle in an RV to attend the Olympics. They meet and befriend a young couple who turn out to be wanted for murder. Kidnapped, injured, and forced to help the couple rob others, will Tom and Alice survive, and could this horrendous experience lead to something wonderful? Story was hard to get into at the beginning but by about 1/3 of the way through, it kept me wanting to know what happened.

Wow, just wow! This one kept my blood pressure up almost the entire time. I was nervous, scared, and obsessed. What can two harmlessly looking teenagers do?! Well, all I’m going to say is that you’ll need a seatbelt. This story just got more intense with each chapter, and I really enjoyed it. It’s raw and sometimes cruel and has a lot of triggers. But I think it was written brilliantly. I’m glad it’s over, but I’m also bummed it’s over. Great thriller with realistic fiction writing.
Thanks, St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Meh. Mediocre overall with cardboard characters, and also a very infuriating one I wanted to slap. A couple's road trip vacation in an RV is ruined when they pick up hitchhikers...

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

*NO spoilers, but trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review- which may hint at certain elements in the book.*
I am a fan of Chevy Stevens novels, and The Hitchhikers did NOT disappoint! Some parts felt a little too long/ drug out- but, wow, such a great book!!! By the time I finished I wanted it to keep going, yet also NEEDED to know the ending!!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Chevy Stevens and St.
Martin's Press publishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025! Add it to your list now!!

If you’re into suspenseful, character-driven thrillers, this one’s a wild ride. Set in 1976, a grieving couple—Tom and Alice—hit the road in their RV hoping to mend things. They pick up two hitchhikers, only to find themselves trapped in a terrifying cat‑and‑mouse game  .
The tension builds slowly—but oh man, when the mayhem hits, it hits hard.

What works:
• Creepy roadside atmosphere with that ’70s isolation vibe.
• Complex characters you actually care about.
• A twist-loaded, edge-of-your-seat plot that keeps you turning pages.

Heads-up: It’s a slow burn until things go full thriller—then there’s grit, intensity, and emotional punch.

Rating: 4–4.5/5 – A hard-to-put-down trip with heart and horror. If you like tense, emotional thrillers

Chevy Stevens doesn’t write books — she casts spells. The Hitchhikers is a slow-burning scream tucked inside the trees of British Columbia, where every mile of open road hides something you don’t want to see. It’s gritty, gripping, and terrifying in the quietest, most realistic way.

This isn’t your typical hitchhiker horror. It’s layered, psychological, and painfully human. The kind of thriller where the villain isn’t just a person — it’s fear itself. Stevens gives us raw trauma, imperfect strength, and a protagonist who doesn’t need to be fearless to be fierce.

By the end, you won’t just be looking over your shoulder — you’ll be checking your rearview mirror too.

I am a huge Chevy Stevens fan and this book did NOT disappoint!! Felt like I was watching a movie and could see the entire story being played out as I read! Definitely had my attention early on and I found myself dying to know what was going to happen next!!

Although, there is an error in the writing in Chapter 2, where Alice uses Simon's real name... which messed with the story for a moment.... it truly was a great read and one I'd recommend to anyone!

This was a fantastic thriller - I haven’t read any books by Chevy Stevens and really enjoyed this one. The writing is great and the story character driven. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.