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The Holiday Home
The perfect holiday or the perfect nightmare…
I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for…
My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend, to experience their luxury lifestyle. I’m not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.
Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.
Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I discover a second secret. The truth is even more shocking than I imagine, and now I have no idea who to trust.
This was meant to be the perfect holiday, but someone isn’t going to survive it…
I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for…
My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend, to experience their luxury lifestyle. I’m not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.
Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.
Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I discover a second secret. The truth is even more shocking than I imagine, and now I have no idea who to trust.
This was meant to be the perfect holiday, but someone isn’t going to survive it…
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2023
About the author
Daniel Hurst
73 books2,530 followersDaniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
February 5, 2023
“Not everybody who came to this holiday house will be leaving it alive.”
The Holiday Home is a domestic drama about a group of friends who travel from England to Scotland on a family vacation where secrets, lies, and betrayals are exposed, leading to a startling conclusion.
Nicola is the primary narrator, but the reader also experiences her husband Ryan’s perspective. Also shared are the POVs of Lewis, husband to Kim, and Cole, son of Lewis and Kim. I found all of the characters whiny and self-serving, and I didn’t like any of them.
The chapters are short, but almost every chapter ends with a foreshadowing statement or mini cliffhanger, which became more and more annoying as I read. This trope took away any nuance for what might happen next.
Daniel Hurst has been blowing up on my GR feed, so I was extremely excited to read The Holiday Home. Sadly, this book didn’t live up to the Hurst hype. It is described as a psychological thriller, but not very thrilling as it is lacking tension and suspense. There are a few twists at the end, but all was predictable.
The Holiday Home kept me entertained, but I was glad when I finished.It is an easy popcorn read that sadly didn't knock my socks off.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
The Holiday Home is a domestic drama about a group of friends who travel from England to Scotland on a family vacation where secrets, lies, and betrayals are exposed, leading to a startling conclusion.
Nicola is the primary narrator, but the reader also experiences her husband Ryan’s perspective. Also shared are the POVs of Lewis, husband to Kim, and Cole, son of Lewis and Kim. I found all of the characters whiny and self-serving, and I didn’t like any of them.
The chapters are short, but almost every chapter ends with a foreshadowing statement or mini cliffhanger, which became more and more annoying as I read. This trope took away any nuance for what might happen next.
Daniel Hurst has been blowing up on my GR feed, so I was extremely excited to read The Holiday Home. Sadly, this book didn’t live up to the Hurst hype. It is described as a psychological thriller, but not very thrilling as it is lacking tension and suspense. There are a few twists at the end, but all was predictable.
The Holiday Home kept me entertained, but I was glad when I finished.It is an easy popcorn read that sadly didn't knock my socks off.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2023
2.5 stars
What could be better than a group of friends escaping to a holiday home in Scotland for the weekend?
Well, just about anything could be better, since, as we are told from the beginning (and repeatedly) that not everyone will be leaving alive.
Told in alternating POV, tension was attempted by ending chapters with foreshadowing statements like “if only I’d known what was going to happen” or “things would soon get worse” or little did I know someone would soon be dead”. (btw, these are not specific quotes, but you get the idea). This is not a favorite literary device and it feels lazy. I was never furiously turning the (virtual) pages, anxious to see what would happen next.
It didn’t help that the main characters were dumb as a box of rocks and there were plot holes you could drive a truck through. No spoilers, but let’s just say apparently none of these characters have heard of basic forensics.
The supposed big reveals and the “surprise” twist at the end were predictable and disappointing.
Daniel Hurst is my go-to for a quick entertaining popcorn read, but sadly this one is by far my least favorite, and not one I’d recommend. It left both my reading buddy, Marialyce, and I disappointed.
*I received a digital audio copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my
What could be better than a group of friends escaping to a holiday home in Scotland for the weekend?
Well, just about anything could be better, since, as we are told from the beginning (and repeatedly) that not everyone will be leaving alive.
Told in alternating POV, tension was attempted by ending chapters with foreshadowing statements like “if only I’d known what was going to happen” or “things would soon get worse” or little did I know someone would soon be dead”. (btw, these are not specific quotes, but you get the idea). This is not a favorite literary device and it feels lazy. I was never furiously turning the (virtual) pages, anxious to see what would happen next.
It didn’t help that the main characters were dumb as a box of rocks and there were plot holes you could drive a truck through. No spoilers, but let’s just say apparently none of these characters have heard of basic forensics.
The supposed big reveals and the “surprise” twist at the end were predictable and disappointing.
Daniel Hurst is my go-to for a quick entertaining popcorn read, but sadly this one is by far my least favorite, and not one I’d recommend. It left both my reading buddy, Marialyce, and I disappointed.
*I received a digital audio copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my
February 26, 2023
3.5🌟
Ahhh…at long last! A family vacation in the Scottish countryside with your best friend and her family! Sounds perfect right!?
I think I can safely speak for our protagonist when I say that this turned into the vacation from hell.
Nicola, Ryan and their daughter Emily join her long-time friend Kim, husband Lewis and son Cole for a weekend getaway to Lewis and Kim's luxury cottage. A time for the two families to relax and pamper themselves with champagne, great food and even a hot tub!
When Nicola accidentally overhears a conversation, her world is destined to be forever changed. Now she needs to find a way out before someone gets seriously hurt! But it may already be too late for that!
I’ve become a huge Daniel Hurst fan, jumping at the chance to listen to this latest audio. And while the author always treats us to a character or two to despise, I absolutely loathed Ryan. I know that’s harsh! But you’ll understand if you read/listen to this one! Perhaps that dampened my overall enjoyment of this book? Hmmm….maybe. Let’s just say not a favorite. But that won’t stop me…or slow me down from picking up his next (or I still have a few more past books to keep me occupied)!
I listened to the audio and thought both narrators did a great job. This book lent itself perfectly to a dual narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
Ahhh…at long last! A family vacation in the Scottish countryside with your best friend and her family! Sounds perfect right!?
I think I can safely speak for our protagonist when I say that this turned into the vacation from hell.
Nicola, Ryan and their daughter Emily join her long-time friend Kim, husband Lewis and son Cole for a weekend getaway to Lewis and Kim's luxury cottage. A time for the two families to relax and pamper themselves with champagne, great food and even a hot tub!
When Nicola accidentally overhears a conversation, her world is destined to be forever changed. Now she needs to find a way out before someone gets seriously hurt! But it may already be too late for that!
I’ve become a huge Daniel Hurst fan, jumping at the chance to listen to this latest audio. And while the author always treats us to a character or two to despise, I absolutely loathed Ryan. I know that’s harsh! But you’ll understand if you read/listen to this one! Perhaps that dampened my overall enjoyment of this book? Hmmm….maybe. Let’s just say not a favorite. But that won’t stop me…or slow me down from picking up his next (or I still have a few more past books to keep me occupied)!
I listened to the audio and thought both narrators did a great job. This book lent itself perfectly to a dual narration.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
February 28, 2023
Nicola and her family are invited to join her best friend and her family at their holiday cottage in the Scottish highlands over a long weekend. A free vacation is hard to pass up when money is tight.
Hello, hot tub overlooking a loch. A quiet weekend to connect with nature among family and friends sounds like a perfect getaway until it becomes a nightmare!
I like that there are a few characters on this trip. A secluded location is nice and inviting and when secrets emerge things get quite exciting!
You know I enjoy Daniel Hurst novels. His books drew me in and I'm usually hooked and can't stop listening. I find his thrillers juicy and suspenseful. The Holiday Home had a strong start but didn't grip me like his other ones. Characters are flat, secrets are okay, tension is lacking and the ending is a nooo. I think the narrator tries very hard to make it suspenseful. Not working. 😢
At this point, I'll get Daniel Hurst's novels without reading the blurb. Chances are I'll get an entertaining and engrossing thriller. But as you see by my rating that this one didn't work for me.
2.5⭐
Thank you Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Release date March 1, 2023
Hello, hot tub overlooking a loch. A quiet weekend to connect with nature among family and friends sounds like a perfect getaway until it becomes a nightmare!
I like that there are a few characters on this trip. A secluded location is nice and inviting and when secrets emerge things get quite exciting!
You know I enjoy Daniel Hurst novels. His books drew me in and I'm usually hooked and can't stop listening. I find his thrillers juicy and suspenseful. The Holiday Home had a strong start but didn't grip me like his other ones. Characters are flat, secrets are okay, tension is lacking and the ending is a nooo. I think the narrator tries very hard to make it suspenseful. Not working. 😢
At this point, I'll get Daniel Hurst's novels without reading the blurb. Chances are I'll get an entertaining and engrossing thriller. But as you see by my rating that this one didn't work for me.
2.5⭐
Thank you Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Release date March 1, 2023
January 17, 2024
What frustrated me while reading this, was how often it was mentioned that something would get worse soon. How much spoon feeding is needed? Can’t a reader remember that something will happen after it being mentioned once?
February 19, 2023
3.5* In a secluded Holiday Home in the rural hills of Scotland, two couples and two children plan a nice getaway for a long weekend. The home is owned by Kim & Lewis and is a high-scaled luxury cabin and a second home. Nicola & Ryan have been invited to stay with them. Kim and Nicola have been friends since high school, but Ryan and Lewis have varying opinions of each other.
Told in multiple POVs, we are given insight to situations each is unaware of and how they are coping mentally with it. Nicola sees a text on Ryan's phone from Kim that alludes to a secret they must keep from Nicola and Lewis. The situation gets more tense as Ryan and Nicola are jealous of the fortune Kim and Lewis appear to make, but nothing is as it appears.....nothing!!!
Ryan's snarky comments and Lewis's arrogance just may mean their fun weekend will end in disaster, which we know one person is not going to make it home alive, but which one. As the plot thickens and secrets are revealed in each chapter cliffhanger, you will not be able to stop reading until you know one is a killer and the other one is dead.
The setting drives the story with elements outside very eerie and the one car they arrive in will not start....
This is a first for me in Daniel Hurst's books, and I enjoyed it and noticed he has a slew of them. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Told in multiple POVs, we are given insight to situations each is unaware of and how they are coping mentally with it. Nicola sees a text on Ryan's phone from Kim that alludes to a secret they must keep from Nicola and Lewis. The situation gets more tense as Ryan and Nicola are jealous of the fortune Kim and Lewis appear to make, but nothing is as it appears.....nothing!!!
Ryan's snarky comments and Lewis's arrogance just may mean their fun weekend will end in disaster, which we know one person is not going to make it home alive, but which one. As the plot thickens and secrets are revealed in each chapter cliffhanger, you will not be able to stop reading until you know one is a killer and the other one is dead.
The setting drives the story with elements outside very eerie and the one car they arrive in will not start....
This is a first for me in Daniel Hurst's books, and I enjoyed it and noticed he has a slew of them. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2023
3.65⭐
Publication date ~ March 1, 2023
Page Count ~ 253
Audio length ~ 6 hours 49 minutes
Narrators ~ Zoe Mills, Richard Burnip ~ a fine job
POV ~ multiple 1st person
Featuring ~ secluded vacation, secrets of course
Nicola & Ryan & Kim & Lewis, along with children Emily & Cole head on vacation together. The ladies are bff's and the men are not fans of each other and seem to just tolerate each other.
So we're led to believe something is up when Nicola reads a text on Ryan's phone, but it turns out to be something way bigger than she expected. I felt too many chapters went by when she was just thinking about confronting him and not actually confronting him. Like, girl, just ask this husband of yours what's up.
This dude pops out books left and right and I felt this one was mostly true to Daniel's form. He builds up the suspense with having multiple narrators, but the intrigue is a little less since we know what's happening on the flip side. It was less of a thriller IMO too. Can't say I loved the last little zinger either. Not my favorite, but still enjoyable enough to hold my interest.
I was fortune enough to receive a kindle copy and an audio book to review. Either way worked perfect fine.
*Thanks to the author, Bookouture, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Publication date ~ March 1, 2023
Page Count ~ 253
Audio length ~ 6 hours 49 minutes
Narrators ~ Zoe Mills, Richard Burnip ~ a fine job
POV ~ multiple 1st person
Featuring ~ secluded vacation, secrets of course
Nicola & Ryan & Kim & Lewis, along with children Emily & Cole head on vacation together. The ladies are bff's and the men are not fans of each other and seem to just tolerate each other.
So we're led to believe something is up when Nicola reads a text on Ryan's phone, but it turns out to be something way bigger than she expected. I felt too many chapters went by when she was just thinking about confronting him and not actually confronting him. Like, girl, just ask this husband of yours what's up.
This dude pops out books left and right and I felt this one was mostly true to Daniel's form. He builds up the suspense with having multiple narrators, but the intrigue is a little less since we know what's happening on the flip side. It was less of a thriller IMO too. Can't say I loved the last little zinger either. Not my favorite, but still enjoyable enough to hold my interest.
I was fortune enough to receive a kindle copy and an audio book to review. Either way worked perfect fine.
*Thanks to the author, Bookouture, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
March 6, 2023
EXCERPT: The silence in this part of the world is deafening, the area around this luxury log cabin in the Scottish Highlands so quiet and still that it's starting to become unnerving. Or maybe it just feels that way because of everything that has happened since I got here.
I move around the cabin to distract myself from the incessant silence and, as I do, a floorboard creaks beneath my left foot, the noise so loud that it startles me. And now I can hear my heartbeat thudding in my chest.
I suspect I can hear the blood pumping around my body too, or at least feel it, but I know that's not a normal thing to be aware of. I'm usually occupied enough not to be thinking about such a thing, but here, it's as if time has stopped and I'm aware of everything.
Like the call of the bird in the trees just outside the cabin, its piercing shriek cutting through the silence like a hot knife through butter.
Or like the loud snapping of a branch on the forest floor nearby, perhaps caused by a deer. Or could it be a human?
And lastly, the deafening gunshot in the distance, a sound so loud that it causes me to cover my ears and close my eyes.
When I open them again, I immediately rush over to the window and look outside, afraid of what I might see but needing to check, nonetheless. All I can see are the trees surrounding me on all sides. But that gunshot is still ringing in my ears, and I won't forget it easily.
I need to know who pulled the trigger.
And is anybody hurt?
ABOUT 'THE HOLIDAY HOME': The perfect holiday or the perfect nightmare…
I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for…
My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend, to experience their luxury lifestyle. I’m not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.
Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.
Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I discover a second secret. The truth is even more shocking than I imagine, and now I have no idea who to trust.
This was meant to be the perfect holiday, but someone isn’t going to survive it…
MY THOUGHTS: The Holiday Home is told from multiple points of view - Host Lewis and his teenage son Cole, Nicola and her husband Ryan. This mostly works well, although there is a little duplication.
Secrets, lies and a secluded holiday destination - yes, it's been done before, but Daniel Hurst manages to put his own particular stamp on it.
The husband's, Ryan and Lewis, only tolerate each other because of their wives close and long-standing friendship. There is a fair bit of 'muscle flexing' as the men try to assert their superiority. Ryan is jealous of Lewis's wealth, and Lewis is jealous of Ryan's easy relationship with the teenage Cole.
The wives, Nicola and Kim, roll their eyes at the men's stupidity and run interference as needed, but they are secure in their friendship and determined not to let the men ruin their weekend.
But then something happens that causes one of the women to examine their friendship more closely, and from thereon in, it all begins to unravel with disastrous consequences.
I enjoyed this, as I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. It's entertaining, but, in this case, I thought the final twist was a step too far and unnecessary.
Will that stop me from reading this author again? Definitely not. He never fails to surprise me at some point, and I am looking forward to his next title.
⭐⭐⭐.9
#TheHolidayHome #NetGalley
I: @danielhurstbooks @bookouture
T: @dhurstbooks @Bookouture
THE AUTHOR: Writer/wanderer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of The Holiday Home, written by Daniel Hurst and narrated by Zoe Mills and Richard Burnip, for review. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on Sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also posted on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and my webpage
I move around the cabin to distract myself from the incessant silence and, as I do, a floorboard creaks beneath my left foot, the noise so loud that it startles me. And now I can hear my heartbeat thudding in my chest.
I suspect I can hear the blood pumping around my body too, or at least feel it, but I know that's not a normal thing to be aware of. I'm usually occupied enough not to be thinking about such a thing, but here, it's as if time has stopped and I'm aware of everything.
Like the call of the bird in the trees just outside the cabin, its piercing shriek cutting through the silence like a hot knife through butter.
Or like the loud snapping of a branch on the forest floor nearby, perhaps caused by a deer. Or could it be a human?
And lastly, the deafening gunshot in the distance, a sound so loud that it causes me to cover my ears and close my eyes.
When I open them again, I immediately rush over to the window and look outside, afraid of what I might see but needing to check, nonetheless. All I can see are the trees surrounding me on all sides. But that gunshot is still ringing in my ears, and I won't forget it easily.
I need to know who pulled the trigger.
And is anybody hurt?
ABOUT 'THE HOLIDAY HOME': The perfect holiday or the perfect nightmare…
I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing around me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can’t believe I’m here, at this stunning holiday home. It’s to die for…
My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend, to experience their luxury lifestyle. I’m not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.
Then I overhear Ryan having a whispered conversation late one evening, and he says something that sends a shiver down my spine. In this beautiful paradise my whole world is turned upside down.
Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I discover a second secret. The truth is even more shocking than I imagine, and now I have no idea who to trust.
This was meant to be the perfect holiday, but someone isn’t going to survive it…
MY THOUGHTS: The Holiday Home is told from multiple points of view - Host Lewis and his teenage son Cole, Nicola and her husband Ryan. This mostly works well, although there is a little duplication.
Secrets, lies and a secluded holiday destination - yes, it's been done before, but Daniel Hurst manages to put his own particular stamp on it.
The husband's, Ryan and Lewis, only tolerate each other because of their wives close and long-standing friendship. There is a fair bit of 'muscle flexing' as the men try to assert their superiority. Ryan is jealous of Lewis's wealth, and Lewis is jealous of Ryan's easy relationship with the teenage Cole.
The wives, Nicola and Kim, roll their eyes at the men's stupidity and run interference as needed, but they are secure in their friendship and determined not to let the men ruin their weekend.
But then something happens that causes one of the women to examine their friendship more closely, and from thereon in, it all begins to unravel with disastrous consequences.
I enjoyed this, as I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. It's entertaining, but, in this case, I thought the final twist was a step too far and unnecessary.
Will that stop me from reading this author again? Definitely not. He never fails to surprise me at some point, and I am looking forward to his next title.
⭐⭐⭐.9
#TheHolidayHome #NetGalley
I: @danielhurstbooks @bookouture
T: @dhurstbooks @Bookouture
THE AUTHOR: Writer/wanderer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of The Holiday Home, written by Daniel Hurst and narrated by Zoe Mills and Richard Burnip, for review. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on Sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also posted on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and my webpage
March 9, 2023
the setup…
Nicola, her husband Ryan and their 11-year old daughter Emily are spending a vacation in the Scottish Highlands with her best friend Kim, her husband Lewis and their 15-year old son Cole. The house is a luxurious log cabin, a reflection of Lewis’s business success, which he never passes up an opportunity to flaunt. Nicola and Kim have been best friends since college but Ryan and Lewis seem to only tolerate each other for their wives’ sakes. Nicola is having a wonderful time until she overhears her husband whispering about a devastating secret, one that is life changing.
the heart of the story…
Based on Ryan’s behavior, I’d sort of guessed what that secret was going to be but it didn’t affect my interest because it was all about how Nicola digested and handled the information. Her reaction was authentic and I bonded with her in where her mind went. There were other little twists and surprises so it wasn’t all too predictable. We eventually got the points of view of everyone except Emily but it was Nicola’s perspective that shaped the story.
the narration…
I enjoyed the performances overall but the voice for Cole just didn’t come across like that of a 15-year old boy. That was a hard sell and I couldn’t buy it. Otherwise, the storytelling worked.
the bottom line…
I’m a fan of the author, noted for his delicious twists and that’s a component in this one. The story was entertaining but didn’t leave me stunned as the others had before. It’s still an interesting tale and I never lost interest. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Nicola, her husband Ryan and their 11-year old daughter Emily are spending a vacation in the Scottish Highlands with her best friend Kim, her husband Lewis and their 15-year old son Cole. The house is a luxurious log cabin, a reflection of Lewis’s business success, which he never passes up an opportunity to flaunt. Nicola and Kim have been best friends since college but Ryan and Lewis seem to only tolerate each other for their wives’ sakes. Nicola is having a wonderful time until she overhears her husband whispering about a devastating secret, one that is life changing.
the heart of the story…
Based on Ryan’s behavior, I’d sort of guessed what that secret was going to be but it didn’t affect my interest because it was all about how Nicola digested and handled the information. Her reaction was authentic and I bonded with her in where her mind went. There were other little twists and surprises so it wasn’t all too predictable. We eventually got the points of view of everyone except Emily but it was Nicola’s perspective that shaped the story.
the narration…
I enjoyed the performances overall but the voice for Cole just didn’t come across like that of a 15-year old boy. That was a hard sell and I couldn’t buy it. Otherwise, the storytelling worked.
the bottom line…
I’m a fan of the author, noted for his delicious twists and that’s a component in this one. The story was entertaining but didn’t leave me stunned as the others had before. It’s still an interesting tale and I never lost interest. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
July 24, 2024
A married couple (Nicola and Ryan) take a trip to visit Nicola’s friend (Kim, and her husband Lewis) at their luxury holiday home in the Scottish Highlands. Nicola and Kim have been best friends for years and they frequently have family get-togethers. Nicola wishes that her husband Ryan could get on better with Kim’s husband Lewis. Lewis is very wealthy and likes to show off and brag at times, which makes Ryan a bit envious. But, this time, things become stressed… with secrets unfolding and tempers flaring, will this be their last holiday together?
The story was fast-paced, easy to read, and captivating. I liked the setting (the isolated luxury holiday house in the Highlands). And I was curious to find out how everything would turn out. But by the end, I didn’t particularly like the secret reveal/twist at the end, which then made me not have much sympathy for the main character's problem for most of the book. I did enjoy the story, but not as much as the other books I’ve read by Daniel Hurst.
The story was fast-paced, easy to read, and captivating. I liked the setting (the isolated luxury holiday house in the Highlands). And I was curious to find out how everything would turn out. But by the end, I didn’t particularly like the secret reveal/twist at the end, which then made me not have much sympathy for the main character's problem for most of the book. I did enjoy the story, but not as much as the other books I’ve read by Daniel Hurst.
February 26, 2023
2.5 stars
There are many times when what you suspect may just be true. Our ability to tap into our sixth sense, is scary at times and at others it is infuriating and leads us into territory we don't really want to be in.
Nicola and her husband Ryan, and daughter are anxious to get away so when an invite comes from their wealthy friends, Kim and Lewis and their son, to come to their luxurious cabin they accept. Nicola and Kim have been friends for quite some time, but Nicola suspects something is not quite right with Kim. Add to that the marriage between Nicola and Ryan is on shaky ground so this getaway might be just the answer the need to fix their union.
The get together is not at all as they think it will be as the husbands are seemingly unhappy and not in the holiday mood. It seems like the whole thing is headed for disaster, but little do they suspect what this disaster will spell for the couples.
Nicola learns more of the secret she fears, with one "secret" after another and the surprises come bounding into this story. One gets the feeling that someone will die, but who is that someone is the question?
I have liked Daniel Hurst's stories as they always tell a straight tale with lots of twists and surprising moments. However, this one left me disappointed as it had story holes, lacked Hurst's predictable tension, and just did not fall into the thriller category for me. It's a fast read, one with short chapters that leave the reader with an anticipation of what will come next. However, it just wasn't enough pizazz to make this as exciting as some of his other stories have been.
I didn't think this was Hurst's best effort, but certainly one that was easy to read and see where trouble was quickly brewing.
Jan and I read this one, both disappointed as we easily pointed out the plot holes and questionable outcomes. We are becoming excellent detectives!
Thank you to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out March 1, 2023.
There are many times when what you suspect may just be true. Our ability to tap into our sixth sense, is scary at times and at others it is infuriating and leads us into territory we don't really want to be in.
Nicola and her husband Ryan, and daughter are anxious to get away so when an invite comes from their wealthy friends, Kim and Lewis and their son, to come to their luxurious cabin they accept. Nicola and Kim have been friends for quite some time, but Nicola suspects something is not quite right with Kim. Add to that the marriage between Nicola and Ryan is on shaky ground so this getaway might be just the answer the need to fix their union.
The get together is not at all as they think it will be as the husbands are seemingly unhappy and not in the holiday mood. It seems like the whole thing is headed for disaster, but little do they suspect what this disaster will spell for the couples.
Nicola learns more of the secret she fears, with one "secret" after another and the surprises come bounding into this story. One gets the feeling that someone will die, but who is that someone is the question?
I have liked Daniel Hurst's stories as they always tell a straight tale with lots of twists and surprising moments. However, this one left me disappointed as it had story holes, lacked Hurst's predictable tension, and just did not fall into the thriller category for me. It's a fast read, one with short chapters that leave the reader with an anticipation of what will come next. However, it just wasn't enough pizazz to make this as exciting as some of his other stories have been.
I didn't think this was Hurst's best effort, but certainly one that was easy to read and see where trouble was quickly brewing.
Jan and I read this one, both disappointed as we easily pointed out the plot holes and questionable outcomes. We are becoming excellent detectives!
Thank you to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out March 1, 2023.
March 1, 2023
I have been searching for books set in wooded areas, and when I saw Holiday Home, it fit my theme. I received both a digit and an audiobook through NG. While I read and listened to it, I enjoyed listening to it more.
What is going on between the covers
Nicola and her family are invited by her best friend Kim and her husband Lewis to their lakeside cabin for the weekend. She overhears something that has turned her world upside down and wants answers from her best friend and husband. Secrets start to come out as the danger increases.
My two cents
The secluded luxury cabin in Scotland attracted me to read this one, and I enjoyed the isolated feeling of danger in the story.
The story is told through multiple POVs, with Nicola as the primary narrator. I enjoyed listening to Zoe Mills' voice as she narrated Nicola's POV, but I didn't enjoy being in her head. She rambles on about her worries and that becomes annoying quite quickly. I had this nagging feeling I couldn't shake that this was a male author writing a woman's POV, and she sounded weak and whiny.
The pace is fast with short chapters ending with foreshadowing adding some suspense to the story however it also felt repetitive.
Overall: The Holiday Home is a fast-paced entertaining story with some flaws that doesn't require much attention making it an easy one to listen to.
What is going on between the covers
Nicola and her family are invited by her best friend Kim and her husband Lewis to their lakeside cabin for the weekend. She overhears something that has turned her world upside down and wants answers from her best friend and husband. Secrets start to come out as the danger increases.
My two cents
The secluded luxury cabin in Scotland attracted me to read this one, and I enjoyed the isolated feeling of danger in the story.
The story is told through multiple POVs, with Nicola as the primary narrator. I enjoyed listening to Zoe Mills' voice as she narrated Nicola's POV, but I didn't enjoy being in her head. She rambles on about her worries and that becomes annoying quite quickly. I had this nagging feeling I couldn't shake that this was a male author writing a woman's POV, and she sounded weak and whiny.
The pace is fast with short chapters ending with foreshadowing adding some suspense to the story however it also felt repetitive.
Overall: The Holiday Home is a fast-paced entertaining story with some flaws that doesn't require much attention making it an easy one to listen to.
March 5, 2023
Pure Daniel Hurst and I loved it as always
However I would say that the plot/story seemed similar in some ways to one of his other books ( maybe because they were both set in lodges ),I guessed the crux of the story and that was down to one line fairly early on in the book that gave it away ( easily imo ) these 2 things did not however spoil this book at all but are just my thoughts on them
The pace is great,the tension and build up superb and as a storyteller the author is very hard to beat at hooking you and keeping you there,it gives you an urgency to carry on reading,he is also the master at making characters quick to know,without much preamble you are there with them and feel like you have known them ages
A guaranteed ‘got to keep reading’ and exciting read
Look forward to the next from this prolific author
However I would say that the plot/story seemed similar in some ways to one of his other books ( maybe because they were both set in lodges ),I guessed the crux of the story and that was down to one line fairly early on in the book that gave it away ( easily imo ) these 2 things did not however spoil this book at all but are just my thoughts on them
The pace is great,the tension and build up superb and as a storyteller the author is very hard to beat at hooking you and keeping you there,it gives you an urgency to carry on reading,he is also the master at making characters quick to know,without much preamble you are there with them and feel like you have known them ages
A guaranteed ‘got to keep reading’ and exciting read
Look forward to the next from this prolific author
February 19, 2023
There's no place like home,
There's no place like home,
There's no place like home.....
And there is also "no place like a holiday home"!
When Nicola's best friend Kim invites Nicola's family to Kim's family's luxury "holiday home" in rural Scotland, it's an offer that sounds too good to be true.
Too good to be true?
NO WAY!
Because not everyone who vacations in Kim's family's holiday home will be leaving the holiday home alive.
Told from multiple POVs, family secrets are revealed and tempers flare.
Author Daniel Hurst keeps readers guessing:
Who is the murderer? How many dead bodies?
Daniel Hurst is a gifted storyteller and I am a HUGE fan.
Some of Daniel Hurst's books are much better than others and, unfortunately, "The Holiday Home" is not one of Daniel Hurst's best books.
To the author's credit, the book was an entertaining and well-written popcorn thriller.
Many of the book's twists, however, were predictable (no gasps!), and that was disappointing.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook and both narrators did a superb job with the narration.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There's no place like home,
There's no place like home.....
And there is also "no place like a holiday home"!
When Nicola's best friend Kim invites Nicola's family to Kim's family's luxury "holiday home" in rural Scotland, it's an offer that sounds too good to be true.
Too good to be true?
NO WAY!
Because not everyone who vacations in Kim's family's holiday home will be leaving the holiday home alive.
Told from multiple POVs, family secrets are revealed and tempers flare.
Author Daniel Hurst keeps readers guessing:
Who is the murderer? How many dead bodies?
Daniel Hurst is a gifted storyteller and I am a HUGE fan.
Some of Daniel Hurst's books are much better than others and, unfortunately, "The Holiday Home" is not one of Daniel Hurst's best books.
To the author's credit, the book was an entertaining and well-written popcorn thriller.
Many of the book's twists, however, were predictable (no gasps!), and that was disappointing.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook and both narrators did a superb job with the narration.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2023
Note to self: if someone offers you a free holiday, know that it’ll cost you … in more ways than one!
When Nicola’s best friend, Kim, and her husband, Lewis, invite them to their luxury log cabin on the outskirts of Glencoe in rural western Scotland, it’s an offer Nicola and Ryan can’t turn down. A free holiday, even with Kim, Lewis and Cole, their 15-year-old son, is nothing to scoff at…especially when finances are tight and they can’t go on vacation with their 11-year-old daughter, Emily. What starts out as a godsend, a perfect holiday, suddenly becomes a nightmare and before they leave, one of them will be dead.
Daniel Hurst is an auto-read author for me because I know I’ll be presented with a fast-paced psychological thriller that is, not only well-written but is guaranteed to get my pulse elevated!
The atmosphere in this one is fantastic - right from the ominous thunder when the six of them arrive at the secluded cabin. The tension ramps up with overheard whispers, secretive texts, and the discovery of things hidden in a closet. Soon the gap between the two couples widens and Cole finds himself in the middle. Who does he side with?
“How can I be honest when I’m surrounded by liars?”
Hurst’s exploration of getting something for nothing and the danger of secrets is fabulous. He’ll have you realizing that a holiday is not always the answer to life’s problems…if anything, a holiday can often serve to be the start of them! Just ask Kim and Nicola.
This 5-star suspense about how the truth always comes out needs to be on your reading list.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
When Nicola’s best friend, Kim, and her husband, Lewis, invite them to their luxury log cabin on the outskirts of Glencoe in rural western Scotland, it’s an offer Nicola and Ryan can’t turn down. A free holiday, even with Kim, Lewis and Cole, their 15-year-old son, is nothing to scoff at…especially when finances are tight and they can’t go on vacation with their 11-year-old daughter, Emily. What starts out as a godsend, a perfect holiday, suddenly becomes a nightmare and before they leave, one of them will be dead.
Daniel Hurst is an auto-read author for me because I know I’ll be presented with a fast-paced psychological thriller that is, not only well-written but is guaranteed to get my pulse elevated!
The atmosphere in this one is fantastic - right from the ominous thunder when the six of them arrive at the secluded cabin. The tension ramps up with overheard whispers, secretive texts, and the discovery of things hidden in a closet. Soon the gap between the two couples widens and Cole finds himself in the middle. Who does he side with?
“How can I be honest when I’m surrounded by liars?”
Hurst’s exploration of getting something for nothing and the danger of secrets is fabulous. He’ll have you realizing that a holiday is not always the answer to life’s problems…if anything, a holiday can often serve to be the start of them! Just ask Kim and Nicola.
This 5-star suspense about how the truth always comes out needs to be on your reading list.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 11, 2023
Would you rather own an upscale secluded holiday home or a small cabin by a beautiful lake? Do you enjoy being in a hot tub?
The Holiday Home
by Daniel Hurst
Pub Date 01 Mar 2023
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
With a secluded house and mysterious characters, The Holiday Home is an edge of your seat adventure. Chapter by chapter, Hurst unravels this book to a shocking conclusion full of red herrings and plot twists.
Daniel Hurst is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors. Every time he releases a book, I read it and am never disappointed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this thrilling arc with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
Rating: 4.25/5
#TheHolidayHome #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
The Holiday Home
by Daniel Hurst
Pub Date 01 Mar 2023
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
With a secluded house and mysterious characters, The Holiday Home is an edge of your seat adventure. Chapter by chapter, Hurst unravels this book to a shocking conclusion full of red herrings and plot twists.
Daniel Hurst is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors. Every time he releases a book, I read it and am never disappointed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this thrilling arc with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
Rating: 4.25/5
#TheHolidayHome #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
May 16, 2023
One word, five letters, LIARS!” Actions have consequences, and this fact is tragically demonstrated as the twisted truth is revealed. Secrets prove to be deadly during this dream holiday turned nightmare. Six friends embark on an idyllic getaway, but not all will make it out alive. Lies, deception, and betrayal are a lethal combination. In this case, ignorance is undoubtedly bliss. Daniel Hurst doesn’t disappoint. The narration added a layer of intrigue and intensity. The different characters were perfectly brought to life creating a sense of foreboding and mystery. Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this entertaining, fast-paced, and addictive thriller. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 21, 2023
I loved the setting for this book. For me, it started out strong and held my interest, but the ending was a bit quick and unfinished feeling. Overall, a definitely worthwhile and enjoyable read.
February 22, 2023
I sit sipping champagne in the warm water, bubbles frothing me as I admire the breath-taking view of gorgeous blue skies and mountains. I can't believe I'm here, at this stunning holiday home. It's to die for. My best friend and her husband have invited me and my family to their lakeside property for the weekend to experience their luxury lifestyle. I'm not envious of their wealth, although I know my husband Ryan is. All I want is to escape from our recent troubles and get my marriage back on track.
The story is told from multiple points of view. There were lots of secrets and lies hidden. Friendships are pushed to the edge of their limits. There is a cast of strong characters. Having just relaxed in her friend Kim's luxury holiday home, Nicola is left reeling from a revelation. Everything she thought she knew changes. This is a fast-paced-thriller. I could not read this book fast enough.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #DanielHurst for my ARC of #TheHolidayHome in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from multiple points of view. There were lots of secrets and lies hidden. Friendships are pushed to the edge of their limits. There is a cast of strong characters. Having just relaxed in her friend Kim's luxury holiday home, Nicola is left reeling from a revelation. Everything she thought she knew changes. This is a fast-paced-thriller. I could not read this book fast enough.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #DanielHurst for my ARC of #TheHolidayHome in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2023
A very suspenseful slow-burn domestic drama by Daniel Hurst! His writing just gets better and better. He's a new favorite of mine.
Nicola and Kim are longtime best friends. Nicola is our main narrator but we hear from nearly everyone at some point on this sordid holiday. That was a somewhat unique way of writing it that possibly took away from some of the mystery but I did like having the morsel of truth to go on and it kept me turning pages.
Nicola and her husband Ryan and daughter Emily are joining Kim and her husband Lewis and their son Cole at the new holiday cabin of Kim and Lewis. Things start off a bit rocky because Ryan thinks Lewis is pretentious and a show-off. Lewis thinks Ryan is kind of lazy. As you have probably gathered, the husbands aren't besties like the wives are, they're just there for the ladies.
Nicola feels a bit insecure because Kim is richer and more fit than she is but she loves Kim so much that she doesn't let it get to her until she stumbles upon a secret. Instead of confronting it head on, she sits on it until she's sure of what to do.
When you only have lies and partial truths to lead you, the narrative is going to spin out of control and by the time this holiday ends, someone will be dead.
This was compulsively readable, I HAD to know what happened and would sneak back to the book any time I had a chance. There were times it moved a little slow for me but it did build suspense. This will make the perfect spring break read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
Nicola and Kim are longtime best friends. Nicola is our main narrator but we hear from nearly everyone at some point on this sordid holiday. That was a somewhat unique way of writing it that possibly took away from some of the mystery but I did like having the morsel of truth to go on and it kept me turning pages.
Nicola and her husband Ryan and daughter Emily are joining Kim and her husband Lewis and their son Cole at the new holiday cabin of Kim and Lewis. Things start off a bit rocky because Ryan thinks Lewis is pretentious and a show-off. Lewis thinks Ryan is kind of lazy. As you have probably gathered, the husbands aren't besties like the wives are, they're just there for the ladies.
Nicola feels a bit insecure because Kim is richer and more fit than she is but she loves Kim so much that she doesn't let it get to her until she stumbles upon a secret. Instead of confronting it head on, she sits on it until she's sure of what to do.
When you only have lies and partial truths to lead you, the narrative is going to spin out of control and by the time this holiday ends, someone will be dead.
This was compulsively readable, I HAD to know what happened and would sneak back to the book any time I had a chance. There were times it moved a little slow for me but it did build suspense. This will make the perfect spring break read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
January 26, 2023
Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and Daniel Hurst for letting me read “The Holiday Home” in exchange for an honest review.
Ever since discovering Daniel Hurst on NetGalley, I request whatever the man writes. And he writes a lot. I know what to expect from him. So it was a no brainer for me to request his new novel.
Nicola and Ryan love a modest life. They get along and are content with what they have. Nicolas best friend Kim has “done better” for herself, being successful herself and married to business man Lewis. So the couples and their kids travel to Scotland with their kids in tow. The plan is to stay at a Luxusartikel log cabin owned by Kin and Lewis.
There already is tension between the men. Secrets are exposed and families are destroyed.
I don’t want to say have I am disappointed but I felt like this was something I have read before. Some of the twist were very easy to figure out and I wonder if that was on purpose? It got a bit better towards the end though.
I also found Nichola very naive and flat. It was not that easy to follow her inner musings.
But I do like Daniels style of writing. He sets things up properly and reasonably.
This was not my favourite book of his, he has done better. Don’t get me wrong, this is by no means a bad read, just not something to write home about. It saddens me, to be honest. I came to expect more. I love to read his newsletters and the way he integrates his fans. I wish him nothing but success and good things. This was just not the book for me.
Ever since discovering Daniel Hurst on NetGalley, I request whatever the man writes. And he writes a lot. I know what to expect from him. So it was a no brainer for me to request his new novel.
Nicola and Ryan love a modest life. They get along and are content with what they have. Nicolas best friend Kim has “done better” for herself, being successful herself and married to business man Lewis. So the couples and their kids travel to Scotland with their kids in tow. The plan is to stay at a Luxusartikel log cabin owned by Kin and Lewis.
There already is tension between the men. Secrets are exposed and families are destroyed.
I don’t want to say have I am disappointed but I felt like this was something I have read before. Some of the twist were very easy to figure out and I wonder if that was on purpose? It got a bit better towards the end though.
I also found Nichola very naive and flat. It was not that easy to follow her inner musings.
But I do like Daniels style of writing. He sets things up properly and reasonably.
This was not my favourite book of his, he has done better. Don’t get me wrong, this is by no means a bad read, just not something to write home about. It saddens me, to be honest. I came to expect more. I love to read his newsletters and the way he integrates his fans. I wish him nothing but success and good things. This was just not the book for me.
March 4, 2023
3,5 stars.
March 4, 2023
Wait! What? If anyone would like to discuss the ending please let me know!
February 13, 2023
3.25 Stars
Two best friends and their families are staying at a holiday home for the weekend. What was supposed to be a fun and relaxing weekend, ended up being the worst of their lives.
I finished this novel a few days ago while flying to a wedding. Since I was busy the entire weekend, I couldn't review it right away. Now that it has been a few days, I can honestly say this novel didn't stand out. It was maybe slightly better than his other novel The Doctor’s Wife because there were a few more thrills. But the characters were dull. The multiple POVs were unnecessary. The author should have stuck with one or two (Nicola and Ryan).
Overall, it didn't bring anything new to the table. I would only recommend this to those who are already fans of this author or new to the genre.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Daniel Hurst, and Bookouture for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
Two best friends and their families are staying at a holiday home for the weekend. What was supposed to be a fun and relaxing weekend, ended up being the worst of their lives.
I finished this novel a few days ago while flying to a wedding. Since I was busy the entire weekend, I couldn't review it right away. Now that it has been a few days, I can honestly say this novel didn't stand out. It was maybe slightly better than his other novel The Doctor’s Wife because there were a few more thrills. But the characters were dull. The multiple POVs were unnecessary. The author should have stuck with one or two (Nicola and Ryan).
Overall, it didn't bring anything new to the table. I would only recommend this to those who are already fans of this author or new to the genre.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Daniel Hurst, and Bookouture for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
February 8, 2023
Daniel Hurst has done it again the ‘The holiday home, a fast-paced thriller.
Nicola and Kim have been long time best friends, when Kim invites Nicola and her husband Ryan and her daughter a weekend away in a remote part of Scotland. Kim’s husband Lewis is doing well for himself and owns his own company. They brought a luxurious cabin for a getaway. At first, Ryan is hesitant as he is not that close with Lewis. As he always boats how much money he has. But for Nicola’s sake he agrees.
So when they arrive, they all head for the hot tub and everyone seems to be having a good time. But when Nicola takes he daughter Emily out of the hot tub she hears something between Ryan and Kim that changes her life forever.
Thank again Bookoutre, for a copy of The holiday home. Told in several points of view this is a exciting, tense thriller. I liked the short chapters as it kept me guessing what was going to happen next and throughout. 5 stars from me.
Nicola and Kim have been long time best friends, when Kim invites Nicola and her husband Ryan and her daughter a weekend away in a remote part of Scotland. Kim’s husband Lewis is doing well for himself and owns his own company. They brought a luxurious cabin for a getaway. At first, Ryan is hesitant as he is not that close with Lewis. As he always boats how much money he has. But for Nicola’s sake he agrees.
So when they arrive, they all head for the hot tub and everyone seems to be having a good time. But when Nicola takes he daughter Emily out of the hot tub she hears something between Ryan and Kim that changes her life forever.
Thank again Bookoutre, for a copy of The holiday home. Told in several points of view this is a exciting, tense thriller. I liked the short chapters as it kept me guessing what was going to happen next and throughout. 5 stars from me.
February 25, 2023
Two couples, Kim and Lewis and Nicola and Ryan, as well as their children, take a vacation together in a holiday house in Scotland. Six people leave together, but only five will be headed home. What possibly could have happened between the couples that would lead to a tragic loss of life?
In this book by Daniel Hurst, my first actually, I listened to it as an audiobook narrated by two fabulous voice actors, Zoë Mills and Richard Burnip. These narrators made this intriguing story truly compelling. With a story based on secrets and lies, the excellent narration made for an easy read.
With excellent pacing, the intensity in this story never once let up. As the characters all had drama in their lives, the longtime friendship between Kim and Nicola seemed inevitable that it would come to a sad ending. One thing that kept me listening straight through were the multiple viewpoints, thus leaving me as the reader more than curious to see how things would turn out.
This exciting story reminded me of a locked room thriller as the setting was in the Scottish mountains, with the characters being secluded while navigating what was happening between them. With drama until the very end, The Holiday Home was a fabulous read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
In this book by Daniel Hurst, my first actually, I listened to it as an audiobook narrated by two fabulous voice actors, Zoë Mills and Richard Burnip. These narrators made this intriguing story truly compelling. With a story based on secrets and lies, the excellent narration made for an easy read.
With excellent pacing, the intensity in this story never once let up. As the characters all had drama in their lives, the longtime friendship between Kim and Nicola seemed inevitable that it would come to a sad ending. One thing that kept me listening straight through were the multiple viewpoints, thus leaving me as the reader more than curious to see how things would turn out.
This exciting story reminded me of a locked room thriller as the setting was in the Scottish mountains, with the characters being secluded while navigating what was happening between them. With drama until the very end, The Holiday Home was a fabulous read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
December 22, 2023
I have a complicated relationship with thrillers. It's a genre I enjoy, but I also am almost always let down because the plots are obvious, rely too heavily on a last minute "gotcha!", or just feel kind of lame. I expected The Holiday Home to be at least an easy book to escape into, and I guess that was largely true since I listened to it all in a day, but I also found it laughable and frustrating.
The basic plot: two couples and their kids go on a long holiday weekend to a vacation home in Scotland. Drama ensues. Within about 10 minutes of there being something mysterious introduced, I figured out that mystery, but since it was revealed at the 30% mark, I decided this wasn't too bad. However, there were so many weird plot problems in this book that I wonder how it's apparently ready to be published.
First, Emily, the 11-year-old daughter of Nicola and Ryan, is written sometimes like she is, in fact, 11, and sometimes like she's 3. When she unexpectedly gets her first period, she's clueless as to what's happening and her mother quietly tells us that she should've had this conversation with Emily earlier. Of course she should have! This is more a personal pet peeve, though, so I'll let it slide. The other ridiculous scene with Emily happens when the tension is building and she goes off to occupy herself in the house, only to return holding a gun and asks, "Mommy, what's this?" I'm willing to acknowledge that gun control is very different in the UK than it is here in the US, but an ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD just... having no idea what a gun is? So she's never consumed any media in her life? Bonkers.
Then when a shooting does happen, the accomplices immediately move into deciding they'll pass it off as a suicide, despite the man having been shot in the chest. When one of them finally brings up that this is of concern, they immediately decide people can shoot themselves in the chest so it's fine. But is it? Really? No one thinks about how distance or angle or any of that plays a role and that these things could be easily investigated or uncovered? These people are idiots.
At a writing level, there were many inconsistencies as well, or at least just annoying things: the very unnecessary mic-drop foreshadowing that felt like filler at the end of chapters, the dumb little end game twist in the epilogue that didn't matter, and the weird emphasis on who is or is not being referred to as "Dad," the inconsistent time frames. Messy!!! Not a fan.
The basic plot: two couples and their kids go on a long holiday weekend to a vacation home in Scotland. Drama ensues. Within about 10 minutes of there being something mysterious introduced, I figured out that mystery, but since it was revealed at the 30% mark, I decided this wasn't too bad. However, there were so many weird plot problems in this book that I wonder how it's apparently ready to be published.
First, Emily, the 11-year-old daughter of Nicola and Ryan, is written sometimes like she is, in fact, 11, and sometimes like she's 3. When she unexpectedly gets her first period, she's clueless as to what's happening and her mother quietly tells us that she should've had this conversation with Emily earlier. Of course she should have! This is more a personal pet peeve, though, so I'll let it slide. The other ridiculous scene with Emily happens when the tension is building and she goes off to occupy herself in the house, only to return holding a gun and asks, "Mommy, what's this?" I'm willing to acknowledge that gun control is very different in the UK than it is here in the US, but an ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD just... having no idea what a gun is? So she's never consumed any media in her life? Bonkers.
Then when a shooting does happen, the accomplices immediately move into deciding they'll pass it off as a suicide, despite the man having been shot in the chest. When one of them finally brings up that this is of concern, they immediately decide people can shoot themselves in the chest so it's fine. But is it? Really? No one thinks about how distance or angle or any of that plays a role and that these things could be easily investigated or uncovered? These people are idiots.
At a writing level, there were many inconsistencies as well, or at least just annoying things: the very unnecessary mic-drop foreshadowing that felt like filler at the end of chapters, the dumb little end game twist in the epilogue that didn't matter, and the weird emphasis on who is or is not being referred to as "Dad," the inconsistent time frames. Messy!!! Not a fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2023
Daniel Hurst’s latest book The Holiday Home comes out March 1, 2023. I was lucky enough to get it from NetGalley and the publisher as an early release in exchange for my honest review. This is only my 2nd book by Daniel and I loved The Accident that came out in 2022. This book introduces us to a family of 3 who are invited to their best friend’s vacation home in Scotland. Things start happening and a twisty thriller is born! I loved the twist at the end and did not see it coming. I will definitely be looking for more of his books in the future. He’s a great author!
April 11, 2023
"Shocking secrets have been revealed. Precious hearts have been broken. And now that I've heard that gun shot, it means something even more terrible has happened."
I wanted to love this book. It had so many possibilities but it just didn't reach for them. This could have easily been a novela. It was a very long book for such a simple plot. And it was totally predictable. I'd figured it out by Chapter five or so.
"Not everybody who came to this holiday house will be leaving it alive."
I wanted to love this book. It had so many possibilities but it just didn't reach for them. This could have easily been a novela. It was a very long book for such a simple plot. And it was totally predictable. I'd figured it out by Chapter five or so.
"Not everybody who came to this holiday house will be leaving it alive."
January 28, 2023
Kim and Lewis invite their friends, Nicola, Ryan and their daughter Emily to their holiday cabin in Scotland for a weekend getaway. The trip starts off rough, beginning with Ryan's jealousy of their fancy cabin and all the money Kim and Lewis have. Nicola and Kim have been best friends since school, so they are hoping they can get along for the rest of the weekend. Matters only get worse when Ryan gives Cole, Kim and Lewi's son, an adult beverage. Later that evening, Nicola discovers a message on Ryan's phone from Kim telling Ryan to calm down or they will find out, She becomes suspicious and wonders if they are having an affair. But what she discovers, may be worse.
THE HOLIDAY HOME was another engaging read by Daniel Hurst. I don't know how he comes up with these incredible stories but I am a huge fan and will read all of his books. I had a feeling early on what was happening, but he got me with the final twist at the end of this one. I loved the alternating points of view and the quick pace of this story. You can easily read it in a days time, which is another bonus for me. I definitely recommend THE HOLIDAY HOME if you've enjoyed his other novels or are looking for a great thriller to add to your TBR list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
THE HOLIDAY HOME was another engaging read by Daniel Hurst. I don't know how he comes up with these incredible stories but I am a huge fan and will read all of his books. I had a feeling early on what was happening, but he got me with the final twist at the end of this one. I loved the alternating points of view and the quick pace of this story. You can easily read it in a days time, which is another bonus for me. I definitely recommend THE HOLIDAY HOME if you've enjoyed his other novels or are looking for a great thriller to add to your TBR list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
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