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shivermepink's review
4.0
I just finished and I devoured in one sitting. The storyline is absolutely fascinating and will have you second guessing about booking at any future AirBnBs.
henrymarlene's review
4.0
“If you want the truth of the matter, it’s already out there”.
It’s not often you come across a book that is menacing and could seem true to life. When you think about the ways in which social media and cameras infiltrate our almost every move, “The Last Guests” could seem plausible. J.P.Pomare has done it again with introducing us to Lina and Cain. Lina is a paramedic and we meet her via a one night stand with Daniel, whom she meets on a dating app. We also get a glimpse into a strange set up, unbeknownst to Lina. She is married to Cain, a former NZ SAS officer who seems to be struggling with some PTSD and getting back into civilian live. Struggling for cash, and with more than a few issues between them, decide to open Lina’s family home to the public for holiday rentals. Through peepholes we catch glimpses of their lives in the past, and connections and in-between in the present –like a quick, narrow viewpoint. Through a different kind of peephole, we watch the drama unfold through hidden cameras. Lina is hard to warm to and it think this is key in the story and motivation of this book. There are so many secrets attached to Lina, and it builds and builds until everything is sucked into the vortex. She seems to be a fighter, yet at the same time is naïve. Her back story of her mother and grandpa is sprinkled throughout, and this is where more depth could have helped her character along. And really, not one character is without blame. And I think that us what adds to the ‘realism’ of the plot. Plus it was fabulous to read about Tawarera, and New Zealand.
It’s not often you come across a book that is menacing and could seem true to life. When you think about the ways in which social media and cameras infiltrate our almost every move, “The Last Guests” could seem plausible. J.P.Pomare has done it again with introducing us to Lina and Cain. Lina is a paramedic and we meet her via a one night stand with Daniel, whom she meets on a dating app. We also get a glimpse into a strange set up, unbeknownst to Lina. She is married to Cain, a former NZ SAS officer who seems to be struggling with some PTSD and getting back into civilian live. Struggling for cash, and with more than a few issues between them, decide to open Lina’s family home to the public for holiday rentals. Through peepholes we catch glimpses of their lives in the past, and connections and in-between in the present –like a quick, narrow viewpoint. Through a different kind of peephole, we watch the drama unfold through hidden cameras. Lina is hard to warm to and it think this is key in the story and motivation of this book. There are so many secrets attached to Lina, and it builds and builds until everything is sucked into the vortex. She seems to be a fighter, yet at the same time is naïve. Her back story of her mother and grandpa is sprinkled throughout, and this is where more depth could have helped her character along. And really, not one character is without blame. And I think that us what adds to the ‘realism’ of the plot. Plus it was fabulous to read about Tawarera, and New Zealand.
thetashc's review
3.0
When Lina and Cain list their lake house on WeStay, they’re hoping to make a few extra dollars to help pull them out of debt. What they don’t expect is what dark secrets will be pulled out of the closet instead.
I loved reading a story set in New Zealand and the writing was very easy to read. It took a while for me to get into it because I didn’t really like any of the characters or their actions. However, the mystery of the story eventually got me hooked. The story was a little overcomplicated and the ending was a little too quickly wrapped up, but I’ve definitely read worse.
I loved reading a story set in New Zealand and the writing was very easy to read. It took a while for me to get into it because I didn’t really like any of the characters or their actions. However, the mystery of the story eventually got me hooked. The story was a little overcomplicated and the ending was a little too quickly wrapped up, but I’ve definitely read worse.
heatheradoresbooks's review against another edition
3.0
2.75⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ New Zealand
Publication date ~ August 11, 2021
Est page Count ~ 337 (p+ 39 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 44 minutes
Narrator ~ Sarah Mollo-Christensen
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ 2 part story, ex-military, paramedic, voyeurism, infidelity, secrets, lies, references to miscarriage, infertility
*possible spoilers ahead*
Lina & Cain have been struggling financially, so when they learn their friends have been renting their home out and making a pretty penny they decide to do the same.
I like the idea of renting out a home that you don't use that often to help pay your bills, however I wasn't feeling Cain saying they'll go out to a fancy dinner after the first booking when they have $8k in debt to pay off, dumb.
I had a really hard time getting behind her cheating on her hub in order to get pregnant. And lie after lie after lie, ugh too many. Should you really be married if you can't be honest with each other? I think not. As bad as this will sound I could have went for more of the voyeurism and less on their marital woes and her work side plots. And I thank you for your service and sacrifice sir, but there was too much PTSD talk for me.
Anyway, it was a pretty action packed, fast paced predictable ride, yet still slow moving if that makes sense. Every last character was unlikable. I liked how some chapter endings had comments from the voyeurs. I suppose I enjoyed it for the most part, minus those few niggles, but what the ever loving with that ending?
The hub listened to this one too, so get ready for his in depth review:
Bored in the beginning, but enjoyed it overall.
Narration notes:
Took me a hot minute to get used to her accent, but I didn't hate her male voices. She did a great job. Properly frantic when necessary.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ New Zealand
Publication date ~ August 11, 2021
Est page Count ~ 337 (p+ 39 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 44 minutes
Narrator ~ Sarah Mollo-Christensen
POV ~ single 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ 2 part story, ex-military, paramedic, voyeurism, infidelity, secrets, lies, references to miscarriage, infertility
*possible spoilers ahead*
Lina & Cain have been struggling financially, so when they learn their friends have been renting their home out and making a pretty penny they decide to do the same.
I like the idea of renting out a home that you don't use that often to help pay your bills, however I wasn't feeling Cain saying they'll go out to a fancy dinner after the first booking when they have $8k in debt to pay off, dumb.
I had a really hard time getting behind her cheating on her hub in order to get pregnant. And lie after lie after lie, ugh too many. Should you really be married if you can't be honest with each other? I think not. As bad as this will sound I could have went for more of the voyeurism and less on their marital woes and her work side plots. And I thank you for your service and sacrifice sir, but there was too much PTSD talk for me.
Anyway, it was a pretty action packed, fast paced predictable ride, yet still slow moving if that makes sense. Every last character was unlikable. I liked how some chapter endings had comments from the voyeurs. I suppose I enjoyed it for the most part, minus those few niggles, but what the ever loving with that ending?
The hub listened to this one too, so get ready for his in depth review:
Bored in the beginning, but enjoyed it overall.
Narration notes:
Took me a hot minute to get used to her accent, but I didn't hate her male voices. She did a great job. Properly frantic when necessary.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
tylajade_'s review
4.0
Not many books can make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but how realistic the situations are that unfold and how easily they could actually happen and probably do happen had my heart racing. From a cheating scandal, to stalkers, hidden cameras in “WeStays” (airbnbs), dark web creeps, so many secrets and a suspenseful investigation, this book had my heart racing.
My opinion of this book wasn’t very positive to begin with, I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary, dragged on dialogue at the start. I also understand the author wanted to stay authentic to New Zealand as it is where the book takes place but in doing so I feel like unless you’re a New Zealander yourself or knowledgeable about the country a lot of words and phases used wouldn’t be understood properly. My only other issue was in part two ‘the aftermath’ I felt alot of repetitiveness with the emotions of the main character Lina constantly; repeating about how guilty she felt.. like we get it!
Now to the good stuff, I’m so glad I pushed through the slow start and kept reading because oh my god! The way this book made me feel was insane, my heart skipped a beat or two! J.P Pomare is a genius when it comes to writing a suspenseful thrilling novel. The storyline is amazing, I love how creeped out It made me feel, it was dark and twisted. There were so many secrets and every time one of them was nearly about to surface my stomach would drop!
I recommend this book to someone who wants a crazy creepy fast paced (for most of it) book! if you can get over the anticipation of wanting things to hurry up and get a move on at the start then you’re in for a wild ride.
My opinion of this book wasn’t very positive to begin with, I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary, dragged on dialogue at the start. I also understand the author wanted to stay authentic to New Zealand as it is where the book takes place but in doing so I feel like unless you’re a New Zealander yourself or knowledgeable about the country a lot of words and phases used wouldn’t be understood properly. My only other issue was in part two ‘the aftermath’ I felt alot of repetitiveness with the emotions of the main character Lina constantly; repeating about how guilty she felt.. like we get it!
Now to the good stuff, I’m so glad I pushed through the slow start and kept reading because oh my god! The way this book made me feel was insane, my heart skipped a beat or two! J.P Pomare is a genius when it comes to writing a suspenseful thrilling novel. The storyline is amazing, I love how creeped out It made me feel, it was dark and twisted. There were so many secrets and every time one of them was nearly about to surface my stomach would drop!
I recommend this book to someone who wants a crazy creepy fast paced (for most of it) book! if you can get over the anticipation of wanting things to hurry up and get a move on at the start then you’re in for a wild ride.
jmunji's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
fasmina's review
2.0
Unpopular opinion. I didn’t enjoy this book.
Having a promising premise of voyeurs watching livestream of holiday homes, through hidden secret cameras is a book I’d enjoy. But I didn’t. Mainly because the narrator/protagonist Lina is the world’s most underdeveloped character with the worst decision making skills.
The narration was good with regard to voyeurs. It was creepy and makes you wonder whether you’d go on holidays ever again. I was scared to read this while home alone. Or even in the night. The action-packed middle part of the book was interesting. But the rest was meh for me.
Lina and her love for the lake property wasn’t love, to me it felt like obsession. Her feelings towards the property was repeatedly registered but I never felt sad or empathetic towards her. She makes the world’s worst choices and I really do wonder whether the author proof read the book with a woman. Because, some things are really really unlikely.
The big reveal was made halfway through the book but I think the author just extended the book to re-reveal it again. By that time, it was proofing only one point: Lina is not the brightest person on earth.
There are some characters like Scotty who did not provide anything to the story, or acted as suspects even. Some loose ends were never tied, including how detectives were so old-fashioned (writing their phone number in a piece of paper???) and not detecting a SIM card when it was sending messages again? And Cain, a macho guy who thinks men should be men just forgave a cheating wife?
On top of everything, I wish and hope that nobody on earth justifies cheating on your partner the way this book did.
This wasn’t for me. Unfortunately.
Having a promising premise of voyeurs watching livestream of holiday homes, through hidden secret cameras is a book I’d enjoy. But I didn’t. Mainly because the narrator/protagonist Lina is the world’s most underdeveloped character with the worst decision making skills.
The narration was good with regard to voyeurs. It was creepy and makes you wonder whether you’d go on holidays ever again. I was scared to read this while home alone. Or even in the night. The action-packed middle part of the book was interesting. But the rest was meh for me.
Lina and her love for the lake property wasn’t love, to me it felt like obsession. Her feelings towards the property was repeatedly registered but I never felt sad or empathetic towards her. She makes the world’s worst choices and I really do wonder whether the author proof read the book with a woman. Because, some things are really really unlikely.
The big reveal was made halfway through the book but I think the author just extended the book to re-reveal it again. By that time, it was proofing only one point: Lina is not the brightest person on earth.
There are some characters like Scotty who did not provide anything to the story, or acted as suspects even. Some loose ends were never tied, including how detectives were so old-fashioned (writing their phone number in a piece of paper???) and not detecting a SIM card when it was sending messages again? And Cain, a macho guy who thinks men should be men just forgave a cheating wife?
On top of everything, I wish and hope that nobody on earth justifies cheating on your partner the way this book did.
This wasn’t for me. Unfortunately.
macocm's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kirstenemelia's review
4.0
This book gave me major anxiety, but that’s because the events that take place in the story could actually happen to anyone. I predicted parts of the ending early on, but that didn’t make the story any less enjoyable. The Last Guests was well-written and kept me in suspense. There were some really creepy elements to it that I haven’t seen in any other thriller, this was a great read.
nixbix_reads's review
5.0
What a fantastically creepy read! This takes any paranoia you may have about staying in an Air BnB & dials it up. There were lots of twists, and Cain & Lina each had secrets they wanted to keep - I struggled to put this down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next!
Thanks to Hachette Australia & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Hachette Australia & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.