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alicias_bookaddiction's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicola thought the trip to her best friends luxury cabin would be a quiet getaway for their families. The trip was the opposite of anything she expected. Nicola begins to suspect her husband and her best friend Kim are having an affair. She begins to question everything she thought she knew about her relationship and friendship.
As she tries to pack up and leave to get away from the lies everything prevents her from leaving. The car’s battery is dead, no cell phone or wifi signal. Then a shot rings out in the forest.
I love thrillers with rich people behaving badly. If you like them as well this book is for you. There are so many twists and turns, secrets that must be kept.
Nicola thought the trip to her best friends luxury cabin would be a quiet getaway for their families. The trip was the opposite of anything she expected. Nicola begins to suspect her husband and her best friend Kim are having an affair. She begins to question everything she thought she knew about her relationship and friendship.
As she tries to pack up and leave to get away from the lies everything prevents her from leaving. The car’s battery is dead, no cell phone or wifi signal. Then a shot rings out in the forest.
I love thrillers with rich people behaving badly. If you like them as well this book is for you. There are so many twists and turns, secrets that must be kept.
serenityofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The Holiday Home by Daniel Hurst is described as “A twist-filled psychological thriller that will keep your heart pounding until the very last page.” Based on this description, I was very excited to start reading plus I have seen amazing reviews for other books from this author. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectation for me…
I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot but the premise is best friends, Nicola & Kim, head away for the weekend with their husbands & kids. Conversations are overheard, secrets are revealed & things will never be the same again.
This was a slow burn but did pick up a bit as the story unfolded & did keep me reading until the end. I struggled to connect with any of these characters though and to be honest, couldn’t understand why they were friends in the first place. Their dialogue with each other just didn’t seem real to me especially the 11 year old daughter who seemed like she should of been a lot younger. Even the cover of this book felt like it was wrong – it’s set in the Scottish highlands but the cover looks tropical resort to me. And the final “twist” actually made me groan!
All in all, this book wasn’t for me but I would be keen to read another from this author as I know he has a large audience who love his books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for sending this book for honest review. All opinions are my own.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot but the premise is best friends, Nicola & Kim, head away for the weekend with their husbands & kids. Conversations are overheard, secrets are revealed & things will never be the same again.
This was a slow burn but did pick up a bit as the story unfolded & did keep me reading until the end. I struggled to connect with any of these characters though and to be honest, couldn’t understand why they were friends in the first place. Their dialogue with each other just didn’t seem real to me especially the 11 year old daughter who seemed like she should of been a lot younger. Even the cover of this book felt like it was wrong – it’s set in the Scottish highlands but the cover looks tropical resort to me. And the final “twist” actually made me groan!
All in all, this book wasn’t for me but I would be keen to read another from this author as I know he has a large audience who love his books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for sending this book for honest review. All opinions are my own.
emmavictoria22's review against another edition
5.0
Great book
Another fantastic book by Daniel Hurst as always.
Brilliant read I really enjoyed the story. A really good thriller. Daniel is a fantastic author.
Another fantastic book by Daniel Hurst as always.
Brilliant read I really enjoyed the story. A really good thriller. Daniel is a fantastic author.
charskindle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pewterwolf's review against another edition
3.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads, as part of crime/thriller themed reading month of March 2023
***eProof and Audiobook gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
Two couples go away to a remote cabin in Scotland. The wives have known each other since Sixth Form and the husbands barely get along. But a holiday away will do wonders, right? So when one of the wives overhears something that she shouldn't have, it starts a chain reaction which will end with no all of them coming home alive...
As you know, over the past few weeks, I have binged two other of Daniel's thrillers - [b:The Couple in the Cabin|63059319|The Couple in the Cabin|Daniel Hurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1666433042l/63059319._SY75_.jpg|98933322] & [b:The Doctor’s Wife|66546661|The Doctor’s Wife|Daniel Hurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670966781l/66546661._SY75_.jpg|100173807] - and I hoped that this would be the same. I would fly through this and while they would be insane, soap-opera style twists, I wouldn't be able to put this down.
Alas, that wasn't the case.
Out of the three, this was the weakest. It was the slowest to pick up the pace and reveal the reader what was going on and why (whereas with The Doctor's Wife and The Couple in the Cabin, we knew what caused the stories to spiral out of control and the pace to pick up almost immediately).
All the characters seem to make really dumb decisions and choices with no real logic or understanding why (with the previous two books, even when the characters were making outrageous decisions, you understood their logic over why they were behaving the way they were) and some of the writing decisions were odd. A good example is we have a young character who is aged 11 and yet, her behaviour and the way she was spoken to was to a child much younger...
But it was fun and it's a perfect thriller to read by the pool on holiday. But, if I had to recommend a Daniel Hurst book to start with, it wouldn't be The Holiday Home.
***eProof and Audiobook gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
Two couples go away to a remote cabin in Scotland. The wives have known each other since Sixth Form and the husbands barely get along. But a holiday away will do wonders, right? So when one of the wives overhears something that she shouldn't have, it starts a chain reaction which will end with no all of them coming home alive...
As you know, over the past few weeks, I have binged two other of Daniel's thrillers - [b:The Couple in the Cabin|63059319|The Couple in the Cabin|Daniel Hurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1666433042l/63059319._SY75_.jpg|98933322] & [b:The Doctor’s Wife|66546661|The Doctor’s Wife|Daniel Hurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670966781l/66546661._SY75_.jpg|100173807] - and I hoped that this would be the same. I would fly through this and while they would be insane, soap-opera style twists, I wouldn't be able to put this down.
Alas, that wasn't the case.
Out of the three, this was the weakest. It was the slowest to pick up the pace and reveal the reader what was going on and why (whereas with The Doctor's Wife and The Couple in the Cabin, we knew what caused the stories to spiral out of control and the pace to pick up almost immediately).
All the characters seem to make really dumb decisions and choices with no real logic or understanding why (with the previous two books, even when the characters were making outrageous decisions, you understood their logic over why they were behaving the way they were) and some of the writing decisions were odd. A good example is we have a young character who is aged 11 and yet, her behaviour and the way she was spoken to was to a child much younger...
But it was fun and it's a perfect thriller to read by the pool on holiday. But, if I had to recommend a Daniel Hurst book to start with, it wouldn't be The Holiday Home.
chillsdon's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
judithdcollins's review against another edition
3.0
Daniel Hurst returns following The Doctors Wife with his latest domestic suspense/family drama, THE HOLIDAY HOME —two marriages of lies, dark secrets, deception, and betrayal unravel during a holiday getaway that turns into murder.
A long weekend in a luxury log cabin in the Scottish Highlands sounds like a dream come true. Intended to be a fun and relaxing holiday getaway sipping champagne in a hot tub, a cracking fire, good food, and wine, all surrounded by the secluded mountains at a luxury getaway with friends, is anything but.
Meet Kim and Lewis, the owners of this luxurious vacation second home. Also going along is their fifteen-year-old son, Cole. What teen wants to hang out with their parents?
Nicola and Kim are best friends, and she has invited Nicola and hubby Ryan along for a long weekend.
Even though Kim and Nicola are friends, Ryan and Lewis are not. Ryan & Nicola do not have this kind of money and cannot afford a vacation like this, so Nicola is just thrilled to be going along with her hubby and 11-year-old daughter, Emily.
Ryan resents Lewis' money. Nicola also is jealous and resents all the money things can buy, and how Kim flirts and showcases her body.
The weekend is a disaster waiting to happen. Unfortunately, there will be someone not leaving the holiday home alive.
Told from multiple POVs:
NICOLA
KIM
RYAN
LEWIS
COLE
Infidelity, betrayal, cheaters, lies, jealousy, and secrets are exposed. Tempers explode. There are also financial troubles. An overheard conversation in the hot tub, a text, a teen boy, and secrets turn into an explosive showdown. Loads of DRAMA!
Who will protect whom, who will lie, who is the murderer, and who will DIE?
Of course, there is a dead battery, an eerie Forest, lousy weather, no cell service, and more to make this setting claustrophobic. But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare.
Another BIG secret is kept under wraps that the author pulls out at the end, bumping the rating to 3.5 Stars. Who is the LIAR that gets away?
I have read many Daniel Hurst books and love his style and am a fan, but this was my least favorite. Being a successful writer cranking out numerous books yearly, each cannot be a 5-star winner.
I listened to the audiobook performed by Zoe Mills and Richard Burnip and read the e-book, as well. The narration was OK, but not my favorite. A little dull.
I was not wowed, blown away, or cared for any of the characters in the novel, and not invested in them. The dark humor was missing. It was more of a family drama and domestic suspense and would not qualify as a psychological thriller.
You really could care less which character was murdered. I did like the teen son, which was a victim of circumstance. Key elements to keep the tension, suspense, and plot moving were missing. However, the last unexpected twist (his signature) was wicked and wrapped up nicely.
If you are new to Hurst, I recommend starting with The Couple in the Cabin, which was one of my favorites by Daniel. I am still a big fan and look forward to his next book. I also enjoy his newsletters interacting with readers.
Thanks to Bookouture for a gifted ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 1, 2023
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
A long weekend in a luxury log cabin in the Scottish Highlands sounds like a dream come true. Intended to be a fun and relaxing holiday getaway sipping champagne in a hot tub, a cracking fire, good food, and wine, all surrounded by the secluded mountains at a luxury getaway with friends, is anything but.
Meet Kim and Lewis, the owners of this luxurious vacation second home. Also going along is their fifteen-year-old son, Cole. What teen wants to hang out with their parents?
Nicola and Kim are best friends, and she has invited Nicola and hubby Ryan along for a long weekend.
Even though Kim and Nicola are friends, Ryan and Lewis are not. Ryan & Nicola do not have this kind of money and cannot afford a vacation like this, so Nicola is just thrilled to be going along with her hubby and 11-year-old daughter, Emily.
Ryan resents Lewis' money. Nicola also is jealous and resents all the money things can buy, and how Kim flirts and showcases her body.
The weekend is a disaster waiting to happen. Unfortunately, there will be someone not leaving the holiday home alive.
Told from multiple POVs:
NICOLA
KIM
RYAN
LEWIS
COLE
Infidelity, betrayal, cheaters, lies, jealousy, and secrets are exposed. Tempers explode. There are also financial troubles. An overheard conversation in the hot tub, a text, a teen boy, and secrets turn into an explosive showdown. Loads of DRAMA!
Who will protect whom, who will lie, who is the murderer, and who will DIE?
Of course, there is a dead battery, an eerie Forest, lousy weather, no cell service, and more to make this setting claustrophobic. But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare.
Another BIG secret is kept under wraps that the author pulls out at the end, bumping the rating to 3.5 Stars. Who is the LIAR that gets away?
I have read many Daniel Hurst books and love his style and am a fan, but this was my least favorite. Being a successful writer cranking out numerous books yearly, each cannot be a 5-star winner.
I listened to the audiobook performed by Zoe Mills and Richard Burnip and read the e-book, as well. The narration was OK, but not my favorite. A little dull.
I was not wowed, blown away, or cared for any of the characters in the novel, and not invested in them. The dark humor was missing. It was more of a family drama and domestic suspense and would not qualify as a psychological thriller.
You really could care less which character was murdered. I did like the teen son, which was a victim of circumstance. Key elements to keep the tension, suspense, and plot moving were missing. However, the last unexpected twist (his signature) was wicked and wrapped up nicely.
If you are new to Hurst, I recommend starting with The Couple in the Cabin, which was one of my favorites by Daniel. I am still a big fan and look forward to his next book. I also enjoy his newsletters interacting with readers.
Thanks to Bookouture for a gifted ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 1, 2023
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
vale_8's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.25
kiercarnahan's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I wanted a quick plane read and The Holiday Home on Kindle Unlimited fit the bill. Anything under 300 pages is a great length for something quick! The Holiday Home is about two families that go to a remote cabin together. The couples and each of their children have been close for a very long time, Nicola and Kim are best friends…but once a betrayal is uncovered everything spirals out of control. This book was fine just a little lackluster.