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sucredidymus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I liked the storyline and was altogether pleasantly shocked by the ending. However, the first few chapters of Ava where she is talking in circles was extremely annoying even though I understand why it was written that way. And the first half of the book was really slow. The second half really picked up and drew me into the story, which was great. I enjoyed the book overall but just prefer for it to be gripping / engaging sooner.
The many twists on who is to blame for Abi's disappearance and ultimately her death was so good. I was on the edge of my seat with all of the twists in the last chapters of the book. I wish the entire book had been like that.
steph_jones89's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
zarakoconnor's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty twisty, I expected one of the twists but the way it played out was still shocking and unexpected.
danijeladjordjevic33's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
books_under_blankets's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child death
Moderate: Miscarriage
optimisticbooknerd's review
3.0
3 ⭐
I didn't love this one unfortunately, I found the writing to be very repetitive and slow but at the same time really depressing?
Idk how to process my feelings/thoughts so for now it's 3 stars
I didn't love this one unfortunately, I found the writing to be very repetitive and slow but at the same time really depressing?
Idk how to process my feelings/thoughts so for now it's 3 stars
mariannesreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
isaacrm's review
3.0
I gave this one 3 stars meaning, if you are into suspense and you have nothing better to read, you can give this a shot.
I found this book to be very predictable since the beginning. The fact that there is a limited number of characters and that there is a fixed set of scenes that appear or are mentioned over and over again gives away the mystery.
The biggest problem with this book is that the only ending that makes sense it is exactly what happens. You will see it coming; even-though, the author's effort to try to derail you at the end. You'll know that what's happening is not the end, which of course it isn't, and the story wraps up exactly like you're suspecting.
You're better off picking up some other read on the genre.
I found this book to be very predictable since the beginning. The fact that there is a limited number of characters and that there is a fixed set of scenes that appear or are mentioned over and over again gives away the mystery.
The biggest problem with this book is that the only ending that makes sense it is exactly what happens. You will see it coming; even-though, the author's effort to try to derail you at the end. You'll know that what's happening is not the end, which of course it isn't, and the story wraps up exactly like you're suspecting.
You're better off picking up some other read on the genre.
calturner's review against another edition
5.0
The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes is a devastatingly dark and twisty read that tied me up in knots, wringing every emotion from me as I felt every second of Ava’s torment following the disappearance of her small daughter, Abi. The guilt she feels is palpable as she relives every moment of that terrible day over and over again.
The tension builds slowly, with Ava and her husband, Matt, living through every parents worst nightmare. They handle their grief in very different ways, Ava cutting herself off from the world and Matt trying to remain strong, continuing to work and live as normal a life as he can.
But then, a year later, Ava and Matt are invited to the long awaited housewarming party of the Lovegoods, whose house is very close to where Abi went missing. And as the party gets underway, Ava learns something new about the day Abi disappeared. Something that could change everything…
What follows is a dark and suspense filled psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. What really happened to Abi that day? The truth, when it came, completely blindsided me and tore my heart into a million pieces. I won’t say any more for fear of spoiling the story, but oh wow, the writing is so powerful and the story so intense I felt completely drained of all emotion as I turned the final page.
S.E. Lynes is an exquisite writer. She somehow gets inside the head of a grieving parent and transfers all of that raw and devastating emotion on to the page. The Housewarming is a dark, disturbing and utterly heartbreaking psychological thriller that I know will stay with me for a long time to come. It is a strong, powerful and beautifully written character driven story that I honestly can’t recommend highly enough!
The tension builds slowly, with Ava and her husband, Matt, living through every parents worst nightmare. They handle their grief in very different ways, Ava cutting herself off from the world and Matt trying to remain strong, continuing to work and live as normal a life as he can.
But then, a year later, Ava and Matt are invited to the long awaited housewarming party of the Lovegoods, whose house is very close to where Abi went missing. And as the party gets underway, Ava learns something new about the day Abi disappeared. Something that could change everything…
What follows is a dark and suspense filled psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. What really happened to Abi that day? The truth, when it came, completely blindsided me and tore my heart into a million pieces. I won’t say any more for fear of spoiling the story, but oh wow, the writing is so powerful and the story so intense I felt completely drained of all emotion as I turned the final page.
S.E. Lynes is an exquisite writer. She somehow gets inside the head of a grieving parent and transfers all of that raw and devastating emotion on to the page. The Housewarming is a dark, disturbing and utterly heartbreaking psychological thriller that I know will stay with me for a long time to come. It is a strong, powerful and beautifully written character driven story that I honestly can’t recommend highly enough!
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
When Ava goes upstairs leaving her daughter, Abi, strapped in her buggy, she is just looking for a few moments alone. But, when she returns, Abi is gone. Noticing the front door open, she frantically searches for Abi, but to no avail. Until the following year, when attending a housewarming party at the home of their new neighbors, Johnnie and Jen, who recently underwent a renovation to their home, a comment is made that upends everything! Ava begins questioning Matt, her husband, and their best friends, Neil and Bella, about the day Abi went missing until the truth is revealed.
This novel went on far too long and the moral message on the last page was something I didn't need. Just write a thriller, and leave the introspection out!
This novel went on far too long and the moral message on the last page was something I didn't need. Just write a thriller, and leave the introspection out!