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topanguita's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
frombethanysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I was gifted an advanced proof of this title by the publisher in return for an honest review*
Steven Harding is a sucessful, handsome professor. Methodical, Precise, and the complete total opposite of Ellie Masterson.
Ellie is a fiery, messy college student seventeen years his junior but this weekend they're finally going away to celebrate their six month anniversary together. They're planning a weekend far away from the city, far away from prying eyes with the promise of nothing but seclusion, silence and sex to fill their days. But as they arrive in their snow-covered home for the weekend, it's not just the weather causing a chill.
It seems like the perfect trip to get to know each other even better - but they don't know each other at all. They're both pretending to be someone they're not, and the consequences will be disasterous.
"The truth will set you free, they say. They're wrong."
Right from the beginning, the suspense crept up on the reader and doesn't let up. Immediately we get an uncomfortable power dynamic between our couple - from the way they speak to the way they act around each other it seems fairly obvious who's in charge and who's doing as they're told. Each character was so expertly crafted to be the polar opposite of each other yet similar in so many ways. The world building was immaculate - the setting was exceptional, I could feel a chill in the air and ice biting my skin as our couple took a romantic walk through the frozen countryside.
Starting off slow and building up to an explosion of a climax, this book kept me guessing - there were definite hints from earlier on in the story that suddenly seem obvious as it jumps from curiously suspicious to terrifyingly sinister within pages. As we see the couples history both together and apart, we're left to wait and see what exactly it is they're both hiding from each other and how it all fits together in this violent and shocking puzzle.
Nobody But Us deals with serious and relevant issues - from underage relationships to loss, and highlights some of the darker sides and the fallout that is hidden from the world.
A twisty tale about obsession, lust and revenge, this is an addictive read that left me head spinning - you can and should pre-order it now!
Steven Harding is a sucessful, handsome professor. Methodical, Precise, and the complete total opposite of Ellie Masterson.
Ellie is a fiery, messy college student seventeen years his junior but this weekend they're finally going away to celebrate their six month anniversary together. They're planning a weekend far away from the city, far away from prying eyes with the promise of nothing but seclusion, silence and sex to fill their days. But as they arrive in their snow-covered home for the weekend, it's not just the weather causing a chill.
It seems like the perfect trip to get to know each other even better - but they don't know each other at all. They're both pretending to be someone they're not, and the consequences will be disasterous.
"The truth will set you free, they say. They're wrong."
Right from the beginning, the suspense crept up on the reader and doesn't let up. Immediately we get an uncomfortable power dynamic between our couple - from the way they speak to the way they act around each other it seems fairly obvious who's in charge and who's doing as they're told. Each character was so expertly crafted to be the polar opposite of each other yet similar in so many ways. The world building was immaculate - the setting was exceptional, I could feel a chill in the air and ice biting my skin as our couple took a romantic walk through the frozen countryside.
Starting off slow and building up to an explosion of a climax, this book kept me guessing - there were definite hints from earlier on in the story that suddenly seem obvious as it jumps from curiously suspicious to terrifyingly sinister within pages. As we see the couples history both together and apart, we're left to wait and see what exactly it is they're both hiding from each other and how it all fits together in this violent and shocking puzzle.
Nobody But Us deals with serious and relevant issues - from underage relationships to loss, and highlights some of the darker sides and the fallout that is hidden from the world.
A twisty tale about obsession, lust and revenge, this is an addictive read that left me head spinning - you can and should pre-order it now!
always_need_more_books's review against another edition
4.0
Nobody But Us starts with a bang beginning with the police arriving at a house, the walls and carpets stained red with blood. A shocking discovery for police who are more used to dealing with car wrecks and one which drew me in immediately.
Ellie is 23 and is a college student and is dating Steven, an English professor in his 50s. To celebrate their 6 month anniversary, Ellie surprises him by booking a couple of nights away in a beautiful secluded house in Chesapeake Bay. By the time they get there, the snow is falling fast and Ellie is jumpy, nervous of the seclusion and sounds the house makes.
The couple soon relax, exploring the area around the house in the snow and exploring each other knowing they are away from judging eyes…and that’s where I’m going to leave it!
I really enjoyed Nobody But Us. The narrative was interesting – we hear from Ellie in the first person, while Steven’s chapters are written in the third person – something I only realised around half way through. My initial thoughts about Steven were he was a bit of an arsehole – privileged with a sense of his own importance. Ellie I felt was weak and I wanted her to have some more self respect. I completely get there are couples with big age gaps but I felt Steven held all the power in their relationship and that is never a good thing (putting me in mind of My Dark Vanessa).
Nobody But Us was a completely thrilling and exciting read. The atmosphere is tense throughout, helped by the snow and the isolation of the house, and from those opening couple of pages, and left me wanting more. This clever and brutal book left my heart racing. A fantastic debut!
Ellie is 23 and is a college student and is dating Steven, an English professor in his 50s. To celebrate their 6 month anniversary, Ellie surprises him by booking a couple of nights away in a beautiful secluded house in Chesapeake Bay. By the time they get there, the snow is falling fast and Ellie is jumpy, nervous of the seclusion and sounds the house makes.
The couple soon relax, exploring the area around the house in the snow and exploring each other knowing they are away from judging eyes…and that’s where I’m going to leave it!
I really enjoyed Nobody But Us. The narrative was interesting – we hear from Ellie in the first person, while Steven’s chapters are written in the third person – something I only realised around half way through. My initial thoughts about Steven were he was a bit of an arsehole – privileged with a sense of his own importance. Ellie I felt was weak and I wanted her to have some more self respect. I completely get there are couples with big age gaps but I felt Steven held all the power in their relationship and that is never a good thing (putting me in mind of My Dark Vanessa).
Nobody But Us was a completely thrilling and exciting read. The atmosphere is tense throughout, helped by the snow and the isolation of the house, and from those opening couple of pages, and left me wanting more. This clever and brutal book left my heart racing. A fantastic debut!
tortorreads's review
4.0
Nobody But Us
By: Laure Van Rensburg
Rating: 4/5
This book was not what I thought it was when I started it. When I first started reading Nobody but Us, I thought it would be more of a locked away thriller but nope. There was a plot twist that you may and may not have seen coming, but when it does, I felt that it could have had more. I really can’t explain too much without giving away spoilers, but it was just lacking in something that would have made the whole book pop. I did love the plot twist, the short chapters, the alternating POV (I loved being able to see whose POV was in the beginning of every chapter), I loved the authors writing style; very descriptive and lyrical, however my favorite part of this book would have to be the creepy atmosphere, I loved the middle of nowhere, nowhere to go, no one to hear you setting. Just perfect for a thriller. I did not mind the “sensitive topic” that most would have not liked. I thought it was amazing to see an author write about this important topic and discuss and dissect it.
What I didn’t like was how long it took for something to happen in this book, it was about 45% into the book before we really saw anything happen. I felt that at times it was dragging in a few spots with the dialog and that it was just circling the same things over and over. I did not feel a connection to either character at all, I can understand Ellie's need and want, but I just really could not connect to them.
I want to thank Novel Suspects, Hachette Book Group, and Laure Van Rensburg for my physical ARC published on April 12, 2022.
By: Laure Van Rensburg
Rating: 4/5
This book was not what I thought it was when I started it. When I first started reading Nobody but Us, I thought it would be more of a locked away thriller but nope. There was a plot twist that you may and may not have seen coming, but when it does, I felt that it could have had more. I really can’t explain too much without giving away spoilers, but it was just lacking in something that would have made the whole book pop. I did love the plot twist, the short chapters, the alternating POV (I loved being able to see whose POV was in the beginning of every chapter), I loved the authors writing style; very descriptive and lyrical, however my favorite part of this book would have to be the creepy atmosphere, I loved the middle of nowhere, nowhere to go, no one to hear you setting. Just perfect for a thriller. I did not mind the “sensitive topic” that most would have not liked. I thought it was amazing to see an author write about this important topic and discuss and dissect it.
What I didn’t like was how long it took for something to happen in this book, it was about 45% into the book before we really saw anything happen. I felt that at times it was dragging in a few spots with the dialog and that it was just circling the same things over and over. I did not feel a connection to either character at all, I can understand Ellie's need and want, but I just really could not connect to them.
I want to thank Novel Suspects, Hachette Book Group, and Laure Van Rensburg for my physical ARC published on April 12, 2022.
kpeck283's review
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
amyjenrob's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
grammy1013's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laurenlarkineramo's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
noramestrich's review
dark
sad
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? Yes
2.0