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lianareadsblog's review
4.0
Nobody but us is a must read story. Many have liked it for one reason, others have hated it for the same reason.
I enjoyed it. I can’t say I loved it but it’s a great story. And while it's a very heavy book with some triggers or topics that need to be discussed, it's probably why this is a must read story.
A marriage and its upbringing are still taboo talks sometimes. The couple made for a tense read with many difficulties, lots of interesting turns and some twisted scenes. I felt like it's a bit too much in the middle of it, but once I got past three quarters, it all made much more sense.
While this was a debut novel, it was amazingly beautiful written and gripping. All the feelings and frustrations that the characters felt were so well done on the page.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy.
I enjoyed it. I can’t say I loved it but it’s a great story. And while it's a very heavy book with some triggers or topics that need to be discussed, it's probably why this is a must read story.
A marriage and its upbringing are still taboo talks sometimes. The couple made for a tense read with many difficulties, lots of interesting turns and some twisted scenes. I felt like it's a bit too much in the middle of it, but once I got past three quarters, it all made much more sense.
While this was a debut novel, it was amazingly beautiful written and gripping. All the feelings and frustrations that the characters felt were so well done on the page.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy.
leahnatalie's review
mysterious
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
1.0
ailegais's review
dark
fast-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? It's complicated
2.0
catilopes's review against another edition
3.0
Um thriller psicológico que nos apresenta dois personagens bem construídos, fortes e com muito a esconder.
Gostei muito da Ellie. Uma mente surreal, com tanto de genial como de perturbante.
Quanto ao Steven não me vou alongar com receio de spoilers, digo só que me meteu asco!
Para mim, a história em si saiu prejudicada pelo excesso de descrições e momentos com contexto irrelevante. Senti que engonhou e acabou por quebrar o ritmo crescendo que um bom thriller psicológico exige.
Gostei muito da Ellie. Uma mente surreal, com tanto de genial como de perturbante.
Quanto ao Steven não me vou alongar com receio de spoilers, digo só que me meteu asco!
Para mim, a história em si saiu prejudicada pelo excesso de descrições e momentos com contexto irrelevante. Senti que engonhou e acabou por quebrar o ritmo crescendo que um bom thriller psicológico exige.
chapter1_page1's review
4.0
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
I love a locked room (style) thriller, particularly one set in a remote location and Nobody But Us certainly didn’t disappoint.
Beautifully written by Laure Van Rensburg, with superb characterisation and excellent attention to detail. The snowy, isolated setting provides a perfect, eerie backdrop, heightening the claustrophobic sense of atmosphere.
The story begins at the end — the details of which captured my interest straight away. As the twisty plot unfolds and the tension builds, there are so many edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting moments — Ellie and Steven’s messy game of cat-and-mouse finally culminates in a satisfying, neat and tidy ending.
Overall, an excellent psychological thriller and a brilliant debut novel.
Many thanks to the publisher for the proof copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I love a locked room (style) thriller, particularly one set in a remote location and Nobody But Us certainly didn’t disappoint.
Beautifully written by Laure Van Rensburg, with superb characterisation and excellent attention to detail. The snowy, isolated setting provides a perfect, eerie backdrop, heightening the claustrophobic sense of atmosphere.
The story begins at the end — the details of which captured my interest straight away. As the twisty plot unfolds and the tension builds, there are so many edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting moments — Ellie and Steven’s messy game of cat-and-mouse finally culminates in a satisfying, neat and tidy ending.
Overall, an excellent psychological thriller and a brilliant debut novel.
Many thanks to the publisher for the proof copy, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
all_bookedup19's review
4.0
**Slight Spoiler**
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Laure VanRensburg for this physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start with, I can usually figure out what is going to happen within the first couple of chapters, but with this book, I couldn't do that. At one point I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong. There are parts of the book where a character says something and I should have picked up on it but I didn't. Later in the book, the other character replays what the other said earlier, and then I am like oh duh, I should have picked up on it as well.
Ellie is a strong female main character that has been through a lot. Steven is a wealthy professor with daddy issues, maybe more like his father than he cares to admit. This book hits on some rather tough topics. But topics that need to be discussed. The details the author uses when describing the surrounding, allows you to feel like you are standing inside the boo watching this all play out. I love that about the book. The dual POV allows you to get both character's points of view. The flashbacks are an added bonus.
One thing I did not like is that I feel like this book could have been shorter. For the first 82 pages, I felt like it was dragging, but once we got to the action I was hooked. Though even some of that could have been left out. Also, there were a couple of times when things should have been done differently and they weren't. Like when Steven left the house, TWICE, Ellie should have locked him out. But I guess in the heat of the moment that could have been overlooked.
But once again, I did enjoy this book and I will recommend this to those that love Thriller books.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Laure VanRensburg for this physical copy in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start with, I can usually figure out what is going to happen within the first couple of chapters, but with this book, I couldn't do that. At one point I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong. There are parts of the book where a character says something and I should have picked up on it but I didn't. Later in the book, the other character replays what the other said earlier, and then I am like oh duh, I should have picked up on it as well.
Ellie is a strong female main character that has been through a lot. Steven is a wealthy professor with daddy issues, maybe more like his father than he cares to admit. This book hits on some rather tough topics. But topics that need to be discussed. The details the author uses when describing the surrounding, allows you to feel like you are standing inside the boo watching this all play out. I love that about the book. The dual POV allows you to get both character's points of view. The flashbacks are an added bonus.
One thing I did not like is that I feel like this book could have been shorter. For the first 82 pages, I felt like it was dragging, but once we got to the action I was hooked. Though even some of that could have been left out. Also, there were a couple of times when things should have been done differently and they weren't. Like when Steven left the house, TWICE, Ellie should have locked him out. But I guess in the heat of the moment that could have been overlooked.
But once again, I did enjoy this book and I will recommend this to those that love Thriller books.
lucyp747d4's review against another edition
4.0
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Michael Joseph for approving me for an ARC of this debut.
I love a good thriller and when I started reading this one I soon felt those Gone Girl vibes and knew I was in for a treat. We meet Steven and Ellie as they embark on a romantic weekend away. From the alternating chapters it is clear that not all is as it seems and the author does not hang about in getting the action going. By 35% so much had happened that I didn’t dare turn my gaze away from the page!
I soon found myself in the thick of Ellie and Steven’s worst nightmare and there were moments when I held my breathe, unsure what would happen next. I liked how the story unravelled and although there were moments when the action ebbed I still enjoyed the read.
The subject matter of this book is very important and it’s going to be hard to review this without spoiling it for others, so please excuse the lack of information from me. What I will say is I found it interesting hearing both male and female POV on the subject and the author’s notes at the end gave clarity to why she wrote it.
Fast paced and gripping, this is a psychological thriller to get your heart racing! A couple keeping secrets and isolated in a creepy house, what more could you ask for? I wish I could tell you more but if you want the answers then add this to your tbr pile!
I love a good thriller and when I started reading this one I soon felt those Gone Girl vibes and knew I was in for a treat. We meet Steven and Ellie as they embark on a romantic weekend away. From the alternating chapters it is clear that not all is as it seems and the author does not hang about in getting the action going. By 35% so much had happened that I didn’t dare turn my gaze away from the page!
I soon found myself in the thick of Ellie and Steven’s worst nightmare and there were moments when I held my breathe, unsure what would happen next. I liked how the story unravelled and although there were moments when the action ebbed I still enjoyed the read.
The subject matter of this book is very important and it’s going to be hard to review this without spoiling it for others, so please excuse the lack of information from me. What I will say is I found it interesting hearing both male and female POV on the subject and the author’s notes at the end gave clarity to why she wrote it.
Fast paced and gripping, this is a psychological thriller to get your heart racing! A couple keeping secrets and isolated in a creepy house, what more could you ask for? I wish I could tell you more but if you want the answers then add this to your tbr pile!
susiesbookreviews's review
3.0
Nobody But Us is a dark psychological thriller which was giving me Misery and My Dark Vanessa vibes throughout! Ellie, an NYU Grad student and Steven, a wealthy and priviledged teacher ten years her senior head off to the middle of nowhere for a romantic weekend getaway, but we quickly find out that neither of them are who they say they are.
In between the main story chapters we read diary entries - but who wrote them and who are they making accusations about?
I enjoyed this book, it’s a fast paced read that will have you doubting the truth all the way through and ending that will leave you thinking about it for days!
In between the main story chapters we read diary entries - but who wrote them and who are they making accusations about?
I enjoyed this book, it’s a fast paced read that will have you doubting the truth all the way through and ending that will leave you thinking about it for days!
chaptersofvicki's review against another edition
4.0
I was gripped from the very start with this book. It begins with the aftermath where we discover something serious has happened but we do not know what or who is the victor.
The story is told from the POV’s of both Steven and Ellie which made for interesting reading, they both obviously have their own reasons for wanting time alone together in such a secluded house and area.
I cannot say too much without giving away any spoilers. This is a fast paced psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from the POV’s of both Steven and Ellie which made for interesting reading, they both obviously have their own reasons for wanting time alone together in such a secluded house and area.
I cannot say too much without giving away any spoilers. This is a fast paced psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.