Please buckle up before you start reading this book, because the author takes you on a breathtaking ride. She throws you into the past and hauls you back into the present and again and again ...

Someone who takes care of a stranger must be a good person, right? And when you look at that stranger there is no doubt that that person is genuine, right? Of course you can trust and believe your other half, right? 

But when push comes to shove you are in for a serious surprise.

This story caught my interest from the beginning and I had to keep on reading. I wanted to know which secrets where going to be unreaveled.

People can be cruel, but some people will always have your back. 4 stars.

Thank you, Jess Ryder, Bookouture and Netgalley.

I’ve been a fan of Jess Ryders’ books since her debut and her newest The Dream House did not disappoint! While there were times I felt I had certain characters vetted out, none turned out to be who I truly expected them to be. The PT genre is my all time favorite and I’m always looking for the next true-blue Gone Girl, so out plot twisting me is hard to do and while this one didn’t have me 100% shocked it did have enough twists to make me think “no way”! I will recommend this book to others for sure. Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me a copy of “The Dream House “for an honest review..

I found the book to be a tense , absorbing read , which I found hard to put down.
Because of the subject matter of abuse it’s a tough read , but I couldn’t wait to find out how the characters would connect ,and what the outcome of the story would be.
Quite often psychological fiction becomes easy to predict but I must confess “ The Dream House “ kept me guessing right to the end..
I will definitely read more from Jess Ryder and recommend this to anyone looking for a good read

I found this a really interesting storyline as new characters appeared and I was asking myself how the puzzle fitted together, especially given the dual time-line. Having the old house at the centre of the story gave it menacing undertones, especially as the history of the place was revealed. A clever tale well told!

This was a pretty decent psychological thriller that kept me awake and reading, just like the author's other novel did. Jess Ryder is an author to keep an eye out for as she hopefully keeps writing good books!

This is the first book I have read by Jess Ryder. I really enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more.
I like the way the book is written with 2 stories, Stella now and Kay then that intertwine within each other. This keeps the book interesting and a real page turner I wanted to know what would happen next with each of the women.
The author has been sympathetic to the topic of domestic violence not getting too caught up in the actual violence but certainly makes the reader understand what the character is going through and how it effects their life and others around them.
I did guess some of what would happen next but this did not make the story any less appealing.
A great page turner I loved it and will definitely be reading more by Jess Ryder.

(Also posted on my GR page!)

1.5 stars rounded up

I'm gonna make this short because it's Friday and I deserve a better read.

I like that author made domestic abuse as its center. On how even the most professional woman might befall such unfortunate experience and that it didn't always occurred between partners/couple.

However, a big NO for characterisations. Main character had no thoughts of her own, she constantly undermined others', and spoiled through the end. I almost DNF-ed the book repeatedly, but I guess this is the only thing I could do as a reader. The plot was all over the place, I have zero sympathy for anyone there, and frankly, none had self-awareness either.

THE DREAM HOUSE (also titled as THE GUEST) is the second book by Jess Ryder I've read. The first one I was a little disappointed in and though this one rated better, I still found it somewhat lacklustre. I'm not sure how or why, but something is missing to pack it with that punch. It was still enjoyable...just not fantabulous.

Told from two perspectives in dual timelines, THE DREAM HOUSE begins with Stella in the present day, with Kay's story from 1978 interwoven throughout.

Having bought a completely run down fixer-upper in the seaside town of Nevansey away from the hustle and bustle of London, Stella is looking forward to putting down roots and building a life together with her boyfriend Jack. The sprawling house is massive and the task of renovating it is even bigger, but with the inheritance money from her parents' estate Stella feels that she could do something to make them proud of her. That, and the fact that it may help assuage her guilt for a terrible secret from her past.

Late one night they hear the frantic knocking on their front door and wondered who would be doing so this late? Their builder, Alan, has his own key to come and go as needed, but he wouldn't turn up this late, surely! When they open the door, a beaten and battered woman is standing there looking scared and begging for help. Is this Westhill House, she asks, insisting the helpline told her they'd take her in, no questions asked. Wanting to help protect Lori from her abusive husband Stella doesn't hesitate to offer her refuge and ushers her in quickly, but Jack isn't so sure. Something about Lori doesn't add up and he believes she isn't being truthful, citing Stella as being too naive for her own good. But Stella is adamant. Her parents were foster carers to numerous children when she was growing up, and this act of kindness is something she believes would make them proud of her...something for which she craves. When it is revealed that Westhill House was a refuge for battered women for forty years, Stella finds a new purpose in fulfilling the house's past objective in helping Lori with determination.

But the longer Lori occupies the attic bedroom, the more suspicious Jack becomes. He believes Lori is hiding something...more than an abusive husband. And one night, after Stella has gone to sleep, he follows her and sees her climbing into a car. Who was she meeting, Jack wonders. But when he poses the question to Stella, she refuses to believe him. Lori needs their help, not their suspicions.

Dismayed that Jack doesn't share her concerns, Stella feels torn between wanting to help Lori and her love for Jack. She wants to respect his wishes but doesn't know how to do so and help Lori at the same time. Then she comes up with an idea to please both...but the plan backfires and she is left wondering who she can trust.

Then when a second woman appears at the door, Stella wonders just what is going on and what has she let herself in for? Was Jack right? Is Lori hiding something and not all that she appears?

In the alternating narrative, we meet Kay who became pregnant at 15 much to her parents' disgust. To them she was soiled goods, useless to anyone. But then she meets the handsome and charming Alan Foxton - "Foxy" to his friends - and her parents think the world of him, telling her to make sure she hangs on to him because not everyone would take on another man's child. Despite the fact Foxy never acknowledged little Abigail's existence or even spoke to her, Kay was forced to push that aside and think of this as a new beginning for her and her daughter. But all dreams must come to an end, and Kay's certainly did as soon as the wedding was over. First came the accusations and the taunts quickly followed by the fists. Kay knew it was her fault. She provoked him by talking back or not having the house clean or his shirts ironed or speaking to other men. Her latest transgression was to fall pregnant.

One night, Abigail was at the other end of his tirade as Kay locked herself in the bathroom. From behind the locked door, she heard her daughter screams as Foxy yelled at her to do as she was told. Then she heard her husband cry out and she opened the door to find Abigail tearing down the stairs and out the door. Foxy didn't care that she could be run over. All he was concerned about was that "the little bitch bit me"! Then all at once there were blue lights strobing in through their windows. The police? Kay was suddenly scared her daughter had been in an accident, but Foxy gripped her tightly whispering "Say anything against me and your daughter's dead!" The police informed them a 999 call had come in from their daughter claiming "Foxy's killing my mummy!" But whilst he was all sweetness and light to the police, declaring they had been having trouble with Abigail who had taken to answering back and not doing as she was told, he continued to hold a tight grip on Kay almost daring her to contradict him. Foxy's story appeased the police and they left them with Abigail who had sought refuge with a neighbour. That night, as Kay lay in bed, she knew it would never get any better. She and Abigail had to leave.

The next morning after Foxy had left for work, Kay hurriedly packed a suitcase for her and Abigail and fled to the refuge Abigail's teacher had told her about in Nevansey. Westhill House. She had told her they will take you in, no questions asked, and keep you safe. Westhill House was more like a squat with many women and children to each room, but it didn't matter. At Westhill House Kay knew she was safe and after just a few weeks of being there, she had never felt happier.

All the way through, we know both stories will collide but the how or why, or even when, eludes us. And as the tension builds we just know it will be with a deadly force. Then comes the twist, the revelations and as Stella finds herself hanging on by a thread, she wonders where she is and how she got here.

While the both stories are well told, complete with tension and intrigue, the book as a whole still didn't fill me with excitement. I don't know what it was, or wasn't, I just felt it was lacking somewhere...though Ryder has told both stories well and woven them together with such ease. I want to like it more, but I really don't know why I can't. I guess maybe it wasn't as gritty or as shocking. While THE DREAM HOUSE did have me puzzling and pondering, it didn't surprise me...or shock me, for that matter.

I applaud Ryder's note at the end with reference to the domestic abuse, giving numbers in the UK for those that seek help and are unsure how. Having explained she tried not to go into graphic detail as far as the abuse was concerned, although it was necessary for parts of the story, anyone who has suffered at the hands of such abuse would find even the remotest reference to it triggering. I know I did. But I applaud her for being sensitive and respectful, despite this.

As well as domestic abuse, the story also touches on mental illness and, although not highlighted, is completely understandable.

Stella, Jack, Lori and Kay are the main characters across both stories. I found the former three in the present day to be unlikable in many ways and it was Kay I connected with the most, probably due to my own experience in the past. Stella made some really stupid choices and to be honest, I would have listened to Jack. After all, she knew him and not Lori - so why trust her and not him? And Lori? Well, like Jack I knew she was hiding something. She couldn't be in a story like this without having secrets, could she? I just wasn't sure what her story really was or how she was being untruthful.

With everything handled expertly and tied up at the end, THE DREAM HOUSE is an enthralling read that will keep you guessing and turning the pages. I give it 3 stars because while I did like, I didn't LOVE it. But it is still a great read.

I would like to thank #JessRyder, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheDreamHouse also known as ,b>#TheGuest in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jess Ryder and Bookouture for this ARC.

Does Jess Ryder even know how to write bad books?? I loved The Dream House, just as I loved all her other books.. The ending was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable.

A good read full of suspense. Most of the story was really gripping and well written. I felt though that it dragged a bit in places. I also thought it was unbelievable in places.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is an engrossing story told from two different timelines. There is lots of mystery but this would not be my dream house !!!! You must read it !

Dark and disturbing but in a great way. This certainly wouldn't be my dream house! However, to Stella it will change her life following the death of her parents and meeting Jack who she envisions life forever in this huge house by the sea. Then enters Lori an abused wife with her secrets. The new guest brings tension between Stella and Jack who is already resenting the move. The story is cleverly written and you can feel the derelict old house and the claustrophobia of living with the past history. You can almost sense the dust and banging of the renovations. A slow burner at first but a gripping conclusion with lots of twists and turns on the way. A good read.

Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

I want to first thank NetGalley and Jess Ryder for my ARC of the The Dream House. I read The ex-wife a few months back and it was such a great thriller and I could not wait to get my hands on this book and just dive in. I have to say Jess Ryder did not disappoint. This was another great psychological thriller and it had me from page one and I didn't want it to end. Also online this books title is the dream house but when it sent to my kindle it just says the guest so if you are confused that is why.
"It’s everything she’s ever wanted … 
When I first set eyes on Westhill House with its breath-taking views of the sea I knew Jack and I could make this our forever home. 
It may be falling apart with an overgrown garden, but with some tender loving care, we can repair this beautiful building and perhaps our relationship too … But the more time I spend renovating our new house, the more time Jack is spending at work. 
At least Lori is here to keep me company. She has her own troubles yet she always listens to mine. 
She’s helping to restore the house, uncovering its secrets one by one. 
Like the children’s drawings under the wallpaper in the back bedroom. 
The hidden papers underneath the floorboards in the turret room. 
And the fact that Westhill House is a place women used to go to feel safe … Lori seems to know a lot about Westhill House. 
The question is, why?"
This book starts off with Stella buying a fixer upper outside of the city for her and her boyfriend. Her plan is to renovate it and make it their dream house. One night there is a knock on the door and a battered women named Lori begs them for help. Stella takes her in but Jack is wary of her fro the start. She seems to know things about the house and you keep trying to figure out what all of the secrets are. I am happy to say I was surprised with the twist. The book goes back and forth between past and present to give you a look into these ladies stories and you start to wonder how they are intertwined together in all of this. If you love surprises and suspense check this one out for sure. I love Jess Ryder's books and for me they just keep getting better and better. Can't wait for the next!

Stella and her boyfriend Jack moved into a big dilapidated 3-story home that had been used as a safe house for women and children of domestic violence years ago. Stella's parents had died and left her a lot of money so they were in the process of remodeling the home. The story is told in the then and now format with Stella being the now and Kay, a victim of DV, who lived in the home with her daughter years ago after leaving her violent husband, as the then. There are a lot of very interesting characters in this story and a lot of twists and turns that made this a very fast moving and very suspenseful read. I really loved this page-turner and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an exciting story. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this fascinating ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me interested from the first page. The author gave depth to the characters both past and present and the twists were in plain sight, yet were still surprising when they occurred. To know what I mean you will have to read it yourself and I recommend that you do.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This was a good book but I just had 2 gripes with it. It was a bit drawn out and kind of dragged in the middle. I also felt a little annoyed with Stella for being so trusting. This is fiction, however, and characters do not necessarily do things that we would do in reality.

It was an entertaining read with some twists and is definitely worth the read.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Dream House’ by Jess Ryder in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Stella and her partner Jack move into the now derelict Westhill House in Nevensey overlooking the sea and employ a builder to turn it into her dream home. One night there’s a banging on the front door and a woman who’s bruised and beaten says her name is Lori and she’s been given the address of Westhill House as a refuge for women seeking shelter. Stella lets Lori stay as she doesn’t feel she can turn her out onto the streets but some of the things she says just don’t add up!

‘The Dream House’ is a gripping and sinister thriller with a cleverly written plot full of menace and intrigue that at times made me feel uncomfortable and worried at what was going to happen to Stella who’s gullible but understandably so. I was hooked from the beginning and had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen, finishing it in a day. The characters were original, the twists and turns unexpected and the ending came as a surprise. Once again Jess Ryder has produced a highly entertaining and thoroughly readable novel that I can highly recommend.

I received this book originally titled ‘The Guest’ by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

This book has so much in it, Secrets, Betrayal, Murder, Mental Health & Domestic Violence, so many issues were raised in this book, but Jess does well to navigate them all.

Every chapter left you on a cliff hanger leaving you with more questions you needed answering and reading ahead to what happened next.

I tried to guess their connections to the house, and managed to get one right, but for the most part I was wrong.

Told from two narratives which switch back and forth until the story collides.

It started out slow, but the pace soon picked up and I was hooked.

There are so many subtle hints along the way and I did pick up on a few but missed a lot of them. The ending blew me away.


4⭐️

Stella buys a fixer-upper home, that she believes will be the place where her and her boyfriend, Jack, raise a family. One night, there is a knock on the door. A woman needs help, and their home used to be a refuge for women experiencing domestic violence. When Stella lets the woman in, things begin to change. To avoid spoilers, I will stop there.

The first 75% is 3 stars for me. A bit tedious and drawn out for my liking, but the remaining 25% is 5 stars for sure. The last 25% is a page turner, but to be fair, I rated this book 4 stars. The plot is fantastic, but moves at a snail's pace. I cannot pinpoint exactly why this was not a page turner for me from start to finish, but I would recommend this book to someone who has a day to read from cover to cover.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review reflects my opinion, and was not influenced in any other way.