I found The Courier to be a slow burner at first but once it got going it didn't disappoint. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me reading and I didn't see that ending coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for my ARC.

I had read amazing reviews about The Courier before picking this up, and I agree with every single one that has said that this is great!

A gripping, addictive, alluring thriller, with a fast-paced plot that kept me intrigued for more, hence I read this is in one sitting - cover to cover. I found this impossible to put down, Exceptionally written, with well-developed characters, I did not see the jaw-dropping conclusion coming at all.

I am eager to read more written by Holly, and I will definitely be looking for future releases.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and exciting read, and I predict this is going to be a very popular read once released!

OK....I am having mixed feelings about the book.

Five years ago, Laurel had a steady, high paid job. But an incident changed Laurel's life--she lost both her husband and her daughter and now, she is working as a delivery person in a firm called Zippi. She then gets a chance to deliver parcels in a wealthy neighborhood and meets a man named Patrick. Then the story starts from here.

I feel there are more negative things about this book than positive things. Too much of repetition which seemed unnecessary to me in some parts, making this book boring and repetitive. The characters were flawed and I didn't really like Laurel's character much. Though there were some twists and turns, that were in most unexpected, the ending left me a bit confused. I thought, in my opinion, the ending was a bit sloppy, as if the author hurriedly finished off the book with this abrupt ending.

I feel in my opinion the plot was good. But the too much repetition of words made the whole story a bit boring with a sloppy ending made me not enjoy this book much. Worth only 2.5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Wow an edge of your seat thriller.Picked it up to read a few pages and stayed up late could not put it down..So many twists and turns great characters and a ending that will shock.#netgalley #hodderstoughton.

Umm...this was a very compulsive read, I literally couldn't stop! Also, this might be the first thriller I've read in which the covid pandemic was actively talked about. I loved it, it was great, kept me on my toes throughout, desperately wanting to know what actually happened all the while my mind was whirring with the possibilities. So basically it was a good one up until that ending! It's been days since I read this, and I'm still trying to make my peace with that ending, I mean, what even was that! 😅

I'm all for open endings, and I love stories where the reader gets to make of the endings what they want to, but this was...idek! I feel like the story fell from the top of the ladder at the end, I mean, the whole story just doesn't make sense with this ending, like, what was the point of it all! I feel like this desperately needs a sequel because I NEED TO KNOW! 😂 I was kinda mad at that end, but it sure made my mind whirr and I love open endings (which this wasn't but it very well could be) and for that, I'm not taking away more than a star, but I want to, lol!

Laurel works as a courier. She previously had a high powered job in the city but some unmentioned tragedy means that she is unable or unwilling to return to that lifestyle. Instead, she lives alone in a damp, poky little flat, drinking heavily to forget and on the constant lookout for her missing daughter. With no real life of her own, she lives vicariously through the lives of the people she delivers to, noting down odd details of their lives.

Laurel obviously has a dark secret which she hides from everyone, including herself. From the beginning there is a sense of foreboding as it is obvious things are not going to work out well, however, even though there are suspicious characters in the book, I didn’t see the end coming. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Being married to a courier this was an interesting looking book to me. A sinister psychological thriller all about obsession. A great fast paced read that had me hooked.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

Wow I can’t believe what I just read and that’s not a good thing.
Five years previously Laurel had it all. She had a high-powered job, a loving husband and a beautiful daughter. But one night everything went wrong, and she lost everything. Five years later now single and living alone. Working as a courier for Zippi delivering packages to a select part of London called Paradise Lost. A cul-de-sac of up market houses. Meeting residents and trying to be friend each one. As the only friend she has is a neighbour in her block of flats. While she delivers packages to the residents of Paradise Lost, she dreams of living in an area like this and always tries to get a glimpse inside the houses to see what the residents are really like. As she thinks each one of them are perfect in every way until a new family moves in and she thinks they have something to hide.
Thank you, Hodder and Stoughton, for a copy of the The Courier. But I am afraid for me personally it wasn’t for me. I found this story quite repetitive of Laurel just driving around and delivering packages and her excessive drinking. And trying to see into people houses but not knowing why? The constant writing of her drinking to be honest made me feel uncomfortable. And as for the ending. Don’t get me started. I found it quite pointless and disappointing. 2 stars from me.

Really good mystery book. The ending was not what I was expecting at all! Thought it would go a totally different way hahaha
One thing though not sure why Paradise Falls was so important to her. Was it somewhere she dreamed to live?
A great read and read in one session

This is a slow burner, so much so that I very nearly gave up. However, I stuck with it and I am so glad I did. Every time I thought I knew something, it turned out I was wrong. And that ending, wow! If you feel like giving up before 50%, do stick with it, and I don't think you'll be sorry! I would happily (probably wrong word for a thriller!) read another by this author.

The pace of this story was extremely slow. There are no characters development. The characters and events stayed in one spot. There were no story developments either. Laurel's character went around in a circle for a good 98% of the book. I was wondering if the end was ever going to be revealed or if the book will never end. Laurel's fascination with the people living in Paradise Found was strange and never explained. Patrick's character was super odd up until the end and then the story ended. No explanation of any kind to the story.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story revolves around the main character - Laurel - who is a courier who becomes involved in the lives of the residents of Paradise Found (what a lovely name) I found it quite slow until about 80% through then it all came together for a good ending.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my review

Paradise Found sounds idyllic. Courier Laurel Lovejoy is smitten with this cul-de-sac with its interesting residents. She was an executive, married and had a daughter but lost her family and job. So, she finds the ideal job which gives her a connection with people yet she has no colleagues to interact with. However, her connection becomes an obsession. She is not content with only delivering packages. She compulsively snoops and ingratiates and one day spots something which grabs her attention. The story is about her seeking companionship and belonging as she struggles to live without her daughter.

The Courier is chilling and unsettling...in a good way. One of my favourite aspects is the original premise and setting, very atmospheric and suspenseful. I had to know how it ended so read it in one sitting and was pleased. Cliff hangers are incredible if done well and it is here. Books which evoke emotions and questions are very engaging and memorable. I got pulled in and completely lost in it.

If you are intrigued by chilling and dark reads, this is for you. Thankfully there is no gore. There is adult language.

My sincere thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this immersive and tense book.

This is just one of those okay reads, not really gripping, but good enough to finish. I think it was sort of disconnected in many ways, making it not quite as enjoyable as the thrillers I love. It did have a couple twist and turns, chills, thrills, and maybe even a shock, but nothing that was mind blowing good. I think it would be much better to those whom don’t frequently read thrillers, but I could be wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

In this book, we meet Laurel. Laurel lives in London and works as a delivery driver for Zippi, a relatively new courier company. Laurel seems to enjoy her job, and is really inquisitive over the people she delivers to, especially the residents of Paradise Found, which is a gated community. She has notebooks where she notes down things she knows about the residents, and she seems to be “infatuated” with one particular resident called Patrick. Then the virus hit, and Laurel then starts to have to take pictures of the parcel being delivered rather than get a signature to minimise any contact. One day, she is sure she sees “something happen”.

Laurel wasn’t a brilliant character, she drank way too much, and behaved quite bizarrely for a courier. She wanted the residents to all know her name, and she felt like an extended member of their families. I didn’t relate to her in any way at all. The other characters were ok, but none seemed to realise that Laurel needed help, help mentally and with the excessive drinking.

The book had a really twisty, clever ending, which made the rest of the book worthwhile.

Laurel Lovejoy once had a life about which others can only dream – a job, husband and child she all adored. But fast forward five years and she’s alone, and a courier. From being seen at the right times by the right people, Laurel realises that despite her regular deliveries, she’s now invisible to most. It’s the harsh reality of 21st century living, but one that works in her favour – no one appreciates how much she sees and how much she understands. One of her daily destinations, Paradise Found, is of particular interest. This gated cul-de-sac is a hotbed of activity and Laurel is drawn to it… even when she’s not meant to be there. But when she spots something she shouldn’t, her world comes crashing down and what she’s struggled to control and overcome in recent years feels like it’s never happened. What will be the consequences of her inevitable actions? You feel genuine empathy for Laurel, who is superbly drawn by Holly.

2.5 rounded up

Have you met Laurel Lovejoy?

I felt like I had-many times before, in many other novels. Five years ago, she had it all- high powered job, loving husband and adorable daughter until……..something happened to take it all away.

Now she is a courier, for Zippi-delivering packages to houses whose families are living the idyllic life that she once had, especially those in the gated community of “Paradise Found”.

She feels like she knows them, and she wants them to know her-and greet her by name-but she is quite delusional and the amount of alcohol she drinks every night doesn’t help her to sort out what is fact and what is fiction. Yes, we have met characters like her before.

When Covid begins to affect London, the couriers must now take pictures of the packages being accepted instead of obtaining a signature, and that is when she becomes convinced that she sees “something” in one of the houses, as a door is opened-and she becomes obsessed with learning more.

Unfortunately, the synopsis of this book leads us to believe that we have an original concept-and the use of the job as Courier most certainly is-but the actual trope of this story has been done, again and again and again.

The ending does take an unexpected twist, so maybe this will be a hit for readers who only choose the genre on occasion and those who enjoy twists that come out of left field.

A buddy read with Dorie! Be sure to check out her fantastic review for additional thoughts!

I received a gifted copy from Hodder and Stoughton through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review. Available September 30, 2021.

OK so I just finished this and I’m left thinking, what was the point??? The blurb certainly was stellar comparing this to Paula Hawkins and Clare Macintosh, two of my favorite authors of thrillers. The premise sounded promising, although similar to other books I’ve read. I went for it.
It's called a psychological thriller and there is at least one psychopath in the book!

So here are some thoughts:

We are thrown into the story not knowing anything about our main character (except for what the blurb said), if you read it!

We spend days and days driving along with Laurel as she delivers packages for an independent mail service. Everyday we get in that van and deliver packages with her while she fantasizes about the “perfect” families and “perfect” place, PARADISE FOUND. We are introduced to a group of characters whom I cared nothing about.

The pace is slow, parts are repetitive, we keep hoping we will finally find out the ‘ENTIRE STORY” OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAUREL OF 5 YEARS AGO!!! What exactly happened to her daughter????

Simon, is another ancillary character. He is her ex-boyfriend, whom she was having an affair with while she was married. He is actually the only one who seems to care at all about Laurel.

Her parents refuse to talk to her, for some obvious reasons but there still must be something else???

Patrick lives in Paradise Found and Laurel is “infatuated” with him. I know that is such a “teenager” word but it describes her actions. In all fairness she is addicted to alcohol and it would have been nice to have a family member or friend who wanted to actually help her.

Really there isn’t anything else I can tell you without ruining any surprises for you in this novel. There is definitely a big twist at the end, so if you love stories like that, you may really enjoy it!!

I thought this book had a promising premise and some good writing. I think the comparison to other books always hurts a novel and doesn’t help it. I didn’t find myself racing through the pages, but I will definitely be watching for more from this author.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.

This was a buddy read with my good friend Jayme. Please watch for her stellar review :)
The novel is set to publish on September 30, 202

Will post to Amazon upon publication
posted to Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Edelweiss

“The Courier’ is a fantastic read, twisty and dark in all the right places! You are never sure exactly what is going, but in the very best way that just makes you want to keep turning those pages!

The plot is told from the perspective of Laurel, it is very much her story. She is a courier, living a sad and lonely life. We learn that she fell from grace some five years previously, once being a highly successful married executive and mother to 2 year old, Sophie. We learn she is obsessively looking for her daughter, and appears to be using her job as a courier to facilitate this search. We are never sure exactly what happened to her daughter (this is revealed later), and we are not sure what is pulling her to obsess over 'Paradise Found' on her delivery runs.

This book is set at the start of Covid 19 so takes in the introduction of Lockdown - I loved this, as it makes it instantly relatable and relevant.

This book is SO well written, on this basis of this book, I am eagerly anticipating the next novel by Holly Down!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.