Member Reviews
Really really good very gripping story about a family with two daughters each completely different Eva is very pretty whereas Beth is very plain and has no confidence so the idea is to have an exchange student from France to help her build her confidence and she definitely does that, it’s not what they expected at all but if it makes Beth happy that’s all that matters or
Is it ???
Brilliant read and thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.
I really enjoyed this book. It was compelling from the very start. It was a very well crafted story pulling you in with every turn of the page. Corinne and Beth's friendship was, I thought, very disturbing and rang alarm bells from early on. I couldn't read it fast enough at the end desperate to know what happened. It was a gripping and shocking - an excellent psychological thriller.
I thought this was absolutely brilliant. The characters felt so realistic and the character building throughout the book was phenomenal.
From the start you know that at least one person is going to end up dead, and the book slowly escalates the tension as you find out more about the characters and what they're going through. There were so many layers to the story and I found it all so interesting to read about. I liked that the author didn't shy away from some more uncomfortable topics and didn't feel the need to wrap everything up in a 'they all lived happily ever after' bow.
I would thoroughly recommend this book, for me it had everything I want from this genre: Well fleshed out characters, lots of brilliant plot points and a steady build of tension towards what feels like an inevitable conclusion.
Wow that's one heck of a ride, Beth is lonely and bullied she is having a real bad time but then she makes friends with Corinne a French exchange student. They hit it of straight away but things get a little strange ...,.... you will have to read this for yourself.
This has a big punch i feel that Beth gets a real rough ride but what do I know and the ending wayhey is several shocks and unexpected. Beth goes to France then her parents and sister join her, somethings come out of the woodwork wouldn't be a thriller if they didn't then a massive shock this is a thriller that hits you. There are several layers the teenage hormones the awaking coming of age sort of. But the parents the successful Mum stay at home Dad all have major parts to play the neighbourhood. You get to meet a number of worthy characters.
Before the story starts Beths Aunt has died no reveal you get to hear this very early. There is a lot of tension in the house as the punches come the tension builds it knocked me over several times. I hope when you read this you understand what I mean.
For me there is a massive message bullying has effects it will build you or destroy you and its easy to give in but easier to stand or survive if your not on your own. But for me this is a subject that is personal so maybe I'm over the top but the damage to others or the bullied can be life altering and often is, I don't think anyone can be unaffected by it. I'm getting of my soap box now.
I do recommend this great book yes it hit me harder than I expected but it is close to how life can be but I'm glad that it's not always the same ending, mine isn't but this would make great TV as that's were I see all my films as well I'm covering all angles.
This is a great thriller I must say it felt eerie and had me on edge whilst reading. It has a great plot that will keep you guessing. Side note if you aren’t keen on reading a lot of bad language you might not like this one!
A good psychological thriller which made interesting reading but I felt it was a bit drawn out in places but it was still a good read.
The characters were interesting and it was quite intense at times with a good ending.
This was a strange book to get in to as I am not accustomed to reading lots of swear words. I stuck with it to the end though and it got a bit easier to read. The characters were interesting and the plot was well written. It was an overall good book.
I finished reading Stranger a few days ago and I’m still reeling. It has to be the most uncomfortable book I’ve read in a long time but even so I found it really difficult to put it down. Beth Holland is a lonely young girl, the younger of two sisters. She forms a close friendship with foreign exchange student Corinne then her behaviour leads mum Abi to question how well they know their guest. The format is such that you know at the start that something awful has happened and then you are drip fed more details throughout. Personally knowing it was coming didn’t make it any less shocking to read. I have a concern for readers with ‘triggers’ as in my opinion there are several here. A shocking and quite disturbing read but strangely compelling.
A story about a dysfunctional family and a foreign student that comes to stay with them.
I was invited to read this book by the publishers but I couldn’t get into this story at all and the swearing put me off reading the book.
This is my third read from joint authors Paul Perry and Karen Gillece who write under the pen name Karen Perry. I really enjoyed the two previous books, especially ‘Girl unknown’ but unfortunately for me I struggled to get into this one. I still enjoyed it but didn’t feel the buzz of excitement I had with the other two books.
Abi Holland is happily married, daughter Eva is doing well and set for university but Abi can’t help worrying about her younger daughter Beth. Beth is a bit of a loner and Abi is hoping that when foreign exchange student Corinne comes to stay that Beth will have someone to talk to. But unfortunately things don’t always go to plan and Beth starts to act wayward and Abi suspects that her behaviour may have a lot to do with their guest Corinnne.
Corinne is listening to all the family secrets and once they come out, there’s no going back.
Maybe I am being a little harsh with a 3 star rating because it is still a good read but this writing duo had set the bar so high.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A very well written book which kept me involved in the storyline. I did feel I lost a bit of interest around the middle of the book but it did pickup and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for giving me the opportunity to read this book which I can definitely recommend.
I highly recommend this book. I literally could not read fast enough. Everything this Genre should be and more!!
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me the thrill of reading early.
As the synopsis informs us ‘ Abi Holland considers herself lucky’. She is a very busy business woman, who is able to enjoy her fantastic job, which includes travel, whilst her husband has sacrificed his career in order to be the homemaker and carer of their two daughters Eva and Beth. They live in a beautiful home in a good neighbourhood, private schooling - a good life!
Eva is beautiful and is about to go to University. Beth, on the other hand, is not as fortunate. In reality she is going through some stressful situations – mostly to do with school. She has lost her best friend, and she is somewhat ostracised and is lonely.
The opening finds Abi ready to host a French exchange student who will be in Beth’s class. Corinne is somewhat of a surprise; from her pink hair to her forthright manner – but the girls seem to hit it off and the family are relieved that Beth now has someone to talk to.
Absolutely brilliant. Well-written, with great characters and multi-layered situations relating to various members of the cast of characters. Fascinating but oh so chilling – you can feel the drama developing.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Abi and Mark are married with 2 daughters. 18 year old Eva is a high flyer set to go to university and 15 year old Beth is a troubled teenager. Abi worries that she is not doing well at school and doesn't have any friends. Then Corinne comes to stay as Beth's French exchange partner. The 2 girls seem to bond and Beth seems much happier. But is Corinne as innocent as she seems? The family have secrets and she is very good at listening and using things to her advantage. This is a good, pacy story taking the reader on a roller coaster ride to the tragic conclusion. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.
Oh what a tense and unnerving read!
There is a lot going on in this book, multiple storylines being woven together and ultimately colliding!
However, those final pages were shocking! I did not expect it at all and really enjoyed it
#Stranger #NetGalley
Sharp and Edgy thriller. A must read.
Abi Holland considers herself lucky.
She's happily married, and her oldest daughter, Eva, is all set for a place at a top university.
She just can't help but worry about Beth.
So when foreign exchange student Corinne comes to stay, it's a relief her lonely younger daughter finally has someone to talk to.
It's only when Beth starts to misbehave, that Abi begins to wonder how much they really know about their guest.Because the Holland family have lots of secrets, and Corinne is quietly listening to them all.And once they come out, there's no going back.
What would happen if revenge comes in the way?
I loved the character of Abi. She's unpredictable.
Narration of the story is Pacey. I couldn't put it down.
Highly recommended from me to every reader out there.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK Michael Joseph for giving me an advanced copy of this book.
When Abi and Mark welcome a foreign exchange student into their house little do they know their lives will never be the same again. Their daughters Eva and Beth have their own secrets and Corrine appears to have the ability to get close to people and unravel their lives, Abi has always been concerned about Beth but now she doesn't know her daughter at all, nor does she know Eva or her husband. Corrine herself is a very mixed up character.
The tragic end which is hinted at the start still comes as a big shock and sad ending all round