“Nobody but Us” by Laure Van Rensburg

“STEVEN HARDING IS A HANDSOME, WELL-RESPECTED PROFESSOR.
ELLIE MASTERSON IS A WIDE-EYED YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT.
Together, they are driving south from New York, for their first holiday together: three days in an isolated cabin, far from the city.
Ahead of them, the promise of long, dark nights - and the chance to explore one another's bodies, away from prying eyes.
It should be a perfect, romantic trip for two.
EXCEPT THAT HE'S NOT WHO HE SAYS HE IS.
BUT THEN AGAIN, NEITHER IS SHE . . .”

#Review -
Considering only two people are in this story and is told alternatively from both of their perspectives, the ambience is dark, menacing and at times quite distressing. The #MeToo theme is drawn from the authors real life experience and she has been very brave in broaching the subject, which obviously caused her upset for many years. Justifying doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, when the power dynamic is shifted, it was interesting to see the stereotypical relationship reversed. Sadly, it’s an all too familiar issue but I liked how the author portrayed it in such a tense psychological thriller without losing any of its potency. Set in an isolated cabin, which itself gives the reader the heebie jeebies, there’s also the sinister sensation they may not be alone. If this was a movie, which I hope one day it is, you’d be watching it from behind the sofa, anticipating the next terrifying move.
The prologue starts the story with the ending, allowing the reader to see that something very bad has happened but not what, with whom and why. With flashbacks to both characters pasts, this allows the pieces of the mystery to be placed correctly in the puzzle and make sense of the sinister situation. When the denouement occurs, it is still a sudden shock though. I didn’t particularly like either Steven or Ellie but I think this was the intent, as between them they make the most totally *messed* up couple I’ve ever read about!

Laure van Rensburg uses every rule of English language grammar, to create a sharp, suspenseful story that certainly hits the spot, creates tension and occupies a horror style atmosphere, where the next five minutes could change in an instant! A truly exhilarating debut ride that highlights #MeToo and the effects left on the women and young girls involved - kudos Ms Rensburg 👏

#NobodyButUs - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy for review! It is definitely one that will keep you awake all night because it is completely binge worthy and terrifying!

When Ellie and Steven both go away for a romantic break, you already know something is lurking from the writing. Dark shadows, creaking ceilings and large windows looking out into darkness already set the scene for a horror story. The question of “who is out there?” was my first thought, but of course the twist was much more jaw dropping.

The development of the characters has you gasping at every turn, from Ellie’s vicious but clever actions to Steven’s abhorrent views on women. It depicts the clear power struggle in a man who thinks he is one of the good guys, but who holds women down during sex without consent and has the type of “small young women who I am protector of”. Ironic that the thing he misses most when he is tied up, (no spoilers on who is doing the tying!) is stretching out his arms and legs!

Nobody But Us is almost psychotic with very dangerous characters. The twists are nothing short of genius and I was constantly saying “oh my god, how many were there?!” Without giving away spoilers, you will definitely be shocked.

If you love thrillers, this one is definitely for you and (though please excuse this awful pun) the ending is to die for.

Thank you again to Netgalley!

Ellie Masterson is a young college student who is heading away from the city to an isolated retreat where she can finally enjoy spending time with her boyfriend Steven, away from prying eyes and gossip. The problem is that Stephen Harding is a college professor, considerable older than Ellie and theirs is a relationship that many would disapprove of. However, what should be a romantic and welcome getaway, soon begins to unravel. Neither Ellie nor Stephen have been completely honest with each other and the secrets that gradually begin to be uncovered lead to devastating consequences for them both.

I don't want to go into any more detail about the story because it is important to go into this book without any spoilers. What I can say is that the story, the setting and the cat-and-mouse style creates a terribly claustrophobic and tense atmosphere. Having two, possibly, unreliable narrators really keeps you guessing right until the last few chapters and made it impossible to put down.

Nobody But Us is a dark and compelling mash up of Misery and Fatal Attraction - a brutal, raw and contemporary tale of revenge, and a reminder to always be vigilant because you can never really know what another person is thinking. To find out after reading it that the story was inspired by an event in author Laure Van Rensburg's life made it all the more heartbreaking and important. Unfortunately the themes explored in the book are not fictional, they are all too real, but this is definitely a story that will stay with me for a long time.

I have to say, I really struggled with this book, the synopsis grabbed me and I was ready for an intense thriller, big plot twists and that edge of your seat feeling. Unfortunately, for me it just didn’t hit the spot for these but I think that’s because the book is more focused on one element than the ‘thrill’ aspects.

The first few chapters gave me a sense of unease, I didn’t really like either of the characters and I didn’t really know what was happening - there was a lot of discussion and details but not a lot of action. I think this was the authors intention though, neither character is designed to be liked and they are both fighting their inner demons, just in very different ways. She also manages to create that sense of unease where you don’t know what to expect next or where the book is going (to a certain extent)

As the book progresses the background becomes more clear and you do start to get a bit more of that thrill action but I could see how it was going to pan out so it just felt a little flat. I know others have felt completely different though so maybe this just wasn’t the book for me.

It is a very important issue that the author is raising with this book and I don’t want to put that down at all, it just wasn’t what I’d expected when I opened the book

Headlines:
Revenge
#MeToo
What the W H A T?

I'm going to be very vague on plot because I want other readers to feel the surprises I did. This is a story of coupledom with characters who are not likeable in any way. Who to root for? Who is the worst? By the end I have firmer feelings on this but it is still a conflicted feeling.

This story sets up an eerie vibe almost immediately...a house in the middle of nowhere, an ongoing snow storm, creaky noises. That atmosphere was very palpable. I liked how the plot got straight into the story without much hanging around. You don't have to wait for dubious action, it comes in waves.

This thriller was a quick read, easy to get into and it kept my attention. The story was narrated from three main POVs, one something of a mystery. I enjoyed the reveals when they came and there was something ultimately sickly satisfying about where things ended up.

Thank you to Penguin Books for the review copy.

Well it took a little while for me to get into this book then it was around the 100 page mark something flipped and I was like oh my god I need to know how this ends. This was definitely a slow burner and the amount of times nobody but us was mentioned was a lot I lost count. But needless to say the storyline was very gripping and you do end up​ turning those pages quicker to find out what’s happening next.

Needless to say this wasn’t an easy read and there are definitely quite a few triggers later on in the book. Definite focus on gaslighting and domestic violence so if that is a trigger for you I don’t recommend this book. However if you are into psychological or domestic thrillers this one is for you.

This book was, as I described it immediately after finishing, bat-shit crazy. I don’t even want to go into too much about it here as to spoil anything for anyone, but the twists and turns this one takes is mental. Two liars, a remote cabin, no phone signal, no neighbors, and a lot of secrets… what could go wrong!

If you like psychological thrillers with a bit of blood and gore too, I would recommend you check this one out!

This was a powerful thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish, a gripping plot and some surprising twists made this a great read!

From start to finish I found Nobody But Us a compulsive and tense mystery thriller. As the story starts essentially at the end, with the chaos of a gruesome crime scene, we know something is brewing. We know what will happen, but we don’t know how. So from the moment we are introduced to Ellie and Steven who are vacating to an isolated cabin in icy temperatures we are expecting the stuff of horrors.

Honestly, I can’t express how well the setting played into the building tension. Of course, the glacial cabin in the woods/in the middle of nowhere is a classic trope, but it worked extremely well to create paranoia and anxiety the characters are feeling. Especially with the ominous and spacious house they were in.

This is a very character-driven plot as the two main characters each have their own secrets. It has multiple narratives and split over the three days they are visiting, but this truly gives us an in-depth perspective into what drives them or triggers them. The dynamic of the student and professor is quite interesting as well, as right from the beginning there are hints that there have been troubles within the relationship. It was intriguing to see how far this went… It was surprisingly intimate, there are a few sex scenes, but also mentally as the character's backstories develop.

Nobody But Us focuses on some sensitive themes and highlights revenge.

What’s meant to be a romantic few days away celebrating their 6 month anniversary for Stephen and Ellie turns out to be anything but once secrets are revealed. Atmospheric setting and a sinister feeling house despite being modern. Big windows looking out into the forest which could be harbouring anything! Neither of the two characters are likeable although one is worse than the other. Neither are all bad and do possess some good points. It’s a definite page turner despite it being overly long for what was happening. Also some people might find it a bit graphic so probably not a book for those who prefer nice, safe and cosy stories. I got into it immediately and would recommend it. Loved the cover too.

I had high hopes for this one but unfortunately it was a struggle and I decided to DNF it as it just wasn't captivating me the way I would like these kind of books to do.

great premise but slow executions.
The book could have done with being some 70 pages shorter but it was compelling enough and I actually know a few people who would enjoy reading it.

There are some tropes in it that aren't for me but was still a decent read

This book was quite powerful with a domestic thriller following on from the me too movement. It was dual narrative and twisty which made this such a good read. I took a while to work it out but when I did I was shocking. This did have a fair few triggers in - abuse, position of trust and violence which made a difficult read but it’s important that these truths are spoken about.

Love love loved this book.

What a stunning piece of writing that literally had me on the edge of my seat.

A great story with adventure at every turn.

A proper page turner that I could not put down.

Highly recommended, 5 stars from me.

I could not get into this book. I don't like the way it is written, it describes in detail stuff I don't need to know. It did not grab me and I could not go any further.

For this one, unfortunately the hook gripped me more than the book itself. It checks enough boxes of being atmospheric, interesting premise with the complexity of a professor/student relationship and was gripping at times, but mostly I felt the pace was too slow for me, I didn’t find myself sympathising much for either Ellie or Steven and some of the plot lines were predictable. Huge thanks to the author and publisher for this advance review copy. Views my own. 3*

I really liked the premise of this one, written off the back of the #MeToo movement - it seemed like it would be an exciting and thrilling read. Although it was in parts, it was just a little lacking for me.

The dual timelines worked well, I enjoyed finding out the backstories of the characters. Although we got this, I did find them a little lacking - like I wanted/needed more from them, more information, more personality. I’m not sure exactly what was missing for me but I found them hard to relate to/get on board with.

The settings themselves and the general atmosphere of the book was really well written and I got a really good feel for it all. Perhaps gets a little too descriptive at times and distracts away from the plot line - but well done nonetheless.

The pacing was a little off for me in parts, some seemed super fast and exciting - others more stagnant and uninteresting. This did make it feel quite a slog in parts which is a shame.

Overall I found it a good enough read, it was interesting and kept you engaged but I don’t think it’ll be an overly memorable one for me.

An atmospheric novel with tension that had me holding my breath as I turned the pages.

The perfect thriller for the Me Too generation.

Saw this online ALOT but was a little disppointed. The characters left me a little bored, i didnt like either of them. more to the point I didnt care what happened either! the background needed more development so that we were given a chance to form a link with them. It was claustrophobic, yet it all seemed a little too predictable. Disappointed after all the good stuff i had seen on insta etc.

Not my favourite read. The setting was eerily similar to another book I’ve read and the pace was too slow with long stretches of very little occurring. Steven, a well-respected professor and Ellie, 17 years his junior, take a romantic weekend away in an isolated snowed in house. But the weekend quickly takes a nasty turn as one of them isn’t who they seem to be.

It’s supposed to be part of the me-too movement but I found the victim Ellie, completely unlikeable, devious and deceptive, and that actually Steven was the real victim. Perhaps the “grooming” wasn’t well explored or perhaps the author was trying to portray the grey line, but at no point could I condone Ellie’s actions and could not see much fault in Stevens, whose key flaw was to fall for younger women and who he tended indulge while he was with them.

I’m not sure that the true intention was achieved. Overall couldn’t connect with the characters and found it all a bit unoriginal.