It's hard to review this book without giving too much away! Steven and Ellie head off to a secluded cabin for a romantic weekend, but of course neither are who they say they are and the weekend becomes anything but romantic. This book is dark, twisted and violent. It grabbed me from the start, opening at the scene of a horrific crime. The story leading up to that point is a good idea and raises lots of important issues. It's a psychological, character-driven plot, but my problem was that I didn't particularly like either of the characters which made it difficult to care what happened to them and, as a result, it ended up falling a bit flat for me.

I was looking forward to reading this book, and I thought it started out well, so I was buckling in for a good ride. That is when it went wrong for me, the pace of the book was much too slow. I kept thinking we will get beyond the triviality and the book will take off, but it didn't. Also I really didn't like the characters, and although I don't have to like them it does help. I ended up being disappointed and not enjoying reading the book ,sorry.

This book was addictive. From the very first page you are drawn into the world of student Ellie and her professor boyfriend Steven. It is very fast paced and full of twists and turns that insures your attention is grabbed An excellent tension filled book with plenty of twists and turns.

Steven and Ellie are escaping the city for a romantic weekend away in the woods.
At least that’s what Steven thinks. Ellie though has different plans.
This was a very intense psychological thriller. I do think it needs to come with a trigger warning as it deals with some very dark and heavy topics.
I found the descriptive element of this book to be fantastic it really paints a picture of the scene in your heads. Overall the book kept me guessing as I followed Ellie’s motive and understood their back story.

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.

I struggled a bit with this book and although I finished it I’m still not sure how I felt about it. Ok so my problem with the read I think was I just didn’t connect to Ellie and Steven I didn’t like either of them and while I think this may have been intentional I found it put me off the book. The subject matter also I found difficult to take at times but not wanting to say too much about that as I feel it would spoil the plot line for others. The book was atmospheric and well written just perhaps not a book for me and I am sure that others will enjoy it more than I did. I will look forward to reading more from Laure Van Rensburg in the future though as I think she has a lot to give.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Devoured Nobody But Us in a day! Gloriously dark and twisted; I read this with my heart in my mouth as Laure Van Rensburg revealed the layers of the story, ratcheting the suspense to a brilliant finale. Highly recommended.

a very tense atmospheric novel that quickly moves on from what seems like a romantic, happy few days away for a couple but it soon emerges that neither are who they say. It is very dark but well written. Some people may find the subject matter very challenging and readers should be prepared for it to be violent and disturbing.

I think I'm definitely in the minority with this one, but I really didn't enjoy this and am super disappointed, as it was one of my most anticipated reads for the year! I loved the premise and think it had so much potential, but I found the characters to be really flat and not believable, and the plot just developed at a really slow pace that it completely made me lose interest. The writing also felt quite messy, and I found the change in 1st and 3rd person between the two protagonists really strange. It didn't feel as tense and suspenseful as I thought it would, and I had to force myself to finish it, sadly. Saying this, I think some readers will enjoy, as the concept of the book is really intriguing, it just didn't grip me, personally.

A dark book but then the subject matter was never going to be an easy read. A strong debut that I believe was inspired by true events.

Wow!! This book is quite the ride. You really won't know if you're coming or going by the end. It was a good story and we'll written. I didn't find myself particularly caring about any of the characters or being super invested in the plot and how it turned out but it was still an enjoyable way to pass the time and I did find it a really easy read. It was cleverly done and there are a few twists theown in to keep you off balance. It definitely didn't disappoint

A story of love, obsession and hate that gradually unwinds and reveals its horrific truths. Ellie is in love with Steven, a literary professor. A meeting of minds as well as bodies. A romantic trip away to a very remote house is the culmination of all that has gone before and Ellie’s specific and carefully considered plans ensure a weekend that will never be forgotten. However, with both of them having secrets they would rather stay hidden their romance could be in jeopardy. A dark and deeply disturbed story that plays out in unexpected ways and is extremely thought provoking. My only criticism is that it sometimes dragged a little but understand it was probably necessary for the intended build up to the finale.

The outline of the plot sounded ok which is of course why I requested the book, in reality the delivery of it felt completely unconvincing, I ended up skimming over many paragraphs towards the end. I never felt anything in the way of tension or suspense, mostly just irritated at what felt like a desperate attempt to piggy back a social movement.

This novel has all the ingredients of a compelling thriller but stumbles in places. A couple staying in a house miles from anywhere where neither of them is what they seem. The first dramatic twist comes relatively early and is a genuine surprise, however, the pace then slows to a crawl which I found frustrating until it finally picked up again in the last third of the book. My second problem was, although I sympathised with the issues raised by the story, I didn't find either character really likeable which made it difficult to root for them in the ensuing denouement.. This book has a lot to recommend it but it isn't as compelling as it could be.

Nobody But Us is a very timely and important novel that begins at the scene of a brutal crime and then moves to focus on the relationship between Steven, a college professor and Ellie a student, as they travel from New York to Chesapeake Bay for a few days away. The novel moves between their perspectives and an unknown third person's. I liked the beginning of this well written novel and was immediately drawn into it, however it is a slow burner and more character than action driven. I found it to be a dark and intense read that I'd recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This started off very slow for me, so slow I was contemplating giving up, 1/4 of the way through it picked up pace but although beautifully written it didn’t connect with me at all. Steve & Ellie, so in love, off for a romantic weekend, in a remote luxurious villa or are they?
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher & author for an advanced copy. While it wasn’t to my personal taste I’m sure it will be a bestseller.

It’s tough to write a review on this book without giving away the premise entirely.

Ellie and Steven are heading to Chesapeake Bay for a weekend away from all the distractions of New York City. He’s a teacher in his forties and she’s a student in her early twenties. A dynamic we see all too often, but explored here with a twist. Because Steven and Ellie are not who they seem. One is deluded and the other pretending. And things suddenly descend into violence and recriminations.

The key to both characters is in their past which is explored as the tension within the house ramps up.

It’s a timely book and it’s written so well. I liked that Ellie’s narrative is first person and Steven’s third. It made me have a visceral reaction to her story. Heartbreaking and upsetting in equal measure, the writing is so strong that you’re left quite disturbed at the end.

And that’s literally all I can say without spoiling it! Read it!

This is a difficult book to review without leaving spoilers but it's one that will certainly keep you on your toes as you start to discover exactly what is going on. The author is extremely talented and I really enjoyed her writing style. Through her words, she expertly created a dark, chilling (in more ways than one!) setting and I was able to easily visualise everything that happened. As others have said, this is a character driven read which does mean that not a whole lot happens for quite a lot of book, something I struggled with at time but others may appreciate. The two main characters are well fleshed out, especially Steven and the book is a real deep dive into them both. I would have like a different relationship as the whole student/teacher relationship is quite overdone. Overall this was an intriguing read and the author has explored a challenging but important subject matter and done a really good job of it.

I suspect Nobody But Us might end up as a Marmite book with many people loving it but just as many disliking it. The issues raised are important ones but it is a very angry book with a lot of gratuitous violence and certainly not an easy read, especially for those who may be adversely affected by its themes of manipulation and revenge. It will no doubt prove to be a talking point for many women.

We are introduced to a horrific crime scene where a body is found and from then on we learn what led up to it. Ellie, a student, has booked a romantic weekend away in a remote house for herself and her partner, Steven, a well-respected literature professor. They arrive in the middle of a snowstorm which is dramatically well described and creepy. Cut off from everyone, and without mobile connection, the couple's secrets unravel with disastrous results.

The writer provides an immersive experience for the reader which is why I managed to complete the book but I had to skip some of the violent scenes as they made me feel physically sick. On reflection I understand why they had to be there but perhaps a little too much of it for my taste. The novel is partly inspired by the author's own experience and those of other #MeToo testimonies.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review Nobody But Us.

4.5 stars
Steven Harding is a well respected professor with his professional life moving from strength to strength his personal life is also positive too; his young girlfriend Ellie Masterson is completely besotted with him. Together they travel for a romantic break in the woods; but away from the hustle of the city and cut off from others cracks start to appear and secrets that both Steven and Ellie have been keeping are exposed.

I loved this thriller/suspense story; the three perspectives, Steven, Ellie and the unknown female brought depth and interest to the story and I was gripped as what started as a seeming good relationship between Steven and Ellie was exposed. I love the film Hard Cady and this gave me the same vigilante vibes which I really enjoyed. A great book which had me hooked until the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review