***ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.co.uk in return for an honest review ***

Steph's 30 year marriage is over. She loves her job and doesn't want to have to leave because of the sale of the family home, instead she vows to buy the house herself. The only problem is that it no longer feels like her safe haven. Things have felt off recently, she has noticed her belongings not being where she left them, there has been the imprint of someone sitting on her bed and she has noticed the faint smell of cigarette smoke.

She needs to bring in more money to buy her house, a lodger seems like the ideal solution. Then she meets a young man at the homeless shelter where she works. He reminds her of her estranged son. He seems like the ideal candidate. What could possibly go wrong?

This was a real page turner, with twists and turns to keep you hooked right up until the last page. It's a great, easy read that I would definitely recommend to others.

Can't really give feedback. I was notified this audio was ready for download on 1/31/22 and in less than 48 hours it was archived and removed from netgalley - so that sucks.

I'll keep an eye out for it when it's available on my library app.

I wasn’t overly keen on this book, I did feel as though it was a bit too far fetched, with some of it being quite predictable but I enjoyed some of the characters. I don’t have particularly strong feelings towards this book, but it was quite quick and easy to read.

"You think you’re safe in your home. You’re wrong."

Steph, a wife and mother of two has the perfect life. Until things start to go array. She separates from her husband and decides to rent out her spare room to help with the mortgage. Things then go from bad too much, much worse.

This book is something else. I genuinely was not sure what I was expecting but it was not this. I was absolutely gripped. There are multiple different story lines running at the same time, but all questions you have are answered at the end. This is dark, intense and dripping. It is the definition of a psychological thriller. This was the first book I have read by Rona Halsall and it will not be the last. I will be recommending this to everyone. Loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio and Rona Halsall for an audio ARC in return for an honest review.

Full disclosure- the cover got me. I didn’t read anything about it at all. But the cover and that tag line “You Think You’re Safe In Your Home. You’re Wrong” - it got me.

Thanks to NetGalley I got an advanced copy of the audiobook and I dove right in.

This is not what I was expecting. I was expecting more suspense, more danger - less I don’t even know….less of what I got. I’m honestly just underwhelmed.

It’s okay. There’s plenty of suspense in this but it wasn’t the “grip your seat” type of suspense I prefer - and was expecting - but that’s on me, not the book.

I really don’t have much else to say. It was an underwhelming book with a predictable ending.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic psychological thriller that reeled me in and kept me enthralled until the end.
Yes the main character is a sweet, older lady who is a bit naive but she also had a bit of an edge to her and I loved the constant twists that arose. This is the rare genre of thriller that doesn't involve murder and I loved it. This is my first time reading Rona Halsall but it will not be my last!

Steph is living on her own as her husband of 30 years has filed for divorce. Steph's has two children Bea and Max but she hasn't seen Max in 10 years. Steph is all alone in a big house and strange things keep happening-windows open, sky light open, brick through a window and she is worried she is not alone in the house. She is very uncomfortable to be alone in the house with all the strange sounds.

She eventually has Noah move in. He is a homeless man down on his luck but he reminds her of her son Max so she feels safe around him. More strange things start to happen and she wonders if she may have made a mistake? Is Noah a good guy or is he the one causing all the disturbances in the house? Is it her husband Andy? Poor Steph must feel like she is loosing her mind with all the different things happening and not sure who to trust.

I listened to this on audiobook and didn't like the narrator as they didn't have much inflection with their voice to show fear, anxiety, or shock. I think I would have rather read the book.

Thank you #NetGalley for my audiobook and this is my honest review.

A gripping read, packed with twists.

Steph is coming to terms with many changes after suddenly finding herself living alone, and is determined to finally start putting herself first, although her family find this difficult to accept. Her son has been missing for some time; her husband of 30 years has walked out of their marriage, believing she is having an affair; and she has recently had to start a new job. Although she loves that her work now enables her to support homeless people in finding housing and sorting out their finances, she is not earning as much as previously, so the separation comes at a particularly difficult time.

Her husband is very keen for her to move out so they can sell the property, but Steph doesn't want to leave behind the memories of her son or the hope that one day he will return. Growing increasingly unnerved by strange incidents, she decides to take in a lodger to boost her income so she can buy her husband out of the house, and to give her peace of mind amidst the strange goings on.

With everyone pulling her in different directions and the incidents continuing to escalate, Steph finds her job, her house and her life are in danger.

4.5 stars

I've not read or listened to this authors books before - but wow, I will now!!

This had me gripped and twice I had the wrong person in the frame!
An excellent 9 hours of listening that flew by with a great narrator building the story for me.

I want to thank the author, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio, Bookouture
for providing me the opportunity to read this new book for my honest review.

A twisty book that holds its suspense well!
I listened to this as an audiobook and I just couldn’t gel with the narrator. I couldn’t help but cringe at the put on northern accents which unfortunately detracted from the enjoyability of the story a little bit.
I also saw ‘the big twist’ coming which is quite frustrating.
3 stars from me!

Well if this one isn’t something! I was completely dumbfounded as I was reading, trying to figure out what the heck was going on & who was torturing poor Steph. Upon hearing the narration of a character, I was annoyed with the voice. However, when it got closer to the end, I realized why that voice was so annoying! The ones I suspected were not the guilty parties. I won’t say anything else so as not to give anything away. This one is a good one! Thank you, Rona Halsall, Bookouture & NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

You think you’re safe in your home, think again...

Steph’s life has hit a strick of bad luck. After her husband walked out on her after thirty years of marriage all she had left was their family home and memories. Steph began to hear strange noises, smell odd scents thought the house, but when unexplained occurrences had escalated to the point of break-ins and damaged property Steph began to worry. Are those just simple coincidences or does someone want her out of the house? And when Steph met a young man in need of a home, she makes an astonishing decision and takes him on as a lodger. But with a new tenant, she gains another load of uninvited troubles.

This book was amazing. I enjoyed all the twists the story had to offer. Thruout the read, the author throws multiple hints on the "villain" of the novel, and it is very easy to catch if you pay attention. The story began very slow, it was losing my attention when suddenly the plot picked up and the ending was phenomenal. Great set of characters that continued to surprise me thru the novel. Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

After her separation from her husband, Steph starts noticing peculiar things in her home like a lingering smell of smoke, open windows and strange noises. Nobody seems to want to take her concerns seriously and rightfully so. At the same time these odd things are happening, Steph takes on a roommate, Noah, a young man who has recently fallen on hard times.

Steph was very sweet but not the most exciting main character. Her motivation to gain independence after her separation was admirable but at times, I felt like she acted about 20 years older than she was. Steph was also giving off unreliable narrator vibes which I am really not into at the moment.

When creepy things were happening in Steph's home, I didn't feel creeped out and that was disappointing. I have been wondering though, if I would have felt differently had I read the physical book instead of listening to the audio version. I felt that the narration gave away too much which in turn, caused me to figure out the ending a mile away. Despite having figured out who was behind the mysterious goings ons at the house, there were some additional details that I didn't see coming.

This book got off to a very slow start for me and I would say it stayed that way until about the last 25% of the story. I did like this book, I just didn't love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ALC. The Guest Room is available today!

A woman has lost her husband of 30 years (divorcing not dead) her grown up kids have their own lives and she has taken redundancy from work. The husband wants her to sell the house and after many years of keeping everyone happy she said no and and is starting to do what makes her happy. Strange events keep happening to unnerve her new found energy and freedom. What is behind it all? this was a quick read for me and the plot is predictable, almost unbelievable at times however it all comes together at the end, stick with it. Thank you #Netgalley for the audiobook to review.

I loved this book from page one! Rona Halsall created a fabulous twisted plot with characters you’ll instantly bond with. Many times a thriller will leave you suspicious of everyone and their possible guilt or role in the demise of another character. What I liked about this story was that I felt that there was no way anyone in this story could be guilty!

First, Steph seemed like a middle aged woman going through a tough divorce while learning ways she could gain her independence. She has an admirable job helping the homeless get on their feet. She doesn’t want to sell the house she shared with her husband so she’s working on finding a way to keep it.

Then, Andy…her ex seems to have suspected Steph of an affair leading to their demise as a married couple. He wants to sell the house and get his share. I mean other than being a nuisance about it, he doesn’t really seem too suspicious of anything other than being kind of a jerk.

After Steph lends a hand to a young homeless boy, Noah, who reminds her of her estranged son, she takes him under counsel on a wing and a prayer that she made the right decision.

Weird things happen in the house and it seems like someone keeps intruding but she has no reason to suspect anyone.

Bee her daughter is worried about her mom and tries to convince her mother to move in with her.

It seems like everyone’s intentions are good but it doesn’t seem to answer the big question about why anyone would be trying to scare Steph out of her house! When you learn how all of the pieces fit together, you’ll love it!

This is a great thrilling read that will definitely keep your guessing until the end.

My Rate: ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
This book has an interesting premise, however, it was a bit slow on the delivery. For me, a really good thriller is a book where everything happens for a reason and when the plot twist happens, everything clicks and everything makes sense. However here this didn’t happen. It felt like the author just filled the first 70% of the book with random characters, situations, and flashbacks to give us other suspects but most of it was a bit unnecessary and only slowed the story down for me. The ending was good, the plot twist was not as surprising as I wished it was, because I was thinking of that person for a good portion of the book, but the ending was enjoyable and with a really good motivation. The narration was one of the best I've ever heard, the characters' voices were amazing and it set an amazing mood.
My complete review is on my blog: https://anaennoir.com/2022/01/30/the-guest-room-by-rona-halsall-review/

This was a solid read. While it was a good read it was not my favorite.

Creepy things happen in her home and she takes in a homeless person but does not think the things happening are about him.

You may be surprise to know how was making things happen.

The Guest Room by Rona Halsall

You think you're safe in your own home. Think again.

At one time Steph thought she had a perfect life. A happy marriage, two great kids and a home she felt safe in. But now her husband has walked out after 30 years, her daughter Bea is married and lives miles away and her estranged son, Max, hasn't made contact in years. Her house doesn't seem safe any longer.

She begins to hear noises. Open windows that she's positive she closed. Strange smells in the kitchen. A smashed front window. Things just don't seem right in the house anymore.

A homeless young man, Noah, has fallen on hard times and Steph impulsively offers him a place to stay. He reminds her of her estranged son, Max. She thinks having him there in her house with her she won't feel alone.

But more strange things happen.

Who is behind all of it? Noah? Or is someone else out to scare Steph?

Rona Halsall is a new author for me! I really enjoyed listening to this book!! A fast paced listen!! I couldn't stop listening to it as I wanted to know what was going to happen!! Great writing! I kind of guessed the ending just half way through, but still enjoyed it. Look forward to reading or listening to more by Rona!

Thank you Rona Halsall, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio to listen to this book in return for my honest review!

You think you’re safe in your home. You’re wrong.

Ever since Steph’s husband walked out after a thirty-year marriage, home hasn’t felt like a safe haven. Her daughter Bea thinks she’s imagining things. But Steph knows that the noises in the night, the open windows she knows she left closed, the strange smell in the kitchen – none of it feels right.

Then her house is broken into, and a young man named Noah helps her fix the front window. He’s fallen on hard times and Steph impulsively offers him a place to stay. At least if he is there, she won’t be home alone.

Before long Noah is living in Bea’s old bedroom, paying rent, and getting his life back on track. Steph’s ex-husband and Bea are furious. But Steph feels secure at last.

Until the strange things start happening once more.

Until it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to make her never, ever feel safe again.

The most twisty and unputdownable thriller of the year – perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and Gone Girl.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

Having already read a number of the authors books, I was really excited to be approved to review this one, and it didn’t disappoint at all.

Steph’s husband has left, he is trying to force the sale of her home, she is determined to stay, although she feels lonely and is struggling a bit financially however there are strange things happening and Steph is convinced they are down to him.
After a disturbing event, a young homeless man comes to her aid, and through her work at the homeless shelter she better gets to know him and invites him to be her lodger. A perfect solution for both of them.
The strange and disturbing things do not stop though, in fact they escalate. Who has it in for Steph though? Is she right to believe her husband is still to blame or has Noah brought more trouble with him?
Exciting, well written, gripping, tense and beautifully narrated. Highly recommend.

The Guest Room is a light psychological thriller that has Steph as main character: recently separated from her husband and living for the first time alone, she noticed that someone keeps breaking into her home. Nothing is stolen, but she feels less and less safe... Who's doing this to her?

The book gripped me from chapter 1, presenting all the characters involved and the problems that Steph is having in her new house. The story is easy to follow and I was so curious to find out more, I wanted the main character to investigate more and solve these problems, instead she just complains all the time and does... nothing. The twists weren't well executed unfortunately, and I was able to predict them several pages (sometimes even chapters) before their reveal. But the real problem for me is that there is no tension, things just happen one after the other and Steph has always the same shocked reaction where she's unable to do anything besides complaining and believing anything that's been told to her. The writing is quite good, so it's really a shame that the story didn't work for me. Hopefully I'll enjoy the other books by Rona Halsall more.
2 stars.

* I'd like to thank Rona Halsall, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.