Tara and Beth have been estranged for over a decade when she’s notified of her older sister’s death in a suspicious fire at their childhood home. Tara is shocked to learn Beth named her as guardian of her sixteen-year-old daughter, Hannah, but is determined to make the best of it. Hannah has questions Tara is unable to answer, but of even greater concern are the threatening messages she started receiving shortly after her niece arrived. Someone seems to be targeting her family, and Tara is pretty sure she knows why. The question is… who? And why now?

Before I get into talking about the book, I want to talk about the description. As delightfully intriguing as it is, after reading the book, I’m extremely puzzled by it. It indicates that the book is told from Hannah’s perspective, but the entire story is told from Tara’s point of view. I kept expecting to see a perspective flip that never happened. It was a bit of a distraction, even though it didn’t prevent me from becoming fully invested in the story. It’s not important, ultimately, but I can’t help but wonder why this description was chosen, rather than one that focused on the story’s main protagonist.

Puzzling description notwithstanding, The Niece is an excellent book. We meet Tara as she’s being informed about her sister’s death, and her reaction immediately makes the reader take notice, as it’s not quite what you would expect it to be. It’s not wrong, per se, just… unusual, given the circumstances.

Readers are immediately given the knowledge that there is at least one long-kept secret (and possibly more) that caused the sisters estrangement, but Cross takes her time and lets the suspense build to a fever pitch before she finally reveals it through a flashback. Getting to experience everything that led up to the event enhanced the story in a major way, and allowed it to have an even greater impact, in this reader’s opinion.

As appreciative as I was of that, it was nothing compared to the shock I felt as the story neared its conclusion. We’re talking a MAJOR plot twist that left me absolutely stunned with disbelief. I had to reread that particular section a few times, just to make sure I’d read it correctly—and that’s when the emotional tidal wave washed over me, because that twist affected pretty much every major aspect of the story, and made me see many things much differently than before.

I can’t praise this book highly enough. With heavy doses of suspense and tension throughout the story, this is an extremely well-written book that you’ll want to devour in a single sitting. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last!

Highly recommended!

I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Bookouture via Netgalley.

This book was crazy good! I was completely fooled the whole time, that twist was a great one! You absolutely killed this book Georgina!!!! 5 stars definitely!

Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 (4/5)

Genre: #psychologicalthriller, #suspense

Georgina Cross's psychological suspense novel The Niece centres on a family with sinister, unspoken secrets. I became engrossed in this book right away. The novel gets off to an amazing start. The first chapter of this book is just excellent, providing a sneak peek into what's to come.

Sisters Tara and Beth have been estranged for thirteen years while attempting to cover up a tragic history. However, Beth passes away unexpectedly in a fire accident, and Tara is now in charge of looking after her niece Hannah. Tara is surprised by her sister's choice, especially given how far apart they have grown over the years. Tara strives to put the past behind her and act morally now that Hannah is moving in with her. But the buried secrets come back to haunt them, and soon no one is safe and no one can be trusted!

I had fun reading this psychological suspense novel. Georgina Cross is a new author to me. I decided to read this based on some excellent reviews I found on #booktwt, and I couldn't help but submit a #netgalley request. I'm pleased I chose this. I will undoubtedly read more of her novels.

The plot moves quickly, and I finished it in one sitting! The narrative is told from a single point of view and occasionally flashes back to the past. The development of the characters was good; they were all likeable. The author slowly yet steadily builds suspense. I adored the plot in every way. However, the ultimate reveal (motivation) was a little lacking. It struck me as being completely random. In my opinion, the tagline on the book cover gives away too much and can ruin the suspense for certain readers. (Even though I had already guessed it, I still adored the narrative because of the way it was written.)

The Niece by Georgina Cross is a compelling book that will keep you up all night long. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate stories about families and sinister secrets.

3.25 stars!

Honestly, I couldn't wrap my head around the writing style.

It threw me off. I don't even know why but my goodness, I just couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to and I have no clue why.

Definitely not the book's fault but I guess it could use some more finishing touches.

The plot is fine. Maybe a bit too dramatic at times.

The Niece by Georgina Cross Narrated by: Lauryn Allman was an excellent audiobook especially as it was fast paced with lots of great twists and turns throughout I loved it. I found its a book once you start to listen or read you can not put it down. So no start to read it when you are just about to go to bed or have plans for that day! Everything will go out of the window as they say! lol. But, great for your holidays or your day off relaxing!

I do love my family. But can I trust them? Hmmmmm I wonder?

Tara, and Beth are sisters but have been estranged for thirteen years. Tara is shocked when she receives a phone call and she is informed that her sister was killed in a house fire which appears to have been deliberately set. Tara is in a state of shock of the news thats her sister is dead. She can not turn back clocks to make up with Beth now!!!! She is then informed that her niece Hanna will be coming to live with her as her sister' wishes.

But, Who set light to her sister's Beth's house?

Tara and her daughter, Cassie try their best to make Hannah feel at home. However, she is grieving for the loss of her mother and trying to fit in at school, make new friends, and everything around her. So much sadness

But, Hannah can't help but worry if she is next! why was she killed? She can not settle and her last memory is of her mother is screaming at me to get out. Then the flames took her, and she was gone.

WoW.............What a book this was! I loved it and the narrator was very good.

Big Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Enjoyed reading this fast paced book.
The ending was unexpected, I couldn't imagine living in that scenario. Great book I would recommend.
Thanks to bookouture, netgalley, and author in exchange for a review.
Publishing date Sept 2nd, 2022.

Jaw dropping and highly addictive

Wow! Wow! Wow! I did not expect any of that happening! This domestic thriller left me speechless. It is filled with twists and turns that made me turn page after page
Right when I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw another twists in there and knocked me off my high horse

One book I highly recommend

Absolutely astounding book so many twists and turns at every chapter could be one of my new fave authors ...really really enjoyed

Loved this amazing book. Love everything by this brilliant author. And this book! Wow! Five stars do not do it justice. Do read this one.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this book through NetGalley, please know that reading it for free is not swaying my opinions.

Pros:

The characters are showing real emotion whether it is shock, pain, grief or joy all of it comes across as real and hits much harder for that reason.

I appreciate that the lies and secrets are untangled slowly. There isn’t a lot of info dumping until you’re already invested in the lives of the characters and familiar with them and their lives. It makes it much easier to take in all the new info and it makes you adjust your thoughts and think back over what you’ve already read and notice little things you didn’t before.

Cons:

While I can understand the reasoning behind the change in title, I don’t know if I would have read the synopsis for “The Niece”. With the original title “The Girl In Your House” I had so many questions. It felt like a stronger introduction.

This was my 2nd book by this author. I had high hopes , it didn't work for me sadly!

Choppy writing and odd writing style, was a no thank you for me

First, I want to thank Georgina Cross, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Georgina Cross O.M.G your books keep getting darker, sinister, intense-and I just can’t get enough!!! The Niece is insanely fast paced, totally addictive, deep, dark, action packed, emotional, and at times will just leave you speechless. This was one of my favorite books you have ever written (next to Nanny Needed). You have shown your readers just how far you have come as a writer! Amazing job!!

O.M.G! Georgina!! Let’s begin with how I was on the edge of my comfy chair mid panic attack with your deeply intense and graphic prologue! WOW!!! WOW!! WOW!! DANG that was some powerful and a scary intro to a mind blowing story!! I can’t imagine what those characters must have been feeling or going through during that scene!! I was hooked line and sinker into the story and couldn’t put it down til I knew how it ended!

Georgina’s The Niece has a little bit of everything for just about everyone’s reading taste. She incorporates suspense, mystery, thrills, family drama, heartbreak, wicked twists and turns, and earth shattering revelations that left me utterly speechless for once!

The Niece is a story about family and what measures we will go through to protect the ones we love.

I was excited to dive into this book after the rollercoaster ride that was Nanny Needed by Georgina Cross. However, The Niece was totally lacking in thrills and felt like it was written by a different person. The synopsis is also highly misleading since the story is told entirely from the aunt's POV and never the niece.

The story is dull and slow-moving for the most part, with paper-thin characters. Both the old and new book title (The Girl In our House -> The Niece) are obvious in its implication that there is something not right about the titular character, which gives away the entire story. The twists are easy to predict and nothing much came as a surprise to me. Beth is clearly a red-flag and toxic character but this is never fully addressed.

Not the book for me :(

I got “The Niece” as an advanced read copy through NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. “The Niece” by @georginacrossauthor will be available for on September 2.

Tara and her 12 year old daughter, Cassie, live a quiet life in Decatur, Alabama. Unbeknownst to Cassie, and everyone else, Tara is estranged from her family and left a complicated past in Louisville, Kentucky years earlier. Her tranquility in Alabama is shattered when she learns of her sister’s brutal murder and the fact that she is now the guardian of her 16 year old niece, Hannah, who is a complete stranger.

Now Tara has to deal with adding Hannah to her household, while also wondering who killed her sister. Tara is convinced the murder had something to do with her past, which is a mystery to the reader, and that she, Hannah, and Cassie are in imminent danger.

Trying to unravel the mysteries in “The Niece” propelled me to keep reading to see if my suspicions were correct. It was a fun, fast read with a few surprising twists and turns.

Personally I loved that when Hannah and Tara first meet it was in the Huntsville, Alabama airport, which is where I first met my aunt Cynthia, who I didn’t know existed until about 4 years ago. Luckily our story wasn’t dark and twisty like Tara and Hannah’s was!

If you like strong female characters, mysteries, and suspense this is a book for you.

#bookstagram #bookreview #georginacross #jenny_sundevilreads #theniece #mysterybooks

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by a favorite, Georgina Cross - 4.5 stars!

Tara and Beth are sisters and have been estranged for years. When Beth is killed in a suspicious house fire, Tara learns that Beth had named her to take care of her daughter, Hannah, in her will. Tara is already a single mom to Cassie but they quickly make room in their house and hearts for Hannah. But Tara becomes concerned that whoever set Beth's house on fire is now after her and her family.

This was a book that was tough to put down! It is told in both the past and present timelines as we learn the backstory of the estrangement of the sisters and the secrets they held between them. The suspense is palpable and there's a surprising twist as well. Another great thriller by Georgina Cross!

The Niece is a great psychological thriller. It had me gripped from the first page and with so many unexpected twists and turns it never let go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Family can be messy.

Sisters, Tara, and Beth have been estranged for thirteen years. Tara is shocked when she receives a phone call informing her that her sister died in a tragic housefire that appears to have been deliberately set. Tara is reeling from the news that her sister is dead, when she is informed that her Niece, Hannah will be coming to live with her per her sister's wishes.

Hannah can't help but worry if she is next!

Tara and her daughter, Cassie do their best to make Hannah feel at home. She is grieving for the loss of her mother and trying to fit in at school.

This book is told in two timelines, so readers have a good grasp on why the sisters are estranged. I found this to be a very nice touch and enjoyed both timelines equally. With two timelines, I tend to gravitate to one more than the other, but with this book I found both to be gripping and enjoyable.

As the book progresses, there is underlying tension. Initially it's just an inkling but as the book progresses so does the sense of dread. Tara knows someone is out to harm her and her girls. But who and why?

This is a psychological thriller which had a reveal that was SHOCKING! I did not see that coming at all! There are a nice number of twists and turns going into the reveal and then BAM that reveal! woohoo!

This book is full of drama, secrets, and mystery. I found this book to be well written, gripping and a page turner! Once I started reading, I could not put this book down! I love a book that shocks me and this one nailed it!

This was my first book by Georgina Cross, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!

Captivating page turner that left me reeling!

Let's address the elephant in the room...it's called "The Niece", Tara takes in her niece after a house fire kills her estranged sister, some shady observations are made about said niece...you're going to be all, "the niece did it!" from page 1. But that would be too obvious, right? Cross does some pretty cool plotting to give you an answer that you can buy while still throwing in things that surprise you and keep you constantly revising your "whodunit." And Tara's single mom worries and relationship with her daughter were really well represented. When the tension escalates, you know it's really the girls' safety that's her driving focus. (Also, kids...when you're involved in some kind of fatal situation, CALL THE POLICE! Don't try to bury the body in the flower bed, don't set the school/house/car/barn on fire, don't dump them in the lake...because there's ALWAYS someone who knows what you did last summer, and it WILL bite you in the ass in a few decades. Life lessons thanks to the thriller genre.)

I loved this story. So many twist and turns, I was fully engaged the whole time. I like how it had themes of family, drama and secrets. I will be recommending this book to others

Tara and her sister, Beth have been estranged for years, so when Tara gets a call that her sister is dead and she now has custody of her daughter Hannah, Tara is baffled at best. Hannah is apprehensive as she does not know her aunt or cousin, Cassie at all.

Cassie and Hannah start to bond, but something still seems off about Hannah, she has gone through a lot of trauma, but she still won't open up. Throughout the book she goes through some pretty big changes, including going from homeschool to public school and a complete new environment.

Cross does a wonderful job with twists and turns in this book I have read all her books and I think this is the best yet.

It was fast paced and keeps you guessing until the end.