Fiona Neill, celebrated for her relatable "slummy mummy" narratives, takes a poignant turn in her latest thriller, "The Haven." In this story, she invites us on a deeply human journey away from the familiarity of school gates and into the complexities of an off-grid eco-community, where the pursuit of utopia unearths hidden struggles and the fragile nature of family ties.

Following the Sawyers—a family yearning for relief from the relentless pressures of modern life—we witness their hopeful yet vulnerable move to "The Haven," a secluded community guided by the compelling figure of Mo. However, their dream of simplicity soon spirals into a haunting reality when Cass, their teenage daughter, becomes embroiled in a chilling mystery.

Neill crafts a nuanced narrative that alternates between Cass's immediate challenges and the lead-up to her perilous situation. This approach not only heightens the suspense but also fosters a connection between readers and the protagonist, encouraging us to unravel the story together. The idyllic backdrop, rich with vibrant imagery of nature and communal life, stands in stark contrast to the encroaching sense of dread, making the unfolding darkness all the more impactful.

While some plot elements may stretch belief, Neill's characters are rendered with depth and authenticity. Their journeys, filled with imperfections and secrets, invite readers to invest emotionally in their outcomes. Mo, as a hauntingly charismatic figure, exemplifies the complexities of manipulation, wrapping his charm around those seeking solace.

"The Haven" is a captivating exploration of family dynamics, the nuances of human relationships, and the often overlooked shadows lurking behind ideals. It beautifully illustrates how what seems like paradise can sometimes mask deeper truths, reminding us that the most significant challenges may arise from within our own circles.

This compelling and suspenseful read promises to hold your attention until the final page, making it a perfect choice for those drawn to psychological dramas and readers seeking an engaging escape with a thought-provoking twist.

A really good premise but it fell slightly flat for me. A slow start followed by a good middle section that had great promise and a rushed ending. I'd definitely read more from the author as this one had good promise.

This is an exciting story telling of a family who give up their lives for a chance to live and work in a community solely dependant on the land and natural resources. They are persuaded by Mo, an acquaintance of Rick, the father. It’s soon obvious that Mo is not the supportive friend they expected.

The narrative is written in the past and the present alternately. I like that style as it encourages me to continue to read and discover the conclusion.

There are some nasty moments and elements of grooming and abuse but overall, I enjoyed the storytelling. My thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review The Haven.

This book had a lot of promise for me, and I have previously really enjoyed reading Fiona Neill's book, but it just missed the mark. The pacing of this book is a little strange, it was a long build up, which I found myself disengaged with, then a good middle and I thought now we've hit our stride, to an ending that felt rushed and not well thought out.

That being said, obviously I kept reading it, it just wasn't my favourite. The characters didn't feel particularly fleshed out and were a little one dimensional, I wanted them to have more than one strong character attribute that defined them as individuals.

I will say this book was a slog for me, it doesn't normally take me months to finish one, but I did keep preserving because I was interested.

The premise of this book was good, I liked the characters and their relationships/complexities, I was intrigued to keep reading and find out what happened but felt it was a disappointing abrupt end.

I've read other books by Fiona and loved them, but this was a serious struggle.
I tried two or three times and eventually managed to read it but not up to the usual standard

I really struggled to keep reading this book.

I really started to enjoy the "now", especially since the book opened with Cass covered in blood. Unfortunately my copy had multiple errors, especially with the formatting.

Some paragraphs were repeated and some were just missed out so things would jump and skip around.

It's a shame because I was looking forward to this book.

I'm sure other readers will like this book

I really fancied this book from the hype given about it but my oh my was it hard to get into
It tells the story over two time frames and the now time I was really intrigued by but the then was so drawn out and so many people in it and took quite a long time to get going I just about gave up unfortunately so sorry I didn’t finish the book

It starts with 16 years old Cass waking up in a forest with an injury to her head and she can't remember what has happened.  This instantly hooked me in... the story flicks between the present day and a few months ago when Cass also with younger sister , older brother and her parents decide to spend time at a place called Haven that is an off grid location where a group of people live. They plan to stay for a few months over the summer holidays. Its not all fun and games in paradise!
I found this an easy read and enjoyed getting to know the characters and Haven. It's an unsettling and interesting story.

When Cassie's Dad decides that eight year old Maudie's party should be an 'Eco' party & invites the charismatic Mo the leader of activities. He is part of a group living in an ancient forest at one with the land. Everyone falls under his spell, although Aunt Cora & brother Joe are more sceptical. But for Cassie, quiet, lacking in confidence it is a huge. When Mo keeps in touch & in spite of the age difference appears to be equally smitten. When Dad Rick decides that everyone is going to The Haven for the holidays , Maudie is excited, Eve (Mum) is OK with it, Joe isn't keen & Cassie is thrilled.

The book is told from two time frames. It starts with 'Now' when Cat wakes up in a hollow like a shallow grave with a serious cut on her head. There is no sign of anyone & she can't remember what's happened & continues as she looks for answers. The other time line is 'Then' which goes from their arrival onwards.

I became totally enthralled with this. I was reading into the early hours to find out what happens in the end. Of course there are bits that don't quite 'gel' but I could easily forgive that for a great read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book that stole my sleep!

Interminable is the word I would use to describe this book! Not an enjoyable read! I give one star as you are obliged to give a rating.

This isn't my usual genre of book was fascinated by the blurb so gave it a go. This is a dark, psychological story told over two timeliness, the idea of the story is good and its well written, but it just wasn't the right book for me.

16 year old Cass Sawyer wakes up in the woods with a head injury and no memory of how she ended up there.
Where is Cass’s family and what really happened at The Haven
The Haven is an idyllic, off grid retreat.
Cass’s family take a lead from Mo, a visitor to their house and decide to embark on an off grid existence as way of helping the environment.
Her parents claim it will heal their broken family, but as memories start to trickle back, Cass realises there is something a lot more sinister going on - her father’s erratic behaviour and her mother’s plea’s to go back to town.
Everyone seemed so happy at The Haven, is that why they never leave and Mo is such a charismatic leader
A tense, taut, character led thriller with brilliant family dynamics
It’s unsettling and electrifying in equal measure, quite weird and dystopian.
Thanks @fionaneill, @michaeljbooks & @netgalley for the tense thriller

When the Sawyer family opt in for 2 m0nths at what is sold to them, by Mo, as an idyllic off-grid woodland retreat they are expecting a sort of simplified Centre-parcs holiday. How wrong could they be. Firstly Mo is away when they arrive and their welcome is decidedly chilly. They are allotted a remote and extremely primitive cabin with bucket cold water shower and composting toilet. Credit to the family they make a fist of things and decide to treat their stay as a chance to re-set their lives. Cass, the 16 year old daughter, is prepared to put up with anything as she is infatuated with Mo and believes this feeling is reciprocated. Rick, the father, is also in the thrall of Mo and it gradually emerges that he too, just like Cass, proves to be guilty of poor judgement.
Whilst commune life is hard the family do learn to appreciate the nature that surrounds them and, the children especially, make friends and seem to adapt to the situation. It is only when, Maudie, the youngest child has an accident and needs external help that real friction arises and, put simply, things fall apart.
Neill writes with real pace and her atmospheric prose draws the reader in to a scary world that rapidly and successfully imposes dreadful evil onto what was meant to be an idyllic retreat.
Prepare to be properly scared!

This is the story of Cas and her Family as they move to the Haven to live off the grid, heavily influenced by new friend Mo .This story is told in two timelines by Cass who has memory loss following a head injury and wakes up in the forest not knowing what has happened .This is a slow burner ,quite an unsettling story and very thought provoking .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

The Haven is a strange, unsettling, mysterious book that kept me reading on!

The book follows the Sawyer family as they embark on a radical lifestyle change, leaving behind their comfortable lives for the mysterious eco-community known as "The Haven." Fueled by Rick's obsession with the enigmatic Mo he met at a festival, they head into the remote English wilderness.

The narrative cleverly flips between the present, where teenager Cassia finds herself in danger, and the past, gradually revealing the events leading up to this critical moment. This structure maintains a constant sense of mystery, urging the reader to piece together the puzzle. I think this dual narrative works really well.

While all the characters may not necessarily be likeable, Neill portrays them with a depth that makes them feel real. The idyllic descriptions of The Haven's way of life are punctuated with a growing sense of unease, masterfully building tension throughout the novel.

There are a fair few moments which you need to suspend your disbelief for, and I can see why this might put some readers off, but I enjoyed the rest of the book so much that I didn't mind this. Fiona Neill highlights how seemingly rational people can be swayed by manipulation. We see the family start off (mostly) in high spirits but slowly the tone of the book changes with the family as their spirits sink and they no longer feel safe. And it ends with a bang!

I’ve read other books by the author and enjoyed them. I really enjoyed The Haven. I have a soft spot for dysfunctional families so really connected with Cass and her family. The book has similarities to The Girls by Emma Cline but that’s a good thing in my opinion. I liked pacy, twisty thriller’s and this one ticked most of the boxes for me. The events are far fetched at times but so well executed I just like being pulled deeper and deeper into the book. I’d recommend this.

'The Haven' was an okay read but I found it a bit weird and quite long, too long really and it meant the atmosphere that was being built was diminished. This follows Cass and her family as they move to the Haven and live off grid. Some members are keener than others but as time progresses, none of them have realised what they have let themselves in for.
I liked the premise and initially I found this a strong read, however as I have said, the pace drops off and dare I say it, this became boring. There are strange events throughout this which blurred the lines of reality as well. I also found the ending strange and quite abrupt.
On the positive side, I did like the characters. Whilst they may not all be likeable there was something about them that connected them to me and I cared about what happened to them. They were interesting people to read about as well which was a bonus.
'The Haven' has some positives to it but overall I found this a bit too weird and slow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for an advance copy.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

have to say it was the most far fetched book i have ever started and when the girl did her own first aid on herself putting stitches in... i thought i was losing the plot....

have to say i couldnt understand how a family couldnt look out for their children...and put them in that much danger...

A twisty-turny dark novel based around a family who meet an eco-warrior and go on what they think will be an eco-retreat.
The tale is told through the eyes of Cass, the middle child of the family. It alternates each chapter, between Then and Now, which serves to keep the reader on edge and gripped.
The book is set in England, which threw me as I felt it had an American feel to it, though I have no justification for feeling that way. The dad is deep into a mid-life crisis and searching for meaning, when he happens upon Mo, an eco-warrior of sorts, who becomes a kind of Svengali figure in the life of the family, but mostly the dad. Cass is developing and learning about attraction when she meets Mo, and is utter inthralled by him, despite the 14 year age difference.
I don't want to give anything away by discussing more of the plot, so I'll leave it there and say, if you want a slightly claustrophobic, dark and sometimes uncomfortable page-turner, this is the book for you!