Member Reviews
This is the second Keri Beevis novel I’ve read and it did not disappoint !! THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA had me staying up late and wanting to read “just one more chapter”. So many amazing twists and turns!
Harper, a widow mourning her husband Charlie who died in a car accident two years ago alongside her friend Alicia—whom she thought was having an affair with him—is ready to reenter the dating scene. She joins a dating site called IntoYou and ends up agreeing to a date. She decides on a date a pub she’s familiar with called the Black Dog Inn on Friday with a man named Adrian. The date goes great and they part ways with plans to meet again . On Sunday, while Harper is out with her dog Bailey she catches Adrian out with his wife and two young children. Walking briskly back to her car after confronting him and telling his wife she’s ran over by a bicyclist.
The next chapter shifts to a creepy new perspective, revealing the antagonist who is stalking Harper throughout the book. The story alternates between Harper’s point of view and the antagonist’s, building suspense and keeping you guessing.
Harper continues to try to IntoYou app and we up end meeting Lee(another liar) Justin (a widower), Ben (who never shows) and Gavin (the one still obsessed with his ex). Then we have Isaac the bartender who lends an ear to all of poor Harper’s misfortunes. Amidst this, she also encounters the handsome doctor Luke, who adds an intriguing new layer to her life.
Harper decides to finally start going through her husband Charlie’s belongings, and while cleaning out his office, she finds the deed to a cottage.. who was Charlie, and what secrets did he have?
Overall, THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a psychological thriller that will keep you hooked with its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists.
**Thank you Boldwood Books and Keri Beevis for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
I love Beevis’s writing style and the way she ties in chapters by an antagonist that keeps you guessing as to who she/he could be. I loved the plot of this story and each turn it took! It was an easy read, and I didn’t want to put it down!
I am a huge fan of Keri Beevis and this book did not disappoint.
Harper is still navigating widowhood. Starting to think about meeting someone new, she embarks on internet dating. What follows is disappointment, danger and knowledge of her late husband’s dark past.
Well rounded characters, a slow drip feed of clues and a mind blowing finale!!
Keri Beevis has done it again. The Cottage by the Sea was another can’t put it down thriller. The book tells the story of Harper Reed, a widow at 38, who after 2 years is ready to move on with her life, and in the process keeps discovering how little she knew her husband, even after years of marriage. It story goes between her, and her stalker, and although we read the stalkers thinking, desires, etc, we never figure out who he is until the end. It could be, anyone linked to the series of horrible dating experiences from a “reliable” dating app. Keri keeps you guessing throughout the story. Definitely check out The Cottage by the Sea, when it’s
released October 14th. You will not be disappointed! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book kept me guessing from page 1. It's a slow burner that picks up momentum and I must have guessed every single character and doubted myself constantly.
Keri is a brilliant author who has that power to keep you invested from page 1. Can't wait for more from Keri.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Boldwood books and the brilliant author Keri Beevis for an early copy of her book to read..
My rating is 4.5
This is another fantastic read from this author,Harper lost her husband and a friend in a car accident.did she really know her husband as she finds out her has many hidden secrets...she wants to get on with her life and joins a dating app are the guys she meets are genuine...another intense read and excited to see what happens..looking forward to reading her next book...
This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon.
The beginning and plot was promising. Harper is mourning the death of her husband whom she also believes was cheating on her with her friend. After two years, she goes on a series of dates when things start to get creepy.
The whole dual POV was fascinating and I flew through 3/4th of the book. As days progress, Harper starts learning things about her husband. It's absolutely not what she believed.
What I feel was that the author could have given us glimpses of Harper's and Charlie's marriage. That would have improved the relatability. What was absolutely Unrelatable, was that despite having really scary and disastrous dates, Harper continued to peruse online dating.
I did not like her friend who kept on being the worst advisor ever. Luke was a neat character and the reveal of the mystery stalker was great.
However the climax didn't do it for me. It was too over the top and unbelievable and downright jittery.
I give this book 3 stars for a good plot idea.
I thank NetGalley and Boldwood books for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"The Cottage by the Sea" is an engaging, suspenseful read, but it has its flaws. The plot revolves around a woman grappling with grief and the unsettling mystery surrounding her husband's death, as she slowly uncovers dark secrets from her past. While some twists may feel predictable to seasoned thriller fans, the story still hooks you with its pacing and tense atmosphere. What makes it stand out is the main character—she’s not helpless or overly naive, which is refreshing for the genre. Despite some familiar tropes, it’s an enjoyable book that keeps you turning the pages.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Gritty thriller which failed to hold my interest. Some horrid characters and a pretty awful experience of dating apps.
Whoa, how creepy is this ending? I can't decide if I admire Harper or think she is an idiot? A writer, an author, a widow at thirty five and she goes on an Internet Dating App? What possess some intelligent women is beyond me! The story is of course well written or why else would I be so upset about what Harper does or doesn't do? How can any woman in this century not spend fourteen to thirty dollars on a background check? That's all it cost to look up someone, it's money well spent, you would know within minutes if the person is who they say they are, and in this world of fake identities all over the internet why wouldn't you protect yourself as much as you can? It even tells you if that person has been arrested and what for! As you can tell I am not a timid woman, and I have used this method, it works, I guess the problem with using it in the book would negate the suspense of Harper not knowing who these men truly are, on the other hand it would make women like me think better of Harper, the protagonist would appear stronger and in control. Another hit by a gifted author!
I highly recommend it. Thank you #Netgalley #KeriBeevis #BoldwoodBooks
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Cottage by the Sea by Keri Beevis due to be published October 14, 2024.
I have read three of Keri Beevis’s books, so I was thrilled to get this one!
Harper was trying to integrate into the dating scene using Into You – a site her friend had recommended. She was still reeling from her husband and best friend being killed in a car accident two years ago and trying to put it in the past and move forward. Harper has a lot to learn about internet dating – anyone can hide behind their profile. Strange things keep happening. Is she safe from her online dating possibilities?
This book had me connected to the story as soon as I started it. I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Harper, Charlie, and her best friend, Alicia. It was not at all what I expected – it was full of unbelievably scary twists that had me hooked all the way through. I read this one in one day – I could not put it down! Another hit from Keri Beevis!
#NetGalley #KeriBeevis #BoldwoodBooks #TheCottageByTheSea
It's been two years since Harper's husband passed away in a tragic car accident, now at the urging of her best friend, she signs up for a dating site thinking it might be time to start to move on. We accompany Harper while she navigates a handful of dates and learns the world of on-line dating is not always what it seems. But then, neither is the life in front of you, is it?
Told from two perspectives: Harper's and a mystery admirer, we learn all too well, even the best intentioned people have secrets.
This is another stellar read, Keri Beevis is reliable as always. I have read a handful of her books and she has quickly proven to be a solid winner for me every time, with The Cottage by the Sea as no exception. The twists and turns really expand upon the tragic nature of Harper's life, and don't worry, reader, the dog survives! (In my experience, Beevis has always allowed the animals to live.)
The only "problem" I had with this book was the shifts in perspectives: Harper's was told in 3rd person while the mystery admirer's was told in 1st person, so when they referred to Harper, both had the same perspective - Even with the font changes, I really had to work to remember "they" were not telling the story when we came back to Harper's chapters. It wasn't enough to deter me, just a small bump along my reading journey that I was able to overcome. Overall a 4.5 Star Rating for me! (which will round up to 5 on this site)
Thank you, NetGalley and BoldWood Books for the ARC of The Cottage by the Sea.
I loved this nail biting and nerve wrecking thriller with “You” TV show vibes, a touch of mystery, and plenty of disturbing secrets that got revealed with each page turned.
The story had elements with creepy, dark, and twisted mind of a serial killer who was slowly closing in on his next victim.
I enjoyed the coastal small town setting and the characters as well.
I did NOT see the plot twists coming at all! That was brilliant! And the ending was perfect!
Bonus points for an adorable doggie sidekick.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Oohh boy do I love a book full of secrets. The main character loses her husband years ago and she tries to move on using a dating website. Suddenly lots of weird events start to happen to her making her think she has a stalker. As she is trying to move on from losing her husband she begins to clean out his office and secrets begin to unravel.
This was a wild ride full of twists that will keep you wanting more.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Another of Keri Beevis’ novels that reads as a movie script, I really enjoyed this one.
It was realistic but tense and thrilling at the same time.
The usual Norwich setting, adds to the realism and the characters, especially Harper was well written a with her foray into the world of online dating surely mirroring many women in the same predicament!
What follows though is a shocking discovery regarding her husband and Harper is plunged into a world of sadistic urges and secrets.
Don’t miss this one!
Keri Beevis does an excellent job of creating a sense of unease as Harper delves deeper into the cottage’s disturbing past. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and complex characters that keep you guessing. It’s a well-crafted and engaging read that thriller enthusiasts will find hard to put down.
Thank you #NetGalley for the #Arc
The cottage by the sea is a good psychological thriller.
We get treated to some really creepy chapters from the POV of the antagonist. The first one in particular was particularly impactful.
I’m not sure that if I was in Harpers situation I would have continued meeting men. I’d have sworn off pretty quickly!
After losing her husband and best friend in a car crash Harper decides it’s time to get back into the dating scene. After a few disasters she starts to notice some worry that something isn’t right.
It is now two years after Harper’s husband has died and she is finally, tentatively ready to give up her self exile. With the urging of her best friend Harper agrees to put her profile out on a dating site. She doesn’t expect a Prince Charming, but who she gets isn’t what she was expecting either.
My head was going back and forth trying to guess which man in Harper’s life was the most distrustful.
The author, Keri Beevis adds just enough detail to each character to make you unsure who to trust. This was a very gripping, tense thriller that hit all the spots for character horror and terror. Full of twists and turns, anonymity and sinister happenings this was an excellent, enjoyable thriller. Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the early copy. This review is my honest opinion.
Another cracking read by Keri Beevis
A brilliant read from the very first page so hard to put down once I started. If you pick this book up you wont be disappointed.
Keri Beevis is one of my favorite authors. I will read anything and everything she writes!! So when I saw that she had a new ARC available on NetGalley, one with an incredibly intriguing premise, I didn’t waste a minute before requesting it.
THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful plot, multiple potential antagonists, and compelling mystery. The story centers on Harper, who after two years, is still trying to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death. She decides to finally move on, using a dating site to meet potential partners. It is here the real nightmare begins, becoming acquainted with some real losers as well as dangerous fellows. As the mystery unfolds, her inner turmoil becomes palpable, allowing readers to empathize with her journey, even if some of her decisions are quite questionable. The supporting characters, from loyal friends (my absolute favorite being Bailey, her adorable and loving rescues dog) to creepy dates to enigmatic strangers, add layers of intrigue to the narrative.
The POV chapters from our antagonist were so creepy and had my mind working overtime, trying to figure out who it might be. And although I thought I figured it out early on (turns out I was right), I was never 100% sure, which only added to the fun. And the novel could have gone off in so many different directions, so I was never sure where Keri’s story may end up bringing us. Her writing is always taut and engaging, with a pace that steadily accelerates, pulling the reader deeper into the mystery with each chapter.
Overall, THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a thrilling novel that combines mystery, suspense, and psychological drama, a perfect read for those who enjoy a good page-turner with a dark, twisty edge.
I want to thank NetGalley, Keri Beevis, and Boldwood Books for gifting me the ARC of THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA! It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!