4/5 stars! I went into this story thinking what if "The Holiday" had been a winter thriller instead of a holiday romcom, and I think that sums things up pretty well. This was so well written. You get perspectives from member's of both family and can't quite guess what is coming around the corner. I enjoyed it.

This book had me completely hooked from the very first chapter. What starts off as a seemingly innocent house swap between two families quickly spirals into something much darker and more unsettling—and I loved every twisty moment of it.

Miranda Rijks does such an incredible job building the tension slowly but relentlessly. I kept thinking, Okay, now I know where this is going… and then I’d turn the page and realize I didn’t. At all. Both families—the Browns and the Lesters—seemed perfect on the surface, but the more you get to know them, the more the cracks begin to show, and you start to question everything they say and do.

The dual settings—an eerie, isolated chateau in the south of France and the buzzing, shadowy corners of London—were brilliantly used. Each location added to the growing sense of unease, and the fact that both places held secrets made it feel like there was nowhere safe, nowhere to hide.

The missing person angle had me absolutely on edge. I felt the panic, the confusion, the rising dread, and it all just built to a climax that was intense and satisfying. I didn’t see the full picture until the very end—and that final reveal? Chilling.

If you enjoy stories that unravel bit by bit and keep your mind racing with suspicion, The House Swap delivers that in spades. I tore through this in a day—it’s sharp, suspenseful, and so disturbingly believable. A true page-turner.

The perfect house swap where two families get an opportunity to spend time in areas so unlike where they normally live: London ~ Provence. The families discover they are not in their usual element: the haves and the have-nots seem to have traded lifestyles and not everyone is happy.
     As we discover, there appears to be more trading in this story than just houses. It's the slow evolution of the background of these two families that keep the pages turning. Murder, deceit, ghosts, young love and long hidden secrets keep the reader engaged with a surprising final twist.

Two families change homes for their vacation. One family goes to London. They want to have time with their son The other family goes to France to an old chateau. The past comes back to haunt each family.
You will not figure out the twist in this mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Inkubator Books.

Spooky!! This was fun. Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed the suspense build up in this book quite a bit. A house swap... what could go wrong! Nice work, Miranda Rijks.

This author never fails to hit the mark! Lot of angst here. Two couples agree to swap houses for vacation. One from England the other from France. Both were looking forward to lazy days away from work but the reality was anything but relaxing. Things started happening right away. Little things at first but they soon escalated. Lots of twists and turns that you will never figure out but everything comes out in the end. Such a.great book! I highly recommend.
Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this remarkable ARC for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars!

I first received The House Swap by Miranda Rijks as an advance ebook copy from netgalley. (However, I did not download it in time and it was archived. My HUGE mistake. I really wanted to read this, so I made sure to purchase for my kindle.)

I had it figured out. No I didn't. Maybe I sort of did? Nope. Kept me guessing to the end. I really enjoyed The House Swap.

Definitely recommend adding to your TBR pile!

The House Swap by Miranda Rijks is a pacey read that held me captive from beginning to end.

Two families have decided to partake in a house swap. The Browns will travel to a chateau in the idyllic south of France, while the Lesters will take up temporary residence in the Browns' London home. But what promised to be the perfect holiday quickly turns into a nightmare reality for all involved. It seems that our house swappers all have some very dark secrets, and the home exchange will bring them to the fore, forcing all to confront their demons in a way that none could have anticipated.

I adore Miranda Rijks, and her novels are always an automatic read for me. With this latest offering, she once again hits the mark.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC.

A racy read that I completed within 24 hours - classic Miranda Rijks plot with two couples swapping houses. One have a “chateau” in Provence. The other a town house in Kensington. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything - no one is quite who they seem and secrets apace tumble out with life changing consequences. You won’t put it down though may need to suspend disbelief just a bit

Two families swap their houses for their dream vacation, but instead it becomes a vacation from hell! If you want to know why and how, you must read this latest book by Miranda Rijks!!
It's a slow burn but a page turner for sure! Really liked the author's style of writing!

Okay, forget sunshine and smiles. This ain't your happy holiday swap. Think shadows and secrets.

Imagine trading houses, right? Sounds chill. But this book? It's like stepping into a nightmare. Things start small, weird little feelings. Then, boom, the world flips.

The people in this story? They're not simple. They've got layers, dark ones. You think you know them, then BAM, you don't.

You won't guess where it's going. The writer's like a magician, pulling tricks out of thin air. You'll be thinking one thing, then everything changes.

The scary feeling? It creeps up on you, slow and steady. Like a cold hand on your neck. It gets under your skin, this feeling that something's really, really wrong.

If you like being scared, if you like puzzles that hurt your brain, this book's for you. It's messed up, but in a good way.

Alright...now this one felt like Miranda's writing! I'm not sure what happened to Every Breath You Take but it felt like an oops book. This one? This one was awesome! Loved the plot idea, the multiple POVs and the gasps I gasped early on. It started right in the action and it didn't let go until the end! It was hard to put down. It was easy, fast-paced and just great. Highly recommend.

Huge thanks to the author and Netgalley for the advanced copy for an honest review

I really love Miranda Rijks books, and The House Swap is no exception. It is full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me gripped throughout. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my ARC.

So good!
This is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish, the plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative. The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.

This was a good read. It definitely had some twists that I didn’t see coming. There were parts that I didn’t think really made sense.

The House Swap by Miranda Rijks is a chilling psychological thriller that explores the dangerous consequences of secrets, trust, and hidden pasts. When two families—The Browns and The Lesters—arrange a seemingly perfect house swap, it should be an idyllic opportunity for rest and reconnection. The Browns trade their London townhouse for a picturesque chateau in the south of France, hoping to mend their marriage, while the Lesters look forward to showing their son around London. But beneath the surface of these idyllic setups, both families harbor dark secrets, and it doesn’t take long for everything to unravel.

In France, the Browns’ dream getaway quickly turns unsettling when a break-in occurs at the chateau, and they discover that a woman once living there mysteriously vanished. As they begin to feel more isolated and vulnerable, things take an even darker turn when, back in London, 17-year-old Rafael disappears without a trace.

Rijks masterfully builds tension, weaving a tale of mounting paranoia and dread as both families are forced to confront their own demons. The suspense tightens with each chapter, drawing readers into a web of deception and hidden truths. The House Swap keeps you on the edge of your seat, delivering a gripping story full of twists and a sense of impending doom. It’s a perfect read for fans of dark thrillers where nothing is as perfect as it seems.

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again,

I’ve seen the premise of House Swapping for holidays used before, but it’s more of the light-hearted, feel good type tropes.
This one though, this is a dark and twisty thriller of a book.
It’s a well paced novel, with interesting characters. It’s not obvious from the beginning how it will end, the author does an excellent job of throwing in plot twists along the way.
The tension builds slowly, and really adds to the darker feel of mystery and suspense. Would recommend this one.

Two families who swap homes for a holiday which ends up being quite eventful for both of them.
As always with Miranda's books there's a great twist.....or two.
Easy to read and kept you in suspense tk keep you turning the pages.

Really enjoyed this book. The plot keeps you guessing.
As the tension mounts to an unbearable pitch, both couples are forced to face their darkest demons. Someone won’t be coming home…
I would recommend this book to others