The setting is France and Kate is minutes away from meeting her three college friends for a long overdue joint vacation with them and their families. They were the best of friends and roommates in college and spent vacations together every year until they drifted away from the tradition five years ago. She’s looking forward to it, her husband Sean, teenaged daughter Lucy and 10-year old son Daniel all in tow. Soon after their arrival, Kate notices her husband being overly protective of his phone. When he’s otherwise occupied, she checks it and finds a cryptic message that leads her to believe he’s involved with another woman…and it has to be one of her friends based on what’s said. Is it Rowan, the wealthy host of the fabulous vacation villa who owns her own business, or Jennifer the full time helicopter mother of two teen-aged sons or Izzy the single one who is constantly moving around the globe?
This would have driven me crazy and it was doing the same to Kate since she opted not to confront Sean. The vacation devolves into suspicion and intense scrutiny of every move her friends make, especially when interacting with Sean as she tries to figure out the who. I could identify with Kate’s paranoia and it gets even more complicated by her daughter’s odd behavior where she’s clearly weighed down by something. Everything takes on more meaning and suspicion shifts to all of the friends at some point.
The psychological aspect of this story was off the charts. It had a wonderful start, pulling me in immediately. However, I got bogged down in the middle as too many scenarios had my brain spinning. Fortunately, the last half took a turn and was impossible to put down. The ending was exciting and there’s a sweet little twist at the end. I enjoyed the story despite that slow down in the middle. That’s two books by this author that provided compelling reading experiences and he’s now an auto read.
Book Info
- Release Date: July 21, 2020
- Page Numbers: 367
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
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(Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Oooh this sounds fascinating!!! Like one of those murder mystery weekends but with less blood lol 😂 Great review Jonetta 💛💚❤️
Thank you, Emer💜 This one just seriously messes with your mind. That slowdown is for real but hang in there because it’s got a good payoff.
Fab review! I’ve yet to read anything by him although I do have a copy of The Catch waiting for me.
Thank you, Nicki💜 I loved his 29 Seconds and will check out The Catch.
Fantastic review! I am really looking forward to reading this one!
Thank you, Tina💜 Don’t let that slow burn stop you from pushing on. Terrific payoff!
Excellent review! Poor women going on a vacation to relax and have fun and ending up with this stress.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Thank you, Anne💜 It was nothing but stress from the start in the most beautiful of locales.
It sounds like a great thriller. Unfortunately, it’s not that unusual to have this “soggy middle” in books. Glad you enjoyed it overall.
Thanks, Stargazer💜 I think you’re right about that, especially with psychological thrillers.
Not something I would probably read, but I can see the appeal to the psychological aspects of the story.
It’s a quintessential psychological thriller and sometimes that can wear the brain out.
Oh, I hear you. Sometimes it’s a little too much.
I really enjoyed his first two books, Jonetta, and I’m not sure why I haven’t picked this one up. You’ve definitely made me want to. Fab review! ❤️
Thank you, Jennifer💜 Can’t say enough about the turn this book took in the second half.
Terrific review!! I really liked this one too!
Thank you, Mackey💜 Glad to hear you enjoyed it, too!
Fab review! I definitely can’t wait to read this one especially since I’ve loved his books in the past… The Vacation sounds brilliant!
Thanks, Yvo💜 I think you’ll enjoy this one, too!
Glad to hear this was a great read for you. I really enjoy his psychological thrillers.
Thanks, Suzanne💜 I think you’ll enjoy this one.
I’m always confused about the change of title!!! But I liked the book, I loved the claustrophobic and intense suspense! Fabulous review! xx
Thank you, Maggy💜 I never understand that process either. It wreaks havoc on sites like Goodreads and the international book blogging world.