Review of THE HOUSE GUEST by Hank Phillippi Ryan

About the Book:

Language

English

Publisher

Tor Publishing Group

Book Format

Hardcover

Number of Pages

336

Author

Hank Phillippi Ryan

Title

The House Guest

ISBN-13

9781250849564

Publication Date

February, 2023

Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H)

9.25 x 6.12 x 1.00 Inches

ISBN-10

125084956X

Synopsis:

The House Guest is another diabolical cat-and-mouse thriller from USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan—but which character is the cat, and which character is the mouse?

After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they’re smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her—leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend.

And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who’s running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems.

But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.

My Review:

First, let me give you some honest advice. Run, don’t walk to get this book! Second piece of advice, don’t believe anything you read until the very end and then you can shake your head in disbelief at how brilliantly everything comes together. This is the most deliciously twisted book that I have read in a long time and so enticingly deceptive. Alyssa Macallen is living alone after her husband Bill left her. He has plenty of money and she is expecting to be poor any day now. When she meets Bree Lorrance, another put upon female who has been wronged by the male in her life, the two of them click and Bree becomes Alyssa’s house guest. Then, the twists and the labyrinth maze that was the plot begin to really get complex and oh so well written! This fantastically engrossing novel included characters that were just as deceptive as the plot and so devilishly realistic. There were clues and red herrings, but they were so well woven into the plot that I could not figure out who was bad and who was good in the story.The design of the author to trap me in the mousetrap of deceit worked well and thoroughly captivated me. I thought I was on a runaway train, down a mountainous track with switchbacks at every intersection. This book was totally engaging, with characters that popped with credibility and a plot that captured my mind and imagination with awe and wonder about what would happen next. This is a diabolically and cleverly written domestic thriller that gripped me from beginning to end and fooled me all along the way. Loved it!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”