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The Housewarming
Everyone is going to the housewarming party.
All the same people who lived on the street the day Abi vanished…
Will her mother finally learn the truth?
Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone – she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods’ house, and was never seen again.
A year later, the Lovegoods throw a housewarming party, showing off the results of their renovation. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Her husband Matt persuades her: he’s worried about her. A night out might do her good.
But as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything.
Ava thought she knew every last detail of that day.
She’s about to find out she was wrong…
Brilliantly dark and moving suspense fiction for fans of Gillian Flynn, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell, The Housewarming will have your pulse racing and your heart in your mouth from start to finish.
All the same people who lived on the street the day Abi vanished…
Will her mother finally learn the truth?
Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone – she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods’ house, and was never seen again.
A year later, the Lovegoods throw a housewarming party, showing off the results of their renovation. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Her husband Matt persuades her: he’s worried about her. A night out might do her good.
But as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything.
Ava thought she knew every last detail of that day.
She’s about to find out she was wrong…
Brilliantly dark and moving suspense fiction for fans of Gillian Flynn, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell, The Housewarming will have your pulse racing and your heart in your mouth from start to finish.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2020
About the author
S.E. Lynes
23 books744 followersS. E. Lynes is the #1 Amazon best selling author of THE HOUSEWARMING, and 'intelligent and haunting' psychological thrillers, VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE PACT, THE PROPOSAL, THE WOMEN, THE LIES WE HIDE, CAN YOU SEE HER? and HER SISTER'S SECRET
Formerly a BBC producer, after gaining an MA in Creative Writing, she became a Creative Writing Tutor at Richmond Adult Community College and now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. She has also published three children's books in Italy.
Formerly a BBC producer, after gaining an MA in Creative Writing, she became a Creative Writing Tutor at Richmond Adult Community College and now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. She has also published three children's books in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 790 reviews
January 2, 2021
I haven’t been so heartbroken for so long. This book truly made me sad. It’s a depressing, dark drama about guilt, feeling deeply miserable, helpless after losing your loved one. Of course there is still intriguing mystery keeps your toes but I have to warn you this book should be defined as women’s fiction/ psychological mystery and drama. It’s not the regular, fast pacing thriller!
The story develops slowly. You witness Ava’s heartbreaking story about losing her two years old daughter. You hear her guilt, her self destruction, her nonstop questioning about what she’d done wrong!
Personally I love more exciting, gripping, twisty thrillers and this one was a little slow burn for my own taste. It still kept my attention intact with great characteristic analysis of people who are or may be involved into little girl’s disappearance.
Let’s check more about story’s processing:
Ava just left her daughter Abi in the push-chair for only 5 minutes. Her belt is secure and tight. They have been living in a safe neighborhood. What could go wrong? So she goes to upstairs and when she comes back she realizes her daughter is already gone and the door is wide open. Did she pass Lovegood’s house?
Throughout her searching to her daughter and grieving process, nobody in her neighborhood shared her pain and help her to find her daughter.
Now the same place her daughter got missing, Lovegood family (interesting name choice) throws a housewarming party where Ava’s husband encourages her to join.
And finally Ava does what he says and returns back to the place where her most traumatic experience happened.
Everything seems fine at first. People are friendly, talkative and suddenly one of them blurted out a sentence which shouldn’t be told. Yes, it’s about Ava’s daughter. Somebody knows additional information about her disappearance and hiding from her which will push Ava dig out more to learn the truth.
Ending of the story is foreseeable but it was honest, sad, tear jerking, emotional story about loving your child, processing your grief, facing your guilts.
It’s not what I expected but it was still meaningful and well-written. I’m giving 3.5 stars and rounding them up to 4 slow burn, teary, poignant, motherhood stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookoture for sharing this digital copy of this powerful book with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
The story develops slowly. You witness Ava’s heartbreaking story about losing her two years old daughter. You hear her guilt, her self destruction, her nonstop questioning about what she’d done wrong!
Personally I love more exciting, gripping, twisty thrillers and this one was a little slow burn for my own taste. It still kept my attention intact with great characteristic analysis of people who are or may be involved into little girl’s disappearance.
Let’s check more about story’s processing:
Ava just left her daughter Abi in the push-chair for only 5 minutes. Her belt is secure and tight. They have been living in a safe neighborhood. What could go wrong? So she goes to upstairs and when she comes back she realizes her daughter is already gone and the door is wide open. Did she pass Lovegood’s house?
Throughout her searching to her daughter and grieving process, nobody in her neighborhood shared her pain and help her to find her daughter.
Now the same place her daughter got missing, Lovegood family (interesting name choice) throws a housewarming party where Ava’s husband encourages her to join.
And finally Ava does what he says and returns back to the place where her most traumatic experience happened.
Everything seems fine at first. People are friendly, talkative and suddenly one of them blurted out a sentence which shouldn’t be told. Yes, it’s about Ava’s daughter. Somebody knows additional information about her disappearance and hiding from her which will push Ava dig out more to learn the truth.
Ending of the story is foreseeable but it was honest, sad, tear jerking, emotional story about loving your child, processing your grief, facing your guilts.
It’s not what I expected but it was still meaningful and well-written. I’m giving 3.5 stars and rounding them up to 4 slow burn, teary, poignant, motherhood stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookoture for sharing this digital copy of this powerful book with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
October 18, 2020
3.5 stars
Well that was sad....
Ava only left her daughter alone for a couple of minutes. Abi was in her pushcart, safely secured, what could go wrong? Every parents’ worse nightmare. When Ava comes downstairs, the pushcart is empty, the front door is open, and Abi is gone. She is left with heartache, guilt, despair and loss.
A year later, Ava and Matt attend a housewarming, Matt wants to attend believing it will help Ava to get her out socializing, to be around friends and neighbors. But little do they know that a single comment, will change things....
Secrets, lie, guilt, pain, heartbreaking loss, and the truth....
This book had a couple of twists at the end which I did not see coming. This book is not the usual fast paced thriller. It is slowed down so that you feel the devastating pain, loss and guilt that Ava is feeling. We get to see what happened in the past and the present. We also get to read the POV of Ava and other characters. As the story begins to unfold, the book does pick up and move faster.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Well that was sad....
Ava only left her daughter alone for a couple of minutes. Abi was in her pushcart, safely secured, what could go wrong? Every parents’ worse nightmare. When Ava comes downstairs, the pushcart is empty, the front door is open, and Abi is gone. She is left with heartache, guilt, despair and loss.
A year later, Ava and Matt attend a housewarming, Matt wants to attend believing it will help Ava to get her out socializing, to be around friends and neighbors. But little do they know that a single comment, will change things....
Secrets, lie, guilt, pain, heartbreaking loss, and the truth....
This book had a couple of twists at the end which I did not see coming. This book is not the usual fast paced thriller. It is slowed down so that you feel the devastating pain, loss and guilt that Ava is feeling. We get to see what happened in the past and the present. We also get to read the POV of Ava and other characters. As the story begins to unfold, the book does pick up and move faster.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 23, 2020
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Ava was upstairs for 5 minutes.
Maybe 10.
15 minutes tops.
Her two-year old daughter, Abi, was safely in her stroller downstairs. Since she wasn’t making a peep, she must’ve been content. Ava was glad to grab a few quiet minutes to “use the loo”, check her Facebook feed, breathe.
When she came downstairs, the front door was open. She must’ve forgotten to close it. Abi was gone.
A year later, wrapped up in grief, Ava’s husband, Matt, suggests they go to their neighbors housewarming party. It’ll be the first time anyone has seen the inside, which was a total gut job and very pricey. Ava will find out something she never knew about the worst day of her life one year prior, which sets off a chain of events and speculation.
Potential reader, beware: This is not a thriller. It’s a drama (more than domestic) with mystery involved. Although the chapters from one year ago were a bit repetitive (searching high and low for Abi), the book really picked up in the present day. I enjoyed it, but wasn’t feeling blown away by what I was reading.
Then, a couple of well-timed and surprising twists that I never expected pushed the last 20% into high gear, and I really came to care about the characters and their situations.
3.5 stars rounded up. I’ve always enjoyed the work of S.E. Lynes (with the exception of her last novel). I also really enjoyed her note at the end, which discussed writing this during the times of COVID-19.
Thank you to Bookouture, S.E. Lynes, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ava was upstairs for 5 minutes.
Maybe 10.
15 minutes tops.
Her two-year old daughter, Abi, was safely in her stroller downstairs. Since she wasn’t making a peep, she must’ve been content. Ava was glad to grab a few quiet minutes to “use the loo”, check her Facebook feed, breathe.
When she came downstairs, the front door was open. She must’ve forgotten to close it. Abi was gone.
A year later, wrapped up in grief, Ava’s husband, Matt, suggests they go to their neighbors housewarming party. It’ll be the first time anyone has seen the inside, which was a total gut job and very pricey. Ava will find out something she never knew about the worst day of her life one year prior, which sets off a chain of events and speculation.
Potential reader, beware: This is not a thriller. It’s a drama (more than domestic) with mystery involved. Although the chapters from one year ago were a bit repetitive (searching high and low for Abi), the book really picked up in the present day. I enjoyed it, but wasn’t feeling blown away by what I was reading.
Then, a couple of well-timed and surprising twists that I never expected pushed the last 20% into high gear, and I really came to care about the characters and their situations.
3.5 stars rounded up. I’ve always enjoyed the work of S.E. Lynes (with the exception of her last novel). I also really enjoyed her note at the end, which discussed writing this during the times of COVID-19.
Thank you to Bookouture, S.E. Lynes, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2021
Ava and Matt are living every parent’s worst nightmare. You run upstairs to grab your phone before you leave the house. You know your child is safe because they’re buckled in their stroller and they can’t undo the latch. You take a minute to fold some sheets and scroll through Facebook- you finally have a minute to yourself and the baby is being quiet. And then... you go back downstairs and there is no baby in the stroller- and even worse... the door is wide open. Where is your baby? She couldn’t have gone far, could she have? Terrifying right? That is what happens to Ava, her daughter Abi is nowhere to be found. The story begins with Ava and her husband Matt frantically searching for their toddler Abi. Then the story jumps forward a year. Ava cannot let go of the guilt. How could she have left her little girl alone? How could she have not close the door? Why did she need to scroll through her phone? There was no body, there were no answers, there was no closure. Matt has finally talked Ava into going to the neighbors housewarming party and while there Ava overhears something that will change everything.
This was a slow burning emotional character driven thriller. This couples grief and guilt was dripping off the pages. The tension in the story was understated and the twists were quiet. I knew the truth was going to be sinister... but as things began to be revealed it was so much worse than I had anticipated. This was truly a heartbreaking tale about the lengths we go to protect ourselves and in doing so we hurt others.
This book in emojis 💔 🦥 🏡
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
This was a slow burning emotional character driven thriller. This couples grief and guilt was dripping off the pages. The tension in the story was understated and the twists were quiet. I knew the truth was going to be sinister... but as things began to be revealed it was so much worse than I had anticipated. This was truly a heartbreaking tale about the lengths we go to protect ourselves and in doing so we hurt others.
This book in emojis 💔 🦥 🏡
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
October 27, 2020
EXCERPT: Ava
When I think about that morning, it is beat by beat, like a heart - my own heart, my daughter's, at the time so enmeshed it seemed she was part of me: my body, my tissue, my bones. She is part of me. She will always be part of me.
When I think about that morning, I watch myself, over and over, as if from above. I watch myself like you watch your children in a school play or a sports match, silently willing them to succeed, to shine, to not get hurt. I watch myself bleeding on the sidelines of slowly unfolding disaster, alive with the pain I know is coming but she, the me of that moment, does not.
I do this every minute of every hour of every day. And I have done this for almost a year.
I watch myself: there I am, making my way downstairs with an armful of laundry. I can't see over the top. I take it slowly, both feet on one step before I lower myself to the next. Another step down, another. I am always so careful these days. I used to be carefree, but now I see danger everywhere: an electric socket is a hazard, a glass left too near the edge of a tabletop risky, a staircase perilous.
Another step. I call her name. Abi.
ABOUT THE HOUSEWARMING: Everyone is going to the housewarming party.
All the same people who lived on the street the day Abi vanished…
Will her mother finally learn the truth?
Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone – she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods’ house, and was never seen again.
A year later, the Lovegoods throw a housewarming party, showing off the results of their renovation. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Her husband Matt persuades her: he’s worried about her. A night out might do her good.
But as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything.
Ava thought she knew every last detail of that day.
She’s about to find out she was wrong…
MY THOUGHTS: The opening chapters left me stunned and breathless. And it didn't stop there. The pace is relentless. The tension palpable. As is the grief, the despair, the guilt. Lynes has written a blockbuster of human emotion that left me exhausted, drained, wrung out, and absolutely certain that this is the best book she has ever written!
The characters are superbly depicted. They are complete. They are you. They are me. They are our husbands and wives, our friends and neighbours. They gossip and assume. They are horrified, and smug. They have their own pristine lives that they don't want touched by tragedy. Ava becomes isolated, a prisoner of her anxiety and her feeling of being contagious in her unresolved guilt and grief.
Her neighbour Jen is the only person she feels any connection with. Jen, who never pressures her, who lets her just be. So when Jen throws a party to celebrate the end of the renovations on their house, Ava reluctantly agrees to attend, just for an hour. And there begins the unravelling of everything Ava thought she knew about Abi's disappearance.
Gripping. Heartwrenching. Devastating. Dark. The Housewarming lives up to every promotional promise.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheHousewarming #NetGalley
'My eyes are incontinent.'
THE AUTHOR: After graduating from Leeds University, S E Lynes lived in London before moving to Aberdeen to be with her husband. In Aberdeen, she worked as a Radio Producer at the BBC before moving with her husband and two young children to Rome, where she lived for five years. There, she began to write while her children attended nursery. After the birth of her third child and upon her return to the UK, she gained an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University. She combines writing with teaching at Richmond Adult Community College and bringing up her three children in Teddington, Middlesex.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
When I think about that morning, it is beat by beat, like a heart - my own heart, my daughter's, at the time so enmeshed it seemed she was part of me: my body, my tissue, my bones. She is part of me. She will always be part of me.
When I think about that morning, I watch myself, over and over, as if from above. I watch myself like you watch your children in a school play or a sports match, silently willing them to succeed, to shine, to not get hurt. I watch myself bleeding on the sidelines of slowly unfolding disaster, alive with the pain I know is coming but she, the me of that moment, does not.
I do this every minute of every hour of every day. And I have done this for almost a year.
I watch myself: there I am, making my way downstairs with an armful of laundry. I can't see over the top. I take it slowly, both feet on one step before I lower myself to the next. Another step down, another. I am always so careful these days. I used to be carefree, but now I see danger everywhere: an electric socket is a hazard, a glass left too near the edge of a tabletop risky, a staircase perilous.
Another step. I call her name. Abi.
ABOUT THE HOUSEWARMING: Everyone is going to the housewarming party.
All the same people who lived on the street the day Abi vanished…
Will her mother finally learn the truth?
Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone – she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods’ house, and was never seen again.
A year later, the Lovegoods throw a housewarming party, showing off the results of their renovation. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Her husband Matt persuades her: he’s worried about her. A night out might do her good.
But as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything.
Ava thought she knew every last detail of that day.
She’s about to find out she was wrong…
MY THOUGHTS: The opening chapters left me stunned and breathless. And it didn't stop there. The pace is relentless. The tension palpable. As is the grief, the despair, the guilt. Lynes has written a blockbuster of human emotion that left me exhausted, drained, wrung out, and absolutely certain that this is the best book she has ever written!
The characters are superbly depicted. They are complete. They are you. They are me. They are our husbands and wives, our friends and neighbours. They gossip and assume. They are horrified, and smug. They have their own pristine lives that they don't want touched by tragedy. Ava becomes isolated, a prisoner of her anxiety and her feeling of being contagious in her unresolved guilt and grief.
Her neighbour Jen is the only person she feels any connection with. Jen, who never pressures her, who lets her just be. So when Jen throws a party to celebrate the end of the renovations on their house, Ava reluctantly agrees to attend, just for an hour. And there begins the unravelling of everything Ava thought she knew about Abi's disappearance.
Gripping. Heartwrenching. Devastating. Dark. The Housewarming lives up to every promotional promise.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheHousewarming #NetGalley
'My eyes are incontinent.'
THE AUTHOR: After graduating from Leeds University, S E Lynes lived in London before moving to Aberdeen to be with her husband. In Aberdeen, she worked as a Radio Producer at the BBC before moving with her husband and two young children to Rome, where she lived for five years. There, she began to write while her children attended nursery. After the birth of her third child and upon her return to the UK, she gained an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University. She combines writing with teaching at Richmond Adult Community College and bringing up her three children in Teddington, Middlesex.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 24, 2020
Is Ava a woman who had a daughter, or one who has a daughter?
Is Ava a mother whose daughter is alive, or Is little Abi gone forever?
Someone knows the answer to those questions but their sense of self preservation is so strong that they will keep this secret despite the obvious grief it is causing this young mother.
Her angst and heartache were so palpable. 💔
My heart was breaking for her!!
A year later, a RANDOM comment made at the neighbor’s Housewarming party, will shed new light on what happened the day that little Abi, toddled out of her open front door, never to be seen again.
There are many authors who write stories which grab you from page 1, but leave you disappointed by the end, with an implausible finish, or unanswered questions.
But S.E. Lynes is a bit different.
I have found that all of her books begin with a more leisurely pace, and it takes till about the 50% point, before the pace ramps up and you race to the ALWAYS satisfying conclusion.
If you pay CLOSE attention to the right comments being made, you will pick up on some clues.
But, If you pay attention to the wrong comments, you will be cleverly misdirected toward the wrong suspect!
Which comments will you focus on??
This was a fun first buddy read with Javier who definitely focused on more of the RIGHT comments than I did!
I would like to thank Bookouture for my gifted copy.
It was a pleasure to provide a candid review!
Available NOW!!
Is Ava a mother whose daughter is alive, or Is little Abi gone forever?
Someone knows the answer to those questions but their sense of self preservation is so strong that they will keep this secret despite the obvious grief it is causing this young mother.
Her angst and heartache were so palpable. 💔
My heart was breaking for her!!
A year later, a RANDOM comment made at the neighbor’s Housewarming party, will shed new light on what happened the day that little Abi, toddled out of her open front door, never to be seen again.
There are many authors who write stories which grab you from page 1, but leave you disappointed by the end, with an implausible finish, or unanswered questions.
But S.E. Lynes is a bit different.
I have found that all of her books begin with a more leisurely pace, and it takes till about the 50% point, before the pace ramps up and you race to the ALWAYS satisfying conclusion.
If you pay CLOSE attention to the right comments being made, you will pick up on some clues.
But, If you pay attention to the wrong comments, you will be cleverly misdirected toward the wrong suspect!
Which comments will you focus on??
This was a fun first buddy read with Javier who definitely focused on more of the RIGHT comments than I did!
I would like to thank Bookouture for my gifted copy.
It was a pleasure to provide a candid review!
Available NOW!!
July 29, 2021
This book was layers upon layers of betrayal and sadness. How did everything unravel so badly?😩
October 6, 2020
It’s now a year on since Matt and Ava Atkins daughter Abi went missing and when next door neighbours Jennifer and Johnnie Lovegood are holding a housewarming after a major refurbishment, they can’t decide whether to attend or not. However, this event is the catalyst for the truth.
Susie Lynes has done it again! Another cracking read which had me glued to my seat unable to put my e-reader down! The author captures the fear and panic after Abi’s disappearance so well using short clipped sentences which perfectly matches Ava’s breathless panic. The self recrimination and guilt especially of Abi is heartbreaking in its intensity, it’s distressing as it is every parents nightmare. It’s a very emotional, tense and powerful story and it must be a daily gut wrench not knowing exactly what has happened to your child and you feel their palpable grief. The author demonstrates the changing relationship between Abi and Matt, with their best friends and neighbours who become awkward as they don’t know what to say or do. What can you say in these circumstances? The plot is well thought out, it’s well paced speeding up perceptibly towards the unpredictable end which is one shock after another.
Overall, an extremely good novel which examines how people can be defined by a tragedy, it’s impact on relationships and the need for closure. A highly recommended emotional read.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.
Susie Lynes has done it again! Another cracking read which had me glued to my seat unable to put my e-reader down! The author captures the fear and panic after Abi’s disappearance so well using short clipped sentences which perfectly matches Ava’s breathless panic. The self recrimination and guilt especially of Abi is heartbreaking in its intensity, it’s distressing as it is every parents nightmare. It’s a very emotional, tense and powerful story and it must be a daily gut wrench not knowing exactly what has happened to your child and you feel their palpable grief. The author demonstrates the changing relationship between Abi and Matt, with their best friends and neighbours who become awkward as they don’t know what to say or do. What can you say in these circumstances? The plot is well thought out, it’s well paced speeding up perceptibly towards the unpredictable end which is one shock after another.
Overall, an extremely good novel which examines how people can be defined by a tragedy, it’s impact on relationships and the need for closure. A highly recommended emotional read.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.
June 4, 2021
One of the worst things a parent can go through, your child is missing and you believe you are to blame. Ava is broken since her daughter’s disappearance. Her life is shattered into a million pieces. The day of the tragedy replays in her mind on a constant loop. “What ifs” plague her every thought. Dealing with the unknown is slowly killing her. As the truth of her daughter’s final minutes begin to unfold, events of that horrible day are brought to light and lives are changed forever. This is a heartbreaking story of loss and deceit. “ A terrible act can define us, or change us fundamentally.” Devastation and grief are strong tethers that bind the guilty and innocent in this compelling story of regret. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
One of the worst things a parent can go through, your child is missing and you believe you are to blame. Ava is broken since her daughter’s disappearance. Her life is shattered into a million pieces. The day of the tragedy replays in her mind on a constant loop. “What ifs” plague her every thought. Dealing with the unknown is slowly killing her. As the truth of her daughter’s final minutes begin to unfold, events of that horrible day are brought to light and lives are changed forever. This is a heartbreaking story of loss and deceit. “ A terrible act can define us, or change us fundamentally.” Devastation and grief are strong tethers that bind the guilty and innocent in this compelling story of regret. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
One of the worst things a parent can go through, your child is missing and you believe you are to blame. Ava is broken since her daughter’s disappearance. Her life is shattered into a million pieces. The day of the tragedy replays in her mind on a constant loop. “What ifs” plague her every thought. Dealing with the unknown is slowly killing her. As the truth of her daughter’s final minutes begin to unfold, events of that horrible day are brought to light and lives are changed forever. This is a heartbreaking story of loss and deceit. “ A terrible act can define us, or change us fundamentally.” Devastation and grief are strong tethers that bind the guilty and innocent in this compelling story of regret. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2021
⚠️ Outlier alert
I love books that are carefully scripted, have great characters and the dialogue keeps me turning pages. Unfortunately this book was none of those things.
The fact that it’s labeled a thriller, imho, was an injustice. After the initial scare of 2 year old, Abi, gone missing, the book for me slowed down to the point I was skipping pages, searching for movement.
Most of the book involved the parents’ angst and anguish, understandably. But it went on too long for me. There were many lies in the book, but once the initial lie came out I was too irritated to care about much else.
I didn’t even find the parents very likable, nor interesting.
I’m in the minority here and I’m glad that most others enjoyed this book.
I love books that are carefully scripted, have great characters and the dialogue keeps me turning pages. Unfortunately this book was none of those things.
The fact that it’s labeled a thriller, imho, was an injustice. After the initial scare of 2 year old, Abi, gone missing, the book for me slowed down to the point I was skipping pages, searching for movement.
Most of the book involved the parents’ angst and anguish, understandably. But it went on too long for me. There were many lies in the book, but once the initial lie came out I was too irritated to care about much else.
I didn’t even find the parents very likable, nor interesting.
I’m in the minority here and I’m glad that most others enjoyed this book.
October 23, 2020
"I live in the past; I survive in the present"
Ava can't stop blaming herself for her daughter's disappearance after leaving her unattended for a few minutes. Did someone take her? Did she wander on her own and drowned in the river?
One year later and there're still no answers about what happened to Abi, but after a comment heard during her neighbors' housewaming party, Ava will start wondering if what she thought she knew about that day is the truth.
This was my first S.E.Lynes book so I didn't know what to expect genre wise. From the synopsis I thought this would be a domestic suspense story but instead I found a family drama about the aftermath of losing a child, how it affects the parents, their marriage, their friendships, and how the fact of not knowing what happened to their child will impact their lives, not allowing them to grieve and get some closure that lets them move on.
I must confess that at first I was quite underwhelmed. Although the first few chapters conveyed to perfection the fear, anxiety and angst Ava felt when she found her daughter missing, it became a bit repetitive, with her wallowing in her misery a bit too much (I know this may sound harsh and understand that irl that would be the normal reaction, but this is a novel and things need to move along a bit more quickly).
Once the story centered on the present timeline it became much more interesting, picking up the pace right after the housewarming party. Towards the end the twists started coming. One of them was my working theory practically from the beginning. The other one I didn't see coming. The chapters where we get to know what happened the day Abi went missing were truly heartbreaking and emotional. The fact they could act with such coolness, thinking only about themselves with no care at all about the consequences for others, was truly terrifying and brought a knot to my stomach.
Don't come into this expecting a thriller full of twists and turns. “The housewarming" is a story of characters suffering an unimaginable loss and the unresolved grief they must go through till they find out the truth.
At the end there was a quite interesting author's note about the genesis of this book and how the current situation with COVID-19 affected the writing process.
This was my first buddy read with Jayme and I had so much fun discussing theories and suspects.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an hones review.
Ava can't stop blaming herself for her daughter's disappearance after leaving her unattended for a few minutes. Did someone take her? Did she wander on her own and drowned in the river?
One year later and there're still no answers about what happened to Abi, but after a comment heard during her neighbors' housewaming party, Ava will start wondering if what she thought she knew about that day is the truth.
This was my first S.E.Lynes book so I didn't know what to expect genre wise. From the synopsis I thought this would be a domestic suspense story but instead I found a family drama about the aftermath of losing a child, how it affects the parents, their marriage, their friendships, and how the fact of not knowing what happened to their child will impact their lives, not allowing them to grieve and get some closure that lets them move on.
I must confess that at first I was quite underwhelmed. Although the first few chapters conveyed to perfection the fear, anxiety and angst Ava felt when she found her daughter missing, it became a bit repetitive, with her wallowing in her misery a bit too much (I know this may sound harsh and understand that irl that would be the normal reaction, but this is a novel and things need to move along a bit more quickly).
Once the story centered on the present timeline it became much more interesting, picking up the pace right after the housewarming party. Towards the end the twists started coming. One of them was my working theory practically from the beginning. The other one I didn't see coming. The chapters where we get to know what happened the day Abi went missing were truly heartbreaking and emotional. The fact they could act with such coolness, thinking only about themselves with no care at all about the consequences for others, was truly terrifying and brought a knot to my stomach.
Don't come into this expecting a thriller full of twists and turns. “The housewarming" is a story of characters suffering an unimaginable loss and the unresolved grief they must go through till they find out the truth.
At the end there was a quite interesting author's note about the genesis of this book and how the current situation with COVID-19 affected the writing process.
This was my first buddy read with Jayme and I had so much fun discussing theories and suspects.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an hones review.
October 23, 2020
Ava and Matt are living every parent's worse nightmare. A year ago, their two-year-old daughter Abi disappeared from their home after the front door was accidentally left open by Ava. The police did everything they could to find her but with no leads, the case went cold very quickly. However, all that changes when Ava learns some new information at her neighbors' housewarming party - information that suggests her husband and neighbors know a lot more about Abi's disappearance than they're letting on.
The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes is a beautifully written and dark family drama, with believable characters you can empathize with and a mystery that will keep you on your toes. Although I was expecting something a little more fast-paced, I enjoyed this book very much. The author did a brilliant job of building the tension and there are a few surprising twists along the way. This story begs the question of how well do you really know the people in your life and how far would you go to protect what's yours? A moving and gripping read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes is a beautifully written and dark family drama, with believable characters you can empathize with and a mystery that will keep you on your toes. Although I was expecting something a little more fast-paced, I enjoyed this book very much. The author did a brilliant job of building the tension and there are a few surprising twists along the way. This story begs the question of how well do you really know the people in your life and how far would you go to protect what's yours? A moving and gripping read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2022
I’d like to agree with the minority reviews on this book. This is quite monotonous and samey.
I could understand the distress and despair of losing a child, the nightmare that comes with it. But, after going through Ava’s anguish over and over and over again in every chapter, in every thought, in every scene, I was practically over the whole thing.
It took half of the book to get to the actual “Housewarming” and I was not interested at that point anymore. Like, I barely finished the book and nothing about the twists or the mystery appeased me. The truth about Abi’s disappearance broke my heart, yes, it was sad and unfortunate, pretty much like everything in this book! (Sigh)
I could understand the distress and despair of losing a child, the nightmare that comes with it. But, after going through Ava’s anguish over and over and over again in every chapter, in every thought, in every scene, I was practically over the whole thing.
It took half of the book to get to the actual “Housewarming” and I was not interested at that point anymore. Like, I barely finished the book and nothing about the twists or the mystery appeased me. The truth about Abi’s disappearance broke my heart, yes, it was sad and unfortunate, pretty much like everything in this book! (Sigh)
October 29, 2021
“I have come around to thinking that my daughter’s death is not really the fault of the material trappings of our lives… To blame these things is too easy. For me it is down to how we act towards one another”, and in those seconds and minutes when tragedy hits, we must choose, do we protect, above all others, ourselves?
The story is narrated in dual timelines one year apart, as Ava is learning to come to terms with the devastating loss of her 2-year-old daughter who went missing from inside their house, one year earlier. With no body, no motive and no closure, Ava continues to punish herself for having left the front door opened to either let a killer in or Abi out, whilst she went upstairs to fetch her handbag. Concerned about his wife’s emotional well-being, Matt encourages Abi to start living again and as such they agree to attend the housewarming of their next-door neighbours.
However, the tension builds as the relationship between husband and wife hits tumultuous times and Ava begins to notice the inconsistencies in accounts of that fateful day. After the Housewarming party, even more startling is the cloud of suspicion that now hangs over all those she never even suspected, as inconsequential details, when put together revealed a more sinister and horrifying story. As Ava recalls “Matt always said I needed time. Time will heal. But it won’t. And even if I did need time. I need truth more.”
As the past and present collide, the events, lies, and secrets are uncovered in a sensational way where so many were either directly or indirectly involved in this shocking story.
The Housewarming is a fascinating psychological thriller, with a very intelligent plot that is skilfully written, but what I loved the most was the use of self-preservation and guilt as underlying themes and the impact of selfish actions and decisions taken for the wrong and sometimes the right reasons. But who decides what is right?
A 3.5 rating rounded up and the reason, it felt a bit repetitive at times. The author was keen to set the context and Ava's emotional state and went to lengths to describe the feelings, emotions and grief she was facing. However, we went through this again when Ava went to the hairdressers and then to the nail parlour and then shopping and many other times too. When I read a book about grief I like the author to treat it with sensitivity, which the author did in this case, but I also like to read about the survival, the coping mechanisms and the journey through the unimaginable. There was just too many paragraphs saying the same thing when there was so many other themes at play.
The story is narrated in dual timelines one year apart, as Ava is learning to come to terms with the devastating loss of her 2-year-old daughter who went missing from inside their house, one year earlier. With no body, no motive and no closure, Ava continues to punish herself for having left the front door opened to either let a killer in or Abi out, whilst she went upstairs to fetch her handbag. Concerned about his wife’s emotional well-being, Matt encourages Abi to start living again and as such they agree to attend the housewarming of their next-door neighbours.
However, the tension builds as the relationship between husband and wife hits tumultuous times and Ava begins to notice the inconsistencies in accounts of that fateful day. After the Housewarming party, even more startling is the cloud of suspicion that now hangs over all those she never even suspected, as inconsequential details, when put together revealed a more sinister and horrifying story. As Ava recalls “Matt always said I needed time. Time will heal. But it won’t. And even if I did need time. I need truth more.”
As the past and present collide, the events, lies, and secrets are uncovered in a sensational way where so many were either directly or indirectly involved in this shocking story.
The Housewarming is a fascinating psychological thriller, with a very intelligent plot that is skilfully written, but what I loved the most was the use of self-preservation and guilt as underlying themes and the impact of selfish actions and decisions taken for the wrong and sometimes the right reasons. But who decides what is right?
A 3.5 rating rounded up and the reason, it felt a bit repetitive at times. The author was keen to set the context and Ava's emotional state and went to lengths to describe the feelings, emotions and grief she was facing. However, we went through this again when Ava went to the hairdressers and then to the nail parlour and then shopping and many other times too. When I read a book about grief I like the author to treat it with sensitivity, which the author did in this case, but I also like to read about the survival, the coping mechanisms and the journey through the unimaginable. There was just too many paragraphs saying the same thing when there was so many other themes at play.
June 27, 2023
🌹🌹🌹🌹 Wow, i don't know how to rate this book! The concept was heartbreaking, sad and depressing even. This was my first S. E. Lynes novel and definately not my last. Even though the story dragged, at some point, i couldn't wait to find out what happened to little Abi after her mysterious disappearance, although i knew from the very beginning what was going on. The writer unravels the grief of the two parents who for a year long did not know what happened to their little girl. Mixed feelings of guilt, hate, sadness, depression and love all rolled into one with an ending that breaks one's heart!
This realistic story deserves my 4 stars ,wholeheartedly!
This realistic story deserves my 4 stars ,wholeheartedly!
September 27, 2020
Ava was only upstairs, having a moment to herself, scrolling and liking...Abi ( her daughter ) was fastened into her chair just in the hallway, safe and secure
But when Ava goes downstairs she is gone, vanished, without a trace
The beginning of this book is emotion on a stick as you feel and experience the welling panic of realisation that Ava feels as she cannot find Abi, it felt so real, like I was there with her and in my mind I was helping her to try and find her, breathtaking realistic narrative
The book then follows Ava and her hubby Matt as they try to come to terms with what has happened and again you feel Ava’s( particularly ) absolute devastation at their loss
And then there is the ‘Housewarming’ at the Lovegood’s and a trickle turns over a few days into a stream of feelings, realisation and horror that the truth might be nearer than they thought, it is a nightmare on top of their worst nightmare
You are then carried through and led to the finale and a 2 prong shocking twist (s)
A different, emotive, wordy read that was told in a way that made you feel you were there experiencing everything the characters were
Excellent
9/10
5 Stars
But when Ava goes downstairs she is gone, vanished, without a trace
The beginning of this book is emotion on a stick as you feel and experience the welling panic of realisation that Ava feels as she cannot find Abi, it felt so real, like I was there with her and in my mind I was helping her to try and find her, breathtaking realistic narrative
The book then follows Ava and her hubby Matt as they try to come to terms with what has happened and again you feel Ava’s( particularly ) absolute devastation at their loss
And then there is the ‘Housewarming’ at the Lovegood’s and a trickle turns over a few days into a stream of feelings, realisation and horror that the truth might be nearer than they thought, it is a nightmare on top of their worst nightmare
You are then carried through and led to the finale and a 2 prong shocking twist (s)
A different, emotive, wordy read that was told in a way that made you feel you were there experiencing everything the characters were
Excellent
9/10
5 Stars
September 26, 2020
I have been a fan of all of this authors books and was excited to read The Housewarming. This one felt a bit different, more of a family drama than a thriller. It kept me hooked right through and was a great read, although I had my suspicions quite early on what had happened.
Ava and Matt are living every parents nightmare. A year ago thrower daughter Ava disappeared when the front door of their house was left open. The police and neighbours did everything that they could to find 2 year old Mia. Now the investigation is being scaled down but Bella is still grieving. No way their neighbours are having a housewarming party to show off their renovations. Begrudgingly Bella goes along and as the alcohol flows the secrets start to come out. Could they finally find out what happened to their daughter?
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read
Ava and Matt are living every parents nightmare. A year ago thrower daughter Ava disappeared when the front door of their house was left open. The police and neighbours did everything that they could to find 2 year old Mia. Now the investigation is being scaled down but Bella is still grieving. No way their neighbours are having a housewarming party to show off their renovations. Begrudgingly Bella goes along and as the alcohol flows the secrets start to come out. Could they finally find out what happened to their daughter?
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read
October 25, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: October 23, 2020
“Somewhere along the line, we��ve been so busy getting and having and getting more and more and more again until we have so much, we have to guard it at all costs. We’ve forgotten- we’ve completely forgotten- to look after each other”. One of the closing quotes of “The Housewarming” by S.E Lynes, and it is truer now than ever before.
Ava was preparing to take her daughter for a walk in her stroller, when she decided to check her phone. Her daughter was safely buckled in her stroller, so what was the harm, right? When Ava returns to her daughter, she realizes the stroller is empty, and the front door is open- Abi has disappeared. After a year of frantic searching and constant guilt, Ava and her husband Matt are invited to a housewarming party at their new neighbours’ house. Matt encourages Ava to go, desperate for her to get out of the house. However, at the party, shocking secrets are revealed that once again, bring Abi’s disappearance to light. Ava can trust no one but herself to find out the truth about her daughter, and she will continue searching no matter the cost.
S.E Lynes has written many top-selling, psychological suspense novels and I am ashamed to admit I have only read one other (“The Lies We Hide”) . Her newest novel, “The Housewarming”, is emotionally-charged, gripping and full of suspense, a pulse-pounding who-dunnit from page one. Every character has a part to play in the disappearance of young Abi, and the horrible consequences of secrets kept comes to light.
I loved Lynes’ writing style, the alternating chapters told from Ava and Matt’s perspectives. Even as a non-parent, I immediately empathized with Ava’s intense loss and grief- no one but the best of writers can generate this type of connection with a character. As the story unfolded, I definitely began to form ideas as to what had happened (and it turns out I was right, although it played out a little differently than I predicted) but the ending was still powerful. Lynes’ turns Ava’s pain into a thought-provoking and heartbreaking look at today’s society, and what really matters.
Well-told, creative and emotional, “The Homecoming” checked off all my boxes. Although I saw the ending coming, I was so entertained throughout. It is a novel worth checking out, and I will be anxiously awaiting another novel by Lynes (and reading her previous novels while I wait!) .
Publication date: October 23, 2020
“Somewhere along the line, we��ve been so busy getting and having and getting more and more and more again until we have so much, we have to guard it at all costs. We’ve forgotten- we’ve completely forgotten- to look after each other”. One of the closing quotes of “The Housewarming” by S.E Lynes, and it is truer now than ever before.
Ava was preparing to take her daughter for a walk in her stroller, when she decided to check her phone. Her daughter was safely buckled in her stroller, so what was the harm, right? When Ava returns to her daughter, she realizes the stroller is empty, and the front door is open- Abi has disappeared. After a year of frantic searching and constant guilt, Ava and her husband Matt are invited to a housewarming party at their new neighbours’ house. Matt encourages Ava to go, desperate for her to get out of the house. However, at the party, shocking secrets are revealed that once again, bring Abi’s disappearance to light. Ava can trust no one but herself to find out the truth about her daughter, and she will continue searching no matter the cost.
S.E Lynes has written many top-selling, psychological suspense novels and I am ashamed to admit I have only read one other (“The Lies We Hide”) . Her newest novel, “The Housewarming”, is emotionally-charged, gripping and full of suspense, a pulse-pounding who-dunnit from page one. Every character has a part to play in the disappearance of young Abi, and the horrible consequences of secrets kept comes to light.
I loved Lynes’ writing style, the alternating chapters told from Ava and Matt’s perspectives. Even as a non-parent, I immediately empathized with Ava’s intense loss and grief- no one but the best of writers can generate this type of connection with a character. As the story unfolded, I definitely began to form ideas as to what had happened (and it turns out I was right, although it played out a little differently than I predicted) but the ending was still powerful. Lynes’ turns Ava’s pain into a thought-provoking and heartbreaking look at today’s society, and what really matters.
Well-told, creative and emotional, “The Homecoming” checked off all my boxes. Although I saw the ending coming, I was so entertained throughout. It is a novel worth checking out, and I will be anxiously awaiting another novel by Lynes (and reading her previous novels while I wait!) .
March 19, 2021
I am just trying to pick out the words to describe this book heartfelt, terrifying & yet it was consuming.
Ava is distraught as her two year old daughter Abi suddenly disappears in the blink of an eye, Ava only turned her back & went upstairs for a few seconds & her beautiful daughter is gone forever.
A year later Ava is still consumed by guilt she now has a new born son but never forgets how that fateful day changed her & Matts lives forever. All the neighbours in Riverside Drive were there & all have a story to tell , but when they are invited to a housewarming party they decide to have fun just for a few hours Johnnie, Jennifer Jasmine who is a special needs child & Cosima both seems happy, until Ava goes home still living in the past tense sees a therapist once a week.
Its only when Di Farnham comes into investigate what happens that day that all the secrets are starting to unfold. There is one major twist in this that threw me for a loop all in all was good although i thought the narrative in the fiorst half of the book was overdone a tad by this author 3.5 stars
Ava is distraught as her two year old daughter Abi suddenly disappears in the blink of an eye, Ava only turned her back & went upstairs for a few seconds & her beautiful daughter is gone forever.
A year later Ava is still consumed by guilt she now has a new born son but never forgets how that fateful day changed her & Matts lives forever. All the neighbours in Riverside Drive were there & all have a story to tell , but when they are invited to a housewarming party they decide to have fun just for a few hours Johnnie, Jennifer Jasmine who is a special needs child & Cosima both seems happy, until Ava goes home still living in the past tense sees a therapist once a week.
Its only when Di Farnham comes into investigate what happens that day that all the secrets are starting to unfold. There is one major twist in this that threw me for a loop all in all was good although i thought the narrative in the fiorst half of the book was overdone a tad by this author 3.5 stars
September 19, 2020
Yet another new author to me and one I intend to read much more of. When I first started this book I wasn't quite sure whether I was going to like it but the more I read the more I enjoyed it.
Everyone is invited to the housewarming party for a cosy get together but it was only twelve months ago that that the lives of all the people invited was hit by tragedy. None more than Ava who left her daughter for five minutes strapped in her pushchair downstairs. Ava was convinced she had locked the front door but when she came down the stairs the door was open and Abi was gone. Neighbours the Lovegoods are throwing a housewarming party to show their friends the results of the renovation. Ava is reluctant to go, her life has changed so much since that day and she doesn't want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Husband Matt persuades her to go and as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything that Ava had thought.
I am so glad I carried on through the start of the book because it got so much better. This heart breaking story is a great read that twists and turns to the very end. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Yet another new author to me and one I intend to read much more of. When I first started this book I wasn't quite sure whether I was going to like it but the more I read the more I enjoyed it.
Everyone is invited to the housewarming party for a cosy get together but it was only twelve months ago that that the lives of all the people invited was hit by tragedy. None more than Ava who left her daughter for five minutes strapped in her pushchair downstairs. Ava was convinced she had locked the front door but when she came down the stairs the door was open and Abi was gone. Neighbours the Lovegoods are throwing a housewarming party to show their friends the results of the renovation. Ava is reluctant to go, her life has changed so much since that day and she doesn't want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Husband Matt persuades her to go and as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything that Ava had thought.
I am so glad I carried on through the start of the book because it got so much better. This heart breaking story is a great read that twists and turns to the very end. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone is invited to the housewarming party for a cosy get together but it was only twelve months ago that that the lives of all the people invited was hit by tragedy. None more than Ava who left her daughter for five minutes strapped in her pushchair downstairs. Ava was convinced she had locked the front door but when she came down the stairs the door was open and Abi was gone. Neighbours the Lovegoods are throwing a housewarming party to show their friends the results of the renovation. Ava is reluctant to go, her life has changed so much since that day and she doesn't want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Husband Matt persuades her to go and as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything that Ava had thought.
I am so glad I carried on through the start of the book because it got so much better. This heart breaking story is a great read that twists and turns to the very end. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Yet another new author to me and one I intend to read much more of. When I first started this book I wasn't quite sure whether I was going to like it but the more I read the more I enjoyed it.
Everyone is invited to the housewarming party for a cosy get together but it was only twelve months ago that that the lives of all the people invited was hit by tragedy. None more than Ava who left her daughter for five minutes strapped in her pushchair downstairs. Ava was convinced she had locked the front door but when she came down the stairs the door was open and Abi was gone. Neighbours the Lovegoods are throwing a housewarming party to show their friends the results of the renovation. Ava is reluctant to go, her life has changed so much since that day and she doesn't want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Husband Matt persuades her to go and as her friends and neighbours chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has re-lived a thousand times. A throwaway comment which could change everything that Ava had thought.
I am so glad I carried on through the start of the book because it got so much better. This heart breaking story is a great read that twists and turns to the very end. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2024
Ava leaves her daughter Abi secure in her pushchair for a short time while she is upstairs, but when she comes back the pushchair is empty, the front door open and Abi is nowhere to be seen!!
We fast forward to a year later and Abi is still missing. The neighbours are having a housewarming party and Ava’s husband Matt thinks it will do her good to get out of the house.
At the party Ava will discover something about the day Abi disappeared that will set off a chain of events, a comment said that will throw some light on what happened on that dreadful day!! Ava’s life is about to be unravelled as she looks at her neighbours in a new light!!
I was completely engrossed in this book. I could feel the panic and despair the couple felt when they discovered their little girl was missing. I knew in my heart this wasn’t going to be a fairytale ending but boy the finale was something that will stick in my head for a long while, I reread the ending as I couldn’t believe what I read!!
A must read gripping thriller that will keep you hooked until the bitter end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
We fast forward to a year later and Abi is still missing. The neighbours are having a housewarming party and Ava’s husband Matt thinks it will do her good to get out of the house.
At the party Ava will discover something about the day Abi disappeared that will set off a chain of events, a comment said that will throw some light on what happened on that dreadful day!! Ava’s life is about to be unravelled as she looks at her neighbours in a new light!!
I was completely engrossed in this book. I could feel the panic and despair the couple felt when they discovered their little girl was missing. I knew in my heart this wasn’t going to be a fairytale ending but boy the finale was something that will stick in my head for a long while, I reread the ending as I couldn’t believe what I read!!
A must read gripping thriller that will keep you hooked until the bitter end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
November 25, 2020
The Housewarming is an emotional and twisty mystery. A mother, Ava, leaves her young daughter in her stroller for a few minutes while she runs upstairs. When Ava comes back down, the front door is open and the child is missing.
A year after their daughter goes missing, Ava and her husband Matt attend a neighbor’s housewarming party. Ava does not want to attend, but Matt believes they need to get out and socialize more. During the housewarming, Ava realizes there is more to her daughter’s disappearance than she ever realized.
Told from multiple points of view, including Ava, Matt, and their neighbors. The different viewpoints add to the story, as does the alternating between past and present. While the beginning goes a little slow, the pace does pick up.
The Housewarming is a slow-burning mystery. It combines secrets, lies, and a gut-wrenching loss of a child. Fans of S.E. Lynes other novels are sure to enjoy this one too.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A year after their daughter goes missing, Ava and her husband Matt attend a neighbor’s housewarming party. Ava does not want to attend, but Matt believes they need to get out and socialize more. During the housewarming, Ava realizes there is more to her daughter’s disappearance than she ever realized.
Told from multiple points of view, including Ava, Matt, and their neighbors. The different viewpoints add to the story, as does the alternating between past and present. While the beginning goes a little slow, the pace does pick up.
The Housewarming is a slow-burning mystery. It combines secrets, lies, and a gut-wrenching loss of a child. Fans of S.E. Lynes other novels are sure to enjoy this one too.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2020
2.5 stars.
This one... my goodness... this one!
It did start so well.
I was feeling the parents’ despair. It was so intense, so real. It’s all parents’ nightmare.
All that grieving was unbelievable.
Such an interesting premise.
But..., yes, there is a but... the writing was so repetitive!
And the structure wasn’t that great.
This book could have been written under 120 pages, instead of 324.
That grieving was so long! It went on and on until the housewarming party (which by the way was too short to cause any impact or to even become the title of the book).
At 43% I had lost my interest in this book but I “needed” to know what happened to the little girl.
Finally I finished the book, which was presented with a couple of twists that I thought were not bad. Overall, the development was poor.
This one was definitely not for me. I do have (own) 7 more unread books by this author (this one is my first) and now I’m wondering if I should leave it to dust.
This one... my goodness... this one!
It did start so well.
I was feeling the parents’ despair. It was so intense, so real. It’s all parents’ nightmare.
All that grieving was unbelievable.
Such an interesting premise.
But..., yes, there is a but... the writing was so repetitive!
And the structure wasn’t that great.
This book could have been written under 120 pages, instead of 324.
That grieving was so long! It went on and on until the housewarming party (which by the way was too short to cause any impact or to even become the title of the book).
At 43% I had lost my interest in this book but I “needed” to know what happened to the little girl.
Finally I finished the book, which was presented with a couple of twists that I thought were not bad. Overall, the development was poor.
This one was definitely not for me. I do have (own) 7 more unread books by this author (this one is my first) and now I’m wondering if I should leave it to dust.
September 20, 2020
Ava is devastated when her two year old daughter goes missing.
One year later her neighbours have a housewarming party and after a few drinks things are said that makes Ava think someone knows what happend to her daughter.
Now Ava will keep asking questions until she finds out the truth about the disappearance.
I found the story a little slow and repetitive in parts but the pace picked up half way through the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
One year later her neighbours have a housewarming party and after a few drinks things are said that makes Ava think someone knows what happend to her daughter.
Now Ava will keep asking questions until she finds out the truth about the disappearance.
I found the story a little slow and repetitive in parts but the pace picked up half way through the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2021
This book was incredibly dull except for the last 1/5. It could have started with the housewarming and been a short story. 3/4 of the book was given over to the mother's feelings of grief and inability to function after her loss. The husband was never allowed to really have a personality. We catch a glimpse of him toward the end but that is all. I would not waste my time reading this. The only reason I couldn't put it down is I was waiting for it to get interesting. Even the "housewarmng" was a bore. Just a big party with a few innuendos. Disappointing read.
October 20, 2020
I am kicking myself. The Housewarming by S. E Lynes is the first book from the author I have read, and I am just wondering why I have never read a book of theirs before. This is brilliant but heart-breaking story of a mother losing her child.
When Ava leaves her daughter Abi for a few minutes strapped into her buggy and she returns to find her gone with the door left open. She is devasted and she goes searching for and then also feels guilty. Did her daughter unclasp her buggy and go out the door to be never to be seen again? Did she leave the door open?
One year later, the Lovegood’s are having a housewarming party next door after having their house renovated. Ava hasn’t socialised since her daughter went missing and doesn’t really want to go but, needs to get her life back on track. So, she agrees that she will go just for an hour with Matt.
So, something is said at the party that brings back Abi’s disappearance and changes things for both Ava and Matt which hinders their relationship. Also other things come to light that makes Ava want to find out what really happened to Abi.
Thank you Bookoutre for a copy of the The Housewarming. I know I am a bit late to the party to read this one. But the great reviews I keep hearing about this, I had to read it. This is a very emotional story of a mother losing her child and the aftermath behind it and a game of who is telling the truth and who is lying. I really enjoyed this book from S.E Lynes it was so good. After reading this I will sure now going to read the other books that she has written. 5 stars from me.
When Ava leaves her daughter Abi for a few minutes strapped into her buggy and she returns to find her gone with the door left open. She is devasted and she goes searching for and then also feels guilty. Did her daughter unclasp her buggy and go out the door to be never to be seen again? Did she leave the door open?
One year later, the Lovegood’s are having a housewarming party next door after having their house renovated. Ava hasn’t socialised since her daughter went missing and doesn’t really want to go but, needs to get her life back on track. So, she agrees that she will go just for an hour with Matt.
So, something is said at the party that brings back Abi’s disappearance and changes things for both Ava and Matt which hinders their relationship. Also other things come to light that makes Ava want to find out what really happened to Abi.
Thank you Bookoutre for a copy of the The Housewarming. I know I am a bit late to the party to read this one. But the great reviews I keep hearing about this, I had to read it. This is a very emotional story of a mother losing her child and the aftermath behind it and a game of who is telling the truth and who is lying. I really enjoyed this book from S.E Lynes it was so good. After reading this I will sure now going to read the other books that she has written. 5 stars from me.
November 9, 2020
being brazilian, I loved the party with bossa
nova and caipirinhas... and the ride through
grief and guilt, leaving so many breadcrumbs
behind I doubted they would fall into place -
but they did, masterfully, in a dark sad way.
nova and caipirinhas... and the ride through
grief and guilt, leaving so many breadcrumbs
behind I doubted they would fall into place -
but they did, masterfully, in a dark sad way.
October 17, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes in exchange for an honest review.
Raising a two year old daughter can take its toll on any mother. Exhausted, Ava, longs for a few minutes to herself. Early one morning, she leaves two year old Abi buckled into her stroller downstairs while she uses the bathroom. Realizing that she has spent longer than she meant to in the bathroom on her phone, she returns downstairs to find the door open and Abi missing from her stroller. She immediately blames herself for becoming distracted and not watching her child carefully. After a year long investigation with no leads, the police stop looking into her disappearance. However, Ava will not give up on finding her daughter. What really happened to Abi?
This is a very thoughtful introspective thriller that ultimately asks, what would you do to protect the ones you love? It realistically depicts the emotions mothers feel when caring for their children as well as describing every stage of loss through the eyes of Ava and her husband, Matt. As a mother myself, It is easy to relate to Ava’s feelings of helplessness and self-blame. Through a series of lies, secrets and betrayal, the reader is led on a journey to finding out the truth about what happened to Abi and the sacrifices people are willing to make in order to avoid cracking the foundations of family. Lynes expertly makes everyone a suspect, however, I did figure out the twist.
My one critique is that there is a little too much introspection and not enough action to fully keep my entire interest the whole way through to the end.
4/5 stars
Merged review:
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes in exchange for an honest review.
Raising a two year old daughter can take its toll on any mother. Exhausted, Ava, longs for a few minutes to herself. Early one morning, she leaves two year old Abi buckled into her stroller downstairs while she uses the bathroom. Realizing that she has spent longer than she meant to in the bathroom on her phone, she returns downstairs to find the door open and Abi missing from her stroller. She immediately blames herself for becoming distracted and not watching her child carefully. After a year long investigation with no leads, the police stop looking into her disappearance. However, Ava will not give up on finding her daughter. What really happened to Abi?
This is a very thoughtful introspective thriller that ultimately asks, what would you do to protect the ones you love? It realistically depicts the emotions mothers feel when caring for their children as well as describing every stage of grief and loss through the eyes of Ava and her husband, Matt. As a mother myself, It is easy to relate to Ava’s feelings of helplessness and self-blame. Through a series of lies, secrets and betrayal, the reader is led on a journey to finding out the truth about what happened to Abi and the sacrifices people are willing to make in order to avoid cracking the foundations of family. Lynes expertly makes everyone a suspect, however, I did figure out the twist.
My one critique is that there is a little too much introspection and not enough action to fully keep my entire interest the whole way through to the end.
4/5 stars
Raising a two year old daughter can take its toll on any mother. Exhausted, Ava, longs for a few minutes to herself. Early one morning, she leaves two year old Abi buckled into her stroller downstairs while she uses the bathroom. Realizing that she has spent longer than she meant to in the bathroom on her phone, she returns downstairs to find the door open and Abi missing from her stroller. She immediately blames herself for becoming distracted and not watching her child carefully. After a year long investigation with no leads, the police stop looking into her disappearance. However, Ava will not give up on finding her daughter. What really happened to Abi?
This is a very thoughtful introspective thriller that ultimately asks, what would you do to protect the ones you love? It realistically depicts the emotions mothers feel when caring for their children as well as describing every stage of loss through the eyes of Ava and her husband, Matt. As a mother myself, It is easy to relate to Ava’s feelings of helplessness and self-blame. Through a series of lies, secrets and betrayal, the reader is led on a journey to finding out the truth about what happened to Abi and the sacrifices people are willing to make in order to avoid cracking the foundations of family. Lynes expertly makes everyone a suspect, however, I did figure out the twist.
My one critique is that there is a little too much introspection and not enough action to fully keep my entire interest the whole way through to the end.
4/5 stars
Merged review:
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes in exchange for an honest review.
Raising a two year old daughter can take its toll on any mother. Exhausted, Ava, longs for a few minutes to herself. Early one morning, she leaves two year old Abi buckled into her stroller downstairs while she uses the bathroom. Realizing that she has spent longer than she meant to in the bathroom on her phone, she returns downstairs to find the door open and Abi missing from her stroller. She immediately blames herself for becoming distracted and not watching her child carefully. After a year long investigation with no leads, the police stop looking into her disappearance. However, Ava will not give up on finding her daughter. What really happened to Abi?
This is a very thoughtful introspective thriller that ultimately asks, what would you do to protect the ones you love? It realistically depicts the emotions mothers feel when caring for their children as well as describing every stage of grief and loss through the eyes of Ava and her husband, Matt. As a mother myself, It is easy to relate to Ava’s feelings of helplessness and self-blame. Through a series of lies, secrets and betrayal, the reader is led on a journey to finding out the truth about what happened to Abi and the sacrifices people are willing to make in order to avoid cracking the foundations of family. Lynes expertly makes everyone a suspect, however, I did figure out the twist.
My one critique is that there is a little too much introspection and not enough action to fully keep my entire interest the whole way through to the end.
4/5 stars
October 29, 2020
A parent's worst nightmare. Preparing for a walk to the park, Ava buckles her 2-year-old daughter into her stroller and leaves her alone downstairs for just a moment. When she returns, Abi is not in her stroller and the front door is wide open. Where is Abi? Did she get out of the stroller by herself? Did someone walk in and take her? Did Ava not lock the door? Was this her fault?
It's now a year later. Abi has never been seen or heard from. When Abi disappeared, Ava was pregnant and now has an infant son. The guilt, the grief of not knowing what happened to her daughter has left her life in shambles. She doesn't seem to care much for anyone or anything ... and there are days she wishes fervently to go wherever Abi is ....
When the neighbors next door throw a housewarming party, Ava and her husband are invited. But Ava really doesn't want to go ... she has to almost be forced to leave the house for any reason .. and she hates how people always say .. How are you doing, Ava?
Her husband finally talks her into going ... even for just one drink.. but this is the night that everything from when Abi disappeared changes forever. Just a random remark, but what she heard makes her doubt she actually knew what happened that night.
Everything she thought she knew .... was wrong
This is an emotional read that takes the reader though a family's grief, loss, guilt, suspicion to an ending that will hurt your heart. How does a parent survive when their child goes missing? How do they keep hope alive that she's out there ..somewhere? The characters are deftly written and the reader in invited in to many of their lives. Someone knows more than they're telling. And Ava is losing her sanity.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 21, 2020
I just didn't like this book very much at all but it looks like I am in the minority according to the reviewers on Goodreads. I thought the first half of the book was very repetitive and boring. The whole housewarming party was uneventful. Truthfully, I would have given up on the book halfway through if I was not reviewing it. Some of the book blurb's about this authors other books really sound interesting but I am leery about reading anything else by this author. Maybe some day I will.
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