4⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Setting ~ Cornwall
Publication date ~ October 24, 2023
Page Count ~ 361 (30 chapters p+e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 25 minutes
Narrators ~ Tamsin Kennard, Alison Campbell
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ forced proximity, snowed in, infidelity, secrets, lies, references to r@pe
My review:
Fiona’s ex mother in law has invited her, and her two older teens, to the lodge to celebrate her 75th birthday. She adores Angela and they have remained close after the divorce, but there’s one little problem ~ her ex husband, Scott, his new wife, Danni, and their baby, Olivia, will be there, too. Did I mention that Scott left Fiona for Danni after their affair was leaked? Oof, that’s sounds like it’ll be a great holiday away…not! Add in Jenna, an ex friend of Danni’s, and we have a whole cast of unlikable characters.
Let’s talk about some these unlikable characters ~ Scott was a real tool and not just because he’s a cheater. Can’t think of one choice I liked that Fiona made. Danni was insecure and acted quite frantic at times. Jenna was super annoying. And I know it’s terrible, but even the baby got on my nerves with her wailing. I didn’t mind Angela so much.
Don’t even get me started on the police ~ they could have easily solved the case of the hit and run in 16 seconds flat if you ask me. Maybe I have just read too many thrillers or watched too many cop shows.
Overall, the start was slow with cattiness galore, but I did enjoy the whole snowed in, forced proximity premise. It is jam packed with family drama, tension, and jealously to the max! I’m pleased to report that I did not see the murderer coming, so yay!
Narration notes:
Their male voices leave a little to be desired, but overall good. They both showed proper emotion when it was needed.
*Thanks to the author, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Add to your never ending TBR ~ goodreads
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.
Book blurb:
‘Please – someone – help us. We’re at The Lodge, the snow is everywhere. We’re trapped. There was an argument last night… things got out of hand. Someone went missing in the middle of the night. We think they might be dead…’
Two days ago the Wilson family checked into the imposing, glass-fronted Lodge, surrounded by snow and perched perilously on the edge of a cliff looking out to a grey sea. Not everyone was looking forward to the family get-together. But mother-in-law Angela insisted the winter trip would help heal their rifts…
The new wife who feels like an imposter. She doesn’t trust anyone – even her husband. But is she trustworthy herself?
The ex-wife who feels that all eyes are on her. She’s here for the sake of her children, but she fails to hide her seething jealousy towards her ex-husband’s new family…
The mother-in-law who can’t help but interfere. She planned the family holiday to get everyone together, but does she really want to keep the peace?
The husband torn between his ex-wife and his new wife. He says he wants to do right by his family, but he’s been telling lies to them all. Now his darkest secret is about to be revealed.
After a night of arguments, morning breaks with a single scream. Not everyone came to The Lodge play to happy families. Someone came to get revenge…
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I just finished reading Tess Stimson’s ONE IN THREE, and the plot is soooo similar. I guess it’s a thing–ex-wife and new wife battling it out for a man who’s not worth the trouble. 🙂 Great review.
Oof, so many similar plots out there for sure. Thanks, Lisa!