prettylittlewriter

Synopsis 
'STEVEN HARDING IS A HANDSOME, WELL-RESPECTED PROFESSOR.
ELLIE MASTERSON IS A WIDE-EYED YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT.
Together, they are driving south from New York, for their first holiday together: three days in an isolated cabin, far from the city.
Ahead of them, the promise of long, dark nights - and the chance to explore one another's bodies, away from prying eyes.
It should be a perfect, romantic trip for two.
EXCEPT THAT HE'S NOT WHO HE SAYS HE IS.
BUT THEN AGAIN, NEITHER IS SHE . . .'
Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin Michael Joseph for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book.

I went into this novel knowing nothing about it, except for the fact that the advertising said ‘get ready to meet 2022’s most fucked up couple!’. So I had high hopes for a lot of drama and insane twists.

What I found was that there was indeed, a lot of drama and some twists to the novel, however, it all fell a little flat for me. Quite early on we find out that Steven is the worst kind of man, one that likes to get his own way with everything, and everyone. Without spoiling it, it is quite a difficult read, and I feel there should be a trigger warning with it, but I think that would probably also spoil the main big plotline.

Ellie is a great character, with some brilliant lines throughout and she has a huge plan for their weekend away, which doesn’t end the way either of them expected.

Laure is also brilliant at creating a very tense atmosphere, with some incredibly detailed descriptions of the landscape and the home they are staying in.

However, the main reason this novel fell flat for me with it’s potential for greatness, is that everything seemed to be repetitive. Ellie would say something, Steven would say something back, and it kept going in circles until finally, the ending happened.

I think the book could have been a lot shorter, had the characters actually acted on what was going on WAY before they did. The intrigue of finding out what happened kept me reading, but only just. It would probably make a great movie, as they could fit everything into an hour and a half film, but I spent around 3-4 hours reading this, and it felt way too long.

Overall, it was enjoyable to a point, but it wasn’t my favourite locked-room thriller, and although the storyline is a very important subject, this book just didn’t do it justice for me.

2.5/5 stars