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beccajbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a good, solid read. Nothing particularly to write home about, but not unlikeable.
The complicated web of characters was something to get your head around for sure. There is Wife 1 married to Husband 1, whose ex girlfriend works for Wife 1 and was married to husband 1's brother. Then there is the MIL and the nanny, and the two kids in the middle. None of these characters were at all likeable, they all had their own agendas and their own egos.
It was a trope seen many times before, but it was written well, all be it sometimes a little confusing as it switched between characters' narratives. I think the plot worked well and we got to delve into some very interesting family dynamics. The MIL was just something else, constantly chipping away at Wife 1's sanity! I mean, rooting for Husband 1 and the new nanny - conspiring to make that a thing?? Who does that... to their own son! Anywho, a quick enjoyable read, one I probably won't read again but glad I read it.
Recommended for fans of domestic suspense, complex family dynamics and an easy to read time passer.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
Thank you to AvonUK for my copy of this one.
The complicated web of characters was something to get your head around for sure. There is Wife 1 married to Husband 1, whose ex girlfriend works for Wife 1 and was married to husband 1's brother. Then there is the MIL and the nanny, and the two kids in the middle. None of these characters were at all likeable, they all had their own agendas and their own egos.
It was a trope seen many times before, but it was written well, all be it sometimes a little confusing as it switched between characters' narratives. I think the plot worked well and we got to delve into some very interesting family dynamics. The MIL was just something else, constantly chipping away at Wife 1's sanity! I mean, rooting for Husband 1 and the new nanny - conspiring to make that a thing?? Who does that... to their own son! Anywho, a quick enjoyable read, one I probably won't read again but glad I read it.
Recommended for fans of domestic suspense, complex family dynamics and an easy to read time passer.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
Thank you to AvonUK for my copy of this one.
happycrafter207's review against another edition
4.0
The Unwelcome Guest was a psychological thriller about the lives of Saffron and Miles, who are completely in love with each other, happily married and have two adorable little boys. The only problem is that Caprice, who is Mile's mother! She wants to do anything she can to get them to break up. Then, throw Aiden, Mile's brother (who secretly adores Saffron), along with their beautiful new nanny Hayley (who ogles and dreams about handsome Miles). These characters are very unlikable which I loved...they are super messy in general.
I did like the way Robson wrote from each character's point of view. It made the story more interesting and brought it to life to know how each person was feeling as things were progressing. There were some twists and turns in the mix which I did enjoy. Robson is good at throwing those in, and I love that about her writing style in her books! 3.5⭐rounded up to 4⭐.
I did like the way Robson wrote from each character's point of view. It made the story more interesting and brought it to life to know how each person was feeling as things were progressing. There were some twists and turns in the mix which I did enjoy. Robson is good at throwing those in, and I love that about her writing style in her books! 3.5⭐rounded up to 4⭐.
sony08's review against another edition
5.0
Well, I can confirm that this book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and it was well worth staying up till midnight last night to finish it. It gave me proper creeps, it’s fabulously written, the characters are believable and the books really gets under your skin.
Story revolves around the Jackson family. Caprice, the matriarch mother of Miles and mother-in-law to Saffron. Miles, the preferred son, the philosopher, a devoted husband to Saffron and father to their two boys Ben and Harry. Saffron, the lawyer, working mother, the breadwinner of the family, constantly critised by Caprice for not being good enough wife, mother and a woman. And then comes Hayleigh, the nanny, attractive, young girl with the hots for Miles.
As a reader you enter diary-style story from the point of view of Caprice, Miles, Aiden (Miles’s brother), Saffron and Hayleigh. Story of corruption, jealousy, love, strength and plotting. It’s fantastical, but highly intelligent and it’s a proper battle of wit, truth and trust. And every time you think you’ve sassed it, come another twist you didn’t expect.
Absolutely nerve-wracking book, that I kept thinking about every time I was not able to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley for access to this fab book.
Story revolves around the Jackson family. Caprice, the matriarch mother of Miles and mother-in-law to Saffron. Miles, the preferred son, the philosopher, a devoted husband to Saffron and father to their two boys Ben and Harry. Saffron, the lawyer, working mother, the breadwinner of the family, constantly critised by Caprice for not being good enough wife, mother and a woman. And then comes Hayleigh, the nanny, attractive, young girl with the hots for Miles.
As a reader you enter diary-style story from the point of view of Caprice, Miles, Aiden (Miles’s brother), Saffron and Hayleigh. Story of corruption, jealousy, love, strength and plotting. It’s fantastical, but highly intelligent and it’s a proper battle of wit, truth and trust. And every time you think you’ve sassed it, come another twist you didn’t expect.
Absolutely nerve-wracking book, that I kept thinking about every time I was not able to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley for access to this fab book.
jillmlong's review against another edition
2.0
This book has so many crazy characters and multiple pov's that I found it hard to keep up with the action. If you are looking for a book that is over the top like a roller coaster then this is the book for you. For me it was to far fetched.
marilynw's review against another edition
3.0
The Unwelcome Guest by Amanda Robson
We have lots of POVs, an evil witch of a mother-in-law, a brother-in-law who would love to take his brother's wife from him, a struggling lawyer wife/ lecturer husband couple, and a nineteen year old nanny. Husband's ex girlfriend from his teen years was married to his brother until they got divorced but she still works for the lawyer wife. Imagine one of those crime scene white boards with lines going from one connection to the other. We could make a white board for this group of people and the lines would be zigzagging all over the place. There are the lusters, the lovers, the manipulators, the liars, and not one likeable person in the bunch. Bad decisions and people too clueless to see what's in front of their faces make for a real eye roller of an experience. Each person is willing to believe the least credible person over anyone else. Critical thinking is almost non existent here.
Sadly two little boys are the pawns on this convoluted chessboard. Good thing they have their evil witch of a grandma to watch over them! Because mom doesn't want be around evil MIL (who moved into the main house even though she has her own MIL quarters) she hires the hot nanny two seconds after she meets her. The nanny falls into insta-lust for the husband and evil MIL is going to make this thing happen!
Read this for fun because it's too silly to take seriously. Some chapters can be so short that they aren't even a real paragraph, the POVs change constantly, and the characters talk directly at other characters ("you did this, you wore that") which is confusing and awkward. In many ways, what you see is what you get with this story.
Published August 19th 2021
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC.
We have lots of POVs, an evil witch of a mother-in-law, a brother-in-law who would love to take his brother's wife from him, a struggling lawyer wife/ lecturer husband couple, and a nineteen year old nanny. Husband's ex girlfriend from his teen years was married to his brother until they got divorced but she still works for the lawyer wife. Imagine one of those crime scene white boards with lines going from one connection to the other. We could make a white board for this group of people and the lines would be zigzagging all over the place. There are the lusters, the lovers, the manipulators, the liars, and not one likeable person in the bunch. Bad decisions and people too clueless to see what's in front of their faces make for a real eye roller of an experience. Each person is willing to believe the least credible person over anyone else. Critical thinking is almost non existent here.
Sadly two little boys are the pawns on this convoluted chessboard. Good thing they have their evil witch of a grandma to watch over them! Because mom doesn't want be around evil MIL (who moved into the main house even though she has her own MIL quarters) she hires the hot nanny two seconds after she meets her. The nanny falls into insta-lust for the husband and evil MIL is going to make this thing happen!
Read this for fun because it's too silly to take seriously. Some chapters can be so short that they aren't even a real paragraph, the POVs change constantly, and the characters talk directly at other characters ("you did this, you wore that") which is confusing and awkward. In many ways, what you see is what you get with this story.
Published August 19th 2021
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC.
pattytru08's review against another edition
2.0
*arc provided by netgalley in exchange for a review- all thoughts, reviews and opinions are my own*
I normally love thrillers. I love domestic thrillers. I love close proximity thrillers. This book technically hits each of my "loves" and yet fell so short. I'm one to love a good plot twist- there was hardly any here. You can almost predict 90% of the book within the first 10%. The fact that the "chapters" are in others POVs doesnt bother me- what did was the fact that quite a bit of these chapters were technically just a paragraph. It became hard to follow because each thought would last a blink of a second. This book wasn't horrible, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I wish the author well, and I always say don't yuck someones yum- you very well could enjoy it!
I normally love thrillers. I love domestic thrillers. I love close proximity thrillers. This book technically hits each of my "loves" and yet fell so short. I'm one to love a good plot twist- there was hardly any here. You can almost predict 90% of the book within the first 10%. The fact that the "chapters" are in others POVs doesnt bother me- what did was the fact that quite a bit of these chapters were technically just a paragraph. It became hard to follow because each thought would last a blink of a second. This book wasn't horrible, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I wish the author well, and I always say don't yuck someones yum- you very well could enjoy it!
hotgirlfiction's review against another edition
3.0
Suspense, drama, and a whole lot of crazy decisions - welcome to The Unwelcome Guest.
Saffron and her husband, Miles, have the "perfect" marriage. Kids, successful careers, a fancy house...and a mother-in-law just moved in to the main house. Saffron and Caprice's relationship is strained at best; one a career driven beauty, the other a family-oriented obsessive grandmother with a bit too much meddling. Sprinkle in a complicated ex, a brother with a wife-swap fantasy, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Not one to be taken too seriously, this book is an escapist delight. With frequent POVs and sometimes clunky narrative (characters talking at each other during their POVs makes for a somewhat confusing read at times), this book is entertaining and reminds me of a really good soap. Yes, it's not immensely realistic - most characters lack the skills of critical thinking - but boy oh boy, is it fun to watch the whole thing fall apart.
It certainly does make me worry for when I get married - I'm running for the hills if my MIL ever tries to call me "dear"!
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for my ARC copy of this fun, fast paced book.
Saffron and her husband, Miles, have the "perfect" marriage. Kids, successful careers, a fancy house...and a mother-in-law just moved in to the main house. Saffron and Caprice's relationship is strained at best; one a career driven beauty, the other a family-oriented obsessive grandmother with a bit too much meddling. Sprinkle in a complicated ex, a brother with a wife-swap fantasy, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Not one to be taken too seriously, this book is an escapist delight. With frequent POVs and sometimes clunky narrative (characters talking at each other during their POVs makes for a somewhat confusing read at times), this book is entertaining and reminds me of a really good soap. Yes, it's not immensely realistic - most characters lack the skills of critical thinking - but boy oh boy, is it fun to watch the whole thing fall apart.
It certainly does make me worry for when I get married - I'm running for the hills if my MIL ever tries to call me "dear"!
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for my ARC copy of this fun, fast paced book.
caityp94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0