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gracingyouwithbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kazza27's review
5.0
I was delighted to be part of the April Squadpod Bookgroup, Thank you to Michael Joseph Book for my copy of the book in return for a fair and honest review.
When you begin this book you think that it will be story of a couple having a weekend away, just the two of them. but its not long before you realise that it is all not that it appears. Ts it the setting, the storm or the couple ?
The story is told from the viewpoint of both the protagonists Steven and Ellie which really makes the story all the more intriguing, how each person perceives the other and you get the full story. Steven is a professor whose father had a past of having relationships with young students. Steven despises his father for his behaviour and he is absolutely convinced that he is not like his father and is a good man. Ellie also has a past which is uncovered throughout the story.
This book is so full of tension and twists, its like a white knuckle ride as there were so many times that I was blindsided by this story and its characters. The author cleverly weaves literature into the book, Steven is an English professor so the inclusion of Dostoevsky’s The Devil’s and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre really adds to the intricacies of the writing.
This book evoked many feelings in me, anger, pity and disgust, it is a story that has many many layers and it is a difficult review to write without giving spoilers. I will say you need to read this clever, topical and gripping book it will leave you reeling ! A must for lovers of psychological thrillers.
5 stars *****
When you begin this book you think that it will be story of a couple having a weekend away, just the two of them. but its not long before you realise that it is all not that it appears. Ts it the setting, the storm or the couple ?
The story is told from the viewpoint of both the protagonists Steven and Ellie which really makes the story all the more intriguing, how each person perceives the other and you get the full story. Steven is a professor whose father had a past of having relationships with young students. Steven despises his father for his behaviour and he is absolutely convinced that he is not like his father and is a good man. Ellie also has a past which is uncovered throughout the story.
This book is so full of tension and twists, its like a white knuckle ride as there were so many times that I was blindsided by this story and its characters. The author cleverly weaves literature into the book, Steven is an English professor so the inclusion of Dostoevsky’s The Devil’s and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre really adds to the intricacies of the writing.
This book evoked many feelings in me, anger, pity and disgust, it is a story that has many many layers and it is a difficult review to write without giving spoilers. I will say you need to read this clever, topical and gripping book it will leave you reeling ! A must for lovers of psychological thrillers.
5 stars *****
stephisbooked's review
4.0
I thought this book would be more of a slow burn but I was pleasantly surprised that it was not. I love a locked room thriller and this did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the multilayers of the characters and was spooked several times while reading. I never know a house could be so unsettling! I had a hard time keeping track of the timeline because characters dive into flashbacks every now and then but I was also reading quickly since I wanted to know what happened so that might just be on me. I would 100% recommend going into this book blind (I tried to keep this pretty spoiler free). A perfect read for Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware fans!
nagardakiw's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
nika_nix's review
Boring and overwritten. The characters are obnoxious and I didn't give a shot about what would happen tho them. The writing is choppy and trying way too hard, the plot is basically nonexistant and I feel like I could see the plot twost coming almost from the beginning (and I don't really care if I'm right or wrong). I'm sad I wasted my time and read almost 200 pages in hope that thos would get interesting.
mybooksandkidsbooks's review
4.0
Nobody But Us by Laure Van Rensburg
Ellie and Steven are on their first romantic weekend away to a cabin in the woods in the middle of winter. It quickly turns sideways as both of their true intentions and pasts are revealed.
This one hooked me! I was completely invested right from the prologue and read it quickly over 2 days because I needed to know what was happening. It did slow down a bit in the middle as I struggled to understand the characters but it worked with the vibe of the book in the end.
I really don’t want to give any spoilers away as I liked that I had no idea what to expect with this one. I have to say I don’t love books that really terrify me, this one was the right amount of scary and jumpy but there were some scenes that made my stomach turn. Make sure to check the trigger warnings with this one (or send me a message and I’ll let you know).
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for my copy!
Ellie and Steven are on their first romantic weekend away to a cabin in the woods in the middle of winter. It quickly turns sideways as both of their true intentions and pasts are revealed.
This one hooked me! I was completely invested right from the prologue and read it quickly over 2 days because I needed to know what was happening. It did slow down a bit in the middle as I struggled to understand the characters but it worked with the vibe of the book in the end.
I really don’t want to give any spoilers away as I liked that I had no idea what to expect with this one. I have to say I don’t love books that really terrify me, this one was the right amount of scary and jumpy but there were some scenes that made my stomach turn. Make sure to check the trigger warnings with this one (or send me a message and I’ll let you know).
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for my copy!
brons_books's review
3.0
Thank you so much to Penguin Random House for sending me an Advanced Copy of Nobody But Us.
I had a really fun time reading this book, despite me not loving this genre of book. When I turned 18 I decided I had to read "serious, grown up" books - think Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. Nobody But Us fits into this female led thriller novel.
This was definitely a chill summer read that I think will definitely become one of the most chatted about book in the office. Book clubs will love it and I'm sure the film rights will be optioned soon enough. It just seems like it was perfectly written to be adapted.
That being said, I felt like the first 100 pages were very slow, I wanted to find out what was going on but the first 100 pages(!!!) was pure build up to the first twist.
Nothing is very shocking, the twists are on the nose. (But I think that's what makes this genre fun to read! You feel smart!)
I enjoyed the novel and feel like I wasn't the best audience for it, but I think those who love this genre will adore Nobody But Us.
I had a really fun time reading this book, despite me not loving this genre of book. When I turned 18 I decided I had to read "serious, grown up" books - think Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. Nobody But Us fits into this female led thriller novel.
This was definitely a chill summer read that I think will definitely become one of the most chatted about book in the office. Book clubs will love it and I'm sure the film rights will be optioned soon enough. It just seems like it was perfectly written to be adapted.
That being said, I felt like the first 100 pages were very slow, I wanted to find out what was going on but the first 100 pages(!!!) was pure build up to the first twist.
Nothing is very shocking, the twists are on the nose. (But I think that's what makes this genre fun to read! You feel smart!)
I enjoyed the novel and feel like I wasn't the best audience for it, but I think those who love this genre will adore Nobody But Us.
annelo's review
5.0
Surprisingly good plot and well written. Honestly, I thought it would be a book I read just a few pages and then DNF, but it was a page turner. Not what I expected.
Really well done, especially considering I did not much like either of the protagonists of the book; no, not even Ellie.
I can see this being made into a movie.
Really well done, especially considering I did not much like either of the protagonists of the book; no, not even Ellie.
I can see this being made into a movie.