I wanted to love this book. It had so many possibilities but it just didn't reach for them. This could have easily been a novela. It was a very long book for such a simple plot. And it was totally predictable. I'd figured it out by Chapter five or so. I enjoyed the performances overall but the voice for Cole just didn’t come across like that of a 15-year old boy. That was a hard sell and I couldn’t buy it. Otherwise, the storytelling worked. Note to self: if someone offers you a free holiday, know that it’ll cost you … in more ways than one! DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of The Holiday Home, written by Daniel Hurst and narrated by Zoe Mills and Richard Burnip, for review. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own personal opinions. However I would say that the plot/story seemed similar in some ways to one of his other books ( maybe because they were both set in lodges ),I guessed the crux of the story and that was down to one line fairly early on in the book that gave it away ( easily imo ) these 2 things did not however spoil this book at all but are just my thoughts on them

Daniel Hurst writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England, returning to his roots after several years away exploring the world and garnering plenty of ideas for future books! Or like the loud snapping of a branch on the forest floor nearby, perhaps caused by a deer. Or could it be a human?I like that there are a few characters on this trip. A secluded location is nice and inviting and when secrets emerge things get quite exciting! Nicola feels a bit insecure because Kim is richer and more fit than she is but she loves Kim so much that she doesn't let it get to her until she stumbles upon a secret. Instead of confronting it head on, she sits on it until she's sure of what to do.

Amazing, nail-biting… I could not stop reading it. Every time I thought I had it figured out there was a twist and it kept me hooked til the end.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ahhh…at long last! A family vacation in the Scottish countryside with your best friend and her family! Sounds perfect right!? Nicola & Ryan& Kim & Lewis, along with children Emily& Cole head on vacation together. The ladies are bff's and the men are not fans of each other and seem to just tolerate each other.

Enjoyed this uncomplicated, fast paced, easy reading suspense thriller. Two families travel together to this Idyllic picturesque setting in the Scottish highlands, miles away from anywhere for a weekend holiday in Lewis’s and Kim’s luxurious log cabin. The two families in question are headed by Nicola and Kim, who’ve been friends for many years. Nicola with her other half Ryan and their 11 year old daughter Emily, and Kim with her hubby Lewis and their 15 year old son Cole.