Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC and Grand Central Publishing , #partner, for the advanced copy of Strangers in the Villa in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Audio
Published: March 3, 2026
Summary:
From the international bestselling author of The Drowning Woman, a psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.
Sydney Lowe’s life in New York is shattered when her husband, Curtis, admits to a meaningless affair with a client. Begging for forgiveness and vowing to prove his devotion, Curtis suggests the couple retreat to a remote hilltop house in Spain to repair their marriage.
High above the Mediterranean, Sydney and Curtis are working on the isolated property and their relationship when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in dire need of help. Lonely for companionship and desperate for free labor, Sydney and Curtis invite the attractive young couple to stay. But as the days pass, dark secrets come to light, the Lowes’ bond is tested, and not everyone will leave the villa alive.
My thoughts:
I have long been a fan of Robyn Harding and was so excited to get my hands on this latest domestic thriller she wrote…and it absolutely delivered in every way I expected and then some.
A psychological thriller involving a fractured marriage and two strangers that appear on their doorstep, I was hooked from the beginning. Where this book shines is in the alternating POVs, including transcripts from the therapist. The constant shifting of perspectives keeps things a little unsteady as you slowly begin to get the feeling you aren’t being told everything and that everyone is hiding something. Is anyone completely trustworthy? Delving into trust, betrayal and how fragile relationships can be when tested, I was completely invested. I had no idea what to expect and loved how it all played out!
I loved how this one starts off slow to allow you to sink your teeth into it and as you are getting to know the characters, the tension mounts, as does the unease. And once we hit the halfway point, there is a sudden shift and the twists start hitting hard and it is impossible to stop reading until you reach the conclusion, which was so satisfying!
Once again, Harding proves why she is one of my must-read authors!
Audio thoughts:
This was great on audio, with Katherine Littrell doing an amazing job with the narration. She was able to give each and every character their own unique voice, using the appropriate accents when needed. It was a great listening experience.
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