The Vacation Rental: A Novel

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars | 12,172 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 10-24-2024


About this item

A summer getaway triggers a psychological game of cat and mouse in a novel about the frightening damages of love, family, and obsession by the bestselling author of Open House and We Were Mothers.

When Georgia rents her country home for the month of August, it’s off to the relaxing Connecticut shore for her; her husband, Tom; and their young daughter. It’s just what they need to ease family tensions and reconnect. All that’s left to do is leave behind their house keys—to a stranger.

For Anna, Georgia and Tom’s house in the cool woodlands is a dream break from the oppressive heat of a New York City summer—and from an increasingly ill-fated relationship with her lover. A month apart and Anna can clear her head and reassess her future. She’s found the perfect place to do it.

As the weeks wear on, Georgia and Anna discover that the pleasures of escape are as difficult to trust in as the comforts of home. And neither one can shake the feeling that something is about to go terribly wrong.


From the Publisher

WENDY WALKER review

Top reviews from the United States

Christine Pfister
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2024
The twists and turns and secrets were done perfectly in the extremely well written novel. Loved it! It was an incredibly good book!
James Francis
4.0 out of 5 stars A very fast paced thriller with many twists and turns
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024
Anna and Georgia, the two protagonists. Georgia lives in a huge house with a history on a cliff overlooking the ocean with her husband, Tom, daughter, and a brother. Anna is a photographer who lives in the city and is dating her boss, Carter, a married man. Both ladies decide they need a change of pace and that is where the story begins. Georgia puts the house up for rent to get a break from the house and the memories it holds. Anna, whom needs a break from her relationship and the city, decides to rent it. As the story progresses, the connection between Anna and Georgia begins to unfold revealing the secret the house on the cliff holds.

For me, this books started slow as it was developing the characters and the dynamics within the different parties. I stuck with it though and as it progressed I could not put it down. I didn’t see the plot twists coming which were hidden behind a doll, a house, and nightmares. I really enjoyed Katie’s writing and the pace of the novel. Neither of the main characters are likable and I felt a certain detached ambivalence to their plight, which I enjoyed. I never was attached to them and couldn’t care less what happened to them. This was refreshing. I could sit back and just enjoy the ride. The biggest issues I had were some of the scenarios and twists were unbelievable and a little silly. If you can look past those flaws, you will be in for a very enjoyable read.
amanda berrey
3.0 out of 5 stars slow on the take off but eventually good
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
I started reading this book when I discovered Prime Reading. It was a pretty good book but I just wish things went a little differently. For whatever reason my brain was determined to make this a romance novel although in reality it’s anything but.

I like the fact that there is no 100% good character. All of the characters had layers which made them enjoyable but also realistic. I felt the need to sympathize with all of them even when they were on opposing sides.

Over all the book was good and the ending was good but it took a little too long to get overly interesting. I wish the exposing of Anna went a little differently. I recommend this to anyone wanting a good twist while still having lovable characters
Jennifer S.
5.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
Very good. Kept you guessing until the end. I liked that it wasn’t the same happy ending kind of story.
Lisa B.
4.0 out of 5 stars Didn't care for any of the characters but was a good story
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
I'm sort of torn. It was a good book and kept my interest pretty good but also seemed drug out. I wasn't crazy about any of the characters and Millie acted like a 4 yr old until the very end, her parents also treated her like she was 4. They just all fell flat for me in personality. I gave it 4 stars because it was a good plot and written good.

The audiobook was ok. The narrator was good but I didn't like the characters' voices. I think because it sounded just like the characters would in real life.
Laurel-Rain Snow
5.0 out of 5 stars THRILLING CAT & MOUSE GAME...
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
A novel about the frightening damages of love, family, and obsession by the bestselling author of Open House andA We Were Mothers.

When Georgia rents her country home for the month of August, it’s off to the relaxing Connecticut shore for her; her husband, Tom; and their young daughter. It’s just what they need to ease family tensions and reconnect. All that’s left to do is leave behind their house keys—to a stranger.

For Anna, Georgia and Tom’s house in the cool woodlands is a dream break from the oppressive heat of a New York City summer—and from an increasingly ill-fated relationship with her lover. A month apart and Anna can clear her head and reassess her future. She’s found the perfect place to do it.

As the weeks wear on, Georgia and Anna discover that the pleasures of escape are as difficult to trust in as the comforts of home. And neither one can shake the feeling that something is about to go terribly wrong.

My Thoughts:

When Anna searches for a Vacation Rental for the summer, she discovers more than she had anticipated. And when Georgia gives up her family home for the month of August, she is hoping to invigorate her family life.

But something else begins to happen to each of them as they make these changes. Slowly and unexpectedly, their lives are changed in horrific ways.

A delightful tale that kept me turning the pages. 5 stars.
TCRN74
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow start but worth the read
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book even though it was a slow starter. I love how the lives of Georgia, Tom, Max, and Anna intertwine on so many levels. Great characters who really pull the reader into their orbit.
JeannieRae
5.0 out of 5 stars Soooo Good!
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
This book is a page turner with several twists I didn’t see coming. I read it in two days because I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend reading this book!

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