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Strangers in the Villa
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.
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.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
582 people are currently reading
35862 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Harding
17 books5,797 followersRobyn Harding is the bestselling author of several books and has written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her family and two cute but deadly rescue chihuahuas.
To learn more about Robyn's books visit: http://www.robynharding.com. Or follow her on Instagram: @rhardingwriter
or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynH...
To learn more about Robyn's books visit: http://www.robynharding.com. Or follow her on Instagram: @rhardingwriter
or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRobynH...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 869 reviews
March 16, 2026
Entertaining, suspenseful, twisty and FUN! I had a great time with this one, especially in the first half. Reason #41657 you will never catch me opening my front door for a stranger 🤣
March 7, 2026
Strangers In the Villa by Robyn Harding
Narrated by Katherine Littrell
9 hrs 19 minutes at 1.0x 6 hrs 13 minutes at 1.5 x
WILL THEIR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVE?
Married couple Sydney Cleary and Curtis Lowe have relocated from New York to Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship after Curtis was unfaithful. Their beautiful, hilltop property is quite isolated so when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in need of help, they can’t really turn them away.
It soon becomes apparent that either Curtis or Sydney have been targeted-the “breakdown” of the couple’s van was no accident.
I enjoyed the SUSPENSEFUL first half of the book a bit more than the second half, as I was dying to know WHY the Aussies had turned up.
The pace slowed just a bit in the third quarter as the book focused on the sexual attraction between characters not married to each other.
BUT the final 25% delivered an UNEXPECTED ending that I NEVER could have anticipated!
A buddy read with DeAnn and Mary Beth! Do watch for their reviews!
This was an ENTERTAINING immersive read that I mostly listened to-and I thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both the written and Audiobook copies.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Narrated by Katherine Littrell
9 hrs 19 minutes at 1.0x 6 hrs 13 minutes at 1.5 x
WILL THEIR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVE?
Married couple Sydney Cleary and Curtis Lowe have relocated from New York to Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship after Curtis was unfaithful. Their beautiful, hilltop property is quite isolated so when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in need of help, they can’t really turn them away.
It soon becomes apparent that either Curtis or Sydney have been targeted-the “breakdown” of the couple’s van was no accident.
I enjoyed the SUSPENSEFUL first half of the book a bit more than the second half, as I was dying to know WHY the Aussies had turned up.
The pace slowed just a bit in the third quarter as the book focused on the sexual attraction between characters not married to each other.
BUT the final 25% delivered an UNEXPECTED ending that I NEVER could have anticipated!
A buddy read with DeAnn and Mary Beth! Do watch for their reviews!
This was an ENTERTAINING immersive read that I mostly listened to-and I thank the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both the written and Audiobook copies.
AVAILABLE NOW!
March 13, 2026
One thing I really liked about this book was the remote setting in Spain. After Curtis cheats, he and his wife Sydney move there to try and fix their marriage and start fresh.
Things change when an Australian couple, Bianca and Damien, suddenly show up with car trouble. Curtis and Sydney invite them in and share their small new life with them. But from there, the story fills with secrets, lies, and deception.
The premise is really good, and the execution is solid. Robyn Harding always does a great job of building tension and making you want to keep reading to reach the big moment.
For me though, the final twist wasn’t as explosive as I hoped. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the story still builds to a satisfying ending. But lately I find myself wanting those really shocking twists. Without them, it sometimes feels like just another average read.
Things change when an Australian couple, Bianca and Damien, suddenly show up with car trouble. Curtis and Sydney invite them in and share their small new life with them. But from there, the story fills with secrets, lies, and deception.
The premise is really good, and the execution is solid. Robyn Harding always does a great job of building tension and making you want to keep reading to reach the big moment.
For me though, the final twist wasn’t as explosive as I hoped. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the story still builds to a satisfying ending. But lately I find myself wanting those really shocking twists. Without them, it sometimes feels like just another average read.
March 17, 2026
Insidious, twisted, and timely, Strangers in the Villa was quite the unexpected game of cat-and-mouse. With oodles of dark secrets, a venom-soaked storyline, and plenty of *mic drop* twists, this domestic thriller was the crème de la crème of revenge tales. You see, in addition to a well-orchestrated plot where everything was delivered at just the right moment to keep me on edge, it had a cast of characters that made the book come alive. The special sauce to the success of this one-sitting read, they ran the gamut from morally gray to the kind you’ll love to hate. Believably true-to-life but also just dramatic enough to make me grin, they—along with the onion-like plotting—had my loyalties shifting back and forth right up until I learn the dark, vile Liz Nugent-esque truth. Oh yes. It was that kind of read.
What else did I love about this novel? Well, besides the ever-present sense of danger, there were plenty of juicy themes to sink my teeth into with glee. From suspicion and greed to jealousy and hate, the layers of emotion slipped from each of the characters’ minds straight into my brain. You see, the ripped-from-the-headlines feel to this book had me swallowing down disgust all while relishing the pursuit of vengeance and justice—even if the methods were rather outside of the law. Add in the structure of multiple POVs, mixed media entries, and short, cliffhanger chapters, and the full picture delivered everything I’ve been craving lately. So if you love dark tales with complex histories set in exotic locales, grab this one now. After all, this unnerving slow burn had me hooked from page one. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
Thank you Robyn Harding and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 3, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, gaslighting, blackmail, violence, drug use, pedophilia, child death, murder, mention of: death of a parent, drugging, addiction, drug overdose, trafficking
What else did I love about this novel? Well, besides the ever-present sense of danger, there were plenty of juicy themes to sink my teeth into with glee. From suspicion and greed to jealousy and hate, the layers of emotion slipped from each of the characters’ minds straight into my brain. You see, the ripped-from-the-headlines feel to this book had me swallowing down disgust all while relishing the pursuit of vengeance and justice—even if the methods were rather outside of the law. Add in the structure of multiple POVs, mixed media entries, and short, cliffhanger chapters, and the full picture delivered everything I’ve been craving lately. So if you love dark tales with complex histories set in exotic locales, grab this one now. After all, this unnerving slow burn had me hooked from page one. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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.
Thank you Robyn Harding and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 3, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, gaslighting, blackmail, violence, drug use, pedophilia, child death, murder, mention of: death of a parent, drugging, addiction, drug overdose, trafficking
March 13, 2026
Reeling from a one-night affair, Sydney and Curtis are hoping to rebuild their marriage. They feel it’s best to just start over and move to a fabulous house in Spain. One afternoon, they receive a knock on the door. A young Australian couple has broken down near their house and has asked to use their phones. Curtis wants them gone as soon as possible, but Sydney is enjoying their company and offers them to stay until their van is fixed. Alternating POVs alert us to the fact that the Australians are not who they say they are, but we don’t know why.
The whole idea behind this is completely outrageous to me. Who in their right mind is going to open the door to a stranger and let them stay for several days? That’s just setting yourself up for nothing good. But I’m just going to go along with the flow and enjoy the ride. And enjoy I did. Normally, I enjoy multiple POVs. I did in this case as well, but felt that Sydney and Curtis’s POVs were written much stronger than Damian’s and Bianca’s. There is a bit of backstory that was necessary but took the tension down a bit. However, all of that was redeemed in the end. I thought it was going to go one way, and no spoilers here, but I’m glad it didn’t because I liked the ending!
I read this in roughly 24 hours and put all other priorities aside because I could absolutely not put this one down. I think this would totally make a great movie.
I’m still dreaming of that house in Spain… excluding any unknown visitors, of course!
The whole idea behind this is completely outrageous to me. Who in their right mind is going to open the door to a stranger and let them stay for several days? That’s just setting yourself up for nothing good. But I’m just going to go along with the flow and enjoy the ride. And enjoy I did. Normally, I enjoy multiple POVs. I did in this case as well, but felt that Sydney and Curtis’s POVs were written much stronger than Damian’s and Bianca’s. There is a bit of backstory that was necessary but took the tension down a bit. However, all of that was redeemed in the end. I thought it was going to go one way, and no spoilers here, but I’m glad it didn’t because I liked the ending!
I read this in roughly 24 hours and put all other priorities aside because I could absolutely not put this one down. I think this would totally make a great movie.
I’m still dreaming of that house in Spain… excluding any unknown visitors, of course!
April 17, 2026
Gripping, shocking, suspenseful, and hard to put down! Robyn Harding has once again dazzled and delighted me with Strangers in the Villa! I loved the setting, the dread and tension that flowed throughout the book, and the twists along the way! Sydney and Curtis have moved to Spain's Costa Brava to heal their marriage and grow grapes for winemaking. When Damien and Bianca, a young Australian couple, show up on their door after experiencing car troubles, Sydney feeling isolated and lonely invites them in... Has she never seen a horror film?
oh, la la, this one grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I loved the tension between Sydney and Curtis. Then when Damien and Bianca showed up, the tension ramped into high gear. Talk about being uncomfortable in your own home. Soon both couples are interacting, and I never quite knew what was going to happen next!
This book is told through the POV's of the characters as well as through a marriage counselor's notes. I enjoyed getting into the heads of all the characters. This was a very nice touch and had me on the edge of my seat. As I learned more, I became even more invested in the plot, the characters, and their plight.
If you have not read a book by Robyn Harding before, what are you waiting for? This is the 8th book which I have read by Robyn Harding and they have all been fantastic page turners for me!
Wonderfully written, well thought out, perfectly paced, tense, dark, twisty, and hard to put down.
Highly Recommend!
oh, la la, this one grabbed my attention from the very beginning. I loved the tension between Sydney and Curtis. Then when Damien and Bianca showed up, the tension ramped into high gear. Talk about being uncomfortable in your own home. Soon both couples are interacting, and I never quite knew what was going to happen next!
This book is told through the POV's of the characters as well as through a marriage counselor's notes. I enjoyed getting into the heads of all the characters. This was a very nice touch and had me on the edge of my seat. As I learned more, I became even more invested in the plot, the characters, and their plight.
If you have not read a book by Robyn Harding before, what are you waiting for? This is the 8th book which I have read by Robyn Harding and they have all been fantastic page turners for me!
Wonderfully written, well thought out, perfectly paced, tense, dark, twisty, and hard to put down.
Highly Recommend!
September 22, 2025
4.5 Fan TASTIC. I would read this woman’s shopping list.
So excited for this to publish next year so you can all give it a read too! Great setting in Spain too without it feeling like a vacation thriller as our main characters have moved there from US instead of holidaying there.
I love the way Robyn’s stories unfold in a slow burn manor without the novel as a whole being slow.
The Drowning Woman is still my favourite by this author but I HIGHLY recommend this ☀️
So excited for this to publish next year so you can all give it a read too! Great setting in Spain too without it feeling like a vacation thriller as our main characters have moved there from US instead of holidaying there.
I love the way Robyn’s stories unfold in a slow burn manor without the novel as a whole being slow.
The Drowning Woman is still my favourite by this author but I HIGHLY recommend this ☀️
February 13, 2026
A marriage on the rocks. The couple is keeping secrets. A beautiful vacation to fix it all. But then the secrets slowly come out. Perhaps too slowly for my taste. The strangers who have a car problem and get taken in have ulterior motives. But what their goal is becomes murky and intentionally misleading. When we discover the different elements of the story, it's hard to decide which person to feel remorse for... plus the one character who maybe kinda had good in them had no redemption or salvation... felt like they did do something wrong (by not stopping a situation) yet they were severely punished compared to others. So I struggled with this one, but the story and writing were great. It was more how the end was pulled together.
March 11, 2026
Talented author Robyn Harding sets a very high bar.
And my expectations for this book were sky high.
➡️ Ultra-compelling premise:
What happens when a couple rocked by infidelity moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship and offers free lodging to two Australian strangers with a broken-down van?
Harding takes the classic concept of "Stranger Danger" to new levels, masterfully escalating the unease and claustrophobic tension as the four characters share space, secrets, and simmering resentments.
➡️ Pacing problems:
At times, pacing was uneven, with certain scenes stretching longer than necessary, while the storyline circled the same suspicions and anxieties.
Some of the internal monologues and observations felt repetitive, revisiting the same doubts about multiple unreliable narrators.
➡️ Major gripe?
Several plot points felt forced and contrived, requiring a huge suspension of disbelief. To avoid spoilers, I will not list them all.
The book's finale packed a punch, but not enough to elevate the star rating.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Katherine Littrell. Although Katherine Littrell's performance was strong, the book would have benefited from a full-cast narration since it unfolded from multiple POVs and timelines.
I am a HUGE Robyn Harding fan.
Even if this wasn't her best book, it was an absorbing, atmospheric read from an author who rarely misses.
3.5 Stars.
March 2, 2026
Strangers In the Villa is a tense destination thriller with several twists. Set high above the Mediterranean in Spain's Costa Brava, Sydney and Curtis Lowe are working on their marriage which has been fractured by Curtis admitting to an affair with a client. Months earlier they left their busy jobs in New York City to become expats working on remodeling a Villa and growing a vineyard as they work to repair their fragile bonds.
At breakfast one morning a couple of Australians show up at their door stranded from car trouble. As the story progresses, each chapter alternates point of view among the four main characters. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife! The unique POVs create complex and layered characters. Through excellent writing and misdirection, you questioning more and more as the story unfolds. The ending was something I never expected! I can't recommend this enough for lovers of psychological thrillers with well developed characters and an immersive, atmospheric setting that is also a familiar tourist destination!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Robyn Harding for an advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
At breakfast one morning a couple of Australians show up at their door stranded from car trouble. As the story progresses, each chapter alternates point of view among the four main characters. The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife! The unique POVs create complex and layered characters. Through excellent writing and misdirection, you questioning more and more as the story unfolds. The ending was something I never expected! I can't recommend this enough for lovers of psychological thrillers with well developed characters and an immersive, atmospheric setting that is also a familiar tourist destination!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Robyn Harding for an advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
"She was overwhelmed, confused, and her mind was racing with suspicious thoughts."
A superb blend of destination thriller and domestic suspense with realistic three-dimensional characters—I was anxious to see what would happen next! Sydney and Curtis Lowe move to Spain to repair their marriage after his infidelity. Sydney is cautious and unsure she can get past his betrayal. Curtis is contrite and determined to win back her trust. When Bianca and Damien, a young, attractive Australian couple, knock on their door with van troubles, Sydney—desperate for social interaction other than her husband—convinces Curtis to let them stay. As the two couples interact, tensions rise with behaviors that breed jealousy, attraction, and distrust. Have the Lowes invited danger into their home—or was it already there?
I beg of you not to read any detailed reviews; go in as blind as possible. If you enjoy dynamic situations, a beautiful locale, and simmering secrets, you will love this! With rotating POVs—sometimes of the same events—layers are peeled back and dark truths emerge. 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙮𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 masterfully builds subtle unease and foreboding, which dials up the suspense until you're on pins and needles. Tough questions are raised along the way involving morals, ethics, and justice. The spiral of unraveling is mesmerizing and entirely plausible with an extremely gratifying ending. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 is simultaneously full of juicy drama and unsettling dread—it's playful, yet threatening and deadly. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
____
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
A superb blend of destination thriller and domestic suspense with realistic three-dimensional characters—I was anxious to see what would happen next! Sydney and Curtis Lowe move to Spain to repair their marriage after his infidelity. Sydney is cautious and unsure she can get past his betrayal. Curtis is contrite and determined to win back her trust. When Bianca and Damien, a young, attractive Australian couple, knock on their door with van troubles, Sydney—desperate for social interaction other than her husband—convinces Curtis to let them stay. As the two couples interact, tensions rise with behaviors that breed jealousy, attraction, and distrust. Have the Lowes invited danger into their home—or was it already there?
I beg of you not to read any detailed reviews; go in as blind as possible. If you enjoy dynamic situations, a beautiful locale, and simmering secrets, you will love this! With rotating POVs—sometimes of the same events—layers are peeled back and dark truths emerge. 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙮𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 masterfully builds subtle unease and foreboding, which dials up the suspense until you're on pins and needles. Tough questions are raised along the way involving morals, ethics, and justice. The spiral of unraveling is mesmerizing and entirely plausible with an extremely gratifying ending. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 is simultaneously full of juicy drama and unsettling dread—it's playful, yet threatening and deadly. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
____
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
March 21, 2026
After reading so many positive reviews, I knew that I had to read this book.
And wow, I’m so glad that I did!
Sydney and Curtis, both of whom have successful careers in NYC decide to start a new life in Spain after a case of infidelity.
They purchase a beautiful home with an amazing view of the Mediterranean and spend their time fixing up things in the house, as it needed some work.
They also plan to build their own winery on premise.
One day an unexpected Australian couple knocks on the door, explaining that their van broke down and that their cell phones are dead.
While Curtis is reluctant, Sydney immediately invites the couple inside to charge their phones, then suggests they stay for dinner, and they ultimately end up staying for up to 10 days while waiting for a part for their van to be shipped.
Curtis doesn’t like the idea of any of this, but because he’s desperate to regain his wife’s trust, he will go along with pretty much anything that makes her happy.
I’m all about helping others with certain things, like last week when a stranger approached me in a parking lot asking if I could help him jumpstart his car.
It was broad daylight and there were other people around, so of course I helped him.
But I’m sorry, I’m not going to invite strangers to stay in my home for several days (I’m not trying to run an Airbnb or go to sleep wondering if I’m going to be stabbed to death in the middle of the night)!
This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and once I started reading, I could not put it down!
I spent the good part of a Saturday reading 70% of it, and almost didn’t even stop to prepare something for dinner because I didn’t want to let go of my Kindle.
I finished the remaining 30% the following day and basically read the entire book in a 24 hour window.
I thought that I had things figured out around the halfway point, and then a major revelation was revealed and we’re introduced to a new character.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book (I’d have to enjoy something that I read so quickly)!
And wow, I’m so glad that I did!
Sydney and Curtis, both of whom have successful careers in NYC decide to start a new life in Spain after a case of infidelity.
They purchase a beautiful home with an amazing view of the Mediterranean and spend their time fixing up things in the house, as it needed some work.
They also plan to build their own winery on premise.
One day an unexpected Australian couple knocks on the door, explaining that their van broke down and that their cell phones are dead.
While Curtis is reluctant, Sydney immediately invites the couple inside to charge their phones, then suggests they stay for dinner, and they ultimately end up staying for up to 10 days while waiting for a part for their van to be shipped.
Curtis doesn’t like the idea of any of this, but because he’s desperate to regain his wife’s trust, he will go along with pretty much anything that makes her happy.
I’m all about helping others with certain things, like last week when a stranger approached me in a parking lot asking if I could help him jumpstart his car.
It was broad daylight and there were other people around, so of course I helped him.
But I’m sorry, I’m not going to invite strangers to stay in my home for several days (I’m not trying to run an Airbnb or go to sleep wondering if I’m going to be stabbed to death in the middle of the night)!
This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and once I started reading, I could not put it down!
I spent the good part of a Saturday reading 70% of it, and almost didn’t even stop to prepare something for dinner because I didn’t want to let go of my Kindle.
I finished the remaining 30% the following day and basically read the entire book in a 24 hour window.
I thought that I had things figured out around the halfway point, and then a major revelation was revealed and we’re introduced to a new character.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book (I’d have to enjoy something that I read so quickly)!
March 9, 2026
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Would you let a stranger in your house to use your phone because their car broke down?
Would you let the stranger stay for a drink, meal or longer?
Whoa 😳… Hold on … Lock the doors quickly.
I wouldn’t let a stranger in my home.
I doubt I’d even answer the door.
Obviously, if the author followed my advice, there would not be a book.
Destination Thriller: Spain
Page turner
🏡 🚙 🥘 🍺 🍷 💃 🕺 🔪 ☠️ 🪓 📱 👏🏼
Robyn Harding’s books are an automatic read for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller.
I highly recommend Strangers In The Villa!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Would you let a stranger in your house to use your phone because their car broke down?
Would you let the stranger stay for a drink, meal or longer?
Whoa 😳… Hold on … Lock the doors quickly.
I wouldn’t let a stranger in my home.
I doubt I’d even answer the door.
Obviously, if the author followed my advice, there would not be a book.
Destination Thriller: Spain
Page turner
🏡 🚙 🥘 🍺 🍷 💃 🕺 🔪 ☠️ 🪓 📱 👏🏼
Robyn Harding’s books are an automatic read for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller.
I highly recommend Strangers In The Villa!
March 26, 2026
4.5 Stars
First I loved where the story took place.
A remote villa on the side of a mountain in Spain.
Curtis and his wife Sydney hadn't been living in the Villa for long when a couple knocks on their door.
The couples van had broken down and their phones were dead.
Sydney decides after talking to them to invite them in. Curtis was against it.
Sydney and Curtis had been having marriage problems after Curtis had an affair. Notes from their marriage counselor are mentioned through out the book.
When the Van part is going to be awhile Sydney invites them to stay not knowing what events would unfold.
Damian and Bianca have other plans.
I found this a great domestic thriller that unleashes very sinister circumstances.
Love RHs writing
First I loved where the story took place.
A remote villa on the side of a mountain in Spain.
Curtis and his wife Sydney hadn't been living in the Villa for long when a couple knocks on their door.
The couples van had broken down and their phones were dead.
Sydney decides after talking to them to invite them in. Curtis was against it.
Sydney and Curtis had been having marriage problems after Curtis had an affair. Notes from their marriage counselor are mentioned through out the book.
When the Van part is going to be awhile Sydney invites them to stay not knowing what events would unfold.
Damian and Bianca have other plans.
I found this a great domestic thriller that unleashes very sinister circumstances.
Love RHs writing
March 2, 2026
🎉Pub Week Review🎉
‼️‼️ BANGER ALERT ‼️‼️
Holy creepers in a villa this was one helluva ride! The banger alert has been made and all of you thriller lovers MUST READ THIS! Pre-orders are so important and this is the one!!!
I went into this completely blind and I think you should too! I’ll give you a little nip and then the rest, you should discover on your own!
Sydney and Curtis move to Spain for a fresh start after Curtis’s infidelity. They are pretty secluded from the nearest neighbor. One day, a couple appears at their doorstep after their van breaks down. Inviting strangers into your home, what could go wrong????
I finished this in 24 hours my friends. Nothing else mattered. Household chores or cooked meals were out the window! I wasn’t doing anything else until I finished this banger of a book. I even messed the book up a little because I wouldn’t let go 😆.
What starts out as a slow burn mystery turns into a chokehold of a thriller. I absolutely loved it and think you will too! Add this to your TBR. Pre-order your copy. You don’t wanna miss this!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‼️‼️ BANGER ALERT ‼️‼️
Holy creepers in a villa this was one helluva ride! The banger alert has been made and all of you thriller lovers MUST READ THIS! Pre-orders are so important and this is the one!!!
I went into this completely blind and I think you should too! I’ll give you a little nip and then the rest, you should discover on your own!
Sydney and Curtis move to Spain for a fresh start after Curtis’s infidelity. They are pretty secluded from the nearest neighbor. One day, a couple appears at their doorstep after their van breaks down. Inviting strangers into your home, what could go wrong????
I finished this in 24 hours my friends. Nothing else mattered. Household chores or cooked meals were out the window! I wasn’t doing anything else until I finished this banger of a book. I even messed the book up a little because I wouldn’t let go 😆.
What starts out as a slow burn mystery turns into a chokehold of a thriller. I absolutely loved it and think you will too! Add this to your TBR. Pre-order your copy. You don’t wanna miss this!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 20, 2026
”It’s more than just “the ick.” This pair could be dangerous, and she wants them gone.
^ An actual line 75% through the book. I’m absolutely baffled at how this book is even remotely praised. The protagonist Sydney is an “intelligent, successful” lawyer, and yet she makes the most idiotic decisions. How the hell do you hear the stories of murders, rapes, assaults, etc. in your day-to-day work life and make the choices made in this book? It’s not believable at all that Sydney is a successful lawyer because she’s stupid, pitiful, pathetic, and has no spine.
Of course none of the other characters were remotely bearable, and then, at the very end it seemed as though the author got lazy. What kind of ending was that?
Terrible man is desperate enough to go to the extent of murder to salvage his life…. And yet…
Wife: Wow you’re bad.. *calmly places poisoned meal on table* Eat the poison and die.
Husband: Okie.
Other examples of sheer laziness: Bianca has this burning contempt for Curtis inside her, and yet calmly walks away at the end of all of this. Damien just decides the woman he waited over a decade for has got to go a different direction than him, and yet all this talk about him being “extraordinary” holds no merit because, well, he simply fades away I suppose. And this twisted ‘organization’ just.. lives on I think? Even the potentially served justice is ambiguous.
^ An actual line 75% through the book. I’m absolutely baffled at how this book is even remotely praised. The protagonist Sydney is an “intelligent, successful” lawyer, and yet she makes the most idiotic decisions. How the hell do you hear the stories of murders, rapes, assaults, etc. in your day-to-day work life and make the choices made in this book? It’s not believable at all that Sydney is a successful lawyer because she’s stupid, pitiful, pathetic, and has no spine.
Of course none of the other characters were remotely bearable, and then, at the very end it seemed as though the author got lazy. What kind of ending was that?
Terrible man is desperate enough to go to the extent of murder to salvage his life…. And yet…
Wife: Wow you’re bad.. *calmly places poisoned meal on table* Eat the poison and die.
Husband: Okie.
Other examples of sheer laziness: Bianca has this burning contempt for Curtis inside her, and yet calmly walks away at the end of all of this. Damien just decides the woman he waited over a decade for has got to go a different direction than him, and yet all this talk about him being “extraordinary” holds no merit because, well, he simply fades away I suppose. And this twisted ‘organization’ just.. lives on I think? Even the potentially served justice is ambiguous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2026
Would I ever open a door to a stranger? Nope! However, even though I cannot relate to the characters’ decisions the story was still well written and engaging.
March 6, 2026
4.5⭐️ rounded up!
Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding is a tense, sun-soaked psychological thriller set along Spain’s Costa Brava. The story follows a fractured marriage trying to recover after infidelity, but when two strangers enter the picture, things quickly spiral into something much darker. The alternating POVs keep everyone feeling slightly untrustworthy, and the tension builds steadily before the twists start coming fast in the second half. Another compulsively readable thriller from one of my go-to authors
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding is a tense, sun-soaked psychological thriller set along Spain’s Costa Brava. The story follows a fractured marriage trying to recover after infidelity, but when two strangers enter the picture, things quickly spiral into something much darker. The alternating POVs keep everyone feeling slightly untrustworthy, and the tension builds steadily before the twists start coming fast in the second half. Another compulsively readable thriller from one of my go-to authors
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
May 5, 2026
4.5 stars - rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Robyn Harding never disappoints and her latest book just confirms that!
With their marriage on the verge of collapsing after infidelity, a couple buys a Spanish villa on the Mediterranean to try and reconnect and rebuild their relationship.
Things are still very unstable after the big move to Spain, but when two strangers show up knocking on their door claiming they have car trouble it’s just the beginning of their problems.
I loved the alternating POV‘s. Trust NO ONE here. The suspense was off the charts, and the second half was so full of twists that it had me spiraling into a page turning frenzy!
Ignore the negative reviews. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Robyn Harding for my advanced copy to read and review.
WOW! Robyn Harding never disappoints and her latest book just confirms that!
With their marriage on the verge of collapsing after infidelity, a couple buys a Spanish villa on the Mediterranean to try and reconnect and rebuild their relationship.
Things are still very unstable after the big move to Spain, but when two strangers show up knocking on their door claiming they have car trouble it’s just the beginning of their problems.
I loved the alternating POV‘s. Trust NO ONE here. The suspense was off the charts, and the second half was so full of twists that it had me spiraling into a page turning frenzy!
Ignore the negative reviews. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Robyn Harding for my advanced copy to read and review.
April 15, 2026
The second half of this book had me completely hooked! I didn’t see that coming. She writes messed up characters so well that you can’t stop reading. As always Robyn’s writing makes her books so gripping and flowing so well that you don’t realise how much you’ve read. The short chapters and multiple POVs were a bonus! I would recommend this!
March 17, 2026
1.5 stars
Terrible. Not sure i should round it up.
Terrible. Not sure i should round it up.
April 12, 2026
Review to come.
September 10, 2025
This is a very dramatic thriller set in picturesque Spain!
After Sydney's husband, Curtis, cheats on her, the two decide to leave their life in New York City behind and buy a Spanish villa. They hope a new house and location will allow them to start fresh and focus on their marriage. But then a young couple shows up and destroys their peace--Bianca and Damian, two Aussies, are traveling in their camper van when it breaks down outside the villa. At first, the group gets along well (with the exception of Curtis, who resents the intrusion), but soon, cracks begin to form.
This is an interesting book--the tension builds slowly, and it feels like a locked room mystery at time, with both couples mainly trapped in the villa. As such, Harding does an excellent job creating a claustrophobic feel. There's a strange forced sexual tension between the group, which made me feel awkward. Lies and secrets abound, with information gradually revealed across various perspectives, and ratcheting up the mystery and suspense.
Be prepared for a tale that takes some dark turns and centers on often quite selfish and unhappy people. It's a good quick read though, and one which will keep you guessing. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing in return for an unbiased review. Look for STRANGERS IN THE VILLA on 03/03/2026!
After Sydney's husband, Curtis, cheats on her, the two decide to leave their life in New York City behind and buy a Spanish villa. They hope a new house and location will allow them to start fresh and focus on their marriage. But then a young couple shows up and destroys their peace--Bianca and Damian, two Aussies, are traveling in their camper van when it breaks down outside the villa. At first, the group gets along well (with the exception of Curtis, who resents the intrusion), but soon, cracks begin to form.
This is an interesting book--the tension builds slowly, and it feels like a locked room mystery at time, with both couples mainly trapped in the villa. As such, Harding does an excellent job creating a claustrophobic feel. There's a strange forced sexual tension between the group, which made me feel awkward. Lies and secrets abound, with information gradually revealed across various perspectives, and ratcheting up the mystery and suspense.
Be prepared for a tale that takes some dark turns and centers on often quite selfish and unhappy people. It's a good quick read though, and one which will keep you guessing. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing in return for an unbiased review. Look for STRANGERS IN THE VILLA on 03/03/2026!
May 4, 2026
This is definitely one of those more “slow burn” thrillers rather than a fast paced, heart racing type. However, I enjoyed reading this the entire time and piecing together the story.
April 18, 2026
4.25 stars. 🎧
March 29, 2026
What a fantastic read! Super twisty, dark, suspenseful, unputdownable, and with an ending that just emploded my brain! 🤯
This is my very first book by Robyn Harding and she is a new auto-buy author for me!! I was absolutely enthralled and immersed in this story, which I read on vacation. Highly recommed reading this one on a beach or by a pool! So intriguiging with sensory details of the setting that made me feel like I was in Spain with the characaters. Siesta anyone? Yes please! And now, I cannot wait to take a trip there!
I definetely recommend going into this one blind, don't read all the blurbs and just enjoy the ride! 🎢
Short synopsis:
Married couple Sydey and Curtis move from New York City 🗽where they both had high stress, but well paying jobs. Sydney a defense lawyer and Curtis a finance consultant. An event occurs in their marriage and they decide to give up their NY life and move to Spain to start over. One day, a young couple from Australia knocks on their door because their travel van has broken down in front of Sydney and Curtis's home. So what could possibly go wrong when you let complete strangers into your home in a foreign country you've only been living in for 6 months?
Ladies and gentleman, buckle up because this is one hell of ride!!! 🔥
There is so much to this layered story and it absolutely checked all the boxes for me!
This is my very first book by Robyn Harding and she is a new auto-buy author for me!! I was absolutely enthralled and immersed in this story, which I read on vacation. Highly recommed reading this one on a beach or by a pool! So intriguiging with sensory details of the setting that made me feel like I was in Spain with the characaters. Siesta anyone? Yes please! And now, I cannot wait to take a trip there!
I definetely recommend going into this one blind, don't read all the blurbs and just enjoy the ride! 🎢
Short synopsis:
Married couple Sydey and Curtis move from New York City 🗽where they both had high stress, but well paying jobs. Sydney a defense lawyer and Curtis a finance consultant. An event occurs in their marriage and they decide to give up their NY life and move to Spain to start over. One day, a young couple from Australia knocks on their door because their travel van has broken down in front of Sydney and Curtis's home. So what could possibly go wrong when you let complete strangers into your home in a foreign country you've only been living in for 6 months?
Ladies and gentleman, buckle up because this is one hell of ride!!! 🔥
There is so much to this layered story and it absolutely checked all the boxes for me!
Want to Read
July 14, 2025Big fan of this author! Can't wait to read this one!
gorgeous cover!
gorgeous cover!
March 31, 2026
In a bid to save their struggling marriage after infidelity, New Yorkers Sydney and Curtis completely uproot their lives and buy a crumbling villa in Spain. When a pair of Australian nomads become stranded outside their villa due to issues with their van, Sydney invites them to stay. She enjoys the company of the free-spirited younger couple, but Curtis is suspicious from the get-go. He believes these people are taking advantage of their kindness—and perhaps even trying to sabotage their relationship. Meanwhile, he’s desperately trying to hide a secret back home that just won’t stay buried.
Robyn Harding is quickly becoming an autobuy author for me. Her thrillers always have the best premises, and they fit firmly in the genre without feeling too formulaic. I enjoyed the multi-POV format of this one and the fact that the story went in a VERY different direction than I thought it would.
Robyn Harding is quickly becoming an autobuy author for me. Her thrillers always have the best premises, and they fit firmly in the genre without feeling too formulaic. I enjoyed the multi-POV format of this one and the fact that the story went in a VERY different direction than I thought it would.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a new @rhardingwriter book is here and Robyn Harding can do no wrong! A multi POV thriller that takes you in a totally different direction than expected and keeps you guessing from start to finish!
February 28, 2026
Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding is a tense, sun drenched psychological thriller that proves once again why Harding is one of my go to authors when I want to be kept on my toes. Set high above the Mediterranean on Spain’s Costa Brava, the novel follows a fractured marriage in the wake of infidelity. Sydney and Curtis retreat to a remote villa to repair the damage, only to invite two unexpected strangers into their fragile sanctuary. What begins as an uneasy attempt at rebuilding trust quickly spirals into something far more dangerous.
The alternating POVs are where this story truly shines. Every character feels slightly untrustworthy, layered with secrets, lies, and quiet betrayals that simmer beneath the surface. The pacing starts slower as Harding carefully builds tension and atmosphere, but I was never bored. Instead, that deliberate buildup makes the back half hit even harder as the momentum accelerates and the stakes skyrocket.
By the final stretch, the twists and turns come fast and sharp. Just when you think you’ve found steady ground, Harding shifts it again. It’s a smart, tightly constructed thriller that leans into messy relationships and moral gray areas—another solid, compulsively readable entry from an author I’ve learned to trust.
The alternating POVs are where this story truly shines. Every character feels slightly untrustworthy, layered with secrets, lies, and quiet betrayals that simmer beneath the surface. The pacing starts slower as Harding carefully builds tension and atmosphere, but I was never bored. Instead, that deliberate buildup makes the back half hit even harder as the momentum accelerates and the stakes skyrocket.
By the final stretch, the twists and turns come fast and sharp. Just when you think you’ve found steady ground, Harding shifts it again. It’s a smart, tightly constructed thriller that leans into messy relationships and moral gray areas—another solid, compulsively readable entry from an author I’ve learned to trust.
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