Book Review: The House Mate by Nina Manning

I’ve read so many wonderful book lately but it feels an absolute age since I read a good thriller. That all changed with this next review.

Goodreads Blurb

The House Mate by Nina Manning

The perfect life? …Or the perfect lie?

When Regi moves into her new houseshare, she’s ready for a clean slate. A new home. A new routine. A new identity…

Desperate to escape the shadow of her past that follows her everywhere she goes, Regi finds the ideal distraction in the perfect lives of others on social media.

But as innocent scrolling turns into an unhealthy obsession, Regi will soon learn that seeking perfection comes at a price…

Review

As you probably have gathered from the blurb, it’s difficult to discuss The House Mate without giving anything away. And I really don’t want to give anything away because I want you to enjoy this book for what it is: a bloody great read. So, let me try to give you something extra without blowing the entire operation.

The House Mate alternates between ‘then’ and ‘now’ chapters and I was hooked on each one. I was curious how they would come together to unravel the mystery of Regi but I also saw them as two separate stories that I wanted the answer to. So, I got two gripping stories rather than one, in a way.

I really liked Regi. I felt sympathetic toward her but I also acknowledged her as a strong woman. It was interesting to follow her journey as she battled OCD, tried to forge a relationship with her younger housemates, and explore the world of Instagram. While her use of Instagram was touted as an obsession, I found it more complex than that. I could see how it was also a form of comfort to Regi and believe that it helped her through some bad times.

The House Mate is exactly the kind of book I love and I felt not one word of the gripping story was wasted. However, I do also have to acknowledge that the ending was a bit confusing although once it registered with me, I did like it. Overall, a big thumbs up from me.

The House Mate by Nina Manning is available to buy now.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.