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  • The Housewarming

  • Written by: S. E. Lynes
  • Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
  • Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (194 ratings)

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The Housewarming

Written by: S. E. Lynes
Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
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Publisher's Summary

Everyone is going to the housewarming party. Attending will be all the same people who lived on the street the day Abi vanished.... Will her mother finally learn the truth?

Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone - she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods' house, and was never seen again.

A year later, the Lovegoods throw a housewarming party, showing off the results of their renovation. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief. Her husband, Matt, persuades her: He’s worried about her. A night out might do her good.

But as her friends and neighbors chat, and the drink and gossip flows, Ava learns something new about the day she has relived a thousand times. A throwaway comment that could change everything.

Ava thought she knew every last detail of that day.

She’s about to find out she was wrong....

Brilliantly dark and moving suspense fiction for fans of Gillian Flynn, Claire McGowan, and Lisa Jewell, The Housewarming will have your pulse racing and your heart in your mouth from start to finish. 

©2020 S. E. Lynes (P)2020 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

What listeners say about The Housewarming

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Just not good

The story is fine. It’s so slow to get there, then the big twists are seriously not good. I’m so sad I used a credit on this. Not worth it. Sorry.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great storyline and performance!

I didn't want to stop listening to this story! I loved the different perspectives of the characters, and that the story unfolded throughout the various perspectives. the character description and development was superb! loved the narrator too!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

meh

too many illogical actions by characters. could not suspend my disbelief. boring story and bland people

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Two Thumbs Up

The story had a slow start but picked up midway through.
The narrator did an amazing job bringing the characters to life.
Great book and I highly recommend

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The dinner party is like maybe a chapter

The description of this story sounded so juicy and exciting as if it was mostly based around a Housewarming and the secrets ALL the neighbours had. But no. The actual housewarming was 1 chapter.
The story overall was OK. Felt like it started soooo slow. But wrapped up quickly in the end.
It passed the time and that’s what I was looking for I suppose. But not likely to recommend to friends.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!!!

This novel and narrator were fantastic right from the start!!!!! Well done!!!!! I would definitely look for another novel by this author!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book kept me intrigued the whole time!

I was impressed with everything about this book. Lately I havent been able to find a book that interested me so it was refreshing to find this gem. The narration was easy to listen to and enhanced this story. I had no idea how the book would end but it was excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

This book was very well written. I couldn't guess what would happen next. Totally enjoyed this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Couldn’t stop listening

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen. Slightly hard to read if you have children as it’s stressful to imagine your child missing.
Very well written!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Binge-worthy

Couldn’t stop listening! Gripping story of family, relationships and secrets. Believable and exquisitely written characters.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Wendi
  • 2020-12-03

Just Ok

This story could have been better if it had more grit. It takes a long time to get going, and there is too much focus on the mother and her feelings of loss. It's not terrible, but if I had the choice, I wouldn't have used a credit for it.

-Wendi

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76 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Jill Beck
  • 2020-11-30

The ending was great!

The ending was great....and the beginning was pretty good...unfortunately the middle consisted of chapter after chapter of just droning on and on about the same thing..over and over...and nothing much happened...it's one of those books that really had the potential of being a really good book but just didn't get there because instead of anything happening..it was just an essay of one character's feelings.

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56 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-10-26

Hard to keep listening

Not my favorite book ... it dragged on and on about the mother’s feelings ...but I kept listening ... it was hard to finish ... the ending was best part ... being done with a satisfactory ending ...

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49 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • angelnhitops
  • 2020-12-05

Awesome!

Can’t really understand the poor reviews....this is one of the best books I’ve heard lately. The narration is fantastic. Off to read more books by this author.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • lisa
  • 2020-10-27

excellent!

Wow!! Gets you from the first chapter and doesn't stop! Narrator was superb!! Characters were excellent and I feel like I know them. Highly recommend!

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29 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Erica
  • 2021-01-31

Okay

The story was alright there are better books I have read this one at least carries twists at the end that kept me from being disappointed

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23 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • admeyers_
  • 2020-10-29

So suspenseful, especially as a mama!

This book had me intrigued from the very start! It’s suspenseful and you can easily relate to each character. As a parent, it has me double checking my doors and hugging my daughter a little tighter.

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Love2Shop1
  • 2020-11-16

kept me on the edge of my seat!

one of the best books I've listened to. perfectly written and narrated! do not hesitate to purchase and listen!

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20 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Dawna
  • 2021-02-01

Very Good!

Not the best story from this author but she writes beautifully and this narrator is great. I look for more listens from this author/narrator combination

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-01-31

interesting story

loved it. lots of surprises. had to keep listening after my walk until the story ended

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14 people found this helpful