The Spare Room

A Novel

By: Andrea Bartz

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Staying with a friend and her husband is sexier—and deadlier—than anyone could have imagined, in this “delightfully salacious” (Shondaland) domestic suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club pick We Were Never Here.

“A fresh and sexy ride, perfect for reading poolside.”—People (Best New Book)

“Sexy, atmospheric, deliciously creepy, and ingeniously plotted: the best kind of up-all-night page-turner.”—Lucy Foley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Apartment and The Guest List

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Elle, PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, CrimeReads

Kelly’s new life in Philadelphia has turned into a nightmare: She’s friendless and jobless, and the lockdown has her trapped in a tiny apartment with the man she gave up everything for, who’s just called off their wedding. The only bright spot is her newly rekindled friendship with her childhood friend Sabrina—now a glamorous bestselling author with a handsome, high-powered husband.

When Sabrina and Nathan offer Kelly an escape hatch, volunteering the spare room of their remote Virginia mansion, she jumps at the chance to run away from her old life. There, Kelly secretly finds herself falling for both her enchanting hosts—until one night, a wild and unexpected threesome leads the couple to open their marriage for her.

At first, Kelly loves being part of this risqué new world. But when she discovers that the last woman they invited into their marriage is missing, she starts to wonder if they could be dangerous . . . and if she might be next.

Packed with Andrea Bartz’s signature tension, twists, and toxic relationships, The Spare Room marks an edgy, boundary-pushing new direction from the “master of the ‘feminist thriller’” (Los Angeles Times).

©2023 Andrea Bartz (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The novel is delightfully salacious and rampant with suspense and sex, and there’s a reason why Bartz is known as a hitmaker in the field.”—Shondaland

“Andrea Bartz has returned to deliver. This suspense story set in a Virginia mansion features some eyebrow-raising twists, especially when protagonist Kelly finds herself charmed by her hosts—and welcomed into their bed.”—Elle

“Bartz’s latest showstopper kept me up all night turning pages. Propulsive and sexy, The Spare Room left me gasping for air as I followed its main character into the fiery heart of a dark, complicated romance. Kelly Doyle must contend not only with two new lovers but her own expectations surrounding relationships and sexuality. This is one visit you won’t want to end.”—Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines

I am not sure how to rate this one....

I think i liked it, but I am not really sure. i loved the twists, but i didn't love the plot or the ending. I found the main character to be unlikable, along with all the others for that matter. It was just ok for me.

Eyeroll

The protagonist was beyond annoying and just dumb. Too much waffling. I was unsurprised by pretty much everything. Really have like this author in the past, but disappointed today. I felt like the timeline for the lockdown was really off, like the mention of air travel not being available? Anyway, I read a lot of books multiple times, this will not be one of those books.

Wasted time!

I would not recommend this book. The so call twist was just ridiculous. I waste of time!!

Dumb

How bad do you have to be for your “partner” to practically drown you and in the next sentence, go on about how much you love them. Kelly was very unlikable and I was like on her side with any decision she made. Wish I had this credit back

No one was likable

All though there were
Some interesting twists the main character was very whiny and her wishy washy back and forth drove me crazy ! It
Took too long to get to the point
It was way too
Long!!!!!

Save your credit

Save your credit, pass on this one. It was bizarre, yet predictable at times, and anticlimactic.

Soft porn & relentless whining

I wasn’t prepared for the direction this book traveled. If you enjoy hating the main character and hope she is unalived, this book is for you. I finished it only b/c I couldn’t get a refund (audible doesn’t issue refunds like they promise), but I wished the main character to depart from Earth in the first 1/3 of this book. I didn’t enjoy the book. The last 45 mins was tolerable. I’m so sick of hearing about Covid. We just lived it, we don’t need to wallow in it, as we’re still dealing with the ramifications of it. We don’t need to be reminded of what it’s like to be isolated. I recall it all. In fact, I listen/read to escape real life…that’s why I choose fiction. I love Brittany Pressley, but this book made me cringe at her voice after so much whining from the main character. Sorry, but did I mention I couldn’t get a refund?

moving and heartfelt read

"The Spare Room: A Novel" is a touching and thought-provoking book that I rate four stars. This novel explores the complexities of friendship and caregiving when a friend moves in to care for another during her battle with terminal illness. The narrative is raw and emotionally charged, offering a poignant look at the challenges and sacrifices that come with being a caregiver. The character development is strong, and the authenticity of their emotions is palpable. However, the pacing at times feels slow, and some readers may find it difficult to connect with the protagonist. Despite these minor drawbacks, it's a moving and heartfelt read.

Book of bad similes

No one was likable - Kelly seems desperate and her yo-yo emotions unbelievable. And her constant use of really painfully dumb similes is annoying. Glad to be done.

I kind of wanted them all to die

The story was twisty, but I disliked all the characters. Mostly, I hated the narrator (of the story, not the reader if the audiobook) and found other characters’ attraction to her completely implausible. And while I do enjoy an unreliable narrator, this one was whiney, needy, and insecure - and yet also entitled and demanding more out of her relationships than was warranted by their length. I liked We Were Never here a ton more, even though there were similar types
.