What the fuck was this book. So bad. What the even fuck. ( )

The new thriller by Nina Lauren will keep you on the edge of your seats and guessing till the very end.



From the book: "Well I'm happy to say you're exactly what we're looking for. A young, modern family. Modern values. Focused above all on self-fulfillment and deriving satisfaction from your life, experiences over possessions. This is exactly what SmartHomes are about. Experiences."



After being the victim of a home invasion where she killed the attacker, Cecilia and her husband Scott accept an offer to become test participants in a new home where the security is more than they could ask for. But this is no ordinary neighborhood. IntelTech has carefully vetted and preselected every person that inhabit the SmartHomes on their block. Each person has an identity chip that allows them to enter. Who wouldn't love living in a home that learned what kind of coffee you drink and prepared it at the exact time each day. Or how you like your toast. Where detecting your signature with a sensor laden handle, your shower knows what temperature and water pressure you prefer and adjusts for you.



But when the house begins to malfunction several months later Cecilia is annoyed and submits trouble reports. The coffee is wrong, the temperature of her bath burns her. Her daughters oatmeal burns her mouth. The music that is playing is not on her playlist. But when her AI calls her the wrong name, she begins to wonder who might have lived in the home before them and why would they leave?



This is a book with a very satisfying ending and while reading this I couldn't help but think what a great movie this would make. If you liked Passengers by John Marrs you will love A Woman Alone.



Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this advanced ebook. I will definitely be recommending this book for readers at my library. ( )

Oh, I must admit, I love psychological suspense fiction. Nina Laurin has just released A Woman Alone - and it's a twisty turny tale that you won't be able to put down!

Maybe you own one of those devices or use an app that allows you to simply speak and have something turned on (even remotely), programmed the way you like it or contacting someone. Chances are you do. What about living in a house completely controlled by an AI? (Artificial Intelligence) Venture, Illinois is a community of such houses. A place to feel safe and pampered. More time to do what you want. Your likes and dislikes programmed...and more. Cecilia, her husband and young daughter move into Venture. But, Cecilia feels like things just aren't right - and no one believes her...

This isn't a far fetched scenario at all. But the possibilities of how things might go wrong make for a delicious premise for a book.

Laurin dials the tension up by adding in secrets, twists and turns that you won't even see coming. Lots of chapter ending foreshadowing had me staying up quite late to finish the book. Honestly, I couldn't put it down - I wanted to know those secrets. Because everyone in the book is hiding something. And just as I got to the last chapter - Laurin got me again. No way did I see the last twist at the end coming! I really appreciate being surprised with a plot. And Laurin absolutely caught me off guard. Bravo! ( )

Artificial Intelligence is at the heart of this novel. Cecelia, husband, and three-year old daughter have moved to a gated community which is controlled by IA. Supposedly, everything will be done for you and you can enjoy life. Of course, since this is a mystery you know that’s not how it goes. The IA starts calling her by another woman’s name, and the twists and turns in this novel will lead you to the end quickly. It’s a page-turner. ( )