Now here is a good book! The House Guest by Jennifer Pashley is engaging from start to finish, although “Guest” is a bit of a misnomer.
Brett Novak is a woman with a sad and difficult history including the recent breakup of a clandestine affair. Unfortunately, she lacks boundaries, professional and otherwise. What she has going for her is an incredible culinary ability and a strong desire to be recognized as a professional chef.
After her hope of securing a head chef position is dashed, desperate for money, she attends a dubious after hours alcohol-laced “interview” with a handsome charismatic man who turns out to be the wealthy and infamous writer, Carson Smart. Brett either fails to recognize or acknowledge any danger to herself, thus the seduction begins. She accepts a position to be Carson’s brief personal live-in chef, with the promise of a huge deposit to her bank account. It is to begin immediately.
She soon discovers that Carson’s older rude and domineering wife Vera is also in residence. Brett must cater to their picky and eccentric individual tastes, including making meals fit for royalty for their two large rambunctious canines.
To say that Carson and Vera’s relationship is strained is being kind. The often humiliated Brett is caught within their war for supremacy. It’s Dysfunction with a capital D.
The House Guest is a truly twisted tale. Layered and dramatic, it takes hold and doesn’t let go, giving the cliche of “I couldn’t put it down.” new life.
Pashley shows her gift as a writer with the way she weaves suspense, tension and unexpected consequences into a compelling drama.
Read this book. You won’t regret it.
The House Guest
Jennifer Pashley
Little, Brown and Company 2026
320 pages
J Curran
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