The Second Home:

by Kathryn Sharman

The dream summer getaway or the setting for the perfect crime?

Lottie has saved all year for her family vacation by the sea with her husband and young son. But as soon as they arrive at their rental it is clear they have made a huge mistake coming here...

Next door, Olivia looks like just another wealthy out-of-towner buying up local property, only to leave it empty for ten months of the year. But Olivia has a secret plan for her second home...

When one of the houses goes up in flames, and a body is pulled from the ashes, the secrets both Lottie and Olivia have been keeping threaten to destroy their families.

How far would one of them go to keep the truth locked behind closed doors?

Readers are gripped by Kathryn Sharman's

'An absolute rollercoaster! So many twists and turns... When I thought I'd figured it all out... BOOM! There came the ending. I'm speechless!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This story is wild!! Actual mind-blowing psychological fiction that has you simultaneously shouting at the characters to stop their crazy antics, while turning pages at a rate of knots to find out what will happen next!! This is the most original book I have read in YEARS!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Oh my god! I literally couldn't put this book down! I had to keep reading, the suspense is unreal. Absolutely packed with twists and shocking turns' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I was hooked from the beginning and I had to find out what was going to happen. I didn't even want to go to work because I'd have to stop reading. You won't want to put this book down I finished it in 24 hours!... Just wow!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Great book. Was up all night reading it... the twists and turns are fab. Definitely 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'What. A. Debut. This one is going to get people talking... a fantastic read that you will not want to put down. Bravo!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 28, 2026

Reviews

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Home takes a seemingly idyllic summer getaway and turns it into a slow‑burn nightmare in the best possible way. From the moment Lottie and her family arrive at their rental, you can feel the tension humming beneath the surface—something is off, and the book wastes no time letting that unease settle in.

The dual focus on Lottie and Olivia works really well. Lottie is relatable and easy to root for, just trying to give her family a much‑needed break, while Olivia is the kind of character who keeps you guessing—glamorous, guarded, and clearly hiding more than she lets on. Their lives brushing up against each other creates a great sense of foreboding, especially as the cracks in both women’s stories start to show.

When the fire happens, the book shifts into full‑on suspense mode. The mystery of whose secrets are about to explode—and how far each woman will go to protect her family—keeps the pages turning quickly. There’s a nice balance of domestic tension, small‑town atmosphere, and twisty reveals that make the story feel both grounded and gripping.

If you enjoy thrillers where ordinary lives collide with dangerous secrets, The Second Home is a fun, fast, and satisfying read. Perfect for fans of beach‑town mysteries with a dark edge.

with thanks to Kathryn Sharman, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[A Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Home by Kathryn Sharman is a psychological drama with many secrets and lies. The story depicts the lives of two families that ultimately cross paths.

Tim and Lottie and their young son have scrimped and saved for a holiday by the sea. On the first day they meet up with their neighbors, Tobias and Olivia and their two teenagers, who are having work done on their vacation home. Annoyed that their peaceful holiday is anything but peaceful with all the construction noise next door, Lottie takes it upon herself to let the neighbors know she does not appreciate all the noise. From this point on, the line is drawn and the tensions are beginning to rise. When a tragedy occurs, the finger pointing begins and everyone is a suspect.

Short chapters make for a quick and emotional read. It kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat. The story was well written and the characters are well depicted, though many are unlikeable. The tension builds with each new chapter and the twists and surprises are numerous throughout the story. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advanced copy

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a slow start leading up to the premise of the story. Even with the slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The beginning wasn't suspenseful/thriller, but it still kept me reading.

I felt Lotties anger though. Truly would have been just as devastated. I felt her anger towards her husband too. Like dude....this is not a vacation. closed windows, no outside sitting ability, loud music when you just want to hear the waves....
I had a visceral hatred towards Tobias. Im glad for his ending.

Short chapters are my favorite. After the fire (about 60% on my kindle), the twists and secrets were captivating. I loved the roller coaster. The at fault party is never truly identified, but you finish the story knowing. I love it. The best kind of closure.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Thriller? Idk, maybe at the end. But it was a good book and I'd definitely read more by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder Paperbacks!

[Kim Tomczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Hodder Books for the ARC of The Second Home by Kathryn Sharman. The Jenkins family has saved all year for their vacation by the sea but when they arrive, it's clear that it's not going to be the paradise they expected. Next door, the Woolfe family is enjoying the summer, away at their second home. An expected arson fire claims one of their houses and a body is found. Secrets are uncovered along with unexpected twists. A great read that kept me turning the page past my bedtime!

[Melissa Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Second Home is described as a twisty physiological thriller and while I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as such I did enjoy the storyline and it was a quick read. It felt that not much happened until about 60% of the way through. I’d certainly try more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.