The Haven, Amanda Jennings

The Haven: A hypnotic, dark thriller of 2022 about a dream life that becomes a devastating nightmare… by [Amanda Jennings]

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Literary Fiction

I've seen this described as psychological thriller – I'd say its more that creeping suspense, where little seemingly innocuous events build and build. Its a great read, one I really enjoyed.
That Utopian ideal, well, Kit and Tara reminded me of myself in my teens, less the money. And I knew a bit more of the practical side having grown up in a grow it eat it family.
At first things seem perfect. The group have a steep learning curve, some never having done anything like this, others with more experience but needing to fit in with new people. Anne and Brian, without their steady presence and past experience I don't think the group would have got past the first hurdle. Enthusiasm is one thing but practical experience is a definite need.
The farm – it needed serious hard work, and money spending on it before they could live their dream. I did feel that poor Kit was just treated like a never ending source of funds, that Jeremy didn't appreciate just how hard Kit found it to go against his principles and use his trust fund.
Backing up a bit, if only Tara's parents had known the truth about Kit and his family, they'd be in seventh heaven. The irony 😉 but when folk judge on appearance, and most of us do sadly, that's what happens.

Anyway, things are going well and then...Jeremy brings Dani in to the fold. I do felt for her, and at first it seemed like he was just being reasonable, but I also understood Tara's cautions. Slowly the group begins to unravel, and Jeremy changes – or perhaps becomes what he always was but kept hidden. I look back and try to pinpoint where he changed, but there isn't really a point, he's always been impetuous, strong minded and opinionated so in a way those seeds of dictatorial behaviour where there ready to flourish.

I am so glad for that epilogue. I read to relax, I like challenges, love books that bring out emotions as this one did, but I also need to know What Happens After. This ending was almost perfect, I'm still sad over one event but that's reality I guess, life isn't all HEA for everyone.

Stars: Four, maybe five. Four and a half, meet in the middle 😉
I really enjoyed this story, great characters and a good look at human nature and how we behave, leaders, followers and what happens with the wrong person at the helm. I'm not sure I'd read this again, as I do some books but I very much enjoyed it.

Arc via Netgally and publishers