The Heatwave by Kate Riordan arrived on my doorstep at just the right time. I was looking for an immersive summer read – and this one promised an eerie, sun-drenched story.
After an accidental fire occurs, a woman and her daughter return to their family home in the south of France after years of living in London. But from the moment they arrive, a sense of dread begins to take hold.
The cottage holds secrets from the past – like what happened to their family, including the woman’s older daughter, before they left. And those secrets won’t stay hidden for long.
*I received this book for free from the publisher (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review.
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The Heatwave by Kate Riordan: My Thoughts
I loved how atmospheric this book was! It will transport you to the sun-baked French countryside, and you’ll never want to leave. (Well, aside from the growing sense of foreboding – it is a mystery/thriller, after all!).
This story is full of tense emotion and fascinating characters. It’s got crumbling country cottages, back and forth timelines, family secrets, and all the tasty French food you can imagine. Slowly, the family’s ominous past is unraveled before us as a forest fire rages on in the distance.
This is a slow-burn (in the best way), so I definitely recommend picking it up when you’re in the mood for that! Perfect for reading in the summer breeze.
Rating: 4.25 (out of 5) stars
(Publication date: August 18th, 2020)
If you’re looking for more wonderful books to read, check out my list of exciting books releasing in summer 2020!
