Name of Book: The Exchange Student
Author: A.J. Carter
Book Style: Kindle Unlimited
Dates Read: 24th June – 25th June
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
My Review No Spoilers Promise
Right… I had to keep going until I found another five star AJ Carter read. Sorry, Mr Carter, but after a couple of three stars, I knew you had it in you. 😂
And safe to say… we’re back.
Now, before anyone looks at the dates and thinks I had an entire day to read this, let me explain. Unfortunately (and fortunately for my ever-growing Kindle library), I’ve been really poorly with a kidney infection and some ongoing stomach complications. Reading has become my escape at the moment, and this book was the perfect distraction.
In fact, I started reading at around 11pm… and before I knew it, it was 3am.
Oops.
The story follows Summer, a teenager who heads to Amsterdam as part of a student exchange programme after her mum hopes a change of scenery will help bring her out of her shell. What should have been an exciting new adventure quickly becomes something much more sinister. As Summer begins to realise that something isn’t right with the family she’s staying with, terrifying questions start to emerge. At the same time, events back home leave you wondering whether everything is quite as it seems.
From the very beginning, this book had me hooked.
The tension builds almost immediately and there is this constant feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong. Every chapter made me want to keep reading because I just had to know what was happening.
One thing I really enjoyed was how the story switches between different locations, allowing the mystery to unfold from more than one angle. It kept the pacing moving and meant there was never a point where I felt bored or wanted to put the book down.
I’ve noticed the average rating for this book sits somewhere around three stars, and honestly… I can understand why it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It asks you to suspend your disbelief a little in places.
But me?
I absolutely loved it.
Sometimes a thriller doesn’t have to be completely realistic to be incredibly entertaining, and this was exactly that. It was fast paced, tense, easy to read and had me completely invested from start to finish.
Before I knew it, the birds were singing outside and I’d accidentally read the entire thing in one sitting.
Worth it.
Final verdict
A brilliantly addictive thriller that completely pulled me in from the first chapter. If you’re looking for a book that’s fast paced, full of suspense and impossible to put down, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
This is the AJ Carter I know and love… and I’m very happy to report that the five stars are back.
Let’s be friends on Goodreads
Who needs sleep when there are psychological thrillers to finish? My body says “go to bed”… my Kindle says “just one more chapter.” We all know who won. 📚🌙😂👀✨
The Anxious Book Worm 
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