Kate Bright felt guilty enough meeting her lover in a London hotel, but when terrorists take control of the hotel, she feels even worse. Forced to hide in her room, she reflects on her life and how she has ended up where she is.
There has been such a buzz about Room 706 by Ellie Levenson that I leapt for joy when I was given access to an eARC. As a lover of thrillers, I settled down ready for a suspense-filled tale of survival, what I ended up reading was a much more nuanced story of love, deceit and forgiveness.
The opening chapter grabs your attention and has you desperate to know more. We are then introduced to Kate, and she doesn't come across well; her sole focus that morning had been to get out of the house so she could meet her lover. While she hasn't quite abandoned her two young children, her priority is meeting her lover, James.
Once it becomes obvious that the hotel is in lockdown and Kate and James are hiding in their room, we get three very distinct threads that weave together to form the narrative. Firstly, there is the current situation, the panic and fear of not being in control of the situation, and the unknown danger. Kate comes across as very real; she is hesitant about what to do for the best, frightened for her own safety, and worried about explaining things to her husband.
The second storyline takes us back fifteen years, and we meet Kate in her early twenties studying in Italy. Kate is grieving the untimely death of her mother, her only relative, and is feeling very lonely in Italy. By chance, she meets Vic, who is ten years older, recovering from burnout. Slowly, with the help of Vic's Italian Nonna, the pair falls in love. The final storyline is how Kate meets her lover and their relationship over the previous six years.
Through the intertwined stories, we get greater insight into Kate's character and how she has changed over sixteen years. When we first meet Kate, she's simply existing. Vic's gentle nature is just what she needs to help her mend. Vic is empathetic thanks to his own recent mental health issues. The age gap, the introversion of both characters and the support they find in each other lead to a very quiet life. It is therefore understandable that Kate is bewitched when an older man shows her attention and offers her passion without commitment.
As the hours tick by, Kate reflects on her life and her relationships. She begins to understand how important seemingly inconsequential details are, such as family recipes and passwords for grocery deliveries. She also contemplates the relationship she has with both men, weighing the excitement James offers with the stability and unconditional love offered by Vic. The important question is, if she survives, which life does she want?
Room 706 by Ellie Levenson will be published on 15th January 2026 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.
Author Details
Ellie Levenson is a freelance journalist whose work has
appeared across many national newspapers and magazines. She lives in London
with her family.
No comments:
Post a Comment