The Lodger by Valerie Keogh

 

While it is nice to be nice ...its stupidity to be naive and be so open towards people. But there is also a fact that sometimes, we act out of impulse without thinking about repercussions. 

Leigh Simons, without thinking much, offered a room in her home to a lovely barista/ waitress Gina, at her regular coffee shop. Gina jumped at the offer and before Leigh could even rethink of her action, was ready to move into the house. Leigh kept reasoning if she had done the right thing. It was ok, she told herself as her boyfriend Matt was anyways in another town and visited her only on weekends. A little company would make her feel less bored in the evenings and who doesn't like a little company. When Leigh reveals this decision to Matt, he is not very happy. But, what is there to say now?

At work, Leigh is constantly irritated with her boss's behaviour. She ends up punching him in the face, for which she is sent to some workshop that is supposed to teach her anger management. There, she meets Phillip, who she hits it off well with. On her return to home and work, Leigh realizes that Gina has packed her bags and left. Now she kept thinking if she had been rude to Gina, which pushed her to leave and go away. Leigh goes to the coffee shop but there is no news of Gina. Where is Gina? Where could she go? Leigh then decides to file a person's missing report. 

Post this, there are multiple twists and turns. Some character development blew my head! I kept listening on to see where the story was leading. 

Where is Gina? Had she been so offended by a small show down with Leigh that she would leave the place lock, stock and barrel? Who is Phillip? Why was Matt acting weird? Food gets robbed through closed doors and much more. Who could be entering Leigh's house, despite her many ways to secure the place?

To know answers for these questions, you could read or listen to The Lodger by Valerie Keogh. I didn't like the wind about writing much and after so much build up, Leigh came across as a disappointment to me. Overall, it is an alright book but could have been a little better.