Though I’ve enjoyed Tara Altebrando’s books in the past, this one wasn’t on my radar at all until it showed up in the mail one day. I am a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan, and this book about a girl on a birthday cruise ship where strange things are happening was surprisingly gripping. Find out all the details in my review of the Opposite of Here below!
The Opposite of Here by Tara Altebrando
To be published on June 5, 2018 by Bloomsbury
Source: ARC for review from publisher
Synopsis from Goodreads: Natalie’s parents are taking her and three best friends on a week-long cruise for her birthday—a sail-a-bration! Sigh. It’s also only been months since her boyfriend died in a tragic accident, and she wants to be anywhere but here.
So she’s surprised when she meets a guy on the first night and feels a connection she’s never felt before. After a late-night talk on a secluded part of the ship, Natalie runs to her cabin for a change of clothes.
But when she returns, he’s gone without a trace. And something he said makes her think he may have jumped. . . . What pulled her to him, and what pulled him away? Was he ever even there?
Review of The Opposite of Here:
Interesting and suspenseful, The Opposite of Here was sort of a YA version of The Woman in Cabin 10. And, in a truly meta moment, this book refers to that book – loved that!
In any case, both books feature protagonists reeling from traumatic events who then take cruises and become convinced that, behind all the captain’s dinners and shore excursions, something shady is going on.
Natalie lost her boyfriend in a tragic car accident. Her parents are taking her and three girlfriends on a cruise to celebrate her 17th birthday, complete with “Sail-a-Bration” shirts. Sidenote: on the one and only cruise I’ve ever been on, I did not know about this t-shirt thing. Iwas envious (yet suspicious) about the “Crusin’ for a Bruisin’ shirts another group was wearing.
Natalie’s friends try to convince her to “get out there” and have fun. She does, meeting a cute guy a few years her senior. Then he disappears. Then the cruise ship orders a “routine” yet highly suspicious head count. Natalie begins to worry that something happened to the guy.
Natalie is a fan of Alfred Hitchcock and her narration of the situation reflects that. She’s a very Hitchcockian heroine – a normal person who finds herself caught up in a disturbing situation.
I don’t want to say too much and give away all the twists and turns of the plot. The ending, while a little bit WTF in the “seriously?” way, was also WTF in the “WTF-I-did-not-see-that-coming” way.
This is a great summer suspense book – it’s just the right amount of scary to make it a perfect addition to your beach bag or airplane carry-on!
Did you read The Woman in Cabin 10? Do you love Hitchcock? Any interest in this?
I love this author and everything she does. I can’t wait to read this one. I am so glad you loved it. I have not read woman in cabin 10 but its on my list. and who doesn’t love Hitchcock!
I’m a fan of hers too. I think I DNF’d her last book so I was happy that I liked this one more!
I just borrowed The Woman in Cabin 10 from a friend. I’ve been hoping to read it since it came out and never had the chance. But will do soon. When you said it’s like YA version of it, I was instantly sold!
Ooh – hope you like Cabin 10. I had a few issues with it but overall it was really good!
I’d love to read a mystery where I don’t see the end or twists coming. I’m one of *those* people that has it figured it out by chapter 3 or gets so annoyed at the constant twists I don’t care anymore lol
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Sometimes I read them in detective mode and other times I just sit back and try not to figure it out…
Ooh I can’t wait for this- and how cool that it references Cabin 10 (another book I liked). Cruise ship mystery yay! I’ll definitely be getting this one! Thanks for reviewing it.
So funny – I was reading it thinking it was a bit of a YA version of Cabin 10 and then when the book directly referenced it I was laughing.
It sounds like the plot twist is really something that shocks you from the core! Maybe a bit unbelievable but so unexpected that it kind of shadows that as well… I like that it mentions the other book as well. Maybe some inspiration came from there 😉
My recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/05/book-haul-the-bargain-edition/
It’s possible – the other book didn’t come out that long ago but maybe due to the similar premise this book decided to make a joke of it!
I’ve seen this one around and really want to read it! The spent my 16th birthday on a cruise. I don’t think my parents realized this until we were already there, lol. They were just happy to be spending time with their adult friends while we children did our own thing. I fondly remember the midnight chocolate bar! There were entire sculptures made out of chocolate and you could just EAT IT.
I also remember having to wear formal dinner attire to dinner, which was weird.
L @ Do You Dog-ear?
That’s such a great story – you will definitely enjoy this one. I have been on one cruise, and while it had its moments, we had terrible weather and a lot of people were seasick. Too cold to use the pool. Do not think I will be doing that again soon!
Oooh this definitely sounds interesting, and I am in DIRE need to find out what happened to the guy. Thanks for bringing this to my radar, Jen!
– Aimee @ Aimee, Always
Thanks, Aimee. Hope you try it!
Pinned within seconds of reading your review. It sounds so good! I liked The Woman In Cabin 10, and really enjoy Hitchcock too.