**The Spare Room** is a 2023 novel by Andrea Bartz. It is a domestic suspense novel that follows Kelly Doyle, a woman who goes to stay with her childhood friend Sabrina and her husband Nathan in their remote Virginia mansion. Kelly is hoping to escape her own troubles, which include a recent breakup and a job loss. However, she soon finds herself drawn into Sabrina and Nathan's world of open marriage and threesomes.
At first, Kelly is hesitant to participate in their lifestyle, but she eventually gives in and finds herself enjoying it. However, her happiness is short-lived when she discovers that the last woman who was invited into their marriage is missing. Kelly begins to suspect that Sabrina and Nathan are dangerous, and she fears that she might be next.
The Spare Room is a suspenseful and well-written novel that explores the dark side of open relationships. Bartz does a masterful job of building tension and creating a sense of dread. The novel is also notable for its exploration of female sexuality and empowerment.
**Detailed Summary**
Kelly Doyle is a 34-year-old woman who is struggling with her life. She recently broke up with her fiancé, she lost her job, and she is stuck in a tiny apartment with her ex. When her childhood friend Sabrina invites her to stay at her remote Virginia mansion, Kelly jumps at the chance.
Sabrina is now a successful bestselling author, and her husband Nathan is a handsome and wealthy businessman. They live in a beautiful mansion, and they have a seemingly perfect marriage. However, Kelly soon discovers that there is more to their relationship than meets the eye.
Sabrina and Nathan are in an open marriage, and they regularly invite other women into their bed. At first, Kelly is hesitant to participate, but she eventually gives in and finds herself enjoying it. However, her happiness is short-lived when she discovers that the last woman who was invited into their marriage is missing.
Kelly begins to suspect that Sabrina and Nathan are dangerous, and she fears that she might be next. As she tries to piece together the mystery of the missing woman, Kelly finds herself in a fight for her life.
**Title**
The title of the novel, **The Spare Room**, refers to the room in Sabrina and Nathan's mansion where they have their threesomes. The room is a symbol of their open marriage, and it is also a place where Kelly's worst nightmares come true.
**Themes**
The Spare Room explores a number of themes, including:
* Open marriage
* Female sexuality
* Empowerment
* Toxic relationships
* Suspense
* Mystery
The novel is a cautionary tale about the dangers of open relationships, and it also explores the dark side of female sexuality. However, the novel is also ultimately a story about empowerment, as Kelly learns to take control of her own life and fight for her survival.
**Critical reception**
The Spare Room has received positive reviews from critics. Publishers Weekly called it "a suspenseful and well-written novel that explores the dark side of open relationships." The New York Times Book Review said that the novel is "a cautionary tale about the dangers of female sexuality, but it is also ultimately a story about empowerment."
**Recommendation**
I would recommend The Spare Room to readers who enjoy domestic suspense novels, psychological thrillers, and stories about female empowerment. The novel is well-written and suspenseful, and it explores some interesting themes. However, the novel is also dark and disturbing, so it is not for everyone.