She Treads Softly: The Second Home

Saturday, May 2, 2026

The Second Home

The Second Home by Kathryn Sharman
5/28/26; 336 pages
Hodder

The Second Home by Kathryn Sharman is a recommended psychological suspense novel packed with disagreeable characters and soap opera vibes.

Lottie and Tim have saved up all year for a family vacation by the sea on the south coast with their young son Josh. When they arrive at the Airbnb rental they are shocked to see that next door is a busy, noisy construction site and they can't even allow Josh to safely play outside in the garden. Lottie is incensed and goes next door to complain. Next door, along with the construction crew, the owners, Tobias and Olivia along with their two teenagers, Bella and Drew, just happen to be on the renovation site. They are a wealthy, privileged family who have bought it as their second home. When Lottie raises her complaints, Tobias counters with anger. This sets the tone of the novel.

The even paced plot begins foreshadowing the information that a house is going to go up in flames in the near future and that there were people inside it, we just don't know who. Then, as the narrative begins, the story is told through the point of view of Lottie, Tobias, Olivia, and Marcus, the architect. The conflict between the out-of towners and the locals was interesting, but, honestly, I found none of these characters likable, appealing or even sympathetic. All of them have secrets.

Lottie is angry, determined and relentless in complaining about the construction. She struggles to find a way to enjoy what they can while there. While her frustration is understandable, ultimately yelling at Tobias isn't going to change a thing and her case needs to be taken to the owner of the rental. She does manage to notice how many of the locals feel about the changes in their community. Tobias is arrogant and stubborn as he tries to get the construction crew to work faster and he has no time or patience for anyone, especially a complaining renter from next door. Olivia seems like a bit of an airhead, but one with secrets. Marcus has some scheme going on, and, again, secrets.

While the writing is well done and the plot will hold your attention as any good soap opera-like drama does, the inability to even remotely connect with any of the main characters detracted from my enjoyment. All I ask for is one main character to support. (I did support several minor characters.) Basically you will keep reading to learn about all of their undisclosed information that is hinted at repeatedly and find out what happened in the fire from the opening. The novel does get much better toward the end. 3.5 rounded down.

The Second Home is a soapy suspense novel for those who enjoy disagreeable characters with plenty of secrets. Thanks to Hodder for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.