Definitely refreshing and promising, twisty Darcy Bell thriller hooks you up with women’s cat fight theme by emphasizing the power of crazy cat lover ladies:)

In this book,there are some sensitively triggering chapters about animal abuse can disturb the many of the readers including me. But those parts also made me detest the gaslighting villains so much more! A person who can hurt an animal might be the worst kind of psychopath!
And the humans in this story also get their share of psychological torture!

I thought I would read about two college friends who were estranged after betrayal, now one of them sharpened her nails enough to scratch the other one’s eyes out. I was expecting to read a pure revenge story but instead of that I read a story about #metoomovement , human/ animal abuse, gaslighting, mind games. Did I enjoy it? Well, the big twist was good! The big surprise at the end was already mentioned in the beginning of the book ( the real hero who saves the damsel in distress) ! Honestly I wish the author didn’t give the clue about that epic ending so I could give my ovation and enjoy fully the karmic turnout of the story.

Well, it was still entertaining amount of batshit crazy, sarcastic, dark, alluringly gripping reading!

Let’s meet with our heroine or anti heroine Lorelei ( her original name was Laura Lee but she changed after meeting with charming and 20 years younger version of Brad Pitt meets Kevin Costner college professor in cowboy boots, blond, long haired, flirting) who was once upon a time a beautiful and aspiring psychology student with self destructive relationship issues, looking like Belle de Joure’s Catherine Deneuve ( in my opinion she’s French Kim Novak) but something has gone wrong during the classes she has taken.

The classroom which resembled the interrogation rooms where the mysterious senior students watching them as if they were scrutinizing the lab rats.

Professor James Dell Randall changed everything about her perspective and her best friend/ confidante Holly did something unforgivable.

Now 20 years later, Lorelei living with her dearest Catzilla, harboring resentment, getting sacked from jobs that requires to sack people ( she’s not resourceful enough to work in HR).

When she reads on the newspaper her arch enemy made an interview, telling people she’s been abused at the college, she gets pissed off because Holly intentionally excluded the things she’s done to her and in addition to that, she will be given the woman of the year award for the accomplishments she’s achieved to save so many young and miserable girls’ lives.

She decides to attend to the ceremony to take her revenge. She’s seeing red. She wants everything Holly has. They are two girls from same college. Holly is rich, famous, well respected as Lorelei is broke, jobless, friendless, alone, abandoned.

Somebody has to pay! But unfortunately another person takes action quicker than her. Somebody already punishes Holly!

Lorelei keeps telling herself that she never wanted to kill her. She just wanted to make her taste her own poison by humiliation but somebody has gone too far. And it seems like that person not only comes after Holly but also is threatening Lorelei’s life. What will she do? How can she save herself!

Well, this is my favorite Darcy Bell novel. I hope you enjoy it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Book: Woman Of The Year
Author: Darcey Bell
Publisher: Atria Books
Pub Date: March 21, 2023

Twisted! Twisted in every sense of the word. I had lots of “wait, what” moments. I loved the psychological aspect of this book as well as the revenge aspect. It just all worked so well into this crazy story! I devoured this book and it’s one that I could read again just to see what I missed. Well done Darcey Bell!

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is March 21, 2023.

There is some good stuff here, but it's absolutely overwhelmed by a nasty pet abuse current. I have limits. Don't put me in the mind of someone witnessing a beloved companion being tortured. Just don't.

Man I flew through this book! I really like the psychological aspects of it and how the author incorporated it into the story. The main character Lorelei has an incredible bond and love for her pet cats. I can relate to that as I feel the same about my dog. You think you know where this book is gonna go and it ended up heading somewhere completely different.

Lorelei and Holly became friends in college while attending the same psychology class. Their professor whom they called Dell, specialized in control and human behavior. Lorelei and eventually Holly became very close with Dell. Holly and Lorelei’s friendship ended after a tragic event and Lorelei never really recovered.

Twenty years later Holly is the “Woman of the Year”. She has everything that Lorelei every wanted and never got. The “Woman of the Year” gala is the perfect place for her to get her revenge. However, Lorelei isn’t the only person who’s seeking revenge against Holly and before long Lorelei realizes that she’s in danger too.

Woman of the Year is available March 21,2023.

Thank you to netgalley and atriabooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Great premise! Holly has everything Lorelei wants, and she obtained by hurting Lorelei deeply over 20 years ago in college. Lorelei has a planned revenge that will culminate in an an awards night celebrating Holly.

Read this thrilling book to learn more about what Holly did and what else impacted Lorelei. Like all thrilling novels, there is much more than what meets the eye. If you like a good revenge story, have a high school or college friend you hate or just want to live, vicariously through Lorelei's genius plan, Woman of the Year is for you!

Bell is back with another delectable thriller that left me transfixed by the storyline. Charming characters and a perfect setting only add to the overall excellence!