Okay, I’m not sure how to write this review because I’m not entirely sure what I just read. This book was so discombobulating. The first person POV mixed with the short, incomplete sentences made it so so hard to know what was happening. I felt like Jacy was drugged, and maybe she was? That was never quite resolved. The plot, what I got of it, was engaging. I just wish it would have been told in a different POV. This is my first read from Megan Abbott so maybe it’s just her writing style. I’m not sure.

I have not read many book by Megan Abbott, but I really liked this one! Super creepy and weird, claustrophobic at times. I whipped through this so fast! I will definitely be reading more from Abbott!

Megan Abbott is a go to author! She never fails me. This novel is amazing and can't wait to put it in the hands of readers!

I liked this - I think maybe I just didn't feel the Spark that I typically love in Abbott's writing. Jacy is a vessel to continue on her husband's family lineage and every aspect of her body is scrutinized, including her autonomy before she even became a wife. It's very atmospheric but felt like not a ton actually happened and I wanted more from the plot.

Beware the Woman was a chilling and suspenseful read that resonated with my anxieties about motherhood and the vulnerability of women's bodies. As a newlywed with a baby on the way, the protagonist Jacy's experiences felt eerily familiar and heightened my own fears about the loss of control and autonomy.

Abbott's atmospheric writing transported me to the remote Michigan cottage, where the tension simmered beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic family interactions. The gradual unraveling of Jacy's trust in those around her was unsettling, and I found myself constantly questioning the motives of the characters.

The book's exploration of gaslighting and medical manipulation was particularly unsettling, as it tapped into real-world concerns about women's health and bodily autonomy. It served as a chilling reminder of the power dynamics that often exist within families and medical settings.

While the ending was somewhat abrupt, the book's overall impact lingered long after I finished it. It forced me to confront my own anxieties about vulnerability and trust, and it sparked important conversations with my partner about the complexities of pregnancy and motherhood.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a feminist slant and aren't afraid to delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche, Beware the Woman is a book I highly recommend.

Jacy and Jed are newlyweds who decide to take a trip to visit his father in a rural area, the upper Peninsula of Michigan. I loved the idea of the setting in the UP, as a former Michigan resident. The trip begins smoothly but starts to unravel rather quickly. The reader learns that the relationship between Jacy and Jed is not as picture perfect as it seemed to be.

This book brought up some important topics that can be a point of contention, namely: What is a woman's place within a relationship? I thought about this question after reading. The pacing was very good and overall, it was an ok read. 2.5 stars

I loved Megan Abbott when she wrote unsettling books about teenage girls, but these novels about adults just are not working for me.

This book was not for me. I appreciate the publishers and netgalley giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'm thrilled to be back in the world of book reviewing after a hiatus, and what a great way to return than with a thought-provoking and suspenseful novel like Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott. This book is a masterclass in building tension and unease, slowly but surely drawing you in until you're hooked.

The story centers around Jacy, a pregnant woman who visits her husband's family in rural Michigan, where things quickly take a dark and unsettling turn. At first, I was hesitant to get on board with the premise, worried that it would veer into uncomfortable territory. But Abbott's writing is expertly crafted, and she skillfully navigates the complex relationships between Jacy, her husband Jed, and Jed's enigmatic father.

As the story unfolds, I found myself questioning the motivations of nearly every character, including the seemingly trustworthy Dr. Ash. The suspense is expertly woven throughout the narrative, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is deliberate and measured, building towards a crescendo that left me breathless.

What I loved most about this book was its ability to walk the fine line between psychological suspense and atmospheric tension. Abbott's writing is evocative and immersive, making it easy to become fully invested in the world she's created. The characters are well-developed and complex, with Jacy's pregnancy serving as a catalyst for the strange events that unfold.

While I did feel that the ending was a bit abrupt and left me wanting more closure, I appreciated the subtle hints and suggestions that Abbott left behind. Overall, I'd highly recommend Beware the Woman to fans of psychological suspense. With its complex characters, expertly crafted tension, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a compelling and thought-provoking thriller.

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Group Putnam for an eARC of Beware the Woman by Megan Abbot!

Creepy & atmospheric, you do not want to read this one in the dark. Jacy and her new husband, Jed, are on a road trip to visit his father. The cottage is beautiful and seemingly perfect - that is, until pregnant Jacy starts feeling trapped and constantly watched.

I enjoyed this book, but certainly predicted a few of the twists. Abbott's writing is very atmospheric which I enjoy and look forward to seeing what she comes up with next!

I tried so hard to really get into this book but I just could not connect with the plot line or the characters, It was a quick read but overall did not leave an impact on me.

DNF at 40%

I really tried to read and enjoy this book but the writing was really putting me to sleep. There felt like there was a lot of repetition and even though I had read half I did not feel like we were getting anywhere which was increasingly frustrating.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Unpopular opinion alert. This book did not work for me at all. The flowery writing was meant to make this an atmospheric thriller but it made it entirely too long and even more boring. The weird parallels between Jacy and her baby to the mountain lion and her cubs didn't make much sense for me and added nothing to the story. I listened to this on audio and my biggest writing pet peeve was very prevalent through out the book. Constant repetition. Shush shush click, shush shush click.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Beware the Woman" by Megan Abbott is a chilling and prescient novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, secrets, and the eerie atmosphere of a secluded cottage in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The story revolves around Jacy, a newly married woman expecting her first child. She embarks on a road trip with her husband, Jed, to visit his father, Doctor Ash, in the remote woods. From the moment they arrive at the cozy cottage, tension simmers beneath the surface. Jacy feels enveloped in warmth by Doctor Ash but less so by the enigmatic house manager, Mrs. Brandt.

However, their idyllic getaway takes a dark turn when Jacy experiences a health scare. Vacation plans are abandoned, and the focus shifts entirely to her well-being. As days pass, Jacy becomes increasingly aware of her surroundings—the dense woods, the watchful eyes, and the whispers about Jed's mysterious family history. Is she paranoid, or are there real dangers lurking within the cottage?

Abbott masterfully weaves suspense and psychological tension. The claustrophobic setting intensifies Jacy's unease, and readers will find themselves questioning every character's motives. The exploration of female autonomy and violation adds depth to the narrative, echoing themes from classic Gothic literature.

"Beware the Woman" keeps readers on edge, revealing secrets layer by layer. Abbott's prose is sharp, her pacing relentless, and her characters hauntingly real. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that linger long after you've turned the last page, this book is a must-read, written by Megan Abbott, an Edgar award-winning author.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! This is my first book by Megan Abbott and will not be my last.

Jacy and Jed are newlyweds who decide to take a trip to visit his father in a rural area. The trip begins smoothly but starts to unravel rather quickly. The reader learns that the relationship between Jacy and Jed is not as picture perfect as it seemed to be.

This book brought up some important topics that can be a point of contention, namely: What is a woman's place within a relationship? I thought about this book for weeks after finishing it. The pacing was very good and overall it was an excellent read.

This was not for me. The story was kinda slow and I couldn't connect with the characters at all. I was hoping for somethig different

I wish I could give this a zero star review. This was the most boring book I’ve ever read. I started reading the ebook & just couldn’t get through it. The story just doesn’t hook you and keeps you interested. I decided to give this book another shot and downloaded the audiobook, biggest mistake. The audiobook was excruciating to get through. I DNF this book once I got to 50%. It was making reading a task and it was no longer bringing me joy to read.

I loved this book! It was very atmosperic and a slow burn, but once you start to suspect something, you cannot put it down!

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!