When Julia Larkin's husband has a car crash that puts him in the hospital in a medically induced comes, she and his sister, her best friend/business partner Sierra have to figure out a mystery themselves when the police want to arrest him for murder. The mystery itself is interesting, but the relationships around the Larkins are where the book shines. Told in alternating POVs from Julia and Sierra, the ways the Larkins see each other are tested as the women do their best to figure out the truth. I really appreciated the friendship between the women and how they worked through all the stresses caused by the impossible situation.

Overall, I enjoyed this thriller. The mystery portion is pretty predictable, but I enjoy the twists and turns and the characters. I found myself distrusting of all the characters pretty early on in the story, despite a slow start. The family and friend dynamics are wonderful to read through and the secrets kept continue to throw a wrench in what you believe to be true. If you are looking for a mystery where you can't predict the end, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a mystery that will keep you engaged with realistic and flawed characters and relationships, definitely pick this one up!

Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-law, friends and business partners. Their lives (and relationship) are forever changed when Jason's boss is murdered, Jason is in a Coma after a car accident and Jason is now the primary suspect of the murder. Julia and Sienna find themselves working to clear Jason's name - but find themselves opening up a complicated web of secrets that are bound to threaten their relationship.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

I am so thankful to Atria Books, Netgalley, and Megan Collins for granting me advanced digital and physical access to this jarring thriller. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to consume more of this like-minded content going forward.

I have always been a huge Megan Collins fan, so we so excited to be approved for this one! The story sounds so great, I have a close relationship with my sister in laws and thought I could relate to these women. It starts off with a gruesome murder that immediately caught my attention! I felt like the story was mostly predictable but still enjoyable. I got frustrated with the choices the main characters made and wanted to shake them at times!

Julia and Sienna are super close sisters-in-law. Jason is Julia’s husband and Sienna’s brother. Jason ends up in a coma from an accident and his boss is dead. When the evidence starts to point towards Jason, Julia is starting to question whether or not her husband is guilty while Sienna is dead set on his innocence. How will their relationship survive this?

I really enjoyed the relationship Julia and Sienna had. I did not enjoy the way Sienna blindly defended her brother despite everything that was coming to light. I feel like there were a lot of loose ends that were never fully explained. Jason’s accident was never touched on as to what happened. It really never explained Jason’s boss’s shady business dealings. I don’t even understand why that was really mentioned in the first place as I don’t think it really added anything to the story. There was a bunch of things like that, that were never explained or wrapped up.

I’m usually a quick reader but it did take me a little bit to get through this one. I did think the writing style was easy to read and I enjoyed the dual POVs between Julia and Sienna. It didn’t have me rushing back to keep finding out what was going to happen though. It ended up being a mediocre thriller for me. The twists really weren’t that shocking and there wasn’t much to want to keep me up late at night reading.

I would read this if you like family drama and a who dunnit mystery.

Thank you Megan Collins, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

In Thicker Than Water, Megan Collins finds another way to keep us in suspense. In this psychological thriller, we are met with a seemingly loving family who work well together, love each other and would do anything for each other. But would they really? In the blink of an eye, that can change, and their lives shattered.

Julia and Sienna Larkin are sisters-in-law. Julia is married to Sienna’s brother Jason. But ever since Julia and Sienna met years ago, they knew they were more than just friends. They were true soulmates. They have been there for each other during the good, the bad and the ugly, their bond unbreakable.

Until Jason’s boss is found murdered in his apartment with his mouth sewn shut and days later Jason is in a car accident and put into a coma. As the police begin to find evidence which perhaps links him to the killing, Julia and Sienna’s relationship begins to crack as they both look at the situation differently.

As the two women think they know Jason well enough that he would never hurt a fly, let alone kill someone, and as they start to find out answers themselves as the police are not releasing any information, they find perhaps they really didn’t know him as well as they thought. But the problem, both see the information they find in two different ways for different reasons.

Sienna idolizes her brother. He has come to her defense so many times and protected her. She will not believe he could do harm to another. He is always there for everyone. Julia on the other hand married Jason because she was pregnant. Even though her mother had always told her never trust a man. But during their years of marriage, they did seem happy. And Jason was always helping out others, even if sometimes she perhaps needed him to be with her. But when Julia discovers a secret Jason kept from her, it begins to fracture her belief in him, much to Sienna’s dismay.

So as the women fight for their loved one, Sienna tries to find another suspect. Julia just wants to wait and find out what Jason has to say when they wake him up. And this causes a rift the women never saw coming.

With the forensic information pointing to it being Jason who killed his boss, and with the medical team ready to wake Jason up, how will each take whatever he is going to tell them. Will their friendship survive whatever this person who they thought they knew tells them?

Thicker Than Water is a story about relationships, dysfunction, with a mystery to be solved and information which could possibly break what was considered a truly solid loving family. Is blood thicker than water? Only way to find out is to read this engaging, fascinating story!

Thank you #NetGalley #AtriaBooks #ThickerThanWater #MeganCollins for the advanced copy.

I usually love thrillers like this, but this one didn’t live up to my expectations. I loved the dynamic between Julia and Sienna - especially when their theories began to clash. This was easily my favorite aspect of the book. Toward the end, however, I was getting a bit frustrated by what was going on - and not in a good way. It just seemed kind of messy and rushed at points and there didn’t seem to be much of a resolution.

I’d give this one a shot if you enjoy these domestic thrillers, but I wouldn’t put it high up on your list. It was an enjoyable read, but not one that I’ll remember after leaving this review.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Atria Books for my copy of Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins! I really enjoyed this read, it kept my attention. I also liked the two different narrators, Julia and Sienna, their different perspectives were a good touch. Will definitely be checking out more Megan Collins

“But people do that, I guess. They fuck up. They do bad things they can’t take back. Maybe what really matters is whether or not they wish they could.”

4.5 stars and the best Megan Collins book to date! I have enjoyed her other ones, and have even met her in person (she’s local and an absolute doll). And this book just had me from the start!

Was I annoyed with Sienna’s obnoxiously blind view of her brother? Of course!! But the dynamic between her and Julia was so frustratingly yet satisfyingly enjoyable to read. Jason-the brother and husband-was almost like a side character to their relationship. Loved that aspect!

“It’s one thing to love someone, to trust them, but I’m beginning to think love shouldn’t be blind, shouldn’t limit us to seeing only the pretty parts.”

Also, after reading her acknowledgments, yes girl you nailed the coma storyline along with your definitions of the brain injuries and the GCS. Well done! I always appreciate when authors research to make sure any medical storyline is accurate.

So overall this was a pulse pounding, fast paced, page turning, crazy and wild ride that I enjoyed from the first to the last page.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the advanced copy of my first ever Megan Collins read! I thoroughly enjoyed it to put it lightly!!

This book caught my attention from the first page and took off, never dropping my interest; I never wanted to put it down! It was packed with one gut punch after the other; I FELT those! There was one shocking relegation after another. Many moments that had me saying “WHAT?!”

Collins did such an incredible job describing the intricacies of each of the relationships, connections and betrayals, of each in the family triangle of Sienna, Julia, and Jason. The way they hurt each other cut me. It made my insides twisty and uncomfortable like it was happening to me.

In every thriller, you always know the killer is not the obvious answer, the one everyone else thinks did it, but it was such a mystery of who-dunnit I could hardly formulate a guess! They made such a compelling case and though I KNEW, it wasn't the targeted suspect, I couldn't figure out who it could be. I made fleeting guesses but not based off of anything sound. Collins made it really difficult to pinpoint a suspect other than the one she wanted you to see.

Lastly, I also loved the way this book depicted the struggles within relationships and within one’s self. Watching the healing and the growth of each of the narrators toward healthy self and healthy relationships was really different than what you get from most books in this genre and I really, really liked it!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and Megan Collins for the advanced copy of Thicker Than Water in exchange for my honest review.

One thing I've struggled with when it comes to thrillers lately is that they seem to take just a little too long to really get going, but I'm happy to say that was definitely not the case with this one!

I was immediately sucked into the story and could not put it down until I knew what was going on. This was very easy to finish in less than 24 hours.

I didn't guess the ending and that always makes a book that much more enjoyable for me. Collins has quickly cemented herself as an autobuy author for me!

Megan Collins upended my whole world with The Family Plot. I finished it In one sitting, I cried and felt for those characters so much. I still think about them honestly. So I knew that Thicker Than Water would, at the least, be pretty good. And wow, it has left me haunted.

This is one of those books I wanted to reread as soon as I finished it. I felt like I was living in this book for days or weeks, but I finished it in 24 hours! I know Megan Collins doesn’t owe us an expanded epilogue or a “1 year later” or something but omg I wish we could get that so bad. I loved these characters and I’m honestly upset that I finished the book and can no longer spend time with them. I know people don’t expect thrillers to have insanely realistic characters or characters you’d want to know in real life, but whatever cuz this one does.

The plot will have you on your tiptoes from beginning to end, second guessing everything you think you know. This is one of those books where by the end of every chapter you have a new stance on the mystery. I turned to my boyfriend so many times while reading this like “omg obviously it’s ____, I know it!” Only to change that opinion completely 10 min later.

Finishing this book gave me the most intense adrenaline rush, and also a lot of tears. So many feels, I definitely felt connected with characters on some similar personal experiences but also I just felt for and with these characters so much. I definitely identified more with Sienna but honestly I felt equally connected to both of these women and I loved seeing all these complex feelings and sharp words being thrown at each other all over the page. It was part of what gave the plot so much adrenaline, and personally for me it was deeply cathartic.
Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

This story line had a lot of potential. I enjoyed it. However, there was several things that I found annoying.
1. The character Sienna, was whiny and annoying.
2. Some of the coincidences were not believable. and
3. The characters repetitively brought up things that happened from the past.
I received this galley from NetGalley.

Happy *soon to be* Pub Date to Megan Collins and Thicker Than Water! Thank you to Altria Books and Megan Collins for allowing me to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for an honest review!

📅This book will be published TOMORROW (Tuesday, July 11, 2023).📅

I’m so thankful 🤗 that I was able to complete this book 📖 as a Buddy Read with two friends (@literally_booked_ & @taylorsbooksta) that were also approved for this ARC.

This is a thriller where everyone is a suspect. It has lots of twists and turns that leave you changing your mind about “who dunnit” in just about every chapter.

The suspects (🥴 I mean characters…)

Gavin - CEO of a home improvement business. Found dead 💀 in chapter one.
🔪🩸🧵🪡

Jason - Mister Perfect. Always the savior. Worked with Gavin. Suspect numero uno according to the cops. Hospitalized just a few days after Gavin’s death. Husband of Julia. Sister of Sienna. Father to Aiden.
👮‍♀️🚗🏥🤕

Julia - Unhappy in her marriage. Can’t trust her husband. Wife of Jason. Incredibly close to sister-in-law, Julia. Has lost all connection with teenage son, Aiden.
💍👯‍♀️💔💵

Sienna - Very loyal, too loyal, to people in inner circle. High anxiety and anger. Thinks older brother, Jason, is a superhero. Runs a web based business with sister-in-law.
😡🦸‍♂️💻👯‍♀️

Aiden - Appears young and naive but is much smarter than people give him credit for. Knows something but won’t tell.
🧠👟🤐🗑️

Maeve - Alleged mistress. Administrative Assistant for Gavin’s company. Creative. May have caught Gavin doing something illegal. Knows more than people give her credit for.
👛🖼️🧵🪡

What I liked:
💕 Characters very well developed.
💕 Quick read.
💕 Keeps you guessing.

What was a miss for me:
🙅‍♀️ The relationship between Sienna and Julia was too much for me. Often time’s unbelievable.
🙅‍♀️ The book could have ended after you found out “who dunnit”.
🙅‍♀️ A lot of miscommunication. (⬅️ not my favorite trope)

Great thriller with a surprising twist at the end! Friendship, love, betrayal.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review

There are two main characters in this novel: Julia, a total milquetoast and Sienna, a fiery foulmouthed, in-your-face, totally obnoxious woman with a huge chip on her shoulder.

There was lots and LOTS of repetition and lots and LOTS of moaning and groaning and second guessing about the murder and the murderer. Lots of jumping to conclusions. Definitely chick-lit. Page after page of obsessing, guessing, stressing, while the plot went no where.

If you like secrets, lies and betrayals, this is definitely your book.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you like:
🏡 Domestic Thrillers
🕵🏻‍♀️ Playing Detective
🧠 Psychological Mysteries
🔀 Twists and Turns

What would you do if your brother or spouse ended up in a coma and then was named the prime suspect in the murder of their boss? You would of course try to solve it and clear his name with your best friend who happens to be your sister in law right?!

But it isn’t that simple as Julia and Sienna may be best friends but have been keeping secrets from each other that in order to clear Jason’s name are going to come out.

How far would you go to clear the name of a loved one even if it meant opening up secrets you didn’t want to share?

I think thriller and mystery fans will absolutely enjoy this journey to the truth and highly recommend adding this one to your Summer TBR if you haven’t already!

Thanks so much Atria for my ARC of this one!

This novel opens with some levity in family exchanges despite the gruesome news being discussed–Jason’s boss has been brutally murdered. Best friends and business partners, Sienna and Julia, met through Jason, Sienna’s brother and Julia’s husband.

Sienna and Julia discover that Jason, their shared family, is accused of murdering his boss. Jason is in a situation where he can’t speak for himself while he is under investigation.

I loved reading the women’s alternating points of view as they try to figure out why Jason is under investigation and seek out the truth. Tensions rise as Sienna fiercely defends her brother and passionately fights the accusations, while Julia begins to doubt how well she knows her husband. As the story continues, Sienna and Julia both keep secrets from each other as they seek to unravel Jason’s secrets. I really liked Jason and Julia’s 14-year-old son, Aiden, and his role in the story and could have used more of his perspective.

While Sienna shows growth by the end of the novel, I grew tired of reading her repetitive annoying behaviors. Sienna carries great anger around with her and is very defensive and stubborn. Her unwavering faith in her brother and unhinged rage led her to speak very rudely to the police and even to Jason’s lawyer, who is a family friend. I preferred reading Julia’s chapters.

I liked the premise of this story and the layering of a murder investigation, an accused loved one, and a close female friendship.

Do you enjoy suspense books (any genre)?

I really have to be in the mood for a suspense novel because I feel that the pacing is slower, or more relaxed than I generally prefer. It takes more effort and engagement on my part to really get into them I’ve found.

Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-laws, but they’re more than that – they’re devoted best friends and business partners. Sienna thinks her brother can do no hard, and Julia adores him for their picturesque life. Jason’s been putting in long hours at work trying to get a promotion but when his boss if found brutally murdered, everyone is shocked. Days later Jason gets into a horrible car accident and is in a coma. He quickly becomes the prime suspect for his boss’s murder. As Julia and Sienna work diligently to prove Jason didn’t do it, surprises truths come to light. With their friendship being tested at every turn, they aren’t sure if any of their relationships will survive.

I enjoyed this story being told from Julia and Sienna’s points of view. It really helped add to the story overall. This was definitely a moody and atmospheric read that kept you in suspense. This book is for sure a slow burner, so be prepared for that going in. I enjoyed the twists and turns that were in this one. This book really made you question if you truly know a person or not. The writing quality on this one was great and I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot.

This was my first Megan Collins book but it wont be my last.

Check out this delightful suspense thriller on July 11th.

Thanks to Atria Books, @atriabooks, and Netgalley, @NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia's husband and Sienna's brother Jason. But more importantly than that, the two are devoted best friends, and business partners, believing their friendship is unique and share an unbreakable bond. In Sienna's eyes, her protective brother can do no wrong. With her biased loyalty, Sienna and Julie must cope with the fallout from his hasty decisions. Lately, Jason has been working long hours to secure a job promotion. The Larkins are shocked and unsettled when told that Gavin, Jason's boss, has been brutally murdered; his lips sewn shut. Is someone sending a message? The Larkin's are shocked by what has transpired; as the local gossip starts, they become unsettled by it. A few days later, after hearing that Jason was in a car accident, the doctors placed him in a medically induced coma. The Larkin family is devastated by the news.
Furthermore, Jason becomes the primary suspect in the horrific murder of his boss. Their friendship is tested because of Sienna's unwavering belief in her brother's innocence, while Julia isn't as sure. Together they must work to discover the truth and learn more about each other's past. The secrets that the family kept hidden in the dark come to light. I don't want to say too much more. I don't want to reveal any spoilers.


I enjoy how Collins examines the bonds of family, love, and friendship and masterfully explores the meaning of guilt and forgiveness. The fragility of relationships raises some tough questions about how well we know our family and ourselves. The dark secrets will either tear this family apart— or bring them together. At some point in our lives, we've all lied to ourselves. So we don't have to confront the awful truths that we are not ready or able to face.

The book became repetitive, which was frustrating, and I felt that there was far too much explaining rather than letting the reader being able to read between the lines. The book dragged on, especially in the middle, but improved somewhat by the end. Unfortunately, at that point, my interest was waning. I had difficulty connecting with the characters. I found them to be undeveloped.However I could sympathize with Julie, who was primarily silent, always compromising to please others, and rarely spoke her mind during a conflict with others. The abrupt ending left me with more questions than answers.

Thicker Than Water was my first time reading a Megan Collins book. I would be interested in reading her backlist and future books. I would recommend it for readers who enjoy slow-burn domestic thriller/mystery.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC of Thicker Than Water in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Sexual Harassment and assault

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC of Thicker Than Water in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.