Julia is married to Jason and for the most part, things are good. Julia is also best friends with Jason's sister, Sienna. Frankly, Julia and Sienna are so close they can't imagine life without each other. Then, disaster strikes and Jason is in a serious car accident. To add insult to injury, he is now also a suspect in the murder of his boss. However, he can't provide any information because, due to the accident, he's in a coma.

What follows is Sienna and Julia trying to piece together what really happened regarding the crime and accident. While the story itself was pretty good, I had issues with three things. One, was Sienna's anger. It was almost as if it was being glorified and while it was addressed as it being a problem finally at some point, it just got old at times. There were times she acted like a petulant child. The second thing was, the mystery part was pretty easy to figure out. I know I couldn't do a better job, but for me, it was too easy. Finally, I found Sienna's and Julia's relationship to be a little too much. I don't want to criticize it, it just seemed a little far fetched. I don't know of two grownups who hold hands as much as they did.

The book was good enough to hold my interest, it just left me feeling a little underwhelmed and aggravated at some of the characters' behavior. Thank you to the publisher.

The latest book by Megan Collins, Thicker Than Water, could very well be her best yet. I have read the three previous books, which I loved. Thicker Than Water is a compelling murder mystery and like her other books was completely engrossing. It was a quick page turner that I did not want to put down. The story kept me guessing right up to the end. I highly recommend Thicker Than Water.

ARC review! A year ago I was introduced to Megan Collins via instagram and her book “The Family Plot”. I really enjoyed that book, and based on interactions I’ve had with Megan, she is a five star person! I was stoked to be selected by Atria through NetGalley to get an early copy of Megan’s latest book, “Thicker Than Water”. Here are my thoughts (release date 7/11/2023):
This book is told from two view points, Julia and Sienna who are sisters in law. Julia is married to Sienna’s brother, Jason. Jason is in a horrible accident, right after his boss is gruesomely murdered. The cops assume Jason did it, to the shock of everyone who knows this seemingly self-sacrificing man. As the story unfolds with intricate twists and turns, you get to see how this once unshakable bond between women is tested to the max. Will differing opinions on Jason’s innocence tear them apart? How far can love, whether romantic or not, actually be pushed? I loved this story. I loved the bond between the women, and how they’re described as soul mates (I am a firm believer of platonic soul mates!). The references to things in major television events (I won’t spill them here!) were perfect. This book has a lot of raw moments with different family dynamics that were so well done and weaved perfectly into the thriller aspects. I could go on and on, but I’m afraid I’ll spill the beans on all the good stuff.

This is a story about two women, sister in laws, business partners and emotional soulmates. It is a story about the secrets we keep from each other and more importantly the secrets we keep from ourselves. Their lives are upended when the older brother of one, who is the husband of the others, first goes into a coma from an accident and then becomes the main suspect in a murder. He has always been the good guy, the rescuer, but what is underneath that persona? Could he be guilty and will their friendship survive the truth about him. This is a psychological thriller but more so a book about growth and love and forgiveness A unique spin with relatable characters

This was a well written slow burn thriller. Two women, sister in laws, business partners and best friend, both with secrets love Jason who is one of their over protective brothers and is married to the other one. He is in a coma following a car accident, and becomes a suspect in his boss's murder. Past and present intertwine and relatable characters, the main two women at least make for an intriguing story. Loved it

Part family drama, part murder mystery, Thicker Than Water kept me guessing. I enjoyed the family dynamics, especially between sisters-in-law Julia and Sienna. While some of the characters made questionable decisions, I was eager to follow along with them as they discovered clues into who the killer might be. I wasn’t able to figure this one out ahead of time, so the twist was really well done. Full review will be posted closer to publication date as requested.

This was a ok read for me. It was more suspense than actual thriller. I liked the relationship between the 2 women more than the actual plot.

This was my first book by this author and let me say it was so good! I will definitely be looking for more! It was intense in all the right ways!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.


This book didn’t work for me. I’m happy to try more from the author in the future though. This book drug on and on. I felt like parts were repeated and didn’t add to the story. I couldn’t get invested in any of the characters and therefore didn’t care what happened to them.

A man is found murdered. Then someone who works for him ends up in a wreck and the suspect of the murder. Will his wife and sister figure out what happened?

I’m so glad I got to read a galley of this upcoming novel. This is by far my favorite by the author so far. I will be recommending this book to everyone that will listen!!

Thicker than water by Megan Collins
⭐⭐/5

I was really hoping this would be a wonderful domestic thriller liken to the previous "the family plot" by this Author which I absolutely adored. Sadly . This story just didn't capture me as her predecessor did , and I'm bummed .

The story starts off strong . When a man is found murdered.. stabbed, suffocated and lips sewn shut . Its all so eerie , and then when the main suspect Jason ends up in a serious car accident that leaves him in a coma his sister Sienna and wife Julie are left to try and piece together this web of deciet and find out if the man they both love dearly could actually have the ability to commit such a violent crime .
" how well do you know this man "

The book itself was more of a slow burn than Id have liked it to be in order to enjoy it more . . .
I rrally just didn't connect or sympathize with any of the characters. Sienna was annoying. Julie wasn't much better .

I honestly really don't understand the over all high rating of this one , as I feel like I not only wasted time reading this - but excitement waiting for this one to come out / be given an early review copy .

There were so many references to "hands" it almost made me stop reading .

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for the early E-arc of this novel .

Full of suspense and suspicion, I kept thinking I had it figured out only to have it move in another direction. My favorite part might have been the friendship turned family that was ever present throughout. Sometimes blood isn’t as thick as friendship.

Huge fan of this author so I was so excited for this new story. Love her writing style. It has a creepy style and keeps you guessing. Definitely enjoyed it and would highly recommend.

A mystery that is so good you may want to read it in one sitting.

Julia and Sierra are friends who share a link - Julia's husband and Sierra's brother Jason.

Jason is in an accident and lies in the hospital in a coma. This is when the friends learn that Jason is being charged with a murder. The wedge comes between them as secrets and searches take over.

Julie and Sienna bonded quickly after Julie became pregnant with Sienna's brother, Jason's, baby but now years later their friendship and loyalty will be put to the test!

Jason is involved in a serious car accident requiring him to be put into a coma for recovery, meanwhile, the police find evidence linking Jason to the recent murder of his boss. Without being able to hear Jason's side of the story, Julie and Sienna feel compelled to investigate themselves to clear Jason's name. But, what if Jason is really guilty as all the evidence seems to point that way. Secrets abound and Julie and Sienna find themselves on different sides for the first time as the truths are uncovered in this slow burn!!

Thicker Than Water starts out really good pulling you into the story! It does, however, fall short in the middle. Sienna seemed so unbelievable that it took away from the story and it tends to drag on! I was surprised by the conclusion but it was still anti-climatic. The plot and idea were good, it just fell short on holding my attention.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great domestic suspense! The plot keeps you guessing until the end. The characters are brilliantly written. Overall this book was really good and I would recommend it to anyone who is already a fan of Collins and thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This was a super fast-paced book! I don’t think I’d put it in my “page turner” category, but I got invested enough in the story that the first time I checked my page status, I was at 67%. I decided to go ahead and just finish it…and my opinion of the ending will be discussed soon…

Julia, her husband Jason and her sister-in-law, Sienna, are our three main characters. We start off the book with Jason’s boss, Gavin, being found dead in his yard. He’d been slashed, suffocated and sewn - his lips were sewn shut. As his wife, Julia, and sister, Sienna, are watching news reports about Gavin’s murder, they get a call from the hospital. Jason has been in a one-vehicle accident, and is now in a medically-induced coma.

The rest of the story is about how, after Jason’s accident, he became the lead suspect in Gavin’s murder. The women fight back and investigate on their own, with obviously unprofessional and unreliable results. Despite their efforts to clear his name, eventually a warrant is issued for Jason’s arrest. As soon as is able to be taken out of the coma, he will be arrested for murdering his boss.

The murder mystery part of this was done well, but then we get to the ending. I was going to rate this a 3.5 stars all along, but for most of the book, I had planned on rounding that up to four. The ending changed that by being so implausible.

I’m going to say this isn’t a spoiler because for the whole book, you are aware that you won’t find out anything until Jason wakes up. When he does, both medically and realistically, everything becomes very cliche and popcorn- thrillerish. I’m sorry, but nobody wakes up from a week-long medically-induced coma for brain bleeding being able to coherently tell a story about specific events and dates. My eyes rolled so hard. Still, this was a fun read and Julie and Jason’s son, Aiden, was a minor but intriguing character. 3.5/5.

(Thank you to Atria Books, Megan Collins, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 11, 2023.)

To what lengths will a sister go to clear their brothers name for murder? Thicker Than Water is a cautionary tale that answers that very question. Collins navigates you through two main characters sister-in-laws turned best friends/business partners with their brother/husband as the main suspect. Brace yourselves for a wild ride with Thicker Than Water. 4-star read review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books eGalley for this ARC opportunity to provide honest feedback. #thickerthanwater #netgalley #goodreads #atriapublications

What would you do if your best friend was your brother's wife... and he was suspected of murder? This is the question at the heart of Thicker Than Water - and not only is it an engaging domestic drama that keeps the reader turning pages, it also makes you think. How well do you know your best friend... or your family? And what if everything you think you know is thrown out of whack? I've been looking forward to this one for a long time, and it was well worth the wait.

Megan Collins is a master at domestic suspense!! Her latest novel Thicker Than Water is simply put, epic!!! As with all of Megan Collins books, my mind felt mixed up and scrambled from the very first page—LOVE THAT!!!! The storyline is brilliantly mapped out to keep you guessing and grasping at theories until the very end. One of Megan Collins awesome writing qualities is her ability to creat such well developed characters in a thriller. I really enjoyed the friendship dynamics between two of the main characters -that isn’t usually found in a mystery/suspense book, but more times found in women’s fiction novels. Thicker Than Water is a total and complete 5 star novel that I highly recommend to everyone!! A sign of a really great book is when you can’t get the story out of your mind and all of the characters from this gem are still living rent free in my head! A true must read!