The Heiress is a wonderful ride into a live long story of murder, family, mystery and death. I loved the way the story unfolded through letters from the past to the presented and the way I as a reader was able to enter so many characters' minds into their narratives and points of view. This was a very interesting and captivating story. The Heiress is a wonderful fall/winter read and it really is an atmospheric story that will hold the reader captive until the very end.

Cam and Jules are a couple living a simple life in Colorado, but are dragged back to Cam's North Carolina home thanks to Ruby McTavish, a mysterious and bold woman who had passed years prior. Cam being the heir to her estate has caused major drama in the McTavish family, as Cam is Ruby's adopted son. Family secrets, backstabbing behavior and many marriages fuel this multi POV novel. I could tell from very early on what the big reveal would be related to, so I wasn't as stunned as I was hoping to be by the end, but this novel kept me engaged, and I enjoyed it overall. Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, Netgalley and St. Martin's press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

After the death of the infamous Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, her estate and vast fortune pass to her adopted son, Camden. However, Cam wishes to have nothing to do with the McTavish legacy and lives a quiet life as an English teacher in Colorado with his wife, Jules. A decade later, Cam's uncle's death summons them back to the grand Ashby House, the McTavish family estate. While the house is as magnificent as ever, returning to it reminds Cam of why he left in the first place.

Jules, on the other hand, is determined to help her husband claim everything Ruby intended for him. But as they delve deeper into Ruby's enigmatic family, they discover hidden secrets, including the rumors surrounding her childhood disappearance, the mysterious deaths of her four husbands, and the true reasons behind her adoption of Cam. The more they uncover, the more they realize that family ties and inheritances can be far more complex than they initially appeared.

This book held a fascinating concept of whether one can truly break free from their family's influence or their destined path. The backdrop of Ashby House added a rich layer to the narrative, as generations of the McTavish family are inextricably tied to the estate. The recurring themes of wealth, secrets, and their consequences were compelling, highlighting how money can make almost any problem disappear, even murder.

As for Ruby, her letters provided an intriguing glimpse into her character, although I expected her to be a more nurturing and parental figure considering her tumultuous past. It's no wonder that Cam found it challenging to escape his family's legacy, even with his determined efforts.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

An okay read but it didn't completely hold my interest.

2.75☆

I loved and hated this at the same time. I was flipping through the pages, reading quickly, because I wanted to find out what was going on. However, there was a LOT of info and not much going on. At the end, I was thinking “that’s it?”. It was a decent read but predictable and slow.

Jules and Camden have been together a decade, living modestly in Colorado. But Cam is secretly heir to a fortune and North Carolina estate, Ashby House, that he wants nothing to do with due to his dysfunctional family and four-times married mother, Ruby.

Jules? She wouldn’t mind living in an estate.

Cam is persuaded to go home to deal with some necessary repairs, but soon learns Jules is more than capable of dealing with his jealous cousins and bitter aunt. The house and family are full of secrets, but Jules might have a few of her own.

There are few things I love more than Gothic novels, and Rachel Hawkins manages to masterfully combine contemporary suspense with gothic family saga and it is perfection. #TheHeiress #NetGalley

Ok, wow. This book was so good. It has everything I love: well-developed characters, twists and turns, and skilled writing and tone. I’ve never read anything else by Hawkins, but have had The Villa on my TBR forever, and now I’m making it my mission to bump her work up on my list! This was such a great story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time (but not in a cheap way).

This quote kind of embodies the whole book and I love it:

“But the thing with fancy offices in mansions belonging to homicidal heiresses is that everything looks like a hiding place.”

I can’t wait to discuss this book with everyone I know all the time lol.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a wild ride filled with twists and turns! I loved every second of it. I was sucked into this world. I needed to know what would happen next and what everyone’s secrets were. I flew through the last 200 pages in one day; I couldn’t put the book down!

It was a mix of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, “the last great american dynasty” by Taylor Swift and the movies “Ready or Not” and “Knives Out”. In all the best ways possible. If you like any or all of these things you will enjoy this book! But it is also completely it’s own thing and is not a knock off of any of them. These are just some of the vibes I got while reading which was so fun.

I liked that this book broke the fourth wall in some parts.

I really like the letters from Ruby throughout the story. She was such an interesting and complex woman! I could have read a whole book from her perspective about her life honestly. It was so fascinating.

It had a slight slow start. Until we got into the house and met all the characters, I was worried I may not be into it, but it quickly went up from there. It was only for a brief time, and I understand the author had to build up the world. Sometimes it took me a second to understand all the different family member’s relations, but I could get it after I thought about it.

The writing style in this book was phenomenal. There were so many lines that just hit so hard and were written so well.

I had a hard time liking Jules throughout the book. I didn’t hate her by any means, but she kind of frustrated me. She felt a little selfish. And trust me when I say I would probably do the same thing if I was in her shoes and had a chance to go stay at a mansion in North Carolina. But she could tell how uncomfortable her husband was to go there but she still pushed for it anyway. It made me feel bad for Camden. She felt guilty about it and he wanted to make her happy so he went and did it, but still.

Ruby was my favorite character. I could have used a little more depth from Camden, he was fine, but I didn’t love him either. The author did a great job of making unlikeable characters. Or making characters who did unlikeable things, but you couldn’t help but root for them. Very messy characters all around. I love reading books like that when they are done well, and this one was.

I can’t get into too much of the plot without spoiling anything. Just know that it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I highly recommend picking it up. Even if some of the twists I could put together, there were a lot I didn’t. I kept thinking to myself, “surely nothing else will surprise me!” But sure enough, it did.

I think this will be a great book to eventually reread to notice all the parts I missed and the foreshadowing throughout!

I absolutely love Rachel Hawkins. When I first read one of her books, I binged read her entire back list within a week. These books are easy to read and they hook you! This one is no different. I absolutely loved this one as well and can't wait to read more of her books!

Well, what can I say? I loved this. I love Rachel Hawkins as an author. I just thought this book and her last - The Villa - were amazing! I loved the characters and the storylines were so interesting and unique! They say there's nothing new to write, but I felt like The Heiress and The Villa were both so fresh! And if I remember right I read a book right before this one that I had a hard time getting into and then I picked this up and I was just like yesss! Now, this is good writing! It just sucks. you in.

Anyways, enough gushing over Rachel Hawkins - my new girl crush. This book was a lot of fun. Knives Out vibes (which is probably my favorite movie). I find rich people being crappy very satisfying. And it doesn't hurt if they get what's coming to them.

Can't wait for her next book!

The Heiress pulled me in right away and made me eagerly read it whenever I had a chance.

I love the way Rachel Hawkins keep the suspense rolling through EVERY character’s part of the story. Even though she switches between 3 points of view, Cam, Ruby and Jules, each story was good enough that I was never yearning to skip through one to quickly get to another. They were all captivating and filled with juicy secrets!

I did, however, find it predictable but that was part of the fun. I was intrigued to see if I had guessed each reveal correctly and it never stamped out my curiosity.

It was a bit over the top with all it’s crazy, dislikable characters but it was a fun read!

Many thanks to Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC via NetGalley!!!

I’m still processing this book but I will say that it was entertaining for sure. Camden and his wife, Jules, lead a simple life in Colorado when he is asked to come back home to the family estate in North Carolina. I really don’t want to say anything more than that because there are secrets upon secrets upon secrets and some truly interesting twists. I don’t read very many thrillers but this was a good one. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Lots of Baby Twists!!
The way the author lets out secrets a little bit at a time was a different experience for me that I really loved! It wasn’t overwhelming at all and didn’t feel fake. This was my first book by her and I will definitely be reading more!

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press, Rachel Hawkins, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and honestly review this book.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a rollercoaster of a novel you won't want to put down. When Ruby McTavish's larger-than-life legacy is introduced, you're strapped in for a ride through the labyrinthine corridors of Ashby House and the equally complex family dynamics it shelters.

Ruby epitomizes a mysterious matriarch, her life a tapestry of rumors, wealth, and unsolved mysteries. Her adopted son, Camden, serves as the perfect foil. This man has distanced himself from his enigmatic past, only to be pulled back in by the gravitational force of family and unanswered questions.

The story turns thrilling when Camden and his wife, Jules, return to Ashby House. The setting is as much a character as the people who inhabit it, with its breathtaking views and haunting atmosphere. You can almost feel the walls closing in on you as the couple delves deeper into the secrets that Ruby left behind.

What sets this book apart are the twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very last page. Hawkins throws another curveball that leaves you reeling when you think you've figured it out. The questions surrounding Ruby's past, her four late husbands, and her reasons for adopting Camden are unraveled in a satisfying and shocking way.

In "The Heiress," family ties are tested, dark secrets are unearthed, and the line between love and obsession blurs. It's a compelling read that proves an inheritance is more than just material wealth—it's a legacy that can either uplift or undo you.

This book is a must-read if you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a dash of Southern Gothic charm. Trust me, you won't see the ending coming, and you'll think about it long after turning the last page.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

This twisty thriller about a husband and wife against his (admittedly a bit crazy) family moved along quickly and I enjoyed it!

Camden and his wife Jules just travel back to the home left to him by his adoptive mother, Ruby, after a death in the family. His cousins are doing their best to get Cam to leave Ashby House to them and disappear forever. However, Jules is getting used to things at Ashby and doesn’t want to leave. It’s the two of them against the family. Details from Ruby’s life are shared in bits and pieces in the form of letters, which add to the story and mystery.

Overall, I enjoyed this thriller more than Hawkins’ other recent novels. I flew through it in less than a day and a half and I was excited to get to the end to see how both the house and the family ended up.

Although Camden’s character falls a little flat - Ruby and Jules make up for it. I loved their personalities. I loved the story-telling as well. Switching between POVs and including articles, it kept me engrossed in the story. I can’t wait for this to be released and everyone read it!

Everyone has a secret, even the seemingly innocent. But, all the lies intertwine and come together. So many lies!!

If there was ever a book I would annotate - this would be the one - just to keep all the characters and the lies straight. My ADD would have been super confused via audio, so I'd recommend the physical copy of this one.

The author sure kept my attention and I didn't want to stop reading due to all the twists that evolved which made this a quick read for me. Such an interesting plot line with a child kidnapping, family drama, so many lies and deceit - you never knew who to believe.

A very smart and addictive read. I can't wait to own the physical copy.

Rachel Hawkins has done it again! The Heiress is yet another engaging, smart mystery/thriller/drama that I just could not put down. Once I got started, I FLEW through this read and loved every minute of it.

This story follows the dual perspectives of Camden and his wife, Jules, as they return to the Ashby House, Camden's adoptive family's estate nestled away in the Carolina Blue Ridge mountains. We also get a third perspective through letters from Camden's late adoptive mother, Ruby McTavish, that act almost as flashbacks, as well as snippets of news articles that provide even more insight into Ruby's scandalous life. These elements keep the plot trucking right along, never stepping off the gas.

While I picked up on the main twist of this book pretty early on, it didn't keep me from enjoying it. The drama, the excitement, and the subsequent reveals kept me on my toes.

I think Rachel Hawkins' is becoming an auto-read author for me. I've loved her past three releases and I'm excited to see what she has coming out next!

This was like Evelyn Hugo but sinister. I actually didnt love this authors last books but this one she nailed. I think in the past shes taken famous stories and updated them but never quite sticks the landing. Here she also sort of takes cues from other books but I liked the writing and the mystery. Throw in a crazy and sadistic old lady and whammo you go yourself a hit. A page turner with sorta gone girl diary vibes. I dug it.

The Heiress is a domestic thriller that alternates between married couple Camden and Jules in the present, and a recounting of the past by Cam’s mother Ruby in the form of letters. While the letters provide context to why Cam’s family, the McTavishes, are so messed up, it tended to interrupt the flow of the story in current times. And Cam’s family is seriously messed up. So much so that he ran away from North Carolina to California to start over, which is where he meets Jules. Although the reader will quickly learn that Jules is keeping her own secrets from Cam. If you make it far enough into the book past the miserable and selfish people and the somewhat disjointed storylines, there’s a twist that’s interesting, but wasn’t mind blowing for me. This could have been more interesting but tends to lean more toward mostly nasty people getting exhausted by the people they’re related to and doing some not so nice things to show their displeasure.