This is more of a family drama than a thriller. I loved the multiple points of view; it kept the story interesting. Overall, a little slow but I really enjoyed the writing and storyline.

Rachel Hawkins is back, and this might be her best yet. Full of the twist and turns we’ve come to love about Rachel’s storytelling, The Heiress had me gripped from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down.

After inheriting his late adopted zillionaire mother’s estate, Cam left it all behind. Ten years later, he and his wife Jules are finally going back to settle things with his estranged remaining family and the darkness that he left behind.

It is told from 3 perspectives: Cam, Jules, and his mother Ruby. Ruby’s parts are told through letters she wrote about her life and are very reminiscent of TJR’s Evelyn Hugo. I couldn’t get enough of them. The book is a perfect mix of modern-day time along with the gilded age of old money royalty in the mid-20th century.

The Heiress comes out January 4th.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this one. I’ll be getting a physical copy to put into the LFL when it comes out!

I loved this book! It was a wild, twisty, addictive book that you could easily devour in a day. The motives of all involved were well-hidden and I could never quite guess what each person ultimately wanted or where the story was headed. This is my favorite Rachel Hawkins novel to date!

I’ve heard good things about this author so I wanted to check out this book. It started off strong, but it felt like nothing was happening until the last few chapters of the book. I wish there had been more suspense or anticipation built into the story.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

Ok, where do I start? I LOVED it. The story itself was refreshing and fun, and I haven't read anything with a similar story line. Even though it was told via multiple views, it was easy to follow and keep the characters straight. Great twists and a satisfying ending. 5 Stars.

Having read "The Villa" by Rachel Hawking I was interested to see what her other books were like. It wasn't my favorite book of the year, but it was solid and I enjoyed the plot twists that author manages to pack in so I went into this book with an open mind.

I'm glad to say that "The Heiress" was another solid book, and did not disappoint. I really liked how you start this book knowing what happened, and then spend the whole book trying to figure out the why and how. It was different from most mystery books I read, and definitely a format I would like to see more. I also really like the way the author goes between past and present, and interweaves letters from the deceased Ruby and newspaper clippings that further highlight her stories. It broke the story up nicely, and made it easier to digest at a reader.

This book keeps you on your toes to the very end (and I do mean to the very end). I look forward to reading other works from this author in the future!

Twisty and suspenseful, but not in an urgent way -- it was made obvious very early in the story that neither of the narrating characters (Camden and his wife Jules) had been fully honest with each other about who they were, and as the story rolled on it became clear that their histories were the central mystery of the book, as everything about Ruby (the titular heiress) had been telegraphed pretty clearly from jump. Still, a very enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this in advance of publication!

Loved this one!

The Heiress is told from three different POV’s alternating between past and present. It started off a teeny bit slow but quickly caught my attention and held it until the end. I really enjoyed hearing Ruby's story through letters and newspaper clippings, etc. We glean more insight into this family and all of the secrets that they hold. Each character has their own secrets to share which adds to the overall suspense and mystery of the story.

Family drama, secrets, betrayals and twists along the way made for a very enjoyable and quick read. I can't wait to see what Rachel Hawkins comes up with next! 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book, greatly appreciated!

I had a lot of fun with this one! I’m a huge fan of Rachel Hawkins and I think this is one of her best. I loved Ruby, weirdly enough. She was so unlikeable that she somehow became likable? And the twist at the end was pretty fun/shocking but tbh was confusing to follow at first. It was a bit confusing how some characters didn’t catch on to each other… overall it was excellent

All of Rachel Hawkins books are great! I love her story telling and writing style, it keeps me extremely engaged! This story is about Ruby, her death, and her adopted son, Cam. He looks to get her inheritance. He is living in Colorado and married to Jules. Upon returning to the Ashby house, things begin to fall into place. The epilogue is where the reader finds out the whole story! Told in POV of Jules, Camden, and Ruby A. McTavish.
Unexpected Twists, Page- Turning, and Family Drama! 4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! This one will be a huge winner, released in January 2024.

Driven by obsession, violence and revenge, Rachel Hawkins has delivered a cast of characters that are dark, twisted and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Ruby McTavish is one of the wealthiest women in North Carolina and the matriarch of Ashby House, a magnificent estate passed down through the generations of her family. The victim of a kidnapping when she was a toddler, Ruby grew up the apple of her father’s eye and much to the dismay of her older sister she became the heir to the family fortune when their father died. Though married four times, Ruby never had children until she adopted Camden as a young boy and who only wanted to cut ties with the family as soon as he was of age. But when Camden and his wife finds themselves back at Ashby House many years later, unresolved family issues prevail and mysteries surrounding the family surface. Rachel Hawkins is a masterful storyteller of psychological thrillers and I can’t imagine living with a mind that continuously conjures up characters and plot lines that are twisted and creepy!

Thank you Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press and Ms Hawkins for giving me the great opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Expected publication January 9, 2024

Thank you netgalley, author and publisher for an advanced copy in an exchange for an honest review.



"In the enchanting world of 'The Heiress' by Rachel Hawkins, secrets and drama swirl around Ashby House like a tantalizing mystery waiting to be solved.

Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, a name dripping with wealth and intrigue, leaves behind a legacy that's as mysterious as it is opulent. Camden, her adopted son who once walked away from her fortune, is suddenly thrust back into the heart of family secrets.



This book is a rollercoaster of family drama, suspense, and a dash of gothic allure that grabs you right from page one. The story is a puzzle with alternating perspectives, newspaper clippings, old letters, and emails that keep you guessing.

As the layers of the past are peeled back, you'll uncover the truth behind Ruby's adoption of Camden and the puzzling deaths of her four husbands. The characters are brilliantly written, and their journeys and transformations are nothing short of mesmerizing. You'll empathize with their pasts, shaped by childhood scars and life-altering choices.

Even when they act a bit selfish and self-serving, it only makes them feel more relatable and real. And the enchanting Ashby House, with its breathtaking views and elegant rooms, adds the perfect touch to a story that's about more than just an inheritance.

'The Heiress' is a literary gem that combines family dynamics with an unrelenting quest for the truth. It's a tale of inheritance that goes beyond money, delving into the
enduring ties of family that go beyond the grave.

Rachel Hawkins weaves a spellbinding story that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you're up for a read that mixes history, suspense, and the timeless allure of family secrets, 'The Heiress' is a must-read that'll leave you eagerly anticipating more from this talented author."

Thank you so much to Rachel Hawkins, Macmillan Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC of The Heiress. After reading and loving The Villa, I knew I had to give this book a try. I loved the dual POVs that you get from husband and wife Camden and Jules as well as the letters that Ruby has written about her life. The beginning of this book was a bit of a slow burn but once I got halfway through I was so invested. The chapters were short and easy to digest, the plot was crazy yet discernible, and overall it was a great read. 4/5 stars! I cannot wait to read what Hawkins writes next.

This is my favorite by Rachel Hawkins so far! It was fast paced and I did not see the twists coming! I can’t wait to recommend this one!

Hawkins creates such a believable village, just outside of Asheville, NC, that I had to Google to see if it was real. The family has a hold on the town, living just out of bounds of the regular people in a mansion that reminds one of the Biltmore Estate. However, secrets and mysteries abound in this family where no body is exactly who you think they are. Hawkins executes a series of twist and turns they makes the reader change their minds about characters over and over again. The diary entries of Ruby McTavish (or is she?) are written with precisely the language I would expect of an extravagant old gal who was married numerous times and lost her husbands in ghastly manners. This was an exciting read, but a cozy one as well. I will definitely be back for more from Ms. Hawkins.

Rachel Hawkins definitely nailed this one! I love a thriller where family history unravels and the truth comes out! This one was full of family drama, letters from the past, legacies, and manipulation. Some parts were a little slow for me but the letters from Ruby every few chapters always brought me back

The Heiress is proof that one can’t become a billionaire without being an unethical sociopath. This has to be my favorite book of Rachel Hawkins’ because it was downright diabolical. I hated everyone. And I loved that I hated everyone. Eat the rich, amiright? The Heiress is proof that Hawkins’ storytelling and writing get better and better with each book, I truly could not - and did not want - to put this book down.

Dysfunctional family, secrets, a murder, dual POV's, and quite a page-turner! The Heiress grabbed me right from the start. Jules, Camden, and Ruby alternate their stories, and oh what a story it is! This was quite the drama-filled read and unexpectedly enjoyable! People get funny with money, and do they ever in this one!

This is the first book from this author I have read and I was not extremely impressed. The book goes back and forth between characters and Ruby tells her story from beyond the grave, but it is unknown who the letters are for until the end. It was really hard to root for anyone in this book because I really did not care for any of them. This book just ended up being ok for me. I struggled with the confusing plotline and the way the twists kind of lost me. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley,

Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St Martins Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Heiress. Rachel Hawkins is a go to author for me and I have never been disappointed. Actually, I think this may be my favorite so far. This novel is full of murder, mystery, secrets lies and money. The chapters alternate between letters from Ruby McTavish (add all of her married names here... you will understand when you read it) to newspaper articles detailing the life of the McTavish family over the years, to chapters that are told by Camden (Cam) McTavish and Jules his wife directly to you, the reader. The backstabbings is relentless because what won't a rich person do to get a bigger piece of the money pie... in The Heiress... they will stop at nothing. The twists and turns will have you turning pages as fast as possible and enjoying each word!!