My favorite Rachel Hawkins yet! Is this the thriller version of Evelyn Hugo and her four husbands? I love the setting (near Asheville!), the back and forth timeline, multiple narrators, and Ruby’s letters regarding the past. Kept me guessing…

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this much anticipated book!

I absolutely adored this story! Such a fun read and a definite page turner for me. Ruby McTavish has definitely been one of my favorite characters this year. Kidnapped as a child and a widow four times, we get so much more than we bargained for with her. Her adopted son, Cam, is called back to Ashby house after her passing and the drama unfolds from there!!

This is a story about toxic families, murder, loyalty, and a family with more secrets than you can imagine. I thought I’d was written in such a way where you couldn’t put the book down! The twists were fun and unexpected.

This was an interesting one from Rachel Hawkins. It felt messy and like conflict for the sake of conflict. The ending was a bit unexpected, and I think everyone was just okay with people being complete buttheads in the end.

Solid three stars.

This book is fulllll of twists and turns. It's the kind of thriller where there isn't just one mystery to figure out, so the secrets unfold all throughout the story. While some of the twists were a little expected, there was an excellent twist at the end that I only saw coming at the last minute. It was like reading an old money soap opera, and I flew through it. I always love reading a book in which the setting is my home, and Hawkins did a wonderful job at painting a picture of Western North Carolina.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Rachel Hawkins for the ARC!

I love a Rachel Hawkins book. They are such a good balance of suspense and interesting characters. While this book also had a lot of suspense and interesting characters, it almost seemed like all the family members and their backstories cluttered things up. The book pacing also felt slow. Although, I read the book in one day so it clearly kept my attention. The twist and turns went right up to the end and I loved it! I would recommend this book if you are in the mood for a slower paced suspense with lots of family secrets.

Thanks, NetGalley,

I loved it because it shows how familial wealth makes people nasty from the way they treat strangers and even their own family to keep the wealth for themselves and this book is the perfect example of money being the root of all evil and how to get away with it. The secrets they hide come to light and the neverending unfolding family drama is the heart of this book. I read the entire book in a day because I couldn't put it down with all the twists and turns and I wasn't disappointed.

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family’s estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the aftermath of her death, that estate—along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish—pass to her adopted son, Camden.


After rejecting the inheritance he is called back ten years later, a summons in the wake of his uncle’s death brings him and his wife Jules back into the family fold at Ashby House.

But Ruby’s plans were always more complicated than they appeared. As Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Camden, questions about the infamous heiress come to light. Was there any truth to the persistent rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will––and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave.

Ruby McTavish was a captivating and powerful woman in life, and her death changed nothing. Leaving her families entire fortune to her adopted son, Camden, has left the remainder of her blood relations brooding for ten years. Camden left the family estate ten years ago and had never looked back, or touched the massive inheritance he was left. A pleadings note from his cousin and his wife’s curiosity about his roots will send him back to the one place he swore he would never set foot in. Ruby’s revelations and manipulations from beyond the grave will drive this story to it inevitable conclusion.
This was kind of a fun book, which is maybe not great for me to say about a story about death and deception, but I did have fun. I love morally questionable characters and this book is filled to the brim with them. This was my first @ladyhawkins book and I definitely enjoyed it. The Heiress hit shelves Jan 9 2024. Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for letting me read this on early in exchange for a review.
#theheiress #netgalley #readforjoy #booklover #bookstagram #thrillerbooks #thriller #readersofinstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #read #reading #reader #readersofinstagram #readerlife #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #booklover

Not quite a thriller but I will read pretty much anything under the name Rachel Hawkins. Vivid character development is her forte. This story is has some domestic thriller elements, certainly a few storylines with mystery. And people do die. I liked the twist toward the end that I only saw coming shortly before the reveal. And I really liked how things were concluded but not all wrapped up while still leaving me satisfied and not frustrated. Our has some Evelyn Hugo vibes with rubys story telling about her husbands. Who is speaking is always clear. I will recommend this one.

Camden McTavish, adopted son of a wealthy North Carolina heiress, wants nothing to do with the family legacy and has had no contact with them for years. He and his new wife, Jules, are compelled to return to the McTavish estate after a death in the family, and while Cam plans to make their stay as short as possible, others have ulterior motives for their visit. With secrets popping up left and right, all these characters and their hidden pasts, secret alliances, and family skeletons make for one entertaining story.

Listen, Rachel Hawkins can write a popcorn thriller. Is it the best book I've ever read? No, but it's highly entertaining and a guaranteed fast, twisty ride. I know exactly what I'm getting when I pick up her books, and The Heiress did not disappoint in this regard. I loved the format of Ruby's letters interspersed with current events, and when *that* twist happened, I loved it!! Didn't see it coming at all.

Highly recommend this book for the next time you need a fast-paced, attention-grabbing thriller! Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.

For years I wanted to tour the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. Most people, like me, I think, are fascinated with the lives of the extremely wealthy. When I finally got there, I was stunned by both the beauty and the opulence - oh to have a library with a ladder! But I think I was also a bit overwhelmed. Rachel Hawkins digs deep into the overwhelming lives of the extremely wealthy in her upcoming work The Heiress. Like the Biltmore housed the Vanderbilts, Ashby House (located just outside Asheville) houses most of the wealthy McTavishes and to a large extent the house controls them.

We meet Camden and his wife Jules as he is being called back to his family home in North Carolina. He hasn’t been back in 12 years since the death of his adoptive mother (the heiress) Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore - 5 names, 4 husbands- all who died under very mysterious circumstances. He very clearly dreads the return. The story further develops through flashbacks, letters presumably written by the deceased Ruby, news clips and stories, and chapters from the points of view of both Camden and Jules. All these elements are combined masterfully to create a fascinating and suspenseful look at the extended McTavish family. Secrets abound - The McTavishes,the furthest thing from a warm and fuzzy family, are clearly driven by the house and their inheritances. When is enough enough?

As well as giving us a remarkable setting - the house felt like a character to me because of its influence, Hawkins does a remarkable job of creating human characters who are multilayered. In spite of being somewhat unlikeable, I was kind of rooting for Camden and Jules. I should clarify that they became more difficult to like for me as the novel developed - which was part of the beauty of this work. The twists and turns subtly added in with the variety of narrators and methods created a lovely suspense and levels of mystery that were unexpected. I loved the tricky uncomfortable ending the most. Avoiding spoilers, but I was questioning my own judgment because of the complexity of these characters. The last page rendered me speechless for a moment.

I’ve been a Rachel Hawkins fan for a while and was so excited to get my hands on a copy of her latest, The Heiress, a family drama set in the South spanning generations of wealth and fortune. The main character, Ruby McTavish, is by far the most complex and interesting villain in the novel, and despite her darkness, you still find yourself rooting for her. Cam and Jules are simply supporting actors (or puppets) in Ruby’s theatrical world. This a great story with a stunning setting, described in an almost gothic way, making for an atmospheric read with beautiful details. However, I do wish some of the characters had as much depth as Ashby House. (I do love it when buildings take on a soul of their own in a story.)

The end of the book came quickly - it was a slow burn from the start with the conclusion going up in literal flames. I would have loved a bit more at the end. Another 50 pages and this would have been a 5 star from me.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley and @StMartinsPress for this ARC. Camden was adopted into a very wealthy family but as he got older, he saw the darkness and evil that the money created. It has been 10 years since he moved away and swore he would have nothing to do with them....that is until he receives a letter that he must return home. Now married, his wife Jules suggests that it would help him find closure if he just went back. After just being home a couple of days, it turns out the evil and backstabbing is worse and everyone has a secret, including Camden and Jules herself. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that I didn't see coming but ended just as I suspected. #TheHeiress #RachelHawkins #StMartinsPress #Jan2024

This is another Rachel Hawkins book that I like and would recommend for traveling as that's when I read my copy. The premise was interesting and I enjoyed the letters Ruby was writing to an unknown recipient (giving The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes which I love). While I didn't necessarily root for any one person, I also didn't hate any either. I do wish the ending wasn't so rushed though. I wanted to see more events as they occured rather than being told of them after said event.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ah, the world of the filthy rich! Most of us can’t even afford the drama, let alone the mansions. So there’s this legend, Ruby McTavish. Picture a drama queen with actual credentials: kidnapped as a kid and then widowed four times. Yep, she isn’t just collecting wealth; she’s gathering life anecdotes that would put most soap operas to shame!

Enter stage right: Camden. Imagine being Ruby’s adopted son and not wanting a penny of that inheritance. He’s kinda like that friend who says they don’t want fries and then eats yours. But plot twist! His wife, Jules, is all about that “let’s dig up family secrets” vibe. Honestly, I’m here for it.

“Bloom where you’re planted, people like to say, but they ignore the fact that planted is sometimes just a nice way of saying stuck, and I’d definitely fallen into that category.”

And let's not skip over the haunting presence of Ashby House. This house is a character in its own right. With its walls echoing tales of the past, the mansion stands as a testament to time. And has eyes that have seen everyone’s real truth.

The storytelling brilliance shines in Hawkins’ choice to use shifting perspectives. Through Jules, Camden, Ruby's letters written in the past, and tantalizing news clippings, she crafts a multi-dimensional view of the unfolding mystery.

Just when you believe you’re the Sherlock Holmes of the narrative, identifying every twist and turn, Hawkins throws in a curveball that says, “Not so fast, Watson!”

Got vibes of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid? Same! For those who adore the unexpected jolts of plot twists, this is your rollercoaster.

I loved the “breaking of the third wall” when the characters speak directly to the reader. It’s like Hawkins handed us an invite, whispering, “Pssst, join the drama fest!”

Exhibit A:
“So, are we good? Do you get it?”

For all my fellow thriller lovers craving some family drama and multiple plot twists, queue this up on your TBR list.

If I had to nitpick, I'd say the very end felt a tad rushed. But in a story so gripping, it's barely a blip.

My verdict? A solid 5 stars! Rachel Hawkins has outdone herself. If you haven't jumped on the Hawkins bandwagon yet, The Heiress is your golden ticket. Trust me, it's a ride you won't forget! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hmmmm…. I am not sure about this one.

Camden and Jules meet in California and later move to Colorado. After a death in the family, they head to North Carolina, to Camden’s family’s extravagant estate.

There were many alternating view points and not a whole lot of dialogue. I kept waiting for the book to pick up speed, for something exciting to happen. There was some action over half way through and some more right at the end of the book, but for a lot of the book, I was pushing myself to continue to read, to finish.

This book missed the mark for me. 2.5⭐️.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of the book The Heiress in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book had me so invested in the lives of this family and all the thread of lies that each person was trying to protect. The mystery novel is about an Heiress to one of the wealthiest North Carolina families, her life was mysterious from the start as she was kidnapped as a toddler and then as an adult is a widow four times over. Her family estate is a rarely publicly seen home in the dangerous Blue Ridge mountains that each member of the family wants as their own.

Overall this is one of the better mystery novels I have read this year, the twists and turns were satisfying even though I guessed one pretty early on in the book. This did not dissuade me from reading, it only made me more interested as to how the author would tie it all together. The Appalachian Mountain setting and the small town were well done and atmospheric. I cannot think of another book I have read set in this part of the USA and found it super interesting. It definitely aided the mystery for the novel to be set in a dangerous and remote mountain area. Some parts of the book gave me darker Evelyn Hugo vibes which then became my favorite portion of the book. I overall enjoyed how this story was told in alternating POV's, letters and newspaper clippings it told the story in a unique and engaging way. This is my first mystery book by this author and since I enjoyed my reading experience I will definitely have to check out her other books.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

An Engrossing Page-Turner

3.75 stars

"I had gotten away with murder, and I was glad for it."

The Heiress is a thriller about the wealthiest woman in North Carolina, her heir, and the cutthroat battle for her estate.

Ruby McTavish, the richest woman in North Carolina, died 10 years ago and left her estate to her adopted son Camden (Cam). Upon Ruby’s death, Cam fled to California and started a new life, cutting off the only family he had ever known. Forced to return, Cam, along with his wife Jules, must confront deep, dark, and demented family secrets to claim what is rightfully theirs.

There are three main POVs: Ruby’s, which is shared through letters to an unknown author, Cam’s, and Jules. Ruby’s narrative is the most compelling as she reveals her true self. Her controversial marriages and scandalous childhood are captivating. In contrast, Jules and Cam’s voices felt interchangeable. All three are hiding dirty secrets from each other.

The timeline alternates from the present to the past, which covers Ruby’s childhood and her four tumultuous marriages.

The characters are conviving, crass, and dysfunctional. They don’t shy away from controversy--they are devious and determined to win.

If you are offended by profanity, don’t read this. F*ck seems to be the characters' favorite word --one even comments on how much they enjoy using it. I wish they could have at least mixed up the choice of profanity, as it made all three voices sound similar. The characters are connected in other ways, so this was not necessary.

The Heiress is a combination of Megan Miranda's The Last to Vanish (for the setting) and Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for the letters and recounting of the many marriages of Ruby, but the writing is very different from both. I didn't love Hawkin's last book, The Villa, but there is a reference to one of the characters, which was fun.

The mystery behind the estate, Ruby’s childhood, and the surprising ways in which the characters are connected kept me glued to the pages. There are many twists and turns which culminate in a surprising showdown.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

✨ ARC review✨

What a ride! Talk about skeletons 💀 in the closet. Another wicked and suspenseful read by Rachel Hawkins. We loved The Villa so we were excited to receive The Heiress for our first advanced reader copy!🤓

Camden is left with a significant inheritance when his adopted mother, Ruby McTavish (widow x4) passes away. Camden wants no part in the inheritance and the family drama that comes with it. His wife Ruby is able to convince him to visit the mansion full of secrets and reenter the toxic web of lies and deceit🕸️🤫

Rachel Hawkins paints a gorgeous backdrop at the Ashby House. She had us wanting to wake up in the mountains for our morning cup of coffee ☕️🏔️ The letters from Ruby were our favorite part of the story and made this a very binge-able read. I will admit that we did not see the twists and turns coming. The second half of the book really picked up and we loved the cliff hanger chapter endings.

Be on the lookout for The Heiress on January 9, 2024. Thank you @ladyhawkins and @netgalley for our *FIRST* advanced reader copy!🙏🏼

Such an interesting story. I really felt it was going to go in a certain direction but I was way off. The story really wrapped up nicely at the end too!

3.5 stars rounded down. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

We meet Jules and Camden living in California living normal lives. When Camden is contacted by his family back in North Carolina everything is turned on its head. Camden’s adopted mother Ruby died years ago leaving him as her heir, but the family isn’t happy about it.

The book alternates between multiple viewpoints as well as using letters to tell the backstory. I enjoyed the way it was written, but didn’t find it particularly surprising or twisty. It was an easy to read book, but nothing to write home about.

This was my first novel by Rachel Hawkins, but I have heard good things about her books previously. I would read another, but likely choose an audiobook to see if the experience is improved by a good performance by the narrator.