Thank you to the publisher for the arc!

This was okay. Although it ended up being super predictable.

Thank you for the ARC copy of The Heiress. I love all things Rachel Hawkins. This book was amazing. This was a 4 star read for me that kept me turning the pages. The secrets hiding behind the doors of the Ashby House were unexpected and I really enjoyed the twists. I really liked the cover as well.

Ruby was famous not only for having been kidnapped at 3 years old and returned 8 months later, but for marrying (and burrying 4 husbands). She died a rich woman, leaving her estate to her adopted son, Cam. But Cam refused the estate and nine figure inheritance, moved away and started his life over. But now, 10 years later, the passing of his uncle forces him to go back to Ashby House, where the rest of his remaining family seems to be stuck. Along with his wife, Jules, who is more than curious to learn more about her husband and his family's twisted secrets...
This is categorized as a thriller, but I felt ot was more of a family suspense, bordering on YA, filled with mystery and secrets. It's told in multiple POVs, formats (articles and letters) and timelines. It was not my favorite Rachel Hawkins book. All of the characters are unlikable, and it was predicable (maybe I wouldn't have seen it coming if I hadn't read the books blurb, which kind of gives it up if you are used to these kind of stories). The pace was too slow, the chapters were too long. I loved The Wife Upstairs and The Villa, but this one? Not so much. I read many good reviews, though, so it might fit you more than it fit me.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Baby Ruby went missing and was found 8 month later. She grew up adopted a child and he got everything. This book was full of twists up until the very last page. I could not put it down.

This book took me by surprise. I was intrigued by the title and the synopsis: millionaire leaves her entire riches to her adopted son, but tension and mystery looms as he refuses to confront his wealth. It sounded interesting, but I was not prepared for the twists and turns this book had! It was shocking and full of mystery.
To start, this book is dual POV, and it really helped this book to play to it's strength: adding shocking twists where you least expect it. Often times, the two perspectives would add another layer of context, but the information would be hidden from the other person. This let me, the reader, in on the secret, and it created tension as I wondered when the secret would come out. It was unique and done well! I really loved that push and pull that the narrative had. I also loved how different the flow of this book was. Not only were there two perspectives, there were also past news clippings and letters from Ruby written before she died. The variety kept me on my toes and wanting to read just a little bit more. Even though it jumped around a bit, I never got lost as to when something happened which is not an easy thing to do.
I think what makes this book so good is the characters. They are all so fully complex. You want to root for them, but you also don't trust them either. The way they are presented and used adds to the plot in a way that elevates this book from a standard suspense novel. Everyone has something to hide, you just don't know what.
Since this book is suspenseful, it makes sense that the twists kept you on your toes. I truly gasped at certain times as I didn't see certain plot points from happening. The exchange of information is done in such a skillful way.
The one part of the book that I felt was lacking was the end. While I won't spoil anything (That would be unacceptable!), I will say that it felt a little too flat to me. I wanted a bit more of an explosion especially with how the suspense built up toward the end. This isn't to say that there were plot holes; it just felt a bit lack luster in comparison to the rest of this great mystery.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book as it was a great mystery done in a unique way.

This book was quite the rollercoaster. When you pick up a book and finish it in a day you KNOW it was good. A labyrinth of family secrets and dirty money filled with horrific deaths will have you flying through the pages trying to unpack the hidden shadows in the McTavish manor. When the disappearance of baby Ruby McTavish sparks a decodes long spiral of lies and betrayal you’ll be kept guessing as to who was involved and who is innocent if anyone is at all.

This book was like Clue in the best way. I felt like I should have written everything down just to keep track of the deceit that filled the pages. The McTavish family has to protect their fortune even if that means getting rid of anyone who stands in their way.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. I would definitely read more by Rachel Hawkins (sequel of Camden and Jules!?)

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is a twisty, suspenseful, and satisfying read. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Ruby McTavish, a wealthy widow who writes letters about her life and loves, and her adopted son Camden, who returns to his ancestral home after ten years to attend his grandmother's funeral. As Camden and his wife Jules uncover the secrets of Ruby's past, they also begin to suspect that there is something sinister lurking in the shadows of Ashby House.

The Heiress is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I particularly enjoyed the way Hawkins explores the themes of family, legacy, and the power of money. The Heiress is a story about the dark side of wealth and privilege, and the ways in which it can corrupt even the most well-intentioned people. However, it is also a story about the power of love and redemption.

I would highly recommend The Heiress to fans of suspenseful thrillers, gothic mysteries, and family sagas. It is a well-written and engaging novel that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.

Brilliant, additive, impossible to put down! I love, love, LOVED it.

I do admit to being hesitant because the author’s past works haven’t been my favorites. But holy wow! This one blew me away.

I’m a big fan of multiple POV, because it just helps to understand the characters and other aspects of a story. You’re not left in the dark as much as those with just one narrative.

So many secrets to reveal…it was truly spectacular. Possibly my favorite read of 2023.

A huge thank you for an advanced copy of The Heiress in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Hawkins can truly do no wrong in my eyes and this one was brilliantly smart and SO addictive. The long short: Camden and Jules are living their happy normal life as newlyweds in Colorado when they're summoned back to Ashby House- Camdens childhood estate in North Carolina, to fix up the home following his adoptive mother, Ruby's, death. We meet the rest of the family who still lives in the estate (a wild mix of characters with horrific personalities) and tension is high. A number of secrets and mysteries loom; did Ruby really kill her four husbands? Why was everything left to Camden? How does Jules fit into the mix? All of these questions get answered through an alternating POV storyline from Camden and Jules as well as letters left behind from Ruby. Family drama, murder, mystery, suspense, love, tension, and more than one plot twist- this book has it all and I can't recommend it enough (but no surprise there).

Ashby House is in the wooded mountains of NC where generations of the McTavish family have kept their traditions, dark secrets and dysfunctional façade going. Ruby is the eldest of the remaining living heirs to a vast fortune. This family is renowned, has clout, pulls strings, calls in favors and throws money at indiscretions. When Ruby dies, her estranged adopted son, Camden, jealous sister, great-nephew and niece gather to claim the fortune, each believing they have a legal claim. Lawyers, decades old secrets, letters, schemes and plotting culminating in unbelievable revelations. This family has a devilishly evil genetic bloodline. All the characters are vividly descriptive. I didn’t trust any of them, most are unlikable and there was no one I wanted to succeed. My rating would have been much higher had I not deduced several of the twists early on and wasn’t surprised at the conclusion. It was a solid plot and I have enjoyed other books by this author and would read her again. Purely a personal preference but, the back and forth between the people and different time periods has never been a style I like, the alternating can be hard to follow. Then I get aggravated if all the suspense build up is a let down and unwarranted.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “The Heiress” by Rachel Hawkins, published by St. Martin’s Press. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I was a little hesitant on this because her last one was not my favorite but I adored this one! It had just the right amount of twists that hooked you in and needed to know more.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

4.5 Rachel Hawkins found a winning formula. Atmospheric house + twisted romantic relationships = a book I will always pick up. This is my fave book of hers since the Wife Upstairs and I had a ton of fun reading it. I think the different narratives worked together really well and I think this was her most likable set of characters. I didn't expect the 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo esque energy but I loved that part of the book.

Rachel Hawkins never missed. This was a book I struggled to put down and found myself thinking about it during the workday. Hawkins writing is just like the other book, yanking the reader in from the start and keeping them on the edge of their seat during the mystery of it all.

Well this was definitely different than other stories I have read. It gave me a bit of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes at times. I thought the writing was perfect as per usual with Hawkins. The story was unique and tid bits of information were dropped keeping my attention. The ending and the "twists" were good too. Nothing too shocking or overly unreasonable. It felt just right. The reason I didn't push this to 5 stars was because at times, I felt the story could have moved on a bit quicker and I could not compare it to other 5 star reads on my list. But I still enjoyed it very much and would recommend this to my fellow readers.

I LOVED this book and practically inhaled it. The multiple perspectives, different types of writings, and engaging characters kept me hooked. This is definitely Rachel Hawkins’ best book!

I really enjoyed this book and pretty much anything Rachel Hawkin's writes. Ruby- a rich and well known North Carolina woman, became famous when she was kidnapped as a child in this small town of Tavisstock. This book follows her story of her wealthy family, her 4 marriages (all widowed after) and her adopted son, Camden. There is so much drama, secrets, and more - it kept me on the edge of my seat. The only reason I gave this 4 stars was because it got a bit confusing at times with the characters/storylines- otherwise it was brillant.

Holy moly! If you ever find yourself thinking that your family sucks... just consider yourself luck that you aren't a member of the dysfunctional and psychotic McTavish clan!
Money cannot buy love - but an ungodly amount of money can definitely buy you privilege, comfort, a whole town of people that are beholden to you and lawlessness! Complete and utter lawlessness which may or may not turn you into a psychopath.
Simply mind blowing! I read this in about 24 hours. I could not put it down, and every time I thought I had it all figured out the author pulled the rug out from under me again and basically said "got you."
If you want an edge of your seat thriller, or if you need a reminder about why your family ain't half bad.... read this book!

Really intriguing story! This was a book that I kept saying to myself “only one more chapter…”

Even though she was never actually alive in The story, Ruby’s character really came to life and stood out.

Great writing by Rachel. Honestly, this felt nothing like her other books, but I loved it just as much. Bravo to her for having such range.

3.5⭐️ The Heiress is about a woman named Ruby McTavish who dies and leaves her fortune and estate to her adopted son Camden. Ruby is notorious in her small town, known for her wealth, her childhood kidnapping and for being a 4 time widow, earning herself the nickname “Mrs. Kill-more”. The rest of the McTavish clan is deeply distressed over everything being turned over to someone outside of their bloodline. Camden and his wife Jules finally return to the estate to sort things out. This is told by multiple POV’s, between Camden, Jules and letters Ruby had written.

I’m not sure what it was, but this didn’t grip my interest until maybe the last third of the book. The ending has some twists, but a couple took me a minute to follow and digest. Probably my least favorite from this author, but still glad I read it.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of One Thing Better from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

3.5 ⭐️ rounded down to 3.

If you like multiple point of views, this is the book for you. This was my first book by Rachel Hawkins and it took some time to get into. Usually I finish a book in 2-3 days, but this one took me longer. The characters in the book are all so incredibly different keeping you interested to read the chapters ahead. It just was a slow start and had me questioning who was who and if I had missed anything in the beginning. The Heiress was a good mystery read and had me intrigued after getting through the first few chapters.

Reading about the murders Ruby committed, how Camden killed Ruby & how Jules came to be in Camden’s life at the end of the book was all very intriguing. Definitely a good read.