I could not put this book down. I spent today reading it and ignoring all of my responsibilities. Hawkins does a great job of creating engaging and interesting characters. I thought for sure the three different point of views would take something away from being able to connect to each of the characters, but it definitely did not. I highly recommend this one.

If you loved The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo, this book is for you! Following the lives and inner workings of a rich and dysfunctional southern family, I could not put this book down. All of the twists and turns of this story had me finishing this book in less than a day!

I’ll be honest, I purchased two books by this author that I have yet to crack open, so this is my first experience with her work. I loved this book and flew through it. I was really invested in the main characters. They are all ruthless in getting what they want and despite their many character flaws (to put it mildly) I found myself rooting for them and cheering on their witty banter. The Ashby House is a whole vibe and I loved it. Overall, it was a super entertaining page-turner with lots of twists, turns and drama. I’ll now be reading her other books sooner rather than later! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC of The Heiress. This is my first time reading Rachel Hawkins, and wow what a great read. This book was a page turner and kept me interested the whole way. Looking forward to reading more of Rachel Hawkins.

The latest from author, Rachel Hawkins, and I think this miiight just be my new favorite of hers! If stories about rich families with messed up dynamics particularly when it comes to inheritance and “what is rightfully theirs”, than this may be a book for you.

The eeriness of the story is set early on with the kidnapping and return of three year old, Ruby McTavish, in a small North Carolina town near the Appalachians. Ruby is the heiress to the great McTavish family fortune and lived quite a life until her death. In the present, Camden is summoned back to his childhood home to deal with the family he cut off all relations with and who despise him back. He brings along his wife, Jules, for support and their visit is the catalyst to unveiling long hidden secrets about different individuals and the family as a whole.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the different POVs and formats included. Not only do we get dual perspectives from both Camden and Jules, but we also get newspaper articles/ clippings from decades ago as well as more recently, and finally there are letters written by Ruby prior to her death that explain much of her past actions and why she did certain things. All of these different narratives and format did create a cohesive and engaging story that had me continually curious and wanting more. It helped that this also read SUPER quickly and was very easy to binge.

The atmosphere was also done well because the setting of the mansion created a sense of mystery where you just knew something was off. Learning about the different dynamics and drama of the McTavish family was fascinating and I like how the author used certain characters to contrast against each other to show who genuinely had good morals vs. those who did not.

There were many twists and while some were not a huge shock, I did find that others were more well done where it caught me off guard!

Overall, I thought this was a pretty solid thriller and if you love ones that you can read in a single sitting, you will want to check this out when it releases in January 2024!

I love Rachel Hawkins books, but I went into this one a little mixed because of the historical component as told through letters. It took me a bit of the book to get into that storyline, but once I did, I was invested. First of all, I never saw the twists and reveals coming, which is so exciting in a book and seems rarer and rarer. Second, I loved the main plot line about the couple told through alternating POVs. Really a fabulous book, and it has a bit of something for everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. All opinions are my own.

I've read all but one of Rachel Hawkins books, and this is by far the best in my opinion. The publisher describes this novel as a twisted gothic suspense. Ruby McTavish, a southern heiress, that was kidnapped and returned as a child. The reader follows two timelines, one through letters from Ruby about her life and the other from her adopted son Camden and his wife Jules. To say that this rich family is dysfunctional is to put it mildly. What can money buy? Just about anything evidently. I don't want to give away too much of the synopsis because it is so much fun watching this story unpack as you read along.

I could not put this book down. When each chapter ended, I had to keep going to see what would happen next. The narrative is very engaging and addictive. Plot twists around every corner. Which character should you root for, because all of them have secrets and ulterior motives. I really enjoyed this one. The Heiress will release on January 9, 2024. You might want to go ahead and put a pre order on this one.

Wow, did I love this one! Before Ruby was married four times she was infamous for being the victim of a famous kidnapping. Ruby was from one of the most wealthy families in North Carolina and the country followed the notorious crime that was her kidnapping. When Ruby returns home her story is all over the news but she becomes notorious when she marries four times and each husband ends up dead. Is this merely bad luck or something more sinister?
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When Ruby, herself dies she leaves her entire estate, plus her house named Ashby House to her adopted son Camden, but he doesn’t want the money. Estranged from his family he wants nothing to do with them but he is pulled back into their orbit.
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There are a lot of twists and turns that had me guessing and f
Thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I flipped back and forth on my rating for this one........ BUT. I'm going 5 stars.

And here is why.

This is a fast paced book. Fast paced in the sense I felt rushed to finish. I felt, subconsciously, that if I didn't finish this book the characters would pass me by, the book would disintegrate in my hands. (ha) I believe I was egged on the way the book was structured. Which I liked, but didn't like at the same time.
The book has many POVs and news articles scattered in between. I felt the news articles were slightly unnecessary, although I can see why the author went that way. When the twists started happening I felt betrayed that some of the characters were lying to the reader, but after going back to rereading some chapters I realized it was just clever writing. You can mislead the reader, but you can't outright lie to us. Hats off to you, Hawkins.
Once I talked the little Karen inside me down and realized Hawkins was not lying to me, I started really enjoying the characters and their story lines. Like these just aren't 'characters' they are chhhhaarraccttterrrsss.
The twist at the end was slightly expected, but loved it none-the-less. Speaking of twists, the amount of twists in this book is staggering, but I'd also say well-balanced.
Overall - I'm sticking with my 5 stars. This is a fast paced, twisty book and I enjoyed every page.

I have not binged a book like this in awhile. The story regards one of the most twisted and convoluted families I've read about in awhile. The book is a multi-narrator book that interleaves present day with the past and follows Ruby, Ruby's adopted son Cam, and his wife Jules.

Just when you think there can't be another twist in the book, another one follows. This is a complex and rich story that will have you guessing the entire time and make you not want to put it down. It is also a story where you're not quite sure who the bad guy is and you're definitely rooting for some of them.

For Hawkin's fans or fans of psychological thrillers in general, this book will be a hit!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced readers copy!

The Heiress boasts a rich cast of characters, each with their own unique backstories and motives. Cam's internal struggle to come to terms with his place in a family he never felt entirely connected to is both poignant and relatable. Jules, his fiercely supportive wife, adds a layer of depth to the narrative as she tenaciously seeks to claim Cam's rightful inheritance and confront the mysteries surrounding Ruby's past.

The novel's pacing is masterfully crafted, drawing readers deeper into the lavish world of "The Heiress" and the intricate web of relationships between its inhabitants. The setting comes alive with vivid descriptions, transporting readers to the grandeur of the estate and the captivating atmosphere of the surrounding landscapes.

Throughout the book, the author expertly weaves a tapestry of suspense and mystery, keeping readers guessing until the final pages. The persistent rumors surrounding Ruby's childhood disappearance, the untimely deaths of her husbands, and the reasons behind Cam's adoption are all artfully intertwined, building a sense of anticipation and intrigue.

Wow! This suspenseful family drama kept me captivated on every page! The unique POVs of Cam, Jules and Ruby tell the story of what greed and secrets can do to a family. I loved Ruby's sassy tell-all letters. I couldn't put this one down and when I inevitably had to, I couldn't stop thinking about it!

Such a face paced quick read about murder, betrayal, and family drama, what more could you want in a book. This book will keep you guessing until the very end, it was a twist I did not see coming.

I was expecting more of a thriller but this was quite the slow burn. Lots of family drama and some mystery along the way made it a page turner but this wasn’t my favorite of hers. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I was so excited for this one right off the bat.

Sadly I had trouble from the beginning. It switched way too much between email conversations, newspaper articles and different perspectives right from the start. This caused me to loose interest right away. I have a hard time following books that jump around like that.

Sadly this is a DNF for me.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is an exquisitely crafted mystery that immerses readers in a web of family secrets, intrigue, and the enigmatic world of the McTavishes. Hawkins skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and discovery, captivating readers from the first page to the last.

The novel opens with the death of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, a woman of immense wealth and an infamous past. As the inheritance passes to her adopted son, Camden, readers are taken on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of North Carolina's Blue Ridge mountains and the opulence of Ashby House, the McTavish family estate. Yet, what sets "The Heiress" apart is Camden's decision to reject the wealth and the family's dark history, choosing instead to lead a simple life as an English teacher with his wife, Jules.

Hawkins brilliantly explores the complexities of family dynamics as Camden and Jules are drawn back into the fold of Ashby House, where secrets and mysteries abound. The novel delves deep into Ruby's past, her haunting kidnapping, and the puzzling deaths of her four husbands. The author's meticulous plotting and skillful storytelling keep readers guessing, and the revelations about the McTavish family history are nothing short of jaw-dropping.

As the narrative unfolds, Jules emerges as a determined and courageous protagonist, adamant to unravel the truth behind Ruby's intentions and the twisted secrets that surround the McTavish lineage. Her unwavering resolve to uncover the family's hidden past adds depth and emotion to the story, making her a character readers will root for.

Rachel Hawkins masterfully combines atmospheric settings, well-developed characters, and an intricate plot to create a five-star stellar editorial experience. "The Heiress" is a riveting and compelling tale of inheritance, family bonds, and the enduring legacy that spans generations. This thrilling mystery will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation, leaving them in awe of Hawkins' storytelling prowess.

NetGalley/the publisher approved my request for this ARC and I read it less than 24 hours later. Oooohhh this was SO GOOD!! The twists, the turns, the scheming, the dysfunction!! This is somehow my first Rachel Hawkins - I have her other books on my tbr but hadn’t gotten to buying them yet, but man will I do that ASAP! Everyone in this book kind of sucks, and I LOVED IT!

Wow. Wow. Wow. I didn’t think anything could surpass The Villa, but I was wrong. This was a complete masterpiece. A masterpiece full of secrets, mysteries, familial toxicity, a hint of Appalachian spookiness, and through it all, genuine love. I was fully immersed from page 1 and stayed up late through the night reading until my eyes were bloodshot and I thought I was hearing things. I love storytelling through letters, especially post mortem. It works great in thrillers to help set the pace and drop clues without providing too much info dumping at once. This novel gave me feelings of the Winchester house (Ashby house and all its secrets) mixed with the Jon Benet Ramsey case (important to note I said *feelings*) mixed with Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (think rich southern gothic vibe).

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the arc! . What a great gothic mystery/thriller. Will definitely recommend. So many twists and turns that were so unexpected to this reader. The author did great with the characters. so many twists to this mystery which will have you thinking what did I just read? In a very good way.
Highly recommend!

“THERE’S NOTHING AS GOOD AS THE RICH GONE BAD!”

Personal review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was easy to fall into, dual points of view; with a cameo from infamous heiress via letters left behind. This novel had a point where the suspense was high and I guessed the ending before it happened, but it was still a fun read. Camden and Jules characters and relationships were more complex than what you thought in the beginning, and Ruby was a HOT MESS. This book was full of rich people drama - which has been a theme of my summer in novels. Ashby House, right outside of Asheville, NC was a fun setting and I loved the aspect of a gothic mansion in current day times.

Synopsis: Gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind