The story follows a family of generational wealth, and the trappings that come with it. It takes place in the family estate, following the return of the "prodigal son" Cam and his wife, Jules. As Cam returns to the family home to settle his mother's affairs and deal with the house falling apart, we slowly unearth secrets that have been held there for generations. We watch as the illness of the house infects all who reside there, including Jules.

The book starts off slow, with lots of character introductions. We see the story unfold from Jules and Cam's point of view, as well as an archive of letters and news clippings. It is certainly a unique way to tell the story and gives us multiple perspectives. The plot does not pick up until 2/3 of the way through, and some revelations seem predictable. The character development left much to be desired as you don't feel too invested in any one person. You are told rather than shown each character's personalities. The ending should have been shocking, but felt too rushed considering all the lead up.

Overall, an entertaining if shallow read.

The twists and turns in “The Heiress” are fabulous! This is an interesting multi-generational family saga chock full of drama. The heiress of the title is Ruby McTavish, a woman infamous for a few reasons: the fact that she went missing as a toddler and then was found, that she married 4 times and all of her husbands died, and that she inherited a fortune—and a magnificent mansion in the North Carolina mountains—from her father. The book is set up in chapters alternating between the voices of her adopted son (and heir) and his wife, and letters Ruby wrote outlining her life. Thus, the reader learns, bit by bit, about Ruby and what transpired after her death, that is, the conflict between her sister’s family and her son. The characters are intriguing, although not especially likable, and the multiple twists near the end are amazing. I loved how all of this played out and I highly recommend this book! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review “The Heiress.”

Wowie. This was some messy family drama. And since it wasn't mine, I was all here for it.
First, I have to admit I considered giving up this read because I was a bit confused those first chapters. But I persevered and I'm so glad I did, because of course, OF COURSE, it's all going to unravel as each piece of the puzzle is gifted to us as the chapters progress.

If you have read a Rachel Hawkins book before, you'll know we are usually gifted a few plot twists. This one? I feel like it was the Christmas morning of plot twists. I rather enjoyed not knowing what was going to be opened up to us next. Just when you thought it was all figured here came another. And the little tid bit at the end? On the one had it's nice it was left open to assume. On the other? That was all I wanted to know about each turn of the page!

A great book that I'm sure I'll be left thinking about for a bit, even as I start another. It's definitely left a mark on me.

The Heiress was my first Rachel Hawkins book and sent me quickly adding her others to my collection. It was fast-paced, and although none of the twists were all that shocking, it kept me interested the whole way through. I didn’t love any of the characters, but that may have been the point. I am ready for more by this author!

The Heiress is told in the present by Cam and Jules( married)and in the past by Cam’s mother,Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore(all of Ruby’s husbands will play a role in her story).
Ruby’s death brings Cam home to Ashby House. A place he inherited(along with a whole lot of cash) and somewhere he swore he would never return to. But as he explains to Jules, there are issues(and by issues I mean family) that must be dealt with, so they pack up the car and head to North Carolina
Every one of them has secrets, and through this journey, all of them are revealed. This is the first book I’ve read this year that even though the story was wrapped up quite nicely, I couldn’t believe how fast I reached the end and honestly I wanted more. This family makes mine, look not quite as bad, and that is saying a lot. If you asked me before I read The Heiress, what my favorite book is by this author, I would’ve said,The Wife Upstairs. However, this book just took the number one position. Such a twisty tale and one I basically read in one sitting.

Someone else described this as a "family drama" and I think that's more fitting than what I was expecting. I liked the story overall and that not everyone is what you expect. This was a decent read overall (much better than The Villa).

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was so excited to see this as a Read Now! Immediately dove in. Devoured in a day and it was amazingness as expected!

When Jules’s husband, Camden, relays the news that his adoptive mother passed away and they need to sort out her affairs, Jules jumps at the chance of learning more about his past. But soon after heading out to the North Carolina estate, Jules notes the growing discomfort manifesting in Camden and starts second-guessing their decision. But with the Appalachian mountains in sight, Jules knows it’s too late to do anything but forge ahead.

Besides, it’s not just Camden’s decision to go to Ashby House—it’s Jules’s, too. And having been denied the life Camden so easily got handed to him, Jules isn’t about to let an opportunity like this to finally get it go to waste. No matter what happens or what secrets spill out of the McTavish family, Jules is getting what she’s owed. And Camden will just have to understand she really does know best after all.
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Rachel Hawkins has done it again for me! I might be biased because I love everything I’ve read of hers so far, but this was another fantastically twisted tale brought to life by her. A twisted rich family full of jealousy, secrets, and scapegoat black sheep that in the end show us what wolves they really are. This was very in the vein of a “VC Andrew gothic family drama” for me and I mean that in the best way because VC is the QUEEN of that genre, and this shiny gem Hawkins has carved out deserves to be ranked high up in VC’s category. I HIGHLY encourage you all to get this on Netgalley while you still can!

Rebecca meets the The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!

Four times a widow, famously kidnapped as a child, insanely wealthy, and the de factor ruler of her small town, Ruby has left an intense legacy for her adopted son, Camden. However, he wants nothing to do with this legacy- not even the money or the family's estate. When his uncle dies ten years after the death of his mother, Camden returns to his family's estate with Jules, his wife. While Jules falls more in love with the estate, Camden still wants nothing to do with it, the money, or his family- a family who never accepted him and are still furious that an 'outsider' has all of the control.

A completely addictive and clever book- I read it in one sitting! I was quickly drawn into this mystery revolving around one influential and wealthy family in their family estate, Ashby House. While it's set in modern times, it reminded me of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca (very high compliment from me!) with the sprawling grounds, secrets hidden behind each door, and the notoriety & cruelty of the family, Like in Rebecca, all of these elements added to the intrigue.

Told from the altering points of view between Camden, Jules, and Ruby, nothing is what it seems and the twists keep coming until the very last page!

Another twisty thriller from Rachel Hawkins! I LOVED The Wife Upstairs and was so thrilled to have the opportunity to read her latest book. This is a page-turner you won’t want to put down. Camden lives a comfortable life with his wife, Jules in Golden, CO. He is called back to his home in North Carolina and we learn that he is the sole heir to a vast fortune, left to him by his grandmother who adopted him. She is a notorious woman whose husbands (all four of them) each died under suspicious circumstances. We quickly understand that Camden wants nothing to do with his inheritance and that there must be bad blood between the remaining family. Camden and Jules travel to Ashby House and while Camden is going reluctantly, Jules is secretly excited and hoping that Camden will change his mind about inhabiting the house and claiming his inheritance. Through a series of letters from Camden’s grandmother, Ruby, we learn her story and the twists and turns of her life and Camden’s. Slowly, Jules’ motivation and history also are revealed. The story is about the extremes that women will go to to assert themselves and fight back. It is a fun, engaging story and Ruby is a fascinating character.

The Heiress was a good twist on a frequently-written story. The book starts out with Cam and his wife Jules living in Golden, Colorado when he receives information that finally forces him back to North Carolina, where he grew up and escaped from so many years ago. Cam isn't just Jules's husband and teacher at a local private school--he's also the sole heir to North Carolina's wealthiest (and most notorious) women.

Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore was Cam's adopted mother, and her family never considered Cam one of their own. With mysteries surrounding Ruby, her childhood disappearance, and the deaths of her husbands, the McTavish family continue to raise questions and are finding out that the answers aren't really what they wanted. Cam is reminded of why he left North Carolina but Jules has a different agenda. And as they weave through Ruby's history through letters and secrets uncovered, the truth finally comes to light.

This was a great story--it kept me turning the pages wondering what was going to be in Ruby's next letter, what were Cam's cousins going to do next, and what was Jules's real agenda? The characters were interesting and well-fleshed out, with motivations clearly stating why characters did what they did and why. Ashby House, the home that the McTavishes lived in for generations is such a strong presence in the book, and it's understanding why everyone wants it.

My only complaint was about the end of the book, when two characters don't come entirely clean with each other, though they both know that the other is hiding something. It's an interesting way to end the book, but it doesn't ruin it.

I highly recommend this book, and thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.25 ⭐️

“New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins delivers a twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind”

This book follows Cam and his partner Jules as they set to return to Ashby House, where Cams remaining family resides, to sort out the money/estate after his adopted mothers death, Ruby McTavish. Cam doesn’t want anything to do with the inheritance or his cold family but Jules wants to go to the house so they do. We get to see the dysfunction of the family and how determined the others are to not let Cam receive the money and gain control over Ashby House.

This domestic thriller kept me intrigued the entire time and being in Ashby House has a really ominous atmosphere. The book is told from both Jules and Cam’s POVs, as well as from Rubys in the form of letters she wrote before her death. The reader gets to see that truth that the characters are hiding from one another and as the story unravels and secrets become exposed, we see that things aren’t as clear as they may seem…

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press and Rachel Hawkins for allowing me to read an e-arc I’d this book!

My first read by the well loved Rachel Hawkins. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are totally my own!

The first half of the story is good. I will admit I was somewhat confused for a while, I think her writing style is a bit different than what I am used to. I've read books with multiple POV but this felt more jarring at times. (maybe too many perspectives or the style-not sure)
Once I got the hang of who was who I became very engaged in the storyline and found it hard to put down.
I am interested in trying another book by this author so I consider that a win.
If you like rich people drama with some intrigue and secrets, pick this one up.
Also the COVER is GORGEOUS too!!
Thanks
V

My favorite book by Rachel Hawkins to date! This is a fun page-turner that I couldn't put down over the weekend, and there were twists that kept me guessing right to the end. I also enjoyed the clever callbacks to some of Hawkins' previous works - keep an eye out for those!

I read Reckless Girls by this author, and enjoyed it- plus this turned up in a NYT suggested summer reading list, so I gave it a shot. Glad I did!

I love any sort of family drama story, and this didn’t disappoint. There were lots of twists and surprises that felt well-timed, and kept me engaged. The characters were well-developed, and the story and dialogue flowed well to keep me engaged.

I could easily see this as a movie, and I was able to easily visualize it all- from the house to the characters to the town. Well done, and enjoyable. A quick read, too.

Thanks to NetGalley for the instant, early download!

Rachel Hawkins always delivers a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Her latest, The Heiress is no exception. It was fast paced, easy to read, and kept me guessing until the end!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

I finished this book super fast as it was griping and entertaining but I can’t say it’s a thriller. It’s more of a cozy mystery or contemporary with a pinch of mystery.

I am a huge Rachel Hawkins fan so I am grateful for the ARC. I liked the length of the book - it made for edge of your seat endings without dragging on each chapter. I kind of pictured Knives Out with everyone there for the will reading. I liked the 3 perspectives - 2 in present day and 1 via old letters. Ruby was a good character - 4 dead husbands allowed for a sub-mystery within the overall mystery. Jules & Libby were both annoying and did not deserve the money.

I loved I love Rachel Hawkins's The Wife Upstairs and The Villa, but Reckless Girls was a miss for me. So I was leery of this one! But it did NOT disappoint. The plot was excellent, the characters were well-developed, and lots of twists throughout the story! I truly could not put this book down once I started it!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. I love Rachel Hawkins books and this doesn’t disappoint. Excellent plot, characters and twists all the way to the end. Couldn’t put it down once I started literally.