Thank you netgalley for a copy of the heiress and here’s my honest review HOLY SHIT 4.5 stars
this book has everything drama letter dual povs deaths that are ominous!!! cam and jules my GOD how did that happen. ruby’s letters were the most interesting part tbf. MUST READ

Most of Hawkins' books have been total wins for me and I am not complaining! I've seen a lot of them (especially lately) be kind of hit or miss for people. Her latest, THE HEIRESS was a very quick read... both due to the plot and short length! It follows Camden and his wife Jules as they head back to his family's estate years after his mother died and left it all to him. His cousin calls him back and he finally obliges. Jules is super curious to see why her husband left town and never returned, but she has secrets of her own.

This reads like a general domestic thriller with gothic vibes for the majority of the book. Not a complaint, but I think I was expecting something...spookier? I really liked the direction the story went and the overall format though. It alternated between Camden and Jules POVs while also mixing in articles and letters that provided his deceased mother's perspective. There was kind of a lot going on but it really worked!

I saw someone compare it to THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, which I can kind of see. Camden's mom had four husbands and they all died under mysterious circumstances. 


There were a ton of reveals in the final chapters and I really didn't predict any of it... and basically all of the characters were keeping secrets from each other. I don't know the last time I read a book with this many twists and reveals, all the way through the end... especially after a slow start. It didn't take me long to read - it wasn't slow in that way. It was more like a suspenseful buildup, wondering what is going to happen and when.

I think readers who haven't loved some of of Hawkins' other books may like this one. It pulls on some of the same gothic vibes but is a new story for sure.

I have heard this book described as Evelyn Hugo but darker and that is bang on! I really enjoyed the way this is written. It’s almost as if the reader is a character that everyone is telling their story to, trying to explain themselves and their motives.

There are letters from Ruby and articles about the family mixed throughout the chapters which are told from Cam and Jules perspectives. The mystery of who Ruby really was begins to take shape as the book progresses.

The Heiress sucked me in immediately and I was completely glued to its pages until the end. The characters are complex and dynamic and the story is full of mystery and secrets. I found it really entertaining, I was never bored and the bits of humour balanced the darker images well.

Gothic, gritty, and un-putdownable...this one sucked me in from the get go. I love that Rachel Hawkins novels are so varied- yet they all hold me absolutely captive.

Reading this was reminiscent of playing a game of clue, who had motive, who had opportunity? Just when you think you know, you realize this isn’t your everyday whodunnit. Ruth Ware skillfully unfolds layers as she weaves this clever tale.

I loved the characters, I loved the drama, and I loved the intrigue that was Ruby’s life. This is a decadent account of a famous/infamous woman’s life that will leave you wanting more.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I went in thinking it would be a typical (albeit enjoyable) mainstream thriller that I may or may not remember a couple of weeks later. Not so. This book had depth and heart and an addictive and interesting plot. With toxic family dynamics, a family dynasty shrouded in scandal and a very sweet love story all tied-up in a house, this one isn't short on drama. I enjoyed the characters and was especially fond of Jules and Ruby. This is definitely a thriller, but there is an air of mystery as the plot unfolds as well. Hawkins also throws in enough twists and curveballs to keep you guessing and second-guessing your assumptions. Enjoyed this one a lot.

I requested this novel so long ago and am embarrassed to admit that I let it sit on my shelf. If you were to look up the definition of a fast paced, roller coaster of emotion, kind of thriller with a little romance, this book would be the poster child. I loved how it was reminiscent of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but make it murder-y. This was the perfect rainy weekend read and I'm so thankful I had the chance to dive into it!

1 star.. DNF
I was not able to finish this one due to lack of interest. I found myself bored while also being confused. I love Rachel Hawkins, but this one was not for me....

A very bingeable popcorn 'thriller' (more family drama)! This is a perfect book to pull you out of a slump. I enjoyed Rachel Hawkins' newest book! I have read all of her thrillers since The Wife Upstairs, and I'm happy to report that I think each book gets better and better! All of them, The Heiress included, are some of my most recommended for all types of readers. They are easy to binge and digest with just the right amount of suspense and spook.

I enjoy Rachel Hawkins' mysteries, but had a bit of trouble getting into this one as much as her past books. It was interesting the way bits of information were revealed about the characters in alternating chapters/years, but I struggled a bit with not really liking or connecting with the characters involved. I did not figure out the twists heiress Ruby had up her sleeve, but I was still entertained trying to!

An intriguing plot which I very much enjoyed. Great descriptions of the region and a riveting analysis of how dysfunctional this family really is

There’s nothing better then finding a book you can’t put down that you will literally carry it around from room to room just get a few more words in, you stay up way too late because you can’t stop flipping the pages. This book is that. I absolutely loved the suspense of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the eARC! The Heiress was very entertaining and held my interest. There were many twists and turns which make for an excellent thriller. Some of the twists I somewhat predicted- just not fully predicted. By the end of the book, there were so many twists that I ended up being confused and wanting the turns to be done already. It seemed a little forced. I still enjoyed the plot and the characters tho! Overall would definitely recommend for those who like family thrillers! You can find my review on my bookstagram account- @bookofthemeg (published on Feb 2nd)

The Heiress centers on a rich and prestigious NC family, the McTavish's. 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. Her adopted son, Cam wants nothing to do with the estate left to him, so his uncle runs things and his family lives there. When he dies, Cam and his wife Jules head to North Carolina to deal with the estate. They are met by family that not only don't want him there, but don't think he belongs. With secrets and mysteries, the story unfolds about Ruby and her life, letting us in on secrets that have long been buried.

The story is told from 3 POVs: the matriarch, Ruby (through letters), Ruby’s son Cam, and his wife Jules. The book weaves past and present timeframes together to create a twisty and captivating story about greed, power, and wealth within a family over multiple generations. I found myself intrigued by Ruby's story and all that she experienced and got away with. We meet the family that was involved in her kidnapping, Ruby's many husbands and others. I did not like the present day McTavish family at all! With all that going on, I had to pay attention not to get confused, but I enjoyed this story. With the final twists coming at me in the last part of the book, I was left smiling as I closed the cover. This was not a thriller, but a messy family drama with lots of twists.

The best Rachel Hawkins novel since the wife upstairs. Absolutely loved it and didn’t see the twists coming! Would absolutely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This was my second Rachel Hawkins book and I'm happy to say that it did not disappoint.

The "Heiress" is a gothic mystery novel with a ton of twists and suspense. It kept me intrigued throughout the entire time and eager to find out what was going to happen next.

Solid 4 stars!

This book gave me a little bit of an Evelyn Hugo feel, which is one of my favorite books. I loved learning Ruby's secrets through the letters she had written. She is no Evelyn, but I still liked her. Although I knew something was up with one of the characters (I won't say who), I couldn't place what that was. I would have never guessed it, either. I'm not sure if that's because I was reading so quickly that I didn't pay close enough attention, or if that's how he author wanted me to feel. It's a tad bit of a reach, but it worked. (But that reveal is the reason this is 4 stars instead of 5. It seemed a bit muddled. )

This book was un-put-downable and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Ben, Libby, and Nelle were positively awful human beings with no redeeming qualities. You will love to hate them! It goes without saying that it was super fun to learn everyone's secrets, especially of the character you'd think wouldn't have any! Note that this is more of a family drama than what many would consider a typical thriller, but it was thrilling nevertheless.

The ending was a bit confusing for me to follow, but again, I don't know if that was a "me" issue because I was reading so fast to find out what happened that I glossed over some information, or if the "twist" was intended to feel like it came out of left field.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third novel I've read by Rachel Hawkins. I struggle to classify this one's genre: it is definitely not a thriller, perhaps more of a mystery tangled in with a few murders. The Heiress is a story of the rich, famous, and powerful McTavish family. None of the characters are particularly likeable nor trustworthy. This is a story about how money can give one the power to do ugly things and get away with it. This was a quick read, yet I did find it a bit dull at first and it took me some time to understand the complicated relationships between all the characters. I did eventually get into the story a bit more, but strangely, for a mystery, this one is actually kind of slow-paced.

I am a big fan of Rachel Hawkins’, so I was very excited to read her latest book “The Heiress”. I read this book over the course of a day, completely engrossed in the story. Not only was the plot original, it was well written, and had twists until the very end. This would make an excellent tv series or movie. This will likely be one of my favourite books this year.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!
4.5/5

📖My Thoughts📖


This is one of those books in which I’m not entirely sure where to start. A tale of the life of a very intriguing and merciless woman who died being known as the richest and devious woman in North Carolina, intricately laced with heaps of family drama, mystery and twists and turns like you wouldn’t believe, offering us with a storyline that will just completely consumes the reader. The story is told from multiple points of view and alternates between the past and present day, giving us a glimpse of how everything came to be. The pacing was perfect in my opinion. It didn’t drag on forever, but it also didn’t include a rushed ending either (which is something that drives me bonkers). Some of the twists were a little anticipated, but for the most part, they were well thought out and executed perfectly. I’m kind of a sucker for the whole ‘family drama’ trope, more so in the thriller/mystery genres. I have read other work by Rachel Hawkins and they never cease to amaze me. At this point, I think it’s safe to say that I’ll be adding this author to my automatic buy list. If you’re into mystery/thrillers and are looking for your next adventure, scoop this up and dive right in!
Thank you Netgalley, Rachel Hawkins and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫