Member Reviews

This was a hit for me! This plot was something. It is fairly predictable in the end, but, regardless, it was fun watching it unravel. I look forward to her next work!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

This is my first book by this author (I know, I'm surprised too), and I really enjoyed it!

This is a slow burn that picks up at the end. I flew through it though, and I guess I read it fast enough that I didn't give myself time to try to guess the twists that were at the end. It kept my interest, and I really liked the sections that were letters from Ruby so we got her backstory.

Now to find all the books I have from this author's backlist....

Was this review helpful?

Well this was fun! I loved the eerie atmosphere. I read this in two settings and couldn’t put it down. It definitely gave me Evelyn Hugo and Knives out vibes. I loved reading Ruby’s perspective and the use of multimedia. It was definitely a slowburn thriller so the ending was predictable but overalla fun time.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I was really surprised at how good this book was. I love a book that has such well thought out twists. They weren’t predictable (maybe one or two), but the surprises just continued to keep coming. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and every time I had to put it down, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up. The characters were just right and the story was like an onion that had layer and layer. I couldn’t get enough and I didn’t feel like this was forced and I didn’t feel like there was any fluff that didn’t belong… it was well thought out and continued to deliver one revelation after another! Obsessed with this thriller. Will be recommending!

Was this review helpful?

Page turning thriller that was both fun and gripping! I feel like the book was really well thought out and planned, it felt ingenious and intelligent.

The first half of the book I couldn’t put down, I haven’t read that quickly in a long time!

Was this review helpful?

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins, I had from @Netgalley, but then I still waited until I could read it physically.

This suspense thriller follows a woman who is married to a man living in Colorado. He is estranged from his family, but his family trying to deal with the estate after his adopted mother passes makes him have to come home even though he wants nothing to do with the inheritance. Family secrets galore especially when the family doesn’t believe he’s entitled to any of it.

❤️Review❤️

I have loved The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls. The Villa wasn’t my favorite, which left me unsure with how I would be with The Inheritance. I’m happy to say that my enjoyment went back up. I liked how this one played out. I found the storyline to be intriguing and it was interesting to follow to see how the pieces would unfold. I was always slightly on edge unsure of where it was going. My only downside was that it was a bit slower than I would have liked. It had the fun article elements that usually help the pace, but I felt that it took me longer than a 300 page book should. Slowness added to the gothic creep factor, but I would have loved it to just a teensy bit faster paced. I love that none of her books feel repetitive. You are always getting something new from her.

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#Bookstagram #PreOrder #NetGalley #BookReview #NewBookRelease #ThrillerBooks #SuspenseBooks #2024Books

Was this review helpful?

This novel takes us on a captivating journey of love, wealth, and family, but what sets it apart is the unique approach of presenting the protagonist Ruby's life through her letters. With each letter, Ruby slowly reveals her life and the lies she has told the world. And just when you think you have it all figured out, the plot takes a surprising twist. I was glued to my seat and refused to stop reading.
Overall, I highly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

This was such a fun thriller full of plenty of twists, turns, and all of the family drama. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one and would widely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a super bingeable thriller. This one definitely kept me guessing all the way through and tops The Woman Upstairs as my favorite Rachel Hawkins.

Rich people drama? Got it.
Lush, atmospheric setting? That too.
Femme fatale main character? You betcha.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a review copy.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars

I think The Heiress is my favorite of Rachel Hawkins' books. The setting was so atmospheric and addicting to read. I loved the family drama with twists and turns of a plot that I din't see coming.

Was this review helpful?

I loved The Wife Upstairs and was very excited to receive this copy of Rachel’s newest book! I loved all the interconnected mysteries and I enjoyed the 3 different points of view, but Ruby’s voice was my favorite. I enjoyed learning about her growing up and her relationships with her husbands. I thought I had figured out the twist at the end, but it turned out there were a few other unexpected twists that made the last 25% of the book unputdownable! It was a very enjoyable, quick read and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Was this review helpful?

Rachel Hawkins’ books never disappoint!

This one is a slow burn with lots of family drama. Multiple POV and one is letters which I always looked forward to reading. So many secrets throughout the second half that shocked me. Can’t wait to keep reading Rachel Hawkins’s books!

#bookstagram #booklover #netgalley #earc #rachelhawkins #theheiress

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this a lot. It pulled me in quickly, and before I knew it, I had read the whole thing in an afternoon. There's nothing particularly shocking in the plot - there are twists, but they are relatively obvious and I definitely saw them coming, or at least I was able to speculate that something would be coming. But despite the lack of huge surprises, I was tethered to these characters and really interested in how things would shake out. I knew people weren't always who they said they were, and that multiple characters had ulterior motives, but I was along for the ride to see what all of those details would be. This is one of those not at all scary thrillers that is just a fun ride.

Was this review helpful?

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins explores family secrets, legacy, and the ties that bind us, even from beyond the grave. Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, the novel weaves a narrative that keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last.

The story begins with the death of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina's wealthiest and most notorious woman. The heiress, who was the subject of a high-profile kidnapping as a child, and also experienced the tragedy of being widowed four times, leaves behind a legacy that proves to be both a blessing and a curse for her adopted son, Camden.

Camden's decision to reject his inheritance and lead a simple life as an English teacher in Colorado sets the stage for Hawkins’ exploration of identity and the pursuit of a normal life. The introduction of Jules, Camden's wife, adds depth to the narrative, as she, too, seeks to escape a turbulent past.

The plot takes an unexpected turn when the couple is drawn back to Ashby House, the family estate, after the death of Camden's uncle. The grandeur of the house serves as an eerie stage for the unraveling of Ruby's mysterious life.

Hawkins skillfully builds suspense as the couple delves into the dark secrets surrounding Ruby's past. The persistent rumors from her childhood, the mysterious deaths of her four husbands, and the reasons behind Camden's adoption all come to light, weaving a tapestry of intrigue.

The characters are richly developed, each carrying their own burdens and histories that add layers to the overall narrative. As Jules and Camden grapple with the legacy of Ashby House and the revelations about Ruby, they discover that family ties are not easily severed, even in the face of scandal and mystery.

Rachel Hawkins' writing is engaging, with vivid descriptions. The novel seamlessly blends elements of mystery, family drama, and romance, making it a compelling read for fans of various genres.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Hello popcorn thriller!

This one was super binge-able. Love me a rich family with secrets and a manor setting. The characters were enigmatic and mysterious, especially the female characters.

Was this review helpful?

The Heiress may be Rachel Hawkins best novel yet. I had the pleasure of reading this book last week while on a beach vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hawkins does a great job with modern historical fiction and this novel has a bit of a gothic feel to it as well. The story centers around the McTavish family and their creepy estate , Ashby House. Heiress Ruby McTavish was kidnapped as a young child and returned under suspicious conditions, her backstory is highly entertaining. Ruby's adopted son Camden and his eager wife Jules return to Ashby house to hash out the estate and lots of twists and turns ensue. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartionspress for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A story that will keep you guessing. I really loved it. It seemed like I had it figured out but nope! Really enjoyed how the book was structured. It was an easy read with likeable characters. It is shorter in length but delivers a fully thought-out plot line. You are left with no loose ends. I will be recommending this to everyone.

Was this review helpful?

As expected, I binged this one (when I could sit down and read it 🥲) I don’t know how Rachel Hawkins is able to maintain the same level of tension and intrigue the entire time without it seeming to be too much, but she does and I’m so grateful for it.

Ruby, unsurprisingly, was my favorite character. Her tone of voice, quips, and though process was a wild ride to take. Coupled with Jules’s habit of talking directly to the reader, the characters really felt alive.

There’s always so much going on in a Hawkins book that I feel as if I never have time to sleuth it out 🤣 but honestly that’s okay with me because it’s still just as satisfying to be surprised by most of the twists thrown my way. The plot twists were fun and the ending had me wishing I could spend more time in this world to see what happens next.

Would 100% recommend when you need something bingeable, dramatic, and fun to read.

Was this review helpful?

When Ruby McTavish was four years old, she went missing from the forest surrounding her family's North Carolina estate. She is found eight months later and grows up to become the heiress of the estate and the family's multimillion-dollar fortune. After her death, her adopted son, Camden, unexpectedly rejects his inheritance and chooses a simple life as an English teacher in Colorado with his wife, Jules. Ten years later, they are summoned back to Ashby House, the family estate, following the death of Camden's uncle. As they return, dark secrets about the McTavish family, Ruby's past, and the mysteries surrounding her four deceased husbands come to light. Jules is determined to uncover the truth and ensure Camden claims what Ruby intended for him, revealing that family ties can be more complex than they seem, extending beyond the grave.

This is my favorite of Hawkins' books so far. I found Ruby's backstory so engrossing, and while the story was completely implausible, it is fun to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride. This is a great popcorn thriller for someone looking for a bit of escapism and rich people behaving badly.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed reading this book! The Heiress, by Rachel Hawkins, follows the life story of the super rich Ruby McTavish and her family. But there are many secrets and mysteries in the McTavish family history, all of which comes to a head, now in the present, as to who will eventually inherit the family money. The story was told from several points of view: Ruby, her son, and his wife. The suspense was present the entire book, and the plot twists had me guessing up til the very end. A really fun and thrilling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ACR!

Was this review helpful?

I LOVED this book. Well, I love everything she writes to be honest. Set in an elaborate estate with a son who wants nothing to do with the money....the twists keep coming in this fast paced mystery novel.

Was this review helpful?