I had expected this book to be a thriller but it felt more like a family drama, and unfortunately, not a particularly good one. If you come across a review describing this as a quick and easy read, I'd say take it with a grain of salt. The pace was frustratingly slow. I kept waiting for that element of excitement, mystery or suspense to kick in, but it never really did. I really had higher hopes for a story about well off people willing to do anything to be wealthier.

We were supposed to uncover whether Ruby had any hand in her four husbands' deaths via letters but the execution was so dull. There was no suspense or mystery. The details had no flair to them – plain storytelling and absolutely no effort by the Hawkins to create a sense of suspense or mystery we could hold onto until the next letter. The placement of these letters felt odd too , they just fell in between chapters regardless of what was happening in the present with Cam and Jules . Honestly, omitting these letters from the story might have added more value to the story by keeping readers guessing. This aspect definitely could have been handled better , it left much to be desired.

The plot itself had some potential to be interesting, but the storytelling fell short. The narrative was sort of boring and predictable. There was a twist at the end that really surprised me but the build up to it lacked finesse of. As for the characters, Cam, Jules, and Ruby were decently developed but the other characters lacked depth. This book left me feeling pretty unsatisfied.

I didn't get far into reading "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" or "Malibu Rises," both by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I think this book might be similar to both. It wasn’t for me, but I'd recommend it to those who appreciated those novels or can better tolerate a (very) slow burn.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first book I read by this author Reckless Girls was weaker than the second book I read The Villa, and I'm on the fence as to whether this one was better (both got four stars so, if it wasn't better, it was at least on par). As with previous books, I enjoyed the author's writing style and she does seem to lean towards unlikeable characters, which I am also OK with.

As other readers have mentioned, this is more of a family drama than a thriller, but I was engaged throughout the whole thing (and was thrown a bit with the way one letter from Ruby ended but, after thinking on it for a bit, was happy to learn I actually figured out a plot twist ahead of time, which is really unheard of for me).

As with most stories with multiple narrators, I found myself drawn to one over the others (Ruby) and liked her character most of all. Someone mentioned this book was like a soap opera and they aren't wrong - the whole McTavish family was majorly dysfunctional, but it was fun to be along for the ride.

I have really been enjoying Rachel Hawkins’ adult novels, and this one did not disappoint. Besides the covers being gorgeous, she really does draw you in with her books. She made me from California actually feel like I was in North Carolina. Lots of old money glamour and intrigue. Rachel Hawkins is always going to be an automatic read for me with her adult novels.

Finally got around to this but I had a fun time! nothing spectacular, I saw some things coming but I've enjoyed all of Hawkins books I've read before and this was no different!

I loved this book. It had me in its thrall right from the start and the voice acting on the audiobook is impeccable. There are so many layers of secrets and deception. It’s a perfect cozy light thriller for fall. Would highly recommend!

I absolutely loved this book and love Rachel Hawkins. The plot was strong and the ending really surprised me. Generally, I can see what is going to happen, but did not this time! Can't wait for Rachel Hawkins next book.

Really enjoyed this book! I loved how the house seemed to take on a character and built suspense throughout the story. Ended up recommending this one for book club and we had a lively discussion about it.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a captivating historical fiction novel that immerses readers in a world of intrigue, romance, and societal expectations. Set in the late 19th century, the story follows the life of a young heiress who finds herself entangled in a web of family secrets and scandal.

Hawkins' writing is lush and atmospheric, vividly bringing to life the opulence of the era while also highlighting the constraints placed on women of that time. The protagonist is both relatable and compelling, as she navigates the pressures of wealth and status while searching for her own identity and desires. The character development is well-crafted, with secondary characters that add depth and complexity to the narrative.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested. Hawkins expertly weaves themes of ambition, betrayal, and the pursuit of true love throughout the story, creating a rich tapestry that explores both personal and societal dilemmas.

Overall, "The Heiress" is a beautifully written and engaging novel that transports readers to a different time while offering a fresh take on the classic themes of love and power. It’s a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone looking for a story that balances romance with deeper reflections on societal roles and individual agency.

I wanted to like this more than I did. It was slow to start, not much happened in the first 60-70%. Could appreciate some of the twists and how it all ended though.

As with the rest of the author’s books, I was immediately hooked. I had a hard time putting the book down because I needed to know what happened next. As someone who frequents the blue ridge mountains, Hawkins perfectly captured the mood of the environment.

The Heiress" offers a good blend of mystery and drama, set against a historical backdrop. Hawkins's writing is engaging, pulling readers into the world of intrigue and family secrets. The characters are well-developed, with relatable flaws and motivations that keep you invested in their journeys. However, the pacing sometimes feels uneven, particularly in the middle section where the story lags. Some plot twists came off a bit contrived, leaving me wanting a more cohesive resolution. Overall, it's an enjoyable read for fans of the genre, but it could benefit from tighter plotting. Worth a read for its atmosphere and character depth!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is a twisty, atmospheric thriller that follows the story of a wealthy Southern family with dark secrets lurking beneath their polished facade. The novel centers on Ruby McTavish, a reluctant heiress who inherits a vast fortune along with the burdens of her family’s troubled legacy. Hawkins weaves a suspenseful tale filled with unreliable narrators, family intrigue, and psychological tension, keeping readers on edge as secrets slowly unravel. With vivid characters and a haunting setting, The Heiress offers a captivating mix of gothic mystery and psychological drama, perfect for fans of dark, character-driven thrillers.

A kidnapping. Letters sent to an anonymous recipient. A son who wants nothing to do with his inheritance and the mystery surrounding it. Until he’s forced to face his demons head on.
After swearing he was done with the McTavish name and fortune, Camden moves to a small town in Colorado where he lives with his wife, Jules. After his uncle passes away, Cam is forced to return to the famous Ashby House in order to get his affairs in order. Haunted by the ghost of his adopted mother, Ruby, and her past, Cam soon realizes that there is more at stake than simply an inheritance.

I really enjoyed the format of this book. We learn about the Ruby kidnapping early on and get to know more about it as the story progresses. We also get to know Ruby’s life, and how she came to be infamous in her own right, through letters she writes to an unknown recipient. These were the couple of plot lines that kept me intrigued with the book. A lot of the plot twists were predictable, but I definitely found myself saying “OMG” by the end of the book. The last 25% of this book saved the star rating for me for sure. Otherwise this likely would have been a 2 star read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This may be my favorite Rachel Hawkins book yet. I think I've said that about each and every one I've read.

With multiple points of view (Camden, Jules, Ruby through letters and newspaper clippings) we get a sense of both the past and present of Ashby house and Ruby's backstory. You get a sense that there are things both Camden and Jules are hiding, so aren't sure if they are reliable or unreliable narrators. It has strong gothic vibes from the setting, the mystery and the tension.

Rachel Hawkins writes exactly the kind of thrillers I like to read- generally light, fast, intriguing, & twisty. The multiple POVs were so good, the characters were well written. Another personal hit from Hawkins. Also, I liked this on audio!

I will literally read anything that Rachel Hawkins puts out. I don’t think there has been a single book of hers that I haven’t enjoyed, and this was no exception.
There are 3 main POVs in this novel. The first is Camden, the Ruby’s adopted son and the inheritor of her estate. The second is Jules, Camden’s wife. And the third is Ruby, the heiress. Ruby’s perspective, however, is written through letters that she left behind that chronicles her life and the many husbands she had. The book melds together the black widow stereotype with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, mixed with the Charles Lindbergh kidnapping and a touch of Riley Sager’s The Only One Left. And it all works. It truly does. I loved trying to piece together the puzzle that was Ruby throughout the book. I think I enjoyed her sections the most. I found her incredibly compelling and was always so excited to read her chapters.

The relationship between Camden and Jules is sweet, but as the story progresses you come to understand exactly how complicated their relationship is and how complicated Camden’s history is with the McTavish family. Camden’s adopted family are truly the worst of people and with Camden being the exact opposite, it’s really easy to root for him and understand his angst about letting it all back into his life after having gotten away from them all.

I don’t even want to reveal too much because I don’t want to give anything away. This was a deliciously twisty thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I have loved all of this author’s books, but this one is SO good! There were many gasp out loud moments and tension throughout. Definitely recommend!

Ok I am late to the game on this one (as per usual), but here goes anyway. I read The Heiress back in January and generally found it to be an enjoyable experience. The setting absolutely rocks and I thought the plot was well paced. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives but the characters, apart from Ruby, fell a little flat for me. That said, I have a feeling this book would be amazing on audio. ⁣
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I genuinely always enjoy this author’s work, both her thrillers and romances, but this wasn’t my fave of hers. Still a good and enjoyable read though! Recommend for those who love books about old money, Evelyn Hugo but make it thriller-y, family dramas, etc. ⁣
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Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read!

This one will have you swiping pages so quickly, your kindle won't know what happened! A twisty tale of past meets present that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Well done, as Rachel Hawkins always does!

I enjoyed this story. Intrigue and the posh lifestyle all together. I figured some of the twists out, but still liked the story. Good ending to a fun thriller.