This book is everything I wanted Evelyn Hugo to be. Ruby, was so much more compelling. Cruel, manipulative, murderous, deceptive, secretive, narcissistic, and oddly comprehensible. I think because Ruby owned it, she's a more interesting rich-bitch lead. If you're going to be a crap person, go for it completely. I had the most contradictory feelings throughout the book, both being horrified and vaguely understanding her appalling actions. What was fascinating was how her father shaped her and she bled into those around her and brought out the worst in people sometimes or all the time. And that nature versus nurture question pops up, when people have no blood ties to this obscene family, they somehow became like them anyway. I think this would make for a fun book club book to both discus the morality of the story and to have a really Cruella DeVille-type character to bash about, even if somewhere deep down, we envy her audacity and privilege.

This was a fast read, couldn't put it down. The pace was solid, the alternating points of view necessary, and the anxiety builds to a crescendo in the end when you really want all of them to be punished for one reason or another, but mostly the McTavishes. There isn't a lot of action, but it's a great psychological thriller, character study, and twists right up to the very end.

Rachel Hawkins' latest novel, *The Heiress*, is a captivating and suspenseful gothic tale that plunges you into the heart of a dysfunctional family. With unreliable narrators, a haunting atmosphere, and a cast of intriguing characters, this page-turner will keep you guessing until the very end.

The McTavish family is as dysfunctional as they come, each member harboring dark secrets and hidden agendas. This creates constant tension and suspicion, making it impossible to predict who to trust. Each character's story unfolds through their own perspective, adding a layer of ambiguity that keeps you questioning what is real and who is telling the truth.

The audiobook narration, featuring multiple talented voices, brings the story to life in a way that enhances the overall experience. Each narrator perfectly captures the unique personality of the characters, deepening their portrayal and immersing you further into the McTavish family's twisted world.

Hawkins' masterful writing shines through once again. Her vivid descriptions transport you to the gothic setting, while her well-developed characters resonate with both their flaws and complexities. The pacing is expertly crafted, drawing you into the unfolding mystery and leaving you eagerly anticipating the next twist.

The beginning might feel slow as the book meticulously introduces its characters and establishes the setting. However, once the story gains momentum, it becomes difficult to put down, leaving you captivated until the final page.

*The Heiress* is a must-read for anyone who enjoys gothic suspense, psychological thrillers, and family dramas. It's a well-written, suspenseful story with a cast of unforgettable characters. I highly recommend it, especially if you're looking for a book that will keep you up all night wondering what will happen next.

***Big thank you to MacMillan Audio for my gifted copy of this book, all opinions are my own.***

Twisty and dark, The Heiress is everything I want in a thriller. I really enjoyed the way the author used letters as a form of flashback and the romance that was threaded through the story. While the relationship isn’t perfect (and those two could both do with some serious therapy), it added heart to this otherwise pretty bleak book.

It was just beautiful happenstance that I am currently writing a paper for an Irish folklore class about fairy changelings - the first chapter of this book was perfect for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Heiress
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Narrators: Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, Patti Murin
Pub Date: January 9, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio or the #gifted copies of The Heiress!

This book! The Heiress was such an addictive and twisty book that I could not put down! Told in multiple POV and formats, including letters and new stories, once the family drama starts, it does not stop! This book is so well written and engaging and I cannot recommend it enough!

Ruby McTavish, victim of a famous kidnapping as a child, is the richest woman in North Carolina, widowed four times, and the ruler of her family’s estate, Ashby House. When she dies, everything is passed down to her adopted son, Camden. The problem is, Camden wants nothing to do with the house or money, and lives a separate, simple life in Colorado. Ten years after the death of Ruby, Camden is summoned back to Ashby House in the wake of his uncle. Still wanting nothing to do with his family or Ashby House, Camden is encouraged to make the trip home by his wife, Jules. From there, the drama and secrets start to unfold.

If you are looking for an addictive book that you cannot put down, this is it! It’s seriously a must read if you love drama and a quick and entertaining plot!

The Heiress:
🖤Gothic Vibes
🖤Alternating POV
🖤Family Drama
🖤So Many Secrets

I alternated between the e-book and the audiobook. The audiobook cast was top notch! I love audiobooks that have multiple narrators, and this cast worked so well together and really complemented one another! The pacing was perfect and I found myself getting drawn in so easily to the story by the phenomenal group of narrators! I highly recommend either version of this book, but if you are looking for a singable audiobook, this is it!

Ooh this was a delicious suspense/mystery/fiction/not sure how to classify it.
This novel is all about the life of Ruby, an heiress to a large fortune and the widow of four husbands. There has always been a lot of public speculation about Ruby and these mysterious deaths, in addition to the tale of her being kidnapped as a child. As her adopted son, Camden, is the sole heir of her fortune, the rest of the family has a lot of strong feelings about that.

Get ready for a book that draws you into an incredible storyline, full of twists and turns. You’re guaranteed to enjoy this one!

Narrator- the audiobook is fantastic and keeps you engaged throughout the whole novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an e-ARC!

This book has a slow start, with not much beyond basic set-up at 30%. I prefer faster paced thrillers/suspense books, but this was still a solid book. The audiobook was compelling and I appreciated the inclusion of multiple cast members as narrators, which helped with being able to distinguish each perspective.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins in exchange for an honest review. I listened to this book in one afternoon! It had a lot of plot twists and surprises right to the end.i really enjoyed it and and very glad I got the advanced copy.

'The Heiress' started slow, but once it found its groove it brought twist after twist! Everyone is so unlikable it's impossible to decide who to root for (the answer: no one) and yet it's so fun reading the crazy way they justify their bad (read: murderous) inclinations.

A young couple returns to the boy's childhood home at the urging of the bride, who disagrees with her husband's decision to step away from his massive inheritance. It's not that she's a gold digger, she just... wants (kills for?) gold. But never fear - the rest of the family is straight trash, so you won't feel bad for anyone!

I think that's part of the fun here: because they're all too wretched to attach to, you're never in fear for the characters. Could any of them die? Yes. Would it be a pity? Not really. Instead of a heart-thumping thriller, it's a delightfully macabre joy-ride through poisoning, arson, suffocation, love taps (off the edge), etc.

Pick this up if you like:
* rich people behaving badly
* multiple POVs
* tons of twists
* everybody's evil
* toxic families
* genealogy fraud
* wicked women

I enjoyed 'The Villa' so I'm not surprised I had fun with this. I look forward to reading whatever Hawkins writes next!

Thanks, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins weaves a mesmerizing tale of wealth, intrigue, and family secrets. Set against the backdrop of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Hawkins skillfully unveils a suspenseful narrative that delves into the dark secrets of the McTavish family. This gothic suspense captivates with its rich storytelling and leaves readers enthralled by the complexities of family bonds that extend beyond the grave. The audiobook version of this book is equally fantastic, featuring an outstanding narrator.