Sigh

I wish this book could have lived up to the cover and the synopsis. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me.

The main character, Gia, alternates between being an unemployed spoiled rich girl, a wife who openly fantasizes and taunts other men in front of her husband, a wife who is offended when her husband does the same back, and also a wife who is upset when her husband spends her money without her knowledge. She's not someone I would want for a friend, yet for some reason, Abby has been her friend since they were kids.

Abby is pretty much Gia's opposite, and other than a deep secret they share, I don't see anything else binding them together. Abby is responsible and has a good job as a lawyer that she dedicates much of her life to. Abby doesn't care much for Gia's husband Garrett, or the fact they married after a very short relationship, and refused to attend their spur of the moment wedding. Gia forgives Abby, though, and invites her to Sweden for Gia's birthday. But when Gia doesn't show, Abby and Gia's brother Benny are worried and travel to Greece to find out what's up.

The setting was beautiful. The people are slimy and obviously cons. I felt that the plot moved too slow and didn't engage my attention. I'm sorry, but I'm sure there are others who will appreciate the book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I found this book very enjoyable—lots of twists and intrigue and drama. It kept me guessing almost the whole time, not trusting any character. The Greece setting was also awesome and I appreciated that we had Abby's down-to-earth perspective balancing out Gia's unreliable, low-impulse-control narrative, or else I might have struggled a bit more with the story. Though even Abby is suspect at times. Which was part of what made this book enjoyable. It had a bit of an open-ended ending, which was a little disappointing, but also really good in that it kept you thinking even after it's over. I'd definitely recommend!

When Gia invites her childhood friend on a vacation with her and her brother Abby agrees. She arrives in Spain and meets Benny, Gia's brother, and they quickly realize something is very wrong. Gia hasn't arrived and isn't answering her phone. Benny and Abby head out to find her.

I'm not sure about my feelings for this book. I didn't love Gia's POV, told through her manuscript, which took up most of the book. I liked Abby and Benny, but I don't feel like we really got to know them very well except for the way they interacted with each other and Gia. I would have loved more focus on those two and less on Gia. There are some great twists and turns closer to the end that once I got there really renewed my interest in what was happening in the book. But then we are left with this open ending. Which on occasion can work for me, but in this case I really wanted a definitive close on what happened.

Gia is a wealthy heiress down to her last million. Her new husband, Garrett, May or may not be a fraud. While living in Greece, Gia & Garrett befriend a shady couple. Gia’s best friend Abby, and Gia’s brother Benny head to Sweden to met Gia for a weekend to view the Northern Lights. But Gia never shows. Is Gia ok. Has Garrett or the couple harmed her in some way?

Unfortunately we never find out, at least not fully. I think if there had been a more fulfilling ending, I would have rated this book 4⭐️. As it is, I definitely liked some of the plots twists but I just needed a little more from this story.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine, and the author for an ARC of this book.

Perfect destination thriller for summer! Hot, spicy setting on a Greek isle, rich people doing bad things, lots of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" vibes. You will never know who is telling the truth.

Gia and Abby have been friends since childhood. When they were teenagers, a tragedy struck at the end of summer, and they grew apart. Now Gia, is a wealthy writer living in Greece and Abby is an attorney. Gia invites Abby and Gia's brother Benny on an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden to celebrate her birthday, and Abby decides to use up some of her vacation time and take her up on it. When they get to the resort, Gia is a no-show. She sends a text, claiming she is sick and hopes to see them in a day or two. They become concerned for her welfare, and decide to go to Gia's home in Greece to see what is going on. When they get there, the place is deserted, the house is locked up tight, and the only clue they have is a copy of the manuscript Gia was writing, detailing everything that had been happening up until then.

This book started out good, but the last several chapters, the plot just seemed to devolve. I can't say I liked any of the characters, because they were all pretty awful. I wanted to at least like Abby & Benny but they seemed very one-dimensional. I would have loved to have seen more depth to those two. Overall, this one did not live up to expectations.

4.5 stars

This is the perfect poolside read (I say about most books lately, but really)! Rich people doing bad things and mysterious disappearances are things I always enjoy reading about, but the different format and decadent setting descriptions in this one made it especially enjoyable!
Abby grew up poor, but when her mom was hired as a live-in chef for Gia's family, the two became fast friends, and Abby was taken along for the ride with Gia and her charming brother Benny's luxurious lifestyle. When the girls were 18, though, their happy bubble was popped by a tragedy in Greece, and over the years they've drifted apart. Now they're in their thirties, and Gia lives on a Greek island with her new husband while Abby works long days as an attorney. Determined to recreate the fun of their youth, Gia organizes a trip to Sweden for the 3 of them to celebrate her birthday. But when Abby and Benny arrive, Gia is nowhere to be found. The two go to Gia's home in Greece, the site of the events that have haunted Abby for years. But instead of Gia, all they find is her in-progress autobiographical manuscript, detailing the debauchery of her summer before abruptly cutting off. Is the story true? And where is Gia?

This book bounces between Abby's POV in present time and chapters from Gia's manuscript that start at the beginning of the summer, and it's such a fun way to read the events! I especially enjoyed Gia's chapters and how realistic the descriptions were---I felt like I was poolside and at the beach on vacation right along with her. I had a few questions about things at the end, but for the most part the thriller elements of this were really fun and fast-paced, and I didn't predict everything that happened, which is always appreciated. I liked the emphasis on how deceptive and complicated relationships of all kinds can be, whether they're romantic, friendly, or familial, and how we all create our own truths. I saw in the acknowledgements that this book has had its film rights optioned, so I'm hoping that pans out because I'd love to see it adapted! Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ladykiller is a salacious tale of who's sleeping with whom, and who's lying or telling the truth. I don't trust any of these privileged narcissists. In the wake of her father's death, it chronicles Gia's whirlwind relationship with - and extremely fast marriage to - a man she barely knows, and her longtime friendship with Abby (who has a complicated relationship with Gia's brother, Benny). Seeing how people use Gia for her money makes me almost glad I'm not rich. Set primarily in Greece, there are lots of references to mythology.

I recommend this book for people who like reality shows and gossip columns: the gritty underside of human behavior, simulaneously both gripping and repulsive.

Thanks to Random House for providing a complimentary Advance Reader Copy through #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This turned out to be a predictable book.
I had a hard time really getting interested in the story.
There were a few surprises so there’s that.
It had a good bit of heat so if that’s your thing definitely check it out.
This just wasn’t my favorite book of the week but it might be yours

Ladykiller was not what I expected at all. But I enjoyed the book. The mystery of what and who Gia was kept me entertained. I didn’t know who to believe. Gia? Abby? Noah? This book has two different POV’s between Gia’s manuscript and Abby’s in the present day. I did not like Gia nor Abby but I enjoyed them as characters. 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A dark and twisted novel of friendship, family and betrayal with complicated but ultimately flat characters.

I did love the sumptuous descriptions of the settings the premise. However, while the intrigue keeps you interested, the resolution is lacking in answers and satisfaction. Unfortunately a disappointing end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

If you are look for a suspense/thriller to transport you to the lush beaches of the Grecian Islands then dive into this one.

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood is told by jumping between the two protagonists POV’s. Abby being the present and Gia’s being told via her manuscript of a recent past. The author did such an amazing job delivering on building the lush setting that I could smell the salty sea air. However, of the two POV’s I looked forward to Abby’s chapters. Gia’s, although sexy and fun, never felt fleshed out fully to me and they felt slow in progression. The first half of the novel took a long time to grab my attention.

Was the book suspenseful? Sure, in a slow burn kind of way. I didn’t hate the book but I also didn’t love it. Would I recommend it? I would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a beach read who likes unreliable narrators and doesn’t mind endings that aren’t wrapped in a pretty bow.

Thank You Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC for my honest review

Happy Reading!

I feel like the ending didn't quite deliver, and I expected a little more of a ~team manuscript vs letter~ debate. Instead, we only get the story the manuscript provided and partially Gia's story.. but the ending was really ambiguous. I enjoyed reading both Abby's POV and Gia's manuscript, but it took a while for the suspense to kick up (and even then there was potential for lots of twists that didn't quite happen).

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

I will admit I was intrigued by the title and publisher's synopsis. Unfortunately, for me the book was a bit of a disappointment. It started out strong, Gia, a young rich woman, fails to show up for a planned vacation with her best friend, Abby and her brother, Benny.

The story unfolds through Gia's manuscript and Abby's point of view past and present. Gia is married to Garrett, someone Abby warned Gia about. Garrett has a shipping company that needs financial help which Gia provides. When he asks for additional funds, Gia's banker refuses to do the transfer without speaking to Garrett. Why is Garrett's company in financial trouble? The couple live in a mansion in Greece. One evening they meet another couple, become friendly and then ... ( no spoilers).

There are past secrets and things are not what they appear to be. The author tries to keep us interested with some twists and turns. I did not find Gia or Abby very likeable. The book's ending left me unsatisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Bantam, for an ARC. The review is my own.

Gia and Abby have been friends since childhood. Abby's mother worked for the family and Gia's family paid for her schooling at a private school. They are bonded by a tragedy. But what really happened. Abby has always felt guilty. Gia has a whirlwind romance and marries quickly. Is this a mistake? When Abby, with Gia's brother Benny, is invited to Sweden to celebrate Gia's birthday, Gia does not arrive in Sweden, so Abby and Benny go to Greece to look for her.

This is a thriller where the tension increases as you read. What is really going on and who is lying. Where is Gia and did her husband do something bad to her? You will definitely be trying to figure out what is real and what is a lie. The ending may be a surprise since it is open ended. This did not bother me as there may be a sequel or I can make up the ending. Readers can think and are capable of imaging what happens next. This book is different and I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #KatherineWood and #Bantam for a copy of this book
#Ladykiller

Gia and Abby have been friends since Abby’s mother came to work for Gia’s family when they were kids. They went to school together, vacations, shared everything with each other. One night Gia saves Abby from being assaulted by Gia’s ex-boyfriend and stalker, Noah and ends up killing him. Or so that’s the story. Twelve years later Gia invites her brother Benny and Abby to Sweden for a vacation to see the Northern Lights. When Gia fails to show, Benny and Abby start to worry. Gia says she’s sick but when a mysterious stranger shows up at the hotel, accompanied by threatening emails to Abby, they travel to Greece, where Gia and her husband Garrett live to find out what’s going on. The past doesn’t always stay in the past.


Really great thriller! Kept me interested and in the edge of my seat the whole time! Had me guessing until the end and I’m still not sure what the truth is!! Loved it!

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood is available next week on July 9th. You need to go and grab it.
Thank you to @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley for this early release.
This was a great, twisty book. It starts with a rich family, the patriarch dies and leaves everyone scrambling to pick up the pieces. Gia, our rich heiress, finds she has to sell her island home to maintain the lifestyle she has become accustomed to. Her new husband of three months seems to good to be true. Her best friend Abby actually tells her that. They have a falling out, but Gia has invited Abby and her brother Benny to meet her in Switzerland to see the northern lights for Gia's birthday to make amends. Benny and Abby show up, but Gia sends a text message saying she's sick. Then so sick she can't make it to see them. Benny and Abby go to the island home she has been renovating to sell, so they can find out what is going on with Gia. They find a manuscript that Gia started writing while there and use it to try to piece together her disappearance. This just brings more and more questions!
Twisty and dark thriller. I loved it.
#netgalley
#crazybooknerd
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#penguinrandomhouse
#ladykiller

The cover of this book stopped me in my tracks and then the synopsis pulled me in! Ladykiller is a suspense/thriller that; overall, I really enjoyed.

The story is told in dual POVs of best friends Abby and Gia. Abby is told in present time (mostly), while Gia's story is told through her manuscript... until the two timelines finally catch up. I loved the pacing. I felt this story flowed so fast and I was intrigued early on to just fly through the story. The suspense built fast, and I honestly was not quite sure where it was going to go. In the end, we are left with and open ending... which I LOVE! An ending that leaves me questioning someone's true character sits just fine with me.

The one thing that bothered me was Gia's character. In her manuscript, she seemed like the 30 year old she claimed to be albeit a spoiled heiress that wasn't quite in touch with reality. However, Gia in real life seemed like a petulant teenager despite her age. I think she could have been written just as unreliable without coming off as immature as she did. It was like the Gia in the manuscript and real-life Gia were two incredibly different people.

Overall, the book was great and I would still recommend it. I look forward to more from Katherine Wood.

A twisty, twisty plot scattered with deftly obscured clues, Ladykiller was immersive storytelling at its best. With vivid descriptions and evocative prose, I felt transported to the sandy beaches and whitewashed buildings of the Greek Isles. But it was the finely layered plot that kept me reading. Peppered with suspense that only ratcheted higher and higher, the buildup had my fingers flying as my brain worked doubletime trying to see behind the skillfully woven curtain. No matter what I came up with, however, I just couldn’t do it.

The characters easily matched the storyline step for step. From the complex group dynamics to the addictive narrative cocktail, a dark history was masterfully interwoven by dual alternating timelines and POVs. Told via Abby in the present and Gia’s manuscript of the past, this tale of metafiction was compelling to be sure. Especially given their realistic personas and true-to-life verve. Altogether, they painted a gripping portrait right up until the end. At least, very nearly.

See, my biggest hang up with this breathtaking psychological thriller was the finale. Without a true conclusion or even a hint at a clue, it was left almost entirely open ended. There could have been so many ways to give the same feel while also providing some answers. So despite the possibility that it could work for others, it left me relatively frustrated even if it was what the author was going for all said and done.

Just the same, the compelling intrigue, thought-provoking drama, and complicated friendships means that this book is sure to stay alive for me long after closing the gorgeous cover. From the dark secrets to multiple suspicious individuals, Wood’s debut novel will surely make quite a mark in the genre. After all, it had it all with rich people behaving badly, a judicious dose of spice, an enigmatic mystery, and underhanded motives. So here’s hoping there’s a book two in the works because I would happily follow Ms. Wood back into this stunning world in a heartbeat. Rating of 4 stars.

Thank you to Katherine Wood and Random House Publishing Group - Bantam for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Real Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

Are you looking for a great book to sit by a body of water with and read? Maybe with a cold drink in hand? Some salacious, soapy, and thrilling? Then you might be looking for Ladykiller.

Ladykiller is author Katherine Wood’s debut novel, and even if it’s pretty obvious this is a debut novel, it’s a pretty good shot for a debut thriller beach read being published smack dab in the middle of summer. Set mostly in the sublime Greek islands and filled with sun, food, drink, sex, and secrets, there is nothing about this book that doesn’t meet the criteria needed for something fun and diverting to read when it’s hot outside and you just want to drink your daiquiri and be left alone.

This book is mostly told from two POVs: Gia is the scion of a wealthy family who is in the midst of divesting herself of the beloved family estate in Greece, and Abby is her best friend who was also the daughter of their family cook growing up. Abby’s story is told in first-person POV, while Gia’s is told in chapters from a manuscript she wrote for the majority of the book. Along for the ride as a narrative foil is Gia’s younger brother, Benny. If you’re thinking unreliable narrator, you got it. If you’re thinking “best friend’s brother” trope, you got it. Is it spicy? Not in my opinion. There’s titillation, but no explicitness. Nudity, but not smut. Fade to black, mostly.

This book isn’t heavy and it’s not meant to be; even so, there’s just so much of this book that seems to breeze by and so much stuff that seems to be a bit too incredulous. I can only suspend disbelief so much. Either that, or I’m more of a cynic than I thought I was. Either way, I just wasn’t as engaged as I’d hoped. I want to be swept away by my beach reads. This was fun, but not quite fun enough for me.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Beach Read/Psychological Fiction/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Mystery/Suspense Thriller