I’m not sure if it’s because I know next to nothing about astrology or what, but I could not connect with this book. It was hard to keep track of all of the characters and how they were related to each other. I really struggled to follow along and I ended up deciding this book was not for me. It seems like it would be great for astrology lovers.

The Astrology house is the perfect blend of drama and mystery. Four couples show up to Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat where they meet their host, Rini, who has her own reasons for hosting these guests for the weekend. Surprises are around every corner for these guests as their plans for a relaxing vacation quickly devolve into chaos. In addition to the drama brought about by guests and host alike, there’s a hurricane coming that forces everyone to unpack their unwanted baggage together.

The suspense builds slowly until it finally erupts in a flurry of dramatic twists and revelations in the final chapters. The characters are all deeply flawed, with each and every one of them trying to solve their own problems — and sometimes problems that involve other guests.

Overall, The Astrology House is a compelling page-turner that demonstrates the author's skill in crafting a suspenseful and original story. There was so much thought put into the astrology aspect and how all of the characters fit into this puzzle together.

A locked room thriller with an astrological twist? I'm in. I've always had an interest in astrology, but never really pursued it anything further than that so the idea of a resort that focuses on the natal charts of the guests was fascinating to me. The story did not disappoint. There are lots of strong twists and this a book that kept me guessing right up until the end.
Even if you're not into astrology, this is a strong read.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I recently saw this author’s interview where she mentioned RHOBH influenced this story and I thought, “I have to read that book”. I’m so glad I did! A great story that builds and builds to a great conclusion. Plus if you’re a RH fan you’ll see the influences and out right call out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in return for my honest review.

As an astrologer I absolutely loved this. I found its points on the subject accurate for the most part and loved the house despcrition. Great concept and plot.

This was surprisingly juicy! I expected a more somber novel given the title and cover. Instead, The Astrology House is a soapy portrayal of a group of friends who are harboring a lot of secrets. And isn’t a retreat where they are all isolated from the outside world in close quarters the perfect place for their secrets to come bursting out? I certainly think so!

In terms of the structure of the book, changing perspectives made it difficult for me to get the handle on who everyone was and how they relate to one another for the first 20% of the book. As a rundown, Margot is an attorney who is married to an investment banker named Ted. Margot is close to her brother Adam after the two bonded together in a traumatic childhood. Adam is now a secret romance novelist married to a successful influencer named Aimee. Her social media focuses primarily on her children and being a mother, and Adam is not a central figure in her online presence.

Aimee is best friends with Farah, who is a successful OBGYN. Farah is married to a politician named Joe, but harbors secret feelings for her best friend Aimee that only emerged recently. Farah is trying to unpack what it means. Rick is best friends and colleagues with Margot’s husband, Ted. Rick is married to a jewelry designer named Eden. Rini is the owner and host of the astrology-themed retreat. She inherited the house and built her business from the ground-up. The Astrology House is an old Victorian mansion set on the shores of Long Island.

This book is dramatic! So much drama to go around. I dropped one of the earliest reveals (as in, during the first chapter Farah narrates) about her confusing feelings for her best friend Aimee. Let me tell you, that is mundane compared to many of the other secrets this groups holds. I love a group of rich people who behave badly and this group had plenty of that archetype. Several of the characters were sympathetic and likable, so this wasn’t one of those books where you don’t like anyone. The women, in particular, are mostly people who you may not relate to, but you’ll understand.

Rini may be the one with the biggest secret and she waits all the way until the end of the book to drop the full story on us (and on her guests). This isn’t a random group of friends staying at the Astrology House—Rini has lured them there for a specific reason. This made her astrology readings with them extra fascinating. I kept wondering what Rini knew and was injecting as predictions into her sessions. Aside from Rini’s big secret, she also is convinced that she will be dying soon. This comes from a reading from another astrologist long ago who has been eerily correct about many things. Rini has accepted that fate, and she’s using her last days to take down… someone in the group. Or more than one person, perhaps! Some of them take themselves down, if I’m being honest.

Unexpected and fun!

I was lucky enough to meet Carinn Jade at Hamptons Whodunit in April and she talked about her upcoming book, The Astrology House. It sounded amazing and I couldn’t wait to read it.

Well, it delivered! I can’t believe this is a debut. It’s SO good!

I read this in two days and didn’t want to stop. It had me completely hooked from the characters to the setting to the wonderfully unique plot. The writing is beautiful. There's so much depth to the characters. I felt like I knew them. I could envision each of them so clearly in my mind.

Grab a copy of this one - it’s excellent. Carinn, can’t wait to read whatever you write next!

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade. Pub Date: July 16, 2024. Rating: 3 stars. The premise of this novel was intriguing in the fact it is set at an astrology-themed resort/retreat in an older restored home that two sisters remodeled together. One of the sisters is very into astrology, has a part time lover who helped with the remodel, and wanted to create a retreat atmosphere based on astrology signs, readings and everything in between. A group of people end up vacationing here and all of them are interconnected in some way. Affairs, old friendships and past secrets between the characters make up the bulk of this novel. By the end of the novel there is a sub-revenge plot point that I think as executed well. I found the astrology parts most fascinating and really helped move the story along. I liked it, but did not love it. Thanks to #atriabooks and #netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

3 stars

A woo woo "locked room" thriller? sign me up!

The Astrology House reminded me a lot of several Lucy Foley books, which isn't necessarily bad. I just felt like I had already read this one (with the addition of everyone's natal charts sprinkled throughout).

When three couples decide to take a seaside vacation, Margot plans to stay at the perfect location, Stars Harbor. Here they will explore the world of astrology led by the owner of the house, Rini.
Rini has come from a troubled past and has been searching for her path in life since what happened to her sister. Buying and developing this bed and breakfast has been a saving grace for her. Similar to Rini, Margot has come from a tragic past. Since both of her parents died in a horrific accident Margot and her brother Adam have clung on to each other, and hope to find their own found family now that they are grown up. But not all families stay happily ever after.
As the weekend starts the three couples dive into the magical illusion that it will be fun learning about themselves and their futures. However, things start to unravel as secrets are soon revealed. Will the stars aline for a perfect getaway, or will the tarot cards have something sinister foretold?
Overall rating 4/5
While reading this I kept thinking of the debauchery and sure chaos that was similar to Midnight’s Summer’s Dream. I do like the premise behind the astrological plot but wished it was used maybe more nefariously. I do love a twist at the end and appreciated the “I didn’t see that coming” conclusion.

*Thank you to Carinn Jade, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

The cover of this book caught my attention and I am so glad it did. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. If you are looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the read for you.

I thought this book was very okay. While the storyline was unique I don’t think it was executed very well. I found myself bored at times. The characters were all over the top and hard to have interest in. Overall very okay!

The Astrology House had the potential to be an incredible read, however Jade unfortunately zoned in on marriage drama and one character's background a little too much for me to fully enjoy the novel.

I'm into astrology, so a book about an astrology-themed retreat was a no brainer to pick up. It started out good, we follow 8 different characters for 8 different signs (this is another thing I had an issue with - why not just include all 12?) trying their best to fully sink into this retreat. However, we very closely follow the retreat's host Rini, and we are given what seems like every little detail about her backstory. This made the book such a drag and I honestly thought about putting it down a few times.

I might recommend this to someone who is very interested in character study, but this isn't something I would recommend to a casual reader.

The Astrology House ~ Carinn Jade
A group of wealthy Manhattanites escapes to an astrology-themed retreat, where resentments and long-held secrets lead to a shocking death.
I had very high hopes going into this book because of the astrology aspect. Though I think the author has a very concise grasp of tarot and astrology, the story just fell flat with me. I didn't find any of the characters very likeable, and that might have actually been the purpose. The mechanics of the writing was fine, I just didn't find the dialog very satisfying. This is probably entirely on me and I can definitely see where this book will find an audience that will enjoy it.
Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

i went into this one thinking that it was going to be very promising as i love astrology and am really into trying thrillers out at the moment but this one didnt fully connect with me unfortunately! over all it felt a little to chaotic and had too many characters to fully get invested in every single one of them.

i think i might give this one another try at a later date as i didnt hate it by any means, maybe i just wasn’t fully in the mood for it this go around.

Formal review and thoughts to be paired on Instagram/Goodreads. Gave Lucy Foley vibes with the wealthy dysfunctional couples on a weekend away.

Genre: Mystery Thriller
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Special thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Carinn Jade for an ARC of this book!

A group of family & friends book a weekend at Stars Harbor for an astrology themed retreat. This getaway promises much relaxation, beautiful views, individual and group astrological readings, and drama. Lots of drama. Not only do all of the guests have some kind of secret, but the host is holding the biggest one of all.

As someone who enjoys astrology, this concept really intrigued me! I loved the idea of the astrological retreat with ulterior motives. This book kept me intrigued enough to see what was going to happen. I did feel like there were too many characters at times and it was hard to keep track of who was who/ how they fit into the group. Not to mention, the entire group was MESSY. There was so much drama intertwined between these characters. The reveal was only halfway gasp inducing for me, but overall enjoyed this read!

👍🏻:
-Astrology retreat
-The astrological breakdown of each character at the beginning of their first chapter
-Overall storyline

👎🏻:
-Literally no happy/healthy marriages
-Chaotic sub-plots
-Too many characters. Found them and their intertwining relationships hard to keep track of sometimes
-Some things felt unresolved at the end

Four intertwined couples with secrets...and the astrologer who brings them all together for a spiritual retreat where all - and much more than they bargained for - will be revealed.

I enjoy the "people thrown together in an isolated place TURN TO MURDER" genre, and this is a fun new addition. Rini is an astrologer who sees her clients' fates in the stars, but is pulling a few strings of her own as well. She's gathered a small group of friends, spouses, siblings for a weekend retreat in Stars Harbor. Tension between siblings, spouses, and would-be lovers boils over, and someone doesn't make it out alive.

Add this one to your thriller TBR pile!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this copy of "The Astrology House."

The premise sounded so good and I thought I was going to love it, but here's why I struggled:

There were too many people and couples and I took notes but still had trouble keeping track of all the relationships, histories, talents, and careers.

I really wanted to know more about Rini the astrologist and I think her back story could have been a book all by itself.

I may give it another try at a different time but wanted to give feedback.

This is a great debut by a talented new author to the thriller scene!

A group of Manhattanites travel to The Astrology House for a getaway on Long Island. The house is run by Rini, who seems to have a master plan beyond giving a few readings. We slowly come to learn the secrets of the guests, who are each bold, complex and flawed characters in their own right.

Told from multiple POVs, this is a locked room-type read with a lot of shocks, twists and turns.

This is a great read for anyone who likes psychological thrillers in the style of Lucy Foley or in the vein of Desperate Housewives.

Thank you Atria Books for the ARC!