My love for rich people drama continues!

Let’s start with the concept…a secluded retreat house that focuses on astrology. Where do I sign up? I’ve always been fascinated by how accurate star charts can be and I loved the way that Jade took this and built a way to unravel the plot surrounding our group of characters.

In addition to the plot driving forward character creation, readers are also gifted a multiple POV experience. Jade allows the reader to connect with several characters one-on-one through these POV shifts, while also showing how these characters are seen through the eyes of each other. It’s through these individual narrations that we learn the deepest secrets that our characters hold. And let me just say…they’re going to come out and it’s going to be dramatic!

Jade keeps the pacing of the story to a methodical pace that allows for tension to ramp up slowly until our inevitable grand reveal. I think it’s important to not walk into this one expecting a super fast-paced thrill ride, but a story that focuses more on the psychological thriller grounding.

If you can keep up with all the characters and all the drama you are a better reader than I am. This book had me scratching my head and asking what they heck. I was highly disappointed.

You have Rini, who runs The Astrology House and the guests, Adam, Margot, Aimee, Ted, Rick, Eden, Farrah, Joe. Four couples who are expecting a weekend of relaxation. That is not what they get. If one is not fooling around with another's husband then another lusting after her best friend or one just wanting to get back close to her brother. It's like a cycle of self pitying spoiled children. Only they are adults and rich on top of it all.

Secrets and backstabbing is abundant. At least that is my take on things. One dies and others start the blame game. One ends up in rehab(they needed it badly). Spouses leave each other. It's like reading a soap opera.

I did not enjoy this book at all.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Atria for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

I'm also being very generous giving it 3 stars.

I found the astrology aspect interesting, but there were almost too many POVs for me to keep up with and I never really felt invested in any of the characters. If you’re super into astrology, read it. If you’re like me and just into good thrillers, maybe skip this one.

The writing and pacing of this book were excellent. I was hooked after the first chapter and devoured the book in 2 days.
I did find the plot to be too soapy and dramatic, I wish I had more of the thriller aspect. The characters were really unlikeable and I wasn’t particularly rooting for anyone until the last chapter. I’m not much into astrology but the way it was incorporated was fun.
It was an overall fun read and I’m thankful to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for access to the eARC.

I was so excited to receive an arc of this book, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me. The premise was so interesting, but the execution fell a little flat. The characters were pretty interesting, and the plot intrigued me, but much of the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. It made it very hard to keep my attention. Just not for me.

Loved it! I honestly could not put it down!

I’m not into astrology but am definitely open to it and interested. While it’s a big theme of the book and woven though the scenes, I didn’t feel like you had to be into it to enjoy this book. (However, if you are, I bet it’s a bonus!)

I loved the mystery, the intrigue and the whiplash from going back and forth of what is going to happen and who is going to do it. Just when I thought I knew, BAM! Twist I didn’t see. Great book, possibly some triggers for some but I loved it without having any history of these issues.

Gifted copy provided by Atria and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

I have a weakness for thrillers that take place in a big house with mysterious hosts and friend/ family drama, and this book this that perfectly. It’s a bunch of friends that half hate each other and have their secrets, all getting their charts read while feeling to keep their heads on.

I found this debut novel to be rather boring and it took forever for anything to happen. I did like her writing so I will be checking out any new work, but this one just didn't work for me.

ARC Review: Available July 16th!


The Astrology House by Caring Jade. Thank you to @netgalley and Atria Books for my #GIFTED copy. All options are my own and voluntary.

Margot, her husband and 3 other couples visit Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat to rest, balance and get some answers. The retreat promises an enlightening experience for Margot and her fellow guests. Margot has come for some divine intervention with fertility. She’s desperate to be a mother and to reconnect with her brother whom is married to Amie.

Adam, a successful romance author has been busy writing his novels while, Amie, successful social media influencer with a following of mothers like her, has neglected Adam for far too long. She’s hoping to reignite their spark during this trip. But Adam is not having any of it. You see, Adam is hiding huge secrets from Aimee, secrets that are about to come to light.

Rini, host of Stars Harbor is also hiding a secret, a secret that will lead someone to their grave.

My thoughts:
Fast paced, interesting and full of plot twists! This was an exciting read that I enjoyed all the way through! Fans of Daniel Hurst will love this one!

Astrology + frenemies on a weekend retreat? Yes, please! I loved the addition of the Astro cheet sheets - they helped me to remember how the group was connected and gave insight into their personalities. The audiobook has a full cast of narrators which helped differentiate the characters.

The astrology aspect of this novel was so fun! I loved reading about everyone's sun, moon, and rising signs and how that impacted their experiences and behaviors. The story ticks all of the boxes you want a thriller to have: secret identities, revenge, affairs, too much money, a beautiful locale, and even a hidden passage.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. And the premises of it was amazing and really drew my attention but at 30% I did unfortunately add this to my dnf pile. It just didn’t hold my attention like I had hoped

Margot Flynn is an attorney who is looking forward to some time off with her husband, brother, and other friends at the Stars Harbor Astrology Retreat on Long Island. Here, with their hostess's guidance, Margot and the others will ponder how much of life is fate and how much is free-will. Everyone has a different reason for being there. Margot specifically wants to know if motherhood is finally going to be in her future. By the end of the book, the reader learns some of the characters have unexpected connections.

The setting is unique and readers get to see each character's horoscope as compiled by Rini, who seems to have an agenda in addition to giving readings to her guests. The atmosphere of the book is foreboding, and the multiple-points-of-view keep the book moving at a fast pace. Everyone in the book has secrets and while some of the characters are harder to get to know that others, I grew to like almost all of them by the end of the story. One person is behind redemption and it's hard reading about what that character did. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to thriller fans looking for something different, but I was disappointed that the dramatic ending left some important loose ends open.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.

I really loved the premise of this book. I liked the mystery but I really did not enjoy most of the characters which made the book a little difficult to get through. It was a decent read overall.

Not yet 40, and Margot has achieved her dream of making partner in her firm. But while her future should feel bright and secure, Margot is struggling with the complex emotions that accompany infertility. On top of her fears that she may not be able to build her family, she is also distressed by the recent distant demeanor of her brother -- her only living relative. With so much upheaval in her life, Margot decides that a couples retreat to a vacation destination she keeps seeing ads for on social media will be just the thing she needs.

Stars Harbor Astrology House isn't just a luxury retreat center -- guests also can participate in private star chart readings, couples compatibility sessions, and group activities. But as four couples descend upon the rental for a weekend that promises answers and clarity from the stars, a storm and a swirl of secrets threatens to sow chaos instead -- with deadly consequences.

I really appreciated how the author dealt with some sensitive topics, namely infertility and wondering whether one's child needs developmental support. These are very real things that families deal with every day, and I thought that the author handled the treatment with the respect the topics deserve.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. Many of them were downright unlikeable, whereas others were prickly and intentionally keepings others (and the reader) at arms' length. Coupled with this were plot revelations that I was able to guess beforehand, meaning that twists didn't land with the shock the author hoped to deliver.

Readers who enjoyed the premise of Nine Perfect Strangers, with its luxury retreat and a hostess with ulterior motives, will likewise find this debut novel intriguing and a great pick for a vacation read. However, mystery/thriller fans will likely be able to deduce many of the story's outcomes before they are revealed.

This review will be posted to Goodreads and Instagram on July 23, 2024.

Very entertaining and full of drama! I had a little bit of hard time keeping up with the characters and who was married to whom but over all really liked the book and learning how everyone was connected.

4/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning and middle of this book. I felt like the mystery was intriguing enough to keep me going, while also getting enough information to still move the plot along. However, the end felt a little rushed and unresolved for some characters. I wish the ending had been a little longer and detailed for it to feel a little more clean. Overall I still enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it to others who enjoy thrillers/mysteries.

Yes! I loved this book! Think Nine Perfect strangers but if they all had a connection to each other! And the drama… just when you thought you figured it out it made you do a 180. Dark and twisty and I love it! So surprised to find out this was her first novel! Very well done and will be looking forward to reading more from Carinn Jade!! 🖤
Thank you net galley for the read! 🤍

This was a rollercoaster! I was 99.9% sure I figured it out and then BAM! I love an unexpected turn of events. I loved the different POVs and the atmospheric location. This book is completely bingeable and such a page turner. There were quite a few characters in this story, so it did take me a bit to keep up with who was who, but other than that it was a wonderful debut!

This is a wonderful book if you love reading about rich people and their problems. I was not feeling rich people this weekend but I still enjoyed this book.