Wow! I was hooked by this book from the very beginning to the very end! The FMC definitely made some crazy choices, but with knowing her past, it wasn’t completely unbelievable. There are some twists and turns, things wrapped up nicely… but then the epilogue happened. 🤯 WHAT?! I had to read the last few sentences a few times to wrap my mind around what I was reading! I will be thinking about this book for a long time!

REVIEW: The Unraveling ⭐⭐⭐.5 (3.5)

I have heard of Vi Keeland before, but only as a romance writer. I picked this up because I wondered how a romance writer would write a thriller. The Unraveling was my first read of hers.

First, this book is better if you go into it blind—the less information you know, the better. I will not spoil anything here. There are so many twists and turns throughout the story: some predictable and some not. I felt like I was trying to figure out what was going on the whole time (in a good way). Our narrator, Meredith, was tough to figure out if we could trust her, which is a lot of fun in a psychological thriller. As a romance writer, Vi Keeland had to add some spicy scenes, which were spicy. I also loved how fast-paced this book seemed to be.

There were a few things I was not too fond of as much about The Unraveling. The book starts by switching back and forth between then and now timelines. It was super interesting, but the chapters stopped very early in the book when I wished there were more. Also, Meredith was hard to care about because she was either super indecisive or made very questionable choices.

Overall, I enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. I am curious to read some of Vi Keeland’s romance books!

Thank you, Netgalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

I had a stack of TBR books, but as soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to dive into this one. "The Unraveling" by Ki Leeland, her debut thriller, was a thrilling, unpredictable and engaging.

I couldn’t put it down, racing through it in less than three days, eager to see what would happen next. The back-and-forth between then and now kept me hooked, revealing layers of Meredith’s life.

While I was hooked from the start, I didn’t feel like the story really picked up until about 35%. The ending? Completely unexpected and left me in shock! This was 4-stars for me, and I can't wait for more people to experience it when it releases on July 9.

Meredith McCall is a successful NYC psychiatrist married to her handsome pro-hockey player husband, Connor. Their future is looking bright when a game injury starts a spiral of events that ultimately ends in a tragedy for her and another family.

Left to deal with the aftermath and her own culpability in this, Meredith finds herself drifting along until she spots a familiar face one day while out. It’s Gabriel Wright, the man who lost his family. She witnessed his devastation firsthand that night, so how is it that he now looks so … happy?

Her need to find the answer to that question and make amends for his loss quickly turns into an obsession. She just wants to see where he goes and what he does with his time … that’s all. Imagine her shock when he walks into her office one day as a new patient! It crosses all ethical boundaries to treat him, but he doesn’t know who she is and she just wants to help, right? It can’t hurt … she’ll keep it professional.

One thing is for sure: it’s a dangerous game being played, and up until the very end you’ll still be figuring out who the players are and how they played it!

So, did I enjoy that game? I did! Was it the most riveting game ever? Nah, but I had plenty of fun with it, nonetheless. It was the slooowest of slow burns, but I enjoyed the psychological chess match! A couple scenes ventured towards erotic suspense territory, but I’ve read a lot spicier things in rom-coms lately! The epilogue didn’t entirely surprise me since I read a lot of thrillers, but it’s still a worthy twist that should be a nice jaw-dropper for some! My biggest complaint is that the ending was resolved too easily, and I thought the suspense and sense of menace could’ve been amped up a notch, but they weren’t things that ruined any of my enjoyment.

This is a solid first foray by Vi Keeland into the thriller market, and if she ever writes another one - I’ll be there for it!

Meredith is a psychologist and is married to Connor, a professional hockey player. After a serious tragedy, she is having some trouble coping and moving on. One day she runs into Gabriel, another party on the tragedy train and things start to get a little…unhinged.

I could not put this book down! A psychological thriller with a doctor/patient trope, and a huge twist at the end! Each time I thought I knew what was happening, Vi Keeland keeps you on your toes! I still think about this book weeks after finishing!

The Unraveling was a positively addictive read. I couldn’t put it down once I started and when I read the last sentence, it made me question EVERYTHING that I had just read.

Full of twists and turns and characters with questionable morals, you are instantly drawn into the tragedy of their lives and will be questioning every move that is made. I don’t want to give anything away because you need to go into this gripping and suspenseful tale blind and with no preconceived notions about the story. My mind was blown by this amazing story and that ending left me breathless. The Unraveling consumed me and I don’t think I’ll stop thinking this story for awhile.

Absolutely spectacular debut thriller. I was utterly speechless! This was a wild ride that I’m still struggling to find any words other than “omg wtf”.

3.5 stars. Overall a very engaging read, but there are some moments when you want to scream at Meredith to quit making such poor decisions. I flipped paged quickly, and although it dragged a bit in the middle, Keeland created so much suspense and really had you feeling Meredith's "unraveling". I was uncomfortable at times with the level of Meredith's unethical behavior (as well as that of her own psychiatrist). I did not see the ending coming, and I so want to talk about it with someone! I can't wait to check out more from this author.

Keeland's new heart-pounding psychological thriller was so riveting, I couldn't put it down. Meredith was lost after a tragic event, not knowing how to move forward. When she sees Gabriel, who should be just as lost as her, but isn't, she's obsessed in trying to find out why. Meredith frustrated me at times with some of her actions, but Keeland does a good job weaving this story and helping me to empathize with her. This story had me on the edge of my seat trying to predict where this story was going. I was completely stunned by the ending, which I love when that happens. I have enjoyed Keeland's other contemporary romance books and was excited to read something different, and I was not disappointed.

This was the first book that I've read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. The final twist made my jaw drop. I've read so many thrillers that I often guess the twist midway through the book, but not this time. I definitely did not see that ending coming. If you are looking for something dark, twisty, and suspenseful- I highly recommend.

Psychological thriller is not usually my book genre of choice. However, Vi Keeland is always an automatic one-click author for me. Since she wrote a thriler, I read it. I must say, it completely held my attention. I do like a book that makes me think. This one did exactly that.

The story is interesting. What stars out as a simple story of a hockey wife supporting her star husband through his playing career quickly spirals into a nightmarish situation from which many of the characters struggle to recover. There are a myriad of emotions to sort through, everything from sorrow, guilt, and anger to hope, love, and joy.

The pacing of the plot quickly shifts between past and present. The details are intrcate and intriguing. Just as I was sure I had a handle on what was going on, there was a twist that made me question my theory about who the villains are and who the victims are. All of the major players in this novel are morally gray and are suspect at several instances in the story.

Vi Keeland deftly weaves a unique tale where the reader gets to witness the best and worst behavior humans can display. She skillfully lulls the reader into thinking they have it figured out and then hits hard with the truth that only the most diligent of thriller readers will come close to guessing.

I would suggest you grab your comfort snacks, beverages, blankies, and pillows, burrow into your favorite reading space, and get ready for the best thrill read of Summer 2024.

I'm sorry, I tried, I really tried to love this. I read another book by this author and absolutely loved it ! This one though took me so long to get through, I didn't like any of the characters, I was a little bored throughout and the final reveal was okay, but not that exciting, I just wanted more out of it!

Although I am an unpopular opinion! I do think this will appeal to a lot of readers.

✨️ Thank you to @netgalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not what I was expecting, having read a few Vi Keeland books in the past. BUT I’m so glad that it wasn’t because it was INTENSE. I loved every minute of it and put off all other responsibilities so that I could reach the end and figure out what was going on.

Without giving too much away in terms of spoilers… Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist whose career has been halted by a year-long suspension, is filled with guilt and seeking therapy to heal from tragedy. Her once-happy life with her hockey-star husband is now shattered and gone. Fixated on Gabriel Wright, an English professor whose life she inadvertently ruined, Meredith resumes her professional life, working towards new beginnings and even the prospect of dating again. Her world shifts when Gabriel becomes her patient, forcing her to navigate ethical dilemmas and confront mysterious threats that hint at hidden dangers.

Vi Keeland intricately wove such an intense thriller with underlying romantic elements so well that it was like being on a rollercoaster, and you can’t see the ending coming. Everything from the writing style, plot, character development, and suspense is exactly what I wanted from a 5-star read.

You must experience this book for yourself!
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books / Emily Bestler Books, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Dr. Meredith McCall is still mourning the tragic death of her husband, Connor, almost 2 years later. The accident that claimed the life of her husband, also resulted in the deaths of a woman and child leaving Gabriel Wright a widower. Meredith happens to coincidentally see Gabriel outside a coffee shop one day and wonders how he could be smiling, how could he have gotten his life back on track.. She felt compelled to follow Gabriel and study him to see if it was a facade. But when Meredith finally comes to terms with her self destructive behavior and is allowed to again practice as a psychiatrist, she unexpectedly discovers that Gabriel is a new patient.
I know of the author through her work in romance, and was delighted to read a book from her that leaned towards a psychological thriller. There were many twists in he story, ones I thought I may have figured out, only to be left with new answers (and questions!). The story was well told through the single POV from Meredith, weaving back to the past to dive into the marriage Meredith shared with Connor. I could feel the longing Meredith felt for the abrupt end of her marriage and the struggles she had with Connor at the end. I had a difficult time relating to many of the choices she made both prior to and after her husband's death, but as the story emphasized frequently, everyone deals with tragedy and struggles differently. I recommend this book for any who enjoy psychological thrillers.
Thank you NetGalley and AtriaBooks for an ARC of The Unraveling.

I am bamboozled. I think my jaw is still on the floor!

Vi Keeland is a comfort author for me and I absolutely love her writing. When I saw she was doing a psychological thriller I was stoked! I wasn’t sure what to expect since I don’t read thrillers but I was hooked from the first page.

This story follows psychiatrist, Dr. Meredith McCall, and her life following the loss of her husband in a tragic event. She develops an obsession with Gabriel Wright, a man connected to her through the tragedy, and things start to unravel from there.

This story was such a wild ride! I would think something was going to happen, but then the opposite would happen. Or I’d find myself wanting a certain thing to happen, but then screaming at the pages after.

I am still just speechless from this story. I lived and breathed this story from start to finish and could not put it down. As much as I adore Vi Keeland’s romances, I hope she also continues to write these types of stories because I am in awe.

Dr. Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist New York City, is mourning the loss of her husband Connor, a professional hockey player. Connor tragically died in a car accident while driving under the influence, resulting in the death of a woman and her young daughter. Meredith is tormented by survivor's guilt, questioning if she could have prevented Connor's reckless actions. One day, she sees Gabriel Wright, the husband and father of Connor's victims. Meredith becomes obsessed with Gabriel and the desire to find out how he's coping. Despite knowing it's wrong, she begins to stalk him. Very soon their paths converge when he walks into her practice seeking treatment, and it appears he is unaware of their connection.

Vi Keeland, known for her romance novels, has crossed over to the dark side with this riveting psychological thriller, The Unraveling. As Meredith and Gabriel become entangled in each other’s lives, the tension builds and builds. Who is the cat and who is the mouse? The reader is left trying to figure out what is truly going on. This is a jaw-dropping book that I couldn't put down. Hopefully Ms. Keeland will continue writing in this genre.

4.25 stars.

It isn't often that I am completely blown away by a book! I admit the thrillers are not my favorite at all. I am a wuss and I just can't read them as fast as I would like. That said, this one was all mind games. There are so many twists and turns in this story.

Meredith is a psychiatrist who has had some trauma in her life. She is trying to get herself back in action after taking some time away. She happens upon Gabriel who is tied to her past but seems to be doing so well. What follows is a twisty tale of stalking, anxiety, hopefulness and trying hard to not fall in love.

This author is not known for this genre but she killed this story! I won't share much more. This is a story you just need to sit back, hold on and take the leap.

Loved this one!

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I love a good psychological thriller that features obsession & madness—and this has both! I have never read any of the author’s other books, but apparently she writes romance books and this is her debut thriller-and I am very impressed🙌🏻 A Psychiatrist becomes obsessed with a new patient of hers, and she slowly starts to unravel and slips into madness as she loses her grip on reality. It is a mix of dark, sexy, suspense, and features plenty of twists and jaw-dropping 'wtf?!’ moments. Keeland definitely takes the reader on a wild roller coaster ride with this book. If you are looking for your next twisty-addictive read then look no further and pick this one up ASAP!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦A psychological thriller
✦A romance author turned thriller writer
✦Obsession, darkness, madness, suspense, and plenty of twists
✦An edge of your seat roller coaster ride
✦A twisty and addictive read


𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

I liked this and felt that it was fast paced. I had so many questions going into it. I didn’t expect the plot twist in the end.

Vi Keeland is a go-to for me as a romance author so I was super excited to read her first dip into the thriller genre.

This was a solid 3.5 rounded up. I definitely enjoyed this even though I was correct in some of my suspicions about the end BUT I wasn’t sure of the details so those were a surprise and I was zooming through to finally have everything laid out for me. I do feel the last 20ish% of the book could’ve been fleshed out a little more cos it felt a little rushed and the book isn’t very long (or maybe I just wasn’t ready for it to end?!). This was a fast read and would highly recommend if you are looking for a good summer beach read. I think if you are a fan of Jeneva Rose, you’d prob dig this.

As someone that has read a lot of dark romance, this didn’t feel like DR to me. And without spoiling anything, I felt like some of the intimate parts had their place - it may have just been too explicit for some but was fine for me.

Thank you so much to Vi Keeland, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.