I enjoyed this. It was a bit predictable but I had a hard time putting it down to do anything else, which sometimes is the best compliment I can give a story!

Wow. This is not what I expected from this author. I’ve loved everything by her, but this thriller just wasn’t my vibe. Too many twists and shocking parts, missing plot points and character development. Too many questions at the end. It was a fun read, but not my favorite.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland is a heartbreaking, depressing, dark, emotional and twisty thriller that will make you question what is healthy and what is self-destruction.

This book will smoothly jump in time so it's easy to follow the story. It's about being obsessed and making bad choices, feeling sorry for yourself and feeling guilty, and wanting to fix things that can't be fixed.

I really enjoyed reading the sessions where Meredith was a doctor and was patient in this thriller, which plays with the characters' minds. What she was thinking and how she dealt with things was fascinating.

Meredith is an excellent psychiatrist, but when tragedy strikes, it's time for her to seek help from a different one. It's both voluntary and a requirement for regaining her license and resuming her practice. Meredith has to deal with grief and guilt, as well as a lot of "What if..." situations.
Meredith develops an unhealthy obsession with following Gabriel to learn how it is possible that he is not grieving after accidentally spotting him.
When Gabriel shows up at her office as a patient, she can't help but say yes and pushes the boundaries of what's right and wrong to care for him. Sadly, things continue to slide down the hill from here. She doesn't know how much she will pay for her mistakes...

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for this copy!

Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist who experienced a devastating loss. As she tries to put her life and her practice back together, she develops an unhealthy obsession over someone who shares a tragic connection with her.  When he walks into her office as a patient, lines blurr and Meredith straddles a dangerous line. 

Thoughts 💭
Wow!  This one pulled me in from the start. We know from the beginning that Meredith is really struggling after the death of her husband.  While I empathize with her situation, I also can't help but watch as her life slowly falls apart even more with each decision she makes.  The writing is what allows you to feel these conflicting emotions. It was so well done!  While I was able to figure out some pieces of the story, others were a complete surprise. The last line was even an unexpected twist. If you love thrillers, this one is worth checking out. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

US pub date: 7/9/24
Genre: romantic thriller
Quick summary: Meredith McCall is in the depths of grief - and she can't stay away from the only other person feeling that grief - Gabriel Wright. When he shows up at her psychiatry practice looking for help, she throws the rulebook out the window.

This title is 100% accurate - wow does Meredith completely unravel over the course of this book. Parts of it were over the top, but Keeland brought me completely into this world, and I had to know what would happen next! I thought I had it figured out, but there were a few big twists that left my jaw on the floor. Definitely recommend this one for summer escapism. Pro tip: Vi Keeland is a romance author, so there is some steamy content that I didn't expect.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished this book and I'm wondering "what the ?" I devoured this book in one sitting. Now that I'm done I'm not sure what I just read. The writing and plot grab you and you must finish it. A very good head scratcher. I don't want to give anything away with a little synopsis. A definite good read.

I was intrigued when I began the book and I wanted to keep reading, so that was a plus. However, I found the characters lacking depth and the protagonist all over the place. I'm not really a fan of romance novels, and not sure if this was the intent of this book, but the raunchy scenes are not my cup of tea. I also found the final lead up, not entirely believable and I lost interest. This book my appeal to some readers, but it lacked depth and believable follow through.

Took me a minute to catch my breath after reading this! Just... WOW WOW WOW!

An absolutely brilliantly written psychological thriller with a sensational plot and an ending that had me so floored, I had to read it again just to be sure. My mind is spinning right now!

Meredith is a psychiatrist who has just experienced a personal/family tragedy and crosses paths with a man who is also connected with the tragedy. Rather than walk away, she follows him and starts to become obsessed with him. When he arrives at her practice as a patient, she knows she should turn him away, as treating him would cross every ethical boundary, but she can't bring herself to do it and her obsession only deepens.

I won't say anymore as I don't want to drift into spoiler territory, but if you love a thriller, you just have to read this one!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Vi Keeland and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

4⭐️

A new author to me, known as a romance author now taking a dip into psychological thrillers.

We have angst ridden psychiatrist Meredith McCall. Meredith develops an unhealthy obsession with Gabriel Wright, who she has an indirect connection with.

The story is told from before and now with both stories developing together well to divulge the story.
Meredith’s behaviour made me feel uneasy constantly wondering exactly what was going to be revealed.

I found it a slow burn waiting for the revelations to gradually fully come to light.
There’s the use of poor decision making to compound the situation.
I didn’t find the main character likeable, so I wasn’t rooting for her.
I enjoyed the premise of a psychiatrist being treated by a psychiatrist with that adding to the reveal. The story premise was a bit different, the romance author managed to include some quite explicit sex scenes.

I enjoyed it, it’s an easy read. It kept me reading wanting the answers to be revealed.

🏒🚗💊🕵🏼🕜

Thank you Atria Books & netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

MY JAW IS ON THE FLOOR!!! The twist at the end?? I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT?? WILL THERE BE A BOOK 2??!!?!? I went into this book with no expectations and a very limited background when it comes to reading thrillers. I was pleasantly surprised! This book was extremely intriguing and I simply did not want to put it down. I was on my toes the entire time, trying to figure what the characters real motives and the reasoning behind all their choices. So many times I thought I figured it out and then DAMN, A PLOT TWIST!!! I seriously hope there will be another book because I want more answers!!!!! PLEASE!!

If you're looking for a fast paced, jaw dropping thriller with a little bit of romance/spice, I would recommend this book! It truly has it all!

The Unraveling: ★★★★☆ (4)

Pub date: July 9, 2024 - preorder now!!

"The Unraveling" by Vi Keeland is an engrossing psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. This was my first read from Keeland, and it certainly won't be my last. The book is packed with twists and turns, and the last few sentences literally made me gasp!

Dr. Meredith McCall, the protagonist, is a psychiatrist whose life takes a downward spiral after a tragic accident involving her husband. As she grapples with guilt and grief, Meredith becomes fixated on Gabriel Wright, a man tied to her past. Keeland does a fantastic job of delving into the murky waters of obsession and ethical dilemmas, keeping the tension high and the pages turning.

The dual timelines add depth to the story, revealing crucial details about Meredith's past and present that kept me guessing. The plot twists are well-executed and had me questioning everyone's sanity and motives. Gabriel's mysterious character adds another layer of intrigue, making his interactions with Meredith both unsettling and compelling.

My only issue with the book is the sometimes unrealistically terrible decisions made by Meredith. Her choices often stretched the bounds of believability, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. Despite this, "The Unraveling" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Keeland's debut in this genre is impressive, delivering a thrilling and emotionally charged story. The blend of suspense, obsession, and ethical quandaries makes this book an unforgettable read. Highly recommended for those who love a good mind-bending thriller.

Holy cow this book!!! This is my first Vi Keeland, but it definitely won’t be my last! This was full of twists and shocking turns, and the last page had my jaw on the floor!! Wow!!!

'Is it normal to think about someone all the time'?

Something terribly tragic has happened in Meredith's past. Not only is she no longer with her husband, her psychiatrist license has been suspended, and, to be honest, the amount of guilt that shrouds her everyday life makes it difficult to see any real future. One day, she spots a man who should be suffering even more than her, because of her, she can't shake the feeling that somehow he's moved on. How has he moved on? She begins to follow him - or so it would seem. But nothing is what it seems, just who is really pulling the strings for this performance.

I can see why this is called 'The Unraveling'! Slowly but surely everyone’s sanity has got to be questioned. Like a lot of thrillers, it takes a while to set the scene but soon enough you'll be making more turns than if you were lost in a maze.

'And that's when it hits me that I'm a little afraid. Of myself. And what I'm capable of'.

I'm going to be honest, if I had paid $11 for this, I would be fucking pissed. I'd suggest borrowing from the library first, if you like it then buy it to keep.

Pros: One star added to the rating.
*The first 40% or so, or up until we finally learn about what occurred in the past to bring us to the now.

*Kept me engaged more than I realized.

*Kept me thinking about it, both good and bad, way after it ended.

*I actually liked Gabriel. I'd have loved to have seen below the surface of him, though. His character is what kept me turning the pages.

Cons:
*TSTL FMC. For a doctor of psychiatry, Meredith truly wasn't the brightest bulb in the pack. Not to mention, she's really really immature and mentally unstable. I swear this chick had multiple personality disorder, among other things. Definitely manic. She induced a LOT of eye rolling, are you serious, and WTF moments. Gotta love the "lines" she drew. Her whole persona/character was down right laughable and inconceivable. Talk about suspending belief. Not only was she incompetent in her professional life; Meredith was also quite incompetent in her personal life. This chick couldn't find her way out of a paper bag, more or less help sort out another person's mental health/personal life.

*I'm trying to wrap my mind around why her therapist didn't turn her ass into the ethics board multiple times. I understand patient/doctor confidentiality but she was STALKING someone. Then took that same person on as her patient. She admitted multiple times to doing looney toon type shit. I would think somewhere in there he would have the responsibility to report her.

*Glaringly obvious, plain as day "twists." Seriously, many many instances of BLATANT conversations, signs and actions, that our oh so "smart" DOCTOR ignores or doesn't even acknowledge. Which is a joke in its self since she actually acknowledges quite a few of them as they are happening, through her inner monologues. And yet Meredith still choses to act like a dumb ass nitwit. You'll understand what I mean when you get to them. For me, this left the writing feeling extremely sloppy.

*There was NO depth to these characters. No real chemistry. Lust maybe. Chemistry absolutely not. Gabriel and Meredith are surface level, at best.

*Many parts were not flushed out well. Sometimes there felt like scene jumps in the middle of what I was reading and I had to go back and reread. Again, sloppy writing. <i>The Unraveling</i> quickly became a train wreck barreling off the rails. One, admittedly, I couldn't take my eyes off of. One star added to the rating.

*Then there was that ending. I really don't like being left with an abundance of questions and no true answers. It felts like this was set up for another book to come.

Anyway, if you decide to try this book, I hope you like it a lot better than I did.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Unraveling by Vi Keeland

I have been staring at my screen, hesitating at the keyboard, trying to decide about this book. There were things I liked, and things I didn’t.

Even though the characters were unlikeable, I liked them. I think they were meant to be unlikeable, and in that Keeland did a great job.

The things that kept this from being a great book… The “tragic connection” that’s mentioned in the blurb is revealed way too soon. I felt that it would have been a lot more impactful to the reader had it been revealed further into the book. Even though Meredith’s reason for her obsession/stalking was a unique take, I felt it could have been more twisted and obsessive. The plot twists were obvious and anticlimactic, yet I still found myself wanting to see how they played out. The final chapter, from Gabriel’s point of view, provided the twistiest twist, and could potentially set the scene for a second book. Oh, and there were a couple of unresolved/unfinished actions/events that I want answers to!!

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and was almost a 4 star book. I feel like there could easily be a second book, with more obsessive obsession, and now that Keeland has delved into her first thriller, she can deliver more depth into her future suspense novels.

I would recommend this book to get others opinions on it because I’m curious if another reader would pick up on the same things I did, but I don’t know that this would be one of my go-to recommendations. I would definitely read another Keeland suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

OKAY I could not put this down once I started. It was so twisty and creepy and I literally read it so fast! The twist at the end really got me, and I just could not figure out who was the bad guy for the whole book. So, so good!!

From the blurb:

This isn’t a love story.

It’s a story about obsession.

You can say that again. Meredith McCall has lost her husband, and Gabriel Wright lost his wife and daughter the same day, in the same accident. The story is told by Meredith, moving between now and then. What really happened then and what is happening now? This is a twisty and thrilling ride all the way to the last page, when the truth is finally revealed. No likable characters here. Meredith seems to be making only bad decisions with her life.

I've read a couple of romance books by Vi Keeland and enjoyed them. I was excited to hear she had written a psychological thriller and immediately jumped at the chance to read this book. And I was not disappointed. It's fast paced, exciting and kept me guessing and turning pages.

What….just….happened….? My goodness, what a page-turning, jaw-dropping and enjoyable read this was. It was fast-paced with the right twists and turns that actually kept me turning those pages. This is a dark read with some smut, not over-the-top but spicy enough. The last chapter was just wow and placed this book as number one of my favourite reads of this year. The characters…well. I wasn't overly fond of our FMC. I had my moments of eye rolls, ‘reallys’ and ‘wtfs’, but for some reason, it didn't bother me at all. Ethical lines are being crossed and I think I was okay with it as I knew this was a darker book. I enjoyed the dual timeline and it definitely helped move the plot without getting boring. If you enjoy dark surprising twists, smutty spice and fast-paced psychology thrillers, you need to check this one out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Atria Books for this ARC.

Omg this book is wonderful! It kept me on edge all the way to the end. Wow! I hope I can find more books by the same author. I highly recommend this one.

I had never read a book by this author, and it turns out that’s because she’s a romance novelist. This is her thriller debut, and I think it was pretty good! This definitely has “Fatal Attraction” vibes, but it’s so much more complex than that…

Dr. Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist whose husband, a professional hockey player, killed the wife and five-year-old daughter of a man named Gabriel when driving while intoxicated. He also died in the crash. Unraveling, she definitely is. Meredith took (involuntary) time off from work and began (involuntarily) seeing a psychiatrist of her own, but eventually she is able to get her job back and return to her practice.

The strange thing? While trying to gain new clients to replace the ones she lost after her husband killed two people, she gets a new client she wasn’t expecting: Gabriel, the man whose wife and daughter were killed. Meredith has felt like someone has been stalking her - now he’s in her office, acting like he doesn’t know who she is, or that she was at the hospital the night they were told their families were dead.

There is actually a lot of stalking in this book; there’s a little group of people following each other around Manhattan, and you’ll be surprised to find out who! You’ll need to suspend reality in some parts, as Meredith should have immediately turned Gabriel down as a patient. She just wanted to know one thing though: is he happy? Is it possible she could one day be happy again, too?

So yes, suspend reality slightly, and be aware that there is a splash of romance in this. And by romance, I mean sex. I’m never opposed to that in a book (it’s the unrealistic romance that makes me go ugh), but I felt like the author was trying to write something outside of their genre and just had to slip it in (pun totally intended). I would’ve preferred a little more thrill, but for a thriller debut, this was very enjoyable. Four stars.

(Thank you to Atria Books, Vi Keeland and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.)