Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

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

Wow! I am a longtime fan of the author and was curious to see what was in store with the genre change. This psychological thriller had me on edge! With jaw-clenching, heart-thumping intensity, I could not put this book down and absolutely read it in one day.

Dr. Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist in Manhattan who experiences a major tragedy and is dealing with the painful aftereffects. Enter Gabriel Wright, a man to whom Meredith is connected. As she knows she should not treat him as her patient, Meredith can’t help but feel righteous in her initial choice to do so.

Constant twists and turns had me questioning my theories from beginning until the very end, and I had things wrong many times. I loved every second of The Unraveling and will hungrily devour any future thrillers by this author.

#TheUnraveling #ViKeeland #Atria #NetGalley #PsychologicalThriller #RomanticSuspense #SuspenseThriller #Thriller

Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist struggling to recover after a tremendous loss. She develops an obsession with a man who shares in her tragedy and unknowingly becomes Meredith's patient. Meredith takes him on as a patient even though she knows that it is unethical. Things begin to spiral out of control and Meredith doesn't know how to self-correct.

Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist in New York City. After a devastating personal loss, she goes back to work and juggles her patients, new and old, with her own mental health struggles. The man who shares an unfortunate connection with her walks into her office as a new patient seeking therapy, and even though it is the last thing she should be doing, she takes him on as a patient. Thoughts of him invade her days and night, and lead her to do all sorts of things she shouldn't be doing.

This was my first time reading a book by Vi Keeland, but it won't be the last. The plot was incredibly interesting, and even though Meredith was making a lot of unwise decisions, she was still relatable in some ways, and easy to feel sympathetic towards. I loved the mix of romance with the thriller elements throughout the storyline, and could not have predicted where things would lead. Every time I thought I had just read the final twist, there was another and another. If you enjoy a twisted romantic relationship, and unpredictable plot twists, make sure you grab a copy of The Unraveling when it comes out on July 9th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I first saw the blurb for this book and thought of Harley and the Joker and my brain did a happy dance as it shouted YES!!! Then as the story began to unfold, The Unraveling was so much more than a comic book tale. It was mind-bending with new twists to unravel at every turn as it completely blew my mind! Vi Keeland has mastered a psychological storyline with all the wicked punches you won’t see coming.

Meredith McCall is an aspiring psychiatrist whose license has been revoked for the past nineteen months. A little over a year ago, she was happily married to a rising hockey star, even planning to start a family, but now she’s seeking her own therapy to heal from grief as she’s filled with guilt, shame, and self-deprecation. She’s lonely after the loss of her husband, and that is how she finds herself fixated on a man named Gabriel Wright—who also happens to be the same man whose life she and her husband shattered.

But how? What tragic events led to the ruin of this man’s life? And why is Meredith fixated on him so much that she begins an obsession over him? These are good questions, but they are also questions that lead to the unraveling of her life.

I was throughly intrigued watching Meredith walk the slippery slope between professionalism and personal wants. I couldn’t tell if she was losing her mind or completely sane. Vi did an excellent job keeping us in the moment that every twist is a true surprise and my mind was blown every single time. What was real and what was an unhealthy twist of the mind?

Five must read stars for this psychological book!!

*Thank you to Atria Books, via Netgalley, for the book in exchange for an humble and honest opinion.

Vi Keeland has successfully crossed genres. Wow and amazing psychological thriller that keep me on the edge of me seat, guessing until the end - amazing!! The story was gripping and unfolded with subtly. It pulled me into a dark place and turned me upside down!! Loved!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for my ARC of The Unraveling by Vi Keeland. I am giving this one 5/5 stars. Centered around psychiatrist/therapist Dr. Meredith McCall, this book was a twisty and thrilling ride involving dangerous and dark obsession, along with sexy suspense. As a therapist myself, this was fun for me to read and a page-turner.

What I enjoyed most about The Unraveling is diving into Dr. McCall's descent into obsession and the unpacking of her internal world. I especially enjoyed the depth of the character in the choices she made, all the while she is a psychiatrist with a keen understanding of how the mind works and where ethics and boundaries are to exist. I appreciate the way the author explores this in the context of the character's own immense trauma.

What I found surprising about this book was the genre- as it is definitely a thriller/suspense novel, but with portions of very graphic romance scenes. While this suited the storyline along with the obsessive and intense nature of the plot and main characters, I found myself a bit taken aback as it's not generally what you find in a thriller novel. However, it is not keeping me from my rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend this one!

Really good. First time reading this author and I was complete caught up in the drama and mystery of the whole story. Was really kind of sad at times but all in all a good mystery. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

I have been a big fan of Vi Keeland's romances for a long time. When I saw that she had written a suspense novel, I was cautious because romance and suspense are my two favorite genres and not all writers who go from romance to suspense do it well in my opinion. I am so glad I got approved to read this one. It was so good that I couldn't put it down.

It has been nearly two years since Meredith's hockey player husband became addicted to opioids after an injury on the ice and caused an accident that took the life of a mother and her small child as well as himself. Meredith feels responsible. She is a psychiatrist and feels she should have intervened with her husband somehow before things got so bad. The beginning of this story is a slow reveal of the past mixed with Meredith's present where she has had her medical license suspended and is lost in feelings of guilt. One day, she sees a man and realizes that he is the husband/father of her own husband's victims and he looks happy. How can that be? Meredith becomes obsessed with watching Gabriel from afar. She knows it is unhealthy for her and her own doctor helps her redirect her behavior to more productive things like journaling and going to the gym.

Once her probation is over and she is allowed to practice medicine again, who shows up as a new patient, but Gabriel. He doesn't seem to know who she is and she knows she should send him to another doctor. It is the ethical thing to do, but she can't help herself. She tries to do the right thing, but backs down when he says she is the only one who can help him with his grief. Eventually, she starts to wonder who was actually stalking whom.

I felt for Meredith. She was so lost in grief and guilt and had withdrawn into herself after the accident that I could empathize with what she was going through. That being said, I also cringed as she made bad choices and mistakes.

The ending had a twist that left me wanting more. I really hope there is a sequel and we learn more about Gabriel.

This was my first book bythe author and I after looking her up I never would have thought she normally writes romance!

This book is about Meredith who is a psychiatrist who is going through a tragedy and loss. Her paths cross with a man who is part of this tragedy and he seems to be doing perfectly fine. She becomes obsessed with him and with how he is doing ok among the tragedy and loss they are going through.

Really good book. Loved the twists!
4.5⭐️

Vi Keeland, best known for her romance novels, departs into psychological thrillers with The Unraveling. The book focuses on Meredith's obsession with Gabriel and the consequences of her actions. Meredith charts a path entirely at odds with her education, training, and ethics. Gabriel is a mystery from the onset, as is Meredith's obsession with him.
The actual psychological thrill is Meredith's internal battles with her emotions of guilt and remorse. However, her actions often conflict with her intentions. Her backstory, told in multiple flashbacks, paints a picture of a relatable career woman. Still, when the reader meets her, she is riddled with anxiety that, while understandable, lacks depth and nuance. The writing style is one of telling versus showing. The author leaves little to the imagination with many descriptors of what the character is thinking, often accompanied by descriptions of what Meredith is eating (or not) and drinking. Meredith's constant questioning of Gabriel's behavior without questioning her own is tiresome, especially given her profession. The telling narrative also stunts Meredith's development, resulting in an unreliable narration. She has a limited perspective, often misinterprets events, and makes assumptions based on incomplete knowledge. These are all good things for a protagonist in a thriller, but she never leaps to unravel the why of the truth. Generally, this flaw would add to the build-up of tension as the mystery unfolds. However, the reader knows what's afoot before the main character, making the narrative predictable. Secondary characters need more depth and an earlier introduction. The secondary characters are an afterthought and ineffective, although they are an intricate part of the concluding reveal. A few more easter eggs would have helped sell the conclusion. The conclusion is a time jump that leaves a cliffhanger, but there are no surprises. While some readers may enjoy the telling vice-showing style, it does not lend itself well to the plot of a woman falling apart and consequently putting things right again. The Unraveling needs more psychological elements to explain or untangle Meredith's emotions to be a psychological thriller.

Wow! I was asking myself what am I reading?! What a crazy fun ride that was. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early!

THE UNRAVELING is so different from anything I've ever read from Vi Keeland before and I have to say that I am utterly obsessed. The storyline was so addictive and I couldn't stop reading. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to thrillers, so at times I found it slightly chilling, but regardless of this, I had to keep on reading. Storytelling at its finest - highly recommend.

Wow, what a suspenseful read this was!!

The Unraveling is a very different genre than I typically read, but I found myself hooked from page 1! I absolutely love the show "you" and this gave me the same vibes as that (creepy/ stalker / what’s going on?!)

I can’t give too much away in the review - but there was plot twist after plot twist and I truly couldn’t figure out the ending while reading! And that ending was EPIC.

I love how Meredith’s character grows in the book and she finally can move on at the end! It was heart wrenching watching her blame herself for everything.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you like: domestic thrillers, troubled pasts, multiple timelines, stalkers, female protagonists, characters dealing with grief

TW: addiction, child death

Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist in NYC, is slowly unraveling. Her husband is dead and she is stalking a man with whom she has a secret connection. When he turns up in her office as a new patient, she doesn’t say anything and delves even deeper into his life.

Loved this book! Meredith is a deeply flawed character but I still loved her and rooted for her despite her many bad decisions. I enjoyed the dual timelines for the first part of the book and my heart broke for what Meredith lost.

The author wrote so well about Meredith’s state of mind during the entire book and it felt almost realistic despite the wild ride this book takes you on. Loved both big twists and honestly didn’t see them coming. This one has a satisfying ending and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I will definitely be recommending The Unraveling.

Looking for a summer thriller with spice and everything NOT nice? Here you go!

I have been hooked on this book ALL DAY. I had to know what was going on, I love a good stalker book and this one definitely delivered. AND THAT ENDING?! I’m sorry, what?! So unexpected that my jaw dropped. This is going to be a summer must read - mark my words!

Thriller lovers you will adore this one! Twisty, intense, breath taking! I have never read a book from this author and now I will be on the lookout for any further thrillers she publishes. I could NOT figure out where this story was going and it still made for such a fun reading experience!

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it won’t be the last. This is the kind of book that keeps you engaged from the first page to the last and keeps you up at night. It’s a fast paced intriguing read about a MC whose life is a mess after a terrifying accident. I could not put this book down and definitely recommend it!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this Advanced Reader Copy.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was my first book by Vi Keeland as she is a romance author. The Unraveling is her first thriller and I was not disappointed. New York City psychiatrist Meredith McCall is living day by day after experience a personal tragedy. When she accidentally runs into a man connected to that tragedy, she impulsively starts following him. This was a slow burn and I couldn’t wait to get to the juicy part of the story, and it was definitely worth the wait. I totally enjoyed this book.

New York psychiatrist Meredith McCall has just experienced a horrible tragedy and is trying to pull her life back together when she notices a man outside a coffee shop; a man who she realizes is tied to the tragedy as well. But he is happy - how can this be. She must find out, and this leads to an obsession for Meredith that she can't seem to control. How can this man be happy after the loss he has endured, and is anyone who they claim to be?

A disturbing and compelling thriller that will keep you guessing and wondering who is telling the truth and who can be trusted - all the way to the final page!

After looking at the covers of other books by this author, I was surprised I liked this book. The other covers all have hot men on them and look like they are most likely spicy romance novels, which are fine, but just not my cup of tea. This book did have a bit of sex in it, but it was definitely in the thriller genre and not romance. I didn't want to stop reading until I found out what was really going on, and again, didn't find out everything until literally the final page. Highly recommend if you want an edge of your seat thriller!

Book Dragons! I found your summer thriller. Vi Keeland has written her first thriller, and I'm praying she writes more! This exceeded every one of my expectations. And that last chapter! WHAT?! I absolutely loved it. This is how you write a thriller!! I was hooked after Page 1, and there were plenty of twists to keep me guessing and binge reading. I don't want to reveal too much and give away spoilers, but I want you all to read this, and slide into my DMs to discuss!
Keep in mind, this is written by the Legendary Vi Keeland, so it's going to be SPICY. Parents, don't let the kids get ahold of this one! But goodness gracious 🥵 it's a good one, and so morally wrong.