I was pretty set on giving this 4 stars because when I first started this book I wasn’t pulled in instantly like other five star books. I revisited this a month later and finished it in two days. I feel like I wouldn’t be giving the book justice with a 4/5.

The comment she makes at the end about the first word of the first fourteen chapters is genius.

Enjoyable read and an interesting twist. I with the alternate narrator (Kitty) wasn't also named Abby. I found it to be a stretch and also confusing - I wasn't going to go back and re-read the Abby chapters to try to guess which was which.

I've read a lot of mediocre 3 star thrillers lately and Beautiful Ugly finally broke the streak. Rated a solid 4, Beautiful Ugly had many unpredictable twists and turns that kept this read fresh and a true page-turner. Very much enjoyed the atmosphere, the main character, and ending.

Alice Feeney, the queen of twist does it again in another winner! This book really exceeded my expectations. I loved that I just couldn’t turn the pages fast enough while reading it! This story was packed with tension and unexpected twists that kept me up all night. Feeney does such a great job weaving suspense with character drama.

Just finished this fantastic book with so many twists, deceptions and oer laid stories, my head is spinning! I was mesmerized and could not wait to spend time on Amberly every day.
The story was gripping, the characters relatable and intriguing even if unlikable & secretive. I had several theories going as I tried to untangle the overlaid stories and twists. Even though I was on track, I did not see the ending coming. I love when I can't figure the puzzle out until the last piece clicks into place!
This is the second Alice Feeney book I have read and it did not disappoint! Four stars!

I was blown away by this book. I read it in a day. The twist had me falling out of my seat. I could not believe it. I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen. I have already starting telling people they need to read it. This will be a 2025 top seller!

This book surpassed all my expectations and I just couldn’t turn the pages fast enough while reading it! This story was packed with tension and unexpected twists that kept me up all night. Feeney does such a great job weaving suspense with character drama. The more I read, the more I questioned what was real and who I could trust. Each character brought their own secrets and complexities, making me second-guess everything. Even the quirky, nosy neighbors had me wondering what they were hiding.

And the setting! I could practically feel the mist and cold air of the Scottish island, and it added so much atmosphere to the story. Every twist felt sharper, every reveal hit harder—it’s the kind of book that makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of it all.

If you’ve read any of Alice Feeney’s previous works, you know you’re in for a wild ride where nothing is as it seems, and nobody is who they claim to be. This book is no exception—trust nothing, question everything, and brace yourself for a story that will mess with your head!

An absolutely brilliant novel—one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you up all night questioning everything, you need to read this. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beautiful Ugly truly lives up to its name. The writing is beautiful, as is the description of the Isle of Amberly and you will discover as you read just how ugly some people can be. Alice Feeney has really outdone herself with this one. You will love Grady, you will hate Grady, you will feel sorry for Grady, and you will genuinely believe he is losing his mind and then you will discover the truth!

A little disappointing, which pains me to say. Feeney has always had the ability to draw me into her novels, with breathtaking imagery and a plot that leaves you wanting more. But... while I was reading Beautiful Ugly, I found myself thinking of it as more of a chore to get through–just something to check off a list and say, "There, I read it. It's done." And this is to not fault of her own! The book itself is masterfully written, as any other Alice Feeney book is, it's just not to my personal taste this time. Perhaps the next one will draw me back in but for now I have to say this was my least favorite.

This book didn’t read much like a thriller to me. It was unremarkable and confusing in parts. A lot of the motivations didn’t make sense and I never felt an air of danger or suspense.

An excellent thriller with suspense, drama, emotion and twists set on a mysterious Scottish Island. Grady, a thriller author, had his world turned upside-down when his wife disappeared without a trace. Now a year later, and he is struggling to live his life without her. Thus, he travels a remote cottage in hopes of getting his life back on track and write his next book, but when he gets to the island it’s on, he feels as though his wife is there with him. Feeney has a way with words and this book may be one of my favorites by her. She kept me guessing till the very last page, and I love how all the different plot points came full circle. I highly recommend reading this one with buddy as there will be so many plot points you’ll want to discuss and easter eggs you wished you caught.

I love a good twist, and Alice Feeney is queen of the twist. For me this one fell flat.

Grady Green is a bestselling novelist whose wife went missing a year ago. He is lost without her - completely heartbroken, with his life falling apart around him. His agent offers him a stay on a remote island in Scotland, where he can hopefully write another book and pull himself out of his funk.

<spoiler> The book relies on an unreliable narrator for the twist, and for me at least so many of the earlier moments don't make sense once you learn what the big twist is.</spoiler> Rather than enjoying the ending, I more felt misled and confused. I was kept on the edge of my seat regardless, and fans of thrillers will be titilated as usual by Feeney's work. I just think she's done better, and I think a few changes in this could have made it a much stronger story.

Alice Feeney sure knows how to write a plot twist. This was suspenseful and intense in the best way. Grady was a very unreliable narrator and that just added to the mystery.

Beautiful Ugly has a fascinating premise that never held me but seemed to do the complete opposite of what I wanted to happen. Alice Feeney is a good writer with great skill but I feel that it is not my cup of tea.

Alice is always the queen of plot twists! She didn’t get me fully but partially this time. This wasn’t my favorite book by her but the setting was great and I did enjoy it, just fell a little flat.

ALL THE STARS!! Alice Feeney is the "Twist" Queen!! I am a big, big fan of hers & have read ALL her books, so was thrilled to get her latest & it did NOT disappoint!! This is her BEST yet!! Loved this tale of author Grady looking for his missing wife & trying to go on without her - what will happen when he goes to a remote island to write again?? This one has it all - an unreliable narrator, a locked room, many red herrings, and twists & turns galore!! Highly, highly recommend - I really enjoyed the roller-coaster ride! My most sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for my digital advance copy - my very sincere pleasure to review!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Alice Feeny is one of my favorite authors, but I don’t know how I feel about this one. Fast paced beginning and end, but middle dragged. It was an original concept book, but just not a favorite. 3/5 stars.

Grady is an unreliable author who lost his wife. Goes to a cabin in the middle and of nowhere and is suspicious of everyone on the island and keeps seeing things.- are they real or fake?

BEAUTIFUL UGLY was impossible to out down. I loved how it kept me in suspense the entire time.


FULL Review to come soon!

A missing woman, a reclusive author, and a secluded island converge in this slowly chilling novel. The ending felt breathless to me, and left me scratching my head in the best way.

This book was insane. I don’t want to spoil anything. There was a scene in the beginning that threw me off and almost made me DNF but I am so glad I pushed through. Finished it in a day!