3.25 stars

It was alright. I didn't think it was anything like Salt Burn.

While I did enjoy it, I also found it a little bit boring. Especially in the middle. It seemed like it just dragged on and on and was a bit repetitive.

There was nothing wrong with the story itself, I actually enjoyed the mystery and twists, it was just pretty slow moving. Which is okay, sometimes a slow burn is perfect.

Overall, not bad.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This book definitely gave the Saltburn x Succession vibes it promised 100%. The Sterling family is entitled, unlikable, and wild.

I loved the MC Maya so much and she was definitely the highlight of the book. Her rags to riches story really had me rooting for her and she was definitely tough.

The twists in my opinion were predictable but I still really enjoyed the journey even if I figured them out. I loved the setting of Silver House too.

I do get why it was set in the 2000s with the family being media moguls and that not being a thing much now, however I kept forgetting it wasn't modern and references threw me off like talking about a Razr phone. I do wish the author made the year more clear or just set it modern day.

Overall if you want a soapy twisty eat the rich type drama, I definitely recommend this.

This story was so much fun! A thriller with all the lies and secrets you could ever need! I really enjoyed the main character, Maya. Every character was flawed but they all played their parts perfectly to tell this crazy story! The atmosphere of a foreboding mansion, in England where all the characters and their secrets are trapped together! So fun! Definitely a fun thriller to binge!

Good read. The author did a great job building the characters. I did guess sone of the twists before they were revealed but overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

The rich family that makes up the backdrop for the murdered woman is less interesting than the mystery itself - which is why was a previous reality TV star named as an heir by someone she doesn't know.

The 1 percenters are front and center and basically are as unlikeable as what we perceive from TV shows. Then there is Maya, the commoner made good by marrying into a filthy rich family and not entirely welcomed. To make matters worse, she is drawn to her husband's cousin. You know that won't turn out well.

Told in then and now and between a couple of POVs, interest is peaked by the poor little rich girl, Arianna, who is either much maligned or truly troubled. Arianna is now all grown up and is found dead. The secrets start to unravel along with those that held them closely for decades.

Ultimately, well-done for those that enjoy reading about the rich and sometimes famous and the trouble they cause themselves. The twists were enough to keep me reading.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for an early electronic copy. All opinions are my own.

Rich people drama, with a little murder. This had me hooked! I really enjoyed this debut novel from Anna Sophia McLoughlin and I would read from her again. Maya, our main protagonist is a former reality tv star who marries into one of the richest families in the world. The family is hiding some dark secrets that Maya gets wound up in.

I thought I had a few things figured out, but there are some good twists in here that had me second guessing everyone. You can’t trust the super wealthy, they are too good at hiding things…If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller with secrets, lies, and murder then this is for you!

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to read this book based on the cover. I’m so glad I did. This book pulled me right in the rollercoaster ride began. Every time I thought I had something figured out I was proved wrong in the best way. This book takes us back to the early 2000’s and we meet reality star Maya Miller. Maya has a rocky childhood. She was enamored with wealth and privilege. When she met Colin part heir to a family fortune she knew he was it. Maya was a good protagonist and I loved that the novel flipped between past and present giving us bread crumbs. I loved the pace and couldn’t put this book down. I needed to know what happened next and connect the dots. This is a must read!

Prepare for an exhilarating ride full of shocking twists and unexpected turns! A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that delves deep into the raw complexities of trauma, survival, and the search for justice. With its masterfully woven plot and a protagonist who battles personal demons while relentlessly pursuing the truth, this novel offers an unforgettable experience for fans of crime fiction.

McLoughlin expertly explores powerful themes such as family, trust, healing, and the murky waters of justice and corruption. A Girl Like Us illuminates the struggle for real justice in a world where moral compromises and systemic corruption often stand in the way, making it a poignant and thought-provoking read that will leave you questioning everything.

Murder, suspense, secrets, social and economic class divisions, this books has a lot of things that grips you from the very beginning.

🌀 T W I S T E D T U E S D A Y review 🌀 featuring “A Girl Like Us” by Anna Sophia McLoughlin!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Maya Miller is an ex reality tv star with one hell of a reputation. Known for being wild, reckless and a party girl … her social status climbs even higher once she snags herself THE guy. Colin Sterling is from a prestigious and royal family and marrying into the Sterling family will set up Maya for life. The public is either envious of her new life or think that she is a shameless gold digger.

When Colin’s cousin Arianna is found murdered, the entire family is ordered to appear at the Sterling Estate. Arianna was the heiress to the entire family fortune and everyone is chomping at the bit to find out who is next in line. But there is something sinister about having this family all in lock down together. Everyone is out for themselves and it becomes obvious when the next heir is chosen that this family will do anything to keep their secrets hidden.

Ooooh this book was JUICY, twisted, shocking and GRIPPING as the Sterling family web sucks you in as a reader! I loved getting a glimpse into the lives of the rich and the famous and getting a first class ticket into the dysfunctions of such a prestigious family! This is definitely an author to put on your radar!

Thank you kindly to @annasophiamcloughlin @bookmarked @netgalley for my #gifted advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on February 11th, 2025!

3.5 rounded up for this one. While I found aspects of the book very intriguing, there were parts that moved slowly and I found difficult to get through. The beginning hooked me, the middle nearly lost me, and the end wrapped up pretty nicely.

Reality star Maya has married into a notorious & wealthy family. When one of the family members(the heir no less)is killed, everyone is summoned to their estate. Maya being newly married in is nervous to meet everyone, but curious about what’s going on. When the will is read and Maya has somehow become the beneficiary, tensions become even more high.

Overall I would recommend the read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

In this book we have:

✨ class divides

✨ murder

✨ secrets & lies

✨ bullying

✨ twists

✨ power

✨ control

Described as ‘Succession meets Saltburn’ in a crackling locked-room thriller of inconceivable wealth, unchecked power, and the secrets poised to bring a powerful family down,’ A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin had me turning the pages so fast, my wrist hurt!

Maya Miller wasn’t born into money, a former tv reality star and party gal, she earned her status but was singled out at every turn by others who believed she was a gold-digger. Jealous much?

She marries Colin Sterling, who is sinfully rich and wanted by women, gives him a daughter and the gossip and bad-mouthing starts. The entitlement of others was rife on the pages, with a mix of unlikeable characters who thought they were better than pretty much everyone on the planet. I was shocked and fascinated at the same time!

When Arianna, who is Colin’s cousin, is murdered and Maya becomes the sole heir – confusion and questions ensue… and fingers begin to point. You see, Maya had never met Arianna and the jealous Sterling’s lock everyone down in the house for ‘safety’… while the finger of suspicion points at Maya. But the Sterling’s have secrets of their own and our gal Maya isn’t going to rest until she gets some answers.

Would I recommend this book? XO XO gossip girl says YES! A slow burn suspense thriller which delves into a side of life I will (gladly) never know. Unlikeable characters, some unsavoury but delicious twists – this book had me hooked!

I only got about 15% in before I decided to DNF it because of the writing style, but think it could be a great read for folks who love rich people behaving badly plots. A lot of showing, not telling, in the character development is important to me, and I felt like I was getting infodumped by the author to be introduced to the characters.

I knew Anna Sophia McLoughlin's A Girl Like Us would be an epic and wild read when it was described as "Succession meets Saltburn." I definitely wasn't disappointed with this comparison. This book is full of scheming and secrets and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire book.

Maya Miller has married Colin Sterling. The Sterlings rival royalty and have all the drama one could want in a fictional family. Maya is placed in the spotlight when the heiress to Sterling fortune is found murdered and it's revealed that Maya is now the heiress. A lockdown is put into place and as the family and Maya try to solve this crime, secrets are tested and it's definitely not one for all; it's only one will win.

I loved watching Maya hold her own ground against the Sterlings and this book definitely held my interest. I can't wait to see what Anna writes next after reading this soapy, scheming novel! Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-ARC!

Maya is a reality tv star that marries into an ultra rich family. When the heiress Arianna of the family dies, they all travel back to the manor in England. Maya finds out she was named the new heiress even though she'd never met Arianna.

This book drew me in from the beginning and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was consistently wanting to know what happened next and delighted at all the twists and turns along the way.

Tropes
* Ultra Rich
* Twists and turns
* Inheritance Drama
* Love Triangles
* Fish out of water

4.5 stars

When reality TV princess Maya “Mayhem” Miller marries Colin Sterling, the most eligible bachelor and member of the infamous, ultra-wealthy Sterling family, everyone’s eyes are on what seems like a fairy tale romance. But not everyone is thrilled about this IT couple. As the wedding and honeymoon come to an end, the Sterling family is rocked by the murder of Colin’s cousin Arianna, heir to the Sterling & Co. wealth and power.

All family members are taken to their safe house compound where dark secrets are revealed as each and every primary family member seems to have a motive and desire to take over Sterling &Co.

This is a twisty story mirroring Succession meets a 20/20 episode that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Rating of 3.5 rounded up to a 4-star rating.

Thank you for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review @netgalley and Sourcebooks.

A Girl Like Us by @annasophiamcloughlin gives all the early 2000s throwbacks mixed with some deep dark scandalous secrets! Make sure you check it out February!

Former reality TV star Maya has recently married Collin, a handsome and wealthy heir to the powerful Sterling family. After returning from their honeymoon with their infant daughter, Maya and Collin arrive in New York to devastating news: Collin's cousin and Sterling heir, Arianna, has been murdered. As a result, the entire Sterling family is ordered to travel to the family estate, Silver House, in England until the killer is apprehended. Tensions run high as Maya, already dismissed by Collin’s family as a gold-digger, is excluded from family meetings. However, things take a shocking turn when Arianna's will is read, naming Maya—who Arianna supposedly never met—as the new heir to SterlingCo. With suspicions mounting and danger looming, Maya realizes that she may not be safe at Silver House.

I really wanted to love this book, but it left me wanting more. The writing felt awkward, disjointed, and repetitive. The storyline, though intriguing, ended up being predictable and a bit lackluster. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Maya keeps waking from this awful dream, the one with the paparazzi and the kiss.”
Here are reasons to read the Thriller book:

Marriage - Maya has just married into the rich and formidable Sterling family
Family Mansion - On her honeymoon, she learns that the family’s heiress has died, and they are whisked away to the family mansion in England
Inheritance - Once there, during the will reading, Maya finds out that she is now set to inherit it all
Why? - But the real question is, why has someone she has never met left the family money to someone who isn’t a Sterling?

This thriller is very twisty, but also it’s a slow burn. As such it is one of those that pays off when you get to the end, but you probably will figure out where it’s going along the way. Maya is a smart main character, and while she inherently is a very morally grey character, she navigates through the clues adeptly. You also switch between another character in the past to explain what is happening in the present. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

Good premise, easy to follow with good twists and surprises. I enjoyed the early 2000's setting and the tie in with early reality tv, and the setting of English countryside estate. This was decent thriller/mystery and would read more from this author would recommend for sure 3/3.5 stars. I want to thank NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the arc in exchange for an honest review.