this just keeps getting crazier and crazier. the twists get very peculiar by the end but in general they work well. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

This was an easy mystery with a couple of fun twists! It was maybe 50 pages too long, however. I would definitely read Anna Sophia McLaughlin again.

"Succession meets Saltburn in a crackling locked-room thriller of inconceivable wealth, unchecked power, and the secrets poised to bring a powerful family down.

It's 2004 and former reality TV star and party girl Maya Miller has just married the most eligible bachelor on the planet: Colin Sterling, of the globally famous Sterling family whose history of aristocratic titles and land holdings rival a British royal and whose media empire is comparable to the Murdochs. To some, Maya represents the American dream. To others, a gold digger. But when Colin's cousin Arianna, the heiress to the family's immense fortune, is found murdered, Maya is thrust into the spotlight: first as she is revealed to be the next heiress to the fortune, and then as the prime suspect.

Swiftly, the entire Sterling family goes into lockdown at Silver House, the family's ancestral estate in the English countryside. They're told it's for their own safety - but Maya becomes convinced that it's not to keep threats out, but to keep secrets in. Now, she has no choice but to find and expose the truth hidden within the Sterling family, and why Arianna, a girl she had never met, chose her to take her place. But Maya has secrets of her own. And she knows that in order to survive the Sterlings, she'll have to beat them at their own game."

Always be wary of marrying wealth!

"How could a girl like her become a girl like them? Except more famous and way richer. It seemed to really haunt them."

Maya thought she was her own rags-to-riches story when she went from poor to a reality TV star on a show similar to Jersey Shore. Then she marries into the aristocratic family of Sterlings and finds herself mysteriously named as the next heiress in a Sterling will.

Part mystery and part scathing commentary on the rich lifestyle I was enthralled from the very first page.

I thought this story was just okay. I don't think necessarily it was a bad thing, just not entirely something I find enjoyable. It felt like our main characters kept repeating the same things about themselves and their past. The first three chapters alone could have been combined into one with the repetitiveness that was going on. I do think this would be a great addition for book clubs that look for mystery/thrillers that don't always wrap themselves up in a neat little bow.

3.5 stars! The gorgeous cover and the plot description had me intrigued to find out more about A GIRL LIKE US, and it did not disappoint. When Maya Miller marries Colin Sterling, the most eligible bachelor and member of the infamous, affluent Sterling family, the world can't get enough of their love story. But not everything is what it seems, and as their honeymoon draws to a close, Maya and Colin—and all the Sterlings—are shaken by the murder of Colin's cousin, Arianna, heiress to the family's fortune...who's also named Maya as the next heiress. The entire family soon goes into lockdown at their luxurious estate in the English countryside, where as they're sequestered together, secrets are revealed and lies are unraveled. Can Maya beat the Sterlings at their own game?

This is a twisty thriller about rich people behaving badly, which is always right up my alley! I also enjoyed the 2000s setting and the reality TV angle—main character Maya is a former reality TV star, which added an interesting layer to her character, how she fits in with the Sterling family (or perhaps how she doesn't), and how she navigates different situations within the story. In terms of the overall vibes of the book, I can definitely see the Saltburn and Succession comparisons, but it also reminded me of another book I really enjoyed, STONE COLD FOX by Rachel Koller Croft, with a dash of Gossip Girl in the overall tone/feel! In my opinion, all of this made for a great combination. I did struggle with the pacing a little bit—the beginning had me hooked, but the middle felt a little slower, and then things picked up again by the end, so it was slightly up-and-down in that regard. Still, I would recommend A GIRL LIKE US, particularly for fans of thrillers and/or domestic dramas, as well as fans of reality TV and 2000s settings in books! I would definitely read more from Anna Sophia McLoughlin in the future, too. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

I had a hard time getting into this book if I am being honest. I was hoping I was going to love it. I may try this book again at a later date.

I thoroughly enjoyed this layered, suspenseful book. It kept me guessing and I loved the atmosphere. I would definitely read more books by Anna Sophia McLoughlin in the future.

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!