This was a really fast paced, well-written suspense novel that I especially appreciated because of the connection to Fitzgerald’s novels (and personal life). I’ve only ever read The Great Gatsby a few times and own Tender Is the Night, which I’m now interested in reading thanks to this one. Another review noted that the characters sometimes act in a very Gatsby-esque way; I would agree and add that the overall vibe feels faithful to Fitzgerald and the 1920s. I loved all the quotes and mentions of him and Zelda (who is also fascinating). The ending fell apart a bit for me for various reasons: it got a little campy, drawn out, overly dramatic. Also, I don’t understand the epilogue at all so maybe someone can explain that to me. Overall, I’ve not enjoyed many thrillers lately but this held my attention, and I flew through it without a single eyeroll.

SWEET FURY
Sash Bischoff

“The world is a vampire, sent to drain.”
Smashing Pumpkins

Revenge is best served on a silver platter. Hot and beckoning. They must walk into the fire, fanning the flames. They must think they want it, heart-shaped box and all.

Lila Crayne is working on an adaptation of Fitzgerald’s TENDER IS THE NIGHT with her fiancé Kurt. Part of bringing her role to fruition is her attending therapy. There she is introduced to Jonah. She attends therapy in the hopes that Jonah will guide her through her traumas and allow her to claim the role that is already hers.

Jonah is immediately helpful, almost to his detriment. He doesn’t realize until it’s too late that to help Lila he will have to excavate his past. To set her free, he must loosen himself.


This is Bischoff’s debut novel, and it is strong and wily. The rage hidden beneath the book's surface is like a caged animal. Told to follow the rules, it only knows one way to survive. And that is to destroy everything and everyone in its path. Lila and Jonah are simply casualties of a war called SWEET FURY.

Lila and Jonah are chameleon characters changing with the chapter headings. Exposing parts of each other only to uncover parts of each other. The story takes a path I didn’t see coming. It took around twists I didn’t anticipate, and the ride was oh-so fun.

SWEET FURY releases her in the US on January 7, 2025. One of the best of 2025 so far! Make sure you pick up your copy where books are sold or borrowed!


Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy!

SWEET FURY…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2 stars

My feelings about this book are somewhat complicated, but my overall impression is not as positive as I'd hoped upon entry.

Lila is a film star who - in an effort to engage with an adaptation of Fitzgerald's work - heads off to therapy. It's clear immediately that most of the characters that appear are terrible and/or minimally untrustworthy in some way, which makes it hard to engage with them or root for them. For the first half of the novel, I found myself bordering on boredom, and had I resorted to AI audio narration to help me persist. When the plot turns more intriguing, it also backs right up into a space that I'd have preferred a solid content warning for. So, I'll do the honors on that here for likeminded readers who'd have preferred to know that there was going to be a drawn-out description of a rape scene. There are other CW-worthy mentions, but I'll stick here for now.

I could have done without that level of detail, and I don't think the outcomes would have been any less compelling with a briefer description. What I really found challenging was the tie between victims/survivors and truthfulness. I get where this was going and what was being attempted, but I didn't love the messaging that some level of vigilante justice by whatever means necessary is just a-okay. Maybe we need a reminder - especially in modern society (vomits forever) - that the vast majority of folks who feel and/or assert that they are victimized ARE. The messaging on this front...not for me.

I understand why some folks will read this novel as some sort of feminist justice, but I could not disagree more with this assessment. As someone who regularly works with survivors, I cannot see myself recommending this novel to anyone around me, and my advice to those considering the read anyway is to check a comprehensive list of content warnings (which I do not claim to have provided here).

Though I found this read challenging, I'm still appreciative of the opportunity to have encountered it (and, frankly, to warn specific people around me away from it).

Lila had her dream acting role in a feminist adaptation of Tender is the Night. She begins therapy to get closer to her character, who sees a therapist. In doing so, she finds herself part of a game of revenge and everyone has a role.

It took almost halfway through to really get into this one, but it’s a short book and definitely worth the slow beginning. Not all is as seems and once the twists starts you’ll be hooked. I have never read Tender Is The Night, and that was fine. It’s explained thoroughly in this book. Although I feel a true Fitzgerald fan would get a whole lot more out of this story than just a compelling and exciting thriller, which is what it was to me.

“I tell myself I am all the secrets inside me. I tell myself: I contain multitudes.”

Sweet Fury comes out 1/7.

This was a really interesting read that I went into blind (I read the synopsis several months ago before requesting it on NetGalley, but I had ZERO recollection of the synopsis before sitting down to read it), so I forgot that it was a thriller. I think that changed, and in some ways, enhanced my experience with this book, because while the opening scene definitely gives off thriller vibes, aside from that, I wouldn't have known it was a thriller until much farther into the book. So I went into it with a different mindset and took it for what it was, rather than reading with anticipation of what was coming, or trying to figure out twists in advance, as I might with a thriller.

As I started reading, I recalled that the main reason I requested this book was because of how it weaved F. Scott Fitzgerald's work throughout. The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books, though I have to admit, I haven't read his other works (yet). In Sweet Fury, the main character is in a film adaptation of Tender is the Night, but it's being told from a feminist perspective. I would suggest that you read Tender is the Night before reading this book, as it's referenced extensively. I've never read it, and it's certainly not necessary; this book tells you just enough about the plot of that book for it all to make sense - but I do feel that my experience would've been even better had I been familiar with that book beforehand.

There are other little Easter eggs throughout the book, so anyone that is really familiar with Fitzgerald's work will really appreciate those. But aside from all that, this was a story that kept my interest. I liked that it was told through the perspective of scenes being filmed for the movie, therapy sessions, and journal entries.

It's worth noting that none of the characters (with the exception of maybe Freddie) are likeable in this book - but that's intentional. If you don't enjoy books with unlikeable characters, you may struggle with this one. But that doesn't bother me, and sometimes I even think it adds to the story.

I really like the cyclical nature of the way the character's lives tie into the Tender is the Night plot - not just when filming the movie, but throughout the rest of the story as well. I can also say that reading this left me wanting to pick up Tender is the Night to see how it ties together beyond just what I picked up on.

It's worth noting that the real "thriller" aspect of the book really only came into play for maybe the last 10-15% of the book. If that's the part you are after, it will likely feel a bit rushed to you. But I liked the way it was done and the way things were revealed. The book kept my interest and I wanted to know how it was all going to play out, but at no point would I say I was completely on the edge of my seat, tearing through the pages as quickly as possible.

The only thing I did struggle with is that while I understood the main "ending" of the book and how things turned out, I didn't really understand what was happening at the very end, in the epilogue. I'd love to discuss this with someone else who has read it to understand what their interpretation was, because the last page confused me, even after rereading it to try to figure out what it was implying.

Overall, I liked it. I think if you aren't a fan of any of F. Scott Fitzgerald's work, you may find this book less interesting. It's not a pre-requisite by any means, and I think it's a strong story on its own, but I for sure thing an appreciation for any of his work will be a bonus when you pick this book up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is filled with the most unreliable narrators ever. You will not believe what is actually going on throughout the story.
Lila Crayne is a famous movie actress set to star in a feminist remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night. However, first she must deal with her repressed trauma and taps therapist extraordinaire, Jonah Gabriel to help her through her past.
However, not everything is as it seems and it's quickly realized that this is a SERIOUS game of cat and mouse. But who exactly is victim here? Revenge has never been so sweet.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this e-arc.*

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff
#onehundredandfifteenthbookof2024 #arc #sweetfury

CW: sexual violence, gaslighting, misogyny, murder, rape

From NetGalley: Lila Crayne is America’s sweetheart: she’s generous and kind, gorgeous and magnetic. She and her fiancé, visionary filmmaker Kurt Royall, have settled into a stunning new West Village apartment and are set to begin filming their feminist adaptation of Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night. To prepare for the leading role, Lila begins working with charming and accomplished therapist Jonah Gabriel to dig into the trauma of her past. Soon, Lila’s impeccably manicured life begins to unravel on the therapy couch—and Jonah is just the man to pick up the pieces. But everyone has a secret, and no one is quite who they seem.

My thoughts: I haven’t read Tender Is the Night, so a lot of this book’s references to it are over my head. I do see how the characters mimic each other, as well as some of the themes. I didn’t really like any of the characters in this book, and didn’t really care about what happened, especially at the end. I didn’t find.the characters or motivations interesting. The ending’s twist came out of nowhere and I didn’t believe it. I think this book would be better suited to a Fitzgerald fan who knows the nuances of his work, which is not me.

Thank you to @simonandschuster for the advance copy. (Pub date 01/7/25)

I loved this book which is so weird because I didn't care for any of the characters. It was well written, with great character development, constant intrigue, a well paced plot, and several unexpected twists. I think what enthralled me was how the author wove F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Tender is the Night," into a fictional movie adaptation with a feminist twist, and played out the plot in real time with the individual characters' lives. These unlikable characters, who were constantly manipulating each other, and the uncertainty as to who was telling the truth, kept me turning pages late into the night. Highly Recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy.

"Sweet Fury" by Sash Bischoff...holy moly I loved this book! I absolutely devoured it-staying up late into the night so I could finish it in one sitting (and it is not short!). I loved all of the references to the works of my favorite author, F. Scott Fitzgerald; though "Tender is the Night" is vital to one of the novel's major plot points, I grinned with pleasure every time I found an "Easter Egg" referencing another one of his books or characters. I would describe this book as a more cerebral "The Silent Patient"-it is definitely a smart psychological thriller for sure and I wasn't completely sure of who I should be cheering for until the very end. Though this book is filled with despicable characters, they are the kind that you love to hate. I was wildly entertained from the first page until the last and was misled several times by the many twists thrown in by the author.

"Sweet Fury" would make an excellent book club selection. The plot alone would make for some lively discussions and the tie-ins to F. Scott Fitzgerald give fodder for deeper conversation. More books like this one, Ms. Bischoff! Please!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this fabulous book.

This was definitely an interesting read. Another one of those books where I'm not sure I liked any of the characters? And the ending was a little muddy to me. I did enjoy the Fitzgerald plot tie ins and the unreliable narrator aspects.

I struggled a bit with this novel that parallels the novel which is the subject of a movie adaptation key to the plot. I read Tender is the Night a million years ago and found myself frantically googling for info because frankly I'd forgotten all the twists and honestly could not figure out how Lila thought it could be turned into a feminist tale. Lila, an actress and her husband Kurt, a director, are remaking the movie and at the same time Lila is in talk therapy with Jonah purportedly because she is haunted by a terrible accident when she was child. This moves back and forth between them and between the present and Lila's past. It takes patience but there are some sparkling moments and best of all, a few twists. Bischoff has used an interesting conceit to tell her story. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Fans of Fitzgerald will enjoy this.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff is a recommended debut novel of psychological suspense.

Lila Crayne is an actress dubbed America’s sweetheart. She and her fiancé, filmmaker Kurt Royall are starting the filming of their feminist adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, Tender Is the Night. Lila will be portraying Nicole Rider. In the novel psychiatrist Dick Rider falls in love and marries his patient, Nicole, which leads to his decline. Lila wants to flip the plot and make Nicole a strong woman and Dick the predator. To prepare for the role, Lila starts therapy with Jonah Gabriel. She claims Kurt is abusing her. Jonah, on the other hand, has been obsessed with Lila ever since they were students at Princeton. But everyone has a secret, and no one is quite who they seem.

There is no denying that the quality of the writing is very good, which kept me reading, but afterwards I had two questions to consider. The first question that begs to be asked is do we need to rewrite a classic with a feminist perspective? And the next is do long chapters following actors while filming the adaptation with shorter therapy notes and Lila's therapy musings work? For me the answer to both was not really, but I stayed with the novel basically because of the tie-in to Tender Is the Night.

With clearly unreliable narrators and no incentive to like or trust any of the characters, there was no connection to care about any of them. Making Lila an actor filming the story made me care even less. This resulted in a well-written, but very slow moving plot until the last 10% of the novel, when everything simply explodes. The ending actually dropped my rating. I'm an outlier on this debut novel, but it ended up just average for me.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Oh my god???? This was BRILLIANT. Obviously do not want to say too much, because I truly think this is so much fun to go into blind, but this book hooked me instantly. Every single chapter had me questioning who to trust, how much I really knew about these characters, and occasionally even my own sanity. There were so many twists! Every time I thought maybe I was onto something, I found myself to be shocked and incredibly far off within 20 pages.

Although this is set in present-day New York City, it brings an old Hollywood type of vibe (think Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) with all the scheming and backstabbing, which fits well with the plot of this being centered around the development of a retelling of Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night. All the while baiting you with potentially unreliable narrators and modern, feminist twists. Incredibly captivating and keeps you hooked through every single page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Sash Bischoff for this ARC!!
(review will be posted on Instagram page below closer to release date, link will be updated when review is posted)

Sash Bischoff has quite a career ahead of her considering this is her debut novel. It is beautifully written - the prose flows in a way that both pays tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald while remaining fresh and current. Readers with familiarity to Fitzgerald’s work will find this book particularly engrossing.

Despite its slow beginning, the pace picks up in the second part of the story and quickens to a whiplash inducing pace at the conclusion. Bischoff gives us the most unreliable of narrators as she takes on themes of misogyny and justice.

It’s best to go into this one blind to get the most out of this experience. There is no shortage of curves, twists, red herrings, and unexpected reveals. The tension builds and builds again as the author brings the book to an unexpected conclusion. Be patient with the slow build; then hang on tight. It’s quite a ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

This book is strikingly similar to the novel I've been secretly writing based on my own experiences as a writer/director, so it's hard to get around that disappointment, but for the sake of fairness, we'll set that aside. I'm also raising my rating from a 4 to a 5 because all boats rise with the tide, so I hope this one is wildly successful.

<i>Sweet Fury</i> is a beautifully written debut with characters as strong and dynamic as its twisty (and twisted) plot. During the opening chapter, which is told as if through Jonah's psych notes, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stick with the story as I find that style frustrating to read, even when done well, as it is here. Every time we went back to those fragmented notes, I found myself tested. But I was too intrigued by the story and the quality of writing to put the book down. I found myself highlighting so many moments, from Bischoff's poetic turns of phrase and powerfully resonant declarations, to quotes perfectly plucked from Fitzgerald and given new life in the context of the Lila-Kurt-Jonah love triangle. It is occasionally guilty of gratuitous writerly flourishes, and there are some strands at the end which test believability, but is otherwise enjoyable and brilliantly wrought.

What an outstanding debut!
The prose is beautifully written and succeeds in pulling the reader into the narrative. This is a fantastic character study that wonderfully incorporating Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night while still having its own identity.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not for me. I found it hard to stay engaged with the characters. Maybe I can try and come back to this story at a later time.

I had such high hopes for this book and I was bored to TEARS with these unlikable characters and just didn't care what happened to them.

A tense, engrossing psychological suspense, Sweet Fury's promo material heavily mentions The Silent Patient, while genre-wise not exactly the same (The Silent Patient a thriller, Sweet Fury a drama—goes a lot more in depth in its characters' psyche), I understand the comparison in that both stories share a brisk pace with relentless tension, as well as gasp-worthy character behaviors motivated by objectionable impulse.

With F. Scott Fitzgerald's work being heavily featured, prior knowledge to his novels would be beneficial (particularly The Great Gatsby, and Tender Is the Night), Sweet Fury does a decent job providing the necessary context, but one will get more out it if already familiar with the source material. For the majority of its length, Sweet Fury has me completely immersed in its tightly-wound mind game, unfortunately, the conclusion tilts the scale a bit too far into silly popcorn thriller zone, with over-the-top action and an oddly placed epilogues that is in stark contrast to the more nuanced construction prior.

As a debut, Sweet Fury sets itself apart by being painstaking with its character work, but incorporating shades of thriller storytelling, making it memorable and unputdownable. There are some minor rough patches that come with a first novel, but overall a completely worthy read—especially if you have enjoyed Alex Michaelides' novels in the past (The Fury is another apt comparison, a title I enjoyed it though universally is less well-liked).

Congratulations to author Sash Bischoff for her debut novel, SWEET FURY. I have always loved Gatsby but never read Tender Is the Night. Lila is a complicated character, an actress who is married to director and philanderer Kurt. The novel opens with Lila in therapy from a childhood trauma, a car accident, that left her father dead.

Written in a dual timeline, the book traces Lila’s journey to stardom interspersed with memories she still carries and her overwhelming need for revenge. I love reading entries from her therapist. This one is going to be a thrill for literature lovers and F. Scott Fitzgerald fans.