My eyes were relentlessly glued to this damn book like no other while I was reading it! It had the perfect amount of drama and intrigue!

Special thanks to @simonandschuster for the review copy of this book!!!

Round up to 3.5 stars.

I really liked the F. Scott Fitzgerald tie-in to this novel and how the focus on Tender is the Night dictated, to a certain extent, how the characters interacted with one another. And, there were a few unexpected twists but, on the whole, I found it to be predictable. Even with that, however, I could have gone along with it, but the ending got very convoluted and went a bit off the rails. I believe the author tried to explain things in the epilogue, but that ended up confusing me even more.

Get this one today! Such a fast read. It was a little slow in the beginning, but I just couldn't put it down. I knew there was going to be a jumping point where this story just rolled, and I'm so glad I stuck with it. This was a one-sit wonder. It's about Hollywood's It couple: the gorgeous actress who has everything going for her and the filmmaker who wows the crowd. Perfect from the outside, but inside? What a mess! The twists this one takes will have you gasping for air and clutching your pearls!

It started strong and gave me a lot of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” meets “The Silent Patient” energy. The writing is great and I was invested in the story. However towards the end it got very confusing and a lot of plot holes kept popping up. I didn’t understand the ending at all. It bordered completely unrealistic.

A Fitzgerald retelling but a little bit too on the nose for my preferences. Might be best for someone that has not read the source material.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book. The thing about this book that initially piqued my interest was the fact that the main character is cast in a feminist adaptation of an F. Scott Fitzgerald book. The Great Gatsby is one of my all time favorite books, and in college, I had the chance to read it several times in a literary criticism class, and one of the lenses we studied it through was a feminist lens. This one did not disappoint. There were many aspects of it that were entertaining and had me wanting to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. It also made me want to go back and read some of Fitzgerald's other works, as The Great Gatsby is the only one that I have read so far. I feel like this book would be a good one for my book club, as I thought there were many different aspects that could be discussed.

A truly unique premise and a classic thriller! I loved alot about this book. I loved the intersection of classic literature and current psychology and pop culture obsession. The character of Lyla was confusing and interesting and I had to see what she was going to do next.

A feminist retelling of Fitzgerald tender is the night?!? There is Hollywood vibes and an eloquent prose in this thought provoking novel! There was critique to toxic relationships, feminism, and misogyny. There was a slow start at the beginning of this book. With the multiple POVs, I initially had a hard time keeping up with the story. All in all, an enticing thriller with some twisty charms to dangle in front of you!

This book held promise for me and I found myself invested during certain parts of it but I just didn't love it overall. My main gripe has to do with the story as it is told from Jonah's notes and Lila's diary entries. There's just no way in real life these writings would be as detailed as they are in this novel. So much so that I found it distracting to the point of eyerolling. I mean, a therapist is really going to note that his patient made a cup of tea during their session and mention how she shook the tea bag first? Lila's diary entries are just as asbsurdly descriptive.

While I did appreciate the insight into movie making and was entertained by Lila's story, I found the ending messy and the characters largely unlikeable.

This book definitely inspired me to read more Fitzgerald. I enjoyed the storytelling style of this book and its focus on film and Hollywood. I also always enjoy when a narrative is focused on therapy sessions. The first part was particularly engaging, both with the advancement of the movie and the therapy sessions. Some of the reveals really surprised me, but some seemed obvious. Ultimately, by the end I thought the book was good but it did not blow me away or do anything revolutionary. I will pick up this author again and I think this book is perfect for someone in a reading slump or looking for a fun and easy to read mystery.

This book is a psychological thriller that blurs the lines between art, identity, and reality. The story follows Lila Crayne, a celebrated actress cast in a feminist adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night, directed by her fiancé, Kurt Royall. To fully embody her role, Lila begins therapy with Jonah Gabriel, a charismatic and enigmatic therapist. But as Jonah’s presence starts to bleed into both her personal and professional life, buried traumas emerge, and the boundaries between performance and reality dissolve, leading to a chilling exploration of power, revenge, and self-discovery.

While the novel’s literary references and layered storytelling was good there were times I felt that the story’s themes occasionally felt overly theatrical. I also felt the ending was a bit over the top and needed a suspension of belief. Overall a solid debut.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff is a compelling blend of emotion and tension, weaving together themes of revenge, love, and resilience. The writing is vivid and immersive, pulling readers into the protagonist’s world. Bischoff does a great job of balancing fast-paced action with quieter, reflective moments.

That said, some aspects of the plot felt a bit predictable, and a few character decisions stretched believability. While the emotional stakes are high, certain relationships could have used more development to pack a stronger punch.

Overall, Sweet Fury is an engaging and enjoyable read, with just enough twists to keep things interesting. It’s not perfect, but it’s a satisfying story that will appeal to fans of intense, character-driven drama.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

This is the story of the filming of a cinematic reimagining of F. Scott Fitzgerald's <i>Tender is the Night</i> with a feminist twist. Lily Crayne is an up and coming actress slated to star in the movie and she's married to the older and more established Kurt Royall, who will direct. They have the backing and the expectation that it will be a blockbuster. As she prepares for her starring role, Lily begins work with a therapist, who encourages her to reexamine her relationships and her memories. Perhaps something dark lurks behind the glamour.

Novels about wealthy and privileged people begin at a disadvantage with me. Sure, they have some of the same conflicts and sorrows as the rest of us, but there are so many things they never have to worry about. So a book about them is going to have to be better than a book about ordinary people. But while I never managed to care much about any of the characters, Sash Bischoff knows how to tell a story and I was happy enough reading the increasingly dramatic events depicted in this novel. The ways in which Bischoff plays with the Fitzgerald novel are clever and interesting, while the book itself doesn't require the reader to have read the source material.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff was a bit of a mixed bag for me, and honestly, I’m still trying to fully articulate how I feel about it. If I had to sum it up, I’d say I enjoyed the journey more than the destination.

The book definitely kept me engaged with its mysterious elements, unreliable characters, and feminist themes. I appreciated how, even though I had a sense that something was off and could easily spot who wasn’t trustworthy, there were still a few twists that caught me off guard. The inclusion of multimedia, like the journal entries, was a fun touch that added depth to the story.

However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the book didn’t quite deliver on its feminist promises. I struggled to connect with any of the characters, and lengthy speeches and drawn-out chapters didn’t help either. By the end, I was left more confused than anything else due to some plot holes, far fetched ideas, and a writing style that I think was intentionally disorienting; I had to read the last chapter twice and still found myself turning to a group chat for clarification, which was a bit frustrating. After reading most of the book without issues, it felt like a letdown to not fully grasp the conclusion.

A friend described this book as a "toxic mess," and honestly, that feels spot-on. Although she seemed to embrace the chaos a little more than I did!

Ultimately, this one was a "like" but not a "love" for me. I doubt it’ll stick with me long-term, but I did enjoy the ride while it lasted.

Sweet Fury follows Lila Cayne, a rising star preparing for a feminist adaptation of Tender Is the Night directed by her fiancé, Kurt Royall. A method actress at heart, Lila dives into therapy to perfect her role. Doing so unravels dark secrets from her past, leading to a suspenseful and emotionally charged journey.

The story alternates between the narration and journal entries, creating tension and challenging readers to question the reliability of both narrators. This structure heightened the tension by revealing incomplete or conflicting truths from each perspective, forcing readers to constantly reassess their understanding of events. Bischoff’s style combines beautiful descriptions with sharp, natural dialogue, bringing out both the glamour and the darker side of the story. There is also a very interesting commentary on feminism throughout the novel, which I believe can be used to foster great dialogue in book clubs.

Overall, Sweet Fury is a captivating read that will keep you engaged from start to finish. While prior knowledge of Fitzgerald’s work isn’t necessary, readers familiar with his themes of ambition, love, and disillusionment may uncover deeper layers of meaning woven into the narrative. The story stands strong on its own merits, with complex characters, a suspenseful plot, and a masterful balance of literary homage and originality. These elements ensure that whether you are a fan of Fitzgerald or not, Sweet Fury offers a richly rewarding experience.

Initially I was uninterested by the blurb of this book. I put off reading it for some time. Once I started though I couldn’t put it down. I was struggling a bit with the writing style of the book and don’t know too much about F Scot Fitzgerald’s work but enjoyed the narrative jumps and timeline jumps. I felt they kept me hooked. I enjoyed the unreliable narrators and almost instantly didn’t know who I could trust. With that said the ending was a let down. They way I was pulled in I was really hoping the ending was going to be explosive and have a finality to it that I just did not get.

✨ The Vibes ✨
The Silent Patient goes Hollywood

📖 Read if…
✨ You like feminist takes on classic novels
✨ The Silent Patient is your favorite thriller
✨ F. Scott Fitzgerald is your favorite classic novelist

Sweet Fury initially caught my eye for two reasons – comparisons to The Silent Patient and the F. Scott Fitzgerald connection. And while I had high hopes for this book, it ultimately left me feeling a little disappointed.

My feelings reading this book were very similar to how I felt while reading The Silent Patient. It took me a hot minute to get invested, but once I hit Part II, I was fully engrossed and until the final pages where the story left me feeling a bit meh. That being said, if you are a super fan of The Silent Patient, you’ll probably love this book as there are some fun twists along the way.

Plot aside, Sweet Fury is a standout in the thriller genre, thanks to the way it references Fitzgerald’s work. The story reads like one of his novels even though it takes place in the present. I was really impressed with how Bischoff was able to balance her own style with the Fitzgerald references. It takes a really talented and creative writer to do something so ambitious and because of that, I’m eager to read her future works.

Sweet Fury is out now. Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Sweet Fury” by Sash Bischoff is a compelling debut that masterfully intertwines psychological suspense with literary homage. The narrative centers on Lila Crayne, a celebrated actress preparing for a feminist adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Tender Is the Night,” directed by her fiancé, Kurt Royall. To delve into her role, Lila engages with therapist Jonah Gabriel, leading to a profound exploration of buried traumas and complex relationships. Bischoff’s rich prose and intricate character development create an immersive experience, keeping readers enthralled as secrets unravel and motivations blur. The novel delves into themes of identity, power dynamics, and the blurred lines between reality and performance, all set against the glamorous yet deceptive backdrop of Hollywood. With its unexpected twists and thought-provoking narrative, “Sweet Fury” is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and literary fiction alike.

If I’m being truthful, I didn’t love Sweet Fury, but it did keep my attention and interest enough that I was committed to finding out how it would end.

Lila Crayne is a famous and successful actress, the seemingly perfect woman in every way. Engaged to wildly successful filmmaker Kurt Royall, Lila and Kurt are about to begin production on a feminist retelling of Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night. Due to the nature of the film subjects, Lila begins to see renowned and charming therapist, Jonah, to address past traumas. Of course, therapy brings about unexpected consequences for Lila and life quickly unravels for all in her orbit.

This fell flat for me mainly because it came off slightly pretentious and obvious. I won’t say that I knew exactly what was going to happen, but it seemed to take a path that I expected.

Overall, Sweet Fury has great meaning behind it and does well of explaining the struggles of women in the public setting but lacks the depth I was hoping for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this ARC with me before it’s January release date.