3.5-3.75⭐️

I was drawn to this book as I loved A Friend in the Dark.

Ivy is a failed young actress after appearing as a lead in a teenage drama series. Tempted by the offer of a reunion screening Ivy is drawn back to the studio, only nothing is as it seems. Ivy needs to get to the bottom of what’s going on as she finds herself implicated in a crime.

It uses some mixed media input.
It’s an interesting premise using the stars of a tv show.
It starts off really strongly grabbing my attention straight away, and it ended really strongly, there’s some shocking revelations and twists. it’s just that it lost my attention during the mid main section which I found too slow going.
I didn’t like Ivy, although I found her character to be realistic. It’s a struggle to know who you can trust. The one person I did like, I really shouldn’t have done as it turns out, so that left me feeling slightly cheated.
I loved the beginning and the end but got a bit bogged down with the mid section. I think I’m in the minority as it’s got an impressive overall rating on Goodreads.

While the concept is intriguing, the execution left much to be desired.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its use of dual timelines, which added depth to the whole Hello, Juliet cast’s story. Shifting between past and present is what kept me invested, even when other aspects of the book fell short.

However, the pacing of the book was lukewarm at best. While it wasn’t painfully slow, it lacked the tension and urgency needed to make the story truly gripping. The revelations, while significant to the plot, felt spoon-fed, often told outright rather than shown through meaningful interactions or subtle cues. This made the story feel less immersive, it felt like I was being handed a summary rather than experiencing the drama unfold organically.

Another area where the book faltered was its portrayal of the Hollywood setting, which seemed central to the premise but didn’t come through vividly in the narrative. The supposed glitz and glamour of the filming world felt distant and underwhelming. Another thing is that the themes, tone, and writing style seem better suited for a younger audience, which isn’t necessarily a negative, but it may leave adult readers feeling out of sync with the book's intended depth.

In the end, Hello, Juliet was okay. It had its moments, especially in the use of dual timelines, but the overall experience felt lackluster. With more dynamic pacing, a stronger commitment to showing rather than telling, and a more vivid Hollywood vibe, this book could have shone much brighter.
As it stands, it’s a decent pick for fans of light YA stories but may leave those seeking a deeper, more immersive read wanting more.

I've been so excited to read this book since the author first announced it and it did not disappoint! Hollywood, actors, teen dramas, pop-culture: it's my catnip and this book was SO fun and full of surprises and twists that I did not see coming. Loved the backdrop of Hollywood/LA, all the mixed media sections, which gave the book extra pizzazz, and a main character who was put through so much trauma, you couldn't help but root for her to get a win! Can't wait to read her next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Bailey and Thomas & Mercer for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This may be a new favourite from Bailey! It’s such a binge read and I wanted nothing more than to just sit and read this book for hours! It’s so addicting, twisty and fast paced. Loved it! The ending was amazing - did not see that coming.

This novel was a thrill ride from beginning to end, There are so many twists and turns that will have you guessing right to the very end, with some many thrills and chills along the way.

I enjoyed trying to figure out who was responsible for all of the turmoil and events that were happening, who was telling the truth, who was lying and conniving, and trying to guess what was going to happen next.

I highly recommend this novel!

Book Review
Hello Juliet by Sam Bailey

What Its Got
Actors/actresses
Single parent
Teen soap opera Sunset Shores
Social media paparazzi mess
Drama on drama
Crushes/ romance
Friendship
Dual timeline
Fame and fortune and the sacrifices that get you there

Characters
Think cast of Beverly Hills 90210, Dawsons Creek or Gossip Girl
Are you Team Jesse or Team Caleb
The MCs/ Cast all have Strong personalities that leap off the page and the complicated dynamics between them all are dizzying

Thoughts
I love all the the little extras Sam embeds in her stories- the pieces of the world outside that make the world you enter in her books feel soo real ( vanish mode; converse; Friends, social media ) - each time I came across one I smirked and smiled at myself
This is a slow burn read; like a good tv drama- the reader is strung along as the story builds and then suddenly shock after shock and I was left SHOOK

Overall
If you love bingeable Netflix series full of angst, secrets and dead bodies- then you will love this book

Publishes April 29
Thanks to the author and publisher for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own

Former TV star Ivy Westcott returns to LA to film a reunion special with her old cast mates from their hit show Hello, Juliet, which had ended in scandal after one season. But deadly secrets still haunt the cast…

Everyone at @thrillerbookloversthepulse has been raving about this one and it deserves all the hype! With dual timelines and mixed media snippets, there is a lot of drama that unfolds leading up to a twisted ending that definitely shook me! I loved how everything tied together at the end. I can’t recommend this one enough for thriller fans!

Rating 4.5⭐️

Something about this title just jumped out at me. The synopsis caught my attention and I could not wait to read it. it did not disappoint! Old scandals, a TV reunion, lots of drama...all the ingredients to a great thriller. I read it in one sitting. I love this writer's style and how there are "clues" scattered through the story in a purposeful way. I really felt for these characters and I was sad to see it end. I did feel a little like a viewer of a horror movie that wants to yell, "Stop! Don't do that! This is not a smart decision!" 5 stars all day! Fantastic read!

Actual Rating: 3.5⭐

I’m not going to lie; this book is incredibly addicting!
Its short chapters and easy-to-read writing style had my eyes glued to my Kindle. I devoured this fast-paced story in just one day!

The story starts with a strong opening, told in dual timeline —the past and present—from our main character Ivy Westcott's perspective set against the glamorous yet dark backdrop of Hollywood.
It offers a glimpse into celebrity life, filled with dark secrets, glamour, and popularity.

Seeing things from Ivy’s POV, being a celebrity is not an easy job. Her lack of confidence doesn't help her case with the scandals and gossip. Additionally, Ivy doesn’t seem like a 32-year-old woman during the present timeline, which feels slightly odd.
However, after discovering the truth, everything finally makes sense, and I could understand Ivy’s character a little bit better. Her journey is complex and adds depth to the story.

The real culprit identity comes as a shocking reveal—I wasn’t expecting it at all!
The ending was wrapped up nicely at the end which I really appreciate, as most thriller books I read end tragically or have an 'open ending,' which can be quite frustrating.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and entertaining thriller. The mystery element kept me interested from start until the end.
If you like fast-paced thriller stories centred around entertainment industry with complex characters and dark secrets, then you can give this one a try.

4.5 Stars - rounding up!
I had the privilege of diving into an early copy of "Hello, Juliet," and I'm excited for everyone to experience it! This gem doesn't drop until April 29, so save the date! Samantha always writes incredible stuff, but this one might be my favorite!

I absolutely love endings that leave me speechless, and "Hello, Juliet" does precisely that! That ending is a complete shocker. Bailey's storytelling shines in this captivating tale.

👉 Here's why "Hello, Juliet" is a must-read:
- Hollywood glitz, glam, and all the juicy gossip
- The addictive charm that only a teen TV show can deliver
- Plenty of shocking twists and turns
- A captivating dual narrative and timeline

Set against the backdrop of a once-popular teen drama, the story turns dark when Ivy, the main character, arrives at a secret reunion taping only to discover one of her former co-stars dead in her dressing room.

The story bounces between the past and present through Ivy's perspective and media coverage, diving into the gossip, the rise to fame, and the shocking downfall of the show and its stars. What makes it even more compelling is that these characters aren't your typical spoiled teens. They carry heavy loads and have secret struggles their fans don't see, making them relatable.

Samantha has done it again, and I can't wait to see what she conjures up next!

Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer/NetGalley for this digital ARC. All thoughts are my own.

💜𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢, 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗧🩵
𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
🗓️𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙰𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚕 𝟸𝟿, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
🤩𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟜.𝟝 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★✮ ʳᵒᵘⁿᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ

🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...Ivy leaves Hollywood behind after so many scandals & being referred to as Poison Ivy. A Reunion special is filming after 10 years so she will see her cast mates again, but things turn deadly….

💜𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢...WICKED good!!! 🙌🥳 Okay..so, you know how the “it” shows were back in the day..for me, it was prob 90210 or even The O.C. There was such a craze to them & man, it was all your friends would talk about. Not much is like that nowadays so I LOVED how this one took me back! 💜This one does go back in forth in time..which I LOVE!! The ending was jaw on the floor omg moment & I had to binge this one as fast as my old eyes would allow me to! Also, if you are one of those peeps that don’t like Hollywood thrillers bc it involves rich people..well, this one isn’t that. We are talking struggling main character who gets so much shit thrown her way & barely has a pot to piss in. I just know that trope of rich ass Hollywood types is not a fav of many(I actually adore it bc those people are the craziest😆), but this one isn’t that so the moral of my review is this book is for thriller lovers EVERYWHERE! Save the date. It’s a helluva fun ass ride! 🥳

Thank you to Samantha Bailey, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. This is my third book from this author. I LOVED the other two and was really looking forward to this one. While it was good, it was very long and was borderline YA. I loved the dual timelines and how they painted the picture from past and present. I thought I knew the killer and then changed my mind a few times. The actual killer was a surprise to me. The ending was far too predictable. The characters were mildly annoying, there wasn’t one I could really feel for. I’ll read more from this author but this one wasn’t the best of her work.

"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐."

Special thanks to #thrillerbookloversthepulse @sbaileybooks @amazonpublishing , and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I became immediately invested in this story from chapter one. It's just something about Hollywood storyline that draws me in. The gritty background that no one really sees just sparks interest and curiosity in me.

This one also had mixed media and dual times lines which I loved so much! The mixed media gave me a sort of docuseries feel to it.

Im not surprised i loved this one, @sbaileybooks never disappoints!

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
April 29th, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️Pick one subgenre to read for the rest of your life, no matter the genre.....and GO!

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerbookloversthepulse #thepulse #pulsepoint #hellojuliet #Samanthabailey
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I adore Samantha M. Bailey's books, and her forthcoming release, HELLO JULIET, is no exception! Ivy, a former star of a popular TV show, returns for a reunion, only to discover one of her castmates hanging dead in her dressing room. In a dual narrative, Bailey guides us on a wild journey through Ivy's career, exploring both its past and present. What events transpired then to initiate these killings? Everyone was a suspect, and I couldn't wait to uncover the truth!

Although Ivy's personality had some minor, slightly irritating quirks, I found the plot cleverly written and the resolution quite satisfying. Bailey is skilled with words and adept at captivating the reader. I truly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to those who appreciate books similar in style to Clue. HELLO JULIET will be released on April 29th, so I encourage you to check it out!

Another great read by Samantha Bailey!! I really enjoyed Hello, Juliet. I loved the past and present. That ending 😱 I never saw it coming and I loved how she followed up after that final twist. Can’t wait for more from Samantha. I’’ve been a fan since reading Woman on the Edge.

Thank you NetGalley!

I found this book somewhat predictable- I wanted to love it, but just ended up liking it.
I liked the storyline , but most of the characters were not very likable.
You could see the twist a mile away.

** This review was posted on my blog and socials on January 16, 2025.

4.5 STARS - Sam Bailey is back with her fourth novel, Hello, Juliet which takes readers behind-the-scenes of the lives, loves and secrets of a group of young actors who became fodder for celebrity gossip when their work on a popular Teen TV drama makes them famous.

The story, told in two timelines and sprinkled with gossipy social media posts, shows the rise and fall of Ivy Westcott, a young actress who was in a popular ensemble Teen TV drama. Despite the show being cancelled before the first season was complete, its cast was thrust into the spotlight and the prying eyes of the show's ardent fans and detractors. Years later, the castmates are back for a reunion show and the only thing enticing Ivy is her need for money and good press. But things turn deadly when one of the castmates is murdered and soon deception and the dark side of power seep back into Ivy's life.

This is an intriguing slow burn read with short chapters that will keep readers turning the page. I enjoyed the complicated dynamics and the feeling of not knowing who to trust which left me with a few suspects. But sit tight, folks because the tension builds to a wonderfully layered - and highly satisfying - reveal!

Whether you were a fan of 90210, The OC, Dawson's Creek, Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars, Hello, Juliet gives readers a delicious peek into the life of Hollywood - the pressure, the expectations, the off-screen drama, gossip and high price of fame.

Preorder your copy today for its April 29, 2025 pub date!

Disclaimer: Thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Woah! What did I just read?!?! Delightfully twisty with misdirection in every interaction this book kept me reading after my bedtime! The clues and interactions had my brain thinking things that ended up being completely untrue and I did not see the ending coming! When good things start to happen for Ivy, landing the lead role in a high school drama tv show and finding friends in the cast, bad things start to happen. Leaving one cast member dead, one cast member in jail, one cast member not speaking to Ivy, and Ivy alone with her Mom and with a ruined career. Flash forward and the potential for a big paycheck for a reunion show has Ivy thinking the past might finally be behind her until there is another death. Ivy is left to try to figure out who to trust and what really is going on before it is too late. I recommend this book for readers that enjoy books set in Hollywood or thrillers that keep you guessing.

Hello, Juliet is a twisting thriller that blends the past and the present, friends and lovers, celebrity and infamous. I enjoyed the parallel timeframes and the intimate glimpse behind the scenes of a successful television series. The drama, relationships, gossip, and general ruthless aspect of the profession were all on full show and performed beautifully.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I couldn't get into this one like I had hoped. It felt too teenagerish for me. Reminded me of the YA shows I'd watch on the CW or Freeform. It has a lot of great reviews so take mine with a grain of salt.