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.

Reading this I felt like I was transported back to the early 2000s following the actors of my favorite over acted teen drama. I was immediately sucked into Ivy's world of petty scandal and harsh critics, and I loved the dual timelines of young Ivy in the spotlight vs the current struggling Ivy of today after Hollywood spit her out. As the murders of the present day came to light, I found myself trying to piece together the truth with Ivy, but that ending reveal had me shocked in the best way possible. All those years and it was there in plain sight all along, terrifying!

Highly recommend this read!

Ivy Westcott wanted nothing more than to be a famous actress and to be surrounded by people who loved her as much as she loved them. After being thrust into the limelight in the leading role of a teen drama, she found herself struggling with the constant paparazzi presence and the vicious comments online. When a costar dies, Ivy leaves LA, seemingly blacklisted from the world of acting, and with no one on her side but her mother. When she's invited to the ten year anniversary of her hit show, she starts to realise that she had been doomed from the start. And soon, all kinds of secrets come into the light.

This was such a great book. It really shows the side of fame that so many people don't get to see. While we all see the drama on our TVs, we don't always see the drama behind the scenes. We don't see how the constant scrutiny can become too much for those in the limelight, and just how quickly public opinion can turn against them.
It was a thrilling read, and I couldn't get enough of it. There were plenty of twists, and I truly didn't see that ending coming.
Another great book from this author.
Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Ivy Westcott was the lead on the hottest TV show ten years ago but after a tragedy, she lost her friends and acting career. A celebrity expose it out bring back old memories and a new death. The story goes back and forth on what happened during the season and Ivy tries to figure out who her friends are. Great read.

🎬 BOOK / REVIEW 🎥

Guess who's back, back again?!

It's none other than the most lovely @sbaileybooks - who is getting ready to release her newest #thriller called #hellojuliet (publishing April 29 by #thomasandmercer ... thank you so much for my #gifted copy @blondethrillerbooklover @thrillerbookloversthepulse and for having me #ontour!!)

Given all that is going on in Hollywood these days, this was a very interesting and timely read. If you loved growing up watching shows like Full House and Gossip Girl, I think you would love this. It gives a searing behind the curtain look at just how jealousy and greed can make people do INSANE things - especially when fame and money are involved.

Add in a mysterious death, high tensions, and a whole lot of nostalgia, and you'll get right to the heart of this novel. It's fast-paced and definitely kept me engaged throughout. It's a popcorn thriller, so that enhanced overall character and plot building for me.

So excited to see what comes next from Sam ... I always love what she produces. Keep a look out for this on sale in a few months!

Samantha M. Bailey's fourth thriller is just as captivating and suspenseful as her first three. I had no idea where things were going or how they were going to end up and I was constantly surprised by everything that was revealed. I'm still going over it in my head and trying to piece everything together!

If you ever wanted to be famous, Hello, Juliet is definitely a cautionary tale. The paparazzi are relentless and they will spin every story however they want, even if it's far from the truth. This novel starts with Ivy (who played the lead character, Juliet, on a TV series ten years ago) showing up for a reunion of the TV series she was on and finding something she was not expecting to see. This leads to a whodunnit and goes back and forth in time to piece together the mystery. We learn about what it was like for Ivy to be on this new teen drama show and her connection with her fellow castmates. Eventually, some factors lead to the demise of the show and Ivy is the one bearing the brunt of the blame. Fast forward about ten years and there's this mystery to solve. Ivy is not sure who she can even trust anymore and it's not the reunion she was expecting to have with her castmates.

Overall, a really well done suspenseful story. If I couldn't guess the outcome, I don't think you will be able to either. Just buckle up for a very bumpy ride!

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Ivy: Gracie Lawrence
Lauren: Cassie Randolph
Jesse: Callum Kerr
Caleb: Kyle Allen
Mack: Victor Webster
Elizabeth: Linda Cardellini
Detective Tanaka: Fiona Rene
Rachel: Jenna Dewan

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TW: suicide, substance abuse, attempted murder, death of a friend

What a ride!! If you are looking for angst, drama and suspense, Hello, Juliet has it all. Ivy is a wonderfully strong main character, who has all the attributes that make you want to mother her. I loved how the dual timelines wove together to give you a complete picture. I absolutely couldn’t have imagined this ending and what a shock it was! I highly recommend this if you are into trying to figure out if the bad girl really IS bad.

Everyone over at @thrillerbooklovesthepulse LOVES us some Samantha M. Bailey (myself included) and cannot stop raving about this one. It's probably my favorite read from her.

This one gripped me from page one as soon as Ivy is stepping onto the lot to meet about a possible reunion of Hello, Juliet. This one had me gasping! Filled with unreliable narrators, which I love, a dual timeline, and all the twists! It had me on the edge of my seat up until the end, which got me! I was not on the right track and I love when that happens.

Ivy was virtually an unknown when she gets the lead role in a teen show (think 90210 type show) called Hello, Juliet. The four main stars form strong friendships. Until something happens and the show abruptly ends. The dual timeline gives us some excellent behind the scenes from back then, and the current day has us going along with Ivy to see about a possible reunion.

I don't want to tell more, because you do not want this one spoiled. But trust me, you want to read this one!!

Thanks to Thriller Book Loves, Samantha M. Baily and Thomas and Mercer for an eARC of this one! I can't wait for release day!

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

Hello, Juliet By Samantha M. Bailey
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(4.5 ⭐ - Rounded Up To 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

Oh my goodness, did I love this book! Hello Juliet is a salaciously delicious domestic thriller about the rise (and fall) of Hollywood starlets and a peek behind the curtain at the lengths of what some will do for fame and success.

It was so exciting to be a part of this gorgeous cover reveal with Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, and it was even more exciting to be a part of this book tour because everyone is enamored with this read!! And with very good reason!

Hello, Juliet is a melodramatic TV show about teenagers with a cult-like following, even before its television debut. Fans can't get enough of the show's stars and the internet is abuzz with praises - and vitriol - about these actors, actresses, and everyone involved with the show's production. [Picture the mass fandom of shows like Beverly Hills 90210, Dawson's Creek, Laguna Beach... You get it.] The story focuses on the show's stars: Ivy, Lauren, Jesse, and Caleb, as well as its producer, Mack. Some are America's sweethearts, some fall victim to the internet's trolls and hatred, and others simply don't survive.

This book features so many things I love: dual timelines, a mixed media style of writing, and unhinged characters. Chapters alternate between narratives and excerpts from a Behind-The-Music style documentary about what REALLY happened with the demise hit TV show and its stars. The book begins with an unexpected death and becomes a whodunnit mystery across two timelines as the reader tries to figure out who the killer is and why he/she is killing. This one had me on the edge of my seat and captivated from the first chapter!! Give me Hollywood gossip, a whodunnit mystery, and an unreliable narrator.... And I'm here for it!

This is -- by far -- my favorite read from Samantha M. Bailey! If this cover doesn't draw you in, this storyline and its Hollywood secrets surely will! A must-read for 2025. A huge thank you to NetGalley, Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, Thomas & Mercer, and the author herself for this advanced e-copy and the invitation to be a part of this book tour!

#HelloJuliet #SamanthaMBailey #Thomas&Mercer #amazonpublishing #thrillerbookloversthepulse #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #salaciousreads #mustreads #domesticthrillers #Hollywoodthrillers #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations

Ivy Westcott, a former teen drama TV star, has been struggling to make ends meet ever since her career ended under a cloud of suspicion. Her mother, always her biggest fan and constant support, is now facing health and can’t afford treatment. Determined to help, Ivy accepts a lucrative offer to film a reunion show for the popular series that abruptly ended years ago after the loss of a cast member.

Having lost touch with her former co-stars, Ivy is unsure of what to expect when she arrives at the studio. But when one of her ex-castmates is found dead, buried secrets from the past begin to surface—secrets that make no sense.

I had my predictions early on, but the twists kept me guessing throughout! I thoroughly enjoyed the unraveling of the scandalous past, skillfully woven into the present-day drama through the dual timeline narrative. Ivy’s character and her resolve to uncover the truth were truly admirable. This was an addictive thriller with a spectacular ending!