This book had me at the edge of my seat the entire time! I didn’t know what to expect but it was NOT THAT! I enjoyed every moment !

I really wanted SO BADLY to love this book. Usually love the author. But this was just too much of a stretch for my liking. Didn’t feel like something that could actually happen.

The Queen of Killer Twists, NYT Bestselling author Alice Feeney is back better than ever with her highly anticipated thriller BEAUTIFUL UGLY, her best yet—(exceeds all expectations), amid the anticipated Netflix series adaptation of her novel HIS & HERS starring Tessa Thompson.

From London to a remote Scottish island, a totally gripping, wicked, and deliciously dark, BEAUTIFUL UGLY is a twisty story of marriage, relationships, revenge, and the dark secrets they hide. Note: Always appreciate what you have—as it may be gone tomorrow.

Audiobook...

The audiobook is utterly captivating and deserving of 10 stars! Top Audiobook of 2025!I have never been so excited to receive an ALC! Richard Armitage (The Fool Me Once star) and Tuppence Middleton deliver a stellar performance, capturing the suspense, characters, lurking darkness, menace, and beauty to perfection. The performance deftly elevates the novel from beginning to end with the bonus of sound effects (waves), and the walkie-talkies are brilliant. The unpredictable ending is priceless and chilling for a wild adventure. You will find yourself hanging on every word and sound and listening repeatedly— IT IS THAT GOOD!

About...

Grady Green is an author married to Abby. As the book opens, he calls his wife on the phone. She was to be home already so they could share the upcoming news of possibly a New York Times bestseller. After all, they always celebrate their milestones with champagne, fish-and-chips.

Grady is a chap who loves his solitude, fictional characters, and writing. But he wants his wife by his side to hear his upcoming news. However, on her way home in the car, everything mysteriously changes when they are on the phone. A woman is in the middle of the road, and Abby wants to help. Then nothing. She is gone, never to return. The sudden turn of events will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth.

When he eventually finds her car by the cliff's edge, her phone is there, but not Abby. She has disappeared.

A year later, after losing everything due to being distraught, grieving, and unable to write, living in a run-down hotel with his dog, financially ruined, his publisher throws him a lifeline and offers him a remote cabin for writing —The Isle of Amberly, a remote Scottish Island.

You are not allowed to have a car that is accessible only by ferry. Excited and nervous, he soon finds this may be what he needs, and he begins to write and enjoys the solitude. He is writing again with his dog sidekick! He has always wanted to be left alone with his writing and characters.

However, odd, creepy, and sinister things begin happening around him. He sees a woman in a red coat that looks like his wife. Then, a few more discoveries that will change his life. What happened to the writer who lived there previously, and what is going on with this island?

Things are so strange he wants off the island. He wants nothing more than to go home and get off the island. But some forces are pulling him, and he can see NO escape.

My thoughts...

Holy Cannoli! I LOVED (devoured) this book! SPELLBINDING! Brilliantly and cleverly crafted, Alice has outdone herself! Her skillful storytelling and masterful plot twists will leave you in awe. Grady's character is chilling!

Beautifully written, from the perfect setup that hooks you immediately, the careful building of suspense, perfect pacing, the shifting between characters with sound effects, a twisty plot, the jaw-dropping twists, and the atmospheric setting of the island—A show-stopping, first-class psychological thriller of domestic suspense!

You are unsure of the character's motives, where nothing is as it appears, with unreliable narrators. The author takes you on a wild adventure with a perfectly fitting title.

Psychologically rich, addictive, and razor-sharp, BEAUTIFUL UGLY is a complete package. A thriller lover's dream—from the stunning cover to the explosive finale. The novel delves deep into the human psyche, offering a thought-provoking reading experience.

A masterpiece. Brilliant, spine-chilling, witty, and clever. Do not miss this book of the year! Thriller fans will devour. I would love to know the inspiration behind this fascinating book.

Recs...

BEAUTIFUL UGLY is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Mary Kubica, Chris Whitaker, B.A. Paris, Kaira Rouda, Kimberly Belle, Robyn Harding, and Samantha Downing.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio (#MacAudio2024) for an advanced listening copy via NetGalley and Google Play in exchange for an honest review. I also ordered the hardcover copy for my home library and cannot wait for it to arrive!

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +++
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Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
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Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an early listener copy of Beautiful Ugly in exchange for my honest opinion. I listened to this audiobook in one sitting, well until 92% through when I had to pause it because my head was spinning! The book takes a long time to set up the story and get where it’s going, but the last 10% is a wild ride. I would have preferred if it had started 10-20% sooner, as then it wouldn’t have felt like whiplash with so much happening at the very end, while also simultaneously being wrapped up. Considering the speed of the ending, it wrapped up a bit too neatly for my liking.
I have listened to most of Alice Feeney’s books, although I have yet to read His & Hers and Sometimes I Lie. The dual narration was a nice change from her previous audiobooks, and it worked well with the characters involved. This wasn’t my favorite of hers, but I will keep reading (and most likely listening) to her work.

I oringally gave this book 4 stars, but after sitting with it and thinking about it, I think I need to give it 3 stars. It was still a wild trip in all the twisty, wild ways that Feeney is notorious for, but there was just a few things really missing for me with it. I do think the beginning dragged a little and took a while to get going, but the second half picked right up and unfolded with so many twists. It was very entertaining and kept me on my toes, but the characters were very unlikeable and a few of the twists didn't really work for me.

Overall, I'd definitely say check it out (the audio was fantastic too) but it won't be my favourite of hers by any means.

Grateful for the opportunity to get an ARC of this book. I have not previously read anything from this author and I am not sure what to think, honestly. Feel like there were so many aspects that were red herrings, I suppose, but felt more like loose ends. While I didn’t see the end coming, I also found it anticlimactic and brought on a lot of questions about how the MMC didn’t realize connections of people and places. In the end, I didn’t love but did think I enjoyed it more than in audiobook than if I had physical copy, for the accents and the sounds (eg Walkie-talkie).

This is my third Alice Feeney mystery/thriller and what I appreciate most about her writing style is that the mystery is slow burning and as a reader the number of questions you have will gradually build with very little relief. At no point did I have the plot fully figured out and even at times when I thought I did, I didn’t. There’s enough to this story where even if this reader figures out something - it’s not likely they’ll figure out everything. However, I did think things in the end were a bit over explained. This makes me feel like there weren’t enough crumbs sprinkled throughout for readers to make their own connections by the end.

An author is thrust into a plot to rival one of the thrillers on his shelf when his wife disappears and he finds himself seeing her “ghost” while on a writing retreat. This rather convoluted story slowly picks its way through a confusing cult like thriller gambit and into a horror ending that leaves you with more questions than answers. I’m not sure Feeney knew where it was headed anymore than her MC did. Thoroughly confusing, relatively boring, and ultimately disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley for my audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Alice Feeney does it again! The pacing of this book keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Grady is an author who last talks to his wife, Abby, on her way home to celebrate his latest accolades. How can she just disappear? Grady finds himself thrust into a writing slump as he tries to figure out what happened to Abby. His agent recommends time away on a secluded Scottish Island to clear his mind and find peace to finish his latest book. Grady reluctantly goes but what he finds there will permanently change his future. The Island only allows day visitors under certain conditions. With Grady planning to stay awhile, his life and the ecosystem of the island are upended. Once there will (can) he ever leave? Thanks to MacMillan Audio and Net Galley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Holy smokes! This book kept me on my toes, and I definitely did not see the end coming! 10 out of 19 recommend this book!!

I’m usually a huge fan of Alice Feeney. But I just didn’t care for this one. It was just so unbelievable. Did I see the twists coming? No but the twists were totally out there. I love a good thriller but it has to be somewhat believable. If you read this book and are like me, don’t give up on Alice Feeney yet. Go read His and Hers! Such a great book.

The twist on this delivered. The plot of it all was disappointing. It was far-fetched and not what I expected from this author. I disliked the characters, and the ending felt as if I got bamboozled. The narration on this was okay. There was times I couldn't differ what voice was given. This was a miss.

Incredibly twisty and classically Feeney dark, and keeps you guessing and questioning until the last page. I enjoy all her books, but this may be my favorite yet. Loved the suspense and buildup throughout. So well crafted.

Absolutely screamed when I got approved for this. YAY.
Beautiful Ugly is the story about Grady, an author who has been struggling with writing and is grieving his wife who went missing a year prior. In an attempt to get back into writing, he goes to this isolated island and that's where sus things start happening.
I don't want to spoil too much, so you'll have to read it to find out more!
So I read this in audiobook, and the narration was wonderful. The story is super atmospheric and I love how I felt like I was on the island, too. I loveeee Alice Feeney's writing as usual (i'll read anything she writes <3) and I love how we always have trust issues with her characters haha. I was left speechless by the twists. I don't know if it was as twisty as I expected, but know when the twists hit, they do hit one after the other! Bonus points for the dog being safe and sound!!
I loved how it all wrapped up and that last line gave me the chills.
Super hooky read as usual from Queen Alice!

Thank you so much Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the arc.

Grady is a writer and calls his wife to share the good news about his book. But, as he is talking to Abby there appears to be a crash. As Grady rushes to the accident scene, Abby is gone. Just vanished. Her wallet and phone are left behind.

As Grady tries to put his life back together and finish his next book, his agent offers a famous author’s cabin for Grady to get away and finish his book. When Grady arrives on the island, things aren’t quite as he expected. And was that his wife he saw on the ferry?

Everything we expect from Alice Feeney – likeable characters, unreliable narrator, slow burn with the unexpected twist. So good!

RECOMMEND

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary audiobook copy of #BeautifulUgly in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read a multitude of books by author Alice Feeney, and “Beautiful Ugly” takes the cake.

Jumping between the present and the past, it follows the story of Grady Green on a desperate search for his missing wife Abby. His agent, hoping to spark his nulled creativity, sends him to an isolated island of only 25 people who all seem to have their share of secrets. I was on the edge of my seat trying to unravel the mysteries of this book, packed with unreliable narrators and plot twists I didn’t see coming. Not only was this book filled with off-setting imagery and decadent environmental descriptions, the story and characters themselves were multidimensional and complex, leaving me constantly guessing and invested in their lives.

Reading while listening to this audiobook added yet another enthralling layer to an already nail-biting story. Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton took this novel to another level and the atmospheric sound effects were a pleasant surprise, transporting me to Grady and Abby’s world. This book along with the audiobook checked all my psychological thriller boxes and I know I’ll be reading Alice Feeney’s next bestseller.

I want to thank NetGalley, MacMillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful ugly. This is one of the best books I have read in a long time so many twists , you will never know what is coming next

Beautiful Ugly takes us into the life of a writer. The day he becomes a nationally best selling author, his wife goes missing. Now, a year later, he's financially falling apart, and has a severe case of writer's block. His publicist offers him a unique opportunity to get away. She has a cabin for him. located on a tiny island in Scotland, population 25. As nice as this small town is, there are so many secrets, it boggles the mind. Is he hallucinating or is his wife also on the island? Is someone trying to get a message to him about what happened to her? We don't know who to trust of what's going on, and then when you do, it shifts again. I enjoyed the speed and excitement of Grady slowly losing his mind.

The male narrator used different accents for different people, which helped keep them separate. It was a little unclear when he would "answer the phone " and speak as a female, because he didn't change his voice for those, but it was easy to catch on with context.

There is a secondary storyline from a female narrator. She is talking about her life, and how unhappy she is. She wants to leave her husband and has quite a few secrets of her own. When the storylines cross over, magic happens, and not in the way I expected.

The ending felt a little anticlimactic. I couldn't have guessed how it would all come together, but I wasn't shocked about the whole thing. I felt a few sparks, but nothing that wowed me. That being said, the story was fun, and I was invested. All loose threads are tied up nicely by the end.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton
Publishing date 1/14/2025

This is my first Alice Feeney book. I have wanted to read her "Rock Paper Scissors" which was very popular a few years ago. This one is a suspense novel set in a remote Scottish Island. The main character is an author whose wife goes missing one day. Overcome with grief and running out of options, he takes on an invitation to travel to a small island to work. The island is very isolated and peculiar, and so are its residents.

Things happen from there as a suspense book goes. It is a very claustrophobic and creepy book. You can feel the coldness and isolation in words, which adds to the scary-scale. I liked the atmospheric writing itself and it kept me wanting to know what happens. Also, audiobook is very well narrated by two professional actors, and it also includes sound effects to increase my enjoyment (i.e. the sound of oceanwaves). The audiobook was very effective and I enjoyed it overall.
On the other hand, this is not a five star for me because I felt that there are too many "breadcrumbs" strewn around which gave me messy impressions. I felt the story could have been much simpler. I also didn't care for the plot twists personally, or the ending.
In a sum, I think this is an enjoyable suspense book worth checking out if you are interested in a remote-location suspense.

This advanced copy of audiobook was provided courtesy of NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. Opinions herein are my own. Thank you!

listened the an ALC of Beautiful Ugly and WOW it was intense!! I loved the narrator and the additional sound effects. It sure brought Alice Feeney’s phenomenon thriller to life!!

I am a big Alice Feeney fan. I’ve loved everything I’ve read of hers, and this new psychological suspense novel is *chef’s kiss*. Twists upon twists!

I was held captive by the mind boggling story. Right off I was hooked! So much unforeseen unfolds but the wild ride along the way is equally engaging! Literal jaw dropping and WTF’s were uttered multiple times. All the Hallmarks of a binge worthy thriller!

You never really know someone… Until you do. I hope you die in your sleep.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to access this audiobook!