I love Alice Feeney’s books, and her newest is among my favorites of hers!

Omg this island and the people on it are CREEPY. Incredibly atmospheric, and definitely has you questioning what is really happening. I will admit that partway through it felt a bit slow and convoluted, but then the ending picks up and the twists pack a punch. At no point could I have foreseen the ending.

🖋️Dual POV and narration
🖋️Recluse writer MMC
🖋️Creepy/remote Scottish island
🖋️Flashbacks
🖋️Unreliable narrator

I loved the narration and sound effects throughout. Richard Armitage did a wonderful job bringing Grady to life 👏🏼 The added sound effects definitely added the creep factor! I found myself eagerly awaiting when I could start listening again to figure out what was happening.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

On a bleak day in the UK, esteemed author, Grady Green, anxiously awaits the return of his wife, Abby. He is expecting to find out about his latest book and whether or not it has attained best seller status. He wants wants Abby to be there to share the news. When he phones his wife to find out how much longer she will be he is shocked to find out that there has been a problem on the road. When Grady checks it appears that Abby is gone and likely hasn’t survived the roadside incident.

A year has passed. He cannot stop thinking about her. He can no longer write. His life is upended. When his agent suggests that he go to a remote Scottish island to rest, recover and get his momentum back, Grady takes the opportunity to replenish himself. From the moment he steps off the island bound boat, he starts seeing and hearing Abby. His mental heath seems to diminish. Nothing makes sense and nothing is as it seems. Is Grady losing his mind? Is something sinister afoot?

The audio was beautifully narrated by British actor Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton , and there were interesting sound effects, I found this book to be a good listen for a long drive. In fact all three of us in the car enjoyed the story enough to listen to the end.

Alice Feeney is a master of twists and turns and the ending of this book is difficult to predict. For me. The three star rating was more about characterization that lacked depth and pathos; and an ending that went on and on and on with explanation upon explanation until I just wanted it to stop. I do think the plot was interesting ; just not great. My thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. Released date is January 14. 2025. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Alice Feeney’s Beautiful Ugly is a masterful psychological thriller that takes listeners on a dark and twisty journey through the mind of a man grappling with loss and mystery. The audiobook, narrated by a talented cast, brings this chilling story to life with exceptional depth and emotion.

The novel follows Grady Green, a successful author whose life unravels when his wife, Abby, mysteriously disappears. On the same night his book hits the New York Times bestseller list, Abby vanishes without a trace, leaving behind her car by a cliff with the headlights on and her phone inside. A year later, Grady is a shadow of his former self, struggling with insomnia and writer’s block. Desperate for a change, he retreats to a remote Scottish island, hoping to find solace and inspiration. 

The audiobook features a stellar performance by the narrators, who skillfully capture the tension and emotional complexity of the story. Their voices bring each character to life, enhancing the eerie atmosphere and the sense of impending doom. 

Feeney’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a knack for creating suspense and delivering unexpected twists. Her use of alternating perspectives, including chapters from Abby’s point of view before her disappearance, adds depth to the narrative and keeps listeners guessing.

Beautiful Ugly explores themes of grief, obsession, and the unreliable nature of memory. It delves into the psychological impact of loss and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. 

Beautiful Ugly is a standout thriller that showcases Alice Feeney’s talent for crafting dark, compelling narratives. The audiobook format, with its exceptional narration, enhances the story’s impact, making it a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers. Feeney’s ability to blend suspense with emotional depth ensures that this novel will linger in listeners’ minds long after the final chapter.

I would give this book 3.5 stars. This thriller/ suspense novel follows the journey of an author Grady Green and his wife Abby. Abby, an investigative journalist, goes missing after the readers brief introduction of her character. In the wake of his wife's disappearance, Grady loses his life, too. He loses his home, money, and ability to write. He becomes a bit of an insomniac. It is hard to create attachment or fondness for any one character. The story loses momentum for me on the island. Here it would've been better to me to have more obvious clues to keep me engaged. I zoned out too much for the end to have this beautiful neat bow tying it all together. The difference here between a 3.5 star and a 5 star book is the convolution of the story that made it hard to follow. The ending was a surprise to me on many fronts, but I won't spoil that here. It was my favorite part of the story. It made the story a worthwhile read.

I enjoyed the audiobook version much more than I would've a physical copy. I think I would have DNF'd it.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian audio for this copy of Beautiful Ugly! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beautiful Ugly is a masterclass in atmosphere, blending the isolation of a remote Scottish island with a relentless sense of unease. Alice Feeney delivers a chilling psychological thriller, and the audiobook brings the story to life in ways that feel tailor-made for the format. With exceptional narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, paired with immersive sound engineering, this is a book that demands to be experienced with headphones on.

Grady Green is a man unraveling. A year after his wife Abby's mysterious disappearance—her car abandoned by a cliff with the engine still running—he’s lost everything: his home, his career, and his peace of mind. At his agent Kitty's insistence, he retreats to a writer’s cabin on the eerie Isle of Amberly, hoping to salvage his next book and, maybe, his sanity. But Amberly is no ordinary place. With no phone lines and a single ferry connecting it to the mainland, the island seems designed to amplify Grady’s creeping paranoia. And then he sees her—a woman in a red coat who looks exactly like Abby.

Feeney expertly unspools tension as Grady begins to question what’s real. Is the isolation playing tricks on him? Or is Amberly hiding secrets even darker than Abby’s disappearance? Skeletal remains, uncanny coincidences, and the island’s claustrophobic atmosphere blur the line between grief and madness, keeping readers hooked until the jaw-dropping finale.

While I found some twists predictable and perhaps too plentiful, the story’s eerie vibe and the audiobook's stellar production more than made up for it. Richard Armitage’s portrayal of Grady is pitch-perfect, capturing the fragility and desperation of a man haunted by his past. His voice work is impeccable, and the added sound effects elevate the listening experience to cinematic levels.

Beautiful Ugly is the ultimate moody thriller, perfect for cold, rainy afternoons. If you’re looking for a story that feels like Hitchcock on a windswept island, this one’s for you. Though the twists may divide readers, the atmospheric storytelling and unforgettable audiobook make it a must-listen for fans of psychological suspense.

BEAUTIFUL UGLY has a setting and a premise that appeals to me anytime: a very small community of people on a secluded and small island, and a writer who is put there to try to overcome his wife's disappearance as well as his writer's block. Meanwhile trying to write a new book while dealing (or not...) with his wife's gone missing a year ago, strange things start to happen on that island and this man will soon find out secrets about his wife, that eerie island and its people.
Alice Feeney being Alice Feeney, the reader will also learn that our main character (and narrator of this story) has his secrets himself and he is not a reliable narrator at all. And the ending, in my opinion, will not impress some readers, but it will please others - as it did to me.

As usual, Feeney's writing keeps the readers guessing and engaged throughout the whole book. A real page-turner, gripping and full of twists. Beautiful Ugly, in my opinion, is no exception. I personally listened to this whole audiobook in one day because I just couldn't stop. I wanted more of it, and whenever I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. I do love the secluded island full of mysteries trope, and Feeney's main characters are also realistic people, flawed and relatable, that it only adds more entertainment to the reading experience.

I'd say, however, this book has some typical clichés of that trope. But clichés can be good or acceptable if they're done right, which I'd say is the case here. Even though some 'twists' were not so unpredictable or original, it didn't ruin the experience for me at all. I still had loads of fun with this book. The epilogue was my favourite thing about this whole book. I loooove what Feeney did in the epilogue. How she chose to finish the story. I'd even dare say it was a bold move. Very few authors would end a book like she did with this one. Right now I can only think of one book/author that I've read that did the same: The Devil Takes You Home, by Gabino Iglesias. I loved, looooved the ending. I still prefer Rock Papers Scissors ending, but Beautiful Ugly is my second favourite.

I can easily recommend this book to anyone who has read a book by this author before and enjoyed it, or to any readers who enjoy mysteries set on small islands with some crazy twists.
I listened to the audiobook and it was perfect! The narrators are great and it has some very cool sound effects, like phones ringing and waves crashing, and many others. Highly recommend the audiobook.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to a free advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Satisfying popcorn thriller. The audio version is wonderful. Dual narrators and sounds in between chs. It’s very engaging. One thing I hated in the plot but that a personal choice. I don’t like it when the pov person lies to the reader. It messes with my trust issues. Weak characters but pass because it was engaging.

I was so excited when my request was approved for the audio version of @alicewriterland new book Beautiful Ugly!

This book is a psychological thriller that starts strong but then slowly builds up to a crazy finish!

A year after Grady Green’s wife disappears under mysterious circumstances, he escapes to an eerie Scottish island where he hopes to be able to focus on his writing and escape his grief. The setting alone makes you get the chills, and Feeney’s trademark twists catch you completely off guard!

I found myself hooked right away, and then all over again when the plot started twisting in unexpected directions! Now, personally I believe some of Alice Feeney’s other work is still my favorite, but I do think this book is solid, and filled with those intriguing and inspirational one liners I’ve grown to absolutely love from her! If you are a fan of twisty physiological thrillers you’ll definitely want to add this to your TBR list!

***Contained some mature (MA) language and intimacy elements

Thank you to @netgalley and Macmillian Audio for the advanced audiobook copy. All views and opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alice Feeney, and Macmillan Audio for providing the audiobook. Wow! This was easily one of the best audiobooks I've experienced! Alice Feeney truly delivers with this gripping thriller. The setting, characters, and character development are all top-notch, and the plot is filled with incredible twists. The narration is exceptional, really immersing you in the protagonist's journey. This is definitely a must-listen!

𝑊𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 ℎ𝑢𝑠𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡. 𝐻𝑢𝑠𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜."

Grady, a writer, receives good news and calls his wife, Abby, to share it. During the call, Abby abruptly ends the conversation to report seeing someone on the road. The call cuts off, and Abby disappears.

A year later, Grady, still grieving, accepts an offer to visit a secluded Scottish author. His journey is filled with strange occurrences, hinting at the challenges he'll face in confronting his past and the mystery of Abby's disappearance.

Alice Feeney is known as the queen of twist in for a good reason. Written in a man's point-of-view, but it is a book of delicious feminine rage. I couldn't turn the pages on my Kindle fast enough. & THE ENDINg!?? Could not have seen that coming shock 😮 🤯 I also cannot wait to see her at the book signing in January! 💯 recommend if you love a twisty thriller!
••••••••••••••••••••••

3.5** Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this title. The audiobook production was a lot of fun and I definitely enjoyed the ride how the story all came together. If you’re someone who likes an unreliable narrator and is okay with suspension of disbelief, this one will hit the right notes. I like a bit more of a believable story so this one won’t be making any of my end of the year favorites, but that’s not what we read thrillers for anyways 😂

*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

What a wild ride this book was! I can typically see twists coming from a mile away, but this one had so many, especially towards the end, it felt like my head was spinning. While I wish the ending went a little differently, I really enjoyed the entire reading experience. This was a book that I “couldn’t put down” (listened on audiobook). Solid 4.5/5

First, this was by far one of the BEST audio productions I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. The attention to detail was second to none! Down to a car speaker phone call genuinely sounding like it was coming from a car speaker. Little background sounds included. While minor, they added a quality I have longed for with audiobooks previously. The dual narration helps with the flow of understanding and following the storyline narrated by 2 different character perspectives. I enjoyed the inflection and tone from each narrator as well.

Now, the story itself - I was so engaged with high anticipation the entire book. It read smoothly and fast-paced and was well on it's way to a 5 star read for me. It had intrigue, mystery, and so much potential. While I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, the destination was a "failure" for me. It brought a 5 star book to a 3-3.5 at best. I did not like the turn the plot took with the ending and how it all wrapped up. I felt it could have gone so many amazing ways and it took a complete unexpected and almost nonsensical turn to explain and wrap up.

Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Alice Feeney for the ALC and chance to give my honest opinion.

This was a complete miss for me. It started off so strong. But the middle was insanely boring and repetitive. The narrators were amazing and the sound effects were what kept me listening.

The main issue I had was with the characters themselves… the things the husband/wife did without eachothers knowledge was a bit weird.

The plot twists were mid. I was so bored by the time the ending rolled around that I didn’t care.

I did love other books by this author but sadly this is not the one for me.

This was a good story! It had my attention and interest throughout the entire story. The characters on the island and their background were of interest to me. There were a couple of connections the characters had to one another that were a surprise & were written well. The narrators made the listening experience even better. I also enjoyed the sound effects, it gave the story another layer of creepiness. Also this book was on my list to read next year and I really appreciate being chosen to read this ARC copy.

Alice Feeney is a consistent 3.5 stars for me, and this one wasn’t any different. I was hooked on the story (you know I love an unreliable narrator) and loved the twist of what happened to the wife. The ending wasn’t as exciting for me, but overall really good.

This book started out slow for me but it didn’t take long for me to become invested in the characters and the story. I’m also a huge fan of an unreliable narrator so this was a really good fit for me.

The only reason I am rating it four stars is because towards the end it seemed to become quite repetitive in some of the things that were going on.

I would definitely recommend this book though! It’s a good read.

I liked the addition of audio enhancements. I think the narrator did a great job. Overall I found this book just too slow moving. I heard from others it picks up after 60-65% but I can’t wait that long. Perhaps some of the mundane day to day can be cut or the front can be less repetitive.

I mean.....come on....you can never go wrong with Alice Feeney! Her latest novel, "Beautiful Ugly" is another psychological thriller-thrill ride! SO GOOD!

🎧Song Pairing: Beautiful Crazy - Luke Combs

💭What I thought would happen:

I’m getting a very wet island vibe from the gorgeous cover 😍

📖What actually happens:

👀Missing Wife
😑Egotistical, needy author MC
🏝️Tiny island writers retreat
🖤Suspicious activities

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

You know I love my girl Alice but damn this was not thee one for me and here’s why:

A) She dull
B) I had it all figured out from the beginning
C) It gave me Wickerman vibes without the whole not the beeeeees! vibe
D) The MC is a douche nozzle but maybe I just am not a friend to the entitled white man right now..,

Just felt like a watered down version of what I expect from the thriller queen…

I will say the setting portrayed was very vivid and made you feel cold/damp and it did initially give a Rock Paper Scissors feel.