I’m not really sure how to review this book. I finished it a few days ago and I’m still unsure about it. I was really into it in the second half of the book but despite that… I don’t think I liked it. The engagement with the story did not equal loving it. Love Alice Feeney as an author and will keep reading her books but this one was not my favorite at all.

*Slams hands on table* THIS BOOK!! This was my first Alice Feeny book and my lord, what an introduction. It had a slow start, but the ending was strong, and if I'm being honest, twisty to the point that I dont know how it truly ended. Grady Green is on the phone with his wife when she goes missing - and has been struggling to write his next book since. A year later his editor sends him to a remote Scottish island so he can focus on writing without distraction. Once he arrives, while still grieving and wanting answers to Abby's disappearance, he sees a woman who looks a lot like her. He convinces himself that his wife is on the island and has to find her and get answers about what happened that night she disappeared. The narration by both Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton was great. Once my they got my attention, they kept it until the very end.

I feel like audiobooks have stepped up their game recently! This one was incredible! The narrators ability to do different accents made this such a fun listen…and all the sound effects! Very well done! 👏👏

The story hooks you from the beginning…a couple is on the phone together WHILE the wife just disappears! Feeney does a fantastic job turning the setting into its own atmospheric character…a creepy, remote island giving it awesome locked room vibes. It was quite eerie to listen to at times 🫣

After Grady’s wife disappears, his editor sends him to the remote island in hopes he is able to write again. Instead…he gets reminded of his wife at every turn and learns about the mysterious island - which had my head spinning circles trying to figure it all out!

The ending comes fast and furious, and it was hard for me to process everything that was happening. As much as I loved the audio, I wish I had read the ending instead. I think some of it was a bit unbelievable so the “why” behind everything had me confused.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an ALC.

This definitely held my attention but was a slow burn with a bit of a funny twist. I did enjoy it, and wanted to keep listening but you do have to suspend belief a bit when you get to the end.

I did really like the setting of this book, and could vividly see it in my mind. The audiobook reader was also good, and I enjoyed my listening experience.

The title of this book is so stupid though.

3.5 stars.

Another heart stopping, dark thriller from Alice Feeney! Beautiful Ugly had from entailed from the very first page. I couldn't stop reading once I started. The plot was engaging and full of unexpected twists. The characters were so unique. The ending was completely unexpected. The writing was beautiful and eerie. And the audiobook was wonderful. The narration really added a lot of emotional depth to the story.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgallley and the publisher for an advanced audio copy of this book.

I heard about this book earlier in the year and it sounded interesting. Then I was granted an audio arc of it. And it was everything I could hope for.

So the guy’s wife goes missing and he goes to an island to write his next book. Strange things happen. I had (remake) Wickerman vibes for over half the book. The twists had my clutching my pearls in massive shock. And that ending? Whew. I loved this book so much.

WOW! So many twists and turns...with an ending I would never have predicted!
Alice Feeney sure knows how to keep you intrigued and wondering.

Thankful to have received an early audio copy from Macmillan Audio via Netgalley!

Wow. This book took me on an unforgettable ride with all its twists and turns. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor by the time I finished. The story is gripping, emotional, and utterly unpredictable. It pulled so many feelings out of me—shock, joy, heartbreak, and everything in between. I’ll definitely be diving into more of Alice’s books. If you’re looking for a book that will leave you reeling, this is it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me listen to the Audiobook if Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney! After a slow burn, all I can say is "Wow!" to the ending. The book was so much more than I anticipated and Richard Armitage is a fantastic narrator! Alice Feeney usually keeps me guessing, but I never expected what I got from this book.

Grady Green is an author whose wife goes missing one night. A year later, his editor and missing wife's godmother offers him a cabin on a remote island in Scotland so that he can start to write again. While there he meets interesting people and they start acting stranger and stranger. I'm not going to add any more because it will give away parts of the book.

This was a rare book that took me a while to get into, but once it grabbed hold of me, I didn't want it to end!

Grady is an Author who is married to Abby, a journalist. Abby disappears and a year later, still not found. Grady has been struggling to write so his editor suggests that he should travel to a tiny island in Scottish land. Grady wants to find out what happened to Abby. As he’s away, he swears he sees someone who looks exactly like Abby. Is Abby really missing? Or did she want to go missing?

This was such a good book! I’m so glad I was able to listen to it. The narrators did an amazing job! I was certainly on the edge of my seat the entire time. There were so many twists! Alice’s books are always so good!!She never disappoints. If you love a good thriller, be sure to check out Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Alice Feeney for the advanced audio copy!

Publication Date: January 14th 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book kept me very intrigued throughout the whole story. The narrator did an incredible job on this story. The author did a fantastic job creating a sense of unease and distrust in the people and setting of the island. I was never sure who to trust or what was real. I liked the feminist angle of this story and the ending was very unique. Alice Feeney continues to create fresh and tense thrillers and this one did not disappoint!

I'm not really sure what my thoughts are for this one, I'm extremely confused. I don’t think the big twist (or any of the smaller twists were really believable. The timeline doesn't add up, the motive doesn't add up, the deliberate omittion by the narrator is actually a little frustrating.

All of the characters were ugly, including the side character islanders, but mostly the main characters. There are some sexual scenes that are super cringe and completely unnecessary for the plot of the book.

Things I loved that brought me to 2 stars: the setting and the description of the island. AMAZING &&&& the narrator. If I can find other books he’s spoken on I will 100% listen he was incredible!!

Grady is a writer who finally finds success when his wife mysteriously goes missing after calling him from a remote road where she sees someone on the road. One year later, Grady's life has fallen apart. He can no longer write, he is out of money, he is haunted by his wife's disappearance. His editor suggests relocating to a writing cottage on a remote island for three months. While he finds quiet there, he is also confronted with strange characters and circumstances. Will he find answers about his missing wife? Can he move on? This twisty thriller is fast-paced and full of mysterious and nefarious residents. Another hit by Alice Feeney.

Alice Feeney writes trapped thrillers like no one else. Taking the idyllic and twisting them into terror is her specialty. Yet I loved the spin she put on this one. Without spoiling anything, she played to my female emotions, fears, and triggers expertly. "Beautiful Ugly" is a powerful, suspenseful, winding read that so seamlessly shows off Feeney's talents.

Gorgeously dark and atmospheric setting on a remote island in Scotland where nothing is what it seems and no one can be trusted. Lots of jaw-dropping twists and turns and a quick pace kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I'm not entirely sure I liked the ending, but I definitely enjoyed the journey. The narrators of the audio version did an excellent job, and I also enjoyed the added sound effects of the sea, walkie talkies, etc.

4.5 stars* I was so excited when I saw that I received a arc audiobook of this!! I have loved the two Alice Feeney books I have read so far so I was stoked to pick up another one and this did not disappoint.

Beautiful Ugly had me INVESTED. I could not listen to the audiobook fast enough. This was such an interesting and twisty read and I had no idea what was going on which made it such a fun and wild ride.

The audiobook itself was really well done and I can't wait to read my next Alice Feeney book!

I want to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: January 14, 2025

*Beautiful Ugly* by Alice Feeney is a gripping and intense psychological thriller that delves deeply into the complexities of marriage, grief, and revenge. The story centers on Grady, whose wife, Abby, mysteriously disappears one night while driving home. A year later, Grady remains consumed by sorrow and confusion, unable to comprehend what happened to her. His life takes a bizarre turn when he’s invited to spend time on a secluded island, only to encounter a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Abby.

As an ardent fan of Alice Feeney’s work, I had high expectations going into this novel. While I appreciated the core of the plot, I found it somewhat far-fetched at times. The premise, though intriguing, stretched the boundaries of believability for me, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative.

That said, Feeney’s skill as a writer is undeniable. Her ability to craft suspense and tension is masterful, and the pacing, though occasionally slow, ultimately serves to heighten the sense of unease. The novel also offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intricacies of marriage, touching on themes of trust, loyalty, and the hidden desires that can shape a relationship.

Though *Beautiful Ugly* didn’t quite meet my expectations in the way I had hoped, it remains a compelling read, showcasing Feeney's talent for creating intricate, suspense-filled tales.

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan for this audiobook.

“I hope you die in your sleep.”

We follow Grady Green an aspiring struggling author who finally ends up on the New York Time Bestseller list on the same night is wife mysteriously disappear while helping a woman on the road. Fast forward to a year after the disappearance, still struggling with the grief of his missing wife and unable to write or produce any new book, his publisher offers him a chance to go on a retreat on an island in a secluded cabin previously own by a famous author in order to help him out. From therr the author brings us on whirlwind drive.

This was my first read from the author Alice Feeney and definitely won’t be my last. Her writing style reminds me of that of Freida McFaden with lots of twists and turns. The story kept me mostly engaged but I found that it took a while for the action to begin; didn’t really care or see the need to spend half of the story knowing every single people on the island but at the end the author delivered.

I am in love with the title of this book. From the moment I saw the title and artwork, I wanted to read it. The fact that it was written by Alice Feeney made me want to read it even more as I am a fan. I love even more the meaning behind the title, but I suppose you will need to read the book to find out what that is!

This psychological thriller is exactly that. Psychological. The deeper you get, the more it twists. As soon as you think all has been revealed, guess again.

For those who are fans of more realistic plots, this may not be the book for you. For those who are fans of roller coaster mind bends, and the jaw drops that keep on coming, this is your book.

In Beautiful Ugly, we are introduced to author Grady Green who receives a call from his publisher with great news. He calls to share the news with his wife who is driving home. While on the phone, Abby sees a body in the road and slams on her brakes. Grady tells her not to get out of the car, but Abby does not listen. Minutes pass and she does not come back on the line. When Grady gets to the scene of the accident he finds the car near the side of a cliff with Abby nowhere in sight.

Fast forward one year, Grady is still grieving the loss of his wife. He can't sleep. He can't write. His editor suggests some time away. Somewhere quiet where he can focus on his work. Grady finds himself on a remote Scottish Island with no cell service, phone lines, internet, television etc. On an island where nothing is what it seems, he begins to encounter strange happenings and a woman who looks just like his dead wife.

This book had one of the best lines I have ever read in it (let's see if you can find it!). I was listening to the audio version and had to pause, rewind, listen again, and then rewind again to make sure I wrote it down exactly right so that when I have a bad day, I can look at it and laugh!

While at times the plot seemed a little farfetched and unrealistic, at the same time it was the kind of plot where you are left thinking......but what if?!?

For the psychological thriller, suspense and mystery fans out there, get ready! This book is hitting bookshelves January 14, 2025.

As noted, this was an audio version and I thought very well performed by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton.

I would like to thank Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the free advance copy in return for an honest review of the book.

Alice Feeney is an author I keep trying to get into, but so far, I have not gotten into any of her books. Beautiful Ugly came close to being the book to finally suck me in, but it just missed.

Grady Green is an author who is struggling to write after dealing with the grief of his wife going missing. A year earlier, he was on the phone with his wife when she saw a body lying in the middle of the road. She got out to help, and then she was never seen again.

Grady goes to a small Scottish island, and once he is there, he believes he sees his missing wife. There are a lot of other strange events that happen, and you start to wonder what’s really going on.

The last quarter of this book is where Alice Feeney lives up to her name of the Queen of Twists. It’s just twist after twist leading up to a final twist that I absolutely loved.