Grady Green is wrecked when his wife, Abby disappears. A one-time NY Times best-selling author, he’s lost his zeal for writing and is all but destitute. When his agent suggests he spend time on a small Scottish island in a cabin that belonged to one of her other authors, he thinks he has nothing to lose and grasps for a chance to start writing again.

But all isn’t as it seems and Grady soon wonders if going to Amberley was a good decision. He can’t sleep, he’s still having difficulty writing and he believes he sees his missing wife all over the Island. And, why won’t the other inhabitants let him leave?

I found Beautiful Ugly to be well-written and entertaining, if not a little predictable with parts of the premise not quite original. There was a great twist I didn’t see coming but there was one that was a little absurd and completely unbelievable. I couldn’t even suspend my disbelief and go with it. That being said, I did enjoy it overall.

Read this book if you like multiple POVs, unreliable narrators, group think situations, odd characters, revenge, and endings that can be interpreted in more than one way.

I listened to the audiobook which was very well produced with great narrators.

4.5 ⭐️ Super addictive and unputdownable!

NYTimes best selling author Grady Green is on the phone with his wife Abby sharing really amazing news when he hears her slam on the brakes. She sees a woman lying in the road not moving. She gets out of the car to help, but then Abby vanishes.

One year later, Grady is down on his luck living out of a cheap hotel. Since his wife disappeared, he hasn’t been able to write, but he needs to finish his book deal to make money. His agent lets him stay at her cabin on a remote Scottish island for a few months so he can concentrate on the book.

When Grady arrives to the Island of Amberley, he notices strange things about the island and its 25 residents, namely a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

My thoughts:
I was invested in this story from start to finish. The creepy remote atmosphere of the island was perfect. The characters were so well thought out, I felt like I knew them too. I like the dual POV of both Abby and Grady. The two narrators were amazing, and the audio production overall added to the excitement of the story!

I knew there would be twists, because it’s Alice Feeney. But I definitely did not expect it to be what it was. I was disappointed in the big twist because it just felt out of character. The ending as a whole went by in a flash, and I had to go back and piece things together. (How were these characters related? What happened to this person? etc.)

Overall, so addictive and wild. I can’t wait to make this book my entire personality for the next year. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC.

Having read Alice Feeney before and having Richard Armitage as one of the narrators, I really looked forward to this one.

A year after Grady's (an author) wife, Abby, goes missing under curious circumstances, he finds himself on a remote Scottish island trying to get his writing and life back on track, when he thinks he sees a woman who looks exactly like Abby. The island and its inhabitants have a mysterious history and secrets they keep.

A quote used within the book more than once, which comes off as a bite dated and stereotypical: "Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t. Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do." seems to set the stage for explaining the why of the mystery.

One of the many "shelves" I placed this on is "Beach Book" which in my parlance is an engaging read, that while maybe convoluted/far-fetched ultimately is enjoyable, and something you may read in a day at the beach.

Rating: 3.5 stars (Spoilers Ahead)

***SPOILERS**
At times the book seems to be tilting towards a supernatural explanation, which is frustrating when the conventional and somewhat convoluted reveal is finally made. So was he just hallucinating or were the islanders doing something to freak him out?

OK what's with the epilogue? Did he just dream/imagine the final year on the island while he was drugged and placed in the coffin? Or did live that year only to screw up again and have the islanders finally do him in?

Grady Green is a pompous ass and the way Alice Feeney slowly reveals what he is really like was fabulous. Of course throughout the book I am looking for the surprises and trying to figure out everyone's role, and actually in this book I did figure out quite a big chunk of it. But that didn't take away from how enjoyable it was. I 'd wake up thinking about it and couldn't put it down. Narrators make it all the better-- so, so good.

UBeautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage, and some unknown female narrator. In the book we meet Grady Green and author who’s at home anticipating a call from his agent kitty to let him know how his book has done in America on first day sales. He’s also waiting for his wife, Abby to get home to share the agony or success of the news. When she calls and tells him she is on Cliff Road, but suddenly cuts herself off to tell him there’s a woman laying on the road in front of her car. This will be the last time he speaks to Abby and spends the next year as an insomniac who is lost and has writers block. when his agent kitty tells him do his contract, the publisher wants their money back if he cannot produce a second book, this is why she gives him a key to the deceased author Charles Whittaker‘s cabin on Amberley Island. unfortunately, the isolated cabin on the edge of the cliff isn’t the peaceful retreat he thought it would be. The night he arrived. He finds a skeletal hand pointing to Charles Whittaker‘s last transcripted book never before published, but this would just be the beginning of the strange things that happened on the island, including how he keeps seeing his wife, but she’s always too far away or for one reason or another. He is a second too late. He keeps finding her articles in the cabin when he returns from being out, but this is just the beginning of the strange things that happen and the strange things he sees. I want to say the story had me on the edge of my seat, but after Grady spoke to the pub owner. I knew there were lies and trickery afoot. I don’t wanna say what happened when he spoke to the pub owner because that would give a lot away as it did to me while reading this book, but I will say I do not like when I invest myself in a book only to learn there was no way I could’ve figured it out in the first place because instead of writing a great narrative with a wow twist and reveal at the end, it is more a click bait situation. I gave it three stars because I was on the edge of my seat but the reveal and reasons why really ruined the book for me? I do think people will like it because not everyone is affected the way I am by lies and eye rolling narratives. I did find the book creepy due to Alice Feeney‘s great writing in the narration was top notch, but the ending really ruined it for me as I said. #NetGalley,#McMillanAudio, #AliceFeeney, #BeautifulUgly,

Grady Green just received the best news of his career; he's officially a New York Times bestselling author. Excited to share the news with his wife, he places a call to her cell as she's driving home. His great mood is short-lived when his wife sees a woman lying in the middle of the road, and despite his insistence to drive away, she gets out of the car to assist the person which ends up changing everything. His wife is suddenly gone.

Overcome with grief over his wife's disappearance, Grady is unable to write, which means he's unable to pay his bills. Homeless and struggling, his agent offers him the opportunity to stay in a remote cabin on an island for a few months to clear his head and begin the process of writing again. He's not in a place to turn down the offer, so he packs his car with his belongings, and he and his dog leave the mainland for the island cottage with the hope of getting the peace he needs to resume writing.

Immediately, this island feels like it's playing games with him, or is it his mind? He begins seeing his wife around the island and he can't make sense of what's real and what his chronically exhausted mind is showing him.

The audiobook is beautifully done, with dual narration and the addition of sound effects. Between the descriptive writing and the sound of the sea, it's an immersive experience that puts you on the island and deep in the mystery of the story. This is definitely a book that's superior in audio form.

The first half of the book was incredible. I was on the edge of my seat, dying to find out what was going on with this island and its peculiar people. I was invested in the storyline and curious to find out what had happened to Grady's wife, Abby. However, the second half of the book kind of lost me. Several twists took the story in a direction that didn't make sense to me and I found it far less enjoyable. I appreciate the creativity, but it didn't feel like it naturally fit the rest of the story. 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this ALC copy.

NetGalley ARC Review:

Definitely a good mystery with her signature twist! Had a Daisy Darker vibe but definitely worth the read! I love her writing style and she keeps you guessing and/or second guessing yourself. She is always a go to for a good mystery! Thank you!!

“‘People always see ghosts on this island.’”

A year after his wife disappears, author Grady Green’s life is in shambles. In a last ditch effort to buckle down and write another book, Grady goes to stay in a secluded cabin on a tiny Scottish island. He just wants to settle in with his dog and focus on his book, but strange things keep happening. The strangest thing of all? He thinks that he keeps seeing his supposedly dead wife. Surely it’s not her, right?

Y’all.

I wasn’t sure what I thought of this book besides, “Gosh, this is atmospheric,” until I passed the halfway point. Strap in for twists, turns, and some seriously unhinged moments.

I highly recommend listening to this one on audio. Narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, the audio adds to the reader’s general sense of unease as the story unfolds. I especially liked the addition of sound effects, like the crashing waves.

4.5⭐️

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. The tone and voice of the narrator was intriguing and suspicious. I never knew what direction the book was grading. Was the story supernatural? A conspiracy? An unreliable narrator? Because you’re unsure, it keeps you enthralled. I couldn’t put it down and finished in one day. The ending was nothing I had considered, but was so satisfying. Easily one of my top reads of the year.

Alice Feeney consistently delivers twisty and unpredictable tales, and "Beautiful Ugly" is no exception. While it requires some suspension of disbelief, the storyline ultimately comes together in the end.

However, I noticed quite a bit of repetition that didn't sit well with me. Descriptions of the main character's wife's red jacket, the crackling of the walkie-talkie, and the pouring of whiskey were unnecessarily frequent.

If you enjoy unpredictable stories and other books by this author, you will likely enjoy this one too. I don't regret reading it, but I won't be recommending it universally or rereading it.

This is a solid thriller. Grady Green, author, is awaiting big news from his publisher - he is hoping to learn his latest book has made him a NYTimes bestselling author! When the call finally comes telling him it has happened he is thrilled, but also disappointed his wife isn't with him to learn the wonderful news. He calls her immediately and she is almost to their cottage, but she stops the car because something is in the road, and then she disappears. Grady is devastated. He can't sleep and he can't write and he is losing all his money. His agent takes pity on him and offers him a cottage she inherited on a remote island so he can write his next book. But, on the ferry over to the island, he thinks he sees his wife. On the island itself, all is not as it appears. No cars for tourists, only for permanent residents. No phones, no cell service, no internet. The characters are great, the writing and the pacing of the story is good and so atmospheric, and the twists are twisting. The narration is stellar. I give this thriller 4 stars and thank #netgalley and MacMillan Audio for my advance audio copy.

I dont know guys…. The first few chapters of this book were good and I was so excited to see where it was going…. And then it went the way it went…..

The storyline drug out, the characters were very unloveable and the typically twists that Feeney adds into her books were unbelievable and made me question how that was even possible. This one was a miss for me!!

Thanks Netgalley & Macmillan audio for the opportunity to listen to this arc.

I was 3/4 of the way into the book and had absolutely NO IDEA where it was going to end up. Really loved the story and how things came together. But what I really would like is a partner book told from the viewpoint of Abby with snippets of Grady interspersed. I feel like her story goes deeper..

Oh mannnn! I love Alice Feeney and this is yet again, a great thriller!! Grady is an author whose wife has been missing for over a year. His agent sets him up with a cabin on a remote island with roughly 25 other residents. There are so many spooky moments, lots of twists and turns. I am normally pretty good as guessing where thrillers/mysteries are headed, but I was very surprised multiple times. This book actually gave me the spooks and anxiety while reading it, because of how many "thriller" moments there were. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I can't wait for everyone else to read it!!

Jaw-dropping twists I did not see coming!

On what was supposed to be a joyous day to be celebrated, Grady Green's life is turned upside down when mid-phone call his wife seems to disappear into thin air.

In the year following his wife's disappearance, his grief has spiraled out of control and he can no longer do what he loves to do, which is write. Now homeless and broke, his literary agent offers him a writing cabin on a secluded island she had inherited from a famous writer in an attempt to help him write another book and get his life back on track. What transpires while on the island is what makes this book worth a read/listen!

The audiobook is narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton. Both have British accents which add a great touch, considering Amberly Island is located in Scotland. The additions of the waves lapping the shores along with the crackling of walkie-talkies and other sound effects make the story come alive.

While I really did enjoy this book, I did feel like it was about little too repeaty. Certain phrases and explanations were mentioned multiple times. I found myself talking out loud something along the lines of "How many times are we going to hear about (insert repeating phrase here)?" This is what kept it from being a 5-star read for me. It also seemed to be a slow burn until the last 25% where it seemed to pick up momentum and finish extremely strong.

Huge thank you to MacMillan Audio, NetGalley, and Alice Feeney for the opportunity to listen to and enjoy this audiobook in exchange for an honest review before its release on January 14, 2025. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Book Review of Beautiful Ugly
By Alice Feeney
Narrated By Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton

"Life is Beautiful Ugly"

Grady's wife disappeared and no one can figure out what happened to her. Grady was a number 1 new york times best selling author but after his wife disappears he can't write anything and his deadline for another book is fast approaching so his publisher and Godmother to his missing wife suggests to go stay in cabin on an island that was once lived in by a famous author named Charely. Grady accepts he needs to write again, after all it's been a year he needs to move on, and this just may help. But when he arrives to the island things are not right. He starts hearing and seeing things, nothing makes sense anymore he feels like he's loosing mind. What dark secrets does this island hold?
My mind was officially blown! The twists in this book had me looking off to the invisible camera in the room with my mouth hanging open. I cannot recommend this book more for lovers of domestic thrillers and Jaw dropping twists.
As far as the narration went, it was extremely well done by both narrators and the sound effects were the icing on the cake!
Easy 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

"I hope you d*e in your sleep"

I'm a huge fan of Alice Feeney after SOMETIMES I LIE but this may be my new favorite Feeney novel. It's so atmospheric and creepy. The audiobook really adds to the creep factor as strange happenings around the island unfold slowly. I had no idea where the story was going and it kept me riveted throughout the entire book. The audiobook narrators are excellent and the sound effects add a nice touch! Highly recommend to thriller fans!

3.5 ⭐️s. I really liked the book as it progressed - super creepy, had me trying to figure out in moments whether Grady was crazy or if the Island was masterminded, and either way, the setup was creepy, dark, and mysterious by itself. The one part of the plot twist I thought was great - it did well playing to human nature assuming things even if it’s not said and I thought that was done well.

But the other part of the plot twist of what happened that night felt too convenient or far fetched to be believable and doesn’t line up to the beginning of the book.

There were a couple giant plot holes with that and another situation that you had to just accept for it to have worked out that way, or that it was ok to be wildly inconsistent.

I wish it was just a little more fleshed out without the leaps and bounds. If it weren’t for 2 major plot holes I would have rated it 5 stars. I did enjoy it quite a bit regardless.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.

This book!!!! If you love thrillers should be on your TBR for 2025! I’m so happy to have a copy!
Grady calls his wife, Abby, to share some exciting news while she’s driving home. But as he’s speaking to her, he hears her slam on the brakes, get out of the car, and then… nothing. When he finally finds her car by the edge of a cliff, the headlights are still on, the driver’s door is wide open, and her phone is lying on the ground. But Abby is gone.

A year later, Grady is still consumed by grief, desperate for answers. Sleepless and unable to write, he retreats to a remote Scottish island, hoping to regain some semblance of normalcy. Then, just when he’s least expecting it, he sees her— a woman who looks exactly like Abby. The impossible has happened, and now Grady must confront a truth more twisted than he could have ever imagined.

This book was so good and the TWIST!!!

The narration was the best I have heard in a long time! Check this book out!

Hypnotic and atmospheric, Beautiful Ugly is a bit of a return to form—while I liked Daisy Darker and Good Bad Girl enough, neither of them quite captivated me the same way as Rock Paper Scissors, which remains my favorite of hers with its perfect ratio of gripping writing, mood, and outside-of-my-radar twists.

Beautiful Ugly hooks me in immediately with its cold opening, and one of its greatest strength throughout is the ominous setting of the Scottish island—even though the story unfolds relatively slowly, there are so many small, yet menacing detail/incident along the way, that really trigger readers imagination to keep reading/predicting the outcome. Speaking of the reveal, when the story finally laid all its cards on the table, while I did see aspects of its twist coming (I might have previously consumed the same media that inspired Alice Feeney), I was still delightfully surprised by the construct surrounding it. As much fun as I had, I can foresee this one might not hold up in a re-read—not only is the protagonist comically unreliable (so he's an insomniac, alcoholic, AND emotionally distraught?), but quite a few character interaction/event will seem convoluted and unnatural knowing where the plot ultimately ends.

Beautiful Ugly is a polished entry that encapsulates everything I enjoy from Alice Feeney: an immersive, can't-put-it-down thrill ride. There's even a small literary Easter egg near the end that really takes an extra level of craftsmanship to accomplish (IYKYK). Also worth noting is its audiobook, which is very tastefully done with perfectly performed narration and sound effect—really enhances the overall foreboding hue. This is good one!