This book was a Easy 2.5 which I rounded up to 3 stars!

1st as soon as some said I hope you die in your sleep instead of I Love you! I gotta go and these relationship isn't going to work out that is just so werid!

These 2 people people just didn't belong together!
Now I gave it 2.5 stars because it wasn't hitting me like her books have done in the past!! I didn't like NONE other characters! And not going to lie! I probably would ended up doing the same thing Mr. Green did because WHY TF you being so darn shady for! What you hiding!?!

And Mr. Green you don't get off the hook either! You sucked as a writer! And you went on and on! Acting like you did! I rounded it up to 3 stars because of the twist did make me stop stop in my tracks! Because WTF! WAS THAT!!! And the ending was amazing!! I now I gotta grab the pyshical copy of the book just to see what the note that he wrote was!

Richard Armitage delivered an exceptional performance in narrating this audiobook. I found myself deeply engaged with the novel from beginning to end. Although the pacing was notably slow, the conclusion presented an unexpected twist. The narrative featured several peculiar characters, and the overall concept was quite original. Alice Feeney's work tends to be inconsistent for me; after enjoying "Sometimes I Lie," which I rated a solid five stars, I would assign this book a rating of 3.5, rounded up to 4, primarily due to the quality of the narration. #Netgalley

I was so excited to be able to review Alice Feeney’s newest book. I listened to Beautiful Ugly and it was fabulous! A must read.

I honestly have no idea what I just read.
I was really excited about this one, but I should have reminded myself Feeney is hit or miss for me.
I honestly don’t even know how to give a synopsis for this book because it just goes so far down such a dark rabbit hole.
Grady is an author. On the night he makes the New York Times best seller list, his wife disappears. He can’t write, can’t eat, can’t sleep and basically lost his entire life when he lost her. When his agent sends him to a remote island to start his next book and try to start his life over, he goes willingly. But this island holds secrets and Grady is left wondering if he will make it off alive.
The twists here are a little nuts and the explanation is so far fetched. It was hard to continue after some revelations.
Why give it 3 stars then? It was different from most things I have read. Also I couldn’t stop listening. Total page turner. I feel like that counts for something.
All in all, not my fave Feeney, but ok just the same.
Thank you netgalley for the AAC!

Well the was disappointing. The book started strong with such a weird vibe that I was really enjoying. It falls off pretty quick though and just becomes too slow and nothing really happens for a majority of the book. It's basically just a guy who strange things keep happening too and everyone on the island acts sketchy. The whole plot was way too convoluted and the ending was atrocious. Probably one of my least favorite endings for a thriller. I absolutely hate when a character just describes the whole plot of the book to another character. No thanks and I honestly don't know if I will be going back to Alice Feeney again, I think I'm just not a fan.

Thank you to Netgalley, Alice Feeney, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC Audiobook.

Wow. Just WOW! Alice Feeney delivers another jaw dropping thriller.
Author Grady loses his wife when she goes missing on one of the best days of his life. A year later, while traveling to a cabin on an island in Scotland to write in seclusion and hopefully find his writing mojo after losing his wife. When all of a sudden he see's someone who looks just like his wife. We follow Grady as he navigates the mysteries of this island.
This book (listened on audio) kept me entranced from beginning to end. There were plot twists and a shocking ending that I didn't even see coming. When I thought I had it figured out, the storyline changed.
When I say RUN to get this book, I mean it. It will be well worth it.

**Review of *Beautiful Ugly* by Alice Feeney**

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

*Beautiful Ugly* by Alice Feeney is an impeccably crafted psychological thriller that grips you from start to finish. The dual narration is masterfully done, with alternating perspectives that provide a deeper understanding of the complex characters and mounting suspense. Feeney’s storytelling is sharp and immersive, keeping readers on edge throughout the novel.

The plot follows Grady Green, an author whose wife vanished without a trace. After a year of struggling with writer’s block, he travels to a remote island in Scotland, hoping to find inspiration for a new novel. But what he finds there is much more than he bargained for. Grady believes he sees his missing wife, and strange, unsettling events begin to unfold, blurring the line between reality and delusion.

The suspense builds to an incredible climax, full of unexpected twists. The story’s eerie atmosphere and psychological tension are palpable, making it a thrilling ride. Feeney expertly manipulates the reader’s perception, creating a sense of unease that lasts until the very end. The payoff is deeply satisfying, providing closure while still leaving an air of mystery.

*Beautiful Ugly* is a haunting, well-executed novel that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers with an eerie twist. It’s a perfect blend of suspense, clever storytelling, and a satisfying conclusion.

A special thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC of this incredible novel!

⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)
Publication Date: January 14, 2025
Length: 9 Hours, 20 Minutes

Alice Feeney delivers another atmospheric thriller in Beautiful Ugly, blending mystery, grief, and the complexities of marriage. When Grady Green’s wife, Abby, vanishes after a chilling phone call, his life unravels. A year later, on a remote Scottish island, he’s shocked to see a woman who looks just like her.

Feeney’s writing shines with its vivid setting, emotional depth, and signature twists. The exploration of marriage and identity feels raw and honest, while the Scottish island adds an eerie, moody backdrop. Though the pacing slows in parts, the gripping conclusion is worth the wait.

A must-read for fans of domestic thrillers with a literary edge!

Thank you, MacMillan Audio, Alice Feeney, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is amazing! I knew I had to read/listen to it just from the author and it did not disappoint! It was so mysterious from beginning to end so naturally I had to find out why. I also enjoyed the narrator as well as the sound effects used in the audio, they helped add to the suspense.

I was not ready. Just when I thought I was bouncing back the first time... the second wave hit. And then it was a fast ride downhill from there. #alicefeeney just took me on the most #beautifulugly ride and I'm just not sure how to process all the pieces. Every now and then I would find myself thinking ... did we the reader really need that detail. Well trust me when I say you did, you do. Just keep reading.

Thank you so much for allowing me to review this wonderfully twisty mystery/thriller! This is Alice Feeney at her best! I loved this audiobook so much! I am such a huge fan of Alice Feeney and it seems I love every book of hers more than the last. This is no exception! This audiobook captured me from the very first chapter. There are so many twists and turns and I loved every bit of it! I also loved the narrators. The husband’s voice is perfect and the narrator for Abby is as well. I would suggest using the same narrator for Abby throughout the novel. In the beginning when it is from the husband’s perspective the narrator doesn’t change and it is very masculine. It’s a bit of a shock when the perspective of Abby is a different narrator than the one earlier for her character. Other than that, I absolutely enjoyed the audiobook and this story so much. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves to be swept away into a great twisty mystery/thriller.

✨Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to listen to the advance copy of this highly anticipated thriller✨

Unfortunately, I did not jive with this book.

In the introduction gave me high hopes with the atmospheric setting and the promise of an intriguing plot. However, once we got past the first couple of chapters, this book got really slow for me.

Many different characters were introduced and the plot mostly consisted of people acting strangely for more than half of the book. Nothing really “happened” until the end portion of the book.

The great reveal included I trope I absolutely loathe. I can’t explain further without spoiling, but it’s a very common thriller trope and I’m so tired of it I could cry.

As far as the performance goes, both narrators were great. However, the sound effects were distracting, unnecessary, and bothersome to the listening experience.

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me.

Narration: 5 stars
Story: 4.25 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars rounded up for NetGalley/Goodreads

First and foremost, the narration and production of this audiobook was outstanding. Richard Armitage’s voice was so soothing even as he was narrating the mindf— that was this book. It felt like everything was going to be fine even as it kept twisting and turning.

The story itself was one that grabbed me immediately and had me completely engaged the entire time trying to work out what was happening and where it was going. Secrets are revealed like little breadcrumb trails and bizarre happenings on the island seem to multiply. I did make one observation long before Grady’s character comes to the same realization which gave me a feeling about the collective island itself.

The island’s history was deeper than I expected. It also led to the twist I didn’t see coming, though that twist was a little bizarre to me and somewhat confusing as it was all revealed. It did make me rethink a lot of my assumptions throughout the book though to put the pieces together. The last passages also packed a punch for me in the way it all concludes because I could feel it viscerally.

All in all, this was a riveting way to spend these hours of my day and left me feeling like I just got off a rollercoaster. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this might be Feeney's best book yet. The lore, the setting, the characters, and the twists are so good I just could not stop listening. I actually really like the narrator too.
I love hating husbands so that was a nice bonus as well! The thing with the lover's clothes made me so mad.
What a wonderful audiobook!
The twist at the end! OMG amazing!
I absolutely love the background noises, like the walkie going off and the water. It was all wonderful!

Love it. Love it. Love it.

Thank you so much Net Galley for the ARC audio of this book. I was so excited to read a new book from Alice Feeney. However, this book just didn't do it for me. The build took a little long to get there, and then the ending felt rushed and fell flat for me.

Didn't see that coming!

Alice Feeney did it again. She just has a way of writing that convinces you that you know what's happening, but you really don't.

Grady Green is having the best day of his life, and it happens to also be the worst day too.
Grady did it! He became a New York Times bestselling author, and he cannot wait to share the news with his wife. Upon calling his wife Abby to share the excitement, He discovers she is in the car and immediately comes to a stop, exits the vehicle, and it never seen again.
Fast forward to one year later, Grady is in a rut. Unable to write or finish any good novels. But then he is offered a chance of redemption and hopes to get his life back on track. A tiny Scottish cabin in the woods on an isolated and peaceful island, all expenses paid. And get this, the cabin used to belong to a famous author.

Immediately upon traveling to the island, Grady questions if this offer is too good to be true. He is secluded from the real world with no phone or means to return to the mainland. When bizarre things begin happening, Grady cannot determine if he's is dreaming, hung over, or losing his mind.

I was engaged and on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the very end.
I listened to the audio book of this story and the entire thing was *muah* chefs kiss.
The additional sounds that happened in addition to the narration just completed the picture being panted in my mind. Both narrators portrayed their characters well and the intended emotions with their scenes.

10/10 would recommend.

Thank you, MacMillan Audio, Alice Feeney, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If Alice Feeney writes it, I will read it. I love her twisty mind. Being thrilled for this ARC was an understatement. I have enjoyed every book and twist Alice has thrown at me. The narrators for this audiobook did a fantastic job but that’s to be expected with Macmillan.

But this book. For me, this book was a little disappointing. Normally, I like her characters. This book's characters were completely unlikeable. The book's premise ultimately failed to live up to expectations. At first, I was totally into the psychological thriller, but then I thought, "Wait what?" What's going on? I don't mean this positively. I enjoy being shocked but not completely disoriented in the process. I'm still a little perplexed by the conclusion.

Will I keep reading all the books she publishes? Yes, I absolutely will. In my opinion, she remains the queen of twist.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ACR in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful Ugly as an audiobook is enthralling, entertaining, and had my heart pounding as I listened in the middle of the night. This is a book best left for daytime!

The narrators of the audiobook did a fantastic job. Richard Armitage has a deep, emotional, and clear voice, perfect for narrating thrillers. Tuppence Middleton is another great narrator who's use of inflection and dynamics made me feel a nervous apprehension during her parts. Richard narrates Grady's chapters and Tuppence narrates Abby's chapters. I appreciated the use of background noises to make the audiobook seem more lifelike. Some examples include a phone ringing, walkie talkie static and ocean waves.

The plot of the novel was interesting, a bit trippy, and thrilling, but felt familiar. I had some theories based off of a few movies, I won't name, that turned out to be correct. This lessened the excitement when the bigger twists were revealed. Overall I was creeped out. Fans of Alice Feeney will probably enjoy this novel!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for an early copy of this audiobook!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan audio for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. Wowww owww woowwww I am in awe of this perfect thriller I didn't see the twists I was gasping and jaw on the floor the whole time. This is my favorite Alice Feeney book and possibly my favorite thriller book!!!

5/5☆

Alice Feeney consistently proves to be a favorite author of mine! "Beautiful Ugly" is a slow burn but the pace of the story keeps it moving well. There were part of the story, with certain elements switching back and forth, that I got a bit confused but overall it was an interesting story. Not my favorite from Alice Feeney but one of the best books I've read this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.