This book was such an incredible experience! Every part of it felt so vivid—the settings, the characters, the emotions—it was all brought to life so beautifully. While Scotland and Scotland Island stood out as particularly atmospheric, the entire book had this immersive quality that kept me completely hooked.

What really amazed me was the way the story unfolded. My buddy readers and I had so many ideas about where things were going, but there was one major twist that none of us saw coming. It completely changed how I looked at everything and made the experience even more memorable.

The ending wasn’t what I was hoping for, but honestly, it didn’t take away from how much I loved the journey. This book was bold, different, and full of surprises, leaving me with so much to think about. I’m really glad I had the chance to read it—it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.

This is the first time I’ve read a book by Alice Feeney. I really loved the way the story was setup. I felt 100% invested right away. I also really enjoyed the sound effects and music that was added to the audiobook. I listen to a lot of audiobooks and this one was really well done. For me, I think it probably helped me enjoy the story more.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I will say the ending was a little wild. That being said, I did really enjoy the story. When you’re in the mood for a thriller, this one satisfies. It will definitely be popular at our libraries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook.

Book Review: Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

If you’re a fan of twisty psychological thrillers with Shutter Island vibes, Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is a must-read. The story follows an author whose life unravels after his wife mysteriously disappears on the very night he becomes a New York Times bestselling author. A year later, with no answers about her disappearance and facing the loss of his publishing deal, his agent sends him to a remote island cabin to break his writer’s block.

The island, home to just 25 residents, is eerie and atmospheric. Almost immediately, the author starts seeing visions of his missing wife, spiraling him into a frantic investigation. Is she really on the island, or is his mind playing tricks on him? Amidst the chaos, he discovers a manuscript left behind by the cabin’s previous occupant and decides to pass it off as his own, all while delving deeper into the island’s secrets.

With masterful pacing, unpredictable twists, and a deeply unsettling atmosphere, Feeney crafts a story that keeps you guessing until the very last page. The line between reality and imagination blurs as the protagonist’s desperation grows, pulling readers into his paranoia and obsession.

Perfect for fans of psychological mysteries and dark thrillers, Beautiful Ugly will leave you questioning every clue, motive, and character. It’s a riveting read you won’t be able to put down—and one you’ll be thinking about long after you finish. Highly recommended!

What are the odds that our narrator is telling us the truth? How much of what readers are getting is paranoia? Insomnia? A drug induced haze? Beautiful Ugly had me hooked from the beginning because it was difficult to discern what was true. Another winner from Alice Feeney!

Beautiful Ugly is a masterclass in psychological suspense. From the opening pages, I was hooked by the intriguing premise and complex characters. The narrative is intricately woven, revealing new twists and turns at just the right moments to keep the reader on edge.

What stands out most about this thriller is its unpredictability. Feeney expertly balances tension and pacing, unraveling secrets at a pace that feels both surprising and satisfying. I particularly appreciated the depth of the characters and how the author made even the impossible seem plausible. The plot developments left me stunned at times, as they were entirely unexpected yet perfectly crafted. Beautiful Ugly is not just a thriller; it's a reflection on the gray areas of morality, trust, and the complex web of human relationships.

I was able to snag this as an arc audiobook, & glad I did! Alice Feeney does it again with all the many different characters. An author (Grady Green) whose wife (Abby) disappeared & he lost the love for writing & doing anything until he was giving a second chance to write again! The way my mouth dropped when the saying they tell each other before bed was said! Yeahhhhh that’s real different. Dang, when you to worried about what you don’t have, you lose sight on what you do have! Grady, Grady, Grady….WOW the way this ended, I enjoyed listening to this book!

Grady calls his wife and heard her slam on the brakes and open the door, then nothing. Her car is found with the door open and her phone inside.

It's been a year and author Grady hasn't been able to focus to write. What happened to his wife, where is she? When he travels to a small Scottish town he sees a women who looks so much like his wife.

The twists and turns keep coming and listening to the audiobook was when better with the great narrators. I zipped through this book, wanting to know what happens next. I definitely recommend this book to the thriller book lovers out there!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this book!

If you like your thrillers as twisty as a rollercoaster, this book might be a good choice for you, because Feeney has plenty of surprises in store. That said, while I've really enjoyed some of the author's books in the past, this one will not go down as one of my favorites. I found the characters largely unlikeable, and while I don't necessarily have to love every character, I'd prefer to like at least a few! The motive behind the crime also struck me as bizarre and, while it's not uncommon for this genre to veer into unbelievable, "Beautiful Ugly" goes straight over the top. While I didn't love this one, I'm still a Feeney fan and will happily pick up whatever she puts out next.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advance copy for honest review.

This book sucked me in, I could not stop listening to it! So good, love this author. It did not go in the direction that I expected...

What a roller coaster of a book. Honestly just when you think there couldn't be another twist it just slaps you with another. I don't think I've had such a wild time reading a book before. I did see some things coming but not everything. The last 10% of this book I yelled WHAT like 5 times.

The book can be confusing I honestly felt like I was going a little crazy reading this book which is the point with a book like this you're meant to question everything you're reading, it's not meant to make you feel comfortable. So well executed. like I'm honestly still in like a book hangover with this one!

I loved the creepy island, the group of characters were all great and mysterious, it was really a beautifully plotted book.

The writing was honestly so good, I'm beating myself up over the fact it took me this long to read an Alice Feeney and I can guarantee it won't be the last.

Grady is an author whose passion is writing and his wife. The night he makes the NYT best seller list is the same night his wife disappears while he is on the phone with her. He can’t write and is a mess since then and his agent helps him with a place to stay on an island for a few months to write and hopefully get back on his feet. Weird things start to happen on the island and he doesn’t know what’s real anymore.

So this is a somewhat of a slow burn, but the kind I typically like. It had me wanting to keep listening to see what was going on. Weird things kept happening and you knew they would lead to something but didn’t know what. I loved that part, which was about 85% of the book. I also really enjoyed the setting of the book. Feeney is the queen of twists and this book is no different. However, the twists in this book weren’t my cup of tea. They felt so bizarre and outlandish. This isn’t my fav of hers.

I will say the audiobook was done fantastically! The narrators were great and the sound effects they put in there really added to the ambience!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio copy of this book!

Haunting, chilling and wickedly twisted describe the latest creation by Alice Feeney. I was fortunate to listen to the audiobook and have to say it’s without a doubt the best audiobook I have listened to in a very long time. The sound effects, eerie music and superb narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton create a realistic journey to a remote Scottish Island where all is not as it seems. Alice Feeney masterfully crafts an atmospheric, enigmatic and mysterious story where truths are stranger than fiction. This thriller is a perfect example of why Alice Feeney is known as the queen of twists. “Fear can make something beautiful appear ugly.” There are countless moments throughout this twisted tale where actions are driven by fear and the line between beauty and ugliness is blurred. The final seconds of the audiobook gave me chills. I was captivated from start to finish. I highly recommend this to all of those who love thrills and chills. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

Beautiful Ugly
by Alice Feeney

Thank you NetGalley, Alice Feeney and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of “Beautiful Ugly”
The queen of twist Back at it again. My mind was completely blown. The narrators did a great job bringing the book to life. Highly recommend.

I was honored to receive an audio arc from NetGalley. I loved the narration, the way the storyline flowed, and the suspense I got from the audiobook.

Alice Feeney knows how to write a thriller with non-stop twists. She even had me second guessing myself when I thought I had something figured out. If you are new to thrillers I would recommend this book. This book comes out January 14 2025, and I can’t wait for others to read it. I need to talk about those twists! A solid 4⭐️

I love Alice Feeney. I wasn't the biggest fan of this book. She is amazing and I love majority of her books but not so much this one,.

I had very high hopes for this book given the author, but it did let me down a little bit. The story never had a very good climax and just felt altogether boring overall. The ending was decent, but I really wanted something big to happen in the book and it didn’t.

I found this incredibly dull and redundant. Neither character was likeable and the plot twists were unfathomable. This was such a bummer for me because I've loved just about every other book that Alice Feeney has written

Alice Feeney does it again! This book will move to the top of your favorite Alice Feeney book list! It did not disappoint. From the beginning the author makes it so you’re wanting to read more and never stop until you’re finished. Clear your day.. this thriller is for you. A TBR must for all Alice Feeney fans.



Thanks Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for this advanced Reader copy.

Although I overall did enjoy the storyline, I felt the resolution was a bit confusing. The twists and turns were good but again felt a little confusing with who was really to blame for all the issues

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Great mystery with lots of twists. I kept getting inklings of what I thought was going to happen and multiple times I was surprised with twists.

Grady's wife Abby goes missing on her way home to celebrate some big news for him. He has lost his ability to write his next novel and is suffering from insomnia. He goes to a small cabin in a remote Scottish island to focus and is convinced he sees his missing wife.