Rock Paper Scissors by this author has been my favorite book by this author, and after reading this one still remains my favorite. That said, this one comes to a close second and had such excellent twists and turns. The ending was quite satisfying and truly the opening chapter sucked you in and the story never let up.

This was such a good hook, "Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do."

Wow! I so enjoy Alice Feeney’s books. With so many twist and turns, I was taken on quite the ride. Even the ending threw me off. If you can, I highly recommend listening to the audio version. The narration and sound effects take the book to an another level!

Thank you #NetGalley, #MacmillianAudio,
#AliceFeeney, #RichardArmitage, #TuppenceMiddleton and #TheBeautifulUgly for the advance audiobook for my honest review.

This book was super captivating from the beginning to the end! I always love an easy to read but twisty thriller. This has all you need in a thriller book. It was fast paced and I finished this one in two days. I loved the dual POV, and the jumping of the timeline. THE TWISTS!!!! Oh boy, I want to reread already! There is a bit of spice in this book that I had to skip but there’s definitely a solid plot!

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio: The audio is a great way to intake this story. It has extra sounds and a narration that really brings the story to life.

Review: Alice Feeney has been very hit or miss for me over the years. Before I get into this review it might help to know that my favorites of hers are Daisy Dark and Rock, Paper, Scissors. Beautiful Ugly holds within it's pages the typical Alice Feeney writing style, you can expect quick, to the point and a little cringey at times but not in a bad way?

Alice Feeney is known for her crafty and shocking plot twists. However, that was the weakest and most frustrating part of this novel IMO. Everything else about this story I LOVED. Let's start with that.

What I loved: The atmosphere of this story is unique, eerie, and dark/dreadful. The island is almost it's own character. In my review, I never really talk about the plot so hopefully you've read about that before this review (will still be spoiler free). Once our main character gets to the island the story really starts to take off. We meet a cast of characters (though the island only has 25 residents) and we stay in a cabin of a famous writer who has passed away but would write from that cabin. There is a lot of describe and discussion about the woods, specifically the trees and protecting them from harm. There are a few moments where this book reminded me of Wayward Pines and I wondered if there was a sci-fi element. The descriptions of the island were some of my favorite parts of the story.

At times, this novel can be scary and borderline horror (there are a few jump scares that legitimately creeped me out). We move at a decent pace and our main character is always chasing the next revelation that might connect him to his missing wife/ answer why he believes he is seeing her on the island. The island is a disorienting and strangely unsure place. I LOVED IT.

Everything was going so well until the explanation of everything. I actually guessed it which I've never been able to do in previous works. That's not really the problem, I don't mind guessing the ending. The problem is that is was not exciting, or shocking in any way and made weird connections that I thought were red herrings but turned out to be the truth. I wish the resolution to this story would have been different.

All in all this would have been a five star read, if the explanation was different this would have been a new favorite of mine. I will say, this is a great book to read and discuss with others.

Holy $*%! This was my first Alice Feeney book, but it definitely won't be the last. I'm an instant fan. I was completely hooked from beginning to jaw dropping end. I listened to the audio and cannot recommend enough!! Fantastic thriller.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Narrated by Richard Armitage, Tuppence Middleton

If possible, listen to the audiobook of this story because the narration and sound effects are very good. The story is already steeped in atmosphere and the voice acting and sound effects add to that atmosphere in a way that sent chills up my spine. There is already a claustrophobic, on the verge of insanity, feel to the story and the sounds make the story even creepier.

I can't say I liked anyone in this story and whiney, simpering, pouting Grady Green got the story off to a good start as far as helping me to like no one. It seems he's had much success as an author but rather than building on it he's floundering in too many ways. He's on the verge of maybe finding out he's a New York Times best selling author and he's upset because his wife hasn't gotten home in time for the phone call giving him the news. Then he gets a phone call that turns this possible best day of his life into the worst day of his life.

From there, Grady just falls apart day by day, his world self destructing thanks to his inability to cope with anything. The tension is high in this story, things have gone wrong, things are wrong, things will go wrong. At rock bottom, Grady is offered the use of a cabin on a remote island. He'll be shut off from everything but the few inhabitants of the island. Paranoid already, Grady's paranoia only rises as he feels eyes on him all the time. What is with the women of this island, they seem to say one thing and do another, and are they being honest with him? Nothing seems right here and there is no way to contact the outside world or leave this place.

The first half of the book really had me going. What is going on with Grady? It is him or is it his surroundings that are out of sync, out to get him, making him seem crazy and off his rocker? There is Grady's wonderful black lab and I worried about him but know that the dog is always okay. Grady's problems are not the dog's problems.

At some point things are revealed to us and that's where the story lost some of it's spooky feel. I had the "oh, it's that" eye roll moment where I felt let down by what's behind everything. I know some folks love this kind of story but I get bored with certain black and white actions/beliefs that don't seem realistic to me. Still, the story had me going for a very long time and the audiobook is a lot of fun. This was a great buddy read with DeAnn, Jayme, and Mary Beth.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a fun and twisty mystery novel about a writer and his supportive wife. We learn that she was in an accident but her body never found. As we listen to him tell the story, he is looking for her everywhere and having trouble moving on or writing, now running out of money. His agent is also his wife’s godmother, and she suggests he go up to a former author/client’s writing shack where he can live and write without distraction. But, of course, things are not what they seem. We are also privy to the wife’s conversations with her therapist before the accident. The author does a good job of keeping up the suspense, even when I think I have things figured out. The “truth,” however, is a bit strange.
My thanks to the author, publisher, #MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date is January 14, 2025.

Wow I love Alice Feeney, and she did it again! This truly threw me for a loop and I did not expect the ending. I was very invested and overall the story was original. Audiobook was easy to follow and a good narrator. Great book!

Alice Feeney, a British writer known for her gripping narratives, delivers a compelling psychological thriller in her latest audiobook, "Beautiful Ugly." This intricate tale is narrated by two voices — one male and one female — effectively immersing listeners in its plot and character dynamics turbulence. The story revolves around Grady, a writer whose wife, Abby, suddenly goes missing. One year later, left grappling with writer's block, Grady is advised by his agent to retreat to a secluded island, a place that has inspired a renowned author in the past. This transformation of setting from bustling life to the isolation of an island plays a crucial role in unraveling a story that explores complex themes of marriage, desire, and the darker facets of human emotion. Feeney's narrative is primarily experienced through Grady's perspective, allowing listeners to feel his emotional turmoil and confusion closely. The psychological depth is enhanced by the slow unfolding of the plot, which keeps audiences engaged and yearning for the next twist.

As Grady wrestles with his thoughts and experiences, the story invites the listener to question the nature of love and the secrets hidden within relationships. The performance of the narrators dramatically enhances the experience. The male narrator showcases a smooth, British accent that is pleasant and engaging—his pacing and delivery capture Grady's emotions beautifully, connecting listeners deeply with the character. However, the female narrator's interpretation of her character often introduces some confusion. While her clarity was commendable, her attempt to differentiate characters through tonality occasionally blurred the lines, particularly when portraying male voices. Sound quality plays a significant role in the overall production, effectively using waves as transitions between scenes and time shifts, perfectly reflecting the island setting's proximity to the sea. This thoughtful approach to sound design enriches the narrative experience. As the story progresses, tension builds, leading to thought-provoking and unsettling moments. Feeney excels in character development; Grady and Abby are portrayed as a seemingly ordinary married couple, yet the deeper exploration reveals discomposed layers of their relationship that provoke much discussion. The ending is particularly impactful, often causing what readers affectionately call a "book hangover," leaving them needing a moment to gather their thoughts after such a whirlwind of events. "Beautiful Ugly" is not just a story; it is an experience ripe for discussion, filled with twists and turns that might leave you reeling. Feeney's ability to weave complex emotional narratives into a gripping plot ensures that this audiobook will resonate long after the final word is spoken. I recommend this story for thriller readers who are amenable to feeling unsettled.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for this ARC!

While I was struggling as much as the MC to figure out what was going on, I was not able to predict the truth once it was revealed!

The ending was a complete shock!

I don’t want to give anything away, but just read it. So good!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is a psychological thriller that immerses readers in a gripping mystery set on a desolate Scottish island. The story follows Grady Greene, whose life is upended when his wife, Abby, mysteriously disappears after a phone call. The audiobook narration is captivating, enhancing the suspense with an eerie, atmospheric tone that fits perfectly with the isolated setting. The tension builds as Grady, consumed by grief, travels to the island in search of answers, only to encounter a woman who looks startlingly like Abby.

While the book’s premise is intriguing, it falters in its execution. The final quarter of the novel is overloaded with exposition, which feels rushed and disrupts the story’s pacing. Additionally, Abby’s POV chapters lack sufficient depth, leaving her motivations unclear and her actions difficult to fully understand. Despite a strong atmosphere and engaging narration, Beautiful Ugly ultimately feels uneven. A solid 3-star read.

Alice Feeney does it again. I had the opportunity to listen to an audio book version. Well done with Macmillan Publishing and choice of narrators. Change in chapters and characters was smooth and easy to distinguish. Very well read.

As with all books by Alice Feeney, I couldn't begin to guess how it would end. Strong characters with well written storylines. 4.5 stars.

4.5 rounded up.

This thriller made me want to look for more set in remote bits of Scotland. It was a delightful escape!

Premise - Author Grady Green experiences the best and worst days of his life all in one day when, on the day his book becomes a bestseller, his wife disappears. Stricken with grief and unable to write without her, he lets his agent send him to a remote Scottish cottage in a last ditch attempt to break his mourner’s writers block. But while he’s there, he spots a woman who looks just like his vanished wife…

So gripping! I listened to this on vacation and, even though there were tons of other fun things to do, I was always excited to return to the story. It’s full of fun characters, especially the quirky small town (but with a dark spin) eccentrics once he arrives in Scotland. I didn’t know what to expect next and I loved it!

Through retrospectives we also got insight into the wife’s take on the marriage and I loved seeing how that differed from Grady’s truth, as well as how her self-perception (and perception of him) differed. There are always three stories - his, hers, and the truth - and this story did a great job of weaving them together, leaving the reader to piece the third out of the first two and context clues.

I listened to the audiobook version, which was great! The narrator performs a dynamic read in a soothing voice, so it’s equal parts thrilling and a good relaxation/beach listen.😅 He does a great job at bringing across Grady’s desperation in his read.

Thanks, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was head over heels excited when I got approved for this audio, just so excited. Alice Feeney is and has always been one of my favorite thriller authors. I feel like each book she writes only gets better, and this one takes the cake, it was just so good. I was hooked right from the start, sucked in from the opening scene, and my attention never dwindled. That alone is quite the feet for me. The audiobook was so well done, with extra flair throughout. It wasn’t simply reading the story, there were engaging sounds and effects throughout that really made for a memorable listening experience. It’s not often that I recommend audiobooks over print books, but this one is the exception because they went all out. The dual point of view was done by two different narrators and they both did fantastically. The twists were fantastic. I really didn’t see the ending coming, it really took me by the best surprise, and I loved it so much.

If you’re looking for a truly engaging audiobook, then you need to check this one out.

Love the audiobook! The narrators did such a good job and the sound effects really added to the eeriness. However, I think my problem was that it was just a bit boring? For a thriller, it didn't have anything really thrilling until maybe 80%. Now, I haven't read anything by Alice Feeney before, so maybe this is her formula; i'll read another one of her books to see if that is the case or this one is its own case. Despite this, like I said, the story was still fun to follow along so I would recommend it (3.5 stars). Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

Beautiful Ugly follows an author as he relocates to a remote island to write a book following his wife's disappearance. In true Alice Feeney fashion, there are several twists throughout this novel. I thought the pacing and setting were fantastic, and I was on the edge of my seat until the end. Narration performed by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton was outstanding!

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a review for the Audible version wonderfully narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, with atmospheric music and sound effects to further enhance the listening experience! 🎧

9 hours, 19 minutes at 1.0 x
6 hours, 13 minutes at 1.5 x

“Wives think their husbands will change-But they don’t
Husbands think their wives won’t change-But they do!”

Highlight worthy passages like that one and her twisty storylines always have me eagerly awaiting the next Alice Feeney novel! I am always drawn in from the very beginning and stay engaged until the very end, and this was no exception.

Author Grady Green was hoping that his wife Abby would be with him when he received the phone call he had been waiting for his entire career-he was finally a N.Y. Times bestselling author!

But, his wife, an investigative journalist was running late. During an apologetic phone call to him, that she makes while driving home, he hears her slam on the brakes and get out of the car, quickly explaining that she spotted a woman lying on the side of the road.

And, then there is SILENCE.

She wasn’t far from their house, so he heads her way. Her car is by the cliff’s edge, and the headlights are still on, but there is no sign of his wife or of the woman she stopped to assist. Equally disturbing is the doll he finds in the passenger seat-one that has its mouth sewn shut. A warning because of a story she wrote?

Fast forward one year later.

Grady is still debilitated by grief over Abby’s disappearance. His literary agent, Kitty has recently inherited a writing cabin on the tiny Scottish island of Amberley, so when she suggests that a change of scenery might do him good, offering him (and his faithful black Labrador, Colombo) the chance to stay there, he jumps at the chance.

The secluded Island is haunted by tragedies of its own, and the residents are a strange bunch, who don’t enjoy hosting non residents.

Grady begins to see and hear things that he can’t explain. And, he begins to receive anonymous envelopes labeled “READ ME”.

Do they contain clues about what happened to Abby? And how would someone on this Island, with a population of only twenty-five, have the answers?

Although, I enjoyed MOST of the reveals and was entertained throughout, I found the ENDING to be too convoluted for MY personal taste, so this wasn’t a favorite FEENEY for me.

BUT the final sentence whispered in this AUDIBLE version sent a shiver down my spine!

3.5 stars rounded up!

No harm comes to Columbo! Woof!

Available January 14, 2025

Thank You to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley Shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

Thank you a thousands times to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Alice Feeney for allowing me access to this ALC in exchange of my honest opinion!
Beautiful Ugly is the new thriller by the very talented Alice Feeney, to be released in a few weeks now on Jan 14th 2025.
Synopsis: Author Grady Green’s life shatters when his wife, Abby, mysteriously disappears after a car accident near a cliff. A year later, still consumed by grief and unanswered questions, Grady retreats to a remote Scottish island to heal. There, he encounters a woman who looks exactly like Abby, reigniting hope and confusion. Grady must uncover the truth while grappling with his loss and the mystery of her disappearance.
Narrators and production = WOW! Loved absolutely everything about it, the deep and gravelly voice of Grady!! The added sounds when POV switched, when they were on the phone .. Bravo!!
I went into this one completely blind, I did not know a thing and I loved the ride! The twists are twisted! The story is so good! Honestly, I recommend it to anyone who want an atmospheric thriller with lots of twists!

Grady, a recent best selling author, is excited to tell his wife, Abby, the good news. When he calls Abby, he finds Abby trying to save someone in the road and the line goes dead. Abby is missing. Grady has writer's block due to preoccupation with his missing wife. His agent, Kitty, suggest he goes to a writer's cabin on a remote island in Scotland. Once Grady gets there, he starts to notice some strange things happening. As he tries to figure things out, it just gets stranger. This book had me guessing from page one. I never had a clue whodunit or what the plot twist was going to be. I listened to it in two days. Both narrators were really good but the male gave a really great sense of urgency and suspense to his narration. Alice Feeney is a master at this and I thoroughly enjoyed Beautiful Ugly. Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this audiobook!

Wow wow wow! This kept me up until 3 am. I could NOT stop listening! It is the type of book I have been looking for for a really long time! Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton’s narration was outstanding, enhanced by audio effects like ocean waves and walkie-talkie static. A must-listen!