Grady Green's life shattered when his wife, Abby, vanished without a trace near a cliffside. A year later, desperate for answers, he retreats to a remote Scottish island. But when he spots a woman who’s the spitting image of Abby, Grady is drawn into a mystery that could unravel everything he thought he knew.

The beginning of this story was absolutely addicting! The atmospheric and intriguing tone of this domestic mystery immediately drew me in. Grady’s strong and winsome voice had me hooked, desperate to uncover what happened. The pacing was solid, and the setting was even better. While I usually enjoy the unreliable narrator trope, there were aspects of it here that didn’t quite work for me. One twist, however, was exceptionally well executed and kept me on my toes throughout. Unfortunately, the ending felt convoluted, unrealistic, and didn’t do justice to the gripping start that I loved.

It’s hard to share opinions about thrillers in reviews because of spoilers, so if you’ve read the book already, send me a DM so we can rant about that crazy ending!!

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the ALC

Perfect for you if you like:
Locked door mystery
Atmospheric
Betrayal & revenge
Unreliable narrator

Similar to:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Plot by Jean Hans Korelitz
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

⛔️chapters 9, 22 & 28 contain paragraphs of brief sexual descriptions (open door, minimal, married couple)
⚠️explicit language (infrequent), child sexual assault, betrayal, common TWs for thrillers

10/10! Twists galore!!! I was always wondering what in the world is going on and it was just twist after twist. Classic Alice Feeney book!

I am a huge Alice Feeney fan and this audiobook did not disappoint! This book has a bit of everything: a disappearance, lies, mysteries, past secrets, isolated atmosphere, etc.
The story follows Grady who is an author that upon hearing some of the best news of his life finds himself experiencing a life changing event because his wife Abby goes missing. A year passes and now he finds himself with major writer's block so his agent offers him an opportunity to go to a remote island to hopefully find inspiration.
He finds himself in an isolated island but he soon notices mysterious events taking place. The people there don't seem to be who they say they are. He also believes that he has seen his missing wife on this small island. He starts wondering if he is truly seeing his missing wife or if it's his grief and insomnia making him see things.
As the story unravels we learn of past secrets and lies that led to the decisions that Grady made and the ending was absolutely shocking!!!
What I loved about this audiobook is that it incorporated various sound effects in the production such as walkie talkie noises, ocean waves, church bells, dial tones, etc. It truly made the listening experience great.
The narrators did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed listening to both narrators.
Overall I enjoyed this book very much. I really love books that take place in remote/isolated areas.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audion. All opinions are my own.

This book was an AMAZING read! I've read other Alice Feeney books but was not prepared for the twists and turns this book took me on. I loved the dark, creepy feel that crept throughout the book. The way the characters slowly show their true colors was very sneaky and enjoyable. The overall feel of Beautiful Ugly was shadowy, slowly thrilling, and exceptionally poetic. I would most definitely recommend this read!

Finally a thriller with some... well... Thrills!!!

After a year of disappointing thrillers, I gave into the hype I had been hearing about this book and requested an ARC through NetGalley. The first chapter had me completely hooked, and the ending had me audibly reacting.

The story follows a writer, who while is speaking to his wife over the phone, overhears as she disappears. This story is the mystery of what happened to her, and also about how events 1 year later are also connected. I found the plot to be very engaging, well paced, and full of surprises. I enjoyed the experience of hearing the perspectives of both Husband and Wife, both before and after the incident. Every time I thought I had figured out the plot, the story would twist and keep me guessing.

I listened to this through Audio book, and really enjoyed the production. There are duel narrators (Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton), making it easy to jump perspectives, and there are mild sound effects, such as: radio/phone voice alteration and the sound of waves between narrators. This was done very minimally, and I feel did not distract from the reading at all. I listened to this book over two days, and would recommend to friends looking for a thrill.

The character development was also a mystery that unravelled through the story. Feeny introduces us to her characters, and then the character does something that makes that fact un-reliable, therefore showing us who they are rather than telling us. I thought that was very smart writing, and allowed for a lot of surprises in the book.

I think this would be a very fun read for a book-club, because of its twists, but also because of the un-reliable characters, the chilling atmosphere, and the pacing and length. It did not give me a 5-star feeling (but thrillers rarely do), but I had a really great time reading this book. 4 stars to me means "I loved it!" This is my 2nd Alice Feeney book, and I look forward to reading more by this author (Was a big fan of Daisy Darker as well, but found that one more predictable).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest feedback.

This was a classic Alice Feeney novel, though it's clear there's a continually strengthening writing the more she releases! Twists and turns felt well-placed, and the importance of perspective was really well highlighted throughout.

Thank you to MacMillian for letting me read an early copy of BEAUTIFUL UGLY. This one is out January 14.

I love Alice Feeney. I get so excited when I see something new is coming out by her. This book was just as atmospheric and twisty as they all are. I really enjoyed reading this until I got to the ending. It felt a little abrupt and out of nowhere. Still recommend it and will always recommend any of her books.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ACR . I really enjoy Alice Fenney’s books. They catch you from the start! Always a lot of red herrings and twists along the way that you don’t see what’s going to happen next!

I have only read a couple of Alice Feeney’s books, but she is all over my TBR, and with listening to Beautiful Ugly, I really need to try and get her books moved up higher on my list. I was granted an ALC (advanced listening copy) from the publisher and also had an opportunity to read Beautiful Ugly with a physical book via my Book of the Month subscription.

I was glad I had access to a physical copy: There is a map included of the Isle of Amberly which is where Grady goes. I did reference the map as I listened to the audio. Another reason I was delighted to have a physical copy was towards the end of the book something is mentioned. I can’t say what as it could be a spoiler, but I did what was mentioned and I squealed as my reaction! Being able to do this added so much more to the book for me and added a half star to my rating!

Beautiful Ugly has two things to it that I really enjoy and one that can be hit or miss: dual narrators, dual timelines, and the unreliable narrator. With unlikeable characters (other than the dog), a missing wife, and the dual narrators being both Grady and Abby, at about 24% of the way in I texted some friends and said “I’m listening to a book and if it goes Gone Girl, I’m going to be pissed!” I am sure I am not the only reader to think this. We have a dog in this book and I was worried that something would happen to Columbo, as he was a main character along with Grady. Reader and animal lover, fear not: Columbo is fine!

The audiobook has two narrators and they both did a fabulous job. They performed really well with these unlikeable characters. There are also sound effects throughout the narration which enhanced the audiobook. The sounds effects consist of static of the handheld radios, the ocean, and some light music throughout the novel.

I did start this book at the end of 2024 and ended it in 2025, and I hope this is a great sign of the books I will be reading/ listening to this year!

I wasn’t entirely happy with ultimate motives that are uncovered, but dang the final twists were something! I really hope this becomes a mini-series for tv and it sticks with the book, that would be quite a thriller to watch! I won’t say if Beautiful Ugly went the Gone Girl route or not as it would be a spoiler alert. Just read or listen to this book yourself to find out! Many thanks to the publisher for granting me an alc to listen to and review.

Another twisty story from an author I have come to enjoy very much. Following the life of a washed up author, we find out that tragedy has struck and derailed his career. After the loss of his wife a man just can't seem to get his act together and to get published again. With the help of an agent he finds a reclusive and inspiring cabin on a little Scottish aisle to start fresh. It's not long that he's on the island before he discovers that this community is unlike any other that he has come across. As he tries to uncover the secrets of the people on the island, it becomes rapidly apparent that his own Secrets will float to the surface as well.

It was tense and suspenseful and a wonderful mystery. Although there was so much going on in the Shadows on the island, I rather think that I would enjoy living in this community.

Beautiful Ugly plunges readers into the eerie world of Amberley, a remote Scottish island. Grady Green, a bestselling author struggling with his wife Abby's mysterious disappearance, seeks solace and inspiration on the isolated isle at the suggestion of his agent. But from the moment he arrives, the island’s folklore, ever-changing weather, and unsettling residents create an undercurrent of dread that only deepens as strange occurrences unfold.

The narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, paired with immersive sound effects, and sound effects makes you feel like you’re right there on the island with Grady. This slow-burn thriller delivers twists, tension, and an unforgettable setting. While the ending may stretch believability for some (like the "need" of Grady's expertise near the end), the journey there is gripping. Feeney proves once again she’s a master of domestic thrillers, and Amberley will stay with you long after you finish.

I adore Alice Feeney. She is an auto-read author for me. As with all of her stories, I went into this one blind, and I'm so glad I did! I loved the super twisted, fast paced story line. The setting, a remote island in Scotland, with minimal internet or phone access makes for the perfect eerie atmosphere.
I loved that the book was written in dual POV with dual timelines and an unreliable narrator. The unexpected twist at the end solidified this as a 5 star read for me!
I listened to the audio version, and I enjoyed the dual narrators. They really knocked this one out of the park!
I absolutely loved this story, and the narration made it even better. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

Hauntingly beautiful story. Definitely not the story I expected. Well developed characters and a unique story.

I kept seeing this book all over Instagram and TikTok and the cover had me intrigued so I requested this audiobook on NetGalley and was lucky enough to be given an ARC to listen to! This was my first book by Alice Feeney and it did not disappoint! I was trying to figure out what the twist/ending was the whole time and at one point I did figure part of it out but the rest of it took me for a major loop! The narration was excellent and kept me engaged throughout the whole book! 🎧

As always, Alice Feeney does not disappoint. Beautiful Ugly was easily a 5 star read. I loved the atmospheric setting. You can always count on Feeney for her twists and I never saw the ending coming. The narration was amazing as with all her books. I would highly recommend adding Beautiful Ugly to your TBR.

was kindly sent an ALC of Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney by @NetGalley and it was incredible.

We have an unreliable narrator, dual POV and a missing woman. If you are a fan of Yellowface or Gone Girl you will love this book.

In this story, we are following our main character Grady who is struggling to write his next novel following the disappearance of his wife Abby one year ago.

Grady is given the opportunity to go to Scotland and finish his novel, however when he is there he realizes that things are off.
The people are strange, and he notices one resident who looks eerily similar to his wife.

The audiobook is the best way to listen to this book in my opinion.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and had no idea who I could trust. However, things did get a bit confusing at the end.

#beautifulugly #alicefeeney #Netgalley #thriller

Beautiful Ugly is set on a very mysterious and eerie island with many secrets. This book felt dark to me and I just wanted to know how the story played out so I kept going back for more. I experienced the story with the audio and the dual narration and other production details definitely added to the enjoyment of this novel. I was invested in the main character Grady and the mystery surrounding his missing wife. The plot twist at the end was a perfect surprise! This is a perfect read for someone looking for a relatively fast paced thriller,

Thank you Net Galley, Macmillian Audio and Alice Feeney for the opportunity to preview this title and the opinions shared are my own.

This novel and audiobook are expected to be released Jan. 14, 2025.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲
𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐲
𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
𝟓⭐️

Author @alicewriterland does it AGAIN! Seriously every single book this queen writes is brilliant and an easy 5 star read! I’ve loved every single book she has created and they honestly somehow keep getting better.

𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲 is Feeneys newest thriller and this was one mind bending story, phew! I listened to this on audio and it was probably one of the best audio books I’ve ever listened too. Besides the narration changes between characters, we get so many different sounds such as waves crashing, doors opening, dial tones, music, etc. I love when audiobooks use added sounds and different narrators for different characters.

I basically binged this book and could not stop wondering what in the world was going to happen next. I was actually shocked at one point and the ending was literally insane(in the most perfect way)!

So many thanks to @flatiron_books for the early audio copy of this amazing read! I can not wait to order my physical copy of this book, I need it for my shelf! 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲 is out on Jan 14th! This is already one of my 2025 favorite books!

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:“Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.

Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared.

A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible – a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.“
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#bookstagram#bookstagrammer#l
#alicefeeney#beautifulugly
#flatironbooks#netgalley

This book was amazingly brilliant. Beautiful Ugly is one of those thrillers that you immediately want to start over. Even someone who usually anticipates the twist will be wowed. A beautiful novel with metaphoric brilliance had a baby with an edge of your seat thriller and it is Beautiful Ugly!

Wow!!! After a miss for me personally with her prior release, I truly loved this one and can say, Alice is back with a winner and my final 5⭐️ read of 2024!!!

Read If You Like:
- Psychological thrillers
- Locked Room Thrillers
- Unreliable Narrators
- Atmospheric writing
- Remote Scottish islands
- Stories with unexpected twists and dark secrets

The story follows Grady Green, a London novelist whose life unravels after his wife, Abby, mysteriously disappears on the same night his book tops the bestseller list. Fast forward a year later, he is struggling with grief and writer's block, when he gets the offer to take up residence on the isolated Isle of Amberly in Scotland by his editor and missing wife’s aunt.

However, the island's eerie atmosphere and locked room vibes mixed with odd inhabitants of the isle that aren’t overly welcoming further set the atmospheric vibes of the story.

Grady's character is complex and well-developed, embodying the traits of an unreliable narrator, especially with his paranoia about the people of the isle and his disturbed sleep making him less and less reliable. His descent into obsession around his missing wife and the town’s people and what he feels they are keeping from him led to the blurred lines between reality and imagination keep readers questioning the truth of what is going on, on the Isle.

The narrative structure, interspersed with flashbacks from Abby's perspective, adds depth and gradually reveals hidden facets of their marriage that further support the question of what happened to her and what is happening to Grady now.

Thank you so much to Macmillan for my gifted ALC in exchange for my review!