A Thoughtful but Uneven Read ★★★☆☆

A Girl Like Us offers an intriguing premise and a strong protagonist, making it a compelling read in many ways. The novel does a great job of exploring themes of identity, resilience, and justice, and the main character's journey is both emotional and thought-provoking.

However, while the story has its gripping moments, the pacing felt uneven at times, with some sections dragging while others rushed through key developments. Additionally, certain side characters could have been more fleshed out to add depth to the narrative.

Overall, A Girl Like Us is a solid read with important themes, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a mix of mystery and drama, this book is worth picking up—just be prepared for some ups and downs in the storytelling.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the digital copy of this audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you like dysfunctional family drama like the movie Knives Out or the YA series The Inheritance Games, you’d probably enjoy this book! In other words, rich people behaving badly. There’s a rich cast of characters, some more likeable than others, and lots of twists and turns to the story. Like the aforementioned movie and book series, there’s a lot of family drama about an inheritance.

Maya, a former reality TV star, marries the most eligible and appealing bachelor. She thought Reality TV was full of drama–she has no idea what she’s walking into. The book kind of reminded me of the 1980s primetime TV soap operas like Dynasty and Dallas, and believe me, I ate that stuff up at the time. Throw in a splash of Danielle Steel, Agatha Christie and Alex Finlay, and you’ve got yourself a twisting novel full of drama and mystery. You really have to pay attention to this dramatic thriller!

The many plot twists and turns keep me listening intently to narrator Allyson Morgan, who did an excellent job with the material. I would definitely listen to Morgan narrate something else.

(And just as an aside, don’t get me started on how a book set in 2004 is considered historical fiction 🫨)

Thank you netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy of this book! What a gloriously messed up family! A few of the twists I would have never seen coming. Well done!

Thank you to the author and publisher for my fidget ALC!

This was a blast. Not my usual genre, but I still had a good time with it. The writing was solid and the narration was great. This was a good popcorn thriller to read over a weekend.

Maya Miller, a former reality TV star, marries Colin Sterling, heir to a super-wealthy British family reminiscent of royalty. After the shocking murder of Colin's cousin Arianna, Maya unexpectedly becomes the next in line for the family fortune—and the prime suspect in the crime. The Sterlings are locked down at their grand estate, but Maya suspects they’re hiding more than just danger. As she digs deeper into Arianna's secrets and her own, she finds herself in a high-stakes game filled with twists and long-buried family secrets.

The book is a thrilling ride with plenty of suspense and unexpected turns that keep you guessing. Maya is a strong, complex character, and despite her morally ambiguous nature, you can’t help but root for her against the dysfunctional Sterling family. If you're into domestic thrillers, this one’s a must-add to your reading list!

Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced listening copy!

I enjoyed this book, though I do think there were some parts that I wish were stronger. I enjoyed hearing about the Sterling clan and their ruthless, terrible, greedy ways. It felt a bit like watching a reality show of some celebrity and getting to revel in their cruelty to each other. And make no mistake, this family is absolutely cruel. Most of the family has very little character development and are used more as filler characters to further the plot. The middle part spins on a bit long. We get, Arianna was a weirdo who wasn't like other girls and Maya doesn't want to be there, is uncomfortable, and is trying to learn the truth. The ending felt rushed, I wanted so much more information but instead we are given an epilogue that leaves many questions unanswered. mcLoughlin leaves the readers wanting more.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Anna Sophia mcLoughlin, and Recorded Books for my advance copy of this audiobook.

3.3 stars - Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC audiobook of 'A Girl Like Us'. The premise immediately caught my attention—a former reality star marrying into a wealthy royal family, tangled in a web of secrets and a mysterious murder. While it wasn’t a traditional whodunnit, the novel leaned into a twist-filled narrative of deception and hidden truths.

The final reveal/twist genuinely surprised me, which I appreciated. However, the pacing felt sluggish at times, with overly long chapters that made the story drag. I wanted to love this book, but it ultimately fell a bit flat for me. Additionally, I noticed it was categorized as historical fiction, which seemed completely inaccurate—it didn't have any historical elements at all.

I listened to the audiobook for this one and thought the narrator did a great job—she really brought the story to life.

This was a solid thriller. I did manage to guess most of the twists, but it still delivered some tense, edge-of-your-seat moments.

The story follows Maya, a former reality star who marries into the wealthy and prominent Sterling family. When a murder rocks the family, they’re forced into lockdown at their English estate. Secrets run deep in this family, and the more Maya uncovers, the more danger she’s in. They look down on her because of her background, but she’s determined to find the truth about the murdered heiress—especially after learning some shocking information.

I usually love thrillers with dysfunctional families, dark secrets, and murder mysteries, but this one missed the mark for me in a couple of ways. The plot dragged in parts, and I felt like we didn’t get enough backstory on some of the characters. Plus, the ending was way too abrupt for my liking.

That said, it’s still a strong debut, and I’d definitely pick up more from this author in the future.

Thank you to @netgalley, @annasophiamcloughlin for the audiobook copy of A Girl Like Us.

A family murder... In a rich jet set family with a compound. Riddles in poems and Shakespeare and in the walls. Everyone has a motive and the killer will be a shock.

A great read for murder mystery lovers who loves twists and turns, and opulent families who think they can get away with anything.

Oh y'all— this book had twists I did not see coming! Maya is suddenly thrusts into the dark side of the prestigious family she married into. She starts to uncover dark secrets about the Sterling family, and soon her life is threatened. This family is extremely dysfunctional, and Maya isn’t particularly like-able, however the author had me so engrossed in the events that were unfolding that I couldn’t stop listening.

I would love to read more from this author moving forward! This was perfect for my reading slump,

This felt a bit like the Inheritance Games! I wanted to badly to love it, but I had a bit of a tough time keeping all of the characters and unique storylines. Once I got to the last couple of hours, the action and twists kept me intrigued and I didn't really see ANY of them coming!

Overall, this was an easy, quick read (in a good way) that would probably be fun for people who like Vanderbilt-esque stories or twisty thrillers.

I was totally invested in this story for the first half of the book, then from like 50%-70% it lost me a bit, but wrapped up well. The middle part started to get kind of repetitive without really moving the story forward.

This book definitely has the vibes of Knives Out. The main character, Maya, isn’t particularly likeable but she is clever and is adept at swinging public perception her way. The Sterling family is entirely detestable, a stereotypical portrayal of an old money wealthy family. Some of the twists were surprising, but most felt a little too predictable. All in all this book felt like it was setting up for a sequel. I did find it to be suspenseful enough to keep me reading even though I wasn’t particularly invested in any of the characters. I would probably read a sequel if one were published.

Omg. This had SO MUCH potential.
It was an absolute rollercoaster, one minute I thought I knew it all, next I’m completely wrong.

However, the final plot twists and revelation of the murderer was outrageous. The author took this trope and completely over did it. I will give it 2.75 stars because it was good up until about 80%…

4 stars!

Rich people behaving VERY badly and a rags to riches were the main themes in this mystery. Maya was a complicated but relatable character and I like the dual perspectives between her and Arianna. While at times the story veered into the unlikely, I was definitely invested in finding out how this would end. Looking forward to reading more from this writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for this ARC.

Thank you RB Media Sourcebooks for the review copy! A Girl Like Us is a really entertaining read combining a lot of themes I like, such as bad rich people vibes, a compelling protagonist overcoming trauma, and a true crime/succession vibes. The plot is immediately engaging and filled with satisfying twists and turns that kept me hooked. Give me all the dysfunctional family drama and lead characters like Maya and Colin who you want to cheer on, and a the morally grey, ruthless/at what cost plot points and I am here for it!

3.5 stars!

Maya Miller, a former reality TV star, marries the wealthy Colin Sterling, becoming the next heiress to the Sterling family fortune. When Colin's cousin Arianna is murdered, Maya is suspected and must uncover family secrets at the ancestral estate, Silver House, to prove her innocence and survive.

This book delves deep into the complexities of family drama surrounding inheritance, creating a slow-burning narrative that reads like a wealthy soap opera mixed with mystery and drama. The story is told through two different points of view, alternating between timelines to provide a comprehensive understanding of the full story.

Maya, the protagonist, is a likable character who finds herself at odds with the new family she has joined, leading to escalating tensions and conflicts. The narrator skillfully captures the tone and mood of the story, making it easier to stay engaged and focused while listening to the audiobook.

The intricate writing style of the book may be overwhelming for some readers, but I recommend giving the audiobook a try if you find the written version difficult to follow. If you enjoy stories filled with family secrets, lies, deceit, and the problems of the wealthy, then this book is sure to captivate you.

Thank you, RB Media Recorded Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really liked this audiobook. I found it interesting and also suspenseful. It was a strange idea for a book but I thought it worked well. The end was a bit surprising as well. Enjoyed the narration and the overall book.

R E V I E W

this is my first ARC. Thank you to RBmedia for allowing me to read this book. this novel is full of intriguing secrets, complex relationships. and "crazy" women who may not have been as crazy as they seemed.

after Maya marries THE most eligible bachelor, Colin Sterling, things get complicated when Colin's cousin Arianna (the heiress of the Sterling fortune) is found murdered. Maya's world is turned upside down as she seeks the truth behind Arianna's decision to make her the new Sterling heiress.

Maya cannot fathom why a woman she's never met would do such a thing. she finds more than she bargained for as she investigates the secretive Arianna, her motivations, and the end of her life.

I highly recommend this book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator (Allyson Morgan) did an excellent job. The glimpses you get into Arianna's life through diary entries while following Mayas search for the truth make the plot twist so so sweet when it comes.

this book does a fantastic job capturing being a woman in a man's world. the characters show how each one of them takes on roles and play them well. the plot is twisty and the end is so satisfying

A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin is a mystery/suspense book about a rich American girl, Maya, and an ultra rich British guy, Colin. After a death of a family member of Colin’s that occurs while on their honeymoon, they must retreat to a secluded and secure location, and the mystery of ensues.

I really wanted to get into this mystery and dive in from the beginning but the pacing was off for me throughout the book, from going from good to too slow and back and forth.

I also had a major issue with the narration, as I listened to the audiobook. The single narrator alternates from English to British accents. The English accent is fine to me but the British accent seemed somewhat off. Maybe I would have enjoyed reading the physical book more than listening to the audiobook.

With these issues, I had a hard time giving the book more than 2 stars. I really had high hopes going in, but unfortunately it did not meet those expectations.