Magical realism meets mystery thriller in this feminist revenge story about three women who are fed up with the men in their life.

Jo, Nessa, and Harriett are about to embark on an adventure they never saw coming and develop powers the patriarchy can only dream of having. Each woman has been subjected to their own version of "mansplaining" and are, quite frankly, sick and tired of it.
Harriett has had a lucrative career in advertising, but on the verge of turning 50, has lost that and her husband. She hasn't left her house in months and is now known as the town witch. Jo is nearing menopause and is developing an inner rage as she suffers through hot flashes. She's waged war with her body for so long that she doesn't know how to channel this new-found power. Nessa, in her late 40's and a former nurse, lost her husband several years ago. She thinks she's losing her mind when she starts hearing voices...that turn out to be the ghosts trying to get her help.

The three women are linked together when they discover the body of a teenage girl along a local beach. The cops write the body off as a drug-addicted sex worker, but the women know better. Nessa hears the voices of more girls and the women are determined to figure out what is happening in their town. The quest leads them to the exclusive Culling Pointe where the wealthy reside and rules don't apply. What they find turns their horror into rage as they seek justice for the murdered girls.

This book is a big F-You to the patriarchy and I was so there for it! Out of all the males in the book, only a handful were decent human beings, and the rest were despicable. This is the story of what happens when men and society push women too far: the rage turns into an unimaginable power where retribution will be meted out.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for a copy of this delightful book!

It’s not often I will pick up a book on someone’s recommendations, but when I saw several people go on and on about The Change by Kirsten Miller I figured oh why not. I quickly discovered this is not a book I would have picked up of my own volition nor is it in my preferred reading genre. Nevertheless, I actually enjoyed it. The Good Morning America book club pick is being touted Big Little Lies meets The Witches of Eastwick. The first I’ve never seen but the second I have and this book definitely had that vibe going. So without much further ado, here is a quick breakdown of the book and what I thought about it.

The story is about three women, discovering their midlife change has something more instore for them than just hot flashes. And oh yeah, someone is murdering young girls. Older women and a murder to solve sounds pretty simple right? Wrong! It’s so much more than that. This is the story about how three women - suave advertising director Harriett Osborne, ambitious former executive Jo Levison, former nurse and widow Nessa James – have their lives implode around them, find themselves at a crossroads of their lives as menopause begins and how they now have powers to right the wrong. That wrong being someone is killing young girls. Someone rich. Someone powerful. Someone the police are turning a blind eye toward. Stand back misogyny. Harriett, Jo, and Nessa are about to give ‘Girl Power’ a whole new meaning.

Sooo, this was a pretty interesting book. It’s not often I get to read books where the female lead characters isn’t twenty-something, svelte, and smarmy kick-a$$. Here we have women of a not so perfect, older body ages. Women facing injustices, kicked to the curb, and fighting back. The story is told in present time alternated with character flashbacks. Not going to lie here. It took me a while to warm up to those flashbacks. I had moments when those flashback had me wanting to skim through them because at nearly 500 pages, this was a long book and I wanted everything to get to the point. I wanted to find out whodunit, get to the triumphant ending and start my next book. Little did I know how key those flashbacks would be, especially toward the end. Holy cow! That ending! I did not see that coming. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, a twist. And then another, and another. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Menopause, empowerment, and murder all wrapped up in wit, suspense and feministic revenge. The Change by Kirsten Miller is not a book to be missed.


Stars: 4
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own

DNF - Did not finish. I did not connect with the writing style or plot and will not be finishing this title. Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

I really enjoyed reading this book! Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for a chance to read the ARC in exchange for a honest review. Happy publication date - May 3 .
This is a timely story about female impowerment and friendship. Just what women need in May 2022. Three women in a wealthy seaside town are brought together by their "magical powers" to solve a murder mystery.
These characters are the stars of the show and they are very well developed. I enjoyed learning about all of their lives. The women were so brave and bold - I loved it. Superheroes with super powers!
The plot was interesting and had plenty of twists to keep the readers interest and I sped through this book.
The book does speak to social issues that concern women and would not likely appeal as much to men.
The marketing line that caught me eye was Pretty Little Liars meets the Witches of Eastwick but I would say the Witches of Eastwick/Witches of Practical Magic meets Jeffery Epstein and CO. (little spoiler)

Though I'm not usually a thriller person, I really enjoyed this feminist revenge fantasy - definitely didn't see the twist at the end coming (while I wish she hadn't been an accomplice, I understand how that's a societal critique as well).

Dare I say it… this is my favorite book this year! A feminist revenge fantasy with mystery, drama, and witchy powers. Yes, please! I absolutely loved the three main characters, Harriett, Jo, and Nessa. As they’re aging and going through changes, they come into their powers that help them find the bodies of missing teens and begin a journey to uncover who’s been killing them as they crash into the rich man’s world.

The character development is fantastic and you will truly love these women. You will laugh out loud and cheer them on. Each chapter shows the importance of each woman’s story and why they have their own reasons for revenge. And not only is this story about strong ass women but it’s strong ass women who are middle-aged. I find this to be a refreshing change. (yeah, I’m almost 41 so I love this and want to be these women!). Such an empowering novel!

The Change is out rnow and I urge you to grab it, read it, love it, hug it. Trust me. Every single person in the mystery book club LOVED this book!

Thanks to the William Morrow for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Three powerful, unstoppable, and amazing women join forces and join their newfound powers, to stop those who look to hurt young girls in this thrilling novel.
Definitely a must read.

This is a modern spin on The Witches of Eastwick...three women essentially come into supernatural powers later in life and take on all the toxic men in town. I loved the world-building and character stories! I loved that Nessa, Harriett and Jo all brought something different to the table. Clarity, rage and punishment. This is a good book filled with magical realism, female friendship and female empowerment!

What a fun adventure with the ladies solving crimes and spreading karma! I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the unique plot and great writing. I'll be recommending this one and looking forward to more from Kirsten Miller.

Oh, I did have fun with this story. The three ladies with their powers were able to right some wrongs in a male dominated world. Every dog has its day and in this telling the dogs certainly do get their just desserts.

Thank you to Kristen Miller, the publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this story which has already published.

Wow! I went into this blind based on people I follow raving about it and am happy I did. The Change isn't my usual genre, but I ended up liking it much more than I anticipated! I love a good revenge story, and these characters didn't disappoint. I l appreciated how everyone in the town was linked and had their own backstory, with themes female empowerment, strength, and friendship running through it all. I did guess the final, final twist, but it didn't take away any of my enjoyment of things actually playing out. I wish the book was slightly shorter, as it dragged a bit, but ultimately I enjoyed it and would absolutely read another book (or a sequel?) from this author! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

“No one teaches girls how to take care of themselves. We train them to be pretty and kind and polite right before we set them loose in a world filled with wolves. Then we act surprised and horrified when some of them get eaten.”

Sometimes, a book, even at nearly 500 pages, is not long enough.

Sometimes, the bookstagram hype is real.

Sometimes, you find yourself reading too fast because you must know what’s going to happen but you force yourself to slow down because you do. Not. Want. It. To. End.

Sometimes, you read the last chapter more than once because you just can’t bear for it to be over.

Sometimes, you buy multiple versions of the same book so that you have a copy with you everywhere (I have the ebook, hardcover, and audible).

Sometimes, you read a book so good that, when you turn that last page, you need some time. You need a minute to collect your thoughts. A book hangover, if you will.

I see why this was the @gmabookclub pick for May! This is one of those books that gives you a fresh perspective on the world. I just cannot even put into words how much I loved it. Strong, strong women breaking down the patriarchy?! Oh yes! All of the yes!

Thank you to Netgalley, William Morrow Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While this story was a bit bizarre (a supposed witch, a woman who sees dead girls) and trippy, it flew by in a flash and drew me into this unlikely group of friends.

I think each of the women bring a particular part of themselves to work well with the others.

This book was about finding out who murdered these girls and getting the justice that they deserve. This felt very modern because the rich "get away" with things and because the girls are from poor backgrounds... They were just disregarded! It was very sad but very fulfilling in the end for the help they got after death.

The Change by Kirsten Miller = Witch detectives 🕵🏻 🧙🏻‍♀️✨

The cover is really cool but so is the story. This book has a little bit of everything. It’s a very diverse read celebrating the natural “powers” (strengths) of women that go unnoticed. There’s a very intense story line but it also seemed a little like a cozy mystery to me at times which was a little confusing.
The writing was a little inconsistent, there would be pages when I would be totally immersed in the story but then some random, or immature lines would bring me out of the story. This is a fun ride and will have the reader furiously turning pages to find out all of the mysteries.

If you like strong female leads with a little bit of supernatural, mystery, and feminism, this is definitely something you should pick up.

INCREDIBLE! Don’t delay in picking up this binge worthy book of middle aged BADASS women!! 5 STARS!!

This was a really fun book! 3 woman from a long island community, Jo, Nessa, and Harriet, realize they developed powers as midlife changes approach. Nessa can hear, and see the dead. Together, guided by Nessa, the three woman find a woman's body left on a remote area of the beach. The police say she must be a drug addicted sex worker. The woman know that's not the case as more bodies turn up. They choose to use their powers to find out what exactly happened, and they will stop at nothing to get revenge.

I loved this witchy, feminist, fantasy story. I only removed a star because it was a bit on the long side, and parts draged a bit. But I definitely would recommend this book. This is a great read with some humor and would be a fantastic beach read!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I read The Change purely based on the bookstagram hype. And look, I get it. This is a fun feminist revenge fantasy, and who among us hasn’t wanted to smash the patriarchy on occasion? But this book gives crazy, over-the-top, hysterical feminist rather than real, nuanced, strong, multidimensional feminist. The story is unique and engaging, but the end was a let down. I guessed the twist about halfway through the book… it just seemed so clear what was going to happen!

I wanted to love this one and can see the appeal - it’s fun to imagine getting our revenge! But it just didn’t work for me.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for the gifted copy.

The Change by Kirsten Miller is a strong revenge story embracing feminism and magic flair. A fierce ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me!

A body is found by Nessa who is beginning to embrace her familial gift of helping the dead. Her friends, Jo and Harriet, also discover gifts as they enter the change of menopause, and unite with Nessa as they pursue justice for this tossed out girl all in the most unorthodox ways! This opens up a can of worms for all the women, their families and friends, and the community. Most of all, for the toxic men in the town.

I wasn't sure I loved all the vengeance, but when it occurred to me that all of this would be an amazing and deserved end for every soulless monster involved in the still unfinished epstein saga, I had to admit I liked it more. This is a story that imagines justice for all those who buy their way out. I really liked how the women came together. This is what we all should do with our gifts, especially when they are extraordinary (and whose arent?!).

I did still feel sad that though the ending was satisfying, it didn't leave me satisfied. Maybe that's not a bad thing. I am also of the opinion that exacting vengeance leaves scars too, and that was dismissed in this story.

All said, once I framed this story in my own way, I did enjoy it! It has some really fun dialog and the heroine's are definitely not stepford wives.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @williammorrowbooks for the digital ARC of this book! Lucky for all, this is out now and is a @gmabookclub choice!

The Change by Kirsten Miller is one of my favorite reads of 2022 thus far! Not simply because it is a unique thriller, but more so because of the amazing strong female characters that the author created in Nessa, Jo, and Harriett.

In the small island community of Mattauk in the season of change in these three women’s lives we see many common experiences that will make this book relatable to many. Layer in the fantastical of powers that they find within both metaphorical and literal this book is a twisty ride of something much more than a whodunit read.

Career, death, identity, hope, responsibility, struggle and more - all are navigated by these women in unique and profound ways as they seek to solve the deaths of teenage girls using these newfound powers.

This is my first book by Kirsten Miller and it most certainly will not be my last. If you’re curious about the hype that this book is seeing know that it is worthy of it.

Great read about the power of women and the friendships that bind them together. Women that seem very different realize just how much they have in common and what they can accomplish together.