DNF at 40%

I really tried to read and enjoy this book but the writing was really putting me to sleep. There felt like there was a lot of repetition and even though I had read half I did not feel like we were getting anywhere which was increasingly frustrating.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Unpopular opinion alert. This book did not work for me at all. The flowery writing was meant to make this an atmospheric thriller but it made it entirely too long and even more boring. The weird parallels between Jacy and her baby to the mountain lion and her cubs didn't make much sense for me and added nothing to the story. I listened to this on audio and my biggest writing pet peeve was very prevalent through out the book. Constant repetition. Shush shush click, shush shush click.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Beware the Woman" by Megan Abbott is a chilling and prescient novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, secrets, and the eerie atmosphere of a secluded cottage in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The story revolves around Jacy, a newly married woman expecting her first child. She embarks on a road trip with her husband, Jed, to visit his father, Doctor Ash, in the remote woods. From the moment they arrive at the cozy cottage, tension simmers beneath the surface. Jacy feels enveloped in warmth by Doctor Ash but less so by the enigmatic house manager, Mrs. Brandt.

However, their idyllic getaway takes a dark turn when Jacy experiences a health scare. Vacation plans are abandoned, and the focus shifts entirely to her well-being. As days pass, Jacy becomes increasingly aware of her surroundings—the dense woods, the watchful eyes, and the whispers about Jed's mysterious family history. Is she paranoid, or are there real dangers lurking within the cottage?

Abbott masterfully weaves suspense and psychological tension. The claustrophobic setting intensifies Jacy's unease, and readers will find themselves questioning every character's motives. The exploration of female autonomy and violation adds depth to the narrative, echoing themes from classic Gothic literature.

"Beware the Woman" keeps readers on edge, revealing secrets layer by layer. Abbott's prose is sharp, her pacing relentless, and her characters hauntingly real. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that linger long after you've turned the last page, this book is a must-read, written by Megan Abbott, an Edgar award-winning author.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! This is my first book by Megan Abbott and will not be my last.

Jacy and Jed are newlyweds who decide to take a trip to visit his father in a rural area. The trip begins smoothly but starts to unravel rather quickly. The reader learns that the relationship between Jacy and Jed is not as picture perfect as it seemed to be.

This book brought up some important topics that can be a point of contention, namely: What is a woman's place within a relationship? I thought about this book for weeks after finishing it. The pacing was very good and overall it was an excellent read.

This was not for me. The story was kinda slow and I couldn't connect with the characters at all. I was hoping for somethig different

I wish I could give this a zero star review. This was the most boring book I’ve ever read. I started reading the ebook & just couldn’t get through it. The story just doesn’t hook you and keeps you interested. I decided to give this book another shot and downloaded the audiobook, biggest mistake. The audiobook was excruciating to get through. I DNF this book once I got to 50%. It was making reading a task and it was no longer bringing me joy to read.

I loved this book! It was very atmosperic and a slow burn, but once you start to suspect something, you cannot put it down!

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Another winner from Megan Abbott. She reminds the reader that perhaps we don’t know who we marry as well as we think.

Jacey and Jed have a whirlwind romance and are quickly married and pregnant. They go to a remote cabin to visit Jed's father. But a health scare for Jacey leads to some creepy Rosemary's baby vibes.

I love Megan Abbott. She writes seriously creepy books, and I was invested in this story.

I will recommend this book to customers because I thought it was well written but the plot was not for me. I struggled to get through it. I can see where it will be appealing to certain customers in specific though and I did think the writing was very well done and the plot was cohesive and well thought out.

It took me a very long time to read this book, because I was pregnant when I got approved for it and had a newborn when it was published. So I was not in the correct headspace to read anything about babies or mothers for quite a while!

But I finally sat myself down with this, and I'm glad I did. It's a slow burn of a read, but a really fascinating premise that is unfortunately very timely in this age where men want control over women's bodies and autonomy, especially while they are pregnant. It is difficult to read, but also a well written book, so I highly recommend it to anyone who can handle the subject matter.

I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the entire plot- intense! As a mom I had a bit more of a difficult time reading the plot- but enjoyed this nonetheless! Thanks for the advanced copy!

Ugh, I really wanted to like this! It had the creepy, atmospheric vibes that I usually enjoy, but the slow burn never fully reached that satisfying inferno. I do like many of her other books, but this one didn't fit the bill.

initial thoughts: a really slow burn story, but a very quick read. you knew things were off pretty quickly after Jacy & Jed arrived at his father’s house, and I loved the transition from creepy to suffocating. what I really didn’t love however was the super abrupt ending.

didn’t see the big reveal coming at the end, but would have liked maybe one more chapter or an epilogue to shore things up.

This one just wasn’t for me. I think it was supposed to be a creepy thriller, but I thought it was just a retelling of a story we have all heard a million times. Jacy is a young newlywed, completely in love with her husband and expecting a new baby. She is excited about taking a trip with her husband to see his father, but when she gets there, things take a dark twist, and the kind loving father in law may not be so kind after all. There were times I thought it might get a little creepy or suspenseful, but it never quite got there for me.

A slow, slow burn that pays off nicely. Great atmosphere and tight prose that keeps you reading until the end.

This was such an interesting story! I really enjoyed the unique plot and the characters. I look forward to the author’s next work!

🤰👨‍⚕️Book Review:
Title: Beware the Woman
Author: Megan Abbott
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

I was so excited to receive this ARC because I have always loved this authors work! I immediately started this book, but unfortunately, I didn't love it. It wasn't terrible by no means, but it wasn't her best! Maybe my ADHD brain wasn't letting me focus as well as I could have been, but it was all over the place. Very strange.

Jacey and her husband Jed are spending time with his family for the weekend. Newly married and into her second trimester of pregnancy, Jacey is looking forward to getting to know her father-in-law, Dr. Ash. Soon into her stay, she realizes that something is very off with this situation. Now, Dr.Ash is extremely hospitable, but it starts to become almost uncomfortable. She begins to feel trapped and under constant surveillance, especially after she experiences some bleeding. The thing is, Jed seems to be going right along with Dr. Ash's over the top control. The obsession with her soon to be newborn pushes her to seek refuge from outside the home, which involves her in even more sinister dealings surroundings this family. Strange, very strange.

Published: May 30th, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley and @putnambooks, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!