
Member Reviews

Fun, twisty thriller filled with old world money family drama! I wasn’t a fan of the Ruby character and her storyline was lost to me at times. But I loved Cam & Jules’ storyline. Somewhat predictable but entertaining nonetheless!

Like others have mentioned this book is great if you like Hawkins' other books. There was a nice tie-in to her previous books. The mystery was good, the plot twists shocking, and of course the book was bingeable.

Rachel Hawkins is one of my auto-buy authors so I was really excited to receive an ARC of The Heiress! This novel follows Camden and Jules as they travel to North Carolina after the death of Camden’s uncle. Camden is the adopted child of a wealthy, notorious local and he inherited her house but didn’t want anything to do with it so left town a decade ago. Jules goes into the trip thinking that Camden should reclaim his inheritance.
The characters in this were pretty extreme, almost caricatures of people. And I didn’t really love Jules and Camden either. I think I would have like this more if they were a little more two dimensional. That being said, the plot was interesting and I did really enjoy the format (Ruby’s chapters were better than the present day timeline, in my opinion. Hawkins always writes strong dialogue. Witty and humorous. 3.5 stars for me.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
I've procrastinated writing this review, because I read this book right before I joined the boycott. Organizations and the people that support them should be held accountable when hateful rhetoric is shared and efforts put forth to counter the harm done. And marginalized voices should be uplifted, supported, and protected.
I had been wanting to give this author a try after hearing mixed reviews for her other thrillers. I love struggling actors and wealthy widows and mysterious deaths. I really enjoyed this one. I loved learning Ruby's backstory, and Jules was a fun character. The pacing and the multiple perspectives worked well. The ending threw in some surprises, but it wasn't shocking.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was entertaining enough. Not my favorite of this authors. But it was ok!

For those who appreciate tales of dark family dynamics and suspenseful narratives, The Heiress is a must-read. I still think about this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I kept saying “just one more chapter" because I was eager to find out what would happen next. There were many twists. I loved it! The one character who had me wondering what her alterer motive was in this story was Jules. I didn't know if she had alterier motive or if that was just who she was as a person. I knew the rest of the family were twisted.
I loved the POV from Ruby when she was writing the letters. I loved discovering what happened to all of her ex husbands. She was a pretty twisted lady. And then finding out the story about the kidnapping. Mouth hanging open shocked!
This might be my favorite book by Rachel to date!

Unfortunately, this is the first book by this author I haven't at least liked if not loved! I found this very boring. I almost DNF'd it but really wanted to stick with it and... I can't say it was worth it. I found Ruby compelling but everything else just felt silly.

Rachel Hawkins has become an auto-read thriller writer for me — which is very rare! Like her other books, I found this hard to put down and it kept me guessing!

A solid domestic family drama with a pinch of thriller from the talented Rachel Hawkins. I love a book that uses letters to build and enhance the storyline so it gets extra points for that. All in all it was entertaining and likeable at the time of reading but looking back on it a few months down the road it was in all honesty not very memorable.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

The novel's structure adds depth to the suspense, keeping readers engaged as secrets are gradually revealed.

The Heiress is a compelling read for fans of Gothic fiction and family sagas. Its rich atmosphere and complex characters offer a nuanced exploration of legacy and identity. While it may not satisfy those seeking fast-paced thrills, its slow-burn suspense and thematic depth make it a standout in Hawkins' oeuvre.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
For readers interested in a layered, character-driven mystery that examines the dark undercurrents of family and fortune, The Heiress is a worthy addition to your reading list.

An exciting thriller from the author of The Wife Upstairs! Moments of suspense interwoven with stunning prose. Highly recommend.

I read this book in less than 2 days and as a mom of 3 that’s saying something. It sucked me in early and kept me interested. I will say I was a bit underwhelmed at the end but I definitely had a good time.

Rachel Hawkins has a unique way of hooking me into a mystery for the entire book, and the outcome is wonderful. I loved the characters, even though some were detestable. The twists were good, and the prose definitely kept me turning the pages. I will read everything the author writes.

I liked this family drama full of twists! Held my attention and I enjoyed the characters. It wasn't my favorite Rachel Hawkins book, but I enjoyed it.

This book had me hooked. Dysfunctional family drama? Check. Sinister secrets? Check. A sprawling Southern estate with a pulse of its own? Check, check, check.
I flew through The Heiress in a day and loved every twist. Rachel Hawkins layers tension and scandal so well that I couldn’t stop flipping pages. The Ashby House becomes its own character, and the dual timelines with mixed media (letters, articles, journal entries) made it immersive and deliciously dark.
Ruby McTavish’s legacy is full of lies, greed, and death. As things unfold, you realize you can’t trust anyone. It gave me Evelyn Hugo vibes, but with sharper edges and a darker heart. The multiple POVs kept me constantly guessing who was telling the whole truth.
If you love gothic suspense, morally gray characters, and buried family secrets, The Heiress needs to be on your list.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. I’m so grateful for the early read.

The Heiress is a twisty, fast-paced family drama that kept me turning pages from start to finish. The short chapters made it incredibly bingeable, and Hawkins weaves in just enough suspense to keep you hooked. I gave it 4 stars—I really enjoyed it, but I found myself wishing for more depth when it came to Ruby, Camden, and Jules’ pasts. A bit more backstory could have made the characters and their motivations feel more complete. Still, it’s a compelling read with a satisfying dose of mystery and drama.

Listened to this audiobook during a long car ride, and I’m happy to say it did not disappoint! The four voice actors were all really good, especially Ruby. I found myself cheering every time one of her chapters started.
I’d say it’s more of a mystery than a thriller, but I loved the old house/Blue Ridge Mountains setting. The twists and turns weren’t jaw-droppingly shocking as you were lead to guess at them yourself, but it was still a fun read.

Thank you Netgalley for an opportunity to read and review.
I’m a little late to this one but she has done it again..
domestic thrillers are some of my favorite thrillers to read. This book kept me interested and engaged. There was a lot going on and a lot of POVs and that can get confusing but I also felt like it added to the tension. The family drama and secrets? My favorite.
And her writing just keeps getting better and better with every one of her books. I cannot wait to read her next book.
Overall I’d suggest you read this if you are a fan of slow burn domestic thrillers full of family drama.