The Heiress is a book for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and We Have Always Lived In The Castle.

The Heiress follows Camden, the adopted son of Ruby McTavish who is set to inherit the McTavish family fortune. Ruby McTavish is infamously known as the woman who was kidnapped as a child and has been a widow four times over. Camden surprisingly wants nothing to do with the money, and ends up settling down as an English teacher with his wife Jules, far away from the McTavish estate, Ashby House. Years later, the news of Camden's uncle's passing brings him and his wife back to the Ashby House, reminding him exactly why he left in the first place. While Camden is eager to finish up the business quickly and return to his life, Jules is determined to claim all that Ruby has left behind for her son, revealing dark secrets about their history, fortune, and family.

This story is told through the shifting perspectives of Jules, Camden, Ruby's letters, as well as news article clippings. Ruby's narrative felt the most compelling to me, I was constantly waiting to read more of her letters and solve her mystery. I also really enjoyed the pacing of this book, Rachel Hawkins executed the perfect amount of push and pull that kept me reading into the wee hours of night, wanting to see how everything unravels. While I enjoyed that aspect, I think I was set up for failure by thinking that this book was a thriller, while it is most definitely a family drama. The book is more of a slow burn, with an overarching mystery, but not many twists and turns throughout the story, so the first half was a bit confusing for me since I was waiting for more suspense and intrigue. The second half of the story really built momentum, and the ending is what boosted my enjoyment of the book overall.

I recommend this story to fans of family dramas, with morally ambiguous characters who are always looking to get a little bit of revenge.

I want to say a quick thank you to St.Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Genre: Thriller/ Family Drama
Rating: ️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a solid 3.75 for me. I loved the layout of this book - past vs present. Also, a story within the story. I looooooooved Ruby and I died over the twist!

The rating is lower for me because I genuinely wasn’t into the story until the plot thickened. It was keeping my attention but I needed some more thrills.

Overall, I enjoyed this!

The one character’s name, Julianne - I like it 😉

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley , @stmartinspress and @ladyhawkins for the advanced digital copy of The Heiress!

They say you can always go home, but what if you really don’t want to?

Camden was once crowned the “Luckiest boy in North Carolina.” Unfortunately all that luck afforded him was adopted family with loads of money and loads of problems.

Adopted by Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina’s richest and most notorious resident. Ruby wasn’t exactly maternal. She had layers- an infamous kidnap victim who was eventually returned to her family, a socialite, a wife four times over with each attempt ending with the untimely demise of her husbands, a successful entrepreneur in her own right, and then a mother to Camden.

Life as a McTavish was always complicated, especially for an adopted heir. His relatives were never accepting. It was always Ruby and Camden against the world. In the aftermath of her death, Camden fled his childhood home, the iconic Ashby house, and the McTavish money. Running from his dysfunctional family and their baggage, he finds a normal existence as a high school English and a husband. He and his wife, Jules, were living a simple, but happy life.

Until Cam’s uncle passes, and they are pulled back into the family fold and all that entails at the Ashby House. Jules can’t wait to finally see the beautiful estate, but once she does, she can’t quit imagining what it might be like to be a permanent resident.

Cam has never been welcome, but now that he holds the purse strings, his relationship with his remaining family is increasingly fraught. The story really comes together with the weaving POVs of Camden, Jules, and Ruby through letters she wrote before she passed away. Secrets are what drove Camden from the Ashby house, and secrets are what pulls Jules there, but the secrets that Ruby shares can destroy them all.

This is an amazing read- my favorite Rachel Hawkins book yet. Do yourself a favor and pre-order this for January 9, 2024.

Camden McTavish never felt he fit in with his adopted family. The McTavish name is well-known in North Carolina, especially in the small town of Tavistock where the McTavish’s family estate, Ashby House, is located. Once owned by the notorious Ruby McTavish, Camden (Cam) is the heir to Ashby House as well as a large fortune after his adopted mother died peacefully in here sleep. Or so the story goes . . . Cam wants nothing to do with the McTavish’s or his inheritance and is happy living a peaceful, simple life as an English teacher with his wife, Jules. When Cam is summoned back to Ashby House after his uncle’s death, Jules encourages him to go back to his family home one last time. As Jules meets Cam’s family for the first time, she can see why he was so hesitant to return but is also enchanted by the beauty of Ashby House. Jules has future plans of her own for Ashby House and hasn’t been completely honest with Cam about her complex past. With secrets around every corner, who will end up with the ultimate prize of Ashby House?

I thought my family’s dynamic was complicated but after reading this, I see I was wrong about that! I really enjoyed this book. The story is told in alternating perspectives and timelines of Cam, Jules, and Ruby which allows you to get to know each of them. I especially enjoyed Ruby’s chapters. She is one complicated woman! This book keeps you on your toes and each character reveals secrets that you will not see coming. I can’t wait to see what Rachel Hawkins comes up with next :)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruby McTavish went missing at a young age. Heir to the McTavish fortune and widow four times over, her death leaves behind a wake of questions. Camden, Ruby's adopted son must now deal with the cleanup. Through the course of the McTavish family, things aren't always quite fair and some family members are left very mad at the cards they've been dealt.

Cam finally will return to Ashby House with his wife, Jules. Jules can see the beauty and dollar signs of the house, picturing her life there once they rid the house of the others. Not all may be as it seems. The infamous Ruby's McTavish has some secrets to share, the only question is who will she share them with?

This book was phenomenal. My new favorite Rachel Hawkins book. The story is told through Camden and Jules perspective, as well as letters written by Ruby, and news articles through the years. Ruby is such a character to begin with, are you supposed to love her or hate her? Who knows. The mystery of Ruby's disappearance is interlaced with rich people behaving badly, sneaking murderers, and unreliable narrators. If you loved the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, pick this book up immediately. I would not consider this a steadfast thriller but more of a family drama with murder.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. It was purely enjoyable to read.

Four stars. Riveting and compelling. Wonderful characters and plot. Will be recommending and reading anything in the future from this author. Thank you for the title.

2.5 rounded to 3. I don’t think it ever took this long for me to finish 1 book. I just couldn’t get into it. I’d fall asleep every time I picked it up. It was just OK. I finished it 3 days ago and had to look back to see what it was about.
The very beginning was ok and I thought it had promise. Then it got so boring. The last 25 % got better. But the rest bring was convoluted, like the author finally decided to spice things up. None of the characters were very likable. I would not recommend this to a friend.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to read.

This was my favorite book by this author so far! The pacing was great, I was invested in the characters and the dialogue was well-written. I'd definitely recommend this as a book you can easily get sucked into and read through really fast. I kept finding myself wanting to ignore my responsibilities and pick it up.

I’m not quite sure I enjoyed this book. This was my first Rachel Hawkins book. I liked the writing style but the events were quiet boring. The end had a twist but it wasn’t too crazy. I liked reading Ruby’s letters, about her life and the drama Camden went through but it wasn’t too crazy as far as thrillers go. I hear good things about Rachel Hawkins so I will continue to read her books.

Holy cow this book is good. So many twists and turns and I was spellbound to the very end. I think this might be her best book.

I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley.

OOOO Rachel Hawkins strikes again!! I'm surprised I haven't read more of her books because man they can be addicting. This starts with a news article describing the disappearance of Ruby (main character) at 3 years old. Ruby happens to be born into a very very wealthy family. Later, you'll find that Ruby gets married 4 different times only to end up widowed... ( reminded me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo **one of my favorite books**) Ruby passes along her inheritance to her adopted son (Camden), who happens to what nothing to do with his mother. Why? You'll have to read the book to find out... The rest of the family is upset with Ruby for giving the inheritance to someone who doesn't share the same blood as the rest of the family.

Okay okay, so getting into the meat of the story. Camden's uncle dies which brings both Camden and his wife (Jules) back to the house he has avoided for so long. Now what do you expect to happen during this time? secrets, secrets start to come out... about ruby, camden, the rest of the family

The book switches between 3 different POVs; Ruby, Camden (Ruby's adopted son), and Jules (Camden's wife). The family dynamic is SO intriguing and I loved the timeline switch. It was as if Ruby was telling her story from the past, allowing the readers to gather information along the way. EVERYTHING came together so smoothly (depending on your definition of smooth hehe). the twists, the secrecy, the anticipation of what's true or not!

I REALLY liked the main character: Ruby the most!! Jules came in close second beside Camden. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be gifted SO much money, with the ones you call your family turning their backs. Rachel Hawkins might just be an automatic buy when it comes to thrillers and mysteries.

This was gifted by Netgalley & the publisher for my honest opinions.

In this book, we are following the aftermath of a very rich woman passing away, potentially murdered? In her youth, she was known, mostly for a kidnapping that happened when she was a child now that she is dead, her family estate, along with her wealth is being passed to her son, in which she adopted. Nobody expects it when he doesn’t want the house, or the money that his mother left him. He moves on with his life and marries a woman who is also running from a past that she doesn’t like. However, years later they come back to the estate and Cam, the woman’s son quickly remembers why he wanted nothing to do with the house. However, his wife has other ideas.

I feel like this was a little bit different for Rachel. I read all of her other books, and this one felt like it leaned a little bit more whore and some of the other books. Her other books seem to fall more within the mystery category and this one definitely was thriller/horror. It was fun to see her step out just a little bit and I enjoyed the story but I feel like I’ve read things that were done better than this. It is a fun time if you’re looking for a quick and easy read.

This was such a crazy read! I always feel that way after reading Rachel Hawkins' books, but in a good way. Who doesn't love a messed-up story about nasty family, secrets, and a relationship that may or may not have been set up by someone else? I was completely pulled in and intrigued from the beginning. I whipped through this pretty quickly, even though I started to get a little confused about how people were related or not related--and that's saying a lot because it takes A LOT to confuse me. It was still a decent thriller that kept me guessing and I absolutely hated some of the characters, which helped me enjoy the story more.

Rachel Hawkins does it again… I would say this is my favorite of her books yet. If you liked Reckless Girls you’ll love this one. You get three POVs through Camden, Jules, and Ruby. It’s feels like a true crime story with all of the twists and turns and deaths.

Another Rachel Hawkins winner!

This book—the dual timeline of both a hugely rich (but normalish) guy and his wife coming home to rural North Carolina AND the letters of his adoptive mother (who killed four husbands)—is another suspenseful, atmospheric read.

I loved the characters in this book. Cam and Jules are both normal, loving people (obviously with secrets, who doesn’t have them). Ben and Libby? Ugh. Classic silver spoon kids all grown up. Nelle? Whooooo boy. No thanks. Ruby? My favorite character in the book.

I loved how Ruby’s letters were interspersed with Cam and Jules’ chapters, and how additional news articles and interviews were also in the mix. It really helped to paint the complete picture of who these people really were.

The emotions (individual and between family members) was evident. And let me tell you—regardless of how good or evil anyone involved in the story is, it made me so happy to see emotionally stable main characters!!!

Ruby McTavish was kidnapped as a young child, returned to her wealthy North Carolina family, and grew up to be an heiress widowed four times over. Upon her death, she left her fortune, including the beautiful and historic Ashby House estate, to her adopted son. Camden wants nothing to do with Ruby or his inheritance and has chosen to live a quiet life in Colorado. Ten years later, Cam and his wife, Jules, travel back to North Carolina at the request of his cousin. Generational secrets and mysteries unfold as he’s thrust back into the world he once rejected.

What can I say? I can’t resist a mystery told through multiple perspectives. The Heiress is a page-turner, with small bits of information being revealed along the way like a breadcrumb trail. Ruby’s sordid history is also intertwined with the present day.

This was a 5 star read for me! Thank you to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, and the supremely talented @ladyhawkins for the opportunity to read and review!

Evelyn Hugo who? It’s all about Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller
Kenmore now! She definitely is worthy of the sobriquet “Mrs. Kill-more” (haha!) BUT did she really kill all four of her husbands? Or was she just born with really bad luck even though she was part of such an affluent family?

Wow, this book really was such a fun ride! I know I say that often but it really does describe the journey I went on with this book. At its core it is a mystery and the twists and turns and FAMILY SECRETS? Mmm, they were juicy and scandalous! When you think there couldn’t possibly be any more secrets, our pops another skeleton from someone’s closet!

The chapters weren’t that long so it was no surprise that I flew through this book in one day—I just had to know more about the McTavish family. You want dysfunctional? Oh boy does this family deliver! The Ashby House too was a great character of its own, lending the story an added layer of Gothic atmosphere.

I’ve been a fan of Rachel Hawkins since The Wife Upstairs and I can confidently say that this is her best work yet! I love how we had three POVs in this story and one was told through letters. I highly recommend this to fans of this author previous works or if you’re in the mood for a story with mysteries, schemes, and juicy family drama!

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Ruby McTavish was the heiress to one of North Carolina's richest and prominent families. When she goes missing on a family picnic in the nearby woods at the age of five it makes national headlines. When she is found eight months later it is cause for celebration. As an adult Ruby seems to be followed by tragedy as she marries four times only to be widowed shortly. She adopts a young boy Camden and grooms him to be her heir. Yet upon her death Camden wants nothing to do with Ashby house or the surviving McTavishs. Choosing to live a simple life as an English teacher in Colorado and living in a rented house with his wife. Ten years later following the death of his uncle his cousin asks him to return. He is reluctant but his wife Jules is determined to meet his estranged family and is eager to live the life that his inheritance would provide. Upon arrival they are met with hostility and it is clear that the estrangement continues. Jules discovers that Ruby was a devious, complicated woman and begins to question. What happened during her abduction? Who was Ruby? Who were Camden's biological family? What really happened to Ruby's unlucky husbands? I had read and enjoyed some of this author's YA novels and was glad to find an adult novel. I found this narrative immersive and read it quickly to fit the puzzle pieces together. Camden and Jules were engaging characters and the plot unfolded like the layers of an onion slowly revealing the truth. I will now seek out other works from this author.

Such a fun twisty drama with family secrets galore! I always love books about the uber rich as it is something I'll never attain. This book is about money and power and greed and what some people will do keep it. I loved the Ruby character and rooted for Jules and Cam. I felt it was more mystery than thriller but still a great read.

Ms. Hawkins does it again! I read this book cover to cover in 24 hours, I could not put it down.

Jules and Cam have been happily married for the past ten years; living in their small, rented home. Cam is a teacher and Jules is making ends meet by working as a living history actor. They are content with their life and with each other.

Then, an e-mail arrives...requesting that Cam return home to his family's compound, Ashby House. You see, Cam is a multi-millionaire heir to his adoptive mother's (the infamous Ruby "Mrs. Kill-More" McTavish) estate. Begrudgingly, Cam agrees to return home to North Carolina, there are affairs to settle and while he is not thrilled, Jules is overly supportive in going to the McTavish home.

Upon arrival, Cam immediately regrets going back. Jules, however, is quickly enamored with Ashby House and encourages her husband to focus on what they came there for.

The secrets, the twists, the ending...this book was fast paced, well-written, and held my attention the entire time. I am already looking forward to Ms. Hawkins next book.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC.