"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a twisty suspense drama, brimming with family secrets and unexplained mysteries. The story is set against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a place that holds a special spot in my heart thanks to a recent visit.

The book dives quickly and deeply into some wild family drama and complicated relationships, and I was immediately hooked on the story of Camden, the adopted son of the mysterious late Ruby McTavish, and his wife, Jules, who has her heart set on helping him claim his inheritance.

The intricate web of family secrets and relationships kept me flipping pages, even if at times I wished for a bit more depth to those relationships - they are spoken about at length, but an additional 60 pages or so to delve deeper into their intricate relationships and backstories would have elevated this book even more and given those relationships a more tangible quality. At only 304 pages, the novel definitely felt a bit brief.

All in all, this was an entertaining ride, though, and I was pleasantly surprised considering I wasn’t a huge fan of the last Hawkins novel I read. "The Heiress" was a different story entirely, though - a gripping read that mixed mystery, romance, and some juicy family secrets that totally satisfied!

The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins :

The premise of the story held immense potential, promising a captivating journey of discovery, intrigue, and perhaps a touch of mystery. However, as I delved deeper into the pages, it became apparent that the pacing of the narrative was a significant stumbling block. The pacing felt slow and often plodding, which hindered the flow of the story. The lack of action in both the initial stages and the middle of the book was a disappointment, as I found myself yearning for more engagement and momentum to drive the plot forward.

One of the key aspects that stood out was the author's attempt to build a compelling climax. While the anticipation for the climax was present, it took an unreasonably long time to materialize. This prolonged buildup tested my patience and at times, made it difficult to maintain a consistent level of interest. The delayed gratification, while occasionally effective, seemed stretched beyond its optimal point.

On the positive side, Hawkins' writing style exhibited moments of elegance and finesse. Her ability to craft vivid descriptions and evoke emotions was evident, making certain scenes resonate powerfully. The character development, although affected by the pacing, did manage to offer glimpses into the intricate personalities of the cast.

"The Heiress" is a novel that comes with both strengths and weaknesses. While the book showcases glimpses of the author's writing prowess and the potential for a captivating storyline, the slow pacing and lack of action throughout the majority of the narrative dampened the overall experience. Despite the drawbacks, I remain appreciative of the opportunity to read an advance copy, and I hope that the novel's elements could resonate more effectively with different readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Saint Martin’s press for providing me an ARC in return for an unbiased review.

A bingey book about a wealthy family’s history and the secrets that have been buried for years… up until now.

This was a strange book for sure. At times, I thought the plot dragged and was confused on the point of the story, but then in hindsight realized how meticulous Hawkins was in setting up the twists, which were great. I enjoyed the alternating POVs, especially how we got letters from the past that detailed the heir of the estate’s life as well as the present from two likable characters who were both clearly hiding their own secrets. Overall, I always applaud Hawkins for her unique stories and if you’ve been a fan of her other books, I’d def give this a chance!

Read if you like:
-Suspense with gothic vibes
-Slow burns
-Family drama
-Creepy mansions
-Rich people problems

Thank you SMP for the ARC. Pub 1/9/24

Thank you so much to NetGalley for my ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The twists kept coming all the way until the end. A load of secrets surrounding a rich family with a beautiful house. Who will inherit it once Ruby McTavish is gone? It will keep you guessing and wondering who has any redeeming qualities after everything is said and done...

I’ve really enjoyed Hawkins last three books, and The Heiress is no different. The cover and honestly the book itself were giving a much darker vibe of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I appreciated how it was broken into multiple POV and we get snippets of letters and news articles mixed in, which I loved.

There’s so much mystery surrounding the infamous Ruby and the Ashby House. What happened to her husbands? What happened to drive MC Camden away and why doesn’t he want to go back? Hawkins is a clever writer, which is why I enjoy her stories so much. She weaves a twisted and binge-worthy read with this one. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my mystery and thriller lovers.

The Heiress read more as a family drama than a thriller. After a point, nothing that was revealed came as a surprise. All of the characters seemed a bit flat. All of them were unlikeable and I did not care about any of them by the end of the book. There was a theme throughout the book that these people did anything they wanted at the cost of others without remorse or consequences. They very often use the money as a fixer to get away with their sins. None of them was better than the other. I appreciate the ARC

I really enjoyed this fast-reading book. Thank you so much for the copy! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting story and late-night readings.

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this publication.

Highly recommend. This book will take over your time! Excellent storyline and characters that slip you into their lives and wont let you move.

Don't skip out on this one.

Written in a classic form, we get a family tale with all the twists and turns, agreements and betrayals so often found in gothic novels.

Oh. My. God. I could NOT put this one down. I was so captivated by this story that I finished the whole book in one day. Haven’t done that in a while! The casual dropping of so many of the twists had me rereading to make sure I was comprehending correctly!! My fav book by this author by far!!

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

Thank you, net galley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
True to Rachel Hawkins form, this one was full of twists and turns from the start! I couldn’t put it down. I loved the development of all of the characters, the changes in points of view, and the short chapters! This was a great read.

I usually really enjoy anything Rachel Hawkins, but The Heiress unfortunately was not my cup of tea. I found it to be confusing at times, and it just didn’t gel together for me. 3/5 stars. I’ll definitely give her future books another try though, because she’s a great author.

Buckle in because this book will take you for a ride! Deception, greed, and manipulation, this book blends everything together with the skill of a Michelin star chef. Hawkins is the master at weaving together multiple points of view. She begins with the sensational headline of a missing heiress Ruby who is found and reunited back with her family. But poor Ruby does not have a fairy tale life. She is a widow four times over and eventually adopts an orphan boy named Cam. He flees to live a simple life with his wife Jules but is eventually called back to reunite with his rich family to settle legal affairs since he is the sole heir to an enormous fortune. Then through a series of letters we learn family secrets from Ruby who is deceased. I could not put this book down! Love Rachel Hawkins writing style and can't wait to read more from her.

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This is the first book I've read by Rachel Hawkins and wow this book had so many twists and layers that I didn't expect. Initially the book was a little hard to get into and slow, but then I enjoyed it more.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins kept me interested, but dragged a bit throughout. The ending also felt far fetched and unsatisfying. Still an enjoyable read overall.

Honestly, the first half of this book just felt like it dragged on, but then it really picked up and got good!

This was super hard to put down. I loved all the mysteries throughout the book, but there were a couple times that it was almost too convoluted to follow at times. I love Rachel Hawkins’ writing style. It is very engaging and entertaining.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

If you enjoy thrillers with:
-Multiple POVs
-Dual timelines
-Twisted family history...
Then this book is for you.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and found this bingeworthy and unputdownable. The setting of the mysterious yet claustrophobic Ashby House was intriguing and ominous. I had read the author's previous work, "The Wife Upstairs" and found I enjoyed the Heiress even more. This grabbed my attention from the beginning and I found myself reading late into the night. I definitely recommend.

I have to say that my expectations for this book were not quite the same as what it turned out to be. This read more as a family drama than a thriller. After a point, nothing that was revealed came as a surprise. All of the characters seemed a bit flat and unrounded to me. All of them were unlikeable and I did not care about any of them by the end of the book. There was a theme throughout that these people did anything they wanted at the cost of others without remorse or consequences. They very often use the money as a fixer to get away with their sins. None of them was better than the other. Perhaps that was the point that the author was going for, but I found it ponderous and a bit trite. To me, the book never quite made the promise that was set up in the blurb.

In "The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins, a riveting tale unfolds as Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore's death sets off a chain of revelations. Her wealth and infamous history cast a shadow over the town of Tavistock. When her adopted son, Camden, shuns his inheritance, the story takes an unexpected turn.

Years later, Cam and his wife, Jules, return to the McTavish world at Ashby House. The estate holds secrets about Ruby's past, her four mysterious husbands, and Cam's adoption. The narrative skillfully navigates family bonds and buried truths.

For thriller enthusiasts, "The Heiress" is a captivating choice. With its suspenseful plot, intricate characters, and relentless pacing, the novel keeps you engaged from start to finish. Dive into this gripping mystery where legacies are more than money, and family secrets are starting to be revealed.