THE GOOD:
A truly fascinating twist that I didn't anticipate! (But probably should have!)
Truly creepy, which I didn't expect either!

THE BAD:
I was hoping for more environment saturation into the Blue Ridge Mountains.

CONCLUSION:
Recommended. Great for thriller/suspense lovers.

I had really high hopes for this one, and it was written well, but it wasn’t as intense or thrilling as I had hoped it would be. Although, I wasn’t able to predict the big twist at the end, so that’s always a plus! I would recommend to friends.

That was really Verity type shit there. As usual, well written and intriguing. Love a Rachel Hawkins novel!

This book was a very unexpected mystery. Camden and Jules seemed like such a normal couple. The McTavish family was bizarre, I don't blame Camden for leaving and starting a new life. I REALLY did not see all of the plot twists coming.

This gripping novel, set within the enigmatic confines of Ashby House, presents a tantalizing mystery that grips readers from start to finish. With its clever twists and relentless pace, it immerses readers in a world brimming with secrets and intrigue, fueled by the enigmatic persona of Ruby McTavish, dubbed "Lady Kill-more," whose presence adds an extra layer of complexity.

The narrative unfolds through three distinct perspectives: Camden, an orphan who rejects his family's fortune only to be drawn back into its web of secrets; Jules, his wife, who longs for the wealth and status denied to her by her humble upbringing; and the letters of Ruby McTavish, whose shadow looms large over the unfolding drama.

As the story unravels, readers are introduced to a cast of characters entangled in a web of deceit and hidden agendas, each harboring secrets that threaten to unravel the delicate balance of power within the family. Behind the opulent facade of Ashby House lie truths that have the potential to reshape the lives of all involved, leaving readers eagerly turning pages in anticipation of the next revelation.

Filled with unexpected twists and pulse-pounding suspense, this novel is a testament to the author's skill in crafting intricate and compelling narratives. From its captivating characters to its atmospheric setting, it's a must-read for fans of gripping thrillers.

Ok first of all I love Rachel Hawkins and love all her books so I was super excited about this newest release. I always love Rachel’s writing and this book was very similar in style to The villa in that there are regular 1st person POV chapters as well as articles and letters. Because of this I feel like this book was super quick and easy to read and totally binge-able. However the thriller aspect fell a little short. This felt more like a family drama than a thriller. The big reveals and revelations were so heavily foreshadowed that the weren’t shocking at all and when I’m reading a thriller I want to be smacked so hard by that plot twist that my head spins. Ya know?! The characters were all so unlikable which is great but I almost wish they had been MORE creepy. Just slightly more unhinged. And the house itself could have had more of a haunted feel to it since it was such a character as well. All in all I’d say this was an easy and entertaining read but not my favorite from Rachel.

As I read this book, I devoured the pages! I was doing my best to find more time that I could spend reading it! Hawkins did a great job of painting the picture for us readers with her details and the characters came to life with their individual voices. I think this book would be a fabulous movie! I would definitely recommend it!!

This is probably my favorite of all the Rachel Hawkins’ books that I’ve read. I enjoyed the twists though I did see a lot of them coming. And I will admit there were parts when the twists got confusing to me. This being said I really enjoyed the story. It’s giving a dark Evelyn Hugo!

This was an enjoyable read. I liked all the layers to the story, though it felt a bit much at times. I thought I would get through it a bit quicker than I did, but I did like all the twists, and the ending was interesting.

Hawkins’ thrillers seem to be hit-or-miss for me. I liked this much better than The Villa, but I didn’t love it as much as I hoped. The premise is great, but it felt more like a family drama than an actual thriller, and I suppose I expected something a bit more sinister overall. However, Hawkins does a great job at writing morally gray main characters that are (mostly) likable. I like her conversational writing style, and I particularly enjoyed the sections from Ruby’s POV, which gave the story a bit of an Evelyn Hugo vibe.

The story itself moves along at a good pace, but I liked the first half more than the second and I didn’t think the twists were super shocking. The ending was fine, and I appreciated how it was tied up pretty neatly rather than leaving the reader with something ambiguous.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. An entertaining thriller.

I absolutely loved this book. I was so excited to read another Rachel Hawkins novel, I thoroughly enjoyed Reckless Girls, and The Heiress did not disappoint. A truly exciting twist and story that kept me from being able to put the book down. I can’t wait to read what she publishes next

This is a smart, well written, perfectly paced and plotted story, both thrilling and satisfying, and in my opinion, Rachel Hawkins’ best book yet.

This gives off serious Evelyn Hugo vibes! I loved the history feel of this mixed with rich wealthy scandals. The cover matches the inside because it’s alluring and you question a lot when you’re reading it. Get your Agatha Christie hat on because the end might even surprise you,

Rachel Hawkins is certainly an author I frequently keep up with, whether it's her thrillers or the witchy rom-coms she writes under the name Erin Sterling.
In fact, I loved her YA series growing up, and think it's so fun to be a fan of her adult books now, over a decade later. I think THE HEIRESS is Sterling at her best. This novel is original, imaginative, and checks off several of my boxes, the biggest being rich people problems, of course! Ruby McTavish dies North Carolina's richest and most notorious woman. Not only did she make headlines when she was kidnapped as a baby, but all four of her husbands mysteriously died while married to her. When she dies, she leaves behind a nine-figure fortune, an estate in the Blue Ridge mountains and a complicated legacy that her adopted son Camden is now in charge of. Although Camden left the family years ago, his wife Jules persuades him to return to his hometown, where the couple learns that Ruby wasn't the only McTavish keeping dark secrets. I LOVED this book and absolutely devoured it. Ruby is an incredibly compelling character. The chapters told from her POV in the form of letters divulging her life story were so much fun to read, and felt very cinematic.
We also get chapters from the perspective of Camden and Jules, which aren't quite as captivating, which is my biggest critique of the novel. This book honestly feels like someone took THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO, set it in the North Carolina mountains, and gave it a healthy pinch of murder. Truly a winning combo.

I really enjoyed this book, however it was not what I typically expect from a mystery book. This story is told from three different points of view. I found this book to be easy to follow and enjoyed all the twists and turns throughout. A must read!

I got this on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I don't know why I requested it when I am not a huge fan of Rachel Hawkins...but here we are lesson learned.

One of the main drawbacks of this book is its pacing. The story moves at a sluggish pace, with long periods of stagnation that make it difficult to maintain interest. Instead of building tension and momentum, the narrative feels bogged down by unnecessary details and repetitive scenes, leading to a lack of excitement and anticipation.

Additionally, the characters in The Heiress lack depth and development, making it challenging for readers to connect with them on a meaningful level. The protagonist, Alva Webster, while initially intriguing as a wealthy heiress with a mysterious past, ultimately comes across as one-dimensional and unrelatable. Her motivations and actions feel forced at times, detracting from the authenticity of her character.

The plot itself feels contrived and predictable. While there are moments of intrigue and suspense, they are overshadowed by clichés and tropes that have been done better in other works. The mystery at the heart of the story lacks complexity and fails to deliver any truly surprising twists or revelations, leaving readers underwhelmed by the resolution.

Overall, this isn't a book for me or an author for me so proceed with caution.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is a mystery novel full of intrigue, lies and secrets. Ruby McTavish is a household name in the small town of Tavistock. She was kidnapped as a young child and had a string of dead husbands. When Ruby McTavish dies her large estate, Ashby House, goes to her adopted son, Camden. Camden wants nothing to do with the house or money even though his relatives are still living there. Once Camden’s uncle dies he returns to Ashby House with his wife, Jules. Camden’s estranged family members come after him and his inheritance.

The Heiress is told from dual POVs (Jules and Camden) in the present and the past is told through letters that Ruby wrote.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Parts I really enjoyed and others had me frustrated.

What I Enjoyed:

I really liked Ruby’s letters telling her story and version of events. I only kept reading because of Ruby’s storyline. I was fascinated by this wealthy woman who turned to unconventional ways to solve her problems.

The drama! There’s so much family drama, what’s not to like?? Everyone has secrets and I enjoyed trying to figure them out along the way.

The audiobook, the narrators did a fantastic job.

What I Didn’t Like:

The pacing. Parts of the story are slow (and boring) while the ending felt rushed. I enjoyed how the story wrapped up but I wish it was drawn out a bit more. A lot of the twists are told right at the end.

I've read almost all of Rachel Hawkins' books and I find her very hit or miss for me. This one I REALLY enjoyed. The McTavish family is a very wealthy well known family who runs a town in North Carolina. Ruby is the Heiress of the estate and much to her family's dismay, she leaves all her riches to her adoptive son Camden.

Camden however wants nothing to do with the family or the money. He is back at the Ashby house after a death in the family and the family drama begins.

I loved hearing Ruby's story through her letters which seemed straightforward at first but then there is a twist! The letters tell us about all of Ruby's past husbands and that part reminded me a little of Evelyn Hugo.

There is a lot that unfolds in this story and I would highly recommend. I will continue to read Hawkins for gems like this one!

This book was a captivating and unique reading experience! The blend of different narrative styles, including past and present timelines, newspaper clippings, and multiple points of view, added a depth and richness to the story. It's intriguing that the entire book is directed at the reader from the main character's perspective; that kind of intimate storytelling can really draw readers in. And who doesn't love a story with unexpected twists? Overall, it was a highly engaging read that would appeal to anyone looking for something fresh and compelling.