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Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of The Heiress.

Rachel Hawkins is one I will read whatever she writes. I've loved everything except The Villa so I was nervous going into this. I am happy to say she's back! I didn't love the letters or articles at first (still wasn't a fan of the articles), but the letters (Ruby) grew to be one of my favorite characters. I did figure out how it would end fairly early, but I enjoyed the story and writing so much I didn't care. The characterization was well done, storyline great, writing great. I never got bored or skimmed. Any fans of her will devour this!

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Loved this book!! In fact, I can’t remember the last time I read a book so fast! I love a book that can keep me turning the pages, and not worry about anything else but the book! This storyline was fast-paced, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

This story is about Ruby McTavish, a wealthy little girl who was lost in the woods near her home in North Carolina at only three years old. Ruby was found eight months later in another state and returned home. As Ruby grows up in her mansion known as the Ashby House, she often feels that some things about her aren’t quite right.

Ruby writes letters prior to her death at an elderly age, and through these letters we see what transpired during her years growing up and her four marriages. Ruby also had an adopted son named Camden, who is set to inherit all of the McTavish fortune. Camden wants nothing to do with the family money and he has stayed away from his cold and unkind family members for years. However, he gets notified by his cousin that he should come to Ashby House after the passing of his uncle, and Camden’s wife Jules thinks it would be a great idea to visit.

When Camden and Jules arrive at Ashby House, the fun really begins! This was a very dysfunctional family. I loved getting the different POV’s from Camden, Jules, and Ruby. And while getting all these different viewpoints, we can question what really makes a family?

I highly recommend this book! As I’ve mentioned before I read for entertainment and enjoyment - and that’s what this book gave me! This book also had short chapters (my favorite), which made for a quick read. Add this book to your list- you can thank me later! 😉

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this copy, which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: January 9, 2024.

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Solid 3.5 stars. Hawkins has quickly become one of my favorites; even if this isn’t the most mind boggling story, it’s clever and the pacing is excellent. I liked the POV shifts with the letters and articles mixed in and it had just the right amount of twists. The ending wrapped up nicely, too.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved this book. Ruby and Jules were great characters. I liked how the letters were interwoven with the story. and the moments when one of the characters would break the fourth wall and speak directly to the reader. One twist got me but I guessed another. Neither felt like an unfair trick by the author (which was a good thing.)

I've never read anything by this author before and will definitely check out some of her other titles.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book!

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The very best book by Rachel Hawkins. A lot of the usual suspense but with an original and interesting plot, with many unanticipated twists. The story is about a young couple, but the plot mostly focuses on husband Camden and his wealthy, cruel, and eccentric family. The fun part of the book is the many ways the author plays with the reader to build suspense and twist the plot. Because of this, I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

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Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC
I recently read my first Rachel book and enjoy her writing style. This one had just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me interested. The chapters were short and the characters were likeable enough

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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Another excellent book by Rachel Hawkins, impossible to put down; what a great read!
A dysfunctional wealthy family living in a bubble has been avoided by Cam, the son, for 10 years. He inherited everything, but doesn't want any of it and lives happily with his wife Jules ... until he's forced back.
What a twisted tale! I can't recommend this book highly enough and would give it more stars if I could.

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Not going to lie, this book started really slow and was confusing. But by about 30% of the way through I started to get a little more understanding of what was happening. Even still, it took until about 70% for me to be fully invested in the book. Once I was invested though, it was amazing.

I was expecting more of a thriller going into this book, but it ended up being more of a family drama with a dash of murder, and I’m not mad about it. The characters were well developed and I was surprised by the ending. I did guess one of the twists of the book, but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the actions of a few of the characters.

I loved how the story was told. There were several timelines going, which gave snip its of the different characters without giving the reader too much or ruining the mystery. Finding out the key details of the story and trying to piece them together as I read was fun, and I’m glad the story ended the way it did. While I could see the twist coming, it was done differently than I had expected.

I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow! Rachel Hawkins has done it again. The Heiress is a twisty, intriguing tale that will grip readers from start to finish. The tale of Rubys’ life, told through letters throughout the book, is fascinating, as is the present day storyline, told through two different points of view, all showing what a deeply dysfunctional family looks like.

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4 stars out of 5.

Rachel Hawkins did an excellent job with this book. It is full of twists and turns, you never know what is going to happen next. I really loved the ending, it really tied everything together for me. If you love family drama mixed with mystery this book is for you!

A wealthy North Carolina family ends up losing their young daughter, Ruby, in the woods. She eventually is found in Alabama and is returned to her family. The story continues on recounting Ruby's life, including her family and her adopted Son Camden. The book is written in multiple POV's that help you understand the story and it really draws you into the story.

A big thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Entertaining story in which the characters are revealed gradually. Not much is what it first seems and while no one is
Completely virtuous the resolution of the plot left me with a smile.
Like the Villa this was a book that had me turning the pages quickly. Good book to read in one sitting.

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Set against the backdrop of opulent wealth and high society, this book skillfully weaves together elements of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers guessing until the very end. And I loved that!

Cora’s determination was inspiring and motivating all at the same time! With every page, Hawkins expertly revealed the layers of Cora's character, portraying her as both strong-willed and vulnerable.

Hawkins showcases her talent for vivid descriptions, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the glamorous world of the early 20th century. From the lavish parties to the ornate ballrooms, the settings come to life, making the story all the more enchanting. The Heiress deftly explores themes of love, ambition, and societal expectations, delving into the complexities of relationships and the sacrifices one must make in pursuit of happiness.

While the novel was thoroughly enjoyable, at times, the pacing feels a bit uneven, with some sections dragging while others race by. However, these minor flaws do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story!

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I do love a story with twists and turns that I can’t predict! I especially enjoyed the setting and getting to know Ruby through her letters. The other characters each added something to the plot and I quickly found myself fully immersed in the story. This was my first Rachel Hawkins book and I’m a fan!

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I started this book with some hesitation, not having read a real mystery in quite some time. Within a few minutes I was all in - finding myself mad I couldn't read faster to see what would happen around the next corner. The setting is cozy until it's not. Colorado to the mountains of North Carolina, you can feel the story change as the characters settle in to the old money estate. Characters you like until you don't and characters you hate, until suddenly you don't.
While some surprises were predictable, most were a shock. And they just kept coming. While this was a quick read (tbh not sure if that was the actual length, or the speed at which I barreled through needing answers), it was a fun one.

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In true RH fashion, she wrote another great one! Hooked me in instantly!!!!
I’ll 10/10 recommend this one!
Thank you, NetGalley!

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A tantalizing blend of gothic themes with modern day slow burn vibes, The Heiress is a twisty suspense story that was a win for me.
Thank you St Martin's for this early copy of The Heiress... This is my favorite book from Rachel Hawkins so far, I loved the twisting gothic vibes, the use of a house as part of the setting/story, it was a character itself, and I loved how the twists dropped into place. Ruby's voice in particular was strong, sassy, and well written with her backstory/letters. This was a perfect read from a beach deck this past week and yet I can see this being a perfect beat the winter blues (or perfect winter vacation) read.

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this was a page turner thriller i love rachels older books but this one was just as good I couldnt stop flipping the page to see what was going on, there was twists and turns. great read!

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Thank you for the opportunity to read & review before the publish date.
I read Reckless Girls and didn’t like it that much so I was a little reluctant about this one. However, there were plenty twists, turns, and reveals up until the very end. This was a fun read.

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Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC!
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❤️I’m pretty speechless…Hawkins created such a brilliant mystery that every page held a new piece of information as well as a new twist! I find it hard for me to really enjoy a mystery, but Hawkins always draws me in as you think you know what’s going to happen next but she throws you for a loop each time.❤️
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💎The Heiress follows a young couple, Camden and Jules, as they journey through Ashby house. It’s written mainly through letters from Ruby, Camdens mother through adoption. These letters hold all of Ruby's dark secrets and the truth behind her lies…leading Camden and Jules down a spiraling path of there own as they wad through the inheritance of the Ashby House and their own sin’s they have kept locked from eachother.💎
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🩸This was truly a marvelous read that will have readers questioning everything as they get to the last few chapters!🩸

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I really enjoyed the latest outing from Rachel Hawkins, The Heiress. It's an intriguing mystery and family drama where an heiress dies, leaving her fortune and Ashby House estate to her adopted son Cam, who wants nothing to do with it. Years later when Cam's uncle dies, Cam and his wife Jules are drawn back in to dealing with his estranged family and Ashby House and uncovering long buried secrets from the past.

There is a mixed media element (newspaper articles, emails), letters from the heiress while she was still alive and then perspective chapters from Cam and Jules which help keep the pace of the story going. The reveals come often enough that they hold the readers interest and keep the pages turning as well. I enjoy Hawkins writing overall and this one was no different. She does a wonderful job of capturing the atmosphere of Ashby House and who doesn't love an old house full of secrets?

If you are a fan of mysteries, family drama and continuous reveals, definitely pick this one up in Jan 2024.

*Thank you to Net Galley for the advance reader copy.*

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