Another great book by Rachel Hawkins! Love her writing style and how you are pulled into the storyline from the opening pages. Holds your interest with so many twists and turns.

I like the mixed perspectives Rachel Hawkins does, and I did find this story interesting. It didn't necessarily grip or shock me, which I feel is a bit of a negative considering this is a thriller.

A nearly perfect gothic novel, full of family secrets, hidden identities, a contested inheritance, suspicious characters, and a gorgeous old mansion, all contained within a page-turner plot. Very fun read!

I saw it coming, but I enjoyed the ride.
I was interested in this because it’s set nearby, in the mountains of North Carolina and I’ve read everything by Rachel Hawkins.
The story is twisty, but with lots of clues/foreboding. I enjoyed the writing, but the story is a bummer. As an adoptive mom, I just couldn't enjoy the story about an unloved, unaccounted adopted kid.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free Arc!

Yes, this was a three star read, but a high three star. If I did decimal point ratings, it might be more of a 3,5. Except I don't do that, so I don't know if that's be fully accurate either. Anyway, I did really enjoy my time reading this book. I was captivated, and it was a highly addicting read. I just didn't want to stop reading because I just needed to figure out how all these pieces fit together. However, I need to say that the two really big twists/reveals I was coming from miles, and miles away. There were some smaller twists I didn't nececarily see coming, but they weren't meaningful enough for that dissapointment at those bigger reveals being so predictable to go away. That truly is why I can't give this a four star though. It just made those climax moments fall flat for me.
However, like I said I did quite enjoy my time reading this book. I especially loved the letters we got from Ruby, detailing her life. I thought those parts of the book were easily the most interesting. Ruby was an absolute icon. She wasn't a good person. She did many bad things, but I can't help but think of her as an icon (just because she's fictional, migth I add). The narrative voice in those letters was also just so incredibly compelling. We also got some media reports about Ruby, Ashby house, and everything that surrounds it. I also quite liked those parts. They weren't a big part, nor did they add any info we really desperately needed, but they did give an insight in just how infamous this family was/is. It also was a great way to break up the main narrative.
Talking about that main narrative though, that was my least favourite part. The chapters from Cam and Jules' POV weren't as interesting and the story a bit slow moving. However, I just couldn't stop reading because I needed to know how the letters fit into this, or what it was all leading to. It took some time getting into that part of the story, but once I did I was captivated. It's just sad, that almost immediately after the reveals started happening, and we already know how I feel about those. Jules as a character also gave me the ick for quite a lot of this book, and I don't think she was supposed to to this extend. I think the author intended to have her be the same as Ruby, someone who didn't always do the right thing but still an icon to some extend. However, that wasn't Jules to me. The way she just completely disregards her husbands trauma for her own profit right until she becomes a "victim" of those some people just rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe, you should just be on your husband of ten years side when he says these people are vile, and this house has too many bad memories for him to ever feel comfortable living in it. But, I don't know. It didn't read very girlboss to me, like it clearly was supposed to.

Ever since Daphne DuMaurier wrote Rebecca, readers have enjoyed stories set in atmospheric mansions and their environs. That is the case here in a story that takes place in North Carolina. The mansion was the home of an extremely rich woman whose first name was Ruby.

Ruby had quite a history. When she was young, Ruby got lost in the woods and was taken by a family who had lost their own child. Her wealthy parents searched for her and eventually Ruby made it home. Were the events really as described? Readers may wonder as they turn the pages.

Ruby went on to marry four times. All of Ruby’s husbands seem to have come to bad ends. Was Ruby responsible?

Ruby adopted a child. Why did she adopt Cam? Are there any secrets here? Again, readers will wonder as they turn the pages.

Around Ruby and Cam there are many other characters. These include Ruby’s jealous sister, with whom she never got along, and her sister‘s children, among others. All have their parts to play.

For his part, Cam wanted a normal life, even though he could live the life of a very rich person. Instead, Cam isan English teacher who lives in Colorado with his wife, Jools. When Cam and Jools decide to go to North Carolina, events are set in motion.

I enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful and engaging. I liked how the narrative took different forms, including letters, newspaper reports, etc.

Those looking for a page turning read, look no further. The Heiress will entertain you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Camden McTavish inherits his adopted mother's fortune when she passes. But instead of staying at the famous Ashby Estate in the mountains of North Carolina and spending his inheritance, he leaves town and hasn't touched the money. Camden wants nothing to do with the McTavish legacy. After being gone for 10 years, an email from his cousin finally lures Camden back to Ashby House with his wife Jules.

The Heiress included multiple POVs that kept me interested in the story. It's definitely more of a slow burn mystery than a thriller, but did include some interesting twists and turns toward the end. I wish the whole story had moved at that pace. Overall, it was an interesting read that I'd recommend.

This was a hit for me! This plot was something. It is fairly predictable in the end, but, regardless, it was fun watching it unravel. I look forward to her next work!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

This is my first book by this author (I know, I'm surprised too), and I really enjoyed it!

This is a slow burn that picks up at the end. I flew through it though, and I guess I read it fast enough that I didn't give myself time to try to guess the twists that were at the end. It kept my interest, and I really liked the sections that were letters from Ruby so we got her backstory.

Now to find all the books I have from this author's backlist....

Well this was fun! I loved the eerie atmosphere. I read this in two settings and couldn’t put it down. It definitely gave me Evelyn Hugo and Knives out vibes. I loved reading Ruby’s perspective and the use of multimedia. It was definitely a slowburn thriller so the ending was predictable but overalla fun time.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was really surprised at how good this book was. I love a book that has such well thought out twists. They weren’t predictable (maybe one or two), but the surprises just continued to keep coming. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and every time I had to put it down, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up. The characters were just right and the story was like an onion that had layer and layer. I couldn’t get enough and I didn’t feel like this was forced and I didn’t feel like there was any fluff that didn’t belong… it was well thought out and continued to deliver one revelation after another! Obsessed with this thriller. Will be recommending!

Page turning thriller that was both fun and gripping! I feel like the book was really well thought out and planned, it felt ingenious and intelligent.

The first half of the book I couldn’t put down, I haven’t read that quickly in a long time!

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins, I had from @Netgalley, but then I still waited until I could read it physically.

This suspense thriller follows a woman who is married to a man living in Colorado. He is estranged from his family, but his family trying to deal with the estate after his adopted mother passes makes him have to come home even though he wants nothing to do with the inheritance. Family secrets galore especially when the family doesn’t believe he’s entitled to any of it.

❤️Review❤️

I have loved The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls. The Villa wasn’t my favorite, which left me unsure with how I would be with The Inheritance. I’m happy to say that my enjoyment went back up. I liked how this one played out. I found the storyline to be intriguing and it was interesting to follow to see how the pieces would unfold. I was always slightly on edge unsure of where it was going. My only downside was that it was a bit slower than I would have liked. It had the fun article elements that usually help the pace, but I felt that it took me longer than a 300 page book should. Slowness added to the gothic creep factor, but I would have loved it to just a teensy bit faster paced. I love that none of her books feel repetitive. You are always getting something new from her.

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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This novel takes us on a captivating journey of love, wealth, and family, but what sets it apart is the unique approach of presenting the protagonist Ruby's life through her letters. With each letter, Ruby slowly reveals her life and the lies she has told the world. And just when you think you have it all figured out, the plot takes a surprising twist. I was glued to my seat and refused to stop reading.
Overall, I highly recommend it!

This was such a fun thriller full of plenty of twists, turns, and all of the family drama. I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed this one and would widely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a super bingeable thriller. This one definitely kept me guessing all the way through and tops The Woman Upstairs as my favorite Rachel Hawkins.

Rich people drama? Got it.
Lush, atmospheric setting? That too.
Femme fatale main character? You betcha.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a review copy.

4.5 stars

I think The Heiress is my favorite of Rachel Hawkins' books. The setting was so atmospheric and addicting to read. I loved the family drama with twists and turns of a plot that I din't see coming.

I loved The Wife Upstairs and was very excited to receive this copy of Rachel’s newest book! I loved all the interconnected mysteries and I enjoyed the 3 different points of view, but Ruby’s voice was my favorite. I enjoyed learning about her growing up and her relationships with her husbands. I thought I had figured out the twist at the end, but it turned out there were a few other unexpected twists that made the last 25% of the book unputdownable! It was a very enjoyable, quick read and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Rachel Hawkins’ books never disappoint!

This one is a slow burn with lots of family drama. Multiple POV and one is letters which I always looked forward to reading. So many secrets throughout the second half that shocked me. Can’t wait to keep reading Rachel Hawkins’s books!

#bookstagram #booklover #netgalley #earc #rachelhawkins #theheiress

I enjoyed this a lot. It pulled me in quickly, and before I knew it, I had read the whole thing in an afternoon. There's nothing particularly shocking in the plot - there are twists, but they are relatively obvious and I definitely saw them coming, or at least I was able to speculate that something would be coming. But despite the lack of huge surprises, I was tethered to these characters and really interested in how things would shake out. I knew people weren't always who they said they were, and that multiple characters had ulterior motives, but I was along for the ride to see what all of those details would be. This is one of those not at all scary thrillers that is just a fun ride.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins explores family secrets, legacy, and the ties that bind us, even from beyond the grave. Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, the novel weaves a narrative that keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last.

The story begins with the death of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina's wealthiest and most notorious woman. The heiress, who was the subject of a high-profile kidnapping as a child, and also experienced the tragedy of being widowed four times, leaves behind a legacy that proves to be both a blessing and a curse for her adopted son, Camden.

Camden's decision to reject his inheritance and lead a simple life as an English teacher in Colorado sets the stage for Hawkins’ exploration of identity and the pursuit of a normal life. The introduction of Jules, Camden's wife, adds depth to the narrative, as she, too, seeks to escape a turbulent past.

The plot takes an unexpected turn when the couple is drawn back to Ashby House, the family estate, after the death of Camden's uncle. The grandeur of the house serves as an eerie stage for the unraveling of Ruby's mysterious life.

Hawkins skillfully builds suspense as the couple delves into the dark secrets surrounding Ruby's past. The persistent rumors from her childhood, the mysterious deaths of her four husbands, and the reasons behind Camden's adoption all come to light, weaving a tapestry of intrigue.

The characters are richly developed, each carrying their own burdens and histories that add layers to the overall narrative. As Jules and Camden grapple with the legacy of Ashby House and the revelations about Ruby, they discover that family ties are not easily severed, even in the face of scandal and mystery.

Rachel Hawkins' writing is engaging, with vivid descriptions. The novel seamlessly blends elements of mystery, family drama, and romance, making it a compelling read for fans of various genres.

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