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.

Hello popcorn thriller!

This one was super binge-able. Love me a rich family with secrets and a manor setting. The characters were enigmatic and mysterious, especially the female characters.

The Heiress may be Rachel Hawkins best novel yet. I had the pleasure of reading this book last week while on a beach vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Hawkins does a great job with modern historical fiction and this novel has a bit of a gothic feel to it as well. The story centers around the McTavish family and their creepy estate , Ashby House. Heiress Ruby McTavish was kidnapped as a young child and returned under suspicious conditions, her backstory is highly entertaining. Ruby's adopted son Camden and his eager wife Jules return to Ashby house to hash out the estate and lots of twists and turns ensue. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartionspress for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A story that will keep you guessing. I really loved it. It seemed like I had it figured out but nope! Really enjoyed how the book was structured. It was an easy read with likeable characters. It is shorter in length but delivers a fully thought-out plot line. You are left with no loose ends. I will be recommending this to everyone.

As expected, I binged this one (when I could sit down and read it 🥲) I don’t know how Rachel Hawkins is able to maintain the same level of tension and intrigue the entire time without it seeming to be too much, but she does and I’m so grateful for it.

Ruby, unsurprisingly, was my favorite character. Her tone of voice, quips, and though process was a wild ride to take. Coupled with Jules’s habit of talking directly to the reader, the characters really felt alive.

There’s always so much going on in a Hawkins book that I feel as if I never have time to sleuth it out 🤣 but honestly that’s okay with me because it’s still just as satisfying to be surprised by most of the twists thrown my way. The plot twists were fun and the ending had me wishing I could spend more time in this world to see what happens next.

Would 100% recommend when you need something bingeable, dramatic, and fun to read.

When Ruby McTavish was four years old, she went missing from the forest surrounding her family's North Carolina estate. She is found eight months later and grows up to become the heiress of the estate and the family's multimillion-dollar fortune. After her death, her adopted son, Camden, unexpectedly rejects his inheritance and chooses a simple life as an English teacher in Colorado with his wife, Jules. Ten years later, they are summoned back to Ashby House, the family estate, following the death of Camden's uncle. As they return, dark secrets about the McTavish family, Ruby's past, and the mysteries surrounding her four deceased husbands come to light. Jules is determined to uncover the truth and ensure Camden claims what Ruby intended for him, revealing that family ties can be more complex than they seem, extending beyond the grave.

This is my favorite of Hawkins' books so far. I found Ruby's backstory so engrossing, and while the story was completely implausible, it is fun to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride. This is a great popcorn thriller for someone looking for a bit of escapism and rich people behaving badly.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The Heiress, by Rachel Hawkins, follows the life story of the super rich Ruby McTavish and her family. But there are many secrets and mysteries in the McTavish family history, all of which comes to a head, now in the present, as to who will eventually inherit the family money. The story was told from several points of view: Ruby, her son, and his wife. The suspense was present the entire book, and the plot twists had me guessing up til the very end. A really fun and thrilling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ACR!

I LOVED this book. Well, I love everything she writes to be honest. Set in an elaborate estate with a son who wants nothing to do with the money....the twists keep coming in this fast paced mystery novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of "The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins. This was my first read from this author and now I need to clear out her backlist. Martial discord, behind-closed-door secrets and lies, all while in an isolated setting kept me reading late into the night. I loved the twisted and my inner detective was kept guessing the entire read. Characters were developed and the story was woven in a way that pulled me in.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
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This book is an excellent book to go into blind. You do not need to know anything other than it is a thriller/mystery revolving around a rich heriess. That is all.
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What I loved:
-The format of this book was lots of fun! I kind of had no idea what was going on but was immediately intrigued and needed to know what was going on.
-Lots of fun reveals and little twists that kept me on my toes!
-Soooooooo many guesses were made! Was I right, was I wrong? I will keep my lips sealed on this one. 🤫 (In River Song’s voice, “Spoilers”)
-The end was everything I could have wanted. This was lots of fun to read!
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4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I will need to reflect on this but dare I say it is my favorite Rachel Hawkins yet? I think it might be.

This book kept my attention the entire time! I loved how it was told from multiple POVs and having flashbacks between the past and the present to understand just who Ruby Mctavish was and all the secrets of the residents of Ashby House both past and present!

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading it and loved all of the twists and turns along the way! It was an enjoyable read I would definitely recommend!

Thank you @stmartinspress and @ladyhawkins for my copy!

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved the twists and turns of this dark family drama and the energy of Ruby McTavish! The family secrets kept me turning the page until the very end.

What a mixed up mess of a family! Secrets. Lies. Murder? And even when the secrets come out, we don't know WHO knows what.

This book kept me reading and guessing until the very end. I didn't want to put it down.

And even a little cameo from The Villa!

An amazing read...from start to finish. The Heiress focuses on the life and story of Ruby McTavish, through the perspectives of her letters, her son, Camden, and his wife, Jules. As the story unfolds, you realize that Cam and Jules's connection is deeper than their 10-year marriage. As the two return to Cam's home, the Ashby House, Jules learns more about the family that her husband tried to escape. The plot twists will grip you until you find yourself reading the final pages. I would rate this book 10 stars if I could. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It kept me engaged the entire time. It wasn't spooky but still had twist and turns that kept you flipping the pages. I read this in a day and am bummed it's over!

This thriller follows a couple who travel back to the husband's family estate after the death of his adoptive mother to claim his inheritance. Although the husband has been estranged from the family for years, he was left all of his mother's (Ruby's) assets... And all of the family drama that comes with it. As a reader, we get both husband and wife's perspectives, but also newspaper articles from the past and letters that Ruby has written. Unfortunately, I think the letters really took away a lot of the mystery and intrigue from the story. The main twist was all but spelled out in one of the letters early on, and from that point forward there was no real twist that was surprising. I think this story could have benefited from more showing and less telling in the reveals of the twists throughout. I didn't find anything about this book or the plot twists to be unique or all that thrilling. It was a very average read.