The Heiress

I will say listening to the audio in the beginning with the different character's names and the switching of POV and timelines it got slightly confusing. I think reading it, in the beginning, would have been slightly easier to connect the dots to everyone.

However the story itself was really interesting almost like Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but darker and with murder, or I guess I should say murders.😈 There is always something so interesting about hearing stories of old money families and the secrets they keep.

I loved hearing Ruby's stories of her husbands and their past. I was very interested to see what role Jules played. Whether she was an innocent person caught in this tumultuous family or if her secrets were connected to the infamous McTavish family. Camden's secretive and blasé attitude towards his family and their (his) wealth added intrigue to the story as well. I couldn’t quite figure out his or Jules’s roles to play. So many unreliable narrators left me as a reader questioning everyone and everything!

I loved the Gothic thriller feel this book had. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains it gave this haunted rural vibe, unlike her last thrillers.

I definitely suggest this one if you’re looking for a bingeable mystery.

This story of family history and how it shapes your life was an interesting one. I enjoyed the way Ruby's stories were told through letters, switching up the timeline and the narrator. Great surprises and a fun read (listen)!
Thank you to McMillan audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Rachel Hawkins and MacMillan Audio for this fabulous audiobook. It captured my attention immediately and I finished it in one day.
Hawkins unravels the layers of Ruby's life, delving into the dark rumors surrounding her childhood kidnapping, the mysterious deaths of her four husbands, and the reasons behind her adoption of Camden. The author creates a palpable sense of intrigue, keeping readers hooked as they navigate the twists and turns of the McTavish family history.
The characters of Jules and Cam bring a relatable human element to the story. Their return to Ashby House opens a box of family secrets, forcing them to confront the true nature of Ruby's legacy. The exploration of inheritance goes beyond material wealth, encompassing the intangible bonds that tie families together, transcending time and death.

Thank you for the ARC copy. This book did not keep my interest. I got confused by the characters and did not feel drawn into the storyline.

This is by far my favorite book by this author. The dark secrets and scandal had me shook! I loved the dual timeline and the backstory really helped develop the plot. I binged this in a day and a half and couldn't get it out of my head for weeks after.

The McTavish family are very prominent and have been ruling their town of Tavistock for as long as people can remember. When Ruby McTavish dies, she leaves a mark on the state of North Carolina as not only the richest woman, but also one of the most notorious. You see, she was the victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and has been a window four times over. When she passed she left Ashby House and her entire estate to her adopted son Camden, who surprisingly wants little to do with any of it. Ten years later, another family tragedy brings Camden and his wife, Jules, back to North Carolina - and this time they may be “home” for good. But Ruby’s plans were always more complicated than they appeared. Everyone seems to have something to hide. They quickly learn that they may have more questions than answers and that familial connections transcend death.


Rachel Hawkins has been a bit hit or miss for me - I loved The Wife Upstairs, but didn’t care for Reckless Girls or The Villa, so I went into this one a bit hesitant but with an open mind. This book was a bit of a slow burn, but I loved the atmospheric nature of this one and thought each of the characters were so well developed. Listening on audio was fantastic - I loved the narrator and thought she did great with the accents and even brought the sly nature of Ruby to life! Ruby’s letters throughout the book were well placed and I enjoyed getting snippets of information that “clicked” everything together through them. The twists were clever and added to the intricate plot! If you’re looking for a family drama with a good suspense element to it, be sure to pick this one up! I highly recommend the audio version.

An entertaining mystery that will keep you guessing. Things are not as they seem, and this makes the story of a wealthy 4-time widow who leaves it all to her adopted son, a page-turner. The present-day story of this son, returning with his wife to the mansion where he grew up, is interspersed with flashbacks in the form of letters from his mother that tell her story. The characters were fascinating and the story moves quickly. The narrators give realistic portrayals and make the story more riveting. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

This was everything and much, much more! You guys, pick up the book or audiobook today! Hawkins is an automatic author for me to read! I love her whitty, charming, twisty, and snarky writing style. Her characters pop off the page with gusto! 5 star read for this one. This left me wanting more to the Ruby, Jules and Cam story. Congratulations Ms. Hawkins you’ve done it yet again :)

The McTavish family lives in the Ashby house. The family matriarch Ruby has quite a background story herself. Gone missing as a 3 year old and found a year later kidnapped and living with another family. More popularity follows her throughout her life as she becomes a widow 4x over, by choice or just unlucky in love?Upon her passing she leaves the Ashby house to her adopted son. The 10 years following, her adopted son, Camden, wants nothing to do with the money, family or the Ashby house and only returning home after an email from his nephew begging him to come repair the Ashby home. Camden and his wife Jules go to the Ashby house. Can their marriage survive the secrets within the Ashby house, the secrets of the family still living within the walls?

This was a great thriller. It kept me guessing up to the very last few pages. I looked forward to picking it up and seeing where the story went.

The audio book is outstanding! The narrators really capture the characters and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it.

The next Rachel Hawkins novel did not disappoint. Filled with twists and turns, this novel had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Told in both duel timeline and duel POVs with some letters thrown in, it was easy to follow and keep track of all characters. I enjoyed this thriller more than I thought I would.

The narration in the audio book was phenomenal. alternating between Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, and Patti Murin, it was easy to tell all the characters POVs apart. The narrators did a great job bringing this novel to life.

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of the book.

The twists! Loved this book!!!

I have read other titles by this author but this is my favorite!
I will recommend this to patrons looking for new reads.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and St Martins Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I have to first start by saying that I love me a good Rachel Hawkins book! I loved Reckless Girls and I feel like this one is very similar to that, in that they are fast paced, easy to read books. She definitely knows how to keep the readers engaged and is able to keep my attention with the short chapters! However, I don’t really like the market of this book. I don’t love how it felt more like a family drama than a thriller. The storyline is mostly focused on the letters that Ruby McTavish wrote to an unknown person. In my opinion I don’t feel like the “thriller” part of the book happened until the last like 20-25% of the book. However, that being said, this is still a solid book and I absolutely loved the storyline. I also loved the audiobook narrator. I felt like they definitely kept the reader engaged and definitely added to the atmosphere of the novel!

Overall, definitely one I would recommend, especially if you are looking for like a nice pallet cleaner to read inbetween thrillers!

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a riveting novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its twisty plot and enjoyable narrative. Hawkins skillfully weaves a tale filled with unexpected turns and surprises, making it a delightful read for those who appreciate a good mystery. The characters are well-developed, and the author's writing style keeps the pace engaging throughout the book. "The Heiress" is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and satisfying literary experience.

I have a new favorite book by this author!! I am one of those people who loved Rachel Hawkins already, but when I saw early reviews of this from people who I know did not enjoy her previous works, raving over The Heiress, I couldn't wait to dive in!!

This book has it all: old, rich family filled to the brim with secrets; a large spooky maybe-murder house; and so many twists and turns! Hawkins is a master at creating a super atmospheric book, and this setting might be my favorite of hers yet. The pacing was incredible, and the story was so good! I loved it!

I don't know where to start with this title. It was so engaging and entertaining that you frequently found yourself smiling or laughing aloud at some of the quips.

First, I'd like to give kudos to the narrators. I sometimes do not like audiobooks because of the narration, but this one I was pleasantly surprised. I believe that they provided the nuance, the humor, the fear, all the emotions that the characters were feeling in a very realistic way. When Cam returns to his wealthy family estate after years away, secrets and lies are exposed and everyone seems to have something at stake.

****Spoiler ********
The most interesting character is revealed to be decease very early in the book. The author makes her presence so big and and so important to the story, that you find yourself hoping that somehow it has all been a big mistake and you are waiting for her return.

Cam's feelings about his family are quickly shown to be well justified and the reaction from him and his wife upon returning to his homestead are vastly different. I won't lie, I guessed the "twists" really early on, but that did not stop me from enjoying listening to it all play out, which was largely in part of the excellent voices.

I was so satisfied with this audiobook that I purchased the print copy as well. I was also not at all bothered by the flashbacks, as they really were needed to understand the characters and their motivations.

I highly recommend that others visit the "mountains" with Cam and Jules and see where everything goes.

I was provided an early copy of this audiobook in return for my thoughts and honest opinion from NetGalley and the publisher.

Rachel Hawkins does not disappoint. This novel keeps you interested from the first moment to the very last moment, a story with lots of secrets, twists, and turns. Truly enjoyed this audiobook in one day! Excellent listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.
#TheHeiress#MacmillanAudio

Rachel Hawkins' book always go down easy and once again this is perfect read for when you a need fast-paced brain candy. This wasn't my favorite of her books by any stretch, but it still kept me thoroughly hooked from start to finish. I don' think The Heiress had as many surprises as anticipated and I knew where things were headed from about the halfway point. But, in this case I don't mind at all because it was a beautiful example of a classic gothic story - a spooky house, family secrets, and more. I always recommend Hawkins' books on audio and this is no exception with multiple narrators, including some personal faves such as Dan Bittner and Patti Murin!

I really didn’t enjoy this one. While the writing was good the overall storyline was not in my opinion. It was just okay throughout and while i kept reading. It’s not memorable in the slightest.

This book has an interesting premise, but the execution felt really uninspired. It also felt like a semi rip-off of Taylor Jenkins Reid, specifically Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising. I didn't understand the need for all of the switching POVs.