Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen
Rating: 3 stars
Pub date: 5/13

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Perennial for my advanced copy!

I was really looking forward to Dying to Meet You, especially after loving Bowen’s last thriller, The Five Year Lie. The setup sounded so promising—a creepy mansion, a murder mystery, and a single mom caught in the middle of it all? I was all in.

At first, I was enjoying it. The setting was atmospheric, and I was curious to see how the mystery would play out and how the different POVs would connect. The whole idea of Rowan spying on her ex, only to witness his murder and then find out he had been stalking her—that had some great thriller potential.

But sadly, it just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t really connect with Rowan or any of the other characters. The pacing felt slow, and the writing had a lot of repetitive lines that started to wear on me. There’s also a ghost storyline that caught my attention early on, but it kind of disappeared until the very end, which felt like a missed opportunity.

Overall, it wasn’t my favorite, but it’s getting good reviews and is still worth checking out.

I really loved this book, the characters , the story line just everything!!
Single mom Rowan is an architect whose currently working on restoring a mansion for a very wealthy family. Her ex husband went to prison after a violent episode at a bar and he has not been in her or their teenage daughter Natalie’s life. Rowan meets a sweet and charming guy named Tim at her favorite coffee shop and she decides to give him a chance, it’s been a long time since she has dated anyone. When Tim completely ghosts her with no explanation she’s shocked and confused. Days late she still has his shared location on her phone, one night she decides to see where he is. Shes shocked when she notices he is near her neighborhood, on a whim she decides to take her dog to go and see if there is another woman. When she spots his car parked at the mansion she’s currently working on, she approaches his car and then everything changes. he's dead, shot in the head. When the police arrive she’s traumatized the police start pointing the finger at her! To make matters worse her ex is out of prison and back in town. As she digs for the truth, she discovers Tim was stalking her too, and even gathering intimate details about her job and her past, he was using her!
Struggling to clear her name, Rowan finds herself spiraling into the shadowy plot that killed him.

Fun quick read. I really enjoyed this book. Kinda predictable, but still interesting nonetheless. The characters were great just wish it went into the backgrounds more.

Overall. Great read, nicely written and would definitely recommend

Thanks NetGalley for the copy

This was a fast-paced read that had me flipping the pages and trying to unravel all the threads that were tangled up throughout the story.

I always struggle with reviewing thrillers because I don’t want to inadvertently drops spoilers in the chat. I can say that the way this narrative is told through three different POVs was an interesting way to provide the breadcrumbs and kept me engaged with the story. It made it easier to feel an attachment to each character and become invested in their role in the overall story. It was never confusing for me to figure out who I was following at any given moment, largely because as the main main FMC, Rowan’s part was in first person while Natalie and Coralie’s were in third. I liked it a lot.

Without saying too much, the story was layered and nuanced. There were times it felt like there were a lot of little things included that didn’t ultimately matter to the mystery that had me wondering why they were there at all, but the overall path was one I was happy to keep traveling down to get my answers.

Thank you to Harper Perennial via NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 13, 2025
My introduction to Sarina Bowen came through her suspense novel, “The Five Year Lie” so when I was invited to read her new novel, “Dying to Meet You”, I was thrilled.
Rowan Gallagher is an architect who has recently been commissioned to redo a historic mansion that belongs to the infamous and elite Wincott family in Maine. Even though this is the oppourtunity of a lifetime for Rowan, she feels distracted and heartbroken after her most recent boyfriend ghosted her. When Rowan finds the same ex-boyfriend dead by a gunshot wound on the property of the very mansion Rowan is working at, it doesn’t take long before fingers point to Rowan as the suspect. But soon, Rowan uncovers the secret history of the mansion, and the family who owns it. Secrets that they will kill to keep quiet.
“Dying” is sharp, modern and emotionally charged, as Rowan battles her relationship with her recently deceased ex-boyfriend, her hormone-fueled teenage daughter and her daughter’s father, Harrison, who was recently released from jail and is slowly infiltrating his way back into her life. Although the police suspect Rowan almost immediately, it is very apparent to the reader that Rowan is the innocent party, but there are so many other potential suspects to maintain a consistent state of suspense and mystery.
The novel is told from the perspective of Rowan, primarily, but also a young woman by the name of Coralie, who plays a significant role in the novel but it isn’t until the final pages when we see just how important she is.
As the story unfolds, there are twists and turns around every corner. With Rowan’s ex-boyfriend dead, who is responsible? Is it the journalist ex-wife who Rowan didn’t know about? Or Rowan’s ex-partner and the father of Rowan’s daughter? Or is it someone else- anyone from the long list of women that the elite, white men of the Wincott family have harmed in years past?
“Dying to Meet You” is a slow burn, but once it picks up it hooked me. The sordid history of the Wincott mansion was fascinating, and it served the purpose of tying all of the many plot lines together with one focus. Bowen’s writing is engaging, her characters are likable and her plot is relevant and poignant. “Dying” was only Bowen’s second suspense novel and I hope to see more like this from her as she continues her transition to the genre.

I am a huge fan of Sarina Bowen, and will absolutely read whatever she writes, and I have been thoroughly enjoying her thrillers!

Dying to Meet You, is set in Portland, Maine, and has so many layers of characters and twists! The aha at the end of this book was so good.

I definitely enjoyed the multiple POV we see throughout the book, and I personally appreciated that there’s an underlying romantic story.

I was hooked from the beginning of the book, and had a hard time putting it down!

3.5⭐️
i was so excited to read this because one of my favourite books from last year was the five year lie by sarina bowen. unfortunately, this didn't captivate me as much and felt predictable. it also has one of my biggest pet peeves; a main character that makes terrible decisions! it follows rowen, a single mom, who was recently dumped by her boyfriend and starts tracking his location. one night she ends up tracking him to the mansion she works at as an architect and finds he's been murdered. this kicks off an investigation that she's tangled up in. it sounds like it would be interesting, fast-paced, and exciting, but in reality i found it quite slow and it didn't surprise me. not a terrible thriller, but not a new favourite!

cw: child loss, sexual assault

thanks to harper perennial and netgalley for my advance copy of dying to meet you by sarina bowen. all opinions are my own.

Sarina Bowen absolutely delivers in Dying to Meet You! This thriller had me hooked from the very first page, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story took another sharp turn, leaving me breathless and frantically flipping pages.

The characters were layered and compelling, especially Rowan, I loved her relationship with her daughter. Bowen’s signature storytelling shines here, seamlessly blending tension, emotion, and just the right amount of psychological depth. The eerie atmosphere and intricate plot kept my heart racing until the final, shocking reveal.

If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, Dying to Meet You is an absolute must-read. Highly recommend!

I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily give my honest review

I loved the five year lie so much so when I saw this on here I just had to request it!

This is one of those books where I didn’t care for the main character but still adored the book. I know she was destined to be a mess but man she really was a lot!

It was predictable, but I don’t care. It was still very suspenseful and very engaging and I really appreciated that when it’s predictable and boring that’s not a good thing. It can be predictable so long as it’s fast paced and engaging.

I definitely recommend this one and will be looking forward to her next book! I love a good domestic thriller

i’m the biggest fan of sarina’s romance books so i was really excited when she ventured into thrillers. i haven’t read the five year lie yet so this was my intro to her thrillers & she didn’t disappoint! i’m a sucker for a mystery & this was such a good one!

there was murder, secrets, family drama, and more!! i can’t wait to see what else sarina does with this genre now that she’s on her second book

Sarina Bowen has penned an intriguing thriller taking the reader on a twisted journey. The story takes place in Maine and tells the story of a wealthy family, The Wincott’s, and some hidden secrets from the past.
Rowen is an architect hired to lead a project on a restoration of a Wincott mansion that was once a home for Wayward girls. Many secrets are uncovered as a murder sets the story off. There are many twists and turns as the police investigate and Rowen’s life is turned upside down.
I enjoyed this new thriller and did not guess the culprit at the center of the mystery until late in the story. The story kept me thinking and trying to uncover the whodunnit just as the characters were.
I think the author did a good job plotting out the backstory and weaving a tale with little clues as the story progressed. Another great book from Sarina Bowen.

I LOVED The Five Year Lie and couldn't wait to get my hands on this. Dying to Meet You is the second thriller book written by Bowen. I'm glad she made the switch from the romance genre to thriller as she's easily become one of my favorites. The beginning starts off a little slow, but then the plot really takes off. I was super invested in what happened to Rowan's ex-boyfriend. There is a lot of depth to the plot and I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery. I'm definitely hoping for more thrillers from Bowen!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Paperbacks for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Harper Perennial, NetGalley, and the author for my ARC.

Sarina Bowen's Dying to Meet You is a slow-burn thriller that centers around Rowan Gallagher, a recently dumped architect and single mother. Still reeling from the breakup, she tracks her ex’s whereabouts through an app. One night, she decides to visit the mansion she’s working on for a renovation project, where she discovers her ex’s body in his car—making her the prime suspect in his murder.

The novel takes its time to build tension, but unfortunately, the ending feels abrupt, and none of the twists were particularly shocking, which left me feeling underwhelmed. Rowan is a relatable character, but the plot didn’t quite hit the mark for me in terms of suspense and emotional depth. While it wasn’t a standout read, I think fans of slower-paced thrillers with a mix of mystery and character-driven storytelling might still find it enjoyable.

3 ⭐️

4⭐️

Rowan is a single mother to her daughter Natalie, and she was recently hired as a full-time architect to help restore a local mansion. She meets a gentleman named Tim, and they hit it off and go on out on a few dates. Or at least, she thought they hit it off until Tim cancels a date last minute and goes completely silent. But Rowan isn’t quite ready to let him go, and has been checking his phones location to see if it’s because he’s dating someone new. Except when she went for a walk down the street to see who his new girlfriend was that he was driving around with, she ended up finding his dead body……right in front of the mansion that she works at.

I am normally not a thriller reader, but this one kept me on my toes and I could not stop reading!

THANK YOU!!! to Sarina, her team, happer Collins, and NetGalley for this arc!

I really enjoyed this book! Sarina Bowen is a great thriiller writer. After reading The Five Year Lie, I wanted to check out her next release and it did not disappoint!

Loved that this book took place in my home state Maine and I was instantly hooked from the beginning! I hope the author continues writing so I can read more of her work!

Absolutely yes. Dying to meet you is one of my top reads so far this year and it will be hard to beat.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Sarina Bowen delivers a gripping blend of suspense, romance, and psychological intrigue in Dying to Meet You, a thriller that hooks readers from the very first page. With a strong, relatable protagonist and a plot filled with unexpected twists, this novel is a fast-paced, unputdownable read.

Rowan Gallagher is a talented architect and devoted single mother trying to move on from a painful breakup. But when a moment of curiosity leads her to witness her ex’s murder, she’s suddenly thrust into a nightmare—one where she’s not only the primary suspect but also the target of a sinister plot. Bowen masterfully builds tension as Rowan uncovers shocking truths about the man she thought she knew and the dangerous forces closing in around her.

What makes Dying to Meet You stand out is its perfect balance of suspense and emotional depth. Rowan is a compelling lead—intelligent, flawed, and fiercely determined. Her struggle to clear her name while protecting her child and unearthing dark secrets keeps the stakes high. The novel’s twists are cleverly woven, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

For fans of smart thrillers with well-developed characters, Dying to Meet You is a must-read. Bowen’s sharp writing, immersive storytelling, and thrilling plot make this a suspenseful and satisfying ride.

Rowan is a architect working on restoring a mansion for a wealthy client. The mansion was formally a home for unwed mothers. She is a single mom of 16 year old Natalie, whose father has been out of the picture after going to prison for assault. She was recently dumped by text by Tim, who she finds murdered in his car in front of the mansion she's working on.
The story is told from alternating POVs- Rowan, Natalie and Coralie, which worked very well. I liked the mystery of the Coralie POV, and how her story came together at the end.
The pacing was perfect. I liked how the story unfolded with Rowan working to uncover the secrets of the mansion. I did not guess the killer, and was surprised by the twists.
Overall, this was a very good thriller. Above expectations for me. I loved the author's previous thriller- The Five Year Lie. After reading Dying to Meet You, she is an auto-buy author for me!
Thank you to Harper Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

ARC review • pub date 05.13.25

I thought the book was … okay. I didn’t love it or hate it. It was a reallllllly slow build up to a very abrupt ending. None of the twists were shocking to me, either, which is a bummer when reading a thriller.

Rowan has recently been dumped suddenly, but she still tracks his whereabouts on an app. One night she decides to take a walk over to where he is, which happens to be the mansion she’s the architect on the renovation job. But when she gets there and passes by his car, she finds him dead— and soon becomes a major person of interest.

3 ⭐️

It wasn’t a favorite of mine, but I wouldn’t discourage the read.

Thanks to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for my ARC