Title: Hello, Juliet
By: Samantha M. Bailey
Pub. Day: April 29, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

Trigger Warnings:
Drugs, Overdose, Murder, Death, Sexual Harassment, Suicide, Violence, Cyberbullying

Summary/Review:
In this fast paced thriller, four former childhood stars Jesse, Lauren, Ivy and Caleb, once inseparable, now mostly estranged—are invited back for an unexpected reunion by the same producer who first launched them to fame. But when Ivy arrives, she’s met not with treasured memories of the past, but with something far more disturbing. As tensions rise and old memories resurface, the lines between past and present emerge, and a deadly game begins. Will the stars confront the darkness that connects them—or will the reunion become their final curtain call?

This is my first read by Samantha Bailey. The premise and plot line for Hello Juliet was fast paced, action packed and the transitioning from the past to present was created smoothly which added an element of engagement for the reader. While the novel had suspenseful moments, many felt predictable, diminishing their overall impact. For me, the main characters needed additional depth and greater details..
Hello Juliet is worth the quick read.

Thank you to Samantha M. Bailey, Thomas and Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

#HelloJuliet
#ThomasandMercer
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

When I saw the author was releasing another book, I knew I had to read it! Samatha M. Bailey is definitely a “must read” author for me based on her other three novels, two of which I rated five stars.

This one was no different. Her books immediately hook me and I love how the plot hits the ground running!

From beginning to end, I was on the edge of my seat (well, my bed 😊) and holding my breath. I quite literally read this in one day.

Hello, Juliet is available in both book and audio format - AND, as of this review (5.25.25) you can read and listen to the book free if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member!

Thank you NetGalley, Samantha M Bailey, and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to devour this five star thrilling novel!

A solid read. Started off strong and dragged during the middle. The characters were strong and their individual personalities shown through. The plotting got a little confusing during the middle. However, the author came back strong with the last part of the book. I'd never suspect that ending, which brought up my overall rating.

#hello,juliet
#NETGALLEY
#samathambailey

Wow, this was a great, twisty mystery.

Ivy spent her teens first, fighting for roles, then running from the fame turned infamy of her lead role. Now, years later, she's been invited back for a reunion of the show, but when she arrives, she finds her old best friend dead. It isn't until after the shock and the police arrive that she realizes they are saying she was murdered.

This was a great audio- the narrator did a great job of giving voice variation for the characters and really pulling me into the story. Ivy was a compelling main character, as she fights for her roles and tries to be an actor. She's given up so much and so has her mom, for her fame, only for her to still be tied to the last lead role that didn't end well. The mystery was was paced, the tension high, and the ending was a shock. So good, I loved it! This was my first from this author but won't be my last.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read. This was an okay read for me. I will continue reading more books from this author bit this one was not the best o me. I found this one to be quite predictable but I don’t know if it is only her book but it could be related to the amount of thrillers I read. I rate it a 3.5 because it was bit bad.

Hello, Juliet is a thriller set in LA about the cast of the former teen drama, by the same name. A planned reunion special turns deadly and lead Ivy Wescott is determined to solve the murder. This book is full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing. Hello Juliet reminded me of my favorite teen dramas Dawsons Creek & 90210. The story is told in then & now timelines. This is my first book by Samantha M. Bailey and I will check out her other books for soapy dramas.

Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for letting me read this ARC.

Another bingeable story from Samantha Bailey! If you were a fan of The OC and mourned Marissa’s death like I did or if you watched Beverly Hills 90210, you’ll love this thriller about a teen drama tv reunion that turns deadly. The novel explores the cutthroat industry of Hollywood and the price of fame. The MC Ivy Wescott is a character you’ll want to root for.

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available now!

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

Another thrilling book by Samantha M. Bailey with a who dunnit theme!

The book cover gives off the same creepy vibes that the author brings throughout the book. I absolutely love a good childhood star, insane momager, and 'Mommy Dearest' thriller!

I truly had not guessed what was coming!

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for a review!

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Samantha M Bailey for the eArc of Hello, Juliet.
Narrated by Kira Fixx

Having read, Friends in the Dark by the same author, I was looking forward to reading Hello, Juliet. The premise and the synopsis was intriguing. Ivy, wanting to be loved as hard as she loves others was thrust into the limelight with her acting career. Staring in a teen drama, the constant pressure and a death of a co-star. Ivy leaves LA with her Mother, Secrets are set to leak though at a 10 year anniversary when all the stars are called for one last curtain call.

This book started strong and grabbed me from the start, the pacing was good throughout the book but unfortunately didn't grip me as much as her previous book. Maybe I was having an off day as I can't even say it was anything to do with the writing style, pacing or themes. I just felt a little flat in the middle but did pick up near the end as the mystery started to unravel. I did enjoy the book and how it was presented with different media input overall though and looking forward to reading more of the authors looks.

3.25 for story graph, 3 stars for other review sites,

Ivy Wescott is a former actress who was known for the teen drama "Hello, Juliet" that she did when she was 22. Now ten years later she has been hired for a sequel to the popular show but when she shows up for filming she finds one of her co-stars dead. This behind the scenes of Hollywood thriller was interesting and twisty and we learn about Ivy's story and her fears that someone is out to harm her and her fellow "Hello, Juliet" cast. Ivy tried out for the show having not much experience and was very surprised to have been given the lead over the popular and pretty Lauren Malloy who everyone thought was a guarantee for the role. Ivy is also surprised to find that Lauren is down to earth and becomes Ivy's best friend, and Ivy also becomes close with her male costars Jesse and Caleb. In the present, it appears someone doesn't want the new show to start and Ivy and her manager mother have to hide out while Ivy tries to find out who wants to harm the former cast mates. Ivy has been hiding out and working as a grocery store bagger after the fallout from a tragedy that happened during the first season of her show and now that she is back in the spotlight she feels the same sense of fear and shame as the public calls her "poison Ivy" and blames her for everything that went wrong with the cast of the show. The show's producer Mack and his wife Rachel are also involved as they tried to protect the cast as well as produce a popular teen drama.

The author does a good job with the dual timelines and the use of social media, gossip sites and transcripts for gossip TV shows adds in to the behind the scenes drama. At times Ivy seems to be very young especially the way she is so attached to her mother. There are lots of complications between the four actors of the show including romances, possible stalking and drug use. I didn't guess the main twist but it did tie everything together in a logical way. Good for fans of Hollywood drama, teen shows and complicated relationships. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for review.

I flew through this one but unfortunately, not for the right reasons. This just didn’t work for me. I found the story dull, the characters unlikeable & lacking depth & the plot was too predictable. I’m genuinely disappointed because I’ve really enjoyed this author’s other books but it seems like a lot of other readers loved it, so maybe this one just wasn’t for me.

Ivy was once star of a big CW-like teen drama, but after one major incident she lost her job, her boyfriend, her best friend and her career imploded. Sick of living paycheck to paycheck, she signs on for a reunion special purely for the money. But when she finds her costar dead, she starts to fear there is something more sinister around the reunion.

Likes: The twist surprised me! I liked the pacing for the most part.

Dislikes: Some parts of the story felt too slow or too YA. Ivy was also kind of infuriating when trying to get to the bottom of things.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read quite a few books by this author and don’t regret a single one! She creates such vivid characters and stories that stick with you long after you’ve finished the book! I loved how this book was set in my home state and was able to really spotlight a lot of the chaos and issues that come with being an actor in Hollywood. I would definitely recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers, mysteries, and deception!

This novel gives the reader a behind-the-scenes look at the drama that is part of being a part of the Hollywood scene. The dual timeline made this book extra interesting and captivated me with the back story along with the current events. The action was fast-paced and getting to know the characters was like reading a gossip magazine with lots of dirt being dished out little by little. I wasn’t sure whether the narrators were reliable or not since they were actors and could have been playing a role and presenting themselves in the best life possible. I liked getting to know the characters but my favorite part was cheering for everything to come out well for Ivy since she had a bad reputation from starring in a show previously. Ivy just wants to help out the living circumstances for her and her mom, so her choices are colored by necessity and maybe a little desire for fame. This is a great, entertaining read!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

What a compelling read! This thrilling book was utterly impossible to put down and as the conclusion reached a crescendo.
Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.

This was my first book by Samantha M. Bailey, but I've been wanting to read this author for a long time now! HELLO, JULIET came onto my radar due to the stunning cover and incredible synopsis!

I love books set in the Hollywood/acting world. HELLO, JULIET opens with a bang--I was immediately intrigued. I'm sad to say that from that point on I gradually started losing interest :( I really tried to push through with this, but I just didn't have the interest in picking it back up. I ended up DNF'ing at 35%, but I hope to go back and revisit it!

My new favorite from Samantha M. Bailey - what a ride! This Hollywood-set thriller is twisty, dramatic, and totally bingeable. I highly recommend going in blind for the full effect. Trust me, the surprises hit harder that way.

The story follows Ivy, a once-forgotten actress who shot to fame on the cult hit Hello, Juliet. Now, years later, she’s back for a reunion - but the past isn’t done with her yet. Told in dual timelines (past and present), this fast-paced thriller blends glitzy showbiz with a chilling murder mystery, peeling back the dark side of fame.

I loved the mixed media format - press clippings, social posts, and tabloid headlines added such a fun, modern flair. It’s full of secrets, betrayal, and soap-opera-worthy drama, but grounded with strong characters and emotional stakes. The ending? Totally blindsided me in the best way.

If you’re into behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories with a sinister twist, this one is a must-read.

🌟 4.5-Star ARC Review: Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey 🌟

'Hello, Juliet' is a deliciously twisty tale of fame, betrayal, and murder that completely swept me away. Ivy Westcott once had it all—starring in the hit teen show 'Hello, Juliet'—until a scandal shattered her career and earned her the cruel nickname #PoisonIvy. A decade later, she's broke, broken, and desperate when a secret reunion episode brings the cast (and their secrets) back together. But when a former castmate turns up dead, Ivy is forced to confront the betrayals of her past—and unearth the chilling truth before it’s too late.

This was my first book by Samantha M. Bailey, and it absolutely won’t be my last. Her writing is compelling and clever, especially the way she uses a dual timeline—‘Then’ during the original filming of the show and ‘Now’ after Lauren’s death—alongside gossip blogs, social media posts, and online articles. It perfectly captured the toxicity of Hollywood fame and added a brilliant layer of unreliability and doubt to every character.

The setup was so original—'Hello, Juliet' felt like 'Riverdale' meets '90210', and I was hooked from page one. I did suspect the killer around the halfway mark, but I never guessed their motive. The red herrings were so believable, I second- and third-guessed myself the whole time. I genuinely couldn't put it down and ended up racing through the book in one sitting (yes, I stayed up until 3:30am... no regrets).

The emotional core of the book really stood out for me. Caleb was the absolute sweetest—loyal, kind, and heartbreakingly devoted to Ivy, even when she didn’t return his feelings. Their dynamic added unexpected emotional depth and made the story feel grounded amid the glitz and scandal. The entire cast was flawed, messy, and authentic, and I found myself deeply invested in their tangled relationships.

What makes this story shine is Bailey’s skill in breadcrumbing clues—small, seemingly throwaway details that come together in such a satisfying way. The final reveal made me rethink everything I’d read up to that point. It’s smart, surprising, and so well-executed.

Why not a full 5 stars? A few storylines felt unresolved or inconsistent, and I struggled to see growth in Ivy between the past and present timelines—she felt emotionally stuck, even as the stakes rose. I also felt the tone leaned more toward YA than adult thriller, which may surprise some readers expecting something grittier.

Still, 'Hello, Juliet' is a must-read for fans of Hollywood thrillers, dark secrets, and addictive drama. It’s glitzy, sinister, and impossible to look away from.

✨ Why you’ll love it:

♥︎Glamorous yet toxic Hollywood setting
♥︎ Addictive dual timeline and social media commentary
♥︎ Gripping twists, betrayal, and unexpected emotional depth
♥︎ Murder mystery meets teen drama with edge
♥︎ Characters who feel real, messy, and unforgettable

Thank you to Samantha M. Bailey, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC of Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey! Bailey is one of my auto-buy authors, so I was thrilled to see her coming out with a new thriller (and hello, look at that cover)! This one did NOT disappoint and is a 2025 favorite so far. Dark is an understatement,

A TV reunion intended to bring old costars - friends and lovers - back together, ends up bringing a whole lot more than that (scandal and murder included). The MC, Ivy, left LA suddenly when her acting career imploded while playing Juliet on her first major tv series. Now the entire world knows her as “Poison Ivy” and she’s working odd jobs to get by. So, when a decade later she finds herself on a celebrity expose and a top-secret reunion episode is brought her way (with $$$), she jumps on the opportunity.

Ivy’s ready for a comeback. That is, until she finds her costar dead. I loved this book! Several unexpected twists - And I love when the author ties back seemingly small details together at the end to wrap the book up in a perfect bow. Chef’s kiss, Bailey!

Samantha Bailey always delivers with the suspense, and Hello, Juliet is just the latest in her lineup of twisty, entertaining thrill rides. I enjoyed the Hollywood setting, and, even when I thought I knew where Samantha Bailey was taking the plot, she would throw a curveball, and I was once again frantically swiping pages to figure out what was going to happen next. This is a perfect spring break/summer read, and I'm hoping to see it in beach bags everywhere this summer.