🌟 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.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I didn’t find myself interested in the flashback chapters at all, and I found the writing very clunky.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer | Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Samantha M. Bailey. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Ivy Westcott had her 15 minutes of fame as a casemate of the popular TV show, Hello, Juliet. But that bubble popped quickly after a viral video caused her career to implode; only to have a documentary a decade later cement her fall. But she's hopeful that a top-secret reunion episode can reunite her with her friends and give her and her mom financial security. But the show has been haunted by secrets from the beginning.

This is a very binge-worthy book - I just wanted to sit and read until that explosive end that I sure didn't see coming. Told in Ive's voice in dual timelines, we characters you just can't quite trust, yet each felt real and fleshed out. You could feel Ivy's angst about just not fitting in or being good enough, but desperate to make it in Hollywood. Bailey uses mixed media to show us just how quickly social media is ready to exploit all our flaws. It's suspenseful and twisty. Go into this one as blind as possible and enjoy the ride - it's a good one!

This was a fantastic Hollywood set mystery, with dramatic reveals and twists worthy of the screen. It starts off strong, and keeps the story moving with flashbacks to the relationships and complications between the young cast members of a teen drama a decade or so earlier. Did not see the ending coming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.

This is just what I want a thriller to be - twisty, fun, and captivating. I liked the tie in to Ivy's former life and all of the secrets included. Easy to read, hard to put down.

I’ve read a few books about TV shows and this was my favorite. The way the vital info trickled in and kept me guessing made me want to not stop reading. Cliffhangers at the end of chapters when the book bounced back and forth from the present to the past kept me on my toes.

There are complex relationships and hidden secrets. I found Ivy relatable and resilient as she works to make a comeback.

I’ve read a few books by the author now and I’ve liked them all. This really kept me guessing and not wanting to put it down.

Kira Fixx was a great choice as narrator. She took the story and perfectly delivered the narration. She was part of the reason I finished this in a day.

This is a great choice for summer reading and a great choice for a buddy read. All that discussing of suspects and guessing the conclusion would heighten the experience.

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey is a twisty thriller that shines a light on the dark side of fame and what some people will do to make it big!

Ten years ago Ivy Westcott was the lead in a popular TV show called Hello, Juliet. With her co-stars Lauren, Caleb, and Jesse, Ivy works hard to be recognized for her talent. But when a very public fallout happens, Ivy is labeled as #Poison Ivy from several internet tabloids and social media. Now out of the spotlight and living with her mom who is her manager, Ivy is struggling to get by. When she answers an email from the assistant of the director of Hello, Juliet, Ivy is shocked to learn of an upcoming reunion. Needing the cash that goes along with the reunion Ivy agrees. But when she gets to the studio and finds the body of one of her co-stars, Ivy finds herself in the middle of a homicide investigation. As Ivy tries to figure out what really happened, old co-star and ex-boyfriend Jesse reenters Ivy's life. As the tension increases and more secrets from the past come out, can Ivy find out what's really going on and who she can trust?

Whoa! I absolutely devoured this book!! At the beginning I was a little leery because it seemed like it was geared toward a more young adult audience, but the twists that were thrown in there had me fully invested. Ivy as a main character is real and relatable and I liked to see her somewhat grow up through the book. The story switches from the past when they were all on the show and the present 10 years later. Bailey's writing pulled me in and did not let go!! There are some heavy themes that are discussed including suicide, drug overdose, violence, and trolling online so just be aware. I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha M. Bailey, and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC! Publication date is April 29th 2025.

I normally really enjoy this author's books, but this one was a miss for me. It was a slow burn for almost the entire book, and none of the characters were especially likeable. I did think including the social media posts provided a nice touch and added a bit of credibility to the story, and the twist at the end did help to redeem the book in my opinion. Thanks to the twiist, I feel that this is a solid 3 out of 5.

This book was so much more than I expected. I was hooked right from the beginning. I enjoyed Ivy so much. The plotting is fast paced. The hits keep coming. I never saw the ending coming. I definitely will read this author again.

Thank you NetGalley! This is my second novel by this author. I was intrigued by the premise of Hello, Juliet. I loved the back and forth between the past and present, as well as the mixed media. It really helped set the story, especially one set in Hollywood

I absolutely love Samantha’s books and she really can do no wrong. This was a bit of a different style for Samantha and she excelled at it! Ivy, our main character, agrees to come back for a long overdo reunion, with previous cast mates from the successful show and also book title, Hello, Juliet. After a scandal that ruined Ivy and forced her out of the spotlight, she’s hoping that a reunion can be a new start for her and maybe she can get some answers to why things went so horribly wrong, so many years before. Of course, it wouldn’t be a thriller if this is how the story happens. Instead of finding answers and solace, to move beyond the past, she finds a dead body instead. Now, she has to play detective to find out who the killer is before someone else is murdered.

Samantha always gives us unexpected twists in each of her books and just when you think you’ve predicted the ending, she shows you just how wrong you are.

What a great book! Hollywood glitz and glamour with plot twists that kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the pace and the characters. Shocks and surprises. Highly recommend.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

Hello, Juliet is a fun popcorn thriller set in the world of Hollywood teen soaps.

I was hit with a strong sense of nostalgia for shows like the OC and Gossip Girl. The storyline had the twisty-turny, dark feel of Pretty Little Liars. I found Ivy hard to connect with at times, and some suspension of disbelief was required around the choices she makes. Overall though I had a good time with this read and flew through it.

I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks and mixed media which added an extra level of grit and glamour to the story. The writing style was engaging and easy, and the story was fast paced, making for an exciting and addicting read.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for this complementary ARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

Wow this novel is so crazy in the best way possible!!!!!!!!!! This book turns in a way at the plot twists that i didn't see coming and is shocking!!!!!!!!!! A bestseller for sure!!!!

Ivy Westcott was once a star on a hit television show, “Hello, Juliet”. When the show came to an abrupt halt, so did her career. Other than a few small parts, she never found success again. When an opportunity comes her way to reunite with her former co-stars, she accepts it. Not because she wants to see them again, her motivation is purely financial. Ivy’s mom is battling health issues and medical bills are pricy. This is an opportunity to help her mom get the care she needs.

Upon arriving on set, she discovers a coworker's lifeless body. Immediately, the authorities are called, and an investigation is under way. Who could have done this and why is Ivy a suspect?

Hello, Juliet is a fast paced novel jumping from past and present timelines through Ivy's perspective. The well-developed characters and captivating storyline make it easy to follow. I loved the abundance of red herrings that kept me guessing, and the twist at the end got me.
A few times I caught myself nodding my head and saying “yep, just figured it out” to be blindsided with a new revelation, throwing out theory after theory of mine!

The author's creative writing style incorporates script rehearsals, social media messages, and Ivy's narrative, keeping the story engaging. Highly recommend when looking for a quick and entertaining mystery thriller. This is the third novel I have read by Samantha M. Bailey and I have enjoyed them all. I love her unique plots and storytelling.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced copy to read and review.

Hello, Juliet was such a fast-paced and addictive thriller! I loved the mix of Hollywood glamour and dark secrets. The story follows Ivy, a former teen star who reunites with her old castmates, only for things to take a deadly turn. I enjoyed the dual timelines, bouncing between their days on set and the present reunion. The short chapters and media snippets kept the story moving quickly, and I was hooked the whole time. Everyone felt like a suspect, and the final reveal completely shocked me! Ivy was a really interesting character, and I liked how the story showed the dark side of fame. Some parts felt a little unrealistic, but overall, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. If you love thrillers with drama, betrayal, and a splash of nostalgia, this is a great read. I finished it in just a day!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

As always with Samantha M. Bailey's books I felt invested right away especially as the danger and stakes intensified.

A former one show/season actress Ivy is down on her luck. She is no longer famous and is working at a super market and can't get any acting gigs. She gets a notice that it's time for a 10 year reunion and Ivy and her mom head down to LA for it.

What Ivy founds is that her best friend and co-star is dead and now she is in the middle of the investigation. The story is told with Ivy's rise to fame and her season as the newest star. I enjoyed the past with Ivy's experience with Hollywood and her relationship with her costars and producer.

The story is fast paced and kept me devouring it and wanting to know what happens.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for a copy of the book.