Alice Feeney has a way of keeping you on the edge of your seat with every chapter! I listened on audio and the added sound effects were so creepy but in the best way possible.

An isolated island is one of my favorite thriller settings and this one brought the atmosphere I was looking for. This is definitely a sloooow burn so you will have to be patient but the payoff is well worth it. After finishing, I realized how much foreshadowing and clues I missed which makes me adore Feeney for being so clever. I went in between reading and listening and either format works well.

Wowwwwwww!!!!! I was addicted to this story & I really did not want it to end! I loved the entire story & I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the audiobook and it was FANTASTIC! This has to be one of my absolute favorite audiobooks EVER now! If you have the chance to listen to the audiobook, definitely do it!! I loved the extra noises to add to the story ahhh it was just so perfect! I couldn’t love this anymore than I already do! I’m obsessed! And then the ending?!?! And if you’re wondering if the words at the beginning of the chapters is real, I checked and it is!😂 This is the first time I’ve ever come across anything like this in a book before and it just made it so fun that it was real!

The entire concept of this story was just honestly brilliant and I will not accept any negative comments about this book! Was it a super insane twist? Not really, to be honest, but the story was set up perfectly to unravel the twists and ending! Overall, I absolutely loved this! I will recommend this to everyone now!

Feeney’s best novel yet! Seriously twisted story of a man investigating his wife’s sudden disappearance. Grady’s life has been haunted for the past year since his wife’s disappearance, especially since they were talking on the phone when she vanished. Grady’s grieving eventually takes him to a secluded island where things become seriously strange. Fast paced, and impossible to put down. If you are a fan a Feeney’s previous novels you will love this one.

"Beautiful Ugly" is an enjoyable suspense thriller with some major twists and an ending that will leave you breathless.

I was able to listen to an advanced audio recording and very much enjoyed the narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton. I thought Armitage conveyed much emotion as main character, Grady Green, and the townspeople of Amberly Isle.
Middleton voiced Grady's wife, Abby, and presented a "different" side of the character that we weren't privy to from Grady//Arimatge.
The English and Scottish accents were very well done and added to the authenticity and mystery of Amberly Isle--with the different island women/shop owners, etc.
Both were stellar in their narration and relaying much emotion from fear, despair, concern, and longing, to suspicion, regret and knowing.

WIth the audio, I also appreciated the wave sounds and other prelude music with most of the chapter changes. It helped to refocus or anticipate a shift in the story or a change of character--especially from Grady's POV to Abby's.

The story itself was an interesting premise. It felt very dark and suspenseful, and the remote feel of Amberly Isle--though only 10 miles from the mainland--was accentuated by the terrain, the quaint village, and the limited access (phones, ferry, etc.) to the isle.

The earlier part of the story did drag/lull, but around halfway, the drama and clues picked up, for me.

The last third was a welcomed pace change and that suspense and realization shone through the narration.

I enjoyed the female characters on the isle and how they banded together to protect the isle and its history and livelihood.

I would recommend this audiobook to those looking for a suspenseful thriller with twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Listener Copy of this book.
I had also received a physical ARC copy from a Goodreads giveaway for the book, that allowed me to read along as I listened. The immersive read is my favorite way to enjoy books these days.

Grady Green was once a New York Times best selling author but since his wife went missing he’s having a hard time writing. When his agent offers to let him stay in a remote cottage he takes her up on the opportunity. Grady is surprised by the odd town and villagers. The most mysterious thing is that he thinks he keeps seeing his missing wife. Grady needs to figure out what is going on before it is too late.

I will never skip an Alice Feeney book! I was so excited to get an advanced copy of the book. The story hooks you and throws you right into the action. The majority of it takes place in an odd, small town. I loved the ominous, eerie feel of the village and villagers. The setting really added to the overall vibe of the book.

About half way through the story and it started to lose me. There is A LOT going on! There are multiple red herrings, it started to feel over the top and it was hard to keep track of every unknown. The twists were unpredictable and I didn’t see the ending coming. I enjoyed the beginning of the book but then there was just too much going on.

The audiobook is very well done! I loved all of the extra details (ringing phone, crackling walkie talkie), it really helped immerse me in the story.

I recommend if you’re a fan of Alice Feeney and like locked room, unpredictable thrillers!

This was my first Alice Feeney book & I can’t say I loved this book. I think it’s a bit slow for my liking. Towards the end it started to pick up, I was hoping for a bit more suspense. I listened to the audiobook but I think if I sit down and read it I’ll like it a bit better.

Beautiful Ugly had potential, but it missed the mark for me. The synopsis teased a thrilling missing-person mystery, but the story felt scattered, weighed down by bizarre side plots and unlikable characters. Abby and Grady, in particular, were frustrating—therapy and communication could’ve worked wonders. Even the island’s supporting cast had their own icks, making it hard to care about anyone.

On the bright side, the audiobook production was solid, with immersive sound effects. And Columbo, the dog, was a delightful bright spot in an otherwise odd story—definitely a good dog surrounded by weirdos.

Ultimately, this one wasn’t for me, but Columbo deserved better!

Wow… I did not see that ending coming! I've always enjoyed Alice Feeney's books, but I'd say this one is definitely among her best. From the start, I was hooked, trying to figure out what happened to one of the missing characters. As the story unfolded, I kept wondering: Is the main character truly losing his mind, or is something more sinister at play? Maybe a bit of both? But the twists at the end completely blindsided me. There is definitely a resemblance to a famous story, but I can’t say which, as it would spoil the experience for those who haven’t read the book yet. I'd give this a strong 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5. There is one part that doesn’t fully make sense, but I can’t explain why without giving away a major twist. Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially if you have access to the audiobook version. I listened to it, and the narrator was fantastic—his performance really pulled me into the story. Plus, the added sound effects, like music and ocean waves, were a wonderful touch.

The story centers around Abby and Grady, who have a complicated but loving marriage. Things take a dramatic turn when Grady gets everything he's ever wanted but loses it all in one tragic moment. While talking to his wife on the phone, she suddenly slams on the brakes, claiming to have seen a woman lying on the road. Abby disappears that night and is never seen again. A year later, Grady is still grieving deeply and is miserable in life. Struggling with his writing, his editor (also his wife's godmother) suggests he go to a remote Scottish island to stay in a cabin once owned by a former writer. Once the pace picks up, the book really takes off with fast-moving twists and turns. But be prepared for a slower, eerie buildup that keeps you on edge.

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook, as the accents felt very appropriate for the Scottish setting. The narrators did a fantastic job, and the sound effects were perfectly placed, making the story feel even more immersive. That said, I did feel like parts of the story dragged a bit, and the big twist didn't hit as hard as I expected. Still, the ending was intriguing and dark, and it's definitely one that's stuck with me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the advanced audio version in exchange for my honest opinions!

Thank you, Net Galley, for the advanced audio of Alice Feeney's BEAUTIFUL UGLY. I have read several of Feeney's earlier novels and this one does not disappoint. the story centers around an author experiencing severe writer's block after the disappearance of his wife. He goes to a remote cabin that his publisher offered to him with the thought that it would help unblock him. the tale that the author tells is very interesting and intriguing and the plot twists just keep coming.

Guys. I'm a sucker for an Alice Feeney thriller. The great thing about them is that they are consistently tense THROUGHOUT, and don't only rely on a few distinct twists to keep the reader on edge. I highly recommend this in audio form, as the sound effects and various voices were SO well done and incredibly enjoyable, making it a particularly immersive read.

This is the story of Grady Green, whose wife goes missing after a mysterious road incident. He is a fairly successful writer who is now struggling following the events in his personal life - in hearing about this, his agent sends him off to a Scottish island to try to make progress on his book.

What follows is chock full of dark twists and a sort of generally unnervingly creepy vibe throughout. We switch between different perspectives, we go back and forth in time, and we go through a classic Alice Feeney "buckle yourself in"-style thriller.

I'm a huge fan! As a bonus, the oxymoron headings for each chapter were a real kick - I found myself looking forward to discovering which one would come next (eg. "good grief", "bittersweet").

Enjoyed this so much (especially on audio, narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton), and will be looking forward to Feeney's next!

I got to enjoy this ARC as an audiobook.
I will say that Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton did an awesome job as voice actors.

“I hope you die in your sleep” doesn’t mean what you think. It sounds like a horrible thing to say, but everything about this book is a contradiction in itself. The setting is beautiful and captivating, but eerie and strange. Even the chapter names are called “Good Grief”, “Only Option” and “Innocent Criminal”. There were twists and turns and for a while I was convinced that the two main characters, Grady and Abby were on different wavelengths when it came to their marriage. Grady talked about how perfect everything was, then you hear a story that Abby talks about which describes something different. But then there’s a twist that reveals why it seems like that.
Of course there’s a twist !!

It was hard to not want to finish this story in one sitting because my brain was already working ion what could possibly be going on within the first 4 chapters.

“I Hope you die in your sleep” is the last line in the book and there’s a resignation and eerie sense it gives you especially when you listen to it right before bed.

I truly recommend this book, it will have you thinking about it even after you are done reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc and making it an early book of the month choice. This was really good as an immersive read. I finished this so quick. The way he loved his wife and was seeing her everywhere was sad, but beautiful at the same time. I recommend reading this book. I gave it 5 stars.

This book was a huge let down imo. Nothing is believable and it’s just not enough. I didn’t like the characters and none it makes sense. I read this audiobook on 2X and it felt like it was still going to slowly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ALC and thanks to Edelweiss and Flatiron Books for the ARC.

This book was crazy. I had no clue what I was getting into when I started this book. If anything this book made me feel many emotions. It seemed to be one of those kinds of books that I both loved and hated. And I guess that means that Alice Feeney has done a good job. It made me feel things, and not necessarily in a good way, but also not in a bad way. I am almost conflicted on what to say for this review. If anything my review is to say that Alice Feeney is a great writer if she makes her reader feel such strong emotions. I also am being purposefully vague about what I didn't like and what I liked about this book as I think it is best to go into this one knowing as little as possible. But let's just say that the twist was insane. Afnd I guess I should leave it at that.

Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton did a great job with the narration of the audiobook, and I would 100% listen to more books narrated by them in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ALC and thanks to Edelweiss and Flatiron Books for the ARC.

This author does such a great job with creating atmosphere in her books. My all time favorite Rock Paper Scissors involved a desolate creepy cabin during a snowstorm. This book offers an isolated island off the Scottish coast that while beautiful, has this sense of foreboding doom. A writer whose wife disappeared one year ago, goes to this place to try to get his creative mojo back Once there, he thinks he is seeing his wife. Obviously this involves an unreliable narrator (is it really her?), but also the island people are strange. You can just feel that something is not right, but you would probably be remiss to try to figure out the twists and turns that Feeney is so well known for. I listened to this one on audio, and the experience highlighted the story even more for me. If you are an audiobook listener, I would suggest this as the media to consume this book, it gave it an even more tense atmosphere.

In true fashion for this author, she has created a tense, mood heavy story with odd characters and the constant sense that something sinister is coming. The ending was one of the strangest I have read in a thriller, but I was here for the creep factor. Another winner form Ms. Feeney.

This book had me at the edge of my seat the entire time! I didn’t know what to expect but it was NOT THAT! I enjoyed every moment !

I really wanted SO BADLY to love this book. Usually love the author. But this was just too much of a stretch for my liking. Didn’t feel like something that could actually happen.

The Queen of Killer Twists, NYT Bestselling author Alice Feeney is back better than ever with her highly anticipated thriller BEAUTIFUL UGLY, her best yet—(exceeds all expectations), amid the anticipated Netflix series adaptation of her novel HIS & HERS starring Tessa Thompson.

From London to a remote Scottish island, a totally gripping, wicked, and deliciously dark, BEAUTIFUL UGLY is a twisty story of marriage, relationships, revenge, and the dark secrets they hide. Note: Always appreciate what you have—as it may be gone tomorrow.

Audiobook...

The audiobook is utterly captivating and deserving of 10 stars! Top Audiobook of 2025!I have never been so excited to receive an ALC! Richard Armitage (The Fool Me Once star) and Tuppence Middleton deliver a stellar performance, capturing the suspense, characters, lurking darkness, menace, and beauty to perfection. The performance deftly elevates the novel from beginning to end with the bonus of sound effects (waves), and the walkie-talkies are brilliant. The unpredictable ending is priceless and chilling for a wild adventure. You will find yourself hanging on every word and sound and listening repeatedly— IT IS THAT GOOD!

About...

Grady Green is an author married to Abby. As the book opens, he calls his wife on the phone. She was to be home already so they could share the upcoming news of possibly a New York Times bestseller. After all, they always celebrate their milestones with champagne, fish-and-chips.

Grady is a chap who loves his solitude, fictional characters, and writing. But he wants his wife by his side to hear his upcoming news. However, on her way home in the car, everything mysteriously changes when they are on the phone. A woman is in the middle of the road, and Abby wants to help. Then nothing. She is gone, never to return. The sudden turn of events will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth.

When he eventually finds her car by the cliff's edge, her phone is there, but not Abby. She has disappeared.

A year later, after losing everything due to being distraught, grieving, and unable to write, living in a run-down hotel with his dog, financially ruined, his publisher throws him a lifeline and offers him a remote cabin for writing —The Isle of Amberly, a remote Scottish Island.

You are not allowed to have a car that is accessible only by ferry. Excited and nervous, he soon finds this may be what he needs, and he begins to write and enjoys the solitude. He is writing again with his dog sidekick! He has always wanted to be left alone with his writing and characters.

However, odd, creepy, and sinister things begin happening around him. He sees a woman in a red coat that looks like his wife. Then, a few more discoveries that will change his life. What happened to the writer who lived there previously, and what is going on with this island?

Things are so strange he wants off the island. He wants nothing more than to go home and get off the island. But some forces are pulling him, and he can see NO escape.

My thoughts...

Holy Cannoli! I LOVED (devoured) this book! SPELLBINDING! Brilliantly and cleverly crafted, Alice has outdone herself! Her skillful storytelling and masterful plot twists will leave you in awe. Grady's character is chilling!

Beautifully written, from the perfect setup that hooks you immediately, the careful building of suspense, perfect pacing, the shifting between characters with sound effects, a twisty plot, the jaw-dropping twists, and the atmospheric setting of the island—A show-stopping, first-class psychological thriller of domestic suspense!

You are unsure of the character's motives, where nothing is as it appears, with unreliable narrators. The author takes you on a wild adventure with a perfectly fitting title.

Psychologically rich, addictive, and razor-sharp, BEAUTIFUL UGLY is a complete package. A thriller lover's dream—from the stunning cover to the explosive finale. The novel delves deep into the human psyche, offering a thought-provoking reading experience.

A masterpiece. Brilliant, spine-chilling, witty, and clever. Do not miss this book of the year! Thriller fans will devour. I would love to know the inspiration behind this fascinating book.

Recs...

BEAUTIFUL UGLY is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Mary Kubica, Chris Whitaker, B.A. Paris, Kaira Rouda, Kimberly Belle, Robyn Harding, and Samantha Downing.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio (#MacAudio2024) for an advanced listening copy via NetGalley and Google Play in exchange for an honest review. I also ordered the hardcover copy for my home library and cannot wait for it to arrive!

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +++
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Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
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