“I hope you die in your sleep.”


When a New York Times best selling author Suffers the loss of his wife, he is unable to work, write or live for that matter. Grady Green cannot move on, until he can find closure after the disappearance of the love of his love. The only help offered is from his agent, in hopes he can resume writing.


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I really enjoyed this book. The plot, the twist, the recurring themes made it a quick, easy, and fun read. My favorite part about a book is a strong female character, and this book is the epitome of feminine strength and resilience. Nothing makes me happier than bringing down the patriarchy!

Erie, creepy and mysterious! A perfect thriller read.

If you like your thrillers to have a healthy dose of realism, this may not be the book for you. The plot is absolutely preposterous but I didn't really mind - it was like a guilty pleasure. Plus any audiobook read by Richard Armitage is good simply because he performs so well. Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for this entertaining audiobook.

I had high hopes for Beautiful Ugly, but unfortunately, it fell flat. While the premise hinted at the kind of clever twists Alice Feeney is known for, the plot turned out to be disappointingly predictable. If you’re paying attention, the so-called “twists” are telegraphed well in advance, leaving little room for the surprises that make psychological thrillers compelling.

The characters lacked depth, and the pacing felt uneven, with the tension failing to build in a satisfying way. By the time the story reached its conclusion, I wasn’t shocked—I was just underwhelmed. If you’re a fan of Feeney’s earlier works, you may still find some entertainment here, but for me, Beautiful Ugly didn’t live up to its potential.

Author Grady Green learns he’s an NYT best-seller just as his wife Abby, an investigative journalist, goes missing. A year later, struggling with grief, his editor recommends a cabin on a remote Scottish island to help him heal and write. However, once there, Grady starts seeing things, including someone who looks eerily like his missing wife.

Add Beautiful Ugly to your list if you haven't yet experienced a dramatized audiobook! This audio drama stands out with immersive sound effects like crackling walkie-talkies, soothing ocean waves, and ringing bells that transport you right into the story. The performances of the narrators are nothing short of stellar. Richard Armitage brings Grady to life with a desperation that really pulls you in, while Tuppence Middleton's portrayal of Abby adds depth to the story. Together, they create an unforgettable listening experience that will leave you hooked!

Alice Feeney is the queen of twists and doesn’t give up her crown here! While not all twists are grounded in reality, I anticipated this based on previous reviews. The audiobook enhanced my experience in this case, as some plot holes could overshadow the story.

Wow, this one is getting such mixed reviews and I will admit a) it's not my author's favorite b) the first 75% was a bit of a slog to get through but c) the last 20% totally brings it all together and made the story for me! So if you're on the fence I would say it's not one I would go out of my way to recommend but the female empowerment, women taking back control of their lives and sticking it to the man PLUS the remote Scottish island setting were all parts I loved. It was also exceptionally well produced as an audiobook with narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely loved this story. Loved the dual POV. The setting was very mysterious, dark and suspenseful. The island people made the story even more intriguing. I couldn’t wait to see what happens at the end. It kept my attention and interest until the very last page. Enjoyed it very much.

Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.
Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared.
A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can't sleep, and he can't write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible - a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.
Wives think their husbands will change but they don't.
Husbands think their wives won't change but they do.
I just love this book. It blew my mind. On the island nothing is what it seems to be. Odd and bizarre things happen on this island. There are so many crazy characters on the island too they are all unlikable.
I listened to the audiobook and The twists kept on coming. It was loaded with twists. I kept rewinding it, listening to the twist again and I would say, Say what? You got to be kidding me. The twists made my jaw drop to the floor. There were a lot of jaw dropping moments. I kept on asking myself, What did I just read??
When I got approved for this audiobook I screamed with excitement! Because I just love this author. The audiobook was so awesome. I loved the narrators they did a great job.
You also hear sound effects of the sea and walkie talkies along with the phone ringing tone.
I am jumping up and down with excitement because I fell in love with this audiobook. It was my everything! It had everything that I love in a thriller! I can't wait for my next Alice Feeney book!

I was so excited to get approved for an early copy of Beautiful Ugly and Alice Feeney has a new fan.

The night Grady Green received the best news of his life, his wife mysteriously disappeared. One year later, on a remote Scottish island, he finds a woman who looks exactly like his wife.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and it had me hooked from the beginning. The narrators for Abby and Grady were excellent, and the sounds of the sea and the radios added so much richness to the experience. The descriptions of the setting were so vivid I could practically feel the chill and the mist on the island. The tension was high throughout the whole book, and every chapter rewards you with a new twisted piece of the puzzle.

I love an unreliable narrator, and we don't know if Grady is hallucinating or if the bizarre events on the island are real. I was on the edge of my seat right up until the end.

This will be one of the great thrillers of 2025. I highly recommend the audiobook that releases January 14, 2025.
Thank you to @netgalley and @Macmillan.Audio for the early copy of Beautiful Ugly. All opinions are my own.

I am always down for a new Alice Feeney book. Her twisted endings, leave me feeling like I need to restart the book all over again! And this ending did not disappoint. I will say, whether it was purposeful or not, Grady’s character (and voice on audio) really got under my skin. He was just… cringey, to the point I feel like it ruined some of it for me. But figuring out the the ending, definitely redeemed it for me! I cannot wait for another Feeney thriller in the future!

Author Grady Green has just received the biggest news an author can get…he officially has a best seller! While he is in the process of getting this news he is talking to his wife on the phone. She is on her way home to him, but sees someone lying in the road. Against his advice she gets out to offer help. That’s the last time he ever sees her. Grady has a very difficult time moving on after her disappearance. When his agent offers him a chance to go to an island and attempt to get back into writing. He has nothing else so he finally agrees. From the moment he arrives he feels that something is off. He is right, but he can never imagine what it is.

Feeney is very hit or miss with me. Honestly, this was a miss. I wanted to get into the story and love it, but I just didn’t connect with any of the characters and even the big twists didn’t do anything for me. The narrator was a highlight for me. Both the male and female narrators were great!

The production on this was nicely done. The sound effects made it that much more suspenseful. As the book progressed it got more and more erry and creepy, which I enjoyed. It was full of twist, one of which I guessed pretty easily but still a good read. I enjoyed and would recommend.

This novel will keep you guessing throughout the whole book. There are so many twists and turns! It's absolutely one of Alice Feeney's best novels yet. Highly recommend! The audiobook version was fantastic, with the extra sound effects being a nice touch.

Thank you, #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio, for this ARC.

5 stars

I feel like re-reading it because I am mind blown1 I don't understand what's happening in the best way.
I am excited to buy and read the actual physical book!!!

I find it difficult to give reviews on this genre because I don’t want to give anything away. I will say it was better than A.F.’s last book I read. This book was giving some subtle Misery vibes. I liked the setting and the basic plot. The majority of the story took place on a little Scottish Island. I had some mixed emotions about, Grady, the main character. I picked up on one of the major revelations early on; I think earlier than the reader was supposed to, however, I didn’t see the main twist coming. The ending was satisfying. There were definitely a couple scenarios that seemed really unrealistic and I found the unveiling of all of the secrets to be very spelled out to the reader. Overall I’m going with a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ although could likely be swayed one star in either direction depending on who I talk to about this one. 🎧 Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for letting me preview Beautiful Ugly in exchange for my honest review.

Wow!! There are so many twists and turns in this one! There was no way I could have figured the ending out! Kept me involved and not wanting to put it down!

Beautiful Ugly is my first Alice Feeney novel. I do have to say that I guessed the twist pretty quick on but that did not take away the fun I had with this book.
I loved the audiobook narration with the different sounds mixed through out like the sounds of the sea and crackling of walkie talkies.
The storytelling was great and I could really picture the island and what was going on with all these characters.
Without giving anything away, if I did need too, I would be totally down to be on this island.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio, Alice Feeney and Net Galley on this Audio Arc in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. The plot had so many details that all clicked into place at the end! I listened to the audiobook and the narration was perfect. 5 star read for me.

On the day his novel makes the New York Times Best Sellers List, Grady Green's wife mysteriously disappears. Despondent and depressed by Abby's disappearance, Grady can no longer write. He loses his house and is in financial ruin. His agent, Kitty, offers him the use of a cabin that she owns on a remote Scottish island, a place where he can possibly get over his writer's block. Grady gladly takes her up on the offer. Upon arrival at the ferry launch area, he learns that he can't take his car on the island and the ferry doesn't run on a regular basis. When he reaches the island, he learns there is no phone or internet service. Then weird things start to happen. As Grady finds a way to write again, he starts seeing and hearing strange things, and believes he has frequently caught glimpses of his missing wife. He begins to wonder if he is losing his mind and wants to leave the island. But there is no way to escape and Grady fears for his safety.
Beautiful Ugly is a great mystery and thriller that I completely enjoyed. I highly recommend this work of fiction to anyone who enjoys suspense and mysteries.
I was given an audio ARC of Beautiful Ugly by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley
#macmillanaudio
#alicefeeney
#beautifulugly
#mystery
#suspense
#scottishisles

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is a masterpiece of psychological suspense and emotional complexity that will leave readers absolutely riveted. Feeney’s storytelling is sharp, layered, and utterly captivating, blending intrigue with profound emotional depth in a way that few authors can achieve. From the very first page, this book draws you in with its unflinching exploration of identity, trauma, and the lies we tell ourselves.

The plot is a brilliant mix of twists and revelations, each one more surprising and thought-provoking than the last. Feeney’s talent for creating unreliable narrators is on full display here, keeping you questioning what’s real and what’s not as the story unfolds. The suspense is palpable, and just when you think you have things figured out, Feeney throws in a shocking twist that completely upends your expectations.

What truly makes Beautiful Ugly stand out is its emotional core. At its heart, it’s a story about the masks we wear, the beauty we see in others, and the ugliness we hide within ourselves. The characters are deeply flawed, and their struggles are both heartbreaking and relatable. Feeney masterfully balances these personal journeys with the tension of a gripping psychological thriller, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and moving.

The pacing is perfect, with each chapter driving the story forward while unraveling the complexities of the characters’ lives. The ending is both unexpected and satisfying, wrapping up the story in a way that feels earned and impactful.

Beautiful Ugly is a five-star triumph—dark, intelligent, and incredibly gripping. It’s a perfect choice for readers who love psychologically intricate thrillers with strong character development and a deep emotional punch. Feeney once again proves why she’s one of the best in the genre, delivering a book that is as beautiful as it is ugly in all the right ways. Highly, highly recommended! I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I started this book knowing nothing about it except I wanted to read Alice Feeney's newest book asap. I was so excited to get approved for the audiobook ARC and then realized I wasn't even sure what the story was about! I wasn't expecting a chilling island vibe, but thoroughly enjoyed it!
Grady is an author at the top of the charts when his wife mysteriously goes missing while he's talking with her on the phone. Everything in Grady’s life begins to fall apart, until he is given the opportunity to spend several months on an exclusive island to focus on writing his next novel. The island only has a couple dozen residents and are all quite peculiar.
The amazing sound effects, waves crashing, seagulls crying and walkie talkies all gave the feelings of truly being immersed while listening, and I couldn't wait to read each new chapter.
In true Alice Feeney fashion the story was wonderfully and thrillingly brought together with several twist you won’t see coming.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio Media for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Fable.