I started and finished this book in less than 24 hours. I devoured it, so curious about what would happen next. I really enjoyed the dual timelines and attempting to guess what would happen next. I did NOT predict that ending! Well done!

Alice Feeney’s Beautiful Ugly is about Grady, who is an author trapped on an island, physically and mentally. After his wife’s disappearance he is sent to redeem is writing career… if he can. This story weaves themes of loss and community and are people who they say they are.

4⭐️ for the audiobook of Beautiful Ugly. The alternative POV chapters were introduced with atmospheric music, and the background sounds of the sea, the crackle of the walkie-talkies were top notch.

Grady is an author who lives for his writing. When his wife goes missing he can’t write another word. His agent invites him to a remote island in Scotland to help him focus, but what he discovers on the island makes him uneasy.

The story itself is pure Alice Feeney. A domestic thriller with enough twists and turns to make you look back at what you’ve read to see it through new eyes.


Thank you, NetGalley, for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in two days! Mainly because it had that perfect atmosphere that I LOVE in my mystery novels: creepy, but not TOO creepy. Not gothic, but just sliiiightly unsettling. I also just adored that pretty much every character was flawed and suspicious. It made this feel much more like an Agatha Christie novel than other books of the same genre that have come out the past few years.

…is what I would have said, except the ending had to come in with a twist that painted characters “right” and “wrong”…I didn’t love that. I would have really appreciated an ending that didn’t try so hard to trick the reader. It cheapened an otherwise good book.

I’m still glad I read it!

This story and audiobook is incredible! I sat down to listen on a whim and found myself glued to Richard Armitage's narration as he learns he has just become a NYT bestselling author, only to have his wife mysteriously disappear in the middle of a phone call on her way home to celebrate. One year later, author Grady Green still cannot process what has happened to his wife, or even if she is alive or dead.

Armitage's narration is fully in character and the audio adds sound effects and music to up the intensity of the mood even more. The feminine POV, narrated by Tuppence Middleton changes what we think we know at just the right moment, filling in backstory of the 2 impressions of their marriage leading up to Abby's disappearance on the road. Readers should remember, never trust that the narrator is giving you the whole story.

I listened to the entire novel in one afternoon and it left me with so much to think about! This is truely one of the most riveting and enjoyable thrillers I have read in a very long time. When the twists start twisting I thought I had it all figured out, but I really only scratched the surface. There are twists upon twists and I loved every bit of it! If you are looking for a creepy on the edge of your seat story and willing to give a bit of suspension of disbelief at the end, I would highly recommend Beautiful Ugly- It was a great time!

I enjoyed this book! My first Alice Feeney book and it didn't dissapoint.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved this book. I thought I had it figured out but then the multiple twist got me. Alice Fenney also publishing amazing reads

This was so so good. I love Alice Feeney and was so excited to get this audiobook. I flew threw it. So atmospheric, The Scottish island location is a character unto itself. A plot twist I didn't see coming. Richard Armitage (one of my favorite actors! "Thorin Oakenshield") and Tuppence Middleton are the perfect narrators!

I went into this with high expectations and felt like the book was meeting them or at least close to until things were revealed. The suspense and mystery of the novel didn’t lead to a satisfying ending whatsoever, in my opinion. It had such promise in the beginning to go some really interesting way and it just fell apart for me. Unfortunately, what I assumed would be at least a 4 star read initially dropped to 3, because I was left wishing for something very different. Most of it was an enjoyable read (hence, 3 stars) but it did not end nearly as well as it had started.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is a brilliantly crafted psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The intricate twists and turns in the plot are both surprising and compelling, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. Feeney's writing style is sharp, and her ability to weave suspense into every chapter keeps the tension high. The character development is deep, and just when you think you've figured it out, another unexpected twist takes you in a completely new direction. A captivating read for fans of thrillers and suspense

I have discovered that the best way to enjoy a new Alice Feeney novel is to read it as an audiobook. The production team that does her books makes it so interesting to listen to. They add just the right amount of sound effects to really enhance the story without becoming a distraction. The narrators for her books always have the perfect timbre for the plotline. I encourage you to give one of her audiobooks a try. In this book, you have an author attempting to recover from the disappearance the year prior of his wife. He finds himself on a very remote Scottish island hoping to get another book written. However, he's sure he's seeing his missing wife all over this tiny island. The setting makes this the most atmospheric read for the winter. Read and enjoy!

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

My favorite quote from Alice Feeney's 'Beautiful Ugly', "There's no need to be afraid of the dead. It's the living you have to watch out for." While the novel effectively evokes a sense of mystery and foreboding, it suffers from a slow pace and an overabundance of descriptive prose, making it feel less like a thriller and more like atmospheric fiction.

The story unfolds gradually, with little in the way of immediate revelations. This deliberate pacing, while not entirely off-putting, may frustrate readers seeking a fast-paced thrill ride. The climax relies heavily on a single character's lengthy exposition, which felt somewhat contrived and less organic than I prefer. Feeney, known for her twisty plots, delivers another surprising conclusion, though it didn't quite catch me off guard.

'Beautiful Ugly' is best suited for readers who enjoy slow-burn mysteries with a focus on atmosphere and character. It's not a heart-pounding thriller, but it effectively captures the eerie isolation of a remote island.

The audiobook is exceptionally well-produced, with compelling narration by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton. The inclusion of sound effects, such as the crackle of a walkie-talkie and the lapping of waves, significantly enhances the listening experience, immersing the listener in the island's atmosphere. I recommend experiencing this story through the audiobook format.

Overall, 'Beautiful Ugly' earns 3.5 stars. Available January 14th, 2025!

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #macmillianaudio #beautifulugly #alicefeeney

I've had mixed opinions of Alice Feeney books, but Beautiful Ugly definitely qualifies for the "ones I recommend" category. The premise is interesting and well set-up in the initial chapters of the book, and as the narrative unfolds, the tension builds in delicious ways. I like the sense of foreboding that is developed and the "what in the world is happening here" vibes. And though the twists aren't sudden or "classic" twists, they pack a psychological punch. This is one we'll be doing for our store's thriller book club and I think it will generate great discussion!

"I hope you die in your sleep"

Oh how I loved this book! I listened to the audiobook version and the narrators were wonderful! In fact, I listened to the entire book yesterday. 😅 Grady is an author, struggling to write his next best seller after his wife goes missing. His publisher, Kitty, who is his wife's Godmother, sends him on a 3 month vacation to a remote island, so he can get back to writing. There he will stay in a cabin that was left to Kitty in the will of a well-known author. But this island isn't your normal island. In fact, on the ferry to this island, Grady sees his wife! Ya know, the one who has been missing for a year? Let's just say there are a lot of twists and turns and it is definitely a thrilling ride!

Alice Feeney is a must read author for me, but while all of het books showcase her writing talents, the plots range from “enjoyable and inventive” to absolutely jaw dropping and brilliant. Beautiful Ugly is in the latter category. Feeney expertly builds suspense on an idyllic, isolated Scottish island where the atmosphere feels slightly unsettling at first and slowly escalates until into a brilliantly plotted and creative nightmare with engaging characters and fascinating plot twists. A must read!

Beautiful Ugly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow Lots of twist & turns. I couldn't put it down. Great first book to kick off the new year. A unique different story. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you NetGalley

Author Grady is on the phone with his wife when he hears the brakes slam. He desperately tries to talk her out of getting out to check on what is obstructing her path but she doesn’t listen. He later finds her car in the road with the door open. His wife has disappeared and we’re now experiencing his loss with him a year later.

This book was freaking amazing. It was nothing that I thought it would be but so much more. I can’t wait to forget a few details so I can experience it again but add this to the pile of books I wish I could experience for the first time!

This audiobook narrator did a fantastic job of portraying the characters! While the physical book is probably amazing, I highly recommend listening to it in audio format.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Alice Feeney, and Macmillan Audio for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review. This publishes on January 14th!

4.5 stars rounded up

I absolutely love Alice Feeney writing style. She has an amazing way of creating a story that draws you in and keeps you on the edge. The way the plot unfolds makes the reader second guess everything and everyone.

Grady is married with Abby and during one of the most important nights of his careers, Abby never arrives home. They were on the phone talking, Abby stops as there's something in the middle of the street and then she disappears.

Im not going to give any more details because this is one the books that is worth enjoying.

Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this excellent book!

I absolutely loved this book. The narrator was perfect & helped to set the scene. Once you start to get an understanding of what is happening on the island you think you can’t be right b/c it is too out there & too perfect to be true but it is.

I had high hopes for this one as I have enjoyed this author in the past. This started off strong but the pacing was so slow and things didn't really pick up until the last 25 percent. I still enjoyed it, I just wish it had been more thrilling and suspenseful. The narrator did a good job telling this story.