Another great Alice Feeney book. I have not been disappointed in anything she written! Twists, turns, page turning, yes please.

This audiobook was phenomenal! The subtle sound effects enhanced the dark atmospheric story perfectly! I enjoyed it very much!

What is this book about? If I tell you to much you will miss out on the surprises that are in store. Here are five things I can share:

🐕 There is a lovely dog named Columbo -- a black lab who is the best of companions.

📚 Just like the book itself, the chapters are oxymorons like "Awfully Good," "Deafening Silence," and "Clearly Confused." And those phrases don't just describe the chapter, you will find them included in the narrative.

🎧 The audio book is excellent! Narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton with sound effects. One little niggle: did anyone else picture Mrs. Doubtfire when Richard was delivering a woman's dialogue?

😬 This book will give you goosebumps. The island of Amberley is quite a creepy place and the more you know. . .

🥂 While I had some issues with the last 10% -- a little rushed, perhaps; the ending was one I will never forget.

This is definitely one of my top reads by Feeney. A big thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for the ARC. Alice Feeney has become one of my favorite authors. Her books are written so well and full of suspense. Author Grady Green gets the best call from his publisher and can not wait to celebrate with his wife. Unfortunately his wife disappears and all he know is that she was checking on a women who was in the middle of the road. Grady can't write and he sets off to an Island for inspiration. Yet, the island is not what he signed up for and he needs to leave. Beautiful ugly pulls you in and won't let go till the end of the book.

personal thoughts: just, not my favorite. I did not connect with any of the characters, and I found myself just not caring what happened to anyone, except maybe the dog. was a bit spooky at times, especially on my early morning dark dog walks.

even though it wasn’t for me, a big thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

our library system will add this book to our collection, as Alice Feeney is a very popular author and her books always have a wait list.

Alice Feeney is always the queen of twists and suspense. I'm honestly jealous of those who get to read this for the first time as this will surely stick with me, as Feeney's other books have as well.
The island and it's inhabitants are so unusual, they definitely fit the title "beautiful ugly".
I can't even find the words to say how much I loved this book, but I absolutely loved this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Alice Feeney, and Macmillan audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.

Alice Feeney is back with another delicious tale with Beautiful Ugly, twisty and psychologically thrilling adventure. In her latest novel, Feeney takes readers to a remote island off the coast of Scotland in a "locked" room" type thriller.

For MMC Grady Green, tragedy and success befall him on the same day. As he calls his wife Abby to announce his book hit the NY Times Bestseller list, he hears his wife pull over to help a woman fallen in the road. After her act of kindness, the line goes dead and Abby seemingly vanishes. A year later, Grady is dealing with the confusing disappearance of his wife and a painful dose of writer's block. His agent suggests Grady takes a working vacation to a remote cottage located on a Scottish island to help inspire his writing and deal with this grief. With each passing day on the island, Grady catches glimpses of a woman who looks just like his missing wife. That, along with the strange customs and stories of the island causes Grady to grow suspici0us. Is there more to the story of his wife's disappearance? Does someone on the island know something or is Grady simply slipping into a state of insanity?

With alternating narratives and time hops, Feeney's latest release shows the beautiful ugly parts of life, love, and relationships across all facets of humanity. If you're looking for a unique and interesting page turner, Beautiful Ugly should be on your 2025 TBR.

I have loved all of Alice Feeney’s books so far but this one was a fail for me. I have to be honest here … I found her writing as readable and cohesive as always but I found my thoughts roaming and me registering several times. I do not know if the story wasn’t keeping my attention or if it was the holiday season and some family problems that caused my attention to just not be there.

I hate to rate this as I’m not sure the problem and because I know I will read her again

I found this book entertaining overall, but the ending left me disappointed. In a thriller, I look for twists that are not only unexpected but also believable and logically consistent. Unfortunately, the twists in this story fell short. For instance, trying to kill your wife over a suspected affair felt like an extreme and unrealistic reaction. Additionally, while the narrator is portrayed as 'unreliable' due to his heavy drinking, his attempt to kill his wife felt completely out of character and inconsistent with the rest of his behavior. Although the writing itself was strong, the plot holes made it hard to fully enjoy the story.

I rated the book 4 stars on goodreads, but after thinking about it more I am giving it 3 stars here as I feel that is a better reflection of the overall book.

I loved the setting in a remote Scottish island, the *spoiler* female revenge fantasy is also a fun twist but overall I felt the book was just ok. It reminded me a lot of the movie Wicker Man.

4.5-Star rounded up

“Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney is a twisty psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page— and maybe even longer. I listened to this one on audiobook, and I can't imagine a better pairing than Feeney's gripping narrative combined with Richard Armitage's exceptional narration. His voice alone adds so much tension and atmosphere to the story. Tuppence Middleton also did a stellar job portraying layers of complexity to the characters and their emotions.

Feeney’s use of oxymorons, both in the title and each chapter heading, is clever and thought-provoking. The title, “Beautiful Ugly”, encapsulates the contradictions explored in the novel, and by the time I reached the final twists, I realized that the real oxymoron was man himself—particularly how men can simultaneously be seen as figures who are supposed to protect women, yet can also be the source of danger or violence against them

Feeney's trademark twists are present here, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was blindsided around 80% through the audiobook. The way she weaves in misdirection, all while layering in emotional depth and some social commentary, made “Beautiful Ugly” not just a twisty thriller but a book that lingered with me long after it was over. It’s not often that a thriller leaves you with something to ponder about human nature and society, but Feeney pulls it off brilliantly.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a bit of substance, “Beautiful Ugly” is a must-read (or must-listen). The combination of a tight, unpredictable plot and insightful commentary makes this one stand out in the genre. Highly recommend! Alice Feeney will forever and always be an auto-read for me.

📕Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Grady Green, an author, was overjoyed when his publisher informed him that his new novel had made it to the New York Times Bestselling list. Excited, he called his wife, Abby, to share the good news.

At that moment, Abby was on her way home. While talking on the phone, she suddenly stopped her car and told Grady that a woman was lying on the road. Grady, alarmed, instructed Abby to stay in the car and lock the doors while he called the police.

However, Abby, feeling empathetic and unable to ignore the situation, decided to help the woman. Despite Grady's repeated warnings, Abby stepped out of the car, leaving the phone line open as per Grady's request.

Later, Abby’s car was found near the edge of a cliff with its headlights still on. The car doors were open, and her phone was left behind. Abby, however, had vanished without a trace.

Since Abby’s disappearance, Grady struggled to focus on writing. He became withdrawn, unable to function properly, and his finances were running low.

Unable to watch Grady spiral further, his agent arranged for him to stay in a house on a remote Scottish island, hoping it would help him regain his focus and write again.

Upon arriving at the island, Grady discovered that it was inhabited exclusively by women. Interestingly, the house he was staying in had previously been occupied by another author.

As he spent time on the island, Grady encountered a woman who resembled his wife, Abby, and began investigating further.

Was Grady merely losing his grip on reality?
Was Abby truly alive and living on the island?
What was the connection between the island’s women and Abby’s past?

As he uncovered the secrets of the mysterious women on the island, Grady had to confront whether he could ever leave the island alive.


---

My Point of View (P.O.V)

The story’s plot and structure feel weak. The reasoning behind the events, such as something from Abby’s past affecting Grady’s present in this way, lacks meaning.

The twists are unremarkable, and it doesn’t feel like a gripping thriller.

The inclusion of wave sounds between audiobook chapters adds a soothing element for the listener.

Initially, I had high expectations from the first few chapters, but as I continued, I found the characters, plot, and twists lacking in depth.

The audiobook narrator did a good job, but the story, despite being labeled as a thriller, doesn’t live up to that genre and feels more like a domestic mystery.

📌Thank you Macmillan for the Audiobook ARC via NetGalley.

Dec 30, 2024
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
AudioBook Review by Bookish In Fiction Land

On the day author Grady Green finds out his new novel is in the New York Times bestseller list, his wife disappears. Without his wife and muse he can no longer write, or sleep, and loses everything. Then his agent gives him the keys to a cabin on a remote Scottish island to try to write again. Except when he arrives on this island, everything is just off. There are no birds, no children, and it is inhabited by just 25 people, all women, and Grady is constantly seeing his lost wife.

So twisty and dark and dark that you are constantly questioning what is real and not. It’s a tale of marriage, revenge, and the dark and twisted things people will do when pushed to the edge.

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This one started out SO GOOD. The atmosphere was deliciously creepy on that island. But as the story went on, it required more and more and more suspension of belief. Eventually, the amount of "ok well I guess that could maybe happen if these 5000 things were true" justifying I was having to do kind of ruined the story for me. I was laughing at the "twists" by the end, which was disappointing.

I read this one on audio and it wasn't my favorite. The narrator did a great job, but I like to listen to my books sped up to 2.5-3x, so the sound effects drove me absolutely batty, unfortunately. I presume they won't be so annoying if you listen to books at 1x.


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

I listened to the audiobook of this one and I loved it. Not only were the narrators great, but I loved the sound effects that were placed well to bring the story to life. I felt like a lot of the story moved slower than it needed, and I wasn’t as shocked by the big twist as I thought I would be. I did find the ending very interesting and dark and it’s one that will stick with me for a bit. Abby and Grady don’t have a perfect marriage, but they love each other. Until the day Grady gets everything he’s dreamed of and loses everything all at once. Grady is talking to his wife when she slams on the breaks and describes seeing a woman laying on the road. Abby goes missing that night and is never seen and a year later Grady is still drowning in his grief. He’s struggling to write and his editor suggests he go stay in the writing cabin on a remote Scottish island she inherited from one of her writers. Once the pace picks up this book moves insanely fast and twists and turns quickly, but prepare for some slow and spooky lead up.

I have been a diehard Alice Feeney fan since Rock Paper Scissors. Every book of hers I’ve read has been an easy five-star read. I’m so devastated that this one missed the mark for me.

A year after the strange disappearance of his wife, Abby, Grady isolates himself on a Scottish island at the suggestion of his agent. He’s hoping to start writing again and get used to a life where Abby isn’t by his side, but the island brings more confusion. He feels almost haunted and is certain that there is a woman there who looks just like his wife.

And that’s pretty much it until the last 15% of the book. From there, the disjointed plot becomes downright bizarre and, frankly, convoluted. Nothing made sense and I didn’t care at all what happened to either of the main characters. Their lives up until that point had been random backstories that kind of sort of came together in the chaotic ending. It, overall, felt like I was reading a different author.

Thankfully, the quality of the audiobook made up for some of the disappointment. The narrators did a wonderful job, and the small touches of sound effects added a lot to the atmosphere.

I'm hoping this book was just a bump in the road. I am glad to see that there are some others who have enjoyed this because I know the feeling of loving Alice Fenney's stories. I still look forward to whatever comes next, albeit, with some trepidation. I was surprised by the sexual content in this book as I don't recall much (if any) in the other books I've read by her. I didn't care for it.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for inviting me to listen to a free audiobook ARC of the book.

This was a captivating mystery as Grady Green searches for answers about his wife's sudden disappearance. The story effectively draws you in and I was hooked! However, the ending feels unrealistic and far-fetched and falls short of the story's buildup, leaving a sense of disappointment despite the otherwise engaging journey. The audio was fantastic on this book and I loved the setting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read/listen to this ARC.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to the advanced listening copy for this book!

It has been a little while since I've read a true mystery/thriller and Beautiful Ugly did not disappoint.
Alice Feeney just has a way with storytelling. She leaves the littlest crumbs that keep the reader engaged and questioning where the story is leading. And when the ending comes? She always delivers twist after twist after twist.
One aspect of Beautiful Ugly that I found to be unique was the way in which Feeney makes the setting of the story into a character. She describes the scenery in ways that paint such a vivid picture for the reader, illustrating with words the most picturesque vistas, while also finding ways to turn the beauty of the setting into an unsettling setting. I hope Feeney leans into this talent in future novels because. I found this book's setting to be such a benefit to the overall plot and ambiance of the story.
Our characters: They can be unlikeable. Some of that is trickery employed by the brilliant Feeney, but some of it is genuine. What's most intriguing to me is how Feeney leans into developing depth of character while also serving the plot, which can be difficult in a mystery/thriller. And in doing this, she really can change the reader's perspective on a character in an incredibly effective way.
I usually listen to Alice Feeney's book and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do that with Beautiful Ugly. The narrators used for the audiobook are both fantastic. The addition of snippets of music and making it sound as if characters are on the phone or speaking through a radio also adds to the immersive experience of listening to this audiobook, which I really appreciated as a listener.
Feeney is just such a solid writer and you're going to get a truly solid mystery/thriller if you give this book a read.

Popular author, Grady Green is talking to his wife, Abby, on the phone when she stops her car to help a person lying in the middle of the road. The line goes dead and Abby vanishes without a trace. Devastated by grief and unable to move on, Grady travels to a remote Scottish island. However, his attempt at healing is disrupted when he encounters a woman who looks nearly identical to Abby, leaving him questioning reality and desperately searching for answers.

This just reminded me how much I love Alice Feeney. It has been a bit since I read anything from her, but now I need to make sure I finish her entire catalog. I devoured this audiobook. I loved everything about this book from the setting, the plot, the characters, and the overall atmosphere. I never knew which way it was going and it surprised me all the way to the last page. This may have moved to the top of my favorites from Alice Feeney. I was completely captivated the whole time! What a fantastic thriller!

I love Alice Feeney. I was unsure where this book was going, and at one point I thought I was going to be really disappointed. But then wow does she know how to through twists in there. And of course the ending was amazing. I thought the narrators did a great job and helped to distinguish who was talking, but at the same time not give too much away as to what was actually happening.