Just as he was hitting the New York Times bestseller list, British author Grady Green’s beloved wife, Abby, disappeared. In the year since Abby’s red coat was found near a cliffside road a mile from their house, Grady has been unable to write.

Now, out of money, he has taken refuge on a little Scottish island where his agent owns a cottage where a famed writer once lived and worked. But much is lurking behind the islanders’ smiles in this characteristically twisty tale from the formidable Alice Feeney, author of books including “Sometimes I Lie” and “Rock Paper Scissors.” I never like to give too much away about a Feeney book; suffice it to say that very little here is as it seems.

The book is enhanced by the reading from Richard Armitage, of the “Hobbit” movies. As his world disintegrates, Armitage understatedly but convincingly conveys his character’s confusion and increasing desperation.

“𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲.”

Alice Feeney is back with a dark tale of marriage and revenge.

Feeney always delivers an atmospheric domestic thrill ride. In this case, writer Grady is grappling with the disappearance of his wife Abby and severe writers’ block when his agent suggests working at a remote cabin on the isle of Amberley. This is one island I would not want to go explore - its isolation, dangerous weather, and strange inhabitants heighten the sense of unease that Grady feels. I listened to the audiobook mostly, and I found it gripping. Richard Armitage does a FANTASTIC job at portraying Grady as both sympathetic and unstable (his severe insomnia makes it uncertain if he’s being paranoid or if he’s an unreliable narrator). I loved the sound effects that amp up the sense of atmosphere. The island begins to feel smaller and smaller as things close in on Grady to the shocking conclusion. Feeney is the queen of the twists, to varying effects; the multiple reveals in this ending didn’t do it for me - I was left with many plot holes and many questions rather than satisfying answers.

Beautiful Ugly is not Feeney’s best, but it is an easy to read thriller; if you’re going to check this one out, I highly recommend listening alongside reading it! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

3.5 out of 5 stars! Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for this audiobook of Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney.

This was a pretty quick listen for me and, don't get me wrong, it totally built me up, but I can't say that I was satisfied with the ending. I LOVE Alice Feeney's books and the plot was there, but the ending just didn't do it fo me. I would say that this book may have been better to read than listen. Narrators did a fantastic job and got me hooked from the beginning to the middle.

Overall, okay story and I'm still an Alice Feeney fan!

I am so sorry. I thought I gave my review on here when I read this book almost two months ago.

3.5 stars*** Alice Feeney knows how to write a creepy book, and this was no exception. The book was creepy and suspenseful. I did find a few parts on the middle to feel dull or a bit boring.

I also struggled with the ending. I think you had to suspend belief quite a bit to get yourself there, but the final twist was fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan audio for the opportunity to read this audiobook!

4.5⭐
What in the world? This is Feeney's darkest yet!

Grady Green gets a key to a writing cottage on a lush island off of Scotland coast. Green hasn't been able to write ever since the disappearance of his wife a year before. His agent thinks it's time for him to move on and get into writing again.

Scottish island of Amberley is so secluded, calm and eerie. A perfect setting for a thriller. Give me a small cabin, "strange" townsfolk and unsettling island tale and I won't be able to put this one down. There are so many layers to this story and Feeney did a fantastic job switching perspectives and kept me on my toes. My jaw dropped in disbelief when the reader gets the reveal. I had NO WORDS (and no spoiler) about that ending. What did you think?? omg omg. 😱😱

The audiobook was perfection. I love Richard Armitage (always Thorin❤️) and Tuppence Middleton both were fantastic narrators.

What did I just listen to? 🤯🎧📚

Twists, turns, confusion, but always holding my attention! Also the narration was 🧑‍🍳💋!

Thank you @alicewriterland and @macmillan.audio for the ALC!

5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC. Grady is an author who just received a phone call with some good news and can’t wait to share with his wife, Abby. Abby is on her way home and while she is on the phone with Grady, she sees someone in the road and tells him that she is going to check to make sure the person is Ok. She goes to check on the person and never comes back on the phone; she has disappeared.

Fast forward a year later, and Abby still hasn’t been found and Grady is still lost without his wife and grieving. Grady’s publicist tells him that he should go to Scotland in hopes of being able to finish the book that he was working on, and he decides to go. When he arrives, he thinks he sees Abby, or is it someone that looks like her.

The story was soooo good and was enjoyable from beginning to end. This book was so much more than a thriller and discussed real life topics, and the narration was really good. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with multiple twists and an unexpected ending that will make you ask with the hell did I just read, this is the book for you!

I love thrillers, and a strong setting plays a crucial role in creating the perfect atmosphere. This one nailed it.

I love Alice Feeney's books, and in addition to the atmospheric setting, this one kept me intrigued and fully engaged in the story. I had my theories while reading and thought I had it all figured out, only to be surprised by the twists! If you're a fan of addictive stories with fantastic writing and immersive settings, definitely pick this one up.

This audiobook was phenomenal and the narrator did very well at bringing the story to life. I love Alice Feeney and will read all her books, however, this wasn’t my favorite. The ending was underwhelming after such a good set up.

Man I was not expecting the ending! It was a massive curve ball! I liked it, but it was also very unexpected / drastic. I also had a hard time fully understanding the ending. The narration was great, though. And overall the story was engaging. Solid read!

This book is Alice Feeney at her best! I was given an audiobook to listen to and it made the whole experience so atmospheric. I felt like I was in the story watching it unfold, fabulous narration!
I love an unreliable narrator in a story, it kept me on the edge of nerves.
Creepy island, strange townsfolk, a perfect read!
Highly recommend 5 amazing stars!!

Thank you, Alice Feeney, for another ultra suspenseful psych thriller with an unpredictable ending! It's getting harder to find these gems that are absorbing from start to finish. This book took me on a riveting ride. I could sense the tension building with each chapter. And seriously... that ending was brilliant!!!

Also, it was incredibly atmospheric and dark. The characters came alive in the audiobook. It's probably one of the best audio performances I've heard this year! Not only were there different narrators for different perspectives, but some fun sound effects as well.

Definitely a must-read, in my opinion, if you enjoy this genre. Can't wait for her next one!!

Thank you, #NetGalley, and #MacMillaAudio, for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
#BeautifulUgly

This book grabbed me from the beginning and kept me wanting to keep going! I really enjoyed the story and how this book flowed. I love Alice Feeney's writing and will certainly read/listen to more! Love the twists and turns and the final twist at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Alice Feeney, the undisputed Queen of Twists, returns with Beautiful Ugly, a darkly gripping psychological thriller that peels back the layers of marriage, identity, and revenge. A masterclass in suspense, Beautiful Ugly is an intoxicating blend of mystery and mind games that will leave readers questioning everything they think they know—right up until the final, jaw-dropping page. Feeney proves once again that in her world, nothing is ever as it seems.

Feeney’s signature storytelling is on full display here—hauntingly atmospheric, laced with tension, and brimming with shocking revelations. As the narrative weaves between past and present, readers are pulled into a labyrinth of secrets, betrayals, and the ever-shifting power dynamics within a marriage. The prose is razor-sharp, the twists unpredictable, and the psychological depth chillingly immersive.

I really do not know what to say about this book.

I had such high hopes for this one and was instantly intrigued by the opening chapter and was very curious to see how this would play out.

The first bit was extremely hopeful. I was engaged, I was turning the pages quickly and I needed to know what was going on.

Sadly, that is where the good in this book ends.

About 50% in this book started to become boring and far fetched and at one point I thought I had figured it out. I would have almost preferred what I thought was the twist to be the case, because the real twist was extremely disappointing.

I listened to this on audio, and I will say the narration was excellent and I loved the little addition of sound effects and music!

Overall, I would say if you like page turning thrillers then definitely try this one out and form your own opinion as it seems there are mixed reviews. But I would suggest listening to the audio if you do!

Hands down my favorite Alice Feeney book!!
BEAUTIFUL UGLY was a spectacular story. I never saw the twist coming which was the best part. What a chilling ending. If you can only listen to one audiobook this year, make it this one. The sound effects added a whole additional layer to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

4 out of 5 stars and my respect to the author.

Gotta love unreliable narrators!
Twisty-turns with a little darkness and vengeance.

My first book by Alice Feeney and my first ARC audio book from #NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do.

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.

With a description like that, who wouldn't want to read (or listen in my case) to this story. While I loved the narrator's voice, the story started off with a bang, but then left me wanting more, even with the plot twists. The story is shared by two POV and goes into the past and present time. I found myself increasing the speed of the narration as parts felt repetitive. I didn't bond with either character. And the ending left me wanting more.
Three stars with a 5 star rating for the narrator. I am going to be looking for more a

Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life. After calling his wife, Abby, to share exciting news, he hears a sudden crash, followed by silence. When he finally finds her car abandoned at the cliff’s edge, headlights on, driver’s door open, and her phone left behind, Abby has vanished without a trace.

A year later, drowning in grief and unable to write, Grady retreats to a remote Scottish island in search of clarity. But then he sees her—or at least, a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife. What follows is a twisting psychological thriller filled with secrets, grief, and lies.

Alice Feeney can be hit or miss for me, but this one was a solid hit. The mystery was gripping, the atmosphere eerie, and the suspense kept me engaged throughout. While some twists were a bit predictable, the novel’s emotional depth and tension made up for it. If you love moody, character-driven thrillers with an intriguing premise, *Beautiful Ugly* is worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Alice Feeney for the opportunity to read an advance copy of *Beautiful Ugly*!

Grady’s wife is missing and has been for a year. He is an author who hasn’t been able to write since and has lost everything. The opportunity to stay on a remote island to write seems like a good way to get back on his feet. But, did he just see his wife on the island ferry? And the people on the island seem a bit peculiar. He needs to write this book but there are so many things that are strange going on around him, He learns more about the island’s history and wants to leave….but can he find a way off the island?

I think I enjoyed the journey more than the destination. Although, the cast of characters was interesting and intriguing! The reveals were surprising and clever. It was one I’ve thought about after and I consider that a good thing.

I gave it 3 stars