Gosh I love Alice Feeney! Especially on audio! This one had me doubting ever character and wondering what in the hell was going on. The twist at the end was out of left field and I never saw it coming! PSA for dog lovers: the dog doesn’t die.

Holy guacamole! Haha
This one was wild! Buckle in babes, because it is a doozy of a plot twist. It does slow down in some places but stick with it because it is absolutely amazing. I was grinning like a madman when it was all revealed. Brilliant!
The narrator’s, Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton were amazing!! Together they brought this world to life. Just amazing.

A Mixed Bag with an Enthralling Setting!

Beautiful Ugly is a rollercoaster of suspense, intrigue, and psychological drama, with a setting that’s so vivid it practically leaps off the page. The atmosphere is absolutely brilliant—proper Daisy Darker vibes here.

The audiobook deserves a special mention—it’s a real treat. The narration is spot-on, and the sound effects add an extra layer of tension and immersion that makes you feel like you’re right there on the island.

The story itself is classic Feeney: twists galore, complex relationships, and a big dollop of “what on earth is going on?” The themes of beauty and ugliness—both inside and out—are interesting, but the execution doesn’t always stick the landing.

Some characters feel a bit over-the-top, like they’ve wandered in from a soap opera, and a few plot twists don’t entirely earn their keep.

That said, the prose is as sharp as ever, dripping with tension and atmosphere. It pulls you in and dares you to put it down. Long-time fans will likely enjoy the familiar ride, but if you’re new to Feeney’s work, this might not be the best introduction.

Beautiful Ugly follows Grady, an author who wants nothing more than to see his works on the bestseller lists, whose world is shaken when his wife disappears. A year after her disappearance, he is sent by his publicist to a small island to focus on his writing and find inspiration. There he encounters a woman who looks exactly like is wife and is sent in a tailspin wondering what exactly is going on on this island.

I enjoy Alice Feeney’s writing and overall had a good time with this book! I liked learning about the island inhabitants best and felt they were all well characterized. The plot was a bit predictable and I don’t think any new twist mechanics are created in this book, but that didn’t stop it from being an easy and enjoyable read!

I read this via audiobook and thought the two narrators did a great job. Recommended for fans of isolated thrillers and fans of Feeney’s prior works.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Beautiful Ugly from Macmillan Audio was one of my favorite books by Alice Feeney. The suspense and intricacies of the characters and story she woven together kept me hooked and I finished it within a day. This book will definitely be recommended to others! Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Pub Date: Jan 14 2025

Always love Alice Feeney! At first this book did not seem to read as a typical Fenney book, but once the character point of viewed swapped it was a roller coaster from there! It definitely gave me Stephen King vibes and I loved it!

Beautiful Ugly
Alice Feeney
Grady Green’s wife is on her way home when she disappears. He calls her with good news, his book made the New York Times bestselling list. During their conversation she tells him she sees a body in the middle of the road. He hears her slam on the brakes and leave the car. Grady rushes out to find her. That was his last conversation with her. Her car is found abandoned, it is by the edge of a cliff, the headlights are on, the driver’s door is open, her phone is there but she isn’t.
A year later: Grady is devastated and desperate to learn what happened to his wife, Abby. He can’t focus on anything. He can’t write or sleep. His agent arranges for him to stay in a cabin on Amberly, a tiny Scottish Island. All expenses paid. The cabin belonged to a popular deceased author.
The setting is a beautiful island off the coast of Scotland. The characters are odd. There are two timelines intertwined. The characters all stand out because they are eccentric behavior. The narrator is inconsistent. The island has a personality of its own and becomes one of the characters. The description of the island is vivid, I felt as if I were transported to the island, I could see the misty of the fog rolling in and I could smell the salt water.
There was a foreshadowing and a threatening feeling. The reader knows there is something wrong but what is the question. Author Alice Feeney offers readers twists and turns that kept this reader guessing. This thought provoking book by author Alice Feeney will please her fans.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Alice Feeney's Beautiful Ugly is an absolute triumph in psychological suspense, and the audiobook format elevates it to new heights. With masterful narration that brings every twist and emotional beat to life, the story grips you from the very first chapter. Feeney's signature style of layered storytelling and shocking reveals is in full force here, weaving a tale that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is chilling. The characters are deeply flawed yet compelling, and the intricate plot will keep you guessing until the jaw-dropping finale. This audiobook is an unforgettable experience—perfect for fans of thrillers that linger in your mind long after they end.

Rounded up from 3.75 stars.

Book #119 in 2024: "Beautiful Ugly" by Alice Feeney

This is a review copy, thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio .

My star rating (out of five): 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The first 80% of this book was great, but towards the end, I was disappointed at the outrageous twists and unbelievable ending.

"He's chasing something he will never find, but we're all guilty of that."

"It's a human affliction to see what we want, instead of what's really there."

"I keep my thoughts to myself because silence can't be misquoted."

"Guilt is such a sticky emotion. You can't wash the damn thing off."

"I guess sometimes we only see what we expect to see."

"Old age sneaks up on us all, like an unwelcome thief."

There is one r-rated sex scene that I could have lived without, but it went by quickly and wasn't lingered over.

One thing mystery authors do that drives me crazy is to repeat information. Trust me, I'm not stupid. I've picked up on the fact that the people on the island are strange, weird, or odd. I also understand that this is a key piece of the story. I can put this together if scenes are well-written.

This story is crazy! I think it's my favorite by Alice Feeney, so many twists and turns, you don't know what's real! The story is about a married couple, he is a writer, waiting for his wife to get home, she's late. Not only is she late and he's not happy about this, but on her way home, there's something or somebody in the road and she stops to see if she can help. That's the last her husband sees of her, she never got home to hear his news, he's got severe writer's block now, has to move because he can no longer afford his rent, it's just a nightmare for him. Little does he know, his agent will come to his rescue but, should he accept the proposal? The audio was well done with the many different voices of the characters.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is a fantastic psychological thriller in which Grady, a NYT bestselling author is lost after his wife Gabby disappears. Grady can't sleep or write. A year later he goes to a small Scottish Island to try to get his writing career going again, but strange things begin to happen. He thinks he sees his wife and the twenty-five inhabitants of the island are very peculiar. This book has so many twists and turns. Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton bring the audiobook to life. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook. This book will be published on January 14, 2025.

I think this was one of my best reads this year. This is my 2nd book by Alice Feeney and I absolutely loved it. I could not stop listening to it and had to finish it. I loved the Audiobook

First off, the audiobook production of this novel is simply fantastic. Richard Armitage does an amazing job narrating-- his pacing added so much to the mystery and build of suspense. I think I could listen to him read me anything and I'd love it! I loved the addition of sound effects, which brought the story to life.

The story was atmospheric, eerie and felt quite sinister at times. Occasionally it felt a like a bit of a genre bender as it made me question the existence of potential elements of the supernatural-- contributing to the creep factor. The characters were mysteriously flawed and Feeney was able to build suspense gradually with this slow burn of a dark thriller. While the suspense building captivated me from the beginning, I did feel a little let down by the ending. The twist didn't feel shocking enough, and I felt like the conclusion was explained in a rush at the very end, which was in stark opposition to the pacing of the rest of the book.

5 stars

This was one of the only books where I didn’t even try to guess or predict the ending. I genuinely had no idea what was going on at any point. I absolutely LOVED it. There was so much to figure out that I didn’t even try lol

The way that things “turned” and started to unravel was so fun. Everything started to come together by the end and I absolutely just loved every bit of this. There was so many parts that had me saying what the heck is actually going on here.

This was my first Alice Feeny book and now I cannot wait to read her others.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A year after the tragic disappearance of his wife, Grady is struggling emotionally, financially, and is suffering from a case of insurmountable writer's block. Facing staggering debt and the threat of having to pay back his advance, Grady accepts an invitation to a reclusive cabin on a remote Scottish isle hoping the seclusion will spark his writing. When he arrives on the island he–unbelievably–sees a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

BEAUTIFUL UGLY was such a clever and atmospheric story that drew me in from the start. The chilling storyline leads up to a downright haunting ending. In Feeney’s signature style, the writing was edge-of-your-seat and the plot was cunning and clever.

I would be absolutely remiss if I didn’t mention the *phenomenal* audiobook production that takes this book to the next level. With crashing waves, various sound effects and perfect narration by Richard Armitage, you’re going to want to take this story in with your ears.

Read this if you:
-enjoyed Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
-know there are two sides to every coin
-believe no man is an island

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)
PUB DATE: January 30, 2025

Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review

Whoa. That was a twisty tale I just didn't expect. I listened to an ALC and really enjoyed the narrators. There are two povs of Grady and Abby. Once I started listening I could not stop. I needed to know what was going to happen and now that I'm finished I will definitely be thinking about it for quite some time.

Beautiful Ugly is a psychological thriller that immediately hooked me. The story follows Grady, a heartbroken author who is still reeling from the sudden disappearance of his wife, Abby. His search for answers leads him to a remote Scottish island, where he encounters a woman who looks eerily like Abby. What follows is a twisting tale filled with suspense, unreliable narration, and shocking revelations that will leave you questioning what’s real until the very end.

The atmosphere on the island is unsettling, creating a perfect backdrop for the mystery to unfold. Feeney is an auto-buy author for me and she once again masterfully builds tension. The plot's twists are great and one in particular literally made my jaw drop. The unreliable narrator trope is expertly executed, adding layers of complexity to the story. I loved the hidden message.

I listened to this one as an audiobook and I highly recommend it. Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton delivered stellar performances. The sound effects further enhance the immersive atmosphere, making this a truly captivating listening experience. Overall it is an enthralling read (or listen) that will keep you hooked, questioning every clue and character along the way.

Special thanks to @Netgalley and @macmillanaudio for the ALC of Beautiful Ugly. Rating 4+ stars!

Full disclosure: Alice Feeney is very hit or miss for me. This one seemed like the perfect vibes for a wintery mystery. But…
I hate to have to say that I didn’t like this book, but I REALLY didn’t like this book. I was intrigued by the atmosphere- this secluded Scottish island hosting a band of creepy locals with one male visitor attempting to finish a writing deadline and grappling with the disappearance of his wife. In ways, I vaguely predicted the “twists,” though I don’t think they were executed well enough for myself to feel proud of any predictions. Overall, the writing is really what turned me off with Beautiful Ugly- it’s SO melodramatic… SO dun!dun!dun! I could hear the suspenseful music at the last line of every chapter (though the audiobook is actually full of poorly volume-controlled background noise that usually shocked me instead of adding any tone to the listening experience). The male narrator’s voice was a very breathy and overly angsty to me. I had a hard time keeping track of any of the islanders names and there were so many red-herrings that were never properly addressed.
I guess if you’re a big Feeney Stan this one will prolly work for you. It’s definitely atmospheric. Definitely twisty. It just really didn’t work for my. Maybe in physical over audio I wouldn’t have felt taken out of the vibes by the performance. Who knows, but I won’t be raving about this one to anyone. I see it was chosen for December 2024 BOTM, so hopefully it works out for all those readers.

Very mixed thoughts on this one. Propulsive story line, with a lot of difficulty to determine what is actually going on. However, so many unlikeable characters and a little too much reality suspension for me.

This was mostly fine and somewhat entertaining. But overall it was just so far out there in believability that I never grabbed hold of it and honestly I was a bit bored for most of it. A few things to note - I have the audio ARC of this and I like to just listen to someone read me a book. This had some production to it with sound effects. Because I mostly listen when driving, the sudden unexpected noises often scarred the crap out of me, not good when driving. Not a fan at all. I will say though that I loved the chapter titles and how they were incorporated into the writing. Witty. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an early release audio copy in exchange for my opinion. Technically Beautiful Ugly doesn't release until 1/14/25 however I believe it was released early through Book of The Month, so you should be able to find it out and about now.