I have been reading Lisa Scottoline for almost as long as she’s has been writing, and she is an automatic read for me. So I was very excited to receive an ARC of The Unravelling of Julia in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was mainly a thriller, with a bit of paranormal and a bit of a love story. One thing I love about Lisa Scottoline’s writing is how she writes her characters. I always feel like I could be friends with the characters in her books. And I love the humor that is thrown in throughout.

This was a fun read, as always.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline is a definite page turner. Once you start to read you will not be able to put it down. Inheriting a Tuscan villa vineyard and millions of dollars from an unknown benefactor throws a young widow’s life into a quest for survival. Once Julia arrives to claim her Tuscan villa, her life becomes a quest for family identity, her sanity, and her surviving life threats. The story is full of twists and turns and action packed to the very end. This will make into a great movie!

Surprisingly, this was my first Lisa Scott0line read. I was so stocked to see this on NetGalley as a Read Now arc. I’m not typically a big fan of a supernatural angle, especially in a thriller. The astrology pieces were definitely interesting and the setting was interesting. Overall, I wasn’t as shocked as I had hoped to be.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-copy ◡̈

If you like lots and lots of detail, this book is for you. Two threads run through the book. Looking forward adoptive mother and inheriting a mansion in Italy. The resolve at the end is sparse, considering how much detail was put forth towards the resolution. Fairly entertaining.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

Like many books I've read, I liked this, but I didn't love it. And that's OK. I've read several of the author's other books, so I knew this would be well-written, with good dialogue, and it was. The Italian setting added a substantial element to the novel, and brought the events to life. I was less enamored with the paranormal element to the story, which didn't fit in the narrative as well as it could have.

All in all, a solid read, and Lisa Scottoline fans will be pleased. Will I read more from the author? Yes.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

I love that Scottoline is such a versatile writer in many genres. If there’s a story to be told, she tells it. Julia has a bad feeling as she and her husband walk back to their home in Philly, and it’s justified as a man comes out of nowhere and stabs her husband. Shortly there after she’s approached by a lawyer from Italy, who tells Julie she has inherited a great deal of money and a villa in Tuscany. When she arrives, many people are trying to get her to sell the house in the 40 acres and her life becomes in danger.
The only thing I didn’t like was how quickly she moved onto another man, that bothered me greatly. Other than that, it was a quick read and an enjoyable one.

I have never read a book by this author before, and she has so many books. I’m honestly surprised that I haven’t. So I gave this one a try. The first chapter, wow! Pull me right in. But as I continued reading, it became very clear that this was one of those instances people talk about with the concept of “show me, don’t tell me”. The author was just telling me all kinds of backstory, and telling me what was happening. The writing was not descriptive at all, and honestly felt very rudimentary. I almost felt like I was reading a YA book. The plot seemed very far-fetched, and there was so much reference to horoscope that I was instantly turned off. I read about 10% and decided to put it down. This one’s not for me. I might try this off again in the future, but this book did not work.

Julia was adopted as a baby and always wondered who her birth parents were. Julia inherited a villa in Tuscany and thought this was her answer to where she was from. She goes to Italy and encounters and psychological journey you don't want to miss reading. Amazing book by an amazing author, a five plus book.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley. I really like the authors other books but this one fell a bit flat for me. I thought the premise was interesting but the supernatural elements took me out of it. Also the FMC’s best friend flip flopping on condemning and consigning her behavior was frustrating. The reveal also felt insignificant to the entire story. It’s written like the authors other books which was enjoyable. I still look forward to her other books even if this one wasn’t for me.

Lisa Scottoline had me on the edge of my seat with this one. Part paramormal thriller and part ficton in a Tuscan setting will have me reading my horoscope from now on. Be prepared for this to be your next page turner!

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy of this novel that take place under the bright Tuscan Sun, a Sun that is no match for the darkness that surrounds the main characters, a darkness that might consume her and everything she has known.

My love for reading did not come from the wind. My parents were big readers. My Mom loved fiction with a medical setting, and mysteries My father read just about everything, including whatever I was reading. My Grandparents too were readers. Of course my Irish Grandparents had the hardcover version of Trinity by Leon Uris, an Irish novel that I think they gave out on St. Patrick's Day, as I never saw an Irish household without it. Also my Grandmothers were big fan of gothic romance stories. For the longest time I always thought they were reading the same books. Each cover had a dark house/castle/manor, a woman in a diaphanous dress carrying a candle or lantern and bold text titles. The spookier it seemed the more both my Grandmothers liked them. I guess my love of eldritch horror might be from my maternal side. After reading this novel, I know why these stories were so popular with both of them, and I know they would have loved this. The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline is a tale about a woman haunted by the ghosts of lost ones, horoscopes, past lives, madness, regrets, love, and the beauty and wonder of the unknown.

Julia Pritzker is having a very bad run. Julia has lost her adopted parents, parents who never really shared what they knew of Julia's past. Julia's husband has also been murdered, and the one comfort she has always taken in life, doing her horoscopes, seems to have told her this was going to happen. To add to the strange things going on Julia is informed by letter that she is now owner of a manor and vineyard in Tuscan, Italy, left to her by a woman, Emilia Rossi, she has never met. Julia wonders if Rossi could be a relative, as she knows nothing about her past. Travelling to her new estate, Julia finds that while Rossi and her do look alike, Rossi was dealing with many mental issues, including paranoia and thoughts that she was related to someone in the past. The more Julia investigates the stranger things get. Horoscopes are starting to be more accurate, people seem to be following her, and the cute young man she meets, seems to have a lot that he isn't sharing with her. Things are beginning to spiral for Julia, and she fears that the fates are not only in the stars, but so might the darkness of madness.

I love how many author defy the strictures and structures that people come to expect, and do something different. This is hard for bestselling authors, as agents, publishers booksellers and readers are sometimes very resistant to change. They like comfort books, and for a writer to step out of their comfort zone, they should be appreciated. This has much of what has made Scottoline a bestselling author, the Italian landscape, strong characters and a story that plays fair, but maybe the characters aren't. The added paranormal aspect, the gothic feeling is new, but really adds to the story. Some might frown at horoscopes, and past lives, but this is a gothic story, one that really works. Again Scottoline creates characters that one wants to know more about, and care about what happens to them. The plot moves well, with a few red herrings and characters who might be hiding more than they are telling. Quite a lot of fun.

A little deeper than a beach thriller, with a lot going on story wise, and a bit of sadness, and some madness. The paranormal might freak some readers, but I do feel this adds to the story. Another winner from Scottoline, and I love the fact that after all the books Scottoline has done, Scottoline is not afraid to try something new.

Fantastic psychological thriller with multiple mysteries to solve and tons of twists and turns! I loved this book. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. Keeps you on your toes and your nose stuck in the pages.

Lisa Scottoline is a go-to author for me. I usually love her books. This book is well written; I just had a difficult time with all the woo-woo, paranormal, and horoscope parts. They took away from the story for me. I loved the description of Tuscany and the basic storyline very much. I understand why an author might like to explore other avenues of writing. I am just giving my opinion of the book as I agreed I would do. Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline due to be published July 15, 2025.
Also recommended by Lisa Scottoline: The Truth about the Devlins, What Happened to the Bennetts, Someone Knows, and One Perfect Lie!
Lately, Julia Pritzker lost her adoptive parents, then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to spiral. Then a letter arrives out of the blue, informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard —but her benefactor is a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. Julia has no information about her biological family, so she wonders if Rossi could be a blood relative. She heads to Tuscany for answers. Will she find out what she needs to know without getting hurt herself?
This was not my favorite book by Lisa Scottoline because of the astrology and a little bit of paranormal references but still kept my attention for the duration of the book. I was interested to see how the murder of her husband in the United States and the villa she inherited were connected and also to see if she could find her blood relatives. Even though it was not my favorite, it was still interesting!

#NetGalley #LisaScottoline #GrandCentralPublishing #TheUnravelingOfJulia

I loved how this novel was set in the lush Tuscan countryside in Italy. The book had a satisfying ending, but I wasn't hooked until I was thirty percent into it. I kept reading because of the author and the setting. A paranormal fiction aspect was introduced at about forty percent into the book, and it swerved into being a psychological thriller with a dash of romance at fifty-five percent into the story. The storyline was farfetched in the last part of the book, so I suggest readers suspend belief and just enjoy the story. I'm giving this novel four stars, but I'm not sure where it sits genre-wise. You'll find a hint of gothic horror vibes, a bit of romance (mostly closed door) and psychological thriller elements later in the story. If I had to pick one genre, I'd say this novel is paranormal women's fiction. I'm always on board for a starting over story set in an exotic location, so despite the book's slow start, I enjoyed the novel. For readers of the author's other books: I didn't think this was as well-written or in the same style of writing as Scottoline's other books, but that may be due to her joining the ranks of many other authors who are moving into or experimenting with writing psychological thrillers.

I loved this book. Being Italian and having been to Italy, I particularly loved the research she did. I imagined places she described while reading and became connected to Julia. I’m always fascinated the way writers can bring a reader into a story! I could imagine myself in Florence at the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio, running from a suspected murderer. This book is a detailed well thought out story of a sensitive broken young, recently widowed woman, who discovers the secrets and strength within herself to persevere with help from a wonderful friend, thrilling mysterious adventures, with guidance from a very unusual source and an unexpected loving young man. Twist, turns and just an all around good read for me.
This is my first read by Lisa Scottoline. I’m excited to read more of her work. Very well thought out! I thoroughly enjoyed The Unraveling of Julia. Love the title. We unravel then we heal.

The Unraveling of Julia is a psychological thriller set in Tuscany. Julia is a young woman who has lost both adoptive parents and her husband. After receiving a mystery inheritance, she travels to Italy to investigate her benefactor. This book has quite a few twists and turns and in places feels a little unrealistic but it's a quick read and kept me engaged. The build up was great but it did feel like it was a little rushed at the end. This would be a great vacation read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my review copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

A woman’s husband is murdered in what appears to be a random stabbing and shortly thereafter inherits a villa in Italy. It was easy to lose yourself in this novel so definitely pick it off the shelf if you see it.

I really enjoyed the astrological aspect of the book. I have not checked my horoscope in years and this book made me want to subscribe to a daily horoscope reading. The one issue I had was the insta love between two of the characters. It just was a bit cheesy along with the ending which I will not spoil here. Everything does wrap up really nicely with a big bow. I also wanted more twists and more digging into Caterina!

Also, am still waiting on a random relative leaving me a nice little place in Norway.

I always love the books by Lisa Scottoline and couldn't wait to read The Unraveling of Julia. This was the first book I found disappointing. The story about Julia witnessing her husband’s murder and subsequently inheriting a huge amount of money in Tuscany kept my interest. However i found with so many things going on at once and so quickly it was a lot to keep up with. I also found Julia lacking in understanding how people would react to her psychic experiences until her friend explained it to her. I would have given it a 3.5 if that were available. I would still continue to read Lisa Scottoline’s books as i have always enjoyed them and am sure I will continue to do so.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the unpublished version in exchange for my honest opinion.