A dark psychological thriller, The Unraveling of Julia seemed like a "can't miss!" The title and cover of this book are perfect and I so wanted to love it, but it just fell flat to me. Most of the book takes place in Tuscany which was beautiful, however, there wasn't really any beautiful descriptions of the places. I had a hard time picturing them and when I did it was because I had been there before. With a lack of description, it was a story that was told rather than shown and I love a good thriller that makes me feel! Some scenes felt rushed and others felt too drawn out. The plot and idea behind it are solid and make for a compelling story, I just didn't love how it was executed. That being said, will I try another Lisa Scottoline? Absolutely! This book just wasn't for me.

(I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn't read well for me.)

I have read this authors books before and they are usually hit or miss for me. This one wasn’t her best, but it was okay. It was a slow burn and i usually prefer books that are faster paced.

The Unraveling of Julia follows a young widow who inherits a mysterious estate in Tuscany from a stranger and quickly finds herself tangled in secrets she never saw coming. As Julia explores the eerie villa, she uncovers strange parallels between herself and the woman who owned it before her, including an obsession with astrology and an unexpected link to Renaissance history. The atmosphere was tense and unsettling, and I was immediately pulled in by the premise.

I really enjoyed the astrological elements and the creepy, almost dreamlike vibe of the setting. The story had solid tension and was definitely entertaining, but the pacing felt a little uneven at times and some of the twists were easy to spot. Still, it kept me reading and had enough intrigue to hold my attention. I’d rate it 3.5 stars overall.

This was an entertaining and quick read that kept me engaged. What begins as a psychological thriller rooted in astrology gradually evolves into something deeper and more mystical, as Julia discovers more about herself.

The story does a great job of blending suspense with personal discovery. Julia’s journey from feeling cursed and lost to finding answers about her past and ultimately uncovering both her blood and found families I especially appreciated the themes of identity, fate, and healing, and how they were woven into the story

This book had me hooked by the 33% mark — that eerie “history repeating itself” thread started to pull tight and I loved the tension it created. Add in supernatural elements with a twist of historical fiction, and I was all in. Is she losing her mind? Is it a ghost? Is she being hunted? I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

What really drew me in was how the story weaves astrology and cultural beliefs into the plot in a way that doesn’t feel forced. Instead, it made me want to dive deeper, to understand more about the traditions and perspectives that influence the characters and their choices.

At its core, The Unraveling of Julia is about perseverance — about holding onto your truth even when powerful forces are trying to break you. Julia’s refusal to be silenced or bullied by authority, even when she’s isolated and doubting herself, is both inspiring and gut-wrenching.

So glad I read this one. It’s an emotional, mysterious, and at times unsettling journey — and absolutely worth it.

The premise is interesting but unfortunately the follow through is not my cup of tea. I think going abroad to work out grief would be something I'd like but the FMC comes off as a major airhead and reads astrology to direct her life. I think she could have been written as a more sympathetic character and instead she is a turn off.

3.5 stars rounded up for an intriguing mystery with an over emphasis on astrology. Julia Pritzker is walking home after dinner with her husband when a robber with a knife approaches them. Her husband steps in front of her and the man stabs him and flees. Her husband dies in front of her eyes and she spirals into a deep depression. Months later she receives a letter from Italy informing her that she has inherited a villa and a large amount of money.
She goes to Tuscany, Italy to find out why Emilia Rossi left her this inheritance. She does solve the mystery, but not before some harrowing times. She also finds romance. There's a paranormal element in this book. There is a satisfactory ending tying up all plot lines, including the murder of her husband.
#TheUnravelingofJulia #NetGalley
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Pub Date Jul 15 2025

I'm relatively embarrassed to admit that I did not discover Lisa Scottoline until I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) The Truth About the Devlins last spring. Needless to say, I immediately requested an ARC of The Unraveling of Julia now that Scottoline is on my radar!

Despite being completely different from The Truth About the Devlins, I truly enjoyed The Unraveling of Julia. Although there were some semi-fantastical plot elements, Scottoline did a great job of making them seemingly plausible. And for me, the setting clearly stole the show. The perfect atmospheric novel for thriller and astrology lovers alike!

Lisa Scottoline is one of my favorite authors. Her newest book did not disappoint. The plot will keep you guessing from the beginning to the end. Characters are relatable and vividly described.

I received a free copy of, The Unraveling of Julia, by Lisa Scottoline, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Julia Pritzker, is not having good luck, she lost her adoptive parents, and then her husband is murdered. Julia is shocked to find she has inherited a villa in Italy, but all is not what it seems to be. This was a real good read.

Nicely written, rather sad story of a young lady looking for her place in life. From Philadelphia to Italy she has challenges in her life that she works with old friends and new to overcome.

A young widow, emotionally distraught after the shocking death of her husband, inherits a Tuscan estate from a mysterious benefactor and finds herself thrust into the crosshairs of a dangerous conspiracy..

Lisa Scottoline -- ever surprising -- has given us a gothic tale of murder, hauntings, and romance. Not to be missed, This twisty thriller will keep you reading late into the night. If you dare. #TheUnravelingofJulia #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

I usually love Lisa Scottoline books, but this one did not do it for me. Very odd, repetitive, and overkill on the astrology. Some mystery but not very riveting. It was longer than it needed to be.

I really enjoyed this one. Julia’s adopted parents and husband were murdered. Her horoscope predicted it. She gets communication that she inherited a Tuscan villa. She decides to go there and finds the home in disrepair. She doesn’t know who Gabe her the home and she settles in to figure out the mystery. Will the home and its precious owner be figured out? She find some clues about where she came from along the way. Very enjoyable.

Thank you to the publisher and Lisa Scottoline for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Unraveling of Julia. This novel published on July 15!

The synopsis immediately pulled me in. Visions, mystery, and a determined woman trying to uncover the truth behind her husband’s death? I was all in. The opening chapters were gripping, and I found myself eager to follow Julia’s journey and piece together the clues with her. As the story progressed, the heavy reliance on astrology and some of the plot developments started to lose me. The tone began to feel a little more YA than I expected, which didn’t quite align with my reading preferences. While I appreciated the creativity and emotional depth, it didn’t fully land for me in the second half.

That said, I’m still interested in reading more from Lisa Scottoline in the future. Her writing has promise, and I’d love to see where she goes next.

Thank you net galley for the ARC of this book!!I loved this book, the characters, the setting, the twists and turns!!! This book kept me guessing until the very end!!! Who is a friend, who is a foe?
Why are they so determined to get Julia to leave Italy!!! There are so many twists and turns, I read this book in two days, I could not wait for this book to unravel the characters and the motives behind their actions.

Thank you to the publisher and author for this arc!
This was my first Scottoline novel, and unfortunately it didn’t keep my interest.
I was really interested in the premise here, but the first half of the book was so slow for me, that I would have otherwise DNF’ed had I not been reading to review.
For that reason, I would be remiss to give it more than 3 stars.

This was really good and had so many twists and turns! Another hit for Lisa Scottoline!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is another great book by Lisa Scottoline.i You can always count on her for a good book to read.. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy..

In this story, the main character, Julia, follows astrology. She reads her horoscope and finds some similiarities between what the horoscope predicts and what happens to her or those around her. Another thing about Julia- she was adopted and has always wanted to find out more about her birth parents.
Her husband is murdered, and then shortly after, she inherits a vineyard and home in Italy from some she has never met before! Reading her horoscope for those days makes her wonder if she could have prevented his murder or predict the inheritance.
Who left her the property? A relative? And how did they know where to find her? She ventures to Italy and things are not what they seem. Julia begins to question her husband's murder, her birth family and her sanity.
Although not my favorite Lisa Scottoline book, I did find myself wanting to know more about Julia and help her uncover the mystery in Italy. If we had half stars, i would give it 3.5.