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.

Lisa Scottoline is sometimes hit or miss for me, but this title was a huge hit. The storyline grabbed me from the beginning and kept me engaged all the way through. Did it have some “weird” parts, sure. Was it very descriptive at times, yes but that all added to the story and just made it even more enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this engaging story.

A great psychological thriller about a widow filled with secrets and twists. A true page-turner, that I couldn't put down. I love anything related to horoscope and this story incorporates horoscope into the plot. There are two mysteries intertwined and I loved that I was always kept on my toes. The characters are interesting and the book is very well written.

In "The Unraveling of Julia," Lisa Scottoline presents a gripping narrative filled with mystery and self-discovery. Julia, having endured significant loss, finds her life upended once more when she loses her husband in a tragic event. Alone in Brooklyn, her world shifts dramatically upon receiving a letter informing her of an unexpected inheritance: a villa and vineyard in Tuscany from a mysterious benefactor. Eager for a fresh start, Julia embraces this opportunity and travels to Italy, where she learns that Emilia Rossi, her benefactor, claims descent from the Renaissance figure Duchess Caterina Sforza and bears a striking resemblance to Julia. As Julia delves into the histories of Emilia and Caterina, she discovers unsettling parallels with her own life. However, her quest for answers places her and those she cares about in jeopardy, as she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens her existence and reveals the truth about her identity.

My experience with "The Unraveling of Julia" was thoroughly engaging, as the novel's dual mysteries surrounding the Tuscan villa and Julia's biological family kept me eagerly turning the pages. Scottoline masterfully delivers surprises and plot twists that are both well-executed and satisfyingly unpredictable. After witnessing her husband's brutal murder, Julia's transformation from a recluse in Brooklyn to a determined seeker of truth in Tuscany is both compelling and believable. The book stands out with its innovative storyline, captivating plot, and well-developed characters, allowing readers to connect deeply with Julia's journey. Overall, I found "The Unraveling of Julia" to be a captivating read, deserving a solid four-star rating for its ability to weave a complex and thrilling tale that held my attention from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I recently had the pleasure of reading this, and I have to say, it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. From the very first page, I was hooked by the engaging style and the intriguing characters. The author does an excellent job of building a world that feels both immersive and believable, making it easy to get lost in the story. The plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would surprise me with something unexpected. I highly recommend this and all their work.

The Unraveling of Julia is a combination of psychological thriller, paranormal, historical fiction, and women's fiction. It has a little bit of everything.

Julia witnesses her husband's brutal murder and then secludes herself in fear of being attacked herself. Both of her adoptive parents are no longer living and her only outlet is talking to her best friend, Courtney. Months after her husband's death, Julia finds out she has inherited a villa in Tuscany from a woman she has never heard of, Emilia Rossi. She wonders if Emilia could be her biological grandmother. She overcomes her fears and travels to Tuscany to search for answers. She has inherited a villa, 40 acres and millions of dollars. While there, it's apparent the people do not want her there and she does not know who to trust. She wonders if her husband's murder and her experiences in Tuscany are related. While reading, the paranormal was a miss for me, but after continuing it all unfolded and made sense. The ending comes together nicely and no question is left unanswered. Well done! 4.5 stars

This book made me want to pour a glass of Chianti and eat Italian cuisine.

Julia is recovering from the murder of her husband when she learns that she has inherited some money and a villa from someone she doesn't know. She travels to Italy in order to try to figure out what the deal is. Could this be her bio family, as she was adopted.

This story added in some astrology as well as some supernatural things that really just seemed to confuse things a bit.

All in all it was an interesting read.

Julie thinks her life is over after the horrific murder of her husband. She then receives a letter informing her that she has been bequeathed a large sum of money and a villa in Italy. Having been adopted, Julia often wonders about her birth mother and considers if the owner of the villa is somehow related biologically to her. Only one way to get her answers, travel to Tuscany and investigate.

Drawn in from the beginning, I read it in two days. Murder, astrology, premonition, and visions, are woven throughout this psychological thriller. Scottoline is a master storyteller in her development of the characters and the scenes in Italy. Who hasn't felt uneasy and questions their reality? Scottoline uses her own birthday to authenticate Julia's astrological connections/info. Highly recommend for Book Clubs, many discussion points. Fans of hers will not be disappointed, prepare to do nothing else once you start reading.

Lisa Scottoline is an exceptional writer. As with every one of her titles that I've previously read, The Unraveling of Julia is rich with beautifully described settings, deeply developed characters, and a moving plot.

The story has just the right number of characters and they interrelate so well. The novel moves along nicely; I appreciate the length of the chapters - not too long, yet not so short as to seem choppy. The story unfolds smoothly in that chapters build on each other rather than transition to and from different places or times.

Reading The Unraveling of Julia is a virtual visit to the Tuscan countryside - the novel is replete with the sights, sounds, and culture of this beautiful region. Each of the Italian characters contributes to this sensation, pulling the reader in with local dialect and the mannerisms expected from residents of this area.

One character - the protagonist's best friend Courtney - uses quite a bit of colorful language including several f-words. Personally, I'm nto at all a fan of this in any books I read, yet I acknowledge that it won't bother many. Still, in my opinion, the characters would have retained her feisty streetwise nature and the reading experience would have been better without the language.

Fans of astrology, the supernatural, and the mystical will adore this book. Although those areas are not within my typical reading interests, I decided to "just go with it", since this is, after all, fiction.

The conclusion of the story made my rating a solid 4. It is loaded with emotions of all kinds, so much so that I couldn't put the book down. Have tissues at the ready as you read the final chapters.

I'm very grateful to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read a prepublication edition of this novel; all comments offered here are strictly my own, unbiased opinions.

The Unraveling of Julia presents a mystery and story of self-discovery set against the backdrop of Tuscany. Julie Pritzker, is a woman in her mid-thirties, who is grappling with the traumatic loss of her husband, brutally murdered in front of her eyes. This harrowing event leaves Julie fearful and agoraphobic, leading a reclusive life.

When Julie receives an unexpected letter from an Italian lawyer, she is shocked. The letter informs her of an inheritance—a villa in Tuscany—from a stranger named Emilia Rossi. This news propels Julie into a journey to uncover her biological roots and the truth behind this mysterious bequest. Upon her arrival, she encounters hostility from locals, cryptic responses from the lawyer, and unsettling visions of Caterina Sforza, hinting at a possible ancestral connection.​

Scottoline creates a gothic atmosphere, intertwining Julie's present experiences with historical intrigue.
While the narrative is rich with twists and turns and the majority of plot threads are satisfactorily resolved.
In essence, this is a captivating read that masterfully combines elements of suspense, history, and personal discovery. #grandcentralpublishing #theunravelingofjulia #lisascottoline

Julia inherits an Italian villa and fortune from a woman she doesn't know. Trying to recover from her husband's murder, she decides to travel to Tuscany to find out why she is in a stranger's will. Strange visions; people following her wherever she goes; unfriendly villagers; what is happening? Great story of intrigue and mystery!

Lisa Scottoline is one of my go-to authors. I'll read anything she writes. I did not like Julia. I really couldn't stand her. As an empath, I felt sorry for her, but the shallowness of the character development otherwise didn't endear her to me. The storyline was interesting, but it could lose the supernatural stuff (caused by hallucinogens or not) and been a much better book in my opinion. The setting almost redeemed the novel. I'll always read a book set in Tuscany.

The unraveling of Julia. This is a haunting, ghost story. Julia has lost her husband to a murder robbery that she witnessed. Now she has inherited an Italian castle from someone she doesn’t know. This place is haunted by an evil ghost

Lisa Scottoline is an auto buy author for me. Her latest, The Unraveling of Julia, was a five star read for me!