This is a wild ride with so many things happening. Every time a new twist is revealed, you get sucked into the story a little more. Despite this, I wasn't drawn to any of the characters really. I also didn't find the pacing or story too engaging. Overall not a bad story, but it still felt a little lacking.

This was like a locked room mystery. There were definitely some parts that I didn't see coming, which was great, but the characters were very one dimensional.

I had a hard time getting into this book if I am being honest. I was hoping I was going to love it. I may try this book again at a later date.
With that being said, the narrator Allyson Morgan did a good job and I would listen to her narrate more books in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.

A Girl Like Us is a twisty thriller set among the glittering elite, drawing comparisons to Saltburn and Succession—both of which might give you a clue about the tone and atmosphere here: sharp-edged, morally murky, and socially incisive.

For me, this one was a bit of a mismatch. As a reader who lives in the world of thrillers, horror, and mystery, I kept waiting to feel something for the protagonist—but instead found myself somewhere between disinterest and detachment. She wasn’t unlikeable in a compelling way, nor sympathetic enough to root for.

That said, the writing itself is strong, especially for an early-career work. There are moments that feel intentionally visceral, and the author clearly has a handle on building tension in high-stakes environments. The pacing dragged at times for me, but that may come down to personal preference rather than a flaw in craft.

This book didn’t quite find its mark with me—but that doesn’t mean it won’t resonate with the right audience. If you like character-driven, psychological thrillers that linger in the morally gray spaces of privilege and power, this might be exactly your kind of read.

Thank you to NetGalley, RBmedia and the author for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. Maya was a fascinating character I was rooting for right from the start despite not knowing her full backstory. I found her integration from outsider to heiress of the Sterling clan to be captivating, dark, and full of twists that were eerie and suspenseful. I loved watching all the clues connect to understand the connections between Arianna and Maya, and the family's mysterious past. This was such a satisfying read, McLoughlin is an author I will be watching for more books in the future for sure.

There's always the Cinderella story where the poor girl meets Prince Charming. Well this had a different twist: both of the main characters were wealthy and famous in their own rights. His, however, was passed down and hers were earned through hard work in the TV world and a shady upbringing that gave her a keen awareness in evaluating people thanks to her dad.

This egotistical and newfound family were not really fans of the new bride, Maya, and the resentment escalates when the heiress apparent dies and leaves the family fortune to Maya. How did the heiress and Maya cross paths to result in her owning the family company?

Greed has no boundaries and no limits as to what people will do to retrieve what they believe is rightfully theirs. The story is filled with exciting unexpected revelations that were never anticipated. It certainly was an unflattering depiction of the upper class and the fairy tale ending was expected but it was still an absorbing book.

The audio narrater did an excellent depiction of the MANY characters involved.

It took me all the way until the end of the book to be interested in the story. And even then, I didn't love it. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters and it all just seemed to be filled with too much fluff and not enough meat. Maybe it was just me, but this book just didn't hit the mark.

I really struggled to get into the audiobook of A Girl Like Us. The characters are deeply unlikable from the start, and while the premise sounded promising, the story lagged on and felt a bit dull. Maya, as a character, felt too disconnected, predictable, and trophy wife for me to engage and want to learn more of the murder mystery alongside.

"A Girl Like Us" is a thriller full of family drama, secrets, and rich people behaving badly. I was a fan of the author's YA books when I was a teen, so I was really excited to read her adult debut. I enjoyed this locked-room thriller, with its intriguing plot and dual POVs and timelines. The pacing was slow at times, but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me reading. Some of the plot was a little wild, so you'll need to suspend your disbelief a bit. Overall, an entertaining read, and I look forward to reading more adult novels from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Recorded Books for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Readers, watch out for A Girl Like Us b Anna Sophia McLoughlin . I listened to the audio version and loved it. It's out now and is one you don't want to miss.

Was excited for this one as the description mentioned "Succession meets Saltburn", but was quickly let down as nothing exciting happened in the plot.

The characters were all unlikable, and it seemed like nothing was happening chapter after chapter. The ending picked up a little bit but I was too far gone to be reeled back by that point. Giving a star for the sheer rudeness of the upper class captured by Anna Sophia's writing.

Here’s a review you can use for A Girl Like Us:

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Review: A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin, narrated by Allyson Morgan

A Girl Like Us is a solid, entertaining thriller with all the elements I love—an atmospheric old mansion, a glamorous but secretive family, and a sharp, strong female lead at the center of it all. From the first few chapters, the suspense kicks in and doesn’t let up, with twist after twist keeping things interesting right through to the end.

Maya is a compelling protagonist. She’s smart, resourceful, and layered—exactly the kind of character you want leading a high-stakes mystery like this one. The Sterling family is the perfect mix of dysfunctional and dangerous, and the setting at Silver North adds an eerie, gothic vibe that enhances the tension.

The twists were well-timed and genuinely surprising, and the ending was satisfying—clever without being overly complicated. It ties up the story in a way that feels earned.

Allyson Morgan did a great job with the narration. She captured Maya’s voice and personality well and kept the pacing tight, adding to the suspense. Her performance made the audiobook a really enjoyable experience.

If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads, old-money secrets, and plenty of twists, A Girl Like Us delivers. It’s the kind of story that’s easy to binge and keeps you guessing until the final reveal.

A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin is a gripping thriller that masterfully blends elements of wealth, power, and dark family secrets. The story follows Maya Miller, a former reality TV star who marries into the Sterling family, a powerful media dynasty. Maya's journey from a trailer park childhood to the opulent world of the Sterlings is both fascinating and fraught with tension.

The plot thickens when Arianna Sterling, the heiress to the family's fortune, is found murdered. This event forces the entire Sterling family, including Maya, into lockdown at their ancestral estate, Silver House. As Maya navigates the complex dynamics of the family, she uncovers shocking truths and realizes that the isolation is not just for their protection but to keep the family's secrets from spilling out 1 2.

McLoughlin's writing is sharp and engaging, drawing readers into a world where every character has something to hide. The novel's comparison to Succession and Saltburn is apt, as it delves into themes of unchecked power and the lengths people will go to protect their status 1 3. Maya's character is particularly compelling, as she evolves from a reality TV persona to a determined woman fighting to uncover the truth.

A Girl Like Us is a thrilling read that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its twists and turns. It's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and stories about dysfunctional families.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 Stars

Maya Miller has really come up in the world, from her small beginnings to becoming a reality show household name and now she is married to one of the wealthiest men in the world and they share a beautiful daughter together. When his heiress cousin, Arianna, is found murdered, the family hightails it to London to regroup. To their shock Arianna has left the entire family fortune to one person, Maya (whom she's never met). As secrets and twist reveal themselves Maya shifts from the inheritor to the prime murder suspect.

This novel had a lot of promise with a fun premise but fell into stereotype characters and ran way too long. The story is told from the dual prospective of Maya and premortem Arianna, which I did like. Arianna was the most interesting character of the story, the rest being played out snobby rich people. It was hard to stay invested when the characters as a whole are very dislikeable. The writing style was clunky and repetitive which made a long uneventful story drag on too long. There are twists but most are predictable. I know this was a debut novel but was not something I'd read again.

I had the audio version read by Allyson Morgan who did an okay job. There was something off putting about some of the voices she did that threw off the rhythm for me.

"A Girl Like Us" left me with mixed feelings. The intriguing premise and unexpected twists initially captivated me, earning a five-star rating. However, the excessive length of the book detracted from my enjoyment.

The numerous characters introduced felt unnecessary, complicating the story when they could have been omitted for a smoother flow. While the central mystery was gripping, the surrounding storylines became complicated

I believe the book could have been an outstanding thriller if the author had simplified the plot. I wanted to love it, but the execution didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A peek into how a rich person lives coupled with a locked room yesterday? Literally sounds like my dream book. This book started out strong, pulling me in with the initial character introduction and overall dysfunctional and scandalous plot. I struggled once the book continued to progress, I felt the story dragged on and lacked that shocking twist where it all came together. Overall, this one did not do it for me,

Side note- the narrator was FANTASTIC!!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own.

A Girl Like Us is a super twisty thriller that had me hooked from the moment I started listening.

The concept is sooo juicy: a murder, a massive inheritance, and a locked-down estate full of potential suspects. Maya was a compelling narrator—clever, calculated, and never quite as innocent as she seems. I totally thought she was in on it the entire time! I especially loved the way the author played with public perception and media narratives, showing how quickly a woman can be painted as either a social climber or a scapegoat.

That said, I did feel the pacing was a tad uneven in places. Some parts dragged while others raced ahead, and I found myself wishing for a steadier pace. But just when I thought I had things figured out, BAM, that plot twist hit!! It was smart, satisfying, and made the entire ride worth it.

This story, unfortunately, was just not for me. Rich people behaving badly isn’t my favorite trope, I suppose,
I did, however, enjoy the alternating POVs which kept me going through to the end of the story. Some aspects were intriguing, but overall this book felt a little slow.

This was a well-done story with some clever twists and turns. Maya feels out of place when she and her new husband, Colin have to jet off to the "family" estate in England in a state of emergency after the shocking and surprising death of a family member. She was counting on more time before she had to meet and spend time with the more "judgy" members of the family. But instead, she's thrust into the viper pit with little to no preparation.

As the story progresses, more of the mystery unfolds. Initially Maya feel like an outsider and somewhat has "impostor syndrome" but as things happen, that becomes less of a concern. Staying alive and keeping her daughter safe and with her become top priority. She finds that she barely trusts her husband and definitely doesn't trust any of the other family members. It's a twisty tale and a fun read.

I listened to this in audio, and it was even more enjoyable because the narrator did the accents quite well. I recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy.

A locked room mystery where the room is literally on lock down to keep the high profile suspects away from the media storm around them AND to cut them off from the outside. Our FMC has to navigate this isolation while she tries to figure out where this situation is going while also dropping her own culpability on the reader throughout.

This story certainly held plenty of tangled webs and little surprises with the setting adding to the twisted plot. Unfortunately it didn’t take long to become frustrated with the protagonist. Her rags to riches allure was insufficient against her depressing inner monologue. There were also characters I wanted so much more time with or that almost didn’t get enough time to understand for the plot. The pacing suffered because we were in her head instead of following the huge developments.

If you like twisty mysteries that are heavy on character, this one may be for you, I just couldn’t get into this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.