Thank you for Netgalley and the author for the Advance Copy in an exchage for an honest review.

I always hate ranking ARCs low :') I feel guilty... but... this one was just.. eh...
I didn't hate this but I didn't particularly like it either. The MC is not one you can really get behind - her personality is dull and the aspects that are developed show her to have... questionable morals, and not really even in the way that makes it interesting. The rest of the characters are similarly one sided and hollow, with the exception of Ariana who is kinda interesting.
The plot is... slow. Nothing really happens until the very end, by which point, I was more looking forward to being finished than I was finding out how the mystery unfolded. Ultimately I found this really forgettable and the only thing I really liked was the audiobook narrator who did a good job.

*4.5 rounded down* If you love rich and messed-up families, this is a must read for you! The book could easily be a Netflix series.

This was a juiicccyyy ride; rich people acting up and secrets upon secrets. I finished this book in less than 24 hours as the book had me hooked from start to finish. Think masterclass in dysfunctiona family- that's this book. Everyone’s a little shady, but Maya, the morally gray heroine, fits right in. She's determined to win, and it makes her the perfect addition to the Sterling clan—who are like wolves in designer clothes. Seriously, this family’s chaos makes the plot pop!

The book has the creepy, locked-room thriller vibe that’ll leave you feeling claustrophobic but also totally hooked. By the end, I was completely floored. The dual POVs were genius, the characters felt real, and the setting? Exceptional work. The narrator, Allyson Morgan, did a phenomenal job in bringing Maya and the plot to life.

Thank you Netgalley & RBmedia for the ARC!

It was very entertaining, but was the cheating necessary? Our main FMC is hard to root for and makes so many questionable decisions. She also basically gets handed all the clues. All the information about the family members are not learned by interacting them, but just told either to the reader directly or said blatantly by other characters to our gossiping with our fmc. In the middle it lulled with perhaps unnecessary scenes (like the club scene) and the end just rushes so much information to wrap up the reveal with a big bow. Overall, it was fun, but wasn’t as grappling as it thought it was being.

So good!!! I loved that while it wasn’t completely unexpected it still kept you on the edge of the seat.

I gave A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin 4 stars—it was an enjoyable read with some strong points, but also a few things that didn’t quite work for me.

The best part of this book, hands down, was the atmosphere. Almost the entire story takes place in a creepy old mansion filled with hidden tunnels, secret rooms, and things tucked away in floorboards. That kind of setting always pulls me in, and it really added to the mystery. Speaking of which, the mystery itself was solid. I saw a few twists coming, but I didn’t fully predict who the final culprit would be, which kept me engaged.

That said, I had a few small issues. There were a lot of characters introduced very quickly at the start, and I found myself needing to keep track of names just to follow along. I also felt like the book could have been a bit shorter—it dragged in places where things could’ve been tightened up. Lastly, there was something about the writing style that made it feel more like a YA novel, even though it’s supposed to be an adult thriller. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it just had that vibe.

I listened to the audiobook version, and I thought the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life.

Overall, it’s a fun and atmospheric read, especially if you enjoy eerie mansion settings and twisty mysteries. While it wasn’t perfect, I’d still recommend it to fans of thrillers.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! It's been a long time since I've been so enthralled by anything I was reading ("reading," since I listened to the audiobook). I typically only listen to audiobooks while I'm driving, so I found myself constantly looking for excuses to be on the road so I could catch up with what the characters were doing.

Maya was likeable and smart (a rarity, I'm finding, for fmcs). The setting was mysterious and cozy and tense all at the same time - Saltburn-esque with a little more intrigue and edge. I started solving the mystery about 2/3 of the way through, but it didn't feel obvious enough to take away from my enjoyment of the story. And clearly I didn't get it 100% correct because I was still surprised by the final twists at the end!

AND THEN I find out that the author also wrote The Luxe series, one of my *favorite* book sets as a teenager?? UGH, my YA-loving heart! I'll definitely be buying a physical copy of A Girl Like Us to keep on my shelves for future reading - and I can guarantee that a re-read of The Luxe is in my future.

Thanks to netgalley and rbmedia for the arc!

I received this book via NetGalley to provide a review. These are my honest opinions.

Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it, but it was okay. I definitely do have a soft spot for celebrity scandals… the frivolity of it is a guilty pleasure of mine, but the mystery/thriller aspect of the book just kind of missed the mark for me. I didn’t find myself becoming particularly attached to or invested in any of the characters and discovering the twists and what became of them just sort of felt like an exercise in tying up loose ends.

I appreciate having had the opportunity to read the book.

Having read the book first, I wasn’t sure if the audiobook would still grip me—but it absolutely did. *A Girl Like Us* is a suspenseful, twist-filled story that kept me engaged from start to finish. The audiobook added an extra layer of intrigue, making the mystery even more immersive, more speculating, and more thrilling.

If you enjoyed *The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo* but want a *Knives Out* twist, this is the book for you. Glamour, secrets, and a tangled web of deception, the price of fame and certainly the secrets of the rich. The narration was strong, drawing me deeper into the story, and the production was clean as we read the book through Maya’s fresh perspective -and her being an unreliable narrator was a chef’s kiss. Even if you’ve already read it, the audiobook is worth experiencing!

The twists & turns this had, I was like 🫨 This is fr some wealthy scandal though, like to be able to pull all that off? Kinda has me like, how did y’all not know, but they must’ve had an amazing surgeon or something lol. I loved the story, although how she gonna do my boy Collin like that 😭😭😭 That’s probably the only thing I didn’t like about her. Esp the way it concluded & he had her back, like c’mon… Marcus never wanted you fr. I feel like the ending was also a bit bittersweet, like we revealed so much, but it was just left so stale. I wanted justice for the poor girls, like is she gonna just have her in hiding for the rest of her life or something? I just needed something more than what it gave, but overall I enjoyed this whole thing. Allyson Morgan did an amazing job 🤍

Easy listening book. Good story, good characters, nicely written and good narrator.
Storyline was ok, easily predictable.

Overall not too bad and was a nice listen.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧Song Pairing: Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar

💭What I thought would happen:

I think I got wind of it being about rich people behaving badly and that is what I live for. Awful characters doing awful things almost always ending with some sort of literal or metaphorical fire 🔥 😈

📖What actually happens:

💍Celebrity weds millionaire
😱Questionable inheritance
💷Richie rich family
🤬In laws
🙃Family drama

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

I wanted drama and scandal and I got it. Calling all fans of Succession. 🚨

The ending had me like woah wait what?! It definitely lost me somewhere in the middle so the ending was retribution for that.

Overall, a goodie. Not a favourite by any means but a solid listen!

★★★★☆

A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that blends the cutthroat glamour of Succession with the dark intrigue of Saltburn. Set against the backdrop of unimaginable wealth and deep-seated family secrets, the novel follows Maya Miller—a former reality TV star turned society wife—who suddenly finds herself not only an heiress to the powerful Sterling empire but also the prime suspect in a shocking murder.

McLoughlin expertly builds suspense, crafting a locked-room mystery within the opulent yet claustrophobic walls of Silver House. The Sterling family is delightfully ruthless, and Maya’s sharp, calculating nature makes her a compelling protagonist. The tension never lets up as she navigates deception, power struggles, and her own hidden past in a desperate bid to survive.

The novel’s pacing is electric, and the twists keep coming, though at times, the sheer number of secrets and betrayals can feel slightly overwhelming. Still, A Girl Like Us is an addictive, stylish thriller that delivers both a tantalizing mystery and a sharp commentary on privilege, power, and reinvention. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a touch of high society scandal.

Maya has gotten a part on a reality TV show and finds herself in the spotlight. Meeting and marrying Colin, a bachelor from a multi Milton dollar dynasty was one of the perks of sudden popularity.

Maya isn't accepted into Colin's family. When his cousin who is the heiress to the dynasty dies Maya finds that she has inherited everything.
Will this change Colin's family's acceptance of Maya, or will more trouble follow?

This is written in dual POV and the lies and twists made it an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook of Girls Like Us.

If you like reading about super rich peoples’ lives with all their greed, secrets and lies, then this book is for you. I loved Maya’s character. I felt bad about her baby that seemed to not exist once they arrived at the Sterling family estate, Silver House. I was often wondering, who’s taking care of the baby, although they do have a string of nannies at hand.

The story kept moving enough to keep me entertained. I laughed out loud a few times along the way. Overall enjoyable story with some twists and turns and the ending answered the rest of my remaining questions.

The narrator, Allyson Morgan did an outstanding job bringing these characters to life

Thank you NetGalley, the author, Anna Sophia McLoughlin and RB Media for my advance copy of this audiobook.

I absolutely loved this! Its like a dark Bravo show! The characters are amazing and the writing was on point. With all the twists , I did not see any of them coming! If I could pick anything I've read this year to make into a movie or mini series this would be the one. This is the book I would recommend to some one to dip their toes into a thriller/mystery. 1000000000% Recommend!

Synopsis
In 2004, Maya Miller, a former reality TV star and socialite, just tied the knot with the world's most sought-after bachelor, Colin Sterling. Colin hails from the illustrious Sterling family, known for their aristocratic lineage and vast land holdings that rival those of British royalty, along with a media empire that stands alongside the Murdochs. To many, Maya embodies the American dream, while others view her as a gold digger. However, when Colin's cousin Arianna, the heiress to the family's vast wealth, is discovered murdered, Maya finds herself in the limelight: first as the new heiress to the fortune, and then as the main suspect. In no time, the entire Sterling family retreats to their ancestral home, Silver House, nestled in the English countryside. They claim it's for their protection, but Maya suspects it's more about keeping secrets contained than safeguarding against threats. With no other option, she sets out to uncover the hidden truths within the Sterling family and to understand why Arianna, a girl she never met, chose her as her successor. Yet, Maya harbors her own secrets, and she realizes that to navigate the treacherous waters of the Sterling family, she must outsmart them at their own game.

My Thoughts
I listened to the audio version, and I have to say, Allyson Morgan nailed the narration! This book hit the marks for a modern Mystery & Thriller. The dual viewpoints of the two main female characters really added layers, giving us both their backstories and showing how their lives intertwined. McLoughlin did a good job with Maya’s character, letting us witness her transformation beyond her chaotic life. This family thriller was a wild ride! With all the lies, secrets, and family drama, I was constantly questioning who could be trusted and who was the most suspicious.

Thank You @Netgalley and @RBMedia for allowing me to listen to this ALC.

Overall, not a terrible listen.
Flashback to 2004 where former reality tv star Maya Miller has just married rich, eligible bachelor Colin Sterling. Running from her own secrets and past life she has no idea what is in store for her.

The story itself is a fantastical, twisty dramatic tale of an elite family and all of their deepest secrets threatening to take hold. I feel like it was an excellent, gripping read.
The characters, however, i felt could of been more flushed out. All these people introduced and other than the direct characters involved I feel like our secondary characters could of been used more and our main characters could of been i don't know? More.
My main issue with Maya: girl a lot of the answers were spelled out in front of you and things were directly told to you and you still needed your hand held. There were countless times where I audibly said, "girl are you dumb??".
There were other details laid into the story that I felt something could of been done with. For example, a detail given to us over and over again was how Helen would wait and watch everyone eat first before she ate. Why? We were only told in case of poisoning. Okayyy well has that happened before? If so, go into that. If not, then use it in the story itself. Poison someone via food. Maya ended up being everyone's number #1 enemy so raise the stakes and make it risky.

Overall, it wasn't terrible. A good twisty, gripping whodunit staged around a dramatic, elite family.
If you're a fan of say Knives Out and Agatha Christie this would be a good example of a mixture between the two.
The narrator, Allyson Morgan, was fantastic! Her narration was efficient in bringing Maya to life and multiple other characters introduced in the story and was flawless and making them actually feel different.

Thank you to RGmedia and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this as an audiobook and to Allyson Morgan for the awesome narration! I would recommend this book to my fellow readers and reviewers!
Originally Published: March 11th, 2025

This was an enjoyable listen. The plot and the writing was good, narration was nice. I especially liked the ending.

DNF at 43%. Succession meets Saltburn is a helluva pitch, but I was truly so bored. Many a thriller makes this mistake for me - it thinks it has more compelling characters than it actually has and gives me way too much backstory and way too much down time with the MC. Based on what other readers are saying, this story doesn’t really take off til the last third, and it’s not worth it to me to get there. I think I’d be a big fan of more thriller novellas that know what they are (see Victorian Psycho and Guillotine).

The bit in the synopsis about the will - doesn’t happen until a full third into the book. Before that the MC is just … there - confused and scorned. There isn’t enough to warrant a full novel here.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of A Girl Like Us.

I really struggled to get through this one. I’m not sure if it just wasn’t the right book for me or if it simply didn’t land as intended. The characters weren’t particularly likable, and the twists never quite delivered. For most of the story, it felt like not much was happening to drive the plot forward.

The premise was intriguing, and the setting had a lot of potential, but there wasn’t enough payoff to make it truly engaging. The writing itself was solid—I just wish it had given me a bit more!