I wanted to like this one. It started well and I was curious to see what secrets lay behind Harlow Hayes, but as the book developed - and the "investigation" by our intrepid investigative reporter protagonist - I gradually stopped caring... This became a little too down-the-rabbit-hole-of-Internet-madness for me, and that's where it lost me. I'm NOT an avowed comment follower or cyber-fanatic, and those elements of her quest for answers simply did nothing for me. I suspect I'm different from many other readers in that regard though, so take that with a grain of salt.

The writing is what you'd expect for this type of story - snappy in places and a bit overly descriptive in others - and suits the tale well. Things do clip along at a decent pace, the areas of emphasis just weren't where I thought they would be. I was expecting the focus to be on Harlow, but it really is Naomi's book, dealing with her issues and the death of her sister as much as if not more than the murder at times - and while it does state in the blurb that she's the POV, it still surprised me how much of the book was about her issues and her quest, as opposed to the things she was finding out. This one wasn't really for me...

Imagine this: Taylor Swift was just arrested for a double murder. If that premise makes your little thriller-loving, true crime-obsessed heart race, Rumoured is the summer read for you.

Told from the (mostly) third-person POVs of a celebrity news journalist and the pop icon Harlow Hayes herself, this twisty tale brings you down the investigative rabbit hole.

It’s dark, fun, and full of pop culture Easter eggs — a fast read and effective palate cleanser!

Thanks to NetGalley & Bloomsbury USA | Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book for access to the ARC!

#Rumoured #NetGalley #CampNetGalley

The twists and turns in this book really got me! I read it in less than 12 hours. The Easter eggs were well done, along with the mystery. I didn’t love the formatting of the book, but that could’ve been a Kindle problem. I would definitely read more books by these authors, especially if they are mystery/suspense novels!

This one took awhile for me to get through as the plot went more and more off the rails. I lost my interest in the mystery when Naomi went full on conspiracy theory and was unable to see it. Especially when she bought the painting of Paul McCartney and was scoffing at the crazy people who believe Paul is dead while she goes down a deep rabbit hole about Harlowe. The whole plot could've been tightened up. Sure, Naomi is struggling with her sister's death and there are some sinister things happening among the rich and famous, but the authors needed to keep it all more focused.

I had not heard about Rumoured until I saw it on the Camp NetGalley carousel. I was immediately drawn to the cover and when I read the synopsis I knew that it was going to be a fun, thrilling read. I was not disappointed!

Harlow Hayes, mega famous pop star, arrested for murder. Naomi Barnes, the investigative journalist who works for C*leb news, is on the story, while still grieving the loss of her sister.

The authors intersperse articles, music lyrics, online conversations as the story progresses. We get Easter eggs, twists turns and celebrity drama. If you are a fan of celebrity gossip, and all the ups and downs of the famous you will enjoy this book. It is a fast read and the pace intensifies as the conclusion gets closer. I can't wait to see what The Mancaruso Sisters do next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Bloomsbury USA, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.

Harlow Hayes is everyone’s favorite pop star—until she’s accused of not one, but two murders, sending the world into a frenzy. Celebrity newswriter Naomi isn’t exactly a fan (unlike her aspiring musician sister who idolizes Harlow), but it’s her job to cover the story. She heads to New York City to find out what’s really going on—and uncovers far more than she ever expected.

I’m sure this novel will find its audience; I’m equally sure I’m not it. The tone and writing style leaned heavily toward YA, which I found frustrating at times. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers, I saw the twist coming pretty early, which had me rushing through the rest just to confirm my hunch.

The authors also included a barrage of social media posts throughout the narrative. While these were clearly meant to emphasize Naomi’s obsession and her spiraling grip on reality, I found them more distracting than effective.

If you’ve ever wanted to imagine a world where Taylor Swift is suspected of murder and her fanbase unravels in response, this might be the book for you. I wish I could give half stars. This is 2.5 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bloombury USA, and authors Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso for the advanced copy of the book. Rumoured is out on October 7th. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Rumoured by Kristina & Kelly Mancaruso had a lot going on. Despite all of that I didn’t feel this one was quite for me. I can see the appeal for many others readers though.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: Oct 07, 2025

#Rumoured #NetGalley

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the ARC of Rumoured! Naomi is a celebrity reporter who is investigating murder charges that were brought against a famous pop star. She has some wild theories or are they really just a wild goose chase? I was expecting this to be a thriller, but it actually read more like a cozy mystery mixed with Freida McFadden-like craziness and music. I think if you like any of those genres, you would be happy with this one!

This book is serving pop-star scandal with a side of investigative sass, and your girl is here for it. Igot an ARC of this glitter-dusted thriller for Camp Netgalley, and I devoured it faster than you can say “Harlow Hayes slays.” I’m slapping 3.5 stars on this baby: think of it as a fabulous night out with one slightly underwhelming afterparty. It’s got everything we love: drama, secrets, and a heroine who’s giving us life.

Rumoured drops you into the dazzling, chaotic world of Harlow Hayes, a pop goddess so iconic she makes the charts look like her personal playground. Think Taylor Swift meets Ariana Grande with a dash of early-2000s Britney drama. When Harlow gets tangled in a murder scandal hotter than a TMZ headline, it’s like the universe said, “Let’s make Twitter explode.” (sorry but if you ever hear me call Twitter "X" just know that's a imposter wearing my face). Enter Naomi Barnes, our grieving, fierce, and slightly messy investigative journalist who’s working for C*Leb News. Naomi’s not just chasing clicks—she’s got a personal connection to this case that’ll make your jaw drop like you just saw a paparazzi shot of your fave stars wardrobe malfunction.

The Mancaruso Sisters know how to craft a vibe. This book is like scrolling through a juicy Twitter thread while sipping a martini at a VIP afterparty. It’s got social media posts, Harlow’s cryptic song lyrics, and articles complete with shady reader comments. The way they capture stan culture is hella accurate, it’s like they’ve been lurking in the group chats with us. There’s this one moment where Naomi’s decoding Harlow’s lyrics for clues, and I swear I felt like I was deep in a DeuxMoi blind item thread, trying to figure out if it’s about that A-lister we all suspect.

Naomi gives us grieving-but-glamorous, with a side of “I’ll solve this mystery or die trying.” Her personal tie to the case (no spoilers, but it’s gasp worthy) PLOT TWIST.

I take a half star off for thst ending. It’s like the DJ cut the music just as the dance floor was heating up. After all the delicious buildup, it wrapped it up faster than you can refresh a webpage trying to wait for tickets to go live. I was dying for Naomi and her crew to throw down the “bad guys” (keeping it vague, no spoilers here!). I wanted a full-on Charlie’s Angels showdown, maybe with some witty one-liners and a mic-drop moment. Instead, it’s like they solved the whole mystery via a quick DM. It’s not a total flop, but it left me wanting.

All in all, Rumoured is a must-read for anyone who lives for celebrity gossip, twisty thrillers, or just a good “what in the actual eff” moment. Or if you're a Taylor Swift fan and love to find "Easter eggs."

A NetGalley ARC. Thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for making it available.

Let me start by saying that I like the core concept here. Despite all of the faults I perceived with this book, I still had fun with it. I think with some time, the skills here could be refined and the authors could become the kind that I really like.

However, there is a lot that kept me rolling my eyes with this one. For starters, the writing. There is too much of it and it is very clunky. My biggest struggle was how often we would be presented with the same information multiple times. The hand holding was completely unnecessary considering I guessed most of the twist about a third of the way through. I suspected the rest of it, but thought it was too outlandish to be right.

The main character will spend a page describing outfits and unnecessary actions, tell you what that means about her as a person, and occasionally ends the whole rambling mess with a line about how none of what she just told you matters.

I think that is half of the reason this felt like fanfiction to me.

The other half is probably all of the naming choices. I think naming real celebrities outright makes the inclusion of name flipped doppelgangers of other celebrities feel very strange. Does Pete Davidson exist in this universe and if so, how does he feel about fellow comedian Dave Peterson?

The pacing is exhausting. Around a third of the way through and continuing to the last act felt like a real slog. I had to resist the urge to start skimming.

I truly didn't try to find or solve any of the authors' Easter eggs, but I think that it is a cute idea.

Ultimately, I think this could have been edited down to maybe half of the length it is. As it stands, it feels like a student trying to hit a word count.

As a pop culture (and Taylor Swift) fan, I really enjoyed this. The main character is not meant to be Taylor Swift by any means, but I think the authors pulled some inspiration from her and I think hid some Swiftie easter eggs in there, so that was fun. The story was fast paced and I liked learning the case through the eyes of an investigative journalist. I got some of the pieces put together pretty early, but there was a big twist I never would have figured out (and I loved it). You may have to suspend belief a little, but poo culture fans will generally accept all of it. The pop culture conspiracies was a fun addition (as someone who loves those!). This was all around just a lot of fun.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this ARC. I don’t think I would have heard about this book if it weren’t for NetGalley’s CAMP NETGALLEY! 🥰

I'm still reeling from the thrilling experience of reading Rumoured by Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso! This celebrity focused, true-crime mystery is a masterclass in suspense, with a narrative that's as gripping as it is meticulously researched. We follow journalist Naomi Barnes as she covers the arrest of pop-icon Harlow Hayes who is arrested for murder, but who did she kill and is she actually guilty?!

I felt like I was right there, following along in real-time as the two authors expertly wove together clues, Easter eggs, and plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end. The who-done-it complexity is perfectly crafted, leaving you questioning everything and everyone.

Also, can we take a moment to talk about the song lyrics these two authors had to write to tie everything together?! Very impressive.

Rumoured is a phenomenal read that I devoured in nearly one sitting. Highly recommended!

5+++ stars!!!!
This is amazing, twisty, jawdropping, head scratching, thrilling, murder mystery.
Mr. America sweetheart stud Colton Scott is found dead. His on and off girlfriend, pop princess Harlow Hayes, has been arrested for not only his murder but also a murder of another woman three years earlier.
Naomi Barnes is a star gossip site journalist and is given the story to cover. However, once she starts trying to cover the story from every angle, she uncovers more and more shady and shocking details.

It's Hollywood glamor mixed with a gritty drug scene.
Reliable sources and anonymous tips.
Internet trolls and rabbit holes.
Coincidences and conspiracy theories.
Arrrgh!! So many directions! Is Naomi going crazy or really onto something? This book is phenomenal!

Wow. This book starts with a bang and doesn't slow down until the last page! It's amazing and you won't be able to put it down!!!

I'm definitely looking forward to more books from the Mancaruso Sisters!!!

This story had an original plotline that kept me guessing with every chapter. Just as I thought I had it all figured out, nope, the twist went in a different direction. Naomi is a journalist with a celebrity magazine. When the hottest singer in the US is arrested for murder, Naomi volunteers to get the story. She begins with a few clues, but the story becomes increasingly confusing with each subsequent revelation. As the clues lead her to some unbelievable conclusions, the mystery grows. The Mancaruso Sisters will have a whole new fan club once you read this book.

This was a fun mystery, but also a thrilling read! It was full of drama and Easter eggs. The last 30% of this book I could not read fast enough when everything clicks for the main character and starts to unravel. I did not predict this twisty ending!

Naomi is an entertainment reporter who moved to LA since her sister’s death a few years ago. Now Naomi is headed back home to NYC to cover a story on why celeb, Harlow Hayes has been arrested for murder. Naomi is a Hollywood reporter which means that she acts more like a detective in piecing together the information that’s released as well as acquiring her own leads. Naomi isn’t afraid to do some questionable things to get to the bottom of this story.

I enjoyed the aspects of social media posts and interviews and lyrics. It was also a fast paced read. If you enjoy celebrity gossip, conspiracy theories and mysteries, this book is for you.

Publish date: Oct. 7, 2025
Thanks NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the advanced reader copy during Camp NetGalley!

This book is a total popcorn thriller—over-the-top, dramatic, and honestly, pretty fun. Is it realistic? Not really. But who needs realism when you’ve got fame, secrets, and a murder investigation unfolding in the spotlight?

Our main character is *something else*. She’s got some likable qualities, sure—but also makes some *very* questionable decisions. Half the time I was rooting for her, the other half I was yelling, “Girl, no!” Still, that moral ambiguity added to the tension and fun.

One of my favorite elements? The use of lyrics throughout the book. There were clever little Easter eggs and hints hidden in the music, which added a unique twist to the plot.

Now, for the not-so-glam bit: I read this on Kindle, and unfortunately, the formatting really didn’t translate well. I suspect the physical book will land better, because by the last chunk I was confused and admittedly started skimming. It lost a bit of its sparkle there.

Overall, a fun, fast-paced read that leans all the way into the drama—and I’m not mad about it.

Pub Date: October 7th
Thanks to Bloomsbury and Net Galley for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
#CampNetGalley

This was a super fun read with lots of twists that actually made my jaw drop. It kept me hanging, wanting to keep reading to see what happened next. If you are a fan of books containing twist, conspiracy theories, Easter egg clues, references to different media types in the writing, a book that keeps your drawn in and guessing then I recommend you run and get this book. You won't regret it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7759230209

Rumoured is branded as a twisty thriller and is read as described. It was a quick enjoyable popcorn thriller and would be a great beach read. I loved the pop star’s name, Harlow Hayes and delving into the world of stardom with the pov of a reporter. It was a refreshing and new storyline that I haven’t read before. My only drawback was that it could be confusing at times because so much was going on with the characters and it was difficult to keep up with everyone. You could almost read it on autopilot but my brain kept getting lost and I would have to read back pages to jog my memory. Maybe just needs a little streamlining, The twist didn’t smack you in the face but was fun. This book should be very popular with the young crowd. Recommend at 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley to for the advanced readers copy

I read this book as part of #campnetgalley and it did not disappoint!

Dang this book is infectious! If you are looking for a fun murder mystery involving celebs, journalists and a famous singer, give this a read!

Full of references to popular artists like Taylor Swift, The Beatles and Lana Del Rey, this story is a wild ride!

I couldn’t stop reading and don’t want to spoil anything… but read it! This murder mystery is twisty, shocking, fast paced, and very enjoyable! Definitely a fun, quick read that is more mystery than thriller, and will have you trying to find all the clues and Easter eggs as you read along.

Cute story and fun concept, but some parts felt rushed and the characters didn’t always feel super real to me. Still, an easy, light read!

Thank you so much for the ARC!