Rumored had such a unique premise, and I loved the fresh perspective the Mancarusco Sisters brought to the story. The drama and tension sprinkled throughout were fun, though some pacing felt a little uneven and I wanted more depth from the characters.

Not a perfect fit for me, but still a creative, solid read that I think many readers will really enjoy.

‼️ Book Review - ARC
Rumored - The Mancaruso Sisters
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

Rumored had such an intriguing premise, and I really enjoyed the fresh perspective the Mancaruso Sisters brought to the story. The writing was engaging in parts, and I liked the touches of drama and tension sprinkled throughout.

That said, some of the pacing felt uneven, and a few plot points didn’t fully land for me. At times, I found myself wanting a little more depth from the characters to really connect with them. While it wasn’t the kind of book that completely hooked me, it still had enjoyable moments and a unique vibe that will definitely appeal to certain readers.

Overall, a solid read that just wasn’t quite a perfect fit for me, but I can see others loving it for its creativity and flair.

Thank you to The Mancaruso Sisters, Bloomsbury USA & Netgalley for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review

#BookReview #Rumored #TheMancarusoSisters #BookstagramReads #ReadersOfInstagram #ContemporaryFiction #BookishCommunity #FictionLovers #Bookstagram #arcreader

The price of fame - was it worth the cost?

I liked the way the story was told with the celebrity news and the posts and comments from fans weaved into it.
Naomi will stop at nothing to get to the truth on who killed the famous, Colton. Was it super-star Harlow Hayes? What is Harlow hiding?

SPOILERS:
That was a twist i did not expect. Of all the ways people who could have done it and all the reasons why someone would kill him, i did not expect it to be her sister! I liked that twist and then the what comes next? How would Naomi explaiin her accident and Harlow at the hospital.

I love a good conspiracy theory and a good hunt for an Easter egg. This book was the perfect blend of both mixed into one novel, including delving into a couple of my particular favourites. Will I end up rereading it to see what I missed the first time? Absolutely. Especially after the second author’s note at the end.

Throughout the entire novel I kept thinking I’d connected the dots… only to realise that much like Naomi I had to reevaluate based on newly revealed information. I love a good thriller that keeps me on my toes. The way narration was blended with articles and social media posts to move the story along was also effective in putting the reader almost in Naomi’s shoes as she progresses with trying to uncover information. If I could’ve gone into the research rabbit hole with her I would’ve.

I could gush all day about this book. Originally, I planned on rating it a high 4.5 but it has stuck with me in a way where I can firmly say it’s a 5 stars in its own right. It makes my swiftie loving heart happy to try to catch all the Easter eggs within. And of course as a fan of Avril Lavigne and The Beatles it hit the trifecta in a way you’re just going to have to read to find out.

This was a fun thriller to read. Naomi Barnes is a journalist and grieving the death of her sister. When Harlow Hayes, a superstar, gets arrested for murder Naomi distracts herself from her sadness with investigating the murder and what Harlow has actually done.

Read if you like:
✨ Music Industry
✨ Murder Mystery
✨ Conspiracy Theories

Thank you to the publishers and NetGally for this Advanced Release copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I LOVED this book! The twist was chefs kiss, and I only saw it coming right before we found out for sure. I thought the authors did a great job of portraying the role of a celebrity and the parasocial relationship that people often feel they have with their favorite celebrities. In reality, we don't know who they truly are and that is the crux of this book. I loved the spiral of Naomi's character and thought she was so well-written. The celebrity aspect caught my attention initially but it was the plot that kept me reading. Imagine your favorite pop star being a murderer? Crazy plot idea but it so works.

I absolutely love the way this book is written! It bounces from social media posts to online blogs and articles, interspersed with actual paragraph-style writing. I also appreciate the way the author incorporates relevant pop culture to bring the characters in this book to life. I love modern tales like this that my eighth graders or high school-aged kids get excited to read about. I probably would not let my 6th or 7th graders read it due to the drug use and adult subject matter. I think this book will be a huge hit and will be very popular with the YA crowd. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book, and I will be telling all my book club friends about it! Great read!

Rumoured was definitely an interesting ride. The story revolves around a pop singer, movie actor, determined news reporter, and a tangled web of family secrets. I appreciated how layered the plot was, especially with the way music and media were used to hint at deeper truths. The inclusion of real artists added a fun, realistic touch.

The "Easter egg" idea was creative, though personally, I could have done without it — it felt more like a distraction than a clever twist. The story was quite messy at times, but that chaos kept me engaged until Naomi’s extended rants started to wear on me a bit. Still, I had a feeling the sister wasn’t really dead, and the clues hidden in the lyrics were a smart (if risky) narrative move. She was definitely playing a dangerous game with those hints dropping right after each crime.

There were a few good twists and some obvious ones but I liked the progression overall, especially how the story eventually grounded itself in the present ("currents"). The pacing dragged in places, and it felt like a bit of a stretch at times, but it was still an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for the ARC! I appreciate the opportunity to read this early.

I grabbed this one based on the cover and blurb, and I'm happy I did. I've never read this author (or authors) before, so I'm curious to see more from them. I enjoyed reading the story about the star, and then the subsequent events. It is certainly one I wasn't sure about, but it did end up being ok.

Dnf. The formatting of this ARC made it hard to read. No fault of the author, but the publisher needs to tighten up this ARC before sending it out to readers and reviewers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read this book.

Rumored is a sharp, messy, and addictive celebrity thriller that throws you into the chaos of modern fame, fan culture, and internet sleuthing. Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso deliver a darkly entertaining story that plays out like a real-time scandal unraveling on social media—complete with conspiracy theories and a protagonist whose grip on reality becomes shakier by the chapter.

The novel follows Naomi Barnes, a journalist for a celebrity gossip site, as she investigates the murder charges brought against pop star Harlow Hayes. What begins as a headline spirals into an obsessive investigation filled with coded messages in cryptic song lyrics, fan speculation, and possible ties to Naomi’s own past.

The first half pulled me in immediately. I loved the use of mixed media—interviews, Reddit-style threads, and articles—which made the narrative feel immersive and effectively captures the 24/7 noise of fame and scandal. It truly feels like you’re watching a scandal unfold in real time. The addition of hidden Easter eggs and anagrams was a fun touch, even if I couldn’t spot many myself.

The second half lost me a bit. The twists became increasingly outlandish, and Naomi’s behavior started to feel more unhinged than believable. Some of her conclusions didn’t quite add up, and she contradicted herself at times as events unfolded. The logic behind a few major developments also felt thin. The final chapters, in particular, were rushed and less satisfying than I’d hoped.

Still, I really appreciated the creativity here. The writing is solid, the commentary on celebrity culture is timely, and the reading experience was fun—even when I was rolling my eyes a bit. If you enjoy twisty thrillers, media-fueled mysteries, and digging for hidden clues, Rumored is definitely worth adding to your TBR. Just be ready for things to go off the rails (and maybe don’t expect everything to make total sense).

The twists in this book! Wow! I love being surprised by a good twist and left with my jaw on the floor.

I found this book to be extremely boring due to how it was written. The story itself was intriguing, but the parts of “research” and online media could have been written differently. For example while chapter 2 was supposed to be informative I found myself dozing off reading it. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in advance, but I will not be recommending it to others.

A possible pop star serial killer, got my attention. I enjoyed this one, though it was definitely far fetched. Filled with multimedia and song lyrics, made it for a fun easy read. The Beatles/Paul is dead conspiracy theories woven into the story line along with Harlow's own easter eggs definitely had me going.
I don't have to be a Swifty to know that Harlow Hayes was written in her image (too many parallels). So mentioning Taylor several times through out was strange.
3.5!
Thank you, Netgalley, publisher, and author for the ARC.

This wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, as I couldn’t care less when authors compare characters to real-life celebrities—I usually have no clue who they are. I enjoy a story more when the characters are described within the book so I can create my own vision in my mind.

I managed fine with the main character, Naomi Barns, researching and reading articles about celebrities, but during the first half of the story, I found myself really frustrated with her. That said, I suppose that means the authors did their job well—I felt strongly about not liking her.

Thankfully, the story picked up toward the end and became much more interesting. At that point, I didn’t want to put the book down because I just had to find out what happened.


** Thank you NetGalley, Bloomsbury USA, and The Mancaruso Sisters for an eARC copy of Rumoured.

Rumoured by The Mancaruso Sisters is a beautifully written debut that delivers a moody, atmospheric experience. The novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the weight of unspoken truths, all wrapped in lyrical prose that feels both intimate and haunting. Could not put this down!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC and hosting Camp NetGalley this summer. I might not have picked up this book otherwise.

Title: Rumoured
Author: The Mancaruso Sisters
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: October 7, 2025

I'm not gonna lie, it was the cover of the book that drew me in. The description of the book intrigued me, so I decided to take my chances.

The first half of the book was a little slow for my liking, but since it received several good reviews, I stuck with it. Once things started to pick up, I was totally invested in finishing it.

This book is perfect for someone who enjoys pop culture and analyzing song lyrics. There were definitely similarities to icon Taylor Swift. The storyline was definitely far-fetched, but isn't that the case with many thrillers? The authors reference there being Easter Eggs and hidden messages sprinkled throughout the book. However, while reading, I wasn't able to find any. I would probably have to reread the book to specifically look for them. Such a creative storyline that really makes you think.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Okay this book is drama!

A pop star accused of murder and a celeb writer covering the case? So much fun. This was full of secrets, twists and conspiracies.

I loved the Easter eggs in the book and while I’m not one to uncover things like that, this is for the reader that likes to.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC

On an otherwise uneventful morning, celebrity gossip reporter Naomi Barnes is alerted to the arrest of pop star Harlow Hayes, on suspicion of murder. Naomi, who has avoided everything to do with Harlow since her sister's death, is tasked with going in, boots on the ground, and getting the scoop. From there, Naomi becomes embroiled in the scandal and conspiracy surrounding the event, and she has to reckon with long-buried secrets.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, but it ended up hooking me from the beginning. Told in a semi-epistolary style, with prose interspaced with selections of tweets and news articles, the mystery of why America's Sweetheart suddenly snapped is riveting. And just when you think you've figured one answer out, a million more questions open up.

Overall, I'm glad I took the chance on this one!

Unfortunately I am going to have to DNF this one. I am having such a hard time staying interested. The real world pop culture references are honestly a bit distracting to me. I think most readers find joy in escaping real life while diving into a book, but I can’t escape when there are mentions of real people every other page.

I feel like Harlow is like a fictional Taylor Swift… written in a fictional world where Taylor Swift already exists. Honestly you may as well have just written about TS. Or made up a world with all fake people and we could just pretend that Harlow is the TS of that world. I don’t know. The mix of real and fake didn’t land with me.

I couldn’t get invested in Naomi as the FMC. That may be because of the 3rd person POV. 1st person is always easier. But I just felt like she didn’t have much personality. There wasn’t anything about her to make me like her or endear her to me as a reader.

The C*leb articles and social media comments were visually messy on the page (could just be the unedited arc) and caused enough of a distraction to the story that I couldn’t settle in fully.

I think the idea of the book is fun. I really wanted to get into it and like it. Maybe it would be better read as an audio (unavailable as a NetGalley arc but I’ll look into it). I absolutely see why people were into it but it didn’t land for me this time.