Rumoured is serving all the pop-star scandal and investigative sass you didn’t know you needed—and honey, I was here for every glitter-dusted second.

Imagine Taylor Swift meets Ariana Grande with a splash of early-2000s Britney drama, and you’ve got Harlow Hayes: a pop goddess so iconic she practically owns the charts. When she gets wrapped up in a murder scandal hotter than a TMZ headline, the internet loses it. Enter Naomi Barnes, a grieving and fiercely determined investigative journalist with a jaw-dropping personal stake in the case.

The Mancaruso Sisters nailed the vibe—this book reads like scrolling through a juicy Twitter thread at a VIP afterparty, complete with social media posts, cryptic lyrics, shady comments, and all the stan culture accuracy we crave. Naomi decoding Harlow’s lyrics? Total DeuxMoi blind item energy.

I adored Naomi’s “grieving but glamorous” vibe and her relentless pursuit of the truth. Plus, the sisterly love woven through the story added real heart. The writing is engaging, breezy, and packed with clever Easter eggs referencing Taylor Swift, The Beatles, and more.

My one gripe? The ending felt like the DJ cut the music just as the party was hitting its peak. After all that buildup, the mystery wrapped up with less bang and more quick DMs—where was my epic Charlie’s Angels showdown with mic drops and sass?

Still, 3.5 stars from me for a twisty, addictive read that’s perfect for celebrity gossip junkies, thriller lovers, and anyone who enjoys a good “what in the actual eff” moment. Just don’t ask me to call Twitter “X.”

OMG! I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought I had this book all figured out, but turns out I was dead wrong! This book is about Harlow Hayes a singer icon and how she is arrested and charged with murder. The first half of the book is told from a journalists POV Naomi Barnes. Which I really enjoyed the dual POV and how it went back in time to help unravel the story. This is probably my new favorite thriller!

Wow, what a wild ride Rumoured by The Mancaruso Sisters was! The story was undeniably engaging, interesting, and full of delightful similarities to "real" celebrity gossip, which made the whole experience incredibly fun. While the twists were not that shocking, I still thought it was a great and unique story overall. I genuinely enjoyed every moment of it.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. # Netgalley #Rumoured

Pub date: 10-27-25

This thriller is so good. Harlow is a super famous pop star whose just been arrested for murder!! Naomi is a journalist trying to uncover the truth. Between the ups and downs, music industry moments sprinkled in, and the latest celebrity gossip. Rumored was a fast-paced conspiracy filled story that I couldn't put down.

Rumoured by Kelly & Kristina Mancaruso
Star Rating: I loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

What a wild ride this book was! I will admit I am a junky for celebrity gossip, so this book was perfect for me. I found myself frequently picking it back up to just read one more chapter. The chapters are short, which for me makes a fast read. My only critique is that there were a few times I felt some of the main character’s thoughts were a bit repetitive throughout the story. Overall, I felt the story was engaging, interesting, and full of similarities to “real”celebrity gossip, which made it fun to read. I wasn’t shocked by the twists, but thought overall a great unique story. Really enjoyed it. Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA | headofzeus publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. Review posted on Instagram and Goodreads on 7/23/25

Rumored
By Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I picked this book for the Camp NetGalley challenge. This is the Mancaruso sisters’ debut thriller novel.

It’s a mystery wrapped in the world of pop stars, and invites the reader to sift through articles and social media fodder to really find out what happened.

If you don’t pay close attention, your mind will be blown by the twist at the end.

The first half was a little slow and sluggish but then it picked up and the back half was gripping.

I would like to start off by thanking netgalley and Zeus publishing for the arc of this book.

I knew when I saw this book and the description I needed to get my hands on it for more than one reason. One I love thrillers, two I love being a sister and three, who doesn't love trying to find easter eggs not only in a book but that the authors gave us. At one point I am not gonna lie I did find the main character a little annoying and absolutely crazy but that quickly disintegrated as I continued to read. I never thought I could go through so many emotions reading one book. I went from heartbreak to what in the world to oh my god jaw on the floor all in about the final 20% of the book which is how I knew these authors are amazing. This book is about songs, conspiracy theories, heartbreak, thrilling moments, pop stardom, but above all is about a sisters love and a sisters bond. If you love music then this book is definitely for you as well it has so many easter eggs hidden in song lyrics, and album covers as well as conspiracy theories that they bring to life throughout the book. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending to everybody!

July 13, 2025
Twists and turns, up and down...this book is all over the place. Very gossipy, tabloidy, full of Easter eggs and conspiracy theories.

If that's your thing and you like looking into the secret messages in lyrics, then you'll really enjoy this book.

It's a fun read that keeps you on your toes.

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!