This audiobook adaptation presents an interesting contrast between performance and content. While the novel itself struggles with its execution, the audio production delivers an exceptional listening experience. Gina Gershon's narration stands out as the highlight, infusing each character with distinct personality and elevating even the most awkward lines through her charismatic delivery. Her vocal performance adds layers to characters that otherwise feel shallow on the page.

The included author interview at the end offers valuable insight into James Frey's creative process. This bonus content provides context that enhances appreciation for the work, though it doesn't fundamentally change the book's core issues. The murder plot remains underdeveloped, taking a backseat to repetitive sexual encounters that dominate the narrative.

Gershon's compelling narration makes this audiobook version the preferred way to experience this story. Listeners should still temper expectations regarding the thriller elements promised by the marketing. The performance quality significantly improves upon the source material, creating a more engaging experience than reading the text alone provides.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Next to Heaven is a glossy, provocative dive into the lives of the ultra-wealthy, where secrets, betrayal, and indulgence simmer just beneath the surface of a picture-perfect Connecticut town. James Frey paints a vivid portrait of privilege gone awry, and while the setup is undeniably intriguing, think The White Lotus meets Big Little Lies, although the execution didn’t fully land for me.

The novel follows a cast of morally murky characters as they prepare for a lavish, exclusive party that spirals into chaos and murder. The pacing is slick, and the atmosphere drips with decadence, but I often found myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters and shifting perspectives. I wanted to connect more deeply with a few key players, but the narrative kept pulling me in too many directions.

That said, Frey’s writing is sharp and cinematic, and there’s no denying the entertainment value. It’s a fast, flashy read that delivers on drama and scandal, but I was hoping for a bit more emotional depth and clarity in the plot’s resolution.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was unable to finish this audiobook before it disappeared off my shelf. But what I did listen to was interesting enough. The only issue I really had with the book is that it spent way too much time on the background information on all of the characters. I know there was probably a reason for it but as I only got through 40% of the book I missed that reason.

This felt like a male version of a wattpad story… omg.

This book was so poorly written, it reads like YA novel, is generally corny, but you know what…. It was really fun to read.

I wish the ending was better. It could have been a solid 3.5 stars but the ending and pacing was very all over the place

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

Sadly, this is really not the book for me. It's labeled as a murder mystery, but we don't experience a murder until well past the halfway mark. The beginning of the book is just full of details that mean nothing to me as a reader.

2 stars - not for me, but maybe you'll enjoy it.

Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher in exchange for an review.

Exactly what you think will happen happens. Characters are pulled from stereotypes. None of it is creative. Even when Frey dips back into his history of writing about drug use it seems shallow and detached from the nothing-characters. It's been a while since I read A Million Little Things but I remember liking it for feeling personal but without the personal stories Frey's bad writing is laid bare and it is a slog to get through.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Audio and James Frey for this audiobook arc. I will be giving my honest review.
This book was giving White Lotus meets The Great Gatsby meets Little Fires Everywhere — and I was here for every messy, opulent, drama-soaked second.
James Frey treats setting and character with the same precision — and it shows. The beginning? SO fun. We’re talking juicy character backstories, a peek behind the curtains of the rich and dramatic, and some serious “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous” energy. As a Minnesotan, I did have to clutch my pearls when Charlie turned down a job here because he "couldn’t handle the accents." Uff da! My heart! (Kidding. Kind of.)
If you're a Swiftie (hi, me), the entire vibe of this book could be soundtracked by The Last Great American Dynasty. It’s luxury. It’s gossip. It’s mysterious. Think mansions, secrets, and a crescendo leading up to... yep, a swingers party (SLOMW era, I see you James).
There was a lot of character-swapping (in every sense of the word), and while it got a bit hard to track who was hooking up with whom (especially in the audiobook format — maybe don’t listen while multitasking), it wasn’t a dealbreaker. Just required a smidge more focus than usual.
Bonus points for the name drops of Monet, Matisse, and Degas — that’s straight to my art-loving heart.
And if you're into behind-the-scenes stuff: the audiobook ends with a convo between James Frey and narrator Gina Gershon, which was honestly such a treat. They chat about the book, the Connecticut setting, the accents — and it just added another layer to the experience.
In short: decadent, dramatic, a little chaotic — like a vacation with people you low-key want to gossip about but also kinda envy.

ARC Received: NetGalley
Publication Date: June 17, 2025

This book is the kind of slow burn that turns into a full-on wildfire. Set in a seemingly perfect, high-powered community, it starts with a party invitation and spirals into a wild ride of secrets, lies, power plays, and unexpected alliances. Every character has layers, every moment feels like it could explode, and by the end… I was fully gagged in the best way.

It’s smart, it’s bold, and it’s laced with just the right amount of scandal to keep you hooked. I loved the emotional complexity tucked between all the drama, especially watching certain characters reclaim their power in ways that were subtle but oh so satisfying.

The writing is quick and sharp, the pacing never drags, and even when I thought I had it figured out…I didn’t. That final act? Perfection.

My only reason for holding back a half star is that I wanted just a touch more closure for a couple of the side characters — but honestly, I’ll be thinking about them for a long time.

If you’re in the mood for something dark, twisty, and full of “OH NO THEY DIDN’T” moments, this one delivers. Big time.

A delightful, nasty little gem of a book about sex, money, and murder among the top 1% in Connecticut. Frey nails the tone of the more superficial set. I was hoping this book would be reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis' Glamorama, and it is, to some extent, but in Frey's particular writing style. Yes. It is lengthy and yes there is repetition but that's his style and I loved it, particularly as voiced by the dazzling Gina Gershon in audiobook form. Gershon's winking, slightly sarcastic, omniscient tone really added to my enjoyment of the snarkiness.

Other readers are correct that it takes awhile to set up the murder plot, but the gossip was so good and the characters so intriguing (even the horrible ones -- and there are many) that I didn't mind. I was fascinated by the descriptions of the wealthy Connecticut dwellers and their very superficial, mostly pretty sad, but also comfortable, lives.

I haven't read a lot of James Frey but I really enjoyed his writing style, his descriptive embellishments, his ridiculous characters and his interesting voice. I would like to read more books by him and I'll definitely look for more audiobooks voiced by Gershon, who was a real treat. A perfect summer beach read with bite and intelligence.

This was amazing, I loved it! Totally gives White Lotus vibes. I'll be recommending this one to everyone I know.

This book is absolutely ridiculous but in a way I found addictive. This won’t be for everyone, but I found it to be a compulsive read. Ultra wealthy and privileged people doing horrible things. It’s fun to gawk at, right? Plus a little thriller element swirled in. And a captivating narrative style.

Vibes: Bad Summer People. Gossip Girl. Wolf of Wall Street. Succession. Real Housewives. Dirty Sexy Money.

Quick thoughts…
- Initially it felt like there were too many characters who were too similar to each other to keep track of. But that worked itself out as I went on.
- Appreciated the slight shifts in tone and narration from chapter to chapter depending on which character we were with.
- A decent bit of baked in satire, sometimes pretty subtle.
- I did a few chapters via audiobook. Narrator was fine, nothing amazing to write home about, but got the job done.

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Audio, and Author’s Equity for providing me with an ARC of this book (both digital and audiobook) in exchange for an honest review.

A story filled with drama, rich people behaving badly, secrets, twists. The whole town of New Bethlehem is such a character in this story. This story focuses on four main couples: Devon and Billy, Grace and Alex, Teddy and Belle, and Charlie and Katy. This gave me Real Housewives vibes. It’s chaotic, messy and just entertaining.
The audiobook is narrated by Gina Gershon. Her voice was perfect and had all the emotions for this story. It was very engaging.

Next to Heaven is a dark plunge into the world of the ultra-rich and the ultra-depraved. The more excessive, the more morally bankrupt these characters became, the more I wanted. It took me a minute to keep track of everyone at the start, but once I found my footing, I was fully immersed in Frey's writing. These characters are gloriously unlikable, and I loved every second. 4.25

Thank you NetGalley and S&S Audio for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Authors Equity for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book was a wild ride. Four stars from me.

The writing was top-notch. Sharp, immersive, and cinematic in a way that pulled me straight into the world of New Bethlehem. I got completely invested in these messy, privileged, sometimes detestable characters, and I couldn’t stop listening.

It’s a story of wealth, secrecy, and reckless indulgence that escalates fast. You’ve got a seemingly perfect town filled with elite couples who crave more than just luxury. The result? One night, one party, and a spiral into chaos. Affairs, betrayal, and a murder that cracks their glossy façade wide open.

What really worked for me was how Frey leaned into the satire of excess and privilege without pulling punches. At times, it almost felt too outrageous to be real, but that’s what made it so compelling. The blend of dark humor and twisted dynamics gave it a White Lotus vibe, and I mean that in the best way.

This isn’t a subtle book, and it won’t be for everyone. But it’s smart, provocative, and definitely unforgettable. Haven’t read anything quite like it.

Next to Heaven is like watching the one percent set themselves on fire with their own money and asking for more gasoline. James Frey serves up a delicious cocktail of sex, scandal, and satire with just the right splash of murder. It’s messy, it’s decadent, it’s absolutely unhinged—and I loved every second of it. Think The White Lotus meets Eyes Wide Shut with a murder mystery twist. Rich people behaving badly? Yes please. More, please. I devoured this in one greedy gulp.

File under: Guilty pleasure, but make it couture.

Thank you James Frey, Simon and Schuster Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#nexttoheaven #netgalleyarc #netgalleyreview #netgalley #arcreview #arc #arcreader #review #somanybookssolittletime

Next to Heaven is an entertaining book that examines the lives of the wealthy elite in Connecticut. Gina Gershon did an excellent job narrating the story. If you are going to read this book, I recommend the audio version.
I found this book to be a quick listen. I loved the mystery part of the book and did not see the ending coming.

I absolutely loved this book. Multiple POVs from a cast of characters who are varying degrees of extraordinarily wealthy but morally bankrupt. This story was so engaging and fun to read. Readers get to know each character and what led them all to attend a small party and each characters fallout from participating. The pacing here was really good and by the time I finished racing through this I felt so satisfied by each characters ending. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was perfect.

Next to Heaven is exactly the type of popcorn thriller that I typically go for when I want something juicy. I love rich, beautiful people behaving badly, and this novel had plenty of that. There’s a biting tone and a dark glamour to James Frey’s writing that works really well in a story about wealth, secrets, and moral decay. I could definitely feel the Big Little Lies meets Bret Easton Ellis vibe, and when it was good, it really worked.

That being said, I often found myself struggling to keep track of the many characters. There are so many players in this night of betrayal and murder, but not all of them felt fully fleshed out, which left some of the plot twists a bit muddled. I kept wishing the book had zoomed in a little more—given me more time with fewer people—because the potential was there.

Still, if you like morally messy characters and don’t mind some chaos, it’s a slick, fast-paced read worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for providing an advance audiobook copy of Next to Heaven in exchange for an honest review.

Next to Heaven takes listeners deep into the messy, excessive lives of the ultra-wealthy, filled with infidelity, gambling, drug use, and scandal. While this setup may appeal to readers who enjoy stories of morally bankrupt elites making bad decisions, the book ultimately struggles to deliver a cohesive or satisfying experience.

The biggest challenge lies in the sheer number of characters. The narrative frequently jumps between perspectives, making it difficult to follow who’s who and stay engaged with their arcs. Only a handful of plotlines truly stand out, while the rest feel underdeveloped or repetitive. Most of the characters are deeply unlikable, which further distances the listener from the emotional stakes of the story.

Although marketed with elements of a murder mystery, that aspect plays a very minor role—about 15% of the overall narrative—and fades quickly into the background. This may disappoint readers expecting a more suspense-driven or investigative plot.

On a positive note, Gina Gershon delivers a strong performance as narrator, bringing energy and distinction to the various characters and keeping the pacing lively. However, even her talents can’t fully smooth over the novel’s choppy structure and rushed, somewhat cheesy conclusion.

In short, Next to Heaven may appeal to fans of rich-people drama and high-society scandal, but those looking for a gripping mystery or tightly woven plot may come away disappointed.

Rich people behaving badly. A story of sex, drugs, scandal, and the repercussions of your actions. The book brings to mind the writing of Jackie Collins and Sidney Sheldon but with a modern day twist. Definitely recommend. And if you can get the audiobook, you should go that route. The narration was very well done.

Thanks to Authors Equity, Simon & Schuster Audio and NetGalley for the arc and advanced listener copy of this book. All opinions are my own.