➡️ɢʀᴀʙ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ:
° Crave a summer thriller with chills and twists
° Like slow-burn mysteries that pick up speed
° Enjoy morally gray characters with depth
° Want a story that sticks with you long after the last page

➡️ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ:
Courtney’s family vacation shatters when she discovers her brother and sister-in-law dead, her niece missing, and her nephew alone upstairs. As she digs deeper, secrets 𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡—some from her family, some from the quiet lakeside town.

This one’s a 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙧. The twist hit me like a freight train (and I mean that in the best way), and I loved how the author made me question 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. Sure, it starts a little slow after the explosive beginning, but stick with it—the payoff is worth it.

What really stood out to me was how the villain’s involvement wasn’t just “𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.” It started from a simple, almost innocent choice, and it made me think about how one decision—especially one made without much thought—can lead to 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧. It’s not about “bad” vs. “good,” it’s about how we all have the capacity to mess up and how consequences can spiral out of control.

If you’re looking for a hit summer thriller to cool you down and make you think, this one’s for you. Just, uh… maybe 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘸.

In IT’S NOT HER, Mary Kubica takes all the elements of her trademark twisty, domestic thriller and brings them on vacation. At the onset, readers are thrust right in the middle of a nightmare when two vacationers are found dead and one remains missing. As the rest of the family searches for answers, the tension, suspicion, and blame caused by their secrets threaten to destroy them. But theirs are not the only secrets to be uncovered. The resort and town are full of mysterious characters, each with their own tragic past. This book will have you second guessing everyone and relentlessly trying to put the pieces together, but ultimately keep you in the dark until the very last page.

First off, I am a big stickler when it comes to reviewing thrillers! I can think of only three that I’ve ever rated 5 stars (None Of This Is True, Nightwatching, and Local Woman Missing), all of which were so unique and incredibly shocking. This one fell short for me because I had a really hard time reading the teenage character, Reese’s, point of view especially because of the disturbing content that was included in her timeline and her overall mindset. And she narrates at least half the book. 😬 I WAS surprised by the ending, but found myself more often disturbed or even annoyed than entertained.

Wow! This book was one of the Best Thriller books I read this year! It had me overthinking everything! It had me guessing who was to blame and I felt like everyone was suspicious! It was fast paced and enjoyable! Some parts in the book were dark and sad! It was written in such a way where it was easy to understand and keep up with the story! It had me on the edge of my seat! I couldn’t stop reading it and I wanted to see what else was going to happen! This book had me hooked from the first chapter! In my opinion, the characters had their own personalities, so it was easy to distinguish between them. I am very thankful for this ARC opportunity! I feel so lucky to have had a chance to read this book! I am very excited for when this book releases!

This book publishes on February 9 , 2026, so make sure to add this one to your never-ending TBR!

Thank you so much The Hive and Harpercollins! So grateful for the opportunity to read the ARC!

A unputdownable, bingeworthy thriller that will immediately hook you from the very first chapter as it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go! Every page was laced with tension, secrets, and suspicion which kept me engaged and wanting more. Trust no one. Suspect everyone. And definitely don’t get too comfortable. This will have you flying through the pages and leave you gasping at the final twist you don’t see coming.

Screaming thank you, thank you, thank you to HTP Hive for providing me with an early copy of It’s Not Her through NetGalley. I have read and will read anything by Mary Kubica. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but her books just keep getting better and better!

Two families go on a vacation together for relaxing and reconnecting, but things quickly take a deadly turn. A scream in the morning leads to a gruesome discovery - two people are dead and one is missing. How could this vacation go so horribly wrong?

Told from alternating points of view between the present and past, It’s Not Her will keep you guessing until the end. The story had a sometimes claustrophobic locked-room feel that was loaded with suspense. I loved the sprinkling of information given out in the present, with the eventual explanations provided in the past. I would have my sights set on one character as a killer, but In typical Kubica fashion, she had me flip-flopping and casting my suspicions on someone else. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. It had my heart pumping and my brain working overtime. I loved how the story unfolded and the twists were fantastic. This page-turner will have you locking your doors and leaving the lights on. Read this book - you will not be disappointed!

A huge thanks to @parkrowbooks, @htpbooks, @htp_hive, and @marykubica for the incredible exclusive #gifted opportunity to read and review It’s Not Her early! All thoughts are my own.

Kubica has outdone herself with her best novel yet. This story is fast paced, suspenseful, emotion filled, twisty ride that’s fueled by complex family dynamics and the power of perspective.

Kubica does an incredible job with vivid language and details creating a suspenseful, mysterious, top notch creepy setting. This summer lake cabin in the woods family vacation, turned nightmare, had my heart pounding, hair raised, and holding my breath through most of the story. The combination of the creepy setting, multi-twist filled plot, and its unreliable characters, gave it Camp Crystal Lake vibes. Thankfully you won’t find Jason there, but don’t worry, there are plenty of unlikable, untrustworthy, shady characters to take his place.

Written in dual POV/timelines, and short chapters with cliffhanger endings made for an unputdownable read. It piqued my interest from the very first page and had me hooked to the very end. I was reading this book every free second I had this week and definitely stayed up way past my bedtime the past few nights reading. The times I was forced to put it down it was living rent free in my head and I was anxiously waiting to get back to it. I don’t think I’ve read a book that made me continuously second guess my predictions as much as this one. I have read most of Kubica’s books and I can definitely say this one is my new favorite.

4.5 Stars.
This is definitely a domestic suspense mastery. I loved that this book is told in dual POVs and we get a slow reveal of the whole evening revealed. One POV is of Aunt Courtney, who is now left to deal with the mystery of the missing niece, and the dead family. And we have a POV of Reece, the missing niece. While one tells us the story of what happened during that week, the other gives us more of a perspective of what it looked like it happened.

I love that this story delves into the lives of teenagers and kids. They are doing things adults have no idea about, and sometimes even if they have an idea, not much is done about it due to inconvenience, due to other fears, etc. And the consequences those actions have, no one can foresee until it's too late.

This was a suspenseful story. Full of red herrings and suspects. As well as twists and turns. It is filled with teenage/childish angst, emotions and serves up a bunch of relatable characters that one can understand and feel for them. Each has their own struggles perfectly matched to their age. I wanted to fly through this book, and in some parts I couldn't stop reading, but there were moments where I felt like this is a slow burn mystery. And it kind of was, but everything was set up perfectly where the ending just made sense. Though very unexpected last twist.

thanks to HTP and The Hive for the opportunity to read this insanely early. yes, I did drop everything when the widget hit my inbox. 🤣

"It's Not Her" is a twisty ride that will have you second-guessing everyone, then shock you all over again in the final pages. Kubica knows how to pack a sucker punch of a plot twist.


Only rating it a 4 because I drop a star if I figure it out in the first half. Granted, I did second guess my hunch repeatedly, and the final twist was unexpected, but I did get the who and why initially pretty quick.

OMG! This book I could not put down and although it raised my anxiety level as I read, I LOVED it!! I am so glad that I read this in my home and not a cabin vacation. The remote woods setting added to the suspense. My emotions were all over the place while I read, I felt empathy for the characters and thought to myself, what would I have done if I was Courtney discovering the scene and trying to take care of the kids!!?!?. But also, I wanted to yell through the pages at the characters in the book and tell them to look out or not to make that choice!!! I love how the author took us on such a twisty journey. This is Mary Kubica at her absolute best! Add this to your Winter 2026 TBR now! It is a must read! Thank you to HTP The Hive Program for an early e-arc on Netgalley!

Words can not express the excitement I felt when I got an email earlier this week saying I got an exclusive early copy of Mary Kubica's newest novel due out in February! The cover isn't even released yet.

This is going to be one of the biggest releases in 2026 and the easiest five stars I've given this year. Mary Kubica weaves a twisted masterpiece that I could not put down. It starts off with a bang and around every corner is a cliffhanger, unreliable characters, and pieced together events and thoughts from multiple characters that eventually culminates into an explosive ending I didn't see coming.

We hear events through Courtney in the present day as she learns something terrible has happened to her brother and sister in law in the cabin next door while on a family vacation. We also hear events from the past leading up to the tragedy through Reese (Courtney's niece), who goes missing the same night. We are then thrown back and forth from the past to present through Courtney and Reese's perspectives. No character is safe from suspicion, and the suspense keeps hitting in waves. The town itself is seeped in mystery. I still can't believe that ending! Definitely make sure to add this one to your tbr.

Thanks you to HTP Books, Park Row Books and Mary Kubica for the ARC!

Warning: do not start this book if you have obligations, because it is UN-PUT-DOWN-ABLE!!

Two families vacation at a remote resort to enjoy some much-needed family time. Our FMC, Courtney, hears a scream from her brother and sister-in-law’s cabin only to find them both brutally murdered. Her niece, Reese, is no where to be found. And her nephew, Wyatt, somehow slept through it all. As Courtney desperately tries to find her niece, she discovers that nearly everyone in her family has a secret…

Mary Kubica is my absolute favorite author!! The opportunity to read this story early was incredible. With its intricate plot and fast pace, this was truly a book I could not put down! The isolated setting added in creating a very atmospheric, locked room story. Told from multiple points of view,
I had my theories about who the killer could be but WHOA, was I not even close! In signature Kubica fashion, the story grabs hold of you and doesn’t let up, with a twist that completely flips everything on its head! Tension was high til the very end.

The first Kubica book I ever read was “The Other Mrs” and I have to say, the style of this one was reminiscent of that for me. That is just to say how much I enjoyed this, because that is one of my favorite books of all time! Mary Kubica is already my favorite, but this book is seriously next level.

“It’s Not Her” releases February 3, 2026. This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

#thehive #hivepartner

A huge thank you to @marykubica @htpbooks and @htphive #hiveinfluencer for the #gifted e-book! I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this highly anticipated release.

This story is an absolute rollercoaster ride filled with jaw-dropping twists that will keep you gripping the edge of your seat. From the very first page, I was captivated, eager to unravel the chilling mystery surrounding the murders of Emily and Nolan and the fate of their missing daughter, Reese. Courtney, Nolan's sister, must navigate her family’s heartbreak while caring for their remaining children, Wyatt and Mae, all while desperately searching for Reese.

The plot is absolutely enthralling, expertly woven together with a perfect balance of suspense and emotional depth. The author masterfully peels back the layers of each character, revealing their complexities. The narrative shifts between Courtney in the present, after the devastating discovery of the bodies, and flashbacks of Reese leading up to the shocking events. This dynamic back-and-forth enriches the story, with each detail heightening the tension and intrigue.

Just when I thought I had figured everything out, the ending delivered an exhilarating twist that left me utterly breathless.

If you're a thrill-seeker who adores stories brimming with unexpected turns and profound emotional layers, this book is an absolute must-read. Mark your calendars for February 3, 2026, you won't want to miss this riveting tale!

Thank you SO MUCH to The Hive for the surprise #gifted ebook!

As a Hive influencer, I was tremendously excited and surprised to receive an email giving me the exclusive opportunity to read Mary Kubica’s 2026 release, 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒓! Guys, I don’t even read ebooks anymore for health reasons but you better believe it I dropped all my current reads, buddy reads and everything else to start this book!!!

Two families take a little vacay in a remote Wisconsin Northwoods cottage, which ends up becoming a crime investigation when Nolan and Emily, Courtney’s brother and sister-in-law, are found brutally killed. Courtney also cannot find her niece, Reese, a teenager, who has been at odds with her parents and brother. While the police lead their official investigation, Courtney takes matters into her own hands as time is ticking to find Reese.

Prepare to drop all life and social commitments once you start 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑯𝒆𝒓, because every page will hold you hostage to the nail-biting events that culminate to a blood-curdling finale! I promise you, you will NOT see that ending coming! I had many theories and did not trust a single character. Yet I still did not expect the story to end the way it did! Make no mistake that Kubica does not spare a single character from being suspicious, even the ones whom you’d normally presume as innocent! The entire book is a thrill ride from start to finish with a sense of foreboding at all times. Kubica outdid herself on this one! Thriller lovers, do not pass this one up! Preorder, bookmark, save your calendars… do whatever you must to snag a copy!

I dropped every book I was reading on my TBR to devour this book, and I regret NOTHING!!! The first chapter had me hooked and begging for more!! I didn't know what I was going to do for an entire year before the rest was published. I thought about this book every day, no lie.

The way I convinced myself that I knew who dunnit multiple times despite knowing that I never guess correctly in any thriller I read!

This was an easy 5 stars! The way that Aunt Courtney thinks throughout this book made me feel sane for the super anxious and paranoid thoughts I have about complete strangers in the simplest settings. Or even people we think we know. I like to call it hyper vigilant.

There were so many twists and pieces that came together throughout this entire book that made me yell audibly out loud, as well as make weird gasping sounds in utter shock. I almost threw my kindle across the room and decided that wouldn't be the best idea. This book is that good!!!

Thank you so so much to The Hive! I am so honored to have such early access to read and review this book!! It literally made my whole month!

An opening scream, a missing girl, and a murder scene that will haunt you long after you close the book - It’s Not Her is Mary Kubica at her most unrelenting. From the first page, I was hooked. The pacing? Relentless. The atmosphere? Thick with dread. Kubica doesn’t build suspense - she unleashes a storm of it.

Told in dual POVs that masterfully weave past and present, this story drops us into a family getaway that becomes a waking nightmare. Every chapter ratchets up the unease as we uncover more secrets and trust dissolves.

I loved Reese’s perspective - as it shed light on the fractured events leading up to that night. I connected deeply with her raw, honest voice. Her teenage angst wasn’t just believable; it felt like it was my own experience all over again. I actually had to remind myself: I’m a 30-year-old woman now, not 17. In contrast, Courtney’s present-day POV pulses with urgency, each moment steeped in suspicion as the investigation unfolds. The way the story switches back and forth keeps the pace tight and fast - you never get a chance to slow down.

What Kubica does best here is what she always does best - she lays threads so carefully and subtly, you don’t even realize you’re tangled in them until it’s too late. Then, with one perfectly timed reveal, she pulls - and everything falls into place.

And that ending?! It completely floored me. I audibly gasped. It didn’t just shock me - it made me totally rethink the whole story after the fact. It’s the kind of ending that sends you flipping back through chapters just to say, "how did I miss that?".

This book is a masterclass in tension and structure - gripping, clever, and impossible to put down. If you think you’re safe in the woods - think again.

Preorder this one now. When you dive in, be sure to lock your doors and windows - you’ll definitely be sleeping with the lights on.

Thank you so so so much to The Hive (@htp_hive), HTP Books (@htpbooks), Park Row (@parkrowbooks), and the author Mary Kubica (@marykubica) for the very early eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Seriously, thank you so much, I literally screamed when I got the email with early access for It's Not Her! I can't believe I got to read a Mary Kubica book almost a year in advance, you all are the absolute best!

It's Not Her releases Feb 3, 2026!

I was thrilled to get this super early look at It's Not Her! And I freaking LOVED it!

This was a nail-biter with a tight and propulsive plot, characters you will second guess, and a jaw-dropper of an ending. Suspenseful, shocking, and utterly unputdownable! Mary Kubica outdid herself, and I was obsessed from start to finish.

The pacing was perfect, with the action starting right away and never slowing down. The plot thickens with each quick chapter, and the skillfully crafted multiple POVs create tension by revealing crucial information just before shifting perspectives. As more and more questions arise, there are unexpected twists that will catch you off guard. And the atmospheric setting can change from picturesque to creepy in an instant.

The character development is great with characters that elicit a range of emotions as you get to know them and witness their unfolding drama. Kubica strikes a nice balance here between a strong plot and compelling characters. Her storytelling is truly fantastic! Books like this are the reason I love reading. There is nothing better than a story you can get completely lost in.

Mark your calendars for February 2026 because you do not want to miss this!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row Books, HTP The Hive, and Netgalley for the gifted review copy

Dare I say it—It’s Not Her might just be one of my top favorite reads, and it doesn’t even release until next year! Mary Kubica has long been an auto-read author for me. I’ve devoured every single one of her books, but this one? She blew it out of the water.

From the very beginning I was hooked. The suspense is pitch-perfect, the pacing flawless, and the twists! It’s Not Her is a book that will have you turning pages late in the night and stays on your mind long after the final chapter.

Go ahead and mark it on Goodreads, add it to your TBR, set an alert—do whatever you need to do to make sure this one doesn’t slip past you. This is going to be the book everyone is raving about next year, and you’ll want to be part of the conversation.

Kubica fans, get ready—this might just be her best yet.

Thanks so much HTP, Park Row Books and HTP the Hive for the chance to read an early copy. It’s Not Her is set to publish February 3, 2026.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

It’s Not Her - Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica does it AGAIN! It’s Not Her grabbed me by the throat from page one and did not let go. What starts as a peaceful lakeside vacation quickly spirals into a total nightmare—and I could not flip the pages fast enough.

The structure is perfectly laid out: two POVs (one present-day, one building up to the murder) that ratchet up the dread with every chapter. I suspected everyone at some point, and still, that final twist? I did not see it coming. It was WILD.

The emotional undercurrent here is so strong. Kubica doesn’t just serve up twists—she gives you real, flawed, layered characters and lets them slowly unravel until you’re questioning everything and everyone. That tension? Constant. That pacing? Relentless. That character development? Phenomenal. You’ll think you know who’s innocent—until you don’t. Anxiety-inducing in the best way possible!

This is easily one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time and I’m calling it now: it’s going to be a blockbuster when it drops in February 2026.

Thank you so much to @htpbooks @parkrowbooks @htphive @netgalley and of course, Mary Kubica, for my early digital copy!

#MaryKubica #ThrillerBooks #Bookstagram #LakeThriller #NetGalleyARC #HTPBooks #SuspenseWithStyle #ReadingWithBrian #EmotionalThriller #UnputdownableReads #UpcomingThriller #Whodunnit #February2026Release #BookReview

Thank you, #Partner @htpbooks, @htp_hive, @parkrowbooks, and @netgalley for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 2/3/26.

The queen of suspense is back with another big hit that will have your head spinning! The action started right away and never let up! I tried so hard to figure out who the killer was and what happened, but of course I had it all wrong. This book has all the creepy vibes, and I am now scared to go on vacation, thanks Mary! The ending had my mind blown, and I literally had to pick my jaw up off the floor. Make sure to pre-order and add this one to your WL, because it will be a huge hit of 2026.

Two family's take a two week trip to a dated resort on a lake in Wisconsin. One week into their family vacation it starts turning into a nightmare for Courtney. Two dead, one missing, and a murderer on the loose that could be anyone. Courtney has no idea who to trust as she races against time to find her missing niece. Make sure to lock all your doors and windows before starting this! 5⭐

This book was easily one of my fave thrillers this year. I was immediately sucked in. The twists and turns were so great that I constantly had my blame on everyone and everything was written so well that I was shook till the very end ! There were a few twists I didn’t see coming at all and I absolutely loved this one. Amazing till the very end ! I will definitely be recommending and adding Mary’s other books to my tbr !