The Storm was a fantastic read with a mystery that spanned generations. I love how it unfolded in snippets of time marked by the hurricanes that haunt St. Menard’s Bay. It was such gripping storytelling.

I was fascinated by all the major characters. And the chapters marked by “43 days left…” added a beautiful tension to the story. It really felt like I was watching and waiting for the storm to hit.

I love that Rachel Hawkins explored themes like why people are so willing and quick to vilify a woman, while also not being afraid to write that woman as a complex character. Because Lo is far from perfect… but is she a murderer?

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of this book!

This was delightful! As someone who lives in Alabama, this was so fun to see all of the different spots mentioned! I loved the storyline and our cast of characters and the twists just kept coming! It was truly one of the best thrillers I've read in a while. I will auto buy all of Rachel Hawkins' thrillers because they have just been the best time!!

This was my fourth Rachel Hawkins read and once again—she nailed it. If you love small-town secrets, multiple timelines, and messy characters with messy histories, this one’s for you.

Even though I figured out most of the twists (my thriller brain rarely gets surprised these days), it didn’t take away from the fun. I devoured this in a couple sittings. The multiple POVs were sharp, and each character felt so real it was like eavesdropping on old friends with dark secrets.

A quick, addictive, atmospheric read—perfect for stormy nights and cozy crime lovers.

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hmm… how to describe this: a feminist domestic thriller with baffling twists? Or maybe small town love affair turns deadly? Also sisterhood with victimhood and some chills mixed up.

It’s a quick read. Less than 300 pages so it’s easy to read in one sitting. I’m actually hit or miss with this author and this was better for me. Not my fav of hers but still decent. A few things (which give away the plot so I won’t say) weren’t my fav but still a good one.

Geneva is the owner of Rosalie Inn, which has survived many strong hurricanes passing through St. Medards Bay, Alabama, for over a century. When a writer named August contacts Geneva with interest in renting a room while writing a true crime book involving the unsolved murder that occurred there in the '80s, Geneva is excited that maybe this future book will boost business for her inn. But when August arrives, he has Lo Bailey in tow, the woman accused of murdering her lover. What really happened that night? Did Lo get off scot-free?

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher St. Martin's Press, for the eARC for review purposes. All opinions expressed here are mine alone. "The Storm" by Rachel Hawkins will be widely available on January 6, 2026.

I really enjoyed "The Storm" due to its twisty love triangle, intricate characters, the unpredictability of a hurricane, some claustrophobic scenes, and the dual timeline that dives deep into piecing together the murder mystery. I especially enjoyed the chapter headings for the past timeline. They are a very creative touch as they follow along with the names of each hurricane that passes by, which is obviously a big theme in this book.

In conclusion, this is a book I’d recommend adding to your reading list in anticipation of its release next year. Happy reading!

A review was posted on Goodreads and Storygraph, as my social medial Instagram platform at @pages_and_papercrafts all on 7/13/25 (linked below):
A suspenseful story with an atmospheric setting and fascinating plot that kept me intrigued throughout. Geneva, the innkeeper of her family business that has withstood past deadly hurricanes in the small coastal town of St. Medard’s Bay, encounters one of her guests August, a journalist visiting to research a past death. Told in a unique presentation of past hurricane seasons and present time, the mystery around the death unfolds, lives are woven together and ripped apart and so many secrets unraveled. I was at the edge of my seat for most of the book: needing to know what happened in the past and what is happening in the present at the same time! A complex plot with interesting characters and a lot of suspense made for a great read. 4.5 stars

This was a fast paced, multiple timelines thriller that had me on the edge of my seat! Rachel does such an amazing job keeping me guessing in her novels and this was no different. The pacing was balanced, and the development of the plot was well structured. I was so intrigued with the past timeline, and it really increased the tension overall jumping between the two. I really liked the characters and the atmosphere of the book overall. I would recommend this thriller to any lover of the genre!

This is such a quick, fast paced, multiple timelines thriller.
You are following Geneva who has running her multigenerational hotel. Many years ago there was a very famous murder that happened at her hotel that she knows nothing about. Present day, two unexpected guest come to stay in her hotel and one is writing then story of the murder and the other is the woman who was wrongly accused of the murder that happened.
I really enjoyed the multiple timelines of this as well as being completely in the dark, along with Geneva, in everything that happened in the past. You are getting little moments from other storms that have caused damage on the hotel and how they all relate back to the murder and present day.
I do wish this was slightly dark, or had a little more suspense but I will say it kept me thinking and on the edge of my chair.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me this advanced readers copy!

Read in one day, practically in one sitting, THE STORM is one of the most engrossing and atmospheric reads in some time for me.

Something about this story just creeps under your skin, and the only comparison I have is reading MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL when I was 15ish, and being blown away by the outlandish, hot southern night of novel. In fact, when that book is actually mentioned in this, I got goosebumps all over... KISMET I TELL YOU.

When Landon Fitzroy, the Governor's son dies in the hurricane of '84, it should have been left as a tragic accident. But, Landon was shacking up with Lo Bailey, the prettiest girl in St Medard's bay. She was also barely legal, and NOT his former Miss Alabama wife...

And so the dueling timelines begin. Flashbacks to many nights in St Medard's bay and current timelines in The Rosalie, the inn that famously withstands all the hurricane.
We meet Geneva the current innkeeper and daughter of Lo's best friend as finds herself smack dab in current affairs as Lo Bailey re-enters St. Medard's community with her ghostwriter in tow.

Seriously, every little way the plot unfolded in letters and articles and testimonials was PERFECTO. I would give this 10 stars if I could.

I love Rachel Hawkins’ thrillers and I knew I would love The Storm too - her new one out in January. Well of course I couldn’t wait and skipped a ton of TBR books for this gem. I’m not sorry. Hawkins’ twists get me every time and The Storm was no different.

I love a good hurricane storyline as I’m located in Florida and can def relate. Geneva’s family has owned and operated the Rosalie (hotel) located on the Alabama coastline for years, and it continues to stand strong (through the years and many storms). Now it’s Geneva’s turn to run the place and another storm is coming right for them.

Enter Lo - an infamous murder suspect from 40+ years ago and she wants to tell her side of the story with a blockbuster memoir and choses the Rosalie to stay with her co-author at. After all it’s here that the well known son of a senator died during yet another hurricane in the 80s. It’s complicated. Very. And I loved it all.

This one hits the mark for me and I loved to hate Lo and loved her story too. Let’s go. Get this on your radar now. You won’t be sorry. So glad I got an early copy of this one. It made my weekend!

3.5 stars - Thank you so much to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This fast-paced thriller/mystery was so enjoyable! I flew through the story and could not put it down. I grew up in a small beach town similar to the one describes in this novel and the vibes were on point. The small town southern gossip, the salty air, the tense atmosphere before a hurricane comes all reminded me of the summers of my childhood.
Lo was a riot, I enjoyed her give-no-fucks attitude and her sense of confidence though she’d been labeled “a murderess slut” and I appreciated the underlying feminist themes throughout the story. Geneva was badass too, love that she was childfree and single, and that she was perfectly happy taking care of her family’s inn.

***MILD SPOILERS - I wish there had been more of a twist with August and more of an explanation about who his mother was- this part felt rushed to me.
I did feel like the ending wrapped up nicely and was glad that Lo, Edie, and Geneva all survived the storm (amongst other things).

The southern summer vibes were excellent and this one is sure to be a hit with thriller fans!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I just finished reading @ladyhawkins latest, The Storm and it was such a good time! I loved the way the story was written: multiple POVS, flashbacks, book/newspaper clippings. Swipe for the synopsis.

The story pulled me in from the first chapter and easily held my interest. There were a few surprises plot wise that I didn’t see coming, and others that I did. Regardless, I knocked this one out in two days and definitely recommend you adding it to your TBR! The chapters are quite long so be prepared to spend some quality reading time with this one.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e galley in exchange for my honest review. Pub date is 01.06.26 enjoy!

4.5 Stars!

This was such a great story with an intriguing premise!

I was hooked from the very beginning and flew through this within a day! It had really great pacing.

I enjoyed the different POVs and flashbacks to the previous time periods based on the previous hurricanes. And I loved the use of mixed media throughout too with the different articles as well as the unpublished transcript of the book.

This is only the second book of this author that I’ve read, but I have now really enjoyed both and cannot wait to read her others.

Recommend checking this one out when it releases January 6th!