The Unraveling of Julia was a solid, engaging read that held my attention throughout. While it didn’t completely blow me away, I found it entertaining and well-paced, with some especially strong elements that made it worth the read. I’d rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for the beautiful Italian setting and excellent audiobook production.

The story leans heavily into astrology, which wasn’t personally my cup of tea, but I appreciated how it was woven into the character’s journey. Readers who enjoy that theme may find it even more compelling.

I listened to the audiobook version and thought the narration was fantastic—emotionally expressive, well-paced, and immersive. The production quality was top-notch and truly enhanced the storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

The story begins with the main character’s husband being murdered and later her inheriting a Tuscan villa from an unknown person. Soon strange things start happening, and Julia starts to lose touch with reality. There are lots of hallucinations, mystery, and even mediums. The audio is of great quality. The narrator is clear and concise and easy to follow. A great listen!

After witnessing her husband’s shocking murder, Julia Pritzker spirals into guilt and confusion—especially when her horoscope eerily predicted the tragedy. But when she inherits a Tuscan villa from a stranger named Emilia Rossi, the story takes a sharp turn into secrets, identity, and ancestral intrigue. Set against the lush backdrop of Chianti, Julia’s journey becomes a gripping search for truth, tangled with astrology, hallucinations, and a possible bloodline to a Renaissance duchess.

Scottoline delivers a slow-burning thriller with rich emotional depth and a heroine you’ll root for as she unravels her past—and her sanity. Think *Eat, Pray, Run… from something sinister.*

#TheUnravelingOfJulia #LisaScottoline #GothicThriller #SummerReads #Bookstagram #SuspenseWithAPassport 🌙🔍🍷

3.75/5 Lisa Scottoline brings a bit of the paranormal into her latest psychological thriller. I liked the premise of the book and was excited to get an ARC from Netgalley. The story contained intrigue and mystery elements. Julia finds herself the heir apparent of a villa in Tuscany. She gathers the courage to leave her apartment for the first time since her husband’s murder to try to find out how she fits into the life of her unknown benefactor. On her journey, she discovers more than she thought she would. Is there someone out to get her or is the stress becoming overwhelming? The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job of bringing Julia to life.

2.5⭐️s. Well that was… weird…. There was a ton of astrological stuff, psychics and mediums, and spirits in this that it was just strange. Maybe my expectations were that this would just be a regular thriller in another country but it was just strange and obsessive in the spiritualism.

The main character, Julia, came across as really melodramatic, constantly jumping to conclusions and worst case scenarios, and was incredulous when almost no one believed her. Honestly, she was annoying. Her best friend swung from being kind of mean and uncaring, to the complete opposite, so she felt super inconsistent. A lot of what really was going on was pretty obvious from the start, but was written to try to make it seem more dramatic and conspiracy-theory steeped than it was.

Also, what is with all the “Argh” statements??

On a positive note, I liked the landscape and detail about Italy.

Not a huge fan. Just really dramatic and overdone and just strange with all the weird Astro/psychic stuff out of left field.

Thanks to Netgalley for advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.

DNF…I tried to continue listening to the audiobook but I just couldn’t get into the story. It had an extremely slow start and it could maintain my interest.

I received an advanced audio copy of The Unraveling of Julia. The author was good but the book itself seemed very slow. I put the speed up to 1.5 to listen to and that isn't what I usually do for audio books. I am not sure if I found the story to be slow or the audio or both. I did want to know where the story was going but I just can't say that I loved the book. I think too much detail and too much horoscope dragged it down.

I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline. First, the narrator Maria Marquis absolutely nailed it—her pronunciation of the Italian, the smooth transitions between different characters, and her range of accents made it a truly enjoyable listen.

Plot-wise, I was hooked by Julia’s emotional and twisty journey to uncover the truth about her biological family. That storyline had depth and kept me invested. However, the romance angle felt a bit rushed and a little too far-fetched for me—it didn’t quite hit the mark. Also, the astrology theme wasn’t really my thing, but that’s a personal preference more than anything else.

All that said, the Italian setting was described so beautifully it made me want to book a one-way flight and sip Chianti on a terrace. A fun, fast listen that blends family drama, identity, and wanderlust all in one.

I just finished The Unraveling of Julia, and overall, I really enjoyed it. The book was a little predictable at times—I found myself guessing some of the twists before they happened—but that didn’t stop me from being hooked. The writing itself is strong and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the story.

One of the highlights for me was the character development. Julia’s journey felt real and relatable, and I appreciated how the author let her grow and change throughout the narrative. The supporting characters were also well-drawn, each adding depth to the plot.

The suspense kept me turning pages, and I liked how the tension built steadily. There’s a love story woven in, too, which added a nice emotional layer without overpowering the main mystery. It’s a great read if you’re looking for something with heart, intrigue, and just the right amount of romance.

Thank you #netgalley

I loved the setting of this book. I wish that I had inherited a villa in Italy! But not if it comes with the mess it did for Julia! This was very slow for a thriller. I never really felt too connected to Julia and I didn't like the way she treated Gianluca.

Julia Pritzker is a true enthusiast of the unconventional, deeply immersed in the realms of the supernatural, the paranormal, and belief systems driven by emotion. She serves as a walking repository of knowledge about horoscopes, ghosts, and all things mystical. Her fascination with these topics may find its roots in the traumatic experience of witnessing her husband’s brutal murder.

In the wake of this tragedy, Julia retreats into a life of seclusion, teetering on the edge of agoraphobia. But a twist of fate intervenes—she unexpectedly inherits a substantial sum of money from a mysterious benefactor in Italy. This newfound fortune prompts her to travel to Italy, where she discovers not only her financial windfall but also an old, dilapidated home in Tuscany.

As Julia navigates this tumultuous chapter of her life, she becomes aware of someone shadowing her, falls in love with a charming Italian librarian, and intertwines astrology into her journey of self-discovery.

However, I found the storyline quite frustrating. Julia's character felt inauthentic, and the narrative read like a young adult novel. The writing itself lacked clarity and direction, attempting to juggle multiple genres without a cohesive vision.

Regrettably, along with her other book, "What Happened To The Bennetts," which I also rated two stars, I am left questioning whether this author is still aligning with my tastes. I felt disappointed and let down by the experience.

This book feels very long. I felt all 10+ hours of the audiobook that I listened to. It is a very slow burn and it seems time is a bit fluid in the book itself as Julia is unraveling.

Julia is already a bit unraveled before she even heads overseas. Girlfriend has been through the ringer and after receiving a massive inheritance from a stranger she goes to check it out (who wouldn't?) Strange and unexplainable things, supernatural things, happen to her and she struggles to figure out what is happening and what she wants to do with her new life.

I don't think this book is for everyone, but I did enjoy it. The supernatural plays a part, but in the end is explained in a way that makes sense- no ghost story. I loved the character of the best friend coming, it made the book feel more grounded.

thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Scottoline, and Hachette Audio for my ARC of this audiobook.

There’s a lot to love in The Unravelling of Julia—the gorgeous travel settings, the introspective journey, and a premise that really hooked me from the start. The pacing was definitely on the slower side, which worked in some moments but lost me in others. And while the astrology themes were a bit much for me personally, I can see them hitting just right for the right reader. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and beautifully written, just not quite a perfect match for my taste.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars
Rated PG-13 for language, emotional themes, and adult content.

Thank you to #netgalley and #hachetteaudio for this #giftedaudiobook in exchange for my unbiased review. This book is infectious! Not only did I love the setting, but the plot was riveting! The richness of her descriptions of Milan and Tuscany captivates the reader and makes you feel you are there. The plot was complex, weaving a murder mystery and a search for a birth parent into a fantastic page-turner! The reason I couldn't give it a 5 star rating is that some of the relationships were not developed as much as I hoped, and some of the characters' dialogue seemed inauthentic and out of time. Overall, you will love this thriller that releases July 15, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Not a fan...... was not vested was not connected and eye rolled too many times. 1 or 2 good parts... was not enough to get good rating. Voted up because I have enjoyed her in the past and hated to vote 1 on her.


Lately, Julia Pritzker is beginning to think she’s cursed. She’s lost her adoptive parents, then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to spiral. She fears her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.

Then a letter arrives out of the blue, informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard —but her benefactor is a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. Julia has no information about her biological family, so she wonders if Rossi could be a blood relative. Bewildered, she heads to Tuscany for answers.

There, Julia is horrified to discover that Rossi was a paranoid recluse, who believed herself to be a descendent of Duchess Caterina Sforza, a legendary Renaissance ruler. Stunned by her uncanny resemblance to Rossi, and even to Caterina, Julia is further unnerved when she unearths eerie parallels between them, including an obsession with astrology.

Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed, and strange things begin to happen. Not even a chance meeting with a handsome Florentine can ease her troubled mind. When events turn deadly, Julia’s harrowing struggle becomes a search for her identity, a race to save her sanity, and ultimately, a question of her very survival.

Twisty, transportive, and haunting—this is suspense with a passport.

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing an e-audio copy of this title.

I'm pretty sure this is my first book by this author, but I've seen her name on all the lists of great books to read, so I decided to try it. I regret that so much. I enjoy books about supernatural and astrological topics, family history and recovery from traumatic events. I thought this would be a good book for me. I was wrong. This was probably the longest, most annoying and obvious 'mystery / thriller' I've encountered. An episode of Scooby Doo (another love of mine) has more suspense and intrigue than this book did for me.

I thought Julia was beyond immature and wildly jumped to conclusions and went off on tangents that made no sense. And given the setting of Italy and her not speaking the language (not even trying out Duolingo!), these tangents and road trips make even less sense.

I honestly can't think of one thing about this book that I enjoyed. For the adult characters, this reads like a very bad YA book. The Point horror books I read in the 1990's as a teen were more thrilling.

1 star, b/c I can't give 0 stars.

This book was different than a lot of the Lisa Scottoline I have read before but I really enjoyed it! Julia Pritzker is walking home from a restaurant when her husband is stabbed by a robber and dies. Julia receives a mysterious letter/e-mail from Tuscany about a property left to her by Emilia Rossi--a woman she does not know anything about. I had moments where I wasn't so sure this book was right for me because of the way the story was going (ahhh I can't spoil it!!) but I am so glad I stuck it out. I ended up loving the twists--even the more predictable ones--because they enhanced the story.

The Unraveling of Julia is a gothic mystery with a touch of thriller, mostly in the second half.
I enjoyed the main character and all her struggles dealing with grief as well as trying to find out relevant information on her birth parents.
The setting in Italy is a delight to read, for my personal taste, too. And even though this book starts off slow, Scottoline is taking her time developing the characters so they could feel as most realistic as possible. The final third of the book is the most thrillery part and the conclusion can be satisfactory depending on each reader's own taste.
Personally, I didn't love this book. I loved the setting and could easily empathise with the MC. However, it feels like I've read this book before. I mean, it's not original and it's full of clichès and tropes that have been overly used in the past decade or so.I wasn't impressed, so I was never fully emotionally invested in it.
And I'll say it: if it weren't for the outstanding narration work of the narrator, I'd have probably DNFed this book.
The audioook narrator kept me failry interested in the story so that I could finish it.
Because of that, I can easily recommend the audio format.

Unfortunately this book did not keep me engaged and I had to DNF. I will definitely give the author another try in the future. Thank you for the opportunity.

Turns out that I am a sucker for mysterious inheritances. This was a deliciously gothic slow-burn with a modern twist! Julia's descent into paranoia and uncertainty had me invested, questioning everything right alongside her. From a murder and a mysterious inheritance to a crumbling Tuscan villa full of secrets and a legacy tied to Renaissance nobility—this book has all the eerie vibes I love. Astrology, family secrets, mental unraveling, and a whisper of romance made it haunting and immersive. A gripping, atmospheric read that fans of psychological suspense and historical intrigue won’t want to miss.

Thank you Lisa Scottoline, Hachette Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

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