Told through 3 different points of reference, “Such Sheltered Lives” leads the reader through a salacious tale. Meet Florence, Lord Edward & Amelia Blue. They have more money than most can ever dream of, though that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s enough & it doesn’t mean they don’t have problems. Which is why they’re in a luxury rehab center.

Though this center isn’t like the ones they’ve been to before… And it’s debatable how much the center is going to help… or if it’s even designed to.

A mixture of fame, money, glamor, mental illness, sex, murder - this book has all the things. It didn’t hold back, and still had some heart.

Add this one to you me TBR, folks… you won’t regret it!

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Thank you #NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love the vibes of this book! Reminded me of The Clinic by Cate Quinn and Nine Perfect Strangers. The secluded rehab center catering to the upper class vibe was very well achieved. I enjoyed the editors note to the reader in the beginning too. I felt like it was very wholesome and like the editor truly cared about the book.

I felt like the plot around this was relevant to influencers and people I see on Instagram that go to rehab or detox centers.

I feel like the author didn’t do a good job at explaining whether each chapter was a day or if it was over a week. If that makes sense. I was kind of confused whether Amelia and Lord Edward were sneaking out every night or if each different chapter POV it was the next day. Ok after finishing the book I understand why the author didn’t make it a timeline. It made me appreciate what the author was trying to do by not giving readers an exact timeline and it was definitely a twist for me.

Speaking of twists, I did have an inkling about one of the major twists BUT it didn’t ruin the book for me. I still thoroughly enjoyed the other twists and turns this book took. I did think that the first half was a bit slow and the end was a little rushed. I would’ve loved to know more of the aftermath and a more deep dive into the character Sonja.

Overall I thought this was a good first novel for this author. I definitely think she could’ve made this book 100+ pages longer by diving into Sonja, the aftermath, and adding more news paper/media articles.

Alyssa Sheinmel’s Such Sheltered Lives is a smart, layered thriller that had me hooked from the start. The pacing is tight, the characters are complex, and the writing keeps you questioning what’s real and what’s being carefully concealed. It’s the kind of book that makes you lean in closer with every chapter, waiting for the secrets to unravel.

The twist was especially well done—satisfying without being over the top, and it made me rethink everything I thought I knew about the characters. At times the story felt a little insular, but in a way that worked for the theme and tone. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—Such Sheltered Lives is a suspenseful, twisty read that delivers on both atmosphere and surprise. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The first thing that caught my eye was the setting, Shelter Island. I grew up on the North Fork, and even though the location did not play a huge role, I still enjoyed the ferry ride.
Edward, Amelia, and Florence have each arrived at Rush’s Recovery. Each of them are dealing with different issues and the POV’s alternate between them. Information about what brought them here trickles out, always making me want to read just one more chapter.
Lots of mysteries, and even though I didn’t particularly like any character at the beginning, by the end, they had grown on me.
I haven’t read either of the two books referenced in the description, so I can’t say if this would indeed appeal to fans of those stories. However, this book did appeal to me. Everything came together in a very clever way.

Wow! This is a really interesting mystery thriller set in a super exclusive, slightly off-kilter rehab in the Hamptons in the middle of winter. The characters are an aging pop star who is trying to rehab her image after a public tabloid feud, a British aristocrat with a painful addiction after a car accident, and the daughter of a 90s rockstar with an eating disorder. All three have secret reasons for being at this particular rehab center. But another mystery develops with vague, mysterious chapters about a body found dead on the beach. Is it one of them? Is it someone from the rehab's past? The personal mysteries unravel in a very satisfying way, and the pace really picks up in the last 30% of the book when the biggest mystery of all reveals itself. I won't give spoilers, but would suggest checking the tigger warnings if reading about eating disorders or drug use could be harmful for you. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.

Such Sheltered Lives is moody, atmospheric, and completely absorbing. The story takes us into Rush’s Recovery, a rehab center for the ultra-rich, where privacy is promised but secrets and temptations lurk everywhere. From the start, there’s this uneasy mix of glamour and dread , the luxury setting contrasted with the raw vulnerability of the people inside.

I really enjoyed how Alyssa Sheinmel focused on the characters. Lord Edward, Amelia Blue, and Florence Bloom all felt distinct, messy, and human. Each one is struggling with their own demons, and watching them break the rules of the center made the tension build with every chapter. There isn’t nonstop action, but the suspense is constant. You just know something terrible is going to happen, and part of the fun is waiting for the moment when everything finally unravels.

This book reminded me of Nine Perfect Strangers with its rehab center setting, but it has a darker, sharper edge. The writing flows easily, the atmosphere pulls you in, and the ending left me unsettled in the best way.

Overall, I’d call this a smart, suspenseful read with characters that stick with you even after the last page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @alysasheinmel #alysasheinmel @netgalley #netgalley @atria #atria @emilybestlerbooks #emilynestlerbooks for allowing me to read their ARC.
A strong 4.5 ⭐
The last third of the book really got going and held numerous twists and turns.
The characters were so developed and it felt like you knew them after a bit.
This book had an easy to enjoy plot.
Great psychological thriller.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#booksbooksbooks #psychologicalthriller

I was really intrigued because of the rehab setting, I would've liked to dive more into the addictions and troubles of the characters but they are barely grazed upon. You end up wondering what the point of the rehab was. It was a fast read but also very forgettable.

Rush Recovery is a recovery centre for the rich and famous, tucked away in the Hamptons. The story revolves around Lord Edward, a British aristocrat, Amelia Blue, the daughter of a 90s rockstar who is battling an eating disorder, and Florence, a pop star struggling with her personal life. All the guests are problematic in some shape or form and all have secrets to hide.

This book is definitely more of a drama than a thriller. For me, it really lacked the elements of a thriller, namely, suspense. It's a bit of a slow burn, but despite this, it fails to really dive into the issues of the guests and character development is superficial at best. This was just an okay read for me. It is quick and the plot is generally entertaining, but it is unremarkable and predictable. If you are looking for a thriller, this probably isn't it. More of a drama reader? This will probably be up your alley.

Thank you Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A gripping and profoundly unsettling psychological thriller, this book expertly peels back the layers of a seemingly perfect existence.

The novel draws you into an exclusive, secluded world where two best friends, bound by a shared past, navigate a life designed to be safe and beautiful. But beneath the polished surface, a constant, creeping sense of dread builds with every page.

Sheinmel has a remarkable talent for creating an atmosphere of quiet paranoia, making you question everything you are being told and everyone you think you know.

This is not a story of sudden violence, but of the slow, methodical unraveling of truth. The plot is a meticulously crafted puzzle, with each piece adding to a bigger, more sinister picture.

The tension is expertly handled, and the ultimate reveals are both shocking and emotionally resonant. This is a book for readers who love a taut, character-driven mystery that will keep you guessing and leave you thinking long after you finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC!

I was initially drawn to this book by the setting: a secluded rehab treatment center for rich celebrity clientele. Each chapter was told from the perspective of one of the three guests- Amelia Blue, daughter of a former rock musician, Lord Edward, a troubled royal, and Florence, a has been rock star. I would have liked if the story was more in depth regarding the character’s addictions/problems and the reasons they were there, but I felt like some of that was glossed over a bit.
I found myself wondering the purpose of this rehab program because it seemed like it was run by people who had no idea what they were doing.

Overall, this was a quick, easy read but fairly predictable and forgettable. I enjoyed it, but I probably wouldn’t recommend it.

Alyssa’s debut adult novel has made me a fan and I can’t wait for her next release! If you like Lucy Foley, you will definitely enjoy reading Such Sheltered Lives.

The characters were well thought out and there was a good rhythm as we switched between perspectives. I liked that there were three main characters which made it much easier to follow and get more in depth into each character. You have a chance to connect with the characters on a personal level and are left thinking about them when the book is finished.

The author built up the mystery throughout the book and I enjoyed the twist at the end.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

Rush’s Recovery is a very chichi rehab for the stars and the rich. There are only enough cottages for three “guests” at a time and the story follows Amelia Blue, the daughter of rock royalty, who has anorexia, Lord Edward of Essex, a naughty playboy there for alcoholism and Florence, a has-been rock star who was just involved in a scandal.

The three are not cooperative patients and someone isn’t going to leave Rush’s Recovery alive.

This was a fairly standard thriller/people drama. It doesn’t delve deeply into the addictions/issues of the guests, so you’ll wonder what the purpose of the rehab is. The story is more geared toward their secrets and their interactions with the staff and each other. It was just OK, nothing new here.

Rush’s Recovery Center is supposed to be a safe, discreet place for struggling B-list celebrities to heal away from the spotlight. But the truth is, the patients aren’t the only ones with secrets. In fact, this center has some of its own. The story is told in alternating chapters, each focusing on one of the guests. I thought this structure worked well because it let me dig into their backgrounds and personalities, really showing what brought each of them here. At the same time, I expected more interaction between the residents, so that part left me wanting a little more.
What surprised me most were the reveals tucked into the ending. Just when I thought I had the characters figured out, the book threw in a few twists that gave the whole story an extra punch. Overall, I really enjoyed the unique celebrity rehab setting and it felt different from the usual thriller backdrop and kept me turning the pages.

I enjoyed this! It was so refreshing to read a thriller novel I didn't know where it was going or what the twists were going to be. It does say that this book is for someone who is a fan of Nine Perfect Strangers and they wouldn't be lying on that. The retreat for rich people, the suspense. The constant wondering of who did it and how? Everything about this was perfect, it just needed at times more work on the characters. Maybe they weren't meant to be likable and that's okay I just couldn't find myself connecting with them as much but I did find their stories interesting.
Overall a very decent thriller! I can't wait to check out some other books from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Alyssa Sheinmel’s adult debut, Such Sheltered Lives, is a psychological thriller set in an elite Hamptons rehab where wealth and secrecy collide. The novel follows three troubled figures—an aristocrat, a rock star’s daughter, and a pop idol—whose hidden struggles intertwine as the retreat’s glossy facade begins to crack. With its snowbound luxury setting and simmering tension, the book evokes shades of Nine Perfect Strangers. While the celebrity tropes may feel familiar, the immersive atmosphere and layered characters are pretty intriguing. I found the book difficult to get into, but overall an interesting read.

A fun and unique thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire ride. This was one where I really didn’t know what was going to happen next! Perfect for anyone who loves a Nicole Kidman drama.

I loved all three of the main characters in this novel- Lord Edward of Essex, a British aristocrat fighting his black-sheep status in his family and a painful addiction. Amelia Blue Harris, the daughter of a 90s rock legend who is struggling with an eating disorder. Florence Bloom, a pop star who is trying to lay low after her latest tabloid scandal. They are all at Rush’s Recovery a rehabilitation center. There is rules breaking, lies and secrets abound. I loved how the story unfolded and was written, plus it really just kept me engaged. The center itself is hiding things and there may be a dead body. I liked the flawed characters and psychological thrill of this book. I 100% recommend this as it was fast paced, exciting and thrilling.

So good it felt like a slow burn but it give a lot of insight on the characters and how they needed rehab what they went through in life to get there it was good I enjoyed it