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noladawnreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was dumbfounded st the end. I usually have some idea of what is going to happen but I never expected this one.
The audiobook, with a full cast, was perfection. Fabulous narration and characterization.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book but you can be sure it won’t be my last.
Thanks to SMP and Macmillan Audio for my copies. These thoughts are my own.
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Classism and Kidnapping
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
iamnita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Terminal illness, Blood, Chronic illness, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Violence, Mental illness, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Suicide, Infidelity, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There were so many questions in the story. What really happened to Ruby as a baby - and did the right baby come home? Why did she adopt Cam? How did she die? And what happened to all of Ruby's husbands? What secrets is Jules keeping?
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
katefrost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I usually struggle to enjoy books without a character to root for— I won’t get into why that wasn’t this book, for spoiler related reasons. Everyone had a slightly villainous bent, but where that usually puts me off, I found I really wanted to know how the story would unfold, so found myself reading it whenever I could.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the mountains of NC and the author gets the the feel and the mannerisms completely right in my mind. If she hadn’t specified, I probably still would have linked it to that area in my mind.
I loved that she punctuated first person narrated chapters with letters, newspaper clippings, magazine interviews.
While I can’t say the characters felt particularly fleshed out, more like caricatures of grasping, dilettante relatives, that didn’t feel like the point. It felt more like the generational wealth of Ashby House itself was a character, corrupting everyone who touched it, in their own ways. The main driver of the plot is the way each of the characters is plotting against and for others; and watching that maneuvering play out was the major payoff.
I’d recommend this to people who like books that include correspondence, unreliable narrators, gothic horror, a whodunit vibe, and who don’t mind casual mariticide (none of the descriptions are particularly gruesome for what that’s worth). I would not recommend this to people looking for lovable or charmingly flawed characters — that’s just not this book. But gosh I sure couldn’t put it down!
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Murder
time4tori2read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The multiple perspectives told in first person moved the story along, yet it could have been better if there had been more distinction in voice/writing style between the two main protagonists-- I really wanted more from Cam and Jules while they're at Ashby House with Cam's family. Additionally, I did like the use of different formats for the reader to unravel the mystery and intrigue that was Ruby McTavish - even though Ruby had been dead before the story started, we still come to understand her motives through letters as well as additional magazine and newspaper articles.
The setting of Ashby House was very atmospheric, and The Heiress could have been elevated if the house was capitalized on more -- the house has as much personality, intrigue, and secrets as all the characters involved.
The plot also left something to be desired. Even though I haven't read any of Rachel Hawkins's other works, I've heard enough to know that she usually packs a story full of intrigue and twists. Unfortunately, for me, this just didn't match up to what I expected. It felt a bit forced and unfinished -- especially with that ending, but that may be me as a reader wanting a bigger reveal and resolution, especially in a suspense/thriller.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but this is not going to be a favorite that I'm revisiting or raving about. It's a quick, easy read - perfect for a weekend getaway or a summer break.
Moderate: Murder, Classism, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Car accident
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship