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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for providing me with an ALC.
Spoiler: Julie Tudor is a psychopath. This was crazier and darker than I expected. Julie is the definition of delusional --- literally way off the scales. That ending was pretty smooth too. I liked the way the timelines were handled, really gave context to the story. The story was so off the rails that I'm rounding up my rating. Julie was extremely unlikeable and frequently made me want to punch her in the face (I think that was the desired outcome) but also made for a great unreliable narrator and character study. I also liked that she was middle-aged. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for something dark with an unreliable narrator.
The narrator did a great job of expressing Julie's expressions and thoughts. It definitely made the story darker and more thrilling.
Spoiler: Julie Tudor is a psychopath. This was crazier and darker than I expected. Julie is the definition of delusional --- literally way off the scales. That ending was pretty smooth too. I liked the way the timelines were handled, really gave context to the story. The story was so off the rails that I'm rounding up my rating. Julie was extremely unlikeable and frequently made me want to punch her in the face (I think that was the desired outcome) but also made for a great unreliable narrator and character study. I also liked that she was middle-aged. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for something dark with an unreliable narrator.
The narrator did a great job of expressing Julie's expressions and thoughts. It definitely made the story darker and more thrilling.
A quick and engaging read! I’m not usually one for unreliable narrators, but Julie was so campy and obvious, it really added to the comedy of this book. I enjoyed how outrageous it was while maintaining interest. I think it would’ve been neat to see the same events from other character’s POVs but I think that would’ve changed the book more from a dramatic comedy to a thriller.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yeah so.. Julie Tudor is definitely a psychopath and not a fun one. This is an unreliable narrator and completely unlikable main character. Honestly, I love a stabby FMC - as long as they can give me *something* to root for. Julie Tudor is insufferable. I see other people mention humor but I did not get even a bit of heavy breathing out the nose over this. Based on other reviews it seems like people did really enjoy this, so it might just be that Julie and I didn’t vibe and that’s okay. Not every book can be for every person.
Maybe if Julie leaned into being a little crazy I’d like it better. Maybe if she was killing people who deserved it instead of just being obsessed with a man. I don’t know. All I do know is that for a character who is definitely a psychopath she also fell completely flat in every way. There was no real personality, and I was bored. The time jumps weren’t well placed either, in my opinion.
I don’t particularly enjoy unreliable narrators, and I also don’t like books with too many pop culture references. If those things didn’t bother me, it might have been a 2 star. Maybe.
I received an ARC copy and an ALC copy, so I was listening while I read with my eyes at the same time. The audiobook alone I would have DNFed. I did not particularly like the narrator. She sounded *too* posh for me, and I feel like Julie needed a bit of shrillness in certain areas. Instead it just felt monotone, and in some sections/during some characters it was giving Mrs. Doubtfire. I did stop the audiobook entirely around 73% and finished just with the ebook, and I do wish I had just DNFed sooner. I just didn’t care. And I still don’t care. And it’s unfortunate because I feel like this could have been fun.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks and Tantor Audio for sending this as an audiobook and egalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Maybe if Julie leaned into being a little crazy I’d like it better. Maybe if she was killing people who deserved it instead of just being obsessed with a man. I don’t know. All I do know is that for a character who is definitely a psychopath she also fell completely flat in every way. There was no real personality, and I was bored. The time jumps weren’t well placed either, in my opinion.
I don’t particularly enjoy unreliable narrators, and I also don’t like books with too many pop culture references. If those things didn’t bother me, it might have been a 2 star. Maybe.
I received an ARC copy and an ALC copy, so I was listening while I read with my eyes at the same time. The audiobook alone I would have DNFed. I did not particularly like the narrator. She sounded *too* posh for me, and I feel like Julie needed a bit of shrillness in certain areas. Instead it just felt monotone, and in some sections/during some characters it was giving Mrs. Doubtfire. I did stop the audiobook entirely around 73% and finished just with the ebook, and I do wish I had just DNFed sooner. I just didn’t care. And I still don’t care. And it’s unfortunate because I feel like this could have been fun.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks and Tantor Audio for sending this as an audiobook and egalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a wickedly fun read. Julie is absolutely a psychopath but doesn’t know it and it allows for a fascinating plot. The dark humor and unreliable narrator worked so well with the side characters who were entirely relatable. I loved how Holdich used the alternating timelines to show Julie’s past & state of mind. I definitely recommend this debut!
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ARC Audio Copy!
This book was everything I look for in a weird girl book. An FMC that is completely delusional and honestly just a horrible person, but somehow you are cheering them on every step of the way. I don't really know how the author did it, because this character is truly despicable and deserves no happiness in life, but I wanted her to win so stinking bad, not sure what that says about me, but we'll let my therapist figure that one out. If you like a good thriller with an insufferable character, then you need to pick this one up immediately.
This book was everything I look for in a weird girl book. An FMC that is completely delusional and honestly just a horrible person, but somehow you are cheering them on every step of the way. I don't really know how the author did it, because this character is truly despicable and deserves no happiness in life, but I wanted her to win so stinking bad, not sure what that says about me, but we'll let my therapist figure that one out. If you like a good thriller with an insufferable character, then you need to pick this one up immediately.
dark
funny
funny
medium-paced
A fun, dark humorous story about Julie Tudor and her actions. She is totally unhinged and obsessed with her coworker, Sean, and the story follows her as she is determined for him to love her.
The story is entertaining and we get a lot of Julie's internal rationalization of her actions. For her age of 49, she seems naive in her views.
I did find the story a bit repetitive in the middle and felt it drag a bit.
Clare Corbett is a new to me narrator and she embodied Julie's character so well.
Thank you @tantoraudio for a copy of the audiobook.
The story is entertaining and we get a lot of Julie's internal rationalization of her actions. For her age of 49, she seems naive in her views.
I did find the story a bit repetitive in the middle and felt it drag a bit.
Clare Corbett is a new to me narrator and she embodied Julie's character so well.
Thank you @tantoraudio for a copy of the audiobook.
Thank you to Netgalley for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review!
4.5 stars rounded up
Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich is a brilliant, darkly comedic twist on the female serial killer trope, and I couldn’t put it down. Julie’s inner dialogue is absolutely hilarious—her wit, sarcasm, and dry humor make her a character that feels alive and refreshingly real. As a reader, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at her hilarious and often brutally honest observations, even when the situations she finds herself in are anything but funny.
While the female serial killer trope is definitely trending right now, it can sometimes feel overdone. However, Holdich completely knocks it out of the park with this novel. Julie isn’t just a “typical” villainous character; she’s complex, flawed, and entirely unique. The book balances dark humor with moments of unexpected tenderness, making Julie’s character all the more compelling.
Holdich’s sharp writing and ability to blend suspense with humor create a book that’s both engaging and thought-provoking. The storyline itself is packed with twists and turns, keeping you hooked until the very end. If you’re looking for a story with a unique perspective, witty inner monologue, and a fresh take on a popular genre, Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath is a must-read.
4.5 stars rounded up
Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich is a brilliant, darkly comedic twist on the female serial killer trope, and I couldn’t put it down. Julie’s inner dialogue is absolutely hilarious—her wit, sarcasm, and dry humor make her a character that feels alive and refreshingly real. As a reader, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at her hilarious and often brutally honest observations, even when the situations she finds herself in are anything but funny.
While the female serial killer trope is definitely trending right now, it can sometimes feel overdone. However, Holdich completely knocks it out of the park with this novel. Julie isn’t just a “typical” villainous character; she’s complex, flawed, and entirely unique. The book balances dark humor with moments of unexpected tenderness, making Julie’s character all the more compelling.
Holdich’s sharp writing and ability to blend suspense with humor create a book that’s both engaging and thought-provoking. The storyline itself is packed with twists and turns, keeping you hooked until the very end. If you’re looking for a story with a unique perspective, witty inner monologue, and a fresh take on a popular genre, Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath is a must-read.
My favorite book is where the FMC is completely unhinged and this was that book.
If you like Maeve Fly or So Happy Together, then this is the book for you. We got an delulu FMC who believes someone is in love with her when we see he really might not be.
I love that this book went through different timelines and different stages of Julie’s life. This thriller is fast paced and I enjoyed every second of this book.
Julie does get your just desserts but somehow I was still rooting for her.
Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone
If you like Maeve Fly or So Happy Together, then this is the book for you. We got an delulu FMC who believes someone is in love with her when we see he really might not be.
I love that this book went through different timelines and different stages of Julie’s life. This thriller is fast paced and I enjoyed every second of this book.
Julie does get your just desserts but somehow I was still rooting for her.
Genre: Thriller
APK: Ebook
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone
dark
funny
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is very funny - and a bit sad, from a certain perspective - but Julie Tudor is also one of the most cringe-inducing characters I've ever read. Which is certainly the point. The author does a great job of letting us into Julie's very messed up psyche and masterfully weaves her tall tales of (unrequited) love and flights of fancy. It just made the reading experience an occasionally exasperating one.