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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lisa Scottoline absolutely NEVER disappoints and this was just another example of how amazing of an author she truly is.
The Unraveling of Julia was a beautifully written psychological thriller with an intriguing plot line. The addition of how astrology can play a part in predictors for one’s life was a great ode to all of the astrology girlies everywhere! This had suspense, mystery, grief, budding romance, and a tid bit of the supernatural.
As my best friend would say “the ending was wrapped with a bow”
*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*
The Unraveling of Julia was a beautifully written psychological thriller with an intriguing plot line. The addition of how astrology can play a part in predictors for one’s life was a great ode to all of the astrology girlies everywhere! This had suspense, mystery, grief, budding romance, and a tid bit of the supernatural.
As my best friend would say “the ending was wrapped with a bow”
*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*
I listened to the audiobook of The Unravelling of Julia. The narration was excellent, capturing the emotional depth and building tension and suspense.
I loved the moody and atmospheric gothic Italian villa setting, it was the perfect setting for this borderline supernatural mystery. The story moved at a fast pace, with high stakes and kept me engaged the whole time. Some of the resolutions to the twist felt like they came a little too easily, but the momentum and suspense made up for it.
Julia’s choices didn’t always make the most sense - more “don’t go in the basement!” than strategic, but her gumption and emotional resilience made her easy to root for.
Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a generously twisty, emotionally charged thriller with a gothic flair. 3.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC.
It was a nice fast-paced book. This is more of a paranormal/general fiction rather than a psychological thriller (I'm very picky about genre definitions). I liked the Tuscan villa setting but felt somewhat let down by the motive. Some of the plot twists were pretty good though, I didn't see them coming. The writing was comfortable and conveyed the setting well. The characters and the romance were a bit difficult to believe but I don't usually expect character attachment in thrillers. I just went in with different expectations for the book -- Julia didn't unravel as much as I expected.
The narrator was brilliant. I found all the accents, voice changes and intonations to be very well done. It really improved my reading experience. I would totally recommend picking up the audiobook for this novel. Overall, this book would be ideal for those who are looking for a thriller with some paranormal/astrology elements and a beautiful/gothic Tuscan villa setting.
It was a nice fast-paced book. This is more of a paranormal/general fiction rather than a psychological thriller (I'm very picky about genre definitions). I liked the Tuscan villa setting but felt somewhat let down by the motive. Some of the plot twists were pretty good though, I didn't see them coming. The writing was comfortable and conveyed the setting well. The characters and the romance were a bit difficult to believe but I don't usually expect character attachment in thrillers. I just went in with different expectations for the book -- Julia didn't unravel as much as I expected.
The narrator was brilliant. I found all the accents, voice changes and intonations to be very well done. It really improved my reading experience. I would totally recommend picking up the audiobook for this novel. Overall, this book would be ideal for those who are looking for a thriller with some paranormal/astrology elements and a beautiful/gothic Tuscan villa setting.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am usually such a fan of this author's books but this one just didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe a little could be that my life is a hot mess but it seemed like more than that.
What I did love was the setting. Italy is such a beautiful country and I could picture it all. I was also drawn in with Julia's loss and struggling. I was curious as to why a stranger would leave her an estate in another country.
I am not a fan of paranormal, so that piece didn't go over with me and I thought there was a little much on the astrology front.
Overall I was underwhelmed and usually having the opportunity to switch to listening instead of reading helps keep me focused, but it didn't for this one. Maria Marquis did a good job voicing Julia's insecurities and inquisitiveness and sounded right for Julia, but she couldn't make up for my lack of connection.
Maybe I've grown to expect too much, but I just didn't connect with this one.
What I did love was the setting. Italy is such a beautiful country and I could picture it all. I was also drawn in with Julia's loss and struggling. I was curious as to why a stranger would leave her an estate in another country.
I am not a fan of paranormal, so that piece didn't go over with me and I thought there was a little much on the astrology front.
Overall I was underwhelmed and usually having the opportunity to switch to listening instead of reading helps keep me focused, but it didn't for this one. Maria Marquis did a good job voicing Julia's insecurities and inquisitiveness and sounded right for Julia, but she couldn't make up for my lack of connection.
Maybe I've grown to expect too much, but I just didn't connect with this one.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was the most predictable, unbelievable, and ridiculous thing I have read in years. Purportedly a psychological thriller, it is just a poorly conceived gothic novel (and I love gothic novels. This is an insult to gothic novels). I knew how large parts of this would play out less than 1/4 of the way in and even the finer details were absurd. Don’t even get me started on the italicized Aws, Args, and Ouches scattered throughout. I want those hours of my life back.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Fast paced. Interesting plot. I loved the Tuscan setting. The mystery was powerful. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. I’m looking forward to more by this author.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. I’m looking forward to more by this author.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Unraveling of Julia
by Lisa Scottoline
Expected publication date: July 15, 2025
4 out of 5 stars
Thank you to #NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a free copy of #TheUnravelingofJulia in exchange for my honest review.
When Julia's husband is murdered, then she inherits a villa in Tuscany, she begins to wonder if the two events are related.
I really appreciated the narrator on the audio version of this book. She brought the characters to life in many ways, especially pronouncing Italian words that I would have stumbled over while reading. I also liked her various accents that differentiated characters. The narrator also knew exactly where to pause to bring suspense to a scene.
As far as the story, this is a typical Lisa Scottoline book, meaning she has a great balance of elements, including suspense, supernatural, and romantic parts. I could actually picture many of the action scenes being played out in a movie. Right about the time that I was ready for a break, though, the author moved forward with the plot.
There were a couple of places in the book that were a little rushed or a little too convenient for plot points to come together, but it didn't detract from the story in a major way.
I would recommend this book to fans of Lisa Scottoline and those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.
by Lisa Scottoline
Expected publication date: July 15, 2025
4 out of 5 stars
Thank you to #NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a free copy of #TheUnravelingofJulia in exchange for my honest review.
When Julia's husband is murdered, then she inherits a villa in Tuscany, she begins to wonder if the two events are related.
I really appreciated the narrator on the audio version of this book. She brought the characters to life in many ways, especially pronouncing Italian words that I would have stumbled over while reading. I also liked her various accents that differentiated characters. The narrator also knew exactly where to pause to bring suspense to a scene.
As far as the story, this is a typical Lisa Scottoline book, meaning she has a great balance of elements, including suspense, supernatural, and romantic parts. I could actually picture many of the action scenes being played out in a movie. Right about the time that I was ready for a break, though, the author moved forward with the plot.
There were a couple of places in the book that were a little rushed or a little too convenient for plot points to come together, but it didn't detract from the story in a major way.
I would recommend this book to fans of Lisa Scottoline and those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.
#TheUnravelingOfJulia by Lisa Scottoline had everything I look for in an engaging gothic thriller - a relatable heroine, a mystery, romance, a surprise inheritance, and, as a bonus, a touch of the supernatural. Julia’s husband is killed by an apparent mugger as she watches helplessly, and, soon after, she learns she has been left an inheritance by a stranger which included a villa in Italy. Thus begins the mystery which only deepens as Julia, still grieving, goes to Italy to settle the affairs.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated excellently by Maria Marquis.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the review copy.
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated excellently by Maria Marquis.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the review copy.