You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
SYNOPSIS
-Julia’s husband is murdered right in front of her during a mugging, and she’s barely keeping it together.
-Out of nowhere, she gets a letter saying she inherited a villa and vineyard in Tuscany from a stranger.
-She flies to Italy hoping for answers and maybe some kind of connection to her biological family.
-The woman who left her everything was obsessed with astrology and thought she was related to a Renaissance duchess.
-Julia starts seeing weird parallels between their lives… and things spiral from there.
⸻
MY THOUGHTS
-The astrology stuff was way over the top. I’m fine with a little woo-woo, but this felt like a horoscope fever dream.
-The paranormal stuff also didn’t work for me.
-The pacing dragged. So much buildup, and not enough payoff.
-The writing felt super repetitive. She said the same things so many times it started to feel like filler.
-The plot got cheesy real fast. It leaned into drama in a way that felt kind of silly.
-The writing read more like YA.
-I didn’t care about any of the characters. Julia especially didn’t do it for me.
-This book tried to be a ghost story, a romance, and paranormal mystery all at once. It didn’t quite pull off any of them.
-I kept hoping it would click for me, but it never did. Just wasn’t my thing.
⸻
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️This one wasn’t for me. The astrology stuff was too much, the pacing dragged, and the story felt all over the place. I didn’t connect with the characters or the writing.
⸻
THANKS: Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on July 15, 2025.
-Julia’s husband is murdered right in front of her during a mugging, and she’s barely keeping it together.
-Out of nowhere, she gets a letter saying she inherited a villa and vineyard in Tuscany from a stranger.
-She flies to Italy hoping for answers and maybe some kind of connection to her biological family.
-The woman who left her everything was obsessed with astrology and thought she was related to a Renaissance duchess.
-Julia starts seeing weird parallels between their lives… and things spiral from there.
⸻
MY THOUGHTS
-The astrology stuff was way over the top. I’m fine with a little woo-woo, but this felt like a horoscope fever dream.
-The paranormal stuff also didn’t work for me.
-The pacing dragged. So much buildup, and not enough payoff.
-The writing felt super repetitive. She said the same things so many times it started to feel like filler.
-The plot got cheesy real fast. It leaned into drama in a way that felt kind of silly.
-The writing read more like YA.
-I didn’t care about any of the characters. Julia especially didn’t do it for me.
-This book tried to be a ghost story, a romance, and paranormal mystery all at once. It didn’t quite pull off any of them.
-I kept hoping it would click for me, but it never did. Just wasn’t my thing.
⸻
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️This one wasn’t for me. The astrology stuff was too much, the pacing dragged, and the story felt all over the place. I didn’t connect with the characters or the writing.
⸻
THANKS: Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on July 15, 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death
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:
Complicated
Can she unravel what's going on before events unravel her?
After losing her husband Mike to an act of seemingly random violence just blocks away from their home, Julia Pritzker is struggling. Her adoptive parents have already died (her adoptive mother dying of a sudden aneurism on Julia's 10th birthday), leaving her now with no family. Her best friend Courtney is supportive but lives in Chicago and has a job for which she travels constantly. Julia is afraid to go outside anymore, isn't sleeping well, can't focus on her work, and worries about how she will continue to make ends meet without Mike's far larger paycheck. She is also becoming a bit obsessive about the horoscope website to which she is subscribed, convinced that it predicted Mike's killing and filling her with regrets for not having read her daily update before going out that night. She is contacted out of the blue by an Italian estate lawyer who informs her that she has inherited a substantial amount of money as well as a large piece of property in Tuscany from someone of whom she's never heard named Emilia Rossi. Although initially reluctant to travel there to meet with the lawyer and decide what to do with her bequest, she is persuaded by Courtney to go if only to try to determine if she might have been related to Emilia in some way. She discovers that not only does she share the late woman's interest in astrology, she looks a lot like her...and also resembles a powerful woman from the Renaissance to whom Emilia believed she was descended. Strange things start happening...premonitions, fears of being followed, and more...that make Julia wonder if she might be losing her grip on reality. Discovering a hidden dungeon in her new villa, fearing that at least some of the local police are corrupt, and facing increasing pressure from a local realtor to sell the dilapidated building left to her, Julia finds herself in a Gothic nightmare. Is she losing her mind, or are there forces conspiring to gaslight and maybe even kill her?
Author Lisa Scottoline is known primarily for her legal thrillers, so this foray into a blend of psychological suspense and Gothic horror with dabs of supernatural elements and romance is a departure for her and for her fans. She is a talented enough author to pull it off, although I didn't find it quite as enjoyable as I have her other novels. Protagonist Julia has been handed a great many losses in her life thus far, and this latest is close to breaking her (which is certainly understandable). Her transition from a timid and fearful innocent abroad to someone comfortable exploring the Tuscan countryside alone in search of answers to the many puzzles she is confronting seemed a bit sudden, and there are so many genres vying for narrative resonance that the book seems a bit longer than it needed to be (and the continual horoscope references got to be a bit much at times). Ms Scottoline's descriptions of this corner of Italy, its food, wine and people, were a highlight for me, and overall I found it an intriguing premise with a group of unusual but interesting characters, a 3.5 ⭐️ read rounded up to 4. Readers of authors like Kate Morton, Lisa Jewell and Simone St. James may find this an interesting addition to their TBR pile, and fans of Ms Scottoline (as long as they know that this isn't her typical fare) will likely enjoy it as well. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this twisty thriller in exchange for my honest review.
After losing her husband Mike to an act of seemingly random violence just blocks away from their home, Julia Pritzker is struggling. Her adoptive parents have already died (her adoptive mother dying of a sudden aneurism on Julia's 10th birthday), leaving her now with no family. Her best friend Courtney is supportive but lives in Chicago and has a job for which she travels constantly. Julia is afraid to go outside anymore, isn't sleeping well, can't focus on her work, and worries about how she will continue to make ends meet without Mike's far larger paycheck. She is also becoming a bit obsessive about the horoscope website to which she is subscribed, convinced that it predicted Mike's killing and filling her with regrets for not having read her daily update before going out that night. She is contacted out of the blue by an Italian estate lawyer who informs her that she has inherited a substantial amount of money as well as a large piece of property in Tuscany from someone of whom she's never heard named Emilia Rossi. Although initially reluctant to travel there to meet with the lawyer and decide what to do with her bequest, she is persuaded by Courtney to go if only to try to determine if she might have been related to Emilia in some way. She discovers that not only does she share the late woman's interest in astrology, she looks a lot like her...and also resembles a powerful woman from the Renaissance to whom Emilia believed she was descended. Strange things start happening...premonitions, fears of being followed, and more...that make Julia wonder if she might be losing her grip on reality. Discovering a hidden dungeon in her new villa, fearing that at least some of the local police are corrupt, and facing increasing pressure from a local realtor to sell the dilapidated building left to her, Julia finds herself in a Gothic nightmare. Is she losing her mind, or are there forces conspiring to gaslight and maybe even kill her?
Author Lisa Scottoline is known primarily for her legal thrillers, so this foray into a blend of psychological suspense and Gothic horror with dabs of supernatural elements and romance is a departure for her and for her fans. She is a talented enough author to pull it off, although I didn't find it quite as enjoyable as I have her other novels. Protagonist Julia has been handed a great many losses in her life thus far, and this latest is close to breaking her (which is certainly understandable). Her transition from a timid and fearful innocent abroad to someone comfortable exploring the Tuscan countryside alone in search of answers to the many puzzles she is confronting seemed a bit sudden, and there are so many genres vying for narrative resonance that the book seems a bit longer than it needed to be (and the continual horoscope references got to be a bit much at times). Ms Scottoline's descriptions of this corner of Italy, its food, wine and people, were a highlight for me, and overall I found it an intriguing premise with a group of unusual but interesting characters, a 3.5 ⭐️ read rounded up to 4. Readers of authors like Kate Morton, Lisa Jewell and Simone St. James may find this an interesting addition to their TBR pile, and fans of Ms Scottoline (as long as they know that this isn't her typical fare) will likely enjoy it as well. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this twisty thriller in exchange for my honest review.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Okay now I want to go visit Italy!! 🍝🇮🇹😅
I would not necessarily consider this a psychological thriller - I would say it’s more mystery with a bit of paranormal added in. That said, I did enjoy it! Did have to suspend belief a little bit, but it wasn’t too bad. I was hooked throughout, so the pacing was good! I’d recommend checking it out - just maybe eat before you do, otherwise your stomach is going to growl at the mentions of food in this one! 😋
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Lisa Scottoline for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
I would not necessarily consider this a psychological thriller - I would say it’s more mystery with a bit of paranormal added in. That said, I did enjoy it! Did have to suspend belief a little bit, but it wasn’t too bad. I was hooked throughout, so the pacing was good! I’d recommend checking it out - just maybe eat before you do, otherwise your stomach is going to growl at the mentions of food in this one! 😋
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Lisa Scottoline for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
mysterious
medium-paced
medium-paced
Book: The Unraveling of Julia
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Mood: Tense, emotional, slightly chaotic
Genre: Domestic Thriller / Psychological Fiction
Pacing: Medium-fast with bursts of whiplash drama
Julia’s life is coming apart faster than a discount Botox treatment, and let me tell you—it’s juicy. Lisa Scottoline drops us into a psychological spiral where secrets leak like cheap wine at a family reunion. Julia’s got issues (don’t we all?), but hers come wrapped in trauma, deception, and a delightful serving of “ma’am, this is not how we handle emotions.” It’s intense, addictive, and just unhinged enough to keep you flipping pages like your Kindle owes you money.
Scottoline serves drama with a silver spoon and a side of courtroom thrill. The therapy scenes? Spicy. The marriage dynamic? Girl, run. And that twist? Let’s just say if you enjoy yelling “WHAT?!” at fictional people, you’re in for a treat.
Triggers:
Mental health struggles, domestic conflict, emotional trauma, medical themes
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 – One star off for stressing me out like it was my life unraveling)
Author: Lisa Scottoline
Mood: Tense, emotional, slightly chaotic
Genre: Domestic Thriller / Psychological Fiction
Pacing: Medium-fast with bursts of whiplash drama
Julia’s life is coming apart faster than a discount Botox treatment, and let me tell you—it’s juicy. Lisa Scottoline drops us into a psychological spiral where secrets leak like cheap wine at a family reunion. Julia’s got issues (don’t we all?), but hers come wrapped in trauma, deception, and a delightful serving of “ma’am, this is not how we handle emotions.” It’s intense, addictive, and just unhinged enough to keep you flipping pages like your Kindle owes you money.
Scottoline serves drama with a silver spoon and a side of courtroom thrill. The therapy scenes? Spicy. The marriage dynamic? Girl, run. And that twist? Let’s just say if you enjoy yelling “WHAT?!” at fictional people, you’re in for a treat.
Triggers:
Mental health struggles, domestic conflict, emotional trauma, medical themes
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 – One star off for stressing me out like it was my life unraveling)
Haunted by tragedy, widow Julia inherits a Tuscan villa from a stranger, awakening a family secret. A deadly mystery unfolds, forcing her to confront her identity and fight for her survival.
This paranormal Gothic mystery is atmospheric and entertaining. The conspiracy aspects aren’t particularly believable, but it’s a fun read nevertheless. The audiobook narration is well done.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This paranormal Gothic mystery is atmospheric and entertaining. The conspiracy aspects aren’t particularly believable, but it’s a fun read nevertheless. The audiobook narration is well done.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy of The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fans of gothic inspired thrillers will enjoy this story of Julia, an orphaned and newly widowed young woman, who is bequeathed millions of dollars and a villa in Tuscany from a stranger who might be a blood relative. Julia travels to Italy in an attempt to manage her grief and find her birth family. The villa, however, is not what she anticipated and she starts to have nightmares and strange visions. She soon realizes that she’s ensnared in a large and deadly conspiracy and her husband’s death may not have been a random act of murder.
I loved the setting in Tuscany, and all of the descriptions of delicious foods and local landmarks. And that Julia’s new love interest is a handsome Italian librarian! I did not find the emphasis on astrology and Julia’s possible abilities as a medium particularly compelling. The action was suspenseful but the dialogue frequently fell flat for me and the story felt drawn out at times. Although the story did not fully resonate with me, I think readers who appreciate psychological thrillers that delve into astrology and spirituality will enjoy this novel. 3/5⭐️
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Whoa! This was a wild ride of a story! I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next! There were a lot of ‘wow’ moments for me in this book. I really loved the story line and the characters and how the narrator voiced each and every one. I was able to tell who was who and I liked the accents as well. The Unraveling of Julia kinda made me want to visit Italy someday even though some not so good things happened in this story. I felt myself cheering Julia and the other characters on as they kept finding out more of what was really happening with everything going on surrounding Julia and the Tuscan villa she inherited. Definitely a lot of surprises along the way. I’m happy that it ended with lots of my questions being answered throughout this mystery. What a great read!
Thank you to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy. #NetGalley #TheUnravelingofJulia #arcreview
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
'The Unraveling of Julia' accomplished exactly that, and then she is rebuilt stronger than before. Shortly after Julia's husband is murdered, she inherits a small fortune and villa in Tuscany. When she arrives, strange things occur, making her doubt her sanity. Scottoline creates an atmospheric thriller with many twists and turns. In the end, justice prevails over all. 4 stars.
Unfortunately I will be Dnf'ing this one 50% in. I really liked how this one started out. The atmosphere was amazing but the book took a turn in the middle I just didn’t like. I will say I really enjoyed the writing. It was easy to get into the story.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.