Beautiful Ugly is up there as one of my favourite reads of the year.

It has all the claustrophobia of a locked room mystery, made all the more jarring due to the remote island setting. Grady’s discombobulation is contagious, and I found myself tenuously grasping at clues whilst doubting everything. The middle of the book has a slightly slower pace, but this only serves to build incredible tension before the truly satisfying conclusion.

Feeney delivers twist after twist in this unique, suspenseful and uncomfortable psychological thriller. A must read for 2025!

Thank you Pan MacMillan for an early copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Grady Green is waiting for his wife to come home from work to be with him as he waits for news about his novel - will it have reached the best seller list - but on the drive home, Abby stops to help someone lying in the road and is never seen again. Distraught and unable to write, Grady loses everything and is relieved when his agent hands him a lifeline - the opportunity to move to a remote Scottish island where he can have a cottage for free and space to find himself and his vocation again.
So far so good, but this is the first two thirds of the book, where very little happens, except we hear time and again how bad Grady feels about things and how sorry he is for himself.
Then in a plot twist, things are turned around and many things change and the last third of the book is heavy on action and reaction.
I'm afraid to say that I found the twist unbelievable and I wasn't fully immersed enough in the story to go with it. There were too many problems with the narrative, things I didn't feel could have ever happened, and I didn't care enough about Grady or even Abby to find them plausible. Even the setting on the island had too many weird places to be realistic.
From other reviews I've read I would appear to be in the minority about this book but I found the plot twist too implausible to be true. I like a good mystery but this just didn't tick the boxes for me.
With thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

Beautiful ugly was my first ever Alice Feeney book, and I’ve heard great things about her! My first reaction was that I loved her writing style. The book started off as fastpaced, and it kept me wondering what was going to happen next. All the characters like Sandy, and Cora and their unusual behaviour made me wonder what was really going on, on the island. It was very thrilling but the end fell a little flat for me. Even though there were many plot twists that I did not see coming, the ending and the explanation just felt a little weird to me. With that said I did have a good time reading the book, and it was hard to put down. It was both thrilling and eerie, which makes a good thriller. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers!

This book was such an incredible experience! Every part of it felt so vivid—the settings, the characters, the emotions—it was all brought to life so beautifully. While Scotland and Scotland Island stood out as particularly atmospheric, the entire book had this immersive quality that kept me completely hooked.

What really amazed me was the way the story unfolded. My buddy readers and I had so many ideas about where things were going, but there was one major twist that none of us saw coming. It completely changed how I looked at everything and made the experience even more memorable.

The ending wasn’t what I was hoping for, but honestly, it didn’t take away from how much I loved the journey. This book was bold, different, and full of surprises, leaving me with so much to think about. I’m really glad I had the chance to read it—it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks to PanMacmillin for my ARC Copy of Beautiful Ugly by Alice Fenney

In this captivating book, we join Grady and Abby on an unforgettable journey! After Grady relocates to a picturesque island, hoping to find peace and inspiration after losing Abby, he discovers a community that is both warm and intriguing. However, the island's charm soon takes on a darker tone, especially with Sandy’s mysterious tales about its history. Grady’s publishing agent gifts him this retreat, and let me tell you, I was on the edge of my seat guessing what would happen next! The ending took me completely by surprise—it was such an exhilarating twist! You won't want to miss this delightful and suspenseful read!

#BookLovers #MustRead #Thriller #AliceFeeney #BeautifulUgly #GrippingNovel #BookRecommendation #ARC #BookCommunity #LiteraryJourney

T

I was really excited to read this book as I’ve heard great reviews of Alice Feeney’s writing. I instantly enjoyed this story from the beginning and I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to pick it up again as soon as I’d put it down. Alice’s story telling is gripping and imaginative and I’d 100% recommend this if you love a fast paced thrilling read. I can’t wait to go and read more of her work!

🪵🌲🐕‍🦺🏞️⚓️🕵🏻‍♀️🌫️🐦‍⬛🪦

when I started this book I wasn’t necessarily in a thriller mood so I had some reservations about how I was going to feel about this. but when I read the first few chapters I was immediately hooked.

this was my first alice feeney book and the writing is truly beautiful and captivating. I was very curious to see how Grady’s fresh start on the island was going to go but ever since he set foot in that place things got weirder and weirder. I so badly wanted to know what happened to his wife and what was going on with this strange island and its people.
to be honest, if the island wasn’t so creepy it would have been so magical. the descriptions of the scenery and the amazing redwoods were alluring and I wished to have a peaceful cabin like that with views on the ocean.

the further the story progressed the more I started doubting everything. I wasn’t sure what, or who to believe and it was done quite well.
in the end, there wasn’t really a single character that I liked (including Grady), which is also not necessarily needed for a thriller but for me personally, that also makes me feel less connected to the story.

the ending and the big reveal(s) were a bit disappointing to me. I guess there are different types of thriller readers, but I personally like to be able to play detective and try to figure out what’s going on while being kept on the edge of my seat. this ending however, was completely unhinged 😂 and if people could guess this ending, I’d honestly be a little concerned. there was one twist that completely blindsided me and I just felt lied to 😭 like, it was all just a little far fetched for me after that 180 turn of events.

Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.

Grady calls his wife as she’s driving home to share some exciting news. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by a cliff edge, the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there . . . but his wife has disappeared.

A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible: a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

Wives think their husbands will change, but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change, but they do.

I found myself not wanting to put this down. There was something unnerving at times about the island. Even before the reveals it was obvious these women couldn't be trusted.
While the ending left me a little disappointed I did really enjoy this book. Trying to figure out what was going on. If anything was going on.

Beautiful Ugly will draw you in and not let you go until the last line! It is a masterclass in tension and nerve jangling unease. It follows the story of a writer, Grady Green as his life in London unravels and he's offered a lifeline , writing on the remote and secretive Scottish island of Amberly. The fusion of reality and dreams occurs throughout the book as Grady struggles with insomnia and grief, and we as readers are also often unsure of what is real and what are hallucinations or delusions. The suspense will keep you awake and keep you reading!
The ending is really shocking and will literally take your breath away. Phenomenal! This book will be on of the stars of 2025 without a doubt.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This story didn’t make sense until suddenly it did. Didn’t see the end coming.

I am beyond grateful to Alice Feeney, Pan Macmillan, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Keep reading for my review of the book.

A-MAZ-ING! I have read a few Alice Feeney novels now and I can honestly say that they only get better and better. Feeney is fast establishing herself as the Queen of Plot Twists and in this eerie standalone novel she has me twisting, and turning, and looking over my shoulder so much so that I have whiplash!

Best Selling author, Grady Green, should be celebrating hitting the jackpot. Instead, he endures the most monumental day of his life going from one extreme to another in terms of emotions. Plagued by the mystery of his missing wife, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, Grady finds himself stagnating, unable to work. Publicist and agent, Kitty, throws him a lifeline by suggesting a change of scenery on the isle of Amberley. However, all is not as it seems, and the haunting appears to have stepped up a notch. Held captive by the island, its inhabitants, and his torments, and his guilty little secret, will Grady complete his mission and manage to free himself of the invisible chains holding him back?

The characters are well drawn and interesting. I love how they are introduced and had the pleasure of watching them become more alive as the plot unfolded. That said, there was a deep-rooted creepiness throughout the novel, and I found myself wanting to devour each page whilst simultaneously wanting to close my eyes throughout certain parts. As well as the characters, in fact, probably better than the characters was the description of Amberley and all its nooks and crannies. The island was given its own multiple personalities with each and every part having its own backstory and significance. Not a single word goes to waste in the creation of this notable work of fiction. This is by far Feeney’s best book yet, although let’s hope she does not share the fate of those who have been in her position.

If I had a mere 2 seconds to belt out a headline for this novel, I would scream, ‘devilishly dark and devious’ from the rooftops. I could not get enough and now I am sorry I read it so fast and have to wait for Feeney’s next release. I secretly hope she is furiously writing with little to no distractions so that my insatiable appetite is once again satisfied soon.

So, who is this book for? It will suit all mystery lovers, especially though that are thrill seeking and want to set their heart racing with nuggets of fear. It is for readers that appreciate a love to hate villain, want to see a dose of girl power, and eager to see whether who will and will not get their comeuppance. It is literally for any adult reader that is not easily triggered or traumatized by child abuse and/or death that wants an exciting, remarkable read that will keep them on their toes. The pace is quite fast…can you keep up?

Grady Green is an author whose wife, Abby, disappears leaving him destitute. He goes into a depression, unable to write, and his publisher suggests some time away on a remote Scottish island to help him to heal and hopefully reignite his creativity. As he arrives on the island he quickly realises that all is not as it seems. This is a mysterious tale of love, hate, revenge and had me completely hooked. I could not foresee the ending at all and it completely took me by surprise….loved it!

Beautiful Ugly follows Grady whose wife Abby vanishes without a trace. He’s a writer and since her disappearance he’s been unable to write anything good so he get an invite to a writers cabin on a remote island where he can finally finish his book. As he meets the residents of the island it becomes clear all is not as it seems.

The first half of this book was good, Abby’s disappearance and Grady’s arrival on the island but then it soon descended into ridiculousness. The whole plot seemed to rely on the twist at the end but it was so ridiculously unrealistic it killed the book for me unfortunately.

"Wives think their husbands will change but they don't. Husbands think their wives won't change but they do".

Grady Green anxiously waiting the call from his publisher in America, keen to know whether he'll get the title of New York Times bestseller. Abby, his wife, was supposed to be with him, but she's late home. Again.
As Abby drove home, and on the phone with Grady, she saw a woman lying in the road and the phone just seems disconnected after Abby decided to check on the woman.
That's the last of Abby, as she then went missing, no trace, no body. His wife has disappeared.

A year later still grieving for his wife, Grady's editor sends him to The Isle of Amberly, a tiny rural island in Scotland, with the hope that Grady will be able to start his book again. The island only has twenty five residents. Once he arrives in this island, the story gets more interesting, it's no longer about whereabout Abby is, but someone in the island is up to no good.

The mystery will keep you on edge, and the twists are just jaw dropping.

Adore Alice Feeney books, have read them all. This one is no different a massive 5 stars. Will always be one of my auto buy authors. Excellent plot and great character choices. Have recommended to book club girls

beautiful ugly was an absolute twist of a thriller that i enjoyed form the start until the end … it left me guessing, completely puzzled … i have absolutely no words other than the fact this book was such a good psychological thriller / horror that kept me on my toes and made me feel sick to my stomach

Beautiful Ugly is a chillingly, dark, atmospheric thriller that had me hooked from the beginning to the very end.

It is cleverly plotted and has a cast of well drawn characters, who are mostly unlikeable, add an unreliable narrator and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout and you have a gripping and compelling read.

Highly recommended!

Grady is struggling with life a year after his wife’s disappearance. He is given a lifeline by his agent Kitty to go and stay at her cabin on a remote Scottish island. At first this works well for Grady, but are things quite as they seem……

I really enjoyed this book, I found myself immersed in island life and visualising the scenes throughout the story.

A great tale unfolds with twists along the way and you are kept guessing throughout. I loved the edition of a secret message written throughout the book, which you’ll have to look out for!

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the advanced reader copy.

Look out for Beautiful Ugly when it is released on 30 January 2025.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney | Pub Date Jan 30 2025
First of all, thank you NetGalley for introducing me to Alice Feeney. Her books had somehow passed me by, but after reading this one, I’m definitely going to fix that. Secondly, this book absolutely made my year and secured a spot in my personal Top 5. What a gripping story! I don’t even know where to begin because it’s all one big black rabbit hole. To uncover its secrets, you have to dive in yourself.
The story begins by introducing us to Grady, a writer who experienced both the best and worst night of his life in a single moment. On the night he became a New York Times bestselling author and he also lost his wife, Abby, on her way home. He can’t believe what happened – she just simply stopped to help someone on the road and vanished.
A year later, Grady is nothing more but a shell of former himself. He’s lost everything - his money, his house, his will to live. And worst of all, he stopped writing. His wife is officially missing, her body never found. Everyone around him thinks she just left him, but Grady refuses to accept that. They were a happily married couple. At this moment, Kitty, his agent and Abby’s godmother, decides to help Grady and offers him to move temporary to a remote Scottish island where she owns a cabin. She assures him it’s a free stay and that the solitude and natural surroundings might help heal his soul, and perhaps reignite his writing talent. And Grady reluctantly agrees. But as soon as he arrives, it becomes clear that this island is nothing like he would imagined. Every single person there has secrets of their own and somehow its all connected to him and his missing wife. From now on Grady starts to wonder if he ever find his way back or perhaps even uncover the truth about Abby?
I have to say, the setup and atmosphere of this book are simply beyond words, it’s so vivid and believable that it was very hard for me to put this book down. And that sick twist at the end? Mind blowing, fair play to the author. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes atmospheric and gripping thrillers. Absolute non-stop page-turner!