Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Rating:
3.9/5

Summary:
Good beach read of a thriller if a little slow to get going. Read it if you enjoy popular culture, easter eggs etc and playing spot the Taylor Swift inspiration points.

Review:
Harlow is a global sensation adored by millions, and my star only seems to keep rising. Then at the height of her fame she is arrested for murder.

So far so good right? And honestly it's a decent book that is an enjoyable read but the first half took a while to get going and all I could do was spot the Taylor Swift inspiration. I called the ending within the first 29% of the book (yes I noted it down). Knowing this didn't ruin the book for me but once I knew it I wanted the book to get there faster. I almost wished there were more Harlow chapters instead of it being so Naomi focussed as the book is supposed to be about Harlow.

It's a fun read if you are into swiftie easter eggs but I wasn't inclined to try and solve the easter eggs or anagrams etc as I went. I still have no clue about them as they didn't seem to push the story forward nor were they revealed in the book (not even at the end of it which would have been fun).

The inclusion of social media, fan theories etc were good but I felt could have been explained more to try and pull the reader in.

If however, you are after a light beach read of a thriller set in the pop world with a bit of a look behind the curtain then this book is a fun read.

Colton Scott, a famous and popular actor, is found dead and Harlow Hayes, a mega selling and popular singer/songwriter is arrested for his murder and that of an unknown woman.

Naomi Barnes, a journalist working for a celebrity gossip website, is given the job of reporting this breaking story.

Rumoured is a crime thriller set in America and the plot is brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rumoured and think it would make a very good film. The story is mainly told from Naomi’s point of view but also features short parts from other media sources, fans of Harlow Hayes and users of many social media platforms. Harlow Hayes later on adds her point of view which is a good twist, as it can be difficult to develop empathy for a diva who had been arrested for murder. I liked how this story was told, with the authors starting off by telling the reader how many musicians over the years have added “Easter Eggs” to their output that give clues to fans looking for hidden gems within their music. The reader is encouraged to look out for the many Easter Eggs hidden within this story to find out who-dunnit before Naomi solves the mystery.

I liked how celebrity culture was explored and what it must be like living the role of a popular, successful musician. I liked how Rumoured dealt with how social media engages with celebrity gossip and how rumours gained momentum. There were elements of conspiracy thrown into the story, which when you have finished reading this book make you wonder if these actions happen in real life but never become public knowledge.

The writing quality from the authors is very good making this a focused and entertaining read. I found it very hard to believe that Rumoured is a debut novel and I can’t find anything wrong with this OUTSTANDING 5 star read.

The authors are sisters born in New York and Kelly now lives in Nottingham, England. This fact shows the effect her move has made on her when I read this little snippet and being English myself, made me smile…

Amelia pulls Naomi in for a hug and kiss. She smells of expensive perfume mixed with fake tan. “You alright?” Naomi’s smile drops, worried she must look a hell of a lot worse than she thought. She really should have gone heavier on her makeup. “I’m okay. Just exhausted. Why, do I look tired? I took the red-eye-”

“Babe…” Amelia says. “Remember, when a Brit asks if you’re alright, it just means ‘Hi.’ Or ‘What’s up.’ Don’t need your life story, do I?”

This was an enjoyable read. Loved the layout and the modern day social themes and use of social media input.

Refreshing to read something unique, interesting and current

I enjoyed reading this book! I find that having read a lot of crime thrillers, they can get quite repetitive and predictable, and while I did expect some plot points, I was also completely engrossed and entertained by the story. I loved the use of Easter eggs and connections to artists like Taylor Swift and The Beatles.

I found the writing engaging and easy to read and loved the exploration of celebrity journalism, celebrity culture, and sisterly love.

Harlow is a pop star who writes lyrics about aspects of her life that captivate her audience, fans from all over the world that absolutely love her. But Harlow is then accused and arrested for murder. Naomi Barnes is a journalist who investigates this crime and has a personal interest in Harlow’s life and it is through her the majority of the story is told.

I can’t say that I was overly impressed with the book and feel that the role that Naomi’s character played in this may have added to its downfall as it was all a bit long winded regarding her own sisters death although I do understand why the author presented the story as such, connecting the two storyline’s but did feel it and could have been greatly condensed. The reason I say this is it makes up the majority of the book but does not lead to the answers the reader is looking for, which is why and how she did it. I do agree it was a novel way to present a story which I think would have appealed to a younger reader than a more mature person like myself, a reader whom is more interested in social media and pop culture.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

I wanted to love this and I just didn't!! The start dragged far too much, at 30% it felt like the only thing we'd learned is that Harlow Hayes writes her own songs and that our MC's sister died. When I read a thriller or mystery, I want the world to be built up quickly so the action can start unfolding and this was not the book for me because of that. As a swiftie, there were too many Swift references for me and it felt a little cringe and try-hard.

Glad to see so many people have enjoyed it, maybe I'm just not the target audience!

I loved this and read it in a day. It’s got a great pace and characters I was invested in. As a swiftie I enjoyed the Easter egg elements and the social media conspiracy theories. It’s an original story and I think it would make a great adaptation to screen. Only reason it isn’t 5 stars is because I’d consider the ending a bit rushed but that’s all and just my preference.

Wow! I didn't realize this was a debut until I searched the authors to shelve their work! Amazing concept and well written. I liked the themes of music industry, artist and the thriller placed within it. The book does an amazing job of lightly bringing forth the celeb culture, role of social media in conspiracy theories and condemnation and the fans. I liked the writing style and new format. The choice of using the journalist was another interesting aspect for me.

This is overall and interesting read that kept me guessing. I liked the use of the latest trends and new media to make it more upbeat. Would love to read more by the authors!

Thank you Aria & Aries and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

This novel felt bloated and overly long. There’s plenty of Swift references for those who partake, but this book tried to do too much while giving too little.

I am clearly not the target audience so I would suggest it for younger people.

RUMOURED BY KELLY AND KRISTINA MANCARUSO.
Release date set for the 2nd of June 2025.
5 HUGE stars from me.
This is the debut novel for these two sisters and what a debut it is.
I feel like i was made to read this book.
I found it thrilling, suspenseful, entertaining and i loved the layout of the full book.
I think this book could be really big as its released over the summer.

<b>Real rating: 3.5 stars</b>

I am conflicted about this book because it was kind of awesome but also it kind of dragged.

Most of the first half could've been more compact, and it drew too many similarities to Taylor Swift. And I'm saying this as a Swiftie.

The fact that the book followed Naomi Barnes from the beginning instead of Harlow made me believe they were somehow connected and that Naomi's dead sister might have a connection.

I would've preferred for the book to kick off right after Harlow left prison, without Naomi's endless attempts to discover her motives and how she did it. Don't get me wrong, all that part was interesting but it basically led nowhere and it could've been edited into a smaller part, without feeling like dragging until getting to the point.

Once she discovered THAT secret and The Beatles connections could've made the entire book. Maybe use some of the early information here and there but, other than that, it was too long.

The premise was good and the character was mainly likable, especially with all her flaws and difficult past.

Thank you to the authors, publishers and NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

Harlow Hayes has it all—or so the world believes. As a global pop sensation adored by millions, her music seems to touch the souls of her fans with lyrics that feel deeply personal. She’s the icon, the voice of a generation, and seemingly unstoppable. But on September 24th, everything changes when she is arrested for murder, leaving the world in shock and disbelief.

Rumoured is told through the eyes of Naomi Barnes, an investigative journalist assigned to cover the case. What begins as a high-profile assignment quickly turns personal when Naomi discovers unsettling links between Harlow’s story and her own sister’s mysterious death. Driven by grief and a need for answers, Naomi digs deep into Harlow’s life, uncovering secrets about the star’s meteoric rise to fame, her enigmatic lyrics, and the people surrounding her.

As Naomi pieces together the threads of Harlow’s complicated past, she realizes the truth is far darker than anyone could have imagined. But the closer she gets to exposing the story, the more dangerous her pursuit becomes, threatening not only her career but her life.

Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso masterfully weave a tale of fame, betrayal, and hidden truths in this riveting thriller. The dual focus on Naomi’s stakes and the complexities of Harlow’s celebrity world creates a rich, layered narrative. Themes of media manipulation, the pressures of stardom, and the cost of keeping secrets are explored with nuance and depth, keeping readers gripped until the final shocking revelation.

With its unpredictable twists, morally ambiguous characters, and unrelenting tension, Rumoured is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and stories that delve into the dark side of fame. It’s a haunting reminder that even the brightest stars can cast the darkest shadows.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

OMG! This book! This freaking book!

This was one of these books where you piece the bits together and you silently go yes! When the character figures it out.

Naomi is a reporter sent to write a piece on a famous pop star Hallow Hayes after she was arrested for murder. Naomi finds out some dark secrets whilst investigating this case, including circumstances surrounding her sisters death but is her sister’s death connected and will anyone believe her findings? She must take drastic measures to find these secrets and risk everything she knows to find cold hard evidence.

With just a couple of weeks left of 2024, Rumoured by Kelly and Kristina Mancaruso might very well have succeeded in beating Yellowface as my favourite read of the year. I don’t want to spoil a single thing about this brilliant debut - there are so many twists and turns - but what a fun ride. The story motors on like a beast, growing more elaborate and entertaining with each chapter. Sure, it’s insane, but celebrity news IS insane. That’s why we lap it up. It helps that I love a good conspiracy theory, so I happily allowed myself to get sucked into the crazy life of Harlow Hayes. The use of song lyrics, articles and social media comments throughout was a great touch that added a lot of texture to this imaginary world. And underneath all the outrageous celeb drama is a tragic tale of a young woman processing the death of her sister. There’s an underlying heart that could only have been captured by two authors who have experienced the true eternal bond of sisterhood.

Publishing in July 2025, this is going to be an essential addition to those summer TBR lists.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was great how the story is broken up with fictional news articles/transcripts/social media. The premise was good and I feel the book delivered on it. I didn’t see the twist coming along or follow the Easter eggs. Characterisation was great, as was the dialogue and the length of chapters were good. If I had one criticism it was that the layout of some parts was hard to read - smaller font and/or lighter colour font. This could be due to the fact I had an arc but if not, I recommend this is looked into for the official release.

Thank you to the authors, publishers and NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review. A solid 3.5 stars.

At first I found the media format of this book distracting front he story but I got used to it in the end and it was a useful was to differentiate the sources from the narrative. I enjoyed the social media posts which were very true to form and the conspiracy theories were fun.
The protagonist is a journalist, Naomi, who is covering a case where a popstar has been arrested for murder. The story takes us through the investigation and brings in Naomi's tragic past which shapes her approach. The story itself is insanely far fetched but I note it's scheduled for release in the summer time so it'll make ideal beach reading.
It was entertaining enough and had me turning pages (and missing tube stops) but I feel like the ending seemed weak. I was expecting more.

This was an enjoyable read. It had me constantly looking out for clues, trying to figure things out for myself. Don’t think I’m very good if I’m honest :/

I would have liked to read a bit more about Harlow being arrested and why they thought it was her. How did they assume it was her in the first place.

I liked reading all of the theories and the use of social media throughout and some of the comments had me chuckling with how outrageous they were but that’s how it actually is like in reality! I think this will be a pretty popular book when it is released!

Shoutout to “When we said SLAY QUEEN, we didn’t mean literally”

Thank you to publishers and NetGalley for the arc!

A compelling plot which will keep you turning the pages but will make real-life journalists wince. The story motors along once it’s past its mid-point. The cover was not as good as the story and the story-telling was not as strong as the idea - which was very good.

Harlow Hayes.. Pop Icon and murder suspect..

This very modern andon trend debut novel is a good read. It is filled with suspense and with the added drama it is a book I really enjoyed.

I love debut novels and when they are written as good as this one I just know the author will be an eventual favourite for me.

How does a Pop icon, adored by millions of fans, go from such global success to becoming the prime suspect in a murder? Harlow Hayes is about to find out the hard way.

It takes an unusual set of circumstances, and some very big secrets. Because Harlow's circumstances are not as straightforward as they seem!

This is a suspenseful and entertaining story that easily holds the reader's interest. All things considered, a promising debut.