Book Review: Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

“The million-copy bestselling Queen of Twists Alice Feeney returns with a gripping and deliciously dark thriller about marriage. . . and revenge.”

Goodreads blurb for Beautiful Ugly

Review:

I have been a diehard Alice Feeney fan since Rock Paper Scissors. Every book of hers I’ve read has been an easy five-star read. I’m so devastated that this one missed the mark for me. 

A year after the strange disappearance of his wife, Abby, Grady isolates himself on a Scottish island at the suggestion of his agent. He’s hoping to start writing again and get used to a life where Abby isn’t by his side, but the island brings more confusion. He feels almost haunted and is certain that there is a woman there who looks just like his wife. 

And that’s pretty much it until the last 15% of the book. From there, the disjointed plot becomes downright bizarre and, frankly, convoluted. Nothing made sense and I didn’t care at all what happened to either of the main characters. Their lives up until that point had been random backstories that kind of sort of came together in the chaotic ending. It, overall, felt like I was reading a different author. 

Thankfully, the quality of the audiobook made up for some of the disappointment. The narrators did a wonderful job, and the small touches of sound effects added a lot to the atmosphere. 

I’m hoping this book was just a bump in the road. I am glad to see that there are some others who have enjoyed this because I know the feeling of loving Alice Fenney’s stories. I still look forward to whatever comes next, albeit, with some trepidation. I was surprised by the sexual content in this book as I don’t recall much (if any) in the other books I’ve read by her. I didn’t care for it.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for inviting me to listen to a free audiobook ARC of the book.

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The setting.
• The narrators.

What I didn’t like:

• The characters had absolutely no personality.
• I think the book was built around an anti-men speech toward the end but aside from a couple of (extreme) examples, it came across as ridiculous rather than empowering.
• Although Grady was a piece of work, Abby is as responsible for many of her actions and decisions that lead to the events of this book as he is.
• Bizarre is the only adjective I can use to describe this book. And not in a good way.
• Seriously, this reads like it’s by a completely different author.

Afterthoughts:

I have a special edition of this preordered, but I was very excited to be invited to listen to the audiobook because I always prefer listening to this genre! Because of this double excitement, I’m doubly disappointed that this is not a new favorite, especially as I believe I requested the signed/personalized copy.

Where to buy the book: