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The Storm
Not yet published
Expected 6 Jan 26St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 6, 2026
193 people are currently reading
43564 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hawkins
27 books20.5k followers Rachel Hawkins is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls, The Villa, and The Heiress, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated into over two dozen languages. She studied gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University and currently lives in Alabama.
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November 6, 2025
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This book takes place in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama. Our main character, Geneva Corliss, is having a hard time keeping the family's Inn running. When true crime writer August Fletcher comes calling, she sees it as a financial lifeline for the Rosalie Inn. August brings Lo Bailey along, and they both check in at the Inn. Lo is from St. Medard's Bay and was accused of murder forty years ago when his lover, Landon, was killed during Hurricane Marie. And don't you know it, another storm is on the horizon.
This was an okay read. I didn't love it as much as The Villa , the only other book I have read by this author. This was very atmospheric, and I could feel the tension throughout. It was a fast read, and I was pretty engaged the entire time I was reading it. The pacing was even and very fast. The plot moves along well, and at the same time, I felt I was given enough descriptions and back stories. I also loved the past and present format.
While I loved the premise and most of the way it was executed, I do have a few buts. The tropes are all too familiar and overdone. The characters work well for the most part, but I didn't feel their motivations were thought out very well. And as a seasoned thriller reader, the twist wasn't a big surprise to me. Overall, this was entertaining and fast-paced. It works at creating a tense, a storm is a comin' atmosphere. While it may not excel at the genre, it provided a good choice for a weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This book takes place in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama. Our main character, Geneva Corliss, is having a hard time keeping the family's Inn running. When true crime writer August Fletcher comes calling, she sees it as a financial lifeline for the Rosalie Inn. August brings Lo Bailey along, and they both check in at the Inn. Lo is from St. Medard's Bay and was accused of murder forty years ago when his lover, Landon, was killed during Hurricane Marie. And don't you know it, another storm is on the horizon.
This was an okay read. I didn't love it as much as The Villa , the only other book I have read by this author. This was very atmospheric, and I could feel the tension throughout. It was a fast read, and I was pretty engaged the entire time I was reading it. The pacing was even and very fast. The plot moves along well, and at the same time, I felt I was given enough descriptions and back stories. I also loved the past and present format.
While I loved the premise and most of the way it was executed, I do have a few buts. The tropes are all too familiar and overdone. The characters work well for the most part, but I didn't feel their motivations were thought out very well. And as a seasoned thriller reader, the twist wasn't a big surprise to me. Overall, this was entertaining and fast-paced. It works at creating a tense, a storm is a comin' atmosphere. While it may not excel at the genre, it provided a good choice for a weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 27, 2025
Yes! Rachel Hawkins has done it again! She crafted a pitch-perfect locked room mystery set in a historic Alabama inn during storm season, and I devoured it in one sitting. But here’s the brilliant twist: the storms themselves—named after women, Daphne, Audrey, and Marie—become leading characters in the story. Each storm through the years is bound to a tragedy, weaving a thread that ties the fates of those who can never fully escape St. Medard Bay.
At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light?
As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light?
As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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November 23, 2025
I have to be honest … I’m a little underwhelmed. For a book called The Storm I was anticipating high drama and edge-of-my-seat stuff. Instead, this felt more like being stuck inside on a rainy day watching water drip down the window pane. Not exactly the mystery-thriller vibe I was hoping for!
I really loved The Heiress last year which was my first Rachel Hawkins read. The story revolved around an older sassy Southern woman of wealth named Ruby McTavish who was suspected of having a hand in the deaths of her late husbands. Though Gloria “Lo” Bailey, the MC in this one, didn’t have Ruby’s wealth, she still felt strikingly similar as an older sassy Southern woman suspected of having a hand in the death of her late lover. Maybe it was just me who felt like the characters were too similar despite the women’s wealth gap?
Geneva Corliss owns the Rosalie Inn in St. Medard’s Bay in Alabama - a town with a dark history of hurricanes and deaths. One of those deaths was that of aspiring politician Landon Fitzroy who Lo was accused of murdering during Hurricane Marie in 1984. Now a journalist named August Fletcher has brought Lo to Geneva’s inn to stay while he writes a book about her that she hopes will clear her name once and for all.
It sounds like a great premise and the writing was good, but the story employed the “everyone has a secret/everyone will find out a big secret” trope that’s been done a zillion times, there was a weird thread about witches that I guess was tongue-in-cheek humor … (maybe?), and the ending went in a particular direction that’s a pet peeve and literally made me want to scream and throw my Kindle at something.
All those things said, I think my issues with this are a “me” thing more than a book thing. Sometimes particular storylines and tropes aren’t a good match for a reader and this was one of those times. This was an immersion read and the bright spot was the full cast narration who all did an excellent job. I can recommend the audio for those wanting to try this!
★★ ½ (rounded up for the audio)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Rachel Hawkins for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for ALC to honestly review. It’s out on January 6, 2026.
I really loved The Heiress last year which was my first Rachel Hawkins read. The story revolved around an older sassy Southern woman of wealth named Ruby McTavish who was suspected of having a hand in the deaths of her late husbands. Though Gloria “Lo” Bailey, the MC in this one, didn’t have Ruby’s wealth, she still felt strikingly similar as an older sassy Southern woman suspected of having a hand in the death of her late lover. Maybe it was just me who felt like the characters were too similar despite the women’s wealth gap?
Geneva Corliss owns the Rosalie Inn in St. Medard’s Bay in Alabama - a town with a dark history of hurricanes and deaths. One of those deaths was that of aspiring politician Landon Fitzroy who Lo was accused of murdering during Hurricane Marie in 1984. Now a journalist named August Fletcher has brought Lo to Geneva’s inn to stay while he writes a book about her that she hopes will clear her name once and for all.
It sounds like a great premise and the writing was good, but the story employed the “everyone has a secret/everyone will find out a big secret” trope that’s been done a zillion times, there was a weird thread about witches that I guess was tongue-in-cheek humor … (maybe?), and the ending went in a particular direction that’s a pet peeve and literally made me want to scream and throw my Kindle at something.
All those things said, I think my issues with this are a “me” thing more than a book thing. Sometimes particular storylines and tropes aren’t a good match for a reader and this was one of those times. This was an immersion read and the bright spot was the full cast narration who all did an excellent job. I can recommend the audio for those wanting to try this!
★★ ½ (rounded up for the audio)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Rachel Hawkins for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for ALC to honestly review. It’s out on January 6, 2026.
August 15, 2025
A mistress is accused of a murder many years ago. Now a man reaches out wanting to write her story.
This was just so-so. Nothing mind blowing. There were parts that seemed really repetitive especially in the beginning and things that seemed out of place. Some of the twists and turns were predictable. The beginning also seemed sooo long winded as nothing exciting happens until later in my opinion.
Overall, I personally was disappointed but I could see others enjoying this.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was just so-so. Nothing mind blowing. There were parts that seemed really repetitive especially in the beginning and things that seemed out of place. Some of the twists and turns were predictable. The beginning also seemed sooo long winded as nothing exciting happens until later in my opinion.
Overall, I personally was disappointed but I could see others enjoying this.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2025
I’m thinking the title of this book should be changed to “The Hurricanes”, because while big storms did pass through St. Medard’s Bay, most chapters were titled according to which Hurricane went through. And it’s through these devastating hurricanes, in which we learn of lives that were lost- especially that of Landon Fitzroy.
This story starts off with Lo Bailey returning back to her hometown of Alabama, to stay at the Rosalie Inn. Lo Bailey hasn’t been back home in years- not even to her own mother’s funeral, since she was accused of killing her ex-lover, Landon Fitzroy. Landon was rich, handsome, and married… Was Lo so jealous and possessive of him that she could commit murder? Or did Hurricane Marie of 1984 really take him out?
While Lo is staying at the Rosalie Inn, she brings with her August Fletcher. August is a journalist/author, who is helping Lo write a book about her romantic time with Landon Fitzroy. Many details from the past are brought up- including her two best friends while growing up, Ellen and Freida. Ellen’s parents were once owners of the Rosalie Inn, and now Ellen’s daughter, Geneva is in charge.
While we learned a bit about the four women’s lives in this story, I can’t say that I was able to fully connect with any of them. The pacing of this story was also more of a drizzle, and less of a storm… I think I was expecting a deeper suspense/mystery, but instead got another story about “girl power”.
I also have to state that my all time favorite book by this author is “The Heiress” (actually it’s one of my all time favorites), so I think my expectations going into this book may have been quite high.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
This story starts off with Lo Bailey returning back to her hometown of Alabama, to stay at the Rosalie Inn. Lo Bailey hasn’t been back home in years- not even to her own mother’s funeral, since she was accused of killing her ex-lover, Landon Fitzroy. Landon was rich, handsome, and married… Was Lo so jealous and possessive of him that she could commit murder? Or did Hurricane Marie of 1984 really take him out?
While Lo is staying at the Rosalie Inn, she brings with her August Fletcher. August is a journalist/author, who is helping Lo write a book about her romantic time with Landon Fitzroy. Many details from the past are brought up- including her two best friends while growing up, Ellen and Freida. Ellen’s parents were once owners of the Rosalie Inn, and now Ellen’s daughter, Geneva is in charge.
While we learned a bit about the four women’s lives in this story, I can’t say that I was able to fully connect with any of them. The pacing of this story was also more of a drizzle, and less of a storm… I think I was expecting a deeper suspense/mystery, but instead got another story about “girl power”.
I also have to state that my all time favorite book by this author is “The Heiress” (actually it’s one of my all time favorites), so I think my expectations going into this book may have been quite high.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
September 11, 2025
I'm a bit of an outlier on this one. 🏝️
I was so excited when I read the setting was a beach hotel during hurricane season! I live in TX about an hour from the beach and we get our share of hurricanes!
This is a mystery that weaves back and forth through the childhood friends connections and a man who died under suspicious circumstances. I didn't relate to any of the characters and that really affected my enjoyment. Geneva was the only one I mildly cared for. I realize the reveal was supposed to be gripping, but for me it just wasn't.
I do enjoy this author, so I will be anticipating her next!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out January 6, 2026
I was so excited when I read the setting was a beach hotel during hurricane season! I live in TX about an hour from the beach and we get our share of hurricanes!
This is a mystery that weaves back and forth through the childhood friends connections and a man who died under suspicious circumstances. I didn't relate to any of the characters and that really affected my enjoyment. Geneva was the only one I mildly cared for. I realize the reveal was supposed to be gripping, but for me it just wasn't.
I do enjoy this author, so I will be anticipating her next!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out January 6, 2026
November 10, 2025
Geneva owns and operates the Rosalee Inn on St Medard's Bay in Alabama. Located directly on the coast, it’s been hit by several hurricanes in the past, but will it withstand the current storm rolling in?
Lo Bailey, a woman who left St Medard’s Bay years ago was involved in a scandal that involved the death of her wealthy but married boyfriend, Landon. She’s just returned and is staying at The Inn with author August Fletcher, who’s there to write her memoir.
As a hurricane approaches, a torrent of lies from the past will be exposed and no one will ever be the same after The Storm.
This may just be my favorite Rachel Hawkins book to date! After a brief slow start to set the stage, the tension increases as the storm neared the shoreline.
I had both the digital and audio versions and with a large cast of narrators I can definitely say the audio won out and is the best way to experience the book!🤩
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Macmillan audio
✍️ Rachel Hawkins
🎧 Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Patrea Burchard and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
⏳ 7hours 48minutes
📄 304 pages
🗓️ January 6 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, mystery
Lo Bailey, a woman who left St Medard’s Bay years ago was involved in a scandal that involved the death of her wealthy but married boyfriend, Landon. She’s just returned and is staying at The Inn with author August Fletcher, who’s there to write her memoir.
As a hurricane approaches, a torrent of lies from the past will be exposed and no one will ever be the same after The Storm.
This may just be my favorite Rachel Hawkins book to date! After a brief slow start to set the stage, the tension increases as the storm neared the shoreline.
I had both the digital and audio versions and with a large cast of narrators I can definitely say the audio won out and is the best way to experience the book!🤩
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Macmillan audio
✍️ Rachel Hawkins
🎧 Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Patrea Burchard and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
⏳ 7hours 48minutes
📄 304 pages
🗓️ January 6 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, mystery
September 1, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This story is small in the biggest of ways. It doesn’t have more than a handful of characters. It’s all contained within a single location. It doesn’t have wild plot machinations, nor does it try to keep you on the edge of your seat.
It’s quaint. It’s charming. It engulfs you like the waves in a raging storm. It entangles you like the affairs of a political heir.
The hurricanes act as a multi-generational backdrop, each serving a unique purpose in the lore development of this town. The stories of the women in this book are complex, multi-layered and are as fascinating as they are grim.
My only complaint is that it becomes difficult to determine who is telling the story at times. It could have benefited from better descriptions in the chapter titles.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it definitely won’t be my last…
This story is small in the biggest of ways. It doesn’t have more than a handful of characters. It’s all contained within a single location. It doesn’t have wild plot machinations, nor does it try to keep you on the edge of your seat.
It’s quaint. It’s charming. It engulfs you like the waves in a raging storm. It entangles you like the affairs of a political heir.
The hurricanes act as a multi-generational backdrop, each serving a unique purpose in the lore development of this town. The stories of the women in this book are complex, multi-layered and are as fascinating as they are grim.
My only complaint is that it becomes difficult to determine who is telling the story at times. It could have benefited from better descriptions in the chapter titles.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it definitely won’t be my last…
September 15, 2025
This was entertaining but definitely not as exciting as you’d think a book with hurricanes in it would be!!
Lo hasn’t been back to her small town, St. Medard’s Bay, since the “event” that changed her life. Some of her mother's friends are still in town. Ellen's daughter Geneva is running the “Rosalie Inn”. It’s weathered several hurricanes but Geneva hopes that she doesn’t have to go through another big storm.
Lo has come back to help her remember all of the events from that fateful summer. With her is Adam who is a journalist and is writing a memoir with Lo about all that happened in her life.
Why is Adam so interested in this decades old mystery? Does he have information that he is concealing?
There is a lot of looking at the past through Geneva’s eyes. There are also letters back and forth with two of the characters and some newspaper articles along with unfinished manuscripts.
I kept wanting to find a character to root for and I did enjoy Frieda’s life story and how she “remade” herself. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
The first half was very slow and meandering. In the second half “The Storm” is coming and it’s all hands on deck to secure the hotel and everything else.
The twists come at the end - setting us up for tension from the storm and the revelations!
This was a good beach read but I was anticipating much more from this talented author. “The Heiress” her last book was a 5* from me so expectations were high.
This was a buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her excellent review.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
Lo hasn’t been back to her small town, St. Medard’s Bay, since the “event” that changed her life. Some of her mother's friends are still in town. Ellen's daughter Geneva is running the “Rosalie Inn”. It’s weathered several hurricanes but Geneva hopes that she doesn’t have to go through another big storm.
Lo has come back to help her remember all of the events from that fateful summer. With her is Adam who is a journalist and is writing a memoir with Lo about all that happened in her life.
Why is Adam so interested in this decades old mystery? Does he have information that he is concealing?
There is a lot of looking at the past through Geneva’s eyes. There are also letters back and forth with two of the characters and some newspaper articles along with unfinished manuscripts.
I kept wanting to find a character to root for and I did enjoy Frieda’s life story and how she “remade” herself. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
The first half was very slow and meandering. In the second half “The Storm” is coming and it’s all hands on deck to secure the hotel and everything else.
The twists come at the end - setting us up for tension from the storm and the revelations!
This was a good beach read but I was anticipating much more from this talented author. “The Heiress” her last book was a 5* from me so expectations were high.
This was a buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her excellent review.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
November 27, 2025
3⭐
Genre ~ gothic fiction?
Setting ~ Alabama
Publication date ~ January 6, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio/St Martin's Press
Est Page Count ~ 288 (intro’s + 15 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours
Narrators ~ Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, Stephanie Németh-Parker
POV ~ multiple 1st
Featuring ~ old murder case, multiple timelines, parent with Alzheimer’s, domestic violence, infidelity
August is our true crime writer working with Lo about the murder of her boyfriend, Landon, which she was accused of committing decades ago during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
Geneva is a struggling Inn owner thrilled when August wants to book a stay for a whole month.
Ellen is Geneva’s mom, suffering from Alzheimer's, and Frieda is Ellen & Lo’s childhood friend.
The hurricanes mentioned are Daphne, Audrey, Velma, Marie, and Libby. (Half the main cast of Scooby Doo 😂)
We get bits from an unfinished manuscript on Landon, transcripts and articles.
As you can see there's quite a lot going on, and multiple characters and storms to keep track of.
Overall, it was fine, but I can’t say I was really blown away. Not sure what's supposed to make it tagged as gothic? Maybe I just don't know what gothic is🤷♀️. There was a nice twist, though.
Narration notes:
Full cast!! And sound effects! All did great.
Pre~reading notes:
Full cast narration, again!! Woo hoo! And it's tagged gothic, so hoping I get a little spooked on Halloween today! 👻
Genre ~ gothic fiction?
Setting ~ Alabama
Publication date ~ January 6, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio/St Martin's Press
Est Page Count ~ 288 (intro’s + 15 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours
Narrators ~ Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, Stephanie Németh-Parker
POV ~ multiple 1st
Featuring ~ old murder case, multiple timelines, parent with Alzheimer’s, domestic violence, infidelity
August is our true crime writer working with Lo about the murder of her boyfriend, Landon, which she was accused of committing decades ago during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
Geneva is a struggling Inn owner thrilled when August wants to book a stay for a whole month.
Ellen is Geneva’s mom, suffering from Alzheimer's, and Frieda is Ellen & Lo’s childhood friend.
The hurricanes mentioned are Daphne, Audrey, Velma, Marie, and Libby. (Half the main cast of Scooby Doo 😂)
We get bits from an unfinished manuscript on Landon, transcripts and articles.
As you can see there's quite a lot going on, and multiple characters and storms to keep track of.
Overall, it was fine, but I can’t say I was really blown away. Not sure what's supposed to make it tagged as gothic? Maybe I just don't know what gothic is🤷♀️. There was a nice twist, though.
Narration notes:
Full cast!! And sound effects! All did great.
Pre~reading notes:
Full cast narration, again!! Woo hoo! And it's tagged gothic, so hoping I get a little spooked on Halloween today! 👻
November 17, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! I was completely engulfed by The Storm. This book was like a hurricane storm itself—fierce, deadly and unexpected. I loved how Rachel Hawkins expressed females deep hurt through the power of a storm. She created a crafty story full of mystery, secrets and revelations. Watching how Hawkins converged past and present timelines through multiple POVs was one of my favorite aspects of this book.
A dead governors son, teenage mistress, a scandal, mystery surrounding his injuries and a deadly hurricane—how twisted can this story get?
Alabama, 1980s through 2000s—St. Menards Bay is no stranger to frequent storms and deadly destructions. The Storm centers on a woman who during her teenage years was accused of murdering the governor’s son. She comes back 40+ years later to retell her story through a journalist who is writing her “tell-all” book. The story essentially jumps back and forth between now and then through multiple POVs of different characters who are full of surprises and shocking twists, many that were not predictable (at least to me).
Eerie atmosphere and impending storm added strong suspenseful vibes to this book. The Storm had such a strong catch to it with its Southern charm and coastal setting, I was seriously engulfed by its calmness and doom all the same. Layered like an onion, the slow burn peel of its layers was so satisfyingly complex that I was truly impressed with Hawkins writing. This is my first time reading anything by this author and I’m currently eyeing The Heiress next.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Rachel Hawkins for sending me this eARC.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
A dead governors son, teenage mistress, a scandal, mystery surrounding his injuries and a deadly hurricane—how twisted can this story get?
Alabama, 1980s through 2000s—St. Menards Bay is no stranger to frequent storms and deadly destructions. The Storm centers on a woman who during her teenage years was accused of murdering the governor’s son. She comes back 40+ years later to retell her story through a journalist who is writing her “tell-all” book. The story essentially jumps back and forth between now and then through multiple POVs of different characters who are full of surprises and shocking twists, many that were not predictable (at least to me).
Eerie atmosphere and impending storm added strong suspenseful vibes to this book. The Storm had such a strong catch to it with its Southern charm and coastal setting, I was seriously engulfed by its calmness and doom all the same. Layered like an onion, the slow burn peel of its layers was so satisfyingly complex that I was truly impressed with Hawkins writing. This is my first time reading anything by this author and I’m currently eyeing The Heiress next.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Rachel Hawkins for sending me this eARC.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
September 11, 2025
Who says you can never go home again? That is exactly what Lo Bailey does in The Storm. Not only does she come home to St. Medard's Bay, but she brings with her writer, August Fletcher. Not only is the town preparing for a hurricane, but now it is preparing for drama. Lo was accused of killing her older love, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during a Hurricane in 1984. Lo is looking to clear her name, but will she be successful?????
What really happened to Landon Fitzroy? There is a storm brewing, long tongues are wagging, secrets and waiting to be discovered, and memories will bubble to surface. Welp! I thought I would love this book. But unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. What worked was the atmosphere in this book along with the setting. I also enjoyed how the author used various forms of media in this book. I thought this was very well done and well thought out. I found the mystery interesting and yet I was blown away by it. In the beginning I wanted something - anything to happen. The book did pick up for me in the second half as more became known and things became more dramatic and tense. However, the twists and revels were not enough to fully win me over to this book. I put this in my liked but didn't love category. This wont stop me from reading more books by this author in the future.
Others enjoyed this book more than did so please read their reviews as well.
*Buddy read with Dorie - Cats&Books :). Please be sure to read her wonderful review as well to see her thoughts and to find out if she got caught up in The Storm.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
What really happened to Landon Fitzroy? There is a storm brewing, long tongues are wagging, secrets and waiting to be discovered, and memories will bubble to surface. Welp! I thought I would love this book. But unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. What worked was the atmosphere in this book along with the setting. I also enjoyed how the author used various forms of media in this book. I thought this was very well done and well thought out. I found the mystery interesting and yet I was blown away by it. In the beginning I wanted something - anything to happen. The book did pick up for me in the second half as more became known and things became more dramatic and tense. However, the twists and revels were not enough to fully win me over to this book. I put this in my liked but didn't love category. This wont stop me from reading more books by this author in the future.
Others enjoyed this book more than did so please read their reviews as well.
*Buddy read with Dorie - Cats&Books :). Please be sure to read her wonderful review as well to see her thoughts and to find out if she got caught up in The Storm.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 22, 2025
If this book were a hurricane it would for sure be close to a Cat 5! There were some nice little twists and surprises thrown in to keep things unpredictable.
The Rosalie Inn has been through quite a few hurricanes and came out with just some scratches. The same cannot be said for several women who live in St. Medard‘s Bay, Alabama. During Hurricane Marie, the Governor’s son, Landon, was found dead and his 19-year-old mistress, Lo, was tried for his murder. Several decades later, Lo and true crime writer, August in tow, return to the Rosalie Inn to once and for all clear her name via a tell all book. All the while a major hurricane is setting its sights once again on the Rosalie Inn, both figuratively and literally. What secrets will it churn up?
I’m pretty sure I read this in record time. I love how we got different timelines that were centered around different hurricanes that hit St. Medard’s Bay. To be honest, with a track record of getting hit with that many hurricanes I would think it would be time to move! I’m also a sucker for getting information via old newspaper clippings. There was definitely some little twists throughout that I wasn’t expecting, which was great to hold my attention and keep flipping those pages.
The only thing that I had an issue with was sometimes I was confusing all of the women and it was hard to keep who everyone was straight and what timeline we were in. It also felt like the past timelines went rather quickly. Maybe a little bit more time spent in the past would’ve helped me identify who is who a little better and given a bit more sense of depth to each of the supporting characters. But those are just minor quibbles.
This definitely was a nice twisty thriller that had me continually guessing along the way
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
The Rosalie Inn has been through quite a few hurricanes and came out with just some scratches. The same cannot be said for several women who live in St. Medard‘s Bay, Alabama. During Hurricane Marie, the Governor’s son, Landon, was found dead and his 19-year-old mistress, Lo, was tried for his murder. Several decades later, Lo and true crime writer, August in tow, return to the Rosalie Inn to once and for all clear her name via a tell all book. All the while a major hurricane is setting its sights once again on the Rosalie Inn, both figuratively and literally. What secrets will it churn up?
I’m pretty sure I read this in record time. I love how we got different timelines that were centered around different hurricanes that hit St. Medard’s Bay. To be honest, with a track record of getting hit with that many hurricanes I would think it would be time to move! I’m also a sucker for getting information via old newspaper clippings. There was definitely some little twists throughout that I wasn’t expecting, which was great to hold my attention and keep flipping those pages.
The only thing that I had an issue with was sometimes I was confusing all of the women and it was hard to keep who everyone was straight and what timeline we were in. It also felt like the past timelines went rather quickly. Maybe a little bit more time spent in the past would’ve helped me identify who is who a little better and given a bit more sense of depth to each of the supporting characters. But those are just minor quibbles.
This definitely was a nice twisty thriller that had me continually guessing along the way
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
December 3, 2025
I found this book to be engaging for several reasons even though I had just about every twist figured out before it was revealed. I felt the pacing of the book was good and the way the information was delivered was interesting. There were some excerpts from different sources included and they added to the story. There was quite a lot of background given and much of it was put into the context of previous storms, which added to the atmosphere.
Overall, it was was a quick read and it held my attention. I have read many books in this genre in recent years and they often seem to have some similar twists with similar hints or tells so I wasn't on the edge of my seat, but I still enjoyed the reading experience. I feel this was on par with Hawkins previous work and if you've enjoyed other reads by her you'll likely enjoy this one as well.
I was fortunate to have both the ebook and audio of this one. The ebook was helpful in the beginning to keep track of all the characters and I particularly enjoyed the used of excerpts in this format. The audiobook was narrated by a full cast - Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker - and was very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Overall, it was was a quick read and it held my attention. I have read many books in this genre in recent years and they often seem to have some similar twists with similar hints or tells so I wasn't on the edge of my seat, but I still enjoyed the reading experience. I feel this was on par with Hawkins previous work and if you've enjoyed other reads by her you'll likely enjoy this one as well.
I was fortunate to have both the ebook and audio of this one. The ebook was helpful in the beginning to keep track of all the characters and I particularly enjoyed the used of excerpts in this format. The audiobook was narrated by a full cast - Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker - and was very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 28, 2025
I’ve read several books by Hawkins, and while this one didn’t rise to the top of my list, her writing was as smooth and engaging as ever, making it a quick read! I loved the rich atmosphere, the subtle thread of tension running throughout, and the multiple points of view that added depth to the story. But instead of the nail-biting suspense I expected, this one leaned more toward historical fiction/domestic drama with a few secrets sprinkled in.
The slower start and heavy exposition made most of the twists easier to spot, but Hawkins still knows how to tell a compelling story. Even if it felt a little different from her usual thrillers, it was an entertaining and well-written read!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
The slower start and heavy exposition made most of the twists easier to spot, but Hawkins still knows how to tell a compelling story. Even if it felt a little different from her usual thrillers, it was an entertaining and well-written read!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
November 13, 2025
This is a Mystery/Thriller. I found the mystery in this book to be interesting, and there was enough drama to keep me wanting to read the book. I did not like how the book kept changing to different characters point of view and jumping back in time. I found that it was hard to follow what was going on at times. I found the ending to just be ok, and I wanted more for the ending. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
November 1, 2025
There was so much to like about this one!
I love first-person point of view - especially when the character is full of personality. Gloria ‘Lo’ Bailey made this book for me. The fluidity and writing style were fantastic, time disappeared, and I found myself loving to hate despicable Landon Fitzroy!
Allow this established author to sweep you away to a rambling beach motel in a small town on Alabama’s Gulf Coast while she slowly reveals her characters’ backstories and makes sense of a murder case.
As the title suggests, hurricanes and their damage are the focus of this book. I’m still thinking about the reference about how it’s the things that you love that make you feel blessed to live in a hurricane-affected area, are the very things that will kill you. I’m also still thinking about whether Rosalie Inn was a bad investment or a weighty family legacy.
Hawkins made this setting come alive and made me fall in love with her characters. My only wish is that this novel contained less swearing.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I love first-person point of view - especially when the character is full of personality. Gloria ‘Lo’ Bailey made this book for me. The fluidity and writing style were fantastic, time disappeared, and I found myself loving to hate despicable Landon Fitzroy!
Allow this established author to sweep you away to a rambling beach motel in a small town on Alabama’s Gulf Coast while she slowly reveals her characters’ backstories and makes sense of a murder case.
As the title suggests, hurricanes and their damage are the focus of this book. I’m still thinking about the reference about how it’s the things that you love that make you feel blessed to live in a hurricane-affected area, are the very things that will kill you. I’m also still thinking about whether Rosalie Inn was a bad investment or a weighty family legacy.
Hawkins made this setting come alive and made me fall in love with her characters. My only wish is that this novel contained less swearing.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 8, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 2026.
2.5 stars rounded up, because the author is famous enough that we deserve better than this (though it wasn’t terrible.).
This very Southern-toned book is set in Alabama and Geneva owns the Rosalie Inn on the coast, a family business. Her mother, who now has Alzheimer’s was childhood BFFs with a woman named Lo Bailey. Lo was involved in a scandalous scandal (the best kind) when she took up with the governer’s son when she was young (he much older.). Now Lo is back in town with writer August Fletcher to write a book about the whole thing. What really happened? And, oh yeah, hurricane acomin’.
This is one of those thrillers that sounded like it might have promise and then fell flat. I predict it will sell remarkably well anyway.
2.5 stars rounded up, because the author is famous enough that we deserve better than this (though it wasn’t terrible.).
This very Southern-toned book is set in Alabama and Geneva owns the Rosalie Inn on the coast, a family business. Her mother, who now has Alzheimer’s was childhood BFFs with a woman named Lo Bailey. Lo was involved in a scandalous scandal (the best kind) when she took up with the governer’s son when she was young (he much older.). Now Lo is back in town with writer August Fletcher to write a book about the whole thing. What really happened? And, oh yeah, hurricane acomin’.
This is one of those thrillers that sounded like it might have promise and then fell flat. I predict it will sell remarkably well anyway.
July 16, 2025
I loved this book so much. The storm part of the story was almost a character in itself. The mystery and multiple perspectives were the perfect mix.
October 26, 2025
Lo Bailey returns home to St. Medards Bay with author August Fletcher to try and clear her name for the murder of her lover many years ago. The story goes back and forth between past and present. It was a great story with interesting characters that had me glued to the pages. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this eARC that will be released January 6, 2026
June 29, 2025
4.5 Stars!!
This was such a great story with an intriguing premise!
I was hooked from the very beginning and flew through this within a day! It had really great pacing.
I enjoyed the different POVs and flashbacks to the previous time periods based on the previous hurricanes. And I loved the use of mixed media throughout too with the different articles as well as the unpublished transcript of the book.
This is only the second book of this author that I’ve read, but I have now really enjoyed both and cannot wait to read her others.
Recommend checking this one out when it releases!
Thank you @stmartinspress for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
This was such a great story with an intriguing premise!
I was hooked from the very beginning and flew through this within a day! It had really great pacing.
I enjoyed the different POVs and flashbacks to the previous time periods based on the previous hurricanes. And I loved the use of mixed media throughout too with the different articles as well as the unpublished transcript of the book.
This is only the second book of this author that I’ve read, but I have now really enjoyed both and cannot wait to read her others.
Recommend checking this one out when it releases!
Thank you @stmartinspress for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
October 19, 2025
4.5 Stars- This was a really good thriller. There were many different twists and intriguing back stories to keep me interested throughout the entire novel.
Set in a coastal town in Alabama, Geneva is running her family's inn all by herself. Her mom has early onset Alzheimer's and Geneva did not want to give up her family's legacy so she is trying her hardest to keep the inn afloat. She is thrilled when she learns that a writer is booking the inn for an extended period of time to write about a supposed murder that happened in 1984 during a devastating hurricane. Lo Bailey was 19 and accused of murdering Landon Fitzroy, a married man but also the golden boy of a local politician. Landon died in that hurricane and Lo was tried for murder but the jury was hung so she went free. August, the writer, wants to know her side of the story so Lo also comes to stay at the inn. It turns out that Geneva has a connection to this story and what unfolds is a thrilling thriller!
I really enjoyed this story. Geneva was a relatable character and I really felt for her throughout the book. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the past told from several different character's perspectives. Each one revolved around different storms or hurricanes that happened in the past. They added extra mystery to the story and got me thinking of what really happened to Landon Fitzroy. I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Set in a coastal town in Alabama, Geneva is running her family's inn all by herself. Her mom has early onset Alzheimer's and Geneva did not want to give up her family's legacy so she is trying her hardest to keep the inn afloat. She is thrilled when she learns that a writer is booking the inn for an extended period of time to write about a supposed murder that happened in 1984 during a devastating hurricane. Lo Bailey was 19 and accused of murdering Landon Fitzroy, a married man but also the golden boy of a local politician. Landon died in that hurricane and Lo was tried for murder but the jury was hung so she went free. August, the writer, wants to know her side of the story so Lo also comes to stay at the inn. It turns out that Geneva has a connection to this story and what unfolds is a thrilling thriller!
I really enjoyed this story. Geneva was a relatable character and I really felt for her throughout the book. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the past told from several different character's perspectives. Each one revolved around different storms or hurricanes that happened in the past. They added extra mystery to the story and got me thinking of what really happened to Landon Fitzroy. I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
August 12, 2025
Rachel Hawkins books are literally made for summer reading!!! The perfect atmospheric stories that suck you in and take you on a journey through multiple timelines and perspectives whilst you unravel decades old murder mysteries.
I loved the southern hot summer vibes with the extreme hurricane weather which foreshadows the catastrophic events which are about to go down.
Lo, now fully grown, was just a young girl in the summer of 84 when she was blamed for the death or the Governers son. Now in present day she is teaming up with a ghost writer to tell her story and get to the bottom of exactly what happened that night so she can clear her name.
Im obsessed with the different formatting styles Rachel uses in her novels which help immerse you in this fictional world by use of letters, articles and testimonials. I find this writing method so fun really engages me with the characters the plot and the timelines as though I am following along in real time.
What a beautiful book from start to finish, I absolutely inhaled this book I had to finish it in one sitting 🤗🤗 i am SO happy to have grabbed a copy this was definitely my most anticipated book of the summer and it surpassed all expectations! Another triumph for Hawkins. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍
Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the netgalley gifted copy!
Publish date: January 6th 2026
I loved the southern hot summer vibes with the extreme hurricane weather which foreshadows the catastrophic events which are about to go down.
Lo, now fully grown, was just a young girl in the summer of 84 when she was blamed for the death or the Governers son. Now in present day she is teaming up with a ghost writer to tell her story and get to the bottom of exactly what happened that night so she can clear her name.
Im obsessed with the different formatting styles Rachel uses in her novels which help immerse you in this fictional world by use of letters, articles and testimonials. I find this writing method so fun really engages me with the characters the plot and the timelines as though I am following along in real time.
What a beautiful book from start to finish, I absolutely inhaled this book I had to finish it in one sitting 🤗🤗 i am SO happy to have grabbed a copy this was definitely my most anticipated book of the summer and it surpassed all expectations! Another triumph for Hawkins. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍
Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the netgalley gifted copy!
Publish date: January 6th 2026
December 2, 2025
This was a very good thriller, had me hooked from the beginning. I know if I finish a book in 24 hours, that means it was a page turner (and I probably didn't get much sleep 😴). There are some great twists, and while I figured a few of them out, some really took me by surprise. Definitely a must read!
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 2, 2025
[Thank you NetGalley, Martin Press, and the author for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback]
This one was just okay for me. The Storm is definitely a quick, popcorn thriller-fast-paced and easy to get through but it didn’t wow me. The first 40% felt pretty slow with not much happening, and when the twists did show up, I saw most of them coming a mile away. Some even felt a bit rushed or thrown in without much buildup.
The book follows four different women, but I never really connected with any of them. I felt pretty lukewarm toward the characters, which made it harder to get invested in the story.
Overall, a fast and entertaining enough read in the moment, but not one that’s going to stick with me.
This one was just okay for me. The Storm is definitely a quick, popcorn thriller-fast-paced and easy to get through but it didn’t wow me. The first 40% felt pretty slow with not much happening, and when the twists did show up, I saw most of them coming a mile away. Some even felt a bit rushed or thrown in without much buildup.
The book follows four different women, but I never really connected with any of them. I felt pretty lukewarm toward the characters, which made it harder to get invested in the story.
Overall, a fast and entertaining enough read in the moment, but not one that’s going to stick with me.
November 23, 2025
4.5/5
This book was so good. I couldn’t put it down. It exceeded all expectations. It’s fast paced and easy to read. The twists and turns were a little predictable but still good. The different timelines and perspectives that you’d read through made it hard to not keep reading. It’s hard summarize all that happens without giving away spoilers. Definitely reckoned the book.
This book was so good. I couldn’t put it down. It exceeded all expectations. It’s fast paced and easy to read. The twists and turns were a little predictable but still good. The different timelines and perspectives that you’d read through made it hard to not keep reading. It’s hard summarize all that happens without giving away spoilers. Definitely reckoned the book.
November 5, 2025
And that’s the truth, but like many things in life—so, so many things—it’s not the whole truth.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of The Storm in exchange for an honest review.
The Goodreads description of this book tells you everything you need to know about the story, so I’ll jump directly to my thoughts.
The main storyline in The Storm, the one in the present, is told through the eyes of Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, who’s slowly drawn into the orbit of Lo Bailey and August Fletcher. But that main storyline is heavily supplemented with interspersed clips from books and newspaper articles, and with flashbacks to different points in the past, told from other characters’ perspectives. It’s a storytelling style Ms. Hawkins has used previously, and it works here, introducing new information at the right time and keeping the reader off balance. It’s a book full of secrets, and about the many different types of women—temptress, victim, good girl, tough broad—inside every woman.
Is Lo Bailey—the “20th-century Hester Prynne in a Duran Duran T-shirt”—a killer? You won’t know until the final pages. There were twists I saw coming and twists I did not see coming. The Storm is another solid thriller by Ms. Hawkins. Recommended.
October 26, 2025
4.25 stars
A gripping, addictive read, I feel like Rachel Hawkins still flies a bit under the radar compared to authors like Alice Feeney or Ruth Ware. Her books don’t seem to get the same publicity push, but I’m starting to think I might actually be a stan—her immersive storytelling is so distinctly hers, standing apart from much of what’s out there in the genre. The Storm is yet another solid entry.
What really sets her apart, I think, is the way she structures her narratives—often fragmented (which I love, since it feels like piecing together a puzzle) and told through multiple perspectives and mediums. On paper this multiple POVs + epistolary format might sounds fairly standard, but in execution it’s wonderfully unpredictable; you never quite know what new detail (or twist) will land in each scene. Hawkins also shines at crafting colourful, relatable characters. The numerous flashbacks in The Storm had my full attention and added real depth, which is a sharp contrast to another recent thriller I read where the flashbacks felt like nothing but filler.
My only gripe is with the ending. While it makes sense thematically and delivers a proper adrenaline-fuelled climax, it veers just a bit too melodramatic for my taste (I had a similar feeling with The Heiress). Still, it’s a small quibble in an otherwise strong read. If you’re craving that unputdownable mix of high-drama twists and character-driven intrigue, this one absolutely delivers.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
A gripping, addictive read, I feel like Rachel Hawkins still flies a bit under the radar compared to authors like Alice Feeney or Ruth Ware. Her books don’t seem to get the same publicity push, but I’m starting to think I might actually be a stan—her immersive storytelling is so distinctly hers, standing apart from much of what’s out there in the genre. The Storm is yet another solid entry.
What really sets her apart, I think, is the way she structures her narratives—often fragmented (which I love, since it feels like piecing together a puzzle) and told through multiple perspectives and mediums. On paper this multiple POVs + epistolary format might sounds fairly standard, but in execution it’s wonderfully unpredictable; you never quite know what new detail (or twist) will land in each scene. Hawkins also shines at crafting colourful, relatable characters. The numerous flashbacks in The Storm had my full attention and added real depth, which is a sharp contrast to another recent thriller I read where the flashbacks felt like nothing but filler.
My only gripe is with the ending. While it makes sense thematically and delivers a proper adrenaline-fuelled climax, it veers just a bit too melodramatic for my taste (I had a similar feeling with The Heiress). Still, it’s a small quibble in an otherwise strong read. If you’re craving that unputdownable mix of high-drama twists and character-driven intrigue, this one absolutely delivers.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
September 16, 2025
Rachel Hawkins is here again and as always I am always excited to take part in her thrillers.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Does it do exactly what it sets out to do? Absolutely. Sometimes when it comes to a new thriller, I wonder what’s left to say and feel that way here. This genre is full of bad eggs and Rachel Hawkins is no where near that so she is always a great authour to pick up when you need a fun little getaway.
I quite liked the setting and while the main character felt a bit dull to me, everyone around her was fascinating. They were dynamic and intriguing but there was plenty of them that I didn’t get bored with our main character.
I really enjoyed that there are chapters named by the hurricanes and the women who experienced them but it did take me a moment to understand what was happening when these chapters popped up. The execution could’ve been a bit better as the POV switches and we don’t know who is actually speaking right away. It’s a fun idea and I enjoyed it but it still needed a bit of work to have the intended effect.
I do wish Lo was more of a main character as she is the most interesting part of this story but I do understand the choices made. Otherwise it was fun and I will always recommend her books and will enjoy them for years to come.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Does it do exactly what it sets out to do? Absolutely. Sometimes when it comes to a new thriller, I wonder what’s left to say and feel that way here. This genre is full of bad eggs and Rachel Hawkins is no where near that so she is always a great authour to pick up when you need a fun little getaway.
I quite liked the setting and while the main character felt a bit dull to me, everyone around her was fascinating. They were dynamic and intriguing but there was plenty of them that I didn’t get bored with our main character.
I really enjoyed that there are chapters named by the hurricanes and the women who experienced them but it did take me a moment to understand what was happening when these chapters popped up. The execution could’ve been a bit better as the POV switches and we don’t know who is actually speaking right away. It’s a fun idea and I enjoyed it but it still needed a bit of work to have the intended effect.
I do wish Lo was more of a main character as she is the most interesting part of this story but I do understand the choices made. Otherwise it was fun and I will always recommend her books and will enjoy them for years to come.
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