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The Unravelling
'A delicious web of grief, sex and obsession that will leave you guessing until the very end . . . fast-paced and addictive' ELLE KENNEDY
'A shocking debut thriller . . . Keeland keeps the twists coming hard and fast, and few readers will be able to predict them' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
'Wow, that ending! A sizzling ride down a dark path, with a twist that you won't see coming' SARINA BOWEN
This isn't a love story.
It's a story about obsession.
Meredith McCall was once a respected New York City psychiatrist. But the night of the accident she lost her husband, her reputation and almost her mind.
When she crosses paths with the man whom she shares the most tragic connection, Meredith can't help but follow him. How is Gabriel Wright doing so well when her life is in shambles?
Watching Gabriel from afar becomes a compulsion she just can't shake - her newest obsession. But when he walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can't bring herself to turn him away...
Could delving into Gabriel's mind give her the answers that she needs? Or will their relationship set off a chain of events that she can no longer control?
An sizzling, addictive thriller from the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author - perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover's VERITY and Tarryn Fisher.
'A shocking debut thriller . . . Keeland keeps the twists coming hard and fast, and few readers will be able to predict them' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
'Wow, that ending! A sizzling ride down a dark path, with a twist that you won't see coming' SARINA BOWEN
This isn't a love story.
It's a story about obsession.
Meredith McCall was once a respected New York City psychiatrist. But the night of the accident she lost her husband, her reputation and almost her mind.
When she crosses paths with the man whom she shares the most tragic connection, Meredith can't help but follow him. How is Gabriel Wright doing so well when her life is in shambles?
Watching Gabriel from afar becomes a compulsion she just can't shake - her newest obsession. But when he walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can't bring herself to turn him away...
Could delving into Gabriel's mind give her the answers that she needs? Or will their relationship set off a chain of events that she can no longer control?
An sizzling, addictive thriller from the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author - perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover's VERITY and Tarryn Fisher.
Audible Audio
First published July 9, 2024
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About the author
Vi Keeland
131 books34.5k followersVi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and
USA Today
Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over one hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-six languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
Stop by and meet Vi in her private reader group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKee...
Stop by and meet Vi in her private reader group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ViKee...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,233 reviews
July 28, 2025
Bet you don't hear me say this a lot about thrillers, but here's a fun one, everybody!
Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist dealing with her own personal tragedy. In the midst of her grief and guilt, she can't help but be drawn to the one person who must understand how she feels. When she sees him one day on the street, she feels the impulse to follow him. But what starts out innocently enough soon turns into something more. And when he shows up in her office as a patient, Meredith knows it can't possibly be a coincidence. Can it?
I pretty much judge psychological thrillers by two criteria—how riveting they are and how much eye-rolling they induce in me. Obviously, I want maximum of the former while keeping the latter to a minimum. And this story totally ticks both boxes.
I think the word unputdownable gets thrown around a lot when it comes to books, but this one definitely fits the bill. In fact, I dare you to pick it up and then try to put it down. There's something so eminently readable and binge-worthy about this story, and I couldn't help but want to read just one more page.
In terms of twists, I think that gets made into a big deal with this genre. But whether you'll be surprised here will probably depend on a few things, namely how many other books of a similar vein you've read. There are usually only a few ways such a story can play out. And since I've read a bunch, I wasn't that surprised. But it didn't take anything away from the story for me and I enjoyed it nonetheless, regardless of the surprise element.
If you're going to read this book, it's probably best to go in blind as is the case with any book of this genre. But maybe the one thing to know to set expectations correctly is that under the big umbrella of psychological thrillers, this bends heavily towards romantic suspense. While it isn't a romance, it does have heavy sexual undertones and some spicy scenes, which totally makes sense since Vi Keeland is an author known first and foremost for her romance books. In fact, this looks to be her first foray into the thriller genre, and if it's anything to go by, I definitely can't wait for more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist dealing with her own personal tragedy. In the midst of her grief and guilt, she can't help but be drawn to the one person who must understand how she feels. When she sees him one day on the street, she feels the impulse to follow him. But what starts out innocently enough soon turns into something more. And when he shows up in her office as a patient, Meredith knows it can't possibly be a coincidence. Can it?
I pretty much judge psychological thrillers by two criteria—how riveting they are and how much eye-rolling they induce in me. Obviously, I want maximum of the former while keeping the latter to a minimum. And this story totally ticks both boxes.
I think the word unputdownable gets thrown around a lot when it comes to books, but this one definitely fits the bill. In fact, I dare you to pick it up and then try to put it down. There's something so eminently readable and binge-worthy about this story, and I couldn't help but want to read just one more page.
In terms of twists, I think that gets made into a big deal with this genre. But whether you'll be surprised here will probably depend on a few things, namely how many other books of a similar vein you've read. There are usually only a few ways such a story can play out. And since I've read a bunch, I wasn't that surprised. But it didn't take anything away from the story for me and I enjoyed it nonetheless, regardless of the surprise element.
If you're going to read this book, it's probably best to go in blind as is the case with any book of this genre. But maybe the one thing to know to set expectations correctly is that under the big umbrella of psychological thrillers, this bends heavily towards romantic suspense. While it isn't a romance, it does have heavy sexual undertones and some spicy scenes, which totally makes sense since Vi Keeland is an author known first and foremost for her romance books. In fact, this looks to be her first foray into the thriller genre, and if it's anything to go by, I definitely can't wait for more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
March 3, 2025
WOW. WOW. WOW.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 4.5 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕 𝕦𝕡! ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
The psychiatrist and the patient...
Obsession... connections... dark descent...
I've read many of Vi Keeland's romance books, so while I was browsing NetGalley and came across her debut thriller. I immediately hit request. She did NOT disappoint! Put this on your TBR besties right neoooowww!!
╰┈➤ ˗ˏˋ⊹ ࣪𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 * .ೃ࿐₊ ⊹
Our FMC, Meredith, a psychiatrist in the great city of New York, has just been through a major life tragedy. Her life has completely spun out of control. She's having quite a hard time of it and often finds herself wandering aimlessly through the city. To clear her head, to people watch, to just do something other than sit in her apartment alone with her thoughts.
One day while in a coffee shop she stumbles across Gabriel Wright, who she shares this tragedy with. Except, he looks to be doing just fine, laughing and going on about life like his hasn't flipped upside down. And then, she has to know. Is he really happy? Is he faking it? How can he go about as if nothing has happened? And so she starts to follow him...
Not long after her own therapist guides her to keeping a better, healthier routine and to leave the following/stalking behind her. Gabriel Wright walks into her own practice for an appointment. Shocked, but also intrigued. She knows it's ethically and morally wrong... but she just can't turn him away...
╰┈➤ ˗ˏˋ⊹ ࣪𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 * .ೃ࿐₊ ⊹
It's not often that a thriller leaves me speechless. I hate to say it, but these days it's the truth. This story left me with my mouth hanging open and I had to sit and literally say WTF for a few mins to myself and actually let my brain catch up to the last twist that Keeland delivered.
My mind was so set on one avenue the author took me down that I didn't even see it coming while I was reading it. I honestly looked to my phone and thought- who can I call or text to talk to about this. Then I realized that no one I know has read it yet. 😩😭
This book was fantastic! It was engaging and it draws you in, you just want to settle in and rip through the pages and find out everything you possibly can about these characters. They're fascinating and damaged, slightly unhinged. There's secrets galore that you uncover, slowly and one by one.
The story is seductive in a forbidden way, sexy, dark and alluring. Secretive and thrilling.
Keeland is a masterful author and this is a spectacular debut thriller! Demanding a sequel! Please write more thrillers Vi, we need more edge of your seat, gripping thrill ride stories!
₊⊹⁀➴ Someone Knows Review - 4 Stars
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
A huge thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Vi Keeland for the complementary digital copy in exchange for my honest review! 🌺💕
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 4.5 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕕 𝕦𝕡! ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
The psychiatrist and the patient...
Obsession... connections... dark descent...
I've read many of Vi Keeland's romance books, so while I was browsing NetGalley and came across her debut thriller. I immediately hit request. She did NOT disappoint! Put this on your TBR besties right neoooowww!!
╰┈➤ ˗ˏˋ⊹ ࣪𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 * .ೃ࿐₊ ⊹
Our FMC, Meredith, a psychiatrist in the great city of New York, has just been through a major life tragedy. Her life has completely spun out of control. She's having quite a hard time of it and often finds herself wandering aimlessly through the city. To clear her head, to people watch, to just do something other than sit in her apartment alone with her thoughts.
One day while in a coffee shop she stumbles across Gabriel Wright, who she shares this tragedy with. Except, he looks to be doing just fine, laughing and going on about life like his hasn't flipped upside down. And then, she has to know. Is he really happy? Is he faking it? How can he go about as if nothing has happened? And so she starts to follow him...
Not long after her own therapist guides her to keeping a better, healthier routine and to leave the following/stalking behind her. Gabriel Wright walks into her own practice for an appointment. Shocked, but also intrigued. She knows it's ethically and morally wrong... but she just can't turn him away...
╰┈➤ ˗ˏˋ⊹ ࣪𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 * .ೃ࿐₊ ⊹
It's not often that a thriller leaves me speechless. I hate to say it, but these days it's the truth. This story left me with my mouth hanging open and I had to sit and literally say WTF for a few mins to myself and actually let my brain catch up to the last twist that Keeland delivered.
My mind was so set on one avenue the author took me down that I didn't even see it coming while I was reading it. I honestly looked to my phone and thought- who can I call or text to talk to about this. Then I realized that no one I know has read it yet. 😩😭
This book was fantastic! It was engaging and it draws you in, you just want to settle in and rip through the pages and find out everything you possibly can about these characters. They're fascinating and damaged, slightly unhinged. There's secrets galore that you uncover, slowly and one by one.
The story is seductive in a forbidden way, sexy, dark and alluring. Secretive and thrilling.
Keeland is a masterful author and this is a spectacular debut thriller! Demanding a sequel! Please write more thrillers Vi, we need more edge of your seat, gripping thrill ride stories!
₊⊹⁀➴ Someone Knows Review - 4 Stars
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
A huge thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Vi Keeland for the complementary digital copy in exchange for my honest review! 🌺💕
June 3, 2025
What in the world did I just read? Well, folks, let me tell you, after diving into the latest chapter of this book, I guarantee you'll be asking yourselves the same question, mouth agape, eyes wide, lost in a daze, unsure of what just blindsided you out of nowhere. That's exactly how I'm feeling right now!
When I discovered that Vi Keeland had penned a psychological thriller, I pumped my fist in the air and exclaimed, "Send it my way!" Thankfully, Atria Books granted my wish. As a romance author, she's one of my go-to writers for steamy, heart-wrenching, addictive reads, and I devour everything she co-writes with Penelope Ward. If you haven't delved into her previous works, I highly recommend checking them out and perhaps sending me some chocolate as a token of your gratitude for the recommendation.
Now, diving into the realm of psychological thrillers is a whole different ball game, but if other romance queens like Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher, and Alessandra Torre can venture into the dark side and deliver exemplary thrillers, then why not Vi Keeland? I placed my trust in her storytelling prowess, and upon finishing the book, I can confidently say that trust was not misplaced! This was one heck of a wild, gripping, chilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, delivering sucker punches at the most unexpected moments!
I was on a six-hour-long international flight when I cracked open this book. Despite being sleep-deprived, I thought I could manage to read a few pages before dozing off. But as soon as I delved into the first few chapters, sleep became a distant dream. There was no way I was closing my eyes until I finished this book! It was a riveting, addictive page-turner that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I was completely okay with that. When I reached the last chapter, I was so engrossed that the entire cabin crew had to intervene, urging me to disembark the plane as I pleaded for just three more pages. Once you start something that's utterly unputdownable, resistance is futile, am I right?
Anyway, after being involuntarily dragged off the plane, I managed to read the epilogue, and let me tell you, I let out quite a scream! While I anticipated some twists, the final revelation was a well-played surprise that elicited my favorite villainous laugh.
Let me give you a quick rundown of the plot: We follow aspiring psychiatrist Meredith McCall, whose license has been revoked for a year. She's seeking therapy to heal from her own grief, filled with guilt, shame, and self-deprecation. A year ago, she was happily married to a rising hockey star, even planning to start a family. But now, she's lonely, fixated on a charismatic English professor named Gabriel Wright—the same man whose life she and her husband shattered. But how? What tragic events led to the ruin of this man's life? And why is Meredith obsessively following him?
When Meredith finally returns to her job, contemplating a fresh start and even considering dating apps, a new patient enters her office and turns her world upside down. It's none other than Gabriel Wright, seeking treatment and discussing his losses. Meredith finds herself torn between crossing ethical and moral boundaries to help the man she wronged and recognizing the dangerous game she's entangled in, especially as mysterious gifts begin to appear, intruding into her life. Is she in more danger than she realizes?
Overall, this book is highly entertaining, incredibly addictive, and boasts a fast-paced narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed! I sincerely hope Vi Keeland delves further into the realm of psychological mysteries because the dark side suits her exceptionally well.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books / Emily Bestler Books for providing me with this addictive ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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When I discovered that Vi Keeland had penned a psychological thriller, I pumped my fist in the air and exclaimed, "Send it my way!" Thankfully, Atria Books granted my wish. As a romance author, she's one of my go-to writers for steamy, heart-wrenching, addictive reads, and I devour everything she co-writes with Penelope Ward. If you haven't delved into her previous works, I highly recommend checking them out and perhaps sending me some chocolate as a token of your gratitude for the recommendation.
Now, diving into the realm of psychological thrillers is a whole different ball game, but if other romance queens like Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher, and Alessandra Torre can venture into the dark side and deliver exemplary thrillers, then why not Vi Keeland? I placed my trust in her storytelling prowess, and upon finishing the book, I can confidently say that trust was not misplaced! This was one heck of a wild, gripping, chilling ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, delivering sucker punches at the most unexpected moments!
I was on a six-hour-long international flight when I cracked open this book. Despite being sleep-deprived, I thought I could manage to read a few pages before dozing off. But as soon as I delved into the first few chapters, sleep became a distant dream. There was no way I was closing my eyes until I finished this book! It was a riveting, addictive page-turner that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I was completely okay with that. When I reached the last chapter, I was so engrossed that the entire cabin crew had to intervene, urging me to disembark the plane as I pleaded for just three more pages. Once you start something that's utterly unputdownable, resistance is futile, am I right?
Anyway, after being involuntarily dragged off the plane, I managed to read the epilogue, and let me tell you, I let out quite a scream! While I anticipated some twists, the final revelation was a well-played surprise that elicited my favorite villainous laugh.
Let me give you a quick rundown of the plot: We follow aspiring psychiatrist Meredith McCall, whose license has been revoked for a year. She's seeking therapy to heal from her own grief, filled with guilt, shame, and self-deprecation. A year ago, she was happily married to a rising hockey star, even planning to start a family. But now, she's lonely, fixated on a charismatic English professor named Gabriel Wright—the same man whose life she and her husband shattered. But how? What tragic events led to the ruin of this man's life? And why is Meredith obsessively following him?
When Meredith finally returns to her job, contemplating a fresh start and even considering dating apps, a new patient enters her office and turns her world upside down. It's none other than Gabriel Wright, seeking treatment and discussing his losses. Meredith finds herself torn between crossing ethical and moral boundaries to help the man she wronged and recognizing the dangerous game she's entangled in, especially as mysterious gifts begin to appear, intruding into her life. Is she in more danger than she realizes?
Overall, this book is highly entertaining, incredibly addictive, and boasts a fast-paced narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed! I sincerely hope Vi Keeland delves further into the realm of psychological mysteries because the dark side suits her exceptionally well.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books / Emily Bestler Books for providing me with this addictive ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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twitter<
June 7, 2024
One moment please, while I pick my jaw up off the floor!
Don’t you love a thriller that that makes you gasp (more than once). Then explosively ends with an epic mike drop! This gem of a read has all that and more!
Meredith is a psychiatrist working in New York. She was living the charmed life until a series of events left her…unraveling!
When a new client walks into her office she realizes she knows him! And there is positively no way she should be treating him. This particular client could cost her everything!
But Meredith just can't say no!
And that’s all you’ll pry out of me! GO IN BLIND! Seriously! I know I say that often, but the fact that I used bold and all caps makes it official!
I’ll say it again…the less you know the better!
With such glowing positive reviews for this book I developed a raging case of FOMO. I knew I had to read it! Yes! It absolutely lives up to the hype!
This author is known for her romance novels, so yes, it is spicy🌶️. I would almost be so bold as to say it’s an erotic thriller!?💁🏻♀️
This was my first read by this author and though I likely won’t be picking up her straight-up romance novels, I will absolutely be watching for her next thriller!
One of my top thrillers for 2024!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
Don’t you love a thriller that that makes you gasp (more than once). Then explosively ends with an epic mike drop! This gem of a read has all that and more!
Meredith is a psychiatrist working in New York. She was living the charmed life until a series of events left her…unraveling!
When a new client walks into her office she realizes she knows him! And there is positively no way she should be treating him. This particular client could cost her everything!
But Meredith just can't say no!
And that’s all you’ll pry out of me! GO IN BLIND! Seriously! I know I say that often, but the fact that I used bold and all caps makes it official!
I’ll say it again…the less you know the better!
With such glowing positive reviews for this book I developed a raging case of FOMO. I knew I had to read it! Yes! It absolutely lives up to the hype!
This author is known for her romance novels, so yes, it is spicy🌶️. I would almost be so bold as to say it’s an erotic thriller!?💁🏻♀️
This was my first read by this author and though I likely won’t be picking up her straight-up romance novels, I will absolutely be watching for her next thriller!
One of my top thrillers for 2024!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
June 30, 2024
Meredith McCall is a successful NYC psychiatrist married to her handsome pro-hockey player husband, Connor. Their future is looking bright when a game injury starts a spiral of events that ultimately ends in a tragedy for her and another family.
Left to deal with the aftermath and her own culpability in this, Meredith finds herself drifting along until she spots a familiar face one day while out. It’s Gabriel Wright, the man who lost his family. She witnessed his devastation firsthand that night, so how is it that he now looks so … happy?
Her need to find the answer to that question and make amends for his loss quickly turns into an obsession. She just wants to see where he goes and what he does with his time … that’s all. Imagine her shock when he walks into her office one day as a new patient! It crosses all ethical boundaries to treat him, but he doesn’t know who she is and she just wants to help, right? It can’t hurt … she’ll keep it professional.
One thing is for sure: it’s a dangerous game being played, and up until the very end you’ll still be figuring out who the players are and how they played it!
So, did I enjoy that game? I did! Was it the most riveting game ever? Nah, but I had plenty of fun with it, nonetheless. It was the slooowest of slow burns, but I enjoyed the psychological chess match! A couple scenes ventured towards erotic suspense territory, but I’ve read a lot spicier things in rom-coms lately and those scenes can be easily skipped. The epilogue didn’t entirely surprise me since I read a lot of thrillers, but it’s still a worthy twist that should be a nice jaw-dropper for some! My biggest complaint is that the ending was resolved too easily, and I thought the suspense and sense of menace could’ve been amped up a notch, but they weren’t things that ruined any of my enjoyment.
Many will recognize best-selling author Vi Keeland for her romance novels that often feature some young attractive man giving smoldering looks to the camera or lifting his shirt so you can see his chiseled abs. No diss to them … it’s just not my thing! This is a solid first foray into the thriller market, and if she ever writes another one - I’ll be there for it!
★★★★
Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Publishing, NetGalley and author Vi Keeland for this digital ARC to honestly review. It will be published on July 9, 2024.
Left to deal with the aftermath and her own culpability in this, Meredith finds herself drifting along until she spots a familiar face one day while out. It’s Gabriel Wright, the man who lost his family. She witnessed his devastation firsthand that night, so how is it that he now looks so … happy?
Her need to find the answer to that question and make amends for his loss quickly turns into an obsession. She just wants to see where he goes and what he does with his time … that’s all. Imagine her shock when he walks into her office one day as a new patient! It crosses all ethical boundaries to treat him, but he doesn’t know who she is and she just wants to help, right? It can’t hurt … she’ll keep it professional.
One thing is for sure: it’s a dangerous game being played, and up until the very end you’ll still be figuring out who the players are and how they played it!
So, did I enjoy that game? I did! Was it the most riveting game ever? Nah, but I had plenty of fun with it, nonetheless. It was the slooowest of slow burns, but I enjoyed the psychological chess match! A couple scenes ventured towards erotic suspense territory, but I’ve read a lot spicier things in rom-coms lately and those scenes can be easily skipped. The epilogue didn’t entirely surprise me since I read a lot of thrillers, but it’s still a worthy twist that should be a nice jaw-dropper for some! My biggest complaint is that the ending was resolved too easily, and I thought the suspense and sense of menace could’ve been amped up a notch, but they weren’t things that ruined any of my enjoyment.
Many will recognize best-selling author Vi Keeland for her romance novels that often feature some young attractive man giving smoldering looks to the camera or lifting his shirt so you can see his chiseled abs. No diss to them … it’s just not my thing! This is a solid first foray into the thriller market, and if she ever writes another one - I’ll be there for it!
★★★★
Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Publishing, NetGalley and author Vi Keeland for this digital ARC to honestly review. It will be published on July 9, 2024.
July 30, 2024
Meredith McCall, a New York City psychiatrist, is drawn into a complex web of deception, secrets, lies and obsession after she encounters a man who has a tragic connection to a traumatic event that upended her life.
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland is a well-crafted psychological thriller that has enough twists and turns to keep you engaged until the very end. I can’t say I particularly liked Meredith, but I couldn’t look away as she began to unravel, triggering a shocking chain of events and I was curious to see where she would finally land. I won’t even begin to question her choices or her professional ethics, because despite what she has gone through it is almost impossible to justify her actions, which renders her a complex, if slightly (I’m being kind here) unhinged protagonist. There were a few scenes that felt gratuitous but that's more a personal preference. I had expected a somewhat predictable denouement and I was partially correct in my assumptions, but the author did surprise me with one particular twist toward the end. The ending was satisfying, though a tad rushed and less intense than I had expected after the tension-filled build-up.
Well-paced, suspenseful and overall enjoyable, I did like this one even though I can’t say I loved it. As I say for most books in this genre, don’t overthink it and enjoy the wild ride!
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
July 9, 2024
Happy publication day!
3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ July 9, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 304 (44 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 45 minutes
Narrator ~ Courtney Patterson, Aiden Snow
POV ~ now timeline ~ single 1st, present tense & then timeline ~ single 1st, past tense
Featuring ~ debut thriller, psychiatrist, stalking, some steamage
Can’t say too much about this one.
Meredith is a very unethical and unlikable psychiatrist. I felt a little bit bad for her at first, but I couldn’t even root for her with all the dumb choices she made over and over and over again. Her excessive drinking doesn’t help matters one bit. On that note ~ she must have the tiniest wine glasses ever if she’s getting 4 full to the brim glasses per bottle, with still a little left for the next night.
Overall, I will say I was pleased with the main conclusion, but I find it highly implausible that there aren’t a bazillion cameras in NYC. Also, I really enjoyed that last chapter from Gabriel’s POV.
I have read a few of this author’s books in the romance genre. I found her debut thriller engaging enough that I would give another one a whirl.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ New York
Publication date ~ July 9, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 304 (44 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 45 minutes
Narrator ~ Courtney Patterson, Aiden Snow
POV ~ now timeline ~ single 1st, present tense & then timeline ~ single 1st, past tense
Featuring ~ debut thriller, psychiatrist, stalking, some steamage
Can’t say too much about this one.
Meredith is a very unethical and unlikable psychiatrist. I felt a little bit bad for her at first, but I couldn’t even root for her with all the dumb choices she made over and over and over again. Her excessive drinking doesn’t help matters one bit. On that note ~ she must have the tiniest wine glasses ever if she’s getting 4 full to the brim glasses per bottle, with still a little left for the next night.
Overall, I will say I was pleased with the main conclusion, but I find it highly implausible that there aren’t a bazillion cameras in NYC. Also, I really enjoyed that last chapter from Gabriel’s POV.
I have read a few of this author’s books in the romance genre. I found her debut thriller engaging enough that I would give another one a whirl.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
April 23, 2024
Wow!!! Just wow!! 🤯 This book was absolutely fantastic!! 👏👏 Thank you so much @atriabooks @atriathrillers for this gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰 This is DEFINITELY on the TOP of my Top 10 this year!! I know… it’s only April… but when you know… you know! 🤷♀️😉
Pub date is July 9th🥳🥳 Why did I love this book?! OMG where do I start? I LOVED everything about this book!! This is why…
✅ Twisted
✅Addictive
✅ Fast paced
✅Crazy stalker 😳
Meredith’s husband has done… a very bad thing… she blames herself… 😩her life is literally… UNRAVELING…because of it… but she thinks she might be able to make things better… by stalking… 😳I mean following… 😉… Gabriel…the guy whose life was destroyed… by her husband.. 😳…Sounds rational… right?!! 😂 Trust me… there was NOTHING rational about our girl Mere… and I LOVED it!!
This book was so addictive… my adrenaline was pumping… I had no idea what was going to happen next on this crazy train!! 🚂… In fact I couldn’t put this book down!! I blew through it in less than 24 hours. 👏👏
I seriously can’t recommend this enough. The twists were amazing… and just when I thought it was all wrapped up… OMG 😳 THAT ENDING!! 😳🤯🤯🤯 It is 100% a WTFFFF ending!! Absolutely FANTASTIC!! I reread the ending like 3 times!! 😂I was that BLINDSIDED!! 👏👏
Guys… @vi_keeland is a Bestselling author… BUT this is her first thriller!! Let me tell you… you would never guess it… she mastered the dark side..😍… I am as obsessed with it… as Mere is.. with Gabriel.. and that’s alot. 😉
Pub date is July 9th🥳🥳 Why did I love this book?! OMG where do I start? I LOVED everything about this book!! This is why…
✅ Twisted
✅Addictive
✅ Fast paced
✅Crazy stalker 😳
Meredith’s husband has done… a very bad thing… she blames herself… 😩her life is literally… UNRAVELING…because of it… but she thinks she might be able to make things better… by stalking… 😳I mean following… 😉… Gabriel…the guy whose life was destroyed… by her husband.. 😳…Sounds rational… right?!! 😂 Trust me… there was NOTHING rational about our girl Mere… and I LOVED it!!
This book was so addictive… my adrenaline was pumping… I had no idea what was going to happen next on this crazy train!! 🚂… In fact I couldn’t put this book down!! I blew through it in less than 24 hours. 👏👏
I seriously can’t recommend this enough. The twists were amazing… and just when I thought it was all wrapped up… OMG 😳 THAT ENDING!! 😳🤯🤯🤯 It is 100% a WTFFFF ending!! Absolutely FANTASTIC!! I reread the ending like 3 times!! 😂I was that BLINDSIDED!! 👏👏
Guys… @vi_keeland is a Bestselling author… BUT this is her first thriller!! Let me tell you… you would never guess it… she mastered the dark side..😍… I am as obsessed with it… as Mere is.. with Gabriel.. and that’s alot. 😉
July 13, 2024
You never really know who might be watching you…👀
Meredith Mcall is a popular psychiatrist who is married to successful hockey player, Connor. Their marriage is perfect and the only thing missing is a child, but after a series of unfortunate events, Meredith is alone and is not only grieving but stalking a man she knows damn well she shouldn’t be.
But her antics are about to catch up with her fast and heavy as said man soon becomes her patient, and we are about to see her whole life start to unravel
So The Unravelling for me was a book I had to warm up to. The pacing is done well but my issue initially was the way the author kept doing pregnant pauses and not completing sentences with the hopes that the reader will be more engaged and curious to find out more. I do enjoy that in books, but for the first 25% of the book it just felt way to constant to me and lowkey was irritating. Luckily before I lost interest the author picked the story right up and I was ENGAGED AF!
Meredith is the epitome of a grieving fool that you can’t help but sympathies with, even though in the back of your mind you have to remind yourself that this is supposed to be a successful psychiatrist who helps others, so you would think her common sense would at least be striving. Nope Meredith throws all caution to the wind and just acts on extreme impulse and minimal intelligence.
I really had to laugh out loud in a couple of chapters because there is no way you can convince me to take this story seriously when we have professionals doing anything but and no one is reporting or acting upon serious dangers. PLEASE PLEASE You must suspend your disbelief a lot for this read.
Now I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But as a thriller connoisseur and someone who NEVER reads romance. The romance/smut was having me giddy like no other. I really enjoyed those scenes, and I am not opposed to reading more books with romantic suspense.
As for the rest of the characters they did what they needed to do and there’s not much else to say on that. There was no real depth to them, and they read like the one dimensional character they were meant to play.
Most of the plot was predictable minus one, but I’m not too mad as I did enjoy the pacing of the book and following Meredith and her reckless convoluted ways of thinking was fun for me.
The ending though I can’t lie was so anti climatic and I rolled my eyes while shouting ‘Is that it’… with all the buildup and tension, I was expecting something with more fireworks and chaos. NOW that last chapter!... ok ok, you got me there, I was shocked! BUT I was also confused. Can someone please slide in my GR DM’s and explain what I’m supposed to take from that last conversation. I think I know what its alluding too and if I’m correct then this book will start to make not a lot sense. Plus it will remind me of another thriller book that I really hated!
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Good Pacing
➽ Short Chapters
➽ Suspenseful
➽ Easy to read
➽ Smut Scenes
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ One dimensional characters
➽ Predictable
➽ Anti climatic ending
➽ Possibly that last chapter (if my prediction is correct lol)
Anyway, with all that said, as a thriller debut this author did a good job and I wouldn’t mind reading what she writes next.
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
This isn’t a love story.
It’s a story about obsession.
Oooof!! I am ready for this book to unravel me!😏🖤
Meredith Mcall is a popular psychiatrist who is married to successful hockey player, Connor. Their marriage is perfect and the only thing missing is a child, but after a series of unfortunate events, Meredith is alone and is not only grieving but stalking a man she knows damn well she shouldn’t be.
But her antics are about to catch up with her fast and heavy as said man soon becomes her patient, and we are about to see her whole life start to unravel
So The Unravelling for me was a book I had to warm up to. The pacing is done well but my issue initially was the way the author kept doing pregnant pauses and not completing sentences with the hopes that the reader will be more engaged and curious to find out more. I do enjoy that in books, but for the first 25% of the book it just felt way to constant to me and lowkey was irritating. Luckily before I lost interest the author picked the story right up and I was ENGAGED AF!
Meredith is the epitome of a grieving fool that you can’t help but sympathies with, even though in the back of your mind you have to remind yourself that this is supposed to be a successful psychiatrist who helps others, so you would think her common sense would at least be striving. Nope Meredith throws all caution to the wind and just acts on extreme impulse and minimal intelligence.
I really had to laugh out loud in a couple of chapters because there is no way you can convince me to take this story seriously when we have professionals doing anything but and no one is reporting or acting upon serious dangers. PLEASE PLEASE You must suspend your disbelief a lot for this read.
Now I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But as a thriller connoisseur and someone who NEVER reads romance. The romance/smut was having me giddy like no other. I really enjoyed those scenes, and I am not opposed to reading more books with romantic suspense.
As for the rest of the characters they did what they needed to do and there’s not much else to say on that. There was no real depth to them, and they read like the one dimensional character they were meant to play.
Most of the plot was predictable minus one, but I’m not too mad as I did enjoy the pacing of the book and following Meredith and her reckless convoluted ways of thinking was fun for me.
The ending though I can’t lie was so anti climatic and I rolled my eyes while shouting ‘Is that it’… with all the buildup and tension, I was expecting something with more fireworks and chaos. NOW that last chapter!... ok ok, you got me there, I was shocked! BUT I was also confused. Can someone please slide in my GR DM’s and explain what I’m supposed to take from that last conversation. I think I know what its alluding too and if I’m correct then this book will start to make not a lot sense. Plus it will remind me of another thriller book that I really hated!
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Good Pacing
➽ Short Chapters
➽ Suspenseful
➽ Easy to read
➽ Smut Scenes
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ One dimensional characters
➽ Predictable
➽ Anti climatic ending
➽ Possibly that last chapter (if my prediction is correct lol)
Anyway, with all that said, as a thriller debut this author did a good job and I wouldn’t mind reading what she writes next.
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
This isn’t a love story.
It’s a story about obsession.
Oooof!! I am ready for this book to unravel me!😏🖤
Read
July 21, 2024FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED FOR A LIMITED TIME!
Watch the trailer here: https://www.goodreads.com/videos/2102...
Grab your copy here: https://vikeeland.com/books/the-unrav...
January 16, 2025
A debut thriller with a romantic suspense edge, The Unraveling was filled with illicit secrets, dark obsessions, and an even darker albeit seductive descent. From the unreliable narrator to the binge-worthy plot, I started and finished this one in under twenty-four hours thanks to two brilliant main characters and a taut, angsty feel. Ultimately, however, it was the well-organized storyline and on-point, sharp writing that kept me flipping the pages late into the night.
I do have to say, though, that while the dark descent into madness was this book’s biggest win, the twists were most definitely an easy close second. And while I did predict some of them due to my near incessant diet of all things suspense, there were a few that had me utterly deceived. In fact, there was one in particular that had me smiling with glee as my jaw hit the floor. Clever, savvy, and entirely unexpected, all I can say is bravo to this new-to-me author.
The only teensy, tiny issue I had with the plot was down to the fact that I’m not one to normally dabble in spicy romantic suspense. For that reason, I do have to admit that there were several scenes in this thriller that felt unnecessarily gratuitous to this non-romance reader. Despite this, however, the well-paced plot rang with impending doom and unbridled suspense, both of which drew me in deep. So while the steaminess might have been a bit too much for me, the other winning attributes easily evened the score.
All in all, from the tantalizing dual timelines to the suspicious personas, my gaze was thoroughly glued to these addictive yet chilling pages. Now I just hope, wish, and pray that there’s going to be a much wanted sequel. After all, there’s plenty of fun yet to be had with these intoxicating characters and potentially explosive future scenes. So please say that it’s so, my dear Ms. Keeland. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be forever in your debt if you gifted us more time with Gabriel and Meredith. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After experiencing a terrible loss, New York City psychiatrist Meredith McCall is painfully adrift. When she crosses paths with a man with whom she has a tragic connection, she follows him, sparking an unhealthy obsession with Gabriel Wright.
But when Gabriel walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical and moral bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can’t bring herself to turn him away and becomes further entangled. With her life and career continuing to unravel, it appears that things could not get any worse…until they do.
Trigger warning: stalking, drug and alcohol abuse, mention of: driving under the influence, fatal hit-and-run accident
I do have to say, though, that while the dark descent into madness was this book’s biggest win, the twists were most definitely an easy close second. And while I did predict some of them due to my near incessant diet of all things suspense, there were a few that had me utterly deceived. In fact, there was one in particular that had me smiling with glee as my jaw hit the floor. Clever, savvy, and entirely unexpected, all I can say is bravo to this new-to-me author.
The only teensy, tiny issue I had with the plot was down to the fact that I’m not one to normally dabble in spicy romantic suspense. For that reason, I do have to admit that there were several scenes in this thriller that felt unnecessarily gratuitous to this non-romance reader. Despite this, however, the well-paced plot rang with impending doom and unbridled suspense, both of which drew me in deep. So while the steaminess might have been a bit too much for me, the other winning attributes easily evened the score.
All in all, from the tantalizing dual timelines to the suspicious personas, my gaze was thoroughly glued to these addictive yet chilling pages. Now I just hope, wish, and pray that there’s going to be a much wanted sequel. After all, there’s plenty of fun yet to be had with these intoxicating characters and potentially explosive future scenes. So please say that it’s so, my dear Ms. Keeland. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be forever in your debt if you gifted us more time with Gabriel and Meredith. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After experiencing a terrible loss, New York City psychiatrist Meredith McCall is painfully adrift. When she crosses paths with a man with whom she has a tragic connection, she follows him, sparking an unhealthy obsession with Gabriel Wright.
But when Gabriel walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical and moral bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can’t bring herself to turn him away and becomes further entangled. With her life and career continuing to unravel, it appears that things could not get any worse…until they do.
Trigger warning: stalking, drug and alcohol abuse, mention of: driving under the influence, fatal hit-and-run accident
August 12, 2024
"It's almost like we're playing a game. A game with no rules or boundaries. It's thrilling and panic-inducing.....Who will make the next move. And what will it be."
✨Addictive & Twisty✨
Dr. Meredith McCall is a popular psychologist whose practice is flourishing until a terrible accident with her hockey-player husband leaves her with a life that she is barely holding onto by a thread...and it is quickly Unraveling.
We follow Merdith as she tries to cope with the loss of her husband and the guilt she carries. Two years later she catches a glimpse of a man who was also tragically affected by the same event as her. As a phycologist with a new found obsession of "needing to know" she starts on a destructive path of following him needing to know if he is happy or if it is a facade. After a year suspension from her practice it is finally time for her to get back to work and take on new patients. Everything seems to be going great until the most unexpected patient walks through her door...the same man that she has been following. Now she wonders if he knows who she is and if she was following him or if he was following her?
The plot concept was intriguing and addictive and the writing was fast-paced. I honestly read this in one sitting and could not put it down. The author does an amazing job and drawing the audience in. There was so much tension and build up that it had you holding on to every page with an intense feeling of angst. The characters are dark, twisted, and even a little unhinged. I did find that some of the storyline was predictable but the author did throw in a twist or two that I was not expecting. Overall, I felt this was a good debut thriller for Keeland and I enjoyed reading it.
"Regret is like an anchor that wraps around the heart and weighs it down, keeping it from sailing free.
"How could I possibly say no to helping the man I had a hand in destroying."
"Thats when it hits me that I'm a little afraid. Of myself. And what I'm capable of."
✨TBR JAR PROMPT::Book Published this Year✨
Okay I think it's time to throw a thriller/suspense in the mix so I don't fall into a reading slump! I have heard amazing things about this one so I am excited!❤️
October 16, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria, and Vi Keeland for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Now available as of 7.9!**
In writing, much like in life, just because you CAN?
Doesn't mean you SHOULD.
Vi Keeland's first journey from the world of romance writing into the somewhat over saturated thriller genre unfortunately served to remind me of this adage over and over...and OVER again.
Meredith McCall is in desperate need of a Mc(Wakeup) Call. Years ago, she was living the dream with her hunky hockey playing beau, Connor, when a horrifying injury took him out of the game, and led him down a dangerous road...quite literally. When he ends up at the helm of a dangerous accident, his erratic behavior affects more than his wife...and the lives of another family are forever changed. Meredith can't quite let the devastation go and her guilty and curious conscience leads her to a familiar place, looking for a familiar person: Gabriel Wright. He's the one who has truly been destroyed by Connor's behavior and Meredith can't help but wonder what he's up to...so one day she decides to go to a place he will be and to follow him...you know, just for a WHILE.
But when Meredith's compulsion becomes a bit of a habit, she finds herself unable to get enough...and her behavior starts to resemble obsession. And as she attempts to dive back into her psychiatry practice, imagine her surprise when a very familiar face shows up at her door wanting therapy: none other than Gabriel himself. Meredith panics, thinking Gabriel HAS to know everything and that's why he's here...but why does he have to be SO attractive? Could she be imagining it...or is there CHEMISTRY between them? What exactly is Gabriel's agenda anyway...and does he KNOW who she is? Can she really turn down an opportunity to treat him and assuage her guilty conscience AND feed into her unbridled curiosity? Or is there a more intricate web of deception being spun...and a ploy for revenge that could turn her 'harmless' crush into a permanent nightmare?
First off, hearing such rave early reviews for this book MAY have set the bar unreasonably high for me. Although I was a bit wary going in, I couldn't help but be thrilled to read a stalker narrative which promised twists and turns AND a bit of spicy romance, and I was hoping this would go the way of say, an A.R. Torre tale.
Instead, this book, which promises to be 'chilling, exciting, and addictive' is a narrative tinged with the promise of exciting 'obsession' that ends up falling into the same well-worn patterns of many before it...but with cringe-worthy dialogue, a messy narrator, and too much needless spice to meet ANY of the aforementioned criteria.
Meredith is supposed to be QUITE the stalker, at least according to the premise...but to be honest, she seemed more like someone who just was looking for a roll in the hay with someone attractive...and Gabriel just sort of became that 'lucky' guy. Keeland tries to make her seem obsessive, but I felt like Meredith spent plenty of time doing other things, and was pretty harmless overall anyway. There are mentions made of Joe Goldberg and YOU, but again, I feel like this was just to push the narrative that she was a stalker rather than SHOWING her doing anything I'd deem dangerous. Granted, nobody should follow someone around in general, but when I read a thriller who wants to paint itself in this light, there's a certain LEVEL of creepiness needed in the narration to truly make that pop, and I felt that element was missing here.
What we got instead was PLENTY of stereotypical booze-fueled behavior, and a long drawn out plot to boot. (Yawn.) I think Meredith spent more time bopping over to the liquor store than she EVER spent hunting down Gabriel....especially because eventually, he ends up coming RIGHT TO HER for sessions. (Convenient much?) For someone who casts a side-eye at others' addictive behavior, Meredith could take a bit of her own advice. The number of times she rattled on about how it was her FOURTH glass, or the ever popular 'Might as well finish the bottle!" made me feel a lot better about an occasional second glass, I'll tell you that much! The only time I DON'T mind this device in thrillers is it rings of realism, or if the alcohol/drugs aren't a defining characteristic...but in this one, they took up FAR too much time...so for those who despise it, be warned. (Not to mention why on EARTH anyone thought Meredith was in a place to be practicing therapy again...but that's an entirely different tangent!)
And then there's Gabriel, the object of Meredith's 'obsession'. It's sad to say this, but Keeland leaned HEAVILY on her habits from romance writing when it came to this pair and their lusty interactions, and after a while, I just grew tired of it. At times it almost seemed like we were supposed to root for them as a couple (!?) which in a thriller like this one, just seemed WEIRD. I wanted more tension, more adversity, more blurring of the lines between patient and therapist...NOT for them to wax poetic about how much one character wanted to bend the other over a desk. 😳 I'm fine with a romance with a bit of suspense in it, but this was not even that...the tone was all over the place at times and I just couldn't figure out what I was supposed to be thinking OR feeling at any given moment.
But the number one issue that kept me from enjoying this one, however, was the dialogue. It was that sort of dialogue that makes you stop, pause, roll your eyes a bit, make faces, and most importantly, makes you think "NOBODY actually talks this way." If we can put aside all of the back and forth between Gabriel and Meredith throughout, Meredith's interactions with her OTHER patients (as well as her own therapist!) felt just ridiculous. I'm not sure if Keeland had anyone in the profession read this after the fact, but I'm pretty sure if therapists talked this way regularly they wouldn't have any patients. (And I didn't have any PATIENCE for it! 😄) I'll give you just one example along the way where Meredith is listening to Rebecca (I mean, sort of):
"Him? You mean Steve? The man you just broke up with?" I'm getting lost in all of these unnamed men.
Rebecca rolls her eyes. "Who else would it be?"
Honestly, Rebecca...tell me you and your therapist don't actually CARE about your therapy without actually telling me. Completely brutal.
When the twists were revealed, I didn't find them that exciting (and one in particular was very predictable) so it felt even more like I was perhaps supposed to be waiting for a big romantic reveal rather than a terrifying one. (Aside from the last chapter, which was BETTER...if the whole book had utilized this format along the way, I have no doubt it could have been more intriguing!) This book's one redeeming quality is that is fairly readable (or at least, it doesn't get TOO bogged down in detail) so I was able to end my 'visit' to Meredith's office eventually. If I can stumble through a book like this in a few days, I can only imagine how I would have felt if I was TRULY invested in Meredith's stalking aspirations. (If that's an okay thing to say...maybe *I* need some therapy to recover from this crew!)
...And the only thing truly 'unraveled' by the time I finished this one was the ball of yarn better known as my sanity. 🧶
3 stars, rounded up from 2.5
In writing, much like in life, just because you CAN?
Doesn't mean you SHOULD.
Vi Keeland's first journey from the world of romance writing into the somewhat over saturated thriller genre unfortunately served to remind me of this adage over and over...and OVER again.
Meredith McCall is in desperate need of a Mc(Wakeup) Call. Years ago, she was living the dream with her hunky hockey playing beau, Connor, when a horrifying injury took him out of the game, and led him down a dangerous road...quite literally. When he ends up at the helm of a dangerous accident, his erratic behavior affects more than his wife...and the lives of another family are forever changed. Meredith can't quite let the devastation go and her guilty and curious conscience leads her to a familiar place, looking for a familiar person: Gabriel Wright. He's the one who has truly been destroyed by Connor's behavior and Meredith can't help but wonder what he's up to...so one day she decides to go to a place he will be and to follow him...you know, just for a WHILE.
But when Meredith's compulsion becomes a bit of a habit, she finds herself unable to get enough...and her behavior starts to resemble obsession. And as she attempts to dive back into her psychiatry practice, imagine her surprise when a very familiar face shows up at her door wanting therapy: none other than Gabriel himself. Meredith panics, thinking Gabriel HAS to know everything and that's why he's here...but why does he have to be SO attractive? Could she be imagining it...or is there CHEMISTRY between them? What exactly is Gabriel's agenda anyway...and does he KNOW who she is? Can she really turn down an opportunity to treat him and assuage her guilty conscience AND feed into her unbridled curiosity? Or is there a more intricate web of deception being spun...and a ploy for revenge that could turn her 'harmless' crush into a permanent nightmare?
First off, hearing such rave early reviews for this book MAY have set the bar unreasonably high for me. Although I was a bit wary going in, I couldn't help but be thrilled to read a stalker narrative which promised twists and turns AND a bit of spicy romance, and I was hoping this would go the way of say, an A.R. Torre tale.
Instead, this book, which promises to be 'chilling, exciting, and addictive' is a narrative tinged with the promise of exciting 'obsession' that ends up falling into the same well-worn patterns of many before it...but with cringe-worthy dialogue, a messy narrator, and too much needless spice to meet ANY of the aforementioned criteria.
Meredith is supposed to be QUITE the stalker, at least according to the premise...but to be honest, she seemed more like someone who just was looking for a roll in the hay with someone attractive...and Gabriel just sort of became that 'lucky' guy. Keeland tries to make her seem obsessive, but I felt like Meredith spent plenty of time doing other things, and was pretty harmless overall anyway. There are mentions made of Joe Goldberg and YOU, but again, I feel like this was just to push the narrative that she was a stalker rather than SHOWING her doing anything I'd deem dangerous. Granted, nobody should follow someone around in general, but when I read a thriller who wants to paint itself in this light, there's a certain LEVEL of creepiness needed in the narration to truly make that pop, and I felt that element was missing here.
What we got instead was PLENTY of stereotypical booze-fueled behavior, and a long drawn out plot to boot. (Yawn.) I think Meredith spent more time bopping over to the liquor store than she EVER spent hunting down Gabriel....especially because eventually, he ends up coming RIGHT TO HER for sessions. (Convenient much?) For someone who casts a side-eye at others' addictive behavior, Meredith could take a bit of her own advice. The number of times she rattled on about how it was her FOURTH glass, or the ever popular 'Might as well finish the bottle!" made me feel a lot better about an occasional second glass, I'll tell you that much! The only time I DON'T mind this device in thrillers is it rings of realism, or if the alcohol/drugs aren't a defining characteristic...but in this one, they took up FAR too much time...so for those who despise it, be warned. (Not to mention why on EARTH anyone thought Meredith was in a place to be practicing therapy again...but that's an entirely different tangent!)
And then there's Gabriel, the object of Meredith's 'obsession'. It's sad to say this, but Keeland leaned HEAVILY on her habits from romance writing when it came to this pair and their lusty interactions, and after a while, I just grew tired of it. At times it almost seemed like we were supposed to root for them as a couple (!?) which in a thriller like this one, just seemed WEIRD. I wanted more tension, more adversity, more blurring of the lines between patient and therapist...NOT for them to wax poetic about how much one character wanted to bend the other over a desk. 😳 I'm fine with a romance with a bit of suspense in it, but this was not even that...the tone was all over the place at times and I just couldn't figure out what I was supposed to be thinking OR feeling at any given moment.
But the number one issue that kept me from enjoying this one, however, was the dialogue. It was that sort of dialogue that makes you stop, pause, roll your eyes a bit, make faces, and most importantly, makes you think "NOBODY actually talks this way." If we can put aside all of the back and forth between Gabriel and Meredith throughout, Meredith's interactions with her OTHER patients (as well as her own therapist!) felt just ridiculous. I'm not sure if Keeland had anyone in the profession read this after the fact, but I'm pretty sure if therapists talked this way regularly they wouldn't have any patients. (And I didn't have any PATIENCE for it! 😄) I'll give you just one example along the way where Meredith is listening to Rebecca (I mean, sort of):
"Him? You mean Steve? The man you just broke up with?" I'm getting lost in all of these unnamed men.
Rebecca rolls her eyes. "Who else would it be?"
Honestly, Rebecca...tell me you and your therapist don't actually CARE about your therapy without actually telling me. Completely brutal.
When the twists were revealed, I didn't find them that exciting (and one in particular was very predictable) so it felt even more like I was perhaps supposed to be waiting for a big romantic reveal rather than a terrifying one. (Aside from the last chapter, which was BETTER...if the whole book had utilized this format along the way, I have no doubt it could have been more intriguing!) This book's one redeeming quality is that is fairly readable (or at least, it doesn't get TOO bogged down in detail) so I was able to end my 'visit' to Meredith's office eventually. If I can stumble through a book like this in a few days, I can only imagine how I would have felt if I was TRULY invested in Meredith's stalking aspirations. (If that's an okay thing to say...maybe *I* need some therapy to recover from this crew!)
...And the only thing truly 'unraveled' by the time I finished this one was the ball of yarn better known as my sanity. 🧶
3 stars, rounded up from 2.5
November 20, 2024
I’m thinking for a debut thriller this was good - not great though. Maybe my expectations were set a little too high.
3.25 Stars
We follow Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist who is dealing with the aftermath of a horrific tragedy and in the midst of her grief she stumbles upon the one person who would understand, Gabriel Wright. But while Meredith is drowning, Gabriel seems to be thriving and Meredith is compelled to follow him to understand how it could be possible. So when Gabriel walks into her practice as a patient, well, let’s say things start to get a little ethically gray…
This started off with a bang and I honestly thought I would love it because it hooked me right from the very first page. However, somewhere along the way it began to drag and while I still enjoyed the story, I wasn’t as captivated by it as I was in the beginning. I think what I love about thrillers is that feeling when my breath catches and I worry about what’s going to happen next. Except, the plot here felt really predictable. I didn’t get those anxious butterflies and I didn’t feel the ‘danger’. I’m a little disappointed.
Also, I think I understand the ending and it didn’t really catch me off guard? Idk, maybe I’m missing something (if anyone would like to enlighten me lol), but I don’t feel like it was all that shocking. Kinda expected it. *shrug*
Mer was an interesting MC and I did enjoy following her (for the most part). She was a little annoying though with how naive she was. I mean, she’s a doctor for crying out loud. I expected her to be at least a smidge more analytical or thoughtful rather than what we got. She’s just so willing to let life happen to her - she’s a pushover and constantly second guesses herself. Which I suppose is some of the psychological play in this psychological thriller, but ehh. Otherwise, I thought she was kind of relatable - not the stalking part, but how she handles the rest of her grief and social interactions. She’s kind and compassionate, just a little misguided at times lol.
Overall, I really liked the author’s writing so I’ll definitely try something else by her in the future, and I would recommend this because I did have fun with it, but it just didn’t blow me away.
.・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・.
Pre-read.
Woke up today and felt like I needed something thrilling to spice up my boring work day. A psychiatrist stalking one of her patients with a hint of romance? Color me intrigued. 👀
3.25 Stars
We follow Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist who is dealing with the aftermath of a horrific tragedy and in the midst of her grief she stumbles upon the one person who would understand, Gabriel Wright. But while Meredith is drowning, Gabriel seems to be thriving and Meredith is compelled to follow him to understand how it could be possible. So when Gabriel walks into her practice as a patient, well, let’s say things start to get a little ethically gray…
This started off with a bang and I honestly thought I would love it because it hooked me right from the very first page. However, somewhere along the way it began to drag and while I still enjoyed the story, I wasn’t as captivated by it as I was in the beginning. I think what I love about thrillers is that feeling when my breath catches and I worry about what’s going to happen next. Except, the plot here felt really predictable. I didn’t get those anxious butterflies and I didn’t feel the ‘danger’. I’m a little disappointed.
Also, I think I understand the ending and it didn’t really catch me off guard? Idk, maybe I’m missing something (if anyone would like to enlighten me lol), but I don’t feel like it was all that shocking. Kinda expected it. *shrug*
Mer was an interesting MC and I did enjoy following her (for the most part). She was a little annoying though with how naive she was. I mean, she’s a doctor for crying out loud. I expected her to be at least a smidge more analytical or thoughtful rather than what we got. She’s just so willing to let life happen to her - she’s a pushover and constantly second guesses herself. Which I suppose is some of the psychological play in this psychological thriller, but ehh. Otherwise, I thought she was kind of relatable - not the stalking part, but how she handles the rest of her grief and social interactions. She’s kind and compassionate, just a little misguided at times lol.
Overall, I really liked the author’s writing so I’ll definitely try something else by her in the future, and I would recommend this because I did have fun with it, but it just didn’t blow me away.
.・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・.
Pre-read.
Woke up today and felt like I needed something thrilling to spice up my boring work day. A psychiatrist stalking one of her patients with a hint of romance? Color me intrigued. 👀
July 29, 2024
4.4⭐️ oh this was DELICIOUS
It was intense, it was hot, naughty, forbidden and mysterious. 🥵🤯
This story is a psychological thriller which mixes in some dark(ish) romance… it’s kind of like a play on the tv show You but from the perspective of an obsessed woman, Dr Meredith McCall.
The story starts off with Meredith struggling through life 2 years after a tragic incident that takes life of her husband, as well as two other innocents. Meredith is preparing her return to practice following a suspension, but she does not seem all that healed and ready - The story is told in first person from her POV, and majority of the time she speaks to us, the reader, as if we were her dead husband…
One day, whilst Meredith is roaming the streets of Manhattan with no real destination, she happens to stumble across Gabriel Wright, a man whose life was also impacted by that same tragic event 2 years ago.
Now, Meredith is a trained therapist with her own practice and years of experience under her belt. So you’d like to think she has some ability to identify toxic feelings within herself and manage her reactions…right?…right??? WRONG . Dr Meredith McCall stalks Gabriel. As in, full on stalking. (I’m talking waiting outside his house with a notebook whilst she writes down his schedule type of stalking.)
Without giving too much away, Meredith and Gabriel’s lives become intertwined with several ‘coincidences’ drawing them together. There’s a lot of back and forth between the two. You know they are both lying to each other, but we don’t get Gabriel’s POV to know exactly what he’s lying about until it starts to get revealed to us towards the end.
The reason I loved this book? The ANGST !!! Like there’s such tension and build up. Also I think it was written well - you literally feel Meredith unravel towards the end.
There’s two twists in this story - one I kind of suspected but the other I didn’t see coming at all.
Recommending this read 👌🏾
—————-
They say this is a delicious web of grief, sex and obsession …. Will I unravel the book or will the book unravel me?
It was intense, it was hot, naughty, forbidden and mysterious. 🥵🤯
This story is a psychological thriller which mixes in some dark(ish) romance… it’s kind of like a play on the tv show You but from the perspective of an obsessed woman, Dr Meredith McCall.
The story starts off with Meredith struggling through life 2 years after a tragic incident that takes life of her husband, as well as two other innocents. Meredith is preparing her return to practice following a suspension, but she does not seem all that healed and ready - The story is told in first person from her POV, and majority of the time she speaks to us, the reader, as if we were her dead husband…
One day, whilst Meredith is roaming the streets of Manhattan with no real destination, she happens to stumble across Gabriel Wright, a man whose life was also impacted by that same tragic event 2 years ago.
Now, Meredith is a trained therapist with her own practice and years of experience under her belt. So you’d like to think she has some ability to identify toxic feelings within herself and manage her reactions…right?…right??? WRONG . Dr Meredith McCall stalks Gabriel. As in, full on stalking. (I’m talking waiting outside his house with a notebook whilst she writes down his schedule type of stalking.)
Without giving too much away, Meredith and Gabriel’s lives become intertwined with several ‘coincidences’ drawing them together. There’s a lot of back and forth between the two. You know they are both lying to each other, but we don’t get Gabriel’s POV to know exactly what he’s lying about until it starts to get revealed to us towards the end.
The reason I loved this book? The ANGST !!! Like there’s such tension and build up. Also I think it was written well - you literally feel Meredith unravel towards the end.
There’s two twists in this story - one I kind of suspected but the other I didn’t see coming at all.
Recommending this read 👌🏾
—————-
They say this is a delicious web of grief, sex and obsession …. Will I unravel the book or will the book unravel me?
August 13, 2025
The Unravelling by Vi Keeling is a spicey thriller that didn’t do much for me at all the prose was unrealistic & why in the hell would you have sex with a guy only 6 months after losing your husband… it didn’t sit well with me for my feelings about this novel were unsatisfactory a Psychiatrist living in New York having her own problems in life Connor Meredith’s husband died in a car crash, she walks the city staring & watching everything they do … a stalker trope went wrong 😑 I tried but am on outlier Island 🏝️ again took ages to get going BLAH
July 3, 2024
'Is it normal to think about someone all the time'?
Something terribly tragic has happened in Meredith's past. Not only is she no longer with her husband, her psychiatrist license has been suspended, and, to be honest, the amount of guilt that shrouds her everyday life makes it difficult to see any real future. One day, she spots a man who should be suffering even more than her, because of her, she can't shake the feeling that somehow he's moved on. How has he moved on? She begins to follow him - or so it would seem. But nothing is what it seems, just who is really pulling the strings for this performance.
I can see why this is called 'The Unraveling'! Slowly but surely everyone’s sanity has got to be questioned. Like a lot of thrillers, it takes a while to set the scene but soon enough you'll be making more turns than if you were lost in a maze. Vi Keeland previously made herself known writing steamy romances so be prepared for a bit of sizzle here too.
'And that's when it hits me that I'm a little afraid. Of myself. And what I'm capable of'.
Something terribly tragic has happened in Meredith's past. Not only is she no longer with her husband, her psychiatrist license has been suspended, and, to be honest, the amount of guilt that shrouds her everyday life makes it difficult to see any real future. One day, she spots a man who should be suffering even more than her, because of her, she can't shake the feeling that somehow he's moved on. How has he moved on? She begins to follow him - or so it would seem. But nothing is what it seems, just who is really pulling the strings for this performance.
I can see why this is called 'The Unraveling'! Slowly but surely everyone’s sanity has got to be questioned. Like a lot of thrillers, it takes a while to set the scene but soon enough you'll be making more turns than if you were lost in a maze. Vi Keeland previously made herself known writing steamy romances so be prepared for a bit of sizzle here too.
'And that's when it hits me that I'm a little afraid. Of myself. And what I'm capable of'.
March 3, 2024
Whoa! What an explosive ride this was! You know where the MC just turns into a complete train wreck and every-single-freaking-decision they make is just disastrous. Yep, that one. I have to be completely honest here and admit this was quite the guilty pleasure. Yes, I admit I enjoyed a popcorn thriller. Sue me. 😳
Meredith McCall is our disaster of a MC. A psychiatrist who starts out strong and then just begins to plummet. Her life is a mess after a terrifying accident occurs. She feels compelled to follow one of the victims. ** Stalking is never a good idea **
One day, the man she’s been following, Gabriel, walks into her practice, only now he has become a patient. She begins to walk a tight line between what’s morally right to everything that is morally wrong. We got a psychiatrist who needs a psychiatrist and is even secretly looking for advice from another patient, who is just as bonkers, y’all.
Here’s the deal, decisions Meredith makes reminded me of my 20’s 🤣. Lord knows I made plenty of mistakes, especially when it came to men. She just takes it to a forbidden level. Throughout the story I wanted to yell Nooooooo! DO NOT DO THAT! My friends and family probably did the same thing. 😳
What was the accident really about and to whom? Why does Meredith feel compelled to follow Gabriel in the first place? Does Gabriel really know who she is and how they are connected?
These are things you will have to find out! Could not put this down. Definitely a popcorn thriller. Oh, and a little smut tied in too. If you enjoy both of those, check this one out!
I’d like to thank Atria Books, NetGalley and Vi Keeland for the opportunity. All opinions are my own. Release date July 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ raised to 4
Meredith McCall is our disaster of a MC. A psychiatrist who starts out strong and then just begins to plummet. Her life is a mess after a terrifying accident occurs. She feels compelled to follow one of the victims. ** Stalking is never a good idea **
One day, the man she’s been following, Gabriel, walks into her practice, only now he has become a patient. She begins to walk a tight line between what’s morally right to everything that is morally wrong. We got a psychiatrist who needs a psychiatrist and is even secretly looking for advice from another patient, who is just as bonkers, y’all.
Here’s the deal, decisions Meredith makes reminded me of my 20’s 🤣. Lord knows I made plenty of mistakes, especially when it came to men. She just takes it to a forbidden level. Throughout the story I wanted to yell Nooooooo! DO NOT DO THAT! My friends and family probably did the same thing. 😳
What was the accident really about and to whom? Why does Meredith feel compelled to follow Gabriel in the first place? Does Gabriel really know who she is and how they are connected?
These are things you will have to find out! Could not put this down. Definitely a popcorn thriller. Oh, and a little smut tied in too. If you enjoy both of those, check this one out!
I’d like to thank Atria Books, NetGalley and Vi Keeland for the opportunity. All opinions are my own. Release date July 9, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ raised to 4
May 5, 2024
Dark. Suspenseful. Twisty...& twisted!!
A broken marriage (or two), a terrible accident, secrets and lies.
A chaotic chain of events lead us to a very calculated game of cat and mouse. But just exactly who is the cat, who is the mouse, and what is their ultimate end game? I was left guessing until the very last word.
The Unraveling is my first Vi Keeland book & I must say I'd definitely read more of her work in the future. I loved the fast pace, the writing, and the unpredictability of not knowing what was going to happen next. Dual timelines & subplots kept it from getting repetitive or stale. This story begs the question, just how far is too far? Stalking, obsessions, and destroying anything, or anyone, who gets in your way. It felt very fitting that Caroline Kepnes's book 'You' was referenced within the pages of The Unraveling. I was really hoping for a last minute twist and was not disappointed. An unputdownable 4 stars.
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
A broken marriage (or two), a terrible accident, secrets and lies.
A chaotic chain of events lead us to a very calculated game of cat and mouse. But just exactly who is the cat, who is the mouse, and what is their ultimate end game? I was left guessing until the very last word.
The Unraveling is my first Vi Keeland book & I must say I'd definitely read more of her work in the future. I loved the fast pace, the writing, and the unpredictability of not knowing what was going to happen next. Dual timelines & subplots kept it from getting repetitive or stale. This story begs the question, just how far is too far? Stalking, obsessions, and destroying anything, or anyone, who gets in your way. It felt very fitting that Caroline Kepnes's book 'You' was referenced within the pages of The Unraveling. I was really hoping for a last minute twist and was not disappointed. An unputdownable 4 stars.
Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2024
The book blurb desribes this as a "chilling, sizzling, and addictive thriller" which "follows a New York psychiatrist’s dark descent into dangerous obsession". And that's all I'm going to say. I recommend going into this without too much preconception.
Oh.My.God.! I've read some really good books lately but it's been a while since I came across one that grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and wouldn't let me go. I could've stayed up all night reading it but forced myself to read some of another book to get calmed down. I was on tenterhooks trying to figure out where the story was going and whether I was misinterpreting parts of it. Now this book isn't perfect by any stretch but I was totally immersed and entertained. The main characters are unlikeable and there are a couple of really steamy scenes that I could've done without but the suspense made up for it. As other reviewers have mentioned, Meredith (the psychiatrist) tends to overindulge in the wine and I found myself thirsting for a glass or two! I waffled between 4 and 5 stars but decided it deserved 5 stars from me.
My thanks to Atria Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel and my apologies for missing the publication date. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 9, 2024
PS. Don't despair! This book is available free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription (in Canada anyway!).
Oh.My.God.! I've read some really good books lately but it's been a while since I came across one that grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and wouldn't let me go. I could've stayed up all night reading it but forced myself to read some of another book to get calmed down. I was on tenterhooks trying to figure out where the story was going and whether I was misinterpreting parts of it. Now this book isn't perfect by any stretch but I was totally immersed and entertained. The main characters are unlikeable and there are a couple of really steamy scenes that I could've done without but the suspense made up for it. As other reviewers have mentioned, Meredith (the psychiatrist) tends to overindulge in the wine and I found myself thirsting for a glass or two! I waffled between 4 and 5 stars but decided it deserved 5 stars from me.
My thanks to Atria Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel and my apologies for missing the publication date. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: July 9, 2024
PS. Don't despair! This book is available free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription (in Canada anyway!).
April 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - good
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Meredith McCall endures the death of her husband, but more than that, she endures the fact that he killed 2 other people. One day she sees Gabriel Wright - the man whose life her husband destroyed, except he seems happy, which confounds her in her grief, so she follows him. Before she knows it she’s neck-deep in a game she had no intent to play but now must see it through to the very end…
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: If you read my reviews you know there is one thing I hate - inexorably stupid females. Our protagonist runs in this vein so I have to temper my review with my acknowledgment of this pet peeve clouding my opinion. All things considered I enjoyed the book, despite my strong eye rolls.
There are minor spoilers here but it’s hard to fully enjoy the novel when I don’t like or respect the protagonist. I love the premise of the book - and thought “stalking” Gabriel at the beginning was strangely reasonable, and in a weird way - sweet and sad, but when Meredith starts behaving like a DUMB woman, I’m out. Completely unethical -one of the worst psychiatrists in history. More than that, reading her narrative, she sounds like she has the mental maturity of a teen (at best) I’m rolling my eyes at decisions that don’t seem realistic - how can she make poor decisions not thinking about money? A job? Headlines? Basics? She doesn’t care and I find that implausible… or perhaps inexcusable.
The redemption is that it’s a captivating story and the pacing is swift and sharp. I read the book quickly and found some lovely, well-placed twists to be intensely enjoyable. There is an undeniable guilty-pleasure (and a little smut) aspect to the book that elevated it to 3 instead of 2 stars for me, but it’s a thin line putting this book as “good” for me.
Bottom line: The book is trying too hard to be like The Silent Patient. But it was too obvious.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery, Psych Thriller, Some smut (lol not a bad thing)
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you can suspend disbelief, like a face-paced mystery, those who like some smut
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: those like me who eschew weak, dumb female protagonists.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for appreciating that I am ALWAYS telling my truth.
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Meredith McCall endures the death of her husband, but more than that, she endures the fact that he killed 2 other people. One day she sees Gabriel Wright - the man whose life her husband destroyed, except he seems happy, which confounds her in her grief, so she follows him. Before she knows it she’s neck-deep in a game she had no intent to play but now must see it through to the very end…
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: If you read my reviews you know there is one thing I hate - inexorably stupid females. Our protagonist runs in this vein so I have to temper my review with my acknowledgment of this pet peeve clouding my opinion. All things considered I enjoyed the book, despite my strong eye rolls.
There are minor spoilers here but it’s hard to fully enjoy the novel when I don’t like or respect the protagonist. I love the premise of the book - and thought “stalking” Gabriel at the beginning was strangely reasonable, and in a weird way - sweet and sad, but when Meredith starts behaving like a DUMB woman, I’m out. Completely unethical -one of the worst psychiatrists in history. More than that, reading her narrative, she sounds like she has the mental maturity of a teen (at best) I’m rolling my eyes at decisions that don’t seem realistic - how can she make poor decisions not thinking about money? A job? Headlines? Basics? She doesn’t care and I find that implausible… or perhaps inexcusable.
The redemption is that it’s a captivating story and the pacing is swift and sharp. I read the book quickly and found some lovely, well-placed twists to be intensely enjoyable. There is an undeniable guilty-pleasure (and a little smut) aspect to the book that elevated it to 3 instead of 2 stars for me, but it’s a thin line putting this book as “good” for me.
Bottom line: The book is trying too hard to be like The Silent Patient. But it was too obvious.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery, Psych Thriller, Some smut (lol not a bad thing)
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you can suspend disbelief, like a face-paced mystery, those who like some smut
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: those like me who eschew weak, dumb female protagonists.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for appreciating that I am ALWAYS telling my truth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2024
I was excited to jump into this after reading the synopsis. I was curious to see how the tragic event would link them or if maybe we’d get a deeper look into how grief and pain can affect one’s psyche, but what we got instead was a jumbled mix of alcohol-driven, ethics-breaking decisions from Meredith, who apparently has at least three distinct personalities throughout the book.
In the before, she is a happy, innocent, successful psychiatrist. In the first part of the “now”, she is broken, sorrowful, and aimless, and then with a flip of a switch, she becomes a deranged, obsessed, manipulative woman. Her before and after is so different, even in response to the tragedy, that it’s hard to understand or believe.
The problem is it feels like a romance author writing a suspense novel. There are times this reads more like a dark romance. It’s heavily concentrated on Meredith’s and Gabriel’s instant attraction and lust for each other. I felt this part of the story, and their sexual relationship was completely unnecessary.
While it’s true this is a story of obsession, it seemed to be about romantic and sexual obsession rather than what you’re led to believe from the first few chapters and the blurb. There were more than a few moments thrown in and forgotten, later to be used for a twist at the end. I wish they would have been explored more when they happened. A few times I also forgot what the plot of the story was.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
In the before, she is a happy, innocent, successful psychiatrist. In the first part of the “now”, she is broken, sorrowful, and aimless, and then with a flip of a switch, she becomes a deranged, obsessed, manipulative woman. Her before and after is so different, even in response to the tragedy, that it’s hard to understand or believe.
The problem is it feels like a romance author writing a suspense novel. There are times this reads more like a dark romance. It’s heavily concentrated on Meredith’s and Gabriel’s instant attraction and lust for each other. I felt this part of the story, and their sexual relationship was completely unnecessary.
While it’s true this is a story of obsession, it seemed to be about romantic and sexual obsession rather than what you’re led to believe from the first few chapters and the blurb. There were more than a few moments thrown in and forgotten, later to be used for a twist at the end. I wish they would have been explored more when they happened. A few times I also forgot what the plot of the story was.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
July 3, 2024
Thanks @Kaceey for this recommendation, I was not disappointed. Loved this!!
A Psychiatrist loses her husband to the throws of addiction. He ends up doing the unthinkable, which forces our protagonist into a tail spin of what if's. Then Gabriel; a new patient steps in and s*** hits the fan as she crosses lines that were set in place for a reason. Only Gabriel too may have his own agenda from the word GO! A twisting cat and mouse game that will keep you guessing who to trust and who's out for BLOOD!
Thank you ATRIA BOOKS for this advanced copy
THE UNRAVELING is out JULY 9th!!!!!!
A Psychiatrist loses her husband to the throws of addiction. He ends up doing the unthinkable, which forces our protagonist into a tail spin of what if's. Then Gabriel; a new patient steps in and s*** hits the fan as she crosses lines that were set in place for a reason. Only Gabriel too may have his own agenda from the word GO! A twisting cat and mouse game that will keep you guessing who to trust and who's out for BLOOD!
Thank you ATRIA BOOKS for this advanced copy
THE UNRAVELING is out JULY 9th!!!!!!
April 27, 2024
4 stars★
What an absolute page-turner! 🤯
In The Unravelling we meet Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist in the bustling city of New York. After a tragic event leaves her feeling alone and lost, she stumbles upon a man who is somehow connected to her past. Intrigued by his happiness despite her own turmoil, she starts following him, hoping to uncover his secret. But what begins as curiosity soon turns into an obsession for Meredith. She tries to break free from it, but fate has other plans. One day, the man, Gabriel Wright, shows up at her office as a patient, completely unaware of their connection and her previous actions. Meredith is fully aware that she shouldn't cross that line and treat him as a patient. But she's finding it impossible to resist the temptation, and that's when everything starts to unravel.
This book had me so captivated that I didn't even see the twist coming. If I had more free time, I'm sure I would've finished this book much sooner It was just so captivating that even when I wasn't reading, my mind was consumed with thoughts of the twists and how it would all unfold. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating every page turn. I couldn't resist the desire to uncover all the secrets of those intriguing and slightly unpredictable characters. The gradual reveal of the secrets was incredibly satisfying. It had a hold on me, and I just had to keep going until the very end! The ending of this left me craving for more. I'm dying to know if there's a possibility of a follow-up book. It would be so exciting to dive back into this world and see what happens next!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
What an absolute page-turner! 🤯
In The Unravelling we meet Meredith McCall, a psychiatrist in the bustling city of New York. After a tragic event leaves her feeling alone and lost, she stumbles upon a man who is somehow connected to her past. Intrigued by his happiness despite her own turmoil, she starts following him, hoping to uncover his secret. But what begins as curiosity soon turns into an obsession for Meredith. She tries to break free from it, but fate has other plans. One day, the man, Gabriel Wright, shows up at her office as a patient, completely unaware of their connection and her previous actions. Meredith is fully aware that she shouldn't cross that line and treat him as a patient. But she's finding it impossible to resist the temptation, and that's when everything starts to unravel.
This book had me so captivated that I didn't even see the twist coming. If I had more free time, I'm sure I would've finished this book much sooner It was just so captivating that even when I wasn't reading, my mind was consumed with thoughts of the twists and how it would all unfold. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating every page turn. I couldn't resist the desire to uncover all the secrets of those intriguing and slightly unpredictable characters. The gradual reveal of the secrets was incredibly satisfying. It had a hold on me, and I just had to keep going until the very end! The ending of this left me craving for more. I'm dying to know if there's a possibility of a follow-up book. It would be so exciting to dive back into this world and see what happens next!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
July 14, 2024
★ 4 stars
A psychological thriller, with a romantic twist, perfect for fans of the tv series, You
Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist, adjusting to her new life after tragedy when she crosses paths with a man she has an unusual history with. Her complicated feelings fuel an obsession that lead her to agree to treat him as a patient when he walks into her office. Her life takes a destructive turn as tragedy, desire and obsession make her unravel.
This was a gripping, fast paced thriller that can easily be devoured in one sitting. You won't want to put this one down as the twists kept coming. Vi Keeland is best known for her romance books, however, her debut thriller was one of the best thrillers I've read this year.
While the main character is flawed, she's not your typical clueless FMC you come to associate with thrillers. The story is told in dual timelines through Meredith's perspective. I wasn't surprised by the reveals around the 80% mark and thought I had it all figured out but this will keep you on your toes right until the very end. The ending will make you go back and reconsider everything you thought you knew.
If you love forbidden romance, suspense and morally grey characters, this one is for you!
Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
A psychological thriller, with a romantic twist, perfect for fans of the tv series, You
Meredith McCall is a psychiatrist, adjusting to her new life after tragedy when she crosses paths with a man she has an unusual history with. Her complicated feelings fuel an obsession that lead her to agree to treat him as a patient when he walks into her office. Her life takes a destructive turn as tragedy, desire and obsession make her unravel.
This was a gripping, fast paced thriller that can easily be devoured in one sitting. You won't want to put this one down as the twists kept coming. Vi Keeland is best known for her romance books, however, her debut thriller was one of the best thrillers I've read this year.
While the main character is flawed, she's not your typical clueless FMC you come to associate with thrillers. The story is told in dual timelines through Meredith's perspective. I wasn't surprised by the reveals around the 80% mark and thought I had it all figured out but this will keep you on your toes right until the very end. The ending will make you go back and reconsider everything you thought you knew.
If you love forbidden romance, suspense and morally grey characters, this one is for you!
Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2024
i want to start with the fact that this was my first thriller book so i dont necessarily have all the knowledge on what theyre supposed to be like but if they are all like this then SIGN ME UP FOR ALL THE OTHERS WOW
it has been over a week since i finished this book and i still cannot comprehend the ending. i havent had a book leave me staring into space speechless since the ending of CC2 and if you know you know. this was extremely fast paced and so enthralling?! i truly didnt know where the plot was going to go next. this was a ride i never wanted to get off of and if THIS was vi keelands debut into thrillers, i truly cannot wait to see what she does next.
HOPEFULLY its giving us answers on that ending or itll haunt me forever 😂
it has been over a week since i finished this book and i still cannot comprehend the ending. i havent had a book leave me staring into space speechless since the ending of CC2 and if you know you know. this was extremely fast paced and so enthralling?! i truly didnt know where the plot was going to go next. this was a ride i never wanted to get off of and if THIS was vi keelands debut into thrillers, i truly cannot wait to see what she does next.
HOPEFULLY its giving us answers on that ending or itll haunt me forever 😂
April 16, 2025
4.5⭐️ This book is completely unhinged but in the best way. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. Full stop.
I had no idea where this book would take me, but instead happily went along for the ride. My favorite element - the cat and mouse game executed to perfection.
🎧 The audiobook, more so than the physical book, brought these crazy characters to life for me and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Read this one with your ears, and keep the popcorn handy.
Read if you like:
• psychological thriller
• obsession
• forbidden love
• cat & mouse
Thank you Atria Books and Simon Audio for the gifted copies.
I had no idea where this book would take me, but instead happily went along for the ride. My favorite element - the cat and mouse game executed to perfection.
🎧 The audiobook, more so than the physical book, brought these crazy characters to life for me and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Read this one with your ears, and keep the popcorn handy.
Read if you like:
• psychological thriller
• obsession
• forbidden love
• cat & mouse
Thank you Atria Books and Simon Audio for the gifted copies.
July 2, 2025
Did you love Coleen Hoover’s Verity? Then you will be obsessed with Vi Keeland’s The Unraveling. She is a prolific romance author whose dark romantic thrillers will leave you breathless!
I recently read her newest thriller Someone Knows, and really enjoyed it, so I couldn’t wait to read her first attempt at a new genre.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Courtney Patterson and Aiden Snow. I highly recommend this format!
Once again, this book contains some spicy scenes and a very twisty plot. I thought I had it all figured out, but I was wrong! 👏
However, so much of this plot is completely unrealistic and had me shaking my head. The middle of the book also dragged on a bit too slowly for me.
If you are looking for a twisty psychological thriller, this book will hit the spot.
Trigger warning: Strong sexual content
4/5 stars
I recently read her newest thriller Someone Knows, and really enjoyed it, so I couldn’t wait to read her first attempt at a new genre.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Courtney Patterson and Aiden Snow. I highly recommend this format!
Once again, this book contains some spicy scenes and a very twisty plot. I thought I had it all figured out, but I was wrong! 👏
However, so much of this plot is completely unrealistic and had me shaking my head. The middle of the book also dragged on a bit too slowly for me.
If you are looking for a twisty psychological thriller, this book will hit the spot.
Trigger warning: Strong sexual content
4/5 stars
July 29, 2024
This book is getting some seriously rave reviews so I had to check it out but as I struggled to even want to read it I have to ask myself why anyone liked this book.
Super quick background: Conner, the FMC's husband, gets hurt playing hockey, gets super addicted to oxy super fast, turns into raging a*hole, steals FMC's prescription pads, writes own scripts, (like a ridiculous number in a very short time), gets drunk while on oxy, drives car, kills Gabriel's wife and daughter.
In the book we get a little bit of the before and mostly the "now" of our FMC's life. She is obviously distraught about what her husband did, but she is also insane. For a psychiatrist, she's extremely, extremely dumb. As in, completely unhinged. Spoilers ahead!
1- she blames herself for what her husband did (using her scrip pad), to the point that she doesn't stand up for herself or her reputation and let's the medical board and groups around town bash her reputation.
2- she stalks the husband, Gabriel, of the wife and child her husband killed because she sees him smiling one day??? how can he be happy? she must know, so she follows him.
3- she thinks that because she never changed her last name, Gabriel doesn't know who she is, EVEN WHEN HE SHOWS UP AT HER OFFICE FOR THERAPY
4- at this point, I was so sick of the ridiculous repetitive nature of the book that I had to start skimming to the parts where something new actually happened, which was not often, but we do introduce a few more points worth mentioning
5- graphic, violent sex with Gabriel in her office during a therapy session
6- comparing herself to a patient who she knows should be committed for obsessive behavior, stalking, possibly bipolar, and yet, liking the comparisons? especially in the violent sex? and getting constantly distracted comparing herself to her patients while also supposedly "helping" her patients?
7 - she is SHOCKED to learn Gabriel knew who she was the entire time? you can't be this dumb and be a therapist I just don't believe it
8- people keep talking about how great the last couple twists where but honestly if Gabriel hadn't also been stalking her nothing else would have worked to end this book. it was just thinly veiled insanity, and the only good thing that came out in the end was that she stopped being a therapist.
Also, this book is labeled as a thriller but there wasn't really anything thrilling to me about being stuck in this psycho's brain. She spends half the book just walking around, looking for the graves of "her victims."
This book was absolutely not for me, but I do appreciate the ARC.
Super quick background: Conner, the FMC's husband, gets hurt playing hockey, gets super addicted to oxy super fast, turns into raging a*hole, steals FMC's prescription pads, writes own scripts, (like a ridiculous number in a very short time), gets drunk while on oxy, drives car, kills Gabriel's wife and daughter.
In the book we get a little bit of the before and mostly the "now" of our FMC's life. She is obviously distraught about what her husband did, but she is also insane. For a psychiatrist, she's extremely, extremely dumb. As in, completely unhinged. Spoilers ahead!
1- she blames herself for what her husband did (using her scrip pad), to the point that she doesn't stand up for herself or her reputation and let's the medical board and groups around town bash her reputation.
2- she stalks the husband, Gabriel, of the wife and child her husband killed because she sees him smiling one day??? how can he be happy? she must know, so she follows him.
3- she thinks that because she never changed her last name, Gabriel doesn't know who she is, EVEN WHEN HE SHOWS UP AT HER OFFICE FOR THERAPY
4- at this point, I was so sick of the ridiculous repetitive nature of the book that I had to start skimming to the parts where something new actually happened, which was not often, but we do introduce a few more points worth mentioning
5- graphic, violent sex with Gabriel in her office during a therapy session
6- comparing herself to a patient who she knows should be committed for obsessive behavior, stalking, possibly bipolar, and yet, liking the comparisons? especially in the violent sex? and getting constantly distracted comparing herself to her patients while also supposedly "helping" her patients?
7 - she is SHOCKED to learn Gabriel knew who she was the entire time? you can't be this dumb and be a therapist I just don't believe it
8- people keep talking about how great the last couple twists where but honestly if Gabriel hadn't also been stalking her nothing else would have worked to end this book. it was just thinly veiled insanity, and the only good thing that came out in the end was that she stopped being a therapist.
Also, this book is labeled as a thriller but there wasn't really anything thrilling to me about being stuck in this psycho's brain. She spends half the book just walking around, looking for the graves of "her victims."
This book was absolutely not for me, but I do appreciate the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2024
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland is a psychological thriller novel. The story in The Unraveling is one that does switch from the present timeline to the past with more of the story coming in the present as the book goes on. One thing I would also mention is the author is known for romance with this being her first thriller and there is some erotic content that sort of crosses over to a dark romance feel in a few parts.
Meredith McCall was once a very successful psychiatrist in New York City where she was married to a pro-hockey player, Connor. When Connor was injured their marriage got rocky and one night the police are at the door instead of Connor, you see he was involved in an accident and died on the scene.
After that night Meredith’s life unraveled as she dealt with the aftermath of what happened which spiraled into losing her practice for a year. Now that Meredith is back on the job though she finds herself unable to say no to taking on a new patient who has ties to her past regardless of it breaking every rule.
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland for me kind of felt like one of those books that in order to enjoy it you should probably suspend some disbelief as the story goes on. After questioning the main character I just went with the flow and did find the pages turning faster as the twists and turns began to come along and I did find them entertaining and addictive which I enjoy in a psychological thriller. Overall I’d give this one three and a half stars and would give the author another try in this genre.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Meredith McCall was once a very successful psychiatrist in New York City where she was married to a pro-hockey player, Connor. When Connor was injured their marriage got rocky and one night the police are at the door instead of Connor, you see he was involved in an accident and died on the scene.
After that night Meredith’s life unraveled as she dealt with the aftermath of what happened which spiraled into losing her practice for a year. Now that Meredith is back on the job though she finds herself unable to say no to taking on a new patient who has ties to her past regardless of it breaking every rule.
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland for me kind of felt like one of those books that in order to enjoy it you should probably suspend some disbelief as the story goes on. After questioning the main character I just went with the flow and did find the pages turning faster as the twists and turns began to come along and I did find them entertaining and addictive which I enjoy in a psychological thriller. Overall I’d give this one three and a half stars and would give the author another try in this genre.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
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