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Cruelty Free: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26“Deliciously vicious and unsettlingly hilarious, Cruelty Free is a nasty, thrilling Hollywood take-down for the ages.” —JENNIFER THORNE, author of Diavola
A disgraced movie star returns to Hollywood 10 years after the kidnapping of her young daughter intent on seeking revenge, for fans of Monika Kim and Rachel Yoder.
NOTHING FEELS BETTER THAN REVENGE.
Ten years ago, Lila Devlin was an A-list actress with a movie star husband and a beautiful baby girl, Josie. When Josie was kidnapped out of her home and never seen again, Lila’s previously pristine public image twisted into that of an Unfit Mother. Driven mad by the hungry press, incompetent cops, and relentless true crime–obsessed “fans,” she disappeared into anonymity.
Now, Lila Devlin returns to LA with a grand vision for a radical new skincare brand to reinvent herself and honor Josie’s legacy. She's prepared to move into the next chapter of her life with forgiveness in her heart, when an encounter with a parasitic blogger ends with him dead. Lila suddenly discovers forgiveness isn’t nearly as satisfying as a body hitting the floor.
With the help of her devoted publicist Sylvie, Lila begins a relentless, blood-soaked hunt through LA. Giving her skincare the edge it needs, they introduce a secret ingredient—revenge-sourced—from the bodies piling up. But as the company’s success skyrockets and Lila begins unraveling the truth behind her daughter’s kidnapping, her murderous side hustle threatens the life she’s painstakingly rebuilt.
Both a striking portrayal of grief and womanhood, and a twisting, cynical satire on celebrity and toxic beauty standards, Cruelty Free is an ambitious debut from a talented star on the rise.
“Wildly twisted, razor-sharp, and ultimately heartbreaking, Cruelty Free is as much a novel about the fullness of grief as it is about the hollowness of vengeance."" —LING LING HUANG, author of Natural Beauty
A disgraced movie star returns to Hollywood 10 years after the kidnapping of her young daughter intent on seeking revenge, for fans of Monika Kim and Rachel Yoder.
NOTHING FEELS BETTER THAN REVENGE.
Ten years ago, Lila Devlin was an A-list actress with a movie star husband and a beautiful baby girl, Josie. When Josie was kidnapped out of her home and never seen again, Lila’s previously pristine public image twisted into that of an Unfit Mother. Driven mad by the hungry press, incompetent cops, and relentless true crime–obsessed “fans,” she disappeared into anonymity.
Now, Lila Devlin returns to LA with a grand vision for a radical new skincare brand to reinvent herself and honor Josie’s legacy. She's prepared to move into the next chapter of her life with forgiveness in her heart, when an encounter with a parasitic blogger ends with him dead. Lila suddenly discovers forgiveness isn’t nearly as satisfying as a body hitting the floor.
With the help of her devoted publicist Sylvie, Lila begins a relentless, blood-soaked hunt through LA. Giving her skincare the edge it needs, they introduce a secret ingredient—revenge-sourced—from the bodies piling up. But as the company’s success skyrockets and Lila begins unraveling the truth behind her daughter’s kidnapping, her murderous side hustle threatens the life she’s painstakingly rebuilt.
Both a striking portrayal of grief and womanhood, and a twisting, cynical satire on celebrity and toxic beauty standards, Cruelty Free is an ambitious debut from a talented star on the rise.
“Wildly twisted, razor-sharp, and ultimately heartbreaking, Cruelty Free is as much a novel about the fullness of grief as it is about the hollowness of vengeance."" —LING LING HUANG, author of Natural Beauty
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Expected publication February 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
December 8, 2025
I'm not sure what this book was trying to be. From the cover, title, description and comp titles I expected it to be an intense read about female grief turning into violent revenge. And sure, that was part of the story, but it also stayed so shallow all the time and it somehow ended up being over-the-top and ridiculous. I guess it's an enjoyable read if you just turn your brain off and don't question anything, but I really expected more than that.
The start was promising. We learn all about Lila Devlin, once a rising star actress but now only remembered as the mother of a kidnapped and murdered daughter. She had to live through the most horrific thing that can happen to a parent, but she was still heavily villainized by the press. Lila's life is recapped in form of an oral history and I liked the mixed media aspect of the story. It was well done how different people talked about the events as if they knew exactly what happened while also constantly speculating and gossiping. It was an intriguing part of the story, but it also made for the strangest pacing. The oral history is finished after a third of the book and only then does the revenge part start. Lila is of course not a fan of all the people who talk about her to make money and she eventually makes the decision that she cannot live with these people on earth. Although … 'makes the decision' is the wrong choice of words. She more or less stumbles into her revenge and then just never stops. She isn't ambitious at the start of the book and she doesn't have a strong voice, and later she just got very unlikable from one chapter to the next. There was no great exploration of her character and it all stayed very flat. That's one of my biggest issues with this book: everything was flat and superficial. It doesn't go deep into the toxicity of Hollywood or the beauty industry, and not even into the murder stuff. Especially the latter is really bumming me out, because if there is nothing else then at least give me a woman becoming her most unhinged self. But that was undermined by how ridiculous the plot got. Lila keeps killing people left and right – people who all have a public connection to her, I might add – and no one cares. I must admit that there was an entertaining quality to it all, but it also was such a strange contrast to the heavy theme of child loss. The tone of the book was very incoherent and I just don't know what to make of it. It wasn't a great read for me and it's not much of a recommendation, but it was quick and readable and might work better for other readers than it did for me.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
The start was promising. We learn all about Lila Devlin, once a rising star actress but now only remembered as the mother of a kidnapped and murdered daughter. She had to live through the most horrific thing that can happen to a parent, but she was still heavily villainized by the press. Lila's life is recapped in form of an oral history and I liked the mixed media aspect of the story. It was well done how different people talked about the events as if they knew exactly what happened while also constantly speculating and gossiping. It was an intriguing part of the story, but it also made for the strangest pacing. The oral history is finished after a third of the book and only then does the revenge part start. Lila is of course not a fan of all the people who talk about her to make money and she eventually makes the decision that she cannot live with these people on earth. Although … 'makes the decision' is the wrong choice of words. She more or less stumbles into her revenge and then just never stops. She isn't ambitious at the start of the book and she doesn't have a strong voice, and later she just got very unlikable from one chapter to the next. There was no great exploration of her character and it all stayed very flat. That's one of my biggest issues with this book: everything was flat and superficial. It doesn't go deep into the toxicity of Hollywood or the beauty industry, and not even into the murder stuff. Especially the latter is really bumming me out, because if there is nothing else then at least give me a woman becoming her most unhinged self. But that was undermined by how ridiculous the plot got. Lila keeps killing people left and right – people who all have a public connection to her, I might add – and no one cares. I must admit that there was an entertaining quality to it all, but it also was such a strange contrast to the heavy theme of child loss. The tone of the book was very incoherent and I just don't know what to make of it. It wasn't a great read for me and it's not much of a recommendation, but it was quick and readable and might work better for other readers than it did for me.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I’m going to go ahead and say it… I don’t think these beauty products were cruelty free.
Ostensibly a book about achieving beauty by any means, it’s really a book about longing for the past and allowing that yearning to fully consume you. Even in the most devastating of circumstances, failure to move on will slowly chip away at a stony heart until only vestiges remain.
That’s very much the case for our protagonist, Lila, who is somehow an extremely sympathetic figure even while also being a sociopathic, revenge-lusting serial killer. It takes skill to create a character with that duality.
This book is good. I didn’t know what I was walking into, but sometimes a book is best experienced with no preconceptions. I completely understood the motivations of the characters, the plot was interesting and moved effortlessly, and it was just twisted enough to keep me wanting more.
An impressive debut novel, which bodes well for more to come.
I’m going to go ahead and say it… I don’t think these beauty products were cruelty free.
Ostensibly a book about achieving beauty by any means, it’s really a book about longing for the past and allowing that yearning to fully consume you. Even in the most devastating of circumstances, failure to move on will slowly chip away at a stony heart until only vestiges remain.
That’s very much the case for our protagonist, Lila, who is somehow an extremely sympathetic figure even while also being a sociopathic, revenge-lusting serial killer. It takes skill to create a character with that duality.
This book is good. I didn’t know what I was walking into, but sometimes a book is best experienced with no preconceptions. I completely understood the motivations of the characters, the plot was interesting and moved effortlessly, and it was just twisted enough to keep me wanting more.
An impressive debut novel, which bodes well for more to come.
October 16, 2025
the beginning was the best part in my opinion but it quickly fell flat for me. the excerpts in between each chapter throughout part one disrupted the flow of the story & I kept waiting for them to really connect or add to the overall plot & they didn't.
this was both too direct, as far as plot goes, but also a little ridiculous..Every character felt extremely shallow. Lila, the mc, quickly became extremely unlikeable. At first I was sympathetic because of what she went through with losing her daughter but then it quickly turned into "oh she's actually just mean & unstable & needed an excuse to be a shit person"...Her excuse to killing these people is just so stupid.
Lila is giving Joe Goldberg energy. Probably has some anger issues & definitely a little unstable..
I was also really confused with the relationship of Sylvie & Lila, it felt so forced & really came out of nowhere. It's not a bad debut, just wasn't for me & that's ok. Despite all of this, I do see the potential & will give the author another chance in the future.
2.5 rounded up for gr
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
this was both too direct, as far as plot goes, but also a little ridiculous..Every character felt extremely shallow. Lila, the mc, quickly became extremely unlikeable. At first I was sympathetic because of what she went through with losing her daughter but then it quickly turned into "oh she's actually just mean & unstable & needed an excuse to be a shit person"...Her excuse to killing these people is just so stupid.
Lila is giving Joe Goldberg energy. Probably has some anger issues & definitely a little unstable..
I was also really confused with the relationship of Sylvie & Lila, it felt so forced & really came out of nowhere. It's not a bad debut, just wasn't for me & that's ok. Despite all of this, I do see the potential & will give the author another chance in the future.
2.5 rounded up for gr
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
January 9, 2026
How about that cover? It definitely catches your attention that’s for sure.
Lila was at the top of her game in the film industry along with her movie star husband, when tragedy strikes her family. After taking some time off to travel the world, she is back, hoping to reinvent herself by up starting a new cosmetics line. It’s better than Botox and no animals were harmed in the making of it. The thing is, Lila can’t move forward from the past and things take a very dark turn.
I went into this completely blind, so I had no idea what to expect. I personally think that is the best way to jump into this one. The less you know the better. This is just one of those books that captivated me from start to finish.
This appears to be the year of unhinged FMCs. And I’m all for it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lila was at the top of her game in the film industry along with her movie star husband, when tragedy strikes her family. After taking some time off to travel the world, she is back, hoping to reinvent herself by up starting a new cosmetics line. It’s better than Botox and no animals were harmed in the making of it. The thing is, Lila can’t move forward from the past and things take a very dark turn.
I went into this completely blind, so I had no idea what to expect. I personally think that is the best way to jump into this one. The less you know the better. This is just one of those books that captivated me from start to finish.
This appears to be the year of unhinged FMCs. And I’m all for it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2025
ARC for review. To be published February 3, 2026.
4 stars
In this deliciously devilish novel Hollywood stars Lila Devlin and Adrian Reynolds have a small daughter, Josie, who was kidnapped. She never came home
In her grief Lila leaves Adrian and stardom behind for ten years. Then she comes back with a plan. Well, two plans, actually.
This is done in interview format combined with narrative. Some nice writing: for years the press and suits had “given her a career for being beautiful only to claw her to pieces as ugly.” Both Lila and her partner Sylvie Lightly are interesting characters and I enjoyed this.
4 stars
In this deliciously devilish novel Hollywood stars Lila Devlin and Adrian Reynolds have a small daughter, Josie, who was kidnapped. She never came home
In her grief Lila leaves Adrian and stardom behind for ten years. Then she comes back with a plan. Well, two plans, actually.
This is done in interview format combined with narrative. Some nice writing: for years the press and suits had “given her a career for being beautiful only to claw her to pieces as ugly.” Both Lila and her partner Sylvie Lightly are interesting characters and I enjoyed this.
December 9, 2025
This was so stupid to the point where it was funny. I couldn't take any of it seriously.
Don't ask me if this had a deeper, hidden meaning worthy of an English/American Studies major type of deep dive. Something about celebrity culture, unhealthy beauty standards for women in the spotlight, yadda yadda.
You know when you watch too many shows like Dexter and Hannibal that all the murder, torture, and deaths become so unbelievable and even campy?
Yeah, this has those vibes. (But featuring white women.)
I couldn't stop reacting to each ridiculous and absurd scene that the characters happen to find themselves in. Hell, the author had me right in the very beginning when the white FMC went on an Eat, Pray, Love type of pilgrimage to find herself after her daughter's death.
*** SPOILER ALERT***
*** SPOILER ENDS***
It became more and more unhinged after that. I couldn't stop reading. Was this supposed to be a dark comedy? This should definitely be marketed as a dark comedy instead of whatever serious genre they're shelving this under. Total missed opportunity.
Anyway, this was a quick read and had me rolling at its absurdity and stupidity. Would I recommend this? Only if you suspend your disbelief and keep it suspended for the entirety of the novel.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this arc.
Don't ask me if this had a deeper, hidden meaning worthy of an English/American Studies major type of deep dive. Something about celebrity culture, unhealthy beauty standards for women in the spotlight, yadda yadda.
You know when you watch too many shows like Dexter and Hannibal that all the murder, torture, and deaths become so unbelievable and even campy?
Yeah, this has those vibes. (But featuring white women.)
I couldn't stop reacting to each ridiculous and absurd scene that the characters happen to find themselves in. Hell, the author had me right in the very beginning when the white FMC went on an Eat, Pray, Love type of pilgrimage to find herself after her daughter's death.
*** SPOILER ALERT***
*** SPOILER ENDS***
It became more and more unhinged after that. I couldn't stop reading. Was this supposed to be a dark comedy? This should definitely be marketed as a dark comedy instead of whatever serious genre they're shelving this under. Total missed opportunity.
Anyway, this was a quick read and had me rolling at its absurdity and stupidity. Would I recommend this? Only if you suspend your disbelief and keep it suspended for the entirety of the novel.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this arc.
October 22, 2025
Any theatre nerds who are fans of Sondheim specifically may find this book very interesting, as I eventually realized that the story was a blatant retelling of one of his musicals. Complete with a direct parody of one of the most well known (and best) songs. Although that epiphany pretty much told me how things were going to end, I still didn’t know the specifics for these characters or how everything would come together.
I liked the mixed media writing style that was heavy throughout the first half. It kept me invested. I was given a frustrating introduction to Lila in the horrible way that she was treated by pretty much everyone around her. That was a great way to get me on her side quickly before things really took a turn for the macabre.
Tonally, this was a little muddled. It was not quite a horror at first, more like a suspense thriller. But sometimes it also tried to be a dark comedy. There were definitely times that a serious message came across about grief or the way celebrities are put on display for our entertainment during the worst moments of their lives. Parts of the plot are grisly, even sad. Then others are silly to the point that I just couldn’t take it seriously. The last fourth of the book especially took a turn into much campier territory. And yes, it did get bloodier.
You will need to suspend ALL of your disbelief for this one. It is essentially an entertainment read.
I think this author did a good job with Lila, and gradually developing her from an innocent, tragic figure into someone blindly obsessed with revenge, no matter what the cost. But I have to say the star of the show for me personally was Sylvie.
A messy but entertaining 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Bodyshaming, Suicide, Postpartum Depression, Substance abuse, Animal harm/death
I liked the mixed media writing style that was heavy throughout the first half. It kept me invested. I was given a frustrating introduction to Lila in the horrible way that she was treated by pretty much everyone around her. That was a great way to get me on her side quickly before things really took a turn for the macabre.
Tonally, this was a little muddled. It was not quite a horror at first, more like a suspense thriller. But sometimes it also tried to be a dark comedy. There were definitely times that a serious message came across about grief or the way celebrities are put on display for our entertainment during the worst moments of their lives. Parts of the plot are grisly, even sad. Then others are silly to the point that I just couldn’t take it seriously. The last fourth of the book especially took a turn into much campier territory. And yes, it did get bloodier.
You will need to suspend ALL of your disbelief for this one. It is essentially an entertainment read.
I think this author did a good job with Lila, and gradually developing her from an innocent, tragic figure into someone blindly obsessed with revenge, no matter what the cost. But I have to say the star of the show for me personally was Sylvie.
A messy but entertaining 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Bodyshaming, Suicide, Postpartum Depression, Substance abuse, Animal harm/death
January 11, 2026
the beginning of this completely took me by surprise (in a good way), but the final execution was disappointing.
January 18, 2026
This one started off strong and had me fully hooked for the first two thirds. The pacing was great early on (but after that dragged) and I really enjoyed the exploration of fame, true crime and revenge. The characters were messy, complicated, and not exactly likable but that worked for the story and kept things interesting.
Unfortunately, the final third didn’t quite stick the landing for me. As things went a bit off the rails the plot became more predictable and much less realistic so I found myself less invested in the characters and the outcome. There was definitely a lot of potential here it just didn’t fully come together in the end.
That said, I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration — it added a lot to the experience. If you like stories about unhinged women and revenge driven plots, this is still worth checking out.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the opportunity to listen to this ALC.
Unfortunately, the final third didn’t quite stick the landing for me. As things went a bit off the rails the plot became more predictable and much less realistic so I found myself less invested in the characters and the outcome. There was definitely a lot of potential here it just didn’t fully come together in the end.
That said, I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration — it added a lot to the experience. If you like stories about unhinged women and revenge driven plots, this is still worth checking out.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the opportunity to listen to this ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lila Devlin was the greatest young actor of her time but when tragedy struck and her infant daughter was kidnapped, Lila became the center of attention for a completely different reason. Overwhelmed with newfound, unwanted fame and guilt, Lila fled the country to escape it all. Now, a decade later, she is returning to Los Angeles to begin a new chapter in her life. Plans change once she’s back though, as she soon discovers she hasn’t forgiven the people of her past like she thought she had.
Letting a lot of this story unfold through past interviews is an interesting approach, especially considering it’s a story that involves stardom and being in the spotlight; it feels salacious and gossipy in a way that really makes sense for this story. Still, it quickly became overplayed and I ended up feeling that a strictly narrative focus would have contributed more to the plot and the impact.
Although beauty horror has kind of exhausted itself with me, I found this novel well-written with a pacing that kept me turning the pages. Reflections on motherhood, privilege, fame, and beauty.
Thank you William Morrow for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Mar 31 2026
Letting a lot of this story unfold through past interviews is an interesting approach, especially considering it’s a story that involves stardom and being in the spotlight; it feels salacious and gossipy in a way that really makes sense for this story. Still, it quickly became overplayed and I ended up feeling that a strictly narrative focus would have contributed more to the plot and the impact.
Although beauty horror has kind of exhausted itself with me, I found this novel well-written with a pacing that kept me turning the pages. Reflections on motherhood, privilege, fame, and beauty.
Thank you William Morrow for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Mar 31 2026
January 13, 2026
I really didn't know what I was getting into with this one, and I think that made me enjoy it even more! I heard beauty industry horror and jumped. And it was, but it was actually so much more than that. And incredibly unhinged! Lila was a rising actress in Hollywood, married the perfect guy, had a baby--everything seemed idyllic, until her baby went missing. Lila fell from grace, accused of murdering her own child, being crazy, using drugs, heavily vilified and ostracized. Now, she decides to come back to Hollywood and try again, but this time, in the beauty industry. Lila clearly has not healed from the trauma of losing her child and as the book progresses, things escalate and Lila unravels even more. This. Shit. Gets. Dark. Lila has a shit list, and trust me when I say, you do not want to be on it. All the while, her new beauty line is thriving and changing the game. It is very unhinged and very wild, but I personally really enjoyed it. I was in the right mood for this one. There are tons of inferences on the beauty industry, on Hollywood and being in the spotlight, on motherhood, on grief and loss--especially of a child, and unhealed trauma. I love an unhinged FMC and this is that! I think it will be hit or miss for readers, but for me, it was a hit!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. Book releases 2/3/26.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. Book releases 2/3/26.
November 10, 2025
2.5? 3? Not quite sure yet tbh...
I really enjoyed this one at the beginning as there was a lot of promise for a blood-soaked revenge thriller... although it was blood-soaked I'm not quite sure what genre to place this under. Suspense? Horror? Dark comedy? A tragedy? I was tonally confused on this and that's what ultimately made this whole experience feel underdeveloped and disjointed. And the screenplay in-between chapters? Every time I came across those sections it felt I was being forcibly ripped out of the book which made getting back to the regular chapters extremely hard to get into.
Outside of the plot, the characters fell a little flat for me. With the exception of Lila and Sylvie, all the other characters felt like the same person just different fonts. There was not much development with any of them. It made it hard to care at all about the story. Although I liked Lila in the beginning, her gradually descent into madness wasn't fleshed out well enough and came off as ridiculous and annoying. From the get-go you really have to suspend your disbelief so you won't be wondering how she's getting away with any of this acting the way that she is.
Somewhere in here there is a great novel tackling the issues of celebrity culture, celebrity privacy, grief, and the sensationalism of crime. However, it doesn't quite hit that mark. Some more time honing the tone of the story, developing the characters, and really tying the mixed media format together would've done wonders for the pacing and experience of this novel. I truly think this author is talented, and this wasn't a bad debut at all. I'm excited to see them hone their craft and come out with something a little more baked in the future.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own*
I really enjoyed this one at the beginning as there was a lot of promise for a blood-soaked revenge thriller... although it was blood-soaked I'm not quite sure what genre to place this under. Suspense? Horror? Dark comedy? A tragedy? I was tonally confused on this and that's what ultimately made this whole experience feel underdeveloped and disjointed. And the screenplay in-between chapters? Every time I came across those sections it felt I was being forcibly ripped out of the book which made getting back to the regular chapters extremely hard to get into.
Outside of the plot, the characters fell a little flat for me. With the exception of Lila and Sylvie, all the other characters felt like the same person just different fonts. There was not much development with any of them. It made it hard to care at all about the story. Although I liked Lila in the beginning, her gradually descent into madness wasn't fleshed out well enough and came off as ridiculous and annoying. From the get-go you really have to suspend your disbelief so you won't be wondering how she's getting away with any of this acting the way that she is.
Somewhere in here there is a great novel tackling the issues of celebrity culture, celebrity privacy, grief, and the sensationalism of crime. However, it doesn't quite hit that mark. Some more time honing the tone of the story, developing the characters, and really tying the mixed media format together would've done wonders for the pacing and experience of this novel. I truly think this author is talented, and this wasn't a bad debut at all. I'm excited to see them hone their craft and come out with something a little more baked in the future.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own*
August 15, 2025
This book is a brilliant, blood-soaked debut wrapped in luxurious, clean-girl aesthetic beauty brand packaging. Think Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop owned and operated by Arya Stark as she repeats her revenge list….Joffrey, Cersei, Walder Frey, Meryn Trant, Tywin Lannister, the Red Woman….
One woman’s tragedy is entertainment for the public, and a cash cow for paparazzi and podcasters. Can you blame a slay queen for taking her power back? A-List actors are people, and LA is a candy-colored mirage in the desert.
“To use ‘humanity’ as a word for mercy was the greatest lie ever told.”
Thank you so much to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the eARC of this book! Cruelty Free set to be published Feb 3, 2026.
One woman’s tragedy is entertainment for the public, and a cash cow for paparazzi and podcasters. Can you blame a slay queen for taking her power back? A-List actors are people, and LA is a candy-colored mirage in the desert.
“To use ‘humanity’ as a word for mercy was the greatest lie ever told.”
Thank you so much to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the eARC of this book! Cruelty Free set to be published Feb 3, 2026.
January 8, 2026
#ad much love for my advance copy @williammorrowbooks #partner
& @harperaudio #partner for the ALC
🅲🆁🆄🅴🅻🆃🆈 🅵🆁🅴🅴
< @carocglenn >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ ꜰᴇʙʀᴜᴀʀʏ 𝟥, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨
JonBenét meets
“…there were always three types of people. The people who spoke, the people who listened, and the people who weren't in the conversation at all. And I've realized that that applies to everyone in general. The people who talk are the decision-makers—they're corrupt. The world needs to be rid of them. The people who listen follow orders—they're weak sycophants; we don't need them either, And for the people who just consume—if you don't get a say in anything, what's the point of
being alive?,” (p. 150).
𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚍.. 𝙽𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚜…
You know those books you read and then have to go tell all your friends they need to also read it? Well, this is one of those books! Highly recommend it.
Lila Devlin was once a famous actress, catapulted into the spotlight at only twenty-two and torn apart by it just as quickly. Her life is a series of tragedies: her parents die, her marriage falls apart, her career ends, and worst of all, her child goes missing and is later found dead.
When her daughter goes missing and is later found dead, the world doesn’t offer sympathy. It offers blame instead. The press dissects her. Strangers accuse her. Every part of her grief becomes public property free for the taking.
So Lila disappears, drifting across the world, trying to survive the wreckage. But now she’s back, reemerging to launch a beauty line and reclaim her narrative. Lila wants peace, but revenge is not something you can simply ignore.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and highly recommend it. Jaime Lamchick does a phenomenal job narrating this book and bringing Lila’s story to life. Just a fantastic listen. She has the perfect voice for narrating.
Told in alternating formats, the story unfolds through traditional chapters and with interview excerpts from The Devlin Baby, an oral history. Which is pieced together from journalists, insiders, and opportunists eager for the spotlight.
This format only extends the rage and heartbreak, exploring how women are consumed, judged, and discarded by the media, and how easily people will betray the truth for a flash of attention.
This book is female rage distilled, raw and unapologetic. Lila Devlin refuses to lie down, and watching her take her power back is LIT AF. I freaking loved it. Highly, highly recommend.
Read if you like:
Female rage
Badass villain you love
Obsessed love
& @harperaudio #partner for the ALC
🅲🆁🆄🅴🅻🆃🆈 🅵🆁🅴🅴
< @carocglenn >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ ꜰᴇʙʀᴜᴀʀʏ 𝟥, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨
JonBenét meets
“…there were always three types of people. The people who spoke, the people who listened, and the people who weren't in the conversation at all. And I've realized that that applies to everyone in general. The people who talk are the decision-makers—they're corrupt. The world needs to be rid of them. The people who listen follow orders—they're weak sycophants; we don't need them either, And for the people who just consume—if you don't get a say in anything, what's the point of
being alive?,” (p. 150).
𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚎𝚍.. 𝙽𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚜…
You know those books you read and then have to go tell all your friends they need to also read it? Well, this is one of those books! Highly recommend it.
Lila Devlin was once a famous actress, catapulted into the spotlight at only twenty-two and torn apart by it just as quickly. Her life is a series of tragedies: her parents die, her marriage falls apart, her career ends, and worst of all, her child goes missing and is later found dead.
When her daughter goes missing and is later found dead, the world doesn’t offer sympathy. It offers blame instead. The press dissects her. Strangers accuse her. Every part of her grief becomes public property free for the taking.
So Lila disappears, drifting across the world, trying to survive the wreckage. But now she’s back, reemerging to launch a beauty line and reclaim her narrative. Lila wants peace, but revenge is not something you can simply ignore.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and highly recommend it. Jaime Lamchick does a phenomenal job narrating this book and bringing Lila’s story to life. Just a fantastic listen. She has the perfect voice for narrating.
Told in alternating formats, the story unfolds through traditional chapters and with interview excerpts from The Devlin Baby, an oral history. Which is pieced together from journalists, insiders, and opportunists eager for the spotlight.
This format only extends the rage and heartbreak, exploring how women are consumed, judged, and discarded by the media, and how easily people will betray the truth for a flash of attention.
This book is female rage distilled, raw and unapologetic. Lila Devlin refuses to lie down, and watching her take her power back is LIT AF. I freaking loved it. Highly, highly recommend.
Read if you like:
Female rage
Badass villain you love
Obsessed love
January 6, 2026
Cruelty Free is easily one of my favorite books I've read this year.
It's part American Psycho and part crazy revenge story, glued together with Gwyneth Paltrow's goop, and turned into this freaky, beautiful, wild, new horror thriller.
The book starts off as a bit of a slow burn as we're introduced to Lila and the pain she's left with after losing her daughter, but the tension and dread are built up masterfully. Once things really get going, you can tell the author is reveling in how wild the premise is. Despite the tone and themes of the book being quite dark, it still manages to be funny as hell sometimes. The writing is sharp, Lila and Sylvie are wonderfully unhinged, and the twists and turns are a wild ride.
The audiobook version also features some great narration.
Highly, highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and William Morrow for the review copy!
It's part American Psycho and part crazy revenge story, glued together with Gwyneth Paltrow's goop, and turned into this freaky, beautiful, wild, new horror thriller.
The book starts off as a bit of a slow burn as we're introduced to Lila and the pain she's left with after losing her daughter, but the tension and dread are built up masterfully. Once things really get going, you can tell the author is reveling in how wild the premise is. Despite the tone and themes of the book being quite dark, it still manages to be funny as hell sometimes. The writing is sharp, Lila and Sylvie are wonderfully unhinged, and the twists and turns are a wild ride.
The audiobook version also features some great narration.
Highly, highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and William Morrow for the review copy!
January 6, 2026
I was entertained but I ultimately expected, and wanted, the story to hold more emotional weight. The tone of this book is so puzzling. And unbelievable. Nothing felt rooted in reality from the start and I never felt invested because of it.
I don’t think you can do an unhinged girlboss with a satirical element book AND a compelling revenge story. At least- not in this way. For me, I wanna care. I wanted to care about Lila and Josie’s story but it seemed the book worked against that at times because of the other elements the author introduced.
Part Hollywood critique, part feminist revenge, part beauty industry satire. An unhinged buzzword nothing burger most of the time. Though there is aspects of the writing and story I liked, the predatory media aspect offered something different. In time, I think this author could have a rage filled book for me to enjoy.
I won’t talk in depth about it but I have to get it out. Hated the ending. Huge eyeroll. Why I rounded down instead of up.
I don’t think you can do an unhinged girlboss with a satirical element book AND a compelling revenge story. At least- not in this way. For me, I wanna care. I wanted to care about Lila and Josie’s story but it seemed the book worked against that at times because of the other elements the author introduced.
Part Hollywood critique, part feminist revenge, part beauty industry satire. An unhinged buzzword nothing burger most of the time. Though there is aspects of the writing and story I liked, the predatory media aspect offered something different. In time, I think this author could have a rage filled book for me to enjoy.
I won’t talk in depth about it but I have to get it out. Hated the ending. Huge eyeroll. Why I rounded down instead of up.
November 12, 2025
Other than its eye-catching cover, this book has a very intriguing premise. I enjoyed reading this book at the beginning and was anticipating the twists I imagined would happen. Unfortunately, the more I read, the more I realized I probably wouldn't truly enjoy and love this book.
I felt that Lila, the main character, changes her mind and mood often, like she has mood swings. It's as if she can be grieving one moment, and then angry or annoyed the next. I was still enjoying it all until the middle of the book and the first murder scene, which imo happened too quickly and just lacked buildup. The reactions when that murder happened didn't feel very realistic. And just like that, in the next chapter, the tension was forgotten. This continued until I reached the 2nd part, where I felt the timeline and plot suddenly changed pace from Part 1. After that, I mostly skimmed lol.
Well, that's why I'm giving this book just 3 stars. Thank you.
I felt that Lila, the main character, changes her mind and mood often, like she has mood swings. It's as if she can be grieving one moment, and then angry or annoyed the next. I was still enjoying it all until the middle of the book and the first murder scene, which imo happened too quickly and just lacked buildup. The reactions when that murder happened didn't feel very realistic. And just like that, in the next chapter, the tension was forgotten. This continued until I reached the 2nd part, where I felt the timeline and plot suddenly changed pace from Part 1. After that, I mostly skimmed lol.
Well, that's why I'm giving this book just 3 stars. Thank you.
September 3, 2025
Rating: 4.5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★
Release Date: February 3, 2026
No, that twitter user was right - Lila WAS serving cunt and being mother.
A darkly funny and at times poignant tale that felt like a modern Sweeney Todd. I know these types of stories have been done over and over that are filled with the same type of commentary on motherhood, beauty and aging, but I think Caroline Glenn has something unique, fresh and sharp with Cruelty Free. Which mostly has everything to do with the story itself and her writing. Caroline managed to create a compelling storyline with equally compelling characters.
To me, the first four chapters dragged a little, but I think that had more to do with it feeling like a set up for the later part of the story. By the time it hit chapter five, I couldn't put it down. An incredibly fast paced story that takes you on a whirlwind of revenge and grief. Perfectly balanced blend of witty and biting satire, brutal violence and deep humanity.
Sometimes I go around thinking I don't like lit fic and then I read something that blows my mind and makes me want to devour more. Caroline Glenn crafted such an insane and fun debut novel that I can't wait to see what else we'll get from her.
Thank you to William Morrow, Caroline Glenn and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Release Date: February 3, 2026
No, that twitter user was right - Lila WAS serving cunt and being mother.
A darkly funny and at times poignant tale that felt like a modern Sweeney Todd. I know these types of stories have been done over and over that are filled with the same type of commentary on motherhood, beauty and aging, but I think Caroline Glenn has something unique, fresh and sharp with Cruelty Free. Which mostly has everything to do with the story itself and her writing. Caroline managed to create a compelling storyline with equally compelling characters.
To me, the first four chapters dragged a little, but I think that had more to do with it feeling like a set up for the later part of the story. By the time it hit chapter five, I couldn't put it down. An incredibly fast paced story that takes you on a whirlwind of revenge and grief. Perfectly balanced blend of witty and biting satire, brutal violence and deep humanity.
Sometimes I go around thinking I don't like lit fic and then I read something that blows my mind and makes me want to devour more. Caroline Glenn crafted such an insane and fun debut novel that I can't wait to see what else we'll get from her.
Thank you to William Morrow, Caroline Glenn and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 6, 2025
This is such a tough one to review, because though this story was unique, kept my attention all the way through, and had a theme that I was eating up, you could really tell this was a debut novel. I can count on at least two hands the amount of plot holes or just the pure unbelievability of many, many parts of this book, which really took me out of the story. On top of it, Lila’s revenge plan just like… didn’t even make sense? I don’t want to spill too much of why I thought this to not spoil the plot for those excited to read it, so I will leave it at that. This was such a highly anticipated book for me, but it didn’t meet my expectations unfortunately. I think a couple more passes from an editor to get the plot to seem more well rounded would have made this a 4-5 star read for me. With that said, I love the unique plot and I think Glenn has the chance to write a book that I’ll love, Cruelty Free just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced ebook!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced ebook!
January 17, 2026
4⭐️
Cruelty Free is a slow, unsettling unraveling that sneaks up on you. What hooked me early on was the structure. The way the story moves between the present day and the oral history surrounding the Devlin baby feels intentional and quietly manipulative. You think you’re being given context, but really you’re being trained to trust a version of events that may not deserve it. That tension carries beautifully through the first part of the book.
When the narrative shifts fully into the present in Part Two, everything starts to feel unsteady. Lila begins to unfurl in a way that is uncomfortable to witness, especially alongside Sylvie, who at first seems like a necessary ally. The two women are clearly wired the same way, shaped by parallel losses and obsessions, and together they feed something dark in each other. Lila resents Sylvie for being clingy and obsessive, yet she slowly becomes the same kind of person, fixating on her ex-husband with the same intensity she claims to despise. That contradiction feels very human and very intentional.
As their partnership escalates, the story leans hard into obsession, vengeance, and self justification. The revelation that the oral history of the Devlin baby is actually a published book reframes everything that came before it. Sylvie turning the interview subjects into a literal hit list is horrifying, but it also makes a twisted kind of sense given how far both women have already slipped. The idea of harvesting collagen from their victims to fuel Lila’s beauty line is grotesque and sharp, a brutal commentary on image, consumption, and cruelty packaged as self care.
The timeline fractures toward the end, and while it can be disorienting, it mirrors Lila’s mental state so closely that it felt earned rather than sloppy. By the time the truth surfaces about Josie, who took her, and what really happened all those years ago, the answer is devastating but inevitable. Everything catches up to Lila in the end, whether she’s willing to face it or not.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the performance added a lot of emotional weight to the story. The shifts in tone and perspective were easy to follow, and the slow psychological collapse felt even more intimate in audio form. This is not a comfortable book, and it isn’t meant to be. It’s about obsession, hypocrisy, and the lies we tell ourselves to survive, until those lies become the most dangerous thing of all.
Many many thanks to Caroline Glenn, Harper Audio, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ahead of its release date. All thoughts and opinions are left voluntarily and are solely my own.
Cruelty Free is a slow, unsettling unraveling that sneaks up on you. What hooked me early on was the structure. The way the story moves between the present day and the oral history surrounding the Devlin baby feels intentional and quietly manipulative. You think you’re being given context, but really you’re being trained to trust a version of events that may not deserve it. That tension carries beautifully through the first part of the book.
When the narrative shifts fully into the present in Part Two, everything starts to feel unsteady. Lila begins to unfurl in a way that is uncomfortable to witness, especially alongside Sylvie, who at first seems like a necessary ally. The two women are clearly wired the same way, shaped by parallel losses and obsessions, and together they feed something dark in each other. Lila resents Sylvie for being clingy and obsessive, yet she slowly becomes the same kind of person, fixating on her ex-husband with the same intensity she claims to despise. That contradiction feels very human and very intentional.
As their partnership escalates, the story leans hard into obsession, vengeance, and self justification. The revelation that the oral history of the Devlin baby is actually a published book reframes everything that came before it. Sylvie turning the interview subjects into a literal hit list is horrifying, but it also makes a twisted kind of sense given how far both women have already slipped. The idea of harvesting collagen from their victims to fuel Lila’s beauty line is grotesque and sharp, a brutal commentary on image, consumption, and cruelty packaged as self care.
The timeline fractures toward the end, and while it can be disorienting, it mirrors Lila’s mental state so closely that it felt earned rather than sloppy. By the time the truth surfaces about Josie, who took her, and what really happened all those years ago, the answer is devastating but inevitable. Everything catches up to Lila in the end, whether she’s willing to face it or not.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the performance added a lot of emotional weight to the story. The shifts in tone and perspective were easy to follow, and the slow psychological collapse felt even more intimate in audio form. This is not a comfortable book, and it isn’t meant to be. It’s about obsession, hypocrisy, and the lies we tell ourselves to survive, until those lies become the most dangerous thing of all.
Many many thanks to Caroline Glenn, Harper Audio, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ahead of its release date. All thoughts and opinions are left voluntarily and are solely my own.
August 15, 2025
Wow, I just finished and I need time to digest this, but it was AT LEAST 4.5 stars, so I'm rounding up to 5 stars for Goodreads and NetGalley without hesitation because this was very nearly a perfect read for me. I am the target demographic for this book- it's me. If you also love grief horror, femme rage, unhinged women and the like, CONGRATS, you are also the target audience; this book is a MUST read. I see this debut novel being the next viral read in the weird girl litfic niche after publishing! Caroline Glenn will be on the radar of everyone who has good taste, just saying.
Admittedly, I found the first quarter of this book a little hard to get into. Initially, we are following our main character, Lila, through both past and present traumatic events in alternating chapters. The past chapters include a mixed media element with testimonials from others involved in the event and with Lila in various ways, which slowed down the pacing a bit. However, after the author catches the audience up and we primarily focus on Lila's present descent into madness, the novel starts to really shine in my opinion; the storyline unfolding was like a car crash I couldn't look away from, and I was fully engaged. The sheer insanity of the last 25% of this book more than makes up for the slow buildup of the first 25% AND connects perfectly back to the beginning as fluidly as a circle, I promise.
Trying to describe this novel in a brief, non-spoiler way that will encourage you to read it for yourself: Lila stumbled her way into a successful and glamorous family life that she never expected, but all of that is quickly snatched away from her when her toddler goes missing in the night. After nearly a decade, she is trying to reclaim her story and find her own way to peace by launching a beauty brand that will honor her late daughter. "Cruelty Free" refuses to fit itself in a box; this book lands very solidly between the mystery/thriller and horror genres. It is unafraid to bear the ugly side of grief and the beautiful side of fame, calling to mind several notorious child kidnapping cases and other novels centering around the beauty industry, such as "youthjuice" by E.K. Sathue, "Rouge" by Mona Awad, and "Natural Beauty" by Ling Ling Huang. Trust me when I say "Cruelty Free" will appear alongside these powerhouses in the genre after release.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this debut novel! Just to make it clear, if it wasn't already... HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Admittedly, I found the first quarter of this book a little hard to get into. Initially, we are following our main character, Lila, through both past and present traumatic events in alternating chapters. The past chapters include a mixed media element with testimonials from others involved in the event and with Lila in various ways, which slowed down the pacing a bit. However, after the author catches the audience up and we primarily focus on Lila's present descent into madness, the novel starts to really shine in my opinion; the storyline unfolding was like a car crash I couldn't look away from, and I was fully engaged. The sheer insanity of the last 25% of this book more than makes up for the slow buildup of the first 25% AND connects perfectly back to the beginning as fluidly as a circle, I promise.
Trying to describe this novel in a brief, non-spoiler way that will encourage you to read it for yourself: Lila stumbled her way into a successful and glamorous family life that she never expected, but all of that is quickly snatched away from her when her toddler goes missing in the night. After nearly a decade, she is trying to reclaim her story and find her own way to peace by launching a beauty brand that will honor her late daughter. "Cruelty Free" refuses to fit itself in a box; this book lands very solidly between the mystery/thriller and horror genres. It is unafraid to bear the ugly side of grief and the beautiful side of fame, calling to mind several notorious child kidnapping cases and other novels centering around the beauty industry, such as "youthjuice" by E.K. Sathue, "Rouge" by Mona Awad, and "Natural Beauty" by Ling Ling Huang. Trust me when I say "Cruelty Free" will appear alongside these powerhouses in the genre after release.
Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this debut novel! Just to make it clear, if it wasn't already... HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lila Devlin never wanted to be famous. She basically stumbled into acting but quickly became an A lister. However what everyone knows her by now is the woman who's baby girl was kidnapped. The paparazzi and true crime obsessed fans became to much for her and Lila ran away. Ten years later she comes back to LA to start up her skincare line. She teams up with Sylvie, a publicist with her own baggage and the two of them create Glob. With a fire for revenge over those who screwed her over, Lila discovers there is a secret ingredient that she can use for her products that take them to the next level. But as she's trying to correct the past, the truth of what happens to her daughter starts to unravel.
The problem with a book where you hear so often how shocking the twists are is that you start to play detective. Unfortunately for me that makes my mind jump to a hundred different crazy things which included everything that did happen. So I didn’t get that huge jaw dropping shocking moment that I so desperately crave in books. However I did still really enjoy this book (other than the ending if I'm being honest). The writing style was impeccable, I was fully absorbed with where everything was going.
I think we've all at one point or another really really wanted something to the point where we've let it consume us (tho maybe not as much as Lila did). The grief aspect was well done, I in particular liked how Lila kind of clinged onto Maya due to her grief. The characters were memorable, I in particular really enjoyed Sylvie, especially when she was telling the story about the mayo.
Once upon a time I was a big true crime fan and so I was into the mystery about the kidnapping and what had actually happened. I also love a woman scorned exacting revenge. But I'm not sure why but in some instances this book felt like it was trying to do to much. Like it wanted to be a "good for her" feminine rage book and but also with book with a delusional MC circling the drain of her sanity. Not saying one book can't have those but I'm not fully convinced this one fully blended for me.
Thank you to Netgalley & William Morrow for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
The problem with a book where you hear so often how shocking the twists are is that you start to play detective. Unfortunately for me that makes my mind jump to a hundred different crazy things which included everything that did happen. So I didn’t get that huge jaw dropping shocking moment that I so desperately crave in books. However I did still really enjoy this book (other than the ending if I'm being honest). The writing style was impeccable, I was fully absorbed with where everything was going.
I think we've all at one point or another really really wanted something to the point where we've let it consume us (tho maybe not as much as Lila did). The grief aspect was well done, I in particular liked how Lila kind of clinged onto Maya due to her grief. The characters were memorable, I in particular really enjoyed Sylvie, especially when she was telling the story about the mayo.
Once upon a time I was a big true crime fan and so I was into the mystery about the kidnapping and what had actually happened. I also love a woman scorned exacting revenge. But I'm not sure why but in some instances this book felt like it was trying to do to much. Like it wanted to be a "good for her" feminine rage book and but also with book with a delusional MC circling the drain of her sanity. Not saying one book can't have those but I'm not fully convinced this one fully blended for me.
Thank you to Netgalley & William Morrow for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2025
Cruelty Free is a vicious combination of grief, satire, and Hollywood rot—and Caroline Glenn absolutely commits to the bit. What begins as a faded starlet’s attempt at reinvention quickly evolves into a bloody revenge tour, and somehow the book balances both tones without completely going off the rails.
Lila Devlin is a fascinating narrator: brittle, bitter, and determined to claw back the life she lost after her daughter was kidnapped. Glenn weaponizes that grief in a way that feels both unhinged and heartbreakingly human—one review I saw called it “razor-sharp and twisted,” and that’s exactly the energy here. The commentary on celebrity culture, true-crime voyeurism, and the relentless policing of women’s pain lands hard.
The skincare-brand-from-hell plot is deliciously cynical. Watching Lila and her publicist Sylvie spin murder into marketing is so darkly funny you almost feel guilty laughing. When the bodies start stacking up—and the “secret ingredient” gives the brand its edge—the book turns into a satire about beauty standards you can’t look away from.
Where Cruelty Free shines brightest is in its emotional undercurrent. Beneath the violence and snark is a raw portrait of a mother consumed by what was stolen from her. The unraveling of Josie’s case ties everything together in a way that’s messy, tragic, and strangely tender, echoing Ling Ling Huang’s praise that this novel understands both the fullness of grief and the hollowness of vengeance.
My only critique? The plot sometimes leans more outrageous than believable—but honestly, that’s part of the charm. It’s bold, biting, and not afraid to make you uncomfortable.
A blood-soaked satire with a grieving heart—sharp, wild, and memorable. A fantastic debut and an immediate 4 star read! This was so, so enjoyable.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this eARC! I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
Lila Devlin is a fascinating narrator: brittle, bitter, and determined to claw back the life she lost after her daughter was kidnapped. Glenn weaponizes that grief in a way that feels both unhinged and heartbreakingly human—one review I saw called it “razor-sharp and twisted,” and that’s exactly the energy here. The commentary on celebrity culture, true-crime voyeurism, and the relentless policing of women’s pain lands hard.
The skincare-brand-from-hell plot is deliciously cynical. Watching Lila and her publicist Sylvie spin murder into marketing is so darkly funny you almost feel guilty laughing. When the bodies start stacking up—and the “secret ingredient” gives the brand its edge—the book turns into a satire about beauty standards you can’t look away from.
Where Cruelty Free shines brightest is in its emotional undercurrent. Beneath the violence and snark is a raw portrait of a mother consumed by what was stolen from her. The unraveling of Josie’s case ties everything together in a way that’s messy, tragic, and strangely tender, echoing Ling Ling Huang’s praise that this novel understands both the fullness of grief and the hollowness of vengeance.
My only critique? The plot sometimes leans more outrageous than believable—but honestly, that’s part of the charm. It’s bold, biting, and not afraid to make you uncomfortable.
A blood-soaked satire with a grieving heart—sharp, wild, and memorable. A fantastic debut and an immediate 4 star read! This was so, so enjoyable.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this eARC! I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
January 16, 2026
The story follows Lila Devlin, a former A-list actress whose life was shattered by the kidnapping and presumed death of her daughter. After a decade in exile from Los Angeles, she returns with a radical plan: launch a skincare brand and reclaim her narrative.
What I enjoyed most about this book is the novel’s exploration of grief, celebrity culture, and the obsession with beauty standards. The way Glenn weaves commentary on toxic fame into the outrageous plot gives the book a satirical edge. The vibes of this book are a combination of Mona Awad, Sayaka Murata, and Chandler Baker- don’t rule out anything!
Unfortunately, I found the pacing uneven. This book started out very strong, but lost its way in the middle where it felt a bit slow and flat. Character-wise, the author made me empathise with Lila, but I just didn’t buy the relationship between her and Sylvie; it wasn’t developed well.
Cruelty Free is a bold debut that won’t be for everyone, but you might like this book if:
💜 You enjoy dark humor and social satire
💜You enjoying themes of grief, celebrity culture, and beauty standards
💜 You like a twisty plot and an unhinged FMC
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. Pub date is February 3!
What I enjoyed most about this book is the novel’s exploration of grief, celebrity culture, and the obsession with beauty standards. The way Glenn weaves commentary on toxic fame into the outrageous plot gives the book a satirical edge. The vibes of this book are a combination of Mona Awad, Sayaka Murata, and Chandler Baker- don’t rule out anything!
Unfortunately, I found the pacing uneven. This book started out very strong, but lost its way in the middle where it felt a bit slow and flat. Character-wise, the author made me empathise with Lila, but I just didn’t buy the relationship between her and Sylvie; it wasn’t developed well.
Cruelty Free is a bold debut that won’t be for everyone, but you might like this book if:
💜 You enjoy dark humor and social satire
💜You enjoying themes of grief, celebrity culture, and beauty standards
💜 You like a twisty plot and an unhinged FMC
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. Pub date is February 3!
October 2, 2025
An actress with a dark past--did she kill her daughter or was she another victim of the tragedy?
The first 40 percent of this book is written in dual timelines: when the crime took place and the present. Both are told through Lila's, the actress, point of view. I loved the past chapters. They were well written and organized, just like a true crime documentary. I was absolutely captivated by the case and the players involved.
The next half shifts, cleverly bouncing between POVs (it was thankfully clear and well organized, leaving little room for confusion). Only the present timeline remains, but things have twisted and spiraled. Lila slipped from wanting to start a beauty line and puck herself back up to something dark, surreal. And her new 'friendship' is fuel to the fire.
This was riveting. A dark mystery of two women spiraling deeper and deeper ...
The first 40 percent of this book is written in dual timelines: when the crime took place and the present. Both are told through Lila's, the actress, point of view. I loved the past chapters. They were well written and organized, just like a true crime documentary. I was absolutely captivated by the case and the players involved.
The next half shifts, cleverly bouncing between POVs (it was thankfully clear and well organized, leaving little room for confusion). Only the present timeline remains, but things have twisted and spiraled. Lila slipped from wanting to start a beauty line and puck herself back up to something dark, surreal. And her new 'friendship' is fuel to the fire.
This was riveting. A dark mystery of two women spiraling deeper and deeper ...
December 1, 2025
I had the blessing to read an ARC of this novel before it hits shelves in February. This book has it all: The glory, fame, and gore of Hollywood, a sprawling mystery, and on top of it all a story about a woman reclaiming her freedom and finding her peace. Even if that means slashing through the competition and her horrific past by any means necessary…pun intended. This novel also offered some insight for conversations we should be having about the entertainment industry and how we perceive the idea of the celebrity. I will say one of the pitfalls with this novel is that I felt some of the characters were a little shallow and needed more room to grow as their actions sometimes felt unjustifiable. Overall, a darkly funny, and bloody brilliant debut.
January 9, 2026
very thankful to willam morrow/ harper collin’s for this advanced reader copy! this was the first ARC i have ever gotten and it was the perfect book for me!
Cruelty Free is a dark, compelling fame narrative that blends grief, reinvention, and revenge. Following a woman who is accidentally cast into stardom and later shattered by unimaginable loss, the novel moves between past and present as she resurfaces years later to build a skincare company while confronting trauma she never truly escaped. Told through interviews and publications in a style reminiscent of Taylor Jenkins Reid, the book explores what fame takes from people, especially women. While the dual storylines didn’t always feel fully cohesive for me and a few moments felt heightened, the emotional weight and complexity of the protagonist ultimately carried the story.
A thoughtful, ambitious four-star read, and I’m grateful to have received an ARC.
Cruelty Free is a dark, compelling fame narrative that blends grief, reinvention, and revenge. Following a woman who is accidentally cast into stardom and later shattered by unimaginable loss, the novel moves between past and present as she resurfaces years later to build a skincare company while confronting trauma she never truly escaped. Told through interviews and publications in a style reminiscent of Taylor Jenkins Reid, the book explores what fame takes from people, especially women. While the dual storylines didn’t always feel fully cohesive for me and a few moments felt heightened, the emotional weight and complexity of the protagonist ultimately carried the story.
A thoughtful, ambitious four-star read, and I’m grateful to have received an ARC.
August 8, 2025
Cruelty Free by Caroline Glenn
Pub Date Feb 03 2026 | Archive Date Mar 31 2026
William Morrow
General Fiction (Adult) | Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
Cruelty Free is a fantastic, eerie, well-written debut horror novel that will forever change the way I look at the collagen peptides I put in my coffee each morning. Former movie star Lila Devlin— now a famous recluse who ran away when her child went missing and was then murdered, is back and focused on starting a game changing skin care brand named Glob in her daughter’s memory with her publicist and new business partner Sylvie. This book kicks off pretty quickly with the action- and very quickly Lila and Sylvie have a body to dispose of, along with a way to truly make their skincare unique.
This book is great because yes, our female main character is unhinged. But actually it turns out the other characters, like Sylvie, are also completely deranged, so it’s a thrill ride all around. This book is great for anyone who loves a good story about a l character or two that are just completely losing their minds. 4.5 stars from me! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Pub Date Feb 03 2026 | Archive Date Mar 31 2026
William Morrow
General Fiction (Adult) | Horror | Mystery & Thrillers
Cruelty Free is a fantastic, eerie, well-written debut horror novel that will forever change the way I look at the collagen peptides I put in my coffee each morning. Former movie star Lila Devlin— now a famous recluse who ran away when her child went missing and was then murdered, is back and focused on starting a game changing skin care brand named Glob in her daughter’s memory with her publicist and new business partner Sylvie. This book kicks off pretty quickly with the action- and very quickly Lila and Sylvie have a body to dispose of, along with a way to truly make their skincare unique.
This book is great because yes, our female main character is unhinged. But actually it turns out the other characters, like Sylvie, are also completely deranged, so it’s a thrill ride all around. This book is great for anyone who loves a good story about a l character or two that are just completely losing their minds. 4.5 stars from me! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
November 26, 2025
NUTTY. Super duper weird. And dark. Gross, at times.
Really enjoyed this one.
Really enjoyed this one.
January 19, 2026
An entertaining time for sure! I have some spoilery thoughts at the end.
This is about Lila, a rags to riches actress who comes back for a new start after a tragedy. She wants to start a skincare line and move on from her past. It’s harder than she thought it would be, and maybe she’s not so sold on forgiving the people who wronged her…
The structure of this is a bit strange! It’s like there’s a part one and two, with part two starting right at the middle when a big shift happens. For half of the book I was like, who cares about the beauty brand?? The story would be the same without it. It matters in the second half, though I would argue *not really*. This is not like The Substance or Natural Beauty, both media that focus on beauty culture. Despite the cover and title of this book - that’s really not the important bit.
Instead it’s more about revenge and Lila’s increasingly warped ideas about what will bring her peace.
Because it takes half the book for the story to really get started, the pacing feels off. Then it gets quite repetitive in the second half as certain events happen multiple times. I didn’t feel invested. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed this more if it was shorter?
I do think the tone was fun. Lots of dark humor, and things get very wacky. I appreciate the commitment to going off the rails!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Spoilery thoughts…
I haven’t looked yet to see if any reviewers mention Sweeney Todd, but oh my, the parallels! It feels like an intentional nod when Sylvie calls the first body “a waste.” And then for Sylvie to know about Josie in the end? Sylvie is such a Mrs. Lovett. I understand why the book can’t mention Sweeney Todd in the synopsis as it’s a big spoiler, but I feel like there should be something in an acknowledgements section! It’s just so obviously connected.
This is about Lila, a rags to riches actress who comes back for a new start after a tragedy. She wants to start a skincare line and move on from her past. It’s harder than she thought it would be, and maybe she’s not so sold on forgiving the people who wronged her…
The structure of this is a bit strange! It’s like there’s a part one and two, with part two starting right at the middle when a big shift happens. For half of the book I was like, who cares about the beauty brand?? The story would be the same without it. It matters in the second half, though I would argue *not really*. This is not like The Substance or Natural Beauty, both media that focus on beauty culture. Despite the cover and title of this book - that’s really not the important bit.
Instead it’s more about revenge and Lila’s increasingly warped ideas about what will bring her peace.
Because it takes half the book for the story to really get started, the pacing feels off. Then it gets quite repetitive in the second half as certain events happen multiple times. I didn’t feel invested. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed this more if it was shorter?
I do think the tone was fun. Lots of dark humor, and things get very wacky. I appreciate the commitment to going off the rails!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Spoilery thoughts…
I haven’t looked yet to see if any reviewers mention Sweeney Todd, but oh my, the parallels! It feels like an intentional nod when Sylvie calls the first body “a waste.” And then for Sylvie to know about Josie in the end? Sylvie is such a Mrs. Lovett. I understand why the book can’t mention Sweeney Todd in the synopsis as it’s a big spoiler, but I feel like there should be something in an acknowledgements section! It’s just so obviously connected.
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