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The Storm
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Expected 6 Jan 26St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive—and as deadly—as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…
304 pages, ebook
Expected publication January 6, 2026
316 people are currently reading
52177 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hawkins
28 books20.6k followers Rachel Hawkins is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls, The Villa, and The Heiress, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated into over two dozen languages. She studied gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University and currently lives in Alabama.
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November 6, 2025
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This book takes place in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama. Our main character, Geneva Corliss, is having a hard time keeping the family's Inn running. When true crime writer August Fletcher comes calling, she sees it as a financial lifeline for the Rosalie Inn. August brings Lo Bailey along, and they both check in at the Inn. Lo is from St. Medard's Bay and was accused of murder forty years ago when his lover, Landon, was killed during Hurricane Marie. And don't you know it, another storm is on the horizon.
This was an okay read. I didn't love it as much as The Villa , the only other book I have read by this author. This was very atmospheric, and I could feel the tension throughout. It was a fast read, and I was pretty engaged the entire time I was reading it. The pacing was even and very fast. The plot moves along well, and at the same time, I felt I was given enough descriptions and back stories. I also loved the past and present format.
While I loved the premise and most of the way it was executed, I do have a few buts. The tropes are all too familiar and overdone. The characters work well for the most part, but I didn't feel their motivations were thought out very well. And as a seasoned thriller reader, the twist wasn't a big surprise to me. Overall, this was entertaining and fast-paced. It works at creating a tense, a storm is a comin' atmosphere. While it may not excel at the genre, it provided a good choice for a weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This book takes place in St. Medard's Bay, Alabama. Our main character, Geneva Corliss, is having a hard time keeping the family's Inn running. When true crime writer August Fletcher comes calling, she sees it as a financial lifeline for the Rosalie Inn. August brings Lo Bailey along, and they both check in at the Inn. Lo is from St. Medard's Bay and was accused of murder forty years ago when his lover, Landon, was killed during Hurricane Marie. And don't you know it, another storm is on the horizon.
This was an okay read. I didn't love it as much as The Villa , the only other book I have read by this author. This was very atmospheric, and I could feel the tension throughout. It was a fast read, and I was pretty engaged the entire time I was reading it. The pacing was even and very fast. The plot moves along well, and at the same time, I felt I was given enough descriptions and back stories. I also loved the past and present format.
While I loved the premise and most of the way it was executed, I do have a few buts. The tropes are all too familiar and overdone. The characters work well for the most part, but I didn't feel their motivations were thought out very well. And as a seasoned thriller reader, the twist wasn't a big surprise to me. Overall, this was entertaining and fast-paced. It works at creating a tense, a storm is a comin' atmosphere. While it may not excel at the genre, it provided a good choice for a weekend read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 23, 2025
I have to be honest … I’m a little underwhelmed. For a book called The Storm I was anticipating high drama and edge-of-my-seat stuff. Instead, this felt more like being stuck inside on a rainy day watching water drip down the window pane. Not exactly the mystery-thriller vibe I was hoping for!
I really loved The Heiress last year which was my first Rachel Hawkins read. The story revolved around an older sassy Southern woman of wealth named Ruby McTavish who was suspected of having a hand in the deaths of her late husbands. Though Gloria “Lo” Bailey, the MC in this one, didn’t have Ruby’s wealth, she still felt strikingly similar as an older sassy Southern woman suspected of having a hand in the death of her late lover. Maybe it was just me who felt like the characters were too similar despite the women’s wealth gap?
Geneva Corliss owns the Rosalie Inn in St. Medard’s Bay in Alabama - a town with a dark history of hurricanes and deaths. One of those deaths was that of aspiring politician Landon Fitzroy who Lo was accused of murdering during Hurricane Marie in 1984. Now a journalist named August Fletcher has brought Lo to Geneva’s inn to stay while he writes a book about her that she hopes will clear her name once and for all.
It sounds like a great premise and the writing was good, but the story employed the “everyone has a secret/everyone will find out a big secret” trope that’s been done a zillion times, there was a weird thread about witches that I guess was tongue-in-cheek humor … (maybe?), and the ending went in a particular direction that’s a pet peeve and literally made me want to scream and throw my Kindle at something.
All those things said, I think my issues with this are a “me” thing more than a book thing. Sometimes particular storylines and tropes aren’t a good match for a reader and this was one of those times. This was an immersion read and the bright spot was the full cast narration who all did an excellent job. I can recommend the audio for those wanting to try this!
★★ ½ (rounded up for the audio)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Rachel Hawkins for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for ALC to honestly review. It’s out on January 6, 2026.
I really loved The Heiress last year which was my first Rachel Hawkins read. The story revolved around an older sassy Southern woman of wealth named Ruby McTavish who was suspected of having a hand in the deaths of her late husbands. Though Gloria “Lo” Bailey, the MC in this one, didn’t have Ruby’s wealth, she still felt strikingly similar as an older sassy Southern woman suspected of having a hand in the death of her late lover. Maybe it was just me who felt like the characters were too similar despite the women’s wealth gap?
Geneva Corliss owns the Rosalie Inn in St. Medard’s Bay in Alabama - a town with a dark history of hurricanes and deaths. One of those deaths was that of aspiring politician Landon Fitzroy who Lo was accused of murdering during Hurricane Marie in 1984. Now a journalist named August Fletcher has brought Lo to Geneva’s inn to stay while he writes a book about her that she hopes will clear her name once and for all.
It sounds like a great premise and the writing was good, but the story employed the “everyone has a secret/everyone will find out a big secret” trope that’s been done a zillion times, there was a weird thread about witches that I guess was tongue-in-cheek humor … (maybe?), and the ending went in a particular direction that’s a pet peeve and literally made me want to scream and throw my Kindle at something.
All those things said, I think my issues with this are a “me” thing more than a book thing. Sometimes particular storylines and tropes aren’t a good match for a reader and this was one of those times. This was an immersion read and the bright spot was the full cast narration who all did an excellent job. I can recommend the audio for those wanting to try this!
★★ ½ (rounded up for the audio)
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Rachel Hawkins for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for ALC to honestly review. It’s out on January 6, 2026.
October 27, 2025
Yes! Rachel Hawkins has done it again! She crafted a pitch-perfect locked room mystery set in a historic Alabama inn during storm season, and I devoured it in one sitting. But here’s the brilliant twist: the storms themselves—named after women, Daphne, Audrey, and Marie—become leading characters in the story. Each storm through the years is bound to a tragedy, weaving a thread that ties the fates of those who can never fully escape St. Medard Bay.
At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light?
As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light?
As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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August 15, 2025
A mistress is accused of a murder many years ago. Now a man reaches out wanting to write her story.
This was just so-so. Nothing mind blowing. There were parts that seemed really repetitive especially in the beginning and things that seemed out of place. Some of the twists and turns were predictable. The beginning also seemed sooo long winded as nothing exciting happens until later in my opinion.
Overall, I personally was disappointed but I could see others enjoying this.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was just so-so. Nothing mind blowing. There were parts that seemed really repetitive especially in the beginning and things that seemed out of place. Some of the twists and turns were predictable. The beginning also seemed sooo long winded as nothing exciting happens until later in my opinion.
Overall, I personally was disappointed but I could see others enjoying this.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2025
I’m thinking the title of this book should be changed to “The Hurricanes”, because while big storms did pass through St. Medard’s Bay, most chapters were titled according to which Hurricane went through. And it’s through these devastating hurricanes, in which we learn of lives that were lost- especially that of Landon Fitzroy.
This story starts off with Lo Bailey returning back to her hometown of Alabama, to stay at the Rosalie Inn. Lo Bailey hasn’t been back home in years- not even to her own mother’s funeral, since she was accused of killing her ex-lover, Landon Fitzroy. Landon was rich, handsome, and married… Was Lo so jealous and possessive of him that she could commit murder? Or did Hurricane Marie of 1984 really take him out?
While Lo is staying at the Rosalie Inn, she brings with her August Fletcher. August is a journalist/author, who is helping Lo write a book about her romantic time with Landon Fitzroy. Many details from the past are brought up- including her two best friends while growing up, Ellen and Freida. Ellen’s parents were once owners of the Rosalie Inn, and now Ellen’s daughter, Geneva is in charge.
While we learned a bit about the four women’s lives in this story, I can’t say that I was able to fully connect with any of them. The pacing of this story was also more of a drizzle, and less of a storm… I think I was expecting a deeper suspense/mystery, but instead got another story about “girl power”.
I also have to state that my all time favorite book by this author is “The Heiress” (actually it’s one of my all time favorites), so I think my expectations going into this book may have been quite high.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
This story starts off with Lo Bailey returning back to her hometown of Alabama, to stay at the Rosalie Inn. Lo Bailey hasn’t been back home in years- not even to her own mother’s funeral, since she was accused of killing her ex-lover, Landon Fitzroy. Landon was rich, handsome, and married… Was Lo so jealous and possessive of him that she could commit murder? Or did Hurricane Marie of 1984 really take him out?
While Lo is staying at the Rosalie Inn, she brings with her August Fletcher. August is a journalist/author, who is helping Lo write a book about her romantic time with Landon Fitzroy. Many details from the past are brought up- including her two best friends while growing up, Ellen and Freida. Ellen’s parents were once owners of the Rosalie Inn, and now Ellen’s daughter, Geneva is in charge.
While we learned a bit about the four women’s lives in this story, I can’t say that I was able to fully connect with any of them. The pacing of this story was also more of a drizzle, and less of a storm… I think I was expecting a deeper suspense/mystery, but instead got another story about “girl power”.
I also have to state that my all time favorite book by this author is “The Heiress” (actually it’s one of my all time favorites), so I think my expectations going into this book may have been quite high.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
December 31, 2025
She’s back yet again…the queen of jaw-dropping twists. That’s right, with The Storm, Rachel Hawkins cunningly crafted a series of plot-shifting revelations that shocked me but good. Scattered throughout a plot that was a clever combo of mixed media format and an original structure of multiple timelines and POVs, it was as if I was in a hurricane swirling closer and closer to the deadly, dark truth. Composed of a complex web of long-buried secrets and tightly-maintained lies, it felt as if this small cast of characters was caught in a vortex of worsening hurricane-strength winds. You see, not only were the evocative descriptions and claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly drawn, but, as the finale edged nearer, a sense of impending doom bared down as well. With a cinematic vibe that also somehow felt real, I was fully immersed in this unputdownable story.
All said and done, I was utterly gobsmacked by the brilliance of this psychological thriller. Part Southern gothic and part strait-laced tale of unrelenting suspense, it was clear from the get-go that it was Ms. Hawkins at the top of her game. With well-honed morally gray characters on top of dysfunctional families and friendships, the only way she could best herself this time around was by adding a locked-room mystery to it as well. I mean, that and the handful of perfect *mic drop* twists took me out at the knees. And the blindingly fast speed at which it was all delivered? It quite simply couldn’t have been better in my humble opinion. Perhaps that’s why this was my favorite Hawkins novel to date and why I lost track of time reading. So regardless of whether you’re already a fan or are new to this author, pre-order this book now. It’s certainly not one to be missed. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive―and as deadly―as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…
Thank you Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2026
Content warning: dementia, storm fatalities, infidelity, blood, violence relationships
All said and done, I was utterly gobsmacked by the brilliance of this psychological thriller. Part Southern gothic and part strait-laced tale of unrelenting suspense, it was clear from the get-go that it was Ms. Hawkins at the top of her game. With well-honed morally gray characters on top of dysfunctional families and friendships, the only way she could best herself this time around was by adding a locked-room mystery to it as well. I mean, that and the handful of perfect *mic drop* twists took me out at the knees. And the blindingly fast speed at which it was all delivered? It quite simply couldn’t have been better in my humble opinion. Perhaps that’s why this was my favorite Hawkins novel to date and why I lost track of time reading. So regardless of whether you’re already a fan or are new to this author, pre-order this book now. It’s certainly not one to be missed. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard’s Bay on the map, she’s less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn’s bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn’t come to St. Medard’s Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she’s returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive―and as deadly―as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping…
Thank you Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2026
Content warning: dementia, storm fatalities, infidelity, blood, violence relationships
September 11, 2025
I'm a bit of an outlier on this one. 🏝️
I was so excited when I read the setting was a beach hotel during hurricane season! I live in TX about an hour from the beach and we get our share of hurricanes!
This is a mystery that weaves back and forth through the childhood friends connections and a man who died under suspicious circumstances. I didn't relate to any of the characters and that really affected my enjoyment. Geneva was the only one I mildly cared for. I realize the reveal was supposed to be gripping, but for me it just wasn't.
I do enjoy this author, so I will be anticipating her next!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out January 6, 2026
I was so excited when I read the setting was a beach hotel during hurricane season! I live in TX about an hour from the beach and we get our share of hurricanes!
This is a mystery that weaves back and forth through the childhood friends connections and a man who died under suspicious circumstances. I didn't relate to any of the characters and that really affected my enjoyment. Geneva was the only one I mildly cared for. I realize the reveal was supposed to be gripping, but for me it just wasn't.
I do enjoy this author, so I will be anticipating her next!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out January 6, 2026
December 13, 2025
3⭐
Genre ~ gothic fiction?
Setting ~ Alabama
Publication date ~ January 6, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio/St Martin's Press
Est Page Count ~ 288 (intro’s + 15 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours
Narrators ~ Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, Stephanie Németh-Parker
POV ~ multiple 1st
Featuring ~ old murder case, multiple timelines, parent with Alzheimer’s, domestic violence, infidelity
August is our true crime writer working with Lo about the murder of her boyfriend, Landon, which she was accused of committing decades ago during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
Geneva is a struggling Inn owner thrilled when August wants to book a stay for a whole month.
Ellen is Geneva’s mom, suffering from Alzheimer's, and Frieda is Ellen & Lo’s childhood friend.
The hurricanes mentioned are Daphne, Audrey, Velma, Marie, and Libby. (Half the main cast of Scooby Doo 😂)
We get bits from an unfinished manuscript on Landon, transcripts and articles.
As you can see there's quite a lot going on, and multiple characters and storms to keep track of.
Overall, it was fine, but I can’t say I was really blown away. Not sure what's supposed to make it tagged as gothic? Maybe I just don't know what gothic is🤷♀️. There was a nice twist, though.
Narration notes:
Full cast!! And sound effects! All did great.
Pre~reading notes:
Full cast narration, again!! Woo hoo! And it's tagged gothic, so hoping I get a little spooked on Halloween today! 👻
Genre ~ gothic fiction?
Setting ~ Alabama
Publication date ~ January 6, 2026
Publisher ~ Macmillan Audio/St Martin's Press
Est Page Count ~ 288 (intro’s + 15 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours
Narrators ~ Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, Stephanie Németh-Parker
POV ~ multiple 1st
Featuring ~ old murder case, multiple timelines, parent with Alzheimer’s, domestic violence, infidelity
August is our true crime writer working with Lo about the murder of her boyfriend, Landon, which she was accused of committing decades ago during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
Geneva is a struggling Inn owner thrilled when August wants to book a stay for a whole month.
Ellen is Geneva’s mom, suffering from Alzheimer's, and Frieda is Ellen & Lo’s childhood friend.
The hurricanes mentioned are Daphne, Audrey, Velma, Marie, and Libby. (Half the main cast of Scooby Doo 😂)
We get bits from an unfinished manuscript on Landon, transcripts and articles.
As you can see there's quite a lot going on, and multiple characters and storms to keep track of.
Overall, it was fine, but I can’t say I was really blown away. Not sure what's supposed to make it tagged as gothic? Maybe I just don't know what gothic is🤷♀️. There was a nice twist, though.
Narration notes:
Full cast!! And sound effects! All did great.
Pre~reading notes:
Full cast narration, again!! Woo hoo! And it's tagged gothic, so hoping I get a little spooked on Halloween today! 👻
November 10, 2025
Geneva owns and operates the Rosalee Inn on St Medard's Bay in Alabama. Located directly on the coast, it’s been hit by several hurricanes in the past, but will it withstand the current storm rolling in?
Lo Bailey, a woman who left St Medard’s Bay years ago was involved in a scandal that involved the death of her wealthy but married boyfriend, Landon. She’s just returned and is staying at The Inn with author August Fletcher, who’s there to write her memoir.
As a hurricane approaches, a torrent of lies from the past will be exposed and no one will ever be the same after The Storm.
This may just be my favorite Rachel Hawkins book to date! After a brief slow start to set the stage, the tension increases as the storm neared the shoreline.
I had both the digital and audio versions and with a large cast of narrators I can definitely say the audio won out and is the best way to experience the book!🤩
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Macmillan audio
✍️ Rachel Hawkins
🎧 Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Patrea Burchard and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
⏳ 7hours 48minutes
📄 304 pages
🗓️ January 6 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, mystery
Lo Bailey, a woman who left St Medard’s Bay years ago was involved in a scandal that involved the death of her wealthy but married boyfriend, Landon. She’s just returned and is staying at The Inn with author August Fletcher, who’s there to write her memoir.
As a hurricane approaches, a torrent of lies from the past will be exposed and no one will ever be the same after The Storm.
This may just be my favorite Rachel Hawkins book to date! After a brief slow start to set the stage, the tension increases as the storm neared the shoreline.
I had both the digital and audio versions and with a large cast of narrators I can definitely say the audio won out and is the best way to experience the book!🤩
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Macmillan audio
✍️ Rachel Hawkins
🎧 Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Patrea Burchard and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
⏳ 7hours 48minutes
📄 304 pages
🗓️ January 6 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, mystery
September 1, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This story is small in the biggest of ways. It doesn’t have more than a handful of characters. It’s all contained within a single location. It doesn’t have wild plot machinations, nor does it try to keep you on the edge of your seat.
It’s quaint. It’s charming. It engulfs you like the waves in a raging storm. It entangles you like the affairs of a political heir.
The hurricanes act as a multi-generational backdrop, each serving a unique purpose in the lore development of this town. The stories of the women in this book are complex, multi-layered and are as fascinating as they are grim.
My only complaint is that it becomes difficult to determine who is telling the story at times. It could have benefited from better descriptions in the chapter titles.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it definitely won’t be my last…
This story is small in the biggest of ways. It doesn’t have more than a handful of characters. It’s all contained within a single location. It doesn’t have wild plot machinations, nor does it try to keep you on the edge of your seat.
It’s quaint. It’s charming. It engulfs you like the waves in a raging storm. It entangles you like the affairs of a political heir.
The hurricanes act as a multi-generational backdrop, each serving a unique purpose in the lore development of this town. The stories of the women in this book are complex, multi-layered and are as fascinating as they are grim.
My only complaint is that it becomes difficult to determine who is telling the story at times. It could have benefited from better descriptions in the chapter titles.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it definitely won’t be my last…
September 15, 2025
This was entertaining but definitely not as exciting as you’d think a book with hurricanes in it would be!!
Lo hasn’t been back to her small town, St. Medard’s Bay, since the “event” that changed her life. Some of her mother's friends are still in town. Ellen's daughter Geneva is running the “Rosalie Inn”. It’s weathered several hurricanes but Geneva hopes that she doesn’t have to go through another big storm.
Lo has come back to help her remember all of the events from that fateful summer. With her is Adam who is a journalist and is writing a memoir with Lo about all that happened in her life.
Why is Adam so interested in this decades old mystery? Does he have information that he is concealing?
There is a lot of looking at the past through Geneva’s eyes. There are also letters back and forth with two of the characters and some newspaper articles along with unfinished manuscripts.
I kept wanting to find a character to root for and I did enjoy Frieda’s life story and how she “remade” herself. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
The first half was very slow and meandering. In the second half “The Storm” is coming and it’s all hands on deck to secure the hotel and everything else.
The twists come at the end - setting us up for tension from the storm and the revelations!
This was a good beach read but I was anticipating much more from this talented author. “The Heiress” her last book was a 5* from me so expectations were high.
This was a buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her excellent review.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
Lo hasn’t been back to her small town, St. Medard’s Bay, since the “event” that changed her life. Some of her mother's friends are still in town. Ellen's daughter Geneva is running the “Rosalie Inn”. It’s weathered several hurricanes but Geneva hopes that she doesn’t have to go through another big storm.
Lo has come back to help her remember all of the events from that fateful summer. With her is Adam who is a journalist and is writing a memoir with Lo about all that happened in her life.
Why is Adam so interested in this decades old mystery? Does he have information that he is concealing?
There is a lot of looking at the past through Geneva’s eyes. There are also letters back and forth with two of the characters and some newspaper articles along with unfinished manuscripts.
I kept wanting to find a character to root for and I did enjoy Frieda’s life story and how she “remade” herself. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
The first half was very slow and meandering. In the second half “The Storm” is coming and it’s all hands on deck to secure the hotel and everything else.
The twists come at the end - setting us up for tension from the storm and the revelations!
This was a good beach read but I was anticipating much more from this talented author. “The Heiress” her last book was a 5* from me so expectations were high.
This was a buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her excellent review.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
November 17, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! I was completely engulfed by The Storm. This book was like a hurricane storm itself—fierce, deadly and unexpected. I loved how Rachel Hawkins expressed females deep hurt through the power of a storm. She created a crafty story full of mystery, secrets and revelations. Watching how Hawkins converged past and present timelines through multiple POVs was one of my favorite aspects of this book.
A dead governors son, teenage mistress, a scandal, mystery surrounding his injuries and a deadly hurricane—how twisted can this story get?
Alabama, 1980s through 2000s—St. Menards Bay is no stranger to frequent storms and deadly destructions. The Storm centers on a woman who during her teenage years was accused of murdering the governor’s son. She comes back 40+ years later to retell her story through a journalist who is writing her “tell-all” book. The story essentially jumps back and forth between now and then through multiple POVs of different characters who are full of surprises and shocking twists, many that were not predictable (at least to me).
Eerie atmosphere and impending storm added strong suspenseful vibes to this book. The Storm had such a strong catch to it with its Southern charm and coastal setting, I was seriously engulfed by its calmness and doom all the same. Layered like an onion, the slow burn peel of its layers was so satisfyingly complex that I was truly impressed with Hawkins writing. This is my first time reading anything by this author and I’m currently eyeing The Heiress next.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Rachel Hawkins for sending me this eARC.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
A dead governors son, teenage mistress, a scandal, mystery surrounding his injuries and a deadly hurricane—how twisted can this story get?
Alabama, 1980s through 2000s—St. Menards Bay is no stranger to frequent storms and deadly destructions. The Storm centers on a woman who during her teenage years was accused of murdering the governor’s son. She comes back 40+ years later to retell her story through a journalist who is writing her “tell-all” book. The story essentially jumps back and forth between now and then through multiple POVs of different characters who are full of surprises and shocking twists, many that were not predictable (at least to me).
Eerie atmosphere and impending storm added strong suspenseful vibes to this book. The Storm had such a strong catch to it with its Southern charm and coastal setting, I was seriously engulfed by its calmness and doom all the same. Layered like an onion, the slow burn peel of its layers was so satisfyingly complex that I was truly impressed with Hawkins writing. This is my first time reading anything by this author and I’m currently eyeing The Heiress next.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Rachel Hawkins for sending me this eARC.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
September 11, 2025
Who says you can never go home again? That is exactly what Lo Bailey does in The Storm. Not only does she come home to St. Medard's Bay, but she brings with her writer, August Fletcher. Not only is the town preparing for a hurricane, but now it is preparing for drama. Lo was accused of killing her older love, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during a Hurricane in 1984. Lo is looking to clear her name, but will she be successful?????
What really happened to Landon Fitzroy? There is a storm brewing, long tongues are wagging, secrets and waiting to be discovered, and memories will bubble to surface. Welp! I thought I would love this book. But unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. What worked was the atmosphere in this book along with the setting. I also enjoyed how the author used various forms of media in this book. I thought this was very well done and well thought out. I found the mystery interesting and yet I was blown away by it. In the beginning I wanted something - anything to happen. The book did pick up for me in the second half as more became known and things became more dramatic and tense. However, the twists and revels were not enough to fully win me over to this book. I put this in my liked but didn't love category. This wont stop me from reading more books by this author in the future.
Others enjoyed this book more than did so please read their reviews as well.
*Buddy read with Dorie - Cats&Books :). Please be sure to read her wonderful review as well to see her thoughts and to find out if she got caught up in The Storm.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
What really happened to Landon Fitzroy? There is a storm brewing, long tongues are wagging, secrets and waiting to be discovered, and memories will bubble to surface. Welp! I thought I would love this book. But unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. What worked was the atmosphere in this book along with the setting. I also enjoyed how the author used various forms of media in this book. I thought this was very well done and well thought out. I found the mystery interesting and yet I was blown away by it. In the beginning I wanted something - anything to happen. The book did pick up for me in the second half as more became known and things became more dramatic and tense. However, the twists and revels were not enough to fully win me over to this book. I put this in my liked but didn't love category. This wont stop me from reading more books by this author in the future.
Others enjoyed this book more than did so please read their reviews as well.
*Buddy read with Dorie - Cats&Books :). Please be sure to read her wonderful review as well to see her thoughts and to find out if she got caught up in The Storm.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 22, 2025
If this book were a hurricane it would for sure be close to a Cat 5! There were some nice little twists and surprises thrown in to keep things unpredictable.
The Rosalie Inn has been through quite a few hurricanes and came out with just some scratches. The same cannot be said for several women who live in St. Medard‘s Bay, Alabama. During Hurricane Marie, the Governor’s son, Landon, was found dead and his 19-year-old mistress, Lo, was tried for his murder. Several decades later, Lo and true crime writer, August in tow, return to the Rosalie Inn to once and for all clear her name via a tell all book. All the while a major hurricane is setting its sights once again on the Rosalie Inn, both figuratively and literally. What secrets will it churn up?
I’m pretty sure I read this in record time. I love how we got different timelines that were centered around different hurricanes that hit St. Medard’s Bay. To be honest, with a track record of getting hit with that many hurricanes I would think it would be time to move! I’m also a sucker for getting information via old newspaper clippings. There was definitely some little twists throughout that I wasn’t expecting, which was great to hold my attention and keep flipping those pages.
The only thing that I had an issue with was sometimes I was confusing all of the women and it was hard to keep who everyone was straight and what timeline we were in. It also felt like the past timelines went rather quickly. Maybe a little bit more time spent in the past would’ve helped me identify who is who a little better and given a bit more sense of depth to each of the supporting characters. But those are just minor quibbles.
This definitely was a nice twisty thriller that had me continually guessing along the way
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
The Rosalie Inn has been through quite a few hurricanes and came out with just some scratches. The same cannot be said for several women who live in St. Medard‘s Bay, Alabama. During Hurricane Marie, the Governor’s son, Landon, was found dead and his 19-year-old mistress, Lo, was tried for his murder. Several decades later, Lo and true crime writer, August in tow, return to the Rosalie Inn to once and for all clear her name via a tell all book. All the while a major hurricane is setting its sights once again on the Rosalie Inn, both figuratively and literally. What secrets will it churn up?
I’m pretty sure I read this in record time. I love how we got different timelines that were centered around different hurricanes that hit St. Medard’s Bay. To be honest, with a track record of getting hit with that many hurricanes I would think it would be time to move! I’m also a sucker for getting information via old newspaper clippings. There was definitely some little twists throughout that I wasn’t expecting, which was great to hold my attention and keep flipping those pages.
The only thing that I had an issue with was sometimes I was confusing all of the women and it was hard to keep who everyone was straight and what timeline we were in. It also felt like the past timelines went rather quickly. Maybe a little bit more time spent in the past would’ve helped me identify who is who a little better and given a bit more sense of depth to each of the supporting characters. But those are just minor quibbles.
This definitely was a nice twisty thriller that had me continually guessing along the way
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
December 18, 2025
The Storm is about a series of hurricanes over a few decades that have destroyed the loved ones of a few families in an Alabama town. One might even suggest a murder happened in the past, and this time, it may again. How well do you really know someone? How much do you trust the line between a lie and the truth. Is family always on your side? Enjoyed the book a lot, especially with the focus on an author and a former suspected killer coming together. Good writing. Simple and straightforward dialog. Excellent drama.
December 3, 2025
I found this book to be engaging for several reasons even though I had just about every twist figured out before it was revealed. I felt the pacing of the book was good and the way the information was delivered was interesting. There were some excerpts from different sources included and they added to the story. There was quite a lot of background given and much of it was put into the context of previous storms, which added to the atmosphere.
Overall, it was was a quick read and it held my attention. I have read many books in this genre in recent years and they often seem to have some similar twists with similar hints or tells so I wasn't on the edge of my seat, but I still enjoyed the reading experience. I feel this was on par with Hawkins previous work and if you've enjoyed other reads by her you'll likely enjoy this one as well.
I was fortunate to have both the ebook and audio of this one. The ebook was helpful in the beginning to keep track of all the characters and I particularly enjoyed the used of excerpts in this format. The audiobook was narrated by a full cast - Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker - and was very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Overall, it was was a quick read and it held my attention. I have read many books in this genre in recent years and they often seem to have some similar twists with similar hints or tells so I wasn't on the edge of my seat, but I still enjoyed the reading experience. I feel this was on par with Hawkins previous work and if you've enjoyed other reads by her you'll likely enjoy this one as well.
I was fortunate to have both the ebook and audio of this one. The ebook was helpful in the beginning to keep track of all the characters and I particularly enjoyed the used of excerpts in this format. The audiobook was narrated by a full cast - Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker - and was very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 27, 2025
This is a Mystery/Thriller. I found the mystery in this book to be interesting, and there was enough drama to keep me wanting to read the book. I did not like how the book kept changing to different characters point of view and jumping back in time. I found that it was hard to follow what was going on at times. I found the ending to just be ok, and I wanted more for the ending. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
September 28, 2025
I’ve read several books by Hawkins, and while this one didn’t rise to the top of my list, her writing was as smooth and engaging as ever, making it a quick read! I loved the rich atmosphere, the subtle thread of tension running throughout, and the multiple points of view that added depth to the story. But instead of the nail-biting suspense I expected, this one leaned more toward historical fiction/domestic drama with a few secrets sprinkled in.
The slower start and heavy exposition made most of the twists easier to spot, but Hawkins still knows how to tell a compelling story. Even if it felt a little different from her usual thrillers, it was an entertaining and well-written read!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
The slower start and heavy exposition made most of the twists easier to spot, but Hawkins still knows how to tell a compelling story. Even if it felt a little different from her usual thrillers, it was an entertaining and well-written read!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
December 29, 2025
steamrolling ahead to 2026 releases now! she’s an auto-buy author for me and i always pick up her books when i’m in a reading slump and they deliver.
this was much slower-burn and more atmospheric than her others. prob not my fave of hers, but a quick popcorn thriller read to kick off your 2026 reading with.
pro tip: there is a lot going on so you have to pay attention to which POV/timeline you’re in!
this was much slower-burn and more atmospheric than her others. prob not my fave of hers, but a quick popcorn thriller read to kick off your 2026 reading with.
pro tip: there is a lot going on so you have to pay attention to which POV/timeline you’re in!
December 2, 2025
This was a very good thriller, had me hooked from the beginning. I know if I finish a book in 24 hours, that means it was a page turner (and I probably didn't get much sleep 😴). There are some great twists, and while I figured a few of them out, some really took me by surprise. Definitely a must read!
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 1, 2025
There was so much to like about this one!
I love first-person point of view - especially when the character is full of personality. Gloria ‘Lo’ Bailey made this book for me. The fluidity and writing style were fantastic, time disappeared, and I found myself loving to hate despicable Landon Fitzroy!
Allow this established author to sweep you away to a rambling beach motel in a small town on Alabama’s Gulf Coast while she slowly reveals her characters’ backstories and makes sense of a murder case.
As the title suggests, hurricanes and their damage are the focus of this book. I’m still thinking about the reference about how it’s the things that you love that make you feel blessed to live in a hurricane-affected area, are the very things that will kill you. I’m also still thinking about whether Rosalie Inn was a bad investment or a weighty family legacy.
Hawkins made this setting come alive and made me fall in love with her characters. My only wish is that this novel contained less swearing.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I love first-person point of view - especially when the character is full of personality. Gloria ‘Lo’ Bailey made this book for me. The fluidity and writing style were fantastic, time disappeared, and I found myself loving to hate despicable Landon Fitzroy!
Allow this established author to sweep you away to a rambling beach motel in a small town on Alabama’s Gulf Coast while she slowly reveals her characters’ backstories and makes sense of a murder case.
As the title suggests, hurricanes and their damage are the focus of this book. I’m still thinking about the reference about how it’s the things that you love that make you feel blessed to live in a hurricane-affected area, are the very things that will kill you. I’m also still thinking about whether Rosalie Inn was a bad investment or a weighty family legacy.
Hawkins made this setting come alive and made me fall in love with her characters. My only wish is that this novel contained less swearing.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Storm, written by Rachel Hawkins is a very slow paced mystery. This mildly thrilling story is set in the Rosaline Inn (a family run business, run by Emily’s family) in St. Merdard’s Bay, Alabama. This was a popular vacation destination which also experiences frequent hurricanes. Sounds enticing! However, if I’m being transparent, as excited as I was to venture into this story, it did not deliver as much excitement as I had hoped. While the writing was smooth and cohesive and the characters likable, I felt no real connection to this story, or the characters. Super not relatable and as it all unfolded, it was bland and lacked suspense. This was a disappointing read for me.
Although the story takes place in current time, it reminisced about the 1984 hurricane and how it wrecked lives and left chaos in it’s wake. This sets the tone for the reason a handsome author named August Fletcher arrives at the Inn accompanied by the wealthy Lo Bailey (the woman accused of murdering her married boyfriend during that 1984 hurricane). Their sole purpose for the visit is to begin research and meet together to write a novel about the 1984 hurricane- a sorta “tell all” novel to set the record straight. This is where past secrets are unveiled and the twists of this story are just not that twisty.
The underlying themes?
👉past and present comparisons
👉burying the truth
👉friendship, bonds, loyalty, love
👉hidden truths, lies
👉emotional distress
This was an okay read. I give it 2.5 stars but rounding up for the excellent writing. I may be an outlier on this, but in my opinion it was too slow and not suspenseful or thrilling enough.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC and for providing the audio version of The Storm.
Although the story takes place in current time, it reminisced about the 1984 hurricane and how it wrecked lives and left chaos in it’s wake. This sets the tone for the reason a handsome author named August Fletcher arrives at the Inn accompanied by the wealthy Lo Bailey (the woman accused of murdering her married boyfriend during that 1984 hurricane). Their sole purpose for the visit is to begin research and meet together to write a novel about the 1984 hurricane- a sorta “tell all” novel to set the record straight. This is where past secrets are unveiled and the twists of this story are just not that twisty.
The underlying themes?
👉past and present comparisons
👉burying the truth
👉friendship, bonds, loyalty, love
👉hidden truths, lies
👉emotional distress
This was an okay read. I give it 2.5 stars but rounding up for the excellent writing. I may be an outlier on this, but in my opinion it was too slow and not suspenseful or thrilling enough.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC and for providing the audio version of The Storm.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75 stars "St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that’s survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984."
Welcome to St Medard's Bay, a coastal southern town where people can be as deadly as the hurricanes that roll in. Geneva is owner of the Rosalie Inn and is intrigued by a writer who comes to town with Lo Bailey. Just like a hurricane, tensions brew and simmer with these out of town guests. An epic storm is sure to erupt and hopefully Geneva will not be in its path!
The Storm is another very atmospheric slow-burn thriller that Hawkins is known for. There is plenty of tension and intrigue as the 1984 murder is investigated. There are twists and turns and just like a storm, the story takes an unexpected path. Not my favorite of Hawkins works, but a solid read that is an entertaining escape. The audiobook is narrated by a full cast including Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Rachel Hawkins for an advance reader's copy and an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. 📚🎧
Welcome to St Medard's Bay, a coastal southern town where people can be as deadly as the hurricanes that roll in. Geneva is owner of the Rosalie Inn and is intrigued by a writer who comes to town with Lo Bailey. Just like a hurricane, tensions brew and simmer with these out of town guests. An epic storm is sure to erupt and hopefully Geneva will not be in its path!
The Storm is another very atmospheric slow-burn thriller that Hawkins is known for. There is plenty of tension and intrigue as the 1984 murder is investigated. There are twists and turns and just like a storm, the story takes an unexpected path. Not my favorite of Hawkins works, but a solid read that is an entertaining escape. The audiobook is narrated by a full cast including Alex Knox, Cathi Colas, Dan Bittner, Jane Oppenheimer, Patti Murin, Petrea Burchard, and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Rachel Hawkins for an advance reader's copy and an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. 📚🎧
September 8, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 2026.
2.5 stars rounded up, because the author is famous enough that we deserve better than this (though it wasn’t terrible.).
This very Southern-toned book is set in Alabama and Geneva owns the Rosalie Inn on the coast, a family business. Her mother, who now has Alzheimer’s was childhood BFFs with a woman named Lo Bailey. Lo was involved in a scandalous scandal (the best kind) when she took up with the governer’s son when she was young (he much older.). Now Lo is back in town with writer August Fletcher to write a book about the whole thing. What really happened? And, oh yeah, hurricane acomin’.
This is one of those thrillers that sounded like it might have promise and then fell flat. I predict it will sell remarkably well anyway.
2.5 stars rounded up, because the author is famous enough that we deserve better than this (though it wasn’t terrible.).
This very Southern-toned book is set in Alabama and Geneva owns the Rosalie Inn on the coast, a family business. Her mother, who now has Alzheimer’s was childhood BFFs with a woman named Lo Bailey. Lo was involved in a scandalous scandal (the best kind) when she took up with the governer’s son when she was young (he much older.). Now Lo is back in town with writer August Fletcher to write a book about the whole thing. What really happened? And, oh yeah, hurricane acomin’.
This is one of those thrillers that sounded like it might have promise and then fell flat. I predict it will sell remarkably well anyway.
July 16, 2025
I loved this book so much. The storm part of the story was almost a character in itself. The mystery and multiple perspectives were the perfect mix.
December 15, 2025
This mysterious thriller was a good, decent read for me. It came with a great premise, which was dark and tense. It is atmospheric, mostly character driven and came with twists that I didn’t see coming! Even though I feel like the premise was not well executed, I still enjoyed reading this book. While reading it, I was given different timelines and different points of views. I think that those two main things are what had given this book structure and its plot. I feel that it was a fast and easy read. It was well written and had a gothic feel to it. However, I felt like there were some plot holes missing, the premise was not well executed and it wasn’t as thrilling as I had hoped it would be.
I am from Texas and have been through a lot of hurricanes, so I just had to read this after looking at the summary for it! This was a vert dark novel with suspense surrounding a cold case murder in Alabama! Ultimately, it shows the destructive power of people and nature alike. This was not an “edge of your seat” type of thriller, more of a slow kind of thriller to me. I am sure that a lot of people will absolutely love this one. It gave me “The Night Swim” by Megan Goldin vibes. Content warnings are always important, please read them and stay healthy. Overall, I give this a 3.5 stars out of 5 stars rating!
Thank you to NetGalley, incredible author Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Be sure to check out Rachel Hawkins other books as well! She is a very well known and loved author.
This book is expected to be released on January 6, 2026!
I am from Texas and have been through a lot of hurricanes, so I just had to read this after looking at the summary for it! This was a vert dark novel with suspense surrounding a cold case murder in Alabama! Ultimately, it shows the destructive power of people and nature alike. This was not an “edge of your seat” type of thriller, more of a slow kind of thriller to me. I am sure that a lot of people will absolutely love this one. It gave me “The Night Swim” by Megan Goldin vibes. Content warnings are always important, please read them and stay healthy. Overall, I give this a 3.5 stars out of 5 stars rating!
Thank you to NetGalley, incredible author Rachel Hawkins and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Be sure to check out Rachel Hawkins other books as well! She is a very well known and loved author.
This book is expected to be released on January 6, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Please note this is my own thoughts on this book, I am sure there are many readers who will love this book.
With a wide cast of characters, I started to feel quite overwhelmed, and the story moved very slowly for me. I think the storyline just wasn’t for me, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.
With a wide cast of characters, I started to feel quite overwhelmed, and the story moved very slowly for me. I think the storyline just wasn’t for me, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Currently reading
December 30, 2025Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by this author, but the premise sounds interesting.
Pub day is Jan 6, 2026! As always, all thoughts are my own 🖤✨
Pub day is Jan 6, 2026! As always, all thoughts are my own 🖤✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pre-Read Notes:
I really loved Rachel Hawkins's The Villa and liked The Heiress, so I was very happy that NetGalley offered me an arc of this one.
"It was fast, at least. Not instant. Drowning never was,... But fast. Wouldn’t have even known what was happening, one of the Red Cross volunteers told me later. They would’ve been overwhelmed before they even knew it. I want to believe that." p102
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) This one is a book that counts down to a particular plot point. Unfortunately there are also alternating timelines, so I honestly found this book extremely confusing. I normally like this author's slight experimentation with form, but not here. These two forms-- alternating timelines and a countdown to a plot point-- don't function well together here.
I also think that the plot details drop in the wrong order. This caused me to find a great deal of the book boring actually, as all I was doing was collecting details that didn't connect yet. I wasn't even completely sure what the plot was driving at, as the story contains two distinct story lines that (again) didn't connect until the very last minute.
Form is so important in the execution of a suspense story like this one because if the structure gets messy, the plot collapses.
A Few Things:
✔️ The introduction is amazing and gave a detailed image of the natural history that inspired this book. It was a great chapter, don't miss it!
✔️ I think text messages should be set off from regular text using formating or font. In this case, they sort of get lost. This could actually be corrected in the final version.
✔️ Also, that is not how paternity testing *or* DNA testing work...😬 Since the whole plot hinges on this, I hope they fix the science, it would not be hard.
Content Notes: domestic slavery, arranged marriage, violence against children and women, hurricane/storms, drowning, murder, infidelity, unplanned pregnancy
Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of THE STORM. All views are mine.
I really loved Rachel Hawkins's The Villa and liked The Heiress, so I was very happy that NetGalley offered me an arc of this one.
"It was fast, at least. Not instant. Drowning never was,... But fast. Wouldn’t have even known what was happening, one of the Red Cross volunteers told me later. They would’ve been overwhelmed before they even knew it. I want to believe that." p102
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) This one is a book that counts down to a particular plot point. Unfortunately there are also alternating timelines, so I honestly found this book extremely confusing. I normally like this author's slight experimentation with form, but not here. These two forms-- alternating timelines and a countdown to a plot point-- don't function well together here.
I also think that the plot details drop in the wrong order. This caused me to find a great deal of the book boring actually, as all I was doing was collecting details that didn't connect yet. I wasn't even completely sure what the plot was driving at, as the story contains two distinct story lines that (again) didn't connect until the very last minute.
Form is so important in the execution of a suspense story like this one because if the structure gets messy, the plot collapses.
A Few Things:
✔️ The introduction is amazing and gave a detailed image of the natural history that inspired this book. It was a great chapter, don't miss it!
✔️ I think text messages should be set off from regular text using formating or font. In this case, they sort of get lost. This could actually be corrected in the final version.
✔️ Also, that is not how paternity testing *or* DNA testing work...😬 Since the whole plot hinges on this, I hope they fix the science, it would not be hard.
Content Notes: domestic slavery, arranged marriage, violence against children and women, hurricane/storms, drowning, murder, infidelity, unplanned pregnancy
Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of THE STORM. All views are mine.
December 19, 2025
4⭐️
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
I did not expect this book to get its claws into me the way it did. Rachel Hawkins is quickly becoming one of my go-to thriller authors because once I started, I couldn’t stop. I was constantly scrambling for time just to pick it back up.
This story is drenched in eerie, storm-charged tension and moves at a fast pace from the very first page. The multiple POVs and the shifting past-and-present timelines only add to the unease, pulling you deeper as the truth slowly unravels.
What really stood out to me was how the characters’ lives and buried tragedies are intertwined with each storm. That connection was beautifully crafted and gave the story a raw intensity. I did manage to guess the main twist, but the rest blindsided me in the best way.
The characters were messy, intriguing, and layered, though a few of characters left me questioning their motives, which honestly added to the tension.
This wasn’t my first Rachel Hawkins thriller it definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
I did not expect this book to get its claws into me the way it did. Rachel Hawkins is quickly becoming one of my go-to thriller authors because once I started, I couldn’t stop. I was constantly scrambling for time just to pick it back up.
This story is drenched in eerie, storm-charged tension and moves at a fast pace from the very first page. The multiple POVs and the shifting past-and-present timelines only add to the unease, pulling you deeper as the truth slowly unravels.
What really stood out to me was how the characters’ lives and buried tragedies are intertwined with each storm. That connection was beautifully crafted and gave the story a raw intensity. I did manage to guess the main twist, but the rest blindsided me in the best way.
The characters were messy, intriguing, and layered, though a few of characters left me questioning their motives, which honestly added to the tension.
This wasn’t my first Rachel Hawkins thriller it definitely won’t be my last.
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