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Harmless: A Novel
“By turns bonkers, blissful, hilarious, and full of sorrow, Harmless drinks at the bar with McCarthy’s The Group and Dunham’s Girls.”
—Emma Copley Eisenberg, nationally bestselling author of Housemates
A twisty novel of sisterhood, friendship, and obsession that Can we ever really outrun what haunts us most?
Two years ago, Bea’s life was upended when her beloved twin sister died. Audrey was captivating, an extrovert, their mother’s golden child. Bea was “different,” too intense, and chronically lonely.
Now, in her late twenties, Bea is back home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, her spirits finally buoyed by her plan to start a dog kennel. Inspired by the childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and old, now-estranged friends Tatum and Layla, she’s sure this will be the perfect ode to her sister’s memory.
But as they reintegrate into one another’s lives, Audrey’s absence is keenly felt by all. Soon, simmering tensions and attractions emerge, and a sinister darkness breaks through to the surface. What do they really want? What happens when old secrets come to light? And when is it best to bury a dream, or a cherished friendship?
—Emma Copley Eisenberg, nationally bestselling author of Housemates
A twisty novel of sisterhood, friendship, and obsession that Can we ever really outrun what haunts us most?
Two years ago, Bea’s life was upended when her beloved twin sister died. Audrey was captivating, an extrovert, their mother’s golden child. Bea was “different,” too intense, and chronically lonely.
Now, in her late twenties, Bea is back home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, her spirits finally buoyed by her plan to start a dog kennel. Inspired by the childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and old, now-estranged friends Tatum and Layla, she’s sure this will be the perfect ode to her sister’s memory.
But as they reintegrate into one another’s lives, Audrey’s absence is keenly felt by all. Soon, simmering tensions and attractions emerge, and a sinister darkness breaks through to the surface. What do they really want? What happens when old secrets come to light? And when is it best to bury a dream, or a cherished friendship?
Audible Audio
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Miranda Shulman
1 book49 followersMiranda Shulman attended Bard College, where she majored in human rights. Before pursuing a career in publishing, she worked at Planned Parenthood. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and still lives there. Harmless is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 4, 2026
growing up is the worst
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
January 20, 2026
Harmless is very odd…but interesting? The book starts with Bea getting ready for a memorial service for her twin sister Audrey, two years later because of COVID. She has a whim to start a dog kennel because of her sister, and knows that she will see a childhood friend of theirs at the service who she decides she wants to be a part of it.
When the third member of their quartet surprisingly shows up at the service the book transitions more to the current state of Bea and Tatum’s lives, and how their reconnection look at where they are and what they want based on each other and Bea’s roommate Rosalie.
Tatum is a very normal person who is having a quarter-ish life crisis with the banality of her life. Her live-in boyfriend Ed has become annoying to her, her job isn’t fulfilling, she’s trying to please everyone. Then she reconnects with Layla and is not only attracted to her, but sees someone she views as more put together and successful than she is, which makes her reevaluate everything in her life.
Bea is not normal. Whether this is nature or nurture is anyone’s guess, but the book reveals her as someone who desperately wants to belong and someone who is both controlling and not aware of appropriate social constructs. She feels left out when she’s not included, but she makes people feel uncomfortable when she is. This is reflected in her relationships with Tatum and Layla, and her obsessive need to control a spiraling Audrey before her death and later her roommate Rosalie.
Having known someone like Bea, and being able to see into what she was thinking was deeply uncomfortable for me. I found her behavior disturbing and scary for anyone who has a person like this in their life. Creating a very sinister vibe, she was a very cautionary tale of having someone like this in your orbit, whether you consider them a friend or not.
Tatum’s POV is not only a much needed break from the intensity of reading from Bea’s point of view, it’s a reminder that it’s perfectly normal to question where you are in life, who you’re with, and what you want, and that the grass may not be greener in someone else’s backyard.
The women and their revelations about themselves all come to a head during a getaway to their childhood vacation home.
I wish that Shulman had found a different way to bring the women together than the idea of opening a dog kennel, because none of them seem truly interested and it fades away as a storyline. I really enjoyed Tatum’s story and evolution, but Bea hit so close to home in uncomfortable ways that this didn’t just feel speculative, it felt real.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When the third member of their quartet surprisingly shows up at the service the book transitions more to the current state of Bea and Tatum’s lives, and how their reconnection look at where they are and what they want based on each other and Bea’s roommate Rosalie.
Tatum is a very normal person who is having a quarter-ish life crisis with the banality of her life. Her live-in boyfriend Ed has become annoying to her, her job isn’t fulfilling, she’s trying to please everyone. Then she reconnects with Layla and is not only attracted to her, but sees someone she views as more put together and successful than she is, which makes her reevaluate everything in her life.
Bea is not normal. Whether this is nature or nurture is anyone’s guess, but the book reveals her as someone who desperately wants to belong and someone who is both controlling and not aware of appropriate social constructs. She feels left out when she’s not included, but she makes people feel uncomfortable when she is. This is reflected in her relationships with Tatum and Layla, and her obsessive need to control a spiraling Audrey before her death and later her roommate Rosalie.
Having known someone like Bea, and being able to see into what she was thinking was deeply uncomfortable for me. I found her behavior disturbing and scary for anyone who has a person like this in their life. Creating a very sinister vibe, she was a very cautionary tale of having someone like this in your orbit, whether you consider them a friend or not.
Tatum’s POV is not only a much needed break from the intensity of reading from Bea’s point of view, it’s a reminder that it’s perfectly normal to question where you are in life, who you’re with, and what you want, and that the grass may not be greener in someone else’s backyard.
The women and their revelations about themselves all come to a head during a getaway to their childhood vacation home.
I wish that Shulman had found a different way to bring the women together than the idea of opening a dog kennel, because none of them seem truly interested and it fades away as a storyline. I really enjoyed Tatum’s story and evolution, but Bea hit so close to home in uncomfortable ways that this didn’t just feel speculative, it felt real.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 6, 2026
what a wonderful debut!!!
exploring grief, friendship, and sisterhood with a bit of a sinister undertone, harmless had me hooked from the beginning. in fact, i finished the second half in one day which is unheard of for me these days. i loved how shulman explored the idea of outgrowing a friendship (or a relationship in general) - can you find a new way to fit into and sustain a friendship from childhood when you've grown so wildly different? there's so much tension between the three main characters, especially as their interactions put their warring personalities on display. bea was a very complex and layered character, i could truly read a whole book in her perspective. i felt myself really resonating with tatum, however i was left wanting a bit more from layla.
overall, truly addictive and undeniably interesting. i hope to read more from miranda shulman in the future!
thank you so much to dutton for the gifted copy!
exploring grief, friendship, and sisterhood with a bit of a sinister undertone, harmless had me hooked from the beginning. in fact, i finished the second half in one day which is unheard of for me these days. i loved how shulman explored the idea of outgrowing a friendship (or a relationship in general) - can you find a new way to fit into and sustain a friendship from childhood when you've grown so wildly different? there's so much tension between the three main characters, especially as their interactions put their warring personalities on display. bea was a very complex and layered character, i could truly read a whole book in her perspective. i felt myself really resonating with tatum, however i was left wanting a bit more from layla.
overall, truly addictive and undeniably interesting. i hope to read more from miranda shulman in the future!
thank you so much to dutton for the gifted copy!
May 7, 2026
I didn't like any character in the book, the girls barely even seemed to like each other. I was hoping for an exploration on grief, sisterhood, and friendship but I didn't really get that. They came off as artificial even though I feel like the author had a different intention with them. Like why would you start a dog kennel when you don't even seem to care about dogs.. Anyway, this wasn't horrible but I didn't enjoy this at all.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!
November 12, 2025
Miranda Shulman’s debut novel is a stunningly sinister journey of grief that will be sure to stick with you for weeks.
The story centers around three women, grieving after the loss of their friend and sister, Audrey, who decide to open a dog kennel in her honor, but their reunion brings up old, long dormant tensions.
Bea, the central character, was Audrey’s primary caregiver when she passed away after a long battle with heroin addiction. Her strange behavior and lack of visible emotion put many people off, and she is almost completely isolated. Tatum, a former best friend of Audrey’s, is stuck in a relationship she is unhappy in, and struggling to resist to temptations brought on by a reunion with her long-lost friend, Layla. Layla, the daughter of a famous television writer, is the pinnacle of New York wealth. She’s got plastic boobs and an assistant twice her age, yet she’s unaware of the very scope of her privilege.
The differences between these three characters are clear, but are only heightened when. they interact with each other. The depth and scope of the characters make Harmless a fascinating and unique read, and the story will keep you guessing up until the very last sentence.
The story centers around three women, grieving after the loss of their friend and sister, Audrey, who decide to open a dog kennel in her honor, but their reunion brings up old, long dormant tensions.
Bea, the central character, was Audrey’s primary caregiver when she passed away after a long battle with heroin addiction. Her strange behavior and lack of visible emotion put many people off, and she is almost completely isolated. Tatum, a former best friend of Audrey’s, is stuck in a relationship she is unhappy in, and struggling to resist to temptations brought on by a reunion with her long-lost friend, Layla. Layla, the daughter of a famous television writer, is the pinnacle of New York wealth. She’s got plastic boobs and an assistant twice her age, yet she’s unaware of the very scope of her privilege.
The differences between these three characters are clear, but are only heightened when. they interact with each other. The depth and scope of the characters make Harmless a fascinating and unique read, and the story will keep you guessing up until the very last sentence.
May 27, 2026
Queen!!!! I can’t wait to follow Miranda’s career ☺️
April 14, 2026
friendships are weird. grief is weird. being in your late twenties is weird. this book encapsulates it all and will make you feel seen. this is a great debut and has me excited for more miranda!
thank you Dutton for the gifted copy
thank you Dutton for the gifted copy
April 27, 2026
This was a good debut, kept me intrigued for about 60% of the book and then when you figure out what happened, it turns a bit predictable. The ending did nothing for me since it was not surprising.
Overall, a good read and will keep my eye out for future work by this author.
Thank you to Dutton and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
Overall, a good read and will keep my eye out for future work by this author.
Thank you to Dutton and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.
April 27, 2026
This is one you read and must ruminate over after seeing how you feel. It’s a story of grief, sisterhood, obsession and weird scenarios. All the characters are unlikeable but are unique. I really liked how to Shulman showcases the ways that grief is subjective and not linear. There is no “right” way. There are some severely unhinged moments and situations that make it hard to pull yourself away. Since the characters are vastly different, it made for a very interesting character driven plot. Props to Shulman as this is a great debut and she is one to watch!
April 15, 2026
Thank you so much to Dutton Books & Netgalley for the gifted e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📱Harmless📱
Author: Miranda Shulman
Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Dutton Books
MY RATING: 3.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
If you like weird girl fiction, have I got a book rec for you! Happy Pub Week to Harmless, the debut novel from Miranda Shulman. Harmless captivated my interest with its emotionally-charged storylines about grief, female friendships, childhood dreams, difficult family bonds, and unhealthy relationships.
It's challenging to review this book without giving away any spoilers, but here we go. Shulman's writing flowed really well. The book was brilliantly written from the perspectives of multiple characters, all of whom are indelibly flawed, and yet I couldn't help but feel endearingly empathetic toward them. While they may not have been likeable at all times, Shulman captured them with such authentic humanity. I was fascinated with the messiness of each of their lives and the fragile connections they had to one another -- and it was hard to look away from the chaos they each brought to the story.
Shulman was masterful in the way she would reveal the characters' really big secrets in an incredibly casual manner. There were moments when I had to reread a sentence or two to be sure I'd read that correctly, and some of the revelations would've been easy to miss if you weren't paying attention. Some of the revelations felt unexpectedly twisty, and I loved that! However, I thought the ending came pretty abruptly and I would have loved just a little more story for clarity about what came next.
Just a heads up: much of the subject matter of this read was heavy and emotion-filled. You may want to check trigger warnings as there were several potential emotional landmines in these pages.
While this book wasn't quite what I expected going in, I thought it was a good read overall. It was definitely well-written and the character development of these quirky & flawed characters was phenomenal. If you're a fan of weird girl fiction, debut authors, or emotionally-fueled novels about female friendship and grief -- you're going to want to add this one to your TBR list immediately.
#Harmless #MirandaShulman #DuttonBooks #gifted #eARC #Netgalley #fictionalreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📱Harmless📱
Author: Miranda Shulman
Pub Date: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Dutton Books
MY RATING: 3.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
If you like weird girl fiction, have I got a book rec for you! Happy Pub Week to Harmless, the debut novel from Miranda Shulman. Harmless captivated my interest with its emotionally-charged storylines about grief, female friendships, childhood dreams, difficult family bonds, and unhealthy relationships.
It's challenging to review this book without giving away any spoilers, but here we go. Shulman's writing flowed really well. The book was brilliantly written from the perspectives of multiple characters, all of whom are indelibly flawed, and yet I couldn't help but feel endearingly empathetic toward them. While they may not have been likeable at all times, Shulman captured them with such authentic humanity. I was fascinated with the messiness of each of their lives and the fragile connections they had to one another -- and it was hard to look away from the chaos they each brought to the story.
Shulman was masterful in the way she would reveal the characters' really big secrets in an incredibly casual manner. There were moments when I had to reread a sentence or two to be sure I'd read that correctly, and some of the revelations would've been easy to miss if you weren't paying attention. Some of the revelations felt unexpectedly twisty, and I loved that! However, I thought the ending came pretty abruptly and I would have loved just a little more story for clarity about what came next.
Just a heads up: much of the subject matter of this read was heavy and emotion-filled. You may want to check trigger warnings as there were several potential emotional landmines in these pages.
While this book wasn't quite what I expected going in, I thought it was a good read overall. It was definitely well-written and the character development of these quirky & flawed characters was phenomenal. If you're a fan of weird girl fiction, debut authors, or emotionally-fueled novels about female friendship and grief -- you're going to want to add this one to your TBR list immediately.
#Harmless #MirandaShulman #DuttonBooks #gifted #eARC #Netgalley #fictionalreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
April 15, 2026
well, that was weird. probably a 3.5.
i went into harmless *completely* blind. and oh BOY was that an interesting choice in the end. this book is about the loss of innocence/childhood, grief, mother/daughter dynamics, trauma, addiction, privilege, and how to be an adult when it’s like, unbearably hard.
this book begins with the memorial service for audrey, bea’s twin sister who passed two years prior. bea, audrey, tatum, and layla, were close childhood friends that drifted apart after their moms abruptly stopped speaking to each other about 15 years earlier. now women in their late 20s, bea, tatum, and layla try to recover the relationship they once had and revive their childhood dream of opening a dog kennel (they keep calling it a kennel even though shelter would be more accurate).
the characters are incredibly well written with distinct characteristics and flaws. each of them has a different dynamic with another, making their joined relationship really interesting to follow. bea was such a strange, confusing character and i genuinely didn’t know what to think of her for most of the novel.
ultimately, i really liked this book. i thought it had a lot of unique elements, well written characters, an interesting setting, and dove into some important and relevant topics. i thought that the ending was too abrupt for my taste and i didn’t feel like i knew where all the characters were going. i also thought that the kennel situation was pretty odd, especially considering how important it was to bea at the beginning but she ultimately didn’t care at all soon after their initial discussion about it.
PLEASE check trigger warnings before you read this book. a few to keep note of: addiction, depression, unwanted pregnancy, manipulation, grief/death.
(thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!)
i went into harmless *completely* blind. and oh BOY was that an interesting choice in the end. this book is about the loss of innocence/childhood, grief, mother/daughter dynamics, trauma, addiction, privilege, and how to be an adult when it’s like, unbearably hard.
this book begins with the memorial service for audrey, bea’s twin sister who passed two years prior. bea, audrey, tatum, and layla, were close childhood friends that drifted apart after their moms abruptly stopped speaking to each other about 15 years earlier. now women in their late 20s, bea, tatum, and layla try to recover the relationship they once had and revive their childhood dream of opening a dog kennel (they keep calling it a kennel even though shelter would be more accurate).
the characters are incredibly well written with distinct characteristics and flaws. each of them has a different dynamic with another, making their joined relationship really interesting to follow. bea was such a strange, confusing character and i genuinely didn’t know what to think of her for most of the novel.
ultimately, i really liked this book. i thought it had a lot of unique elements, well written characters, an interesting setting, and dove into some important and relevant topics. i thought that the ending was too abrupt for my taste and i didn’t feel like i knew where all the characters were going. i also thought that the kennel situation was pretty odd, especially considering how important it was to bea at the beginning but she ultimately didn’t care at all soon after their initial discussion about it.
PLEASE check trigger warnings before you read this book. a few to keep note of: addiction, depression, unwanted pregnancy, manipulation, grief/death.
(thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!)
June 21, 2026
The pacing and plot had a lot of issues. I get what the writer is trying to do with this story and I appreciate it. Like I really loved the discussions of grief and the hardships of growing up and becoming who you’re meant to be. And I thought the writing itself was good, especially for a debut author. The Park Slope setting was atmospheric and I loved hearing about its little intricacies. But a lot of plot lines were left undeveloped and the ending was rushed (and a bit nonsensical). I think Layla and Rosalie deserved more depth as characters, and don’t even get me started on the whole dog kennel thing. I wish I had more to say about this one, but there’s just not a ton of discourse about it and maybe that’s for a reason.
April 25, 2026
Harmless takes the reader into Park Slope Brooklyn and the lives of estranged friends who find themselves grieving the loss of one of their childhood friends, albeit delayed 2 years because of COVID. ( Covid in books is a personal ick, but I overcame it)
Bea is the grieving twin sister of Audrey, who has died after a long battle with substance abuse. You just know there is something majorly off with Bea from the beginning, hence the ”wierd girl litfic” categorization of this.
This book covers the childhood trauma, mental illness, coming of age, grief, resentment issues, relationship failures and family drama of the Park Slope rich kids.
I didn’t like any of these characters, at all, so therefore I enjoyed the book. If you gravitate towards unlikeable characters who are mentally unwell you should grab this off the shelf.
Thank you to NetGalley & Dutton Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bea is the grieving twin sister of Audrey, who has died after a long battle with substance abuse. You just know there is something majorly off with Bea from the beginning, hence the ”wierd girl litfic” categorization of this.
This book covers the childhood trauma, mental illness, coming of age, grief, resentment issues, relationship failures and family drama of the Park Slope rich kids.
I didn’t like any of these characters, at all, so therefore I enjoyed the book. If you gravitate towards unlikeable characters who are mentally unwell you should grab this off the shelf.
Thank you to NetGalley & Dutton Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
January 8, 2026it's a new year and time to try new authors! I can't wait to read this!
May 26, 2026
This book was fucking nuts. The entire time, I was waiting to see what Bea was going to do (waiting for the shoe to drop). Such an interesting story line, I would love to be inside the authors head and learn how she came up with this insane story line. Overall, such a funky book
June 15, 2026
very random plot and main character grinded my gears!!
April 27, 2026
Ok this was a little weird, yet extremely well written. A great debut!
To be honest, I might have been too naïve going into this… I have a soft spot for stories about friendship and grief, but this was something else entirely.
Just as a warning: this novel is not in any way harmless, but quite a tough and disturbing read… and at the same time oddly entertaining?! None of the characters are particularly likeable.
I can’t say I loved it, but I was hooked for sure.
To be honest, I might have been too naïve going into this… I have a soft spot for stories about friendship and grief, but this was something else entirely.
Just as a warning: this novel is not in any way harmless, but quite a tough and disturbing read… and at the same time oddly entertaining?! None of the characters are particularly likeable.
I can’t say I loved it, but I was hooked for sure.
September 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Harmless is a layered but chaotic novel that primarily follows two women in their twenties: Beatrix and Tatum. Bea’s twin Audrey passed away two years before the beginning of the novel in a heroin-induced choking incident (on an olive). The novel opens during Audrey’s COVID-delayed memorial. When Bea and Audrey’s childhood friends Tatum and Layla show up to the memorial, Bea confronts them with her brilliant idea: a revival of their collective childhood dream of opening a dog kennel/rescue. Layla and her family’s new money immediately become invested in this idea and prepare to mobilize it. But Bea suddenly loses enthusiasm for the idea and her role in Audrey’s addiction and subsequent death becomes complicated.
I particularly liked Bea as a character. She is strange, often comes off as rude, and really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her. I love that she is such a morally twisted character, and I think that the book did a good job of making the reader completely uncomfortable whenever she is in a scene. I haven’t read a character in a long time that I was so simultaneously intrigued and put off by, I think that this is a very difficult balance to strike.
The narrative is also completely embedded in New York in the perfect way. Every scene felt intimately familiar with Park Slope especially, and Schulman painted a very real-feeling although perhaps exaggerated picture of that part of Brooklyn. Schulman was convincing in this picture and I would entirely believe that she is from Park Slope.
I was expecting a more thorough meditation on grief. Especially considering that Audrey and Bea were twins, I thought that this book might be more devastating than it was. I don’t think this lack of grief and emotion was a bad thing, of course, it was just surprising. Perhaps it’s because the novel opens two years after the death occurred. But Harmless is much more of a humorous romp through Park Slope that explores the tensions between an eclectic group of childhood friends.
I guess what fell short for me was that the book was ultimately kind of boring. Bea is a wonderfully strange character, but we focus more on minor mischief than the actual borderline atrocities she commits. Schulman is perhaps a little bit too interested in Tatum, who, while well-written, was rather boring to me. Getting out of Bea’s claustrophobically twisted mind was refreshing at times, but I don’t really understand the point of Tatum’s perspective. Her arc as a character made sense and was satisfying by the end, but not interesting. I think her as a character particularly turned Harmless from being an ironic, unreliable narrative to becoming a sort of uncritical window into the foibles of the New York wealthy.
I still think it was an enjoyable read, and I am sure that Harmless will do well for a lot of people. I am excited to see how other people will receive this novel when it comes out in April next year. I ended up rating this a 3.25/5.
Harmless is a layered but chaotic novel that primarily follows two women in their twenties: Beatrix and Tatum. Bea’s twin Audrey passed away two years before the beginning of the novel in a heroin-induced choking incident (on an olive). The novel opens during Audrey’s COVID-delayed memorial. When Bea and Audrey’s childhood friends Tatum and Layla show up to the memorial, Bea confronts them with her brilliant idea: a revival of their collective childhood dream of opening a dog kennel/rescue. Layla and her family’s new money immediately become invested in this idea and prepare to mobilize it. But Bea suddenly loses enthusiasm for the idea and her role in Audrey’s addiction and subsequent death becomes complicated.
I particularly liked Bea as a character. She is strange, often comes off as rude, and really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her. I love that she is such a morally twisted character, and I think that the book did a good job of making the reader completely uncomfortable whenever she is in a scene. I haven’t read a character in a long time that I was so simultaneously intrigued and put off by, I think that this is a very difficult balance to strike.
The narrative is also completely embedded in New York in the perfect way. Every scene felt intimately familiar with Park Slope especially, and Schulman painted a very real-feeling although perhaps exaggerated picture of that part of Brooklyn. Schulman was convincing in this picture and I would entirely believe that she is from Park Slope.
I was expecting a more thorough meditation on grief. Especially considering that Audrey and Bea were twins, I thought that this book might be more devastating than it was. I don’t think this lack of grief and emotion was a bad thing, of course, it was just surprising. Perhaps it’s because the novel opens two years after the death occurred. But Harmless is much more of a humorous romp through Park Slope that explores the tensions between an eclectic group of childhood friends.
I guess what fell short for me was that the book was ultimately kind of boring. Bea is a wonderfully strange character, but we focus more on minor mischief than the actual borderline atrocities she commits. Schulman is perhaps a little bit too interested in Tatum, who, while well-written, was rather boring to me. Getting out of Bea’s claustrophobically twisted mind was refreshing at times, but I don’t really understand the point of Tatum’s perspective. Her arc as a character made sense and was satisfying by the end, but not interesting. I think her as a character particularly turned Harmless from being an ironic, unreliable narrative to becoming a sort of uncritical window into the foibles of the New York wealthy.
I still think it was an enjoyable read, and I am sure that Harmless will do well for a lot of people. I am excited to see how other people will receive this novel when it comes out in April next year. I ended up rating this a 3.25/5.
May 18, 2026
Amazing debut novel! So impressed by someone my age writing something so wonderful. It was slow at the beginning and then very captivating. A lot of turns I did not expect.
Can’t wait to read the next Shulman novel
Can’t wait to read the next Shulman novel
May 8, 2026
What an amazing story, and a debut at that! I loved the juxtaposition between Tatum and Bea’s perspectives. I really enjoyed how this book covered themes of friendship and grief so well while continually surprising me with the different interpretations of love shown by each character. I’m looking forward to Shulman’s future work!
May 7, 2026
Couldn't get enough of this book. The descriptive writing was like nothing I've read before—such interesting attention to detail and provided me with a truly original perspective. Miranda does a great job of capturing the realness of her characters in a way that was both horrifying and relatable. Loved it!
January 27, 2026
What started as a story about grief took a turn and turned into something sinister. I liked how Harmless approached sisterhood, friendships, and loneliness from a unique angle. I only wish that Layla was a more fleshed-out character.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher, Dutton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher, Dutton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2026
Excellent debut by a talented young author! This tale of childhood friendship explores what can happen as besties grow up and apart, amid tragedy. If you liked Girls you’ll love getting to know this Brooklyn-born crew.
April 29, 2026
I could not put Harmless down!!! The characters will stay with me and the ending will haunt me. The plot is intense and addictive and the writing is vivid, funny and full of truths about friendship and growing up.
May 1, 2026
This book was deliciously weird, with a creeping sense of dread that increased as we got further through the narrative. I loved these characters, and the description of Park Slope, which was a supporting character in and of itself. Wish I could have more of them! (Especially Tatum)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book: Harmless
Author: Miranda Shulman
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Dutton, for sending me an ARC. This was just a classic case of the book not being for me. It’s not a bad book by any means, but it just wasn’t for me.
Two years after the death of her twin sister, Audrey, Bea is still living in the shadow of a loss that reshaped her life. Audrey had been magnetic and outgoing, their mother’s favourite, while Bea was seen as intense and isolated. Grief pulled Bea away from everything familiar, yet now in her late twenties, she has returned home to Park Slope, Brooklyn, determined to begin again. Bea plans to open a dog kennel, inspired by a childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and their former friends Tatum and Layla. She believes the business will honour her sister’s memory and give her own life direction. Bea is certain she cared for Audrey devotedly in the months before her death, and she hopes to channel that same devotion into rescuing and tending to vulnerable dogs. To make the kennel succeed, she must reconnect with the two friends she left behind. Tatum feels stuck in a low-level publishing job and trapped in a stagnant relationship with her college boyfriend. Layla lives comfortably on her mother’s wealth yet lacks meaningful work or independence. Each woman is restless in her own way, which makes Bea’s proposal unexpectedly appealing. As the three women attempt to rebuild their friendship, old resentments surface alongside complicated desires. Their shared history binds them together, yet unresolved tensions threaten to pull them apart. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, forcing each of them to confront what they truly want from one another and from themselves. The dream that once united them may not survive the truth, and neither may their lifelong bond.
I really wanted to like this one, and I went into it fully open to wherever the story wanted to take me. It just ended up not being a book for me.
I usually enjoy books that feel a little different or off-centre. I like when a story takes risks or leans into complicated characters. With this one, I had a really hard time connecting with both the characters and the overall story. When that connection is missing for me, my enjoyment almost always drops. I can appreciate what the author is trying to do, yet I still feel outside of it.
That does not mean this is a bad or poorly written book by any means. The writing itself is thoughtful and intentional. It simply was not a good fit for my personal reading taste.
Bea was probably the most interesting part for me. There is something very human about the way she just wants to find a way to fit in and belong. Her grief, her intensity, and her longing to build something meaningful all felt real. I understood what she wanted, even when I struggled to fully connect with her.
In the end, this is one of those books that I can see working really well for the right reader. It explores complicated friendships and messy emotions in a way that will resonate with some people. I just was not one of them.
Overall, this just wasn’t the book for me.
This book comes out on April 14, 2026.
Author: Miranda Shulman
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Dutton, for sending me an ARC. This was just a classic case of the book not being for me. It’s not a bad book by any means, but it just wasn’t for me.
Two years after the death of her twin sister, Audrey, Bea is still living in the shadow of a loss that reshaped her life. Audrey had been magnetic and outgoing, their mother’s favourite, while Bea was seen as intense and isolated. Grief pulled Bea away from everything familiar, yet now in her late twenties, she has returned home to Park Slope, Brooklyn, determined to begin again. Bea plans to open a dog kennel, inspired by a childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and their former friends Tatum and Layla. She believes the business will honour her sister’s memory and give her own life direction. Bea is certain she cared for Audrey devotedly in the months before her death, and she hopes to channel that same devotion into rescuing and tending to vulnerable dogs. To make the kennel succeed, she must reconnect with the two friends she left behind. Tatum feels stuck in a low-level publishing job and trapped in a stagnant relationship with her college boyfriend. Layla lives comfortably on her mother’s wealth yet lacks meaningful work or independence. Each woman is restless in her own way, which makes Bea’s proposal unexpectedly appealing. As the three women attempt to rebuild their friendship, old resentments surface alongside complicated desires. Their shared history binds them together, yet unresolved tensions threaten to pull them apart. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, forcing each of them to confront what they truly want from one another and from themselves. The dream that once united them may not survive the truth, and neither may their lifelong bond.
I really wanted to like this one, and I went into it fully open to wherever the story wanted to take me. It just ended up not being a book for me.
I usually enjoy books that feel a little different or off-centre. I like when a story takes risks or leans into complicated characters. With this one, I had a really hard time connecting with both the characters and the overall story. When that connection is missing for me, my enjoyment almost always drops. I can appreciate what the author is trying to do, yet I still feel outside of it.
That does not mean this is a bad or poorly written book by any means. The writing itself is thoughtful and intentional. It simply was not a good fit for my personal reading taste.
Bea was probably the most interesting part for me. There is something very human about the way she just wants to find a way to fit in and belong. Her grief, her intensity, and her longing to build something meaningful all felt real. I understood what she wanted, even when I struggled to fully connect with her.
In the end, this is one of those books that I can see working really well for the right reader. It explores complicated friendships and messy emotions in a way that will resonate with some people. I just was not one of them.
Overall, this just wasn’t the book for me.
This book comes out on April 14, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, this book was different… In fact, I’m not even sure where to begin in reviewing this book. Do I talk about the strange character of Bea? Or the fact that three grown adult women who don’t even own dogs want to open up a dog kennel?
This story starts off with Bea (Beatrix) going to a memorial service for her deceased twin sister, Audrey. This memorial service is two years after the fact because of Covid. While at the service, Bea reconnects with two childhood friends, Tatum and Layla.
While reconnecting with Layla and Tatum, Bea gives them her idea about starting a dog kennel together. 🐕 Layla and Tatum love the idea of starting this dog kennel, as it gives them both a new purpose in life. Layla also comes from money, so it would hopefully be her funds that would start it. Bea’s sister, Audrey, had always wanted a dog, so she thought this would be a good idea.
As the story progresses, we learn a bit about each of the characters. Tatum learns she is just finding out what she wants in life, and has never really been happy with her live-in boyfriend of nine years. We don’t know too much about Layla, except her mother has a lot of money, and in turn, she gets to live off of that money. Bea, is the most disturbing character I have ever read about. She was creepy, dirty, and not a person I would want anywhere near me. Bea also liked to take care of people, and found a new roommate, Rosalie, to take care of.
The three women, along with the roommate, decide to go on a weekend trip to the “Yellow House”. The “Yellow House” is a house where the girls and their parents would spend all their summers at until their parents got into a fight and quit talking to each other. None of the girls know why their parents don’t talk anymore, and none of them thought to ask why. At the “Yellow House” for the weekend, the girls have a big talk about their friendship, and what happened to themselves and Audrey over the years. We also learn how none of them ever really cared about starting a dog kennel…
This book went in a bunch of different directions, and it tried to cover a few too many topics. This was also my second read this month in which the characters called their mothers by their first names, instead of “mom”. I’m finding that so odd.
Anyways, this wasn’t a book that I connected with-especially the characters. This book might be a better fit for a younger audience, but it didn’t quite fit for me. However, I will say for a debut novel, this writing was pretty good.
(2.5 stars)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an Arc of this book, in exchange for an honest opinion.
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Genre~ New Adult, General Fiction (adult)
This story starts off with Bea (Beatrix) going to a memorial service for her deceased twin sister, Audrey. This memorial service is two years after the fact because of Covid. While at the service, Bea reconnects with two childhood friends, Tatum and Layla.
While reconnecting with Layla and Tatum, Bea gives them her idea about starting a dog kennel together. 🐕 Layla and Tatum love the idea of starting this dog kennel, as it gives them both a new purpose in life. Layla also comes from money, so it would hopefully be her funds that would start it. Bea’s sister, Audrey, had always wanted a dog, so she thought this would be a good idea.
As the story progresses, we learn a bit about each of the characters. Tatum learns she is just finding out what she wants in life, and has never really been happy with her live-in boyfriend of nine years. We don’t know too much about Layla, except her mother has a lot of money, and in turn, she gets to live off of that money. Bea, is the most disturbing character I have ever read about. She was creepy, dirty, and not a person I would want anywhere near me. Bea also liked to take care of people, and found a new roommate, Rosalie, to take care of.
The three women, along with the roommate, decide to go on a weekend trip to the “Yellow House”. The “Yellow House” is a house where the girls and their parents would spend all their summers at until their parents got into a fight and quit talking to each other. None of the girls know why their parents don’t talk anymore, and none of them thought to ask why. At the “Yellow House” for the weekend, the girls have a big talk about their friendship, and what happened to themselves and Audrey over the years. We also learn how none of them ever really cared about starting a dog kennel…
This book went in a bunch of different directions, and it tried to cover a few too many topics. This was also my second read this month in which the characters called their mothers by their first names, instead of “mom”. I’m finding that so odd.
Anyways, this wasn’t a book that I connected with-especially the characters. This book might be a better fit for a younger audience, but it didn’t quite fit for me. However, I will say for a debut novel, this writing was pretty good.
(2.5 stars)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an Arc of this book, in exchange for an honest opinion.
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Genre~ New Adult, General Fiction (adult)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Harmless is quirky, charming, and a little bit batshit in the best way.
The novel begins at a memorial service where the three friends reunite to mourn the loss of Audrey. Born, raised (and sill living) in Park Slope, Tatum, Layla, and twins Bea and Audrey, grew up spending summers at the yellow house, a place that has taken on mythic proportions in the light of nostalgia and the way those summers mysteriously ceased. Now in their mid-twenties and mostly estranged, they decide to honor Audrey by following through on a childhood dream of starting a dog kennel in Brooklyn.
That’s a very loose description of the plot, but I don’t want to give too much away. Though it’s mostly character-driven for the first half of the novel, it really comes together for a wild twist I don’t want to spoil.
Though we only get Tatum and Bea’s perspectives, both women spend so much time thinking about the others that it feels like you’re getting all 4 which I thought was a cool way to tell the story without getting bogged down in too much background info.
Beautiful and charismatic, Audrey was at the center of their group— much as she was at the center of most rooms before her addiction rendered her unable to care for herself. Tatum is the most levelheaded of the group, working a dead-end corporate job and living with a boyfriend she can barely stand, but whose parents pay their rent. Layla has reemerged from the shadows of their lives, glamorous and rich (her mother has since became a famous television creator since they were kids) and ready to take charge, if only in appearance. Bea is a question mark as what (at first) reads as quirky/socially unaware, quickly devolves into a dangerous form of madness.
It was reminiscent of Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, but a little psychotic. I was laughing a ton at the beginning, especially about the specific oddities of growing up in the city and overbearing mothers, but then felt totally swept up by the thriller-ish elements that came later. I really enjoyed!
The novel begins at a memorial service where the three friends reunite to mourn the loss of Audrey. Born, raised (and sill living) in Park Slope, Tatum, Layla, and twins Bea and Audrey, grew up spending summers at the yellow house, a place that has taken on mythic proportions in the light of nostalgia and the way those summers mysteriously ceased. Now in their mid-twenties and mostly estranged, they decide to honor Audrey by following through on a childhood dream of starting a dog kennel in Brooklyn.
That’s a very loose description of the plot, but I don’t want to give too much away. Though it’s mostly character-driven for the first half of the novel, it really comes together for a wild twist I don’t want to spoil.
Though we only get Tatum and Bea’s perspectives, both women spend so much time thinking about the others that it feels like you’re getting all 4 which I thought was a cool way to tell the story without getting bogged down in too much background info.
Beautiful and charismatic, Audrey was at the center of their group— much as she was at the center of most rooms before her addiction rendered her unable to care for herself. Tatum is the most levelheaded of the group, working a dead-end corporate job and living with a boyfriend she can barely stand, but whose parents pay their rent. Layla has reemerged from the shadows of their lives, glamorous and rich (her mother has since became a famous television creator since they were kids) and ready to take charge, if only in appearance. Bea is a question mark as what (at first) reads as quirky/socially unaware, quickly devolves into a dangerous form of madness.
It was reminiscent of Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, but a little psychotic. I was laughing a ton at the beginning, especially about the specific oddities of growing up in the city and overbearing mothers, but then felt totally swept up by the thriller-ish elements that came later. I really enjoyed!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Grief, Green, and Great Big Twists
I officially have the strangest luck with my "Color of the Month" reading challenge. This month’s color is green, which led me to this strange, tense little book. Harmless by Miranda Shulman is a slow-burn character study that captures the messy, uncomfortable reality of how people grapple with loss and longing.
The story follows 27-year-old Bea, who is living in Brooklyn and still reeling from the loss of her sister, Audrey. The narrative kicks off with an emotional tailspin triggered by something as small as a roommate eating an olive from Audrey’s jar in the fridge. The catch? That jar was two years old! In an attempt to find her footing, Bea returns home with a plan to honor Audrey’s memory by opening a dog kennel—a childhood dream the sisters once shared. She ropes in Audrey’s old friends, Tatum and Layla, hoping the project will bring them closer and help her finally move forward.
What starts as a nostalgic reunion quickly devolves into a twisty examination of loyalty, desire, and buried secrets. Bea is a compelling but deeply unreliable narrator. Isolated and lonely, she clings to the proximity of Audrey’s friends to find her "old self," but as her motivations unfold, the story shifts from a tribute into a twisted obsession.
The pacing is deliberate, shifting back and forth between different timelines and perspectives to build a constant sense of unease. While the slow-burn nature of the plot kept me guessing, the ending is what truly bumped up the rating for me; I did not see that final turn coming at all. I am happy to land at a solid 3.5 stars and am definitely intrigued enough to try more from Miranda Shulman in the future.
I officially have the strangest luck with my "Color of the Month" reading challenge. This month’s color is green, which led me to this strange, tense little book. Harmless by Miranda Shulman is a slow-burn character study that captures the messy, uncomfortable reality of how people grapple with loss and longing.
The story follows 27-year-old Bea, who is living in Brooklyn and still reeling from the loss of her sister, Audrey. The narrative kicks off with an emotional tailspin triggered by something as small as a roommate eating an olive from Audrey’s jar in the fridge. The catch? That jar was two years old! In an attempt to find her footing, Bea returns home with a plan to honor Audrey’s memory by opening a dog kennel—a childhood dream the sisters once shared. She ropes in Audrey’s old friends, Tatum and Layla, hoping the project will bring them closer and help her finally move forward.
What starts as a nostalgic reunion quickly devolves into a twisty examination of loyalty, desire, and buried secrets. Bea is a compelling but deeply unreliable narrator. Isolated and lonely, she clings to the proximity of Audrey’s friends to find her "old self," but as her motivations unfold, the story shifts from a tribute into a twisted obsession.
The pacing is deliberate, shifting back and forth between different timelines and perspectives to build a constant sense of unease. While the slow-burn nature of the plot kept me guessing, the ending is what truly bumped up the rating for me; I did not see that final turn coming at all. I am happy to land at a solid 3.5 stars and am definitely intrigued enough to try more from Miranda Shulman in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I expected a story with a lot of emotional baggage since the story revolves around Audrey's death and those close to her moving on in their individual ways. What I didn't expect was so much negativity. Of all the characters, there was not a one that I liked. Bea is just a scourge on the Earth, and the rest of the gals are people I would avoid. I did not like the story any more than I liked the characters. I tried to tell myself that the story was about working through grief, or a statement piece on mental illness - but I can't really make either case. I finished the book, but feel that it left a black spot on my brain. I cannot say that I learned anything from the story, found it entertaining, or that it left me feeling a better person for having read it.
Now, just because I disliked the story, it does not mean that the author is not talented. Shulman was able to craft characters that were solid enough for me to hate. The story did progress as the girls became reacquainted and tried to move beyond their losses. So my rating is for the story itself.
Now for Spoilers (I have to mention these because they got under my skin). Dog rescues are not for-profit ventures. Who even thinks that this is a possibility? Do any of them have access to a dictionary or Google? And who ventures to form a dog rescue group when you have never even petted a dog? Are these 4-year-old girls opening a lemonade stand with Dixie cups and tap water? It made these gals all seem to be very sheltered and (quite frankly) stupid. Grrr.
Thank you to ID from Penguin Random House for the DRC of this book.
Now, just because I disliked the story, it does not mean that the author is not talented. Shulman was able to craft characters that were solid enough for me to hate. The story did progress as the girls became reacquainted and tried to move beyond their losses. So my rating is for the story itself.
Now for Spoilers (I have to mention these because they got under my skin). Dog rescues are not for-profit ventures. Who even thinks that this is a possibility? Do any of them have access to a dictionary or Google? And who ventures to form a dog rescue group when you have never even petted a dog? Are these 4-year-old girls opening a lemonade stand with Dixie cups and tap water? It made these gals all seem to be very sheltered and (quite frankly) stupid. Grrr.
Thank you to ID from Penguin Random House for the DRC of this book.
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