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She Had Enough
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Expected 21 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
12 days and 11:37:33
10 copies available
U.S. only
Six friends. One dinner. And a secret that won't stay buried.
Mallory Taylor was looking forward to a fun night out with old college friends—nostalgia, laughter, nothing more. But Caitlin, always the quiet one of the group, seems even more withdrawn than usual. On edge. Distant. Then, hours after the women all head their separate ways, a massive earthquake reduces San Francisco to rubble—and Caitlin disappears.
It isn't until six months later, as the city begins to recover, that Mallory learns the truth. Was her disappearance related to the earthquake? Or was something else, something sinister, going on with Caitlin?
No one else seems alarmed. No one is asking questions. But the more Mallory digs, the more she uncovers secrets from that fractures in their friendships, hidden motives, and quiet betrayals. The kind of secrets people would kill to protect.
Twisty, atmospheric, and impossible to put down, She Had Enough is a chilling exploration of friendship, silence, and what happens when one woman refuses to stop asking questions.
Mallory Taylor was looking forward to a fun night out with old college friends—nostalgia, laughter, nothing more. But Caitlin, always the quiet one of the group, seems even more withdrawn than usual. On edge. Distant. Then, hours after the women all head their separate ways, a massive earthquake reduces San Francisco to rubble—and Caitlin disappears.
It isn't until six months later, as the city begins to recover, that Mallory learns the truth. Was her disappearance related to the earthquake? Or was something else, something sinister, going on with Caitlin?
No one else seems alarmed. No one is asking questions. But the more Mallory digs, the more she uncovers secrets from that fractures in their friendships, hidden motives, and quiet betrayals. The kind of secrets people would kill to protect.
Twisty, atmospheric, and impossible to put down, She Had Enough is a chilling exploration of friendship, silence, and what happens when one woman refuses to stop asking questions.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 21, 2026
8 people are currently reading
16103 people want to read
About the author
Stacie Grey
4 books166 followersStacie Grey is an author and fan of mysteries who lives in Alameda, California, with her husband and dog. In what passes for normal life, she works in biotech research. She mostly posts to Instagram and Threads, and occasionally writes a newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved that this book had humor and mystery, it kept me intrigued I love a book that has you guessing in every chapter. The cat themes had me laughing! Mallory and a group of friends have dinner just before an earthquake hits San Francisco, the mystery lies after when one of their friends turns up dead and it seems as if Mallory is the only one interested enough to question the missing pieces. I love that she never gives up and she will stop at nothing to reveal the truth! Do you really know your friends?
January 21, 2026
I received this EARC from NetGalley for review. This novel focuses on Mallory and her group of friends who have known each other since college. They go out for drinks one night, and in San Francisco an earthquake hits and the city is devastated. Amidst the chaos, Mallory learns that a newer member to the friends circle, Caitlin, has perished, but it appears she died shortly before the quake struck. The novel focuses on Mallory’s investigation into Caitlin’s death and how her friends could potentially be involved.
I enjoyed the pacing of this novel and Mallory was a relatable, fun lead character. As another 30- something cat lady I loved her sense of humor and worry for her and Caitlin’s cats; it added a touch of charm to the dark themes in the story. This book is a good “popcorn” novel to relax to and read when you want something to unwind to at the end of the day. The author does a great job exploring the themes of old friendships and routines and how life changes over the years - and wondering how well you may know your friends after all!
I enjoyed the pacing of this novel and Mallory was a relatable, fun lead character. As another 30- something cat lady I loved her sense of humor and worry for her and Caitlin’s cats; it added a touch of charm to the dark themes in the story. This book is a good “popcorn” novel to relax to and read when you want something to unwind to at the end of the day. The author does a great job exploring the themes of old friendships and routines and how life changes over the years - and wondering how well you may know your friends after all!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
One night. An earthquake. A missing friend. An object that doesn’t make sense. To Mallory, they’re all just connections she can’t ignore. But while she’s looking for answers in the rubble of the last six months, her “friends” are busy building a brick wall of denial.
They say she’s being dramatic. They say she’s seeing things that aren’t there. It’s gaslighting 101, and it’s working.
We are all wearing masks, and as we age, our friends’ masks begin to slip. We think we know the people we grew up with, but do we really? Or are we just holding onto the memory of who they used to be? I’m at an age where I’d rather be in the company of animals that don’t speak and the comfort of my own walls than those outside them. Like Mallory, I’ve found that you have to earn the right to be trusted.
This isn’t just a whodunnit. This is a mirror. It forces you to look at your own life and ask yourself the questions you don’t want to: If your world got flipped upside down, who would actually be there for you? If you heard a scream in the night, or if you found your dead friend clouded by the suspicion of another, would you go looking for answers or would you turn the TV up and say to yourself, “not my circus, not my monkeys?”
In She Had Enough, Mallory’s had enough. She’s had enough of being placated. Had enough of being talked down to. Had enough of being lied to. Whatever it takes, she’s going to get to the bottom of what happened that night, even if she has to burn the town to the ground to find out.
The Verdict: 4/5 Stars. She Had Enough is a topical, tension-fueled exploration of just how far those closest to us will go to keep us in the dark. It is tense. It is relatable. It is sobering.
Release Date: July 21, 2026.
Preorder your copy now!
+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++
I want to thank @netgalley @staciegreyauthor and @poisonedpenpress for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.
They say she’s being dramatic. They say she’s seeing things that aren’t there. It’s gaslighting 101, and it’s working.
We are all wearing masks, and as we age, our friends’ masks begin to slip. We think we know the people we grew up with, but do we really? Or are we just holding onto the memory of who they used to be? I’m at an age where I’d rather be in the company of animals that don’t speak and the comfort of my own walls than those outside them. Like Mallory, I’ve found that you have to earn the right to be trusted.
This isn’t just a whodunnit. This is a mirror. It forces you to look at your own life and ask yourself the questions you don’t want to: If your world got flipped upside down, who would actually be there for you? If you heard a scream in the night, or if you found your dead friend clouded by the suspicion of another, would you go looking for answers or would you turn the TV up and say to yourself, “not my circus, not my monkeys?”
In She Had Enough, Mallory’s had enough. She’s had enough of being placated. Had enough of being talked down to. Had enough of being lied to. Whatever it takes, she’s going to get to the bottom of what happened that night, even if she has to burn the town to the ground to find out.
The Verdict: 4/5 Stars. She Had Enough is a topical, tension-fueled exploration of just how far those closest to us will go to keep us in the dark. It is tense. It is relatable. It is sobering.
Release Date: July 21, 2026.
Preorder your copy now!
+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++
I want to thank @netgalley @staciegreyauthor and @poisonedpenpress for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A thriller that understands the quiet terror of being the only one who won’t let something go.
What begins as a familiar setup — old friends, a reunion, the small tensions that surface with time — quickly shifts into something far more unsettling. The earthquake is the inciting disruption, but the real rupture happens within the friendships themselves. The novel leans into that emotional fault line with confidence, turning absence into momentum and silence into suspense.
Mallory anchors the story with a compelling mix of loyalty, instinct, and growing unease. Her refusal to accept the easy explanation gives the narrative its drive, but it’s the emotional undercurrent — the sense that she is pushing against collective denial — that gives the book its weight. The tension doesn’t come only from what happened to Caitlin, but from the unsettling question of why no one else seems to care enough to ask.
The post-disaster setting adds a strong atmospheric layer. A city rebuilding itself becomes the perfect backdrop for a mystery about fractured relationships and buried truths. Disruption creates gaps — in memory, in timelines, in evidence — and the novel uses those gaps effectively, allowing suspicion to grow slowly and convincingly.
What works particularly well is the portrayal of female friendship over time. The book captures the uncomfortable reality that shared history does not always equal closeness, and that distance can exist even inside long-standing groups. The shifting perspectives and gradual reveals highlight how differently people experience the same night, the same friendship, the same secret.
The pacing embraces the slow burn. Rather than relying on constant twists, the story builds through accumulation — small inconsistencies, withheld information, subtle changes in behaviour. When the revelations arrive, they feel rooted in character rather than shock alone.
Mallory’s investigation becomes less about solving a disappearance and more about confronting the version of events everyone has quietly agreed to live with. That emotional tension — between truth and comfort, loyalty and honesty — is where the novel finds its strongest voice.
A quietly gripping mystery that blends disaster, friendship, and psychological tension, delivering a story that lingers not because of the twists, but because of what it reveals about silence, complicity, and the cost of asking questions others would rather avoid.
What begins as a familiar setup — old friends, a reunion, the small tensions that surface with time — quickly shifts into something far more unsettling. The earthquake is the inciting disruption, but the real rupture happens within the friendships themselves. The novel leans into that emotional fault line with confidence, turning absence into momentum and silence into suspense.
Mallory anchors the story with a compelling mix of loyalty, instinct, and growing unease. Her refusal to accept the easy explanation gives the narrative its drive, but it’s the emotional undercurrent — the sense that she is pushing against collective denial — that gives the book its weight. The tension doesn’t come only from what happened to Caitlin, but from the unsettling question of why no one else seems to care enough to ask.
The post-disaster setting adds a strong atmospheric layer. A city rebuilding itself becomes the perfect backdrop for a mystery about fractured relationships and buried truths. Disruption creates gaps — in memory, in timelines, in evidence — and the novel uses those gaps effectively, allowing suspicion to grow slowly and convincingly.
What works particularly well is the portrayal of female friendship over time. The book captures the uncomfortable reality that shared history does not always equal closeness, and that distance can exist even inside long-standing groups. The shifting perspectives and gradual reveals highlight how differently people experience the same night, the same friendship, the same secret.
The pacing embraces the slow burn. Rather than relying on constant twists, the story builds through accumulation — small inconsistencies, withheld information, subtle changes in behaviour. When the revelations arrive, they feel rooted in character rather than shock alone.
Mallory’s investigation becomes less about solving a disappearance and more about confronting the version of events everyone has quietly agreed to live with. That emotional tension — between truth and comfort, loyalty and honesty — is where the novel finds its strongest voice.
A quietly gripping mystery that blends disaster, friendship, and psychological tension, delivering a story that lingers not because of the twists, but because of what it reveals about silence, complicity, and the cost of asking questions others would rather avoid.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A group of friends in San Francisco has dinner one night, with no idea that their lives are going to be changed forever in just a few hours when an earthquake hits. Even more so when it’s determined that one of the group disappeared. Of course, it’s not until six months later that they realize Caitlin is gone, mostly thanks to Mallory, our main narrator. And when she starts looking into what happened to Caitlin, she’s not met with the questions and panic that she expects from everyone. For women who are supposed to be great friends, these ladies are pretty terrible. It just gets worse when the more Mallory fights to figure out the truth, the more her friends push back and try to convince her to move on. But Mallory won’t stop until she knows the truth, even if it kills her.
So, I realize that earthquakes are terrible disasters, but the one in this story is front and center most of the time. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s not titled ‘The Earthquake.’ There are several points throughout the story where there’s no action, and it kind of lags, just a lot of Mallory theorizing in her head, and then the earthquake is used to pad out the story. Not the actual event, just more descriptions of the fallout, and how everyone is dealing with life post-quake.
And not a single one of Caitlin’s so-called friends seems to care about the obviously suspicious circumstances that occurred. So Mallory continually gets together with these terrible women to badger them with questions, and they just get annoyed and keep asking why she cares so much. Yet somehow she’s able to piece it together even with a mysterious stranger breaking in, following her, and threatening her.
Maybe if the women weren’t so obnoxious, I would have enjoyed it more. You can have secrets without being a complete jerk about it, like they all are. Literally, four terrible people and Mallory. And they’re all so obvious about not caring, they’re not even smart enough to pretend to care and look less suspicious. Less earthquake and more character development would go a long way with this one.
So, I realize that earthquakes are terrible disasters, but the one in this story is front and center most of the time. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s not titled ‘The Earthquake.’ There are several points throughout the story where there’s no action, and it kind of lags, just a lot of Mallory theorizing in her head, and then the earthquake is used to pad out the story. Not the actual event, just more descriptions of the fallout, and how everyone is dealing with life post-quake.
And not a single one of Caitlin’s so-called friends seems to care about the obviously suspicious circumstances that occurred. So Mallory continually gets together with these terrible women to badger them with questions, and they just get annoyed and keep asking why she cares so much. Yet somehow she’s able to piece it together even with a mysterious stranger breaking in, following her, and threatening her.
Maybe if the women weren’t so obnoxious, I would have enjoyed it more. You can have secrets without being a complete jerk about it, like they all are. Literally, four terrible people and Mallory. And they’re all so obvious about not caring, they’re not even smart enough to pretend to care and look less suspicious. Less earthquake and more character development would go a long way with this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for eARC.
She Had Enough by Stacie Grey is so far the most boring book I've read in 2026. Was it supposed to be a thriller, a mystery, a detective, or a story of survival after the QUAKE?
Six friends meet for dinner the night before the earthquake. One of them seems to be distracted: is she just mourning, or is she afraid of something? One of them is nervous, or is it just her personality? One of them says something uncomfortable. Another one just orders another drink. They are discussing their dream houses, laughing, drinking... But the evening ends with the EARTHQUAKE.
Why do I highlight it so much? Because all the events are set around the earthquake and its consequences. And as someone who lives with regular shelling, blackouts, and other not-so-great things, I am angry. That's America, there are natural disasters regularly, and are they really so unprepared for possible consequences? It's hard for me to believe. And six months after the QUAKE, not everything is repaired? How so? But ok, I got sidetracked.
During dinner the night before the EQ, Mallory was given something to store. An insignificant thing that was about to change her life, to turn it 180*. The night after the EQ, her apartment was broken into, so she packed her things and moved. Just to find out that there were other attempts to break in. Is it connected? To find out, Mal tries to contact Caitlin, the owner.
Is there such a thing as friendship? Can people try another person? I don't know, I'd rather not. Especially after this story.
For me, the storytelling was too slow-paced and was too concentrated on the quake, rather than on the investigation itself. It was low-key boring, and I didn't believe any of the motivation of any of the characters. For me, that's a sign of a poorly written book. If so, why not 2/5? Because that's me, who doesn't like slow-paced stories. Others might find it appealing.
She Had Enough by Stacie Grey is so far the most boring book I've read in 2026. Was it supposed to be a thriller, a mystery, a detective, or a story of survival after the QUAKE?
Six friends meet for dinner the night before the earthquake. One of them seems to be distracted: is she just mourning, or is she afraid of something? One of them is nervous, or is it just her personality? One of them says something uncomfortable. Another one just orders another drink. They are discussing their dream houses, laughing, drinking... But the evening ends with the EARTHQUAKE.
Why do I highlight it so much? Because all the events are set around the earthquake and its consequences. And as someone who lives with regular shelling, blackouts, and other not-so-great things, I am angry. That's America, there are natural disasters regularly, and are they really so unprepared for possible consequences? It's hard for me to believe. And six months after the QUAKE, not everything is repaired? How so? But ok, I got sidetracked.
During dinner the night before the EQ, Mallory was given something to store. An insignificant thing that was about to change her life, to turn it 180*. The night after the EQ, her apartment was broken into, so she packed her things and moved. Just to find out that there were other attempts to break in. Is it connected? To find out, Mal tries to contact Caitlin, the owner.
Is there such a thing as friendship? Can people try another person? I don't know, I'd rather not. Especially after this story.
For me, the storytelling was too slow-paced and was too concentrated on the quake, rather than on the investigation itself. It was low-key boring, and I didn't believe any of the motivation of any of the characters. For me, that's a sign of a poorly written book. If so, why not 2/5? Because that's me, who doesn't like slow-paced stories. Others might find it appealing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“So then he says, ‘That’s why girls like you die alone surrounded by cats.’ And I’m like, Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
That single line on the very first page hooked me immediately.
There’s something wonderfully accessible about Grey’s writing. It’s descriptive and charming without being overly florid, and it pulls you straight into the story. Within the first chapter, I could easily picture myself sitting at the table with this group of women in a bustling restaurant, venting about bad dates and the existential horror of house hunting.
The whole setup carries strong Big Little Lies energy: layered friendships, secrets, and tension just beneath the surface.
Mallory is such a likable protagonist. She’s smart, independent, observant, and grounded. I’m so used to main characters who are slow on the uptake or frustratingly helpless, and Mallory is refreshingly neither. She asks the right questions, trusts her instincts, and refuses to back down when something doesn’t add up. Honestly, I need a friend like Mallory.
While all of the other characters felt mature, nuanced, and genuinely likable, Caitlin stood out in a different way for me. I struggled to connect with her; she often came across as emotionally immature, to the point where it sometimes felt like I was reading about a 12 year old rather than a woman in her thirties. She also has a sort of 'friend everyone tiptoes around' energy, which created distance rather than empathy. But, this detachment works thematically and reinforces the book’s focus on discomfort and what goes unnoticed.
I also would have loved to spend more time with the characters and their motivations rather than focusing quite so much on the earthquake itself. At times, the disaster element slowed the pacing when I was invested in the emotional and interpersonal stakes.
Overall, it's tense and emotionally resonant... just shy of perfect for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
She Had Enough by Stacie Grey follows a group of friends in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area. One minute they’re enjoying a nice dinner together; hours later, the city and surrounding bay are devastated, and the friend group has been torn apart. In the days and weeks that follow, Mallory begins to suspect that something more sinister has happened to one of the group members who seemingly vanished after the earthquake.
Mallory is a smart and highly observant protagonist, and easily the most likable character in the group. That impression may partly come from the fact that the story is mostly centered around her perspective, with only a few filler chapters from the other female friends. I really enjoyed how the thriller elements were tied so closely to the natural disaster. With phone lines down, cameras destroyed, and communication systems knocked out, the mystery feels much more believable—under normal circumstances, it likely would have been solved quickly, but the earthquake creates realistic obstacles that force Mallory to dig deeper to uncover the truth.
I do wish the book had focused a bit more on the other characters, particularly through deeper inner monologues. That added perspective could have given the story more substance, as we don’t learn much about what happens to them after the earthquake until the very end. I also felt the setting could have been described more vividly. As someone who lives in the SF Bay Area, I could easily picture locations and geography, but readers unfamiliar with the area might find some aspects confusing.
Overall, this was a solid and engaging read, and I would recommend it. She Had Enough is scheduled to be released on July 21, 2026.
She Had Enough by Stacie Grey follows a group of friends in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area. One minute they’re enjoying a nice dinner together; hours later, the city and surrounding bay are devastated, and the friend group has been torn apart. In the days and weeks that follow, Mallory begins to suspect that something more sinister has happened to one of the group members who seemingly vanished after the earthquake.
Mallory is a smart and highly observant protagonist, and easily the most likable character in the group. That impression may partly come from the fact that the story is mostly centered around her perspective, with only a few filler chapters from the other female friends. I really enjoyed how the thriller elements were tied so closely to the natural disaster. With phone lines down, cameras destroyed, and communication systems knocked out, the mystery feels much more believable—under normal circumstances, it likely would have been solved quickly, but the earthquake creates realistic obstacles that force Mallory to dig deeper to uncover the truth.
I do wish the book had focused a bit more on the other characters, particularly through deeper inner monologues. That added perspective could have given the story more substance, as we don’t learn much about what happens to them after the earthquake until the very end. I also felt the setting could have been described more vividly. As someone who lives in the SF Bay Area, I could easily picture locations and geography, but readers unfamiliar with the area might find some aspects confusing.
Overall, this was a solid and engaging read, and I would recommend it. She Had Enough is scheduled to be released on July 21, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She Had Enough is one of those thrillers that hooks you from the first page with its simple but irresistible setup: six old friends, one dinner, and a sense that something is very wrong. What starts as a nostalgic reunion quickly becomes a haunting mystery when Caitlin—always the quiet, fragile one—vanishes on the same night a devastating earthquake tears through San Francisco.
Mallory makes for a compelling narrator. She’s observant, loyal, and just unsettled enough by Caitlin’s behaviour to sense that her disappearance isn’t as straightforward as everyone wants to believe. The fact that no one else seems concerned only heightens the tension, giving the story a wonderfully claustrophobic feel as Mallory becomes the lone voice refusing to let the past stay buried.
The dual timelines—before the earthquake and six months after—work beautifully, slowly revealing the fractures in the group’s friendships and the secrets they’ve all been quietly carrying. The more Mallory digs, the more the story shifts from a missing‑person mystery to a deeper, darker exploration of betrayal, guilt, and the lies people tell to protect themselves.
The atmosphere is fantastic: a city still recovering from disaster, friendships strained by time and trauma, and a creeping sense that someone is watching Mallory’s every move. It’s twisty without feeling over‑the‑top, and the final reveals land with real emotional weight.
A gripping, quietly chilling thriller that blends suspense with a sharp look at the complexities of female friendship. Perfect for readers who love mysteries rooted in character, tension, and the secrets we hope no one ever uncovers.
with thanks to Stacie Grey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Mallory makes for a compelling narrator. She’s observant, loyal, and just unsettled enough by Caitlin’s behaviour to sense that her disappearance isn’t as straightforward as everyone wants to believe. The fact that no one else seems concerned only heightens the tension, giving the story a wonderfully claustrophobic feel as Mallory becomes the lone voice refusing to let the past stay buried.
The dual timelines—before the earthquake and six months after—work beautifully, slowly revealing the fractures in the group’s friendships and the secrets they’ve all been quietly carrying. The more Mallory digs, the more the story shifts from a missing‑person mystery to a deeper, darker exploration of betrayal, guilt, and the lies people tell to protect themselves.
The atmosphere is fantastic: a city still recovering from disaster, friendships strained by time and trauma, and a creeping sense that someone is watching Mallory’s every move. It’s twisty without feeling over‑the‑top, and the final reveals land with real emotional weight.
A gripping, quietly chilling thriller that blends suspense with a sharp look at the complexities of female friendship. Perfect for readers who love mysteries rooted in character, tension, and the secrets we hope no one ever uncovers.
with thanks to Stacie Grey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Is this a thriller? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Mostly.
Unfortunately, there was one detail that is repeated a few times in the first few chapters which made me question if I was reading the right book, which is disappointing.
Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book. It was an intriguing concept and I loved that the inciting incident was a natural disaster. It's something I haven't really seen done before.
I also liked the writing style. It kept me engaged enough to keep turning pages.
Mallory grew on me the further I read, but she isn't going to be making my favourites list.
I would still recommend this to others, with the caveat that there is a bit of confusion regarding character relations in the beginning of the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC of this title.
Unfortunately, there was one detail that is repeated a few times in the first few chapters which made me question if I was reading the right book, which is disappointing.
Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book. It was an intriguing concept and I loved that the inciting incident was a natural disaster. It's something I haven't really seen done before.
I also liked the writing style. It kept me engaged enough to keep turning pages.
Mallory grew on me the further I read, but she isn't going to be making my favourites list.
I would still recommend this to others, with the caveat that there is a bit of confusion regarding character relations in the beginning of the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the e-ARC of this title.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mallory and her group of college friends go out for drinks one night in San Francisco and a major earthquake happens. One friend does not make it out alive. Uh oh. Was she already dead BEFORE the earthquake? That is the murder mystery part of this book. We also have a pretty cool survival tale as far as picking up the pieces after the quake. While it seemed at times as if the story is unsure which part it wanted to tell, overall, it doesn't really matter as I enjoyed both. I also don't read too many books where an earthquake is practically a main character so kudos for originality! Mallory was a fun main character too and as a cat-lover, I enjoyed that she was as well. I would have liked the murder to take a bit more of a focal point and it struck me as a bit odd that the other friends did not seem near as interested as Mallory in the fact that one of them was just murdered but overall, I thought this was a pretty good book! This is my second from Stacie Grey and I look forward to more!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Stacie Grey and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Stacie Grey and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I may be in the minority here, but I really struggled to get through this one. There was a lot of emphasis put on the earthquake and on lengthy descriptions of different parts of the community affected by the disaster, which caused me to become bored and disconnected. There was also a lot of repetition with Mallory's inner thoughts. The biggest disappointment for me though was that I felt no suspense. The story was good, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't grab me. I felt no building tension nor anxiety when I turned the pages. It was a slow-burn mystery with a lot of working parts and multiple suspects but no real emotion. I did enjoy the mystery and looked forward to finding out who was the culprit. The author did a good job of keeping me guessing. I've been a huge fan of Grey's last two books, so I'm still going to look forward to the next one even though She Had Enough wasn't a favorite of mine. And I would still recommend to others as many readers seemed to really enjoy this book.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's hard to say how I feel about this one since the writing wasn't that great. It wasn't stellar or moving but it did move along and somehow, even though some of the prose was kitschy and cringey at times, I couldn't stop turning pages? I want to rate this a 3.75* but that feels wrong, even though I am not sure about the quality of the prose. A 4* rating seems more in line with how I feel about the novel. I'm not sure why I'm so torn....
We're following Mallory after a run of the mill dinner with the girls ends with one of the six of them dead and Mal in possession of a tube of lipstick that is the lead she must follow in order to solve the murder. The plot is believable but the writing feels amateur, somehow? I really don't know but I liked this book, despite myself and it was really easy to get into and I thought it would go one way, and it went another, and I dunno. I am not upset I read it. It went relatively quickly and yeah, if you're having a rough week, pick this one up, and it should set you to rights.
We're following Mallory after a run of the mill dinner with the girls ends with one of the six of them dead and Mal in possession of a tube of lipstick that is the lead she must follow in order to solve the murder. The plot is believable but the writing feels amateur, somehow? I really don't know but I liked this book, despite myself and it was really easy to get into and I thought it would go one way, and it went another, and I dunno. I am not upset I read it. It went relatively quickly and yeah, if you're having a rough week, pick this one up, and it should set you to rights.
January 2, 2026
📚Book Review: She Had Enough
Author: Stacie Grey
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Pages: 336
Coming July 21, 2026
📚My Book Review:
She Had Enough by Stacie Grey is a mystery/suspense story that follows a group of friends from college who reunite before a devastating earthquake. The main character, Mallory, is very likable. The author does not make the other characters likable, showing no concern for their friend Caitlin. For me, it felt like there was too much time spent about the earthquake and not enough about the main storyline.
The book hooked me immediately and I could not put it down, reading it in 1 day. There was lots of suspense that I love, in a good mystery. What I was missing was a “twist” that never came at the end of the book. The ending left me wanting something else.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars! If you like suspense and being on the edge of your seat chapter after chapter, this is the book for you.
January 17, 2026
ARC book review.
A group of friends on San Francisco, a huge earth quake and secrets.
There were a few layers to this story and I enjoyed them at differing levels
Firstly the earthquake. I really enjoyed this aspect of the storyline. Found it really interesting to read how a major city would have to rebuild after a devastating event.
The friendship group, were they really friends? I didn’t get the feeling that any of them were actually that close. Maybe that was the intention. But for some reason the lack of bond between any of them bothered me.
The secrets, the MC was on a one woman crusade to solve the case. However the lack of interest from the other ‘friends’ bothered me, especially when it was very obvious something bad had happened.
Overall a 3.5 star read for me. The unlikeable characters stopped me giving it 4 stars
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC book. All opinions in this review are entirely my own.
A group of friends on San Francisco, a huge earth quake and secrets.
There were a few layers to this story and I enjoyed them at differing levels
Firstly the earthquake. I really enjoyed this aspect of the storyline. Found it really interesting to read how a major city would have to rebuild after a devastating event.
The friendship group, were they really friends? I didn’t get the feeling that any of them were actually that close. Maybe that was the intention. But for some reason the lack of bond between any of them bothered me.
The secrets, the MC was on a one woman crusade to solve the case. However the lack of interest from the other ‘friends’ bothered me, especially when it was very obvious something bad had happened.
Overall a 3.5 star read for me. The unlikeable characters stopped me giving it 4 stars
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC book. All opinions in this review are entirely my own.
March 7, 2026
Thank you Goodreads for the ARC in exchange for my review.
Six friends, a fun night out, a natural disaster, and one of them ends up dead. It’s like a game of Clue guessing who did it. The book is primarily written from Mallory’s perspective as she takes on the quest of trying to figure out why Caitlin gave her a mysterious item at their night out and what has happened to Cautlin, with chapters mixed in along the way from her other five friends - Caitlin (who has died and Mallory doesn’t just think it was from the natural disaster), Sonali, Kendra, Rachel, and Lourdes. What is the cause of Caitlin’s death? Is it related to her mother’s death that happened the previous year?
There are points where it’s a little repetitive, however overall it was a really good read. It kept me guessing through most of the book as additional details emerged, more deaths, and the clues are connected. The book takes places over a timeline of an entire year and even has some feel good happy moments.
Six friends, a fun night out, a natural disaster, and one of them ends up dead. It’s like a game of Clue guessing who did it. The book is primarily written from Mallory’s perspective as she takes on the quest of trying to figure out why Caitlin gave her a mysterious item at their night out and what has happened to Cautlin, with chapters mixed in along the way from her other five friends - Caitlin (who has died and Mallory doesn’t just think it was from the natural disaster), Sonali, Kendra, Rachel, and Lourdes. What is the cause of Caitlin’s death? Is it related to her mother’s death that happened the previous year?
There are points where it’s a little repetitive, however overall it was a really good read. It kept me guessing through most of the book as additional details emerged, more deaths, and the clues are connected. The book takes places over a timeline of an entire year and even has some feel good happy moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Press for the eARC.
Mallory is having dinner with friends, when one of them asks her to look after a lipstick case. Definitely odd, but Mallory does so. Soon after, San Francisco was hit by a tremendous earth quake and everything changes. Mallory's apartment is ransacked, but it's quite damaged
and she ends up staying with an aunt for 6 months before she returns to SF. Her apartment has been ransacked again and is a mess. She starts to believe the lipstick case is what the intruder is after and decides to do some sleuthing.
I really liked Mallory, she's resilient and after 3 deaths have occurred, is determined to find who or what, especially since nobody, even the police, seem to care.
Plus, she's a terrific cat mother, even adopting the beloved cat of her dead friend.
Mallory is having dinner with friends, when one of them asks her to look after a lipstick case. Definitely odd, but Mallory does so. Soon after, San Francisco was hit by a tremendous earth quake and everything changes. Mallory's apartment is ransacked, but it's quite damaged
and she ends up staying with an aunt for 6 months before she returns to SF. Her apartment has been ransacked again and is a mess. She starts to believe the lipstick case is what the intruder is after and decides to do some sleuthing.
I really liked Mallory, she's resilient and after 3 deaths have occurred, is determined to find who or what, especially since nobody, even the police, seem to care.
Plus, she's a terrific cat mother, even adopting the beloved cat of her dead friend.
Read
February 18, 2026Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
I requested this as I thought it was going to be a mystery tied up in the aftermath of a natural disaster. And in some ways, it is. But I really wondered how much when the main character left town for 6 months to live with her aunt and then the plot skipped the six months.
And for me the mystery, like the earthquake did not intrigue me. I found Mallory’s theorising in her head a bit too long. I found the group of friends unlikely and found that I just didn’t care.
In fact at the moment it is a DNF the advance copy – it just really wasn’t for me but I have promised myself that I will go back to it.
I requested this as I thought it was going to be a mystery tied up in the aftermath of a natural disaster. And in some ways, it is. But I really wondered how much when the main character left town for 6 months to live with her aunt and then the plot skipped the six months.
And for me the mystery, like the earthquake did not intrigue me. I found Mallory’s theorising in her head a bit too long. I found the group of friends unlikely and found that I just didn’t care.
In fact at the moment it is a DNF the advance copy – it just really wasn’t for me but I have promised myself that I will go back to it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always enjoy a mystery that unfolds within a circle of friends, and She Had Enough is exactly that kind of thriller.
The story is well written, and not overly complicated, which makes it engaging. It pulled me in, I ended up reading it in one sitting.
I enjoyed how the novel plays with the idea that we never truly know the people around us. The characters have known each other for years, yet there are secrets hiding in plain sight. As the story unfolds, those secrets begin to crack open, and the familiar feels unsettling.
The book explores how people we trust, laugh with, and share our lives with can still remain strangers. That tension between friendship and hidden truth is what keeps the pages turning.
The story is well written, and not overly complicated, which makes it engaging. It pulled me in, I ended up reading it in one sitting.
I enjoyed how the novel plays with the idea that we never truly know the people around us. The characters have known each other for years, yet there are secrets hiding in plain sight. As the story unfolds, those secrets begin to crack open, and the familiar feels unsettling.
The book explores how people we trust, laugh with, and share our lives with can still remain strangers. That tension between friendship and hidden truth is what keeps the pages turning.
January 6, 2026
A great mystery/thriller revolving around a group of girl friends, starting with an innocent catch-up dinner and ending with death. I really enjoyed the characters - Mallory, our FMC, was a great perspective to read from. She was likeable, kind, and quick to catch on to the things going on around her. I absolutely cannot stand a clueless leading lady who goes round in circles and can't see any patterns, which unfortunately, is all too common in books lately, so this was a nice surprise.
Overall, interesting plot, great writing and a really easygoing thriller that keeps you guessing to the end.
Overall, interesting plot, great writing and a really easygoing thriller that keeps you guessing to the end.
January 14, 2026
This book was so good! I was hooked from the very first few pages. I kind of wish I had more time to read because I know I could have finished it in one sitting!
One of my favorite things about this story was the setting! I live in the San Francisco, Bay Area and have heard my entire life that we are just waiting for “the big one”! So to read about the possibility of that was freaky!
Although Mallory was clearly the MC, I enjoyed the chapters that included the other friend perspectives and how she (Mallory) conducted her own investigation to find out who done it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Author Stacie Grey for the ACR in exchange of my honest review
One of my favorite things about this story was the setting! I live in the San Francisco, Bay Area and have heard my entire life that we are just waiting for “the big one”! So to read about the possibility of that was freaky!
Although Mallory was clearly the MC, I enjoyed the chapters that included the other friend perspectives and how she (Mallory) conducted her own investigation to find out who done it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Author Stacie Grey for the ACR in exchange of my honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This both made me excited to visit and scared to visit SanFran.
Mallory and her friends are out to dinner one night when an earthquake hits. Destruction is immense, and one of her friends is found dead. The issue? She was dead before.
The book explores Mallory searching for answers into her friend’s death. It’s tough with the natural disaster providing zero help and more issues.
The friend group was okay, but I think characters could have been explored. I struggled to connect with them, especially Caitlin. That being said Mallory was great! A lot of the plot occurs in her thinking process and trying to find out what happened.
Mallory and her friends are out to dinner one night when an earthquake hits. Destruction is immense, and one of her friends is found dead. The issue? She was dead before.
The book explores Mallory searching for answers into her friend’s death. It’s tough with the natural disaster providing zero help and more issues.
The friend group was okay, but I think characters could have been explored. I struggled to connect with them, especially Caitlin. That being said Mallory was great! A lot of the plot occurs in her thinking process and trying to find out what happened.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She Had Enough follows a group of friends who went out for a simple night of hanging out and having drinks but it ended in disaster as a massive earthquake hit the community. In the days that follow Mallory suspects that there is something much more sinister behind what really happened and why one of her friends seemed to have completely disappeared after the earthquake. Although I really enjoyed reading this book I did struggle at times to finish the book as I sometimes got a bit bored in the storyline.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
Overall I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
February 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this gripping thriller.
Honestly nothing could have prepared me for this book.
From the very first chapter it pulled me into Mallory’s world and had me hooked.
It’s intense, unsettling and brilliantly paced.
Mallory’s character was written very well. She’s flawed, lonely, has 2 cats and very relatable.
I wished that she atleast had one friend whom she could trust 100%
And don’t start about the twists, it was so amazing that I didn’t see it coming.
If you love psychological thrillers with strong characters and twists, this one’s definitely worth the try.
Honestly nothing could have prepared me for this book.
From the very first chapter it pulled me into Mallory’s world and had me hooked.
It’s intense, unsettling and brilliantly paced.
Mallory’s character was written very well. She’s flawed, lonely, has 2 cats and very relatable.
I wished that she atleast had one friend whom she could trust 100%
And don’t start about the twists, it was so amazing that I didn’t see it coming.
If you love psychological thrillers with strong characters and twists, this one’s definitely worth the try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She Had Enough by Stacie Gray is a slow burn thriller that kept me turning the pages and constantly guessing. The tension builds steadily, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story shifted and pulled me in a different direction. I really enjoyed how the suspense unfolded over time rather than relying on nonstop action.
The characters were intriguing, the pacing worked well for a gradual reveal, and the payoff made it a solid, satisfying read. Overall, a gripping and enjoyable thriller for anyone who loves a twisty slow burn.
The characters were intriguing, the pacing worked well for a gradual reveal, and the payoff made it a solid, satisfying read. Overall, a gripping and enjoyable thriller for anyone who loves a twisty slow burn.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Arc review through NetGalley
I thought this book had a lot of potential the general story line is great, however I struggled to connect with the characters. I found it very slow pacing and at times zoned out. I will look for the authors other work as I felt this wasn’t really a thriller/ mystery .
I thought this book had a lot of potential the general story line is great, however I struggled to connect with the characters. I found it very slow pacing and at times zoned out. I will look for the authors other work as I felt this wasn’t really a thriller/ mystery .
February 24, 2026
Im sorry but this just wasn’t it for me. I didnt connect to any of the characters, and the entire premise felt very juvenile and YA. I expected more and was looking forward to being done with this one. Ironically the title matched my excitement level because I had enough.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had just been to left coast crime in San Francisco and received this early release through the author. Book is set in San Francisco. Glad I don’t read it until after I had left since it starts with a big earthquake! This is a great book. Fast paced and thought provoking. A key thought I walked away with is the importance of checking o. The people in your life!
January 9, 2026
I’ve read all of Stacie Grey’s books, so no exception was to be made here.
I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed “She Had Enough.” The premise would normally be one that I steer away from, just because it seems so over done. This was a slow burn with a messy cast of extremely unlikeable characters. I loved all the twists and turns. The ending I absolutely did not see coming.
Overall a really solid and enjoyable suspense novel for summer!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed “She Had Enough.” The premise would normally be one that I steer away from, just because it seems so over done. This was a slow burn with a messy cast of extremely unlikeable characters. I loved all the twists and turns. The ending I absolutely did not see coming.
Overall a really solid and enjoyable suspense novel for summer!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
January 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A group of friends go out to dinner before a historic earthquake happens and one of them ends up ❌. This was a quick suspenseful book, it was a bit repetitive but overall I loved the plot! This is the second book I’ve read from this author and I look forward to reading more!
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