In a riveting new novel from the acclaimed author of The Astrology House, three women come together to investigate a string of haunting disappearances in a tropical paradise.
When Paige arrives at Sueños, the Caribbean’s most exclusive resort on Beck Island, she’s eager to use the time away from her young son to shake off the writer’s block that has stifled her new career as an author.
Hollywood starlet Lindsay Law is on a mission of her own at Sueños: spiraling from a recent Oscar loss, she’s determined to find out why the winner in her category gave thanks to Mara Morgan, the legendary actress who owned Beck Island before her tragic death.
While Paige and Lindsay are drawn together by creative inspiration, Gabby, the resort’s concierge, is torn apart by the loss of a coworker and the mysterious appearance of a man from her past. Gabby still has the power to grant her guests’ most over-the-top requests, but she’s helpless against her own grief and confusion.
As the sun-soaked days of bliss morph into sinister connections, Paige, Lindsay, and Gabby are united by a shocking twist, and must race to untangle the knot of Beck Island’s mysteries before another woman vanishes.
An island, a missing girl, and a group of friends aiming to find out what happened.
This is a slow burn mystery to start. It really starts building up the friendships and the characters. The mystery starts midway and was interesting. Even though I'd guessed some turns and reveals before they happened, I thought this was an entertaining mystery.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
With a vibe similar to The White Lotus, the first half of the book had me completely hooked. I’m usually not a big fan of multi-perspective narratives, but the author introduced each character’s storyline so well that it never felt repetitive. I did wish the ending had been more fully developed, it felt a bit rushed, and a lot unfolded in the final chapters that could have been explored in more depth. I wasn't expecting the more supernatural aspect at all...
I wanted to like this mystery set on a beautiful island. I did like Gabby and her resort management interactions. But the entire first half of the book is spent setting up Lindsay, Paige and Mara’s stories. They were all a hot mess and there was hardly any mystery yet.
The second half picked up once the suspicious island activity was revealed, and Gabby started looking for answers. Lindsay and Paige were oblivious until almost the end when Gabby finally confided in them. In the meantime, there’s a slog through endless “writings/articles” about Hollywood and Mara. Some of it was necessary but it became tiresome to me.
Then suddenly everything happened at once and that was the end. I literally went back several pages to re-read and see if I missed something. Many questions were left unanswered and the epilogue was vague, too.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
This was the most disorganized and chaotic book I have read. The characters all seemed the same. The story did not flow and was very disjointed. The fact that one of the characters had psychic powers and that there was a tarot card reader was at first intriguing but nothing was ever questioned and it didn’t blend with any part of the story. Things would happen with no background explanation it’s as if they were just thrown into the book for filler.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for The Dahlia Suite. You follow three women who have to unravel the mystery of woman going missing from a remote island. It’s advertised as a who done it but reads more like a spiritual journey. It wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea but it was a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a cozy mystery and a clean read.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy of The Dahlia Suite in exchange for my honest review.
I’d like to preface this by saying that I am a BIG white lotus fan and well-versed in both astrology and tarot. I feel like the latter is really important to mention because I’m almost never going to roll my eyes at a mention of someone’s big three or a tarot reference in writing when it’s done well, but the references to astrology throughout this book were both clunky and unnecessary. You mean to tell me ALL of the main characters know their birth chart and reference it often if that it’s coming up in convos with people they barely know? Be so for real. In my opinion, this led to the characters all blending into one another.
In Paige’s case especially, she mentions to the medium/tarot reader that it’s weird she’d be seeking guidance from him only to, for the rest of the story, say stuff that is sooo deeply coded in mystical, “divine feminine”-jargon. I’d have preferred to see Paige lean into this more slowly or discover it in a way that was paced more realistically.
For most of the story, I was trying to place whether including this information so often was intended to be tongue in cheek, referencing kind of “woo woo” interests of the elite, or if it was the author wanting to reference these things by any means necessary, at the expense of a story and dialogue that felt authentic. In the end it felt like the latter which was a shame.
Now- the setting of this story feels very white lotus-y. I loved that! We’re exploring themes of class and seeing this brought to life looking at the pristine and luxurious setting of this resort compared to what’s going down behind the scenes. While I really liked this aspect of the story, I found the moving parts around it to be so disjointed and unrealistic that it made my head spin a little. I found Lindsay and Paige’s motivations so unclear and vastly different from chapter to chapter that it was pretty tough for me to keep track of why they wanted to do certain things. The urgency just wasn’t there in a way that justified those choices being made- Paige didn’t need publishers turning her book down. There was no actual need for Lindsay to have experienced an Oscar snub. These extra details didn’t feel like red herrings, but more like loose pieces that didn’t get tied up effectively.
Mara’s storyline and its retelling through (???) Paige felt awkward, and I found myself longing for an alternate storyline where she’d left a written record of her life in a bottle that washed ashore that could have served the same purpose. And yeah, I realize that’s also deeply far fetched.
Last, and this might be so dumb, but I reallyyyyy struggled to believe Paige, with her history of miscarriages, would have needed to look up misoprostol. Her googling it and having this big realization about what Lindsay needed it for was so aggravating to me and kind of yanked me out of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was just an incredibly entertaining read, all around. I immediately loved the characters. This setting is paradise, but also incredibly isolated. And there are so many swirling mysteries that could or could not be connected.
The synopsis is but a blip of what this book has to offer. There are so many strands of intricate webbing, creating this tense story. You get multiple female character povs and they are each so powerful and capable. I absolutely loved this one!!
The writing is where this book really shines, though. Carinn Jade is an intelligent writer, making you instantly trust you’re going to enjoy the ride. The detail in this book is great, on so many levels.
Read this if you love strong women, Hollywood drama, juicy mysteries, or beachy, summer thrillers!
The Dahlia Suite pulled me in slowly and deliberately, taking its time to let me settle into the world and really get to know the characters before tightening the screws. That patience pays off. By the time the story turns twisty, I was fully invested, and eventually, completely unable to put it down until the ending, which I never saw coming.
The novel is told from the points of view of three women: Gabby, Lindsay, and Paige. Each was carrying her own private struggles to Suenos Resort on Beck Island, a small, exclusive private island off the coast of Puerto Rico. Suenos caters to the ultra-wealthy, offering luxury and privacy that feels almost unreal… and that setting of “perfect paradise” becomes a sharp contrast to the very real problems the characters bring with them.
Gabby is the resort concierge, someone who prides herself on making other people’s dreams come true while quietly neglecting her own. Lindsay is an actress desperate to win an Oscar, retreating to Suenos to reassess her career and her life away from public scrutiny. Paige is married to Ethan, the COO of the hospitality company that operates the resort, and she’s struggling on two fronts: infertility after trying to conceive again, and the frustration of a manuscript that no publisher seems willing to accept. Each woman’s voice feels distinct, and I appreciated how their experiences, hang-ups, and emotional baggage unfolded naturally through their individual perspectives.
This book truly has a bit of everything, lost love, the possibility of romance rekindled, murder, and even a touch of the paranormal, all set against a backdrop most people would consider absolute paradise. When someone goes missing and it becomes clear she isn’t the first, the story shifts gears and becomes increasingly tense and unpredictable.
I’ll admit that when a psychic entered the picture, I initially rolled my eyes. I’m skeptical by nature. But the way Jade integrates this element, particularly in relation to Paige, felt organic and surprisingly effective. Even if you’re unsure where you land on psychic abilities, the story makes it easy to suspend disbelief and lean into it.
If I had to note one critique, it would be that the book starts on the slower side as the foundation is being built. Personally, I appreciated that time spent developing character and atmosphere, but readers expecting immediate action should know this is a gradual, layered build. Once it takes off, though, it really takes off.
The hook, for me, is simple and powerful: even in paradise, people don’t leave their troubles behind, and sometimes those troubles are deadly. I loved how justice was ultimately handled and how the women find their way forward without everything being neatly or unrealistically tied up.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I can say this confidently: I loved this book. As the story grew, so did my inability to stop reading. I would recommend The Dahlia Suite to just about everyone. Yes, everyone. It really is That Good.
A special thank you to Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The Sueños resort setting on private Beck Island was one of the best things about this book. It was fun to escape to the world of the über-rich, but there were a few aspects that kept bugging me. What's with all the astrology? Come on now...this was so much that it got to the point of being hokey. This was supposed to be real world fiction, not far off fantasy, and there were way too many instances of mediums, psychics, ESP, tarot readings, connection with the dead, and astrology talk for me. Another thing that was hard to keep track of was the mix between real and fictional actors/actresses and movies. Not everyone is a Hollywood buff and this is a big part of the book. I would have liked for all of the celebrities mentioned to be fictional, that way we can understand things from this world's perspective instead of trying to mix the fake with the real. Pet peeve #3: the murder mystery aspect had this after-school special feel with the "lesson" behind it. This felt out-of-the-blue and unnecessary.
Plot: Gabby is the Sueños concierge and she's amazing at making VIP guests' every wish and whim come true. What she can't do is solve the mystery of the missing girls on her own. First the girl who held the position before her, then her roommate/best friend. This island is small and everyone knows each other. Could it be possible they're living among a killer? Paige's husband works for the group that owns Sueños, which is her free ticket into the resort regularly. This is exactly where she needs to be as she navigates secondary infertility and struggles with her next steps career-wise. Lindsay Law's feels her career just got stunted, as she was nominated for and did not win yet another Oscar. Is screenwriting her next step? Is the deceased founder of the island, Mara Morgan, playing some role in the Oscar winners? Somehow it seems the answers to all 3 ladies' problems may lie with her.
I could see the "bad guy" coming from a mile (probably a few chapters in) away---just read too many mysteries, perhaps. I think if Jade continues writing stories in this vein she'll get better at disguising the twist, but this was pretty predictable. The ending was a bit too wrapped up too. This is a plea to both authors and editors---the readers don't want every mystery to be wrapped up with a bow. Some ambiguity can be good. Too many characters had a connection to law---it seems this was a nod to Jade's former profession, but felt forced in the context of The Dahlia Suite. The overall book was probably 2 stars but a bonus star was given for the fun atmosphere! This will be an easy summer read to breeze through on vacation.
Thank you so much to Atria Books, Carinn Jade, and NetGalley for the ARC of The Dahlia Suite.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an eARC of The Dahlia Suite by Carinn Jade.
The Sueños Resort is a remote, ultra-exclusive hideaway located on Beck Island, reserved for those elite enough to even know it exists. Promising total luxury, privacy, and discretion, the resort caters to its wealthy guests’ every desire. At the center of it all is Gabby, the resort’s highly capable concierge, known for being able to get anything for its residents. The story also follows Paige, an aspiring writer who left behind a career in corporate law, and Lindsay, an actress struggling to finally secure an Oscar. Their paths converge as they begin to uncover the truth behind the previous death of the island’s owner, actress Mara Morgan, and the unsettling disappearance of a resort worker. As cracks begin to form, the question becomes whether they can uncover what’s really happening beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect island.
The first two-thirds of the book focus heavily on story building, with a lot of detail spread across the three points of view, which made it hard for me to stay focused. I took a lot of breaks in the first half because I couldn’t keep my attention on it. It required a lot of patience for the buy-in, but once the climax hit, I was fully invested. I was also pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of supernatural elements, which isn’t something I typically gravitate toward but found fun and refreshing.
Carinn Jade keeps her cards close to her chest, and I genuinely had no idea where the story was headed, which is exactly what you want from a thriller/mystery. While it didn’t quite deliver a nonstop page-turning experience for me, it still fits solidly within the thriller genre by keeping the reader on a goose chase to figure out what was truly happening at the resort. Fans of The White Lotus will especially enjoy this one, as it strongly highlights the divide between the elite and the workers, with the sense that something much bigger is unfolding behind the resort’s polished façade.
The Dahlia Suite had all the ingredients of a book I should have absolutely loved - a glamorous resort setting, layered female characters, mystery, secrets, and supernatural undertones - and while I did enjoy parts of it, the execution fell a little flat for me overall.
The atmosphere and setting were definitely the strongest aspects of the story. The luxury island resort backdrop gave strong White Lotus vibes and created an immersive, escapist feel that kept me reading. I also appreciated the supernatural/paranormal elements woven throughout the story, although I ultimately found the payoff a bit disappointing once everything was explained.
That said, the pacing was quite slow for much of the book and felt repetitive at times. The story didn’t fully pull me in until the final 10%, which was by far the most engaging section. I also found several plot elements somewhat predictable, particularly the reveal of the villains.
Some of the character backstories and overlaps felt slightly unrealistic to me as well. Multiple characters sharing nearly identical career paths and aspirations made parts of the story feel less believable and distinct. Additionally, the astrology references became a bit overwhelming at times and distracted from the suspense rather than adding to it.
Overall, while this wasn’t a standout thriller for me, I still think readers who enjoy slow-burn, atmospheric mysteries with luxury settings and speculative elements may have a good time with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was initially drawn to this book because of the cover, the title, the locale, and because one of the main characters was a writer. The story alternates between three women’s first person perspectives. Paige is hoping for some inspiration for her book while she’s staying at the exclusive Beck Island resort of Suenos. Actress Lindsay Law is hiding out there after a devastating Oscar loss. The third character is the resort’s concierge, Gabby. Oh, and Beck Island used to be owned by Oscar-winning actress Mara Morgan who tragically died when her house burned down.
Get ready for a hot mess. I knew as soon as they started referencing Zodiac signs and had psychic readings done that this was going to be a bit ridiculous. I had no idea how bad it was going to be (“divine feminine power,” eyeroll). Mediums and tarot cards aside, the plot holes and inconsistencies were infuriating. The way the characters interacted was frustrating, too. One chapter they are encouraging and empowering each other, the next they are backstabbing and condescending, then they’re besties again.
If this had been a straightforward murder mystery in a beautiful location, it would have been successful. But Jade tried incorporating too many elements, including the supernatural mumbo jumbo, and the storytelling was just convoluted and bad. I literally kept looking up from reading to declare, “This is so stupid.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Paige, Lindsay, and Gabby are all at a resort called Sueños in the Caribbean for quite different reasons. Paige and Lindsay are both vacationing, but while Paige’s husband works for the company that developed it, Lindsay is a high-profile celebrity making headlines for all the wrong reasons. She just lost out at the Oscars and is being condemned in the press for being caught looking less than gracious for losing. Which is barely a scandal as it is – who wouldn’t be upset? Gabby works at the resort as the concierge to the ultra-wealthy, who gets them whatever they need whenever they need it. They’re an unlikely trio who become bonded due to long-held secrets they are determined to unearth together.
The story is engaging, but the plot has been done before, quite often, and this one didn’t really stand out to me. The revealed secrets just aren’t that unexpected or shocking. The worst perpetrator is pretty obvious from the start, and you almost wonder what takes everyone so long to catch on. One of the reveals at the end was just stretching it too much, I mean, are fire investigators that incompetent? The story makes you believe so.
Unfortunately, this book kind of gets lost in the sea of other current stories about exclusive hideaways of the rich and famous. It just doesn’t have that edge to it to make it stand out.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
The Dahlia Suite by Carinn Jade was a fun and captivating story with a “White Lotus” feeling of paradise and luxury mixed with crime. The writer did a great job at developing the different personalities of the 3 narrating characters who seem to not have much in common, but somehow still find themselves at the same place at the same time, needing to rely on one another to solve their individual problems. The story did take a bit to get into the action, which then felt like it was rushed at the end. I wish there was a bit more development and details at the end and things were more tied up, rather than relying on a “2 years later” jump. I did correctly guess the villain at about 25% in, but it was still fun to read and see how it was developed! One thing I really didn’t like was how at the same time in the story, seemingly all characters (narrators and supporting) started talking about astrology signs as a way to describe personalities. I feel like that pulled me out of the story and it would have been better to have one or two who mention it as a way to develop their own personalities (Lindsay and Mercy, for example, who are more free spirited and seem like they’d be into knowing the traits of the signs and use that as a way to justify people’s actions).
Three women are brought together at the luxury resort, Suenos, on Beck Island. Gabby works as the resort concierge - getting any type of requests from resort guests checked off her list with precision. Actress Lindsey is recovering after another failed attempt at winning an Oscar. Finally, Paige is lawyer turned stay-at-home mom who is writing a book. The trio work in unison as women at the resort start to go missing and it’s believed that Maren Morgan, a famous actress tragically associated with the island, may be connected.
The cover intrigued me. I’m all about a thriller/mystery on an island - especially at an ultra-exclusive luxurious resort. I was really getting into things, but then things slowed down. A lot of paranormal stuff that I hadn’t expected popped up, which I wasn’t necessarily interested in. I spent some time hoping things would move along.
Things picked up towards the end, but honestly it just didn’t do it for me. Things were a little confusing and rushed towards the end. It might be something I have to go back and do a reread.
The Dahlia Suite will be published on July 21, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of The Dahlia Suite.
I happened to read this while on vacation, and it turned out to be exactly the kind of book I was hoping for—an engaging, entertaining murder mystery that was easy to sink into and enjoy.
One of the things I loved most about this novel was its setting. The luxurious private resort atmosphere was so vividly described that it felt like an escape within an escape. Reading it while traveling made it even more fun to imagine being in a place where every detail is taken care of and every need is met—at least until the mystery begins to unravel.
The story delivers plenty of twists and turns, keeping the pages moving quickly. I had a suspicion about who might be responsible fairly early on, but the journey to the reveal was still incredibly entertaining. Even better, the ending included a final surprise that I genuinely appreciated—it added just the right extra twist to make the conclusion satisfying.
Overall, this was an extremely fun read: suspenseful, immersive, and perfect for anyone who enjoys a good mystery set against a glamorous backdrop. I would absolutely recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a book that feels like a mini getaway while you’re reading it. 📚
Ooo this was a great read! I started off the year in a reading frenzy, then fell into a little slump, but this was just what I needed to get back on track.
Starting off, I loved the imagery and details about the resort and behind the scenes look at what makes one run. I did wish I had better descriptions of the three main character women though. I just didn't have a clear picture of them in my head so it took me a bit to sort them out as the the chapters changed.
Once I got further in and the mysteries starting popping up, I was even more hooked. Not just because I love a good mystery, but this book had feelings of lore, nostalgia, urgency, taboo, all waiting to be unraveled. I don't want to give anything away, but certain parts didn't feel gimmicky either. I was totally invested.
And on a final note, I got a great sense of female empowerment from this book too. Women sticking together, sticking up for each other, having our own forms of communication, sometimes feuding, but ultimately being there for each other.
Loved this one and just added Jade's other novel to my TBR!
This novel is a mystery wrapped in speculative fiction, and for those who love the supernatural world of telepathy, this one is for you. At the heart of The Dahlia Suite is Sueños, the most exclusive island resort in the Caribbean. Special guests — Page, a telepathic receiver and Lindsy, an Oscar-nominated actress — are enmeshed in a complex web of deceit and murder alongside Gabby, Sueños's wizardly concierge. Together, they attempt to untangle the truth behind a series of disappearances of aspiring actresses from Beck Island, the Caribbean home of Sueños. From the outset, the three main characters — each with her own agenda — appear to be strong women who would stop at nothing to uncover the facts and save the island’s next victim. The resort setting and the mystery premise had real promise. But the novel lost me once telepathy became the primary conduit to the truth. Carinn's prose flows well, but she seems to throw everything at the plot and its characters to see what sticks — and in the end, leaves too many threads untied. This review is made possible by NetGalley and Atria Books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atira Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was an intriguing mystery to follow! I loved the premise, especially set against such a beautiful and exclusive vacation spot. It was the perfect setting for the mystery being explored in this book.
I loved each of the POVs because I loved the main characters immensely. I rooted for each of them and felt their pain and struggles through the page. I really enjoyed reading about each of them. I also enjoyed the side characters and reading their interactions with the main characters. Honestly, this is was a super character-driven book- and it was well done too.
While the plot was great, it did feel a little too slow, and the ending was too abrupt for my liking. There was a lot of build-up and character development, which I appreciated. I just think if the pace was a tad faster and the ending more fleshed out, this would have been a five star read. Still, the twists and the climax were excellent.
I really enjoyed this slow-burn, character-driven mystery novel. It was fun to read, and I devoured it with ease. I definitely recommend it!
A mystery lurks behind the gates of Suenos resort on Beck Island. The rich and famous come to hide from prying eyes while their every whim is met. Gabby handles every small detail asked of her. She can make anything happen. Paige is struggling with secondary infertility that has left her wrecked. Lindsay didn't win the Oscar and doesn't know her next move. When the three discover the mystery behind the elusive owner of the island, Mara Morgan and a string of disappearances of female employees, they take on new roles that depart from the norm.
I adored the three main females of this book. They are pushed to step out of their comfort zone to succeed. The two main plot lines felt very disjointed and just kind of thrown together. I wish the ending had been longer and more information was given. I loved the setting and the rich and famous vibes, but the story needed something more. Some elements just felt slapped in for effect or distraction. Overall, it was a quick read that I liked. Thank you Atria for the advanced copy.
This was a fun, mini vacation of a book! A little White Lotusy and with a vibe that I didn't expect. The story veered off in a direction that I wasn't too sure about, but I just went with it and I'm glad that I did! Gabby works at Suenos, an uber-exclusive Caribbean resort on Beck Island. Paige, a new Mom and wife of one of the island designers is staying at the resort hoping to relax and help her writers block. Then we have Lindsay Law. Lindsay is still reeling from her Oscar loss the night before and is curious why the winner thanked Mara Morgan, a former actress and previous owner of Beck Island. Oh, and Mara has also been dead for a while. Died in a mysterious fire. Hmmmmm..... It's very cool how all of these women connect and as I mentioned, the setting is amazing! You feel like you are actually there! I will definitely check out more from this author!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Carinn Jade and Atria Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Loved the remote luxury vacation vibes with this one! The entire book I kept fighting back the urge to book a similar trip for myself, especially considering it is freezing cold outside right now. This book follows the story of three different women who have very different lives and goals for themselves. Two of these women are guests and one is the ultimate concierge of the uber fancy and very private resort they are staying at. The author does an excellent job making you feel as you are actually right next to them in their fancy suite, I felt totally immersed!
One thing I wasn't expecting, and that is probably because I tend to go into most books totally blind, was the supernatural element. It was a large part of the story and I found that it added to the book very nicely. Just something to keep in mind as you pick your next read!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
The Dahlia Suite is a twisty mystery, with all the perfect elements of a luxury resort that is highly remote and private, very rich people doing bad things, and a secret of the island's founder's mysterious death lingering in the background.
This is definitely an easy popcorn-thriller style of read. Staff from the resort who are going missing without a trace, and three women from very different worlds colliding to figure out why is a great recipe for good reading. The pacing in this one is solid, and I liked the mystery of what happened in the original fire of the house on the island not being clear.
I also don't mind the near-paranormal element of Paige's abilities through the book. It adds a layer of storytelling details that you see rather than in just flashbacks.
Overall, this is a fun, easy read. Great for when you need a refresh between heavy books!
A lush, slow burn mystery that peels back paradise to reveal rot underneath. What makes this book special is the intersecting female perspectives. Instead of one sleuth, you get three women pulled together by grief, ambition, and unanswered questions, each seeing Beck Island through a different lens. The setting is sun soaked and seductive, but the unease creeps in quietly, making the disappearances feel inevitable rather than shocking.
Tropes & Vibes: 🌴 Luxury resort with secrets 🖤 Women unraveling mysteries together 🎭 Hollywood fame and fallout 🕯️ Past tragedies resurfacing 🌊 Paradise gone wrong
Read this if you like: Atmospheric mysteries, destination thrillers, dual or multi POV storytelling, slow building tension, and books where glamour masks something deeply sinister.
After devouring The Astrology House, I was thrilled to be an advanced reader for Carin Jade’s sophomore novel, The Dahlia Suite. An exclusive island resort where all your dreams come true? Yes, please! Readers are introduced to three women - Paige, Lindsay, and Gabby - all navigating their own personal journeys with motherhood, stardom, and identity.
Based on the description of the book, I expected the women would spend most of the book solving the mystery of disappearing girls on the island. Instead, Jade spent more time attempting to weave three individual stories culminating in a final braid. At times I felt the story lost momentum, but was always reeled back in to find out what happens next - especially the last 100 pages! Fans of Jade’s first book will not be disappointed with this supernatural tale of sisterhood, mystery, and never giving up on finding yourself.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to be an advanced reader!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Atria Books for the eARC of this 2-star read. This book follows a group of women staying at a luxury island resort, each dealing with their own problems and secrets. What starts as a glamorous escape slowly turns into something darker as their lives begin to overlap and strange things start happening. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work well for me. The story felt messy and hard to follow. The writing jumps around a lot, and the plot doesn’t come together in a clear or satisfying way. Many scenes seem to appear without enough explanation, which made it confusing and sometimes frustrating to stay invested. The characters also felt too similar to one another, and their motivations kept changing. It was difficult to understand why they made certain choices, and I often lost track of what each person actually wanted. , while the premise had potential, the execution felt disorganized and uneven, which made this a tough read for me.
This was such a fun, thrilling read. The tropical setting hooked me right away, but it was the layers of mystery and multiple perspectives that really kept me turning the pages. I loved how the story followed three very different women, each with their own secrets and motivations, and how their paths slowly intertwined.
The plot was engaging and well paced, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another reveal pulled me right back in. The atmosphere gradually shifts from dreamy and luxurious to dark and unsettling, which worked perfectly for the story.
Overall, a gripping mystery with strong plotlines and a satisfying sense of suspense. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for an addictive, twisty read. Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for this ARC!
The Dahlia Suite by Carinn Jade had me fully teleported to a bougie, ultra-remote resort — the kind you immediately Google because it looks like the kind of getaway anyone would want. The story follows three women — two guests and the concierge who’s basically the human equivalent of a perfectly folded hotel robe. Each has totally different vibes, and the setting is so vivid you can practically hear the ocean and the spa playlist.
And plot twist: I did not expect the supernatural angle (because I go in blind every time — the thrill of Goodreads Giveaways, honestly). It plays a much bigger role than you’d think, but it’s woven in beautifully — more mysterious-cool than scary.
If you’re into fast reads, luxury-escape energy, and a little ✨weird mystery magic✨ sprinkled in, this one hits.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the opportunity to read this title in advance of its release.
This was a fun, wild ride!
I don’t know what exactly I was expecting, but this definitely surprised me-in all the best ways!
The plot twist in the middle of the book threw me for a loop initially, but I don’t think that would have happened if I had read the author’s first book (not connected).
That being said, I think that element of the book was handled well and I enjoyed the story.
I loved the high end resort element and the characters are both infuriating and relatable throughout the story.
While I had my suspicions along the way, I still didn’t guess the ending- which I love!
I do wish the conclusion had a bit more detail, but overall, I still really enjoyed it.