What do you think?
Rate this book
Worse Than Strangers
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26A debut novel for fans of Jane Austen, Elin Hilderbrand, and Gilmore Girls, Worse Than Strangers is a Nantucket-set retelling of Austen’s Persuasion about finding romance, second chances, and a new path in life.
Rose and Lily are best friends first, mother-daughter second, which is good because right now, Lily could really use a friend. Recently fired from her NYC magazine job and heartbroken, Lily has fled to the family cottage in Siasconset. She is shocked when she stumbles across her first love at the grocery store holding hands with his new fiancé—a fiancé he never mentioned on their many, many late-night phone calls.
Rose has secrets, too. A therapist about to start her own private practice, Rose’s world is rocked by the handsome renter staying in their guest cottage, Thomas Wentworth: the one person she thought she would never see again and the man who has always (unfortunately) held her heart.
A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion set against a backdrop of blue and purple hydrangeas, swollen brick sidewalks, tall sea grass, and uniform, shingled houses, Lily and Rose Gardner’s summer journey of second chances, healing, and hope begs the question: Can you repeat the past, and is it ever too late to try again?
Rose and Lily are best friends first, mother-daughter second, which is good because right now, Lily could really use a friend. Recently fired from her NYC magazine job and heartbroken, Lily has fled to the family cottage in Siasconset. She is shocked when she stumbles across her first love at the grocery store holding hands with his new fiancé—a fiancé he never mentioned on their many, many late-night phone calls.
Rose has secrets, too. A therapist about to start her own private practice, Rose’s world is rocked by the handsome renter staying in their guest cottage, Thomas Wentworth: the one person she thought she would never see again and the man who has always (unfortunately) held her heart.
A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion set against a backdrop of blue and purple hydrangeas, swollen brick sidewalks, tall sea grass, and uniform, shingled houses, Lily and Rose Gardner’s summer journey of second chances, healing, and hope begs the question: Can you repeat the past, and is it ever too late to try again?
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 23, 2026
About the author
Kyleigh Leddy
2 books90 followersKyleigh Leddy’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, and Parents, among others. In 2023, she was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Media list. She holds a BA from Boston College, an MSW from Columbia University, and an MFA in fiction from Bennington Writing Seminars. She is a licensed therapist and teaches in Boston College’s M.A. in Writing and the Human Condition program. Worse Than Strangers is her debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 6, 2026
3.5, rounding to 4
Overall, I really enjoyed it. I liked that it was compared to Gilmore Girls because I could see the influence but it still had its own personality. I do think we needed more tension and emotion between both Rose and Tommy and Lily and Theo. I was a bit bored by both of their relationships and that might be due to the fact that this wasn't necessarily a romance? I thought we'd get way more between Rose and Tommy that what happened and that was disappointing. With all that being said, this was a really nice easy read.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. I liked that it was compared to Gilmore Girls because I could see the influence but it still had its own personality. I do think we needed more tension and emotion between both Rose and Tommy and Lily and Theo. I was a bit bored by both of their relationships and that might be due to the fact that this wasn't necessarily a romance? I thought we'd get way more between Rose and Tommy that what happened and that was disappointing. With all that being said, this was a really nice easy read.
May 18, 2026
Worse Than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy
Book Blurb: Rose and Lily are best friends first, mother-daughter second, which is good because right now, Lily could really use a friend. Recently fired from her NYC magazine job and heartbroken, Lily has fled to the family cottage in Siasconset. She is shocked when she stumbles across her first love at the grocery store holding hands with his new fiancé—a fiancé he never mentioned on their many, many late-night phone calls.
Rating: *****
Feels: Comfort, Surprise, Adored, Satisfied
Style: Romance, Contemporary, Retellings, Fiction, Summer, Summer Reads
First published June 23, 2026 : 320 pages
This read was exactly what I needed, warm, sweet and completely charming. I’ve always loved Austen’s persuasion and this hit all the right notes of the spirit of that book for me while adding in elements that brought more enjoyment to the read. The mother daughter relationship between Rose and Lilly was comforting in the way you wish you could see the bonds of all women be actualized. There was so much self reflection and growth that the characters seemed fully visualized. I could not put the book down. I wanted to know what happened with all our ladies lives. There was definitely drama and fun, flowers and even some punches thrown. Mostly this was the kind of book that just leaves you with that warm satisfied happy feeling at the end.
This book has:
Austen Retelling of Persuasion
Second chances
Nantucket-setting
Dual POV
Bucket List
Book Blurb: Rose and Lily are best friends first, mother-daughter second, which is good because right now, Lily could really use a friend. Recently fired from her NYC magazine job and heartbroken, Lily has fled to the family cottage in Siasconset. She is shocked when she stumbles across her first love at the grocery store holding hands with his new fiancé—a fiancé he never mentioned on their many, many late-night phone calls.
Rating: *****
Feels: Comfort, Surprise, Adored, Satisfied
Style: Romance, Contemporary, Retellings, Fiction, Summer, Summer Reads
First published June 23, 2026 : 320 pages
This read was exactly what I needed, warm, sweet and completely charming. I’ve always loved Austen’s persuasion and this hit all the right notes of the spirit of that book for me while adding in elements that brought more enjoyment to the read. The mother daughter relationship between Rose and Lilly was comforting in the way you wish you could see the bonds of all women be actualized. There was so much self reflection and growth that the characters seemed fully visualized. I could not put the book down. I wanted to know what happened with all our ladies lives. There was definitely drama and fun, flowers and even some punches thrown. Mostly this was the kind of book that just leaves you with that warm satisfied happy feeling at the end.
This book has:
Austen Retelling of Persuasion
Second chances
Nantucket-setting
Dual POV
Bucket List
March 17, 2026
Had to read for work. Pretty much what you’d expect. There was a lot of telling and not showing which bothered me, the plot line is very non-linear which can be done but in this case it just falls flat. There basically isn’t any chemistry between the characters that end up together, it’s lacking passionate tension for the audience to be rooting for any of the couples. The only couple you are rooting for is for the previous lovers to end up back together but even then you don’t see any of the chemistry between them on paper.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Do we ever really know everything about someone? This story introduces Rose and Lily, a mother and daughter who seem incredibly close. But as Lily returns to live with her mother after loosing her job and her recent painful breakup she discovers there are important parts of Rose’s life she never truly understood.
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this modern retelling explores themes of regret, past relationships, and second chances against a picture perfect setting and a bunch of beautiful people. Since I haven’t read the original, I probably missed some of the deeper parallels, but I still appreciated the overall atmosphere and emotional themes running through the story.
The book leans heavily into introspection and slow-burn storytelling, which may really work for readers who enjoy the slower relationship-focused fiction. The miscommunication trope isn’t usually my favorite, and there were moments where I found myself wishing the story had a little more momentum or a bigger dramatic turning point. That said, I could still appreciate the thoughtful way the story examined relationships and the choices people carry with them over time.
This feels like the kind of book that would make a perfect summer read as it’s thoughtful, atmospheric, and quietly reflective. Beyond the beautiful setting and relationship drama, it encourages you to think about your own connections, the lingering impact of the past, and how old choices and unresolved feelings can shape the life you’re living today. For a debut novel, it’s an impressive and emotionally insightful story that shows a lot of promise from the author.
For me, this landed somewhere around a 3.5 star read.
My thanks to Gallery Books for providing an ARC of this book that is due to be published on 23 June 2026 but is now available for preorder.
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this modern retelling explores themes of regret, past relationships, and second chances against a picture perfect setting and a bunch of beautiful people. Since I haven’t read the original, I probably missed some of the deeper parallels, but I still appreciated the overall atmosphere and emotional themes running through the story.
The book leans heavily into introspection and slow-burn storytelling, which may really work for readers who enjoy the slower relationship-focused fiction. The miscommunication trope isn’t usually my favorite, and there were moments where I found myself wishing the story had a little more momentum or a bigger dramatic turning point. That said, I could still appreciate the thoughtful way the story examined relationships and the choices people carry with them over time.
This feels like the kind of book that would make a perfect summer read as it’s thoughtful, atmospheric, and quietly reflective. Beyond the beautiful setting and relationship drama, it encourages you to think about your own connections, the lingering impact of the past, and how old choices and unresolved feelings can shape the life you’re living today. For a debut novel, it’s an impressive and emotionally insightful story that shows a lot of promise from the author.
For me, this landed somewhere around a 3.5 star read.
My thanks to Gallery Books for providing an ARC of this book that is due to be published on 23 June 2026 but is now available for preorder.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Worse Than Strangers is a beautifully atmospheric, beachy Persuasion retelling that leans into second chances, emotional healing, and the complicated ties between past and present.
Set on Nantucket, the story follows Rose and her daughter Lily—best friends as much as family—both quietly navigating heartbreak in very different ways. Lily retreats to the family cottage after losing her NYC job and stumbling straight into a devastating reminder of her past: her first love, now unexpectedly engaged. That moment sets the tone for a summer full of reckoning, growth, and emotional truth.
Rose’s storyline runs in parallel, and I really appreciated the layered depth she brought to the book. Her unexpected reconnection with Thomas Wentworth adds a quieter but deeply emotional thread that mirrors the themes of regret and timing woven throughout the novel.
The Nantucket setting is one of the strongest parts of the book—lush, coastal, and reflective, it perfectly supports the slow-burn emotional pacing. This is not a high-drama read; it’s more introspective, focusing on relationships, memory, and the question of whether the past can ever truly be rewritten.
At times, I wished a few emotional moments had been explored a little more fully, but overall the story delivers a satisfying, heartfelt reading experience that fans of Jane Austen retellings and coastal women’s fiction will enjoy.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
#RegencyFanMichelle #WorseThanStrangers #KyleighLeddy #BookReview #JaneAustenRetelling
Set on Nantucket, the story follows Rose and her daughter Lily—best friends as much as family—both quietly navigating heartbreak in very different ways. Lily retreats to the family cottage after losing her NYC job and stumbling straight into a devastating reminder of her past: her first love, now unexpectedly engaged. That moment sets the tone for a summer full of reckoning, growth, and emotional truth.
Rose’s storyline runs in parallel, and I really appreciated the layered depth she brought to the book. Her unexpected reconnection with Thomas Wentworth adds a quieter but deeply emotional thread that mirrors the themes of regret and timing woven throughout the novel.
The Nantucket setting is one of the strongest parts of the book—lush, coastal, and reflective, it perfectly supports the slow-burn emotional pacing. This is not a high-drama read; it’s more introspective, focusing on relationships, memory, and the question of whether the past can ever truly be rewritten.
At times, I wished a few emotional moments had been explored a little more fully, but overall the story delivers a satisfying, heartfelt reading experience that fans of Jane Austen retellings and coastal women’s fiction will enjoy.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
#RegencyFanMichelle #WorseThanStrangers #KyleighLeddy #BookReview #JaneAustenRetelling
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some names have been changed to protect the original.
Jane Austen goes to the beach in this retelling of Persuasion. Rose and Lily Gardner, mother and daughter, find themselves reunited on Nantucket Island—Rose living and working there as a therapist, and Lily seeking a soft landing after losing both her job and her relationship in rapid succession.
At its heart, this is a story about second chances, reconciliation, and confronting the lingering regrets born from our own choices. The novel also thoughtfully explores the challenges of relationships—romantic, familial, and otherwise—without ever becoming overly dark or heavy. Even in its more emotional moments, there is an undercurrent of warmth and hope.
When do we listen to others and when do we trust ourselves?
In this reimagining, the author takes a fresh approach to Austen’s characters. While Austen often wrote with a touch of caricature, the characters here feel more nuanced and deeply human. The protagonists are imperfect in believable ways, while some of the more difficult characters are given greater emotional depth, revealing what shaped them and, in certain cases, their capacity for growth and change.
Jane Austen goes to the beach in this retelling of Persuasion. Rose and Lily Gardner, mother and daughter, find themselves reunited on Nantucket Island—Rose living and working there as a therapist, and Lily seeking a soft landing after losing both her job and her relationship in rapid succession.
At its heart, this is a story about second chances, reconciliation, and confronting the lingering regrets born from our own choices. The novel also thoughtfully explores the challenges of relationships—romantic, familial, and otherwise—without ever becoming overly dark or heavy. Even in its more emotional moments, there is an undercurrent of warmth and hope.
When do we listen to others and when do we trust ourselves?
In this reimagining, the author takes a fresh approach to Austen’s characters. While Austen often wrote with a touch of caricature, the characters here feel more nuanced and deeply human. The protagonists are imperfect in believable ways, while some of the more difficult characters are given greater emotional depth, revealing what shaped them and, in certain cases, their capacity for growth and change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Debut (fiction) author Kyleigh Leddy has created a new, modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion and in my opinion, a much better story filled with summery beach vibes. Perfect for a summer read!
Rose and Lily Gardener (mother and daughter) live in picturesque, historic Nantucket in their late Aunt Lottie's cottage and the story is told from all three of their POV. It's filled with love, comfort, a little romance (current and past), both good and poor decisions, comedic drama at the gala, and laughter. There's even a bucket list in the story which will draw a few laughs while at the same time might make you wish you were on the island completing the list.
The spirit of the book is meant to be fun, summery, beachy, and relaxing - which Leddy does a great job of achieving. For those naysayers with negative reviews, I think they missed the point: if you just look at the book cover, it screams "summer beach reading" and in my opinion, it hit's the exact spot!
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rose and Lily Gardener (mother and daughter) live in picturesque, historic Nantucket in their late Aunt Lottie's cottage and the story is told from all three of their POV. It's filled with love, comfort, a little romance (current and past), both good and poor decisions, comedic drama at the gala, and laughter. There's even a bucket list in the story which will draw a few laughs while at the same time might make you wish you were on the island completing the list.
The spirit of the book is meant to be fun, summery, beachy, and relaxing - which Leddy does a great job of achieving. For those naysayers with negative reviews, I think they missed the point: if you just look at the book cover, it screams "summer beach reading" and in my opinion, it hit's the exact spot!
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4 stars)
Worse Than Strangers was not what I expected, but not necessarily in a bad way. The romances present in the story did not unfold the way I anticipated and were also not as much of a focus as I originally thought. However, I do not think this took away from the story, it simply made it a different kind of story than I expected.
I appreciated the dual POV, as it highlighted how no matter how old we get, we still do not always know what we are doing in life. The pacing was a bit slow and felt misleading at times, though I suspect this may have been intentional.
I was disappointed in the ending, as it felt lackluster and lacking in clarity and context. While I believe this choice was purposeful, I do not think it was the right one for the reader.
Overall, this is a beautiful piece of literary fiction that explores life and relationships for women at different points in their lives.
Worse Than Strangers was not what I expected, but not necessarily in a bad way. The romances present in the story did not unfold the way I anticipated and were also not as much of a focus as I originally thought. However, I do not think this took away from the story, it simply made it a different kind of story than I expected.
I appreciated the dual POV, as it highlighted how no matter how old we get, we still do not always know what we are doing in life. The pacing was a bit slow and felt misleading at times, though I suspect this may have been intentional.
I was disappointed in the ending, as it felt lackluster and lacking in clarity and context. While I believe this choice was purposeful, I do not think it was the right one for the reader.
Overall, this is a beautiful piece of literary fiction that explores life and relationships for women at different points in their lives.
November 6, 2025
Hi! Author here. I know I'm (of course!) very partial, but as the writer, please allow me to indulge in what I dream you may take away from the story:
I hope you feel encouraged to pursue your dreams, whatever they may be.
I hope you remember that it's never too late to fall in love again.
I hope you feel less alone in your heartbreak, in your struggles, and in your fears.
I hope reading this novel will feel like one warm, affirming hug from your very favorite person on a perfect summer day.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me share Lily and Rose Gardner with you! There is no shortage of incredible material to read, so thank you for taking a chance on a debut novel. The path to publication is bewildering, terrifying, exhilarating, and often heartbreaking, but knowing that this story has found its way to your hands makes it all worth it.
With love and gratitude,
Kyleigh
I hope you feel encouraged to pursue your dreams, whatever they may be.
I hope you remember that it's never too late to fall in love again.
I hope you feel less alone in your heartbreak, in your struggles, and in your fears.
I hope reading this novel will feel like one warm, affirming hug from your very favorite person on a perfect summer day.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me share Lily and Rose Gardner with you! There is no shortage of incredible material to read, so thank you for taking a chance on a debut novel. The path to publication is bewildering, terrifying, exhilarating, and often heartbreaking, but knowing that this story has found its way to your hands makes it all worth it.
With love and gratitude,
Kyleigh
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Worse Than Strangers was an emotional, tension-filled read that kept me turning pages. The story dives deep into complicated relationships, secrets, and the ways people can hurt each other—sometimes unintentionally, and sometimes very much on purpose. The characters felt raw and flawed, which made their choices feel believable, even when they were frustrating.
The pacing was solid overall, with moments that packed a strong emotional punch and others that simmered with quiet tension. Some parts felt heavier than expected, but that also added to the realism of the story. If you enjoy realistic fiction that explores darker relationship dynamics and emotional growth, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
#NetGalley
#BookReview
#WorseThanStrangers
#ARCReview
#EmotionalRead
#DomesticFiction
#RealisticFiction
Worse Than Strangers was an emotional, tension-filled read that kept me turning pages. The story dives deep into complicated relationships, secrets, and the ways people can hurt each other—sometimes unintentionally, and sometimes very much on purpose. The characters felt raw and flawed, which made their choices feel believable, even when they were frustrating.
The pacing was solid overall, with moments that packed a strong emotional punch and others that simmered with quiet tension. Some parts felt heavier than expected, but that also added to the realism of the story. If you enjoy realistic fiction that explores darker relationship dynamics and emotional growth, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
#NetGalley
#BookReview
#WorseThanStrangers
#ARCReview
#EmotionalRead
#DomesticFiction
#RealisticFiction
Review of advance copy
thank you to Arts & Letters bookstore for the ARC!
this book is very cute!! i haven't see Gilmore Girls, but i can heavily see the influence of its mother-daughter relationship in this book. yes, this book is a romance, but it's more so focused on a mother and daughter as they navigate their grief and personal relationships.
while i agree with one other reviewer that more scenes with Thomas and Theo would've been nice, i think that also would've detracted away from the main plot of the story. this is a love story, but it's between the women in the novel - not their male counterparts.
i appreciate that there are moments between Lily and Rose where we just get to see them live together. there are these little moments where we get to each both characters just being girls. right after, they go back to the mother-daughter dynamic, but it adds a touch of realness that i appreciate.
this book is very cute!! i haven't see Gilmore Girls, but i can heavily see the influence of its mother-daughter relationship in this book. yes, this book is a romance, but it's more so focused on a mother and daughter as they navigate their grief and personal relationships.
while i agree with one other reviewer that more scenes with Thomas and Theo would've been nice, i think that also would've detracted away from the main plot of the story. this is a love story, but it's between the women in the novel - not their male counterparts.
i appreciate that there are moments between Lily and Rose where we just get to see them live together. there are these little moments where we get to each both characters just being girls. right after, they go back to the mother-daughter dynamic, but it adds a touch of realness that i appreciate.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finely executed second- chance romance in the retelling of Jane Austin’s Persuasion . Perfect for lovers of Austin and aficionados of cozy romance beach reads.
Recently fired from her job, Lily retreats to her family’s summer cottage in Siaconsett only to be confronted in the grocery store by her first love and his fiancé. Then there’s Lily’s mom, Rose, who’s also confront by her first love as the renter of the guest cottage.
This is a character driven novel that focuses on the mother-daughter relationship between Rose and Lily. Its setting is the quintessential Nantucket Island where all good beach readers go to enjoy sun and sand. This is good because it makes the retelling of Persuasion more contemporary in feeling.
This was a fun read. Get it just for the feel good you will get for the read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC.
Recently fired from her job, Lily retreats to her family’s summer cottage in Siaconsett only to be confronted in the grocery store by her first love and his fiancé. Then there’s Lily’s mom, Rose, who’s also confront by her first love as the renter of the guest cottage.
This is a character driven novel that focuses on the mother-daughter relationship between Rose and Lily. Its setting is the quintessential Nantucket Island where all good beach readers go to enjoy sun and sand. This is good because it makes the retelling of Persuasion more contemporary in feeling.
This was a fun read. Get it just for the feel good you will get for the read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Worse Than Strangers is about Rose and Lily, a mother/daughter pair who are going through a quite dramatic summer at Rose's house in Nantucket. Lily has recently left her job and found out her first love is getting married. Rose is trying to open up her own therapy practice and dealing with the fact that her first love is back in her life. They are both dealing with the loss of Lottie, Rose's aunt whose house they now live in.
This book was heartwarming and is the perfect beach read! Lily and Rose's relationship is very Gilmore Girl-esque and I loved both of their romances in the book. I highly recommend if you are looking to read something this summer! I just wish we could have gotten a little more of them with their respective love interests!
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book was heartwarming and is the perfect beach read! Lily and Rose's relationship is very Gilmore Girl-esque and I loved both of their romances in the book. I highly recommend if you are looking to read something this summer! I just wish we could have gotten a little more of them with their respective love interests!
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Worse Than Strangers is a loosely based retelling of Persuasion that's set in Nantucket. There's a Gilmore Girls-like influence in that it follows a mother-daughter pair, Rose and Lily, as they navigate a summer of heartbreak, love, big decisions, and second chances.
I enjoyed the beachy atmosphere and the small town vibes, but the plot itself left much to be desired. The romantic pairings lacked development and emotional tension. I preferred Rose and Thomas overall, as Lily rang immature and grating, but I would've liked to see their story flushed out better. Still, it's an easy, breezy escapist read so if you're in the mood for something Austen-adjacent you might want to pick it up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.
BOOK BLOG
I enjoyed the beachy atmosphere and the small town vibes, but the plot itself left much to be desired. The romantic pairings lacked development and emotional tension. I preferred Rose and Thomas overall, as Lily rang immature and grating, but I would've liked to see their story flushed out better. Still, it's an easy, breezy escapist read so if you're in the mood for something Austen-adjacent you might want to pick it up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.
BOOK BLOG
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Readers of Elin Hilderbrand's books who are lamenting their annual release that brings them to the delightful island of Nantucket will be glad to have another voice on the island of their imaginations with Kyleigh Leddy's new book, Worse Than Strangers. Building up the story through the dual narratives of a mother and daughter, this book read very quickly, and I enjoyed reading about places that I first became familiar with through Hilderbrand's book. And although Leddy's style is not quite the same as Hilderbrand, it nevertheless satiated my desire to read a book to set in Nantucket. Overall, this book is definitely worth reading, and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys Hilderbrand or Pamela Kelley's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I went into this book, not knowing what to expect. Sometimes you just need a little surprise in your life and this book was exactly it. It transported me to East Coast Island life. I could almost feel the ocean breeze and smell the salty air. It’s hard to name another great mother daughter duo than the Gilmore Girls, but Rose and Lily Gardner are a close second. What a beautiful story about strong female relationships in our lives. How love shapes us and how we need each other to survive. It was emotional and sweet, deep and introspective. It wasn’t fluffy by any means, there were some deep topics about familial relationships, but it was intriguing enough that I couldn’t stop reading. It had a little bit of magic in it, that really loved. Highly recommend. You won’t be disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was drawn to this book by the cover artwork and description (Gilmore Girls meets Jane Austen). Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by this debut novel from Kyleigh Leddy. Worse Than Strangers is an easy weekend read with a beautiful setting and a lovely story of Rose and Lily. There were a few times where I felt it needed to pick up the pace, and I wish there was a little more focus on the romance. Overall, I enjoyed this book. Read if you like strong female lead characters, second chances, family secrets, and Nantucket summers.
Thank you Gallery Books, Kyleigh Leddy, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4)
Thank you Gallery Books, Kyleigh Leddy, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
3.5 Stars (rounded up to 4)
May 26, 2026
ARC Review-
Not a love story in the traditional sense. It’s a story of a mother and daughter who love each other, have been hurt by love in the past, and are figuring out what to do with their lives during a summer in Nantucket.
Lily has been fired from her NYC job and is nursing her wounds with her mother, Rose, in Nantucket. While shopping, she runs into her ex and finds out he’s engaged.
Rose is a divorced therapist who raised her daughter, Lily, on her own. She’s renting out half of their cottage for the summer and finds out that she’s renting to the man she never got over- her first love, Thomas.
Both women are figuring things out while grieving the loss of their aunt. And while there’s love, this is more of a story about them and their journeys!
Not a love story in the traditional sense. It’s a story of a mother and daughter who love each other, have been hurt by love in the past, and are figuring out what to do with their lives during a summer in Nantucket.
Lily has been fired from her NYC job and is nursing her wounds with her mother, Rose, in Nantucket. While shopping, she runs into her ex and finds out he’s engaged.
Rose is a divorced therapist who raised her daughter, Lily, on her own. She’s renting out half of their cottage for the summer and finds out that she’s renting to the man she never got over- her first love, Thomas.
Both women are figuring things out while grieving the loss of their aunt. And while there’s love, this is more of a story about them and their journeys!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Worse Than Strangers isn’t a true romance, as the cover would want you to believe, so much as a quiet, honest story about finding your footing when life feels confusing. There’s a little dating and old flames, but the heart of the book is self-discovery, navigating anxiety—including panic attacks—in a very real way, and the complex relationship between a mother and daughter. Thoughtful, relatable, and surprisingly comforting, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Also want to note this is the authors debut novel. She has a previously published memoir. I hope that she will write more fiction in the future.
Also want to note this is the authors debut novel. She has a previously published memoir. I hope that she will write more fiction in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I am OBSESSED with this book. I initially thought it would be a nice, easy beach read, but the plot twists kept me hooked! I could not put this book down and finished it very quickly. Kyleigh's language flows incredibly smoothly and keeps the storyline moving. I did figure out one plot twist very early on in the book (H iykyk), but there was plenty else going on to keep me interested. This is a great read for people in their early to mid-twenties, as well as for moms with a child around that age. I've never read a dual-perspective book about a mother and daughter, and it was a pleasant surprise. Dont miss out on the book of the summer, must read!
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026I appreciate the eARC from NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book.
I read about 21% of this and I had to call it quits. It starts off with one of my least favorite scenarios with the ex boyfriend having cheated on his current fiancé with his ex girlfriend who is the FMC and the FMC making excuses for him right off the bat and being sad about it. The relationship between her mom and her also came off very co dependent and immaturish. I know there was one mystery with the letter at the beginning (in the prologue) but it wasn’t enough for me to want to push through and find out. Just not right for me.
I read about 21% of this and I had to call it quits. It starts off with one of my least favorite scenarios with the ex boyfriend having cheated on his current fiancé with his ex girlfriend who is the FMC and the FMC making excuses for him right off the bat and being sad about it. The relationship between her mom and her also came off very co dependent and immaturish. I know there was one mystery with the letter at the beginning (in the prologue) but it wasn’t enough for me to want to push through and find out. Just not right for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Worse Than Strangers is the kind of story that quietly stays with you after you finish it. I really loved how the story unfolded through both the mother and daughter perspectives, which gave the emotional moments even more depth.
The coastal setting felt nostalgic and comforting, and the slow burn, second chance romance added the perfect amount of longing and tension throughout the story. Knowing it’s inspired by Persuasion made me appreciate those elements even more.
This is more of a reflective, character driven story than a dramatic one, and honestly, that’s what made it work so well for me. A warm, thoughtful read that lingers long after the final page.
The coastal setting felt nostalgic and comforting, and the slow burn, second chance romance added the perfect amount of longing and tension throughout the story. Knowing it’s inspired by Persuasion made me appreciate those elements even more.
This is more of a reflective, character driven story than a dramatic one, and honestly, that’s what made it work so well for me. A warm, thoughtful read that lingers long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Worse Than Strangers was not quite what I expected, but still enjoyable. While it's described as the story of a mother and a daughter, there's a 3rd woman, aunt or great-aunt Lottie, who's very much a main presence in the book. I did feel that sometimes, moments weren't fully fleshed out, or were a bit was hurried along, and occasionally I had trouble seeing where a decision was leading to, or the reason for introducing a character (and there were many characters!). Overall, this was a fun read, with an engaging plot, a great setting, and relatable women.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC from NetGalley for Worse than Strangers. This was a debut fiction novel from author Kyleigh Leddy. It was an interesting read for me. Definitely not what I was expecting but that’s not a bad thing. It read like a memoir at times versus a fictional novel. The relationship between the two main characters was very Gilmore girls-ish and definitely had some blurred lines. It took me a minute to get used to the continued switch up of calling the mother “mom” and then “Rose” in the next sentence. Overall, a great debut. Thank you for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could barely put it down…. The characters come to life off the pages. I got totally sucked in. Lily, Rose, Theo, Thomas, William, not to mention Henry and his crazy fiancée, Mary…
Lottie barely gets a word in but she steals part of your heart.
There I was at the Chicken Box, the Rose and Crown. She sucked me into every scene. I don’t know how she writes this way. I can only marvel at it and enjoy it. I HIGHLY recommend this book and I hope there is a sequel :-). Please Kyleigh, please?
Lottie barely gets a word in but she steals part of your heart.
There I was at the Chicken Box, the Rose and Crown. She sucked me into every scene. I don’t know how she writes this way. I can only marvel at it and enjoy it. I HIGHLY recommend this book and I hope there is a sequel :-). Please Kyleigh, please?
March 11, 2026
Thank you Gallery for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
This was such an amazing read! I absolutely loved it and I flew through it. I just couldn’t put it down. I loved the mother-daughter dynamics of Rose and Lily and how they were best friends. I absolutely loved the summer-y setting. The feeling of summer was perfectly captured in this book. I would definitely recommend checking this one out in June!
This was such an amazing read! I absolutely loved it and I flew through it. I just couldn’t put it down. I loved the mother-daughter dynamics of Rose and Lily and how they were best friends. I absolutely loved the summer-y setting. The feeling of summer was perfectly captured in this book. I would definitely recommend checking this one out in June!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first Kyleigh Leddy read and I absolutely loved it. This is the perfect summer time read. I loved the relationship between Rose and Lilly and it made me wish I had that same kind of relationship with my own Mom. If you love 2nd chance romance, strong female lead characters, starting over and family relationships above all else, then you will absolutely love this one!
Thank you, NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.
Thank you, NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
this is what i call a good freaking time. i truly had the absolute best time reading this. the emotions i felt throughout this WHOLE book were so strong, i could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting and i know im going to be thinking about these characters and this story for a long time.
May 26, 2026
So much deeper than a romance!
This story really focuses on the mother daughter relationship between Lily and Rose. Both grieving, growing, and learning about themselves.
It was truly a beautiful and touching read. I definitely see why this is compared to Gilmore Girls as well, think cozy summer instead of fall.
This story really focuses on the mother daughter relationship between Lily and Rose. Both grieving, growing, and learning about themselves.
It was truly a beautiful and touching read. I definitely see why this is compared to Gilmore Girls as well, think cozy summer instead of fall.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
(Received a Physical ARC from Goodreads Giveaway)
Okay, this was pretty freaking nice for a debut.
The chemistry had me kicking my feet (as per usual) and giggling like a little girl who just got treats. I also love the relationship between her and her mother. Likeee... I'm jealous asf. Where's my relationship with my mother? (I'm jokinggg. Maybe LMAOO)
Overall, 5 stars.
Okay, this was pretty freaking nice for a debut.
The chemistry had me kicking my feet (as per usual) and giggling like a little girl who just got treats. I also love the relationship between her and her mother. Likeee... I'm jealous asf. Where's my relationship with my mother? (I'm jokinggg. Maybe LMAOO)
Overall, 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews