This Changes Everything

by Lisa Scottoline

In this twisty and emotionally resonant thriller from #1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, a woman risks her life for justice and realizes she has more power than she ever knew.

Julia Pritzker loves her new life as a wife and mother in beautiful Tuscany—except that she misses her best friend Courtney, back in the States. One night, Julia calls Courtney and reaches her as she’s arriving at her grandmother’s farm in Pennsylvania.

Then the unthinkable happens. A dreadful premonition overwhelms Julia as Courtney is entering the house—but it’s too late to stop Courtney, who makes a heartbreaking discovery. Her beloved grandmother has been murdered, and the killer is escaping out the back door. A distraught Courtney chases him, but he jumps into a pickup truck and gets away.

Julia flies home the next morning to support Courtney in her grief. The local police believe the murder was a botched burglary, but the women suspect something much more sinister. They dig to unearth the truth in a town filled with explosive secrets, and Julia’s uncanny intuition points her to the missing pieces of a dark puzzle.

Before long, events take a deadly turn, and Julia becomes the target of a murderous conspiracy. She ends up fighting for her life, with no one to save her … but herself.

Only a blockbuster talent like Lisa Scottoline can tell this riveting and layered of a story, combining a woman’s search for truth with the revelation of her own empowerment, as well as the enduring strength and joys of female friendship.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Lisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 33 novels. Her books are book-club favorites, and Lisa and her daughter Francesca Serritella have hosted an annual Big Book Club Party for over a thousand readers at her Pennsylvania farm, for the past twelve years. Lisa has served as President of Mystery Writers of America, and her reviews of fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also writes a weekly column with her daughter for the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled Chick Wit, a witty take on life from a woman’s perspective, which have been collected in a bestselling series of humorous memoirs. Lisa graduated magna cum laude in three years from the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.A. in English, and cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she taught Justice and Fiction. Lisa has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in over 35 countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Reviews

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline
Publishing date - 07/14/26
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC. HUGE fan of Lisa Scottoline so I was super excited when Netgalley approved my request. Love her stand alone novels and her Rosato novels! Absolutely loved it when Bennie Rosato made her appearance in this book.

This is the second book by Lisa featuring Julia Pritzker as the main character. If you haven’t read Unraveling of Julia, I recommend starting with that book first. Julia has become one of my favorite fictional characters … hoping to see her in more books. ☺️

This book was a great page-turner. Highly recommend it when it releases July 14th. ❤️

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay, I’ll give it that. I have read many of this author’s books, so I have to say, this one felt a bit rushed. The characters were a bit flat, and the storyline seemed familiar. The ending felt a bit too quick.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

read if you like:
🦹 mediums
🔪 murder mysteries
🐲 paranormal activity

summary:
This book starts wild and doesn’t let up. It follows Julia, who leaves her idyllic life in Tuscany when she has a premonition that her best friend’s grandmother is murdered — and it comes true. What starts as a visit for support and comfort quickly spirals into something much bigger — secrets, conspiracies, premonitions, and a truth that won’t stay buried.

If you like Scottoline’s other books, this has a similar pace and structure, but with a little more emotional twist. There is a lot of female friendship, intuition and learning to believe in yourself, which comes on top of the suspense and drama you come to expect. My biggest challenge though was the supernatural/premonition angle. As someone who likes stories that feel like they could be real, this was really hard to relate to. While the murder was realistic, the rest of the story was not, and that made it hard for me to get attached and feel a part of it. Even though it’s eerie and haunting, it feels a little over the top, and it only escalates as the story continues.

While I love the themes of small town secrets, powerful forces and things not being what they seem, I just couldn’t get hooked by this one. If you like a touch of paranormal conspiracies though, this book could be for you.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy to review!

[RonRonReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a handful of Lisa Scottoline’s book and I’m happy to report that she does it again! Courtney stumbles upon the murder of her Grandma Kay and Julia, her best friend is a witness… Except Julia was on FaceTime and in Italy… So Julia flies to America to help and support Courtney through this tragedy. After all, she had a premonition of a bad feeling right before Kay was found and now Courtney wants her to use her “powers” as a medium to help figure out why Kay was targeted. As Julia and Courtney work together to uncover the truth, they both find themselves in the middle of marital problems and conspiracy theories. When it comes down to it, only Julia can find a way to save herself and Courtney before it’s too late.

For starters, I didn’t read The Unraveling of Julia! I thought this was a standalone book and still enjoyed it. I’m not one for paranormal or supernatural elements in my books but this one to me was done well and wasn’t too “woo woo” in your face. The friendship dynamic here is so strong you can’t help but think you’d also do anything for your best friend too.

While I enjoyed the friendship storyline, I scratched my head at the Courtney/Alex dynamic and the problems that Julia faced with her husband. I guess I just struggled to find the relevance towards the story, but maybe I needed to read the first book to better understand!

Overall, I enjoyed this book despite the paranormal aspect! I’m a big Lisa Scottline fan and would recommend if you’re into mediums, deep family dynamics and cop conspiracies!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First timer & devoted readers of the author are warmly welcomed into una cocina somewhere in a Tuscan where the Italian skies make magic with the vineyards below.

A pot simmers on the cookstove of Julia Pritzker & holds simple ingredients native to the region yet tempting appetites. The room also contains the love of Julia’s husband, her young daughter, extended family & friends – both near & far. An added element to spice up this recipe includes a sudden telephone call & the mysterious death of someone dear to both Julia & her longtime friend, Courtney, back in the US.

Don’t unpack in Italy just yet because the majority of the book takes place in a familiar setting for many of the author’s writing. Prepare for wheels up & a return to Pennsylvania (PA) - the scene of many legal cliffhangers in the City of Philadelphia (plus lesser-known spots in the Commonwealth).

Reunite or get yourself acquainted with the one, the only – Bennie Rosato, Esquire. You may even hear mention of Mary DiNunzio’s legal expertise…

The highly suspect death of Courtney’s harmless, sweet & elderly grandmother forces Julia to return to PA. Still…Philadelphia is a painful reminder of the recent & senseless death of Julia’s first husband that set her across the Atlantic not long ago. While commitments back home in Italy are many, her dear friend is in need of support & in unknown danger herself.

The questionable passing of the grandmother shifts the setting to a very real & troubled ghost town in PA – Centralia. It is a true-life example of the worst of local, state & federal environmental protection. Toxic fumes, underground fires & widespread corruption have caused its community to scatter. Too many residents who remain in nearby areas spout hate-filled bitterness, racial prejudices & endorse Neo-Nazi propaganda. I grew up & worked in Central PA & I stand by my opinion of the area.

Misplaced guilt on Julia’s dear friend just adds to the pile of corruption that still exists there. Here is where Lisa Scottoline shines with her in-depth research & accuracy. I worked for 30 years in the PA Senate & I knew too many of these political players through the decades. Some even represented these very constituents & “represented” is a stretch. The author captures how poorly this real-life horror was handled as far back as a simpleton borough council in the early 1960s.

Julia’s gift of a sixth sense provides essential once again (if you read the previous book, you are familiar; but it is not necessary & her abilities will amaze the new-comer). Doubters are plenty, but Julia’s insight will prove crucial to the guilty players in murder plus the hate crimes of harmless others.

Of special note (for me) was the reference to “The Thin Place” plus the telephone call from Julia to her contact, Helen Davenport. Davenport was a noted therapeutic hypnotist that supported Julia’s gifts of visions into the past & future. How or did she just talk to Helen though?

This review has left enough tidbits to pique your interest & I encourage you to get your hands on this 5 Star Read on publication day which fast approaches on July 14th.

The book is a reminder to heed & honor a departed soul & allow them their time. Grief has no end date, but in the case of murder &/or a senseless death – the truth will always be there just like the fires still found in Centralia. You only have to care enough to see what the departed reveal.

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing & the great one, Lisa Scottoline, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair & honest

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s honestly so great to see Julia Pritzker back! If you haven’t read Unraveling of Julia, I highly recommend starting there to fully understand this wonderfully peculiar and gifted character. That said, this book does provide enough background for newcomers—but let me give you a quick (okay… slightly detailed 😅) refresher because Julia’s journey is a lot.

Julia endured a devastating tragedy—while walking down the street with her husband, they were attacked by a burglar, and her husband sacrificed himself to save her, dying in the most brutal way. As if that heartbreak wasn’t enough, Julia later discovers she has inherited an estate in Tuscany from a grandmother she never even knew existed. This unexpected inheritance opens the door to uncovering her ancestry—and something even more extraordinary: her gift.

Yes, Julia has a powerful sixth sense. She’s essentially an oracle (and very fittingly, a Cancer). Along the way, she meets Helen Clare Davenport, a well-known celebrity medium who has helped solve real criminal cases. Helen offers to mentor her, but Julia is initially terrified of embracing her abilities—of crossing that invisible veil between worlds. Still, she slowly begins to accept who she is, discovering a deep connection to Catherine Sforza, Italian nobility, and even finding love again with Gianluca. She builds a new life in Tuscany… and, let’s not forget, she also uses her gift to uncover the truth behind her husband’s murder. Yes—Julia is that powerful.

So now, stepping into this book, we find her in a seemingly peaceful place: happily married, raising her daughter in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. But of course… peace never lasts long in Julia’s world.

Everything changes with a phone call to her best friend Courtney in Philadelphia—a moment that quickly spirals into chaos. Courtney goes to visit her grandmother, only to find her brutally murdered. And instead of running away like a sane person (girl, WHY?!), she chases after the killer. Julia, still on the phone, becomes an ear-witness to the entire horrifying sequence, desperately begging her to stop. Thankfully, Courtney survives—but the attacker disappears without a trace.

When Courtney says she needs her, Julia doesn’t hesitate. Despite unresolved tensions at home—like her husband suddenly suggesting his parents move in (hard no from Julia)—and the guilt of leaving her daughter behind for the first time, she immediately flies to Philadelphia.

And let me tell you… the moment she lands (yes, including her emotional reunion with Dunkin’ Donuts coffee ☕), things start getting weird. The gift she thought she had left behind? It comes roaring back. Visions hit her hard—fire, fear, disorientation. She nearly collapses while driving. At the crime scene, she feels an overwhelming connection to Courtney’s grandmother. Reality and visions begin to blur, pushing Julia to the edge.

Meanwhile, the police investigation feels… lacking. Detached. Not nearly urgent enough. Which, of course, means Julia steps in. Teaming up with Courtney and the grandmother’s fiercely loyal friends, Susan and Mona, they begin their own investigation.

But this isn’t just a simple burglary gone wrong. Oh no. This runs deeper. Darker. There are whispers of past tragedies tied to the neighborhood—secrets that refuse to stay buried. And the more they dig, the more dangerous things become.

So the question is:
Will they uncover the truth?
Or will they step into something far more dangerous than they’re prepared for?

Buckle up—because this ride gets intense.

I can honestly say I enjoyed this book even more than the first one. The pacing is spot on—fast, gripping, with short chapters that keep you turning pages like your life depends on it. And can we talk about that phone call scene in Chapter 9?! I was practically yelling at the book.

The characters are vivid, lovable, and feel incredibly real. I was completely invested in all of them, especially Julia, who continues to grow into such a compelling, layered heroine.

I truly couldn’t put this book down, and I highly recommend it to fans of supernatural mysteries blended with crime thrillers.

And please—can we get a third book? I am so not ready to say goodbye to Julia yet!

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for sharing this fast-paced, thrilling, and emotionally gripping supernatural mystery with me in exchange for my honest thoughts—I truly appreciated it!

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[Beansbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN ADVANCED COPY OF BOOK FROM NETGALLEY!!

A riveting and compelling book by Lisa Scottoline, of the mystery and thriller genre.
A book previously published by Lisa, “THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA”, features the same main character, Julia Pritzker. In this book, Julia is currently living in Tuscany, happily married with a toddler. As she FaceTimes her best friend Courtney, who’s living in Philadelphia, Julia gets a terrible premonition, a new but proven psychic gift she has acquired, as her friend explains she is just walking into her grandmother Kay’s home in Pennsylvania. Julia begs and pleads with Courtney to stay away, warning her not to open the door. As her friend, ignoring the warning does, she sees a horrific scene and is immediately alerted to the fact she’s not alone. She chases a man outside and into the backyard overgrown with brush but he gets away. She was only able to shout brief details of his approximate height and the black pick up truck he sped off in.
Julia flies to the States to be with Courtney during this unimaginable tragedy where more startling visions begin happening to Julia and even more confusing leads that Courtney and Julia begin tracking down on their own because the lead detective isn’t answering calls and the chief of police was not only dismissive to their concern about the seemingly lack of progress in the investigation into the death of Kay but also his defensive posturing.
When Courtney is shockingly taken into custody for murder, it is up to Julia to try to hone into this new and unpredictable psychic mediumship she developed when her own life was hit by a horrifying tragedy that left her without her husband and severe trauma.
Julia contacts an extraordinary lawyer, and with the help of a local Alex, with whom Courtney has a past with, Courtney’s husband Paul and Kay’s two best friends, the twists and turns that leave the reader with heart palpitating whiplash’s, they’ll come to find answers needed but won’t be remotely prepared for the loss of other lives that this path with take them, the revelations that will leave them stunned or the corruption and conspiracy that eventually is brought to light.
Lisa Scottoline has always been an absolute favorite writer of mine. Her innate skill in character structure, the dynamic and complex characters she creates are so relatable and emotionally powerful they’re difficult to unattach from when the book ends. Her plots and the twists in which she brilliantly sprinkles throughout are an exhilarating experience and why I adore every chance I get to lose myself into the thrilling and mysterious worlds that she creates. She’s an extraordinary wordsmith and her writing captures attention so quickly it’s virtually impossible for me to put her books down. I typically read them cover to cover leaving a very tired but extremely blissed bibliophile upon finishing.
Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced Reading Copy of this book by Lisa Scottoline, to her publishing company, Grand Central Publishing.
#NetgalleyARC #Netgalleyreviewer #LisaScottoline #GrandCentralPublishing

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel written by a suspense master that moves from Italy to the wilds of rural Pennsylvania, telling a story of friendship, premonition, secrets and murder.

Social media has in many ways destroyed quite lot of things. Many of us spend hours looking at the lives of others living vicariously through them, while that couch sags lower and lower to the ground. Politics is a mess, as is the world and even more importantly human interaction. Especially friendship. We have friends on Facebook, contacts here, followers there, but friends are a commodity that nobody seems to want to invest in anymore. Real friends not AI friends. Friends who would come from far away to help in times of trouble. To stand up when things are going bad, and other are spreading rumours. Even stand in the cross hairs of a killer. This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline is a thriller about feelings, fear, friends, and the facts that people are willing to kill to keep quiet.

Julia Pritzker is enjoying life in Tuscany, Italy after her previous adventures, adventures that have made her a bride and a new mother. The only thing missing in her life is the presence of her best friend Courtney. Julia has always had feelings, and one day Julia has a feeling that something is wrong, a premonition that Courtney is in danger. Juila Facetimes Courtney catching her just as she has arrived at her grandmother's house in rural Pennsylvania. As Julia watches, Courtney finds her grandmother murdered, and the killer running out the back door, escaping. Julia flies back to the states, to her her friend in this difficult time. Courtney is asking a lot of questions, as the cops are treating this like a robbery just gone bad. Courtney has other feelings, as does Julia feelings that are telling her that thing are not right. And will soon get worse. Courtney is arrested for the murder, and Julia begins to realise that something is going on in this small town. Something someone is willing to kill for, and maybe Julia is next.

Lisa Scottoline has a real gift for taking a simple idea and crafting a fine, suspenseful story. The feelings that Julia gets are not played for laughs, nor are they Deus ex machina tropes to fill holes in the story. They are handled well, and really help form the characters and give readers something to like. Which is easy as Scottoline is also very good at creating characters one want to know more about, and even more care about. The story is good, moving quickly with a few red herrings for the reader to nibble on. Scottoline is better known for her Italian settings, so the rural Pennsylvania setting is different for her, and adds also to the flavor of the story.

This is the second book to feature Julia, but one does not have to have read the earlier books to to follow along. Though I do recommend it as the previous book was quite good. Fans will enjoy this, and new readers can start here, and enjoy a future of good reading. I look forward to what Scottoline has planned next.

[k mandra]

I read this as an ARC. The blurb did NOT state that it was a sequel. As I read, it screamed: you have read something with this character before. A bit more research proved that I had. Hmmm. I had the same issue with trite diaglog the first time around. In the first book by Scottline, my review mentioned that I wasn't going to read this author's work again. Well, that joke was on me. I agreed to read and review this ARC but it did not reference the previous book or share that it was either a sequel or part of a series. The dialog was so trite that I felt it was a YA book. The plot was absurd to the point where this should have been deemed a quasi-fantasy. In no area in the USA would police departments or prison have operated as represented in this novel. The book was essentially a whole lot of "tell" with a lot of nothing woven in throuhout. The concept of show, don't tell was not present. I ended up doing a lot of skimming to get through the novel. With the first novel, I suspected that Scottoline did not actually write it. Now this novel by Scottoline is coming out and it it is the same trite drivel so, I am now swearing off this author. Even in middle and high school we learn that it is a poor option to use diaglog to tell background info when writing. This novel constantly uses inauthentic dialog to try to give background and falls flat at first and then grows to become downright annoying. TELL, DON'T SHOW. I do NOT recommend reading this book with its absurb plot and bland characters. The characters and relationships were so poorly developed. The reader is expected to swallow trite dialog between friends, ridiculous acceptances between spouses, unsupported drive to abandon one's child, law enforcement agencies willing to just give up case investigative info to outside players, loose and unsupported paranormal elements, and the ineffective insertion of supremisist and racist themes. A little research would have gone a long way to pull together the wide-spread elements and theme; instead, it was a loosey-goosey hodge-podge. I do NOT recommend this book or the author. I am sad to say that but I am firm since this is the second epic fail. The Unraveling of Julia was disappointing and my unwitting pull into the next 'Julia' book was not better. I would love to have the time I spent on both novel back so I could read something worthy....or watch some paint dry. It saddens me to be so tough on an ARC but this is a supposedly seasoned author and it was a strike 2 for me, with the exact same problematic issues the second time around. I am wondering if there was an editor even in the mix here.

[Mary Taber · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that this author had a new book out, I jumped at the chance to read it. I have read numerous books by Lisa Scottoline and loved them all, so this was a real treat for me. I don’t usually like science fiction books, or books about psychics or paranormalism, but as I got involved in the story, I decided that the idea of psychics fits well.
The story focuses on Julia a young woman who has a husband, Giancarlo, and a daughter, Leni, who live in Italy at a Vineyard. At the beginning of the story, Julia is calling her former college roommate Coutney in Pennsylvania, who, while she is on the phone, witnesses her grandmother’s murder. This prompts Julia to fly to PA to assist her friend.
As the novel progresses, we meet Alex, who runs the Shenandoah Reservation, a local conservation group that is trying to reclaim the land from past mining practices. Kay, Courtney’s grandmother, and Sam, Kay’s friend, both volunteered there. Then there is Susan and Mona, Kay’s dear friends, who miss her terribly and are willing to help in any way that they can. Paul, Courtney’s husband, and Courtney are having difficulties in their marriage, and he claims he was held up at an out-of-town meeting and can’t come home to help. We also meet several police officers who ostensibly help with the investigation but may be involved in a conspiracy.
After Courtney is arrested for her grandmother’s murder, Julia undertakes a mission to find out who really killed her and why. Courtney is convinced that Julia can use his psychic powers to free her friend, but Julia doubts her abilities. However, her abilities do help her track the killer in the end.
The themes of white supremacy, racism, domestic terrorism, and conspiracy waft through the book, making the case of Kay’s murder much larger than Julia could have imagined.
I am so glad to have read this story. Many thanks to NetGalley and to Hatchette Book Group for providing me the opportunity to read and provide honest feedback.

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that combines magical realism, murder mystery, and an amazing amount of female empowerment, have I got the book for you!!

Lisa Scottoline’s latest novel, This Changes Everything, takes us all on the most incredible journey of female bonding over an unbelievable tragedy, ultimately leading to assisting law enforcement in finding clues regarding the murder mystery at the heart of the plot.

Julia and her dearest friend Courtney accidentally witness the brutal killing of Courtney’s grandmother. Unexpectedly, Julia had a split-second premonition that Courtney should not enter her grandmother’s house. Unfortunately, Courtney did not comply with her friend’s urgings.

As experienced only once before, Julia then had to reconcile with the intense and surreal premonition that was proved to be true, just like her last experience with clairvoyance. Julia begins to question how and what she experienced, and what is inside of her. She is quick to write it off as just vivid dreaming and her mind being overtaxed and overwhelmed.

Courtney and Julia’s husband are not so easily convinced, but both beg her to not pursue anything that would put her at risk. She was begged so many times to let the police handle everything.

With more self-discovery, Julia finds that she is not only at-times clairvoyant, but also a medium. I loved the magical realism that the book brought forth with the general acceptance of the possibility of extra sensory perception being a viable explanation for Julia’s experiences.

This book was also touching with the resolutions found in the plot. Life can be totally unexpected, but also amazing, and filled with so much love and support from the most surprising sources.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this wonderful digital ARC!!

[Mvm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Changes Everything is another strong winner by Lisa Scottoline.

The story begins with Julia at her villa in Tuscany, on FaceTime with her best friend Courtney in Philadelphia, when she suddenly has a premonition that something terrible is about to happen. Moments later, Courtney discovers her grandmother has been brutally murdered. Julia immediately flies back to the U.S. to support her friend.

Julia has some psychic ability, though she’s never fully understood or embraced it. After the initial shock, she and Courtney begin asking questions about the murder, but frustration builds as the police make little progress. Tensions rise further when Courtney is unexpectedly arrested for the crime—at her own grandmother’s funeral.

With Courtney in jail, Julia takes it upon herself to keep digging for the truth, gradually learning to trust and use her psychic instincts. The story unfolds with constant twists and turns, peeling back layer after layer of a complex mystery.

Fans of Scottoline will appreciate the return of Bennie Rosato, the no-nonsense Philadelphia lawyer who steps in to help Courtney. It’s great to see her back in action.

As the novel concludes, Scottoline ties together multiple subplots in satisfying and sometimes surprising ways. This Changes Everything is a true page-turner—highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.

[Jo Dervan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Changes Everything

Julia Pritzker had learned she possessed psychic powers. One day she got the notion to make a call from her home in Italy to her best friend living in Pennsylvania. The friend, Courtney, was about to enter the home of her grandmother. Julia warned her against it but when Courtney entered the home, she found the grandmother brutally murdered.
Julia left her husband and young child and flew to the US to help Courtney cope with the murder. The 2 women visited the local police department to inquire about further investigations and this visit set off a series of events that resulted in Courtney being charged with the grandmother’s murder.
A top Philly defense attorney, Benni Rosato, was hired to defend Courtney. She, along with Julia, as well as Courtney’s husband Paul, set out to find the grandmother’s killer and exonerate Courtney.
This is a fast paced thriller about intuition, conspiracies and domestic terrorists. Benni Rosato appears in several other books by this author.
I enjoyed the book and read it quickly. There were several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
I received this ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Casey Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when friendship is stronger than family and we must make tough choices to save those we love? In This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline, readers are introduced to a fast-paced story about friendship, sacrifice, and embracing individual gifts, no matter the consequences.

This Changes Everything tells the story of Julia Pritzker, a recently revealed psychic medium who is able to use her gifts to help solve crimes. The novel is told from Julia’s perspective, allowing readers to understand her innermost thoughts and fears. The story centers on her journey to help solve the mystery of who killed her best friend’s grandmother.

I found This Changes Everything to be both thrilling and exciting. The story stood out because of the thrilling nature of the writing which kept me engaged and turning the pages. I also read Unraveling Julia, so having the background of Julia’s personal story was helpful, but definitely not necessary. The book left a lasting impression about the importance of being true to ourselves and taking care of the ones we love.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a quick-paced thriller and who enjoys great writing. The storyline was engaging and kept me wanting to read more.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a HUGE fan of Lisa Scottoline. I love her law mysteries and I love her stand alone books. I will read anything that she writes. That is why I was so excited to be gifted an e book acr of This Changes Everything from NetGalley. This suspense thriller mystery was set in Philadelphia when our main character Julia's best friend walks in on her grandmother being murdered. Julia flies in from Tuscany and tries to help Courtney plan the funeral. But while there, Julia has many moments of psychic tendencies. Julia and Courtney want to solve the mystery of who killed Kay, and in doing some investigating, things go from bad to worse. Julia needs to believe in herself and her abilities in order to help her best friend. This book was written in the great Scottoline style. You are invested in all of the characters from day one and there is a surprise lawyer that makes and appearance. I squealed with delight at the surprise and the crossover!!!! I loved the setting of this and the timing of the 250th anniversary of our nation. Lisa Scottoline really knows how to write a Philadelphia based novel!!!!

[William de_Rham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before beginning “This Changes Everything,” I’d never read any of Lisa Scottoline’s novels. Having completed the first 120 pages of this not very good thriller, and being wholly unwilling to spend any more time on it, I think it’s safe to say I won’t be reading any of her other works.

I found the characters to be neither likeable nor believable—and certainly not very interesting—and that the plot often strains credulity. The relationship and behavior between the two main characters—women in their late 20’s/early 30’s supposedly best friends since college (even though they haven’t seen each other in five years)—often struck me as either inappropriate to the circumstances or obnoxiously sentimental and overly sweet (i.e., what the British might call “treacly.”) That one of them possesses on-again/off-again powers of premonition important to the plot, but that even she has trouble believing in, only exacerbated the story’s credibility problems.

And the writing itself? Well, it just isn’t very good, filled as it is with plot holes, continuity problems, grammatical errors, use of the passive voice, superfluous adjectives and adverbs, and cliched phrases instead of truly creative prose. Indeed, the writing struck me as rushed, if not careless, and in need of the services of a good editor, both as to story and to grammar and usage.

On a positive note, there is a cognizable story here. And there seem to be many advance readers who have enjoyed it. I’m just not one of them.

My thanks to NetGalley, and the author and publisher, for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book by Lisa Scottoline, but I didn't realize it was a sequel. I think I would have benefited from reading the first book. Julia's best friend, Courtney, is on the phone with her when she discovers the body of her murdered grandmother. Julia is in Italy and her friend is in the US. Julia quickly travels to the US to support her during this time.

Turns out Julia may be psychic (not a favorite plot of mine), but she is in denial and has evidently been in denial for a while (throughout the first book as well) I found her quite annoying, which took me out of the story at times. She was a bit whiny and self-absorbed, bordering on a little dim.

I actually liked the overall mystery and how the story flowed. The side characters were good - Courtney's old boyfriend, husband and her grandmother's friends. There was a weird, unnecessary and quickly resolved subplot involving Julia's husband and child back in Italy.

Not my favorite Lisa Scottoline book, but still enjoyed it for the most part.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself reading this book and thinking I had read it before. But no, I had read "The Unraveling of Julia," and this book is also about Julia. It is not referenced as a series, and I feel you could enjoy and read this book without having read "The Unraveling of Julia". Yet having read that book, it will give you a few more references for this story.
I liked this book more than the first because Julia's gifts are not as overwhelming and came across to me as being more true. I loved the friendship and love between Courtney and Julia. The way Lisa Scottoline wrote their friendship was so true to life. As much as I loved the description in the first book of Tuscan, I also enjoyed having this book set in Philadelphia. Getting to know Julia's little girl was also a nice touch for me. One more character addition that really made by day was when Julia hires Benni Rosato to represent Courtney. If you are a Lisa Scottoline fan, that name will mean a lot to you. It makes books seem more real to life when an author adds in to her new novels older characters that we know and love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING by Lisa Scottoline in exchange for my honest review.***

A new Lisa Scottoline novel? Sign me up.

She’s bringing back Julia Pritzker? OMG I can’t wait.

And Bennie Rosato? Whom do I have to bribe to get an advanced readers copy NOW?

I was predisposed to loving THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, which can be a blessing and a curse. Unreasonably high expectations can lead to equally big disappointments or perhaps I overlook flaws.

Or neither.

I genuinely enjoyed THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. Though even richer because I read THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA and a number of books with Attorney Bennie Rosati, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING can be well-enjoyed as a standalone story.

Following a premonition, Julia rushes back to Pennsylvania from her home in Italy to support her BFF Courtney. Murder, mayhem and chaos ensue.

Scottoline is at the top of her game with THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. Don’t read too many reviews. You don’t want one detail of this gem spoiled.

[KELLY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from PA—and with this author being one of my favorites—the moment my ARC was approved, the world stopped for this book and I finished it in one day.

The writing is incredibly descriptive. I could vividly see every scene unfold, which is something I absolutely love in a thriller. It pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Bravo—this is a true page-turner.

Starts of with Julia's premonition in Tuscany sends her racing to Pennsylvania to rescue her friend, and that’s where the emotional core really shines. Their bond, built through shared tragedy, adds depth and heart. She’s the kind of friend who chooses loyalty—even over her own family.
Eerie, engaging, and suspenseful throughout. At times, it felt chillingly realistic, while other moments leaned into bold, creative twists—which made it all the more entertaining.


Thank you Author Lisa Scottoline, Grand Central Publishing, and Netgalley for the book.

This book will be published on 07/14/2026.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @NetGalley for the opportunity to read This Changes Everything by Lisa Scottoline. This book is a thriller about a woman, Julia, who has inherited a vineyard in Tuscany, and her best friend Courtney, who lives in Pennsylvania. Julia is preparing dinner at her home in Tuscany when she has an overwhelming feeling to call Courtney. Courtney is at her grandmother's home, getting ready to go inside. Julia has a bad feeling (she's borderline psychic) that Courtney should not enter the house. Courtney enters and finds her grandmother shot dead on the living room floor. Courtney chases the intruder out of her Grandmother"s house but doesn't see who it is. Julia leaves Tuscany to come to PA to help Courtney find out why her grandmother was murdered. What they uncover puts them both in danger and puts Courtney in a terrible situation. Ms. Scottoline's descriptive writing style kept me engrossed to the very end. I loved this book. The release date is July 14, 2026.

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a diehard Scottoline fan. I’ve read many of her books, and I just love her style and her Italian references. I had no clue this book was a continuation of the Julia/Gianluca/Courtney story years after we left them in The Unraveling of Julia. I’m gonna confess that one wasn’t a fave (sorry Ms Scottoline!) so I’m glad I didn’t know that going in.

This book had me hooked! I read half of it on a long flight to Sicily and the other half on the train rides during my Sicilian trip. What an exciting page-turner! The scenes with Julia running around in the dark had me on the edge of my seat! Having just lost a young family member unexpectedly, the storyline of Courtney and Kay, and Julia and Melanie, really touched my heart.

If you like a page-turning story with strong female characters, that also makes you misty-eyed, this book is for you.

Thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Tackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had a couple of books by Lisa Scottoline in my library for a while now, so when I saw her new book on NetGalley I jumped on it. I think I made a mistake 😬 the premise of a best friend returning to the US to help her friend after the murder of her grandmother sounded good to me - but then the psychic element entered the building and things quickly took a turn for the worse. I’m far too old to use the term “cringe” but that’s how the conversation felt throughout the book. Awkward and unnatural, whether between spouses or best friends…there was just something off about it. However, that may be her normal writing style, so if you’ve liked her other books - this may be just for you. There were very short chapters, and it was a pretty quick read. 2.5⭐️, rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC, for my review.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING tells of a murder investigation by two women, one who is a psychic.

I did not read THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA, but I was able to pick up enough about the characters and previous events to follow the story. The problem was, Julia wasn’t initially a likable character. She was so ambivalent about her psychic abilities, refusing to understand or utilize them. But that changes when she returns to the States from her home in Italy to help her friend, Courtney, find out what happened to Courtney’s grandmother, Kay.

The duo’s investigation takes many turns, and moves in an unfortunate direction. While I enjoyed the paranormal element, I didn’t enjoy that the book was very much anti-police and anti-government.

This was my least favorite Scottoline book yet.

🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟

[Josie Peacock · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️✨
This Changes Everything had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t fully work for me.

The pacing felt uneven throughout — it often seemed like filler moments and extended dialogue were given more space than the actual plot progression, which made it hard to stay engaged. I kept waiting for the key events to carry more weight and move the story forward in a more impactful way.

I also struggled with the supernatural element. It didn’t fully click for me and felt somewhat disconnected from the rest of the story, which made it harder to stay immersed.

There are some thoughtful ideas at the core, and I can see what the author was going for, but it didn’t quite come together for me overall. I’d call this a 2.5-star read, though I’ll round to 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

[Louise DeMatteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Lisa Scottoline, but have not read one of her books for several years. (So many books, so little time.)

In this ARC (comes out July 2026) two friends, Julia and Courtney, are determined to find out how and why Courtney’s grandmother was shot and killed. The story takes place in PA, especially in the areas of Ashland and Centralia, (where my husband grew up).

In addition to the murder there is discovery of governmental corruption as well as a pocket of long-standing white supremacism. A twisted, but easy to follow story line, the reader eventually uncovers secrets that unfold and help to find the killer.

In the process, both Julia and Courtney discover their inner strength that solidifies their friendship as well as each of their marriages.

Definitely worth the time to read, especially if you are a Scottoline fan.

[Howard Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed most of Ms. Scottoline’s novels, I was thrilled to see the return of Bennie Rosato —- albeit in a very minor role in this novel. I found the story to be relevant and somewhat interesting. However, I am neither a fan nor a believer in the occult and actually found these occurrences to be somewhat ludicrous. The bonds of friendship are strong and are constant throughout this novel; but, it seems to me that it is sheer fiction that an individual without any experience is able to accomplish what capable policemen cannot. The novel is well written and fast reading and I thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

[rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia who is from Philadelphia has made a new life for herself in Italy. She has a husband and adorable daughter. When her friend from back home encounters her murdered grandma while on a call with Julia -Julia goes home to Philadelphia. Courtney and Julia try to piece together what happened and feel lie they are getting close when Courtney is arrayed for her grandmas murder. Now it’s up to Julia, some friends and Courtney’s husband to get justice for all involved. I enjoyed the piecing together of what happened and why. I loved a special appearance by Bennie Rosato. And also loved the psychic /supernatural elements too. I enjoyed the ending and how everything came together in the end.

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This Changes Everything" was a decent story. While I didn't much care for the central plot, it was creative and well-crafted with plenty of good twists. I thought the author handled Julia's psychic abilities well -- her uncertainty and discomfort about having the psychic abilities, the unpredictability about when premonitions or visions would occur, the lack of clarity about what the visions meant but at the same time providing lines of inquiry that led to new revelations. The main characters were interesting and well developed. I liked the friendship between Courtney and Julia.

[Dawn Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Lisa writes another winner!
Julia is talking on the phone with her friend Courtney when she has a premonition something bad is going to happen. When Courtney walks into the house she finds grandmother murdered. Julia hops on the plane to help out her friend. She finds something evil going on in the town. Can they get to the bottom of it before someone is killed?
Grab this book for a thrilling read!