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Served Him Right
A woman’s brunch with friends quickly turns dark in this gripping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger
Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana’s best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.
But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Vengeance is sweet, but it can also be deadly. Ana and Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own long-buried history comes to light.
Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana’s best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.
But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Vengeance is sweet, but it can also be deadly. Ana and Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own long-buried history comes to light.
13 pages, Audiobook
First published March 10, 2026
905 people are currently reading
36545 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Unger
51 books11.1k followersLisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including her latest release SERVED HIM RIGHT. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 725 reviews
March 23, 2026
Unpopular opinion time: I adore this auto-approved author, but this one wasn’t my favorite. For me, it’s the least likable of her books, mainly because the cast is packed with difficult characters I struggled to root for. The story gives us many POVs, yet it orbits mostly around sisters Ana and Vera, whose prickly personalities never quite invited me in. Add to that some choppy pacing between past and present, and several wordy, momentum-light chapters, and I found it hard to stay fully hooked.
That said, the supernatural/coven/poisonous herbs thread is intriguing in concept. I loved the atmosphere of old-world remedies and whispered rituals; I just wished the execution were tighter and more central. The opening—anchored to an office harassment/#MeToo-adjacent incident—felt sharp and promising. But once we settle into the dynamic with wild, self-sabotaging Ana, coolly controlling Vera, and their “ex-orcism” brunch crew, my excitement dimmed. Iggy had sparks of potential, but she’s sidelined more than I’d hoped. The good news: the last quarter finally kicks into gear. The mystery resolves cleanly, and while a few twists are telegraphed, they’re still satisfying enough to bump my rating from 2.5 to 3 solid stars.
Quick recap (spoiler-light):
Ana Blacksmith hosts an “ex-orcism” brunch at Vera’s house to celebrate her breakup with Paul Hayes. Guests include college friend Iggy (now a new mom married to Ana’s ex), their mutual friend Esme, and workaholic lawyer Payton. Mid-toast, police knock: Paul is dead, and his sister names Ana a person of interest, citing Ana’s temper. Awkwardly, the lead detective, Timothy Bandeau, is one of Ana’s recent one-night stands. By day’s end, one brunch guest collapses—poisoned—after eating food Ana prepared. With Ana and Vera’s herbal know-how (learned from their guardian Aunt Agnes) and a murky family past, suspicion tightens. Did Ana act in a jealous rage…or is someone more dangerous stalking the sisters from the shadows?
Bottom line: I’m landing at 3 stars—credit to the eerie ambiance, the finale’s snap, and a few deft reveals. My expectations were higher (this author usually nails pace + character), but I’m still rooting hard for the next book to be a knockout.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for the digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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That said, the supernatural/coven/poisonous herbs thread is intriguing in concept. I loved the atmosphere of old-world remedies and whispered rituals; I just wished the execution were tighter and more central. The opening—anchored to an office harassment/#MeToo-adjacent incident—felt sharp and promising. But once we settle into the dynamic with wild, self-sabotaging Ana, coolly controlling Vera, and their “ex-orcism” brunch crew, my excitement dimmed. Iggy had sparks of potential, but she’s sidelined more than I’d hoped. The good news: the last quarter finally kicks into gear. The mystery resolves cleanly, and while a few twists are telegraphed, they’re still satisfying enough to bump my rating from 2.5 to 3 solid stars.
Quick recap (spoiler-light):
Ana Blacksmith hosts an “ex-orcism” brunch at Vera’s house to celebrate her breakup with Paul Hayes. Guests include college friend Iggy (now a new mom married to Ana’s ex), their mutual friend Esme, and workaholic lawyer Payton. Mid-toast, police knock: Paul is dead, and his sister names Ana a person of interest, citing Ana’s temper. Awkwardly, the lead detective, Timothy Bandeau, is one of Ana’s recent one-night stands. By day’s end, one brunch guest collapses—poisoned—after eating food Ana prepared. With Ana and Vera’s herbal know-how (learned from their guardian Aunt Agnes) and a murky family past, suspicion tightens. Did Ana act in a jealous rage…or is someone more dangerous stalking the sisters from the shadows?
Bottom line: I’m landing at 3 stars—credit to the eerie ambiance, the finale’s snap, and a few deft reveals. My expectations were higher (this author usually nails pace + character), but I’m still rooting hard for the next book to be a knockout.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for the digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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March 13, 2026
It’s almost a given that when you pick up a book by Lisa Unger, it’s going to be a good thriller. She’s definitely high on the list in this genre. That said, this might be one that just didn’t fully work for me.
When I read, one thing I really look for is that feeling of being so pulled in that I can’t put the book down. I did want to finish this one, but it sometimes felt like a bit of an effort to stay engaged.
The story starts when Paul dies, and Ana and her sister Vera get the news while hosting a “hate on Paul ex-orcism” lunch with their neighborhood friends. Paul is Ana’s ex, so it definitely sets up a pretty intense and interesting start.
There are quite a few characters in the story, which felt a little overwhelming at times. The women are also practicing a kind of witchy ritual work, mostly using herbs to, in a way, deal with people who have wronged or annoyed them. It’s an interesting idea and the story has some nice twists.
In the end, it was still a decent read, but it didn’t hit me as strongly as I expected.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
When I read, one thing I really look for is that feeling of being so pulled in that I can’t put the book down. I did want to finish this one, but it sometimes felt like a bit of an effort to stay engaged.
The story starts when Paul dies, and Ana and her sister Vera get the news while hosting a “hate on Paul ex-orcism” lunch with their neighborhood friends. Paul is Ana’s ex, so it definitely sets up a pretty intense and interesting start.
There are quite a few characters in the story, which felt a little overwhelming at times. The women are also practicing a kind of witchy ritual work, mostly using herbs to, in a way, deal with people who have wronged or annoyed them. It’s an interesting idea and the story has some nice twists.
In the end, it was still a decent read, but it didn’t hit me as strongly as I expected.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 2.75 ⭐️ Sometimes justice is a dish best served cold. Unfortunately that dish wasn’t cold enough for my taste to leave a burn cold enough to remember it.
In Served Him Right, a celebratory brunch spirals into murder, poisoning, unraveling of secrets and lies, mixed in with themes of revenge, female rage and witchy folklore deeply rooted in herbology and botony. Two sisters, one dead man, a poisoned friend, an undercover coven/secret society and a detective who is sexually preoccupied with one of the murder suspects…this book had a lot of great ingredients but failed to serve a delicious meal.
I will start with the positives: the complexity and layering of characters was really well done. While some POV felt dragged, I appreciated the background stories of each character, especially Agnes’s chapters. Her chapters take us back in time to when the sisters were small and slowly take us through their upbringing, helping the reader understand their morally gray past and present. What I didn’t enjoy was the incorporation of witchy folklore and herbology. It didn’t serve any purpose and read more like general fiction. Its lengthy passages and references to different types of poisons, plants and healing medicines felt disjointed and took me out of the story more times than I’ve liked. I understand that the concept of poison was central to the main story, but with time they started to feel out of place in a suspense/mystery novel.
We have very unlikable characters from the very start of the book, but nothing as off putting as a detective who is sexually preoccupied with the main suspect. What was that, romance? Suspenseful intrigue? Installation of doubt clouded by desire? Ana and Timothy have history, they met at a bar prior to everything going down, they had a one night fling and never spoke again until the brunch. Timothy broken so many procedural protocols by trying to get into touch with Ana, it honestly became laughable and reduced the suspense. Their little insta-lust was unnecessary and didn’t add any value to the murder mystery in question.
With “Served Him Right”, I wanted justice and revelations that felt twisty in their own right. The book tries to circle around the idea of female rage and empowerment, to be able to take back what’s rightfully ours and to serve justice when a wrong has been committed towards any woman, but no justice has been served in this book. The guy ended up dead and didn’t learn his lesson. I felt like this was a total flop in execution.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the author, Lisa Unger for sending me this eARC
Publication date: March 10, 2026
In Served Him Right, a celebratory brunch spirals into murder, poisoning, unraveling of secrets and lies, mixed in with themes of revenge, female rage and witchy folklore deeply rooted in herbology and botony. Two sisters, one dead man, a poisoned friend, an undercover coven/secret society and a detective who is sexually preoccupied with one of the murder suspects…this book had a lot of great ingredients but failed to serve a delicious meal.
I will start with the positives: the complexity and layering of characters was really well done. While some POV felt dragged, I appreciated the background stories of each character, especially Agnes’s chapters. Her chapters take us back in time to when the sisters were small and slowly take us through their upbringing, helping the reader understand their morally gray past and present. What I didn’t enjoy was the incorporation of witchy folklore and herbology. It didn’t serve any purpose and read more like general fiction. Its lengthy passages and references to different types of poisons, plants and healing medicines felt disjointed and took me out of the story more times than I’ve liked. I understand that the concept of poison was central to the main story, but with time they started to feel out of place in a suspense/mystery novel.
We have very unlikable characters from the very start of the book, but nothing as off putting as a detective who is sexually preoccupied with the main suspect. What was that, romance? Suspenseful intrigue? Installation of doubt clouded by desire? Ana and Timothy have history, they met at a bar prior to everything going down, they had a one night fling and never spoke again until the brunch. Timothy broken so many procedural protocols by trying to get into touch with Ana, it honestly became laughable and reduced the suspense. Their little insta-lust was unnecessary and didn’t add any value to the murder mystery in question.
With “Served Him Right”, I wanted justice and revelations that felt twisty in their own right. The book tries to circle around the idea of female rage and empowerment, to be able to take back what’s rightfully ours and to serve justice when a wrong has been committed towards any woman, but no justice has been served in this book. The guy ended up dead and didn’t learn his lesson. I felt like this was a total flop in execution.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the author, Lisa Unger for sending me this eARC
Publication date: March 10, 2026
September 19, 2025
I'm so excited to share SERVED HIM RIGHT with you on March 10th, 2026!
When Ana Blacksmith gathers her friends for a Sunday brunch to EX-orcise her cheating former lover from all their social media feeds, things start to go wrong fast. 🥀 The police are at the door. Someone at the brunch becomes deathly ill. And Ana’s former lover? Well … you’ll just have to read to find out.
When Ana Blacksmith gathers her friends for a Sunday brunch to EX-orcise her cheating former lover from all their social media feeds, things start to go wrong fast. 🥀 The police are at the door. Someone at the brunch becomes deathly ill. And Ana’s former lover? Well … you’ll just have to read to find out.
October 15, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Park Row for an ARC of this book!
As I've previously mentioned, while I do have a nice respectable order I read my Netgalley books in according to due date. I do have the habit of bumping books to the front of the line if it's an author I love. As in this case
Listen, I've known since 2019, after reading Confessions on the 7:45 that Lisa Unger was a genius. So obviously when I saw on Netgalley she had a new book coming out, I nearly sprained my thumb hitting the "request" button. I was NOT disappointed Unger is a true queen of psychological thrill.
The way this woman can weave a story together is absolutely incredible. This is another one of those authors who will have you wondering what is going on and then when it all comes together it's a jaw dropping, completely earth shattering experience. I mean, like, my jaw actually dropped several times while reading this 🤌🏻
Another aspect that adds a little something extra special to her books, is the drama! I absolutely eat it up in every book of hers I've read thus far. And again, this one was no exception! A gaggle of 30-somethings, gathering together for a brunch?? Odds are you're going to want to throat punch at least one person. But that's what makes her books so addictive! The real/ raw feelings you feel towards her characters.
This is an obvious must read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful thriller with a backbone!!
As I've previously mentioned, while I do have a nice respectable order I read my Netgalley books in according to due date. I do have the habit of bumping books to the front of the line if it's an author I love. As in this case
Listen, I've known since 2019, after reading Confessions on the 7:45 that Lisa Unger was a genius. So obviously when I saw on Netgalley she had a new book coming out, I nearly sprained my thumb hitting the "request" button. I was NOT disappointed Unger is a true queen of psychological thrill.
The way this woman can weave a story together is absolutely incredible. This is another one of those authors who will have you wondering what is going on and then when it all comes together it's a jaw dropping, completely earth shattering experience. I mean, like, my jaw actually dropped several times while reading this 🤌🏻
Another aspect that adds a little something extra special to her books, is the drama! I absolutely eat it up in every book of hers I've read thus far. And again, this one was no exception! A gaggle of 30-somethings, gathering together for a brunch?? Odds are you're going to want to throat punch at least one person. But that's what makes her books so addictive! The real/ raw feelings you feel towards her characters.
This is an obvious must read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful thriller with a backbone!!
March 19, 2026
Ooooh, that was fun! High-five, Lisa Unger.
Served Him Right is a a twisting tale of vengeance, sisterhood, and the dangerous power of knowing exactly which plants can heal...and which can kill.
Sisters Vera and Ana Blacksmith are descendants of a lineage of women skilled in the Knowledge — herbal remedies passed down through generations that can cure or poison, depending on the dose.
~ Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold ~
When their girls' brunch is interrupted by police with news that Ana's ex has been discovered in a shallow grave at the park and foul play is suspected, Ana becomes the convenient scapegoat.
Add to that, within hours of said brunch, Ana’s best friend Iggy collapses and falls into a coma.
Yeesh, what exactly was served at brunch?
Through shifting perspectives, twists and misdirections, and carefully revealed secrets, Unger crafts a thrilling whodunnit.
Served Him Right leads us on an exciting hunt that explores what happens when the systems designed to protect women fail them.
February 23, 2026
This is a twisty thriller where a brunch turns deadly! It is a dark mystery that is full of tension, that caught my attention in the beginning of the book! It comes with a diverse cast of characters and multiple points of views. It is character driven, filled with female rage. To me, this novel is more of a slow burn thriller than a fast paced one. It does come with flashbacks, which I did appreciate about the book. It gave me more insight to the characters.
I will say that I did not know who did it and was surprised that it came with witchy vibes to it. I do wish that the characters were more strongly developed. Even though I did get to know them better, as it when into the past and multiple points of views, I just felt that I did not get to know them on a deeper level. Some of the characters were likable, whereas some were not likable at all. I do feel that there were a lot of subplots going on, which distracted me from the entire plot of the story. This gave me “Big Little Lies” novel vibes! Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Lisa Unger and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be published on March 10, 2026!
I will say that I did not know who did it and was surprised that it came with witchy vibes to it. I do wish that the characters were more strongly developed. Even though I did get to know them better, as it when into the past and multiple points of views, I just felt that I did not get to know them on a deeper level. Some of the characters were likable, whereas some were not likable at all. I do feel that there were a lot of subplots going on, which distracted me from the entire plot of the story. This gave me “Big Little Lies” novel vibes! Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Lisa Unger and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be published on March 10, 2026!
February 9, 2026
Sisters can be deadly, and this is a case of how many women had a grudge against an evil man... meaning who was helping which sister behind the other's back! Lots of angles. Kept my interest. Felt satisfied by the ending, but also had a good touch of things left unsettled in a way that actually felt appropriate.
March 11, 2026
Welp! I really wanted to love this one. I enjoy Lisa Unger's books. I had high hopes going into this book. I loved the idea of female rage/revenge. Plus, the thought of a woman seeking justice. The beginning of the book grabbed my attention right away, but then it took a turn and I was left thinking, "what just happened?"
I liked the take on a woman wronged and this book mainly focuses on sister's Ana and Vera. The sisters couldn't be more opposite. The book veers off into some witchcraft, and potions. The book gives readers multiple POV's but never quite won the reader over. There were too many characters, and I couldn't get past the part that a police officer would be allowed to investigate someone he had a one-night stand with. That just seemed wrong.
Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their books as well. I typically love all things witchy but this one just never cast its spell on me.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
I liked the take on a woman wronged and this book mainly focuses on sister's Ana and Vera. The sisters couldn't be more opposite. The book veers off into some witchcraft, and potions. The book gives readers multiple POV's but never quite won the reader over. There were too many characters, and I couldn't get past the part that a police officer would be allowed to investigate someone he had a one-night stand with. That just seemed wrong.
Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their books as well. I typically love all things witchy but this one just never cast its spell on me.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I do love a Lisa Unger dark and twisty thriller. Served Him Right was a slower pace than her usual books but it worked for this one. It is a murder mystery with a difference, a story of strong and unforgiving women who are fed up. I loved the witchy vibes, that was so fun!
A brunch with friends meant to be an ex-ocism for Ana who has broken up with her boyfriend Paul. He is a man known to all the women and they have all had bad experiences with him, as well as half the town by the sounds of it. Their fun is interrupted by the arrival of a police detective looking in the murder of that very ex boyfriend.suddenly Ana and the other women are all suspects and that is where the fun began.
I had no idea how this was going to end up. It could have been so many people as Paul was just the most awful human. Very enjoyable to read.
Thanks so much to Harlequin Trade Publication, Park Row for the early copy of this book to read. Published on March 10th
A brunch with friends meant to be an ex-ocism for Ana who has broken up with her boyfriend Paul. He is a man known to all the women and they have all had bad experiences with him, as well as half the town by the sounds of it. Their fun is interrupted by the arrival of a police detective looking in the murder of that very ex boyfriend.suddenly Ana and the other women are all suspects and that is where the fun began.
I had no idea how this was going to end up. It could have been so many people as Paul was just the most awful human. Very enjoyable to read.
Thanks so much to Harlequin Trade Publication, Park Row for the early copy of this book to read. Published on March 10th
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great thriller!! It's told fr many points of view, and the characters are well developed and very interesting. I loved the little hints of paranormal weaved throughout the story, and there's a awese twist at the end. I recommend!!
Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2026
This is my third book by Ms. Unger, after the novel “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” and the novella, “The Doll’s House”. I essentially gave both of those 3.5 stars, and I typically only re-read books rated 4 stars or above, for reference. That said, I liked “Served Him Right” the best out of the three works, and I gave it a 3.75, rounded up.
Fair warning, though—there are some crazy characters who do insane things, to the point where, as secrets are revealed, you will probably think to yourself, “Who DOES that???!!” There is also a relationship between two characters that is highly, highly implausible, and I definitely had issues with the way the story ended. Those things make this novel a one and done for me.
Still, I learned a lot about a certain subset of knowledge, and the story also made me think about what some women will do to those who get in their way. I can’t say much more without spoiling a major plot point, and I do suggest you go in relatively blind. I’ll just say that if you don’t care to read about the occult, I’d steer clear.
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
CW: There are some consensual sex scenes in here. They’re not explicit, per se, but they definitely aren’t tame, either. Also, sexual assault is discussed throughout, and one scene in particular will be extremely triggering for anyone who has gone through something similar. Please tread carefully if you’re a survivor.
Fair warning, though—there are some crazy characters who do insane things, to the point where, as secrets are revealed, you will probably think to yourself, “Who DOES that???!!” There is also a relationship between two characters that is highly, highly implausible, and I definitely had issues with the way the story ended. Those things make this novel a one and done for me.
Still, I learned a lot about a certain subset of knowledge, and the story also made me think about what some women will do to those who get in their way. I can’t say much more without spoiling a major plot point, and I do suggest you go in relatively blind. I’ll just say that if you don’t care to read about the occult, I’d steer clear.
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
CW: There are some consensual sex scenes in here. They’re not explicit, per se, but they definitely aren’t tame, either. Also, sexual assault is discussed throughout, and one scene in particular will be extremely triggering for anyone who has gone through something similar. Please tread carefully if you’re a survivor.
August 22, 2025
Lisa Unger books always serve and “Serves him right” definitely is serving!!
The plot follows Ana who meets up with her friends for a post break up brunch so she can vent about her recent ex Paul. When the news arrived that Paul is unalived and Ana is the main suspect, things go from pretty bad to way worse when one of Anas close friendly becomes deathly sick following their brunch together.
I loved the tension and chaos as the events unfolded and the themes of sisterly bonds and doing anything you can to protect those you love.
There is lots of drama, plot twists and surprises. The fast pacing will keep you turning pages and I couldn’t wait to see how it all came to a conclusion in the finale.
I always love Lisa’s books and this one was no exception, definitely a fun read so save for when you have time to sit and devour its contents.
Thank you to HTP Books for the netgalley gifted copy!
The plot follows Ana who meets up with her friends for a post break up brunch so she can vent about her recent ex Paul. When the news arrived that Paul is unalived and Ana is the main suspect, things go from pretty bad to way worse when one of Anas close friendly becomes deathly sick following their brunch together.
I loved the tension and chaos as the events unfolded and the themes of sisterly bonds and doing anything you can to protect those you love.
There is lots of drama, plot twists and surprises. The fast pacing will keep you turning pages and I couldn’t wait to see how it all came to a conclusion in the finale.
I always love Lisa’s books and this one was no exception, definitely a fun read so save for when you have time to sit and devour its contents.
Thank you to HTP Books for the netgalley gifted copy!
January 24, 2026
I’m going to be so honest here… when I requested this book I thought it was a new Lisa Jewell who is always a fun thriller experience for me. When I received my acceptance, I realized I skimmed the name and was a bit disappointed and worried that I requested from an authour I wasn’t interested in and wouldn’t like this. So I went into this completely blind and a bit skeptical and can say I have been reformed!!
This was like reading Lisa Jewell mixed with Kirsten Miller and it was so much fun! The writing was so much better that I had anticipated and the plot had a lot more depth than I typically expect from a thriller.
This is a story about women, the generational cycles, the histories passed down, and the power of female friendship. There were so many aspects of this book that surprised me and kept me glued to this book. I’ve never read Unger before but I’m so excited to delve into her books now.
This was like reading Lisa Jewell mixed with Kirsten Miller and it was so much fun! The writing was so much better that I had anticipated and the plot had a lot more depth than I typically expect from a thriller.
This is a story about women, the generational cycles, the histories passed down, and the power of female friendship. There were so many aspects of this book that surprised me and kept me glued to this book. I’ve never read Unger before but I’m so excited to delve into her books now.
March 12, 2026
Ugh. What a disappointment. This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I love Lisa Unger’s books. It wasn’t terrible, I think I just have high expectations of her. For me, this one falls into the category of “I liked it but didn’t love it.”
Anna and Vera are sisters, their mother went to prison and they went to live in an old house with their aunt Agnes. She had a lot of herbs and magical spices in her garden.
The story picks up when Anna’s ex boyfriend Paul is found murdered. She had a tinder fling with the lead detective. Paul also really sucks (hence the title) and we are kinda glad he’s dead.
The pacing, the witchy storyline, just too many characters and it enough time to develop any of them. Despite the plot problems, it’s still a fun revenge story that I think many will like.
Anna and Vera are sisters, their mother went to prison and they went to live in an old house with their aunt Agnes. She had a lot of herbs and magical spices in her garden.
The story picks up when Anna’s ex boyfriend Paul is found murdered. She had a tinder fling with the lead detective. Paul also really sucks (hence the title) and we are kinda glad he’s dead.
The pacing, the witchy storyline, just too many characters and it enough time to develop any of them. Despite the plot problems, it’s still a fun revenge story that I think many will like.
March 20, 2026
3.5⭐️- If you’re a small town, witchy, murder mystery kind of person, then this book is for you. It’s not my particular vibe but it wasn’t bad. I did like the ending and the coming together of everything. It was pretty basic for the whole first 60% and it had many predictable elements but overall it was a good time.
March 16, 2026
“The difference between poison and medicine is the dosage.” — I liked how well-researched the toxic plants and herbal plants were. It makes me want to dive into herbalism.
This was an easy read for me. Although, I’m not condoning the moral aspect of the story.
This was an easy read for me. Although, I’m not condoning the moral aspect of the story.
March 22, 2026
This is a review of the ebook and audiobook.
The audiobook performers are Kristen Sieh, Vivienne Leheny, Brittany Pressley, Soneela Nankani, Tim Paige, and Petrea Burchard.
This is a thriller. It’s divided into 3 parts and has multiple narrators: Ana, Vera, Iggy, Agnes, Timothy and Coraline.
I am conflicted about the number of narrators. There are a lot of POVs. And every character on the audiobook has its own performer, which is cool.
However it is a lot of important characters and narrators to absorb. Also a big pet peeve of mine is audiobooks with multiple narrators that do not list who plays which part. This drives me crazy and stresses me out.
The main characters in this book are sisters Ana and Vera.
I believe that: Ana is Kristen Sieh, Vera is Vivienne Leheny, Iggy is Brittany Pressley and Timothy is Tim Paige. The other two performers are Petrea Burchard and Soneela Nankani.
I was definitely fascinated by the sisters. The main part of the story has to do with something that happens to Paul (Ana’s ex) as well as two women. The book also focuses on some interesting topics like revenge and herbalists.
All of the audiobook performances were good. And I did enjoy listening to this book. However I did follow along with the ebook at the beginning to be able to better follow which POVs I was reading.
This is not a book with lots of big reveals. But it was an enjoyable read.
The audiobook performers are Kristen Sieh, Vivienne Leheny, Brittany Pressley, Soneela Nankani, Tim Paige, and Petrea Burchard.
This is a thriller. It’s divided into 3 parts and has multiple narrators: Ana, Vera, Iggy, Agnes, Timothy and Coraline.
I am conflicted about the number of narrators. There are a lot of POVs. And every character on the audiobook has its own performer, which is cool.
However it is a lot of important characters and narrators to absorb. Also a big pet peeve of mine is audiobooks with multiple narrators that do not list who plays which part. This drives me crazy and stresses me out.
The main characters in this book are sisters Ana and Vera.
I believe that: Ana is Kristen Sieh, Vera is Vivienne Leheny, Iggy is Brittany Pressley and Timothy is Tim Paige. The other two performers are Petrea Burchard and Soneela Nankani.
I was definitely fascinated by the sisters. The main part of the story has to do with something that happens to Paul (Ana’s ex) as well as two women. The book also focuses on some interesting topics like revenge and herbalists.
All of the audiobook performances were good. And I did enjoy listening to this book. However I did follow along with the ebook at the beginning to be able to better follow which POVs I was reading.
This is not a book with lots of big reveals. But it was an enjoyable read.
March 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ | I love when a story gives me a mouth dropping moment early in! At 2% in, I was very curious how this story would play out! The dual points of view was very interesting as we weave through the web of sisters Vera & Ana.
Ana is being accused of m u r d e r i n g her ex boyfriend and Vera, although quite sure her sister didn’t do it, still has her own doubts. I feel, though the story, took a completely different turn than I was expecting based on how it began with the workplace harassment undertone. The multi narration cast in the audiobook, definitely added value to the story. Overall, a decent read that fans of this author may enjoy. Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader copy.
Ana is being accused of m u r d e r i n g her ex boyfriend and Vera, although quite sure her sister didn’t do it, still has her own doubts. I feel, though the story, took a completely different turn than I was expecting based on how it began with the workplace harassment undertone. The multi narration cast in the audiobook, definitely added value to the story. Overall, a decent read that fans of this author may enjoy. Thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader copy.
October 4, 2025
In the spirit of giving honest reviews, I have to be honest about this book. I did NOT like it! I understand that the mystery/thriller genre is extremely popular these days. However, publishers are taking it too far classifying some books as such! This book is neither mystery nor thriller. It is better categorized and supernatural fiction. Had it been properly categorized, I would likely have passed on it and spared the author the poor review.
But ... I did manage to get through this one. The plot was messy and the entire book was a jumble of characters all the way through, at different points in time. The beginning opened with a an interesting situation with a woman being drugged and assaulted by her boss, which seemed like an interesting start to a revenge story. But, it veered off course from there to Wicca and herbs and weird family and friendship dynamics. Each and every character was absolutely unlikeable and there was nothing redeeming about the story except that it *finally* ended.
I have enjoyed Lisa Unger's books in the past, but this one was a fail.
As an aside for the publisher: when providing ARCs, please remember that formatting and making a book physically easier to read for the readers (as in: spacing and visual accessibility) can make or break a reading experience. I found this book to be physically difficult to read because of the formatting and the manner in which everything was jumbled together. Page footers floated in the middle of the pages, making it more confusing than it already was to keep the characters straight. Honestly, half the time, I didn't even know whose point of view I was reading - it was that messy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, and Lisa Unger for an advanced copy of this book. It releases in March 2026 and I recommend that you only read it if you appreciate the supernatural and witchcraft, not if you're looking for a traditional mystery/thriller.
But ... I did manage to get through this one. The plot was messy and the entire book was a jumble of characters all the way through, at different points in time. The beginning opened with a an interesting situation with a woman being drugged and assaulted by her boss, which seemed like an interesting start to a revenge story. But, it veered off course from there to Wicca and herbs and weird family and friendship dynamics. Each and every character was absolutely unlikeable and there was nothing redeeming about the story except that it *finally* ended.
I have enjoyed Lisa Unger's books in the past, but this one was a fail.
As an aside for the publisher: when providing ARCs, please remember that formatting and making a book physically easier to read for the readers (as in: spacing and visual accessibility) can make or break a reading experience. I found this book to be physically difficult to read because of the formatting and the manner in which everything was jumbled together. Page footers floated in the middle of the pages, making it more confusing than it already was to keep the characters straight. Honestly, half the time, I didn't even know whose point of view I was reading - it was that messy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, and Lisa Unger for an advanced copy of this book. It releases in March 2026 and I recommend that you only read it if you appreciate the supernatural and witchcraft, not if you're looking for a traditional mystery/thriller.
November 19, 2025
I've enjoyed the author's popcorn reads in the past, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one.
There are only about 5 million POV characters - most of them are kind of awful.
There are interminable flashbacks. I mean they drag! Eventually, I just started skimming them because I didn't care.
I didn't really care who killed our jerk. He deserved it.
The book also takes a turn into sort of witchy folk thriller which was unexpected and a bit clunky (and I love folk horror/thrillers, but not this).
All in all, this was a miss for me.
* ARC via Publisher
There are only about 5 million POV characters - most of them are kind of awful.
There are interminable flashbacks. I mean they drag! Eventually, I just started skimming them because I didn't care.
I didn't really care who killed our jerk. He deserved it.
The book also takes a turn into sort of witchy folk thriller which was unexpected and a bit clunky (and I love folk horror/thrillers, but not this).
All in all, this was a miss for me.
* ARC via Publisher
March 10, 2026
Served Him Right 4⭐️
What could go wrong with a fancy brunch with a close group of friends? Well, “A man is dead. A woman is missing. Another woman is in a coma.” So, yeah, it took quite the turn.
Sisters, Ana and Vera, had a difficult childhood that included the death of their father, the arrest of their mother, and their aunt becoming their guardian. It’s Aunt Agnes that taught them about The Knowledge and the generational tradition of healing power of plants. But, many plants in the wrong dose become deadly. Now, in present day, the sisters find themselves intertwined in a murder investigation.
I always find myself highlighting so many phrases and sayings in Lisa Unger’s books. She has a way with words that is poetic and thought provoking. The character development was so good! They were deep and complex.
Pub Date Mar 10 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
What could go wrong with a fancy brunch with a close group of friends? Well, “A man is dead. A woman is missing. Another woman is in a coma.” So, yeah, it took quite the turn.
Sisters, Ana and Vera, had a difficult childhood that included the death of their father, the arrest of their mother, and their aunt becoming their guardian. It’s Aunt Agnes that taught them about The Knowledge and the generational tradition of healing power of plants. But, many plants in the wrong dose become deadly. Now, in present day, the sisters find themselves intertwined in a murder investigation.
I always find myself highlighting so many phrases and sayings in Lisa Unger’s books. She has a way with words that is poetic and thought provoking. The character development was so good! They were deep and complex.
Pub Date Mar 10 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
September 18, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!!!
This is a complicated review to write. On one hand, this book has a strong opening and some compelling themes. On the other hand, I felt this book lacked cohesion.
I found the character of Timothy to be fascinating. How he gets involved in the story and the subsequent fallout from his position in the narrative was strong and compelling to me. In addition to this, the bond between the sisters felt fleshed out and purposeful. But everything else unfortunately fell a little flat for me. The formatting could have been more aesthetically pleasing, the pacing felt slow, and different sections of the book didn’t seem to gel with each other. There was a repeated theme that was more or less “men are bad” (which can be a powerful theme when used effectively), but I found this message to be overused and thrown in random places where it didn’t REALLY add anything (at least in my opinion), and ultimately wasn’t serving the plot in any tangible way. Though I admit as a male myself, perhaps I am biased and ignorant of the points the author was trying to make with this.
With that said, the mysteries that are introduced in this book were still enough to provide me with enjoyment. I found the ending both satisfying and fun. While it’s not something I would personally recommend - if this is a genre you really enjoy, you may get more out of this than I did!
This is a complicated review to write. On one hand, this book has a strong opening and some compelling themes. On the other hand, I felt this book lacked cohesion.
I found the character of Timothy to be fascinating. How he gets involved in the story and the subsequent fallout from his position in the narrative was strong and compelling to me. In addition to this, the bond between the sisters felt fleshed out and purposeful. But everything else unfortunately fell a little flat for me. The formatting could have been more aesthetically pleasing, the pacing felt slow, and different sections of the book didn’t seem to gel with each other. There was a repeated theme that was more or less “men are bad” (which can be a powerful theme when used effectively), but I found this message to be overused and thrown in random places where it didn’t REALLY add anything (at least in my opinion), and ultimately wasn’t serving the plot in any tangible way. Though I admit as a male myself, perhaps I am biased and ignorant of the points the author was trying to make with this.
With that said, the mysteries that are introduced in this book were still enough to provide me with enjoyment. I found the ending both satisfying and fun. While it’s not something I would personally recommend - if this is a genre you really enjoy, you may get more out of this than I did!
Want to read
September 12, 2025ooooooooooooooooooooh we have a new LISA UNGER for 2026!!
I can't wait to read it!!
YAY!! ARC REC'D THANK YOU!!!
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.
I can't wait to read it!!
YAY!! ARC REC'D THANK YOU!!!
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.
September 21, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row for an ARC of Served Him Right.
This story started out strong for me and then promptly took nose dive off a cliff. I'm just going to go ahead and make a list of the things I didn't like about the book because there is a lot.
- I did not enjoy the supernatural/witches/wiccan plot. I wish this would have been made clearer in the description so I could have passed from the beginning.
- There are ENTIRELY too many characters...I should have kept track but I'd guess something like 30 "main" characters we are supposed to remember by first name only. The number of characters made the plot so convoluted and tedious that I didn't end up caring who the murderer was.
- I was put-off by the preachy political messages inserted into the story. While I am one thousand percent of the same political view point as the author, I read to forget how fucked up the world is, not to be reminded of it.
- If I had to read another instance of one of the characters using the word "Gawd" I was going to throw my kindle across the room. Seriously, who talks like that?!
Definitely putting this on the "recommend to skip" list.
2 stars
This story started out strong for me and then promptly took nose dive off a cliff. I'm just going to go ahead and make a list of the things I didn't like about the book because there is a lot.
- I did not enjoy the supernatural/witches/wiccan plot. I wish this would have been made clearer in the description so I could have passed from the beginning.
- There are ENTIRELY too many characters...I should have kept track but I'd guess something like 30 "main" characters we are supposed to remember by first name only. The number of characters made the plot so convoluted and tedious that I didn't end up caring who the murderer was.
- I was put-off by the preachy political messages inserted into the story. While I am one thousand percent of the same political view point as the author, I read to forget how fucked up the world is, not to be reminded of it.
- If I had to read another instance of one of the characters using the word "Gawd" I was going to throw my kindle across the room. Seriously, who talks like that?!
Definitely putting this on the "recommend to skip" list.
2 stars
March 24, 2026
Lisa Unger is a "Must Read" author for me.
In Served Him Right she gives us a twisting tale of vengeance, bond of sisterhood, and the dangerous knowledge of poisonous plants.
The story started out strong and I love anything witchy/wiccan/supernatural but I found as the many characters were added it became overwhelming and confusing at times.
I look forward to her next novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
In Served Him Right she gives us a twisting tale of vengeance, bond of sisterhood, and the dangerous knowledge of poisonous plants.
The story started out strong and I love anything witchy/wiccan/supernatural but I found as the many characters were added it became overwhelming and confusing at times.
I look forward to her next novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
March 16, 2026
DNF @ 28%. I never would've even started this book if the description had given any indication that the protagonists were into witchcraft and voodoo. I'm so tired of picking up what I think is going to be a straightforward thriller just to have it be some niche content about vampires or witches or time travel. Give us a clue in the book flap so we can decide if it's something we're into instead of wasting time and money to be blindsided. Luckily, I borrowed the audiobook from my library so I'm only out a few hours time.
Even setting the witchcraft aside, I found it a bit challenging to keep track of the many POV (though I realize that this may be easier when reading vs. listening) and I didn't find a single character likable or relatable. I just can't bring myself to continue this book.
Even setting the witchcraft aside, I found it a bit challenging to keep track of the many POV (though I realize that this may be easier when reading vs. listening) and I didn't find a single character likable or relatable. I just can't bring myself to continue this book.
October 22, 2025
Served Him Right felt wrong to me as it just didn’t work for me. The premise had potential — a celebratory brunch that spirals into murder, secrets, and suspicion — but I struggled to stay engaged. The story follows Ana and her sister Vera after Ana's ex-boyfriend turns up dead and someone at the brunch gets seriously ill. With Ana as the main suspect, Vera steps in to protect her, uncovering more than either of them bargained for.
Unfortunately, I found most of the characters frustrating and hard to connect with. The plot felt slow, and the themes of revenge and secret justice networks just weren’t my thing. I’ve never read any of Lisa Unger’s books before so this may be par for the course — I don’t want to give up on her but if they follow this style, she may not be for me. However, readers who enjoy messy relationships and darker themes of retribution may still find something to like here. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.
Unfortunately, I found most of the characters frustrating and hard to connect with. The plot felt slow, and the themes of revenge and secret justice networks just weren’t my thing. I’ve never read any of Lisa Unger’s books before so this may be par for the course — I don’t want to give up on her but if they follow this style, she may not be for me. However, readers who enjoy messy relationships and darker themes of retribution may still find something to like here. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.
March 23, 2026
Thank you to #partner #HarlequinAudio for the gifted ALC of this audiobook, and to HTP Books #HTPHive, Park Row Books, & Netgalley for the e-ARC...this is my honest review.
🎧📱Served Him Right 📱🎧
Author: Lisa Unger
Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Audiobook Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Narrators: Kristen Sieh; Vivienne Leheny; Brittany Pressley; Soneela Nankani; Tim Paige; and Petrea Burchard
Length: 12 hours, 8 minutes
Publisher: HTP Books | Park Row
MY RATING: 3.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
Served Him Right is a domestic thriller and whodunit-style mystery with witchy undertones. Told through multiple POVs, the whodunit portion of this read had me guessing until the very end.
I intended to read this as a combo of audiobook and e-arc, but the multicast narrators of the audiobook really kept my attention there. All of the narrators were so much fun with these characters and I definitely recommend reading this one with your ears!
Ana has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with the bad reputation. And things go from bad to worse for Ana when her best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch. But Ana isn't the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Ana & Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own secret history comes to light.
What started out as a popcorny domestic thriller turned into a darker story with heavy witchcraft vibes, which I didn't expect at all. While I enjoyed the domestic thriller components of the book, the witchcraft stuff just wasn't for me.
People call this book's mystery edgy and complex, and I don't disagree. There are undercurrents of women's rights and the power of female friendship, which did add to the complexity of the read. But I've yet to find a book featuring witchcraft that I really enjoy. It's just one of those tropes that inexplicably gives me the reading ick and I'm not a fan.🤷 So when a book unexpectedly takes a turn into witchcraft themes, it tends to lose me. I know I'm an outlier, and there were a lot of people who really enjoyed this read. I enjoy Unger's books typically and I'll be looking forward to what she writes next. But for me, this one just wasn't a favorite.
#ServedHimRight #LisaUnger #HTPBooks #partner #ParkRowBooks #HTPHive #HarlequinAudio #audiobooks #eARC #thrillerlover #thrillerreads #mysterylovers #witchythrillers #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
🎧📱Served Him Right 📱🎧
Author: Lisa Unger
Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Audiobook Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Narrators: Kristen Sieh; Vivienne Leheny; Brittany Pressley; Soneela Nankani; Tim Paige; and Petrea Burchard
Length: 12 hours, 8 minutes
Publisher: HTP Books | Park Row
MY RATING: 3.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
Served Him Right is a domestic thriller and whodunit-style mystery with witchy undertones. Told through multiple POVs, the whodunit portion of this read had me guessing until the very end.
I intended to read this as a combo of audiobook and e-arc, but the multicast narrators of the audiobook really kept my attention there. All of the narrators were so much fun with these characters and I definitely recommend reading this one with your ears!
Ana has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with the bad reputation. And things go from bad to worse for Ana when her best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch. But Ana isn't the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Ana & Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own secret history comes to light.
What started out as a popcorny domestic thriller turned into a darker story with heavy witchcraft vibes, which I didn't expect at all. While I enjoyed the domestic thriller components of the book, the witchcraft stuff just wasn't for me.
People call this book's mystery edgy and complex, and I don't disagree. There are undercurrents of women's rights and the power of female friendship, which did add to the complexity of the read. But I've yet to find a book featuring witchcraft that I really enjoy. It's just one of those tropes that inexplicably gives me the reading ick and I'm not a fan.🤷 So when a book unexpectedly takes a turn into witchcraft themes, it tends to lose me. I know I'm an outlier, and there were a lot of people who really enjoyed this read. I enjoy Unger's books typically and I'll be looking forward to what she writes next. But for me, this one just wasn't a favorite.
#ServedHimRight #LisaUnger #HTPBooks #partner #ParkRowBooks #HTPHive #HarlequinAudio #audiobooks #eARC #thrillerlover #thrillerreads #mysterylovers #witchythrillers #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
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