Rich Little Liars

by A.J. Carter

A BRAND-NEW, relentlessly pacy psychological thriller with twists you won’t see coming, for fans of Michelle Frances, Gemma Rogers and Lisa Jewell.👀💔⚡ Everyone has something to hide…

After surviving a house fire that killed her husband, Kelly Reynolds vanishes into the East Hamptons, a world of gated estates, pristine lawns and neighbours who smile like they have nothing to fear. Here, money buys discretion, and the past is supposed to stay buried.

But when anonymous notes begin appearing at her door, Kelly realises someone knows what really happened the night of the fire. With each message, the East Hamptons’ flawless façade starts to crack, and the quiet judgement in her neighbours’ eyes feels less imagined.

As suspicion tightens and danger creeps closer, Kelly’s carefully rebuilt life begins to unravel. Because some secrets don’t stay hidden – and the truth is far more dangerous than the lies that protect it.

Rich Little Liars is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat read that twists and turns its way to a shocking conclusion.

Praise for AJ

'From the beginning to the end, this book continued to astounded me. So many twists and turns I could hardly breathe.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'Just when you think you know where it's going, AJ Carter pulls the rug out from under you. Brilliant!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'Deliously twisted. I devoured it in one sitting!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

'A true page-turning Psychological Thriller with enough twists to make your head spin!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Genres: Thriller

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 5, 2026

About the author

AJ Carter is a psychological thriller author from Bristol, England. His first book, The Family Secret, is praised by critics around the world, and he continues to regularly deliver suspenseful novels you can’t put down.

Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

RATING: 2 STARS ⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Repetitive Twists, Underwhelming Thrills

full review ⬇️

The cover looked good, the tagline had me intrigued and the start was promising.

But then I read further and this was honestly one of the most infuriatingly repetitive books I’ve read.

It started off very much giving me Freida McFadden vibes and I was intrigued and keen to see where this story was going. But unfortunately, it just never really went anywhere new.

The repetition was constant! Everyone is always familiar in the kitchen, every neighbour is looking at a house funny and the same observations and suspicions just keep looping over and over again.

I also really struggled with the characters. They felt flat and frustrating and I never found myself invested in any of them. The main character perspective in particular felt like she spent far too much time watching and assuming rather than actually progressing the story. At one point I genuinely found myself thinking… does she just live at her window all day? 😅

I picked the twist early, I wasn’t surprised by any of the plot lines and while it initially felt like a story that was building towards tension, instead it just kept circling the same ideas over and over.

I appreciate the sneak peek of this early read thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley but sadly this wasn’t a win for me.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was thankfully a quick read because I knew what was going on from almost the very beginning. Kelly has moved to East Hampton after a fire that killed her husband and destroyed their home. She’s looking to start over with a quiet new life. But almost as soon as she moves in, she starts receiving threatening notes. She already can’t handle the inquisitive nature of her neighbors and is determined not to talk about what happened with the fire. She continuously alludes to ‘the truth of that night’ and ‘what really happened’, so we know there’s some secret about it that she’s terrified someone has figured out.

The reader sees from two different perspectives, in the present as she tries to settle in and in the past, leading up to the fire. She only has one friend now, a prospective love interest named Richard, who’s pretty much the perfect man. He’s single, kind, patient, compassionate, and always available at the drop of a hat, because how busy can a Hamptons doctor be, apparently? And yet he’s still single and uninterested in anyone until Kelly arrives.

I can’t even mention the part of the story that gave everything away because as soon as you read about that character, you realize what happened. So once you figure that out, you’ve got 75% of the book to get through, waiting for it to be revealed. And it’s just a whole lot of Kelly being scared and starting to tell ‘the whole truth’ to Richard and then deciding ‘no, I just can’t, he’ll never stay with me.’ It actually happens with these exact words several times throughout the book! There just wasn't enough substance to the story, with a lot of repetition to add filler.

I think it would have been better as a short story – tightened up, no repetition, and moving so fast you don’t have time to consider what’s truly going on.

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars by A.J. Carter gave me exactly the kind of chaotic rich-people thriller energy I tend to fly through in a day. 😅 Think: perfect neighborhoods, people pretending everything is fine, women unraveling, secrets everywhere, and that constant feeling that somebody is lying straight to your face.

Kelly moves to East Hampton after her husband dies in a house fire, trying to start over and basically disappear into this polished wealthy community. But then the anonymous notes start showing up and you immediately know this woman is about to absolutely lose her peace.

I’ll be honest… Kelly stressed me out a little. 😂 There were moments where her paranoia and spiraling started to feel repetitive, and I definitely wanted more from the neighbors because honestly THEY were the people I was most interested in. Give me the nosy rich women with hidden skeletons. That’s my thing.

But even with that, I still ate this book up. The short chapters made it ridiculously bingeable and the setting felt so vivid. It reminded me of one of those trashy-but-addictive true crime documentaries where everybody looks polished on the outside but behind closed doors everything is falling apart.

I did figure out part of the twist before the reveal, so it wasn’t a jaw-on-the-floor thriller for me, but there were still enough turns and messy reveals to keep me fully entertained. This is the kind of book I’d throw in a beach bag or read poolside while ignoring responsibilities.

I’d personally give this one about ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Not a perfect thriller for me, but absolutely entertaining, fast-paced, and easy to binge.

If you love wealthy neighborhood drama, secrets, paranoia, toxic relationships, and thrillers that feel like a Netflix series waiting to happen, this one is worth picking up.

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to A.J. Carter, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for a copy of Rich Little Liars in exchange for an honest review.

This book and I entered a toxic relationship almost immediately. 💀

Kelly moves to the glamorous world of East Hampton after a fire kills her husband, supposedly looking for a fresh start, but from the very beginning I could not connect with her at all. Not in a “love to hate her” thriller way either. Just plain exhausting. Every decision felt dramatic for the sake of drama, and I spent most of the book wanting literally anyone else to take over the storyline.

The biggest issue? The “big secret” practically walked into the room wearing a neon sign within the first few chapters. Once I figured it out that early, I kept waiting for the story to pull a rabbit out of its designer handbag and surprise me with something. A twist. A shocking reveal. A reason for all the slow circling. Instead, the plot just kept stretching itself thinner and thinner like dollar-store taffy until I was mentally begging the chapters to speed up.

This honestly felt like a story that could have been told in five sharp, fast-paced chapters instead of dragging itself across an entire novel. There was so much repetition, so much filler, and not nearly enough payoff. For a thriller set among wealthy secrets and scandal, it somehow managed to feel strangely flat. And that ending? By the time it arrived, I was less “shocked and amazed” and more “finally, sweet freedom.”

Final Verdict:
A thriller that spilled its secrets way too early and then spent the rest of the book wandering around East Hampton hoping nobody would notice. Unlikable characters, painfully predictable twists, and pacing slower than a traffic jam in a gated community valet line. One of my biggest disappointments of 2026. ⭐☆

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars follows Kelly Reynolds, a widow who escapes to the wealthy East Hamptons after a deadly house fire kills her husband. Hoping to leave the past behind, she instead finds herself receiving anonymous notes from someone who seems to know what really happened the night of the fire. As the secrets surrounding her new neighborhood start unraveling, Kelly realizes her past may not be as buried as she thought.

This book was honestly a slow burn for me, and not always in a good way. I liked the wealthy East Hamptons setting and the whole polished-on-the-outside, messy-underneath vibe, but I had a really hard time connecting with Kelly for most of the story. The chapters alternate between “now” and “then,” but I don’t think enough of the backstory was given early enough to justify how paranoid and dramatic she seemed. As far as we knew at that point, her husband had died in a fire, so her constant fear of being watched felt a little over the top instead of suspenseful.

I also found myself distracted by the lack of realistic security measures. If Kelly truly believed someone was watching her or leaving notes at her house, it was hard to understand why she wouldn’t install something as simple as a Ring doorbell or cameras. In today’s world, that omission made her reactions feel less convincing.

That being said, the twist actually worked really well for me. Somehow, I genuinely did not put it together until the very end, which almost never happens for me with thrillers. Once everything finally clicked, I found myself way more invested, and honestly, it wasn’t until the last part of the book that I really started liking it. Overall, this one didn’t fully land for me emotionally, but the ending definitely saved it and made the payoff worth sticking around for.

[Mvm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars is a fast-paced psychological thriller set in the picture-perfect world of the East Hamptons, where wealth, image, and social status are everything. Beneath the polished homes, exclusive parties, and carefully curated appearances, however, lies a community filled with secrets, lies, and hidden agendas. Everyone pretends that everything — and everyone — is perfectly fine while darkness quietly simmers beneath the surface.

After her husband dies in a tragic fire, Kelly relocates to the East Hamptons hoping to disappear into the wealthy community and finally leave her troubled past behind. But escaping the past proves impossible when mysterious notes begin appearing, each containing cryptic references to a secret Kelly desperately wants hidden. As the notes continue, Kelly’s fear and paranoia steadily intensify, causing her to spiral further out of control and question everyone around her.

The novel is structured with short chapters that alternate between “then” and “now,” slowly revealing Kelly’s backstory piece by piece. This format keeps the suspense building and makes the story very easy to binge-read. The pacing moves quickly, and there are plenty of twists and unexpected turns along the way to keep readers engaged and guessing.

Overall, this was an entertaining, suspenseful, and easy-to-devour thriller filled with wealthy secrets, paranoia, deception, and unraveling lies. It’s the kind of book that is easy to lose yourself in for an afternoon.

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.

[Georgia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Rich Little Liars by AJ Carter
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m always on the hunt for a new psychological thriller that actually keeps me guessing, and Rich Little Liars absolutely delivered. This was my first time reading AJ Carter, and it certainly won't be my last.
The story kicks off with a literal bang—the house fire that kills Kelly’s husband is an explosive start that hooked me immediately. I loved the dual timelines; switching between the "before" and "after" kept the tension high and made the mystery of what really happened that night feel so much more urgent.
The setting is perfect for this kind of story. There’s something so unsettling about the East Hamptons—all those gated estates and pristine lawns hiding messy, dark secrets. As Kelly starts getting those anonymous notes, you can really feel the walls closing in on her.
My highlights:
• The Twists: I pride myself on spotting where a plot is going, but while I managed to guess one development, the rest of the twists completely floored me.
• The Pacing: It does slow down a little bit in the middle as the suspense builds, but the ending more than makes up for it. It's a relentless scramble to the finish line.
• The Narrative: It felt fresh and gripping, perfect for anyone who likes a story where you can't trust the neighbors—or the protagonist.
If you’re a fan of authors like Lisa Jewell or Michelle Frances, you need to add this to your list. It’s a sizzling, addictive read that proves the truth is way more dangerous than the lies we tell to protect ourselves.
Solid 5 stars. I'll be looking out for more from Carter!

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Rich Little Liars by A. J. Carter as an ARC—thank you to A.J. Carter, NetGalley, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review.

Rich Little Liars is a fast-paced psychological thriller set in the picture-perfect world of the East Hamptons, where wealth, image, and social status mean everything. Beneath the polished homes, exclusive parties, and perfectly curated lives, there’s a darker reality—one full of secrets, lies, and hidden agendas. Everyone is pretending everything is fine… but it’s not.

After her husband dies in a tragic fire, Kelly moves to the East Hamptons hoping for a fresh start and a chance to leave her past behind. But that quickly unravels when she starts receiving mysterious notes hinting at a secret she desperately wants to keep buried. As the messages continue, her paranoia builds, and she begins to question everyone around her.

The story is told through short, alternating “then” and “now” chapters, which worked really well for me. It kept the pacing quick and made it an easy, bingeable read. The structure slowly reveals Kelly’s past while keeping the suspense going, and there are enough twists to keep things interesting.

That said, I did end up guessing the “big secret” fairly early on, which took away some of the impact for me. While it was definitely entertaining and kept me turning the pages, I found myself wanting a bit more depth and surprise overall.

Still, if you’re looking for a quick, engaging thriller with drama, secrets, and a glossy setting, this is a solid pick.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me, Mr. A.J. Carter, what did I just read?! That was an absolute masterpiece!

This book is an astonishing blend of amazing storytelling, deep mystery, complex twists, and relentlessly fast-paced action, all executed with truly brilliant precision. Honestly, there are so many superlatives I could throw at this book, but I might as well just cut to the chase and call it what it is: absolute perfection!

The structure of the narrative, employing a sophisticated dual Point of View (POV) and a split timeline, was masterfully done. This intricate setup kept me completely engrossed, constantly piecing together the puzzle until the final few chapters. And when the author finally dropped that ultimate, mind-blowing twist? My jaw was absolutely on the floor. It was a stunning revelation that recontextualized everything I had read up to that point.

The ending was something I genuinely did not see coming, yet it felt completely earned and satisfying. I adored every single moment of this reading experience. From the very first page to the final, powerful word, I was utterly drawn into the story and simply could not put the book down. I devoured page after riveting page!

A huge thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this incredible story. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this phenomenal book and to now shout from the rooftops to everyone I know just how much I truly loved it.

#richlittleliars #ajcarter

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good concept but I didn't connect with the protagonist and there were unanswered questions and extreme coincidences that made me have to suspend my disbelief. The story centers on Kelly, who moves to an affluent neighborhood to start over after her previous house burned down. Kelly is trying to settle into her new life and get past the trauma that upended her previous life when she starts getting threats that make it clear someone knows a secret she is desperately trying to bury. The story also has flashback chapters from before the fire.

The pacing of the story was a little slow because so much of it was glimpses into Kelly's head and it was rather repetitive. Kelly really got on my nerves and I felt like she overreacted and just showed up in a way that got on my nerves. I did like the flashback chapters better, though I also couldn't relate to Kelly's actions at all during those, either. The pacing picks up towards the end but I found the revelations that happened to be so unbelievable- I don't want to give anything away but there were just too many things that weren't explained in a satisfactory way. I did guess the twist at the end and I liked it, but it also caused me to suspend disbelief.

Overall, this one didn't really do it for me but I seem to be in the minority so certainly don't want to dissuade people from reading. I'd give this 2.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars is a sleek, addictive thriller that peels back the polished veneer of the East Hamptons to reveal the secrets simmering beneath its manicured lawns. Kelly Reynolds arrives hoping to disappear into a world where money buys silence and neighbours pretend not to notice the cracks—but the past has a way of finding you, even behind gated estates.

Kelly is a wonderfully layered protagonist: fragile, guarded, and trying desperately to rebuild a life after the fire that killed her husband. The tension begins with a whisper—anonymous notes slipped to her door—and grows with every message. The author captures that creeping paranoia beautifully, the sense that every smile hides a question, every neighbour might know more than they’re saying.

As the façade of the Hamptons begins to fracture, the story tightens into a sharp, twist‑driven mystery. The atmosphere is deliciously claustrophobic: sunlit days, quiet judgement, and the constant fear that the truth she’s running from is already catching up. The pacing is brisk without feeling rushed, and the final reveals land with the kind of punch that makes you rethink everything you’ve been told.

Stylish, tense, and full of simmering secrets, Rich Little Liars is a gripping read that keeps you turning pages long after you should have stopped.

With thanks to AJ Carter. the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Emma Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars* Review of Advanced Copy Recieved from NetGalley (thank you NetGalley!)
This was such a suspenseful, fast-paced read that constantly had me questioning what I thought I knew. Going in blind as my first A.J. Carter novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect-but it definitely won’t be my last. The story follows a woman trying to start over in a new town after a traumatic past, and the dual timeline (especially Kelly’s past) added a really engaging layer to the narrative. It was easy to follow and kept the tension building throughout.
I’ll admit, I went in expecting a big twist-and while I did somewhat predict parts of it, it was still satisfying and well executed. There were moments that genuinely surprised me, and the ending had enough of a spin to make it memorable.
That said, there were a few elements that felt a bit too convenient, particularly surrounding Officer Harvey and how neatly certain pieces fell into place. It pulled me out of the story slightly, but not enough to take away from the overall enjoyment.
Despite some predictability, this was an entertaining psychological thriller that reminded me why I enjoy the genre so much-mysterious, tense, and filled with secrets. If you’re after a quick, gripping read, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

[444.ariesbaby_reads✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this may be my first read by Carter, but it CERTAINLY won’t be my last🙂‍↔️

•rich little liars🤑- @ajcarterbooks •

i saw the book, the title intrigued me so i tried my luck and got accepted and i am so grateful i did. this was EXACTLY what i needed!🙂‍↕️

this book BLEW MY MIND. i needed a fast paced thriller, something to switch up the genres and took a chance on this work of art!!!

i can’t even tell you how many times i shook my head in disbelief, im sure my brain has now been knocked loose and is rattling around🙂‍↔️😂 i mean the AUDACITY?!?!

this was written in a way that keeps you invested and questioning from the very beginning, giving both past and present povs.
i was here for the vibes and the vibes only and i enjoyed every. single. minute!
i was curious, had my theories, came up empty, i just went with it and i can tell you rn, I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT!!!!

very cleverly written, 10/10 vibes, such a fun, easy read that keeps you guessing. 100% recommend!!!

if you love a good thriller, with anxiety inducing moments that have you second guessing everyone and yourself included- then this book is absolutely for you!!!

•★ ★ ★ ★ ★

thank you to @netgalley & @boldwoodbooks for the arc approval!✨

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: June 5, 2026
Author: AJ Carter
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pages: 272

Rating: 4★ 

This was a fast-paced, addictive thriller packed with secrets and mounting paranoia. The contrast between the polished East Hamptons setting and the dark truths underneath creates a constant sense of unease. It’s twisty, suspenseful, and keeps you hooked as the tension steadily escalates.

This book suits someone in the mood for something: mysterious, tense, dark, emotional

Pace: fast

Mainly plot or character driven? a mix

Is there strong character development? it’s complicated

Do you find the characters loveable? it’s complicated

Is the cast of characters diverse? it’s complicated

Are character flaws a main focus? yes

Main themes, topics, tropes: wealthy secrets, anonymous threats, hidden past, domestic suspense, paranoia

⸻

Synopsis:
After surviving a house fire that killed her husband, Kelly Reynolds retreats to the luxurious East Hamptons, hoping to start over. But when anonymous notes begin appearing, it becomes clear that someone knows the truth about that night. As suspicion grows and her carefully constructed life begins to crumble, Kelly must confront the past before it destroys her future.

[Susan Ingraffea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I am really surprised that the average rating (at the time of my review) is the very high 4.22 stars. I really struggled getting through this book, and it wasn't even long! It was just chapter upon chapter of Kelly being scared, not sleeping, and being nervous about confessing what she did. Seriously nothing happened! I enjoyed the chapters in the past a bit more, as at least there was some action and some more characters.

There was one sentence fairly far through the book that made me think, "wait, is this what the author is going to reveal?" and I was correct. However, I had not guessed it until that point. One other twist of a character's true identity I did not suspect in the slightest. Though surprises usually impress me, I was just so bored by then that I really didn't even care.

Also just a side note - this town of East Hampton is not "The Hamptons" of Long Island, which I just assumed it was going to be due to the name. So I was taken aback when I realized I was reading a British mystery.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a rich widow, Kelly Reynolds, who moves to a new town after a house fire kills her husband. However as the novel progresses it becomes clear that Kelly has something to hide and when she starts to receive threatening notes claiming that the writer knows that she did something awful, Kelly becomes frightened.
This book is told in the first person by what I would call an unreliable narrator in the form of Kelly, a character I did not really warm to. There was something about her that did not gel with me.
As flashbacks reveal events that led up to the fire, Kelly’s motivation becomes cloudier, could she have actually started the fire?
There were several twists along the way and the final twist was alarming but I had kind of guessed it before the big reveal although I do read a lot of psychological thrillers so was in a good position to work out how these sort of novels pan out. I never really liked Kelly and the ending just reaffirmed my views.
Rich Little Liars was an enjoyable page turner which did not take too long to read and would be the perfect accompaniment to a beach holiday!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book.

I found Rich Little Liars by AJ Carter to be a quick and easy read, which fits with what I expect from this author. The story has a slow start, with very little actually happening in the present timeline. I felt bogged down by Kelly and her constant thoughts of paranoia, which grew highly repetitive as the chapters went on.

Kelly is a tough character to root for because she behaves like such a doormat in both the past and the present scenes. Since the book features a very small cast of characters, her frustrating personality traits are front and center. The saving grace of the plot is the flashbacks, which were very interesting and kept my attention. While the main twist fell flat and was not very interesting, the very end of the book goes a long way to redeem the weaker parts of the story. This book is good for anyone who wants a quick easy read and doesn’t need a twist that will blow your mind. #NetGalley #RichLittleLiars

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ebook ARC of Rich Little Liars by AJ Carter expected release date of 06/05/2026.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Carter so I wasn't sure what to expect. It started as a slow burn, with not much happening in the FMCs 'current' timeline, other than her crazy ass paranoia surrounding her neighborhood. I was actually getting really annoyed by her over-sensitivity regarding her neighbors actions, until the last chapter. HO-LY COW I didn't see that twist coming and the reveal made everything she freaked out about, make sense. I didn't really think the storyline around the detective and the FMCs dead husband was the best path, it a big, weird stretch but he needed something else as a twist. The FMCs 'past' timeline kept things interesting, making this actually feel like a pretty quick read. The writing was simple, didn't have to think too hard to follow along but I appreciated him trying out the storylines and leaving no stone unturned.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Rich Little Liars
Author: AJ Carter
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: June 5, 2026

Perfect prologue!! Chef's kiss! 👩🏽‍🍳💋 I wanted to dive right in! This book is told over two different timelines: before the fire and after the fire.

The main character, Kelly Reynolds, is attempting to start over in a new, affluent neighborhood. Time and time again, the author references the bad thing that she did. It takes a looonnnggg time before we actually find out what that bad thing is. And, talk about paranoia... wowza! She couldn't seem to get out of her own head. All of that made her a very unlikable character.

Once the book finally picked up pace, I just couldn't put it down. Like literally, I couldn't put it down! I stayed up until 4 am so I could finish it.

There were definitely some twists I didn't see coming, which is very difficult to do. Finding out the real truth about Kelly made me realize why I felt her character was unlikable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Fiha Febiala · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars — a thoroughly enjoyable popcorn thriller that kept me glued to the pages.

I picked this up without knowing what to expect and ended up immediately hooked. The premise pulls you in right away, and the pacing is relentless — it's the kind of book you read in one go because it simply doesn't give you a natural stopping point. I love that in a thriller.

I did figure out the main twist pretty early, which took a little edge off the reveal. And while I enjoyed the overall cast, I kept feeling like the neighbours were set up to play a bigger, more disruptive role — their potential felt slightly wasted. I wanted more from them!

Still, this was a really fun, engaging read and a great introduction to AJ Carter. I'm definitely planning to explore his other work. If you're in the mood for a fast, gripping thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously, this is worth picking up.

📚 Thank you for the ARC received from NetGalley and Boldwood Books — all opinions are my own.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

After surviving a house fire that killed her husband, Kelly Renolds vanishes into the East Hamptons, a world of gated estates, pristine lawns and neighbours who smile like they have nothing to fear. Here, money buys discretion, and the past is supposed to stay buried. But when anonymous notes begin appearing at her door, Kelly realises someone knows what really happened the night of the fire. With each message, the East Hamptons' flawless facade starts to crack, and the quiet judgement in her neighbours eyes feels less imagined.

I found this story predictable, but I still enjoyed it. The story is told from two perspectives. I felt the story could have been a little bit shorter and the pace was on the slow side. I didn't like Kelly but I did like the flashback chapters.

Published 5th June 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #AJCarter for my ARC of #RichLittleLiars in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ Carter has done it again.

I liked Kelly, I could feel her trauma and survivor's guilt. She didn't deserve the treatment she got from her snotty neighbours though... or did she ask for that treatment with her behaviour?

There were really creepy parts in the story, loads of mystery, lots of emotion - and then the twists.
I was actually gobsmacked at the identity of Kelly's persecutor.

The two different timelines gave me more insight into Kelly's trauma and distrust.

THEN!!!!!

The final chapter.

THAT left me dumbfounded!

I gave AJ Carter's "Now You're Mine" a 5 star rating, and I have to award a solid 5 stars for this as well.

Unputdownable, page turner, riveting, one more chapter, stayed up late, engaging, intriguing, absorbing.... I can say that all of these apply to this book.

Keep it up AJ. Loved the book.

[Julie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super addictive. Super twisty. And never predictable. Despite constantly feeling like I was onto something the ending proved me way wrong...

I absolutely loved A.J. Carter's easy linguistic style. The story was both engaging and entertaining with a perfect ensemble of well-developed characters stirring up all the necessary levels of drama to make this mystery read even more enjoyable.

This is perfect for those readers who like their thrillers slow burn and thought provoking set on a rich and secret-laden scenery.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. My pleasure to review this masterpiece!

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[The Chapter Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars by A.J. Carter had all the ingredients of a thriller I should have loved - wealthy people, lies, secrets, and messy drama. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t leave much of an impression on me.

After surviving a house fire that killed her husband, Kelly relocates to the East Hamptons for a fresh start. But when anonymous notes referencing what really happened the night of the fire begin appearing, it becomes clear that someone knows her secrets.

While the premise was intriguing, I found the story fairly predictable, and the twists were easy to figure out early on. I also struggled to stay fully invested in the characters and overall mystery. That said, it’s a quick and easy read that may work well for readers looking for a lighter, fast-paced domestic thriller.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars by AJ Carter is a fast-paced and twisted psychological thriller, but it ultimately falls a bit short of its full potential. The story is told through short, alternating then-and-now chapters to build a gripping, suspenseful setup. However, the novel gets quite repetitive and absolutely could have been shorter. While the author leaves a trail of little breadcrumbs throughout the book, if you actually pick up on them, the ending will not surprise you at all because the plot is fairly predictable. Combined with characters who are not particularly likable, it isn't an excellent read, but it remains a decent, binge-worthy option if you just want a quick thriller to pass the time.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 ⭐️

[Daphne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

More a 2.5 rounded down.

This was a very quick read, and for the first part of it I really enjoyed it. But then it got very repetitive in the writing and I found it harder to stay involved. I was still thinking it was a solid 3 star, but then the twist at the end knocked it down a bit more. Somehow I had both seen it coming and felt like it kind of made the whole book a little pointless. Why do authors insist on making first person narrators hide things from the reader for the entire book? It just makes it feel to me like the whole thing I read was fake and honestly pointless.

It is an entertaining, quick read but it didn't quite work for me.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After surviving a house fire that killed her husband, Kelly Reynolds vanishes into the East Hamptons where her past is supposed to stay buried. As danger comes closer to her, will she survive her new life?
Rich Little Liars dives into wealth, secrecy, and the dangerous cost of hiding the truth. The combination of Kelly’s tragic past, her hidden secrets, and the anonymous threats she is receiving makes for a gripping story. It has plenty of twists that kept me guessing the entire time. It was an easy-to-read thriller if you like domestic suspense stories – it has the promise of tension, drama, and a stream of exciting reveals! One to put on your TBR!

[Louise Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Kelly is a recent widow who has moved to East Hampton after losing her husband. With her new neighbours treating her with suspicion and stalker leaving her notes, who knows her secret?

In this book events are told in the present and back then in Kelly’s former life. A tragic character with a secret that is slowly revealed over the course of the book. The stalker was not obvious and the reason, when revealed, was shocking. All events leading to a shocking ending. And after that one more shock! Didn’t see half of it coming and enjoyed this read.

[Wioletta Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich Little Liars was such a fun, fast-paced thriller. The wealthy neighbourhood drama, secrets, paranoia, and anonymous messages kept me hooked from the beginning.

I really enjoyed the split timelines and the way the story slowly revealed more about Kelly and her past. Even when I started guessing parts of the twist, I still couldn’t stop reading because the short chapters made it so addictive.

I do wish the neighbours had an even bigger role because they were some of the most interesting characters for me, but overall this was a very entertaining thriller and I flew through it.

Perfect if you enjoy messy rich people, suspicious neighbours, and twisty psychological thrillers.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

Thanks to Boldwood Books for this NetGalley ARC!

Unfortunately this book started strong and then fell very flat.
I suspected the plot twist early on and kept waiting to be proven wrong, but after a very long and unnecessarily drawn-out storyline the predictability was confirmed.
The main character Kelly was really annoying, and the random half-brother making his appearance halfway through the book to take revenge for a brother he hadnt spoken to in 15 years felt like a silly stretch.

Also I was confused about Harvey knowing about Roxanne's existence on police records?? Considering Roxanne was intending to steal an identity why would she incriminate herself?? ...