What do you think?
Rate this book
Sick Girl
His wife always comes first. Until now.
25-year-old scrappy Aubrey is fed up with her boyfriend, Tom, a married man with two children. When he's not shoving their affair on the back burner, he's canceling their dates. With a frightening health diagnosis looming over her shoulder, Aubrey concocts a desperate plan to have Tom forever.
Kill his wife. Take her place.
Befriending Tom's successful, kind wife comes easily to Aubrey. However, the closer they become, the more doubts Aubrey has about following through. Then a shocking discovery changes everything...
Sick Girl is an addicting psychological thriller that explores mental illness with a compelling unreliable narrator from debut author Rachel Hargrove. Read the gripping novel readers are calling "better than Gone Girl" and "unputdownable!"
25-year-old scrappy Aubrey is fed up with her boyfriend, Tom, a married man with two children. When he's not shoving their affair on the back burner, he's canceling their dates. With a frightening health diagnosis looming over her shoulder, Aubrey concocts a desperate plan to have Tom forever.
Kill his wife. Take her place.
Befriending Tom's successful, kind wife comes easily to Aubrey. However, the closer they become, the more doubts Aubrey has about following through. Then a shocking discovery changes everything...
Sick Girl is an addicting psychological thriller that explores mental illness with a compelling unreliable narrator from debut author Rachel Hargrove. Read the gripping novel readers are calling "better than Gone Girl" and "unputdownable!"
Unknown Binding
First published February 22, 2018
781 people are currently reading
1516 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hargrove
18 books110 followersRachel Hargrove is from Montreal, Canada. She earned a BA in English and Comparative Literature at San Jose State University and worked as a data analyst in a biotechnology company. When she turned 26, she left her career in tech to write fiction full-time. Rachel now lives in Seattle.
Rachel’s debut psychological thriller Sick Girl is available now in eBook, Paperback and Audiobook!
You can drop her a line at admin@rachelhargrove.com
Rachel’s debut psychological thriller Sick Girl is available now in eBook, Paperback and Audiobook!
You can drop her a line at admin@rachelhargrove.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 189 reviews
March 5, 2018
Aubrey is a young woman who is terminally ill with cancer. She's having an affair with Tom, a married man. His wife is also dying of cancer.
Aubrey wants to spend the rest of whatever life she has with Tom... but his wife always comes first. They plan a weekend together out of town, but his wife gets ill and he cancels. She sends him flowers to his office. And she's plotting to kill his wife.
Aubrey becomes a stalker ... but to her surprise she and Tom's wife become friends of a sort. She meets Tom's children ...so how can she kill this woman, the mother of Tom's children?
But then, Tom's wife discovers that Aubrey is the other woman ...and Aubrey learns something even more devastating.
Sick Girl is an addicting thought-provoking psychological thriller that explores mental illness with a compelling unreliable narrator. It is a compelling read. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the author took me on the most insane roller coaster ride.
The book is well written with stand-out characters. This is a new author to me ...one I definitely want to read more of.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 3, 2022
So when I read something from a first-time author, I tend to be lenient because I want to be as supportive as possible, but on the other hand if it were horrible, I would say it. This is not horrible. Sick Girl is supposed to be a thriller, but it's more of a domestic Fatal Attraction kind of thing. It has its psychological horror elements and tends to be plodding. It's not bad. It's just not what I was hoping for. Rachel Hargrove clearly can write, but this is really not my genre and the whole idea of a cheating husband is so antithetical to the type of person I have ever been that I find the whole idea reprehensible. I don't mean that I am perfect. I am divorced. Clearly, not perfect, but the subject matter is so soap opera that it feels intolerably seedy. I read the entire thing hoping to enjoy the ending, but it was just OK for me. I don't think I was the audience Hargrove was shooting for, so I hope I've given you an adequate picture of what this book is about and the type of person that might not enjoy it.
March 3, 2018
Thank you Rachel Hargrove for sending me a copy of this book.. your debut.. it is amazing! Absolutely hooked in by this book and had me guessing til the end.
Aubrey has cancer, and she is having an affair with Melissa's husband Tom. She plans to kill Melissa so that she can have Tom all to herself.. but then she gets to know Melissa.
With an ending that you will not see coming, I highly recommend this book to all
Aubrey has cancer, and she is having an affair with Melissa's husband Tom. She plans to kill Melissa so that she can have Tom all to herself.. but then she gets to know Melissa.
With an ending that you will not see coming, I highly recommend this book to all
April 2, 2018
Aubrey is seeing someones husband, but his wife always comes first.
His wife has cancer and one day he is called away, as you can imagine Aubrey is not happy.
She has cancer and wants to spend as much time with him as possible so she sets out to get rid of his wife to make room for her in his life.
Well that's the plan, and like with most plans, no matter how you set them, you never can plan the unexpected turn.
This was well written with a good twist.
His wife has cancer and one day he is called away, as you can imagine Aubrey is not happy.
She has cancer and wants to spend as much time with him as possible so she sets out to get rid of his wife to make room for her in his life.
Well that's the plan, and like with most plans, no matter how you set them, you never can plan the unexpected turn.
This was well written with a good twist.
February 4, 2024
Gripping psychological thriller from 1st page. I really enjoyed and recommend.
March 22, 2025
I really liked this. Quick and easy to read. Didn't much care for the ending though.
March 4, 2018
Sick Girl is an amazing book!! OMG! It’s so dark and twisted, I couldn’t get enough. It’s so full of mystery and intrigue that I read it in one sitting! It’s one of those books that will stay on your mind for a long time after reading!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 7, 2018
Thank you to the author, Rachel Hargrove for providing me with a copy of this book in trade for an honest review.
This review is also posted in my blog : https://onewordtoomuch.wordpress.com/...
My ratings : 5 out of 5 stars (6 for too scarily good)
Wow…this is just wow…something that made me can’t put down my tablet and made me run out of battery. This is a great debut psychological thriller from Rachel Hargrove. It’s my first psychological thriller and it’s scary and too good to miss. The story and plot is so twisty that at every turn of event there’s something new. Things started to change and escalating into events that starting to get out of hand, right until the point of near murder. Everything I thought from the beginning is all wrong, because things change dramatically near the end. The one who appears good turns out to be evil and vice versa. It’s so confusing which is makes it a good twisty read.
Here we have 2 characters, Aubrey and Melissa. When I first read the book, I’m confused. Why did Aubrey want to kill Melissa? It seems absurd. She isn’t acquainted with Melissa.
As the story progressing, it’s becoming clear that Aubrey has an affair with Melissa’s husband, or is she? She just wants to be happy and be together with Tom. In order to achieve that, she needs to get rid of Melissa. Here’s where things gets confusing. While Aubrey is trying to get rid of Melissa, Melissa has her own problem. What they both have in common is that they both have cancer. Funny thing is they both have cancer around the abdomen area. Is it coincidence? Or mirroring each other? Is it reality or fantasy? Which one is true or false?
The characters are progressing throughout the story. Aubrey still appeared to be the strong willed woman until the end while Melissa’s character is getting weaker near the end of the story. Tom, on the other hand was pictured as the loving and caring husband. Unfortunately, he’s not. This is where things get interesting. Sometimes, people are not who they seemed.
The end is quite shocking but revealing. Everything got explained and well, at some point it makes sense. This is a great book about mental illness as well. How stress could manifest itself into the body and playing tricks to the mind.
I would love to read another book by Rachel Hargrove and review it here
This review is also posted in my blog : https://onewordtoomuch.wordpress.com/...
My ratings : 5 out of 5 stars (6 for too scarily good)
Wow…this is just wow…something that made me can’t put down my tablet and made me run out of battery. This is a great debut psychological thriller from Rachel Hargrove. It’s my first psychological thriller and it’s scary and too good to miss. The story and plot is so twisty that at every turn of event there’s something new. Things started to change and escalating into events that starting to get out of hand, right until the point of near murder. Everything I thought from the beginning is all wrong, because things change dramatically near the end. The one who appears good turns out to be evil and vice versa. It’s so confusing which is makes it a good twisty read.
Here we have 2 characters, Aubrey and Melissa. When I first read the book, I’m confused. Why did Aubrey want to kill Melissa? It seems absurd. She isn’t acquainted with Melissa.
As the story progressing, it’s becoming clear that Aubrey has an affair with Melissa’s husband, or is she? She just wants to be happy and be together with Tom. In order to achieve that, she needs to get rid of Melissa. Here’s where things gets confusing. While Aubrey is trying to get rid of Melissa, Melissa has her own problem. What they both have in common is that they both have cancer. Funny thing is they both have cancer around the abdomen area. Is it coincidence? Or mirroring each other? Is it reality or fantasy? Which one is true or false?
The characters are progressing throughout the story. Aubrey still appeared to be the strong willed woman until the end while Melissa’s character is getting weaker near the end of the story. Tom, on the other hand was pictured as the loving and caring husband. Unfortunately, he’s not. This is where things get interesting. Sometimes, people are not who they seemed.
The end is quite shocking but revealing. Everything got explained and well, at some point it makes sense. This is a great book about mental illness as well. How stress could manifest itself into the body and playing tricks to the mind.
Recommend for those who love a good psychological thriller, no nonsense characters, twisted story and plot, also like getting confused during reading. Be ready to have everything that you believe in turned upside down. Recommend also to be made into a movie.
I would love to read another book by Rachel Hargrove and review it here
February 24, 2018
An amazing twisted psychological suspense! I enjoyed it as much or more as Gone Girl. The twists and turns keep you reading faster and faster to find out what happens next. The characters are completely believable whether you like them or not. The plot was tight and well written. I will definitely be following author Rachel Hargrove from now on!
March 6, 2018
A big thank you to the author for providing a digital ARC of this thriller so that I could post a review. It was a thrilling read and filled with many surprising plot twists. I had a hard time putting it down. As with the The Wife Between Us it is good not to assume anything.
What disappointed me was the lack of a redeemable character in the entire cast of the book. Both women tell their stories as unreliable narrators. It is clear that the physical ailments are just a piece of the story. And what is up with Tom? He comes across as a cad from the first scene.
Fans of Gone Girl and Girl On the Train will enjoy this book. I am intrigued by this debut novel and will definitely check out her next book.
What disappointed me was the lack of a redeemable character in the entire cast of the book. Both women tell their stories as unreliable narrators. It is clear that the physical ailments are just a piece of the story. And what is up with Tom? He comes across as a cad from the first scene.
Fans of Gone Girl and Girl On the Train will enjoy this book. I am intrigued by this debut novel and will definitely check out her next book.
July 3, 2019
Who should you believe? Who is the sick girl in this fast paced, psychological suspenseful glimpse into a world of delusions and deception? I would definitely recommend Sick Girl and can’t wait to read other books by Rachel Hargrove.
September 11, 2022
I got this because I have chronic illnesses so I was interested in the premise. I didn't realize that both the wife and the mistress(our narrator) are both sick. Sometimes I felt like it was portrayed realistically(the sickness, not the goofy situation) and then I was like "eh never mind" so honestly I don't have a strong opinion on that front. I mean, it wasn't harmful.
What made no sense to me is if you're both dying why do you want to kill the other woman off who is also dying? One minute they were going to live happily ever after and the kids would call her mom, the next she'd say she has mere months. It's just not adding up.
I got this on audio and the narration is really bad. Distractingly bad. Get in on Kindle instead.
What made no sense to me is if you're both dying why do you want to kill the other woman off who is also dying? One minute they were going to live happily ever after and the kids would call her mom, the next she'd say she has mere months. It's just not adding up.
I got this on audio and the narration is really bad. Distractingly bad. Get in on Kindle instead.
June 1, 2018
**No spoilers!**
OoooEEEEE, this book was bad. It was so bad that it was actually entertaining. I usually find myself getting angry at bad books, but I skipped right past anger and straight onto laughter with this one. I mean no disrespect when I say that, either - the book was just that goofy. After finishing it, I felt like the general story line had potential but the execution was awful. This reads like something that I would write... and I'm an accountant. I truly don't know how publishing a book works, but the Amazon page for this book states the author's name, Rachel Hargrove, as the publisher. Does that mean that there was no editor - someone to review the book and give constructive criticism on how to make it better? I really don't know, but that's how it feels. The book reads like a non-writer randomly and hurriedly typed out a story in Word and then just... printed it. No review, no editing, no contemplation... oof, it's just bad. The dialogue is probably the worst part of the book. Characters say things and phrase things in ways that the average person just wouldn't. Conversation feels very forced, very constructed, and just completely unbelievable. The conversations also turn on a dime or end completely abruptly, too. It's just so darn strange! This is just a bad book.
OoooEEEEE, this book was bad. It was so bad that it was actually entertaining. I usually find myself getting angry at bad books, but I skipped right past anger and straight onto laughter with this one. I mean no disrespect when I say that, either - the book was just that goofy. After finishing it, I felt like the general story line had potential but the execution was awful. This reads like something that I would write... and I'm an accountant. I truly don't know how publishing a book works, but the Amazon page for this book states the author's name, Rachel Hargrove, as the publisher. Does that mean that there was no editor - someone to review the book and give constructive criticism on how to make it better? I really don't know, but that's how it feels. The book reads like a non-writer randomly and hurriedly typed out a story in Word and then just... printed it. No review, no editing, no contemplation... oof, it's just bad. The dialogue is probably the worst part of the book. Characters say things and phrase things in ways that the average person just wouldn't. Conversation feels very forced, very constructed, and just completely unbelievable. The conversations also turn on a dime or end completely abruptly, too. It's just so darn strange! This is just a bad book.
October 11, 2018
This was more of a 1.5 Stars but I rounded up considering I did finish it. All 3 of the main characters were unlike able and hard to relate to. There were a few twists that happened, but most of them were nonsensical! It was as if the author thought she had to put a twist in so BAM, there’s a twist. I wanted to see how it ended so I kept reading. The last 20% was decent. I read a ton of psychological thrillers and the ending of this one I STILL don’t understand. All in all, this was not a book for me.
November 22, 2019
Told from the perspective of Melissa and Aubrey, this was an entertaining read. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but it picked up steam and I enjoyed the ending. There were a few twists, including one I didn’t see. This was a 3.75 for me overall.
March 14, 2018
Wow. Just....wow. Holy guacamole, was this a fantastic thriller. I was on the edge of my seat through the entire book. The entwined narrative between Aubrey and Melissa shows two women on the brink of insanity, both grappling with each other and the world around them as they barrel towards a shocking conclusion. Seriously, that ending? It was an absolute shock that I did not see coming! I look forward to reading more engaging thrillers from this author!
April 1, 2018
This did keep you on your toes. Lots of twists and turns. I was a little bit confused with the ending, but overall a good book that I had to finish right now.
March 14, 2018
Good read! It was pretty twisted psychological story with a great ending.
March 5, 2018
The cover of "Sick Girl" by Rachel Hargrove flashed up on my newsfeed and I knew immediately that I wanted/needed to read it!
This book took me totally by surprise. I thought I knew what was happening as I read - but I really didn't!
Superbly written, I was truly astonished by the last few chapters and I applaud the author on her expertise in hoodwinking me into a false sense of security!
A fabulous read and I cannot wait to read others by this author very soon.
This book took me totally by surprise. I thought I knew what was happening as I read - but I really didn't!
Superbly written, I was truly astonished by the last few chapters and I applaud the author on her expertise in hoodwinking me into a false sense of security!
A fabulous read and I cannot wait to read others by this author very soon.
March 30, 2018
Sick Girl by Rachel Hargrove is one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish. Nothing is as it appears with Aubrey, Melissa, and Tom. This book with grab you from the beginning and will not let go until you’ve reached the twisted, shocking ending. I look forward to more from this author!
March 7, 2019
Love to hate 'em characters (Aubrey is a real treat). The narrative moves at a pace that made me happy to still be in the car after a 2 hour drive to work in the rain in Los Angeles. Because who doesn't like a good shit show every now and again? Even though it isn't perfect, this one still fills the diaper and smears up the back!
March 17, 2018
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book” I guess I am the odd person out, because this book was not a book that I would ever read again. For me it wasn't believable in the least, I do realize everyone doesn't enjoy the same books, but for me this one was a huge disappointment.
March 31, 2018
Ugh....fatal flaw ruined this one for me
I read three-quarters of this book and then realized Ms. Hargrove didn't know what she was talking about because she doesn't know the basics of medicine. The main characters discuss MRI results and Melissa tells Aubry a radiologist told her husband about her test results. Aubry argues that's not possible because "techs" aren't allowed to interpret imaging. Writers are often encouraged to write about what they know and if it's a topic they don't know well, they need to make sure they research it. It is clear here the author doesn't know a radiologist is a highly skilled doctor, not a tech. The book was entertaining enough and a quick read, but this avoidable mistake made me want to rip my hair out. I hope Ms. Hargrove is much more diligent in her research in her next novel.
I read three-quarters of this book and then realized Ms. Hargrove didn't know what she was talking about because she doesn't know the basics of medicine. The main characters discuss MRI results and Melissa tells Aubry a radiologist told her husband about her test results. Aubry argues that's not possible because "techs" aren't allowed to interpret imaging. Writers are often encouraged to write about what they know and if it's a topic they don't know well, they need to make sure they research it. It is clear here the author doesn't know a radiologist is a highly skilled doctor, not a tech. The book was entertaining enough and a quick read, but this avoidable mistake made me want to rip my hair out. I hope Ms. Hargrove is much more diligent in her research in her next novel.
November 5, 2018
5 stars audio. 3.5 stars story. I really enjoyed the story, but there was something about it that I can't pin point at the moment that was off. I guess it's because I figured things out why before I even got to the middle of the story?? If I hadn't, I think I would've enjoyed it more.
January 20, 2021
Woah! If you are looking for a book with one hell of a twist, that will leave you with your jaw dropped.... THIS IS IT!!
It’s my first book by this author but I look forward to reading more by her.
It’s my first book by this author but I look forward to reading more by her.
Want to read
April 4, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/4/2020)! 🎁
March 4, 2018
I received this ARC of Rachel Hargrove’s debut novel. She is truly talented. I enjoyed the flow of chapters and the intricacies of her characters. The descriptions are very visual.
Aubrey can’t take her eyes off of her. She’s been following her for weeks. Stalking her. She knows her every move. Taking the same yoga classes just to stay on her. Aubrey wants what she has. She wants Tom. He makes her forget her disease. He’s perfect. He’s married. So his wife, Melissa, must go.
Melissa has everything most women covet. The expensive car, twice weekly yoga, gourmet coffee mornings, Whole Foods as her go-to grocer, Cold-pressed juice stocks her fridge, the husband with the Swedish ancestry good looks and more. She also has cancer. “Cancer is a hurricane, leaving nothing but devastation and pain in its path.” Can she survive what is heading her way?
Aubrey can’t take her eyes off of her. She’s been following her for weeks. Stalking her. She knows her every move. Taking the same yoga classes just to stay on her. Aubrey wants what she has. She wants Tom. He makes her forget her disease. He’s perfect. He’s married. So his wife, Melissa, must go.
Melissa has everything most women covet. The expensive car, twice weekly yoga, gourmet coffee mornings, Whole Foods as her go-to grocer, Cold-pressed juice stocks her fridge, the husband with the Swedish ancestry good looks and more. She also has cancer. “Cancer is a hurricane, leaving nothing but devastation and pain in its path.” Can she survive what is heading her way?
May 18, 2019
The only reason this book gets 3 stars instead of 2 is that it kept me up until 4 a.m. finishing it when I intended to read a completely different book at bedtime.
Note: Not kidding about the spoilers. Absolutely do not read if you intend to read the book.
The flaw in this book, as in many thrillers, is the emphasis is all on the plot, and the characters, although at first appearing to be normal, considering their situation, end up being total caricatures. The plot, however, is a corker. I will definitely give Rachel Hargrove's next book a try.
Note: Not kidding about the spoilers. Absolutely do not read if you intend to read the book.
The flaw in this book, as in many thrillers, is the emphasis is all on the plot, and the characters, although at first appearing to be normal, considering their situation, end up being total caricatures. The plot, however, is a corker. I will definitely give Rachel Hargrove's next book a try.
February 25, 2018
Wow, this book captured me from beginning to end. I don’t want to give too much away but Aubrey is in love with Melissa’s husband Tom and she wants her gone. As the story progresses things change and not everything is how it seems. Thank you to Rachel Hargrove for my advanced copy. I look forward to reading more books from you!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 189 reviews