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Thicker Than Water
Julia and Sienna Larkin are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia's husband and Sienna's brother, Jason. More than that, the two have been devoted best friends since Jason introduced them. To Sienna, Jason can do no wrong, and although Julia knows he's not perfect, they've built a comfortable life and family together. Recently, Jason has been putting in long hours to secure a promotion at work, so when his boss is found brutally murdered--his lips sewn shut--the Larkins are shocked and unsettled, especially as local gossip swirls.
A few days later, Julia and Sienna's lives are upended when Jason gets into a car accident and is placed in a medically induced coma. Worse, the police arrive with news that he's the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With Jason unable to respond--and with Julia and Sienna working to clear his name--the two women find their friendship threatened for the first time: Sienna staunchly maintains her brother's innocence, but as their investigation uncovers a complicated web of secrets, Julia is less sure she's willing to defend her husband.
A few days later, Julia and Sienna's lives are upended when Jason gets into a car accident and is placed in a medically induced coma. Worse, the police arrive with news that he's the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With Jason unable to respond--and with Julia and Sienna working to clear his name--the two women find their friendship threatened for the first time: Sienna staunchly maintains her brother's innocence, but as their investigation uncovers a complicated web of secrets, Julia is less sure she's willing to defend her husband.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2023
505 people are currently reading
23220 people want to read
About the author
Megan Collins
5 books1,817 followersMegan Collins is the author of CROSS MY HEART, THE FAMILY PLOT, THE WINTER SISTER, and more. She teaches creative writing and is the managing editor of 3Elements Review. She lives in Connecticut, where she obsesses over dogs, miniatures, and cake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,004 reviews
April 21, 2023
Slow-burn Drama
3.35 stars
Thicker Than Water is a mystery/domestic drama about a murder and the secrets and lies that threaten to destroy a family.
Julia and Sienna are more than sisters-in-law--they are best friends and business partners until Jason, Julia’s husband, gets in a car accident and is put in an induced coma. Both are shocked when he is named a suspect in his boss's murder. The challenge to clear Jason’s name puts their friendship at risk.
Chapters alternate between Julia and Sienna’s POV. Julia's a more calming voice, whereas Sienna is loud and angry. Sienna irked me, especially in her ability to only see in black and white. However, I found her chapters more interesting because she is reactive, which put her in some questionable situations, whereas Julia’s chapters are focused on what she is experiencing internally. Both characters are well-developed and show growth.
There are two main storylines: the friendship between Sienna and Julia and the mystery behind the murder of Jason's boss Gavin. They balance each other out well.
It took me a while to get into this book. The pace is slow, and I wasn’t particularly intrigued by the plot. I kept reading to see how events played out since I figured out the killer early on. Once more details were revealed about the victim and suspect, I became more invested. There are also some light twists and turns.
The ending/reveal felt a bit rushed. I wish additional POVs were shared to add some layers to the plot and motive behind the murder.
Collins is growing on me. I enjoy her writing style and her characters. Her stories are low on the intrigue and suspense that I enjoy in mysteries and thrillers, which is why I enjoyed the domestic drama plotline more than the mystery.
Overall, this is a straightforward, character-driven read that explores female friendship and family/marriage dynamics.
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss plus and Maudee Genao from Simon and Schuster.
3.35 stars
Thicker Than Water is a mystery/domestic drama about a murder and the secrets and lies that threaten to destroy a family.
Julia and Sienna are more than sisters-in-law--they are best friends and business partners until Jason, Julia’s husband, gets in a car accident and is put in an induced coma. Both are shocked when he is named a suspect in his boss's murder. The challenge to clear Jason’s name puts their friendship at risk.
Chapters alternate between Julia and Sienna’s POV. Julia's a more calming voice, whereas Sienna is loud and angry. Sienna irked me, especially in her ability to only see in black and white. However, I found her chapters more interesting because she is reactive, which put her in some questionable situations, whereas Julia’s chapters are focused on what she is experiencing internally. Both characters are well-developed and show growth.
There are two main storylines: the friendship between Sienna and Julia and the mystery behind the murder of Jason's boss Gavin. They balance each other out well.
It took me a while to get into this book. The pace is slow, and I wasn’t particularly intrigued by the plot. I kept reading to see how events played out since I figured out the killer early on. Once more details were revealed about the victim and suspect, I became more invested. There are also some light twists and turns.
The ending/reveal felt a bit rushed. I wish additional POVs were shared to add some layers to the plot and motive behind the murder.
Collins is growing on me. I enjoy her writing style and her characters. Her stories are low on the intrigue and suspense that I enjoy in mysteries and thrillers, which is why I enjoyed the domestic drama plotline more than the mystery.
Overall, this is a straightforward, character-driven read that explores female friendship and family/marriage dynamics.
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss plus and Maudee Genao from Simon and Schuster.
October 16, 2023
“Thicker than water” is absolutely riveting, thought provoking, character driving, well developed psychological mystery from the creative mind of Megan Collins.
The complex, dysfunctional relationship patterns between layered, multidimensional characters, the twisty murder mystery as the questions raising up about who you can trust, the heart wrenching, skillfully wrapped up ending with surprising revelations are absolutely highlights of the book.
All those characters are realistically portrayed. Their mistakes, flaws, weaknesses, powers, obsessions, dynamics are reflected honestly.
The story revolves around Julia- Sienna: bride and sister-in law.
Julia: 38, copywriter, married with Jason at young age, raising their teenage son Aiden at Jason’s childhood house. Interestingly at the young age, with so many trust issues she’s burdened from her mother, she accepts to marry with Jason because she’s clicked with her sister Sienna as soon as they’ve met. They are polar opposites, become partners in work. They were there for each other during the toughest times: including Julia’s giving birth to his son and Sienna’s break up from his fiancée Wyatt who cheated on her!
Julia holds her emotions back as Sienna regulates them for her, becoming her voice and her defender to the outside world. She’s more patient, restrained, logical, calm person as Sienna is impulsive, tempered, reactive.
And Jason is a good man with savior complex that causes putting the other people first. After losing his parents at a tragic hit&run, his savior complex, protecting the others starting from his sister Sienna escalates, turning into an obsession.
Both Julia and Sienna keep secrets from each other. Julia didn’t talk about her marriage problems with Jason who withdrew 10 thousand dollars from their joint account to go to their belated honeymoon in Europe they never had before. Sienna also keeps secret she still sees her ex Wyatt again.
But three things happen that change their lives: Jason’s boss Gavin gets brutally murdered. Jason gets into car accident that placed him into medically induced coma. He becomes prime suspect of his boss’ murder investigation.
Julia and Sienna team up to prove Jason's innocence, but their investigation raises questions about their relationship patterns and the true nature of their bond.
Overall: The characterization is excellent, although the mystery aspect is somewhat predictable. The ending is satisfying and makes readers look forward to reading more from Megan Collins. Her writing style is skillful and engaging.
A special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this amazing digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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The complex, dysfunctional relationship patterns between layered, multidimensional characters, the twisty murder mystery as the questions raising up about who you can trust, the heart wrenching, skillfully wrapped up ending with surprising revelations are absolutely highlights of the book.
All those characters are realistically portrayed. Their mistakes, flaws, weaknesses, powers, obsessions, dynamics are reflected honestly.
The story revolves around Julia- Sienna: bride and sister-in law.
Julia: 38, copywriter, married with Jason at young age, raising their teenage son Aiden at Jason’s childhood house. Interestingly at the young age, with so many trust issues she’s burdened from her mother, she accepts to marry with Jason because she’s clicked with her sister Sienna as soon as they’ve met. They are polar opposites, become partners in work. They were there for each other during the toughest times: including Julia’s giving birth to his son and Sienna’s break up from his fiancée Wyatt who cheated on her!
Julia holds her emotions back as Sienna regulates them for her, becoming her voice and her defender to the outside world. She’s more patient, restrained, logical, calm person as Sienna is impulsive, tempered, reactive.
And Jason is a good man with savior complex that causes putting the other people first. After losing his parents at a tragic hit&run, his savior complex, protecting the others starting from his sister Sienna escalates, turning into an obsession.
Both Julia and Sienna keep secrets from each other. Julia didn’t talk about her marriage problems with Jason who withdrew 10 thousand dollars from their joint account to go to their belated honeymoon in Europe they never had before. Sienna also keeps secret she still sees her ex Wyatt again.
But three things happen that change their lives: Jason’s boss Gavin gets brutally murdered. Jason gets into car accident that placed him into medically induced coma. He becomes prime suspect of his boss’ murder investigation.
Julia and Sienna team up to prove Jason's innocence, but their investigation raises questions about their relationship patterns and the true nature of their bond.
Overall: The characterization is excellent, although the mystery aspect is somewhat predictable. The ending is satisfying and makes readers look forward to reading more from Megan Collins. Her writing style is skillful and engaging.
A special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this amazing digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
medium blog
February 7, 2025
Idk... I don't really get on very well with domestic thrillers in general... they don't really keep me hooked and seem to be on the tamer side of things. Not many twists and turns in this one. It was all pretty predictable.
Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-laws, but they’re more than that – they’re devoted best friends and business partners. Sienna thinks her brother can do no hard, and Julia adores him for their picturesque life.
Jason’s been putting in long hours at work trying to get a promotion but when his boss if found brutally murdered, everyone is shocked. Days later Jason gets into a horrible car accident and is in a coma. He quickly becomes the prime suspect for his boss’s murder.
As Julia and Sienna work diligently to prove Jason didn’t do it, surprises truths come to light. With their friendship being tested at every turn, they aren’t sure if any of their relationships will survive.
I enjoyed the plot, but the pacing felt a little off. I never really got pulled and and gripped by the story. It was very well written and I listened to this on audio - I thought that the narrators did a fantastic job.
The alternating POV's between Julia and Sienna was great and kept things moving... I wish there was a little more mystery and some actual twists.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-laws, but they’re more than that – they’re devoted best friends and business partners. Sienna thinks her brother can do no hard, and Julia adores him for their picturesque life.
Jason’s been putting in long hours at work trying to get a promotion but when his boss if found brutally murdered, everyone is shocked. Days later Jason gets into a horrible car accident and is in a coma. He quickly becomes the prime suspect for his boss’s murder.
As Julia and Sienna work diligently to prove Jason didn’t do it, surprises truths come to light. With their friendship being tested at every turn, they aren’t sure if any of their relationships will survive.
I enjoyed the plot, but the pacing felt a little off. I never really got pulled and and gripped by the story. It was very well written and I listened to this on audio - I thought that the narrators did a fantastic job.
The alternating POV's between Julia and Sienna was great and kept things moving... I wish there was a little more mystery and some actual twists.
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
July 23, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Maudee Genao at Atria and Megan Collins for a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Now available as of 7.11!**
Part of getting married is "marrying" the family too...and Sienna considers herself lucky that her brother Jason married Julia, truly the soul sister she never had. The two have been inseparable since they met, and one thing the two of them agree on (above all else!) is that Jason doesn't have a cruel bone in his body. But then Jason ends up in a car accident that leaves him in a coma...on the SAME night that his boss is murdered and silenced in more ways than one (the perp actually sows his lips shut! 🤐)
Jason's left unable to explain his motive, and he becomes Numero Uno on the suspect list. As the two women dive into Jason's past and present, looking for clues and questioning work colleagues, are they bound to discover that the man they thought they knew best had a darker side? Or is Jason simply a pawn in a large and devastating scheme...one where he's doomed to take his secrets to the grave?
Megan Collins is one of those authors that I've never had GREAT success reading, but I always look forward to picking up her books for one reason: her creativity. She has created some truly creepy scenarios in her previous work, with characters that are larger than life at times, but have an unusual and memorable bent that sets her apart from others in the genre. She isn't afraid to take chances and stray from the norm.
So imagine my surprise picking up this book and finding...well, the complete opposite of that. This book is not only bland, but it felt as BASIC as a bowl of Cream of Wheat. I didn't get that surprise of pop and flavor and instead just sort of plodded along through the slow-moving narrative, hoping there would at least be a dramatic ending or an out-of-left-field perp: but this too, I guessed pretty early on and the 'twists' were fairly mild anyway.
What could have made this book stand out would have been dynamic and interesting characters...but I never felt connected to Sienna OR Julia (and let's face it, with Jason in a coma for a good chunk of the book, not much potential for connection there either). I think this hit a little bit harder for me because I KNOW Collins can write off-kilter, several screws loose sort of characters, and there was only ONE in this book...but even this individual wasn't too compelling. I wanted to hear more from Jason and Julia's son Aiden too, who could have been a fascinating character but acted more as a trigger for certain plot points than anything else. I appreciate the female friendship between the two leads and it was written well enough, but felt pretty tame in the grand scheme of things and there was also room for development here that simply never came to pass.
I keep waiting to be wowed by Megan Collins and will most likely continue to read her books, despite my disappointment with this one. Much like an office friendship that COULD develop over time, it's all about having the bravery to leave the proverbial office and just TALK about something other than work. Collins isn't afraid to take the long lunch: I feel like she just needs to find the perfect companion.
3.5 stars
Part of getting married is "marrying" the family too...and Sienna considers herself lucky that her brother Jason married Julia, truly the soul sister she never had. The two have been inseparable since they met, and one thing the two of them agree on (above all else!) is that Jason doesn't have a cruel bone in his body. But then Jason ends up in a car accident that leaves him in a coma...on the SAME night that his boss is murdered and silenced in more ways than one (the perp actually sows his lips shut! 🤐)
Jason's left unable to explain his motive, and he becomes Numero Uno on the suspect list. As the two women dive into Jason's past and present, looking for clues and questioning work colleagues, are they bound to discover that the man they thought they knew best had a darker side? Or is Jason simply a pawn in a large and devastating scheme...one where he's doomed to take his secrets to the grave?
Megan Collins is one of those authors that I've never had GREAT success reading, but I always look forward to picking up her books for one reason: her creativity. She has created some truly creepy scenarios in her previous work, with characters that are larger than life at times, but have an unusual and memorable bent that sets her apart from others in the genre. She isn't afraid to take chances and stray from the norm.
So imagine my surprise picking up this book and finding...well, the complete opposite of that. This book is not only bland, but it felt as BASIC as a bowl of Cream of Wheat. I didn't get that surprise of pop and flavor and instead just sort of plodded along through the slow-moving narrative, hoping there would at least be a dramatic ending or an out-of-left-field perp: but this too, I guessed pretty early on and the 'twists' were fairly mild anyway.
What could have made this book stand out would have been dynamic and interesting characters...but I never felt connected to Sienna OR Julia (and let's face it, with Jason in a coma for a good chunk of the book, not much potential for connection there either). I think this hit a little bit harder for me because I KNOW Collins can write off-kilter, several screws loose sort of characters, and there was only ONE in this book...but even this individual wasn't too compelling. I wanted to hear more from Jason and Julia's son Aiden too, who could have been a fascinating character but acted more as a trigger for certain plot points than anything else. I appreciate the female friendship between the two leads and it was written well enough, but felt pretty tame in the grand scheme of things and there was also room for development here that simply never came to pass.
I keep waiting to be wowed by Megan Collins and will most likely continue to read her books, despite my disappointment with this one. Much like an office friendship that COULD develop over time, it's all about having the bravery to leave the proverbial office and just TALK about something other than work. Collins isn't afraid to take the long lunch: I feel like she just needs to find the perfect companion.
3.5 stars
March 5, 2023
After LOVING The Family Plot… I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book!! I was so lucky to win a giveaway and WOW 🤩 it did not disappoint!! 5 suspense filled stars!!! ⭐️ Pub date is 7/11/23! Let me just tell you about this page turner…😉
In the very first chapter… a murder… and a creepy one… 😳…well like there is any other kind..🤷♀️… however this creepy vibe was off the charts… the victim was found suffocated with his lips 👄 sewn 🧵 shut! 😳😳😳 Right? Oh but things get worse…
It’s your husband’s boss… 😳…whom your husband hates..🤫…and your husband may not have an alibi… or he might…😬… who knows… 🤷♀️…because your husband can’t speak right now.. as he has had an accident..😟…
So when the police 🚔 come knocking on your door 🚪.. Do you really know your husband?? 🤔🤔
I couldn’t put this book down!!! Why? First off it was so suspenseful!! There was some sketchy business going on 😏and my mind was all over the place trying to figure out… WHAT exactly were these peeps up to?? 🤔 WHO was involved? Yeah I never figured it out. 🤨😂 Great twists!!!👏
I loved the two POV’s of Jason’s wife Julia and his sister Sienna. You know that saying Blood 🩸 is Thicker than Water? 💧 Well this will have you questioning EVERYTHING and EVERYONE!! I Loved it!!!
@megancollinswriter KILLED it 🔥 🔥🔥 AGAIN!! If you read The Family Plot… you know she knows how to keep the creepy vibes going!! I still need to read the rest of her backlist!! 🤩
More of my reviews can be found @ https://www.instagram.com/itsallabout...
In the very first chapter… a murder… and a creepy one… 😳…well like there is any other kind..🤷♀️… however this creepy vibe was off the charts… the victim was found suffocated with his lips 👄 sewn 🧵 shut! 😳😳😳 Right? Oh but things get worse…
It’s your husband’s boss… 😳…whom your husband hates..🤫…and your husband may not have an alibi… or he might…😬… who knows… 🤷♀️…because your husband can’t speak right now.. as he has had an accident..😟…
So when the police 🚔 come knocking on your door 🚪.. Do you really know your husband?? 🤔🤔
I couldn’t put this book down!!! Why? First off it was so suspenseful!! There was some sketchy business going on 😏and my mind was all over the place trying to figure out… WHAT exactly were these peeps up to?? 🤔 WHO was involved? Yeah I never figured it out. 🤨😂 Great twists!!!👏
I loved the two POV’s of Jason’s wife Julia and his sister Sienna. You know that saying Blood 🩸 is Thicker than Water? 💧 Well this will have you questioning EVERYTHING and EVERYONE!! I Loved it!!!
@megancollinswriter KILLED it 🔥 🔥🔥 AGAIN!! If you read The Family Plot… you know she knows how to keep the creepy vibes going!! I still need to read the rest of her backlist!! 🤩
More of my reviews can be found @ https://www.instagram.com/itsallabout...
July 28, 2023
3.5🌟
Family and friendship… can either hold up when the police come calling?
Julia and Jason have been married for years. They rushed into it when Julia became pregnant, eventually settling into a comfortable life.
Sienna is Jason’s sister. She quickly became besties with Julia (seriously this friendship bordered on obsession). Even went into business together, and are always inseparable.
But when Jason’s boss is found murdered he becomes the number one suspect. And Jason isn’t talking, having recently ending up in the ICU following a car accident. This leaves it’s up to Julia and Sienna to clear Jason’s name.
And they may find more than they bargained for. Will their friendship survive?
I think there was a good mystery in there somewhere but it got lost in the friendship between the two women. And honestly, I didn’t care for either character.
As far as the crime? This one didn’t even require me to dust off my detective’s cap. I had it figured out very early on.
This is my third read from this author, all averaging three-stars. Perhaps we just aren’t clicking as well as I’d hoped?💁🏻♀️.
But there are numerous positive reviews for this book so I hope it delivers all the stars to you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books
Family and friendship… can either hold up when the police come calling?
Julia and Jason have been married for years. They rushed into it when Julia became pregnant, eventually settling into a comfortable life.
Sienna is Jason’s sister. She quickly became besties with Julia (seriously this friendship bordered on obsession). Even went into business together, and are always inseparable.
But when Jason’s boss is found murdered he becomes the number one suspect. And Jason isn’t talking, having recently ending up in the ICU following a car accident. This leaves it’s up to Julia and Sienna to clear Jason’s name.
And they may find more than they bargained for. Will their friendship survive?
I think there was a good mystery in there somewhere but it got lost in the friendship between the two women. And honestly, I didn’t care for either character.
As far as the crime? This one didn’t even require me to dust off my detective’s cap. I had it figured out very early on.
This is my third read from this author, all averaging three-stars. Perhaps we just aren’t clicking as well as I’d hoped?💁🏻♀️.
But there are numerous positive reviews for this book so I hope it delivers all the stars to you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books
August 9, 2023
Actual rating: 2,5
I got Thicker Than Water unsolicited from the publisher in an exchange for an honest review.
The premise sounded interesting and I was excited to dive into it.
However, the more I read the less excited I was, as I found myself being bored most of the time.
The story is character driven and I would categorize it as drama more then a thriller.
It had mystery elements, but not once I felt like the characters in the book were in dangeour or like we didn't know what was going on (or maybe I just didn't care enough).
I have to phrase the character development, as both main characters, Jules and Sienna were well described and I as a reader had a feeling I got to know them pretty well. They were realistic and I appreciate the way all the things that happened to them affected their personalities, and in the end, both of them changed.
I did enjoy the book but I have to admit I expected more.
In sharp, this is a story about a guy in a coma, two women playing detectives but not once were they in dangeour, and a son, who maybe should be suspicious but not once I found him that way. I just still can't believe that a son wouldn't pay a visit to his father in a hospital.
I think the story would work better as a cozy mystery then a thriller.
I got Thicker Than Water unsolicited from the publisher in an exchange for an honest review.
The premise sounded interesting and I was excited to dive into it.
However, the more I read the less excited I was, as I found myself being bored most of the time.
The story is character driven and I would categorize it as drama more then a thriller.
It had mystery elements, but not once I felt like the characters in the book were in dangeour or like we didn't know what was going on (or maybe I just didn't care enough).
I have to phrase the character development, as both main characters, Jules and Sienna were well described and I as a reader had a feeling I got to know them pretty well. They were realistic and I appreciate the way all the things that happened to them affected their personalities, and in the end, both of them changed.
I did enjoy the book but I have to admit I expected more.
In sharp, this is a story about a guy in a coma, two women playing detectives but not once were they in dangeour, and a son, who maybe should be suspicious but not once I found him that way. I just still can't believe that a son wouldn't pay a visit to his father in a hospital.
I think the story would work better as a cozy mystery then a thriller.
August 1, 2023
Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia's husband and Sienna's brother Jason. But more importantly than that, the two are devoted best friends, and business partners, believing their friendship is unique and share an unbreakable bond. In Sienna's eyes, her protective brother can do no wrong. With her biased loyalty, Sienna and Julie must cope with the fallout from his hasty decisions. Lately, Jason has been working long hours to secure a job promotion. The Larkins are shocked and unsettled when told that Gavin, Jason's boss, has been brutally murdered; his lips sewn shut. Is someone sending a message? The Larkin's are shocked by what has transpired; as the local gossip starts, they become unsettled by it. A few days later, after hearing that Jason was in a car accident, the doctors placed him in a medically induced coma. The Larkin family is devastated by the news.
Furthermore, Jason becomes the primary suspect in the horrific murder of his boss. Their friendship is tested because of Sienna's unwavering belief in her brother's innocence, while Julia isn't as sure. Together they must work to discover the truth and learn more about each other's past. The secrets that the family kept hidden in the dark come to light. I don't want to say too much more. I don't want to reveal any spoilers.
I enjoyed how Collins examines the bonds of family, love, and friendship and masterfully explores the meaning of guilt and forgiveness. The fragility of relationships raises some tough questions about how well we know our family and ourselves. The dark secrets will either tear this family apart— or bring them together. At some point in our lives, we've all lied to ourselves. So we don't have to confront the awful truths that we are not ready or able to face.
The book became repetitive, which was frustrating, and I felt that there was far too much explaining rather than letting the reader being able to read between the lines. The book dragged on, especially in the middle, but improved somewhat by the end. Unfortunately, at that point, my interest was waning. I had difficulty connecting with the characters. I found them to be undeveloped. I could sympathize with Julie, who was primarily silent, always compromising to please others, and rarely spoke her mind. The abrupt ending left me with more questions than answers. These things took away from my ability to connect with the storyline.
Thicker Than Water was my first time reading a Megan Collins book.I would recommend it for readers who enjoy slow-burn domestic mystery.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC of Thicker Than Water in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Sexual Harassment and assault
Furthermore, Jason becomes the primary suspect in the horrific murder of his boss. Their friendship is tested because of Sienna's unwavering belief in her brother's innocence, while Julia isn't as sure. Together they must work to discover the truth and learn more about each other's past. The secrets that the family kept hidden in the dark come to light. I don't want to say too much more. I don't want to reveal any spoilers.
I enjoyed how Collins examines the bonds of family, love, and friendship and masterfully explores the meaning of guilt and forgiveness. The fragility of relationships raises some tough questions about how well we know our family and ourselves. The dark secrets will either tear this family apart— or bring them together. At some point in our lives, we've all lied to ourselves. So we don't have to confront the awful truths that we are not ready or able to face.
The book became repetitive, which was frustrating, and I felt that there was far too much explaining rather than letting the reader being able to read between the lines. The book dragged on, especially in the middle, but improved somewhat by the end. Unfortunately, at that point, my interest was waning. I had difficulty connecting with the characters. I found them to be undeveloped. I could sympathize with Julie, who was primarily silent, always compromising to please others, and rarely spoke her mind. The abrupt ending left me with more questions than answers. These things took away from my ability to connect with the storyline.
Thicker Than Water was my first time reading a Megan Collins book.I would recommend it for readers who enjoy slow-burn domestic mystery.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC of Thicker Than Water in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
⚠️Trigger Warnings ⚠️
Sexual Harassment and assault
August 15, 2023
Thicker than Water starts off with a bang and never lets up! Collins has crafted a taut, emotionally-charged, and propulsive thriller that will have you burning through the pages until you reach the completely unpredictable and shocking conclusion.
May 29, 2023
Julia and Sienna are sisters-in-law. Julia is married to Sienna's brother, Jason. They have been best friends since Jason introduced them and thankfully, they have each other to lean on when Jason gets into a car accident and is left in a medically induced coma. Days earlier Jason's boss had been found murdered with his lips sewn shut.
Julia and Sienna are both shocked when the police arrive and announce that Jason is their chief suspect in his boss’s murder. Julia and Sienna work together to clear his name and their friendship is tested. Sienna believes her brother can do no wrong. Julia knows that Jason has been keeping long hours at work and is shocked when revelations are made about Jason and his secrets are exposed.
This was a slow burn for me, especially in the beginning. As the women began to learn Jason's secrets, things became more interesting for me. This never became a page turner or a book that wowed me; but it did become more enjoyable. How well do we really know someone? Why all the secrets? Who is the killer?
There are a few twists and reveals in this book, but I wasn't invested enough to be wowed by them. I loved The Winter Sister and The Family Plot and thought I would love this one as well. Others are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
We can’t love them all and due to loving two previous books I have read by her, I will happily read her future books.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss 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
Julia and Sienna are both shocked when the police arrive and announce that Jason is their chief suspect in his boss’s murder. Julia and Sienna work together to clear his name and their friendship is tested. Sienna believes her brother can do no wrong. Julia knows that Jason has been keeping long hours at work and is shocked when revelations are made about Jason and his secrets are exposed.
This was a slow burn for me, especially in the beginning. As the women began to learn Jason's secrets, things became more interesting for me. This never became a page turner or a book that wowed me; but it did become more enjoyable. How well do we really know someone? Why all the secrets? Who is the killer?
There are a few twists and reveals in this book, but I wasn't invested enough to be wowed by them. I loved The Winter Sister and The Family Plot and thought I would love this one as well. Others are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
We can’t love them all and due to loving two previous books I have read by her, I will happily read her future books.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss 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
March 16, 2025
Thicker Than Water is the latest suspense release from Megan Collins. This is the second book of hers I've read, but I prefer The Family Plot more than this one. Told from the POV of Julia and her sister-in-law, Sienna, who are in their mid-30s. Julia's married to Jason, who has a car accident and ends up in a coma. Shortly beforehand, his boss was murdered, and the cops find evidence that points to Jason. Julia discovers the secrets he's been keeping and works with Sienna to uncover the truth. Along the path, we learn he may have been cheating with Maeve, an accountant who had troubles with the dead boss too. Toss in a cop, Sienna's ex-lover, and the man who accidentally crashed into Sienna's and Jason's parents two decades ago, killing both of them. Lots to unpack, but more of a slow-burn rather than a thriller. I also didn't find either woman particularly likable or memorable, and we never had a chance to meet Jason, so the reader/character connections were too loose for me. The writing was good, and the plot had a lot of interesting elements, but otherwise it was sorta blah for me. I will still read the author's other two books and then decide whether to continue with her future releases.
February 13, 2024
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
We all know I’m a sucker for a house cover and shame on me because Megan Collins has now fooled me twice with one. I’d like to say after two fails with this author I’ll be passing her up in the future, but I’m an idiot so give me another house on the front and I’ll probably be first in line.
The story here revolves around the brutal murder of Julia’s husband (and Sienna’s brother) Jason’s boss. Found in his own yard stabbed, suffocated and with his lips sewn shut this has the entire town on edge . . . and has Jason as the police’s #1 suspect.
And then things just become a mess beginning with the coppers telling Julia and Sienna to keep their nose out of things, which promptly leads to . . .
You then get some convoluted back story thrown in about a dude from the past who killed Jason and Sienna’s parents as a drunk driver, a coma, multiple sexual harassment/assault subplots and a teenage son who has become distant from his mother. Mess.
Tip to authors: Maybe tell your readers to throw every bit of common sense out of the window or do a teensie lil’ bit of research about how policing, brain injuries and/or medically induced comas work. Also? Maybe don’t have someone be known for their sewing skills if you don’t want us to know the whodunit immediately and then spend the remainder of our reading experience pissed off for wasting our time through hundreds of additional pages.
We all know I’m a sucker for a house cover and shame on me because Megan Collins has now fooled me twice with one. I’d like to say after two fails with this author I’ll be passing her up in the future, but I’m an idiot so give me another house on the front and I’ll probably be first in line.
The story here revolves around the brutal murder of Julia’s husband (and Sienna’s brother) Jason’s boss. Found in his own yard stabbed, suffocated and with his lips sewn shut this has the entire town on edge . . . and has Jason as the police’s #1 suspect.
And then things just become a mess beginning with the coppers telling Julia and Sienna to keep their nose out of things, which promptly leads to . . .
You then get some convoluted back story thrown in about a dude from the past who killed Jason and Sienna’s parents as a drunk driver, a coma, multiple sexual harassment/assault subplots and a teenage son who has become distant from his mother. Mess.
Tip to authors: Maybe tell your readers to throw every bit of common sense out of the window or do a teensie lil’ bit of research about how policing, brain injuries and/or medically induced comas work. Also? Maybe don’t have someone be known for their sewing skills if you don’t want us to know the whodunit immediately and then spend the remainder of our reading experience pissed off for wasting our time through hundreds of additional pages.
July 30, 2023
This was pretty bad. I spent hours reading nonsense with tons of ridiculous behaviors! I think this will be my last Megan Collins book.
September 11, 2023
When Julia met and married her husband, Jason, she gained not only a spouse, but a best friend in his sister, Sienna. Over the years, their friendship has transformed into something more akin to soulmates, even going so far as to enter into business together. For Julia, she cannot imagine a world without Sienna and Jason, as with them she has found a family she thought she’d never have.
Then the unthinkable happens. First, Jason’s boss, Gavin Reed, is found murdered—stabbed, suffocated, and with his lips inconceivably sewn shut—and gossip begins to ripple around town. But then the bottom of Julia and Sienna’s world falls out when they get a terrifying phone call from the hospital. Stunned, they learn that Jason has been in a catastrophic car accident and is currently in a medically induced coma.
To add insult to injury, Julia is horrified to find the police at her door. It seems that while investigating the crash, they have found evidence related to Gavin’s murder in Jason’s car. Neither woman can believe that the man central to their lives could be behind this shocking crime. But with Jason unable to clear his own name, they decide to take it upon themselves to do it for him before he—hopefully—wakes up.
As they get down to business and dig into the circumstances surrounding Gavin’s death, Julia and Sienna come face to face with one secret after another that Jason has kept hidden from them both. For Julia, it’s enough for her to begin questioning everything she’s always believed so strongly in. Does she really know her husband at all? Could Jason have honestly committed such a heinous crime?
For Sienna, however, nothing she learns can sway her belief in her golden brother. Surely there is an explanation for the growing pile of evidence against him. For the first time, the two women stand on opposite divides. One positive her brother couldn’t possibly be to blame and the other hesitant to stake such absolute certainty despite her undying love. Can the two of them come together and prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Jason played no part in Gavin’s murder? Or will he be shuttled off to jail if and when he is lucky enough to wake up?
Holy guacamole! I’m utterly gobsmacked at how dead on perfect Thicker Than Water was. A crafty book that expertly walked a fine line between poignant domestic drama, expertly plotted slow burn thriller, quirky crime fiction, and dynamite mystery, my attention never once wavered from the page. Somehow, I have failed to read Megan Collins’s brilliant words in the past, but one thing I can now guarantee is that I’ll never do so again.
Starting off with a bang, this book had me from hello. More precisely, it was the thoroughly entertaining relationships rife with giggle worthy humor and endearing dynamics that drew me in from the beginning. Especially the human equivalent to black and white: Julia and Sienna. One believed the best and the other the worst which presented an original interplay that allowed me to simply tag along for the ride. Instead of trying to work out the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s, I was keen to just let things unfold, happily clueless to where things were headed until the truly top-notch reveal.
As for the characters, who in and of themselves thoroughly charged the plot, they were complex and riddled with dysfunction to say the least. Not only Julia and Sienna, but Jason as well, they were each true-to-life individuals who came to life for me on the page with very definite weaknesses and flaws. Through them, the plot, while perhaps somewhat predictable, took on a life of its own.
Speaking of that plot, I found it to be pure perfection, to say the least. Even paced and well-written, it was character driven to be sure. Told via dual alternating POVs, I loved getting an inside look at what both Julia and Sienna were thinking and feeling, especially when it came to the climax. While not necessarily one that got my heart pumping, it had my fingers flying through the pages just the same. And that conclusion? Well, let’s just say that it perfectly wrapped everything up without being too sickly sweet, a direction in which it could have easily gone.
The only piece that felt kind of off was how quickly Julia and Sienna “saw the light.” While it worked well in the storyline, in reality, people who are so set in their ways don’t just drop their long held behaviors and realize that they had been oh so wrong. At least, not in my experience. No, there would’ve been progression and regression until a new norm was found.
All said and done, however, this book was so well thought out and deftly plotted that it well and truly won me over hook, line, and sinker. Both riveting and thought provoking, I don’t know quite how Collins pulled it off. After closing the cover, the sisters-in-law’s relationship had me thinking long and hard. After all, while it was definitely a quick, easy read, it also didn’t shy away from making hard-hitting revelations. So, if you have yet to read this one, I definitely think you so do so ASAP. As for me, I’m now headed to Collins’s backlist eager to dive on in. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: car accident, infidelity, mention of: brain bleed, sudden death of parents, fraud, possible drugging, sexism, assault, harassment
Then the unthinkable happens. First, Jason’s boss, Gavin Reed, is found murdered—stabbed, suffocated, and with his lips inconceivably sewn shut—and gossip begins to ripple around town. But then the bottom of Julia and Sienna’s world falls out when they get a terrifying phone call from the hospital. Stunned, they learn that Jason has been in a catastrophic car accident and is currently in a medically induced coma.
To add insult to injury, Julia is horrified to find the police at her door. It seems that while investigating the crash, they have found evidence related to Gavin’s murder in Jason’s car. Neither woman can believe that the man central to their lives could be behind this shocking crime. But with Jason unable to clear his own name, they decide to take it upon themselves to do it for him before he—hopefully—wakes up.
As they get down to business and dig into the circumstances surrounding Gavin’s death, Julia and Sienna come face to face with one secret after another that Jason has kept hidden from them both. For Julia, it’s enough for her to begin questioning everything she’s always believed so strongly in. Does she really know her husband at all? Could Jason have honestly committed such a heinous crime?
For Sienna, however, nothing she learns can sway her belief in her golden brother. Surely there is an explanation for the growing pile of evidence against him. For the first time, the two women stand on opposite divides. One positive her brother couldn’t possibly be to blame and the other hesitant to stake such absolute certainty despite her undying love. Can the two of them come together and prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Jason played no part in Gavin’s murder? Or will he be shuttled off to jail if and when he is lucky enough to wake up?
Holy guacamole! I’m utterly gobsmacked at how dead on perfect Thicker Than Water was. A crafty book that expertly walked a fine line between poignant domestic drama, expertly plotted slow burn thriller, quirky crime fiction, and dynamite mystery, my attention never once wavered from the page. Somehow, I have failed to read Megan Collins’s brilliant words in the past, but one thing I can now guarantee is that I’ll never do so again.
Starting off with a bang, this book had me from hello. More precisely, it was the thoroughly entertaining relationships rife with giggle worthy humor and endearing dynamics that drew me in from the beginning. Especially the human equivalent to black and white: Julia and Sienna. One believed the best and the other the worst which presented an original interplay that allowed me to simply tag along for the ride. Instead of trying to work out the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s, I was keen to just let things unfold, happily clueless to where things were headed until the truly top-notch reveal.
As for the characters, who in and of themselves thoroughly charged the plot, they were complex and riddled with dysfunction to say the least. Not only Julia and Sienna, but Jason as well, they were each true-to-life individuals who came to life for me on the page with very definite weaknesses and flaws. Through them, the plot, while perhaps somewhat predictable, took on a life of its own.
Speaking of that plot, I found it to be pure perfection, to say the least. Even paced and well-written, it was character driven to be sure. Told via dual alternating POVs, I loved getting an inside look at what both Julia and Sienna were thinking and feeling, especially when it came to the climax. While not necessarily one that got my heart pumping, it had my fingers flying through the pages just the same. And that conclusion? Well, let’s just say that it perfectly wrapped everything up without being too sickly sweet, a direction in which it could have easily gone.
The only piece that felt kind of off was how quickly Julia and Sienna “saw the light.” While it worked well in the storyline, in reality, people who are so set in their ways don’t just drop their long held behaviors and realize that they had been oh so wrong. At least, not in my experience. No, there would’ve been progression and regression until a new norm was found.
All said and done, however, this book was so well thought out and deftly plotted that it well and truly won me over hook, line, and sinker. Both riveting and thought provoking, I don’t know quite how Collins pulled it off. After closing the cover, the sisters-in-law’s relationship had me thinking long and hard. After all, while it was definitely a quick, easy read, it also didn’t shy away from making hard-hitting revelations. So, if you have yet to read this one, I definitely think you so do so ASAP. As for me, I’m now headed to Collins’s backlist eager to dive on in. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: car accident, infidelity, mention of: brain bleed, sudden death of parents, fraud, possible drugging, sexism, assault, harassment
July 13, 2023
Megan Collins books are always so twisty and clever. When I heard the synopsis for Thicker Than Water, I could not wait to read it. There is so much happening all the time that you just have to keep reading it. You will not be disappointed with this clever mystery.
Jason’s boss, who he didn’t like very much has been murdered. Jason is the prime suspect in his murder. Jason is also in a coma after a car accident. His wife, Julia, is distraught as is his sister Sienna. They know him better than anyone, he is not a killer. The evidence is pointing that way but they do not want to believe it.
And so begins the investigation by those closest to him. Sienna is the hot headed firecracker, while Julia is more calm, the voice of reason. As they learn more about what happened that night, their friendship begins to struggle under the pressure. Is Jason innocent? Read it to find out.
Thanks so much to the publisher for an early copy of this book to read. Publishes on July 11th
Jason’s boss, who he didn’t like very much has been murdered. Jason is the prime suspect in his murder. Jason is also in a coma after a car accident. His wife, Julia, is distraught as is his sister Sienna. They know him better than anyone, he is not a killer. The evidence is pointing that way but they do not want to believe it.
And so begins the investigation by those closest to him. Sienna is the hot headed firecracker, while Julia is more calm, the voice of reason. As they learn more about what happened that night, their friendship begins to struggle under the pressure. Is Jason innocent? Read it to find out.
Thanks so much to the publisher for an early copy of this book to read. Publishes on July 11th
September 6, 2023
I would say this has been marketed wrong. To me it’s more like a domestic thriller.
My gripe is: if publishers niche genres wrongly the readers (like me) are expecting one thing and getting another. It’s misleading. It may or may not have an effect on the reviews generally but mine is certainly influenced by it.
Luckily for me I do enjoy a domestic thriller/suspense. So this was an ok book for me.
A couple who got together, married and his sister had quite a hit with his wife. They truly liked each other. As friends.
Something happened and the husband ended up in a coma. The accusations flying around had him as a suspect.
That put a strain on the wife and sister in law’s relationship for a while.
It’s a case of all isn’t what it seems at first.
I listened to this one as an audio book and the narrators did a very good job with it.
My gripe is: if publishers niche genres wrongly the readers (like me) are expecting one thing and getting another. It’s misleading. It may or may not have an effect on the reviews generally but mine is certainly influenced by it.
Luckily for me I do enjoy a domestic thriller/suspense. So this was an ok book for me.
A couple who got together, married and his sister had quite a hit with his wife. They truly liked each other. As friends.
Something happened and the husband ended up in a coma. The accusations flying around had him as a suspect.
That put a strain on the wife and sister in law’s relationship for a while.
It’s a case of all isn’t what it seems at first.
I listened to this one as an audio book and the narrators did a very good job with it.
December 18, 2022
Megan Collins is back with another brilliant suspense, THICKER THAN WATER, this time around two sisters-in-law and the man connecting them who’s suspected of murder. Creepy and atmospheric, with quirky and nuanced characters, this is a slow-burn that will have you thinking twice about the people you know. An absolute must-read from an author who continues to impress.
May 14, 2023
Thicker Than Water is centered around best friends and sisters-in-laws, Julia and Sienna. Julia is married to Sienna’s brother Jason. In Sienna’s eyes, her brother Jason is perfect but Julia knows that there is more to her husband than meets the eye.
Julia and Sienna get the call that Jason has been in a horrific car accident and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. To make matters worse, a couple of days later, the police arrive at Jason’s hospital room to let the ladies know that he is a suspect in his boss’s murder.
Since Jason is not capable of telling his story, Julia and Sienna scramble to find answers. And for the very first time, their close bond is starting to shatter.
Another amazing read from one of my favorite thriller authors! Thicker Than Water kept me on my toes! At several points, I was skeptical of every character and was actually surprised when the revelatory twist was revealed.
Thicker Than Water is not only a domestic and psychological thriller, but it's also a family drama. Her characterization of all characters was terrific and I loved the main characters Julia and Sienna. They had a very yin and yang type of relationship- they were very different women but their differences complimented one another.
Megan Collins is one of those authors that deserves more hype! She consistently writes compelling stories that always entertain. Trust me, you will not regret picking up Thicker Than Water. And while you are waiting for its release, check out her prior works The Family Plot (my favorite), Behind the Red Door, and The Winter Sister.
Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins will be available on July 22. A massive thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy!
Julia and Sienna get the call that Jason has been in a horrific car accident and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. To make matters worse, a couple of days later, the police arrive at Jason’s hospital room to let the ladies know that he is a suspect in his boss’s murder.
Since Jason is not capable of telling his story, Julia and Sienna scramble to find answers. And for the very first time, their close bond is starting to shatter.
Another amazing read from one of my favorite thriller authors! Thicker Than Water kept me on my toes! At several points, I was skeptical of every character and was actually surprised when the revelatory twist was revealed.
Thicker Than Water is not only a domestic and psychological thriller, but it's also a family drama. Her characterization of all characters was terrific and I loved the main characters Julia and Sienna. They had a very yin and yang type of relationship- they were very different women but their differences complimented one another.
Megan Collins is one of those authors that deserves more hype! She consistently writes compelling stories that always entertain. Trust me, you will not regret picking up Thicker Than Water. And while you are waiting for its release, check out her prior works The Family Plot (my favorite), Behind the Red Door, and The Winter Sister.
Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins will be available on July 22. A massive thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy!
June 24, 2023
Julia Larkin sometimes thinks she loves her sister-in-law, Sienna, more than her own husband, Jason. Though to Sienna, Jason can do no wrong. For Julia, things are more complicated, especially with Jason working long hours to try to earn a promotion--and a recent betrayal that has Julia questioning everything. Things get even worse when Jason's boss, Gavin, is brutally murdered and Jason is then in a car accident. While he's in a coma, the police tell Julia and Sienna he's the main suspect in Gavin's murder. The two have to try to clear Jason's name while keeping their own friendship intact.
This is a character-driven exploration with a mystery behind it, as Julia and Sienna attempt to discover who killed Gavin. This story focuses more on Julia and Sienna at its core than Gavin's death, delving into their friendship and each of their (oft complicated) relationships with Jason. Sienna, it seems, is infinitely loyal to Jason, while the revelations about Jason make things more complicated for Julia, a pushover in her relationship with her husband. It also seems that she has no problem pretty much abandoning her 14-year-old Aiden, the poor kid, who is left at home while his father festers in a coma and his mother is off doing who knows what.
There's a lot of talk about the past and an incident with Sienna and Jason as teens. For me, there was too much repetition and discussion of feelings (so much angst and emotion) and less forward movement on finding out what happened the night Gavin died. There are no huge surprises in this one--there are some twists, but none were too surprising. Overall, I liked the story, but it wasn't too memorable or spectacular. 3 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review.
This is a character-driven exploration with a mystery behind it, as Julia and Sienna attempt to discover who killed Gavin. This story focuses more on Julia and Sienna at its core than Gavin's death, delving into their friendship and each of their (oft complicated) relationships with Jason. Sienna, it seems, is infinitely loyal to Jason, while the revelations about Jason make things more complicated for Julia, a pushover in her relationship with her husband. It also seems that she has no problem pretty much abandoning her 14-year-old Aiden, the poor kid, who is left at home while his father festers in a coma and his mother is off doing who knows what.
There's a lot of talk about the past and an incident with Sienna and Jason as teens. For me, there was too much repetition and discussion of feelings (so much angst and emotion) and less forward movement on finding out what happened the night Gavin died. There are no huge surprises in this one--there are some twists, but none were too surprising. Overall, I liked the story, but it wasn't too memorable or spectacular. 3 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review.
July 4, 2023
I chose to read this book because I had read and enjoyed Megan Collins' The Family Plot and The Winter Sister and enjoyed them both.
This book centers around a two sisters-in-law, Julia and Sienna. Julia is married to Jason, Sienna's brother. Jason had been putting in long hours at the office for awhile as he worked towards a promotion. Then Jason's boss is killed in a grisly murder where his lips are sewn shut. A few days later, Jason is involved in a car accident which leaves him in a coma. Then the police come and Julia and Sienna find out Jason is the prime suspect in the murder of his boss. The women work towards solving the murder to exonerate Jason. While Sienna is certain Jason didn't do it, Julia begins to have some doubts, threating the women's strong friendship bond.
This was a whodunit that kept me wondering. I have to admit there's quite a lot of evidence pointing to Jason. Did he do it? Who else could it be? I love a good mystery and this one kept me wondering. I think Megan Collins has another hit book!
Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 11, 2023.
This book centers around a two sisters-in-law, Julia and Sienna. Julia is married to Jason, Sienna's brother. Jason had been putting in long hours at the office for awhile as he worked towards a promotion. Then Jason's boss is killed in a grisly murder where his lips are sewn shut. A few days later, Jason is involved in a car accident which leaves him in a coma. Then the police come and Julia and Sienna find out Jason is the prime suspect in the murder of his boss. The women work towards solving the murder to exonerate Jason. While Sienna is certain Jason didn't do it, Julia begins to have some doubts, threating the women's strong friendship bond.
This was a whodunit that kept me wondering. I have to admit there's quite a lot of evidence pointing to Jason. Did he do it? Who else could it be? I love a good mystery and this one kept me wondering. I think Megan Collins has another hit book!
Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 11, 2023.
June 25, 2023
3.5 Stars
When Jason is in a car accident resulting in a medically induced coma, evidence of his boss’ murder is found in his car. While the police hone in on his involvement, his wife, Julia, and his sister, Sienna, both grapple with the information coming to light as they try to discover the truth about the night of the murder and ultimately who Jason really is.
There were times Sienna seemed a bit manic, so hellbent on believing her brother could do no wrong. It was odd to me the high pedestal she put him on. Julia, on the other hand, seemed to shrink beside Sienna’s gregariousness, hiding more in the shadows and silence. Having questions but not being bold enough to ask. It was nice then, at the end, to see them both grow and change from the characters they were at the beginning.
I wasn’t always sure what the truth was or where the clues were leading, so I genuinely enjoyed going along for the ride with both Julia and Sienna. This was as much about murder as it was about family, friendship, and how well you really know someone.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
When Jason is in a car accident resulting in a medically induced coma, evidence of his boss’ murder is found in his car. While the police hone in on his involvement, his wife, Julia, and his sister, Sienna, both grapple with the information coming to light as they try to discover the truth about the night of the murder and ultimately who Jason really is.
There were times Sienna seemed a bit manic, so hellbent on believing her brother could do no wrong. It was odd to me the high pedestal she put him on. Julia, on the other hand, seemed to shrink beside Sienna’s gregariousness, hiding more in the shadows and silence. Having questions but not being bold enough to ask. It was nice then, at the end, to see them both grow and change from the characters they were at the beginning.
I wasn’t always sure what the truth was or where the clues were leading, so I genuinely enjoyed going along for the ride with both Julia and Sienna. This was as much about murder as it was about family, friendship, and how well you really know someone.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
March 15, 2023
This was a unique domestic suspense story where I really empathized with both protagonists. The book centers on sisters-in-law Julia and Sierra; Julia is married to Sierra’s brother Jason. Despite their very close friendship, Julia doesn’t share any issues with Jason with Sierra, who thinks he can do no wrong. When Jason’s boss is murdered and he is in a coma and unable to defend himself, Julia and Sierra have ti put aside their biases and figure out what really happened.
Jason’s character was very interesting to me and I haven’t read about someone like him before. I could easily see why Sierra worshipped him (at least initially) and why those same actions frustrated Julia. The dynamic between all 3 of them felt very real. There was also a good mystery, where the author provides a few reasonable options to who the murderer is.
Overall, this was a good story of both friendship and mystery and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jason’s character was very interesting to me and I haven’t read about someone like him before. I could easily see why Sierra worshipped him (at least initially) and why those same actions frustrated Julia. The dynamic between all 3 of them felt very real. There was also a good mystery, where the author provides a few reasonable options to who the murderer is.
Overall, this was a good story of both friendship and mystery and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2023
4.5⭐️ rounded up!!! Dual storyline told from Julia and Sienna who are sister in laws, Julia is married to Jason and Sienna is his sister. Julia and Sienna are twisted by marriage but have a much deeper bond and always thought they’d be in each others life. A car accident lands Jason in a coma only a few days after his boss was brutally murdered and now evidence has been found in his wrecked car linking him to the murder. Will the girls bond be severed by this news and all the secrets that unfold during the investigation or will it strengthen their bond? Writing for their friendship is phenomenal, you will feel like you know as much about them and their friendship as they do. Writing captures true family dynamics, every relationship has secrets and needs honesty to survive and the ability to view forgiveness differently. I enjoyed this book immensely and will be thinking about this story for awhile.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 12, 2023
Megan Collins fans know just what to expect: beautiful writing, twists and turns, thoughtful character studies, and some MAJORLY creepy details. This is her best yet!
August 7, 2023
This book is a lot of family drama mixed with a murder mystery. I loved the writing style and I devoured this one literally in one sitting. I thought the characters were well developed (even if I didn’t really like any of them). I appreciated that this book was more about family and their dynamics than it was about the murder and the book had the characters really growing. That being said the mystery was good even if it wasn’t as twisty as I might have like. Julia and Sienna may be sisters in law but they are closer than if they’d been sisters. One night they get a call that Jason (Julia’s husband/Sienna’s brother) has been in a car accident and is currently in a coma. While they are at the hospital trying to figure out if he will live the police come and they learn that investigating the accident gave them evidence that Jason murdered his boss the week prior. Sienna and Julia are determined to figure out what really happened before Jason wakes up.
July 20, 2023
3.5 rounded up
Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions, @netgalley and @megancollins for sending me an e-ARC!
➡️THOUGHTS:
Sienna and Julia are super close. Closer than close. Sisters-in-law, besties, all the things! When Julia’s husband Jason gets in a car accident and falls into a coma, they are scared for the future. When Jason’s boss Gavin turns up murdered with his mouth sewn shut, and Jason seems to be the only suspect, they are devastated, and decide to find out the truth.
Julia and Sienna are complete opposites. Sienna is a spitfire, speaks her mind, doesn’t give two sh*ts. Julia is quieter, and doesn’t share her feelings. Their approach to the allegations about Jason are so different, which makes sense. I connected more with Julia, as I am more of a compromiser/make everyone happy/don’t always say what I want to say type of person. (I am working on it!🤣)
This is a slow burn mystery/suspense about murder and family drama. Secrets and lies. If that you enjoy that, you will enjoy this novel, too!
Thank you @thrillerbookloverspromotions, @netgalley and @megancollins for sending me an e-ARC!
➡️THOUGHTS:
Sienna and Julia are super close. Closer than close. Sisters-in-law, besties, all the things! When Julia’s husband Jason gets in a car accident and falls into a coma, they are scared for the future. When Jason’s boss Gavin turns up murdered with his mouth sewn shut, and Jason seems to be the only suspect, they are devastated, and decide to find out the truth.
Julia and Sienna are complete opposites. Sienna is a spitfire, speaks her mind, doesn’t give two sh*ts. Julia is quieter, and doesn’t share her feelings. Their approach to the allegations about Jason are so different, which makes sense. I connected more with Julia, as I am more of a compromiser/make everyone happy/don’t always say what I want to say type of person. (I am working on it!🤣)
This is a slow burn mystery/suspense about murder and family drama. Secrets and lies. If that you enjoy that, you will enjoy this novel, too!
February 16, 2023
1 ⭐️. Well there’s 3 days of my reading time I will never get back. I do not understand the high reviews on this at all. Are they personal friends of the author? Did they even READ the book? This was HANDS down the most annoying book I’ve ever read. I won’t say the WORST because a mystery/thriller book that had a talking house currently holds that title. But this is a very close second!!
I was going to write this review with spoilers but then I thought to myself why bother, there’s really nothing exciting to spoil. I figured out who killed Gavin by 50-60%. It wasn’t a shocker and the ending wasn’t even exciting. The whole book was a long, repetitive SLOW BURN! The characters: Sienna was the worst. Julia wasn’t much better. The only one that I somewhat liked was Wyatt.
Ok, so if you already read the book then you might have picked up on my little “HANDS down” comment above. The reason this book was over the top annoying was the references to hand holding, touching fingers, interlocking hands….over and over and over again! 😖 I swear every chapter mentions hands in one way or another. I wish I would have counted how many times. At 50%, I was screenshotting every mention of hands and sending them to a couple of my friends to see what they would think. I sent them each 32 photos!! And some of those pages having hands mentioned multiple times. Again, this was just from 50% to the end and not even every time it was mentioned. I was seriously at the point that if I saw “hands” one more time, I was going to throw my kindle. Being that this is an advanced copy and can still be edited, I BEG you to go back and change this!!! Although, honestly even if you take out the hands, I still wouldn’t recommend it.
I will conclude by saying that I did read The Family Plot, and I actually really liked it. Sadly, I hated this one so much that I won’t be in any hurry to read any more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for a very honest review.
I was going to write this review with spoilers but then I thought to myself why bother, there’s really nothing exciting to spoil. I figured out who killed Gavin by 50-60%. It wasn’t a shocker and the ending wasn’t even exciting. The whole book was a long, repetitive SLOW BURN! The characters: Sienna was the worst. Julia wasn’t much better. The only one that I somewhat liked was Wyatt.
Ok, so if you already read the book then you might have picked up on my little “HANDS down” comment above. The reason this book was over the top annoying was the references to hand holding, touching fingers, interlocking hands….over and over and over again! 😖 I swear every chapter mentions hands in one way or another. I wish I would have counted how many times. At 50%, I was screenshotting every mention of hands and sending them to a couple of my friends to see what they would think. I sent them each 32 photos!! And some of those pages having hands mentioned multiple times. Again, this was just from 50% to the end and not even every time it was mentioned. I was seriously at the point that if I saw “hands” one more time, I was going to throw my kindle. Being that this is an advanced copy and can still be edited, I BEG you to go back and change this!!! Although, honestly even if you take out the hands, I still wouldn’t recommend it.
I will conclude by saying that I did read The Family Plot, and I actually really liked it. Sadly, I hated this one so much that I won’t be in any hurry to read any more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for a very honest review.
February 10, 2023
Thicker Than Water revolves around two sister in laws , Julia and Sienna Larkin. Julia's husband and Sienna's brother, Jason is in a coma after being involved in a MVI . Jason is also the prime suspect in the murder of Gavin , who was Jason’s boss . Julia and Sienna begin a quest to find out who murder Gavin .
Shortly in the the story the reader is brought into the hospital room where Jason lays in a coma . Julia and Sienna are by Jason’s bedside and they start conversing however their dialogue doesn’t quite fit the gravity of the situation and appears rather absurd .
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. The storyline is repetitive, characters reiterate the same things throughout the various chapters. Towards the middle of the book the story takes too long to progress and flatlines , at this point I was just eager to finish with the end no where in sight . The book is label as a thriller but I definitely didn’t get any thrills, it was also not a great mystery as I think most readers will become aware early on of the twist/mystery.
On a positive note , the author does interweaves some important themes in the book such as how bias can hide the truth that is right in front of us .
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in return for an unbiased review .
Shortly in the the story the reader is brought into the hospital room where Jason lays in a coma . Julia and Sienna are by Jason’s bedside and they start conversing however their dialogue doesn’t quite fit the gravity of the situation and appears rather absurd .
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. The storyline is repetitive, characters reiterate the same things throughout the various chapters. Towards the middle of the book the story takes too long to progress and flatlines , at this point I was just eager to finish with the end no where in sight . The book is label as a thriller but I definitely didn’t get any thrills, it was also not a great mystery as I think most readers will become aware early on of the twist/mystery.
On a positive note , the author does interweaves some important themes in the book such as how bias can hide the truth that is right in front of us .
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in return for an unbiased review .
August 23, 2023
If we are going with full disclosure in this review, then I must mention my dislike for Megan Collins' last 2 novels. I honestly wasn't going to pick up anything else from her, and then I accidentally requested Thicker Than Water on NetGalley because I got my Megan's confused. Well, now I couldn't be happier that I did, and I'm so glad that even though it was an accident, I didn't completely give up on Collins. My issue with her books has always been her characters, and I have loathed how idiotic her FMCs are. Thankfully, Julia and Sienna are NOTHING like the others, and they were seriously the best. I loved that the author took a new take on the domestic thriller and used sisters-in-law to walk us through this story and get to the shocking conclusion. I loved being in both of their heads through alternating viewpoints, and they were not quite loveable, but I enjoyed them anyway.
I would also recommend listening to the audiobook and I got loads of enjoyment from listening to Gail Shalan & Emily Tremaine narrate. They were perfectly cast for their characters, and they did a beautiful job bringing Julia and Sienna to life. While there was crime and a mystery going on, that was really just a small fraction of what the book was truly about. At the same time, I also loved the mystery aspect, and the women, especially Sienna, are quick to put on their thinking caps and try to figure out who killed Jason's boss. Because it can't be him, right? I loved following where the clues took me, and I loved how surprised I was by the end even if I did finally start to see it coming a bit right before the big reveal. There is some repetition to the story, but it was fairly minimal and didn't end up bothering me as much as it sometimes does. Collins has officially redeemed herself in my eyes, and now I will definitely be giving her next book a shot!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I would also recommend listening to the audiobook and I got loads of enjoyment from listening to Gail Shalan & Emily Tremaine narrate. They were perfectly cast for their characters, and they did a beautiful job bringing Julia and Sienna to life. While there was crime and a mystery going on, that was really just a small fraction of what the book was truly about. At the same time, I also loved the mystery aspect, and the women, especially Sienna, are quick to put on their thinking caps and try to figure out who killed Jason's boss. Because it can't be him, right? I loved following where the clues took me, and I loved how surprised I was by the end even if I did finally start to see it coming a bit right before the big reveal. There is some repetition to the story, but it was fairly minimal and didn't end up bothering me as much as it sometimes does. Collins has officially redeemed herself in my eyes, and now I will definitely be giving her next book a shot!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 19, 2023
Review coming soon.
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