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Shades of Her
She’s being watched when she doesn’t want to be seen…
When former beauty pageant queen, Sage Miller, leaves her life in New York City for a quiet life in the suburbs down South, she thinks she has finally found solace from her dark past riddled with bad habits. Sage, now married and a stay-at-home mom of two, is learning that you can have it all… just not at the same time, and not unless you get creative. Replacing her tiara with a messy bun and late-night parties with rocking her young children to sleep, her new life behind a white picket fence seems like the cleanest place to hide her dirtiest secrets.
A slew of murders, suspicious events, and devious affairs begin to unravel in the sweet suburbs Sage calls home, and she realizes that something far more sinister is happening. She thought she enjoyed being watched and wanted, but now someone is watching her when she doesn’t want to be seen. Someone is lurking in her shadows, obsessing over her, and digging up secrets she thought were buried.
The only problem with secrets is once someone knows them, they will either protect you fiercely or fiercely destroy you. After receiving startling images and messages, Sage quickly realizes that once you’re a sinner, no amount of repentance can make you a saint.
Roses are red, violets are blue, someone is dead, let’s hope it’s not you…
When former beauty pageant queen, Sage Miller, leaves her life in New York City for a quiet life in the suburbs down South, she thinks she has finally found solace from her dark past riddled with bad habits. Sage, now married and a stay-at-home mom of two, is learning that you can have it all… just not at the same time, and not unless you get creative. Replacing her tiara with a messy bun and late-night parties with rocking her young children to sleep, her new life behind a white picket fence seems like the cleanest place to hide her dirtiest secrets.
A slew of murders, suspicious events, and devious affairs begin to unravel in the sweet suburbs Sage calls home, and she realizes that something far more sinister is happening. She thought she enjoyed being watched and wanted, but now someone is watching her when she doesn’t want to be seen. Someone is lurking in her shadows, obsessing over her, and digging up secrets she thought were buried.
The only problem with secrets is once someone knows them, they will either protect you fiercely or fiercely destroy you. After receiving startling images and messages, Sage quickly realizes that once you’re a sinner, no amount of repentance can make you a saint.
Roses are red, violets are blue, someone is dead, let’s hope it’s not you…
354 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2022
311 people are currently reading
2975 people want to read
About the author
Monica Arya
12 books1,850 followersMonica Arya is an Amazon Top 35 bestselling and award winning author. Her books have been #1 bestsellers. She is a multi-genre author, writing both thrillers and romance. Monica resides in the Carolinas with her husband and two children. She loves to connect with readers and you can find her on social media @monicaaryaauthor or www.monicaarya.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
February 24, 2022
Well, Monica has done it again! This is the second novel of hers I have read and each time I read them in the span of 24 hours or less. This book had it all! It was gripping from start to finish. The first half had me blushing and the second half had my heart racing, the ending had my jaw on the floor. Its considered a romantic thriller, which I am very new to the idea of but absolutely in love with. Give me steam and a serial killer and I am IN. The whole time I was thinking one thing and then as the story progressed I started down another course of thinking and then was completely shocked with the twist, or should I say twists. I would also just like to comment on the thoughts and feelings that Sage, our MC, feels while being a stay-at-home mom... I FEEL SEEN!!! I was nodding my head along to so many of the things Sage was thinking and feeling. That being said, you do not have to be a SAHM or even a parent to enjoy this novel, it is dark, twisty, compelling, and fast-paced. It will have you on the edge of your seat and looking over your shoulder. Also the tie in to Girl in the Reflection was incredible and I loved it.
In suburban South Carolina, Sage Miller is a stay-at-home mom of 2 spending her days running her kids around, PTA, and doing household chores. Instead of fancy pageants and wild parties she gets messy houses, chaotic nighttime schedules, and the occasional barbeque with her best friends and neighbors. Seemingly living a perfect life, what people don't know is the dark secrets she keeps hidden behind her white picket fence image. But when one of her secrets starts to surface, she quickly realizes someone is following her and potentially planning to use these secrets to ruin the ideal life she has worked hard to form around her. "The only problem with secrets is once someone knows them, they will either protect you fiercely or fiercely destroy you." With a killer on the loose, Sage isn't sure who to trust and who is in danger but it is clear that someone knows way more than they should. How far are they willing to go?
Roses are red, violets are blue, someone is dead, let’s hope it’s not you…
Thank you Monica for the ARC of your wonderful wonderful book and for putting me in your acknowledgments, I am a mess!
In suburban South Carolina, Sage Miller is a stay-at-home mom of 2 spending her days running her kids around, PTA, and doing household chores. Instead of fancy pageants and wild parties she gets messy houses, chaotic nighttime schedules, and the occasional barbeque with her best friends and neighbors. Seemingly living a perfect life, what people don't know is the dark secrets she keeps hidden behind her white picket fence image. But when one of her secrets starts to surface, she quickly realizes someone is following her and potentially planning to use these secrets to ruin the ideal life she has worked hard to form around her. "The only problem with secrets is once someone knows them, they will either protect you fiercely or fiercely destroy you." With a killer on the loose, Sage isn't sure who to trust and who is in danger but it is clear that someone knows way more than they should. How far are they willing to go?
Roses are red, violets are blue, someone is dead, let’s hope it’s not you…
Thank you Monica for the ARC of your wonderful wonderful book and for putting me in your acknowledgments, I am a mess!
February 20, 2022
So, it breaks my heart to do this, but I DNF this one, I absolutely loved Monica’s first thrilled, Girl In The Reflection, and I had very high hopes for Shades Of Her. But when I find myself reading the same paragraph a few times (it was multiple paragraphs), I just have to stop because at that point, i cannot continue on. For the record, I have quit reading books on the first page for this same reason. To me it just felt like It wasn’t flowing.
But the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
But the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
January 31, 2022
YA’LL … let’s just dive right in this. This book was WILD you guys. I think my jaw remained on the door & my eyes were as wide as can be from start to finish. It was THAT good!
I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again: the fact that Monica Arya can go from psychological/domestic thriller to romance and transition flawlessly is true talent. In the 2 thrillers that I’ve read so far, I’ve hated & yet loved her female MCs so much. All of Sage’s stay at home mom life was SO relatable. I literally kept nodding along like “yup preach it Sage”! There were SO many twists & turns in this one that made my head completely spin in the best way. Shades of Her hit the mark for everything I absolutely love in a thriller. 5 ⭐️s
A huge, huge thank you to Monica Arya for the e-arc & an even bigger thank you for being such a great friend! Check out Shades of Her on its pub date 2/25/22!
I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again: the fact that Monica Arya can go from psychological/domestic thriller to romance and transition flawlessly is true talent. In the 2 thrillers that I’ve read so far, I’ve hated & yet loved her female MCs so much. All of Sage’s stay at home mom life was SO relatable. I literally kept nodding along like “yup preach it Sage”! There were SO many twists & turns in this one that made my head completely spin in the best way. Shades of Her hit the mark for everything I absolutely love in a thriller. 5 ⭐️s
A huge, huge thank you to Monica Arya for the e-arc & an even bigger thank you for being such a great friend! Check out Shades of Her on its pub date 2/25/22!
January 30, 2022
Shades of Her is my second thriller, and a combination between a domestic, psychological and romantic thriller. It was so much fun for me to write and a nice change of pace from darker thrillers. Combining two of my favorite genres : romance and thriller into one book was exciting. I hope you enjoy a story I loved telling!
July 16, 2024
3.5 stars but I’ve decided after reflection to round down as I have rated other books by Monica Arya as 4 stars and I preferred them.
This was completely different to her other books, a bit more sordid and sexy than her other books. A romance thriller I think is probably the best term, it was good and I enjoyed the twist, but the ending felt a bit rushed and like she was trying to add an extra surprise in and it just didn’t build the suspense and shock factor like her other books.
I would recommend reading this book first so you don’t feel disappointed if you end reading her thrillers on this book like I do 😂😂 absolutely won’t stop me from reading her new book when it comes out though!
This was completely different to her other books, a bit more sordid and sexy than her other books. A romance thriller I think is probably the best term, it was good and I enjoyed the twist, but the ending felt a bit rushed and like she was trying to add an extra surprise in and it just didn’t build the suspense and shock factor like her other books.
I would recommend reading this book first so you don’t feel disappointed if you end reading her thrillers on this book like I do 😂😂 absolutely won’t stop me from reading her new book when it comes out though!
May 3, 2024
“You all have crowns on top of those messy buns so keep your heads up, and don’t you dare let it fall.” - Acknowledgments
One of the sweetest authors I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. I love how she always thinks about her readers - before the book even begins and at the ending.
Loved this book! Sage Miller was once Miss USA, but don’t let the perfect clothes, hair, & makeup fool you about who really lies beneath the facade. With a dead-beat dad and an alcoholic for a mother, Sage didn’t have the best start at life. But when she meets Brody, her life changes. He’s saved her.
Now a stay-at-home mother and inspiring author, Sage’s past and sex addiction is about to become her downfall. There are many shades of Sage - so buckle up and enjoy this twisty ride because her lovers are turning up dead - murdered with their heads shaved and detectives are sniffing around.
The story pulls you in instantly and the nonstop action kicks off early and keeps you hooked until the end. Such a fun read! I’m sad I only have one book of hers left to read now. Thriller-wise. Love her writing.
I love how characters from prior novels make appearances in each subsequent book. (Well depending the order you read them in). It creates a bond throughout her works and immerses us in a grander narrative. The story reaches further than just the book you’re currently reading.
Highly recommend this author. She also has a few romance books for those who read romance.
One of the sweetest authors I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. I love how she always thinks about her readers - before the book even begins and at the ending.
Loved this book! Sage Miller was once Miss USA, but don’t let the perfect clothes, hair, & makeup fool you about who really lies beneath the facade. With a dead-beat dad and an alcoholic for a mother, Sage didn’t have the best start at life. But when she meets Brody, her life changes. He’s saved her.
Now a stay-at-home mother and inspiring author, Sage’s past and sex addiction is about to become her downfall. There are many shades of Sage - so buckle up and enjoy this twisty ride because her lovers are turning up dead - murdered with their heads shaved and detectives are sniffing around.
The story pulls you in instantly and the nonstop action kicks off early and keeps you hooked until the end. Such a fun read! I’m sad I only have one book of hers left to read now. Thriller-wise. Love her writing.
I love how characters from prior novels make appearances in each subsequent book. (Well depending the order you read them in). It creates a bond throughout her works and immerses us in a grander narrative. The story reaches further than just the book you’re currently reading.
Highly recommend this author. She also has a few romance books for those who read romance.
May 24, 2023
Oh boy.
This was not my cup of tea.
The base of this book, the bones as you will, were good. Interesting. And unique. And I enjoyed the final twist at the end, it was surprising and unexpected.
What I didn’t enjoy were any of the characters, the dialogue, and the internal thoughts of the MC. It just really threw me off from enjoying this fully, sadly. I wanted to love this, but for me it just didn’t work.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book, I appreciate it beyond words.
This was not my cup of tea.
The base of this book, the bones as you will, were good. Interesting. And unique. And I enjoyed the final twist at the end, it was surprising and unexpected.
What I didn’t enjoy were any of the characters, the dialogue, and the internal thoughts of the MC. It just really threw me off from enjoying this fully, sadly. I wanted to love this, but for me it just didn’t work.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book, I appreciate it beyond words.
February 24, 2022
Due to unprofessional behavior by the author, I am retracting my previous review and will no longer read any books this author writes.
February 2, 2022
Book 20 of 2022
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
On sale Feb 14 ~ preorder now!
Thank you @monicaaryaauthor for my #arccopy 💜💜💜💜
Twice now Monica has made me slam an ebook in less than 24 hrs. 🤯 She is 100% on my auto buy list now!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
On sale Feb 14 ~ preorder now!
Thank you @monicaaryaauthor for my #arccopy 💜💜💜💜
Twice now Monica has made me slam an ebook in less than 24 hrs. 🤯 She is 100% on my auto buy list now!
February 20, 2022
After reading @monicaaryaauthor’s 𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 I easily decided I would forever read anything created by this author. So when I received @monicaaryaauthor’s newest thriller 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑒𝑟 in my inbox I threw all my other reads aside and dived in!
What a wild ride this was! Seriously so many highs, lows, twists and turns. And the last few pages held a twist I 100%
DID NOT SEE coming and it honestly broke my heart a little- but Im so happy she added that twist because it literally blew my mind. Also let me just say I loved all the steamy interactions🤷🏻♀️🤣
However, what I loved most about this book was main charcter Sage’s constant narration of motherhood. Sage is definitely a mess but her feelings about everyday motherhood and being a stay at home mom were 100% on point!
SYNOPSIS: “ When former beauty pageant queen, Sage Miller, leaves her life in New York City for a quiet life in the suburbs down South, she thinks she has finally found solace from her dark past riddled with bad habits. Sage, now married and a stay-at-home mom of two, is learning that you can have it all… just not at the same time, and not unless you get creative.
A slew of murders, suspicious events, and devious affairs begin to unravel in the sweet suburbs Sage calls home, and she realizes that something far more sinister is happening. She thought she enjoyed being watched and wanted, but now someone is watching her when she doesn’t want to be seen. Someone is lurking in her shadows, obsessing over her, and digging up secrets she thought were buried.”
✨✨✨✨✨
So many thanks to @monicaaryaauthor for the arc. You are brilliant, an amazing writer, and a great friend♡︎
What a wild ride this was! Seriously so many highs, lows, twists and turns. And the last few pages held a twist I 100%
DID NOT SEE coming and it honestly broke my heart a little- but Im so happy she added that twist because it literally blew my mind. Also let me just say I loved all the steamy interactions🤷🏻♀️🤣
However, what I loved most about this book was main charcter Sage’s constant narration of motherhood. Sage is definitely a mess but her feelings about everyday motherhood and being a stay at home mom were 100% on point!
SYNOPSIS: “ When former beauty pageant queen, Sage Miller, leaves her life in New York City for a quiet life in the suburbs down South, she thinks she has finally found solace from her dark past riddled with bad habits. Sage, now married and a stay-at-home mom of two, is learning that you can have it all… just not at the same time, and not unless you get creative.
A slew of murders, suspicious events, and devious affairs begin to unravel in the sweet suburbs Sage calls home, and she realizes that something far more sinister is happening. She thought she enjoyed being watched and wanted, but now someone is watching her when she doesn’t want to be seen. Someone is lurking in her shadows, obsessing over her, and digging up secrets she thought were buried.”
✨✨✨✨✨
So many thanks to @monicaaryaauthor for the arc. You are brilliant, an amazing writer, and a great friend♡︎
March 2, 2022
This book was tough to get through. First let me atart off by saying this is NOT a thriller. Domestic suspense? Maybe. But it was not thrilling and therefore I feel like the incorrect marketing kind of threw me off.
Then we get to the editing. I started to highlight the errors as I went through, and it really just seemed like it needed a round or two more of editing and proofreading. I understand ARCs may have an error or two, but when I can play a game of Count the Mistake while reading your book, I’m going to become more interested in my game than your storyline.
The characters were unlikable. And not in the sense of GOOD unlikable characters. They were just genuinely unlikable people who I couldn’t root for.
The final twist at the end completely ruined the book for me. It was thrown together last minute and meant to feel like an added, unsuspected twist, but it really just felt sloppy and disorganized. I would have given the book 2 stars had it ended with Harlow.
I loved Monica’s book GITR, but this one lacked the editing and organization needed to be enjoyable. Hopefully she takes this criticism to improve for her next book!
Then we get to the editing. I started to highlight the errors as I went through, and it really just seemed like it needed a round or two more of editing and proofreading. I understand ARCs may have an error or two, but when I can play a game of Count the Mistake while reading your book, I’m going to become more interested in my game than your storyline.
The characters were unlikable. And not in the sense of GOOD unlikable characters. They were just genuinely unlikable people who I couldn’t root for.
The final twist at the end completely ruined the book for me. It was thrown together last minute and meant to feel like an added, unsuspected twist, but it really just felt sloppy and disorganized. I would have given the book 2 stars had it ended with Harlow.
I loved Monica’s book GITR, but this one lacked the editing and organization needed to be enjoyable. Hopefully she takes this criticism to improve for her next book!
August 8, 2022
Is this the worst book I’ve ever read? Possibly. I couldn’t find one redeeming thing in this book. To say the writing was bad doesn’t cut it. The grammar was bad. Everything was clunky. So many sentences that didn’t even make sense. The plot kinda maybe sorta possibly had potential, but even saying that is a stretch. I was in an almost constant state of eye rolling. It’s basically a miracle I finished it, and that was really just so I could be 100% confident that this is a one star book. Less, even. Zero stars.
March 10, 2022
Spoilers ahead!! Spoilers & possibly some bad language
Caution: this review is a rambling mess (with GIFs).
This book is unique. It's unique in a sense that I can't remember another book (and I've read some idiotic, crappy stuff in my time, believe me) that would make me perform about 65 facepalms per minute, a book that would make me scream at my tablet, a book that would essentially make me go
But hey, this is also the book that made me pop out of the "read-only" mode & post an actual review, so there is that.
This is the second Monica Arya's book that I've read, the first one being Girl in the Reflection, which I liked a lot. I mean, it had its facepalm moments, but let's admit -- every single book would have at least a couple of those. In overall, Girl in the Reflection was right up my alley, so after I finished it, I got my hands on Shades of Her and was all like
Then I started reading it and... Well, let's just say, it wasn't pretty. The main character was so dumb that it made my eyes water. There are some characters out there that you fall in love with; some characters that you totally fall in hate with (and loving it); some characters that make your teeth ache yet you can't get enough of them. Then there is Sage Miller. My only reaction to her throughout the entire book was
And now some SPOILERS
The story seems to be taking place in some weirdly-alternate universe that is built exclusively on bad clichés, lack of logic, and mind-boggling behavior of pretty much every single character. It quite often felt to me that the author had written his sad mess of a book back when she was 14 years old, and after the success of Girl in the Reflection, she decided to dust off this old manuscript, throw in a couple more episodes , add an additional "twist" that didn't make any sense , looked it over and went:
This book is like a bastard child of 50 Shades of Grey (there is even a quote in there, for f-s sake!) and Emily Autumn's song Thank God I'm Pretty. But while the song is great, the transcription of it in this book is sad and pathetic. The reason I think that the author was much younger when she wrote this, is because I refuse to believe that someone who is not a teenager would be capable of creating...well...THIS. At some point I was really hoping that someone explained to the author that words "lawyer" and "detective" are not synonyms, and that it's not, in fact, a lawyer's job to investigate murders and try apprehending serial killers -- that is something the police do. But mistakes like this are understandable if a book/a story is written by someone very young.
Then I got to the point when , and I became strangely calm,
figuring that nothing the author threw at me further down the road would disturb my newly-found Zen.
And then I got to chapter 23
Caution: this review is a rambling mess (with GIFs).
This book is unique. It's unique in a sense that I can't remember another book (and I've read some idiotic, crappy stuff in my time, believe me) that would make me perform about 65 facepalms per minute, a book that would make me scream at my tablet, a book that would essentially make me go
But hey, this is also the book that made me pop out of the "read-only" mode & post an actual review, so there is that.
This is the second Monica Arya's book that I've read, the first one being Girl in the Reflection, which I liked a lot. I mean, it had its facepalm moments, but let's admit -- every single book would have at least a couple of those. In overall, Girl in the Reflection was right up my alley, so after I finished it, I got my hands on Shades of Her and was all like
Then I started reading it and... Well, let's just say, it wasn't pretty. The main character was so dumb that it made my eyes water. There are some characters out there that you fall in love with; some characters that you totally fall in hate with (and loving it); some characters that make your teeth ache yet you can't get enough of them. Then there is Sage Miller. My only reaction to her throughout the entire book was
And now some SPOILERS
The story seems to be taking place in some weirdly-alternate universe that is built exclusively on bad clichés, lack of logic, and mind-boggling behavior of pretty much every single character. It quite often felt to me that the author had written his sad mess of a book back when she was 14 years old, and after the success of Girl in the Reflection, she decided to dust off this old manuscript, throw in a couple more episodes , add an additional "twist" that didn't make any sense , looked it over and went:
This book is like a bastard child of 50 Shades of Grey (there is even a quote in there, for f-s sake!) and Emily Autumn's song Thank God I'm Pretty. But while the song is great, the transcription of it in this book is sad and pathetic. The reason I think that the author was much younger when she wrote this, is because I refuse to believe that someone who is not a teenager would be capable of creating...well...THIS. At some point I was really hoping that someone explained to the author that words "lawyer" and "detective" are not synonyms, and that it's not, in fact, a lawyer's job to investigate murders and try apprehending serial killers -- that is something the police do. But mistakes like this are understandable if a book/a story is written by someone very young.
Then I got to the point when , and I became strangely calm,
figuring that nothing the author threw at me further down the road would disturb my newly-found Zen.
And then I got to chapter 23
May 9, 2023
it gave murder mystery but make it a little smutty and i loved it. at the end it got kinda rushed and not explained well enough for me. could’ve done without the extra murderer
February 4, 2022
This novel is everything you’d love about a thriller. Salacious. Scandalous. Steamy. Oh, and there’s a serial killer.
Sage is an ex Miss USA with a dark past and an even darker present. She was whisked away from New York City to the suburbs of Charleston, SC when Brody walked into her bar and never looked back. She’d been trying to find a way to escape the city and he swooped in and gave her the life she *thought she wanted.
We are dead and center (pun intended) in Sage’s thoughts as she maneuvers through motherhood, a stale marriage and her addiction. She’s everything you WOULDN’T expect from a stay-at-home, PTA mom who drives a pearly white SUV to her beautiful home behind the white picket fence. Take THAT mom, remove ALL her morals, throw in lots of sex and affairs to feed her addiction and you have Sage.
Shades of Her is a binge-worthy ride that will have you gasping from shock at the choices and indiscretions that Sage so easily engages in. Moms: it’s real in the way she describes the daily routine of raising children BUT it’s not in that we don’t aspire to be this BAD. 🙊
Although my theory of the perpetrator was *originally correct, I was SO wrong because things got even twisted from there. I loved the cameo of Serena from Girl in the Reflection! Monica has a gift of writing these stories that continue to surprise you and leave you with your mouth wide open.
Thank you SO much @monicaarya not only for sending this advanced copy my way and then adding to the icing on the cake by mentioning me in your acknowledgments! I’m in AWE of you, friend!
Sage is an ex Miss USA with a dark past and an even darker present. She was whisked away from New York City to the suburbs of Charleston, SC when Brody walked into her bar and never looked back. She’d been trying to find a way to escape the city and he swooped in and gave her the life she *thought she wanted.
We are dead and center (pun intended) in Sage’s thoughts as she maneuvers through motherhood, a stale marriage and her addiction. She’s everything you WOULDN’T expect from a stay-at-home, PTA mom who drives a pearly white SUV to her beautiful home behind the white picket fence. Take THAT mom, remove ALL her morals, throw in lots of sex and affairs to feed her addiction and you have Sage.
Shades of Her is a binge-worthy ride that will have you gasping from shock at the choices and indiscretions that Sage so easily engages in. Moms: it’s real in the way she describes the daily routine of raising children BUT it’s not in that we don’t aspire to be this BAD. 🙊
Although my theory of the perpetrator was *originally correct, I was SO wrong because things got even twisted from there. I loved the cameo of Serena from Girl in the Reflection! Monica has a gift of writing these stories that continue to surprise you and leave you with your mouth wide open.
Thank you SO much @monicaarya not only for sending this advanced copy my way and then adding to the icing on the cake by mentioning me in your acknowledgments! I’m in AWE of you, friend!
February 3, 2022
Pub date: 2/14/2022
Thank you Monica Arya for this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This is my 28th read for 2022 and by far already one of my favorites! This book will keep you at the edge of your seat the whole time. Serial killer on the loose, stalker vibes, drama, creepy text messages…this book literally has it ALL. Sage is a SAHM who has also won Miss USA back in the day. She is married to a fancy lawyer, Brody, who she met while waitressing. She has a bestie who she tells everything to. You won’t want to miss this one and just wait for that shocking ending that will blow you away.
Thank you Monica Arya for this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This is my 28th read for 2022 and by far already one of my favorites! This book will keep you at the edge of your seat the whole time. Serial killer on the loose, stalker vibes, drama, creepy text messages…this book literally has it ALL. Sage is a SAHM who has also won Miss USA back in the day. She is married to a fancy lawyer, Brody, who she met while waitressing. She has a bestie who she tells everything to. You won’t want to miss this one and just wait for that shocking ending that will blow you away.
January 31, 2022
What I didn't like....*birds chirping *
Ok moving on, what I did like:
Cover...I mean COME ON it's GORGEOUS!
Location, set in and around Charleston
Thriller/psych/secret love affairs storyline
Cameo from another of her books
The last chapter OMG!
This book had me thrown for a loop the entire book, I could not put a finger on who it was!
Written for moms of ALL walks of life, because we ARE badass! (and can be a little messed up and that's OK!)
Thank you so much Monica for allowing me to be a part of your street team and read your newest thriller early.
Ok moving on, what I did like:
Cover...I mean COME ON it's GORGEOUS!
Location, set in and around Charleston
Thriller/psych/secret love affairs storyline
Cameo from another of her books
The last chapter OMG!
This book had me thrown for a loop the entire book, I could not put a finger on who it was!
Written for moms of ALL walks of life, because we ARE badass! (and can be a little messed up and that's OK!)
Thank you so much Monica for allowing me to be a part of your street team and read your newest thriller early.
February 20, 2022
BOOK REVIEW- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded up to 5 ⭐️ on Goodreads!)
HAPPY PUB WEEK TO SHADES OF HER! 🎉
My Thoughts- Thank you to @monicaaryaauthor for an ARC of this thriller in exchange for an honest review! Monica knocked it out of the park again with this book! I loved how she kept me turning the pages and had me questioning everyone's motives. It was fun to see Serena again too in the text! Not only was this one twisty, it was steamy!! I now look forward to reading not only her thrillers but her romance books as well! This one is available now in paperback and free on Kindle Unlimited!! ✨
HAPPY PUB WEEK TO SHADES OF HER! 🎉
My Thoughts- Thank you to @monicaaryaauthor for an ARC of this thriller in exchange for an honest review! Monica knocked it out of the park again with this book! I loved how she kept me turning the pages and had me questioning everyone's motives. It was fun to see Serena again too in the text! Not only was this one twisty, it was steamy!! I now look forward to reading not only her thrillers but her romance books as well! This one is available now in paperback and free on Kindle Unlimited!! ✨
February 9, 2022
I am definitely a fan of steamy thrillers! This book was addicting! I read the first 54 percent in one sitting. Kids were the only reason I stopped. 😆 Questionable characters, love affairs that go very wrong. And the twists were incredible! I loved how it ended! I like my reviews short and sweet without giving much detail. This one I will be recommending all year! It's a top 5 book of the year so far! Thank you Monica for this amazing book!
February 15, 2022
Shades Of Her
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ✨ 4.5
By Monica Arya
Meet Sage a bored housewife and formerly Miss USA who spends her days at a local hotel socializing while her kids are in school and her lawyer husband works long hours.
“Home sweet home. The cleanest place for my dirtiest secrets.”
A special place in hell…man this one has some intense, twisted, messed up stuff…couldn’t put it down. Read it in one beach day! 🤦🏻♀️
IG: @caseygaleus
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ✨ 4.5
By Monica Arya
Meet Sage a bored housewife and formerly Miss USA who spends her days at a local hotel socializing while her kids are in school and her lawyer husband works long hours.
“Home sweet home. The cleanest place for my dirtiest secrets.”
A special place in hell…man this one has some intense, twisted, messed up stuff…couldn’t put it down. Read it in one beach day! 🤦🏻♀️
IG: @caseygaleus
February 16, 2022
OMG
Wow. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down! It was steamy, it was terrifying. I love how it was written so that anyone could have been the killer. It kept me guessing until the very last page. Excellent page turner. Monica Arya is a new favorite author of mine!
Wow. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down! It was steamy, it was terrifying. I love how it was written so that anyone could have been the killer. It kept me guessing until the very last page. Excellent page turner. Monica Arya is a new favorite author of mine!
Read
February 15, 2022𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒑 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.
This book is told in 1st person from the POV of main character Sage and takes place in Charleston, SC. Sage was as unlikeable as they come and made some really questionable decisions but man I really do love me some unlikeable characters. This book is a quick read that will have you saying wtf with it’s many twists and turns. 🤯 You won’t know who to trust and will question everyone and everything while reading!! My favorite part was the quick appearance of Serena from Girl in the Reflection as well as the fur coat. That’s all I will say. That damn coat!!😮
As always thank you to Monica for allowing me to be on your ARC team and for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review 🖤 Already looking forward to what’s next for you!
This book is told in 1st person from the POV of main character Sage and takes place in Charleston, SC. Sage was as unlikeable as they come and made some really questionable decisions but man I really do love me some unlikeable characters. This book is a quick read that will have you saying wtf with it’s many twists and turns. 🤯 You won’t know who to trust and will question everyone and everything while reading!! My favorite part was the quick appearance of Serena from Girl in the Reflection as well as the fur coat. That’s all I will say. That damn coat!!😮
As always thank you to Monica for allowing me to be on your ARC team and for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review 🖤 Already looking forward to what’s next for you!
February 19, 2022
This is the 1st book I've read by this author and I truly enjoyed this Book.
This author had me turning pages so fast I was literally on the edge of my seat till I finished I just had to know who done it.
sage the main character.. Came from a life of abuse her mother. She rose above all that became a wife and a mother.. changing her life for the better.. But along the way. Is keeping the shades of her. Hidden from the rest of the world.. Even her husband. And her closest friend.. Well it was a chore but she had to do it.
She had a lifestyle no one would understand... While being a stay-at-home mom... Working on a book because she says she's a book author at work..
There's a serial Killer on the loose.
This book gives you many different scenario and things that that just kept me intrigued....
favorite animal- Now this was one of my favorite parts of the book... MEN.
I would definitely pick up more books by this author because this was a really good book and it kept me intrigued to see what happened and it had so many twists It's very intriguing This book.
Thank you Monica Arya 💜
This author had me turning pages so fast I was literally on the edge of my seat till I finished I just had to know who done it.
sage the main character.. Came from a life of abuse her mother. She rose above all that became a wife and a mother.. changing her life for the better.. But along the way. Is keeping the shades of her. Hidden from the rest of the world.. Even her husband. And her closest friend.. Well it was a chore but she had to do it.
She had a lifestyle no one would understand... While being a stay-at-home mom... Working on a book because she says she's a book author at work..
There's a serial Killer on the loose.
This book gives you many different scenario and things that that just kept me intrigued....
favorite animal- Now this was one of my favorite parts of the book... MEN.
I would definitely pick up more books by this author because this was a really good book and it kept me intrigued to see what happened and it had so many twists It's very intriguing This book.
Thank you Monica Arya 💜
February 15, 2022
I never thought I'd be interested in a book marketed as a "steamy thriller," but this one pleasantly surprised me! Here's what I loved!
✔️ Quick read
✔️ Compelling storyline
✔️ Unreliable narrator
✔️ TWISTS!
While I did find Sage, the protagonist, to be a bit unbearable, I was still rooting for her. She made questionable decisions throughout the book, but I still found myself wanting her to rise above the adversities she faced.
The twists in this book were cleverly put together. I won't give too much away, but you definitely won't see them coming, that's for sure!
In conclusion, I will forever be a devoted reader for any thrillers that @monicaaryaauthor publishes! Many thanks to her for providing me a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🥰
Shades of Her releases TODAY, February 14, 2022! Y'all need to check this one out! 🔥
✔️ Quick read
✔️ Compelling storyline
✔️ Unreliable narrator
✔️ TWISTS!
While I did find Sage, the protagonist, to be a bit unbearable, I was still rooting for her. She made questionable decisions throughout the book, but I still found myself wanting her to rise above the adversities she faced.
The twists in this book were cleverly put together. I won't give too much away, but you definitely won't see them coming, that's for sure!
In conclusion, I will forever be a devoted reader for any thrillers that @monicaaryaauthor publishes! Many thanks to her for providing me a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🥰
Shades of Her releases TODAY, February 14, 2022! Y'all need to check this one out! 🔥
May 22, 2025
Well, that was fun! Did NOT see that final twist coming!
February 20, 2022
First of all - how gorgeous is this cover!? 😍 The beginning of this book really hooked me, but the middle got a little repetitive. I loved the twist, but I did not like the ending of the story. The main character was so vain and it really got on my nerves. Surprisingly, my favorite thing about the book was the spice - not the thriller aspects. I am not usually a romance gal, but I will definitely be checking out this author’s romance books!
February 15, 2022
Sage is a person that you like until the 'real' Sage appears. She used to be a beauty queen, now she is a mother and married to a lawyer who knows her deep dark secrets. But it seems someone else also is aware of her past. There were times I was cheering for Sage, and times I was like, "What the hell are you thinking?!"
A very good story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
A very good story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
February 3, 2022
Thank you @monicaaryaauthor for my gifted copy! This is my second novel by Monica and I will say she continues to surprise me! Combining domestic, psychological and romance in a thriller is no easy feat and yet-she did it.
This one kept me guessing the entire time. Everyone is literally a suspect. Even our main character. Her choices aren’t the best and yet you feel for her. She has a bad past and doesn’t know any better. There is some steam in this one for all my loving friends.
Her writing is wonderful and flows with easy that just keeps you turning page after page. This was truly unique. I enjoyed the concept and the haunting spin Monica puts on addition of this nature. You need this in your life! Im telling you!
This one kept me guessing the entire time. Everyone is literally a suspect. Even our main character. Her choices aren’t the best and yet you feel for her. She has a bad past and doesn’t know any better. There is some steam in this one for all my loving friends.
Her writing is wonderful and flows with easy that just keeps you turning page after page. This was truly unique. I enjoyed the concept and the haunting spin Monica puts on addition of this nature. You need this in your life! Im telling you!
January 31, 2022
First and foremost, thank you to Monica Arya for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. You have done it again, my friend! Shades of Her is expertly paced, suspenseful, and steamy to boot! I wouldn’t have guessed that ending in a million years!
I’ll forgive you for dubbing *NSYNC better than BSB because you inserted a Real Housewives reference JUST FOR ME 💕 but imagine my surprise to find my name listed in the acknowledgements 🥺 truly honored to support such a wonderful author.
Shades of Her is on sale February 25! If you loved Girl in the Reflection, add this one to your list too!
I’ll forgive you for dubbing *NSYNC better than BSB because you inserted a Real Housewives reference JUST FOR ME 💕 but imagine my surprise to find my name listed in the acknowledgements 🥺 truly honored to support such a wonderful author.
Shades of Her is on sale February 25! If you loved Girl in the Reflection, add this one to your list too!
February 15, 2022
"Remember when I said you can always go lower than rock bottom? Well, this...this is me grazing the blazing flames of hell."
Sage isn't exaggerating about the flames of hell after she betrays her best friend in the most intimate way possible in the steamy WTF psychological thriller Shades Of Her by prolific author Monica Arya.
This writer wrote one of the sexiest romances I have ever read, Saved By You. Then she penned her shocking psychological thriller Girl In The Reflection which blew my mind. Now she has combined her talents in these genres to create one of the twistiest and hottest stories I have ever read. The scenes with Archer and Sage were make me blush cold shower inducing and, um, did I mention Sage's husband's name is Brody not Archer?!
Sage is a former beauty queen. At 28 she seems to have it all with a suburban home in a wealthy neighborhood, a hardworking lawyer husband, two beautiful kids and a best friend living next door. She also has secrets. Most are from her past but some are more present day...like trying to control her addiction...her sex addiction!
You might think this is the most shocking of Sage's secrets but it is probably fourth on her top ten list of issues. To tell you more would ruin the surprises the author has in store for her readers. To hint at anything else might reveal the many red herrings swimming throughout this murky cast of characters; many who will be "swimming with the fishes" by the end.
I did figure some things out early but as I stayed up all night finishing this can't read just one more chapter murderous thriller I realized I was the victim of a creative writer's gaslighting mind. She made me believe I had it all figure out and then by the end had me screaming, "No Effing Way!"
Read this one when you have a few hours. It is a one sitting OMG can't stop reading thriller.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sage isn't exaggerating about the flames of hell after she betrays her best friend in the most intimate way possible in the steamy WTF psychological thriller Shades Of Her by prolific author Monica Arya.
This writer wrote one of the sexiest romances I have ever read, Saved By You. Then she penned her shocking psychological thriller Girl In The Reflection which blew my mind. Now she has combined her talents in these genres to create one of the twistiest and hottest stories I have ever read. The scenes with Archer and Sage were make me blush cold shower inducing and, um, did I mention Sage's husband's name is Brody not Archer?!
Sage is a former beauty queen. At 28 she seems to have it all with a suburban home in a wealthy neighborhood, a hardworking lawyer husband, two beautiful kids and a best friend living next door. She also has secrets. Most are from her past but some are more present day...like trying to control her addiction...her sex addiction!
You might think this is the most shocking of Sage's secrets but it is probably fourth on her top ten list of issues. To tell you more would ruin the surprises the author has in store for her readers. To hint at anything else might reveal the many red herrings swimming throughout this murky cast of characters; many who will be "swimming with the fishes" by the end.
I did figure some things out early but as I stayed up all night finishing this can't read just one more chapter murderous thriller I realized I was the victim of a creative writer's gaslighting mind. She made me believe I had it all figure out and then by the end had me screaming, "No Effing Way!"
Read this one when you have a few hours. It is a one sitting OMG can't stop reading thriller.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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