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The Storm
St. Medard's Bay, Alabama is famous for three things: the deadly hurricanes that regularly sweep into town, the Rosalie Inn, a century-old hotel that's survived every one of those storms, and Lo Bailey, the local girl infamously accused of the murder of her lover, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during Hurricane Marie in 1984.
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard's Bay on the map, she's less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn's bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn't come to St. Medard's Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she's returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard's Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive--and as deadly--as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping...
When Geneva Corliss, the current owner of the Rosalie Inn, hears a writer is coming to town to research the crime that put St. Medard's Bay on the map, she's less interested in solving a whodunnit than in how a successful true crime book might help the struggling inn's bottom line. But to her surprise, August Fletcher doesn't come to St. Medard's Bay alone. With him is none other than Lo Bailey herself. Lo says she's returned to her hometown to clear her name once and for all, but the closer Geneva gets to both Lo and August, the more she wonders if Lo is actually back to settle old scores.
As the summer heats up and another monster storm begins twisting its way towards St. Medard's Bay, Geneva learns that some people can be just as destructive--and as deadly--as any hurricane, and that the truth of what happened to Landon Fitzroy may not be the only secret Lo is keeping...
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Expected publication January 6, 2026
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About the author
Rachel Hawkins
27 books20.4k followers Rachel Hawkins is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls, The Villa, and The Heiress, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated into over two dozen languages. She studied gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University and currently lives in Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 773 reviews
September 15, 2025
Yes! Rachel Hawkins has done it again! She crafted a pitch-perfect locked room mystery set in a historic Alabama inn during storm season, and I devoured it in one sitting. But here’s the brilliant twist: the storms themselves—named after women, Daphne, Audrey, and Marie—become leading characters in the story. Each storm through the years is bound to a tragedy, weaving a thread that ties the fates of those who can never fully escape St. Medard Bay.
At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light?
As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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At the heart of it all are three childhood friends: Lo, Ellen, and Frieda—the wild one, the good one, and the odd one. Their lives have been scarred by a chain of devastating events. For Lo, the turning point was 1984’s infamous Hurricane Marie. At just nineteen, she was entangled with political heir Langdon Fitzroy, who died under suspicious circumstances. Lo became the prime suspect. After a mistrial and lack of evidence, she walked free, though the powerful Fitzroy family tried to destroy her reputation forever.
In the present day, we meet Geneva Corliss, owner of the Rosalie Inn. Returning home to take over the family business after her mother’s Alzheimer’s worsens, Geneva finds herself adrift—dumped by her longtime boyfriend (who ironically pushed her to run the inn) and struggling to stay afloat. Her saving graces are her loyal sidekick Eddie and an intriguing new long-term guest: August Fletcher, a writer with a suspicious interest in the town’s history. But August doesn’t arrive alone—he brings Lo Bailey, the infamous woman still haunted by accusations of murder. Lo insists she’s here to clear her name, yet her presence stirs old wounds and buried secrets Geneva never knew existed.
Soon, Geneva discovers shocking connections between Lo, her mother, and the inn itself—where Langdon Fitzroy’s body was once found. Is Lo seeking redemption? Or revenge? And what unfinished business threatens to claim more lives before the truth finally comes to light?
As Geneva is forced to confront painful truths, she realizes the story of her own life may not be what she always believed—and learning the truth will come at a cost.
Overall: This is an utterly gripping and fast-paced thriller. I loved the layered backstories of the three women and how the tragedies of the past were seamlessly tied to the storms. That symbolic connection was the highlight of the book for me—so haunting and beautifully executed. Even though I correctly guessed several twists, the ride was no less thrilling, and Hawkins’s storytelling kept me hooked throughout.
This is another must-read from Rachel Hawkins that I highly recommend.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this perfectly addictive thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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August 15, 2025
A mistress is accused of a murder many years ago. Now a man reaches out wanting to write her story.
This was just so-so. Nothing mind blowing. There were parts that seemed really repetitive especially in the beginning and things that seemed out of place. Some of the twists and turns were predictable. The beginning also seemed sooo long winded as nothing exciting happens until later in my opinion.
Overall, I personally was disappointed but I could see others enjoying this.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was just so-so. Nothing mind blowing. There were parts that seemed really repetitive especially in the beginning and things that seemed out of place. Some of the twists and turns were predictable. The beginning also seemed sooo long winded as nothing exciting happens until later in my opinion.
Overall, I personally was disappointed but I could see others enjoying this.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2025
I’m thinking the title of this book should be changed to “The Hurricanes”, because while big storms did pass through St. Medard’s Bay, most chapters were titled according to which Hurricane went through. And it’s through these devastating hurricanes, in which we learn of lives that were lost- especially that of Landon Fitzroy.
This story starts off with Lo Bailey returning back to her hometown of Alabama, to stay at the Rosalie Inn. Lo Bailey hasn’t been back home in years- not even to her own mother’s funeral, since she was accused of killing her ex-lover, Landon Fitzroy. Landon was rich, handsome, and married… Was Lo so jealous and possessive of him that she could commit murder? Or did Hurricane Marie of 1984 really take him out?
While Lo is staying at the Rosalie Inn, she brings with her August Fletcher. August is a journalist/author, who is helping Lo write a book about her romantic time with Landon Fitzroy. Many details from the past are brought up- including her two best friends while growing up, Ellen and Freida. Ellen’s parents were once owners of the Rosalie Inn, and now Ellen’s daughter, Geneva is in charge.
While we learned a bit about the four women’s lives in this story, I can’t say that I was able to fully connect with any of them. The pacing of this story was also more of a drizzle, and less of a storm… I think I was expecting a deeper suspense/mystery, but instead got another story about “girl power”.
I also have to state that my all time favorite book by this author is “The Heiress” (actually it’s one of my all time favorites), so I think my expectations going into this book may have been quite high.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
This story starts off with Lo Bailey returning back to her hometown of Alabama, to stay at the Rosalie Inn. Lo Bailey hasn’t been back home in years- not even to her own mother’s funeral, since she was accused of killing her ex-lover, Landon Fitzroy. Landon was rich, handsome, and married… Was Lo so jealous and possessive of him that she could commit murder? Or did Hurricane Marie of 1984 really take him out?
While Lo is staying at the Rosalie Inn, she brings with her August Fletcher. August is a journalist/author, who is helping Lo write a book about her romantic time with Landon Fitzroy. Many details from the past are brought up- including her two best friends while growing up, Ellen and Freida. Ellen’s parents were once owners of the Rosalie Inn, and now Ellen’s daughter, Geneva is in charge.
While we learned a bit about the four women’s lives in this story, I can’t say that I was able to fully connect with any of them. The pacing of this story was also more of a drizzle, and less of a storm… I think I was expecting a deeper suspense/mystery, but instead got another story about “girl power”.
I also have to state that my all time favorite book by this author is “The Heiress” (actually it’s one of my all time favorites), so I think my expectations going into this book may have been quite high.
Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
September 11, 2025
I'm a bit of an outlier on this one. 🏝️
I was so excited when I read the setting was a beach hotel during hurricane season! I live in TX about an hour from the beach and we get our share of hurricanes!
This is a mystery that weaves back and forth through the childhood friends connections and a man who died under suspicious circumstances. I didn't relate to any of the characters and that really affected my enjoyment. Geneva was the only one I mildly cared for. I realize the reveal was supposed to be gripping, but for me it just wasn't.
I do enjoy this author, so I will be anticipating her next!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out January 6, 2026
I was so excited when I read the setting was a beach hotel during hurricane season! I live in TX about an hour from the beach and we get our share of hurricanes!
This is a mystery that weaves back and forth through the childhood friends connections and a man who died under suspicious circumstances. I didn't relate to any of the characters and that really affected my enjoyment. Geneva was the only one I mildly cared for. I realize the reveal was supposed to be gripping, but for me it just wasn't.
I do enjoy this author, so I will be anticipating her next!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! Out January 6, 2026
September 1, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This story is small in the biggest of ways. It doesn’t have more than a handful of characters. It’s all contained within a single location. It doesn’t have wild plot machinations, nor does it try to keep you on the edge of your seat.
It’s quaint. It’s charming. It engulfs you like the waves in a raging storm. It entangles you like the affairs of a political heir.
The hurricanes act as a multi-generational backdrop, each serving a unique purpose in the lore development of this town. The stories of the women in this book are complex, multi-layered and are as fascinating as they are grim.
My only complaint is that it becomes difficult to determine who is telling the story at times. It could have benefited from better descriptions in the chapter titles.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it definitely won’t be my last…
This story is small in the biggest of ways. It doesn’t have more than a handful of characters. It’s all contained within a single location. It doesn’t have wild plot machinations, nor does it try to keep you on the edge of your seat.
It’s quaint. It’s charming. It engulfs you like the waves in a raging storm. It entangles you like the affairs of a political heir.
The hurricanes act as a multi-generational backdrop, each serving a unique purpose in the lore development of this town. The stories of the women in this book are complex, multi-layered and are as fascinating as they are grim.
My only complaint is that it becomes difficult to determine who is telling the story at times. It could have benefited from better descriptions in the chapter titles.
This was my first Rachel Hawkins book, but it definitely won’t be my last…
September 15, 2025
This was entertaining but definitely not as exciting as you’d think a book with hurricanes in it would be!!
Lo hasn’t been back to her small town, St. Medard’s Bay, since the “event” that changed her life. Some of her mother's friends are still in town. Ellen's daughter Geneva is running the “Rosalie Inn”. It’s weathered several hurricanes but Geneva hopes that she doesn’t have to go through another big storm.
Lo has come back to help her remember all of the events from that fateful summer. With her is Adam who is a journalist and is writing a memoir with Lo about all that happened in her life.
Why is Adam so interested in this decades old mystery? Does he have information that he is concealing?
There is a lot of looking at the past through Geneva’s eyes. There are also letters back and forth with two of the characters and some newspaper articles along with unfinished manuscripts.
I kept wanting to find a character to root for and I did enjoy Frieda’s life story and how she “remade” herself. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
The first half was very slow and meandering. In the second half “The Storm” is coming and it’s all hands on deck to secure the hotel and everything else.
The twists come at the end - setting us up for tension from the storm and the revelations!
This was a good beach read but I was anticipating much more from this talented author. “The Heiress” her last book was a 5* from me so expectations were high.
This was a buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her excellent review.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
Lo hasn’t been back to her small town, St. Medard’s Bay, since the “event” that changed her life. Some of her mother's friends are still in town. Ellen's daughter Geneva is running the “Rosalie Inn”. It’s weathered several hurricanes but Geneva hopes that she doesn’t have to go through another big storm.
Lo has come back to help her remember all of the events from that fateful summer. With her is Adam who is a journalist and is writing a memoir with Lo about all that happened in her life.
Why is Adam so interested in this decades old mystery? Does he have information that he is concealing?
There is a lot of looking at the past through Geneva’s eyes. There are also letters back and forth with two of the characters and some newspaper articles along with unfinished manuscripts.
I kept wanting to find a character to root for and I did enjoy Frieda’s life story and how she “remade” herself. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
The first half was very slow and meandering. In the second half “The Storm” is coming and it’s all hands on deck to secure the hotel and everything else.
The twists come at the end - setting us up for tension from the storm and the revelations!
This was a good beach read but I was anticipating much more from this talented author. “The Heiress” her last book was a 5* from me so expectations were high.
This was a buddy read with Debra, be sure to read her excellent review.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
August 22, 2025
If this book were a hurricane it would for sure be close to a Cat 5! There were some nice little twists and surprises thrown in to keep things unpredictable.
The Rosalie Inn has been through quite a few hurricanes and came out with just some scratches. The same cannot be said for several women who live in St. Medard‘s Bay, Alabama. During Hurricane Marie, the Governor’s son, Landon, was found dead and his 19-year-old mistress, Lo, was tried for his murder. Several decades later, Lo and true crime writer, August in tow, return to the Rosalie Inn to once and for all clear her name via a tell all book. All the while a major hurricane is setting its sights once again on the Rosalie Inn, both figuratively and literally. What secrets will it churn up?
I’m pretty sure I read this in record time. I love how we got different timelines that were centered around different hurricanes that hit St. Medard’s Bay. To be honest, with a track record of getting hit with that many hurricanes I would think it would be time to move! I’m also a sucker for getting information via old newspaper clippings. There was definitely some little twists throughout that I wasn’t expecting, which was great to hold my attention and keep flipping those pages.
The only thing that I had an issue with was sometimes I was confusing all of the women and it was hard to keep who everyone was straight and what timeline we were in. It also felt like the past timelines went rather quickly. Maybe a little bit more time spent in the past would’ve helped me identify who is who a little better and given a bit more sense of depth to each of the supporting characters. But those are just minor quibbles.
This definitely was a nice twisty thriller that had me continually guessing along the way
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
The Rosalie Inn has been through quite a few hurricanes and came out with just some scratches. The same cannot be said for several women who live in St. Medard‘s Bay, Alabama. During Hurricane Marie, the Governor’s son, Landon, was found dead and his 19-year-old mistress, Lo, was tried for his murder. Several decades later, Lo and true crime writer, August in tow, return to the Rosalie Inn to once and for all clear her name via a tell all book. All the while a major hurricane is setting its sights once again on the Rosalie Inn, both figuratively and literally. What secrets will it churn up?
I’m pretty sure I read this in record time. I love how we got different timelines that were centered around different hurricanes that hit St. Medard’s Bay. To be honest, with a track record of getting hit with that many hurricanes I would think it would be time to move! I’m also a sucker for getting information via old newspaper clippings. There was definitely some little twists throughout that I wasn’t expecting, which was great to hold my attention and keep flipping those pages.
The only thing that I had an issue with was sometimes I was confusing all of the women and it was hard to keep who everyone was straight and what timeline we were in. It also felt like the past timelines went rather quickly. Maybe a little bit more time spent in the past would’ve helped me identify who is who a little better and given a bit more sense of depth to each of the supporting characters. But those are just minor quibbles.
This definitely was a nice twisty thriller that had me continually guessing along the way
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
September 11, 2025
Who says you can never go home again? That is exactly what Lo Bailey does in The Storm. Not only does she come home to St. Medard's Bay, but she brings with her writer, August Fletcher. Not only is the town preparing for a hurricane, but now it is preparing for drama. Lo was accused of killing her older love, political scion Landon Fitzroy, during a Hurricane in 1984. Lo is looking to clear her name, but will she be successful?????
What really happened to Landon Fitzroy? There is a storm brewing, long tongues are wagging, secrets and waiting to be discovered, and memories will bubble to surface. Welp! I thought I would love this book. But unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. What worked was the atmosphere in this book along with the setting. I also enjoyed how the author used various forms of media in this book. I thought this was very well done and well thought out. I found the mystery interesting and yet I was blown away by it. In the beginning I wanted something - anything to happen. The book did pick up for me in the second half as more became known and things became more dramatic and tense. However, the twists and revels were not enough to fully win me over to this book. I put this in my liked but didn't love category. This wont stop me from reading more books by this author in the future.
Others enjoyed this book more than did so please read their reviews as well.
*Buddy read with Dorie - Cats&Books :). Please be sure to read her wonderful review as well to see her thoughts and to find out if she got caught up in The Storm.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
What really happened to Landon Fitzroy? There is a storm brewing, long tongues are wagging, secrets and waiting to be discovered, and memories will bubble to surface. Welp! I thought I would love this book. But unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. What worked was the atmosphere in this book along with the setting. I also enjoyed how the author used various forms of media in this book. I thought this was very well done and well thought out. I found the mystery interesting and yet I was blown away by it. In the beginning I wanted something - anything to happen. The book did pick up for me in the second half as more became known and things became more dramatic and tense. However, the twists and revels were not enough to fully win me over to this book. I put this in my liked but didn't love category. This wont stop me from reading more books by this author in the future.
Others enjoyed this book more than did so please read their reviews as well.
*Buddy read with Dorie - Cats&Books :). Please be sure to read her wonderful review as well to see her thoughts and to find out if she got caught up in The Storm.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
September 28, 2025
I’ve read several books by Hawkins, and while this one didn’t rise to the top of my list, her writing was as smooth and engaging as ever, making it a quick read! I loved the rich atmosphere, the subtle thread of tension running throughout, and the multiple points of view that added depth to the story. But instead of the nail-biting suspense I expected, this one leaned more toward historical fiction/domestic drama with a few secrets sprinkled in.
The slower start and heavy exposition made most of the twists easier to spot, but Hawkins still knows how to tell a compelling story. Even if it felt a little different from her usual thrillers, it was an entertaining and well-written read!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
The slower start and heavy exposition made most of the twists easier to spot, but Hawkins still knows how to tell a compelling story. Even if it felt a little different from her usual thrillers, it was an entertaining and well-written read!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
September 8, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 2026.
2.5 stars rounded up, because the author is famous enough that we deserve better than this (though it wasn’t terrible.).
This very Southern-toned book is set in Alabama and Geneva owns the Rosalie Inn on the coast, a family business. Her mother, who now has Alzheimer’s was childhood BFFs with a woman named Lo Bailey. Lo was involved in a scandalous scandal (the best kind) when she took up with the governer’s son when she was young (he much older.). Now Lo is back in town with writer August Fletcher to write a book about the whole thing. What really happened? And, oh yeah, hurricane acomin’.
This is one of those thrillers that sounded like it might have promise and then fell flat. I predict it will sell remarkably well anyway.
2.5 stars rounded up, because the author is famous enough that we deserve better than this (though it wasn’t terrible.).
This very Southern-toned book is set in Alabama and Geneva owns the Rosalie Inn on the coast, a family business. Her mother, who now has Alzheimer’s was childhood BFFs with a woman named Lo Bailey. Lo was involved in a scandalous scandal (the best kind) when she took up with the governer’s son when she was young (he much older.). Now Lo is back in town with writer August Fletcher to write a book about the whole thing. What really happened? And, oh yeah, hurricane acomin’.
This is one of those thrillers that sounded like it might have promise and then fell flat. I predict it will sell remarkably well anyway.
July 16, 2025
I loved this book so much. The storm part of the story was almost a character in itself. The mystery and multiple perspectives were the perfect mix.
June 29, 2025
4.5 Stars!!
This was such a great story with an intriguing premise!
I was hooked from the very beginning and flew through this within a day! It had really great pacing.
I enjoyed the different POVs and flashbacks to the previous time periods based on the previous hurricanes. And I loved the use of mixed media throughout too with the different articles as well as the unpublished transcript of the book.
This is only the second book of this author that I’ve read, but I have now really enjoyed both and cannot wait to read her others.
Recommend checking this one out when it releases!
Thank you @stmartinspress for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
This was such a great story with an intriguing premise!
I was hooked from the very beginning and flew through this within a day! It had really great pacing.
I enjoyed the different POVs and flashbacks to the previous time periods based on the previous hurricanes. And I loved the use of mixed media throughout too with the different articles as well as the unpublished transcript of the book.
This is only the second book of this author that I’ve read, but I have now really enjoyed both and cannot wait to read her others.
Recommend checking this one out when it releases!
Thank you @stmartinspress for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
September 2, 2025
[Thank you NetGalley, Martin Press, and the author for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback]
This one was just okay for me. The Storm is definitely a quick, popcorn thriller-fast-paced and easy to get through but it didn’t wow me. The first 40% felt pretty slow with not much happening, and when the twists did show up, I saw most of them coming a mile away. Some even felt a bit rushed or thrown in without much buildup.
The book follows four different women, but I never really connected with any of them. I felt pretty lukewarm toward the characters, which made it harder to get invested in the story.
Overall, a fast and entertaining enough read in the moment, but not one that’s going to stick with me.
This one was just okay for me. The Storm is definitely a quick, popcorn thriller-fast-paced and easy to get through but it didn’t wow me. The first 40% felt pretty slow with not much happening, and when the twists did show up, I saw most of them coming a mile away. Some even felt a bit rushed or thrown in without much buildup.
The book follows four different women, but I never really connected with any of them. I felt pretty lukewarm toward the characters, which made it harder to get invested in the story.
Overall, a fast and entertaining enough read in the moment, but not one that’s going to stick with me.
August 12, 2025
Rachel Hawkins books are literally made for summer reading!!! The perfect atmospheric stories that suck you in and take you on a journey through multiple timelines and perspectives whilst you unravel decades old murder mysteries.
I loved the southern hot summer vibes with the extreme hurricane weather which foreshadows the catastrophic events which are about to go down.
Lo, now fully grown, was just a young girl in the summer of 84 when she was blamed for the death or the Governers son. Now in present day she is teaming up with a ghost writer to tell her story and get to the bottom of exactly what happened that night so she can clear her name.
Im obsessed with the different formatting styles Rachel uses in her novels which help immerse you in this fictional world by use of letters, articles and testimonials. I find this writing method so fun really engages me with the characters the plot and the timelines as though I am following along in real time.
What a beautiful book from start to finish, I absolutely inhaled this book I had to finish it in one sitting 🤗🤗 i am SO happy to have grabbed a copy this was definitely my most anticipated book of the summer and it surpassed all expectations! Another triumph for Hawkins. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍
Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the netgalley gifted copy!
Publish date: January 6th 2026
I loved the southern hot summer vibes with the extreme hurricane weather which foreshadows the catastrophic events which are about to go down.
Lo, now fully grown, was just a young girl in the summer of 84 when she was blamed for the death or the Governers son. Now in present day she is teaming up with a ghost writer to tell her story and get to the bottom of exactly what happened that night so she can clear her name.
Im obsessed with the different formatting styles Rachel uses in her novels which help immerse you in this fictional world by use of letters, articles and testimonials. I find this writing method so fun really engages me with the characters the plot and the timelines as though I am following along in real time.
What a beautiful book from start to finish, I absolutely inhaled this book I had to finish it in one sitting 🤗🤗 i am SO happy to have grabbed a copy this was definitely my most anticipated book of the summer and it surpassed all expectations! Another triumph for Hawkins. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😍
Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the netgalley gifted copy!
Publish date: January 6th 2026
August 30, 2025
4 ⭐️ Review to come. 🫶
August 14, 2025
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins is a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery full of secrets, twists, and tension. The vivid setting and layered characters kept me hooked, and the reveals were perfectly timed. A great read for fans of suspense with a stormy, dramatic edge.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins is a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery full of secrets, twists, and tension. The vivid setting and layered characters kept me hooked, and the reveals were perfectly timed. A great read for fans of suspense with a stormy, dramatic edge.
October 6, 2025
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
I honestly am shocked at how much I loved this newest offering by Hawkins. I did not care for "The Heiress" and thought there was too much going on in that book to really enjoy it. "The Storm" though has the perfect plot (who killed a Presidential hopeful in the 80s, his teenage mistress or a storm?) and the characters we meet are really intriguing. I found myself totally hooked a few pages in and didn't put this down until I finished it. I also loved the ending.
"The Storm" follows Geneva Corliss, owner of a falling down inn in St. Medard's Bay in Alabama. Geneva is wondering if she should just give up and stop trying to keep her family's business going. When she is given the opportunity to host a writer, August Fletcher, who wants to stay at the inn for several weeks while he writes the story of Lo Bailey. Lo was accused of murdering her lover, Landon Fitzroy because he was about to dump her. Lo though says she didn't kill Landon and never saw him the night he came back to Medard's Bay. Geneva jumps at the chance and finds herself wondering if Lo did kill Landon, and what connection Lo has to the inn and her family.
The story really is the tale of not only Geneva, but of three best friends (no spoilers) too. Parts of the story are told by Lo, her two other best friends, and of course Geneva. I thought that the different points of views really did work and I wondered who killed Landon and why. You start to see what could have happened and why as you get further into the book, but I thought the reveals we got were done very well. It felt organic to the story and setting.
Definitely going to re-read this one in the future once the book is published.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2025 "Psych" square.
I honestly am shocked at how much I loved this newest offering by Hawkins. I did not care for "The Heiress" and thought there was too much going on in that book to really enjoy it. "The Storm" though has the perfect plot (who killed a Presidential hopeful in the 80s, his teenage mistress or a storm?) and the characters we meet are really intriguing. I found myself totally hooked a few pages in and didn't put this down until I finished it. I also loved the ending.
"The Storm" follows Geneva Corliss, owner of a falling down inn in St. Medard's Bay in Alabama. Geneva is wondering if she should just give up and stop trying to keep her family's business going. When she is given the opportunity to host a writer, August Fletcher, who wants to stay at the inn for several weeks while he writes the story of Lo Bailey. Lo was accused of murdering her lover, Landon Fitzroy because he was about to dump her. Lo though says she didn't kill Landon and never saw him the night he came back to Medard's Bay. Geneva jumps at the chance and finds herself wondering if Lo did kill Landon, and what connection Lo has to the inn and her family.
The story really is the tale of not only Geneva, but of three best friends (no spoilers) too. Parts of the story are told by Lo, her two other best friends, and of course Geneva. I thought that the different points of views really did work and I wondered who killed Landon and why. You start to see what could have happened and why as you get further into the book, but I thought the reveals we got were done very well. It felt organic to the story and setting.
Definitely going to re-read this one in the future once the book is published.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2025 "Psych" square.
September 9, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Storm, by Rachel Hawkins, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Alabama is known to have bad storms, hurricanes even. There are storms outside and their are also, storms in our lives. This was a good read.
July 6, 2025
Read in one day, practically in one sitting, THE STORM is one of the most engrossing and atmospheric reads in some time for me.
Something about this story just creeps under your skin, and the only comparison I have is reading MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL when I was 15ish, and being blown away by the outlandish, hot southern night of novel. In fact, when that book is actually mentioned in this, I got goosebumps all over... KISMET I TELL YOU.
When Landon Fitzroy, the Governor's son dies in the hurricane of '84, it should have been left as a tragic accident. But, Landon was shacking up with Lo Bailey, the prettiest girl in St Medard's bay. She was also barely legal, and NOT his former Miss Alabama wife...
And so the dueling timelines begin. Flashbacks to many nights in St Medard's bay and current timelines in The Rosalie, the inn that famously withstands all the hurricane.
We meet Geneva the current innkeeper and daughter of Lo's best friend as finds herself smack dab in current affairs as Lo Bailey re-enters St. Medard's community with her ghostwriter in tow.
Seriously, every little way the plot unfolded in letters and articles and testimonials was PERFECTO. I would give this 10 stars if I could.
A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. When this hits stands in January of 2026, it's gonna be a HIT!
Something about this story just creeps under your skin, and the only comparison I have is reading MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL when I was 15ish, and being blown away by the outlandish, hot southern night of novel. In fact, when that book is actually mentioned in this, I got goosebumps all over... KISMET I TELL YOU.
When Landon Fitzroy, the Governor's son dies in the hurricane of '84, it should have been left as a tragic accident. But, Landon was shacking up with Lo Bailey, the prettiest girl in St Medard's bay. She was also barely legal, and NOT his former Miss Alabama wife...
And so the dueling timelines begin. Flashbacks to many nights in St Medard's bay and current timelines in The Rosalie, the inn that famously withstands all the hurricane.
We meet Geneva the current innkeeper and daughter of Lo's best friend as finds herself smack dab in current affairs as Lo Bailey re-enters St. Medard's community with her ghostwriter in tow.
Seriously, every little way the plot unfolded in letters and articles and testimonials was PERFECTO. I would give this 10 stars if I could.
A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. When this hits stands in January of 2026, it's gonna be a HIT!
September 16, 2025
Rachel Hawkins is here again and as always I am always excited to take part in her thrillers.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Does it do exactly what it sets out to do? Absolutely. Sometimes when it comes to a new thriller, I wonder what’s left to say and feel that way here. This genre is full of bad eggs and Rachel Hawkins is no where near that so she is always a great authour to pick up when you need a fun little getaway.
I quite liked the setting and while the main character felt a bit dull to me, everyone around her was fascinating. They were dynamic and intriguing but there was plenty of them that I didn’t get bored with our main character.
I really enjoyed that there are chapters named by the hurricanes and the women who experienced them but it did take me a moment to understand what was happening when these chapters popped up. The execution could’ve been a bit better as the POV switches and we don’t know who is actually speaking right away. It’s a fun idea and I enjoyed it but it still needed a bit of work to have the intended effect.
I do wish Lo was more of a main character as she is the most interesting part of this story but I do understand the choices made. Otherwise it was fun and I will always recommend her books and will enjoy them for years to come.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Does it do exactly what it sets out to do? Absolutely. Sometimes when it comes to a new thriller, I wonder what’s left to say and feel that way here. This genre is full of bad eggs and Rachel Hawkins is no where near that so she is always a great authour to pick up when you need a fun little getaway.
I quite liked the setting and while the main character felt a bit dull to me, everyone around her was fascinating. They were dynamic and intriguing but there was plenty of them that I didn’t get bored with our main character.
I really enjoyed that there are chapters named by the hurricanes and the women who experienced them but it did take me a moment to understand what was happening when these chapters popped up. The execution could’ve been a bit better as the POV switches and we don’t know who is actually speaking right away. It’s a fun idea and I enjoyed it but it still needed a bit of work to have the intended effect.
I do wish Lo was more of a main character as she is the most interesting part of this story but I do understand the choices made. Otherwise it was fun and I will always recommend her books and will enjoy them for years to come.
August 22, 2025
Rachel Hawkins never disappoints, and her newest, The Storm, is probably one of my favorites. I absolutely loved the atmosphere, the unreliable characters, and the whole whodunit mystery, never quite knowing who to believe, who to trust, and who to put your faith in.
This kept me on my toes and, more importantly, eagerly turning the pages wanting more.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This kept me on my toes and, more importantly, eagerly turning the pages wanting more.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
August 20, 2025
This is definitely Rachel Hawkins best book yet! I was so invested in this story, not a dull moment to be had. It was such an atmospheric read taking place in Alabama in a Gulf Coast beach motel during hurricane season.
We have two timelines as we go back to a local girl accused of murder in 1984. Current day, Geneva who is the current owner of the Rosalie Inn gets some unexpected guests. Lo Bailey is back with a writer to share her true crime story from 41 years ago.
This is a very quick read that kept me super engaged throughout. You don’t want to miss this one!
We have two timelines as we go back to a local girl accused of murder in 1984. Current day, Geneva who is the current owner of the Rosalie Inn gets some unexpected guests. Lo Bailey is back with a writer to share her true crime story from 41 years ago.
This is a very quick read that kept me super engaged throughout. You don’t want to miss this one!
September 9, 2025
an absolutely phenomenal and engrossing read! I loved the layers upon layers of unfolding mystery, the characters and their complexity, the deep history that was entrenched in this story, and of course, the looming storm that was a visceral presence in its own right. This book was a masterpiece and I loved every minute!
thank you to NetGalley, the author Rachel Hawkins, and St Martins Press for my ARC of this novel.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Rachel Hawkins, and St Martins Press for my ARC of this novel.
August 13, 2025
Rachel Hawkins is one of my top 10 favorite authors. I was beyond excited to be able to read this book early. Once again she crafted an amazing story. A mystery story that weaves together with past hurricanes. One man that brought destruction to women and the repercussions that followed. This was intricate, flowed easily, the twists were done well, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Another winner from Hawkins.
September 7, 2025
4.25 stars
A gripping, addictive read, I feel like Rachel Hawkins still flies a bit under the radar compared to authors like Alice Feeney or Ruth Ware. Her books don’t seem to get the same publicity push, but I’m starting to think I might actually be a stan—her immersive storytelling is so distinctly hers, standing apart from much of what’s out there in the genre. The Storm is yet another solid entry.
What really sets her apart, I think, is the way she structures her narratives—often fragmented (which I love, since it feels like piecing together a puzzle) and told through multiple perspectives and mediums. On paper this multiple POVs + epistolary format might sounds fairly standard, but in execution it’s wonderfully unpredictable; you never quite know what new detail (or twist) will land in each scene. Hawkins also shines at crafting colourful, relatable characters. The numerous flashbacks in The Storm had my full attention and added real depth, which is a sharp contrast to another recent thriller I read where the flashbacks felt like nothing but filler.
My only gripe is with the ending. While it makes sense thematically and delivers a proper adrenaline-fuelled climax, it veers just a bit too melodramatic for my taste (I had a similar feeling with The Heiress). Still, it’s a small quibble in an otherwise strong read. If you’re craving that unputdownable mix of high-drama twists and character-driven intrigue, this one absolutely delivers.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
A gripping, addictive read, I feel like Rachel Hawkins still flies a bit under the radar compared to authors like Alice Feeney or Ruth Ware. Her books don’t seem to get the same publicity push, but I’m starting to think I might actually be a stan—her immersive storytelling is so distinctly hers, standing apart from much of what’s out there in the genre. The Storm is yet another solid entry.
What really sets her apart, I think, is the way she structures her narratives—often fragmented (which I love, since it feels like piecing together a puzzle) and told through multiple perspectives and mediums. On paper this multiple POVs + epistolary format might sounds fairly standard, but in execution it’s wonderfully unpredictable; you never quite know what new detail (or twist) will land in each scene. Hawkins also shines at crafting colourful, relatable characters. The numerous flashbacks in The Storm had my full attention and added real depth, which is a sharp contrast to another recent thriller I read where the flashbacks felt like nothing but filler.
My only gripe is with the ending. While it makes sense thematically and delivers a proper adrenaline-fuelled climax, it veers just a bit too melodramatic for my taste (I had a similar feeling with The Heiress). Still, it’s a small quibble in an otherwise strong read. If you’re craving that unputdownable mix of high-drama twists and character-driven intrigue, this one absolutely delivers.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
June 20, 2025
Rachel Hawkins can do no wrong! The shocking twists and fast pacing kept me hooked from the first page! I read The Storm in less than 24 hours-- finishing at 2am! Another must-read from the Queen of Thrillers Herself!
August 17, 2025
While this was a quick read nothing really happened until the end. The chapters, storm names, character names, and their aliases were difficult to keep track of. Also, Landon was gross and I don’t care who killed him.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
September 1, 2025
A tensely twisty mystery of disastrous proportions! Geneva owns a small inn on the gulf coast. The small town is known for getting epic hurricanes, and a hurricane is on the way. There is a famous cold case of Landon Fitzroy, a politician who died during hurricane Marie in 1984. His 19 year old mistress, Lo Bailey, was arrested for his murder because there was no fluid in his lungs, so he has to have died prior to the hurricane claiming his life. Lo’s trial resulted in a hung jury.
Now, 50 years later, a journalist is coming to Geneva’s inn to investigate the crime and also Lo Bailey had returned with him to clear her name. Naturally everyone has secrets, and the book paces itself exactly like a hurricane. 🌀
You get the warnings and you prepare, boarding up your windows and filling tubs with water. In this way the book then slowly gave us the background and prepared us for the big reveals and explosive conclusion. This is a well paced mystery. I found the characters to be compelling and the dialogue to be believable. I was “blown away” (lol) by the conclusion.
This is the kind of mystery thriller that fans of Rachel Hawkins have come to expect- and it doesn’t disappoint!
Thanks to NetGalley and St martins Press for the ARC. Book to be published January 6, 2026.
Now, 50 years later, a journalist is coming to Geneva’s inn to investigate the crime and also Lo Bailey had returned with him to clear her name. Naturally everyone has secrets, and the book paces itself exactly like a hurricane. 🌀
You get the warnings and you prepare, boarding up your windows and filling tubs with water. In this way the book then slowly gave us the background and prepared us for the big reveals and explosive conclusion. This is a well paced mystery. I found the characters to be compelling and the dialogue to be believable. I was “blown away” (lol) by the conclusion.
This is the kind of mystery thriller that fans of Rachel Hawkins have come to expect- and it doesn’t disappoint!
Thanks to NetGalley and St martins Press for the ARC. Book to be published January 6, 2026.
September 10, 2025
Thank you to netgalley for sending over this arc!
Like many of Rachel Hawkins' books, there's a bit of mystery mixed with a little bit of historical fiction. But not enough with this one. It started out good, you had a journalist interviewing a woman who was accused of murder back in the 80s... but then it kind of fell flat. While things that had happened in the past with Landon and the girls were definitely explained from their respective parties, I would have enjoyed it if we'd gotten to read a little of what Lo and August talked about for the book. While this one wasn't my favourite of Hawkins', I still enjoyed the story and am excited to see what's next from her.
Like many of Rachel Hawkins' books, there's a bit of mystery mixed with a little bit of historical fiction. But not enough with this one. It started out good, you had a journalist interviewing a woman who was accused of murder back in the 80s... but then it kind of fell flat. While things that had happened in the past with Landon and the girls were definitely explained from their respective parties, I would have enjoyed it if we'd gotten to read a little of what Lo and August talked about for the book. While this one wasn't my favourite of Hawkins', I still enjoyed the story and am excited to see what's next from her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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