Society Women

by Adriane Leigh

The USA Today bestselling author of the Influencer series delivers a riveting psychological thriller about power, betrayal, and the haunting legacy of family secrets filled with diabolical turns and shocking twists.

Some invitations are meant to be declined. . . .

Ellie works as an accountant at her father’s successful investment company in New York City. She enjoys all the comforts her privileged lifestyle affords—a two-bedroom apartment overlooking Central Park, a generous trust fund, and a devastatingly attractive if often absent husband who works long hours for her father as well. Yet the introverted young woman who wants for nothing feels aimless and untethered. Ellie lost her mother at a young age and still has nightmares about her death. She sometimes sleepwalks at night and finds herself stumbling through the days.

But Ellie’s life takes a turn when she receives an anonymous invitation in the mail, asking her to join an elite women’s club known only as “The Society.” Intrigued, she begins to attend their lavish gatherings where she meets her new close companion, Aubrey, and enjoys the benefits of belonging to the group—friendship, sisterhood, and support from other successful and glamorous women. Then Ellie makes a horrifying discovery about the society and its “philanthropic work.” The women of The Society harbor dark, dangerous secrets—secrets that may implicate Ellie’s own family.

Wickedly twisty, Society Women is a gripping story of prestige, power, and dirty secrets that will hook you with every surprising turn and leave you questioning every truth until the final, shocking end.

Genres: Thriller, Adult, Novels, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2025

About the author

is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple novels and novellas. With appearances in publications such as Vogue Magazine and The Montreal Gazette, the award-winning author, in addition to writing, founded RARE: Romance Author & Reader Events, a community of internationally-renowned book conventions that draw thousands of readers and #1 bestselling authors to events around the world each year. 

She hosts a podcast, The Rebel Artist, and her books are translated into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

She lives on Lake Michigan with her family.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published March 24, 2026.

1 star

So, this one took an odd turn. And, and you may think I am mistaken because the Good Lord knows she only mentions it every ten pages or so, but there is no way this FMC went to Columbia. In fact, if I had to guess, the city in South Carolina would be iffy about letting her in there. Because she is dumb. Beyond dumb. Imbecilic.

Can you really root for hopeless, naive idiots? I think you just stick a helmet on them and send them on their ways. An actual line of dialogue from the book: “”You wouldn’t listen. You wouldn’t play your part. Your goodness is a liability.’” And so many plot holes. Just so, so bad.

[Hillary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This kicks off with a woman named Kat refusing to use nicknames (Kat being her given name, obviously) and ends somewhere in the realm of one character revealing the existence of a hidden camera broadcasting live to another character who promptly responds by confessing everything. I'm not exaggerating.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Society Women was an addictive, messy kind of read. I liked following Ellie as she gets drawn into the glamorous, secret world of The Society. She’s trying to figure out her life while surrounded by wealth, privilege, and people who seem perfect on the outside but are hiding dark secrets.

I liked the twists and the way the book showed how toxic ambition and appearances can be. The tension kept me turning pages, and the cat-and-mouse between Ellie and the other women had some really satisfying moments. That said, a few plot points felt a little over-the-top, and Ellie sometimes felt more reactive than fully in control of her story.

Overall, it’s a fun, bingeable thriller with plenty of glitz, drama, and secrets. Not perfect, but definitely entertaining.

Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

[Chel (chel.chapters) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Society Women is a fast-paced, bingeable thriller — I flew through it in under 24 hours. It’s an easy, compulsive read filled with twisted characters and unhinged decisions. The plot goes way over the top — think Blacklist-level chaos — and definitely stretches reality, but it kept me entertained the whole time. A solid 3-star read for when you’re in the mood for drama.

[Venkatesan · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book

[Nicole Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Society Women” by Adriane Leigh is a glitzy, fast-paced psychological thriller that pulls you into the glittering world of Manhattan’s elite, and then slowly peels back the polished veneer to reveal something far more chaotic and unsettling underneath. At the center of it all is Ellie, an accountant whose seemingly secure life with her husband and steady job masks grief, insomnia, and a lingering sense that she’s drifting without purpose. When she receives an anonymous invitation to join an exclusive circle of glamorous, influential women known only as The Society, the allure of belonging becomes impossible to resist.

What begins as an intoxicating mix of sisterhood, prestige, and privilege soon curdles into a tense game of secrets and manipulation. Ellie finds herself simultaneously drawn in and watched, especially through her friendship with the magnetic Aubrey, and her personal history becomes tangled with the darker truths driving The Society’s philanthropic front. The more she learns, the more she begins to question not only her new “sisters,” but her marriage, her family, and her own memories.

Adriane Leigh excels at atmosphere with cocktail parties that feel like traps, whispered conversations dripping with menace, glittering events that hide emotional bruises. The Manhattan setting becomes a character in itself, amplifying themes of toxic ambition, generational privilege, and how appearances can be weaponized. The tension moves quickly, and the book’s short length makes it a true binge read; you can easily finish it in a single sitting.

That said, “Society Women” isn’t without its rough edges. The breakneck pacing keeps the story engaging, but occasionally at the expense of depth; some characters within The Society feel underdeveloped, and a few twists land with less surprise than I was expecting. While the first half is taut and addictive, the later chapters felt a bit rushed, especially with certain plot threads left vague or incomplete. Ellie herself is compelling, but I wished she’d taken a more active role in steering her own story rather than reacting to the chaos surrounding her.

Still, if you crave messy, over-the-top drama laced with psychological tension, then this story definitely delivers. It’s the kind of book where you need to know what’s really going on even if the answers aren’t always neat, and the truth leaves a lingering sting.

Overall, “Society Women” is a glossy, twisty thriller that explores the cost of belonging and what’s sacrificed to seem perfect. It may not stick every landing, but its addictive premise, sharp psychological edge, and bingeable pacing make it a gripping escape into the darker corners of high society.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Glamour, greed, and dangerous secrets—Society Women proves that behind every perfect life lies something worth hiding.

I really liked how Adriane Leigh blended privilege, secrecy, and psychological tension in this addictive thriller. Ellie’s life looks flawless—luxury apartment, handsome husband, and a role in her father’s high-profile firm—but beneath the gloss, she’s haunted by loss and insomnia. When she’s invited into an exclusive club of glamorous women known only as The Society, the allure of sisterhood and success turns sinister fast.

What stood out most to me was how Leigh used the glittering Manhattan setting to explore the darker side of wealth and ambition. Every cocktail party hides a secret, every smile a lie. Her writing is sleek, emotional, and immersive—the kind of story that pulls you in with its elegance before revealing its bite. I also appreciated how the twists hit when I least expected them—what started as a familiar premise turned into something deeper and far more intriguing.

While I was fully absorbed in the premise and atmosphere, a few parts of the story felt a bit predictable once the main mystery took shape. Some of the side characters within The Society could’ve been developed more deeply. I wanted to know more about their motives and the inner dynamics of the group. That being said, the glossy setting and psychological unease kept me reading, and the ending delivered enough surprise to make it worthwhile.

All in all, Society Women is a sharp, twist-filled psychological thriller about power, privilege, and the cost of belonging. I recommend to those who like their domestic suspense with a glossy, dangerous edge.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Julie Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 Stars

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I'm sorry, but Ellie is the worst character in a book of the most terrible characters. Ellie went straight from Columbia (this is her only personality trait) to working with her father at his company, where her husband also works, but as an attorney. At the being, it seems she's executive level and sees her father first thing in the morning, but halfway through the book, she suddenly has a manager she is calling out sick to and her father never checks on her. She literally only sees him again at the end.

Ellie is feeling lonely (and seriously has the least chill of anyone ever) when she gets an invitation to a retreat for a group called Society Women. She does not question this at all and with her new neighbor/apparently only friend, heads to upstate New York for a group of women she has never met or heard of before. Who does this? Then she finds out the group gets revenege on men who've hurt/killed women and they immediately decide this anxious, chaotic mess of a woman will be their hitman.

Meanwhile, her husband is drugging her and maybe sleeping with her new friend? (Idk it's never actually a closed plot). There are so many plots that are never closed. They never explain what this big secret her husband and father (who are bffs) are hiding from her and why they are making her think she's going crazy. This book basically took the movie promising young woman and replaced the main character with the worst person you could ever ask to do this.

[Randi A · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have not read a hot mess of a book like this in awhile. While the action ramps up fast, it quickly runs itself off the deep end. Ellie is immediately suspicious of her husband and we have little to no rationale as to why - there is no suspense building in any plot in this entire book. Her father ends up being this horrible human and he and Ellie maybe have one total interaction before the last chapter? The society plot line, the whole description of this book, is only in the first 40% of the book and hardly mentioned again (though I guess it does connect, but they just stop contacting her, no questions asked). Ellie doesn’t question at all the motives of the group and seems to have no qualms to go on dates with supposed horrible men despite being married. Then in a matter of days she’s carving a man’s chest! A high security government official?! Yet her violent tendencies are hardly found in the rest of this book. I find it quite wild the first person thanked in the acknowledgments of this book is the editor because frankly this book feels like nobody edited it at all. A whole ass mess, truly.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Society Women ahead of its release on 24 March 2026.

I was instantly drawn to the concept — an elite women’s society promising glamour, sisterhood, and success, only for the polished surface to crack and reveal something much darker underneath. At just 256 pages, it’s a short (ish) and very bingeable read. I finished it quickly, and there’s no denying the premise has plenty of intrigue.

For me, the idea was stronger than the execution. The pacing is fast which kept me turning the pages, but the storyline felt a little messy in parts and some of the twists were easy to see coming. I also struggled to connect with the characters, and at times the drama stretched beyond what felt believable.

That said, if you enjoy chaotic, over the top thrillers centred on privilege, toxic friendships, and secrets unraveling fast, this could still scratch the itch. The premise absolutely hooked me — I just wish the delivery landed with the same impact.

Thank you to Harper Perennial for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first read from Adriane Leigh. I wasn't able to finish. The story doesn't flow for me. First off the author has a few things right off that tell me she didn't research. Stolen evidence is inadmissable in court. The check stub.

There needs to be more descriptive scenes. Elly not having her phone, struggling with Matt then running out of the apartment and her phone is in her pocket. Who leaves their phone lay to use a virtual strangers bathroom then comes back there's a struggle and she now has her phone in her pocket?

I really struggled with the entire plot of a group of women who hate men and want revenge. Elly and her husband living virtually separate lives and her suddenly getting this invitation, the neighbor best friend ish Aubry that also felt a bit off.

The story did not hold my interest. Details other than fashion, setting the scenes and having the story play out, unfold in a readers head is lacking.

Review posted on Goodreads for Netgalley will follow onto Amazon once available. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a roller coaster of a ride! This novel has the perfect ingredients for a psychological thriller! Suspense, twists, lies, manipulation, power, betrayal - with a dash of murder, mystery, and a secret society of course.

Ellie has a picture perfect life from the outside looking in. A handsome husband, an expensive New York apartment, a good career, a hefty bank account, and the apple of her father’s eye - or so it all seems. As Ellie begins to question if her mother’s battle with mental illness was passed down to her, the lines between what’s real and what’s not real become blurred. Can Ellie trust her dad? Her husband? Her closest friend? Did she inherit her mother’s dark mental illness - or is Ellie facing a web of lies? One day, a society finds Ellie and recruits her into their life. At first, it seems too good to be true. But this society is up to some sinister doings. How far is Ellie willing to go to discover the truth?

Unputdownable and such a good read - I finished it in one sitting!

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Society Women follows Ellie, an accountant in New York City who lives a seemingly comfortable life with her husband, Jack. She struggles with sleepwalking and nightmares about her mother. Her world changes when she receives an anonymous invitation to join an elite club known simply as “The Society.” Drawn by the glamour and sisterhood—especially her friendship with Aubrey—Ellie soon discovers a darker side to this exclusive organization. The Society’s philanthropic front hides deeply disturbing secrets, ones that could implicate Ellie’s own family. While Ellie discovers a new version of herself, she realizes that things in her life are not as they seem. Definitely a twisty tale for fans of psychological thrillers!

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5

I really love the concept of this book, but was a bit disappointed in the execution. I was just expecting more (mainly, more drama and intrigue).

This follows the drama and personal issues of the women within an "elite women's' society."

The characters are suspicious, snobby, unlikable, and have strange motivations. I do think all of that was on purpose, but it did make it hard for me to root for anyone. I felt like I was just watching, not really caring.

And I also think some of my confusion with this book must have come from the plot holes. That's the only think that makes sense to me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Lovely Loveday]

Society Women by Adriane Leigh is a dark and addictive read that peels back the polished surface of privilege to reveal what lies beneath. The story is full of sharp twists and shifting loyalties that kept me guessing at every turn. Leigh does a great job of blending glamour with grit, creating characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating. Every secret that unravels adds another layer of tension, and by the time I reached the ending, I was genuinely stunned. It’s the kind of book that makes you question how well you really know the people at the top. Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me to share my thoughts on an ARC copy of this book.

[Brooklyn Pendleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleepless nights lingered alongside fading memories of her mother. A father perpetually consumed by work. A husband rarely present, equally submerged in ambition—justified as devotion to her father and to their shared future. An invitation into a women’s society promised new connections, yet provoked unsettling questions. It was overwhelming, layered, and utterly compelling—I relished every moment.

El trusted no one, scarcely even herself, especially when her fate rested in her husband’s hands. This was a gripping, unputdownable read. Also the author of the Influencer, she delivered in every way, and did not disappoint.

[Natalia Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book sounded fascinating. A secret society thriller is usually a good time. This one wasn’t any different. I finished in one day and it was a page turner, but I think the concept was better than the execution. The main character felt so inconsistent to me and some unbelievable shit happens. The latter happens a lot though when rich people are behaving badly. I’ll take fictional accountability though since IRL there seems to be none. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[JENNIFER J FOWLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Society Women by Adriane Leigh is a powerful and eye-opening book that shows how women are shaped—and often limited—by societal expectations. I found the characters very realistic, especially in how they struggle between fitting in and staying true to themselves. Leigh does a great job showing the emotional weight of living up to appearances and social status. Overall, I enjoyed this book because it made me think more deeply about gender roles and the pressure society places on women.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Madisyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very faced paced book that took me less than 24 hours to read. I feel like it was alright and the initial first 35-40 chapters were really good and detailed, but then the ending was hastily put together to just end the book and wasn’t as well written as it could’ve been. Some of the plots don’t get proper endings and some you have to think more into it as it doesn’t black and white lay it out for you. Overall, I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a 5 star read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mackenzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this wasn't the worst thriller, this truly had some weird parts to it. There was also extremely obvious plot twists that really took away from parts of the story especially towards the end.
I found Aubrey & Kat to be insufferable, and honestly I get her use to Ellie's story but Jesus, did I just want her gone sometimes.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Perennial for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Carly Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adriane Leigh does it again. The twists in this thriller kept me wanting to read to see what happened next. Finished this in a day and hope that it is the beginning of a series, as I would love to read more about The Society. Watching Ellie question her sanity and struggle to trust herself and find answers really reiterates that sometimes the only one you can trust is yourself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LibraryNinja_Beritk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a novel! I absolutely loved this book- Adriane Leigh has a unique spin on thriller and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Society Women will keep you guessing until the last second...and you'll think long and hard after the book is done about righting wrongs and what family really means.

Thank you to Harper Perennial for allowing me the opportunity to review this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#adrianeleigh #SocietyWomen #libraryninja

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

Reminiscent of a Freida McFadden book. A little on the juvenile, light reading side. It wanted to be mysterious, but it was incredibly predictable and not exactly edge of your seat suspense. Not an awful read, just go in with low expectations.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kailyn Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much potential, but fell so very flat. It was a very quick read and I honestly feel that if the author/editors spent more time fleshing out some of the characters, it could be great. There were so many different things happening at once and it seemed to happen so quickly that none of it tied together well.

[Hannah Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Harper Perennial for the ARC to review! This book was very …. Meh. I loved the idea of the concept, but it isn’t one I would recommend to others. It didn’t have much of a story line and the writing was not strong.

[Shirin Rasheed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Society Women by Adriane Leigh keeps you wanting more and it's Impossible to put it down. There are sharp twists and turns in every corner and it amazes you.

I read it in one sitting and would definitely Recommend it to all readers.

[Jillian Conlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

a solid read, suspenseful & intriguing. it felt a little predictable which is where it fell a little short for me. the twist was dangling in front of the reader’s face the whole time I just wish there was a little more shock value to it or a second twist.

[Venkat ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book

[J.C. Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in a day and a half because I couldn’t put it down. The twists and turns were unexpected. This was a well thought out and plotted story that I enjoyed reading.

[Meenal · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 22%
The story is good I just didn't like it it was making me anxious