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Harmless
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Chilling, twisty, and surprisingly tender, Harmless explores the confusion and messiness of growing up—and asks if we can ever really outrun what haunts us most.
Two years ago, Bea’s life was upended when her beloved twin sister, Audrey, died. Audrey was captivating, an extrovert, their mother’s golden child. Bea was “different,” too intense, and chronically lonely.
Now, in her late twenties, having taken time away to grieve, Bea is back home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, her spirits finally buoyed by her plan to start a dog kennel. Inspired by the childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and old, now-estranged friends Tatum and Layla, she’s sure this will be the perfect ode to her sister’s life. Despite what people say, Bea knows she took good care of Audrey in the months before her death, and hopes to do the same for needy dogs. But she'll have to ask for help.
Tatum is dissatisfied with her assistant-level publishing job and icked by her live-in college boyfriend. Layla, on the other hand, has a full-time assistant but no job, thanks to her mother’s immense fortune. Both are desperate for purpose and well-primed for Bea’s unexpected business proposition.
But as they reintegrate into one another’s lives, simmering tensions—and attractions—emerge, and a sinister darkness breaks through to the surface. What do they really want from one another? What happens when buried secrets come to light? And when is the right time to abandon an outdated dream—or a lifelong friendship?
Two years ago, Bea’s life was upended when her beloved twin sister, Audrey, died. Audrey was captivating, an extrovert, their mother’s golden child. Bea was “different,” too intense, and chronically lonely.
Now, in her late twenties, having taken time away to grieve, Bea is back home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, her spirits finally buoyed by her plan to start a dog kennel. Inspired by the childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and old, now-estranged friends Tatum and Layla, she’s sure this will be the perfect ode to her sister’s life. Despite what people say, Bea knows she took good care of Audrey in the months before her death, and hopes to do the same for needy dogs. But she'll have to ask for help.
Tatum is dissatisfied with her assistant-level publishing job and icked by her live-in college boyfriend. Layla, on the other hand, has a full-time assistant but no job, thanks to her mother’s immense fortune. Both are desperate for purpose and well-primed for Bea’s unexpected business proposition.
But as they reintegrate into one another’s lives, simmering tensions—and attractions—emerge, and a sinister darkness breaks through to the surface. What do they really want from one another? What happens when buried secrets come to light? And when is the right time to abandon an outdated dream—or a lifelong friendship?
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 14, 2026
15 people are currently reading
6829 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Shulman
1 book37 followersMiranda Shulman attended Bard College, where she majored in human rights. Before pursuing a career in publishing, she worked at Planned Parenthood. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and still lives there. Harmless is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 20, 2026
Harmless is very odd…but interesting? The book starts with Bea getting ready for a memorial service for her twin sister Audrey, two years later because of COVID. She has a whim to start a dog kennel because of her sister, and knows that she will see a childhood friend of theirs at the service who she decides she wants to be a part of it.
When the third member of their quartet surprisingly shows up at the service the book transitions more to the current state of Bea and Tatum’s lives, and how their reconnection look at where they are and what they want based on each other and Bea’s roommate Rosalie.
Tatum is a very normal person who is having a quarter-ish life crisis with the banality of her life. Her live-in boyfriend Ed has become annoying to her, her job isn’t fulfilling, she’s trying to please everyone. Then she reconnects with Layla and is not only attracted to her, but sees someone she views as more put together and successful than she is, which makes her reevaluate everything in her life.
Bea is not normal. Whether this is nature or nurture is anyone’s guess, but the book reveals her as someone who desperately wants to belong and someone who is both controlling and not aware of appropriate social constructs. She feels left out when she’s not included, but she makes people feel uncomfortable when she is. This is reflected in her relationships with Tatum and Layla, and her obsessive need to control a spiraling Audrey before her death and later her roommate Rosalie.
Having known someone like Bea, and being able to see into what she was thinking was deeply uncomfortable for me. I found her behavior disturbing and scary for anyone who has a person like this in their life. Creating a very sinister vibe, she was a very cautionary tale of having someone like this in your orbit, whether you consider them a friend or not.
Tatum’s POV is not only a much needed break from the intensity of reading from Bea’s point of view, it’s a reminder that it’s perfectly normal to question where you are in life, who you’re with, and what you want, and that the grass may not be greener in someone else’s backyard.
The women and their revelations about themselves all come to a head during a getaway to their childhood vacation home.
I wish that Shulman had found a different way to bring the women together than the idea of opening a dog kennel, because none of them seem truly interested and it fades away as a storyline. I really enjoyed Tatum’s story and evolution, but Bea hit so close to home in uncomfortable ways that this didn’t just feel speculative, it felt real.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When the third member of their quartet surprisingly shows up at the service the book transitions more to the current state of Bea and Tatum’s lives, and how their reconnection look at where they are and what they want based on each other and Bea’s roommate Rosalie.
Tatum is a very normal person who is having a quarter-ish life crisis with the banality of her life. Her live-in boyfriend Ed has become annoying to her, her job isn’t fulfilling, she’s trying to please everyone. Then she reconnects with Layla and is not only attracted to her, but sees someone she views as more put together and successful than she is, which makes her reevaluate everything in her life.
Bea is not normal. Whether this is nature or nurture is anyone’s guess, but the book reveals her as someone who desperately wants to belong and someone who is both controlling and not aware of appropriate social constructs. She feels left out when she’s not included, but she makes people feel uncomfortable when she is. This is reflected in her relationships with Tatum and Layla, and her obsessive need to control a spiraling Audrey before her death and later her roommate Rosalie.
Having known someone like Bea, and being able to see into what she was thinking was deeply uncomfortable for me. I found her behavior disturbing and scary for anyone who has a person like this in their life. Creating a very sinister vibe, she was a very cautionary tale of having someone like this in your orbit, whether you consider them a friend or not.
Tatum’s POV is not only a much needed break from the intensity of reading from Bea’s point of view, it’s a reminder that it’s perfectly normal to question where you are in life, who you’re with, and what you want, and that the grass may not be greener in someone else’s backyard.
The women and their revelations about themselves all come to a head during a getaway to their childhood vacation home.
I wish that Shulman had found a different way to bring the women together than the idea of opening a dog kennel, because none of them seem truly interested and it fades away as a storyline. I really enjoyed Tatum’s story and evolution, but Bea hit so close to home in uncomfortable ways that this didn’t just feel speculative, it felt real.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 12, 2025
Miranda Shulman’s debut novel is a stunningly sinister journey of grief that will be sure to stick with you for weeks.
The story centers around three women, grieving after the loss of their friend and sister, Audrey, who decide to open a dog kennel in her honor, but their reunion brings up old, long dormant tensions.
Bea, the central character, was Audrey’s primary caregiver when she passed away after a long battle with heroin addiction. Her strange behavior and lack of visible emotion put many people off, and she is almost completely isolated. Tatum, a former best friend of Audrey’s, is stuck in a relationship she is unhappy in, and struggling to resist to temptations brought on by a reunion with her long-lost friend, Layla. Layla, the daughter of a famous television writer, is the pinnacle of New York wealth. She’s got plastic boobs and an assistant twice her age, yet she’s unaware of the very scope of her privilege.
The differences between these three characters are clear, but are only heightened when. they interact with each other. The depth and scope of the characters make Harmless a fascinating and unique read, and the story will keep you guessing up until the very last sentence.
The story centers around three women, grieving after the loss of their friend and sister, Audrey, who decide to open a dog kennel in her honor, but their reunion brings up old, long dormant tensions.
Bea, the central character, was Audrey’s primary caregiver when she passed away after a long battle with heroin addiction. Her strange behavior and lack of visible emotion put many people off, and she is almost completely isolated. Tatum, a former best friend of Audrey’s, is stuck in a relationship she is unhappy in, and struggling to resist to temptations brought on by a reunion with her long-lost friend, Layla. Layla, the daughter of a famous television writer, is the pinnacle of New York wealth. She’s got plastic boobs and an assistant twice her age, yet she’s unaware of the very scope of her privilege.
The differences between these three characters are clear, but are only heightened when. they interact with each other. The depth and scope of the characters make Harmless a fascinating and unique read, and the story will keep you guessing up until the very last sentence.
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January 8, 2026it's a new year and time to try new authors! I can't wait to read this!
September 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Harmless is a layered but chaotic novel that primarily follows two women in their twenties: Beatrix and Tatum. Bea’s twin Audrey passed away two years before the beginning of the novel in a heroin-induced choking incident (on an olive). The novel opens during Audrey’s COVID-delayed memorial. When Bea and Audrey’s childhood friends Tatum and Layla show up to the memorial, Bea confronts them with her brilliant idea: a revival of their collective childhood dream of opening a dog kennel/rescue. Layla and her family’s new money immediately become invested in this idea and prepare to mobilize it. But Bea suddenly loses enthusiasm for the idea and her role in Audrey’s addiction and subsequent death becomes complicated.
I particularly liked Bea as a character. She is strange, often comes off as rude, and really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her. I love that she is such a morally twisted character, and I think that the book did a good job of making the reader completely uncomfortable whenever she is in a scene. I haven’t read a character in a long time that I was so simultaneously intrigued and put off by, I think that this is a very difficult balance to strike.
The narrative is also completely embedded in New York in the perfect way. Every scene felt intimately familiar with Park Slope especially, and Schulman painted a very real-feeling although perhaps exaggerated picture of that part of Brooklyn. Schulman was convincing in this picture and I would entirely believe that she is from Park Slope.
I was expecting a more thorough meditation on grief. Especially considering that Audrey and Bea were twins, I thought that this book might be more devastating than it was. I don’t think this lack of grief and emotion was a bad thing, of course, it was just surprising. Perhaps it’s because the novel opens two years after the death occurred. But Harmless is much more of a humorous romp through Park Slope that explores the tensions between an eclectic group of childhood friends.
I guess what fell short for me was that the book was ultimately kind of boring. Bea is a wonderfully strange character, but we focus more on minor mischief than the actual borderline atrocities she commits. Schulman is perhaps a little bit too interested in Tatum, who, while well-written, was rather boring to me. Getting out of Bea’s claustrophobically twisted mind was refreshing at times, but I don’t really understand the point of Tatum’s perspective. Her arc as a character made sense and was satisfying by the end, but not interesting. I think her as a character particularly turned Harmless from being an ironic, unreliable narrative to becoming a sort of uncritical window into the foibles of the New York wealthy.
I still think it was an enjoyable read, and I am sure that Harmless will do well for a lot of people. I am excited to see how other people will receive this novel when it comes out in April next year. I ended up rating this a 3.25/5.
Harmless is a layered but chaotic novel that primarily follows two women in their twenties: Beatrix and Tatum. Bea’s twin Audrey passed away two years before the beginning of the novel in a heroin-induced choking incident (on an olive). The novel opens during Audrey’s COVID-delayed memorial. When Bea and Audrey’s childhood friends Tatum and Layla show up to the memorial, Bea confronts them with her brilliant idea: a revival of their collective childhood dream of opening a dog kennel/rescue. Layla and her family’s new money immediately become invested in this idea and prepare to mobilize it. But Bea suddenly loses enthusiasm for the idea and her role in Audrey’s addiction and subsequent death becomes complicated.
I particularly liked Bea as a character. She is strange, often comes off as rude, and really doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of her. I love that she is such a morally twisted character, and I think that the book did a good job of making the reader completely uncomfortable whenever she is in a scene. I haven’t read a character in a long time that I was so simultaneously intrigued and put off by, I think that this is a very difficult balance to strike.
The narrative is also completely embedded in New York in the perfect way. Every scene felt intimately familiar with Park Slope especially, and Schulman painted a very real-feeling although perhaps exaggerated picture of that part of Brooklyn. Schulman was convincing in this picture and I would entirely believe that she is from Park Slope.
I was expecting a more thorough meditation on grief. Especially considering that Audrey and Bea were twins, I thought that this book might be more devastating than it was. I don’t think this lack of grief and emotion was a bad thing, of course, it was just surprising. Perhaps it’s because the novel opens two years after the death occurred. But Harmless is much more of a humorous romp through Park Slope that explores the tensions between an eclectic group of childhood friends.
I guess what fell short for me was that the book was ultimately kind of boring. Bea is a wonderfully strange character, but we focus more on minor mischief than the actual borderline atrocities she commits. Schulman is perhaps a little bit too interested in Tatum, who, while well-written, was rather boring to me. Getting out of Bea’s claustrophobically twisted mind was refreshing at times, but I don’t really understand the point of Tatum’s perspective. Her arc as a character made sense and was satisfying by the end, but not interesting. I think her as a character particularly turned Harmless from being an ironic, unreliable narrative to becoming a sort of uncritical window into the foibles of the New York wealthy.
I still think it was an enjoyable read, and I am sure that Harmless will do well for a lot of people. I am excited to see how other people will receive this novel when it comes out in April next year. I ended up rating this a 3.25/5.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book: Harmless
Author: Miranda Shulman
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Dutton, for sending me an ARC. This was just a classic case of the book not being for me. It’s not a bad book by any means, but it just wasn’t for me.
Two years after the death of her twin sister, Audrey, Bea is still living in the shadow of a loss that reshaped her life. Audrey had been magnetic and outgoing, their mother’s favourite, while Bea was seen as intense and isolated. Grief pulled Bea away from everything familiar, yet now in her late twenties, she has returned home to Park Slope, Brooklyn, determined to begin again. Bea plans to open a dog kennel, inspired by a childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and their former friends Tatum and Layla. She believes the business will honour her sister’s memory and give her own life direction. Bea is certain she cared for Audrey devotedly in the months before her death, and she hopes to channel that same devotion into rescuing and tending to vulnerable dogs. To make the kennel succeed, she must reconnect with the two friends she left behind. Tatum feels stuck in a low-level publishing job and trapped in a stagnant relationship with her college boyfriend. Layla lives comfortably on her mother’s wealth yet lacks meaningful work or independence. Each woman is restless in her own way, which makes Bea’s proposal unexpectedly appealing. As the three women attempt to rebuild their friendship, old resentments surface alongside complicated desires. Their shared history binds them together, yet unresolved tensions threaten to pull them apart. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, forcing each of them to confront what they truly want from one another and from themselves. The dream that once united them may not survive the truth, and neither may their lifelong bond.
I really wanted to like this one, and I went into it fully open to wherever the story wanted to take me. It just ended up not being a book for me.
I usually enjoy books that feel a little different or off-centre. I like when a story takes risks or leans into complicated characters. With this one, I had a really hard time connecting with both the characters and the overall story. When that connection is missing for me, my enjoyment almost always drops. I can appreciate what the author is trying to do, yet I still feel outside of it.
That does not mean this is a bad or poorly written book by any means. The writing itself is thoughtful and intentional. It simply was not a good fit for my personal reading taste.
Bea was probably the most interesting part for me. There is something very human about the way she just wants to find a way to fit in and belong. Her grief, her intensity, and her longing to build something meaningful all felt real. I understood what she wanted, even when I struggled to fully connect with her.
In the end, this is one of those books that I can see working really well for the right reader. It explores complicated friendships and messy emotions in a way that will resonate with some people. I just was not one of them.
Overall, this just wasn’t the book for me.
This book comes out on April 14, 2026.
Author: Miranda Shulman
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Dutton, for sending me an ARC. This was just a classic case of the book not being for me. It’s not a bad book by any means, but it just wasn’t for me.
Two years after the death of her twin sister, Audrey, Bea is still living in the shadow of a loss that reshaped her life. Audrey had been magnetic and outgoing, their mother’s favourite, while Bea was seen as intense and isolated. Grief pulled Bea away from everything familiar, yet now in her late twenties, she has returned home to Park Slope, Brooklyn, determined to begin again. Bea plans to open a dog kennel, inspired by a childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and their former friends Tatum and Layla. She believes the business will honour her sister’s memory and give her own life direction. Bea is certain she cared for Audrey devotedly in the months before her death, and she hopes to channel that same devotion into rescuing and tending to vulnerable dogs. To make the kennel succeed, she must reconnect with the two friends she left behind. Tatum feels stuck in a low-level publishing job and trapped in a stagnant relationship with her college boyfriend. Layla lives comfortably on her mother’s wealth yet lacks meaningful work or independence. Each woman is restless in her own way, which makes Bea’s proposal unexpectedly appealing. As the three women attempt to rebuild their friendship, old resentments surface alongside complicated desires. Their shared history binds them together, yet unresolved tensions threaten to pull them apart. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, forcing each of them to confront what they truly want from one another and from themselves. The dream that once united them may not survive the truth, and neither may their lifelong bond.
I really wanted to like this one, and I went into it fully open to wherever the story wanted to take me. It just ended up not being a book for me.
I usually enjoy books that feel a little different or off-centre. I like when a story takes risks or leans into complicated characters. With this one, I had a really hard time connecting with both the characters and the overall story. When that connection is missing for me, my enjoyment almost always drops. I can appreciate what the author is trying to do, yet I still feel outside of it.
That does not mean this is a bad or poorly written book by any means. The writing itself is thoughtful and intentional. It simply was not a good fit for my personal reading taste.
Bea was probably the most interesting part for me. There is something very human about the way she just wants to find a way to fit in and belong. Her grief, her intensity, and her longing to build something meaningful all felt real. I understood what she wanted, even when I struggled to fully connect with her.
In the end, this is one of those books that I can see working really well for the right reader. It explores complicated friendships and messy emotions in a way that will resonate with some people. I just was not one of them.
Overall, this just wasn’t the book for me.
This book comes out on April 14, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, this book was different… In fact, I’m not even sure where to begin in reviewing this book. Do I talk about the strange character of Bea? Or the fact that three grown adult women who don’t even own dogs want to open up a dog kennel?
This story starts off with Bea (Beatrix) going to a memorial service for her deceased twin sister, Audrey. This memorial service is two years after the fact because of Covid. While at the service, Bea reconnects with two childhood friends, Tatum and Layla.
While reconnecting with Layla and Tatum, Bea gives them her idea about starting a dog kennel together. 🐕 Layla and Tatum love the idea of starting this dog kennel, as it gives them both a new purpose in life. Layla also comes from money, so it would hopefully be her funds that would start it. Bea’s sister, Audrey, had always wanted a dog, so she thought this would be a good idea.
As the story progresses, we learn a bit about each of the characters. Tatum learns she is just finding out what she wants in life, and has never really been happy with her live-in boyfriend of nine years. We don’t know too much about Layla, except her mother has a lot of money, and in turn, she gets to live off of that money. Bea, is the most disturbing character I have ever read about. She was creepy, dirty, and not a person I would want anywhere near me. Bea also liked to take care of people, and found a new roommate, Rosalie, to take care of.
The three women, along with the roommate, decide to go on a weekend trip to the “Yellow House”. The “Yellow House” is a house where the girls and their parents would spend all their summers at until their parents got into a fight and quit talking to each other. None of the girls know why their parents don’t talk anymore, and none of them thought to ask why. At the “Yellow House” for the weekend, the girls have a big talk about their friendship, and what happened to themselves and Audrey over the years. We also learn how none of them ever really cared about starting a dog kennel…
This book went in a bunch of different directions, and it tried to cover a few too many topics. This was also my second read this month in which the characters called their mothers by their first names, instead of “mom”. I’m finding that so odd.
Anyways, this wasn’t a book that I connected with-especially the characters. This book might be a better fit for a younger audience, but it didn’t quite fit for me. However, I will say for a debut novel, this writing was pretty good.
(2.5 stars)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an Arc of this book, in exchange for an honest opinion.
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Genre~ New Adult, General Fiction (adult)
This story starts off with Bea (Beatrix) going to a memorial service for her deceased twin sister, Audrey. This memorial service is two years after the fact because of Covid. While at the service, Bea reconnects with two childhood friends, Tatum and Layla.
While reconnecting with Layla and Tatum, Bea gives them her idea about starting a dog kennel together. 🐕 Layla and Tatum love the idea of starting this dog kennel, as it gives them both a new purpose in life. Layla also comes from money, so it would hopefully be her funds that would start it. Bea’s sister, Audrey, had always wanted a dog, so she thought this would be a good idea.
As the story progresses, we learn a bit about each of the characters. Tatum learns she is just finding out what she wants in life, and has never really been happy with her live-in boyfriend of nine years. We don’t know too much about Layla, except her mother has a lot of money, and in turn, she gets to live off of that money. Bea, is the most disturbing character I have ever read about. She was creepy, dirty, and not a person I would want anywhere near me. Bea also liked to take care of people, and found a new roommate, Rosalie, to take care of.
The three women, along with the roommate, decide to go on a weekend trip to the “Yellow House”. The “Yellow House” is a house where the girls and their parents would spend all their summers at until their parents got into a fight and quit talking to each other. None of the girls know why their parents don’t talk anymore, and none of them thought to ask why. At the “Yellow House” for the weekend, the girls have a big talk about their friendship, and what happened to themselves and Audrey over the years. We also learn how none of them ever really cared about starting a dog kennel…
This book went in a bunch of different directions, and it tried to cover a few too many topics. This was also my second read this month in which the characters called their mothers by their first names, instead of “mom”. I’m finding that so odd.
Anyways, this wasn’t a book that I connected with-especially the characters. This book might be a better fit for a younger audience, but it didn’t quite fit for me. However, I will say for a debut novel, this writing was pretty good.
(2.5 stars)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an Arc of this book, in exchange for an honest opinion.
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Genre~ New Adult, General Fiction (adult)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Harmless is quirky, charming, and a little bit batshit in the best way.
The novel begins at a memorial service where the three friends reunite to mourn the loss of Audrey. Born, raised (and sill living) in Park Slope, Tatum, Layla, and twins Bea and Audrey, grew up spending summers at the yellow house, a place that has taken on mythic proportions in the light of nostalgia and the way those summers mysteriously ceased. Now in their mid-twenties and mostly estranged, they decide to honor Audrey by following through on a childhood dream of starting a dog kennel in Brooklyn.
That’s a very loose description of the plot, but I don’t want to give too much away. Though it’s mostly character-driven for the first half of the novel, it really comes together for a wild twist I don’t want to spoil.
Though we only get Tatum and Bea’s perspectives, both women spend so much time thinking about the others that it feels like you’re getting all 4 which I thought was a cool way to tell the story without getting bogged down in too much background info.
Beautiful and charismatic, Audrey was at the center of their group— much as she was at the center of most rooms before her addiction rendered her unable to care for herself. Tatum is the most levelheaded of the group, working a dead-end corporate job and living with a boyfriend she can barely stand, but whose parents pay their rent. Layla has reemerged from the shadows of their lives, glamorous and rich (her mother has since became a famous television creator since they were kids) and ready to take charge, if only in appearance. Bea is a question mark as what (at first) reads as quirky/socially unaware, quickly devolves into a dangerous form of madness.
It was reminiscent of Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, but a little psychotic. I was laughing a ton at the beginning, especially about the specific oddities of growing up in the city and overbearing mothers, but then felt totally swept up by the thriller-ish elements that came later. I really enjoyed!
The novel begins at a memorial service where the three friends reunite to mourn the loss of Audrey. Born, raised (and sill living) in Park Slope, Tatum, Layla, and twins Bea and Audrey, grew up spending summers at the yellow house, a place that has taken on mythic proportions in the light of nostalgia and the way those summers mysteriously ceased. Now in their mid-twenties and mostly estranged, they decide to honor Audrey by following through on a childhood dream of starting a dog kennel in Brooklyn.
That’s a very loose description of the plot, but I don’t want to give too much away. Though it’s mostly character-driven for the first half of the novel, it really comes together for a wild twist I don’t want to spoil.
Though we only get Tatum and Bea’s perspectives, both women spend so much time thinking about the others that it feels like you’re getting all 4 which I thought was a cool way to tell the story without getting bogged down in too much background info.
Beautiful and charismatic, Audrey was at the center of their group— much as she was at the center of most rooms before her addiction rendered her unable to care for herself. Tatum is the most levelheaded of the group, working a dead-end corporate job and living with a boyfriend she can barely stand, but whose parents pay their rent. Layla has reemerged from the shadows of their lives, glamorous and rich (her mother has since became a famous television creator since they were kids) and ready to take charge, if only in appearance. Bea is a question mark as what (at first) reads as quirky/socially unaware, quickly devolves into a dangerous form of madness.
It was reminiscent of Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, but a little psychotic. I was laughing a ton at the beginning, especially about the specific oddities of growing up in the city and overbearing mothers, but then felt totally swept up by the thriller-ish elements that came later. I really enjoyed!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I expected a story with a lot of emotional baggage since the story revolves around Audrey's death and those close to her moving on in their individual ways. What I didn't expect was so much negativity. Of all the characters, there was not a one that I liked. Bea is just a scourge on the Earth, and the rest of the gals are people I would avoid. I did not like the story any more than I liked the characters. I tried to tell myself that the story was about working through grief, or a statement piece on mental illness - but I can't really make either case. I finished the book, but feel that it left a black spot on my brain. I cannot say that I learned anything from the story, found it entertaining, or that it left me feeling a better person for having read it.
Now, just because I disliked the story, it does not mean that the author is not talented. Shulman was able to craft characters that were solid enough for me to hate. The story did progress as the girls became reacquainted and tried to move beyond their losses. So my rating is for the story itself.
Now for Spoilers (I have to mention these because they got under my skin). Dog rescues are not for-profit ventures. Who even thinks that this is a possibility? Do any of them have access to a dictionary or Google? And who ventures to form a dog rescue group when you have never even petted a dog? Are these 4-year-old girls opening a lemonade stand with Dixie cups and tap water? It made these gals all seem to be very sheltered and (quite frankly) stupid. Grrr.
Thank you to ID from Penguin Random House for the DRC of this book.
Now, just because I disliked the story, it does not mean that the author is not talented. Shulman was able to craft characters that were solid enough for me to hate. The story did progress as the girls became reacquainted and tried to move beyond their losses. So my rating is for the story itself.
Now for Spoilers (I have to mention these because they got under my skin). Dog rescues are not for-profit ventures. Who even thinks that this is a possibility? Do any of them have access to a dictionary or Google? And who ventures to form a dog rescue group when you have never even petted a dog? Are these 4-year-old girls opening a lemonade stand with Dixie cups and tap water? It made these gals all seem to be very sheltered and (quite frankly) stupid. Grrr.
Thank you to ID from Penguin Random House for the DRC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is absorbing, stirring up intense emotions that are complex and heartbreaking at times.
Adderall, cocaine and heroin. We all know the damage they cause. The book starts with a memorial service in NYC. Beatrix at 27 expressed deep sorrow as her twin sister, Audrey, addicted to heavy drugs, was now gone. Audrey was the one her mother loved best, the beautiful model that was on the cover of magazines. Bea tried to help her but, in the end, it wasn’t enough.
The funeral brought together Bea, Tatum and Layla. They were good friends growing up with fond memories of the past remembering Audrey. Now they were grieving as adults. Layla was happily living off her mother’s wealth. Tatum had an unfulfilling job in publishing. Beatrix was taking care of her sister with no worries about paying for rent in a wealthy neighborhood of NYC.
Beatrix decided that she wanted to open a dog kennel. She approached Layla with this idea. She had no experience with management or dogs. However, she felt it would be what Audrey would have wanted. Wow. A life without worrying about financial pressures is totally fiction.
None of the characters were those I’d want to know. However, their story is one that you can’t push away. Many of us know someone with similar traits of emotional hardships. It leaves you with sadness for those who are unstable -- quietly reaching out for help but can’t seem to get it.
My thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC with an expected release date of April 14, 2026. The thoughts I share are my own.
Adderall, cocaine and heroin. We all know the damage they cause. The book starts with a memorial service in NYC. Beatrix at 27 expressed deep sorrow as her twin sister, Audrey, addicted to heavy drugs, was now gone. Audrey was the one her mother loved best, the beautiful model that was on the cover of magazines. Bea tried to help her but, in the end, it wasn’t enough.
The funeral brought together Bea, Tatum and Layla. They were good friends growing up with fond memories of the past remembering Audrey. Now they were grieving as adults. Layla was happily living off her mother’s wealth. Tatum had an unfulfilling job in publishing. Beatrix was taking care of her sister with no worries about paying for rent in a wealthy neighborhood of NYC.
Beatrix decided that she wanted to open a dog kennel. She approached Layla with this idea. She had no experience with management or dogs. However, she felt it would be what Audrey would have wanted. Wow. A life without worrying about financial pressures is totally fiction.
None of the characters were those I’d want to know. However, their story is one that you can’t push away. Many of us know someone with similar traits of emotional hardships. It leaves you with sadness for those who are unstable -- quietly reaching out for help but can’t seem to get it.
My thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC with an expected release date of April 14, 2026. The thoughts I share are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Audrey died due to her heroin addiction two years ago, now, her oddball sister Bea will set us a kennel in business with Audrey’s two best friends from childhood.
The other characters are;
1. Layla, her single mom is a tv icon. She doesn’t do anything but has an assistant
2. Tatum, she lives with her boyfriend Ed but she doesn’t love him anymore.
3. Park Slope itself, which is not just a setting but a character in the story.
I don’t know how else to put this, but this is both extremely well written and poorly structured, maybe the chaotic structure is just not for me. I loved several sentences and they are so great about developing character and showing rather than telling. Some of the analysis and dialogue are great. I can see many people loving this book, it’s really different and unique.
My favorite character? Bea. She’s so weird. I love that they hint at her ASD but specifically say she has no diagnosis. She might be a sociopath or just an odd duck.
Do I recommend it? Maybe. If you like a fever dream type story and intriguing but sometimes unlikable characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC. Book to be published April 13, 2026
The other characters are;
1. Layla, her single mom is a tv icon. She doesn’t do anything but has an assistant
2. Tatum, she lives with her boyfriend Ed but she doesn’t love him anymore.
3. Park Slope itself, which is not just a setting but a character in the story.
I don’t know how else to put this, but this is both extremely well written and poorly structured, maybe the chaotic structure is just not for me. I loved several sentences and they are so great about developing character and showing rather than telling. Some of the analysis and dialogue are great. I can see many people loving this book, it’s really different and unique.
My favorite character? Bea. She’s so weird. I love that they hint at her ASD but specifically say she has no diagnosis. She might be a sociopath or just an odd duck.
Do I recommend it? Maybe. If you like a fever dream type story and intriguing but sometimes unlikable characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC. Book to be published April 13, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I grew up reading the oddball books. The ones where the characters have some kind of disorder, either personality, addiction, ASD or depression. So when I read the synopsis and reviews of sister dying and woman trying to get her life together in the aftermath despite being beyond the average on the weirdness scale, I thought, sign me up, it'll be nostalgic to say the least.
This book was no different than my thoughts and feelings I had reading the stuff of my teens. However, I think my mindset and likes have changed. As Shulman's debut novel, I will say the book was very well written. The storyline was good. The characters were brats and relatable to myself at that age. I just don't think I was the target audience despite me thinking I still was.
Will I recommend it? Yes. It was a good read, I just don't think I loved it as much as I would have if I was still reading things like "Girl, Interrupted" or Sylvia Plath.
This book was no different than my thoughts and feelings I had reading the stuff of my teens. However, I think my mindset and likes have changed. As Shulman's debut novel, I will say the book was very well written. The storyline was good. The characters were brats and relatable to myself at that age. I just don't think I was the target audience despite me thinking I still was.
Will I recommend it? Yes. It was a good read, I just don't think I loved it as much as I would have if I was still reading things like "Girl, Interrupted" or Sylvia Plath.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars rounded down.
This book wasn’t what I expected, and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. It just wasn’t the story I thought it was going to be. For starters, the dog kennel had very little to do with the plot. I understand its purpose in bringing the girls together but like it could have been anything else. Something more impactful than a child hood pipe dream that the reader was dragged through for honestly no reason. Secondly, the moms. I really would’ve loved more about their relationship and fall out. I enjoyed the one POV we got from Patricia and Vera but again it felt like this big build up for nothing. I was expecting some big mystery as to why they stopped going to the yellow house and again… it just felt lack luster. The final chapters when the girls were back at the yellow house were the most exciting part of the book but the predictable ending made me wonder if the journey was worth the destination.
This book wasn’t what I expected, and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. It just wasn’t the story I thought it was going to be. For starters, the dog kennel had very little to do with the plot. I understand its purpose in bringing the girls together but like it could have been anything else. Something more impactful than a child hood pipe dream that the reader was dragged through for honestly no reason. Secondly, the moms. I really would’ve loved more about their relationship and fall out. I enjoyed the one POV we got from Patricia and Vera but again it felt like this big build up for nothing. I was expecting some big mystery as to why they stopped going to the yellow house and again… it just felt lack luster. The final chapters when the girls were back at the yellow house were the most exciting part of the book but the predictable ending made me wonder if the journey was worth the destination.
February 15, 2026
This book, while intriguing, ultimately fell short of my expectations. The plot started out interesting, but it became increasingly chaotic towards the end.
I’m drawn to stories about childhood friendships and their evolution into adulthood, and this one certainly explored those complexities. However, the narrative became a bit unbelievable by the end.
The beginning of the book was also challenging to follow, as the author could have done a better job introducing each character. Bea, one of the main characters, had some psychological issues that weren’t fully addressed.
This book might appeal to readers who enjoyed Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, although that book is far superior in both plot and execution.
This book releases April 14, 2026. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Dutton, for the advanced copy.
I’m drawn to stories about childhood friendships and their evolution into adulthood, and this one certainly explored those complexities. However, the narrative became a bit unbelievable by the end.
The beginning of the book was also challenging to follow, as the author could have done a better job introducing each character. Bea, one of the main characters, had some psychological issues that weren’t fully addressed.
This book might appeal to readers who enjoyed Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, although that book is far superior in both plot and execution.
This book releases April 14, 2026. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Dutton, for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was just okay. The plot felt so random - two years after Audrey's death, her twin sister and two childhood friends reconnect to open a dog kennel, which was a childhood dream of Audrey's. Bea was somehow both weird and boring. I hated her POVs. I didn't feel like there was enough of a dive into her grief. I was much more invested in Tatum's POV and liked following her reconnection with Layla. Most of the characters just felt kind of flat. I think there was supposed to be an undercurrent of unsettling throughout but it just didn't land that way for me. I felt there was a lack of both tension and connection that were needed to drive the story.
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Audrey’s memorial reunites three childhood friends: Bea, her sister, Tatum and Layla. Each of these women make attempts to revive the bonds they shared as children who shared a summer home. When Bea suggests opening a dog kennel, the others support this idea immediately. Each one of these characteristics is needy, searching for something that never existed. Their re-imaginings and demands are ridiculous. When Layla invites the others to spend some time together in the old vacation house, things come to a head. Bea brings along her roommate Rosalie whom she bullies to control as she had her sister. Tatum, frightened by life, seeks solace in Layla who tries hard to please her guests. Miranda Shulman’s characters are exhausting. They are far from harmless. This novel is not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am not entirely sure how I feel. Upset and uncomfy, which I think is the goal. I found a few glimmers on grief but mostly found the lost twin to be the connection point for the characters rather than the center of the story. For me, said center of the story was each gal finding their own truth, albeit one of them quite dark. I couldn’t quite place a finger on if the rationale of Bea was supposed to be read sympathetically, which is probably a me problem, but I did not feel one ounce of sympathy for her. You can call my therapist if you have a problem with that!
Willow is +1 star. Thank you netgalley for the arc!
Willow is +1 star. Thank you netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I ended up really enjoying this. It felt a little tamer than it could have been, especially in Bea’s storyline, but it still worked. I don’t know if I’d classify it as a thriller per se, but there are definitely moments of tension and discomfort that helped keep the momentum of the story going. I think if the author had let things get a little darker and grittier, this would’ve been closer to a five star read for me. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoyed “Liar Dreamer Thief” by Maria Dong, “I Hope This Finds You Well” by Natalie Sue, “Idlewild” by James Frankie Thomas, and “A Good Happy Girl” by Marissa Higgins. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the digital ARC.
September 21, 2025
I deeply wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn’t get there. I thought it was quite well written, and had such potential, but it felt too chaotic to enjoy. There were so many different paths that the plot took, and I could never fully dive deep enough into each character to enjoy them (even though clearly some were not meant to be likable). Plus, I wanted the adults storyline to have more meat to it, but we didn’t get to know them enough for me to really care about what happened with the yellow house. Maybe next time!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
I wanted to like this one, but it did not do it for me.
The write up is so good and the story could have been really good, but the characters were not likeable at all. Especially Bea.
The story went in to mant different directions and was very hard to follow.
I live dogs and the idea of the dog kennel was beautiful but it in no way added anything to the story and was so poorly presented.
I sadly can not recommend.
I wanted to like this one, but it did not do it for me.
The write up is so good and the story could have been really good, but the characters were not likeable at all. Especially Bea.
The story went in to mant different directions and was very hard to follow.
I live dogs and the idea of the dog kennel was beautiful but it in no way added anything to the story and was so poorly presented.
I sadly can not recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Harmless” is a debut novel by Miranda Shulman. Wow … I would read a bit of this book, put it down, then have to remind myself of who was who when I picked it up again a few days later. I wanted to like this book - but I found I didn’t really like any of the characters (especially Bea) and the storyline was too scattered to hold my attention. I both wanted more from this book - and less (as in less weirdness). Not the book for me, but if you like odd characters, you might think differently.
“Harmless” is a debut novel by Miranda Shulman. Wow … I would read a bit of this book, put it down, then have to remind myself of who was who when I picked it up again a few days later. I wanted to like this book - but I found I didn’t really like any of the characters (especially Bea) and the storyline was too scattered to hold my attention. I both wanted more from this book - and less (as in less weirdness). Not the book for me, but if you like odd characters, you might think differently.
September 5, 2025
What an intensely beautiful and relatable book. Bea’s character as complex but so relatable and I saw parts of myself in her character’s personality. As she goes after her dream, we see how sometimes it’s inevitable to have to lean on others but how do you decide who you can rely on? people you can rely on. The tension between characters oozed off the pages at times. This book got me in the feels. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75⭐
Without spoiling anything, wow. The way that this book unraveled had me wracked with anticipation. As the story goes on, you learn so much about the characters. They're all such complicated people, and it makes them feel tangible. I feel like there are gaps in this story that can be developed more, because I want to know more about these characters and Park Slope. The ending leaves you a little unsatisfied, because there are so many questions left untouched.
Without spoiling anything, wow. The way that this book unraveled had me wracked with anticipation. As the story goes on, you learn so much about the characters. They're all such complicated people, and it makes them feel tangible. I feel like there are gaps in this story that can be developed more, because I want to know more about these characters and Park Slope. The ending leaves you a little unsatisfied, because there are so many questions left untouched.
January 28, 2026
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the early copy and chance to share my thoughts.
the premise of the book sounded a little quirky and i was intrigued. sadly i never ended up connecting with the characters enough to end up loving the story. the whole book was a little too chaotic for me with the plot and characters. i will say i didn’t see the ending coming but also what the heck, i don’t enjoy opened ended endings.
the premise of the book sounded a little quirky and i was intrigued. sadly i never ended up connecting with the characters enough to end up loving the story. the whole book was a little too chaotic for me with the plot and characters. i will say i didn’t see the ending coming but also what the heck, i don’t enjoy opened ended endings.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Dutton, for providing the copy of Harmless, by Miranda Shulman. This was not the book for me. It would have been great to know more about Bea's mental health. Even though it was often hinted at, it should have been more of a focus. The story felt disjointed, and I never really understood the point. I really didn’t understand the idea of creating a dog kennel! Maybe it works for young/new adults who would like the character relationships. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3
March 21, 2026
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC for my voluntary and honest review!
This book felt half-baked to me; the author tried to take the story in so many directions but barely scratched the surface on any of them.. casually dropping some of the most twisted, eerie plot points and then just moves right along. Ultimately, the story had a lot of potential but was a bit boring. 2.5/5.
This book felt half-baked to me; the author tried to take the story in so many directions but barely scratched the surface on any of them.. casually dropping some of the most twisted, eerie plot points and then just moves right along. Ultimately, the story had a lot of potential but was a bit boring. 2.5/5.
January 27, 2026
What started as a story about grief took a turn and turned into something sinister. I liked how Harmless approached sisterhood, friendships, and loneliness from a unique angle. I only wish that Layla was a more fleshed-out character.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher, Dutton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher, Dutton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Harmless is super weird in the best way and addictive. . I couldn’t stop reading and flew through it, but I really wished the ending gave us more. Still, an impressive debut, worth the read! Thanks NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I struggled with this one, i found parts of it interesting, parts confusing/disjointed and parts disturbing. I'm left with not sure what to think or say about it, it is a different read and is engaging, so some will respond to it.
September 11, 2025
UGH! I gobbled this book up only to find the ending a letdown. You may like it but felt like there was no conclusion/resolution. Thank to NetGalley for the advance copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an odd book. I didn’t care for any of the characters. It wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
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