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The Change
Big Little Lies meets The Witches of Eastwick--a gloriously entertaining and knife-sharp feminist revenge fantasy about three women whose midlife crisis brings unexpected new powers--putting them on a collision course with the evil that lurks in their wealthy beach town.
In the Long Island oceanfront community of Mattauk, three different women discover that midlife changes bring a whole new type of empowerment...
After Nessa James's husband dies and her twin daughters leave for college, she's left all alone in a trim white house not far from the ocean. In the quiet of her late forties, the former nurse begins to hear voices. It doesn't take long for Nessa to realize that the voices calling out to her belong to the dead--a gift she's inherited from her grandmother, which comes with special responsibilities.
On the cusp of 50, suave advertising director Harriett Osborne has just witnessed the implosion of her lucrative career and her marriage. She hasn't left her house in months, and from the outside, it appears as if she and her garden have both gone to seed. But Harriet's life is far from over--in fact, she's undergone a stunning and very welcome metamorphosis.
Ambitious former executive Jo Levison has spent thirty long years at war with her body. The free-floating rage and hot flashes that arrive with the beginning of menopause feel like the very last straw--until she realizes she has the ability to channel them, and finally comes into her power.
Guided by voices only Nessa can hear, the trio of women discover a teenage girl whose body was abandoned beside a remote beach. The police have written the victim off as a drug-addicted sex worker, but the women refuse to buy into the official narrative. Their investigation into the girl's murder leads to more bodies, and to the town's most exclusive and isolated enclave, a world of stupendous wealth where the rules don't apply. With their newfound powers, Jo, Nessa, and Harriet will take matters into their own hands...
In the Long Island oceanfront community of Mattauk, three different women discover that midlife changes bring a whole new type of empowerment...
After Nessa James's husband dies and her twin daughters leave for college, she's left all alone in a trim white house not far from the ocean. In the quiet of her late forties, the former nurse begins to hear voices. It doesn't take long for Nessa to realize that the voices calling out to her belong to the dead--a gift she's inherited from her grandmother, which comes with special responsibilities.
On the cusp of 50, suave advertising director Harriett Osborne has just witnessed the implosion of her lucrative career and her marriage. She hasn't left her house in months, and from the outside, it appears as if she and her garden have both gone to seed. But Harriet's life is far from over--in fact, she's undergone a stunning and very welcome metamorphosis.
Ambitious former executive Jo Levison has spent thirty long years at war with her body. The free-floating rage and hot flashes that arrive with the beginning of menopause feel like the very last straw--until she realizes she has the ability to channel them, and finally comes into her power.
Guided by voices only Nessa can hear, the trio of women discover a teenage girl whose body was abandoned beside a remote beach. The police have written the victim off as a drug-addicted sex worker, but the women refuse to buy into the official narrative. Their investigation into the girl's murder leads to more bodies, and to the town's most exclusive and isolated enclave, a world of stupendous wealth where the rules don't apply. With their newfound powers, Jo, Nessa, and Harriet will take matters into their own hands...
704 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2022
4382 people are currently reading
106199 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten Miller
32 books3,357 followersKirsten Miller grew up in a small town in the mountains of North Carolina. At seventeen, she left for college in New York City, where she lives to this day. Kirsten's latest novel, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books, is a side-splitting satire that takes on some of the most controversial issues of our day. Her first adult novel, The Change, was a Good Morning America Book Club pick for May 2022. Kirsten is also the author of over a dozen middle grade and YA novels, including the acclaimed Kiki Strike books, (which tell the tale of the delinquent girl geniuses who keep Manhattan safe), and How to Lead a Life of Crime. She is not the Kirsten Miller who wrote All That Is Left, but she assumes that Kirsten is lovely and talented. Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,528 reviews
July 9, 2025
DNF - I tried, I really did. I've been slogging through this book for weeks. It dragged me into a slump the first time, so I took a break and came back hoping to feel refreshed. But no. I'm calling it quits before it drags me back again.
When did feminist literature become a cliché of men-hating tropes? Each male character in here is portrayed as either dumb or cheating or a rapist/killer. And every woman is frothing with rage to get even with the men who have hurt them, all the while menstruating torrents of blood (I kid you not) and taking care of their babies. There is a bitterness and hatred coming off the pages that makes the whole thing hard to stomach.
I always want nuanced portrayal in the books I read. Every person should be judged by who they are instead of the color of their skin or their gender. So it makes me really uncomfortable to see groups of people lumped together like this, as if the sin of one is a reflection of all.
My other problem with this book is that it's really long and slow. It seems more interested in thoroughly exploring the backstories of every character rather than forwarding the main narrative. So even though I'm 150 pages in (of an almost 500-page book), it feels like the story has just begun.
The blurb promises this to be "gloriously sharp and funny," but obviously it missed the mark for me. I haven't cracked a smile since picking this up, and there's nothing sharp about the writing or the characters. Every time I set the book down, I have no desire to pick it back up, which is a sure sign that I need to move on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
When did feminist literature become a cliché of men-hating tropes? Each male character in here is portrayed as either dumb or cheating or a rapist/killer. And every woman is frothing with rage to get even with the men who have hurt them, all the while menstruating torrents of blood (I kid you not) and taking care of their babies. There is a bitterness and hatred coming off the pages that makes the whole thing hard to stomach.
I always want nuanced portrayal in the books I read. Every person should be judged by who they are instead of the color of their skin or their gender. So it makes me really uncomfortable to see groups of people lumped together like this, as if the sin of one is a reflection of all.
My other problem with this book is that it's really long and slow. It seems more interested in thoroughly exploring the backstories of every character rather than forwarding the main narrative. So even though I'm 150 pages in (of an almost 500-page book), it feels like the story has just begun.
The blurb promises this to be "gloriously sharp and funny," but obviously it missed the mark for me. I haven't cracked a smile since picking this up, and there's nothing sharp about the writing or the characters. Every time I set the book down, I have no desire to pick it back up, which is a sure sign that I need to move on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
May 2, 2022
POWERFUL AND COMPELLING
“A woman had to be ready to look out for herself.”
Three women unite to take down those responsible for committing heinous acts against young girls.
Harriet, known as the neighborhood witch, is a former high-ranking advertising executive who now uses her skills to enhance her garden.
Jo, a former hotel executive, now owns a female-focused gym and channels her rage through workouts.
Nessa, a former nurse, hears the voices of the dead.
When the three women find the body of an innocent 17-year-old discarded like trash, they come together to use their powers to serve women whom the justice system has failed.
The narrative alternates between Harriet, Jo, and Nessa. I loved all their voices, and I enjoyed reading about their backgrounds and how they came to be powerful badasses. They are intelligent, witty, and raw. All three characters are an inspiration. I want to be them!
This is part fantasy, part mystery, part social commentary. But it is also fun, emotional, and heartwarming.
The Change combines pure fun and revenge fantasies while commenting on social norms and issues. The novel touches upon sexual harassment, especially in the workplace, gender roles, sex, female friendship, and the burdens of adhering to social norms in a straightforward way. There isn’t any sugar coating or B.S. Some of the events that occur are hard to read, but humor, love, and romance are woven in to balance the horrors of reality.
Miller states what a lot of women think but are too scared to say.
The Change is an inspirational and original read. I highly recommend!
“That’s why I choose vengeance. She’s the only mistress I serve."
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“A woman had to be ready to look out for herself.”
Three women unite to take down those responsible for committing heinous acts against young girls.
Harriet, known as the neighborhood witch, is a former high-ranking advertising executive who now uses her skills to enhance her garden.
Jo, a former hotel executive, now owns a female-focused gym and channels her rage through workouts.
Nessa, a former nurse, hears the voices of the dead.
When the three women find the body of an innocent 17-year-old discarded like trash, they come together to use their powers to serve women whom the justice system has failed.
The narrative alternates between Harriet, Jo, and Nessa. I loved all their voices, and I enjoyed reading about their backgrounds and how they came to be powerful badasses. They are intelligent, witty, and raw. All three characters are an inspiration. I want to be them!
This is part fantasy, part mystery, part social commentary. But it is also fun, emotional, and heartwarming.
The Change combines pure fun and revenge fantasies while commenting on social norms and issues. The novel touches upon sexual harassment, especially in the workplace, gender roles, sex, female friendship, and the burdens of adhering to social norms in a straightforward way. There isn’t any sugar coating or B.S. Some of the events that occur are hard to read, but humor, love, and romance are woven in to balance the horrors of reality.
Miller states what a lot of women think but are too scared to say.
The Change is an inspirational and original read. I highly recommend!
“That’s why I choose vengeance. She’s the only mistress I serve."
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2022
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
A brilliant, unputdownable 5-star stunner that will have you cheering one minute, and then reeling over the atrocities of the world the next!
“No one had seen the woman who lived at 256 Woodland Drive since early November. Now it was late April and the house looked abandoned…The owner’s name was Harriett Osborne, and though she wasn’t new to the neighborhood, few people on Woodland Drive could claim to know her.”
That opening had me dying to know who Harriett was, and what was up with her.
Harriett is a former advertising director who was recently let go from her lucrative job. Her marriage is done, and nobody has seen her for months. Her garden looks out of control to the residents of Mattaulk in Long Island. That garden will end up being very useful.
Jo Levinson used to be an executive, but wasn’t able to hold on to the title that is usually awarded to men, and that is NOT because her talent was lacking. Now in the midst of menopause, she is a wife and parent, and she also runs a female-only fitness center and directs her red hot rage into a power nobody else has.
Nessa James is a widow with two daughters in college. A nurse and recent empty nester, her time at home is usually quiet…except for the voices that only she can hear. The voices are from those who are no longer living. See, Nessa has a gift. She can hear dead people, and it’s her responsibility to find their hidden bodies so they can be at peace and cross over.
What do these three very different women have in common? They are all middle-aged, they have all been screwed over by men, and they all have powers that will make them a force to be reckoned with.
Oh, and they are total BADASSES!!!!!
It soon becomes clear that there is a serial killer among their community when Nessa hears the voice of a teenage girl leading her to the beach. The police refuse to look too deep into it, shrugging the victim off as a drugged up prostitute.
Harrriett, Jo, and Nessa decide to come together with their powers…and nobody better stand in their way. Time to pay the piper!
This book is phenomenal, and it’s a complete standout for me this year! I have no doubt it will be on my top 10 list of favorite 2022 reads. There is no way I can adequately express how much I loved it, but I’ll at least try.
Author Kirsten Miller writes a genre-defying book that had me laughing/snorting one minute and absorbed with something much darker and sinister the next. The balance is extraordinarily successful and continues throughout. She writes the hell out of not only the main characters, but also side characters whose stories need to be told. You’ll know the backstories to everyone in this tale, from vengeful women to terrible men in power, victims’ families, those roped into the turmoil, a murderer, and second to most important - behind the three leading ladies - the victims.
We deserve to know about victims, and Miller is conscientious about not keeping the focus only on those who deliver harm.
As stated earlier, the women in this are total badasses, and you’ll be rooting and hollering as they take down evil forces in the world. Their stories are powerful, and their backgrounds are probably relatable to a number of women. Feminism doesn’t always work for me in fictional novels, but it excels here. And for those worrying that this is a man-bashing bonanza, don’t worry…There are a few good men who remain mostly unscathed. Nessa, Jo, and Harriett aren’t anti-male. They’re anti-bull$h!t.
The book is on the longer side, but don’t let that deter you. I picked it back up every time I got a chance and didn’t want it to end. It was so gripping. If nobody has optioned this for a movie deal yet, they need to get on that STAT!
I hope The Change finds a large audience. I for one will be recommending it, and have already been telling people about it as I was in the midst of reading it.
I won’t specifically discuss the TWs, but this book is definitely rated-R.
Thank you to William Morrow for a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 5/3/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
A brilliant, unputdownable 5-star stunner that will have you cheering one minute, and then reeling over the atrocities of the world the next!
“No one had seen the woman who lived at 256 Woodland Drive since early November. Now it was late April and the house looked abandoned…The owner’s name was Harriett Osborne, and though she wasn’t new to the neighborhood, few people on Woodland Drive could claim to know her.”
That opening had me dying to know who Harriett was, and what was up with her.
Harriett is a former advertising director who was recently let go from her lucrative job. Her marriage is done, and nobody has seen her for months. Her garden looks out of control to the residents of Mattaulk in Long Island. That garden will end up being very useful.
Jo Levinson used to be an executive, but wasn’t able to hold on to the title that is usually awarded to men, and that is NOT because her talent was lacking. Now in the midst of menopause, she is a wife and parent, and she also runs a female-only fitness center and directs her red hot rage into a power nobody else has.
Nessa James is a widow with two daughters in college. A nurse and recent empty nester, her time at home is usually quiet…except for the voices that only she can hear. The voices are from those who are no longer living. See, Nessa has a gift. She can hear dead people, and it’s her responsibility to find their hidden bodies so they can be at peace and cross over.
What do these three very different women have in common? They are all middle-aged, they have all been screwed over by men, and they all have powers that will make them a force to be reckoned with.
Oh, and they are total BADASSES!!!!!
It soon becomes clear that there is a serial killer among their community when Nessa hears the voice of a teenage girl leading her to the beach. The police refuse to look too deep into it, shrugging the victim off as a drugged up prostitute.
Harrriett, Jo, and Nessa decide to come together with their powers…and nobody better stand in their way. Time to pay the piper!
This book is phenomenal, and it’s a complete standout for me this year! I have no doubt it will be on my top 10 list of favorite 2022 reads. There is no way I can adequately express how much I loved it, but I’ll at least try.
Author Kirsten Miller writes a genre-defying book that had me laughing/snorting one minute and absorbed with something much darker and sinister the next. The balance is extraordinarily successful and continues throughout. She writes the hell out of not only the main characters, but also side characters whose stories need to be told. You’ll know the backstories to everyone in this tale, from vengeful women to terrible men in power, victims’ families, those roped into the turmoil, a murderer, and second to most important - behind the three leading ladies - the victims.
We deserve to know about victims, and Miller is conscientious about not keeping the focus only on those who deliver harm.
As stated earlier, the women in this are total badasses, and you’ll be rooting and hollering as they take down evil forces in the world. Their stories are powerful, and their backgrounds are probably relatable to a number of women. Feminism doesn’t always work for me in fictional novels, but it excels here. And for those worrying that this is a man-bashing bonanza, don’t worry…There are a few good men who remain mostly unscathed. Nessa, Jo, and Harriett aren’t anti-male. They’re anti-bull$h!t.
The book is on the longer side, but don’t let that deter you. I picked it back up every time I got a chance and didn’t want it to end. It was so gripping. If nobody has optioned this for a movie deal yet, they need to get on that STAT!
I hope The Change finds a large audience. I for one will be recommending it, and have already been telling people about it as I was in the midst of reading it.
I won’t specifically discuss the TWs, but this book is definitely rated-R.
Thank you to William Morrow for a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 5/3/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
May 5, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up.
This is a fantastic book filled with magical realism, female friendship and female empowerment.
A couple of warnings to start: this is a very long book, it is nearly 500 pages, yet for its length it doesn't feel that long because the story moves forward and doesn't get bogged down. That's a miracle in itself because it seems to be happening a lot with books lately. Another caveat is that men aren't portrayed in a very good light here. Most of the men in this book are pretty despicable, almost on the verge of being caricatures rather than real people However, there are some good men in the book, so that saved my rating. The book is violent and graphic at times, but honestly, isn't our world violent and graphic these days?
I loved the combination of so many genres here. There's the magical realism and women's fiction as mentioned, but there's also a mystery to be solved and a great deal of action along the way. This book cannot be pigeonholed into one particular genre, it has so much to appeal to a wide variety of readers. It pulls zero punches when calling out bad behavior, so consider yourself warned--these women aren't going to take it from you or anyone else who comes across their paths.
At its core, it's the story of three women with special gifts. Harriet, who can pretty much do anything involving plants and nature, Nessa, who can hear the dead calling to her, and Jo, who can channel her rage through her body. These are just simplistic descriptions of these powerful women, but how they come together to use their gifts and powers for justice and good is a wonder to behold.
As a rule, I rarely like books with a supernatural element, but I adore magical realism. So if this turns you off in a book, I encourage you to give this a chance because you might be pleasantly surprised. I loved my time with these women and the other friends they connect with along the way. This is such a fantastic book and I will be recommending it everywhere.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a fantastic book filled with magical realism, female friendship and female empowerment.
A couple of warnings to start: this is a very long book, it is nearly 500 pages, yet for its length it doesn't feel that long because the story moves forward and doesn't get bogged down. That's a miracle in itself because it seems to be happening a lot with books lately. Another caveat is that men aren't portrayed in a very good light here. Most of the men in this book are pretty despicable, almost on the verge of being caricatures rather than real people However, there are some good men in the book, so that saved my rating. The book is violent and graphic at times, but honestly, isn't our world violent and graphic these days?
I loved the combination of so many genres here. There's the magical realism and women's fiction as mentioned, but there's also a mystery to be solved and a great deal of action along the way. This book cannot be pigeonholed into one particular genre, it has so much to appeal to a wide variety of readers. It pulls zero punches when calling out bad behavior, so consider yourself warned--these women aren't going to take it from you or anyone else who comes across their paths.
At its core, it's the story of three women with special gifts. Harriet, who can pretty much do anything involving plants and nature, Nessa, who can hear the dead calling to her, and Jo, who can channel her rage through her body. These are just simplistic descriptions of these powerful women, but how they come together to use their gifts and powers for justice and good is a wonder to behold.
As a rule, I rarely like books with a supernatural element, but I adore magical realism. So if this turns you off in a book, I encourage you to give this a chance because you might be pleasantly surprised. I loved my time with these women and the other friends they connect with along the way. This is such a fantastic book and I will be recommending it everywhere.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 18, 2022
The Change by Kirsten Miller
January LaVoy (Narrator)
Be sure to read other reviews because it looks like most readers loved this book and I may be an oddball out with this one. But that's my fault since I'm not usually thrilled by feminist revenge fantasies and by the time I could check this book out, I'd forgotten this was a feminist revenge fantasy. It was exactly as advertised, no holds barred, these women are bringing men down.
The stars of the show are three successful, creative women, Harriett, Jo, and Nessa. Harriet and Jo came by their special punishing powers as they approach a certain time in their lives intertwined with their anger at how they are treated as "less than" by men. Nessa's power was something she inherited and thankfully her grandmother had prepared her to make the most of her special responsibility when her power fully activated.
The writing is very good, I enjoyed the mystery for the most part, but I really didn't enjoy the violent message. Still, this is me picking up a book that isn't right for me and the book's message is clearly broadcast in the synopsis and the story, I'd just forgotten the synopsis by the time I could get the book from the library and was focusing on the great ratings. So the "wipe them all out" message is a 3 for me, the story is a 4, for a 3.5 star rating rounded up to 4 stars because I don't want to be zapped by Harriet...fingers crossed plants don't get me. Oh, these women are brilliant and creative and I don't know why they couldn't be more versatile in the choice of their swear words but I guess there could be a message in that choice, too. See, I'm really bad at this, I need to go back to reading cozies.
Pub May 3, 2022
January LaVoy (Narrator)
Be sure to read other reviews because it looks like most readers loved this book and I may be an oddball out with this one. But that's my fault since I'm not usually thrilled by feminist revenge fantasies and by the time I could check this book out, I'd forgotten this was a feminist revenge fantasy. It was exactly as advertised, no holds barred, these women are bringing men down.
The stars of the show are three successful, creative women, Harriett, Jo, and Nessa. Harriet and Jo came by their special punishing powers as they approach a certain time in their lives intertwined with their anger at how they are treated as "less than" by men. Nessa's power was something she inherited and thankfully her grandmother had prepared her to make the most of her special responsibility when her power fully activated.
The writing is very good, I enjoyed the mystery for the most part, but I really didn't enjoy the violent message. Still, this is me picking up a book that isn't right for me and the book's message is clearly broadcast in the synopsis and the story, I'd just forgotten the synopsis by the time I could get the book from the library and was focusing on the great ratings. So the "wipe them all out" message is a 3 for me, the story is a 4, for a 3.5 star rating rounded up to 4 stars because I don't want to be zapped by Harriet...fingers crossed plants don't get me. Oh, these women are brilliant and creative and I don't know why they couldn't be more versatile in the choice of their swear words but I guess there could be a message in that choice, too. See, I'm really bad at this, I need to go back to reading cozies.
Pub May 3, 2022
May 3, 2022
As our character Jo would say…“CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED MOTHERF***ERS!”
Watch out, Mattauck, NY!!
Three women on this Long Island, oceanfront community are about to discover that with “THE CHANGE” of life they have gained some new powers.
And, once WE got past the descriptions of THEIR past menstrual cycles, it was a BLOODY good time! 🩸
Nessa knew that she had inherited a special gift from her grandmother which came with responsibilities, but she didn’t start seeing the ghosts or hearing their voices, until her late forties.
Jo Levison, spent 30 years at war with her body, but she has just learned how to channel her hot flashes, into something much more powerful. Turns out she is good at protecting people.
And, on the cusp of fifty, Harriet Osborne, has just lost her advertising career and her husband, and she has never felt better-even if the neighbors have started referring to her as the witch who resides at 256 Woodland Drive. After all, she reasons, “who said that would be a bad thing?” Her talents help her to dole out punishment when called upon.
This unlikely trio, become friends when guided by the voices that only Nessa can hear, they find the dead body of a teenage girl abandoned off Danskammer beach.
The Police have written her off as a sex worker who had probably O’D’ed on a job, but would a scared customer really take the time to put her in a black, plastic trash bag, and tie it with a bow?
The women don’t buy into that narrative, and Nessa is determined to give the girl a name, and bury her with her dignity, so the women begin to investigate. Their sleuthing will lead to more bodies, and the startling conclusion that a serial killer may have been getting away with murder for YEARS.
When I began the book, it reminded me of “The Help” in feel, even though the story is completely different! Three unlikely friends, undeterred by any obstacles that come their way, determined to RIGHT a WRONG!
Described as a feminist revenge fantasy, it is told with GOOD humor, and BAD language, and it couldn’t be more fun!
I was hesitant to request it when I saw that it was 480 pages, but really, the pages did fly by! So don’t let the length deter you from picking up a copy! AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to Michael David for convincing me not to let the length deter me-and to DeAnn for reading it with me! Be sure to check out their amazing reviews!
Thank You to William Morrow & Company for the gifted ARC. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Watch out, Mattauck, NY!!
Three women on this Long Island, oceanfront community are about to discover that with “THE CHANGE” of life they have gained some new powers.
And, once WE got past the descriptions of THEIR past menstrual cycles, it was a BLOODY good time! 🩸
Nessa knew that she had inherited a special gift from her grandmother which came with responsibilities, but she didn’t start seeing the ghosts or hearing their voices, until her late forties.
Jo Levison, spent 30 years at war with her body, but she has just learned how to channel her hot flashes, into something much more powerful. Turns out she is good at protecting people.
And, on the cusp of fifty, Harriet Osborne, has just lost her advertising career and her husband, and she has never felt better-even if the neighbors have started referring to her as the witch who resides at 256 Woodland Drive. After all, she reasons, “who said that would be a bad thing?” Her talents help her to dole out punishment when called upon.
This unlikely trio, become friends when guided by the voices that only Nessa can hear, they find the dead body of a teenage girl abandoned off Danskammer beach.
The Police have written her off as a sex worker who had probably O’D’ed on a job, but would a scared customer really take the time to put her in a black, plastic trash bag, and tie it with a bow?
The women don’t buy into that narrative, and Nessa is determined to give the girl a name, and bury her with her dignity, so the women begin to investigate. Their sleuthing will lead to more bodies, and the startling conclusion that a serial killer may have been getting away with murder for YEARS.
When I began the book, it reminded me of “The Help” in feel, even though the story is completely different! Three unlikely friends, undeterred by any obstacles that come their way, determined to RIGHT a WRONG!
Described as a feminist revenge fantasy, it is told with GOOD humor, and BAD language, and it couldn’t be more fun!
I was hesitant to request it when I saw that it was 480 pages, but really, the pages did fly by! So don’t let the length deter you from picking up a copy! AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to Michael David for convincing me not to let the length deter me-and to DeAnn for reading it with me! Be sure to check out their amazing reviews!
Thank You to William Morrow & Company for the gifted ARC. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
June 6, 2022
4.5⭐️
Loved it!
How much? Paired it with audio over a seven hour road trip and stayed up till 2 a.m. to finish reading! I just could not put it down!
UPDATED REVIEW:
First and foremost, I wouldn’t have picked up this book if it hadn’t been for the amazing reviews written by some of my GR friends! Thank you for recommending such an amazing book!
Nessa James, a former nurse and mother of two daughters who are away at college, is gifted with the power of sight – a gift passed down through generations in her family. She can hear the voices of the dead and can also see them. She is a kind-hearted woman who will do everything in her power to help those calling for her help from the other side.
“There’s a dead girl down by the ocean who needs our help. She’s been calling to me, and she won’t be found unless I go look for her.”
Harriett Osborne, once a successful advertising executive has since been sidelined by her male counterparts. Divorced from her husband, she now lives alone in her home with its wild garden (the HOA has major issues, but Harriet knows how to handle them), and has gained repute as the resident “witch“ of the community with her herbs and seeds and weird concoctions causing trouble for some but also proving helpful for others.
“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.”
Jo Levison, former hotel manager, presently owns and operates a gym catering to female clientele. She is married and is the mother of eleven-year-old Lucy. Her hot flashes manifest into fierce energy and strength.
“Nessa was the light in the darkness. Harriett was the punishment that fit the crime. She was the rage that would burn it all to the ground.”
When the three friends, guided by Nessa’a power of sight find the body of a young girl discarded in a garbage bag in a secluded area on Danskammer Beach, the local police lean towards writing the victim off as a drug-addicted sex worker. But this is just the beginning of a series of events that leads to the uncovering of a complex web of secrets, corruption and criminal activity in the affluent community of Mattauk. Together, Nessa, Jo and Harriet make a formidable trio and anyone guilty of these atrocious crimes against women and young girls better beware!
With its fluid narrative, interesting characters, absorbing suspense and a healthy dose of humor, fantasy and magical realism thrown into the mix I found Kirsten Miller’s The Change to be UNPUTDOWNABLE! The author does a brilliant job in characterizing these three women each with distinctive personalities and backgrounds. Each of these characters are well fleshed out and their backstories are diligently developed. Touching 470+ pages (on my Kindle), this is one of those rare books that never loses its pace or feels long-drawn. The author touches upon many important themes such as the glass ceiling and discrimination in the workplace, gender-related stereotyping, misogyny, sexism, ageism and sexual abuse of minors. The author highlights multiple instances of women being treated disrespectfully - at home, in the workplace and in general. Needless to say, most of the male characters in this story are not very likable. Some descriptions (and language) are graphic and might be disturbing for some readers. You might find similarities between the crimes and criminals depicted in this work of fiction with actual events that we have come across in the news in recent times.
I was hesitant about picking up this book because I was wary of how women going through this phase in life would be depicted. It was so refreshing to see women in their late 40s being represented as perceptive and willful individuals who not only support one another but empower one another. The author creates characters whose life experiences have contributed to their strength, capabilities and sharp-wit in a positive way . Are they perfect? No. But they are interesting and inspiring. Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend! I switched between the Kindle version and the audiobook with this one and I must commend January LaVoy for her superb narration of this story. She was able to voice all three of these characters perfectly! I thoroughly enjoyed both listening to the audio and reading the book!
Loved it!
How much? Paired it with audio over a seven hour road trip and stayed up till 2 a.m. to finish reading! I just could not put it down!
UPDATED REVIEW:
First and foremost, I wouldn’t have picked up this book if it hadn’t been for the amazing reviews written by some of my GR friends! Thank you for recommending such an amazing book!
Nessa James, a former nurse and mother of two daughters who are away at college, is gifted with the power of sight – a gift passed down through generations in her family. She can hear the voices of the dead and can also see them. She is a kind-hearted woman who will do everything in her power to help those calling for her help from the other side.
“There’s a dead girl down by the ocean who needs our help. She’s been calling to me, and she won’t be found unless I go look for her.”
Harriett Osborne, once a successful advertising executive has since been sidelined by her male counterparts. Divorced from her husband, she now lives alone in her home with its wild garden (the HOA has major issues, but Harriet knows how to handle them), and has gained repute as the resident “witch“ of the community with her herbs and seeds and weird concoctions causing trouble for some but also proving helpful for others.
“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.”
Jo Levison, former hotel manager, presently owns and operates a gym catering to female clientele. She is married and is the mother of eleven-year-old Lucy. Her hot flashes manifest into fierce energy and strength.
“Nessa was the light in the darkness. Harriett was the punishment that fit the crime. She was the rage that would burn it all to the ground.”
When the three friends, guided by Nessa’a power of sight find the body of a young girl discarded in a garbage bag in a secluded area on Danskammer Beach, the local police lean towards writing the victim off as a drug-addicted sex worker. But this is just the beginning of a series of events that leads to the uncovering of a complex web of secrets, corruption and criminal activity in the affluent community of Mattauk. Together, Nessa, Jo and Harriet make a formidable trio and anyone guilty of these atrocious crimes against women and young girls better beware!
With its fluid narrative, interesting characters, absorbing suspense and a healthy dose of humor, fantasy and magical realism thrown into the mix I found Kirsten Miller’s The Change to be UNPUTDOWNABLE! The author does a brilliant job in characterizing these three women each with distinctive personalities and backgrounds. Each of these characters are well fleshed out and their backstories are diligently developed. Touching 470+ pages (on my Kindle), this is one of those rare books that never loses its pace or feels long-drawn. The author touches upon many important themes such as the glass ceiling and discrimination in the workplace, gender-related stereotyping, misogyny, sexism, ageism and sexual abuse of minors. The author highlights multiple instances of women being treated disrespectfully - at home, in the workplace and in general. Needless to say, most of the male characters in this story are not very likable. Some descriptions (and language) are graphic and might be disturbing for some readers. You might find similarities between the crimes and criminals depicted in this work of fiction with actual events that we have come across in the news in recent times.
I was hesitant about picking up this book because I was wary of how women going through this phase in life would be depicted. It was so refreshing to see women in their late 40s being represented as perceptive and willful individuals who not only support one another but empower one another. The author creates characters whose life experiences have contributed to their strength, capabilities and sharp-wit in a positive way . Are they perfect? No. But they are interesting and inspiring. Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend! I switched between the Kindle version and the audiobook with this one and I must commend January LaVoy for her superb narration of this story. She was able to voice all three of these characters perfectly! I thoroughly enjoyed both listening to the audio and reading the book!
May 13, 2022
This book didn’t know what it wanted to be. A menopause book? Murder mystery? A feminist tale? A witch book? A “we hate men” story? A instruction manual on horticulture???
It was about 200 pages too long. It was all spoon fed. Not a mystery to be seen bc every mystery was laid out. The ending was a wile e coyote vs roadrunner sideshow. The timeline jumps that were used just to spoon feed more info down the reader’s throats created just a disjointed writing style. And every man and every woman in this story was the same. Literally could not differentiate any of the main male characters (named Jackson, Jacsin, Jaxon, Gjaksonn…ok I’m kidding, but not really).
And what wassss Jo’s power exactly? Hot Hands McGee? Neato.
I don’t understand the hype. This was all silliness.
It was about 200 pages too long. It was all spoon fed. Not a mystery to be seen bc every mystery was laid out. The ending was a wile e coyote vs roadrunner sideshow. The timeline jumps that were used just to spoon feed more info down the reader’s throats created just a disjointed writing style. And every man and every woman in this story was the same. Literally could not differentiate any of the main male characters (named Jackson, Jacsin, Jaxon, Gjaksonn…ok I’m kidding, but not really).
And what wassss Jo’s power exactly? Hot Hands McGee? Neato.
I don’t understand the hype. This was all silliness.
August 22, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Kirsten Miller for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 5.3!!**
Ghosts and murders and feminist witches...oh my!
This tough, tenacious, and somewhat terrifying trio of ladies are JUST the sort of vigilantes you need to READ to believe!
The tiny and affluent community of Mattauk, Long Island holds all of these women...but each is ready to burst out of her shell and into her true self. "The Change" has hit them all, but rather than bringing out a midlife crisis, each of them are set to discover the hidden talents that will challenge everything they know about themselves, once they are brave enough to explore them. Nessa has always suspected she had the gift that runs in her family...and now in her late forties, can confirm that she hears voices, calling from beyond the grave. Jo's hot flashes are far from your standard menopausal fare: she can actually FEEL them coursing through her, and can project them out of her body entirely...for good or ill. And there of course, there's the sassy, indomitable, and no-nonsense Harriet, whose former career being unappreciated in advertising is in the rear-view mirror...and whose nude sojourns in her garden are set to bear some interesting fruit.
It is Nessa's ability to hear the dead that draws the three in as one united force, and the unsolved disappearances of several girls from the Mattauk area that urges the women to band together to find answers...and more importantly, harness their individual powers and impose a little bit (okay, a LOT) of justice. So many men have held them back in their own personal journeys, have silenced them, held them down, and suppressed their power...until now. As the investigation builds to a fever pitch, can these women unlock every secret, break down every door, and FINALLY destroy the patriarchy, evil man by evil man, once and for all?
This book is hailed as a cross between Big Little Lies and The Witches of Eastwick...and while I'm very familiar with the former and only slightly with the latter, I can say comfortably that this is only a starting point for The Change. Perhaps my favorite thing about this book is how fresh and ORIGINAL it is, to the extent that comparing it to other books in some ways does it a disservice. Miller isn't afraid to GO THERE, and her characters are not the gossipy, paranoid, sometimes snooty and always secretive moms with secrets galore that you find in Big Little Lies. Rather, they are all fierce, interesting, compassionate, and relentless Women (with a capital W) who all have pasts that have inspired them to strive for a different future. Miller weaves in just enough backstory throughout to keep the reader invested and to explain each character's motivation without bogging down the book. By story's end, I certainly felt like I KNEW these women, and I was sad to say goodbye! Harriet in particular is QUITE the card...if I could end up with one tenth of her sass by the time I'm in my mid-forties, I'd say I'm doing alright!
Revenge can be oh so sweet, there's an undercurrent of danger throughout this one that leaves the reader wondering if good really CAN prevail. Obviously for this plot to work, most of the men in this book are pretty despicable and easy to dislike, so if some man bashing bothers you, you probably should steer clear. For me, however, nothing was over the top and I was perfectly content to watch these women channel their frustrations into challenging the status quo and blazing a path of fury. This title is especially clever in its double meaning, and though this novel has tinges of fantasy elements throughout, it all feels within the realm of possibility...or perhaps a much needed eventuality!
"There have always been those who want to deny women power. And there are also women who refuse to accept it....But many women are simply too frightened to see things as they really are--or to accept that the world men have made must be destroyed."
"Yes, but are we really supposed to destroy the world?" Jo asked.
"Not the world---their world."
Some men want to watch the world burn...but as for these women?
...You'll just have to wait and see. 😉
4.5 stars
Now in paperback!
Ghosts and murders and feminist witches...oh my!
This tough, tenacious, and somewhat terrifying trio of ladies are JUST the sort of vigilantes you need to READ to believe!
The tiny and affluent community of Mattauk, Long Island holds all of these women...but each is ready to burst out of her shell and into her true self. "The Change" has hit them all, but rather than bringing out a midlife crisis, each of them are set to discover the hidden talents that will challenge everything they know about themselves, once they are brave enough to explore them. Nessa has always suspected she had the gift that runs in her family...and now in her late forties, can confirm that she hears voices, calling from beyond the grave. Jo's hot flashes are far from your standard menopausal fare: she can actually FEEL them coursing through her, and can project them out of her body entirely...for good or ill. And there of course, there's the sassy, indomitable, and no-nonsense Harriet, whose former career being unappreciated in advertising is in the rear-view mirror...and whose nude sojourns in her garden are set to bear some interesting fruit.
It is Nessa's ability to hear the dead that draws the three in as one united force, and the unsolved disappearances of several girls from the Mattauk area that urges the women to band together to find answers...and more importantly, harness their individual powers and impose a little bit (okay, a LOT) of justice. So many men have held them back in their own personal journeys, have silenced them, held them down, and suppressed their power...until now. As the investigation builds to a fever pitch, can these women unlock every secret, break down every door, and FINALLY destroy the patriarchy, evil man by evil man, once and for all?
This book is hailed as a cross between Big Little Lies and The Witches of Eastwick...and while I'm very familiar with the former and only slightly with the latter, I can say comfortably that this is only a starting point for The Change. Perhaps my favorite thing about this book is how fresh and ORIGINAL it is, to the extent that comparing it to other books in some ways does it a disservice. Miller isn't afraid to GO THERE, and her characters are not the gossipy, paranoid, sometimes snooty and always secretive moms with secrets galore that you find in Big Little Lies. Rather, they are all fierce, interesting, compassionate, and relentless Women (with a capital W) who all have pasts that have inspired them to strive for a different future. Miller weaves in just enough backstory throughout to keep the reader invested and to explain each character's motivation without bogging down the book. By story's end, I certainly felt like I KNEW these women, and I was sad to say goodbye! Harriet in particular is QUITE the card...if I could end up with one tenth of her sass by the time I'm in my mid-forties, I'd say I'm doing alright!
Revenge can be oh so sweet, there's an undercurrent of danger throughout this one that leaves the reader wondering if good really CAN prevail. Obviously for this plot to work, most of the men in this book are pretty despicable and easy to dislike, so if some man bashing bothers you, you probably should steer clear. For me, however, nothing was over the top and I was perfectly content to watch these women channel their frustrations into challenging the status quo and blazing a path of fury. This title is especially clever in its double meaning, and though this novel has tinges of fantasy elements throughout, it all feels within the realm of possibility...or perhaps a much needed eventuality!
"There have always been those who want to deny women power. And there are also women who refuse to accept it....But many women are simply too frightened to see things as they really are--or to accept that the world men have made must be destroyed."
"Yes, but are we really supposed to destroy the world?" Jo asked.
"Not the world---their world."
Some men want to watch the world burn...but as for these women?
...You'll just have to wait and see. 😉
4.5 stars
Now in paperback!
May 2, 2022
Karma's just sharpening her nails and finishing her drink. She says she'll be with you shortly......
The Change by Kirsten Miller lays out its storyline like the spreading span of a deck of cards. All 52 are out there and one of those deadly cards are meant for you. And we can only imagine how this story will play out.....especially when you have three ultra-determined women of a certain age.
Mattauk, New York boasts of a fine community with beach access and lawns trimmed to perfection. You'll meet its individuals with some citizens who care more than others. But something dreadful will have the residents eyeing one another and searching for answers. Today will be the day.
Miller presents a change of pace with her three main female characters. They still have a long fuse left on the dynamite of their lives even though society says they're over the hill. Let's sort through the fineness that makes them who they are.
Nessa James is a nurse whose police officer husband died over ten years ago. She's dedicated her life to her two daughters who have now left for college. Nessa feels her best days are behind her. But life will now provide a corridor for her to use her special gift.....a gift passed down through generations of seeing and feeling the presence of the dead......especially those taken too soon.
Jo Levinson now suffers from the onset of dreaded menopause. The heated energy wafting from her body in the wee hours could light up Time Square. She lives with her out of work husband Art and her eleven year old daughter, Lucy, a little spit fire. Jo has been burned and scorched by the corporate world in which she was a former hotel manager. The male footprint stamped out her own. Jo walked away and started her fitness center strictly for females.
Harriett Osborne had an amazing career in advertising until she, too, got ambushed by the powers that be and by her own husband. Harriett flipped the switch on her own super powers and became a wizard with botany. The neighbors cross to the other side of the street when her shadow falls on the sidewalk. They whisper that she's a full-time, card carrying witch with crazy powers. You'll soon find out.
While walking with Jo and Harriett on the beach, Nessa finds a large discarded black bag in the brush. Being a nurse, Nessa knows that particular smell. Indeed, it's the body of a young girl. They call the police. And now they will become a three-sided agent of positive energy to find who murdered that girl. Nessa "sees" that it is far more than just one. And each of these dynamic older women will set the wheels in motion beyond what you could ever imagine. They will become the new version of the Power Rangers kicking ass and taking names.
The Change is a wonderfully written novel that heralds the oncoming of women who still maintain their strength, their inner verve, and their massive lightning bolt of intelligence tested at any given moment. One woman is a raindrop, but pooled together, they create a reckoning thunderstorm. And Miller captures it so well in The Change. You'll be rooting for them throughout and begging for a sequel soon. Bravo!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to William Morrow and to Kirsten Miller for the opportunity.
The Change by Kirsten Miller lays out its storyline like the spreading span of a deck of cards. All 52 are out there and one of those deadly cards are meant for you. And we can only imagine how this story will play out.....especially when you have three ultra-determined women of a certain age.
Mattauk, New York boasts of a fine community with beach access and lawns trimmed to perfection. You'll meet its individuals with some citizens who care more than others. But something dreadful will have the residents eyeing one another and searching for answers. Today will be the day.
Miller presents a change of pace with her three main female characters. They still have a long fuse left on the dynamite of their lives even though society says they're over the hill. Let's sort through the fineness that makes them who they are.
Nessa James is a nurse whose police officer husband died over ten years ago. She's dedicated her life to her two daughters who have now left for college. Nessa feels her best days are behind her. But life will now provide a corridor for her to use her special gift.....a gift passed down through generations of seeing and feeling the presence of the dead......especially those taken too soon.
Jo Levinson now suffers from the onset of dreaded menopause. The heated energy wafting from her body in the wee hours could light up Time Square. She lives with her out of work husband Art and her eleven year old daughter, Lucy, a little spit fire. Jo has been burned and scorched by the corporate world in which she was a former hotel manager. The male footprint stamped out her own. Jo walked away and started her fitness center strictly for females.
Harriett Osborne had an amazing career in advertising until she, too, got ambushed by the powers that be and by her own husband. Harriett flipped the switch on her own super powers and became a wizard with botany. The neighbors cross to the other side of the street when her shadow falls on the sidewalk. They whisper that she's a full-time, card carrying witch with crazy powers. You'll soon find out.
While walking with Jo and Harriett on the beach, Nessa finds a large discarded black bag in the brush. Being a nurse, Nessa knows that particular smell. Indeed, it's the body of a young girl. They call the police. And now they will become a three-sided agent of positive energy to find who murdered that girl. Nessa "sees" that it is far more than just one. And each of these dynamic older women will set the wheels in motion beyond what you could ever imagine. They will become the new version of the Power Rangers kicking ass and taking names.
The Change is a wonderfully written novel that heralds the oncoming of women who still maintain their strength, their inner verve, and their massive lightning bolt of intelligence tested at any given moment. One woman is a raindrop, but pooled together, they create a reckoning thunderstorm. And Miller captures it so well in The Change. You'll be rooting for them throughout and begging for a sequel soon. Bravo!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to William Morrow and to Kirsten Miller for the opportunity.
June 6, 2022
Which talent would you choose if you can only have one?
🌱Botany gift. Grow and create different concoctions for those who need or deserve them. 💀Power to see and hear the dead. This is cool but might keep you very busy. I like the third, 🔥channeling (menopausal) rage and burn things!
It all began when Nessa heard a calling. Three women from different backgrounds in the oceanside Mattauk community on Long Island unite and use their gifts to find the body. Later they investigate more missing girls.
The Change is a fantasy crime mystery. It is a witchy feminist revenge novel so expect very few good men. I'm not a fantasy reader, but I really dig this one! Despite the fact that victims are young women, it's not all dark nor graphic. The author did a great job adding humor when it's needed.
I really enjoyed The Change and it's gripping right from the beginning. I was unable to stop listening to this book. But for me, this was a tad too long. I think it could start wrapping up at 60% (300 pages). Overall, I loved these characters and it was a really good read.
🎧💓Love January LaVoy's narration. She's one of my favorites!
🌱Botany gift. Grow and create different concoctions for those who need or deserve them. 💀Power to see and hear the dead. This is cool but might keep you very busy. I like the third, 🔥channeling (menopausal) rage and burn things!
It all began when Nessa heard a calling. Three women from different backgrounds in the oceanside Mattauk community on Long Island unite and use their gifts to find the body. Later they investigate more missing girls.
The Change is a fantasy crime mystery. It is a witchy feminist revenge novel so expect very few good men. I'm not a fantasy reader, but I really dig this one! Despite the fact that victims are young women, it's not all dark nor graphic. The author did a great job adding humor when it's needed.
I really enjoyed The Change and it's gripping right from the beginning. I was unable to stop listening to this book. But for me, this was a tad too long. I think it could start wrapping up at 60% (300 pages). Overall, I loved these characters and it was a really good read.
🎧💓Love January LaVoy's narration. She's one of my favorites!
July 26, 2022
I am the odd man out on this one, with most of the reviews being 5 stars, so while this one works for many people, it unfortunately just wasn’t the best choice for me. I choose The Change as one of my Book of the Month picks because I had seen several rave reviews about it, and I was intrigued. This started off so good, but it ended with me feeling pretty blah about it. It had the potential to be 5 stars, but it was much longer than it needed to be and felt so drug out. The book is definitely readable, and it was interesting and suspenseful at times, but I still found it just okay, overall. The fantasy part of this book was fun, and I enjoyed that. I also liked the 3 main characters and the uniqueness they each brought to the book.
June 19, 2022
I went into this one completely blind, I remember seeing a review from one of my GR friends and thought : this book seems amazing. I didnt remember what it was about by the time I got into it. 🤭
It was a feminist revenge story spiked up with magical realism. Three powerful women with unique abilities come together to find and bring down a serial killer when justice fails to do the job.
I thought the premise was very strong and gripping. I loved the inclusion of magical realism. The story was centered on Nessa, Harriett and Jo whom I liked very much, especially Harriett.
I do think it was too long though. Sometimes I’d be into it and other time I’d be like : ‘’this book is too damn long’’. There was too many extra characters, too many backstory (although quite compelling) all over the place making it hard to focus. Almost all the men are portrayed as evil and it was a little overdone.
Overall I think the book was a little more than ok and I would recommend if you like the genre.
3.25 🌟
It was a feminist revenge story spiked up with magical realism. Three powerful women with unique abilities come together to find and bring down a serial killer when justice fails to do the job.
I thought the premise was very strong and gripping. I loved the inclusion of magical realism. The story was centered on Nessa, Harriett and Jo whom I liked very much, especially Harriett.
I do think it was too long though. Sometimes I’d be into it and other time I’d be like : ‘’this book is too damn long’’. There was too many extra characters, too many backstory (although quite compelling) all over the place making it hard to focus. Almost all the men are portrayed as evil and it was a little overdone.
Overall I think the book was a little more than ok and I would recommend if you like the genre.
3.25 🌟
January 12, 2026
2 1/2 stars. I can see why this is popular because it satisfies a very specific kind of craving that far too many women have: a craving to get revenge on all the misogynistic douchebags who talked down to them, passed them over for a promotion, sexually assaulted them... you get the picture.
It is a wish fulfilment feminist revenge fantasy in which almost comically awful men finally meet their match in three middle-aged women who have just come into some handy new powers. A heavy-handed menopause metaphor where hot flashes and mood swings come with a side helping of actual magic powers.
In theory, I'm all for this. Shitty men getting their comeuppance? I am woman, hear me roar? I am definitely the audience for all of that.
But the problem is it is so heavy-handed that it wasn't quite within the realm of my suspension of disbelief. As mentioned above, the men are so cartoonishly terrible and/or stupid (with the exception of one) that it is too much at times. Now, it may very well have been intended as satire, but that's not how the blurb or various reviewer quotes made it sound. To highlight a few: "like a guttural rage scream" (Emily Henry), "a roar of rage" (Marian Keyes), "fierce anthem against misogyny" (Publishers Weekly). So I am assuming it was not intended to be funny... but who knows?
I liked it best in the beginning when we were still getting to know Harriett, Jo and Nessa, before the book became confused about what it wanted to be— murder mystery? feminist satire? fantasy with witches? —I liked all three of them and thought the use of menopause as a way of coming into one's power was interesting.
After a while, though, it became too long and started to get repetitive. A lot of the flashbacks were a tedious excuse to squeeze in a few more despicable males. I also didn't care for how the ending went off the rails and became an .
It is a wish fulfilment feminist revenge fantasy in which almost comically awful men finally meet their match in three middle-aged women who have just come into some handy new powers. A heavy-handed menopause metaphor where hot flashes and mood swings come with a side helping of actual magic powers.
In theory, I'm all for this. Shitty men getting their comeuppance? I am woman, hear me roar? I am definitely the audience for all of that.
But the problem is it is so heavy-handed that it wasn't quite within the realm of my suspension of disbelief. As mentioned above, the men are so cartoonishly terrible and/or stupid (with the exception of one) that it is too much at times. Now, it may very well have been intended as satire, but that's not how the blurb or various reviewer quotes made it sound. To highlight a few: "like a guttural rage scream" (Emily Henry), "a roar of rage" (Marian Keyes), "fierce anthem against misogyny" (Publishers Weekly). So I am assuming it was not intended to be funny... but who knows?
I liked it best in the beginning when we were still getting to know Harriett, Jo and Nessa, before the book became confused about what it wanted to be— murder mystery? feminist satire? fantasy with witches? —I liked all three of them and thought the use of menopause as a way of coming into one's power was interesting.
After a while, though, it became too long and started to get repetitive. A lot of the flashbacks were a tedious excuse to squeeze in a few more despicable males. I also didn't care for how the ending went off the rails and became an .
April 8, 2022
4.5 rounded up
This is marketed as 'Big Little Lies' meets The Witches of Eastwick ...oooh yes please! Let's chuck in three amazing women of an 'uncertain age' and create a feminist revenge fantasy in a great setting of Mattauk, NY which is utilised masterfully in the storytelling.
It starts in April with a view of 256 Woodland Drive, once an object of covetous desire but it's now neglected and abandoned, its owner harriet Osborne hasn't been seen since early November. However, don't worry, Harriet is fine, let's just say she's been developing those green fingers hidden behind some pretty spectacular plants. harriet has always been a driven woman but now her drive takes a different path. Harriet teams up with former nurse Nessa James who hears the voices of the dead and gym owner Jo Levinson who utilises her furnace like hot flushes and strength in an almost super human way. These three phenomenal women are on a collision course with some of powerful inhabitants of Mattauk and they wreak their own brand of havoc for the best possible reasons to take down the rot at it's core.
I love this book right from the start, what an incredible premise. The three central protagonists are amazing, the stand out is Harriet whose portrayal is simply phenomenal. Jo's daughter Lucy will definitely be a kick ass adult, she's that as an eleven year old! Some of the dialogue is brilliant and makes me hoot with laughter it's so clever. However, there is a very dark side to the plot and you shout encouragement from the literary side lines.
I love the feminist vibe too, so much the author includes resonates in my own working life - should have channelled my inner Harriet! The storytelling flows, it's very well written, there is never a dull moment as the plot deepens with many twists and turns. Some of the imagery as we wend our way to the end is mind blowing and eye boggling it's so creative and inventive. I like how the author gives a voice to the victims we often forget but remember the perpetrator.
I daresay the ending mirrors a recent real life situation a bit too closely but I guess also that's what makes it realistic.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is marketed as 'Big Little Lies' meets The Witches of Eastwick ...oooh yes please! Let's chuck in three amazing women of an 'uncertain age' and create a feminist revenge fantasy in a great setting of Mattauk, NY which is utilised masterfully in the storytelling.
It starts in April with a view of 256 Woodland Drive, once an object of covetous desire but it's now neglected and abandoned, its owner harriet Osborne hasn't been seen since early November. However, don't worry, Harriet is fine, let's just say she's been developing those green fingers hidden behind some pretty spectacular plants. harriet has always been a driven woman but now her drive takes a different path. Harriet teams up with former nurse Nessa James who hears the voices of the dead and gym owner Jo Levinson who utilises her furnace like hot flushes and strength in an almost super human way. These three phenomenal women are on a collision course with some of powerful inhabitants of Mattauk and they wreak their own brand of havoc for the best possible reasons to take down the rot at it's core.
I love this book right from the start, what an incredible premise. The three central protagonists are amazing, the stand out is Harriet whose portrayal is simply phenomenal. Jo's daughter Lucy will definitely be a kick ass adult, she's that as an eleven year old! Some of the dialogue is brilliant and makes me hoot with laughter it's so clever. However, there is a very dark side to the plot and you shout encouragement from the literary side lines.
I love the feminist vibe too, so much the author includes resonates in my own working life - should have channelled my inner Harriet! The storytelling flows, it's very well written, there is never a dull moment as the plot deepens with many twists and turns. Some of the imagery as we wend our way to the end is mind blowing and eye boggling it's so creative and inventive. I like how the author gives a voice to the victims we often forget but remember the perpetrator.
I daresay the ending mirrors a recent real life situation a bit too closely but I guess also that's what makes it realistic.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 11, 2022
NOW AVAILABLE!
i did not expect to like this one as much as i did. it sounded very much like The Power, a book i thought was o-kay, but i didn't love it as much as everyone else seemed to.
the success of the handmaid's tale adaptation opened the floodgates on paradigm-shifting feminist dystopias (and YEESH—this is either the perfect time or the worst time for me to finally get around to reading Red Clocks, right?), and the #metoo movement sparked a rise in empowering female revenge novels (with or without supernatural power-powers, but—it must be said—far too many witch-novels). i've read and liked several of books coming out of this wave, but with some others, i've found that the concept is strong but the execution is...not.
to use christina dalcher as an example, i have read two of her buzzy female-centric speculative novels—the "women have no power" Vox and the "women have all the power" Femlandia, and they were both pretty meh: too broad in scope, too facile in their treatment of their themes, and not addressing some fundamental questions in their constructed worlds. there was plot but no compelling message to the story. not that i'm expecting social fantasy novels to come up with a solution to gender inequality and the perils of the patriarchy, but it would be nice to walk away from a book with something more illuminating than flashy window dressing.
The Change is so much more than window dressing. for one thing, it's not trying to take on too much. it's a small-scale story where, instead of trying to loop in alllll of womankind, it's centered on three women who experience transformations triggered by menopause: nessa can see the ghosts of murder victims, jo can channel her hot flashes into pure metal-melting incandescence, and the stunningly confident harriett emerges from the ashes of her marriage and career as some sort of sensual nature-goddess, feral and giving zero fucks. (or, giving A LOT of fucks, but not taking any guff about...anything)
it's essentially a character-driven mystery novel in which these women become literally em-powered by THE CHANGE, using their gifts to obtain justice for a number of "expendable" young women lured, used, and brutally murdered within an exclusive long island enclave, their killers insulated by their wealth and power.
the three central characters are excellent and more than the sum of their powers. they are bright and lively, with half a lifetime of experiences stacked up in their respective backgrounds to aid in their amateur investigation, and a willingness to get their collective hands a little dirty seeking justice for the forgotten victims.
despite the dark situation, there's a lot of humor and light weirdness threaded throughout, especially in their dealings with particular kinds of men. all of them have endured men behaving like shits—been condescended to, groped, dismissed, passed over professionally (and the chapter where jo is applying for a business loan is GOLD), and while menopause may mark the end of their fertility, it is only the beginning of a new stage of womanhood, and things are gonna get ferocious.
it's fun, compelling, fast-paced, and cheeky, but above all, fierce. and, since lady-cancer catapulted me into premature menopause, i'm expecting my powers to manifest ANY DAY NOW. best not piss me off, yeah?
come to my blog!!
"You're saying women aren't allowed?" Jo asked.
"Of course we're allowed," Harriett replied. "Women are allowed everywhere these days. Golf courses, nudie bars, the Racquet and Tennis Club. It would be scandalous if we weren't allowed. So instead, we're just not invited.
The fact that this wasn't news to Jo made it no less shocking.
"The truth of it is, I don't think most of them really question our intelligence or abilities—though they don't mind us believing they do," Harriett continued. "We're just turds in the punchbowl. We spoil their party. They don't want us hanging around."
i did not expect to like this one as much as i did. it sounded very much like The Power, a book i thought was o-kay, but i didn't love it as much as everyone else seemed to.
the success of the handmaid's tale adaptation opened the floodgates on paradigm-shifting feminist dystopias (and YEESH—this is either the perfect time or the worst time for me to finally get around to reading Red Clocks, right?), and the #metoo movement sparked a rise in empowering female revenge novels (with or without supernatural power-powers, but—it must be said—far too many witch-novels). i've read and liked several of books coming out of this wave, but with some others, i've found that the concept is strong but the execution is...not.
to use christina dalcher as an example, i have read two of her buzzy female-centric speculative novels—the "women have no power" Vox and the "women have all the power" Femlandia, and they were both pretty meh: too broad in scope, too facile in their treatment of their themes, and not addressing some fundamental questions in their constructed worlds. there was plot but no compelling message to the story. not that i'm expecting social fantasy novels to come up with a solution to gender inequality and the perils of the patriarchy, but it would be nice to walk away from a book with something more illuminating than flashy window dressing.
The Change is so much more than window dressing. for one thing, it's not trying to take on too much. it's a small-scale story where, instead of trying to loop in alllll of womankind, it's centered on three women who experience transformations triggered by menopause: nessa can see the ghosts of murder victims, jo can channel her hot flashes into pure metal-melting incandescence, and the stunningly confident harriett emerges from the ashes of her marriage and career as some sort of sensual nature-goddess, feral and giving zero fucks. (or, giving A LOT of fucks, but not taking any guff about...anything)
it's essentially a character-driven mystery novel in which these women become literally em-powered by THE CHANGE, using their gifts to obtain justice for a number of "expendable" young women lured, used, and brutally murdered within an exclusive long island enclave, their killers insulated by their wealth and power.
the three central characters are excellent and more than the sum of their powers. they are bright and lively, with half a lifetime of experiences stacked up in their respective backgrounds to aid in their amateur investigation, and a willingness to get their collective hands a little dirty seeking justice for the forgotten victims.
despite the dark situation, there's a lot of humor and light weirdness threaded throughout, especially in their dealings with particular kinds of men. all of them have endured men behaving like shits—been condescended to, groped, dismissed, passed over professionally (and the chapter where jo is applying for a business loan is GOLD), and while menopause may mark the end of their fertility, it is only the beginning of a new stage of womanhood, and things are gonna get ferocious.
Jo could feel the fire shooting through her veins and waves of energy traveling down her limbs. She saw heat ripples radiating from her skin and smelled the grass singing beneath her feet. She'd tried her best to control it. Now Jo closed her eyes and let go. Nothing had ever felt so good.
She knew then what she was meant to do. She knew why Nessa had found her. Nessa was the light in the darkness. Harriett was the punishment that fit the crime. She was the rage that would burn it all to the ground.
it's fun, compelling, fast-paced, and cheeky, but above all, fierce. and, since lady-cancer catapulted me into premature menopause, i'm expecting my powers to manifest ANY DAY NOW. best not piss me off, yeah?
come to my blog!!
April 7, 2023
Loved loved loved this. Definitely a LONG one (almost 500 pages 😰) but by the end I was so sad to say goodbye to these characters. So much depth, such a unique concept/story, such a satisfying ending!!!
July 4, 2022
Do You Believe in Magic?
A neglected house, once the neighborhood jewel, has been hiding secrets. No one has seen its inhabitant Harriet Osborne for months.
“Now the gardens had grown wild and a gutter dangled from the roof. The children across the street speculated that the owner, like so many unfortunate old ladies before her, had probably been eaten by cats.”
With this sentence within the first paragraph on the first page, I laughed out loud and could barely put the book down until finished.
Kirsten Miller, where have you been all my life?
The perfect mix of droll and nonchalant, this was a delightful syncopation with words while exploring topics meaningful to women. I can’t emphasize enough my appreciation for the deadpan wit and this special writing skill.
This is a book of fierce females, righting past wrongs, mystery, and whimsy.
I think readers of all ages would enjoy this and especially those of us entering the second act in life. Perfect timing too because with the recent world and domestic events - who couldn’t use a little escapism for a few hours?
Purchased at Barnes and Noble. It’s a keeper!
A neglected house, once the neighborhood jewel, has been hiding secrets. No one has seen its inhabitant Harriet Osborne for months.
“Now the gardens had grown wild and a gutter dangled from the roof. The children across the street speculated that the owner, like so many unfortunate old ladies before her, had probably been eaten by cats.”
With this sentence within the first paragraph on the first page, I laughed out loud and could barely put the book down until finished.
Kirsten Miller, where have you been all my life?
The perfect mix of droll and nonchalant, this was a delightful syncopation with words while exploring topics meaningful to women. I can’t emphasize enough my appreciation for the deadpan wit and this special writing skill.
This is a book of fierce females, righting past wrongs, mystery, and whimsy.
I think readers of all ages would enjoy this and especially those of us entering the second act in life. Perfect timing too because with the recent world and domestic events - who couldn’t use a little escapism for a few hours?
Purchased at Barnes and Noble. It’s a keeper!
June 12, 2022
I have SUCH complicated feelings about this book. I like the storyline. It was creative and interesting and kept me going. However…I had issues. First, it was too long. There were entire chapters that could have been left out and it wouldn’t have made a difference to the story. And I wish they had been left out because they caused me to like the book less. The male misogyny was over the top for me. I kept thinking “Really? EVERY man you’ve ever met is like this? Really?” It was a bit much. I did love the female friendships formed in here and how the story played out and how it ended. I just wanted a bit less anti-men and even a bit more emphasis on the menopause topic and how it manifested into their powers. That was a bit downplayed for me. So, I liked it, but the issues I had overpowered my overall enjoyment.
June 1, 2022
“…Many women are simply too frightened to see things as they really are-or to accept that the world men have made must be destroyed.”
Meet the middle-aged Avengers from Mattauk, Long Island. A mid-life crisis has never sounded so good!
Here’s who you will find on 256 Woodland Drive:
Harriet Osborne is a former high-ranking advertising executive, the neighborhood witch, and a gifted horticulturist
Jo Levison is a former hotel executive who now owns a female only gym and harnesses her rage into a super strength
Nessa James is a former nurse who sees ghosts and is determined to bring their spirits justice
When this unlikely trio collaborate to solve a murder, mankind doesn’t stand a chance.
Intrigued?
The Change is a highly original genre bending novel that deals with issues such as female empowerment, predetermined gender roles, and gender inequality. Through a misandrous tone, the women rise up and challenge the patriarchy that has long discriminated against them.
What you will get is a VERY LONG story. At 470 pages, this book definitely felt like it could have been edited down a bit. While I was initially intrigued by this whole concept, my interest started to wane around 50%, as I could see where the plot was headed. The mystery is a bit obvious, as it appears to be taken from actual headlines. I also didn’t enjoy being hit over the head constantly with feministic language and ideas. We get it…men=bad and women=good.
However, I did enjoy the unlikely friendship between Jo, Harriet, and Nessa. Their characters are unique and very well-developed. I could also see this book being made into a movie, as it has a cinematic quality to it. I took a risk on a book slightly out of my comfort zone and I am glad that I had the experience.
Now, back to psychological thrillers!
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Meet the middle-aged Avengers from Mattauk, Long Island. A mid-life crisis has never sounded so good!
Here’s who you will find on 256 Woodland Drive:
Harriet Osborne is a former high-ranking advertising executive, the neighborhood witch, and a gifted horticulturist
Jo Levison is a former hotel executive who now owns a female only gym and harnesses her rage into a super strength
Nessa James is a former nurse who sees ghosts and is determined to bring their spirits justice
When this unlikely trio collaborate to solve a murder, mankind doesn’t stand a chance.
Intrigued?
The Change is a highly original genre bending novel that deals with issues such as female empowerment, predetermined gender roles, and gender inequality. Through a misandrous tone, the women rise up and challenge the patriarchy that has long discriminated against them.
What you will get is a VERY LONG story. At 470 pages, this book definitely felt like it could have been edited down a bit. While I was initially intrigued by this whole concept, my interest started to wane around 50%, as I could see where the plot was headed. The mystery is a bit obvious, as it appears to be taken from actual headlines. I also didn’t enjoy being hit over the head constantly with feministic language and ideas. We get it…men=bad and women=good.
However, I did enjoy the unlikely friendship between Jo, Harriet, and Nessa. Their characters are unique and very well-developed. I could also see this book being made into a movie, as it has a cinematic quality to it. I took a risk on a book slightly out of my comfort zone and I am glad that I had the experience.
Now, back to psychological thrillers!
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Read
May 17, 2023The fact is, if you show me a novel about women fighting back against lousy men and at least one of the women is defined as a witch, I'm now going to spend the entire book on high alert for terfyness. Thanks for that, terfs, you've ruined witches.
Anyway. Thriller about three menopausal women who have developed superpowers of seeing dead people, witchy plant magic, and extreme violence. They set out to find out who killed a girl and discover a whole series of rape/murders of teenagers. For a book that critiques popular culture using raped and murdered women as entertainment, it sure does have a lot of raped and murdered women in it.
It's kind of "feminist blast of rage at how useless / awful men are" (obviously cis het men, there's one gay man in this who gets about one line and nobody trans) with a similar level of ire directed at the existence of periods, slut-shaming mothers, men who fail to promote women as advertising executives, rapist murderers, homeowners associations, and men failing to mow the lawn. This is all punished by extreme violence and lots of murder. I'm perimenopausal and mostly angry and like nothing more than men getting their comeuppance but this ... eh, it was one-note. Almost all the men were caricature-awful, and we had no sense that the witches were ever in danger, which rather drew the story's teeth.
One of the characters is black (wise granny, second sight runs in the family, sigh) but the book doesnt get into any question of intersectionality, and is very gender essentialist. Overall didn't work for me. If you want an extended revenge fantasy, it may float your boat, but you'll have to read an awful lot of misogynist abuse to get there.
Anyway. Thriller about three menopausal women who have developed superpowers of seeing dead people, witchy plant magic, and extreme violence. They set out to find out who killed a girl and discover a whole series of rape/murders of teenagers. For a book that critiques popular culture using raped and murdered women as entertainment, it sure does have a lot of raped and murdered women in it.
It's kind of "feminist blast of rage at how useless / awful men are" (obviously cis het men, there's one gay man in this who gets about one line and nobody trans) with a similar level of ire directed at the existence of periods, slut-shaming mothers, men who fail to promote women as advertising executives, rapist murderers, homeowners associations, and men failing to mow the lawn. This is all punished by extreme violence and lots of murder. I'm perimenopausal and mostly angry and like nothing more than men getting their comeuppance but this ... eh, it was one-note. Almost all the men were caricature-awful, and we had no sense that the witches were ever in danger, which rather drew the story's teeth.
One of the characters is black (wise granny, second sight runs in the family, sigh) but the book doesnt get into any question of intersectionality, and is very gender essentialist. Overall didn't work for me. If you want an extended revenge fantasy, it may float your boat, but you'll have to read an awful lot of misogynist abuse to get there.
July 8, 2022
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. I had saved several quotes from it that I just loved but I'm stupid and my kindle upgraded and I have no clue how to find them. Anyways, this book is what that stupid Dietland should have been.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
January 2, 2022
QUICK TAKE: absolutely floored by how much I enjoyed this modern spin on The Witches of Eastwick...three women essentially come into supernatural powers later in life and take on all the toxic men in town. I loved the world-building and character stories (every woman in town has her own special backstory), and nothing like a big ole revenge fantasy to keep me on the edge of my seat the entire time!
June 9, 2022
4.5 Stars
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
January 23, 2023
In The Change, three women in Mattauk come together in unexpected ways, harnessing their gifts to try to protect their town. Nessa is a widow who can hear and see girls. Since she was ousted from her high level corporate job, Harriett has built a reputation for being a witch, in large part due to her unwieldy garden. Jo owns a women’s gym and can literally feel heat surging through her when she’s mad about something and lately, there’s plenty to be mad about in Mattauk.
When Nessa, Jo and Harriett find a young woman’s body near the beach, they’re enraged by the casual, dismissive narrative police provide about the girl. The three woman are determined to discover what really happened and decide to investigate themselves, with or without official assistance.
I enjoyed this story that had plenty of unfortunately realistic, rage-inducing moments. I felt for the women as individuals, professionals, moms, and spouses. The Change is a great reminder of the power of women working together and not being deterred by men.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Nessa, Jo and Harriett find a young woman’s body near the beach, they’re enraged by the casual, dismissive narrative police provide about the girl. The three woman are determined to discover what really happened and decide to investigate themselves, with or without official assistance.
I enjoyed this story that had plenty of unfortunately realistic, rage-inducing moments. I felt for the women as individuals, professionals, moms, and spouses. The Change is a great reminder of the power of women working together and not being deterred by men.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2022
It took me a bit to get through this as it is on the long side, but it was so worth it! Such a good read! I was nervous about the hype, but it lived up to everything. I felt all the feels, kept turning pages, felt connected to characters, just all that immersion I look for in a book. My biggest con was that it's heavy, and my hands hurt lol. Besides that, I just truly enjoyed this from beginning to end.
May 4, 2022
I hate being harsh, but this book rubbed me the wrong way. It was blatant propaganda and I guess if you're a feminist who literally hates all men & thinks they are evil, you may enjoy it? I totally get that it is somewhat supposed to be an exaggerated metaphor, and tongue in cheek, but give me a break. It was so predictable and just felt very angry and bitter and just was not for me.
May 14, 2022
Practical Magic + Law and Order SVU
Cleverly written.
Infuriating in the way the first half of the First Wives Club is, but then satisfying the way the second half of First Wives Club is.
Technically a 4.5, but I rounded down because the "twist" is predictable to anyone who has watched the news in the last 4 years.
Cleverly written.
Infuriating in the way the first half of the First Wives Club is, but then satisfying the way the second half of First Wives Club is.
Technically a 4.5, but I rounded down because the "twist" is predictable to anyone who has watched the news in the last 4 years.
December 13, 2024
The Change
By Kirten Miller
Wow! I fell in love with this book right away and continued to be enthralled to the very end! This book was such a wonderful book and just what I needed in my life right now. Especially in a time when justice seems to favor the bully, the powerful, and men. The inequality still exists between men and women, with women often getting the short straw throughout life in various social situations.
This book introduces three women going through menopause and they end up acquiring powers. One can interact to nature, such as plants, animals, etc. The second can hear and see ghosts. The third can produce fire from her hands.
Their town has a serial killer, and these women use their skills to find the bodies, figure out who did it, and administer justice themselves. They find there is more than one killer involved. It's a satisfying and unique read that I enjoyed tremendously. There's a scattering of humor here and there, too. Loads of suspense! This has to be one of my favorite books I've read this year.
By Kirten Miller
Wow! I fell in love with this book right away and continued to be enthralled to the very end! This book was such a wonderful book and just what I needed in my life right now. Especially in a time when justice seems to favor the bully, the powerful, and men. The inequality still exists between men and women, with women often getting the short straw throughout life in various social situations.
This book introduces three women going through menopause and they end up acquiring powers. One can interact to nature, such as plants, animals, etc. The second can hear and see ghosts. The third can produce fire from her hands.
Their town has a serial killer, and these women use their skills to find the bodies, figure out who did it, and administer justice themselves. They find there is more than one killer involved. It's a satisfying and unique read that I enjoyed tremendously. There's a scattering of humor here and there, too. Loads of suspense! This has to be one of my favorite books I've read this year.
June 27, 2022
This was one crazy read! If you are a fan of anything remotely fantastical, women's fiction, thrillers then this may be the book for you! I listened to this one via audiobook, as it's almost 500 pages and just zoomed through it, and it was over before I knew it! This is a story of several women at a crossroads in their lives who suddenly develop incredible powers. The women are starkly different and sometimes over-the-top personality-wise, however despite their differences they become the best of friends in their quest to solve the mystery of what/who has been killing young women in their city. I pretty much figured out the mystery element of this one in the beginning, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel. If I'd have to describe this to someone, I'd say it is a bit Witches of Eastwick, mixed in with something else, which makes for a very entertaining read!!
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