A new Alice Feeney book? Yes, please! Beautiful Ugly came out back in January, and of course, I bought it right away (because I’m always here for the plot twists!). But like so many others, it ended up sitting quietly on my digital TBR for a little while.

If you’ve been here for a bit, you already know how much I love Rock Paper Scissors, so I had high hopes for this one.

In this Beautiful Ugly review, I’m sharing all my thoughts, what worked, what didn’t, and why I still couldn’t put it down.

Spoiler-Free Zone
This review is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. You’re safe to read on, even if you haven’t cracked open the book yet.

Beautiful Ugly Review – Book Synopsis

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Published January 1, 2024

A gripping and deliciously dark thriller about marriage. . .
. . . and revenge.

Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.

Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared.

A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible — a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

---

Goodreads Rating |

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

buy on amazon

Book Info

Title	Beautiful Ugly
Author	Alice Feeney
Genre	Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Format	306 pages, Hardcover
Published	January 14, 2025 by Flatiron Books
ISBN	9781250337788 (ISBN10: 125033778X)
ASIN	125033778X
Language	English

Author’s Bio

Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author of novels including His & Hers, Sometimes I Lie, Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations, with His & Hers currently in production for Netflix, produced by Jessica Chastain, and starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years. Her seventh novel, Beautiful Ugly, will be published around the world in January 2025.

Check Alice’s Official Website: www.alicefeeney.com

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is set to be adapted into a film. Hidden Pictures, the production company founded by Todd Lieberman, acquired the rights to the book in early 2025 and plans to develop a film adaptation of the psychological thriller.

Beautiful Ugly Review – Quick Summary

Beautiful Ugly Review – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

My Thoughts

I know Beautiful Ugly got some mixed reactions online, some readers found parts of it far-fetched or said it felt a bit repetitive. But honestly? I really liked it. The setting, the tension, the way the story slowly unfolded, it all kept me fully engaged. I didn’t find it boring at all. I was invested from the start and kept guessing right up to the end. My all-time favourite from Alice is still Rock Paper Scissors, but in my humble opinion Beautiful Ugly is a really solid, slow-burn thriller.

What I Loved

One of my favourite things about Beautiful Ugly was discovering the island. The Isle of Amberly felt like its own little world, quiet, cut off, and full of strange little corners I wanted to explore. Bit by bit, we learn its secrets, and that mix of old stories and eerie folklore gave the whole book a slightly spooky, almost a magical feel.

What Surprised Me

Without giving anything away, Beautiful Ugly slowly reveals that there’s more going on than just one broken marriage or a missing person. As the story unfolds, it touches on deeper struggles and quiet truths that often go unspoken. The island, with all its beauty, strange details, and that unsettling cult vibe, starts to feel like more than just a setting. It becomes part of the message.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Now, let’s talk about what made me give only 3/5 stars to Beautiful Ugly.

Early in the book, you get a full sense of how the island works. I loved the setting: moody, strange, and full of tension. But some things just didn’t add up for me. The island felt a little too cut off to be believable. No phone signal, no internet, and a ferry that barely shows up? I kept wondering how people actually lived there. How do they get supplies? What happens in an emergency? It all worked really well to build the atmosphere, but a few of those details made me stop and think, “Wait… how is this even possible?

Another thing was the people on the island, they had a lot of potential. They seemed interesting and definitely added a good mix of tension and strangeness to the story, but unfortunately, most of them weren’t very well developed. I would’ve loved to learn more about who they really were.

This also happens with Abby, the wife. I never really felt connected to her, or to any other character in particular. Abby had so much potential, but her character wasn’t fully developed. I think if we’d gotten to know her better, the big reveal at the end would’ve landed with more impact. It still worked, but it didn’t hit as hard emotionally as it could have.

Vibe Check

Amberly doesn’t just set the scene, it is part of the story. Like I said before, the island feels cold, quiet, and stuck in time. It’s beautiful, but something always feels just a little off, like there’s a secret hiding beneath the surface. The people are strange and hard to read, and it’s never clear what they’re really thinking.

As the story goes on, there’s a tense, almost paranoid feeling that grows. Sometimes, the island even gives off a weird, cult-like vibe. It feels like both the island and its people are hiding something, from Grady, and from you.

About The Plot Twist

I had a theory in mind while I was reading, I thought I’d figured out where the story was going. I’m usually pretty good at predicting twists, but this one still managed to surprise me. Alice Feeney pulled it off in such a subtle way that when the reveal came, it genuinely caught me off guard. I loved that moment of “wait, what?!”, and it definitely made me want to flip back and spot all the little clues I missed.

Now I have to be honest, the main plot twist had me thinking, “Hmm… really?” It didn’t fully land for me, mostly because some of the details didn’t quite add up. But by then, I was already so into the story that I just went with it. Even if the twist didn’t make perfect sense, I was hooked and still really enjoyed the ride.

Maybe some of the revelations after the big plot twist were meant to be that way, but I’ll be honest, I felt a little lost when the big moment happened. I even flipped back a few pages to see if I’d missed something. Maybe that was Alice’s intention all along, or maybe I just didn’t catch it right away. I liked the idea behind it, but I think some readers might feel the same way, needing a moment to catch up.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed the island setting and the overall mood of Beautiful Ugly. The tension, the mystery, and the atmosphere pulled me in right away. But I do wish we’d spent more time with the other characters. Most of the focus is on Grady and his paranoia, and while that worked in some ways, it meant that Abby and the others stayed a bit in the background. There was so much potential there that just wasn’t fully explored.

Because the characters weren’t fully developed, it was hard to really care about some of the deeper themes that show up near the end. Without getting to know the others better, those moments didn’t hit as hard as they could have. And some of the biggest characters from the beginning just kind of disappear by the end, which left things feeling a bit unfinished.

Still, the book kept me hooked. I like Alice Feeney’s writing style, the short chapters, the tension, the way she always makes you want to read just one more page. Even when some parts felt a little stretched or certain characters could’ve used more depth, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s the kind of story that keeps you guessing, and I’m really glad I finally picked it up.

Add Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney to your Goodreads TBR!

Favourite Quotes

“Sometimes things have to get really dark for us to see what we have. The world always looks more beautiful at night, when the darkness hides everything that is ugly.”

“Life is beautiful and life is ugly and we have to learn to live with both sides of that same coin and see the light in the darkness.”

“No man is an island, but a woman can be if she needs to be.”

Let’s Chat!

Have you read Beautiful Ugly yet? If so, I’d love to know what you thought , did the island get under your skin too? And if it’s still on your TBR, I say go for it! Come back and tell me what you think, I’m always up for chatting about a good twisty read!

Did you know Alice Feeney has three of her books being adapted into TV series — and Beautiful Ugly is already confirmed as a movie? If you’re curious about all four upcoming adaptations, check out my post where I break them down one by one!
Alice Feeney Book Adaptations: A Guide to Movies & TV Series

I’m really excited! My all-time favourite thriller author, Alice Feeney, has some of her best stories heading to the screen. Alice Feeney book adaptations are officially happening, with big names like Netflix and FOX involved. Honestly, it was only a matter of time, her twisty, page-turning stories are perfect for film and television.

In this post, I’ll take you through everything available so far, from confirmed castings to projects currently in development. (And yes, I’m already picturing the ideal actors for the ones still to come.)

Why Alice Feeney’s Stories Work So Well On Screen?

In my opinion, there’s a good reason so many of Alice Feeney’s books are being adapted. Every time I read one, I feel like she writes in a way that’s made for the screen. It’s so easy to picture everything she describes.

What I love most about her thrillers is how she writes about relationships, especially couples. Her stories often explore marriage, trust, betrayal, and the kinds of secrets people keep from the ones they love. She takes everyday emotions like love, jealousy, and fear, and turns them into something gripping and unpredictable.

Whether it’s a couple stuck in a remote house or a woman trying to figure out who she can trust, her books show what happens when relationships start to fall apart, and how far people might go to hide the truth. The pacing is tight, the suspense builds just right, and it all leads to her signature plot twists, which never disappoint.

To me, her books don’t just read well, they look like something you’d want to watch. That’s why I truly believe everything she writes will work beautifully on screen.

A Quick Look: Which Alice Feeney Books Made It to Screen?

Here’s a quick look at the Alice Feeney books that made it to the screen.

Beautiful Ugly

First published January 14, 2025

Beautiful Ugly is a psychological thriller that explores the complexities of marriage, grief, and the blurry line between reality and illusion.

The story follows Grady Green, a once-successful author whose life falls apart when his wife, Abby, disappears without a trace. A year later, still lost in grief and unable to write, Grady retreats to a remote Scottish island in search of peace, and maybe inspiration.

But things take a strange turn when he meets a woman on the island who looks exactly like Abby. From there, he finds himself drawn into a web of secrets, deception, and twists he never saw coming.

As Grady tries to make sense of what’s real and what’s not, he’s forced to face a difficult truth: can he trust what he sees, or is his own mind betraying him?

Get it on Amazon

His & Hers

First published July 28, 2020

His & Hers is a gripping psychological thriller told from two perspectives: Anna Andrews, a BBC news presenter trying to hold on to her career, and Detective Jack Harper, a police officer investigating a disturbing murder in a quiet English village.

When a woman is found dead in the woods, Jack is shocked to recognise her, and realises he might know more about the case than he should. At the same time, Anna is sent to cover the story and quickly discovers that the victim isn’t a stranger to her either.

As the investigation unfolds, both Jack and Anna are forced to confront secrets from their past. Each of them has something to hide and someone knows it. The deeper they dig, the more tangled the truth becomes.

Get it on Amazon

What we know so far:

---

Alice Feeney’s 2020 thriller His & Hers was always destined for the screen, and now it’s officially in the works. It’s one of my favourite Alice Feeney books, so I truly can’t wait!

• TV Series Adaptation Confirmed: Netflix is adapting His & Hers into a limited series. The announcement came in 2024, and the project is now in production. The series is being developed by Freckle Films (Jessica Chastain’s company), along with Fifth Season.

• Cast: The show stars Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, playing the two main leads, a news anchor and a detective with a complicated past.

You can see more behind-the-scenes photos by following Alice Feeney’s official Instagram account, she often shares updates and keeps fans in the loop about the production.

Production Team

The production team behind the show includes:

• Showrunner – Dee Johnson
• Directors – Anja Marquardt | William Oldroyd
• Executive Producers: Jessica Chastain, Dee Johnson, Bill Dubuque, Kristen Campo, Tessa Thompson, William Oldroyd, Kishori Rajan, and Kelly Carmichael.
• Writers – William Oldroyd (written for television by) | Bill Dubuque (written for television by) | Dee Johnson (written for television by) | Tori Sampson (written for television by) | Alice Feeney (based on a novel by)
• Production Designer – Kelly McGehee

When Will His and Hers TV Series Be Released?

---

According to IMDbPro, the His & Hers TV series is confirmed for one season with six episodes. Netflix hasn’t shared an official release date for the His & Hers limited series yet. Filming wrapped in Atlanta between September and December 2024, and the show is now in post-production. If things follow the usual timeline, we can probably expect it to premiere in the second half of 2025.

The TV series might take a while, but you don’t have to wait! You can read His and Hers now and get ahead of the story, or add it to your Goodreads list for your next TBR refresh.

Rock Paper Scissors

First published August 19, 2021

Amelia and Adam Wright have been married for ten years, but their relationship is falling apart. Adam, a screenwriter with face blindness, can’t recognize faces—including Amelia’s. When they win a weekend at a remote chapel in the Scottish Highlands, they hope it might bring them closer.

But the trip takes a strange turn. The power goes out. They’re completely cut off. And someone seems to know their secrets.

Told through both their voices and a series of mysterious letters, Rock Paper Scissors is a tense, twist-filled story about love, lies, and trust gone wrong.

Get it on Amazon

Sometimes I Lie

First published March 23, 2017

The story follows Amber Reynolds, a woman who wakes up in a hospital, but she can’t move, speak, or open her eyes. She’s in a coma, but she can hear everything happening around her. She doesn’t remember what happened, but she knows something isn’t right.

The narrative unfolds through three threads: Amber’s present in the hospital, the days leading up to the accident, and childhood diary entries from decades earlier. As the pieces come together, secrets begin to surface, about her husband, her sister, and her own past.

With every chapter, Sometimes I Lie asks you to question what you think is true. And as the title suggests, not everything, or everyone, can be trusted.

Get it on Amazon

What we know so far:

---

Alice Feeney’s debut psychological thriller, Sometimes I Lie, is being adapted into a limited television series.

• TV Series Adaptation Confirmed: In November 2019, it was announced that Sometimes I Lie would be adapted into a limited series.
• Production Team: Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Kleeman, Sarah Michelle Gellar.
• Writer: Robin Swicord.
• Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar is set to star as Amber Reynolds.

When Will the Beautiful Ugly Movie Be Released?

---

As of now, there is no official release date announced for the Sometimes I Lie series. The project is currently in development, and further details regarding production timelines have not been disclosed.

The TV series might take a while, but you don’t have to wait! You can read Rock Paper Scissors now and get ahead of the story, or add it to your Goodreads list for your next TBR refresh.

Final Thoughts & What I’m Hoping for Next

I’ve been reading Alice Feeney for years, and watching her stories head to the screen honestly feels so exciting! Her characters, the tension, the twists, it all just works. I can’t wait to see how these adaptations turn out, and I really hope they keep the same feeling that makes her books so addictive.

Of course, I’m already thinking about what could be next. Daisy Darker would make such a great film, the setting, the mood, the mystery… it’s all there. Honestly, I’d love to see all of her books adapted one day. Honestly, in my humble opinion, she hasn’t written a bad one yet.

I’ll keep this post updated whenever new info comes out, release dates, trailers, casting, anything that pops up. So feel free to check back if you’re just as curious (and obsessed) as I am.

Now I’d Love to Hear from You!

Which Alice Feeney book do you think will make the best movie or TV series? Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to know which one you’re most excited to see on screen!