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The Astrology House
A group of wealthy Manhattanites escapes to an astrology-themed retreat, where simmering resentments and long-held secrets lead to a shocking death.
Margot needs a minute. She’s been working eighty-hour weeks as a newly minted partner at her law firm. She’s disconnected from her brother, the only family she has left. And she’s still not pregnant after years of trying.
Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat promises rest, relaxation, and wisdom for Margot and her friends. With Instagram-worthy views and nightly astrology readings in an impeccably restored waterfront Victorian house, this getaway should be nothing but idyllic fun. For Margot’s brother, Adam, it’s the perfect opportunity to rekindle the romance that fuels his writing, but his wife, Aimee, hides the darkness of her past with a beautiful social media feed. Their friend, Farah, is a successful doctor who cannot admit she’s losing control. But no one holds a greater secret than their astrologer host, Rini. She has a plan for all her guests, and one won’t be leaving Stars Harbor alive.
Margot needs a minute. She’s been working eighty-hour weeks as a newly minted partner at her law firm. She’s disconnected from her brother, the only family she has left. And she’s still not pregnant after years of trying.
Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat promises rest, relaxation, and wisdom for Margot and her friends. With Instagram-worthy views and nightly astrology readings in an impeccably restored waterfront Victorian house, this getaway should be nothing but idyllic fun. For Margot’s brother, Adam, it’s the perfect opportunity to rekindle the romance that fuels his writing, but his wife, Aimee, hides the darkness of her past with a beautiful social media feed. Their friend, Farah, is a successful doctor who cannot admit she’s losing control. But no one holds a greater secret than their astrologer host, Rini. She has a plan for all her guests, and one won’t be leaving Stars Harbor alive.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 523 reviews
February 22, 2024
Do humans act according to fate or free will?
Brief Summary-
Margot and her group of friends all need a getaway vacation. So Margot books a weekend away at Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, that promises rest and relaxation with some added astrology fun. Including readings, etc. Hanging out in a house full of your friends sounds like a great idea right? Well with everyone having a secret to hide, being in close proximity can lead to some drama and even a murder.
What To Expect-
🌖Astrology Themed Retreat
🌖Multiple POVS
🌖Rich People Behaving Badly
🌖A Shocking Twist At The End
Content Warnings-
🌖Pregancy Struggles
🌖Forced Abortion
“Your future will not be free until you right the past”
My Thoughts-
I loved this book. It’s such a unique story. The added astrology trope to the mystery/thriller was such an interesting spin. I was engaged throughout the story. I was never bored. I devoured this book in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. There was so many intricate layers to the story, so many secrets. I just needed to know where the plot was going to lead. The big reveal had my jaw on the floor. Actually my jaw was pretty much unhinged the last 20% of the book. I just couldn’t not believe it.
The writing and pacing were excellent. This book had me hooked from the first chapter.
There is a lot of characters and dynamics but the author did a wonderful job distinguishing each individual. When I think of the the friends group I can describe them as whole.. delulu, selfish, neurotic, aloof, desperate. I did like a few of the characters. Some of them did not stand out to me. I liked reading about each persons signs and hearing about their birth charts. Before the author introduces the characters POV in the beginning you get to read sun, moon and rising sign on an astrology card along with some other personality traits. Which I found very fun and helpful. There is a lot of information in the beginning which some may find confusing. But it all click’s at one point.
♓️Margot married to Ted.
♑️Occupation: Lawyer
♒️Sister to Adam
♋️Aimee married to Adam.
♎️Occupation: Social Media Influencer
♍️Best friends with Farah
♍️Farah married to Joe.
♎️Occupation: Doctor, Obgyn
♌️Best friends with Aimee
♒️Ted married to Margot.
♑️Occupation: Investment Banker
♊️Best Friends with Rick
♏️Adam married to Aimee.
♏️ Occupation: Writer
♈️Brother to Margot
♌️Rick married to Eden
♈️ Occupation: Investment Banker
♊️Best Friends with Ted
♈️Eden married to Rick
♏️Occupation: Jewelry Designer
♊️Frieds with the group because she is married to Rick
With a friends group like that, you can expect some drama.
Overall-
I think this is an awesome debut book. I can’t wait to check out the Authors future work. There were some connections and twist and turns I didn���t see coming , that made this novel very hard to put down. All my astrology friends who enjoy reading Mystery/Thrillers add this book to your TBR expeditiously.
Playlist-
🌞Gypsy- Fleetwood Mac
🌞Crystal- Stevie Nicks
🌞Young & Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
🌞Witchy Woman- Eagles
🌞Dream- Fleetwood Mac
🌞All The Good Girls Go To Hell- Billie Eliish
🌞Third Eye- Florence The Machine
🌞Aint No Rest For The Wicked- Cage The Elephant
🌞Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac
🌞Stargirl Interlude- The Weekend
🌞Triggered - Jhene Aiko
🌞In My Feelings- Lana Del Rey
🌞Mr. Brightside- The Killers
🌞Dont Hurt Yourself- Beyonce
🌞Watermelon Sugar- Harry Styles
🌞Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond
🌞Energy- Tyla Jane
🌞Season Of The Witch- Lana Del Rey
🌛Thanks to NetGalley, Carinn Jade, and Atria Books Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review🌜
Brief Summary-
Margot and her group of friends all need a getaway vacation. So Margot books a weekend away at Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, that promises rest and relaxation with some added astrology fun. Including readings, etc. Hanging out in a house full of your friends sounds like a great idea right? Well with everyone having a secret to hide, being in close proximity can lead to some drama and even a murder.
What To Expect-
🌖Astrology Themed Retreat
🌖Multiple POVS
🌖Rich People Behaving Badly
🌖A Shocking Twist At The End
Content Warnings-
🌖Pregancy Struggles
🌖Forced Abortion
“Your future will not be free until you right the past”
My Thoughts-
I loved this book. It’s such a unique story. The added astrology trope to the mystery/thriller was such an interesting spin. I was engaged throughout the story. I was never bored. I devoured this book in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. There was so many intricate layers to the story, so many secrets. I just needed to know where the plot was going to lead. The big reveal had my jaw on the floor. Actually my jaw was pretty much unhinged the last 20% of the book. I just couldn’t not believe it.
The writing and pacing were excellent. This book had me hooked from the first chapter.
There is a lot of characters and dynamics but the author did a wonderful job distinguishing each individual. When I think of the the friends group I can describe them as whole.. delulu, selfish, neurotic, aloof, desperate. I did like a few of the characters. Some of them did not stand out to me. I liked reading about each persons signs and hearing about their birth charts. Before the author introduces the characters POV in the beginning you get to read sun, moon and rising sign on an astrology card along with some other personality traits. Which I found very fun and helpful. There is a lot of information in the beginning which some may find confusing. But it all click’s at one point.
♓️Margot married to Ted.
♑️Occupation: Lawyer
♒️Sister to Adam
♋️Aimee married to Adam.
♎️Occupation: Social Media Influencer
♍️Best friends with Farah
♍️Farah married to Joe.
♎️Occupation: Doctor, Obgyn
♌️Best friends with Aimee
♒️Ted married to Margot.
♑️Occupation: Investment Banker
♊️Best Friends with Rick
♏️Adam married to Aimee.
♏️ Occupation: Writer
♈️Brother to Margot
♌️Rick married to Eden
♈️ Occupation: Investment Banker
♊️Best Friends with Ted
♈️Eden married to Rick
♏️Occupation: Jewelry Designer
♊️Frieds with the group because she is married to Rick
With a friends group like that, you can expect some drama.
Overall-
I think this is an awesome debut book. I can’t wait to check out the Authors future work. There were some connections and twist and turns I didn���t see coming , that made this novel very hard to put down. All my astrology friends who enjoy reading Mystery/Thrillers add this book to your TBR expeditiously.
Playlist-
🌞Gypsy- Fleetwood Mac
🌞Crystal- Stevie Nicks
🌞Young & Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
🌞Witchy Woman- Eagles
🌞Dream- Fleetwood Mac
🌞All The Good Girls Go To Hell- Billie Eliish
🌞Third Eye- Florence The Machine
🌞Aint No Rest For The Wicked- Cage The Elephant
🌞Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac
🌞Stargirl Interlude- The Weekend
🌞Triggered - Jhene Aiko
🌞In My Feelings- Lana Del Rey
🌞Mr. Brightside- The Killers
🌞Dont Hurt Yourself- Beyonce
🌞Watermelon Sugar- Harry Styles
🌞Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond
🌞Energy- Tyla Jane
🌞Season Of The Witch- Lana Del Rey
🌛Thanks to NetGalley, Carinn Jade, and Atria Books Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review🌜
August 18, 2024
3.5⭐️
“This weekend there will be surprises, even for those who don’t believe. You can’t control the people around you. These readings will conjure unexpected emotions, unforeseen actions, and even more shocking reactions. This is a normal result of that which is buried rising to the surface. Some of you will feel blindsided, while others will feel vindicated. This is your fate.”
Eight wealthy Manhattanites, each dealing with their problems and harboring secrets, hope to unwind, disconnect, reconnect and find some peace of mind with the help of Rini, resident astrologist and owner of Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat in Long Island, over a weekend. The four couples are known to one another, but little did they expect that the idyllic weekend would not only expose the dysfunctional relationships and secrets between spouses, siblings and trusted friends but also lead to revelations that could potentially fracture these relationships beyond repair. Was the weekend deliberately designed to wreak havoc in their lives? What is Rini’s agenda? Are they being manipulated or is someone among them responsible for the strange events? Chaos ensues as the group is trapped due to inclement weather.
“You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
I was intrigued by the premise of The Astrology House by Carinn Jade, I found the concept of an astrology-guided retreat really interesting and loved how the author incorporated the astrology aspect into the narrative. I also enjoyed the suspenseful, claustrophobic vibe, the setting and the description of the old Victorian house and the rooms. The novel features a large cast of characters but is skillfully structured such that it is not difficult to follow who is who and how they are connected. The narrative, which flows well, is shared from multiple first-person POVs, which gives us a well-rounded picture of the events that gradually unfold. Though the pacing is a tad uneven, the author injects enough twists and surprises to keep you engaged. The climax is truly shocking.
Barring Rini, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly interesting, though each of the characters was well-fleshed out, complex and flawed, which definitely contributed to the drama. However, the drama did get a tad too soapy for my liking, and I thought the author piled on more than was required in this aspect, especially for a novel in the mystery/thriller genre.
However, overall, I did find this to be a promising debut novel and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 16, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
“This weekend there will be surprises, even for those who don’t believe. You can’t control the people around you. These readings will conjure unexpected emotions, unforeseen actions, and even more shocking reactions. This is a normal result of that which is buried rising to the surface. Some of you will feel blindsided, while others will feel vindicated. This is your fate.”
Eight wealthy Manhattanites, each dealing with their problems and harboring secrets, hope to unwind, disconnect, reconnect and find some peace of mind with the help of Rini, resident astrologist and owner of Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat in Long Island, over a weekend. The four couples are known to one another, but little did they expect that the idyllic weekend would not only expose the dysfunctional relationships and secrets between spouses, siblings and trusted friends but also lead to revelations that could potentially fracture these relationships beyond repair. Was the weekend deliberately designed to wreak havoc in their lives? What is Rini’s agenda? Are they being manipulated or is someone among them responsible for the strange events? Chaos ensues as the group is trapped due to inclement weather.
“You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
I was intrigued by the premise of The Astrology House by Carinn Jade, I found the concept of an astrology-guided retreat really interesting and loved how the author incorporated the astrology aspect into the narrative. I also enjoyed the suspenseful, claustrophobic vibe, the setting and the description of the old Victorian house and the rooms. The novel features a large cast of characters but is skillfully structured such that it is not difficult to follow who is who and how they are connected. The narrative, which flows well, is shared from multiple first-person POVs, which gives us a well-rounded picture of the events that gradually unfold. Though the pacing is a tad uneven, the author injects enough twists and surprises to keep you engaged. The climax is truly shocking.
Barring Rini, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly interesting, though each of the characters was well-fleshed out, complex and flawed, which definitely contributed to the drama. However, the drama did get a tad too soapy for my liking, and I thought the author piled on more than was required in this aspect, especially for a novel in the mystery/thriller genre.
However, overall, I did find this to be a promising debut novel and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 16, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
October 22, 2024
The Astrology House is a quirky thriller about a group of couples visiting, well, an astrology-focused bed and breakfast of sorts. While they are there, cracks in each of the relationships are exposed. And there is also something a bit off about the owner of the property. Pretty engaging and entertaining overall.
March 5, 2024
Gripping, hard to put down and dramatic! The Astrology House instantly drew me in and had me hooked from the very beginning! I had a good time reading this book and found it to be very entertaining. There is so much going on with the characters, I liken this book to a nighttime soap opera ala Desperate Housewives in that it's dramatic, entertaining, full of secrets, and dysfunction. The Astrology House was enjoyable from cover to cover with no down time.
Margot is looking for answers and a time to get away with her husband, Ted and her brother, Adam, his wife Aimee, and their close friends. She could really use the time away from her busy job and attempts to start a family. The Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat seems like a perfect getaway for relaxing, bonding, getting insight, and fun.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the many twists, turns and revelations in this book. There are quite a few characters, but it was easy to keep track of everyone and their individual quirks, issues, and personalities. They are a group with secrets, and it was fun watching everything play out. Rini is the astronomer who is hosting them and has a secret or two herself. Instead of getting their charts read, they could all have a contest to see who has the biggest secret amongst them! This group might look picture perfect, but they are far from it!
I enjoyed the tension which slowly built in this book. I enjoyed the interesting dynamics between the characters. Plus, this book has that trapped feeling that I enjoy in books. They are at home but there is a storm coming in and they are all stuck together as the drama unfolds. I have to say that there was one reveal which I did not see coming and boy was that a shocker!!! Well done, Jaede, well done!
Astrology is discussed but if that is not your thing, don't worry, it’s not overbearing or a HUGE part of the book.
Gripping, well written, well thought out, hard to put down, shocking, and dramatic!
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Margot is looking for answers and a time to get away with her husband, Ted and her brother, Adam, his wife Aimee, and their close friends. She could really use the time away from her busy job and attempts to start a family. The Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat seems like a perfect getaway for relaxing, bonding, getting insight, and fun.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the many twists, turns and revelations in this book. There are quite a few characters, but it was easy to keep track of everyone and their individual quirks, issues, and personalities. They are a group with secrets, and it was fun watching everything play out. Rini is the astronomer who is hosting them and has a secret or two herself. Instead of getting their charts read, they could all have a contest to see who has the biggest secret amongst them! This group might look picture perfect, but they are far from it!
I enjoyed the tension which slowly built in this book. I enjoyed the interesting dynamics between the characters. Plus, this book has that trapped feeling that I enjoy in books. They are at home but there is a storm coming in and they are all stuck together as the drama unfolds. I have to say that there was one reveal which I did not see coming and boy was that a shocker!!! Well done, Jaede, well done!
Astrology is discussed but if that is not your thing, don't worry, it’s not overbearing or a HUGE part of the book.
Gripping, well written, well thought out, hard to put down, shocking, and dramatic!
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 5, 2024
This story was interesting. Telling fortune in a different setting, at a vacation home to guests coming to stay and on their getaways from work and kids. The location and atmosphere sounds relaxing. Each character has a good background. I just felt bad for Farrah. She never told her crush her feelings. Her story left open. Maybe up to readers' interpretation. Maybe she continue to stay with her husband or maybe she will eventually tell her crush her feelings.
Full casts audiobook! I always liked that. This story followed Margot who wanted to have a baby. Her brother Adam is a writer but blamed that his wife focused on their daughters more than him so he couldn't use her as his muse for his romance novels. Aimee is Adam's wife who is a mom influencer and best friend with her OBGYN Farrah. Farrah is married with kids but started having thoughts on a woman close to her. There's also Margot's husband Ted, Farrah's husband Joe, Eden and Rick who are friends of Ted's, Eric who dated Rini, but their views weren't in the book. There's Rini who runs the vacation home aka astrology house aka giving fortune to guests. There's a surprise character later.
The mystery was the fortune cards left in Adam's room and Margot's room. Margot thought Rini left them for her and she thought she might have some good news after trying to have a baby. Aimee thought Rini looked familiar but Rini said they don't know each other. Rini saw Adam's affair and someone lurking by her cottage. Aimee had an uneasy feeling. She had a guilty conscience on something she did before and it's back to haunt her. Then we meet the mystery character that will explain some things.
Thank you Atria Books and Simon Audio for the opportunity to read, listen, and review.
Full casts audiobook! I always liked that. This story followed Margot who wanted to have a baby. Her brother Adam is a writer but blamed that his wife focused on their daughters more than him so he couldn't use her as his muse for his romance novels. Aimee is Adam's wife who is a mom influencer and best friend with her OBGYN Farrah. Farrah is married with kids but started having thoughts on a woman close to her. There's also Margot's husband Ted, Farrah's husband Joe, Eden and Rick who are friends of Ted's, Eric who dated Rini, but their views weren't in the book. There's Rini who runs the vacation home aka astrology house aka giving fortune to guests. There's a surprise character later.
The mystery was the fortune cards left in Adam's room and Margot's room. Margot thought Rini left them for her and she thought she might have some good news after trying to have a baby. Aimee thought Rini looked familiar but Rini said they don't know each other. Rini saw Adam's affair and someone lurking by her cottage. Aimee had an uneasy feeling. She had a guilty conscience on something she did before and it's back to haunt her. Then we meet the mystery character that will explain some things.
Thank you Atria Books and Simon Audio for the opportunity to read, listen, and review.
June 23, 2024
THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE is an entertaining thriller with lots of juicy drama. Four connected couples head to Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat for a much needed getaway, but their planned weekend of relaxation and gaining wisdom from the stars turns ugly when ulterior motives are exposed. The approaching hurricane won’t be the only thing stirring up chaos.
This tense story is told from multiple POVs, and there’s a big cast of characters, but for the most part, each character is easily distinguishable. I found the astrology aspect intriguing and unique, though sometimes I got lost with all the sun and moon houses. Luckily there’s a cheat sheet of sorts before each “reading” with the guest’s astrological information and relationship to other characters.
Most of the book moved at a simmering suspenseful pace, until things went wild during the final twists and reveals. The characters were all rather flawed and difficult, but I ended up liking all of the women, save one. The men had the opposite effect on me.
I’m impressed with this page-turning debut novel, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for future books from this author. Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
This tense story is told from multiple POVs, and there’s a big cast of characters, but for the most part, each character is easily distinguishable. I found the astrology aspect intriguing and unique, though sometimes I got lost with all the sun and moon houses. Luckily there’s a cheat sheet of sorts before each “reading” with the guest’s astrological information and relationship to other characters.
Most of the book moved at a simmering suspenseful pace, until things went wild during the final twists and reveals. The characters were all rather flawed and difficult, but I ended up liking all of the women, save one. The men had the opposite effect on me.
I’m impressed with this page-turning debut novel, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for future books from this author. Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
July 30, 2024
3 Stars for a decent, but not great debut (and probably an outlier opinion alert!!)
The Astrology House was a solid debut by a talented new author, and I had seen some great reviews prior to eagerly picking this one up. Unfortunately, this one ultimately lacked the suspense that I crave in a thriller. I was immediately intrigued by the premise, and while there was astrology throughout, after everything was finally revealed I felt like this novel could have gone without any astrology, at all, as it felt as if it was added in as an afterthought, but perhaps it could just be me?!
Another aspect of the novel I struggled with was that all of the characters were, of course rich, and overall insanely unlikeable; the men were for the most part unfaithful liars, while the women, also liars to an extent, mostly came across as unbelievably less than smart. As far as the storyline went, I expected there to be an initial event that resulted in chaos, with a multilayered and multi-perspective mystery that followed, but this wasn't really the case. This had me wondering what the conflict would be, aside suspicious spouses and repetitive backstabbing; would something major actually happen at some point? These questions are what kept me intrigued enough to keep reading. There really wasn't any suspense until the very end, and instead, this read very much like a soap opera with some minor elements of suspense/mystery added in. A reoccurring theme throughout that kept coming to mind was that money does NOT guarantee happiness, quite the contrary! The whole reasoning as to why it all happened to begin with was very far-fetched to me, and I really had to manage my disbelief. If these are issues you can overcome as a reader then this could be a great read for you, however it just didn't do much for me, sadly.
Despite this one not being a homerun, the quality of the writing was great, and it's undeniable that there is potential here, and since this a debut I'm definitely going to keep my eye on this author's forthcoming work prior to making an official opinion.
The Astrology House was a solid debut by a talented new author, and I had seen some great reviews prior to eagerly picking this one up. Unfortunately, this one ultimately lacked the suspense that I crave in a thriller. I was immediately intrigued by the premise, and while there was astrology throughout, after everything was finally revealed I felt like this novel could have gone without any astrology, at all, as it felt as if it was added in as an afterthought, but perhaps it could just be me?!
Another aspect of the novel I struggled with was that all of the characters were, of course rich, and overall insanely unlikeable; the men were for the most part unfaithful liars, while the women, also liars to an extent, mostly came across as unbelievably less than smart. As far as the storyline went, I expected there to be an initial event that resulted in chaos, with a multilayered and multi-perspective mystery that followed, but this wasn't really the case. This had me wondering what the conflict would be, aside suspicious spouses and repetitive backstabbing; would something major actually happen at some point? These questions are what kept me intrigued enough to keep reading. There really wasn't any suspense until the very end, and instead, this read very much like a soap opera with some minor elements of suspense/mystery added in. A reoccurring theme throughout that kept coming to mind was that money does NOT guarantee happiness, quite the contrary! The whole reasoning as to why it all happened to begin with was very far-fetched to me, and I really had to manage my disbelief. If these are issues you can overcome as a reader then this could be a great read for you, however it just didn't do much for me, sadly.
Despite this one not being a homerun, the quality of the writing was great, and it's undeniable that there is potential here, and since this a debut I'm definitely going to keep my eye on this author's forthcoming work prior to making an official opinion.
June 24, 2024
2.5 Stars
The first thing that comes to mind when reading this books is drama, drama, drama. The second is too many character point of views, especially since they are all in the first person. All of the characters are wealthy, self-centered, hot messes, and while Rini, the host and astrologist doesn’t fall into this category, I wouldn’t say she was particularly likable either.
As the title indicates, there’s a lot of astrology in the book, which I found interesting and it did move the story forward. It gives it that slight mystical feeling and that along with the stormy weather plays up the atmospheric mood of the book. With everyone having a secret (or two or three), and Rini manipulating the weekend to expose one of the guests, everyone begins to unravel as the storm, both metaphorical and literal, draws near.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
The first thing that comes to mind when reading this books is drama, drama, drama. The second is too many character point of views, especially since they are all in the first person. All of the characters are wealthy, self-centered, hot messes, and while Rini, the host and astrologist doesn’t fall into this category, I wouldn’t say she was particularly likable either.
As the title indicates, there’s a lot of astrology in the book, which I found interesting and it did move the story forward. It gives it that slight mystical feeling and that along with the stormy weather plays up the atmospheric mood of the book. With everyone having a secret (or two or three), and Rini manipulating the weekend to expose one of the guests, everyone begins to unravel as the storm, both metaphorical and literal, draws near.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
July 27, 2024
I found this debut novel to be rather boring and it took forever for anything to happen. I did like her writing so I will be checking out any new work, but this one just didn't work for me.
July 3, 2024
The Astrology House is a suspenseful thriller with a unique setting. Let’s be real, it’s difficult to write an original thriller these days because honestly, readers of the genre have read them all. But things like setting, the drama, and characters are what make them unique. In this case, it was the setting. I loved the idea of t this type of getaway and was really intrigued by the astrological pieces of the novel because I’ve never read anything like it. However, I didn’t care for many of the characters. Perhaps that’s a big part of the novel and why it works. In any event, I found this to be a solid thriller and I look forward to reading more from the author.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 27, 2024
At first I rated this book four stars - but it's a few weeks since I've read it and I noticed that I could hardly remember all the ins and outs of the plot. So I ended up rating it three stars, which is to say I liked it but it didn't leave a lasting impression.
The plot is fairly straightforward: put an X number of people in a big old house and throw in a lot of booze - and a tropical storm raging outside.
Nobody will be unaffected by every secret that is unveiled during their stay so it is up to the reader to try and find out what is going to happen to whom.
It was a good idea to assemble a group of people who all knew each other beforehand so there was no need for lengthy explanations about the characters' thoughts but still there were enough surprises.
Thanks to Atria Books and Edelweiss for this review copy.
The plot is fairly straightforward: put an X number of people in a big old house and throw in a lot of booze - and a tropical storm raging outside.
Nobody will be unaffected by every secret that is unveiled during their stay so it is up to the reader to try and find out what is going to happen to whom.
It was a good idea to assemble a group of people who all knew each other beforehand so there was no need for lengthy explanations about the characters' thoughts but still there were enough surprises.
Thanks to Atria Books and Edelweiss for this review copy.
July 16, 2024
When Margot, her husband Ted, her brother Adam, his wife Aimee and four of their wealthy friends travel to Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, they’re expecting rest, relation and for-some of them-to gain a better understanding of themselves and their futures.
But everyone has an agenda and Rini, the astrologer and host of their retreat has her own plans for the eight guests.
The Astrology House is a captivating mystery and thriller with a few unlikeable characters that did not detract from the overall story. Told from the point-of-view of different guests, as well as Rini, the reader is given an interesting glimpse into the histories and motivations of the characters. Though some of the guests are not shown as much focus and their contributions to the story are-for the most part-more minimal.
But the depiction of unhealthy codependence, unabashed selfishness, repressed secrets and unhinged behavior clearly illustrates how very toxic the guests can be, with one particular person who becomes only the second-worst person by the end of the novel.
Although I don’t know very much about astrology, I felt that its presentation within The Astrology house is well done. The “Astro Cheat Sheets” in the beginning of each chapter provide some insight into each character and the actual readings that Rini performs for the guests were unique and intriguing.
Close to the ending of the novel is where the story begins to feel more disjointed and also shifts from displaying uncomfortable and tawdry secrets to more sinister violations of a woman’s bodily autonomy. The conclusion moved very quickly and dramatically and one plot in particular felt unresolved.
Do humans possess free will or are our decisions determined by aspects surrounding our birth? The Astrology House provides an interesting question to consider. Thank you to Edelweiss and Atria Books for providing access to this ebook.
But everyone has an agenda and Rini, the astrologer and host of their retreat has her own plans for the eight guests.
The Astrology House is a captivating mystery and thriller with a few unlikeable characters that did not detract from the overall story. Told from the point-of-view of different guests, as well as Rini, the reader is given an interesting glimpse into the histories and motivations of the characters. Though some of the guests are not shown as much focus and their contributions to the story are-for the most part-more minimal.
But the depiction of unhealthy codependence, unabashed selfishness, repressed secrets and unhinged behavior clearly illustrates how very toxic the guests can be, with one particular person who becomes only the second-worst person by the end of the novel.
Although I don’t know very much about astrology, I felt that its presentation within The Astrology house is well done. The “Astro Cheat Sheets” in the beginning of each chapter provide some insight into each character and the actual readings that Rini performs for the guests were unique and intriguing.
Close to the ending of the novel is where the story begins to feel more disjointed and also shifts from displaying uncomfortable and tawdry secrets to more sinister violations of a woman’s bodily autonomy. The conclusion moved very quickly and dramatically and one plot in particular felt unresolved.
Do humans possess free will or are our decisions determined by aspects surrounding our birth? The Astrology House provides an interesting question to consider. Thank you to Edelweiss and Atria Books for providing access to this ebook.
August 9, 2024
hmm i’m not really sure how to feel about this book. it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great? there were some things i really liked about the book, but some things that i really disliked as well.
some things i liked:
- astrology!! i haven’t read a book where astrology has played a big role, so this was super interesting
- the ending - a few plot twists, some that i expected, some that i didn’t
- the bonds that formed between some of the characters
- none of the characters are perfect, and the good and bad sides of each character is shown
- gay awakening‼️‼️
now some of the things i didn’t like:
- the majority of the characters. i did the math, and i disliked 7 out of 11 of them :) i’m sure the author intended for some of the characters to be unlikable, but there were some that we were supposed to be rooting for that just really irritated me.
- the beginning kind of went in circles. i really liked the astrology aspect, but it felt like everyone was having the same 3 arguments over and over again.
- slow start
- i can’t remember half of the characters names tbh and i finished this book 30 minutes ago
- didn’t feel like a mystery/thriller until the last 1/3 of the book
- everyone is so certain that their partner/best friends/close family members are perfect and would never do something bad
some things i liked:
- astrology!! i haven’t read a book where astrology has played a big role, so this was super interesting
- the ending - a few plot twists, some that i expected, some that i didn’t
- the bonds that formed between some of the characters
- none of the characters are perfect, and the good and bad sides of each character is shown
- gay awakening‼️‼️
now some of the things i didn’t like:
- the majority of the characters. i did the math, and i disliked 7 out of 11 of them :) i’m sure the author intended for some of the characters to be unlikable, but there were some that we were supposed to be rooting for that just really irritated me.
- the beginning kind of went in circles. i really liked the astrology aspect, but it felt like everyone was having the same 3 arguments over and over again.
- slow start
- i can’t remember half of the characters names tbh and i finished this book 30 minutes ago
- didn’t feel like a mystery/thriller until the last 1/3 of the book
- everyone is so certain that their partner/best friends/close family members are perfect and would never do something bad
February 15, 2024
A great new twist on the vacation-gone-wrong style thriller. Rini has taken the inherited decrepit mansion and reinvented a beautiful astrology-themed retreat. It's fun to hear the stories and read the horoscopes! When a group of adult friends and families descend on the house for the weekend we find out that all of them have secrets and that Rini has an agenda!
It wasn't perfect, but it sure was fun and kept me guessing and I truly loved the astrology and the mystery of it all. If you love a mystery, a thriller, a vacation-gone-wrong you CANNOT go wrong with The Astrology House! #atria #theastrologyhouse #carinnjade
It wasn't perfect, but it sure was fun and kept me guessing and I truly loved the astrology and the mystery of it all. If you love a mystery, a thriller, a vacation-gone-wrong you CANNOT go wrong with The Astrology House! #atria #theastrologyhouse #carinnjade
July 2, 2024
The premise for The Astrology House was so unique and promising. A group of Manhattanites escape to an astrology-themed retreat which leads to a shocking death...
Well, the "shocking" death occurs in one of the last chapters and it's not as shocking as you'd think.
The execution for this story was way off for me. This read as more of a behind the scenes of an astrology retreat (with some domestic drama) than a thriller. It took 80% of the book for it to get to any action. It's marketed as a "locked room thriller" but unfortunately it was not even close.
I give it an extra star for creativity (I've never read a thriller with astrology as a main theme) but unfortunately this was not what I was expecting.
Well, the "shocking" death occurs in one of the last chapters and it's not as shocking as you'd think.
The execution for this story was way off for me. This read as more of a behind the scenes of an astrology retreat (with some domestic drama) than a thriller. It took 80% of the book for it to get to any action. It's marketed as a "locked room thriller" but unfortunately it was not even close.
I give it an extra star for creativity (I've never read a thriller with astrology as a main theme) but unfortunately this was not what I was expecting.
August 21, 2024
Overall, it was good and started great. It kept me on the edge till the end. But the end was very very bland for me. And that spoiled the whole book by one less star.
It felt like a waste of time after that ending. But for the overall mood, the 3-stars rating
It felt like a waste of time after that ending. But for the overall mood, the 3-stars rating
July 7, 2024
The Astrology House is full of characters and astrology readings. It is not full of the suspense I was ultimately looking for. The story and the writing kept me engaged because of all the character POVs, but I felt like I was waiting so long for something to happen. I definitely was not expecting that twist moment which I did enjoy! I thought the writing was good and easy to follow, especially with a handful of characters.
Thank you Atria for my ARC!
Thank you Atria for my ARC!
July 20, 2024
I’ve had it with domestic suspense novels that are solely focused on male characters horribly mistreating their spouses or partners and female characters horribly mistreating each other. I don’t understand the appeal of this kind of content, especially when the goal seems to be largely to ensure that every character is desperately miserable.
But the real problem with this book is that the solve is predicated on a type of fear mongering related to reproductive rights that is not just inappropriate in the current political climate, but dangerous. I cannot think of a worse way to give readers a salacious twist at the end of a novel. It isn’t exciting, it’s gross.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
But the real problem with this book is that the solve is predicated on a type of fear mongering related to reproductive rights that is not just inappropriate in the current political climate, but dangerous. I cannot think of a worse way to give readers a salacious twist at the end of a novel. It isn’t exciting, it’s gross.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
July 16, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the pre-release copy. Below is my honest review.
This was a fun twisty little thriller, set in the coastal B&B known as Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, where astrologer Rini hosts groups looking to find the star-sun-moon-and-planet connections to their lives. Of course, this group has some secrets, and they're all trying to keep them hidden.
Did I enjoy this one? Absolutely. Was it anything ground-breaking? Not particularly. The big twists were pretty easy to guess ahead of time, and overall, it was just very predictable.
It was an entertaining read, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it. Three stars.
This was a fun twisty little thriller, set in the coastal B&B known as Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, where astrologer Rini hosts groups looking to find the star-sun-moon-and-planet connections to their lives. Of course, this group has some secrets, and they're all trying to keep them hidden.
Did I enjoy this one? Absolutely. Was it anything ground-breaking? Not particularly. The big twists were pretty easy to guess ahead of time, and overall, it was just very predictable.
It was an entertaining read, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it. Three stars.
May 17, 2024
The writing in this wasn’t very strong and I couldn’t tell any of the characters apart. I also couldn’t begin to care about these people.
September 23, 2024
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really enjoyed the unique premise of this book! I’ve read a lot so it’s nice to get something with a different spin on the weekend retreat with friends/family. I’ve always been interested in astrology so I thought that was a great touch as well and made the story more complex. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming and I can usually predict it! I would highly recommend if you like thrillers and mysteries!
I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really enjoyed the unique premise of this book! I’ve read a lot so it’s nice to get something with a different spin on the weekend retreat with friends/family. I’ve always been interested in astrology so I thought that was a great touch as well and made the story more complex. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming and I can usually predict it! I would highly recommend if you like thrillers and mysteries!
October 15, 2024
I found The Astrology House to be a bingeable thriller that truly immerses readers in a web of suspense and intrigue, all set against the backdrop of a weekend away filled with secrets and lies. Carinn Jade excels at crafting multidimensional characters whose personal struggles and motivations drive the narrative forward. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, I appreciated how each character’s unique desires, fears, and backgrounds added depth to the story, making their uncertain fates all the more suspenseful.
The interactions among the characters are charged with emotional weight and tackle difficult topics, which elevated the stakes and kept me fully engaged. While the pacing occasionally dipped - not surprising for a character-driven thriller - at just 307 pages, I found myself easily turning the pages to see what would happen next.
This book may not satisfy thriller fans craving nonstop action, but if you’re looking for an easy, bingeable, and lighter thriller read, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
The interactions among the characters are charged with emotional weight and tackle difficult topics, which elevated the stakes and kept me fully engaged. While the pacing occasionally dipped - not surprising for a character-driven thriller - at just 307 pages, I found myself easily turning the pages to see what would happen next.
This book may not satisfy thriller fans craving nonstop action, but if you’re looking for an easy, bingeable, and lighter thriller read, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
July 11, 2024
This was a bit out of my comfort zone with the astrology aspect, so initially it wasn’t on my TBR. After connecting with the author, she convinced me to give it a shot anyways!
A 3.5 star for me but rounding up for Goodreads
The mystery element of this book was solid, and the cast of characters was plenty to keep me on my toes. At times I did feel confused about which POV I was in, but I was listening to the audio so that could’ve been part of it.
If you asked me now if the story is still out of my comfort zone with the astrological elements, I would say that it is. The thriller itself is a good story, but those elements for me just aren’t what I typically choose to read. I would encourage you to pick up this book if that aspect does appeal to you, you’ll enjoy the read. The author is super kind as well, so that’s a bonus! It’s always nice to read a book knowing the person behind it is someone I’d want to support.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC
A 3.5 star for me but rounding up for Goodreads
The mystery element of this book was solid, and the cast of characters was plenty to keep me on my toes. At times I did feel confused about which POV I was in, but I was listening to the audio so that could’ve been part of it.
If you asked me now if the story is still out of my comfort zone with the astrological elements, I would say that it is. The thriller itself is a good story, but those elements for me just aren’t what I typically choose to read. I would encourage you to pick up this book if that aspect does appeal to you, you’ll enjoy the read. The author is super kind as well, so that’s a bonus! It’s always nice to read a book knowing the person behind it is someone I’d want to support.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC
November 11, 2024
Thank you libro.fm and atria for the audiobook.
I found this fun! We got a bit of tarot reading and astrology reading in with twists and turns.
The dynamics between everyone was entertaining to watch and especially as things changed and was revealed.
All of the narrators brought this audiobook to life.
I found this fun! We got a bit of tarot reading and astrology reading in with twists and turns.
The dynamics between everyone was entertaining to watch and especially as things changed and was revealed.
All of the narrators brought this audiobook to life.
September 14, 2024
2.5 rounded up
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8eSYXwM/
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8eSYXwM/
July 22, 2024
This was a rollercoaster! I was 99.9% sure I figured it out and then BAM! I love an unexpected turn of events. I loved the different POVs and the atmospheric location. This book is completely bingeable and such a page turner. There were quite a few characters in this story, so it did take me a bit to keep up with who was who, but other than that it was a wonderful debut!
August 22, 2024
2.75
Not my cup of tea. The book is too long, and there is nothing thrilling to read about.
The astrological aspect is quite good - clearly, the author did researched very well on astrology
however, I'm not fond of it. It diluted the story, which bogged down the pacing.
The reveal is okay, not really outstanding and can be predictable. But it's a bit too late, since the story bored me so much. The culprit is kind of obvious, if I'm honest, since nearly every thriller always features a character who seems absolutely innocent and squeaky clean while the rest of the characters harbor dark secrets and regrets in the past.
The characters are very deep in their trauma and secrets. For example, Margot wants to be pregnant so much but she doens't want IVF so she never tries IVF (okay, she wants to have babies naturally). Aimee is a mother of three, and obsessed with being present online, and yes, she knows her husband is a cheater. Adam is an asshole who cheats because he isn't brave enough to admit to his wife that he doesn't love her anymore. Eden has the affair with Adam, and Rich is just boring. Farrah develops a secret lesbian love with Aimee They are rich, priviledged and unlikable, but somehow I really don't care about them enough to be annoyed by them. I just think the story is too long without much happening.
The reveal about "abortion" is scary and may be the only best part of the book. But it's a big trigger warning, be careful when reading.
Spoiler:
Ted (Margo's husband) forced abortion on Andi, Rini's sister. Rini now wants to revenge the person causing Andi pain.
Not my cup of tea. The book is too long, and there is nothing thrilling to read about.
The astrological aspect is quite good - clearly, the author did researched very well on astrology
however, I'm not fond of it. It diluted the story, which bogged down the pacing.
The reveal is okay, not really outstanding and can be predictable. But it's a bit too late, since the story bored me so much. The culprit is kind of obvious, if I'm honest, since nearly every thriller always features a character who seems absolutely innocent and squeaky clean while the rest of the characters harbor dark secrets and regrets in the past.
The characters are very deep in their trauma and secrets. For example, Margot wants to be pregnant so much but she doens't want IVF so she never tries IVF (okay, she wants to have babies naturally). Aimee is a mother of three, and obsessed with being present online, and yes, she knows her husband is a cheater. Adam is an asshole who cheats because he isn't brave enough to admit to his wife that he doesn't love her anymore. Eden has the affair with Adam, and Rich is just boring. Farrah develops a secret lesbian love with Aimee They are rich, priviledged and unlikable, but somehow I really don't care about them enough to be annoyed by them. I just think the story is too long without much happening.
The reveal about "abortion" is scary and may be the only best part of the book. But it's a big trigger warning, be careful when reading.
Spoiler:
Ted (Margo's husband) forced abortion on Andi, Rini's sister. Rini now wants to revenge the person causing Andi pain.
August 21, 2024
Quick & entertaining
August 1, 2024
The Astrology House
By Carinn Jade
Thank you so much @atriabooks #AtriaPartner for the gifted copy!
About the book 👇🏽
A debut of fresh, twisty domestic suspense that follows a cast of characters who arrive at an astrology-themed hotel for a weekend getaway, where past resentments and disturbing secrets come to light - and one of them will not leave alive. For a group of wealthy Manhattanites, it was supposed to be the perfect weekend away...No work, no kids, nothing but old friends, and two days at the hottest new boutique hotel on the coast-the ridiculously Instagrammable, astrologically-themed Stars Harbor. What could go wrong
✨My thoughts:
Once I started reading, I just couldn’t stop! Ridiculously creative and oozing with drama. It’s atmospheric and twisty, keeping you on your toes throughout. There’s a ton of characters, multiple POVs, and to make it extra fun… there’s astrology. It’s not necessarily a fast paced read but with everything going on, I truly didn’t even notice and seriously enjoyed this book. The writing was engaging, the drama was juicy, and I didn’t see the twists coming! If you find astrology interesting and you want someone unique to add to your shelves, you need to pick this one up! The Astrology House is out now!
Happy reading 📖 ✨
By Carinn Jade
Thank you so much @atriabooks #AtriaPartner for the gifted copy!
About the book 👇🏽
A debut of fresh, twisty domestic suspense that follows a cast of characters who arrive at an astrology-themed hotel for a weekend getaway, where past resentments and disturbing secrets come to light - and one of them will not leave alive. For a group of wealthy Manhattanites, it was supposed to be the perfect weekend away...No work, no kids, nothing but old friends, and two days at the hottest new boutique hotel on the coast-the ridiculously Instagrammable, astrologically-themed Stars Harbor. What could go wrong
✨My thoughts:
Once I started reading, I just couldn’t stop! Ridiculously creative and oozing with drama. It’s atmospheric and twisty, keeping you on your toes throughout. There’s a ton of characters, multiple POVs, and to make it extra fun… there’s astrology. It’s not necessarily a fast paced read but with everything going on, I truly didn’t even notice and seriously enjoyed this book. The writing was engaging, the drama was juicy, and I didn’t see the twists coming! If you find astrology interesting and you want someone unique to add to your shelves, you need to pick this one up! The Astrology House is out now!
Happy reading 📖 ✨
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