Release date: February 10, 2026
Publisher: Park Row/Harlequin Audio
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
Connie can’t wait to have all her daughters back home for the holidays. It’s not just the excitement of the girls being together under one roof; uni student Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay. The empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.
Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant.
Reeling from Fran’s news and terrified that her past might threaten her family’s future, Connie desperately tries to navigate a path forward. But there’s a much greater menace looming, because she’s not the only one who has something to hide. Someone in the house has another devastating secret. A deception which will put everyone Connie loves in shocking danger, and one of them will pay the ultimate price.
Review:
Our Beautiful Mess by Adele Parks was a solid, absorbing read for me, albeit one that leans much more into slow burn domestic drama than pulse pounding thriller. I read some in print and listened on audio, and while both formats worked well, the audiobook really elevated the experience. This is a deeply character driven story focused on family dynamics, long buried secrets, and the quiet, creeping tension that comes from what’s left unsaid. If you’re expecting nonstop twists, this might feel measured, but if you enjoy layered suspense built on relationships and emotional stakes, this one delivers.
The structure is one of the book’s biggest strengths. Told through multiple POVs over a “11 days before the end” countdown, it creates a looming sense of inevitability that keeps the tension simmering throughout. The ensemble cast gives the story a true bird’s eye view, allowing readers to see how secrets, betrayals, and hidden agendas overlap and collide. At times the pacing does feel a bit drawn out, but it’s clear this is intentional, Parks stretches the moments to let the dread settle in, making the payoff feel earned rather than rushed.
On audio, Kristin Atherton and Gary Turner are excellent narrators, bringing nuance and emotional depth to an already compelling story. I’m always a fan of audiobooks with accents, and their performances were engaging, immersive, and perfectly suited to the tone of the novel. Overall, Our Beautiful Mess is less about shock value and more about psychological tension, moral complexity, and the messy realities of family life, a thoughtful, suspenseful listen that proves quieter drama can be just as gripping.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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