A group of wealthy Manhattanites heads to an astrology-themed retreat on the coast in search of healing, rest, and clarity but instead, they find tension, buried secrets, and eventually murder. The weekend away at Stars Harbor, hosted in a restored Victorian mansion, begins as a chance to reset, but quickly devolves into something far more sinister as each guest’s past unravels under the guidance of an astrologer with an agenda of her own.
I liked this one especially as a fall read. The atmosphere is perfect for a chilly, rainy afternoon curled up inside. The astrology-retreat concept is super fresh and layered nicely into the storyline without feeling forced. I’d honestly love to know more astrology and tarot but when does one have time to learn these days, but I digress.
I loved the way the house was described, the moody setting, and the eerie, suspenseful energy that built up as secrets started to spill. The multiple POVs worked really well here though it’s a big cast, but the narrative stays organized and well-paced mostly.
Rini, the host/astrologer, was the most compelling character for me, and while the others were all realistically flawed and complex, the drama between them got a little too soap-opera at times. Still, the twists, rich people behaving badly and the vibe made this a fun, fast read that kept me turning the pages. This was a good debut and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for Carrin Jade’s next book.
AMAZON | GOODREADS | ★★★★
The Astrology House is out now. Huge thank you to Atria for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books
