Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Beautiful Bad
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
46 posts | 53 read | 42 to read
In the most explosive and twisted psychological thriller since The Woman in the Window, a perfect love story leads to the perfect crime. Things that make me scared: When Charlie cries. Hospitals and lakes. When Ian drinks vodka in the basement. ISIS. When Ian gets angry. ... That something is really, really wrong with me. Maddie and Ian's romance began with a chance encounter at a party overseas; he was serving in the British Army and she was a travel writer visiting her best friend Jo. Now almost two decades later, married with a beautiful son, Charlie, they are living the perfect suburban life in Middle America. But when a camping accident leaves Maddie badly scarred, she begins attending writing therapy, where she gradually reveals her fears about Ian's PTSD; her concerns for the safety of their young son Charlie; and the couple's tangled and tumultuous past with Jo. From the Balkans to England, Iraq to Manhattan, and finally to an ordinary family home in Kansas, sixteen years of love and fear, adventure and suspicion culminate in The Day of the Killing, when a frantic 911 call summons the police to the scene of shocking crime. But what in this beautiful home has gone so terribly bad?
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
Yuki_Onna
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

The #bookspin #bookspinbingo board for February 🌟
#bookspin is the tagged book I'm excited to read once I've finished my current read, #doublespin is The Sound of Broken Glass by Deborah Crombie.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Looks great!!! 3y
13 likes1 comment
blurb
BarbaraBB
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

#BookReport 44/20

Bailed on 2 (Dud and Swing Time), loved the other three. A satisfying reading week!

TrishB I‘m not a Smith fan, I keep trying but 🤷‍♀️ 4y
BarbaraBB @TrishB I think I‘m done with Smith. I am not that interested anymore even though I enjoyed her earlier works. 4y
Megabooks I like Smith‘s nonfiction but not her fiction. 4y
See All 9 Comments
vivastory @Megabooks The only fiction of hers that I've read is White Teeth. I loved it but I also know a lot of people say it is one of her few good fiction pieces, but I ADORE her nf. I frequently think of her defense of fiction “Fascinated to Presume“
https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2019/10/24/zadie-smith-in-defense-of-fiction/
4y
Reviewsbylola I bailed on Dud too. Rules of Civility is a favorite of mine! 4y
Cathythoughts That‘s a great week 👏🏻 4y
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts Thank you 🙏 4y
BarbaraBB @Reviewsbylola Such a great book, it appealed way more to me than Dud, even though there are some similarities in the atmosphere of both books. 4y
Reviewsbylola Yeah, the writing style of Dud turned me off immediately. I tried to forge ahead because I think I would have enjoyed the plot, but I just couldn‘t get past it. 4y
77 likes9 comments
review
BarbaraBB
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
Pickpick

I liked the psychological side of the book more than the whodunnit part but overall it was a very engaging thriller, perfect to keep my mind off the incoming US election results (that map coloring red, can‘t be true 😱) as well as the further lockdown in my own country.

#ReadingEurope2020 #NorthMacedonia 🇲🇰

MicheleinPhilly Did you read this in the grocery store? 😂 4y
Jas16 I love this picture 4y
BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly It‘s a change of scenery 🤪 the only place I come these days beside my home. My pictures become as boring as my life 🤦🏻‍♀️ 4y
See All 19 Comments
MicheleinPhilly I hear that! Mine are dog park, grocery store, pharmacy, bottle shop. 4y
BarbaraBB @MicheleinPhilly Bottle shop 🍷🍷. I hear that 😀 4y
Megabooks I love seeing what‘s in foreign grocery stores/markets! This is cool. Is that cookies on the right? Food is a really interesting part of 90 Day Fiancé for me. (edited) 4y
LeahBergen @Megabooks I buy cookies to sample wherever I travel. 😆 4y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks @LeahBergen They are cookies indeed but you would laugh so hard when coming into a grocery here. They are tiny compared to yours! Also I only buy the basics there, for vegetables, meat, fish, wine etc I go to the market or small local shops. And what is 90 Day Fiancé, Meg? 4y
Megabooks The K1 visa is the fiancé visa in America and you have 90 days to marry the person who sponsored you. So there is a show on tv following couples who do that. It has expanded to four shows now. The original, one where people move to other countries on fiancé visa, one where they first meet before the visa, and another following the couples after they get married in America. Some couple are on multiple shows and seasons some are just on one ⬇️ 4y
Megabooks Season of a single show. There was a male fitness model from Amsterdam on two seasons of the “will they get engaged?” Show. They didn‘t get engaged. (edited) 4y
Megabooks Oh, and dad agrees with you about the junkies and hippies. Apparently he was robbed in Amsterdam 😬 I think this was 74. 4y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks That seems an addictive concept, I can totally imagine that series. My guilty pleasure is Masterchef, with Australia as my favorite. 4y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Ooh, your dad! I feel ashamed for his memories! But it is a different city since all homeless and addicted people have spaces to stay during the day and to recieve clean needles or methadon. So robbery and violence have hugely decreased. 4y
Megabooks Oh I‘m glad you have a positive policy dealing with homelessness and addiction...unlike here... ☹️ This is the couple from the first season when they were in Amsterdam. Jesse was 24 and Darcey was 42. https://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2017/09/90-day-fiance-are-darcey-silva-and-je... (edited) 4y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Nice! I‘m gonna watch it! 4y
Librarybelle You may think the photo is boring, but I love the colors in the store, and they work perfectly with the book‘s cover! 4y
readordierachel Is that the tea aisle? ☕ 4y
BarbaraBB @readordierachel To the left is tea indeed! 4y
82 likes2 stack adds19 comments
review
Hooked_on_books
post image
Pickpick

Maddie meets Ian in Skopje and they eventually marry years later. When the book opens, we know a violent crime has occurred somehow involving them, but it isn‘t clear what has happened until near the end. Much of this book isn‘t thrillery, but I thought it was good, exploring the building of their relationship. And eventually, it goes to a very dark place. I would definitely read Ward again.

#ReadingEurope2020 #NorthMacedonia

BarbaraBB Thanks! Now I have my book for North Macedonia! 4y
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB You‘re welcome! They are not easy to find. I had to do some googling to find this one and it worked out well! 4y
Librarybelle Great sleuthing for North Macedonia! 4y
38 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
Lauranahe
post image
Pickpick

Ooh, I liked this! I thought I had the twist at the end figured out the whole time, but it turns out I was wrong. The story follows Maddie and her relationship with Ian, and their son Charlie. Abuse. Manipulation. Lies. Murder. And a twist I honestly didn‘t see coming.

review
QuietMornings
post image
Pickpick

Couldn‘t put it down, though I wasn‘t *entirely* surprised by the ending. Overall a VERY good read!

MyNamesParadise I remember coming across this title before but had lost track of it. Thanks for the recommendation! 4y
6 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Victoriahoperose
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
Mehso-so

This was just meh for me. A bit slow and wordy in parts and the plot was familiar. Same story, different characters. It was just okay in my opinion.

24 likes1 stack add
blurb
nomadreader
post image

Now listening!

review
Areader2
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
Mehso-so

It was just ok for me. I was hoping this would be a thriller I couldn‘t put down,but I found my self skimming and just wanting to finish. This book was compared to The Woman in the Window, but to me it didn‘t have that layered build up that I was expecting.🤷🏼‍♀️

review
Madison91
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
Mehso-so

This was a good little weekend read. Another one that sucks you in but is still a bit predictable however

review
MrsGagnonreads2024
Pickpick

Beautiful Bad is a book that sucks you in immediately and the kind of book that readers of psychological thrillers will devour. All the characters in this book have seen some horrific stuff, Maddie- teaching English overseas and a travel writer; Jo-a relief worker; and Ian- a soldier/bodyguard working in the most dangerous locations around the world. Fast forward to present day, with Maddie and Ian married and (continued in the comments)

MrsGagnonreads2024 now living in U.S. - things are far from picturesque and a murder occurs to one of the three. Told from multiple points of views and fluctuating from past and present- Beautiful Bad is definitely a page turner. Highly recommended to fans of mystery and psychological thrillers. 5y
21 likes1 comment
blurb
Areader2
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

1. My oldest friend Jill,we met at our first job 40 yrs ago 😮and have worked together ever since!
2.hands down ,Aruba 🌅
3. I keep my moms perfume ,Beautiful reminds me of her
4. My Dear Hamilton 👍
5. @Ash.on.the.line @wanderinglynn
Thanks for the tag @Erofan
#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

wanderinglynn 👋🏻😘 5y
Eggs Nice friend story🤗💗🤗 5y
sudi Great answers 😊👍 5y
Erofan Such a long friendship is a rarity! It's great! 👍👍👍 5y
15 likes4 comments
blurb
Areader2
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

1. Looking forward to going to Cape Cod with this nugget next weekend!
2. Old Town Road by Little Nas X
3. Perm 😬 back in the 80‘s 😂
4.painting by number 🎨
5.this is one of my favorites from last weekend, love this kid!
#humpdaypost
@DebbieGrillo @MinDea

sudi Cute pic 💖😊. I've also been listening to Old Town Road on a loop 😄 5y
22 likes1 comment
review
SarahHarts_books
post image
Pickpick

Great read. Quick chapters. Some parts were a little slow. But all in all good stoy line. The end provided some lovely twist and turns that made this a very enjoyable read! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

JohannaRose Ohh maybe I‘ll have to read this one too lol my tbr list is getting so long lol but one more won‘t hurt 😏 5y
SassyPants617 I just finished this last night! I felt the same way. Loved that ending. 5y
SarahHarts_books @JohannaRose It was worth the read!! I think you'd like it! 5y
SarahHarts_books @SassyPants617 Yes! That ending though!!! I'm all about a book's ending. I can be loving a book and then the ending be terrible and that will ruin the whole book for me. Give me a little bang pow boom! And I say YASSSS!!! 5y
58 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
SassyPants617
post image
Pickpick

I didn‘t see that ending. One of the reasons I love thrillers!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

blurb
SarahHarts_books
post image

Yes please use my book as your pillow!!! Glad she is nice and comfy (I can tell because she's snoring) 😂😂 #dogsoflitsy

BethM 😍 5y
OnlyYoo Lol I swear dogs only sleep on your stuff when you‘re trying to read or study 5y
SarahHarts_books @OnlyYoo Yes, exactly! And then she gets all offended when I want to turn then page! Like so sorry!! 😂🐕 🐶 5y
krismlars When I'm reading in bed, my cat always wants to sit on my chest directly between the book and my eyes. Thanks, kitty. 5y
SarahHarts_books @krismlars lol sounds about right!! It's like, really? Why out of all the places? Do you have to get in between me and me book? I think it's jealousy. Lol 5y
85 likes5 comments
blurb
SarahHarts_books
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

My favorite thing about my lunch break is sneaking in a chapter or two before I have to go back to work.😍

Bookwomble It looks like you're a little closer to that fire! 😒🔥 5y
69 likes1 comment
blurb
SarahHarts_books
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

Starting a new book tonight! Always gets me really excited!!! Honestly not really sure what this one is about. I only picked it because the cover looked awesome! So hopefully the actual book is as good as the cover!! ( fingers crossed ) 😬😜😉

blurb
SarahHarts_books
post image

Book haul from my trip to the library yesterday! Now I can't decide which book to read first?!? Littens have any of you read any of these? And your thoughts?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!!! 6y
SarahHarts_books @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you!! I love it here! Everyone is so nice! 💖 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Sharteau it‘s a great place!! 6y
See All 16 Comments
Andrew65 Love Lisa Jewell books. Welcome to Litsy 🤗 5y
jillannjohn Welcome! I really liked Beautiful Bad. 5y
OneCent76 Joy Fielding is great 5y
SarahHarts_books @jillannjohn I am reading Beautiful Bad now. I'm not too far in but am enjoying it so far. 😊 5y
SarahHarts_books @Andrew65 I've only read one other Lisa Jewell book The House We Grew Up In. But I really enjoyed that one and I can't wait to read this one! 5y
SarahHarts_books @OneCent76 Bad Daughter was the first Joy Fielding book I read. But I absolutely loved it and will be definitely reading more by her soon! 😍 5y
Andrew65 @SarahHarts_books @OneCent76 Only Read one Joy Fielding but definitely recommend it. 5y
SarahHarts_books @Andrew65 Thanks!! I added to my stack!! I'll check it out! 😊 5y
SarahHarts_books @Andrew65 you should read The Bad Daughter and let me know if you like that one. 5y
Andrew65 @SarahHarts_books Thanks, I will look to get hold of a copy. 👍 5y
SarahHarts_books @Andrew65 😊👍 👍 5y
MyNamesParadise I listened to the audio for Watching You. I enjoyed it, even though I figured out the ending. I enjoy her books enough even though I usually figure them out lol 5y
32 likes1 stack add16 comments
review
Slajaunie
post image
Pickpick

This thriller was excellent. This is Annie Ward‘s first thriller. The story was well researched and the characters interesting. I was not able to guess the ending until the very end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

63 likes2 stack adds
blurb
SassyPants617
post image

5 books I had on hold at my library all became available in the same week. 🙈 Starting to tackle the pile (while finishing the ones I‘m currently reading) starting with this one 🤓

Slajaunie The same happened to me! 📚 6y
SassyPants617 @Slajaunie it‘s wonderful, but stressful. lol. It‘s all books that I know others are waiting for so I stress about finishing on time. Lol 6y
6 likes2 comments
review
Sassy_Steph
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
Pickpick

Wow! Love a good twisty book! Whoa! Read it!

review
JoScho
post image
Pickpick

This one is between a pick and a so-so for me. There are alternating POVs and timelines. Maddie, the MC, has severe anxiety about everything after having an accident. There is a lot going on and it all ties together pretty neatly. However, there was never a gasp moment for me. The twists were just ok. I didn‘t dislike it but I didn‘t love it either.

whatsthEStorey I was on the fence too, but this fell on the so-so side for me. Not terrible, just not very surprising. 6y
91 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
jillannjohn
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
Pickpick

Loved this thriller! The timeline jumps around but once I got used to it I really enjoyed it. I liked the sections about when everyone met in Eastern Europe. The twists were great especially the last one which totally surprised me!

46 likes1 stack add
blurb
Sassy_Steph
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward

Still reading this one! Took a couple of days off from reading! Back in it now!! This book is quite good so far!!

review
whatsthEStorey
post image
Mehso-so

This was a solid unreliable narrator thriller that shifted perspectives between the husband, wife, and a responding officer. The intricacies of the marriage are well developed. Something was missing for me, hence the so-so, but it‘s possible I was the problem, not the book.

38 likes1 stack add
blurb
whatsthEStorey
post image

All this beautiful #listylove from so many generous and fascinating Littens!! 💛 I was organizing while listening to the tagged book, when someone rudely (but cutely) interrupted my endeavors. How is everyone organizing their Litsy love (or any pen pal mail) to make sure they keep track of who they‘ve written and replied to? I‘m keeping a notebook, but I‘m not sure I love my system. 🤔 💭

aroc I'm attempting a notebook! 6y
RadicalReader What an absolutely adorable cat!! What is the pretty cat‘s name ? 6y
RvnclawWhovian I‘m just keeping all unanswered letters on my desk and once I write a letter back and send it off, it goes in a box that I‘m keeping all my received letters in. Not the most sophisticated system, but basically I know if it‘s sitting there then I need to write back. 6y
See All 15 Comments
whatsthEStorey @RvnclawWhovian I was thinking I‘d do that too, but I‘m trying to write everyone and I‘m worried I‘ll get confused about who is replying to me and who I‘m communicating with for the first time. 6y
whatsthEStorey @RadicalReader aww thanks! 🥰 She is Mabbie, as in Queen Mab, queen of the fairies. 6y
RadicalReader @whatsthEStorey royal name for a royally beautiful cat 6y
whatsthEStorey @aroc I got the idea from you! But I‘m not sure I like the way I set it up. 6y
whatsthEStorey @RadicalReader she certainly thinks so! 😂💁‍♀️ 6y
aroc @whatsthEStorey haha! Oops forgot I told you! (We have drugs for that right?!? Lol) 6y
Crazeedi I printed the list, and mark beside name as I send. The ones I've received, I've kept out of file and write back as soon as I'm able. I hope I havent missed responding to received ones, I have a couple I havent answered but I'm not home till Sunday. So I'm putting dates sent next to names on list. I'm slow at getting letters out, so be patient if you havent gotten one from me yet! 6y
Sleepswithbooks @RvnclawWhovian - I do the same thing now that I‘ve written everyone once. I have everyone‘s name and address on individual index cards also (in alphabetical order like the true nerd I am) and I can take the person‘s card who I want to write to from the stack and set those cards aside... returning them to their case when the letter is mailed. 6y
whatsthEStorey @Stacypatrice I like the index cards! I‘m having difficulty tracking the back and forth now that we are getting rolling. I think that would help! 6y
whatsthEStorey @Crazeedi I haven‘t gotten to everyone yet, either. I think I‘m about 2/3s through the list. I started in reverse alphabetical order. I‘m hoping to get quite a few out this weekend. 6y
Crazeedi @whatsthEStorey I've responded to ones I've gotten, and then I've been jumping around the list! I mark the ones I send with a date so I know. I'm hoping to get several out monday 6y
Crazeedi @Stacypatrice the index cards are a great idea! 6y
37 likes15 comments
blurb
TheLibrarian
post image

This newer book is on sale for the Kindle today! #kindledeals

review
Jess7
post image
Pickpick

3.8 stars - Overall — I really enjoyed this one and if you enjoy a slow burn type of thriller this is a good choice for you. Thanks to Park Row Books and Harlequin for this free review copy.

👉🏼Checkout my full review here👈🏼: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUYKb5HtpE/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=19gj53...

#jpbookreview #thegreeneyedreader #beautifulbad #annieward #bookreview #review #2019books

105 likes1 stack add
review
TheNerdyProfessor
post image
Pickpick

This was a quick, entertaining read. At the end of the day, it isn't that different than other thrillers out there where one spouse wants to kill the other spouse. In this case, the methods and backstory are different but not necessarily original. I found myself wanting to keep reading and enjoyed the short chapters and different perspectives. I would give this ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5.

EyesOnly34 Awww adorable cat :) 6y
36 likes1 comment
blurb
LDuffN
post image

What I'm readin now!!!

8 likes1 stack add
review
SilversReviews
post image
Mehso-so

FULL REVIEW IS HERE: https://bit.ly/2UKHH2T

Maddie and Joanna had been friends since they met in Spain.

What happened, though?

The chapters are labeled in years as well as weeks before the 911 call.

As you read, subtle hints were given to the underlying tension and the situations that caused everything to fall apart and turn into murder.

BEAUTIFUL BAD was good, but I wasn't wanting to rush back to it. 3.5/5

k.reads.5 Great review! I've had my eye on this. 6y
SilversReviews @pl.2886 Let me know what you think when you read it. Thanks for commenting. 6y
45 likes2 comments
blurb
jillannjohn
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

I‘m on a thriller kick lately. This looks like fun.

47 likes1 stack add
blurb
SilversReviews
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON MARCH 19.

Maddie and Joanna had been friends since they met in Spain.

What happened, though?

The chapters are labeled in years as well as weeks before the 911 call.

As you read, subtle hints were given to the underlying tension and the situations that caused everything to fall apart and turn into murder.

BEAUTIFUL BAD was good, but I wasn't wanting to rush back to it. 3.5/5

Has anyone read it?

k.reads.5 I've seen a lot of buzz about this one. Thanks for your thoughts and looking forward to your full review! 6y
SilversReviews @pl.2886 It dragged, but the ending was good. Thanks for commenting. 6y
68 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Amabear
Pickpick

Woahhhhh. This book.
The writing style was so easy, effortlessly brilliant. I didn‘t have to try to imagine the scenes because the writing was so good. That‘s my favorite kind of book. This book had a beautiful chilling love story, so many well rounded crazy characters, and of course the ending infuriated me. Which made it even better. It‘s not often I love a book with an ending like this, but definitely 4/5 stars for me. A real page turner!

53 likes1 stack add
blurb
Amabear
post image

I am loving this book so far- the writing style just pulled me in immediately. Definitely a page turner! #readersgonnaread

57 likes2 stack adds
review
TheMomWithABook
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
Panpan

Oh I so really wanted to like this book. I don‘t ever stop reading a book so I pushed through hoping it would get better. The timelines and points of view made it confusing to follow and there was a lot of information in there that could have been removed that I didn‘t feel really added to the plot. Good idea behind the plot, the book just wasn‘t for me.

blurb
keys_on_fire
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

Just received this #bookmail today, as a result of a #GoodReads giveaway. Excited to read this one!!

vlwelser It's great. Happy reading! ☺ 6y
62 likes1 comment
review
vlwelser
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
Pickpick

This book was awesome. Read it. 💖📚

#NetGalley #ARC

blurb
Kappadeemom
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

Working in Orlando today and tomorrow and went for my run. Wishing I could come back and sit on this bench and read by the lake instead of working.

blurb
Kappadeemom
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

Lunch and a book = 👍

laurenlovesliterature I got this ARC too, but haven't had a chance to read it yet 6y
44 likes1 comment
blurb
heidisreads
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image

The beginning of this book reads like an episode of Criminal Minds or CSI. You‘re thrown into the discovery of a crime and then get to go back and get a glimpse into the characters' lives to see how everything shook out. Although chapters jumped back in forth in time, it was easy to follow and not distracting.

I got a First Look from #BookishFirst and it will be published March 2019.

#BeautifulBad #mystery #thriller #psychological

blurb
TheMomWithABook
Beautiful Bad | Annie Ward
post image
RaimeyGallant Where's the link? And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
TheMomWithABook Thanks @RaimeyGallant ! I actually went to your tip link earlier to try and figure out how to use this app! The link to this however.. no idea. It‘s from my Monthly Book Club event on facebook. I‘m more used to Goodreads so this will be a nice learning curve. Mix between Goodreads and Twitter it seems like. 6y
RaimeyGallant It is like that. Definitely more of a sense of community. To get the facebook link, go to your group, and the group address I think should be in the address bar. You have to type it out here. You should be able to edit this post if you want to. 6y
RaimeyGallant And if you add all the people who have liked my three latest posts, you should have a couple of hundred followers in the next few days. 6y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻🌸 6y
7 likes5 comments