This book grabs you by the throat and doesn't let you go again. You feel unease the whole way through ; it grips you, makes you uncomfortable, and makes you think about every relationship in your life, both romantic and platonic. It does all of this in the best way possible -in a way that is addictive. It makes you feel so trapped, like you have been put under the microscope and dissected until every part of you is laid bare ; ultimately , it liberates you. You feel like you're reading a dystopian book, simply because the thought that this is reality is so uncomfortable it leaves you shivering in all the right ways.

This debut novel turned out to be far more moving than I expected. I’ll admit the early reviews gave me pause, but once I started reading, it pulled me in completely, even though it’s not the kind of story I usually reach for. Being in my mid 40s myself, many of the themes around aging, image, and the search for independence hit surprisingly close to home. The book tackles these subjects with a raw honesty that’s sometimes uncomfortable.

It is a thought‑provoking look at relationships, the tension between who we are and who we present to the world, and the pressure society places on women as they grow older.
I couldn’t put it down, and I’m genuinely curious to see where Harriet’s journey goes next.

Wow! I absolutely devoured this book! Harriet and Dean have an unusual relationship. They live together in a gorgeous mansion and split everything equally but don't care about marriage. But when she writes the novel, Confessions of a Woman and it goes viral, but she has always wanted to be anonymous so no one knows she's the author.. The tension between them is palpable and left me gasping at the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to read this before publication, and I am really glad I did because this was such a refreshing change from my usual thriller and whodunnit reads.

Not the Woman You Think is a lighter, easy to follow story that still keeps you interested from start to finish. Sometimes it is nice to step away from dark twists and shocking reveals and read something that feels a bit more relaxed while still being engaging, and this book was exactly that for me.

The pacing felt smooth and comfortable, making it a very easy book to settle into and keep turning the pages. Hazel does a great job of keeping the reader curious and invested in what is happening without it ever feeling heavy or complicated.

This felt like a really enjoyable palate cleanser between thrillers and it is definitely one I would recommend when you want something engaging but a little lighter in tone.

Final verdict
A lovely, easy read that kept me interested throughout and one I would happily recommend. Keep an eye out for this when it releases on 16 March 2026.

This is the first time I read a novel from an indie author, and I really enjoyed the story, especially the fact that it is based in Dubai. Although Harriet is rather morally grey and not your typical ‘heroine’, I rooted for her the whole way through the book. I also connected with the themes of image and power dynamics in modern relationships, and I loved the brutally honest take on it. Probably a very polarizing book but thumbs up from me - and I can’t wait to see if/when and how Harriet’s story might continue!

Not the Woman You Think is a sleek, unsettling exploration of ambition and identity set against the shimmering façade of Dubai. Harriet’s transformation—from overlooked partner to bestselling author with everything to lose—is handled with a deft, elegant touch. The suspense doesn’t come from big twists but from the slow tightening of her world as people begin to suspect the truth.

The novel excels at capturing the subtle power dynamics of modern relationships: who holds the money, who holds the leverage, who gets to decide the shape of a shared life. As Harriet becomes more strategic, more guarded, and more willing to protect her secret at any cost, the story takes on a deliciously tense edge.

Stylish, smart, and quietly provocative, it’s a compelling look at what reinvention really costs—and who gets to claim it.

With thanks to Hazel Calder, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

A compelling read that leans into women’s fiction with psychological suspense. Harriet’s "perfect" life in Dubai and the secret behind her anonymous book creates a sense of tension as everything begins to close in on her.
I really enjoyed the themes of control, identity, and reinvention, and how engaging the story felt throughout. It’s not a twist-heavy thriller how I'm use to, but the tension builds in a way that keeps you invested the entire time. It did leave me with questions in the end, so I hope there is a second book.
Overall, an engaging and kept me hooked.

I wanted to like this book. The premise of a woman who anonymously writes a best seller and tries desperately to keep her identity secret is intriguing. And Dubai? What a fascinating, exotic location! The problem is the characters. I didn’t like any of them including Harriet, the author. She draws on her relationship with the one dimensional Dean for subject matter. I don’t know why she continued that relationship, especially after he sold their house in Spain and pocketed the money because he had made the down payment. Harriet had dutifully paid half the mortgage for years. She is an executive at Beauty company and, although she has a severe shopaholic problem, must make enough to support herself. She and her friends seems obsessed by expensive products and love to show off to each other. However, when she comes home she carefully hides her purchases so Dean won’t notice and criticize her. Really? She is forty years old! I’m rating it 3 stars because I do like the concept.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hazel Calder for this ARC.