Review: Harmless by Miranda Shulman

Harmless by Miranda Shulman

Blurb from Goodreads:

A twisty novel of sisterhood, friendship, and obsession that Can we ever really outrun what haunts us most?

Two years ago, Bea’s life was upended when her beloved twin sister died. Audrey was captivating, an extrovert, their mother’s golden child. Bea was “different,” too intense, and chronically lonely.

Now, in her late twenties, Bea is back home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, her spirits finally buoyed by her plan to start a dog kennel. Inspired by the childhood dream she once shared with Audrey and old, now-estranged friends Tatum and Layla, she’s sure this will be the perfect ode to her sister’s memory.

But as they reintegrate into one another’s lives, Audrey’s absence is keenly felt by all. Soon, simmering tensions and attractions emerge, and a sinister darkness breaks through to the surface. What do they really want? What happens when old secrets come to light? And when is it best to bury a dream, or a cherished friendship?

 Yikes!  This was so much darker than I anticipated or wanted.  It started off interesting and I really enjoyed it but the end and the twist were excruciating.  Still well written and good characters!  Hope you have better luck!

Harmless comes out next week on April 14, 2026 and you can purchase HERE.  

Bea's whole life was shaped by waves of obsession; she knew this about herself. The kennel had come to her like a mirage while sitting around the campfire in the desert listening to the farmhands sing songs she didn't know. Having been up for two days straight tending to a sick camel, she'd deliriously eyed a smoldering marshmallow suspended over the fire. One of its bubbling, black burn marks vaguely resembled the shape of a dog, which had instantly reminded her of Audrey, her old life, and the dog kennel of her childhood dreams. And then, she was no longer tired. It was perfect. The perfect answer to her uncertainty about the future since she couldn't stay in Arizona forever. The idea itself, to start a kennel, was like a homecoming, like a comfortable reversion to the past, like playing pretend, but somehow it would become real.