The Change: A Novel

Written by Kirsten Miller

Narrated by January LaVoy

GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK 

""The Change is like a guttural rage scream (and somehow a soft, tearful hug) of a book, and I couldn't have loved it any more."" --Emily Henry

Big Little Lies meets The Witches of Eastwick—a gloriously entertaining and knife-sharp revenge fantasy about three women whose midlife crisis brings unexpected new powers—putting them on a collision course with the evil that lurks in their wealthy beach town. 

""A roar of rage, a pacy page-turner, I loved it with all my broken heart. Read it. You’ll love it.""--New York Times bestselling author Marian Keyes

""Miller triumphs...THE CHANGE is that rare treat: a suspenseful story with great pacing, memorable characters, and an engaging voice. Fantastic in every way, this fierce anthem against misogyny is a smash.""--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

""A pointed, punchy, and potent thriller...wry and clever, serious and exacting, and masterfully suspenseful.""--Booklist (starred review)

In the Long Island oceanfront community of Mattauk, three different women discover that midlife changes bring a whole new type of empowerment…

After Nessa James’s husband dies and her twin daughters leave for college, she’s left all alone in a trim white house not far from the ocean. In the quiet of her late forties, the former nurse begins to hear voices. It doesn’t take long for Nessa to realize that the voices calling out to her belong to the dead—a gift she’s inherited from her grandmother, which comes with special responsibilities.

On the cusp of 50, suave advertising director Harriett Osborne has just witnessed the implosion of her lucrative career and her marriage. She hasn’t left her house in months, and from the outside, it appears as if she and her garden have both gone to seed. But Harriett’s life is far from over—in fact, she’s undergone a stunning and very welcome metamorphosis.

Ambitious former executive Jo Levison has spent thirty long years at war with her body. The free-floating rage and hot flashes that arrive with the beginning of menopause feel like the very last straw—until she realizes she has the ability to channel them, and finally comes into her power.

Guided by voices only Nessa can hear, the trio of women discover a teenage girl whose body was abandoned beside a remote beach. The police have written the victim off as a drug-addicted sex worker, but the women refuse to buy into the official narrative. Their investigation into the girl’s murder leads to more bodies, and to the town’s most exclusive and isolated enclave, a world of stupendous wealth where the rules don’t apply. With their newfound powers, Jo, Nessa, and Harriett will take matters into their own hands…

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: May 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063144071

Kirsten Miller

Kirsten Miller is the author of The Change, a GMA Book Club pick, as well as the groundbreaking YA series starring Kiki Strike. Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, she now lives in Brooklyn, New York. 

Reviews for The Change

[Marta Em · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. Although the author picturing almost all of the men as misogynistic and brutal idiots and women just frothing in rage for a payback (which made me roll my eyes over and over), I ended up enjoying this book. It was too clicheed when it comes to the male characters and all the female bitterness + it was way too long and dragging sometimes but I liked the magical realism of it.

[Cianne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Women are everything! And I love Harriet, Jo, and Nessa! This book taught me so many things! It was so well written , absolutely atmospheric and transformative. Watching this women grow was amazing, and I had a great time reading this story!

[Barbara Thornhill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read! It held my attention to the end! Love it!

[OrchidLei · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful novel about the benefits of letting certain things die and women learning to live again in the wake of shaking off men who harm us.

[Donna Wellington · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s the rare mature woman who hasn’t felt this way over the years. Old memories of insults and assaults were dredged up. But for these ladies, retribution is darkly sweet. Very well developed characters, engaging story and excellent narration. I’ll miss these characters and wish them all the best.

[Barb Warren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was amazing!! I loved every moment from beginning to the end ?.

[Erica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Omg the best book ever!!! And I promise I have read a lot

[Sophie Rubeo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved how this book was written. Just when you thought the mystery was solved, new twists appeared! A beautiful story about how powerful women get better with age. Definitely recommend this book.

[Stephanie Johnson-Hammond · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

FANTASTIC!!! I loved this book so much. It made me feel powerful and proud to be a woman. Also, the narration was masterful. She is an excellent performer! 5 stars!

[Tanja Petrovic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent narrator. Such an inspirational book for all the women out there fighting the fight!

[Brooke Sanabria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this book. The characters were fantastic, the narrating was wonderful, the plot had so much to it and the book stayed suspenseful and interesting the entire way. Looking for more novels just like this one!

[Jacque Schaafsma · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining but quite predictable. Still happy I read it though.

[Tara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book surprised me. Initially I was a bit put off with some of the man hate that Harriet felt. I thought I was going to be unable to get into it. But I kept listening. And I'm so so glad I did. This book is truly great. It was a great plot. Fantastic characters. And even a surprise at the end. But that aside, it really opened my eyes to female truths that were so stark and so honest that I have started to re-evaluate things. So many hard lessons (women's lessons) are in this book. You KNOW these archetypes in real life. Maybe you were the victim/survivor of DV. The Author covers so many true life situations that I hadn't even realized I was still bothered by them, just hearing her words helped remind myself what life is, and how women face this heavy stuff like it's nothing. But it's not nothing. This book was for my spirit. And the narrator! I'm a January fan girl now for sure! If you are looking for something that reminds you of what a woman is, this book is for you.

[Alma Cristina Muñoz Albarran · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WOW! I couldnt stop listening! Really good! Loved It! Recommended

[Victoria Edelsbrunner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book made me look forward to getting older. Has some heavy stuff in it but worth reading for the beautiful solidarity between most of the female characters.

[Claudia · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

OMG I can’t believe how many women loved this book. It was overlong, stereotypical and unbelievable. Written like a YA book.

[Jodie Pedano · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible book!! This is a definite must read for every woman, but especially those of us over 40.. it’s a story of a woman’s power, of love and the Magick of three women who come together to bring Justice to those who would victimize young girls. Amazing character arc for all invoked. I hope there is a part two, or a movie deal!

[Karen Horde · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Omg! I thought about this book anytime j wasn’t listening. Absolutely loved it!

[Barbara Schendel · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This author has a chip on her shoulder about men. Nearly every last man in the story was “bad” in some way, either belittling women, abusing or taking advantage of them, etc. And yes of course men like this exist, we’ve all dealt with them, but holy cow this story was incredibly one-sided and angry! The story itself got lost in all of the man-hating, I could not stick with it to finish.

[Maya Charuz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so much fun ! Girl power !!!

[Miracle DeBiase · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked the story, but Jo’s parts were hard to get through. Her dialogue (especially when she was “furious”) seemed very…..juvenile. I felt like I was listening to some tween book like the baby sitters club. I loved Harriet and Nessas characters and abilities and tbh all I could picture for Harriet was Katey Sagal lol.

[Angela Soltan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this book outstanding! It’s a mix of fantasy and reality. The plot, the characters, the problems women are facing in a men’s world, everything is so well written. I feel like listening to it a second time.

[Guy Enriquez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really engaging and fun story. Surprisingly clever at times, makes you think. Very very decent narration as well, I’m never a fan of the “deeper/higher voice for men/women” thing but the narrator was still very enjoyable to listen to. Definitely one of the best of 2022 so far! Women!!!!!

[eva.arrhenius · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining and brilliant read by January! Hope to read more books by Miller

[Christina Jarosz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m not quite sure what I expected end but I did not expect this! What a phenomenal book, and it has such depth, and moments that are thought-provoking. I really enjoyed it and I’m going to look to see what else is out there from this author! Add this to your must read list!

[Rachel Weatherspoon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this! A little man-hating but honestly a great listen overall.

[Tanya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"What a great book!" was the first thought to enter my mind as it came to an end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend.

[Kaycee Bausch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow!!! I'm not one to leave reviews, but I absolutely loved this book! The narrator really brought this story to life!

[Jennifer Phillips · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read!!! This one has me guessing the whole time!

[Adrienne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent audiobook! I loved all the stories and the characters growth. Mystery, magic, and empowering women. Perfect!