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Husband, Missing
From the bestselling author of THE RISE AND FALL OF A YUMMY MUMMY. 'The number you are calling is unavailable. Please try again later.' Gina has only been married six months when her husband Rex goes on holiday to Spain and vanishes without a trace, tipping her dream new marriage into nightmare. As a frantic search gets nowhere, Gina is adamant that he's alive and vows never to give up hope. Speculation is rife: he's drowned at sea, lost his memory...or just walked away. Troubling stories start to emerge about Rex's past that are hard to square with the man she married. How well does she really know her handsome, charismatic husband? They'd fallen in love so quickly, so passionately, that the past had seemed barely relevant to either of them. Now an explosive secret threatens to rewrite the story of their love affair. As the mystery of Rex's whereabouts deepens, Gina begins to wonder whether you only ever truly know the person you love once they've gone.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 16, 2013
This book intrigued me very much, the title in itself just shouted out at me. Husband, Missing. Already my head was filled with many questions: How did he go missing? Where is he? Do they have any leads? Does his wife know yet? How is she coping? As you can tell, I was desperate to start on this book.
Husband, Missing tells a story from Gina’s point of view, her thought processes and actions happening the same time as we’re reading them. Gina and Rex. Rex and Gina. A husband and wife who are very much in love. Rex is an energetic outgoing man who loves sports and being active. Then one day Gina receives a call from Rex’s brother Jake. On a lads holiday abroad with Jake and Rex’s two friends, Rex has disappeared without a trace. With no clues to go on, Rex and Gina start their frantic search. However, as Gina delves further into her husbands movements and life, she discovers many things and begins to wonder if she even knew her husband at all…
This was gripping! Right from the start no clues are given about Rex’s movements, what his plans were before he disappeared no reason to guess why he would vanish if he went voluntarily, no evidence of him perhaps having an accident or even any clues as to why he might have been taken, if that is the case. This makes for a very compelling story as we are just as clueless as Jake and Gina, and we live out the story and the search at the same time as Gina does.
The characters were wonderfully written. Personally I felt like I created a bond with Gina as we are essentially reading her thought processes, so it is easy to fall into step with her, and to warm to her as she desperately searches for her husband. As we find out more information as she does, I mirrored her emotions – I felt shocked as she learnt that her husband was missing, I felt hope for her when she did, and I felt lost as she didn’t know what step to take next. Jake is very well-written as the male lead. It was very interesting to have an insight into what a missing persons brother is going through, and how he copes with the situation. I LOVED Femi and Lucy, Gina’s best friends – They are the type of people that I would love to have as my best friends – Supportive, caring, and they bring in humour and laughter when it is needed. I looked forward to the parts with them in.
I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will say it is a very moving story, and as a reader I immediately supported Gina, and was willing her on to find the answers she needed. There is sadness, laughter, shocking discoveries and I never knew which way the story was going to go next. A great read.
Husband, Missing tells a story from Gina’s point of view, her thought processes and actions happening the same time as we’re reading them. Gina and Rex. Rex and Gina. A husband and wife who are very much in love. Rex is an energetic outgoing man who loves sports and being active. Then one day Gina receives a call from Rex’s brother Jake. On a lads holiday abroad with Jake and Rex’s two friends, Rex has disappeared without a trace. With no clues to go on, Rex and Gina start their frantic search. However, as Gina delves further into her husbands movements and life, she discovers many things and begins to wonder if she even knew her husband at all…
This was gripping! Right from the start no clues are given about Rex’s movements, what his plans were before he disappeared no reason to guess why he would vanish if he went voluntarily, no evidence of him perhaps having an accident or even any clues as to why he might have been taken, if that is the case. This makes for a very compelling story as we are just as clueless as Jake and Gina, and we live out the story and the search at the same time as Gina does.
The characters were wonderfully written. Personally I felt like I created a bond with Gina as we are essentially reading her thought processes, so it is easy to fall into step with her, and to warm to her as she desperately searches for her husband. As we find out more information as she does, I mirrored her emotions – I felt shocked as she learnt that her husband was missing, I felt hope for her when she did, and I felt lost as she didn’t know what step to take next. Jake is very well-written as the male lead. It was very interesting to have an insight into what a missing persons brother is going through, and how he copes with the situation. I LOVED Femi and Lucy, Gina’s best friends – They are the type of people that I would love to have as my best friends – Supportive, caring, and they bring in humour and laughter when it is needed. I looked forward to the parts with them in.
I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will say it is a very moving story, and as a reader I immediately supported Gina, and was willing her on to find the answers she needed. There is sadness, laughter, shocking discoveries and I never knew which way the story was going to go next. A great read.
July 25, 2013
I am still a little unsure about this one.
Rex goes missing right at the beginning of the book and then the only interactions with Rex are the flashbacks of the other characters interactions with him.
Gina, I actually found quite annoying throughout this book. I actually wanted to give her a mental kick up the backside and tell her to stop moping and being so naive about things. And then when she learnt about one of Rex's secrets she acted like a child towards the other woman and child.
Jake was very sweet and it was obvious from the start that he wasn't what Rex described him to be like. In fact Rex wasn't a very nice character at all, and actually found myself quite happy with the ending of this book.
I think for me, what I didn't really "get" was how people were telling Gina about things but as far as she was concerned she "knew" him best and didn't really care for others opinions on the subject. When in fact, she didn't know him at all, she definately didn't know him well enough to get married.
However for all of that, the story itself was interesting. I found myself reading to the end of this purely because I was curious about what happened to him and I also hoped the ending I wanted played itself out (which it did :D).
Overall I didn't love this book but i liked it enough to read it all. However I am not sure if I would read any more from this author again.
Rex goes missing right at the beginning of the book and then the only interactions with Rex are the flashbacks of the other characters interactions with him.
Gina, I actually found quite annoying throughout this book. I actually wanted to give her a mental kick up the backside and tell her to stop moping and being so naive about things. And then when she learnt about one of Rex's secrets she acted like a child towards the other woman and child.
Jake was very sweet and it was obvious from the start that he wasn't what Rex described him to be like. In fact Rex wasn't a very nice character at all, and actually found myself quite happy with the ending of this book.
I think for me, what I didn't really "get" was how people were telling Gina about things but as far as she was concerned she "knew" him best and didn't really care for others opinions on the subject. When in fact, she didn't know him at all, she definately didn't know him well enough to get married.
However for all of that, the story itself was interesting. I found myself reading to the end of this purely because I was curious about what happened to him and I also hoped the ending I wanted played itself out (which it did :D).
Overall I didn't love this book but i liked it enough to read it all. However I am not sure if I would read any more from this author again.
June 8, 2013
Rex and Gina marry after knowing each other for six months. On a windsurfing guy trip to Spain, Rex vanishes. Suddenly everything in Gina's life is in flux. Everyone's view of reality is distorted. I liked the sense of physical place in the novel. The plot carried me along to the predictable ending. I wasn't totally enamoured with Gina and I didn't see Rex 's fascination with her.
May 31, 2013
Speechless… I needed a few moments after finishing the book.
A wonderful written story, gripping from the start, very moving.
I think I‘ve found a new favorite author.
Thank you, Polly Williams. :)
A wonderful written story, gripping from the start, very moving.
I think I‘ve found a new favorite author.
Thank you, Polly Williams. :)
July 22, 2013
Not sure about this one. The storyline was good but I couldn't really like the main character - all ended a bit quickly for me.
August 20, 2013
An ok holiday read, but predictable and no surprises for me.
February 17, 2014
Not much substance to the story and predictable.
August 12, 2013
After all those pages, the ending felt forced and tagged on.
April 18, 2016
Loved it.
But it didn't reach the deebest bottom of my heart. Something is just missing or it might be my grumpy mood today.
But it didn't reach the deebest bottom of my heart. Something is just missing or it might be my grumpy mood today.
November 22, 2024
I picked up this book intrigued by its name thinking it was going to be a psychological thriller full of suspense. For me, it turned out to be more of a literary fiction with a some mystery in it. I enjoyed the book regardless and I think the story is beautifully written. I really enjoyed the ending of the book.
November 4, 2017
addictive... read it in one day
December 12, 2017
Loved the constant twists in this book.
January 4, 2019
Terrible
January 8, 2019
Amazing book, a really good read, although slightly predictable in parts it was a fabulously written story.
February 16, 2019
I think the storyline is interesting. It's about the thought of knewing someone but you are not. Especially that person is your loved one. It's fun reading this book. My first book in 2019!
August 12, 2020
I literally could not put this book down. From start to finish it was a joy to read. Would 100% recommend this book
April 6, 2023
I was expecting a twist but was left disappointed
April 28, 2023
An ok, easy read. I wanted to find out what happened so read it quickly. Guessed quite a bit! Average book- not great/not bad.
October 11, 2023
This was a beautiful read! Such a poignant story and I couldn't put it down!! I loved it and will definitely read more by this Author!
July 31, 2019
Not really sure what to make of this book, the title got me for sure. I did not liked that the missing husband was from the page one, and then he was only in her memories. I did not liked it as much as I had hopes for it.
March 19, 2017
Probably a 3.5. A good easy read with decent enough pace. A little too tidy at the end.
June 13, 2013
After six months of marriage Gina is still in love with husband Rex and when he goes off on a 'boys holiday' she knows she will miss him but looks forward to his return. Then she gets the call that will change her life. Rex is missing. One morning he went off for a windsurf and never came back, now the police in Spain are searching for him. Gina's life and those of his family are turned upside down as they have to come to terms with the fact that they might never see Rex again but Gina will never give up, she knows Rex like no one else knows him and can sense he is still alive....
Shortly after Rex's disappearance Gina discovers that she is pregnant and as other things come to light about the husband she thought she knew, Gina is thrown into turmoil. Who is the Rex that had a gambling addiction? Who lied about his promotion? Why are his finances - the finances he told her not to worry about - in a mess?
With the support of Jake, Rex's half brother and his partner Fran, her own parents and sister, Rex's mother and her loyal friends, Gina manages to cling on to the hope that Rex will return and all will be well but the secrets of Rex's past keep coming......
Polly William portrays Gina, the naive and innocent wife extremely well, she is a likeable character, fully committed to her brief marriage after a whirlwind romance and devoted to the older and adventurous Rex. From the start we know there is something in Gina's past that she keeps hidden and that this is perhaps what makes her so dependent on Rex and so sure that he would never do anything to hurt her. As the story unravels and we become aware of other people's opinions of Rex we see a side to him that Gina hasn't seen and refuses to see now but one which the reader knows makes him unreliable and possibly unbalanced.
When Gina and the rest of the family find out Rex's biggest secret they are all sent into new fathoms of disbelief and questioning, and for poor Gina, it means she might actually have to start facing up to Rex's true identity and her own secret.
There is a fabulous cast of characters, the gentle and strong Jake who gives Gina unconditional support, his hard-faced cold partner Fran who is all too happy to welcome Gina and her pregnancy until it seems she has an ulterior motive for so doing. Gina's sister, larger than life Dawn, unfailingly supportive with biscuits and words of wisdom; their parents, always there for her in their gruff Northern way, bearing gifts of cake and mounds of love.
Polly has again captured the sentiments of this story with a mix of humour and seriousness that make the reader alternately laugh and consider 'what if..'. Her irreverent but oh so true depiction of newborn babies and the screaming, pooing, feeding cycle; the absolute magic and awe of a baby and then the exhaustion and despair of the mother - compounded with the ache for a missing husband and the need of comfort.....brilliant! More than once I genuinely felt for Gina. The ending was right. I did wonder which way it would go but I'm glad it ended how it did, it was absolutely the right way to go and drew a line under everything, dotted all the i's, crossed all the t's perfectly.
Shortly after Rex's disappearance Gina discovers that she is pregnant and as other things come to light about the husband she thought she knew, Gina is thrown into turmoil. Who is the Rex that had a gambling addiction? Who lied about his promotion? Why are his finances - the finances he told her not to worry about - in a mess?
With the support of Jake, Rex's half brother and his partner Fran, her own parents and sister, Rex's mother and her loyal friends, Gina manages to cling on to the hope that Rex will return and all will be well but the secrets of Rex's past keep coming......
Polly William portrays Gina, the naive and innocent wife extremely well, she is a likeable character, fully committed to her brief marriage after a whirlwind romance and devoted to the older and adventurous Rex. From the start we know there is something in Gina's past that she keeps hidden and that this is perhaps what makes her so dependent on Rex and so sure that he would never do anything to hurt her. As the story unravels and we become aware of other people's opinions of Rex we see a side to him that Gina hasn't seen and refuses to see now but one which the reader knows makes him unreliable and possibly unbalanced.
When Gina and the rest of the family find out Rex's biggest secret they are all sent into new fathoms of disbelief and questioning, and for poor Gina, it means she might actually have to start facing up to Rex's true identity and her own secret.
There is a fabulous cast of characters, the gentle and strong Jake who gives Gina unconditional support, his hard-faced cold partner Fran who is all too happy to welcome Gina and her pregnancy until it seems she has an ulterior motive for so doing. Gina's sister, larger than life Dawn, unfailingly supportive with biscuits and words of wisdom; their parents, always there for her in their gruff Northern way, bearing gifts of cake and mounds of love.
Polly has again captured the sentiments of this story with a mix of humour and seriousness that make the reader alternately laugh and consider 'what if..'. Her irreverent but oh so true depiction of newborn babies and the screaming, pooing, feeding cycle; the absolute magic and awe of a baby and then the exhaustion and despair of the mother - compounded with the ache for a missing husband and the need of comfort.....brilliant! More than once I genuinely felt for Gina. The ending was right. I did wonder which way it would go but I'm glad it ended how it did, it was absolutely the right way to go and drew a line under everything, dotted all the i's, crossed all the t's perfectly.
March 12, 2013
Gina and Rex embark on a whirlwind relationship and marry within a few months. The marriage is only 6 months old when Rex disappears whilst on a surfing holiday in Spain with his half brother Jake and some friends. As the search continues and there is still no sign of Rex, Gina has to hold on to her belief that Rex is still alive despite advice from her friends and family to accept his death, to move on with her life and find some resolution.
The synopsis for this book sounded so intriguing and I was gripped by the story from the very start. Gina was such a well written character, with doubts and vulnerabilities that the reader could identify with. Gina was 13 years younger than Rex and there is a naivety in her character which is unusual for someone of her age (nearly 30). For example, when confronted with the financial realities of Rex’s disappearance, she flounders, knowing nothing at all of their financial affairs. To find out that your husband is missing, presumed dead, would be a nightmare for anyone to cope with but then when secrets and devastating revelations come to light, you wonder whether you even knew the person you had married. Rex comes across as a very controlling character and good at keeping secrets - something which Gina and his family have to come to terms with. As the story progresses, it appears that Rex is not the only secretive one in the relationship - Gina has a secret of her own to deal with.
There is a very strong cast of supporting characters, including Jake - Rex’s half brother and the person who informs Gina of Rex’s disappearance. He is sympathetic to Gina’s plight and does what he can to help, even letting her have a room in his house which doesn’t go down too well with his partner, Fran. Fran is a delightfully hard faced bitchy character and whilst she appears to be sympathetic to Gina, she has her own reasons for trying to be friendly. Gina’s sister Dawn and friends Lucy and Femi, whilst being supportive try to instil some normality into Gina’s life with humour and straight talking.
I thought this was a very enjoyable read - it wasn’t an edge of your seat suspense story but it definitely kept my interest and I was keen to find out how the story would end for Gina and Rex. However I was left slightly disappointed by the ending. Compared to the slower pace of the rest of the story, it appeared to be rushed as if the author had decided to bring it to a sudden end and for this reason it loses a star.
The synopsis for this book sounded so intriguing and I was gripped by the story from the very start. Gina was such a well written character, with doubts and vulnerabilities that the reader could identify with. Gina was 13 years younger than Rex and there is a naivety in her character which is unusual for someone of her age (nearly 30). For example, when confronted with the financial realities of Rex’s disappearance, she flounders, knowing nothing at all of their financial affairs. To find out that your husband is missing, presumed dead, would be a nightmare for anyone to cope with but then when secrets and devastating revelations come to light, you wonder whether you even knew the person you had married. Rex comes across as a very controlling character and good at keeping secrets - something which Gina and his family have to come to terms with. As the story progresses, it appears that Rex is not the only secretive one in the relationship - Gina has a secret of her own to deal with.
There is a very strong cast of supporting characters, including Jake - Rex’s half brother and the person who informs Gina of Rex’s disappearance. He is sympathetic to Gina’s plight and does what he can to help, even letting her have a room in his house which doesn’t go down too well with his partner, Fran. Fran is a delightfully hard faced bitchy character and whilst she appears to be sympathetic to Gina, she has her own reasons for trying to be friendly. Gina’s sister Dawn and friends Lucy and Femi, whilst being supportive try to instil some normality into Gina’s life with humour and straight talking.
I thought this was a very enjoyable read - it wasn’t an edge of your seat suspense story but it definitely kept my interest and I was keen to find out how the story would end for Gina and Rex. However I was left slightly disappointed by the ending. Compared to the slower pace of the rest of the story, it appeared to be rushed as if the author had decided to bring it to a sudden end and for this reason it loses a star.
June 17, 2013
Title: Husband, Missing
Author: Polly Williams
Publication Date:
Publisher: Headline Review
"The number you are calling is unavailable. Please try again later." Gina has only been married six months when her husband Rex goes on holiday to Spain and vanishes without a trace, tipping her dream new marriage into a nightmare. As a frantic search gets nowhere, Gina is adamant that he's alive and vows never to give up hope. Speculation is rife: he's drowned at sea, lost his memory...or just walked away.
Troubling stories start to emerge about Rex's past that are hard to square with the man she married. How well does she really know her handsome, charismatic husband? They'd fallen in love so quickly, so passionately, that the past had seemed barely relevant to either of them. Now an explosive secret threatens to rewrite the story of their love affair. As the mystery of Rex's whereabouts deepens, Gina begins to wonder whether you only ever truly know the person you love once they've gone.
Firstly when I first saw this book cover I fell in love straight away, It just stood out straight away and I knew I had to read even though I had a feeling I would probably cry. This being my first book that I have read of Polly Williams I totally didn't know what to expect and I wasn't going to judge before even starting..
It was a superb read, Yes it did bring a tear to my eyes because having gone through a similar experience a few years ago I knew how heartbreaking it can be, I was just praying that Gina would find her husband Rex again, but I had a funny feeling some secrets were going to come out in which Gina would probably not like but she needed to hear them, the closeness she became with Rex's brother Jake was just amazing and how they bonded while trying to find Rex was great! I had a niggling feeling that something could happen between them..but I will let you readers decide...
You follow the journey with Gina on her searching for her husband but at the beginning of Rex going missing, she finds out she's pregnant, so trying not to worry and put stress on the baby while searching for Rex was going to be hard for her at all times but she had the closeness of her best friends Femi and Lucy and her family to help cheer her up.
This book is certainly one to read this year, while reading I just never knew what was going to happen, whether Rex was going to appear back home or not, it does have sadness but also happiness in which Jake, Femi & Lucy keep Gina sane and help her journey along the way.
A must read!
Author: Polly Williams
Publication Date:
Publisher: Headline Review
"The number you are calling is unavailable. Please try again later." Gina has only been married six months when her husband Rex goes on holiday to Spain and vanishes without a trace, tipping her dream new marriage into a nightmare. As a frantic search gets nowhere, Gina is adamant that he's alive and vows never to give up hope. Speculation is rife: he's drowned at sea, lost his memory...or just walked away.
Troubling stories start to emerge about Rex's past that are hard to square with the man she married. How well does she really know her handsome, charismatic husband? They'd fallen in love so quickly, so passionately, that the past had seemed barely relevant to either of them. Now an explosive secret threatens to rewrite the story of their love affair. As the mystery of Rex's whereabouts deepens, Gina begins to wonder whether you only ever truly know the person you love once they've gone.
Firstly when I first saw this book cover I fell in love straight away, It just stood out straight away and I knew I had to read even though I had a feeling I would probably cry. This being my first book that I have read of Polly Williams I totally didn't know what to expect and I wasn't going to judge before even starting..
It was a superb read, Yes it did bring a tear to my eyes because having gone through a similar experience a few years ago I knew how heartbreaking it can be, I was just praying that Gina would find her husband Rex again, but I had a funny feeling some secrets were going to come out in which Gina would probably not like but she needed to hear them, the closeness she became with Rex's brother Jake was just amazing and how they bonded while trying to find Rex was great! I had a niggling feeling that something could happen between them..but I will let you readers decide...
You follow the journey with Gina on her searching for her husband but at the beginning of Rex going missing, she finds out she's pregnant, so trying not to worry and put stress on the baby while searching for Rex was going to be hard for her at all times but she had the closeness of her best friends Femi and Lucy and her family to help cheer her up.
This book is certainly one to read this year, while reading I just never knew what was going to happen, whether Rex was going to appear back home or not, it does have sadness but also happiness in which Jake, Femi & Lucy keep Gina sane and help her journey along the way.
A must read!
April 21, 2013
I was a little reluctant to start Husband Missing by Polly Williams as I have recently lost my Nan who is my world and so have been trying to read “happy” books but the cover of this book keeps calling out to me it is hard to miss the sunset colours so I caved in. The synopsis does a fantastic job at sparking your interest without giving to much away.
Gina’s life is turned upside down when she gets a phone call from her brother in-law to say that Gina’s husband Rex has gone missing on their lad’s holiday. After months of searching everyone begins to accept that Rex has died but Gina still believes that Rex is still alive and she clings on to this hope. As the search carries on Gina then unearths secrets from his past which leave her questioning if she really knows her husband at all.
This was a very moving read but not a tear jerker so no need to reach for the tissues. The book begins right at the point when Rex has gone missing so we never get a chance to meet or hear from Rex first hand which is a bit of a shame as I think it may have answered a few questions but then the way in which the book was written was all from Gina’s voice she was talking to us as though she was talking to Rex which is an unusual style and did take a while to get used to but I soon found myself comfortable in the style of the book. You develop a strong bond with Gina and I think this is because of the way in which the book was written because we get to hear first hand the thoughts and feelings through the whole situation. There are also a couple of chapters that are told from Mandy who was another lovely character.
The book was both predictable and unpredictable. Right up until the last chapter I couldn't predict what was going to happen whether Rex was would be found or not or indeed whether he was alive or dead. The situation surrounding Jake was predictable but I enjoyed this part most out of the book, it does help that Jake is such a caring gentle character. With the subject of the book being a very moving topic it was a lovely touch to have Gina’s best friends Lucy and Femi who are great characters whole bring a little light to the book and support to Gina.
This was a thought provoking read that kept me hooked throughout the whole book. Another great read from Polly Williams.
Gina’s life is turned upside down when she gets a phone call from her brother in-law to say that Gina’s husband Rex has gone missing on their lad’s holiday. After months of searching everyone begins to accept that Rex has died but Gina still believes that Rex is still alive and she clings on to this hope. As the search carries on Gina then unearths secrets from his past which leave her questioning if she really knows her husband at all.
This was a very moving read but not a tear jerker so no need to reach for the tissues. The book begins right at the point when Rex has gone missing so we never get a chance to meet or hear from Rex first hand which is a bit of a shame as I think it may have answered a few questions but then the way in which the book was written was all from Gina’s voice she was talking to us as though she was talking to Rex which is an unusual style and did take a while to get used to but I soon found myself comfortable in the style of the book. You develop a strong bond with Gina and I think this is because of the way in which the book was written because we get to hear first hand the thoughts and feelings through the whole situation. There are also a couple of chapters that are told from Mandy who was another lovely character.
The book was both predictable and unpredictable. Right up until the last chapter I couldn't predict what was going to happen whether Rex was would be found or not or indeed whether he was alive or dead. The situation surrounding Jake was predictable but I enjoyed this part most out of the book, it does help that Jake is such a caring gentle character. With the subject of the book being a very moving topic it was a lovely touch to have Gina’s best friends Lucy and Femi who are great characters whole bring a little light to the book and support to Gina.
This was a thought provoking read that kept me hooked throughout the whole book. Another great read from Polly Williams.
April 1, 2013
Firstly I’d like to thank Caitlin from Headline Books for sending me this book to read and give an honest review. I loved the cover and the title really grabbed my attention – it sent a wave of questions and possible answers rushing through my mind.
The prologue detailed the moment that Gina met Rex and oh my goodness it was romantic – he was the perfect hero! I absolutely loved the different way this book was written, in my mind it was like a letter from Gina to Rex as she talked to him instead of the reader. I quickly realised that this would be a story full of memories and that is how I would piece together her time with Rex, many times I found myself smiling at what she said about him.
As the book progressed and I learned more about Rex I have to admit that my feelings towards him changed, there were so many secrets and untold truths and I just knew that these would cause so much heartache for Gina. Rex’s younger brother Jake was another character who I changed my opinion on throughout the story – to begin with he seemed very guarded and I couldn’t quite figure him out, this made me keen to get to know him and it seemed that the more I learned about him, the more I liked him.
A strong feeling of desperation drifted off the pages at me, it was almost like I could feel Gina’s pain and as her life got even more difficult and confusing I found myself feeling very protective of her.
The introduction of Mandy confused me at first, I didn’t know how she fit into the storyline but it made me think of even more possible scenarios and this meant that I just had to keep turning the pages to find out if any of my ideas were correct. The guessing and trying to piece together the clues was a big feature of the book, it was a mystery that I felt I needed to solve and this is what made it such an addictive read.
There were many touching moments that the author had described so beautifully tears filled my eyes, but there were also moments that had me laughing out loud. Basically this book was so much more than I had expected from reading the blurb and I really didn’t want it to end. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
With many twists, turns and secrets this was a fantastic page-turner of a book that I would highly recommend!
The prologue detailed the moment that Gina met Rex and oh my goodness it was romantic – he was the perfect hero! I absolutely loved the different way this book was written, in my mind it was like a letter from Gina to Rex as she talked to him instead of the reader. I quickly realised that this would be a story full of memories and that is how I would piece together her time with Rex, many times I found myself smiling at what she said about him.
As the book progressed and I learned more about Rex I have to admit that my feelings towards him changed, there were so many secrets and untold truths and I just knew that these would cause so much heartache for Gina. Rex’s younger brother Jake was another character who I changed my opinion on throughout the story – to begin with he seemed very guarded and I couldn’t quite figure him out, this made me keen to get to know him and it seemed that the more I learned about him, the more I liked him.
A strong feeling of desperation drifted off the pages at me, it was almost like I could feel Gina’s pain and as her life got even more difficult and confusing I found myself feeling very protective of her.
The introduction of Mandy confused me at first, I didn’t know how she fit into the storyline but it made me think of even more possible scenarios and this meant that I just had to keep turning the pages to find out if any of my ideas were correct. The guessing and trying to piece together the clues was a big feature of the book, it was a mystery that I felt I needed to solve and this is what made it such an addictive read.
There were many touching moments that the author had described so beautifully tears filled my eyes, but there were also moments that had me laughing out loud. Basically this book was so much more than I had expected from reading the blurb and I really didn’t want it to end. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
With many twists, turns and secrets this was a fantastic page-turner of a book that I would highly recommend!
June 1, 2013
Gina and Rex are newlyweds and blissfully happy. Then Rex disappears while on a holiday in Spain with his brother and two friends. He headed out windsurfing one day and didn't return. Almost immediately, Gina realises that things aren't quite as they seem. The day before he disappeared, Rex withdrew a large sum of money that has disappeared with him (as has his passport). He has wiped all the history from his laptops at home. Strangers ring telling her that Rex owed them money. She discovers that he wasn't the highflyer at work that she thought he was.
If this was a thriller, Rex's secret other life would come out, Gina would find herself in danger and probably miraculously acquire the ability to fire a gun. Instead, being a chicklit novel, the emphasis is more on how Gina comes to term with her missing - maybe alive, maybe dead - husband and how she gradually learns more about his life and the secrets that they kept from one another. While we do in the end find out what happened to Rex, it's not the main point of the novel.
The central mystery in this book kept me reading although the characters let the book down for me - Gina is so hopeless, believing what she wants to believe and refusing to take any ownership of the situation that she's in. I also felt that some of the connections between various characters were overly forced for the sake of having one more secret to uncover. If there were half ratings I'd probably say 3.5 stars, but given that I devoured this book quite happily in a day, I am giving it four.
If this was a thriller, Rex's secret other life would come out, Gina would find herself in danger and probably miraculously acquire the ability to fire a gun. Instead, being a chicklit novel, the emphasis is more on how Gina comes to term with her missing - maybe alive, maybe dead - husband and how she gradually learns more about his life and the secrets that they kept from one another. While we do in the end find out what happened to Rex, it's not the main point of the novel.
The central mystery in this book kept me reading although the characters let the book down for me - Gina is so hopeless, believing what she wants to believe and refusing to take any ownership of the situation that she's in. I also felt that some of the connections between various characters were overly forced for the sake of having one more secret to uncover. If there were half ratings I'd probably say 3.5 stars, but given that I devoured this book quite happily in a day, I am giving it four.
November 3, 2015
In this book by Polly Williams we meet Gina who has met and married Rex within a matter of months. When her husband goes missing on a holiday with friends her dream marriage starts to turn on its head. Rex's brother Jake is instrumental in helping Gina to try and find Rex or some clue as to why he has gone missing. The initial part of the book really grabbed me and you are left with so many questions at the beginning of the story. As time progresses and we see Gina return to the UK, her life has to move on but she struggles with day to day things. As more about Rex's past is revealed I began to find myself getting a little irritated with Gina as a character. Maybe this was just me but I felt that she was so weak and vulnerable I wanted to slap her!
Rex's brother Jake on the other hand was a great character and I really liked him from early on. The story was certainly different and the writing was as in her other book brilliant. I just couldn't help but feel like I was missing something. When I finished the book I certainly enjoyed it, but the character Gina just irritated me so much that I began to dislike her and it just ruined it a little for me. This certainly isn't my favourite Polly Williams book but I think it will be a favourite with many others. I will carry on reading Polly Williams as I have really enjoyed her other books, and maybe next time I will like the character more. There was slightly hurried feel to the end of this book too, which maybe lessened my enjoyment of it, but I still felt like it was a good read, just not a favourite of mine.
Rex's brother Jake on the other hand was a great character and I really liked him from early on. The story was certainly different and the writing was as in her other book brilliant. I just couldn't help but feel like I was missing something. When I finished the book I certainly enjoyed it, but the character Gina just irritated me so much that I began to dislike her and it just ruined it a little for me. This certainly isn't my favourite Polly Williams book but I think it will be a favourite with many others. I will carry on reading Polly Williams as I have really enjoyed her other books, and maybe next time I will like the character more. There was slightly hurried feel to the end of this book too, which maybe lessened my enjoyment of it, but I still felt like it was a good read, just not a favourite of mine.
March 1, 2013
This is my second Polly Williams book and I am enjoying her style of writing. This is a story with an interesting premise, Gina, a newly wed, discovers her husband, Rex, has gone missing while on holiday with his brother and friends in Spain. With no news and no body found Gina refuses to believe that he is dead and is determined to find him. As her friends and relatives begin to accept that he is probably dead they try to encourage her to move on with her life. However, Gina soon finds that there is one thing she never thought she would have to face alone - she is pregnant. As the story develops, mainly told from Gina's point of view, we discover that Rex and Gina both have secrets and trying to bury the past can have a big effect on the future. Gina is a sympathetic character, even if you do want to shake her at times, and you do want to see her find some sort of resolution. The other characters in the book are well drawn, Rex's brother Jake is a particularly likeable character. This book is a good read and I will look out for more books from Polly Williams.
August 21, 2013
This book is about a women's husband who goes missing whilst on holiday in Spain. This book tells the story from the wife's point of view and touches down on her thoughts and feelings with dealing with her loss. However, she is also expecting a newborn baby which makes the story even more heart touching. She enrolls in the help of her husbands half-brother which ends up becoming more than moral support and more of a relationship!
I found this book very interesting, however I would've like to have known more about what happened to the husband and the book barely touches down on the situation. I was therefore very let down to find out that after reading the whole book that you never end up finding hit what happens to the husband only that he was found dead months after he went missing.
However, I do give this book 3 stars as I feel it was very interestingly written as its from the view of the wife talking to the missing husband.
I found this book very interesting, however I would've like to have known more about what happened to the husband and the book barely touches down on the situation. I was therefore very let down to find out that after reading the whole book that you never end up finding hit what happens to the husband only that he was found dead months after he went missing.
However, I do give this book 3 stars as I feel it was very interestingly written as its from the view of the wife talking to the missing husband.
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