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The Jealous Wife
She wants my husband.
She wants my life.
About to become parents, my husband and I decide to move to my small hometown to be closer to my family. Everything was perfect until I met our new neighbor- the reason I moved away to begin with.
Kelly Van Patten.
She’s the epitome of beauty. With her radiant blond hair, captivating blue eyes and a smile so warm and caring, it’s no wonder everyone adores her… except me.
Even my husband is falling for her charm and manipulation, or worse, falling for her.
When Kelly slips and accidentally shows her true colors, I realize something even worse. Does she know what I’ve been hiding?
All I want is to start my family.
She has something more sinister in mind.
The Jealous Wife , is a twisted, page-turning psychological thriller that will have you guessing until the very end.
She wants my life.
About to become parents, my husband and I decide to move to my small hometown to be closer to my family. Everything was perfect until I met our new neighbor- the reason I moved away to begin with.
Kelly Van Patten.
She’s the epitome of beauty. With her radiant blond hair, captivating blue eyes and a smile so warm and caring, it’s no wonder everyone adores her… except me.
Even my husband is falling for her charm and manipulation, or worse, falling for her.
When Kelly slips and accidentally shows her true colors, I realize something even worse. Does she know what I’ve been hiding?
All I want is to start my family.
She has something more sinister in mind.
The Jealous Wife , is a twisted, page-turning psychological thriller that will have you guessing until the very end.
350 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2023
2214 people are currently reading
3671 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 415 reviews
June 4, 2024
Didn’t leave much of an impression
July 26, 2023
Loved this!! This thriller kept me reading late into the night. Unpredictable, intense, and twists throughout. Some high school rivalries never die. Nora and Kelly have a history. Hate runs deep. Will time be able to heal wounds of the past? What really happened to their best friend? Was it a horrible tragedy, or is something more sinister at play? James Caine is a master of shocking twists and keeping the reader guessing. The Jealous Wife is a twisty, wicked thrill ride that I couldn't put down. Thank you, BookSirens for my ARC. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 30, 2023
Well, that was fun!
Two unreliable narrators kept me off balance for the majority of the story.
Highschool frenemies Nora and Kelly end up living next door to each other after Nora moves back to her hometown with her husband. Let the scheming begin.
If you’re searching for a quick and easy beach read, this is it. Not a fast reader, I breezed through this book in a day.
Located on Kindle Unlimited after reading an enticing review here on GR.
Two unreliable narrators kept me off balance for the majority of the story.
Highschool frenemies Nora and Kelly end up living next door to each other after Nora moves back to her hometown with her husband. Let the scheming begin.
If you’re searching for a quick and easy beach read, this is it. Not a fast reader, I breezed through this book in a day.
Located on Kindle Unlimited after reading an enticing review here on GR.
July 24, 2023
Before writing my review, I want to extend a huge thank you to BookSirens and James Caine for gifting me the ARC of this book! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read THE JEALOUS WIFE before publication on July 31st!
Such a gripping, suspenseful read from the very beginning! I loved the story, and the characters were developed so well! Both of our female leads —Kelly and Nora—could be quite exasperating, yet you find yourself sympathizing with each of them during different points in the novel. Told from alternating POVs throughout, the story has you wondering who is the reliable narrator and who is being less than honest. These alternating POVs are written exceptionally well, helping move the story forward without confusion. And the twists and ending— wow!! Not what I expected. Bittersweet yet satisfying in the end. Good to know the guilty party will surely get what he/she deserves!
So if you enjoy a good mystery to be solved, nail biting suspense, intriguing (if not always likable) characters, and twisty endings, you’ll love this one. Great summer read for those nights you can’t sleep and night owls everywhere!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Such a gripping, suspenseful read from the very beginning! I loved the story, and the characters were developed so well! Both of our female leads —Kelly and Nora—could be quite exasperating, yet you find yourself sympathizing with each of them during different points in the novel. Told from alternating POVs throughout, the story has you wondering who is the reliable narrator and who is being less than honest. These alternating POVs are written exceptionally well, helping move the story forward without confusion. And the twists and ending— wow!! Not what I expected. Bittersweet yet satisfying in the end. Good to know the guilty party will surely get what he/she deserves!
So if you enjoy a good mystery to be solved, nail biting suspense, intriguing (if not always likable) characters, and twisty endings, you’ll love this one. Great summer read for those nights you can’t sleep and night owls everywhere!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 12, 2023
I didn’t care for this one at all - it’s rare I give a two star rating. I didn’t like the simplistic way it was written and found nothing particularly riveting in the plot. On the plus side it was a quick easy read.
August 5, 2023
While expecting their first baby, Nora and her husband move back to her hometown to be closer to her family, only to find that Kelly Van Patten is their next door neighbor. Everyone loves Kelly, with her blonde hair and easy charm, people are easily smitten with her…everyone except Nora. Kelly is the actual reason Nora left town to begin with after a disastrous experience in high school that left Nora’s best friend dead. Seems that even Nora’s husband is looking longingly at Kelly, the beautiful widow who tragically lost her husband, lives alone, and is always looking for an excuse to be in his company in some way. When Kelly begins to show her true colors, Nora wonders if she knows the secret of what happened all those years ago, because Kelly clearly has something evil on her mind.
Whew! This was one twisted psychological thrill ride, and I loved every minute of it, right up until the mind-blowing ending. This thriller is so full of secrets and lies that the reader is constantly trying to figure out what is truly going on. It’s told in a dual perspective, alternating between Nora and Kelly who are the main characters around which the novel is centered; all others are merely background players. The anger, angst, and leftover high school trauma between them is palpable. I admit it had me rapt and on the edge of my seat throughout. The ending was a twisted one that I honestly did not see coming, and I only remembered to breathe once I finished the book. Author James Caine knows how to write a frighteningly real and addictive thriller, and I can honestly recommend “The Jealous Wife” for all of those interested in this genre.
I’d like to thank James Caine for the opportunity to read this ARC as part of his advance reading team.
Whew! This was one twisted psychological thrill ride, and I loved every minute of it, right up until the mind-blowing ending. This thriller is so full of secrets and lies that the reader is constantly trying to figure out what is truly going on. It’s told in a dual perspective, alternating between Nora and Kelly who are the main characters around which the novel is centered; all others are merely background players. The anger, angst, and leftover high school trauma between them is palpable. I admit it had me rapt and on the edge of my seat throughout. The ending was a twisted one that I honestly did not see coming, and I only remembered to breathe once I finished the book. Author James Caine knows how to write a frighteningly real and addictive thriller, and I can honestly recommend “The Jealous Wife” for all of those interested in this genre.
I’d like to thank James Caine for the opportunity to read this ARC as part of his advance reading team.
April 14, 2024
I want to make something clear before I start my review. It isn’t that I didn’t like this book.
I alternated between a two and three finally deciding to give it a three because it’s really very well written.
There was something in the book that I did not like, but it can only be revealed with spoilers. I’ll give a brief plot synopsis and I’ll be sure and mention when I get to the part with spoilers.
Nora is pregnant and she’s just come back to her hometown with her husband and they purchased an Uber wealthy McMansion in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the area.
What Nora does not know, cannot know Is that her next-door neighbor is also her old high school nemesis.
Kelly is her name and mindfucking is her game.
Nora has a history of depression and psychological issues. She honestly doesn’t know if she can handle living next-door to Kelly.
And that sort of makes sense. Because Kelly equally despises Nora. And Kelly is planning to destroy Nora’s life.
The book is told in two alternating points of view. You get Nora’s perspective as well as Kelly’s.
For about 80 to 90% of the book I was all in. It’s a delicious dazzling mind game of a book that teases you because you know that something very bad happened in the past of both these women that binds them together in mutual hate.
Perhaps it has something to do with the mysterious accident that happened to their mutual friend, Beth. Both of them loved Beth , and both of them were friends with her.
I thought the sense of urgency and suspense was a 10 out of 10. But something happened that happens in a lot of domestic thrillers. That something is making me wonder whether I should continue with this genre because I’m finding it in almost every book I read and frankly I’m getting fed up.
Now I come to
SPOILERS:
In almost every book 95% of the domestic thrillers, they are now on following the same format. The good girl, the one we’re supposed to route for is revealed at the end of the book to be a psychopath, narcissist, or a complete bitch. It’s happening so often and with such frequency that I can predict it as I did with this book. I still read on hoping fervently I was wrong . I was not not.
I don’t understand why every domestic thriller is trying to be the next Gone girl. I don’t understand why instead of having just one elegant twist , we need 100 now.
This book has the perfect ending. When it was revealed to Kelly that her husband was Beth’s killer it should’ve ended shortly after that.
That was a genuine twist that I did not see coming and I bet a lot of people didn’t see coming and it would’ve been the perfect ending.
Instead, we slog on as more chapters blossom, and gradually turn Nora into a complete sociopath, who is the real murderer, and then in yet another twist murders Kelly, and then it yet another twist gets away with it, and then in yet another twist doesn’t get away with it because her DNA is on file.
I just can’t anymore with the twisty thrillers.
if any of my Goodreads friends knows of great domestic thrillers that don’t have 10,000 twists at the end , that may have only one , please send them my way or recommend them in the comment section .
This book would have been an easy four or five for me. I don’t see what was to gain by making the readers literally hate every single character practically in the book.
Making matters worse we really don’t know what happens to Nora or her husband or the baby that’s expected. Actually, the baby does arrive in the book and I think they name it Beth. It just turned from a really thoughtful engrossing and very accurate depiction of high school bullying into yet another thriller, with the same kind of ending that one can predict before even reading five pages in.
This has nothing to do with the writing or the writer. I mean everyone does it now .
I have read in the last couple of months about 4 or 5 thrillers and they all follow this format.
I’m tired of it . Please for authors of domestic thrillers please please stop following this format. A good book does not need 1 million twists to be good. This book was so much better before the swirling twists started. It really was.
I alternated between a two and three finally deciding to give it a three because it’s really very well written.
There was something in the book that I did not like, but it can only be revealed with spoilers. I’ll give a brief plot synopsis and I’ll be sure and mention when I get to the part with spoilers.
Nora is pregnant and she’s just come back to her hometown with her husband and they purchased an Uber wealthy McMansion in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the area.
What Nora does not know, cannot know Is that her next-door neighbor is also her old high school nemesis.
Kelly is her name and mindfucking is her game.
Nora has a history of depression and psychological issues. She honestly doesn’t know if she can handle living next-door to Kelly.
And that sort of makes sense. Because Kelly equally despises Nora. And Kelly is planning to destroy Nora’s life.
The book is told in two alternating points of view. You get Nora’s perspective as well as Kelly’s.
For about 80 to 90% of the book I was all in. It’s a delicious dazzling mind game of a book that teases you because you know that something very bad happened in the past of both these women that binds them together in mutual hate.
Perhaps it has something to do with the mysterious accident that happened to their mutual friend, Beth. Both of them loved Beth , and both of them were friends with her.
I thought the sense of urgency and suspense was a 10 out of 10. But something happened that happens in a lot of domestic thrillers. That something is making me wonder whether I should continue with this genre because I’m finding it in almost every book I read and frankly I’m getting fed up.
Now I come to
SPOILERS:
In almost every book 95% of the domestic thrillers, they are now on following the same format. The good girl, the one we’re supposed to route for is revealed at the end of the book to be a psychopath, narcissist, or a complete bitch. It’s happening so often and with such frequency that I can predict it as I did with this book. I still read on hoping fervently I was wrong . I was not not.
I don’t understand why every domestic thriller is trying to be the next Gone girl. I don’t understand why instead of having just one elegant twist , we need 100 now.
This book has the perfect ending. When it was revealed to Kelly that her husband was Beth’s killer it should’ve ended shortly after that.
That was a genuine twist that I did not see coming and I bet a lot of people didn’t see coming and it would’ve been the perfect ending.
Instead, we slog on as more chapters blossom, and gradually turn Nora into a complete sociopath, who is the real murderer, and then in yet another twist murders Kelly, and then it yet another twist gets away with it, and then in yet another twist doesn’t get away with it because her DNA is on file.
I just can’t anymore with the twisty thrillers.
if any of my Goodreads friends knows of great domestic thrillers that don’t have 10,000 twists at the end , that may have only one , please send them my way or recommend them in the comment section .
This book would have been an easy four or five for me. I don’t see what was to gain by making the readers literally hate every single character practically in the book.
Making matters worse we really don’t know what happens to Nora or her husband or the baby that’s expected. Actually, the baby does arrive in the book and I think they name it Beth. It just turned from a really thoughtful engrossing and very accurate depiction of high school bullying into yet another thriller, with the same kind of ending that one can predict before even reading five pages in.
This has nothing to do with the writing or the writer. I mean everyone does it now .
I have read in the last couple of months about 4 or 5 thrillers and they all follow this format.
I’m tired of it . Please for authors of domestic thrillers please please stop following this format. A good book does not need 1 million twists to be good. This book was so much better before the swirling twists started. It really was.
July 15, 2023
"Someday I’ll be ready to move on in life, but not yet. Not until I get my revenge.Tomorrow, everything will change."
I received an ARC of this in return for an honest review.
This story is told from the POV of two women; Nora and Kelly. Its also a dual timeline, so we follow both girls when they were in high school, up to the point that their mutual friend dies.
This was such a great book, filled with suspense, unreliable narrators, and plenty of twists. I flew through this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm very excited to take a look at the authors other work.
I received an ARC of this in return for an honest review.
This story is told from the POV of two women; Nora and Kelly. Its also a dual timeline, so we follow both girls when they were in high school, up to the point that their mutual friend dies.
This was such a great book, filled with suspense, unreliable narrators, and plenty of twists. I flew through this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm very excited to take a look at the authors other work.
July 24, 2023
The Jealous Wife was an interesting book about two women, Nora and Kelly who knew each other in high school and shared a friend, Beth, who died. Afterher death, Nora moved away and started a whole new life, but then decided to move back to her hometown, with her husband, when she became pregnant. By coincidence, her next door neighbor happens to be Kelly. This book had many twists and turns. I was constantly changing my mind about if Beth had killed herself or was murdered. It was a surprising ending.
December 6, 2025
I thought I knew where this was going, but I didn't, and it surprised me!
December 14, 2023
I'm always going to read a James Caine book. This wasn't my favorite of his but still really good and compulsively readable. I stayed up way too late with this one!
September 18, 2025
3.75/5 ⭐️
thank you so much penguin and chiroshree for sending me this book! i binged it in two days 🫶🏻
this book is perfect for fans of the housemaid and since i loved that book, i had such high hopes diving into this one. and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. the pacing is fast right from the start, and that’s exactly what i want from a thriller. no dragging, no unnecessary details, just sharp writing and tension that keeps you turning the pages. i actually finished it in just two days because i couldn’t put it down.
i really enjoyed how easy the writing style was. sometimes thrillers can get overly complicated, but here i didn’t have to stop to google the meaning of every other word. it flowed so smoothly, making the story even more addictive. the plot itself is full of tension and suspense, and the twist? so good. i want to scream about it but i don’t want to spoil it for anyone. just know that it delivered.
overall, i had such a great time with this one. it’s fast paced, addictive, full of sharp twists, and exactly what i look for in a psychological thriller. highly recommend picking it up if you’re in the mood for something dark, tense, and binge-worthy.
comment if you want the link to get this book!
thank you so much penguin and chiroshree for sending me this book! i binged it in two days 🫶🏻
this book is perfect for fans of the housemaid and since i loved that book, i had such high hopes diving into this one. and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. the pacing is fast right from the start, and that’s exactly what i want from a thriller. no dragging, no unnecessary details, just sharp writing and tension that keeps you turning the pages. i actually finished it in just two days because i couldn’t put it down.
i really enjoyed how easy the writing style was. sometimes thrillers can get overly complicated, but here i didn’t have to stop to google the meaning of every other word. it flowed so smoothly, making the story even more addictive. the plot itself is full of tension and suspense, and the twist? so good. i want to scream about it but i don’t want to spoil it for anyone. just know that it delivered.
overall, i had such a great time with this one. it’s fast paced, addictive, full of sharp twists, and exactly what i look for in a psychological thriller. highly recommend picking it up if you’re in the mood for something dark, tense, and binge-worthy.
comment if you want the link to get this book!
September 16, 2025
Ho, letteralmente, amato questo domestic thriller!🏘
Fin dalla prima pagina mi ha presa, non vedevo l’ora di scoprire cosa fosse successo davvero a Beth, la migliore amica di Kelly e Nora: un mistero che parte dal passato e che continua nel presente; non si sa se sia morta accidentalmente, se si sia suicidata oppure che qualcuno l'abbia uccisa. Kelly e Nora non si sono mai sopportate, e quella tensione risalente dal liceo rende tutto più interessante, questo perché Nora è incinta, torna nel suo paese natale con il marito, sperando in una vita più tranquilla e per pura coincidenza la sua vicina è proprio Kelly!🏘
Lo stile è incalzante e molto scorrevole: l’autore alterna passato e presente, con i punti di vista di Nora e Kelly, così da mantenere alta l’ansia e i dubbi su chi sia affidabile.🏘
I colpi di scena nel finale sono davvero molti e mi hanno davvero sorpresa. L’ho divorato in un pomeriggio, avevo bisogno di sapere cosa fosse successo!🏘
Lo promuovo a pieni voti e lo consiglio tantissimo!🏘
Fin dalla prima pagina mi ha presa, non vedevo l’ora di scoprire cosa fosse successo davvero a Beth, la migliore amica di Kelly e Nora: un mistero che parte dal passato e che continua nel presente; non si sa se sia morta accidentalmente, se si sia suicidata oppure che qualcuno l'abbia uccisa. Kelly e Nora non si sono mai sopportate, e quella tensione risalente dal liceo rende tutto più interessante, questo perché Nora è incinta, torna nel suo paese natale con il marito, sperando in una vita più tranquilla e per pura coincidenza la sua vicina è proprio Kelly!🏘
Lo stile è incalzante e molto scorrevole: l’autore alterna passato e presente, con i punti di vista di Nora e Kelly, così da mantenere alta l’ansia e i dubbi su chi sia affidabile.🏘
I colpi di scena nel finale sono davvero molti e mi hanno davvero sorpresa. L’ho divorato in un pomeriggio, avevo bisogno di sapere cosa fosse successo!🏘
Lo promuovo a pieni voti e lo consiglio tantissimo!🏘
July 23, 2023
I received an ARC from James Caine, the author of this edge of your seat thriller in exchange for my honest review.
I can honestly say that I loved this story! I couldn't put it down. Nora, Beth and Kelly are strong characters. The story alternates from past to present and is told through the narrative of Nora and Kelly, frenemies. from high school, reunited in adulthood as neighbors.
Each describes their interaction with Beth, A friend found drowned in the late near their childhood home.
Was it an accident or murder?? Kelly is convinced it murder and Norma is her suspect. This had me trying to solve the murder myself!
Mr. Caine, I love the way you think!
I can honestly say that I loved this story! I couldn't put it down. Nora, Beth and Kelly are strong characters. The story alternates from past to present and is told through the narrative of Nora and Kelly, frenemies. from high school, reunited in adulthood as neighbors.
Each describes their interaction with Beth, A friend found drowned in the late near their childhood home.
Was it an accident or murder?? Kelly is convinced it murder and Norma is her suspect. This had me trying to solve the murder myself!
Mr. Caine, I love the way you think!
August 6, 2023
Thank you to BookSirens, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved this book. A very fast read and it kept my interest the whole time. Did not go in the direction that I thought it was taking, so unpredictable. The unexpected twists kept me guessing! What a thrill ride. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend to those who like twisty thrillers. I gave it a 5 star rating!
July 19, 2023
3.75⭐️
Kelly's husband, Ryan, is dead. She is trying to move on but can't. She is stuck being haunted by the past. The past just moved next door, and it's time for her revenge.
Nora is pregnant. Her and her husband just moved back home to Muskoka to be near her mom for when the baby comes. That's when she discovers who her new neighbor is. A presumed high-school tormentor. she'd rather be far away from, kelly.
Beth was Nora's best friend in high school. This was until Kelly moved to town. From Noras' pov, Kelly quickly grabs up Beth's crush (Ryan), gets Beth to drink and smoke, and essentially steals Nora's best friend. Suddenly, Beth is acting differently towards Nora. Nora blames Kelly. Kelly is the reason her friend is slipping away from her.
Neither woman ever got over the fact that Beth was found dead before graduation, and Nora found her.
The story is a duology of past and present. Told from mostly Nora's pov. But also Kelly's. It highlights the relationship each woman had with Beth along with the relationship they believed the other had with their friend. The teenage angst that carried into adulthood drips off the pages in remarkable clarity, getting the reader fully engrossed in the twisted tale.
This book needs some minor editing. Some of the sentences were hard to read. Commas are needed here and there. A few tenses need to be changed. Overall, though, it is a very well planned out storyline that flows in an easy reading way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kelly's husband, Ryan, is dead. She is trying to move on but can't. She is stuck being haunted by the past. The past just moved next door, and it's time for her revenge.
Nora is pregnant. Her and her husband just moved back home to Muskoka to be near her mom for when the baby comes. That's when she discovers who her new neighbor is. A presumed high-school tormentor. she'd rather be far away from, kelly.
Beth was Nora's best friend in high school. This was until Kelly moved to town. From Noras' pov, Kelly quickly grabs up Beth's crush (Ryan), gets Beth to drink and smoke, and essentially steals Nora's best friend. Suddenly, Beth is acting differently towards Nora. Nora blames Kelly. Kelly is the reason her friend is slipping away from her.
Neither woman ever got over the fact that Beth was found dead before graduation, and Nora found her.
The story is a duology of past and present. Told from mostly Nora's pov. But also Kelly's. It highlights the relationship each woman had with Beth along with the relationship they believed the other had with their friend. The teenage angst that carried into adulthood drips off the pages in remarkable clarity, getting the reader fully engrossed in the twisted tale.
This book needs some minor editing. Some of the sentences were hard to read. Commas are needed here and there. A few tenses need to be changed. Overall, though, it is a very well planned out storyline that flows in an easy reading way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2023
Liked it. I need ending explained
September 6, 2025
James Caine doesn't write superficial thrillers, period! The stories he weaves is layered with sharp edged twists, spiralling turns, clever manipulation and unpredictable top - tiers. I have being an ardent reader of his works, and i was absolutely excited to read his latest, "The Jealous Wife." And I was not disappointed.
The story follows Nora who has happily moved in to her hometown with her husband as they are going to new parents. But it soon comes crashing down when Kelly comes face to face with her neighbour. She is none other than Kelly, her high school friend/ enemy. Kelly, the ever charming and recently widowed is not who she seems to be. And in the past, Kelly was the reason behind Nora's departure from her hometown.
As she begins to gradually reveal her true intentions, Nora suspect Kelly might as well destroy everything she holds dear.
This psychological thriller undeniably puts forward the best manipulation elements into focus. As I aforementioned, I was not disappoint. It was fast-paced and engaging with incredible twists and turns that would leave the readers surprised. Following a dual perspectives, the narrative holds an immensely powerful chain of events that enthralled me. Nora and Kelly are two protagonists who have secrets, lies and buried truths connect them together yet as the story unravels one side emerges as the only truth.
The story follows Nora who has happily moved in to her hometown with her husband as they are going to new parents. But it soon comes crashing down when Kelly comes face to face with her neighbour. She is none other than Kelly, her high school friend/ enemy. Kelly, the ever charming and recently widowed is not who she seems to be. And in the past, Kelly was the reason behind Nora's departure from her hometown.
As she begins to gradually reveal her true intentions, Nora suspect Kelly might as well destroy everything she holds dear.
This psychological thriller undeniably puts forward the best manipulation elements into focus. As I aforementioned, I was not disappoint. It was fast-paced and engaging with incredible twists and turns that would leave the readers surprised. Following a dual perspectives, the narrative holds an immensely powerful chain of events that enthralled me. Nora and Kelly are two protagonists who have secrets, lies and buried truths connect them together yet as the story unravels one side emerges as the only truth.
August 11, 2023
This was my first time reading a book by Mr. Caine. I actually got an ARC copy in advance but just got around to doing my review. It started off interesting and kept my attention the whole time. I liked most of the characters and enjoyed their dynamics with each other. I liked like the twists he added and I’m looking forward to reading other books by him. I’d recommend his books to veteran thriller readers and people new to the genre as well.
August 6, 2025
Un thriller leggero ma che mi ha colpito molto x la sua scrittura e il colpo di scena finale.
Consigliato
Consigliato
October 20, 2023
SO GOOD. Couldn’t put this book down! wasn’t expecting the end at all!!
July 22, 2023
When I first read the premise of this novel, I knew I would be immediately invested. Even though I don't know much about the eastern Canada being a west coast Canadian, I found the atmosphere of Muskoka Lake to be reminiscent of many other small, wealthy towns. I thought both the main characters of Nora and Kelly were developed so well and I found myself empathizing with both of them at various points throughout the story.
I also loved the dual timelines that converged by the end to show the shocking twists that I truly wasn't expecting. This was a fantastic, fast-paced novel and I'll definitely be picking up James Caine's future works.
I received an ARC from this author in exchange for an honest review.
I also loved the dual timelines that converged by the end to show the shocking twists that I truly wasn't expecting. This was a fantastic, fast-paced novel and I'll definitely be picking up James Caine's future works.
I received an ARC from this author in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2023
I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Jealous Wife centers around 2 women, Nora and Kelly, who grew up in a small town where they lost their friend in a tragedy. When Kelly realizes that her new neighbor is none other than Nora, she starts to enact a series of extreme plans to avenge Beth's untimely death.
Nora blames Kelly for taking Beth's attention from her in high school and her insecurities land her in hot water with her husband. Both Nora and Kelly are dramatic to the max which kind of makes this book read like a high school drama. Yes, part of this story does occur during their Senior year, but the attitudes and cliques remain well into their adulthood. The tropes are familiar ones: best friends, new kid in school, popular jock, fat-kid-turned-cop, crushes, heartbreak, underage drinking, meaningless sex. Unfortunately, the story didn't produce any gasps of surprise and the vendetta that Kelly had against Nora was as petty as they came.
Overall, it was a quick read but definitely not my favorite by this author.
The Jealous Wife centers around 2 women, Nora and Kelly, who grew up in a small town where they lost their friend in a tragedy. When Kelly realizes that her new neighbor is none other than Nora, she starts to enact a series of extreme plans to avenge Beth's untimely death.
Nora blames Kelly for taking Beth's attention from her in high school and her insecurities land her in hot water with her husband. Both Nora and Kelly are dramatic to the max which kind of makes this book read like a high school drama. Yes, part of this story does occur during their Senior year, but the attitudes and cliques remain well into their adulthood. The tropes are familiar ones: best friends, new kid in school, popular jock, fat-kid-turned-cop, crushes, heartbreak, underage drinking, meaningless sex. Unfortunately, the story didn't produce any gasps of surprise and the vendetta that Kelly had against Nora was as petty as they came.
Overall, it was a quick read but definitely not my favorite by this author.
October 12, 2023
Very rarely do I give a book only two stars, but this one definitely earned it for me. First, it dragged on forever with nothing actually happening. It did keep me engrossed with the anticipation of some big twist, but that never came. The writing itself sounded very amateur and at one point I actually had to check to see if I had mistakenly chosen a young adult novel. When we finally arrive at the climax of the book, it’s over so quickly it makes you question your own sanity. I’m an avid thriller reader so I do understand the need for a non linear plot, but this one? All over the place, and not in a good way. Oh, and plot holes galore! The kind of book that leaves you feeling annoyed about the time you wasted reading it.
February 28, 2025
Finally finished my mission of reading all the James Caine books on my kindle. Unfortunately the last one was also one of my least favourites. It was longer than the others but not for any good reason. Not that much happened and nothing that awful? I didn’t feel any sense of suspense, and it was clear from all of Kelly’s internal dialogue that she wasn’t a bad person so I was never worried what she was up to. I suppose Nora was the big twist but that wasn’t that interesting either, and she was quite irritating when this happened. I also didn’t like where it ended, I understand it was meant to be a dramatic finish but the end was the only semi-good part of the book so it would’ve been nice to read more about this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2023
The Jealous Wife was an excellent read. The three main characters-Nora, Beth, and Kelly-dance around each other over the entire story. There were several twists, up until the the very end. In fact, I wondered if there would be another installment still to come.
Extremely satisfying. I’ll look for more from this author. I’m officially a fan!
Extremely satisfying. I’ll look for more from this author. I’m officially a fan!
September 6, 2023
I think I’ll be one of the rare ones, as I did not enjoy this one at all. It’s a amateurish thriller and the end is just okay. There’s basically nothing happening throughout the book as whatever planning is happening, it’s happening for a murder committed in the past. The past-present POVs aren’t great either.
I just didn’t enjoy this one sadly.
I just didn’t enjoy this one sadly.
August 5, 2023
This was a page-turner with great twists thrown in. A story of revenge and relationships gone wrong. Great ending!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2023
Good, suspenseful story. Kept me guessing which character was the villain. Nice twist at the end!
February 17, 2024
3.5 kept me entertained but didn’t feel like the ending was shocking
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