How the Affair Ends

by Winter K. Willis

In this gripping psychological thriller, Marissa's seemingly perfect life takes a dark turn as night descends on her world. Living the American dream, she's married to a successful surgeon, finding joy in teaching high school English. But beneath the surface, her husband remains distant, leaving her feeling lonely and trapped. Everything changes when she crosses paths with Adam. Their fateful encounter at work sparks a love that refuses to be ignored, leading Marissa down a dangerous path filled with thrilling twists. Caught between the addictive allure of a forbidden romance and the duty to keep her family intact, Marissa's life takes a precarious turn. As secrets unravel and emotions collide, Marissa discovers Adam's enigmatic and sinister side. The night becomes a battleground for her heart and soul as she fights to keep her desires in check and protect her family. In this gripping tale of love, deceit, and suspense, Marissa is faced with life-altering choices that will challenge her to the core. Can she navigate the treacherous maze of passion and loyalty while keeping her perfect facade intact, or will her actions lead to a thrilling and unforeseen climax? Only time will tell as Marissa's journey takes her on a suspenseful ride where danger and desire meet.

234 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2023

About the author

Winter K. Willis is a pseudonym for our two-person writing team. We like to think of it as our band name.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marissa is a lost soul, searching for a love that has been lost. On the surface, it seems like she has it all. A fulfilling career, wonderful children, and a loving husband. What more could she want? It's quickly revealed that all is not as it seems. Questionable decisions lead Marissa down a dark path where each turn may lead to the end of all that she holds dear. This psychological thriller was twisty and intense with a constant sense of foreboding. It's fast-paced and had me hooked immediately. Thank you, BookSirens for my copy.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story about self sabotage and the careless decisions a person can make when they’re left in a vulnerable state. Marissa is stuck, going through the motions of everyday life, simply existing and not living. A successful husband that is called into surgeries at all times of day/night, 2 teenage kids that are busy with their sports, friends and lives & Marissa ends up spending more evenings alone than with her family. When she crosses paths with Adam, he lights a spark in her that she hadn’t felt in years. Is Adam a good catch or does he have sinister motives for perusing her?

Overall, it’s a decent read for fans of domestic thrillers with relationship dramas. I enjoyed the audiobook, although the narrator was a bit monotone at times, it was still a decent performance.

[Emma Sowa · Rating 2 out of 5]

lackluster

The book was anti climactic. Not a good tying up of loose ends. Just not a good read. I basically read every other paragraph trying to get to a place where it picked up. It didn’t.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

terrible

Completely amateur. Errors throughout the book, even using the wrong name for one of the main characters children. I guess this book was not edited before it was published. Don’t waste your time.

[Alyssa Spies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but poor editing

Good story, but poor editing. There were wrong names and incorrect words throughout the story. I’ve now noticed this on 3 books I’ve read by this author.

[Monica Mil-Homens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um Thriller psicológico bem leve e interessante. Não me motivou tanto como os outros dois livros dos autores mas cumpriu o seu propósito. Marissa é uma esposa e professora dedicada, mas que se sente muito sozinha tendo em conta que o marido cirurgião está sempre ou quase sempre ausente e os filhos já são crescidos o suficiente para estarem a fazer-lhe companhia. Quando conhece Adam, um jovem encantador, também professor, nada faria prever que o mesmo não era de todo quem ela pensava. Quando Adam se revela, Marissa já está demasiado envolvida emocionalmente (e não só) e a vida como ela a conhece (e da sua família toda) nunca mais vai ser a mesma. Gostei muito da narrativa, da forma como toda a estória é conduzida, dos diferentes POV, e quando acabarem o livro, leiam o capítulo extra no website dos autores que vale a pena após o final enigmático e diria merecido. É uma verdadeira espiral de voltas e reviravoltas que fazem com que se leia muito rapidamente e sem qualquer aborrecimento. Recomendo!


ENG: A very light and interesting psychological thriller. It didn't motivate me as much as the authors' other two books but it fulfilled its purpose. Marissa is a dedicated wife and teacher, but she feels very lonely considering that her surgeon husband is always or almost always away and her children are old enough to keep her company. When she met Adam, a charming young man, also a teacher, nothing would have predicted that he was not at all who she thought he was. When Adam reveals himself, Marissa is already too emotionally involved (and more) and life as she knows it (and that of her entire family) will never be the same. I really liked the narrative, the way the whole story is conducted, the different POV, and when you finish the book, read the extra chapter on the authors' website which is worth it after the enigmatic ending and I would say deserved. It's a real spiral of twists and turns that make it read very quickly and without any hassle. I recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

@bibliotecamil_insta /bibliotecamil.wordpress.com

[larry Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

A woman married to a Surgeon felt .neglected she swore that she loves her husband then broke her vows became an Adultress and cheated on her husband .She lied to her best friend who was also a Teacher because rumors were circulating the Miressa was sleeping with student teacher . How could such a smart woman be so stupid. We all know you can not fix stupid . She was warned by her friend who she lied to that if she was having an affair and caught she would lose her teachers licence and probably her husband would find out.
In the end she lost her husband ,her job .she was in an accident and hurt badly .her children do not .want to be near her and there is absolutely no chance that her husband will ever want her His life . Married said to herself that she did so.drying that was just stupid, and as a reader I totally hatred but what she did was catastrofic. Those orgasims and face time she had with her lover destroyed her entire life . In this story only one of her sons will speak to her and even he is not.so close ,her daughter and the other son wil! Not have anything to do with her .its only na story and well written but this stuff happen every day in this 2025 time line If she was so dissatisfied she could have divorced with irreconcilable difference Since she cou!d not live the life her husband presented her with ,she would have joint custody of the children , and child support .
If you are married tomam.doctor and you are unhappy to the point t you are considering cheating because you are !only ,just get a divorce because cheaters always get caught .its a gamble and the dice always turn up.snake eyes Just a matter of when

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a masterclass in how to ruin one’s own life.

Marissa is a teacher in a stagnant marriage, with two nearly grown children. She isn’t especially happy, but isn’t unhappy… until she meets Adam. Adam is student teaching in her department and an unfortunate series of events lands them in a classroom together. And then at a party together. And then in his apartment together. And then… you get the picture. By the time Marissa realizes her giant mistake, Adam is hooked on her and won’t take no for an answer.

First, I feel it is important to note there were So. Many. Grammatical. Errors.

Lots of comma splices and run- ons. It didn’t interfere with understanding, but it was distracting.

Overall, this book was enjoyable, but not much of a thriller. There was a great deal of drama. Marissa deliberates over her decisions, lies to everyone she knows, and ultimately implodes. Meanwhile, Adam knows Marissa just barely from the past and dedicates his life to upending hers. Weird? Yes. Thriller? Not so much. I wasn’t bored, exactly, but anyone can see where the book is going. The only thrilling part is a small twist at the end, but even that felt lacking.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jordan Leikel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.75/5.

**No spoilers in this review**

I have to note first off, that the numerous grammatical errors in this were extremely distracting from the story line, especially when they include naming incorrect characters multiple times... The title of this book basically says it all and leaves very little room for mystery. There was drama of course but nothing that kept me on the edge of my seat with the burning desire to keep reading so I'm not sure I would consider it a "thriller". It all felt fairly predictable even the "twist" at the end. This book is a clear example on how to ruin your own life. The main character blows up her life and then comes off as if she is looking for sympathy when she has to deal with the consequences of her own actions. Reading this book felt like watching a movie where the whole time you're yelling at the characters "DON'T DO IT" and they do it anyways, it's so obvious to the readers AND to the main character how poor her choices are. It's a fairly short book though so it was easy to finish in one sitting and I liked the short chapters format.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Koogler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great quick read with enough suspense, twists, and plot to keep the pages turning. When Melissa realizes her marriage has become boring and lacking in love (despite her numerous attempts to rekindle the romance), she finds the affection and passion of her student teacher to be just what she was longing for….or is it? This is the second book I have read by this writing team and I have enjoyed both books.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was great except that whoever wrote this E-book, made a mistake throughout the whole book!! Every time I get to the next chapter they started with an I and goes with the next word like Ithank, throughout the whole book? What is up with that? Maybe I should write an E-book, at least, I use proper grammar and would never start with an I and no space in between?? I should get paid for this mistake. Hopefully it won't happen with the next e-book I read. Thanks again Goodreads🤬🤬

[Krystal Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! I was hooked from the beginning. It kept my attention the whole time, and had great twists and turns. The ending left me wanting more. This was the second book I've read from this author, and they were both great!

[Carol Gulick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good premise

Good story line, but some glaring errors. Grammar, and one time Chloe was referred to as Mary. Proof readers needed.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nerve-wracking in a good way

[Tjaša Kirn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I firstly thought this was gonna be just another romance, but no! It becomes a good thriller. Wint K. Willis duo does write good romans.

[Cynthia Schieler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like I was reading a redundant journal the 1st 80%. I thought the ending was going to get good, but was very anticlimactic.

[Darcie Wertz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending weak

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advance copy of this book in a day, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
'Oh what a web of lies we weave, when first we practice to deceive' sums up this page-turner.
Mariska, a teacher married to James, a successful surgeon with two children, Chloe and Zack, pays the price for a foolish decision. Very attracted to her teaching assistant, Adam, she takes the plunge of entering into an affair with him and in so doing turns her life upside down, not to mention endangering the lives of her husband and children. One feels sorry for her up to a point considering that James rarely has time for her, but her immaturity and stupidity in getting involved with her assistant who must be at least a decade younger than her had me shaking my head. Add to this her propensity to keep lying, and the chances of things going pear-shaped was a given.
Adam is not nearly as innocent as originally assumed, hailing from a dysfunctional home as a child.
The ending was open to a sequel that I would willingly read.
Because I read an early copy, I am hoping that an editor will fix the obvious errors, including 😑 naming incorrect characters.
I find the collaboration of the two writers who publish under the name Winter K Willis interesting. 4 stars