Kimberley Chambers is back and back with a boom in this action packed family gangland drama that once starts hurtles along at full throttle right up to the last sentence
There are a lot ( a real lot ) of characters but once you re meet the ones from previous books and get to know the new ones it quickly falls into place who is who and what is why!
Its non stop revenge, secrets, murky goings on with laughs to sweeten some of the dodgier dealings and as always a real sense of family ( not always loyalty mind ) throughout
Loved it and even the characters loathed loved loathing, brilliant
The queen of gangland thrillers Kimberley Chambers is back with Essex Wives, and once again she’s delivered a gritty, wickedly entertaining read that hooks you from the very first page.
This story focuses on the women behind the gangland world, loyal, fierce, and far stronger than they first appear. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, it quickly becomes clear that trust is a dangerous game and no one is safe from betrayal.
Kimberley Chambers has such a gift for creating bold, larger than life characters that feel completely real. You might not always like their choices, but you can’t help but get drawn into their lives. The dialogue is spot on as always, full of humour, grit, and emotion, which really brings everything to life.
I won’t go into too much detail about the plot because this is definitely one to enjoy without spoilers, but it’s a real page turner with plenty of drama to keep you hooked.
Essex Wives has everything fans have come to expect, grit, emotion, and unforgettable characters. Another brilliant read from Kimberley Chambers. Highly recommended.
Waited so long for this book but deffo worth the wait. Love her books. I did have to refresh my memories at times what happened in the previous one but nevertheless I couldn’t put it down xx
As a long-time fan of Kimberley Chambers, I’ve been eagerly waiting for her latest release — and Essex Wives was absolutely worth the wait. This third instalment in the series delivers everything we’ve come to expect from Chambers: gritty realism, hard-hitting drama, and characters so vivid they feel larger than life. At the heart of the story are strong, complex women, each battling their own demons. What brings them together is a shared determination for revenge, and it’s this fierce loyalty and resilience that drives the novel forward. Chambers writes formidable female characters like no one else,tough, flawed, and emotionally raw. But while the women take centre stage, the men are just as compelling. In the dangerous world they inhabit, strength is essential , yet each of them has a weakness, whether it’s temptation, love, or the desperate need to protect their families. This balance makes the characters feel real and layered, not just ruthless gangland figures. The novel is packed with treachery, tension, and dark twists, but what I love most about Chambers’ writing is her ability to take readers to the bleakest places and then suddenly pull at your heartstrings. The emotional depth adds real weight to the violence and revenge. The story grips you from beginning to end.I genuinely couldn’t put it down. I also loved the guest appearances from a couple of familiar characters from previous books — a real treat for loyal readers. Having enjoyed The Family Man and The Brothers, I can honestly say this one affected me the most. It’s powerful, intense, and completely absorbing. Without giving anything away, I’m already hoping we’ll get to revisit some of these characters again. A brilliant, gritty gangland read Kimberley Chambers at her very best.
1999, Essex: Sharon, Jolene and Evie have one thing in common - they've all been burned by one of the Bond boys. Sharon's seeking retribution after her husband's affair. Jolene yearns to get her own back on the man that destroyed her life. And Evie is fighting to protect her family from the bad boy her daughter married. Hell has no fury like a woman scorned.... As the turn of the millennium rounds the corner, this is one year that will go out with a bang.
I absolutely adore Kimberley Chambers and I definitely wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of one of her characters.
Sharon, Jolene and Evie have all been mistreated by the Bond brothers, so they decide it's time for them to take revenge. It's 1999 and the millennium is fast approaching. But things aren't going to plan.
I loved some of the characters in this book, and I liked that for a change, it was the women that were out for revenge. We also get some characters from some of Kimberley's previous books, and it was nice to see them again even if it was only for a short while. There were some good twists and surprises along the way.
Published 12th March 2026
In would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #KimberleyChambers for my ARC of #EssexWives in exchange for an honest review.
In the third book of the Bond series the women take centre stage. Sharon, Jolene, and Evie have all been burned by one of the notorious Bonds and all three women want revenge –
Sharon’s seeking retribution after her husband’s affair. Jolene yearns to get her own back on the man that destroyed her life. And Evie is fighting to protect her family from the bad boy her daughter married.
Set in Essex in 1999 on the turn of the millennium, we are reacquainted with the characters we have loved and those we have loved to hate in the previous two books of the series. As a long-time fan of Kimberley Chambers, I have been eagerly waiting for this book and was not disappointed. Kim is one of the rare authors who’s books I would pick up without reading the synopsis; you know that you are always guaranteed a great read. Her books are gritty, hard hitting and full of strong characters, who you can’t help liking no matter how rogue they are. This book is no exception.
The story takes you through a myriad of emotions and you can’t help but become invested in it. I loved the way that a couple of familiar characters from another of Kim’s series were seamlessly slotted into the plot, what a lovely surprise for long-term fans.
I absolutely adored this book; it had me gripped from the first page and didn’t let up until the end. An amazing read and very easy 5 stars.
The eponymous “Essex Wives”, Sharon, Jolene, and Evie, have one thing in common, to exact revenge on the notorious Bond boys!
Sharon is seeking retribution after her husband’s affair.
Jolene yearns to get her own back on the man who destroyed her life.
And Evie is fighting to protect her family from the bad boy her daughter married.
It’s 1999, but by the time of Evie’s millennium party, the fireworks won’t be the only explosive event, as the showdown of all showdowns is set to take place!
Another cracking read, from the talent that is Ms Kimberley Chambers. It is hard to find anything wrong with “Essex Wives”, and I’m not even going to try. It’s everything that one has come to expect from this author - a gangland thriller that works until the very last pages, gifting you a magnificent, thrilling and immensely satisfying book.
*I was invited to read “Essex Wives” by the publisher and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
This one pulled me in straight away and kept me hooked throughout. The writing style is just so easy to get into, and the drama between the families makes it such an entertaining read.
Although this is a standalone, I would definitely recommend reading the previous books first. There are a lot of returning characters and references to earlier storylines, and without that background it could feel a little confusing or hard to fully follow.
That said, once you’re in it, the stories, the chaos and all the family shenanigans are brilliant once again. It’s packed with drama, tension and those moments that keep you turning the pages.
A really enjoyable read that delivers exactly what you expect from this author 👀📖
I love Kimberley Chambers books, especially the series. I feel like you get to know that much about the characters that you are a part of the book if that makes sense. The Butler series was my favourite and I used to think about the characters after I’d finished the books. I loved the appearance of characters from the other books in this one and did enjoy it on a whole. I was a little bit disappointed with the Beau story line. Is this the end of the line for the Bond’s? It kind of feels like it but the door could still be open for another instalment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my advanced reading copy.
This is another great gangland crime thriller from Kimberley Chambers. There’s lots of characters in this book and it took a while for me to slot them all into place in my mind from the previous books. Sharon, Jolene and Evie have all been involved with men who’ve been on the wrong side of the law and in this book, we follow them as they decide enough is enough. A lot of the story also centres around twins Beau and Brett who are linked to all three women by family ties. This is a gripping thriller that I really enjoyed. Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.
Its 1999. Essex Wives, Sharon,Jolene and Evie are out for revenge after all been burned by the Bond boys. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. From the Sunday times best selling queen of London gangland crime Chambers has delivered and this has been well worth waiting for. Unputdownable, reading. Mind-blowing chapters, heartbreaking and unique setting your emotions haywire. This book right to the dynamic end is all about revenge. Leaving new beginnings, to wronged essex wives who survived.
Three women, Sharon, Jolene and Evie have been wronged by the notorious Bond brothers. So, each of them decide to seek out some revenge. But little do they that the brothers are about to change things in the event of the year. A party to celebrate the millennium. But things go badly wrong. It has been a long time waiting but Kimberley Chambers has written another fantastic gritty crime drama set in Essex in 1999. This is another action-packed story about family, loyalty and had some sad bits in it too. This is another unputdownable read that I really enjoyed. 5 stars from me.
The women are on the wards path!! Beau and Brett are twins and inseparable. Beau was married with 3 children and when the marriage ended he put a hit out on his ex wife or did he?? she ended up with acid being thrown in her face but he denied all knowledge. Kenny, the twins grandad is at his wits end with them and has them currently holed up in Spain, as they needed to flee England quickly. ???? Is Beau out of control? A tale of love, lies, deceipt, Betrayal, murder, it has it all. fantastic as always.....
Essex Wives is a gritty crime thriller set in Essex in 1999.The story follows three women Sharon ,Jolene and Evie who have all been wronged by men from the notorious Bond Family. Each women has her own reason for revenge. As the millennium turns their personal vendettas intersect in a story of deception, betrayal and retribution, A fast paced page turning read with some great characters .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.
This is the third book in the Bond Family series. It’s been two years since I read The.Brothers, So to refresh my memory of the characters and story.line I went back and re read the first two books.. it was so good to be back in Essex and getting reacquainted with the characters, What a great cast of characters and the strength and determination of the female characters. From start to finish I was completely hooked on this brilliant story and read it in one sitting.
Oh my goodness, this book hits you hard. Full of excitement, danger, and gritty crime, it delivers everything you could ask for. The characters are well-developed and engaging. Set in 1999, the story revolves around Joleen, Sharon, and Evie, who have been wronged by the Bond brothers and are seeking payback and revenge. It's great to see some older characters included as well. This is a brilliant crime novel that will keep you on your toes!
Wow! This book was well worth the wait. Picking up the Bond family storylines but with cameos from some of her other series this book is a rollercoaster from the get go!
I had no idea where it was going to go, there were a few big twists and shocks. It was compulsive reading! If you have read the other books in this series get your hands on this book ASAP!
I’ve read all the books in this series, and the way the author has tied everything together is just so good. It’s great catching up with all the characters, and the women in this book are incredibly strong. The story has it all—laughter, greed, and lies—and its addictive from the very beginning. I didn’t want it to end. Never underestimate a strong woman.
Brilliant book. Wraps the series up well Love the ending So many characters but lucky we knew most of them. Great to put them all together so we knew what happened to everyone
Sad, funny and kept me reading as I didn't want the book to end
Loved the whole follow up of the twins family and Jolene's family. No spoilers but it was very sad in one part which I guessed was coming. I've read all of Kimberley's books and loved all of them, but my all time favourite is still the one with Vinny in.
Fabulous read yet again from Kimberley Chambers. The was the third and final book in the trilogy and I was so sad to finish as this story really gripped me from start to finish. I literally couldn’t put it down.
I’ve been a Kimberly Chambers fan since her very first book.. This was a little disappointing. Too many characters, not much of a plot and the last chapter was really rushed. Still I will look forward to thr next one !!