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The Girl in the Window
Every morning on my way to work, I settle with my cappuccino in the corner of my favourite café, Angelo’s, and watch the world go by.
I’m especially riveted by the flat across the street. It’s where a pretty brunette comes and goes. I try to imagine things about her. Her age. Her life. Her background. What makes her tick.
Once a week at least, a man in cycling gear rings her bell. Sometimes he dares kiss her on the lips. More often, the door is swiftly closed, and he follows her up the stairs. I watch bereft, and imagine all sorts of things.
It’s all regular as clockwork. He’s never late. He always wears the same cycling outfit. He’s not a Lycra sort of man. His new helmet, with an edging of red around the black, is as far as he’ll go to appear professional.
I’ve worked out lots about him from just watching. But then I know a whole lot more about him too.
Because he’s my husband.
Keeping a secret life from an unsuspecting wife takes not a little cunning. But I’m no longer an unsuspecting wife. The question is, will I be able to keep the knowledge of what I know from my husband……until I decide what I’m going to do.
I’m especially riveted by the flat across the street. It’s where a pretty brunette comes and goes. I try to imagine things about her. Her age. Her life. Her background. What makes her tick.
Once a week at least, a man in cycling gear rings her bell. Sometimes he dares kiss her on the lips. More often, the door is swiftly closed, and he follows her up the stairs. I watch bereft, and imagine all sorts of things.
It’s all regular as clockwork. He’s never late. He always wears the same cycling outfit. He’s not a Lycra sort of man. His new helmet, with an edging of red around the black, is as far as he’ll go to appear professional.
I’ve worked out lots about him from just watching. But then I know a whole lot more about him too.
Because he’s my husband.
Keeping a secret life from an unsuspecting wife takes not a little cunning. But I’m no longer an unsuspecting wife. The question is, will I be able to keep the knowledge of what I know from my husband……until I decide what I’m going to do.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2024
607 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Diana Wilkinson
18 books270 followersDiana Wilkinson graduated from Durham University with a degree in geography, then after a short spell in teaching, spent most of her working life in the business of tennis development.
A former Irish international player, Diana finally stepped off the tennis court to become a full-time writer.
The inspiration for much of her work has come from the ladies she coached over the years and from confidences share over coffee.
4 Riverside Close is Diana's first crime novel, published by Bloodhound Books on 30th March 2020.
You Are Mine, her second thriller, is due for release on 1st June 202.
Born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the height of the civil unrest, she now lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her husband son.
A former Irish international player, Diana finally stepped off the tennis court to become a full-time writer.
The inspiration for much of her work has come from the ladies she coached over the years and from confidences share over coffee.
4 Riverside Close is Diana's first crime novel, published by Bloodhound Books on 30th March 2020.
You Are Mine, her second thriller, is due for release on 1st June 202.
Born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the height of the civil unrest, she now lives in Hertfordshire, England, with her husband son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
December 5, 2024
The Girl in the Window is Diana Wilkinson’s latest thriller. Izzy goes to a little cafe and she sees her husband across the street with another woman and a child. Is he seeing her? Is that kid his? Secrets, lies, twists and turns throughout. I felt it was a little long but it kept me wanting more. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published December 13, 2024.
December 16, 2024
Diana Wilinson is a brand new author for me, although I see she has written quite a few books. The description lured me into reading this one.
Description:
Every morning on my way to work, I settle with my cappuccino in the corner of my favourite café, Angelo’s, and watch the world go by.
I’m especially riveted by the flat across the street. It’s where a pretty brunette comes and goes. I try to imagine things about her. Her age. Her life. Her background. What makes her tick.
Once a week at least, a man in cycling gear rings her bell. Sometimes he dares kiss her on the lips. More often, the door is swiftly closed, and he follows her up the stairs. I watch bereft, and imagine all sorts of things.
It’s all regular as clockwork. He’s never late. He always wears the same cycling outfit. He’s not a Lycra sort of man. His new helmet, with an edging of red around the black, is as far as he’ll go to appear professional.
I’ve worked out lots about him from just watching. But then I know a whole lot more about him too.
Because he’s my husband.
Keeping a secret life from an unsuspecting wife takes not a little cunning. But I’m no longer an unsuspecting wife. The question is, will I be able to keep the knowledge of what I know from my husband……until I decide what I’m going to do.
My Thoughts:
I can't imagine being a wife and watching your husband regularly visit another woman wihtout saying anything! Such a strange situation. Lots of secrets and lies, and the ending was a surprise. I think those who like domestic thrillers will probably enjoy this one.
Thanks to Boldwood Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Every morning on my way to work, I settle with my cappuccino in the corner of my favourite café, Angelo’s, and watch the world go by.
I’m especially riveted by the flat across the street. It’s where a pretty brunette comes and goes. I try to imagine things about her. Her age. Her life. Her background. What makes her tick.
Once a week at least, a man in cycling gear rings her bell. Sometimes he dares kiss her on the lips. More often, the door is swiftly closed, and he follows her up the stairs. I watch bereft, and imagine all sorts of things.
It’s all regular as clockwork. He’s never late. He always wears the same cycling outfit. He’s not a Lycra sort of man. His new helmet, with an edging of red around the black, is as far as he’ll go to appear professional.
I’ve worked out lots about him from just watching. But then I know a whole lot more about him too.
Because he’s my husband.
Keeping a secret life from an unsuspecting wife takes not a little cunning. But I’m no longer an unsuspecting wife. The question is, will I be able to keep the knowledge of what I know from my husband……until I decide what I’m going to do.
My Thoughts:
I can't imagine being a wife and watching your husband regularly visit another woman wihtout saying anything! Such a strange situation. Lots of secrets and lies, and the ending was a surprise. I think those who like domestic thrillers will probably enjoy this one.
Thanks to Boldwood Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
April 11, 2025
Not bad if you like a popcorn thriller, especially a domestic thriller. This is my first book by this author. I thought the premise was intriguing. A woman named Izzy, writes an advice column called “Dear Bella” for a magazine. Every day she sits in her favorite coffee house while she writes. Across the street she watches a woman and her son in their apartment and imagines who she is, what kind of person she is, and what her relationship is with “the man” who frequently visits her. Only, she knows the man. He’s her husband. Convinced her husband is having an affair and that he must be the child’s father, she sets out to find out what is really going on. She starts to write made-up letters to her own advice column. Stories that imitate her own life from fake people seeking advice about a cheating husband, all the while knowing that her husband may be reading them.
Unfortunately, the characters are not very likeable and the story just wasn’t exciting enough to keep me interested. Told from Izzy’s POV only, it seems to read like Izzy is a crazy jealous wife because it’s never clear her husband was doing anything other than visiting this woman. I won’t give anymore away than that. I’ll just say that this story was anti-climatic and the twists fell short for me. Please read others reviews as I may an outlier here.
I’m giving this book 3 wine glasses 🍷🍷🍷
I’m catching up on my arc reviews 🫣
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to review this arc in exchange for my honest review. Available now.
Unfortunately, the characters are not very likeable and the story just wasn’t exciting enough to keep me interested. Told from Izzy’s POV only, it seems to read like Izzy is a crazy jealous wife because it’s never clear her husband was doing anything other than visiting this woman. I won’t give anymore away than that. I’ll just say that this story was anti-climatic and the twists fell short for me. Please read others reviews as I may an outlier here.
I’m giving this book 3 wine glasses 🍷🍷🍷
I’m catching up on my arc reviews 🫣
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to review this arc in exchange for my honest review. Available now.
November 4, 2024
This book is a rollicking good time! Izzy is a columnist who writes a "Dear Bella" column and often makes up her own stories if the submitted ones are too bland. She sits every morning in a coffee shop and from the front window she can see the apartments across the street where a young woman and son reside. But one morning she sees her own husband, Jed there as he is hit by a car leaving on his bicycle. Now she's really intrigued! But then handsome contractor, Adam who is developing an area where her mother-in-law lives catches her eye and while she's not interested in cheating, she is so confused that she contemplates it. And then things get interesting...and ugly! It's a roller coaster ride that had me hanging on every word!
Thanks to NetGalley. for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley. for this ARC!
December 11, 2024
1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of The Girl In The Window.
Izzy sits in her favorite coffeehouse at her favorite table in the corner while she watches people doing their daily routines. She has been going there for months now watching her husband from the window have an affair. She does not want to confront him but she decides to investigate and she starts to see that maybe her husband has been lying from the beginning.
I feel like this book had absolutely no plot or storyline and instead talked about multiple different people and how they were possibly connected. I honestly could not tell you what the book was about. I was not a fan of the writing style and the characters were not likable at all. Not a fan of this book.
Izzy sits in her favorite coffeehouse at her favorite table in the corner while she watches people doing their daily routines. She has been going there for months now watching her husband from the window have an affair. She does not want to confront him but she decides to investigate and she starts to see that maybe her husband has been lying from the beginning.
I feel like this book had absolutely no plot or storyline and instead talked about multiple different people and how they were possibly connected. I honestly could not tell you what the book was about. I was not a fan of the writing style and the characters were not likable at all. Not a fan of this book.
November 2, 2024
The premise for this book was really good - Izzy sits at a cafe every day, watching a house across the street. Most days, a man will ride up on a bike, and go inside with the woman and her toddler. Nothing odd about that, except for one thing: the man is her husband, Jed.
Izzy is a quiet person because of her upbringing. Her father was a priest who was abusive to her and her mother, and didn’t let them speak. For years, she was only allowed to write notes to her parents, and now she has trouble talking to people. Jed understands though, and has always been good to her. Now though, she’s out for revenge. Her husband is a liar, and she wants to know why.
As I mentioned, the premise for this book was good, but the execution was lacking. The writing was slightly immature, as were the characters, who felt very one-dimensional. The story lacked flavor and color; the shocks weren’t that shocking and the ending wasn’t that exciting. The read was easy and quick, but I don’t know…something was missing, This is my first book by the author, so I’m not sure if this is their normal writing style, but it wasn’t quite up to what I would consider a four-star book. I’m going with 3.5 for this one.
(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Diana Wilkinson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 13, 2024.)
Izzy is a quiet person because of her upbringing. Her father was a priest who was abusive to her and her mother, and didn’t let them speak. For years, she was only allowed to write notes to her parents, and now she has trouble talking to people. Jed understands though, and has always been good to her. Now though, she’s out for revenge. Her husband is a liar, and she wants to know why.
As I mentioned, the premise for this book was good, but the execution was lacking. The writing was slightly immature, as were the characters, who felt very one-dimensional. The story lacked flavor and color; the shocks weren’t that shocking and the ending wasn’t that exciting. The read was easy and quick, but I don’t know…something was missing, This is my first book by the author, so I’m not sure if this is their normal writing style, but it wasn’t quite up to what I would consider a four-star book. I’m going with 3.5 for this one.
(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Diana Wilkinson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on December 13, 2024.)
November 30, 2024
This had a really neat premise but the story didn’t live up to the potential, in my opinion. It centers on Izzy, who sits in a coffee shop every morning to people watch when she discovers her husband Jed is visiting another woman. She is an advice columnist and works up a ridiculous plan to smoke him out and find out more about what is going on (instead of just confronting him). You also get a secondary story focused on Jed’s mom.
These characters just didn’t make sense to me. Their dynamic was off, despite Izzy’s constant declarations that they had a perfect marriage. I was confused by many of the things Izzy did and didn’t do and found her behavior to just not be realistic. I did enjoy that there were short, fast-moving chapters and the secondary mystery involving Jed’s mom was interesting to me. Ultimately, the book ended rather abruptly and with many questions still left unanswered.
Overall, I just couldn’t get into this story but did think the premise was really interesting. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
These characters just didn’t make sense to me. Their dynamic was off, despite Izzy’s constant declarations that they had a perfect marriage. I was confused by many of the things Izzy did and didn’t do and found her behavior to just not be realistic. I did enjoy that there were short, fast-moving chapters and the secondary mystery involving Jed’s mom was interesting to me. Ultimately, the book ended rather abruptly and with many questions still left unanswered.
Overall, I just couldn’t get into this story but did think the premise was really interesting. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2024
Oh my dear gosh!!!!!!! What a fantastic read.. this was surprising in so many ways..Great ways, I loved everything about this book it just reeled me in and wouldn't let me go until the last page. Perfectly planned, perfect characters. Loved!!
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
November 10, 2024
This was the first book I’ve read by Diana Wilkinson and hadn’t looked up any reviews on the book or any of the author’s other work before finishing this title. The premise sounded intriguing and I enjoy thrillers, so I gave it a go.
The story is told in first-person POV by the protagonist, a part-time columnist with much too much time on her hands. The story follows her exploits as she watches her husband from a coffee shop as he visits another woman. The cast of characters is small, and the protagonist doesn’t have much to fill her time, so a lot of the exposition is her making tea, drinking coffee, or visiting the cafe or library.
Because of the many mundane day-to-day details of the protagonist’s life driving much of the story forward, I think this book may have been better at a short story or novella. The concept was interesting, but there wasn’t much “thriller” to this “psychological thriller”. I’d describe it as a tepid domestic mystery without much teeth or a surprising twist.
The story is told in first-person POV by the protagonist, a part-time columnist with much too much time on her hands. The story follows her exploits as she watches her husband from a coffee shop as he visits another woman. The cast of characters is small, and the protagonist doesn’t have much to fill her time, so a lot of the exposition is her making tea, drinking coffee, or visiting the cafe or library.
Because of the many mundane day-to-day details of the protagonist’s life driving much of the story forward, I think this book may have been better at a short story or novella. The concept was interesting, but there wasn’t much “thriller” to this “psychological thriller”. I’d describe it as a tepid domestic mystery without much teeth or a surprising twist.
February 17, 2025
I am absolutely baffled by all of these reviews higher than 2 stars
The characters were completely unbelievable with no development. The plot was barely there, and the main character's backstory seemed tossed in for convenience rather than plot development - there was a lot of potential but everything was poorly executed.
The characters were completely unbelievable with no development. The plot was barely there, and the main character's backstory seemed tossed in for convenience rather than plot development - there was a lot of potential but everything was poorly executed.
December 14, 2024
Reading in Between the Wines book review #123/130 for 2024:
Rating: 3 🍷🍷🍷
Book: The Girl in the Window
Author: Diana Wilkinson
RELEASES TODAY on December 13, 2024!!!
Sipping thoughts: So many secrets. So many lies. I loved Izzy’s backstory and could not imagine coming from such a traumatic upbringing. It makes sense as to how she lives her adult life, and I was actually proud of how she managed to live somewhat of a normal life. I love people watching, so I understand Izzy, but I can’t imagine watching my husband and not immediately reacting. This book, through some monkey wrenches in the story and kept me wanting to continue to read. I was surprised with the ending but pleasantly surprised. I enjoy Wilkinson’s writing and really love the short chapters!
Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @BoldwoodBooks for an advanced copy of @TheGirlInTheWindow.
#TheGirlInTheWindow #DianaWilkinson #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult
Rating: 3 🍷🍷🍷
Book: The Girl in the Window
Author: Diana Wilkinson
RELEASES TODAY on December 13, 2024!!!
Sipping thoughts: So many secrets. So many lies. I loved Izzy’s backstory and could not imagine coming from such a traumatic upbringing. It makes sense as to how she lives her adult life, and I was actually proud of how she managed to live somewhat of a normal life. I love people watching, so I understand Izzy, but I can’t imagine watching my husband and not immediately reacting. This book, through some monkey wrenches in the story and kept me wanting to continue to read. I was surprised with the ending but pleasantly surprised. I enjoy Wilkinson’s writing and really love the short chapters!
Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @BoldwoodBooks for an advanced copy of @TheGirlInTheWindow.
#TheGirlInTheWindow #DianaWilkinson #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult
January 1, 2025
I have read and enjoyed many of Wilkinson's thrillers and just when I thought I'd read the best, along came The Girl in the Window.
Once you've started I can guarantee you won't want to stop! Wilkinson's writing drew me in from the opening chapters and took me on one helluva bumpy ride through duplicity, deception, and death!
A brilliantly twisty thriller with some great characters and an addictive plot. Loved it!
Once you've started I can guarantee you won't want to stop! Wilkinson's writing drew me in from the opening chapters and took me on one helluva bumpy ride through duplicity, deception, and death!
A brilliantly twisty thriller with some great characters and an addictive plot. Loved it!
December 11, 2024
I loved Diana Wilkinson's previous novel, The Girl in Seat 2A and I was looking forward to another book by her
The Girl in the Window is full of details about daily life, and it really focuses in on the minute details of what every single character is doing and feeling.
I found that the short chapters helped move the story along yet, as a contradiction, the story felt quite slow, and there were parts where I felt that nothing much was happening.
In a way, this seemed quite realistic and representative of real life and the situation that the main character was living when she was looking out the window waiting for something to happen.
I did feel a real sense of mystery about where her husband was after the accident, and so that was really unnerving, and very well done.
I also felt that the story seemed to long, and I would have preferred a shorter novel or even a short story. When the twists came, they were unexpected.
The characters were realistic and it kept me guessing.
3.5 stars
Thanks to Diana Wilkinson and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
The Girl in the Window is full of details about daily life, and it really focuses in on the minute details of what every single character is doing and feeling.
I found that the short chapters helped move the story along yet, as a contradiction, the story felt quite slow, and there were parts where I felt that nothing much was happening.
In a way, this seemed quite realistic and representative of real life and the situation that the main character was living when she was looking out the window waiting for something to happen.
I did feel a real sense of mystery about where her husband was after the accident, and so that was really unnerving, and very well done.
I also felt that the story seemed to long, and I would have preferred a shorter novel or even a short story. When the twists came, they were unexpected.
The characters were realistic and it kept me guessing.
3.5 stars
Thanks to Diana Wilkinson and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
November 22, 2024
The Girl in the Window is the first book I’ve read by this author, publishing on 13th December. Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy.
I thought the cover was a bit naff and similar to a lot of other books in the genre.
Initially, I was intrigued by the story. Izzy works as an agony aunt for a magazine and goes to the same coffee shop at the same time every morning, making sure she gets her usual seat with a view out of the window. She’s obsessed with watching a man go to visit a woman, and it transpires this is her husband. Izzy suspects he’s having an affair, and uses her agony aunt letters to get advice.
This is an easy read, but a lot of it is quite slow going, despite the short chapters. I found the way Izzy went about things a bit strange. This could be partly explained by her traumatic upbringing, but I didn’t think this really fitted into the story, it felt shoehorned in. ‘Jed of old’ is repeated a lot and I found it grated. Other things in the plot seem to happen randomly and it didn’t really ring true for me.
None of the characters are very likeable and a lot of the plot is predictable and a bit silly. Nonetheless, the story was alright and I did want to find out what happened at the end.
2.5 stars rounded to 2.
I thought the cover was a bit naff and similar to a lot of other books in the genre.
Initially, I was intrigued by the story. Izzy works as an agony aunt for a magazine and goes to the same coffee shop at the same time every morning, making sure she gets her usual seat with a view out of the window. She’s obsessed with watching a man go to visit a woman, and it transpires this is her husband. Izzy suspects he’s having an affair, and uses her agony aunt letters to get advice.
This is an easy read, but a lot of it is quite slow going, despite the short chapters. I found the way Izzy went about things a bit strange. This could be partly explained by her traumatic upbringing, but I didn’t think this really fitted into the story, it felt shoehorned in. ‘Jed of old’ is repeated a lot and I found it grated. Other things in the plot seem to happen randomly and it didn’t really ring true for me.
None of the characters are very likeable and a lot of the plot is predictable and a bit silly. Nonetheless, the story was alright and I did want to find out what happened at the end.
2.5 stars rounded to 2.
February 28, 2025
I'm annoyed ugh. It actually started of good
I disliked the chapters with her job about her column that discussed people's questions and she would respond to them. It discussed things like cheating and deciet in relationships. Yet she made her own questions and posted her responses?? It pretty much just because a public diary where she would change the names of the people's identities and get comments from the public on what they thought on the topics. Could have done without all of that just found it boring.
Jed pushing Madison down the stairs and killing her because he thought his partner was going to find out about his "one night stand" with the son he thought was his but actually is Adam's who everyone thought was Madison brother but was a close family friend bit weird if you ask me.
She then suspects Adam to have killed Blanche Jeds mum who was elderly as she found a broken of Keychain left at the scene... and then decided to date him and stalk him 🫠🫠💕
I disliked the chapters with her job about her column that discussed people's questions and she would respond to them. It discussed things like cheating and deciet in relationships. Yet she made her own questions and posted her responses?? It pretty much just because a public diary where she would change the names of the people's identities and get comments from the public on what they thought on the topics. Could have done without all of that just found it boring.
Jed pushing Madison down the stairs and killing her because he thought his partner was going to find out about his "one night stand" with the son he thought was his but actually is Adam's who everyone thought was Madison brother but was a close family friend bit weird if you ask me.
She then suspects Adam to have killed Blanche Jeds mum who was elderly as she found a broken of Keychain left at the scene... and then decided to date him and stalk him 🫠🫠💕
November 8, 2024
The Girl In The Window by Diana Wilkerson, Izzy is married to Jed and writes an advice column in the local London paper. Because she works from home every morning she likes to go and get a couple of cups of coffee and this is where she learns the redhead she’s been watching is the same one her husband has been visiting and only learns this when he gets in an accident on his bicycle in front of her home. She starts to totally have a love hate relationship with Jed unbeknownst to him , she even learns the little boy who lives with the woman is Jed‘s son but she doesn’t confront him. instead letting it play out in her advice column. At the same time she meets Adam a guy who is good looking and knows it and although she resist falling for his charms at first it still doesn’t stop the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach. When the mistress, Jed, Adam and Izzy’s story starts to intersect the first person is found deceased at the bottom of the stairs and although it isn’t any of the main players in one way or another the death benefits them all but that won’t be the last death by then all the secrets will be out or at least most of them will. I really love this author‘s books and find most of them to be fast paste but that wasn’t the case with this one and despite all the eyerolling stretching of disbelief and other things I don’t like in thrillers I still really found myself enjoying this book an wanting to see how it ended. #NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #DianaWilkerson, #TheGirlInTheWindow,
November 6, 2024
2.5 stars!!!
A woman observes a man visiting a pretty brunette in the flat across the street from her favorite café every week. She realizes the man is her husband, and now must decide how to handle this revelation without him finding out she knows.
I was extremely disappointed by this book. I have always been a fan of previous titles by this author, but this one fell short. The pacing was slow, and I found it difficult to become engaged with the story. Despite my usual policy of not abandoning advance reader copies, I persevered.
The plot of the book seemed far-fetched, as the protagonist's actions did not align with what a typical person would do in her situation. I don't want to spoil anything, but the book had a slow-burning mystery vibe.
I understand the immense pressure of following up a successful book, but I have certain expectations when it comes to writing. Unfortunately, this author did not meet those expectations with this particular work. This book left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. While the concept had potential, the execution was lackluster, uninteresting, and overall disheartening.
In the end, everyone has different tastes when it comes to books, and I encourage readers to give this book a chance and form their own opinions. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it won't resonate with someone else.
Thank you, Boldwood Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A woman observes a man visiting a pretty brunette in the flat across the street from her favorite café every week. She realizes the man is her husband, and now must decide how to handle this revelation without him finding out she knows.
I was extremely disappointed by this book. I have always been a fan of previous titles by this author, but this one fell short. The pacing was slow, and I found it difficult to become engaged with the story. Despite my usual policy of not abandoning advance reader copies, I persevered.
The plot of the book seemed far-fetched, as the protagonist's actions did not align with what a typical person would do in her situation. I don't want to spoil anything, but the book had a slow-burning mystery vibe.
I understand the immense pressure of following up a successful book, but I have certain expectations when it comes to writing. Unfortunately, this author did not meet those expectations with this particular work. This book left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. While the concept had potential, the execution was lackluster, uninteresting, and overall disheartening.
In the end, everyone has different tastes when it comes to books, and I encourage readers to give this book a chance and form their own opinions. Just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it won't resonate with someone else.
Thank you, Boldwood Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 18, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Honestly, I had so many thoughts about it as I was reading. The main character kind of drove me nuts but… I couldn’t stop reading 😅🫣. It drew me in right away. There were times when the storyline was a little slower but, it quickly picked up pace.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for:
- A thriller
- Lies and deceit
- Twists and turns
- A book that keeps you hooked.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for:
- A thriller
- Lies and deceit
- Twists and turns
- A book that keeps you hooked.
January 22, 2025
2 1/2 stars. Listened on audiobook. It was okay. I don’t think I would have stuck it out if it was a printed book, but for background listening it was okay.
Not sure about the protagonist. She wasn’t consistent at all and this is petty and minor but as someone who works with the public, it really bugged me she took her coughing infant to go and hang out in a cafe near the end.
Not sure about the protagonist. She wasn’t consistent at all and this is petty and minor but as someone who works with the public, it really bugged me she took her coughing infant to go and hang out in a cafe near the end.
November 27, 2024
Every morning Izzy goes to her favourite coffee shop Angelo’s for that wonderful first pick me up of the day, but this is not the only reason Izzy visits this particular café.
From her seat in the window Izzy observes the flat across the street and through the window she begins to watch the life of a beautiful woman and Izzy wonders what her life is really like, is she in love, if so, what is lover like, she sits there looking for clues because the man that visits this woman is her husband.
This sets the scene for another thriller from this author, but I do have to say that I do not believe this is her best work. Yes, I did become invested in the scene presented to us and the premise was interesting but in saying that I did feel that the plot was not as tight as previous books and about halfway through I found the story lagging and my interest waning. I think the constant referral to Izzy’s day to day activities lead my mind to stray.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
December 17, 2024
This book is a psychological thriller full of tension and suspense.
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If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
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December 18, 2024
I flew through the pages of this twisty psychological thriller. Diana Wilkinson's writing is brilliant, as always, another 5-stars from me!
June 13, 2025
Readable , nothing great.
Somewhat confusing and pointless.
Somewhat confusing and pointless.
December 21, 2024
The premise of this story did hook me quickly and I was engaged with the story. Ultimately the story could not sustain itself and I found myself skimming to get to the end. The end was underwhelming to me.
March 9, 2025
So-so just okay.
December 13, 2024
Izzy Malloy writes for the magazine “Echoes of London” under the name Bella and the Agony Aunt column. She works from home. When she was 10, her father, the parish priest, decided that the entire family could not speak but only write notes to communicate to one another.
Izzy’s husband, Jed, travels a lot and lately she has found that he is seeing another woman. He stops at her apartment, goes inside and stays for a while and then leaves. Izzy has taken to watching him from a coffee shop across the street. But one day, he leaves the woman’s apartment and he is hit by a car. Izzy doesn’t know if he is injured but he is taken away by ambulance. She waits to hear from him or from the police in case he was killed. He finally comes home several days later obviously in pain but insisting that he has been out of town on business.
Izzy realizes that she is pregnant but is hesitant to tell Jed because she doesn’t know what he is up to with another woman.
Jed’s mother is ill and living in a home that is ready to be torn down but she refuses to leave. Izzy goes and checks on the woman here and there.
As this book winds up, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had just read. Crazy characters, including Izzy, that all seem to mesh together in some way. What a messed-up conundrum this book is. Sorry but I just did not care for it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Izzy’s husband, Jed, travels a lot and lately she has found that he is seeing another woman. He stops at her apartment, goes inside and stays for a while and then leaves. Izzy has taken to watching him from a coffee shop across the street. But one day, he leaves the woman’s apartment and he is hit by a car. Izzy doesn’t know if he is injured but he is taken away by ambulance. She waits to hear from him or from the police in case he was killed. He finally comes home several days later obviously in pain but insisting that he has been out of town on business.
Izzy realizes that she is pregnant but is hesitant to tell Jed because she doesn’t know what he is up to with another woman.
Jed’s mother is ill and living in a home that is ready to be torn down but she refuses to leave. Izzy goes and checks on the woman here and there.
As this book winds up, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had just read. Crazy characters, including Izzy, that all seem to mesh together in some way. What a messed-up conundrum this book is. Sorry but I just did not care for it.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 29, 2024
digital arc was provided by Netgalley and Boldwood Books
2 stars for not being interesting enough
Synopsis
Izzy spied on her husband and possible mistress from a cafe accross the street. What was once a stalk turned into a case of murder, and maybe soon, another one.
What I like
Does short chapters count?
What I don't like
The plot went too long before it grabbed (barely) my attention and even then, I only stayed for the sake of curiousity. Bland and uninteresting characters, wishy-washy main characters, lack of strong motive for the plot, and an ending that left me unsatisfied.
Final words
That said, it's an OK book to pass the time, much like The Girl in Seat 2A (although this one's at least a biiitttt more entertaining).
2 stars for not being interesting enough
Synopsis
Izzy spied on her husband and possible mistress from a cafe accross the street. What was once a stalk turned into a case of murder, and maybe soon, another one.
What I like
Does short chapters count?
What I don't like
The plot went too long before it grabbed (barely) my attention and even then, I only stayed for the sake of curiousity. Bland and uninteresting characters, wishy-washy main characters, lack of strong motive for the plot, and an ending that left me unsatisfied.
Final words
That said, it's an OK book to pass the time, much like The Girl in Seat 2A (although this one's at least a biiitttt more entertaining).
December 30, 2024
Another riveting read from this author.
Each morning, the young woman sits in the window of her favourite cafe watching what is going on nearby. She's not idly passing time, but is watching her husband visit another woman . . .
Such a gripping novel! Grabbed me from the start and kept me there, revealing it's secrets little by little and teasing with what I didn't know - yet. A thoroughly enveloping read and one I'm happy to recommend. 4.5*.
Each morning, the young woman sits in the window of her favourite cafe watching what is going on nearby. She's not idly passing time, but is watching her husband visit another woman . . .
Such a gripping novel! Grabbed me from the start and kept me there, revealing it's secrets little by little and teasing with what I didn't know - yet. A thoroughly enveloping read and one I'm happy to recommend. 4.5*.
November 19, 2024
Strong starter, the first 80 pages are gripping, but it quickly becomes tedious. If there was any kind of twist, I definitely missed it. This would have been a good story at half the length - a ruthless edit to cut out the repetitive drivel and it would be worthy.
August 17, 2025
Really fantastic book. Have never read this author before but I will definitely be reading her again. Such a exciting and sensitive story. Very difficult to put down. Highly recommend.
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