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The Wives
Meet The Wives... Lies, secrets, deadly decisions…
When Natasha meets Daniel, she knows her life is made. Rich, handsome and charming, Daniel will make the perfect husband. Even if she won’t make the perfect wife…
She is thrilled when Daniel suggests an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and their husbands. What better way to show everyone that Natasha has finally made it?
But as the ship sets sail, she learns that far from being the perfect husband, Daniel has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed. And each of the wives has their own reasons for wanting him dead.
This trip might cost more than any of them ever imagined…
A gripping new story from the psych thriller queen that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, J.A. Baker and Sue Watson.
Readers LOVE Valerie Keogh!
‘Keogh is the queen of compelling narratives and twisty plots’ Jenny O'Brien
'A wonderful book, I can’t rate this one highly enough. If only there were ten stars, it’s that good. Valerie Keogh is a master story-teller, and this is a masterful performance.' Bestselling author Anita Waller
'Keogh is no. 1 for a reason, and this is another perfect slice of domestic noir. A definite 5 stars.' Bestselling author, Keri Beevis
'I was blown away with this book!' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'I didn't see the twist coming at all!' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'A rollercoaster of a story!' ★★★★★ Reader Review
When Natasha meets Daniel, she knows her life is made. Rich, handsome and charming, Daniel will make the perfect husband. Even if she won’t make the perfect wife…
She is thrilled when Daniel suggests an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and their husbands. What better way to show everyone that Natasha has finally made it?
But as the ship sets sail, she learns that far from being the perfect husband, Daniel has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed. And each of the wives has their own reasons for wanting him dead.
This trip might cost more than any of them ever imagined…
A gripping new story from the psych thriller queen that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, J.A. Baker and Sue Watson.
Readers LOVE Valerie Keogh!
‘Keogh is the queen of compelling narratives and twisty plots’ Jenny O'Brien
'A wonderful book, I can’t rate this one highly enough. If only there were ten stars, it’s that good. Valerie Keogh is a master story-teller, and this is a masterful performance.' Bestselling author Anita Waller
'Keogh is no. 1 for a reason, and this is another perfect slice of domestic noir. A definite 5 stars.' Bestselling author, Keri Beevis
'I was blown away with this book!' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'I didn't see the twist coming at all!' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'A rollercoaster of a story!' ★★★★★ Reader Review
296 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2024
3800 people are currently reading
3035 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Keogh
44 books814 followersValerie started to write several years ago. She self-published eight crime novels and one psychological thriller before signing a two book contract with Bookouture in March 2018. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is available now and the second is due in Feb 2019. She is a registered nurse with a degree in English and a Masters in American Literature. Recently she has given up nursing to concentrate on her writing career.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 845 reviews
November 12, 2024
My thanks to Boldwood Books, Valerie Keogh and Netgalley.
I absolutely hated each and every moment that I wasted on this book.
It was well written and honestly I can't think of how much more I would have enjoyed this had there been even one iota of suspense.
Suspense was sadly suspended.
I didn't even really finish the book. Why should I?
From the beginning we know who will die, and we know they deserved it. But really? Everyone pretty much sucked, and so far as I was concerned, they could have died too. Hell, it would have made the book better. The women were horrendous. I would not want them as my friend.
So, I cheated and looked at the ending. It was much as I expected.
I'm just a wee bit over these best friend/husbands/get aways.
I would love to say that I was bored silly, but I wasn't. But, I was over it by page 50. Take that as you will!
I won't be reading anything from this author again. She's not bad, she's just not willing to be bloodthirsty.
I absolutely hated each and every moment that I wasted on this book.
It was well written and honestly I can't think of how much more I would have enjoyed this had there been even one iota of suspense.
Suspense was sadly suspended.
I didn't even really finish the book. Why should I?
From the beginning we know who will die, and we know they deserved it. But really? Everyone pretty much sucked, and so far as I was concerned, they could have died too. Hell, it would have made the book better. The women were horrendous. I would not want them as my friend.
So, I cheated and looked at the ending. It was much as I expected.
I'm just a wee bit over these best friend/husbands/get aways.
I would love to say that I was bored silly, but I wasn't. But, I was over it by page 50. Take that as you will!
I won't be reading anything from this author again. She's not bad, she's just not willing to be bloodthirsty.
September 25, 2025
“She preferred reading paperbacks but there was no arguing with the convenience of an electronic reader.”
― Valerie Keogh, The Wives
I just finished this a few minutes ago and figured I'd do a review while it was fresh in my mind.
This just didn't do it for me. It's a mystery that takes place on a cruise ship. I do like those type of books. This though had enough that I did NOT like.
Problem number one:
The characters are despicable -- all of em. I couldn't find one good apple among these spoiled brats, Instant dislike. I'm glad I wasn't on the cruise with them.
Problem number two:
The murder does not happen for a LONG time but much petty squabbling does.
Problem number three:
Without using spoilers -- something having to do with the bathroom is graphically described in such detail I got a bit queasy. I mean -- bathroom humor folks might love it (although it wasn't done in a funny way at all) but pages of poo descriptions don't do it for me.
SPOILERS:
Ending was just deeply unsatisfying. No tension. No surprise as to who the culprit was.
No resolution to any of the side storylines.
All in all it was a miss for me but everyone as you know has different tastes. So you might like it.
I did like the beginning very much, it had promise but where it chose to go really just lost me.
― Valerie Keogh, The Wives
I just finished this a few minutes ago and figured I'd do a review while it was fresh in my mind.
This just didn't do it for me. It's a mystery that takes place on a cruise ship. I do like those type of books. This though had enough that I did NOT like.
Problem number one:
The characters are despicable -- all of em. I couldn't find one good apple among these spoiled brats, Instant dislike. I'm glad I wasn't on the cruise with them.
Problem number two:
The murder does not happen for a LONG time but much petty squabbling does.
Problem number three:
Without using spoilers -- something having to do with the bathroom is graphically described in such detail I got a bit queasy. I mean -- bathroom humor folks might love it (although it wasn't done in a funny way at all) but pages of poo descriptions don't do it for me.
SPOILERS:
Ending was just deeply unsatisfying. No tension. No surprise as to who the culprit was.
No resolution to any of the side storylines.
All in all it was a miss for me but everyone as you know has different tastes. So you might like it.
I did like the beginning very much, it had promise but where it chose to go really just lost me.
November 3, 2024
Good friends, lies, deception, and betrayal are the perfect combination in this gripping, unpredictable thriller! Everyone has secrets and some are deadly. What is everyone hiding and could it possibly lead to murder? An exotic cruise is the perfect setting for intrigue, unexpected twists, and an addictive mystery. I loved every wicked minute. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 10, 2024
4 best friends and their hubby’s on a cruise
All 8 have secrets between each other
What could go wrong?….
Suffice to say a lot and in a short space of time, once they realise how close they will actually be living together for a week and the pretences of how happy they all are being so close at all times, the bonhomie quickly wanes and revenge is on a lot of their minds….not that the others have a clue about how each other are feeling….or plotting
I loved being back on a cruise ship and rhe descriptions of the ship and the food and the ambience and the day trips, never tire of books set on ships….and this exciting thriller kept me bobbing along as the waters got murkier and more muddled leading to a wave of actions that would change all of their lives forever
Beware who you invite on your holidays and what there true intentions might be…oh, and who you marry! 😎
All 8 have secrets between each other
What could go wrong?….
Suffice to say a lot and in a short space of time, once they realise how close they will actually be living together for a week and the pretences of how happy they all are being so close at all times, the bonhomie quickly wanes and revenge is on a lot of their minds….not that the others have a clue about how each other are feeling….or plotting
I loved being back on a cruise ship and rhe descriptions of the ship and the food and the ambience and the day trips, never tire of books set on ships….and this exciting thriller kept me bobbing along as the waters got murkier and more muddled leading to a wave of actions that would change all of their lives forever
Beware who you invite on your holidays and what there true intentions might be…oh, and who you marry! 😎
November 14, 2024
This book had a lot of potential but I didn’t love it- it wasn’t very suspenseful, the characters weren’t distinguishable, and I had trouble understanding their motivations for some of their actions. The story centers on Natasha, who is recently married to Daniel. They decide to go on a cruise on a fancy ship and invite her 3 best friends and their husbands. There is a murder, and many secrets are exposed.
I really had a hard time understanding why these women were friends, as they didn’t seem to like each other much. Yet, allegedly, they had been friends for ages! While the POV moves through all 4 them, I didn’t think they stood out enough for me to remember who was who as I read, and I often had to stop and refamiliarize myself with who was talking. I knew immediately who the murderer was but I felt like the author went for the surprise factor rather than giving the reader good info on why they did what they did. I also felt like Natasha wasn’t characterized that well and I didn’t understand her ulterior motives that were alluded to throughout the book. On the positive side, the story was fast paced and I finished it quickly. I also loved the cruise setting.
Overall, this one wasn’t for me, but I thank Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really had a hard time understanding why these women were friends, as they didn’t seem to like each other much. Yet, allegedly, they had been friends for ages! While the POV moves through all 4 them, I didn’t think they stood out enough for me to remember who was who as I read, and I often had to stop and refamiliarize myself with who was talking. I knew immediately who the murderer was but I felt like the author went for the surprise factor rather than giving the reader good info on why they did what they did. I also felt like Natasha wasn’t characterized that well and I didn’t understand her ulterior motives that were alluded to throughout the book. On the positive side, the story was fast paced and I finished it quickly. I also loved the cruise setting.
Overall, this one wasn’t for me, but I thank Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2025
Secrets, deception, with a sprinkling of deadly decisions…four couples together on an all-expenses paid cruise…what a twisty plot and an easy audiobook listen.
I am thankful I do not have friends like these characters 👀
I am thankful I do not have friends like these characters 👀
May 10, 2025
Say hello to The Wives — a deliciously twisty thriller that’s part Real Housewives, part Knives Out, and 100% the reason you might think twice before accepting a free vacation from your shady new husband.
Our main character, Natasha, thinks she’s hit the jackpot. Daniel is rich, gorgeous, and just controlling enough to make her believe it’s “love.” He invites her and three of her BFFs — Barbara, Tracy Ann, and Michelle — plus all their husbands on an all-expenses-paid cruise. Fancy dinners, sunny decks, endless champagne... what could possibly go wrong?
Everything.
Turns out, Daniel has more red flags than a bullfighting arena, and once the ship leaves port, secrets start bubbling up faster than poolside daiquiris. Every wife onboard has a motive, every husband has a secret, and Daniel? Let’s just say he’s lucky the ship has railings.
This locked-room (er, locked-ship) mystery keeps the tension high and the bodies (or at least the drama) dropping. It's one of those juicy reads where no one is entirely innocent, and you can’t trust anyone — not even the sunburned guy doing cannonballs at the pool.
And while most of the characters weren’t exactly loveable (some were more “stab-worthy”), that just made the plot even more fun to unravel. Think of it as a floating murder buffet: betrayal, jealousy, blackmail, and one very satisfying ending that’ll have you whispering, “I knew it!” like a smug little detective.
Final verdict: ★★★★☆
The Wives is fast, furious, and full of secrets, making it the perfect beach read — just maybe not on a cruise ship. If you love a thriller with messy characters, glamorous settings, and a body count that’s just a twist away, hop aboard.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC — and for reminding me that maybe staying home is the safest vacation after all.
Our main character, Natasha, thinks she’s hit the jackpot. Daniel is rich, gorgeous, and just controlling enough to make her believe it’s “love.” He invites her and three of her BFFs — Barbara, Tracy Ann, and Michelle — plus all their husbands on an all-expenses-paid cruise. Fancy dinners, sunny decks, endless champagne... what could possibly go wrong?
Everything.
Turns out, Daniel has more red flags than a bullfighting arena, and once the ship leaves port, secrets start bubbling up faster than poolside daiquiris. Every wife onboard has a motive, every husband has a secret, and Daniel? Let’s just say he’s lucky the ship has railings.
This locked-room (er, locked-ship) mystery keeps the tension high and the bodies (or at least the drama) dropping. It's one of those juicy reads where no one is entirely innocent, and you can’t trust anyone — not even the sunburned guy doing cannonballs at the pool.
And while most of the characters weren’t exactly loveable (some were more “stab-worthy”), that just made the plot even more fun to unravel. Think of it as a floating murder buffet: betrayal, jealousy, blackmail, and one very satisfying ending that’ll have you whispering, “I knew it!” like a smug little detective.
Final verdict: ★★★★☆
The Wives is fast, furious, and full of secrets, making it the perfect beach read — just maybe not on a cruise ship. If you love a thriller with messy characters, glamorous settings, and a body count that’s just a twist away, hop aboard.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC — and for reminding me that maybe staying home is the safest vacation after all.
November 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Wives by Valerie Keogh. This is my second book by this author. This one had plenty of twists and kept me intrigued. It was fast paced so a quick easy read. It's a book about best friends and the many ups and downs. So many secrets! It was wonderful to go on a cruise with these characters. I felt as though I was actually on the cruise ship as well. It was a real page turner. A 5 star rating from me.
January 30, 2025
⭐️.5
usually i am a big fan of a thriller / mystery book but 'the wives' by valerie keogh just didn't hit the spot for me.
it reminds me of a badly written lucy clarke book; there were so many characters and multiple povs yet none of them were really ever interesting to read (except michele - the only decent character in this whole thing). the plot became extremely predictable, maybe too many clues scattered throughout, and the final plot twist wasn't even so shocking - i am more shocked at how many 5 star reviews this has !!!
this is literally a book about a woman who does not care for her husband in the slightest, and all of her friends hate her. i know this is pretty much the point but natasha and daniel have absolutely noooo chemistry at all !! it's like reading two strangers interacting for the first time - every conversation feels so awkward and forced. actually, this extends to some of the dialogue between natasha and her friends, they've meant to have known each other for years yet there seems to be no familiarity or emotions between them. such two dimensional characters.
this book is a very quick read - the sentences are very short and choppy which really ups the pace but can also feel like i'm reading bullet points or a list rather than actual sentences. the quality of writing doesn't feel particularly high and it seems the author is just flat out describing everything, not leaving anything up to the reader.
the word claustrophobic was used many times by the characters, and it's also a word i would use to describe reading this. everything felt quite repetitive due to the setting of the story - the most interesting part is when they left the boat for a few hours but that seemed to breeze by in a few pages.
personally, i don't think valerie keogh's books are for me, but i did find this somewhat entertaining as a quick, faced paced book. i will just have no emotional attachments to the characters and will probably never think about this book again !!
thank you to netgalley and boldword books for this arc !!
** all opinions are my own **
usually i am a big fan of a thriller / mystery book but 'the wives' by valerie keogh just didn't hit the spot for me.
it reminds me of a badly written lucy clarke book; there were so many characters and multiple povs yet none of them were really ever interesting to read (except michele - the only decent character in this whole thing). the plot became extremely predictable, maybe too many clues scattered throughout, and the final plot twist wasn't even so shocking - i am more shocked at how many 5 star reviews this has !!!
this is literally a book about a woman who does not care for her husband in the slightest, and all of her friends hate her. i know this is pretty much the point but natasha and daniel have absolutely noooo chemistry at all !! it's like reading two strangers interacting for the first time - every conversation feels so awkward and forced. actually, this extends to some of the dialogue between natasha and her friends, they've meant to have known each other for years yet there seems to be no familiarity or emotions between them. such two dimensional characters.
this book is a very quick read - the sentences are very short and choppy which really ups the pace but can also feel like i'm reading bullet points or a list rather than actual sentences. the quality of writing doesn't feel particularly high and it seems the author is just flat out describing everything, not leaving anything up to the reader.
the word claustrophobic was used many times by the characters, and it's also a word i would use to describe reading this. everything felt quite repetitive due to the setting of the story - the most interesting part is when they left the boat for a few hours but that seemed to breeze by in a few pages.
personally, i don't think valerie keogh's books are for me, but i did find this somewhat entertaining as a quick, faced paced book. i will just have no emotional attachments to the characters and will probably never think about this book again !!
thank you to netgalley and boldword books for this arc !!
** all opinions are my own **
November 9, 2024
Rounded to 4.5 stars
Natasha and her friends Michele, Barbara, and Tracy Ann have been best buddies since their days at university 20 years ago. Since then, their lives have taken different directions. While Natasha became an ambitious and career-oriented nurse, the other three married and focused on raising families. That was never what Natasha wanted. But after an unexpected virus ravages the country, killing patient after patient in the ICU where she works, Natasha is burnt out. When she meets the successful, ultra wealthy Daniel, she's more than ready to trade in her career for life with him in his posh penthouse apartment. Suddenly, she wants the perfect marriage and family with Daniel like her friends have with their spouses.
Natasha freely admits, at least to herself, that her marriage to Daniel was never about love. At least, not about love for him. She falls in love with his apartment and his wealth, but never the man. He wants a supportive wife. One whose purpose in life is to serve him. Gold-digging Natasha is willing to play the part. She can put up with a lot for the penthouse and endless spending cash. Even him. She'll put up with anything since the prenup says she gets nothing if they don't last for at least two years.
Besides, her friends and their husbands adore Daniel. He likes them too. She felt like an outsider with her friends when she was a career woman, but that's changed now that she's married. When Daniel suggests they pay to take her friends on a luxury cruise, she's thrilled with the idea. It's an excellent chance to spend time together -- and to rub their noses in her wealth. However, no amount of opulence can hide the cracks in their friendships. Or their marriages. The longer they're trapped on the cruise together, the more secrets and lies that rise to the surface. It turns out Natasha isn't the only one who doesn't love Daniel. Her friends don't like him either. In fact, they all want him dead.
Dripping with scandal, secrets, and deceit, "The Wives" by Valerie Keogh is a fast moving "who's-gonna-do-it" instead of the typical "whodunnit". The story takes off at full speed ahead on the first page and doesn't slow down until near the end. It's clear from the very beginning that each of the women want Daniel dead. In a book replete with secrets, the question is which one has the motive to get the job done -- if any. Each woman's point-of-view is told in alternating chapters, giving you plenty of time to uncover their secrets and figure out who (if any of them) will do it. However, beware of what you believe. There are enough red herrings to make it seem like it could be one or the other... or the other.
"The Wives" is a high-octane thrill ride that hints of the sex and scandal of a Jackie Collins novel, but keeps the secrets and deceit clothed. It's a game of Clue brought to a fictional story. It's a masterfully written psychological thriller that leaves you to figure out the mental states of four well-developed, secretive female characters. It's filled with manipulation, secrets, and deceit -- every ingredient needed to create unbelievable suspense and make the book delicious. If that's not enough, the final twists will blow your mind. It quickly goes from "who's-gonna-do-it" to "OMG, I can't believe she just did that! Or that." It'll shock the shoes off your feet! A few parts dragged a bit in scenes with the women and the ship's security, but before you know it the story picks back up. You end up loving every second.
I've heard so many great things about Valerie Keogh's books long before reading "The Wives". All of it was true, leaving me to wonder why I waited so long to pick up one of her novels and excited to read another one soon.
Thank you to author Valerie Keogh, Boldwood Books, and Rachel's Random Resources for the complimentary eARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Natasha and her friends Michele, Barbara, and Tracy Ann have been best buddies since their days at university 20 years ago. Since then, their lives have taken different directions. While Natasha became an ambitious and career-oriented nurse, the other three married and focused on raising families. That was never what Natasha wanted. But after an unexpected virus ravages the country, killing patient after patient in the ICU where she works, Natasha is burnt out. When she meets the successful, ultra wealthy Daniel, she's more than ready to trade in her career for life with him in his posh penthouse apartment. Suddenly, she wants the perfect marriage and family with Daniel like her friends have with their spouses.
Natasha freely admits, at least to herself, that her marriage to Daniel was never about love. At least, not about love for him. She falls in love with his apartment and his wealth, but never the man. He wants a supportive wife. One whose purpose in life is to serve him. Gold-digging Natasha is willing to play the part. She can put up with a lot for the penthouse and endless spending cash. Even him. She'll put up with anything since the prenup says she gets nothing if they don't last for at least two years.
Besides, her friends and their husbands adore Daniel. He likes them too. She felt like an outsider with her friends when she was a career woman, but that's changed now that she's married. When Daniel suggests they pay to take her friends on a luxury cruise, she's thrilled with the idea. It's an excellent chance to spend time together -- and to rub their noses in her wealth. However, no amount of opulence can hide the cracks in their friendships. Or their marriages. The longer they're trapped on the cruise together, the more secrets and lies that rise to the surface. It turns out Natasha isn't the only one who doesn't love Daniel. Her friends don't like him either. In fact, they all want him dead.
Dripping with scandal, secrets, and deceit, "The Wives" by Valerie Keogh is a fast moving "who's-gonna-do-it" instead of the typical "whodunnit". The story takes off at full speed ahead on the first page and doesn't slow down until near the end. It's clear from the very beginning that each of the women want Daniel dead. In a book replete with secrets, the question is which one has the motive to get the job done -- if any. Each woman's point-of-view is told in alternating chapters, giving you plenty of time to uncover their secrets and figure out who (if any of them) will do it. However, beware of what you believe. There are enough red herrings to make it seem like it could be one or the other... or the other.
"The Wives" is a high-octane thrill ride that hints of the sex and scandal of a Jackie Collins novel, but keeps the secrets and deceit clothed. It's a game of Clue brought to a fictional story. It's a masterfully written psychological thriller that leaves you to figure out the mental states of four well-developed, secretive female characters. It's filled with manipulation, secrets, and deceit -- every ingredient needed to create unbelievable suspense and make the book delicious. If that's not enough, the final twists will blow your mind. It quickly goes from "who's-gonna-do-it" to "OMG, I can't believe she just did that! Or that." It'll shock the shoes off your feet! A few parts dragged a bit in scenes with the women and the ship's security, but before you know it the story picks back up. You end up loving every second.
I've heard so many great things about Valerie Keogh's books long before reading "The Wives". All of it was true, leaving me to wonder why I waited so long to pick up one of her novels and excited to read another one soon.
Thank you to author Valerie Keogh, Boldwood Books, and Rachel's Random Resources for the complimentary eARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
October 25, 2024
This is book #8 by Valerie Keogh for me and she just gets better and better and better. This takes 4 couples on a cruise and it’s a quick murder mystery. A nice twist at the end which is what I love about Valerie’s books! Lies, secrets, deceit … this book has it all! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
November 10, 2024
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this was one of the worst thrillers I’ve read in 2024. The story was boring, I didn’t like any of the characters and the reveal didn’t shock me at all.
Unfortunately, this was one of the worst thrillers I’ve read in 2024. The story was boring, I didn’t like any of the characters and the reveal didn’t shock me at all.
December 19, 2024
A perfect popcorn thriller easy read!
October 16, 2024
Natasha is a Practice Nurse at the local hospital, and she used to love her job but now she seems to be rushed off her feet. She meets the dashing and charismatic Daniel, who also happens to be wealthy too. She has something positive in her life to look forward too. She is now 36 and the only single person in her group of friends, which consists of Barbara, Tracy-Ann and Michele and herself. Her relationship with Daniel is supposed to be a fling. But she gets a surprise when he asks her to marry her, and she agrees.
After the wedding Daniel asks Natasha to go on a cruise and tells her to bring her friends with their other halves too. She is delighted but when she tells her friends the news, the reaction is not what she expected. But they agree to support their friend. But whilst on the cruise, Natasha finds out what Daniel is really like. He is not the Charming charismatic person they are all led to believe.
This is a gripping story with lots of twists and is told in several POV’s of each friend having secrets that are linked to Daniel and someone who wants he dead. But why? Like her other books. I enjoyed this tale, and I wasn’t expecting the ending. 4 stars from me.
November 9, 2024
I loved the twisty ending of this book but, the rest of it was quite slow. I didn't like the characters much at all, spoilt, silly and not very true to life. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
January 20, 2025
This book is not well written, is totally predictable, and, quite frankly, rather nonsensical!
October 4, 2024
Natasha and Daniel seemed to have it all. The new couple met, moved in together and got married quickly, then only had time for a short honeymoon. Daniel was later able to take more time off, and being the wealthy man he is (one of the main reasons Natasha married him), offered to pay for a cruise, inviting Natasha’s best friends and their husbands. Doing so may have been the death of him…
This is quite the dramatic group of people! Barbara’s husband Ralph recently retired…and along with giving up work, he gave up on hobbies, leaving the house and even showering. When Daniel came into their lives, Barbara was able to escape into a fantasy where a man as sexy as him might be interested in a mundane, middle-aged woman like herself.
Tracy Ann is also getting bored in her marriage. Her husband Blake is handsome and sweet, but she doesn’t know anyone else intimately, and she’s worried her good looks will soon go by the wayside. When Daniel came into their lives, a brief moment at a party changed her life, and her marriage, forever.
Michele and her husband Don have raised their kids and are now ready for the next chapter. When Daniel came into their lives, he ended up making sure their next chapter would be bankruptcy - definitely not what they’d been working towards their whole marriage.
Basically, they all have reason want Daniel dead, and during the cruise, secrets start to come out between the eight friends. A lot of alcohol, along with a lot of deception, makes for a very tense vacation, and it was so fun watching it all play out. This was a very fast page turner, and a delightful popcorn thriller - perfect for a vacation read. Just be careful of your traveling partners! Four stars.
(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Valerie Keogh and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on November 6, 2024.)
This is quite the dramatic group of people! Barbara’s husband Ralph recently retired…and along with giving up work, he gave up on hobbies, leaving the house and even showering. When Daniel came into their lives, Barbara was able to escape into a fantasy where a man as sexy as him might be interested in a mundane, middle-aged woman like herself.
Tracy Ann is also getting bored in her marriage. Her husband Blake is handsome and sweet, but she doesn’t know anyone else intimately, and she’s worried her good looks will soon go by the wayside. When Daniel came into their lives, a brief moment at a party changed her life, and her marriage, forever.
Michele and her husband Don have raised their kids and are now ready for the next chapter. When Daniel came into their lives, he ended up making sure their next chapter would be bankruptcy - definitely not what they’d been working towards their whole marriage.
Basically, they all have reason want Daniel dead, and during the cruise, secrets start to come out between the eight friends. A lot of alcohol, along with a lot of deception, makes for a very tense vacation, and it was so fun watching it all play out. This was a very fast page turner, and a delightful popcorn thriller - perfect for a vacation read. Just be careful of your traveling partners! Four stars.
(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Valerie Keogh and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on November 6, 2024.)
October 29, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for an ARC of The Wives.
I was really disappointed with this one. It took about 60% of the book before anything really ‘thrilling’ happened, and from there it still wasn’t anything special. The characters were super boring, there was nothing memorable about them. The multiple POV’s were hard to remember who was who, and then some chapters were just labeled ‘Wives’ and it would jump between each person's thoughts. It was also super annoying to read the same scene from 4 POV’s… I think the ‘best’ part was one of the reveals at the end of why everyone hated Daniel, and how he used them all for his own personal goals. If this wasn’t an ARC I would have DNF’d it.
I was really disappointed with this one. It took about 60% of the book before anything really ‘thrilling’ happened, and from there it still wasn’t anything special. The characters were super boring, there was nothing memorable about them. The multiple POV’s were hard to remember who was who, and then some chapters were just labeled ‘Wives’ and it would jump between each person's thoughts. It was also super annoying to read the same scene from 4 POV’s… I think the ‘best’ part was one of the reveals at the end of why everyone hated Daniel, and how he used them all for his own personal goals. If this wasn’t an ARC I would have DNF’d it.
November 23, 2024
This is a number 1 best-selling author? Is that just published on the cover or is it based on facts?
Predictable, lousy storyline, inconsistencies ("yesterday in the hot tub" when it was def not yesterday), weird age gaps between the couples.
Kill off the main character's husband and then immediately kill off Natasha? The doctor immediately says to Natasha that she'll be under investigation for the death of her husband before they even know how he died?
Dumb. Plus Natasha's constant critique of her weight is annoying.
Predictable, lousy storyline, inconsistencies ("yesterday in the hot tub" when it was def not yesterday), weird age gaps between the couples.
Kill off the main character's husband and then immediately kill off Natasha? The doctor immediately says to Natasha that she'll be under investigation for the death of her husband before they even know how he died?
Dumb. Plus Natasha's constant critique of her weight is annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
3 stars. Natasha meets Daniel, a man she falls in love with and believes would be the perfect husband. He invites her friends and their husbands on an all expense paid cruise. She soon learns that he is far from perfect and that each one of her friends has a different reason for wanting him dead. The book blends suspense and mystery as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.
November 17, 2024
Thank you Boldwood Books for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Wives is a mystery drama written by UK author Valerie Keogh.
Think rich wives and their husbands on a luxury cruise where someone dies and everyone has secrets and is a suspect.
Natasha is a nurse with a plan.
She meets wealthy, attractive and successful Daniel, knowing he will make the perfect husband.
Then Daniel suggests a glamorous holiday with her best friends and their spouses.
The four couples vacation in opulence and extravagance.
But Daniel has secrets and everyone wants him dead…..
And they all have their own reason to kill…
Unfortunately the lack of suspense, intrigue and surprise, made for an ordinary read.
It started off quite strong, then did a dip and finished with a not bad ending.
So much potential however needing more explanation.
The Wives is a mystery drama written by UK author Valerie Keogh.
Think rich wives and their husbands on a luxury cruise where someone dies and everyone has secrets and is a suspect.
Natasha is a nurse with a plan.
She meets wealthy, attractive and successful Daniel, knowing he will make the perfect husband.
Then Daniel suggests a glamorous holiday with her best friends and their spouses.
The four couples vacation in opulence and extravagance.
But Daniel has secrets and everyone wants him dead…..
And they all have their own reason to kill…
Unfortunately the lack of suspense, intrigue and surprise, made for an ordinary read.
It started off quite strong, then did a dip and finished with a not bad ending.
So much potential however needing more explanation.
January 21, 2025
Everyone in this book annoyed me
December 21, 2024
3.5 Stars | This book was a slow train wreck you just couldn’t look away from. Totally an entertaining popcorn thriller that I would have read in one sitting if life hadn’t gotten in the way. It wasn’t a literary masterpiece and there were some pretty despicable characters but it definitely held my interest and was so hard to put down . 😳 😬
October 24, 2024
Mystery about a group of friends with secrets who go on a cruise together but they don't all make it back. I have enjoyed books from the author before but this one wasn't a favorite. Natasha is a nurse recently married to wealthy and dashing Daniel. She and Daniel don't love each other but she enjoys being able to give up her job and to be able to enjoy the luxuries his money provides. She has a group of three friends who are all married and one day Daniel invites Natasha and her friends and husbands to a cruise to Zanzibar. The descriptions of the luxury cruise are well done and made me wish I could book the same cruise.
The characters however didn't make sense to me. The women all seemed to dislike each other and none of them seemed happy to be on the cruise so I didn't understand why they would accept the offer. We are also told these women knew each other a long time, they were all single career women at one time and are now empty nesters since their children are all grown. Yet the women are also all aged 39-40 which would have to mean they had their children as teenagers so how could they have also been career women? They also all despise Daniel and the reasons are not revealed until later but it made me keep wondering why they agreed to the cruise.
Each woman has some sort of secret and two of the friends are flirting with or have had romantic encounters with Daniel at one time or another so we are set up with a story where each woman, including Daniel's wife have a reason to cause him harm. The mystery element isn't very suspenseful and since we never find out much about Daniel or his background , it is difficult to care about what might happen to him. The ending had a bit of a twist but we didn't know enough about the characters to judge whether it was believable or not. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC for review.
The characters however didn't make sense to me. The women all seemed to dislike each other and none of them seemed happy to be on the cruise so I didn't understand why they would accept the offer. We are also told these women knew each other a long time, they were all single career women at one time and are now empty nesters since their children are all grown. Yet the women are also all aged 39-40 which would have to mean they had their children as teenagers so how could they have also been career women? They also all despise Daniel and the reasons are not revealed until later but it made me keep wondering why they agreed to the cruise.
Each woman has some sort of secret and two of the friends are flirting with or have had romantic encounters with Daniel at one time or another so we are set up with a story where each woman, including Daniel's wife have a reason to cause him harm. The mystery element isn't very suspenseful and since we never find out much about Daniel or his background , it is difficult to care about what might happen to him. The ending had a bit of a twist but we didn't know enough about the characters to judge whether it was believable or not. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC for review.
September 18, 2024
I sat down to read a few chapters abd next thing I know I'm done. Definitely a page turner. Multiple characters that we all so well written into their roles. Love love love how it ended!!!!
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.
December 28, 2024
Just didn’t develop any rapport with any character. Didn’t really care what happened to them. Almost a DNF…
December 30, 2024
Hey quick question: wtf
October 3, 2024
I definitely didn’t expect much here.
You know the plot already – besties on vacation, oops secrets, oops murder…oops more secrets…toxic, toxic, toxic.
And, yes, it’s all that. But it’s also got just the right amount of scandal, a person who really needs to die (horribly if possible), and the book is chock full of surprises.
I munched my popcorn and thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Is it a beach read? Absolutely! Is it a lot of fun? Absolutely!
Enjoyed this!
• ARC via Publisher
You know the plot already – besties on vacation, oops secrets, oops murder…oops more secrets…toxic, toxic, toxic.
And, yes, it’s all that. But it’s also got just the right amount of scandal, a person who really needs to die (horribly if possible), and the book is chock full of surprises.
I munched my popcorn and thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Is it a beach read? Absolutely! Is it a lot of fun? Absolutely!
Enjoyed this!
• ARC via Publisher
May 21, 2025
Picked this one because the length of the audiobook was great for a day of deep cleaning and chores, but can’t say I would’ve listened or read it otherwise. It was entertaining enough for that purpose, and I can’t necessarily say I expected the ending, so 2.5 on this one.
September 25, 2024
Explosive thriller.
Best friends,perfect marriages, a holiday to die for....
There's no such thing as a perfect husband.
Daniel Vickery-Orme has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed, along with wife Natasha, a cruise on the Dutchess Mary all expenses payed for by Daniel for all these friends turns into a gruesome nightmare.
Absolutely brilliant thriller that you won't be able to put down.
It's a mind blowing twisted story with clever characters bringing the enjoyment of reading leaving you with your mouth wide open.
Oh I loved this book
Best friends,perfect marriages, a holiday to die for....
There's no such thing as a perfect husband.
Daniel Vickery-Orme has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed, along with wife Natasha, a cruise on the Dutchess Mary all expenses payed for by Daniel for all these friends turns into a gruesome nightmare.
Absolutely brilliant thriller that you won't be able to put down.
It's a mind blowing twisted story with clever characters bringing the enjoyment of reading leaving you with your mouth wide open.
Oh I loved this book
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