He’s the perfect husband…if you can forget the rumors about his first wife.
Abby is happily married to her dream guy–handsome, hardworking, and completely devoted.
Sure, there are those nagging rumors about the mysterious disappearance of his first wife, but Abby trusts the man she married.
Until an unmarked letter arrives and upends her life in a single sentence.
YOU DON’T KNOW YOUR HUSBAND.
She has to find out what the letter means. After all, if there’s one person you truly know, it’s the person you’ve married…right?
But the more Abby finds out, the more terrified she becomes. As dark secrets come to light, she realizes that uncovering the truth might be the last thing she ever does.
Fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin will love this fast-paced psychological thriller that will leave you guessing until the crazy, twisted end.
This is my second time reading from this author, and while it wasn’t my absolute favorite, they’ve definitely become an instant read for me.
Starting off with the first half of the book
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I really couldn’t tolerate reading from Spencer’s point of view. His actions were so frustrating and self-serving that every chapter from his perspective felt unbearable. We get glimpses of his past with his first wife, and some of the things he says raise red flags, bordering on emotional manipulation—maybe even narcissistic, as his psychiatrist suggests. As the story progresses, it becomes clear just how much of a man-child he really is. By the end, I had lost interest in his character, and I wasn’t invested enough to care about his outcome.
As for Abby, in the words of her best friend, "You can't possibly be this dumb." And honestly? She wasn’t exactly proving them wrong. Love really does make you blind, but sometimes you need to take off those rose-colored glasses and see someone for who they truly are—especially when the truth is right under your nose. At least, by the halfway mark, she finally wised up.
The storyline surrounding the first wife’s disappearance had a lot of potential and could’ve been explored more deeply. I was hoping for more details or conversations to really flesh out that part of the mystery.
To be honest, someone was crying in every other chapter—by the end, I was so annoyed, I felt like crying too.
And now the second half and ending
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Big oops. Oh well as they say “you never truly know someone.”
ohh, the lengths people will go for love.
Justice for Shannon, she was literally the best and only tolerable character in this book..🥰
I made a joke to myself last night while reading in bed, tossing out a few theories about what the twist might be—only to find out by the end that I was right? So, yay me, I guess? But then, when we get to the very end and the reveal about the first wife’s disappearance, I realize I actually did guess that too, even though I was just throwing out random ideas for fun. Regardless, I still enjoyed how it all played out. It wasn’t exactly a surprise, but the execution kept me hooked.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, popcorn thriller that’s easy to digest as a palate cleanser, give it a go and see what you think.
His First Wife by Jack Dane is a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller that hooks you from the very first chapter. It’s one of those rare reads that knows how to keep the suspense high, the pacing tight, and the reader constantly second-guessing what they think they know.
The writing is sharp and compelling, with just enough detail to paint vivid scenes without slowing down the momentum. The author does a fantastic job of building tension and dropping breadcrumbs that lead to some genuinely shocking moments. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, the narrative throws you off balance—sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically.
The twisty nature of the story really hits its peak in the last quarter of the book, where things begin to unravel quickly. While that final 25% definitely ramps up the drama and stakes, it also dips slightly into confusing territory. The timeline and character motivations get a bit tangled, making it hard at times to keep track of what’s real versus what’s being manipulated. Still, even with the slight disorientation, the ending is impactful and satisfying.
Man what a crazy fast fun read! This book did such a great job removing the fluff that a lot of books have. It also does a great job giving you some really good twists that keep you guessing til the end. I think they did a great job rounding out the characters and even in such a short book he has you rooting for one. So thanks NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this early. Definitely a must read for anyone who loves domestic thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on 2/21/25.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS ONE!!!
Oh, this thriller HOOKED me from page 1 and didn’t let go. I mean really it didn’t LET GO, I binge read it in less than a day! This one is a similar twisty style to Freida McFadden books so if you like her books this one is definitely for you! I really don’t want to give away any of the plot and twist(s) so I’ll just say I loved it !!
This is the first book I’ve read from Jack Dane and I saw this author has other books on kindle unlimited so I will definitely be checking out more of his books soon!! Absolutely will be reading more from him!
Clear your calendar as you're in for a treat! Take the day off and prepare for a maelstrom of passion, deceit, betrayal and everything that goes with it. Abby's life is about to fall apart. Who can she trust when it happens, when her husband Spencer's hidden flaws come to light? The layers in this story coupled with suspense and an ever changing narrative had me hooked. This is a compelling read that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can to get to one of the most remarkable endings I've read in a long time. A strong 5 ⭐ from me.
Huge thanks to Jack Dane for the opportunity to have an ARC. This is my honest opinion.
This is the second book from Jack Dane, and it did not disappoint. Twists throughout story and big twist at the end. Can't wait to get my hands on another written by him. Thanks to Book Sirens for giving me the chance to read it for an honest review.
Another shocking fast paced thriller from this author! I really enjoyed this story, I read it in one day 😁 While I did assume the killer early on, I DID NOT expect that last couple of chapters 🤯
Spenser and Abby are happily married, or so Abby thought. She opens an anonymous envelope outside their door with the note “you don’t know your husband.” What makes it even creepier is 7 years prior, Spenser’s first wife went missing…
This note sends Abby down the “amateur detective” path and she enlists the help of her best friend Katherine to help. They start checking his tablet, in search of something, when they realize he’s been unfaithful, and one of those women has turned up dead…. She’s realizes, she may be in danger herself.
OMG this book was absolutely unhinged and I loved it! The story is told from three points of view, Abby, Spenser, and Shannon, Spensers first wife. It’s also told in the past and present. I can genuinely say I did not see this coming, maybe some of the smaller twists but dear lord that was just insane.
I read this book in four hours, as I couldn’t turn away. I love books like this that rope you in from the beginning and then just throw you for a loop. My first book by Jack Dane and it will not be my last!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Dane, and Xpresso Book Tours for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
I don't know where to begin. I seriously think, for me, this book is right up there with my favorites!! I fell in love with Abby and instantly despised Spencer. But then the ending had a whirlwind of twists, and my jaw was on the floor. This is definitely a MUST READ!!
Okay this one was giving Frieda 1000%. LOVED all the twists. I totally thought I had it ALL figured out from the beginning, but only bits and pieces were actually correct and I was shook!! Another super quick read! Definitely recommend.
This book is a fast and fun read that hooks you from the very beginning. The story revolves around a man, haunted by his past and the mysterious disappearance of his first wife. The story kept me intrigued with its twists and turns, and the multiple POV added an interesting layer to the plot. The short chapters make it easy to keep turning the pages, and the suspense builds quickly, making it hard to put down. I was immersed in the psychological turmoil of the characters. The plot twists are unpredictable, and the story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions. The characters are well-developed, and the pacing keeps the tension alive throughout the book.
WOW!!!! I just finished my ARC copy of this book and Oh my goodness!!!! What a great book. It was so well written, the twists and turns are fantastic but the writing of the book as a whole is so well done, very detailed and descriptive, I felt like I was inside the book. Great job Jack Dane and please keep them coming😄 My second thriller to read from Jack Dane and I cannot brag on this one enough, I’ve loved both books I have read from him so far!
First thank you to net gallery, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book. One of the best psychological books I’ve read. NYC and women have been found murdered in the park. A woman and her best friend suspect her husband and work a plot to get him arrested. But the police release him the next day.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first time reading from this author and I will be looking forward to reading some more!
His first wife is an exciting thriller that focuses on Abby trying to work out whether she really knows her husband. The book focuses on various avenues of mystery including Abby trying to work out what happened to her husband’s first wife.
Some thoughts after reading:
• 100% this gave me Fredia McFadden vibes. It was snappy and fast paced, I appreciated that the writing wasn’t overly descriptive, and the author didn’t go on long winded explanations or tangents for things. Everything felt like it had a point and was relevant to the story.
• The end twist was the most surprising part. I genuinely didn’t expect it which, not only surprised me, but I was so glad about. I’ve found that from reading psychological thrillers it really does take a lot for me to be genuinely surprised now, so this was impressive and so well thought out. I have to give the author major credits here!
• I liked that we had the POV of the husband. Often with these stereotypical male characters, there is this underlying arrogance or narcissism that is not recognised by the male character himself. In this case, the author makes the character acknowledge their behaviour and I really liked that. Yes, he is a douche for his behaviour and things he’s done, but equally, he isn’t necessarily a ‘bad’ person. Yes, you may dislike him and how stupid he is at times, but I also loved how at the end, the ‘bad’ we associate with him is suddenly hugely different to how we associate ‘bad’ with other characters.
• I do feel like with the storyline around the first wife’s disappearance I was expecting a bit more. I wished there had been more conversations or details about it all. Especially because the twist is so good, it would have been nice to have a few more clues or evidence that would have cemented the idea even more.
My lower rating is entirely personal and down to fact that I do think the plot surrounding the first wife could have had more substance and more impact on the story – considering that was the entire reason I did request this book.
I also think, as with Fredia McFadden books; this was a bit of a palette cleanser read. I loved the fast pace and the simplicity of the writing. But I don’t think it was ever going to be a top read of the year for me.
Having said that, I can imagine this author is going to become an instant-read author, for when I just want an easy thriller that doesn’t require a lot of brain power or energy, but I want something slightly darker.
Once again massive thank you to the author and to Netgalley.
His first wife by Jack Dane is a face-paced psychological thriller. Told by 3 points of view it follows it Abby, Shannon and Spencer.
Abby has met the perfect guy and now has the perfect husband, Spencer. Shannon is his first wife, who went missing years ago and has now been declared legally dead.
Murders begin occuring in New York and Abby find out that her perfect husband has not been truthful with her. Could her perfect husband be responsible for the murders?
The last chapter of this book had my head spinning! Just when you thought the book was done and you have read the twist, surprise! This book is great for fans of Frieda McFadden and similar authors.
Special thanks to Jack Dane and xpresso book tours for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
This was a great read with well fleshed out characters, a great story, and a great twist or two thrown into the mix.
I tend to gravitate toward psychological thriller style books such as this, and His First Wife was a great read that, once it got going, I couldn't put down. I had not read a Jack Dane novel prior, but I am definitely a fan and can't wait to read other works from the author.
A psychological thriller through and through and one I highly recommend checking out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m shocked by how well rated this book is. The plot idea has potential but this execution was just bad. Two women who are so utterly obsessed with a man, who is an absolute POS, murder for his love and attention. This man can do no wrong by them, he’s just so perfect? Yeah right. This was so painfully obviously written by a man, in the worst way. I’ve read plenty of male authors and generally love their work but this was just bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another one of those awesome books that keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns! I hadn’t read any reviews on this book, but I like the author, so I knew it would be good!! I highly recommend it…You won’t be disappointed!
Very much enjoyed this book, fast read and left me wondering what is going to happen next. I did enjoy the twist at the end. Looking forward to reading more by Jack Dane.
This is my second book by Jack Dane, and it did not disappoint! I flew through this book in practically one sitting. It was well written, with multiple viewpoints and twists that kept me guessing until the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank GOD this one was short. This is by far the worst thriller I’ve read in quite a while. The marketing compares the novel to Freida McFadden, so I wasn’t expecting too much, but this was just flat out awful. I hated all of the characters, there was no redeeming qualities for any of them, and I honestly wished they all died. That is the only way this thriller could have gotten any better.
Loved it! First book I’ve read by Dane and it was a pleasure! I really loved the writing style, the multiple perspectives and the twists! Will definitely read more of his books.
The only criticism I had is that the female characters fall a little flat (similar and simple personalities) and that I would have loved to read a chapter or two from the perspective of Spencer’s therapist (maybe even his wife’s as well?)! I think it would have added another layer to the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC - looking forward to release day!