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The Third Wife
The unforgettable new novel from Top Ten bestseller Lisa Jewell, author of Ralph's Party, The Making of Us and The House We Grew Up In
You think you have the perfect life. You're successful. Attractive. Well liked.And you've just got married for the third time. But that’s OK because everyone’s happy. Your children are happy. You're happy. And so is your new wife...
London, 3am: a tragic accident, and Adrian’s life starts to fall apart. Because everyone has secrets and secrets have consequences. Some of which can be devastating.
You think you have the perfect life. You're successful. Attractive. Well liked.And you've just got married for the third time. But that’s OK because everyone’s happy. Your children are happy. You're happy. And so is your new wife...
London, 3am: a tragic accident, and Adrian’s life starts to fall apart. Because everyone has secrets and secrets have consequences. Some of which can be devastating.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2014
5911 people are currently reading
61007 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jewell
47 books88.8k followersLISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968.
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,130 reviews
June 27, 2015
I think I had a similar reaction to The Third Wife as other Goodreads reviewers – I got hooked by the story but didn’t love the characters. Adrian has had three wives. He had two children with Suzie and then left her for Caroline. He then had three children with Caroline and left her for Maya. And then Adrian, the three wives and their children seemingly got along and even went on holidays together. But one day -- as the book begins --Maya stepped in front of a bus and died. And then the book is about whether this was an accident or something else and what was really going on. Jewell does an excellent job of creating intrigue around the question of what was really going, and this kept me reading. But there's something about the relationship between Adrian and his three wives that really irked me. I am all for complex reconstituted harmonious families --I was part of one myself -- but I was annoyed by how Adrian is depicted as a really nice guy whose ex wives indulge and adore him. I didn't particularly like Adrian and I couldn't relate to the wives. It's still a good story with a decent end. And Jewell has a nice simple writing style. And all books get points from me for being set in England -- a bit silly of me I know. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read a copy.
July 9, 2014
I absolutely adore Lisa Jewell books and have read them all. I especially loved Ralph's Party, Dream Street and The House We Grew Up In. I was overjoyed to see this had been released and couldn't wait to start it.
I.am sad to say that I feel this is by far Lisa's weakest work; It felt like it had been written by someone else. The plot is extremely flimsy and I didn't like any of the characters, particularly the self obsessed and extremely naive, Adrian. I was intrigued to find out who 'Jane' was and her purpose for 'stalking' Adrian but even this became somewhat tedious.
I have never written anything other than a brilliant review for Lisa's books and I feel terrible that this book just didn't do it for me. However, as it's my own personal opinion and because her books are usually fantastic, I would highly recommend her previous work. Everyone is entitled to being less than perfect at times.
I.am sad to say that I feel this is by far Lisa's weakest work; It felt like it had been written by someone else. The plot is extremely flimsy and I didn't like any of the characters, particularly the self obsessed and extremely naive, Adrian. I was intrigued to find out who 'Jane' was and her purpose for 'stalking' Adrian but even this became somewhat tedious.
I have never written anything other than a brilliant review for Lisa's books and I feel terrible that this book just didn't do it for me. However, as it's my own personal opinion and because her books are usually fantastic, I would highly recommend her previous work. Everyone is entitled to being less than perfect at times.
June 17, 2021
Nobody knows how Adrian manages it - he's a good looking man in his 40s; his business is doing great; and his home life? He is on a third, younger (and beautiful) wife Maya, but his previous wives and their five kids all remain in contact, share babysitting chores and even all go on holiday together. Adrian is loving life, when one night a massively drunk Maya apparently is killed, when she walks in front of a bus...
...and it's then that the cards that make up what he always saw as his wonderful life begin to crumble. With the London 2012 Olympics faintly in the background - in the foreground both in the past, and the present, the secrets and lies of Adrian's extended family begin to emerge as the mystery of (yet another) beautiful woman that left her mobile at his home sets off unforeseen repercussions. A somewhat interesting take on secrets and lies, in that the dark foreboding nature of these types of tales, is set aside for an almost irreverent but compelling (extended) family-in-crisis saga, set firmly in the real world as its heart, as the reality of Adrian, his deeds and how they really impacted on his family are very slowly revealed. Another exceedingly pleasant and almost riveting Lisa Jewel read, and one with some pretty serious themes at his heart, dealt with in way to make them more accessible. 8 out of 12.
...and it's then that the cards that make up what he always saw as his wonderful life begin to crumble. With the London 2012 Olympics faintly in the background - in the foreground both in the past, and the present, the secrets and lies of Adrian's extended family begin to emerge as the mystery of (yet another) beautiful woman that left her mobile at his home sets off unforeseen repercussions. A somewhat interesting take on secrets and lies, in that the dark foreboding nature of these types of tales, is set aside for an almost irreverent but compelling (extended) family-in-crisis saga, set firmly in the real world as its heart, as the reality of Adrian, his deeds and how they really impacted on his family are very slowly revealed. Another exceedingly pleasant and almost riveting Lisa Jewel read, and one with some pretty serious themes at his heart, dealt with in way to make them more accessible. 8 out of 12.
November 20, 2018
"The thing about being the childless third wife. Maya had found, was that you were always
asked to take the family photos.
Adrian was married to Susie..wife#1... and they had two kids.
Then he marries Caroline ...wife#2....and they have three kids.
Then he marries Maya... Wife #3....no kids.
It's one big happy- family- affair. All the wives seem to adore each other.. Adore Adrian...
Taking large family vacations together.
Yet... After Maya dies...(tragic accident, or suicide?), from stumbling in front of an oncoming bus, Adrian - at first feels more alone than any other time in his life. He is left with Maya's cat, Billie. Since he has not ever really liked cats... he puts a sign up ...looking for a home to give it away
We meet Jane... (The mysterious woman), who answers Adrian's add. She comes to see the BILLIE -the CAT, a couple of times. She even considers dating that cat to decide whether or not to take him. We know something is odd about this woman immediately, but we don't know what. She leaves her phone behind...(with no phone numbers on it except Adrian's)
How does Jane fit into this story... is what I kept wondering. Did she know Maya? Why has she vanished all of a sudden?
And what does Adrian discover about Maya, Jane, his five kids, his two ex- wives...and also himself?
The storytelling switches back-and-forth between current day, and flashbacks.... Which keeps the reader constantly trying to guess what happened, why, and how it will conclude.
Often when there are several mystery themes in a novel ... It's joined with being a 'thriller'.
I liked that these mysteries were able to stand strong -- ( keeping me on my toes), without being a thrasher, chiller, thriller novel.
I personally liked the kids... ( and adult kids)
Luke being a standout... expressing face-to-face to his father his his observation, insights, awareness of what is really going on with 'everyone' in the family.
This was my first book I've read by Lisa Jewel. I look forward to reading "The House We Grew Up In"... Which I just purchased today. If friends have other suggestions of which other books by Lisa Jewel are their favorites... I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I thought this book was fun... engaging... and heck.. Whenever I hear about divorce families, the kids, the wives, being able to all take a vacation together... I'm inspired!!!
I actually know other friends.. (Families of the '90's they called themselves)... that did just what these people did.
Personally... I've been married to the same man for 36 years... But, I'm still very moved to see ex-spouses sincerely having each other's best interest at heart.., maybe even remaining friends. There were many parts of this book I found uplifting...
It's nice to smile!
Thank you to the publisher - Netgalley - and Lisa Jewel! ( a jewel of a read)
asked to take the family photos.
Adrian was married to Susie..wife#1... and they had two kids.
Then he marries Caroline ...wife#2....and they have three kids.
Then he marries Maya... Wife #3....no kids.
It's one big happy- family- affair. All the wives seem to adore each other.. Adore Adrian...
Taking large family vacations together.
Yet... After Maya dies...(tragic accident, or suicide?), from stumbling in front of an oncoming bus, Adrian - at first feels more alone than any other time in his life. He is left with Maya's cat, Billie. Since he has not ever really liked cats... he puts a sign up ...looking for a home to give it away
We meet Jane... (The mysterious woman), who answers Adrian's add. She comes to see the BILLIE -the CAT, a couple of times. She even considers dating that cat to decide whether or not to take him. We know something is odd about this woman immediately, but we don't know what. She leaves her phone behind...(with no phone numbers on it except Adrian's)
How does Jane fit into this story... is what I kept wondering. Did she know Maya? Why has she vanished all of a sudden?
And what does Adrian discover about Maya, Jane, his five kids, his two ex- wives...and also himself?
The storytelling switches back-and-forth between current day, and flashbacks.... Which keeps the reader constantly trying to guess what happened, why, and how it will conclude.
Often when there are several mystery themes in a novel ... It's joined with being a 'thriller'.
I liked that these mysteries were able to stand strong -- ( keeping me on my toes), without being a thrasher, chiller, thriller novel.
I personally liked the kids... ( and adult kids)
Luke being a standout... expressing face-to-face to his father his his observation, insights, awareness of what is really going on with 'everyone' in the family.
This was my first book I've read by Lisa Jewel. I look forward to reading "The House We Grew Up In"... Which I just purchased today. If friends have other suggestions of which other books by Lisa Jewel are their favorites... I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I thought this book was fun... engaging... and heck.. Whenever I hear about divorce families, the kids, the wives, being able to all take a vacation together... I'm inspired!!!
I actually know other friends.. (Families of the '90's they called themselves)... that did just what these people did.
Personally... I've been married to the same man for 36 years... But, I'm still very moved to see ex-spouses sincerely having each other's best interest at heart.., maybe even remaining friends. There were many parts of this book I found uplifting...
It's nice to smile!
Thank you to the publisher - Netgalley - and Lisa Jewel! ( a jewel of a read)
January 9, 2023
Rounding up from 3.75. Adrian Wolfe is living in a happy families bubble. He and third wife Maya are trying to have a baby. When there is a holiday to be taken, the two ex-wives (Susie and Caroline) and Adrian's five kids (Luke, Kat, Otis, Pearl, and Beau) all happily troop off together. There is a lot of togetherness. Then Maya is hit by a bus in the middle of the night. Unfortunate accident? At first it seems so, but then the truth begins to bubble up through the cracks. Was Maya happy? What about the ex-wives and the kids? It is time for Adrian to re-examine his priorities while he still can. Not my favorite from Lisa Jewell, but she is still one of my favorite authors and I am glad I was able to circle back to this one and catch it on audio. More of a tangled web that it at first appears.
June 21, 2015
I'm not sure if it was the slow pace, or the fact that I didn't really connect with many of the character, but I had trouble getting into this one. Not to say that there wasn't a good story at the heart of this and that the red herrings weren't illuminating, but if a book is slower paced it needs to be atmospheric to hook me into the story. Well written, a few good surprises but a mixed read for me.
ARC from NetGalley.
ARC from NetGalley.
July 17, 2025
I would have given this 2 stars before that 🤮🤮🤮 ending. A man-child who gets all his hearts desires and everyone loves him cause he's so "nice", yet a horrible father/husband at the same time.. good-God!
Lisa Jewell is one of my favorite authors, but this one has me questioning that a bit. Why?!??
EDIT: Her latest novel, Don't Let Him In, reminds me a lot of the vibes of this novel.
Lisa Jewell is one of my favorite authors, but this one has me questioning that a bit. Why?!??
EDIT: Her latest novel, Don't Let Him In, reminds me a lot of the vibes of this novel.
March 9, 2018
EXCERPT: 'I think you'll find you're the one with the problem.' Then the person, yes, a woman, in red shoes, tutted again and walked away, her heels issuing a mocking clack-clack as she went.
Maya watched her blurred figure recede. She found a lamp post and leaned against it, looking into the oncoming traffic. The headlights turned into more fireworks. Or one of those toys she'dhad as a child: tube, full of colored beads, you shook it, looked through the hole, lovely patterns - what was it called? She couldn'tremember. Whatever. She didn’tknow any more. She didn't know what time it was. She didn’t know where she was. Adrian had called. She'd spoken to him. Tried to sound sober. He'd asked her if she needed him to come and get her. She couldn't remember what she'd said. Or how long ago it had been. Lovely Adrian. So lovely. She couldn't go home. Go home and do what she needed to do. He was too nice. She remembered the pub. She talked to that woman. Promised her she was going home. That was hours ago. Where had she been since then? Walking. Sitting somewhere, on a bench, with abottle of vodka, talking to strangers. Hahaha. That bit had been fun. They'd said she could come back with them, to their flat, have a party. She'd been tempted, but she was glad now, glad she'd said no.
She closed her eyes, gripped the lamp post tighter as she felt her balance slip away from her. She smiled to herself. This was nice. All this color and darkness and noise and all these fascinating people. She should do this more often, she really should. Get out of it. Live a little. Go a bit nuts. A group of women were walking towards her. She stared towards them greedily. She could see each woman in triplicate. They were all so young, so pretty. She closed her eyes again as they passed by, her senses unable to contain their image any longer. Once they'd passed she opened her eyes.
She saw a bus bearing down, bouncy and keen. She squintedinto the white light on the front, looking for a number. It slowed as it neared her and she turned and saw a bus stop to her left, with people standing at it.
'Dear bitch. Why can't you just disappear?'
The words passed through her mind, clear and concise in their meaning, like a sober person leading her home. And then those other words, the words from earlier.
'I hate her too. '
She took a step forward.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: In the early hours of an April morning, Maya stumbles into the path of an oncoming bus.
A tragic accident? Or suicide? Her grief-stricken husband, Adrian, is determined to find out.
Maya had a job she enjoyed; she had friends. They'd been in love. She even got on with his two previous wives and their children. In fact, they'd all been one big happy family.
But before long Adrian starts to identify the dark cracks in his perfect life.
Because everyone has secrets. And secrets have consequences. Some of which can be devastating.
MY THOUGHTS: This book blew me away...at first I thought it was pretty good chick-lit, but then it became so much more.....
Adrian is a serial husband. There has always been somewhere for him to go. The next woman. The next house. The next family.
But the death of his third wife Maya, by accident? by suicide?, has halted that progression.
Adrian finds himself widowed at 47. "Like an abrupt end to a really good book, frantically thumbing through the pages to see if he's missed a bit, bewildered and rudderless......he couldn't get used to this. He really, really couldn't."
At first I wanted to belong to this wonderful fractured, but cohesive family of Adrian and his two previous wives, Susie and Caroline, their five children, and his third wife Maya; all of whom have this wonderfully fluid and supportive relationship; all of whom profess to love and admire each other.
But then comes the first of the twists.....which made my eyes widen in shock, my breath catch with the question 'Who? Who is doing this to Maya?' It can only be one of the people who smile sweetly at her, who hug her and kiss her.....but which one?
"Like guests in an Agatha Christie-style weekend house party, each one had a motive. And (excepting one) each one had the means."
This is my first ever Lisa Jewel book - how have I never read anything by her before?
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and author Lisa Jewell for the gift of an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
Maya watched her blurred figure recede. She found a lamp post and leaned against it, looking into the oncoming traffic. The headlights turned into more fireworks. Or one of those toys she'dhad as a child: tube, full of colored beads, you shook it, looked through the hole, lovely patterns - what was it called? She couldn'tremember. Whatever. She didn’tknow any more. She didn't know what time it was. She didn’t know where she was. Adrian had called. She'd spoken to him. Tried to sound sober. He'd asked her if she needed him to come and get her. She couldn't remember what she'd said. Or how long ago it had been. Lovely Adrian. So lovely. She couldn't go home. Go home and do what she needed to do. He was too nice. She remembered the pub. She talked to that woman. Promised her she was going home. That was hours ago. Where had she been since then? Walking. Sitting somewhere, on a bench, with abottle of vodka, talking to strangers. Hahaha. That bit had been fun. They'd said she could come back with them, to their flat, have a party. She'd been tempted, but she was glad now, glad she'd said no.
She closed her eyes, gripped the lamp post tighter as she felt her balance slip away from her. She smiled to herself. This was nice. All this color and darkness and noise and all these fascinating people. She should do this more often, she really should. Get out of it. Live a little. Go a bit nuts. A group of women were walking towards her. She stared towards them greedily. She could see each woman in triplicate. They were all so young, so pretty. She closed her eyes again as they passed by, her senses unable to contain their image any longer. Once they'd passed she opened her eyes.
She saw a bus bearing down, bouncy and keen. She squintedinto the white light on the front, looking for a number. It slowed as it neared her and she turned and saw a bus stop to her left, with people standing at it.
'Dear bitch. Why can't you just disappear?'
The words passed through her mind, clear and concise in their meaning, like a sober person leading her home. And then those other words, the words from earlier.
'I hate her too. '
She took a step forward.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: In the early hours of an April morning, Maya stumbles into the path of an oncoming bus.
A tragic accident? Or suicide? Her grief-stricken husband, Adrian, is determined to find out.
Maya had a job she enjoyed; she had friends. They'd been in love. She even got on with his two previous wives and their children. In fact, they'd all been one big happy family.
But before long Adrian starts to identify the dark cracks in his perfect life.
Because everyone has secrets. And secrets have consequences. Some of which can be devastating.
MY THOUGHTS: This book blew me away...at first I thought it was pretty good chick-lit, but then it became so much more.....
Adrian is a serial husband. There has always been somewhere for him to go. The next woman. The next house. The next family.
But the death of his third wife Maya, by accident? by suicide?, has halted that progression.
Adrian finds himself widowed at 47. "Like an abrupt end to a really good book, frantically thumbing through the pages to see if he's missed a bit, bewildered and rudderless......he couldn't get used to this. He really, really couldn't."
At first I wanted to belong to this wonderful fractured, but cohesive family of Adrian and his two previous wives, Susie and Caroline, their five children, and his third wife Maya; all of whom have this wonderfully fluid and supportive relationship; all of whom profess to love and admire each other.
But then comes the first of the twists.....which made my eyes widen in shock, my breath catch with the question 'Who? Who is doing this to Maya?' It can only be one of the people who smile sweetly at her, who hug her and kiss her.....but which one?
"Like guests in an Agatha Christie-style weekend house party, each one had a motive. And (excepting one) each one had the means."
This is my first ever Lisa Jewel book - how have I never read anything by her before?
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and author Lisa Jewell for the gift of an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
May 24, 2015
3.5 stars. A very believable contemporary story where we see a grown man eventually come of age, via a detour of a marriage or two. This is the first book I have read of this author, and stumbled across it on the library shelf whilst looking for The House We Grew Up In.
It was nice reading about the suburbs around London, and while we read about our protagonist, Adrian, I couldn't help but think how lucky he was two have two very nice ex wives, without a trace of vindictiveness, but as I mentioned this a believable story dealing with issues, mainly divorce and an absent father.
A mystery unfolds itself and I was left satisfied, enjoying the story, and will read this author again. This is a nice read, I'd recommend it easily for readers of a contemporary nature, with a splattering of mystery to keep the pages turning at a quick rate.
It was nice reading about the suburbs around London, and while we read about our protagonist, Adrian, I couldn't help but think how lucky he was two have two very nice ex wives, without a trace of vindictiveness, but as I mentioned this a believable story dealing with issues, mainly divorce and an absent father.
A mystery unfolds itself and I was left satisfied, enjoying the story, and will read this author again. This is a nice read, I'd recommend it easily for readers of a contemporary nature, with a splattering of mystery to keep the pages turning at a quick rate.
May 1, 2022
I've been on a kick to read most of Lisa Jewell's books. The Third Wife, an earlier publication, is probably my tenth to date. What a strong, complex story that immediately pulled me in. A woman is hit by a bus, and most witnesses believed it was accidental. But strange things begin to happen to her widower, Adrian, who also happens to have two ex-wives and five children. Then a woman who wants to adopt his late wife's cat shows up, leaving behind strange clues that indicate she knows something about the death. While not a traditional mystery, it was full of suspense and page-turning scenes that kept me constantly eager to predict the ending. Jewell knows how to lure you in, and while some parts were a bit excessive, and the differences in American and British family upbringing tend to drive me a little batty (trying to understand the differences, I mean)... I enjoyed this tremendously. I was comfortable with the ending, but I did wish we had a bit more in one area, predominantly a scene from the wife as she was dying... to truly know what was going through her mind in those last moments.
November 9, 2021
The most shocking part about this book is that I finished it 🤣
June 23, 2015
“You’re a love addict.”
Things aren’t always as they appear. That was the underlying theme throughout this twisted family drama that kept me enthralled, pretty much until the end. It was well-written, dynamic and left me wanting to pick up the author’s other books.
The story centered around a man, Adrian Wolfe, and his unique family situation. When the story started off, my heart broke for him. Here’s a guy that just lost his third wife. Yes . . . third. It’s hard to fathom, anyone could believe in love after two failed marriages, but this guy was convinced, he had finally found the one. The woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with.
Was Maya's death a terrible accident or was it a suicide? The circumstances of that night, didn't really fit with the person everyone knew. Or thought they knew.
From all outward appearances, Maya was the perfect fit for Adrian’s unconventional family. Still immersed in his ex-wives lives and juggling the schedules of his five kids, Maya didn’t have much choice but to be accepting and join in the chaos. It honestly was a strange dynamic. One, I couldn’t ever imagine any woman signing up to be a part of. But, sometimes love makes us do crazy things, right?
In an attempt to move on, after Maya’s death, Adrian tries to find a home for her cat. He meets a woman that opens his eyes to the possibility that maybe things weren’t as great as he once believed. Her role in the story and some of the secrets along the way, played out a little differently than expected.
By the end of the story, my feelings for Adrian had totally changed. I felt like I had been duped. It all boiled down to his selfishness and total disregard for anyone else’s feelings. He had convinced himself that just because he was happy, so was everyone else around him. In a way, maybe a typical guy, oblivious to the feelings of those around him?
The story was a little bit of a slow build, but the author really took the time to develop the characters and to ratchet up the suspense, which I appreciated. Where the story failed for me was the ending. It wasn’t satisfying. I wanted more. Something bigger and bolder. I won’t go so far to say it ruined the story, but it definitely didn’t live up to the expectations, I felt the rest of the story garnered.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Things aren’t always as they appear. That was the underlying theme throughout this twisted family drama that kept me enthralled, pretty much until the end. It was well-written, dynamic and left me wanting to pick up the author’s other books.
The story centered around a man, Adrian Wolfe, and his unique family situation. When the story started off, my heart broke for him. Here’s a guy that just lost his third wife. Yes . . . third. It’s hard to fathom, anyone could believe in love after two failed marriages, but this guy was convinced, he had finally found the one. The woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with.
Was Maya's death a terrible accident or was it a suicide? The circumstances of that night, didn't really fit with the person everyone knew. Or thought they knew.
From all outward appearances, Maya was the perfect fit for Adrian’s unconventional family. Still immersed in his ex-wives lives and juggling the schedules of his five kids, Maya didn’t have much choice but to be accepting and join in the chaos. It honestly was a strange dynamic. One, I couldn’t ever imagine any woman signing up to be a part of. But, sometimes love makes us do crazy things, right?
In an attempt to move on, after Maya’s death, Adrian tries to find a home for her cat. He meets a woman that opens his eyes to the possibility that maybe things weren’t as great as he once believed. Her role in the story and some of the secrets along the way, played out a little differently than expected.
By the end of the story, my feelings for Adrian had totally changed. I felt like I had been duped. It all boiled down to his selfishness and total disregard for anyone else’s feelings. He had convinced himself that just because he was happy, so was everyone else around him. In a way, maybe a typical guy, oblivious to the feelings of those around him?
The story was a little bit of a slow build, but the author really took the time to develop the characters and to ratchet up the suspense, which I appreciated. Where the story failed for me was the ending. It wasn’t satisfying. I wanted more. Something bigger and bolder. I won’t go so far to say it ruined the story, but it definitely didn’t live up to the expectations, I felt the rest of the story garnered.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
May 19, 2020
Popsugar challenge 2020 - A book you meant to read in 2019
I knew at 20% that this would be the first Lisa Jewell book that I wasn't going to give 5 stars. It's also the first book I've read of her's since she crossed over from Chick Lit to Thrillers and maybe the answer is there, rarely do thrillers prove to be memorable 5 star books.
This is a perfectly fine thriller, no massive twists or turns, no massive OMG moments but the plot line works, the ending was a bit too soppy for me but all in all it's a decent read.
I guess for me Jewell is The Truth about Melody Brown / Thirty Nothing etc etc, I'm just not overly convinced of the genre switch just yet.
I knew at 20% that this would be the first Lisa Jewell book that I wasn't going to give 5 stars. It's also the first book I've read of her's since she crossed over from Chick Lit to Thrillers and maybe the answer is there, rarely do thrillers prove to be memorable 5 star books.
This is a perfectly fine thriller, no massive twists or turns, no massive OMG moments but the plot line works, the ending was a bit too soppy for me but all in all it's a decent read.
I guess for me Jewell is The Truth about Melody Brown / Thirty Nothing etc etc, I'm just not overly convinced of the genre switch just yet.
June 21, 2015
Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher for advancing me a free copy of “The Third Wife” by Lisa Jewell in exchange for an honest review.
BIG TIME SPOILERS HERE READERS.
Talk about a novel that went on a bit too much only to become so boring and mundane. A novel with the most boring characters, none of whom I liked very much. Intriguing story? Yes. However, poorly executed.
The story orbits around one man, Adrian; a man who’s never been alone once in his entire adult life; a man who comes to the realization that he doesn’t know how to live life all alone, until his third wife passes on. Adrian’s been married three times and has five children, two from his first and three from his second. He married wife number one, Susie; left her for wife number two, Caroline; and left her for wife number three, Maya, the youngest of them all. Throughout it all, Adrian has been very happy and figures if he’s so happy, his ex-wives and children are as well. Well they must be as the wives and children all get along, the children so friendly with the wives they’re often at any one of the homes, they celebrate birthdays together, and they always take vacations together, everyone having a grand ole’ time. Life couldn’t be any better for Adrian except for having a baby with Maya. That is until Maya is killed by a bus. Questions arise. Was she killed? Was it suicide? Or was it an Accident? Trying to find the answers, real feelings, truths and admissions start to surface from within his huge happy family, in particular from his children. What I found most interesting about Adrian was that in addition to being so happy, he didn’t think he had any flaws. However, when it came to his children all he could see were the many flaws each child had, and can’t understand why. He also misleads his third wife telling her how much he hated the houses he left to his ex’s, how cold and soulless they each were; how his ex’s ignored the children for their own selfish reasons, etc. When in fact the opposite was the truth.
- Luke talking with his father:
““Remembering things is not the same as caring about them.
“Of course I care! How can you suggest I don’t? All I bloody do is care!”
Luke sighed and his cheeks twitched and hollowed as he considered his next point. “No. You don’t. If you cared you’d notice that Cat is stress-eating because she’s so unhappy. You’d notice that Pearl has no life and no friends and everyone thinks she’s weird. You’d notice that Otis is miserable and retreating into himself. You’d notice that I-” He stopped.
“Kids are kids. They go through phases. Moods. It’s normal.”
“There is nothing normal about our family, dad. I mean, what were you thinking? How did you think it was going to be OK just to keep building families and then leaving them?””
Adrian is the epitome of being one selfish, self-obsessed, and loquacious bastard. Always thinking the grass is greener on the other side. Never once reflecting how his actions may affect his ex-wives and children. Now alone and watching his ex-wives move on with their life with their careers and new companions, self-realizations being to occur.
“They had all belonged to him once; the houses, the wives, the children. And yet now he had nothing. A crap flat, a weird cat, a stranger’s phone. For nearly five decades he had lived with an unshakeable belief in the decisions he made. Every morning for forty-eight years he had woken up and thought: I am where I want to be right now. And now he was not. He did not want to be in this flat, with his cat and this phone and this feeling of cold dread. He’d made a bad choice somewhere along the line but he didn’t know where.”
Wanting the best of both worlds, he has his new younger wife, and his children he sees on the days he’s scheduled to be with them that conveniently live with his ex. He thinks he’s a great father, yet leaves all the responsibilities of raising them to his ex’s, and ignores the fall-out and problems that arise from his actions. So narcissistic is Adrian, he feels that he can’t help it if all women find him desirable. Unbelievable!
I honestly didn’t like any of the characters, and it goes without saying that I hated Adrian the most. That being said, he was he most well-developed character and for this I applaud the author when it came to wielding such a selfish, arrogant, and ignorant husband/father.
In the end, the novel was bland and predictable. And the whole mystery regarding his third wife’s death, a complete letdown. But what galled me the most is the HEA Adrian ends up with. Yes, it seems one of his ex’s took him back. I actually thought he deserved to be all alone. But hey, that’s me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2017
Having gave 5 stars to Lisa Jewell's other book 'I Found You' I was really looking forward to reading this 'The Third Wife'.
However, I was bitterly disappointed. I could just not get into this at all, I found the storyline boring and only continued with the book to see if it did improve, but sadly no it didn't. I feel bad giving a negative review as like I've said I did enjoy another of her books but this just didn't ring true. My husband has an ex wife and kids and we have kids and there certainly isn't the camaraderie and friendship that this book depicts between all 3 wives and children. I know some estranged families can get on but I do believe they are few and far between and most are antagonistic. Even the 12 year old boy Otis has such a grown up head on him concerning feelings etc that just doesn't seem real - my 12 year old boy wouldn't know where to begin to express the feelings and emotions Otis did.
It is an easy book to read and follow and I imagine would be a great holiday read sitting on a beach - you will probably either love or hate this book, so I would still recommend this to readers of chic lit rather than thrillers and at the end of the day it is only my opinion. Sorry Lisa.
3 stars.
However, I was bitterly disappointed. I could just not get into this at all, I found the storyline boring and only continued with the book to see if it did improve, but sadly no it didn't. I feel bad giving a negative review as like I've said I did enjoy another of her books but this just didn't ring true. My husband has an ex wife and kids and we have kids and there certainly isn't the camaraderie and friendship that this book depicts between all 3 wives and children. I know some estranged families can get on but I do believe they are few and far between and most are antagonistic. Even the 12 year old boy Otis has such a grown up head on him concerning feelings etc that just doesn't seem real - my 12 year old boy wouldn't know where to begin to express the feelings and emotions Otis did.
It is an easy book to read and follow and I imagine would be a great holiday read sitting on a beach - you will probably either love or hate this book, so I would still recommend this to readers of chic lit rather than thrillers and at the end of the day it is only my opinion. Sorry Lisa.
3 stars.
January 17, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
I've let this book "sit" in my mind and emotions for 24 hours before writing this review. It's one of those books that makes you think after you have read it so I waited for all the "brain dust" to settle.
Maya is Adrian's third wife, one evening she steps out in front of a moving bus and is killed. Is is suicide? Was it an accident? Nobody knows for sure.
Here's where the book got complex for me, Adrian has two previous wives and children to both of those wives, all of them, both ex-wives plus Maya, plus all the kids do things together, they holiday together, they spend time with each other, Adrian keeps his ties pretty tight to the past, Maya is not only the third wife, but she's the third wife that can't escape the previous two.
I have been the second wife and a stepmother, so I was like "what? No! That poor woman!", knowing the complex dynamics it can all bring. But Adrian, in the book is in love with love, he happily drifts along seeing them as one big happy family.
But after Maya's death, the cracks begin to show, the pieces begin to fall in the puzzle and the fun begins.
Lisa Jewell really knows how to bring her characters to life on the page, there are many in the book (all those ex-wives and children! and dogs and a cat!) but she makes us connect with all of them, we get to enter their worlds, some I was not that keen on staying in one bit.
It's a book about very complex family dynamics, secrets and betrayals, it's extremely well written and very readable, I really enjoyed reading this novel and read it over a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, I was surprised it was finished as I had been so immersed in it.
I loved the mysteries in the book as time flits back to when Maya was alive and starts to share some of the back story to before her death, that was really good. There are also moments in the book that I was uncomfortable with, like as a stepmother REALLY uncomfortable, I read a few sentences and paragraphs more than once to check I was still reading the same book. Bit of shock factor here and there, very good I must say.
An easy 4 star rating, excellent book, highly recommended.
I've let this book "sit" in my mind and emotions for 24 hours before writing this review. It's one of those books that makes you think after you have read it so I waited for all the "brain dust" to settle.
Maya is Adrian's third wife, one evening she steps out in front of a moving bus and is killed. Is is suicide? Was it an accident? Nobody knows for sure.
Here's where the book got complex for me, Adrian has two previous wives and children to both of those wives, all of them, both ex-wives plus Maya, plus all the kids do things together, they holiday together, they spend time with each other, Adrian keeps his ties pretty tight to the past, Maya is not only the third wife, but she's the third wife that can't escape the previous two.
I have been the second wife and a stepmother, so I was like "what? No! That poor woman!", knowing the complex dynamics it can all bring. But Adrian, in the book is in love with love, he happily drifts along seeing them as one big happy family.
But after Maya's death, the cracks begin to show, the pieces begin to fall in the puzzle and the fun begins.
Lisa Jewell really knows how to bring her characters to life on the page, there are many in the book (all those ex-wives and children! and dogs and a cat!) but she makes us connect with all of them, we get to enter their worlds, some I was not that keen on staying in one bit.
It's a book about very complex family dynamics, secrets and betrayals, it's extremely well written and very readable, I really enjoyed reading this novel and read it over a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, I was surprised it was finished as I had been so immersed in it.
I loved the mysteries in the book as time flits back to when Maya was alive and starts to share some of the back story to before her death, that was really good. There are also moments in the book that I was uncomfortable with, like as a stepmother REALLY uncomfortable, I read a few sentences and paragraphs more than once to check I was still reading the same book. Bit of shock factor here and there, very good I must say.
An easy 4 star rating, excellent book, highly recommended.
January 30, 2025
Was Maya's death a suicide, or an accident?
Everyone has their secrets, and things are not always as they appear to be.
It was the first time that I have read a book by Lisa Jewell, but it won't be my last.
Recommended for fans of Liane Moriarity...this is an author I was pleased to discover!
Everyone has their secrets, and things are not always as they appear to be.
It was the first time that I have read a book by Lisa Jewell, but it won't be my last.
Recommended for fans of Liane Moriarity...this is an author I was pleased to discover!
October 25, 2023
Okay girls, drag out the deckchairs, pour the Pimms, settle your self and while away a couple of hours in this book about Adrian and his families.
Adrian has been married to Maya a couple of years before she wanders drunkenly into the path of a London bus and is killed. He is distraught and seeks comfort in his other two families. Yes – that’s right –because Adrian, silly shambolic, selfish man has been married twice before. He left wife number 1 (Susie) and his two kids for Caroline who became wife number 2, bearing three children during their years together, then Caroline and kids were dumped for young, slim, beautiful Maya. They apparently all love each other, spend holidays together, regularly have family gatherings, the older kids babysit the younger ones. All is wonderful – until Maya is killed.
Adrian, still grief-stricken a year on, advertises Maya’s cat, Billie – he feels she needs a new home. Enter the enigmatic and stunning Jane. Adrian is immediately smitten and sets out to discover who she is…..and so the mystery, such as it is, unfolds. Slowly, verrry slowly.
This book is overly long by about a hundred pages, but it’s an easy non-thinking person’s book easily read in a couple of days, if that. The plot is so thin I could see right through it from the early stages; the characters, none of whom is likeable, are one-dimensional – the children are all beautiful, nauseatingly so, they live in desirable houses in Hove and London; it’s the sort of lifestyle depicted in exactly this type of fiction and women’s’ magazines. There are so many holes and implausible scenarios that to list them all would be a “spoiler” for the many readers who like this sort of light, fluffy fiction. I do not. It is not particularly well written – a bit clunky here and there, occasional grammatical errors, which I find grating – “whom” instead of “who” is one I find especially irritating.
This is popular, light summer reading which will be lapped up by a certain type of reader who doesn’t want to think too much and enjoys fairytales.
I was reading this for Amazon Vine specifically to review, otherwise I wouldn't have gone near it.
Adrian has been married to Maya a couple of years before she wanders drunkenly into the path of a London bus and is killed. He is distraught and seeks comfort in his other two families. Yes – that’s right –because Adrian, silly shambolic, selfish man has been married twice before. He left wife number 1 (Susie) and his two kids for Caroline who became wife number 2, bearing three children during their years together, then Caroline and kids were dumped for young, slim, beautiful Maya. They apparently all love each other, spend holidays together, regularly have family gatherings, the older kids babysit the younger ones. All is wonderful – until Maya is killed.
Adrian, still grief-stricken a year on, advertises Maya’s cat, Billie – he feels she needs a new home. Enter the enigmatic and stunning Jane. Adrian is immediately smitten and sets out to discover who she is…..and so the mystery, such as it is, unfolds. Slowly, verrry slowly.
This book is overly long by about a hundred pages, but it’s an easy non-thinking person’s book easily read in a couple of days, if that. The plot is so thin I could see right through it from the early stages; the characters, none of whom is likeable, are one-dimensional – the children are all beautiful, nauseatingly so, they live in desirable houses in Hove and London; it’s the sort of lifestyle depicted in exactly this type of fiction and women’s’ magazines. There are so many holes and implausible scenarios that to list them all would be a “spoiler” for the many readers who like this sort of light, fluffy fiction. I do not. It is not particularly well written – a bit clunky here and there, occasional grammatical errors, which I find grating – “whom” instead of “who” is one I find especially irritating.
This is popular, light summer reading which will be lapped up by a certain type of reader who doesn’t want to think too much and enjoys fairytales.
I was reading this for Amazon Vine specifically to review, otherwise I wouldn't have gone near it.
June 27, 2015
Ridiculously thin plot, one-dimensional characters with no redeeming qualities, and the ending made me throw up a little in my mouth.
June 5, 2015
One of the things that I like about Lisa Jewell's books is that each one is different and unpredictable--this is true of The Third Wife.
Adrian, twice divorced & father of five, has recently become widowed when his third wife, Maya, jumps in front of a bus. While investigating the cause of Maya's suicide, Adrian is forced to come to terms with the decisions that he has made in his life.
Adrian, twice divorced & father of five, has recently become widowed when his third wife, Maya, jumps in front of a bus. While investigating the cause of Maya's suicide, Adrian is forced to come to terms with the decisions that he has made in his life.
September 8, 2014
First of all, I'd like to thank Random House UK, Cornerstone for allowing me to read and review this book via Net Galley. I love this author.
I never know what to expect from Lisa Jewell. The only thing I can be 100% sure on is that she delivers a good awesome read, this one was without exception.
I've purposely not looked at other reviewers reviews so as not to influence what I am about to write.
We have Maya, she is the third wife of Adrian. Adrain is a 'nice' man, he's a good Father, [so it seems] and leaving his first wife, well, these things happen, then the second wife, well......takes two [so I though].
We get deeper into the mind of Adrian as time goes on, but more so too, how all the family seem to get on together even the ex wives. Unusual, maybe, maybe not.
Then I thought of the children hes had with each wife, all except the last one. Maya hasn't had a child yet.
The concept of this book is hugely though provoking. There is one wonderful thing that stands out to me that was so expertly done. The way things unfolded? yes. But....right at the beginning we see how Maya just walked out under a bus. The consequences of this action, purpose? suicide? I don't know. What you need to do is read this and get into the mind of Maya, which......is the unique point of this book, we go back to where Maya was alive, we get insight of what she was thinking, what was happening in her life.
There is a complete turn that comes up in this book that keeps you guessing almost to the end.
I texted my book mate to tell her, she MUST read this book.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone and challenge you not to like it.
January 2, 2018
3.5 stars
Adrian Wolfe seems like the perfect man. True he is on his third marriage and true he has five children which he left without a dad living in their home, but he is successful, loving, and married to his third wife, Maya. Tragically, she after a night of drinking steps off a curb and is killed by an oncoming bus. As Adrian starts to explore the reasons behind the death of Maya, we begin to see cracks in what he considers to be his perfect life.
His first two wives, the children, and Adrian get along famously. They all seem to be one big happy family. His children seem to be resilient and coping with their lives and all seems to be moving along wonderfully, However, as in most things dealing with perceptions and real life, things are not so very wonderful.
As Adrian continues to explore what happened, his family's real feelings and in essence Adrian's feelings and his all powerful need to have a woman in his life are held up to the light. Adrian learns many things about himself as well as learning that his family has suffered. Just as Adrian has broken marriages he also has broken children.
While I liked the book, I didn't love it. I just could not get into the characters. They all seemed kind of wooden and kind of fake.
Adrian Wolfe seems like the perfect man. True he is on his third marriage and true he has five children which he left without a dad living in their home, but he is successful, loving, and married to his third wife, Maya. Tragically, she after a night of drinking steps off a curb and is killed by an oncoming bus. As Adrian starts to explore the reasons behind the death of Maya, we begin to see cracks in what he considers to be his perfect life.
His first two wives, the children, and Adrian get along famously. They all seem to be one big happy family. His children seem to be resilient and coping with their lives and all seems to be moving along wonderfully, However, as in most things dealing with perceptions and real life, things are not so very wonderful.
As Adrian continues to explore what happened, his family's real feelings and in essence Adrian's feelings and his all powerful need to have a woman in his life are held up to the light. Adrian learns many things about himself as well as learning that his family has suffered. Just as Adrian has broken marriages he also has broken children.
While I liked the book, I didn't love it. I just could not get into the characters. They all seemed kind of wooden and kind of fake.
April 16, 2019
I'm slowly making my way through Lisa Jewell's backlist.
She is quickly becoming a go-to author for me. I really loved some of her more recent books, so I've been going back and reading some of her earlier work. This one captured me, but wasn't my favorite.
Adrian Wolfe is married to Maya, his third wife. He's got two ex-wifes and five children that carry on with him. Suddenly, Maya dies and Adrian is left to figure out what happened and what is important in his life. These characters wove into my heart- especially the younger ones. They crave their dad's attention, as we slowly realize what happened to Maya. This one was a little more realistic to believe, but made for a less satisfying read. (Why is that?)
I will continue to seek out books by Ms. Jewell and am anxious to see what else she has in store for us.
She is quickly becoming a go-to author for me. I really loved some of her more recent books, so I've been going back and reading some of her earlier work. This one captured me, but wasn't my favorite.
Adrian Wolfe is married to Maya, his third wife. He's got two ex-wifes and five children that carry on with him. Suddenly, Maya dies and Adrian is left to figure out what happened and what is important in his life. These characters wove into my heart- especially the younger ones. They crave their dad's attention, as we slowly realize what happened to Maya. This one was a little more realistic to believe, but made for a less satisfying read. (Why is that?)
I will continue to seek out books by Ms. Jewell and am anxious to see what else she has in store for us.
June 5, 2014
Didn't like any of the characters and hated Adrian who was so self obsessed it was untrue. only person I felt for was Maya who just didn't know what she got herself into
July 12, 2014
So my second Lisa Jewell book in as many weeks – and certainly there will be more coming up for me in the future – if anything I enjoyed this even more than “The House We Grew Up In” – I read it pretty much in one sitting.
In “The Third Wife” Ms Jewell delves into the psychology of a fractured family – one that on the surface looks magical, everyone having moved on and accepted the changes but underneath the surface there is a whirlpool of resentment and hidden secrets. Absolutely compelling throughout, at the heart of it sits the character of Adrian, a man who is in love with love.
Once again it is the characters that pop – all beautifully well drawn, absolutely realistic and with a sharp emotional edge that keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen to them. Using past and present, as we learn how Maya went from happily married and blissfully ignorant to realisation that everything is not as perfect as it appears, and the events leading up to her death, alongside Adrian’s grieving process and his coming to an understanding of how things were and are, this was fascinating and poignant reading.
I was totally hooked into this family throughout – both of Adrian’s ex wives are wonderful to behold, the children all have their own little quirks and foibles and the emotional resonance of how the adult affairs affect them is insightful and often very sad. A complex tangled web of sentiment is unravelled slowly and surely before our eyes as the truth emerges from the fiction created by Adrian of how well adjusted everyone around him appears to be – the depth of his tunnel vision will at times astound you, and yet it is easy to understand why he suffers convenient blindness to the realities of how his actions have consequences.
Absolutely remarkable writing, that sticks you front and centre of the story as it unfolds, I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Happy Reading Folks!
In “The Third Wife” Ms Jewell delves into the psychology of a fractured family – one that on the surface looks magical, everyone having moved on and accepted the changes but underneath the surface there is a whirlpool of resentment and hidden secrets. Absolutely compelling throughout, at the heart of it sits the character of Adrian, a man who is in love with love.
Once again it is the characters that pop – all beautifully well drawn, absolutely realistic and with a sharp emotional edge that keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen to them. Using past and present, as we learn how Maya went from happily married and blissfully ignorant to realisation that everything is not as perfect as it appears, and the events leading up to her death, alongside Adrian’s grieving process and his coming to an understanding of how things were and are, this was fascinating and poignant reading.
I was totally hooked into this family throughout – both of Adrian’s ex wives are wonderful to behold, the children all have their own little quirks and foibles and the emotional resonance of how the adult affairs affect them is insightful and often very sad. A complex tangled web of sentiment is unravelled slowly and surely before our eyes as the truth emerges from the fiction created by Adrian of how well adjusted everyone around him appears to be – the depth of his tunnel vision will at times astound you, and yet it is easy to understand why he suffers convenient blindness to the realities of how his actions have consequences.
Absolutely remarkable writing, that sticks you front and centre of the story as it unfolds, I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Happy Reading Folks!
October 18, 2022
Lisa Jewell knocked it out of the park with The Third Wife.
Adrian Wolfe has two ex-wives and five children when he marries Maya. The large extended family, including both ex-wives, celebrate holidays together and are viewed as everyone getting along well. Maya does her best to fit in with this interesting family but ends up feeling like an au-pair. She rides in the backseat of the car and the two ex-wives don't involve her in meal planning or preparation.
Maya starts to receive ominous emails.
Maya is tragically killed by a bus when she steps off a street corner. Part of the book is determining if it was suicide, an accident or if she was pushed.
Lives and secrets start to unravel.
Highly recommend!
Adrian Wolfe has two ex-wives and five children when he marries Maya. The large extended family, including both ex-wives, celebrate holidays together and are viewed as everyone getting along well. Maya does her best to fit in with this interesting family but ends up feeling like an au-pair. She rides in the backseat of the car and the two ex-wives don't involve her in meal planning or preparation.
Maya starts to receive ominous emails.
Maya is tragically killed by a bus when she steps off a street corner. Part of the book is determining if it was suicide, an accident or if she was pushed.
Lives and secrets start to unravel.
Highly recommend!
August 10, 2018
Ridiculous.
Can't work out why we are supposed to like Adrian? a serial adulterer with no thoughts for his multiple offspring and absolutely no personality (and who even becomes briefly besotted with a weird but beautiful stalker?! as long and she's attractive thats ok apparently...) Adrian is worshipped by his former wives - who were all left for other women. And these former wives all get on fab and go on glorious holidays together with the gorgeous kids...
His wives- particulaly Susie- have no real personalities and are mostly depicted by their dress sense- with for example Susie basically "used to be pretty but let herself go when Adrian left" which is constantly referenced. Adrian refuses to let 2nd wife caroline be happy with her new partner and subtlety sabotages her attempt to move on by rudely quizzing her about her possible desire for another baby (how dare she!?) With a seemingly decent new guy Paul Wilson - who gets a surname but is not given any other characteristics.
Children all unlikable but are all amazingly good looking. And all think Adrian is "the best dad ever" despite him being a selfish idiot more concerned with dating younger women than raising them.
The whole Maya story is left unfinished in my opinion (did she really just tumble under a bus? Does anyone in the family care?!) and no one seems to care about the fact she had been relentlessly cyber bullied by one of the kids. In fact, it ends up being implied that Maya is deemed a silly girl who should have known better than to get with wonderful Adrian and is even too weak to dump him?! But its Ok, Adrian never liked her anyway and only got with her because Caroline wouldn't go to Paris with him....?!
The ending made me so furious i had to write a review. He didn't even keep Maya's cat.
One star.
Can't work out why we are supposed to like Adrian? a serial adulterer with no thoughts for his multiple offspring and absolutely no personality (and who even becomes briefly besotted with a weird but beautiful stalker?! as long and she's attractive thats ok apparently...) Adrian is worshipped by his former wives - who were all left for other women. And these former wives all get on fab and go on glorious holidays together with the gorgeous kids...
His wives- particulaly Susie- have no real personalities and are mostly depicted by their dress sense- with for example Susie basically "used to be pretty but let herself go when Adrian left" which is constantly referenced. Adrian refuses to let 2nd wife caroline be happy with her new partner and subtlety sabotages her attempt to move on by rudely quizzing her about her possible desire for another baby (how dare she!?) With a seemingly decent new guy Paul Wilson - who gets a surname but is not given any other characteristics.
Children all unlikable but are all amazingly good looking. And all think Adrian is "the best dad ever" despite him being a selfish idiot more concerned with dating younger women than raising them.
The whole Maya story is left unfinished in my opinion (did she really just tumble under a bus? Does anyone in the family care?!) and no one seems to care about the fact she had been relentlessly cyber bullied by one of the kids. In fact, it ends up being implied that Maya is deemed a silly girl who should have known better than to get with wonderful Adrian and is even too weak to dump him?! But its Ok, Adrian never liked her anyway and only got with her because Caroline wouldn't go to Paris with him....?!
The ending made me so furious i had to write a review. He didn't even keep Maya's cat.
One star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2018
I fell in love with Lisa Jewell's writing with her debut novel "Ralph's Party" (and I was Serbian editor of that title) and left her publisher after the publication... Unfortunately, as is often the case in Serbia, new editors neglected her books completely... And I finally got time to get back to reading my "old" authors to find them new homes in Serbia... So, after more then 10 years I've read a book by Lisa Jewell... and I glad to say that I am still in love with her writing, that she matured as a writer... I know why some readers on Goodreads are not liking that much this title... as they can't say what genre the book is (romance, psychological thriller, suspense) ... But I will say this book is book about family... family values, kids, ex-wifes, getting all together... Maybe I like this book more than the other readers as I experienced something like that in my family (kids from second marriage and grandkids from my divorced grandparents are growing up together, are good friends almost like siblings, and that continues with each new generation... when asked they often declare that they are siblings although they aren't blood relatives) ... :) And the kids’ reactions to new siblings, new family situation are very well described by Lisa Jewell... This book should be given a chance even though the genre is not clear... :)
March 21, 2021
I've got such mixed feeling with what is clearly one of Jewell's weaker thrillers.
On the one hand the premise of a perceived happy family is rocked when Adrian's third wife Maya is hit and killed by a night bus straight away pulled me in.
Up until that point the various ex's and children from former marriages had all seemed to get on so well that they even took holidays together.
When threatening e-mails having been sent to the latest Mrs. Wolfe over a period of time surfacces, whilst also being uncharacteristically drunk the night of her death - Adrian realised that it's not really been happy families all along.
Whilst the mystery was enthralling, the characters were hard to connect with - which definitely hampered my enjoyment.
There was some nice humourous moments concerning Adrian, clearly a man who enjoys the initial stages of a relationship - I actually laughed that it was suggested he was already working on Number Four.
Compared to Jewell other novels this one seems somewhat underwhelming.
On the one hand the premise of a perceived happy family is rocked when Adrian's third wife Maya is hit and killed by a night bus straight away pulled me in.
Up until that point the various ex's and children from former marriages had all seemed to get on so well that they even took holidays together.
When threatening e-mails having been sent to the latest Mrs. Wolfe over a period of time surfacces, whilst also being uncharacteristically drunk the night of her death - Adrian realised that it's not really been happy families all along.
Whilst the mystery was enthralling, the characters were hard to connect with - which definitely hampered my enjoyment.
There was some nice humourous moments concerning Adrian, clearly a man who enjoys the initial stages of a relationship - I actually laughed that it was suggested he was already working on Number Four.
Compared to Jewell other novels this one seems somewhat underwhelming.
April 17, 2021
Okay so I didn’t hate this book, but I didn’t love it. You can obviously tell this is where Lisa Jewell started her shift in her writing, this one only had a touch of a mystery element to it, and it lacked the Lisa Jewell twists and suspense we’ve come to expect from her. This was more of general fiction of a man trying to come to terms with his third wife’s death and the toll it had on his family and did anything suspicious actually cause her death? I don’t know. It wasn’t terrible. Lisa Jewell can’t write a bad book. But. It just could have been so much better and if she had written it in 2021 instead of 2015 it would’ve been a 5 star I’m sure.
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