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The Doctor's Wife #1
Legens kone
Han tror ingen vil oppdage hemmeligheten hans. Men hun kjenner til sannheten...
Mannen min er lege. Han er smart og sjarmerende, og alle stoler på ham. Bortsett fra meg.
På overflaten ser det ut som om jeg har alt – det perfekte ekteskapet, den perfekte ektemannen, det perfekte livet. Men det er langt fra sannheten.
Doktor Drew Devlin er ikke den respektable mannen han utgir seg for å være. Vi valgte å flytte til denne gamle, vakre eiendommen med fantastisk sjøutsikt fordi vi hadde behov for å legge fortiden bak oss. Det skulle være en ny start for oss begge.
Men jeg har funnet ut av at mannen min har løyet for meg, igjen. Han utnytter den makten jobben hans gir ham til å ødelegge folks liv, og til å få nøyaktig det han vil ha – uansett hvem det går ut over.
Men han undervurderer meg. Jeg har hatt rikelig med tid i dette store, isolerte huset, til å tenke på alle feilene han har begått.
Og mannen min har ingen anelse om hva som er i ferd med å skje...
---
«Wow. Klarte ikke å legge den fra meg! [...] Overraskelser som fikk det til å gå rundt for meg?!! [...] Fortjener mye mer enn fem stjerner. Dette er en bok du bare må lese!» – Heidi Lynns Book Reviews
«Wow!!! [...] Fullstendig avhengighetsskapende, og jeg leste den i ett strekk. Jeg satt på kanten av stolen og bet negler med bankende hjerte igjennom hele! [...] En totalt vanedannende bok som får pulsen til å stige, en pageturner du ikke kan legge fra deg. Jeg ELSKET den.» – Bookworm86
«Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Jeg mener, wow. Denne boken var så bra!!! [...] Superspennende plot. Jeg ble først kjørt inn i det ene sidesporet, og så i det andre.» – @thrilleraddict1986
«Nervepirrende og avhengighetsskapende bok [...] Wow. Jeg kunne ikke vende om på sidene fort nok. plot-twister som vipper deg av pinnen. Dette er en syndig bok, på sitt beste, og den bare må leses! – Once Upon a Time Book Reviews
«Ordentlig sjokkerende og fantastisk bra. Liker du berg-og-dal-baner, så gjør deg klar for en tur fylt med ville vendinger. fantastisk!» – @travel_through_books
«Dette er min andre bok av denne forfatteren, og jeg ble nok en gang sjarmert av skrivestilen og evnen hans til å skrive en så gripende bok [...] Fordi det er en kriminalroman, så tror du kanskje at du allerede har gjettet hva som kommer til å skje før du åpner boken. Likevel anbefaler jeg på det sterkeste at du åpner den og blir dratt inn i en historie full av løgner og bedrag [...] Jeg håper du ender opp med å like den like godt som jeg gjorde. Fem stjerner» – B for Bookreview
Mannen min er lege. Han er smart og sjarmerende, og alle stoler på ham. Bortsett fra meg.
På overflaten ser det ut som om jeg har alt – det perfekte ekteskapet, den perfekte ektemannen, det perfekte livet. Men det er langt fra sannheten.
Doktor Drew Devlin er ikke den respektable mannen han utgir seg for å være. Vi valgte å flytte til denne gamle, vakre eiendommen med fantastisk sjøutsikt fordi vi hadde behov for å legge fortiden bak oss. Det skulle være en ny start for oss begge.
Men jeg har funnet ut av at mannen min har løyet for meg, igjen. Han utnytter den makten jobben hans gir ham til å ødelegge folks liv, og til å få nøyaktig det han vil ha – uansett hvem det går ut over.
Men han undervurderer meg. Jeg har hatt rikelig med tid i dette store, isolerte huset, til å tenke på alle feilene han har begått.
Og mannen min har ingen anelse om hva som er i ferd med å skje...
---
«Wow. Klarte ikke å legge den fra meg! [...] Overraskelser som fikk det til å gå rundt for meg?!! [...] Fortjener mye mer enn fem stjerner. Dette er en bok du bare må lese!» – Heidi Lynns Book Reviews
«Wow!!! [...] Fullstendig avhengighetsskapende, og jeg leste den i ett strekk. Jeg satt på kanten av stolen og bet negler med bankende hjerte igjennom hele! [...] En totalt vanedannende bok som får pulsen til å stige, en pageturner du ikke kan legge fra deg. Jeg ELSKET den.» – Bookworm86
«Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Jeg mener, wow. Denne boken var så bra!!! [...] Superspennende plot. Jeg ble først kjørt inn i det ene sidesporet, og så i det andre.» – @thrilleraddict1986
«Nervepirrende og avhengighetsskapende bok [...] Wow. Jeg kunne ikke vende om på sidene fort nok. plot-twister som vipper deg av pinnen. Dette er en syndig bok, på sitt beste, og den bare må leses! – Once Upon a Time Book Reviews
«Ordentlig sjokkerende og fantastisk bra. Liker du berg-og-dal-baner, så gjør deg klar for en tur fylt med ville vendinger. fantastisk!» – @travel_through_books
«Dette er min andre bok av denne forfatteren, og jeg ble nok en gang sjarmert av skrivestilen og evnen hans til å skrive en så gripende bok [...] Fordi det er en kriminalroman, så tror du kanskje at du allerede har gjettet hva som kommer til å skje før du åpner boken. Likevel anbefaler jeg på det sterkeste at du åpner den og blir dratt inn i en historie full av løgner og bedrag [...] Jeg håper du ender opp med å like den like godt som jeg gjorde. Fem stjerner» – B for Bookreview
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2023
11286 people are currently reading
22541 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Hurst
89 books3,955 followersDaniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,938 reviews
November 26, 2023
The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst
Narrated by Sarah Durham, David Wayman
It's very interesting the way this story is presented. Right off the bat you are allowed to know things that are usually revealed much later in the story. But that's the thing, this is less a mystery than it is a confession or more accurately, a not so humble brag. There is a lot of telling because both Fern and her husband Drew (that's Doctor Drew to anyone in earshot) are so very proud of their manipulations and secrets. If they can't tell anyone else of their "accomplishments", they will at least tell us.
Doctor Drew is a nasty piece of work and will justify his wrong doings all day long. But Fern isn't a paragon herself. Drew is handsome, charming, smart, while Fern is more of the type to fade into the background, doing all the right things a good wife should do. It's so easy for arrogant Drew to dismiss his wife while he focuses on his stalker-ish wants and needs. Drew has no idea how dumb he really is and how manipulative Fern can be.
We have dual POVs for a while and we also go back and forth with the timelines. Despite so much telling rather than showing, I enjoyed the story in a guilty pleasure kind of way. The people are despicable and unlikable and deserve what they get and the ending gives me hope that things go the way I want them to after the credits have run off the screen. The narration was perfect for this story. From the moment I heard Fern's voice I didn't like her, she seems to telegraph her devious way of thinking. These people are never going to accept responsibility for their horrible actions. They will be so very happy to tell you why everything is someone else's fault. Grab the popcorn and enjoy the comeuppances.
Pub Jan 31 2023
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Sarah Durham, David Wayman
It's very interesting the way this story is presented. Right off the bat you are allowed to know things that are usually revealed much later in the story. But that's the thing, this is less a mystery than it is a confession or more accurately, a not so humble brag. There is a lot of telling because both Fern and her husband Drew (that's Doctor Drew to anyone in earshot) are so very proud of their manipulations and secrets. If they can't tell anyone else of their "accomplishments", they will at least tell us.
Doctor Drew is a nasty piece of work and will justify his wrong doings all day long. But Fern isn't a paragon herself. Drew is handsome, charming, smart, while Fern is more of the type to fade into the background, doing all the right things a good wife should do. It's so easy for arrogant Drew to dismiss his wife while he focuses on his stalker-ish wants and needs. Drew has no idea how dumb he really is and how manipulative Fern can be.
We have dual POVs for a while and we also go back and forth with the timelines. Despite so much telling rather than showing, I enjoyed the story in a guilty pleasure kind of way. The people are despicable and unlikable and deserve what they get and the ending gives me hope that things go the way I want them to after the credits have run off the screen. The narration was perfect for this story. From the moment I heard Fern's voice I didn't like her, she seems to telegraph her devious way of thinking. These people are never going to accept responsibility for their horrible actions. They will be so very happy to tell you why everything is someone else's fault. Grab the popcorn and enjoy the comeuppances.
Pub Jan 31 2023
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
January 31, 2023
Love Daniel Hurst's fast pace high tension thrillers, The Doctor's Wife is my third novel by the author.
Told from two perspectives, we follow Drew, the doctor, and his wife Fern. The couple moved from Manchester to a small village in Arberness, Scotland. Secrets, betrayal, and revenge is the theme of this domestic thriller. I found it to be predictable and have little shock value.
I wish there wasn't a prologue! Or at least doesn't include the death which was too big of a reveal. My mind was sort of set from then on and the story only confirms my prediction. If you haven't read the book, you might want to skip the prologue to chapter one.
None of the characters are likable which was fine for me because I was hoping karma would catch up to them. I like the ocean-side small village setting. Another positive is there are very few characters to keep track of. The ending was satisfying but overall The Doctor's Wife didn't blow me away.
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for my DRC.
Published January 31, 2023!
Told from two perspectives, we follow Drew, the doctor, and his wife Fern. The couple moved from Manchester to a small village in Arberness, Scotland. Secrets, betrayal, and revenge is the theme of this domestic thriller. I found it to be predictable and have little shock value.
I wish there wasn't a prologue! Or at least doesn't include the death which was too big of a reveal. My mind was sort of set from then on and the story only confirms my prediction. If you haven't read the book, you might want to skip the prologue to chapter one.
None of the characters are likable which was fine for me because I was hoping karma would catch up to them. I like the ocean-side small village setting. Another positive is there are very few characters to keep track of. The ending was satisfying but overall The Doctor's Wife didn't blow me away.
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for my DRC.
Published January 31, 2023!
January 31, 2023
Even in casual encounters the handsome and charming Drew introduces himself as ‘Doctor” (so....not so charming after all!).
He and his wife Fern have a seemingly perfect life when he suddenly decides he wants to move from the big city to the small village of Aberdeen. He says he was looking for a quieter life but is he really? Fern reluctantly agrees to the move and Drew considers himself lucky to have such a naïve wife.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Drew, Fern has her own plans for her new life in Aberdeen.
As with most of the author’s books this is a quick read with clever twists. The less I say about the plot, the better. (btw, do not read the synopsis on Goodreads as it gives key points away).
I won’t say more about the story but there are plenty of secrets along with the ironic twists the author is known for. I appreciate that his books often come in under 300 pages, and have no agendas, wordiness, or extra fluff. The focus isn’t on complicated character development, and it’s fun to sit back and be thoroughly entertained. For an engrossing page-turner, you can’t go wrong with this author.
I loved the epilogue which suggests one part of this couple just might get what he or she (no spoiler!) deserves.
A buddy read with Marialyce, do check out her review!
• I received a digital audio copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
• The narrators, Sarah Durham and David Wayman did an excellent job
• Publication date, January 31, 2023
He and his wife Fern have a seemingly perfect life when he suddenly decides he wants to move from the big city to the small village of Aberdeen. He says he was looking for a quieter life but is he really? Fern reluctantly agrees to the move and Drew considers himself lucky to have such a naïve wife.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Drew, Fern has her own plans for her new life in Aberdeen.
As with most of the author’s books this is a quick read with clever twists. The less I say about the plot, the better. (btw, do not read the synopsis on Goodreads as it gives key points away).
I won’t say more about the story but there are plenty of secrets along with the ironic twists the author is known for. I appreciate that his books often come in under 300 pages, and have no agendas, wordiness, or extra fluff. The focus isn’t on complicated character development, and it’s fun to sit back and be thoroughly entertained. For an engrossing page-turner, you can’t go wrong with this author.
I loved the epilogue which suggests one part of this couple just might get what he or she (no spoiler!) deserves.
A buddy read with Marialyce, do check out her review!
• I received a digital audio copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
• The narrators, Sarah Durham and David Wayman did an excellent job
• Publication date, January 31, 2023
April 18, 2023
EXCERPT: As the woman at the window watched the activity on the beach, she knew the body on the sand was going to be the event that turned this quiet seaside village into a hive of activity for several days to come. This isolated place was usually only frequented by local residents, delivery drivers from the nearby towns and the occasional tourist passing in and out of Scotland. Now it would be teeming with forensic experts, journalists and bystanders harbouring a morbid curiosity.
That was the thing about the appearance of a body in an unexpected place.
It demanded attention.
And it always got it.
ABOUT 'THE DOCTOR'S WIFE': He thinks his secret is safe. But she knows the truth…
My husband is a doctor. He’s smart and charming and everybody trusts him. Except me.
On the surface, it looks like I have it all – the perfect marriage, the perfect husband, the perfect life. But it’s far from the truth.
Doctor Drew Devlin is not the respectable figure he makes out to be. The reason we moved to this beautiful, old property with a gorgeous view of the sea was because we needed to put our past behind us. It should’ve been a fresh start for us both.
Except I’ve discovered my husband has been lying to me again. He’s using the power he has in his job to mess with people’s lives, and to get exactly what he wants – no matter who it hurts.
But he’s underestimated me. I’ve had plenty of time, in this big, isolated house, to think about all of his mistakes.
And my husband has no idea what’s about to happen next…
MY THOUGHTS: Which character did I dislike the most? I honestly don't know!
I initially felt sorry for Fern, until she started to reveal her true colours. I disliked Drew throughout. I could have felt sorry for Alice, but I don't. I do feel sorry for Rory. He was the true victim in all of this. He was easily manipulated by Fern, who is diabolically clever, and cold-hearted.
The story is told from the points of view of both Fern and Drew, covering both the present and the couple's past in Manchester.
Don't come into The Doctor's Wife looking for a mystery, or a 'whodunit' - you know who's doing what. The big question is, are they going to get away with it?
There are multiple twists and turns in this quick, entertaining read. There's no depth to the characters, but in this case, it really doesn't matter. I always finish Daniel Hurst's books with a smile on my face, and I certainly did with The Doctor's Wife, which ended with a bit of a cliffhanger. Normally I don't particularly like cliffhanger endings, but in this case it was the perfect way to end and leaves the reader to decide whether or not the killer gets the comeuppance they deserve.
I was lucky enough to have both an audio and a digital ARC of The Doctor's Wife for review and chopped and changed between the two media, enjoying both equally. One small point I don't understand about the audiobook narrator's roles is why David Wayman doesn't narrate all the male voices as Sarah Durham's rendition of male voices isn't at all convincing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheDoctorsWife #Bookouture
I: @danielhurstbooks @bookouture
T: @dhurstbooks @Bookouture
THE AUTHOR: Writer/wanderer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing both an audio and digital ARC of The Doctor's Wife, written by Daniel Hurst and narrated by Sarah Durham and David Wayman, for review. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on Sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also posted on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
That was the thing about the appearance of a body in an unexpected place.
It demanded attention.
And it always got it.
ABOUT 'THE DOCTOR'S WIFE': He thinks his secret is safe. But she knows the truth…
My husband is a doctor. He’s smart and charming and everybody trusts him. Except me.
On the surface, it looks like I have it all – the perfect marriage, the perfect husband, the perfect life. But it’s far from the truth.
Doctor Drew Devlin is not the respectable figure he makes out to be. The reason we moved to this beautiful, old property with a gorgeous view of the sea was because we needed to put our past behind us. It should’ve been a fresh start for us both.
Except I’ve discovered my husband has been lying to me again. He’s using the power he has in his job to mess with people’s lives, and to get exactly what he wants – no matter who it hurts.
But he’s underestimated me. I’ve had plenty of time, in this big, isolated house, to think about all of his mistakes.
And my husband has no idea what’s about to happen next…
MY THOUGHTS: Which character did I dislike the most? I honestly don't know!
I initially felt sorry for Fern, until she started to reveal her true colours. I disliked Drew throughout. I could have felt sorry for Alice, but I don't. I do feel sorry for Rory. He was the true victim in all of this. He was easily manipulated by Fern, who is diabolically clever, and cold-hearted.
The story is told from the points of view of both Fern and Drew, covering both the present and the couple's past in Manchester.
Don't come into The Doctor's Wife looking for a mystery, or a 'whodunit' - you know who's doing what. The big question is, are they going to get away with it?
There are multiple twists and turns in this quick, entertaining read. There's no depth to the characters, but in this case, it really doesn't matter. I always finish Daniel Hurst's books with a smile on my face, and I certainly did with The Doctor's Wife, which ended with a bit of a cliffhanger. Normally I don't particularly like cliffhanger endings, but in this case it was the perfect way to end and leaves the reader to decide whether or not the killer gets the comeuppance they deserve.
I was lucky enough to have both an audio and a digital ARC of The Doctor's Wife for review and chopped and changed between the two media, enjoying both equally. One small point I don't understand about the audiobook narrator's roles is why David Wayman doesn't narrate all the male voices as Sarah Durham's rendition of male voices isn't at all convincing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#TheDoctorsWife #Bookouture
I: @danielhurstbooks @bookouture
T: @dhurstbooks @Bookouture
THE AUTHOR: Writer/wanderer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing both an audio and digital ARC of The Doctor's Wife, written by Daniel Hurst and narrated by Sarah Durham and David Wayman, for review. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on Sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also posted on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 9, 2023
A woman marries a man, he is unfaithful. Bad things happens. Heard it all before? So have I.
February 9, 2023
The doctor will see you now…
Dr. Drew Devlin and his wife Fern have traded in the big city life for a quiet, secluded village life. It’s a rather sudden, confusing move for no apparent reason. Ha! Come on Doc, we all know the reasons you packed up to move!
And lets’ not forget dear Fern.
Has she stashed away a few interesting secrets of her own?
Whenever I’m in search for a sure-fire, fast and fun thriller I always turn to Daniel Hurst. He has a great recipe for popcorn thrillers and you know you’ll be treated to an amazing twist at the end.
And yes, once again he delivered!
I listened to the audio as I do with all his works. The two narrators once again did a fabulous job!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
Dr. Drew Devlin and his wife Fern have traded in the big city life for a quiet, secluded village life. It’s a rather sudden, confusing move for no apparent reason. Ha! Come on Doc, we all know the reasons you packed up to move!
And lets’ not forget dear Fern.
Has she stashed away a few interesting secrets of her own?
Whenever I’m in search for a sure-fire, fast and fun thriller I always turn to Daniel Hurst. He has a great recipe for popcorn thrillers and you know you’ll be treated to an amazing twist at the end.
And yes, once again he delivered!
I listened to the audio as I do with all his works. The two narrators once again did a fabulous job!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio
February 4, 2023
First off I think both the blurb and the prologue gave away too much of the plot and the characters’ “secrets”. Dang I wish they wouldn’t do that!
I think this would have been a more "tense" thriller if we didn’t already know so much of the story.
Still I was drawn to it and kept on listening. There was something about these two characters, both selfish, self centered, immoral and not very likable that kept me going. Maybe this is what they call a “popcorn thriller" ? I listened simply for entertainment and to discover all of their many secrets!
Drew is the doctor in the story. As the novel opens Drew and his wife Fern are living in Manchester. Fern is a city girl and loves her house and neighborhood.
However soon Drew will convince Fern to move to a small country village called Arberness. He tells Fern that he is so overwhelmed and exhausted working at his practice that he wants them to move to a small town where he will have fewer patients and problems to deal with. They will have so much more time “to spend together”, HA!!!
Fern is suspicious of his reasons for wanting to move but she goes along with it. From the moment they set foot in Arberness the story takes off!!
You need not know any more of the plot. I thought that the writing was good and the narration was great. The audiobook moved along quickly.
I enjoyed watching both of these characters and ancillary characters eventually get what they deserved!!
There are so many quotes about revenge that it’s obviously something humans think about a lot. I will leave you with this one that I think fits this story :
“While seeking revenge dig two graves - one for yourself” - Douglas Horton
Three stars for some predictability, 4 and ½ for the ending and this becomes a solid 4* for me. Enjoy!!
I think this would have been a more "tense" thriller if we didn’t already know so much of the story.
Still I was drawn to it and kept on listening. There was something about these two characters, both selfish, self centered, immoral and not very likable that kept me going. Maybe this is what they call a “popcorn thriller" ? I listened simply for entertainment and to discover all of their many secrets!
Drew is the doctor in the story. As the novel opens Drew and his wife Fern are living in Manchester. Fern is a city girl and loves her house and neighborhood.
However soon Drew will convince Fern to move to a small country village called Arberness. He tells Fern that he is so overwhelmed and exhausted working at his practice that he wants them to move to a small town where he will have fewer patients and problems to deal with. They will have so much more time “to spend together”, HA!!!
Fern is suspicious of his reasons for wanting to move but she goes along with it. From the moment they set foot in Arberness the story takes off!!
You need not know any more of the plot. I thought that the writing was good and the narration was great. The audiobook moved along quickly.
I enjoyed watching both of these characters and ancillary characters eventually get what they deserved!!
There are so many quotes about revenge that it’s obviously something humans think about a lot. I will leave you with this one that I think fits this story :
“While seeking revenge dig two graves - one for yourself” - Douglas Horton
Three stars for some predictability, 4 and ½ for the ending and this becomes a solid 4* for me. Enjoy!!
November 28, 2023
4.25⭐
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Series ~ The Doctor's Wife #1
Others in the series ~ The Doctor's Widow
Publication date ~ January 31, 2023
Page Count ~ 256
Audio length ~ 7 hours 20 minutes
Narrators ~ Sarah Durham, David Wayman
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ dual timeline, infidelity
*Possible spoilers ahead*
We've got another husband and wife story with secrets and betrayal and this one follows Fern & Drew.
Although Fern wasn't particularly likable I was happy that she wasn't a naive wife and had her own tricks up her sleeve. I did feel bad for her when Drew was saying how much he cared for Alice. He comes off as sleazy as he's supposed to.
This one was super fast paced and kept me engaged. You pretty much know what's going to happen from the prologue, which gives a lot away. I still did not see the twist coming though, but figured it out after the wink. I do like how that all played out. Nice epilogue too!
Narration notes:
Sarah did an alright job, didn't love her male voice, but was able to listen to her at 2.5x. David did an alright job too, but I had to slow him down to 2x for his chapters.
*Thanks to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ domestic thriller
Series ~ The Doctor's Wife #1
Others in the series ~ The Doctor's Widow
Publication date ~ January 31, 2023
Page Count ~ 256
Audio length ~ 7 hours 20 minutes
Narrators ~ Sarah Durham, David Wayman
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ dual timeline, infidelity
*Possible spoilers ahead*
We've got another husband and wife story with secrets and betrayal and this one follows Fern & Drew.
Although Fern wasn't particularly likable I was happy that she wasn't a naive wife and had her own tricks up her sleeve. I did feel bad for her when Drew was saying how much he cared for Alice. He comes off as sleazy as he's supposed to.
This one was super fast paced and kept me engaged. You pretty much know what's going to happen from the prologue, which gives a lot away. I still did not see the twist coming though, but figured it out after the wink. I do like how that all played out. Nice epilogue too!
Narration notes:
Sarah did an alright job, didn't love her male voice, but was able to listen to her at 2.5x. David did an alright job too, but I had to slow him down to 2x for his chapters.
*Thanks to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
January 30, 2023
3.5 stars!
A straight story with a twist! Refreshing!
That old saying of a woman scorned certainly has its moments in this story. You know what they say about perfection.....that it's often an illusion, a play, a scene played out on the stage of life.
For Dr Drew Devlin and his wife Fern, their marriage looked perfect. However, it's all an illusion for Drew has been hiding a secret, one he believes he has hidden well, but his wife, Fern knows. Of course Drew is everything one desires in a mate. He is handsome, wealthy, successful, and full of charm. He is also a manipulative liar. In Fern, he has found the perfect mate, a quiet woman who doesn't mind, so it seems to be left behind as Drew steps forward with panache and arrogance. He's pretty despicable, but Fern loves him or so she claims.
Drew is clueless that Fern is not a pushover. She knows way more than Drew can even imagine and Fern has a plan that will encircle a group of people in the new town that the Devlin's have moved to. Can't say you might not care for Fern and her husband. They are both deserving of one another, but of course once again one part of the couple misjudges the other with dire consequences.
Jan and I listened to this story and really enjoyed the story skills of the author, Daniel Hurst. He presented us with a tale with just forward motion, no need for extraneous details not preaching the popular issues of today. How refreshing really!
At the conclusion, one may hope that all of the characters get their just desserts, although there is one who while seeming to escape, just might not have.
Thank you to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture, narration by Sarah Durham, David Wayman, and NetGalley. This book is due out January 31,2023.
A straight story with a twist! Refreshing!
That old saying of a woman scorned certainly has its moments in this story. You know what they say about perfection.....that it's often an illusion, a play, a scene played out on the stage of life.
For Dr Drew Devlin and his wife Fern, their marriage looked perfect. However, it's all an illusion for Drew has been hiding a secret, one he believes he has hidden well, but his wife, Fern knows. Of course Drew is everything one desires in a mate. He is handsome, wealthy, successful, and full of charm. He is also a manipulative liar. In Fern, he has found the perfect mate, a quiet woman who doesn't mind, so it seems to be left behind as Drew steps forward with panache and arrogance. He's pretty despicable, but Fern loves him or so she claims.
Drew is clueless that Fern is not a pushover. She knows way more than Drew can even imagine and Fern has a plan that will encircle a group of people in the new town that the Devlin's have moved to. Can't say you might not care for Fern and her husband. They are both deserving of one another, but of course once again one part of the couple misjudges the other with dire consequences.
Jan and I listened to this story and really enjoyed the story skills of the author, Daniel Hurst. He presented us with a tale with just forward motion, no need for extraneous details not preaching the popular issues of today. How refreshing really!
At the conclusion, one may hope that all of the characters get their just desserts, although there is one who while seeming to escape, just might not have.
Thank you to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture, narration by Sarah Durham, David Wayman, and NetGalley. This book is due out January 31,2023.
February 2, 2023
First off, I hated the female character—Fern. Boring, predictable and uninteresting. I don't know how to feel about this book. I didn't like it.
I don't know why a couple would still stay in a marriage when it's clear that they're not in-love with each other anymore. I mean, all things considered, it's better to just walk away and spare yourselves the trouble of heartache and guilt.
I know that Fern is the victim here but it was so hard to like her. She's pushy and creepy and all those games she kept mentioning all the time weren't as exciting as she has made it sound. Nothing about this book is twisty or shocking. The supposed dangerous plot is formulaic that I easily guessed it after the crime was carried out.
Ugh. Did I say I hated the main character? Oh, yes I did. Anyway. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
I don't know why a couple would still stay in a marriage when it's clear that they're not in-love with each other anymore. I mean, all things considered, it's better to just walk away and spare yourselves the trouble of heartache and guilt.
I know that Fern is the victim here but it was so hard to like her. She's pushy and creepy and all those games she kept mentioning all the time weren't as exciting as she has made it sound. Nothing about this book is twisty or shocking. The supposed dangerous plot is formulaic that I easily guessed it after the crime was carried out.
Ugh. Did I say I hated the main character? Oh, yes I did. Anyway. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
August 28, 2023
I’m on a middle of the road steak. I admit to FOMO with this as saw the next books in the series getting good reviews. However, I’ve tried three books by this author now and he’s not for me. This story is very predictable and I find no surprises. Perhaps because the author writes so darned fast he tells and doesn’t show. I won’t be reading the next ones, oddly.
KU read.
KU read.
December 20, 2022
Do you trust your doctor?
The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst
(Book review)
I have enjoyed several of Daniel Hurst's books, but The Doctor's Wife blew me away. Readers are kept guessing with plenty of red herrings in this cunning story. I love a well-written thriller and Hurst delivers.
Synopsis:
Doctor Drew Devlin and his wife Fern have just moved into a fabulous beachfront home. Although Drew is respected publicly, privately he is not the highly regarded man he pretends to be.
Drew and Fern are looking for a fresh start and want to leave the past behind. They seem to be having a good time until Fern discovers that Drew has been lying to her again. It is true that he is a master manipulator, but has he underestimated Fern this time around?
The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst is available on January 31st.
(4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this book with me. Your kindness is appreciated!
The DoctorsWife #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst
(Book review)
I have enjoyed several of Daniel Hurst's books, but The Doctor's Wife blew me away. Readers are kept guessing with plenty of red herrings in this cunning story. I love a well-written thriller and Hurst delivers.
Synopsis:
Doctor Drew Devlin and his wife Fern have just moved into a fabulous beachfront home. Although Drew is respected publicly, privately he is not the highly regarded man he pretends to be.
Drew and Fern are looking for a fresh start and want to leave the past behind. They seem to be having a good time until Fern discovers that Drew has been lying to her again. It is true that he is a master manipulator, but has he underestimated Fern this time around?
The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst is available on January 31st.
(4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this book with me. Your kindness is appreciated!
The DoctorsWife #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
January 31, 2023
You know it's a good audiobook when you finish the entire thing in 2 days!
Both narrators were excellent and I listened avidly the whole time.
The characters kept me in suspense, I was intrigued by the little references they made and I didn't know who to trust!
I had suspicions over the ending, but it didn't stop my enjoyment. I adore this author's books and this one can easily be added to the recommended list!
Both narrators were excellent and I listened avidly the whole time.
The characters kept me in suspense, I was intrigued by the little references they made and I didn't know who to trust!
I had suspicions over the ending, but it didn't stop my enjoyment. I adore this author's books and this one can easily be added to the recommended list!
December 18, 2022
While it’s true that a good doctor has job security, this peace of mind doesn’t always extend to his personal life. Relationship dependability requires both partners to put in effort. Trouble is, Dr. Drew Devlin has been investing time and ‘practicing’ elsewhere. He’s also cocky enough to believe he has everyone wrapped around his little finger.
I loved this deliciously wicked exploration into the thrill and unpredictability involved when someone believes he/she is getting away with something that nobody else knows about. My heart was pounding, I had a Cheshire cat sized grin plastered on my face and I definitely let an evil cackle or two escape while reading! Daniel Hurst is an auto-read author for me because he always delivers fast-paced, believable and heart thumping suspense. This book showcases Hurst at the top of his game.
This book offers up the perfect sized helping of ‘just desserts.’
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I loved this deliciously wicked exploration into the thrill and unpredictability involved when someone believes he/she is getting away with something that nobody else knows about. My heart was pounding, I had a Cheshire cat sized grin plastered on my face and I definitely let an evil cackle or two escape while reading! Daniel Hurst is an auto-read author for me because he always delivers fast-paced, believable and heart thumping suspense. This book showcases Hurst at the top of his game.
This book offers up the perfect sized helping of ‘just desserts.’
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 25, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is told between two points of view. Fern and Drew have just moved to a small town in northern England from Manchester. Drew is a doctor, and he has convinced Fern that they should move to a small town so that he can work less and spend more time with her, or at least that’s the lie he tells his wife.
This book started off a little slow, but it soon picked up and was hard to put down. I also liked the twist at the end.
This book is told between two points of view. Fern and Drew have just moved to a small town in northern England from Manchester. Drew is a doctor, and he has convinced Fern that they should move to a small town so that he can work less and spend more time with her, or at least that’s the lie he tells his wife.
This book started off a little slow, but it soon picked up and was hard to put down. I also liked the twist at the end.
January 6, 2023
After finishing a heavy tome, with lots of characters, I wanted to read something not too complicated. The Doctor's Wife was exactly what I needed. I like Daniel Hursts' books because they follow the same pattern. We are introduced to the main characters (in this case, Drew Devlin and his wife Fern) before we are introduced to some other characters (in this case, Drews ex-lover and her husband) and then things get rolling. Being told from different viewpoints, the story unfolds quite fast and before we know it, it’s clear that not all characters are very reliable. On the contrary.
It’s not a spoiler to say that I didn’t like either of the four main characters. Drew thinks he’s a great doctor but it soon becomes clear the only thing he likes about his work is the money. Fern is a typical spoiled and lazy woman who loves just spending Drew’s money and watch daytime tv – she has no ambition at all. The other two we do not get to know very well; she is ‘Drews lover’ and he is ‘her husband’ but I cannot picture them well.
Despite this, I finished the book in one sitting because it was exactly what I needed: not too complicated a story with – for me anyway – no big surprises or twists.
Thanks to Netgally and Boukouture for this review copy.
It’s not a spoiler to say that I didn’t like either of the four main characters. Drew thinks he’s a great doctor but it soon becomes clear the only thing he likes about his work is the money. Fern is a typical spoiled and lazy woman who loves just spending Drew’s money and watch daytime tv – she has no ambition at all. The other two we do not get to know very well; she is ‘Drews lover’ and he is ‘her husband’ but I cannot picture them well.
Despite this, I finished the book in one sitting because it was exactly what I needed: not too complicated a story with – for me anyway – no big surprises or twists.
Thanks to Netgally and Boukouture for this review copy.
April 20, 2023
4 solid stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another awesome page-turner by Daniel Hurst! This is only the second book I’ve read by him, but I tell ya - I can’t wait to read more!
I kinda figured out parts of the twists before they unfolded, but not all of them. This one is filled with lies, betrayal and revenge. The ending was great! Short chapters make for a quick read that was definitely not short on entertainment.
Highly recommend for my thriller loving friends!
Another awesome page-turner by Daniel Hurst! This is only the second book I’ve read by him, but I tell ya - I can’t wait to read more!
I kinda figured out parts of the twists before they unfolded, but not all of them. This one is filled with lies, betrayal and revenge. The ending was great! Short chapters make for a quick read that was definitely not short on entertainment.
Highly recommend for my thriller loving friends!
April 19, 2023
I loved this book! Daniel Hurst has now become an auto read author. I devoured this book quickly. I became obsessed with the many shocking twists sprinkled throughout this enticing thriller. This book has it all. Betrayal, deception and enough secrets to go around. I was immediately immersed in the world of Fern and Drew. The perfect couple to onlookers, but we all know appearances can be deceiving. I couldn’t get enough of this wickedly entertaining story. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy.
April 27, 2024
Daniel Hurst, the king of twisted domestic suspense, returns following The Couple in the Cabin and The New Year's Party with his latest, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE —a wickedly twisted game of cat-and-mouse between two couples, where nothing is as it appears. Unreliable narrators.
Is The Perfect Marriage the Perfect Illusion? Can they trust one another?
WIFE: Pretty. Pleasant. Naive. Meek and mild. The seemingly perfect doctor's wife appears to be the victim. However, the opposite. Cold and calculating, and wants REVENGE.
HUSBAND: Charming. Narcissistic. Good-looking. A doctor. Money. A secret affair. The husband thinks his wife would never suspect. He has been so careful. Now he will have his mistress back, and he will have it all. Life could not be better. Little does he know what is to come.
Meet Fern and Drew Devine. Who is the psychopath?
From the city residing in Manchester, England now moving to a waterside home that overlooks Solway First, between England and Scotland. A quaint remote seaside village town, Arberness.
Drew, the doctor, was having an affair back in Manchester with Alice (who is married to Rory). She broke it off and moved with her hubby to this quaint village, Arberness. Rory is in IT and can work from anywhere.
Drew decides he will follow Alice (without telling her). Sells their city house, buys this idyllic seaside home, and moves his wife, Fern, to try and rekindle his affair with Alice.
Of course, Alice is unhappy when she discovers he has followed her there. The nerve to invade her space—appalled. So maybe Drew's plan was not the best idea...you think? But he is persistent.
Fern is not happy moving from the city to the countryside. But Drew convinces her they can spend more time together as his patient load will be less. Yeah, right? However, it is all about what Drew wants, and he usually gets his way.
Well, that is about to change.
Alice tries to be happy in the new town with her hubby. She even gets involved with some community work with Alice and meets her hubby, Rory. She even invites them over for dinner.
Fern knows more than you think. Soon Drew wears down Alice, and their affair starts up again. He thinks Fern is unaware of his dirty secrets.
However, Alice has a plan of her own. It is well-planned and executed.
Now, who has the upper hand? Who is the mouse, and who is the cat? Predator or prey?
Drew has his secrets, and Fern has hers. How far will Fern go to keep her secrets? Never underestimate a woman.
Told from POVs Drew and Fern past and present and one month later. We get to hear from both sides.
The author cleverly pulls out a few more twists that will have your jaws dropping, and the final jab (Epilogue) adds a new cat-and-mouse game that will leave you wickedly smiling. How well do we know those closest to us?
THE DOCTOR'S WIFE crackles with dark energy— in the vein of Kaira Rouda's BEST DAY EVER (best dark humor), an addictive twisty domestic suspense of deception and betrayal that will destroy more than one marriage— more than one life.
An entertaining popcorn thriller, clever and disturbing—however, I wish it had a little more sarcastic dark humor. Even though I did not enjoy it quite as much as The Couple in the Cabin (his BEST, I have read thus far and Top books of 2022) and his recent holiday thriller, The New Year's Party; however, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE had no likable characters but was a fun, unpredictable twisty suspense.
I have recently discovered Daniel, enjoying his newsletters and books and making my way through his backlist with many audiobooks and e-books in between all my ARC and new releases.
If you enjoy US authors Kaira Rouda or Kimberly Belle, (or Freida McFadden, Miranda Rijks, K.L. Slater, and Valerie Keogh), give Daniel a whirl! Always fun to see what secrets lie behind marriages and closed doors.
I also enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Sarah Durham and David Wayman for an engaging performance for all voices.
Thanks to #Bookouture and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC.
Blog review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 31, 2023
Jan 2023 Must-Read Books
Is The Perfect Marriage the Perfect Illusion? Can they trust one another?
WIFE: Pretty. Pleasant. Naive. Meek and mild. The seemingly perfect doctor's wife appears to be the victim. However, the opposite. Cold and calculating, and wants REVENGE.
HUSBAND: Charming. Narcissistic. Good-looking. A doctor. Money. A secret affair. The husband thinks his wife would never suspect. He has been so careful. Now he will have his mistress back, and he will have it all. Life could not be better. Little does he know what is to come.
Meet Fern and Drew Devine. Who is the psychopath?
From the city residing in Manchester, England now moving to a waterside home that overlooks Solway First, between England and Scotland. A quaint remote seaside village town, Arberness.
Drew, the doctor, was having an affair back in Manchester with Alice (who is married to Rory). She broke it off and moved with her hubby to this quaint village, Arberness. Rory is in IT and can work from anywhere.
Drew decides he will follow Alice (without telling her). Sells their city house, buys this idyllic seaside home, and moves his wife, Fern, to try and rekindle his affair with Alice.
Of course, Alice is unhappy when she discovers he has followed her there. The nerve to invade her space—appalled. So maybe Drew's plan was not the best idea...you think? But he is persistent.
Fern is not happy moving from the city to the countryside. But Drew convinces her they can spend more time together as his patient load will be less. Yeah, right? However, it is all about what Drew wants, and he usually gets his way.
Well, that is about to change.
Alice tries to be happy in the new town with her hubby. She even gets involved with some community work with Alice and meets her hubby, Rory. She even invites them over for dinner.
Fern knows more than you think. Soon Drew wears down Alice, and their affair starts up again. He thinks Fern is unaware of his dirty secrets.
However, Alice has a plan of her own. It is well-planned and executed.
Now, who has the upper hand? Who is the mouse, and who is the cat? Predator or prey?
Drew has his secrets, and Fern has hers. How far will Fern go to keep her secrets? Never underestimate a woman.
Told from POVs Drew and Fern past and present and one month later. We get to hear from both sides.
The author cleverly pulls out a few more twists that will have your jaws dropping, and the final jab (Epilogue) adds a new cat-and-mouse game that will leave you wickedly smiling. How well do we know those closest to us?
THE DOCTOR'S WIFE crackles with dark energy— in the vein of Kaira Rouda's BEST DAY EVER (best dark humor), an addictive twisty domestic suspense of deception and betrayal that will destroy more than one marriage— more than one life.
An entertaining popcorn thriller, clever and disturbing—however, I wish it had a little more sarcastic dark humor. Even though I did not enjoy it quite as much as The Couple in the Cabin (his BEST, I have read thus far and Top books of 2022) and his recent holiday thriller, The New Year's Party; however, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE had no likable characters but was a fun, unpredictable twisty suspense.
I have recently discovered Daniel, enjoying his newsletters and books and making my way through his backlist with many audiobooks and e-books in between all my ARC and new releases.
If you enjoy US authors Kaira Rouda or Kimberly Belle, (or Freida McFadden, Miranda Rijks, K.L. Slater, and Valerie Keogh), give Daniel a whirl! Always fun to see what secrets lie behind marriages and closed doors.
I also enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Sarah Durham and David Wayman for an engaging performance for all voices.
Thanks to #Bookouture and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC.
Blog review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 31, 2023
Jan 2023 Must-Read Books
January 5, 2023
Anyone who has read a Daniel Hurst book knows from the first line to the last you are going to get a great thrilling story,’The Doctor’s Wife’ his latest,is no different…….as always the book thrives on the premise of ordinary people suddenly having something extraordinary happening to them and the consequences of this and their actions dealing with it
We meet strong,powerful characters in this book who decide revenge is a dish best served cold but the twists and turns come thick and fast and in the authors very own unique storytelling style you never know quite what will happen next as the story turns on its head again and again as the surprises keep coming
As a reader it is very special to have authors who you can pick up their book safe in the knowledge you KNOW you are going to get a great read,this author is one and this book is again testament to his ability to create the WOW factor we as readers love.
10/10
5 Stars
We meet strong,powerful characters in this book who decide revenge is a dish best served cold but the twists and turns come thick and fast and in the authors very own unique storytelling style you never know quite what will happen next as the story turns on its head again and again as the surprises keep coming
As a reader it is very special to have authors who you can pick up their book safe in the knowledge you KNOW you are going to get a great read,this author is one and this book is again testament to his ability to create the WOW factor we as readers love.
10/10
5 Stars
January 18, 2023
My husband is a doctor. He's smart and charming and everybody trusts him. Except me. On the surface, it looks like I have it all - the perfect marriage, the perfect husband, perfect life. But it's far from the truth. Doctor Drew Devlin is not the respectable figure he makes out to be. The reason we moved to this beautiful, old property with a gorgeous view of the sea was because we needed to put our past behind us. It should have been a fresh start for us both. Except I discovered my husband has been lying to me again.
As usual, Daniel Hurst pulled me in from the first page in his new psychological thriller. The story is told from the doctor and his wife, Fern's perspectives. Fern is quite a vindictive character. But how far would she go to get her revenge on her husband? Doctor Drew Devlin is not all the man he appears to be. Drew is having an affair and will do anything to keep the woman in his life. Filled with secrets and lies, this fast paced read held my attention throughout. Some parts of the books were a bit predictable, but that didn't take anything away from my enjoyment. But I never saw the twist in the epilogue coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #DanielHurst for my ARC of #TheDoctorsWife in exchange for an honest review.
As usual, Daniel Hurst pulled me in from the first page in his new psychological thriller. The story is told from the doctor and his wife, Fern's perspectives. Fern is quite a vindictive character. But how far would she go to get her revenge on her husband? Doctor Drew Devlin is not all the man he appears to be. Drew is having an affair and will do anything to keep the woman in his life. Filled with secrets and lies, this fast paced read held my attention throughout. Some parts of the books were a bit predictable, but that didn't take anything away from my enjoyment. But I never saw the twist in the epilogue coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #DanielHurst for my ARC of #TheDoctorsWife in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2023
Fern, our protagonist, was shocked when her husband, Drew, abruptly wanted to move from the larger city of Manchester to a tiny English village called Arberness. His job as a personal physician was throwing off his work/life balance, you see, so he convinces Fern to move into a house by the sea. They’d been having issues - maybe a new start would help their relationship?
The only problem? Drew is cheating on Fern - has been for awhile, and this move is basically him tricking his wife into moving so he can be near his mistress, Alice. She told him things were over and that she was going back to her husband, Rory, but Drew is still in love and not willing to give up on their relationship - married or not. Very stalker vibes with this one!
This story goes through the bad deeds that people do when they are trying to deceive others, and it was very juicy. While definitely not a mindblower, and definitely cliche, this was a very enjoyable and entertaining read. I give this popcorn thriller 3.5 stars, rounded up!
(Thank you to Bookouture, Daniel Hurst and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book will be published on January 31, 2023.)
The only problem? Drew is cheating on Fern - has been for awhile, and this move is basically him tricking his wife into moving so he can be near his mistress, Alice. She told him things were over and that she was going back to her husband, Rory, but Drew is still in love and not willing to give up on their relationship - married or not. Very stalker vibes with this one!
This story goes through the bad deeds that people do when they are trying to deceive others, and it was very juicy. While definitely not a mindblower, and definitely cliche, this was a very enjoyable and entertaining read. I give this popcorn thriller 3.5 stars, rounded up!
(Thank you to Bookouture, Daniel Hurst and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book will be published on January 31, 2023.)
January 31, 2025
I enjoyed this book quite a bit! Reminiscent of The Housemaid in my opinion. Fast paced, intriguing characters, and suspenseful.
February 2, 2023
Not bad! Full review soon...
A huge thanks to the publisher for the arc!
A huge thanks to the publisher for the arc!
January 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Daniel Hurst for sharing an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I have watched Lifetime movies with more complexity than this book. Since I try to be optimistic, here are the things I liked about the book:
1. The setting. The small village just on the coast of Scotland sounds charming.
2. The length. I didn’t have to force myself to finish since it came in at around 200 pages.
I think that might be it. Now, moving onto the things that I had a problem with.
1. The characters. None of the characters were likeable, which I think was the point.But they weren’t just unlikeable because they were either engaging in an affair or planning to murder + accuse their partners of murder, but they were also unlikeable because they were just boring. There was no character development or depth. They were incredibly static and had zero personality.
2. Like the characters, the plot to murder Drew + accuse Alice of the murder was very undeveloped and unbelievable. Despite Fern mentioning multiple times that the plan was foolproof, it felt hasty and amateurish. I was expecting, and hoping, that Fern and Rory would be caught following the murder - something that seems plausible considering that the murder took place at 8 p.m. in public. Alas, that would be too complex for this book. Everything that took place following the murder was hasty and rushed as well. Alice was arrested shortly after Drew’s murder and her entire trial lasted about 2 pages, resulting in a confinement of 20 years in prison. I just wish there was *more* - more details, more conflict, more gasps, more surprise.
3. I hate that Greg thought that Fern was capable of murder because she got upset once when she thought her husband was cheating. While the text messages between Drew and a former classmate were innocuous, Fern CLEARLY had gone reason to be suspicious that Drew might engage in extramarital affairs. But because Fern threatened to throw Drew’s phone against the wall makes her capable of murder?
4. I just don’t believe that Rory would commit to a plan that involved framing his wife for murder when he was so determined to win back their marriage. Within a few days of finding out that Alice and Drew resumed their affair, Rory went from being a doting and loving husband to an accomplice in putting his wife in prison for 20 years?
5. Some details and subplots just felt extraneous. Take, for example, the details that Drew cheated on his med school exams and partook in malpractice. I guess that there was some connection to his devious behaviors when he decided to not help Rory, but the link wasn’t strong enough.
6. Sometimes I like when a story is wrapped up in a pretty little bow and all loose ends seem to be covered, but there was just too much explaining going on. When Drew mentioned something in his chapter, Fern would explain the situation even further in her’s. It was repetitive and redundant.
Overall, this book was unremarkable if somewhat frustrating. I’ll likely forget what it was about and what happened in it in a few weeks time.
Unfortunately, I have watched Lifetime movies with more complexity than this book. Since I try to be optimistic, here are the things I liked about the book:
1. The setting. The small village just on the coast of Scotland sounds charming.
2. The length. I didn’t have to force myself to finish since it came in at around 200 pages.
I think that might be it. Now, moving onto the things that I had a problem with.
1. The characters. None of the characters were likeable, which I think was the point.But they weren’t just unlikeable because they were either engaging in an affair or planning to murder + accuse their partners of murder, but they were also unlikeable because they were just boring. There was no character development or depth. They were incredibly static and had zero personality.
2. Like the characters, the plot to murder Drew + accuse Alice of the murder was very undeveloped and unbelievable. Despite Fern mentioning multiple times that the plan was foolproof, it felt hasty and amateurish. I was expecting, and hoping, that Fern and Rory would be caught following the murder - something that seems plausible considering that the murder took place at 8 p.m. in public. Alas, that would be too complex for this book. Everything that took place following the murder was hasty and rushed as well. Alice was arrested shortly after Drew’s murder and her entire trial lasted about 2 pages, resulting in a confinement of 20 years in prison. I just wish there was *more* - more details, more conflict, more gasps, more surprise.
3. I hate that Greg thought that Fern was capable of murder because she got upset once when she thought her husband was cheating. While the text messages between Drew and a former classmate were innocuous, Fern CLEARLY had gone reason to be suspicious that Drew might engage in extramarital affairs. But because Fern threatened to throw Drew’s phone against the wall makes her capable of murder?
4. I just don’t believe that Rory would commit to a plan that involved framing his wife for murder when he was so determined to win back their marriage. Within a few days of finding out that Alice and Drew resumed their affair, Rory went from being a doting and loving husband to an accomplice in putting his wife in prison for 20 years?
5. Some details and subplots just felt extraneous. Take, for example, the details that Drew cheated on his med school exams and partook in malpractice. I guess that there was some connection to his devious behaviors when he decided to not help Rory, but the link wasn’t strong enough.
6. Sometimes I like when a story is wrapped up in a pretty little bow and all loose ends seem to be covered, but there was just too much explaining going on. When Drew mentioned something in his chapter, Fern would explain the situation even further in her’s. It was repetitive and redundant.
Overall, this book was unremarkable if somewhat frustrating. I’ll likely forget what it was about and what happened in it in a few weeks time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2024
Should’ve been a DNF. This was absolutely painful to read. This book suffers from juvenile writing, excessive explanations, and cringe-worthy overemphasis on trivial details. The tone is off-putting, starting phrases like 'Yep, ___' and 'that’s right, ___,' and the author relies too much on clichés about good-looking men having undue power over women. The internal dialogue is pointless and adds unnecessary waffle, while describing her cheating husband as a 'rotten scoundrel' and a 'devious little soul' comes off as cringe and unauthentic. The repetitive narration, with both the husband and wife telling the same story, becomes painfully redundant. The plot lacks believability, as the wife goes from enduring mistreatment to jumping straight into murder. Additionally, the first-person perspective introduces plot holes, with the protagonist conveniently omitting crucial information at the end, revealing lazy writing and a poorly executed storyline.
May 28, 2024
Tikrai labai geras! Kai atrodė, kad jau viskas aišku, autorius vis pakišdavo naują kabliuką ir savo vykusiais siužetiniais sprendimais mane smagiai nustebino. Rizikuoju būti neteisingai suprasta, bet aš taip džiaugiausi, kad kaltininkui pavyko išsisukti🙈, nes pagalvojau: "oho, tai kažkas naujo", bet knygos pabaiga visgi verčia manyti, kad gali būti ir kitaip, kas, prisipažinsiu, man nelabai patinka.
Siaubingai laukiu antros dalies, įdomu, kaip autorius kurs visokias kebeknes, kol tiesa triumfuos, o gal viskas bus sudėliota kitaip nei įprasta tokio žanro knygose, nes juk su psichologiniu trileriu niekada negali žinot, niekada negali būti tikras, kad viskas baigėsi būtent taip kaip skaitytojui atrodo.
Siaubingai laukiu antros dalies, įdomu, kaip autorius kurs visokias kebeknes, kol tiesa triumfuos, o gal viskas bus sudėliota kitaip nei įprasta tokio žanro knygose, nes juk su psichologiniu trileriu niekada negali žinot, niekada negali būti tikras, kad viskas baigėsi būtent taip kaip skaitytojui atrodo.
January 15, 2023
Fern was happily married to Dr. Drew Devlin, proud to be a doctor’s wife and loving living in the busy city of Manchester. When he wants to relocate to a small village up near Scotland, she reluctantly agrees. Both of them are harboring secrets and have ulterior motives for making the move. For those who hate spoilers, I don’t want to give away any more of the plot; for those who want to know, read the synopsis on Amazon or Goodreads.
The story is told from alternating POVs, Fern’s and Drew’s. This was an engrossing, fast read; I couldn’t put it down. You may hate some (or all!) of the characters, but you will enjoy this domestic thriller with its twists and turns. A very entertaining read!
Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC.
The story is told from alternating POVs, Fern’s and Drew’s. This was an engrossing, fast read; I couldn’t put it down. You may hate some (or all!) of the characters, but you will enjoy this domestic thriller with its twists and turns. A very entertaining read!
Thanks to #netgalley and #bookouture for the ARC.
July 16, 2023
It took a lot of time to convince myself not to quit this book. I should have quit this one.
It is not even worth wasting time to write a review about that, therefore I summarise quickly as note for me for the future, not to waste time for this author.
In one sentence: nice story idea with a very poor and cheap execution, as if a middle schooler had written a long essay about some adult topics.
PLOT: 2⭐
The family physician Drew moves to a small Scottish village with his stay-at-home wife Fern to pursue his dream. His true motiv is however not that innocent, it is not about helping out a small village with a doctor`s office.
WRITING STLYE: 0⭐
ENDING: 0⭐
THRILLER Factor: 0⭐
CHEESY Factor: 100+ ⭐
That was my first and probably last book from Daniel Hurst.
It is not even worth wasting time to write a review about that, therefore I summarise quickly as note for me for the future, not to waste time for this author.
In one sentence: nice story idea with a very poor and cheap execution, as if a middle schooler had written a long essay about some adult topics.
PLOT: 2⭐
The family physician Drew moves to a small Scottish village with his stay-at-home wife Fern to pursue his dream. His true motiv is however not that innocent, it is not about helping out a small village with a doctor`s office.
WRITING STLYE: 0⭐
ENDING: 0⭐
THRILLER Factor: 0⭐
CHEESY Factor: 100+ ⭐
That was my first and probably last book from Daniel Hurst.
January 16, 2023
This book held my interest but I found it extremely predictable. The story centers on married couple Drew and Fern. Drew is a doctor who convinces Fern to move out of the city to a sleepy beach town, but it turns out he has an ulterior motive. Fern, however, has secrets of her own, and the story alternates between each of their POVs as they play a cat and mouse game with each other.
Neither Drew or Fern were likable characters but they weren’t supposed to be. I liked reading about the devious plots they put in place when they set out to deceive each other. The book, though a little shallow, is fast paced, and with short chapters is a quick and easy read. I found it entirely predictable though, and there really wasn’t anything that happened that surprised me.
Overall, I’m not sure how memorable this book was because there were no shocking twists and turns, but it was an enjoyable and fast read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Neither Drew or Fern were likable characters but they weren’t supposed to be. I liked reading about the devious plots they put in place when they set out to deceive each other. The book, though a little shallow, is fast paced, and with short chapters is a quick and easy read. I found it entirely predictable though, and there really wasn’t anything that happened that surprised me.
Overall, I’m not sure how memorable this book was because there were no shocking twists and turns, but it was an enjoyable and fast read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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