My Best Friend's Wife

by Dina Santorelli

A secret marriage. A tragic accident. And a widow whose heartbreak turns to suspicion.

Sandra and Alex have been together for years—and best friends with Blake even longer. So, when Blake suddenly announces he’s gotten married, Sandra can’t shake the feeling that something is off. Why rush? And why keep such a huge milestone a secret from your best friends? When she finally meets Tara, Blake’s new wife, Sandra’s unease only deepens. Tara is cold and distant, and something about her just doesn’t sit right.

Eager for the foursome to bond, Blake invites Sandra and Alex on a ski trip to Vermont, hoping his friends will warm up to his mysterious wife. But the tension lingers, and Sandra can’t ignore a creeping sense of dread.

Then, the unthinkable happens—Alex is killed in a tragic accident on the slopes. Devastated, Sandra is at home grieving when she is visited by detectives with chilling Alex’s death may not have been an accident. There are questions, surprises—whispers of something sinister.

As Sandra pieces together the last moments of their trip, one name keeps surfacing—Tara. Now, Sandra is left with a terrifying Did someone make sure Alex never came back from that mountain? And if Tara is involved … could Sandra or Blake be next?

Don’t look away. The truth is colder than you think. Buy My Best Friend’s Wife today!

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2025

About the author

Dina Santorelli is an award-winning author of heart-pounding thrillers and dark, twist-filled suspense. Twice voted one of Long Island’s best authors, she’s known for crafting gripping stories that keep readers turning pages late into the night.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Middle Village, New York—a place bordered by cemeteries—Dina grew up surrounded by whispers of mystery, fueling a lifelong fascination with the darker side of storytelling. Now based on Long Island, she writes full-time, weaving tales of secrets, betrayal, and survival.

When she manages to step away from her desk, Dina enjoys traveling, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also wrestles daily with her fiercest rival: the New York Times Strands word game. For more information about Dina, visit her website at http://dinasantorelli.com.
 
Follow Dina on social media:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dinasantorell...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dinasantorelli
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Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This friend group had so many secrets, lies and unlikeliest suspects amongst them! The storyline was not what I was expecting going in, so it was a pleasant surprise that the author took a different path, versus what I assumed. I enjoyed the multiple points of view from the FMC’s in the story. This twisted tale certainly needed it to come from both angles to paint the full picture. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what was going on here, but the author did a great job at scratching the surface, letting the readers know that something (or someone) sinister was lurking, but it was not at all predictable who the villain truly was. As the chapters continue, you literally doubt everyone at some point in this book. Overall, a fast paced and addictive read that I would recommend and makes me interested in more from this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a newcomer to this author, I must admit that the book cover initially caught my eye—and I’m so glad it did!

Sandra and Alex have been in a long-term relationship and are best friends with Blake, who suddenly announces his secret marriage to Tara. Sandra feels uneasy about the rushed wedding and Tara's cold demeanor. During a ski trip to Vermont intended to unite the group, tragedy strikes when Alex dies in a ski accident. Grieving at home, Sandra receives news from detectives suggesting that Alex's death may not have been accidental. As she investigates, she begins to suspect Tara's involvement, raising fears that she or Blake could be in danger. The story unfolds with suspense and a quest for the unsettling truth behind Alex's death.

Meet Sandra, a character so relatable that you might find yourself nodding along in recognition. But here’s the kicker: the story teaches us a valuable lesson about assumptions. When it comes to addressing issues, don’t play telephone with a middleman—go straight to the source! Trust me, you’ll want to read this to find out what happens when you don’t.

I felt a wave of sadness for Sandra as she navigated the heavy tragedy that life had thrown her way at such a tender age. But who’s really to blame? As we meet a few more intriguing characters, the plot thickens, and we even get a glimpse into Taras’s point of view toward the end. This clever twist brings the narrative full circle, allowing you to finally identify the true perpetrator! I had my suspicions, but with my extensive reading history, I sometimes get lucky with my guesses. Regardless, the journey was so well-crafted that I found it nearly impossible to put the book down.

If you’re a fan of fast-paced, dark reads laced with obsession and revenge, this one will undoubtedly capture your attention. Just keep your wits about you—the author masterfully maintains suspense right up until the final chapter. Happy reading!

Thank you, Booksprout, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down and finished in a day. I loved how the story starts from Sharon's POV until the present moment. Then it goes back to where Sharon's story starts, but it's from Tara's POV. There were lots of twists and turns when you saw both POVs come together.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the chance to read this ARC for a voluntary and honest review.

[Natasha L'Ecuyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the characters, plot, and it was fast paced. Only wish that the “plot twists” would have been separated within the book, not only in the last 20%.. Besides that I totally recommend!

[Mary Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced with sharp dialogue, this mystery kept me guessing and suspicious of everyone. I’m a sucker for dual perspectives seeing the same story unfold from different angles, and this book handled it well. For the first half, it was a solid 4-star read: engaging, unpredictable, and fun.

But around the 70% mark, the shine wore off. The mystery became a bit predictable, the constant date-and-time chapter headings added unnecessary confusion, and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. Still, a fun ride overall even if it coasted to the finish.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandra and Alex have been married for a while, and their best friend Blake up and decided to secretly get married. As a bonding trip for the two couples, they go to Vermont on a ski trip, where Alex is killed in a tragic accident. And while grieving, Sandra is trying to piece together what happened, and Tara, Blake’s wife’s name keeps popping up.

I requested this one 100% because of the cover.
While there were parts that were a little slow, I throughly enjoyed this read. And there was one twist that had my jaw drop.

It was fast paced, definitely can be read in one sitting.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diamondeque Gravier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book! It kept me wanting to read and figure out what happened and who did it!
Throughout the book I questioned everyone! I would think one person did it, I was sure of it, and then boom! Twist!
Such a good read

[Annisa Rizky Amalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dari awal baca buku, lembar demi lembar, membuatku curiga pada semua subyek di dalamnya. Menebak-nebak siapa siapa siapa dan siapa. Ending yang sangat tidak tertebak. Absolutely become a fan of this author. Can’t wait to read her other books!

[Nahla Nagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow ❤️

[Melissa Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

felt far fetched!

[Steph Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping and Relatable Read – Hooked from Start to Finish!

I absolutely loved this book!

From the moment I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I knew it was going to be great—and it more than delivered! What drew me in even more was how much I related to the characters. Sandra and Alex, both in their early 40s and married for 15 years, felt so familiar to me and my own relationship (my husband and I are both 42 and have been married for 11 years). Their dynamic felt authentic and real.

Their best friend Blake, whom they’ve known for years and are very close to, suddenly announces he’s married. Sandra immediately senses something’s off, and when she meets Blake’s new wife, Tara, her instincts go into overdrive.

The couples head’s off on a skiing holiday in Vermont and I found myself smiling at Sandra’s reluctance to ski—just like me! While she escapes into writing, I’d be curled up with a book. These little details made the story feel all the more personal.

The plot thickens when what unfolds next—a tragic accident on the slopes starts an unravelling of secrets—had me turning pages late into the night.

The author was very clever in the way she structured the story, thought it was perfect and very effective as a thriller. The story’s POV’s shifted to another person’s perspective towards the end giving the book a totally different spin.

The big reveal at the end was maybe a tad bit unrealistic considering the couple had been together 23yrs but aside from that can't fault this book!

A heartfelt, suspenseful, twisty and beautifully written book that had me hooked all the way through. Highly recommend!

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who can you trust when your life turns upside down?

Thank you to Dina Santorelli and Booksirens for the ARC of this book which i received for free and im leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh boy, where do I start? This book had me not knowing who to trust, even Sandra herself. I was pointing fingers at everybody while reading. I love the way I was able to feel the connection Sandra and Alex had, as it mirrors my own relationship with my husband. Coincidentally we also struggle with fertility, so that was an added bond I could share with the characters. I could imagine the pain Sandra felt when Alex died. I would have been distraught, no way to console me. But then the mystery started, because a cop knocks at the door sniffing around for foul play in Alex's death. At that point, I was pointing fingers every which way because I honestly had no idea who did it. The ending was a little unexpected for me. There was a couple curve balls that I was jaw on the floor over, and a few others that I could definitely see coming. But the ending, that shocked me. Great book, and definitely recommend for people who enjoy a decent psych thriller.

Tw:
Mention of infertility with main characters and mention of substance abuse with side characters.

[Kimberly Loner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a domestic drama with interesting characters and motivations. I flew through it, trying to find out who’s lying, telling the truth, and murderous!
We get a lot of Sandra’s POV and she’s a lot…she’s married to dreamboat Alex, a partner in an advertising firm, and they live a seemingly perfect life.
The other partner is named Blake, and he’s known Sandra and Alex since childhood. Blake is calm, orderly, methodical and the three of them are all best friends. Everything is wonderful…until Blake announces he just married a stranger named Tara! There are many chapters of Sandra complaining about Tara and spiraling off into weird rabbit holes.
Thankfully, we get a POV change to Tara in the middle and she retells the story with how they met.
By the end, only 3 of these 4 characters are left and I didn’t quite understand the killer’s motivations. So minus one star for that but otherwise a good mystery!

[Ruthie Mckinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Best Friend’s Wife, easy 4 star book for me. Imagine your BFF calls you up on a random day and says they want you to meet their new wife but you’ve never even met a girlfriend! The new wife is standoffish and doesn’t seem to want to be friends. Who is this woman, what does she want? Could this really be love? I enjoyed this book very much, it kept my attention and kept me up late to finish. There is no big ending reveal if that the type of psychological thriller your are expecting, there are twists and turns and what the heck’s throughout though. This is my 1st book by this author and I would definitely read more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angela Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Dina Santorelli! You really had me sacrificing sleep and skipping chores with your book! This was my first read by you, and I’m completely hooked—I need more! The suspense was incredible; I found myself guessing who the culprit was the entire time. From the start, I was captivated by Sandra and Alex and their love for each other. I definitely didn’t see the twists coming! Tara’s storyline had me intrigued as well; I appreciated getting her perspective. I truly enjoyed every moment of this story and wholeheartedly recommend it to all my friends and everyone I know. Just a heads-up to check the trigger warnings before diving in, as there are some sensitive topics addressed.

Thank you, Booksirens and Dina, for the advance review copy—I’m sharing my thoughts voluntarily!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked early on! I really appreciated each character and felt like you really got to know them as the story progressed. While this book is in no way a romance, I loved the relationship between the FMC and her husband. It resonated with me a lot and made me grow very attached to these characters.

There are only two reasons this is not a 5 star thriller for me - I guessed the ending quite early, and there was a plot hole near the end of the book. Albeit, the plot hole isn't too big, so don't let it stop you from reading this awesome book!

I received this advanced copy for free and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Susan Belman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a is a twisty ride full of secrets, lies, and shifting loyalties. The story follows a man whose best friend’s sudden death turns his life upside down — especially when he grows closer to the widow, only to discover layers of betrayal and danger lurking beneath the surface. I loved with each section, the story kept peeling back the truth bit by bit, making me question every character’s motives. Just when I thought I’d nailed the ending, another twist landed. The tension built perfectly, and the reveals had me flipping pages late into the night. A smart, addictive read that proves no one is ever exactly who they seem.

[Rebecca Morel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is difficult to review without giving anything away, but I'll try. A husband and wife had a business with her childhood best friend. (Another man) They were all amazingly close and went on a ski trip to Vermont. While on vacation, the wife's husband passed away. Was it a murder? Did something happen on the slopes? You could feel her heartache and longing for her deceased husband. How does life move on from the death if a loved one? And what happens to the business? So many twists and turns, but easy to follow and stirs your emotions. An awesome read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Steven Chatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was great and well paced. The characters were well fleshed out and the story turn truly caught me by surprise.

I was able to relate with rhe feelings of several characters and it goes to make you ask yourself, is your circle of friends, family or acquaintances truly who you think they are?

I enjoyed the writing style and pacing a great deal and am definitely looking forward to reading more of Dina's work.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Janae’ Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest. This book was very close to being a DNF for me. It’s one of those books where you immediately think you know who was the culprit and decide ehh it’s not worth finishing. However I did finish and it wasn’t who I originally thought it was, but it still didn’t seem completely fleshed out character wise. The reasoning was basic and there seemed to be no true thought and genuine motive when considering the timing and the real why behind it. It was still a good read, but I think it would have been better if there were more perspectives from all of the main characters not just two.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this story I was not sure if I would enjoy the plot. Good thing I always finish what I start or a would have missed a truly great psychological suspense read. Lots of twists and turns and a major gotcha combined to make this book hard to put down. This was the first book that I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Cyerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! The writing was fantastic, and I was totally invested in the characters' feelings. The plot was amazing, and all the loose ends were tied up perfectly. Some parts were sad, but they really enhanced the story. Overall, a great read! Gave it 4 stars because I wanted a bit more detail in a few places.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[From The Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, I'm trying to widen my reading genres and I really like psychological thrillers, This was exactly what I wanted.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The twists and turns in this book held me captivated until the end. I loved the characters and how it was written. I think I'll need to read more of her books.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, i couldn't put it down!

[Joy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

My first book written by Dina Santorelli was absolutely a winner. The story line kept you reading and wanting more — then about halfway through all hell breaks loose. I could not put it down until I finished. I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Santorelli’s books.

[Linda Musillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading My Best Friend's Wife! It kept me thoroughly engaged and excited from start to finish. I found myself eagerly turning each page, anticipating what would happen next. The unexpected twists and turns throughout the book only added to the thrill, making it difficult to put the book down.

[Rania Kamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best thrillers i read in 2025 !!! I have no idea how i didn’t read any of her books before but what i know for sure is after finishing this one i added all her books to my TBR and starting one after this review ! Man!! The plot twists !! The bits and pieces that don’t make any sense and all fit perfectly at the end !! Wow 10/10 . Thanks for the ride!

[Dale Zelony Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading

By far. This is the best book zi have read in a long time. The story was original with many twists and turns. (Spoiler alert?). Yes, there was at least one murder but I never saw it coming. The murderer was some one totally out of the blue. I almost, but not quite, read this book in one sitting

[Nataliya Solodkiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read of 2026 did not dissapoint

4.5 stars, this book was so well written, I was genuinely thinking this was going to be clear cut and obvious the way the story starts out but I really was surprised at how everything unfolded. Really good read and I finished it in one day. Lets go 2026 off to an amazing start.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm thankful Book Sirens sent me this ARC. I didn't get to it in time, but once I got into this I couldn't put it down. I was dead set on what was going on, then they changed point of view. All I can say is wow!

[Katie Visser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way the author let you get to know a character really well before killing him off…and throughout the rest of the book, it really had you guessing what had really happened. I thought the ending could have gone into depth a little more but all in all, great read.