Two Wives: An absolutely gripping and totally addictive psychological thriller

by Helen H. Durrant

Your husband’s ex-wife just moved in next door. Is she there to save you or destroy you?

The wife: Eve dotes on her husband, Oliver. He’s a famous surgeon so she plays the supportive wife and a loving mother role to uphold their reputation as the perfect couple. Everything in her life is as Eve planned it, except for one thing – Oliver’s ex-wife, Carla, who just moved in next door. Eve wishes Carla would vanish from their lives forever…

The ex-wife: Carla promised to stay away from Oliver’s new family, but she can’t sit back and watch Oliver put another woman’s life in danger. Nobody knows the truth about their marriage breakup, and Carla thinks it’s about time they did. If Oliver thought he was the dangerous one in their marriage, he was wrong…

The husband: Oliver spends his days saving lives, but he isn’t the person everyone thinks he is. He’s been keeping a dark secret from Eve and Carla, and he’s prepared to kill to keep it…

Two wives. One betrayal. One deadly night that will change everything…



An absolutely pulse-pounding psychological thriller, which is perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and You, Me, Her.

What readers are saying about Two Wives: ‘Addictive, fast-paced and drama-filled rollercoaster ride! WOW!! Never in a million years did I see that twist coming, it literally blew my socks off!… I was reading on the edge of my seat, it was truly amazing!… From the minute I picked it up, I struggled to pull myself away, I was hooked!… My heart was pounding throughout! Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!,’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gripping thriller packed with so much tension, it set my teeth on edge… I flipped the pages at a frantic pace to see how this was going to end,’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gave me chill bumps.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages until the very end!’… If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing until the very end, look no further!’ Sapphirenst9one, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Super fast paced and kept me gripped throughout… Oh too good. Loved this,’ Narin reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘You won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough,’ Danielle167912, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A real page-turner, full of twists,’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

What readers are saying about Helen H.

‘I couldn’t put it down! I was hooked from the start… a must-read for sure and I will be recommending this book to everyone!… Loved it.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 21, 2026

Reviews

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

People can be incredibly charming until they get what they want, and then even the most charming princes turn into the ugliest frogs imaginable. Unfortunately, for some people it’s already too late by then, and they find themselves trapped in a hopeless situation they desperately want to escape from—but it’s not that simple. They see only one way out, and it is often the most drastic one.

These manipulative individuals usually have sky-high egos as well and see themselves as some kind of godlike beings, while innocent people become their victims—without shedding a single tear over it. Backing people into a corner and playing them off against one another is one of their favorite games, and they lose no sleep over it whatsoever.

As the saying goes, the pitcher goes to the well until it breaks, and everyone eventually gets what they deserve. You can’t keep pulling people’s strings without consequences—there comes a moment when their patience boils over.

This book revolves around three women, each of whom has a score to settle with the same man. But who will crack under the pressure and take action? Is it the ex-wife, the current wife, or the nanny? Or perhaps they work together—or is there still another piece on the chessboard?

The author keeps her cards close to her chest until the very end, when everything is finally revealed to the reader. Feuds, alliances, and backstabbing—it’s all there. There’s more than enough to keep your attention throughout.

Interesting characters—some far more likable than others—a strong storyline, and a surprising plot make this a very enjoyable book. I would have liked Oliver to have had a slightly bigger role so we could get to know him better.
That’s why I’m happy to give this book 4.5 stars.

Thank you

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the heart of this novel are three women whose lives are all entangled with the same man, each carrying her own grievances and hidden agenda. The narrative thrives on the uncertainty of who will act first—the former wife with lingering resentment, the current spouse desperate to protect her carefully curated life, or the nanny who knows far more than she lets on. As the story unfolds, the possibility of shifting alliances, unexpected betrayals, and unseen players lurking in the background keeps the reader constantly questioning where the danger truly lies.

The author builds tension with precision, layering secrets and rivalries into a plot that refuses to let go of your attention. Every character is drawn with complexity, some evoke sympathy, others suspicion and their interactions create a web of intrigue that grows tighter with each chapter. While Oliver himself remains somewhat in the shadows, the focus on the women’s perspectives and the secrets they guard makes the story even more compelling. The suspense is relentless, moving between moments of quiet unease and bursts of shocking revelation.

What makes this thriller so addictive is its ability to blur the lines between loyalty and deception, trust and manipulation. The atmosphere grows darker as hidden truths surface, and the reader is pulled into a world where no one is entirely innocent. With its blend of psychological tension, family drama, and unexpected twists, the novel delivers a gripping exploration of fractured relationships, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy, niews expressed are entirely my own

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

I went into this expecting a familiar domestic-thriller setup, but a husband caught between two women added just enough tension to keep me turning pages.

Two Wives pulled me in right away with its classic domestic-thriller setup: a perfect-looking marriage, a husband with secrets, and an ex-wife who suddenly lives way too close for comfort. The tension between Eve and Carla is where this story really shines—I loved not knowing who to trust and constantly second-guessing everyone’s motives.

Helen H. Durrant’s writing is easy to settle into, with short chapters and multiple perspectives that keep things moving quickly. This was my first read by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style—it reminded me of Nicola Sanders and K.L. Slater with its fast pace, accessible prose, and focus on relationship-driven suspense.

The pacing is steady and bingeable, and while a few twists felt familiar for the genre, there were also a handful that surprised me and helped this story stand out—especially once Oliver’s darker side started to surface.

Overall, this is an entertaining, fast-paced psychological thriller that delivers plenty of suspicion, secrets, and messy relationship drama. If you enjoy domestic suspense with unreliable characters and a “nothing is what it seems” vibe, this one is a solid, engaging read.

So much thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for my feedback. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have read this book early.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5



Jane llega a la casa de los Haddon con una sonrisa ensayada y una historia cuidadosamente construida. Acepta el trabajo de niñera sabiendo exactamente a quién va a servir y por qué necesita estar allí. Oliver Haddon es un hombre respetado, intocable ante los ojos del pueblo, pero Jane conoce una versión distinta, una que nadie más se atreve a nombrar.

Mientras cuida de Maisie, observa con atención la fragilidad de Eve y la presencia constante de Carla, la exesposa que se niega a desaparecer. Cada discusión, cada silencio y cada concesión revelan una dinámica rota que Jane aprende a usar a su favor. Nada de lo que ocurre en esa casa la sorprende, porque todo forma parte de un escenario que ella ya había imaginado.

Jane no está allí para proteger a Oliver ni para salvar a su familia, sino para enfrentarlo con el pasado que él creyó enterrado. Y cuando la verdad empiece a salir a la luz, quedará claro que algunas venganzas no necesitan gritos, solo paciencia.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[A Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Wives is a gripping thriller packed with so much tension it set my teeth on edge. Twists and turns, lies and deception, this juicy tale is ripe with all the elements of a great domestic thriller.

Eve is currently married to Oliver, a narcissistic gaslighter, who believes the world should revolve around him. Carla is his ex-wife, who is well aware of how ghastly he treats people. Jane is the newly hired nanny for Eve and Oliver's daughter Maise. All three have reason to want Oliver gone so when he disappears, who is the one responsible.

This was a real page turner. Knowing it could be any of the three women or even all three, I flipped the pages at a frantic pace to see how this was going to end. I thought I figured the characters out, but each was hiding their own secrets. Nonetheless, they were all very engaging characters. As a domestic suspense lover, I really enjoyed this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second book by Durrant, and I love her style of writing.

Fast paced-scenarios that make you wonder and think, what the heck? Eve and her husband seem like an upstanding couple and seem to have it all.

What could possibly happen when Oliver’s ex-wife moves in next door? What could be her motive? The ex-wife Carla knows Oliver is not the good husband and they both share a secret.

As a surgeon, Oliver has several secrets which may unravel his life. Lots of secrets, betrayal and more will have you turning the pages to find out all the secrets in this psychological thriller.

[Catharine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn’t a style of writing that ultimately worked for me. Within the first 5%, I was already struggling with the flow, finding the prose repetitive and somewhat choppy, which made it difficult to fully engage with the story.

I decided to stop reading at around 27%, as the characters felt increasingly robotic to me and the dialogue came across as stilted and unnatural. I did keep going in the hope that things might click, but unfortunately they never quite did.

I’m sorry that I didn’t have the mental capacity to finish this book, but I did make a genuine effort.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of “Two Wives” by Helen H. Durrant.

[Taylor Jane Burger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Thrilling Mystery Novel had me hooked from the start. Why has her husband’s ex-wife moved into the apartment next door? What has Oliver done to become the centre of everyone’s attention.

I continuously thought I had worked the ending out and then NOPE plot twist. The attention to detail and building the relationships between different characters was done so well. I loved the character developments throughout.

I love when someone gets exactly what they deserve out of life even if it means wrecking someone else’s.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book on return for my honest review.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of Two Wives. Started out unbelievable with the nursery scene and how Maisie was just gone. Carla and the way she speaks to Eve is ridiculous. Eve is very childish and the dialogue is annoying. Then at 40% there was a WHOAAAAAA MOMENT. Things changed around and I couldn’t put the book down but still the dialogue was annoying between Eve and Carla and finding where Oliver was way tooooo long and repetitive. The ending was sad for one of the characters and I have to admit, I truly didn’t like any of them except for Jane, Claire and Mervyn.

[Lauren Ateyeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A devoted wife trying to keep up the perfect image, an ex-wife who won’t stay gone, and a husband with way more to hide than anyone realizes. The tension builds as secrets start to crack and loyalties blur, and I couldn’t stop second-guessing everyone’s motives. Dark, dramatic, and full of jaw-dropping moments, this is a binge-worthy psychological thriller that fans of domestic suspense will fly through.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Wives by Helen H. Durrant. Domestic thriller told in multiple POVs. Jane, Eve, and Carla each have their own grievances with Oliver, secrets and hidden agendas. Oliver was a literally narcissistic nightmare and an evil character. Unexpected outcome. Entertaining and fast paced read.

Thank you to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

[Caitlin Van Dette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane, Eve, and Carla weaved an interesting story about Oliver. I enjoyed the twist at the end and loved the multiple POVs. Oliver was a literal nightmare and I applaud the author for writing such an evil character who was easily disliked despite not having many present day interactions

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. I absolutely loved it. It's an addictive read with plenty of twists, turns and surprises.

[Murphy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

The characters in this book will keep you on your toes!