The Wife Before

by Sheryl Browne

She says your new boyfriend killed his ex. He says it’s all lies. Who do you believe?

When I first met Jack, he broke down in tears as he told me about the tragic death of his wife, Natalia, on a family holiday. As our relationship blossomed and we started planning a future together, I would lie awake worrying about filling Natalia’s perfect shoes. But everything changes when her mother turns up at my door…

‘Your boyfriend killed my daughter,’ she says.

Jack swears she’s lying, and I want to believe him but something isn’t right. Why doesn’t he have a single picture of her? And why do I feel afraid when I confront him about the night Natalia died? What if it wasn’t grief after all, but guilt?

As I stroke my baby bump, I wonder if I can really trust the man I love. If he killed Natalia, could I be next?

Fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and The Girl on the Train will be absolutely hooked on this nail-biting psychological thriller. Prepare to be gripped!

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 6, 2026

About the author

Hi, I’m Sheryl Browne writing psychological thriller. My latest psychological thriller MY LOVING HUSBAND is published by fabulous BOOKOUTURE. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I have several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where I completed my MA in Creative Writing. I live in Worcestershire with my partner and a variety of disabled dogs. According to readers of my thrillers, I also apparently make an excellent psychopath. ;) Follow my @Bookouture Mailing List and grab a FREE short: https://t.co/bIigwwALCs
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.

Reviews

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

The Wife Before
By: Sheryl Browne
Pub Date: Feb 6, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture

A man and a woman who have suffered an unimaginable loss find solace in each other. Jack is raising his daughter after the tragic accident of his wife presumed dead. Kara lost her son and husband in a tragic car crash.

After a brief romance Jack’s former mother-in-law shows up unannounced throwing around accusations. Can Kara trust Jack or is this woman senile?

This novel is fast-paced and full of drama which will have you guessing until the end who is truly evil?

Thank you Bookouture for the early copy and having me on tour for Browne’s latest. Love Browne’s writing style and unique plots.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow she's done it again but even better!!!
Fast paced crazy thrill of a ride through this book.
All the characters were brilliantly written and how they got along. More I want more.
Will wait patiently for Sheryl's next book.

Thanks to Sheryl Browne, the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book

[Aisha Faisal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! If you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller that hooks you from page one, cranks up the tension, and keeps you guessing until the very end, The Wife Before by Sheryl Browne needs to be on your list. A big thank you to one of my favorite publishers, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC 🙏

Kara and Jack are both grieving the loss of their spouses when they find comfort in each other. Now expecting a baby together, they move into Kara’s beautiful home with Jack’s daughter, Evie, hoping for a fresh start. But when Evie’s maternal grandmother moves into a separate part of the house, that fragile peace quickly unravels, and Kara begins to question everything she thought she knew about the man she loves.

Kara’s new life with her boyfriend, Jack, starts to fall apart when his former mother-in-law turns up at their door, accusing Jack of killing his ex-wife. From that moment on, nothing feels safe. Kara is heavily pregnant, trying to build a future, and suddenly forced to question whether the man she loves is telling her the truth or hiding something much darker.

The book starts strong. The prologue immediately hooked me, and I love it when a thriller does that. It set up so much tension and promise. Unfortunately, for me, it felt a bit like a bait-and-switch because the momentum didn’t fully carry through the rest of the story. The story is told from multiple points of view, which I usually enjoy, but here it sometimes made things confusing. The writing style made it hard to always follow whose perspective I was in, which pulled me out of the story at times.

One small thing that stood out to me was how often important conversations were delayed between Kara and Jack. The repeated “we need to talk… but not now” moments occasionally slowed the pacing and made a few sections feel longer than necessary. That said, the tension never fully disappeared. Kara’s fear and confusion came through clearly, especially as Jack’s silences, flashes of anger, and evasive behaviour began to pile up. I found myself wanting to believe him alongside her, yet that underlying sense of unease never quite faded. While I was able to predict most of the twists ahead of time, I remained invested and curious to see how everything would unfold.

The pacing of the story was effective, maintaining momentum throughout and keeping the narrative engaging. The use of multiple points of view added varied perspectives to the mystery and helped the plot progress smoothly. The twist near the end was particularly well executed, offering an unexpected development that made the overall build-up feel worthwhile.

My Final thoughts:💭

Overall, I like this book, but I also didn’t love it. It’s a fast-paced, engaging psychological thriller with a strong premise and plenty of suspense, even if some parts felt underdeveloped and repetitive. Fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage, and domestic thrillers in general will likely enjoy it.
This was an entertaining and bingeable read, and it definitely put Sheryl Browne on my list of authors to read more from. A gripping read with lots of potential, a great opening, and solid tension just missing that final push to make it truly unforgettable.

[Kiraya Pairoux · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very fast-paced and engaging psychological thriller. I flew through it and was constantly curious to find out what had really happened. The story is addictive and easy to read, and I was genuinely hooked.

That said, I finished the book with quite a lot of unanswered questions.

At the end it’s implied that Jack also murdered Lola… but how exactly? That was never properly explained. Earlier in the book, Lina also mentions that Jack had a wife before Natalie, but this was never brought up again, which felt like a loose end to me.

From early on, I suspected that Natalie might still be alive and somehow involved in the strange things happening in the house, possibly together with Lina. What I did not expect at all was for Jack to turn out to be the villain. There was very little foreshadowing for this, so the reveal felt abrupt and a bit contradictory to how he was portrayed earlier in the story.

I also would have loved more background on Jack, especially regarding what happened to his parents. And once it became clear that he was “bad,” I really wished we had gotten one final POV chapter from him. His earlier chapters were some of the most interesting parts of the book, so this felt like a missed opportunity.

I think the story had a lot of potential, but it needed more emotional closure. Personally, I would have loved an epilogue set one year later, seeing Kara after giving birth, maybe living safely with Evie. The current epilogue, which takes place in the hospital after Kara’s fall, felt more like a final chapter than a true epilogue.

The beginning was also a bit confusing for me, with the very short sections about Kai and Mark that were hard to place at first.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. It was gripping, fast-paced, and kept me reading. I just wish some of the loose ends had been tied up more clearly. Because of that, I’m settling on 3.5 stars.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Multiple perspectives, simmering tension, and a story that made me constantly rethink what I thought I knew. This domestic thriller centers on Kara, who is pregnant and settling into life with her boyfriend, Jack—until his past quite literally shows up at her door. When Jack’s former mother-in-law claims that his first wife didn’t simply disappear, Kara is forced to question everything she’s been told about the man she loves and the woman who came before her.

This was a twisty read that kept me curious from the start. I’ve read stories with a similar setup before, so the trope itself wasn’t entirely new to me, but I really enjoyed the use of multiple perspectives—it added layers to the story and kept me second-guessing who to trust as more pieces slowly fell into place. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, another POV would shift my thinking again, and Browne’s captivating writing style kept the story feeling intriguing and entertaining throughout. That said, the story was a bit longer than I typically prefer, and there were moments of repeated character dialogue that could have been condensed without losing impact.

This was my first read by Sheryl Browne, and I can see why so many readers praise her books. Her writing style is smooth, readable, and inviting, with an emotionally driven, quietly suspenseful tone that never feels overcomplicated. She builds tension through relationships and secrets rather than shock value, which made the story feel more engaging and believable for me.

Overall, this was an entertaining and bingeable read, and it definitely put Sheryl Browne on my list of authors to read more from.

A big thank you to one of my favorite publishers, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest feedback.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wife Before is one of those psychological thrillers that lures you in with a simple premise and then quietly tightens the tension until you realise you’ve been holding your breath for chapters at a time. Sheryl Browne has a knack for domestic suspense, and here she leans fully into the unease that comes from not knowing whether the person you love is exactly who they claim to be.

We follow Kara, newly pregnant and trying to build a future with her charming, attentive boyfriend Jack. Everything seems idyllic—until the past literally knocks on her door. The arrival of Jack’s former mother‑in‑law, accusing him of killing his ex‑wife Natalia, is the kind of moment that flips the story on its head. From there, Browne plays with doubt beautifully. Every silence, every flare of Jack’s temper, every evasive answer becomes another thread Kara (and the reader) can’t help tugging.

The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere claustrophobic in the best way, and the shifting loyalties keep you guessing. Browne doesn’t rely on cheap twists; instead, she builds a steady drumbeat of suspicion that makes you question every character’s version of events. Fans of The Housemaid and The Perfect Marriage will feel right at home in this world of secrets, manipulation, and emotional sleight‑of‑hand.

with thanks to Sheryl Browne, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

[Mary Carbajosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I found it to be an intense and gripping tale - the sense that something is wrong oozes from the pages.

Annie lives as a recluse after fleeing from an abusive relationship until one day a young woman with a baby turns up at her door looking for safety and asking for her help. Annie decides to let her in, but has she made a mistake in trusting the one woman she shouldn’t have. What unfolds is a tense, at times heartbreaking as well as shocking read.

The dual POV chapters, told by Annie and Jade, have a steady momentum that maintains an engaging pace, and I felt Annie’s fear, isolation and mistrust on every page. With themes of abuse, control and deception, this book was hard to read but also hard to put down.

The build up was taut and the atmosphere the story created was heavy, emotional and full of tension. I found this to be a real page-turner, and when the twist hits, it’s a clever and emotional scene, wrapping the story up nicely. Hugely compelling, immensely readable, heartbreaking and unexpectedly emotional- impossible to put down. This book is available from 27th January 2026.

Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two broken hearts that can come together to form a whole again. That’s pure romance, isn’t it? You can hear the violins playing, smell the roses, and even Cupid is flying around with a broad smile on his face.

But violins sometimes need retuning, roses wither, and even Cupid has his darker days. You probably know where this is going…

A knock on the door bursts your pink bubble—so much so that you risk falling straight through it. Now comes the task of digging out what is true and what is not. Who is lying and who isn’t. Who is manipulating and who is genuine. Not an easy task for Kara.

This author has never let me down. Time and again, she manages to keep me completely under her spell with the powerful stories she puts on paper. Her intriguing characters only strengthen the experience, and the uncertainty about how everything will end lingers right up to the final pages.

I was constantly being pulled back and forth between the characters. Who could I believe? I couldn’t make head nor tail of it—and I’ll admit it: these are absolute gems when you get your hands on them!

So once again, I can wholeheartedly say yes. Yes, I enjoyed it. Yes, I doubted. Yes, I was charmed. Yes, I was shocked.

And so, with complete conviction, I also say yes to her next book. This was enjoyment with a capital E! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Wife Before
Author: Sheryl Browne
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 1/2
Publication Date: February 6, 2026

I absolutely love it when a book has an exciting prologue, and I'm happy to report that this prologue grabbed my attention and sucked me in.

Even though the prologue was amazing, I felt as though it was a "bait and switch". Unfortunately, the momentum didn't continue. The storyline is told from multiple points of view, which is typically enjoy. In this situation, something about the style of writing made the different points of view difficult to follow.

There were several instances of Kara telling Jack that they "need to talk, but not now." So many that it started to annoy me... 🤣 I thought that some of the story dragged on and felt repetitive. I was fairly certain I had it all figured out, and I was mostly correct. I wish there was some follow-through with Jack's story since the book just abruptly ended.

I didn't hate this book, but I also didn't love it. All in all, this is a worthwhile read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[Samadhee Ismail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kara is widowed when her husband and her son died in a car accident. She meets Jack and the two fall in love and Kara gets pregnant. Jack's daughter Evie moves into the house along with Evie's grandmother, Lina who tells Kara that Jack killed her daughter--meaning he killed his ex-wife. Jack denies ever killing his own wife. Kara isn't sure whether who to believe or trust--whether she should trust her own husband or Jack's senile mother-in-law.

The story is fast paced packed with family drama. We have POVs of Kara, Evie, Jack and of course Jemma and Jack's ex-wife Natalia. We have alternating narrators and throughout this book, except for Kara, we don't really know who we should actually trust i.e. all of them except Kara are unreliable characters something which is suitable for this type of story. There are some twists and turns though the ending was quiet expected however. In fact, the whole story was quiet enjoyable to read with lots of drama and twists that will keep the reader hooked into the book.

Worth 4 stars.

Many thanks to Netgallet and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

[Cristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’m late to the game on this author, but holy heck, what a great first book for me to introduce me to the world of Sheryl Browne.

This book was a psychological thriller with tons of suspense, kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book had me going, no one was safe, everyone was guilt. My plot twists had me feeling whiplash. Definitely a great book and I definitely enjoyed reading it!

I read the book in two sittings, ONLY because I had started it late in the evening, and had already been in bed. But as soon as I woke up, I read and finished it before having lunch. I feel like the author does a great job in keeping the reader interested. Sometimes I read books that have lots of filler words, whereas this one, I felt like it flowed nicely.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Sheryl Browne for the opportunity to receive this early advance reader copy e-book! This review is completely my own, my opinions, I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.

[Catharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I didn’t trust a single character in Sheryl Browne’s ‘The Wife Before’—and loved every deliciously twisted second of it.”

This domestic thriller is packed with characters you’ll never quite figure out, and that’s exactly the fun of it. The manipulation is masterful and sneaky; just when you think you’ve got it all figured out… nope. Browne pulls the rug out so often I almost needed a chiropractor.

The tension ratchets up immediately: a knock at the door, a mysterious mother-in-law, whispered accusations, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. You’ll be questioning every glance, every word, and whether Jack really is the perfect boyfriend—or a master of deception.

The writing is fast-paced, immersive, and unsettling in all the right ways. I devoured it, nervously glancing over my shoulder (metaphorically—though my dog might have noticed). This is the kind of book that makes you slightly paranoid, slightly obsessed, and entirely entertained.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of “The Wife Before” by Sheryl Browne.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book this Morning and finished it this afternoon…..

My 18th book read from this author and an even more welcome one than usual after what the author has faced recently,a moving explanation in the acknowledgements …..that aside at Book 18 its a done deal I love her books and the thing I have said before remains true,all the books are based on different things that need research from the author and are interesting to read/learn about alongside a powerful story

This time we are introduced to Kara and Jack,both having faced recent tragedies,both needing comfort,both trusting each other and wanting Jack’s daughter to accept Kara

But just as Kara and Jack seem all set fora blissful marriage there are many many reasons why they are set to fail,no more so than Jack’s ex Mum in law who appears on the scene determined to cause as much trouble as she can……..and then the problems and revelations really start

Told by multiple characters it is another fast moving psychological family led thriller from this accomplished author who always delivers a resounding great read

[A Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes! If you're looking for a thriller that will grab you right away, is filled with tension, and will keep you guessing all the way to the end, then the latest psychological domestic suspense by Sheryl Browne, The Wife Before, is a must read.

Kara and Jack have both recently lost their spouses and turn to each other for mutual support. Now expecting a child together, they, along with Jack's daughter, Evie settle into Kara's beautiful home. When Evie's maternal nana moves into a separate part of the house, the chaos begins, leaving Kara doubting everything she thought she knew about Jack.

This book blew me away. I second guessed myself all the way through to the end. The twists and revelations were gasp out loud worthy and unpredictable. The chapters were short and easy to read. This is my new favorite by Sheryl, and I can't wait for her next thriller.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy

[Sandie McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

. Kara is heavily pregnant, settling into a new home and a new life with Jack, when a single accusation shatters everything she thought she knew: “Your boyfriend killed my daughter.”

What follows is a gripping exploration of trust, love and fear. Jack has always claimed his ex-wife Natalia disappeared during a family holiday, a tragic mystery that still haunts him. But as Kara begins to question the cracks in his story his silences, his anger, his refusal to talk about the night Natalia died builds a sense of unease that never lets up.

I feel for her because she wants to believe the man she loves, and the creeping dread that comes with realising the truth might be far darker than grief.

Twisty, unsettling and emotionally charged, this is a story that keeps you guessing, how well do you ever really know the person you love?

I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for an ARC

[Alex Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley review: The Wife Before by Sheryl Browne. This isn’t the first book I’ve read by this author, and there’s a reason I come back for more. Her books are twisty and exciting, fast paced and bingeable. The Wife Before has quite an intricate plot, and lots of really unreliable characters. I didn’t know who to trust!
After a series of very unfortunate events (that’s an understatement!) Kara starts seeing Jack, but Jack’s past is questionable. His last wife went overboard on a cruise ship holiday (supposedly) and wasn’t seen again. Is that what actually happened, or was it something more sinister?
This book drew me in right from the start and twisted around so much that I didn’t know which way was up. A totally gripping and entertaining domestic thriller. I definitely recommend it!
Thankyou NetGalley, Sheryl and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
4/5

[Joan Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kara has fallen in love with Jack and is now carrying his baby. Jack is still coming to terms with the tragic death of his wife, Natalia, and some say that he is to blame for it. His daughter, Evie, is obviously struggling with the tragedy as well. When Natalia's mother, shows up unexpectedly and starts leveling accusations against Jack, Kara doesn't know who to believe. When Kara learns that some of Jack's claims are lies, she confronts him, though she knows it will most likely end their relationship.

Though Jack's story seems to change depending on the day, it always seems that he has a good reason for spinning certain details of Natalia's death. The reader is kept guessing whether it's Jack or his mother-in-law who is lying or whether anyone at all is telling the truth. The book dragged a bit in the middle but otherwise, a solid thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Grace Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kara tragically loses her young son and husband in a car accident. Jack's wife, Natalia, is suspected to have committed suicide leaving him a widower and his daughter without a mother. When Natalia's mother, Lina, shows us at their doorstep out of the blue what seemed like such a perfect relationship between Jack and Kara begins to unravel. Kara gradually doubts Jack's innocence in his wife's death as Lina accuses him of killing her.

From the start the book captivates you but it isn't until a little later in the book that the tension and mysterious circumstances surrounding Natalia's death arise.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!! This is an amazing book that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves mystery and psychological thriller books. This twisty edge of your seat thriller is amazing to all readers!

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first met Jack, he broke down in tears as he told me about the tragic death of his wife, Natalia, on a family holiday. As our relationship blossomed, and we started planning a future together, I would lie awake worrying about filling Natalia's shoes. But everything changes when her mother turns up at my door.

This fast-paced novel is filled with drama, secrets and lies. The characters are well-portrayed. I was pulled in from the first page, and I didn't put it down again until I had read the last. There were a few good twists along the way. It's emotionally tense. Sheryl Browne knows how to pull you in and keep you there until her work is done.

Published 6th February 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SherylBrowne for my ARC of #TheWifeBefore in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie Robertson-King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sheryl Browne's psychological thrillers and think this is the best one yet.

After a tragic accident claims the lives of her husband and young son, Kara is trying to rebuild her life. She's strong but vulnerable since the accident and quickly falls under the charm of Jack, whom she invites, along with his teenage daughter, to live with her in her barn conversion.

Things move at a page-turning pace throughout the story, with lots of plot twists and red herrings along the way.

What happened to the wife before? I'm not telling, so if you want to find out, you'll have to buy the book and read it.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kara and Mark have a little boy, and they’re very happy, but one night changes everything for Kara. Jack, his wife, and daughter go on a cruise, but only Jack and his daughter return home. Kara moves into the barn she and her husband converted, and Jack, who helped with the building work, is very kind to her. They fall in love, and Jack and his daughter move in. But one night, Jack’s mother-in-law shows up with accusations. She’s unwell and ends up moving in, and then strange things start happening in the house. Kara doesn’t know what to believe. A very twisty, addictive read—these authors’ books are always highly recommended.

[Laurie Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so confusing, but not in a good way. There is very little exposition at the beginning explaining who these people are and why we should care. The writing is off, somehow, like it has never been edited. There are too many adverbs and adjectives. One line actually reads, “I emit an astonished gasp.” Atrocious. All of this leads to a very unsatisfying conclusion, where I was left with a feeling of “Huh?”

And yet, I couldn’t put it down. I loved every second of it. All of the flat, unlikable characters. The dramatically poor writing. The meandering, nonsensical plot. I hate that I loved it, but here we are. Five stars.

[Liv Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was my first book by Sheryl Browne.
The start of the book had me gripped, the changing POVs were a bit confusing , I kept having to go back to the start of the chapter to see whose POV i was reading.

The writing style was good and flowed well. I struggled to connect with the main characters. However, I think that is down to my own moral compass.
There were several twists and turns that kept the reader guessing. It was a decent pace and had me hooked.
I would recommend this book to friends and family.

Looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for this free E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release:  Feb 6, 2026
Author:  Sheryl Browne
Publisher:  Bookoture
 
Rating: 4★  

Kara’s new life with her boyfriend Jack is disrupted when his former mother-in-law shows up, claiming Jack killed his ex-wife. As Kara tries to navigate Jack’s conflicting reactions and evasions, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about him. The story is a tense, page-turning psychological thriller filled with suspense, twists, and moral ambiguity. Fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage, and The Girl on the Train will find themselves hooked from the first page to the last.

Favorite Quote:  
 “room without books was a room without a soul, so yes, I’d keep some of them on the shelf.”

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this dark story about a young woman who tragically looses her young son and husband in an accident. As she starts to rebuild her life she bumps back into an old friend and starts to see a future again but is it all moving too quickly. Now he’s living in her house with his teenage daughter and she’s pregnant but is he the kind caring man he says he is or is he hiding his true self. As she starts do question what happened to his other wife can she really trust the man she is sharing a bed with!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Wife Before. This was a definite slow burn but talk about gaslighting, WHOA!!!!! I honestly did NOT know who to believe all the way to the end! Evie’s mouth, you wanted to slap but then when you realize it’s not just her 16 year old attitude, my heart broke. A little over halfway was a TWIST I NEVER SAW COMING! I couldn’t put it down after that. I cried hysterically at one point too, this book had it all!!! LOVED IT. Thank you again.

[Isabelle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's so much grief (something I particularly struggle with) near the start of this story that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading, but then the expected suspenseful part started and I really enjoyed the multiple twists, big and small. So, although this is not my favourite of Sheryl Browne's books, it was still a very good read overall, with interesting characters and the usual confusion shared with the MC when people around her accuse each other of lying, strange things happen and there's a general sense of danger increased by the uncertainty about where it comes from.

[Paula Stammers · Rating 4 out of 5]

After tragedy strikes and they lose their partners Kara and Jack are drawn together and start to make a life for themselves with Jack's daughter, Evie. Kara is expecting their child and everything seems to be going really well until an unexpected visitor arrives at their door. Suddenly Kara finds herself doubting everything she though she knew about Jack and suddenly her life is turned upside down. Who can she trust? And will she ever know the truth about what really happened to Jack's wife?

This is a great book with plenty of twists and turns. The characters are great and I soon found myself routing for Kara and Evie. I have rear a few of Sheryl's books in the past and I have never been disappointed. If you love a book that will keep you guessing throughout then this is a great book and definitely one to add to the top of your TBR pile.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

[Alicia Kirkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked: I changed my mind multiple times(sometimes multiple times on the same page!) about who could be trusted and who couldn't be. One second I was so sure someone was being honest and the next second I was so sure it was that person being deceitful and causing chaos!

What I didn't like: In my opinion, the story dragged a bit and the pace could have been picked up.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a review!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author and was looking forward to reading this and it didn’t disappoint. This was a fast paced rollercoaster of a read with lots of thrills and spills along the way and keeps the reader guessing I was invested in this from the start and eager to keep reading to find out what happened and was pleased I had started it when I had time to read it in almost one sitting.

Look forward to this authors next book and seeing what they write next.