To Have and To Hold

The Wife #1

by M.L. Roberts

For fans of TV shows Doctor Foster and The Affair. A chilling new four-part series.

Michael and Ellie are that couple.

The ones who have it all.

Success, charm, trust…but no relationship is perfect and the events of the past cast a shadow over their charmed life together.

When lecturer Michael starts to mentor a new student, Ellie fears that history is repeating itself. As paranoia takes its ugly hold, it’s clear some things just can’t be forgotten…or forgiven.

Genres: Ebooks, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Mystery, Amazon, Crime

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2017

About the author

Librarian note: There are more authors with this name in this data base.

M.L. Roberts is the pen name of romance author: Michelle Betham

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept waiting for something to happen, or for an inkling of answers, yet nothing. And I refuse to read 5 books to get the answer to what is happening here. I feel like I was on chapter 1 the entire time. Awful.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Some books are uplifting. This just depressed me."

I should have known this would end with a cliffhanger. I can see why the author didn't combine all four parts into one offering. 500 pages might put off some readers. Of course, if the same ground wasn't covered half a dozen times it would help. I'm waffling, I know, but it's catching. Imagine what I'd be like if I read all four parts.
It was all too self-absorbed. Apart from Ellie, Michael and Liam, any other characters were drawn so thinly they were see-through. As for the main protagonists, well the males were on-trend - potentially unfaithful, useless, secretive, not in touch with their feelings. Ellie was paranoid. Whether it was with good reason I never discovered in the first quarter of the story.
Will I survive without knowing? I think so.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Have and To Hold follows Ellie and Michael, a seemingly perfect married couple. But under the surface, something's not right. Prior to the book's events, something happened to the couple that left their marriage a little fractured, and Ellie paranoid (for lack of a better word). Told from Ellie's POV, we follow her as she begins to suspect that Michael may be cheating, and she sets out to find out what he's hiding..

I really enjoyed this book. I was griped from the get-go, and I needed to find out what had happened to them. Just as we're about to find, bam. Cliff-hanger I will be buying the rest of the series on Kindle just to find out what's going on.

[Angelena Ornelas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that’s a hour I’ll never get back.

[Alyson Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful for the entire book. The ending irritated me...

[Faith Barbare · Rating 1 out of 5]

Listen, I get having a book series that leaves you with a cliff hanger, but if you're going to make a series there has to be SOMETHING, ANYTHING that happens in the first book. This was the biggest waste of my time and there is NO way I am going to read the next one.

The chapters were very repetitive, even to the point where the same sentences were used over and over. I felt like this whole book could have been chapter one, there was no need to drag it out... whatever it was, because I am still not sure.

I guess this is what I get for thinking I should download every free book on stuff your kindle day without actually reading reviews prior. Maybe this review will save one of you out there on stuff your kindle day from wasting your time.

[Kofoworola Emily (Read Till You Drop) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t understand what this was supposed to be. The whole book kept running around in circles and making references to something that happened to the main characters and their marriage but the author doesn’t tell us what SOME of it is until we’re 80% into the book. Then 85% in we get flashback? And then it ends in a cliffhanger so we still don’t have the full story.

That doesn’t make any sense to me at all. It’s hard to relate to or feel sorry for a character or even understand them when you don’t have all the details.

[P. Rachal · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was truly a waste of my time. The author drags out a tired, overused storyline of a troubled marriage where the wife suspects the husband of cheating. Worse, the writer constantly hints that something horrible happened, but you don’t get the full story. The book ends in a cliffhanger. So, not only is the writing mediocre, but the book isn’t really a full book. It’s a disrespect to the reader.

The only saving Grace for this book is that it’s short. But, honestly, this was the loooongest 100 pages I’ve ever read.

[miriam a. connolly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitious, drags on. I'm not a fan of stories that hold plots hostage unless you buy another book.


Save your money unless you enjoy go nowhere plots. Very disappointing. Not a thriller either. More like a constant repeat of the same this and ideas.

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This definitely has a Dr. Foster feel to it, and if you haven’t seen that particular programme then be prepared for a paranoid and vengeful woman, and the close scrutiny of a marriage.

Marriage, relationships and friendships are at the forefront of this story. The story starts after specific events, which lead to the deterioration of her mental health and her marriage. The reader remains unaware of what those events are specifically until the author starts to reveal some of the details towards the end of this book.

It’s hard to feel a lot of empathy for Ellie. because she seems so unstable. She is jealous, paranoid and isn’t adverse to the occasional bouts of stalking. She doubts everything her husband says and does, perhaps with good reason though.

Roberts describes the charismatic husband really well. The charmer, the kind of man women want attention from, even if it is just the faintest of touches or a short moment of eye-contact. I think they thrive on the energy, the heavy feeling of lust and danger in the air. The short culmination of spiked desire, albeit only in a brief second of imagined abandonment. Michael is that type of man. The kind of man who holds the attention of the room, and enjoys every second of it. You have to be a strong woman or partner to accept this particular vice or personality trait. Why? Well, because he will only ever belong to you completely when there is only the two of you and no other person to stroke the ego of the prettiest peacock in the room.

No wonder Ellie is driven to distraction, especially after the damage her marriage has already incurred. It’s interesting to note, and yet absolutely the norm, that as a woman she is expected to forgive, forget and go back to being the happy little wife. Regardless of the pain, horror and irreparable damage to her life and well-being she has had to endure.

The author writes a good game. In book one the nails are being slowly driven into the coffin one by one, whilst the reasons for her obsessive and paranoid behaviour are revealed at a calculated pace. Some characters look guiltier than others, however there are always three sides to every story. Her side, his side and somewhere in the middle is the truth. This is a four part series and I am looking forward to reading the next book For Better, For Worse.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.*

[Ashley Foley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying that, all in all, I enjoyed this book and will likely read Part 2 as soon as I can. I liked how it began after the "event" so you kept trying to guess what happened. The ending only begins to tell us what happened 14 months prior and it ends on a cliffhanger so abrupt I MUST find out what happens next! It seemed like the author kept trying to throw me off track though by adding bits and pieces to the story that made you say "hmmmm..." but by the end of this Part 1, none of it had really been clarified as either being deeper issues besides the actual "event" or just that...an attempt to throw you off the trail, so hopefully Part 2 will clear everything up!

That being said, there are a couple things that bugged me a bit. The biggest issue I had was how the end of a conversation was pretty much always stated or pointed out. It was in thought by the main character, Ellie, but it was done way too often:

Location 299: ...he's shutting me down, ending that conversation
Location 388: ...his way of stopping dead a conversation he doesn't want to get into...
Location 450: He's ending this conversation
Location 520: He's calling an end to this conversation
Location 1030 and 1031: I don't want this conversation here. In fact, I'm not sure if I want this conversation at all
Location 1069: He isn't even entertaining this conversation
Location 1241: I don't want to start that conversation

I'm really not sure why it bothered me so much. Except that maybe I don't think it needs to be mentioned at all if the writing is descriptive enough. Let alone that many times. But, this could just be a me thing...

Also, there are a lot characters being introduced but I'm really not sure any of them are necessary. One or two may be (one of the clarifications I'm hoping for in Part 2) but the others, surely not. I don't mean that there shouldn't be other characters at all, but most of them are being inserted as potential plot focuses when they could possibly just be secondary and tertiary characters. Again...that may also just be a me thing, or something that will be explained in Part 2.

I received this book through NetGalley.

[Zoé-Lee O'Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally had a chance to open up the first book and got cracking! I wasn't expecting this! Ok, so Ellie repeats herself... a LOT! But despite this, I was still left wanting to know more, more about what happened 14 months ago. I had suspicions about what might happen, especially with the tagline of "There are three people are in her marriage" - I mean it's natural for your brain to go in one direction with this! After finishing the first book, I am still none the wiser but it ramped up at the end, as we went back to that night. Aaaahhhhhhh the end! I thought I had more pages! I need to now read the 2nd book and pronto!

Ellie and Michael are a couple who have experienced something. Michael, however, will not talk about it at all. He thinks it's done and dusted and he's moving on and he wants Ellie to do the same. She won't. She's spying, snooping and angry. A woman scorned and all that. But like I say, I still have no idea! I mean I have my idea, but I can't see how it's going to be right. I am completely fascinated by this book. Yes, ok the repetitiveness did bring it down a star, but the story and the characters, despite not being likeable, have kept me enthralled and I have to know more!! plus a book sold as Doctor Foster, hell yeah I am there!!

I'm really looking forward to reading the next one - can you tell?! I need to know the secrets that lie ahead!

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This book was both aggravating and addicting. An event has changed the once perfect marriage of Ellie and Michael and this "event" is referred to constantly and when we finally get to the flashback that will possibly explain all-the book is over. The cliffhanger worked-I will be purchasing book 2 in November.

[Melissa Abercrombie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read and thank goodness because it was really more like a really long beginning…. And that’s as far as it got… And full disclaimer, I didn’t realize when I started it there were 3 additional parts (books) to this story. So the first book just ends without even giving you a full story. Kind of disappointing. Maybe if they combined all books into one it would make more sense.

[CwtchUpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspect this may have been better as one book instead of split into parts, however the cliffhanger ending has secured my need to get my hands on part two asap. Hopefully the gap won't spoil the flow. Really enjoyed part one.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first part in a 4 part series that leaves you on such a cliffhanger that you are desperate to read more. Ellie and Michael have obviously been through a difficult time and although I am guessing what is to come I am keen to find out.

[Erdina Halilagic · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to stop reading this book halfway through. I kept waiting for something to happen, but the whole story is just the wife’s thoughts. There are no meaningful dialogues with her husband or any other characters, and it just drags on and on. My advice: don’t waste your time with this book.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, however it's very short and cuts off suddenly to carry onto book 2, which all 3 books are just one book in length 😐

[Lauren Kragnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off a tad slow but then it builds and leaves on a cliffhanger. We just start to understand what goes on before the book starts and then it ends leaving you wanting to read more.

[Sonia Chap · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s ok. Pretty predictable but It pulls you in and I need to know what happens now 😆

[Bmalnovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

I enjoyed this book. I’ve never read anything else from this author, I loved it. It kept me guessing and has a good cliffhanger making me definitely want to read more!

[Lauren Macshara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this 4 stars because it was good writing and I thought it was interesting, but it took a VERY long time to get to what was going on with the main character. After I found out it sparked my interest even more and made me excited for the next book in the series

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Foster is one of those rare TV programmes that had me glued to my seat each week, eagerly anticipating the next instalment. To Have and To Hold has a very similar vibe and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. This book had me on the edge of my seat as I frantically tried to read between the lines and try and understand just what was going on.

Fast paced, this one definitely keeps the blood pumping and goes a way to show how one event can catastrophically change one person and their relationship. Emotional and thrilling, I loved this one and am desperately waiting for the next instalment. (At least Dr Foster was only a week to wait)

[Auntmolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Potential

I enjoyed the idea, the plot. But it became a frustrating read halfway in. It was repetitive and read like the author was holding out on info till the next book. I don't like plot baiting. This book could have either given more insight into what went wrong with this couple.

[Becca Palik · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow .. so many innuendos and build up just to end abruptly. Can’t say I’d recommend this one. Rather boring until the last sentence.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Have and To Hold, (The Wife Book 1), M L Roberts
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: mystery and thrillers, women's fiction

I loved the synopsis and looking on both amazon and goodreads its listed as a 400 page book, a four book series. I expected this part, part one to be 400 pages though, but its not.
I guess the 400 pages relates to the whole story :-( as part one is 1402 kindle location.....I can't seem to find info on when parts 2,3,4 are out and I so hate waiting. for me it spoils a story, divided like this, and TBH I feel in this case its unnecessary, it could have been put together as one book, or possibly two.
Four parts though? With no release dates for the rest? I'll have forgotten much of this by then, certainly the drama will have lost its impact. 

That's a real shame as its a terrific story, carefully written so we think A is what happened, then clues laid out so we think maybe it was B instead. Then something else comes up so maybe it wasn't A or B but C, and then maybe D and E are part of the story too. There are lots of clues laid out, but many send the reader off in the wrong direction. Or do they?? 

I really enjoyed this, what there was of the story anyway, and as a complete book it would probably be a five star, but divided as it is?
Well, the biggest emotion I feel is frustration, not knowing when I can read more, not knowing how long before I get the whole story, especially as it ends in my least favourite way, with a dam n sharp cliffhanger. Gah!! 

Stars: Three, excellent writing, tantalising story but presented this way, divided into four parts, really spoils my enjoyment. I felt I'd barely got started before it was ending....

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

[Vivien Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh dear! If I had wanted a story in serial form I would have bought a weekly magazine. Part One has only just built up its characters and setting when it ends - on a cliffhanger, with nothing explained or resolved. I had just (finally) reached the point when I actually wanted to know what happened, but it was not to be. I struggled to feel any connection with either of the main characters. She is suspicious to the point of paranoia, following her husband, assuming everything he says is a lie, and constantly referring to 'what happened' so many times it became boring and repetitious. Okay, so you're not going to tell us what it was - I get that! And he spends most of the story avoiding her, refusing to talk, and leaving the room. I couldn't even get a sense of their age. - their lifestyle, home and seniority at work gave me the impression they are in their fifties, but when we finally find out the relevance of the empty room that seems extremely unlikely. The story is much too short to be sold independently. It should be part of one whole novel, sold together so we can find out the ending. .If I am expected to now wait for (and pay for) parts two, three, or more, I don't think I will be doing so.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* rounded down to 3

I really liked this book. A husband and wife are still recovering from some sort of trauma that was in their lives 14 months earlier. While they spoke around it for most of the book without revealing it, I found it was easy to guess what had happened. That didn't change enjoyment of the story for me. I thought this was well written as the wife is still having difficulty moving past the trauma and fully trusting her husband again.

The reason I didn't give this more stars than I did is the ending. So abrupt and such a ploy to get you to buy #2. I found this book and author by scrolling through Kindle Free Books today. This one was free but the remaining ones in the "saga" are not. I suspect I will pony up the money for at least the next one in the series because the author is quite proficient, I was fully engaged from page 1! And now I want to know what happens next!

[Ferne Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this book was anticlimactic. There was no reason to read it. Micheal and Ellie are having marital issues based on an event that has already happened. The story was slow and a little boring with Ellie being suspicious of Micheal and Micheal not wanting to talk about the issues.
This is part one of a 4-part series. It ended with a cliffhanger that was also anticlimactic. I think if the part one covered more and there were fewer in the series maybe something exciting would have happened in part one. By halfway through this book, I really didn't even care about the characters. I read to the end to see if it picked up, but it didn't. I felt like I wasted my time so in that respect I'm glad it was a short book.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not realize this book is entirely a back story. I knew it said part 1 but I did not realize NOTHING would happen. It was so repetitive that I genuinely thought I kept accidentally rereading the same few pages. The entire book is about a secret that so far is seemingly there’s a third person in their marriage, (the husband Michael seems to be cheating) but then you finally learn in within the last chapter that she miscarried a baby and then the last page is as if someone is breaking into their house. I don’t know if I’ll be continuing to read this series because of the repetition and the long drawn out backstory. I’m honestly very disappointed and I feel like this book is completely unnecessary and could have been summed up in a few chapters.