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The Wife #1-4
The Wife
If you can’t stop watching Doctor Foster and The Affair, you won’t be able to put down this 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.
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.
436 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2018
30 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Roberts
6 books23 followersLibrarian note: There are more authors with this name in this data base.
M.L. Roberts is the pen name of romance author: Michelle Betham
M.L. Roberts is the pen name of romance author: Michelle Betham
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 17, 2019
This was excellent. I didn’t know what to believe or who to trust the.whole.damn.book. My heart was in my throat the whole time. It was slightly inconvenient having the 4 books published separately, but no big deal👌.
April 29, 2018
Started out well enough, but became repetitive and rambling, was riddled with characters constantly naming each other in two-way conversations (argghhh) and had a blatantly obvious end twist.
March 10, 2018
There is a skilful build-up of psychological tension and believable characters. The intense storytelling makes it hard to tell what is real and what is in the main character’s mind, breathtaking suspense and drama.
Ellie’s tragic past is revealed, which explains much about her current state of mind and motivation. The story is told entirely from Ellie’s point of view, but the actions of others, who touch her life are essential to this story.
The psychological tension is ramped up. Is Michael the real villain of this? Or is it all in Ellie’s troubled mind? Maybe Liam isn’t the selfless, knight in shining armour Ellie believes him to be? Ellie thinks she is in control but is she? There are so many questions in this story, which has a dark, sinister ethos. Ellie is in danger but is she her own enemy or is there someone else controlling her life for their own ends.
Paranoia or intuition, which is it that makes Ellie believe her husband is lying to her? The final chapters of this enthralling, psychological thriller, keep its secrets almost to the end. When you think you know everything there is another breathtaking revelation that leaves you with a chill down your spine.
Ellie’s mental health continues to deteriorate, her marriage to Michael reaches the breaking point, but Liam is more than willing to take his place. Is this what she wants? Ellie’s not sure about anything, but her need for the truth.The outcome of the terrible night that destroyed her is played out, and we find out why she can’t put it out of her mind. While this is not a surprise, it does give you further pieces towards solving the psychological puzzle.
The story continues with its twisty plot. Will Ellie learn the truth or is it all in her mind, the fall out from her night of terror. All is revealed in a nail-biting end to an original, gripping story.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Ellie’s tragic past is revealed, which explains much about her current state of mind and motivation. The story is told entirely from Ellie’s point of view, but the actions of others, who touch her life are essential to this story.
The psychological tension is ramped up. Is Michael the real villain of this? Or is it all in Ellie’s troubled mind? Maybe Liam isn’t the selfless, knight in shining armour Ellie believes him to be? Ellie thinks she is in control but is she? There are so many questions in this story, which has a dark, sinister ethos. Ellie is in danger but is she her own enemy or is there someone else controlling her life for their own ends.
Paranoia or intuition, which is it that makes Ellie believe her husband is lying to her? The final chapters of this enthralling, psychological thriller, keep its secrets almost to the end. When you think you know everything there is another breathtaking revelation that leaves you with a chill down your spine.
Ellie’s mental health continues to deteriorate, her marriage to Michael reaches the breaking point, but Liam is more than willing to take his place. Is this what she wants? Ellie’s not sure about anything, but her need for the truth.The outcome of the terrible night that destroyed her is played out, and we find out why she can’t put it out of her mind. While this is not a surprise, it does give you further pieces towards solving the psychological puzzle.
The story continues with its twisty plot. Will Ellie learn the truth or is it all in her mind, the fall out from her night of terror. All is revealed in a nail-biting end to an original, gripping story.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 1, 2019
Took me relatively long to finish this book. Personally not a big fan of romance but I got distracted by the thriller tag that was on the book. It unfortunately turned out to be a huge disappointment despite the plot twist at the end as it was unnecessarily long and dragged out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2023
This review will contain spoilers for those who haven't read all four parts of this mini series. A woman, Ellie, has recently suffered a loss. We learn in Part 2 that she was beaten by a college student who erroneously believed that Ellie's husband, Michael, was in fact in love with her and not Ellie. And when Ellie indicated she is pregnant, the student targets Ellie's stomach, wanting to destroy the baby. She is successful, Ellie suffers a double-whammy: a miscarriage and the ability to have children in the future.
Ellie is of course suffering from these losses. Michael also felt the grief but after 14 months, is ready to move on with life. Ellie is not ready and willing to move on. She wants to talk about it and Michael does not. Because of this, Ellie becomes distrustful, paranoid, unwilling to believe Michael is faithful and begins to stalk him.
Supporting her during these months is Michael's best friend, Liam, who then becomes a screw buddy of Ellie's. Liam loves Ellie but Ellie continues to profess her love for Michael.
For Part 1, I was engaged and enthralled, wanting to know more about what happened because so much was hidden. As the events of a year earlier start to be revealed in Part 2, Ellie's behavior, and Michael's, began to make more sense. But, overall this four-part mini series was so frustrating in a couple of ways. Including:
1. The fact that instead of it being one book, it's a four-part series. In order to know what happens, you have to purchase 4 mini books.
2. There was a ton of repetition to pad out the books to make it to 4 mini books. Each new mini book had to recap what happened earlier in case someone jumped into the story in the middle.
3. There was a ton of repetition to pad out the books to make it into 4 mini books. I know this is a repeat but this is to give you a hint and a feel for what reading these mini books was like. Seriously, the same thing over and over:
"I love Michael. I don't trust Michael. I have to track Michael. Oh here comes Liam, let me get another screw session in to help clear my head. Liam loves me but I don't love him but I do love using him. I love Michael. I don't trust Michael, I have to track Michael ..." and so on.
4. By the time I made it to book 4 I was so ready for it to end, figuring out how it was going to end. What gobsmacked me is this paranoid suspicious woman decides to not be paranoid and suspicious at the one time when she should have been. I didn't need the epilogue to tell me what happened. I mean, duh!
Frustrating. I think this author is probably a good writer but tighten it up, stick to one book and I think she would have a good domestic drama thriller instead of this mess.
Ellie is of course suffering from these losses. Michael also felt the grief but after 14 months, is ready to move on with life. Ellie is not ready and willing to move on. She wants to talk about it and Michael does not. Because of this, Ellie becomes distrustful, paranoid, unwilling to believe Michael is faithful and begins to stalk him.
Supporting her during these months is Michael's best friend, Liam, who then becomes a screw buddy of Ellie's. Liam loves Ellie but Ellie continues to profess her love for Michael.
For Part 1, I was engaged and enthralled, wanting to know more about what happened because so much was hidden. As the events of a year earlier start to be revealed in Part 2, Ellie's behavior, and Michael's, began to make more sense. But, overall this four-part mini series was so frustrating in a couple of ways. Including:
1. The fact that instead of it being one book, it's a four-part series. In order to know what happens, you have to purchase 4 mini books.
2. There was a ton of repetition to pad out the books to make it to 4 mini books. Each new mini book had to recap what happened earlier in case someone jumped into the story in the middle.
3. There was a ton of repetition to pad out the books to make it into 4 mini books. I know this is a repeat but this is to give you a hint and a feel for what reading these mini books was like. Seriously, the same thing over and over:
"I love Michael. I don't trust Michael. I have to track Michael. Oh here comes Liam, let me get another screw session in to help clear my head. Liam loves me but I don't love him but I do love using him. I love Michael. I don't trust Michael, I have to track Michael ..." and so on.
4. By the time I made it to book 4 I was so ready for it to end, figuring out how it was going to end. What gobsmacked me is this paranoid suspicious woman decides to not be paranoid and suspicious at the one time when she should have been. I didn't need the epilogue to tell me what happened. I mean, duh!
Frustrating. I think this author is probably a good writer but tighten it up, stick to one book and I think she would have a good domestic drama thriller instead of this mess.
May 19, 2021
So conflicted!!!
Although there are twists,they are not rewarding.... for me at least.The comparison to Dr Foster A WOMAN SCORNED....does not gel! I hope you will glean what I am trying to impress upon you with my capitalization,because I'd rather not issue spoilers.Someone who does not have the requirements that I do from a cheating tale might enjoy this more than I.There was too much left hanging, unexplained and unresolved.I found the telling of the tale frustrating,but the nebulous finale was unfulfilling ,hypocritical and stunningly frustrating!.Hint...Michael...uggh!!! Not that I am all that pleased with Elle,but her mental state and manipulations of it lay ground for some explanation.
Although there are twists,they are not rewarding.... for me at least.The comparison to Dr Foster A WOMAN SCORNED....does not gel! I hope you will glean what I am trying to impress upon you with my capitalization,because I'd rather not issue spoilers.Someone who does not have the requirements that I do from a cheating tale might enjoy this more than I.There was too much left hanging, unexplained and unresolved.I found the telling of the tale frustrating,but the nebulous finale was unfulfilling ,hypocritical and stunningly frustrating!.Hint...Michael...uggh!!! Not that I am all that pleased with Elle,but her mental state and manipulations of it lay ground for some explanation.
August 28, 2018
OMG this was such a good book. Ellie is The Wife and what she goes through is indescribable. Losing the most precious thing to her just because of her husband's infidelities. Without giving too much away the storyline twists and turns and doesn't end the way you think it will at all. Totally relatable. The Wife is a book with total escape and made me appreciate my husband more.
July 11, 2025
One Book vs Five.
I really loved this book, and then I purchased Books 1-4. Thinking that these were different stories, how disappointed I was to find out that it was a repeat of the first book (not book one).
So for future readers, don't purchase all 5. Either get the first, unbuttons or purchase books 1-4.
I really loved this book, and then I purchased Books 1-4. Thinking that these were different stories, how disappointed I was to find out that it was a repeat of the first book (not book one).
So for future readers, don't purchase all 5. Either get the first, unbuttons or purchase books 1-4.
March 27, 2018
Terrible writing, too repetitive. I had to skip a lot. I did not like any of the characters.
May 13, 2019
Great Read!!
Great read!!! I encourage you to read it...it’s definitely worth you while. I really enjoyed it. Now on to her others.
Great read!!! I encourage you to read it...it’s definitely worth you while. I really enjoyed it. Now on to her others.
October 6, 2019
One of the most boring and repetitive books I’ve read
November 13, 2019
This was intense!
March 8, 2022
For me I found it quite long winded. Good story and thinking, issues etc. I skimmed and skipped about two thirds to through to the end.
August 2, 2023
I felt the book dragged and could have been much shorter.
Predictable ending.
Predictable ending.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews