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La moglie scomparsa
Per tutti coloro che conoscono Imogen Naughton, la sua decisione di scomparire nel nulla appare incomprensibile. Ai loro occhi la sua esistenza è sempre sembrata invidiabile: una casa accogliente, un marito premuroso, una vita matrimoniale descritta dalla stessa donna come la migliore che ci si possa augurare. E allora perché fuggire da un giorno all’altro senza dare spiegazioni? Molto spesso quello che succede dietro la porta di una casa è un mistero non solo per il mondo esterno ma anche per chi tra quelle mura abita. Lo stesso Vince, marito di Imogen, innamorato della moglie e convinto di avere tutto sotto
controllo, non capisce quel gesto e decide di cercarla. L’impresa però non è affatto facile, perché quando Imogen ha deciso di mollare tutto e intraprendere un lungo viaggio nel Sud della Francia, ha fatto in modo di cancellare ogni traccia di sé. Vince riuscirà a ritrovarla? E lei sarà in grado di affrontarlo e fare i conti con le sue nuove consapevolezze?
controllo, non capisce quel gesto e decide di cercarla. L’impresa però non è affatto facile, perché quando Imogen ha deciso di mollare tutto e intraprendere un lungo viaggio nel Sud della Francia, ha fatto in modo di cancellare ogni traccia di sé. Vince riuscirà a ritrovarla? E lei sarà in grado di affrontarlo e fare i conti con le sue nuove consapevolezze?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2016
1568 people are currently reading
4610 people want to read
About the author
Sheila O'Flanagan
95 books1,200 followersAs you can see, a Dubliner all my life. My parents owned a grocery shop in the Iveagh Markets, in the Liberties area of the city and I guess city blood runs through my veins.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
July 31, 2022
I love the “behind closed doors” troop, one of my favourites that get me every time.
This was no exception (plus I love this authors books and been reading them for years).
Perfect marriage….tick
Perfect husband…tick
Everything she ever wanted…..tick
Or is it?
Why has she left if life was so perfect.
Loved it.
Someone who loves domestic thrillers, domestic noir, family sagas. That’s who I’d recommend this to.
This was no exception (plus I love this authors books and been reading them for years).
Perfect marriage….tick
Perfect husband…tick
Everything she ever wanted…..tick
Or is it?
Why has she left if life was so perfect.
Loved it.
Someone who loves domestic thrillers, domestic noir, family sagas. That’s who I’d recommend this to.
February 6, 2018
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Amazon US * Amazon UK
The Missing Wife was a completely new adventure for me since I typically only read romance stories. I really enjoyed this story though and loved getting to see Imogen grow as a person. The book follows her after she leaves her husband, who is verbally abusive, and she goes on the run to get away from him. What I thought was really interesting was that it also gave her husbands POV as he tried to find her.
The focus of this story was on Imogen and it was mainly about how she was bettering herself after she got away from the emotional abuse. There was, for me, a little suspense in wondering if her husband was going to find her and get her to go back with him. I liked that there was that little bit of mystery involved and it was very captivating.
I would recommend this story for anyone that like a bit of women empowerment in their stories. The ending didn't honestly shock me but I think it will maybe shock some people, for me I actually liked how it ended but it will be interesting to see what others say about it.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
The Missing Wife was a completely new adventure for me since I typically only read romance stories. I really enjoyed this story though and loved getting to see Imogen grow as a person. The book follows her after she leaves her husband, who is verbally abusive, and she goes on the run to get away from him. What I thought was really interesting was that it also gave her husbands POV as he tried to find her.
The focus of this story was on Imogen and it was mainly about how she was bettering herself after she got away from the emotional abuse. There was, for me, a little suspense in wondering if her husband was going to find her and get her to go back with him. I liked that there was that little bit of mystery involved and it was very captivating.
I would recommend this story for anyone that like a bit of women empowerment in their stories. The ending didn't honestly shock me but I think it will maybe shock some people, for me I actually liked how it ended but it will be interesting to see what others say about it.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2017
A great read love Sheila O Flanagan. A great book for the summer Holidays. So enjoyed the excitement of Imogens new life and the hold that her husband Vince had over her. A real page turner. Most enjoyable.
November 12, 2017
Imogen finally puts the plan she has been hatching for a couple of year into practice. Her husband Vince, who is a verbally abusive control freak, cannot understand why she has gone missing or where she can be. Imogen hasn’t even let her best friend Shona know where she is. But Vince is determined he will track her down and bring her back, because he believes she cannot survive without him. So begins a game of cat and mouse that takes part largely in France, with Imogen determined to escape Vince and her husband of five years just as determined to find her and bring her home. Even if Imogen doesn’t want to come.
The story is told from Imogen’s and Vince’s points of view. It is interesting how different his view of the situations is to hers and shows how people can justify their behaviour. What is also apparent is how easy it is for a manipulative person to take control starting with little things and gradually escalating.
While I found this book readable, I thought it went on a bit and was repetitive in parts. It was rather predictable. As for the ending, for me it didn’t work at all. It was just too neat and in my opinion unbelievable. However others may have different ideas. In my view a readable book, if overlong, and let down by the ending. But it does raise some valid points about how what people see is not always the reality.
The story is told from Imogen’s and Vince’s points of view. It is interesting how different his view of the situations is to hers and shows how people can justify their behaviour. What is also apparent is how easy it is for a manipulative person to take control starting with little things and gradually escalating.
While I found this book readable, I thought it went on a bit and was repetitive in parts. It was rather predictable. As for the ending, for me it didn’t work at all. It was just too neat and in my opinion unbelievable. However others may have different ideas. In my view a readable book, if overlong, and let down by the ending. But it does raise some valid points about how what people see is not always the reality.
October 14, 2017
See my full review at https://99coffeebooks.blogspot.ie/201...
I'm giving this book a very confident score of 4 stars.
This was a pleasant surprise after I had read "If You Were Me" and was left less than impressed... I was not too keen to pick another book by the same author, but something in the synopsis caught my attention and told me that it might be a bit of fun to read.
So... Imogene and Vince are your typical suburban couple. They have good jobs, nice house in a nice area, they are planning to have a baby soon.... Imogene had spent several years growing up in France, when her dad died in a car crash. She loved France, she loved her little settled life there... But then things changed and first Imogene got uprooted again and returned with her mom to Ireland and then she lost her mom to cancer... All this happened when she was still a child, a teen.
So off they go again, packing and moving to England...
Not much of a cosy childhood.
That's why when Imogene grew up, she craved nothing more than her own family, settled and nice.
Vince has become her rock. He is always looking out for Imogene, always protects her and makes sure she does the right things. He loves her and cares for her. He always worries about her.
And what does Imogene do? She goes on a business trip. And... she does not return. She goes hiding from her husband.
Why?!! Is she mad? Is there another man? Is she just a silly and irresponsible cow?
Not as simple. But no, Imogene is not mad. And she has her reasons to act the way she does...
Will she ever be settled and happy? Will she return to Vince?
Will they have a little nice family of their own?
What I loved about this book, was that it's quite simple and as close to real life as it gets. Yes, of course it has its parts of "mix and match" events but in its core, in its message to the reader it is quite direct.
All the little cliché saying that Imogene's mom used to say - I loved them! Yes, they are clichés but they are true. You can't argue with them :-)
And that raw childhood desire of settled, happy life, where you feel safe and secure and warm... that desire to build that little bubble around your own life...
It is also a book about being brave. Brave enough to see your own mistakes and brave enough to face the choices, to make those choices. We all, at some point, question certain appearances. Sometimes it's easier, more convenient to pretend that what appears to be good is really good...
I'm giving this book a very confident score of 4 stars.
This was a pleasant surprise after I had read "If You Were Me" and was left less than impressed... I was not too keen to pick another book by the same author, but something in the synopsis caught my attention and told me that it might be a bit of fun to read.
So... Imogene and Vince are your typical suburban couple. They have good jobs, nice house in a nice area, they are planning to have a baby soon.... Imogene had spent several years growing up in France, when her dad died in a car crash. She loved France, she loved her little settled life there... But then things changed and first Imogene got uprooted again and returned with her mom to Ireland and then she lost her mom to cancer... All this happened when she was still a child, a teen.
So off they go again, packing and moving to England...
Not much of a cosy childhood.
That's why when Imogene grew up, she craved nothing more than her own family, settled and nice.
Vince has become her rock. He is always looking out for Imogene, always protects her and makes sure she does the right things. He loves her and cares for her. He always worries about her.
And what does Imogene do? She goes on a business trip. And... she does not return. She goes hiding from her husband.
Why?!! Is she mad? Is there another man? Is she just a silly and irresponsible cow?
Not as simple. But no, Imogene is not mad. And she has her reasons to act the way she does...
Will she ever be settled and happy? Will she return to Vince?
Will they have a little nice family of their own?
What I loved about this book, was that it's quite simple and as close to real life as it gets. Yes, of course it has its parts of "mix and match" events but in its core, in its message to the reader it is quite direct.
All the little cliché saying that Imogene's mom used to say - I loved them! Yes, they are clichés but they are true. You can't argue with them :-)
And that raw childhood desire of settled, happy life, where you feel safe and secure and warm... that desire to build that little bubble around your own life...
It is also a book about being brave. Brave enough to see your own mistakes and brave enough to face the choices, to make those choices. We all, at some point, question certain appearances. Sometimes it's easier, more convenient to pretend that what appears to be good is really good...
July 29, 2017
The storyline was good but I was expecting more,especially towards the end.
August 20, 2016
Longwinded and lacks comeuppance. Guess I'd expected too much given the premise.
August 2, 2016
The Missing Wife was a brilliant story about Imogen putting her 2 year plan into place and leaving her psychologically abusive husband Vince, as well as his search for her. Once you read it you will understand why the only way out of this marriage for her was to disappear. In my opinion Vince was a control freak, passively aggressive, very persuasive, had worn her down, felt that he owned her, separated her from her family and friends, made sure she reported to him all the time, was convinced that she couldn't live without him, etc. etc. etc. But he loved her and was so convinced that he did and was so sure she belonged with him. So over the course of their 5 year marriage Imogen was broken, had lost her self belief, very unhappy, had no self esteem and eventually worked out that the only way she could end this marriage was to disappear as she doubted she could have that conversation to end the marriage. You see Vince was always forgiving her hence having Imogen doubt herself and surrendering whenever they had discussions about issues. Seriously!!! Subtle, clever, persuasive and manipulative is what Vince was! This isn't my understanding of what love and a marriage is about that's for sure.
I really enjoyed how this story was told from Imogen and Vince's perspectives and understood why she wanted out, yet he couldn't see why she did. Oh poor Vince!!! Sighing here! Not! And when Vince was sharing his perspective you could for a moment, be convinced that she had done wrong by him, feel sorry for him or want to give him a good piece of your mind. I definetely didn't feel sorry for him at any point and would love to give him a good piece of my mind! The characters pulled me right in and of course I could not put this book down as I delighted in watching Imogen grow in strength and work out what was right for her.
The big question is did she go back to him???
I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed how this story was told from Imogen and Vince's perspectives and understood why she wanted out, yet he couldn't see why she did. Oh poor Vince!!! Sighing here! Not! And when Vince was sharing his perspective you could for a moment, be convinced that she had done wrong by him, feel sorry for him or want to give him a good piece of your mind. I definetely didn't feel sorry for him at any point and would love to give him a good piece of my mind! The characters pulled me right in and of course I could not put this book down as I delighted in watching Imogen grow in strength and work out what was right for her.
The big question is did she go back to him???
I highly recommend this book.
August 15, 2017
A very easy , gentle read, which tackles the difficult subject of emotional abuse in the form of a novel.
But it's such a slow book! Nothing much happens, not many surprises, and it all gets drawn out way too much.
But it's such a slow book! Nothing much happens, not many surprises, and it all gets drawn out way too much.
December 5, 2017
Really enjoyed it. This is the first novel that I’ve read by Sheila O’ Flanagan and won’t be the last. I stayed up till 2:00 am to finish it. I wanted to find out how things will turn out for Imogen. It is a fast read and really like the author’s style.
Imogen is married to Vince, her life seems to be perfect, everyone says that, including herself, so why she disappeared? Her husband treats her as a princess and he is devoted to her, or isn’t he? Does Imogen is not well? Is she having a breakdown as her husband suggest? Or there are more? After all no one knows what goes on behind others closed doors.
Imogen is married to Vince, her life seems to be perfect, everyone says that, including herself, so why she disappeared? Her husband treats her as a princess and he is devoted to her, or isn’t he? Does Imogen is not well? Is she having a breakdown as her husband suggest? Or there are more? After all no one knows what goes on behind others closed doors.
March 22, 2023
If you like reading women's fiction novels about starting over, then this is the book for you!
Imogen, who lives in Dublin has been married for five years. During that time her husband Vince has changed her so much that she is unrecognizable - even to herself. He has manipulated her, undermined her every thought and opinion, alienated her friends and family, tracked her phone and email, destroyed her self-confidence, and even dictates the clothes she is 'allowed' to wear. He has never physically harmed her, but he has scarred her psyche. When Imogen cannot take it any more, she flees. She goes to the Aquitaine region of the south of France (near the border to Spain) which is where she spent some of her youth, and where she remembers being happy.
Once she begins her new life, she procures a job as a cleaner. The work is plentiful due to the large number of tourists who frequent the area. She begins to make friends, and she relishes her newfound freedom. Though.... she is constantly vigilante of not doing anything that would let Vince know where she is. She knows he will be looking for her.
The entire book is taken up with Imogen settling in to her new life, while Vince is doing everything in his power to find her. Though the reader knows that he eventually is likely to do just that, the story is a compelling one. Will she be forced to return to Dublin with him? Or, will she draw on her newfound strength to resist his efforts - treating her like one of his possessions.
I enjoyed my time spent in Imogen's company and rooted for her throughout the entire book. The peripheral characters were interesting to get to know.
Highly recommended for fans of the genre who adore sublime settings and strong female protagonists.
Imogen, who lives in Dublin has been married for five years. During that time her husband Vince has changed her so much that she is unrecognizable - even to herself. He has manipulated her, undermined her every thought and opinion, alienated her friends and family, tracked her phone and email, destroyed her self-confidence, and even dictates the clothes she is 'allowed' to wear. He has never physically harmed her, but he has scarred her psyche. When Imogen cannot take it any more, she flees. She goes to the Aquitaine region of the south of France (near the border to Spain) which is where she spent some of her youth, and where she remembers being happy.
Once she begins her new life, she procures a job as a cleaner. The work is plentiful due to the large number of tourists who frequent the area. She begins to make friends, and she relishes her newfound freedom. Though.... she is constantly vigilante of not doing anything that would let Vince know where she is. She knows he will be looking for her.
The entire book is taken up with Imogen settling in to her new life, while Vince is doing everything in his power to find her. Though the reader knows that he eventually is likely to do just that, the story is a compelling one. Will she be forced to return to Dublin with him? Or, will she draw on her newfound strength to resist his efforts - treating her like one of his possessions.
I enjoyed my time spent in Imogen's company and rooted for her throughout the entire book. The peripheral characters were interesting to get to know.
Highly recommended for fans of the genre who adore sublime settings and strong female protagonists.
February 4, 2018
** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **
The Missing Wife is an intriguing and thought-provoking novel by Shelia O’Flanagan.
Imogen Naughton has been planning to leave her husband and finally has the courage to follow through. She leaves without telling even her best friend. Determined to take back her life and find herself, she has to stay one step ahead. Her past is chasing her, and it is getting closer every day.
This is one of those novels that explores what goes on beyond closed doors and how perspective is everything. Told from both Imogen and her husband Vince’s POV, O’Flanagan gives voice to both sides of a controlling verbally abusive relationship.
Empathizing with Imogen is easy, she has been suppressed under Vince’s thumb for a long time. What came as a surprise though was that there are moments that you can understand and see things from Vince’s viewpoint, maybe sympathizing with him is too farfetched but understanding his rationale of situations-even if a bit distorted- makes him more human.
O’Flanagan’s novel is well written and not only gives a voice to a touchy subject but allows understanding for all involved. Beautifully told. Four stars.
The Missing Wife is an intriguing and thought-provoking novel by Shelia O’Flanagan.
Imogen Naughton has been planning to leave her husband and finally has the courage to follow through. She leaves without telling even her best friend. Determined to take back her life and find herself, she has to stay one step ahead. Her past is chasing her, and it is getting closer every day.
This is one of those novels that explores what goes on beyond closed doors and how perspective is everything. Told from both Imogen and her husband Vince’s POV, O’Flanagan gives voice to both sides of a controlling verbally abusive relationship.
Empathizing with Imogen is easy, she has been suppressed under Vince’s thumb for a long time. What came as a surprise though was that there are moments that you can understand and see things from Vince’s viewpoint, maybe sympathizing with him is too farfetched but understanding his rationale of situations-even if a bit distorted- makes him more human.
O’Flanagan’s novel is well written and not only gives a voice to a touchy subject but allows understanding for all involved. Beautifully told. Four stars.
June 18, 2016
This book tells the story of a woman escaping a control freak of a husband ....
I was really enjoying this book when all of a sudden towards the end of it somehow the story lost itself somewhere, I am still trying to figure out where and I found this so annoying.....
I was really enjoying this book when all of a sudden towards the end of it somehow the story lost itself somewhere, I am still trying to figure out where and I found this so annoying.....
August 15, 2017
I quite enjoyed this book as a light holiday read but I found the ending rather fizzled out unsatisfactorily. Considering that the story was about a controlling and abusive relationship I expected more.
May 4, 2020
I enjoyed this read. It’s not heavy reading or at all taxing. I can’t remember when I last read a Sheila O’ Flanagan.
This is a book about courage. Imogen, who is married to vile Vince, finally plucks up the courage to leave him. On the outside, it seems to be an ideal marriage. Imogen is forever telling people (even her best friend Shona) how lucky she is to be married to Vince. Vince is good looking, he’s caring, and he’s protective. In reality, he’s a verbally and emotionally abusive control freak.
Imogen spent a number of years growing up in France, when her dad died in a car crash. She loved living in France. She returned with her mum to Ireland, and later her mum passed away from cancer. This meant another upheaval for Imogen, and this time involved a move to England. As an adult because of her tumultuous formative years, she craves security and is drawn to overpowering, bully boy Vince. For a long time she sees him as her rock. In reality, he’s a millstone around her neck.
She finally sees sense. She goes on a business trip to France with her boss and hatches a plan to jettison Vince. She has to be careful in France (which she loves upon her return) as she knows that Vince will try to track her down. He’s vain and egotistical enough to think that she can’t survive without him. He has managed to gain control of her incrementally, ultimately surveilling all aspects of her life and maintaining total control over her and her life.
She doesn’t even tell her friend Shona that she plans to disappear, instead later letting her know via a missing persons’ bureau that she is safe but does not wish for her location to be known. The book is mainly set in France, and there are some lovely location descriptions.
I was not keen on the ending, as I found it to be a bit pat. Overall, I found it to be a good read though.
This is a book about courage. Imogen, who is married to vile Vince, finally plucks up the courage to leave him. On the outside, it seems to be an ideal marriage. Imogen is forever telling people (even her best friend Shona) how lucky she is to be married to Vince. Vince is good looking, he’s caring, and he’s protective. In reality, he’s a verbally and emotionally abusive control freak.
Imogen spent a number of years growing up in France, when her dad died in a car crash. She loved living in France. She returned with her mum to Ireland, and later her mum passed away from cancer. This meant another upheaval for Imogen, and this time involved a move to England. As an adult because of her tumultuous formative years, she craves security and is drawn to overpowering, bully boy Vince. For a long time she sees him as her rock. In reality, he’s a millstone around her neck.
She finally sees sense. She goes on a business trip to France with her boss and hatches a plan to jettison Vince. She has to be careful in France (which she loves upon her return) as she knows that Vince will try to track her down. He’s vain and egotistical enough to think that she can’t survive without him. He has managed to gain control of her incrementally, ultimately surveilling all aspects of her life and maintaining total control over her and her life.
She doesn’t even tell her friend Shona that she plans to disappear, instead later letting her know via a missing persons’ bureau that she is safe but does not wish for her location to be known. The book is mainly set in France, and there are some lovely location descriptions.
I was not keen on the ending, as I found it to be a bit pat. Overall, I found it to be a good read though.
December 24, 2016
A moving and riveting story of a women's journey of self discovery after escaping an abusive and controlling relationship.and finding the strength from within to start over again and find the happiness that she truly deserves.
I really enjoyed The Missing Wife and the journey that Imogen took us on. I was constantly left in suspense.
It was a heartwarming read and did not fail to disappoint in typical Sheila O'Flanagan style.
I did however feel that the ending stopped rather abruptly and felt like i had a few unanswered questions, but i guess in some cases things are better left unsaid.
I really enjoyed The Missing Wife and the journey that Imogen took us on. I was constantly left in suspense.
It was a heartwarming read and did not fail to disappoint in typical Sheila O'Flanagan style.
I did however feel that the ending stopped rather abruptly and felt like i had a few unanswered questions, but i guess in some cases things are better left unsaid.
August 30, 2017
Abuse can take many sizes and shapes - and the most dangerous and silent killer is being on the receiving end of psychological and verbal abuse!
This is Imogen's story - her story of finding herself after becoming lost in an abusive marriage for years where she almost lost her soul. Set mostly in South of France - the book gives you major vacation vibes too!!
Good, easy read!
This is Imogen's story - her story of finding herself after becoming lost in an abusive marriage for years where she almost lost her soul. Set mostly in South of France - the book gives you major vacation vibes too!!
Good, easy read!
July 1, 2017
The easily found missing wife.
Definitely a put down book, an easy read, with too much narrative going nowhere, I skipped chunks of this book. Far to easy for Vince to find Imogen, and after chasing her he gave up to easily. An lightweight ok read.
Definitely a put down book, an easy read, with too much narrative going nowhere, I skipped chunks of this book. Far to easy for Vince to find Imogen, and after chasing her he gave up to easily. An lightweight ok read.
July 2, 2021
Jag var så skeptisk till en början då det hela kändes som något man läst förut, lite kliché. Men oj!!!! Trots att storyn inte var helt ny var denna bok ändå helt fantastisk. Fastnade direkt och mot bokens sista kapitel hade jag hjärtklappning. En lättsam och go läsning som emellanåt var otroligt spännande.
February 15, 2022
Good storytelling, just a bit long-winded. I found myself annoyed with Imogen as the book went on and was expecting a bit more from the ending. I also found it quite predictable.
February 8, 2018
ARC REVIEW
The Missing Wife is a story about a woman finding herself again. After about a couple of years being married to her husband realizes just how controlling he really is, and starts planning her escape because she knows he would never let her go willingly. Imogen plans for two years all the while her husband Vince continues to barade her for being useless and helpless without him. Vince is a narcissist he tears her down and then tells her she would be helpless without him, Vince has to be in control of everything and it goes beyond OCD, he controls every aspect of her life and if anything ever goes wrong everyone especially Imogen is at fault except himself. He needed to be the center of Imogen's life so slowly her friends all left and he distanced her from what little family she had left. Two years and Imogen gets the perfect opportunity to escape.
Imogen use to not be like this and she is determined to prove to herself that she is better than what Vince says. She goes to the south of France where she spend part of her childhood, it's when she was the happiest and when her time there ended badly she was determined to go back. She knew she would be safe there because she never talked about her time there with Vince, and she would lay down false leads in the opposite direction. Imogen spend quite a bit of time remembering her childhood and her time in the little town and also everything after it, and even her relationship with Vince and how that went all wrong. Even after all the times Vince claimed Imogen couldn't plan, she proved him wrong she planned well. She opened up a secret bank account she would set aside money in she destroyed her phone, she layed out a false trail. Slowly as time goes on she finds a temporary job, an apartment, and now she's making new friends Imogen is finally remembering what it was like to be Imogen. But Imogen still worries that Vince will find her after all Vince doesn't like being told no, he doesn't like to be proven wrong, and Vince doesn't know when to quit.
Overall, this was a great read. I'm not normally one for women's fiction, I do enjoy it every now and then and this was a great choice for me. It was emotional without being angsty, the flashback scenes were well placed and well done revealing what needed to be revealed at that moment. Romance is not the main focus, Imogen finally rediscovering herself after being lost for over five years and her husband trying to find her was the focus, but romance was there in the sidelines just waiting for her. It has a very satisfying ending it left me with a bit of a book hangover to where I just had to sit there and let my brain absorb what I just read. Top it all off with the imagery it was beautifully written.
The Missing Wife is a story about a woman finding herself again. After about a couple of years being married to her husband realizes just how controlling he really is, and starts planning her escape because she knows he would never let her go willingly. Imogen plans for two years all the while her husband Vince continues to barade her for being useless and helpless without him. Vince is a narcissist he tears her down and then tells her she would be helpless without him, Vince has to be in control of everything and it goes beyond OCD, he controls every aspect of her life and if anything ever goes wrong everyone especially Imogen is at fault except himself. He needed to be the center of Imogen's life so slowly her friends all left and he distanced her from what little family she had left. Two years and Imogen gets the perfect opportunity to escape.
Imogen use to not be like this and she is determined to prove to herself that she is better than what Vince says. She goes to the south of France where she spend part of her childhood, it's when she was the happiest and when her time there ended badly she was determined to go back. She knew she would be safe there because she never talked about her time there with Vince, and she would lay down false leads in the opposite direction. Imogen spend quite a bit of time remembering her childhood and her time in the little town and also everything after it, and even her relationship with Vince and how that went all wrong. Even after all the times Vince claimed Imogen couldn't plan, she proved him wrong she planned well. She opened up a secret bank account she would set aside money in she destroyed her phone, she layed out a false trail. Slowly as time goes on she finds a temporary job, an apartment, and now she's making new friends Imogen is finally remembering what it was like to be Imogen. But Imogen still worries that Vince will find her after all Vince doesn't like being told no, he doesn't like to be proven wrong, and Vince doesn't know when to quit.
Overall, this was a great read. I'm not normally one for women's fiction, I do enjoy it every now and then and this was a great choice for me. It was emotional without being angsty, the flashback scenes were well placed and well done revealing what needed to be revealed at that moment. Romance is not the main focus, Imogen finally rediscovering herself after being lost for over five years and her husband trying to find her was the focus, but romance was there in the sidelines just waiting for her. It has a very satisfying ending it left me with a bit of a book hangover to where I just had to sit there and let my brain absorb what I just read. Top it all off with the imagery it was beautifully written.
February 8, 2018
I got an email with a chance to read this and that cover decided everything for me. This book is GORGEOUS and the inside is just as great as the outside.
I don't typically read this genre but it was truly enjoyable.Imogen was such an engaging and just likable characters that I loved spending page after page getting to know her.
We jump in after Imogen lives her abusive husband and runs.
The flip side? You also get to see his POV in this and it was an interesting read. I loved that she got away and the small threat of him potentially getting to her kept me on edge. That added the small bit to the story that I needed.
Overall this was a story about growing and finding YOU in the aftermath of something. Finding yourself and just living.
If you enjoy stories about women who've for themselves, empowerment and self worth, than you will enjoy this.
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Buy On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2GSlauG
Synopsis:
When Imogen Naughton vanishes, everyone who knows her is shocked. She has a perfect marriage. Her handsome husband treats her like a princess. She's always said how lucky she is. So why has she left? And how will she survive without Vince?
What goes on behind closed doors is often a surprise, and Imogen surprises herself by taking the leap she knows she must. But as she beings her journey to find the woman she once was, Imogen's past is right behind her...
Will it catch up with her? And will she be ready to face it if it does?
July 16, 2017
Although I did enjoy the story I found the end to be very disappointing and unbelievable
The following review contains spoilers
Throughout the entire book we are told that Imogens husband was very controlling over her and she was fleeing his continued emotional abuse
Vince ,the husband , was desperate to get her back and spent two weeks in France trying to track her down ,taking him from one side of the country to the other in his search for clues
It was obvious from the start he was going to find her and I expected it to be a heart stopping moment when he did ,but it fell flat right at that point
A man so controlling and so intent on finding his missing wife , meekly got on the plane when escorted to the airport by Imogens new romantic interest , after getting a bop on the nose for his trouble
This ruined it for me
Whilst I'm not saying I wanted any violence , as his abuse was clearly emotional not physical , I just couldn't accept that the character who had been described as so intent on getting what he wants , would meekly give up and go home
So I felt very let down by the ending which I think could have been a lot better
But that's just my opinion
A good read if you like a bit of romance but don't expect any excitement as there isn't any
The following review contains spoilers
Throughout the entire book we are told that Imogens husband was very controlling over her and she was fleeing his continued emotional abuse
Vince ,the husband , was desperate to get her back and spent two weeks in France trying to track her down ,taking him from one side of the country to the other in his search for clues
It was obvious from the start he was going to find her and I expected it to be a heart stopping moment when he did ,but it fell flat right at that point
A man so controlling and so intent on finding his missing wife , meekly got on the plane when escorted to the airport by Imogens new romantic interest , after getting a bop on the nose for his trouble
This ruined it for me
Whilst I'm not saying I wanted any violence , as his abuse was clearly emotional not physical , I just couldn't accept that the character who had been described as so intent on getting what he wants , would meekly give up and go home
So I felt very let down by the ending which I think could have been a lot better
But that's just my opinion
A good read if you like a bit of romance but don't expect any excitement as there isn't any
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2016
I liked this story quite a lot for the descriptions of the locations for the parts set in the South of France. It was well crafted and the way the central character Imogen re-discovered her self-confidence was drawn out as the novel progressed.
The nature of her relationship with Vince, her husband is hinted at early in the book, but only really becomes clear in the final chapters.
I struggled to find the right rating. It's really 3.5, but I settled for a rather generous 4* in the end.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Headline Review for a copy in exchange for this review.
The nature of her relationship with Vince, her husband is hinted at early in the book, but only really becomes clear in the final chapters.
I struggled to find the right rating. It's really 3.5, but I settled for a rather generous 4* in the end.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Headline Review for a copy in exchange for this review.
January 9, 2018
I like the premise of the book, a woman who just disappears from her seemingly perfect life without a word to anyone. I was intrigued. What I liked about the story is how it shows how insidious abuse can be, when you don't realise its happening at the time until you look back and wonder who you are and where you went. Imogen finally finds herself and her inner strength when she returns to a place from her childhood. I liked the small town, and the people that work their way into her life. The village seems truly picturesque and somewhere you would love to visit.
A simple easy read.
A simple easy read.
March 20, 2018
This book was great. It captures the false illusion of perfection. Imogen blows the top off the "prefect marriage" illusion after she takes off leaving everything behind. Big changes take big chances. I loved Imogen did what she needed to do to find her happiness. The setting is fantastic, Imogen is brave, human and strong. A beautifully woven tale illustrating how our past and present leads us to where you need to be. It was a great spring read and one that I recommend.
April 24, 2022
I listened to the audio book of this, pleasantly narrated by Aoife McMahon. It was a story of Imogene leaving her overly controlling and emotionally abusing husband, Vince. Written from both POV's, we had the chance to see into Vince's personality as well as Imogene's. I felt the author did a really good job with Vince's character - we got a great picture of "what makes him tick" and it was easy to understand why Imogene needed to leave. I didn't get quite a solid take on Imogene and really didn't connect with her. Upon leaving Vince she heads to her childhood home where her mother had served as the housekeeper and we get a lot of back story about that time in her life which slowed down the pace of the book for me. But all in all it was good - a solid 3 stars for me.
*I see that it has been tagged thriller and mystery by many readers. If that is what you are looking for, I wouldn't recommend this. I really would call it Women's Fiction through and through.
*I see that it has been tagged thriller and mystery by many readers. If that is what you are looking for, I wouldn't recommend this. I really would call it Women's Fiction through and through.
July 20, 2017
I haven't read a book by this Author for a very long time not sure why i stopped but i shouldn't have glad i found her again.....
The book tells the story of a woman who is escaping from a controlling man and her marriage to him.
Easy read from a slightly different angle to normal light novels.
Thank you netgalley the Author and Publisher for a chance to read this book.
The book tells the story of a woman who is escaping from a controlling man and her marriage to him.
Easy read from a slightly different angle to normal light novels.
Thank you netgalley the Author and Publisher for a chance to read this book.
July 24, 2021
3.7 stars. Sheila O'flanagan always has such charming and slightly dramatic stories with out it being to much. Enjoyed this as I often do but it wasn't quite as good. It was a nice summer read with compelling characters and really did feel like an vacation read.
August 6, 2023
Bra bok. Det finns många sätt att skada folk på. Bra att vara försiktig. Bra bok om hur man börjar om. Samt att man behöver inte vara ensam.
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