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Careful What You Wish For
From the New York Times bestselling author of There Was an Old Woman comes a novel about a professional organizer with a deadly problem she may not be able to clean up.Emily Harlow is a professional organizer who helps people declutter their lives; she’s married to man who can’t drive past a yard sale without stopping. He’s filled their basement, attic, and garage with his finds.
Like other professionals who make a living decluttering peoples’ lives, Emily has devised a set of ironclad rules. When working with couples, she makes clear that the client is only allowed to declutter his or her own stuff. That stipulation has kept Emily’s own marriage together these past few years. She’d love nothing better than to toss out all her husband’s crap. He says he’s a collector. Emily knows better—he’s a hoarder. The larger his “collection” becomes, the deeper the distance grows between Emily and the man she married.
Luckily, Emily’s got two new clients to distract an elderly widow whose husband left behind a storage unit she didn’t know existed, and a young wife whose husband won’t allow her stuff into their house. Emily’s initial meeting with the young wife takes a detour when, after too much wine, the women end up fantasizing about how much more pleasant life would be without their collecting spouses.
But the next day Emily finds herself in a mess that might be too big for her to clean up. Careful what you wish for, the old adage says . . . now Emily might lose her freedom, her marriage . . . and possibly her life.
Like other professionals who make a living decluttering peoples’ lives, Emily has devised a set of ironclad rules. When working with couples, she makes clear that the client is only allowed to declutter his or her own stuff. That stipulation has kept Emily’s own marriage together these past few years. She’d love nothing better than to toss out all her husband’s crap. He says he’s a collector. Emily knows better—he’s a hoarder. The larger his “collection” becomes, the deeper the distance grows between Emily and the man she married.
Luckily, Emily’s got two new clients to distract an elderly widow whose husband left behind a storage unit she didn’t know existed, and a young wife whose husband won’t allow her stuff into their house. Emily’s initial meeting with the young wife takes a detour when, after too much wine, the women end up fantasizing about how much more pleasant life would be without their collecting spouses.
But the next day Emily finds herself in a mess that might be too big for her to clean up. Careful what you wish for, the old adage says . . . now Emily might lose her freedom, her marriage . . . and possibly her life.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2019
476 people are currently reading
9154 people want to read
About the author
Hallie Ephron
21 books559 followersHallie Ephron (http://hallieephron.com) is a New York Times bestselling author of suspense novels. Her last five have all been Mary Higgins Clark Award finalists.
Her (August 2019) Careful What You Wish For tells the story of a professional organizer married to man who can't pass a yard sale without stopping. In this respect, Hallie is writing from personal experience. Her husband is a champion yard sailor who's packed their basement, garage, and attic with his finds.
A STARRED review in Publisher's Weekly proclaimed it an "outstanding standalone." Reviewing it for TIME Magazine, Jamie Lee Curtis called it "thrilling and suspenseful." From Kirkus: "Ephron's tidy approach to stowing clues, arousing suspicions, keeping the chaos of the climax under control, then tying up loose ends makes her a professional organizer of this type of entertainment. In a word—neat."
Hallie's Never Tell a Lie was made into the Lifetime Movie Network film.
A book lover, she also wrote The Bibliophile's Devotional and 1001 Books for Every Mood. For twelve years she reviewed crime fiction for the Boston Globe. Her Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel (now in a revised/expanded edition) was an Edgar and Anthony award finalist. She teaches writing at writing conferences and workshops all around the world.
Hallie lives near Boston with her husband and has two fabulous daughters. She is the third of four writing Ephron sisters.
Her (August 2019) Careful What You Wish For tells the story of a professional organizer married to man who can't pass a yard sale without stopping. In this respect, Hallie is writing from personal experience. Her husband is a champion yard sailor who's packed their basement, garage, and attic with his finds.
A STARRED review in Publisher's Weekly proclaimed it an "outstanding standalone." Reviewing it for TIME Magazine, Jamie Lee Curtis called it "thrilling and suspenseful." From Kirkus: "Ephron's tidy approach to stowing clues, arousing suspicions, keeping the chaos of the climax under control, then tying up loose ends makes her a professional organizer of this type of entertainment. In a word—neat."
Hallie's Never Tell a Lie was made into the Lifetime Movie Network film.
A book lover, she also wrote The Bibliophile's Devotional and 1001 Books for Every Mood. For twelve years she reviewed crime fiction for the Boston Globe. Her Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel (now in a revised/expanded edition) was an Edgar and Anthony award finalist. She teaches writing at writing conferences and workshops all around the world.
Hallie lives near Boston with her husband and has two fabulous daughters. She is the third of four writing Ephron sisters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 528 reviews
October 11, 2019
I listened to the audiobook for this and it was incredibly boring. This is a mystery thriller that feels about 50% contemporary, 50% mystery and 0% thriller. I don't really have muhc to say about this book other than that it was really slow, and the main character was really naive and drove me crazy. This thriller just wasn't really my thing.
August 6, 2019
Once an elementary school teacher, thirty-something Emily Harlow is now a professional ‘declutterer’. She and her friend Becca have started a business which they call Freeze-Frame Clutter Kickers.
It is ironic that Emily makes a living purging people of their possessions because Emily’s lawyer husband Frank is a ‘collector’ and a pack-rat whose hobby is verging on hoarding. Although she loves Frank, she is getting more and more impatient with his constantly bringing home other people’s junk. Also, the fact that they have been trying for a baby and have not been successful has put added strain on their relationship.
When Clutter Kickers gets two new clients, their business and their lives take a turn for the worse. Their first new client, an elderly woman named Mrs. Murphy, wants them to clear out a storage unit which her late husband had rented out. When Emily enters the unit she finds that it is full of old books, maps and other memorabilia. All of which was once quite valuable – but due to the failure of the storage unit’s climate control system is now moldy and quite possibly damaged beyond repair.
Their second new client is a woman named Quinn Newell. Quinn wants Emily to clear out her garage. While scouting out the location, Quinn tells Emily she would love to get out from under her husband’s domineering ways. Over several glasses of Prosecco, the women ‘over-share’ and vent about their unsatisfactory marriages. The next day, Quinn’s husband is reported missing.
To further Emily’s involvement, Quinn’s husband’s body is found in the storage unit rented out by Mrs. Murphy’s husband…. How could Emily’s two new clients have become enmeshed in such a way? And, more importantly, how will this affect Emily and her business?
MY THOUGHTS
The New England setting and the personable character of Emily added to this book’s allure. The elaborate con-game which had Emily in its cross-hairs was well executed and devious.
I quite enjoyed this book. It read almost like a ‘cozy’ mystery but was laced with elements of a domestic thriller. A light, entertaining novel, “Careful what you wish for” will be enjoyed by many readers. I think the cover lends itself to a more serious thriller, but if the cover had of been more like a cozy I probably wouldn’t have read it – and that would have been a shame.
It is ironic that Emily makes a living purging people of their possessions because Emily’s lawyer husband Frank is a ‘collector’ and a pack-rat whose hobby is verging on hoarding. Although she loves Frank, she is getting more and more impatient with his constantly bringing home other people’s junk. Also, the fact that they have been trying for a baby and have not been successful has put added strain on their relationship.
When Clutter Kickers gets two new clients, their business and their lives take a turn for the worse. Their first new client, an elderly woman named Mrs. Murphy, wants them to clear out a storage unit which her late husband had rented out. When Emily enters the unit she finds that it is full of old books, maps and other memorabilia. All of which was once quite valuable – but due to the failure of the storage unit’s climate control system is now moldy and quite possibly damaged beyond repair.
Their second new client is a woman named Quinn Newell. Quinn wants Emily to clear out her garage. While scouting out the location, Quinn tells Emily she would love to get out from under her husband’s domineering ways. Over several glasses of Prosecco, the women ‘over-share’ and vent about their unsatisfactory marriages. The next day, Quinn’s husband is reported missing.
To further Emily’s involvement, Quinn’s husband’s body is found in the storage unit rented out by Mrs. Murphy’s husband…. How could Emily’s two new clients have become enmeshed in such a way? And, more importantly, how will this affect Emily and her business?
MY THOUGHTS
The New England setting and the personable character of Emily added to this book’s allure. The elaborate con-game which had Emily in its cross-hairs was well executed and devious.
I quite enjoyed this book. It read almost like a ‘cozy’ mystery but was laced with elements of a domestic thriller. A light, entertaining novel, “Careful what you wish for” will be enjoyed by many readers. I think the cover lends itself to a more serious thriller, but if the cover had of been more like a cozy I probably wouldn’t have read it – and that would have been a shame.
September 18, 2019
This book was pretty good, but just not great. I'd definitely categorize it as more of a cozy mystery and not a suspense/thriller. I was fully engaged and there weren't any boring parts, but I did find the ending fairly predictable. I'm still intrigued with this author and what her other books might be like, and will keep reading her.
July 7, 2019
I will never drive by a flea market again without thinking of Hallie Ephron and her latest mystery Careful What You Wish For.
Emily Harlow is a professional organizer married to Frank Harlow a professional hoarder (of flea market finds) as well as a lawyer. They say opposites attract right?
So when Emily is called by an elderly woman to organize a storage unit she had no idea her late husband had even rented, and a young woman whose husband is an antique hoarder like Frank hires her to declutter belongings her husband will not allow her to bring into the house she thinks she’s hit the jackpot!
But suddenly Emily finds herself embroiled in possibly aiding a thief, as well as unknowingly being involved in a murder which could possibly implicate her. Who on earth would want to frame Emily and why?
Careful What You Wish for is the best type of mystery novel. You think you have it all figured out and then another clue appears sending the reader in another direction. Ephron certainly knows how to keep the reader guessing!
The book would be an enjoyable beach read or even just a read in your cozy chair.
And just for the record, my husband will not be visiting flea markets anymore!
Thank you @HallieEphron @WmMorrowBooks #CarefulWhatYouWishFor for the advanced copy. The book will be out August 6.
August 12, 2019
Emily thought that opening a professional organizing business was supposed to be carefree and helpful to others.
Emily's new adventure had been exciting and trouble free until she met Quinn.
Quinn was married to a man who wouldn't let her bring her things into his fabulous house and wanted Emily to help. She and Emily had helped themselves to more than looking at things to remove, though. They had too much wine and said things that shouldn't have been said.
When Quinn's husband turns up missing, Quinn feels she can call on her new friend, Emily, to help her when the police arrive. This client was more than Emily bargained for.
And if this wasn't bad enough, another client whose husband had passed had a storage unit she didn't know about filled with stolen books, maps, and a dead body.
Emily couldn’t believe it. Could these two clients have some connection?
It gets worse for Emily, and it seems as if a few of the characters are connected and involved in the disappearance and death of the body they found.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR was actually a little on the comical side despite all the tension going on.
If you are in the mood for a light, entertaining mystery you will enjoy CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Emily's new adventure had been exciting and trouble free until she met Quinn.
Quinn was married to a man who wouldn't let her bring her things into his fabulous house and wanted Emily to help. She and Emily had helped themselves to more than looking at things to remove, though. They had too much wine and said things that shouldn't have been said.
When Quinn's husband turns up missing, Quinn feels she can call on her new friend, Emily, to help her when the police arrive. This client was more than Emily bargained for.
And if this wasn't bad enough, another client whose husband had passed had a storage unit she didn't know about filled with stolen books, maps, and a dead body.
Emily couldn’t believe it. Could these two clients have some connection?
It gets worse for Emily, and it seems as if a few of the characters are connected and involved in the disappearance and death of the body they found.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR was actually a little on the comical side despite all the tension going on.
If you are in the mood for a light, entertaining mystery you will enjoy CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is a fun twisty thriller. Not too difficult to figure out what is going on, but overall there are some surprises and it moves very quickly.
I'm not the biggest fan of the "wrongly accused" trope, but in this case it didn't bother me too much because the police didn't necessarily believe the way things were presented either. I did find Emily to be a bit naive and way, way too trusting. How she let Quinn drag her into things when they barely knew each other was a bit of a head scratcher.
Overall if you can suspend a bit of disbelief, this is an enjoyable book with a few nice twists.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a fun twisty thriller. Not too difficult to figure out what is going on, but overall there are some surprises and it moves very quickly.
I'm not the biggest fan of the "wrongly accused" trope, but in this case it didn't bother me too much because the police didn't necessarily believe the way things were presented either. I did find Emily to be a bit naive and way, way too trusting. How she let Quinn drag her into things when they barely knew each other was a bit of a head scratcher.
Overall if you can suspend a bit of disbelief, this is an enjoyable book with a few nice twists.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 8, 2019
I'm a professional organizer, so this one was a FUN read! I couldn't help but wonder how I'd feel and act in Emily's crocs... Thanks, Hallie, for such a fun whodunnit!
November 5, 2019
Solid 3 stars.. This is a well written, easy reading book. I found it pretty predictable.. But for some reason I still enjoyed it. I think this is perfect for when you’re tired & don’t want to think, or maybe after a heavy hitter (like Tana French..) when you just want to relax. It was just good for me, but I’d be interested to see what else this author has in store.
September 29, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron took me a bit to get into but once I did, I really really enjoyed it!
What it's about: Emily runs an organization company with her friend called Freeze-Frame Clutter Kickers, even though her husband Frank can't pass a yard sale without stopping and has filled their home with his 'finds'. They were trying to get pregnant and have so far been unable to which has added another strain to their marriage. But Emily takes on two new clients which will hopefully help take her mind off her home and her marriage. Mrs. Murphy lost her husband a year ago and found out he had a secret storage unit, and Quinn Newell has a controlling husband that won't let her bring her stuff in from the garage even though they've been married 3 years... But when Emily starts at the storage unit for Mrs. Murphy, she finds a lot more than she bargained for, and she might soon be fighting for her life.
The cover of Careful What You Wish For says this is a novel of suspense, and while I wouldn't say it starts that way, it definitely becomes exactly that as the book progressed. I loved that it's so short as well, and at under 300 pages it was such a fast read. The pacing also started out slow for me, but that also changed, and it got super interesting and exciting! I kind of knew what was coming at the end, but it still managed to shock me in more ways than one.
Careful What You Wish For is a very enjoyable read and one that I would deem a straight up mystery. Mysteries revolve around both the storage unit and Quinn, and I loved how Ephron put this book together. My heart was definitely racing by the end, and I loved Emily.
Final Thought: I actually don't have a whole lot to say about Careful What You Wish For other than if you like a good mystery full of smart women you should check it out. Some might find the ending predictable, and even though I had some idea of what was going on, the experience of reading the book and the ending as a whole would totally make up for it in my opinion. There is nothing I love more than a good mystery and that is exactly what I got with this novel!
Thank you to The Book Drop https://www.thebookdrop.com/ for sending me an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron took me a bit to get into but once I did, I really really enjoyed it!
What it's about: Emily runs an organization company with her friend called Freeze-Frame Clutter Kickers, even though her husband Frank can't pass a yard sale without stopping and has filled their home with his 'finds'. They were trying to get pregnant and have so far been unable to which has added another strain to their marriage. But Emily takes on two new clients which will hopefully help take her mind off her home and her marriage. Mrs. Murphy lost her husband a year ago and found out he had a secret storage unit, and Quinn Newell has a controlling husband that won't let her bring her stuff in from the garage even though they've been married 3 years... But when Emily starts at the storage unit for Mrs. Murphy, she finds a lot more than she bargained for, and she might soon be fighting for her life.
The cover of Careful What You Wish For says this is a novel of suspense, and while I wouldn't say it starts that way, it definitely becomes exactly that as the book progressed. I loved that it's so short as well, and at under 300 pages it was such a fast read. The pacing also started out slow for me, but that also changed, and it got super interesting and exciting! I kind of knew what was coming at the end, but it still managed to shock me in more ways than one.
Careful What You Wish For is a very enjoyable read and one that I would deem a straight up mystery. Mysteries revolve around both the storage unit and Quinn, and I loved how Ephron put this book together. My heart was definitely racing by the end, and I loved Emily.
Final Thought: I actually don't have a whole lot to say about Careful What You Wish For other than if you like a good mystery full of smart women you should check it out. Some might find the ending predictable, and even though I had some idea of what was going on, the experience of reading the book and the ending as a whole would totally make up for it in my opinion. There is nothing I love more than a good mystery and that is exactly what I got with this novel!
Thank you to The Book Drop https://www.thebookdrop.com/ for sending me an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 10, 2019
Emily and Becca leave their careers, elementary school teacher and nursing respectively, to become professional organizers. Emily is focused on the marketing aspect, while Becca does other stuff (she is involved but we aren't quite clear on her role). During this story she is distracted by family activities, leaving Emily to make quick decisions, that they would have decided jointly. These hasty decisions made under pressure will lead to a morass of trouble and a surprising resolution.
A strange client acquisition leads to a suspicious murder, which lead the police to believing that Emily is complicit. Emily is blindsided by various other situations both in business and personal life. She must figure out if and why the various events seem to conspire against her. As her suspicions bring revelations, the murderer's end game takes a surprising turn and she is a threat to them without even realizing she is now a target.
I have been a fan of Ms. Ephron's sister for years and her influence is seen on the pages of this delightful mystery. Unfortunately, I wished for more depth to the characters. I didn't buy her marriage to her hoarding husband cum criminal/corporate attorney. Becca was a flat character, who is nearly non-existent and unnecessary. Emily's mom, Lila was integral but also flat and could have been more central. Emily seemed unhappy in life particularly in her marriage. Infertility was mentioned fleetingly but never pursued in the story, a convenience to move the story forward.
I enjoyed the dialogue somewhat and it reminded me of Laura Levine or Jessie Crockett style stories. I felt like I was reading a script. This may be more fitting to the television screen. It was a quick, easy read. Well suited for a summer beach read or a relaxing weekend escape. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Ephron.
I want to thank William Morrow, Goodreads and Ms. Ephron for proving me with a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
A strange client acquisition leads to a suspicious murder, which lead the police to believing that Emily is complicit. Emily is blindsided by various other situations both in business and personal life. She must figure out if and why the various events seem to conspire against her. As her suspicions bring revelations, the murderer's end game takes a surprising turn and she is a threat to them without even realizing she is now a target.
I have been a fan of Ms. Ephron's sister for years and her influence is seen on the pages of this delightful mystery. Unfortunately, I wished for more depth to the characters. I didn't buy her marriage to her hoarding husband cum criminal/corporate attorney. Becca was a flat character, who is nearly non-existent and unnecessary. Emily's mom, Lila was integral but also flat and could have been more central. Emily seemed unhappy in life particularly in her marriage. Infertility was mentioned fleetingly but never pursued in the story, a convenience to move the story forward.
I enjoyed the dialogue somewhat and it reminded me of Laura Levine or Jessie Crockett style stories. I felt like I was reading a script. This may be more fitting to the television screen. It was a quick, easy read. Well suited for a summer beach read or a relaxing weekend escape. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Ephron.
I want to thank William Morrow, Goodreads and Ms. Ephron for proving me with a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2019
Like being left in an empty elevator with someone else's fart.
July 29, 2019
Careful What You Wish For centers around a professional organizer who manages to stumble into not just one but two crimes at once. The craziest part of this whole book? Her own husband is a hoarder!
I think I honestly need a bit of a break from domestic thrillers as this one was pretty predictable and lackluster for me. I liked the idea of the professional organizer aspect but never really found myself hooked into the story line quite as much as I would like and like I previously mentioned, certain aspects were predictable and I felt the overlapping plot points were just too coincidental - to the point that it was silly (how many times can X happen before it's like alright already!). I will probably pick up Ephron again in the future, this was my first by her, but maybe during a time when I've read a few less thrillers.
Thank you to William Morrow for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
I think I honestly need a bit of a break from domestic thrillers as this one was pretty predictable and lackluster for me. I liked the idea of the professional organizer aspect but never really found myself hooked into the story line quite as much as I would like and like I previously mentioned, certain aspects were predictable and I felt the overlapping plot points were just too coincidental - to the point that it was silly (how many times can X happen before it's like alright already!). I will probably pick up Ephron again in the future, this was my first by her, but maybe during a time when I've read a few less thrillers.
Thank you to William Morrow for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2020
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2019; William Morrow/HarpeCollins Canada
(Review Not on Blog)
I probably would have given this novel a higher rating, but I felt that the ending was a bit convoluted. I was hooked early on in the novel, and finished it in one day while I was cleaning the house (listened to this one on audio). This is a good "beach/rainy" day read. It wasn't a heavy or dull book, but it is one that also won't stay with you. As I write this review a month later, I don't really remember that many details of the book or characters. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
2019; William Morrow/HarpeCollins Canada
(Review Not on Blog)
I probably would have given this novel a higher rating, but I felt that the ending was a bit convoluted. I was hooked early on in the novel, and finished it in one day while I was cleaning the house (listened to this one on audio). This is a good "beach/rainy" day read. It wasn't a heavy or dull book, but it is one that also won't stay with you. As I write this review a month later, I don't really remember that many details of the book or characters. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
November 19, 2019
I’m rounding up on this one. Clutter clean up gone wrong. The good news... I wanted to clean up my house after reading this. The bad news... the plot was a mess.
August 10, 2019
I decided to read this book because I am a minimalist, and a thriller talking about decluttering sounded right up my alley. I was pleasantly surprised by how well written this book was! The first sentence made me crack up laughing - and the rest of the book was a great ride! This book did feel more of a mystery to me, but it was pretty face paced and had really good characters.
This book is about a wife who became famous for her decluttering videos on social media, and has her own decluttering business. The funny part is, her husband is a hoarder and fills their basement and garage with junk he brings home from yard sales. The wife's motto is that you can declutter your own stuff, but not your spouse's items. When chatting with a new client about how their husbands' are hoarders, they wish a few bad things to happen, and ultimately it comes true.
I think anyone that is clean and organized would be entertained by this book, I'm certainly glad I read it!
I will definitely be reading more by this author, because her writing style fit so well with my reading preferences.
This book is about a wife who became famous for her decluttering videos on social media, and has her own decluttering business. The funny part is, her husband is a hoarder and fills their basement and garage with junk he brings home from yard sales. The wife's motto is that you can declutter your own stuff, but not your spouse's items. When chatting with a new client about how their husbands' are hoarders, they wish a few bad things to happen, and ultimately it comes true.
I think anyone that is clean and organized would be entertained by this book, I'm certainly glad I read it!
I will definitely be reading more by this author, because her writing style fit so well with my reading preferences.
January 21, 2023
As a habitually tidy person married to a "collector" ahem(packrat), I had to check this out! I could feel her pain on that.
This was a lot of fun. It was an intriguing mystery that left you actual clues to put together so I enjoyed thinking back to what was said before and trying to piece it all together.
You really feel like you're along for the ride and not being tricked by things that come out of left field at the end. Sometimes those twists can be frustrating.
This was a lot of fun. It was an intriguing mystery that left you actual clues to put together so I enjoyed thinking back to what was said before and trying to piece it all together.
You really feel like you're along for the ride and not being tricked by things that come out of left field at the end. Sometimes those twists can be frustrating.
September 24, 2019
Made myself finish this one, begrudgingly. Unlikable, emotionally weak main character. Why would any innocent person lie to the police?? Of course the character that so openly distrusted authority was the guilty party. The plot was so predictable. Moreover, the ending came abruptly and the mystery was solved in literally the final couple of pages. Just plain weird. I’m shocked by all of the positive reviews. They must be getting kick backs of some sort.
September 17, 2019
Even the Ephron lineage and references to Marie Kondo can't save this mystery from being equal parts far fetched and dull . For the plot to work at all it requires the main character to behave stupidly over and over again.
August 22, 2019
3.5 stars
August 6, 2019
Do husbands spark joy? I think we need to tack up a poll and put this to the test.
Emily has taken charge of the minimalist movement and has a booming decluttering business alongside her best friend Becca. All is going well until the two are hit with an odd job that entails on some of the hoarding stuff being well, STOLEN.
BUT WAIT - it gets weirder...Emily is called to another new client where the stunning Quinn Newell wants to get rid of all of her husband’s junk and joke joke also her husband. It’s all Prosecco and light jokes until Quinn’s husband actually does end up dead and Emily is the prime suspect.
Oh no, we are SUBMERGED IN JOY. Drowning actually amidst Prosecco and annoying rich housewives.
This was a fun book! It had me hooked from the very start and I read it in uh two sittings? I’m tired today, okay, so I took a nap but picked it back up and kept right on reading.
The writing at times felt disjointed and it is very easy to figure out whodunnit but it’s an enjoyable read with a host of fun, electric characters. Emily, known as Emmy to her friends and family, was awesome and her mom Lila, even more so. I feel as though this will become a cozy mystery sort of series and if so I really can’t wait to read more from Hallie Ephron.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own, I hope my existence sparks joy in you all.
Emily has taken charge of the minimalist movement and has a booming decluttering business alongside her best friend Becca. All is going well until the two are hit with an odd job that entails on some of the hoarding stuff being well, STOLEN.
BUT WAIT - it gets weirder...Emily is called to another new client where the stunning Quinn Newell wants to get rid of all of her husband’s junk and joke joke also her husband. It’s all Prosecco and light jokes until Quinn’s husband actually does end up dead and Emily is the prime suspect.
Oh no, we are SUBMERGED IN JOY. Drowning actually amidst Prosecco and annoying rich housewives.
This was a fun book! It had me hooked from the very start and I read it in uh two sittings? I’m tired today, okay, so I took a nap but picked it back up and kept right on reading.
The writing at times felt disjointed and it is very easy to figure out whodunnit but it’s an enjoyable read with a host of fun, electric characters. Emily, known as Emmy to her friends and family, was awesome and her mom Lila, even more so. I feel as though this will become a cozy mystery sort of series and if so I really can’t wait to read more from Hallie Ephron.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own, I hope my existence sparks joy in you all.
September 2, 2019
This book was an enjoyable thriller/suspense story that would be an organized woman's nightmare. Emily Harlow has quit her teaching job to open her own organizing business with her best friend. They are hired to help an older widow clean out her home and a storage unit that she found out about when a bill arrived in the mail. What the ladies find in the unit is surprising. It appears that her late husband has been stealing books and documents from libraries. While hiring her mother to help catalogue the storage unit, she takes on another job recommended by her husband's legal partner. The young wife of a rich man, she has a garage full of stuff that she brought into the marriage that she now wants to get rid of. Drinking with the woman, she shares some secrets about her own life and her hoarder husband. You just know this is going to end badly.
As the story progresses, Emily is being set up for murder and more. There are several things going on in this story dealing with Emily's clients that kept me guessing. I liked Emily a lot, although even she admits she has made mistakes in her life. Her mother seems unlikable when we first meet her, but as the story progresses, I begin to like her a lot. She helps Emily when she needs it and even when she doesn't know she needs it. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but there were a few twists here and there that kept me changing my mind. The author does a great job with the plot and this is a well written, enjoyable thriller that I recommend.
I listened to the audiobook of Careful What You Wish For narrated by Amy McFadden. She did a wonderful job with the narration. She gave all the characters a distinctive voice, including the male voices. Her emotions ranged throughout the book when called for and her reading voice for simple narration is pleasant to listen to. I will watch for other books she narrates. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
As the story progresses, Emily is being set up for murder and more. There are several things going on in this story dealing with Emily's clients that kept me guessing. I liked Emily a lot, although even she admits she has made mistakes in her life. Her mother seems unlikable when we first meet her, but as the story progresses, I begin to like her a lot. She helps Emily when she needs it and even when she doesn't know she needs it. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but there were a few twists here and there that kept me changing my mind. The author does a great job with the plot and this is a well written, enjoyable thriller that I recommend.
I listened to the audiobook of Careful What You Wish For narrated by Amy McFadden. She did a wonderful job with the narration. She gave all the characters a distinctive voice, including the male voices. Her emotions ranged throughout the book when called for and her reading voice for simple narration is pleasant to listen to. I will watch for other books she narrates. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
May 24, 2020
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book. It was interesting and kept me reading. I gave it the rating I did because I thought that the character development was lacking. Most of the characters just didn't seem to have much of a personality. And the main character was annoying in her decision making.
August 6, 2019
Because Hallie Ephron writes stand-alone books, her stories always present fascinating new settings and casts of engaging new characters with intriguing livelihoods. And, each story revolves around a subject or theme that is fresh, nary a rerun or redo in the lot. Put all that together with Hallie Ephron's writing genius and knack for the creepy, and readers have tales that thrill from the beginning to the end. Hallie should really write a book about writing plots and mysteries and, oh, wait, she has. This author practices what she preaches, too. I've noticed that in my reviews for Hallie's books, I tend to include a statement about how hard they are to put down once you begin reading them. Careful What You Wish For had me reading well into the night and finishing as soon as I got up the next morning. Compelling read? Absolutely. In fact, this latest book may just be my favorite yet with its building suspense and perfect delivery of its resolution.
Careful What You Wish For takes us into the world of professional organizers, those people who you pay to confirm your borderline hoarder status and to dig you out of the depths of clutter. Marie Kondo has many people scratching their heads and asking what sparks joy and what doesn't. Business is good for those who can step in and restore order to a disordered home, and Emily Harlow and her friend Becca Jain make an impressive team in this restoration. They are building up their clientele list for Freeze-Frame Clutter Kickers one disorganized home at a time when they suddenly gain two new clients over a weekend. Working weekends is not a normal practice, but adding customers is important, so they acquiesce to requests for the weekend meetings, and since Becca has weekend guests, it’s Emily handling the meetings.
The first prospect is an older widow, Mrs. Murphy, whose husband liked to "collect" and has left her with an unexpected storage unit, contents unknown. The second new client proves to be someone Emily can totally relate to. Quinn is the wife of a wealthy man who has filled their home with antiques and collectibles that he is constantly in search of, but it is Quinn’s uncollectible belongings she needs the Clutter Kickers’ help disposing of. Since Emily’s husband Frank has filled their basement and attic with antiques and “treasures,” she has sympathy for Quinn’s situation. It seems Emily has found a kindred spirit in the husband dissatisfaction department in Quinn, and with the stress of infertility issues and a new business, Emily breaks the first rule of their business. Don’t get personally involved with the client should mean turning down a glass of wine, but Emily accepts Quinn’s offer. After all it is Emily’s favorite wine. From there it is a short trip to husband bashing and wishing the husbands away to the cornfield (Twilight Zone fans). But, it’s all in good fun, right? Emily makes her way home that evening in a bit of a wine haze but happy to have two new paying customers.
So, it should be a normal assessment and plan of action for two new clients, but there is nothing normal about these new customers. The immediate chumminess of Quinn and her attachment to Emily segues into a suspicious connection when Quinn’s husband turns up dead, and Emily’s conversation with Quinn about annoying husbands comes back to haunt Emily. Mrs. Murphy’s situation is proving to be problematic, too, with a storage locker full of questionable acquisitions whose provenance must be examined. The Clutter Kickers haven’t had to deal with criminal matters before, only clutter matters. Clearing up criminal clutter is dealing with hazardous materials requiring a different set of organizational skills.
Hallie Ephron is an author whom I can so easily recommend. She’s a repeat Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee finalist, her books are always on the must-read mystery lists. She writes domestic thrillers that are absolute page-turners. Careful What You Wish For is a read that will be well worth the anxiety you feel for Emily as she discovers that clutter in one’s life is not always as straightforward as it seems. Don’t let the summer end without this read.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book, and I have given my honest and carefully considered review of it.
Careful What You Wish For takes us into the world of professional organizers, those people who you pay to confirm your borderline hoarder status and to dig you out of the depths of clutter. Marie Kondo has many people scratching their heads and asking what sparks joy and what doesn't. Business is good for those who can step in and restore order to a disordered home, and Emily Harlow and her friend Becca Jain make an impressive team in this restoration. They are building up their clientele list for Freeze-Frame Clutter Kickers one disorganized home at a time when they suddenly gain two new clients over a weekend. Working weekends is not a normal practice, but adding customers is important, so they acquiesce to requests for the weekend meetings, and since Becca has weekend guests, it’s Emily handling the meetings.
The first prospect is an older widow, Mrs. Murphy, whose husband liked to "collect" and has left her with an unexpected storage unit, contents unknown. The second new client proves to be someone Emily can totally relate to. Quinn is the wife of a wealthy man who has filled their home with antiques and collectibles that he is constantly in search of, but it is Quinn’s uncollectible belongings she needs the Clutter Kickers’ help disposing of. Since Emily’s husband Frank has filled their basement and attic with antiques and “treasures,” she has sympathy for Quinn’s situation. It seems Emily has found a kindred spirit in the husband dissatisfaction department in Quinn, and with the stress of infertility issues and a new business, Emily breaks the first rule of their business. Don’t get personally involved with the client should mean turning down a glass of wine, but Emily accepts Quinn’s offer. After all it is Emily’s favorite wine. From there it is a short trip to husband bashing and wishing the husbands away to the cornfield (Twilight Zone fans). But, it’s all in good fun, right? Emily makes her way home that evening in a bit of a wine haze but happy to have two new paying customers.
So, it should be a normal assessment and plan of action for two new clients, but there is nothing normal about these new customers. The immediate chumminess of Quinn and her attachment to Emily segues into a suspicious connection when Quinn’s husband turns up dead, and Emily’s conversation with Quinn about annoying husbands comes back to haunt Emily. Mrs. Murphy’s situation is proving to be problematic, too, with a storage locker full of questionable acquisitions whose provenance must be examined. The Clutter Kickers haven’t had to deal with criminal matters before, only clutter matters. Clearing up criminal clutter is dealing with hazardous materials requiring a different set of organizational skills.
Hallie Ephron is an author whom I can so easily recommend. She’s a repeat Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee finalist, her books are always on the must-read mystery lists. She writes domestic thrillers that are absolute page-turners. Careful What You Wish For is a read that will be well worth the anxiety you feel for Emily as she discovers that clutter in one’s life is not always as straightforward as it seems. Don’t let the summer end without this read.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book, and I have given my honest and carefully considered review of it.
March 22, 2019
NetGalley provided me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
After the first few pages, I wasn't sure Careful What You Wish For was going to be my kind of book. I didn't want to read a "husband hating" story. But something about the first meeting of Emily and Quinn stuck with me,. I'm so glad I kept reading.
I thought I knew where the plot was going. I thought I had predicted the twist. I was wrong! I love a mystery with a surprise and this book didn't let me know.
The character development is subtle but effective. The writing is smooth, the dialogue is tight, and the plot nicely twists and turns. This is the first book I've read by this author, and I will add others to my list. Loved it!
After the first few pages, I wasn't sure Careful What You Wish For was going to be my kind of book. I didn't want to read a "husband hating" story. But something about the first meeting of Emily and Quinn stuck with me,. I'm so glad I kept reading.
I thought I knew where the plot was going. I thought I had predicted the twist. I was wrong! I love a mystery with a surprise and this book didn't let me know.
The character development is subtle but effective. The writing is smooth, the dialogue is tight, and the plot nicely twists and turns. This is the first book I've read by this author, and I will add others to my list. Loved it!
August 9, 2019
Emily Harlow recently left her job as a schoolteacher to start a professional organizing business with her close friend, Becca. Ironically enough, Emily’s husband, Frank, is addicted to yard sales and has filled their attic, basement and garage with useless knick knacks. The two couldn’t be any more different and Emily finds herself questioning if she truly knew who she was marrying.
When Emily takes on two new clients, she’s excited that finally her business is taking off. An elderly woman named Ruth Murphy lost her husband to a heart attack a year previously and just discovered he had a storage unit was unaware of. And now she’s looking for help organizing his belongings.
A woman about Emily’s age, Quinn Newell, lives a lavish life, but is looking to declutter the belongings she had before her marriage to her husband Wally. When Emily comes over to assess the job, Quinn and Emily strike up a conversation. Quinn’s husband, too, is a collector like Frank and the two women bond over their shared misery. And somehow, they end up joking about what would happen if the two husbands would just disappear?
So when Emily discovers a dead body while on the job, she is thrust into a murder investigation, putting her life under a microscope. And what’s more, Emily is now tangled up in a thieving scheme that she unknowingly walked into. Emily thought her new clients would help her budding business, but they may just end up costing her her life.
Careful What You Wish For is Hallie Ephron’s latest domestic thriller. I was pulled in by the unique premise—a professional organizer with a hoarder of a husband (seems like a cruel joke, right?). I didn’t have any expectations going into this book, as I haven’t read anything by Hallie Ephron previously. I enjoyed this domestic thriller, but even still, I had a few issues. Emily isn’t the brightest—I got frustrated by her naivety on several occasions. But then I was surprised by how clever she was at times. She started piecing together the crime for the police at one point, which seemed very unlikely coming from unsuspecting Emily. This story is full of a cast of messed up characters with shady intentions, which is something I always enjoy in my thrillers. You know the pieces of the puzzle aren’t adding up and you are kept in suspense until the very end. The ending seemed a little too muddled and rushed for my liking. I am still so glad I gave this new-to-me author a try! 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Hallie Ephron for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Emily takes on two new clients, she’s excited that finally her business is taking off. An elderly woman named Ruth Murphy lost her husband to a heart attack a year previously and just discovered he had a storage unit was unaware of. And now she’s looking for help organizing his belongings.
A woman about Emily’s age, Quinn Newell, lives a lavish life, but is looking to declutter the belongings she had before her marriage to her husband Wally. When Emily comes over to assess the job, Quinn and Emily strike up a conversation. Quinn’s husband, too, is a collector like Frank and the two women bond over their shared misery. And somehow, they end up joking about what would happen if the two husbands would just disappear?
So when Emily discovers a dead body while on the job, she is thrust into a murder investigation, putting her life under a microscope. And what’s more, Emily is now tangled up in a thieving scheme that she unknowingly walked into. Emily thought her new clients would help her budding business, but they may just end up costing her her life.
Careful What You Wish For is Hallie Ephron’s latest domestic thriller. I was pulled in by the unique premise—a professional organizer with a hoarder of a husband (seems like a cruel joke, right?). I didn’t have any expectations going into this book, as I haven’t read anything by Hallie Ephron previously. I enjoyed this domestic thriller, but even still, I had a few issues. Emily isn’t the brightest—I got frustrated by her naivety on several occasions. But then I was surprised by how clever she was at times. She started piecing together the crime for the police at one point, which seemed very unlikely coming from unsuspecting Emily. This story is full of a cast of messed up characters with shady intentions, which is something I always enjoy in my thrillers. You know the pieces of the puzzle aren’t adding up and you are kept in suspense until the very end. The ending seemed a little too muddled and rushed for my liking. I am still so glad I gave this new-to-me author a try! 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Hallie Ephron for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2019
1.5 stars. I read this with my morning coffee today. It was a quick read, but not a very good one. The plot sounded intriguing- who doesn't love hoarders and tidying and mystery? But this book fell very, very flat. Our protagonist Emily was extremely annoying and ditzy. The book was peppered with leftist nonsense and every single male character was painted as a bad guy. The misandry in this book was very off putting. None of the characters were likeable and the plot wasn't believable. In real life, I would hate these people and I didn't enjoy reading about them. I picked up this book secondhand and frankly, books like this make me question purchasing modern books. They're always disappointing and you get the feeling from the politics that the authors hate you and you wonder why your money is supporting them. I cancelled my cable a decade ago and I am seriously considering buying only vintage and foreign novels. I want to read a good story, not snarky remarks and token characters.
December 30, 2020
Emily recently became a professional organizer, inspired by Marie Kondo's "does an item spark joy" way of uncluttering. But her own home is filled with her husband's "finds." Going to yard sales is his favorite form of recreation.
Emily lands two new clients and soon finds herself entangled in their messes--and their illegal activities. She has no idea who she can trust when people make "things" more important than relationships. This story has lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. "Careful What You Wish For" has a likable heroine, an original situation, and good storytelling.
Emily lands two new clients and soon finds herself entangled in their messes--and their illegal activities. She has no idea who she can trust when people make "things" more important than relationships. This story has lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. "Careful What You Wish For" has a likable heroine, an original situation, and good storytelling.
August 20, 2019
3.75/5 - A little slow to start but once I got into the story I quickly wanted to find out where it was going.
July 18, 2022
Emily is a professional organizer who wishes her lawyer-husband would be a bit more organized. But the deal is that she won't touch any of his collections, much as she'd like to. Two prospective clients seem problematic--one, a widow, wants her to clean out a storage unit that she hadn't known her husband had, and Emily is not sure how he accumulated the books and old maps in the unit. The other, a woman who seems unhappy with her marriage, is strangely entitled and is clearly trying to entice Emily into a friendship that she's not sure she wants. But when the woman's husband is found dead in the storage locker, the police turn their attention to Emily. And just how did all the clues start pointing to her? Despite Emily's naivete, this is suspenseful and engrossing.
August 24, 2019
What do you do when you are a professional organizer and your husband is a "collector" of anything and everything? You get yourself involved in a complex conspiracy leading to murder. This is a great mystery filled with well-developed characters and a unique and timely story. The protagonist, Emily, is well drawn with a strong voice, but she's also surrounded by women from different generations, all with their own stories. A great read!
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